Mother's Day

I guess we know at an early age we really do belong
A child, innocence pure, sweet and dear
In our wildest young nightmares we waken to a song
A soft, loving remembered voice we long
Fluttered eyelids wake to see our protecting mother near

Later when we grow to wander wild field and dark forbidding glen
Her face pressed against the window with motherly concern
We go forth armed with slingshot rocks that fly with wicked spin
To find a dragon or black knight to end their life of sin
We head home filled with manly things that we have learned

And finally home weak with hunger and torn from battle
Looking for comfort of food and rest we suddenly discover
The neighbor window broken so quick their son did tattle
Oh dear God now I must face our father's homemade paddle
But alas his temper has abated with the heavenly voice of mother

Adulthood has not changed my wanderings very much
Unfortunately dragons and black knights have become very rare
So I traded in my slingshot for fancy cars and such
Still longing for home with memories my mind can touch
And knowing all along my mother will always care

Mitt Winstead 1992

My mother, Matie, passed suddenly in 1996 while visiting from Arizona when I was living in Michigan. I lost my mother, best friend and role model that horrible day. If your mother still lives, hold her close today and spend every moment you can with her. If your mother too has passed, cherish your memories until you meet again in Devine Love.

China Sucks!

I took the liberty of blogging an article that my friend Laura sent me. It’s time we started paying attention to who we buy our products from. Enough in enough!

“Trying to avoid buying 'Made In China' is a practice that I have been consciously making for a while. I'll try even harder now.

Did you see that Diane Sawyer has a special report coming up this week? They removed ALL items from a typical, middle class family's home that were not made in the USA.

There was hardly anything left besides the kitchen sink. Literally. During the special they are going to show truckloads of items - USA made - being brought in to replace everything and will be talking about how to find these items and the difference in price, etc.

It was interesting that Diane said that if every American spent just $64 more than normal on USA made items this year, it would create something like 200,000 new jobs!

WAS BUYING FOOD THE OTHER DAY AT WALMART and ON THE LABEL OF SOME PRODUCTS IT SAID 'FROM CHINA’


FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN 'FROM CHINA '


I WAS SHOCKED SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS I BOUGHT THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE SINCE IT'S FROM CALIF.


Are we Americans as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think while the Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets?

70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended.


Why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA!!


Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.


Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some American farmer. Easter is just an example. The point is doing not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own.


THINK ABOUT THIS: If 200 million Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!!


Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on May 1st and continue it until June 1st. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they might have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and
lawlessness were worth it.


Remember, MAY 1 TO JUNE 1st !!!!!!
START NOW.



Send this to everybody you know. Let's show them that we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted.


If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives, WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!


Pass it on, America...... BUY AMERICAN !!!!!”

Open Letter To Osama Bin Laden

Osama Bin Laden
1 Nightmare Street
The Bowles of the Earth, Hell 666

Dear Osama,

Well, by now I bet your son is really pissed at you because where you both are now residing there are no virgins, ice water or strong tea. But you knew that, didn’t you. It’s a shame that now you not only have to answer to the God you perverted, but also thousands of your followers who preceded you to hell without the benefit of young, sweet, untainted women.

Look at it this way; when you are finished with eternity in hell, you can then face all the converts you led down the false path to the place all murderers of innocent people must go.

“Vengeance is mine,” saith the Lord; and it is as it should be. The United States of America was the tool that brought you to justice; and that is as it should be.

Oh, by the way, save a place for your doctor friend, Ayman Al Zawahiri. He will be joining you shortly!

Sincerely,

The memory of all the innocent souls lost to you and your murderous, ungodly following

So You Want To Be An Author

So what is keeping you from joining the ranks of millions of other unknown, broke and downtrodden author wannabes? All it takes is money to get your novel published in today’s book world. There are many print-on-demand or POD publishers out there just waiting for you to happen by, said the spider to the fly.

I know much has been said about the thrill of seeing your book in print and for sale on Amazon.com, and there is some truth in that visual treat. The only downside is that unless you are independently wealthy, you will surely slink back to your day job to keep beans on the table and wonder if the effort was worth it.

My murder mysteries, Evil in the Mirror and Day Stalker are indeed on Amazon and my name is plastered all over many pages on Google, but book sales are dismal no matter how hard I try to promote them. Could this mean the books are garbage? It could, but they are not; just check out the reviews! Something else is the cause of stale book sales.

The world economy certainly plays a large part. It’s hard to sell anything right now, let alone new books at retail when people can go to used book stores or better yet, a library and get books for free. I don’t blame anyone for doing that; readaholics need their fix and when money is scarce, libraries are the place to go.

Another possibility is that traditional publishers have become so elite that sending a manuscript to them is an exercise in futility and a waste of postage. How the big publishers stay so snobbish is a mystery to me (no pun intended). I think there is a method to their madness though. If you publish only known, bestselling authors, you don’t waste profits on promoting someone unknown that may or may not sell many books.

On a positive note, I am not going to throw in the towel. Maybe I can outlive the publishing snobs and snobettes and still become a bestselling author. In the meanwhile, I think I will fire up the Harley and go for a ride. When I get back, things will look much better and I will be able to continue writing my new murder mystery called The Phoenix Code. After all, writing is my passion while money is just a means to an end. I think the term “starving author” has some dignity to it. No one likes an obese bestselling author!

I’m just saying,

Mittster

Why I Ride Harleys

Native Americans call it “The Iron Pony,” a description well put. When you straddle the leather seat, there is a feeling not unlike when a cowboy mounts a bucking bronco at a rodeo. You know something awesome is about to happen, but you’re not quite sure what.

Starting a hog for the first time is part of a love affair that will last forever. When that “Twin V” engine comes to life between your legs, you will have an idea of how that bronco rider must feel.

Nothing on the planet sounds like a Harley. At an idle, it has a low chugging beat, slow and strong like a rhinoceros just before the charge. The weight and massiveness of the machine is deceptive, even a little intimidating. Your first thought is that if this bike falls, it’s all over but the crying. Oh, well, either ride it or sell it! Once you let the clutch out and start to move, magic happens. The ponderous, chrome hog becomes a graceful lady, responsive to your every touch. Each gear is a different dimension to her character. Every mile per hour faster is a study in stability.

You look at your companion riders in front, on the side and behind. A knowing smile spreads quickly. You are part of an American legend. Ride your “Iron Pony” into the sunset. A great adventure waits!

Mitt Winstead 1996

The Hand of Justice

Remember when Saddam Husain’s sons were killed in Mosul, Iraq by our brave military? I was saddened because a father lost his sons, but I was glad because justice was served. These sons were evil and had caused great pain and suffering to the Iraqi people.

I remember when Saddam Husain was hung by his own people after a trial had pronounced him guilty of crimes against humanity. Just like with his sons, justice was served. I thought the mode of death was gross and inhuman, after all his head was severed during the hanging.

Now, Osama Bin Laden, the most wanted man in the world, has been shot dead along with one of his sons by our military’s elite warriors. I am again saddened by the death of a father and son, but justice has finally been rendered to a savage and evil pair of human beings.

To those who say we should never celebrate the death of a person, I agree in principle, but I say, “Justice will always prevail for the evil ones who set themselves apart by the wanton butchery of fellow human beings.”

If I were Omar Kaddafi, I would leave Tripoli post haste. You are in the crosshairs and the hand of justice is near!

I'm just saying,

Mittster

My Bad

Three weeks ago after deciding to buy a Harley-Davidson V-Rod, I asked my wife if she would drive me down to Buddy Stubbs Harley in Phoenix, where a pristine 2003 anniversary model was for sale. We brought along our son, Jay, who is also an avid rider.

After we arrived, I became very busy with paperwork with the sales manager while, unbeknown to me, Jay was flirting with a gal who worked in the store. Since I rode the bike home, I only heard about it after we got back to Camp Verde that afternoon, and to be frank, I was mainly interested in my new (to me) V-Rod.

Two Saturdays ago, I again went to Buddy Stubbs, but this time Hoppy Mennenger and I drove down because he wanted to buy a beautiful 2006 V-Rod I had seen in the used bike area the week before. While he was with his salesman, I started wandering around the store looking at all the Harley accessories. It was there that I met the pretty young lady that my son had been flirting with the weekend before.

With my usual tact and charm, I told her that my son thought she was gorgeous and wanted to know if she was married. After her crimson face turned back to a more normal skin color, she informed me that she was in a serious relationship, but that she was flattered. Ok, at least I tried….

While riding home yesterday with my wife and Hoppy after we loaded his bike in the trailer (he had to wait a week to pick his bike up because of stuff he wanted installed), the subject of the young lady in question came up. My wife asked, “Who are you talking about?” I replied, “You know the tall, young lady that sold me the helmet today. The one that Jay was interested in the last time we were here.” My wife started laughing hysterically and after gaining her composure she said, “You idiot, she wasn’t the one he was flirting with. It was the young thing that sits at the desk welcoming customers at the door!”

As my wife and Hoppy were laughing and making fun of me for being a dork, I realized it was only a matter of time before our son would find out. Hell, this mistake would be the catalyst for many ribbings for weeks to come. We have a lot of family who live for this kind of thing. Of course my wife couldn’t wait to call our boy after we got home. His only reply was, “Please don’t help me anymore, Pops!”

He was only saying,

Mittster