Phone Spam

 Just had our 3rd phone call of the day from who knows who.  We get them all day.  Usually, there is a phone call about 10 a.m. followed by a noon call.  Finally, 3 p.m. brings the third call.  Sometimes we get two more - about 6  and around 8 p.m.

All calls are either: 1-888 numbers, Wireless caller,  toll free call,  unknown name, Corsicana mattress factory, and my favorite Unavailable.  Sprinkled liberally are names of cities and towns from all over the world:  St. Louis, Victoria, Dallas, Buchanan Dam, Wichita Falls, Mobile - ah, they come fast and furious.  

Finally, unrecognizable names of individuals darken our phone's window.  We've never heard of these people, probably never want to.  Most of the names are not good ole American names like John, Joe, Pete, William, Mary Lou ..... most are strange names like Fredri or Jimm or Pate.  One of my all time favorite calls came from XXXXXXXXXX, TX.   You may not recognize that number - it is a little porn store out on the highway.

I use to never answer any call - I'd look at the phone and leave it nestled on the cradle.  Our phone has taken on a strange ring - it will ring 3 times and shut down.  If we are nowhere near the phone, we never make it on time.  If someone has left a previous message - un-erased - the phone rings once and goes to call messaging.  Sad, but true.

One day a month or so back, I picked up the phone and answered, "Hallow."  I tried to make it sound like a computer answering the phone - in my best imitation  -  Allow or Hallow or Howdy. After answering I sit and wait.   I have found that my answering skills seem to be answered by silence.  No noise.  Then, after 5 to 10 seconds, the phone clicks as they hang up.

Think of the best computer voice you can create.  Say one word, "HELL-ooowww."  No noise, silence.  Once when there was no answer or click, I repeated myself.  With that I followed with,    "It's your turn -  hey,  your nickel; you called me first."   There was sputtering then silence and the click - no message ever,  

The only problem with this method - sometimes a real person calls to talk to us.  Then, I apologize and explain what I am doing.  One lady said she thought I was a computer generated  machine.  Score!

and so we go - 

Nuff for now.  Oscar is calling me to the ball playing field.  It is time to go.

Mtz

April 2nd

It's been a month since I visited here. Didja miss me?
Lots of water has passed under the bridge since last time.  I have mowed my lawn 3 times.  Now, that is worth mention.   3 times and it is only April 2nd.  It will be a long summer.
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Might mention that the water line to my water sprinkler has broken.  Imagine, close your eyes, hum, imagine, I have a dock 100 ft from the shoreline.  On the dock is a water pump pulling water from the lake.  I have a 100+ft pvc water line going from the pump to my sprinklers.  Winter destroyed part of this line.  It must be replace.
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Also, from the house to the dock, I have a fresh water line.  City water goes to the dock for drinking and washing hands and whatever is needed.  This is another 100+ pvc pipe exposed to the elements.  It has snapped during one of the winter storms.  The dock walkway and sea wall face into the north wind and waves.  it gets beat to death during a storm.
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So I have to go out and remove boards from the walkway, locate the broken PVC pipe and replace.  It is not really hard work - just time consuming and a bit back breaking leaning over the water like that.  I could pay a guy to do it...Prolly about 2 to 3 hundred bucks.  Think how many Big Gulps I could buy with that dough.  If the weather will just warm up a few more degrees, I'll start.  You may not realize that standing over the cold water is a bit colder than standing over land.
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When last we met, the check engine light was on for the Flex.  Ford couldn't figure it out since the light went away and then came back and then went away...you get the picture.  I saw that it would come back on after filling the gas tank.  The flex has no gas cap,  that's not it.  I filled the car up one day- boom, there's the light - the next morn, I drove the light to the Ford house and didn't shut off the engine.  Their computer found the problem - some vacuum switch was being affected by too much gas in the tank building up pressure.  New switch order, new switch installed, no more light.  Me Happy.
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Last week we took sister-in-law Earline and 2 of her retirement home facility ladies to the Dallas  Arboretum.  We ate at Panchos and made the park by 12:30ish.  The two ladies took off at a fast clip and we sauntered along at a  relaxed pace.   A couple of hours later, they had walked the entire facility, and we hadn't.  But, we were worn out anyway.  Met at the car and headed for our respective homes.  All-in-All a nice day with good company.
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Saw the puppies at Canton this past weekend.  I do love to see a happy puppy.  I wish I could take them all home.   Y'know, I do not believe I have met an unhappy puppy other than ones I see on TV advertising animal control problems.  Those are really sad.  There were 3 different guys with pit bulls at Canton.  We just happened to be at the right spot when all 3 met for the first time.  Why would anyone have a pit bull?  It just doesn't make sense especially when you could have a wire-hair dachshund.  No logic.

Met daughter Laura and husband Tom at the Chinese restaurant in Canton for lunch.  They went on to the dog park to look for a rabbit cage - we went to the flea market.  It was cold.  We only lasted about 2 hours before freezing.
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Granddaughter Kayla turned 14 this past week.  Two more years and she'll be driving.   That should cause somewhat of a panic in Lubbock.  Brother Pat turns  "secret" this coming weekend and daughter-in-law Penney follows suit a couple days later.  'Tis the season to age gracefully.
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Wife went to quilt guild yesterday leaving me at home to fix my own lunch.  I opened a can of cold Salmon, cut a fresh onion, opened a can of cold pork n beans, plus crackers.  A feast for a king.  We learned this meal as children.  I realize not everyone thinks this sounds good.  My wife carried the trash to the curb (containing the opened salmon can) as soon as she arrived home.  Add a little Tabasco to the beans - yum.  It use to better when I could actually find red salmon instead of this pink stuff.  But it works.
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I am sure that I have something else to add.  Can't think of it.  Maybe later.
m

Here's something:  April fool's jokes.  Airstream sent out an email yesterday showing their new model the Bearstream.   Be sure to follow the link to the next page to see the rest of the joke:

https://www.airstream.com/bearstream-travel-trailer-2019/?utm_campaign=April%20Fools%202019&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=71316811&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8o8oZHU0w1s_LUS_I8lWp3kvUPwjtWgGi7Nkh7AqZtvieJzNNgExA4OAImZcoC3OiACnjvvCC9g5I6Cz8QB5cQF1_cWA&_hsmi=71316575

And Yellowstone sent out a link to a job search for new positions being filled.   I thought it was funny.  Be sure to follow links to the end.   (aside note:  Yellowstone hires about 3000 people every summer to work).

https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/join-our-team/now-hiring-for-unique-yellowstone-jobs/?utm_source=RPI&utm_medium=email&utm_content=99730&utm_campaign=YNP_190401_TacOffer_Bday_Guest&PID=19173532&PN_email=NkQuUPb3qG2jkYqYNREwuXi50kgZ2eJOi63YloJ1xzI%2BvvR%2F9gUYnANHrfGVirTEIlpaWsdtYZTFotlsxyAsF0mVOMrFiq%2B7iikjqi3OOBI%3D

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If you are into band things, I saw where a M.S. band director handed out the 1812 Overture to his 6th grade beginners yesterday telling them to be prepared.....etc.

It took about 5 minutes before a student called his hand on it.   April Fools !!!!

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now over and out.

m

Feb 8

Friday, Feb 8th-
Somewhat not a busy week.  
Cold outside.  Down in the low 30's or upper 20's ... not common for this area.  A band of sleet and snow rolled over us this evening, but nothing fell in our yard.  It is wet out there and cold.  I do not want to spend the night outdoors.
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Across the lake from us is this area of grass? I think it is grass.  Often on a Friday or weekend night, you see car lights over there - and other lights - sometimes a bonfire - sometimes I hear music (well, really mostly I hear the bass line booming across the lake).  Usually this happens when it gets a bit warmer.  I figure it is a regular beach party or fishing party with food and beer and lots of noise. 
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It is freezing out there right now and I see headlights of 2 different cars.  go figure.  Sometimes I wonder if this is really a marijuana field - harvest at night.  But, since it has frozen earlier, I cannot believe they are harvesting anything.  Nope, it is a drinking party.  Now, I wonder if it is just a bunch of teenagers who have found a place to be bad.

I could walk across the lake and see what is happening - some night.  Even being this cold, the lake won't freeze over.
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On Wednesday the Vet called.  We picked up our Greta's ashes.  Now we are trying to find some type of Urn to help us keep all of our dog's ashes.  I don't know why we do this to ourselves.
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Today is the 10th birthday of my twin boys Oscar and Bruno.  I think Oscar was a bit disappointed because it was so cold.  Who could play ball longer than 5 minutes?  I couldn't.  He could though.   Bruno has been okay since I have slipped him a couple extra cookies today.  Ten years old.  Dog years would be about 70 years old.   They don't act 70.
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I interrupted my typing to have a snack.  Tonight it was a glass of tomato juice spiked with extra salt and Tabasco.  Two boiled eggs topped off the snack time.  Before I ate, I had to give the dogs  an animal cracker.  They like animal crackers, and they are cheap to buy.  
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Now I am sitting and watching a CSI TV show while typing and drinking a big glass of Raspberry flavored ice tea.  Lipton's tea.  Raspberry tea after supper;  Peach tea in the afternoon;  and Lemon tea for meals and earlier morning.  In years past I always drank Nestea.  It tasted better to me.  Then, as with many things, my type of Nestea disappeared off the grocery shelves.    I try not to drink tea before 10 a.m. so nobody will think I am an addict.  

That's it
Happy Birthday to Fli --- and Oscar & Bruno!!!
tomorrow should be warmer.
m

Paranoia - Walmart shopping

My blog tells me I have had 57,500 + views.  Really.   Sure, they are worth it.  Just ask me; I'll tell ya.  57,500+ views.  Keep reading.  This one is okay.
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I went to town today, Tuesday.  My Timex had quit ticking.  It took some licks, and didn't keep ticking...Yuk Yuk - ticks me off.
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The Wrist Watch Stone first:   Back when I retired in 2004 we had our final spring concert in Manor.  It was an okay concert - good crowd .... regulars, you might say.  At the end of the concert the Band Boosters presented me a retirement / going away gift /  a very nice wrist watch.  It really was.   I was pleased to be remembered.

Inscribed on the back was a phrase which I often used -  my administration hated it with a fervor -  "Don't do stupid things."  I could have said "Do smart things ."  The Adm. would have liked that.   But this is not what you'd expect from me.  The students understood.  Only the M.S. administration had a problem.  Of course, that relationship was a bit strained anyway.  ( a stone for another day-or it may be inside of a previous bluggy )
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At the end of the concert, I sat on the edge of the stage greeting well-wishers, giving hugs, that sorta thing.  I took the new watch out and put it on my left wrist as I removed my old, well-used Timex.   At that exact moment, the Timex broke.  It was as if the Timex knew its days were numbered and "wham," the little arms that hold on the wrist band, they snapped off.   Prophetic.  Truly, it was the end of my era - and of that Timex.
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Over time, I bought a new Timex to use when I am mowing, painting, working, whatever.   This week my Timex quit.  It may be the battery; or, it could be the hole in the crystal and the fact that I was washing out our rain gutters.  Water can be a demon at times.
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So, I went to town for another Timex, one that was ticking.  Corsicana has Walmart.   I bought my new watch, picked up some vitamins for the wife, and bought some gas treatment for the Marauder.  It was 3:30ish when I left.   
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I have been carrying a sack of papers for 2 months.  These need to go into my safety deposit box.   I arrived at the bank at 3:34 - saw they were open till 4 - (a surprise - always thought banks closed at 2) - went in - took care of biz - returned to my car and began to set the time on the new Timex.
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Nobody was parked near me at the time.   I notice a small SUV pull in beside me as I struggled with the time piece.  Deciding to fight it later, I looked up and out my driver's window.  There was a young guy in the white SUV with his cell phone pointed straight at me.  Strange.  He was early 20s dark hair with a small Hitler style mustache.  Strange.  Why is he taking my picture?
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I quickly started the car and backed out.  I headed to the end of the block and made a right turn noticing that the white SUV backed out and followed me to the first corner.  Nobody had gone into the bank.  Apparently they pulled in beside me just to take my picture.  Strange skinny Hitler guy...
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The SUV was a block behind me and travelling parallel, going east on 3rd street as I went east on 4th.  At the next corner, I turned north  to be pointed in their direction.  They had stopped at that corner waiting, WAITING.  I pulled over to the curb and paused.  Eventually, they drove forward (east) slowly.  I moved north to 3rd street and looked to the right at the back of their car.   It was parked catty-corner at the next intersection - directly in front of the court house.  It was not moving.
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I drove slowly north looking over my shoulder.  Immediately they moved east again to the next corner.  I hurried my pace for two blocks and made a quick right turn east.  At the next stop sign, I could see them on the curb facing my direction.  Strange.  They were just standing there (car standing, not parked).  Deciding this was too strange, I made another quick block east and whipped into a parking lot, reversed my direction, and moved 2 blocks west, turning south for another 3 blocks.
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I sat and looked in the mirror.  Nothing.  No white SUV shadowing me.
Now, folks, normally, I am not a paranoid person.  People are not out to get me.  But this was strange.  When I turned, they turned.  When I stopped at the end of a block, they stopped at the end of their block.  What is going on?  What in the world had I done to get their interest peaked?  TAKE MY PICTURE OUT  YOUR WINDOW!!!
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Free; Free at Last; I drove home watching the mirrors  --- nothing.   I told my wife when I got home.  Was someone following me, or was it just a strange coincidence?   
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An hour passed at home.  I fed the dogs.   I took a bucket of aluminum cans to our can crusher in the garage, crushing.
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BOING!!!!!
BOOOIIIIINNNNNGGGGG!!!!!
It hit me like a ton of bricks.
An Epiphany!!!
A Revelation!!!
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Have you figured it out yet?
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I was NOT being followed.
NOBODY pulled in beside me and took my picture.
They WEREN'T observing me as they waited at each corner for my appearance.
Nope.
NONE of that.
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I had been Pokemoned.  ( a new term just invented for the explanation )  I have been "POKEMONED."
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The guy wasn't taking my photo; he was capturing a Pokemon.
They weren't going slow at the corners because of me, they were hunting a Pokemon.
[ The court house apparently has some nearby. ]
I was paranoid.   Frankly, I was insignificant to these people.  They didn't care about me or the Marauder or going to the bank or anything else -- No!!!
They were seeking a Pokemon.
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AS AN ASIDE HERE -- what if I were a paranoid schizophrenic?  One who thinks he is being followed by the CIA or Russian Spies?  What if?   And what if I had been carry my sub-machine gun on the front seat?  There would have been a mess on the streets of Corsicana.
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With Love, I say

go Pokemon go

m3

You have my permission to make fun of me.

Sirius radio dock delivery

My wife's cousin's wife died last week from ALS. We made a quick trip to Lubbock, spending the night with our son Roger and family. Other than the funeral and the driving, it was a nice trip. Saw my #2 grandgirl bunt a ball and make it to first base before a sandstorm rolled in and stopped the game.

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Anyhoooo, when I was in Lubbock last week for the funeral, Roger helped me order a portable radio speaker dock for my portable Sirius radio. I had been wanting one for a quite a while. C'mon, why pay for the service if you can't listen to it all the time?

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Went online to Best Buy. There were problems. They messed up the order. First of all, there were no products in Lubbock -- but, (2nd-ly) they could ship it to Fort Worth where I could pick it up on my way back to Corsicana. Good plan.

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Naturally, before I left Lubbock I got an email it could not go to Fort Worth. I called customer service and rescheduled the radio to be shipped to Corsicana - at an extra charge, of course, guaranteed delivery on the 16th.

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Drove home. I had an email that the delivery date would be extended out for about 2 or more weeks. Now, I just couldn't handle that since we are planning a short trip in the next couple of weeks - It could arrive any day and just be left on my door step for how long? So I called customer service again (I believe it is Dave Ramsey that calls it customer No-service). Different Girl answered. This lovely girl on the phone said the product was in Fort Worth waiting my pickup ... and had always been scheduled to do so. No matter what I explained to her, she just couldn't get it down. Is this related to minimum wage?

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Canceled the order - reordered online - paid extra shipping - it is coming with

guaranteed delivery tomorrow, Wednesday, the 15th. Guaranteed. Below is the online tracking info - which is why I am sending this email. I thought it was interesting. Look where the radio comes from.

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Finally, while it may be in Mesquite for today's delivery, that won't happen. Mesquite will have to ship it to Corsicana who will deliver it tomorrow evening, late.

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I know these things.

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Here is the shipping info - I found it interesting.

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Mesquite, TX, United States	04/14/2015	7:53 A.M.	Out For Delivery
	04/14/2015	7:40 A.M.	Arrival Scan
DFW Airport, TX, United States	04/14/2015	7:04 A.M.	Departure Scan
	04/14/2015	5:44 A.M.	Arrival Scan
Louisville, KY, United States	04/14/2015	4:54 A.M.	Departure Scan
	04/14/2015	2:06 A.M.	Arrival Scan
San Diego, CA, United States	04/13/2015	7:16 P.M.	Departure Scan
	04/13/2015	2:57 P.M.	Arrival Scan
Honolulu, HI, United States	04/13/2015	6:45 A.M.	Departure Scan
Honolulu, HI, United States	04/12/2015	9:59 P.M.	Origin Scan
United States	04/10/2015	10:04 P.M.	Order Processed: Ready for UPS

HONOLULU !!!!

I should have just flown out there and picked it up at the store. That radio has logged more air hours this week than I have logged during my entire (albeit a sheltered one) life.

this week (s)

Wellup,
Here it be Friday - another week has about expired.  I am sitting here typing away as I await the grass to dry out just a tad - then, it will be off to mow the front yard.  Yesterday, I mowed the back yard (fenced-in area) and the stuff near the waterfront - which in itself is a poor description.  The lake has come up some but it is still 100 feet from my retaining wall.   The day before I weed-et the front and back yards but not the waterfront.  (weed-et = used our weed eater, known as the "Terminator")

Probably on Monday I will do all the shore - it bothers me to work down there when it is the first time of spring.  Explain:  I never know where a snake hides.  When the grass and weeds have just started to push up and I let it go too long, the varmints take refuge in tall stuff.  I suppose they are waiting for a mate to slither past.  More than once I have spooked a critter.  It bothers me.  It is a job that must be done.  So, maybe, perchance, if, I will tackle it on Monday.  Hopefully, it will be a Good Monday.   As of now, I am tired of this pink background and am going into settings.

Oh right, the yellow background is superior.

It has been a busy couple of weeks for us.  We made a motorhome excursion to La Grange, TX to visit their quilt museum - I believe they proclaim  it to be the State quilt museum.  It is nice.  Lots of quilts and friendly ladies running the show.  No photographs of course.  Why they would allow photos is beyond me.  It might help to promote the museum - but, no photos.   You can take photos of the outside of the building, which I have done in the past and will not do this time.

Our daughter Christine is a quilt buff as is my wife.   She drove down from Round Rock to spend some time with us.   We-all signed into a La Grange RV park planning to stay there 3 days ... even had reservations.  The lady running the place lost one of our nights.  We moved out 2 days later and moved into a skuzzy place near Columbus ... it wasn't that skuzzy but lacked paved streets.  We were lucky it didn't rain.  A lot of these small RV parks are home to families and single guys who work hard all day long and relax in the evenings.  A small RV is an excellent home for a guy who enjoys drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette in the evenings.  It can become quite a community for transient workers.  

Walking the dogs in La GRg I met a gentleman who had his motorhome for sale - 45 ft model, diesel, etc.  He told me to make an offer.  I didn't.  His projection was $550,000.  Not in my league for sure.  I love the way he threw out the number --  it is five fifty.   I suppose I am somewhat jealous I cannot throw out big numbers like that with such such such casualness.   "Oh, it is just 
5-50."  

The same guy volunteered that I drive down to Columbus if I wanted really good Mexican food. We ignored his suggestion of course and went down the street to a place.  Adequate food.  When we had to move to Columbus, we took his suggestion and went to LA CABOS.   As he said, this was really good Mexican food  (Tex-Mex for some).  Next time you are through Columbus, turn south on that road and find the place - bit expensive but good.

Part of this trip was a side adventure to Round Top and their running flea market.  It seemed to go on for miles and miles.  We picked a spot and parked.  I'd guess we walked over a mile up and down the highway venturing into different tents and houses.  Can't say we bought anything.  One lady had 5 old RV trailers she had refurbished for sale.  The prices were reasonable = her refurbishing was simply gross.  Proud she was.   A guy would have to go in and re-do everything she fixed.  Why couldn't she fix it up right the first time?

There is an area called Marburger Farms - see website - that is upscale in relation to the rest of these places.  Marburger opened a week later so we could not walk through.  Sad, to me.

It is time to close.  We have been home a couple of days and our lives have not slowed down.  I am suppose to return a phone call to a guy for the last 2 days, and it has not seemed appropriate to do it yet.  I have a stone about the new system of car inspections installed by Texas.  It will wait.  Time to mow the yard.  But first a photo or two from my files ----- (these are experiments to see if I can download -  upload properly)
#1  Oscar and a ball

Now I will try to upload 2 photos at the same time.   Liesl waiting for Christmas and a photo we took in 2013 of our 5 doxies and Christine's 2:   back row is our Fritz (RIP)  and Wesley (RIP). Front row is my others:  L to R  Bruno,  Liesl,  Oscar, Christine's Olllie (a smooth hair)  and Greta on the end.  Experiment over.     Isn't Liesl sweet under the tree waiting for Santa?

That was the Week (s) that was

THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS.

Years back there was a TV show called something like:  That was the week that was - or This is the week that wuz - It was a 30 minute, prime time news show during which they would review all that happened that week.  We watched it.  Back then, I think we were living in Sudan at the time, we could only get 3 channels via our antenna - no cable.  People living a bit closer to Lubbock could pick up the Educ. channel, PBS??  
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Drawing on that show concept, last week was a busy week - or it may have been the week before. Let's do one day at a time here.  I'll skip certain days for ease of reading.
Dec. 1, Monday - wife had a quilt guild meeting in the morning.  It was their Dec. Eating Festival - luncheon with drawings for gifts.  If you bring a jar of peanut butter, you get entered more - turns out that nobody bothered with that.  She won a $25 gift certificate to the local sewing store, expiring in 12 months.  Good deal.  She wins lots of things.
Dec. 2 - The CSO  (see previous email for translation) had a rehearsal.  This was not a "good time was had by all" since several didn't make the practice - Excuses abounded - 
Dec. 5, Friday - The Cors Swing Orch played at the Corsicana Christmas tree lighting.   The H.S. choir  sang for 30 minutes by the tree.  Then, a block away near the food truck, we played for about 45 minutes - all great Christmas songs. There was quite a crowd downtown, but not for us.
      After the tree was turned on, fireworks boomed overhead.  I must admit it was a really nice firework display considering all = I was quite impressed with the thought that went into this night by the city folks.  We had a good time playing even though it was not a full band.  Nobody knew it was not a full band but us.  Sounded good.  It is nice to have some of the Navarro College faculty and students joining us at times.  Nice.  And they play good too.
Dec. 6 -  My wife and I drove into town for the Corsicana Christmas parade.  In the past, this was just interesting.  This year, the parade was big and pretty good - even had horses at the end.  I was impressed with the number of floats and groups that participated.  Kudos to the parade organizers.
       The CHS band led the parade.  They are sounding good and looking good.  The streets are a bit narrow and the band was a bit stretched out making the woodwinds at the drag position seem to be a bit lost in the parade process (they probably didn't realize they were lost - many of us do this:  we put the brass up front to make noise and squander the woodwinds in the back rows).  There must be a solution to that other than widening the streets or shooting band members - (should not have written that - someone will think I am a terrorist).
       Along came the Navarro College band.  I remember seeing them in the past - a terrible band.  They marched - make that walked - down the street with loud drums and no marching rhythm.  They were terrible - not one of them wore the uniform with pride.  NOT ONE.  But this year - it was different.  They have a couple of young, new directors who turned things around in the first semester.  The band sounded good - the percussion matched the band - and it seemed that everyone wore the uniform with Pride.  I capitalize the word Pride here.
        I know that I am a bit strange.  I felt emotional when they marched by.  Their director left his position and came over to shake my hand.  I bragged on the band.  It makes one think that next year will be a major difference as they recruit.
Dec. 9, Tuesday - The wife and I traveled with the Ballews (see CSO boss) to Tyler to see Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Band.  It was first class all the way.  The band was excellent.  I had expected Wynton to stand out in front of the band  (fronting); but, he didn't.  He was located in the trumpet section and didn't hog the spotlight one bit.  Everyone in the band was featured.  All were way way above average.  They played a while - took a break - play a while and quit.  I figure they are all Union Musicians - when it is time to quit, they quit.  A young lady singer was featured.  I hate to admit that I cannot remember her name - She was fun and elegant.
          One more thing.  The Tyler hosts and a snack and punch line set up in the lobby.  It was impressive.  The treats were quite varied.  I have never been to a concert where refreshments are served for an hour before the concert begins.  Gorgeous.  That is what it was.  Gorgeous.  
Dec. 11, Thursday - The spouse and I traveled to the Dallas Arboretum and looked at the Christmas decorations.  These folks are first class too.  If you can, go see before they take 
Christmas down.
Dec. 12 - The local little theatre (Warehouse Theatre) had a performance.  Only 2 people were in the cast.  As always (usually always) it was an excellent performance - The announcer introduced the show saying it would be a "hoot."   He was right.  It was a Hoot.
       Corsicana got on the ball again this night.  They had set up an ice skating rink right downtown by the big Christmas Tree  (we played for to turn on last week).  The downtown area was covered with people:  kids, parents, stragglers, and old people like us who just came to see.   We enjoyed watching the crowd before moving into the theatre for the show.   And, yes, these folks fired off fireworks again for the ice skaters.   
Dec. 14, Sunday - Our church had their Christmas musical show.  The choir sang;  the bell choir rang; and the Flute Choir tooted their best.  I think it went rather well.
Dec. 15 - my oldest granddaughter Megan turned 15 today.  We called her;  she is such a nice young lady.
Dec. 16 - I think I have explained in a previous posting that my brother Jim's wife, Earline, had a heart transplant.   This was her first year anniversary.  She calls it her 2nd birthday.  That is sorta sweet.
Dec. 17 - 20th - Earline had to go into the hospital for her first year medical test.   We took in their dogs for the time.   Cody, Willie, Mason, and Black Jack came to visit.  They had a great time playing with our 4 dogs.  It nearly drove us crazy.   
Dec. 19, Friday - Our little Greta had a Vet visit.  She had been scooting her bottom a lot.  The doc helped her "Express" herself.  Greta is not our most active mutt.  One of her toe nails had made a complete circle and was almost digging back into her foot.  That is sorta sad.   
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So, is that a week (s) that was?   When we retired, we expected to get several days off to just sit and look out the window at our lake drying up.  Things never slow down.  
Thanks for reading.
m3

State Fair of the Great State of Texas

Texas is having its State Fair as I type.  It is a great Fair, certainly not a fair Fair.  Some might put it in the category of a Great Fair.  I do.  Still, we don't have horse races.
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Thursday at the fair is free for seniors; I am a senior.  This is a bit like a 12-step program admitting  your problem.  I like being a senior when (1) I get free stuff & (2) I realize that I do not have to go teach today or take a band to marching contest.  Today is the day many Texas bands attend marching contest - it rained yesterday messing with rehearsals - the temperature dropped messing with their brains (kids) - and the wind is pretty tough today messing with sound and lines and brains (kids).
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My daughter Christine has an older car.  It wasn't working right, & she was talking a new car.  I suggested we go to the Fair so she could look at all the car models.  Good idea; we planned it for yesterday, Monday the 13th  (Yes, Friday the 13th was on a Monday this month).  We planned and planned.
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Then, as it will happen, my brother Jim and his wife Earline gave us a call.  You may remember she had a heart transplant this past year.  She was feeling chipper and wanting to get out into the world.  They wanted us to go to the Fair with them.  Good idea!! but, wait, what about our plans.  Earline said the magic words: "We will go on Thursday and it is free for seniors."   More plans were made.
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Adding to our trip with them, Jim & E had to go by Baylor hospital.  She gives blood samples so the docs can watch the rejection factors.  The plan:  meet at Baylor hospital at 10 a.m. Thursday.  Parking is $5 there  ($15 at the Fair).  We catch the Dart train from Baylor over to Fair Park.  The spouser and I had not ridden the Dart in Dallas before - so an adventure was had.  Adding to the mix, I had a band rehearsal with the Corsicana Swing Orch on Thursday night.  Had to hurry.
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First thing in the Fair, Jim&E plopped down inside one of those picture taking booths. I would include a copy of that photo - but it is on Facebook and that is way too much trouble.  Instead, how about this photo:

It was a good time had by all.  We saw some cars, quilts, pigs, goats, camels, Big Tex, and the food court. Go to the Fair and you will be able to write what we did.  Skip the rides and the game though, we did.
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Going on - I made it back for rehearsal with 5 minutes to spare.  It was nice to spend a day with Jim & Earline.   (They had another couple with them from up north - I am neglecting to mention them in case they do not want to be brought up in a blog.  The other couple had a good time too.)  My wife's favorite time was when we bought a Fried Bluebonnet to eat.  .  .  primarily a blueberry muffin filled with goop, fried, covered with whipped cream and chocolate.  Apparently it was worth the trip.
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A few days later Christine showed up on our doorstep.  We made the hour trip to the Fair and had a really good time.  On this trip we spent more time in the quilt room and the arts & crafts.   Lunch was pretty much the same.  Our visit to the car show was informative.  The weather was cooler.  We saw the animals and squirrels.   Our plan was a bit poor because it was Columbus Day and many parents brought their children to clutter the hallways.
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If another of my children want to go to the Fair, I am ready and willing.  My biggest complaints include other people's children - high prices - noise and walking/walking/walking.  Did I mention the Butter sculpture?  This lady created running horses, big horses, running.  They were made from butter. The room was below zero.  I have to marvel at the ability of anyone to sculpt. At least if she is unhappy with the result, she can eat it.  That's a lot of butter.
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Closing now until my next adventure or worthless thought.
mtz  - no wait, just had one.
When I was in high school - don't remember what year or ?  Our band director Wilburn Wheeler took the Levelland HS band to the Texas State Fair.  For the life of me I cannot remember if we had a competition or not.  I think we did. At the end of the competition a few selected brass players from all the bands climbed to the top of the cotton bowl.  We were spread out all over the stadium.  I'm guessing we had an audience.
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Anyhoooo, somebody directed us as we played a fanfare - a long fanfare - in the stadium.  It was supposed to be a big deal at the time.  The fanfare was really high for this trumpet.   I blew and blew as hard and loud as I could.
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I cannot remember anything else about that trip.  We rode in yellow school buses - we did not travel on chartered buses in those times.  I guess we had a fun time on the rides.  I just can't remember.  I wonder if my wife was on that trip?  She was a year behind me in school.  Brother Jim was a year ahead.  I'll have to ask them.
I am worrying too much about this.  It was not my Freshman year, cause we went to San Antonio that year  - Another year, my Junior or Senior year, we made a trip to Corpus for Buccaneer Days.  We played a contest and marched in their 5 mile long parade.  It was tough.
now, I am through.
See Ya.

Furr's & Alzheimer's

Alzheimer (s) =  I am having a problem with my spell check here.  It won't allow me to use the letter S at the end.  Instead it insist (another funny word) (insistststst) that I use the apostrophe at the end of the word, followed by the S.  Thus:  Alzheimer's does not show up on spell check.  Whew.  But doesn't that make the word "Alzheimer's" possessive? What does it possess?  I am so fortuanate (oops) fortunate that I did not receive this word on a spelling test in my youth.  Frankly, I was fortunate that I moved up through the grades as a child and graduated out of taking weekly spelling tests.
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It makes me wonder if Alzheimer's (the word) can be plural - or is it always plural sounding.  When I say the word, I put the letter T in the middle of it.  Ain't no T  folks. I'm wrong and have been told so locally.  Now that I am stuck in this groove, I shall attempt to move forward instead around and round in a meaningless circle away from the central theme of this missive.
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We ate lunch at Furr's Cafeteria (notice the possessive form of Furrs).  Roger/Penney and the g-girls went.  We met my wife's uncle Gordon Dale  {  (he goes by 2 first names-last name not listed here )-----( My wife grew up as Brenda Joy - and is now called Brenda without the Joy  - is there Humor here?  Her first grade class had 4 Brenda(s), so 3 were called by middle names too while the 4th went just by Brenda. ) } Believe I am circling the word wagon again.   Anyway, we met Uncle Gordon Dale and his daughter and her 2 kids.   Also arriving was her Uncle Kent and Aunt Doyce.  Kent and Gordon Dale are brothers.
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To the meat of this stone we go.
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Kent has Alzheimer's.   His condition is worsening.  He is still functioning in public even though he does things which are a bit wrong - like shaking hands with any and everybody he meets.  He seems to know some faces but is unable to recall the name.  He is a friendly Alzheimer's.  I would think that it is sorta like Drunks.  There are friendly drunks; there are mean drunks; there are happy drunks; there are despondent drunks; drunks come in a wide variety. I assume that Alzheimer's patients come in different varieties.  And you know what assume means.
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Kent has been placed in a assisted living home for now.  He had become a bit too much for Doyce to handle out on their farm.   She moved into a duplex nearby and visits him constantly.  Kent is secure in his new home.
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Yesterday, she would tell him what to eat next.  He seemed to like eating the brightly colored foods first.  Good plan.  She would not let him eat the chocolate pie until he finished his other meal.  It was a great deal like eating out with a child - a friendly, happy child.
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The ROLL:::::He took his roll and put it in his breast pocket.  It seems that in the past, Kent always took the roll home to feed the birds.  In his present situation, they do not want them bringing back food.  Doyce had him remove the roll three different times.  Finally, she took it away from him.  He did look puzzled to me.  Interesting.
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LAST BIT:::::Kent plays dominoes.  I understand he is quite good and rarely loses.  Non-domino players may not know that you play by adding up the dots to make scores.   Scoring is with anything that is divisible by 5   =     5, 10,15,20,25 etc.  For him to play dominoes, he has to be able to do this addition in his head.   Gordon Dale goes down weekly and plays with Kent.  Rarely can GD beat Kent.   That is my question.  How does a person who cannot remember names or to keep the roll out of his pocket - how does he play dominoes?  I am not trying to make fun here.  To me it is fascinating.
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Obviously it must be a different part of the brain that works this function.  I find that to be quite interesting.  I am too old to go back to school and study this subject with any great degree.  I've heard of Alzheimer's patients who would sit and play piano.   I'm sure some of my dear readers  have heard of others.  You can put them in the comments below if you wish.  Just curious, I am   (Yoda speaking here)
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moving on, later
m   

Marathon #2

One of my favorite read over the years was  TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY - Steinbeck  I admit that I don't read enough.  Try Charley if you haven't.  So, we travel.  Should I name my posts  TRAVELS WITH GRETA, FRITZ, LIESL, OSCAR AND BRUNO,  Left the wife off the book title.  Surely she won't mind.

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Natchitoches is a pretty town.  Downtown has the brick streets and the lore of a town established by the French prior to the Louisiana Purchase.  A beautiful river/lake runs through the center.  It is a really nice place.  A National Park Ranger comes to town daily and gives a 2 hour lecture while walking the streets.  A tour of the old town if you will.  Around 10 a.m. the next morn, this lady led us through the city.  Nice person.  The information was good and the company was fine.  Two ladies were there from France making the tour.  Par-lay-voooo

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I had the question why the National Park Service would have people in Nak-a-tish.   East of town is an old slave - type plantation that was in working order before - well way back when.  It escaped destruction during the civil war and descendants of the original owner lived in it though the 1990s.  The slaves were gone - freed, if you will.  The owner gave it to the National Park Service rather than letting it die on the vine.

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That tour was interesting too.  It was not a mansion filled with gold.  It reminded me of a rather large farm house.  The slave quarters reminded me of where my grandparents and great grandmother use to live.  Shabby, to say the least.  If you get near the joint, go see.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  I have a picture in my mind; now, you go get one.

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Little aside.   One bedroom in the house had two 4 poster beds for the daughters.  There was a closet with a trap door.  The "mammy" who took care of the children lived under the house in an unfinished basement with rock walls and clap boards.  Remember this is before the Civil War. When the girls needed something, she would enter through the trap door.   We were told that a couple months ago, a lady came on the tour who was a grandchild of the "mammy"  The tour guide took her under the house to see where her grandmother lived.  She was quite touched.  Times were different then.  People did not think as we think today.

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Another thing was in the dining room - long table with 10 - 15 chairs.  Hanging from the ceiling was a device.  A slave boy, say about 10 yrs old or so, would come to meals and use a rope to make the device swing back and forth creating a breeze for the eaters - and it helped keep the flies off the food.  As the child got old, they "let" him work in the fields instead of the dining room.  What a joy.

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Downtown Natchitoches has a hardware store.  This store had been in continuous operaation since the late 1700s/early 1800s period.  The owners had plenty of merchandise to sell but had turned the place into a bit of a museum too.  It was a fun store to grapple through.  One of their big things were coolers of Cokes  (soft drinks) for sale.  It was a system where you put the money in a box and got your own coke - just like the good ole days.  The cokes were the small 6 oz type bottle drinks.  Sdaly, they were out of diet drinks.  I would suggest that everyone travel through this town  someday and plan to spend a day or two.

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When we left, we headed north towards Shreveport and reentry into Texas.  Our last night was spent in the Tyler State Park just outside of ....where? ... guess .... T Y L E R.   It is a beautiful State Park.  I love it.  We've been there twice, and both times were impressive for a camper.  The next day was spent in Tyler  touring a downtown Mansion - free admission yet - and the city museum a few blocks away - also free.  The museum was housed in one of the old Carnegie Library buildings.  If you don't know anything about Carnegie  (think Steel), that is something you should learn.

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My next entry - soon - will be another trip - this time to Mission Somthing State Park created by the CCC.

As I think of other things from the Louisiana trip, I'll make more entries.  Y'all be good now.

m

MARATHON POST #1

PRE=NUP BEFORE THIS IS PUBLISHED....I have been trying to write more, and something always gets in the way.  I wrote the following (uh, see below if confused) over a week - plus ago.  My intentions were good.  My efforts failed.   So here it is, as is.  If I don't get this done now, how will I ever catch up?   He asks?  Simple answer:  he won't.  So here is what I have at the moment.  I do have some better and longer stuff coming.
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Date: a couple weeks ago

iT HAS BEEN A WEEK - OOPS - cAP bUTTON IS DOWN - there, now that is better.   We start again.  It has been a week plus since my last posting.  We have been busy in retirement - not out seeing dead people but active in retirement - if you get my drift.  This may take more than one blog space, thus the title #1.  You should read #1 before #2, if there is a #2.  #1 and #2 remind me of a joke from Junior High - probably should just let that humor fade away.  I believe it was General McArthur who said,  "Old  dirty jokes never die, they just fade away  (until the next crop of Junior High age boys)."

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Off subject, but related to first paragraph:  I spent grades 6 through 12 in Levelland, Texas (good name for that town).  One might say I am a product of same.  6th grade was in South Elementary school, a low one story brick with a large un-grassed playground.   The boys would go off and play some sport type game and the girls would congregate on the south sidewalk where they played jacks.  I seem to remember them playing a lot of jacks.  Gave my hand a try at it a few times - when we weren't playing manly games - and I can fer sure say that I was terrible at jacks.  But enough of that.

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Then I entered JHS a 2 building complex near downtown - formerly the JH and HS building, now just the JH bldg.   7th grade was housed in a one story bldg. with an auditorium of sorts.   9th was found in the old 2 or 3 story red brick.  The 8th grade floated between the two.  Once I made it into HS, I only had to take P.E. for one year.  In JH I can only remember one year of PE too.   Picture this if you can.  You are standing in the street facing north.  There is one city block in front of you.  This city block is equivalent to four or more regular city blocks.

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On the far right, a vacant area for athletes to train.  To its left is the one story 7th grade bldg.  Next comes the 3 story 9th grade bldg followed by another big brick known as East Elementary.  Levelland had 3 elementary schools at that time:  East, South, and West (Brenda's Alma mater).  My mom was teaching in East.    To the left of East Elem was an old gym - one with the rounded roof, yellow brick, minimal equipment.  Out back were cement slabs holding basketball goals with no nets.  Before I continue with this stone:  Behind East and the 9th building were yellow dog buses.  This was the bus storage lot.  Behind but offset on the far left was a low wooden building holding the shop.  Most of us took at least one semester of shop - a different stone for later.

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Across from the big empty athletic lot on the right, across the street that is, was a low wooden barracks of a building of lesser construction, wood floors, pillars in the middle holding up the roof...this was the band room.  I spent many a sorry hour in this band room.  Many times it was merely a place of "seek and destroy" rather than a refuge for the creation of beautiful music.  I should put JHS band down as a future stone.

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In the 7th grade, we all took P.E.   The coach would go sit somewhere and we were on our own.  Some stayed inside, some straggled out back, nobody knows for sure where the others went.  We guys would venture out back and play horse.  As with jacks, basketball was not my forte.  I found that I could make free shots if I used what I call the granny stance throw...grasp ball near your knees and lob it forward and high.   I don't think I ever won a game of Horse.  Ever.

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When we tired of Horse, we sat in the shade of the building and told jokes.  Most of these were hinting at dirty jokes - of which I understood only a portion - but I laughed dutifully with the others at the end of the recitative.  Day in, Day out, we told jokes sitting against the back of the gym on the bare earth.  New jokes were few and far between, so we told the same old jokes over and over laughing at the punch line each time.

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The only joke I remember had to do with prisoners sitting alone in their cells.  A new prisoner was slammed into his private compartment.  As the days go by, he hears the other prisoners call out a number:  "#22."   Everyone would laugh heartily; then, silence.  Another prisoner:  "#14."  All would guffaw.  Over time the new prisoner learned that jokes had been told so often that the prisoners numbered them.   Someone would yell out a joke number - all would remember the joke and laugh - it saved time.  The new prisoner, wanting to fit in - if you can imagine that - decided to give it a try even though he didn't know any of the jokes.

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"#5," he yelled out.   Complete silence.   He waited.   "#12," he shouted.  Silence again.  Another prisoner yells,  "#42."  Pandemonium breaks out.   Confused, the new prisoner asks an inmate in the next cell why his numbers met silence.   (NOW THE PUNCHLINE)   

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"Some people can tell em; some people can't."

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Yes, behind the gym on most afternoons, that one joke was told hundreds of times.  Each time we all laughed.  I never took the chance to tell it - I was afraid one of them would turn to me and say, "Some people can tell em; some people can't."  

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Insecurity is a marvelous tool.

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Moving on...

I forget the exact date - 2 weeks ago Sat. seems right.  The Spouse and I loaded the 5 dogs (the kids) into our motorhome and we set off to the east.  Our aim was Nachitoches, LA.  It took most of the day on smaller roads traveling cross Tejas, but we made it around 4 or 5...and only one tank of gas.  We were in Palestine, TX by 11-ish and ate at the King Buffet (oriental food).   Not bad and cheap - over-ate as usual.  If you care to get a map you can plot our travel from Palestine to Rusk and points east.  

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Didja know there is a train that runs from Rusk to Palestine and back pretty much daily?  There is.  I think it is overpriced for a 30 minute one-way trip and the return.  But it is the Texas State Railroad run by the State Parks system.  They even have an RV Park - which we have never tried.   I do believe it would be a fun thing to do after I inherit my next Million.

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Further and farther and further and farther we drove East.  Loblolly pines grew thicker and thicker as we journeyed east.  As a graduate from the land mass in the Panhandle, I never seem to tire of pine trees.   I drove.  We stopped and let the dogs have relief.  I drove.  Somewhere around 3 o4 4 our journey ended in Nachitoches at the Nak-a-tash RV park just off the interstate.  It was a very nice park with a very nice lady running the show.  If you rated parks by stars, this might be a 3 star park, maybe.  It had a nice area for walking the dogs, water, electricity and a sewer connection.  It was fine.
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Nachitoches.  How is it pronounced?   Wellup, no Nach-i- toe - ches like it is spelled.  Not on your life.  Nak-a-tish.    We were in Nakatish not Nachitoches.   Gonna close this one right now.  More to follow.  Maybe today, y'never know. 
m

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