This morning it was 45 degrees and surely it will be above 50 (Perchance 60?) sometime later on. I have a few things outside I have to get done and today just might be the day. I will fuel up the tractor and cut down a tree stump where the building will be. I am sure that the kids will be in our plans somewhere but exactly what and where is yet to be determined.
Yesterday was a great day. In addition to the installation banquet for the Barbershop Chorus last night, KU looked like the team everyone had promised. If WV Had managed to pin another loss on OK State it would have been an even grander day. If KU can go steal a victory at Hilton on Monday night, it will be a great week. Let there be no doubt that many a good team have come into Hilton coliseum there in Ames and taken a loss home with them. The same can be said about Stillwater and Lawrence. We'll see. The sad thing is that I have my DVR set to record the final of Major Crimes and would hate to not see that when I am at Chorus Practice. Oh well, my watching or not watching won't change the outcome of the game.
I finally got my CD's from the Barbershop guys. It is the Pole Cat song book and is the abbreviated version of many of the old Barbershop songs that most of us old guys love to sing. I bought all four parts and will work on the bass parts mostly but will be ready to sub for one of the other quartets on Valentines day. We do a two song special for $25.00 and the woman (or man) will get a rose and a small box of chocolates. We sing "Heart of my Heart" and "Let me Call you Sweetheart" all over the Topeka and Lawrence area.
This morning Barbara finally opened the package of Chicken she bought at Sam's Club. She bought what is called Chicken Tenders and I am going to come up with a way to bake them and then make different kinds of dip. I have in Mind a BBQ, Honey Mustard, Tai Chili in Soy Sauce and some kind of mayonnaise based sauce like a tarter. I would do something like a Russian Dressing but it will need some help. The sad part is I used up the Hummus that I would use as a base. Perhaps some kind of a cheese and salsa sauce might be called for. Well, see.
Yesterday, at the installation banquet I tried out the title of Assistant Bass Section Leader (ABSL) on the guys and they weren't impressed. I guess I should expect that when our Bass section has three Retired Colonels. I do have date of rank on one of them but that doesn't mean much. I do love the guys in the section and when we want to, we can rock the house. Last night we sang a couple of songs and almost to a man we were all there. It really rocked that shelter house by the park.
Better go get something done or I will find myself wishing I had. Have a great day out there.
P.S. Yesterday I got a stray comment from someone that professes to be in love with his bible. Once I got the gist of what he was saying, I just let it slide. Next time I will edit that kind of comment out. Freedom of religion means you can celebrate your religion any way you want until you start taking up my space. Delete is only one click away.
MUD
1/12/2014
1/11/2014
Is It March?
This morning it is just above freezing and headed for somewhere in the 40's today. Seems like the weather can't make up its mind what month it is. Seems a lot more like march than January.
Today is the Sunflower showdown and in it KU and KSU will play. It will be the second time the Hawks get to play in the "Second Season." This is the round robin they play for the Conference Championship. After a really tough pre-season, the boys know what they need to do. As my Dad would say, "All Hands on Deck, Battle stations."
Can you imagine how good Wichita State would be if they had Perry Ellis and Wiggins had decided to play there? They are 16-0 and they haven't had a diet of cup cakes either. I am proud of their record and am looking forward to watching them in Post Season.
Yesterday I got an e-mail from our Chorus Director that ked me if I would be the assistant Bass Section Leader. Our section leader has a couple of Monday's a month that he is late and I will be in charge of the section practice. It was really funny that he phrased it as a question but then said he probably would not take no for an answer. I told him that I could not refuse such a request. If you knew how much I respect our director this exchange would put a smile on your face.
Today is the dinner for our Chorus to install the officers for 2014. I got into the chorus so late this year that I escaped the selection process. I will probably have to do something in the out years but not this year. There is a position that is responsible for sending out the practice schedule weekly and it could be had but I will sit back and watch for a while. I will also work with the membership officer and see if there isn't a way we can increase our chorus strength. I want to also work with the Junior Barbershop Quartet program and see if we can't gain some people by making their program better.
Oh well, time to go do something better for me,
MUD
Today is the Sunflower showdown and in it KU and KSU will play. It will be the second time the Hawks get to play in the "Second Season." This is the round robin they play for the Conference Championship. After a really tough pre-season, the boys know what they need to do. As my Dad would say, "All Hands on Deck, Battle stations."
Can you imagine how good Wichita State would be if they had Perry Ellis and Wiggins had decided to play there? They are 16-0 and they haven't had a diet of cup cakes either. I am proud of their record and am looking forward to watching them in Post Season.
Yesterday I got an e-mail from our Chorus Director that ked me if I would be the assistant Bass Section Leader. Our section leader has a couple of Monday's a month that he is late and I will be in charge of the section practice. It was really funny that he phrased it as a question but then said he probably would not take no for an answer. I told him that I could not refuse such a request. If you knew how much I respect our director this exchange would put a smile on your face.
Today is the dinner for our Chorus to install the officers for 2014. I got into the chorus so late this year that I escaped the selection process. I will probably have to do something in the out years but not this year. There is a position that is responsible for sending out the practice schedule weekly and it could be had but I will sit back and watch for a while. I will also work with the membership officer and see if there isn't a way we can increase our chorus strength. I want to also work with the Junior Barbershop Quartet program and see if we can't gain some people by making their program better.
Oh well, time to go do something better for me,
MUD
1/10/2014
Warning, This Post is Political!
I have been nice for a while and it has just been a time to think. Today is my full load of a double barreled shotgun at politics and the people that play it.
A short while back, we spent Billions on a failed experiment call stimulus. No one has cried foul at the fools that threw our dollars (or in reality dollars our government borrowed from many sources) at places where the money played Alice in Wonderland and went down the hole and disappeared. That money was wasted and the fact that so few jobs were created should cause a mass resignation in Washington. Or a Mass realization and admission that it didn't work.
Am I the only person that thinks we need to either lower the spending or increase the revenue? The problem is that no one is really willing to find a happy medium or give an inch. Throw in the NIMBY crowd (Not in my backyard) and you can see that few people can find a place that pleases the majority. The waffling on the important topics is just overrun with politics.
As a conservative (on fiscal matters mostly) I hate that there is a cry to have the parties to work together. The first time John McClain does that, they label him a RINO (Republican in Name Only) and threaten to throw him out of his elected position. How can a democrat from Texas vote 100% with Democrats from California and Maine. Surely they would have to disagree from time to time. The same can be said about a Republican from Kansas and Republicans from the South.
Why is it that because I support one party, I can't have ideas that fly in the face of my party. I hate abortion but I support a woman's freedom to make decisions between her and her Doctor. I think we should have freedom of Religion, not freedom from religion. You can celebrate your religion and damned way you like as long as I can do the same. If you don't like gay marriage, don't have one. If you don't support gun ownership, vote with your feet and don't own one.
I think it is time we celebrate our diversity in people rather than blame our problems on any one race. I love to attend a Saint Patrick's Day parade. I attend the Fiesta Mexicana every year here in Topeka. I love Soul food and BBQ, watermelon, spaghetti and Chinese food. Why would I hate the very people that brought our wonderful diversity to us.
I think we need to find a way to find out what the majority of the people think is wrong and fix those problems first. Listen to Dave Ramsey's way of fixing the financial problems. Start with the smallest and pay that problem off.
Obama Care or the ACA, was an attempt to fix all of our problems by nuking the health Care System all at once. The really sad part is that there are a lot of things that got fixed when we are just throwing millions of dollars into a system without fixing what's broke. We needed to find a way that people with pre-existing conditions could get insurance. We needed to find a way that the poor could get insurance at a reduced cost. Extending the age of children to allow them to be carried on their parents insurance is not a bad thing. I think those kids need to be in school or employed at a low wage.
Did you notice that I did my best to not blame our problems on any one party or person? here is enough room for everyone on that Titanic ship. Until we find a way to put people in Congress that truly want to fix our problems we should Never Re-elect Anyone. The first step in fixing the problems is to admit that we have problems and make sure everyone knows what it is we are trying to fix.
MUD
A short while back, we spent Billions on a failed experiment call stimulus. No one has cried foul at the fools that threw our dollars (or in reality dollars our government borrowed from many sources) at places where the money played Alice in Wonderland and went down the hole and disappeared. That money was wasted and the fact that so few jobs were created should cause a mass resignation in Washington. Or a Mass realization and admission that it didn't work.
Am I the only person that thinks we need to either lower the spending or increase the revenue? The problem is that no one is really willing to find a happy medium or give an inch. Throw in the NIMBY crowd (Not in my backyard) and you can see that few people can find a place that pleases the majority. The waffling on the important topics is just overrun with politics.
As a conservative (on fiscal matters mostly) I hate that there is a cry to have the parties to work together. The first time John McClain does that, they label him a RINO (Republican in Name Only) and threaten to throw him out of his elected position. How can a democrat from Texas vote 100% with Democrats from California and Maine. Surely they would have to disagree from time to time. The same can be said about a Republican from Kansas and Republicans from the South.
Why is it that because I support one party, I can't have ideas that fly in the face of my party. I hate abortion but I support a woman's freedom to make decisions between her and her Doctor. I think we should have freedom of Religion, not freedom from religion. You can celebrate your religion and damned way you like as long as I can do the same. If you don't like gay marriage, don't have one. If you don't support gun ownership, vote with your feet and don't own one.
I think it is time we celebrate our diversity in people rather than blame our problems on any one race. I love to attend a Saint Patrick's Day parade. I attend the Fiesta Mexicana every year here in Topeka. I love Soul food and BBQ, watermelon, spaghetti and Chinese food. Why would I hate the very people that brought our wonderful diversity to us.
I think we need to find a way to find out what the majority of the people think is wrong and fix those problems first. Listen to Dave Ramsey's way of fixing the financial problems. Start with the smallest and pay that problem off.
Obama Care or the ACA, was an attempt to fix all of our problems by nuking the health Care System all at once. The really sad part is that there are a lot of things that got fixed when we are just throwing millions of dollars into a system without fixing what's broke. We needed to find a way that people with pre-existing conditions could get insurance. We needed to find a way that the poor could get insurance at a reduced cost. Extending the age of children to allow them to be carried on their parents insurance is not a bad thing. I think those kids need to be in school or employed at a low wage.
Did you notice that I did my best to not blame our problems on any one party or person? here is enough room for everyone on that Titanic ship. Until we find a way to put people in Congress that truly want to fix our problems we should Never Re-elect Anyone. The first step in fixing the problems is to admit that we have problems and make sure everyone knows what it is we are trying to fix.
MUD
1/08/2014
Singin' My Butt Off
I have been singing since early in my school years. Our elementary School had a music teacher, Mrs. Holloway that just made singing fun. It wasn't work, it was almost pure pleasure. There have been times when I didn't sing with a group but I sang in a choir through my Senior Year of High school. Right now I'm up to my elbows in fun singing with a Barbershop Chorus. This isn't the cheapest hobby but it does provide a good value for the dollar. One fun thing is they now have learning CD's with most of the music we sing and it is a great tool.
The Polar Vortex has moved a little east and things are cold but not quite as bitter cold as it was over the weekend. Yesterday there was a little melting going on and most of the streets are no longer snow packed. There is still an inch or two of snow in a lot of places but if it warms up like yesterday that will melt pretty soon. The good news is that I am not worrying about my snowman melting. It was just too damned cold to get out and make one. The snow was so light and fluffy that you would have had to bring in it in the house and let it melt a little to get it to pack. Not going to happen Marine.
One of these days, I will let the genie of Politics escape my bottle. I have been avoiding that topic for a while and there is a need to get it out. Not today...
Last night I woke up about 2 AM smelling something I could not describe at first. When it snowed, I threw some sunflower seeds and chopped corn out on the back porch where there was no snow. Last night a skunk decided it was warm enough to venture out and get in on the feast. He smelled so bad the smell got in the house. I guess it is evidence that I need to work on the weather stripping on that door. The good news is that he split when I turned on the light to see what smelled so bad.
Am I the only person that is hating the trend on TV where they take a good subject and have personalities that are just so terrible that you can't watch the program. One of the auto shops that works on MOPARs has sunk to about a new low. There is just no reason to work for someone that calls you a turd. There is even less reason to watch, Click...
The real basketball season has finally arrived. Up to this time, everyone has just been sharpening their skills. We can only hope that KU will finally show their ability and play the way Bill Self wants them to play. Until this season, KU has won more BIG XII championships than losses they had at the FOG Allen Field House. Our winning streak stopped this week and I hope it is not something that is repeated. I think the BIG XII has more parity than ever. Between Baylor, OK State and K-State, it will take darned few losses to carry off the Championship. Not many teams will go into Hilton coliseum and win there. At least we don't have the antlers of Missouri to contend with.
Did I mention that Football season is over? This was the last year of the BCS and I am glad. I don't know what the playoff's will look like next year but for now, Round ball is my game of choice.
Oh well, another half hour wasted on the key board.
MUD
The Polar Vortex has moved a little east and things are cold but not quite as bitter cold as it was over the weekend. Yesterday there was a little melting going on and most of the streets are no longer snow packed. There is still an inch or two of snow in a lot of places but if it warms up like yesterday that will melt pretty soon. The good news is that I am not worrying about my snowman melting. It was just too damned cold to get out and make one. The snow was so light and fluffy that you would have had to bring in it in the house and let it melt a little to get it to pack. Not going to happen Marine.
One of these days, I will let the genie of Politics escape my bottle. I have been avoiding that topic for a while and there is a need to get it out. Not today...
Last night I woke up about 2 AM smelling something I could not describe at first. When it snowed, I threw some sunflower seeds and chopped corn out on the back porch where there was no snow. Last night a skunk decided it was warm enough to venture out and get in on the feast. He smelled so bad the smell got in the house. I guess it is evidence that I need to work on the weather stripping on that door. The good news is that he split when I turned on the light to see what smelled so bad.
Am I the only person that is hating the trend on TV where they take a good subject and have personalities that are just so terrible that you can't watch the program. One of the auto shops that works on MOPARs has sunk to about a new low. There is just no reason to work for someone that calls you a turd. There is even less reason to watch, Click...
The real basketball season has finally arrived. Up to this time, everyone has just been sharpening their skills. We can only hope that KU will finally show their ability and play the way Bill Self wants them to play. Until this season, KU has won more BIG XII championships than losses they had at the FOG Allen Field House. Our winning streak stopped this week and I hope it is not something that is repeated. I think the BIG XII has more parity than ever. Between Baylor, OK State and K-State, it will take darned few losses to carry off the Championship. Not many teams will go into Hilton coliseum and win there. At least we don't have the antlers of Missouri to contend with.
Did I mention that Football season is over? This was the last year of the BCS and I am glad. I don't know what the playoff's will look like next year but for now, Round ball is my game of choice.
Oh well, another half hour wasted on the key board.
MUD
1/07/2014
Havin' a Heat Wave
It is supposed to get above freezing today. After the last couple of days of Arctic weather it will seem like a heat wave. Might even get out my swimsuit and suntan lotion. Yeh, Right...
Yesterday was a long day with the Barbershop Chorus practice late. I got home in time to watch the end of the Florida and Auburn game. We all knew it would be a free wheeling game with the Florida Quarterback having such a great arm. I much prefer games that score a lot at the end and where the game goes back and forth. We have some Auburn fans in the family and I'm sure they are disappointed but hey it was a game played by College Students. Go figure.
Truisms. What are the facts you think you know. I think we all think we are almost perfect but there are a lot of things we get wrong. What I don't understand is how wrong Government can be when they try to solve problems with legislation. We were well on our way to having the best retirement system in the world until the lock box was robbed to help build the Interstate system. It really cuts down the time on long trips but is it worth it? Social Security is still a system that pays a lot of people as much or more than they paid in. Just when Obama Care hits, I remind everyone to go back and look at Medicare and the impact it has had. It was a real villain back in the day. I think at some time our Government should try to determine just what we can pay for and quit passing new stupid laws. But, I have been wrong.
In today's paper, there was a picture of a 15,000 sq. foot house that was razed. I guess it was built in such a poor manner that the owner's never moved in. I can't imagine how long the legal battles will go on over this mess. Who wins when something like this is fought over? Yep, the Lawyers.
Have I told you that here I am at 67 and I'm in love? Yep, in addition to my loving wife, I am in love with two other young women at the same time. Here they are:
I wonder how many people would love to have a tea party with two smiling people. They are about the sweetest kids I know. I guess it doesn't hurt to have great parents. Or, great families that love them.
Better get on with the day, getting warm out there and I have miles to go before I sleep. (or nap as the case may be.)
MUD
Yesterday was a long day with the Barbershop Chorus practice late. I got home in time to watch the end of the Florida and Auburn game. We all knew it would be a free wheeling game with the Florida Quarterback having such a great arm. I much prefer games that score a lot at the end and where the game goes back and forth. We have some Auburn fans in the family and I'm sure they are disappointed but hey it was a game played by College Students. Go figure.
Truisms. What are the facts you think you know. I think we all think we are almost perfect but there are a lot of things we get wrong. What I don't understand is how wrong Government can be when they try to solve problems with legislation. We were well on our way to having the best retirement system in the world until the lock box was robbed to help build the Interstate system. It really cuts down the time on long trips but is it worth it? Social Security is still a system that pays a lot of people as much or more than they paid in. Just when Obama Care hits, I remind everyone to go back and look at Medicare and the impact it has had. It was a real villain back in the day. I think at some time our Government should try to determine just what we can pay for and quit passing new stupid laws. But, I have been wrong.
In today's paper, there was a picture of a 15,000 sq. foot house that was razed. I guess it was built in such a poor manner that the owner's never moved in. I can't imagine how long the legal battles will go on over this mess. Who wins when something like this is fought over? Yep, the Lawyers.
Have I told you that here I am at 67 and I'm in love? Yep, in addition to my loving wife, I am in love with two other young women at the same time. Here they are:
 |
| My grand nieces Ellie and Emma |
Better get on with the day, getting warm out there and I have miles to go before I sleep. (or nap as the case may be.)
MUD
1/06/2014
Cold Day In He, "double hockey sticks"
Last week, I got a call from the Clary Building plant in Nebraska. The said that this morning there would be a delivery of the materials for the building. I was reminded that the delivery had a requirement to give them 40% of the total cost with the delivery. About 8 AM I dressed up and went out to fetch the paper. The temperature was about -5 and a 20 mph wind was blowing making the total wind chill about 25 to 30 below. There in the driveway sat a truck with the motor running. They had the building but their fork lift (hereafter called a Donkey) wouldn't start. I brought out my jumper cables and my spare battery. I finally had to drive the ford out and jump it off the ford as the spare battery wore down. While I was out there doing that, the telephone rang and my renter called and told me that they had no water. I helped the drivers get the donkey started and then went over to the rental house. The water pipe is right inside of a crawl hole and someone had knocked the cover off that hole. At below zero, it froze the pipe. I had to get a small space heater and put it under there and cover the hole with insulation. I will go back over in a little while and see if they have water. During all that, I made a trip to the post office and the water Department to pay our water bill. Did I mention that I also went to one bank to deposit the renter's check and to the other bank to empty our safety deposit box? All of this was done with the temperature all the way up to 2 degrees when I came home. Yes, this is a deliberate run on paragraph and was the story of half a cold day in the Heartland.
Our house guests went home Saturday morning and man is it ever quiet here with out a dog barking at every bird, squirrel, deer or Dave. The truck driver was invited in and said he didn't want to track up the floors. I told him that after three dogs, it wouldn't matter. Perhaps later on in the week I will get around to cleaning with the steam shark. I have the spray for wood floors that I haven't used yet and am curious how it will do. I know that sometime this year Barb wants to have the carpet in the living room removed and a wood floor installed there. I want to have the floor in the dining room redone at the same time so it will all match. Our next door neighbors had that done and it was perfect.
Things in the Oklahoma Oil situation are weird and I will not tell you about the entire deal until we get closer to the end.
Well, I had better go back over to the rental house and see if they have water yet.
MUD
Our house guests went home Saturday morning and man is it ever quiet here with out a dog barking at every bird, squirrel, deer or Dave. The truck driver was invited in and said he didn't want to track up the floors. I told him that after three dogs, it wouldn't matter. Perhaps later on in the week I will get around to cleaning with the steam shark. I have the spray for wood floors that I haven't used yet and am curious how it will do. I know that sometime this year Barb wants to have the carpet in the living room removed and a wood floor installed there. I want to have the floor in the dining room redone at the same time so it will all match. Our next door neighbors had that done and it was perfect.
Things in the Oklahoma Oil situation are weird and I will not tell you about the entire deal until we get closer to the end.
Well, I had better go back over to the rental house and see if they have water yet.
MUD
1/05/2014
What do I blog About?
On Saturday, I went to Lawrence to see the new boat owned by the Lawrence Boat Club named for my niece Jennifer. Their new four place sweep boat is called the JennyLynne. I couldn't be more proud. Every family needs to have someone like that to show the young people what empowerment can be. In addition to being a world class rower, she graduated from KU and is now a Captain on the Kansas City Fire Department. She is sharing her experience and teaching in the fire academy through one of the Junior Colleges there in KC. During her introduction, it was pointed out that the number of young men and women she coached over the years is a lot, over 150 went on to row is a college program. It is my hope that I have been such a positive influence to half that many people.
At the luncheon following the dedication/naming of the boat, we all went to Free State there in Lawrence. The food was great and everyone else said the beer was spectacular. I had ice tea so on that count I can't judge. Several of the people had read Jennifer's Facebook posts and wanted to know what the name MUD meant. Long story short, I was called Mean Uncle Denny and my sister said yep, MUD is a good name. It kind of stuck over the years and I have enjoyed the notoriety.
Near the end of the meal, one of the guys said he didn't have enough happening in his life to do Facebook. I told him I write a Blog and posted on Facebook. He asked me what I could have to write about to keep a Blog running. I told him that I have been blessed with a terrific memory and an active imagination to fill in the details. I had a friend that told me the secret to his telling jokes. He doesn't remember the entire joke, only the punch lines. He was blessed to have a good enough imagination and could make up a story that lead to the punch line.
Several of my old friends have active imaginations and it is always fun to get together and swap stories. The fact that the more often a story is told, the more real it seems. Tell one often enough and there is a mismatch of imagination and facts and war stories like fairy tales become codified.
Speaking of memory, the other day the wife and I were discussing our dreams. She said that once she wakes up, the dreams just slip away. I have found that if I spend a few moments when I first wake up, I can recall a lot of the dreams with a lot of clarity. In fact there have been times (Back when I was working) that if I went to bed with a problem on my mind, I could play out some alternatives in my dreams and sometimes get lucky with a solution. There are times in my dreams now s days, that leave me chasing something or having a problem getting things done. A lot of times it has to do with my Military career. I retired about 16 years ago but it still pops up in my dreams. ( I can remember how long ago it was, mostly because I retired on my 50th Birthday)
I don't know how many of you saw the Kansas City Chiefs game yesterday. I was excited for them and then saddened when they couldn't keep the colts out of the end zone. I will admit that I love a game that has a lot of scoring and ends in an exciting manner. Perhaps next year.
Oh well, better go get ready to face the day.
MUD
 |
| Jennifer and the boat. |
At the luncheon following the dedication/naming of the boat, we all went to Free State there in Lawrence. The food was great and everyone else said the beer was spectacular. I had ice tea so on that count I can't judge. Several of the people had read Jennifer's Facebook posts and wanted to know what the name MUD meant. Long story short, I was called Mean Uncle Denny and my sister said yep, MUD is a good name. It kind of stuck over the years and I have enjoyed the notoriety.
Near the end of the meal, one of the guys said he didn't have enough happening in his life to do Facebook. I told him I write a Blog and posted on Facebook. He asked me what I could have to write about to keep a Blog running. I told him that I have been blessed with a terrific memory and an active imagination to fill in the details. I had a friend that told me the secret to his telling jokes. He doesn't remember the entire joke, only the punch lines. He was blessed to have a good enough imagination and could make up a story that lead to the punch line.
Several of my old friends have active imaginations and it is always fun to get together and swap stories. The fact that the more often a story is told, the more real it seems. Tell one often enough and there is a mismatch of imagination and facts and war stories like fairy tales become codified.
Speaking of memory, the other day the wife and I were discussing our dreams. She said that once she wakes up, the dreams just slip away. I have found that if I spend a few moments when I first wake up, I can recall a lot of the dreams with a lot of clarity. In fact there have been times (Back when I was working) that if I went to bed with a problem on my mind, I could play out some alternatives in my dreams and sometimes get lucky with a solution. There are times in my dreams now s days, that leave me chasing something or having a problem getting things done. A lot of times it has to do with my Military career. I retired about 16 years ago but it still pops up in my dreams. ( I can remember how long ago it was, mostly because I retired on my 50th Birthday)
I don't know how many of you saw the Kansas City Chiefs game yesterday. I was excited for them and then saddened when they couldn't keep the colts out of the end zone. I will admit that I love a game that has a lot of scoring and ends in an exciting manner. Perhaps next year.
Oh well, better go get ready to face the day.
MUD
1/02/2014
Not'in Special
Some mornings the creative juices are like the temperature outside. It was about 3 degrees this morning and my level of enthusiasm is right there. We have guests this week and they brought 3 dogs. Even the dogs didn't want to go out and fetch the paper. All week they were ready by the time I got my coat on. Today they all went back into the bedroom and hid as I put on my coat.
One of the dogs is deaf and so much high energy that she is a hand full. The other dogs were littermates and have a lot of Shepard in them. The are so well trained it hurts and are a lot of fun to play with. I personally find the deaf dog a challenge. When she doesn't want to mind, she just looks away. The good news is she doesn't do that too much.
There are a lot of football games on this week but I am just not into football now that the men's basketball BIG XII round robin is about to start. I don't hate the pre-season, but I do love the regular season. We don't have any home game tickets for the hawks this year but we do have tickets to a game in Austin. Should be a good escape. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.
So far this year it has snowed twice and the amounts have not been a challenge to drive. I haven't even put the blade on the tractor so it is a good thing. I did get out to start the tractor when it got into the high 40's. No problem.
I did find out that the material for the building will be delivered next Monday. I didn't read the fine print in the contract that they want about half of the cost of the building when it is delivered. It really is no problem and I really do want to have a place to store things. Yes, I will do my best to organize what I have and not acquire tons of more stuff.
Oh well, the need to write is no longer a motivator and I will close with a Happy New year to you all.
MUD
One of the dogs is deaf and so much high energy that she is a hand full. The other dogs were littermates and have a lot of Shepard in them. The are so well trained it hurts and are a lot of fun to play with. I personally find the deaf dog a challenge. When she doesn't want to mind, she just looks away. The good news is she doesn't do that too much.
There are a lot of football games on this week but I am just not into football now that the men's basketball BIG XII round robin is about to start. I don't hate the pre-season, but I do love the regular season. We don't have any home game tickets for the hawks this year but we do have tickets to a game in Austin. Should be a good escape. Hopefully the weather will cooperate.
So far this year it has snowed twice and the amounts have not been a challenge to drive. I haven't even put the blade on the tractor so it is a good thing. I did get out to start the tractor when it got into the high 40's. No problem.
I did find out that the material for the building will be delivered next Monday. I didn't read the fine print in the contract that they want about half of the cost of the building when it is delivered. It really is no problem and I really do want to have a place to store things. Yes, I will do my best to organize what I have and not acquire tons of more stuff.
Oh well, the need to write is no longer a motivator and I will close with a Happy New year to you all.
MUD
12/29/2013
Thoughts for the new Year
This is not a complete guide, but thoughts on how I got to where I am now.
My Niece, Becky, just graduated from college and has a plan for her future education. Her plan to graduate was a lot like the one I and her father Rick had. It wasn't a matter of if, but it was when! We both persevered in the effort to get there and applied our efforts to the result. The goal to graduate just consumed us until it came to fruition. For some people, it was easy, for others it was hard. Whatever it is to you, do it until you succeed.
Very soon after I got to Vietnam, my unit was hit with a mortar attack that killed a bunch of people and wounded many more. I think that in the rebuilding effort of that attack, I realized that life in combat was binary. You either lived or died. There was no good or bad, trained or untrained in the toll. Either you are alive or dead. Now that I am much older, I realize the same in our life is true. What you do with the time you have is the important thing. I, for one, do not want anyone to grieve when I am no longer alive. I want them to celebrate that this big old guy was able to live life in a way that brought me much happiness. I can hope that you share this happiness, but I don't live my life for that thought.
I read one day that even the most mediocre plan worked well is better than best plan if you don't work that plan. I have attended many workshops that gave us blueprints on how to plan our life. There are many ways to plan and many ways to work. One of the first steps was for me a dream. Thankfully, Barbara shared with me a lot of her vision for the future and between us we have been able to work to get there. I would recommend that you start by putting your feet up and dreaming of what you want the future to look like. Rich, famous, well fed, respected, healthy or just what you see the future looking like. I would encourage you to divide you life up into segments. The near term is this year and perhaps up to 3 years. Next would be 4-10 years and then 10+ years. It might even be that how and where you retire might be your vision. I think age is a major factor. I would then ask you to put these visions in writing. If you look at a vision, what are the steps do you need to take to get there? You might even break these steps into smaller steps and make them goals. A quick and dirty listing of how you can accomplish these steps is a plan. Let me tell you that not every plan can be accomplished in one year. What you can afford in this year would be your budget basis. Keep looking at this plan and someday you will be a lot closer to accomplishing your plan.
Many years ago, I was in the Guard in Topeka and one of the guys I worked with was a Financial Planner and agreed that one weekend he would look at our finances for an evening of dinner and the chance to meet my family. Cheap at twice the price. I guess I had just not put the pen to the paper and written down just where our retirement plans were headed. One question we had was just how much did we think we needed in retirement. To put it mildly, we were almost way cheaper than the reality of the cost, but also in the amount we would have. After a short period of looking at what we had, it was clear that what we had been doing was way over planned. His advice was "Just keep doing it."
In the area of finances, we had a talk with my grandfather in Arkansas years ago. He retired in his 50's and told us that his way to retire was to ensure that he saved at least 7% in his personal savings. We all know that the Federal Government saves 7% through Social Security but Curly (MY Grandfather) said he recommended 7% above any Government program. If you start down that road, the first step will seem large but once you start getting promotions and higher pay grades, you just keep doing that and you won't really miss the money. For Barb, she had the KPERS that teachers contributed to but she aggressively also put money in IRA's early and then the 503b retirement program. I put money in IRA's and the Civil Service program. I found out that I could buy the 3 years of Military Service as credit in the Civil Service retirement program and jumped on that like a duck on a June bug. When they revised the retirement system, they offered some of the old guys a chance to buy into a 401k and I hit it full force. The end result of this we have a great life and are able to share with our son and his wife in ways we didn't think possible.
One thing we did is because we moved a couple of times with the Guard. We were kind of made aware of the appreciation in real estate over time. Barb found a couple of properties and we were able to rent them to pay them off while we were working. Now, there is a profit being reaped that is far in excess of where any investment program would have taken us. Yes, at least once a year when the taxes are due, we do have to give a significant part of our cash to the County for taxes. Oh well.
Let me warn you up front that there are a lot of people that will separate you from your money and not look back. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. What ever you do, read about the investment first and understand what it completely entails.
Good Luck in 2014.
MUD
My Niece, Becky, just graduated from college and has a plan for her future education. Her plan to graduate was a lot like the one I and her father Rick had. It wasn't a matter of if, but it was when! We both persevered in the effort to get there and applied our efforts to the result. The goal to graduate just consumed us until it came to fruition. For some people, it was easy, for others it was hard. Whatever it is to you, do it until you succeed.
Very soon after I got to Vietnam, my unit was hit with a mortar attack that killed a bunch of people and wounded many more. I think that in the rebuilding effort of that attack, I realized that life in combat was binary. You either lived or died. There was no good or bad, trained or untrained in the toll. Either you are alive or dead. Now that I am much older, I realize the same in our life is true. What you do with the time you have is the important thing. I, for one, do not want anyone to grieve when I am no longer alive. I want them to celebrate that this big old guy was able to live life in a way that brought me much happiness. I can hope that you share this happiness, but I don't live my life for that thought.
I read one day that even the most mediocre plan worked well is better than best plan if you don't work that plan. I have attended many workshops that gave us blueprints on how to plan our life. There are many ways to plan and many ways to work. One of the first steps was for me a dream. Thankfully, Barbara shared with me a lot of her vision for the future and between us we have been able to work to get there. I would recommend that you start by putting your feet up and dreaming of what you want the future to look like. Rich, famous, well fed, respected, healthy or just what you see the future looking like. I would encourage you to divide you life up into segments. The near term is this year and perhaps up to 3 years. Next would be 4-10 years and then 10+ years. It might even be that how and where you retire might be your vision. I think age is a major factor. I would then ask you to put these visions in writing. If you look at a vision, what are the steps do you need to take to get there? You might even break these steps into smaller steps and make them goals. A quick and dirty listing of how you can accomplish these steps is a plan. Let me tell you that not every plan can be accomplished in one year. What you can afford in this year would be your budget basis. Keep looking at this plan and someday you will be a lot closer to accomplishing your plan.
Many years ago, I was in the Guard in Topeka and one of the guys I worked with was a Financial Planner and agreed that one weekend he would look at our finances for an evening of dinner and the chance to meet my family. Cheap at twice the price. I guess I had just not put the pen to the paper and written down just where our retirement plans were headed. One question we had was just how much did we think we needed in retirement. To put it mildly, we were almost way cheaper than the reality of the cost, but also in the amount we would have. After a short period of looking at what we had, it was clear that what we had been doing was way over planned. His advice was "Just keep doing it."
In the area of finances, we had a talk with my grandfather in Arkansas years ago. He retired in his 50's and told us that his way to retire was to ensure that he saved at least 7% in his personal savings. We all know that the Federal Government saves 7% through Social Security but Curly (MY Grandfather) said he recommended 7% above any Government program. If you start down that road, the first step will seem large but once you start getting promotions and higher pay grades, you just keep doing that and you won't really miss the money. For Barb, she had the KPERS that teachers contributed to but she aggressively also put money in IRA's early and then the 503b retirement program. I put money in IRA's and the Civil Service program. I found out that I could buy the 3 years of Military Service as credit in the Civil Service retirement program and jumped on that like a duck on a June bug. When they revised the retirement system, they offered some of the old guys a chance to buy into a 401k and I hit it full force. The end result of this we have a great life and are able to share with our son and his wife in ways we didn't think possible.
One thing we did is because we moved a couple of times with the Guard. We were kind of made aware of the appreciation in real estate over time. Barb found a couple of properties and we were able to rent them to pay them off while we were working. Now, there is a profit being reaped that is far in excess of where any investment program would have taken us. Yes, at least once a year when the taxes are due, we do have to give a significant part of our cash to the County for taxes. Oh well.
Let me warn you up front that there are a lot of people that will separate you from your money and not look back. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. What ever you do, read about the investment first and understand what it completely entails.
Good Luck in 2014.
MUD
Soup
One of the family traditions for our family is to get together near Christmas and have soup. Everyone brings their best and we vote for our favorite. The winner takes home the traveling trophy and we have some great food. For a couple of years I have taken a seafood gumbo and next year I am going to elevate my game. Did I mention that I didn't win? My gumbo is good but man the competition is fierce. We follow our soup lunch with a White Elephant Gift exchange. That is always a lot of fun.
I was glad to see that K-State won their Bowl game last night. Their efforts make the large group of travelers feel like it was worth the cost. I will admit that after a long day I didn't see the final of the game. It was fun to watch K-State own the first quarter and do well.
Our 'Nother daughter, Mel is due here today with her new boy friend and three Australian Cattle Dogs. Will be fun to have her here and I am looking forward to having a dog or two, or three around. I think this is about the longest time we have been without a dog. It does make it nice to be able to jump in the car and go somewhere without having a dog to worry about.
Yesterday was in the 60's and today it is predicted to be in the 20's. A cold front passed through without much moisture in the air so it will be mostly cold and blustery without wet. Good thing I don;t have a lot of things to accomplish outside today.
Oh well, it is early and I need a couple of cups of coffee.
MUD
I was glad to see that K-State won their Bowl game last night. Their efforts make the large group of travelers feel like it was worth the cost. I will admit that after a long day I didn't see the final of the game. It was fun to watch K-State own the first quarter and do well.
Our 'Nother daughter, Mel is due here today with her new boy friend and three Australian Cattle Dogs. Will be fun to have her here and I am looking forward to having a dog or two, or three around. I think this is about the longest time we have been without a dog. It does make it nice to be able to jump in the car and go somewhere without having a dog to worry about.
Yesterday was in the 60's and today it is predicted to be in the 20's. A cold front passed through without much moisture in the air so it will be mostly cold and blustery without wet. Good thing I don;t have a lot of things to accomplish outside today.
Oh well, it is early and I need a couple of cups of coffee.
MUD
12/26/2013
Post Christmas Green
I know that a lot of people get the blues after Christmas but I like to think of think of it as the green's because that's when Barb does a lot of her shopping. We have a gift closet that when pressed into service has a gift for about anyone. It is a lot like the tools in my garage. If I need one I have a tool for about everything somewhere out there. I keep promising myself that I will build storage lockers in the new shed to help organize the clutter and chaos.
One of my Facebook friends posted "The Little Drummer Boy" on Facebook. It was by the group Pentatonix. They were last year's winners of the Sing Off. I have looked in every store in Topeka and Lawrence for a copy of their CD's and have struck out. Dave downloaded PTX Vol. 1 & 2 from his I Tunes Account and gave them to me for Christmas. I have listened to then and love the close harmony and rich sound they make. In return, I loaned him my Tom Clancy Book. I don't know how long he will have it but I will have a lot of winter to read it.
Have you thought about your New Year's resolutions? I think of them kind of like the 2014 bucket list. Here are some of mine
MUD
One of my Facebook friends posted "The Little Drummer Boy" on Facebook. It was by the group Pentatonix. They were last year's winners of the Sing Off. I have looked in every store in Topeka and Lawrence for a copy of their CD's and have struck out. Dave downloaded PTX Vol. 1 & 2 from his I Tunes Account and gave them to me for Christmas. I have listened to then and love the close harmony and rich sound they make. In return, I loaned him my Tom Clancy Book. I don't know how long he will have it but I will have a lot of winter to read it.
Have you thought about your New Year's resolutions? I think of them kind of like the 2014 bucket list. Here are some of mine
- I am going to move a bunch of stuff out of the garage and into the new metal building. I am going to build storage lockers and get it all organized. Well, somewhat.
- I am either going to find a nice 327 motor for the 57 Chevy or go with a new crate 350 motor. I am also going to see if I can find a good rack and pinion steering system and disc brakes to make it go straight and stop quick and an AC. Either that or I am going to sell it to someone that will use it.
- I am going to dedicate this year to finding and putting Barb into a new(er) car. Her old Buick is on its last leg. I think I will put a survival kit in that car. The kit is a cell phone and a screwdriver. She can call me and take the license plates off the car when it dies ugly - and it will.
- Dave's house needs a garage and a tornado shelter. Perhaps a combination might be what the doctor ordered. I will try to not be directive about where and what they get.
- With the high number of relatives in their 90's, I feel assured that we will have one or two get togethers. Perhaps I will get to stop and see a couple more National Parks this year.
- I am going to do my best to become the best "Barbershopper" I can be this year. Practice, Practice, Practice...
MUD
12/24/2013
181,000 Hits
This blog has had over 181,000 visitors and I have written 2,500 blogs. Merry Christmas again.
MUD
MUD
12/23/2013
Merry Christmas
I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas. I probably won't blog much more this week so I want to get that in.
It snowed over the weekend here in the Heartland and the daytime high today is to be less than 15 degrees. Needless to say Barb won't be out much and I will be out only to get from the house to the car and back. I do have about 150 lbs. of cracked corn in the trunk for ballast so the Ford might get me around. If you see an old guy with a silver Ford and silver hair driving slow, it is probably me.
Have a safe one out there.
MUD
It snowed over the weekend here in the Heartland and the daytime high today is to be less than 15 degrees. Needless to say Barb won't be out much and I will be out only to get from the house to the car and back. I do have about 150 lbs. of cracked corn in the trunk for ballast so the Ford might get me around. If you see an old guy with a silver Ford and silver hair driving slow, it is probably me.
Have a safe one out there.
MUD
12/22/2013
The Secret Life of Walter (aka MUD) Petty
Years ago, I read the book, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" by Thurber. At the time, I didn't realize that many of those adventures we going to be the story of my life. While I played war with my friends, I had no concept that I would take a trip down that road and go to Vietnam. In fact, as a child, I could have not put a pin in a map to locate Vietnam.
I had seen a post card from my Grandfather when he went to Panama but to imagine myself there was a stretch as a kid. I went there in the fall of 67 and lived some of my most grand adventures. I got to do a slide for life across the Rio Chagres, make a raft with a poncho and swim back across the river. I rappelled down a waterfall and lived in the jungle for most of two weeks. On the Escape and Evasion aka Land navigation course we ventured into a Mangrove swamp and was eaten alive by mosquitoes.
There was a time in my military career that I had doubts that I would ever make Major. After the Vietnam War, there were more officers than the Army needed and only the cream of the crop got early promotions. I didn't realize that the slow rate of promotion for me as a Lieutenant and Captain would allow me to not be in the range of the cuts needed. I finally moved to Topeka and the State headquarters. There, I floated to the top rank of Colonel when I retired.
I dreamed of leading men as a kid and little did I know that I would get to command both a Battery and a Battalion. The promotion to Lieutenant Colonel got put on hold for a year so I could be the S-3 of a battalion and then command that unit. They had failed a major unit test (ARTEP) twice and were on the verge of being decertified if they did it for the third time. I worked my butt off and convinced everyone that the secret to success was that everyone had to know their job and like the Nike ad, "Just Do It." I am pretty sure that my promotion to Colonel was a lot based on that. It didn't hurt that the first year I hit that list we had a record number of Colonel's retire. I think there were 8 or 9 Colonel's retired that year and a bunch of the Vietnam Vets got our bird's.
As a kid, I always loved great cars. One of my most favorite was the 57 Chevy. In High School had a 55 Chevy but it was a 6 cylinder rust bucket we called Bad News. A while back, I was given a Christmas present of a 57 Chevy and took that sucker apart bolt by bolt down to the frame and back together again. I'll bet I used ten gallons of WD-40 taking apart all of the rusted bolts. I am sure that is when Barbara started washing our clothes separate. I would come home from work and go to the garage for hours of "Piddling Around" (That was Grandma Bessie's word for doing something that didn't produce immediate results) It did take most of a year and a lot of my Guard Check to bring it back to my high level of production. I swear this summer I am going to finally figure out why the motor doesn't run well and also put an A/C on it.
One time, I picked up a Popular Mechanix magazine and saw a car that was worth $20,000. I wondered how anyone could afford such luxury. I was working full time and making $55.00 a week. We spend more than that when we stop at Wal*Mart for a few items. I will admit that our last car did only cost $10,000 but if you knew how hard Barb looked to find that bargain, it wouldn't surprise you.
Barb and I grew up poor. Not dirt poor but not middle class either. I think we both grew up in a hose where central heat and air were a pipe dream. A vacation was often a short trip to Grandmother's house. I can remember getting two pairs of shoes a year. One of those was generally a pair of Converse gym shoes that I also wore the rest of the day and not just in gym. I'll bet the last pair of gym shoes I bought cost more than my parents spent the entire time I was in school.
I will admit that I didn't think being poor as a child made a lot of difference to me. Several of my friends said it did to them but I was kind of like Walter Mitty and thought denial was de river in De Africa. I had the opinion I could out talk, out cuss, out fight or out run most of the rich kids so it mattered little to me.
To end this little tale, I must say that like my own Walter Petty story that I now have everything I need and dang near everything I want. The beauty is that when the month's over I generally have more money than month.
Someone once told me that I would be the source of my own happiness. I think early that I didn't pay attention and now I have fulfilled most of my dreams. Hope you can say the same thing one day.
MUD
I had seen a post card from my Grandfather when he went to Panama but to imagine myself there was a stretch as a kid. I went there in the fall of 67 and lived some of my most grand adventures. I got to do a slide for life across the Rio Chagres, make a raft with a poncho and swim back across the river. I rappelled down a waterfall and lived in the jungle for most of two weeks. On the Escape and Evasion aka Land navigation course we ventured into a Mangrove swamp and was eaten alive by mosquitoes.
There was a time in my military career that I had doubts that I would ever make Major. After the Vietnam War, there were more officers than the Army needed and only the cream of the crop got early promotions. I didn't realize that the slow rate of promotion for me as a Lieutenant and Captain would allow me to not be in the range of the cuts needed. I finally moved to Topeka and the State headquarters. There, I floated to the top rank of Colonel when I retired.
I dreamed of leading men as a kid and little did I know that I would get to command both a Battery and a Battalion. The promotion to Lieutenant Colonel got put on hold for a year so I could be the S-3 of a battalion and then command that unit. They had failed a major unit test (ARTEP) twice and were on the verge of being decertified if they did it for the third time. I worked my butt off and convinced everyone that the secret to success was that everyone had to know their job and like the Nike ad, "Just Do It." I am pretty sure that my promotion to Colonel was a lot based on that. It didn't hurt that the first year I hit that list we had a record number of Colonel's retire. I think there were 8 or 9 Colonel's retired that year and a bunch of the Vietnam Vets got our bird's.
As a kid, I always loved great cars. One of my most favorite was the 57 Chevy. In High School had a 55 Chevy but it was a 6 cylinder rust bucket we called Bad News. A while back, I was given a Christmas present of a 57 Chevy and took that sucker apart bolt by bolt down to the frame and back together again. I'll bet I used ten gallons of WD-40 taking apart all of the rusted bolts. I am sure that is when Barbara started washing our clothes separate. I would come home from work and go to the garage for hours of "Piddling Around" (That was Grandma Bessie's word for doing something that didn't produce immediate results) It did take most of a year and a lot of my Guard Check to bring it back to my high level of production. I swear this summer I am going to finally figure out why the motor doesn't run well and also put an A/C on it.
One time, I picked up a Popular Mechanix magazine and saw a car that was worth $20,000. I wondered how anyone could afford such luxury. I was working full time and making $55.00 a week. We spend more than that when we stop at Wal*Mart for a few items. I will admit that our last car did only cost $10,000 but if you knew how hard Barb looked to find that bargain, it wouldn't surprise you.
Barb and I grew up poor. Not dirt poor but not middle class either. I think we both grew up in a hose where central heat and air were a pipe dream. A vacation was often a short trip to Grandmother's house. I can remember getting two pairs of shoes a year. One of those was generally a pair of Converse gym shoes that I also wore the rest of the day and not just in gym. I'll bet the last pair of gym shoes I bought cost more than my parents spent the entire time I was in school.
I will admit that I didn't think being poor as a child made a lot of difference to me. Several of my friends said it did to them but I was kind of like Walter Mitty and thought denial was de river in De Africa. I had the opinion I could out talk, out cuss, out fight or out run most of the rich kids so it mattered little to me.
To end this little tale, I must say that like my own Walter Petty story that I now have everything I need and dang near everything I want. The beauty is that when the month's over I generally have more money than month.
Someone once told me that I would be the source of my own happiness. I think early that I didn't pay attention and now I have fulfilled most of my dreams. Hope you can say the same thing one day.
MUD
12/20/2013
Blog Problems
If strange things happen when you open this blog, do not act surprised. I have no understanding of the reasons they are happening but they are. For a while yesterday, there was no blog available. When I notified BlogSpot that I had no one visit according to the system counter, they did something. Later on, I tried to write and I did not have that ability. My only concern is that there are near 2500 blogs out there that I do not have a backup for. A lot of them, I don't care about but the war stories I would love to have a back up on.
Barb and I got to visit with my niece and her new spouse for lunch the other day and today we are going to KC to make cookies with Jenn and Julia. Julia's girls will get ho help me decorate cookies. I will have a smile a face wide at the end of the day. Yes, Barbara had promised that she will take pictures.
Yesterday, I went out to work on cutting down a tree where the shed will be built. To help haul off the downed logs, I had to work on the tractor. I spent more time on the tractor than I did on the tree. The good thing is that I finally got the tractor working and it started this morning when I took the recycle bin out to the court. It does smoke me out when it starts in cold weather but hey, it did start. I really am looking forward to having a building for the tractor where I can at least warm up the diesel on cold days.
I learned yesterday that on Monday, our son, Dave will start working for the Automation Department for the Department of Revenue in Kansas. He will be keeping the systems working and I hope they put him to work with the Customer Service part of that Department. He is so cool and level headed and I know that the employees will appreciate how hard he works to get everything working well.
I will cut this off here and see if things get back to normal soon.
MUD
Barb and I got to visit with my niece and her new spouse for lunch the other day and today we are going to KC to make cookies with Jenn and Julia. Julia's girls will get ho help me decorate cookies. I will have a smile a face wide at the end of the day. Yes, Barbara had promised that she will take pictures.
Yesterday, I went out to work on cutting down a tree where the shed will be built. To help haul off the downed logs, I had to work on the tractor. I spent more time on the tractor than I did on the tree. The good thing is that I finally got the tractor working and it started this morning when I took the recycle bin out to the court. It does smoke me out when it starts in cold weather but hey, it did start. I really am looking forward to having a building for the tractor where I can at least warm up the diesel on cold days.
I learned yesterday that on Monday, our son, Dave will start working for the Automation Department for the Department of Revenue in Kansas. He will be keeping the systems working and I hope they put him to work with the Customer Service part of that Department. He is so cool and level headed and I know that the employees will appreciate how hard he works to get everything working well.
I will cut this off here and see if things get back to normal soon.
MUD
12/18/2013
Sunny Days
After a few cold days, we are getting what to me is kind of normal December weather. The nights are just below freezing and the days are mid 40's. If the wind is not blowing hard, it is almost light jacket weather outside. For me, a sweatshirt does it. I do have some chores left outside but I am not really into raking leaves as long as Barbara doesn't care. I do have one tree yet to cut down as it encroaches in the right of way of the proposed building. I say proposed as God only knows when it will finally get built.
Barb finally pressed me to get a tree and she is decorating it with natural decorations. I saw her headed out with her camera and a pair of scissors yesterday and headed to the neighbor's decorative grass. We need to add some more but I am not on the "Do Pretty" list of people so I will just admire her work. I did fetch the lights up from the basement storage room and will take the boxes back down today (or tomorrow)
We just made contact with my niece, Janet, who is in KC visiting. She stopped in Iowa and got married on the way here. She is one half of the couple knows as Twyla Susanne and Janet Goff-Dieffenbaugh. Whatever she wants to call herself, I hope she knows that we love her and Sue lots and lots. If the Pope doesn't feel that he has any right to comment, who am I to have anything but good thoughts of them for the happiness in their life. We are going to Kansas City to meet them for lunch at 1 PM. Barbara is making bread to take to our Daughter-in-law along with some apple butter. I am sure there is a shortage of treats in their office.
I hate to think about how many extra calories are shared at workplaces during this week. The Adjutant General's office would give each office a day during the last week prior to Christmas and the treats were always so great. One of the guys would always bring a crock pot full of KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce and little Smokies. By the time to serve the smell would about drive my hunger button crazy. People would kid Charlie about his predictability but I did notice there were never any left over. One of these days I will have to write my tribute to Charlie. He is one great guy.
Well, I had better get cracking on at least one of my Pre-Christmas projects. The vacuum is laying right where I left it yesterday.
MUD
Barb finally pressed me to get a tree and she is decorating it with natural decorations. I saw her headed out with her camera and a pair of scissors yesterday and headed to the neighbor's decorative grass. We need to add some more but I am not on the "Do Pretty" list of people so I will just admire her work. I did fetch the lights up from the basement storage room and will take the boxes back down today (or tomorrow)
We just made contact with my niece, Janet, who is in KC visiting. She stopped in Iowa and got married on the way here. She is one half of the couple knows as Twyla Susanne and Janet Goff-Dieffenbaugh. Whatever she wants to call herself, I hope she knows that we love her and Sue lots and lots. If the Pope doesn't feel that he has any right to comment, who am I to have anything but good thoughts of them for the happiness in their life. We are going to Kansas City to meet them for lunch at 1 PM. Barbara is making bread to take to our Daughter-in-law along with some apple butter. I am sure there is a shortage of treats in their office.
I hate to think about how many extra calories are shared at workplaces during this week. The Adjutant General's office would give each office a day during the last week prior to Christmas and the treats were always so great. One of the guys would always bring a crock pot full of KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce and little Smokies. By the time to serve the smell would about drive my hunger button crazy. People would kid Charlie about his predictability but I did notice there were never any left over. One of these days I will have to write my tribute to Charlie. He is one great guy.
Well, I had better get cracking on at least one of my Pre-Christmas projects. The vacuum is laying right where I left it yesterday.
MUD
12/17/2013
Investing 101
A sister to my Daughter-in-Law asked my wife if there was a secret to investing smart so she could at the end of her working years be well off. Here are some of the basic facts we have learned over the years. WARNING the following is worth the cost of the advice. No Guarantees!
Another basis for the stability of our investments is a good insurance plan. We keep all of our property insured and with a tornado ripping our house apart in 1983, we now have replacement value for all of our goods. Now that we have a good base for our lives, we no longer have large life insurance plans and have increased the size of our deductibles on the house and cars. When we were young and had a young child, we kept much larger life insurance policies in force. If the agent starts talking about the rate of return inside the insurance policy, he is making stuff up. I had one policy I bought in 1965 and it was never worth anything near what the accumulated value was supposed to be. I converted it to a policy that did not accumulate value and had a lot more insurance than the other policy. When we got to the point that we no longer had a need for coverage we dropped that.
I will admit that because I don't have any feeling that I will outlive my wife, I have the insurance within the plans to have a portion of my retirement plans pay Barbara after I pass. These plans do cost some but I think they will be worth the cost. My dad didn't have coverage on his retirement and when he died, Mom had only Social Security to live on.
The most important thing for people to do is to pay themselves first. Buy used cars and save as much as you can. Do not wait until later on to start saving. Once you start spending the higher amounts, saving will be hard. Start out frugal and later on it will be gravy. I do recommend the Dave Ramsey method of financial management to start out. We started doing his plan before his plan was published. In the long run even a fair plan worked hard is better than the best plan not followed. Good Luck.
MUD
- One time at the beginning of our marriage we had a sit down talk with my Grandfather, Curly Fruits. Curly had led a frugal life and retired early from Shell Oil and passed on some pretty good advice. He said we needed to save and invest at least 7% of our total income in a personal investment above what the Government was doing in our name with Social Security. The earlier we got started doing that, the better off we would be in the end. We did. (Just a note, we had this talk early in the day as Curly was known to sneak out to the shed and have a few drinks and later on in the day was not as reliable --Except in the area of fishing.)
- Any investment without a high front end cost and tax advantages are the best. There were no Roth IRA's when we started so we just put money into the traditional IRA's. We invested about $4,000 ($2,000) each for a few years. That money built nicely during the early 70's but is now just holding it's head above water. The sad part is that because it was not a Roth IRA soon we will have to start paying taxes on the net appreciation.
- One of the career choices for us was into a system that had a retirement plan above and beyond the Social Security system. Barb was a teacher and paid into the Kansas Public Employee system and I was Civil service. It might have seemed tough to have an additional 14% of our combined salaries withheld but right now it looks pretty good. Even if they run out of money we will have both got most of our money back.
- I talked with Barbara about Real Estate being a good foundation to our overall investment program and she said "You're Welcome." Barbara has a way of looking for a good buy and at every step of the way she has been the guide for solid investments. One of the schemes is buying the worst house in the best neighborhood and improving our investment with sweat equity. I am not sure what the Real Estate market is like where you are, but there are almost always run down houses with good bones. Get some tools and hire done what you can't do yourself. Good roofs, good plumbing and keep it painted are essentials. The first time out, granite counters are not a good investment. Wood floors are. We now have two rental houses and a house we are selling on contract plus the one we live in. I haven't sat down and computed the exact return on those investments but it feels pretty good. Our son is in a house that cost about $40,000 and is now worth $90,000. Thanks Barb.
Another basis for the stability of our investments is a good insurance plan. We keep all of our property insured and with a tornado ripping our house apart in 1983, we now have replacement value for all of our goods. Now that we have a good base for our lives, we no longer have large life insurance plans and have increased the size of our deductibles on the house and cars. When we were young and had a young child, we kept much larger life insurance policies in force. If the agent starts talking about the rate of return inside the insurance policy, he is making stuff up. I had one policy I bought in 1965 and it was never worth anything near what the accumulated value was supposed to be. I converted it to a policy that did not accumulate value and had a lot more insurance than the other policy. When we got to the point that we no longer had a need for coverage we dropped that.
I will admit that because I don't have any feeling that I will outlive my wife, I have the insurance within the plans to have a portion of my retirement plans pay Barbara after I pass. These plans do cost some but I think they will be worth the cost. My dad didn't have coverage on his retirement and when he died, Mom had only Social Security to live on.
The most important thing for people to do is to pay themselves first. Buy used cars and save as much as you can. Do not wait until later on to start saving. Once you start spending the higher amounts, saving will be hard. Start out frugal and later on it will be gravy. I do recommend the Dave Ramsey method of financial management to start out. We started doing his plan before his plan was published. In the long run even a fair plan worked hard is better than the best plan not followed. Good Luck.
MUD
Classy Lady
I just learned of the passing of a real classy lady and I want to share with my nieces on the Johnson side of the family one of my first meetings with their Great grandmother. Mary Jane Johnson will always stand out as one of my favorite people.
One of my first full time jobs was in a Phillips 66 station in Wichita. We were only about four blocks from the Office of Phillips 66 in that area and we were often visited by one of their people. As the lowest totem on the pole, it fell to me to keep the bathrooms up to snuff. Don't let anyone tell you that women will help keep their bathroom any cleaner than men. The biggest difference was that most of the women didn't clean their hands with solvent, then hand cleaner and wash in the bathroom sink. Because it is so close to the time I finished breakfast, I'll skip the details of that adventure and move on to the next phase of the story.
Because my Brother-in-Law moved way the heck and gone south in Wichita, I went to the station where my other Brother-in-Law worked and applied for a driveway attendant job at Rock Road and Kellogg. If you were anywhere near then, you might recall it being called the Standard station with a round house in the middle of the drive. I hustled cars there for a couple of years but it was my first meeting with Mrs. Johnson that comes to mind.
One thing I hated about the Standard station right from the first was the low standards the guys there had for cleaning the toilets. The men's restroom would have passed for a barnyard had there been a goat or two. The women's restroom was a little better but not much. Near the end of my first shift, I looked at the bathrooms and just charged in and cleaned them up. I know it took some really strong chemicals to remove the layers of grime. After a thorough cleaning, I waxed the floor to help make it easier to clean the next time. The men's restroom because of the heavy traffic was still way below the Phillip's 66 standards but at least you didn't come out of the bathroom and feel like you needed to scrape your bots and rewash your hands. The women's restroom was gleaming and I don't think it had many faults. It might have even passed a test by Phillip's 66 people.
I was working on the drive the next day and Ace and Mary Jane stopped in the station. I wasn't paying attention to what they did because there was a driveway full of people needing gas. I was pumping it as fast as I could. Somewhere about 10 minutes after they arrived, Mary Jane came out and hollered to all of us, "Who cleaned the Bathrooms?" I stopped what I was doing and went over to confess that I had done it. I was sure that I fell short in some important item or two. I didn't have the key to the sanitary napkin dispenser and had no idea if it need refilling. She heard me say I did it and she gave me a hug. She said that the women's restroom had never been that clean and she was proud of how much work I had put into that cleaning job.
Guess who earned himself the job of cleaning the bathrooms for the next couple of years? The good news is that I never had her complain about anything I did the rest of the time I worked there. She was a nice person to me and I am sad that my nieces and nephews in the Johnson Family lost their Great grandmother.
MUD
One of my first full time jobs was in a Phillips 66 station in Wichita. We were only about four blocks from the Office of Phillips 66 in that area and we were often visited by one of their people. As the lowest totem on the pole, it fell to me to keep the bathrooms up to snuff. Don't let anyone tell you that women will help keep their bathroom any cleaner than men. The biggest difference was that most of the women didn't clean their hands with solvent, then hand cleaner and wash in the bathroom sink. Because it is so close to the time I finished breakfast, I'll skip the details of that adventure and move on to the next phase of the story.
Because my Brother-in-Law moved way the heck and gone south in Wichita, I went to the station where my other Brother-in-Law worked and applied for a driveway attendant job at Rock Road and Kellogg. If you were anywhere near then, you might recall it being called the Standard station with a round house in the middle of the drive. I hustled cars there for a couple of years but it was my first meeting with Mrs. Johnson that comes to mind.
One thing I hated about the Standard station right from the first was the low standards the guys there had for cleaning the toilets. The men's restroom would have passed for a barnyard had there been a goat or two. The women's restroom was a little better but not much. Near the end of my first shift, I looked at the bathrooms and just charged in and cleaned them up. I know it took some really strong chemicals to remove the layers of grime. After a thorough cleaning, I waxed the floor to help make it easier to clean the next time. The men's restroom because of the heavy traffic was still way below the Phillip's 66 standards but at least you didn't come out of the bathroom and feel like you needed to scrape your bots and rewash your hands. The women's restroom was gleaming and I don't think it had many faults. It might have even passed a test by Phillip's 66 people.
I was working on the drive the next day and Ace and Mary Jane stopped in the station. I wasn't paying attention to what they did because there was a driveway full of people needing gas. I was pumping it as fast as I could. Somewhere about 10 minutes after they arrived, Mary Jane came out and hollered to all of us, "Who cleaned the Bathrooms?" I stopped what I was doing and went over to confess that I had done it. I was sure that I fell short in some important item or two. I didn't have the key to the sanitary napkin dispenser and had no idea if it need refilling. She heard me say I did it and she gave me a hug. She said that the women's restroom had never been that clean and she was proud of how much work I had put into that cleaning job.
Guess who earned himself the job of cleaning the bathrooms for the next couple of years? The good news is that I never had her complain about anything I did the rest of the time I worked there. She was a nice person to me and I am sad that my nieces and nephews in the Johnson Family lost their Great grandmother.
MUD
12/16/2013
Christmas
There are times I wake up from a nap and I am totally disconnected from what time of the day it is. There are markers in my week about the day and date but mostly the day. On Mondays, I go sing with the Barbershop Chorus and on Friday I have to put the trash out. Every other Friday I put out the recycle container. Being retired, Monday and Holidays are a lot alike. After 66 Christmas's they don't stand out as much anymore.
I will admit that we can afford to be a lot more generous in the last few years but the later Christmases don't stand out as much as some of the earlier one's. Yes, there are a few details about the first three or four I just can't even link to but there are a lot of good one's out there.
One year we had been to Susank, Kansas just north of Hoisington and I am sure it was a hunting trip for my Dad. We would go to my Grandparents house and eat copious quantities of food and then sing songs till the cows came home. (There really weren't any cows there, that was later in Arkansas) Grandmother always sent us home with Christmas presents and really didn't put up a tree. My mother said that she wanted to do something different that year. She saw tumbleweeds blowing across the road and had my father stop and get a nice round one that hadn't been hit by a car. How he got it home undamaged was tribute to the size of the trunks on those old cars in the 50's.
Once it got home, My Dad had the job of making it stand proud and stable. There would be no water pan needed as it was long since dead. He did manage to pick up some pink paint and some flocking spray and it looked like a pink tumbleweed that had been left out in the snow. Mother did her best to find small ornaments and lights that would make it pretty. I remember there was a couple of dozen 1 inch gold glass ornaments and about the same number of silver one's. I don't remember any lead tinsel that year I am sure that more than one cat got sick eating that stuff. When complete, Mom insisted that the tree be placed on a table in the living room. Back in those days we didn't have a console TV so a table had to do. The main thing I remember Dad saying was "Jesus Christ, we spent more decorating that damned tumbleweed than a real tree would have cost." Dad always did say what was on his mind.
One of the first Christmases I remember here at Rabbit Run was the year that Barb asked for and got a tree that was at least 10 feet tall. I just did fit in the dinning room if I moved the table. She decorated the heck out of that tree and we still have ornaments from that tree. To tell the truth, somewhere there is at least one ornament from about every year. Many were gifts from her students and I think there is even a pie plate with a macaroni tree that Dave made in about the third grade.
This post was inspired by the fact that today I finally got a "round tuit" to get Barb a tree. There is a nice 8 foot white pine tree in the dinning room drinking water and relaxing in the heat of the house. I will be on the decoration duty sometime today. I will carry a bunch of those storage tubs upstairs and Barb will sort through them and decide on what theme we will use this year. No, I don't do pretty, I am the hanger of lights and carrier of tubs. Come New Years, I will get the job of removing ornaments and tasking the tree outside where it will be until spring or so. From the deck you can still see the skeleton of at least one tree (or two)
Barbara and I got married in February and by the next Christmas I was in Vietnam. Our first real Christmas together was in December 1969 and we were snug in an 8X38 foot Trailer. We were young students doing our best to learn to live together and survive college without having a ton of student loans when we finished. I think the Christmas tree craze started when we had out own house in Lansing, Kansas circa 1973. We have been collecting Christmas stuff since and I am pretty sure it would take one load of a U-Haul truck for just the Christmas stuff. Oh well, what is life for if not to please your family with a nice set of decorations.
Merry Damned Christmas from MUD the Grinch.
I will admit that we can afford to be a lot more generous in the last few years but the later Christmases don't stand out as much as some of the earlier one's. Yes, there are a few details about the first three or four I just can't even link to but there are a lot of good one's out there.
One year we had been to Susank, Kansas just north of Hoisington and I am sure it was a hunting trip for my Dad. We would go to my Grandparents house and eat copious quantities of food and then sing songs till the cows came home. (There really weren't any cows there, that was later in Arkansas) Grandmother always sent us home with Christmas presents and really didn't put up a tree. My mother said that she wanted to do something different that year. She saw tumbleweeds blowing across the road and had my father stop and get a nice round one that hadn't been hit by a car. How he got it home undamaged was tribute to the size of the trunks on those old cars in the 50's.
Once it got home, My Dad had the job of making it stand proud and stable. There would be no water pan needed as it was long since dead. He did manage to pick up some pink paint and some flocking spray and it looked like a pink tumbleweed that had been left out in the snow. Mother did her best to find small ornaments and lights that would make it pretty. I remember there was a couple of dozen 1 inch gold glass ornaments and about the same number of silver one's. I don't remember any lead tinsel that year I am sure that more than one cat got sick eating that stuff. When complete, Mom insisted that the tree be placed on a table in the living room. Back in those days we didn't have a console TV so a table had to do. The main thing I remember Dad saying was "Jesus Christ, we spent more decorating that damned tumbleweed than a real tree would have cost." Dad always did say what was on his mind.
One of the first Christmases I remember here at Rabbit Run was the year that Barb asked for and got a tree that was at least 10 feet tall. I just did fit in the dinning room if I moved the table. She decorated the heck out of that tree and we still have ornaments from that tree. To tell the truth, somewhere there is at least one ornament from about every year. Many were gifts from her students and I think there is even a pie plate with a macaroni tree that Dave made in about the third grade.
This post was inspired by the fact that today I finally got a "round tuit" to get Barb a tree. There is a nice 8 foot white pine tree in the dinning room drinking water and relaxing in the heat of the house. I will be on the decoration duty sometime today. I will carry a bunch of those storage tubs upstairs and Barb will sort through them and decide on what theme we will use this year. No, I don't do pretty, I am the hanger of lights and carrier of tubs. Come New Years, I will get the job of removing ornaments and tasking the tree outside where it will be until spring or so. From the deck you can still see the skeleton of at least one tree (or two)
Barbara and I got married in February and by the next Christmas I was in Vietnam. Our first real Christmas together was in December 1969 and we were snug in an 8X38 foot Trailer. We were young students doing our best to learn to live together and survive college without having a ton of student loans when we finished. I think the Christmas tree craze started when we had out own house in Lansing, Kansas circa 1973. We have been collecting Christmas stuff since and I am pretty sure it would take one load of a U-Haul truck for just the Christmas stuff. Oh well, what is life for if not to please your family with a nice set of decorations.
Merry Damned Christmas from MUD the Grinch.
12/15/2013
'Nother War Story
During the year of 1968, I was in the Republic of Vietnam. I went there assigned as a Forward Observer in a unit that trained at Fort Irwin, California but was ever sent out as a Forward Observer from that unit. Our first night in the field we got our asses mortared off and I went from Forward Observer to Unit Commander in one 15 minute timeframe. As I recall, I never signed an assumption of command order but never the less I did all the work for a couple of weeks. After telling the 41st Field Artillery Group Commander that he was either the biggest ass hole I had met or he needed to study his Field Artillery facts better I got infused to a 155 unit over in the 52nd Artillery Group in Pleiku. For me, that was the best thing that ever happened. No, Barbara is the best thing that ever happened to me but getting "Infused" to a new unit was about the best thing that happened while I was in Vietnam.
In the new unit, the 1st Bn, 92nd Field Artillery (155mm Towed) I was initially assigned as the Battalion Ammunition Officer. What I didn't know was that it was an ash and trash assignment and I spent most of my time doing odd jobs that the Battalion needed done. One of the additional duties I had was that of Aerial Observer. Right behind out headquarters was a very short PSP (Perforated Steel Planking) runway that an 0-1 bird dog (Cessna 2 seater) plane could land on. On a lot of days, I would be told that I was to meet the 0-1 and fly where they needed me to go.
In addition to covering my convoys, I often was given the mission to go out west and "Register" a battery. What that entails was shooting at a known point on the map to align the guns with the real world. This increased the accuracy of a unit and was vital in getting several units all aligned on one spot. It wasn't a very exciting job but one that did a lot to make the Artillery really effective. Normally we would pick out a stream junction on the map and the unit would send those coordinates to their higher headquarters to get clearance to shoot at it. From the air, stream junctions were fairly easy to spot on the map and in the air. Most of the time we had between three and four hours of flight time and the registration part would take between 1 and 2 hours.
One day we were west of Kontum and finished a registration for a battery located in LZ Mary Lou south of Kontum and had roughly 2 hours of flight time to go west and se what the hell was out there. There was a dirt road that went west and straight (if there is anything straight in Vietnam) to the border area. Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam had a border and that area was called the Tri-border area. Along the border ran what was well known as the Ho Chi Min trail. It was an area that was outside the Vietnam area and the North Vietnamese used it to bring supplies and men south so they could attack across the border somewhere south of there. It was pretty easy to spot because the Air Force did a pretty good job of bombing the jungle out of existence all along the border. The rumor was that we had sensors all along the border and anytime there was a major reading in an area they would bomb the hell out of that area.
The pilot I was with was a Captain and a pretty salty dude. He had an elephant stenciled on the side of his Bird Dog and he reportedly shot one of his marking rockets into the side of an elephant and because it was carrying a boat load of rockets, the elephant exploded and damn near blew him out of the air. As we got closer to the border, my map was about to run out when we crossed a small set of hills. There in all of its glory was the border and the beaten zone. Spread out along that trail was a military convoy.
At the head of the enemy convoy was what was one of the most feared weapon systems. The Russians had given the North Vietnamese units radar controlled 23mm quad barreled weapon called a ZSU 23-4. The only thing that saved us was that the convoy was halted and it appeared that the crew of the weapon system was dismounted and taking a break. had they been at their station and had they been ready, the Bird Dog would have been toast along with the pilot and his observer, ME! The first thing the pilot said over the intercom after the expletive "Holy Shit" don't do anything and hang on. We dove to build airspeed and at the last minute he pulled up and went back over the short hills. I can't even begin to tell you how scared we both were. I immediately go on the radio back to Kontum and reported what we saw. I know that our units weren't cleared to shoot into another country but I had been in one of the 175mm unit Fire Direction Center and seem the holes on that side of the border.
The pilot called back through his unit on the higher frequency radio and soon there was a Forward Air Controller over the area. We left it in his hands and we "beat feted" it back to the airfield at Kontum to refuel. By the time we got back to Pleiku, they wanted us to go directly to the Aviation headquarters to brief on what we had seen and how we saw it. The pilot warned me to say that we had observed the convoy by flying high enough to see the convoy from above the ridgeline and not to mention that we had actually been if the airspace of another country. Works for me. It might have been difficult to explain had we actually been shot down.
The strange result of this whole incident was that when I returned to my base camp, the word was out that I need to go to the battalion tactical Operations Center. I was assigned out as a Forward Observer to the 3rd Bat, 503rd Infantry (173rd Abn) and would be gone for at least two weeks. It turned out that that stay lasted about 6 weeks and I always felt that I was sent out of the area to hide me from any fall out of what had happened. The Company I served with kept telling me that the Forward Observer they sent home on emergency leave had developed Malaria and I was stuck until they could find a replacement.
While I was out on the Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY) with the Air born unit, the Field Artillery Group assigned two young officers to the Aerial Observer slots and that ended the flying for the Battalion Ammunition Officer. The only really bad thing was that both of those young officers were killed in a crash while I was gone. They had been flying high low hunter killer sweep and when the low plane took ground fire from a 51mm machine gun it pulled up into the flight path of the high bird. That crash took the lives of four fine people.
MUD
In the new unit, the 1st Bn, 92nd Field Artillery (155mm Towed) I was initially assigned as the Battalion Ammunition Officer. What I didn't know was that it was an ash and trash assignment and I spent most of my time doing odd jobs that the Battalion needed done. One of the additional duties I had was that of Aerial Observer. Right behind out headquarters was a very short PSP (Perforated Steel Planking) runway that an 0-1 bird dog (Cessna 2 seater) plane could land on. On a lot of days, I would be told that I was to meet the 0-1 and fly where they needed me to go.
In addition to covering my convoys, I often was given the mission to go out west and "Register" a battery. What that entails was shooting at a known point on the map to align the guns with the real world. This increased the accuracy of a unit and was vital in getting several units all aligned on one spot. It wasn't a very exciting job but one that did a lot to make the Artillery really effective. Normally we would pick out a stream junction on the map and the unit would send those coordinates to their higher headquarters to get clearance to shoot at it. From the air, stream junctions were fairly easy to spot on the map and in the air. Most of the time we had between three and four hours of flight time and the registration part would take between 1 and 2 hours.
One day we were west of Kontum and finished a registration for a battery located in LZ Mary Lou south of Kontum and had roughly 2 hours of flight time to go west and se what the hell was out there. There was a dirt road that went west and straight (if there is anything straight in Vietnam) to the border area. Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam had a border and that area was called the Tri-border area. Along the border ran what was well known as the Ho Chi Min trail. It was an area that was outside the Vietnam area and the North Vietnamese used it to bring supplies and men south so they could attack across the border somewhere south of there. It was pretty easy to spot because the Air Force did a pretty good job of bombing the jungle out of existence all along the border. The rumor was that we had sensors all along the border and anytime there was a major reading in an area they would bomb the hell out of that area.
The pilot I was with was a Captain and a pretty salty dude. He had an elephant stenciled on the side of his Bird Dog and he reportedly shot one of his marking rockets into the side of an elephant and because it was carrying a boat load of rockets, the elephant exploded and damn near blew him out of the air. As we got closer to the border, my map was about to run out when we crossed a small set of hills. There in all of its glory was the border and the beaten zone. Spread out along that trail was a military convoy.
At the head of the enemy convoy was what was one of the most feared weapon systems. The Russians had given the North Vietnamese units radar controlled 23mm quad barreled weapon called a ZSU 23-4. The only thing that saved us was that the convoy was halted and it appeared that the crew of the weapon system was dismounted and taking a break. had they been at their station and had they been ready, the Bird Dog would have been toast along with the pilot and his observer, ME! The first thing the pilot said over the intercom after the expletive "Holy Shit" don't do anything and hang on. We dove to build airspeed and at the last minute he pulled up and went back over the short hills. I can't even begin to tell you how scared we both were. I immediately go on the radio back to Kontum and reported what we saw. I know that our units weren't cleared to shoot into another country but I had been in one of the 175mm unit Fire Direction Center and seem the holes on that side of the border.
The pilot called back through his unit on the higher frequency radio and soon there was a Forward Air Controller over the area. We left it in his hands and we "beat feted" it back to the airfield at Kontum to refuel. By the time we got back to Pleiku, they wanted us to go directly to the Aviation headquarters to brief on what we had seen and how we saw it. The pilot warned me to say that we had observed the convoy by flying high enough to see the convoy from above the ridgeline and not to mention that we had actually been if the airspace of another country. Works for me. It might have been difficult to explain had we actually been shot down.
The strange result of this whole incident was that when I returned to my base camp, the word was out that I need to go to the battalion tactical Operations Center. I was assigned out as a Forward Observer to the 3rd Bat, 503rd Infantry (173rd Abn) and would be gone for at least two weeks. It turned out that that stay lasted about 6 weeks and I always felt that I was sent out of the area to hide me from any fall out of what had happened. The Company I served with kept telling me that the Forward Observer they sent home on emergency leave had developed Malaria and I was stuck until they could find a replacement.
While I was out on the Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY) with the Air born unit, the Field Artillery Group assigned two young officers to the Aerial Observer slots and that ended the flying for the Battalion Ammunition Officer. The only really bad thing was that both of those young officers were killed in a crash while I was gone. They had been flying high low hunter killer sweep and when the low plane took ground fire from a 51mm machine gun it pulled up into the flight path of the high bird. That crash took the lives of four fine people.
MUD
12/14/2013
Singing Christmas
Today we will go to about four different retirement communities and sing our Christmas songs. I have the opportunity to sing with a quartet late tonight as their Bass is not available. I am torn if after four hours of singing there will be and voice left. I am honored that the quartet did ask me to sing. I was a baritone the last time I sang the Christmas songs and am just learning the Bass parts. We'll see how it looks at the end of the day.
It will be interesting to see if KU men's basketball team can find the right mix of players and tempo to return to their early level of success. Most teams with four or five freshmen would have a team that played well individually and struggled as a team. There was a time during the Florida game that they struggled playing as a team and as individuals. KU beat Florida point wise in the second half but had dug themselves such a hole that it was more than they could dig themselves out of. Tonight at 6 PM we'll get a chance to see what the heck they have worked out for New Mexico State. I will set the DVR just in case I am singing.
The weather here in the heartland took a nasty turn this morning. It was almost 45 yesterday and this morning it is mid 20's with a 20 MPH wind. The weatherman says it won't get much warmer as the day goes on. The roads will have salt and sand on them out in the city but I don't know what it will be like getting there. We'll see.
I guess I'd better start getting ready to sing. Khakis and Christmas sweaters will be the uniform of the day. I thought it very interesting that the person that send out our scheduling information mentioned to shine those brown shoes. Our Chorus has three retired Colonels' in the bass section. We do need a top tenor or two but can't find many that want to sing Barbershop with us. Col Wayne Cline was given a "Man of Note" award for recruiting me initially. When he invited me to rejoin, they gave his another "Man of Note". I wonder if he should share one with me? No, I don't need any more awards or decorations on my "I Love Me" wall. I know who I am and don't need any further encouragement.
Have a great time out there. I sure as hell will. Nothing beats the sound of dentures clicking as the old folks try to sing along.
MUD
It will be interesting to see if KU men's basketball team can find the right mix of players and tempo to return to their early level of success. Most teams with four or five freshmen would have a team that played well individually and struggled as a team. There was a time during the Florida game that they struggled playing as a team and as individuals. KU beat Florida point wise in the second half but had dug themselves such a hole that it was more than they could dig themselves out of. Tonight at 6 PM we'll get a chance to see what the heck they have worked out for New Mexico State. I will set the DVR just in case I am singing.
The weather here in the heartland took a nasty turn this morning. It was almost 45 yesterday and this morning it is mid 20's with a 20 MPH wind. The weatherman says it won't get much warmer as the day goes on. The roads will have salt and sand on them out in the city but I don't know what it will be like getting there. We'll see.
I guess I'd better start getting ready to sing. Khakis and Christmas sweaters will be the uniform of the day. I thought it very interesting that the person that send out our scheduling information mentioned to shine those brown shoes. Our Chorus has three retired Colonels' in the bass section. We do need a top tenor or two but can't find many that want to sing Barbershop with us. Col Wayne Cline was given a "Man of Note" award for recruiting me initially. When he invited me to rejoin, they gave his another "Man of Note". I wonder if he should share one with me? No, I don't need any more awards or decorations on my "I Love Me" wall. I know who I am and don't need any further encouragement.
Have a great time out there. I sure as hell will. Nothing beats the sound of dentures clicking as the old folks try to sing along.
MUD
12/12/2013
What Did You Know and When Did You Know it?
One of my Facebook Friends asked when did you learn the most in your life? Here is a snapshot of the decades in my life.
MUD
- From Birth to 10. This is the period that I learned to play well with my friends and most importantly how to read. I am pretty sure that because of the lack of the electronics back then I grew up pretty unexposed to higher thinking. Good basis for life but pretty limited.
- From 11 to 20. The first 8 years of this period I spent majoring in girls and was fairly limited in the focus. Exploration and growth in the area of sexuality was a focus and I also learned how to work a job and stay employed. From the start of my 19th year, the Military took charge of my life and I learned so much that it is difficult to even begin to tell you how much. I went from a Civilian to 2nd Lieutenant in 9 Months and 25 Days. I knew it would prepare me to stay alive in Vietnam and It was an intense period but life for me didn't really start until I got home safely from Vietnam.
- 20 to 30. I turned 21 in Vietnam and there I learned that war is Binary. Either you get your ass killed or you don't. I didn't. The most important thing I learned in this period was how to live with my wife Barbara. I got to see how another person really worked and how her strengths offset my weaknesses. I spent four years of this period in College and saw the world from a different perspective. I joined the Guard and made Captain commanding a Battery in Horton, KS. I should write a book about that time in my life. I also worked my first Non Military job in my career. The Automobile business went in to the trash and I hated that job about as much as anything I ever did. This period was where I learned a lot about life as an adult. Paying taxes, Insurance, buying a house and role of an adult was a lot to learn. The start of my life being a father was an eye opener. It was still before the start of the electronics revolution.
- 30 to 40. I went to work for the Guard full time and this was a time right before electronics rules my life. I still wrote a lot of training schedules and cut them on stencils. A Lot more of learning to be a good father and husband. Moved twice and bought two houses. I completed the Artillery Officer Advanced Course. Moved to Topeka and started the real rat race for my career with a focus. During this period in life, we had mostly a black and white TV and a rotary dial phone.
- 40 to 50. I can even begin to describe the full impact of electronics on this phase of my life. To try to get our son involved in Electronics, we bought an Apple 2C. One day in a staff meeting the Chief of Staff walked in and asked, "Who has a Computer?" I was the only person with one and I got the Job as the Director of Information Management for the Kansas Army National Guard. It was one of the most intense periods of my life to learn the requirements and architecture for information. We wrote our first plan and a good part of that was used for the next five years. During this period I also completed the Command and General Staff College and Commanded an Artillery Battalion. I went from a major to Colonel during this period and with the full impact of automation, I probably learned more varied things during this ear of my life. I did feel that I went from an expert in a few areas to a mile wide and 1/4 inch deep in more things that I ever thought possible.
- 50 to 60. I retired from the Military on my 50th Birthday. I think this was the start of more good things that rounded out my life. The intense career fight went away and I think I would have stressed myself out had I continued that pace. For over three years I was an instructor for the customer service training at a call center. I dearly loved meeting 25 new people and teaching them for 6 weeks. I got to meet the future of the USA during that period and some of the group were the nicest people I had met. Sure, there were a few bums but mostly it was the cream of the crop and I loved most of that time. I saw the advent of cell phones and how automation could really change the fabric of the lives of people.
- 60 to Present. One thing I haven't mentioned through most of the above part is how much My wife helped in the planning for our retirement. She pushed, pulled and enabled us to get ready for the rest of our lives. I can't stress how well she did that job and how well we are set because of that. I am consistently learning new things and because of the advent of electronics, there is almost no end of the things available to see, learn about and do. I think I have written about 2500 blog posts, read at least a 10,000 from other people and more Facebook than anyone should.
MUD
12/11/2013
Hump Day
I have been singing the Christmas songs getting ready for the sing out this weekend. As I did that, I ran into Pentatonix, an "a cappella" group. Had to look that one up as spell checker would not get me close or give me anything. What it means is that it is a musical group that uses no real instruments in their music. Pentatonix is a group with 5 members that not only are great they are entertaining with their own vocal percussion and a Bass that is out of sight good. I tried to find their Christmas album but Wal Mart and Barnes & Noble both didn't carry their music. It is available on line.
Last night I went up the stairs and saw the moon with a haze around it. The old wives tale is that if the moon has a haze either your eye balls are frozen or the weather is headed for a change. This morning it is at least 20 degrees colder than yesterday. It got up in the mid 40's yesterday. Won't break freezing today according to the weatherman. Going out to get the paper this morning was an adventure. Cold with a cutting wind of at least 20 MPH.
Our deer seem to be holding up and the trail camera didn't take a picture in 4 days. Not sure what the problem is but it is possible I had it in the wrong setting. I'll reset it this morning when I take down some more corn. There were three deer at the feed pan yesterday when I went out to put some more corn out and the ran off. I watched and during the day they didn't return.
Today is a combo day. It is hump day and laundry day. Better get busy
MUD
Last night I went up the stairs and saw the moon with a haze around it. The old wives tale is that if the moon has a haze either your eye balls are frozen or the weather is headed for a change. This morning it is at least 20 degrees colder than yesterday. It got up in the mid 40's yesterday. Won't break freezing today according to the weatherman. Going out to get the paper this morning was an adventure. Cold with a cutting wind of at least 20 MPH.
Our deer seem to be holding up and the trail camera didn't take a picture in 4 days. Not sure what the problem is but it is possible I had it in the wrong setting. I'll reset it this morning when I take down some more corn. There were three deer at the feed pan yesterday when I went out to put some more corn out and the ran off. I watched and during the day they didn't return.
Today is a combo day. It is hump day and laundry day. Better get busy
MUD
12/10/2013
Porcine Action
Dave said this was saving his bacon or a porcine action. Dave's car had a dead battery this AM and I went over and took his wife to work. Good news is that she was on time, bad news, the battery is dead, kaput, and fairly expensive. We replaced it as it was 5 years old. It only had 200 cranking amps out of the rated 550. Oh well, it is an early Christmas present.
On the way back and forth, I kept hearing Dave's cell phone sending him messages. (or so I thought) After we finished the battery work and his car up and running I drove home only to continue to hear that damned noise. I checked and it was a Tea cup under Barb's seat from our last trip. It was banging against the seat frame and I swear it sounded like Dave's Text alert. Oh well, my hearing isn't completely gone.
Dave's in-laws are currently living in Las Vegas and are going to be able to retire in a few short years. The hope is that the housing market will recover enough to not leave them completely in the hole when they do. Dave thinks they will want to move back to the heartland to be near friends, their church and family. They are great people and we sure hope things work out well for them. They are the kind of people that make the Heartland a great place to live.
For some reason, the Barbershop Chorus practice was a lot of fun last night. We had a pretty full turn out after a shut out last Monday. We are going to sing at 4 retirement homes this weekend. We decided to start the next Monday night practice at the local Mall and do a flash Mob thing in the food court. Should be fun to sing there. That is one of the three places I want us to sing. The rotunda at the Topeka Library is a wonderful place and I want us to sing there at least once. The third place I want us to sing is to do our Director's version of Home on the Range in the Capitol Rotunda. I would want it to be on Kansas Day but it might not work as the place is pretty busy with other activities.
Did I mention that it is one cold bear out there this morning? I know I need to take down some food for the deer. Barb had prepared some sliced apples to go with the bread. She is so nice to those critters. I think it is about time to bring the Trail cam up and download the pictures. In good weather I do it every day. In bad weather about once a week is enough. Yesterday when I went out to fetch the paper, there were lots of dog and deer tracks out in the driveway. I think the dog tracks were from the neighbor's black lab and not dogs chasing the deer on purpose.
One thing kind of interesting is that since the start of Deer Hunting season here in Kansas, I have not seen one buck. The doe's with their yearlings seem to be showing up regularly but no Bucks. They are probably hiding down in the creek bottoms and away from the hunters. They may be dumb animals but they aren't stupid.
Oh well, better get moving or I'll get stuck to this chair.
MUD
On the way back and forth, I kept hearing Dave's cell phone sending him messages. (or so I thought) After we finished the battery work and his car up and running I drove home only to continue to hear that damned noise. I checked and it was a Tea cup under Barb's seat from our last trip. It was banging against the seat frame and I swear it sounded like Dave's Text alert. Oh well, my hearing isn't completely gone.
Dave's in-laws are currently living in Las Vegas and are going to be able to retire in a few short years. The hope is that the housing market will recover enough to not leave them completely in the hole when they do. Dave thinks they will want to move back to the heartland to be near friends, their church and family. They are great people and we sure hope things work out well for them. They are the kind of people that make the Heartland a great place to live.
For some reason, the Barbershop Chorus practice was a lot of fun last night. We had a pretty full turn out after a shut out last Monday. We are going to sing at 4 retirement homes this weekend. We decided to start the next Monday night practice at the local Mall and do a flash Mob thing in the food court. Should be fun to sing there. That is one of the three places I want us to sing. The rotunda at the Topeka Library is a wonderful place and I want us to sing there at least once. The third place I want us to sing is to do our Director's version of Home on the Range in the Capitol Rotunda. I would want it to be on Kansas Day but it might not work as the place is pretty busy with other activities.
Did I mention that it is one cold bear out there this morning? I know I need to take down some food for the deer. Barb had prepared some sliced apples to go with the bread. She is so nice to those critters. I think it is about time to bring the Trail cam up and download the pictures. In good weather I do it every day. In bad weather about once a week is enough. Yesterday when I went out to fetch the paper, there were lots of dog and deer tracks out in the driveway. I think the dog tracks were from the neighbor's black lab and not dogs chasing the deer on purpose.
One thing kind of interesting is that since the start of Deer Hunting season here in Kansas, I have not seen one buck. The doe's with their yearlings seem to be showing up regularly but no Bucks. They are probably hiding down in the creek bottoms and away from the hunters. They may be dumb animals but they aren't stupid.
Oh well, better get moving or I'll get stuck to this chair.
MUD
12/09/2013
It Warmed up and What did We Get? SNOW!
Last week the weatherman predicted 2 to 4 inches of new snow and I thought it was too cold to snow. We normally get snows only when the wind shifts to the south and that warm moist air meets the cold. That's what happened yesterday and we got an inch of new white ground cover. Pretty but as soon as that snow left, the clear sky let the heat out and now it is pretty, cold. Walking out to get the paper I could feel the wind blowing through my coat and it sure was nice to get back in and drink a hot cuppa coffee.
One nice thing is that our trip to Oklahoma was delayed from today to a little later on. Now sure when the lawyers will get their schedule together and make it happen. One way or the other, I will be glad to stop the trips to Shawnee, OK. I have driven about every way to get there and none of them are very exciting. It has been nice to see Rick in Skiatook and the Quicks over in Cleveland. With that said, The Ford is about to turn over 100,000 miles and we are wearing it our fast.
Speaking of Ford's, the paper today had an ad for one of the new Ford's that claims to get 100 MPG. It is some kind of electric motors and a 2.0 gas motor combination. It was the only car without a price shown. I guess if you have to ask, you can't afford it. My brother has a Prius with a lot of miles and it gets 50 MPG and is still running down the road well. That has to be the future of cars.
Dave and His wife came over yesterday and I attempted to fix shrimp and grits. It was pretty much a failure. They tasted pretty darned good when I fixed them last time. This time the grits just never got firm and the shrimp sauce had to be remade as the 1st batch of Cajun seasoning for the shrimp was too salty. We ate it but there was no raving over the quality. On the other hand, Barb put some chicken breasts in the crock put and added a package of wild rice soup and man was that ever good.
When the girls finished eating and they made Christmas cookies for Barb's parents. They made wedding cookies for her mother and a version of the Uncle Chuck's Chocolate Chip cookies for her dad. They just aren't the same without coconut and with Splenda. I guess they are a lot better than no cookies. I know that Barbara and her sisters worked hard to find the perfect cookie recipe. I know it was tough work to eat all those near perfect cookies to reach perfection. I know they don't last long whenever they show up here. Somehow they manage to incorporate coconut and oatmeal into a cookie that is just yummy. I'll bet there are all sorts of family recipes for Christmas goodies. There is Mom B's fudge that is also mighty fine.
The deer are still looking pretty good as I feed them cracked corn. If the December weather is any hint of what's to come, look out come January. That's when the sick lame and lazy deer show up looking for food. Perhaps I need to move the feed pan a little closer to the house so I don't have to slip and slide down the hill.
Global Warming is a hoax. It is only December and colder than hell out there.
MUD
One nice thing is that our trip to Oklahoma was delayed from today to a little later on. Now sure when the lawyers will get their schedule together and make it happen. One way or the other, I will be glad to stop the trips to Shawnee, OK. I have driven about every way to get there and none of them are very exciting. It has been nice to see Rick in Skiatook and the Quicks over in Cleveland. With that said, The Ford is about to turn over 100,000 miles and we are wearing it our fast.
Speaking of Ford's, the paper today had an ad for one of the new Ford's that claims to get 100 MPG. It is some kind of electric motors and a 2.0 gas motor combination. It was the only car without a price shown. I guess if you have to ask, you can't afford it. My brother has a Prius with a lot of miles and it gets 50 MPG and is still running down the road well. That has to be the future of cars.
Dave and His wife came over yesterday and I attempted to fix shrimp and grits. It was pretty much a failure. They tasted pretty darned good when I fixed them last time. This time the grits just never got firm and the shrimp sauce had to be remade as the 1st batch of Cajun seasoning for the shrimp was too salty. We ate it but there was no raving over the quality. On the other hand, Barb put some chicken breasts in the crock put and added a package of wild rice soup and man was that ever good.
When the girls finished eating and they made Christmas cookies for Barb's parents. They made wedding cookies for her mother and a version of the Uncle Chuck's Chocolate Chip cookies for her dad. They just aren't the same without coconut and with Splenda. I guess they are a lot better than no cookies. I know that Barbara and her sisters worked hard to find the perfect cookie recipe. I know it was tough work to eat all those near perfect cookies to reach perfection. I know they don't last long whenever they show up here. Somehow they manage to incorporate coconut and oatmeal into a cookie that is just yummy. I'll bet there are all sorts of family recipes for Christmas goodies. There is Mom B's fudge that is also mighty fine.
The deer are still looking pretty good as I feed them cracked corn. If the December weather is any hint of what's to come, look out come January. That's when the sick lame and lazy deer show up looking for food. Perhaps I need to move the feed pan a little closer to the house so I don't have to slip and slide down the hill.
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| It's hard work but someone had to feed them. |
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| Feed them and they will come |
MUD
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