Scotty Ray Report

The Lottery

There is nothing quite thrilling as purchasing a lottery ticket or two, just in the hopes that you will be the lucky one.  Perhaps it’s the thrill of the possibility that one day your life could change forever.  For millions of us that dream will remain a dream.  But for those that beat the impossible odds and do win, the change can be overwhelming, and not always for the better.  Overnight wealth, not properly managed from the beginning, can get ugly quick, and even millions of dollars can be spent before you know it.  Let’s face it, you win millions and your distant family members that you have never met before come calling for their share.  And it doesn’t end there.  It can be a harsh reality, just when you thought winning was going to be so much fun and provide so much joy.  Some even wish after winning millions they had never purchased that lottery ticket, and the life they had before winning, was the life they had now.

The Hoarder

It happens so quick.  Suddenly the house seems smaller.  The garage can no longer house the cars.  We suddenly find ourselves running out of room.  The four-bedroom house only has two functioning bedrooms.  The rest of the bedrooms contain stuff.  So, what do we do?  We purchase a storage shed to put more stuff in it.  Sounds crazy but many Americans do just that.  Storage facilities are a booming business.  As consumers we always feel the need to purchase more items.  But sooner or later it is time to get rid of those unwanted items.  Some people, however, can’t imagine parting with the simplest of things.  It could be a broken dish, a dilapidated sofa, or even as small and simple as a toothbrush.  It truly is a disorder that affects millions of people.  It’s called hoarding.

The Scam

The phone rings and you answer.  The person on the other end has a wonderful deal for you that you will not want to pass up.  It’s too good to be true.  That’s just it, it is too good to be true.  It is a scam.  One of a million scams that people all over the world are trying to pull.  Perhaps it’s a person that has fell on bad luck, or it’s additional insurance you don’t need, or maybe it’s a problem with your computer.  Whatever it is, you don’t need it.  Scammers are pesky individuals that prey on the lonely, or the unsuspecting.  Just when one scam is uncovered, another appears.  When does it end?  Have you been a victim of a scam?  If not, count yourself as lucky.

Route 1 Mayberry

Did you ever watch Andy Griffith?  If so, you know how simple life was back then.  You know that a Sunday afternoon was spent on the front porch with family and friends drinking lemonade and catching up on the activities that occurred during the week.  It was just simple, nothing fancy.  Back then you had one phone and there was no such thing as call waiting, voicemail, or caller id.  No video games, no Amazon, and no telemedicine.  Today we have a rover, Perseverance, that roams on planet Mars.  Can you believe that?  More advances than ever in space, technology, and medicine, and yet mental health issues are increasing at a staggering rate with our youth.  So, is life better now?

The Reincarnated

Do you believe in reincarnation?  Millions of people do.  Some even have fascinating stories and facts about people that have passed that only one with intimate knowledge would know.  And what if the person that knew these facts was a child?  Many people even claim to have been reincarnated, even famous people.  Probably one of the best known is Shirley MacLaine.  Think reincarnation is baloney?  Listen to several stories and you be the judge.

The Birthday Party

What happened to having cake and a few neighborhood friends over to celebrate your child’s birthday? It seemed like just a few years ago making a homemade birthday cake, perhaps splurging for a few balloons, birthday paper plates and napkins, and getting the neighborhood kids to stop by was just enough for a great birthday celebration for your child.  You know, nothing fancy.  Just simple.  Not anymore.  No, today you have to make sure you have the best venue, theme, fancy cake, happies for all attendees, and decorations to boot.  It is no longer a simple gathering.  Some parents even hire party planners for Junior’s third birthday, even though Junior is likely to never remember it.  It is for show?  We don’t know, you be the judge.  All we know is that it isn’t like it used to be.  The average cost of a birthday party is around $400 - $500 dollars, and that’s just getting started.

The Snow Flur

Why do us southerners wish for snow every year, only to be disappointed? We get teased every year, and every year we get disappointed. Yes, it snows in the south, but in the deep south it’s a rare treat.  And when there is even the slightest forecast of snow every abled-body person is at the local grocery stocking up enough food to last a month.  You know just in case the weatherman might be wrong and it’s actually going to be a blizzard instead of the forecasted dusting.  And lord help us when it does actually drop an inch or two of snow because we don’t know how to drive.  Just take a quick drive after a dusting of snow and it’s evident from all the cars abandon on the side of the road. But we honestly can’t help it. So yes, when it does actually snow, we go a little crazy.  We buy too much, build one too many snowmen, rig up one too many homemade sleds, and get a little on the careless side.  Even if only a snowflake or two, the redneck in each of us does rejoice.

Bigfoot

What is our fascination with Bigfoot, and if it is real, why has it eluded us year after year?  There have been Bigfoot sightings in every single state, with the exception of Hawaii.  Bigfoot is simply big business.  There are TV shows, festivals, tourism, and merchandise all centered around the mysterious Bigfoot.  Even an Oklahoman State Representative wants to get in on the tourism dollar by creating a bill that would allow hunting Bigfoot.  Do you think Bigfoot is real?  Are you a believer?  If so, get your guns ready.  Because if this bill actually passes you may have your opportunity to bag the big one.

Tell Me A Lie

Why does it take a lifetime to build trust and a second to destroy it?  When it comes to elected officials, loved ones, co-workers, and religious leaders our trust has waned over the years.  More and more Americans distrust than ever before.  Even the media has lost the trust of some of their most loyal viewers.  Trust is the fabric of every healthy relationship and without it we begin to question everything and everybody, and no good can come from that.

The Man Flu

Unfortunately, everyone gets sick.  It’s that time of year when we all battle the common cold, flu, and yes, COVID-19.  The difference is how we manage through our sickness, how women deal with sickness versus men.  If you have a significant other, you know what we are talking about.  Why do men lay around moaning all day when they get a cold, but a woman still manages to cook a meal, wash a load of clothes and help the kids do homework?  Well there may be a scientific explanation if you can believe that.  It’s called Man Flu.