SHOELESS +
Now that I’m of “age” I can recount my youth with some degree of humor.
On summer days, if not riding a bike or traipsing across pastures avoiding cow pies, we often went shoeless. By the time supper was on the table we had more soil on our feet than we had in our yard. In fact, if it was raining without lightning, we would go outside just to feel the mud squish up though our toes.
I’m sure mom’s insides went sideways when we came in. It meant another trip to the broom closet to sweep the floors. It meant another load of sheets to be laundered. However, for some odd reason, mom did not make us wash off the well-earned grime. But on Saturday night that all changed. It was bath time and every particle of dirt was destined to return from whence it had come (the 5 gallons of bath water in the galvanized metal tub along with the accumulated grime was poured off the porch). On Sunday we wore socks (without holes) and shoes (spit shined).
At the same time we lived in a chaste home. We were not allowed to wear shorts or go shirtless. So, it was embarrassing to go swimming with our darkly tanned faces and pristinely white legs and torsos. We must have been sights to behold. People needed sunglasses when we were at the beach for our annual swim at Parker Dam. The spring-fed water at that beach was always cold even on the hottest day.
In the colder months we often trundled about the house with ratty slippers. The linoleum floors were cold, but shoes were uncomfortable.
HOW TO BE RIPPED OFF… (Do not do any of the following…you won’t like the results).
The following is said “Tongue in Cheek”: Everyone loves to be ripped off by somebody in a foreign country. If it weren’t for you, and other rich Americans, they couldn’t afford those luxuries you can’t afford. Here are 5 ways to volunteer to be taken (Don’t):
1. Respond to an text message from a number you don’t recognize. That’s right, it isn’t even from your area code. But they’ll text something about your bank account, medications, insurance, package delivery, or investments. Please do not immediately text back to the link they provide or they will gladly drain your bank account of everything you have. In the last month I have received 4 text messages from. “my” insurer. Of course the text says I can “opt out” of receiving more messages. Yet, I would be a fool to “opt out” of something I never “opted into” wouldn’t I!!! Then the phishing brothers would have a few more pieces of data on me … that I DO have that insurance, and that I’m gullible. It is so EASY to be taken.
2. Well, if it is a phone call from my hometown “pharmacy” I should answer? Whoa! Dude! Did I sign up to receive reminder calls from them? No, I was careful to “opt out” of those when I transferred to this pharmacy, so exactly WHO is calling me? That phone number is NOT from my pharmacy. So, after getting those messages on my voicemail I went inside the pharmacy and spoke to a tech. Sure enough, my records say that I should not be receiving them. I didn’t answer those unexpected calls and I’m glad. I have all my doctors and other important businesses in my “favorites” so I know it is really THEM when they call or text reminders.
3. OK, but can I lose my shirt from an email message? Sure! It is easy as pie (you like pie, I know). All you have to do is TRUST what a random email message says. I know you didn’t ask for the IRS or some law-enforcement agency to send information, but you definitely must respond or they can throw you in prison without a trial, right? Your money is their money, and all you have to do to transfer your wealth to them is believe the email and call the number or visit the link they provide. Don’t.
4. Focus! You do NOT want to lose every penny, including your investments, right! Never share you login info and account number or your nightmare will come true.
5. You’re lonely, but you have some money? Someone out there will be your friend if you only send enough money for his or her plane ticket. Does it matter that you’ve never actually met? Not at all. They will gladly love you all the way to the poor-house. As long as you still have $100 he or she will be your friend. Share your love (money). It is much safer to find companionship among those you already know instead.
6. You just WON! All you have to do is pay the costs of the wire transfer. Should it matter that you didn’t enter any contests or lotteries? These hucksters don’t care if you did. They just want to win the lottery of YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. As a precaution, I never enter any contests or lotteries. Then when I get the announcement that I won I know it is a lie. Also, the address for my package is NOT unreadable. I couldn’t order it online unless it was totally readable. FAKE!
7. Federal law says that anyone attempting to sell or promote an item (except for political reasons) MUST tell you the name of the company and the name of the caller BEFORE asking a single question. So, if you get a call from an unknown number and they ask a question before providing those details, they are breaking federal law, even “How are you?” or “Is this so-n-so?” (Never say YES to any question ever). Your very first response will not be an answer to that question, will it!!! Your first response will be, “Who is calling?” If they refuse to tell you you have no obligation to continue. Hang up. I used to tell them they just broke the law; but it wasn’t long before I realized that a caller from Outer Mongolia didn’t care about American laws.
8. There are many more ways to lose your life savings. There’s probably even an app or QR code for that. Thus, I refuse to QR or download apps. “See the flying Zinga family soar above the crowds.” No thanks. “Connect to our menu with your phone.” Nope. I want a menu I can see without a microscope. The QR and app “benefits” aren’t worth the risks. Besides, why am I sharing personal data with McBusiness? Even with an app I have to get into the same queue and wait just as long. Anyway, how long does it take to say, “I want a breakfast sandwich?”
Copyright 2025 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]
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