Quiet

K and I spent a quiet Christmas day together.  No place we had to be and no one to see.  Well, we usually see my parents, but they are both under the weather and with K still recovering we just couldn't take the chance to expose her to even the mildest cold or whatever they have.  It was disappointing for us and I am sure for my Mom.  It was very quiet, which was good.  My surgery sights were a bit more sore than usual.  I think forgetfully lifting my 9 year old Granddaughter when I saw her Christmas eve may have been a bad choice.  No, nothing serious, just a little sore, a good reminder that I still haven't healed completely and be more aware of doing something else stupid.  Not the way I would have preferred spending Christmas day, but when the family expands you have to give up time to the in-laws.

Today we take K over to see the FNP in our primary care physicians office.  They sent her a letter after her surgery to make an appointment to follow up on her surgery.  I had never seen something like this before.  They had not been involved at all in her surgery/hospitalization since we had gone to the ER and she was admitted by the docs there.  They evidently got the reports as they usually do but this is a bit different.  Maybe they are just seeing $$ signs, I don't know.  I would like to think they are being proactive and truly are caring.  Yeah.

K is doing better and better.  We managed to attend worship services Sunday.  Just the main service not class or evening service as we usually do.  She tires to easily we didn't want to overdo it.  I was allowed to address the congregation at my request.  I felt the need to publicly address them to thank them all for what they have done for us.  I am not in any form a public speaker, but managed to get through it without to much stumbling around.  I would like to have been able to thank each and everyone individually, but we don't know who did what.  Much was done anonymously, so the public address was really my only true choice.  I hope they could sense that I was sincere in the things I said.  We have been blessed more than we deserve and are very grateful.

The rest of this week we also have no standing plans.  Son #2 will have his in-laws here from Arizona and I had hoped to take his father-in-law to the Pacific War Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas.  I don't think I'm going to make it.  I would have to leave K at home for most of the day and I just don't feel comfortable with that at this point in her recovery.  Plus I know my stamina is not at all where it should be and I would give out much too soon to see what we need to see.  I will try to get Son #2 to take him up there and the ladies can shop around town.   

Hope you all had a great Christmas, Happy Trails.

Merry Chistmas

From my home to yours, I wish you the best today and the coming new year.

Happy Trails and thanks for coming by.

Thursday

Thursday most all of the last few Christmas gifts I ordered arrived.  There are still 2 that have not shipped and they don't even know when that will happen.  Nothing I can do about that now.  Sparse with the gifts this year.  Too many things got in the way.  I hope no feelings will be hurt.  The Grandkids were the top priority, it would be harder for them to understand.

On a trip out to the mailbox I noticed the birds were a little noisy and seemed upset.  Then I saw this bad boy.

He wasn't a bit worried about my presence.  I think it is the Red Tailed Hawk.  Not sure though.  You never know what you might see around here.  But not as much as we did when we first moved here 30 years ago.  It was out in the country then.  Now, not even close.  Our piece of heaven has gotten crowded.

K hasn't been out of the house except for one trip to the doctor, and that was uncomfortable for her.  All the bouncing on the road hurt.  So we tried a little trip around the are just to look at the lights everyone has up for the season.  There are quite a few and some very good.  Then there was this guy:

This house is on a corner and both front and back yards are covered in various displays of lights and all sorts of things.  It's just crazy and way too much for my tastes.  I'm sure it must take weeks to get all this up and then his electric bill must double for the month.  He must enjoy it immensely to put in so much work.

Happy Trails

Finally

K is finally starting to have some significant improvement.  She is getting up and around more and even trying to do a few minor chores.  She wrapped some gifts yesterday and even baked a pie.  We visit her surgeon today to get the staples removed.  I don't know how many there are but it seems like a lot.  I am sure that won't be much fun at all.  At this point it is just about taking one day at a time.  I am even getting used to all the extra chores that I have taken on and established a bit of a routine to keep up with them.  I am thinking that with her continued improvement we can head back to church for the first time in 4 weekends.  I have a lot of folks I want to thank personally.

My surgeon released me from care yesterday.  Everything seems to be on the mend just fine.  It actually may be ahead of schedule.  Not having anytime to sit and take it easy to recover, I had to push myself to be there for K.  It could be difficult at times but I truly believed it got me over the hump much quicker.  No, I wouldn't recommend my method lol.

It amazes me from the few things I hear on the news about the tax cut bill and all the hand wringing and worry about it.  It appears the media has done a great job scaring a large section of the population that a tax cut is a bad thing.  I expect that from the congress critters to not want to give you back some of your money, but what does it serve the media to take that path?  Do they think it will help those they want in power?  I'm sure that is it, but I can't grasp the details of how that would work with my mind being so preoccupied lately.  

Happy Trails

Nothing

Nothing really to report.  The wife's recovery is much slower than she had expected and has gotten down about it.  But we have gotten past that.

On another note, just to change the subject, I saw this on FB and thought that it was pretty cool.  Home defense style shotguns have never been a thing with me.  I have a few shotguns that could serve just as well.  I would prefer something shorter with that magazine.  Yeah, the kick would be more but I never found the kick to be a problem on shotties.  I was hoping for a semi-auto though.  No idea the cost, probably more than I need to pay anyway.  Go have a look.

Happy Trails

I Forgot

I had thought of something that I thought would be good to post here.  However, I forgot what it was and rummaging around in that brain compartment, I have failed to find it.  I have been extremely busy trying to keep the wife comfortable and being at her every beck and call.  I knew I would be busy as she needs to rest as much as possible.  Any moving around exhausts her.  I thought she came home too early but I wouldn't change it at all.  My brain is fried and I am meeting myself coming and going and forgetting things that I wanted to do while I was running errands and having to go back again later.  

Three ladies from our congregation came over today and cleaned up and finished the Christmas decorating my #2 Son and his wife started.  While they were at it I ran the errands.  That was a great peace of mind to have them be with her while I was out.  I am eternally grateful to our entire congregation for the major help that they have provided to us in more ways than I can enumerate.  We are both speechless and humbled.  

Happy Trails

Surprise!

She got home yesterday evening.  We expected at least one more day in the hospital.  However she is very very sore and can hardly do anything for herself.  But she is slowly improving.  I'm worn out.

I will give a bit more details in a later post.  I have too much to do.

Happy Trails

Pics

I wanted to post these the other day when I talked about the snow in Texas.  So here is what it looked like the morning after on the edge of the Hill Country.  The first 2 are panoramas.  click to enlarge

Good news on the wife's condition, still in hospital. will update that soon.

Happy Trails

Good News Finally

NO CANCER CELLS found!  She continues to improve.  I have come down with some sort of sinus issue so I haven't been down to see her since Tuesday.  Can't risk her catching something else from me.  No, I am not sure what it is, an infection of allergy.  I don't have any real known allergies.

All of South Texas is going nuts from the snow.  We haven't had a substantial snow here in over 30 years, back when we had the record breaking 13.5 inches in 85 or 86.

I just got word from my doctor friend I should be safe to see the wife.  I am gone.

Update

I don't know where to start.  This could be a very long post but I just can't get all the words out.  My surgery went well and I am doing pretty good.  I was pretty foggy headed most of the day Monday, the day of my surgery.  They decided to take the wife into emergency surgery and try to find out the actual problem and get it fixed.  Once they got in it was worse than expected.  They said it looked like a grenade went off in her small intestine where it joins the colon.  They removed about a foot of her small intestine and will biopsy it to determine what went wrong.  They were noncommittal on the possibilities as you might expect.  But they were optimistic.  This news is all second hand.  I wasn't there.  That was killing me.  It was killing her that she couldn't be at my surgery either.  What a pair we are.

She is on the mend and starting to feel just a little better but has a lot of pain and will remain in the hospital probably through the weekend.  They have to kill all the infection that might be remaining and that her guts have started working without any leaks.  She has a long road ahead of her.  However this, I was told, that this is about the best case scenario for what they were expecting to do.  The biopsy is my main concern at this point and of course getting her home and well.

Thanks for you kind word and prayers.  We have had a lot of support from many folks and we cannot express how much it is appreciated.  Thanks seems so insufficient.

Happy Trails 

Things Can and Do Get Worse

If you have been coming here a while you have seen me write 'it could always be worse.'  I say this all the time.  Saturday afternoon the wife tells me to take her to the ER.  She is now admitted and may be facing a serious abdominal surgery.  A bad colon had failed her and they are exploring the best options on how to deal with it.  That's all AI will say without getting too graphic.

She will be stuck there through my surgery and I most likely can't be at hers if she has to have it.  The next few days/weeks will certainly be a challenge.  It could be worse.

Moy sure when I will be back on, a few days or so.

Asking for your Prayers.

Happy Trails

Frustrations

The wife still isn't as well as she should be after almost a week.  It is really starting to wear on her.  She has an appointment with a gastroenterologist next Tuesday.  I am planning on her not being able to take me to my surgery Monday.  If she isn't significantly better by late Sunday, others will need to help out.  She hasn't been well enough to go and do anything.  Taking me to surgery and then waiting for that and recovery and release will most likely entail 2-4 hours.  No can do.  So I ptu Sons #1 and #2 on notice.  They will have to have me at the facility by 6 AM.  They can work out between them who.  Neither live close enough to make it an easy trip.  

There has been a lot going on with the doctors and various things concerning my surgery and insurance and blah blah blah.  It is hair pulling and combining that with my worry for my wife and her self diagnosing, I got a little tense.  Not good to be around when that happens.  But it passed quickly enough.  I just have to get through the wife being so dang sick and all her emotions with it.  It appears that doctor stuff will continue for a while, not what I was expecting earlier this week.  It could be worse.  Yes, I am optimistic things will improve early next week.

Happy Trails

Got a Date

Heard from the surgeon's scheduler this morning.  They have scheduled me for Monday, Dec. 4.  First surgery in the morning, so I have to be there at 6 AM.  Fortunately it is not far from the house, about 15 minutes, so we will miss any of the crazy traffic issues.  I won't stay either, the wife will drive me home shortly after recovery barring any issues/complications.  It's good to have a date finally instead of sitting here wondering.  Hope fully the recovery will be easy and not slow me down too much.  LOL I am already pretty much a couch potato anyway so it shouldn't be a problem.  Hopefully after this there will be less doctor type issues in the near future.

The wife is still sick.  She passed getting a doctor's appointment since she thought she was feeling better.  Then she got to feeling worse again last night.  This morning she is much better but will go see the doctor tomorrow, it's the earliest she could get in.  We had planned to go to a friend's surgery but with all this going on we just can't get there.  

Consequently things have been on hold and will be for a little longer.  

Happy Trails

Monday After

Thanksgiving is over and things were supposed to get back to normal.  However the wife got really sick and I thought I might have to take her to the ER.  She is somewhat better now but still not well at all.  So I am trying to tend to her needs.

The college football season is coming to a close.  It has been a very up and down season for my Longhorns.  Just when you thought things were turning around they fall apart again.  The results are a very lackluster 6-6.  Not nearly as good as I had wished for and much worse than any Longhorn fan should expect.  I do see some major improvements from the last 3-4 years but there is much work to be done.  They have a better foundation to build on yet some of the foundation may bolt for the NFL.  I wouldn't blame them for cashing in but would really hate to see them in the NFL since I don't watch or care a flip for the nfl. 

I assume I will hear from the surgeon's scheduler this week.  I have to get an EKG done first and that is Wednesday.  So there won't be surgery anytime this week as the surgeon had suggested might happen.  I spoke with my good friend that is a doctor and he relieved my concerns and I will proceed with the surgery to include the gall bladder.  He echoed what I knew to be the truth, basically-better now than later when I am even older.  I just wasn't sure it was bad enough to really have to undergo all this and the surgeon left it totally up in the air.  That seems to be the new normal for all doctors these days.  Very non-committal and leaving it totally up to you, without ANY suggestion that something is better than the other as far as choices are concerned.  I don't have to worry about that with my friend as he is more concerned about my well being and has no liability he has to be concerned with like my own doctors have to be. I just wish they would be honest and tell their real thoughts.

So until we get this surgery scheduled and over things are sort of on hold, at least that is the feeling I will have.  I will try to keep everything as normal as possible and do whatever I usually do.  

I have become pretty good friends with my recently married Son's in-laws.  Especially the Dad.  We text each other on occasion.  We have much in common.  I think he is a bigger history buff than I am.  They plan to be here just after Christmas to visit.  I hope to take him to the Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas.  Not that far from my house, just about an hour drive.  The ladies can come too since that town is perfect for them as far as uniqueness and shopping is concerned.  They can go one way and we will go the other.  It's been at least 10 years since I have been and I need to see all the new items and possibly see if they have displayed some items we donated from my Uncle that was at Iwo Jima as they said they would.  However, my surgery may ruin those plans.  It just depends on when it happens and how fast I recover.  I know my stamina won't be very good and I will need as much as I can get to see everything at the museum.  

Happy Trails

Thankful

We will have a house full today.  We aren't a big family, there will be just 10 of us.  But that's a crowd in our smallish home.  I won't go into all I am thankful for, there is a lot, more than I could ever write down.  I don't reserve this day for anything special as far as thanks go.  I am thankful every day and especially when I wake up on this side of dirt.  

However, I do want to wish all of you, the readers that for some strange reason come by to see what I have been up to, a happy and joyful and safe thanksgiving.  Thanks for coming by and taking the time to let me know what you think.

Happy Trails

Catching Up

OK, so this post is going to cover completely differing things, more so than usual.  I found an article that I found interesting.  I think it very well fits the times we live in today.  It regards how to respond during a terrorist attack.  Some of this may seem like common sense and it is. But unless you think about these things or practice them they are useless.  Others know more about this stuff than I do and can probably disagree with some things or expand on it.  I think it needs to be kept as simple as possible.  Keep working on gaining more situational awareness is what I try to do.

So here's the How to survive a terrorist attack.  Please if you have anything to add, please leave it in the comments.  We can all benefit from someone else's experience.

Changing gears...

My bride and I met the surgeon to get the lowdown on my possible surgery for a hernia repair today(Tuesday).  As it turns out he found a second one, smaller, but it's there.  He also found something the original doc didn't see.  Small Gallstones.  He can do all of it at the same time including the gall bladder removal.  He left it up to us as whether we should have any surgery at all and just try to live with it and wait to see if it ever gets bad enough that I can't live with it.  I decided to get it all done at once and get it over with and possibly avoid surgery for it at an older age when it would be harder to recover from it.  No date yet.  I have to wait for his scheduler to call and set it up but he was talking maybe as early as next week.  But I have to get a pre op EKG first and that won't happen until late Wednesday of next week, it's as early as my PCP could get me in.  It will be done laparoscopically which is great for recovery.  Another good thing it is done as outpatient surgery.  No hospital stay.  And even better, no freaking catheter that caused me so much trouble with my prostate surgery.  I was worried about that more than anything since it sent me to the ER.

It could be worse.

Happy Trails

90

Today we will head over to a restaurant near my parents and celebrate my Dad's 90th birthday.  His father lived to just past 100, his mother 90.  He has some issues, he has trouble walking and shuffles his feet, so he is always in danger of falling.  It happens.  He is really rarely ever sick.  His mind is still relatively sharp but he says things out of context more often these days.  He will fixate on something and comment on that when the conversation is about something totally different.  For instance, during my Mother's surgery recently, he noticed the color of her hair was much different.  I am pretty sure it was due to the lighting.  While we were all talking about the surgery and my Mom was ecstatic she was still alive, he could only comment that he didn't like the color of her hair.  It hadn't changed at all, so that is why I think it was the cast of the lights, we all noticed it.  But he brought her down a bit.  He will also say some inappropriate things, off color if you will.  Embarrasses my Mom to no end.  He jokes around all the time, and rarely will ever have a serious conversation.  I guess when you get to this age, you get a pass on just about anything.

I am not feeling up to snuff today, but it's nothing serious.  I just would like to stay here and veg out or read Old NFO's latest book.  I am liking it very much.  Was going to try and cut the back yard for the last time and get it shaped up for the winter.  That will have to wait.  

Went over to Son #2's house yesterday.  They want to cover/replace wall paper that is well past it's prime.  They wanted us to show them how we covered ours with joint compound instead of removing it.  It is a much easier process and gives it a unique textured look.  We wound up doing most of the work but got them started and they can finish it.

On the way home we stopped at Whataburger.  They have this new burger, the Chorizo burger.  It is pure genius.  The Chorizo is a milder version of some I have had.  It is perfect IMO.  If you have one near you, you gotta try it.

Happy Trails

Twin Sisters

On this day in 1835, the people of Cincinnati, Ohio, decided to aid the cause of the Texas Revolution by raising funds to procure two cannons. Since the United States was taking an official stance of neutrality toward the rebellion in Texas, the citizens of Cincinnati referred to their cannon as "hollow ware." Two guns, probably six pounders, were manufactured at the foundry of Greenwood and Webb in Cincinnati and then shipped down the Mississippi to New Orleans. The cannons arrived in Galveston at the beginning of April 1836, accompanied by the family of a Dr. Charles Rice. The guns were presented to representatives of Texas under the sponsorship of Dr. Rice's twin daughters, Elizabeth and Eleanor. Someone in the crowd made notice of the fact that there were two sets of twins in the presentation, the girls and the guns, and thus the cannons became the Twin Sisters. The guns went into action on April 20, and, under the command of George W. Hockley, supported the infantry assault the next day at the battle of San Jacinto. Along with the Gonzales "come and take it" cannon, the Twin Sisters are among the most famous weapons of the Texas Revolution.

Borrowed

Happy Trails

Tuesday

I had the opthamologist get rid if that sty under my eyelid.  Now my eye hurts more and is pretty ugly.  But the thing wasn't healing and I could not see very well.  By the end of the day I could see much better.  This morning, not so much.  Hopefully this thing clears up soon.  Way more expensive than I had thought, just to drain what amounts to a pimple.  Specialists, smh.  

Next week is a visit to the surgeon about this hernia.  We will see what he has to say, I am not holding out any hope of avoiding surgery.  I will go with whatever he tells me.  I would just like a break from doctors and all the expense.  I am extremely thankful for the insurance we have through my former workplace.  That is a great benefit that I still receive outside of my pension.  I don't know what we would do without it.

K mentioned to me that Thanksgiving is next week.  Wow, that really snuck up on me.  I thought we were at least 2 weeks away.  Time is really slipping away and seems to go faster when you have a lot of things like doctor appointments and ER visits on you plate.  I was truly surprised.  We will have a big meal at our house again and invite the Sons and their families and my parents.  If they can't come they can't come and we will just carry on.  Son #1 usually has to leave early to go to the in-laws for their celebration and my parents never stay longer than a couple hours.  Son #2 usually stays later, but this year he has a new wife and I don't know what he will have to do.  I assume since she has no family here nothing will change.  But they have been very much in demand with friends lately.  As he says, they are much too popular as they seem to be invited to someone's house almost every day.  I totally understand his desire to not to have to go somewhere for a few days.

I have a few more ideas to make leather items, but with no real market I hesitate to get too ambitious.  I will try a few things to keep my hand and eye from getting too rusty.  I can always give them as gifts if nothing else.  That may be what the sum total of Christmas gifts are this year anyway.  We have way too many expenses, unplanned, that have hit us hard the last couple months.  

Forgive me if this sounds too hangdog, things are not that bad and could always be worse.  I write these things down as the title to this blog states, as a chronicle of things I want to remember.  

Happy Trails

Why?

Yesterday, at church this question was the subject title of the sermon.  It was in reference to the recent insanity in Sutherland Springs, very near us.  The question was posed as what a lot of people seem to be asking after something like this happens.  Why do things like this happen, or even more pointed, why does God let things like this happen?  This question never came to mind for me.  I understand the reasons why there is evil in the world.  Those that have their faith shaken may need to grow more in this area.  

Without rehashing the entire sermon, in short this is how I believe it works.  We were all created with free will, we are a free moral agent, free to choose what we do and how we live.  We were designed this way by God.  While we get our nature from God, we have the freewill to chose to follow him and his word, or not.  God wants us to follow him out of love, not out of robotic obedience.  If we didn't follow by our choice, what kind of love would that be?  I think we all know inside that we would choose someone to love us freely than for some other reason.  

Having a free will also means there is the choice to do evil.  The scriptures even state this as in this one example.  It's just one of many, but I think this one sums it up perfectly:

...There is no dread of God before his eyes, for in his own eyes, he flatters himself too much to discover and hate his sin.  The words of his mouth are malicious and deceptive; hs has stopped acting wisely and doing good.  Even on his bed he makes malicious plans.  He sets himself on a path that is not good and does not reject evil.  Psa 36 1-4

Unfortunately we have seen several other instances of evil in response to this tragedy.  Like the actor and several others mockingly stating no prayers were needed for those in Sutherland Springs, they were already in church and it didn't help.  This hatred comes from somewhere else not God, it comes from satan.  He has a hold of these hearts.  I pray they will one day turn their lives over to God and save their souls.

With love for you all, Happy Trails

Saturday

Today Kim heads over to the big show and sale that a friend has organized for her neighborhood.  She has been consumed with this for the last 2 weeks.  I hope she isn't disappointed.  I finished the Kindle Fire covers and she will try to sell one of them.  The other one, I tried a new finish on it and 48 hours later it is still tacky.  Even after using a blow dryer and a fan for several hours.  I guess it isn't going to stop being sticky.  I won't be using that again.  It has been very cool and very humid here and the sprayer was different than one I used before and it came out much to heavy.  The combination of those factors is probably what did it in.  Here are couple photos of the completed covers.  The black one is the bad one.

Front

Back

Friday was the follow up to my ER visit with my doctor, actually the PA.  They are referring me to a general surgeon for evaluation of the 'inguinal' hernia.  From what he said, it seems a pretty sure bet I am having surgery anyway.  I had hoped it wasn't bad enough, but the final determination will come from the surgeon.  It may be a good thing, I was pretty uncomfortable last night.  No idea why when I lay on my side it begins to hurt.  I am almost solely a side sleeper.  SMH.  

Monday I see the opthamologist for my regular diabetes check up.  I will have him take a look at my eye I have been having trouble with.  It seems to be getting better but I still can't see as well as I should.  On my visit to the PA he checked and he could still see the sty.  This after what I think is 3 weeks.  Not looking forward to it being stuck with a needle.  We shall see.  Too many doctor visits.  I need a break.

Happy Trails

Well That Was Fun

NOT!  Spent about 3 hours in the ER yesterday.  I had been having some pain in my lower left abdomen for several days.  It would come and go but intensify enough at night to wake me up.  So I called the doc to see if I could get in and check me out.  They couldn't see me until Friday at 4:15.  They also told me that with my symptoms I should go to the ER as they didn't want me to wait that long to get checked out.  With my history of prostate cancer a lot of things were running through my mind and my anxiety was probably worse than the pain.  The thought was that there was something seriously wrong with my plumbing, the boys especially.  

So we headed over to the ER and got right in.  I am extremely modest and having a stranger handle my junk is just not at the top of my list of fun things to do.  Not to mention it was a female doctor and that increased my anxiety.  The exam was uncomfortable enough in itself.  They took my blood and did a cat scan.  There could be any number of things wrong, the one the doc mentioned was a kidney stone.  That had never crossed my mind and I didn't think that was it at all from what I have been told.  Well the blood was OK and they ruled out any infection of the plumbing tract.  But, the scan revealed a hernia.  Yup, so I may be facing another surgery.  I will be seeing the PA in my doctor's office this Friday anyway, at the ER doc suggestion.  I will see what they have to say and if they think I need to see a surgeon or not.  My thoughts are all over the place but hoping they tell me it isn't that bad.  I don't have a clue if that is even an option.  But it may be best to get it done now than wait until I am even older.  Sheesh, what next?  It could always be worse.  At least now I know, the not knowing is the hard part and is the root of anxiety.  No, I don't have anxiety issues.

On the way home we stopped at the grocer and got a few items to make Caldo de Res, (Beef soup, Mexican style) since the weather has turned off wet and cold.  Hard to beat a good bowl of Caldo on a day like this.

Happy Trails

Dominating the News

The shooting in Sutherland Springs is dominating the news cycle here locally, as well you might expect.  But then it has only been two days.  More and more information has come out on just how unstable this person was.  Yet, as usual the attacks on guns grows more strident.  There are already laws in place that 'should' have prevented this mad man from ever obtaining a gun of any sort.  He had a history of domestic abuse and mental illness.  All things that should have kept him from owning a gun, yet the system failed.  Rational thought seems to escape those that would ban guns or restrict them to the point they would be impossible for anyone to obtain.  Yet they don't even consider the that this madman was confronted by another man with a gun, trying to stop his rampage.  Who would have stopped him from killing even more if guns were banned and this person didn't have one?  You might say that the mad man wouldn't have had a gun if we banned them, yet the laws that would have prevented this were already in place.  Yet you ignore that 'tiny' fact.  You want to penalize every law abiding person due to actions of those that have broken the law?  Admittedly, I don't understand your rationale.

I mentioned the other day how close to home this was.  My cousin knows several of the people that were shot, and others I know know folks that were there.  

Close To Home

Sunday during church services a mad man shot up another church.  This one is very close to home.  I have been through the little town of Sutherland Springs many many times.  It is on the way to the town where my Mom was born.  I know that many of my ancestors had lived near or in this town.  It isn't much of a town and if you drove through it for the first time you probably would never remember that you did.  It doesn't even have a stop light.  These are not wealthy people by any means and most would probably consider it lower middle class.  It is just a small farming community with just your everyday working folks.  It is around 30 miles from me. The shooter lived closer to my church than the one he shot up.  No idea why he chose that one as opposed to any number of churches closer.  He even shot at people that were outside near the church at their home.  It seems pretty random.

There is a lot of information being spewed by all the local news channels.  They all have multiple reporters out there all stepping over each other trying to come up with something to talk about.  They are often repeating themselves.  So the story keeps changing or growing every hour.  So I hesitate to tell you what I know.  But I do know a bystander exchanged gunfire with him causing him to flee in his vehicle..  As he fled, the bystander hailed a man in a truck that saw the exchange of gunfire and they began to chase the shooter reaching speeds of 95 mph.  They caught up to the shooter when he crashed and waited with the rifle trained on him until police arrived.  The shooter was dead by a gunshot that may have caused him to crash.  They aren't saying yet if they think the gunshot was self inflicted or by the bystander that responded.  I am pretty certain from what I heard that he was shot by the bystander and expired while running away causing him to crash.  Why kill yourself if you are making your escape?  They did not exchange fire while driving from what I gather.

At this point, there is no why, no motive.  They have already posted photos of the shooter from his facebook page.  He has that 'look.'  That look we see so often in the eyes of those that have committed these unexplainable acts.  They are the eyes of evil, death, cold blooded lifeless eyes of a madman.  I'm sure by the time you read this the story will grow even more.  But it too will die away like the church shooting in Nashville.  No one wants to dwell on these unexplainable acts of evil.  But this one may linger a while longer since the shooter is a white male that owned guns.  When I wake up in the morning, I have no doubt the congress critters will have already politicized this.  Trump will be at fault and blah blah blah.

Sorry, I am just not in the mood.

Friday

We had the newlyweds out for supper last night.  It appears that we just got lucky with them having a vacant spot on their calendar.  They appear to be very popular right now, being invited over for supper etc. almost every night.  Son #2 said he wish they had a couple days of nothing to do and almost told us no.  I understand, a social engagement everyday or night would be way more than I could take.  It was the first time we had with them since the reception.  They invited us to see a movie with them today.  I think I will pass, I want to get more work in on those Kindle covers, but the wife may go.  I am just not a big fan of going to the movies.  Once or twice a year is about all I can manage and I have exceeded that this year.

Leather tooling proceeds, but slowly.  I still don't see real well out of my left eye.  That makes tooling much more difficult but I need to produce some results for the show K has coming up.  This eye thing is healing much slower than I anticipated.  Thursday was the last day for antibiotics, but I think I will continue them a little longer since I have plenty.  

The weather here is very humid and soggy.  After the last weeks spectacular weather it is a real downer.  I am also feeling much less energetic, I didn't even go to church with the wife Wednesday night.  Not sure it's the weather or what but I have just been dragging.  Hard to get motivated to do things, even things I like.  

I have been reading about the antifa groups planning some sort of mass mayhem on Nov. 4.  They claim they have 4 million super soldiers that are planning to start the revolution and will attack white people and business owners.  The reports I read aren't the national news media, they would never report something like this the left wing wackos are doing.  I don't really know what to make of all this.  Maybe it is just a ploy to make their targets nervous and hoping they will react badly.  I am not afraid at all, but I am cautious.  I doubt I will be out anyway but heightened situational awareness is always good.  Lock and load is my motto for the day.  I will not give up my freedom of movement due to their actions but I won't seek trouble either.

Be safe my friends.

Tuesday

The weather has turned a little.  It is cloudy, cool and breezy.  We may have some thundershowers today.  By the weekend, we should have even much cooler weather.  I think it will be time to make some Caldo de Res (Beef Soup-Mexican style).  So at some point we will head into town to load up with groceries and a trip to Costco.  I will try very hard to resist impulse buying at Costco.  

We had thought about inviting Son #2 and his new bride to have soup with us.  AS it turns out, she was making soup when I contacted him.  She also is not a fan of eating beef.  WHAT?!?!  This is Texas, we eat beef.  No, she is not a vegan or anything like that, just doesn't prefer eating beef.  Too bad, now she probably won't enjoy my world famous BBQ or chili.  SMH.  

I finished up the small leather project the wife wanted.  I will start on a couple Kindle Fire covers. 

No, I have no one that has ordered them, but I really like how the wife's turned out.  So I want to make a couple more and try some new things on them.  I will just have them on hand and to give me things to work on and keep my hand and eye in practice.  I don't think I can even get on finished before the show for her to have, but I will try.  I have to limit myself to short bursts due to the issues with my neck  She has been madly making jewelry in order to have a large selection for this show she will be at on Nov. 11.  Unfortunately, there are several other shows that have more potential for success that same weekend that she will have to pass on since she committed to this one first.  

I have been watching the World Series.  I wouldn't have, if there had not been a Texas team involved.  I have to say, this has been a great series so far and the game Sunday was one of the best I have ever watched.  So I will most likely be in front of the tube again tonite and cheer on the Astros.  I am not as emotionally involved with this team as I don't know ANY of the players or coaches.  I just have lost interest in a lot of sports I used to enjoy.  There are many reasons for that but I'll skip over that and spare you.

Nothing else is going on.  We will just stay in and work on things for the show and go from there.

Happy Trails

Saturday

I have heard from both the Sons lately, which is rather rare.  First was the news about #1's dogs and then #2 is having some major issues with his new bride's car.  I asked the wife why I only hear from them when they only seem to have bad news.  She says it is because they still want my support or whatever you want to call it, even after all these many years.  I guess I'm not as irrelevant as I thought.  Yes, irrelevant.  It seems that is pretty much what parents become once your progeny get to a point that there lives become so busy that we really do become irrelevant.  It's sad, but true.  I know that I am guilty of that now with my own parents.  It didn't happen that way for my parents until we became Grandparents.  Then our lives centered more on the Grandkids than much of anything else.  So my parents were not in the picture for us as much.  But the wife and I have gotten to that point quicker than our parents did.  I think a lot of that is due to the way society has developed over the last 20 years or so.  There is so much out there competing for our attention that families suffer.  Technology, internet, instant gratification are all things we never really had to deal with in our younger days.  There is just too much going on for things to ever be like they were for families.  I mean that generally.

Saturday we were invited up to a friends place on Lake LBJ.  Nothing to do but sit around and visit and eat and watch football.  They wanted me to go fishing but I hadn't renewed my license yet.  Beside it was to freaking cold and windy.  I did NOT want to go out on a boat in weather like that.  It was a beautiful day as you can see below but it doesn't tell you how windy it was.\

Be sure and click on it since it's a panoramic.

Yes, it's a little too crowded with lake houses and you have to be very well off to afford anything there.  There isn't even public access in this area at all.  But we enjoyed it for the few hours we were there.

Happy Trails

Nothing to Worry About

My trip to the doctor about my eye turned out to not be serious thankfully.  There is a stye under my eyelid and it is causing some problems.  One of which is pink eye or conjunctivitis due to all the bacteria.  Warm compresses and some antibiotic eye drops should get me back to somewhat normal.  Just have to deal with the sticky eyelid and not seeing real well until it clears up.  Nothing to worry about, unless it doesn't go away.  Then the opthamologist gets involved.  I have an appointment with him next month anyway.

Son #1 called me yesterday which is a bit unusual.  He wanted to share with me that they were going to have their two mini dachshunds put down.  Their health had deteriorated considerably over the last week and they believed it was the right time.  Paralysis in one and several issues in the other.  They are taking it harder than they expected it to be, I know the feeling.  But they have been part of them for 12 years.  Not all that old for these type dogs but they have had a few health issues for several years now.  Then there are the Grandkids having to deal with death.

It also brought more into focus the things my Buster is dealing with more and more.  I know his time is coming soon also, it may be months, it may be a couple years.  He struggles to get up, and getting outside, up and down steps is much harder.  Sometimes he tries to get up and just quits.  We have started giving him pain meds and it seems to help a little.  We will go this route for a while.  The vet suggested laser light treatments on his back.  He claims it works very well and is somewhat affordable.  We may try this a few times if he doesn't do well with the pain meds  This winter will probably be very hard on him, they have been hard before, and now, I expect it to be worse.  When somewhat cooler weather comes on he used to get real spunky and run around feeling his oats.  Not this year.  I dread the future.

As much as we have enjoyed having a dog or two again after many years of being petless, Buster may be our last sadly.  In his better days.

Happy Trails

More On The Alamo

Another article in regard to happenings at the Alamo:

The Removal of Texas History

Heading to the Doctor today to see about my eye.  The eyelid is swollen now and the side of y head hurts.  Not bad, just know there is something going on and I want to get it seen about since I value my eyes.  Appointment time 5:45 PM, had no idea they would be there  that late.  Will actually see the PA since it is the earliest I can get in. 

Slacker

Yes I know I have been a slacker where posts here are concerned.  But I got nothin' and rather than bore you with drivel I have refrained from trying to put something up.

The wife was wanting to go out for a drive today but I ain't really feelin' it.  I have an eye that is bothering me.  It hurts and it itches and the lower lid twitches ever so often.  Have had this happen before but not usually this long.  

So until I get something worthy (worthier) to post.....

Happy Trails

Soap Box

Things are quiet here for the most part.  We have been limiting any thing we are or may be doing that can cost us $$'s.  What with doctor visits a trip to Arizona for a wedding and then a reception for Son #2 and his new bride we are tapped out.  Unfortunately it's still a long way to payday.  Oh, we are alright, just trying to be more frugal since the wife is not visiting the resort with her wares these days.  We still haven't heard from them about the 'contract' they will require her to sign.  It will determine if she continues her work there or it ceases completely.  Since the busy season is only a month away we need to get this figured out sooner than later.  A phone call follow up shall be made shortly, but they have been pretty slow in responding before.  We shall see.

Since we are staying at the house more, I have been hitting the leather work a bit.  K gave me a list of items she wants me to make for her inventory.  Nothing real big or detailed.  She sells deer antler tips on a leather thong (necklace) and has me make a tooled leather fastener that holds the antler tip.  It has been a good seller in the past.  Also there are hair barrettes that I tool and those sell pretty well also.  They are not hard to make but are time consuming.  I also don't work on them more than a few minutes at a time in order to spare my neck.  She will be going to a show at a home on Nov. 4 and will have a chance to sell there.  It's not usually a big money maker but anything is better than nothing and I need to pay for that side of leather I bought.

Saturday is another big game for my Longhorns.  Okie lite is coming to town.  They have a very good team.  They have won four or five of the last home (in Austin) games against my Longhorns.  I hope these young fellas can step up and stop that streak for a change.  So I will be planted in front of the TV for several hours.

Now for my Soap Box

The controversy around the "Reimagining of the Alamo" continues.  IMO the hiring of some outsiders that have no earthly idea what it is to be Texan and what the Alamo means to them is the root of the problem.  (For those that weren't born here, you can't possibly understand what it is to be a Texan/Texian.  I could try to explain it and you may think you understand since you may have lived here, but you would never really 'know.'  As we say here, anyone can become an American, but you have to be born a Texan)  It(the controversy) is also fed by the left wing mayor and city council that has their own PC agenda.  The idea that the Alamo must be all inclusive of it's entire history as a major part of what the new Alamo will be is insane.  Yes, I do believe that some of the prior history should be part of the interpretation.  However, to have it on an equal footing with the sacrifice made in March 1836 is moronic at best.  The Alamo would not even exist as it is today had that battle not taken place there.  Those ladies that saved the Alamo, Clara Driscoll and Adina De Zavala didn't do it because of anything other than the sacrifices made there, not due to some unknown native Americans that were there at one time.  However, the atmosphere of today, with destruction of monuments, renaming of schools etc. the Alamo is also under attack.  This really pisses me off more than any other issue.  I live and breathe all things Texas, and to think that MY ALAMO can be reduced to something less than what it is gets my neck hairs up.  There is much misinformation being spread by those that want to make these changes trying to cover their tracks since the backlash has been so harsh.  The Land Commissioner, George P. Bush, (yes, those Bushes) is in charge of this mess.  It has been found out he was 'selling' influential positions to those interested in being on the board that would help determine these Alamo changes.  As much as 250K for these positions.  They are said to be donations to his reelection fund, but we all know what it really is.  This stink may defeat his reelection bid.  I know he won't have my vote, the scalawag.  He poses himself as the veterans friend yet he plans to remove the Alamo Cenotaph that memorializes those Texian Soldiers that sold their life at the Alamo.

You can find online petitions to sign that oppose these issues if you have a mind to.  Petition

I thank you for your consideration of this petition.

Happy Trails

Nails It

I've said much of this before, but I don't say it nearly as good or clear as he does.  This is worth a read. 

United States of America No Longer Exists

I weep for my country.

Lost

My Longhorns lost to the Land thieves from north of the Red River.  Some say it was a worthy effort, better than expected.  However, it is still a loss, no such thing as a 'moral victory' when you play those yahoos.  They played much harder this time than previous times, which does give hope for the future.  But it was the freaking okies man.  It is even worse when I have to deal with looking at other Texans that were wanting the land thieves to win and their gloating.  They don't have the right to wear the name Texan in my book.  Subhuman mouth breathers.

The wife has been down with some sort of epizootie all last week and finally is starting to be close to human again.  So that killed any of the fun day trips I had hoped to take.  We were also low on groceries and scraped around to fix things that were palatable to her in her condition.  So Monday I headed into town to the local grocer.  Since I was by myself the trip was much shorter and cheaper.  I stick to a list, if it ain't on the list it doesn't get bought, usually.  That does mean we might do without something if it got forgotten to be added to the list.  But it gets me in and out and less wandering around looking for things.  The list is usually put together in order of the way we travel in the store.  I finally got the wife to see my logic in this method.  Why travel all the way across the store to go back and get something you just remembered or just placed randomly on the list.  It makes no sense to me, especially with the size of the stores we go to.  The one we go to most often had been the second largest in the State at one time.  It's TEXAS size big.  Even when it's crowded there is still a lot of room.

No plans for this week, waiting to see how the woman feels before we commit to anything.  Even missed a funeral for a dear friend on Monday.  Hopefully we will get up and out sometime this week.  As for where we might head, no idea at this point.  I was thinking maybe a trip down to the Fannin Battlefield State Park since I have never been.  But it is at least a 2 hour trip maybe more.  Not sure that will be an acceptable time frame.  

My little fur buddy, Buster, has really been struggling of late.  Sunday he fell/stumbled more than usual.  At one point he fell coming up the steps in back and just laid there on them for a bit and then struggled to get up.  We gave him a pain reliever but he never really perked up.  Today he is moving  a little better and seems happy.  I can't help thinking about what may be in our future and it makes me sad.  He has been much more clingy, to me, of late also.  Not a bad thing at all but I hate seeing him struggle to get up just to follow me into another room for just a few minutes and then repeat when I return to the other room.  It just kills me to see that, but he never whines or winces, just carries on.  Very stoic.  He has turned out to be a really good dog.

Happy Trails

Red River Rivalry

Today is the day every Texas Longhorn Football fan waits for all year.  So I will be perched in front of the tube hoping the underdog will prevail. 

Hook 'em

Kicking Back

The big party, reception, shower, pachanga for Son #2 and his new wife has come and gone.  I was pretty much worthless all day Sunday.  And today (Tuesday) I am not doing much either.  We had another clogged line Monday that I had to work on and put tools away after.  May do a little reading and work on a small leather key fob for a friend as a gift.   Other than that, nada.  

We wanted to do something fun this week since we have been so occupied with quite a few things the last couple weeks.  However that may not work out after all.  Things tend to crop up that will take priority.  The new Daughter has asked the wife to come over and help with a few things.  I would rather she go and build a strong relationship with her than take time for something else.  Since we haven't really spent much time with her and get to know her, to me that is an ideal time to do just that.  I will leave them to it and get my chances at other times.  It is very important to me that they have a strong bond.  I would love to see it grow to what the bond is between my Mom and my wife.  There is non of the mother-in-law rivalry there and has never been that way.  For that I am most thankful.  My wife deserves the same in return.

I am currently reading a book that was first published in 1936 and I think it is the 1949 version.  It is about Charles Goodnight.  A legendary figure in establishing and taming the early Texas frontier.  If you are familiar with the mini series Lonesome Dove, it is based loosely on the friendship of Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving.  Goodnight would have been Captain Woodrow Call.  The significant scene of Gus getting hit by an Indian arrow and losing his leg actually happened to Oliver Loving.  So far it is pretty good.  It will take me awhile to get through it.  I don't sit down and read as often as I would like and I read extremely slow.  This is a thick book with small print.  It may be months lol.  And if Old NFO ever gets his next Gray Man book out that will delay me even longer.  

Happy Trails

Didn't Waste Time

I got that skin cancer removed bright and early Thursday morning.  They didn't waste any time getting me in and out.  Less than 20 minutes.  On the way back home I got the wife and I some breakfast tacos since it was still early.  I was home before 8 AM.  The doctor wanted me to come back in two weeks to remove the stitches.  I said I would do it myself and he was good with that.  They have enough of my money as it is, I didn't want to go back for another very short visit and have to pay for something I know I can do myself.  

I'm not going to comment about the latest shooting in Vegas, but it seems we have already forgotten about the 'evil christians' that were shot up in a church by an immigrant.  It doesn't fit the left wing scenario apparently.  No calls for gun control when that happened, at least none that I heard.  

I watched the Ken Burns documentary on Vietnam recently.  It was way too long.  It brought back a lot of memories.  I was just a young boy and a teen during most of that.  In 1971, when I graduated from high school I was headed down the see the Marine recruiter.  A buddy that had gotten in trouble with the law had joined up and convinced me to go in on the 'buddy' system they had at that time.  The recruiter had promised my buddy he would make his law trouble disappear if he joined up, so he did.  He lied.  The recruiter was upset with me for not signing right away, since I wanted to tell my folks before I did.  But I went home with the papers and told them what I was about to do.  It was the only time I heard my Dad have a real concern for me.  He never ever gave any advice or fatherly guidance other than to yell when he was pissed off at me, which was pretty often.  So his demeanor caught my attention more than usual.  In short he convinced me not to join.  He did not want me going to Vietnam.  I had told him the recruiter had told us they no longer sent new recruits to Vietnam.  He had always been in favor of me joining the military since that was what he did at about my age.  So his negative reaction to my plans had a big impact on me.  I went with what my Dad's wishes were and declined to return my papers.  That is my only real regret in life, not serving my country.  I always knew I would when I was younger.  However, had I joined, I would never have met my wife, the love of my life.  So things worked out for the best anyway.

As for the documentary, it was pretty one sided toward the left viewpoint, which is pretty typical of a Ken Burns film.  While I learned a few things and remembered several I had forgotten, I was disappointed in how much time he spent airing the viewpoint of deserters and those that fled to Canada and their opinion on the war.  There was also quite a bit of time spent with the communists that fought against us.  As you can imagine there was not an equal amount of time given to those that served honorably.  There were some things I will have to look into they claim Nixon did while running for election as President the first time.  If what they say is true.....but it is the left making those claims. 

Son #2  and his new bride will arrive in town sometime today.  They had stayed over in LAs Cruces New Mexico last night.  I assume they will be here late today.  So we are continuing preparations for the reception here.  There is still much to do.

Happy Trails

Evil

The dermatologist appointment is now history.  Not near as bad as I let myself believe.  The wife was even texting me evil messages of what will happen with the exam while I was in the waiting room.  telling me things like 'bend over and spread em.'  Not at all like her but she has her moments.  She had much too much fun at my expense.  She was somewhat surprised the exam wasn't as extensive has hers had been evidently.  I didn't even have to take off my pants...so take that sweetheart.

There was only one other spot the doctor was concerned about that may have been precancerous, and he froze that.  The only hitch in the appointment was that the referring doctor failed to send the pathology report.  That inhibited any further treatment of the known cancer.  Once they get the pathology they will know better how to proceed with treatment.  I will be heading back for that in a week or two.  However, due to my complexion (Irish) and this current cancer I will be making regular visits, every 6 months.  Yippee.  More freaking doctors.  That will make 8 visits to 4 different doctors every year.  The price I am paying for the ignorance of my youth.  Yeah, I know, it could be worse.  

We also made our monthly trip to Costco to stock up and spent more money than I had planned.  They always have something new or something not on my list that I just really think I have to have.  They get me almost every time.  I'm weak and ashamed.  

The preparations to have the entire family (around 25 folks) to our house this next Saturday, have started getting serious.  I have a bit of yard work to take care of, we want it presentable and since it will be outside it demands a little more attention.  Also the inside will get and has been getting spruced up.  We don't want them to see how we really live LOL.  I hate visitors you have to clean up for, but here we are.  We brought it on ourselves.  We felt like Son #2 and his new bride deserved at least a small party/reception since they have missed out on all the showers etc. they would have normally received with an extended engagement.  Plus it is a good chance to spend time with the relatives closest to us we don't see very often.  I may even try to behave.

Happy Trails

The Revolution Begins

On this day in 1835, fighting broke out at Gonzales between Mexican soldiers and Texas militiamen. When Domingo de Ugartechea, military commander in Texas, received word that the American colonists of Gonzales refused to surrender a small cannon that had been given that settlement in 1831 as a defense against the Indians, he dispatched Francisco de Castañeda and 100 dragoons to retrieve it on September 27. Though Castañeda attempted to avoid conflict, on the morning of October 2 his force clashed with local Texan militia led by John Henry Moore in the first battle of the Texas Revolution. The struggle for the "Come and Take It" cannon was only a brief skirmish that ended with the retreat of Castañeda and his force, but it also marked a clear break between the American colonists and the Mexican government.

Source:  Texas Historical Commission

Happy Trails

More Prodding and Poking

Back on the 11th I went in for my yearly physical.  For the most part things were better than usual as far as my diabetes numbers were concerned.  That was actually great news.  The change in meds and more exercise was/is paying off.  While there I mentioned a few minor issues that I wanted to get checked.  One was a wart I have had for years that just won't go away.  So they decided to do a biopsy.  I realized right away that it was more than just a wart of he wanted to biopsy it.  The doctor even mentioned that it might be squamous cell carcinoma.  As it turns out, that is what it is.  

I didn't really know what it was/is.  I know it is pretty common and have at least one friend that has multiple issues with this.  This is brief article on exactly what it is: squamous cell carcinoma 

It fits exactly what mine appears to be.

I don't think it is really anything to worry about.  I just don't relish the idea of more doctors and having to submit to the type of exam that will now occur with a dermatologist.  

No, I'm not really worried, just bummed.  I'll be ok.

Happy Trails

TRUTH

I can't say it any better about how those protestors have gotten it all wrong:

I am sure he will feel the wrath of the left and maybe get banned from you tube/google

Fall Cleaning

Yes, we are hard at it, trying to get things squared away and cleaned up around the homestead.  Since we will be hosting a gathering of family and friends for Son #2 and his new bride we want things to be more presentable than they usually are.  Even if we weren't hosting we needed to get busy with a few things anyway.  It doesn't take long for things to get somewhat out of hand for two people that would rather do other things than clean house.  Oh don't get me wrong, we do clean house but we don't do the deep clean thing that often.

We also had been having a problem with ants.  You think you have cleaned up after yourself when you eat, but you find out pretty quick just how thorough you were.  One little almost invisible crumb would get swarmed by ants.  When things get dry around here, some bugs start coming inside looking for water.  I think that is what has happened with the ants.  It has happened before and it hasn't been as big an issue as it has this time.  So, we started the deep clean and moving items around in order for me to spray insecticide inside.  I don't like using it inside but nothing else has been working.  One of our concerns about using a pesticide is the effects on our fur baby, Buster.  Since he lays around on the floor I worry about him getting some of the residue on him.  So I use it sparingly and very seldom if ever inside.  I don't even use it much outside.  This time around I was using a fine mist to apply and forgot to turn off the ceiling fans.  It wasn't too long before I was feeling light headed.  The fans were blowing the mist around too much and I was breathing it in.  SMH.  I'm still alive.

The wife has also been trying to thin out some of her 'beads' and jewelry making supplies.  She has been at it for several days.  I can't really see a dent in anything she has done but I know she has been hauling stuff out.  You would have to see all the beads and supplies she has to understand.  No, it's not a hoarder level type thing.  More may have to go if she never goes back to the resort.  Not sure how she will dispose of it, there is a lot of money tied up in that stuff.  I am sure she will come up with a plan to sell it to her jewelry making friends or something.  Actually she has never said anything about getting rid of any of it.  It's just me thinking that and you know how that would probably go over.

Sat in on a 'webinar' for medicare yesterday.  I have to register for that in the next few months.  I was a little surprised by some things.  Most of all the premium I will have to pay monthly.  It will be an added expense that I thought would be offset by the changes to my current insurance.  Nope, not even close.  We need to figure out some things in that regard.   

Happy Trails

I Don't Know

It seems we have volunteered (I didn't) to do some work at the place where Son #2 lives while he is in Arizona with his new bride.  I would love to have heard the conversation that got me committed to that.  It is mostly painting two rooms he would like done before they come back.  That will be sometime the first week of October.  However, one of the rooms is wall paper.  That will require covering it with joint compound first and letting it dry.  That is something we have done in several rooms we had wallpaper in.  It turns out really well and is much easier than your standard way of getting rid of wallpaper.  I suppose this will take at least three days to accomplish.  They don't even care what color paint to use, they will leave that up to us.  SMH.

I see that as an opportunity for Son #2 and his new bride to work together on a project.  You know, the things that husbands and wives do together, bringing them closer and closer.  I tried that argument with the wife and it fell on deaf ears.  She told me if I didn't want to she would do it herself and I could stay home.  I'm tempted.  So one day soon we will need to go over and assess what needs to be done and let the wife decide on the color.  

How did I get myself into this?

I have been looking for some quick easy leather projects that I can turn out quickly and make a larger number of in a short time.  I can have them on hand in time in case Kim is still able to work at the resort come Christmas.  There are any number of various things I am considering and have three in mind at the moment, but that could change as I do more research.  I can also use them to gift friends etc. when I feel like it without too much effort and little cost.  One is a coaster for a wine glass that I think is unique, various types of key fobs and another coaster with a mirror inside.

I will post picture of those when I get a few done.

Happy Trails

New Toy

A while back I picked up a cheap little dash cam.  I had been watching you tube and several videos of folks with these things appeared.  For some reason there are a lot of them from Russia.  From what I gather, after watching a bunch of those, you probably need one if you drive there.  They are crazy drivers and no one would believe your story if you didn't have a dash cam to prove it.

I don't use it very often if at all, however I did get a few hours of video on our way out to Arizona at the end of last month.  No, no Russian drivers made their appearance thankfully.  Actually it was very uneventful driving.  I did capture part of an area I would have liked to stop at for a few minutes and get some photos.  It is somewhere east of Tuscon, Texas Canyon.  No idea why it's named that.  It has a lot of big boulders all tumbled around.  It is pretty impressive as far as big rocks go.  

So here is the video of that part of our trip.  It will give you an idea what a very cheap dash cam looks like and a view of part of the canyon.  It was overcast so the colors don't really stand out and I only have the straight ahead highway view, but maybe you can get an idea of why I thought it was pretty cool.  

Skip to the 1 minute mark to get to the start of the canyon.

Happy Trails