MY COUNTRY LIFE

This blog is winding down....

2008-10-05T04:21:00.000-07:00

Anne, of Saturday's child, said it so well that I'm not even going to try and improve on it. So go read her "last post" on AOL HERE, if you haven't already.

My favorite quote from that entry: "it's much easier to talk about life to strangers who become friends than to lots of friends who are really strangers. Ordinary people live extraordinary lives."

I've found this to be true about all the folks I've met on AOL, from the early days of the Christian chat rooms right down to the present day, of J-land and Blogspot.

I've already found most of my favorite J-landers in their new digs at Blogspot, and even re-discovered some that I had somehow lost track of. So this move really isn't so sad after all. Now if AOL really figures out a way to seamlessly move these old journals to Blogspot, I won't have a single regret about the move.

Oh, you'll find me blogging HERE from now on.

Tags: goodbye J-land, hello Blogspot

2008-10-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

Be sure to follow the journals blog, Magic Smoke. Vish is keeping us posted on the big fade-out of AOL Journals. I assume all J-landers are getting the emails giving us more information. One thing I noticed is that we'd be better off if we didn't start our Blogger site until it's actually time to move... it will be better and easier if we don't already have our new blog up and going.

Here's what I saw in Magic Smoke: "I know a lot of youare trying out Blogger by creating blogs. So, when you create a testblog over there, call it something other than the name you want to usefor your journal.

The reason I say that is because during themigration (read:copy) process, it will ask you for a blog name onBlogger into which to copy your journal. At which point you might notget the name that you wanted, because you have used it up on the testblog.

Of course, like everything in life there is a way aroundthis, but I do not want to complicate your life any more than it isnow. If you are savvy with Blogger then feel free to go and grab a nameof your choice. I will show you a way to use that name to migrate yourjournal later."

I'm pretty sure I'll have to start a different blog, because my Blogger site has been up at going for at least two years. I doubt very much that the entries from here could be interspersed with the Blogger entries according to date. I may just entitle a new blog "My Country Life", and not add any new entries... just keep it there for the memories, with its content of the words from my AOL journal.

I'll be glad when this is all over.

Tags: AOL journals, migration

You'll Be Fine

2008-09-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

This morning I read Jen Lemen's blog, and she introduced me to a singer I've never heard of, singing a "children's song for grownups": I just now realized it is perfectly fitting for those of us who have gotten a bit depressed about the sad J-land news today.

I promise you will feel better if you listen to THIS, take two aspirins, and call me in the morning.

You can also buy it as a download HERE, and you get to name your price. How cool is that?

Just breathe.

Tags: Ze Frank, Breathe

... and one more thing

2008-09-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start checking my gmail account for email. My addy there is mosie1944 at gmail.com (I wrote it that way to discourage bots).

Feel free to use it. I'll be checking and reading the AOL email as long as it's here, but who knows how long that'll be.

Tags: email

Life goes on

2008-09-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

I found some pertinent information about the demise of AOL journals at Magic Smoke.

According to that source: "Thegood news here is that AOL is working on a migration plan and mostlikely destination is Blogger. So, you will soon receive another email(I think scheduled to go out Oct 7th) describing the migration process."

I already have a Blogger site, and have been using it for some time; we'll see whether this forces me to make a second blog there or not. I'm fairly sure some of the pictures (the album format, for example) won't be exported to Blogger. But that's OK; I have all my pictures stored on my computer. I would surely hate to lose all the thoughts I've typed out here in the past four years or so, and if only the words I've typed move to Blogger, that's fine with me.

My opinion, and mine only, is that this is the beginning of the end for AOL. They've struggled for a long time to make money, and been unable to compete with other forces. I have a Yahoo email account, and also a Gmail account I've seldom used. I'll be using those when AOL closes shop.

Readers, trust me on this: There are lots of nice people on Blogger, and you can get to know them in the same way we've all connected right here.

I do hate to see AOL journals and FTP spaces close. But life goes on, and we don't have to lose track of one another. I still read the blogs of several people who left AOL for Blogger, back during the storm about ads on our journals.

You might want to set up a Bloglines account so you'll know when your favorite blogs update. This is much superior to the AOL alert system, anyhow. It always works, without filling your email box with a lot of stuff.

Tags: goodbye, AOL journals

AOL journals is closing it's doors

2008-09-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

Yep, read the banner ad at the top of this page. October 31 AOL journals will close. At least I have my Blogger site.

If anyone knows how I can somehow save what I've written on this blog to my computer, please let me know. I hope it isn't too complicated.

A rewarding day!

2008-09-29T15:35:00.000-07:00

Cliff and I went off in search of some shade trees today. We ended up at Colonial Nursery, south of Blue Springs. I figured they'd be a little pricey for us, but surely we could afford a couple of trees. I wanted fast-growing trees with a little size to them.

I'm impressed with the people at Colonial Nursery every time we're there: they are so knowledgeable and helpful.

Turns out we landed right smack in the middle of a 25%-off tree sale! We came home with two Autumn Blaze maples, and a Chanticleer Pear tree, all of them at least ten feet tall.

We also got a start of Pampas grass. I've always been fascinated with the stuff. I realize that in some places it's considered an invasive weed, but I'll take my chances.

All of that for less than $100. I love a bargain.

To make a good day even better, we'd no sooner gotten home than the propane man arrived with a boom truck and moved our tank. So that unsightly thing is no longer ten feet away from my deck and hot tub.

As icing on the cake of a wonderful day, I checked in with my sister and she's feeling pretty darned well. She'll see her doctor tomorrow afternoon, but I expect only good news from him

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

Tags: trees, home sweet home

musings from the trailer house

2008-09-28T04:45:00.000-07:00

My sister went home yesterday, and her son and daughter-in-law are going to stay at least for a couple of days with her. She'll see her doctor on Tuesday.

Cliff's sister Charlene and her husband are here for the weekend. They've spent lots of weekends here lately, and since they are our favorite guests, we're glad: They accept us as we are, we're comfortable with them... and they're so much fun. We no longer call the extra bedroom the "guest bedroom". Oh no, we call it "Pat and Charlene's room". They leave a few clothes, toothbrushes, and so forth, here. It's their home away from home.

Their last visit, they were here getting their farmhouse ready for its new tenant. This time a funeral brought them. They say this will probably be their last visit for awhile, and that makes me rather sad. I guess we'll have to go visit them in St. Louis... but they haven't bought their hot tub yet! I don't know if I can survive without my morning soak in the hot tub.

Of course I jest, but it surely is a wonderful way to wake up, with all those jets massaging my back, legs and feet.

The chemicals drive me crazy, though. Not that it's time-consuming, adding them; because it isn't. But I'm always wondering if I'm doing everything right. Some things are to be added with one pump running, some with two pumps but no aerator running, whatever that means. Oh, and if you use the wrong chemicals it can mess up some of the workings... and that's not covered in the warranty. Cliff says, "Don't worry about it; if we have to get it fixed, we will."

Charlene and Pat love the hot tub and have intentions of buying one for themselves before too long. I told them that perhaps by then, I'll know enough about these pricey chemicals to be able to advise them.

I have cinnamon roll dough rising in the kitchen. Yesterday we had biscuits and gravy. I cook like that when our favorite guests are in residence, but I do remind Cliff not to over-indulge. And he listens to me pretty well.

Life is good.

Tags: hot tub, Pat and Charlene

Hello, from the hospital

2008-09-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

I brought my laptop with me when I came to spend some time with my sister in the hospital, figuring to play some big band music I'd put on a CD for her. Imagine my delight when I realized I had Internet access here! I created a station on Pandora which I named "Bing Crosby Radio" and added Glenn Miller and similar names to the roster. As I type this, I'm hearing Bing Crosby sing "On The Sunny Side of the Street". Maxine isn't hearing much, because she's taking a nap in the chair.

She's eating adequate meals; this morning she was able to stand at the sink and brush her teeth. So far, so good.

So when she's taking her little naps (usually right after her dose of pain-killer) I've been educating myself on polyps. I've learned that the procedure she had is called a laparotomy. I've been instructed on these websites that anyone who has a family member with a history of polyps (that would be my sister) or a family history of colon cancer (one of my dad's brothers) should start having colonoscopies at age forty. Hmmm, I'm twenty-four years late. But as soon as we get Maxine home (four to seven days after surgery), I'm scheduling my first colonoscopy. Once that's over, I'll schedule one for Cliff. Our doctors have been telling us for some time we should do this, but it's taken this little adventure to really push me into action.

So, that's what's up with me and my sister.

Tags: Maxine, colonoscopy

Spammed!

2008-09-23T17:36:00.000-07:00

Am I the only person in J-land who keeps getting spam comments in my journal? This hadn't happened in a long time, but now I keep getting what appear to be "bot" comments on old entries. As soon as I discover what's happening, I block that user and delete all comments they've made; next day, they're back with a slightly-altered screen name.

Grrrr.

My sister's surgery

2008-09-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

I asked for prayers and positive thoughts for my sister a few days ago. Her surgery was this afternoon, and she seems to have come through with flying colors. The surgery didn't last as long as we expected and there were no complications.

I still appreciate all prayers for her fast recovery and healing. She deserves it.

Tags: Maxine

My Sidewalks

2008-09-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

A regular reader wanted to see pictures of our sidewalks, so I rushed right outside and took a few pictures. Keep in mind that the ugly propane tank in back will be moved (we've already asked the company to do so, and are patiently waiting) and we'll have grass in the spots where now you see pasture-grass, weeds, and/or mud. Probably not this fall, from the look of things. But hopefully next spring.

Tags: home sweet home, sidewalks

fact or fiction?

2008-09-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

I received an interesting email yesterday, one of those that sent me running to Snopes.com, because it sounded like something made up by someone. And it probably is, but right now there's no way of knowing.

I'm sure some of you have received it also: It states that on or about October 5, Joe Biden is going to step down from the Democratic ticket citing health reasons, and will be replaced by Hillary. To read the thing in its entirety, click HERE.

It will be interesting to follow this one, since Snopes gives its authenticity an "undetermined" rating. To me, this means it might possibly be true.

This has already been one of the most interesting and unique election years ever, and that would really shake up the mix!

What do you think? Will it happen?

Tags: election, hillary

It's a great day for a motorcycle ride

2008-09-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

Cliff and I left home around nine this morning, thinking perhaps we might ride to Versailles and maybe say hello to some of his relatives.

Once on the road, we realized we hadn't dressed warmly enough; I had my light motorcycle jacket on without the liner, so it was pretty drafty. Cliff had nothing over his short-sleeved shirt. Still, we figured as the day wore on, it would warm up.

We took blacktop roads we'd never traveled before, and half the time we didn't quite know where we were. We did know that as long as we went east and south, we'd end up close to our destination.

However, when we came out near Sedalia, we decided not to go any further away from home. It was noon, and would have taken another hour to drive to Versailles. And I was cold!

Sedalia has a beautiful city park we love, so we had our picnic there before turning toward home. By the time we were on the road again, the temperature had climbed to a pleasant 75 degrees.

Tags: motorcycle ride, Sedalia, corn harvest

Another one Edna sent

2008-09-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

Edna is on dial-up, so she can't watch many of the videos people share; she can only watch those that come to her as a download. I got this one this morning from her, and I knew it had to be on Youtube.

Sure enough, I found the clip, which is almost nine minutes long.

This little boy impresses me with his intelligence as much as with his piano-playing. What a gift of gab the child has!

Tags: Ethan, Jay Leno

seen in email from Cliff's cousin, Edna (I claim her as my cousin, too)

2008-09-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

Subject: Thanks

I just want to thank all of you for your educational emails over the past year.
Thanks to you, I no longer open a public bathroom door without using a paper towel.

I can't use the remote in a hotel room because I don't know what the last person was doing while flipping through the adult movie channels.

I can't sit down on the hotel bedspread because I can only imagine what has happened on it since it was last washed.

I can't enjoy lemon slices in my tea or on my seafood anymore because lemon peels have been found to contain all kinds of nasty germs including feces.

I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because the number one pass-time while driving alone is picking your nose (although cell phone usage may be taking the number one spot)

Eating a Little Debbie sends me on a guilt trip because I can only imagine how many gallons of Trans fats I have consumed over the years.

I can't touch any woman's purse for fear she has placed it on the floor of a public bathroom. Yuck!

I must send my special thanks to whoever sent me the one about poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every envelope that needs sealing.

Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.

I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.

I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.

I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.

I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.

Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an email to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.

I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas..

I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put 'Under God' on their cans.

I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.

And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face...disfiguring me for life.

I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.

I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.

I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.

I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops or the Salvation Army.

I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica , Uganda & Singapore and Uzbekistan .

I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.

Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.

And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.

I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas companies!

If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician...

Have a wonderful day...

Oh, by the way.....
A German scientist from Argentina, after a lengthy study, has discovered that people with insufficient brain activity read their e-mail with their hand on the mouse.

Tags: email funny, edna

It's been a decent day

2008-09-17T16:46:00.000-07:00

Cliff and I rode the motorcycle this morning. Oh, not very far... just to Higginsville, where we window-shopped at Kleinschmidts, bought some essentials at Orschelns's (where it's peanut days and you can stroll around the store shelling peanuts and dropping the shells on the floor), and ate at our favorite Pizza Hut.

Of course, any motorcycle trip with Cliff that takes you through a farming town involves cruising the back lot of every tractor dealer to see what sort of used tractors they've taken as trade-in. Cliff will ask questions like, "Is that Oliver a diesel?"

Sheesh, how would I know? I'm just glad I can tell an Oliver from a John Deere.

Granddaughter Natalie spent the afternoon here and had a ride on Blue; she's so out of practice, though, that he kept trying to take over. Not a good thing. I imagine part of the problem is that nobody rides him except me, so he's become somewhat a one-person horse.

I called my sister this evening to make sure her scheduled surgery is still a "go". I'd appreciate prayers on her behalf: she's eighty years old, and has never had any type of surgery. In fact, she doesn't even take blood pressure meds, or any other prescription drugs. She has some polyps that were too difficult to remove during her last colonscopy, so they're doing the surgery to get those. The doctor assured her that they aren't suggesting, or even thinking, that she might have cancer; they just want to get this problem area fixed so nothing becomes cancer. Next Tuesday is the day.

But I'm sure Maxine is nervous, because I certainly would be. I have one sister, and she is very special to me, and to everyone who knows her.

So pray for her peace of mind, and for her continued health.

Tags: Higginsville, motorcycle ride, Maxine

I rode my horse

2008-09-16T04:34:00.000-07:00

The weather just now is so perfect, it almost defies description.

Big, full moon in the mornings when I'm soaking in the hot tub.

Crisp air, with temperatures in the forties to start.

Blue, cloudless skies. Highs around seventy in the afternoon.

So of course I saddled Blue yesterday after Cliff left for work.

It was a good ride. I was amazed to see the corn has turned from green to brown, looking ready for harvest. I had my camera, and figured I'd share the autumn landscape with my readers.

Except that the battery was dead. The battery lasts so long on my little camera that it always comes as a surprise when it finally needs re-charging.

Just take my word for it, it's a wonderful world out there right now.

On another note, the last of our concrete was poured yesterday. Now we can buckle down-knuckle down to living in our new spot. Oh, there are minor things we still need to do, but those will be out-of-pocket expenses. Things like planting grass and getting the propane tank moved to a better location. Cliff is in the process of laying out boundaries for our yard. Oh, and I may plant some tulips today.

Tags: What a wonderful world

Hummingbirds, still around

2008-09-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

My thermometer reads 48 this morning. As cold as it is, though, the hummingbirds still come to the feeders as soon as there's light in the east.

One of the myths about hummingbirds is that you have to bring the feeders inside or they won't migrate to Mexico for the winter, and they'll freeze.

Another myth is that they hitchhike to Mexico on the backs of geese.

For a list of hummingbird myths, go HERE. (Some of these seemed quite ridiculous to me.)

To learn more about hummingbirds that you dreamed possible, go to Hummingbirds.net.

I had never watched these tiny creatures until this summer. I have to say it's been a real experience, watching them drink the sugar-water and fight over it. Just goes to show, there's always something new to experience if you keep your eyes open.

According to those websites, my little friends will likely disappear around October 15.

Tags: hummingbirds, myths

Klondike Park

2008-09-13T03:52:00.000-07:00

When we headed home from St. Louis on Labor Day, Charlene and Pat thought we'd enjoy Klondike Park. As I've mentioned before, the country south and west of St. Louis is amazing.

There was a steep trail going up to an observation area which Charlene said they'd never taken time to use. I love going to the top of hills or mountains, just to see what lies below. So we began our trek.

The view was fantastic. This was one of the best thirty-minute off-the-road site I've visited.

By the way, if you google Klondike Park, you'll find it's very common for people to rock-climb (despite signs saying "no rock climbing") and fall, injuring themselves.

Tags: Klondike Park, St. Louis

My son is a genius

2008-09-11T18:51:00.000-07:00

Check out my son's comment on the last entry. (Woodmotorsports)

I did what he said to do.

My TV works just fine in that mode, thank you very much.

I'm not sure what we do next, but our next-door neighbor works for Dish.

I'll bet he'll know what to do.

Tags: television, audio, dish

Sheesh

2008-09-11T16:29:00.000-07:00

I turned on our television a while ago, only to learn it has NO SOUND. "Mute" isn't on. It isn't a Dish problem, because the little TV in the bedroom works.

Something tells me it isn't going to be cheap to get a plasma TV worked on.

It's about two years old.

Wish me luck.

Tags: television, piece of junk

We're getting a sidewalk now.

2008-09-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

No more wet grass clippings and mud tracked into the house! Woo-hoooo!

Tags: concrete sidewalks

Sorry about the lack of entries lately

2008-09-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

After a phone call from Cliff's youngest sister and a prod (in comments) from Anne, I figured I'd better do an entry.

This summer has been so busy and so full of surprises, blogging hasn't been a priority. A while back I looked in the archives of this journal and realized I used to be much more interesting.

I'm happy and doing well; there just isn't that much happening that I think others would care about reading.

What I'm doing right now is reaping benefits of Cliff's youngest sister and her husband vacating the farm house where they had lived for so long; I have a new back room and plenty of stuff to store... they had lots of cabinets and shelves I can use for storing. Oh, and they gave us a nicer bedroom suite for the guest room than the one we had. So the grandson took the old stuff, and tomorrow we'll bring in the new.

The guy who is going to do the garage floor and our sidewalks was working here today. With luck, he may be pouring concrete tomorrow.

See, all these things are exciting to me, but they don't make for an interesting journal entry. But I thought I'd check in and let you know that things are going great.

Meanwhile, I'm certainly enjoying all the political stuff that has the media so upset. Each day gets a little more interesting. Who needs fiction when real life is this crazy?

Happy birthday to my oldest granddaughter, Amber. She was the CUTEST little baby girl I ever saw in my life, playing with Barbie and "Kim" (yeah, that was her way of saying Ken).

Tags: checking in

Family hot tub time

2008-09-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

From left to right: Charlene and Rena (Cliff's sisters), Pat (Charlene's husband), Me, and Cliff.

Now that's what I call making the most of a hot tub.

Tags: hot tub

I found someone in my hot tub!

2008-09-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

Cliff's sister and her husband were here to spend the night; I was in bed asleep when they arrived, but they took advantage of the hot tub before they turned in. This morning they climbed in again, taking their first cup of coffee with them (that's when this picture was taken). Before long, they talked me into joining them. Finally, we all lured Cliff into the waters.

He's amazed at how his arthritic shoulder and back loosened up and didn't hurt. (Yes, we're aware of what to remember with his heart issues, and how to deal with the hot tub accordingly.)

I still working on the PH thing, adding a little and then a little more. As you can probably tell in the picture, we have some foaming going on; I wasn't given any anti-foaming agent, so we'll need to pick some up.

Tags: hot tub

Home improvement and hot tub update

2008-09-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you know, the minute we found an electrician to wire the hot tub, it started raining. And of course, the guy couldn't work in the rain. We were in desperate need of moisture around here; the two-and-one-quarter inches came slowly and constantly over a period of two days, so every drop soaked into the parched ground.

Both yesterday morning and today, the electrician called apologizing. Today he said he'd be here at 8 A.M. on the first day there's no rain. That should be tomorrow, because the sky is clearing and there's been no rain for a few hours. At least this guy calls and checks in with us.

The only thing left to do now is the concrete: There'll be a concrete floor in the garage and a couple of sidewalks. By the time that's done, we'll be out of funds.

Honestly, I'm surprised at how much we've been able to do with limited means. If there were more money, we'd do more. But I never dreamed we'd get all this done with our home equity loan, and I'm very thankful. The hot tub wasn't even in the budget!

Once the last dollar is spent, I'll call and lock in our interest rate at 4.99%, and it will be time to start paying the piper.

Tags: home sweet home, home equity loan

politics

2008-09-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

I notice many of my favorite bloggers are touting their politics.

Just in case you wondered... I'm Republican. I won't be changing.

I'm so Republican, I voted for Nixon. And I voted for "W" twice.

I won't try to make you change your politics. This is America, and you can vote for whomever you choose. If you choose to attack the morals of my candidates, however, make sure YOUR candidates are (and have always been) above reproach.

And that's as political as this journal is ever going to get.

Oh yeah, just so you know: there are two Democrats I'd have voted for, if I had a "wayback" machine. Both of them are considered to be miserable failures.

Harry Truman and Jimmy Carter.

Why would I have voted for them? Because I believe they were real; I believe they were what they claimed to be.

Tags: politics

Record Lady... Piano Lady?

2008-09-03T17:27:00.000-07:00

In a long-ago entry, I mourned the loss of Record Lady's website Her name was Rose, by the way.

A friend sent a link to me this evening to a website that seems to have a lot of the music Record Lady used to have. Only this "record lady" calls herself Nancy.

Whoever she is, if any of you out there miss Record Lady, you may want to check out the Piano Lady.

Tags: record lady, piano lady, nancy, rose

A one-minute ride through west-central Missouri

2008-09-03T05:37:00.000-07:00

motorcycle ride

Notice the lack of other traffic. This is why I love Missouri's blacktop byways.

Old barns

2008-09-03T04:09:00.000-07:00

I found myself taking pictures of old barns on our motorcycle travels last weekend, just because I love them. Some of the pictures are askew: when you're going around a curve at seventy miles per hour, it's hard to keep a camera level.

Something I noticed when Rena and I made the trip north for her divorce was that from northern Iowa on into Wisconsin, hundreds of old barns are well-kept and in use. Here in Missouri, the few old barns that remain are in some stage of decay. But there's a beauty to be found, even in the decrepitude.

I wish I'd taken pictures of the lovely barns up north, but it didn't occur to me at the time.

Tags: barns

Weekend road trip

2008-09-02T04:29:00.000-07:00

When Cliff's youngest sister and her husband lived only a few miles away, we went on lots of motorcycle rides together. Then they moved to St. Louis, and left us with no riding buddies. Our mailman, Floyd, has a Gold Wing, and he's always saying he and his wife will come by some weekend and we'll ride together. But so far, that hasn't happened. So it's just me and Cliff on "White Lightnin'" when we ride.

Once last fall we took our motorcycle to St. Louis on a trailer and rode with Charlene and Pat. It was great fun, and we decided to go again this year, on Labor Day weekend. Only this time, we'd ride the bike all the way.

We avoid freeways when riding the motorcycle. The winds buffet us around, and the traffic moves so fast that when we're going seventy-five miles an hour, people pass us as though we're sitting still. That's OK when you're in a car with seat belts and air bags around, but on a motorcycle, it makes you feel like an organ donor on your way to save someone's life.

So we take back roads where it's possible. By necessity, though, we're forced to get on freeways at times. We grit our teeth, pray hard, and tough it out.

We met up with Charlene and Pat in Columbia, which is midway between Kansas City and St. Louis, and our weekend of enjoyment was under way!

Tags: St. Louis, road trip, Pat and Charlene

Meet me in St. Louis!

2008-09-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

Cliff and I headed out Saturday morning on the motorcycle. We met his sister and her husband in Columbia, Missouri, and then we all rode together to their home in St. Louis. We didn't go straight there, though. We rode around through Missouri's wine country on winding, hilly roads. We rode all day Sunday, and then Pat and Charlene accompanied us halfway back home today. I'll share some pictures through the upcoming week.

In a three-day period, we've ridden around 800 miles. Now that isn't much in a car, but trust me... for a couple of old fogies, it's doing pretty good on a motorcycle.

Cliff had been having problems with butt discomfort lately, any time we rode more than three hours. We researched the problem on the Internet, and ordered a little item that totally fixed the problem.

Beads! Wooden beads.

See? On his seat.

They saved the day on this trip.

Tags: beaded motorcycle seat

hummingbirds

2008-08-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

The hummingbirds never fail to make me smile; they're very cheap entertainment.

Tags: hummingbirds

The garage is DONE (except for the concrete)

2008-08-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

When the crew arrived this morning, this is how the garage looked.

All it needs now is a concrete floor and a pad out front; our neighbor will do that job before long.

Tags: garage

So, I have a feline fan

2008-08-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

My longtime Internet buddy, Ora, sent me this picture in email. It's her cat, "reading" my AOL journal.

Tags: Ora's cat

Our garage

2008-08-29T03:06:00.000-07:00

Our garage would have been finished already, but the some of the sheet metal the builders received was the wrong length. I wouldn't be surprised to see it done today. Next week, good Lord willing, we'll have the concrete floor in it. Cliff intends to have a concrete pad in front of it where he can wash vehicles, since the water is softened back here.

Someone commented that our garage looks like a barn: well, it is a pole-barn type building. Cliff had it made extra tall so that if he needed to pull some of his farm equipment in there in a pinch, it would fit... although he only plans to park our car and the motorcycle there. He also decided to place it with the widest part facing the front, which leaves quite a bit of storage space on the right-hand side. That is going to be MY storage space, where I'll store things like Christmas decorations. Cliff has plenty of storage for all his goodies, and he's decided I need some of my own. I think that's a pretty good idea.

The added-on back room is 8X10, and I'll be storing some seldom-used household items on shelving in there. But it'll be nice to have another spot where I can put outdoor-type stuff, as well.

I simply must use some restraint, though, and not turn all my spaces into another "junk room" full of stuff I never use like I had over at the old house.

Tags: garage

YES!

2008-08-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

That skinny guy you see going around back of my house is a real, live ELECTRICIAN!

See? There's his truck. If you live near me and want to get an electrician who will actually return your call and then show up when he is supposed to, call these guys.

He said they do lots of hot tubs; the last two he hooked up were used ones: One leaked like crazy when the folks put water in it, and the other one only worked for two days. And to think I was originally watching Craigslist for a bargain hot tub.

Oh, he said they'd get to it early next week. He actually said Monday, but I'm sure he forgot about Monday being Labor Day.

Oh, and it isn't going to cost nearly as much as I was afraid it would.

Tags: electrician, hot tub

Stand by

2008-08-27T18:36:00.000-07:00

Hopefully, tomorrow I'll have a picture to share of a real, live electrician on these premises. I called the guy tonight to tell him we're still expecting him, and he said he or one of his workers will be here.

I've been painting. I hate to paint, but hey... it's the first coat. How much damage could I do, right?

I'd love to fill you in some neighborhood goings-on, but I think I'd better keep all that to myself. Nobody wants a lawsuit.

Oh yeah, I got a haircut today.

I was looking back into my archives from four years ago, and realized I used to keep a much more interesting journal. Yeah, I've pretty much gone to the dogs. Sorry about that.

We have plans for the holiday weekend. I'm sure it'll be fun, but as I told my daughter, I like it here. I'd rather stay home. Dear Lord, is this really me?

Tags: electrician, Marvin, Labor Day, painting

update

2008-08-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

After calling every electrician in the yellow pages, I believe we finally have someone who will get my hot tub working, sometime next week.

The first man we called to do the job is retired, and does a bit of wiring in his spare time; he's the one who put the box on the pole so we'd have electricity to the mobile home. He didn't return our call, and I assume he is enjoying his retirement; seems like he could have called back, though.

The second man is someone we've known for years, a local fellow named Russell. Cliff tried to get him several times and finally got a call back. The man has been gone all summer, camping, and recently bought a motorcycle. He told us he'd be here to look things over last Wednesday and didn't show (must have taken off on the motorcycle). He didn't return our phone calls afterward, either. See, my problem here is that they don't call!

One of the electricians I picked out of the phone book was going to be here sometime yesterday. He didn't show, and didn't call.

This morning we got a return call from a man who sounded like he meant business; he'll be here Thursday evening to give us some idea of the cost, and what will be involved.

There is one local man, Bruce, who we've used many times over the years. Cliff really didn't want me to call him (I won't talk about why... he's a good electrician), but we were getting desperate and I knew Bruce would return our call.

Tonight he did call. He said they're weeks behind, so they wouldn't be able to do the job for quite a while. I told him I thought we'd found someone anyhow, but I thanked him profusely for returning the call, and explained to him the problem we've had with getting an electrician.

Somehow I think the guy we've chosen will show up on Thursday. If he doesn't, my son-in-law knows someone we might try.

In other news, the carpenter is done. I have a bit of painting to do in the new room, but I've already put some stuff in there out of my way, and I love it.

Life goes on.

Tags: electricians who don't really care

Busy place

2008-08-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

There's been a slight delay in the garage-building; the guys didn't receive all the proper metal sheets, so they'll be back Thursday and be finished by Friday. They're doing a fine job, and have been moving right along.

This morning I sat down and started calling every electrician in the local phone book. Finally I got a real person, and he said either he or one of his men would be here sometime today to look our situation over. Now it's 3:30 and I haven't seen anybody yet, but that's the best promise I've had so far. We shall see.

If he doesn't show, perhaps tonight I'll get some return calls from all the messages I left in voice mail for electrical contractors this morning.

Tags: construction, porch, electricians

The hot tub dilemma

2008-08-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

My hot tub is here; it's full of water, and the water has been tested so we'll know what brew of chemicals to use. I'm not IN my hot tub, though.

We can't seem to get an electrician to come out and wire it up. Oh, we've called two guys we know personally. One doesn't return our calls, and the other said he'd be here to check it out Wednesday. LAST Wednesday. No show.

So I guess our next step is to draw an electrician out of the hat: in other words, consult our yellow pages and local ads. That's how we found both the garage-builder AND the carpenter who's doing all our deck work, and so far they've worked out fine.

Wish us luck.

I can't help but wonder, though, why people won't return calls. After all, it's their bread and butter. If they're just too busy, I'd accept it. I'd simply like to know what's going on.

I sure would like to soak in my hot tub.

Tags: electricians, hot tub

I'm HOME

2008-08-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

Rena and I survived the divorce; this picture was taken yesterday evening, after the divorce was final.

We also survived twelve hours on the road Wednesday and another twelve on the road today. And we're still speaking to one another.

Tags: Rena, divorce

small world

2008-08-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

I just realized that on the day I'm in court in Antigo, Wisconsin, with my sister-in-law, I'll be sixteen miles from one of my readers. Seems a shame not to meet her.

About the hot tub: I've always loved them, and when we stay in a motel that has one, that's where I hang out, unless there are kids playing in it. One of the high spots of a vacation to Colorado was sitting on the roof of a condo in a hot tub, watching the sun come up over a mountain.

However, I would never have splurged for such a luxury. It's just plain stupid.

I'm wondering if we'll have trouble adjusting the chemicals. I know the cost of upkeep for them is high... for instance, if something must be repaired after the warranty is through, it isn't going to be cheap.

An unexpected problem is this: You shouldn't use soft water in them because it damages certain parts in the tub; but water as hard as ours can be damaging also. What we're going to try is using half and half.

As I was saying, I was not going to get a hot tub. But Cliff wanted me to have it; he reminded me of all the toys and unnecessary things I've insisted he buy because I knew he'd be so happy to have them.

Cliff wanted me to have a hot tub. He wanted to see me enjoying something that I never thought, in my wildest imaginings, that I'd have.

He insisted.

What's a woman to do?

Tags: hot tub

Progress :-D

2008-08-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

Exciting things are happening:

Looking east (notice there's a window now), and....

looking west. As you can see, there isn't much deck left now that the hot tub is here. That's OK. I wasn't going to entertain out there, anyhow.

The hot tub still has to be wired; the electrician is coming tomorrow to see what must be done.

Oh, and the guy who's going to erect our garage came today. It won't be long until that project is started.

Looks like I'm missing a lot of excitement, being gone just now. Of course, I may be seeing a lot more excitement in Wisconsin that I'd see here!

Tags: porch, deck, hot tub

Disappearing doggie

2008-08-17T05:49:00.000-07:00

Cliff, his sister, and I, along with the dogs, Sadie and Angel, go for a walk every morning. Both Cliff and Rena work until midnight, but they're up by 7:30; they linger over their coffee and chat, and by 8:30, we're usually heading toward the woods.

Longtime readers may remember how I used to mention Sadie disappearing in the woods when Cliff and I walked. Sadie has gotten much better about that now, but I still remember how distraught I was when she'd run away and be gone for the better part of an hour. I was afraid she'd get run over, like Mandy.

Rena's dog, Angel, weighs seven pounds, and her legs are about one inch long, but she not only keeps up with us (and Sadie), but she goes on side trips into the woods from time to time. She never comes when Rena calls her, because she's as spoiled as she is cute. She pretty much does as she pleases.

Yesterday we saw her run into the brush on a downhill slope and kept walking. Cliff was sure that, once Angel saw we were out of sight, she'd catch up.

That wasn't the case, and Rena finally went back to the spot where we'd last seen her, calling and calling.

No response.

I began to hear panic in Rena's voice; and to be honest, I started feeling a bit worried myself. Cliff and I headed back to the house, still hearing Rena's plaintive "Angel, COME! Angel, COME!"

After perhaps twenty minutes, Rena came back and got on the four-wheeler and rode it back to the pasture, because Angel loves to ride and will come running when that engine starts up.

After another twenty minutes or so, Cliff and I decided to go back and help search for the runaway. We were concerned, because honestly I don't know how Rena would handle it right now if something happened to her dog. And the little doxie is so small, who knows what creature might consider her to be their lunch.

We could hear the four-wheeler in the distance, and Rena desperately calling. As we neared the wooded areas, I heard a familiar "Yap, yap, yap," in the distance. Rena, of course, wouldn't hear it because of the four-wheeler running.

"Cliff," I exclaimed, "I hear Angel barking!"

Cliff heard nothing; after all, he's terribly hard of hearing.

"I know that's her," I told him. "I'd know that yapping anywhere."

We went to the location where we'd last seen Angel, flagging down Rena as she went by on the four-wheeler to let her know Angel was alive and barking.

We all stood at the edge of the woods calling, and occasionally Angel would bark an answer; she didn't sound all that far away. Her barks began to have a bit of whine in them, and we agreed she must have gotten down in one of our deep ravines and was unable to find her way out.

Our wooded areas are full of stinging nettle (itch weed) in the summer, and all of us had shorts on. So I decided to stay and keep talking to Angel while the two of them hopped on the four-wheeler and went back to the house to get long pants on.

Angel would bark, I'd talk to her. She'd whine, I'd encourage her.

Finally I saw that little black "hot dog" body coming up the bank, back and forth through the itch weed. She was panting like crazy, and so glad to see me.

I saw Cliff and Rena coming back; once they were in sight I put Angel down and she went running to the four-wheeler. A very teary-eyed Rena hugged her dog so hard, it's a wonder she could breath.

And we all lived happily ever after.

The end.

Tags: Angel, Rena, runaway dog

Todays progress

2008-08-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it's a real ROOM now. With a ROOF! Next thing you know it'll have shingles and a door and window.

That was formerly our back door; now it'll be the door leading onto our porch.

That's our new back door, what there is of it.

I had not intended to make such a big room; I simply wanted a place for our freezer, and some shelves where I could store big stuff like my pressure canner and my roaster-oven. Oh, and a place to hang our many coats and coveralls. Cliff insisted on making it 8 X 10, and it seems huge to me. But I'll bet I can find a use for every square foot.

In other news, at this time next week, Lord willing, Rena's divorce will be over and she and I will be heading home from Wisconsin. She has had her plate full since she moved here with her GED school (she took her test Wednesday, but won't know how she did for about a month) and the divorce hanging over her head. It's the not knowing that bothers a person, and she says she'll just be glad to have it over.

I have a rather simple prayer request for those of you who pray: Rena says she doesn't want to break down crying in court, in front of her soon-to-be ex and his girl friend. Once it's over, she said, she doesn't care how many tears she sheds. So, those of you who pray, if you'd just join me in asking God to hold back her tears until it's done, we'll appreciate it.

This will be as closeup and personal as I've ever been with divorce, and I hope it's the last time. Who knows, I might get a journal entry or two out of it.

Tags: home sweet home, porch, Rena, divorce

Progress on the back porch and deck

2008-08-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

Now I can see just how large an 8 X 10 room is. That ought to be all the storage space I need! This shot looks toward the west.

This picture looks toward the east. We finally found someone to erect a two-car garage soon; once that's done, we'll have the propane tank moved somewhere not so "in-your-face".

We're looking at hot tubs, but I'm not sure just yet if I want to spend that kind of money on something I'd use, at most, fifteen minutes a day. A hot tub sure does make my knees feel better, though. The carpenter made the open end of the deck extra strong, just in case.

Tags: porch, deck, hot tub

A message to Carrie (breakaway) and Nerves05

2008-08-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

Back in June, I had two old rock magazines to get rid of, and staged a giveaway. I was going to give both of them to the first person who commented that wanted them, which would have been Carrie (Breakaway1968). However, after I contacted her, she felt Nerves05 ought to have them because she said her son would love to have them.

I've decided to send one magazine to each of them.

Carrie, I have your snail mail address. Nerves05, please email me with yours. I finally remembered to purchase manila envelopes in which to send them.

And to the first three folks who responded to my pay-it-forward entry, I'm starting to get some good ideas on what to send you, so hang in there. I have not forgotten; I'm just a procrastinator.

Tags: giveaway, pay-it-forward

My back porch and deck are now under construction!

2008-08-12T07:47:00.000-07:00

This was taken yesterday, looking west toward Marvin's place. That back door will lead into an enclosed porch. The nearest window is the living room; the other one, the kitchen.

This shot looks east. The farthest window is my computer room; next is the living room window, and then the kitchen.

I took this shot as we went for our walk this morning. I'll be so glad when we can get the propane tank moved, but that can't happen until we get a garage built.

Tags: back porch and deck

I love old barns

2008-08-11T10:01:00.000-07:00

These lovely old structures are a dying species.

This one, near Coffey, Missouri, is somewhat unusual. Looks like someone has put a roof on it recently. Maybe they'll paint it soon.

Somebody loves this one, too.

2008-08-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

Cliff and I had not intended to go to any family reunions this year; his weekend "relaxing" times are precious, and we planned to stay home and chill out.

However, when this past weekend brought us temperatures with lows in the 60's and highs in the low 80's, we knew it was time to ride the motorcycle. What better destination than the town, one hundred miles away, where my mom's family reunion is held?

I'll be posting more pictures of our actual ride in other entries either here or on my Blogger site.

I'm so thankful for the weather we're having; this is unheard of in Missouri, in August!

Tags: reunion

We're rockin' around here

2008-08-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

Our old Ford pickup gets about twelve miles per gallon, so it's a rare occasion when we use it. We decided not to buy expensive landscape rock to put around our trailer. We went across the river where they sell river sand and bought the simple rocks they sell, instead. They aren't as colorful, but hey... it'll do, at only $30 a ton.

Speaking of our pickup, the next license we buy for her will be the last. She'll officially be a classic, and as long as we don't drive her too many miles, we won't have to renew the license. (Who could afford to drive her far?)

Here's what we're doing with the rocks; before long there will be edging and shrubs.

The carpenter came today and drilled holes for our back porch and deck. Monday he'll start the actual construction.

Evidently our monsoon season is over; I'm now watering the Norway Spruce trees daily. The Lombardy Poplars are pretty much like weeds, so I don't worry about watering them.

Notice Sadie running around loose? She's getting better at staying with me, and coming when I call. Oh, she occasionally runs away and worries me, but those times are getting fewer and farther between.

Tags: home sweet home, rocks, carpenter, trees

lyrics of a song I once wrote for my daughter

2008-08-06T03:54:00.000-07:00

My daughter, in a journal entry, asked me to post the lyrics to a certain song.

She was about eight years old, and I was in the song-writing phase of my life, when she asked the question, "Mom, do wishing wells really work?"

I normally don't post lyrics to songs I've written over the years because people tend to see them as poems, not songs. But I'll make an exception this time. (Since I did actually have a publisher back then, this one is copyrighted.)

WISHES

My little girl came to me;
She smiled at me and then
Said, "Mom, does a wishing well really work
When you throw a penny in?"
I started to say, "No, my dear,
These things are just pretend.
You get only what you work for;
That's what matters, in the end."

And then I looked around me
At the things that I hold dear.
I counted all my blessings
As I held back a tear,
For I never worked for all the things
That mean the world to me.
I just hoped and dreamed and wished on stars,
That's how it all came to be.

Yes, I wished for your daddy, girl,
Before we'd ever met.
I wished on stars and rainbows,
And I cannot forget
How I wished for you when you were just
A gleam in your daddy's eye...
Yes, Darling, wishes do come true,
Keep wishing till you die.

Tags: Wishes, Rachel

Internet funnies received in email

2008-08-05T13:33:00.000-07:00

Tags: Internet funnies

A meme

2008-08-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

I swiped this from one of my Blogger buddies, Grams.

The rules: All you have to do is Google your first name with the wordneeds behind it and post the first 10 results. Don't forget to tagpeople (if you are the tagging sort)!

Here we go:

1. Donna needs a donut. (You bet I do!)
2. Donna needs a BFF (a best friend forever? I have one; his name is Cliff)
3. Donna needs two hands to keep things steady. (It might take more.)
4. Donna needs Bloggers' help. (Sure, do any of you have suggestions?)
5. Donna needs the doctor. (Duh. I'm sixty-four. Of course I need a doctor.)
6. Donna needs companionship of other female Asian elephants. (Other? What are you insinuating?)
7. Donna needs 12 1/8 of ribbon to make 5 bows. (Shrugging here.)
8. Donna needs you. (Well sure, otherwise I wouldn't have any readers!)
9. Donna needs to let Owen go. (Is that one of the barn cats? Be free, Owen!)
10. Donna needs a baby pool. (Not until I get a great-grandbaby.)

I'm not a "tagging" person. Do it if you want to.
Tags: Meme, Donna needs

I'm back on my desktop

2008-08-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned earlier this week, my desktop computer wouldn't access the Internet, even though the laptop was connecting.

I was going to take my computer tower for a checkup and fix; we just hadn't gotten around to it. And since I do have a spare computer, I wasn't in a huge hurry.

Today I remembered that when my printer wasn't working and I asked readers for help, several suggested that I unplug it and then plug it back in and reboot. That worked great.

Sometimes the unplugging and plugging back in works for televisions, too.

So I figured it wouldn't hurt to try it with my computer.

My old motto was, "If all else fails, reboot."

My new motto is, "If rebooting doesn't work, try unplugging it for awhile.

I love it when it's that easy a fix.

Tags: computer, unplugging

I was going to go to my cabin....

2008-07-31T18:44:00.000-07:00

My day was full of ups and downs. After Cliff, Rena and I went for our (very wet and foggy) walk, I saddled Blue and rode for a short time... mainly out of guilt. Poor guy, because of heat and rain and just being busy, he hasn't gotten enough attention lately. So I spent time with him. That was a good time.

Unfortunately, as I was getting ready to send our property insurance, I realized I needed to talk to our insurance man: After all, we are no longer living in our old house. We've insured the mobile home, but I figured we needed to let someone know that Cliff's sister is living in our old house.

Well, guess what? We get to pay $150 more a year, because it isn't US living there.

After discussing a few more issues that didn't set well with me, I ended up yelling at our insurance man on the phone. It didn't do a lot of good, but at least I got it off my chest. We've had the same insurance (Concordia Farmer's Mutual) for thirty years and only used it once, and I get treated like trash that can't be trusted.

Trouble is, there isn't a lot of choice, since most insurance companies won't touch old houses out in the country. Believe me, I've checked.

So I fumed and fussed for awhile and wondered if I needed to spend a night at the cabin. Then I thought about having no air conditioning or shower. And remembered my firepit and my porch right here at home.

Yeah. I kept my camp-out right here. Now I'm sitting on my porch, typing on my laptop, and thinking what a wonderful home I have.

The hot dogs were extra-good because they were Nathan's hot dogs.

Thanks, Joanna, for getting me addicted to hot dogs that cost over $4 a pound.

In spite of the cost of my insurance, I can still afford them.

Tags: Concordia Farmer's Mutual stinks, fire pit, Nathans

Barn swallows

2008-07-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

Once the rain stopped today, I sat on the porch waiting for hummingbirds to show up. I didn't have to wait long. At one time, two showed up together. Wow!

But another thing I noticed as I sat there was that we are overwhelmed by barn swallows! Up at the old house, we had to tear down a mud nest or two on the front porch every year; but I had no idea how many of the little critters really lived here.

We're "out behind the barn", which is where, I imagine, many of them live and where they were born and raised. So I did a Google search on them, thinking anything that prolific can't be a good thing.

Well, Dr. Google seems to think they can be either good or bad, usually a mix of both; sorta like us humans. So, as I told Cliff, I guess I'll just sit back and enjoy them.

Tags: barn swallows

Plenty of rain (and other short stories)

2008-07-30T04:49:00.000-07:00

At five-thirty this morning, I took a flashlight, went to the rain gauge, and saw 4 2/10 inches of rain that had fallen since last night. Since the gauge only holds five inches, I dumped it; but it's still raining out there!

The biggest drawback of using Dish TV is that heavy rain and storms tend to leave you without television. I've found out, however, that I can get two local channels quite nicely, with absolutely no antenna. I turn off the dish box and pick up good signals on local ABC and CBS. Which means I can keep informed on the weather situation.

I think it's time to take my desktop in for a checkup. It won't connect to the Internet this morning. I'd sort of like it to have those Microsoft updates that keep shutting it down, anyhow. Thank goodness for my laptop.

It's good to have a spare computer.

Tags: weather, tv

I've been watching hummingbirds

2008-07-29T17:42:00.000-07:00

Sunday I bought a hummingbird feeder for my porch. I had not given it a lot of thought until this evening; I went outside to sit for awhile and heard the hum of tiny wings right behind me.

I turned to look and the little creature was gone. Sadie was on her tie-out barking at whatever it is she barks at, and I had little hope of seeing him again. But before you know it, he was back. He left and came back several times, but finally he took his place on the tiny perch and drank freely from the feeder. It appears he lives in the nearest tree, because that's where he went each time he left the feeder.

Somebody pinch me; I think I've died and gone to heaven.

Our builder-guy gave us the bid on the enclosed porch and deck we're adding onto the back, and he's well under our budget. He'll start construction next week.

Tags: hummingbirds

Guess who's back?

2008-07-27T14:25:00.000-07:00

Meatloaf had been away from home for almost three months. There are no barns or sheds on the property where he's been mooching, so we had not had any way to catch him and bring him home. The farmer with whose cows he was staying wasn't upset at all by his presence. "He isn't hurting anything," he said.

Friday night he called me on the phone to inform me that he had managed to trap Meatloaf in the one makeshift pen on the place, and would meet us Saturday morning to help us get him in the trailer.

Everything went well, and Meatloaf is finally home.

Welcome home, you ugly little critter.

Tags: meatloaf

OK, I'm here

2008-07-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

I know I've been absent lately; I even received an email asking if I'm OK. Actually, here's the problem: I'm having so much fun in my new home, I have trouble motivating myself to get on the Internet. I was online about twenty minutes this morning, and that was all until a half-hour ago. I'm not getting around to all the journals and blogs I usually read. It isn't that I'm so busy, I'm just loving the settled feeling I have here, and suddenly all that time spent online seems like a waste when I could be enjoying my house.

This is the completed front porch. There will eventually be a sidewalk from the porch to the driveway.

To the right, you have the deck-box in which we'll keep boots, shoes, and all sorts of winter weather gear so it isn't strung all around inside the house. The box can be used as a seat, too.

On the left is a glider chair Rena gave me (spoils of the divorce war... ha!). I've been sitting there with my first cup of coffee in the morning (which I used to drink at the computer). I love my porch!

The man who built it is going to start our enclosed back porch and deck this coming Monday. And Cliff is ready to have the Mennonite builders come out and give an estimate on a metal, two-car garage. Things are happening fast!

Tags: porch update, I love my home

Poor man's vacation (received in email)

2008-07-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

If gas keeps going up this is how all of us will be taking our vacations!!!!

Tags: poor man's vacation

2008-07-22T05:29:00.000-07:00

Cliff and I don't make our living farming. We do manage to produce enough hay for our horse and cow, and for the other two horses who live here. Modern farm equipment costs in the thousands of dollars, and of course we can't come up with that kind of money for a "hobby farm".

So we buy old, used farm equipment that has to be babied along when it's put to work. Equipment that a real farmer would haul off, probably, as junk. Stuff we buy for $500 or $1,000, bought new would cost more than our entire forty-plus acre place is worth.

There's a certain sense of adventure each time Cliff gets ready to mow a hay crop. You can bet that the mower or the rake or the baler is going to need some sort of repair before the job is finished. At the very least there'll be a sheared pin. Don't ask me what that is, because I don't have a clue; I do know Cliff keeps extras around, and they don't cost much.

The big round baler often has a problem tying the bales properly, and Cliff will get off the tractor, climb up onto a step he added to the baler, and help with the tying process. Hey, it beats picking up a hundred-fifty small square bales in ninety-five-degree heat, putting them on a wagon, hauling them to the barn, and lifting them off the wagon! Cliff can move the big round bales with a tractor equipped with a bale spike, so the tractor does most of the work. All I had to do was open the gate for him as he was coming and going.

Tags: hay, baler

Our front porch as it looks today

2008-07-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

The porch is almost done, except for being shingled. We love it!

That post in the middle is just for support while the man is working on it.

In this hot weather, it's going to be great to have the front door in the shade.

Tags: porch

cinnamon rolls for breakfast

2008-07-20T05:24:00.000-07:00

We've had company this weekend, and Cliff has been working in the hayfields. So my entries have been few and far between. Things are going just fine around here.

Tags: cinnamon rolls, Pat and Charlene

a meme... from about two dozen J-landers

2008-07-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

If you came to my house…

You would see: Our front porch that is under construction; it's going to get its roof starting Monday.

I’d probably feed you: either low-fat tasty stuff or fattening tasty stuff; name your poison. My family is pretty partial to my noodles.

And offer you this to drink: We usually have tea and Diet Coke on hand. But let me know ahead of time and I'll have whatever you prefer.

I’d undoubtedly ask if you’d read: Any of Mark Rashid's books. You don't have to own a horse to enjoy his writing.

I’d want to play this music for you: Iris Dement and Johnny Cash. Maybe a little Merle Haggard and George Jones thrown in for good measure. Unless you want me to play my guitar and sing for you: In that case, I'd sing a couple of songs I wrote ("The Million Dollar Car" or "The Old German Church" or something I wrote about my daughter or my son or a grandson.

I’d want to tell you about: My horse Blue; my cabin; and how much Jesus has brought me through.

I’d probably suggest a game of: find the lost steer and bring him home (I may be changing this one from time to time)

I would definitely show off: My horse, my cabin, and Cliff's tractors. Oh, and you HAVE to see Sadie catch the Frisbee.

I might get on the computer and show you: Pictures and websites

If it was a long enough visit: we might watch the sun go down, back of my cabin. And I'd have Cliff drive us down to the Missouri River bottoms so you could see where I ride my horse.

I am adding this one since Kelly said Paula mentioned it!

I would share: my book of poems; take one home, and take some for your friends. I sold enough early on to cover the cost of publishing, and I'm feeling generous.

Tags: meme, If you come to my house

So you think you're buying new tires?

2008-07-17T05:15:00.000-07:00

This item from ABC News is pretty long, but it's an eye-opener. It might change the way you shop for tires.

Some tires may have been sitting on that rack for twelve years before somebody buys them, which creates a dangerous situation.

There's a way to tell when a tire was made.

Click HERE.

Thanks, Gene, for sending this to me.

Tags: tires

gasp

2008-07-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

William Peterson is leaving CSI in the middle of the upcoming season!

Well, I'm not really crushed, I suppose. I expected this to be the last season for the show anyway, so I was prepared to lose my favorite heart-throb.

But still, parting is such sweet sorrow.

Tags: William Peterson, CSI

A front porch and a driveway

2008-07-16T08:42:00.000-07:00

A front porch has been one of our first priorities here, and it's exciting to see it happening.

The man doing it is truly a craftsman, which is a relief since we more or less drew his name out of a hat. He isn't in good health: I'd say he has emphysema, just guessing; maybe something more serious, since he was telling us he's lost a bunch of weight in the last year. He hasn't volunteered anything, and I'm not going to ask. He usually leaves around noon because of the heat, and today he's leaving at eleven because he has a doctor's appointment.

We're happy with his work. And people at work who should know tell Cliff that $700 (labor only) is very reasonable. Our son-in-law is getting the lumber for us, using his discount where he works.

Funny thing is, I considered this porch a necessity, so people won't be walking directly into the living room from outside. But now I'm very enthusiastic about the idea of sitting there and watching the horses. I'm anxious to see what it's going to look like when the roof is added.

Tags: porch, driveway

Miley Cyrus

2008-07-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

OK, maybe it's just me. But I think the press ought to leave Miley Cyrus alone.

Nobody could stand up to that kind of scrutiny.

Matthew 7

1Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5Thouhypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shaltthou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

I only hope nobody expects that much perfection from me.

Let the teens (or pre-teens) have their idols without so much fault-finding... would you please? Or they might end up thinking the world expects that much perfection from them, too.

What will they do when they find you can't please everybody? (or anybody)

----------------
Now playing: Kris Kristofferson - In the News
via FoxyTunes

Tags: Miley Cyrus, judgementalism

Plenty going on

2008-07-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

There's a man working on a front porch for us, and Cliff is doing some dirt work in the yard. Things that have been at a standstill are now starting to move along.

Tags: home sweet home, dirt work, front porch

checking in

2008-07-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I didn't take pictures today; there were many opportunities, but I didn't want to come inside to get my camera.

Cliff, Rena (his sister) and I went to the Church I attended for many years this morning, and Rena seems to have found her church home. She loved it!

After we got home and had a salad, Cliff and I went out and worked on the skirting for our home. We spent several hours at this yesterday, too. Tomorrow should see it finished. Then Cliff has some dirt work to do with the tractor.

I woke up shortly after 4 o'clock this morning and decided to get up and ride Blue while it was cool. We weren't going to leave for church until 9:30, so I had plenty of time.

Trouble is, the horses were nowhere in sight. They're always standing at the gate when the sun comes up, but not today, and they still hadn't shown up when we left to go to church. This evening I put Blue up in a nearby pen; if I'm of a mind to ride in the morning, my horse will be nearby.

Rena has always taken her hopelessly spoiled miniature dachshund for a ride when she mows the yard. So I wasn't surprised today when I saw Cliff heading toward me on the John Deere and realized he had Angel on his lap. Trust me, I will get a picture of this the next time. He's going to try and rig up some sort of little box on the tractor for Angel next time she wants to ride.

We're enjoying having Cliff's sister as a neighbor. Once Cliff is up in the morning, we call her and tell her the coffee is on; she and Angel are here in a jiffy. I enjoy watching Cliff and his sister strengthening their family ties; I believe it's good for both of them. And the old house I moved from is, as I figured it would be, cleaner than it's been in forty years.

Rena and I will be making a trip to Wisconsin to finalize her divorce early next month. It'll be the closest I've ever been to a divorce, and I'll try to blog about it... with discretion, of course. Rena didn't want to make the twelve-hour trip alone, and I'm not doing anything to prevent me from going along. Cliff is going to babysit dogs for the couple of days we'll be gone.

And there you have it: a scattered and confusing update with no pictures.

All I can say is, it's been a good day.

Tags: Sunday, Church, Rena, Angel, skirting, divorce

my blood pressure numbers have dropped

2008-07-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

Most of my life, my blood pressure numbers have been on the very low side. I believe this must be hereditary, since Daddy's BP was low until he was in his 60's, and my daughter's runs low too.

However, in the last five or six years, my numbers have been creeping up. Oh, not enough to worry my doctor, but often the top number was over 140; sometimes near 150. I know this happens as we age, so I wasn't really concerned. I'd just keep checking once a week or so, when Cliff checked his. I figured if it got too high, I'd have to go on pills of some kind.

(On a side note, Cliff's meds keep his blood pressure steady as a rock; it's always around 125/70.)

Here's the funny thing: Since we've moved, my top number has been consistently around 125. I'm wondering if this is just a fluke, or if I'm that much more satisfied and relaxed, living back here with a view of the pasture. I'll let you know if those numbers change.

Tags: blood pressure

Thanks for the help

2008-07-10T17:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks to help from my readers, I turned off my Windows Updates. Folks, I realize that isn't the best thing as far as security goes. But I had to choose between letting the Windows Update do its thing, or having access to the Internet. Hey, without Internet access my computer is worthless to me.

Now, here's a Kansas City news item from 100 years ago that I want to share:

"COCAINE MARY" IS DEAD.

Picturesque North End Character

Falls From Second Story Widow.

MinniePalmer, who was better known to the residents of the North end as"Cocaine Mary," died at the general hospital at 5:30 o'clock last nightfrom concussion of the brain, received by falling from a second storywindow to the pavement twenty feet below, shortly after 1 o'clockSunday morning. She was seen about 1 o'clock sitting on the windowledge, and told a woman who lived in the house that she was trying toget a little fresh air before going to bed. It is thought she went tosleep and lost her her balance.

The woman was found at 5 o'clockSunday morning by Philip J. Welch, night jailer at police headquarters.He called an ambulance and had her taken to the emergency hospital.Later she was removed to the general hospital, where an operation wasperformed in an effort to relieve the pressure of bone against thebrain. Minnie Palmer lived at the rooming house on the southwest cornerof Third and Main street.

I really enjoy these old news stories. You'll find them HERE, if you're interested. I've learned that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

And now I can't help but recall a song Johnny Cash sang:

Early one mornin' while makin' the rounds
I took a shot of cocaine and I shot my woman down
I went right home and I went to bed;
I stuck that lovin' 44 beneath my head.

Got up next mornin' and I grabbed that gun
Took a shot of cocaine and away I run
Made a good run but I run too slow
They overtook me down in Juarez Mexico.

Late in the hot joints takin' the pills
In walked the sheriff from Jericho Hill;
He said Willy Lee your name is not Jack Brown
You're the dirty hack that shot your woman down.

Said yes oh yes my name is Willy Lee
If you've got the warrant just aread it to me;
Shot her down because she made me slow
I thought I was her daddy but she had five more.

When I was arrested I was dressed in black
They put me on a train and they took me back:
Had no friend for to go my bail
They slapped my dried up carcass in that country jail.

Early next mornin' bout a half past nine
I spied the sheriff coming down the line
Talked and he coughed as he cleared his throat
He said come on you dirty hack into that district court

Into the courtroom my trial began
Where I was handled by twelve honest men.
Just before the jury started out,
I saw the little judge commence to look about.

In about five minutes in walked the man
Holding the verdict in his right hand:
The verdict read in the first degree...
I hollered Lordy Lordy have a mercy on me

The judge he smiled as he picked up his pin
99 years in the Folsom pen
99 years underneath that ground.
I can't forget the day I shot that bad witch down.

Come on you've gotta listen unto me:
Lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be!

Tags: 100 year old weblog, Kansas City

Stupid Microsoft

2008-07-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

I always turn off my computer before I go to bed. Last night I saw there was a Microsoft Windows update needing to be installed, so I clicked on it, figuring when I awoke this morning, I'd be up and running.

Oh no; when everything was said and done this morning, I couldn't access the Internet.

I called Embarq. The very friendly tech lady had me do a "system restore", going back to settings from Monday. This worked just dandy, and I had my Internet back. It also removed my update.

Trouble is, every time I turn my computer off now, those silly Windows updates install themselves automatically. And then, of course, I can't access the Internet and I have to do a system restore again.

Does anyone know if there's a way I can turn off the Windows updates? Or maybe I need to call Embarq again and tell them what's happening.

I'm not turning my computer off tonight, that's for sure. I'm tired of doing "system restore".

Tags: Windows, Microsoft, yuck

Three things that make me smile

2008-07-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

Cliff's sister, Rena, has started going on walks with us; so has her tiny dog, Angel. But first, Angel checks out Sadie's Science Diet dog food and eats as though she's starved. Then Sadie intervenes and starts hogging down her dog food as though there won't be any more, ever. Dogs make me laugh; thank God for dogs.

As Cliff left for work, I saddled up my faithful horse and went for a ride. It was hot and muggy, and I didn't work Blue too hard. As always, a ride along the country roads relaxed me.

Oh, this? It's a close-up shot of the stuff my Dyson vacuum sweeper picks up around here. Notice the abundance of dog hair.

I love my Dyson.

Tags: dogs, Blue, Dyson

The worst thing about being 64

2008-07-08T17:26:00.000-07:00

I received a phone call a while ago from Cliff's younger sister. She had just gotten off the phone with an aunt and learned that a cousin, Ellen, died yesterday.

We last saw Ellen in February when we attended a birthday party for the much-beloved Aunt Gertrude.

Not long before that, in January, we attended Ellen's mom's funeral.

Ellen was diabetic. She needed heart surgery, but her blood sugar was too high; so the doctors sent her home to try and get her blood sugar down. That's where she died.

I called Cliff at work to tell him. "We just saw her at Aunt Gertrude's birthday party," I told him.

"That's how we're all going to go, Babe," Cliff said.

"Well, I suppose so; you tried to go two years ago, but the doctors prevented that."

He chuckled, and we said our goodbyes.

And that's what I hate about being this age; cousins start dying like flies.

A person can be the worst spoiled brat in the world and have very few "people skills", but her cousins accept her, because they have to. Friends scatter and disappear, but cousins reappear in your life over and over. Even if only at funerals. Even if they perhaps remind you that you used to scratch their arms with your long fingernails when you scuffled with them back in 1955.

Except for one special-needs cousin on Mother's side and one on my dad's side (Cecil Wayne), I still have most of my cousins; and I don't want to lose more, any time soon. But it's started.

OK, I'm depressed. There's no need to make everybody else feel sad; I'll be back tomorrow with something more upbeat.

Tags: cousins, death

I'll bet you guys thought I had forgotten

2008-07-07T16:59:00.000-07:00

In an entry I made on June 9, I offered a couple of my son's old rock magazines to person who gave the best reason for wanting them. Well, I decided they should go to the first person who asked for them.

Yeah, it's been a whole month, but a busy one. Now I'm at the point where I might actually be able to get to the post office and send these little relics. I've emailed the winner, and hope to get the magazines to her this week.

Also, for the three of you who joined up with my "pay-it-forward" thing: I have not forgotten you ladies either, so don't give up on me.

And now, a little story from today.

Daughter always works long hours, and this week her hubby works EXTRA-long hours. So they left their dog, Hawkeye, here at our place. He's never any trouble and doesn't wander away. He took a walk with me and Cliff this morning. Later on the temperatures climbed; no problem for long-haired Hawkeye. We haven't put all the skirting on our home yet, so he just crawls under our mobile home.

Cliff was taking a shower before going to work and he heard Hawkeye howling under the trailer. Since Hawkeye howls at any sort of strange noise, we figured it was no big deal. Still, as I wondered what on earth might have made him howl, I began to worry.

"Cliff," I said, "Do you suppose he got shocked, or maybe a bee stung him down there?"

"He didn't sound like he was in distress," Cliff said. "He was just howling like he does when he hears a siren."

When I'm in charge of someone else's pride-and-joy dog, my worst fear is that something might happen to him; so I looked out the window in hopes of seeing my daughter's dog.

There was Hawkeye in the full sun, on a 90-plus degree day, laid out on his side not moving.

"Cliff," I yelled. "I think Hawkeye died! Otherwise, why would he be laying out there like that?"

Cliff looked out the window and said, "Oh, s***!"

We both ran to the front door, knowing in our hearts that poor dog was dead.

But as soon as I opened the door, Hawkeye got up, stretched, and came bounding to me.

Whew. Crazy dog.

Hey, he HAS been sick lately. You'd have thought the same thing!

Tags: Hawkeye, giveaway, pay it forward

It really was a bang-up 4th

2008-07-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen anyone blow up a washing machine with dynamite? You can watch it as video'd by my son with his cell phone HERE.

Yes folks, we really ARE rednecks.

Tags: dynamite, 4th of July

A birthday motorcycle ride

2008-07-07T04:48:00.000-07:00

Our old riding buddies, Charlene and Pat, were in the area for the Fourth-of-July weekend. They came on their Harley, and they suggested Cliff and I ride our bike about halfway to St. Louis with them when they left. We've hardly ridden our bike at all, the past two months, what with moving, rainstorms, and just life in general. So yesterday morning, after making biscuits and sausage gravy for eleven (I think) people, we sent Jim and Lyndsay on their way and then hopped on the Gold Wing for a ride on the back roads.

I've never made that much gravy at once, and there was barely enough... but we managed. Charlene and Pat are always saying my biscuits and gravy are the best, and since Cliff and I will soon be back to our regular healthful meals, I decided to end my week-long cooking marathon with breakfast for all who wanted to come, just so Cliff's sister could have my biscuits and gravy.

Anyway, we had a lovely ride with our favorite bikers. Charlene and Pat had told me they were going to buy our dinner in Columbia, as a birthday gift to me (since I've been cooking all week); but you could have knocked me over with a feather when they pulled over at Outback! I believe this was only the third time I've eaten there. It was a real treat, and Cliff and I did NOT split a meal between us. Today the starving begins.

So, although my birthday is today, I feel yesterday was the day of celebration: a motorcycle ride and Outback. Also, as I told Cliff, I'm still enjoying my air conditioning and the dishwasher so much, every day seems like my birthday.

Tags: birthday, motorcycle ride, Charlene and Pat

Goodbye, Jim and Lyndsay

2008-07-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

My son and his daughter headed home to Georgia this morning, on this day before my 64th birthday (thanks to all who have wished me happy birthday).

Bobby Bare said it best:

Softly close the door behind you
How it hurts me to see you go
Gently break the tie that binds you
And this heart that loves you so.

If you're sure you won't be staying
Then just walk on out of my life
There's just two words left for saying
And the Lord knows how I hate goodbyes.

And nothing's born to live forever
But oh, how it hurts to see it die
First it's always then it's never
And the Lord knows how I hate goodbyes.

--- Instrumental ---

Nothing's born to live forever
But oh, how it hurts to see it die
First it's always then it's never
And the Lord knows how I hate goodbyes...

Thanks, Debbie, for sending Jim and Lyndsay here to spend a week. You'll never know how we appreciate it. Your baby girl is an angel, a perfect little southern belle: Good manners, undemanding, and loving. You've done a good job.

Tags: Jim, Lyndsay

More 4th pictures

2008-07-06T17:06:00.000-07:00

Wow, I have SO many pictures from the Fourth. Plus, Cliff and I had a wonderful motorcycle ride today (for my birthday) with our best Harley-riding buddies. But that's another entry.

Tags: 4th of July, family

Rockin' Fourth of July!

2008-07-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

I have many, many pictures; I'll try to spread them out between this journal and my Blogger site. If I posted them all at one time and in one place, nobody would stick with me long enough to see them all. Except maybe relatives.

We had, as always, a fun-filled Independence Day here, thanks to Son-in-law Kevin who grills pounds and pounds of meat, Scotty for supplying fun things to ride, and every single person who attended: Our son and his three kids, Cliff's siblings and some nephews, Kevin's mom and his oldest son, some stranger (and his daughter) who works with Kevin, a few assorted friends of Arick's (the grandson) who helped make sure we had the loudest fourth of July ever (they blew up an old clothes dryer in the pasture), and our surprise guests, Cliff's cousin Edna and her two daughters and granddaughter.

Hmm, notice my son's youngest daughter's toy bear sipping on his Diet Mountain Dew in the above picture.

Hawkeye, Rachel's dog, was unimpressed by the fireworks and four-wheelers.

Cliff's brother Don relaxed in my lounge chair, the one that I normally keep at the cabin.

Hawkeye stretched and changed position occasionally.

Many rides were taken out to the pasture.

Tags: 4th of July, Jim

Youngest granddaughter learning to ride

2008-07-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

Granddaughter Lyndsay has no appropriate horseback-riding gear: No boots, no long pants. However, she wants to ride, so ride she shall. If you wear shorts when riding a horse, it doesn't take long till the saddle rubs you the wrong way; so I've told her as soon as she is uncomfortable, let me know and we'll end the ride. I have a riding helmet, but since it's Blue, and since we have the round pen, I haven't made Lyndsay wear it. I know lots of purists will think I'm a terrible grandparent, but that's just the way it is.

Now, with no further ado, I give you Lyndsay riding Blue:

Tags: Lyndsay, Blue

Wow, I haven't cooked this much in ages

2008-07-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

Cliff and I generally stick with cereal or oatmeal for breakfast. Because I see my son so rarely (once or twice a year), when he's here I try to fix all the old "comfort foods" from his childhood. Cliff shouldn't have all this stuff, but hey... what am I going to do? Ask him to sit and eat salad while everybody else is pigging out? So I just cook, and hope Cliff and I survive this abundance.

Meanwhile, we're enjoying daily visits from the oldest grandson, who crashed at our house for a few months not so long ago. He's enjoying being with his baby sister. Like the fake smiles?

OK, they look more natural in this picture.

The son just now took the granddaughter on a four-wheeler ride; she loves this. (Deb, that's why he isn't answering his cell phone.)

The horses... not so much.

This was a very familiar sight when the grandson was staying with us. Nice to see our couch still suits him just fine.

Full day yesterday

2008-06-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday we had rice-and-raisins for breakfast and Pioneer Woman's chicken spaghetti for lunch, as well as green beans with kielbasa. I'm sure putting my dishwasher to good use now!

This morning it was home-made cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Cliff doesn't have much vacation time left, so he'll be going to work as usual for three days; he did take Thursday off, which will give him a four-day weekend. He's here until 2:30 on work-days, so he still gets to spend time with our son and granddaughters. The daughter's girls are going to be out here a lot also this week, so they can play with their cousin, Lyndsay.

I'm having trouble finding time and concentration enough to post in my journal, so just bear with me on that.

Tags: Jim, Lyndsay

The armless chair finished

2008-06-27T13:09:00.000-07:00

This morning while Cliff was still in bed I decided to try and see if I could construct my chair without the rest of the instructions. After all, I've had so much assembling practice lately. And by the way, I did google for the assembly instructions. No luck.

I realized I wasn't going to be able to do it, although it didn't look like a job for a rocket scientist. I moved the pieces to a corner of the living room and waited for Cliff to wake up.

He came in the living room for his morning dose of news and coffee, and I bemoaned the fact that some of the assembly instructions for my chair were missing. Cliff isn't one of those people who wants to be bothered with problems before he's had his coffee, so I didn't outright ask him if he thought he could do the job, although I was pretty sure he could.

Indeed, he got it put together with no problem, and I have my chair!

If you wonder why I got gray, the only other color choice I liked, and that would go with any color, was white. And white shows dirt too easily to suit me!

Tags: chair, assembly required, moving

There's been a slight problem

2008-06-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

I started assembling my chair, and got done with the first step, when I realized I did not have all the instructions. I dug through the box and all the refuse. That second page is not there.

Grrrr.

Tags: assembly required

Some assembly required

2008-06-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

I've turned into quite an assembler lately.

Time was, Cliff got the pleasure of putting things together. Sometimes he got rather noisy about it, but I was confident he could do it well. I was equally confident that I could not do the assembly myself.

Then this moving thing started to consume so much of Cliff's time that I decided to try my hand at assembling my new glass-top computer desk. Cliff was so busy trying to re-locate two households that I honestly felt guilty asking him to do anything.

Toward the end of the desk-building task I faltered, but my daughter came to my rescue. Still, I had managed to do a great deal of it alone, and Cliff could apply his valuable time doing other things.

That shelf for my bathroom was my next project. I'd get frustrated and leave it for twenty-four hours, then come back and try again. I managed this one with no help from Cliff. Yes, it took me three days to finish. Oh, and Cliff did help me put it in place when it was done.

Yesterday this is what I built. Oh, let me take the cover off and show you:

It's my new fire pit! Now I'll admit this one was incredibly easy: All I had to do was screw the handle onto the cover and use two bolts and nuts on each of four legs to attach them. As you can see, I had a little test fire last night, just to make sure it worked.

Today I may have received my biggest challenge: I saw this armless chair online, and I thought how nifty it would be to be able to sit in a soft chair and play my guitar. See, I usually have to sit either on the couch or in a hard kitchen chair; chair arms get in the way of the guitar. Besides, we needed another chair for the living room.

That's it, in pieces, piled in and around my worn-out Lazy-boy (which I intend to replace one of these days).

Wish me luck. I'm going in.

*A note to Cliff's younger sister: If you don't see an entry here, check my blogger site. I usually try to alternate entries.

Tags: assembly required, chair, moving

The rooster story

2008-06-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

Here's what I've decided to do. If I know you, or if your screen name is familiar to me or you've commented in my journal before, and you would like to see the story about "the rooster I didn't kill", leave a comment or send me an email. It's a rather interesting story, but I'm probably wiser to keep in out of the public eye.

I'll send you the story in email.

You can read about the famous rooster HERE, HERE and HERE.

Tags: rooster

The rooster I did not kill

2008-06-24T04:29:00.000-07:00

I wrote the whole story of why I got cussed out by a neighbor a couple of weeks ago. AOL ate it.

An omen, do you suppose?

Tags: rooster

Life is getting back to normal

2008-06-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

I'm back to riding Blue regularly again. Last week I rode three times after Cliff left for work. The trouble with that riding-time is that it's June, it's Missouri, and it's hot.

This morning Cliff had an early dentist's appointment, so I headed out at 7 A.M. Much better! I had a good hour-and-a-half ride, and Blue didn't even break a sweat.

Tags: horseback riding, Blue

My sneaky little visitor

2008-06-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

Ever since Cliff's sister, Rena, moved to our old house, we have a frequent visitor. Any time she takes her dog, Angel, outside and turns her back for a second, Angel runs away to my house.

It reminds me of a child running away to Grandma's house.

Once inside, Angel samples Sadie's dog food and water, demands some loving from both me and Cliff, and in general, makes herself at home.

Rena is somewhat frustrated. Cliff and I enjoy the surprise visits from Angel, although I have quit letting her inside unless she's with Rena; after all, I don't want her to think it's OK to run away from home.

For a new report on my filly, Libby, click HERE.

Tags: Angel

I should have taken pictures

2008-06-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

What you see in this picture, taken yesterday, is Cliff's first swath going through the alfalfa and cutting it for the second time this year; ideally alfalfa should be cut at 1/4 bloom. This had already reached the half-bloom stage.

The problem is, it rains every third day, making it impossible to get your hay cured, raked, baled, and in the barn. We threw away most of our clover/grass hay last week because it got rained on and ruined.

Yesterday they gave a 40% chance of thundershowers for today, and Cliff simply stuck his neck out and mowed the alfalfa. Last night the silly weather-guessers said they'd decided it really wasn't likely to rain. Cool beans!

This morning we awakened to hear the same silly weather-guessers saying there was a 60% chance of severe thunderstorms this afternoon.

Normally alfalfa isn't ready to rake the next day after cutting, but Cliff checked and decided it might be OK. So he raked it and waited about three hours. Clouds started gathering.

When he headed to the pasture with the baler, neighbor boys gathered like vultures, anxious to show off their muscles... and play with Rena's four-wheeler. See, Cliff lets them put up hay with the four-wheeler and a tiny little trailer because they have fun that way.

Unfortunately, that tiny trailer only holds ten bales, and it was taking a long time to get one load from the field to the barn. It began sprinkling.

Cliff had been in a tizzy about not being able to find a hitch-ball that would fit the bigger trailer hitch so he could go out and pick up substantial quantities of hay bales, but I decided to risk life and limb and go ask him if there was anything I could do.

"I used to have a &*^+%% hitch-ball for every tractor around here; I don't know what the %$&* happened to all of them!"

"Can't you use the pickup to pull a trailer?" I suggested.

"Yeah, I guess .... hey, there's a hitch-ball on the car!"

He removed said hitchball from the car, put it on a tractor, hooked onto the trailer, and we headed to the hay-field.

Just ask Cliff who brings in the most hay before the rain hits: half-a-dozen punks with a four-wheeler, or two old fogies (one a non-driver, driving the tractor) who started an hour after the punks had begun. (Picture me flexing my muscles here.)

The hay was barely in the barn before a torrential downpour began, and it still hasn't let up. I'd bet we've had at least two inches of rain. I'll edit this later to verify the amount, once it quits raining. If it ever does.

Four inches, and still raining at 6:50 P.M.
----------------
Now playing: Kasey Chambers - Last Hard Bible
via FoxyTunes

Tags: hay, punks, I'm the best, rain

Turn up your sound...

2008-06-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

Can you see the little bird atop that utility pole? That pole is right beside our barn, and it's amazing how much time that mockingbird spends in that exact spot, singing his little heart out for me. (I like to think he's doing it just for me.)

In case you don't have your own resident mockingbird, just click on the video below and listen to mine:

Tags: mockingbird

Mending fences (Secret, continued)

2008-06-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

Cliff and I did some fencing today; The back fence in Secret's pen is sadly in need of replacing, but until we have time to get that done, we did some temporary patching-up that should work.

Secret made a total nuisance of herself the whole time, following us everywhere, trying to eat parts off Cliff's tractor, and swatting flies so nearby that I had to dodge her horns when she swung her head.

The saga of Secret

2008-06-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

Someone asked if Secret was pregnant. I answered that question in a journal entry some time back.

The fence in the lot nearby... where Secret and Meatloaf were staying until they decided to be runaways... is in sad need of repair. Secret has learned to crawl through the weak places, further weakening the fence. We never got Meatloaf home, but the farmer with whose herd he is roaming is not concerned about it. He said he's causing no problem, and there's plenty for everybody to eat there.

Well, Secret went missing again Thursday, the day before we were to leave for Branson; I retrieved her from the woodlot, but rather than have her escape through the fence again and not be able to return (cows are that stupid... they can't figure out how to re-enter the same way they left) we opened a gate to give her access to the east part of our property where she's been going anyway. The part that borders the land where Meatloaf has taken up residence. Because in case she couldn't get across to the farmer's herd, at least she would be able to re-enter the pen where her water is, by way of the open gate.

Upon arriving home yesterday, Secret was gone. Rena, Cliff's sister, hadn't seen her since Friday. First we repaired the fence; then we went looking for the cows next door and, hopefully, our cows; but it's a huge property, and we could not locate a single cow.

I called the kind farmer and told him the circumstances. I told him Secret was probably there with Meatloaf and his herd.

This evening he came to my door and told me he had called his cows up for mineral, and Secret wasn't there.

Since Blue was nearby, I saddled him up figuring to ride our place along the fence-line. I led him through the first gate into Secret's pen, preparing to mount; I looked up, and there was Secret, grazing as though she'd been here all the time.

I called and left a message for the farmer, to let him know my wandering heifer had appeared. And I told him if he finds a good opportunity for us to catch Meatloaf, we're ready to bring him home now.

I may call the A.I. man one more time for Secret, but if she doesn't settle then, we'll take her to visit Cliff's brother's whiteface bull. A bull has all the time, patience and semen it takes to impregnate a heifer.

Tags: Secret, Meatloaf, runaways, stupid cows

The Bucket List

2008-06-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

Critics hated "The Bucket List".

People like me loved it.

Cliff and I loved it, even though it left us both misty-eyed by the end.

What do critics know?

*note to my daughter: This is the last Netflix movie we'll have for awhile; feel free to watch it this week before I return it.

Tags: Bucket List

MY COUNTRY LIFE

This blog is winding down....

You'll Be Fine

... and one more thing

Life goes on

AOL journals is closing it's doors

A rewarding day!

musings from the trailer house

Hello, from the hospital

Spammed!

My sister's surgery

My Sidewalks

fact or fiction?

It's a great day for a motorcycle ride

Another one Edna sent

seen in email from Cliff's cousin, Edna (I claim her as my cousin, too)

It's been a decent day

I rode my horse

Hummingbirds, still around

Klondike Park

My son is a genius

Sheesh

We're getting a sidewalk now.

Sorry about the lack of entries lately

Family hot tub time

I found someone in my hot tub!

Home improvement and hot tub update

politics

Record Lady... Piano Lady?

A one-minute ride through west-central Missouri

Old barns

Weekend road trip

Meet me in St. Louis!

hummingbirds

The garage is DONE (except for the concrete)

So, I have a feline fan

Our garage

YES!

Stand by

update

Busy place

The hot tub dilemma

I'm HOME

small world

Progress :-D

Disappearing doggie

Todays progress

Progress on the back porch and deck

A message to Carrie (breakaway) and Nerves05

My back porch and deck are now under construction!

I love old barns

We're rockin' around here

lyrics of a song I once wrote for my daughter

Internet funnies received in email

A meme

I'm back on my desktop

I was going to go to my cabin....

Barn swallows

Plenty of rain (and other short stories)

I've been watching hummingbirds

Guess who's back?

OK, I'm here

Poor man's vacation (received in email)

Our front porch as it looks today

cinnamon rolls for breakfast

a meme... from about two dozen J-landers

So you think you're buying new tires?

*gasp*

A front porch and a driveway

Miley Cyrus

Plenty going on

checking in

my blood pressure numbers have dropped

Thanks for the help

Stupid Microsoft

Three things that make me smile

The worst thing about being 64

I'll bet you guys thought I had forgotten

It really was a bang-up 4th

A birthday motorcycle ride

gasp