Who needs dessert???

I am perfectly happy to go back for a plateful, (or as much as I can get past my wife,) with good rich gravy, for my dessert. Sort of figure there may be pie left over the next day, but how can you beat real meashed potatoes and gravy?? Or why try??
Probably ate more than I should have, but what the heck, Thanksgiving only comes once a year. Friends invited us to join their group, which totalled 16 this year, and we wreacked havoc with a 28# turkey, and all of the extras that go with it. It was a nice day, rain was gone, company was enjoyable, and a good time was had by all.
Tomorrow is Black Friday, for those crazies who participate, and Christmas in just a month away. Do I smell another turkey being baked?? (The diet starts in 5 weeks!)

Work is slow

Came back from Ohio to a small bathroom remodel, but otherwise, no one is doing any changes, it seems. Any repairs have to be a major disaster in the making, fire, flood, or collapse, or it can wait until the economy improves!
Not that it is so difficult to understand the concept. In Florida, with the unemployment rate at about 11+%, things are pretty tight. The latest figure I saw in the paper said 1 of 5 houses locally are in some form of default, foreclosure, or behind on payments!! Are we ever glad to be living in a debt-free house. And no major changes being done here, either. Both family and friends struggling to stay afloat on 30-32 hours a week. The lucky ones are getting 35-40 hours, but overtime??? By the time that comes back, noone will remember what it was.
As I said, the bathroom remodel was a small job, change vanity to a shorter one, add a linen tower, little plumbing modification, and the biggest job---cutting 8 inches off of each end of the faux-marble countertop, to recenter the builtin sink. It weighed a ton, or close, but did saw readily with a diamond blade. Rather dusty job, since we used my table saw, and no wet blade, and the garage looked like a baby-powder-bomb had exploded, but it worked.
Anybody need some work done???

Yes, still alive

And even back home again, after an extended trip tp Ohio. Left a few days after the garage door episode, (glad I got that changed before I left Carol at home with the old one!). Made a trip to visit family and friends, and help the family celebrate the 50th birthday of one of my sons.
First time the entire family had been together, in one place, all at the same time, in 4 1/2 years, so we were overdue. Travelers from Utah, Florida, and Michigan all converged on Wooster, OH, for a great weekend. Grandkids had grown considerably since our last visit, over two years ago. Must be getting fed regularly, as they are sure growing up fast. One in high school already.
Speaking of high school, had a pizza lunch one day with former classmates, of '52. Of the 24 still alive, 12 of us gathered at a local pizzeria, and had a great time visiting. Quite a few still live locally around Stryker, OH, and are finding reasons to get together whenever they can come up with a 'reason' for it. Are we getting older and feeling more vulnerable?
Had a chance to attend my old home church the first Sunday, and found a few of the other old-timers still in attendance, and got to attend a potluck, carry-in dinner afterwards. Many old memories in that place. Including memories of many previous potluck meals!
Visited with a former member of our church, who I had not seen for probably 57 years, as well. We had connected via the internet a year or so ago, and made definite plans to see each other, on the trip. He was still fairly local, having gone into business in a neighboring town, as well as being the mayor for quite a few years. Good excuse for another meal, and a piece of homemade pie!!
Surprises several friends and family by knocking on their doors unannounced. (Hard for them to hide that way!!) Could have used even more time there, as there were several other stops hoped for that didn't quite materialize. Next time!
After about 5 days, traveled across Ohio, from NW to NE, and spent a few more days with family. The hoped for surprise party for 'Pastor Mark' didn't quite make it as a surprise, but we had a great time, anyhow. (And a number of extra excuses to eat-eat-eat!!
A couple of 36 degree mornings soon had me thinking of south Florida, so 2 more days in my truck, and I was back home again. Left here 10/21, got back on 11/4, about 2700 miles on the road. My '97 Ranger now has 126,000++ showing, and delivers the same 20 mpg that is has since the first tankfull. Oh well, at least it is consistent. And comfortable to sit and ride in, as well. Took a chance by not unloading the tools from the bed before I left, but only got involved in a couple of fairly minor projects during the trip. Keeps me from getting too rusty or homesick. Back to a cool day here, (only a little over 80 today,) and is windy, but pleasant. Such a delight to have friends (and family,) who are willing to host a traveler. I really enjoyed time and activities with them. (Family has less choice, but I had a great time there, also.) Back to normal activities, (dentist, doctor, handyman work, church, etc), just in time for a possible storm (IDA) to maybe come for a visit. Hooray for Florida!!

Open Sesame, close----------------

whatever. As long as the garage door will go up and down. We have had the local "experts" work on the door, at a cost of considerable $$$, several times in past months, and as usual, they would get it adjusted and working long enough to get their tools loaded, and get out of the driveway, and then it was back to it's old tricks. Mainly, that it would go down, the door would stop, bit the chain wouldn't, and then it would go back open again. We have been dealing with it, for a while, by waiting, with finger on button, until it got to the end of the travel, and punch the button the second time to stop it in place.
Except, it only did it part of the time, and then when you hit the button in anticipation, you started it back up yourself, and had to stop it and start all over. On one of the 'experts' last trips, they concluded that the 'eyes' that are required, (HA,) were defective, and sold Carol a new set, (which are mounted up at the ceiling, on the back of the drive, and totally non-functional,) which also did not correct the problem. (They have to be somewhere, to make the computerized controls think the area is clear.) I have adjusted the limits, down-force, etc several times, and within a day or so, it would act up again. Finally, Tuesday morning, when I tried again, the circuit board turned to toast, and the dorr would go down about 8 inches, and back up about 4 inches, each time the button was pushed. The particular opener model is only marginally serviced any more, a new board would have been $60-75, IF it was available at all. Ended up at Lowes, and got a new, screw-drive Genie, for about $200, a model with external limit switches, making adjustment much easier, and mechanical, not digital. Of course, buying it around 4 pm, and getting it installed before dark, (well, almost,) was a challenge, and it was 94 degrees in the carport. Also had a break in the control wire, between the unit and the wall switch, that was a bit of a challenge, but finally sorted that out. The drive is quieter, but not silent. (Never going to be silent, opening a steel door, with steel rollers! Think shaking a piece of sheet metal backstage, to make thunder sound for a stage play. Same effect.) But it is working!! Unit also came with a radio-type opener that mounts outside, with a numerical code, in case you don't have your clicker, plus our previous clickers, used in our vehicles, also are able to operate the new opener, so we have an abundance of clickers now. And I hope not to be climbing up and getting chummy with the opener for a long time!
Never would have gotten it all done so easily, except Princes the cat stayed close by, to supervise and answer questions, during the whole process.

One down and one to go, I guess

Well, we managed to get our flu shot today. But not without some hassle, of course. This was the regular old, run-of-the-mill type flu preventer, not the super bug H1N1 Swine flu variety. The H1N1 stuff is here in the county, but we don't qualify for consideration for that, at least yet.

Seems to super stuff is reserved for kids, (don't qualify,) pregnant women, (don't qualify,) health care workers, (don't qualify,)------do you see a pattern showing up here? Just like in Obamessiah's health plan, us older folks seem to be expendable. (Hang on while I have a senior moment.) Maybe eventually, if they get everybody else inoculated, and have vaccine left over to throw away, we will get an opportunity to get stuck with a needle again. (Also too old to use the inhalable variety). Glad I am assured of the future and ready to go.

Getting the regular variety was not nearly as easy as it was supposed to be. We had gotten a coupon from our HMO provider, to cover the cost of the shot, an annual occurence. Several of the pharmacy chains actually began giving shots in early September, but because the coupon happened to mention "after Oct 1", we had not tried earlier. Carol went this morning to the CVS pharmacy walk-in clinic that we had used last year, and which seemed to be included in the HMO mailing, and after doing all of the signin procedure, was informed that they were not giving the shot to BCBS subscribers this year! She made a couple of calls, to no avail, and finally went online to BCBS to get a list of places to go, and the scattered times that they would be operating. So we went to a Costco warehouse, and were taken care of there. It has been a bit (bit???) confusing, to say the least, but is done.

Now we have to avoid contact with anyone carrying the swine flu bugs, to see if maybe we will get the second variety later.

Think I will go have another senior moment.

Cold up north already???

Leaves falling? Hint of autumn in the air? Frost on the pumpkin? Must be something like that, as we just got in from a short shopping trip, i.e. a quick lunch at a Steak-N-Shake, a trip thru the local BJ whse, and an even quicker stop at an office supply store, and the streets, eating establishment, and the warehouse store all gave evidence of an upsurge in people and traffic. Seems a little early to be noticing the buildup, usually into November, like the middle or almost Thanksgiving, before it gets quite so noticeable. Wonder if the 'season' is going to be longer along with earlier, more intense, or both this year.

Perhaps things are so slow and discouraging up north that anyone with the place to stay, and the ability to get away, have decided to just get started sooner than usual. Maybe a number of the usual seasonal parties, fairs, Octoberfests, etc, have either been dropped this year, or downgraded to the point of not holding the normal crowds attention.

Of course, we have had a very mild hurricane season so far. (Read---NONE.) And being on the downside of the 'normal' season, with nothing brewing out in the Atlantic, any worriers may feel safe to come south early this year. It really has been a quiet season, so far. Not that I am complaining, you understand, just an observation. Apparently El Nino has seen fit to disrupt any depressions that have formed, and swung them to the N and NE long before they could make landfall, and sent them to the cold upper Atlantic where they fizzled out. Several did give
the NE some wind and rain, but certainly no major damaging storms. Hope the rest of the season stays the same. We can do without this year, thank you.

Talk about a switch--------------

Was just reading an online news article, stating that they White House is calling the Fox network liars , for their reporting and protesting the trip to Copenhagen, for a right-at-the-minute example. Claims being made that Glenn Beck is not
telling the truth, at least the way the WH wishes to have the truth told.

That would certainly seem to be the pot calling the kettle black, to use a very ancient comparison, but it would seem like a good indication that Fox and Glenn Beck at hitting upon a sore subject, which makes one wonder if they are not right. It would seem like the WH would tend more to ignore minor irritations, or should it be minor irritants, in favor of expending energy on more important problems.

Maybe Mr Beck is more of a problem than they care to admit. Life is like that sometimes. Guess things can't always be smooth and irritant-free in the Oval Office. Welcome to real life, Mr Prez.

Ho Hum, Nothing to do in DC.

Think I will just fly off to Copenhagen and see what I can do for the Olympic Committee and their site selection group. Since I have taken care of the USA banks, automakers, healthcare problems, and other minor difficulties requiring my judicial wisdom, now I can begin to inject that wisdom into world-wide areas needing my expertise. Wonder what I can find to do, and spend flying money on, next week??

OOOOOPS, SORRY!!! Guess I fell asleep, and drifted off into my phantom ego of Obamessiah! I don't know how that could ever happen, must have been the Diet Pepsi I drank earlier. (Like it or not, have to drink diet to avoid the sugar tax about to be imposed upon regular sodas to pay for obesity control.) But that is another story altogether. Back to (ha) reality. Never knew when The campaign was in full swing, that so many decisions, world-wide, were going to require the talents (?) and time of the Commander-In-Chief. Guess the problems in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Korea, et al, have been so easy to resolve that new ground must be broken on a regular basis. (Sort of like a cat with diarrhea.)

Makes me wonder how so many possibilities were overlooked during the last election campaign. Was everybody overcome with thoughts of change, prosperity, change, freebie giveaways, change, etc that we completely missed these side issues? Shame on us. Then again, maybe we can do better next time, hopefully.

Just wondering???

About the number of new cars that will be repoed in the next few months, or year or so, out of the ones sold under the C4C (cash for clunkers) program that we have gone thru in the last couple of months?

It would seem that a lot of people, who were driving a multi-year old gas guzzler, who were lead to believe that the gas savings would 'almost' make the payments, will be walking, or wishing they had their clunker back. Saw today in an article that the average new car payment will be $371 a month for 49 months. (I know they don't make 49 month loans, that is just how the average worked, since many were for 72 month loans. In an economy where many are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, and food on the table, I can see the repo business being a good job to be looking at, if one is looking. (Not a fun job, or without a certain amount of risk, you understand, but perhaps one without many layoffs in the coming months.)

But then again, with the blessing of Obamessiah, how can it lose???

Insurance coverage

Another personal observation, if I may. I think the concept is another political lie, like a lot of others have been for the last year or two. Not that the system may not need some overhaul and cleanup, but if Obamessiah has such great ideas, why is he trying SO HARD to ram this down our throats? If it is so great, how about presenting it, using gentle persuasion, fact-presentations, etc, and sell the public on the idea? It reeks of something foul, when it has to be done on such a rigid, purpose-driven, timetable.

Point number 2---tell me that the Prez did not tell a BIG lie, when he promised, on National TV, that he would not sign a bill costing us a 'dime'. But the current figures are estimated to be close to s Trillion $$$ in the next 10 years. Right, not one dime, folks. My snake oil is free, just pay postage and handling. Think about it, there is NO WAY to add the thousands of people to government payrolls, to administer this proposed health bill, that is not going to cost millions of $$$ a year. They may find some fraud and cost-cutting, but not likely near enough to pay these new workers.

Point number 3---Remember when Obamessiah was questioned, before, or around nomination and election time, about his being a Muslim? And he replied, "Oh no, I am a member of Jeremiah Wright's church, and I am a Christian." Sounds like another lie at this point, having refused to acknowledge or participate in the National Day of Prayer, in May, but now proclaiming a Muslim day of prayer, and wanting 50,000 Muslims to gather at the inauguration site, to pray from sunup to sundown! This is America, not Iran, Iraq, Palestine, wherever!

And lest I forget, he also chose to make last June L-G-B-T month. Did you notice? That is Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender month. Just what we needed. Guess he had to pay his election debts and promises, one way or another.

Sure would hate to miss seeing my dentist tomorrow!!!!!

Dentist again???

Oh yes, it is Monday again, right? Seems that every week has been starting with a visit to the dentist lately. Talk about a tough way to begin a new week. Actually, my dentist is a super-nice guy, it's just his profession I dislike. I have been going to him for over 30 years now, so you know he agrees with me as a person.

OK, so I haven't seen him as often as I probably should have, but I don't like being in that chair, nice guy or not. But at this point, I seem to have no choice, so we are working on my being able to keep eating for a few more years. I just took a life-predicting quiz, online, that said I should have 7700 more days, live to be 94-95, or so. Actually, I have no overwhelming desire to keep tramping around this globe for that long, I don't believe. For one thing, I don't believe the quiz took into account the present-day presidency, and their seeming desire to stop meds and care for aged and infirm seniors. Not that it has come to that yet, but then Obamessiah has 3 1/2 years to go, and look at the past 6 months progress!!! Need I say more?

Actually, as a matter of personal opinion, (and hope,) I don't think our world is going to continue on it's present course for that long anyhow. Now that concept, I have no problem with. And if the Rapture comes before I get to the dentist tomorrow, I guess they will just have to charge me for a missed apointment. (Can they do that if my dentist is gone also?? Interesting point.) Oh well.

Yes, it has been a long time.

Not that there hasn't been anything going on in our country, or household, to think about. More like sensory overload. Just not sure I am getting enough readers to make the effort worth while. Actually, I have recently signed up on Facebook.com, and seem to have more contacts with that format.

If you are reading this, would you please take a minute, and send me an email to let me know? Just a quick note to Lhmaker2@aol.com will help. If I am only ranting and raving to vent my personal feelings, and not helping anyone else get thru the tough parts of life, particularly in the day and age of Obamessiah-life, I might as well take out my frustration on the crabgrass or something.

Let me know, please??? Thanks.

Buyers (Voters) Remorse

Maybe, for a fresh idea, this country should inaugurate a probationary period for the office of President of The United States. One where, like every other new employee, a prez could be dismissed, without reason or recourse, for failure to perform to accepted standards. How is that for a new concept?

AOL online, is reporting several polls being run at the present time, and the results are showing the 51% of the people responding are unhappy with the way that Obamessiah is doing things, and at least that many don't think he is leading this country the way it should be going. Things like bank bailouts, taking over the car manufacturers, (including assuming having enough power to dismiss the leadership of companies like GM, Chrysler,) and deciding that 'he' knows how to run the health care of the country, are not setting well with the people of the land. It is a bit late. folks.

An even more shocking item, reported on the internet, and supposedly verified by Snopes, is that the health care program is being done in two parts, and that the establishment of the 'czars' to run the program has already been past, snuck thru as part of the economic stimulus package, and that the 'czars', responsible to no-one except Obamessiah, have already been chosen, and are simply waiting, not necessarily patiently, for Congress to approve the rest of the health care legislation.

Also, from the web, comes the tie to gun-control for legal gun-owners of this country. All that seems to be needed is for the health 'czars' to decide that it is costing money and resources to pay for emergency and hospital care for gunshot victims, and this panel of unelected, uncontrolled people could start the process of trying to confiscate all the weapon saround, whether used for crimes or not. Sounds too much like the takeovers in other countries in past decades to me. It is bad enough for the NRA to have to be dealing with gun-hating people in Congress, who want to take away the Constitutional Right to Bear Arms, who are at least doing it pretty much in the open, let alone our having to deal with an un-regulated group who are only in place because they happen to be pleasing and bowing to the wishes of the Prez. Scares the daylights out of me, frankly. Looks like our beloved country is headed for a major disaster.

Still a little frozen.

No, we didn't have a change of climate in south Florida. As a matter of fact, it is probably about 90 degrees outside. But I was at the dentist this morning, for a root canal, post insertion, and retrofitting of an old crown! What a wonderful way to start the week. At least now, I don't have one of my front teeth missing, broken off at the gumline.
And I get to start next week at the same place, and have some broken roots taken out, and a front filling redone. Such fun. The dentist is a real nice guy, I just would rather see him under different circumstances. He has been working on my teeth, as needed, for over 30 years, and really is a considerate person. I was amazed at his statment this morning, that he had been awake half the night, last night, worrying about how my replacement was going to go. Never had a dentist say that to me before. Bad enough I should lay awake worrying about having it done, and her he is awake as well.
Last Monday was more fun, in spite of the broken tooth. We went to Orlando, for the graduation of Carol's grand-daughter, from the Police Academy, or Criminal Justice Institute, as Valencia College calls it. She is now an official member of the Orlando Police Dept, although there is a little more training going on. She took two of the three top awards that were given out!! There is a shooting course that they go thru, at the completion of their 20 weeks of training, and they fire on 132 targets, using their handguns, rifles, and shotguns on various targets. Amanda was the only one who hit all 132 targets, for a perfect score. Don't even mess with her!!! She also took the top scholastic score, sort of like an SAT thing. 1500 possible points, and she scored 1476 points, or 98.4% correct. (She let one of the fellows win the most athletic award, but probably gave him a run for his money on that, also.) So if you meet Officer #456, in Orlando, be nice to her.
After a quiet hurricane season so far, suddenly we get three named storms in one weekend. One went into the Panhandle last night/today, one, Ana, has pretty mcu fizzled out, but may bring rain, as a depression, by midweek, and Bill, is too far away to know what might happen. Maybe I better go out and run the generator for a bit, just to make sure it is ready. (And fill the gas cans.)
And get ready for another dental visit next Monday morning!!!

How about a "sudsmmet'???

Just the sort of meeting we need to correct all of the world's problems. Everyone gather around the White House garden table, call for your favorite brewski, and sip suds while hammering away at the tough questions. Why did it ever take so long for this concept to take place? Have we not had beers available in the past, as a conference aid, to ease the transition from antagonists to buddies? Not that any major resolutions came from this weeks meeting, according to reports, other than agreeing to disagree. Maybe they needed another round or two, to mellow out a little more.
And obviously Joe Biden was glad to join the group, as long as Obamessiah was picking up the check. Not a bad deal at all.
Or was it more like the White House luncheon that was reported on one of the AOL news headlines? It was reported that the Prez met with the CEOs of AT&T, Xerox, Coca-Cola, and Honeywell, I believe, and presumable after the meal, the staffers came to each CEO, and asked for credit card info, so that the cost of their meal could be billed to each of them! Wonder if the cop and the prof had to chip in to help cover the bar bill? Talk about insulting.
Not expecting to be invited to any WH functions myself, I don't really woryy about having to chip in. I just sort of wonder who was in charge of figuring the tip?

The saga may be ending, I hope!!!

The saga of the non-functioning washer/dryer stackable unit, that is. The day after my last post-----it died! Right in the middle of a load, too. Failed to spin the water out of a batch of towels, and even using the 'paddles', it never showed any signs of life. Original thought was an off-balance load, but the usual things did not restart it. Carol called an appliance place, and they finally figured out that there was a switch under the top that needed to be reset. Finding the switch, did
not do the trick. Would not reset and hold, for one thing. And when held in position, the motor only growled, and would not start. Having been in use for 13 years, we felt it was time for a replacement.

Off to Lowes, Thursday night almost 9 pm. (Open till 10, thankfully.) Found a close replacement, for a reasonable price, but a warehouse item, not in stock. The fiasco begins, when the salesman sets up a sale for the basic model, not the upgrade we decided on. Going up to pay for everything, (unit, delivery, new duct, clamps, power cord,) it did not seem like the right total, but the service girl could not, or did not, get a look at it before sending it to the credit card machine. Just as the card was swiped, the salesman called to tell her of his mistake, and rebilling the correct one. Of course, the charge goes thru IMMEDIATELY, but the credit takes 48-72 hours to get to Discover! And she only credited the washer, not the whole thing. The salesman however, rebilled everything for the better unit, so it took two credits to cover the original sale, and of course, Discover rejected a second billing as suspicious, so it took a phone call to get that covered.

Item arrived from whse on Tuesday truck, and was set for Wednesday morning delivery. Barely was up and had a couple of sips of coffee, when the truck pulled up at 7:05am!! Old unit seperated into two pieces, wheeled out for take-away, and the new ONE-PIECE unit brought around to the door. Would not go in past the pedestal sink and water-heater, like the original went out!!! Even tried laying it down endways, but still no-go. Sent it back, and had the original returned and set back up. Carol called a local appliance repair, and he came by within a couple of hours. Took a look, and checked a couple of things, and gave it the last rites. Said the transmission had locked up, and burnt up the motor, and that it would be $7-800 to get it running. He was paid his service call fee, and he went on his way.

At that point, I started working to remove the sink in order to have room to bring in the new unit. It had been siliconed to the wall for MANY years, but after a couple hours of work, it was laying in the backyard, out of the way. Calls to Lowes for redelivery (several calls!,) and a promise for Saturday morning. Promised a call between 7:30 and 8:30, and when she called them at 10, discovered that they had credited the second sale, and had no intention of redelivery! After another sale, and calling Discover again the try and explain, we finally got delivery at 4 pm on Sunday afternoon!! And today, I reinstalled the sink, and only have to make some patches and repaint around the dryer vent in the back wall, to get everything back in order. What a week it has been.

Oh yes, there was a little matter of getting ahold of my dentist, and seeing him during the midst of this, for a tooth that broke off, under a crown, at the gum line! I get to see much more of him in the near future. LOTS MORE!! As I said, what a week it has been.

Where have I been???

Or was that your question? Well, we did go out of town for a few days, over the Fourth of July weekend. Definitely not far enough, or long enough, but at least it was a break from routine. The bad news is: in doing so, we lost our usual sea-breeze, that even when we are quite hot, we still have a little air moving. It seems that the sea-breeze just does not reach 100 miles inland, so central GA was a hot one. Registered 105 on Saturday afternoon, and 100 on Sunday, so outside activities were somewhat limited during the afternoons.
We did help Pat design and assemble an adult swing-set on Saturday. It had been supported by a fair sized tree limb in the past, but the limb was becoming questionable, due to age, so we got 4x4s and bolted up frames to take its place. It should be good for a long time, now. It makes a pleasant place to set and relax, once the sun begins to set, and things cool off a bit.
And of course, we have been 'glued' to the TV, devouring every braodcast about MJ, his funeral, his kids, his money, ad nauseum. Sure will be glad when the announcers get something else to talk about, although I am afraid it will be about the economy, or unemployment %ages, or something else that Obamessiah has his hand in, or finger on the controls of, that will probably be just as unpleasant as the constant blab about MJ. As Carol says, he was a cute kid--(MJ that is, not Obamessiah,) --but unfortunately, he grew up, (after a fashion,) received and spent an obscene amount of money, and got to thinking he was invincible. WRONG!! And the latest news makes him a homicide victim, according to LAPD. Just what we needed when things were about to quiet down. And who cares where he is buried?? I would rather visit Graceland than Neverland. He was wierd. Talented musically, at least as a youngster, but very strange indeed.

Rough week in Tinsel-Town

OK, so maybe Billy Mays does not qualify for Tinsel-Town, but he was on TV as much or maore than the others that passed on this week. I haven't shed any tears over MJ, or any of the others, for that matter, but Farah had put up a good fight, for a long time, and Karl Malden was old enough that his death should be no real surprise. MJ had looked like walking death for some time anyhow, and the news reports of Rx and drug usage should surprise no one.

Billy Mays was about the same age as MJ, but certainly looked and acted in much better physical shape. He was reportedly due for a hip-replacement this week, which is a surprise. Rather young, at 50, for that kind of replacement. With the enlarged heart he had, he may never have made it off the table alive, but it seems strange that it had not been detected in pre-op testing, or other checkups. How did they miss it? Probably saved a doctor, or anesthesiologist a law suit for mal-practice.

Wonder what next week will bring???????

State name change???

Give me a BREAK!!! Heard earlier today, in S.S., that Rhode Island was considering a name change. Or, at least, there were certain state legislators calling for one. Why?? Because of references to 'slavery'. I"ll bet not 1% of the population of the US even knew that the 'official' title is "The State of Rhode Island And Provincial Plantations". Did you??

I personally am getting a bit fed up with various states 'apologizing' for slavery, over for about 145 years now, as if todays population were still responsible for things that happened a couple of centuries ago. Like the present African-Americans were the only group who were ever oppressed. I think that they have been given over and above what was called for, and that they need to suck it up, get their educations, build their families, and accept what happens, just as the rest of us do. This latest publicity push in Rhode Island is ridiculous, to say the least, and expensive, in this economic times, at the most, just to satisfy the whim of one or more tin-cup state elected officials. GET A LIFE, GUYS!

I would rather file a suit for 'reverse discrimination' for myself. About 33-34 years ago, shortly after I came to Florida, I applied for a position with the County Fire
Department. I had 12 years of fire-fighting experience in Indiana, on several departments, was a Red Cross First-Aid instructor, was trained in extracation procedures, propane fire tactics, etc. After writing the required test, and scoring 93%, far above the 70% minimum, (and the highest score they had had,) I was not even granted an interview with the 'hiring' chief, because I was White, and they wanted to hire a person of 'color' to fill a quota! (Highest test score they had from a person of 'color', at the time, was 37%, I was told.) I could have put in 20-25 years, and been retired with a pension by now, given a fair chance.

That may be why I have a hard time feeling sorry about apologies and name changes. As I said, suck it up, get a life, and work toward rewards for efforts, not be looking for sympathy and handouts.

Obmaessiah forgot what??

Didn't he promise to defend the constitution, uphold the laws, all thst good stuff, back in January? And didn't he campaign on that sort of idea for the year or so before, during the election process?
Or was there some sort of disclaimer, in very fine print, that said he didn't have to pursue anything he didn't agree with, or that radical groups might not like? Like the DOMA, (Defense of Marriage Act,) passed by Congress, restricting certain benefits, etc, to married couples, i.e., one man and one woman, not to pairs of same-sex couples. Too bad they don't like it, but they have enough influence, (read $$$$$$$$,) to get a presidential proclamation, or resolution, or whatever he decided to call it, to allow them certain benefits. Not enough to really make them happy, but a start, and a basis to do more for them again later. I wonder what part of "one man, one woman" they don't understand?? It seems to be very fuzzy in their thinking.
Of course, his recent running around the Middle East and Europe, apologizing for all sorts of 'transgressions' in past years, like overcoming the Nazi's takeover, and things like that, weren't really condoned or encouraged by the oath of office either, are they? Or did I miss more fine print that I thought???
We are in trouble!!!!!

What a switch--------------

Jeremiah Wright's anti-Semitic comments draw ire (OneNewsNow.com) Isn't it strange, how, after being Obamessiah's paster for 20+ years, and getting in so much trouble during the early campaigning, that poor old Jeremaih Wright now can't get to the prez to spread his influence. Oh well--------------

I have been busy

Or lazy, or uninspired--whatever. I did spend a week, after my last posting, working each day, up to 4 and 5 hours, mainly in the sun and heat, and by the time I got home, to recover and shower, I was in no shape to think, or type. Just wanted to eat and crash.
I was repairing stucco, on the side of a garage, from water intrusion during a hurricane. NO, not a real recent hurricane, (didn't want to make you think you missed one,) but the roof had been damaged several years ago, and after getting it fixed, they finally were ready to do the wall as well. Took about a week, but done now.
In the meantime, I have had a chance to watch and fume over our "Christian" claiming president, Obamessiah, running around Europe and the Middle East, doing his best to bolster the Muslim nations, as he attempts to move the US in that direction as well. All kinds of opposition to us claiming to be a Judeo-Christian nation, but fine to do his best to make this a friendly place for Muslims, and reach out to befriend nations that have a hatred for Isreal and the Jewish people! I can't believe the number of Jewish people who fell for his campaign promises and rhetoric, voted for him, and are now getting their beliefs and desires trampled on by "O" running around and kissing up to the very nations that would like to totally abolish the nation of Isreal. And it didn't take long at all. Less than 5 months, and he is not only making all of the decisions about the auto-making industries, banks, health insurance, etc, but trying his best to be buddy-buddy with Islam. But then, he did put that into print in his book, didn't he? And the promises and church claims during the run for the presidency were only verbal, I believe. One can say anything in the heat of battle, can't one?
And a recent internet video, talking of how so many nations are having a birthrate so low as to be unable to sustain themselves, long-term, indicated that the Muslims are going to take over many countries, ours included it seems, by having large families and increasing their numbers from within. Raise your own jihad warriors, it would seem.
I can't believe that we are not far from seeing the end of things, as we know them. So many things point to the coming of the end times, for the world as we know it. I keep waiting for that trumpet sound, announcing our Saviors return.

Disturbs me, how about you??

I think the thing bothering me the most, in the recent days news, is the fact that the decisions about the auto companies 'bankruptcies' and reorganization plans, is that all the decisions seem to be being made by the Obam administration, none of them coming up before Congress for votes or agreements. Does this read "Obamessiah" to anyone.

He claims that he has no desire to 'run' the auto companies, but he is busy telling them what he thinks they should do, for the good of themselves, the country, the ecomony, and the rest of the world. Oh, really?? Having never run a company, or had a real job involving leadership in his previous career history, how is he suddenly so wise, as to make these major decisions, for companies that have been around for most of the past century?

Scares me, and I'm fearless, as the old saying goes. Having read the Left Behind series both completely and repeatedly, and considering the depicted world leader who takes over everything, and then runs the world 'his' way, I can certainly see this man filling the shoes of the world leader to come!! SCARES ME!!!!!!!!

Should have expected this!!

Seems Obamessiah has not just been concentrating on GM and Chrysler, but has also been looking to appease the groups who managed to get him elected, as well. He could not be bothered to acknowledge or take part in the National Day of Prayer, early last month, as his predecessors have, but now has proclaimed the MONTH of June as LGBT month. (Lesbian, Gay, BiSexual and Transgender!) This is NOT the kind of person we needed in the White House, and our country is NOT going to be the better for having him there.

And he has managed to fit this proclamation into his schedule, while also traveling to Europe and the Middle East, doing nice with the Muslim countries, and downgrading Americas role in saving Europe from problems in the past. I am sure that a lot of Jewish people are going to be less than thrilled that they were such strong supporters during the presidential campaign, as well as anyone who fell for the "not Muslim, I'm a Christian" claims that were made. Like so many other campaign promises, this one is beginning to smell like a week old fish.

And now that he has GM and Chrysler/Fiat under his thumb, what is he going to try to take over next? I am afraid we may not make it thru 4 years to the next election time. We need to be ready for something greater to happen.

The "SEASON" begins.

Well, we have gone fron the dryest 6 months, (Nov thru April,) and the wettest May, both records, into the 2009 Hurricane season, without even the bat of an eye for a break. And already, a depression has been watched, but well off the coast, very far north, and headed for the cold upper Atlantic, but hey--an early start.

Forecast over the weekend is for a 'normal' season, what ever that is. Something like 11 named systems, 6 actual hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. But like living in tornado alley, who knows when, where, or if, one might come your way. I might have a different outlook if we lived on the shore, in the Keys, in a high-rise sticking up like a lightning rod, type of thing. So far, in 34 years, I have made it thru a number of hurricanes, several times living in a mobile home, which requires evacuation, and have survived quite well. It becomes a practiced exercise, closing awnings, installing shutters, tying down loose items that might fly away, and then waiting it out, and picking up afterwards as needed. I have to say that I am glad not to have been in the mobile during or after Francis, Jeanne, and Wilma, as it did suffer some little damage during those storms. Not the structure itself, as close as I could tell, but the large awnings and screen porch took a big hit, several times. Actually, the mobile park did quite well, as the homes were built to good specifications, but carports, porches, and roof-overs did not do as well.

Our house has done quite well during the storms that have hit close by, or over the top. (Wilma did a direct hit on Palm Beach County, but we really had no damage.) Of course, there has been some fence repair done, but that has been minor. We did lose a small amount of soffit and fascia cover, mainly because the TV cable got whipped around by the neighbors tree, and got ripped out of the fascia, but $65 worth of material and an afternoons works fixed that. One feature of not having power is having the daily menu decided by whatever has begun to thaw in the freezer, and then figuring out how to fix it, on the gas grill. This time,
I do have a small generator, and it should handle the refrigerator, a fan, a light or two, and possibly the TV, at least on a rotational basis. If the food stays cold, we can handle the rest of things. Or should I add if the roof stays in place, and the food stays cold.

We have elimenated a couple of trees that were a threat, so that is less of a problem. I actually got to experience Wilma, as she came thru during the day. Usually, they seem to hit during the night, and I sleep thru them--just the way it has worked out, I guess. Carol stays awake and worrys enough for both of us, so I figure I might as well get my rest. And the season begins---running thru the end of November. Ah well.

Roller coaster weather

South Florida has had record-setting weather, rainfall specifically, for the last few months. Starting last November, we had the dryest season on record, for a period of 6 months, and the dry conditions have spawned fires, plant losses, all the results of little or no rain coming down. Our fire index for the local counties has been in the RED alert zone---until just the last couple of weeks, that is.

Now, we are approaching the end of May, and the latest weather report is that we are going to set a new record for the largest amount of rainfall, for the month, for a recording period going wayyyyyyy back. We have had flooding in parts of the state, particularly up around Daytona, where they had areas getting 18-20 inches of rain last week alone.

Locally, we have had substantial rain, to say the least. Just this afternoon, we had a sudden, short, 'monsoon' rain, that dropped almost 2 inches here at the house. Ours has been spread out just enough to avoid any damage, but even close by there have been flooded streets, clogged drains and lots of puddles. Seems we have been getting ours in about 2 inch increments, and quite a bit has soaked in. The grass has really perked up. I think the yards are having growing parties!! I did mow the yard yesterday morning, and it was not hard to see where the mower had been, unlike the last couple of times, when only the undesireable weeds had been tall enough to need cutting, and most of the rest barely high enough to reach the mower blades.

I hate to have to go to the doctor tomorrow! We have had my wife's sister here for a two week visit, from Indiana, and we have been hitting a lot of places to eat that we try to avoid most of the time. I have NOT been on the scales, the whole time she has been here, and dislike the idea that the nurse is going to start right off, tomorrow, by checking to see if I have lost any weight!! HA! Not at all likely. And we still have a fair stock of left-overs in the frig, which will need to be gotten rid of, before the possibility of weight loss can be considered. I should have scheduled this visit for just before her visit, not just after. My only chance is to build a 'rack' to sleep on tonight, and try to extend myself about 4-6 inches. Fat chance of that.

Couldn't get the photo to copy, sorry.

In a special news conference yesterday, GovernmentMotors announced its new concept car.... The new GM (Government Motors) proudly introduces the2010 Obama.... This car runs on hot air and broken promises. It hasthree wheels that speed the vehicle through tight left turns.It comes complete with two Teleprompters programmed tohelp the occupants talk their way out of any violations.The transparent canopy reveals the plastic smiles stillon the faces of all the "happy" Democrat owners.

What, no bridge tonight???

No, a very unusual Friday evening, and not sure Carol will survive the traumatic experience! Because her sister is here, visiting from Indiana, we elected not to play, both last week, and this week. I think part of the group did get together last week, but actually, this week, everyone seems to be taking a break.
Of course, this is the start of a holiday weekend, along with graduation time, so people had other things to do that were a little more demanding, since bridge can come by on lots of weeks.
We have had great rains the past few days, after one of the driest 6 month periods on record. Lawns had been looking bad, wildfires happening in a lot of places, no fires allowed, all that sort of thing. We missed the forecast rains on Monday, here at the house, specifically, but we got about 2 inches on Tuesday, got missed again during the day on Wednesday, but got another 2 inches Wednesday night, almost 3 inches Thursday and last night, and after emptying the gauge this morning, we got about another 3/4 of an inch while we went out for late lunch today. The grass has really greened up, (mowing time again,) and we have had a good drenching to help keep the fires from happening. Actually heard that Daytona had 17 inches in places, and Daytona Beach had 20 inches reported. That should help considerably.
It will help the water bill as well, not having to sprinkle the yard to keep from losing the grass totally. Fringe benefit.
Our fosterising neighborhood cat has still been staying close. Here every morning, before we get out of bed, waiting for her daily treat of wet cat food, and then back most days, afternoon or around suppertime, for a little handful of 'kitty treats'. Even has been using our carport as a dry haven during some of the weeks rains. Wonder where she really lives?????????

Finally, I got thru-------------------

No, I did not die, or get lost. I made a slight mistake, just after posting on 4/30, and have been unable to get back online to write. I was trying to post a comment, to a blogspot written by a Grandson, and added a 'gmail' address for myself, to be able to post the comment. Since that time, I have been thwarted from getting to this site, because it kept insisting that I write under the gmail name, but would only take me to a brand new page. I have tried dozens of times. in the meantime, but finally got to it today.

Hopefully, I can now get back more easily. I don't have a lot of time at the minute, but keep looking, and I will try to get backagain soon.

Happy Birthday, Palm Beach County

We are 100 years old today, officially! Time for a party, I do believe. There was quite an interesting article about it in one of the newspaper inserts today.

Originally part of Monroe county, which now is at the very southern FL tip, and includes, Key West, which must have been enormous, and then part of Dade county, (Miami), it became a county of its own on April 30, 1909. In fact, at one time, the county seat of Dade county was in Juno, roughly between Juno Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, in northern PB county. Since its inception, PB county has been pieced off into at least 4 other county units, Broward, Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and Martin counties all taking part of it.

In spite of that, Palm Beach county is still the largest county east of the Mississippi, and larger than the state of Rhode Island! By a sizeable amount, according to Wikepedia. And having only about 5,000 total residents in 1909, the 2006 figures say something over 1,300,000 people now, and one of the 20 most populous counties in the country. (Easy enough to believe during the winter snowbird season and trying to get thru traffic!) Also, according to Wikepedia, we are the most wealthy county in the state. Not sure whether that is a totally good thing or not, if one is not part of that high-dollar income bracket, but it does provide some pretty fancy homes, etc, to drive around and look at. (And wonder just where the $$$ come from to pay for such places.)

Anyhow, it is a big day locally. Not sure if there is going to be any cake to share, but we are going to the Fellowship Dinner at church tonight, (meatloaf--hurray), and rarely is there a shortage of desserts of some kind.

Wonder what the next 100 years will bring? Or even the next 10, if we are still around at that point.

Being 'fostered', I think.

Not sure if there is a better term to use, or not. Being adopted as 'staff' might be more descriptive, were it a full time connection.

Some weeks ago, a very pretty black cat would sometimes be found around our house. Often, in the early morning, (Yes, Virginia, there is a dawn!), she would be resting under my truck, parked in the driveway, and would sometimes sort of mosey over closer to say hello, or whatever. Seems the people across the street had been feeding her, along with their own cats, but they do not lay claim to her, nor did they seem to know just where her official home was.

Other times, she might be sleeping, (a cat-nap, of course,) in our backyard, or we might see her carefully walking along the top of the fence, to get to either the front or rear of our house.

Well, as things go, Carol had occasion to purchase an off-brand of canned tuna a while back, and it had a 'fishy' taste that neither of us liked, but we ate it the first time. The next time she opened a can, again the smell was not real pleasing, and she tried a third can, with the same result. She then opened, and used, a can of her regular brand, and capped the two open cans, thinking perhaps of taking them to the store and checking to see if this was a normal smell/taste. After a couple of days, she hadn't gotten to the store, and happened to mention that just maybe, the cat outside might like some of it. WELL, she not only opened a can of tuna---but a can of worms, as well!!!

By the time the two cans of tuna were gone, a modest portion at a time, the habit of breakfast behind the house was well established, to the point of my feeling bad when I was going to run out of tuna, so I picked up a couple of cans of cat food, and the process began. She is here almost every morning, frequently waiting for us to appear, and sometimes when we happen to go out the utility room door, into the backyard, she will come jumping over the fence from behind our house, and come running up for a treat. She is not getting fed enough to sustain her, at our house, that is, and obviously has others feeding her as well. In fact, the couple across the street have named her "User", for her habit of coming by their house to eat as well.

She always waits so patiently, posing in classic cat poses, and never making any noises, at least until I go out to retrieve her feeding dish, and then she is very verbal, greeting and letting me know how hungry she is. She does not come into the house, although she has gotten curious enough lately that I think she would, given an opportunity, by my wife has no desire for that to happen.

Speaking of being verbal---do cats talk to each other??? This morning, when I looked out to see if she was waiting, she was laying in the grass, and just a couple of feet away, was ANOTHER cat, this one grey and white, maybe a B/F, but the two of them were just waiting for the first sign of life in the house. When I went after the dish, the second one took off, but a couple of minutes later, when I brought the filled dish back, the extra cat was hovering out by the fence, watching the proceedings. (And probably wondering if the feeding dishes only came in singles!) One is enough, cats, that is, but it will be interesting to see if the second one shows up again, even if I did find today the Wal-Mart has the canned food for half what I had paid at the local drug store.

Catching up

My blogger son in Utah has taken me to task for not blogging about the Boynton Beach, FL, lady who called the police last week, telling them that she was watching thieves in her house, as she was on the phone, getting ready to clean out all of the electronics, etc, that they could find.

She had installed the system after being burglarized last fall, and was able to log, with her computer at work, to see what was going on. She did not make a real habit of checking, but had a gut feeling that she needed to do it that day, at just the right time. She saw two guys roaming thru the house, eating food from her frig, and gathering items together, ready to load them into a van, driven by two other BGs, who were raiding a neighboring home while they waited!!

It was interesting to see the BGs suddenly dash from front to back of the house, only to discover that the local PD had the house surrounded, as well as stopping the van! My son was quick to point out that the technology used for the surveillance came from a company out in Utah.

And now for the bad news----the noon news broadcast reported that the BGs had all gotten out on bail already!! Nothing like a quick turn-around. It will take a WHOLE lot longer than that for them to see the inside of a courtroom, and face a jury, I am sure. Hopefully, to provide them with some time in jail. Which will probably be used to find out how to avoid getting caught the next time. Certainly not to learn some job skills, to avoid having to get their cash by robbing homes. After all, w-o-r-k is a 4 letter word.

So much for political rhetoric------------

And it hasn't taken long, either. During the campaign recently, Rev Rick Warren pointedly asked both candidates, for their definition of marriage, and both men responded that it was between one man and one woman, the Biblical definition. But already, barely two months into office, the now President has deliberately opted to bring in gay and lesbian couples and their 'children' for the Easter Egg Roll, seeking to normalize, or legitimatize, these supposed couples as part of his agenda.

And where has our "Christian--non/Muslim" President been this past week? Busy making overtures with the leaders of Muslim countries, trying his best to get them into his fold of friends and allies. And of course, offering Hamas millions of $$$ recently, to allow them to rebuild their damage, caused when Isreal attacked to stop the over-the-border rocket attacks killing Isreali people! What does Hamas expect, when they keep shooting rockets into villages unprovoked? Do they Isreal is just going to set back and let it continue? Anyone with two good brain cells to rub together should know that Isreal does not have a reputation for allowing that sort of thing to continue, without putting a stop to it under their own conditions. And Hamas crying about losing civilians?? If they had any guts, they would not be hiding behind women and kids! Isreal went out of their way, to broadcast warnings, to allow civilians to leave areas that were going to come under fire, and what did Hamas do? All the big important men(?) gathered their families around them for protection. If they want to fight a war, it is about time for them to organize, wear uniforms, and be prepared to stand on their own and fight, not hide like the bunch of cowards they are.

What kind of an outcry would there be, if our troops in Iraq, decided to dress like the population, to make it easier to infiltrate and sneak up on the opponents? But it is fine, by their standards, to wear normal civilian dress, hide their weapons, and move about with families in tow, for cover. We would have been victors, and our men home by now, if they were up against a real 'army'. Civilian causalties--unfortunate--but of their choosing, not our soldiers choice.

Would you believe 17 below???

OK, not below zero, but below normal for this time of the year. And Monday we were up to record setting highs, in the 90s. Sure be glad when it settles down, and stays warm/hot/whatever you want to call it. But highs in the 80s would suit me. The winds have been high along with the low temps, until today, so yesterday was rather nasty outside.

I put on a heavy shirt yesterday, to go out and mow, and it was still nippy, particularly in the front yard. The back, being all fenced in, was not quite so bad. Dry conditions have not made the grass grow as well as normal, but once again, there were tufts of high grass, and some weeds, that were doing well, so a quick cutting was needed. I think a blade sharpening is also needed, and can hardly wait to figure out how to jack up the front, to be able to get at the blades under the deck. I did pick up a spare belt, to drive the blades, at HD yesterday. Hoping not to get caught with a broken belt in the middle of a mowing session. I will take a look at the original when I get to the blades, and decide whether or not to replace it at that point, but at least a spare is at hand.

At the very least, having to replace belts during the middle of mowing, beats the need for replacing belts, or worse, in the middle of a snowblowing job!

Talk about rapid advances

Isn't it amazing how, in just a couple of short months, our esteemed leader, Obamessiah himself, has gone from an inexperienced, unproven politician, to knowing how to run, GM, Chrysler, the big banks, and every other business or country losing money and having difficulties staying afloat in the financial crisis we are in.

What we really need is for him to take over the stock markets, get the Dow back up to 14,000, and have everyone smiling again. I know quite a few people who, were this to happen, and their retirement accounts becoming full again, would pull it out in cash, and sleep on it! Having a lumpy mattress under them would be so comforting/comfortable! And then we could buy cars, make mortgage payments, eat out, all the good things that seem to be put on hold at this point. The idea floating around of giving $1M to each of 40 million people, cheaper than bailing out one of the big mortgage banks, that would allow them to retire, buy a car, and a home, and leave 40 million job openings for the rest of the country, sounds like a great idea. And I promise to spend it very wisely, Mr President, if I may have mine in nice crisp $100 bills, please. ($20 bills would make such a messy pile.) And I would be willing to travel, speading my wealth around the country, and making everyone very happy. I PROMISE!!!!!!

Oh well, so much for dreaming. Never will I get to have a "Washington Job". Actually, having paid my taxes as they fell due, I guess I don't qualify for a cabinet position, or any such political plum. Besides, I probably would be inclined to tell the Obummer what I thought of his ideas, and lose the job anyhow. Such is life in the real world.

I think he likes the title

Referring to our 'glorious' leader of course, none other than Obamessiah. Have you noticed how he keeps using the phrase, "I am the President of the United States", like it is a magical incantation, covering him with power of some kind. It seems to come out when someone questions his judgement, decisions, or cabinet choices, as if it were the ultimate answer to any of their questions.

In as much as it boils down to "The Buck Stops Here", he may change, one of these times, to allowing that some of the possible bad ideas may have come from someone else, particularly during these times of financial meltdown.

During one of the TV programs he was on yesterday, he made a statement about Sec. Tim Geitner, about the ' great job' he was doing, that sounded a lot like President Bush and his "Great Job, Brownie" statement in New Orleans a couple of years ago, that came back to bite him in the rear very shortly thereafter. Wonder if the same might happen again, in the near future?

Like Andy Rooney, "Just wondering?"

Been a wet one----------

Once it started, it stayed for a while. The weather pattern brought in a front that hung over south Florida, and RAINED!!! We had 2.75 inches by Thursday morning, another 1.75 by Friday morning, followed by a good 2 more on Saturday, and .6-.7 added on Saturday. Totaled up to 7+ inches, with a bright, sunny, windy, day today. And it came steadily enough that I think a lot soaked in, not running away. Yard looks much better now.

It did not make up for the total deficit, as we were low by 14-15 inches or so, since last November, but it sure was great. Not all areas got the same, (typical of Florida,) but we were fortunate this time. Now to get the mower fired up! Glad we get ours in liquid form. That would have made a LOT of snow to shovel, plow, blow, and fuss at.

What is that stuff?????

Oh yes, now I remember. It is called rain, isn't it? Been so long since we had a day like today, it was hard to remember. One of the slow, steady, soaker kinds, that we need so badly. We have had about 1 1/2 inches so far, since last evening, and as dry as it has been, I am sure most will soak in, with this kind of rain. I even ventured out, (with an umbrella,) and turned off the sprinkler system, due to come on again tomorrow morning. No need to spend the $$$ with free rain coming down. We had been getting promises from the weather forecasters for a long time, but finally, there is a large pattern coming ashore that is deleivering the goods.

Might be a good time to catch up on some emails, particularly reading the USCCA letters and articles. (Concealed Carry), to the uninitiated. The articles come frequently, and often require some extended reading, so they don't always get opened and read right away.

Might even write to my daughter, and remind her that she is due to blog again! OK, Pooh???

Hit the big 8-0 today---------

Actually, 81!! No, not years old--give me a break! Temperature in the carport, I was speaking of, while I was painting out there. Final peak was 84+, but that was when the sun was way in the west, and hitting the sensor directly for a little while, but the 81.2 was in the shade, about 4 in the afternoon, DST.

DST------I did not want to get out of bed Sunday, for sure, and didn't get out very early today. Going to take a few days to get used to the change. Sunday was tough, trying to get under motion to make it to church by around 8am. Everyone seemed a little slow in moving around, so guess it wasn't just me. Even the Pastor seemed ready for a nap.

I did mow the lawn today. Had not done it for a while, and we are short on rainfall enough that even watering only keeps it green, not thriving. Of course, some spots needed a trim, so the whole thing had to be mowed. It does look better. And then I got around to cutting in the inside carport wall, that hadn't gotten painted with the rest of the house. I really dislike painting white on white. It is so hard to tell where you have been. Even repainting the same color, with Latex paint, is not so hard, as it darkens as it dries, but white is a real bear. There are some ceiling paints out that actually have a tint, either blue or pink, to let you see where you have been, and then when it dries, it turns white. Sure could use some additive to do that with white exterior house paint, to make the job easier.

Palm Beach County lost another of their commissioners last Friday, or at least the resignation was Friday, effective the end of April. Reason for this one, was health problems, bad knees mainly, it seems. She should have just not run for reelection last November, and let the voters pick a replacement, but she 'wanted to teach the Republicans a lesson' --her words. She is from a very strong black community, and got 70+% of the vote, and wants to put the pressure on the governor to appoint another lady Democrat to fill the post, until a special election in 2010. I guess not running would have been to easy, and she would not be able to run again in 2012, due to term limits. She has been in trouble with LEOs in the past, telling young black drivers NOT to stop, if a police officer, particularly white ones, told them to pull over, but to drive to an area where they had lots of friends around!! She almost caused a riot in her office, when she said that, which was the aftermath of an officer shooting a teen, unlicensed, driving down a sidewalk at a school dance, refusing to stop. The driver lost his life, the officer lost his career, and the city of Delray lost several million $$$s over it. Bad choices by kids wanting to be drivers and BMOC. And two men are still fighting over who gets the money the courts awarded, the biological father , who had had NO contact with the kids until a possible $$$ settlement was in the works, or the man who raised the kids, along with the mother. Great father figures!

The safety of jail

Just thinking of Bernie Madoff, and saw a recent video of him with a mob of cameramen and reporters, and someone reached thru and shoved or pushed him. With an apparent plea deal in the works, and the possibility that he might not spend any/much time in jail, I would not expect his life expectancy to be too great. Someone who lost their life savings, and is now facing poverty, might decide to get even, on their own terms.

Not a personal problem, and I have absolutely no money invested with this loser, but a followup TV news story was about a relatively young couple, who had retired, sold their home, and were traveling the country in a very nice motorhome---except that now they are in Arizona, and do not have enough money to fill the fuel tank of the motorhome. Figuring diesel at about $2.50-3.00 a gallon, and a 100 gallon tank needing to be filled, maybe 80 gallons, this would be something up to $250. They showed their last statement from Madoff, with a balance of $1,666,xxx, evidently totally gone, at this point.

Bernie---for your own good, as for jail time, and be glad for the builtin security. You are too old and ugly to be anyone's 'girl-friend' behind bars, so opt for 8'x8', three meals a day, and a shower once in a while. It could be a good deal in the long run.

FYI

The heading at the top of my last post, is a hyper-link, that should take you to a short video. Hope you will look at it.

Amazing video of information

Suzanna Gratia-Hupp: What the Second Amendment is REALLY For
This video was sent to me recently, and being the gun-fancier that I am, I found it to me very informative, and a tremendous plea for the Concealed Carry Permits and wave sweeping the country, and which the new administration seems so bent upon destroying. Recent events in Orange County, CA, have the appointed, (not elected,) sheriff in the process of stripping permits from about 400 legal holders, whom she deems unnecessary. She is threatening to do it in a way that causes a permanent 'criminal' blot on what can be a perfectly spotless record. Simply because she chooses to do so, and unfortunately, the county commissioners, who appointed her to take over after the elected sheriff was unable to fulfill the post, do not have the desire, or the backbone, to throw her back out of the position.

Our new president is filling his cabinet with people who are opposed to legal carrying, for personal and family protection. Why doesn't he set an example by laying off the Secret Service people who provide him with 24/7 coverage, and see how secure he would feel. Our local police officers are NOT in the business of protecting, (proactively,) the average John Doe, man-on-the-street! They show up reactively after the fact, in too many cases, and then try to find the so-called bad guy, who is often armed, without a permit, because he could not get one if he tried!!! But does that stop him from obtaining a weapon?? Not on your life--which very well may be what hangs in the balance. He will steal one, buy an already stolen one, or whatever it takes to be armed. Felon record be hanged!!

Just recently, a well regarded Kiddle School teacher was awakened about 1:30 am, by his dogs barking, and got up to investigate, arming himself with his .38 revolver, luckily, as he was met bu an armed intruder, carrying a Glock automatic. The intruder fired, and thankfully miss, but the teacher returned fire, and thankfully, once again, was better at aiming and hitting his target, and the intruder was killed. Way to go, teacher. Passed the test with flying colors, saved his and his wife's lives, and saved the state many $$$ by not having to house, try, convict, etc, a person who would have gotten out in a few years, at most, and would be back trying again ASAP. I have no problem with that.

Gun control: Is hitting what you are aiming at!!

Jacket weather again, but---------------

it is so much nicer than what is happening up north , again!! (And again, and again, it seems.) My daughter in Grand Rapids, MI, blogged that they had already had 104 inches of snow this year, as of last Thursday, I think, and were within 3 inches of a new record total for the year. With the storm last weekend, they may have their new record by now!

I am still trying to figure out the theory of global warming, and my kids in the northern part of the country have been no help at all, in coming up with a reasonable explanation. Seems every thime we try to get into a discussion about it, they have to take a break, and go out to shovel snow, or move a stuck car, or some activity like that!! How does this all fit in? (I know, check with Al Gore, right?) We had 84-85 last Friday or Saturday, and 48 here this morning. No snow, of course, and unfortunately, very little rain, either, but it was another long pants/warm shirt/jacket day, and not much better yet tomorrow. Still needing rain, mainly, as the overall ground in very dry, and ready to burn.

My blogger son in Utah keeps mentioning have to keep his loaned/neighbors snowblower in repair, so that he can keep both their drives cleared, but with his rotator cuff problems in the past, snow-blowing seems a great alternative to snow-shoveling. Besides, thais way, he has the engine exhaust to stay warm with. I think all of the spread-out family will be glad to see Spring finally arrive. Carol's son in central GA was getting COLD weather, rain, and sleet yesterday---no fun at all. And I am sure he would much rather have been out getting his garden started, than in the house staying dry and warm.

We had a wonderful concert at our church yesterday afternoon. One of our members from the north, (Ohio in the summer, and here in the winter,) has a grand-daughter who sings on the New York stage, and has a great voice, and personality as well. She sang Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, at the age of about 15, traveling with Mickey Rooney, et al, has been in several major shows, and recently did the title role in Evita, with a musical theater group in Michigan. In fact, she did Don't Cry For Me, Argentina for her encore, which was very appropriate, as our talented organist/pianist/choir director is from Argentina! The two of them do a fabulous job together, in spite of very limited practice time together. I think she would be perfectly happy to take him to Broadway with her! She was in a state of Euphoria, along with everything else, as she had just become engaged a couple of days before she came down, and had to take a quick break to get rid of the tears, after doing a medley of love songs as an opener. Our church becomes a PACKED house for her singing. Last year the overflow had to sit in the choir loft chairs, and she had sort of a 'theater in the round', but this year, we had a lot of extra chairs in every available space, to get everyone in front of her. Oh yes, one of the shows she was in was Les Mizerables, which was not on her program, but she said maybe next year. And she does all of this as a fund-raiser for the music department for our church! Her Grandmother even buys her plane ticket down and back, and we get the blessing of hearing her sing! Is that great, or what?

Weekend at the funeral home

No, not for me, even if my knees did object to the grouting. But I did get the grouting done, on Tuesday, as scheduled, and the project does look good. Now I need to figure out how to inject a photo into this blog. (Actually, I had gotten this far just a minute ago, and then tried to get a photo in, and ended up losing the whole thing.) Maybe the photo will follow later.

Actually, a neighbor passed away last Wedneday, and we were at the funeral home for the visiting hours yesterday, and the funeral service this morning. She was 94 years old, had arthritis very badly, and had been in severe pain for quite some time, and wanting to be gone, and have the suffering gone as well. She had a stroke 2 weeks ago, had gone into the hospital, and transferred to hospice a couple of days later. She looked much more at peace in her casket. She had no family left, other than her son, who had provided care for many years, particularly the last year, after he retired, to be able to stay home and care for her, almost 24/7. Carol would go over at times, just across the street, when the son needed to go to the doctor, etc, for himself. Carol has known her for almost 45 years--they are the last of the original neighbors that were here when Carol arrived in '64.

I had just read an article in the latest Smithsonian magazine, that was quite interesting. The author had had occasion to bury both his father, and his father-in-law, just a few days apart, in two different states, and had quite varied and interesting burials for each. For the one, in Maine, the family was able to prepare the body, build their own casket, (Home Depot--You can do it, we can help.) And make arrangements for cremation, not without some difficulties in being allowed to transport the body, but they got it done. The second funeral, in Michigan, had to deal with a lot more mandates and restrictions, and obviously, expense, as well. In Maine, the casket cost $91 to build, and $350 for cremation, not sure if the urn was included, or what. In Michigan, the cost was over $11,000, even with what they considered a moderately priced casket. Quite a difference.

In discussion with the funeral directors, and stating my desire to have a RED casket with Chrome handles, they agreed that it probably would be most possible, provided I built and supplied my own, which is permissible, and then could have what I wanted. And at a most reasonable price, as well. I do not see this as a major hurdle, as I can handle the construction, at least at this point in time. My biggest concern is storage until it is needed. Short of using the finished project as a storage cabinet of some kind, until it is needed for a final container, I do not know where I could store it. But I will give it some thought, and see what I can come up with. Hmmmmm, wonder if H-D or Lowes has the best selection of handles??

A whole week already?

Time flies when you are having fun, or when the years accumulate and everything is downhill, I guess. Have been busy, either working, or managing to avoid work, since the last post. Tiling job has progressed. Not finished, but progressed. Managed to seal the chatahoochee three coats, and all of the tile has been set, just not grouted yet. Probably Tuesday, as I have enough lined up to keep me occupied tomorrow.

Besides, my knees keep telling me to put it off! The actual setting of the tiles went rather well, actually. They had all been cut and dry-fit, and the actual cementing of them to the slab went fairly quickly, and I was able to kneel on the grass, as well as my knee-pads, so it was tolerable. The grouting takes a little longer, so keep putting it off, waiting for a day when I 'want my knees to keep me awake'! Hasn't shown up on the calendar yet.

Actually, had a couple of doctor visits this past week. The cardiologist sort of flew in-and-out of the exam room, staying long enough to recommend another pill each day, (fish oil,) and see him in 7 months. The urologist was in the room slightly longer, but said they would send a card in a year, and make my appoointment when I got the card. My kind of scheduling. Then he wants an x-ray, to check for any new kidney stones forming. (I hope NOT!!)

Looks like another busy one coming, perhaps with both activities like the past one.

Is it gone yet???

The unusual cold weather, that is. We tied some records this past week, for low temps, and the local growers have been hit pretty hard again, although not wiped out, or so they seem to think. Frost and freezing is not going to help produce prices in the least.

But today is much better, headed for the mid 70s, and forecasts of low 80s for midweek are a nice thing to look forward to again. I have some outdoor projects waiting for warm
weather again. Sure don't want to do pressure cleaning, or the tiling project, when any trip out of doors requires a jacket! That was what I left Ohio to get away from, many years ago now, but at least, no snow or slush to require the use of boots around here. And from the reports, people up north would be delighted with the temps we have had. (Come for a visit, and bring money, Florida can use the green stuff.)

I guess 2009 is officially off to a start, now. The first NASCAR of the year was on last night, the BUD Shootout. I don't usually like Saturday night races, as they run so late that I am in bed, needing to get my sleep before Sunday morning. However, the Shootout was only 75 laps, only scheduled for 2 hours, and due to be off just before the 10 pm news. With a record number of crashes and caution periods during the race, they did not quite get in done before 10, but not long after, and besides, the news we watch is on the channel the race was on, so the news did not overlap or conflict.

Due to a very limited chance to run the cars and do testing during the offseason, this was as much a testing race as anything, and the number of crashes showed it. Cars were not set up ideally for the track yet, many of the drivers were in different cars from last year, and had different pit crews and crew chiefs, so it was a rather wild race. Seems a lot of teams were testing setups, and trying to be in a better position to be ready for next weeks Daytona race, to go for points and prestige, with the big race. The restrictor plate races are not as exciting, in a lot of ways, as regular races, and the plates really do cause the cars to be very evenly matched. Of course, having 10-12-20 cars all running bumper to bumper, and door handle to door handle, at 190 mph does have excitement, but not the same as allowing different cars/teams to get the most out of their cars as they can. Glad there are only a couple of plate-races during the year.

It was interesting to see the new team/driver combinations, as there has been a lot of changes this year, as well as several new teams formed. It will take some getting used to, to quickly recognize drivers in new car numbers, some with different powerplants under the hood, but all battling with the Car of Tomorrow, bigger, wider, taller than the old ones used to be. BUT---SAFER! Bad crashes happen, but very seldom is there injuries. The tougher cars, and safer soft-walls, are making it a much safer sport. Even with some nasty crashes, cars demolished, upset, hit several times, it is VERY rare that the driver does not crawl out, wave to the crowd, and walk to the ambulance for the required visit to the care center, exiting the CC minutes later with a cold drink in his hand, and talking to the TV reporters, ready to go back and try it again. And that is a good thing.

Looks like I had better make this a busy week, at least between doctor appointments. Nothing serious, just checkup time.

If I was in trouble before,

I am in bigger trouble now, looking at the date of my last blog. It is surprising that my daughter has not taken me to task again. Not that nothing has been going on, but more like too much going on, or the chilly weather in south FL has gotten to me, or whatever.

I intended to get online last week, but got involved in a tiling job, here at the house, over several days, that made me want to just curl up and let the Tylenot try and do its job! I am not thrilled about doing tiling, and my knees and back were singing the chorus to that, loud and clear, after just a couple of hours on my knees on several afternoons. Even with my kneepads, I can hardly get up from the ground after kneeling for a hour or so. Must have something to do with my drivers license! (Like the DOB!) And I still have more to do. I can hardly wait. Just doing a tile border around two sides of our carport, to keep the chatahoochee from being damaged. The raw edge has been crumbling away, a little at a time, leaving part of the underlying slab exposed, so we had 8 inches of it removed, or as much of 8 inches as was still there, and I am placing an 8 inch tile along the edge. The tile is about the same thickness as the chatahoochee, so it is grouting in well.

Of course, 8 inch tile are mostly a thing of the past, so we had to purchase 16x16 tile, with a pattern looking like 4-8 inch tiles, and saw them into 8x16 sections to make it work. As I have a friend with a diamond-blade wet saw, which I can borrow, the cutting to fit is the easy part, partially because it is done standing up! I have about 1/2 of the length done, and the rest cut and dry fit, waiting for a nice day to work outside. With yesterdays cool front having come in, (48 to start the day today,) and a freeze warning for tomorrow, it may be a few days before it gets finished.

A funeral (memorial) service to attend tomorrow, and doctor appointments scattered thru the week, will get first priority over crawling around on mu knees.

Besides, the Super Bowl kept me busy Sunday. I think there was 8 hours of hype, on TV, before the kickoff ever happened, which I managed to avoid almost entirely, but when the game started, it was a real intense struggle. Probably the best game I have watched for a long time. Not a blowout, but a tough, back and forth struggle, right to the end. Two of the standouts, one on each team, are from Palm Beach county, from small towns out by Lake Okeechobee, which sort of added to the fun. Never made it to the South Florida Fair this year, however. For one thing, the weather got chilly and damp, not unusual for fair time, but we did got go at all. Maybe next year. (Assuming I survive without my fix of sausage sandwich, elephant ears, and blooming onions.) We don't ride the rides, but look around, people watch, and EAT!!! Oh yes, kettle corn and fudge make good fillins, as well. Got to quit writing, I am getting hungry.

I'm in trouble

My usually slow to blog daughter reminded me last night that she had blogged twice, or at least she and her daughter, had blogged twice, since my last post. Of course, our phone call was the result of a strange call on her cell phone, saying it had been found in a shopping cart at Sam's Club, in GR, and a manager was trying to return it. Which was certainly nice of her. She had gone thru the phones directory, looking for a contact, to relay word of the whereabouts of the phone.

It would seem that either Mel never put I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency,) into her phone, with her husbands #, or the manager did not know to look for it there, but at least the call was made, and Mel can get her phone back. (Probably already has!)

Not that there has been nothing to blog about, just that I have either been too tired, or too lazy, to pound the keys as needed. I have been feeling much better, and so, I have been working lately again. This past week has been spent, mainly fixing up a condo kitchen and misc other repairs. Removed cove lighting, dropped the lighting fixtures to cabinet tops, and added a crown molding to the top of the cabinets, to decorate and hide the old light fixtures. Added under cabinet lights as well.

Still have several other locations calling for my help, and on the home front, we got a call to pick up the tile we ordered for the carport border, so that is also ready for some attention. Except I need to dress/coat the chatahootchee before I start working with any
mortar and/or grout, so that it does not soak into the chatahootchee. And the lawn needs mowing, as well, so I am no longer 'looking' for things to do. They seem to be looking for me instead.

Quite a week coming up. Just came from another funeral at church, the second we were at in 8 days, having lost two stalwarts of the faith recently.
Of course, Monday is MLK day, not that it will be much of a personal holiday. No paid time off, parties, or any such thing. Just another day without mail delivery. Must be a paid day off for a lot of people! And then on Tuesday, the President-elect gets ready to discover just how big a chunk he bit off for himself. Time for all of the campaign promises to start coming true, right? Of course. NO PROBLEM!! Until the realization of the economy, job losses, housing problems, crooks, swindlers, etc. really land on him. Good luck!
Speaking of which, (crooks, swindlers), PB county has had another commissioner hit the dusty road to self-ruin. One of the major mouths of the commission has suddenly come under indictment, and pleaded guilty to lining her own pockets, and her husbands, by directing the county's bond purchasing into the company that her husband works for, and moving various bonding items around to benefit him/her in the process. Oh yes, same being done with a local city as well. She now faces up to 5 years as a guest of the state, and the husband may see up to 3 years, as well. Probably will be tough to arrange visits if they end up in different venues of incarceration. Too bad. She has long been a critic of almost everyone else on the comm, and suddenly she is in tears and pleading guilty. This is now at least #5 of the local politicians in trouble, and more than that, if you want to count Mark Foley and Tim Mahoney, altho they have not been linked with the major money frauds, just a lack of morals and judgement.

So there have been things going on, keeping us busy. That and a sack of pecans, burlap sack that is, probably 40 pounds or so, that arrived at Christmas time, and still have not all been cracked and shelled. But down to the last 6 quarts or so of them. Carol had made some with a coating baked onto them for treats at Bridge last night------boy did they go away quickly. Made a real hit. Went away a lot quicker than they come out of the shells.
At least we have not been fighting the bitter cold and snow/ice/slick streets that the rest of the country has been getting. And that is a good thing, and plenty reason enough to live in south Florida and have an occassional hurricane come by for a visit. Works for me.