The Soothing Sound Of My Clock...!

Sitting on the mantle in my bedroom/office is a wind up clock with a nice chime.

Well, actually it's not a mantle, but just the top of the hutch part of my desk. It just sounds so much more romantic and classic to say mantle! Don't you think the mental picture you get is more pleasant with a mantle instead of the top of a desk?

Anyway, this old clock is one that I bought wholesale several years ago, when I first got interested in having things that would work without electricity, or in case of an EMP attack. It's not very fancy...in fact, for a wind up, chiming clock it's rather plain. But it does chime, and it does wind up...and it talks to me!

When I say that it talks, what I mean by that is that if you listen hard enough, if the room is quiet, if your mind is clear and open...the ticking of the clock as the pendulum swings back and forth makes the noises of an old friend!

The soft and steady ticking can almost force you to slow down, to calm the rushing of the thoughts in your head, and allows you to bring things into proper focus. It's funny, but when you can slow down your thinking just a bit things can suddenly start to take on a certain clarity.

I've grown accustomed to the slow tick-tock of my clock, and to the muted chiming on the hour and half hour. I rarely hear it any more, but I think that my body is so in tune with that clock that when it stops, I can almost feel it.

That's right, sometimes I forget to wind it up, and first thing I know...it either stops or starts running real slow. Usually it's the chime that's the first to go silent. When those chimes, muted as they are, go silent it doesn't take long until I get the feeling that something is just not right! One of those feelings that you can't really explain or pin down...but it's there just the same! Eventually, though, I notice that I don't hear the friendly reminder of the passing of time. I stand, sheepishly open the glass front, stop the swinging of the pendulum, and with the key I keep inside the clock (so that I don't lose it) I wind it up and, with a gentle push, start the swinging of the pendulum again. Once again, quietly in the background, is the comforting sound of the constant tick-tock of my clock. Once again the muted chime on the hour and half hour nudges me just enough to remind me that time still goes on.

The cats seem to be comforted by the old clock as much as I. Many times, I have looked up to notice Smokey on top of the "mantle", deep into the death like state that only cats can reach while napping, with his head right up against the side of the old clock. I can only imagine that the gentle tick-tock, accompanied from time to time by the chime on the hour and half hour, has rocked him to sleep. Makes a great picture as well!

I think that some day I would like to have a grandfather clock sitting in my cabin. I could sit there in my rocking chair, a fire crackling in the stove in the corner, a good book nestled in my lap and the cats asleep next to the fire...and let myself be quietly comforted by the constant but quiet tick-tock of my grand old clock that chimes on the hour and half hour. That is probably the best definition of inner peace that I will ever have!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit. If you listen real hard, you can hear the old clock on the mantle!

The Family Reunions...!

I have a family reunion coming up next weekend.

You all know what a family reunion is, right? That's when you shake the family tree...and see what kind of nuts fall out! I'm just kidding, of course...

Most of the folks in my family are pretty good folks and fairly normal (whatever that means)! We do have our share of oddballs, just like most families. I'm not sure, but I think that I might fall into the oddball section...but that's alright, 'cause I'll have some pretty good company!

I started thinking the other day about the reunions we had when I was a youngster. Back in those days, members of the family came from all over the country to be there. Some, like my family, even took their vacation to coincide with the reunion just to be there! It was a heck of a get together, let me tell you! If you had a tape recorder going back then, you could have sat down and written a pretty fair book or short story about it. Some of the stories told were the same as were told the year before, but somehow they seem to get better with each telling! Guess that's one way to keep folks from getting bored with a story, to let it sit for a year and then retell it!

One thing I noticed back then is that you could take a group of family members, like cousins or brothers and sisters, who had all done something together ...let a few years pass, and then when you asked them to tell of the adventure you could get several different versions of the same story, allowing you to choose which one you wanted to file away in your memory for retelling later! Heck, that still happens today whenever my sisters and I get together! We all have the same basic memory of a particular event, but tell a different version of it! Funny how that works, isn't it? Of course, mine was and is always the correct one!

Back then, we didn't have these little one day affairs either! They usually lasted at least two days, and sometimes even longer. The way I remember it, the first gathering usually took place at Granny's house in town. Now Granny was actually my mother's grandmother, but everyone just called her granny! Sort of like a title, ya know?

The whole clan was usually separated, by choice, into three groups. One group was all the men folk. They usually congregated outside in the front yard, all sitting or standing in a big circle and swapping stories about the crops and farms and fishing trips...you know, all the stuff that men still talk about now days, only now it might be dome on the golf course instead of the circle on the grass in Granny's front yard!

The next group was the women folk, who seem to gather for the most part at the big old round table in Granny's kitchen. Man, when I was young, it seemed that you could sit about twenty or thirty people at that table! In Truth, it only sounded like that many with all the girl talk going on. I'd guess maybe six or eight grown-ups could take a meal there at one time, and still not touch elbows!

Of course, the last group was made up of all the kids in the bunch! No telling how many there were, because the number was always changing depending on what cousins showed up, and what friends they brought with them...

Now the group of kids were never in one place very long, either! They seemed to be everywhere at once, running in and out of the men in the front and the women in the kitchen...and the back yard where the older cousins liked to gather to talk about secret boyfriends and girlfriends, or plan an escape for the night ahead, or what small little dose of mischief they could get away with that night!

The second day, usually Sunday, the reunion was moved to the "Park". That's all we ever called it, "The Park". It was a beautiful place, loaded with old pecan and oak trees, several springs that had been lined with steps leading down to them, and there was the San Gabriel river running through the park as well! Nearly all the kids spent the day in or near the water, joined many times by the older cousins being thrown in by the others. Rope swings, tire swings, and an old dam all served to make the place a real joy to swim in...especially for a kid from the big city who was not used to the good fortune of his country cousins to have such a thing almost in their back yard!

Oh, and the food! Every kind of food you could imagine...fried chicken, potato salad, special home made treats, fresh watermelon, garden veggies, crocks of iced tea, plenty of coffee...the list just went on and on! No one went hungry, believe me!

Picture taking, picture book sharing, games like pitching washers and cards and dominoes, what a grand old time! Enough memories made in one weekend to carry a body through many years, as this post clearly shows!

Sad to say, those days are long gone! So are many of the cousins, the aunts and uncles, the family members that all made these kinds of times so memorable!

Now days, we try to have a version of the reunion at my mother's house. Some come from across town and some don't. Very few from out of town ever show up. All the groups seem to be either outside at the patio table, or inside mom's living room! No more circle of kin in the grass, or at the big round table! No more groups of kids running and playing with their cousins, no more swimming in the river, no more spooning and sparking in the back yard at Granny's...all gone. Most of the kids now days don't even know, or seldom see their cousins. That's sad, at least to me!

I think one of the saddest things is that not many new memories will be made, only a little bit of sharing some of the older ones! One day together, sharing a lot of good food and conversation, and by dark nearly every one is gone again!

We can never go back to the "good old days"...except in our mind!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit outside! We can share some great stories about the reunions of the past...

We Should All Be Thankful...!

You know, we have so many things in our lives to be thankful for!

We can be thankful for the beautiful mornings that start our day. We can be thankful for the fact that we have shelter over our heads, and food on our table for our family!

We can be thankful for the measure of health that allows us to function in our daily lives, and do so with a good portion of our dignity intact!

We can be thankful that we have the support of our friends in the good times and the bad, willing to share with us the joy we might find in the simplest of life's treasures.

We can be thankful when we finally reach the age where we can do what we want, without the worry about what others may think or say.

We can be thankful that we can hold our heads up high, as we proudly turn our backs on all the people that would tell us what we can and cannot do!

We can be thankful that we will always be young enough at heart to enjoy the beauty of good music, the gentleness of a soft kiss, the warmth of a heartfelt hug, and the pure joy of simply holding hands!



We can also be thankful that the photographer chose to take this shot from the back instead of the front on this particular day!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit! And to answer your question, NO...that's not me in the picture!

Got Your Head In The Clouds...?

That might be a good place for it!

You know, something as simple as knowing how the weather is depicted in the clouds above us can make you seem like an expert...especially to the kids!

It also can save you a lot of grief as far as getting caught out in unexpected bad weather. There are a lot of old wives tales, animal signs, suggestions from the old timers, even reactions of certain plants that can give you a hint of what's in store, weather-wise. Reading the cloud formations is just one of them.

Who knows? Maybe this little bit of information can someday help in an emergency situation...you just never know!

The higher the clouds, the finer the weather. If you spot wispy, thin clouds up where jet airplanes fly, expect a spell of pleasant weather.

When clouds appear like towers, the Earth is refreshed by frequent showers. When you spy large, cauliflower-like clouds that look like castles in the sky, there is probably lots of "dynamic" weather going on inside. Innocent clouds look like billowy cotton, with no "towers".

Smorgasbord of clouds? Expect rain or snow. If you have what amounts to a hodgepodge of all different types of clouds before you, weather is arriving from all different directions. That chaotic sky usually signals rain or snow.

Ring around the moon? Rain real soon. A ring around the moon usually indicates an advancing warm front, which means precipitation. Under those conditions, high, thin clouds get lower and thicker as they pass over the moon. Ice crystals are reflected by the moon's light, causing a halo to appear.

Rain foretold, long last. Short notice, soon will pass. If you find yourself toting an umbrella around for days "just in case," rain will stick around for several hours when it finally comes. The gray overcast dominating the horizon means a large area is affected. Conversely, if you get caught in a surprise shower, it's likely to be short-lived.

Once again, I have to thank the Farmer's Almanac for this information A very handy book to have on hand, if you want to know! Heck, you can even read it on line! Just follow the link above and explore the wealth of information available.

That's it for me for today! I just wanted to share this little bit of information with you, just in case. See, I'm always looking out for you! That's just the kind of guy I am...

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit! We can study the clouds and discuss what the weather is going to do!

Stuck In My Head...!

I'm going to be late with a good post today, so in it's place I'm putting a video of a song that's been going through my head all day!

I have been hearing this song in my head ever since I ever started reading a new blogging friend, Diane...you can check out her blog right here!

I hate it when I get a song, or a saying stuck in my head...and I found out a long time ago that the only way I can get rid of it is to listen to it a few times! So anyway, here it is...!



I'll try and get back later...but until then, I hope you enjoy the song!

Let's get some coffee and sit outside a bit, my friend!

Fishing Can Be Dangerous...!

If you're going fishing, and if you are taking someone with you...it might be a good idea to NOT let them have anything to do with the launching of the boat!

Boating is a highly enjoyable sport, without a doubt. Even though it's fun and a great way to spend the day...a good helping of common sense is helpful in the process of the launching and the loading of the boat.

One thing is of paramount importance here! Make sure you have all the safety equipment you are supposed to have. Life jackets, tow lines, bottled water, first aid kits, distress flags, all of the things you might need to make your trip on the water more pleasant and safe.

Just remember one thing...alcohol and boating is NOT a good idea! You can be ticketed for the use of alcohol aboard a boat, just as you can in a car! That is, if you even get the boat into the water!

Some folks just don't get it, though! They insist on having the cold ones BEFORE they get to the water, and as this picture shows, that is a bad idea!



Not only is boating a good way to get to the good fishing spots, but in places where they are not blessed with the warm weather that we have here in the south ice fishing is another way to catch a few fish.

Now, this sport comes with it's own unique set of dangers and common sense rules. I have never been ice fishing, but from watching this short video, I'm sure of just one thing...I don't want to go!

I figure that just maybe this guy might have been using the wrong bait, might have been singing off key, and might have just done something to really piss off the critters under the ice!

Whatever he did, I think we can change his name to Jonah! Moral to this story...? If you are going ice fishing, you might want to give the folks fishing with you plenty of room and don't, I repeat...DON'T bunch up!



Now I've done my good deed for the day and passed on some safe ways of enjoying the sport of fishing! Like I've said before, a healthy dose of common sense is always a very important tool to carry with you! Please use it...!

Now, let's get some coffee, my friends! We can sit outside and swap some fish stories! That's the best part of the fishing trips anyway...right?

The Letter From Lou...!

Lou Pritchett is one of corporate America 's true living legends. He's an acclaimed author, dynamic teacher and one of the world's highest rated speakers.

Successful corporate executives everywhere recognize him as the foremost leader in change management. Lou changed the way America does business by creating an audacious concept that came to be known as "partnering."

Pritchett rose from soap salesman to Vice-President, Sales and Customer Development for Procter and Gamble and over the course of 36 years, made corporate history.

The following open letter, which was ignored when sent to the NY Times by Mr. Pritchett, and has been vetted and attested to by both Snopes and Truth or Fiction (see below).


AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA
by Lou Pritchett

Dear President Obama:

You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.

You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.

You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.

You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.

You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.

You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core.

You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.

You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.

You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America ' crowd and deliver this message abroad..

You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.

You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.

You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves..

You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.

You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.

You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.

You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.

You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.

You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.

You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.

You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.

Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.

Lou Pritchett

TRUE - CHECK: http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/youscareme.asp

TRUE http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/p/pritchett-obama-youscareme.htm


This letter was sent to the NY Times but they never acknowledged it. Big surprise. Since it hit the internet, however, it has had over 500,000 hits. Keep it going. All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing. It's happening right now.

'Nuff said...let's get some coffee, my friend!

Warning !! This Story Stinks...!!.

I went to the local hardware store recently while not being altogether sure that course of action was a wise one. You see, the previous evening I had prepared and consumed a massive quantity of my patented 'you're definitely going to mess yourself' road-kill chili. Tasty stuff, albeit hot to the point of being painful, which comes with a written guarantee from me that if you eat it, the next day both of your butt cheeks WILL fall off.

Here's the thing. I had awakened that morning, and even after two cups of coffee (and all of you know what I mean) nothing happened. No 'Watson's Movement 2'. Despite habanero peppers swimming their way through my intestinal tract, I was unable to create the usual morning symphony referred to by my dear wife as 'thunder and lightning'.

Knowing that a time of reckoning HAD to come, yet not sure of just when, I bravely set off on my quest to get paint and supplies to refinish the Garage. Upon entering the store at first all seemed normal. I selected a cart and began pushing it about dropping items in for purchase. It wasn't until I was at the opposite end of the store from the restrooms that the pain hit me.

Oh, don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. I'm referring to that 'Uh, Oh, gotta go' pain that always seems to hit us at the wrong time. The thing is, this pain was different. The habaneros in the chili from the night before were staging a revolt. In a mad rush for freedom they bullied their way through the small intestines, forcing their way into the large intestines, and before I could take one step in the direction of the restrooms which would bring sweet relief, it happened.

The peppers fired a warning shot.

There I stood, alone in the paint and stain section, suddenly enveloped in a noxious cloud the likes of which has never before been recorded. I was afraid to move for fear that more of this vile odor might escape me. Slowly, oh so slowly, the pressure seemed to leave the lower part of my body, and I began to move up the aisle and out of it, just as a red aproned clerk turned the corner and asked if I needed any help.

I don't know what made me do it, but I stopped to see what his reaction would be to the malodorous effluvium that refused to dissipate.. Have you ever been torn in two different directions emotionally? Here's what I mean, and I'm sure some of you at least will be able to relate. I could have warned that poor clerk, but didn't. I simply watched as he walked into an invisible, and apparently indestructible, wall of odor so terrible that all he could do before
gathering his senses and running, was to stand there blinking and waving his arms about his head as though trying to ward off angry bees. This, of course, made me feel terrible, but then made me laugh. .......BIG mistake!!!!!

Here's the thing. When you laugh, it's hard to keep things 'clamped down', if you know what I mean. With each new guffaw an explosive issue burst forth from my nether region. Some were so loud and echoing that I was later told a few folks in other aisles had ducked, fearing that someone was robbing the store and firing off a shotgun. Suddenly things were no longer funny. 'It' was coming, and I raced off through the store towards the restrooms, laying down a cloud the whole way, praying that I'd make it before the grand mal assplosion took place.

Luck was on my side. Just in the nick of time I got to the john, began the inevitable 'Oh my God', floating above the toilet seat because my ass is burning SO BAD, purging. One poor fellow walked in while I was in the middle of what is the true meaning of 'Shock and Awe'. He made a gagging sound, and disgustedly said, 'Son-of-a-bitch!, did it smell that bad when you ate it?', then quickly left.

Once finished and I left the restroom, reacquired my partially filled cart intending to carry on with my shopping when a store employee approached me and said, 'Sir, you might want to step outside for a few minutes. It appears some prankster set off a stink bomb in the store. The manager is going to run the vent fans on high for a minute or two which ought to take care of the problem.'

My smirking of course set me off again, causing residual gases to escape me. The employee took one sniff, jumped back pulling his shirt up to cover his nose and, pointing at me in an accusing manner shouted, 'IT'S YOU!', then ran off returning moments later with the manager. I was unceremoniously escorted from the premises and asked none too kindly not to return.

Home again without my supplies, I realized that there was nothing to eat but leftover chili, so I consumed two more bowls. The next day I went to shop at Lowes. I can't say anymore about that because we are in court over the whole matter.

Bastards claim they're going to have to repaint the store.

Hey, Don't blame me...my baby sister sent me this! I didn't even know she had tasted my chili!

Now, my friends, let's get another cup of coffee...and maybe it's best that we sit outside, ya know?

A Little Fun For Sunday...!

Since Sunday is suppose to be a day of rest and we are supposed to kinda take it easy, I have a couple of things that will help you accomplish that goal.

No mind games, no rants, no having to think about things too much...today's post is all about just having a little fun!

You can find the first one, called the "Redneck Playstation" HERE. It may be a little silly, but remember that it's all in fun, OK?

The second one is called CIRCLE THE CAT ...a good one for all you cat lovers out there! Again, it's silly but fun!

That's all I had for today. I just wanted to allow you a chance to loosen up a little, relax, and maybe grin just a tiny bit!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit outside for a while...don't worry, you can still play the games!

Ain't Medical Science Wonderful...?

I found this little beauty while browsing around for information about the upgrade to the medical treatment that will soon be available to us all!

From what I understand, this wonderful little invention is being considered by the government as an addition to the wide arsenal of tools to be available for use again!

I think the reasoning behind this is the lack of funding for new research and development...so the PTB figured that they could find new uses for older equipment!

I guess that the appearance of having new technology is cheaper than actually having it! Nice to see our tax dollars in action, huh? Just click on the picture to read about it...!



We always knew that they were doing this, but until now we just weren't sure of what procedure they were using!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit outside...where the air is a little cleaner!

A Dog Story For Friday...!

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen. the shelter was clean, and the people really friendly.

I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to.

And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in. but it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to.

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell.

The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cellphone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "damn dog probably hid it on me."

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter.. I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me.

Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number.

But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too.

"Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice.".........

"To Whoever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner.

I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time... it's like he knew something was wrong. And something is wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it right.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls... the more the merrier.

Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them.

He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet.

Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones - "sit," "stay," "come," "heel." He knows hand signals:

"back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. He does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.

I trained Reggie with small food treats.

Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening.

Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He's up on his shots.

Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet.

Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time.

I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially.

Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new. And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you....

His name's not Reggie.

I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. but I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine. But if someone else is reading it, well... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been giving you problems.

His real name is Tank. Because that is what I drive.

Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call the shelter... in the "event"... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word.

Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family. but still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.

And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things... and to keep those terrible people from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough.

I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter.

I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank.

Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me."

Thank you, Paul Mallory

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.

The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright. "C'mere boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months.

"Tank," I whispered. His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball His ears perked again.

"Yeah, Ball...You like that Ball "

Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room. And when he came back......he had three tennis balls in his mouth!

Nothing I can say after reading this. I thank my cousin for sending it to me.

Now, let's get some coffee, my friends!

I've Found The Perfect Gift...!

This would be a very good gift for those people that like to make your life a little more difficult and unpleasant!

You know, like politicians, ex-spouses, past and present difficult in-laws, noisy next door neighbors, rude retail clerks, empty headed bosses, really irritating co-workers, the daughter's highly suspicious boyfriend, all tax collectors, most members of Congress, the majority of the lawyers in the entire world, any tech support personnel that are in any country other than the United States, the fool that invented the "child proof caps" for older folks' medication, any package delivery person that likes to drop kick packages marked "fragile", anybody that mistreats any animals for pleasure, arrogant law enforcement officials, dishonest judges, any and all practitioner of torture anywhere for any cause, terrorists from any country, and to every telemarketer that ever called my number at dinner time!

I'm sure that you get the idea, and you have my complete support in making up your own list as recipients of this special gift!



I'm sure that this gift would be utilized a lot, as most of the persons on my list are so full of crap their eyes are brown!

So, now that we have taken care of some early gift shopping...let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit, my friend!

Got Tomatoes...?

I know that many of you all have tomatoes planted, or have them growing right now in your garden.

There isn't much that can compare with fresh tomatoes straight out of the garden! I love them, and I'm sure I'm not the only one...

Now at the risk of telling you something you already know about this wonderful little gem, I want to share a couple of things about tomatoes and their harvesting that may be old hat to many...and new information to others!

• Harvest tomatoes when they are firm. A ripe tomato will be only slightly soft.

• Leave tomatoes on the vine as long as possible.

• The perfect tomato for picking will have full color. Regardless of size, the tomato will be very red, with perhaps some yellow remaining around the stem.

• If your tomatoes fall off before they appear ripe, place them in a brown paper bag with an apple or pear.

• To store ripe tomatoes, place them in a cool, dark place in a single layer with the stem up.

• Never place tomatoes on a sunny windowsill to ripen; they may rot before they are ripe.

• Never refrigerate tomatoes. Doing so spoils the flavor and texture that make up that garden tomato taste.

• Always serve tomatoes at room temperature for maximum flavor.

Now, just in case you get tired of eating garden fresh tomatoes by themselves...here is a recipe that will make good use of some of your beautiful tomato crop!

Crust for 10-inch quiche pan
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 cup slivered onion
1 clove garlic, chopped
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup 1/4-inch-thick slices plum tomato
1/4 cup shredded fresh basil
1 cup evaporated skim milk
1-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 eggs
1 egg white

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 10-inch quiche pan with crust. Heat nonstick pan with olive oil; saute onion and garlic until slightly brown. Spread onion mixture on crust and sprinkle cheese on top. Arrange tomato slices over cheese. Top with basil.

Combine milk, cornstarch, pepper, and eggs. Process in blender until smooth. Carefully pour over tomatoes. Bake 45 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.


All this talk about food has made me hungry this morning...so, my friend, let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit, OK? Maybe have a little fresh tomato juice on the side...

You Gotta Try This...!

I just have to share this with you this morning!

Last night I was looking at some videos and I found some very vocal cat clips! The cats, my Roomies, had been outside for quite a while and wanted in. I paused the video, got up and let the cats in, and after petting them a bit proceeded to finish playing this video.

C.B....the smallest of the two, was in my lap starting a nap. Just as I started the video, he sat straight up, ears at full alert!

I had never even considered that the sound was so realistic that my roomies would start looking for the source! The longer I played the clip, the more upset C.B. became, finally climbing up on the highest place he could find!

Try this...if you have a cat, hold them in your lap and then play this clip! I think you'll laugh yourself silly at the reaction!



Hell, I may just record this sound and put it outside in the front yard around midnight! Full blast, of course!

Let's just say that it's a little payback for those overly loud bass concerts I get treated to at one or two in the morning...know what I mean?

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and go sit outside for a bit! We can discuss some other ways to extract some justice using this clip...OK?

Nearly As Important As Food...!

No one can make it completely alone. No one...!

If we could, I would be the first to tell you, and the first to try! After all, I chose the name "HermitJim".

We all know the essentials needed for survival...food, water, and shelter! These are no-brainers. However, while taking care of our physical needs,let's not forget the needs of our inner self. The needs of our inner comforts can be just as important as the other to survival.

One of the most under-rated tools we can have is something we may not give much thought to...our friends! Now don't get me wrong...I'm not saying that family and faith and knowledge and everything else is not important! I'm just saying that without some friends to help balance us out, we are not totally complete!

After all, friends can serve as family, can firm up our faith, and can add to our knowledge! How important is that? How irreplaceable?

I could never say how important friends can be, I just don't have the talent with words. So, to prove my point, I've collected a few very good quotes pertaining to friends and friendship. They say it much better than I can...

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
Albert Schweitzer

I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not swap for the favor of the kings of the world.
Thomas A. Edison

Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.
C. S. Lewis

I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar.
Robert Brault

Mighty proud I am that I am able to have a spare bed for my friends.
Samuel Pepys


Silences make the real conversations between friends. Not the saying but the never needing to say is what counts.
Margaret Lee Runbeck

The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.
William Blake

So when I call you my friend, please know that I do so with the belief that you are indeed my friends, and I do not use that term lightly! Also know that I fully appreciate your friendship and hope to always be worthy of it!

Now, how about we get some coffee and sit out on the patio for a while...OK, my friends?

Understand The Numbers...Then React!

Don't believe in numbers that someone else makes up!

Before you react, understand what the numbers really mean, just so you don't over react! Sometimes things are not as bad as they seem...and sometimes they are! It's up to us to understand all the figures before we make up our minds.

Here is an example...

A blonde is watching the news with her husband when the newscaster says "Two Brazilian men die in a skydiving accident."

The blonde starts sobbing "That's horrible!!! So many men dying that way!"

Confused, he says, "Yes dear, it is sad, but they were skydiving, and there is always that risk involved."

After a few minutes, the blonde, still sobbing, says, "How many is a Brazillion?"


See what I mean? Don't get upset reading figures and numbers unless you really know what they mean! Better yet, never trust what you hear on the "MEDIA" as the truth!

Be aware, but stay informed...as the old saying goes "Believe nothing that you hear and only half of what you see!"

Now, my friends, let's have some coffee on the patio...

My Natural State...I Think!

I finally found a song that could just be a theme song for my life as of late...!

See if any of this rings a bell with you. I'll bet more than one of us can find something here we can identify with.



Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and go to the patio for a bit...and don't worry! I remembered my britches!

They Finally Admit It's True...!

I have heard this expression for years...even used it a number of times myself, as I'm sure many of you have!

What expression? The expression "They're just blowing smoke up your butt!" This is usually used now days in referring to the government or to politicians, as they try and convince us that what they are doing is really for our own good or that it actually has some merit!

Well, the City of Houston has not only admited that they are guilty of doing this...but was kind enough to send out a warning to us that they were going to do it again!

Not only do they warn us about the action itself, they even gave us the dates! To verify that they will actually be doing this, they are even furnishing a photographer to take pictures if necessary! And the best thing...they didn't even waste postage sending this notification in the mail, but hand delivered the notice to each and every house in my neighborhood, just so folks would not think we were crazy when telling our friends and neighbors about it!

Now, I've said some pretty harse things about the City of Houston in the past, but I don't really know how to react about this one! I mean, on the one hand it's good that they are letting folks know that they are planning this...but on the other hand, I have to wonder if, given all the technology we have at our disposal in this day and age, if this is really the most advanced process they could come up with!

Friends...I will admit to having a fairly active imagination, but I don't think I could make this stuff up if I tried! Click on the image and read it for yourself...

Now let me clear something up, just in case you might be wondering about it. If you notice, the image is not straight. The edges are lined up properly in my scanner, the paper is the same size at both ends, it's just that the text is not completely straight but is just a little crooked.

Isn't that just like the government (local or otherwise)... their documents, like so many of their actions, are not completely straight but just a little crooked !

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit...while we wait for the smoke to clear!

One Way To Avoid Misunderstandings...!

Sometimes it's best to gather all the facts before starting a discourse with someone.

It can prevent any unfortunate misunderstandings later. Here is a good example...!

The Navy Chief noticed a new seaman and barked at him "Get over here! What's your name?"

"Paul" the new seaman replied.

"Look, I don't know what kind of bleeding heart, pansy crap they're teaching sailors in boot camp today, but I don't call anybody by their first name. It breeds familiarity and leads to a breakdown in authority! I refer to my sailors by their last names only; Smith, Jones, Baker...I am referred to only as 'Chief'! Do I make myself clear?"

" Aye Chief!"

"Now that we've got that straight, what's your last name?"

"Darling...my name is Paul Darling."

"OK, Paul, here's what I want you to do..."

By asking for and accepting full answers before the conversation begins, the facts can discussed more intelligently with fewer chances of being side tracked. Let's talk TO each other, and not DOWN to each other!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit outside a bit...before it becomes too hot!

Cookies For Breakfast...!

You all know that I like cookies!

Any time of the day or night, cookies are my friend! Any kind, flavor, shape, color, size, or name...I never met a cookie I didn't like!

I guess that's one reason I'll likely never lose this big pot belly I have...everything I like is either illegal, immoral, or fattening! Just a burden I'll have to be brave and bear, I reckon!

Now, when I saw the name of these cookies, I knew that I had found another lovely fattening recipe that I just had to share...

One of the beautiful things about this recipe, is that it can be made mostly from things that we all have in our preps. Kind of a win-win situation, and just another way we can use what we store and break up the boredom of always eating the same thing!

THE BREAKFAST COOKIE...

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1-1/2 cups coconut oil
• 1-1/2 cups sugar (or Sucanat or honey)
• 1-1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Mix all ingredients like cookie dough. If desired, add more milk. Drop by spoonfuls on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. You can crumble a cookie in bowl and eat like cereal or out of hand. Freezes well.

Now I don't know about you, but all this talk about cookies has made me ready for some fresh coffee, You know?

How about we get a fresh cup and go sit on the patio, my friend! Maybe someone will drop by with some fresh baked cookies...

A Little Wake Up Music...!

Sometimes we need a little help in the mornings to get the old juices flowing...so, being the nice and helpful guy that I am, I am bringing you a little bit of music to gently nudge you into the waking world!

I only do this because I sometimes need a little push myself. I understand how it is...and I care! So while I get the coffee started, maybe you should listen to this little bit of wizardry that is guaranteed to rock your world...!



Now, my friends, the coffee is ready...so let's get a cup and sit outside for a bit, OK?

The Solar Water Pump...!

I'll have to admit that I have never seen one of these in action, and since I may want to use one of these pumps I thought I would do some research. Here is an interesting video I found!

I thought you might be interested in the whole operation and in how complicated, or not complicated the installation is. Sorry if you have already seen this, but I found it fascinating to watch...I hope you do as well.



Now I feel better about the installation and use of one of these pumps! Now if I can get over the sticker shock...!

Let's get some coffee and go sit outside, OK, my friend? OK!

For All My Friends This Sunday...!

I've noticed a disturbing undercurrent in some of the blogs I read daily.

I fear that some of my blogging friends are becoming overwhelmed with all the negative things around us. I fear some of us may be losing touch with some of our dreams.

That's sad...and I don't want to see it happen. I know it's hard, but none of us can afford to lose sight of our dreams! None of us can afford to let our friends lose sight of their dreams either!

I want to offer up a couple of videos that just might help a bit. I want to tell you all, from the bottom of my heart, that all things ARE possible. Don't lose hope, don't let life get you down, don't feel you are alone! None of us are alone as long as we have just one person in this old world that truly cares...just one!

Know this...I would be proud to be that one! Except for just one thing, whether or not you know it, you have many more than one! Believe me when I say, your friends are countless! They really are...!





Now how about we get a cup of coffee, sit outside for a bit...and share a quiet friendly moment!

10 Acres And A Well...?

You know, when you look at as many pieces of property as I do...once in a while, one suddenly pops up that really catches your attention!

That's when I first saw this little gem. I read the description, looked at the pictures, and studied the location a number of times. The closest town is really a "village" named Climax Springs. Here is some more information from Wiki-pedia about Climax Springs.

"In 2007, businesses included a video store, a realtor office, bank, gas station, concrete company, and a building materials center. Today As you enter the small town of Climax Springs you notice that it still remains a small community with a population of 80 in City limits.in the past year the town of Climax Springs has received a new library in great condition and a new gas station next to the "friendly market"

Sounds like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting, right? But what about the property itself? This acreage is mostly pasture (pictured below) with trees (pictured) toward the West end. It lies gently rolling to level from the county road all the way to the back and is drivable over the entire tract.

A new water well (pictured below) has just been drilled on the property and according to the well driller pumps 35 gallons per minute. Since drilling NO PUMP has been installed in the well.This is a perfect tract for horses, cattle, a home or just recreation.

The pond (pictured) was built to Missouri State Conservation Department standards and is between 1.5 to 2 acres in size. It is fenced from the rest of the tract and has an automatic waterer for live stock. There is also fence along the county road and back of the property.

Just one more thing about this property. The mineral rights come with the property! That's almost unheard of now days...! Anyway, the property was up for bid starting at $25.00 for the down payment. I checked on the seller, got good reviews, and put in my bid.

To shorten the story a bit, within a few days I was outbid...big surprise! Two days later, I got an email from the seller telling me the winner had backed down, and wanted to know if I was interested. I told him yes, we came to an agreement, and I BOUGHT IT!!

I didn't want to say anything about it until I had the paper work, but I got it today...so I wanted to share the news with you!

So now, I own 10.2 acres with the mineral rights, along with a brand new well, and a 2 acre stock pond! Mostly level pasture land with gently rolling terrain and a few very large trees, fenced on the front and back.

I've said before that I'm a simple man and it doesn't take much to make me happy! This just about does it, I'd say! Sorry for the long post, but I tried for the short version...

So, my friend, let's get some fresh coffee and sit on the patio...I can bore you with my plans about the future! BTW...I still have my land in the desert. Can't have too much land, I'm thinking!

Something You May Be Able To Use...!

I wanted to share this list with you because we are always looking for natural ways to accomplish daily task.

Some of these might already be known to you, some of them may not. Either way, I hope they can be of some use. OK? OK!

WARNING: Never mix cleaning products containing bleach and ammonia as dangerous fumes will result.


OVEN CLEANER
2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid
2 teaspoons borax
1/4 cup ammonia
1-1/2 cups warm water

Mix the ingredients together, apply to oven spills, and let sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Scrub with an abrasive nylon-backed sponge and rinse well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL-PURPOSE CLEANER
1 teaspoon borax
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2 teaspoons vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
2 cups hot water
Combine all the ingredients. If you don't have washing soda (generally found in the laundry section of supermarkets), use 1 teaspoon baking soda instead. For a more pleasant smell, use lemon juice instead of vinegar. Be sure to label the bottle accordingly.

Polishing Cloths
You can make your own polish-impregnated cloths to dust furniture. Pour some furniture polish into a large glass jar and shake it until the sides are coated. Pour the remainder of the polish back into the polish container. Place terry or other absorbent cloths in the jar and cover tightly. Leave overnight or until the cloths have absorbed all the polish. Store the cloths in the jar.

Here's another method for making polishing cloths. Add 1/4 cup polish (such as lemon oil) to 2 cups hot water. Mix well. Soak dust cloths in the mixture, then let them dry before using. Save the mixture in a glass jar. When the cloths become soiled, wash them, re-treat them, and use again.
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EASY SCRUB
3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup borax
dishwashing liquid
Combine the baking soda and borax. Mix in enough dishwashing liquid to make a smooth paste. If you prefer a pleasant smell, add 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice to the paste.
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JEWELRY CLEANER
1/4 cup ammonia
1/4 cup dishwashing liquid
3/4 cup water
Mix all the ingredients well, then soak your jewelry in the solution for a few minutes. Clean around the stones and designs with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Buff dry. (Caution: Don't use this with gold-plated jewelry; with soft stones such as pearls, opals, or jade; or with costume jewelry, because it could ruin the plastics or loosen the glue.)
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HEAVY-DUTY DISINFECTANT CLEANER
1/4 cup powdered laundry detergent
1 tablespoon borax
3/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup pine oil, or pine-based cleaner
Slowly stir the detergent and borax into the water to dissolve. Add the pine oil (available at hardware stores and supermarkets) and mix well. For bathroom cleaning, use the mixture full strength. In the kitchen, dilute it with water.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WOOD FLOOR POLISH
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil Mix the ingredients well, rub on the floor, and buff with a clean, dry cloth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RUG CLEANER
1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
1 cup lukewarm water
Combine the ingredients. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution over a large area, or use the solution to spot-clean nongreasy stains. (Don't use laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent in place of dishwashing liquid, as they may contain additives that can affect the rug's color.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOILET CLEANER
1 cup borax
1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice
Combine the ingredients to make a paste. Apply it to the inside of the toilet bowl, let sit for 1 to 2 hours, and scrub.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILDEW REMOVER
1 tablespoon powdered laundry detergent
1 quart chlorine bleach
2 quarts water
Combine all the ingredients in a pail. Wearing rubber gloves, wash off the mildew.
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FLOOR WAX REMOVER
1 cup laundry detergent
3/4 cup ammonia
1 gallon warm water
Mix all the ingredients together and apply to a small area of the floor. Let the solution sit long enough for it to loosen the old wax, at least 5 to 10 minutes. Mop up the old wax (or scrape it up, if there's a lot of it, using a squeegee and a dustpan). Rinse thoroughly with 1 cup vinegar in 1 gallon water and let dry before applying a new finish.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FURNITURE POLISH
1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
1 tablespoon boiled linseed oil
1 tablespoon turpentine
Combine the ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until blended. Dampen a cloth with cold water and wring it out until it's as dry as you can get it. Saturate the cloth with the mixture and apply sparingly to a small area at a time. Let dry for about 30 minutes, then polish with a soft cloth. Note that this mixture gets gummy as it sits, so make just enough for one day's work.
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GLASS CLEANER
2 tablespoons ammonia
1/2 cup alcohol
1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
a few drops blue food coloring
water
Combine the ammonia, alcohol, dishwashing liquid, and food coloring, then add enough water to make 1 quart. If you prefer a nonammoniated cleaner, substitute 3 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice for the ammonia.
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CARPET FRESHENER
1 cup crushed dried herbs (such as rosemary, southernwood, or lavender)
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
Combine all the ingredients in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Sprinkle some of the mixture on your carpet, let it sit for an hour or so, and then vacuum it up. It will give the room a pleasant smell and neutralize carpet odors.

Excerpted from Clean & Simple by Christine Halvorson and Kenneth M. Sheldon. Copyright 1999 by Yankee Publishing, Inc. From "The Old Farmer's Almanac Home Library" series published by Time-Life Books; call 800-277-8844, or check your local bookstore.

You Just have to love the Almanac... I know I do!

Now, let's get some coffee, go outside, and hope for some cooler weather today! OK,my friend?

We Have All Been There...!

No particular reason for this post, except I like the somg, the singer, and the message!

The first line of the song "I hurt myself today, to see if I could feel" about says it all...

We've all been there in one way or another. At least, I know I have...! But this song takes all the thoughts and emotions and groups them all together very well.



That's all I had today. Don't want to bore anyone by trying to be cute, or funny, or wise, or...you know, BORING!

Let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit...maybe listen to some more Johnny!

Secrets Of The Homestead...!

Just when you think you know your critters pretty well, something pops up to change your mind!

Maybe our animals are smarter than we knew...click on the picture and see what I mean!

Just gotta love those all-too-wise chickens!

Now let's get some coffee and sit on the patio ....before the heat causes the eggs to cook in the nest!

Can You Please Do Me A Favor...?

I really hate to ask, but I'm going to be away for a couple of days and I wondered if you would water my outside plants for me?

They are mostly begonia's and have a tendency to get very dry. I figure that a little watering about twice a day should be plenty, if you don't mind...

By the way, I don't know if you'll need it or not but just in case, the ladder is in the shed!

Relax, my friend, I'm just pulling your leg! I'm not going anywhere...and these are NOT my flowers! But there is a lesson in here...

Before you agree to help someone out, be sure you have all the facts! It's only the neighborly thing to do things like watering the plants for your buddies down the street, but you might want to get all the little details first...like is the ladder tall enough?

I think the picture speaks for itself, don't you? Oh, and by the way...if you click on the picture, you will get a better idea of the flowers!

Now, my friends, let's take our coffee to the patio and sit for a while...and don't worry! All my plants are sitting on the ground!

A Good Way To Start The Day...!

I thought that we would start the day off with a man far wiser than myself.

Not only was he wiser, but he could tell us all the common sense things we needed to hear and make us grin at the same time! I mean, how could you NOT like Mark Twain ? He didn't like congress, didn't trust the newspapers, and didn't care for politics in general! Ya know, he sounds like my kind of man...!



I think one reason he was so popular in his day, was that people could see the honesty behind the humor he shared! He spoke TO people, not AT them...like the politicians of today! That same quality is visible today in his many quotes, for those of us willing to see them!

No matter if you call him Mark Twain, or Samuel Clemens...he was a very entertaining man and very, very wise in the ways of the world. At least, that's my opinion!

Now, my friend, let's have some fresh coffee. Maybe we can share a few smiles at some of Mr. Twain's quotes...

May We Always Be...!...

I've been thinking about the fact that I am so caught up in all the bad news and the pitiful state of affairs around us as of late, I was forgetting to enjoy the good things of life.

Dwelling on the negative aspect of life will only serve to make you old...old before your time! I don't want that! None of us want that...so I went and found a song from the past that reminds us of that fact!

We must always try and remain young at heart! Always...!



Now let's have some coffee, my friend...and help each other think young thoughts!

The Morning Workout...!

You know, sometimes when I get up in the mornings...it's like running an obstacle course!

First of all, if the roomies stayed in at night, I feel like there is a crowd in my bed. As long as they are still I really don't mind, but if they toss and turn, then I almost feel as though I don't have room to even turn back the covers! Kinda like this!


Even if they haven't slept on the bed, they have a tendency to be in the way on the floor. It's like trying to roller skate in a buffalo herd, ya know? I mean, I know there's only two of them...but like kids, sometimes it seems like a lot more! Some of you know what I mean, I'm sure!



Now, after I fight my way out from under the covers, after I run the gauntlet of the kitties on the floor...usually managing to trip and stumble across the room to the coffee pot without hurting myself or the cats, I usually have a few not so nice things to mumble to myself about the wisdom of having cats as pets!

But by the time I reach for my coffee cup, I start to see things in a different light. I realize that the roomies are just doing what comes natural! They really do like me and want me to be happy early in the morning, and if they could, they would help me get my first cup of the day!



Finally, after getting my first cup and getting morning hugs from the roomies, I'm finally ready to face the day! It just goes to show that a good cup of coffee, a heartfelt hug from a pet, and a smile caused by the look of love in their eyes can brighten your day considerably!

I guess that sometimes even a pet, or a couple of pets, can be a reminder that we need to take time to stop and smell the roses every day!

Now, my friend, let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit. Maybe the roomies will stop in and give you a hug as well!