Saturday, January 31, 2009

Hello on Saturday Morning

Dear Friends,

It is a balmy 12 degrees in the Berkshires as I begin this e-mail. Our snow is back to white again due to some passing snow showers which went through last evening. After a cool day today, we will have two consecutive days in the mid 30's including Super Bowl Sunday. There is something brewing for late Monday into Tuesday. The snow rain line will be a deciding factor into whether we get snow or a wintry mix.

Speaking of Super Bowl Sunday, the Curley's are almost set to host the party. We are doing pulled pork (of course in the crock pot), but some guests are bringing home made wings, Mufalleta type sandwiches, potato skins, etc. Linda is going to whip up something for dessert which has chocolate for the main ingredient. We will have plenty of food and beverages when the guests start to arrive at 4 PM.

Social Calendar -- There is a Rotary Auction at the Crowne Plaza this evening. A bunch of us have been attending the event for years. We usually come away with some treasures or gift certificates of some kind. A few years ago , we shared a week stay at a Rotarian's place in New Smyrna Beach in Florida for $250 per couple.

Politics -- Rush Limbaugh stirred up a little controversy, and he was invited to do an interview on the Campbell Brown show (on CNN). Campbell Brown thinks that Rush could be an asset to Obama and the country to help get things turned around. Could this really be happening? A Republican and a Democrat working together to get the ship on the correct course. Time will tell!

On a different note, I am still thinking about the lady who had octuplets. It would be nice if this was her first attempt to have children, but to have 6 children already at home, is another story in itself. I want to hear something about the father in this situation. He doesn't seem to be mentioned in any of the reports.

I never did make it to see mom at the nursing home yesterday. My sister took charge, and went with my father to a doctor's appointment for Mom. The doctor decided to get Mom some blood work done, and we will get the results on Monday. It might be time to get mom out of the nursing home and back home with the help of the local visiting nurse association.
I am dealing with my cold which is poised to exit my body. No germs like to stay in my body too long. My body type actually scares the germs away.

The most important tasks which we did yesterday was to get some documents from our Teacher Retirement Board notarized so that the pension checks can keep coming in for another year. We had to stop at City Hall to pay our quarterly Real Estate taxes. There is not much joy in paying taxes!

Well, I have to get another cup of coffee, and read the local newspaper.
Have a great weekend.
Enjoy the Super Bowl even if you don't like football. The commercials are often the best part of the game. Being around family (not this year) and friends is what really makes the party.

Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Friday, January 30, 2009

Hello on Friday Morning

Dear Family and Friends,

The Mah Jongg ladies love coming to our house for their weekly session. They arrived at 11:30 AM, and had lunch until noon. They migrated to our finished off basement where the game table is set up. On a second table, Linda sets up snacks. They were having so much fun that the games never ended until almost 5 PM.
Since I left for Lee before the ladies arrived, I missed the crock pot chicken soup. There were no leftovers. Linda filled up some containers of the soup for their friend who had quadruple by pass surgery a couple of weeks, ago. Her husband doesn't know his way around in a kitchen so he will enjoy the soup too.

I spent the afternoon in Lee keeping busy. I cleaned my father's driveway with his snow blower. I then went to visit my mother at the Lee Rehab / Nursing home. She has a wicked chest cold, but she did go through a morning and afternoon therapy session. The case worker, and the therapists said that Mom is not ready to come home.
My sister, and her daughter, and her baby were at the Rehab Center when I arrived. Malakai James Tirrell Lylte is a cutie. He was born on November 24, 2008 but he looks like he has the potential to be a linebacker in the NFL even though he is less than a year old.
I did have my car filled with my ice-fishing gear, but I didn't have the energy to put in my five tip ups. My illness has moved from a sore throat to a head cold. I can't get sick since we have a bunch of people coming to our house for a Super BowL Party on Sunday. Most of the people coming to the party have already said that they could care less about the game it self. They are coming for the socialization, food, and to chose their favorite commercials during the game.

No, my day didn't end with the visit with my mother. I attended a 4 PM wake at the only funeral home in Lee for a family who lost their 89 year old mother to cancer. I saw a good deal of my Lee Goombahs whom I haven't seen in years. I arrived early at the funeral home, but they wouldn't let us in until almost 4:10 PM. I was third in line.

Well, I was going to go ice-fishing today, but I might just stay home a read a good book, and work through my cold.

Linda has a body maintenance appointment at 10 AM. I believe that is it for our social calendar for Friday. Of course, we will be working on the details for our Super Bowl Party.

Have a great weekend.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Hello on Thursday Morning

Dear Family & Friends,

I did have to crank up the snow blower on Wednesday. We got 5 or 6 inches of snow where we live in Pittsfield. The sleet started a little after noon, and lasted for several hours. I think that we even picked up some rain as the storm winded down.

Linda was a domestic Goddess yesterday. Besides the beef chili for lunch, she whipped up a meatloaf for supper since her BONCO session was canceled.

This means today that Linda will be hosting a Mah Jongg session in the afternoon, and BONCO has been rescheduled for this evening at a friend's home.

I was going to go ice fishing, but I am fighting a sore throat. I still might go, but do so during the mid morning instead of leaving the house at 7 AM. I also have to see if Dad's driveway needs to be snow blown. Since I didn't visit Mom on Wednesday, I should visit her today. There are also 3 wakes that I should make an appearance at in three different towns in the Berkshires.

Speaking of sore throats, my sister went from her sore throat to Bronchitis. She finally decided to see a doctor, and she was diagnosed with more than the common cold.

Politics -- The Obama Bailout package is getting close to being passed.
Obama did make the front cover of Mad Magazine.
We might be getting mail only 5 days per week.

Have a great Thursday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Hello on Wendesday Morning

Dear Friends,
It was another day of plenty of fresh air, and no luck ice-fishing. It seems like every day, I meet an old Lee Goombah whom I haven't seen in many years. Many of these guys stop by Laurel Lake just to see if us ice-fisherman are catching any fish.

I did visit Mom at the nursing home after I left the ice. She seemed comfortable as we chatted for a while. She doesn't have a roommate in her new room. They moved her the other day because her previous roommate had some kind of contagious infection. They even put a sign on her old room that says visitors have to check with the nurse before entering. I am fighting something right now, and I hope it is not something which I picked up from this woman.
Mom did ask me how old she was during our conversation. She is experiencing some memory issues. I would be confused because sometimes one of the staff at the Rehab Center asks the patient what day it is, and even I have to ponder that question.

Linda did have another pleasant day alone. Today she has me 24/7. I will let you know how that works out with Thursday's email.
I must admit she did make a wonderful supper, and not in the crock pot. She made a wonderful Chicken Piccata which was better than any Italian Restaurant.

Speaking of the crock pot, yes we have it going right now. She has an excellent looking beef based chili which she fired up before she went to bed last evening. I did the chopping and dicing after supper.

Well, the dirty snow is all but a memory. The snow is falling right now, but the weather prognosticators say that a wintry mix will fall during the afternoon. The mix will fall after we get about four inches of snow. I would imagine that the schools in the county will be shut down today. I am up so darn early that they haven't posted the closings yet. Who cares, we are retired!

Social Calendar -- Linda has her monthly BONCO session this evening during the middle of the Winter Storm. I would imagine that the host will be calling Linda, and the group during the day to reschedule the event.

Politics -- I see where Minnesota is still fight over whether Al Francken should be the representative in Congress or not. I think that some of the people whom we do choose are comedic in their actions anyway. Wasn't there a politician who was caught having gay sex in a bathroom stall at a Minnesota airport?

Obama went to talk to the Republican leadership yesterday to elicit support for his bailout package. He did make a little headway, but he still has a long way to go to sell his proposal.
He sure has a rough road ahead to turn things around. I definitely wouldn't want all the challenges he has.

They have already said that a President ages eight years for the four years which he is in office.

Well, I have a good deal of quiet, and non quiet activities to keep me busy today. Linda is hosting a Mah Jongg session on Thursday in our finished off basement. We also have our Super Bowl Party on Sunday which means the basement will get another workout.
Where I sit and watch my sporting contests might require a bit of cleaning. It looks like a squirrel has been eating nuts and snacks because there is a bit of residue on the carpet.

Have to grab another coffee, and read the local newspaper before I begin my activities.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Hello on Tuesday Morning

Dear Friends,
No luck, once again, on the frozen pond on Monday. It was cold, but there was no wind. I actually never sat in the car all day long.

Today we are going to reach into the mid 20's. We are in a Winter Storm Watch from Tuesday evening through Wednesday. It appears that the snow blower will get a workout after the storm ends on Wednesday.

Yes, I am going back to the frozen pond once again today since I bought some new bait yesterday after my radio interview. The bait shop was about a mile from where the interview took place.

Politics -- 71,400 jobs lost in one day was a real newsmaker.
Rush Limbaugh said that he thinks Obama is a afraid of him.
The Governor of Illinois thinks that by going on the Oprah show will demonstrate how he really is such a wonderful person.

My sister, father , and my mother made it through their doctor appointments. Mother's appointment was the longest with the neurosurgeon because they had to take some X-Rays. Healing does appear to be taking place with respect to her back issues. She still won't be getting out of the Rehab Center in the near future.

After spending almost 8 hours on the ice, I was pretty whipped when I came home. Fresh air is better than any sleeping pill.
Linda had made a wonderful beef barley soup in the Crock Pot. She put together a bunch of left overs, and added some additional ingredients from the freezer.

Linda and her friends had a fun time playing Mah Jongg last night at our house. I was in bed before they left our house.

Linda will have another enjoyable day while I am doing my thing on the ice.
I will also stop in and see mom at the Rehab Center before heading back to Pittsfield.

Well, I have to do some quiet chores before gathering all my ice fishing gear.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Monday, January 26, 2009

Hello on Monday Morning

Dear Friends,

It is below zero once again today. I did stop at the lake across from the Rehab / Nursing home in Lee yesterday. I almost couldn't get a parking place at the boat ramp since there were so many people ice-fishing. I wasn't planning on ice fishing since I was out of live minnow bait. The water from the tap in Pittsfield killed the 6 or 7 bait that I had left over when I left the ice on Saturday.
My taking of the grill created a good deal of discussion from my Catholic readers. I am pretty sure the person left the grill, and just didn't forget to take it home last weekend. There were supposed to be four spring loaded folding legs to keep the grill off of the ground. Upon further inspection, only one leg was still attached to the grill. Like I surmised, the person didn't want the grill any more. I can sleep without guilt!

Politics -- It is good to see the my political views elicited much discussion over the past few days. Let us see what another week will bring as we enter Obama's first full week as President.

Social Calendar -- I am leaving the house a little after 7 AM to do that radio / public access television program called "Good Morning Pittsfield". I think that I am going to go from the interview to the frozen pond. The bait shop is a couple of miles from the radio station. The ice fishing adventure is really dependent on the weather forecast

Linda is hosting Mah Jongg at our hour tonight at 6:30 PM. This group of friends hasn't played since before Christmas. They will be in serious withdrawal mode.

Doctors / Mother / Swallowing issues -- My father and sister are going off to see the same doctor for their health issues mid morning today. Their appointments are 30 minutes apart.
Mom has a 2:30 PM appointment with a neurosurgeon today. She will travel by the nursing home van to the appointment. The Rehab center is also going to look into the swallowing issues which Mother has been experiencing for the past week.
I spoke to the head person in the kitchen on Sunday, and she will make sure that Mom gets more of the soup, jello, ice cream type of food instead of the full meals which Mother can't stand to look at.

Well, I have to get back to my quiet activities.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Hello on Sunday Morning

Dear Friends,

It is two below zero, and still falling. If there is a January thaw, it won't be starting for the next few days. As a matter of fact, Linda talked to one of her Mah Jongg friends who is currently staying in Florida. She said that she had to turn the heat on since it was so cold.

Our Saturday went well. I tried my luck at ice-fishing once again for about four hours. Actually I went from the ice, to a wake service before a funeral, to a visit with my Mom, back to the ice, and then back to visit Mom before I headed home early Saturday afternoon.

While I was taking an afternoon nap, Linda went off to do some errands.

No our day didn't end when she came home at 4:30 PM. We went off to Bennigan's, and a movie at the Berkshire Mall with another couple. The food, and the movie, "Grand Torino", was good.

No our day didn't end after the movies. We decided to have some Friendly's Ice cream before heading home.

Politics -- I was thinking about several of the comments from my Republican family and friends. One response talked about how the Liberal media picked on the last President from the moment he took office. First of all, when the last Republican President took office, there was some question of whether he actually won the election. That controversy in itself, set the tone.
Also, President Bush did open himself up to a great deal of scrutiny. He did have a little trouble with the spoken word. He and his advisers did get us into a never ending conflict under the guise of Weapons of Mass Destruction. I am not denying that the Twin Towers Destruction didn't happen. I am not denying that Sadam was a bad guy, but I am more afraid of Iran.
There are despots in a good deal of countries throughout the world which need our watchful eye. Can we afford, and do we have the manpower / resources to go after every one of them?

Social Calendar -- Linda is going off to see a double feature movie with two of her girlfriends at a south county movie theater this afternoon. I will finish savoring another book since I am staying away from the frozen pond until it gets a bit warmer one of these days.
Oops, I forgot that I should visit my mother at the Rehab Center once again.

Next Sunday is the Superbowl, and I can't wait! Actually , I can't wait to see the 30 second, 3 million dollar commercials. Sometimes, they end up worth watching more than the football game itself.

Have a great Sunday, and enjoy the last week of January.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Hello on Saturday Morning

Dear Friends,
No luck on the ice yesterday, but the weather was nice. I left the house a little after 6 AM. It is only 12 miles to the pond. I drilled five holes, and had the tip ups set up by 7 AM. Two of my Lee Goombahs showed up about 9 AM, and set up next to me. One of these friends started talking about that charcoal grill, which someone had left, that he had been eying for several days at the boat ramp parking lot. He thought that if the owner didn't return, that he would take the grill. You had to be there to listen to, and see his response when I told him that I took the grill after I was there just one day. I know a good deal when I see one.

Around 3:30 PM, I had packed up, and went across the street to visit my mother at the Rehab Center. My sister and my father were there. My father has made a family decision to keep my mother in the nursing home for one month. He will have to dip into his modest "nest egg".

Linda had a pleasant day while I was doing my thing. She decided to go off to the movies without me. She saw the "Slumdog Millionare". She really enjoyed. She did say that there were very few people were in the theater. There were about seven people by themselves along with a few couples in our age group.

Isn't get great that we can find pleasure doing different things? Not everything has to be a couples affair, especially when you get older.

I would go back to pond for a couple hours today, but the temperatures are supposed to fall like a right starting at daylight if not before.

I have been sleeping well. Being in the fresh air for several hours at a time beats taking a sleeping pill( which I never have taken).

Politics -- It is still early in the political game with the new President. It would be nice if the Republican Talking Heads would give the guy a chance for a little while before finding fault with his every move that he makes.

Social Calendar -- Since Linda and I have been meeting for supper only for three straight days, it might be time for a couples day. With the cold forecast, we might just stay at home and bond together. This is just one possibility.
Oh, I forgot about Mom at the nursing home. Well, I still have my ice-fishing gear in my car. I could drop in a few tip ups, and go across the street and visit her.

Have a great weekend.
If you live in the Northeast, try and stay warm. It will be cold for a few days before the temperature rises.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Friday, January 23, 2009

Hello on Friday Morning

Dear Friends,
I had no luck with my ice-fishing adventure. The guys next to me caught a trout.
The hatchery truck did stop by at noontime. They stocked about a dozen Salmon, all in the three foot plus range. No one caught any when they were released, but I am going back this morning to see if I can catch one. The temperature is supposed to rise into the mid 30's which will seem like a heat wave. The temperatures are supposed to drop like a rock Saturday afternoon, and remain in the teens for the next two days.

Linda had fun at her Mah Jongg session at a new person's home in Lee. Several of the usual players are off in warmer climates.

Linda and I met at the nursing home when she finished her Mah Jongg session, and when I decided it was time to leave the ice (about 3:30 PM). Good thing that we were there because Mom was in bed when supper arrived. She still has the swallowing, and keeping food down issue. The evening meal was baked macaroni which would have been a disaster. We had them bring soup, and Jello. Linda fed my mother.
When Linda and I left, I asked Linda who is going to feed us when we are 30 years older, and experiencing some physical difficulties. Our children don't live just 12 miles away. Maybe having the "Big One" (a heart attack), is the best way to end our lives on this earth.
Speaking of heart attacks, Linda and I had a wonderful pot roast (red meat) last evening. It was so nice to come home to a home cooked meal , especially since we were so busy. The crock pot did a wonderful job cooking the meat, and including the cooking of carrots, onions, and potatoes.


Politics -- I hope that some of my readers got over the Kenndy thing, and the Treasury Secretary thing. It sounded like that they didn't pay taxes on income. What they failed to do (including the Curley's at the time), was to pay for a baby sitter to come to their home to take care of their children (or had a Nanny).
The women which we hired was a sweet heart, but wanted to be paid cash so that she wouldn't have to claim the income. The price was right, and we accommodated her. Sue me!

Social Calendar -- Linda will be enjoying another day of no one bugging her.
I don't know if we have any firm plans for this evening. I haven't been last too long after getting a full day of fresh air on the ice. I am getting a good facial tan when the sun comes out.
I am leaving the house early today. I want to be on the ice at Laurel Lake when the sun comes up since I know everyone in Lee probably knows about the salmon which were put in the lake yesterday. Word travels fast in a small town!
I did see a couple of my old Lee buddies which made the day a pleasurable one.

Have to put on my ice-fishing gear, and head out the door soon. This fish are calling me and not Linda! The Curley Lad

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Hello on Thursday Morning

Dear Friends,

I finally went ice-fishing yesterday. There was only two people on Laurel Lake, and I was one of them. I was all set up by 10 AM, which is late for me. The wind howled all day long.The temperature was lower than what the weather forecasters predicted. It never reached 20 degrees all day long. Luckily, I could sit in my car to watch and wait for a little action.
I had one tip-up, and I caught one fish, It was a small and scrawny Chain Pickerel. Good thing that I had a set of pliers deigned to get a hook out of a fish after he swallowed the bait. I returned the fish back to the lake. I forgot to take my camera so that there really is no evidence that I caught a fish. I will have my camera with me today.

I also took home a table top Charcoal grill which someone left at Laurel Lake. The small , two person grill was in pretty good shape. I think someone let the grill cool off, but forgot to pack it when they left the ice over the weekend.

Linda had a mostly fun day alone until I arrived home near 5 PM. I actually picked up, and left the ice at three PM, and went to visit my mother at the nursing home which is located across the street. Mom is not eating. She is having trouble swallowing her food, and keeping it down. I went to the nursing station, and the nurse said that she would have the kitchen serve her food like soup, and jello so that she wouldn't get dehydration.

We will doing a repeat performance of yesterday except that Linda will be playing Mah Jongg from 11:30 AM until 3:30 PM.

Politics -- Well the people who didn't think Caroline Kennedy was qualified to take Hillary's Senate seat in New York don't have to worry. I am betting that the Democratic machine sat her down, and explained to her the facts of life.

Health Care -- After going to the nursing home for these past few weeks, I have a different view of our health care system. Under medicare, the ill person is allowed 20 days of coverage in a nursing home/ rehab center. My mother's 20 days run out on Friday. After that, the family has to pick up the daily bills. As I walk around this place, and see people being taken care of, I know that these people don't have any kind of funds to pay for their health care. If you are poor, you really have no problems at all. If you have a modest nest egg, the nursing home will reduce it to nothing. Maybe if we can't do a complete health care overhaul to help everyone, how about a system which will help say seniors over 85?

Well, I have to get ready for ice-fishing. I am leaving before Linda wakes up.
Have a great Thursday. The Curley Lad

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Hello on Wednesday Morning

Dear Friends,

Well, I got caught up in the inauguration stuff all day long on Tuesday.
I never visited my mother at the rehab center. Guilt!
I finished savoring a 565 page book called "The Gate House".
I never went ice fishing, but I currently have all my ice fishing gear in the back of my car.
If I do wimp out with respect to hitting the frozen pond today, Thursday and Friday will be warming up to the low 30's which is my kind of ice fishing weather.

Linda had to leave the house for a 10 AM body maintenance procedure on Tuesday. She made a grocery run before her 1 PM finance meeting at the ITAM.

I skipped the Irish Music session at O'Laughlin's to finish my book. When I finish a book, I put my initials in it ( so I won't read it again). The reading ended at 10:45 PM. Linda still thinks I read a book too fast. I have trouble putting a book down, and savoring it over a multi-day period of time. My book reading is like doing a task. I never can wait to finish the task!

Politics -- Obama and his wife have to be exhausted since they had a full day on yesterday which extended into the wee hours of the morning.
People are still talking about the word stumbling of Obama's taking of the oath of office. Justice Roberts deserves the blame. When I install a new UNICO member, like I did the other night, I make sure that the person doesn't have so many words to repeat. This was a very embarrassing moment. Did they practice this oath of office before it actually happened?

Kevin and Kyla now have four creatures in their house. They have a new Dachshund.
We have seen pictures of the dog on Kevin's face book page. The dog needs a little work on when to sleep and when to play. So far the dog does get along with their two cats, and Billy, the Border Collie.

Kevin & Kyla are doing well.
The food business is doing well. Kevin said that the Boston Globe will be coming to "Dough" to do an article on places like his today. I don't have details of when the article will be in the Boston Globe. Linda and I can't wait to see the article.
When his place was on the television program called the "Phantom Gourmet". business increased so much including when there were reruns.

Kyla is busy at her job as a forensic accountant. She is still working on a big case, which she can't tell us about, especially since I am not good at keeping secrets.

Social Calendar -- I think that we are totally free today, which is highly unusual. If I leave for ice fishing / to visit with Mom before Linda gets up, she will even have a better day.

Well, I have to decide whether to dress for ice-fishing, or to stay in my sleep wear. It is 6 degrees above zero right now with a high of 24 degrees predicted. Even if I don't go ice-fishing, I have to visit with my mother in Lee at some point today.

Have a great Wednesday at work or play.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Hello on Tuesday Morning

Dear Friends,
I visited Mom, and ran a successful meeting last evening. I did get tied up with some friends, and solved all the problems of the world until almost 11 PM. The dinner meeting ended at 7:30 PM.

While I was in Lee, Linda was off with a girl friend doing a little recreational shopping. She picked up a couple of bags of baby outfits for babies of all ages some of whom are not even born yet.

Social Calendar --Linda starts her day with a 1 PM meeting to go over the books at the ITAM. For supper, Linda is going off to a retirement party for a lady who just completed a career working for the City of Pittsfield as a cafeteria worker.

I might take out my ice fishing gear, and combine a visit to my mother at the rehab center, and fishing at a pond across the street from the rehab center. I will check the weather forecast.
This evening I could attend the Irish session which takes place every Tuesday night, but after a day in the fresh air, I usually come home exhausted.

Politics -- The inauguration

Well, I have to get to my normal morning , quiet activities.
Have a great Tuesday. Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Monday, January 19, 2009

Hello on Monday Morning

Dear Friends,

We made it through an afternoon of fun at the ITAM on Sunday. Yeah Right!

I never made it to see dear old Mom on Sunday. Guilt once again is on the top of my list for stressors today.

Linda tried to get together four people for a Mah Jongg game today, but it didn't work out.

After squeezing in a short visit to see my mother in Lee:
We have a four PM wake today.
I have our monthly UNICO membership meeting at 6 PM at the Italian American Club.

Politics -- The world will be watching the festivities of the pre / during / and post activities of Obama's inauguration.
Linda's Mah Jongg ladies are even sacrificing their Tuesday session to watch the event live in their own homes.

Sports -- I was one for two in my picks for the two teams who will be playing in the Super Bowl. The most important thing now is the Curley Super Bowl Party.
I am still in morning for my Patriots who beat one of the participants in the snow on December 21, 2009 by a score 47 to 6 (maybe off a little in the score). I am going with the underdog Cardinals.

Speaking of the Super Bowl, 90 % of commercials have been sold at $3 million per 30 second slot. People are starving, lost their jobs, can't pay their mortgage, can't heat their homes, etc., and surviving companies can find money to pay these outrageous prices for advertising.

Have a great week at work or play. The Curley Lad

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Hello on Sunday Morning

Dear Friends,
It was a quiet day for Linda and I on Saturday. Linda never left the house at all.
I replenished the bird feeders, and went off to visit dear old mom in Lee. My sister and father were visiting Mom too.
After a couple hour visit, I headed home to bond with Linda and watched some recorded programs.

We tried different crock pot recipe on another boneless pork. The results weren't as good as the recipe sounded.

There is some very light snow falling right now. Not much accumulation is predicted to fall.

We both have to leave the house at 12:30 PM to go off to those ITAM meeting talked about in yesterday's e-mail. I will miss the start of one of the NFL playoff games since coverage begins at 3 PM. I won't miss a minute of the second game.

Well, have a great Sunday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Hello on Saturday

Dear Friends,

Linda and her friends had a nice breakfast on Friday morning. They had a moment of silence for one of their regulars who passed away when Linda and I were in Kansas. The former French Teacher and Year Book Advisor was 73 years old. She had some type of pulmonary disease.

After Linda arrived home mid morning, we decided to both go off and visit my mother at the Rehab Center in Lee. We arrived a little before she was done with morning therapy. While we were there, she picked up a new roommate. The 82 year old is on oxygen, and the machine is going all day and night long. Since my mother's hearing is not good, they make perfect roommates.
Mom wants to go home, but my sister and I can't be her daily caregivers, and my father is not healthy enough to do so. My sister and I have some weighty decisions to make.

We went to the Shamrock for supper last night. We went early so that we could come home and get into our sleepwear, and sit in front of the fireplace.

It is 8 degrees below zero right now. We are supposed to do something with another couple, but we decided to "play it by ear." We do have some light snow coming in later tonight, and into Sunday. The snow will be light and fluffy. The forecast right now is an inch tonight, and 2 to 4 inches during Sunday.
I hope that our friends, who are flying in from Atlanta to Newark on Sunday don't run into weather problems.

On Sunday, we have our Monthly ITAM officers meeting (1 PM), and membership meeting (2:30 PM) on Sunday. Linda and I will be busy from 1 PM until 4:30 PM. It is not exactly the way which we want to spend our Sunday. There is a strong possibility that we are not going to run for any officer positions next year.

Politics -- We are debating whether to have an Inauguration Party or not. We might even go off to some restaurants which have decided to have parties, and serve free appetizers. If it is really cold, we might just fire up the crock pot, and stay in for most of the day.

Sports -- I have NFL Playoffs to keep me entertained this weekend. One game is going to be played in 78 degree weather in Arizona, and the other will be played in 4 degree weather with snow flurries in Pittsburgh. I am rooting for the Eagles and Steelers, who I hope will be the Super Bowl participants.

Well, I have to get to some quiet activities, and finish savoring a book which I started the other day.

Have a great weekend. The Curley Lad

Friday, January 16, 2009

Hello on Friday Morning

Dear Friends,

It was four below zero when I went to bed last evening, but it must have warmed up overnight because it is zero degrees right now. The temperatures are on the rise, and we should reach the 30 degree mark sometime next week.

I did get a telephone call from our friends who have a second home in Florida. They did say it was a little cool where they are located (Ocala), but there has been very little change in their outdoor activities. They definitely don't need turtle necks, Irish knit sweaters, scarfs, hats, gloves, and a heavy winter coat just to go to the mail box.
Linda and I still like the winter and whatever it brings!

While visiting dear old mom in the Rehab Center yesterday, all the family members happened to be present. Since we were all there, we had the family meeting with the staff of the Rehab Center instead of the one scheduled for Monday morning. It looks like Mom will be there for at least two more weeks. She is not happy about this decision, but she is experiencing some leg pain which is in conflict with therapy sessions. The saga continues.

On a happier note, one of my Italian Friends gave me a bottle of his home made Cream Lemoncello. He also gave me the recipe for this beverage which has pure grain alcohol as its base. You keep the finished product in the freezer until you use it. If you have a weak heart or are pregnant, please do not consume the Lemoncello.

Speaking of alcohol, Prohibition of Alcohol went into effect on January 16, 1920. The Federal Law lasted until 1933.

Do you think that some of the people on that airplane which crashed into the Hudson River might think twice before they get on an airplane again? It is amazing that no one perished in the disaster. Mike and Danielle can tell you some stories about airplanes and birds when they were flying for the Air Force.

Linda had fun with her girlfriends last evening. She said that I wouldn't have loved the movie that they went to see. Like I said, leftovers, and some sports program is all I need to keep me entertained. Men are simple creatures, aren't they?

Social calendar -- Linda and a friend tried to book us into something tonight that neither of us males were excited about attending so it looks like we are free. Not! Linda forgot that we promised another couple to hook up with them because we haven't seen them in over 6 months except briefly when they came to our Christmas Party.

Politics -- Hillary should be elected Secretary of State any day now.
I was thinking about next Tuesday's Presidential Inauguration. The television coverage will be comparable to what takes place on Super Bowl Sunday.

Obama and his cabinet has to get to work as soon as possible. There are so many issues which have to be dealt with to get our country heading in a new direction. "Just do it!"

Have to get that second cup of coffee, and read the local newspaper.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Hello on Thursday

Dear Friends,

It is 7 degrees as I start this e-mail. The temperatures did reach 9 degrees in Pittsfield yesterday. We might reach 10 degrees today. We do reach the 20 degree mark by Sunday.

Linda was able to relax in her sweats all day long, but not me.

After lunch, I decided to get dressed, and go off and see dear old mom at the Rehab Center in Lee. She had just come back from her second round of therapy, and she was tired. She had the nurses put her in the bed. I stayed with her until my sister arrived which was just about supper time (4:30PM).
We have a family meeting with her case worker, and staff at the Rehab Center on Monday to discuss her progress, and the next step. Of course, Mom wants to go home, but my sister and I can't be there every day to take care of her. She will most likely need the services of the local visiting nurse association.

The crock pot concoction which we tried yesterday did not turn out to be as good as we hoped it to be. Good thing that we tried it ourselves before inviting anyone else to join us.

We don't have the crock pot going today because Linda is going off to dinner and a movie at the Berkshire Mall today. They will be dinning at Bennigans, which is the only non fast food place in the Mall. The movie is a chick flick.
I will be happy with leftovers and a Boston Bruin Hockey Game to keep me entertained.

Politics -- Watching the inauguration on television might be better than being there in person. If did receive a formal invitation to attend the event, I do have Curley relatives in the Washington, D.C. area whom I could stay with.
The Israeli / Palestinian conflict continues. One of Linda's Mah Jongg players wrote a letter to the editor in our local newspaper supporting the Israeli position. The next day a person took the Palestinian position. Will the bloodshed ever stop?
This conflict is just one of the numerous ones which Obama, and his cabinet will have to address.
Give Peace and Obama a chance!

Well, I have to get dressed and do some chores inside of the house before I decide to visit Mom.

Have a great day , and try and stay warm if you are in a State which is dealing with this arctic air.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Hello on Wednesday

Dear Friends,

It is a balmy 7 degrees in Pittsfield right now with a howling wind which knocked over our trash buckets. The windchill is 13 below zero. We might even get to 10 degrees for the high temperature of the day.

Linda and I decided that we want to be slugs today. Neither of us want to venture outside. We are planning on doing a Moroccan Crock Pot concoction which we will put over a bed of rice.

Guilt will most likely get me to visit my mother in Lee.

Yesterday went well. I spent several hours visiting my mother at the Rehab Center located in my home town. Mom was just getting back from a shower when I arrived in the morning. After the nursing crew helped get her dressed, she went off to a Therapy session. I drove to the family home in Lee, and visited with my father while she was at therapy.
I arrived back at the Rehab Center just in time to assist my mother with lunch. After resting for a couple of hours, a therapist came in to whisk her away for an afternoon therapy session. I left the Rehab Center around 2 PM.

Linda went off to Walmart to get some basic necessities while I was in Lee. Since a "Michael's store was nearby, Linda had to check to see if there was any discounted Christmas Decorations left. She found some treasures.

We had a hour break before we went off to our evening adventures. I dropped Linda off at an Irtish Sister City Meeting while I went off to lead a prayer service at another wake. As soon as the Prayer service was over, I made my way to the Irish Sister City Meeting. Linda took over the recording secretary duties until I arrived.

No, our night did not end when the meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM. Our final stop was a house party / birthday party for the son of our Irish Sister City guests. There was much food, fun and merriment at this affair.

Neither Linda nor I had enough energy to go to the Irish Session at O'Laughlin's Pub which takes place every Tuesday night. Yes, we did have some friends who left the birthday party, and went to O'Laughlins.

Politics -- Treasury Secretary's nomination is running into a few problems.
Hillary's confirmation looks good. Even the Republicans like her.
Hillary's replacement is still a work in progress.
Linda's Tuesday Mah Jongg ladies are canceling next Tuesday session to watch the inauguration. I can't wait to hear Obama's speech. I know that my Repubilcan friends can't wait too.

Have to get a second cup of coffee.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Monday, January 12, 2009

Hello on Monday Morning

Dear Friends,
Every task which I set out to do on Sunday was accomplished. Linda did enjoy several hours of uninterrupted newspaper reading while I was doing my thing.

The snow blowing was relatively easy since the snow was the light and fluffy variety.

I also stopped in at the Rehab Center, and visited my mother in Lee. She was sitting in a chair when I arrived. She was tired of laying in bed. She really wants to get out of that place, and get back in her own home.

We are going to start taking down the Christmas decorations. If we have enough energy, the Christmas Tree, and the mantle over the fireplace should be returned to normal. These sound like simple tasks. Not! Unless you have seen all the decorations in these two places, you really don't realize how long this process will take.

Social calendar -- I am the busy one today. I should make a trip to Lee to visit my mother. I have to lead a UNICO a prayer service at a funeral home at 5 PM. I am running a UNICO board meeting at 5:30 PM. My day should end no later than 7 PM if all goes well.

Politics -- Is there any way we can solve conflicts without killing each other? Israel wants to borrow a few Bunker Buster Bombs, and some air refueling tankers from the United States so that they can put some hurt on Iran which has threatened to annihilate Israel. Of course, Israel has to finish taking out Hamas, and resolve the Gaza strip issues.
My only thought is why does it take blood shed to resolve the problems between nations? Why is there so much hate in the world? Most people just want a small piece of the economic pie in the nation which they live in. They want to be able to have a family, and be able to work to provide for the family.
I don't know how human beings can strap bombs to their body, or fill a vehicle full of explosives, and kill themselves, and hurt innocent people.
Do any of my readers have any solutions to my queries?

Sports -- The comfort food of pulled pork sandwiches went great while the football games were on television yesterday. From the games which I watched this weekend, I am guessing that the Superbowl will involve the Eagles, and the Steelers. They appear to be the best two teams.
I did celebrate the New York Giants going down to defeat since they beat my Patriots in the Superbowl last year. In sports you may "hate" another team, but conflicts are resolved on the field, and without bloodshed (except for bumps and bruises). Maybe nations should solve their conflicts on the sports' fields instead of battlefields.

Have to go and do some quiet activities.
Have a great week at work or play.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Hello on Sunday Morning

Dear Friends,

Linda had a fun time at the Baby Shower which she attended. She squeezed in a little shopping after the shower. She also went to a friend's home for knitting consult. She didn't arrive home until after 5 PM.

I visited my mother in the Rehab Center at Laurel Lake in Lee. My father was helping my mother with lunch when I arrived. He had been there all morning long. Mom continues to improve, but the process is slow, especially when you are 92 years old.

Speaking of health issues, the knitting consult was for one of Linda's Tuesday Mah Jongg friends. She has three clogged arteries. She does everything that you are supposed to do with respect to eating the correct foods. She is not overweight. She is in her mid 70's. She and her husband play golf. They are avid skiers. They exercise.
Linda went to her house because the doctor's told her not to drive until after the bypass. There is a history of heart disease in the family.

The Crock Pot beef stew was wonderful for supper on Saturday.

Well, we have another crock pot going right now. Pulled pork sandwiches while watching the 1 PM and 5 PM football games will be the menu for the day. I will flush those arteries with a couple of glasses of red wine.

The snow-- We didn't get as much as predicted, but I do see a 3 foot plus drift at the end of the driveway which was left by the City of Pittsfield plowers. There is light snow falling as I type this e-mail. Yes, I will be snow blowing in a little while.
The Winter Storm Warning goes until noon. I should make a trip to Lee to snow blow dear old dad's driveway, and visit Mom in the rehab Center for a little while.

I replenished the bird feeders on Saturday. The birds and squirrels were very happy.

I finished savoring the book which I started the other day while Linda was doing her Saturday activities. The savoring lasted two days which I thought was pretty good for me.

Politics -- I don't have the energy to discuss them on Sunday. It is a day of rest for me.

Have to get a second cup of coffee, and read the local newspaper before dealing with the snow. I will read the Globe after my outdoor activities.

Have a great Sunday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Hello on Saturday from Pittsfield

Dear Friends,

Our Friday went as planned.
I went to the Rehab Center in Lee to visit my mother. She was in group Physical Therapy when I arrived. She is improving each day. Of course , she thinks that she is ready to pack up, and go back to the family home in Lee. She is getting close to that day, but this won't take place for several more days.
I met some interesting people while at the Rehab Center. I will save those stories for another e-mail.

While I was doing my thing, Linda puttered around the house until she went off to her body maintenance procedure at 10:30 AM. She went from there to do a little grocery shopping at a store which was having a dollar sale on many items. While in the checkout line, she even shared a few crock pot recipes with some customers when they saw the 3 boneless pork roasts which she purchased. After her grocery store adventure, she headed off to visit my mother.

Speaking of groceries, I just got through loading up the crock pot with a beef stew. We need some comfort food since we are in a Weather Storm Warning until mid-day on Sunday. It is a balmy 3 degrees right now with crystal clear blue skies. The swath of snow is heading right down the middle of the State from the Berkshires to Boston. We have a minimum of 6 inches of snow predicted to fall. The temperatures are so cold that the only word in the forecast is snow. My snow blower is gassed up and ready to go.

The only thing on our social calendar today is that Linda will be attending an 11 AM baby shower for a married friend who was a classmate of our youngest son.
I will probably visit my mother in Lee before the snow starts to fall. The late afternoon through the evening is when the snow is going to arrive.

Speaking of babies, it is official, Kevin and Kyla are going to have their first child in August. Linda and I are so happy for them. We are also happy because they are a little over 2 hours from our house which means we don't have to get on an airplane to visit this grandchild. Linda is already planning on being at their doorstep more often than you can imagine.

While the snow is falling I have two professional football games to keep me entertained. They start at around 4 PM and 8 PM respectively. Linda and I don't like to be on the roads in the middle of a snowstorm. Our fireplace is all set to go too.

Our friends from a neighboring town, flew to Atlanta to visit their first grandchild who was born during the Thanksgiving period. They are experiencing all the joy which we went through when our Isabelle was born a year ago.

On a different note, I was informed that a couple of my UNICO brothers lost some loved ones. Wakes and funerals are what I will be attending for a good portion of next week. We missed two when we were in Kansas.

To our friends who are now in sunny Florida, have a margarita or two for me!

We will be drinking some Irish Coffees to stay warm here in the Berkshires. Yes, we still love the the stormy and wintry weather in the Berkshires. We love it when there is a winter storm warning on the weather channel. I love the sound of the dueling snow blowers after the storm has ended. I love watching my feathered and furry friends in a feeding frenzy at all of my bird feeders. I don't think that Linda and I can live in a place which doesn't experience the four seasons.

Have a great weekend.
You can still enjoy family and friends no matter what the weather is.

Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Friday, January 9, 2009

Hello on Friday Morning

Dear Friends,

Thursday went okay. I fired up the snow blower at 8 AM even though some neighbors had theirs going at 5:30 AM. I do like to see what I am snow blowing.
I took a couple inches of snow off of the driveway and sidewalks before doing my paths to the bird feeders.
My birds were excited to see me. They almost landed on my head as I replenished the feeders. They will need me for sure because next week the temperatures will be in a deep freeze mode. Some days will not get out of the teens or single digits. We still love it.

I did locate my mother yesterday. I went to the hospital, but she wasn't there. My sister stayed with my mother from 10:30 PM on Wednesday until 5 AM on Thursday which is when she got shipped back to the nursing home. I owe my sister big time.
Mom had low levels of potassium, and was a little dehydrated. The chest pains had nothing to do with her strong heart (she does have a pacemaker). I visited her at the Laurel Lake Nursing Home / Rehabilitation Center.
My father was there too at the time. Mom had a session with the therapist while we were there. Mom walked a loop around the center (on the inside of the building) which was 400 feet long according to the therapist. She said that she hasn't felt that good since Christmas. Dad should have been at the rehab place too. His arthritic neck was killing him too.

While I was doing my thing , Linda was writing out bills, and sorting through the multitude of pictures which we took while we were in Kansas. These pictures are in our computer right now. She will need to spend hours at the Walmart Photo Center to select the prime pictures for her Photo album which all grandmothers carry with them.

Christmas -- Our house is still decorated for Christmas. Linda said that we will attack it next week. I am the bucket hauler, and the guy who dismantles the artificial tree.
We aren't the only one who still have Christmas Decorations up. I did shut off the outside lights. As we drive down the streets of Pittsfield, we can see people's Christmas trees still lit up. Linda lit ours up last night.

Politics -- Obama presented a trillion dollar package yesterday. We might even get a refund if it passes. Change is taking place even before he will be sworn in. Like I said in previous e-mails, give the guy and his cabinet a chance to create change. If no change occurs, then make your comments.

Linda switched from one of those book clubs that sends you books in the mail to another club. She made sure that at least three of the books are the one which I like. I started to read one yesterday. She told me to savor it. Yeah Right!

A family of three from our Irish Sister City, Ballina, arrived in Pittsfield last night. They are being hosted by a former Pittsfield Sister City Family. I am supposed to take them ice fishing this weekend, but it might be too cold for the Curley Lad. It is 14 degrees out right now, and the Arctic cold front hasn't even arrived yet.

I will be going to visit Mom at the rehab center in Lee this morning. I am tempted to set up some ice-fishing tip ups because Laurel Lake is across the street from the nursing home. I can visit and ice-fish at the same time. Also, I can sit in my car at the lake and watch the tip-ups because there is a nice parking lot right there.

The Kansas trip had the both of us confused on which day of the week that it was. Linda and I went off to do a few errands around 5 PM. Linda was mentally prepared for some clam chowder, and some seafood at the Shamrock in Dalton until I told her that it was not Friday. We went to the East Side Cafe for some pizza.
We arrived home just in time for the NCAA College Football National Championship game. People in 45 States voted for the winning team. I picked the winner also.

Well, I have to go, and read the local newspaper before leaving the house.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Hello on Thursday from the Berkshires

Dear Friends,

Our departure from Kansas went as planned. The flight from Kansas to Cincinnati to Hartford was right on time. They did have to de-ice the airplane in Cincinnati.
When we finally got to the car in the Park & Fly lot, I did have to chisel off a layer of ice.

By the time we arrived home from Bradley International, a light drizzle turned into snow as we entered the Berkshires. It is a winter wonderland outside right now. If I knew how to work Linda's camera, I would be outside taking pictures.

Let me correct that, I am up so early, it is still pitch black outside right now. I was having trouble sleeping. My father called just after my head hit the pillow around 10 PM last night to say that my mother was experiencing chest pains while she was at the Nursing Home / Rehab center. She was being taken by ambulance to Berkshire Medical Center. My sister went off to the hospital to deal with the situation. Since Linda likes to stay up past midnight, she was on call to get an update on my mother situation. After a bunch of tests, it was determined that Mom didn't have a heart problem. She did have a fever so they were doing more tests to see what the problem was. I will be off to the hospital in a little while.

On a different note, I wish that we had our grand daughter with us in the snow covered Berkshires. I would bundle her up, and put her on a sled of some sort, and we would go dashing in the snow. Even though some of our friends despise the ice, the snow, and the cold weather, Linda and I love it. It is so nice to look out your window, and see a change in weather. For 10 days, we saw the same sunny days, the same temperature range of 20's for the low, and 40's to 50's for the highs. You wouldn't know that it is even a different season except for the fact that the grass is brown instead of green.

I might even have to fire up the snow blower today so that I can make paths to my bird feeders. I know that the birds and the red and gray squirrels missed me. My fury and feather friends will be happy today.

Politics -- I want the inauguration of the new President to take place so that he and his cabinet can get to work. A report in the newspaper yesterday stated that if we continue to have a presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, it will cost us tax payers $150 billion dollars.

Well , I have a gazillion things running through my brain which I have to do. Some of them are noisy activities which I definitely can't start until Linda wakes up. I might even be at the hospital before she wakes up.

Have a great Thursday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Hello on Tuesday

Dear Friends,
We had another pleasant day in Kansas. We ended the day at a barbecue place near Kansas University. It is a cute college town a lot like Northampton, MA which has four or five colleges in the area. The ribs were excellent. It one one dollar canned beer happy hour when we arrived. Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Schlitz (for me). Linda and Danielle started off will a couple of sipps of their beers before they gave them to me. They replaced their beers with with Bloody Mary's.

I forgot to mention that before the evening adventure, Isabelle had her one year check up. The nurse had to draw some blood. Finding veins in a one year old was quite a challenge. I wasn't there went it happened. I am glad that I wasn't because I don't like needles. Linda reported that all went well.

We arrived home in time so that I could watch another college football bowl game. Yes, I watched the whole game. I was cheering for Ohio State to win the game so that I could send a few congratulatory lines for my relatives in Ohio who are diehard fans of the Buckeyes. Not! The Buckeyes will still be known as the team which can't win the big one.

On a different note, today is our last full day with our grandchild. Linda is already preparing to shed a few tears when we are dropped off at the airport on Wednesday morning.
We might also be shedding a few tears because it looks like mother nature might alter our flight plans. Some ice is heading east just about the time which our plane is supposed to arrive in Hartford.

I am reading another of my son's recommended books. This one is written by Bill O'Reilly from "The Factor" fame. One thing that jumped out at me is when he gave up after two years of teaching in the early 70's. He liked the job of teaching, but he saw too many students in his class arriving from dysfunctional families. The mom and dad roll model type of families which he and I grew up with was starting to disappear.
One of the basic themes in the book is to go to school, work hard, and don't expect handouts, or the government to solve all of your problems. He wasn't telling this baby boomer anything new!

Politics -- I am taking a break for a while.

It is another sonny and blue sky day here in Kansas. It is cool, but still no snow in the forecast. Actually, it has been pretty much the same everyday since we have been here. I think that I like the challenges of the Northeast weather. Change is good as Obama would say!

Have a great Tuesday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Monday, January 5, 2009

Hello on Monday Morning

Dear Friends,

Mike left for work at 7:30 AM. The rest of us are up. They baby is almost done eating breakfast. Life is Good!
We had another pleasant day in Kansas. My two football teams, which I predicted to win, did so in convincing fashion.

Politics -- My political ramblings did stir up a bit of a discussion. I would like to try my isolationist views for a year or two just to show the rest of the world that we, in the United States, can function on our own. The other countries would go bankrupt for sure.
With respect to our natural resources, and how long they are available, we have enough smart people to invent ways to decrease our need for oil. I am not a fan of drilling in places like Alaska. Just little spills on our waterways reek havoc for many years. I don't like the risk!
Maybe we should just invade and conquer the Gulf Region, and make it our 51st State.

It is difficult to believe that we have been in Kansas for 7 days now. Do you think that we have overstayed our welcome?

I am a little nervous about flying back home on Wednesday morning. We go from Kansas to Cincinnati to Hartford. A wintry mix is heading from west to east in both places.

My mother continues to improve in the hospital. They gave her two units of blood to adjust her low blood pressure problem, and she was kind of perky on Sunday. Still no discussion of a discharge date.

The programmable crock pot which was a Christmas / Family gift received its maiden test on Sunday. The pork roast was cooked to perfection. We stripped the meat, and made pulled pork sandwiches. It was great comfort, and football game watching type of food.

Well, I have to go. My entertaining Isabelle skills are required since both Danielle, and Linda are occupied.

Have a great day at work or play.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Hello on Sunday Morning

Dear Friends,

We had another pleasant day in Kansas except that our dinning out plans changed.
Isabelle didn't sleep well for her afternoon nap (teething issue), and we thought that she might not do well in the restaurant which specializes in Barbecue type of meats. Linda and Danielle whipped up an excellent stir fry supper meal.

Today, I fired up the crock pot with a pork roast which we are going to shred to make sandwiches tonight's super.

Yes, I did stay up and watch the Colts vs Chargers game. I have more football to keep me entertained today. As a diehard Patriot fan, it was good news that Peyton and the Colts went down to defeat.

I am picking the Eagles, and the Ravens in today's game.

The Kansas City Star newspaper had good articles about the hero of last night's game. The Sproules guy played for a high school in Kansas , and he went to a Kansas College too.

The sports section of the newspaper also had an article about the Celtics being interested in picking up a player called Marbury. The writer of the article said that Marbury is a real cancer on whatever team he has played for, and the Celtics would be wise to avoid giving him a contract. This means that the Celtics think that he might work out in Boston. He played with Kevin Garnett before Kevin made it to the Celtics.

Politics -- The the Israeli's, and the Palestinian's continue to kill one another.
We continue to lose a soldier or two in the "war with no end" in Iraq. It is no big deal unless it is your son or daughter who was killed. Yeah Right!
We have enough broken things to fix in America. Maybe it is time to stop being the international police force for the whole world. Do I sound like an isolationist? You are darn right I do.
Getting your own house in order should be job number one for the new President. Do I sound like a conservative? Maybe the people who foster wars, make weapons to kill people, should take a little hit like middle class America has, and continues to do so.

The weather around here won't get out of the 20's for today. There is still no sign of winter weather. Flying home on Wednesday will have no flight delays out of Kansas City.

Well, time for a second cup of coffee, then to get dressed, and hunker down for another day of football. It is a tough life, but someone has to do it.

Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Hello on Saturday Morning

Dear Friends,
We had another pleasant day in Kansas. I once again watched some bowl games off and on until the last one was over last evening.

Our trip to Lydia's went very well. Isabelle was once again a model baby in an adult restaurant. Danielle had brought her normal food, but Isabelle did like the butter nut squash in the ravioli's. The only strange thing was that the restaurant served no veal. Oso Buso were pork shanks, and not veal shanks. The food from salad to desserts was wonderful.

I think today we are going to a restaurant which serves good barbecue meats. I can't wait to go. We always go at an early time since we try and go on the Isabelle eating schedule which is usually around 5:30 PM range.

I am going to eat lightly during the day so that I can really enjoy tonight's meal.

I am psyched because there are a couple of NFL playoff games on later today, and one in the evening. I am sad on the other hand that the Patriots will be home watching the playoffs instead of being in them.
I am also sad the Scott Pioli is coming to Kansas to be interview by the Kansas City Chiefs whose organization needs some real help. Other teams are interviewing the Patriot Offense coordinator Josh McDaniels from the Patriots. I am hoping that if these other teams pick these guys up, that the Patriots find suitable replacements.

Speaking of football, how about the Minnesota fans possibly being blacked out of today's playoff game because there are still 3100 unsold tickets? The NFL has given them until 3:30 PM Central time to sell the tickets.
This would never happen in New England or for any sports team in the area.

Politics -- I read the book which Michael gave me to read. I arrived at a couple of conclusions. The "War on Terror" can never be solved. There is no such thing as a quick war. Most presidents are surrounded by people who promote wars, tell untruths to the public. The people who fight wars are very seldom the people who have children who actually enter the military. Whoever is elected President, can very seldom accomplish what he or she promises in their campaign speeches. We can't shove democracy down other country's throat. The change has to come from people in that country which is what we did in 1776 against the British. Finally, when we enter another country in the guise of promoting Democracy, we really have a vested interest in the resources of that country, and would really like to rule that region, and not just help the nation.
Note The book was written by a Boston University teacher, and former member of the military who lost his son who was fighting the "War on Terror."

Well, I have to get another cup of coffee, and get dressed.
Talk to you soon.
> The Curley Lad

Friday, January 2, 2009

Hello on Friday after New Years

Dear Friends,
We spent another pleasant day in Kansas. We actually did a little child care in the evening so that Mike & Danielle could go to the movies.
It is so nice to deal with a grandchild who wakes up happy every morning. The few times she actually makes a fuss is when she is put down for a nap, or for bedtime, but that only lasts about 2 minutes.
The only time that she cried yesterday was when she was riding one of those toys which you push with your feet. She fell off and whacked her head on the wall when I turned my head for an instant.
Isabelle hasn't started to walk yet, but she will in the next couple of weeks.

I watched some football off and on during the day, but I never watched a complete game.

Politics -- I am getting tired of the Caroline Kennedy discussions. Gov. Patterson of New York should just make a decision so that the talking should stop. Prolonging the decision just gives the talking heads something to talk about.
My son gave me two books to read. One is written by Bill O'Reilly, one of the talking heads. The other is a book, which I shall read, is about what are the pro's and con's of the United States entering all the conflicts in situations throughout the world. This is from a military person's perspective.

Supper tonight -- We are dinning out this evening. We are on the early shift since Mike and Danielle coordinate the eating on Isabelle's schedule. I hope that she was as good as she was the other night at the seafood place. You wouldn't even know that we were dinning with a one year old.
The Lydia I mentioned the other day is the Italian Lady on PBS. I think that I had her incorrect last name. We do have her cookbook which Linda purchased at her New York Restaurant.

I am glad that I am not in the Berkshires because I would be working on issues which need to be dealt with respect to UNICO and our Irish Sister City Committee.

My mother continues to do well after her procedures. She is still at the hospital. A time table of what happens next has not been established. I am not sure if my father can act as the care giver if mom goes from the hospital to their home when the doctors release her. Helping my sister out dealing with my mother is another issue which I would be dealing with if we were back in Pittsfield.

I am the only one up now. I have to be quiet so Linda, Mike, Danielle, and Isabelle can sleep a little longer. Just being quiet so Linda can get a few more hours of sleep is quite a challenge, and now it is even more complicated.

I would love to make a pot of coffee, but they have marble counter tops. Do you know what a teaspoon sounds like when if I don't put it down gently on the counter top. I could wake up the world!

Well, I am going to start reading one of the books which Mike lent me. I don't think that reading is a noisy activity, do you?

Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Hello on New Year's Day

Dear Friends,
We spent a pleasant Wednesday in Kansas. Mike took down the out door Christmas Decorations while Linda and Danielle went out to the grocery store for a Prime Rib Roast and some raw shrimp. Isabelle was taking her morning nap.
We had a wonderful New Year's Eve supper of prime Rib, home made scalloped potatoes, and corn from the garden of Danielle's parents. Instead of bread, Linda whipped up some delicious popovers. Isabelle sat in her high chair , and ate right along with us. Isabelle is a broccoli queen. She eats such good and healthy food, and I hope that she continues to do so for the rest of her life.
After Isabelle went to bed, the four adults tried to stay awake until midnight by playing cards. The women versus the men contest of cribbage was a mostly female winning event. As we finished playing cards, and checked the clock, and there was still a good deal of time until the ball dropped in New York. I had the idea that we might be able to see the ball drop at 11 PM Central time which was midnight in New York. I turned on the telvision to a CNN Channel, and to my surprise they were doing the countdown in New York City. We were able to usher in the New Year at 11 PM central time which meant that I didn't have to worry about staying up until midnight.

Today is a day of eating leftovers. We are saving our appetite for our Saturday night meal at Lydia Batista's restaurant here in Kansas. Linda and I and some friends have eaten at her restaurant in New York City, and we are hoping to have the same experience when we go on Friday night.

My mother's stent procedure went well in Pittsfield. I don't know what is planned now that she has her back brace, and the aneurysm problem solved. I am not sure if she will be able to come home or have to go to a rehab facility.

Politics -- My son couldn't stand to watch the Clintons pull the lever for the ball to drop in New York City. He had to leave the room until the ball started to drop. Just a few years ago, our son shook hands with President Clinton at the Air Force Academy on graduation day. That is probably the closest he has gotten to a liberal in years except for Linda and I.

Well, I hear Isabelle stirring in her crib. She will need a diaper change which I am a little leary of since I seem to always put the diaper on backwards.
We are looking forward to another wonderful day with our grandchild. She is such a happy baby, and has such super parents, how can the day be anything but great?

Have to go and start a pot of coffee.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad