Finally.................

Definitely A "Sharon Special"

I saw a commercial for it yesterday.  So, Sunday, July 31st, Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens will premiere on Syfy network.  Grab your refreshments and settle in!  I will!   Now, if SyFy does like they have done in the past they will run all 3 previous Sharknado movies prior to the latest one.  Might run the first 3 a few times in the week preceding.  Whatever, you'll have the opportunity to catch up during SyFy Sharknado Week (as they call it.)  And just so you don't think that the fun will end anytime soon, production of Sharknado 5 - AND 6 - (WooooHooo!!!) has been confirmed.  Now, some may wonder at the caption that I put under the picture (top,left).  My late mother-in-law would often come in when I was watching a cheesy Sci Fi movie, give a deep sigh, and say "Jerry, you watch weird Sh**"  To which I would nod my head, and say, "Yep, and I love 'em"!  (Which I do!)  So, in her honor, whenever I watch (Tivoed or broadcast) movies of this ilk, I warn anyone around that what follows, will be a "Sharon Special"!  Most of the Godzilla movies (not all) fall under the S.S. label, and a lot of the ones on SyFy network (i.e. "Sharktopus vs. Piranhaconda", "Dinocroc vs. Supergator", "Ice Spiders", and "Arachnoquake" - to name a few.)  Now, in my defense, I feel that I can not be alone in my love of cheesy Science Fiction movies.  I mean, they make sooooo many.    So, if you are such a person, let the scoffers just back off.  I like to watch good stuff, but what would life be without a big helping of cheese!
Everyone have a great day!

Father's Day Memories/Perspective

Many a day - in my youth spent this way

At this point in my life (age 61), I sometimes find it hard to fathom that I am a father, let alone a grandfather!  Some days I actually feel my age, but depending on whats going on I find myself thinking about not long ago graduating from Starkville High (1972), or being in my 20's or 30's.  In the part-time job that I will have for a few more weeks (see last entry), I have a lot of time to think.  Mother's Day was past and I knew Father's Day would be coming next month.  So I started thinking about my own father and grandfathers.  Now, I never knew my Dad's dad.  He passed away when I was only a few months old (1955).  My mother's dad (Grover Sanders), who I (and my children) always called "Big Daddy" was the only grandfather I knew, and he was a great one!  My father (Fred) passed away in 1991, when my oldest child was only 13, so Big Daddy was pretty much their grandfather too.
I don't want to be sad, so I will share a couple of happy memories of my daddy and "Big Daddy".  My dad, was an avid fisherman, and even though I still enjoy the occasional fishing trip, I wasn't into as much as he was.  But, as a boy, I wanted to spend time with him (other than at work - I worked with him weekends and after school - as detailed in other entries) when he was having fun.  So early one Saturday morning, right at sunrise, we were in his boat and going out to check the lines he had set out.  I was still half asleep, and was trailing my hand in the water along side the boat when Dad picked up a pole, tapped me on the leg and said, "Son, you might want to pick up your hand."  I sleepily said, "Huh?", looked over and proceeded to yell and try to levitate at the same moment.  Following my hand was a big gator. (They had been brought in years previous to try and control the beaver population at Noxubee Reservoir.)  I was still shaking, and remember him laughing - at least until he accidentally dropped his cigar in the water.  Then, he lit up another Swisher Sweet, took a puff, and sagely asked, "Need to change your drawers?"  I was not amused.  At least then, I can laugh about it now.
When I was a young boy I was (and still am) an avid reader.  In my pre- and early teens, I was heavily into comic books.  I mowed a lot of yards to support my habit - I mean - they cost 12 cents each for the monthly titles and a whole quarter for the 80 page GIANTS.  Anyway, I digress.  I was 13, had a broken right foot, and was spending the second week of June (since school had just ended) at Big Daddy's and Mama Jenny's.  I had read several of my recently purchased (from saved coinage) titles and was really lusting after an 80 page Spiderman title what was not carried at the United Grocery on Main Street in Starkville (They carried primarily DC monthlies and giants, and very few Marvel (Spiderman being one) monthlies only.  I knew, from a past conversation with the magazine supplier, that McKinnon's Market in Sturgis (Mississippi), the next town over, carried Marvel monthlies and Giants.  So, when Big Daddy got home from work, after working all day in the hot June Mississippi sun, I immediately set about what I thought would be a campaign to take me to Sturgis.  Instead, he just asked my grandmother how long until supper was ready (hour or more she said), poured himself a cold drink of water from the pitcher in the fridge, and said "Let's go!"  I vividly remember the drive in his old green pickup.  Window's rolled down (no a/c), and my cast-encased right foot up and out the window talking excitedly about comics and Big Daddy just smiling and nodding his head.  We got to McKinnon's and he helped me (on my crutches) up the steps so I could get to the comic stand (which I could see just behind the glass window of the store. Not only did they have the Spiderman Giant I wanted, but I ended up spending 8 of the 11 dollars I had.  The only reason I didn't spend that is I knew it would be a few weeks before I could start mowing again, and some DC titles I regularly read would be out before then.  After my purchase, we made our way back to Big Daddy's, had supper, and as they watched TV I lost myself in Spidey's battle with the Green Goblin. 
  Its been almost 25 years(Oct.1991) since Dad passed and  I lost Big Daddy 13 years ago (2003), But I still miss them both!  These two men, with diametrically opposite personalities, did more to shape me in my early years than any one.  I will always love them.  If your father is still around, make sure they know that you do!
Everyone have a great day!

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!