A Bit of Sad News

I had posted in January that Harley had gone missing. Well, while I was out mowing on Saturday, I made the sad discovery of Harley's remains. The skeleton was intact (which was pretty much all it was) and there was enough fur left to make identification possible. Since the skeleton was intact, it looks like he just laid down & died. I hope it was peaceful. Rest in peace, buddy. You are missed.

Happy Happy Monday!

Ya ever have one of those weekends where you had so much stuff going on that come Monday you were glad you could get back to work! Well, thats the kind of weekend my DKW & I just had. It actually started early on Thursday (Apr.8th). I took the afternoon off from work, dropped my truck at Wm. Wells Automotive to have a new wiper motor put in and we took the Yaris over to Columbus (35 miles away) for the 2nd (& last free) oil change, tire rotation & service on our '09 Toyota Yaris. Then Friday We went to Rick's to see the Molly Ringwalds (see last blog entry). We had a good time. A very high energy show. But it was way past my usual bed time. The show didn't start until almost 11 and went on for 2 full non-stop hours. It was fun. DKW & I enjoyed the band and people watching too. Then Saturday, I started the mowing season. Mowed for about 5 hours. Didn't cut everything I usually do because the yard was so soggy in spots as to make it impossible. And I didn't want to spend all day pulling my mower out of the mud (which I had to do several times anyway). But I mowed and did a bit of trimming and after a much needed shower (I was hot, sweaty, muddy and just generally skanky) DKW and I went into town and had a nice supper at China Garden (a Chinese/Sushi buffet) - since neither of us felt like cooking. Sunday I woke up a bit stiff & sore, but hung the shadow box my son made for me (see DKW's blog for more on this), did a couple of loads of laundry, swept the floor and prepared a deer roast (to cook later in the day) and put it in the fridge. I relaxed for an hour and then went to get my mother & take her to a baby hour for my youngest daughter. So we spent 3 hours there and I was happy for my daughter. But while there, DKW came by with a Yaris problem. (Again - she details this on her blog - so you can read it there if you want). So, I called the Geico folks and reported the chasm conundrum. Finally, around 6:30 I made it back home, changed into my jammies and said hello to my recliner for the evening. Whew! Like I said - a full weekend - its Monday morning and I've taken time from what promises to be a very busy day to share this with all - but considering the last few days - I'm happy its Monday!

Everyone have a great day!

Naps, Music and Movies

I think I'll take a nap when I get off work today. Since DKW and I are going out tonight to see "The Molly Ringwalds" play at a local club and tomorrow starts the "mowing" season for me. When I get up in the morning I'll have to go and get my gas cans filled before I start mowing. I have 5+ acres I cut, so it takes me several hours.

Last night I watched the Marx Brother's movie "The Big Store" (1941). I had never seen it before and I thought I had seen them all. Typical Marx Brother's fare - but I enjoyed it.
While I was watching the movie, as I usually do, I was observing some of the background extras. Noticed a couple of them wander through the background more than once during one of the musical numbers. Since extras are usually uncredited - couldn't help but wonder if they had much of a movie career. The real "Molly Ringwald" did !- - - and I've always liked redheads - although at the moment I'm partial to pink. Love ya my CCQ!

Everyone have a great weekend!

I prefer "Seasoned" to Senior

Be that as it may, I turned 55 on April 3rd. The morning of April 4th as DKW and I were departing Mobile (AL), after our visit with my youngest son & wife, we stopped at the IHOP for breakfast and I got my very first "Senior Discount". They start giving the discount at age 55 - so what the hey - if I qualify - I'm gonna save that money. Why not? I was a food service manager (after I retired from the Coast Guard) for 7 years and more than once heard "Give me my damn senior discount!". I do promise that I will ask nicely - but yeah - "Gimme my senior discount!" Every dollar saved counts!

Everyone have a great day!

Shadow Box Pictures

Ok. This is the Shadow box I was talking about in my entry from yesterday. Isn't it sweet?

Was I Surprised!

In addition to this past weekend being Easter, Saturday (3rd) was my 55th birthday. We had a 3 day weekend (Fri,Sat,Sun), so DKW and I went to the coast (Mobile, AL) to visit my youngest son and take the deer head (that the taxidermist had finished for him) to him. Well, the unit (Gulf Strike Team) that my son is stationed at is one that I was a "Plank Owner" of. (Plank Owner means that I was one of the original founding members of the unit). Anyway, DKW & I were at the unit Award's ceremony (for what I assumed was my son getting an award) and I suspected nothing when my son was called forward. Well, I could have been blown over when I was then called forward and my son presented me with a beautiful shadow box (that he & some unit buddies had built) containing a plaque with all the units in my career, Coast Guard & U.S. flag, rank badges for all my ranks, and all my ribbons I was awarded. It is beautiful (and as soon as I get some pics taken, I'll post them here. I was also given a unit cap with "Plank Owner" sewn in the rear, making it a "one-of-a-kind" hat and a unit t-shirt. Afterwards, there was a reception with food and cake. It was a fantastic day. I couldn't help getting a little teary-eyed as it was happening. Chris, Jenn, DKW & I went to Wintzell's Oyster House that evening and had oysters and seafood. Then we went back to their house, had a fire in the backyard, talked and ended what was a fantastic day (at least for me). On Saturday, we went to Bellingrath Gardens and walked around. Not everything was in bloom at this time of year, but you could imagine how pretty it is when it is. To finish the evening, we grilled steaks, had baked potatoes, and onions sauteed with mushrooms & shrimp. It was, all-in-all, a great weekend and one of my best birthdays ever. But as ever, it was always nice to get back home.

I will post pictures some time this week. Everyone have a great day!

Fools and Birthdays

I always enjoyed pulling the occasional April Fool's Day prank, but decided this year just to provide a link to this website for the Top 100 AFD Pranks of all time. Some I knew about - Some I didn't but I think everyone will find the list interesting.

Day after tomorrow (3rd) is my birthday and DKW and I will be heading to Mobile (today) for a visit with my youngest son and his wife, before they move to Miami. He is in the Coast Guard and has orders to leave (probably in May - but maybe June). So we may not see them for a while after this. And if you are interested, this song, was number one on the Billboard Charts on the day I was born. I don't think it will give it away to say that it was the theme to a TV show and that I liked to watch the show (in re-runs, of course) and I liked the song. Anyway - Enjoy.

Everyone have a great day!