This has been a tough week. Nothing bad has happened to speak of, but it has had me thinking all week - working in the brain area.
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Our Marauder went into the shop on Monday. At 150,000 miles, you might think it would have a problem now and then - and it did. We have found drops of liquid under the rear end of the car for several day. I'd say there are 20 different drops on the driveway. Then, I started it one morning and it sputtered around for about 10 - 15 seconds till it finally went varooom.
.
Monday it went to the shop. It spent two whole nights in that shop away from our driveway. Let me stop here and say that I was introduced to the Eagle auto shop a couple years ago. One of the service writer guys at the local Ford house told me to look him up. I did. Rusty Deliago is their service mgr...I may have misspelled that name. Good guy. Fun to talk to. Knowledgeable. I heard that he use to be the service mgr at local Ford house. Could be. Rusty is more than fair when you take something in for service.
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Today's bill was the largest I have ever had with Eagle -- $346.92. They replaced the seal on the rear end [ can't spell differential I think ], replaced some hoses in the engine area leaking stuff as well as another part having to do with the idle, and fixed my hood so it would actually open. It seems that some parts for the Marauder are not common to the Grand Marquis and must be ordered special. You try that amount of service at the Ford house. I betcha it would be well over $600. My daughter came up here this year with her Explorer - all four of her electric windows wouldn't work....can you believe it?
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Instead of selling her 4 new motors and other connecting equipment, Eagle lubricated the windows and told her to use them more often. I really like this group. Do not come to Corsicana to get your car fixed. I am not sure I want the world finding them - selfish - why share? - nevermind - c'mon and let em fix it.
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Also had to replace the 2 back tires this week at a substantial fee. I won't go into details, but the Marauder has special needs when it comes to tires. Z rated. and more. Front and back tires are different sizes. I replace 2 tires every year .... usually around June 1st when it is time to get the car inspected.
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All of this tire and engine work money output has drained me today. You can guess that anytime I spend anywhere over $600 to $700 in just one day, I am emotionally drained. So much so, it is bedtime for me. ^Tis a bit past 9 and I am going to bed. Don't call; I won't answer the phone tonight. Friday should be less stressful. Maybe not. The wife has a full day of projects planned outside tomorrow.
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I have had some other issues this week - plus my brother's wife is having some health issues that keep us all on edge, but I feel those details are too personal to air out in public (nothing to do with my wife and kids or dogs - importance in that order). So y'all go find something useful to do this evening. Snoring will be my contribution to society.
m
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Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Charles Elmore Burford
Just picked up yesterday's Dallas paper and saw the quarter page obituary for Charles Elmore Burford. I once had two boy students named Burford - great students and pretty doggone good athletes in Manor and very nice trombone players - and their mom was an excellent band parent person. I miss those types of folks.
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The obit said that he was an inventor. Charles, or Chuck, or Charley, invented the twist ties for bagged bread. The obit goes into the stone a bit more than I. Now, that was a good invention. Before that we used a little piece of plastic and, frankly, I cannot remember what we used before that.
. I see he was 81 and a Baptist. Wait, the article calls him "CB" not Chas. He was born in Lindsay, Okla and became a farmer. In 1945 his father Earl invented an automatic hay baler, a wire-tying device. So in 1961 CB made some adjustments and Whammo we have the polypropylene bag ties. Makes you tear up somewhat.
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Also, he invented the machine that put sesame seeds on McDonald's hamburger buns. I would have missed that one too. How do these guys think up these things? In the 1960s, ole Burford got the original patent on the 12-can refrigerator pack carton. He was ahead of his time cause refrigs were too small at the time.
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My favorite though was that he was working on spray aluminum that you could spray on a potato before it was baked. I'm not sure that product made it to the shelves.
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Moving on: the last part of the obit states that he made 18 safaris to Africa, 2 trips to Australia and hunted in South America. A quote: "If you've only been to Africa once, you were too old when you went the first time," Burford said in 1997. Apparently he was into providing good habitat for critters - nothing mentioned about cockroaches - they are critters too. I bet he was quite a guy.
.
This was not meant to be a soul searching, drama filled blug today. It is what it is. Interesting to me.
m3
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The obit said that he was an inventor. Charles, or Chuck, or Charley, invented the twist ties for bagged bread. The obit goes into the stone a bit more than I. Now, that was a good invention. Before that we used a little piece of plastic and, frankly, I cannot remember what we used before that.
. I see he was 81 and a Baptist. Wait, the article calls him "CB" not Chas. He was born in Lindsay, Okla and became a farmer. In 1945 his father Earl invented an automatic hay baler, a wire-tying device. So in 1961 CB made some adjustments and Whammo we have the polypropylene bag ties. Makes you tear up somewhat.
.
Also, he invented the machine that put sesame seeds on McDonald's hamburger buns. I would have missed that one too. How do these guys think up these things? In the 1960s, ole Burford got the original patent on the 12-can refrigerator pack carton. He was ahead of his time cause refrigs were too small at the time.
.
My favorite though was that he was working on spray aluminum that you could spray on a potato before it was baked. I'm not sure that product made it to the shelves.
.
Moving on: the last part of the obit states that he made 18 safaris to Africa, 2 trips to Australia and hunted in South America. A quote: "If you've only been to Africa once, you were too old when you went the first time," Burford said in 1997. Apparently he was into providing good habitat for critters - nothing mentioned about cockroaches - they are critters too. I bet he was quite a guy.
.
This was not meant to be a soul searching, drama filled blug today. It is what it is. Interesting to me.
m3
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
A pondering on dressing for success or ....
Yesterday morning I mowed most of the yard with my hand mower. About 7 I dug out the riding mower and completed the mowing under my headlights. This morning, the weed eater - THE TERMINATOR - was put to use on most of the yard. The remainder remains till the morrow.
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It took a bit of time to cool down - plus the wife had to wash 3 of the pups in anticipation of a trip to the Vet. I sat at the table penciling my answers to a Sudoku and my glasses kept fogging over. Wipe them off - find another numerical answer - fogged up again. It was good I postponed the rest of the yard till tomorrow.
.
As BJ began the bathing ceremony for Liesl, I decided it was time for me to hit the shower and my own bathing ceremony. You can't go to the Vet smelling like a cesspool...or maybe you can. Vets do have an interesting clientele (French spelling).
.
First thing is a trip to the chest of drawers for my socks and unmentionables. [ An aside: are they called "chest of drawers" because they have movable drawers - or because you keep your drawers in them?? 'tis a ponder. ] As I removed my items for day's wearing, our Norad - Nomad - Nored - Doo dah - whatever it is called, the little radio that warns of impending weather doom from the Natl Weather Bureau ... Our little radio in the bedroom fires up and announces we will be under a tornado watch till 7 p.m. TV suddenly does a weather report of nasty storms west of Dallas moving our way. What are you gonna do?
.
As I reached my paw into my Drawer of Drawers, I had this thought about unmentionables. When you get dressed in the morning, how much attention do you give to these things? I know that females will often color coordinate their products for the day's activity. But, we guys sorta just grab and go. You peel off the old pair and step into a clean pair for the day. Not a big thinking process for men folks.
.
So a hypothetical question. Suppose one morning you reach into the Drawer of Drawers and pull out a delightful pair of undies - y'know - that Superman Pair some well-meaning relative soul gave you for your 65th birthday as an untimely joke. After hiding them for a few years, you have made the decision to wear them on days spent working in the yard, certainly not for going to town. After going through the cleansing process, you slip into these red-white-blue things with the big S imprinted boldly. Whammo, your house gets run down by a tornado [or a drunk driving a propane truck ] off you are to the local big hospital, ambulance - siren and all.
.
An emergency staff starts cutting off your clothes to patch you up and repair your broken bones AND THERE THEY ARE - the big S boldly glowing forth for all to see. Now, I ask you, is this what you really want to happen? I think not. I know not. Hardly, for sure. Better those had been left in the drawer and scattered all over your yard for the entire nation to view - not enclosed under your jeans. Think about that clearly now. And you females should think about it too as you grab your purple thongs.
.
LECTURE SUMMARY: One should not only dress for the day, but one should dress for any potential situation. And with that I shall close - noting here, that NOBODY has ever given me a pair of Superman Briefs or Boxers. I don't have any. I don't want any. I have never worn any. I won't wear them if you give them to me. I won't even store them in my Drawer of Drawers. Save your money. Instead, buy me a BMW.
Thank you and a good morning.
Keep your head down north Texas.
mtz #3
.
It took a bit of time to cool down - plus the wife had to wash 3 of the pups in anticipation of a trip to the Vet. I sat at the table penciling my answers to a Sudoku and my glasses kept fogging over. Wipe them off - find another numerical answer - fogged up again. It was good I postponed the rest of the yard till tomorrow.
.
As BJ began the bathing ceremony for Liesl, I decided it was time for me to hit the shower and my own bathing ceremony. You can't go to the Vet smelling like a cesspool...or maybe you can. Vets do have an interesting clientele (French spelling).
.
First thing is a trip to the chest of drawers for my socks and unmentionables. [ An aside: are they called "chest of drawers" because they have movable drawers - or because you keep your drawers in them?? 'tis a ponder. ] As I removed my items for day's wearing, our Norad - Nomad - Nored - Doo dah - whatever it is called, the little radio that warns of impending weather doom from the Natl Weather Bureau ... Our little radio in the bedroom fires up and announces we will be under a tornado watch till 7 p.m. TV suddenly does a weather report of nasty storms west of Dallas moving our way. What are you gonna do?
.
As I reached my paw into my Drawer of Drawers, I had this thought about unmentionables. When you get dressed in the morning, how much attention do you give to these things? I know that females will often color coordinate their products for the day's activity. But, we guys sorta just grab and go. You peel off the old pair and step into a clean pair for the day. Not a big thinking process for men folks.
.
So a hypothetical question. Suppose one morning you reach into the Drawer of Drawers and pull out a delightful pair of undies - y'know - that Superman Pair some well-meaning relative soul gave you for your 65th birthday as an untimely joke. After hiding them for a few years, you have made the decision to wear them on days spent working in the yard, certainly not for going to town. After going through the cleansing process, you slip into these red-white-blue things with the big S imprinted boldly. Whammo, your house gets run down by a tornado [or a drunk driving a propane truck ] off you are to the local big hospital, ambulance - siren and all.
.
An emergency staff starts cutting off your clothes to patch you up and repair your broken bones AND THERE THEY ARE - the big S boldly glowing forth for all to see. Now, I ask you, is this what you really want to happen? I think not. I know not. Hardly, for sure. Better those had been left in the drawer and scattered all over your yard for the entire nation to view - not enclosed under your jeans. Think about that clearly now. And you females should think about it too as you grab your purple thongs.
.
LECTURE SUMMARY: One should not only dress for the day, but one should dress for any potential situation. And with that I shall close - noting here, that NOBODY has ever given me a pair of Superman Briefs or Boxers. I don't have any. I don't want any. I have never worn any. I won't wear them if you give them to me. I won't even store them in my Drawer of Drawers. Save your money. Instead, buy me a BMW.
Thank you and a good morning.
Keep your head down north Texas.
mtz #3
tornado
I am mad about the tornadoes. I have no idea with whom a complaint can be lodged. I'm thinking that nobody who has control cares what my complaint may be. Let it be a challenge to us. Bull.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Bug Killer
When I first built this house, it was clean and neat. Then time started taking a toll and the spiders moved in - along with little bitty scorpions - snakes - and misc. creatures from the Black Lagoon. After a year plus a dab, we called this company in Corsicana to spray our house for varmits. These two "past" middle age brothers show up. One sprayed the inside of the house carrying a pump-up sprayer. The other one was outside with a 200 or more foot house attached to a tank on the back of their truck.
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The guy inside is a talker, and I learned some things from him. The outside guy talked less but still was full of information. They sprayed in and outside the house plus the newly built outside wall and the dock. Then came the invoice. It was over $500. I can tell you that it does not take many $500 invoices for a feller to start looking for an alternative. And we did.
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fyi: you have to be careful what is put on any surface that might bleed off into the lake. Fish apparently look for poison to swim through, so, when caught, they can poison the whole human race. You might think of it as a radical Muslim kook who drinks poison in hopes you will want to consume him after death. What would he care, he'd be in Valhalla mixing it up with the chicks.
[ an aside thought here -- if those good ole boys in Iraq get a hold on this bluggy blug - they might be able to use it to attack another American embassy. ]
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I found this green container at Home Depot that says it is safe for fish. It squirts out a water hose connection and seems to slow down the spiders somewhat. I have discovered that Wasp and their cousins like spiders. They will put a spider inside the egg container...so the little wasp will have breakfast when he matures. So, where there are spiders, we have the Wasp Clan. A Hatfield-McCoy type of deal.
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Finally at one of the local farm & ranch stores we bought stuff called Tempo. I gots da widdle pump spwayer, mix up a couple of gallons of Tempo - I sprayed the outside of the house let's say over a month ago plus some - There still are no spiders hanging around. Yes, the wasps are still here...hoping and praying for a ittl biti spider to come down the water spout. Hope is eternal.
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I put a couple of those bug bombs in the attic. Later I found piles of dead tiny bugs near the bomb. It makes me think the bombs work.
.
Thus endeth a buggy bluggy blug entry. It is rest time now.
m
.
.
The guy inside is a talker, and I learned some things from him. The outside guy talked less but still was full of information. They sprayed in and outside the house plus the newly built outside wall and the dock. Then came the invoice. It was over $500. I can tell you that it does not take many $500 invoices for a feller to start looking for an alternative. And we did.
.
fyi: you have to be careful what is put on any surface that might bleed off into the lake. Fish apparently look for poison to swim through, so, when caught, they can poison the whole human race. You might think of it as a radical Muslim kook who drinks poison in hopes you will want to consume him after death. What would he care, he'd be in Valhalla mixing it up with the chicks.
[ an aside thought here -- if those good ole boys in Iraq get a hold on this bluggy blug - they might be able to use it to attack another American embassy. ]
.
I found this green container at Home Depot that says it is safe for fish. It squirts out a water hose connection and seems to slow down the spiders somewhat. I have discovered that Wasp and their cousins like spiders. They will put a spider inside the egg container...so the little wasp will have breakfast when he matures. So, where there are spiders, we have the Wasp Clan. A Hatfield-McCoy type of deal.
.
Finally at one of the local farm & ranch stores we bought stuff called Tempo. I gots da widdle pump spwayer, mix up a couple of gallons of Tempo - I sprayed the outside of the house let's say over a month ago plus some - There still are no spiders hanging around. Yes, the wasps are still here...hoping and praying for a ittl biti spider to come down the water spout. Hope is eternal.
.
I put a couple of those bug bombs in the attic. Later I found piles of dead tiny bugs near the bomb. It makes me think the bombs work.
.
Thus endeth a buggy bluggy blug entry. It is rest time now.
m
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Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Blog statistics
Look at this. I went to an area of this blog and found some figures-statistics, if you will. 39 people from China have read this blog at one time or another. And so forth so on. Maybe they are just practicing reading our language. If I do have a regular reader from a foreign (not usa) country, I wish they would subscribe ===> This is so interesting.
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Now look at this stuff. Today (Wed., 13th of May), 8 pageviews. I may have been one of these just to look at how the background colors came out - but 8 ? 45 views yesterday. Amazing. But look at last month - 873 views. Flabbergasted I am. Welcome again to y'all. Somebody take the time to send me a comment or two.
Pageviews by Countries |
Now look at this stuff. Today (Wed., 13th of May), 8 pageviews. I may have been one of these just to look at how the background colors came out - but 8 ? 45 views yesterday. Amazing. But look at last month - 873 views. Flabbergasted I am. Welcome again to y'all. Somebody take the time to send me a comment or two.
Pageviews today
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8
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Pageviews yesterday
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45
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Pageviews last month
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873
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Pageviews all time history
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14,962
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You may have noticed that I do not have advertisements. Apparently, I made Google mad about the advertisements. I was once told that if someone clicks on an adv. I make a penny. Thinking that was no way to get wealthy, I made fun of it in a really really early blog entry. Google sent me a notice that I had broken the rules and all money was being returned to the advertisers. What money? I asked. Nobody talks to me about this. I wouldn't mind getting money out of this thing, but..... I have learned my lesson. I am sad. I wonder if Google forgave Clinton for his errors? I know that I did - in my heart. Sure. Maybe someday they will forgive me and advertisements will return. If they do, I am not telling you to click on anything. You have to figure it out on your own - all 8 7 3 of you from last month.
out.
mtz
Meal question
My wife showed me sumpin' in the paper. More on that in a moment. I was clicking on a color for my type/font and this yellerish background came up. I am thinking that it may be annoying. Will now change to a different background color.
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Oh yes, oh yes, this is so much more restful to read. In the Corsicana newspaper: the Corsicana Daily Sun, they run a daily article called Annie's Mailbox. Years past we had Dear Abby and Ann Landers. Now I think both of those have passed on to the great newspaper in the sky. Dear Abby still appears run by her daughter. Many times, I think these new Dear Abby wantabes are idiots but hey, they have a job.
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So, I ask, is Annie's Mailbox just a continuation of Ann Landers? run by her daughters? Someone must know. The authors are Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar - they must be delightful young ladies. Can't stand this background.
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What makes these females so brilliant? They certainly didn't go to college to learn how to babble.
Had enough of the background colors.
.
Yesterday in Annie's Mailbox some worrisome soul from the South who calls herself: "Stickler in the South," asked the earth shattering question: (lot of colons happening here): What is the difference between Supper and Dinner? My wife pointed this article out and commence to recite how, when she grew up, the noon meal was called Dinner.
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Supper came at night.
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I'll tell you what I have to come to.
.
It depends where and how you were raised and who raised you - what did they call it in your house? Let's do a bit of digging here. Surely nobody will argue against breakfast being the first meal of the day, whether it is morning or night - if you eat Breakfast - traditional Breakfast food, it is Breakfast! Want to eat Breakfast at night? Call it Breakfast at Supper (or whatever). I say the choice is yours and I rarely make the newspaper.
.
Now Brunch happens sometime between Breakfast and the noon meal. Please note that I did not call the noon meal Lunch. Even though in my family Noon was lunch. Well, let me just cover that subject now. I was raised by two Oklahoma backwoods folks. Lunch came at noon. The evening meal was interchangeable Dinner or Supper. We didn't care either way. I'm hungry. Let's eat. Pile it on. And we did.
.
What brought all this up is my wife (see paragraph one). She read the paper and made a big deal out of it. SIDE BAR -- SIDE BAR -- SIDE BAR My spouse & I just had a short conversation about this. I told her I was writing on the subject. She asked if I were giving her credit. I told her "yes" and that "I am trying my best not to make fun of you about this." END SIDE BAR.
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Wife made a big deal about this. In her family Dinner came at noon and Supper came at night. There you have it. The supreme answer to the question. My wife says Dinner is at noon and Supper is at night. If mama ain't happy, nobody's happy. Henceforth, I will call the noon meal Dinner .... probably won't .... why lie here? Lunch is noon. If it were not at noon, then Brunch would have to be called Brinner. Now, that's dumb. Brupper? c'mon folks, that's even dumber. My opinion: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, then nighttime Dinner/Supper followed by a small 10:30 pm Snack.
.
Back to the article. These educated ladies say that Dinner is your big meal of the day. The person sending the question to the newspaper wondered why the White House doesn't have State Suppers instead of State Dinners. If Dinner comes at Noon, then a night fancy meal would be a State Supper. Just sounds wrong doesn't it? Newspaper said that Supper was a light snack in the evening sometime. My wife says Lunch is something like sandwiches during the day-sorta. I call a late evening meal just a SNACK. 10:30 P.M. let's have a Snack - not Supper. For goodness sakes, can't someone figure this out.
.
Have come up with the solution and final say. Let's ask the Pope or Queen what's her name in England. Fancy chefs have been feeding them under State control or Pope control for centuries. If the staff at the Vatican says that Lunch is Dinner, so be it. If they say Supper is Dinner, so be it. If they say Brunch is Brupper, I'll live with it. But, above all, let's keep this type of thing out of the newspapers and certainly out of Ann Lander's column. My wife has better things to read.
p.s. My little Greta did not eat her Breakfast this morning. She arose about 8:30 and made a casual trip to our backyard wetting fields. Upon her return to the house, she plopped on a doggy bed where she remained until I went outside to plant a tree (another stone there for later). After the wife and I eat our "noon meal" I give all dogs a chew stick of some variety. Greta refused her chew stick today - naturally - but kept giving me THE EYE. I put her breakfast bowl down on the floor, and it was finished off in a flash. So you see, with sweet little blondie Greta: Lunch was Breakfast. Don't argue with an 8 pound blond.
later,
m
.
Oh yes, oh yes, this is so much more restful to read. In the Corsicana newspaper: the Corsicana Daily Sun, they run a daily article called Annie's Mailbox. Years past we had Dear Abby and Ann Landers. Now I think both of those have passed on to the great newspaper in the sky. Dear Abby still appears run by her daughter. Many times, I think these new Dear Abby wantabes are idiots but hey, they have a job.
.
So, I ask, is Annie's Mailbox just a continuation of Ann Landers? run by her daughters? Someone must know. The authors are Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar - they must be delightful young ladies. Can't stand this background.
.
What makes these females so brilliant? They certainly didn't go to college to learn how to babble.
Had enough of the background colors.
.
Yesterday in Annie's Mailbox some worrisome soul from the South who calls herself: "Stickler in the South," asked the earth shattering question: (lot of colons happening here): What is the difference between Supper and Dinner? My wife pointed this article out and commence to recite how, when she grew up, the noon meal was called Dinner.
.
Supper came at night.
.
I'll tell you what I have to come to.
.
It depends where and how you were raised and who raised you - what did they call it in your house? Let's do a bit of digging here. Surely nobody will argue against breakfast being the first meal of the day, whether it is morning or night - if you eat Breakfast - traditional Breakfast food, it is Breakfast! Want to eat Breakfast at night? Call it Breakfast at Supper (or whatever). I say the choice is yours and I rarely make the newspaper.
.
Now Brunch happens sometime between Breakfast and the noon meal. Please note that I did not call the noon meal Lunch. Even though in my family Noon was lunch. Well, let me just cover that subject now. I was raised by two Oklahoma backwoods folks. Lunch came at noon. The evening meal was interchangeable Dinner or Supper. We didn't care either way. I'm hungry. Let's eat. Pile it on. And we did.
.
What brought all this up is my wife (see paragraph one). She read the paper and made a big deal out of it. SIDE BAR -- SIDE BAR -- SIDE BAR My spouse & I just had a short conversation about this. I told her I was writing on the subject. She asked if I were giving her credit. I told her "yes" and that "I am trying my best not to make fun of you about this." END SIDE BAR.
.
Wife made a big deal about this. In her family Dinner came at noon and Supper came at night. There you have it. The supreme answer to the question. My wife says Dinner is at noon and Supper is at night. If mama ain't happy, nobody's happy. Henceforth, I will call the noon meal Dinner .... probably won't .... why lie here? Lunch is noon. If it were not at noon, then Brunch would have to be called Brinner. Now, that's dumb. Brupper? c'mon folks, that's even dumber. My opinion: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, then nighttime Dinner/Supper followed by a small 10:30 pm Snack.
.
Back to the article. These educated ladies say that Dinner is your big meal of the day. The person sending the question to the newspaper wondered why the White House doesn't have State Suppers instead of State Dinners. If Dinner comes at Noon, then a night fancy meal would be a State Supper. Just sounds wrong doesn't it? Newspaper said that Supper was a light snack in the evening sometime. My wife says Lunch is something like sandwiches during the day-sorta. I call a late evening meal just a SNACK. 10:30 P.M. let's have a Snack - not Supper. For goodness sakes, can't someone figure this out.
.
Have come up with the solution and final say. Let's ask the Pope or Queen what's her name in England. Fancy chefs have been feeding them under State control or Pope control for centuries. If the staff at the Vatican says that Lunch is Dinner, so be it. If they say Supper is Dinner, so be it. If they say Brunch is Brupper, I'll live with it. But, above all, let's keep this type of thing out of the newspapers and certainly out of Ann Lander's column. My wife has better things to read.
p.s. My little Greta did not eat her Breakfast this morning. She arose about 8:30 and made a casual trip to our backyard wetting fields. Upon her return to the house, she plopped on a doggy bed where she remained until I went outside to plant a tree (another stone there for later). After the wife and I eat our "noon meal" I give all dogs a chew stick of some variety. Greta refused her chew stick today - naturally - but kept giving me THE EYE. I put her breakfast bowl down on the floor, and it was finished off in a flash. So you see, with sweet little blondie Greta: Lunch was Breakfast. Don't argue with an 8 pound blond.
later,
m
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Observation #1
It just came to me in a hot flash* that I have observations - no wait, the wife has had hot flashes - mine are more like a warming of my toes. This will be my first one that is numbered. Universally, we all can have brilliant observations or epiphany observations or "I just noticed" observations or, sometimes, "embarrassing to my family" observations [those would be less-than-brilliant and spoken out loud in the presence of others ].
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This morning I had a brilliant observation which may affect the way that I live.
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#1: When you go to bed at night and leave a half glass of*** tea in the frig because you are too cheap to throw it away...
And when you get up the next morning and work outside** in the warm weather, coming in about 9:30 or 10:00 for a drink...
That glass of tea is sooooo very very cold and goooood to drink. Some might think it is wonderful.
You may choose to observe this on your own time. Tonight, perhaps.
======================
* hot flash: Over my years I have learned not to downgrade a hot flash in any conversation.
** please note previous blog where wife went to Waxahachie and bought plants
***I was going to write "a half glass of undrunk tea" but my spell check had a freakin' fit. Then, I debated putting in: " a half glass of { drinked, drunk, dranked, drunked, drained } tea - and let you choose the correct entry, like we all had to do in English grammar class many a year back. I would have pretended I knew the right answer all the long.
=======================
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I have something else to add though it is unrelated to Hot Flash or Observations or Planting or Cold Iced Tea in the morning's rising heat.....
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As you may have noticed, I rarely use the word Blog. Too many people have Blogs. They write and rant (that should be "right and rant" for the alliteration) - they do, talk talk talk. Since this be da case, I prefer the term Blug. Don't you think Blug more accurately describes these tomes?
Then I can be bluggy, not bloggy. Anyway, a friend said that the term Blug was irritating.
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And as with all BLUG writers, we do need a little drama to bring in the readers...so BLUG it is, and BLUG it shall continue. Read heartily my lads.
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See ya guys on the next Bluggy Blug.
m
.
This morning I had a brilliant observation which may affect the way that I live.
.
#1: When you go to bed at night and leave a half glass of*** tea in the frig because you are too cheap to throw it away...
And when you get up the next morning and work outside** in the warm weather, coming in about 9:30 or 10:00 for a drink...
That glass of tea is sooooo very very cold and goooood to drink. Some might think it is wonderful.
You may choose to observe this on your own time. Tonight, perhaps.
======================
* hot flash: Over my years I have learned not to downgrade a hot flash in any conversation.
** please note previous blog where wife went to Waxahachie and bought plants
***I was going to write "a half glass of undrunk tea" but my spell check had a freakin' fit. Then, I debated putting in: " a half glass of { drinked, drunk, dranked, drunked, drained } tea - and let you choose the correct entry, like we all had to do in English grammar class many a year back. I would have pretended I knew the right answer all the long.
=======================
.
I have something else to add though it is unrelated to Hot Flash or Observations or Planting or Cold Iced Tea in the morning's rising heat.....
.
As you may have noticed, I rarely use the word Blog. Too many people have Blogs. They write and rant (that should be "right and rant" for the alliteration) - they do, talk talk talk. Since this be da case, I prefer the term Blug. Don't you think Blug more accurately describes these tomes?
Then I can be bluggy, not bloggy. Anyway, a friend said that the term Blug was irritating.
.
And as with all BLUG writers, we do need a little drama to bring in the readers...so BLUG it is, and BLUG it shall continue. Read heartily my lads.
.
See ya guys on the next Bluggy Blug.
m
Monday, May 13, 2013
Mom's Day
Yesterday was Mother's Day. I can't say that I was the best hubby but, for me, I was pretty darn good. Gave her a couple (few) items which I felt were appropriate along with 2 Cards: one from me and one from the dogs - they had gone to Walmart with me and helped me pick it out. They have great taste in Mother's Day cards.
.
Putting the dogs in the pit, we headed for Waxahachie for lunch and shopping. Lunch was at Ryans (a Golden Corral look-a-like). I can eat steak there, and she can eat meatloaf. That is good for the pair of us.
.
The shopping started at Lowe's ( a Home Depot look-a-like). We have found that this store has a wide variety of plants while our own Home Depot is not quite as good. Plus - there may always be a plus - she wanted some Moss Rose plants. Lowe's always has an abundance of Moss Rose.
.
Won't bore you with a listing of all the plants. There were too many for sure. I explain it this way. Yesterday was Mother's Day. Today is Father's Day to dig holes and plant green things. And as projected, I spent most of the day with a shovel and a water hose.
.
Last week we bought a little fountain which was fired up today decorated with appropriate outdoor trinkets. I am not sure why we have never had a fountain before. Tomorrow it is back to Home Depot to buy some more Pine Bark Mulch. Neil Sperry likes this stuff; so we do too. If you don't know Neil, look for him on the internet or on 820 A.M. Sunday mornings. Good plant guy.
=======
We do Netflix. This past week we dug out the 1975 version of the Great Gatsby. I couldn't tell why we have never seen this movie. In 1975 Roger was 5 years old, Laura about 8, & Christine in the 11 variety. We were still living in Ardmore and were somewhat poor. We rarely left the house and the kids to do anything.
.
I would suggest that everyone look for this 1975 movie either before or after they attend the 2013 edition. I imagine we will go see 2013 sometime this week. I am always curious what the movie clowns do to change the old movie. I bet it will be good.
=======
Dog Stone: When the dogs are in the Pit and we are gone, our arrival home brings all five to the back gate barking and squealing to get out and love on their parents. Today we went to the grocery store. Upon arrival home, i started to let them out. All 5 were wound up really tight.
.
The gate open and they fought with each other to squeeze out the gate. Greta and Liesl always stop to be petted briefly then race forward. Fritz goes through the gate and heads for the back door to shout how it must be time to eat again. Oscar stops at your feet and drops his ball at your feet - taking off immediately down the hill to chase the ball. Bruno gets so excited - he has what my wife calls a runaway. He bounds to the back porch then runs in circles around the furniture - runaway, 3 maybe 4 times in a big circle - he is so innocent and excited.
.
Today, the same. I bent over to pet Greta and Liesl with the right hand while I picked up the blue ball with the left casting it behind me down the hill. The ball was slimy and slipped from my fingers barely plopping its way down the hill. Simultaneously and uncharacteristically Bruno came running from his first tour of the back porch, sailing off the porch as he took off down the hill after the ball. He NEVER chases Oscar's blue ball - NEVER. Oscar, seeing the ball oozing down the hill reversed his course aiming for the ball with all the speed he could muster.
.
I could see it coming, two chocolate dachshunds bearing down on a poor innocent little blue ball. Both arrived at the same time, Bruno running down the hill and Oscar diagonally up the hill. Wham! Bruno, who weighs in about 7 pounds heavier than Oscar, just barreled over Oscar who rolled sidewise down the hill while Bruno rescued the ball from its journey. Within 5 seconds, Bruno ran a few steps up the hill, spitting out the ball as he raced for the back porch to continue his circle tour. Oscar finished his rolling, straightening himself to re-attack the now re-rolling ball. His being run over by a freight train and consequential roll down a hill, didn't faze Oscar one bit as he snatched the blue ball up in one quick swoop. Up the hill he came to drop the ball at me feet once again. That boy is an athlete. Dogs are fun. Everyone needs some.
===================
so I close till next time.
m
.
Putting the dogs in the pit, we headed for Waxahachie for lunch and shopping. Lunch was at Ryans (a Golden Corral look-a-like). I can eat steak there, and she can eat meatloaf. That is good for the pair of us.
.
The shopping started at Lowe's ( a Home Depot look-a-like). We have found that this store has a wide variety of plants while our own Home Depot is not quite as good. Plus - there may always be a plus - she wanted some Moss Rose plants. Lowe's always has an abundance of Moss Rose.
.
Won't bore you with a listing of all the plants. There were too many for sure. I explain it this way. Yesterday was Mother's Day. Today is Father's Day to dig holes and plant green things. And as projected, I spent most of the day with a shovel and a water hose.
.
Last week we bought a little fountain which was fired up today decorated with appropriate outdoor trinkets. I am not sure why we have never had a fountain before. Tomorrow it is back to Home Depot to buy some more Pine Bark Mulch. Neil Sperry likes this stuff; so we do too. If you don't know Neil, look for him on the internet or on 820 A.M. Sunday mornings. Good plant guy.
=======
We do Netflix. This past week we dug out the 1975 version of the Great Gatsby. I couldn't tell why we have never seen this movie. In 1975 Roger was 5 years old, Laura about 8, & Christine in the 11 variety. We were still living in Ardmore and were somewhat poor. We rarely left the house and the kids to do anything.
.
I would suggest that everyone look for this 1975 movie either before or after they attend the 2013 edition. I imagine we will go see 2013 sometime this week. I am always curious what the movie clowns do to change the old movie. I bet it will be good.
=======
Dog Stone: When the dogs are in the Pit and we are gone, our arrival home brings all five to the back gate barking and squealing to get out and love on their parents. Today we went to the grocery store. Upon arrival home, i started to let them out. All 5 were wound up really tight.
.
The gate open and they fought with each other to squeeze out the gate. Greta and Liesl always stop to be petted briefly then race forward. Fritz goes through the gate and heads for the back door to shout how it must be time to eat again. Oscar stops at your feet and drops his ball at your feet - taking off immediately down the hill to chase the ball. Bruno gets so excited - he has what my wife calls a runaway. He bounds to the back porch then runs in circles around the furniture - runaway, 3 maybe 4 times in a big circle - he is so innocent and excited.
.
Today, the same. I bent over to pet Greta and Liesl with the right hand while I picked up the blue ball with the left casting it behind me down the hill. The ball was slimy and slipped from my fingers barely plopping its way down the hill. Simultaneously and uncharacteristically Bruno came running from his first tour of the back porch, sailing off the porch as he took off down the hill after the ball. He NEVER chases Oscar's blue ball - NEVER. Oscar, seeing the ball oozing down the hill reversed his course aiming for the ball with all the speed he could muster.
.
I could see it coming, two chocolate dachshunds bearing down on a poor innocent little blue ball. Both arrived at the same time, Bruno running down the hill and Oscar diagonally up the hill. Wham! Bruno, who weighs in about 7 pounds heavier than Oscar, just barreled over Oscar who rolled sidewise down the hill while Bruno rescued the ball from its journey. Within 5 seconds, Bruno ran a few steps up the hill, spitting out the ball as he raced for the back porch to continue his circle tour. Oscar finished his rolling, straightening himself to re-attack the now re-rolling ball. His being run over by a freight train and consequential roll down a hill, didn't faze Oscar one bit as he snatched the blue ball up in one quick swoop. Up the hill he came to drop the ball at me feet once again. That boy is an athlete. Dogs are fun. Everyone needs some.
===================
so I close till next time.
m
Saturday, May 11, 2013
misc.
According to AOL news ---
Today is 'Eat What You Want Day.'
.
32 recipes to make your mouth water
.
I looked at them - the recipes - and suppose I'll just have to get along without. However, one was fried pickles. hmmmmm
======================
In remembrance of today, we had a pot of beans, corn bread muffins, fried onions and potatoes, and accessories. I ate a whole Poblano pepper.
====================
This, today's, entry is a Pot Pouring. I cannot spell poe poe-reeee. I could give it a try and see what spel chek duz 4 mee. Nope, just keep calling it Pot Pouring.
====================
Oh Oh Oh - so much has happened around here. (trying to hook you into staying for a full read).
Rain on Thursday: inch and a quarter with a sprinkling last night. Thass nice.
====================
As I have stated on more than one, I have the honor to play with the Corsicana Swing Orchestra - a small rag tag group of musicians who can make some pretty nice sounds. We are available for all sorts of events. My favorites are the paid ones. A phone number is listed over there ===>>
.
We have a "gig" coming in June for a bunch of old folks locally. Last year they got that group together and called it a Senior Prom. Cute idea. Many dressed the part and fun was had by all. Nobody was at the entrance checking for hidden booze though.
.
This year, same group, are having a 50s Sock Hop. We can hop a sock with the best of them. A request was made that we try to have a couple of Doo Wop singing songs. We travel with a nice female vocalist, Brenda Ballew. They wanted more. So the boss man ( see ==> ) bought a couple of printed songs for doo wop singing and asked for volunteers. And, I did.
.
Back throughout high school we had a singing group for school assemblies and the like. None of this karoke stuff of today - we had our own drummer and various pieces of accompaniment. One microphone with the lead singer plant directly in front. The rest of us huddled around and we sang all sorts of popular songs of the time. I get a little fuzzy about some of that. Brother Jim sang bass, Jerry Dison sang higher parts, I moved around finding harmonic fittings to their efforts. Maybe Jim will remember more and included it below in the Comments. I am so sure we were quite good.
.
Back to C.S.O. singing stone. Michael, a really good trombonist from Teague, is our bass. Jerry B. is the tenor, Brenda Soprano or lead, and I try to fit in the alto part down an octave - frankly I have been somewhat lost at times. We got together at Jerry's house on Thursday night and had our first practice. He has a really nice place built in 1923 and obviously remodeled over the years. All of that would be a different stone. We practiced for nearly 3 hours interrupted by iced tea and a pineapple refrigerator pie made with Splenda. Splenda is a life saver for those in my "cup of tea."
.
This should all be fun and am looking forward to the gig in June....I think it is paid....prolly $20 or less. That's okay. I don't play in this group for the money. Now the singing part - maybe I should get a real pay raise for volunteering to do that. Or, maybe I should start a fund at the local bank to help support "Old Doo Woppers." The ODW fund for disabled singers. I like it. Mikey likes it.
==========================
.
dog bit. Liesl, my little white spotted doxie has a definite personality. She bites strangers. She hates squirrels. She eats. She recently had a back problem which our local vet at the Cors. Vet. clinic fixed with a laser - that stone later - She is so afraid of thunder or any storm. And she is the dog who can make the Doggy gum ball machine work with her right paw.
.
I was sitting here doing the above when Liesl came around my feet. She NEVER moves around my feet which I do this. She will lay on a pillow from a distance; but she was under my socked toes. Strange. I looked down and talked to her. She hopped 6 inches on 3 of her feet. What? She hopped again, her right front paw drawn up under her chin. That didn't make any sense at all.
.
Quickly, yes very quickly, I reached down and drew up into my lap. Think rabies tag. Thing little metal ring that attaches tag to collar. Her inside toe nail was caught on that ring and she could not get the paw free. It took me more than one effort. Paw free she turned around and laid on my chest with her head against my cheek. We hugged and hugged. Her daddy had saved her life. I placed her back on the floor, and she ran to the front window to bark ferociously at the Road Runner who had decided to check out our front yard. Naturally, the barking set off the twins who joined in the barrage. Yes, I do think it woke my wife from her afternoon snooze. There are good and bad things locally. This was both.
/
More later guys,
keep the faith (whatever it may be)
m3
Today is 'Eat What You Want Day.'
.
32 recipes to make your mouth water
.
I looked at them - the recipes - and suppose I'll just have to get along without. However, one was fried pickles. hmmmmm
======================
In remembrance of today, we had a pot of beans, corn bread muffins, fried onions and potatoes, and accessories. I ate a whole Poblano pepper.
====================
This, today's, entry is a Pot Pouring. I cannot spell poe poe-reeee. I could give it a try and see what spel chek duz 4 mee. Nope, just keep calling it Pot Pouring.
====================
Oh Oh Oh - so much has happened around here. (trying to hook you into staying for a full read).
Rain on Thursday: inch and a quarter with a sprinkling last night. Thass nice.
====================
As I have stated on more than one, I have the honor to play with the Corsicana Swing Orchestra - a small rag tag group of musicians who can make some pretty nice sounds. We are available for all sorts of events. My favorites are the paid ones. A phone number is listed over there ===>>
.
We have a "gig" coming in June for a bunch of old folks locally. Last year they got that group together and called it a Senior Prom. Cute idea. Many dressed the part and fun was had by all. Nobody was at the entrance checking for hidden booze though.
.
This year, same group, are having a 50s Sock Hop. We can hop a sock with the best of them. A request was made that we try to have a couple of Doo Wop singing songs. We travel with a nice female vocalist, Brenda Ballew. They wanted more. So the boss man ( see ==> ) bought a couple of printed songs for doo wop singing and asked for volunteers. And, I did.
.
Back throughout high school we had a singing group for school assemblies and the like. None of this karoke stuff of today - we had our own drummer and various pieces of accompaniment. One microphone with the lead singer plant directly in front. The rest of us huddled around and we sang all sorts of popular songs of the time. I get a little fuzzy about some of that. Brother Jim sang bass, Jerry Dison sang higher parts, I moved around finding harmonic fittings to their efforts. Maybe Jim will remember more and included it below in the Comments. I am so sure we were quite good.
.
Back to C.S.O. singing stone. Michael, a really good trombonist from Teague, is our bass. Jerry B. is the tenor, Brenda Soprano or lead, and I try to fit in the alto part down an octave - frankly I have been somewhat lost at times. We got together at Jerry's house on Thursday night and had our first practice. He has a really nice place built in 1923 and obviously remodeled over the years. All of that would be a different stone. We practiced for nearly 3 hours interrupted by iced tea and a pineapple refrigerator pie made with Splenda. Splenda is a life saver for those in my "cup of tea."
.
This should all be fun and am looking forward to the gig in June....I think it is paid....prolly $20 or less. That's okay. I don't play in this group for the money. Now the singing part - maybe I should get a real pay raise for volunteering to do that. Or, maybe I should start a fund at the local bank to help support "Old Doo Woppers." The ODW fund for disabled singers. I like it. Mikey likes it.
==========================
.
dog bit. Liesl, my little white spotted doxie has a definite personality. She bites strangers. She hates squirrels. She eats. She recently had a back problem which our local vet at the Cors. Vet. clinic fixed with a laser - that stone later - She is so afraid of thunder or any storm. And she is the dog who can make the Doggy gum ball machine work with her right paw.
.
I was sitting here doing the above when Liesl came around my feet. She NEVER moves around my feet which I do this. She will lay on a pillow from a distance; but she was under my socked toes. Strange. I looked down and talked to her. She hopped 6 inches on 3 of her feet. What? She hopped again, her right front paw drawn up under her chin. That didn't make any sense at all.
.
Quickly, yes very quickly, I reached down and drew up into my lap. Think rabies tag. Thing little metal ring that attaches tag to collar. Her inside toe nail was caught on that ring and she could not get the paw free. It took me more than one effort. Paw free she turned around and laid on my chest with her head against my cheek. We hugged and hugged. Her daddy had saved her life. I placed her back on the floor, and she ran to the front window to bark ferociously at the Road Runner who had decided to check out our front yard. Naturally, the barking set off the twins who joined in the barrage. Yes, I do think it woke my wife from her afternoon snooze. There are good and bad things locally. This was both.
/
More later guys,
keep the faith (whatever it may be)
m3
Thursday, May 9, 2013
rain
We waited all day for the rains to come. We watched them on radar west of Waco. Slowly they ebbed their way to our back porch. Came they did in a furry. Poor little Liesl was beside herself with the noise. Now, gone. Thunder in the distance and a trickle of falling moisture. I imagine it will measure out to be a half inch. I hoped for more. But, one should not look a gift rain cloud in the mouth. Thank you for our blessings when we receive them.
m
m
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
I had a dream.
I awoke this morning to a memory of a dream. You analyze and tell me what it means. It is short.
.
It is the first day of going to college. My brother Jim and I are assigned to a dorm. (incidently, my freshman Year Jim and I lived together in Gordon Hall @ Tech - I want to say it was room 229 - but fuzzy on the number. It was good we lived together in that room. Other adventures should wait for another blog)
.
Our dorm was a trailer, not one of those trailer houses, but one of those big 53 ft things that you pull behind a semi-truck. Those things are big for sure...about 8 ft wide or so. Our beds were lined down one side of the trailer with a pathway down the right side. There were many beds down the side of that trailer - we were not alone.
.
There was no bathroom.
.
At the front of the trailer was a bar for hanging clothes. Each person had one hanger. The hangers were numbered. Jim and I had the first two beds by the doors...yes, the thing had two big doors that swung out. We had a metal rod with a hook on the end that we used to snare the door and pull it closed, latching from the inside.
.
Here is the great part. All of the rest of the residents in that trailer were girls. They didn't mind that we slept at the front door. We didn't even talk to them. They were all crammed together and were jabbering up a storm. Didn't bother us at all - didn't even pay attention to them really.
.
I had been assigned (by who knows) to find a bed for this one girl, who just happened to be one of my ex-students. That in itself was interesting since I was just starting college and had no ex-students. I won't say her name, but she and I had very little social contact at all when she was in school - she certainly was not an attractive young lady for me to bring up in a dream. But there she was.
.
Her friend (a female) and she had to go to the Administrative Bldg. while I found a place for her. I found hanger #21 was empty and put her name on it. She was fixed. When she returned, I told her that hanger #21 was hers and to look for that bed. The friend suggested that she come over to her trailer since they had more room. Nope, #21 stayed with our bunch.
.
Three bells rang out - rings out, like school bells ring - rinnnnng riiinnnnng rinnnng. Jim said that was the signal to close the door or we would be in trouble. We started pulling the doors closed and locked them down. I looked up and saw a 3rd door which pulled down to close off the doors.
.
By this time the girls were all parked on their own beds holding their smart phones, texting. That was quite a sight.
.
Drama: before we could get the top door pulled down and closed.....
That's right, my little Greta sleeping beside my bed, stood and shook - her morning shake and rattle. It woke me and I have nothing else to report of my first night in the college dorm trailer.
.
Interesting as I think about it -- Nobody complained about no bath room or only having one hanger or we two guys sleeping by the door or anything else. I wonder what we did for breakfast the next morning. Did some girl get up in the middle of the night to go to the restroom having us open the outside door setting off an alarm? I know for sure that I had to get up in the middle of the night. No wait. It was a dream. I don't know that for sure. I know nothing for sure.
.
And, good morning to you all on this lovely Wed. morning.
m
.
It is the first day of going to college. My brother Jim and I are assigned to a dorm. (incidently, my freshman Year Jim and I lived together in Gordon Hall @ Tech - I want to say it was room 229 - but fuzzy on the number. It was good we lived together in that room. Other adventures should wait for another blog)
.
Our dorm was a trailer, not one of those trailer houses, but one of those big 53 ft things that you pull behind a semi-truck. Those things are big for sure...about 8 ft wide or so. Our beds were lined down one side of the trailer with a pathway down the right side. There were many beds down the side of that trailer - we were not alone.
.
There was no bathroom.
.
At the front of the trailer was a bar for hanging clothes. Each person had one hanger. The hangers were numbered. Jim and I had the first two beds by the doors...yes, the thing had two big doors that swung out. We had a metal rod with a hook on the end that we used to snare the door and pull it closed, latching from the inside.
.
Here is the great part. All of the rest of the residents in that trailer were girls. They didn't mind that we slept at the front door. We didn't even talk to them. They were all crammed together and were jabbering up a storm. Didn't bother us at all - didn't even pay attention to them really.
.
I had been assigned (by who knows) to find a bed for this one girl, who just happened to be one of my ex-students. That in itself was interesting since I was just starting college and had no ex-students. I won't say her name, but she and I had very little social contact at all when she was in school - she certainly was not an attractive young lady for me to bring up in a dream. But there she was.
.
Her friend (a female) and she had to go to the Administrative Bldg. while I found a place for her. I found hanger #21 was empty and put her name on it. She was fixed. When she returned, I told her that hanger #21 was hers and to look for that bed. The friend suggested that she come over to her trailer since they had more room. Nope, #21 stayed with our bunch.
.
Three bells rang out - rings out, like school bells ring - rinnnnng riiinnnnng rinnnng. Jim said that was the signal to close the door or we would be in trouble. We started pulling the doors closed and locked them down. I looked up and saw a 3rd door which pulled down to close off the doors.
.
By this time the girls were all parked on their own beds holding their smart phones, texting. That was quite a sight.
.
Drama: before we could get the top door pulled down and closed.....
That's right, my little Greta sleeping beside my bed, stood and shook - her morning shake and rattle. It woke me and I have nothing else to report of my first night in the college dorm trailer.
.
Interesting as I think about it -- Nobody complained about no bath room or only having one hanger or we two guys sleeping by the door or anything else. I wonder what we did for breakfast the next morning. Did some girl get up in the middle of the night to go to the restroom having us open the outside door setting off an alarm? I know for sure that I had to get up in the middle of the night. No wait. It was a dream. I don't know that for sure. I know nothing for sure.
.
And, good morning to you all on this lovely Wed. morning.
m
one liners
At our house we worship at the altar of the Crock Pot. All praise the glory of its contents.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Store Names
Made the Yarn road trip with Christine and my wife Brenda Joy. It was a good day. I noticed how the yarn shops all have cutesy names - must be the work of creative females. I'll remind you of the names we visited: Strings; N Yarns, Needle Haus, Knitting Fairy, Googly Eyes, Sassy Spinster, Shabby Sheep, and my daughter's favorite Yarn Heaven in Arlington. You have to admit these are great names, especially The Knitting Fairy.
.
I started thinking, yes, it does happen at times. It'was not too deep thinking, just thinkin'. My wife likes the quote from somebody in our past: "Sometimes I sits and think, other times I just sits." But that is off topic for today. Store titles is my thing. In a sporatic process and using my Parker Pen on a section of the Dallas News, I came up with a few names for a business.
.
Now I know you won't do this, but down at the bottom of this is the word comments. Perhaps you have thunk of a great business store front name. Send it to me. Now, not tomorrow.
.
Tool Store -- Twist N Turn
Tire Shop -- Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'
Kitchen Supplies -- The Rolling Pin
Parker Pen shop -- The Rolling Pen
[ y'see, you get on one thing and just can't leave it alone ]
.
Auto Salvage Yard -- Crash N Burned
Oil change -- Slick's
Lumber Yard -- Sticks N Stones
Iron Smelter -- Steely I (s)
Boating Sales -- Floating Pretty
.
Trucking Co. -- Pullin' 4 U
Service Station -- No Beans, Just Gas
Landscape -- Legal Grass
Auto Parts -- Putt Putt Parts
Used Trucks -- Just Truckin'
Oil Well Repair -- Greased Back
.
Construction Company -- We Digg U
Guitar Store -- Fretting
Pork BBQ -- Squeal's
Swimming Pool -- Stroke and Float
Tobacco Shop -- Puff and Stroke
Motel --
.
Think I will stop there. Think of a business and send me a note.
m
.
I started thinking, yes, it does happen at times. It'was not too deep thinking, just thinkin'. My wife likes the quote from somebody in our past: "Sometimes I sits and think, other times I just sits." But that is off topic for today. Store titles is my thing. In a sporatic process and using my Parker Pen on a section of the Dallas News, I came up with a few names for a business.
.
Now I know you won't do this, but down at the bottom of this is the word comments. Perhaps you have thunk of a great business store front name. Send it to me. Now, not tomorrow.
.
Tool Store -- Twist N Turn
Tire Shop -- Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'
Kitchen Supplies -- The Rolling Pin
Parker Pen shop -- The Rolling Pen
[ y'see, you get on one thing and just can't leave it alone ]
.
Auto Salvage Yard -- Crash N Burned
Oil change -- Slick's
Lumber Yard -- Sticks N Stones
Iron Smelter -- Steely I (s)
Boating Sales -- Floating Pretty
.
Trucking Co. -- Pullin' 4 U
Service Station -- No Beans, Just Gas
Landscape -- Legal Grass
Auto Parts -- Putt Putt Parts
Used Trucks -- Just Truckin'
Oil Well Repair -- Greased Back
.
Construction Company -- We Digg U
Guitar Store -- Fretting
Pork BBQ -- Squeal's
Swimming Pool -- Stroke and Float
Tobacco Shop -- Puff and Stroke
Motel --
.
Think I will stop there. Think of a business and send me a note.
m
Monday, May 6, 2013
Yarn Search trip (some weather) etc.
Thurs., May 2nd - National Day of Prayer
====
Before I go into the Yarn Tour - can we talk about the weather? It is cold here - not freezing mind you, almost 60 degrees, harsh north wind over the lake into my back porch - but, let us review, this is May 2nd. So the Dallas Morning News - newspaper has an article yesterday about certain weather guys with computers who say this is just like the spring of 2001. Our first 100 degree day didn't hit till late July and not past August. That was a mild summer for us.
.
They are talking a record low of 39 in Dallas tonight but then climbing to 61 tomorrow. Brrrrrrr
The article talked about a hurricane that hit the Houston area that famous year dumping piles of water. Can't remember the name of that hurricane, starts with an A, and the name was retired. Why live in the past? Northern USA has up to 18 inches of snow right now. They can keep it.
====
Daughter Christine came to visit this week. She gets numerous vacation days from her duties at her hospital, and, hard to believe, she rarely takes them. Most people jump at vacation days - so I am told. Her hospital is having staffing issues, too many workers - not enough workers - workers working when not needed - think of your own issues - I did - made most of that up. Thus, it was time to take a week off...up here she came...wanted to do physical labor she said...my estate is loaded with physical labor issues.
.
So we finished a wall - moved bunches of bricks - created a brick patio for the dogs (they were pleased) - bought stuff at Home Depot - ate out a couple of times - missed church - went to Corsicana's Derrick Days { most towns have a yearly festival; ours is Derrick Days } played with dogs - sat on Back Porch watching the days go by - and various other activities.
.
After she was here (with her 3 dogs: Butty, Wesley, and Ollie) for several days, I felt she needed a day out. She had been wanting a special color yarn for a project she had planned for a friend. With the use of our phone's yellow pages, several yarn shops (perhaps they are Shoppes?) were programmed into the GPS and Samantha (GPS voice's name) projected a route to find quilt shops.
.
Quilt shops have so many cute names. I'd guess that folks opening quilt shops are creative not only with yarn but with names. Not one had the name "Yarns R Us" or "Yarns Told." Tuesday morning arrived, and we were off.
.
The first stop thanks to Samantha was in downtown Lancaster. The SASSY SPINSTER. That was about a 45 minute drive up I 45 and a shorter journey west on Belt Line. Lancaster downtown has a "Round-A-Bout" surrounded by cutesy little shops. Parking on the circle we piled out, the wife tagged along. The quilt shop was closed. Can you beat that. A hand writtten paper note taped to the door says: "New Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 10 till 4" Who'd a thunk?
.
NOBODY HOME - Samantha led us north to I-20 where, thanks to our Smart Phones, we paused at a Golden Corral. Pretty good one if you like G.C. and I do. Ate & GPS Samantha led us to our next stop: THE KNITTING FAIRY in Arlington. This was indeed different. There are these corporate parks where businesses set up for biz. one after another, door after door, sorta like a strip mall but several buildings deep with no signs or access to the main highway out front. You have to know where you are going to find the place.
.
Our K. Fairy was in bldg 19, tiny sign on the window, and a bigger handwritten note that says: New Hours: Tuesday through Saturday. Our second stop and a 2nd closing. In my opinion our little Fairy can go knit himself / oops Herself into a little knot - we moved on, U turn and south we traveled. YARN HEAVEN in Arlington. My daughter thought she had died and gone to Heaven. She loved this store. I loved the store Cat who wanted to be continually petted until she curled up in a pile of yarn...then, no touch, me going to sleep now. Purrrrr
.
This ended our search. Found the proper colored yarn and all was well. Made 2 more stops: Sears and Best Buy. That was okay. Nothing to see here folks; move on along. The yarn shops that we never found are now listed below. The names are special. I have a future bluggy planned to discuss these names, not now.
.
Missed yarn shops: STRINGS N THINGS (Arlington), NEEDLE HAUS (way over in Tyler), GOOGLY EYES (Irving), and SHABBY SHEEP (Dallas). I'm sure there are more; just not on my radar.
closing for now.
M
p.s. now own Hobbits in 3D Well, isn't that special.
====
Before I go into the Yarn Tour - can we talk about the weather? It is cold here - not freezing mind you, almost 60 degrees, harsh north wind over the lake into my back porch - but, let us review, this is May 2nd. So the Dallas Morning News - newspaper has an article yesterday about certain weather guys with computers who say this is just like the spring of 2001. Our first 100 degree day didn't hit till late July and not past August. That was a mild summer for us.
.
They are talking a record low of 39 in Dallas tonight but then climbing to 61 tomorrow. Brrrrrrr
The article talked about a hurricane that hit the Houston area that famous year dumping piles of water. Can't remember the name of that hurricane, starts with an A, and the name was retired. Why live in the past? Northern USA has up to 18 inches of snow right now. They can keep it.
====
Daughter Christine came to visit this week. She gets numerous vacation days from her duties at her hospital, and, hard to believe, she rarely takes them. Most people jump at vacation days - so I am told. Her hospital is having staffing issues, too many workers - not enough workers - workers working when not needed - think of your own issues - I did - made most of that up. Thus, it was time to take a week off...up here she came...wanted to do physical labor she said...my estate is loaded with physical labor issues.
.
So we finished a wall - moved bunches of bricks - created a brick patio for the dogs (they were pleased) - bought stuff at Home Depot - ate out a couple of times - missed church - went to Corsicana's Derrick Days { most towns have a yearly festival; ours is Derrick Days } played with dogs - sat on Back Porch watching the days go by - and various other activities.
.
After she was here (with her 3 dogs: Butty, Wesley, and Ollie) for several days, I felt she needed a day out. She had been wanting a special color yarn for a project she had planned for a friend. With the use of our phone's yellow pages, several yarn shops (perhaps they are Shoppes?) were programmed into the GPS and Samantha (GPS voice's name) projected a route to find quilt shops.
.
Quilt shops have so many cute names. I'd guess that folks opening quilt shops are creative not only with yarn but with names. Not one had the name "Yarns R Us" or "Yarns Told." Tuesday morning arrived, and we were off.
.
The first stop thanks to Samantha was in downtown Lancaster. The SASSY SPINSTER. That was about a 45 minute drive up I 45 and a shorter journey west on Belt Line. Lancaster downtown has a "Round-A-Bout" surrounded by cutesy little shops. Parking on the circle we piled out, the wife tagged along. The quilt shop was closed. Can you beat that. A hand writtten paper note taped to the door says: "New Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 10 till 4" Who'd a thunk?
.
NOBODY HOME - Samantha led us north to I-20 where, thanks to our Smart Phones, we paused at a Golden Corral. Pretty good one if you like G.C. and I do. Ate & GPS Samantha led us to our next stop: THE KNITTING FAIRY in Arlington. This was indeed different. There are these corporate parks where businesses set up for biz. one after another, door after door, sorta like a strip mall but several buildings deep with no signs or access to the main highway out front. You have to know where you are going to find the place.
.
Our K. Fairy was in bldg 19, tiny sign on the window, and a bigger handwritten note that says: New Hours: Tuesday through Saturday. Our second stop and a 2nd closing. In my opinion our little Fairy can go knit himself / oops Herself into a little knot - we moved on, U turn and south we traveled. YARN HEAVEN in Arlington. My daughter thought she had died and gone to Heaven. She loved this store. I loved the store Cat who wanted to be continually petted until she curled up in a pile of yarn...then, no touch, me going to sleep now. Purrrrr
.
This ended our search. Found the proper colored yarn and all was well. Made 2 more stops: Sears and Best Buy. That was okay. Nothing to see here folks; move on along. The yarn shops that we never found are now listed below. The names are special. I have a future bluggy planned to discuss these names, not now.
.
Missed yarn shops: STRINGS N THINGS (Arlington), NEEDLE HAUS (way over in Tyler), GOOGLY EYES (Irving), and SHABBY SHEEP (Dallas). I'm sure there are more; just not on my radar.
closing for now.
M
p.s. now own Hobbits in 3D Well, isn't that special.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
State Farm stupidity
State Farm has made me mad.... no, some pencil pusher at State Farm has made me mad. How in the world can a company as fine (apparently) as State Farm hire people with this type of brain? This is my 2nd time to get mad at State Farm. Hopefully, I have said STATE FARM enough to have it show up in somebody's search.
======
Time #1: A couple years ago my wife was driving our Marauder in southern Dallas area. I was driving our motorhome (also insured with STATE FARM), and she was following in the Marauder. I turned on the service road of I-35 W and headed for the M.H. repair place. About a minute late the cell phone rang. My wife in the Marauder ( insured by STATE FARM ) had been hit at the intersection.
.
I made a U Turn on the service roads. Long story short: She was at the right hand turning lane waiting for the light. Some old guy came down the side of the road bouncing off cars. He ended up in the middle of the grass between the service road and I-35. By the time I arrived people had gotten his car door open and an ambulance was pulling up. My wife rested alongside the road. Our back fender and right rear door had been damaged - not too bad - but damaged. The doctor types checked him over and had him walk to the ambulance about 150 ft or so. He finally was taken to the hospital about a mile away.
.
We did all we were suppose to do and went on our mission. I contacted State Farm and all seemed to be well. Then I was sent to the adjuster for the Old man. This guy was flat hateful to me. Y'see, the old man was insured by STATE FARM and I was insured by STATE FARM. You might think that ended it. Nope. Someone decided he had a heart attack. They couldn't say if it happened before or after the wreck. Didn't matter. Since he had a heart attack it was a "no fault" accident - THUS, I HAD TO PAY MY OWN DEDUCTIBLE before the fixed my car.
.
Sure the deductible isn't much in relation to the whole car damage, but it was 2 issues to me:
1. He and I were insured by the same people and 2. the adjuster was rude to me. I did not appreciate that at all. Jerk!
====================
Time #2: If you have read these at all, you know that my septic tank collapsed last spring. I went after the installer and his company; but, alas, he had died the year before from Cancer. So I called the company who constructed the unit. It was in its 4th owner since my installation. The newest owner had only been there one month. The previous own took all the money and left the company. I was on my own.
.
After much to do and much time and the Tarrant County Water District's involvement - a local company came and dug up my old tank replacing it with a brand new system. It was expensive. They had a big ole backhole machine in my back yard, destroyed the ground and a pretty wall that I had built, tore out a fence, killed some little trees and shrubs....didn't matter, tank had to be replaced. Tarrant county doesn't like raw sewage going into going into the lake. A tree was cut down. Then one of those big ole trucks drove down beside my house and lifted a gorgeous new concrete septic tank into the newly dug hole. New wiring, new hose connections, new everything....and then, the invoice.
.
What choice did I have? I finally finished paying off the new tank last month. I am glad it is over. I am glad it is paid for. The new system works great. I am pleased. Flush that toilet.
.
So tax time rolled around this year. As I did my stuff, it dawned on me that the old tank might have been classified as a disaster by the govt. making part of it tax deductible. Why not? Then, just by chance I had an epiphany. Maybe the old system was covered by my household insurance - STATE FARM that is. I gave my local agent a call and explained the situation. A few days passed and a return call came. The septic system was not covered by my household insurance.
Done. Over. Kaput. I moved on.
.
So in today's mail, a letter from STATE FARM - they want proof that the septic has been fixed: receipts etc. The letter says that my property had been inspected and they want the system fixed. They want it fixed!! Jerks. Let's do the #1: if the septic tank is not covered, what difference does it make to STATE FARM? #2: property inspected. nonsense. the back yard is fenced and under lock. Nobody went back there and looked at that septic system. If they had, they would have known the answer. They are bluffing on that part.
.
Thus, and finally, if I do not provide adequate proof, STATE FARM is going to drop my household coverage. Gimme a break. I pay through the nose for that insurance. My next door neighbor is an independent insurance agent. I have the house, 2 cars, a motorhome, and a boat covered by STATE FARM and some clown wants me to spend my time making copies of receipts for something they don't even cover???
.
I think that about says it all. This was not going to be my posting for today; and, I know that I am being a bit too sensitive here. Monday, I will go see my agent: Sam Denton of Corsicana, and I will have a short talk. It seems to me that the septic should be insured and they owe me money.
What do you think?
.
m
======
Time #1: A couple years ago my wife was driving our Marauder in southern Dallas area. I was driving our motorhome (also insured with STATE FARM), and she was following in the Marauder. I turned on the service road of I-35 W and headed for the M.H. repair place. About a minute late the cell phone rang. My wife in the Marauder ( insured by STATE FARM ) had been hit at the intersection.
.
I made a U Turn on the service roads. Long story short: She was at the right hand turning lane waiting for the light. Some old guy came down the side of the road bouncing off cars. He ended up in the middle of the grass between the service road and I-35. By the time I arrived people had gotten his car door open and an ambulance was pulling up. My wife rested alongside the road. Our back fender and right rear door had been damaged - not too bad - but damaged. The doctor types checked him over and had him walk to the ambulance about 150 ft or so. He finally was taken to the hospital about a mile away.
.
We did all we were suppose to do and went on our mission. I contacted State Farm and all seemed to be well. Then I was sent to the adjuster for the Old man. This guy was flat hateful to me. Y'see, the old man was insured by STATE FARM and I was insured by STATE FARM. You might think that ended it. Nope. Someone decided he had a heart attack. They couldn't say if it happened before or after the wreck. Didn't matter. Since he had a heart attack it was a "no fault" accident - THUS, I HAD TO PAY MY OWN DEDUCTIBLE before the fixed my car.
.
Sure the deductible isn't much in relation to the whole car damage, but it was 2 issues to me:
1. He and I were insured by the same people and 2. the adjuster was rude to me. I did not appreciate that at all. Jerk!
====================
Time #2: If you have read these at all, you know that my septic tank collapsed last spring. I went after the installer and his company; but, alas, he had died the year before from Cancer. So I called the company who constructed the unit. It was in its 4th owner since my installation. The newest owner had only been there one month. The previous own took all the money and left the company. I was on my own.
.
After much to do and much time and the Tarrant County Water District's involvement - a local company came and dug up my old tank replacing it with a brand new system. It was expensive. They had a big ole backhole machine in my back yard, destroyed the ground and a pretty wall that I had built, tore out a fence, killed some little trees and shrubs....didn't matter, tank had to be replaced. Tarrant county doesn't like raw sewage going into going into the lake. A tree was cut down. Then one of those big ole trucks drove down beside my house and lifted a gorgeous new concrete septic tank into the newly dug hole. New wiring, new hose connections, new everything....and then, the invoice.
.
What choice did I have? I finally finished paying off the new tank last month. I am glad it is over. I am glad it is paid for. The new system works great. I am pleased. Flush that toilet.
.
So tax time rolled around this year. As I did my stuff, it dawned on me that the old tank might have been classified as a disaster by the govt. making part of it tax deductible. Why not? Then, just by chance I had an epiphany. Maybe the old system was covered by my household insurance - STATE FARM that is. I gave my local agent a call and explained the situation. A few days passed and a return call came. The septic system was not covered by my household insurance.
Done. Over. Kaput. I moved on.
.
So in today's mail, a letter from STATE FARM - they want proof that the septic has been fixed: receipts etc. The letter says that my property had been inspected and they want the system fixed. They want it fixed!! Jerks. Let's do the #1: if the septic tank is not covered, what difference does it make to STATE FARM? #2: property inspected. nonsense. the back yard is fenced and under lock. Nobody went back there and looked at that septic system. If they had, they would have known the answer. They are bluffing on that part.
.
Thus, and finally, if I do not provide adequate proof, STATE FARM is going to drop my household coverage. Gimme a break. I pay through the nose for that insurance. My next door neighbor is an independent insurance agent. I have the house, 2 cars, a motorhome, and a boat covered by STATE FARM and some clown wants me to spend my time making copies of receipts for something they don't even cover???
.
I think that about says it all. This was not going to be my posting for today; and, I know that I am being a bit too sensitive here. Monday, I will go see my agent: Sam Denton of Corsicana, and I will have a short talk. It seems to me that the septic should be insured and they owe me money.
What do you think?
.
m
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
May Day
MAY DAY! MAY DAY!
Yes, 'tis May 1st.
Have you ever wondered why they say "May Day" when in distress? If you have come here to learn the "why," boy have you pegged me wrong. I don't know. I just know that in the movies, when a boat or a plane is going down, they start yelling, "May Day!" I suppose it is easier than yelling, "Help, a giant white shark just bit the nose off my boat" -- or -- "Help, one of our propellers has quit turning but Preacher Bob [ John Wayne really ] is climbing out on the wing to see if he can make it turn - going down."
.
When I was in the 4th grade, my father's logging truck was told to head north by Standard Oil of Indiana (soon to become Amoco and eventually BP). We were those oil field people who moved in and out of communities prospecting for oil. This time we were to be stationed in Crete, Nebraska, which is about 30 miles or so from Lincoln. I have a few memories from Crete, our new home base; mostly, I have very few memories of the 4th grade.
.
But in the context of this bluggy, May Day, I have one. At that time in Crete, they had a spring festival. We kids were dressed up ( like one might do to a monkey or dog ) in costumes. My brain says that we wore things associated with Holland. That doesn't make a lot of sense now since I don't associate May Day festivals with the Dutch. Somewhere, somewhere, in all my stuff, I can imagine seeing a photo of me in a Dutch outfit standing next to a girl in a Dutch dress with wooden shoes.
.
Really new to me at that time was the May Pole. This is a pole attached to the ground with various colored streamers hanging down from the apex. Each of us in the class would take one of the streamers, half facing the left and the other half facing the right. We marched (walked, more likely) towards each other weaving in and out as you met another person. This made the streamers weave together around the pole....and, as we traveled more and more, our streamers became shorter and shorter pulling us in towards the pole.
.
I betcha there was music playing and we danced in time. The pole must have been quite beautiful since they continued to do this ritual year after year. Or, they just enjoyed sitting back and watching kids go in circles bumping into each other more and more until they were plastered up against a pole. If you live in Nebraska, May seemed to be the start of spring with the disappearance of snow. Lack of snow would be a reason to celebrate.
==============================================================
FYI:
As an added something which has absolutely nothing to do with May, my daughter Laura, the preacher(wo)man married Tom Roberts who was raised in Holland, Michigan, located towards the western edge of Michigan. Tom played trombone in his high school band. The Holland Band was chosen to go to the Rose Bowl Parade. As you may know, you have to be somewhat special to march in the Rose Bowl Parade. It must have been a rompin' marching band.
.
If I remember correctly (and Tom or Laura can revise and extend these remarks by clicking on the comment word below) part of the band's uniform was wooden shoes. Everyone marched in wood Dutch shoes. Clomp, Clomp, Clomp. You can just imagine the noise they would have made on a concrete street - 100 plus teenagers clomping about.
.
I have never worn a pair of wooden shoes. Does that surprise you? Well, if it does, you have a lot of living yet to do. It would seem they wouldn't be comfy. This is where I must be wrong. The Rose Bowl Parade is like 5 miles long or so. If they set that many kids out walking in wood shoes for 5 miles and, well, you can imagine. If blisters formed on toes, that would be a long long day. So, the shoes must be okay to wear. I bet that band made quite a sight ( and sound ) as they traversed the parade route. Go Tom! Go Holland Band!
.
I never asked Tom what the Holland school mascot was. Things like the Mustangs, Bears, Wolves, Tigers - do not seem to fit the Holland image. How about: The Holland Dike Pluggers. That would be good. I'll ask Tom when I THINKS about it. The Holland Clompers.
.
Give me one big Clomp.
"CLOMP!"
Give me two big Clomps.
"CLOMP! CLOMP!"
"GO! CLOMPERS!!!"
"CLOMP, CLOMP CLOMP!"
.
It does have a certain ring to it.
Sorry Tom.
===========================
next blugging entry, should I choose the challenge, my day trip on Tuesday throughout southern Dallas county looking for Yarn Stores. When we go on day trips, we rock n' roll.
===========================
mtz
Yes, 'tis May 1st.
Have you ever wondered why they say "May Day" when in distress? If you have come here to learn the "why," boy have you pegged me wrong. I don't know. I just know that in the movies, when a boat or a plane is going down, they start yelling, "May Day!" I suppose it is easier than yelling, "Help, a giant white shark just bit the nose off my boat" -- or -- "Help, one of our propellers has quit turning but Preacher Bob [ John Wayne really ] is climbing out on the wing to see if he can make it turn - going down."
.
When I was in the 4th grade, my father's logging truck was told to head north by Standard Oil of Indiana (soon to become Amoco and eventually BP). We were those oil field people who moved in and out of communities prospecting for oil. This time we were to be stationed in Crete, Nebraska, which is about 30 miles or so from Lincoln. I have a few memories from Crete, our new home base; mostly, I have very few memories of the 4th grade.
.
But in the context of this bluggy, May Day, I have one. At that time in Crete, they had a spring festival. We kids were dressed up ( like one might do to a monkey or dog ) in costumes. My brain says that we wore things associated with Holland. That doesn't make a lot of sense now since I don't associate May Day festivals with the Dutch. Somewhere, somewhere, in all my stuff, I can imagine seeing a photo of me in a Dutch outfit standing next to a girl in a Dutch dress with wooden shoes.
.
Really new to me at that time was the May Pole. This is a pole attached to the ground with various colored streamers hanging down from the apex. Each of us in the class would take one of the streamers, half facing the left and the other half facing the right. We marched (walked, more likely) towards each other weaving in and out as you met another person. This made the streamers weave together around the pole....and, as we traveled more and more, our streamers became shorter and shorter pulling us in towards the pole.
.
I betcha there was music playing and we danced in time. The pole must have been quite beautiful since they continued to do this ritual year after year. Or, they just enjoyed sitting back and watching kids go in circles bumping into each other more and more until they were plastered up against a pole. If you live in Nebraska, May seemed to be the start of spring with the disappearance of snow. Lack of snow would be a reason to celebrate.
==============================================================
FYI:
As an added something which has absolutely nothing to do with May, my daughter Laura, the preacher(wo)man married Tom Roberts who was raised in Holland, Michigan, located towards the western edge of Michigan. Tom played trombone in his high school band. The Holland Band was chosen to go to the Rose Bowl Parade. As you may know, you have to be somewhat special to march in the Rose Bowl Parade. It must have been a rompin' marching band.
.
If I remember correctly (and Tom or Laura can revise and extend these remarks by clicking on the comment word below) part of the band's uniform was wooden shoes. Everyone marched in wood Dutch shoes. Clomp, Clomp, Clomp. You can just imagine the noise they would have made on a concrete street - 100 plus teenagers clomping about.
.
I have never worn a pair of wooden shoes. Does that surprise you? Well, if it does, you have a lot of living yet to do. It would seem they wouldn't be comfy. This is where I must be wrong. The Rose Bowl Parade is like 5 miles long or so. If they set that many kids out walking in wood shoes for 5 miles and, well, you can imagine. If blisters formed on toes, that would be a long long day. So, the shoes must be okay to wear. I bet that band made quite a sight ( and sound ) as they traversed the parade route. Go Tom! Go Holland Band!
.
I never asked Tom what the Holland school mascot was. Things like the Mustangs, Bears, Wolves, Tigers - do not seem to fit the Holland image. How about: The Holland Dike Pluggers. That would be good. I'll ask Tom when I THINKS about it. The Holland Clompers.
.
Give me one big Clomp.
"CLOMP!"
Give me two big Clomps.
"CLOMP! CLOMP!"
"GO! CLOMPERS!!!"
"CLOMP, CLOMP CLOMP!"
.
It does have a certain ring to it.
Sorry Tom.
===========================
next blugging entry, should I choose the challenge, my day trip on Tuesday throughout southern Dallas county looking for Yarn Stores. When we go on day trips, we rock n' roll.
===========================
mtz
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