LOOOONG Weekend

The picture is of me 3 years ago (about 6 months after my wife died). I was going through my gnarly, biker phase. I hadn't cut my hair or my beard since my wife's funeral at the time. I still consider myself a biker, since I ride year round - even when the temps approach zero - which isn't often here in Mississippi. Anyway, I still have the same bike and tomorrow DKB and I are on our way to Arkansas (& very close to the Oklahoma border) to visit her parents & brother. We've been planning the trip for a while and we are both looking forward to it. We are taking the bike. I just had the oil changed in the bike and had it inspected yesterday, so we are good to go. My oldest son is going to take care of the pets for us while we are gone. When I get home tonight we'll pack the big travel bag I have and get everything ready for the trip. That way, when we get up in the morning, we just hop on the bike and hit the road (Cue Steppenwolf: "Born to be Wild") I've loved that song since it first came out - and I'm dating myself, but I was in Junior High then.

I mentioned pets. There is this one website I visit ever possible day. It's called the Animal Rescue Site and just by giving a click with your mouse you can donate food once a day, every day. If you have, or just like, animals - take 10 seconds each day and click your mouse for them. Bookmark the page and visit if often.

Pets Can Be Funny

I have 2 chihuahua mix dogs (Harley - chi/whippet & Pearl - chi/feist) and DKB's Shaddow (Lab mix - knee high & 65 lbs.) Well, this morning when I let Harley & Pearl out of the kennel I keep them in (inside), Shaddow was bouncing up & down excitedy waiting to go out with them. To set this up properly, I have to tell you I have vinyl tile floors which are very slick to dogs which need their nails clipped, and there is one big turn they have to make coming through the kitchen when heading to the front door. (Now, don't get ahead of me - I know you can see it coming.) Anyway, as they rounded the turn, Harley's feet slipped out from under him and clipped Shaddow's back legs causing her to fall over and start to slide. She slid into & slightly under Pearl, ending up with Pearl "surfing" Shaddow up to the door, while Harley lay there with a slightly stunned "WTF" look on his face. I wish I had had a camera handy. It was priceless.

If you like blues and jazz, may I suggest that you listen to WWOZ out of New Orleans. They play a nice mix of jazz, blues, and zydeco. You know, N'awlin's music. Having lived in New Orleans for four years ('88-'92), it brings back some nice memories. I hoping that early next year DKB & I can make it down for Mardi Gras.

In 3 more days DKB & I are taking a little road trip and visiting her folks in Arkansas. I'm looking forward to a very nice (long) weekend. I've met her mom & dad before (although it was only an hour or so with dad), but I've never met her brother. A situation which will soon be changed.

Ahh, well, not much more to pass. Everyone have a Great Day!

Onto the Soapbox

Okay, if you've read this blog before you know that I ride my motorcycle most days and since there is no radio and a fairly straight shot to and from work, it gives you time to think. Last night I dreamed about my late wife and the events that led up to and immediately after her tragic death. I must admit to being a bit fuzzy on the couple of days after, because I was in a state of shock. I loved my wife and within a few hours she was gone. Totally unexpected. It was a very rough period of my life and I struggled with depression for several months. But back to the dream, or actually a series of dreams. After the first (detailed above), I dreamed - and this was a little strange - that my late wife(LW), DKB, and I were all dining together. LW knew she had passed on and told DKB - "Take care of him. He's a good man, but can be a bit of a klutz when doing home projects." She then regaled DKB with what seemed hours of my klutzy adventures. Then I dreamed of mine and DKB's wedding day. When the preacher got to the part about "reasons why not and speak now". LW said "If I'm okay with it, nobody else had better say anything!" Now I know dreams are our own projections and perceptions, but I like to think that LW would actually say those things if she could. At one point in our lives together, we had actually talked about what we would do if one of us passed on, and we agreed that neither of us would like the other to be alone for the rest of their lives.

When DKB and I get married, it will have been almost 4 years since LW passed on. I know she would have wanted me to be happy and DKB makes me happy. So I want to say this (drag over soapbox) "If anyone has a problem with these impending nuptials - GET OVER IT!!!!!" Its going to happen. LW wanted me to be happy and I see no reason why I shouldn't be. I hope to have many, many years with DKB.

I've had someone ask me if DKB was anything like LW. The short answer is NO. The longer I think about it, there are a very things (both liked to crochet and make things, for example) that are similar, but not really. Then I got to thinking, that "wouldn't it be a little creepy if I just went out to try and find basically a LW clone?" So, I'm going to stick with the short answer, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I loved LW and love DKB, for very different reasons - except one: Both made/make me happy when we were/are together. Life goes on and is too short to dwell on negatives - everyone should strive to be their happiest. I know I am! I now surrender the soapbox.

Everyone have a great day!

So I say, Huh?

Today is one of those days when I have absolutely no idea what I want to put down here, so I imagine I'll be ramblin' a bit. Last night DKB and I watched "Yes Man" with Jim Carey and Zoey Deschanel. Funny movie. And Zoey has a pair of the deepest blue eyes I've ever seen. And if her name seems familiar, its because her sister (Emily) stars in "Bones" on Fox TV. If you've never seen it, shame on you. Great show!

If you've read DKB's blog , you will know that this is gonna be a "leftover" week for us, and that's okay. I grilled enough meat products yesterday that we can sup this week without heating up the house. This is very important, since the heat index today will hit around 110. May sure all your outside pets have plenty of shade and fresh water.

I recently started reading the "Agatha Raisin" mystery series by M. C. Beaton. I've read the first 3 (there are about 20). They are engaging little mysteries set in a quaint English countryside and all (so far) are very quick reads. So if you want a way to wind yourself through a lazy afternoon, you might give them a try.

DKB & I now have our sights set on the 4th of July holiday weekend. This is the next "event" for us. If things work out the way we hope, we will be buzzing out to Arkansas to visit her family for a few days. The long range forecast is calling for sunny days, so we hope to ride the motorcycle out. Cheaper on gas, you know.

I've rambled enough. Everyone have a great day!

Isn't Love Strange

You know, when I had a bit of free time yesterday (well, actually I was preparing supper as I waited for DKB to get home from her eye appointment), I was thinking of the journey that my life has taken me on thus far. I have been fortunate to have loved, and been loved, by two women - my late wife and my current fiance. It boggles my mind sometimes that I have been so blessed. Especially when you consider how very different these two women are. Two personalities so diametrically opposed, both chose me to be their life partners. Wow! If you don't think that brings some pressure to live up to - you are outta your mind.

And timing is everything - DKB brought it up last night as I was reading to her (as she cleaned) that 3 years ago, the situation was such that we would have never met, let alone start going out. I agreed with her, but I think everything in our lives happens for a reason, even if we might not see it at the time. I truly loved my first wife and even now still miss her at times, but I also truly love DKB and could not fathom my life without her now that we have found each other. I look forward to our wedding and the rest of our lives together.

The weekend is upon us and once again (tomorrow) I mow, but Sunday is a day of family. Most of my children & their families will make it to the old homestead for a cookout (burgers, hot dogs, & fixins'). I'm looking forward to it. Everyone have a great day!!!

Tuesday Ramblings

Tuesday morning and while it sucks to be broke - I have to say that my life is actually going pretty darn well. I was reflecting that I have a sweetie that loves me for who I am and is marrying me in 4 1/2 months, my home is paid for (even if it does need some repairs), I only have a year until my truck is paid off, no rain is really expected this week so I should be able to mow Saturday, and most of my children will be at my house Sunday for a "Father's Day" cookout. Life is good.

Yesterday was a bit busier than most Mondays for me, but it has slowed down a bit today, giving me a bit of time to blog (even though I'm procrastinating a bit on one job). DKB & I got quite a few little jobs done yesterday evening after I got home from work. Things are coming along. Still quite a bit to do, but we will get there eventually.

The End of a Perfect Day
Cool evening breeze wafting through the leaves,
Shadows stretching out under the trees,
Harley and Pearl yipping in the yard,
Shaddow laid out sleeping, breathing hard,
Darkness chases the waning sun from the sky,
And I have Debra and she has I.

I am content. Everyone have a great day!

Weekend Road Trip

Saturday, DKB & I took a road trip to Gulfport (MS) to deliver a bookcase and a few boxes of odds and ends for my middle daughter. Then Saturday afternoon we zipped over to Mobile (AL) and visited with my youngest son and his wife. We had a very nice time. We went to Wintzell's Oyster House (on Airport Blvd.) for a late lunch of "oysters on the half shell" and later that evening my soon cooked up a 35 pound sack of crawfish with little red potatoes, corn cobettes, and mushrooms. It was very tasty and filling. We sat around eating and talking until almost 1 AM Sunday morning. LOTS of fun. We hit the road around lunch time on Sunday and came back home because I had to be at work again today (MONDAY :-P). Anyway - just a short entry - hope to do more later this week.

Everyone have a great day!