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The Land of Opportunity.

RJ Walters

We need the above quote now more than ever. With #CO3 trying to shut down our shores to keep everyone out, we must remember that is simply NOT what America is about. That paranoia is driven by the 25% of us who fear one thing or another.  #CO3 and his supporters see others different from them as potential competitors for jobs or at the worst as those who might do us harm or threaten their lifestyle or even their very lives. America has been and will be again the land of opportunity for each us who are willing to put the work in to … Continue reading The Land of Opportunity.

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(WS) I’ll Tell You What the Bible Says…

RJ Walters

While waiting for my car to be serviced recently I browsed a Barnes & Noble store.  I don’t do that often anymore as most of my purchases are now e-books. When I came upon the Bible section it suddenly caught my attention as to the number of books by people who propose to “tell” me about what the Bible says. For those who are unfamiliar with my history in this area, I spent several years diligently reading the Bible from cover to cover desperately trying to glean everything I could from it. Of course, before I even started that task I … Continue reading (WS) I’ll Tell You What the Bible Says…

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Patterns

RJ Walters

All my life I have been inexplicably attracted to patterns. I  never understood why until one day in the last year or so I discovered that a strong attraction to patterns is one of the characteristics of Asperger’s Syndrome.  At that time I discovered that I have many others. Now that I have a name for so many of the things I was troubled about in my youth, it gives me a peace that I have been searching for all my life. Walls, such as this one in Galena Illinois are simply beautiful as far as I am concerned. They, like … Continue reading Patterns

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Over The Hill…

RJ Walters

Being over the hill is probably the most often used phrase for getting older. When you turn forty, at least for my generation, you were considered over the hill. My hero Will Rogers certainly was an inventive guy. The way he looked at life such as the words above is what inspires me. I have never really thought about it much, but I never did get the feeling that I was on top the hill.  My life has just been happening day-to-day.  Uphill-downhill seemed more like potholes in life. When I finally reached retirement, or should I say when it reached … Continue reading Over The Hill…

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My Life Sucks…

RJ Walters

I think there is a pretty fair part of the folks in this country who think their life sucks. They haven’t had a raise in umpteen years. They have to have someone to blame and that person is often those they see as getting the “breaks” in life. It’s pretty hard for them to admit that for the most part “my life sucks because of me”. That reality just doesn’t sink for most of us.  They say they are stuck in an area with no good paying jobs but they never consider moving to a more prosperous area.  They say the only … Continue reading My Life Sucks…

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A Nice Change…

RJ Walters

Since this is my “aging week” here on RJsCorner, I will flat out tell you that I am thoroughly enjoying my “golden years” and yes they are proving to be golden.  All my life I have fretted about the future. What will I be when I grow up? Is there some other occupation that I was really built for? Since I am a weird person, should I remain a bachelor? Should I try to get another job or just retire? So many questions about life when you are young. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed every minute of my time … Continue reading A Nice Change…

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Turning Back the Odometer…

RJ Walters

I like old cars and I am kinda proud of passing on some of my experiences in life here on RJsCorner. Yeah, there are things, actually quite a few, that I would like to have been different but even the undesired things are an important part of my life’s experiences, that looking back have made me who I am. If I hadn’t been deaf I wouldn’t have the level of empathy that I do. If I had not grown up in a single very stoic parent household I wouldn’t have the understanding of such things as I do. As another … Continue reading Turning Back the Odometer…

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Bragging About It…

RJ Walters

This and the next few posts are to honor of the new header above about Will’s quote on old age.  I don’t know quite what the definition of “old age” is but I kinda think I might be getting there. I just don’t understand how I got all the way to this point in my life? It seems like yesterday that I was in college working my butt off to pay for school and to graduate. Admittedly my high school memories are pretty sparse now. I played those years out in the background as a shy kid who was totally clumsy in … Continue reading Bragging About It…

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Breaking Down The Myths About Deafness

RJ Walters

On my post a while ago entitled “Life’s Lesson” I said there were ten things that I have learned in my life that I aim to put forward for your consumption here on RJsCorner. It is important to me and I kinda think it should be important to each of us that when we come across myths about living, we should do what we can to dispel the ones that are false. The three primary myths I have encountered that demand my personal attention are related to are deafness, autism, and old age. Of course, I am intimately familiar with … Continue reading Breaking Down The Myths About Deafness

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Repeal The Second Amendment

RJ Walters

Now before you jump on me with your rants, I am not trying to take your guns away from you. Being a history nut I realize that the second amendment is presently not interpreted as it was when it was originally written.  The primary part of it was the first words “In order to establish a well-regulated militia.” The underlying fear back then was that now that the federal government has a standing army it poses a threat to the security of the separate states, so each state needs its own standing army, just in case. But today, conservative courts have … Continue reading Repeal The Second Amendment

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The Passing of Sneezy…

RJ Walters

I regret to tell you that the Snow White team recently had a death among its members. Sneezy, after years of sneezing, had a heart attack. His system just could no longer take the stress. But the good news is Snow White has already found a replacement. The new member is, like the other six, is a little man but he has the illusions of being a giant. He also doesn’t seem to have the ability to tell the truth about much of anything. We don’t know if his untruthful ways are the result of just plain ignorance or maybe some … Continue reading The Passing of Sneezy…

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A Lot Of Noise Goin On…

RJ Walters

I don’t know why I seem to be so fixated on sounds lately let alone poultry stuff.  My daily and weekly posts here are RJsCorner are now named after sounds (cackle and squawk) that chickens make. I need to get to the underlying reason for this. :)  I lost my hearing thirty years ago, and since then my brain has forgotten what many sounds sound like.  Sadly one of those areas is musical instruments.  I used to play the guitar, not terribly well but to my own satisfaction, and I really enjoyed that pleasure. Now when I see a musical instrument … Continue reading A Lot Of Noise Goin On…

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Skeptical

RJ Walters

Skeptical is one of my favorite words, I have been using it more and more in the last year or so. Just do a search for that word here on RJsCorner, and you will probably find a couple dozen posts using it.  I think most of you know the meaning of the word but just to be sure I will present it here. I guess my “Question Everything” stand is the source of my fascination for this word. I am skeptical about most things, but one thing I am perpetually skeptical about is what comes out of the mouth of the … Continue reading Skeptical

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For Some, The World Is Very Small Place

RJ Walters

I am a person who almost demands constant change. Doing the same thing over and over again is very boring to me. Maybe I am different from most in that regard?  I recently saw a TV show where an old person proudly proclaimed that he still lives in the house he was born in. My first thought was that he certainly lives in a tiny world. To never venture outside what may be comfortable to you is to stagnate as far as I am concerned. I can’t imagine remaining in one place for my whole life! I know in my … Continue reading For Some, The World Is Very Small Place

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I Am Old…

RJ Walters

Ok, I will admit it for at least the argument of this post, I am old.  I don’t mean to get morbid but I am likely in the last decade of my life.  Being old, besides all the aches and pains, is kind of freeing. We just don’t care as much about what people think of us than we used to. Our image is pretty much set in stone at this point in our lives so making a fool of ourselves now it not a big thing. One of the things at the new RJsCorner I plan on doing pretty … Continue reading I Am Old…

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To My High School Friends – I’m Coming Out Of The Closet

RJ Walters

I got to say immediately that no I am not declaring that I am gay. Instead, I am openly declaring here and on my personal Facebook page that I am a liberal/progressive in my social and political leanings.  Many of my high school friends are likely pretty hardcore conservatives who watch Fox News on a 24/7 and most likely voted for the #CO3 (current Oval Office occupant). I have avoided putting my blog posts on Facebook because I didn’t want to make any of you uncomfortable. Each of my daily posts here at RJsCorner will now proudly rest on my personal Facebook page. If any … Continue reading To My High School Friends – I’m Coming Out Of The Closet

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Free Range Cackles

RJ Walters

I want to finish up on the preliminaries of the new format here on RJsCorner. As I told you a few posts ago cackles are about laying eggs. I want to assure you that the eggs I lay are free-range. My thoughts that are generated into posts weren’t pinned up in some dark place before or after they were laid.  They come fresh out of my mind onto virtual paper. But like all children,   my posts must be nurtured and fed to be worthy of your purview. So they sit around in my chicken coop (better known as the Draft … Continue reading Free Range Cackles

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Will Rogers – About Religious Beliefs

RJ Walters

A regular part of RJsCorner is going to be looking at Will Rogers quotes and seeing how they apply in today’s world. So, this is the first of many in that area. Even  80 years ago it seems that there were more than a few who thought religions did more damage than they helped. I think what Will was saying is that “Bible thumpers,” and whatever they are called in the other religions, are the most intolerant of differences of faith.  They are just convinced that they are the only one who has got it right. This is what gets … Continue reading Will Rogers – About Religious Beliefs