The Superior Express -

The name for writing this column was borrowed from my mother who occasionally wrote items under the heading “Puffs from the Locomotive.” After her passing, I just borrowed her lead. “After all,” she said, “a puff is simply a drip under pressure.”

I try (and hope to accomplish) passing along a little humor and viewpoints that the national media just doesn’t seem to appreciate.

I thank everyone who went out of their way to let me know they appreciate my efforts. I also thank those who do not always agree with me. Unlike some folks, I like to think we can agree to disagree and still enjoy each other and maintain a civil discourse. As such, I hope to be able to continue to give you either something you like, or something you don’t like.

But . . . this is still America.

A O

As such, I came across the following little stories that I thought I’d pass on:

“Curtis & Leroy bought a mule for $100. The farmer agreed to deliver the mule the next day. The next morning the farmer drove up and said, “Sorry, fellows, I have some bad news, the mule died last night.”

Curtis & Leroy replied, “Well, then just give us our money back.”

The farmer said, “Can’t do that. I went and spent it already.”

They said, “OK then, just bring us the dead mule.”

The farmer asked, “What in the world ya’ll gonna do with a dead mule?”

Curtis said, “We gonna raffle him off.”

The farmer said, “You can’t raffle off a dead mule!”

Leroy said, “We shore can! We don’t hafta tell nobody he’s dead!”

A couple of weeks later, the farmer ran into Curtis & Leroy and asked. “What’d you fellers ever do with that dead mule?”

They said, “We raffled him off like we said we wuz gonna do.”

Leroy said, “We sold 500 tickets fer two dollars apiece and made a profit of $898.”

The farmer said, “Didn’t anyone complain?”

Curtis said, “Well, the feller who won got upset. So we gave him his two dollars back.”

Curtis and Leroy now work for the government. They’re overseeing the Bailout & Stimulus Programs.

A O

I have said on more than one occasion that “teachers” have earned my admiration over the years as they have one of the toughest jobs in the world. I learned, again, this past week that teachers never take time off, even over the summer break from the classroom.

And . . . I appreciate that.

I was recently taking a picture of a group of people whose names I was not sure of. I asked for, and got the names and wrote them down. However, I realized I made a mistake and asked a friend (also a teacher) next to me what was correct. She didn’t hesitate, and took my pen and paper and immediately starting correcting my spelling mistakes in the names. However, true to her reputation as being a “good” teacher, she complimented me on almost getting the spelling of one of the toughest names correct.

I’m never too old to learn something new . . . thanks to a teacher.

A O

Technology . . . I still have mixed feeling about how the technology of today benefits us and how it harms us. Just like so many things in today’s society, it can be used for good or for evil.

One of the ‘good’ things I’ve found is that Pope Francis sends out a little, one or two sentence, bit of advice or suggestions for improvements of the actions of people. I received one today that I’m going to pass on. It is a bit of practical advice that can be done by everyone, or anyone, regardless of faith, gender or belief.

To wit:

“If we forget the good, our hearts shrink. But if, like Mary, we remember the great things that the Lord does, if at least once a day we offer a short prayer of praise, our hearts will expand and joy will increase.”

I can’t add anything better than that, so I just look forward to a good summer and better golfing scores.

A O

Speaking of ‘Technology’, Just during the past few weeks I’ve been getting notices that I can purchase ‘Face Masks’ at fantastic discounts with special discounts on case lots. Gloves as well, all to protect me from covid.

Now, if I just knew what to do with 1,000 face masks or gloves, I’d jump at the chance.

A O