From Pup Tents to Pent Houses

By Ben Raiche

If you have read either of my past books you have been introduced to a positive thinking person, who loves life. I do not possess a desire to influence nor create any attitude not contributing to having a nice day for anyone.

The persona and mentally developed attitudes of Ben Raiche have encompassed many and varied areas entertainment and occupations. I have been employed as a pickle maker, a hide piler, a dead animal truck driver, A soldier, A scientific engineer, A nuclear weapons test engineer, A balloon test pilot, a musician, A Governmental staff Executive and many more.

My travels have been extensive, in that I have been everywhere I had any desire to visit. My intent related to publishing my innermost thoughts has allowed me to commiserate with persons I do not know. My love of people has included thoughts of extended respectful responsibility. I might say I love people. If you would like to be included, so be it!!! Friends do not take up valuable space in my life, and there is always room for one more. Have A Nice Day

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496947031

Ben Raiche

Ben is a retiree and is satisfied that the good Lord has given him a generous share of what might be found on the happy side of life. Ben’s ardent wish is that everyone will get their just share of whatever the good Lord decides will be an equal amount of only those good things. The title of this book is the result of that feeling. Each written article ends with the salutation “Have a nice day.” This is a form of blessing and nonsectarian wish for all fellow humans. Ben, at eighty-five years of age, has been lucky enough to have done everything he hoped to accomplish in life and has been in every venue where he hoped to appear. His hands have been dirty and/or clean depending totally on his immediate location. The content of this book will introduce the reader to a man who has a real and genuine desire to levy upon each person a positive hope, sharing the good things and negating the undesirable ones.

Book preview

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2014 Ben Raiche. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse   10/23/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-4704-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-4705-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-4703-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014918648

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

From Pup Tents To Pent Houses

Dittiographical Creation

I Love You

College Classes For The Masses

Hobby Not Hobby Horse

Hobbies

Bonkers Indeed

Bonkers

What Ever Happened To????

Old Movies

So who said I was Afraid?

Ma Goose?

The Jam Session

Big Band Jammin’

OK, You’re a Taxi

Words

I Know Them

Country Dancer

Its Free, Free, Free

Free

Ho Hum That is…..

Oh lovely Belly Button

Ain’t Misbehavin’

Your place on the shore

Songs

Your Songs

Weather

Weather

Wash Day

Wash Day

What To Do

Things we all do

Seniors

Peace of Mind

Waiting

I Will Wait For You

Ants

Ants and Other Bugs

Air

Musing about the Past

I Met A Man

The Other Day I Met a Man

Art

Art

No Kidding

Pardon Me

Bugs and Such

Who Likes Bugs?

Can You Do It

Hot - Air Balloon

Cards and Board Games

It’s all In The Game

A Garden of Eden

What the Heck Its You

Something to do?

Ah, South Texas

Gadgets And Other Things

Here’s the Gadget

Ride ’Em Cowperson

Cowperson Indeed

A Dime’s Worth

America As It Is

Dogs

Speak English

Elevator

Ave, Elevator!!

Toys, Games And Such

Toys and Joys

Recipe For Mental Stir-Fry

Dittified Stir Fry

Somehow It Makes Sense

Wow its Texas

Intelligence

Oh Ya, Names

Eight Year old Hero

Doctoral Advice

Everyone Goes……

My Kind Of Thing

Trains Without Tracks

Hypochon…What Ever…

Concept and Design

Advice to The Lovelorn

Exercise 1-2-3-etc.

July or May

A New Generation

Generation Design

Big As Texas

A Texas Invitation

Fruit

Fruity Diet

What’s In A Name?

What’s In A Name?

Pardon My Excuse Request

Excuses ?

A New Article

Stay in The Nest

Addiction is

Addictions and fetishes

A Newfound Friend

A Newfound Friend

Bible-ography

Bible-ography

What Are You Going To Do?

Is this a poem? No! just a Ditty

The Stash

The Stash

Quit Smoking Now

Quit today

Taking a Poke

Taking a Poke

Happy Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Just Getting Old

Just Getting Old

The Crud Article

The Crud

Its Just A Word or Two

Its Just a Word or Two

The Rendering Plant

The Rendering Plant

Puns And Punsters

Puns and Punsters

The Little Brown Jug

The Little Brown Jug

Christmas

The Message Of The Day

Games and Gaming

Games and Gaming

My Pals and Friends

My Pals And Friends

Ranting About Nothing

Ranting About Nothing

Start Your Day

Start Your Day

Tools Of The Trade

Tools Of The Trade

The Mountain

The Mountain

Abomination

Abomination

A Hat is A Hat is A Hat

A Hat Is A Hat Is A Hat

Finis

About the Author

From Pup Tents To Pent Houses

1.jpg

I feel it appropriate to explain my selection of the title words. I offer a rather broad view, or maybe a somewhat obscure definition displayed within this book. I have included many of my thoughts, both innermost and passing. My material selection in reality, offers a positive agreement on my part that, what ever image one might develop from reading my offerings, is O.K. with me. My love of life is mine, and everyone else should have and display their own.

My life on earth includes many rather devoted endeavors. Even though many of them have not been great successes, one of the more delightful undertakings has been finding something to write about, and putting it on paper. My collection of published articles has allowed me to assemble two books to date, and I intend on finishing this one. I honestly feel that three books is truly the point at which I will cease writing articles and will retire to reading them over again and laughing at some of the things that have made my life worthwhile. There has been much for me to say in past years and it has been fun publishing it in book form, primarily intended for the interest of a senior citizen audience. There are contained within these covers, titled articles followed by titled Ditties. I hope they will induce some positive joy. Along with providing some comforting feelings. That, is their primary intent.

There is a world that becomes interesting indeed as one decides to write and publish a book. First, the potential author must decide what it is that he/she is capable of putting on paper. One must then provide a reason, enticement, or at least a hope, others will read what has been written. My attitude as an author follows a principle of listening to everyone I meet, assuming there might be a story in our conversation and sorting out and writing about what is interesting in our communication. All entries therefore are based in genuine truth. This book also contains human interest stories that include some of those meetings and discussions along with comments and Ditties. I sincerely hope my ability as a writer will be considered and appreciated, as displaying a worthwhile effort. My work in assembling this book has been spread over a rather lengthy time. I have published other books in past years, but I have never exerted the amount of Blood, Sweat and tears, (and downright fun) that I have included into this book.

My style of writing is identifiable from the onset. There will be no vast alterations seen as one reads through these short tales. The one thing that might add to a potential interest, deals with the fact, these inclusions maintain the positive aspect. Some of my writing however deals with personal feelings held regarding what I see as plus or minus truisms. My stories about people include much in the way of feelings generated, and developed. These relate my personal attitudes regarding new found associates, and maybe even friends. As an added feature, I have even met with kinfolk whom I didn’t know I had.

I further hope my endeavors will yield positive feelings for my readership. My first Books, Have A Nice Day and The Birth Of Dittyography were a little more general and far flung in regard to variance of subject matter. Although this book follows similar variances, all the material is selectively designed to follow a more disciplined and maybe, additionally sophisticated pattern. All similarity in these pages demands that the book’s title must be, From Pup tents To Pent Houses. Personality and ego must be obviated also. These are impossible to hide, even if one might want to be Very sneaky.

I did not dedicate my second book to anyone, however I will doubly dedicate this one to my own daughter and son whom I felt just might like to have something that their dad had done all by himself. This of course is additional to my creation of the progeny referenced. My two off-springs whom I love dearly are the reasons I began saving this material in the first place. So, Phillip Raiche and Dana Jepson this is the one thing you might save and show to others, many of whom have done something of note and/or quite significant. If however you assume writing for senior citizens is not daring, try it. The replies come thick and fast, and they are not all positive. To my wonderful kids, I fervently hope your generation has the ability to read and digest words originally meant for senior citizens..

Ps. By the time I finish this book, you might be classed as senior citizens….

PPS They both made it. Welcome Dana and Phil, as new seniors, and I include everyone else’s kids of all ages, whether or not you are old like me.…

To quote a famous and talented, or obscure and maybe unknown author; Take your choice, Have a Nice Day.

Ditties will permeate this entire book. I will include any one of them that seems appropriate at the time. If you feel they are extended puns, I guess you are entitled to your opinion. I certainly have worked with diligence putting them together. Please bear with me and allow yourself to enjoy my form of Dittyographical humor. (And I ain’t a poet either!!!)

Dittiographical Creation

As one creates a Ditty Composition,

Keeping things easy to perceive.

There won’t be a wealth of accolades,

Nor heaps of praise nor big parades,

But no angered shouts or rash tirades,

And you won’t get much opposition.

One must settle on an image to be painted.

Maintaining a perspective that is true.

One must keep their mind behaved,

Regardless of what it is that’s craved.

Don’t get corrupt and not depraved

Keep Imagination untainted.

Poetry is fun, Ditties are great.

Rhyming verse is what its all about.

Keep smiling while you’re writing

No nastiness nor fighting,

No need to be exciting.

I promise to appreciate.

I Love You

1.jpg

Love is a very broad subject. It seems everyone has a differing opinion of what love is all about. I, as well have my opinion and will open it up for the criticism of my readers. One cannot redefine the word lust, and call it love. You can keep your private definition of love to yourself until you write columns and then you can bare your soul among other things. I suppose we can first classify the various categories of that all important item and try to agree on at least some of them. I have stated in prior columns, that in my opinion, animals are not capable of real love. They have a form of devotion that appears to be love, but animals are just that, animals. They respond to various stimuli. A situation that might pose an obvious or assumed peril to the person who feeds and comforts them will prompt a response that might even be life threatening to the animal. This unselfish response might appear as the animal having a deep love for its master. I don’t believe that is the case at all. In this instance, I feel there is a difference between the definition of love and devotion. Devotion seems to require a reason for being. It is difficult for me to define this type of act as real love. A human might feel a strong emotion toward an animal, maybe love transcends that emotion. Mr. Webster Has and displays a broad meaning for the word, love, but I continue to feel that love and like are not the same by definition. Regardless of how I might feel toward my pet Alligator, I would not allow it the freedom to lick my hand, nor my pet Boa Constrictor to give me a hug. Most animals we have grown to accept as pets are in reality carnivorous and if they are hungry, who knows?

An inanimate object like a painting or a piece of jewelry or prized possession might be the pride of a person who owns the object, but again I state, "The word love is a little strong and should not be used in connection with that object". It seems that many folks who use the word love really mean to say they fervently appreciate something. Even though we have not seen God, He is worthy of our unrequited love. That is also my opinion, and not necessarily that of Atheists, Agnostics or other non-believers..

Many years ago I had a book of un-useful data. One of the things I remember about this book, it had the words, I love You, in seventy two languages. At that time I tried to memorize all of them, just in case I needed one of them at some time in the future. I was quite young then. Well, I can’t recall needing any of them in my formative growing years. I thought I would write the ones I can recall. At my age I am beginning to forget those all important bits of data from my early life The following is a list of them::

…I Love You…

Spanish–––-Te Amo

French–––—Je T’aime

German–––-Ich Liebe Dich

Japanese–––Ai Shite Imasu

Italian––––Ti Amo

Chinese–––-Wo Ai Ni

Swedish–––-Jag Alskar Dig

Eskimo–––—Nagligvaget

Greek––––-S’Agapo

Hawaiian––—Aloha Wau La Oe

Irish–––––Thaim In Grabh Leat

Hebrew–––—Ani Ohev Otakh

Russian–––—Ya Lyublyu Tyebya

Finnish––––Mina Rakkastan Sinua

Hungarian––—Se Ret Lay

Persian––––Du Stet Daram

Maltese–––—Jien Inhobbok

Catalan–––—Testimo Molt

Red Neck–––Hey Hey Baby

I suppose I could think of more if I just tried, but these are the ones that pop up in my mind. My first wife was Polish. I have forgotten the words in polish. I was then married to a Greek woman for twenty six years, so that one is easy. One never knows however when this old world will change over to being ruled by some oil producing country in the East. It appears they are at present dictating the rules of the game to the world. Those Arabs use all those funny letters, and I don’t know how to pronounce any of them. Gee, I wonder if the Sioux, Apache or Navajo loved anybody? I am certain that Neanderthal man must have found the secret to a form of love, or we would not be here today. Oh well, I think I have made my point. Love, therefore, as defined in my opinion, is an unfeigned positive feeling that may elicit hopes for return, but neither relies nor depends upon it. Have a Nice Day…

Some have found a definition for love as they repose in college or school of higher learning. In my book, however most of what is collected in many of these places is a little dust and many Ologies. I however continue to also feel college is important. (Kind of).

College Classes For The Masses

One might feel that ologies pertain to fields of learning.

One achieves that Phd from midnight oil that’s burning.

A title and that high success is important don’t you see?

Snoot complex is established by one’s level of degree.

So put those kids in college and have them study hard.

Refuting need for exercise might make one’s limbs retard,

But its really so important to attend the proper school.

Learning laws with all the flaws, but not the Golden Rule.

Absorbing what’s been written in those very heavy books,

Allows them to do so well as fast food rest’rant cooks.

Or maybe have a paper route deliv’ries made each day.

Fate might make them president. I hear one starts that way.

Senators and congressmen are those who make the rules.

For all those folks with Phds. Some others classed as fools.

Universities teach classes with subjects for the masses,

Issuing degreed passes to all the lads and lasses,

Professors using printed text and adding in their lore.

Some personal projections include, just a little more.

My attitude with reference to the process they’ve enveloped,

Facets that may well include ideas they’ve developed.

Harvard, M. I.T, and Yale and Stanford all have dash.

These are schools one can attend if one can find the cash.

So the choice of school’s important, education and your fate,

Will all be then developed, though some school is second rate.

If you agree with what I’ve said, and feel the need to study,

Be smart and go to school my friend. Don’t let your shoes get muddy,

Or maybe flip some hamburgers or learn to dance and smile.

Education might provide some wealth, and support your domicile.

There is no question of the love I had for my Dad and Mom. They led me through the tough times of the early thirties and we all came out smelling like roses. My brothers and my sisters were equally respectful of my folks. During our young years it became necessary that we all must learn to support ourselves. The word was, There is no free lunch. That included our dinner table. Income was produced by hard work. The selling of illegal drugs was not acceptable in our society. It seems however that everyone had to have a hobby. I don’t mean selling drugs either.

Hobby Not Hobby Horse

1.jpg

During most of my life I have boasted a liking for electronics, mechanics and hydraulics. I like to make things work. I guess you could say this has been my hobby. During my working years I was fortunate enough to be employed in jobs that placed no limit on my desire to make things work. I even developed a liking for explosives and finding uses for them. In my humble opinion, I believe everyone should have a hobby or should practice playing around with something you like to do. This does not include what you do for a living, or even an extension there-of. Many find peace and satisfaction in using the old camera. Taking pictures always appears to be a challenge. One must first decide that a picture is worth taking, then look for the best angle and on and on, ending up with composition and finally snapping the shutter. Today a person has no need for a dark room and the chemicals etc. A digital camera and a computer with a printer can do a rather satisfactory job of presentation. Photography however is just one more hobby. Using the computer has become a means to direct attention away from the boredom of television and its tales of war, crime sex and loud music. Driving a car or boat, or even flying an airplane or balloon can be a rather expensive but satisfying hobby. If one has the where-with-all, and can afford to do those things, I guess there could be a great deal of satisfaction in doing one of them. Of course, some go to the extreme and get into racing of those things, and that seems to epitomize their life style. I would imagine there is much more excitement in operating these vehicles than there would be in making lace with a tatting shuttle, or even cooking. Yuk!!!

Musical presentation, or simply listening and appreciating some type of music can be a restful thing for the mind. Then of course there is the extreme in the area of musical presentation. One must decide how far he/she will go with learning an instrument and playing it with others who might like to have a small orchestra. I know persons who have dedicated a portion of their lives to learning symphonic music and actually performing with local symphonies. The hobby is like the proverbial tail that wags the dog. Ah Yes! The symphony or opera, indeed!!

Young folks can indulge heavily in water sports and scuba diving. Swimming offers the best known form of exercise. Along with tennis, bowling, and contact sports, one might indulge in checkers, chess and other board games. There are those of course that use gambling as a means to relax while losing one’s shirt in the process. I know of no one who has actually won at any gambling game on a continuous basis except the owner of a casino. Gambling takes over where the hobby quits.

Why would anyone in his/her right mind write a story about such things as potential hobbies? Well, folks there is a very positive reason why. The existence of a hobby just might be a replacement for a great amount of medicine. Doctors tell us that mental diversion can cut down on the daily stress one must tolerate in today’s society.

Stress and strain, and aches and pain seem to go hand in hand. In today’s world we are under a continual competitive stress in order to keep up with modern technology. If one is living in the working world and making a living, there is a continual competition between workers to reach that next rung in the ladder of success. Golf has been a contributor to communal associations that breed friendships and social climbing. A good thing to remember is never to beat the boss at golf or any other game. Card games seem to have become hobbies for many older senior citizens who do not want to become couch potatoes, but have no desire to move around. Bridge is one of the games that place a person on a societal caste ladder. Say what you will about all hobbies, I honestly believe that dancing is one of the greatest hobbies in the world. One can demonstrate ability and grace along with having a good time. Yes, I am convinced !!!

An interesting aspect of this article is that I did not intend to discuss hobbies and just drop the subject of working for a living. It is true that one must have a diversion, but it must come second to one’s requirement to provide for paying living expenses. Work is necessary in order to justify having fun or a hobby. Have a nice day…

A hobby might be an avenue of release for a great deal of energy that is just waiting to be turned loose. It must be realized however that a hobby is not an occupation, but simply a release.

Hobbies

I remember my first hobby. It was playing the guitar.

Lester Paul and Chester Atkins at the time were best by far.

I took my lessons every week and practiced very hard.

Back then we had no cell type phone or paid up credit card.

After school we did our chores and then had time to play.

And then we all had hobbies, not like it is today.

Mom and dad both ran the house and so made all the rules

Music was my hobby. We had no swimming pools.

Dad had a stamp collection and mom crocheted for fun.

But didn’t practice hobbies until their work was done.

So I loved playing music. It was my desire t learn,

But playing with a local band was not my first concern.

What started as a hobby became an income source

So I got another hobby, and learned to ride a horse.

When a hobby starts to fill your life and becomes an occupation

Its time to turn the hour glass and take a long vacation.

When the fun that you’ve created becomes a daily chore,

Divorce yourself from all that work. Don’t try to find some more.

So if you have a hobby, its not things you must do.

Go and watch chimpanzees in the local zoo.

The social level they possess you might emulate.

And learn some monkey business with the hobby you create

This next article deals with a subject I have discussed on previous occasions. I however continue to feel the attitude I had before, and I thought I would rehash the whole sordid thing. It deals with the value I place on forms of advertising.

Bonkers Indeed

1.jpg

Some of the advertising selected especially for television drives me completely Bonkers. I don’t think it is necessary to define the word, Bonkers, because all one has to do is turn on the TV., listen to a couple of ads, And the meaning will become blatantly obvious. Newspapers develop advertising featuring sensually oriented halftones using partial nudity of some twenty five year old slinky and frequently bulimic female as an attention getter.

Television demands the use of selected verbiage featuring sexually oriented materials. They also provoke