Well ,it is that time again ,when you and I, through this column visit each other, and I must say that I look forward to it each week. Those of you that like my column have always let know that you do, and so you ask things of me that normally I keep to myself.  But I want you, the reader, to know me and what I stand for and what I believe in. As most of you know, I was raised in a large family and taught respect, honesty, and loyalty. I was taught that your elders were the ones to look up to ,and that they would be the ones to answer most of the questions of life as it was and as it is now.

    One of my readers wrote me that I always speak the good word about others, but they have not heard how I feel about things that I don't like. So, in this column for this time only, I will let it all out about things that really mad me mad. Remember that what I say is of my own opinion and not that of this newspaper who lets me tell it like it is. In no way do I expect others to feel the way I do, but I know that there are many out there who feel the same way as I do. So here goes with my list of "gets me mad".

    I guess the first thing that comes in mind is the lack of respect that people have for each other. One person will talk behind the back of another and then still act the friend of that person. In the same sense, we have those who will hate someone, and yet go to a funeral of that person and tell everyone how good a friend he or she has lost.

     Another in that same sense is the tele-marketeers who call you to get you to buy something. In most cases these people really do not know what they are trying to get you to buy. They have a sheet in front of them that they read from. Have you ever tried to tell them you are not interested without slamming the phone down? Don't get on them, because they are just doing thier job. My thought on this is that if I want something, I can go get it myself.

    Another thing that burns me up, is the parking in the fire lanes, even though it is clearly signed not to do so. Parking in these lanes is not only against the law , but it also takes up the space needed by the fire dept. and the ambulance needed in a emergency. Many times I have wanted to walk up to the driver sitting there and tell him to move. These people have no respect for the laws. And have you noticed that sometimes they are parked right in front of the walking area, so that others have to go around in order to enter or leave that store.?

    Staying with the drivers of cars, I really get mad when out on the bypass, in very bad weather, we have these so-called great drivers who will come up to the rear of your car, causing you to speed up past the speed limit, and then dart around you, and pull in front, thus causing you to have to hit your brakes suddenly. These people are the ones that are causing the wrecks of other cars by mis-using thier four-wheeled drives, and dis-respecting other drivers. Many times I have pulled up to the rear of these drivers who thought they were going to beat the light only to have to stop for that light, and I have thoughts of reaching in and pulling them out to do harm to them as they would of done me or others.

    And as you are traveling down the highway and you see a car stopped at a stop sign waiting to go out onto that highway, and you think that he is waiting for you to pass by. Wrong ,my friend, that driver will wait until you are right up on him and then will dart out in front of you. Many times this old man has held back on a comment on that crazy driver.

    And how about those drivers who have to smoke, talk on the phone, and eat, while all the time, thier little child is moving all over the car. And those cars with the speakers blaring ,cauing your car to vibrate, as well as probaly helping the driver to one day lose his or her hearing. The other day, I observed a car in front of me driven by a young lady who was talking on her phone, eating a sandwich, and smoking, while tring to hold onto that steering wheel , and while her child was climbing over the seats. Mind you, this was with snow on the road. I have to say that there was one stupid lady who really does not care about anyone else , nor care about life itself.

    How about when you go into your favorite food store expecting to buy fresh meat and when you get home, you find that it is real dark inside. This causes me to think that the ground beef is recycled from what is left from the previous day. To eat that meat is to endanger your life. To continue to shop at that store would be a mistake.

    I guess my biggest "gets me mad" is the way that people who are very healthy, get put on the list of disability, and recieve monthly funds from the government. Many of these so-called disabled people do a lot of things that some of the "healthy people can't do. My gosh, I have back trouble, my legs are going bad, I have heart trouble, and I still put in 40 hours a week, because I am not disabled. I know that too, there are those out there that are actually disabled and they are barely getting by on the check  from our  government. Maybe if they weed out the ones who are not disabled, they would have more for the ones that need it. That is my opinion only.

    And how about those husbands or wives who get monthly checks as survivors , or have the children to take care of. Now most of these people need and use those funds to take care of themselves and the children, but there are those out there that use the funds only for themselves and nothing for the child. In my feeling of this, I can only say  that one day those people will have to answer for thier sin. I could never treat a child like that, because that would show dis-repect for the person who worked so that if anything happened to them, then the child would be taken care of.  Just another degree of dis-respect for the dead and for the living.

    Now don't get me wrong in that this sounds like a lot of bad talk from an old man who doesn't like anybody. That would be far from the truth. I was asked if anything gets me mad and I told you what does get this old man mad. But that is as far as it goes. I don't mention any names as that could cause bad feelings among that particular family. And I am not foolish enough to mention any company names either. What I do say is that there are those out there that just do not use the brains that "The Great Father" gave them. Anyone who cares about others  would never put that person's life in danger, nor would they do that to others..

    I guess that these thoughts come up once in a while in this old mans thoughts , but they are quickly put away in the file thirteen thought tank. I don't carry a grudge, but I don't forget either. You have to be on the elert if you want to survive. As always, Uncle Ray does care about you and I hope that this writing has waken someone up to these problems and and they will look out for the things that I have mentioned.

    May your days be full of joy and may your road of life be without pitfalls and detours. As you walk the path, take a look at all the beautiful sights around you, and breathe in the air of goodness. As you go to sleep tonight , say thanks for a wonderful day, and ask for another one.. It is there for the asking and to do with the way you choose. And while you are at it, say a little prayer for this old man who enjoys coming into your home each Sunday with his thoughts.

    Until we visit again, this is your "Uncle Ray" signing off.