Put away the smartphone, ignore the land line, the laptop and the iPad. There is nothing worse than trying to talk to a person who is distracted by a screen or the ringing of a phone. If you want to really hear what the other person is saying, you must eliminate the noise around you. This allows you to focus on the person you are talking to, showing them that you think they are important and, for the time being, the center of your attention.

I was up at 3am and walked to the gym! Met a few Hormelites there! Great morning and workout!

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you may live in the Midwest...

...and on the 7th day while G_d rested, Satan created the Kardashian family.

It’s embarrassing that 90% of my Google history is just words I wasn’t sure how to spell, and yes I googled embarrassing.

Energy saving light bulbs are great for when you want to turn on the lights but continue standing in the dark a few more seconds.

I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night, more kisses begin with alcohol than Kay.

What if God had created barbecue sauce on the fourth day? Do you think Adam's rib would have become Eve or lunch instead?

♪♫ Everybody cut, everybody cut, everybody cut Footloose ♫♪ ~ Me, if I were a surgeon amputating a gangrenous foot.

What is about public restrooms that make people go, "Yeah, I'm just not going to flush that."?

I wish something could be done about drivers that intentionally try to hit me on my bike. On two occasions, this guy in a big bright blue Ford truck has swerved to hit me, on Cranston Road, then flips me off out his window like I did it on purpose. Don't they understand, in their puny minds, that a biker is has no defense when a 3,000# vehicle hits us? I will try to get his plate next time, but if it's anything like last year, the cops will do absolutely nothing about it.

I once dated a woman who owned a parrot. That crazy thing would never shut up. The parrot was kind of cool, though.

I asked a friend for a newspaper. He told me to get with the times, and handed me his iPad. That fly never saw it coming!

One of my favorite posts: : "I could save a lot of money by walking face-first into a spiderweb every morning instead of buying coffee."

One of those things I'll never forget is that amazing moment when my baby son held my finger with his entire hand. Maybe it's just my sentimental silliness, I don't know.

"Call your doctor if you have an erection that lasts more than four hours"....ummm, yeah, I don't know about you but, calling for a medic would not be the first thing on my mind at that point, or hers.

We cannot hope to survive as a nation, without the lessons from the past.  We are one country, one people and have one purpose.  We must strive to make every one of our citizens understand that they can live free and without prejudice. No one should every feel they are without rights and without dignity, for if they do, we have failed in our purpose.

Dave Long, 2011

Americans, as One, working together. White, Black, Indian, Mexican, Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Muslim, Republican, Democrat, Gay, Straight it makes no difference, everyone is for America. They do not understand the American Spirit! Terrorize us, and we will bounce back!

On May 1, 2000, while working on the rear axle of my Ford Taurus, a freak accident occurred. While pulling on a crowbar, it jerked and my very own elbow broke my tibia and fibula simultaneously. I lay on the ground for what seemed like hours, yelling for help. This was before the proliferation of cell phones, so I had no way to get help. Two neighbors, on a walk with their dog, heard my cry for help. They instantly came to my aid, calling 911. Not only that, my very own "Ex-wife" came to the hospital to comfort me during this horrific injury. This is kind of people in my country. Trump that!

I don't care what anyone says about my country, the United Sates of America, there is nowhere else in the world I would trust with my life.  Where else can you be born and know that if you are harmed, your neighbors, whom you don't even know will come to your aid?  Sure, Europe, Israel, Japan are candidates... but in this country, you can believe anything you want.  Build your own business.  Live wherever you want. Even leave to another country if you prefer.  In this country, a very, very small percentage of our citizens are murderers, but even they are full of rights before they are tried and convicted.  I love this country no matter how bad a few can be.

Our children and grandchildren are proof G_d loves us and gives us another chance. They assure we will not die. A piece of us will move on, and hopefully a little smarter than we were.

Time can be such a cruel, cruel monster. I sit and think about all those things I would have changed if I could but Time says no...it's too late. Regret and Time walk hand in hand teasing me to desperately tell the young not to make the same mistakes. But they won't listen. They are young and believe they will live forever, just like I did. So I digress and just look forward.

Sitting here looking out at the yard I wonder just how many times G-d will allow me to anticipate warmer days. I seem, over the years, to just sit back and have the faith it will happen. It always does. I love summer with it's sunny rays on my face. The many bike rides I plan. The rain that cleanse the earth, and sometimes myself. It's almost like a rebirth in a way. I wish it would last forever, but alas, then I'd never be able to sit and look out the window and anticipate it again.

Some of the things G_d has blessed me with over the years: Parents that cared for me. Marrying the love of my life. Being filled with the Holy Ghost March 18, 1977 and being baptized in Jesus' name 30 days later. Having 4 wonderful sons. I was there for all their births and I love them more than life. A wonderful job at a company I love and respect. A beautiful daughter in law that means the world to me. Two grandsons that I love so much they take my breath away at times! 

If, before I go away, I could just stress the importance of the life we have been given. There is nothing like it anywhere that we know of. Your life can't be duplicated or repeated. It's such a wonderful gift that needs to be lived to it's fullest. Cherish every moment you have, you will not have the chance again. My young friends, you too will grow old and look back and wish you had treasured those times like I do now. Don't let it all slip away without loving someone or being loved.

I swear I'm getting more belligerent than ever before. Today at Walmart, this "security" guy is spying on a few customers from behind a display. The customers can't see him snooping at them but he is blocking the aisle. So loudly I said, "EXCUSE ME." He looked up at me a totally ignored me. Once again I said, "EXCUSE ME!, go spy on people somewhere else, your blocking my path!" The customers he was spying on quickly vanished. Later, on two occasions he slowly passed me and stared at me on the third time I said, (very loud): "WTF (no abbreviations used at the time) are you looking at?" He has be the worst security I have ever seen. Most of you know how I am an unassuming little guy and look like I would never hurt a flea, but I clearly shocked this fellow. His face turned completely red with embarrassment and he scurried away with his tail between his legs.