You may have figured it out by the messages in the previous two bluggys; we have just returned from a trip to Lubbock to see Penney & Roger and 3 grd-girls. Also had supper with Pat one evening. All-in-all it was an enjoyable trip taken up by our 5 dogs and their 3 - plus the girl's activities - and cold weather. Wherefore art thou spring?
Roger has built an enormous Pergola on the back of his house - impressive for sure.
.
So we got home last night after dark and ran the dogs to the pit for their duty. Our boy Fritz has developed a high pitched bark which he screams out when he wants something - anything. We drive 6 hours on this trip and try to vary the stopping to keep the dogs in check. Somewhere south of Snyder just as we about to flow from Hwy 84 into I-30, that loud chirp is sounded. There is no place to stop as you enter the highway. We told him to hold on - he is getting a bit deaf, so you might say that fell on deaf ears. He waited till Sweetwater and delivered his "sweetwater" on an unsuspecting bush near the Chinese buffet. That was good.
.
That is not a bad buffet. It is cheaper than the ones in this neighborhood. They actually have oriental music playing on the overhead speakers and the owners sat around a table talking in some foreign language. I do believe I overheard one of the say Ho Chi Minh. Continuing home.....
.
We are on I-30 which becomes I-20 and circles Ft Worth heading towards Dallas. We exit on hwy 287 south somewhere near Arlington. This is a very busy stretch of the highway with lanes entering and departing on both sides of you no matter what lane you are holding on to....dangling participle. One and a half miles from our exit, what does Fritz yell from the back seat. He needs to Go. You cannot exit; you can't pull off the road; you can keep driving - and we did.
.
I don't know where it was, but somewhere on 287 south we pulled off next to an Albertson's store. Fritz and his little buddies were relieved to be relieved. We would need milk when we get home. We went into Albertson's. That was a nice store - big wide aisle - parking spaces were terrific - lots of meat and veggie choices - excellent grocery store - it is nothing like our cramped, squirrely HEB store in Corsicana. If it weren't so far, I'd love to shop in that Albertson's often - not the local HEB.
.
We arrived home after dark with only one more yelp by the boy - I am guessing he was telling us that 5 pm had passed and supper should be presented.
.
This morning the spouse went to town for more groceries and picked up my newspapers which had been saved by our deliver guy. He does a good job delivering the Dallas Morning News to our place. My next blog will include articles from the paper that I find interesting...some, anyway.
.
Final for today - my Texas Tech football team beat Arizona State last night 37-23. They were expected to lose by everyone including myself. You have to be proud of a team - your team - when they go out and win. It makes me almost want to go out and donate money to the athletic department - almost - won't - just like to talk big about being benevolent. That's it.
Be sure to fly high and wife.
M3
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Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Furr's & Alzheimer's
Alzheimer (s) = I am having a problem with my spell check here. It won't allow me to use the letter S at the end. Instead it insist (another funny word) (insistststst) that I use the apostrophe at the end of the word, followed by the S. Thus: Alzheimer's does not show up on spell check. Whew. But doesn't that make the word "Alzheimer's" possessive? What does it possess? I am so fortuanate (oops) fortunate that I did not receive this word on a spelling test in my youth. Frankly, I was fortunate that I moved up through the grades as a child and graduated out of taking weekly spelling tests.
.
It makes me wonder if Alzheimer's (the word) can be plural - or is it always plural sounding. When I say the word, I put the letter T in the middle of it. Ain't no T folks. I'm wrong and have been told so locally. Now that I am stuck in this groove, I shall attempt to move forward instead around and round in a meaningless circle away from the central theme of this missive.
.
We ate lunch at Furr's Cafeteria (notice the possessive form of Furrs). Roger/Penney and the g-girls went. We met my wife's uncle Gordon Dale { (he goes by 2 first names-last name not listed here )-----( My wife grew up as Brenda Joy - and is now called Brenda without the Joy - is there Humor here? Her first grade class had 4 Brenda(s), so 3 were called by middle names too while the 4th went just by Brenda. ) } Believe I am circling the word wagon again. Anyway, we met Uncle Gordon Dale and his daughter and her 2 kids. Also arriving was her Uncle Kent and Aunt Doyce. Kent and Gordon Dale are brothers.
.
To the meat of this stone we go.
.
Kent has Alzheimer's. His condition is worsening. He is still functioning in public even though he does things which are a bit wrong - like shaking hands with any and everybody he meets. He seems to know some faces but is unable to recall the name. He is a friendly Alzheimer's. I would think that it is sorta like Drunks. There are friendly drunks; there are mean drunks; there are happy drunks; there are despondent drunks; drunks come in a wide variety. I assume that Alzheimer's patients come in different varieties. And you know what assume means.
.
Kent has been placed in a assisted living home for now. He had become a bit too much for Doyce to handle out on their farm. She moved into a duplex nearby and visits him constantly. Kent is secure in his new home.
.
Yesterday, she would tell him what to eat next. He seemed to like eating the brightly colored foods first. Good plan. She would not let him eat the chocolate pie until he finished his other meal. It was a great deal like eating out with a child - a friendly, happy child.
.
The ROLL:::::He took his roll and put it in his breast pocket. It seems that in the past, Kent always took the roll home to feed the birds. In his present situation, they do not want them bringing back food. Doyce had him remove the roll three different times. Finally, she took it away from him. He did look puzzled to me. Interesting.
.
LAST BIT:::::Kent plays dominoes. I understand he is quite good and rarely loses. Non-domino players may not know that you play by adding up the dots to make scores. Scoring is with anything that is divisible by 5 = 5, 10,15,20,25 etc. For him to play dominoes, he has to be able to do this addition in his head. Gordon Dale goes down weekly and plays with Kent. Rarely can GD beat Kent. That is my question. How does a person who cannot remember names or to keep the roll out of his pocket - how does he play dominoes? I am not trying to make fun here. To me it is fascinating.
.
Obviously it must be a different part of the brain that works this function. I find that to be quite interesting. I am too old to go back to school and study this subject with any great degree. I've heard of Alzheimer's patients who would sit and play piano. I'm sure some of my dear readers have heard of others. You can put them in the comments below if you wish. Just curious, I am (Yoda speaking here)
.
moving on, later
m
.
It makes me wonder if Alzheimer's (the word) can be plural - or is it always plural sounding. When I say the word, I put the letter T in the middle of it. Ain't no T folks. I'm wrong and have been told so locally. Now that I am stuck in this groove, I shall attempt to move forward instead around and round in a meaningless circle away from the central theme of this missive.
.
We ate lunch at Furr's Cafeteria (notice the possessive form of Furrs). Roger/Penney and the g-girls went. We met my wife's uncle Gordon Dale { (he goes by 2 first names-last name not listed here )-----( My wife grew up as Brenda Joy - and is now called Brenda without the Joy - is there Humor here? Her first grade class had 4 Brenda(s), so 3 were called by middle names too while the 4th went just by Brenda. ) } Believe I am circling the word wagon again. Anyway, we met Uncle Gordon Dale and his daughter and her 2 kids. Also arriving was her Uncle Kent and Aunt Doyce. Kent and Gordon Dale are brothers.
.
To the meat of this stone we go.
.
Kent has Alzheimer's. His condition is worsening. He is still functioning in public even though he does things which are a bit wrong - like shaking hands with any and everybody he meets. He seems to know some faces but is unable to recall the name. He is a friendly Alzheimer's. I would think that it is sorta like Drunks. There are friendly drunks; there are mean drunks; there are happy drunks; there are despondent drunks; drunks come in a wide variety. I assume that Alzheimer's patients come in different varieties. And you know what assume means.
.
Kent has been placed in a assisted living home for now. He had become a bit too much for Doyce to handle out on their farm. She moved into a duplex nearby and visits him constantly. Kent is secure in his new home.
.
Yesterday, she would tell him what to eat next. He seemed to like eating the brightly colored foods first. Good plan. She would not let him eat the chocolate pie until he finished his other meal. It was a great deal like eating out with a child - a friendly, happy child.
.
The ROLL:::::He took his roll and put it in his breast pocket. It seems that in the past, Kent always took the roll home to feed the birds. In his present situation, they do not want them bringing back food. Doyce had him remove the roll three different times. Finally, she took it away from him. He did look puzzled to me. Interesting.
.
LAST BIT:::::Kent plays dominoes. I understand he is quite good and rarely loses. Non-domino players may not know that you play by adding up the dots to make scores. Scoring is with anything that is divisible by 5 = 5, 10,15,20,25 etc. For him to play dominoes, he has to be able to do this addition in his head. Gordon Dale goes down weekly and plays with Kent. Rarely can GD beat Kent. That is my question. How does a person who cannot remember names or to keep the roll out of his pocket - how does he play dominoes? I am not trying to make fun here. To me it is fascinating.
.
Obviously it must be a different part of the brain that works this function. I find that to be quite interesting. I am too old to go back to school and study this subject with any great degree. I've heard of Alzheimer's patients who would sit and play piano. I'm sure some of my dear readers have heard of others. You can put them in the comments below if you wish. Just curious, I am (Yoda speaking here)
.
moving on, later
m
Saturday, December 28, 2013
maybe boy howdy was a bit too strong
So, therefore, and, but - the Cors Swing Orch did not have a job in December to play. Not that we always have a job every month, but y'd think something would appear around Christmas or New Years. Not this year. The band was alone in its thoughts. Our biz manager - I think of him as our leader - lives in the town of Teague, TX. It is about 30-45 minutes from Corsicana, south. Jerry and his wife Brenda, our singer, drive down from Teague every 2 weeks for a rehearsal.
.
I don't believe anyone plays in this band for the money. They certainly don't. We just like to get together and play. This would be a perfect opportunity to describe each member of the band - I shall let that opportunity slip through my fingers tonight. As mentioned in the previous bluggy, we rehearsed on Tuesday night. We had a job on Thursday night in Teague.
.
The band had no place to play so Jerry & Brenda went to their local folks and dreamed up a dance for Teague with the proceeds going to the local historical society (hysterical is funnier to say - but that might offend). They sold tickets to the dance - had some refreshments - and created a silent auction for the evening.
.
All in all it was a fun night. Few danced a lick. Their toes were tapping, and they were swaying in the breeze to the beat of the band. Some parent - I don't know who - had their 3 elementary age kids there. Why? I don't know. All night, those kids were jumping around, faux dancing, turning cartwheels. I suppose if you knew the kids or their parents - or, let's say, even liked children, you might have enjoyed their continual enthusiasm. It was tiring to me - but I am a fuddy duddy.
.
We played a couple of hours of Christmas music and traditional swing music for the crowd with a short break in the middle. Refreshments were in the next room - some type of punch with floating ice cubes and a galore of cookies. For me, a bit of cheese or lunch meat chunks would have been excellent. That would have cut into their profits for the night, which must have been low.
.
Pretty much it. Played music and watched the participants not participate (except the elementary aged kids ). I did suggest that next year, if we want dancers, we might just invite the entire elementary school. I shouldn't complain about that at all - had I been in the audience, watching would have been my cup of tea too.
.
If any of you have some money, the band would love to play for your gig. The music is good. The folks are friendly; and, I can tell you, the band will appreciate your check book and having an audience. Not that we always play for money. Sometimes, we end up at an old folks home - or one of those assisted living places - putting on a free concert for an hour. It gives us practice; and they seem to enjoy it. I can tell you: it is more fun to play for folks than to sit at home watching another duck dynasty episode. I just wish that I could play better. Age has taken its toll - not to mention lack of serious practice. And, I can't believe it, I get just down right nervous if I have to play any type of solo. That shouldn't be; but, it is.
.
Y'all take care of things now - a belated Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year.
m
.
I don't believe anyone plays in this band for the money. They certainly don't. We just like to get together and play. This would be a perfect opportunity to describe each member of the band - I shall let that opportunity slip through my fingers tonight. As mentioned in the previous bluggy, we rehearsed on Tuesday night. We had a job on Thursday night in Teague.
.
The band had no place to play so Jerry & Brenda went to their local folks and dreamed up a dance for Teague with the proceeds going to the local historical society (hysterical is funnier to say - but that might offend). They sold tickets to the dance - had some refreshments - and created a silent auction for the evening.
.
All in all it was a fun night. Few danced a lick. Their toes were tapping, and they were swaying in the breeze to the beat of the band. Some parent - I don't know who - had their 3 elementary age kids there. Why? I don't know. All night, those kids were jumping around, faux dancing, turning cartwheels. I suppose if you knew the kids or their parents - or, let's say, even liked children, you might have enjoyed their continual enthusiasm. It was tiring to me - but I am a fuddy duddy.
.
We played a couple of hours of Christmas music and traditional swing music for the crowd with a short break in the middle. Refreshments were in the next room - some type of punch with floating ice cubes and a galore of cookies. For me, a bit of cheese or lunch meat chunks would have been excellent. That would have cut into their profits for the night, which must have been low.
.
Pretty much it. Played music and watched the participants not participate (except the elementary aged kids ). I did suggest that next year, if we want dancers, we might just invite the entire elementary school. I shouldn't complain about that at all - had I been in the audience, watching would have been my cup of tea too.
.
If any of you have some money, the band would love to play for your gig. The music is good. The folks are friendly; and, I can tell you, the band will appreciate your check book and having an audience. Not that we always play for money. Sometimes, we end up at an old folks home - or one of those assisted living places - putting on a free concert for an hour. It gives us practice; and they seem to enjoy it. I can tell you: it is more fun to play for folks than to sit at home watching another duck dynasty episode. I just wish that I could play better. Age has taken its toll - not to mention lack of serious practice. And, I can't believe it, I get just down right nervous if I have to play any type of solo. That shouldn't be; but, it is.
.
Y'all take care of things now - a belated Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year.
m
boy howdy, is this a blog cleanup misc. post
This has been quite a time since I lasted posted. I doubt I make it too funny cause it's snot. Last post had my brother's wife getting a heart transplant. I drove up there to Baylor Hospital in Dallas for the event. It was a non-event. I guess I have watched too much TV about this sorta thing. I thought the process had to be done in a blink of an eye - heart found - everyone running around like chickens with their heads cut off (there is an image for you) - slap that heart in - whew we got it done in 29 min and 59 seconds, just under the 30 min deadline.
.
Well, folks, I am here to tell you, it takes longer than that. She went under about 11 a.m. and somewhere about 5 they called it off. The heart had looked good at the first hospital; but, upon examination at Baylor, a spot was found - melonoma - wait, that is wrong: melanomma -- not it either: melanoma. That works better. If she had received this heart, she would have cancer. Does anyone think this is a good idea?
.
I drove home. They woke up eventually; but it took hours to find this out.
.
The following week we drove down to Round Rock where my daughter was having an operation. As it turns out, it was a day surgery. The docs just get em in and shove em out the door. She is doing just fine. The day after surgery, we went shopping for a little bit; then, she got tired. Being a single lady, she needed help with her house - cooking, dog care, etc. My wife, being the mother she is, had to provide this service. I suppose the best part happened a few days later when I got to go see the Hobbit in 3D. I enjoyed same and am looking forward to the 3rd installment.
.
Since then, I decided I need to reread the Hobbit. I went out into the garage and found my 3 copies - two regular and an annotated edition my other daughter gave me in 1999. Since I had not read the annotated one, I have it with me now. Quite interesting all the extra stuff you learn in the annotated.
.
Example: in the first edition of the Hobbit, Tolkien had Bilbo go get some chicken and tomatoes for the dwarves (Tolkien's spelling of dwarfs) - in later editions it changed to chicken and pickles because tomatoes were from the new world and probably not in Bilbo's world. I find that interesting. You may not; but, then, you would be wrong. That is interesting.
.
I learned the dwarf spelling thing in the book too. Moving on.
.
reminds me - and this posting and the next will all be about rambling - we have this great recording of a Cow's Christmas with such hits as Hal-le-Moo-ya and Santa Cow, etc. Even if you don't have kids, it is a fun recording. Now, moving on.
.
Operation in Round Rock - our plan - go home on Monday or Tuesday - 16th, 17th. We get this message on the 16, really early, they have another heart. Well there is no way we would make it to Baylor in time to be a support group. We didn' t go. Went home on Tuesday because I had a Corsicana Swing Orchestra rehearsal preparing for an event. It was a tough practice for an old guy who had been unable to practice at all. We practiced every song at least once and did some twice and actually rehearsed on some others. It was a long tiring rehearsal.
.
Wednesday: packed up and went to Baylor to visit. She had come out of her stuper but = later, didn't remember our visit - later I will explain more about this. She was in ICU and the visit was short. We got Jim to go eat with us - Baylor cafeteria, not a feast for sure, but it was really pretty good and not over priced. The whole thing took quite a while - but the ole gal has a 20 year old heart thumping away. That is something.
.
closing now - next post will take up more junk - time to eat lunch with my wife's uncle at Furr's Cafeteria. They have good food.
m3
.
Well, folks, I am here to tell you, it takes longer than that. She went under about 11 a.m. and somewhere about 5 they called it off. The heart had looked good at the first hospital; but, upon examination at Baylor, a spot was found - melonoma - wait, that is wrong: melanomma -- not it either: melanoma. That works better. If she had received this heart, she would have cancer. Does anyone think this is a good idea?
.
I drove home. They woke up eventually; but it took hours to find this out.
.
The following week we drove down to Round Rock where my daughter was having an operation. As it turns out, it was a day surgery. The docs just get em in and shove em out the door. She is doing just fine. The day after surgery, we went shopping for a little bit; then, she got tired. Being a single lady, she needed help with her house - cooking, dog care, etc. My wife, being the mother she is, had to provide this service. I suppose the best part happened a few days later when I got to go see the Hobbit in 3D. I enjoyed same and am looking forward to the 3rd installment.
.
Since then, I decided I need to reread the Hobbit. I went out into the garage and found my 3 copies - two regular and an annotated edition my other daughter gave me in 1999. Since I had not read the annotated one, I have it with me now. Quite interesting all the extra stuff you learn in the annotated.
.
Example: in the first edition of the Hobbit, Tolkien had Bilbo go get some chicken and tomatoes for the dwarves (Tolkien's spelling of dwarfs) - in later editions it changed to chicken and pickles because tomatoes were from the new world and probably not in Bilbo's world. I find that interesting. You may not; but, then, you would be wrong. That is interesting.
.
I learned the dwarf spelling thing in the book too. Moving on.
.
reminds me - and this posting and the next will all be about rambling - we have this great recording of a Cow's Christmas with such hits as Hal-le-Moo-ya and Santa Cow, etc. Even if you don't have kids, it is a fun recording. Now, moving on.
.
Operation in Round Rock - our plan - go home on Monday or Tuesday - 16th, 17th. We get this message on the 16, really early, they have another heart. Well there is no way we would make it to Baylor in time to be a support group. We didn' t go. Went home on Tuesday because I had a Corsicana Swing Orchestra rehearsal preparing for an event. It was a tough practice for an old guy who had been unable to practice at all. We practiced every song at least once and did some twice and actually rehearsed on some others. It was a long tiring rehearsal.
.
Wednesday: packed up and went to Baylor to visit. She had come out of her stuper but = later, didn't remember our visit - later I will explain more about this. She was in ICU and the visit was short. We got Jim to go eat with us - Baylor cafeteria, not a feast for sure, but it was really pretty good and not over priced. The whole thing took quite a while - but the ole gal has a 20 year old heart thumping away. That is something.
.
closing now - next post will take up more junk - time to eat lunch with my wife's uncle at Furr's Cafeteria. They have good food.
m3
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Earline
I won't go into great detail here at this time. My brother's wife will be receiving a heart transplant about noon today. With all the ice in the Dallas area, it has been tough on my brother...unable to leave the hospital.....animals at home isolated by the weather ..... not that it hasn't been tough on her too....maybe more so.
.
.
They say she will be out of the hospital in a week.
Amazing!!! Isn't it amazing what they can do? Yes, you may pray for her; but, also pray for the family that had to lose someone in order to save her.
.
I do not know how long the operation will last. My plan is to
drive to Dallas in a couple of hours after the sun has had a while to melt the
ice on the Trinity bridge. The Dallas area is encased in ice. I know nothing else.
.
Short stone. Since my brother has been isolated at
the hospital, a kindly neighbor has been looking after his place and feeding his dogs and cats. The dogs
remain inside the house while the cats roam the neighborhood looking for squirrels and rats. I can only imagine the floor mess the dogs have created unless the kindly neighbor is cleaning up too.
Anyway, with all the ice and junk, this neighbor has been walking over to take
care of the animals. Imagine if you can.... she is elderly and uses a walker.
I told bro that she needed a very special Christmas gift; he agreed. A
walker on ice to feed yappy dogs. The pearly gates have opened up for that
lady.
.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
poor oscar
Just when you think things will trot back to normal, something else happens. I've always pointed out - or rather asked people who were having problems: "can you see the light at the end of the tunnel?" Most times they could. I figure this helps get them through another day of problems. But, that is my take on it.
.
Lemme point out, I am worthless when it comes to writing this bluggy. Try as I might, my best ideas for a blog subject come to me as I first lay down in bed. Yeah, what a great subject - and then I can write about this or that or theses or thoses....Making up new words could be a good blug subject too.
.
I was just sitting on the back porch thinking of topics as I read today's paper when out in the yard I hear this little yelp sound. It is nothing like I normally hear. A dog yelped - or is that yelpped? Nah, stick with one "p." I glanced away from the comics and I see my little Oscar, the ball boy, skipping along. He took 2 - 3 steps then stopped to lick his right front paw. A few more steps and the same process. Then, up the hill he ran straight for me and bounced at my knee. The boy had run to me specifically.
.
I picked Oscar up and he licked the paw again. My first thought was snake. Had he been bit by a snake? I mashed and prodded and examined that paw - nothing. Loving on him seemed to be the best medicine. Bruno, his chubby brother, immediately began moving in to examine Oscar. Bruno could tell something was not right. Bruno started checking his twin over from top to bottom.
.
time passed
.
I grabbed a hoe and headed down the slope to look for a snake. That would be one dead snake, hurting my Oscar. Nothing. I could find nothing. I moseyed around the yard picking up two of his favorite balls. I started looking and couldn't find my boy. Where did he go? There he was, hiding on the porch under a piece of furniture. So sad.
.
I called him out and took him in to see the wife. We mashed, prodded, and examined - nothing. Through inside, my boy Oscar pranced outside with me again. I read the business section of the news for a moment - looked up and couldn't find him again. This time he was in a corner under the BBQ cooker. Just not right. We went inside. Oscar walked off into the computer room curling up on a pillow. For snake bites you give a dog 25 mg of benadryl. We did that for sure. 5 o'clock supper time came, he ate like it was good. The boy had no problem eating.
.
cut to the chase. He is hurt - maybe a strained muscle? or snake? toenail caughtr on a piece of grass? who knows? He is resting. I just cannot stand it when my children or dogs are hurt [ for my safety sake, let's add my wife's name to that list too]. It simply drives me crazy. Tomorrow will be better.
.
Repeating myself, so just when you think things are slowing down - immediate problems are lessening, your dog hurts his paw. C'mon, "powers-at-be," let up a little. Dogs are too innocent to be hurting.
.
big storm coming tomorrow. Maybe I can write about Thanksgiving then.
m
.
Lemme point out, I am worthless when it comes to writing this bluggy. Try as I might, my best ideas for a blog subject come to me as I first lay down in bed. Yeah, what a great subject - and then I can write about this or that or theses or thoses....Making up new words could be a good blug subject too.
.
I was just sitting on the back porch thinking of topics as I read today's paper when out in the yard I hear this little yelp sound. It is nothing like I normally hear. A dog yelped - or is that yelpped? Nah, stick with one "p." I glanced away from the comics and I see my little Oscar, the ball boy, skipping along. He took 2 - 3 steps then stopped to lick his right front paw. A few more steps and the same process. Then, up the hill he ran straight for me and bounced at my knee. The boy had run to me specifically.
.
I picked Oscar up and he licked the paw again. My first thought was snake. Had he been bit by a snake? I mashed and prodded and examined that paw - nothing. Loving on him seemed to be the best medicine. Bruno, his chubby brother, immediately began moving in to examine Oscar. Bruno could tell something was not right. Bruno started checking his twin over from top to bottom.
.
time passed
.
I grabbed a hoe and headed down the slope to look for a snake. That would be one dead snake, hurting my Oscar. Nothing. I could find nothing. I moseyed around the yard picking up two of his favorite balls. I started looking and couldn't find my boy. Where did he go? There he was, hiding on the porch under a piece of furniture. So sad.
.
I called him out and took him in to see the wife. We mashed, prodded, and examined - nothing. Through inside, my boy Oscar pranced outside with me again. I read the business section of the news for a moment - looked up and couldn't find him again. This time he was in a corner under the BBQ cooker. Just not right. We went inside. Oscar walked off into the computer room curling up on a pillow. For snake bites you give a dog 25 mg of benadryl. We did that for sure. 5 o'clock supper time came, he ate like it was good. The boy had no problem eating.
.
cut to the chase. He is hurt - maybe a strained muscle? or snake? toenail caughtr on a piece of grass? who knows? He is resting. I just cannot stand it when my children or dogs are hurt [ for my safety sake, let's add my wife's name to that list too]. It simply drives me crazy. Tomorrow will be better.
.
Repeating myself, so just when you think things are slowing down - immediate problems are lessening, your dog hurts his paw. C'mon, "powers-at-be," let up a little. Dogs are too innocent to be hurting.
.
big storm coming tomorrow. Maybe I can write about Thanksgiving then.
m
Friday, November 15, 2013
Noise Pollution
This article by the Associated Press was in the Dallas News yesterday, Nov. 14th. I believe it needs reprinting because of the potential hazards in which it places all musicians.
.
[ I read an article lately that ending a sentence in a preposition is not bad. "hazards it places all musicians in." I knew immediately the article had not originated with my high school English teach - whose name I cannot remember at the moment, nor do I care to remember. She was one tough cookie. I remember Mrs. McCorkle (history) and Mrs. Headstream (algebra) and Sam Hollis (newspaper) and Mr. Benningfield (choir) and Mr. Wheeler (band) and Mrs. Johnson, that short and skinny loud Spanish teacher - OLAY! and others.]
.
Again this article:
Dateline: MADRID --
A woman has taken her neighbors to court, accusing a 27-year-old pianist and her parents of causing psychological damage and noise pollution as a result of the daughter's years of pianos practice.
.
Prosecutors in the northeastern city of Gerona are seeking more than seven years in prison for each. They claim that years of hearing constant playing has caused Sonia Bosom "psychological injury."
.
The musician, Laia Martin, is now a professional concert pianist.
The Associated Press
===================================================================
Just for the record - if this type of law suit is valid, think of all the parents of 6th grade band students who will be sued - and go to jail. This could fill the prisons more than drug arrests. Plus think of all of those really band bands and choirs (and church choirs) and garage bands that should be arrested for noise pollution. You may add in the comments below any other individuals or groups who belong in the noise pollution crowd. Little babies and children screaming in Walmarts or restaurants.....politicians.....
.
[ I read an article lately that ending a sentence in a preposition is not bad. "hazards it places all musicians in." I knew immediately the article had not originated with my high school English teach - whose name I cannot remember at the moment, nor do I care to remember. She was one tough cookie. I remember Mrs. McCorkle (history) and Mrs. Headstream (algebra) and Sam Hollis (newspaper) and Mr. Benningfield (choir) and Mr. Wheeler (band) and Mrs. Johnson, that short and skinny loud Spanish teacher - OLAY! and others.]
.
Again this article:
Dateline: MADRID --
A woman has taken her neighbors to court, accusing a 27-year-old pianist and her parents of causing psychological damage and noise pollution as a result of the daughter's years of pianos practice.
.
Prosecutors in the northeastern city of Gerona are seeking more than seven years in prison for each. They claim that years of hearing constant playing has caused Sonia Bosom "psychological injury."
.
The musician, Laia Martin, is now a professional concert pianist.
The Associated Press
===================================================================
Just for the record - if this type of law suit is valid, think of all the parents of 6th grade band students who will be sued - and go to jail. This could fill the prisons more than drug arrests. Plus think of all of those really band bands and choirs (and church choirs) and garage bands that should be arrested for noise pollution. You may add in the comments below any other individuals or groups who belong in the noise pollution crowd. Little babies and children screaming in Walmarts or restaurants.....politicians.....
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
grab bag
This shouldn't be funny - just had a short memory.
.
When we first married we were pretty broke. We stayed broke. Then #1 came along (see the numbers bluggy) and my wife stayed at home to raise the kids. We were broker. Always wondered why brokers were richer than I - in my case, broker was barely making it. Many months we would end with less than $5 in the bank. With pride I can add we never wrote a bad check. It was close being a one family income teaching family. Guess I was lucky being a band director and making all that extra money.
.
Things always got tougher around Christmas. I cannot remember when I got my first credit card, but it had to be sometime after we moved to Amarillo in the early 80s. My brother Marshall had an American Express card back then. I marveled at his money power having so much available purchasing power. I do think I had a Gulf gas card - maybe a Texaco card - they were only used on long trips.
.
Christmas came. At that time it was custom to give each person in your family a gift. We would have to seek proper gifts for my parents, 3 brothers, her parents, 1 brother, each other, and the children. Of course we gave more than one item to our kids. You wouldn't want Santa to look cheap - now would you? Present buying time was tense in my house.
.
One year in Ardmore I went to a faculty Christmas party - it was during the school day I think, y'know, like at 3:30 or maybe 1:00 on an early release day. I just don't remember. I hated faculty parties. For one reason, my fault, I hung out in the band room or in the jhs band room and rarely trekked over to the main building to socialize. I didn't know many of these teachers certainly not in a social way. But I tried to make certain events. Then, they would play games. This drove me crazy. These young female teachers loved to play games. Gadz.
.
So at this faculty grouping, we had to bring a gift and put it in a pile. It was called a Grab Bag. We dutifully drew numbers and the game was on. #1 picked a present and opened it - ooo aaahs. #2 came up - either pick a present from the pile or steal #1's gift. If you picked an unopened present, open it - ooo aaaahs. If you steal from #1, then #1 goes back to the pile for another gift. #3 is up. Take a present from the pile or steal from #1 or #2. Same process.
.
Here is where I am foggy on the rules. Stolen from, that person:
A.) can steal from another or B.) must go to the present pile.
As you can tell, this process of stealing can go on almost forever, especially if a quality gift actually comes up. The game complicates itself if there are enough presents to go another round with new numbers. Yes, the person with the highest number will be the winner in this game. Poor #1 is at the mercy of the entire congregation.
.
So enough with the rules already. If you have a variation, write it in the comment place below. You can even be anonymous.
.
Once again that year we were broke for Christmas. I could not think of an appropriate gift for my 3 brothers and father. The Grab Bag fueled my world. I went to the store and purchased guy things = tools and the like. Good guy small items: a hammer or screwdriver perhaps - some hand cleaner maybe - you figure it out - a roll or two of electrician tape. Guy stuff - no naked girl calendars though. We loaded up the car and headed to Levelland.
.
The grab bag was a hit that first year. My brothers and father got into the stealing part of the plan. They had a good time. It was not often my father really opened up and had a good time. As I remember it now, I probably spent more on individual items for the BAG then if I had bought personal presents...
.
Jump forward 12 months. Everyone brought items for the BAG. It did get wild some years and crazy. Brother Marshall, never know for his conservative ways, would throw in some things that were expensive - really expensive. He was doing well in his practice. As time went by, the grab bag continued into a yearly fiasco. The other brothers married and their wives were included in the BAG. Children were born and grew to a certain age when they were included. This was always a bit of a problem. Were children able to grasp the concept of stealing or losing? Usually they were.
.
It was their parents. The parents would encourage the kids to go for more expensive items rather than the children's presents that were included in the pile. Sometimes a parent would steal something just to give to his own kid. I never felt this was quite in the spirit of the whole thing - but, hey, live and let live. All in all the grab bag has been a family thing since the 60s. Now that is a long tradition which should not die.
.
This year when Christmas rolls around. I will make a pile of 30 items for the 10 of us including the grand girls. My plan is not to go over $1 for any item - am looking for sales and major discounts to get better stuff. The other immediate family members will be invited to bring presents for the pile. Hopefully, the tradition will continue in my leg of the family. I can't make it continue in my brother's families. That is their job.
with that - happy turkey day - and may the bird be with you.
m3
.
When we first married we were pretty broke. We stayed broke. Then #1 came along (see the numbers bluggy) and my wife stayed at home to raise the kids. We were broker. Always wondered why brokers were richer than I - in my case, broker was barely making it. Many months we would end with less than $5 in the bank. With pride I can add we never wrote a bad check. It was close being a one family income teaching family. Guess I was lucky being a band director and making all that extra money.
.
Things always got tougher around Christmas. I cannot remember when I got my first credit card, but it had to be sometime after we moved to Amarillo in the early 80s. My brother Marshall had an American Express card back then. I marveled at his money power having so much available purchasing power. I do think I had a Gulf gas card - maybe a Texaco card - they were only used on long trips.
.
Christmas came. At that time it was custom to give each person in your family a gift. We would have to seek proper gifts for my parents, 3 brothers, her parents, 1 brother, each other, and the children. Of course we gave more than one item to our kids. You wouldn't want Santa to look cheap - now would you? Present buying time was tense in my house.
.
One year in Ardmore I went to a faculty Christmas party - it was during the school day I think, y'know, like at 3:30 or maybe 1:00 on an early release day. I just don't remember. I hated faculty parties. For one reason, my fault, I hung out in the band room or in the jhs band room and rarely trekked over to the main building to socialize. I didn't know many of these teachers certainly not in a social way. But I tried to make certain events. Then, they would play games. This drove me crazy. These young female teachers loved to play games. Gadz.
.
So at this faculty grouping, we had to bring a gift and put it in a pile. It was called a Grab Bag. We dutifully drew numbers and the game was on. #1 picked a present and opened it - ooo aaahs. #2 came up - either pick a present from the pile or steal #1's gift. If you picked an unopened present, open it - ooo aaaahs. If you steal from #1, then #1 goes back to the pile for another gift. #3 is up. Take a present from the pile or steal from #1 or #2. Same process.
.
Here is where I am foggy on the rules. Stolen from, that person:
A.) can steal from another or B.) must go to the present pile.
As you can tell, this process of stealing can go on almost forever, especially if a quality gift actually comes up. The game complicates itself if there are enough presents to go another round with new numbers. Yes, the person with the highest number will be the winner in this game. Poor #1 is at the mercy of the entire congregation.
.
So enough with the rules already. If you have a variation, write it in the comment place below. You can even be anonymous.
.
Once again that year we were broke for Christmas. I could not think of an appropriate gift for my 3 brothers and father. The Grab Bag fueled my world. I went to the store and purchased guy things = tools and the like. Good guy small items: a hammer or screwdriver perhaps - some hand cleaner maybe - you figure it out - a roll or two of electrician tape. Guy stuff - no naked girl calendars though. We loaded up the car and headed to Levelland.
.
The grab bag was a hit that first year. My brothers and father got into the stealing part of the plan. They had a good time. It was not often my father really opened up and had a good time. As I remember it now, I probably spent more on individual items for the BAG then if I had bought personal presents...
.
Jump forward 12 months. Everyone brought items for the BAG. It did get wild some years and crazy. Brother Marshall, never know for his conservative ways, would throw in some things that were expensive - really expensive. He was doing well in his practice. As time went by, the grab bag continued into a yearly fiasco. The other brothers married and their wives were included in the BAG. Children were born and grew to a certain age when they were included. This was always a bit of a problem. Were children able to grasp the concept of stealing or losing? Usually they were.
.
It was their parents. The parents would encourage the kids to go for more expensive items rather than the children's presents that were included in the pile. Sometimes a parent would steal something just to give to his own kid. I never felt this was quite in the spirit of the whole thing - but, hey, live and let live. All in all the grab bag has been a family thing since the 60s. Now that is a long tradition which should not die.
.
This year when Christmas rolls around. I will make a pile of 30 items for the 10 of us including the grand girls. My plan is not to go over $1 for any item - am looking for sales and major discounts to get better stuff. The other immediate family members will be invited to bring presents for the pile. Hopefully, the tradition will continue in my leg of the family. I can't make it continue in my brother's families. That is their job.
with that - happy turkey day - and may the bird be with you.
m3
Monday, November 11, 2013
Rat Breath
This morning all dogs went into the back yard. Greta stood on the porch barking at birds; Liesl roamed looking for bugs in the grass; Oscar had his ball clenched in his teeth; Fritz roamed the yard looking for food - any food. This left Bruno who was reclined down the hill in the grass and sunshine. He was in Heaven - soft grass and warm sun. What a life.
.
This morning we needed a short run into town. The dogs were moved into the house except Bruno. He chose to lie in the sun and ignore me. I called time and time again. Snore. "Cookie?" I yelled. He stirred slightly. Once again I hollered, "C'mon Bruno, inside, cookie, cookie." This got him.
.
He rolled to his 4 ample paws and rotated around, as dachshunds must do to turn corners. Bruno took one step forward then picked up something in the grass. Right away I recognized it as NOT A BALL. What was it? A bird maybe? I stepped into the house and told my wife to get ready to be grossed out.
.
Bruno strolled into the house and I could see. It was not a bird. Look at the title of this. Not a cute little mouse, but a big ole rat. It had a 6 inch tail and a big fat body. I told him to put it down. Bruno thought that was wrong, really wrong. None - I say None - of the other dogs gave Bruno and his treat a second glance. They could care less.
.
With a slow hand, I grabbed Bruno and lifted him straight up and away from the dead rat. It was a bloody mess. I picked it up and threw it over the fence. Then, Bruno got a cookie. I think he would have rather have the rat.
.
The question. Which one killed the rat? Bruno, Oscar....? I have not the slightest. It doesn't really matter I suppose; the rat is dead; the rat carcass is over the fence; and Bruno had his cookie.
.
This morning we needed a short run into town. The dogs were moved into the house except Bruno. He chose to lie in the sun and ignore me. I called time and time again. Snore. "Cookie?" I yelled. He stirred slightly. Once again I hollered, "C'mon Bruno, inside, cookie, cookie." This got him.
.
He rolled to his 4 ample paws and rotated around, as dachshunds must do to turn corners. Bruno took one step forward then picked up something in the grass. Right away I recognized it as NOT A BALL. What was it? A bird maybe? I stepped into the house and told my wife to get ready to be grossed out.
.
Bruno strolled into the house and I could see. It was not a bird. Look at the title of this. Not a cute little mouse, but a big ole rat. It had a 6 inch tail and a big fat body. I told him to put it down. Bruno thought that was wrong, really wrong. None - I say None - of the other dogs gave Bruno and his treat a second glance. They could care less.
.
With a slow hand, I grabbed Bruno and lifted him straight up and away from the dead rat. It was a bloody mess. I picked it up and threw it over the fence. Then, Bruno got a cookie. I think he would have rather have the rat.
.
The question. Which one killed the rat? Bruno, Oscar....? I have not the slightest. It doesn't really matter I suppose; the rat is dead; the rat carcass is over the fence; and Bruno had his cookie.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
By the numbers
Numbers have phrases connected to them; many have more than one. Add some in the comment section and I will revised and extend this bluggy.
===============================================================
We are #1
1 - is the loneliest (thanks Ida)
#1 - every high school and college team in the USA before the season
#1 - my nickname for daughter Christine (first child)
Tea for 2
2 cents worth (thanks Ida)
#2 - my nickname for daughter Laura (2nd child)
#2 - rental car adv. We try harder.....
3s a crowd // Three coins in a fountain
#3 - my nickname for son Roger (3rd child)
4 - my birthdate // 4 eyes //
5 - wedding date
6 - why did 6 run away from the haunted house? cause 7 - 8 - 9 (thanks Ida)
Lucky 7
8s enough
9 - German word //
10 - Movie by same name
(7 come) 11
Ocean's 11 (see 12 & 13)
12 Cheaper by the dozen
Unlucky 13
14
15 - wife's birthdate
16
17
18
19
20
.
.
33 1/3 rpm records. (shows my age)
.
40 - 1940 birth year for wife and me
.
Colt 45 - 45 rpm records
.
50 - our anniversary last year
51 - our anniversary this past August
58 - graduated from high school
59 - Brenda graduated from high school
62 - year we were married
(Jan.) 63 - received Masters from Tech
64 - Christine born
67 - Laura born
7/7/70 - Roger born
.
73 - age I turn this year (wife hit 73 in September)
.
76 - Trombones
78 - rpm records
.
and a 101 cornets played the Air
1492 - Columbus sailed the ocean blue
1776 - a great year for patriots
===============================================================
We are #1
1 - is the loneliest (thanks Ida)
#1 - every high school and college team in the USA before the season
#1 - my nickname for daughter Christine (first child)
Tea for 2
2 cents worth (thanks Ida)
#2 - my nickname for daughter Laura (2nd child)
#2 - rental car adv. We try harder.....
3s a crowd // Three coins in a fountain
#3 - my nickname for son Roger (3rd child)
4 - my birthdate // 4 eyes //
5 - wedding date
6 - why did 6 run away from the haunted house? cause 7 - 8 - 9 (thanks Ida)
Lucky 7
8s enough
9 - German word //
10 - Movie by same name
(7 come) 11
Ocean's 11 (see 12 & 13)
12 Cheaper by the dozen
Unlucky 13
14
15 - wife's birthdate
16
17
18
19
20
.
.
33 1/3 rpm records. (shows my age)
.
40 - 1940 birth year for wife and me
.
Colt 45 - 45 rpm records
.
50 - our anniversary last year
51 - our anniversary this past August
58 - graduated from high school
59 - Brenda graduated from high school
62 - year we were married
(Jan.) 63 - received Masters from Tech
64 - Christine born
67 - Laura born
7/7/70 - Roger born
.
73 - age I turn this year (wife hit 73 in September)
.
76 - Trombones
78 - rpm records
.
and a 101 cornets played the Air
1492 - Columbus sailed the ocean blue
1776 - a great year for patriots
Wednesday quickie
couple of things unless I start to ramble.
Wed.
rain started before dawn with thunder - it is past 11 and we have broken the 2 inch mark. They say it will continue all day. My backyard is a swamp. The dogs have to be kicked out the door. And, still it comes.
.
my little white Ford Explorer is in the shop. I've talked previously about my car repair guy. Cheap is the word. He quit his former company and opened his own shop in the former Lincoln/Mercury house. At this moment he is working alone hoping his former helpers will want to move in with him. Consequently, he works alone. Lots of folks like him. He has too much business for one guy.
.
The Ford went into the shop last Thursday - front end problems. Hopefully it will be rescued today.
And with that I close - told ya it was a quickie - gonna go look for my spandex swimming trunks so I can go out into the back yard. My neighbors ain't here - may just go skinny dipping with my dogs (if I can get them off the back porch - notice tie-in to blog name).
.
Did I mention that I watched most of the old M A S H movie last night on TV? The movie guys really are a lot more cruel than than the TV show guys. With that, I close.
m
I'll do a P.S. My brother's wife went to the doctor yesterday for a checkup. They put her in the hospital and are going to do some things today. I don't understand it all for sure. Blood going through heart is down to 20%. They think one of her stents isn't working right. She is a candidate for a heart transplant, but has yet to pull the trigger to go. Her older brother had a heart transplant years ago and did not survive. Yes, I know, they have made great strides in heart transplants over the past 20 years. I feel helpless because there is nothing I can do to ease her pain and solve this problem.
.
It just dawned on me that she may read this sometime. If so, I apologize in advance for putting her blues on the international stage.
m
Wed.
rain started before dawn with thunder - it is past 11 and we have broken the 2 inch mark. They say it will continue all day. My backyard is a swamp. The dogs have to be kicked out the door. And, still it comes.
.
my little white Ford Explorer is in the shop. I've talked previously about my car repair guy. Cheap is the word. He quit his former company and opened his own shop in the former Lincoln/Mercury house. At this moment he is working alone hoping his former helpers will want to move in with him. Consequently, he works alone. Lots of folks like him. He has too much business for one guy.
.
The Ford went into the shop last Thursday - front end problems. Hopefully it will be rescued today.
And with that I close - told ya it was a quickie - gonna go look for my spandex swimming trunks so I can go out into the back yard. My neighbors ain't here - may just go skinny dipping with my dogs (if I can get them off the back porch - notice tie-in to blog name).
.
Did I mention that I watched most of the old M A S H movie last night on TV? The movie guys really are a lot more cruel than than the TV show guys. With that, I close.
m
I'll do a P.S. My brother's wife went to the doctor yesterday for a checkup. They put her in the hospital and are going to do some things today. I don't understand it all for sure. Blood going through heart is down to 20%. They think one of her stents isn't working right. She is a candidate for a heart transplant, but has yet to pull the trigger to go. Her older brother had a heart transplant years ago and did not survive. Yes, I know, they have made great strides in heart transplants over the past 20 years. I feel helpless because there is nothing I can do to ease her pain and solve this problem.
.
It just dawned on me that she may read this sometime. If so, I apologize in advance for putting her blues on the international stage.
m
Thursday, October 24, 2013
The week that was
Years past - as many years seem to have gone - there was a TV news show with a name LIKE: "That was the week that was." Or something like that. They reviewed the happenings of the past week. I do suppose I watched that show since back then we only had 3 channels and with a really good antenna one might pick up the educational channel from Tech. That is: we had channels 5 (PBS), 11 (NBC), 13 (CBS), and ABC eventually - like on channel 27 or something.
.
We were living either in Levelland or Sudan at the time and had to use antennas since cable didn't happen for us. All stations were in Lubbock on the south part of town - except the PBS on the Tech campus. I cannot remember watching PBS at all. This conversation could take the route of talking about old TV stations, but we shall save that for another day. My point is "the week that was." It has been one of those weeks.
.
If you read the previous babble blug, you read of the air conditioner mower dying. It died. Naturally, feel sorry for me, our motor is a variable motor in two parts. The back half has all sorts of controlling things and it died. The man put our new one in on Tuesday - $672.25 counting parts and labor. At these rates, this gentleman should never go hungry. Good ole boy. He was a good ole boy who apologized for the cost. Big deal - give me a discount.
.
Over the weekend, make that last Friday, we loaded up the motorhome and drove to Grapevine. Didja know they have wineries in Grapevine? That's not the reason we went. There is a great campground there, inexpensive with lake water and other activities. Friday afternoon sported free massages from 4 till 6. Missed that...because we were not there for the campground.
.
My wife has several cousins. Once a year they gather in a fancy hotel and gab about the past, future, and present. She has a good time with her cousins. A Cousins Reunion, so to speak. They stay in the Southlake Hilton; we stay in the RV park. I think we win on that one. They pay $174 a night; we pay about $32. They get a free buffet breakfast each morning; we eat our cereal and snack off their buffet for free. All in all, I think we win. Lunch and Dinner are in the area restaurants - these are restaurants, not a cafe in the bunch.
.
Again, we are not there to eat or sleep ( or shop ), we are there to see the cousins. On Saturday afternoon, the guys gather in the meeting room -they have a fancy name for it- and watch FOOTBALL!!!! while the ladies tour the local shops depleting bank balances. My wife, not a shopper or spender, dutifully makes the shopping rounds with the girls. All in all it t'was a nice weekend and get together. We kissed and hugged Sat. night and returned to the RV.
.
Sunday morning, up late - did I mention that we put the dogs in a rest home for the weekend? Fritz was not there to wake us at 3:30 or 4:00 for his morning constitutional. It was nice not having to handle the dogs. I'm sure they would have loved to go traveling. But, for once, they stayed at the Vet. $8 a night he charges per dog. I think that is a true bargain.
.
We picked them up at 9 on Monday. I really get lonely for my dogs, even though at this very moment they are all outside barking at the guys who are mowing the neighbor's yard. Dumb mutts. The dogs had had a bath and smelled of soap. Poor little Bruno (he is the biggest dog but the most helpless in the fear world). As the guy carried him out, Bruno was so nervous he had a bowel movement all the length of the hallway and out to the car, depositing his last present on the back seat of the Marauder. He was so happy to get home - had a runaway on the back porch - back and forth and back and forth. So happy.
.
Mowed the yard Wednesday - saw my ankle doctor this morning - improving but not cured - The foot doc hiked his left pants leg for me - yes, he was having the same problem that I face - and he was wearing his ankle brace with a smile. The master shower started backing up again - went to home depot and bought a drain auger. Used it this afternoon. Cost $40. Calling a plumber to do the same $ ????. My last plumber told me to go buy one.
.
Tuesday night I traveled to Mexia and rehearsed with their community band. They have a short concert on Saturday. I plan to play. Probably will never go back for another rehearsal. I would describe the tuba player, but, in theory, he could read this someday. Nuff to say - made me really nervous and agitated. Volunteers should never be made nervous and agitated. I could write a page on this opportunity; won't.
So that was the week that was. Little white car in shop. RV was in shop on Tuesday. Had a guy come by today to discuss moving dirt out of the lake to my property. Busy, not really. But we have to sit and wait to get anything done. Right now, I am ending this in order to go yell at my stupid dogs who are still barking. Think of them as a drum section turned loose in a glass factory.
luv ya all fer sure.
mtz
.
We were living either in Levelland or Sudan at the time and had to use antennas since cable didn't happen for us. All stations were in Lubbock on the south part of town - except the PBS on the Tech campus. I cannot remember watching PBS at all. This conversation could take the route of talking about old TV stations, but we shall save that for another day. My point is "the week that was." It has been one of those weeks.
.
If you read the previous babble blug, you read of the air conditioner mower dying. It died. Naturally, feel sorry for me, our motor is a variable motor in two parts. The back half has all sorts of controlling things and it died. The man put our new one in on Tuesday - $672.25 counting parts and labor. At these rates, this gentleman should never go hungry. Good ole boy. He was a good ole boy who apologized for the cost. Big deal - give me a discount.
.
Over the weekend, make that last Friday, we loaded up the motorhome and drove to Grapevine. Didja know they have wineries in Grapevine? That's not the reason we went. There is a great campground there, inexpensive with lake water and other activities. Friday afternoon sported free massages from 4 till 6. Missed that...because we were not there for the campground.
.
My wife has several cousins. Once a year they gather in a fancy hotel and gab about the past, future, and present. She has a good time with her cousins. A Cousins Reunion, so to speak. They stay in the Southlake Hilton; we stay in the RV park. I think we win on that one. They pay $174 a night; we pay about $32. They get a free buffet breakfast each morning; we eat our cereal and snack off their buffet for free. All in all, I think we win. Lunch and Dinner are in the area restaurants - these are restaurants, not a cafe in the bunch.
.
Again, we are not there to eat or sleep ( or shop ), we are there to see the cousins. On Saturday afternoon, the guys gather in the meeting room -they have a fancy name for it- and watch FOOTBALL!!!! while the ladies tour the local shops depleting bank balances. My wife, not a shopper or spender, dutifully makes the shopping rounds with the girls. All in all it t'was a nice weekend and get together. We kissed and hugged Sat. night and returned to the RV.
.
Sunday morning, up late - did I mention that we put the dogs in a rest home for the weekend? Fritz was not there to wake us at 3:30 or 4:00 for his morning constitutional. It was nice not having to handle the dogs. I'm sure they would have loved to go traveling. But, for once, they stayed at the Vet. $8 a night he charges per dog. I think that is a true bargain.
.
We picked them up at 9 on Monday. I really get lonely for my dogs, even though at this very moment they are all outside barking at the guys who are mowing the neighbor's yard. Dumb mutts. The dogs had had a bath and smelled of soap. Poor little Bruno (he is the biggest dog but the most helpless in the fear world). As the guy carried him out, Bruno was so nervous he had a bowel movement all the length of the hallway and out to the car, depositing his last present on the back seat of the Marauder. He was so happy to get home - had a runaway on the back porch - back and forth and back and forth. So happy.
.
Mowed the yard Wednesday - saw my ankle doctor this morning - improving but not cured - The foot doc hiked his left pants leg for me - yes, he was having the same problem that I face - and he was wearing his ankle brace with a smile. The master shower started backing up again - went to home depot and bought a drain auger. Used it this afternoon. Cost $40. Calling a plumber to do the same $ ????. My last plumber told me to go buy one.
.
Tuesday night I traveled to Mexia and rehearsed with their community band. They have a short concert on Saturday. I plan to play. Probably will never go back for another rehearsal. I would describe the tuba player, but, in theory, he could read this someday. Nuff to say - made me really nervous and agitated. Volunteers should never be made nervous and agitated. I could write a page on this opportunity; won't.
So that was the week that was. Little white car in shop. RV was in shop on Tuesday. Had a guy come by today to discuss moving dirt out of the lake to my property. Busy, not really. But we have to sit and wait to get anything done. Right now, I am ending this in order to go yell at my stupid dogs who are still barking. Think of them as a drum section turned loose in a glass factory.
luv ya all fer sure.
mtz
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Heat Pump Bluz
This will be a "whine."
Going for the "feel sorry for me" syndrome.
.
Yesterday afternoon, the spouse was cleaning a bathroom as bathrooms are want to be cleaned, when she noticed sweat on her brow. The water closet was too hot. Want to guess the problem?
She could hear the heat pump running outside but no cool air was coming from the ducts. That should be close to enough hints.
.
Our air conditioner/furnace is down, broken, kaput, fizzzzzzz.
.
It is a Trane, new in 2008 when the house was built. A heat pump at that. When we built the pad, I told them I wanted a regular air conditioner and a gas furnace. They said sure, no problem. When I look at one air cond or another, unless it says "heat pump" in bold print, I would never know. About a year or more after we moved in, the machine had a problem - under warranty. The guy came out and told me it was a heat pump. Sigh. WhatRyaGonnaDo?
.
For those who don't know, a heat pump will heat the air or cool the air. It will cool or heat about 20 to 30 degrees above or below the outside temperature. So if it is 100 degrees outside, I can cool down into the 70s or so. You get the idea. But, I have a gas furnace which will heat the house to 100 or more if I ask - they call this supplemental heat.
.
Our problem is the electric blower in the attic that moves the cool or heated air through the ducts. Since ours is broken, no air moves. We called a company in town, Watkins Electric, who has the word TRANE on their store and truck and yellow pages adv. The service guy called TRANE main office and talked to a technician who reacquainted him with our model and the process for checking. Terry came out and ran the tests on the motor - shot, not working, fizzle-lee-doo. We now have a new motor on order. It should be here no later than Monday and installed thereafter.
.
Lucky? Yes, we are. It could be 100 degrees outside. It could be 30 degrees outside. Instead, we had a cold front and are experiencing 60 to 70 degree weather. Lucky? Yes, we are.
Unlucky? Yes, we are. The mere fact it died 5 months after the warranty ends, BAD. But there is more. They put a variable motor on our unit. This means it changes speeds as programmed. Of course a new blower motor should cost $100 to $150. A variable motor - because it has computer stuff on it - estimate between $400 and $600 - or so.
.
Whine.
Whine.
At least the service guy is a nice guy. He petted our dogs and told me he has foxes living in the creek behind his house inside Corsicana. Foxes. Who'd a thunk?
That's it. I'll try to think of something else to complain about tomorrow. We did get almost 3 inches of rain. That is good.
nighty night.
m
Going for the "feel sorry for me" syndrome.
.
Yesterday afternoon, the spouse was cleaning a bathroom as bathrooms are want to be cleaned, when she noticed sweat on her brow. The water closet was too hot. Want to guess the problem?
She could hear the heat pump running outside but no cool air was coming from the ducts. That should be close to enough hints.
.
Our air conditioner/furnace is down, broken, kaput, fizzzzzzz.
.
It is a Trane, new in 2008 when the house was built. A heat pump at that. When we built the pad, I told them I wanted a regular air conditioner and a gas furnace. They said sure, no problem. When I look at one air cond or another, unless it says "heat pump" in bold print, I would never know. About a year or more after we moved in, the machine had a problem - under warranty. The guy came out and told me it was a heat pump. Sigh. WhatRyaGonnaDo?
.
For those who don't know, a heat pump will heat the air or cool the air. It will cool or heat about 20 to 30 degrees above or below the outside temperature. So if it is 100 degrees outside, I can cool down into the 70s or so. You get the idea. But, I have a gas furnace which will heat the house to 100 or more if I ask - they call this supplemental heat.
.
Our problem is the electric blower in the attic that moves the cool or heated air through the ducts. Since ours is broken, no air moves. We called a company in town, Watkins Electric, who has the word TRANE on their store and truck and yellow pages adv. The service guy called TRANE main office and talked to a technician who reacquainted him with our model and the process for checking. Terry came out and ran the tests on the motor - shot, not working, fizzle-lee-doo. We now have a new motor on order. It should be here no later than Monday and installed thereafter.
.
Lucky? Yes, we are. It could be 100 degrees outside. It could be 30 degrees outside. Instead, we had a cold front and are experiencing 60 to 70 degree weather. Lucky? Yes, we are.
Unlucky? Yes, we are. The mere fact it died 5 months after the warranty ends, BAD. But there is more. They put a variable motor on our unit. This means it changes speeds as programmed. Of course a new blower motor should cost $100 to $150. A variable motor - because it has computer stuff on it - estimate between $400 and $600 - or so.
.
Whine.
Whine.
At least the service guy is a nice guy. He petted our dogs and told me he has foxes living in the creek behind his house inside Corsicana. Foxes. Who'd a thunk?
That's it. I'll try to think of something else to complain about tomorrow. We did get almost 3 inches of rain. That is good.
nighty night.
m
Sunday, October 13, 2013
State Fair of Texas and...
October 13th, 2013. Friday the 13th comes on Sunday this month. I'm sure all are enjoying its charms. For me, a lazy afternoon after a busy week or so. Since my last bluggy of a while back in which I rambled regarding our recent RV trip to La Grange and Huntsville, nothing has happened which can be described as earth shattering. I haven't trapped a fleeting terrorist, dated a Kardashian, flown to the moon on gossamer wings, on won a bingo. So bear with me here. Gonna change font colors; that should be exciting.
.
There we go.
.
We have had one heck of a time with our schedule. Those unretired don't know how busy a calendar can become. The Texas State Fair is this month, and I like to go. It is FREE on Thursdays for old folks. On Wednesdays, for three cans of food, the admission is $3. These are number not to be sneezed at. Parking runs $15. You gotta really want to park to pay $15. Some of the locals allow you to park in their yard for $5 or $10. I do not feel comfy doing that. We pay the $15 thinking that we are doing a service for the community.
.
All - make that Every - Wed. and Thurs were full this month with some happening. We picked a Monday, the Monday following going to Canton's First Monday Trade Days, an enormous flea market. Let me stall here for a moment and say that Canton was just like all Cantons. We saw new little puppies, ate at the Chinese buffet, browsed booths of bartered belongings, turned our noses up at brand new products and spent maybe $10 on stuff. We are not big payers, just big shoppers.
.
The State Fair of Texas was just like all State Fairs. They have the rides - we never walk through that area of clamor. They have the guys and gals bartering the games - games which are winnable to the few. There are people selling carrot cutters, jalapeno hackers, mops that mop all types of surfaces - booth after booth of mattresses - player pianos, scarfs - mile after mile of colorful scars, jewelry; I think we walked through 4 enormous bldgs of products to buy...bought none. In the morning a lady bought a mop - she carried that mop around for the rest of the day. Why?
.
A question: kids were everywhere. It was a Monday. They can't be all home schooled. How do parents get off taking their kids out of school to ride rides and get underfoot?\
.
Of course we did the obligatory trip by the new Big Tex for the photographs. He was just fine. I understand that some have complained because his skin is painted too dark. Nothing pleases some folks.
.
We spent an hour plus walking through the automobile display. I would like to find the money to buy a new car. My Marauder is now 10 years old with over 150K miles. I do not want it to fall apart. A classic should be treated better. My wife wants a car which will hold all 3 grandgirls, and they are grand - which can be pulled behind the motorhome. Thus we can make a trip and take the girls along. Good Plan.
.
The motorhome has a limit of 5,000 lbs to be pulled. You go looking for a car that weighs less than 5K and has extra seats. Few and far between. So we walked through the display checking the weights and appearances of so many buggies. We found a few, nothing that I crave and can afford right now. Here is where the kids got to me. They were everywhere. 10 year olds runnnnnnning around from car to car - sitting behind the driver's wheel. With an adult standing waiting these kids play with the radio of the car. Where are the parents? There was a cute VW convertible bug. Every child had to sit behind the wheel of that VW and have their photo taken by laughing parents. Gads.
.
All in all it was a good car visit other than the loud noises and kids. Next year will be better cause I plan to take super glue and squirt it on the feet of all the little kids. If you are stuck tot he floor you cannot run,
.
Last night the Corsicana Swing Orchestra played for the Hanger Dance - a dance held in the Hanger at the local airport. This is a fund raiser for the hopefully soon coming airport museum. I enjoy playing with this band - good people. Maybe I will write more on that in a bit - it is 5 o'clock now and Fritz needs supper. Stay tuned for more.
m
.
There we go.
.
We have had one heck of a time with our schedule. Those unretired don't know how busy a calendar can become. The Texas State Fair is this month, and I like to go. It is FREE on Thursdays for old folks. On Wednesdays, for three cans of food, the admission is $3. These are number not to be sneezed at. Parking runs $15. You gotta really want to park to pay $15. Some of the locals allow you to park in their yard for $5 or $10. I do not feel comfy doing that. We pay the $15 thinking that we are doing a service for the community.
.
All - make that Every - Wed. and Thurs were full this month with some happening. We picked a Monday, the Monday following going to Canton's First Monday Trade Days, an enormous flea market. Let me stall here for a moment and say that Canton was just like all Cantons. We saw new little puppies, ate at the Chinese buffet, browsed booths of bartered belongings, turned our noses up at brand new products and spent maybe $10 on stuff. We are not big payers, just big shoppers.
.
The State Fair of Texas was just like all State Fairs. They have the rides - we never walk through that area of clamor. They have the guys and gals bartering the games - games which are winnable to the few. There are people selling carrot cutters, jalapeno hackers, mops that mop all types of surfaces - booth after booth of mattresses - player pianos, scarfs - mile after mile of colorful scars, jewelry; I think we walked through 4 enormous bldgs of products to buy...bought none. In the morning a lady bought a mop - she carried that mop around for the rest of the day. Why?
.
A question: kids were everywhere. It was a Monday. They can't be all home schooled. How do parents get off taking their kids out of school to ride rides and get underfoot?\
.
Of course we did the obligatory trip by the new Big Tex for the photographs. He was just fine. I understand that some have complained because his skin is painted too dark. Nothing pleases some folks.
.
We spent an hour plus walking through the automobile display. I would like to find the money to buy a new car. My Marauder is now 10 years old with over 150K miles. I do not want it to fall apart. A classic should be treated better. My wife wants a car which will hold all 3 grandgirls, and they are grand - which can be pulled behind the motorhome. Thus we can make a trip and take the girls along. Good Plan.
.
The motorhome has a limit of 5,000 lbs to be pulled. You go looking for a car that weighs less than 5K and has extra seats. Few and far between. So we walked through the display checking the weights and appearances of so many buggies. We found a few, nothing that I crave and can afford right now. Here is where the kids got to me. They were everywhere. 10 year olds runnnnnnning around from car to car - sitting behind the driver's wheel. With an adult standing waiting these kids play with the radio of the car. Where are the parents? There was a cute VW convertible bug. Every child had to sit behind the wheel of that VW and have their photo taken by laughing parents. Gads.
.
All in all it was a good car visit other than the loud noises and kids. Next year will be better cause I plan to take super glue and squirt it on the feet of all the little kids. If you are stuck tot he floor you cannot run,
.
Last night the Corsicana Swing Orchestra played for the Hanger Dance - a dance held in the Hanger at the local airport. This is a fund raiser for the hopefully soon coming airport museum. I enjoy playing with this band - good people. Maybe I will write more on that in a bit - it is 5 o'clock now and Fritz needs supper. Stay tuned for more.
m
Friday, October 4, 2013
La Grange - Quilts - Huntsville
Here it is the first of October - ghost and goblins lurking in the shadows. As they might say in Alcoholics Anon ( I can't spell anonymous with confidance or is it confidence? ) as they say: it has been 3 weeks since I last entered a comment on this page. Does this mean I am not addicted?
.
Certain family members told me to write a blog - instead of sending them email stones. I bit and began. Now they don't read the blog either. Tho ( sic: so ) I will continue wallowing in my self, alone pity. Can anyone hear me out there?
.
anyway, nuff of that stuff
.
We made a motorhome trip about a week ago to La Grange, TX. They have = what is billed as = the Texas State Quilt Museum. Our daughter Christine drove down from Round Rock - great name for a town - and stayed in the M.H. with us for a couple of nights. If you have not been through La Grange, and stopped, you should. It seems to be a very nice little town with things to do and see.
.
1st: the quilt museum has its limits. It is housed in two downtown bldgs which have been redone quite well. The quilts are pretty and the folks are friendly. Every 3 months they change their display of featured quilts. Oct. 1st will be the new display; I guess I should say that Oct. 1st was their new display. The Sept. one was a display of art type quilts. Scenes made from cloth and swirly things made from cloth.
.
My family is into traditional quilts, so this was not the best thing. Yes they were pretty; but, they were not traditional quilts. We enjoyed the viewing however. As it turns out, while we were in La Grange it was festival day. Every small town has at least one day of festivities. This was their county's 175th birthday. That's a long time in Texas. They fired a cannon off on the hill top, they did this, they did that. At 4 on the courthouse square the party began. Politicians recited at 4 as well as local well-respected folks who probably have been politicians.
.
A crowd gathered beneath the courthouse balcony and listened to - at least - 45 minutes of speeches about the wonderful day. Yes, it was a Wonder, Full of speeches and the crowd stayed. They had an oldie car display, little ole ladies sitting and quilting in costume, a guy making cornmeal with the help of eager children and and and..
.
but my favorite was the Round Top Brass Band which struck up after the speeches. I don't know who they were . . . . a bunch of old guys and gals in black pants, white shirts, and cute, little, period-black box hats - reminding me of olden days fireman hats when they weren't working. Some were terrific players; others could have done with another rehearsal or two. While they were a brass band, two clarinets sat in and warbled beautifully.
.
What I noticed is: the band played a song. Then, the band sat around a talked for a while; then the band played a tune. Then, the band sat around a talked for a while; then the band played a tune. sat around a talked for a while; played a tune. My guess is, they only knew about 6 or 7 songs. The drummer on a trap set started each tune with a woodblock knock knock. All in all, it was a fun group, and I would be please to play with them if asked.
.
Our motorhome park was right on the Colorado river. It had rained the day before - as we drove that way, all day, rained, drove, more rain - I had not experienced this much driving fun since we drove through Pennsylvania one year as part of a hurricane blew through. Rain rain rained. Back to the river: it was flowing with all sorts of tree litter flowing as well. We walked along the shore with the 5 dogs and looked for squirrels and other deeply hidden critters. I can say, that I believe La Grange would be an excellent place to retire if you are tired of the big city.
.
One last thing - my wife really enjoyed the streets. It seemed that all over town, they built streets that left giant trees standing in the middle. The street would just go around both sides of the tree - put up a warning marker - travel on. I suppose that was nice. It might be a hindrance to a certid dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd ncvvvcvv
let's stop here for an explanation. I was typing along. I wanted to type "certified." The "F" was stuck in the down position. How's that happen? Must I quit eating and drinking while I type? I just went in between the keys with my handy dandy pocket knife and removed cracker crumbs, cheese, hair, garbage, and elephant dung. Maybe I should take the back off the keyboard and blow the thingy out. Or maybe I shouldn't. Let's leave air compressors to the professionals.
back to original paragraph. trees in road. It might be a hindrance to a certified drunk. And I would think in a Czech/German community - there might be a few.
.
move on
.
We decided to take two days to get home. Our next stop was in Huntsville on I-45. They have the Huntsville State Park. Now this is a nice State Park. You should go see. Trees and Water. Lovely picnic area. Really nice. Next morning, we took our time and loaded up. Walked the dogs 4 different times to empty certain body parts, and took off for town. Finding a place to park the motorhome, pulling a car, at an eating place was hard. Eventually we squeezed into an area behind the Golden Corral of Huntsville.
.
I have been in thousands, if not millions, of Golden Corrals. I believe this one is in dire need of refurbishing. I thought it was a tad scuzzy. The food was the same. I know, some of you think the food is scuzzy at all G. C. or buffets, in general. it was okay. We sat in a secluded area beside a group of 6 adults. Next to them was an elderly Spanish man and his wife, who had their laptop opened on the table. The screen showed their playlist and the music was being played through those little tiny speakers. Yes, this couple had brought their own elevator music to enjoy as they feasted at Golden Corral.
.
Wanna guess what kind of music? Go ahead.
You're wrong.
It was music from the 40s and 50s. All of the stuff I truly enjoy. Good big band sounds, old songs and dances - all pop. It was a pleasure having this gentleman sitting near with his playlist emitting the golden sounds of a golden era. Is this a trend for the future? Little kids bringing in laptops to play Barney music while they eat? Some acid punk rock dude playing his trash for the world to hear? Think about it for a moment. Why not? They left, leaving us alone in the area with the 6 adults.
.
A phone rang; the lady picked it up and started having a conversation. She was not obnoxious or anything...very pleasant. She passed the phone around the table. Finally it reached this one low-middle age guy who talked briefly. Then he said: "Yes, I just got out." He described who was there: his mom, his brothers, and so forth.
.
I'll cut to the chase. "I just got out." Huntsville. Gray uniformed individuals picking up several containers of food to go. Where are we? Huntsville. Home of the State Prison - one of them. Yes, this guy behind us with all his family had just been released from prison. And, where did he choose to go eat lunch with his favorite people? You got it. Golden Corral. If you had been in jail for any period of time, you would choose Golden Corral too, I imagine. None of that fancy Mexican or Italian food for you. Go to the trough.
so with that I close. It was nice to get home. It was nice to leave home. Soon we will travel again. Y'all take care now.
m
.
Certain family members told me to write a blog - instead of sending them email stones. I bit and began. Now they don't read the blog either. Tho ( sic: so ) I will continue wallowing in my self, alone pity. Can anyone hear me out there?
.
anyway, nuff of that stuff
.
We made a motorhome trip about a week ago to La Grange, TX. They have = what is billed as = the Texas State Quilt Museum. Our daughter Christine drove down from Round Rock - great name for a town - and stayed in the M.H. with us for a couple of nights. If you have not been through La Grange, and stopped, you should. It seems to be a very nice little town with things to do and see.
.
1st: the quilt museum has its limits. It is housed in two downtown bldgs which have been redone quite well. The quilts are pretty and the folks are friendly. Every 3 months they change their display of featured quilts. Oct. 1st will be the new display; I guess I should say that Oct. 1st was their new display. The Sept. one was a display of art type quilts. Scenes made from cloth and swirly things made from cloth.
.
My family is into traditional quilts, so this was not the best thing. Yes they were pretty; but, they were not traditional quilts. We enjoyed the viewing however. As it turns out, while we were in La Grange it was festival day. Every small town has at least one day of festivities. This was their county's 175th birthday. That's a long time in Texas. They fired a cannon off on the hill top, they did this, they did that. At 4 on the courthouse square the party began. Politicians recited at 4 as well as local well-respected folks who probably have been politicians.
.
A crowd gathered beneath the courthouse balcony and listened to - at least - 45 minutes of speeches about the wonderful day. Yes, it was a Wonder, Full of speeches and the crowd stayed. They had an oldie car display, little ole ladies sitting and quilting in costume, a guy making cornmeal with the help of eager children and and and..
.
but my favorite was the Round Top Brass Band which struck up after the speeches. I don't know who they were . . . . a bunch of old guys and gals in black pants, white shirts, and cute, little, period-black box hats - reminding me of olden days fireman hats when they weren't working. Some were terrific players; others could have done with another rehearsal or two. While they were a brass band, two clarinets sat in and warbled beautifully.
.
What I noticed is: the band played a song. Then, the band sat around a talked for a while; then the band played a tune. Then, the band sat around a talked for a while; then the band played a tune. sat around a talked for a while; played a tune. My guess is, they only knew about 6 or 7 songs. The drummer on a trap set started each tune with a woodblock knock knock. All in all, it was a fun group, and I would be please to play with them if asked.
.
Our motorhome park was right on the Colorado river. It had rained the day before - as we drove that way, all day, rained, drove, more rain - I had not experienced this much driving fun since we drove through Pennsylvania one year as part of a hurricane blew through. Rain rain rained. Back to the river: it was flowing with all sorts of tree litter flowing as well. We walked along the shore with the 5 dogs and looked for squirrels and other deeply hidden critters. I can say, that I believe La Grange would be an excellent place to retire if you are tired of the big city.
.
One last thing - my wife really enjoyed the streets. It seemed that all over town, they built streets that left giant trees standing in the middle. The street would just go around both sides of the tree - put up a warning marker - travel on. I suppose that was nice. It might be a hindrance to a certid dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd ncvvvcvv
let's stop here for an explanation. I was typing along. I wanted to type "certified." The "F" was stuck in the down position. How's that happen? Must I quit eating and drinking while I type? I just went in between the keys with my handy dandy pocket knife and removed cracker crumbs, cheese, hair, garbage, and elephant dung. Maybe I should take the back off the keyboard and blow the thingy out. Or maybe I shouldn't. Let's leave air compressors to the professionals.
back to original paragraph. trees in road. It might be a hindrance to a certified drunk. And I would think in a Czech/German community - there might be a few.
.
move on
.
We decided to take two days to get home. Our next stop was in Huntsville on I-45. They have the Huntsville State Park. Now this is a nice State Park. You should go see. Trees and Water. Lovely picnic area. Really nice. Next morning, we took our time and loaded up. Walked the dogs 4 different times to empty certain body parts, and took off for town. Finding a place to park the motorhome, pulling a car, at an eating place was hard. Eventually we squeezed into an area behind the Golden Corral of Huntsville.
.
I have been in thousands, if not millions, of Golden Corrals. I believe this one is in dire need of refurbishing. I thought it was a tad scuzzy. The food was the same. I know, some of you think the food is scuzzy at all G. C. or buffets, in general. it was okay. We sat in a secluded area beside a group of 6 adults. Next to them was an elderly Spanish man and his wife, who had their laptop opened on the table. The screen showed their playlist and the music was being played through those little tiny speakers. Yes, this couple had brought their own elevator music to enjoy as they feasted at Golden Corral.
.
Wanna guess what kind of music? Go ahead.
You're wrong.
It was music from the 40s and 50s. All of the stuff I truly enjoy. Good big band sounds, old songs and dances - all pop. It was a pleasure having this gentleman sitting near with his playlist emitting the golden sounds of a golden era. Is this a trend for the future? Little kids bringing in laptops to play Barney music while they eat? Some acid punk rock dude playing his trash for the world to hear? Think about it for a moment. Why not? They left, leaving us alone in the area with the 6 adults.
.
A phone rang; the lady picked it up and started having a conversation. She was not obnoxious or anything...very pleasant. She passed the phone around the table. Finally it reached this one low-middle age guy who talked briefly. Then he said: "Yes, I just got out." He described who was there: his mom, his brothers, and so forth.
.
I'll cut to the chase. "I just got out." Huntsville. Gray uniformed individuals picking up several containers of food to go. Where are we? Huntsville. Home of the State Prison - one of them. Yes, this guy behind us with all his family had just been released from prison. And, where did he choose to go eat lunch with his favorite people? You got it. Golden Corral. If you had been in jail for any period of time, you would choose Golden Corral too, I imagine. None of that fancy Mexican or Italian food for you. Go to the trough.
so with that I close. It was nice to get home. It was nice to leave home. Soon we will travel again. Y'all take care now.
m
Monday, September 16, 2013
running running
Not much to see here folks. I awoke this morning with fluid flowing from my nose ( GROSS ALERT !! GROSS ALERT !! ). A clear, liquid-flow, mighty as a river gushing after the hurricane [ from the previous post ] has unleashed its liquid fury.
One Kleenix, Two Kleenix,
Three Kleenix, A Dollar.
All for Tissues
Stand up and hollar.
.
Today I stand in awe at the "mighty lowly" Tissue. Continuing our gross alert, the way it works in my head - the nose runs. If I lay down, it continues, sometimes flowing down the back of my throat. While I never know it is flowing, it is for sure. All of this gross-sit-ity is followed by an increasing sore throat. Pretty soon, the ears start to stop up. That was fun to write. Start to Stop. Try it, you'll see.
.
Historically when this first started, it was a spring time, just prior to concert contest. I went into sight reading unable to hear my students play - everything seemed 5 blocks away. We were fortunate to have survived that competition - the band did great. I tried to smile a lot.
.
So, running nose and all, today we went to town. Gotta go to the bank - the post office - and, of course, Wal*Mart. That, plus a few more tissues, and I invite my wife to have lunch at a local Italian place we have never tried. It was okay. Big bread rolls brushed with butter and garlic. The portions were large. My piece of chicken was enormous for a restaurant that is still in business. We brought home supper plus 2 big rolls.
.
Once home - a half box tissues later - I called an allergy doctor. Answering service: "Doctor's answering service," she recites. I ask, " You are the answering service?" After all it was early afternoon. "Yes, they will be back at 1:30." 1:30. I set an alarm clock for 1:35 and gave them a 2nd call. Response --- Tomorrow morning sometime, I will visit my new best friend. The doctor will look into my eyes, my ears, my throat, and perchance, my nose, if he is wearing plastic protective garb. He will emit a hmmmmmm and say, "I need you to come back in, and we will do some tests."
.
You see, I have done this before. I took allergy shots in Austin for 4 years. Then, in 2003, I stopped. Not one runny nose since 2003 until this year. The allergy devil has re-found me. Tomorrow, a new adventure. wish me the best.
.
M
One Kleenix, Two Kleenix,
Three Kleenix, A Dollar.
All for Tissues
Stand up and hollar.
.
Today I stand in awe at the "mighty lowly" Tissue. Continuing our gross alert, the way it works in my head - the nose runs. If I lay down, it continues, sometimes flowing down the back of my throat. While I never know it is flowing, it is for sure. All of this gross-sit-ity is followed by an increasing sore throat. Pretty soon, the ears start to stop up. That was fun to write. Start to Stop. Try it, you'll see.
.
Historically when this first started, it was a spring time, just prior to concert contest. I went into sight reading unable to hear my students play - everything seemed 5 blocks away. We were fortunate to have survived that competition - the band did great. I tried to smile a lot.
.
So, running nose and all, today we went to town. Gotta go to the bank - the post office - and, of course, Wal*Mart. That, plus a few more tissues, and I invite my wife to have lunch at a local Italian place we have never tried. It was okay. Big bread rolls brushed with butter and garlic. The portions were large. My piece of chicken was enormous for a restaurant that is still in business. We brought home supper plus 2 big rolls.
.
Once home - a half box tissues later - I called an allergy doctor. Answering service: "Doctor's answering service," she recites. I ask, " You are the answering service?" After all it was early afternoon. "Yes, they will be back at 1:30." 1:30. I set an alarm clock for 1:35 and gave them a 2nd call. Response --- Tomorrow morning sometime, I will visit my new best friend. The doctor will look into my eyes, my ears, my throat, and perchance, my nose, if he is wearing plastic protective garb. He will emit a hmmmmmm and say, "I need you to come back in, and we will do some tests."
.
You see, I have done this before. I took allergy shots in Austin for 4 years. Then, in 2003, I stopped. Not one runny nose since 2003 until this year. The allergy devil has re-found me. Tomorrow, a new adventure. wish me the best.
.
M
misc. & birthday & water
Today, September 15, my wife's birthday. She was born in Levelland (TX) six weeks before I arrived in Oklahoma. I am not sure, but I think she may have been the first in her entire family to attend college. Her parents - pre marriage - moved to Levelland sometime during the 20-30s, went to and graduated from LHS, met had 2 children and so forth. I would tell you how old my wife is, but you can figure it out on your own in six weeks when I announce my own birthday. Never ever thought I would hang around with an old lady as much as I do.
.
It may never rain again in this part of the country. Our lake is going down inches daily. We are told that it is 10 ft below normal. Folks, that is a lot of water under the bridge. From our house looking north, we can see land moving our direction. The cows from the other side of the lake are starting to move down our shore and eating our weeds. Not that I would complain. The rancher rode down last week and had a round up. On his horse? you may ask. Nope, apparently, the four wheeler has taken the place of the rancher's horse. Sorta sad really.
.
This too shall pass. All things, if left alone, will return to their normal state. Of course, it could be that the normal state is 15 ft down - and we have just been having a rainy several years. That's sorta like global warming. Just a few years back they were crying about global cooling - this has been during my adult lifetime. This too shall pass - hurricanes will come again - the snows will once more bless the highlands - glaciers will begin to grow instead of shrink - Republicans will return to office. You name it. It will evolve.
.
So we pump water out of the lake to water our yard. We paid a one time fee, and we get get free muddy water if we are willing to pay for the electric pump to shove it up hill. We did & we paid & we are willing. But the lake went down so far that our inlet valve is out of the water. We paid a guy to extend our line somewhere around 400 more ft into the lake. We pump again. It was interesting seeing this kid walk out into the lake 400 ft pulling a plastic pipe to be buried in the mud. We will have water for a while, but without rain, even that pipe will come out of the water. Whatta ya gonna do?
.
I'll tell you. I have so much influence with all things religious - I have been praying for a hurricane to hit Houston, hit Houston hard, and then, come right up I-45 to my house, replenishing the lake. I know that some of you will find this to be ethically incorrect - known in the world as E.I. Sure maybe hundreds or thousands of people will lose everything they own and a few relatives. But our lake will refill. And, if you think about it, bus companies will make more money busing people out of the lowlands to west Texas...gypsy roofers will have a great new area to fleece...politicians will make hay from all the visits and concerned looks. Hurricanes create a whole new world of making money - take house repair - shovels - soap - new cars to replace the drowned older models (which will be dried off and sold south of the border to unsuspecting Guatemalans - the funeral industry - so many things. C'mon Hurricane. I hope it will be named after some female and not one that is hard to pronounce or spell.
.
or we will just wait for the spring rains.
.
Meanwhile, I haul water hoses all over the yard on Thursdays and Sundays sprinkling away. The Tarrant County water district limits us to Th & S. Soon it will be limited to one day. It really is an interesting feeling to look north and see the edge of lake moving - no marching steadily south. It is almost like Sherman's March to the Sea over Atlanta. And all those fish are being squeezed south - hungry and confused.
.
A little side note: the guy fixed our water on a Friday about 3 weeks ago. He has yet to ask to be paid. At the time I offered. He said he had to go home and figure it; call me back Monday. He didn't. So I wait, cash in one hand a water hose in the other and a longing eye poised towards any cloud that drifts my direction.
.
Back to birthday. Did I mention my trip to Walmart where I bought her a black T-shirt with the words HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY emblazoned across the front?
later,
m
.
It may never rain again in this part of the country. Our lake is going down inches daily. We are told that it is 10 ft below normal. Folks, that is a lot of water under the bridge. From our house looking north, we can see land moving our direction. The cows from the other side of the lake are starting to move down our shore and eating our weeds. Not that I would complain. The rancher rode down last week and had a round up. On his horse? you may ask. Nope, apparently, the four wheeler has taken the place of the rancher's horse. Sorta sad really.
.
This too shall pass. All things, if left alone, will return to their normal state. Of course, it could be that the normal state is 15 ft down - and we have just been having a rainy several years. That's sorta like global warming. Just a few years back they were crying about global cooling - this has been during my adult lifetime. This too shall pass - hurricanes will come again - the snows will once more bless the highlands - glaciers will begin to grow instead of shrink - Republicans will return to office. You name it. It will evolve.
.
So we pump water out of the lake to water our yard. We paid a one time fee, and we get get free muddy water if we are willing to pay for the electric pump to shove it up hill. We did & we paid & we are willing. But the lake went down so far that our inlet valve is out of the water. We paid a guy to extend our line somewhere around 400 more ft into the lake. We pump again. It was interesting seeing this kid walk out into the lake 400 ft pulling a plastic pipe to be buried in the mud. We will have water for a while, but without rain, even that pipe will come out of the water. Whatta ya gonna do?
.
I'll tell you. I have so much influence with all things religious - I have been praying for a hurricane to hit Houston, hit Houston hard, and then, come right up I-45 to my house, replenishing the lake. I know that some of you will find this to be ethically incorrect - known in the world as E.I. Sure maybe hundreds or thousands of people will lose everything they own and a few relatives. But our lake will refill. And, if you think about it, bus companies will make more money busing people out of the lowlands to west Texas...gypsy roofers will have a great new area to fleece...politicians will make hay from all the visits and concerned looks. Hurricanes create a whole new world of making money - take house repair - shovels - soap - new cars to replace the drowned older models (which will be dried off and sold south of the border to unsuspecting Guatemalans - the funeral industry - so many things. C'mon Hurricane. I hope it will be named after some female and not one that is hard to pronounce or spell.
.
or we will just wait for the spring rains.
.
Meanwhile, I haul water hoses all over the yard on Thursdays and Sundays sprinkling away. The Tarrant County water district limits us to Th & S. Soon it will be limited to one day. It really is an interesting feeling to look north and see the edge of lake moving - no marching steadily south. It is almost like Sherman's March to the Sea over Atlanta. And all those fish are being squeezed south - hungry and confused.
.
A little side note: the guy fixed our water on a Friday about 3 weeks ago. He has yet to ask to be paid. At the time I offered. He said he had to go home and figure it; call me back Monday. He didn't. So I wait, cash in one hand a water hose in the other and a longing eye poised towards any cloud that drifts my direction.
.
Back to birthday. Did I mention my trip to Walmart where I bought her a black T-shirt with the words HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY emblazoned across the front?
later,
m
Friday, September 6, 2013
MRI Festivo
Not much to this. Back in June, I think it was, might have been late May. My wife asked me to go walking with her. I grumbled "sure" cause I need to do that sorta thing. She has a route that covers a mile, up and down our hills. Part of it can be tough on an old guy who is out of shape. So, I walked up our driveway to the road and took maybe 3 or 4 steps.
.
All of a sudden there was a pain in my left foot. I can't remember if I have told this story or not. So, I walked the mile in minor pain. Later I figured out it was under my left ankle. After 2 weeks, I went to my primary care doc (we use to just call them doctors). He essentially thought it would get well soon. 3 weeks later I went to my foot doctor. He felt around, having me move my foot in all directions.
.
I really don't like people messing with my feet. He gave me this brace to wear around the ankle. It was a problem with a tendon, not the Achilles, another one. I wore the brace for a month and went back. He told me to continue. I went for another month and called for an appointment.
.
This time he wanted me to get a MRI. Aside thought. That should be an MRI. There is a place near his office. However, the nurse suggested that I drive 20 miles to Ennis for the work to be done. She implied it was less of a hassle with book work. Okay. Fine. Sure.
.
Went this morning. Checked in and paid my $14.19 co-pay. Hmmmmm The tall guy took me to a round lady in the back. She prepared the machine with a device to hold my foot. Stuck that rascal in their container and laid down. She turned the lights off in the room and moved my lower half into the round machine.
.
I think I was on that table for an hour listening to hums and noise and seeing a bright red light in between noises. She had given me ear plugs to cut the noise. I crossed my arms on the chest and tried to sleep. I didn't get great sleep. I was so worried that I'd move my foot and have to start over. That would not be a joy.
.
MRIs don't bother me. It is just something you do. My doc will get the results from another doc who will interpret. Then a decision will be made about our next step. Meanwhile, I continue to wear my ankle brace. What is that old line. Getting old is not for sissies.
m
.
All of a sudden there was a pain in my left foot. I can't remember if I have told this story or not. So, I walked the mile in minor pain. Later I figured out it was under my left ankle. After 2 weeks, I went to my primary care doc (we use to just call them doctors). He essentially thought it would get well soon. 3 weeks later I went to my foot doctor. He felt around, having me move my foot in all directions.
.
I really don't like people messing with my feet. He gave me this brace to wear around the ankle. It was a problem with a tendon, not the Achilles, another one. I wore the brace for a month and went back. He told me to continue. I went for another month and called for an appointment.
.
This time he wanted me to get a MRI. Aside thought. That should be an MRI. There is a place near his office. However, the nurse suggested that I drive 20 miles to Ennis for the work to be done. She implied it was less of a hassle with book work. Okay. Fine. Sure.
.
Went this morning. Checked in and paid my $14.19 co-pay. Hmmmmm The tall guy took me to a round lady in the back. She prepared the machine with a device to hold my foot. Stuck that rascal in their container and laid down. She turned the lights off in the room and moved my lower half into the round machine.
.
I think I was on that table for an hour listening to hums and noise and seeing a bright red light in between noises. She had given me ear plugs to cut the noise. I crossed my arms on the chest and tried to sleep. I didn't get great sleep. I was so worried that I'd move my foot and have to start over. That would not be a joy.
.
MRIs don't bother me. It is just something you do. My doc will get the results from another doc who will interpret. Then a decision will be made about our next step. Meanwhile, I continue to wear my ankle brace. What is that old line. Getting old is not for sissies.
m
Monday, September 2, 2013
Names Names Names
We got an appeal last week to send money to some organization that
helps pregnant women and those who have just had a baby - but who are having a
hard time. They help the females. That is all well and good. This missive is
not to talk about the organization even though that might be a nice thing to do
someday.
.
I lost (trashed) the flyer; thus, I cannot tell you the
organization. The front cover was a photo shot of a protruding stomach - i.e.,
a pregnant female's baby bump. It did not identify the female - just a picture
of this rounded mass of skin...someone might say that was a beautiful photo.
Personally, I think some things should be kept more private.
.
Inside on page 2 was the story of two different females they had
helped. Pictures of smiling females and children littered the 4 page flyer.
The second story was of a recent mother - her story is important to her and the
organization, not to me - what was interesting was her new child.
.
She named the girl Psi Lent.
.
With that, I move on.
===========================
Names. Normally you cannot be blamed for your name. Sure there
are folks who go to court and choose a name. Do you know anyone who has done
that? Not me. If I were going to choose a different name, it would have to be
special ... like, maybe, Abraham Moses Sue. That would make my initials
AMS. SLIGHTLY unimportant.
.
FYI: I was named Michael Eugene M. On TV - scanning the channels
over the weekend - I arrived at a football game just as some guy made a tackle.
His name is Mike Eugene....did think of that as some type of
omen.
===========================
moving on a 2nd time.
Local newspaper puts out a slick magazine this time of year
featuring all the football teams in the area. It has several shiny pages of
football player photos, stories of the team, a well-thought out photo of the
cheerleaders, and usually a picture of the band. What caught my eye was the
first names of the cheerleaders. As I think this through, I will look at first
names of the football players. The band kids are never listed by
name.
.
Corsicana Cheerleaders: there are 23 of them. Yes, 23 girls in
cheerleading outfits. Some of their names are quite common. Here we go --
Claire, Mariah, Katie, Caroline, Logan, Caroline, Dolcya,
Dominique, Emily, Delaney, Moesha, Emily, Jourdan, Alisa, McKenna, Reagan,
Payton, Makenzie, Brooke, McKenzie, Kayla, Caraline, and Macy. Those are
lovely.
I'll save the football names till later -
.
One final school: We pay taxes to Mildred ISD. FIRST names of the
Mildred Eagle cheerleaders: Bethany, Brianna, Kallie, Molly, Callie, Sagen,
victoria, Jodie, Maddie, Jessica, Katie, Alexa and Karlie.
.
Enough of that. see ya guys
m
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Trying to get back on track
Help !! I've fallen { behind reading my daily newspaper }
and I can't get { caught } up.
.
Yes, I am behind in more than one thing, this bluggy blog being one. I couldn't think of a "B" word for one. bluggy blog being bone - see that doesn't really make it. Add the "B" and it changes the meaning altogether. But, we move on.
.
While falling behind for sure, I have been a busy bee (more of those B words).
.
Yesterday, a Friday, as an example, it was hot. For those not living around here in Texas, hot means hot. I think it got up around 109 or so yesterday in the shade "and there was no shade." We had originally planned to go to First Monday Trade Days in Canton yesterday. On Thursday when the TV weather man on channel 5 predicted a high of 105 degrees, a change was in order.
.
Friends of ours: Jerry and Brenda Ballew live in Teague about 30 - 40 miles south of us. Jerry is the "Boss" business manager of the Corsicana Swing Orchestra of which I have written more than once - and Brenda is the band's singer and Jerry's boss, I assume. My wife bosses me - should work that way in most houses. Both are retired now primarily working on their home and other civic projects. Well sir we HAD made plans to go to Canton with them.
.
We called Thursday afternoon. Right off hand we learned that Jerry was not home; he had gone to the auto parts store - a rather nice adventure I am sure. Almost the first thing out of her mouth was Jerry coming in from outside talking about the heat. That led us right into our conformation of the same news.
.
Let me stop here and point out that conformation is normally spelled confirmation. However, I felt in this case, we were confirming her information - thus a combination of the two words seemed to be Presidential. Which brings me to...
.
We decided that we would drive to Teague and pick them up, then, drive on to College Station to visit the George HW Bush (#31) Presidential Library. We had never seen this library and thought it would be a good excursion. The big drawback of course is College Station, the home of A & M. I try to avoid anything Texas Aggie in nature. We did that. Out of here before 9 a.m., picked them up about 10, Brenda B gave my Brenda M the grand tour of their home built in the 1920s, and in College Station before noon. We found a nice Cracker Barrel and ate lunch. Don't you just love to walk around their gift shop area. We found 4 different 16 month Duck Dynasty calendars to buy - didn't.
.
Now, folks, if you have not been to that Bush's Library, lemme tell you, bring your reading glasses. There is a lot to read, and I finished little of it. Of course, of course, we were scanned and prodded and searched and seen by security at the front door. Only one machine really; we kept our shoes on... Often wondered if they check George and Barbara when they visit or if it is merely us gangsta types. The big exhibits include a full sized fighter airplane, a 195? red Studebaker, and his Cigarette boat. You add in many beautiful gifts they receive in office and special displays about their family and Barbara Bush - it was a busy afternoon...a busy afternoon of looking and reading. They have had quite a family history.
.
I figured ( planning ahead & based upon visiting the LBJ Library in Austin ) that it would take about 2 hours tops. They ran us out at 5. I barely had time to browse the gift shop. I would explain more about the Library, but you need to go see. Libraries have a way of glorifying the residing President, as they should. So if you have a Bush hangup, this may not be for you.
.
The trip home on I-45 at 75 mph was truly an adventure. The Labor Day holiday traffic was beginning to pick up. All in all, really enjoyed the day - the wife did too - we talked a bunch about the museum later - and it was fun spending the day with the Ballew clan. If you know us, you know we are not quality social animals. We have never socialized much. I always used my band directing job as an excuse, and she let me.
.
So getting out like this was fun. We have postponed our trip to Canton till October if all goes well. I love to just walk around Canton and see the people and stuff. The puppies are fun too.
.
This brings me to a slow close here. I have several other projects to recite that have happened over the past couple of weeks. My thought is to stretch those out over several days instead of writing a book right here.
so y'all take care.
and think of George HW and Barbara in your prayers.
m3
and I can't get { caught } up.
.
Yes, I am behind in more than one thing, this bluggy blog being one. I couldn't think of a "B" word for one. bluggy blog being bone - see that doesn't really make it. Add the "B" and it changes the meaning altogether. But, we move on.
.
While falling behind for sure, I have been a busy bee (more of those B words).
.
Yesterday, a Friday, as an example, it was hot. For those not living around here in Texas, hot means hot. I think it got up around 109 or so yesterday in the shade "and there was no shade." We had originally planned to go to First Monday Trade Days in Canton yesterday. On Thursday when the TV weather man on channel 5 predicted a high of 105 degrees, a change was in order.
.
Friends of ours: Jerry and Brenda Ballew live in Teague about 30 - 40 miles south of us. Jerry is the "Boss" business manager of the Corsicana Swing Orchestra of which I have written more than once - and Brenda is the band's singer and Jerry's boss, I assume. My wife bosses me - should work that way in most houses. Both are retired now primarily working on their home and other civic projects. Well sir we HAD made plans to go to Canton with them.
.
We called Thursday afternoon. Right off hand we learned that Jerry was not home; he had gone to the auto parts store - a rather nice adventure I am sure. Almost the first thing out of her mouth was Jerry coming in from outside talking about the heat. That led us right into our conformation of the same news.
.
Let me stop here and point out that conformation is normally spelled confirmation. However, I felt in this case, we were confirming her information - thus a combination of the two words seemed to be Presidential. Which brings me to...
.
We decided that we would drive to Teague and pick them up, then, drive on to College Station to visit the George HW Bush (#31) Presidential Library. We had never seen this library and thought it would be a good excursion. The big drawback of course is College Station, the home of A & M. I try to avoid anything Texas Aggie in nature. We did that. Out of here before 9 a.m., picked them up about 10, Brenda B gave my Brenda M the grand tour of their home built in the 1920s, and in College Station before noon. We found a nice Cracker Barrel and ate lunch. Don't you just love to walk around their gift shop area. We found 4 different 16 month Duck Dynasty calendars to buy - didn't.
.
Now, folks, if you have not been to that Bush's Library, lemme tell you, bring your reading glasses. There is a lot to read, and I finished little of it. Of course, of course, we were scanned and prodded and searched and seen by security at the front door. Only one machine really; we kept our shoes on... Often wondered if they check George and Barbara when they visit or if it is merely us gangsta types. The big exhibits include a full sized fighter airplane, a 195? red Studebaker, and his Cigarette boat. You add in many beautiful gifts they receive in office and special displays about their family and Barbara Bush - it was a busy afternoon...a busy afternoon of looking and reading. They have had quite a family history.
.
I figured ( planning ahead & based upon visiting the LBJ Library in Austin ) that it would take about 2 hours tops. They ran us out at 5. I barely had time to browse the gift shop. I would explain more about the Library, but you need to go see. Libraries have a way of glorifying the residing President, as they should. So if you have a Bush hangup, this may not be for you.
.
The trip home on I-45 at 75 mph was truly an adventure. The Labor Day holiday traffic was beginning to pick up. All in all, really enjoyed the day - the wife did too - we talked a bunch about the museum later - and it was fun spending the day with the Ballew clan. If you know us, you know we are not quality social animals. We have never socialized much. I always used my band directing job as an excuse, and she let me.
.
So getting out like this was fun. We have postponed our trip to Canton till October if all goes well. I love to just walk around Canton and see the people and stuff. The puppies are fun too.
.
This brings me to a slow close here. I have several other projects to recite that have happened over the past couple of weeks. My thought is to stretch those out over several days instead of writing a book right here.
so y'all take care.
and think of George HW and Barbara in your prayers.
m3
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