Try this on for Cy's

Free enterprise seems to have degenerated into getting something for nothing, such as how to get 97-year old people to invest their life saving in worthless schemes or how to get them to enter never ending contest by buying magazines they no longer have the ability to see to read.

The system lets banks sow credit cards to people who shouldn't be allowed to have them under any circumstances and then lets them jack up the interest rates for the rest of us to cover the losses caused by their stupidity.

Businesses hire telemarketers to invade your home in to entice you to change long distance carriers and then "slam" you if you don't cooperate.

I remember when being called a "businessman" was a complement. Today when I hear it, I wonder if the guy has been indited for something, or just hasn't been caught yet.

"I still believes that safety is a commitment -- not a contest." K. S. Peek, Locomotive Engineer

From John Bakeman, former RI Superintendent of Rules:
"Thanks for your mention of my comments re to making engine room doors that will stay shut. The original comment included both manufacturers and that neither one could make a door.

"You might want to include, someday, " It's a well known fact that a head-on collision could ruin your whole day."

"Those of you that think you know everything irritate the hell out of us that do".

We have recently had to put a relative into a care facility -- a nursing home. We hope it is only temporary. Doing so has made me take notice of a few old sayings that have reference to geriatrics. Here are a few:

• "Be good to your children -- They will choose your nursing home."
• "Remember, inside we are all the same age."
• "You don't live to be 90-years old by being stupid or careless."

Said by one of our grandchild to another, expressing veracity: "It's true. I swear it is, cross my heart and hope to die; stick a Bible in my eye...."

Cowboy Wisdom (from the internet):

• Never smack a man who's chewin' tobacco.
• If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
• Don't worry about bitin' off more than you can chew. Your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger'n you think.
• Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
• Always drink upstream from the herd.
• Always take a good look at what you're about to eat. It's not so important to know what it is, but it's critical to know what it was.
• When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or a person, don't be suprised if they learn their lesson.
• The best way to have a quiche for dinner is to make it up and put it in the oven to bake at 325 degrees. Meanwhile, get out a large T-bone, grill it, and when it's done, eat it. As for the quiche, continue to let it bake, but otherwise ignore it.
• There's two theories to arguin' with a woman. Neither one works.
• When you're throwin' your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by somebody else.
• Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier 'n puttin' it back.
• The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.
• Never miss a good chance to shut up.

I picked up this holiday message off the internet. It came from Locomotive Engineer Freddie Pryor of Palestine, Texas :

"I hope each of you have a day of peace and love with your families and in all our beefs over the railroads actions lets not forget the things we have to be thankful for and not let the railroads rule our attitudes and actions. God bless each one of you and remember in the long run all that matters is that He does love you and will continue to love you no matter what."

Out of the mouths of babes: "The comode over floated" -- Carl Grimes.

Thieves jacked up a 44-ton locomotive and two freight cars to steal 18 brass bearings worth a total of $113.40. The theft occurred at SMP Trucking's freight yard before Thanksgiving and, of course, immobilized the equipment. The equipment is stored at the yard by the Friends of the Phillipsburg Railroad Museum.

The 15 lb. bearings probably were stolen for sale as scrap. Brass was selling for 42 cents a pound at a nearby salvage company. Since the bearings are no longer manufactured and are next to impossible to replace, the group will have to buy old bearings or make new ones themselves.

``Here we are, a voluntary museum organization skimping and trying to save pennies and this stuff happens,'' said William McKelvey, president of the group.

This quote may be a little dated but it's fun. For those who say, "You can't be a Democrat and a Christian," Congressman Tony Hall responded in Christianity Today, 'When Jesus came into Jerusalem He came on a donkey . . . . not an elephant.' "

Happy Holidays to all from the Cy Martin Family.