First of the Month

Lots of errands to run today.  Credit Union, Costco, grocery, leather store.  Nothing really fun for sure.  Spending money and time is about all it adds up to.

The garden is having some problems.  The heat, as I mentioned before has reduced production considerably.  Bugs are taking their toll on the remainder and now some sort of white substance has started appearing on a couple of the plants.  I will jerk out the plants that have the white stuff.  They were pretty much done anyway.  And speaking of heat, yesterday was the hottest day we have had so far.  I don't know the temperature officially, but my reading was 5* higher than any other I have had this Summer.  I had 101 when it is usually 95-96 on my patio.  I could feel it was hotter than we have had also.  We just limit any outdoor activity during those times.

Happy Trails

Friday

Been a pretty busy day today.  Went and got my truck inspected and the oil changed then headed back into town to try and get that piece of glass I needed to replace the one I broke with the lawnmower. Yes, they had it ready to go and I got it installed and we are good to go.  Then I finished up the last wallet of three I have been working on.  A full day and it is just early afternoon.  

I woke up around 5 AM this morning and I had various aches and pains.  Not all that unusual except there was a new sharp pain in my hip joint.  I could hardly walk but made it to the Motrin and downed several of those.  I managed to get back to sleep after a bit and slept much later than normal. I guess I was making up for a fitful night of not sleeping well.  No idea what brought this new ache on, but I did without my usual exercise this morning just to give a little rest.  Maybe it is a touch of sciatica based on what I think I know.  

Tonight we head over to some friends house to say goodbye to a family that is relocating to another city.  Looking forward to the gathering but not the reason.  I can't talk much about what this family has been through and we shared their troubles and helped where we could.  This is a new a much more prosperous venture for them and I am optimistic.  The oldest son has just graduated high school and will be joining the Army shortly.  He could do worse by a long shot.  I think it gives him opportunities he wouldn't have had otherwise.  I hope I can keep my composure tonight.

Happy Trails

Movie

I took in another movie.  That puts me at my annual limit of 2.  Actually I had no plans to go and then

Son #1 called and wanted to go see 'Dunkirk' and wanted me to go.  He knows my tastes and he probably knew his wife would prefer something else.  

This was a very different movie.  From what I know about Dunkirk and the time frame it seemed to be very realistic.  Not to mention I watched an interview with a 98 year old survivor of Dunkirk as he came out of the movie.  He was a very eloquent gentleman and was in grasp of all his faculties.  He got very emotional at one point while relating his thoughts.  He said it brought back so many memories of that time and it was very realistic.  So there you go.  

How was it different?  First off there were no major stars.  So there were no prima donna acting bits.

Also, how the story was told was different than most anything I have seen.  Each section of the story was told in real time and then they would tie back into each other.  Hard to explain but I don't think I have ever seen it done quite like that.  You had to pay attention.  It was pretty intense as you can probably imagine.  Not as bloody as you might expect either.  I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The Grandkids were here for a night and that was enjoyable.  It got us out of our rut for a bit.  

A few other errands were attempted.  Yes, attempted and failed.  I went into town to get a piece of glass cut for the window that was broken.  They couldn't cut it since their tech was out.  They would call me the next day when they have it cut.  Didn't happen so I will have to wait until Friday.  Three days and two trips for a piece of glass.  While I was out at the movie I decided to stop for an inspection for my truck.  Again, no dice.  Their computer was down, until further notice.  So I will head into town again Friday and get the glass and an inspection along with an oil change.  I hope, fingers crossed.  

Happy Trails

Out of Africa

The Sahara Desert has come to this part of Texas.  The skies are hazy with the dust that has travelled thousands of miles across the Atlantic.  It has played havoc with sinuses in these parts.  Fortunately I am not suffering from the onslaught of dust.  Not sure how long this is supposed to last.  This isn't anything new.  It happens most years.  It just seems a little heavier than most.  So we are assailed with the dust of Africa in July and the smoke from fires in Mexico in June.  Although this past June I didn't notice the usual haze and smell we get with the smoke.  It is much more bothersome than the dust as far as I'm concerned.  

I am still working on still busy with a few leather projects, mostly wallets the wife wanted for her inventory.  Of course wallets are the least enjoyable thing I do with leather.  But she is able to sell them so I comply somewhat grudgingly.  I also delivered the last leatherman scabbard, he was more than pleased.  I'm just glad to have things like that to do that can make others happy.  I also found a couple holster kits I forgot I had.  I think I will just keep those on hand for special orders.

I had to cut the grass in the back this morning.  It was getting out of hand.  But that is by design mostly.  I let the grass grow much longer than normal in this heat.  It helps it survive a little better.  

The shorter cuts tend to burn up this time of year, especially in the areas exposed to direct sunlight most of the day.  It also saves on water, and we are on increased restrictions just recently.  The yard for the most part is in pretty good shape considering the time of year it is.  I also hit something unseen in the tall grass.  I will be replacing a window now.

I think my garden is just about done though.  Stink bugs have invaded and they seem to affect the ripening process.  From what I understand they sting the tomato (I didn't know they had stingers) and the spot that happens refuses to ripen.  The tomato will eventually rot before ripening.  I will probably be jerking them out in the next week or so.  I will try to get the last few green ones off when they ripen.  I won't plant any Fall tomatoes this year.  I will let it go dormant and cover it to kill off the bermuda I can't seem to stop from growing in there.

Happy Trails

Human Trafficking

Yes, this is the big news down in Libtardville.  In case you haven't gotten the news about it, here is a link to the latest news.  Human Trafficking.  This isn't the first time this has happened here and most likely won't be the last despite the outrage shown by the local politicos.  If you will note in the article, the poor souls are called 'immigrants.'  That is the typical name used for anyone that comes over the border by the local news.  I am not passing judgement on those that died in the back of that truck.  I know there have been comments that blame the victims for their demise.  I haven't read the comments but I have seen some news that they have been made and it doesn't surprise me.  I cannot fathom the type of heart that would do that sort of thing during tragedy.  But it happens, all too frequently.  I think it is a very sad situation, those folks didn't ask to die in the back of an abandoned truck. 

Regardless of the reason they came here, wishing bad things on them is just abhorrent.  It's akin to laughing at those that have been less fortunate or have experienced a tragedy.  I have seen it with my own eyes.  It's not any different than those kids that filmed the drowning man and laughed about him dying and not trying to help or get help.  My mind cannot grasp that type of behaviour.  A special place in Hell awaits them.  I am guessing that the families of some of the victims will never know what happened to their loved one.  

What makes the coyotes (those that bring them across for a fee) leave these people in a locked trailer in 100* heat?  You got your $'s, what do you gain by leaving them to die?  It makes absolutely no sense.  Just unlock it and leave.

Don't get me wrong.  Things are really bad along our Southern border in regard to illegals entering along with the drug cartel situation.  It is much worse than we ever hear about.  It's part of the liberal approach to news.  They won't report anything that is against their liberal agenda.  Reporting the truth is a thing of the distant past.  No one really knows how bad things are due to this mindset.  Once they realize their mistake, it will be much too late if it isn't already.  

Quite a few people from this area used to frequent the border area, going across for a mini vacation and shopping.  It doesn't happen near as much as it did and for some, it has ceased completely.  Even those that had business on the other side refuse to go anymore.  It is just too dangerous for those that don't look like a local.  It's not just skin color.  You can tell by the dress and manner of speech, even if you speak the language fluently.  Just like you can tell when you are talking to someone not local to your area and from another State.  They definitely sound different.  If it is bad enough for us to stop going for fun, just think how bad it is for those that live there all the time.  Yes, the locals bear some of the blame for that.  But this has been a corrupt society from nearly the very beginning.  It is near impossible to change something like that within a lifetime.  Something that is expected and accepted as the 'way things are.'

OK, I don't know how I got here.  I think I'll shut up.

More Leather

I delivered the latest Leatherman tool scabbard last night.  Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of it.

Maybe just as well, I don't think it was some of my best work.  These scabbards seemed to be more difficult to make than most other things I have of similar size.  I think it mostly is I didn't have any pattern to base my cuts on.  So I had to do it as I went.  Consequently there were some details that didn't work as easily as you might think.  Thus I had more issues with how it turned out than I would have prefered.  If I had had more leather I would have made another one with fewer errors.  The Fire Fighter I made them for was very happy with how they turned out.  He was more than pleased when I gifted him the last one since it will be the one he wears at his job.  It was just a small thank you for what he does in his line of work on the rescue squad and being a Marine veteran of Iraq.  I truly admire this young man.

I bit the bullet and ordered a side of leather today.  It should last me a good while with as little as we are selling now.  But it is good to have on hand and will give me something to do when I get too bored and keep my hand in it.  I do notice my skills have slipped a little since I haven't worked with leather much lately.  I have a few ideas for some things that the wife may be able to sell at the resort. 

I will be looking for patterns for various things I have in mind while I am waiting on the leather to get here.  Since the summer is coming to a close and a huge fall off in the time the wife will spend plying her trade at the resort, this isn't the best time to have ordered leather and have new ideas.  It's what I get for procrastinating.

I have a cousin I rarely ever see that lives a good distance from me.  He is about my age.  He fell off a ladder.  I don't know many of the details but apparently he was using a chainsaw while on the ladder.

I am assuming he was trimming some trees.  The chainsaw hit his head and injured his skull and brain.  He isn't doing too well.  I am trying to keep up through the book of faces so information is only sporadic.  So if you can spare a good thought or prayer it is appreciated.

We made a trip down to my parents and took the DNA test for my Dad.  Mine and his will go in the mail today.  We had lunch with them and visited a while.  Then we had to hit the road early to try and beat the hellish traffic we have to go through to get home.  We still hit jams even though rush hour was still  hours away.  They live all the way across Libtardville from where we live.  It gets harder and harder to travel over there and back.  Consequently we don't make as many trips as we should.  I dread having to make an emergency trip some day and having to do it during rush hour.  It's best not to think about it.

OK, time to get back to some minor leather work, thanks for stopping by.

Happy Trails.

DNA

I am trying to finish up that leatherman scabbard today.  I received my order for some wallet kits this weekend so that will keep me busy most of this week.  I am on the verge of ordering a side of leather. The wife has been pushing me to do this for a few weeks, but I just don't want to spend the money.  I probably will bite the bullet some time this week and just order it.  It will last me a good while.  Even though things have been a bit slow with leather work, I wouldn't have the excuse to turn down work then.

I bought the wife a Kindle Fire during the Amazon Prime days.  It was on sale extremely cheap.  She has already used it some.  This is for a decidedly non-techie person.  Even if she doesn't use it much we aren't out much money and she may just use it once it a while.

I also ordered an Ancestry DNA kit for myself and one for my Dad.  These were on sale also, much cheaper than I have ever seen them.  Hopefully we can get an idea of our lineage.  I dabble with genealogy some and have hit several brick walls.  The most perplexing is my Dad's true Grandfather. The one we get our surname from.  We have little to no information on who the real one is.  It was kept hush hush in those days.  We will head over to my parents house on Wednesday and take the DNA kit for my Dad.  Not sure how this will work out.  Have been reading about DNA and elderly folks having trouble producing enough saliva and the test being invalid.  Plus, they send you a link for your results instead of a paper copy.  This will work OK for me, but not so sure it will be copacetic with my Dad.  I will have to navigate that for him and that hasn't always worked out well. Hopefully I can access it and be able to print it out for him.  However there is so much detail about types of chromosomes etc., that I know I won't even know how to decipher most of it.  I know it will be tough for him also.  We shall see what this reveals.  

It appears that Son #2 is on the road to matrimony.  Just when I had resolved for myself that it may never happen.  He is extremely happy and we are very happy for him.  This is all happening very quickly so it is a bit to wrap our heads around at this point.  I have to keep asking the wife to repeat things we have been told in order to keep it straight in my head.  She lives two and a half states away so we know only what he tells us.  It has been more than we expected coming from someone that is so private.  We met her once over a meal in a restaurant.  First impression is very good.  My Granddaughter met her also and made her thoughts known in no uncertain terms.  She wants more cousins to play with since it is only her and her brother on our side.  She has quite a few on her Mom's side.  Oh, and she said this to his intended.  She is normally very shy and reserved but got out of her shell where this was concerned.  It didn't scare the young lady one bit and she apparently thought it was cute.  

The tomatoes are still producing but have decidedly slowed down and there are only green ones waiting to ripen, no more new fruit/blossoms due to the heat.  If they survive the brutal month of August them we should see some blooms return around mid September.  We about sick of tomatoes at this point and have been giving more away than we are eating.  

Happy Trails