I’ve always been one to predict certain things going way back. To me, it’s merely a way of making life more enjoyable. I can’t say my predictions have been highly accurate, especially with picking the winner of a football game or presidential election. More on those two later.
I don’t use a crystal ball or Ouija Board, believing they’re tools of the Devil. I rely on my own instinct or logic with analysis of the surroundings, and foremost, utilizing verses from the Bible. Philippians 4:13 is my favorite verse. “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.”
My weather predictions, especially those involving rain, are oftentimes better than the slick-dressed folks you see on television. If you don’t believe me—just ask my wife.
Some things predicted are kept to myself, especially whether I believe a business, restaurant, or especially a marriage will fail. I pray that all couples will remain together for the duration, but sometimes, I know more about the other half than their marriage partner does.
One of these failed nuptials involved a guy who was a “closet drinker.” He kept it hidden until after the last vows were said. Sadly, that marriage lasted one year. Closet drinker is my politically correct term for stealth alcoholics.
A video game store opened in Anchorage, Alaska, with me predicting to my son they wouldn’t be in business for long. Gunnar disagreed with my analogy, saying that video games were so popular with kids that they’d always be around.
I was off by a few years but the establishment eventually went under. After eating at Kenny Rogers Roasters, I predicted that this restaurant chain wouldn’t last as I exited the front door. Blockbuster Video was picked as a loser a year before they went down.
I made the same prediction with Sand’s Market. This small grocery store was formerly in the London Bridge Shopping Center where the Chamber of Commerce is now located. A Havasu business where customers tossed axes at targets was an easy choice to fail.
I’ve been fairly accurate in predicting what items would appreciate in value. Antiques, guns, coins, and real estate are some things worth collecting. Years ago, before muscle cars hit the ceiling in price, I told family and friends they were a good investment. Some laughed at me.
My father chuckled at the notion of muscle cars. One vehicle Joleen and I owned, a 1968 Hemi Dodge Charger purchased for $3900.00 in 1977, is now worth upwards of $400,000.00. We sold this vehicle before it ever hit that mark.
Football games have never been easy to predict. My favorite team is the Miami Dolphins and I refuse to say whether they’ll win, not wanting to jinx things. Presidential races are my worst venue to choose going back to 1992.
In 1992, I predicted that George H.W. Bush would top Bill Clinton. Of course, “Slick Willy” easily won. In 1996, I thought Bob Dole would beat Clinton, and I lost again. When John McCain went up against Barack Obama in 2008, many predicted that Senator McCain would win by a landslide including me. Everyone knows the outcome there.
I had Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016, even though I voted for “The Donald.” In the last election, Donald Trump was supposed to win over Joe Biden. Somehow, Joe Biden came out on top making me eat crow again. For this latest election, having not picked a winner in 32 years, I’ll have to go with Kamala Harris.
If I make the wrong prediction this time—I’ll quit while ahead!
I like to write junk... 