Truth Bombs Archives - Tony Funderburk

Before I dive in, let me assure you, I’m no expert on the subject of makeup. And I’ve never played a makeup artist on TV. So, please understand what I’m about to share with you includes observations and conclusions. That being said, have you ever seen a cosmetic counter, in a ritzy store. And have you ever noticed the different colors of makeup? But I’ve never seen a displa...

Put on your Sunday best I’m not sure if other parts of the country used that expression. But I grew up mostly in the South. First, as a toddler and juvenile in Oklahoma. And then, from the third grade to the twelfth in Texas. And I remember we used to dress up for things. And I mean dress up. So, it seemed only natural to hear, “Put on your Sunday best,”when it was time to go to...

Are your riches uncertain? Short answer…yes. How do I know this? Because all riches are uncertain riches. In other words, you should never put your trust in your money. No matter how much of it you acquire. Because, I guarantee, it can all be taken away from you in the blink of an eye. And these days it’s easier than ever to do.   Plus, your uncertain riches won’t exist forever l...

Do you sing with understanding right now? “Golly gee, Tony. What does that even mean? And why do I need to sing with understanding? What’s that gonna prove?” Uh…it won’t prove anything to most people. But it might prove a lot to a few.   It’s certainly always a goal of mine to sing with understanding. Because singing has always been like bread and wine to me. O...

Can you believe we have a mask debate in America? I bet our ancestors and forefathers would not have imagined we’d ever have a mask debate right here in the land of the free and the home of brave. And why would they? After all, back when men didn’t allow themselves to be shamed into being less than manly, fear didn’t rule public policy. And emotions took back seat to logical, lev...

A place in the sun with hints of wisdom Elgielene and I enjoy watching old black and white movies. Because so many of them are entertaining without vulgarity and profanity. And because a lot of them have either happy endings or good moral endings. Like the movie, A Place in the Sun, from 1951 starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift. In real life, neither one of them were exactly shining exa...

OK, let’s be positive and assume the worst That sounds like a good plan. Right? “Uh, no, Tony. It sounds negative. Not positive. And why would anybody automatically assume the worst?” Well, I’m glad you asked. Because I’m gonna toss this boomerang and see if it comes back to me.   When you assume the worst in people, first, it’s safer. How many spy movies and su...

Ah yes. If wishes were fishes… If you do a Google search for that phrase “if wishes were fishes”you’ll probably find a lot of different people adding a lot of different endings. Some of them make measly attempts at rhymes and fall short. Like “we’d all swim in riches.”Please don’t say I have to tell you why that’s a measly attempt at a rhyme.  ...

Money is the root… So, if money is the root of all evil, why aren’t more people willing to give all theirs away? And I mean ALL of it. Because why would you want even a little possibility of evil in your pockets? Or bank accounts? Or city, state, or nation? After all, if you wanna get rid of a weed, you gotta get rid of the root.   (Quick side note: sadly, too many people ARE willing t...

Relax. It’s gonna be alright. I’m a big fan of the old black and white movies. Especially from the 1940’s and 50’s. And I remember a scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie called “Strangers on a Train” where a guy tells one of the main stars, Robert Walker, to relax. And Walker’s character snaps back, “I don’t wanna relax!” I won’t gi...

What’s my reason for being? It’s another form of the age old question. “Why am I here?” And I think it’s more than mildly ironic how logic is so coveted in a world filled with feelers. Because if whatever is right in your own mind is right, then there might not be a reason for being. You might just be happy, little cosmic accident. But if you’re NOT the ultimate...

Are you bored to death? I can’t say I’ve never been bored to death. Of course, it’s a figure of speech. So naturally it’s never happened to me. Otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this. Because I wouldn’t be writing it. But…back to the point…   While I have breath I won’t be bored to death. There’s still too darn much to do in life. And I&#...

Day in day out…here we go again Looney Tunes. I don’t have to say any more than that. And baby boomers all over America can immediately see their favorite cartoon characters. One of my Dad’s favorites was Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner. It was easy to watch that cartoon and imagine a coyote clocking in to work each morning. And his whole job was to chase the roadrunner. Day in...

Music is for the soul Now, this doesn’t apply to stuff trying to pass itself off as music. Like that heavy beat stuff played inside vehicles and rattles the windows of other vehicles and houses on the street. And that screaming stuff that sounds like spoiled brats throwing temper tantrums. No, only real music is for the soul.   And I’m not trying to be the dictator of which music is fo...

So, things happen for a reason, eh? Why? Seriously. If things happen for a reason, why is that? Why in the world would that always be true? And I ask because I hear or read that sort of nonsense all the time. But why do I say it’s nonsense?   Yeah, if things happen for a reason, why do I oppose that idea? I mean, c’mon, there must be a reason why I’d say it’s nonsense. So,...

Are you wishing your life away and you don’t even know it? Maybe it wasn’t today. But maybe it was yesterday. And you got up still feeling sleepy. And before you even finished your first cup of sunshine you said “Boy, I’ll be glad when this day is over.” Sound familiar? Because if it does, it’s a form of wishing your life away. And I’m guessing you don&#82...

You’re running out of time I’ve mentioned, before, how my Dad was a runner. And he was a health nut before being a health nut was cool. He bought a juicer over 50 years ago. And I remember being the only kid in our house who enjoyed the juices he and my step-mom would make. Plus, Dad would buy produce and baked goods from a “health food store.” That was way before places li...

Life makes sense Nuh-uh. Uh-huh. Does not. Does, too. You’re dense. No, you’re dense. Ha! I’m rubber. And you’re glue. Bounces off me. And sticks to you. Oh yeah! Well, you’re stupid to infinity. Too late. That bounces off me and sticks to you. Oh yeah! Yeah! Well, you don’t even remember what I said. Yes, I do. You said life makes sense. And I said nuh-uh. And...

Pondering brotherly love on the longest day It’s Summer Solstice time. The longest daylight day of the year. And I know you’re probably out frantically buying your last minute Solstice gifts, the Solstice tree, and all your yummy Solstice treats. But relax. Because it’s the longest day. So, you’ll have plenty of time to pause and read my story of brotherly love that faded a...

Your Cliché is as old as dirt It’s ironic how many people claim the moniker of “new age.” Because so much of what they say is just cliché. And worse than that, many of those clichés are almost as old as the Earth. But I know why they say what they say. Even if they don’t know. A new age cliché is just another rebellious act. And whether they know it or not, they’re ac...

Freedom from oppression? Uh, no. What do China and Leavenworth federal penitentiary have in common? Answer”most everyone in each place would like to get out. Well, that’s probably true about China. But Leavenworth? Hmm…I’m not so sure the inmates feel the need for freedom from oppression in prisons anymore. In fact, I’m sure there are plenty of them who prefer the sec...

Freedom or security? That’s the wrong question Lately I’ve been seeing that old freedom or security question and issue popping up. And it still makes me sad for America that so many people think that’s an either/or question. Because the words are actually bound together in their meaning. Free people should seek to remain free. Because there’s so much security in freedom. Wh...

Are you a worry wart? My mom is 82. She lives in eastern Kansas. And we talk a couple of times a week, by phone. By her own admission, she’s a worry wart. For those of you too young to know, that means she worries a lot. Currently, as you might expect, she’s pretty worried about this whole pandemic thing. And since she has way too much time on her hands (retired and living alone) she w...

Ah, thank goodness for our benevolent government. Not! All around social media and news channels you’ll see talk of a “stimulus package.” And it’s supposed to throw gazillions of dollars out to “we, the people.” You’ll also see so-called “leaders” in congress debating over how much money and who to give it to. With lots of resistance from both...

Make hay while the sun shines It’s an old saying. But it’s still true. “Make hay while the sun shines” means to make the best of opportunity while it lasts. But these days there are huge amounts of doomsdayers and naysayers who’d rather burn that hay and dance gleefully around the fire. And sing out joyfully to theirs gods of selfishness.   You can still make hay whil...