December 31, 2019
Out with the old
There is a strong breeze blowing this morning, perhaps Ma Nature’s way of sending off the old year. Since this is the last day of the 2019 calendar and of the decade, I think a little review is in order.
Nope.
You can get all of the review you need by clicking into the archives.
I will venture that 2019 started out well, I would assign a letter grade of “A”. The second half earned an “F”. That averages to a “C” I suppose. It seems worse than that. 2020 is starting as an “F”, so things can only get better. Always optimistic me is sure of it.
I said I’m optimistic. Don’t you snigger at me.
No, SJWers of the world, that isn’t a racist word. Look it up.
Have a Happy and Safe New Year.
If you drink, don’t drive.
See you next year.
Nope.
You can get all of the review you need by clicking into the archives.
I will venture that 2019 started out well, I would assign a letter grade of “A”. The second half earned an “F”. That averages to a “C” I suppose. It seems worse than that. 2020 is starting as an “F”, so things can only get better. Always optimistic me is sure of it.
I said I’m optimistic. Don’t you snigger at me.
No, SJWers of the world, that isn’t a racist word. Look it up.
Have a Happy and Safe New Year.
If you drink, don’t drive.
See you next year.
December 30, 2019
I don’t think it is dandruff
It appears the Feds have passed legislation upping the age to purchase tobacco products to 21. I guess like booze, tobacco is so bad it’s use cannot be trusted to immature decision makers. I can think of no reason drinking and smoking are not the rights of a legal adult at 18.
At 18 you can choose a mate. Buy a car. Decide to join the military. Get a tattoo or piercing. Yet according to the Nanny state you cannot buy a bag of chew or a Swisher Sweet or a box of Camels. The government prevents 18 year-olds from purchasing a six pack of Natty Light, a pint of Fireball, or a carton of Marlboros, but encourages that same youth to join up and possibly lose life or limb in a shithole like Afghanistan for no reason whatsoever.
What I really cannot fathom is how the same people who argue that a person under 21 cannot be trusted to make a decision regarding a vice, are all in favor of lowering the voting age to 16.
It is massively head-scratching.
At 18 you can choose a mate. Buy a car. Decide to join the military. Get a tattoo or piercing. Yet according to the Nanny state you cannot buy a bag of chew or a Swisher Sweet or a box of Camels. The government prevents 18 year-olds from purchasing a six pack of Natty Light, a pint of Fireball, or a carton of Marlboros, but encourages that same youth to join up and possibly lose life or limb in a shithole like Afghanistan for no reason whatsoever.
What I really cannot fathom is how the same people who argue that a person under 21 cannot be trusted to make a decision regarding a vice, are all in favor of lowering the voting age to 16.
It is massively head-scratching.
December 29, 2019
queue the boredom
It is warm and rainy this morning as I hopscotch through the interwebz. Today marks the end of the local professional football team’s season. After a promising start they have stumbled to the finishing line out of contention for post season play. Now I face a cold winter of boredom. I don’t care for hockey, can’t stand basketball and wouldn’t suffer through a soccer match on a dare. I guess you will find me with my nose stuck in a book, either real or electric until baseball returns in the spring.
December 28, 2019
Oh,Tradition
It is the breakfast of champions; leftover turkey and an orange, washed down with Walmart brand coffee. I can have that for breakfast because I’m an adult and I can do what I want. Both the turkey and the orange are Christmas leftovers.
I always got an orange in my Christmas sock when I was a kid. It was a tradition that continued as my kids were born. I never really thought about it until a few years ago when my son in law asked “What’s up with the oranges every year? “ as he unloaded his Christmas stocking Santa left here at the homestead. My wife says it wasn’t part of her family tradition either. It is my thing she says. Isn’t that what is cool about tradition? Too bad I don’t have a story to reinforce the annual orange in the stocking thing. It just is.
Connor Prairie is a local living history museum. This year they started a giant Christmas extravaganza. My granddaughter went there with her parents. After they attended the event, my SIL was exited. He said he learned that oranges were a popular Christmas treat in the colonial years. The fruit ripened in the late fall and was generally available in the North around Christmas time. There you have it, the source of the orange-in-the-Christmas-stocking thing.
Country Living magazine did a piece on oranges in the stocking tradition a few years ago. I suspect this is more in line with my family’s practice. My Dad was a child of the depression.
Here is another piece on oranges in the Christmas stockings. I guess I’m not so weird after all!
I always got an orange in my Christmas sock when I was a kid. It was a tradition that continued as my kids were born. I never really thought about it until a few years ago when my son in law asked “What’s up with the oranges every year? “ as he unloaded his Christmas stocking Santa left here at the homestead. My wife says it wasn’t part of her family tradition either. It is my thing she says. Isn’t that what is cool about tradition? Too bad I don’t have a story to reinforce the annual orange in the stocking thing. It just is.
Connor Prairie is a local living history museum. This year they started a giant Christmas extravaganza. My granddaughter went there with her parents. After they attended the event, my SIL was exited. He said he learned that oranges were a popular Christmas treat in the colonial years. The fruit ripened in the late fall and was generally available in the North around Christmas time. There you have it, the source of the orange-in-the-Christmas-stocking thing.
Country Living magazine did a piece on oranges in the stocking tradition a few years ago. I suspect this is more in line with my family’s practice. My Dad was a child of the depression.
Here is another piece on oranges in the Christmas stockings. I guess I’m not so weird after all!
December 27, 2019
A Potpourri of Words
I’m late to the old blog this morning. I was up late. After a dinner of leftovers, we settled in to binge watch the latest season of “This is Us”. We got through seven episodes before I called it quits, choked down my nighttime meds, and trudged off to bed.
What? Who cares, the wife is enjoys it. She suffers through baseball most summer nights for me. Besides it is actually a pretty good show.
I read through yet another article calling out the Hallmark Christmas Movie Marathon as Fascist, Nazi-like because the Jewish faith is under-represented and of course no LGBQRSTUV. Hey, Solon, it is the Christmas movie marathon, not Kwanza, not Hanukkah, not Pride Week in Key West Marathon. Of course the movies are gonna be about Christmas. The only fascists and authoritarian position is yours by insisting you are the arbiter of content and inclusiveness. Don’t like the content, don’t watch. I do that with about 183 of my 200 channels.
Yesterday was spring-like. Very warm and breezy. Climateers will claim a December day in the low sixties is proof of Global Warming Climate Change We Are All Gonna Die Greta is Right. I will point out the temperatures were warm, but not a record. That distinction for December 26 dates to 1875. Say, isn’t that long before the widespread use of fossil fuels and cars and plastic bags at groceries and drinking straws? Maybe it is just weather after all.
I have ranted enough today. Have a great Friday.
What? Who cares, the wife is enjoys it. She suffers through baseball most summer nights for me. Besides it is actually a pretty good show.
I read through yet another article calling out the Hallmark Christmas Movie Marathon as Fascist, Nazi-like because the Jewish faith is under-represented and of course no LGBQRSTUV. Hey, Solon, it is the Christmas movie marathon, not Kwanza, not Hanukkah, not Pride Week in Key West Marathon. Of course the movies are gonna be about Christmas. The only fascists and authoritarian position is yours by insisting you are the arbiter of content and inclusiveness. Don’t like the content, don’t watch. I do that with about 183 of my 200 channels.
Yesterday was spring-like. Very warm and breezy. Climateers will claim a December day in the low sixties is proof of Global Warming Climate Change We Are All Gonna Die Greta is Right. I will point out the temperatures were warm, but not a record. That distinction for December 26 dates to 1875. Say, isn’t that long before the widespread use of fossil fuels and cars and plastic bags at groceries and drinking straws? Maybe it is just weather after all.
I have ranted enough today. Have a great Friday.
December 26, 2019
the big recap episode
Christmas came and went here at the old homestead. I cooked up the traditional fare around here: turkey, noodles, rolls, mac and cheese, nasty* sweet potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallows. My daughter brought over mashed spuds and corn casserole. It was a veritable carbopalloza. We have plenty of leftovers to keep us in turkey sandwiches for a few days.
There were lots of presents for the grandgirls, and a little something for the kids. It was a gathering of family and that is never a bad thing.
On Christmas Eve we travelled to the land of my birth to celebrate with my dad and my brother and his wife in the afternoon and then went to my wife’s niece’s house for a pitch-in dinner. The wife has a big extended family and when all of them get together it is fun and loud and crazy. I always enjoy going there. The evening is topped off with a gift exchange among the kids and a white elephant gift exchange among the adults. I originally scored a scented candle and woman’s knit stocking cap. That was stolen and exchanged for a car wash set. After things wrapped up the wife made a side trade with one of her nieces to get a battery powered work light for the car chamois. The wife got a role of toilet paper printed with “here’s your crappy gift”. Not surprisingly, no one wanted to steal that one.
I hope you had a great Christmas and Hanukkah. May your Kwanza be fruitful or happy or gratifying. If you don’t celebrate those holidays I hope you have a good Thursday.
*one of the few foods in the world I refuse to eat, but the wife loves them, so I make them for her. Frankly, even the smell of sweet potatoes makes me want to gag.
There were lots of presents for the grandgirls, and a little something for the kids. It was a gathering of family and that is never a bad thing.
On Christmas Eve we travelled to the land of my birth to celebrate with my dad and my brother and his wife in the afternoon and then went to my wife’s niece’s house for a pitch-in dinner. The wife has a big extended family and when all of them get together it is fun and loud and crazy. I always enjoy going there. The evening is topped off with a gift exchange among the kids and a white elephant gift exchange among the adults. I originally scored a scented candle and woman’s knit stocking cap. That was stolen and exchanged for a car wash set. After things wrapped up the wife made a side trade with one of her nieces to get a battery powered work light for the car chamois. The wife got a role of toilet paper printed with “here’s your crappy gift”. Not surprisingly, no one wanted to steal that one.
I hope you had a great Christmas and Hanukkah. May your Kwanza be fruitful or happy or gratifying. If you don’t celebrate those holidays I hope you have a good Thursday.
*one of the few foods in the world I refuse to eat, but the wife loves them, so I make them for her. Frankly, even the smell of sweet potatoes makes me want to gag.
Merry Christmas you filthy animal
There we were Monday, scrambling to get the right gifts with our meager funds. We found ourselves driving down Keystone Ave, heading to the Butler campus to grab a gift from the bookstore. Traffic was bumper to bumper and all three lanes southbound were filled with commuters, shoppers, errand-runners and ne’er-do-wells. We were stopped on the edge of South Broadripple, not far from the boy’s apartment (we weren’t visiting, he was at work).
We were minding our business when a car slammed right into the back of our little Escape. Hard. Even the wife cursed. I looked in the rear view and saw a silver four door, likely a GM product, maybe a Korean job. I could see the front quarter panel was hanging loose. The driver was pointing out the window to a parking lot just beside me. I turned in to exchange info, just to see him gas it and flee down the street as fast as he could. I was boxed in by the heavy traffic and the little bastard was long gone.
I climbed out and checked the wreckage. Some whiteish scrapes of paint where his front end went under my bumper appears to be the only damage. Lights, cameras and the rest appear to be in good shape. There is no apparent buckling anywhere. I suspect the trailer hitch mount gave a modicum of protection. I have uninsured motorist coverage but it is subject to a deductible, which I certainly don’t have. I will take the car into a body shop today for an estimate before I file a claim, just to see if there is any internal damage.
So if you see a jerkoff driving around the greater Broadripple area with a loose bumper sporting a square hole dead center from my trailer hitch mount get his license plate will ya?
Every time I think life cannot suck any more Fate tosses another curveball my way.
We were minding our business when a car slammed right into the back of our little Escape. Hard. Even the wife cursed. I looked in the rear view and saw a silver four door, likely a GM product, maybe a Korean job. I could see the front quarter panel was hanging loose. The driver was pointing out the window to a parking lot just beside me. I turned in to exchange info, just to see him gas it and flee down the street as fast as he could. I was boxed in by the heavy traffic and the little bastard was long gone.
I climbed out and checked the wreckage. Some whiteish scrapes of paint where his front end went under my bumper appears to be the only damage. Lights, cameras and the rest appear to be in good shape. There is no apparent buckling anywhere. I suspect the trailer hitch mount gave a modicum of protection. I have uninsured motorist coverage but it is subject to a deductible, which I certainly don’t have. I will take the car into a body shop today for an estimate before I file a claim, just to see if there is any internal damage.
So if you see a jerkoff driving around the greater Broadripple area with a loose bumper sporting a square hole dead center from my trailer hitch mount get his license plate will ya?
Every time I think life cannot suck any more Fate tosses another curveball my way.
December 25, 2019
December 24, 2019
December 23, 2019
December 22, 2019
The days are getting longer.
We cleaned house yesterday since some friends were coming over. A good evening was had by all. Hopefully things will remain in good order until Wednesday and the Holiday festivities. I just need to remember to trudge upstairs to the bathroom instead of using the half bath in the downstairs hall.
We are hosting Christmas dinner. The turkey is purchased, the rest of the carbs and veggies I will get Monday. The bird is sitting in the garage fridge thawing slowly. I will probably have to give it the water treatment starting Monday night or early Tuesday to ensure it is ready to bake early Wednesday morning. I toyed with the idea of smoking it, but I think I will stick to a traditional oven roast.
The wife is off later this morning to our daughter’s to start of frenzy of holiday baking. Cookies, candy, fudge, and other treats are on the agenda. I will contribute by staying home and watching football, napping, and scratching my crotch whenever the need arises. In other words, I will spend the day like a typical Sunday.
Happy Hanukkah to those of you of the faith.
When my oldest son was home last week my granddaughter was asking him about his Christmas decorations back in Colorado. He allowed he had none, not even a tree. “Oh”, she said, “Do you celebrate ‘Hanamakanah instead?”. We all cracked up. Five year olds.
Remember, be nice, no matter how much the a-holes get you down this Holiday Season.
Have a great Sunday readers.
We are hosting Christmas dinner. The turkey is purchased, the rest of the carbs and veggies I will get Monday. The bird is sitting in the garage fridge thawing slowly. I will probably have to give it the water treatment starting Monday night or early Tuesday to ensure it is ready to bake early Wednesday morning. I toyed with the idea of smoking it, but I think I will stick to a traditional oven roast.
The wife is off later this morning to our daughter’s to start of frenzy of holiday baking. Cookies, candy, fudge, and other treats are on the agenda. I will contribute by staying home and watching football, napping, and scratching my crotch whenever the need arises. In other words, I will spend the day like a typical Sunday.
Happy Hanukkah to those of you of the faith.
When my oldest son was home last week my granddaughter was asking him about his Christmas decorations back in Colorado. He allowed he had none, not even a tree. “Oh”, she said, “Do you celebrate ‘Hanamakanah instead?”. We all cracked up. Five year olds.
Remember, be nice, no matter how much the a-holes get you down this Holiday Season.
Have a great Sunday readers.
December 21, 2019
Winter solstice soliloquy.
With a heavy heart we dropped the oldest boy at the airport last night. I wish he could stay for Christmas, but I am happy he was able to come “home” at all. It must be strange for him to visit us in a house and city he never lived, even though it is home to us.
Southerly winds arrive today and portend to melt away the snow on the ground. By tomorrow the snowman in the front yard will be but a wet spot on the ground and a pile of once noses, arms, scarf, mittens, hat. The chances for a white Christmas are zero according to the weather lady on the local news.
After we dropped off the boy at the airport we motored down to the big shopping mall on the south side of the big city. I don’t know why. I drive where I am told. Apparently there was something at that mall unavailable at any of the three shopping malls within 15 minutes of the homestead. The wife had a couple of bags in her hand when she found me waiting patiently watching the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season.
We may eat pancakes or beans next week for every meal but everyone will get a little something under the tree. Do you have any gift ideas for the long-suffering wife? Granted, she has me, so every day is like Christmas for her, but a little cherry on top of the sundae that is her life would be nice. I have no ideas at all.
Enjoy your Saturday, it is going to be a short one.
Southerly winds arrive today and portend to melt away the snow on the ground. By tomorrow the snowman in the front yard will be but a wet spot on the ground and a pile of once noses, arms, scarf, mittens, hat. The chances for a white Christmas are zero according to the weather lady on the local news.
After we dropped off the boy at the airport we motored down to the big shopping mall on the south side of the big city. I don’t know why. I drive where I am told. Apparently there was something at that mall unavailable at any of the three shopping malls within 15 minutes of the homestead. The wife had a couple of bags in her hand when she found me waiting patiently watching the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season.
We may eat pancakes or beans next week for every meal but everyone will get a little something under the tree. Do you have any gift ideas for the long-suffering wife? Granted, she has me, so every day is like Christmas for her, but a little cherry on top of the sundae that is her life would be nice. I have no ideas at all.
Enjoy your Saturday, it is going to be a short one.
December 20, 2019
Head scratching and light saber waving
Let me get this straight. Trump was such a bad boy, punishment could not wait for the process to play out:witnesses compelled to testify, all of the evidence gathered. The Fate of The Nation demanded immediate impeachment.
Now the partisan Dems don’t want a trial in the Senate because they cannot call the witnesses there wasn’t time for. And they are afraid the process will be tainted by partisan politics. It will. How many Democrat Presidential contenders will gain a political advantage if their sure opponent is disqualified?
I confess I am not smart enough to see the end game here.
Impeachment is like the movie Cats. Our betters think it is a good thing. The rest of us don’t give a damn. Both will be a flop.
Speaking of movies, I watched the new Star Wars flick last night. I rate it as satisfactory. Not great, better than the previous two installments of the triple trilogy. The entire Skywalker saga of the last forty plus years is completed with almost every loose end neatly tied into a bow, even though the effort was achieved through massive plot holes and stretches of the already thin “Force” ideology. But I was entertained. Isn’t that the real point of a movie?
Now the partisan Dems don’t want a trial in the Senate because they cannot call the witnesses there wasn’t time for. And they are afraid the process will be tainted by partisan politics. It will. How many Democrat Presidential contenders will gain a political advantage if their sure opponent is disqualified?
I confess I am not smart enough to see the end game here.
Impeachment is like the movie Cats. Our betters think it is a good thing. The rest of us don’t give a damn. Both will be a flop.
Speaking of movies, I watched the new Star Wars flick last night. I rate it as satisfactory. Not great, better than the previous two installments of the triple trilogy. The entire Skywalker saga of the last forty plus years is completed with almost every loose end neatly tied into a bow, even though the effort was achieved through massive plot holes and stretches of the already thin “Force” ideology. But I was entertained. Isn’t that the real point of a movie?
December 18, 2019
Toldja
I said it was going to be a good day. I had no idea. We went to pick up a gift the wife had ordered from WalMart. When we pulled in the drive back home a car followed us in. It was my youngest son. Surprise of surprises, he had been to the airport to pick up my oldest son who flew in from Denver to surprise me for Christmas. He is taking me to see Star Wars tomorrow. I nearly cried.
The oldest boy and I have always shared a love for the space franchise and have seen almost every movie together. He bought the tickets when they went on sale back in early November and has planned this trip since then.
He can only stay until Friday, but I will take it.
Apparently everyone in the family knew but me. I am speechless with joy. The boy said he knows how tough things have been and wanted to do something nice for me.
I think there is something in both eyes, they keep watering.
The oldest boy and I have always shared a love for the space franchise and have seen almost every movie together. He bought the tickets when they went on sale back in early November and has planned this trip since then.
He can only stay until Friday, but I will take it.
Apparently everyone in the family knew but me. I am speechless with joy. The boy said he knows how tough things have been and wanted to do something nice for me.
I think there is something in both eyes, they keep watering.
omitting sarcastic remarks for once
I have a busy day scheduled. I have a couple of interviews on tap, both are repeat performances, so that is a good thing. I know one will represent either a 35% pay cut or a 300% raise, depending on where you stand and look at things. In the short term I can only look at it as a raise. Thursday brings another opportunity to sell myself to a company and position that better fits my skill set and interests. Of course at this date it is clear nothing will happen until January.
100 days until Opening Day! ⚾️
It is gonna be a good day. I hope it is for you too.
100 days until Opening Day! ⚾️
It is gonna be a good day. I hope it is for you too.
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