CE Wills

   Talk about odd things to spend a few hours on. Yesterday, for no apparent reason, I studied the quagmire that is the End User License Agreement. As you know, this is the thing you sign for many downloadable games, software and the like. They would have had a tough time inserting this stuff down the throats of Americans many years ago but now most of us are sadly amenable to clicking the "I agree" box.       I read a lot about the agreements over on the terrific site called Wikipedia. The Eula is a device which is intended to form a contract with the user. Its intent is to give the owner of the software more power in copyright than the law allows for. It is many things, including a salve to company insecurities. Many times a court of law will rule them 'unconscionable'. That is, a judge, in good conscious, can't rule for a company that manipulates a customer's young age, ignorance or careless disregard of reading a long boring document, to sc...

     Hey, everyone. Good morning. I got up this morning with a song on my mind. As the erudite among you might suspect, it was Que Sera, Sera. This song was made famous by Doris Day, back in the 1950's or 1960's. I think it was in a movie she did with the charming Cary Grant. The words mean, whatever will be, will be. It goes like this: Que Sera, Sera. Whatever will be, will be, The future's not ours to see, Que Sera, Sera. When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, What will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I be rich? Here's what she said to me.       I was never crazy about the song, back in the day. I was more into rock, which was sweeping into the teen world at that time. It has a nice melody and a different sort of message to the typical romantic song. Since I've retired I like it more, for some reason. I have the music for it and have played it a few times. But recently I find the song's philosophy of life interesting.  ...

    Hey, everyone. I find it hard to talk about the NFL, objectively. Of course, my favorite team, The Atlanta Falcons, are playing in the " Humanitarian Division" of the NFL. That is, this division is comprised of teams that believe it is better to give wins than to receive them. Ha, ha.      Truly, I was proud of the Birds when they played the Packers in Green Bay. For the simple reason that they played hard. To play a good Packer team that tight at Lambeau Field is nothing to be ashamed of. They could have easily won that game. The underlying theme of the past two years for the Falcons is their nonchalant effort in most games. A few weeks ago, against the Steelers, I am convinced they were the better team.      Matt Ryan is a guy I have a ton of respect for and he is gritty and a decent man. He is certainly a Franchise Quarterback. But, he gets rattled in some big games. Against Pittsburgh that day, he threw three horrible p...

    Hey, everyone. One of my favorite songs is by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville. It is titled I Don't Know Much and it features some of the best vocals anywhere. The song is so lovely that it will move you to tears sometimes. I can play it pretty well on my keyboard and Carley and I like to sing along. We do a nice job, for old fogies.       As I was listening to it today, I thought about the words. As I get older it seems I know less. Sometimes the things we formerly believed seem farther away somehow. Much of our arrogance disappears after life kicks the crap out of our egos.    The song goes like this. Look at this face, I know the years are showing Look at this life, I still don't know where it's going I don't know much, But I know I love you And that may be all I need to know.     Sometimes we are so busy that we don't take stock of the important things in life. What really matters. Sure, we know some of the...

     Hey, everyone. One of the odd customs in America is the Easter Egg Hunt. Here at the Green Retreat, we do a hunt every Spring. I just ran across some of the pictures from this years hunt and it is obvious that an artist had sneaked into our midst. The orange egg is a rendering of one of the Angry Birds of gaming lore. If I were a bird and had to pass an egg that size, I would be angry too. Ha, ha.      We typically will dye about 10 dozen eggs and people get quite creative with their quotes and colors, as you can see. Many of the eggs are a bit risque for these pages. After having a few laughs, we hide the eggs. All of them are never found, which is cool. It is amusing to see old men (me) and all ages of folks, walking around with a basket on their arm. Some of the hiding spots are dastardly. Like eggs hidden in the guttering downspouts and ten foot up a tree. The kids are perhaps the most devious at hiding the colorful orbs, goi...

    Hey, everyone. I watched a melancholy movie on the T.V. last night. It is called Seeking a Friend For the End of the World. Here's the recipe.      The world has been told that an asteroid spanning 70 square miles is about to strike the earth and eradicate all life on this planet. People begin to react in odd, but varied, behavior. Crime; riots, murder, suicide, everything, is rampant. No one goes to work. There are end-of-the -world parties which are a last gasp at the pleasures of life.     Many people seek religion. Many go to their parents or to their childhood homes. Then all flights are cancelled and almost no one can go anywhere.      Steve Carell, an actor whom I am truly fond of, is the leading man in this show. He stars as a guy named Dodge. Funny name, that. This man has family issues, almost no relatives, and his wife has just left him for another man. He didn't really need the news that he has only 2...

    Hey, everyone. I walked into a Subway sandwich shop. It wasn't crowded, really, but I had to wait in 'line'. As I waited, I noticed a young couple sitting at a table by the window. They had two little boys with them. The lads were probably both under two years of age, but let's say that the oldest was 2 and the younger was only a year old. A nice, young family, out for a bit of supper. I waited and let my gaze and my thoughts drift hither and yon. The bulk of the mountain outside the glass, starting to turn burgundy in spots, an elderly man in the corner, complete with white beard, busily playing with a cellphone which had a fold-out keyboard. His movements and mannerisms so effeminate and precise.     When my gaze drifted back to the little family, the mom was giving the two year old a bite of pizza. In a flash, a moment of time, as though a veil was lifted. I saw the enormity of her present and pending task. My God, I thought. She has the responsib...

    Hey, everyone. Let's talk about games. But.. first let's mention Prince Harry. Everybody needs to blow off some steam. Leave the guy alone. Can you imagine living in the fish bowl of public scrutiny that he has to endure? He would probably give his fortune just to be a normal bloke for a couple of weeks. No, I didn't see the pics and don't wish to. Seems like a minor mistake to me. He came, he saw, he partied. What happens in Vegas should have stayed in Vegas. Enough said.     Oh, yeah, the games. First off, the shield. I got a freebie, an endless runner from the app store. It is titled One Epic Knight and has zero to do with Vegas. In this endless runner, you are a Knight with a funny voice. You run through dungeons. You dodge things, jump things and best of all, you smash things. Here's the funny part. I was getting killed by running into objects that I was supposed to smash. There was supposed to be a shield that you use to smash obstacles. Well, i...

   I had a dream one night. In the dream I walked along a shaded lane through a country setting. A gentle wind blew on my back and I could feel it moving my hair. My footfalls made little noise on the dusty road. It was a narrow, unpaved road. Every little bit of distance I would pass a small cottage, most of them pretty, idyllic places. Some were white, some were yellow or other colors. I passed one white cottage and saw a lady sitting in the living room at a piano. She was playing beautifully, her long white fingers gliding gently over the keys. I paused on the road and listened. It was so lovely that I almost wept.     She began to sing songs as she played them. Many of the songs she played were among my favorites. As I lingered, enjoying the moment, she glanced my way and saw me outside the window, which was open. I was still in the middle of the road, but as I was only 20 feet away and her windows were open, I could hear her plainly. She immediately stoppe...

    Hey, everyone. Have you ever heard the old saying that truth is stranger than fiction? I was just reading Google News and saw a headline from Fox News that intrigued me. The story is about a guy named (maybe) Roy Antiqua. He was pulled over for a traffic violation in Florida and gave the cop a phony ID. He was arrested and when his home was searched they found lots of interesting stuff.     They found lots of IDs from organizations like the CIA, Coast Guard, Boy Scouts and medical facilities. They found a photo of the guy in Doctor's garb, holding a new-born baby. They found a bunch of cash. In his closet was a multitude of uniforms ranging from military apparel to the aforementioned Scout Leader. This reminds me of the old adage about Jack of all trades, master of none.      I guess the police have appealed to the public for help in identifying this man. They are pretty concerned with his motives in impersonating a Scout Leader, a...

    Hey, everyone. Like most people, I have been watching some of the Olympics. I have enjoyed the games very much and have a few comments to make.     The swimming competitions have been thrilling. I have cheered for my countrymen, of course. Men and ladies have bagged a lot of medals. Phelps is a wonder. I thought back to the days when I was thrilled by Mark Spitz as he swam his way to glory. Phelps has eclipsed his accomplishments. The gentleman from France, Agnel, (hope I spelled that right) had a thrilling effort when he overhauled everyone and won the Gold, several days ago. I was on the edge of my seat. And the young lady from America, Missy Franklin, charmed everyone with her excitement and ability.     I was amused when I read, early in the games, that Lochte had 'failed' in a particular race. These kids haven't failed. Anyone who has made it to the Olympics is a champion. In fact, anyone who competes in sport is a winner. The esse...

    Hey, everyone. It seems the summer has flown by. What with working for a living, blogging, writing and house renovation it has really zoomed along for me. I like to stay fairly active, however.      I hate that I haven't gone to the beach this year. I can feel the sand between my toes as I sit here in my desk chair typing you this missive. It is really carpet, I know, but in my mind I feel the sand.     I think about the mountain trails I used to hike. I think about going to Braves games at old Fulton County Stadium and later at Turner Field. I think about shooting basketball in the evenings and many other things.      What did you expect to do this summer? It may not be too late. If you knew this was the last summer of your life, what would you do? Recently I was sick for ten days with some sort of flu. It made me realize that sweat is a good thing. What I mean is this. You take a guy that is seriously ill, wh...

     Hey, everyone. I was on my way home tonight and heard one of my favorite older songs called Seven Spanish Angels. It is by Ray Charles and Willie Nelson. I don't know if you've heard it or not, but here's the recipe.     This song is the story of a young couple during the old west days of gunfights and fugitives that fled across the Rio Grande to start a new life in Mexico. One such young man had just married a lovely young lass when his pursuers from Texas finally caught up with him. In the presence of that young wife, he determined that "If they take me back to Texas, they won't take me back alive!"      Well, they shot him down in the street, in front of his wife and friends. Then the girl determined that she "didn't want to live without her man. She knew his gun was empty and she knew she couldn't win, but her final prayer was answered, when the rifles fired again. Then seven Spanish angels took another angel home." ...

     Hey, everyone. My wife was wanting to use the I-Pad 3's camera with the zoom function and she took this photo of a bug. She thinks it might be a Katy-did (hopelessly wrong spelling?) but I don't know about that. I really enjoy the I-Pad camera because it is so simple and our Sony camera is rather complex for a hillbilly like myself.     This bug's head almost looks like he has a worm mounted on it, which would be weird as well as ugly. He is probably a nice person, although he is ugly. Have you ever noticed that ugly folks usually have a nicer personality? Beautiful people seem to feel a sense of entitlement. I love how, after you get to know someone, their looks are transformed by some odd filter inside your brain. Beauty can become ugly and ugly can become beauty.     Have you ever seen a nice looking woman with an ugly dude? Sure, you see it all the time. It's easy to say, "Wow, he must have money, nice car etc." I think that r...

    Hey, everyone. I can't remember a more pleasant day in the last several months. It wasn't like I picked up a fat contract or had a date with a Penthouse Centerfold. For some reason I just felt relaxed and happy all day. And yes, I just felt contented, which is very unusual for me.      Carley and I went out and had a very nice meal in a good restaurant. We lingered over the good food, chatted about inconsequential matters and enjoyed each others' company.     We walked through a mall and did a little shopping. I bought a pair of swimming trunks more suited to a teenager. Mine had grown too small. They must have shrank in the wash. Ha, ha.     While strolling the mall, we dropped into a gamer's shop. It was huge. They were not a chain store but independently owned. They had comics, games and game-centric artifacts such as things needed to play role playing games. They had a huge room in back where folks could hang out and...

    Hey, everyone. I suppose that all of y'all (southern for all inclusive) are getting out of bed and preparing for a nice Father's Day.  I wish you a happy one, especially those who share with me that duty of being a Dad. Heck of a job, isn't it? Both the responsibilities and rewards are unfathomable.     I fear that we, as children, tend to view our parents in a harsh light. Through many years of watching too many sitcoms we seem to believe that our parents are, and were, perfect. If they are not perfect, it is a huge disappointment to us. I've got a news flash for you. Richie Cunningham from Happy Days was one of the chosen few to have a perfect Dad. It works in reverse too. We are seldom the great brain surgeon and Nobel Prize winner which our folks have hoped for. Ha, ha.      I was listening to my I-Pod tonight and heard a song called My Old Man by John Denver. It's a pretty tune with gentle whistling and finger pick acoustic ...

   Hey, everyone. Today I break my cardinal rule and blog while drinking.     Tracy Lawrence has a song called Paint Me a Birmingham . This is a story about a guy that is at the beach. He comes upon a man who is painting pictures for the tourists. He says that for $20 he will paint anything. The guy tells the artist to paint a scene of what might have been if he had not messed up a tragic love affair.    How many of us are looking backward at what might have been? How about that girl who would have been the one, if we had pulled our head out of our rear? What is she doing now?    Paint her there on the front porch swing.    Cotton dress, make it early spring,    For a while she'll be mine again,    Could you paint me a Birmingham?     Life is funny. When you find the person you want, it seems as if the forces of evil manipulate folks to hinder love. Don't let anyone control your life. Like Doc Ho...

    Hey, everyone. Did you miss me? I've been working very hard, which is contrary to my nature. Ha, ha. Glad to be back with you tonight.     Is this a weird tree, or what? The funny thing about this tree is that it resides next to a mountain river. It is actually still alive. Kayakers like the whitewater in the area and back-packers like the trails. This tree doubtless enjoys the ability to have a nice long drink of water at any time, but when the river floods, the dirt is washed away from its roots. When I saw it, I was reminded of a proverb. Something about a tree planted by the water, bringing forth its fruit in season. There is a starkness about this tree which I find unsettling. We are not meant to see this fully into a tree's privates, are we?     This is like famous people. The fame lays bare things that should not be laid bare. All the hidden frailties, quirks and faults. Many people shy away from fame and even success because the...

    Hey, everyone. My wife and I watched a movie this evening. It was a good one, but I'd seen it before. Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius is the story of the legendary golfer from Georgia who built the Augusta National Golf Course. By all accounts he was a class guy and his spirit hovers over life in Augusta to this day. I lived there for many years, so I should know. But this post is not about him or that movie.    When my wife went to bed a moment ago, I was turning out the living room lamps and saw a curious thing lying on the end table. It is always there, so I don't know why it struck me so, seeing it as I did. It is a small penguin which Carley uses as a bookmark. One of the grand kids gave it to her several years ago and she has used it ever since. You can bet that it is precious to her. When you think about a kid spending their money on you, buying you something out of a heart of love, it is a special thing.     Granny's are also special....

    Hey, everyone. Glad you could stop by. I was in the back 'yard' and noticed the new growth on some of the trees and bushes. It seems to be extraordinarily long this year. The reason for this is because we have just seen the end of a drought that has spanned 7 years. A lot of wells had gone dry in the area. Creeks had gone dry. Many plants, grass, flowers and trees had died. Now it is spring and life returns. This particular tree has a spurt of new growth that is about three feet long.     I think that people are similar to plants in many ways. We think that we are never going to get out of the rut we are in or the problem we are in. We fail to recognize the seasons of life. The very young and the very old, in particular, fret when we don't see progress. The very young fret because, #1 When you are young, time seems to drag by and #2 Because young people are impatient, with the energy of youth almost demanding action in each phase of their life.  ...