A Small Rant!

I did it! I finally just did it! I hit the "Off " button on the TV!!!!!

Most of the time I watch the National news around suppertime, but tonight, I could not believe the crud they were spewing, so enough, is enough! I have known for sometime that what they consider news, are items that they hope, will destroy a persons character and credibility. Integrity, it seems is a thing of the past in the news business, (if it ever existed,) so they just throw it all out there and see what sticks to the wall. Whatever sticks, gets the big headline story.
Well, they can spray their slanted ( news) at the American public all they want to, but I sure won't be listening !
"Pop eye" Said it best....".I can't stands no more."

The Way It Used To Be !

Being an old geezer. I suppose gives way to thinking about the journey of some 75 years, some of the events that took place. and how they affected my life. So here we go!

After my Step-Dad got out of the Merchant Marines,(1950) we moved to western Michigan. He was from that area, so it was the best thing for us as he could find work up there.

What makes the story interesting is that they bought a home, right in the middle of a Dutch community! Now I'm talking about first generation Dutch, with all of the old customs of the Netherlands still in tact. For me it was culture shock to the max!
There was an old grandmother that on Wednesday would bake some of the best sweet rolls you could imagine. My Dutch playmates knew all about this and invited me along. I did not know that the shoes were taken off at the door of any Dutch home, so here I go, shoes and all to sample the goodies.
When the old grandmother saw me, I thought the wrath of God had descended upon me!
She grabbed a broom and was shooing me to the door, I am sure she used her best Dutch cuss words until I was out of the door. Only then did one of my friends come out and explain the custom.
Long story short, after taking off my shoes, and with my socks full of holes, did I get a sweet roll!
This Wednesday tradition went on until we were all in high school. I wore better socks on Wednesday's!
Our neighborhood was spotless, even  in the winter. In the fall and spring all of the Dutch neighbors would scrub their houses down, leaving them all gleaming white. No other color was used, just white houses. The street washing was a big event that took place in the early spring. The whole neighborhood turned out with brooms and buckets of water. We as a family, soon  learned their customs and went along with the program. We were not Dutch, but when in Rome........

Sunday's were truly a day of rest. After they got home from The Dutch Reformed Church in the neighborhood, the curtains were drawn, and you saw no one until Monday morning, no kids, no one was out! So like them, after we got home from our church, you were stuck inside for the duration!

Dating was another set of rules. Dutch girls did not date boys who were not Dutch! However there were plenty of German, Lithuanians, and Irish girls to choose from, so it was not a big problem.

Visiting the old neighborhood a few years back, it had all changed. The old generation had all died out and their traditions with them. The new generation had moved on and scattered.
The Dutch people that I grew up with were clean living and moral, and many of their values stuck with me just through exposure to a different way of life. Great memories that I would not trade for anything! We now live in Tennessee, culture shock, Naaww!!!!

Smokey Mountain Travels

Finally decided it was time to come down off of the ridge and get a new perspective on things.

So we packed up the Pilot and hit I-40 East headed for the Smokey Mountains. We had made reservations to rent a cabin, way out in the mountains, out from Pidgeon Forge. We had seen the picture of the place on the internet, but had no idea just how remote the place was. We followed the directions we had been given and the road(?) kept getting narrower and narrower and very steep with plenty of curves up the mountain side. We finally found the owner, got the key, and more driving up the mountain, almost to the top where the road ended, and there was the cabin! This place was deluxe! Everything you could want, including bears, eagles and all of the other animals that live in the mountains.
The owner had given us a short tutorial about the bears, as well shared with us a picture of a huge black bear that was seen about 50 yards from the cabin a few days ago......great! I am no fan of bears, so listened to the owners words carefully.
We settled in for the week, and only made one trip into town for provisions, yes, back down that steep narrow road!
We did take a day and went into Gatlinburg, as I wanted to see for myself the fire damage. I can't imagine what it was like to look up and see the fire all over the mountain tops. It will take years for the trees to regenerate,and the people who lost everything to re- build. The town itself was not harmed, just the area's going up the mountain right next to town. We pretty well left the junk shops alone, as everywhere was wall to wall people, so back up to the cabin we went.

One day I was sitting on the porch and got to thinking, what would happen if a disaster struck and there was no way out. We could last maybe a week with the food we had. The thought of hunting for food, was almost laughable as all I had with me was the .380. Maybe a turkey, but certainly no big game! It was a sobering thought. Hats off to the preppers!

Finally, after a week of peace and serenity, it was time to pack it up and head back towards middle Tennessee. Over all, it was a great adventure. Would I go back and spend a week with the bears, well, No!
Our Dachshund, Toby, was glad to see us after a week of boarding. He walked right into the house like he had never left! Some dog!

We had a lot of catching up to do, Lawn, Wash and Grocery. Speaking of grocery's, boy, the prices just keep going up, even China*Mart is keeping pace with Kroger and all of the rest. On a fixed income, this is becoming a challenge! If we ate high on the hog, we could cut back, but there is no more cutting to do. I guess I had better learn to love SPAM again, and the many ways you can fix it!!

That's about it from here on the ridge, where women are huge, the men skinny and their kids will break into your car!

Mundane Rambling!

I took the Honda Pilot to the dealership today for it's scheduled oil change. Not exciting news there! The dealership had been previously been owned by an "old money" family, who really looked after their customers, the new owners, are a group of people, who appear to only be concerned with the bottom line, and boy, how it shows! I kind of felt like myself and others were getting the "bums rush"
today! There is still enough of the old south, in people that they can pick up on this very quickly, and oh, how they love to talk about a bad experience! So I'll go with the times and just suck it up and go on. I think it's time to find another dealership. Honda makes a great car, this one being my third. The others had almost zero problems, and I kept them until I just got tired of driving them. I do still have a Ford Ranger that is 22 years old and runs great, has a few minor problems, but hey, 22 years is pushing the envelope!

I think I have put on a few pounds over the winter. Today since it was warm, I pulled out a short sleeve knit shirt to wear. I put my clip holster for the LCP on and when I looked down, it was pretty obvious what was under my shirt!! Glad jeans have big front pockets, so I just plopped it in there.
I stopped at the local market for a few items, and when I went to pay, looked down, and the pistol had changed positions in my pocket, and made a pretty obvious bulge in the front. Now I'm in my mid seventy's, and if someone happened to take notice of it, I would have gotten the "bless his heart" which is southern for "the old fool!"  I hope Wally*World has some bigger shirts on sale!!

The rest of the week looks like mulching the front flower beds, the grand son's soccer game, cutting the grass (lawn) and might even get excited enough to was the two vehicles. And so it goes!

Where Has The Time Gone?

It's hard to believe that it has been several years since I have posted anything. I still follow a number of other Bloggers work every day, and for the most part enjoy them all.....

So here we go!

I guess the main reason I had to let the Blog lay dormant for so long, was that the wife had a mammogram that came back with a lump showing up. Well, if any of you have been down the breast cancer trail, you will know what an anxious time is about to unfold. First the biopsy, then the surgery, then the chemo and radiation, followed by numerous follow-up trips to the oncologist. At this point, everything is clear. Now if it will stay that way for about three more years, we can call it GONE!
I have to say, she has been a trooper through out the ordeal, totally positive.

News of late...We have a new dog! We had a mini Dachshund about eight years ago, that had three vertebrae go out in her back, so we lost her. We had been wanting another one, but here in middle Tennessee it's very hard to find one. Three months ago we were able to find what we wanted through a small breeder. He is a black and tan smooth coat, AKC Dachshund. They make great dogs, but are very strong willed. You have to be more "Bull-headed" than they are, or you are in for one heck of a ride!!! He is house trained, so the rest is easy. I call him my sawed off Doberman, for he is very protective of us and will be a great watch dog for here in the house. It will be death from the ankles down for an intruder I'm sure!

So far this year we have been lucky with the storms. They seem to split apart when they get to the ridge, and then reform. We have a slab house (no basement) so if we ever do get a tornado roaring overhead we are S.O.L.,I do keep a tube of lipstick in our "Safe place" so we can kiss our ass good bye, should one dip down!

I have just about stopped watching the National news on TV. The politicians are like a bunch of kids fighting over a marble game. The local news is not much better. We have discussed cutting off the satellite feed, and going back to an antenna, but here in the hills, I don't think we would be able to see even the local channels. Still contemplating, but that hundred dollars or so a month might just start looking better all of the time.

Hopefully, I will post more often, plenty to write about!

WHAT'S NEXT !!!

Last week, our refrigerator went "Toe's Up" on us. Seems that just when you get a few bucks ahead the dollar eating phantom shows up!

We knew we were having a problem with the old Kitchen mAid, when a pool of water greeted us one morning, and the compressor ran all of the time because the fan motor was shot. We were lucky to get an honest repairman, who after giving the old ice box the once over, told us we not need to spend another dime on it, but just go get a new one.

So that afternoon we drove down off of the ridge to Lowe's where we got a great price on a new Whirlpool model with french doors, and the freezer drawer on the bottom. Stainless steel as was the better half's choice. We were lucky in that we didn't loose but a few items of food, in the transition from old to new. Our old ice box we had in Georgia lasted twenty years, so  I'm looking for twenty out of this one. I had to laugh at what I just wrote....in twenty years I will be 91 years old !

Our daughter who lives 50 miles away has been wanting me to pressure wash the vinyl siding on her home, so Saturday morning we make the trek with the pressure washer in the back of the Pilot.
We got everything ready, and the pressure washer would not build pressure because of some bad
"O" rings that had shrunk over the summer in storage! Talk about feeling snake bit!!!

Kinda makes me wonder, what's going to go bad next...nothing I hope, but should it happen, I know I can count on that 1.7% Social Security increase to get me through!!!!!

Today, the wife and I cut the lawn for the last time until spring. The weather guessers are calling for a big freeze over the week end, so that should stop it's growth. Yard work is done for the winter!!

RAMBLINGS

I started growing the "Winter Beard" about two weeks ago. For those of you who grow your own face warmer, you know the first couple of weeks you look pretty scruffy.

Every year I am shocked by how much whiter the beard looks, which reflects my 70+ years. I give it another three weeks until I start looking like the other old geezers at the local big box store. The cost of razor blades is also an added incentive!

The weather guessers are telling us that here in middle Tn., we can expect a whopper of a storm between 11:00 PM and 2:00 AM, Wind, lightning, and perhaps a tornado. Most of the time, the more they try to scare us, the smaller storm we get! We take the proper precautions any way, who knows they just might get one right for a change!

SOLITUDE !

This past week I was reading a blog that I follow, and the subject was "Solitude."
Now there is a word for you! The article, which was linked, really gave a person something to think about. I wonder how many folks truly enjoy solitude? Personally, I enjoy and value what I call "Down Time." or time spent with just my wife. Solitude, is harder to come by!

Both of our career's were spent dealing with the public, She, working in a library, and mine in the funeral business, So to me, solitude, has great value at times. We both put up with our fair share of nut jobs and crazies over the years. After we retired we felt we had had enough, time to pull in the horns, and drop out of the social arena. We still compare notes about some of the strange and twisted people we have run into over the years which is great conversation on a cold winter's night, some sad, and some hilarious. We do allow for the fact that we are probably just a little 'Wacko" ourselves!

The article did go on to say that too much solitude, can lead to boredom or can go in another direction where in, the person becomes a hermit. Now, that's a scary thought! I don't envision ever becoming a hermit, because I like to people watch. When I used to travel a lot, time spent at the airport was better than the circus coming to town!

Speaking of people watching. you had better have your head on a swivel in the parking lot of the big box stores.  Ours is located just off of I-65, and there are some really rough looking people that blow in off of it. There have been more than one occasion that I was very glad to have "Elsie P" strapped to my belt. It's easy to tell the ridge runners or local folks, from the thugs that are up to no good.
I have been in two different Not So Fast Food places of late in which I saw a couple of good old boy's open carrying their pistols. I don't think Tennessee is an open carry state, but I say more power to them. It's coming folks!

If the indicators are even close, this winter might be a cold one, and I still have plenty to do to get ready.

I have made the decision to let the blog lay dormant for the summer. I will still read the blogs I follow, and make an occasional comment.

See Ya !

A NEW ELECTRIC EAR.

I've been loosing my hearing now for sometime, in my right ear. I'm pretty sure the wife is tried of me saying,
"What did you say?" So, I finally broke down and got a "Hearing Instrument" as they are now called.
I'm having a tough time getting used to it as everything sounds tinny, but despite that, I'm pretty sure I could hear a mouse fart at fifty yards! I look at it as though it's just one more notch, in the belt of getting old, of course those faulty ear plugs at the range, probably didn't help things either.

To add to the tale of woe, the dentist replaced seven crowns that had been leaking this month. The last two permanent crowns go on Monday, to say I'll be glad is an understatement!

The weather here has finally turned the corner, and it looks like in another two weeks we can plant some tomatoes, and a few other things to help the grocery bill a little. Today I put the lawn furniture back on the patio, so that, and a full tank of butane for the grill, must mean we are ready for the summer. Now for the mosquito's. They just discovered a new North African organism spread by our local mosquito's that will, if you
get bitten, take you out if you avoid the warning signs. Boy, what next? I think I will just forego listening to the news, and take my chances on all of the warnings, that the wombats delivering the news put out.

I did a little mechanic work on the '95 Ranger this past week. The temperature sender switch was bad, and the needle was on the peg, dead as a hammer. After I got home from the parts store, I'm sure I looked like a dog digging for a bone, way down in the engine compartment! But now it's fixed, and all is well. It's been a great truck, Ford got that one right!

OLD TIMES.

Another gloomy day! It's hard to get motivated with ice pack still on the ground, and fog to boot! I'm looking forward to August when Spring will finally arrive.

Yesterday, after the dentist visit, we were starting the 16 mile trip back home and had to stop at a rail road crossing with the gate coming down. Now, there are no train tracks here on the ridge, so the coming train was a big event. Watching the engine approach, it brought back some good memories of when I briefly worked for the Illinois Central RR, right after high school. Back then they were phasing out the "fireman"
position in the engine, so I was out of a job, one that I knew would not last, but, for a kid of 19, it was great.
I learned a lot about life, from those grizzled old engineer's that I rode with. These guys had graduated from steam, into diesel, kicking all the way, complaining that diesel's just didn't have the power the old coal fired locomotives had. They had been there, and bought the T-shirt!
Finally the train was gone. Back to reality.

The days events will soon unfold, I don't know what the "better half" has planned, but I know I had better get with whatever program is on the agenda! Maybe just one more cup of coffee, here in my recliner would be acceptable.

HOT CAT HEAD BUSCUITS

We woke up this morning with ice covering everything, and a coating of snow on top of that. For once the weather guessers got it right!
Since we are icebound, seemed like a good morning for cat head biscuits and sausage patties. I would have made grits to go along with it, but they take a little more time to make right, and I was hungry!
Speaking of grits, we have a Cracker Barrel just off of I-65, about two miles from the house.
We get a lot of snowbirds headed south, and I always enjoy watching them when grits come with their breakfast. Most won't eat them, and those that attempt it, think they are supposed to pour milk over them!
People watching is a great sport, especially folks that are born and bred in other parts of the U.S.

I have noticed that more and more restaurants are favoring chicken on their menu. The only way I like chicken is deep fried in lard, spare me all of the fancy names they put on baked chicken and the abortions they come up with. The stuff is just downright nasty. A chicken will just about eat anything, including each other. I'm sure chicken allows them a better profit margin, but I'll take beef or pork anytime over chicken. I know a hog will eat just about anything also, but a plate of deep fried chitterlings, that are stream washed are hard to beat! Never had chitlins? I used to scoff at the idea of eating them too until on a dare, I had a plate full. At the time, I recall I had finished a six pack, prior to the gastronomic treat, which made them go down pretty smooth. One good 'ol boy with us got sick, and there were chitlins strung in the bushes in the parking lot. Needless to say, he had a hard time living that down!

I did manage to trudge my way out to the mail box a short time ago, skated would be a better word.
All of that risk of busting my butt for a few advertisements, no bills anyway! Not much else to do but watch TV and read blogs, maybe a nap might be in order shortly. The ice will be with us for a day or so as the temps will not go above freezing until Wednesday.

I have a dentist appointment on Wednesday at "Dr. Joe's chamber of  horrors", another crown prep which I'm not happy about. I reckon he must have a house payment about due. Over the last month or so, I'm sure I have paid for his summer vacation to the islands! It's kind of like taking your car in for a check on something,
they always find something else that needs fixing...know what I mean.

This morning I actually saw a Robin. I think he had a plane ticket back to Florida in his back pocket!

ATTIC CRAWLING

Today was one of those days that your mind tells you that you can do something, and your body just says
"no way!"
Some months ago, I had opened the attic hatch in the garage, and noticed two bare wires sticking out of a junction box. Well, old geezers have a way of letting things like that gnaw at you, with all kinds of scenarios playing in your mind. So, with the weather being a little warmer today, I decided that I would crawl up there and put wire nuts on the wires and put them back out of harms way.
Now that sounds simple enough, but the box was deep in the attic through a maze of beams and supporting cross members. I finally snaked my way back there, sat on a joist and made the repairs. But, when I got ready to make my way back, the legs turned to jelly! Now, what am I going to do! This called for some deep thought and planning. After about fifteen minutes and several rest stops, I was back at the hatch, down the ladder and resolved to never do that again!
Just another example of a 35 year old mind, trapped in a 70 year old body. The list of "no-no's" is growing way too fast!
We have been fortunate here in middle-TN this winter. It's almost like we have a bubble around us.
Only two big snow events, a little ice, and three nights of well below zero temps. However, just consistently
cold days that keep us closer to home than we would like. I know that many of my fellow bloggers have experienced a really brutal winter so far, and like many of you, I am so ready for spring to get here.

IT"S OVER......TILL NEXT YEAR !

Christmas morning here on the ridge dawned bright and clear, but the temps were just above freezing.
I was glad to see that it was clear, so that the kids that got new bikes, and outdoor whutzits could enjoy them.

I was raised in S.W. Michigan, the land of lake effect snow. I can recall that one year I wanted a new sled for Christmas. My old one was a hand me down, and the nails on the seat would rip the seat of your pants pretty good. Well, I got one, but that was the only year I can remember, that we did not have snow and what was there, was patchy. The paint on the runners, until it was worn off, slowed the sled down to a snails pace. Sliding on the patches was not bad until you hit the dirt, then every thing came to an abrupt stop, including yourself!

A few weeks ago, I was explaining to my Tennessee grand kids, what I did in the winter time in Michigan when I was a kid. I mentioned that a toboggan, on a long hill was a great ride. They both looked at me like I was nuts! Quickly, I realized that a toboggan, here in Tennessee is a wool, pull over cap! I also told them about walking a mile through the snow to go to school, but I could see the B.S. alarm was about to go off, so we changed the subject!

Sometime between now and the first of the year, we have to pack up what Christmas stuff we put out, and get it back out to the plunder house. Thank goodness, we did not go over the edge like several of the neighbors, boy have they got a job ahead of them!

This morning we had to go to Wally*World for a few items. The place really looked picked over.
There were people snatching up wrapping paper by the basket full. I was thinking that they are pretty optimistic, that next year they will have something to wrap, with the economy and job situation going down hill the way it is. Who knows what surprises lie in store for us?

Well, it's over. The best part was being with family. They are all well, and doing fine, what more could an old man ask for!

Windy on the Ridge.

Another Sunday has rolled around. Today is cold, overcast and windy. A good day for a hot cup of coffee and flying my recliner. The wife is nose deep in a good book, so she is happy. We have the TV on just background music, must of which sounds like some poor lonesome American Indian, in the woods hoping to attract a squaw with is dole full music. The bills are paid and the pantry is full. It just doesn't get any better than this. (At the moment!)

I sure am having a hard time getting into the Christmas spending spirit this year. Since we elected not to put up our Christmas tree this year. I was feeling a little like Scrooge, so we bought a small table top pre-lit
tree at Wally*World. The rest of the house is decorated with the wife's collection of snow men, so it kinda looks like Christmas around here, but for some reason, I'm just not into it. Maybe, the older we get, Holidays are not as exciting as they used to be when the kids were small.

The past week has been full of more dental appointments, and more to come. I also wedged in a trip to the lab for blood work to be completed for next weeks doctor appointment. I ate like a hog over Thanksgiving, so the A1-c, and blood sugar levels will be high I know. This leads to a lecture from both doctor and wife.
More "Shame on me's" coming for sure!

Yesterday, we received our notice of the increase in our S.S. benefits, boy, just don't know how I am going to manage that 1.5% increase. What a wind fall! Now I can buy TWO cans of spam. I guess I should not complain too much as there are a lot of families struggling right now. Some I truly have compassion for, others, not so much.

Last week was gun cleaning time. The Ruger LCP, that I carry in my jeans pocket had a lint plug in it. I'm glad I didn't need it, for the lint plug could have created a problem. I need to keep an eye on it.
In the summer, I use a belt holster for that gun as I can wear my shirts on the outside. The rest of the arsenal
looked good. I still have not fired any of the bear loads through the 870 Wingmaster. I'm pretty sure they will destroy a door if need be.

If the weather we have had of late, is a prelude to the rest of winter, boy, it's gonna be a humdinger!
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Stay Out of the Kitchen !

Turkey day is tomorrow, so the kitchen is "Off Limits" for now. The house smells of pumpkin pies in the oven, and other treats for the over indulgence that will occur around 3:00 PM tomorrow.
We will pack it all up and go to my son's home, as he has a larger home than we do, and with all of his wife's family and ours we will need it.

I'm still nursing a sore jaw, the result of having a molar extracted earlier this week. The tooth had been filled once, and two crowns put on it over the years. I think that one tooth alone payed several car notes, and a house note for the dentist. The crown had decay up under it, and the only way came to light was a tooth ache from Hell! Nothing left to do but extract it. This was my first experience of being put to sleep while the deed was done. It's the only way to go, let me tell you!

Like many of you, we had a little dusting of snow earlier in the week. You would have thought a blizzard was coming! The salt trucks here on the ridge went into full frenzy and spread the stuff every where. The snow on the ground lasted about four hours! If we had several inches on the ground, I'm sure the salt trucks would
have all been at the Warful House, drinking coffee! Good 'ol boys, fer sure!!
The next day we had to go Wally*World for a few provisions, and found the folks had panicked and picked the grocery part cleaner than a hounds tooth. I think these "Preppers" just might have something about storing up a few food items for an emergency.

I have noticed food collection box's everywhere. I hope the food will go to people who really need it,
rather than the "Welfare Queens" who know how to use the system, and deprive a family of a decent meal due to their greed. Well, 'nuff said, I suppose.

And We Didn't Even Get Kissed !

A few nights ago, I was catching the national news on the TV.

They slid by the Social Security increase for this year so quickly, that I'm sure a lot of retired folks missed it.
I was bowled over by the 1.5% increase they said was coming. Now I have to try to figure out what I'm going to do with all that extra money!

The CPI figures the government uses,  is just another tool to screw old folks out of a reasonable increase of a few more dollars. We all know how groceries, property taxes and just about everything else has increased in price, and it's sure more than 1.5%.

It's pretty evident that the powers that be, would like to put all of us retired folks on an ice berg, and float us out to sea on a warm day! Their next big step coming in the revamp of Social Security! Boy, I can hardly wait to see what the dumocrats come up with. You can bet it won't be good, just more cuts and restrictions on people who can least afford it.

Generally, I don't blog about the government, at least not openly. Not much you can do until election time, just suck it up, tighten the belt and go on. But 1.5% is absurd, and a real kick in the pants to us old geezers!

Another Sunday Morning.

Another Sunday morning has rolled around, and after a busy week, I'm glad for it.

The house is quiet, no TV blaring, or some lawn mower off in the distance making a steady hum.

I like to use this time for just reflecting. To look back down the road that has brought me to this point.

The food stamp SNAFU, of the past few days reminded of an encounter I had when we were living in a small mill town in North Carolina. We had been transferred there and were very fond of the folks that we had come to know.

Coming home from work, the wife had asked me to stop at the town grocery store for a few items that she needed for supper. After filling the list, I headed for the check out counter. I could see there was only one elderly lady in front of me, and she had all of her items on the counter ready to be checked out.

They were quickly bagged, and she pulled out her food stamp booklet to pay for them. After that transaction was done, she placed five small metal cans of Tuberose snuff on the counter, and got out her change purse to pay for them. Out of curiosity, I asked her if that was her favorite brand?

She turned and smiled at me, "Mistah, one little dip of Tuberose, will take away all the problems in your world."

Later, I got to thinking about what she had said. For her it seemed to do the job! I remember as a teenager I tried a "dip," and could not stop shaking for the rest of the day. It sure made more problems in my world that day!!

A Brand New PC !

I must be the PC destroyer! The daughters old Dell that I had been using, bit the dust just like my old HP did a few weeks before. They were both old, and I am sure they were loaded to the max with old files. Anyway, yesterday I dug up a few jars out of the back yard and went and bought a brand new PC. This one has a seventeen inch screen, and plenty of speed and storage for what I need.
I am putting up with Windows 8, new tricks to learn, but not as bad as I had envisioned, so, once again I'm flying high on the net!

This past month has been wild around here. Started out with a quick trip to Michigan to visit the wife's brother and his wife. We drove the trip up at night, with very little traffic, but coming back in the daytime, it seemed like I-65 was a parking lot. Construction all the way back to the home place here on the ridge. It was a safe trip, despite one scare with a trucker who lane drifted on us.

I have been losing my hearing in my right ear for sometime now, finally figured I needed to see the EENT doctor to see what's up. After all the tests, seems the parts are just wearing out, and a hearing aid in the immediate future should help. What that boils down to is, I will have dig up a few more jars out of the yard to pay for one. Until then, it's "Huh, wha'd ya say?"  Just more of the joys of old age! 

We enjoyed having dinner with Dapper Dan, (The Cumberland Post-blog) and his lovely wife Joyce.
It had been a while since we both managed to get our schedules together. It was a great evening, good conversation, and the meal was fine as well. Can't beat good friendships!

The leaves here on the ridge are still green, our peak for Fall colors here is around mid November, so we still have a little more time to go yet, more grass to cut, and weeds to pull until a good frost will slow things down.

I enjoy spending time with my son. He is a Luthier, in other words, he builds and repairs acoustic guitars. He got a lot of excellent training from former Gibson guitar people, and what he can do with those skills baffles me. The contacts he has with many of the country music folks in Nashville keep him busy. A few weeks ago, I was in his shop and there was a guitar in for repair that caught my attention that had several bad cracks in it. Earlier this week I saw that same guitar, and you could not tell where the cracks had been. He amazes his old dad to say the least!

That should about catch me up with life here on the ridge. The rest is just day to day things that most of us deal with.

I think this new computer is going to do alright.

 

What's Next?

Well, for starters, the HP laptop I have been using for years finally decided to kick the bucket. I could see it coming, but managed to squeeze every thing I could out of it before it just up and died. I could smell something burning just before it fizzled out, so it must have cooked it's own brain!

Now, I have my daughters Dell laptop she no longer needed, and it is doing just fine. It did take me a while to reload the blogs that I normally follow, but other than that, the transition has gone well.

Just when you think every thing could not be going better, the water heater also felt the need to start leaking. This past week I have felt a little "Snake bit," with things going out, but, hey, that's what keeps life interesting.

I am so ready for Fall to get here. It was 92 degrees (again) today here on the ridge. The weather is supposed to remain somewhere around that figure for the rest of the week. Come on cool air!