With almost forty years of military and para-military leadership (read Police) under my belt, I can say even leaders have leaders. In the moment, you may be the final authority and make decisions, but there is always someone you will answer to.

I hear someone saying Elon Musk doesn’t have a boss, but he’s still responsible to shareholders, laws and regulations. Somewhere in the back of his head is a voice that shaped him as he was growing up, still leading him. I have the same thing, it sounds remarkably like my grandfather. I also have a debit to my mentors, to pass on what I’ve learned.

In the main though, I’m a leader by default, inclination or disposition. I have little reservation about stepping up.

Daily writing prompt

Are you a leader or a follower?

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Harley-Davidson – This goes back to my first bike that leaked, the chain and rear tire would slip going over track and it was uncomfortable to ride. They fixed the technology, and I found a bike that fits me. I like sport bikes and Kawasaki makes a decent lite cruiser, but Harley just fits.

BMW – I know. It’s not made in Germany anymore. I prefer the way they handle to other sport cars. I don’t care about cars that much, but I appreciate performance. I’ll drive a truck until it dies, but this is the only car I’ve ever kept after paying it off.

Macallan – If you’re a whiskey drinker and haven’t tried a good scotch, this is the one. Don’t bother with the 12-year-old. It’s going to be rough. The 18 is good straight, with a water back. I don’t like ice or to water down the flavor. Any of the special casks are excellent. Just don’t blame me if you spend a car payment on a bottle.

Glock and Ruger – Nothing fancy or flashy. They work when I want them to, point and shoot.

Daily writing prompt

What are your favorite brands and why?

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Why vote? Our political system has crowded out real statesmen and left us with choosing the lesser of two evils. If we just look back at the past fifty years, it’s easy to see how the corruption set in. Strangely, it can be identified by the millionaire politicians, who entered office with little wealth, but managed to earn millions on government salaries. A feat repeated with the new crop as well.

The most controversial members have been the most productive and served the nation the best. Regan was constantly criticized for his age and being out of touch with modern ideas. “Rocket Ronnie”, was supposed to get us involved in World War III and launch nukes at everyone. Trump, for all of his personal faults was a good leader as well. Bill Clinton, comes to mind as another example of performance over personality. Got caught with his pants down and lied about it. Who cares? The Bush’s were simply plodding and boring, not accomplishing much either way. All of the grandstanding and inquiries were excuses for professional politicians to avoid their real work and waste taxes on building strawmen to slay.

I vote. I’m not choosing the best for the job so much as the lesser of evils. Besides, if you don’t vote, you can’t really complain about who is in office. It might be easier to complain after the fact, but it doesn’t change anything.

Daily writing prompt

Do you vote in political elections?

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“No regrets.” Words to live by, especially if you’re making hard decisions. You can spend the rest of your life looking back and saying “If only…” or “I should have…” Why? I refuse to beat myself up over choices I made, that I thought were the best at the time.

You know, don’t shoot that guy in the face, no matter how much they deserve it. Good decision. She’s hot but crazy, I can take a little crazy. Bad decision.

There are a lot of things I regret all the same. I missed a lot of my daughters growing up, personal and career choices made at the time. I would be lying if I said that I could have lived with their mother. We did the best we could and worked out a way to care for them apart. Still, no regrets.

Daily writing prompt

Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

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Any topic will do, really. I am interested in just about anything, except gossip. Can’t stand it. Little minds that pick apart people and issues that aren’t any of their concern. Line ’em up. I’ll get the guns.

Right now, I’m studying politics, economy, sociology and critical thinking. I’ll rip through a few dozen books, get lost in papers and journals and come out with a pretty solid idea of what I believe and why. I’ve studied just about everything at one time or another.

Playing sports, not watching. I’m down to golf for something I can play. Books, Sci-fi, fantasy, some biography, travel (I’m working on Asia right now), poetry, writing… really, anything. Science and physics.

Try me. Let’s have a discussion.

Daily writing prompt

What topics do you like to discuss?

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New relationships. After nearly six decades of poor decisions and bad relationships I am so afraid I’ll screw up, again. I guess there are mitigating reasons for some of it, but it really comes down to me ignoring warning signs and believing in our better angels. The conflict within me is over the flutter of a new infatuation (love?) and fear of another disaster.

I think the problem is that I’m really oblivious to hints. It doesn’t matter if it’s flirting or passive aggressive behaviors, I don’t pick it up. It’s been a problem.

Daily writing prompt

What makes you nervous?

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That’s it. Since I started writing this morning, I’ve thought about my past career, golf, why my brain hates me so much, golf and missing people I used to work with. Word salad. Faster than I can type word salad. Should I call Bella Vista and see if I can get a tee time for tomorrow? Where was I?

Daily writing prompt

Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

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When I went through the Police Academy, this grumpy old cop was fond of reminding us that you don’t get called because someone is having a good day. It took a couple of years to understand that deep down, but I got the message eventually. I didn’t expect anyone to be happy to see me when I pulled up.

I was working by myself on a Sunday morning on the east side of the district. That’s only remarkable, because I was senior enough that I had my own car and steady assignment on the west side. I never stopped moving. My record was 21 minutes from roll call to a felony arrest, aggravated assault with a weapon. Sunday is when you get a cup of coffee and park up to read the newspaper. So, to the relief of my squad, I had parked under a tree by a basketball court. I was starting to get bored when a call came in, “Meet complainant at 1100 Jefferson”.

I pulled up to a church parking lot, figured it would be a report of someone’s car being broken into. I was met by an attractive woman in a Sunday going to meeting hat, that would have made Dr Suess proud and Bartholemew Cubbins despair. I had seen her walking to church earlier, but that didn’t register just then. So, I go strolling up trying to put on a smile that doesn’t make me look crazy. “Good morning, Ma’am. Did you call for police?”

“Good morning officer. I told them it wasn’t important, but I’m glad you’re here. I just wanted you to know that. A lot of us are really glad you and the others are here.”

“Thank you. It’s nice to be appreciated.” It kind of threw me for a second. I almost had an emotion. “What can I do for you?”

“Nothing.” She flashed one of those smiles that means she got just what she wanted, big and bold. “I just wanted you to know we see you out there everyday. At least some of us appreciate you.”

She had called just because she was having a good day and wanted me to know. It wasn’t the first time or the last that someone thanked me. It was the only time that I was dispatched, just so someone could do it. So, I can’t complain anymore that we are never called because someone is having a good day.

Daily writing prompt

Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.

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It’s like stepping off of a cliff or jumping out of an airplane, one second you’re safe and secure in what you’re used to, the next you fall. It’s the exhilaration of falling, out of control and accelerating towards whatever destination is beyond. Relax into it. Let the wind rush past you, telling you how fast you are moving now. Arch your back, throw your arms wide, yell, laugh, live!

I’ve been tinkering with myself for a long time now, just trying to be a better person. It started when I was in my early 20’s and I let go of all the anger and resentment I had for my family and those I thought had neglected and abused me for most of my life. I felt lighter. Over the years, I’ve managed to trim a good bit of weight, mostly it was the pain of living a hard life and the loss of so many friends along the way.

That’s it. I’ve just let go.

Daily writing prompt

Describe one positive change you have made in your life.

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OK, so not really pets, but you have to admit they are pretty close to animals in the beginning. If you disagree, I have one word.

Boys! A horrible cross between intelligent primate and a force of destruction. They’re like having a Saint Bernard with ADD. Being the youngest of five brothers, I learned from the best. If you can keep them clean and fed, call it a success and pray for adulthood.

Girls are like cats. Cute, loveable and deceptively dangerous. All you know is that you did something wrong, and no one is going to tell you what. You want to pet them and love them, but don’t take it too far.

The warnings aside, they are the best. Watching a human evolve from the chaos is the greatest blessing I have ever had. Hopefully, someday, they will look back and appreciate how much effort went into raising them. And, they will probably end up picking my nursing home.

Daily writing prompt

What animals make the best/worst pets?

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