On My Time Being My Time

Okay, all things considered, I'm a pretty fortunate guy.  The point I've arrived at in my life, has taken a lot of planning - & a lot of luck. (Not all of it the best.)
I am currently 61 years old and I have worked since I was 10.  At the age of 10, I spent most Saturdays (& everyday during the summer) working for my Dad, who was a roofer/carpenter.  I started by just toting asphalt shingles to the roof for him and his crew to put on.  Asphalt shingles weigh 90 pounds per bundle.  I started carrying half a bundle at a time and by the time I joined the Coast Guard (at age 17) I could carry 2 bundles comfortably and 3, if pressed.  But I digress.....
I retired from the U. S. Coast Guard after 21 years, and last year I retired from Mississippi State University.  I sought, and eventually found a part-time job working two days a week.  Well, as I've been working less, and I've come to see that our expenses are manageable (our home & cars are paid for), I've come to covet my time more than having a job.  So, effective July 1st, I will be leaving my P-T job, and I'm looking forward to it.  More "me" time means I can do jobs around the home at my leisure, and stop before I get too tired and/or injure myself.  More time for little "crafty" things that I do as a hobby, and (most importantly) more time to be with my sweetie.
Now, I mentioned some of the luck was not so great.  In 2010, just about 9 months into my marriage, I was going home on my motorcycle when an elderly gentleman turned in front of me without warning.  I had less than 10 feet to react (the skid was 7 feet long) and could not avoid him.  Thankfully, I survived and the settlement I received is the big reason my home (with a new roof) and cars are paid for.  I DO NOT recommend this way of earning money.  I was months recovering, and have no memory of the accident or 2 months following.  Probably for the best, because I'm told I was in a lot of pain.  But again, I digress......
The last paragraph just brings home vividly that life is short.  That being the case, and because I can, I plan on living it as fully as I can.  Why Work?
Everyone have a great day

Mom's Day Thoughts

Happy Mom's Day! Put yours on a pedestal! (Machine gun optional)

Today, May 8th, is Mother's Day, and its a bitter-sweet day for me.

My first wife (and my children's mother) passed away in December, 2005.  I still love and miss her, and my present wife understands that she will always have a place in my heart. (Just one of the reasons I love her.)  So - to my children - remember your mom on this day.
Now, DKW lost her mom in December, 2014.  Sharon was a unique character (to put it mildly) and I grew to love her in the few years we had together.  DKW was (and to some point - still) devastated by her passing.  The closest comparison I can make, is the extent to which my oldest was affected when Sue passed.  They were more than mother-daughter, they were best buds!  Now, all the kids were affected to some extent - but she seemed affected most deeply. 
Now, this past December (2015), I lost my mom.  (yes - with very few exceptions - December sucks for me.)  It was kind of anticipated, but anytime you lose a parent it hurts.  Miss ya Mom!
Now, I will be a day late - but I plan to tomorrow go put flowers on their graves, in addition to my grandmother who passed away a few years ago. (But not in December!) 
In an unrelated matter, I was finally able to mow for the first time yesterday afternoon and I'm still a bit sore.
Now, the day started horribly.  I woke around 4:00 AM and wanted a drink of water.  As I walked into the kitchen I heard rushing water and realized the kitchen, living room breakfast nook, and a bedroom (not the master) had a few inches of water in them.  I was able to cut off the water under the kitchen sink.  But it took 5 plus hours to get the water up. (I filled a 3 1/2 gallon mop bucket 28 times.  And that doesn't take into account the number of towels used.  I purchased a new kitchen spigot, but after a frustrating hour, gave up and hired a friend to install the new one.  Great decision on my part!  He fixed the sink/leak and I started mowing the jungle. Its weird, I know, but I find mowing relaxing.  I put in my ear plugs and am alone with my thoughts.
Now, briefly back to DKW's mom - Sharon.  I have, and have always had, an affinity for cheesy Sci-fi or horror movies.  If I was watching one of that ilk when she came over, she would watch a short bit and then invariably say, "Jerry, you watch weird sh*t!"   So, today being Mother's Day and All, DKW and I are about to watch a TOXIC AVENGER marathon (The Toxic Avenger, The Toxic Avenger Part Two, The Toxic Avenger Part 3: The Last Temptation of Toxie, and Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV.).  This on the heels that The Toxic Avenger 5: Toxic Twins is planned for a future release.
Everyone cherish your mom and your memories!

Back to it

The last few weeks have been fairly rough for DKW and I as we've both been sick and fighting the crud.  I seem to be doing somewhat better now.  A little wrung-out and feeling weak, but other than a tickle in the middle of my chest that makes me cough when I breath deeply, I'm much better than I have been.  My birthday was almost 10 days ago (April 3rd) and I turned 61.   Now that is not too big a deal to most folks, but my Grandfather (George) died at age 60, and his son (my father), Fred died at age 56.  So for my personal family history (on my dad's side), I am currently the longest lived male.  Now, on my mother's side (who passed in December, 2015), she lived to be 80, and her parents (my maternal grands) both lived to age 97.  I've been told my whole life that I took after my mother's side of the family, and I hope so.  I'm shooting for a 100-plus!

Hmmmm! And made in Mississippi

Mowing season is upon us again, but lots of rain is making it difficult to do anything.  I did get out with my riding mower this past Saturday as the ground, though damp, was fairly firm and rain was predicted for yesterday. (And it did rain all day long).  I mowed the front yard of my house but had to quit as the mower was having all sorts of issued.  The repair guy just picked it up and took it to his shop a few minutes ago.  He's supposed to give me an estimate before doing the work.  It may be time to get a new mower.  We'll just have to see.  Everyone have a great day!

HAIL STATE!

My youngest Grandchild at Easter

I love this picture!  I've been sick for 5 days now, and it has kicked my butt.  It was nice to get this though from my daughter.  Little DC has her fierce face on! 

Being sick SUCKS!

Especially if your significant other is sick at the same time.  Now I don't get sick that often, but when I do - its seems to kick my butt!  Tuesday evening I started feeling a little blahh.  Wednesday I woke up with a slight fever and feeling a bit weak.  As the day wore on, I  was getting weaker, light-headed and more feverish.  At one point, (around 8 or 9 last night) my fever got up to 101.9.  I was trying to ingest a lot of fluids, not really feeling like eating much.  My fever was still over 101 when I got up this morning, but I think I finally broke the fever about an hour or so ago (I hope).  My body temp seems like its back to normal and I'm feeling a bit cold.  So I'm gonna cover up and rest.  Still really weak.   If I don't start getting some strength back today, I think I may have to blow off my (part-time) job again tomorrow.  I hate to do it, but my working sick does no one any good.  Ya know.
Have a great day!

FaceBook - hmmmmmmm - - no

Actually I do have a Facebook account - but I can't even remember the last time I posted anything.  I do try to get on it at least once a week to check out any new posts that my kids and/or grandkids have made.  That is the reason I got an account in the first place - cause that is where new pics of my grandkids go, along with any accomplishments or family news.   I have a (very) few friends, but I DO NOT converse on facebook.  I don't have umpty-hundred (thousand or million) friends - and don't want them.  The reasons for this are (1) Lots of folks just like to argue or state something outrageous to get a rise out of folks. (2) People Lie!  Believe it or not - lots of untruth on the inter-web!  (3) There are a lot of high-tech Idiots - that believe anything and pass it on as gospel (see 2 for explanation).
I prefer email or IM to talk with folks - as it is more private. (I do use the phone too - but my hearing is not great - and getting worse.)  Those folks that matter to me can send me an email or IM me if I'm on line.  If you don't have my email - well, you're not family - or a close enough friend.  You can always call and ask me.  I'm in the book. (If you don't know my name - wellll........)   Before leaving this topic, just let me say that I know some folks love to FB and thinks its great.  Heck, my sweetie is active there and lets me know if there is anything that might interest me. - But I prefer to continue with limited involvement.  How you continue is up to you!
Tomorrow Chiquita (our chihuahua) will be 3 years old.   The smallest and youngest of our 3 girls.  And two weeks from today I celebrate the Fabulous Fortieth Anniversary of my 21st birthday!
Everyone have a great day!

Barsooming Along

First Edition cover art

I recently finished reading the John Carter of Mars series written by Edgar Rice Burroughs.  (Who is more widely known as the creator of Tarzan.)  John Carter first appeared in 1917's "A Princess of Mars".  If you are looking for a science based series, you will be sorely disappointed.  This series is pure fantasy, but greatly enjoyable, at least to me.  There are eleven books in the series, but because the last two are actually compilations of short stories that appeared in sci fi pulp mags in the 1930's, book 11 was actually published before book 10.  But to keep action and referrals straight, read 10 before 11 - understand?  I also find it interesting that Burroughs was a much more prolific author than I thought.  (He wrote over two dozen Tarzan books alone.)
I'm gonna take a little Burroughs break for a bit, but I do plan to read more of his.  I want to read his "Carson of Venus" series (first book being  "Pirates of Venus" - 1934) and see how it compares to John Carter.  Similarities, differences, etc.  Before doing that though I plan on reading some Thorne Smith.  Smith is an author that passed away in 1934 at the age of 36.  He didn't write a huge number of books, but he did create some characters that are still known to this day.  Last week DKW and I watched a movie titled "I Married A Witch" which was based on Smith's book "The Passionate Witch".  Now this might not mean much to most folks, but this was the basis for the 60's TV series "Bewitched", which a bunch of folks know or at least have heard of.

Smith also created "Topper" which was the basis for a couple of movies (The first starring Cary Grant in 1934) and a TV series in the 1950's.
As you might gather, I enjoy reading older fiction just to see how perspectives have changed over the years.  But don't think I don't read newer stuff, I do.  I just tend to read different eras in batches.  And I do read a bunch. 
Today is Super Bowl Sunday though, and I will be watching.  This will be the 50th Super Bowl.  Although technically, the first two were not called the Super Bowl.  It was the "AFL-NFL World Championship Game" (both won by the Packers).  In 1968, Super Bowl was first used (for S.B. III) when Joe Namath and the upstart Jets upset the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.  I am 60 and I have seen every one to this point, so I don't plan to start missing them now.
Everyone have a great day!