Friday night, 9 p.m.

Why izzit?
Let's think - a quiz - what happens on Friday night after 6 p.m.?  Numerous things.  Once I start here, you should be able to list a few more....
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Friday night about 9 I'm sitting (squatting) at the computer going through the daily emails and notices that someone has tagged me on Facebook.  Boy Oscar is asleep on the pillow off to my right; the other dogs are sprinkled about the room;  the ceiling fan whirls above my head; a glass of tea awaits off to the left of the computer screen for my grasp; I am sweating.
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Nobody.
Nobody sweats in their own home at 9 pm.  I was; and, it just dawned on me.  Why are there sweat bubbles forming on my forehead?  Now that is a logical question if it should occur to you to ask.  I asked?
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ON WHAT TEMPERATURE has my wife set the hallway air conditioner control - known as a thermostat in some circles - to make me start sweating?   Taking a quick cool swig of the tea, I rotated my chair and found the thermostat.  
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Nothing.
The thermostat screen was blank.  Nothing there.
This could mean only one thing.  It's not working.
Yes, I figured that out all by myself.
It's not working; and, it is 10 o'clock at night.  Outside is really dark.  This is the time of day (make that night) that snakes and bobcats frequent looking for the next snack.  I took a flash light and found the electrical breaker box.  Surely, our problem is a blown breaker.  Surely, that is the answer.
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Nope.
That is not the problem.  Before it was over, I threw every breaker in the box, all of them. 
This could mean only one thing.  The air conditioner is broken; it is 85 degrees outside; tomorrow was scheduled to be 100 degrees;  it is Friday night with little hope of a savior till the morning.  And, that proved to be a minor pipe dream.
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Our house seems to be well insulated.  With the help of a ceiling fan, sleeping was not too uncomfy.
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Sat. morn. I waited till 8:15 to make the call.  Nobody wants to look anxious.  Doesn't it seem logical that air cond people make their yearly money during summer months?  Thus, wouldn't the repair guy answer his phone early in morning while it is still cooler?  Nope.  it doesn't work that way.  I called again mid 9:00 area.   I had a fear that my guy might have taken the weekend off for a vacation.  It could happen.  
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I looked up the store on the internet and sent an email.
That's it.  I sat beside my fan, cooling the best that I could.
Next thought, he'll call about noon - worked all morning and is now checking the phone messages.
We ate lunch being careful to not light the stove.
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This has gone on long enough.  He called about 1:30.  We talked for a while over the phone.  He tried to diagnose the problem for me to fix.  But, all was not that easy.  Repair guy made it to my house and climbed the hall stairs to the attic.  It is hot up there.  He found a burnt wire.  He said that if the installer doesn't tighten up the nuts properly, eventually the wire will burn in two - or is that into two?  All in all, it wasn't so bad.
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All is fine now.   30 minutes of work on a Saturday.  
$200.25   
What are ya gonna do?  I think I am lucky that it was only one little wire.
He had the skills and equipment to find the problem.
Someday he may need a trumpet player; then, I'll get my money back.
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.

getting ready 5-30-16 a.m.

Today is Monday, May 30, 2016.     I need to practice.   I use my PC desktop all the time.  Once in a while I dig out the ole laptop because I am looking forward to making a trip.  On trips the laptop and I become as one.  This is a practice bluggy to make sure all is working

Sometimes I get this yearning to write on my blog when I make a trip.  Then, I get worried.  What if some burglar reads my Blog  (notice capital letter B on Blog).  If a bad guy knows I am gone, he might decide to break into my house.  Not good.

Lemme give a couple of reasons why this is not a good idea:
#1)  My new next door neighbor is really somewhat nervous about living out here.  He has come out of his house to check  things when I have come in late.  The gentleman just retired from being a Police Chief.  He has weapons. He gets nervous.  What more can I say?
#2  My house has an alarm system which goes to battery power automatically if something disrupts the electricity.  The system has this enormously loud alarm on top of the house which has accidentally kicked in a few times.  I'm tellin' ya.  You do not want to be in front of that Horn when it sounds.  (Refer back to #1 and nervous retired Police Chief)
#3   Our house is at the end of a (FRENCH WORD)   cul-de-sac.  Once you enter this housing development, there is only one road in and one road out.   The entrance is well over a mile from my house.  The local Sheriff Department is all over this area.  A thief would be hard pressed to make it out of the area.
#4   I have a relative coming to stay here while we are gone....drives a big white F-150.
Review:
To break into my house, you will have 30 seconds before the alarm Horn on top of the house sounds off.  At that time the alarm company calls the Sheriff.   My excitable neighbor WILL hear the alarm.         The relative in the house will be unable to miss the alarm - trust me - I have been in the house when it sounded off.  30 seconds clicking down.  Now, after you figure out I don't own anything worth value, . . no jewelry - sure a 1980s TV in the living room that weighs 300 lbs - furniture - maybe a bit of food in frig - various unsalable souvenirs from trips gone past - you now have less than 30 seconds to get out and drive over a mile - up and down hills - around tight curves - one lane road - to make it to the area exit.  Once there, you can only go one of two ways.  A Sheriff will be on at least one of these roads.
      You have to drive out.  We are surrounded by wilderness.  The wilderness is full of snakes, bobcats, wild pigs  (that would be fun) and various other complications.
    Might I suggest you rob a 7-11 instead of this place?  
    There use to  be an old bit where a problem is presented to a teacher  (usually in August at the first day of InService)   - after much groaning and gnashing of teeth, the Administrator would end with "Let it be a challenge to you."  Hopefully, I have not presented a challenge to anyone.  I end with:  "Don't do that."

Thus ended the prelude.
More will follow over several days.
over and out
M3    

cat-dog T-shirt

We got this advertisement in the mail --

a T-shirt for sale with the letters

             O.C.D.

Obsessive Cat Disorder

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www.starcrest.com

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once this bunch has your address, you will receive mail once a week...not email, regular advertisement mail.

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I was told that I need one that says:   

                           

                         O.D.D.

[ Obsessive Dachshund Disorder ]

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m3

Accordion & First dance

Today is April 14th.  Has it been that long since I posted?
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A couple of my band director-type  "friends"  sent me the cartoon.  I can tell you that I am truly hurt.   This cartoon really hurts -  Hurts bad.  So bad.  Bad.   There is a cartoon that is suppose to be in this box.  A lady is telling a burglar to steal her husband's accordion before the husband comes home.  Cute cartoon.

 

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I played my first real dance job on the accordion.  Made $5. 

We played at the Lubbock Country Club - HIGH COTTON  --  3 of us - all still in High School.     The 3Ms.   Me on Accordion, My brother Jim played  string bass, and Doc McKay on the drums.   Metze, Metze, & McKay... The 3 Ms

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After a while, a very short while,  they paid us off, and we went to a movie. .. I don't remember what we saw.  Apparently I must have known a lot of songs to think I could play the melody ( with harmony ) for 3 full hours.  "Naive," comes to mind.    I'm gonna guess I was in 8th or 9th grade.  Maybe, 10th?  By the 10th we were bringing our horns to play and added a few more folks...other high school friends.  This was pre-guitar era unless you were a country band.

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The drummer, Doc's  mom had set up the gig for us.  She & Doc's dad stayed at the dance when we left.  After the show we picked them up and drove them home back to Levelland - I seem to remember they were fairly pickled.  Doc drove.   Now that I think about it, Jim & I must have driven our own car since we had to transport that string bass. 

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The string bass was placed over the seats covering most of the back seat.   2 adults and 3 musicians plus a drum set and a string bass - that would pretty much fill up a car, even one of those old timey Buicks.    I can't remember.  We all got a driver's license at age 14.  Later in life, I got a 1963 Pontiac Star Chief.  The bass would fit completely in the trunk of that car.

 

Y'know,  $5 was not bad pay at the time.  I was pretty happy with the whole evening and too stupid to realize we had been insulted.  My mom tried to tell us that the adults at the Country Club didn't want some high school kids watching them get drunk.   True Insight?    Or, lack of great music? 

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Let's go with my mom's opinion - Our music was too advanced for their ears, and they wanted to get looped. 

Mtz  

The bird bath

I want you to imagine a white concrete bird bath setting in the back yard.  It is rather heavy and bulky.  The top bowl is not connected to the bottom stand.  Sure, the stand fits up inside the bowl; let's say it is just under an inch inside the bottom of the bowl.  The top of this same bath bowl is about  3 to 4 inches deep.  That is an important fact for later.  Try to retain the fact.

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Remembering it is winter and we have had no rain of late, the bird bath is dry.  Since I live on a lake, I know that birds have ample water without me carting a water hose down the hill. Besides, when it is full of water, leaves float on the surface and create a dark, slimy mess.

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My wife bought some Rice Krispies before Christmas to make some of those chewy things that many people seem to enjoy.  They are not my favorite.  Rearranging the food in our pantry this past week, she decided to throw out the remaining cereal.  I suggested feeding it to the birds.  Are you following this?

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Sunday afternoon I filled all my bird feeders.  The little birds do love sunflower seeds.  Feeling proud of myself, I made a rather large pile of cereal inside the bowl of the bird bath.   Maybe birds will find it.

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Advance forward to today, Tuesday.  We were out of town for the entire day getting home about 5.   After feeding the dogs, it was time to take Oscar out.  He needed to go out to play ball.  This boy will play ball from dawn to dusk = maybe from dusk to dawn if given the chance.

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We were playing ball when I noticed that the bowl of the bird bath was on the ground.  Bruno and Liesl were sniffing the area.  The bowl part is not very secure; it must have fallen.  The bowl was completely upside down.  Now, imagine again, the top bowl of a bird feeder inverted on the ground - flat.   

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After giving the ball boy something to chase again, I made my way over to the bird bath.  I edged my finger tips under the side of the bowl and pulled up.   Within 1 second that bowl was back on the ground.  Under the bowl - hissing and showing his pointed teeth - an Opossum.   Scare me to death.  No, make it: SCARE ME TO DEATH!!  That critter was incased under the bowl.  There was no opening to escape.  What to do?

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First I got the dogs inside the house and found my wife.  Together she and I walked down the hill:  I carry a shovel...She carries a mop for defense ( not her idea - it was what was handy on the back porch ).  I bet we were a cute pair of bungling wildlife experts.  Sneaking up on the bowl, I inserted the shovel under the edge and flipped it over.

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The poor little animal was trapped under the bowl, coiled in a tight circle.  He lifted his head hissing and showing more teeth.  He did not move.  They are such ugly little things.  More than likely he climbed on the bath to get the cereal Monday night.  The top flipped over on top of him.  I believe he had laid under that bowl all night and all day Tuesday.  I felt sorry for him.

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He did not move.   I took my shovel and scooped him up.  He was placed carefully over the fence.  Still, he did not move.  I hope he will be gone tomorrow when Oscar and I go outside again.  I hate the thought that he might be injured, just laying out there in the cold.  It is a sad situation.  At least my dogs won't attack him.

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As a final thought.  I have always hated Opossums.  I think they are stupid and vile animals.  They probably think the same of me.  Now before somebody points it out, I understand there is a difference between an Opossum and a Possum.   I do not care to learn the difference.  Keep it to yourself.

Love you all,

Mtz

My flag and I

It has been FOR-EVERRRRR since I last posted.  I will try to get back into the swing and explain all my disasters since last I posted.  But first....
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I thought this was funny.  Some may not.   

The set-up:  I live in the country.  We live on a cul-de-sac at the end of a mile long 1 and a half lane road, up and down small hills.  The only people who come by here are either lost and looking for a place to turn around or delivery (UPS) or trash men or relatives.  Our mail and newspapers are delivered about 2 miles up the road - a daily boring trek.

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Up by my road is a wooden pole with our house number attached.  Attached to the wood pole is a flag pole.  I would like one of those 20 foot metal flag poles, but for now, this will do.  Eleven months of the year, I fly an American flag.  The 12th month is a Christmas flag with a humorous Christmas bear smiling ( you can guess which month this is ).

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One of my dreams { - this is America after all - and, we can still have dreams - } is to install a 6 foot ( or larger ) concrete elephant up by the pole.  I would dress the elephant monthly according to the season:  Pink with hearts in February;  Texas independence wear in March;  Patriotic in July;  a Pilgrim outfit in November;  You surely get the idea by now.  Surely.

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Yes, sadly, It may be a while before I can accomplish this.  Concrete elephants can be expensive to buy and install - plus my wife says she isn't making the clothes for an elephant, especially a concrete one.   [ An aside to all my ex-band students:  you can "band" together to get me an elephant and outfits.  Surprise me on my 100th birthday - you already miss the 75th one. ]

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Back to the wooden pole with flag pole attached .... I had to throw away my old American flag last November.  It was torn and really a mess.  Somewhere, don't remember where - maybe Canton or Dollar General, I found a packaged flag for $5.  It was the right size too.  Finding a flag for $5 is really a good deal.  Without hesitation the 5 bucks was laid on the table.  A willing purchase was made. 

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Fast forward to this morning.  I removed the Christmas Bear flag from the pole, folded it reverently, placed it in the proper drawer, and removed my new $5 flag.  Ripping the plastic package open and unfurling the flag (that's what you do - unfurl a flag), to my amazement I was viewing a beautiful 5 x 7 Confederate Battle Flag - the stars and bars of the old Confederacy.  Never in my life, not once, have I had anything with the Confederate flag on it. You'd a thunk by my age, I would have had something.

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My wife said, "please don't hang that out there."  I asked if she would hold my shotgun and the flag so I could take a photo for Facebook.  I was denied. With a sigh the Confederate flag went back into the package and has taken its place among my belongings.  The way the World is going, that flag may become an antique soon.

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On 2nd thought I may just mail it to my Liberal brother Pat so he can fly it from the back of his pickup as he goes to and from work.   Lawyers like that sort of thing.

over and out.

M 3
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