This evening Barb and I will be sitting in Allen Field House as KU plays Kentucky. Should be a great game and I have high hopes that the KU team that has played so well shows up. They have had their problems on the road but if your goal is to get into the NCAA playoff's, they will play good enough.
People that wonder how KU has done so well over the years didn't read the sports page this week. Just as three seniors graduate, they sign a 6'11" player and a 6'8" player. It is always fun to watch the hawks Re-load their teams from year to year. It always amazes me when I watch a pro game and hear the names of past KU players as they do well in the NBA. I wish that Joel Imbied didn't have a broken foot so he could show his talent. It is the kind of injury that may mean he never gets to play in the Pro's.
As you have been told from time to time, I am a landlord and have spent most of the past two weeks rehabbing the damage done to one of my houses by the last tenant. I hope some day she has her own home and comes to realize that that pack of kids can do more damage than wolves. I had an electrician come over to see why one of the electrical outlets didn't work. Evidentially they unscrewed the fuse when they unhooked the washer hoses. We found the loose fuse when the electrician was looking at the second panel. Crap. At least he didn't charge me for the call. I did buy them lunch so it worked out fairly well. The two guys were old like me and we laughed all through the visit. I will save you the details but tell you that old guys have common things wrong and so long as we can laugh at them we'll be ok.
Once upon a time, I had a friend tell me that he didn't understand the concept of suicide. He did understand getting as gun and shooting the other sombitch that made him feel that way. I keep my guns locked in a safe and as long as I can remember where I hid the combination I'll be OK.
Well, the wash machine died this week after chewing up a fairly new KU shirt. Barb and I will go over to the west side of town and see if we can get a replacement. Bet for the right kind of money we can.
Better run.
MUD
1/30/2016
1/26/2016
Last Night
Monday nights are the chorus practice for the Barbershop Chorus and we sang out hearts out in a joyous sound. The good news was it kept me from watching the KU vs Iowa State game where the hawks again couldn't find the way to put all the great pieces together in Big XII play. The coach keeps trimming the number of players down and we don't have the steam to finish the games that way. I guess it is hard to second guess a coach that has 200 wins and only 9 losses at the Phog.
The finishing touches at the rental house are coming along fine. I have a couple of days left to get it ready but I am taking it a little easy this morning. I worked and sang a long day yesterday so I am not up to full speed yet today. I am getting a lot done but it just takes time.
Yesterday I went down into the basement and looked in the storage area for the handrails for the stairs. I had seen the boards and a pip[e but it hadn't really sunk in that they were the old handrails. I will reattach them soon. I have about half a day left to haul things out of the basement. I am good for only a couple of trips up and down the stairs in any given period.
This last year we had a pair of hawks hatch out and I didn't realize just how noisy they would be. One of them is still here and I am pretty sure that he is picking off the birds that come into the feeder. Sucks to be at the bottom of the food chain. Oh well.
I guess I had better get on with things or I will be here all day. Have a warm day out there.
MUD
The finishing touches at the rental house are coming along fine. I have a couple of days left to get it ready but I am taking it a little easy this morning. I worked and sang a long day yesterday so I am not up to full speed yet today. I am getting a lot done but it just takes time.
Yesterday I went down into the basement and looked in the storage area for the handrails for the stairs. I had seen the boards and a pip[e but it hadn't really sunk in that they were the old handrails. I will reattach them soon. I have about half a day left to haul things out of the basement. I am good for only a couple of trips up and down the stairs in any given period.
This last year we had a pair of hawks hatch out and I didn't realize just how noisy they would be. One of them is still here and I am pretty sure that he is picking off the birds that come into the feeder. Sucks to be at the bottom of the food chain. Oh well.
I guess I had better get on with things or I will be here all day. Have a warm day out there.
MUD
1/24/2016
Whew,
We went to the Texas vs KU game yesterday at the Phog in Lawrence. Texas came in with a lot of hustle and muscle and were determined to bet up the Hawks. By halftime the hawks had dug themselves out of a 19 point hole. About half way through the second half, the hawks took control of the game and never looked back. It was a nice kind of victory for a cold Saturday afternoon.
In the Big XII, there is just no way to overlook the mystery of the home court advantage. KSU whipped a good OK-State team in Manhattan. That same team had beat the hawks at their home. Now the hawks go to Hilton on Monday night to see what's in store for them there.
The weatherman was wrong yesterday. The sun never came out and with the wind chill factor was combined for a really cold day. It was supposed to be around 30 but no chance of that. There was a really pretty Hoar's frost on the trees that made it pretty but one step outside and you didn't want to see it from there. It was enough to see it from inside
Today is supposed to be in the 40's and I have some good chicken and steaks to cook on the grill. Sure hope it warms up some. I love the taste of good grilled meats and some good company. We'll see if the kids want to come over and share. Normally they haven't been too hard to get for lunch but Dave's Mother-in-law is there so no bets until we see the whites of their eyes.
Yesterday at the game, I forgot to zip up the little pocket on my jacket where I keep my cell phone. As I jumped up, (OK, Stood up as quick as I could) it fell out and the battery separated from the two pieces of the case. When I put it back together, nothing happened. The phone was dead as a doornail. A little later on, I wondered to myself what would happen if I just held down the power switch like I had it turned off on purpose. Yep, it came back to life and I don't have to replace anything.
One thing I have problems with is my balance, especially when I have been sitting for a couple of hours. The Phog doesn't have handrails as you go up into the stands so I take my cane along just in case. I get kind of light headed when I have to navigate the steps. The cane provides just enough balance to make me feel better. Probably more of a mind trick but hey, it was also slick in spots outside so I was glad to have a little extra protection to prevent falling down again.
Someone put a post of Facebook that things that happen when you get older are much the same only slower. I wrote the author that may be true except for falls on the ice. I went down like a polled ox and it was over before I could even begin to stay up right. I think a better term was down wrong. I still have a bruised hip bone even though the swelling and bruise is mostly gone. Oh well, I guess there are now additional places I don't need to go or things I don't need to do - FAST! Do you have a reverse bucket list? That is a list of things you once did but no longer will do. Water or snow skiing, roller skating, car racing & ladders are all on the top of the list. OH well, Nothings so hard that I can't hire it done.
MUD
In the Big XII, there is just no way to overlook the mystery of the home court advantage. KSU whipped a good OK-State team in Manhattan. That same team had beat the hawks at their home. Now the hawks go to Hilton on Monday night to see what's in store for them there.
The weatherman was wrong yesterday. The sun never came out and with the wind chill factor was combined for a really cold day. It was supposed to be around 30 but no chance of that. There was a really pretty Hoar's frost on the trees that made it pretty but one step outside and you didn't want to see it from there. It was enough to see it from inside
Today is supposed to be in the 40's and I have some good chicken and steaks to cook on the grill. Sure hope it warms up some. I love the taste of good grilled meats and some good company. We'll see if the kids want to come over and share. Normally they haven't been too hard to get for lunch but Dave's Mother-in-law is there so no bets until we see the whites of their eyes.
Yesterday at the game, I forgot to zip up the little pocket on my jacket where I keep my cell phone. As I jumped up, (OK, Stood up as quick as I could) it fell out and the battery separated from the two pieces of the case. When I put it back together, nothing happened. The phone was dead as a doornail. A little later on, I wondered to myself what would happen if I just held down the power switch like I had it turned off on purpose. Yep, it came back to life and I don't have to replace anything.
One thing I have problems with is my balance, especially when I have been sitting for a couple of hours. The Phog doesn't have handrails as you go up into the stands so I take my cane along just in case. I get kind of light headed when I have to navigate the steps. The cane provides just enough balance to make me feel better. Probably more of a mind trick but hey, it was also slick in spots outside so I was glad to have a little extra protection to prevent falling down again.
Someone put a post of Facebook that things that happen when you get older are much the same only slower. I wrote the author that may be true except for falls on the ice. I went down like a polled ox and it was over before I could even begin to stay up right. I think a better term was down wrong. I still have a bruised hip bone even though the swelling and bruise is mostly gone. Oh well, I guess there are now additional places I don't need to go or things I don't need to do - FAST! Do you have a reverse bucket list? That is a list of things you once did but no longer will do. Water or snow skiing, roller skating, car racing & ladders are all on the top of the list. OH well, Nothings so hard that I can't hire it done.
MUD
1/23/2016
It's Only a Game
Up in Ames, IA there was a tent fire next to Hilton Coliseum. It was where the students that were waiting for the Monday night game were in line for the KU vs Iowa State game. Did you hear that? Students were waiting for a place in line for a game being held Monday night. Yep, hasn't anyone told them that it is only a game of basketball being competed by a bunch of semi-professional students? I haven't been informed if the players in the BIG XII are being compensated yet but I'll bet they get some kind of a stipend if they are available elsewhere.
Speaking of my favorite winter activity, it looks a lot like the Men's Basketball conference championship gap has closed and the KU home court advantage is up for grabs today when Texas comes to play. If you have been watching, it seems like everyone is able to defend their home court advantage (Except that Texas spoiled WVU's record last week) There was a saying that the conference championship had to go through Lawrence and we shall see.
If I were asked, my advice to Bill Self would be to play as many players, in 5 minute spurts as he could. Why the hell is Frank Mason asked to play 36 minutes a game when there are 4 or five good players that will get a lot better if they are used more. Svi, Brannen, the new guard all need time to develop and once they get more time they will get better. Oh well, the bodies of the starting five are wearing our and the attitude of the bench warmers has to be on the wane. Can you imagine suiting up and sitting as a spectator when you know that you could be starting at a lot of other places? I can't imagine finishing a game and not needing a shower. Change back into your street clothes and go home. Not for me.
I guess that most of the readers here know that I have always been more of a kind of guy that wants to get in the game and play. I mostly don't need to win all the time and just want to be in the game. I probably enjoy a good win as much as the next guy, but I don't for the most part don't just sit around and sulk when others get the win.
Today in the paper there is a lady that is moving and she needs a good home for a pair of female Dachshunds. They are four years old and according to Barbara probably spoiled beyond belief. She asked me how could you tell? They are the most stubborn little animals I know. Their only redeeming factor is they are loving little animals. I probably won't be on the short list of getting one or two of them.
My rental house here in Topeka is getting finished but not because of my efforts. I probably will hit it hard starting Monday and be out of there in a week. The problem is that it needs to be shown soon if I want it to be rented in February. It has never been on the market more than a week without someone wanting to rent it. It is on the east side of Topeka and in the Shawnee Heights school district and has four bedrooms. It really needs to have an additional bathroom added sometime in the near future. Oh well, I keep the rent reasonable and it rents well. My little house has a lady and her daughter who is just starting high school. They will probably be there for another three or four years.
Better get running. (or walking carefully in the snow)
MUD
Speaking of my favorite winter activity, it looks a lot like the Men's Basketball conference championship gap has closed and the KU home court advantage is up for grabs today when Texas comes to play. If you have been watching, it seems like everyone is able to defend their home court advantage (Except that Texas spoiled WVU's record last week) There was a saying that the conference championship had to go through Lawrence and we shall see.
If I were asked, my advice to Bill Self would be to play as many players, in 5 minute spurts as he could. Why the hell is Frank Mason asked to play 36 minutes a game when there are 4 or five good players that will get a lot better if they are used more. Svi, Brannen, the new guard all need time to develop and once they get more time they will get better. Oh well, the bodies of the starting five are wearing our and the attitude of the bench warmers has to be on the wane. Can you imagine suiting up and sitting as a spectator when you know that you could be starting at a lot of other places? I can't imagine finishing a game and not needing a shower. Change back into your street clothes and go home. Not for me.
I guess that most of the readers here know that I have always been more of a kind of guy that wants to get in the game and play. I mostly don't need to win all the time and just want to be in the game. I probably enjoy a good win as much as the next guy, but I don't for the most part don't just sit around and sulk when others get the win.
Today in the paper there is a lady that is moving and she needs a good home for a pair of female Dachshunds. They are four years old and according to Barbara probably spoiled beyond belief. She asked me how could you tell? They are the most stubborn little animals I know. Their only redeeming factor is they are loving little animals. I probably won't be on the short list of getting one or two of them.
My rental house here in Topeka is getting finished but not because of my efforts. I probably will hit it hard starting Monday and be out of there in a week. The problem is that it needs to be shown soon if I want it to be rented in February. It has never been on the market more than a week without someone wanting to rent it. It is on the east side of Topeka and in the Shawnee Heights school district and has four bedrooms. It really needs to have an additional bathroom added sometime in the near future. Oh well, I keep the rent reasonable and it rents well. My little house has a lady and her daughter who is just starting high school. They will probably be there for another three or four years.
Better get running. (or walking carefully in the snow)
MUD
1/22/2016
Where is Your Focus?
If you read the free advice on Facebook (Well worth what it costs), they will give you about a hundred ways to find happiness. Being a Dave Ramsey Fan, I get lots of free financial advice even if I really don't need it right now. Others will tell you that you should focus on the future and others on the past. Those that say the past don't remember the warts on their frogs. Those that say the focus should be on the future probably spend hours thinking about their lottery tickets and what they will do when they hit the lottery. It is interesting to me that everyone is telling you to look somewhere else as if that sleight of thinking will really change your life.
Once upon a time one of my nephews said to my mother that he was bored. My mother looked him in the eye and said "No, you are boring." There were about a jillion million things to do and he just didn't seem capable of finding what to do right then and there. I will tell you that he is not boring and is a wonderful young man.
I guess there are times that I need to look back and think about all the fun things that happened and I need to plan forward to expand what I will do when tomorrow happens. I don't feel bad that I haven't won the lottery or been inducted in the Hall of Fame. I had a great life and there are a lot of things I feel really great about. I will say that even though a lot of relay nice things have happened to me from a materialist standpoint, my real joys come from the memories of people. I don't know if it is a failure or a blessing that I tend to forget stupid actions or stupid people. I can tell stories for hours and find only a few minutes of bad stories in there because of the failings of others.
Lets see if I can sum this up in a few words. Remember the good things in the past. Live the here and now, and plan for the future.
There is an old saying that goes, "Do what you did and you will get what you got." Don't be that person, especially if you want to pee on my shoulder and tell me it is raining.
MUD
Once upon a time one of my nephews said to my mother that he was bored. My mother looked him in the eye and said "No, you are boring." There were about a jillion million things to do and he just didn't seem capable of finding what to do right then and there. I will tell you that he is not boring and is a wonderful young man.
I guess there are times that I need to look back and think about all the fun things that happened and I need to plan forward to expand what I will do when tomorrow happens. I don't feel bad that I haven't won the lottery or been inducted in the Hall of Fame. I had a great life and there are a lot of things I feel really great about. I will say that even though a lot of relay nice things have happened to me from a materialist standpoint, my real joys come from the memories of people. I don't know if it is a failure or a blessing that I tend to forget stupid actions or stupid people. I can tell stories for hours and find only a few minutes of bad stories in there because of the failings of others.
Lets see if I can sum this up in a few words. Remember the good things in the past. Live the here and now, and plan for the future.
There is an old saying that goes, "Do what you did and you will get what you got." Don't be that person, especially if you want to pee on my shoulder and tell me it is raining.
MUD
1/21/2016
Almost Normal
A week or so back, I fell on my butt and had a fairly extensive hematoma on my left butt cheek. I am pretty sure that the excess bleeding was due to the fact that I was on a blood thinner and it just took time to get over it. There is still a little soreness in the hip joint but I am a lot better and can at least get around fairly unaided. The really good thing of this was that when I stopped taking Xarelto, I was finally able to start taking my Aleve. I can almost live with my arthritis pain now.
I guess I had better get on with my day and I'll write more later.
Ta Da,
MUD
I guess I had better get on with my day and I'll write more later.
Ta Da,
MUD
1/02/2016
OOPs, My Bad!
Yesterday I wrote that I had almost 920,000 posts, but that was wrong. I have had that many visitors and views but only abut 3100 new posts. Even that is a bunch. I am sure that it has kept my mind more active but hasn't helped my spelling. I have a great spell checker program that underlines my typing and spelling errors. It doesn't have a clue what to write, but it does help it almost make sense.
Today I will get to see the hawks play Baylor and it is their first true test of the season. In the paper today there was a report of the pre-season of the Big 12 teams and almost everyone has about 10 wins and one loss. Following the game today there is a Monday night game with Oklahoma that will really test the Hawks. It is nice to have the season openers at home. This team is about as good as any that has ever taken the floor. Even when they played a team that had taller players, we outshot them in the second half. We also manage to run the wheels of the other team in the second half.
This morning Barbara and I went out to the local Methodist church for breakfast. I was glad Barb got to see a really close friend and even happier that the friend is doing so much better. Somehow a hiatal hernia went bad and we weren't sure if Merta was going to pull through. She looks pretty good now and said she feels like everything is on the mend. I also got to visit with an old friend from the Guard. If it is a friend from the Guard, you can guarantee it is an old friend.
As I get older, I find that one topic is always the health (and death) of friends from years back. I try to keep up but there is always some one who's passing has slipped past my notice. I joke that I read the daily Obits to make sure I am not in there. I am not sure if it makes me funnier, but I also read the funny papers daily.
Some time today, our dog guests will go home. It has been fun but not enough to cause Barb to let me get one soon. Perhaps after we have all of our trips to Oklahoma done she will relent. Then again, perhaps not.
OH well, better get rolling.
MUD
Today I will get to see the hawks play Baylor and it is their first true test of the season. In the paper today there was a report of the pre-season of the Big 12 teams and almost everyone has about 10 wins and one loss. Following the game today there is a Monday night game with Oklahoma that will really test the Hawks. It is nice to have the season openers at home. This team is about as good as any that has ever taken the floor. Even when they played a team that had taller players, we outshot them in the second half. We also manage to run the wheels of the other team in the second half.
This morning Barbara and I went out to the local Methodist church for breakfast. I was glad Barb got to see a really close friend and even happier that the friend is doing so much better. Somehow a hiatal hernia went bad and we weren't sure if Merta was going to pull through. She looks pretty good now and said she feels like everything is on the mend. I also got to visit with an old friend from the Guard. If it is a friend from the Guard, you can guarantee it is an old friend.
As I get older, I find that one topic is always the health (and death) of friends from years back. I try to keep up but there is always some one who's passing has slipped past my notice. I joke that I read the daily Obits to make sure I am not in there. I am not sure if it makes me funnier, but I also read the funny papers daily.
Some time today, our dog guests will go home. It has been fun but not enough to cause Barb to let me get one soon. Perhaps after we have all of our trips to Oklahoma done she will relent. Then again, perhaps not.
OH well, better get rolling.
 |
| Visitor at Rabbit Run |
MUD
1/01/2016
First Post
This is actually somewhere near 921,000th post but who's counting. It is the first of 2016. While looking at the funny papers this morning, one of the cartoons was about the fact it is Leap Year. Sure enough, Barb was looking at the calendar and there are going to be 29 days in February. Do you call it setting your calendar back like you set the clocks back for daylight savings? Who knows?
One of these times today, I will probably take the time to wash the stink off (My Dad's words from the Navy) I will probably not put on a lot of fancy clothes, just the remnants from my Tractor Supply visits. When we were in Oklahoma, I saw a hoodie sweatshirt with POLO on the front and Dillard's wanted $105 for it. Needless to say I can get one a lot cheaper but it may say John Deere.
Speaking of deer, this morning I went out to fetch the paper and took our visiting dogs with me. As soon as we cleared the garage, they spotted a heard of deer that were running west. I could see the white tails flagging their way through the trees and a streak of brown and white as the dogs ran after them. I figured that it would be a long chase and didn't expect them to come right back in. The deaf dog met me at the door and the other dog wasn't far behind. Probably near the single digit level temp out there so they didn't want to spent hours out there. Yesterday when it got above 40, they were glad to get out and hard to coral back inside. A part of me wants to get a dog but parts of me realizes that taking care of one and arranging for kennel care when we travel is a lot of work. Probably not something we really need.
Speaking of needing, today's Dear Abby talked about the 12 step program that AA uses. (No, not the American Automobile Association, Alcoholics anonymous) The point made was the lesson of living your life one day at a time. The only thing is disagreed with in her post was that she says you should plan and live one day at a time. I think you should learn how to plan and get out in front of your life to lessen the need for today to be the all consuming thing in your life. I have managed to stay sober for many years by having that. Today I will not have a drink but, the urge is still there.
The good news in our life is that we are the master of our money and not the slave to it. I have enough money in the rental house account to refurbish it now that the renter is gone. I know we have enough money to pay the income taxes when they are due, and to put a new coat of paint and a roof on the garages this year.
A few years ago, we were faced with a pretty steep increase in the cost of our life insurance and that was when we compared the cost vs the need. We have enough to bury either or both of us and to take care of the estate so we dropped the coverage. It was worth the cost when we were younger and there would have been long term needs for money. Now that we are in no danger of living longer than our money, we are just going au 'natural.
When Dave and I were discussing why the oil in his car was all gunked up, he asked me if the dealership that fixed the fan belt had put real motor oil or synthetic oil in the engine? Good question and not one I could answer. I will tell you that in about 8,000 miles a combination of the two did not do well. It is back now on a diet of regular oil and there is some lifter damage to cylinder number 4. The bad news is that they want more money to put in a new engine than the car cost and a damn sure more than I want to pay. The used engine they offered had 90,000 miles on it and the one in the car only has 88,000 miles. Oh well, we will drive it until it can no longer get to Lawrence and back.
This morning our guest is still in bed after celebrating New Year's eve with her relatives in Lawrence. Barb and I are up and attacking the day after being in bed early. Well, Barb was up past midnight reading but I had conked out right after the football games ended. Does it really surprise anyone that the number one and number two college team were the winners? Not to me but it might have been fun to have Oklahoma in there for the final. KU men's basketball team plays Baylor on Saturday and Oklahoma on Monday night. Both games are at the Phog (Allen Field House) in Lawrence and we should be able to protect the winning ways there. For a bunch of years, Bill Self's teams have lost fewer games overall than we have ever lost on our turf. Wish I could say that about the Men's Football team.
Oh well, better get things rolling and get a few things done. I just heard the dogs barking outside so I will probably need to ensure they are not harassing the deer. Oh Dear, the poor deer.
MUD
One of these times today, I will probably take the time to wash the stink off (My Dad's words from the Navy) I will probably not put on a lot of fancy clothes, just the remnants from my Tractor Supply visits. When we were in Oklahoma, I saw a hoodie sweatshirt with POLO on the front and Dillard's wanted $105 for it. Needless to say I can get one a lot cheaper but it may say John Deere.
Speaking of deer, this morning I went out to fetch the paper and took our visiting dogs with me. As soon as we cleared the garage, they spotted a heard of deer that were running west. I could see the white tails flagging their way through the trees and a streak of brown and white as the dogs ran after them. I figured that it would be a long chase and didn't expect them to come right back in. The deaf dog met me at the door and the other dog wasn't far behind. Probably near the single digit level temp out there so they didn't want to spent hours out there. Yesterday when it got above 40, they were glad to get out and hard to coral back inside. A part of me wants to get a dog but parts of me realizes that taking care of one and arranging for kennel care when we travel is a lot of work. Probably not something we really need.
Speaking of needing, today's Dear Abby talked about the 12 step program that AA uses. (No, not the American Automobile Association, Alcoholics anonymous) The point made was the lesson of living your life one day at a time. The only thing is disagreed with in her post was that she says you should plan and live one day at a time. I think you should learn how to plan and get out in front of your life to lessen the need for today to be the all consuming thing in your life. I have managed to stay sober for many years by having that. Today I will not have a drink but, the urge is still there.
The good news in our life is that we are the master of our money and not the slave to it. I have enough money in the rental house account to refurbish it now that the renter is gone. I know we have enough money to pay the income taxes when they are due, and to put a new coat of paint and a roof on the garages this year.
A few years ago, we were faced with a pretty steep increase in the cost of our life insurance and that was when we compared the cost vs the need. We have enough to bury either or both of us and to take care of the estate so we dropped the coverage. It was worth the cost when we were younger and there would have been long term needs for money. Now that we are in no danger of living longer than our money, we are just going au 'natural.
When Dave and I were discussing why the oil in his car was all gunked up, he asked me if the dealership that fixed the fan belt had put real motor oil or synthetic oil in the engine? Good question and not one I could answer. I will tell you that in about 8,000 miles a combination of the two did not do well. It is back now on a diet of regular oil and there is some lifter damage to cylinder number 4. The bad news is that they want more money to put in a new engine than the car cost and a damn sure more than I want to pay. The used engine they offered had 90,000 miles on it and the one in the car only has 88,000 miles. Oh well, we will drive it until it can no longer get to Lawrence and back.
This morning our guest is still in bed after celebrating New Year's eve with her relatives in Lawrence. Barb and I are up and attacking the day after being in bed early. Well, Barb was up past midnight reading but I had conked out right after the football games ended. Does it really surprise anyone that the number one and number two college team were the winners? Not to me but it might have been fun to have Oklahoma in there for the final. KU men's basketball team plays Baylor on Saturday and Oklahoma on Monday night. Both games are at the Phog (Allen Field House) in Lawrence and we should be able to protect the winning ways there. For a bunch of years, Bill Self's teams have lost fewer games overall than we have ever lost on our turf. Wish I could say that about the Men's Football team.
Oh well, better get things rolling and get a few things done. I just heard the dogs barking outside so I will probably need to ensure they are not harassing the deer. Oh Dear, the poor deer.
MUD
12/31/2015
Last Post
OK, it is the last post of 2015. We will soon be in the middle of 2016 and wonder where the last year went. This year has flown by and we have managed as a family to wear out most of two cars. I will go pick up Dave's car from the dealership and see if there is any hope by changing the oil we can get a few more thousand miles out of it. I think that at 88,000 miles that little Caviler is way over its limit. Both of our cars have had a deer strike this year and at least the Ford is still running well. Dave's car, not so much.
A little while ago, I asked Barb what she was going to do today and she said not much. She did un-decorate the Christmas tree and I took the carcass out side. I think about June we will finally stop having dried needles found in the corners of the dinning room. Probably will be when I try to clean up all the needles from the fern that normally sits in the corner. We just got all the blooms from the Christmas cactus picked up when we put the Christmas Tree up. Oh well, we neither one are picky about what lives near the dust bunnies (Thank God)
For the last couple of days, out 'nother daughter Mel from Texas has been here with her two dogs. They are so much better managed now than they were the last time they were here. One of the dogs is deaf and doesn't know just how loud she barks. Other than that they have been fun to have to pet and play with.
I am thinking about how we can get the word out about singing valentines. In years past it worked well and paid a good return on out efforts. Last year not so much. I think if we get an early start on putting up fliers and getting the word out we can make it pay. If not, I think this may be the last year for it.
What would you do if you found that your hobby is on a death spiral. Our Barbershop Chorus membership is not near what it was and I have heard that our director may be leaving in April. If he leaves, that may be the end unless we can find a director that really wants to lead a bunch of old geezers. I know what we need is a bunch of young blood to join us but not sure how to make that work.
Oh well, better shut this down and get working on my plan for next year.
MUD
A little while ago, I asked Barb what she was going to do today and she said not much. She did un-decorate the Christmas tree and I took the carcass out side. I think about June we will finally stop having dried needles found in the corners of the dinning room. Probably will be when I try to clean up all the needles from the fern that normally sits in the corner. We just got all the blooms from the Christmas cactus picked up when we put the Christmas Tree up. Oh well, we neither one are picky about what lives near the dust bunnies (Thank God)
For the last couple of days, out 'nother daughter Mel from Texas has been here with her two dogs. They are so much better managed now than they were the last time they were here. One of the dogs is deaf and doesn't know just how loud she barks. Other than that they have been fun to have to pet and play with.
I am thinking about how we can get the word out about singing valentines. In years past it worked well and paid a good return on out efforts. Last year not so much. I think if we get an early start on putting up fliers and getting the word out we can make it pay. If not, I think this may be the last year for it.
What would you do if you found that your hobby is on a death spiral. Our Barbershop Chorus membership is not near what it was and I have heard that our director may be leaving in April. If he leaves, that may be the end unless we can find a director that really wants to lead a bunch of old geezers. I know what we need is a bunch of young blood to join us but not sure how to make that work.
Oh well, better shut this down and get working on my plan for next year.
MUD
12/28/2015
Good Advice
I would normally not read the editorial page in the paper. Mostly I read the sports pages, the advice column and the funny paper page. This morning I did read an article on the bottom of the page written by a 41 year old black lady. She said to not make a New Year's resolution as that can make it way to hard to stay positive.
I kind of boiled it down to Plan Annually but act daily. We really can only control life one day at a time so we should try to live that way. After many years of sobriety doing just that, I can attest that it just feels right to me. Did you notice that there was a mention of an annual goal setting in my advice?
I know a lot of people that just live life on a daily basis. Their problem is that they don't have a rudder on their ship to change direction. They are a lot like a big ship headed to a dock and it is mostly luck if they stop where they need to stop and go only where they were pointed.
Here are a few of the areas you need to put in your plan:
Mental Health - We are all a little crazy, so try to not focus on it. Being overly concerned can make you crazy. A good smile period will do wonders. If you can't work up a smile, you seriously need to see a Doctor. Drugs and Therapy can help.
Financial - I boil this down to do what you did, and you will get what you got. If you don't have a plan on where you are going, how can you get anywhere near a forward direction.
Physical - When I was young, I could generally get back in shape in the early spring and be good all summer. Now it is taking longer to get into shape that the time left in the summer. Did I mention that I hate to get old. The only problem is that I love to live and these two kind or work against each other. See number one.
Daily plan - If you don't act like what you are doing is important, how can you ever reach success. Yes, I realize that now that I am retired it is easy for me to say but I really did work near the end of my career towards my goals with a daily plan. I didn't always reach what I wanted but it beat the hell out of the alternative.
Family - The only thing worse than being on your own is acting like your support group won't help. The success for me this Christmas season wasn't the gifts, it was the people. You want to catch my eye on Facebook? Post pictures of the kids you spend time with. I don't care about your new car or the new toys for Christmas, It is the genuine smiles on the faces.
Now get out there and see if a focus on today can make your days better. Whatever happens in the future will happen in the future.
MUD
I kind of boiled it down to Plan Annually but act daily. We really can only control life one day at a time so we should try to live that way. After many years of sobriety doing just that, I can attest that it just feels right to me. Did you notice that there was a mention of an annual goal setting in my advice?
I know a lot of people that just live life on a daily basis. Their problem is that they don't have a rudder on their ship to change direction. They are a lot like a big ship headed to a dock and it is mostly luck if they stop where they need to stop and go only where they were pointed.
Here are a few of the areas you need to put in your plan:
Mental Health - We are all a little crazy, so try to not focus on it. Being overly concerned can make you crazy. A good smile period will do wonders. If you can't work up a smile, you seriously need to see a Doctor. Drugs and Therapy can help.
Financial - I boil this down to do what you did, and you will get what you got. If you don't have a plan on where you are going, how can you get anywhere near a forward direction.
Physical - When I was young, I could generally get back in shape in the early spring and be good all summer. Now it is taking longer to get into shape that the time left in the summer. Did I mention that I hate to get old. The only problem is that I love to live and these two kind or work against each other. See number one.
Daily plan - If you don't act like what you are doing is important, how can you ever reach success. Yes, I realize that now that I am retired it is easy for me to say but I really did work near the end of my career towards my goals with a daily plan. I didn't always reach what I wanted but it beat the hell out of the alternative.
Family - The only thing worse than being on your own is acting like your support group won't help. The success for me this Christmas season wasn't the gifts, it was the people. You want to catch my eye on Facebook? Post pictures of the kids you spend time with. I don't care about your new car or the new toys for Christmas, It is the genuine smiles on the faces.
Now get out there and see if a focus on today can make your days better. Whatever happens in the future will happen in the future.
MUD
12/27/2015
Happened Again
One of my rental houses is vacant right now and it is in need of a lot of TLC to return it to good shape. I think I am going over in a little while to see what needs done the most. I might start with taking the trailer over so I will have a place to put some of the trash that got left. I had a deposit on the house but cut it in half a years back or two and now I wish I had just evicted them when I had enough money to do some rehab. One of the things I need to do is to change the locks. I bought a set of locks that allow me to change the keys without replacing the locks so that should be fairly easy.
Did you get everything you needed for Christmas? I only needed some black socks and got them. Everything else is just added stuff to my accumulation of what we already have. No, wait, I did get a screwdriver that switches bits. The good news is that I have a bit set to replace any of the bits if they wear out. One of the first things someone did at the Christmas party was to push the disassemble button and after spending quite a while, I got it back together. Only one small problem. There was a very small magnet that also fell out and I had no clue where it went. The good news was that after spending a half an hour, I managed to find out where it went. Now all is fine.
The weather here in the Heartland is predicted to give us 4 - 8 inches of snow starting some time today. I will need to fire up the tractor once or twice and make sure it will do the job if I need to push snow out of the drives. Dave's drive has a row of cedar trees along the west side of the drive and generally drifts shut if it snows and blows. The wind is blowing right now and I am pretty sure that it will continuer doing so.
We had a nice surprise on Christmas day. Our friends from Morocco stopped by as they were rushing to see all the people that want to see them. They are here for only a week or so. Gerald's father is not doing well and they wanted to get back and see him at least one more time. Their girls are growing up. Their youngest is in the 7th grade. They are headed into the teeth of the bad weather as they are traveling to Meade, KS. I hope they made it safely there yesterday. I just got a Facebook post from a niece that is traveling back from Texas today and she said they are driving into a tsunami.
Glad to be home safely.
Oh well, better get my act together and get on with the day.
MUD
Did you get everything you needed for Christmas? I only needed some black socks and got them. Everything else is just added stuff to my accumulation of what we already have. No, wait, I did get a screwdriver that switches bits. The good news is that I have a bit set to replace any of the bits if they wear out. One of the first things someone did at the Christmas party was to push the disassemble button and after spending quite a while, I got it back together. Only one small problem. There was a very small magnet that also fell out and I had no clue where it went. The good news was that after spending a half an hour, I managed to find out where it went. Now all is fine.
The weather here in the Heartland is predicted to give us 4 - 8 inches of snow starting some time today. I will need to fire up the tractor once or twice and make sure it will do the job if I need to push snow out of the drives. Dave's drive has a row of cedar trees along the west side of the drive and generally drifts shut if it snows and blows. The wind is blowing right now and I am pretty sure that it will continuer doing so.
We had a nice surprise on Christmas day. Our friends from Morocco stopped by as they were rushing to see all the people that want to see them. They are here for only a week or so. Gerald's father is not doing well and they wanted to get back and see him at least one more time. Their girls are growing up. Their youngest is in the 7th grade. They are headed into the teeth of the bad weather as they are traveling to Meade, KS. I hope they made it safely there yesterday. I just got a Facebook post from a niece that is traveling back from Texas today and she said they are driving into a tsunami.
Glad to be home safely.
Oh well, better get my act together and get on with the day.
MUD
12/21/2015
Only 4 days left
Christmas will be here in only 4 more days. I still haven't been able to discern what to get Barbara. The temptation is to buy her some warm clothes and move on. I want a coat but I don't want to have someone else buy it for me. I need to be there to try it on so I can be sure it fits. I, like most of you probably fluxuate 10 to 15 lbs. from summer to winter. I can wear a XL(T) for a jacket but when you put a sweater or a sweatshirt under a coat I need a 2XL(T).
What do you think the protocol on posting pictures in Facebook? Barb does not tag anyone's pictures and that makers it hard for interested family members to know who the heck everyone is. My problem is that I even had to stop and ask Barb who some of them are. Then again, I am not going to use the pictures for anything else. My memory is far from complete and accurate as it once was.
Speaking of memory, the other day at the Christmas party we played a computer aided game and I picked the category music. It was all pop music and I could not even begin to name the songs let alone know that snoop dog did anything but rap crap.
The other day, someone put in the paper that there have been sighting of very large cats a little north of here. It should not surprise anyone that with the large number of deer here in the heartland that we would have the number two predator to deer nearby. Actually number three. Number one is Cars, number two is hunters and number three is mountain lions or cougars.
I have to agree that times here in the Heartland are getting harsh. Our death toll in Shawnee County is 14 which is double that of last year. I think there was only one death related to gang violence .
The rest were family violence. When we can't make peace or walk away from a confrontation with family, there has to be a lot wrong.
I hate to say this but I feel that with the large number of people in the USA that could do a great job as President, the candidates we have are inadequate. But with that said, there are a lot more people in the Congress that need replaced to make it all work out. We need a couple of cycles of not electing the incumbents to clean up the mess. I want someone there that understands that all of the money belongs to the people and not to be given freely to others. If it is important that we spend only what we take in, the fact that there needs to be compromise should be no secret. In my perfect world, I would put Dave Ramsey in charge of the Budget. Then, I would make it illegal for the congress to overspend the budget.
Oh well, better get moving on for the day.
MUD
What do you think the protocol on posting pictures in Facebook? Barb does not tag anyone's pictures and that makers it hard for interested family members to know who the heck everyone is. My problem is that I even had to stop and ask Barb who some of them are. Then again, I am not going to use the pictures for anything else. My memory is far from complete and accurate as it once was.
Speaking of memory, the other day at the Christmas party we played a computer aided game and I picked the category music. It was all pop music and I could not even begin to name the songs let alone know that snoop dog did anything but rap crap.
The other day, someone put in the paper that there have been sighting of very large cats a little north of here. It should not surprise anyone that with the large number of deer here in the heartland that we would have the number two predator to deer nearby. Actually number three. Number one is Cars, number two is hunters and number three is mountain lions or cougars.
I have to agree that times here in the Heartland are getting harsh. Our death toll in Shawnee County is 14 which is double that of last year. I think there was only one death related to gang violence .
The rest were family violence. When we can't make peace or walk away from a confrontation with family, there has to be a lot wrong.
I hate to say this but I feel that with the large number of people in the USA that could do a great job as President, the candidates we have are inadequate. But with that said, there are a lot more people in the Congress that need replaced to make it all work out. We need a couple of cycles of not electing the incumbents to clean up the mess. I want someone there that understands that all of the money belongs to the people and not to be given freely to others. If it is important that we spend only what we take in, the fact that there needs to be compromise should be no secret. In my perfect world, I would put Dave Ramsey in charge of the Budget. Then, I would make it illegal for the congress to overspend the budget.
Oh well, better get moving on for the day.
MUD
12/19/2015
Busy Week
How do I tell someone that is sending multiple posts of Facebook that if I wanted to read all the stuff he is posting, I would look it up to start from the original location. I do appreciate the information from time to time that he provides, but the multiple posts makes him look like he had nothing to do but copy and paste crap from other people. I want him to post original crap from him not OPC (Other People's Crap) Did I just coin a term that is worthy of Facebook? Might give it a try.
The other morning on the news in Tulsa, one of the on air personalities said there is a study out that says that married people eat more regularly and together and increases their Body Mass Index. So the real question women should ask their husbands is "Do you make my butt look fat." That equally applies to men but most men don't really care. In fact increases in Body Mass for me means that my belly helps push my pants down from the front and my skinny white boy butt could use some augmentation to help hold the pants up.
Today is the Petty Family Christmas in Kansas City. It will cause us to miss part of or all of the Hawks game in Lawrence. The only good part is that I know there will be a TV in KC that probably will carry the game. Besides that, the chances of KU losing a game in Allen Field House (aka the PHOG) is fairly low.
Oh well, Better get moving and go take care of Petty Gang Business.
MUD
12/14/2015
What a Great Day
On Saturday, our Barbershop Chorus sang at 7 older adult Care Facilities here in Topeka. We sang at two of the places for two different groups so it was really 9 performances. The part that made it great for me was that we sang "Mary Had a Baby" each time. The first line is a Baritone only line " Mary Had a Baby." As the only Baritone I sang it as a solo It was just a great sound and as the song ends, the last notes were a Baritone and Bass combination that just rocked. It didn't hurt that the best Bass in the chorus was right next to me and he and I blended it together the best I have ever heard it. You should have been there. I am sure we spread the joy of the Holidays across the city of Topeka.
On Sunday morning, my computer monitor just went black. No matter what I did to the computer, it went black and stayed there. It normally only shuts off when the computer does. I was at Walmart and called Dave to see what he recommended to replace it with. He asked me the question about if I had tried to manually turn it on? Well DUH Dennis, I hadn't. I went home and guess what? it turned on and everything is fine. There is some truth in the age old adage, try the simple things first. (Then call you son it that doesn't work) I guess I raised him right and he has continued to grow from there. I love my son Dave and I will probably buy him that new Video Card with the money we saved.
After singing all over Topeka, I knew that going to the Sprint Center to see the hawks would just be more than I could do. We stayed home and watched it on TV. My Niece Jennifer snagged some tickets from other friends and took several members of the family. I was very pleased that Asa and Julia got to see the Hawks play one of the finest games this year. If you saw them at the University games in Korea, you will know that they sand bag at the first of the game and then run the wheels off the other team at the end. They did just that and it was one of the best halves of the year. I just hope thy don't dig too deep a hole later on. Oh well, they have the muscle and guns to win.
Today in the paper a young lady asked dear Abby (Or her replacement) if she thought she should sue the rapist that had hurt her many years ago. Well, she did admit that the guy is dead now. It is clear that suing a dead person is the height of folly. Boys and Girls, taking someone to court is pretty silly unless the value of the damage is pretty great. There is a pretty good chance that the court and a jury doesn't think the damage done is as much as you do. There is an old saying that I use. It is pretty much like wetting your pants in a dark suit. It gives you a warm feeling but no one but you notices.
Our Christmas theme this year is Star Wars. It is pretty cute and Barbara found some lights to spell out the words, "May the force be with you." We have about 25 of the original Star Wars characters and they are on the tree. Yes, I will be one of the people that will see the new Stars Wars movie over the Holiday season.
I had better get moving before I become stuck in place here on this chair. It probably does need replaced as my present to myself.
MUD
On Sunday morning, my computer monitor just went black. No matter what I did to the computer, it went black and stayed there. It normally only shuts off when the computer does. I was at Walmart and called Dave to see what he recommended to replace it with. He asked me the question about if I had tried to manually turn it on? Well DUH Dennis, I hadn't. I went home and guess what? it turned on and everything is fine. There is some truth in the age old adage, try the simple things first. (Then call you son it that doesn't work) I guess I raised him right and he has continued to grow from there. I love my son Dave and I will probably buy him that new Video Card with the money we saved.
After singing all over Topeka, I knew that going to the Sprint Center to see the hawks would just be more than I could do. We stayed home and watched it on TV. My Niece Jennifer snagged some tickets from other friends and took several members of the family. I was very pleased that Asa and Julia got to see the Hawks play one of the finest games this year. If you saw them at the University games in Korea, you will know that they sand bag at the first of the game and then run the wheels off the other team at the end. They did just that and it was one of the best halves of the year. I just hope thy don't dig too deep a hole later on. Oh well, they have the muscle and guns to win.
Today in the paper a young lady asked dear Abby (Or her replacement) if she thought she should sue the rapist that had hurt her many years ago. Well, she did admit that the guy is dead now. It is clear that suing a dead person is the height of folly. Boys and Girls, taking someone to court is pretty silly unless the value of the damage is pretty great. There is a pretty good chance that the court and a jury doesn't think the damage done is as much as you do. There is an old saying that I use. It is pretty much like wetting your pants in a dark suit. It gives you a warm feeling but no one but you notices.
Our Christmas theme this year is Star Wars. It is pretty cute and Barbara found some lights to spell out the words, "May the force be with you." We have about 25 of the original Star Wars characters and they are on the tree. Yes, I will be one of the people that will see the new Stars Wars movie over the Holiday season.
I had better get moving before I become stuck in place here on this chair. It probably does need replaced as my present to myself.
MUD
12/10/2015
Great times
Yesterday I picked up a great friend at the KC Airport. He has been in Morocco and I thought it appropriate to greet him with a rack of ribs. Then we went to Lawrence and saw the second half of the KU game with Holy Cross. Holy Cross is a team that beat Harvard that last week gave KU fits. The Hawks put on a display of what shooting and defense can do. Gerald was in Hog heaven as a KU fan. I hope we can be as much fun for his family when they come in next week. The only sad part of this whole adventure is that Gerald's father is not doing well and it is happening when the majority of us are looking forward to having a happy holiday.
This week we had a discussion about the impact on our retirement savings once we start making the mandatory withdrawals. The temptation I have is to have the withholdings made as quarterly withdrawals and just to send the money to the IRS. I think it will about be what we would have to pay extra on the 15th anyway. It just hits Barb wrong that all the money we have saved for retirement should just go to the Government. I tend to agree but can't argue with the fact that we all must throw in some taxes to make it more fair.
How well do you read your e-mail. This week I sent a message out to the normal cast for the Barbershop practice schedule. We have about 45 names on the list but only have about 25 actual singers. I think I am going to start paring people off the list to see who notices.
On the subject of today's communications, how has it impacted you on a personal level? I think we stay in touch much better but it is not as personal in a lot of cases. I do get to see a lot more pictures of the newest members of friend and family. That does brighten my day. I will admit that I haven't written very many letters this past year. I did write to a grand nephew that had written to me as a social studies project.
If you don't hear from me much over the next couple of weeks, I am like you going to be pretty busy. I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New year. If that is not what you want to hear, change it to an appropriate greeting in your language or religion.
MUD
This week we had a discussion about the impact on our retirement savings once we start making the mandatory withdrawals. The temptation I have is to have the withholdings made as quarterly withdrawals and just to send the money to the IRS. I think it will about be what we would have to pay extra on the 15th anyway. It just hits Barb wrong that all the money we have saved for retirement should just go to the Government. I tend to agree but can't argue with the fact that we all must throw in some taxes to make it more fair.
How well do you read your e-mail. This week I sent a message out to the normal cast for the Barbershop practice schedule. We have about 45 names on the list but only have about 25 actual singers. I think I am going to start paring people off the list to see who notices.
On the subject of today's communications, how has it impacted you on a personal level? I think we stay in touch much better but it is not as personal in a lot of cases. I do get to see a lot more pictures of the newest members of friend and family. That does brighten my day. I will admit that I haven't written very many letters this past year. I did write to a grand nephew that had written to me as a social studies project.
If you don't hear from me much over the next couple of weeks, I am like you going to be pretty busy. I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New year. If that is not what you want to hear, change it to an appropriate greeting in your language or religion.
MUD
12/09/2015
Busy Week
Barb and I compared our schedule this morning and found that we both have a full schedule and they for the most part don't fit. I did get up and clean the kitchen this AM, but after cooking breakfast I have a full sink of dishes. I guess that's the problem with my cooking. I tend to make a lot of food and a mess at the same time. One time my daughter-in-law was talking with one of her work friends. She said she wasn't the greatest cook. Her friend asked her what she did when her husband Dave said he wanted a good home cooked meal. She replied that it was easy , they would go to my house. I always try to cook great meals when we have an audience.
Tonight is going to be a fun time. We have a great friend arriving at MCI at 6:30 and KU tickets at 7:00. Clearly we will have to make a decision what we are going to do. I told Gerald's wife that I would give him three choices. a. Go straight to the KU game and see the second half. b. go to a good BBQ restaurant for some BBQ, c. Got to his brother's house so he can get some rest after a many hour flight. I tell you that I would have a tough time making that choice. The good news is he is young enough to fly for over 12 hours and then go watch a ball game. We'll see. The good news is that the ribs can always be eaten after the game. Some time during the game I do need to drop off some tickets to Donna so she can pass the on to Jennifer in Kansas City. Will be a tricky swap but no tall step for a tall stepper.
The only sad thing this year is that our friend Gerald is rushing home because his father is ill and they are not sure how much longer he can survive. Nothing puts a damper on the Holiday Season than the potential loss of a parent. I know he has a strong faith and he will get through this tough time and come out the far side in good shape.
The other day I saw a post by the daughter of one of my good friends. It had a picture of Ron putting on a tie. He had someone helping him as he and I share a hatred of ties. I made a snarky comment and Ron's sister chimed in and sent me a friend request. The really neat part is that June married a fellow who's last name is May. Yep she is now June May. I love that name even if it will screw up my months again. As a Kid we sang "Shine on Harvest Moon, I ain't had no loving since January, February, June or July." Musically it was great, but not what the teachers wanted me to parrot back to them. Whatever, I hope June has a great life.
I guess if I am going to get everything done today a good place to start is here.
MUD
Tonight is going to be a fun time. We have a great friend arriving at MCI at 6:30 and KU tickets at 7:00. Clearly we will have to make a decision what we are going to do. I told Gerald's wife that I would give him three choices. a. Go straight to the KU game and see the second half. b. go to a good BBQ restaurant for some BBQ, c. Got to his brother's house so he can get some rest after a many hour flight. I tell you that I would have a tough time making that choice. The good news is he is young enough to fly for over 12 hours and then go watch a ball game. We'll see. The good news is that the ribs can always be eaten after the game. Some time during the game I do need to drop off some tickets to Donna so she can pass the on to Jennifer in Kansas City. Will be a tricky swap but no tall step for a tall stepper.
The only sad thing this year is that our friend Gerald is rushing home because his father is ill and they are not sure how much longer he can survive. Nothing puts a damper on the Holiday Season than the potential loss of a parent. I know he has a strong faith and he will get through this tough time and come out the far side in good shape.
The other day I saw a post by the daughter of one of my good friends. It had a picture of Ron putting on a tie. He had someone helping him as he and I share a hatred of ties. I made a snarky comment and Ron's sister chimed in and sent me a friend request. The really neat part is that June married a fellow who's last name is May. Yep she is now June May. I love that name even if it will screw up my months again. As a Kid we sang "Shine on Harvest Moon, I ain't had no loving since January, February, June or July." Musically it was great, but not what the teachers wanted me to parrot back to them. Whatever, I hope June has a great life.
I guess if I am going to get everything done today a good place to start is here.
MUD
12/07/2015
Monday Tidings
Did you ever wonder what the heck tidings are? Oh well, they sound good in Christmas songs. The question from a Jewish mother was what to do when someone wishes her Merry Christmas. I say she should wish them a Mazel Tov or Shalom. (I would say happy honnicah if I could get spell checker to get me closer than this. It offered happy Monica but I am pretty sure that is not right.) It is like that greeting of Happy Holidays that the Political Correctness Police are trying to get us to use. Dad would say whatever floats your boat. Me, I try to not let happy greetings not change what I say of do.
This morning I am working on the Christmas songs we will be singing the rest of the week. One night this week we will be singing for an Older Adult Care home and then on Saturday we will sing for 7 more. I sure hope we can all last that long. I am working on a program to help me improve my voice by a guy named Roger Love. I feel better after I have warmed up but an mot completely there yet. My real goal is to be ready for the singing valentines and then the Brigade Roundup in Texas in April.
One of my friends posted a picture of a young Pilot and his wife today on Facebook. The young man was killed yesterday in a crash on the other side of the world. I will promise you that carbon footprints are far lower on my list of important things than terrorism or the potential of War. It really scares me when I hear the President and the Secretary of State tell us that our use of fossil fuels will get us to hell quicker than anything. I really get my hackles rankled when people say Donald Trump says the most stupid things. I think he may be 4th but I have candidates for number 1-3. They all have been candidates for or are the President.
I hope that the small water leak under the Ford is not a major thing. I noticed it needed a lot of antifreeze the other day so I guess I will really need to get out and find the leak. I don't know if it is related to the high miles on the engine or the deer strike. Either way, I need to get on it today. We are going to have temperatures in the 50's all week.
Have a great day out there.
MUD
This morning I am working on the Christmas songs we will be singing the rest of the week. One night this week we will be singing for an Older Adult Care home and then on Saturday we will sing for 7 more. I sure hope we can all last that long. I am working on a program to help me improve my voice by a guy named Roger Love. I feel better after I have warmed up but an mot completely there yet. My real goal is to be ready for the singing valentines and then the Brigade Roundup in Texas in April.
One of my friends posted a picture of a young Pilot and his wife today on Facebook. The young man was killed yesterday in a crash on the other side of the world. I will promise you that carbon footprints are far lower on my list of important things than terrorism or the potential of War. It really scares me when I hear the President and the Secretary of State tell us that our use of fossil fuels will get us to hell quicker than anything. I really get my hackles rankled when people say Donald Trump says the most stupid things. I think he may be 4th but I have candidates for number 1-3. They all have been candidates for or are the President.
I hope that the small water leak under the Ford is not a major thing. I noticed it needed a lot of antifreeze the other day so I guess I will really need to get out and find the leak. I don't know if it is related to the high miles on the engine or the deer strike. Either way, I need to get on it today. We are going to have temperatures in the 50's all week.
Have a great day out there.
MUD
12/06/2015
Can this be the year?
After 11 years of winning the Big 12 championship in Men's Basketball, can this be the year they don't? Last night we saw the play a team from Harvard that out rebounded them and out hustled them at almost every position. They were a 22 point favorite by Las Vegas standards. They were lucky to escape with a win at home. Sheesh!
Do you think there is a conscious link between our dreams and reality? I know I haven't practiced my Christmas songs enough and dreamed that I was totally unprepared at a practice. This next week we will sing for one Older Adult Care Facility and then on Saturday we will sing at seven. Better get ready and not stress my voice out too much. If I were singing Bass, I would be fine but as a Baritone it is right at the top of my normal vocal range.
Do you have a calendar that you put all you appointments on? Ours is getting fuller by the day. Right now the only blank spots are between Christmas and New Years Day. I will buy another one of those Shriner's Calendars again this year. They are going to have drawings to give you a chance to win a small amount of money. So far this year I haven't won anything but I also buy Lottery Tickets. At least this is money for a good purpose.
I took the Crown Vic to a local tire shop this week. I decided that they are the one's that fix all my implement tires so they should get my business. I told the owner what I wanted and he priced the tires 4 ways. He started to tell me about the choices. He was surprised when I bought the best set. In fact I asked him to not tell me about the real cheap set. I want to make sure that we have a really good set when we are out killing deer. (that was a joke, I hope we never hit another one)
The paper had an article today about the fact that in 1947, it was reported that there were no deer in Kansas. That is not the deal today. I read that about 140,000 licenses were issued and almost a deer was harvested for each one. Not here at Rabbit Run but I do hope the population doesn't continue to grow.
Oh well, on to better things.
MUD
Do you think there is a conscious link between our dreams and reality? I know I haven't practiced my Christmas songs enough and dreamed that I was totally unprepared at a practice. This next week we will sing for one Older Adult Care Facility and then on Saturday we will sing at seven. Better get ready and not stress my voice out too much. If I were singing Bass, I would be fine but as a Baritone it is right at the top of my normal vocal range.
Do you have a calendar that you put all you appointments on? Ours is getting fuller by the day. Right now the only blank spots are between Christmas and New Years Day. I will buy another one of those Shriner's Calendars again this year. They are going to have drawings to give you a chance to win a small amount of money. So far this year I haven't won anything but I also buy Lottery Tickets. At least this is money for a good purpose.
I took the Crown Vic to a local tire shop this week. I decided that they are the one's that fix all my implement tires so they should get my business. I told the owner what I wanted and he priced the tires 4 ways. He started to tell me about the choices. He was surprised when I bought the best set. In fact I asked him to not tell me about the real cheap set. I want to make sure that we have a really good set when we are out killing deer. (that was a joke, I hope we never hit another one)
The paper had an article today about the fact that in 1947, it was reported that there were no deer in Kansas. That is not the deal today. I read that about 140,000 licenses were issued and almost a deer was harvested for each one. Not here at Rabbit Run but I do hope the population doesn't continue to grow.
Oh well, on to better things.
MUD
12/05/2015
Retirement
I have a friend that is afraid to retire because he doesn't think he has enough to do to stay busy. What a dumb head. It doesn't take long to find out that you will fill your time with the things you enjoy and it is all good. I have a couple of hobbies (This is one) and singing is the other. Throw in a little maintenance on the rentals and I have all I need to do. OK, throw in a KU Basketball game or two and the wintertime just keeps getting better and better.
Today there was a program about car shows on TV and Barbara talked about how expensive that hobby is. Throw in a major purchase once and a while and I'll bet in the long run the Master Gardner purchases almost cost as much. Well, perhaps not quite as much. But does she get to drive her bags of mulch?
How on God's Green Earth can the President not classify the San Bernardino attack anything but Terrorism? What planet is he living on? Oh I know, the one that is melting from Global Warming. Anytime someone tells you they can cure a problem by Taxing it, LOOK OUT! The biggest part of the lie is they say they will return the costs to the taxpayers. They can't pay their bills now and want another source of revenue? Just who do you think will pay the higher utility costs? Yep'er Skippy - You and Me. Does drinking the cool-aid made with the water from the Potomac River make you stupid or do they think we are stupid because we don't?
I saw a picture on Facebook where the President has Gabby Gifford in for a chat about how they can take the guns away from the people that are not within the Law. Good question, but that's where you need to start. I vote for them to start in Chicago and see what that would cost. Some of the toughest Gun laws are in California and we saw what good those Laws did. For those of you that think that taking our guns away I offer you the only solution. Change the Constitution. When the 2nd amendment goes away, I will consider telling everyone to turn in their guns. Ain't gonna happen McGee.
Oh well, going to Lawrence to watch the kids play basketball. Should be a fun game as Harvard is a 22 point underdog. I am looking for a 100 point day from the hawks.
MUD
Today there was a program about car shows on TV and Barbara talked about how expensive that hobby is. Throw in a major purchase once and a while and I'll bet in the long run the Master Gardner purchases almost cost as much. Well, perhaps not quite as much. But does she get to drive her bags of mulch?
How on God's Green Earth can the President not classify the San Bernardino attack anything but Terrorism? What planet is he living on? Oh I know, the one that is melting from Global Warming. Anytime someone tells you they can cure a problem by Taxing it, LOOK OUT! The biggest part of the lie is they say they will return the costs to the taxpayers. They can't pay their bills now and want another source of revenue? Just who do you think will pay the higher utility costs? Yep'er Skippy - You and Me. Does drinking the cool-aid made with the water from the Potomac River make you stupid or do they think we are stupid because we don't?
I saw a picture on Facebook where the President has Gabby Gifford in for a chat about how they can take the guns away from the people that are not within the Law. Good question, but that's where you need to start. I vote for them to start in Chicago and see what that would cost. Some of the toughest Gun laws are in California and we saw what good those Laws did. For those of you that think that taking our guns away I offer you the only solution. Change the Constitution. When the 2nd amendment goes away, I will consider telling everyone to turn in their guns. Ain't gonna happen McGee.
Oh well, going to Lawrence to watch the kids play basketball. Should be a fun game as Harvard is a 22 point underdog. I am looking for a 100 point day from the hawks.
MUD
12/03/2015
Crap, Oh Dear,
After putting the car back together, I took it to one of the local Lube Shops to have the oil changed. I was reminded that the Transmission fluid and fuel filter needed to be changed and I had them do both along with the normal oil change. On our way to the Basketball game in Lawrence, the car died in the little town od Stull. Fuel was leaking out on the road and it would not run. Clearly something had gone wrong. I had it towed home and I got under the car to see what the heck had happened. One of the hoses on the upside of the fuel filter had an obvious cut in it and it had burst and was leaking. All it took was a 5 inch of new hose to make it all well. The really bad news was that we missed the first game of the new KU player.
Oh well, Today I am going to put a new set of tires on the Ford and perhaps take a road trip. Other than that, I am taking the day off. Seems like I have been way too busy for about a week and last night after singing the National Anthem for the Road Runner Hockey game I fell asleep long before 9 PM. Oh well, I am glad that I still have enough energy to get it all done.
For some reason this year I have kind of a renewed joy about things. I know that there are a lot of negative things out there but I will quit worrying about things globally. On the local level, I am really happy to see the kids on Facebook and in person.
Better get rolling and see if I can get a lot done today.
MUD
Oh well, Today I am going to put a new set of tires on the Ford and perhaps take a road trip. Other than that, I am taking the day off. Seems like I have been way too busy for about a week and last night after singing the National Anthem for the Road Runner Hockey game I fell asleep long before 9 PM. Oh well, I am glad that I still have enough energy to get it all done.
For some reason this year I have kind of a renewed joy about things. I know that there are a lot of negative things out there but I will quit worrying about things globally. On the local level, I am really happy to see the kids on Facebook and in person.
Better get rolling and see if I can get a lot done today.
MUD
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)