Welcome to my front porch

   Every time my wife and I go out to eat,  Kitten always asks me why am I always looking around.  The answer to that is simple,  I like to see who is around me.  I am more comfortable knowing my surroundings and the type of people that are seated around me.  Don't misunderstand, I'm not paranoid, I just like observing people.  You can learn a lot by their facial expression, the way they sit, and their actions (body language).  I am that way about my every day life.  I look, listen and observe and I form opinions based on what I see and what I hear.  Thus, this is the reason for this blog.

   I am starting this blog so that I may express my opinions with out restrictions and limitations.  To invite debate on current issues, events and life in general as I see it.  A preacher once said of my father "when Jimmy formed and opinion, you couldn't bend or sway it with a hammer or crowbar".   The preacher said these words at my father's funeral, but he knew my father better than that.  My father's opinions could be changed by facts, actions and enlightenment.  He just liked a good robust discussion, and didn't want to appear giving in to easy.   I take after my father in that regard.  If someone wants to change my view on things, well they are just gonna have to work for it.

   The idea of starting my own blog actually came from my wife.  She didn't want to be the only target audience when I would get on my soap box and most profoundly express my views of the day's political  and social news.  When she suggested that I start a blog, I thought she was just having a little fun at my expense, but in a loving wifely way.  Well I didn't give much thought to it, but I did start sharing and commenting on Face Book.  That is until I started to lose friends and was blocked by 1 family member.  So here it is, my first post on my first blog.

   My opinions and views come from everyday life as seen, heard and expressed from an average working American.  I did not graduate from college with a degree in English (although daughter #3 did) or have a background in journalism.  I don't claim to be articulate, worldly, or an expert in life.  I am who I am.  I grew up in a small Virginia village.  I was raised by two loving and caring parents Jim and Frances.  My father was retired from the U.S. Army and was a State of Virginia Law Enforcement Officer.  Mother was the family manager, cook, nurse, and banker (aka. a home maker)  My mother and father provided a home for foster children (some included my cousins).  This made for a large family, but my mother and father both saw to it that the family had a christian upbringing.  I have a sister Glenda who was several years older than me.  I was a typical young country boy growing up, my heroes were Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Like them I wasn't keen on school. I finished high school and joined the U.S. Army from which I retired. I married and have now 4 daughters (3 from a previous marriage), 1 son and 8 grandchildren. My wife Kitten and I love to travel and enjoy outdoor activities.  We will begin our vagabond lifestyle this spring.  This lifestyle and my upbringing is where I accumulated most of my beliefs, my views and my opinions of life.  The rest I glean from other sources, i.e.;  TV, news, Internet, books and general observations.

   So here it is, for better or worse, my outlet for the way I see and understand the life around me.  My topics will include politics, life styles, religion and whatever suits my fancy.  If you don't like my views or the topic, well then you can pass on by, but I'll still wave and smile at ya!