My View from the Pilot house By Mike Boys Pilot News Consultant
Why is it that we can always find things to complain about that we have no control over like the weather?
Or everyday things we take for granted — things like, well, like when you turn on the light switch or the faucet or turn up the heat or air conditioning.  We take it for granted that the light will come on and the water will flow, it will get warm or cool.  Other things like garbage and trash pick-up, mail and newspaper delivery.  We take it for granted. We certainly would be in a fix if garbage and trash wasn’t picked up.  By the way, this reminds me of a true story about a senior citizen who thought her paper wasn’t delivered.  Now, this is for all of us (yes I include myself), who are seniors, and for all of you who know seniors and for all of you who will be seniors, please read this story:

“WHERE IS MY SUNDAY PAPER?! ...” The irate customer calling the newspaper office loudly demanded, wanting to know where her Sunday edition was.
“Madam,” said the newspaper circulation employee, “today is Saturday.  The Sunday paper is not delivered until TOMORROW, which is SUNDAY.”
There was a long pause on the other end of the phone, followed by a ray of recognition as she was heard to mutter . . . “Well, no wonder there wasn’t anyone at church today.”
It’s great if we can laugh at ourselves, but my point is — we should check things out before complaining.  We should call the sources and ask nicely why this or that isn’t working, rather than jumping on your high horse demanding to know. Use the Golden Rule theory. 
Getting back to taking things for granted — sometimes these “bumps” in the road are a wake-up call. For instance when we complain of what we call bad weather, it really is a change in weather. We have these changes so we can appreciate the good weather.  But change is good. We must learn to appreciate what we have. Like the old story of a person complaining because he didn’t have any shoes until he met a person who had no feet. Learn to appreciate what we have.
We also shouldn’t take our spouses for granted. Each does his/her thing to try to improve home life. I always thank my wife for: cooking, washing my clothes, or cleaning the house. I also help with house chores by washing dishes, running the sweeper, cleaning mirrors, etc. To me, that is what love is: respect. Learn to appreciate and respect.
 
POP QUIZ: What is the most common disease in the world?
 
Answer to the last Pop Quiz:  The question was — Who invented the first U.S. Navy commissioned  submarine in 1900?   It was John Philip Holland (1841–1914).
 
Well that’s it for now . . . so until next time . . . this is my view from the Pilot house.  
 
Mike Boys is a lifelong Marshall County resident, former newspaper owner and former public officeholder. The dictionary defines a Pilot House as “an enclosed area on the bridge of a ship, from which the vessel is guided.” His views, opinions and news appear occasionally on the Pilot News Opinion page.