Of cabbages and kings

 

     Of Cabbages and Kings

 

"The time has come, Ole Papi said to speak of many things. Of shoes of ships and sealing wax and cabbages and Kings."

Today was the 1st of hopefully many discussions with one of my grandsons about "stuff" in general. It was a wide-ranging conversation about liars and why they lie, whether in the media or our personal lives. We discussed how the wealthy pass their wealth to their children and how to accomplish that task for themselves when it comes. Additionally, we talked about compound interest and how it is both a benefit and a bane of existence. We talked about the purpose of family. Why family exists, and what are the dynamics of a family (from my perspective)

            One of the exciting topics was compound interest, described as money that creates money from money that does not yet exist. I explained I bought the house where we live for a few hundred thousand dollars. However, after 30 years have passed, we will pay significantly more than that, close to double. That is what they call interest, money that does not exist. I explained how people like Elon Musk have ownership of very little. However, he has access to everything. We talked about how a company, for tax purposes, is treated. as if it were a person. The trick is to learn how that takes place and use it for your purposes. (I'm skipping the boring details)

            We talked about lies and liars. I asked him, "Do you remember that submarine incident a week or so ago?" And how they spoke about them having 36 hours or so of oxygen remaining, keeping the situation firmly at the center of our attention to find out that the US NAVY knew almost immediately that the boat had imploded with all hands aboard. I told my Grandson the Navy has vast experience with undersea sounds and knows what a boat sounds like when it's crushed. My question was, "What else was going on that week that was important but possibly needed a distraction? I offered him a thing or two that were going on that did not get the same level of coverage as there were some legal issues in Washington, DC, and some plea deal. I forgot the details. I told him of an individual who took a woman's life with a child using a stolen handgun; that story has three major problems. First, the accused perpetrator was a person of color. Second, the pistol used was stolen, and finally, the person will be charged with double murder or killing the mother and child. There are problems with the story's facts based on the possible contradictions with prevailing thoughts on those issues. I told him I used to say when I hear a story, I immediately think, "I wonder if that is true," but I have to add why they said it if it is false.

            We went on to "What are you going to do in your shop classes at the local trade school" In the future, you will have to choose a job in a trade or go to college with the result being a paying job that will cover the lifestyle he wishes to have. I told him, "Remember that if you borrow money to go to college at some point, that money will have to be paid back. You will have to weigh the benefits of a paid apprenticeship without the use of going to college. That will be his choice that will have to be made at some point, and that will be yours alone to figure out.

            We talked about the concept of military life and lawful orders. This thought was triggered by someone driving a front-end loader down the highway. I said now, that's been a while since I went one. I told him I was a generator mechanic. However, a phrase added to the bottom of my job description was "and all other assigned duties." Now the concept of a lawful order came up. I told him of a story of a Col who wanted lights to be blacked out at some point in some exercise. He gave said order which I relayed to my supervisor, who, while saying we are ready to complete this order as shown, however, this is the area of a contractor's construction area. If we interfere with their project, there will be command interest as to who, why, and who gave the order to do that. We did not have to complete the task we were ordered to accomplish. At some point, you will have to choose between doing what is right, based on your values, and being willing to pay the price to go against the stream.

            We discussed my history regarding my wife and her inherent distrust of all things female about me. Being a knucklehead gave someone a ride to work at some point, and I got a call for assistance at some ungodly hour, and I had to explain the why's and wherefores of that interaction. To be brief, I took what can be called a significant league azz chewing, which left no doubt on her position on the subject, regardless of my guilt or innocence. When my butt regrew, it was attached to a much wiser individual. I understood where she came from based on her history in previous associations and who I was when we first met. Yea, that was a rough one. I told him there should be only one person that one should take that level of criticism, and it is one chosen mate (if done respectfully in both directions). The discussion went to my escapade when I passed out in a parking garage, that had me in the hospital for two days. My wife put me on her shoulders to get me into a wheelchair to the ER. I told him I gave Nana BIG props for standing up when I needed someone to step in and handle business as I did for her a time or two.

     We finally discussed family. I asked what my purpose is in this family, is it for myself and what I need or want, or is it for someone else? He looked and said, me? That is correct. It is you. You and Nana come first; then I come in second or third. My needs go after I ensure you and the rest of the family's needs are met. If I put myself first, then it gets problematic for everyone. I told him family is my primary purpose; it is why I am here doing what I do daily. I can't answer others, as that is not my responsibility.

It was a good talk, and I look forward to doing it again soon. The middle grandson's appt with me is tomorrow. Being