Where were we?

I think I may have mentioned PHG and I were going visiting for the holiday?
It was a kind of joint venture.
We only used one vehicle.

I dropped her off in Sacramento before proceeding south to Clovis.

Traffic south of Sac was hideous.
I still managed to arrive before the end of the Bears-Lions game.

Nieces #1 and #2 had already arrived with their offspring, who were playing nicely ...except for the youngest, who was napping.

Soon, the rests of the clan made an appearance, so we had to stop talking about them.

(I think I should give my sisters blog names that would kind of describe them.
Maybe that will be my next project.
Check back tomorrow)

Of course, it is necessary to post the gratuitous Napping Brother* picture.

He said he was resting his eyes

There were other sights in Clovis.

And the Sun was shining.
It was 72 degrees.

All in all a glorious day.

Friday morning was another, smaller, gathering.
Some had to work.
The rest of us had breakfast.

this is only a sample of how much was grilled

There were other things besides the bacon and the Swedish pancakes, but these and the company are the main attraction.
There was no pancake eating contest this year.

The youngest attendee fully enjoyed himself.

he's my great-nephew

The poor kid has two older sisters and an older girl cousin.

Then it was time for the drive back north.
The traffic was even more hideous on Black Friday.
Seven out of ten drivers seemed to want to get wherever they were going before anyone else.
One out of ten didn't seem to care when they arrived.
Then, there were the rest of us.

I was on another visit.
This time to my daughter and family.

(sorry, no pictures)

The kids were excited to see me.
The feeling was mutual.
We went for an early dinner and then to the playground at McKinley Park to wear them out before bedtime.
It was dark by the time we left the park.

I stayed on until after the last bedtime story and went to my hotel.
Then I contacted PHG and arranged to meet for the drive home on Saturday.

Overnight the weather took a turn.
The weather folks had forecast the change.
They were right.

It was raining when I awoke.
By the time I met PHG it was raining hard.
The new wiper blades I had purchased were not working as well as the ones I had replaced.
Fortunately, the rain stopped by the time we reached the Sacramento Airport.
It was relatively dry until we were almost home.

After unpacking the car, which didn't require much, the next order of business was to retrieve Sebastian from the Vet.
He appears to be none the worse for his 'procedure' and genuinely happy to be home.
The folks at the Vet's said he was a real joy to have around.
They also told us to keep him from being too frisky and keep him indoors for a few more days.

that's not gonna be fun!

*every chance I get

It's a long story (part two)

We were on about the longest five block walk we'd ever taken.
Fear does awful things to the imagination.
The brig?
Bread and water?
Being sent to the fleet?
Whatever would the military justice system do to us?

So we checked in at the duty office and were promptly written up for Unauthorized Absence.
At least that wasn't AWOL. . .   just its lesser [by a measurement only measurable by a micrometer] cousin.
There's one other, much worse, potential charge, which doesn't even come close to coming into play here. . .   Desertion.
But you can probably see how a couple of 18-year-olds minds might lump them together.
(There's another category, Missing Ships Movement. But that's a fleet thing)

The first individuals we came into contact with didn't help ease our minds.
They were other 18 - 19 year-olds with no more experience with the seriousness of the situation than us.
We were gonna hang!

Extra-judicial punishment started immediately.
Smitty showed up and reamed us a new one. . .   until we asked him why he had telephoned.
That shut him up.
We were assigned to stand security watch at the firefighting school at midnight.
(the firefighting school was at the corner of the island closest to Alcatraz and the prevailing wind was unobstructed there)
We were confined to the barracks except to go to the mess hall.
We were also requited to have a brig chaser [that's what they were called] accompany us whenever we left the barracks.
They didn't want us to escape [huh!}.
That was Sunday.

Monday morning the other shoe dropped.
We were told we were restricted to the base until further notice and we'd be told if there was any further punishment.

We waited.
We kept our heads down.
The only difficulty was explaining why we couldn't be home on weekends.
Pop had figured it out, but he'd made a promise.
My sisters, my mom, my grandmother, my girlfriend, and Mule's girlfriend did not understand.

To make matter more complicated.
Mule's girlfriend's parents had tickets for the San Francisco premier of Flower Drum Song at the Golden Gate Theater.

The tickets were non-refundable.
Mules and I were supposed to accompany them.
It didn't happen.
In fact there was some question whether or not we would make it home for Thanksgiving.

The downside of the whole incident is we were restricted to the base for about sic weeks.
The upside is we saved some money, we didn't have to go to the movie, and our service records showed no disciplinary action because everything was handled extra-judicially by the OIC* of the Radar School.
He confiscated our liberty cards and hid them.

There was an entry in the record that we'd been placed on report, but no record of any action being taken.
It was some eight months later, well after I had reported aboard ship that I found out the XO of the ship had inquired about the disposition of the incident.

so. . .   is that a win, or what?

*Officer in Charge

It's a long story

So there I was*...
Yep, once more we're reminiscing about ancient times.
(meaning I was still a teenager)
At a place we called TISFRANCAL.
(we being the operative term for the Navy)
I had completed basic training at San Diego.
The Navy, in it's great wisdom had returned me to my place of enlistment for further training at the Radar 'A' School in the middle of the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge, a large rectangular bit of landfill called Treasure Island, originally created to host the 1939 Worlds Fair.
There were many familiar temptations close at hand.

One of those temptations was my brother's house in Oakland.
It was only a short bus ride and a transfer to reach it.
There were also temptations in SF, but none were as appealing as the bachelor pad [sic].
It had been his maternal grandmother's and he inherited the place upon her death   . . .at least until such time as the estate was cleared up.
Three of us, Smitty, Mules, and I, returned from a brief visit to my parents on Saturday evening.
Instead of returning to our barracks we decided to extend out liberty for a few more hours by visiting my brother.
Of course we'd been warned cautioned by my folks not to do so because they knew what kind of trouble mischief we were capable of getting into.

All of us were 18 year olds.
You know, immortal, bullet proof, know-it-alls, who had the world by the nuts tail.
We had to experience something to believe it.

We arrived at the house on Greenwood Avenue sometime around 7pm.
Someone brought a couple of six-packs of Oly.
(back then 12-packs had yet to be invented and Olympia was the big deal on the West Coast)
The cards came out.
The game started.

Then there was a car in the driveway.
One look and we knew there was trouble.
It was the Ol' Man.
Pop was there to check up on my brother   . . .to make sure the house was being properly maintained, that nothing was missing.

The three of us, Smitty, Mules, and I, scattered.
Mules and I got as far as just outside the back door and stopped.
We decided to face the music.
What was the worst that could happen?
Smitty kept going.

The Ol' Man reamed us a good one.
But he didn't run us off   . . .or even offer a ride back to TI.
He told us he wasn't going to tell my mom.

He left and we went back to the game, but it wasn't nearly as much fun.
We mused a little about what may have happened to Smitty and wen to bed.

About 0800 Sunday morning we woke up.
Ah, crap!
Morning muster was at 0730 and we had the duty.

My brother called a friend with a car.
If I remember correctly it was a '57 Oldsmobile.
It was fast, but not fast enough to make us on time.
Besides we had the Bay Bridge and the toll plaza with which to contend.
We arrived at the Main Gate around 0900.
The Marines knew we were late because nobody returns from liberty at 0900 on a Sunday if it isn't required.
So they gave us some shit.
Then we had to walk from the gate to the barracks.
The shit was gonna hit the fan.

Yep. . .  this is as good a place as any to stop for now.

what're we gonna do now

*What’s the difference between a fairy tale and a sea story? A fairy tale starts with “Once upon a time” and a sea story starts with “So there I was”.
(that previous line paraphrases another blogger's tagline)

Another untitled post

Word of the Day*

I think, maybe, it's a message?
The definition, not so much, but the synonym kinda fits.

PHG and I will both be away for the holiday.
She's going to her son's.
I'm going to my sister's.
Sebastian would probably not deal too well with the long drive.

Who am I kidding?
Neither of us wants to deal with him anywhere but here at the house. . .   and we don't have anyone to look in on him while we're away.
Besides, there's a minor surgical procedure he has to have and he has to see a Veterinarian anyway, because there are vaccinations and we want to know with a little more certainty how old he may be.

So we arranged to take him in this morning and the Vet will board him until we return.
That eases our minds a lot.

good word, huh?

*Today's post is inspired by yesterday's post

Fugacious

Look it up!

Here

That was the Word of the Day
I found it during my peregrinations about the blogosphere this morning.

I found this, too.

It can be resized.
It is animated so I hope it works for you.
Are you sleepy yet?

Ol' Betsy is due to be smogged so she can be registered again.
I can't seem to get too excited about it.
It's hard to believe she's 20 years old.

PHG and I will both be away for Thanksgiving.
The cat is going in for a "procedure" and will be a guest at the Vet's boarding facilities.

Here's the Joke of the Day:

Q.What do you call a bear with no teeth?
A.A gummy bear.

th. . .  th. . .  that's all folks

Sun's up!!!

But it's too cold to go outside.

 

I have to go out anyway. . .   to the dentist's office.
At least I don't have to go until 9am.

I did a little housecleaning maintenance here.
Added another page.
There's more to do.

someday

Once upon a time*...

Yesterday I had an appointment to see the urologist for a prostate exam. Of course I was a bit on edge because all my friends have either gone under the knife or had those pellets implanted.
The waiting room was filled with patients. As I approached the receptionist's desk, I noticed that the receptionist was a large unfriendly woman who looked like a Sumo wrestler. I gave her my name.
In a very loud voice, the receptionist said,

"Yes, I have your name here: You want to see the doctor about impotence, right?"

All the patients in the waiting room snapped their heads around to look at me, a now very embarrassed man.
But as usual, I recovered quickly, and in an equally loud voice replied,

"No, I've  come to inquire about a sex change operation, but I don't want the same doctor who did yours."

The room erupted in applause!

Don't mess with old retired guys!!!

ever

*What’s the difference between a fairy tale and a sea story? A fairy tale starts with “Once upon a time” and a sea story starts with “So there I was”. 
(that previous line paraphrases another blogger's tagline)

I'm not late

I was just waiting for the Master.

The graphic above has been on my f/b profile for a couple of weeks.

The TCF graphic has been up on the sidebar for awhile, too.


I have a theme running around inside my skull regarding the Thanksgiving holiday.
It may break out shortly.

don't hold your breath

Normal Friday

Well, other than it being pre-Sunrise it's normal.

Commenting on others' blog posts hasn't been my strong suit lately.
That's mostly because I have found myself rushing my blog surfing.
What that means is I have had any number of 'other' things occupying my time.
By 'other' I mean productive.
I haven't spent as much time in front of the PC.
Also, when the cat perches on the desk or my lap it is difficult to get to the keyboard.
So I can't always type.

A Navy SEAL was on vacation in Louisiana and wanted a pair of genuine alligator shoes.
However, the local vendors were asking very high prices. So the Navy SEAL decided to go into the swamps and get his own alligator and then have the shoes made at a more reasonable price.
When he mentioned this to one of the shopkeepers, he was told that he might run into a couple of Marines who had decided to do the same thing.

So the SEAL headed into the bayou and a few hours later he saw the two Marines.
They were standing waist deep in the water.
The SEAL then saw a huge gator swimming rapidly underwater towards one of the Marines.
Just as the gator was about to attack, the Marine grabbed its neck with both hands and strangled it to death with very little effort.
Then both Marines dragged it on shore and flipped it on its back. Laying nearby were several more of the creatures.
The SEAL then heard one of the Marines shout, "Darn, this one doesn't have any shoes either!"

It's raining

Once upon a time*. . .
There was a shipmate who reenlisted in San Diego.
(If you look at the photo in yesterday's post, you can see him)

As radar operators were a critical rate, the Navy paid really good bonuses to those who re-upped.
$1500 was a lot of money back in 1963.
There was also that 30-day reenlistment leave that went with it.
(The leave was something that had to be earned at the rate of 2.5 days per month.
Everyone earned leave at the same rate.
It was the using of leave time that was difficult.
Usually the most one could hope for was two weeks  . . .and that was only during special periods in the ship's schedule, like after a deployment or around Christmas.
A 30-day leave was reserved for those who committed to four more years.)  

This particular shipmate was from Alabama and he was going home for the first time since he'd graduated from boot camp.
He had ample time on the books to take his 30 days and still have some in reserve.
In fact he had run the risk of losing some of those days because the Navy had a policy of use it or lose it for anything more than 60 days.

But I digress.
Shipmate departed the ship after quarters on a Monday morning.
Everyone wished him a safe trip and we all went to "commenced" work.
Nobody thought much about him the rest of the day as we went about our normal routines.
Tuesday morning we were awakened at reveille to find him in his bunk sound asleep.
Was it the shortest 30-day leave in history?
Not exactly.

He had stopped at the Acey-Deucy club for an adult beverage after exiting the main gate of the base.
He topped off at a bar downtown near the Greyhound depot
He'd decided to save a few buck by hitchhiking home.
He'd decided that he could get better results if he wore his uniform.
He rode the bus to somewhere just east of San Diego and got off to catch a ride.
The first car to stop for him was the California Highway Patrol.
They decided to give him a break and return him to the ship, instead of turning him over to the Shore Patrol.

So, on Tuesday morning, after quarters, shipmate departed again.
He was already on leave.

I can save a lot of time here by telling you there is a five paragraph refrain.
(Just add in Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday)





He didn't get much further east than El Cajon on any of those days.





Finally, on Saturday morning, the Chief one of the two First Class, and the senior 2nd Class drove him to Lindbergh Field and watched him buy a ticket and board a plane to Alabama.

There isn't any more to tell.
What makes it a fairy tale is that I was only an observer and not a participant.
What I observed was somewhat humorous, if insane.

since just after 8

 yesterday morning

*What’s the difference between a fairy tale and a sea story? A fairy tale starts with “Once upon a time” and a sea story starts with “So there I was”.
(that previous line paraphrases another blogger's tagline)

What was that all about?

There I was. . .*

(I love starting a post that way.
Thanks, Juvat)

. . .at 7:45am in the lobby of the imaging center again.
The difference is that this time it's for me.
My PCP had decided that I needed to have an ultrasound of my abdominal aorta because, as a former smoker, I am at risk for an aneurism.
He's new.
He doesn't understand what that word connotes.
He also doesn't know how many times in the past two years I have made that trip.
I know because he asked me if I knew where the imaging center is.
I won't tell him either.
It's immaterial.

It took almost as long to check in as it did for the procedure.
I was finished by 8:15.
It is a good thing, because I hadn't had any coffee yet and I'd been awake since just after 5.

The center's docs will interpret the images and talk to my doc.
Then he'll call me with the results.
He has an affinity for calling on Sunday afternoons.
Don't ask me why.
I may post the results.

Later, after coffee and breakfast, I zipped over to the elementary school, where we screened 118 second graders for vision problems.
It took a little longer than necessary because of balky teachers.
We were still done in less than two hours.

It isn't exactly a party, but about half of the radar gang was sure enjoying themselves at this bar in Keelung.

 June 1963

Afterward there were pedicab races on the streets headed back to the pier.

nobody cared who won

*What’s the difference between a fairy tale and a sea story? A fairy tale starts with “Once upon a time” and a sea story starts with “So there I was”.
(that previous line paraphrases another blogger's tagline)

Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap.......

I have to drive into Redding this morning. . .   in about ten minutes.
I am not looking forward to going out.

At least it is dry.

In case you missed it. . .

Plans

That's what I had.
I was going to try to get some scenic shots over the weekend.

Sunday, 7:30am

Maybe you can read that the sign says 29°?
Instead, I managed to stay occupied doing other things for the two days.

it was good

I'm not here

It's an auto-post.

yeah. . .  there's no such thing

The devil made me do it. . .

The most fun I ever had was [the one time] when they let me steer the ship.

just stirring the pot

Huh?

I started over here to write this post before the Sun came up.
It has taken this long because I have no idea what to write.
Just about everyone else is posting pics of snow and writing about the weather*.

So I was asked about my proclivity for incomprehensible Friday the 13th posts.
I can only tell you, as a youngster, I was drawn to the comic strip, Pogo, by Walt Kelly.
It was his wont to mark the occasion of the 13th day of any month by having one of the characters announce it, even if it was totally out of context.
I'm not sure if what I do is a theme day or a recurring event. . .    maybe it should be a holiday?

That's about all of the explanation I can give.

It kinda rained yesterday morning and the previous evening.
Slightly more than 1/8 inch of precipitation.
Earlier there was talk of rain again this weekend.
Talk's cheap.

As you can see, today is already WARMER than yesterday.

I will be away for much of the weekend, attending to some Lions Club business, in the metropolis of Weaverville.
I have already put the tire chains in the trunk of the car.

now where's the anorak and mukluks

*yeah-that's an exaggeration

It's on Thursday this month

Because I can. . .

. . .stir the pot

Confusion reigns

Really?

Yeah, but I'm not sure who's confused.
So I guess that means I'm the one?

Explain   . . .please.

Yesterday was Veterans Day, right?
Once upon a time* it was called Armistice Day.
Others call it Remembrance Day.
Anyhow, it's a holiday.
It has been relegated to the second tier of holidays.
That means it doesn't get the fanfare the big ones** get.
In fact, not so long ago, it was almost ignored by many folks [unless they had a paid day off].
Now, it gets more recognition.

That's where I'm confused.
I've always thought it was a day to recognize and thank those who've served in the military, to recognize that they voluntarily [and in some cases involuntarily] gave over a part of their lives to protect our freedom.
Yet, I saw a lot of speech makers talking about those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
I thought that's what we observe on Memorial Day?
(I have another whole rant about how Memorial Day's been hijacked for other purposes [like three day political junkets prior to June elections weekends].)

I guess what I want to know is do I say, "Thank you," or, "I remember?"
Maybe someone should spell it out and explain it to those in charge so they don't keep fussing around with those days that commemorate something special.

Actually I do both, and not just on holidays.

'nuff said

*No, not a fairy tale, but "There I was. . ." doesn't fit well.
**New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

You know who you are

     You may have served in Combat or in non-combat.

    You may have retired out or you may have served for a short time.

    You may have beren a draftee or a volunteer.

    You may have served in the  Army, Navy,  Air Force, Coast Guard or the Marines, BUT YOU SERVED. YOU DID  YOUR JOB HONORABLY

     and for that I am PROUD to call you Brother. You may  have served during Korea , WWII,. Vietnam, the Cold War, Persian Gulf, Iraq or

     Afghanistan, But you served, you did not run.

    You have a DD 214 with those words "HONORABLY DISCHARGED" two of the most noble  words in the world.

    Again I am proud to know each and every one of  you.

    * Today is Band of Brothers' Day*; send this to all your brothers, fathers, sons and fellow veterans you know.  Happy Brothers' Day!

    To the cool men that have touched my life: Here's to you!!  I was never a hero, but I am thankful and proud to have served among them .

    A real Brother walks with you when the rest of the world walks on you.

    GOD BLESS YOU,

    GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS,
              and
    GOD BLESS AMERICA!

and for lots of other things too

So. . . a Monday update

For want of something better, I went into the wayback to see what was happening around here last year at this time.
You can look, too.
The archives are over on the left and down a little.
I'd leave a link, but it just doesn't interest me all that much to rehash frustration.
A little hint is, we are fairly happy with the Internet connection around here, now.
About the only complaint is with the wireless router's range, which varies at times.

Somewhere amidst the posts back then, Buck used the phrase, this, too, shall pass.
I was familiar with it then.
I am familiar with it now.
It's a fact.

Mondays aren't the same any more.
Nothing is quite the same any more.
Looking back, reading my own words brought tears.
It felt good.

things are different

Basic Military Rules. . .

Here's where we find out which branches of the service have a sense of humor.

I just want to say here, to my fellow veterans, thank you for your service.

Marine Corps Rules:

01. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
02. Decide to be aggressive enough, quickly enough.
03. Have a plan.
04. Have a back-up plan, because the first one probably won't work.
05. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
06. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun whose caliber does not start with a '4.'
07. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive.
08. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend (Lateral & diagonal preferred.)
09. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.
10. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.
11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.
12. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember         who lived.
13. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating your intention to shoot.

Navy SEAL's Rules:

1. Look very cool in sunglasses.
2. Kill every living thing within view.
3. Adjust Speedo.
4. Check hair in mirror.

US Army Rangers Rules:

1. Walk in 50 miles wearing 75 pound rucksack while starving.
2. Locate individuals requiring killing.
3. Request permission via radio from 'Higher' to perform killing.
4. Curse bitterly when mission is aborted.
5. Walk out 50 miles wearing a 75 pound rucksack while starving.

US Army Rules:

1. Curse bitterly when receiving operational order.
2. Make sure there is extra ammo and extra coffee.
3. Curse bitterly.
4. Curse bitterly.
5. Do not listen to 2nd LTs; it can get you killed.
6. Curse bitterly.

US Air Force Rules:

1. Have a cocktail.
2. Adjust temperature on air-conditioner.
3. See what's on HBO.
4. Ask 'What is a gunfight?'
5. Request more funding from Congress with a 'killer' Power Point presentation.
6. Wine & dine ''key' Congressmen, invite DOD & defense industry executives.
7. Receive funding, set up new command and assemble assets.
8. Declare the assets 'strategic' and never deploy them operationally.
9. Hurry to make 13:45 tee-time.
10. Make sure the base is as far as possible from the conflict but close enough to have tax exemption.

US Navy Rules:

1. Go to Sea.
2. Drink Coffee.
3. Deploy Marines

GO NAVY!!!!!

Hmmmmmmm. . .

I just read that ". . .only 29% of voters think their representative deserves to be re-elected; but over 90% of incumbents were re-elected."
About the only thing I can infer from that is the alternative was even less desirable.

Then there's the possibility that thought run along this line:

"He may be an @$$#0[€, but he's our @$$#0[€."

Whatever the case, it appears to be business as usual.

"Fire for effect"

Buck does it!

. . .and I'm not complaining.

wouldn't do any good, anyway

What?

So you've been savoring the week and a half old World Series win?
No!
You've been semi-gloating about Tuesday's political doings?
No, not really!
What have you been doing?
I've been busy   . . .and what difference does it make anyway?
You seem to be under the impression I just sit here all day and play on the computer.
Well, it isn't all day.
Wednesday, I went with other Lions Club members over to Prairie School and we screened 156 Kindergarten, 2nd, and 3rd grade children for vision problems.

Today we get to go to Meadow Lane School and screen some more.

Then, tonight, we may get a chance to fuss with the camera while looking at the Moon  . . .again.

it's fun

Sure happy it's Thursday

I have a strange feeling that the only thing the recent election changes is the focus of the politicians.
Now they will be gearing up for the Presidential election in two years.
The rhetoric will still be about the same.
They will continue telling us what's wrong with the other guy.





You probably get it that neither political party appeals to me all that much.
The only thing they stand for is getting re-elected.

The other day Buck asked me why I used the strike-through font in a post.
I made a lame explanation about how I wasn't entirely pleased with what I'd written.
It's more like I really wasn't quite ready to express the thought posted, but I wasn't ready to shelve it, either.
Kinda along the lines of I really don't want to develop it any further and the matter isn't open for discussion.

I'm not ready to take myself that seriously (IYKWIM).

. . .and this is what we've all been waiting for.

now that's better

I did my civic duty

I exercised a privilege.
I voted.
I always do.
I haven't missed an opportunity since I became eligible to vote [and drink legally] at the age of 21.

from here

Now I have a question.
(Actually I have a number of questions)
Why was the 28th Amendment passed?
It seems that in 40 years we've gone from a nation where younger folks actively sought the right to vote to a place where the attitude has become, "Meh!"
Maybe that's just my perception?

It seems like it's those same folks who pushed for the 28th Amendment are the same ones who are staying away in droves.
. . .along with many of those who are even younger.

There's nothing wrong with politics.
It's the people who practice it that give it a bad name.

They have managed to turn off entire generations of eligible voters.
I think I can understand a little of that.
Are there any candidates for office who approach an election with a positive platform?
Who tell voters what they're going to do.
I think not.
All I hear is potshots at opponents.
Incumbents tell us their opponent is going to create chaos.
The opponent tells us the incumbent hasn't done anything since he was elected.
I won't even get into how polarized it's become   . . .other than to say I can't relate to any of the candidates from either party.

Then there are those who insist upon painting members of the opposing party with the broad brush, forgetting that by doing so they are automatically creating animosity.
Good grief!
If they'd just be a little reasonable they might find something they could agree on.

Buck started something the other day.
I had to follow up.

My first car.
From here.

The only thing different from the image is the California license plate (yellow on black - BZM337) is missing and I didn't have whitewall tires.
Otherwise the car in the picture is identical.

Then there is the first new car I ever had.
Also identical to the image.

1969 Ford Torino GT

It could pass everything on the road. . .

. . .except a gas station.

better'n politics, huh?

RIP

It came to my attention yesterday that two celebrities with whom I am familiar have recently died.
The first report, from the BP, a fellow by the unlikely name of Mr. Acker Bilk.
He played a mean clarinet.
Allow yourself some time to listen to this.



He was best known for Stranger on the Shore, but, come on, he wasn't exactly a one hit wonder.


Then Buck reported the passing of Tom Magliozzi, who was either Click or Clack, of the world famous Tappet brothers.
The brothers were not only entertaining, but they were informative.
Wait. . .   they still are.
The radio program, Car Talk, is recorded and still plays regularly on NPR stations across the country.



I feel fortunate to live in an area the is served by two NPR stations, on of which broadcasts the show twice a week.
So I get to listen three times each week.

It could also be noted that some major retailers are making every effort to hijack the entire month of November for the promotion of sales.
These same merchants also appear to be the ones who choose to ignore Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday
IMHO the only folks worse than these money grubbers are those who insist on being first in line at those sales.

it isn't about stuff!!!

Another untitled post v

Because it's easier that way.

So there I was*. . .    breakfast at the Senior Center was a huge success yesterday.
We easily surpassed the previous highest number served.
That made going in an hour earlier than usual well worthwhile.

Apropos of recent sporting events. . .

. . .and a slight bit of parochialism.

That might find it's way onto the sidebar later.

it's as close to a gloat
 you'll get from me

*What’s the difference between a fairy tale and a sea story? A fairy tale starts with “Once upon a time” and a sea story starts with “So there I was”.
(that previous line paraphrases another blogger's tagline)

Appropriate of. . .

. . .not much.
Doc called yesterday.
All of the lab work came back withing the parameters allowed advised suggested.
They're still awaiting one more test and I am supposed to go to the imaging center for an ultrasound.
The only addition to my usual routine is a low-dose or, as he called it, baby aspirin.
The good news is I no longer have to monitor my blood sugar.

I do wish the doc would quit calling me "Sir" and stopping telling me I am in good shape for "someone your age."
In fact I kinda wish he hadn't actually spelled out exactly how old I am.

The highlight of  his exam on Thursday was when he asked if I'd had a recent prostate exam.
I had to tell him no.
The only other detail I will present here is I have nothing to worry about.

I am glad he didn't ask when my last colonoscopy was.

We did get our rain Friday.
It fell politely, at a rate of about a third of an inch spread out over 12 hours.
Then last evening we had another trace.

This morning is the monthly breakfast at the Senior Center.
I hate that it coincides with setting the clocks back.
November is the month we start serving breakfast an hour earlier than usual.
We do that for the folks who go up into the hills to cut down the trees for the City of Redding and the City of Anderson to use in their Christmas displays.
It is done early in November because it is the volunteer firemen who cut the trees and then put them up and decorate in their spare time.

Speaking of Friday. . .
The rain stopped early enough to bring trick or treaters out in force.
They mostly showed up early, traveling in packs and accompanied by parents.
We had probably about 80.
With one exception, all of the groups were through before eight o'clock.
The clueless airheads that showed up at 8:45 didn't seem to realize that when all of the lights are turned off, they are supposed to pass on to the next place with the lights on. 

I'm thinking that next year is going to be a real drag.
Halloween comes on the night before the first Sunday.
It is like a triple whammy.

well, there's a year to figure it out