Monday, November 7, 2016

fly flue fluen

this little bluggy was written a month ago.  I forgot to hit the word publish.
Now I will.  Nothing earth shattering here of course.
m

===============
This past week we ventured into a CVS pharmacy to buy Cokes.  If you don't watch the advertisements, you may not know that CVS will have Cokes and associated varieties on sale a lot cheaper than the guys across the street.  2 liters can be had for $1 while HEB sells it for $1.50.    
.
Lemme point out:  Most people I know call all soft drinks - all sodas - whatever - we called them cokes.  I quote:  "Let's go to the Dairy Queen and get a coke."  It is like all nose blowing tissues are Kleenex or all refrigerators are Kelvinators - make up your own product and find the ones you generalize.
.
In this case I wanted Diet Cokes and Caffeine free diet cokes.  I am not suppose to drink sugary stuff; thus, diet cokes.  Diet Pepsi is vile - and "lips that touch Dr Pepper shall never touch mine."  We walked in pushing their tiny buggy/cart.   At that moment I had a revelation - an epiphany if you will.  We need our flu shots.
.
Last year, when we tried this, our insurer  Aetna  had put a new process in place.  I had to go home and call them.  Then, they sent out a letter or form which I carried into CVS.  
In addition, to those of you who are uninformed, there are 2 types of flu shots.  One is bigger than the other.  They have a name for it.  I forget.  I am allowed to forget.  I am getting older. 

Naturally, when we sidled up to the window, I brought these facts up - one at a time of course. Re: going home and getting a letter from Aetna -- The young lady behind the counter entered our info and said we are "good to go."   I asked about the dosage.  She told us that "Seniors" automatically get the higher dosage.   Question:  How did she know we are Seniors?  She didn't ask.  Is that profiling?  Should I be offended?  Of course not.  I believe in profiling.
.
The spouse and I found our waiting-area chairs and chilled out --  waiting -- and talking about other people we saw come through.  Other people and their little quirks are always good fodder for a quick conversation.  No, I never feel guilty for being catty.  What they don't know, hurts nobody except my tally sheet when I arrive at Gabriel's gate, if you get my drift.
.
A nice young lady brought over some official forms to be signed.  The form granted our permission to be abused by her needle and the store.   CVS is off the hook if there is a problem. And it instructed us how to pronounce:   "IN - FLOO - EN  ZA"      I had always wondered how to pronounce Flu.  If it were not for this valuable form, I might have continued to think it was pronounced "Bippity boppity boo." 
.
She administered our shot.  Both were poked in the left arm.  Frankly, there was no pain at all.   Over and done with.  She was one of the finest Administrators I have ever met.  On the whole, I rarely say nice things about Administrators.    

Bought our Diet drinks and went home.   Nuff.  I never regret getting the flu shot.
==========================  
Addition to the above comments:
.
Can't  say names -  OSHA might get me....    BUT SOMEONE I KNOW  and his wife got their shots up in   XXXXX   (town name censored)  the previous week.  The next day her shoulder started to hurt.   After a trip to the ER  and more,  I THINK her problem was attributed to the flu shot.   Perhaps the "shot giver"  hit a bone or a nerve?  She has had major health issues in the past and is naturally concerned when she begins having any medical problem.
.
I don't know what has happened since her MRI.

To continue   As it would happen, the day before they got their shots, I read an article in the Dallas paper about this.  The People's Pharmacy (Oct. 25th, page 3E)  has medical questions and answers.  I think the authors may be latter-day hippies who are going for the healthy life style approach to all things.  Someone wrote in about the flu shot and problems.   I will summerize.
.
They were told that pain can happen.   Now, what got me in their explanation was that our government has a website for you to report if you have a problem with a vaccination.  And, if the problem continues for a long enough time, they have a compensation program.    OUR RICH GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE YOU MONEY IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR VACCINATION.   Isn't that nice.
.
So if you have a problem.   Govn website     vaers.hhs.gov/index    
To apply for compensation -- the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has a phone number   800/338-2382   and a website  www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/index.html

Who'd a thought?    That is my public service message for this day - for the week, month - year - whenever.   I wish they had a compensation program for fertilizing my grass...or shining my shoes...or getting my haircut...or answering robocalls

fly flue fluen

This past week we ventured into a CVS pharmacy to buy Cokes.  If you don't watch the advertisements, you may not know that CVS will have Cokes and associated varieties on sale a lot cheaper than the guys across the street.  2 liters can be had for $1 while HEB sells it for $1.50.    
.
Lemme point out:  Most people I know call all soft drinks - all sodas - whatever - we called them cokes.  I quote:  "Let's go to Sonic and get a coke."  It is like all nose blowing tissues are Kleenex or all refrigerators are Kelvinators - make up your own product and find the ones you generalize.
.
In this case I wanted Diet Cokes and Caffeine free diet cokes.  I am not suppose to drink sugary stuff; thus, diet cokes.  Diet Pepsi is vile - and "lips that touch Dr Pepper shall never touch mine."  We walked in pushing their tiny buggy/cart.   At that moment I had a revelation - an epiphany if you will.  We need our flu shots.
.
Last year, when we tried this, our insurer  Aetna  had put a new process in place.  I had to go home and call them.  Then, they sent out a letter or form which I carried into CVS.  
In addition, to those of you who are uninformed, there are 2 types of flu shots.  One is bigger than the other.  They have a name for it.  I forget.  I am allowed to forget.  I am getting older. 

Naturally, when we sidled up to the window, I brought these facts up - one at a time of course. Re: going home and getting a letter from Aetna -- The young lady behind the counter entered our info and said we are "good to go."   I asked about the dosage.  She told us that "Seniors" automatically get the higher dosage.   Question:  How did she know we are Seniors?  She didn't ask.  Is that profiling?  Should I be offended?  Of course not.  I believe in profiling.
.
The spouse and I found our waiting-area chairs and chilled out --  waiting -- and talking about other people we saw come through.  Other people and their little quirks are always good fodder for a quick conversation.  No, I never feel guilty for being catty.  What they don't know, hurts nobody except my tally sheet when I arrive at Gabriel's gate, if you get my drift.
.
A nice young lady brought over some official forms to be signed.  The form granted our permission to be abused by her needle and the store.   CVS is off the hook if there is a problem. And it instructed us how to pronounce:   IN - FLOO - EN  ZA      I had always wondered how to pronounce Flu.  If it were not for this valuable form, I might have continued to think it was pronounced "Bippity boppity." 
.
She administered our shot.  Both were poked in the left arm.  Frankly, there was no pain at all.   Over and done with.  She was one of the finest Administrators I have ever met.  On the whole, I rarely say nice things about Administrators.    

Bought our Diet drinks and went home.   Nuff.  I never regret getting the flu shot.
==========================  
Addition to the above comments:
.
Can't  say names -  OSHA might get me....    BUT SOMEONE I KNOW  and his wife got their shots up in (town name censored) XXXXX the previous week.  The next day her shoulder started to hurt.   After a trip to the ER  and more,  I THINK her problem was attributed to the flu shot.   Perhaps the "shot giver"  hit a bone or a nerve?  She has had major health issues in the past and is naturally concerned when she begins having any medical problem.
.
I don't know what has happened since her MRI.

To continue   As it would happen, the day before they got their shots, I read an article in the Dallas paper about this.  The People's Pharmacy (Oct. 25th, page 3E)  has medical questions and answers.  I think the authors may be latter-day hippies who are going for the healthy life style approach to all things.  Someone wrote in about the flu shot and problems.   I will summerize.
.
They were told that pain can happen.   Now, what got me in their explanation was that our government has a website for you to report if you have a problem with a vaccination.  And, if the problem continues for a long enough time, they have a compensation program.    OUR RICH GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE YOU MONEY IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR VACCINATION.   Isn't that nice.
.
So if you have a problem.   Govn website     vaers.hhs.gov/index    
To apply for compensation -- the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has a phone number   800/338-2382   and a website  www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/index.html

Who'd a thought?    That is my public service message for this day - for the week, month - year - whenever.   I wish they had a compensation program for fertilizing my grass...or shining my shoes...or getting my haircut...or answering robocalls

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

The eyes have it

Wed. the 2nd
Yesterday was my return visit to the eye doctor.  A spell back (a while ago) our regular eye doctor sent out notice that he was moving to Florida.  He did  - move that is.  We had to find a new eye doctor; and, we did.
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This guy must have been new to the area because he was not really organized - some equipment was not here, etc.  Because of the diabetes thing, they suggest that I see an ophthalmologist at least once a year.  His nurse took me into an area and did all the major eye testing - no need for new glasses.   Then, he came in and did the actual eye check -- This was back in May or so.
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a little bit of history:   Living in Pflugerville several years back, I started seeing flashes of light.  I went to my Oph - whatever - eye doc - he looked and immediately sent me to another doc.  This new doc was nearly 12 years old, I think.  The "kid" performed laser surgery on my right eye.  It seems that my retina had torn.   Now, if you have never had laser surgery by a 12 yr old, you haven't lived.  It was intense pain for a very few seconds.  I have never had pain like that.  Dull pain - not sharp like stepping on a nail.   It was indeed tough.  The kid told me to come back if I more problems.
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Well, sure, I did.   About a year or so later, light flashing and trip to see the Kid.  He zapped me again - same eye - terrible experience.   I asked and he told me that it was like 1 in 100 billion people have the first tear  and 1 in a quad-zillion-coquetatillion if it ever happens again.  It is so nice to know I am special. 
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Back to last May.  The new doc looks at my eyes - Right eye seems to have a problem.   He pulled out his zapper and lasered the right eye again....(I made up the word lasered.  Spell check doesn't like it.)  This time the pain was a "nothing."  I still don't understand it unless he is pretending to hit the laser button so he can overcharge Medicare.  Or, of course, maybe technology has improved over 2002.  I'll take either explanation.  My co-pay remains the same.  He had me back a couple of months later to check the eye - all is well.
.
He started talking about my left eye.  I believe he believes that the original work was done in the left eye, not the right.  Well, No.   Pain like that is remembered.  Anyway, during this latest trip, he keeps looking at the left eye.

The new eye doc has lots of new machines which I experienced.  I'm thinking my right eye has helped to buy those new machines.  Yesterday, he made pictures of the back of my eyes.  Amazing - really.  And he showed me where their might be diabetes nerve damage in the back of the eye.  That's pleasant news.
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He wants to see me again in 9 months.  Originally, he said 6 months - then I mumbled something about the insurance company - only can have inspection every year, I thought - and so forth.  So he settled on 9 months back.   I am not complaining.  Except when he uses that little extra lens and the light on his head, this is not a bad trip to see a doctor.  I do hate it when he uses extra lights to gander at the back of my eyes.  This is so uncomfortable.
.
I put on dark sunglasses and the lovely spouse drove me home.  I didn't even buy a big gulp for the trip - and, frankly, I deserved a big gulp for not screaming when he looked into my eyes.  Dracula.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Halloween M&Ms

Here it is, November 1st of 2016.
Since my last writing, lots of water has gone under that bridge....most of the items have not been earth shaking - so, I suppose, you might say it has been a trickle under the bridge.  All of that taken in perspective might be one thing or another.  For instance a tiny bit of water going under the Golden Gate Bridge would be pitiful.  But if you bridge is a 1"x 2" piece of plywood and you want to keep your tootsies dry - it might be a problem.
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But, I ramble.
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Last night was Halloween.  31st of October.  Little monsters roaming the streets knocking on doors in anticipation of piles of sweets.  The vast majority of home owners prepare in advance. Nobody wants to disappoint a precious little kid, now, do they?
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We built and moved into this house in the spring of 2008.  It's a nice house - not a mansion. The houses in this subdivision are not mansions.  They are nice sized but nothing like the 2 story things you might see around the lake.   2008.   This is 2016.  That would be 8 years - or - 8 years of Halloween.  During the 8 years, we have had ZERO, OUGHT, NONE, ZIP, 0 "trick or treaters" at our door.  Sure, I leave the porch light on - I have a skeleton hanging outside - a Halloween  sign - Hey, I try.   I suppose that I could rent a bus and transport the critters to our front door.  
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Not going to happen.
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Every year, the wife and I have an argument about candy.  It's not really an argument, but it is a disagreement.  And for 7 years, her opinion proves to be correct.  Y'see, in that first year, we both thought somebody might darken our dark door. 
.
Follow this now:  I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008. I cannot eat candy - or I shouldn't eat candy.  My wife can and does eat candy.  She protests having any candy around the house because she knows she will eat it.  I am that way about Chili or Mexican Food.  But how many of you have given out bowls of chili on Halloween?   "Here Kid. Take a tamale."  I'd say none of you have approached this season of giving by preparing greasy food.
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Monday morning.  We have no candy in the house, but I have to go to town to mail a package.   .
The following is totally unrelated to Halloween]  Brother Jim and his lovely spouse Earline, are cleaning out their garage - looking forward to downsizing.  He ran across a couple of 16 mm marching band movies of Levelland H.S. from 1967 & 1968.  We had long graduated before those dates.  I don't know how he got them, but I figure we can blame my father.   That band was directed by Bill Woods, a fine marching band director.   Bill is on my email list, so I asked if he would like to have the movies....thus, a trip to town on Monday to mail same movies.
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While I motored by the post office, the wife made a quick trip inside HEB in her weekly grocery run.  By the time I chose to return, she was checking out and had purchase on bag of candy for the evening run.  At home, she proudly displayed M&Ms - a delightful chocolate treat.  When it comes to chocolate, my wife loves it.  She protests eating the candy - still, she eats it when forced.   
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Alas, we have a problem.  Nobody came by the house; the wife has to eat the chocolate because it will go bad if left on the counter - right?  So here is the situation.  I whine to get her to buy chocolate - nobody comes by - it is her task to take care of the chocolate under protest.  She open the first small bag and chomped down.
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They were not regular M&Ms.  Instead they are like little rice krispie treats thinly covered in unmeasurable chocolate - They don't even taste like candy - cereal !!!  She doesn't like them. She won't eat them.   We have a bag of Rice Krispies covered in minute chocolate.     Can you see the problem?  If it weren't so sad, it might be funny.
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Maybe next Halloween.

Monday, September 12, 2016

Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus 1951 Route book

Went to Canton recently for the First Monday Flea Market.  Setting on a shelf was this little green book titled  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus  1951 Route Book.  They gave me the book for $4. 
.
Now I know this book has a limited appeal.    The history inside is fascinating to me.    
It is 4" by 5 3/4".    First of all, I couldn't believe this type of information was actually published in 1951.  The question is whether it was published every year and this year too.
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Here is what the book has in it -- sorta by the page numbers:
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inside cover:  it says route, Personnel and statistics for the Season of 1951 together with complete itineraries from 1919 to 1951 inclusive, covering every exhibition date since the famous Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey circuses were united.    Price $1.25,
RBros &BB, Sarasota, Fla.
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4.  A photo of John Ringling North   President
5 => 8.   A story by Roland Butler titled THE Circus.   Inside of the story he quotes an entire newspaper column by Bill Moiles who wrote a column in the Worcester, Mass. Daily
Telegram.  It was an interesting strange 4 page story about the circus.  I found it fun.  No, I will not reprint it here - I'm not that bored yet.

9.  A list of the Circus' Officers, al list of the Directors, and a list of the Executive Staff including all secretaries. You may find it interestin (I did) to know the names of the Directors, who, I might add, are mostly found under the Officer listing too.  
Directors:  John Ringling North, Edith C. Ringling, Henry Ringling North, George D. Woods,
Herbert Duval, Mrs. Robert Ringling, & William P Dunn.
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10.  A photo of a clown then a list of members of the accounting office, Sarasota, Florida.  Then,  the members of the NY Office  and the Chicao Office.
11.  all members of the pdfublicity dept, press - photography  - radio and TV  plus members of the contracting, outdoor advertising and traffic depts.
=====================
By this time you should be getting the idea.  The book lists every person who works for the company - everybody.  Examples:  Lot super,  24-hour men - time keepeers, police dept.   ticket dept including the names of the ticket sellers and ticket takers.
====================
14. a photo of Arthur M. Concello and Cecil B. De Mille
Strarting on page 15, the names of all performers listed under the names of their acts.
=====================
17.   THIS IS ESPECIALLY INTERESTING TO ME:  a photo of  the Big top Directors -- angelo Nicholas equestrian director, and MERLE EVENS, musical director of the Greatest show on earth.
           The names of the entire band are  included by instrument.  1 flute/piccolo, 5 clarinets, 2 Organ, 6 "cornets", 3 horns, 2 Baritones, 4 Trombones, 3 Basses, and 2 Drummers.    In the basses was Harvey G. Phillips.    Fun.
18.  A list of all people in the Side Show.  I will list those at another time - need to move on now.

================
skipping forward.   20 people listed under the Elephant Department -- 3 under the Gorilla department --  
===========
I thought when I began this missive, that I could list all the different groups - but, frankly, it is getting to be too much typing.
I'll try to do more later.
=============
32.  the entire show is given in 3 pages - listing names of the acts.  That is fun to read.
35.   starts the list of where the circus will play.  this list gives the date, city, state, RAILROAD  and miles to travel   They started in NY City and ended in Sarasota, Fla.
   Sept. 25th was in Lubbock - road the Sante Fe to Amarillo for Sept 26th.
===================
skipping ahead:
the book lists EVERY route of the circus  starting in 1919  and ending in 1951.  They leave no fact unturned.  Since I live in Corsicana, I found it interesting that the circus performed here in 1919  on October 9th.   They came here for many years to follow.  A local legend talks about an elephant that broke loose in town and had to be killed. 
==================
so I will close.   This book is so loaded with information.  I cannot recite it all.  If you love the circus, go look on ebay - maybe there is another copy of the book floating around.
M

Monday, July 25, 2016

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.
.
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?
.
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.  
.
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.
.
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.
.
Our house seems to be well insulated.  With the help of a ceiling fan, sleeping was not too uncomfy.
.
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.  
.
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.
.
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.
.
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

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

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.
==================================================
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 )
.
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.
===================================================
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.
===================================================
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.   
.
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.
.
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?
.

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.
.
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.
.
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!!!
.
Have you figured it out yet?
.
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.
.
I had been Pokemoned.  ( a new term just invented for the explanation )  I have been "POKEMONED."
.
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.
.
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.
.
With Love, I say
go Pokemon go
m3
You have my permission to make fun of me.