Dear Friends,
I am a little foggy this morning, but I will rally soon. The fogginess was due, in part, to a Halloween Party which we attended after Trick or Treat night.
Linda and I were busy during the day doing our own thing. I worked outside from 9 AM until 2 PM. I have about 30 minutes left of winterizing the deck, and then we will be ready for the snow. I even moved my snow blower from the storage shed to the garage. I am assuming that it works fine because I had it tuned up last year.
Trick or Treat night went very well. Linda and I played the old “Good cop, Bad cop” routine. When the children came to the door, a pleasant lady, Linda, would open the door, and then me with a scary mask would stick my head around the corner, and scare the living daylights out of the children, especially the little ones. Some children wouldn’t come up our three steps once they saw me in my mask. Other children cried, and some screamed. One friend and neighbor brought her two year old daughter, and she was scared when she saw me. We did remind her Mom that she was just like that when she was the same age. I even scared this Mom when I visited her house when she was a child, and I wasn’t even wearing a mask.
We had close to 175 children come to our house for Trick or Treat night.
A friend was supposed to be with us to help us pass out candy, and see all the children dressed up in their costumes because she gets only a handful of kids in her neighborhood. She thought Trick or Treat night was on October 31, 2010 which is actually Halloween. She went to dinner at a friend’s home. She missed a fun night here in Pittsfield.
Linda and I were both pretty tired even though I took a nap, but we still decided to go to an adult Halloween dress up party. Linda and I had a couple of Musketeer costumes. We were two of the usual three musketeers who were going to save the world from the bad Pirates. Being a Pirate was the theme of this party. I was a bad boy at the party. I spilled some drinks on a couple friends, and dropped another two drinks on the floor of the place which we were at. Linda was the designated driver when we left a little after midnight. Once again, the party was still going on when we left.
I hope that our host invites me back to a party at his home.
While we were in the midst of having a fun time, I was thinking of the eclectic mix of friends that Linda and I have. Do many friends have a funeral home owner and director as their friend?
The party started at 8 PM, but the funeral director host was late due to a wake at the funeral home. Also visualize that our friend lives in a house, where the party took place, adjacent to the funeral home. Of course, we park our cars in the funeral home parking lot. During the party, a body was dropped off at the funeral home for another wake and funeral.
There was much food, fun, and merriment before this night ended for the Curley’s.
While at the party, I met a few of the host’s friends who live in New York City. One guy gave me his business card. He is the “Supervising Blasting Inspector for the Explosives Unit”. He works for the New York City Fire Department. Did he have some interesting stories? He had a scar on his forehead from a bullet that grazed his head. He lives in the Bronx, New York.
One thing that I did realize is that these guys in life and death situations work hard and party just as hard. I am going to enter his e-mail in my address book. He said that any time that Linda and I are in the city, he would take care of us. Now this is the kind of friend I would like to have. I made an offer that if he comes to Pittsfield; he is welcome to stay at our house if his funeral director friend is busy with a wake and funeral.
Well, the partying continues for the Curley’s once again today. A different mix of friends will be at our house around 3:30 PM for our Patriot Party. So far we have one couple brining a honey glazed ham, another couple bringing a Mexican dip, another couple bringing baby back ribs, the Curleys have some sausage peppers and onions brewing in a crock pot. Other friends who are coming didn’t say what they were bringing, but surprises are good anyways.
I wish that I could invite some of the Halloween guests to our Patriot party, but we would need a large hall to accommodate everyone.
Social Calendar – I have to go off to the grocery store in a little while to get a few items. Linda is making a dessert, and the recipe needs some cream cheese.
I also have to go off to the radio station at noon to pick up the restaurant coupons that we purchased on the two day Radio Auction.
I also need to squeeze in a nap before our guests arrive for the Patriot Party.
Have to skim the Sunday newspapers, and go off to the grocery store.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Hello on Saturday
Dear Friends,
The rain and cold weather put on damper on my Friday plans with respect to working outdoors.
I did have to make a whole bunch of errands like paying the local taxes, a grocery run for our Patriots’ party, and to restock some bar items.
Linda departed for her trip to Boston at 1:15 PM. I did have a “Chicken Novena” while she was gone. I was going to cook the chicken on the grill, but the weather wasn’t pretty at all. I little a candle, and cooked the chicken in the oven. The poultry turned out very nice. I didn’t even eat anything but poultry.
I also sat and listened and purchased some restaurant coupons from one of those Radio Auctions. The Radio Auction continues today at 9 AM. You have to give them your home for number, and wait for a call back to get a confirmation number. I think that I gave an incorrect home telephone number for a couple of the items.
While participating in the Radio Auction, I did a little reading of the third Stieg Larsson book “The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest”. This book is not as good as the other two books from this now deceased author.
I also watched the Celtics beat the New York Knicks in a game at TD Bank / Boston Garden.
Since the Art Show which she was attending didn’t start until 7 PM in Boston. I was fast asleep when she arrived home. I will get all the details of her adventure when she wakes up.
Before she left the house on Friday, she wanted me to somehow correct the notion in my daily blog that she really enjoys our sometimes daily separation. She thinks that people reading the blog might think that she can’t wait for me to leave the house (for golf, doing errands, visiting dear old mom, etc.) or for her to go off on one of her adventures with her girlfriends. We laughed because I said that all of the above is true, but it doesn’t bother me as much as it bothers her. We are still a happy couple, but the happiness comes in different ways.
Social Calendar – Tonight is “Trick or Treat” night in Pittsfield from 5 to 7 PM. A friend usually comes over to help pass out candy. I am not sure if her husband is coming too.
We also received a last minute invitation for a house party where costumes are semi required. Pirates are the theme for this party which starts at 8 PM. We usually don’t go anywhere after Trick or Treat night. We will see how this day goes because we do have a little food preparation, and taking care of other details for our Sunday Patriot football party.
We did have some costumes for Halloween, but I think that the cheap material that they were made of got destroyed when we had the water damage.
I know that Linda didn’t do much knitting while on her Boston adventure because there is a mass of entangled yarn sitting on the kitchen table. I think that she tangles the yarn so that she provides me with a quiet activity. I can see this as a two hour project before I get all the knots and tangles out.
It is a balmy 39 degrees right now. When things dry out, I will finish my outdoor winterizing project.
It was Halloween dress up day at the daycare place where our grandson Max attends. Our grandson Max was dressed up as a giraffe. Kevin took some pictures and put them on Facebook (which I am not allowed to go on or to have an account). Max had a tail on his costume. A little girl Max’s age was fascinated by the tail, and couldn’t stop pulling it. The girls are already after Max since he is such a cutie. Maybe next year, Linda and I will be at his daycare for Halloween dress up day.
It is also dress up day today at Max’s 10 AM dance and music class. I am hoping that Kyla takes some great pictures.
Have a great Saturday on this last day of October.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
The rain and cold weather put on damper on my Friday plans with respect to working outdoors.
I did have to make a whole bunch of errands like paying the local taxes, a grocery run for our Patriots’ party, and to restock some bar items.
Linda departed for her trip to Boston at 1:15 PM. I did have a “Chicken Novena” while she was gone. I was going to cook the chicken on the grill, but the weather wasn’t pretty at all. I little a candle, and cooked the chicken in the oven. The poultry turned out very nice. I didn’t even eat anything but poultry.
I also sat and listened and purchased some restaurant coupons from one of those Radio Auctions. The Radio Auction continues today at 9 AM. You have to give them your home for number, and wait for a call back to get a confirmation number. I think that I gave an incorrect home telephone number for a couple of the items.
While participating in the Radio Auction, I did a little reading of the third Stieg Larsson book “The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest”. This book is not as good as the other two books from this now deceased author.
I also watched the Celtics beat the New York Knicks in a game at TD Bank / Boston Garden.
Since the Art Show which she was attending didn’t start until 7 PM in Boston. I was fast asleep when she arrived home. I will get all the details of her adventure when she wakes up.
Before she left the house on Friday, she wanted me to somehow correct the notion in my daily blog that she really enjoys our sometimes daily separation. She thinks that people reading the blog might think that she can’t wait for me to leave the house (for golf, doing errands, visiting dear old mom, etc.) or for her to go off on one of her adventures with her girlfriends. We laughed because I said that all of the above is true, but it doesn’t bother me as much as it bothers her. We are still a happy couple, but the happiness comes in different ways.
Social Calendar – Tonight is “Trick or Treat” night in Pittsfield from 5 to 7 PM. A friend usually comes over to help pass out candy. I am not sure if her husband is coming too.
We also received a last minute invitation for a house party where costumes are semi required. Pirates are the theme for this party which starts at 8 PM. We usually don’t go anywhere after Trick or Treat night. We will see how this day goes because we do have a little food preparation, and taking care of other details for our Sunday Patriot football party.
We did have some costumes for Halloween, but I think that the cheap material that they were made of got destroyed when we had the water damage.
I know that Linda didn’t do much knitting while on her Boston adventure because there is a mass of entangled yarn sitting on the kitchen table. I think that she tangles the yarn so that she provides me with a quiet activity. I can see this as a two hour project before I get all the knots and tangles out.
It is a balmy 39 degrees right now. When things dry out, I will finish my outdoor winterizing project.
It was Halloween dress up day at the daycare place where our grandson Max attends. Our grandson Max was dressed up as a giraffe. Kevin took some pictures and put them on Facebook (which I am not allowed to go on or to have an account). Max had a tail on his costume. A little girl Max’s age was fascinated by the tail, and couldn’t stop pulling it. The girls are already after Max since he is such a cutie. Maybe next year, Linda and I will be at his daycare for Halloween dress up day.
It is also dress up day today at Max’s 10 AM dance and music class. I am hoping that Kyla takes some great pictures.
Have a great Saturday on this last day of October.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Friday, October 29, 2010
Hello on Frdiay Morning
Dear Friends,
Thursday was a glorious day in the Berkshires. I spent a good portion of my day working outside. I gave our lawn a trim, and began to winterize our deck. I still have a half of a day of work left to complete my task.
Linda wrote out the bills for the month which took just about as long as me working outside.
I needed an afternoon nap to make it through the rest of the day.
After my nap, Linda and I went off to a couple of stores to get some household items like a steam cleaner for our new laminated wood floors. The clerk said not to use the steam cleaner on old fashioned hardwood floors. We also purchased a better variety of a vacuum sweeper to use before we steam clean the laminated wood floors. I had to return the sweeper to Macy’s before the store closed last night because the charger was missing from the box. Oh Darn!
Linda and I had a date night last evening. This was an unplanned event. In yesterday’s e-mail, I did say that she was socially engaged. Well, the leader of the Thursday night gathering, who also plays BONCO, decided to cancel the girl’s night out since not to many people could make it.
Linda and I decided to use one of those Radio Auction Restaurant coupons. We asked another couple to join us, but they didn’t want to go to any of the three restaurants that we were choosing from. Things worked out well anyways. We went off to Zuchinni’s. We stopped in the bar before being seated, and we ran into a bunch of friends who we used to hook up with for years. Also at the bar, were 8 of my former students who play nine holes of golf together every Thursday at a 9 hole course just a few miles north from the restaurant.
The food at the restaurant was great. We both had chicken dishes which I thought was good because I was planning a “Chicken Novena” at our house if Linda was with her girlfriends.
Linda did win a prize at BONCO. She then proceeded to tell me some stories from all the chatting with the other 11 women she was with at BONCO. The most interesting one was that the husband of one of the BONCO ladies was installing a tree stand in the woods in preparation of the deer hunting season. He fell out of the tree, and broke one leg in three places, and fractured his clavicle on the opposite side of the broken leg. He didn’t have his cell phone with him. He crawled to a trail where a hiker saw him, and the person called 911. Our friend is still in the hospital. He has metal plates in his leg. Rehab is going to take some time before he is able to walk. He and his wife are booked into a whole bunch of social events which include trips to Tennessee to see two daughters, and multiple grandchildren. I think that his wife is not looking forward to all the care giving stuff which she has to do over the next few months.
This is the second baby boomer friend who has hurt himself by falling from heights. Linda has trouble watching me getting on a step stool.
Linda is all set to go off to the art show at the Massachusetts College of Fine Arts in Boston today. She and her friend finalized plans over the telephone last evening. They are departing the Berkshires at 2 PM from West Stockbridge. I will be taking a nap as Linda departs for her 25 minute drive to West Stockbridge. I will miss her so!
Observation – I was listening to a radio talk show program while doing my yard work yesterday. People were calling up and discussing the proposed tax cuts which I discussed in my daily blog yesterday. One lady said for voters not to listen to those scare tactics coming out of the voices of the current politicians in Massachusetts. This caller reminded the listeners that the politicians and teacher unions tried using these same scare tactics in the 80’s when our State passed Proposition 2.5 which put a cap on raising property taxes. The lady caller said that the State and Local cities and towns survived with less money.
We lost some great teachers here in Pittsfield, and they never came back as our economy got a little better. Linda and two of our closest friends were some of those teachers who got laid off. Linda and the male friend ended up teaching in New York State for three years. Linda is the only one who returned to teaching in the City of Pittsfield. Some laid off colleagues left our State altogether, and founding teaching jobs else where. One friend ended up in the State of Florida.
I think that the two proposed tax cuts will be passed on Tuesday. Many voters in the State feel exactly like the woman who called the talk show.
Sports – Another Boston team is off to a good start. I watched the Boston Bruins Hockey team win last evening. So this fall and winter we have the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and the Boston Bruins to cheer for. Just think of the many of the big sports market teams who can’t fill the football stadiums, basketball, or ice arenas. If the Boston Red Sox didn’t have so many injuries this past season, we might have been cheering for them in the World Series.
Speaking of the World Series, has anyone on the East Coast been watching any of the first two games of the series? Only the serious baseball aficionados are watching the World Series.
Weather – The short sleeve weather is all over for at least a week, and possibly the rest of the fall. We aren’t getting out of the 40’s today, and that will be pretty much the same pattern for the next 7 days. After I finish my outdoor project today, Linda and I will be waiting for the snow to fall.
Have a great weekend!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Thursday was a glorious day in the Berkshires. I spent a good portion of my day working outside. I gave our lawn a trim, and began to winterize our deck. I still have a half of a day of work left to complete my task.
Linda wrote out the bills for the month which took just about as long as me working outside.
I needed an afternoon nap to make it through the rest of the day.
After my nap, Linda and I went off to a couple of stores to get some household items like a steam cleaner for our new laminated wood floors. The clerk said not to use the steam cleaner on old fashioned hardwood floors. We also purchased a better variety of a vacuum sweeper to use before we steam clean the laminated wood floors. I had to return the sweeper to Macy’s before the store closed last night because the charger was missing from the box. Oh Darn!
Linda and I had a date night last evening. This was an unplanned event. In yesterday’s e-mail, I did say that she was socially engaged. Well, the leader of the Thursday night gathering, who also plays BONCO, decided to cancel the girl’s night out since not to many people could make it.
Linda and I decided to use one of those Radio Auction Restaurant coupons. We asked another couple to join us, but they didn’t want to go to any of the three restaurants that we were choosing from. Things worked out well anyways. We went off to Zuchinni’s. We stopped in the bar before being seated, and we ran into a bunch of friends who we used to hook up with for years. Also at the bar, were 8 of my former students who play nine holes of golf together every Thursday at a 9 hole course just a few miles north from the restaurant.
The food at the restaurant was great. We both had chicken dishes which I thought was good because I was planning a “Chicken Novena” at our house if Linda was with her girlfriends.
Linda did win a prize at BONCO. She then proceeded to tell me some stories from all the chatting with the other 11 women she was with at BONCO. The most interesting one was that the husband of one of the BONCO ladies was installing a tree stand in the woods in preparation of the deer hunting season. He fell out of the tree, and broke one leg in three places, and fractured his clavicle on the opposite side of the broken leg. He didn’t have his cell phone with him. He crawled to a trail where a hiker saw him, and the person called 911. Our friend is still in the hospital. He has metal plates in his leg. Rehab is going to take some time before he is able to walk. He and his wife are booked into a whole bunch of social events which include trips to Tennessee to see two daughters, and multiple grandchildren. I think that his wife is not looking forward to all the care giving stuff which she has to do over the next few months.
This is the second baby boomer friend who has hurt himself by falling from heights. Linda has trouble watching me getting on a step stool.
Linda is all set to go off to the art show at the Massachusetts College of Fine Arts in Boston today. She and her friend finalized plans over the telephone last evening. They are departing the Berkshires at 2 PM from West Stockbridge. I will be taking a nap as Linda departs for her 25 minute drive to West Stockbridge. I will miss her so!
Observation – I was listening to a radio talk show program while doing my yard work yesterday. People were calling up and discussing the proposed tax cuts which I discussed in my daily blog yesterday. One lady said for voters not to listen to those scare tactics coming out of the voices of the current politicians in Massachusetts. This caller reminded the listeners that the politicians and teacher unions tried using these same scare tactics in the 80’s when our State passed Proposition 2.5 which put a cap on raising property taxes. The lady caller said that the State and Local cities and towns survived with less money.
We lost some great teachers here in Pittsfield, and they never came back as our economy got a little better. Linda and two of our closest friends were some of those teachers who got laid off. Linda and the male friend ended up teaching in New York State for three years. Linda is the only one who returned to teaching in the City of Pittsfield. Some laid off colleagues left our State altogether, and founding teaching jobs else where. One friend ended up in the State of Florida.
I think that the two proposed tax cuts will be passed on Tuesday. Many voters in the State feel exactly like the woman who called the talk show.
Sports – Another Boston team is off to a good start. I watched the Boston Bruins Hockey team win last evening. So this fall and winter we have the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and the Boston Bruins to cheer for. Just think of the many of the big sports market teams who can’t fill the football stadiums, basketball, or ice arenas. If the Boston Red Sox didn’t have so many injuries this past season, we might have been cheering for them in the World Series.
Speaking of the World Series, has anyone on the East Coast been watching any of the first two games of the series? Only the serious baseball aficionados are watching the World Series.
Weather – The short sleeve weather is all over for at least a week, and possibly the rest of the fall. We aren’t getting out of the 40’s today, and that will be pretty much the same pattern for the next 7 days. After I finish my outdoor project today, Linda and I will be waiting for the snow to fall.
Have a great weekend!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Hello on Thursday Morning
Dear Friends,
I was the first one to leave the house on Wednesday. I set my Garmin GPS device for Ken’s Steak House located in Framingham, Massachusetts. The device worked perfectly, and got me directly to the Steak House in 2.5 hours. Yes, this place is where the Ken’s Steak House brands of salad dressing originated from. This is also the place where Linda, whom I didn’t know at the time, had her 21st birthday. She also graduated from Framingham State Teachers College. The State has since renamed all the State colleges, and the word “Teachers” have been eliminated. Some of the State Colleges have now become Universities.
I was probably one of the youngest retired educators in the room of about 100 people. The guest speakers talked about all the different organizations available to help senior citizens.
After hearing several speakers, we then had a group of elderly people put on a singing program. I wanted to leave my table, and hide in the bar area, but there was no door on the ballroom where the meeting took place. There was a direct line of vision between the ballroom, and the bar. The singers also had a direct line of vision to the bar, and they would have surmised that I was trying to avoid their singing and the program in general. They would have been correct.
Lunch was very good. Every one at our table had beef. They must have reasoned like me that we are at a Steak House so that beef must be their specialty. The beef was wonderful. I sat next to a woman who works in the REAM office, and she said that she tries to not eat too much beef. She was a member of the clean plate club when our table finished eating.
I had my car all packed with a change of clothes, and I did have all intentions of going to North Tewksbury after the meeting to be with Kevin, Kyla, and Max for a couple of days. Linda was worried that I would hurt my problem leg if I had done some yard work during my couple day visit. I decided that she was correct, and drove straight home from Ken’s Steak House.
Linda wasn’t home when I got back to Pittsfield. She was at CVS processing some photos of all three of our grandchildren. The pictures of the grandchildren came out beautiful.
She needed to update her grandparent photo album which she was taking to BONCO last evening.
I do see a gift bag on the table which means she won something at BONCO. I was in bed when she arrived home. I fell asleep watching the Celtics who lost their first game of the professional basketball season which began on Tuesday. The World Series was on another channel, but I really didn’t watch too much of that game either.
Social Calendar – I have to get to some yard work today. I have been talking about it for days, and I have to stop the talking and get to work. I will be doing the yard work while trying to do several loads of my washing too.
Linda doesn’t have to move her body until this evening. She is out again with a different set of girlfriends. These sets of girlfriends are the ones who make their annual trip to Cape Cod in June.
Linda will be out again on Friday night too. She will be going to an art show at Massachusetts College of Fine Arts in Boston with Judie Culver. Judie’s daughter, Jillian, will be having her art work on display. They are stopping in Worcester to pick up some of Judie’s family members. They are going to do dinner and the art show. We husbands will miss our wives so much. Yeah Right! I feel a “chicken novena” coming on!
News – I did like the article where a newly appointed female detective was in getting her hair done at a salon New York. A robber made everyone get in a back room. Well, shortly after they were all in this back room, the detective came out with her guns blazing. The detective and the robber got in a gun battle, and she shot the gun out of the hands of the robber. The 19 year old robber was eventually apprehended. Score one for the good guys!
Observation – I did get zinged by a couple of my readers, including my son from Kansas, with respect to my political comments in my Wednesday blog. I can take the heat!
We have two important issues that will be voted on in Massachusetts on November 2, 2010. One proposal is to reduce the current sales tax rate from 6.25 % to 3%. The other proposal on the ballot is to eliminate the 6.25 % tax on alcohol which they started this year. While at the REAM (Retired Educator Association of Massachusetts) meeting yesterday, a person gave a report that if the above reductions do take place, the State will lose $2.7 billion dollars in revenue. This means that the cities and towns in Massachusetts will be hit hard. Educational and elderly programs will take a hit too. We already have a deficit in Massachusetts. The economy in the State hasn’t turned around enough to take such a drastic hit.
I know that my Republican or more conservative leaning friends on my daily blog are thinking that we have to tighten our belt, and tax less, and spend less. When the cities and towns have to start reducing the police, fire personnel, and teachers, garbage collection, and services in general, people will see what the reductions will do. We have gone through fire station closings or being opened on a part time basis, and we lost our sense of security here in Pittsfield when this occurred.
Well, I have to finish my morning routine, and get to some quiet activities before doing the outside stuff.
I can’t start washing my clothes because the washer and dryer are right below the Master bedroom, and I don’t want to wake up the Queen. Oh Darn!
Have a great Thursday!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
I was the first one to leave the house on Wednesday. I set my Garmin GPS device for Ken’s Steak House located in Framingham, Massachusetts. The device worked perfectly, and got me directly to the Steak House in 2.5 hours. Yes, this place is where the Ken’s Steak House brands of salad dressing originated from. This is also the place where Linda, whom I didn’t know at the time, had her 21st birthday. She also graduated from Framingham State Teachers College. The State has since renamed all the State colleges, and the word “Teachers” have been eliminated. Some of the State Colleges have now become Universities.
I was probably one of the youngest retired educators in the room of about 100 people. The guest speakers talked about all the different organizations available to help senior citizens.
After hearing several speakers, we then had a group of elderly people put on a singing program. I wanted to leave my table, and hide in the bar area, but there was no door on the ballroom where the meeting took place. There was a direct line of vision between the ballroom, and the bar. The singers also had a direct line of vision to the bar, and they would have surmised that I was trying to avoid their singing and the program in general. They would have been correct.
Lunch was very good. Every one at our table had beef. They must have reasoned like me that we are at a Steak House so that beef must be their specialty. The beef was wonderful. I sat next to a woman who works in the REAM office, and she said that she tries to not eat too much beef. She was a member of the clean plate club when our table finished eating.
I had my car all packed with a change of clothes, and I did have all intentions of going to North Tewksbury after the meeting to be with Kevin, Kyla, and Max for a couple of days. Linda was worried that I would hurt my problem leg if I had done some yard work during my couple day visit. I decided that she was correct, and drove straight home from Ken’s Steak House.
Linda wasn’t home when I got back to Pittsfield. She was at CVS processing some photos of all three of our grandchildren. The pictures of the grandchildren came out beautiful.
She needed to update her grandparent photo album which she was taking to BONCO last evening.
I do see a gift bag on the table which means she won something at BONCO. I was in bed when she arrived home. I fell asleep watching the Celtics who lost their first game of the professional basketball season which began on Tuesday. The World Series was on another channel, but I really didn’t watch too much of that game either.
Social Calendar – I have to get to some yard work today. I have been talking about it for days, and I have to stop the talking and get to work. I will be doing the yard work while trying to do several loads of my washing too.
Linda doesn’t have to move her body until this evening. She is out again with a different set of girlfriends. These sets of girlfriends are the ones who make their annual trip to Cape Cod in June.
Linda will be out again on Friday night too. She will be going to an art show at Massachusetts College of Fine Arts in Boston with Judie Culver. Judie’s daughter, Jillian, will be having her art work on display. They are stopping in Worcester to pick up some of Judie’s family members. They are going to do dinner and the art show. We husbands will miss our wives so much. Yeah Right! I feel a “chicken novena” coming on!
News – I did like the article where a newly appointed female detective was in getting her hair done at a salon New York. A robber made everyone get in a back room. Well, shortly after they were all in this back room, the detective came out with her guns blazing. The detective and the robber got in a gun battle, and she shot the gun out of the hands of the robber. The 19 year old robber was eventually apprehended. Score one for the good guys!
Observation – I did get zinged by a couple of my readers, including my son from Kansas, with respect to my political comments in my Wednesday blog. I can take the heat!
We have two important issues that will be voted on in Massachusetts on November 2, 2010. One proposal is to reduce the current sales tax rate from 6.25 % to 3%. The other proposal on the ballot is to eliminate the 6.25 % tax on alcohol which they started this year. While at the REAM (Retired Educator Association of Massachusetts) meeting yesterday, a person gave a report that if the above reductions do take place, the State will lose $2.7 billion dollars in revenue. This means that the cities and towns in Massachusetts will be hit hard. Educational and elderly programs will take a hit too. We already have a deficit in Massachusetts. The economy in the State hasn’t turned around enough to take such a drastic hit.
I know that my Republican or more conservative leaning friends on my daily blog are thinking that we have to tighten our belt, and tax less, and spend less. When the cities and towns have to start reducing the police, fire personnel, and teachers, garbage collection, and services in general, people will see what the reductions will do. We have gone through fire station closings or being opened on a part time basis, and we lost our sense of security here in Pittsfield when this occurred.
Well, I have to finish my morning routine, and get to some quiet activities before doing the outside stuff.
I can’t start washing my clothes because the washer and dryer are right below the Master bedroom, and I don’t want to wake up the Queen. Oh Darn!
Have a great Thursday!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Hello on Wednesday Morning
Dear Friends,
Another day went as planned with only a few pleasant bumps along the road.
I was all set to play a quick nine holes of golf at 10 AM with the usual suspects, but one of my buddies got a called to be a substitute teacher for the day at my former high school where I spent 35 years teaching secondary mathematics.
My other friend and I agreed that there was enough stuff to keep us males busy around our own homes.
I helped Linda set up a card table and chairs for the ladies who were going to play Mah Jongg at our house. I even whipped up a 12 grain bread in my bread machine.
Linda’s crock pot chicken vegetable soup was a big hit. There were no leftovers. My bread was a big hit too. I only have a couple of small slices of bread left that I had planned to toast this morning. I will save the couple of pieces for Linda.
I am leaving the house a little after 7 AM, and heading to Ken’s Steak House in Framingham, MA. The drive is about 2.5 hours long assuming that there are no traffic delays. The Annual REAM meeting starts a little after 10 AM; followed by lunch, and guest speaker. Supposedly, the meeting should be over close to the 2 PM hour.
Linda is all excited because I will be gone the whole day. Remember my “Separation is Good” theory because it will take place today.
After my meeting, I even had thoughts of stopping in, unannounced, at Kevin’s restaurant in East Boston, or stopping in and say “Hi” to Max as he gets out of day care in North Tewksbury. Maybe I should pack some clothes and stay overnight at Kevin and Kyla’s place.
Linda won’t miss me because she has her once a month BONCO session at a friend’s home in West Stockbridge this evening.
On the other hand, I probably should come straight home after my meeting since we did spend from Friday through Monday morning in North Tewksbury.
My meeting went well last evening at 6:30 PM. It concluded in less than an hour.
I got invited to a friend’s home to watch the season opener for the Boston Celtics. The Celtics struggled toward the end of the game like their counterparts, the New England Patriots, have been doing lately, but the Celtics did beat LeBron James and his Miami Heat teammates. Kyla was at the game, and the TD Garden seemed to be rocking all night long.
I woke up early because my leg was really aching. I tried some Ibuprofen, but the aching wouldn’t stop. I got up, and I made myself a cup of coffee, and got on the computer.
It is raining outside right now pretty heavily. I don’t love driving in the rain. Linda did offer me to use the Kia to head east on the Mass Pike, but my 2000 Legacy needs a workout every once in a while. This might be the last time that I take the Subaru out of Berkshire County.
National news had the usual murder and mayhem, and wasn’t worth talking about.
Observation – The Republican Party and the Tea Party people have spent a lot of money beating up the Democratic incumbents. They have been spreading outright lies not only nationally, but in our own State. I am still voting for the Democratic politicians. I can see through the nonsense. As I get older, I am convinced that the Democratic Party will be the best party to help me make it through life until I meet my Maker.
Some of my friends, who claimed to be independents or independent thinkers, have already been brain washed by the political campaign advertisements. They are voting to remove any Democratic incumbents. I am so hoping that Massachusetts stays a Democratic Party State.
Well, I have to select my wardrobe for my trip today.
Have a great Wednesday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Another day went as planned with only a few pleasant bumps along the road.
I was all set to play a quick nine holes of golf at 10 AM with the usual suspects, but one of my buddies got a called to be a substitute teacher for the day at my former high school where I spent 35 years teaching secondary mathematics.
My other friend and I agreed that there was enough stuff to keep us males busy around our own homes.
I helped Linda set up a card table and chairs for the ladies who were going to play Mah Jongg at our house. I even whipped up a 12 grain bread in my bread machine.
Linda’s crock pot chicken vegetable soup was a big hit. There were no leftovers. My bread was a big hit too. I only have a couple of small slices of bread left that I had planned to toast this morning. I will save the couple of pieces for Linda.
I am leaving the house a little after 7 AM, and heading to Ken’s Steak House in Framingham, MA. The drive is about 2.5 hours long assuming that there are no traffic delays. The Annual REAM meeting starts a little after 10 AM; followed by lunch, and guest speaker. Supposedly, the meeting should be over close to the 2 PM hour.
Linda is all excited because I will be gone the whole day. Remember my “Separation is Good” theory because it will take place today.
After my meeting, I even had thoughts of stopping in, unannounced, at Kevin’s restaurant in East Boston, or stopping in and say “Hi” to Max as he gets out of day care in North Tewksbury. Maybe I should pack some clothes and stay overnight at Kevin and Kyla’s place.
Linda won’t miss me because she has her once a month BONCO session at a friend’s home in West Stockbridge this evening.
On the other hand, I probably should come straight home after my meeting since we did spend from Friday through Monday morning in North Tewksbury.
My meeting went well last evening at 6:30 PM. It concluded in less than an hour.
I got invited to a friend’s home to watch the season opener for the Boston Celtics. The Celtics struggled toward the end of the game like their counterparts, the New England Patriots, have been doing lately, but the Celtics did beat LeBron James and his Miami Heat teammates. Kyla was at the game, and the TD Garden seemed to be rocking all night long.
I woke up early because my leg was really aching. I tried some Ibuprofen, but the aching wouldn’t stop. I got up, and I made myself a cup of coffee, and got on the computer.
It is raining outside right now pretty heavily. I don’t love driving in the rain. Linda did offer me to use the Kia to head east on the Mass Pike, but my 2000 Legacy needs a workout every once in a while. This might be the last time that I take the Subaru out of Berkshire County.
National news had the usual murder and mayhem, and wasn’t worth talking about.
Observation – The Republican Party and the Tea Party people have spent a lot of money beating up the Democratic incumbents. They have been spreading outright lies not only nationally, but in our own State. I am still voting for the Democratic politicians. I can see through the nonsense. As I get older, I am convinced that the Democratic Party will be the best party to help me make it through life until I meet my Maker.
Some of my friends, who claimed to be independents or independent thinkers, have already been brain washed by the political campaign advertisements. They are voting to remove any Democratic incumbents. I am so hoping that Massachusetts stays a Democratic Party State.
Well, I have to select my wardrobe for my trip today.
Have a great Wednesday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Hello on Tuesday Morning
Dear Friends,
It was sad to leave our grandchild and his mother yesterday morning, and head back to the Berkshires. I didn’t include his father because he was sleeping. He was trying to recover from their long weekend of attending three Phish Concerts. He was going into the restaurant at 3 PM. Kyla dropped off Max at daycare, and headed off to work a little later than she wanted to. Her day was a long one, and she had one of the day care workers take Max home, and entertain him until she got home from work. Having the daycare worker take Max to Kevin and Kyla’s home is a prearranged agreement.
I did need an afternoon nap after I unloaded the car. Linda wasn’t able to do so because she took care of a whole bunch of errands which included a grocery store run.
I didn’t realize that she was booked into Mah Jongg session last evening.
Today she is hosting Mah Jongg. A chicken vegetable soup has been brewing over night. Some mini pasta will be put in the soup for the last few minutes of the cooking process. I think that I might whip up a bread in my bread machine to compliment the meal. I will be dinning with the ladies unless I decide to play some golf with the usual suspects at 10 AM. I am not sure if my leg can handle the twisting motion. I definitely could not walk the course. Sometimes my leg hurts every time that I take a step.
I am social engaged this evening at 6:30 PM. A group of people from the Pittsfield Irish Sister City Committee are meeting with parents who might be interesting in sending a 16 and under Basketball Team over to our Irish Sister City to play several contests during a week or so stay in Ireland this coming summer.
Sports – I watched Monday night football until I saw the Dallas Cowboy quarterback get knocked out of the game with a broken clavicle. Tony Romo will be out 6 to 8 weeks if an operation is required. The Cowboys could be done for the season.
After my meeting, I am coming home to watch the season opening game for the Boston Celtics. Kyla will be at the game by way of her company. I am jealous!
Linda did get me invited to watch the game (with the husband) over the home of one of her Mah Jongg friends, but I have to be on the road to Frammingham a little after 7 AM on Wednesday for the Annual State Meeting of REAM. I can’t miss this meeting since I am President of the Berkshire County Chapter.
Observation – I saw the article of a Pennsylvania woman who left the remains of four of her infants in a closet in her house. Authorities found two more in a nearby landfill and there might be more bodies too. The article made me so sick as the article described what this woman had done. Linda and I just got through taking care of our grandchild, and I started thinking how can a person do this to a child? All we wanted to do is give Max hugs the whole weekend. We were also thinking about our other two grandchildren in Kansas whom we haven’t given hugs to since mid July.
This awful incident in Pennsylvania goes back to the quote that I saw years ago: “Stupid people shouldn’t breed!”
Both Kevin and Kyla called yesterday, and thanked us profusely for taking care of their child for the whole weekend. Max was so good for a child of 14 months. If you had a child like Max, you would want a houseful of children like him.
Speaking of children, Danielle sent us a picture of their Halloween decorated house in Kansas. Their house is definitely decorated for Trick or Treat night. Since Mike is still in Norfolk , Virginia taking military classes, Danielle had to do the decorations herself. I am talking about outside decorations as well as the inside ones too. We were there last year during Halloween, and we are sad that we can’t be there this year. They have one of the best decorated houses in the neighborhood. Danielle is definitely a “Super Mom”!.
As I have said many times, our two sons made some great choices in mates. Our two daughter-in-laws are the best that Linda and I could ever dream of having.
This is why I always say and firmly believe that for the Curley’s: “Life is Good!”
Have a great Tuesday.
I have to read the local newspaper, and select the type of bread that I am going to make.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
It was sad to leave our grandchild and his mother yesterday morning, and head back to the Berkshires. I didn’t include his father because he was sleeping. He was trying to recover from their long weekend of attending three Phish Concerts. He was going into the restaurant at 3 PM. Kyla dropped off Max at daycare, and headed off to work a little later than she wanted to. Her day was a long one, and she had one of the day care workers take Max home, and entertain him until she got home from work. Having the daycare worker take Max to Kevin and Kyla’s home is a prearranged agreement.
I did need an afternoon nap after I unloaded the car. Linda wasn’t able to do so because she took care of a whole bunch of errands which included a grocery store run.
I didn’t realize that she was booked into Mah Jongg session last evening.
Today she is hosting Mah Jongg. A chicken vegetable soup has been brewing over night. Some mini pasta will be put in the soup for the last few minutes of the cooking process. I think that I might whip up a bread in my bread machine to compliment the meal. I will be dinning with the ladies unless I decide to play some golf with the usual suspects at 10 AM. I am not sure if my leg can handle the twisting motion. I definitely could not walk the course. Sometimes my leg hurts every time that I take a step.
I am social engaged this evening at 6:30 PM. A group of people from the Pittsfield Irish Sister City Committee are meeting with parents who might be interesting in sending a 16 and under Basketball Team over to our Irish Sister City to play several contests during a week or so stay in Ireland this coming summer.
Sports – I watched Monday night football until I saw the Dallas Cowboy quarterback get knocked out of the game with a broken clavicle. Tony Romo will be out 6 to 8 weeks if an operation is required. The Cowboys could be done for the season.
After my meeting, I am coming home to watch the season opening game for the Boston Celtics. Kyla will be at the game by way of her company. I am jealous!
Linda did get me invited to watch the game (with the husband) over the home of one of her Mah Jongg friends, but I have to be on the road to Frammingham a little after 7 AM on Wednesday for the Annual State Meeting of REAM. I can’t miss this meeting since I am President of the Berkshire County Chapter.
Observation – I saw the article of a Pennsylvania woman who left the remains of four of her infants in a closet in her house. Authorities found two more in a nearby landfill and there might be more bodies too. The article made me so sick as the article described what this woman had done. Linda and I just got through taking care of our grandchild, and I started thinking how can a person do this to a child? All we wanted to do is give Max hugs the whole weekend. We were also thinking about our other two grandchildren in Kansas whom we haven’t given hugs to since mid July.
This awful incident in Pennsylvania goes back to the quote that I saw years ago: “Stupid people shouldn’t breed!”
Both Kevin and Kyla called yesterday, and thanked us profusely for taking care of their child for the whole weekend. Max was so good for a child of 14 months. If you had a child like Max, you would want a houseful of children like him.
Speaking of children, Danielle sent us a picture of their Halloween decorated house in Kansas. Their house is definitely decorated for Trick or Treat night. Since Mike is still in Norfolk , Virginia taking military classes, Danielle had to do the decorations herself. I am talking about outside decorations as well as the inside ones too. We were there last year during Halloween, and we are sad that we can’t be there this year. They have one of the best decorated houses in the neighborhood. Danielle is definitely a “Super Mom”!.
As I have said many times, our two sons made some great choices in mates. Our two daughter-in-laws are the best that Linda and I could ever dream of having.
This is why I always say and firmly believe that for the Curley’s: “Life is Good!”
Have a great Tuesday.
I have to read the local newspaper, and select the type of bread that I am going to make.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Hello on Thursday Morning
Dear Friends,
Our basement (my Man Cave) is back to working order. The largest gathering in the Man Cave will take place on November 9 which is when we have our Annual Irish Sister City dinner meeting. We should have close to 20 people attending the affair.
We might try a smaller Patriot Party with some football fans before the November 9, 2010 event.
I never did get to remove the air conditioners in two of the bedrooms. That will be a project for next week.
The tulip bulbs for the spring of 2011 were planted by Linda on Wednesday. Cutting the lawn, and some leaf pickup will have to wait until next week too.
Linda had fun with her knitting group. New people have been joining the group each week. Linda found out that there is a Fiber Event at the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield in early November. She has already marked the date on her calendar. Some of the knitting group people did go to the Sheep and Wool Festival which we attended this past weekend. They told Linda that on Sunday the weather was beautiful which brought on a little guilt on my part. If you remember in a previous e-mail, Linda and I did not attend the Festival on Sunday. We left New York after breakfast so that I could go home and watch the Patriot Game. Oh Darn!
Social Calendar – Besides packing for our baby sitting gig this weekend, we have that Polenta Dinner (6:30 PM -- $15 per person) which we are attending at the ITAM this evening. So far two other couples are joining us, and there is still room at the Curley Table.
Linda and I might have to take separate cars since I have agreed to help out setting up for the final Third Thursday (5 PM to 8 PM) in downtown Pittsfield. I am helping with the set up at 3:30 PM, and I might work a while before heading off to the ITAM.
The forecast is rain ending during the afternoon; with temperatures dropping and wind picking up. Oh joy for the people who are working the event.
On Saturday, Grandma and Grandpa are taking their Grandchild to Music Class. We can’t wait to take Max to this class (45 minutes).
I just returned from Retro Fitness. There were very people at the 4:30 AM hour. The beautiful people started to filter in around 5 AM.
Observation – I have been listening intently about the discussion with respect to professional football about one player hitting another player with his helmet. A Patriot Player did it this weekend to an opposing player. The commissioner and the league passed a rule Wednesday about the player being fined and suspended for a game when this happens. I say that they don’t need to pass this rule. They already have rules in place for a player hitting another player with a hit which is deemed dangerous. The league can review the film of the incident and determine whether it was legal or not. If there are players who are what they call “head hunters”, then go after those guys. I am not sure if the Patriot guy intended to do what he did to the receiver of the other team. One of the Patriot guys had the receiver in his grasp, and the other player could have been going after the ball to dislodge it, but he could have mistimed the hit.
How about the running back that puts his head down and goes through the line to gain a couple of extra yards. The defensive lineman has his head down as he tries to grab the running back’s legs, and helmets collide. Is that a finable event including a one game suspension? Professional football is a very violent game. If you so choose to play the game, and you are good enough to make it to the professional level, you know what you are getting yourself into.
Well, I am going to read the local newspaper, finish some packing (which is a quiet activity), and load up the car with stuff that my friends need to have a successful Third Thursday. I said that I would let them use my canopy. If it is too windy, I hope that they decide to not use it.
Have a great Thursday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Our basement (my Man Cave) is back to working order. The largest gathering in the Man Cave will take place on November 9 which is when we have our Annual Irish Sister City dinner meeting. We should have close to 20 people attending the affair.
We might try a smaller Patriot Party with some football fans before the November 9, 2010 event.
I never did get to remove the air conditioners in two of the bedrooms. That will be a project for next week.
The tulip bulbs for the spring of 2011 were planted by Linda on Wednesday. Cutting the lawn, and some leaf pickup will have to wait until next week too.
Linda had fun with her knitting group. New people have been joining the group each week. Linda found out that there is a Fiber Event at the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield in early November. She has already marked the date on her calendar. Some of the knitting group people did go to the Sheep and Wool Festival which we attended this past weekend. They told Linda that on Sunday the weather was beautiful which brought on a little guilt on my part. If you remember in a previous e-mail, Linda and I did not attend the Festival on Sunday. We left New York after breakfast so that I could go home and watch the Patriot Game. Oh Darn!
Social Calendar – Besides packing for our baby sitting gig this weekend, we have that Polenta Dinner (6:30 PM -- $15 per person) which we are attending at the ITAM this evening. So far two other couples are joining us, and there is still room at the Curley Table.
Linda and I might have to take separate cars since I have agreed to help out setting up for the final Third Thursday (5 PM to 8 PM) in downtown Pittsfield. I am helping with the set up at 3:30 PM, and I might work a while before heading off to the ITAM.
The forecast is rain ending during the afternoon; with temperatures dropping and wind picking up. Oh joy for the people who are working the event.
On Saturday, Grandma and Grandpa are taking their Grandchild to Music Class. We can’t wait to take Max to this class (45 minutes).
I just returned from Retro Fitness. There were very people at the 4:30 AM hour. The beautiful people started to filter in around 5 AM.
Observation – I have been listening intently about the discussion with respect to professional football about one player hitting another player with his helmet. A Patriot Player did it this weekend to an opposing player. The commissioner and the league passed a rule Wednesday about the player being fined and suspended for a game when this happens. I say that they don’t need to pass this rule. They already have rules in place for a player hitting another player with a hit which is deemed dangerous. The league can review the film of the incident and determine whether it was legal or not. If there are players who are what they call “head hunters”, then go after those guys. I am not sure if the Patriot guy intended to do what he did to the receiver of the other team. One of the Patriot guys had the receiver in his grasp, and the other player could have been going after the ball to dislodge it, but he could have mistimed the hit.
How about the running back that puts his head down and goes through the line to gain a couple of extra yards. The defensive lineman has his head down as he tries to grab the running back’s legs, and helmets collide. Is that a finable event including a one game suspension? Professional football is a very violent game. If you so choose to play the game, and you are good enough to make it to the professional level, you know what you are getting yourself into.
Well, I am going to read the local newspaper, finish some packing (which is a quiet activity), and load up the car with stuff that my friends need to have a successful Third Thursday. I said that I would let them use my canopy. If it is too windy, I hope that they decide to not use it.
Have a great Thursday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Hello on Wednesday
Dear Friends,
We both did our own things during the day on Tuesday.
I went to Lee to replace the hot and cold water hoses on my dad’s washing machine. You would think that the job would be a simple one. Not! I knew that there was going to be trouble when the fitting on one hose was almost rusted off of the brass fitting. My father would have has a water leak at any point over the next few months. I took off the two old hoses, and put on two new braided ones. I turned on the water, and water started leaking from everywhere. I eventually did get the hoses back on so that they wouldn’t leak, but it wasn’t without a struggle. This 5 minute job turned into a 30 minute job. The cleanup of the mess was worse that putting the hoses back on. I wouldn’t even make a good apprentice plumber.
My sister is handier than me when dealing with household repairs.
I was successful at removing and storing my dad’s two air conditioners.
Linda had fun at Mah Jongg. She is hosting next Tuesday’s session. She told the ladies that she is going to make a crock pot soup for them. I will mostly likely joining them for lunch.
While Linda was playing Mah Jongg, I went off to the grocery store to get my cake making ingredients. I am going to do some baking today after I get back from Retro Fitness,
Speaking of cooking, the Crock Pot Pork Loin turned out wonderful. The apple slices, and the coating of the bottom of the crock pot (about a ¼ inch) with some apple cider was a good idea that I had. The pork came out fork tender, and the au jus that was formed during the cooking process was so tasty. I did whip up a loaf of cranberry crunch organic bread in my bread machine. The bread came out great too. We are going to toast some of the bread for breakfast this morning. I would have invited someone over to join us, but I don’t like to try a new recipe on guests unless I know that it works. Well this recipe worked super. As far as the spices that I put on the pork, I just used a little salt and fresh ground pepper. A little Dijon mustard spread of the top of the loin was the only other ingredient. I made some oven roasted potatoes, and Linda did a bag of Steam Fresh vegetables in the microwave.
Linda is the only one socially engaged this evening.
Before I headed off to bed last evening, Linda created a list of things that “we” are going to work on today. The first of which is to hang a few more items in the basement. I still have two air conditioners to remove and store. It sounds like a simple task. Not! I have been storing them in two different closets over the past few years instead of storing them in the garage. Well, the closets are full of other stuff which has to be sorted out first. This is where my male strength comes in handy.
Observation – I couldn’t believe that a priest, with Vatican ties, has come out publicly stating that the The Simpsons (from the satirical and sometimes irreverent cartoon like show) has declared that they are a Catholic family. The author of the article claims so thinking that it is way for the Catholic Church to relate to the youth in the world. Even our religious leaders are going a little wacky!
Well, I have to end this e-mail and start baking some Irish Soda breads. I am going to make four loaves of Irish Soda Breads for the Italian American Club Bazaar this weekend even though we won’t be in town.
I am going to make a batch of Brownies too.
I am going to make an Irish Whiskey Cake too. I will take a portion of the cake to North Tewksbury when we do a little baby sitting this weekend.
Have a great Wednesday.
As you see, I have a full day ahead of me.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
We both did our own things during the day on Tuesday.
I went to Lee to replace the hot and cold water hoses on my dad’s washing machine. You would think that the job would be a simple one. Not! I knew that there was going to be trouble when the fitting on one hose was almost rusted off of the brass fitting. My father would have has a water leak at any point over the next few months. I took off the two old hoses, and put on two new braided ones. I turned on the water, and water started leaking from everywhere. I eventually did get the hoses back on so that they wouldn’t leak, but it wasn’t without a struggle. This 5 minute job turned into a 30 minute job. The cleanup of the mess was worse that putting the hoses back on. I wouldn’t even make a good apprentice plumber.
My sister is handier than me when dealing with household repairs.
I was successful at removing and storing my dad’s two air conditioners.
Linda had fun at Mah Jongg. She is hosting next Tuesday’s session. She told the ladies that she is going to make a crock pot soup for them. I will mostly likely joining them for lunch.
While Linda was playing Mah Jongg, I went off to the grocery store to get my cake making ingredients. I am going to do some baking today after I get back from Retro Fitness,
Speaking of cooking, the Crock Pot Pork Loin turned out wonderful. The apple slices, and the coating of the bottom of the crock pot (about a ¼ inch) with some apple cider was a good idea that I had. The pork came out fork tender, and the au jus that was formed during the cooking process was so tasty. I did whip up a loaf of cranberry crunch organic bread in my bread machine. The bread came out great too. We are going to toast some of the bread for breakfast this morning. I would have invited someone over to join us, but I don’t like to try a new recipe on guests unless I know that it works. Well this recipe worked super. As far as the spices that I put on the pork, I just used a little salt and fresh ground pepper. A little Dijon mustard spread of the top of the loin was the only other ingredient. I made some oven roasted potatoes, and Linda did a bag of Steam Fresh vegetables in the microwave.
Linda is the only one socially engaged this evening.
Before I headed off to bed last evening, Linda created a list of things that “we” are going to work on today. The first of which is to hang a few more items in the basement. I still have two air conditioners to remove and store. It sounds like a simple task. Not! I have been storing them in two different closets over the past few years instead of storing them in the garage. Well, the closets are full of other stuff which has to be sorted out first. This is where my male strength comes in handy.
Observation – I couldn’t believe that a priest, with Vatican ties, has come out publicly stating that the The Simpsons (from the satirical and sometimes irreverent cartoon like show) has declared that they are a Catholic family. The author of the article claims so thinking that it is way for the Catholic Church to relate to the youth in the world. Even our religious leaders are going a little wacky!
Well, I have to end this e-mail and start baking some Irish Soda breads. I am going to make four loaves of Irish Soda Breads for the Italian American Club Bazaar this weekend even though we won’t be in town.
I am going to make a batch of Brownies too.
I am going to make an Irish Whiskey Cake too. I will take a portion of the cake to North Tewksbury when we do a little baby sitting this weekend.
Have a great Wednesday.
As you see, I have a full day ahead of me.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Hello on Tuesday Morning
Dear Friends,
Another day went well for the Curley’s.
I never made it to my father’s home to do some chores around his house. I was just about ready to head out the door at 9 AM when my sister called. She had caught a cold, and asked if I would go with my mother and father to the audiologist. Mom’s hearing aide had to be cleaned, and reset. The specialist compared it to having your car tuned up. While there, I asked him about my situation, and a bunch of my male baby boomer friends. Many of us are experiencing some hearing loss. For me it is occurring in my right ear. The audiologist gives me a handbook explaining all of my questions and concerns. While he was taking care of Mom, I started to read the handbook. One of the sections addressed my particular problem. The quote that really stuck in my mind was that; “If you think that you have good hearing in one hear, and bad hearing in the other ear, than this means that you have bad hearing in both ears!” Several years ago, I used to laugh at those commercials where the elder gentleman asked: “What did you say?” Well, my friends and I could be making those commercials right now.
Some of my friends have hearing losses worse than others. We might as well as well wear name tags which say; “Please talk into my good ear!” One person has hearing so bad that if you ask him a question he responds with something that is totally irrelevant to the question you asked.
The handbook also pointed out that some people are against wearing a hearing aide. The audiologist said that he has many children as patients who need to wear hearing aides otherwise they could not function at home or in school. I did have a student one time who had a device that he would have to turn on to hear me. I had a device that I had to wear on my shirt / tie so that he could hear what I was teaching. When he didn’t want to listen to me, he shut off his device. He did this too many times throughout the year, and I had to give him a failing grade.
With respect to wearing a hearing aide, I am not opposed to wearing them. Most health insurance policies don’t pay for hearing aides. I am not sure about the policy which Linda and I have. Linda still has her bionic teaching ears, and healthy teeth. I have problems with these two body parts .
Linda had a fun time with her female golfing buddies last evening at Patrick’s Pub. She said that the place was packed for a Monday night.
My UNICO dinner meeting went well last evening. Our current President learned from me to take care of business in a short amount of time. The business portion of the meeting concluded in just 30 minutes.
Linda is playing Mah Jongg today with her Tuesday group of ladies. She has missed two consecutive weeks. I also saw in some e-mails that her other group is interested in playing this week too. I am not sure if the four ladies can find a mutually agreeable time to play.
I am going to Lee to do stuff at my dad’s place that I didn’t do yesterday.
Before this day ends I will have put away two air conditioners at my dad’s place, and three at our home.
When I came home from my meeting last evening, I started soaking some raisins in whiskey. I am going to make a dozen mini loaves of Irish Soda Bread for a bazaar which will be taking place at the Italian American Club this weekend. I might even make a batch of Irish Whiskey cake too. This is a quiet activity for me for the most part.
I just got back from Retro Fitness. I was with the 4:30 AM crowd of usual suspects. I have been lax over the last couple of weeks. I have to get back into a routine. I was using an aching leg as an excuse. My leg felt better after I did a mile on the treadmill, and finished up on a stationary bike. It will be back to the elliptical machines on Wednesday.
I have to end this e-mail, and prepare a boneless pork loin roast for the crock pot since we have no social engagements that I am aware of. Since it is fall and apples are abundant, I might prepare the roast using fresh sliced apples, and some apple cider as my liquid (just coating the bottom of the crock pot). Some potatoes and a vegetable of some sort will make for a pleasant supper time meal. I might even make a loaf of bread in my bread machine to soak up some of the wonderful juices created in the crock pot. I will drizzle the juices over the sliced meat as I plate the meal. I will let you know how the supper turns out in the morning.
Have a great Tuesday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Another day went well for the Curley’s.
I never made it to my father’s home to do some chores around his house. I was just about ready to head out the door at 9 AM when my sister called. She had caught a cold, and asked if I would go with my mother and father to the audiologist. Mom’s hearing aide had to be cleaned, and reset. The specialist compared it to having your car tuned up. While there, I asked him about my situation, and a bunch of my male baby boomer friends. Many of us are experiencing some hearing loss. For me it is occurring in my right ear. The audiologist gives me a handbook explaining all of my questions and concerns. While he was taking care of Mom, I started to read the handbook. One of the sections addressed my particular problem. The quote that really stuck in my mind was that; “If you think that you have good hearing in one hear, and bad hearing in the other ear, than this means that you have bad hearing in both ears!” Several years ago, I used to laugh at those commercials where the elder gentleman asked: “What did you say?” Well, my friends and I could be making those commercials right now.
Some of my friends have hearing losses worse than others. We might as well as well wear name tags which say; “Please talk into my good ear!” One person has hearing so bad that if you ask him a question he responds with something that is totally irrelevant to the question you asked.
The handbook also pointed out that some people are against wearing a hearing aide. The audiologist said that he has many children as patients who need to wear hearing aides otherwise they could not function at home or in school. I did have a student one time who had a device that he would have to turn on to hear me. I had a device that I had to wear on my shirt / tie so that he could hear what I was teaching. When he didn’t want to listen to me, he shut off his device. He did this too many times throughout the year, and I had to give him a failing grade.
With respect to wearing a hearing aide, I am not opposed to wearing them. Most health insurance policies don’t pay for hearing aides. I am not sure about the policy which Linda and I have. Linda still has her bionic teaching ears, and healthy teeth. I have problems with these two body parts .
Linda had a fun time with her female golfing buddies last evening at Patrick’s Pub. She said that the place was packed for a Monday night.
My UNICO dinner meeting went well last evening. Our current President learned from me to take care of business in a short amount of time. The business portion of the meeting concluded in just 30 minutes.
Linda is playing Mah Jongg today with her Tuesday group of ladies. She has missed two consecutive weeks. I also saw in some e-mails that her other group is interested in playing this week too. I am not sure if the four ladies can find a mutually agreeable time to play.
I am going to Lee to do stuff at my dad’s place that I didn’t do yesterday.
Before this day ends I will have put away two air conditioners at my dad’s place, and three at our home.
When I came home from my meeting last evening, I started soaking some raisins in whiskey. I am going to make a dozen mini loaves of Irish Soda Bread for a bazaar which will be taking place at the Italian American Club this weekend. I might even make a batch of Irish Whiskey cake too. This is a quiet activity for me for the most part.
I just got back from Retro Fitness. I was with the 4:30 AM crowd of usual suspects. I have been lax over the last couple of weeks. I have to get back into a routine. I was using an aching leg as an excuse. My leg felt better after I did a mile on the treadmill, and finished up on a stationary bike. It will be back to the elliptical machines on Wednesday.
I have to end this e-mail, and prepare a boneless pork loin roast for the crock pot since we have no social engagements that I am aware of. Since it is fall and apples are abundant, I might prepare the roast using fresh sliced apples, and some apple cider as my liquid (just coating the bottom of the crock pot). Some potatoes and a vegetable of some sort will make for a pleasant supper time meal. I might even make a loaf of bread in my bread machine to soak up some of the wonderful juices created in the crock pot. I will drizzle the juices over the sliced meat as I plate the meal. I will let you know how the supper turns out in the morning.
Have a great Tuesday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Monday, October 18, 2010
Hello on Monday Morning
Dear Friends,
Linda and I arrived at the Festival on Saturday before our friends did. We stood in line for over 30 minutes waiting for the gates to open at 9 AM. The wind was howling so bad that I had to go back to the car, and get hats and gloves. As the day progressed it did warm up a bit, and I went back to the car to shed some of my winter gear.
Linda and I were so lucky that we talked another couple into going with us the 38th Annual Sheep and Wool festival. Linda had a girlfriend to go with her as they observed, and purchased yarn at all the places that they went into. The friend’s husband and I did a lot of bench sitting while our wives were doing their shopping. We did all meet for lunch. We each ate one of those famous Chicken Pot pies. Our friends did agree that they were some of the best that they ever tasted.
During the mid morning, my male friend and I went into the food, wine, and cheese pavilion. We ate and sample our way through the building.
We also watched some Border collie demonstration. For me it was no big deal since our son Kevin owns a border collie, and we have seen Billy do pretty much everything that was part of the show.
We called it a day around 4:30 PM. Our friends were able to get back to the motel, and they started cocktail hour in their room before we did. We got stuck in traffic for a very long time.
As we joined our friends, we discussed the Festival. My male friend said that he would never attend the festival again in his life time. His wife could do it again for at least one day of the two day festival.
Our Saturday evening went well at the Skytop Restaurant located on the grounds of the motel, but not connected with the motel. We are so lucky that Linda made reservations for 7:30 PM. We told our waitress that we wanted to have a very relaxed and slow supper, and that we were staying for the entertainment which was a live band. We finished supper just about the time which the band started to play. They played their first song about 9:10 PM. Our friends and I got up on the dance floor first, and then the locals started to fill the dance floor. We stayed through one set of music before we decided to call it a night.
The four of us went off to breakfast at a Greek dinner / restaurant 1.5 miles from our motel. As we finished our breakfast, we discussed what we would do next. I wanted to go directly home because I wanted to watch the Patriot Game. Our friends decided to take the scenic road back home. I was so happy for them.
As we were in the middle of our ride home, Linda says that she would have gone to the festival on Sunday. The guilt started to set in until I started to watch the Patriot Game. I am so glad that Linda gave into my wishes, and let me drive straight home after breakfast. The Patriot Game was awesome. It took overtime for them to win the game. I was so jealous that my friend was at the game in the same seats which I was in on opening day.
We never left the house on Sunday. I went into my Man Cave to watch the game, and Linda watched previously recorded programs while knitting a blanket for our grandchild Max. During both activities, we were able to do a load of clothes so that we could repack our suitcases for this weekend’s adventure in North Tewksbury. Max has started walking, and Kevin said that he is walking everywhere. Linda and I can’t wait to see him in action. We better put on our running shoes for this weekend of baby sitting.
My sister was telling me about one of her grandchildren, Matthew, who threw a large comb of some sort down the toilet at her house. The plumber’s bill could have been larger than it was, but my sister wouldn’t let the guy try and talk her into purchasing a new toilet.
For our Sunday night supper, we ate what we had in the house. A friend did call and ask us to go out for supper since her husband, daughter and her husband were at the Patriot Game. We were so comfortable in our sweat pants that we didn’t want to leave the house.
Social Calendar – I have to do some stuff at my Dad’s house this morning. We are both socially engaged this evening. Linda has a gathering with her golfing buddies at Patrick’s Pub. I have UNICO membership dinner / meeting. It takes place at the Italian American Club. The caterer at the club is preparing the meal. The food is really good when he and his crew prepare a meal.
Observation – Even though I did some bench sitting at the Sheep and Wool Festival, I love to watch and listen into peoples’ conversations. While sitting on a picnic bench at the 4-H pavilion eating a breakfast sandwich, a group of knitters gathered. A leader of the group said to her friends: “We have to have a game plan!” They discussed when and where they were going to meet, when they were going to eat lunch, etc.
All the knitters wear articles of clothing which they have made. A lady complimented me on the hat that I was wearing. Linda made it for me month ago. Another lady who was sitting next to me while I was on the bench told her girlfriend that she was; “Having a blast at the festival!” I was sitting next to the Kettle corn guys, and one lady bought 5 large bags of kettle corn. I was going to purchase one for my friend who attended the Patriot Game, but I couldn’t figure out a way to keep the Kettle Corn fresh. There is nothing like Kettle Corn freshly made.
Some of the women thought hat it was very nice that their significant others like me were available to haul their treasures back to the car as they became too heavy.
The knitters come in all shapes and sizes, There were people in wheel chairs and scooters. My friend saw a woman elbow a man, and knock him to the ground. My friend had no clue as to what provoked the women. The women was coming out of the wine pavilion, maybe alcohol had something to do with her behavior.
I thought at one point that Linda was going to purchase one of those yarn making wheels at which you go from the raw wool, and make it into yarn.
Linda already has so much yarn in buckets, and on shelves in the guest bedroom closet.
As we were waiting for our wives at the last place that our wives were shopping at, one lady walked by me with armfuls of bags of yarn, and raw wool. She told her girlfriend that she thinks that she has the same kind of yarn at home that she bought last year.
The knitters to seem feed off of one another like the sharks do. One goes in and gets a little blood flowing, and then it becomes a feeding frenzy. One lady was upset because another one grabbed some yarn that she was thinking of purchasing.
Well, I have to finish my morning routine, and get ready to go to Lee. I think Linda is going to sleep a long time this morning unless that darn telephone rings.
Talk to you soon, The Curley Lad
Linda and I arrived at the Festival on Saturday before our friends did. We stood in line for over 30 minutes waiting for the gates to open at 9 AM. The wind was howling so bad that I had to go back to the car, and get hats and gloves. As the day progressed it did warm up a bit, and I went back to the car to shed some of my winter gear.
Linda and I were so lucky that we talked another couple into going with us the 38th Annual Sheep and Wool festival. Linda had a girlfriend to go with her as they observed, and purchased yarn at all the places that they went into. The friend’s husband and I did a lot of bench sitting while our wives were doing their shopping. We did all meet for lunch. We each ate one of those famous Chicken Pot pies. Our friends did agree that they were some of the best that they ever tasted.
During the mid morning, my male friend and I went into the food, wine, and cheese pavilion. We ate and sample our way through the building.
We also watched some Border collie demonstration. For me it was no big deal since our son Kevin owns a border collie, and we have seen Billy do pretty much everything that was part of the show.
We called it a day around 4:30 PM. Our friends were able to get back to the motel, and they started cocktail hour in their room before we did. We got stuck in traffic for a very long time.
As we joined our friends, we discussed the Festival. My male friend said that he would never attend the festival again in his life time. His wife could do it again for at least one day of the two day festival.
Our Saturday evening went well at the Skytop Restaurant located on the grounds of the motel, but not connected with the motel. We are so lucky that Linda made reservations for 7:30 PM. We told our waitress that we wanted to have a very relaxed and slow supper, and that we were staying for the entertainment which was a live band. We finished supper just about the time which the band started to play. They played their first song about 9:10 PM. Our friends and I got up on the dance floor first, and then the locals started to fill the dance floor. We stayed through one set of music before we decided to call it a night.
The four of us went off to breakfast at a Greek dinner / restaurant 1.5 miles from our motel. As we finished our breakfast, we discussed what we would do next. I wanted to go directly home because I wanted to watch the Patriot Game. Our friends decided to take the scenic road back home. I was so happy for them.
As we were in the middle of our ride home, Linda says that she would have gone to the festival on Sunday. The guilt started to set in until I started to watch the Patriot Game. I am so glad that Linda gave into my wishes, and let me drive straight home after breakfast. The Patriot Game was awesome. It took overtime for them to win the game. I was so jealous that my friend was at the game in the same seats which I was in on opening day.
We never left the house on Sunday. I went into my Man Cave to watch the game, and Linda watched previously recorded programs while knitting a blanket for our grandchild Max. During both activities, we were able to do a load of clothes so that we could repack our suitcases for this weekend’s adventure in North Tewksbury. Max has started walking, and Kevin said that he is walking everywhere. Linda and I can’t wait to see him in action. We better put on our running shoes for this weekend of baby sitting.
My sister was telling me about one of her grandchildren, Matthew, who threw a large comb of some sort down the toilet at her house. The plumber’s bill could have been larger than it was, but my sister wouldn’t let the guy try and talk her into purchasing a new toilet.
For our Sunday night supper, we ate what we had in the house. A friend did call and ask us to go out for supper since her husband, daughter and her husband were at the Patriot Game. We were so comfortable in our sweat pants that we didn’t want to leave the house.
Social Calendar – I have to do some stuff at my Dad’s house this morning. We are both socially engaged this evening. Linda has a gathering with her golfing buddies at Patrick’s Pub. I have UNICO membership dinner / meeting. It takes place at the Italian American Club. The caterer at the club is preparing the meal. The food is really good when he and his crew prepare a meal.
Observation – Even though I did some bench sitting at the Sheep and Wool Festival, I love to watch and listen into peoples’ conversations. While sitting on a picnic bench at the 4-H pavilion eating a breakfast sandwich, a group of knitters gathered. A leader of the group said to her friends: “We have to have a game plan!” They discussed when and where they were going to meet, when they were going to eat lunch, etc.
All the knitters wear articles of clothing which they have made. A lady complimented me on the hat that I was wearing. Linda made it for me month ago. Another lady who was sitting next to me while I was on the bench told her girlfriend that she was; “Having a blast at the festival!” I was sitting next to the Kettle corn guys, and one lady bought 5 large bags of kettle corn. I was going to purchase one for my friend who attended the Patriot Game, but I couldn’t figure out a way to keep the Kettle Corn fresh. There is nothing like Kettle Corn freshly made.
Some of the women thought hat it was very nice that their significant others like me were available to haul their treasures back to the car as they became too heavy.
The knitters come in all shapes and sizes, There were people in wheel chairs and scooters. My friend saw a woman elbow a man, and knock him to the ground. My friend had no clue as to what provoked the women. The women was coming out of the wine pavilion, maybe alcohol had something to do with her behavior.
I thought at one point that Linda was going to purchase one of those yarn making wheels at which you go from the raw wool, and make it into yarn.
Linda already has so much yarn in buckets, and on shelves in the guest bedroom closet.
As we were waiting for our wives at the last place that our wives were shopping at, one lady walked by me with armfuls of bags of yarn, and raw wool. She told her girlfriend that she thinks that she has the same kind of yarn at home that she bought last year.
The knitters to seem feed off of one another like the sharks do. One goes in and gets a little blood flowing, and then it becomes a feeding frenzy. One lady was upset because another one grabbed some yarn that she was thinking of purchasing.
Well, I have to finish my morning routine, and get ready to go to Lee. I think Linda is going to sleep a long time this morning unless that darn telephone rings.
Talk to you soon, The Curley Lad
Friday, October 15, 2010
Hello on Friday
Dear Friends,
No golf with my senior buddies today. Even if it was a beautiful day, Linda and I are heading off to a Rodeway Inn in Kingston, New York. We are staying at this not too fancy motel like we did last year. It is one of the least expensive hotels in the area. This Sheep and Wool Festival attracts people from all over the country. If you are a serious knitter, of just a beginner, this is the place to be. You may ask why I am attending such a function. There are times that I can’t use my “Separation is Good” philosophy.
You may further ask, what will I be doing while Linda is touching every kind of yarn which is produced in the world? I usually stay with Linda for about 30 minutes before I go out exploring the Dutchess County Fair Grounds where the event takes place. I sometimes watch the Border collie shows where the dogs are in a competition in which they herd three or four sheep in a fixed time frame. There is a demonstration of Border Collies catching Frisbees. Our son’s dog Billy has been doing that since he was born.
I then progress to a building which you can get samples of cheeses, jellies, Italian meats, and samples of New York State wine. As I get hungry, the two most popular vendors are the ones which sell fried artichokes, and another that sells Chicken Pot Pies. There are all kinds of vendors selling food, but these two are the most popular,
I could also go to another hall where they have Lama jumping contests. The children really like this event.
I sometimes like to go through the halls where you can observe the sheep which produce the various yarns which Linda ends up purchasing.
As I start to get fidgety, I then head for my car for a couple of cold ones.
I do a lot of observing and listening to people communicating with each other while I walk around or sit on benches. Last year one lady told her girlfriend how wonderful the Festival was, and that she is coming back every single year. One lady was touching some soft yarn, and I overheard her say that she would like to snuggle with the yarn that she was touching. I was thinking that snuggling with a significant other would be even better.
Both young and old knitters attend this Festival. Many are college students too.
The Sheep and Wool festival is a 9 AM until 5 PM affair. Linda likes to stay from the start to finish.
After we head go back to our motel, and freshen up, and we go out for supper. Linda made reservations at two restaurants for Friday night and Saturday night.
This year Linda talked a girlfriend and her husband into joining us. I can’t wait for this couple to experience the joy of attending this festival.
My time with the dentist went well. A shot of Novocain, and a good deal of drilling and filling took place to replace the large filling that fell out last week. I still have 6 month check up mid November, and I can’t wait. The dentist usually finds another tooth or two that needs some dental work.
Linda had fun at her Luncheon, and her Book Club meeting. I never asked her when she came home fro the Book Club meeting /dinner how the discussion went since she never did read the book. The books that the hosts usually choose haven’t been on my top ten list.
Last evening, while Linda and her girl friends were discussing the chosen book, I had a friend over for supper, and we watched some sports programs in which the reporters discuss the New England Patriots. The last program ended at 7:30 PM, and my friend headed home. I read some more of a book which I started on Linda’s Kindle.
Well, I have to watch the weather, and pack some gear in case the temperature drop while we are at the festival. I might throw in a pair of boots just in case the grounds are wet due to the rain which has been falling.
Have a great weekend.
Talk to you soon. Baa The Curley Lad
No golf with my senior buddies today. Even if it was a beautiful day, Linda and I are heading off to a Rodeway Inn in Kingston, New York. We are staying at this not too fancy motel like we did last year. It is one of the least expensive hotels in the area. This Sheep and Wool Festival attracts people from all over the country. If you are a serious knitter, of just a beginner, this is the place to be. You may ask why I am attending such a function. There are times that I can’t use my “Separation is Good” philosophy.
You may further ask, what will I be doing while Linda is touching every kind of yarn which is produced in the world? I usually stay with Linda for about 30 minutes before I go out exploring the Dutchess County Fair Grounds where the event takes place. I sometimes watch the Border collie shows where the dogs are in a competition in which they herd three or four sheep in a fixed time frame. There is a demonstration of Border Collies catching Frisbees. Our son’s dog Billy has been doing that since he was born.
I then progress to a building which you can get samples of cheeses, jellies, Italian meats, and samples of New York State wine. As I get hungry, the two most popular vendors are the ones which sell fried artichokes, and another that sells Chicken Pot Pies. There are all kinds of vendors selling food, but these two are the most popular,
I could also go to another hall where they have Lama jumping contests. The children really like this event.
I sometimes like to go through the halls where you can observe the sheep which produce the various yarns which Linda ends up purchasing.
As I start to get fidgety, I then head for my car for a couple of cold ones.
I do a lot of observing and listening to people communicating with each other while I walk around or sit on benches. Last year one lady told her girlfriend how wonderful the Festival was, and that she is coming back every single year. One lady was touching some soft yarn, and I overheard her say that she would like to snuggle with the yarn that she was touching. I was thinking that snuggling with a significant other would be even better.
Both young and old knitters attend this Festival. Many are college students too.
The Sheep and Wool festival is a 9 AM until 5 PM affair. Linda likes to stay from the start to finish.
After we head go back to our motel, and freshen up, and we go out for supper. Linda made reservations at two restaurants for Friday night and Saturday night.
This year Linda talked a girlfriend and her husband into joining us. I can’t wait for this couple to experience the joy of attending this festival.
My time with the dentist went well. A shot of Novocain, and a good deal of drilling and filling took place to replace the large filling that fell out last week. I still have 6 month check up mid November, and I can’t wait. The dentist usually finds another tooth or two that needs some dental work.
Linda had fun at her Luncheon, and her Book Club meeting. I never asked her when she came home fro the Book Club meeting /dinner how the discussion went since she never did read the book. The books that the hosts usually choose haven’t been on my top ten list.
Last evening, while Linda and her girl friends were discussing the chosen book, I had a friend over for supper, and we watched some sports programs in which the reporters discuss the New England Patriots. The last program ended at 7:30 PM, and my friend headed home. I read some more of a book which I started on Linda’s Kindle.
Well, I have to watch the weather, and pack some gear in case the temperature drop while we are at the festival. I might throw in a pair of boots just in case the grounds are wet due to the rain which has been falling.
Have a great weekend.
Talk to you soon. Baa The Curley Lad
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Hello on Thursday Morning
Dear Friends,
We had a pleasant day on Wednesday.
I was the first one to leave the house, and go off to my appointment with the optometrist. The diagnosis was dry eyes. I am now taking eye drops during the day, and a Vaseline like substance before going to bed. Both were over the counter medicines, but one of the ones that the optometrist recommended cost $13. Oh Darn!
The doctor thinks that the dry eyes could be caused by the constant air flow of my sleep apnea mask.
By the time that I arrived home, Linda was still in her sleep wear. She was shocked when I asked if she wanted to do lunch. Since it was a little too early for lunch, we decided to do the picture hanging in the basement which was our last job to do from the water damaging incident. We used the last few dollars of our “Chit”, which is the $50 built into the golf membership fee which must be spent for food at the club. We did a half sandwich and a small bowl of soup.
Linda went off to purchase my eye chemicals, and I went home and took a nap.
My pupils stayed dilated all day long right into the evening. I thought that the nap would help make the blurry vision go away, but it didn’t.
I went off to a local hardware store to get some items which I saw in a sale flyer.
One of the items really caused a mess. One of my purchases was a couple cans of that foam insulation which you shoot into cracks and crevices to keep out the cold air. Well, I decided to try using one of the cans around a couple of garage doors. I did so without putting on gloves, and without changing into old clothes. Well, I got the sticky based foam on my nice light weight jacket. I tried using some paint thinner to get some off the jacket, but that didn’t work. I tried washing the jacket, and that didn’t work. I got the sticky stuff on the door knob going into the house. I got the sticky stuff on the kitchen sink faucets. When I took the jacket out of the washer, I used a pair of scissors, and tried to cut the stuff off of the fleece coat. Now my jacket has holes in it. Do you think that Linda was a little upset with me since I made such a mess and ruined one of my favorite jackets? She made some comment about my actions being childlike, and I couldn’t refute her claim.
Social Calendar – I am off to the dentist at 10 AM. My 8:30 AM appointment got changed. Today it will be a shot of Novocain, and drilling and filling the tooth where the filling fell out.
Linda doesn’t have to move her body until lunch time which is when she and her golfing buddies are doing lunch at a place called “On a Roll”. In the evening, she has her once a month Book Club meeting at a member’s home.
I will be home alone doing some more reading.
Both of us also have to pack today for our weekend adventure at the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York. We talked another couple into joining us. We are booked into two different restaurants during our stay. Our exit strategy is to leave a little after 9 AM on Friday morning. The other couple will join us for supper on Friday evening.
We have been checking the weather forecast for the weekend. A Nor’easter is predicted to roll in on Friday with mostly rain on that day with the possibility of snow in elevations above 1500 feet. The first day of the festival will start off cloudy, and then turn sunny with strong winds and temperatures in the middle 50’s. Packing the appropriate clothes will be a challenge.
Yesterday, we also confirmed with our son that next weekend we will be baby sitting in North Tewksbury. We will be taking care of Max in his own home. During our stay, we will spend some time visiting with the Brodeur’s too.
During both weekends, we are missing some social engagements. We have informed the appropriate people. The function which we are missing this Saturday is a memorial party for a friend whose brother passed away several weeks ago. The deceased was a resident of Ireland. He actually graduated from my former high school in the early 70’s, but I didn’t remember him being a student of mine.
The following weekend we are missing a Bazaar at the Italian American Club, but both Linda and I will be submitting baked goods a day or so before the event.
As I end this e-mail. The temperature is 32 degrees. My beautiful begonias have expired which means more work for me.
I will deal with the removal of the bedroom air conditioners (three of them) and storage of deck furniture early next week. When those projects are done, we will be ready for winter.
I did breakdown, and turned the heat on in the house. The heating season has begun for the Curley’s.
Have a great Thursday.
The rains will start early this evening and go right into Friday here in the Berkshires.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
We had a pleasant day on Wednesday.
I was the first one to leave the house, and go off to my appointment with the optometrist. The diagnosis was dry eyes. I am now taking eye drops during the day, and a Vaseline like substance before going to bed. Both were over the counter medicines, but one of the ones that the optometrist recommended cost $13. Oh Darn!
The doctor thinks that the dry eyes could be caused by the constant air flow of my sleep apnea mask.
By the time that I arrived home, Linda was still in her sleep wear. She was shocked when I asked if she wanted to do lunch. Since it was a little too early for lunch, we decided to do the picture hanging in the basement which was our last job to do from the water damaging incident. We used the last few dollars of our “Chit”, which is the $50 built into the golf membership fee which must be spent for food at the club. We did a half sandwich and a small bowl of soup.
Linda went off to purchase my eye chemicals, and I went home and took a nap.
My pupils stayed dilated all day long right into the evening. I thought that the nap would help make the blurry vision go away, but it didn’t.
I went off to a local hardware store to get some items which I saw in a sale flyer.
One of the items really caused a mess. One of my purchases was a couple cans of that foam insulation which you shoot into cracks and crevices to keep out the cold air. Well, I decided to try using one of the cans around a couple of garage doors. I did so without putting on gloves, and without changing into old clothes. Well, I got the sticky based foam on my nice light weight jacket. I tried using some paint thinner to get some off the jacket, but that didn’t work. I tried washing the jacket, and that didn’t work. I got the sticky stuff on the door knob going into the house. I got the sticky stuff on the kitchen sink faucets. When I took the jacket out of the washer, I used a pair of scissors, and tried to cut the stuff off of the fleece coat. Now my jacket has holes in it. Do you think that Linda was a little upset with me since I made such a mess and ruined one of my favorite jackets? She made some comment about my actions being childlike, and I couldn’t refute her claim.
Social Calendar – I am off to the dentist at 10 AM. My 8:30 AM appointment got changed. Today it will be a shot of Novocain, and drilling and filling the tooth where the filling fell out.
Linda doesn’t have to move her body until lunch time which is when she and her golfing buddies are doing lunch at a place called “On a Roll”. In the evening, she has her once a month Book Club meeting at a member’s home.
I will be home alone doing some more reading.
Both of us also have to pack today for our weekend adventure at the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York. We talked another couple into joining us. We are booked into two different restaurants during our stay. Our exit strategy is to leave a little after 9 AM on Friday morning. The other couple will join us for supper on Friday evening.
We have been checking the weather forecast for the weekend. A Nor’easter is predicted to roll in on Friday with mostly rain on that day with the possibility of snow in elevations above 1500 feet. The first day of the festival will start off cloudy, and then turn sunny with strong winds and temperatures in the middle 50’s. Packing the appropriate clothes will be a challenge.
Yesterday, we also confirmed with our son that next weekend we will be baby sitting in North Tewksbury. We will be taking care of Max in his own home. During our stay, we will spend some time visiting with the Brodeur’s too.
During both weekends, we are missing some social engagements. We have informed the appropriate people. The function which we are missing this Saturday is a memorial party for a friend whose brother passed away several weeks ago. The deceased was a resident of Ireland. He actually graduated from my former high school in the early 70’s, but I didn’t remember him being a student of mine.
The following weekend we are missing a Bazaar at the Italian American Club, but both Linda and I will be submitting baked goods a day or so before the event.
As I end this e-mail. The temperature is 32 degrees. My beautiful begonias have expired which means more work for me.
I will deal with the removal of the bedroom air conditioners (three of them) and storage of deck furniture early next week. When those projects are done, we will be ready for winter.
I did breakdown, and turned the heat on in the house. The heating season has begun for the Curley’s.
Have a great Thursday.
The rains will start early this evening and go right into Friday here in the Berkshires.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Hello on Wednesday Morning
Dear Friends,
Our day went as planned except for one bump along the way.
The REAM luncheon went very well. Linda did have to warn me to stop babbling at certain times during the meeting. Our guest speaker was excellent. He was a former teacher, Principal of a local high school in a neighboring town, and a Juvenile court judge who was forced to retire at age 70 because of an age requirement. He had a very difficult time during his first year of retirement, but is starting to adapt quite well during his retirement. He told several stories of the children 16 and under who came into his chambers whom he had to deal with. One story that really hit home for me was a 16 year old girl who had twins, and didn’t know how to take care of them. When social services went into the home, they found that the twins’ bottoms were raw and full of rashes. The 16 year old would party with her friends until 1 or 2 AM, and she would sleep until noon or later, and she would leave her children unattended. The children’s diapers weren’t changed that often which caused the problem. Her parents couldn’t help because her father was in State prison serving a 20 year term. The girl’s mother was out of the picture, and had her own drug related issues. Social services removed the twins from the home.
Among these not so happy situations, there were some success stories. This judge introduced Shakespeare to these youthful offenders. The Judge would offer a choice of participating in the Shakespeare program or choosing to be locked up. The children who did choose Shakespeare often ended up feeling good about themselves, and sometimes turned around their destructive behavior. The Judge did say that he, like many of us teachers, have former children who he has dealt with come up and thank him for turning around their lives. These “Thank you’s“ would take place at the Mall, or on the streets in general. The Judge has always kept his name and address in the telephone book, and he often gets telephone calls from people who were the success stories.
While on the way home from the meeting, I noticed that the Kia didn’t have an inspection sticker on it. We have been driving for three weeks without a sticker. Linda went back to the dealer and told them of the situation. The young kid who sold us the car was jokingly chastised, and his coworkers said that he would have paid any fines if we had gotten stopped by the police.
While Linda was doing her thing, I cut our lawn.
By the time she arrived home, she a little time to check the e-mails before we headed off to the Pittsfield Irish Sister City meeting. This is where a bump in the road occurred. During the meeting a verbal discussion got heated, and our President said that he was resigning his position. He picked up his things, and walked out of the meeting. The thirteen of us who were left finished the meeting, and tried to figure out what we should do next. We are hoping that our friend might rethink his decision.
The thirteen of us decided to still have the Annual Meeting on November 9, 2010 at our house.
I can’t go into details of what happened because I don’t want it to come back and bite me.
I get myself in enough trouble by what I say in my e-mails. Three or four times a week, Linda tells me that I shouldn’t have said this or that in my e-mails. You have to remember that Linda is from the school of “Don’t make waves!” She doesn’t like conflicts. She wants harmony in all things. I am from the school of conflict. I like to stir up the pot, and get people fired up on a particular issue.
5 of 13 members went over to Patrick’s Pub for some food and beverages after the meeting ended, and we discussed what our next move should be.
I am going to end this e-mail, and do the minutes of last evening’s meeting. Since the minutes go directly to the members of the Pittsfield Irish Sister Committee, I will have to report on what caused our President to get up and walk out the door. Linda wants to see the minutes which I prepare before I send them off to the members.
Social Calendar – Linda doesn’t have to leave the house until her knitting group meets at 6:00 PM at Panera Bread. I have an 8:45 AM eye doctor appointment. I hope that they can find out why I am having trouble focusing in one eye. I think that cataract surgery might be the only way to solve the problem. Linda had hers done when she was in her mid 50’s. Isn’t the aging process delightful?
Besides my eye appointment, Linda asked me if I had other things to do so she could be left alone, and not have to engage in any of my projects. “Separation is good” is starting to be a chapter in Linda’s playbook too.
It is 33.6 degrees on the north side of our house. I hope that our begonias survived the cool temperatures during the night.
Have a great Wednesday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Our day went as planned except for one bump along the way.
The REAM luncheon went very well. Linda did have to warn me to stop babbling at certain times during the meeting. Our guest speaker was excellent. He was a former teacher, Principal of a local high school in a neighboring town, and a Juvenile court judge who was forced to retire at age 70 because of an age requirement. He had a very difficult time during his first year of retirement, but is starting to adapt quite well during his retirement. He told several stories of the children 16 and under who came into his chambers whom he had to deal with. One story that really hit home for me was a 16 year old girl who had twins, and didn’t know how to take care of them. When social services went into the home, they found that the twins’ bottoms were raw and full of rashes. The 16 year old would party with her friends until 1 or 2 AM, and she would sleep until noon or later, and she would leave her children unattended. The children’s diapers weren’t changed that often which caused the problem. Her parents couldn’t help because her father was in State prison serving a 20 year term. The girl’s mother was out of the picture, and had her own drug related issues. Social services removed the twins from the home.
Among these not so happy situations, there were some success stories. This judge introduced Shakespeare to these youthful offenders. The Judge would offer a choice of participating in the Shakespeare program or choosing to be locked up. The children who did choose Shakespeare often ended up feeling good about themselves, and sometimes turned around their destructive behavior. The Judge did say that he, like many of us teachers, have former children who he has dealt with come up and thank him for turning around their lives. These “Thank you’s“ would take place at the Mall, or on the streets in general. The Judge has always kept his name and address in the telephone book, and he often gets telephone calls from people who were the success stories.
While on the way home from the meeting, I noticed that the Kia didn’t have an inspection sticker on it. We have been driving for three weeks without a sticker. Linda went back to the dealer and told them of the situation. The young kid who sold us the car was jokingly chastised, and his coworkers said that he would have paid any fines if we had gotten stopped by the police.
While Linda was doing her thing, I cut our lawn.
By the time she arrived home, she a little time to check the e-mails before we headed off to the Pittsfield Irish Sister City meeting. This is where a bump in the road occurred. During the meeting a verbal discussion got heated, and our President said that he was resigning his position. He picked up his things, and walked out of the meeting. The thirteen of us who were left finished the meeting, and tried to figure out what we should do next. We are hoping that our friend might rethink his decision.
The thirteen of us decided to still have the Annual Meeting on November 9, 2010 at our house.
I can’t go into details of what happened because I don’t want it to come back and bite me.
I get myself in enough trouble by what I say in my e-mails. Three or four times a week, Linda tells me that I shouldn’t have said this or that in my e-mails. You have to remember that Linda is from the school of “Don’t make waves!” She doesn’t like conflicts. She wants harmony in all things. I am from the school of conflict. I like to stir up the pot, and get people fired up on a particular issue.
5 of 13 members went over to Patrick’s Pub for some food and beverages after the meeting ended, and we discussed what our next move should be.
I am going to end this e-mail, and do the minutes of last evening’s meeting. Since the minutes go directly to the members of the Pittsfield Irish Sister Committee, I will have to report on what caused our President to get up and walk out the door. Linda wants to see the minutes which I prepare before I send them off to the members.
Social Calendar – Linda doesn’t have to leave the house until her knitting group meets at 6:00 PM at Panera Bread. I have an 8:45 AM eye doctor appointment. I hope that they can find out why I am having trouble focusing in one eye. I think that cataract surgery might be the only way to solve the problem. Linda had hers done when she was in her mid 50’s. Isn’t the aging process delightful?
Besides my eye appointment, Linda asked me if I had other things to do so she could be left alone, and not have to engage in any of my projects. “Separation is good” is starting to be a chapter in Linda’s playbook too.
It is 33.6 degrees on the north side of our house. I hope that our begonias survived the cool temperatures during the night.
Have a great Wednesday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Hello on Tuesday Morning
Dear Friends,
Linda and I had a wonderful weekend at the wedding of one of Kevin’s childhood friends. We also had a chance to bond with our grandchild who was his usual happy self.
Max slept in our room on Saturday and Sunday night. We were partying on those two nights (rehearsal party on Saturday night, and wedding on Sunday night), Max had an in house hotel nanny taking care of Max. The Nanny asked the same question that everyone else does: “Is Max always this good?” The answer is always a resounding “Yes”!
I couldn’t write my daily blog over the weekend because I was a little foggy after I tried staying up with Kevin and Kyla’s 30 something friends on both party nights. Linda took over for the Nanny and stayed with Max while I partied on.
Friday night ended at 1 AM for me when the bartender / bouncer told all of us to leave since the bar was closing.
On the wedding night, I tried staying up once again with the youngsters, and got back to the room at 1 AM. I found out that the youngsters partied on until 2 or 3 AM.
Max still woke up at 7:30 AM and wanted someone to rescue him from the portable crib which was at the foot of our bed.
We took care of Max so that Kevin and Kyla could get some extra hours of rest. During this taking care of Max time for us, I couldn’t think about getting on our computer with Max crawling around and getting into everything.
The partying that I am referring to took place at an Italian Restaurant in out hotel. I would not have ever considered getting behind the wheel of any car after those two nights of revelry. I could have been stopped by hotel security and been given a DWW ( Drunk While Walking) ticket. I am exaggerating a little bit because I felt fine after both nights of partying. Kevin, Kyla, and their friends could not say the same thing.
While partying, some locals came in thinking that they could hook up with many of these fine looking women who were in New Hampshire for the wedding. You can tell the locals because they all wore jackets or sweatshirts with logos on them. One of Kevin’s friends was at the bar when he heard one of the locals say to his buddy: “The rich people are here tonight, do you think that they will let us dance with their women?”
While Linda and I were at breakfast on Monday morning with Kevin, Max , Kyla, a table of three, at which the men had on camouflage pants and logo sweatshirts, were drinking Budweiser’s at 10 AM in the morning. You have to visualize a small breakfast and lunch place in our hotel / shopping complex. There were families with children like we were, and no other table had people drinking beer with their buddies at 10 AM.
The Saturday night rehearsal party, and the 4:30 PM wedding the next day was wonderful. The food, the fun, and merriment was endless. It was total open bar at both events. The wedding took place in a tent on the grounds overlooking Lake Winnepausakee. The hotel staff removed the chairs and set up tables in the tent, and a cocktail party followed the wedding ceremony. Waitresses came around with all kinds of tasty appetizers. Other waitresses came around with trays of beer, wine, and champagne. There was a full bar in the tent too.
Around 7 PM were we all asked to go into the ballroom for the wedding reception? They had a live band that had people dancing all night. They even kept the bar open for an extra hour, and paid the band to play a few more songs. I know the groom realized that his parents had to write out a hefty check for the rehearsal party, and the bride’s parents had to write out one heck of a check to pay for the cocktail hour and the wedding reception meal. Besides the open bar for the wedding reception, they had red and white wine for every table.
Kevin gave a nice speech at the rehearsal party. The groom’s twin brother (and best man) also gave an emotional speech at the wedding reception.
I wish that all of our friends could have joined us at this weekend of fun and merriment.
The weather was picture perfect for every day of the weekend.
We are now waiting for the other twin to get married. We were thinking that 11/11/11 might be a good date for him to get married since his brother got married on 10/10/10.
I was so tired when we arrived home yesterday at 5 PM that I didn’t have the energy to head off to the UNICO Taste of Italy at the ITAM.
Social Calendar – We are booked into two events today. Our REAM group has a luncheon today at Chrissey farms in Gt. Barrington. Since I am President of the organization, I will preside over the festivities. A retired local judge is our guest speaker.
This evening we have a 6 PM Irish Sister City meeting at the Pittsfield Library.
I did wash some clothes last evening because we have to pack again for this weekend’s adventure to the Sheep and Wool festival in Rhinebeck, New York which takes place at the Dutchess County Fair grounds. Linda talked another couple into joining us. I just looked at the ten day forecast for the weekend. We better pack some rain gear!
I also have to make some telephone calls this morning. My eyes have been bothering me. I have been having trouble focusing, and no it was not due to alcohol consumption over the weekend. I also lost a filling so I am going to see if my dentist can squeeze me into an appointment.
Our deck flowers are absolutely beautiful, but our temperatures will be dropping to 29 degrees this evening. I am not covering these begonias. I also have to find some time to put away the deck furniture, and get ready for the winter.
I have to do all this stuff during the week since we have our October weekends all booked in. While at the wedding this weekend, Kevin and Kyla asked us if we want to baby sit Max while they attend a couple Phish Concerts in Rhode Island. The concerts take place during the last weekend in October.
We have to decide whether to do the baby sitting in North Tewksbury or bring Max to the Berkshires. We are leaning toward doing the baby sitting in North Tewksbury. We will weave in a visit to see the Brodeur’s too since they live one street away from Kevin and Kyla.
It is amazing how people keep on asking us: “What do you guys do during retirement?” There isn’t enough waking hours in the day for Linda and me.
“Life is Good” is still my motto until the day it is time for me to meet my Maker.
I did watch a little Monday night football. Randy Moss looked pretty good last night even though the Vikings lost to the Jets.
Have a great week at work or play.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Linda and I had a wonderful weekend at the wedding of one of Kevin’s childhood friends. We also had a chance to bond with our grandchild who was his usual happy self.
Max slept in our room on Saturday and Sunday night. We were partying on those two nights (rehearsal party on Saturday night, and wedding on Sunday night), Max had an in house hotel nanny taking care of Max. The Nanny asked the same question that everyone else does: “Is Max always this good?” The answer is always a resounding “Yes”!
I couldn’t write my daily blog over the weekend because I was a little foggy after I tried staying up with Kevin and Kyla’s 30 something friends on both party nights. Linda took over for the Nanny and stayed with Max while I partied on.
Friday night ended at 1 AM for me when the bartender / bouncer told all of us to leave since the bar was closing.
On the wedding night, I tried staying up once again with the youngsters, and got back to the room at 1 AM. I found out that the youngsters partied on until 2 or 3 AM.
Max still woke up at 7:30 AM and wanted someone to rescue him from the portable crib which was at the foot of our bed.
We took care of Max so that Kevin and Kyla could get some extra hours of rest. During this taking care of Max time for us, I couldn’t think about getting on our computer with Max crawling around and getting into everything.
The partying that I am referring to took place at an Italian Restaurant in out hotel. I would not have ever considered getting behind the wheel of any car after those two nights of revelry. I could have been stopped by hotel security and been given a DWW ( Drunk While Walking) ticket. I am exaggerating a little bit because I felt fine after both nights of partying. Kevin, Kyla, and their friends could not say the same thing.
While partying, some locals came in thinking that they could hook up with many of these fine looking women who were in New Hampshire for the wedding. You can tell the locals because they all wore jackets or sweatshirts with logos on them. One of Kevin’s friends was at the bar when he heard one of the locals say to his buddy: “The rich people are here tonight, do you think that they will let us dance with their women?”
While Linda and I were at breakfast on Monday morning with Kevin, Max , Kyla, a table of three, at which the men had on camouflage pants and logo sweatshirts, were drinking Budweiser’s at 10 AM in the morning. You have to visualize a small breakfast and lunch place in our hotel / shopping complex. There were families with children like we were, and no other table had people drinking beer with their buddies at 10 AM.
The Saturday night rehearsal party, and the 4:30 PM wedding the next day was wonderful. The food, the fun, and merriment was endless. It was total open bar at both events. The wedding took place in a tent on the grounds overlooking Lake Winnepausakee. The hotel staff removed the chairs and set up tables in the tent, and a cocktail party followed the wedding ceremony. Waitresses came around with all kinds of tasty appetizers. Other waitresses came around with trays of beer, wine, and champagne. There was a full bar in the tent too.
Around 7 PM were we all asked to go into the ballroom for the wedding reception? They had a live band that had people dancing all night. They even kept the bar open for an extra hour, and paid the band to play a few more songs. I know the groom realized that his parents had to write out a hefty check for the rehearsal party, and the bride’s parents had to write out one heck of a check to pay for the cocktail hour and the wedding reception meal. Besides the open bar for the wedding reception, they had red and white wine for every table.
Kevin gave a nice speech at the rehearsal party. The groom’s twin brother (and best man) also gave an emotional speech at the wedding reception.
I wish that all of our friends could have joined us at this weekend of fun and merriment.
The weather was picture perfect for every day of the weekend.
We are now waiting for the other twin to get married. We were thinking that 11/11/11 might be a good date for him to get married since his brother got married on 10/10/10.
I was so tired when we arrived home yesterday at 5 PM that I didn’t have the energy to head off to the UNICO Taste of Italy at the ITAM.
Social Calendar – We are booked into two events today. Our REAM group has a luncheon today at Chrissey farms in Gt. Barrington. Since I am President of the organization, I will preside over the festivities. A retired local judge is our guest speaker.
This evening we have a 6 PM Irish Sister City meeting at the Pittsfield Library.
I did wash some clothes last evening because we have to pack again for this weekend’s adventure to the Sheep and Wool festival in Rhinebeck, New York which takes place at the Dutchess County Fair grounds. Linda talked another couple into joining us. I just looked at the ten day forecast for the weekend. We better pack some rain gear!
I also have to make some telephone calls this morning. My eyes have been bothering me. I have been having trouble focusing, and no it was not due to alcohol consumption over the weekend. I also lost a filling so I am going to see if my dentist can squeeze me into an appointment.
Our deck flowers are absolutely beautiful, but our temperatures will be dropping to 29 degrees this evening. I am not covering these begonias. I also have to find some time to put away the deck furniture, and get ready for the winter.
I have to do all this stuff during the week since we have our October weekends all booked in. While at the wedding this weekend, Kevin and Kyla asked us if we want to baby sit Max while they attend a couple Phish Concerts in Rhode Island. The concerts take place during the last weekend in October.
We have to decide whether to do the baby sitting in North Tewksbury or bring Max to the Berkshires. We are leaning toward doing the baby sitting in North Tewksbury. We will weave in a visit to see the Brodeur’s too since they live one street away from Kevin and Kyla.
It is amazing how people keep on asking us: “What do you guys do during retirement?” There isn’t enough waking hours in the day for Linda and me.
“Life is Good” is still my motto until the day it is time for me to meet my Maker.
I did watch a little Monday night football. Randy Moss looked pretty good last night even though the Vikings lost to the Jets.
Have a great week at work or play.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Friday, October 8, 2010
Hello on Friday Morning
Dear Friends,
Packing for a weekend wedding is much more different and difficult than packing to go off and visit the grandchildren. Linda did help me select which ties went with which outfits. She spent many more hours choosing her clothes than I did.
Our evening affairs went well. Linda had a great time with her girlfriends celebrating a friend’s birthday.
We both arrived home a little after the 9 PM hour. I went upstairs to watch a few innings of a playoff baseball game. I fell asleep in less than 5 minutes.
My evening went very well at Jae’s Spice Restaurant. There were only 7 of us, and we paid for the finger food that I thought we were getting. Liam Geddes Sr. was the only one who came over from Ireland. He was here to set up some singing gigs for his son who competed and was a finalist in the Irish version of American Idol. Liam and a local manger were heading off to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut today to see if they could arrange a gig there. They are also looking to do a show in the Albany area, and one in Northampton, and even more places if they can work out financial arrangements for these venues.
If Linda and I weren’t going to this New Hampshire wedding, a bunch of us, including Liam Sr., would be heading off to a gathering at Patrick’s Pub tonight where one of our Irish Sister members and his Jazz band will be performing this evening. They will have to party without Linda and me.
Observation – While at Jae’s Spice, I did notice that the place was packed with people in both the dinning and bar area. The economy must be very good for a whole bunch of people. To be a regular patron, you have to have a good cash flow just to afford the drinks at the place. The foods on the menu other hand are reasonably priced. You can pretty much go out to any restaurant around the supper hour, and find many people dinning out.
I still like to eat at home, and control what spices and salt goes into my food. This is the nice thing about being around the Berkshires in the winter time. It doesn’t matter whether the roads are covered with snow and ice or you are stuck in your house as long as you have a house full of comfort food. Our crock pot always gets a workout in the winter time. Now that we have an electronic pressure cooker, I can cook slow food fast without losing the flavor.
Pretty soon, we will be setting up our AeroGarden, and we will have fresh cooking spices all winter long.
With Mom in the nursing home, and dad trying to manage life on his own, it is difficult for me personally to close up our house, and head south for the winter.
Speaking of Mom, she didn’t remember that I visited her the other day. The nurse told my dad that I was there a little after lunchtime.
She still asks the same questions about how old she is, and where and why is she there at this particular nursing home? It is so sad when I leave after a visit, to see this once vibrant women confined to a nursing home while trying to function with one leg. If the doctor just left the aneurism that she had alone, and didn’t try and fix it with a stent which eventually kinked and caused irreparable blood clotting, she would still be living and functioning in the family home in Lee.
Our exit strategy for today is to leave a little after 9 AM. I am not looking forward to driving almost four hours to the wedding destination. We are using the Kia for our trip, and I am driving it. We haven’t taken the Kia outside of Pittsfield, or on any major highways. I am also realizing that my 2000 Subaru Wagon is okay, but it is not comparable to the Kia. I still have dreams of putting my XL ice fishing sled, my gas leaking ice auger, and all my ice fishing gear in the Kia, but Linda said not in her life time! She said that I can drive the Kia to our social functions, and drive it when she does some recreational shopping or while making grocery runs, and that it the extent of my using the Kia. Of course, I am in charge of keep the vehicle clean both inside and out as well as getting oil changes.
Yesterday, while eating handful of nuts, I felt something a little gritty in my mouth. The grit was a piece of one of my teeth. I hope that the particular tooth that it came from doesn’t bother me this weekend. I do have a 6 month check up coming up pretty soon, but it might be earlier if the broken tooth starts to bother me. Most normal people don’t need Dental Insurance because it is not really worth it. I am an exception to this rule.
Have a great Columbus Day weekend.
The weather in the Northeast will be sunny and fall like.
It is the kind of weather which Linda and I really love.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Packing for a weekend wedding is much more different and difficult than packing to go off and visit the grandchildren. Linda did help me select which ties went with which outfits. She spent many more hours choosing her clothes than I did.
Our evening affairs went well. Linda had a great time with her girlfriends celebrating a friend’s birthday.
We both arrived home a little after the 9 PM hour. I went upstairs to watch a few innings of a playoff baseball game. I fell asleep in less than 5 minutes.
My evening went very well at Jae’s Spice Restaurant. There were only 7 of us, and we paid for the finger food that I thought we were getting. Liam Geddes Sr. was the only one who came over from Ireland. He was here to set up some singing gigs for his son who competed and was a finalist in the Irish version of American Idol. Liam and a local manger were heading off to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut today to see if they could arrange a gig there. They are also looking to do a show in the Albany area, and one in Northampton, and even more places if they can work out financial arrangements for these venues.
If Linda and I weren’t going to this New Hampshire wedding, a bunch of us, including Liam Sr., would be heading off to a gathering at Patrick’s Pub tonight where one of our Irish Sister members and his Jazz band will be performing this evening. They will have to party without Linda and me.
Observation – While at Jae’s Spice, I did notice that the place was packed with people in both the dinning and bar area. The economy must be very good for a whole bunch of people. To be a regular patron, you have to have a good cash flow just to afford the drinks at the place. The foods on the menu other hand are reasonably priced. You can pretty much go out to any restaurant around the supper hour, and find many people dinning out.
I still like to eat at home, and control what spices and salt goes into my food. This is the nice thing about being around the Berkshires in the winter time. It doesn’t matter whether the roads are covered with snow and ice or you are stuck in your house as long as you have a house full of comfort food. Our crock pot always gets a workout in the winter time. Now that we have an electronic pressure cooker, I can cook slow food fast without losing the flavor.
Pretty soon, we will be setting up our AeroGarden, and we will have fresh cooking spices all winter long.
With Mom in the nursing home, and dad trying to manage life on his own, it is difficult for me personally to close up our house, and head south for the winter.
Speaking of Mom, she didn’t remember that I visited her the other day. The nurse told my dad that I was there a little after lunchtime.
She still asks the same questions about how old she is, and where and why is she there at this particular nursing home? It is so sad when I leave after a visit, to see this once vibrant women confined to a nursing home while trying to function with one leg. If the doctor just left the aneurism that she had alone, and didn’t try and fix it with a stent which eventually kinked and caused irreparable blood clotting, she would still be living and functioning in the family home in Lee.
Our exit strategy for today is to leave a little after 9 AM. I am not looking forward to driving almost four hours to the wedding destination. We are using the Kia for our trip, and I am driving it. We haven’t taken the Kia outside of Pittsfield, or on any major highways. I am also realizing that my 2000 Subaru Wagon is okay, but it is not comparable to the Kia. I still have dreams of putting my XL ice fishing sled, my gas leaking ice auger, and all my ice fishing gear in the Kia, but Linda said not in her life time! She said that I can drive the Kia to our social functions, and drive it when she does some recreational shopping or while making grocery runs, and that it the extent of my using the Kia. Of course, I am in charge of keep the vehicle clean both inside and out as well as getting oil changes.
Yesterday, while eating handful of nuts, I felt something a little gritty in my mouth. The grit was a piece of one of my teeth. I hope that the particular tooth that it came from doesn’t bother me this weekend. I do have a 6 month check up coming up pretty soon, but it might be earlier if the broken tooth starts to bother me. Most normal people don’t need Dental Insurance because it is not really worth it. I am an exception to this rule.
Have a great Columbus Day weekend.
The weather in the Northeast will be sunny and fall like.
It is the kind of weather which Linda and I really love.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Hello on Thursday
Dear Friends,
After Linda cut my hair, Linda and I went off to lunch at Berkshire Hills. We were the only ones in the member’s lounge since the rain kept all the golfers away. We also went to the Hills because I am in one of those football pooles and I had to pick up this weeks sheet, and fill out the winners.
They also had a sheet of the total points which each person had so far. I found my name toward the bottom of the list. Oh Darn!
Linda did an excellent job cutting my hair. I haven’t been to a barber in many years. If I do go to a barber, they usually cut so much of my hair that I could put a part my hair like I did for my high school picture. My mother would like that because every time I visit her she tells me that my hair is too long, and to get a hair cut.
Not too many of my male friends have much of their hair left. My high school friend and neighbor and I still have the hair that we were born with. He keeps his hair cut shorter than me. His Italian grandparents, and my Italian grandparents came from the same town in Italy; Canicatti, Sicily. Like I always say genetics play a major role in all of our lives.
Linda and I took separate cars when we went off to lunch. She went off to the Mall, and some other stores searching for a few items. She has been on the hunt to get me some long sleeve and long pants pajamas. She was unsuccessful in her search. Whether it was Macy’s, Sears, Target, J.C. Penny’s, etc., no one seemed have any. The lady at Walmart said that Linda wasn’t the only one searching for men’s pajamas.
I often pick on Linda, but I really do appreciate all the things that she does for me. When she goes recreational shopping, she usually comes with something for me. Even though she didn’t find me some pajamas, she did bring home a new pair of slippers. They fit great, and I am wearing them right now.
I hope that you don’t think that it is weird that Linda has been looking for pajamas right now. There was a time when night time clothes were optional or they weren’t necessary. We are past that stage right now. Also, both of our sons and their families have seen the pajamas that I am wearing now. I think that I have been wearing them for 4 or 5 years. You can only wash them so many times before they get tired.
While Linda was shopping, I went home and pressed some shirts which I am wearing for this weekend’s wedding. I had the television on while doing the ironing. ESPN was analyzing the Randy Moss trade. I have come to the conclusion that Randy didn’t want to be playing for New England since game one of this season. He turned out to be a “cancer” in the locker room. He has done this in the other two places that he played professional football in. There have been incidents with the offensive coaches, and there was an incident on the airplane when the team returned from their Monday night win in Miami.
I can still hear the words from our eldest son’s father-in-law from Minnesota. He warned me that Randy will play well for a couple of years, and then he would cause trouble. Mr. Vogelgesang was right on the mark!
Linda went off to her Wednesday night Knitting group gathering at Panera Bread. She had fun chatting and knitting with the ladies.
I had a Chicken Novena while she was gone. I lit a candle, and cooked some chicken leg quarters in the oven. I would have cooked them on the grill, but it rained for most of the day on Wednesday. For my new e-mail recipients, I have to light a candle because I am praying that the smell of the cooking chicken won’t permeate the house too much. The smell of chicken didn’t get masked by the fragrant Yankee Candle.
Linda likes chicken if it is in the boneless breast form. I like chicken with the bones attached. I also like to pick up my food, and eat it with my hands. I might have fit in well with our Caveman ancestors.
I did watch the playoff baseball games off and on. I also finished reading that book which I started on Linda’s Kindle.
Today, Linda is going to help me( since I am color blind) select some ties and sport coats for this weekend’s wedding, and I will finish packing. After she helps me, she will do her packing too.
We are both socially engaged this evening. She and some girlfriends are going off to Mazzeo’s Ristorante at 6 PM to celebrate a birthday. I can’t tell you how old the birthday girl will be, but I will be her age on my birthday in December.
I am going off to meet a father and son from our Irish Sister City at a different local restaurant this evening. This gathering starts at 6 PM too.
While Linda was at Panera Bread last night, she received a telephone call from Kyla, Kevin’s wife. I had forgotten that Kyla has hired a baby sitter for the rehearsal party and the wedding so that we all can enjoy all the festivities. After the cell phone conversation, Linda decided that we are going from Pittsfield directly to our hotel in New Hampshire. Check in is 3 PM.
It is raining out right now. The weather people have predicted that the rain will end this morning and the sun will pop out. If our lawn dries out, I will cut it. Most lawns in the City have recovered from the summer of extremely dry weather. Our burnt lawns don’t exist anymore.
Have great weekend.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
After Linda cut my hair, Linda and I went off to lunch at Berkshire Hills. We were the only ones in the member’s lounge since the rain kept all the golfers away. We also went to the Hills because I am in one of those football pooles and I had to pick up this weeks sheet, and fill out the winners.
They also had a sheet of the total points which each person had so far. I found my name toward the bottom of the list. Oh Darn!
Linda did an excellent job cutting my hair. I haven’t been to a barber in many years. If I do go to a barber, they usually cut so much of my hair that I could put a part my hair like I did for my high school picture. My mother would like that because every time I visit her she tells me that my hair is too long, and to get a hair cut.
Not too many of my male friends have much of their hair left. My high school friend and neighbor and I still have the hair that we were born with. He keeps his hair cut shorter than me. His Italian grandparents, and my Italian grandparents came from the same town in Italy; Canicatti, Sicily. Like I always say genetics play a major role in all of our lives.
Linda and I took separate cars when we went off to lunch. She went off to the Mall, and some other stores searching for a few items. She has been on the hunt to get me some long sleeve and long pants pajamas. She was unsuccessful in her search. Whether it was Macy’s, Sears, Target, J.C. Penny’s, etc., no one seemed have any. The lady at Walmart said that Linda wasn’t the only one searching for men’s pajamas.
I often pick on Linda, but I really do appreciate all the things that she does for me. When she goes recreational shopping, she usually comes with something for me. Even though she didn’t find me some pajamas, she did bring home a new pair of slippers. They fit great, and I am wearing them right now.
I hope that you don’t think that it is weird that Linda has been looking for pajamas right now. There was a time when night time clothes were optional or they weren’t necessary. We are past that stage right now. Also, both of our sons and their families have seen the pajamas that I am wearing now. I think that I have been wearing them for 4 or 5 years. You can only wash them so many times before they get tired.
While Linda was shopping, I went home and pressed some shirts which I am wearing for this weekend’s wedding. I had the television on while doing the ironing. ESPN was analyzing the Randy Moss trade. I have come to the conclusion that Randy didn’t want to be playing for New England since game one of this season. He turned out to be a “cancer” in the locker room. He has done this in the other two places that he played professional football in. There have been incidents with the offensive coaches, and there was an incident on the airplane when the team returned from their Monday night win in Miami.
I can still hear the words from our eldest son’s father-in-law from Minnesota. He warned me that Randy will play well for a couple of years, and then he would cause trouble. Mr. Vogelgesang was right on the mark!
Linda went off to her Wednesday night Knitting group gathering at Panera Bread. She had fun chatting and knitting with the ladies.
I had a Chicken Novena while she was gone. I lit a candle, and cooked some chicken leg quarters in the oven. I would have cooked them on the grill, but it rained for most of the day on Wednesday. For my new e-mail recipients, I have to light a candle because I am praying that the smell of the cooking chicken won’t permeate the house too much. The smell of chicken didn’t get masked by the fragrant Yankee Candle.
Linda likes chicken if it is in the boneless breast form. I like chicken with the bones attached. I also like to pick up my food, and eat it with my hands. I might have fit in well with our Caveman ancestors.
I did watch the playoff baseball games off and on. I also finished reading that book which I started on Linda’s Kindle.
Today, Linda is going to help me( since I am color blind) select some ties and sport coats for this weekend’s wedding, and I will finish packing. After she helps me, she will do her packing too.
We are both socially engaged this evening. She and some girlfriends are going off to Mazzeo’s Ristorante at 6 PM to celebrate a birthday. I can’t tell you how old the birthday girl will be, but I will be her age on my birthday in December.
I am going off to meet a father and son from our Irish Sister City at a different local restaurant this evening. This gathering starts at 6 PM too.
While Linda was at Panera Bread last night, she received a telephone call from Kyla, Kevin’s wife. I had forgotten that Kyla has hired a baby sitter for the rehearsal party and the wedding so that we all can enjoy all the festivities. After the cell phone conversation, Linda decided that we are going from Pittsfield directly to our hotel in New Hampshire. Check in is 3 PM.
It is raining out right now. The weather people have predicted that the rain will end this morning and the sun will pop out. If our lawn dries out, I will cut it. Most lawns in the City have recovered from the summer of extremely dry weather. Our burnt lawns don’t exist anymore.
Have great weekend.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Hello on Wednesday
Dear Friends,
Our Tuesday went exactly as planned. The contractor showed up first at our home, and has finally ended his obligation to get our home back to normal.
The Cleaners arrived with all 114 pieces of items which got wet during the water damage way back in June. Our insurance company already paid them for the cleaning bill which had to be very expensive.
I did go off to have my aching leg checked out by a primary care physician in our Family Practice group of doctors. The doctor scheduled me in for a 3:30 PM ultra sound yesterday just to make sure that I had no blood clots in my leg. The primary care doctor called a little before 5 PM to tell me that I was clot free. My aches and pains are just muscle strains.
The Doctor who dealt with me became famous a several months ago because her and her husband put a swing set out in the front of their yard to make it easy for the movers to get at it the next day. Someone came by in a truck, and took the swing set assuming that the owners put it on their front lawn, and that it was free for the taking. The local newspaper reported it as a theft. The person who did take the swing set returned it to the owners once he found out that the police were trying to find him and arrest him.
Linda was exhausted by the time her day came to an end on Tuesday. Playing Mah Jongg twice in one day is mentally exhausting. I wouldn’t exactly know the feeling because I don’t know how to play the game.
My day ended when the UNICO board meeting concluded at little after 7 PM.
During my non engaged hours, I have been reading a book on Linda’s Kindle device. I didn’t think that I could adjust to not holding a book, but the device is real simple to use. I can’t wait to use in while on a trip, or while on an airplane.
A couple of times, I did start to dose while using it and the Kindle almost hit the floor. A regular book can take the punishment, but I am not sure if this electrical device can. I also have to be careful if I put the Kindle in one of the pockets of my cargo pants. Can you imagine if I washed the pants with the Kindle in it? Maybe I should check to see if I can get insurance for the device?
Observation1 – As I have been driving on the multiple streets of Pittsfield, I keep on seeing the various lawn mowing services cutting and taking care of people’s lawns. I can see if you are elderly, and you might want to pay for this service, but if you are young, you should be doing it yourself. On the other hand, if you make the big bucks, and can afford to pay someone to cut your lawn, then it isn’t really a big deal. Am I weird because I actually like cutting the lawn, weed whacking, tending to the flowers which we plant, etc.?
Linda is not so sure that I did a great job of pruning some of the bushes in our yard while she was shopping on Sunday with her girlfriends. I might have got carried away a couple of the bushes that I trimmed. She is afraid that I might have killed one of the bushes instead of giving it a trim. Every time Linda looks out the kitchen window into our back yard she can see the bush that I hacked up pretty bad. I am praying that the bush comes back to life in the Spring. Maybe I should have left the pruning up to the professionals?
Observation 2 -- I didn’t sleep well last evening. I was heart sick when I heard the sports report that my Patriots are in negotiations to trade their premier receiver Randy Moss back to the original team which drafted him years ago; the Minnesota Vikings. Randy wants the Patriots to sign him to a multi year contract, but the Patriots’ management doesn’t want to pay him a whole bunch of money as he gets closer to the end of his Hall of Fame career. Also, Randy has been whining about his lack of securing such a contract on national television. If you portray the guy who writes out your paycheck as the bad guys too many times, your whining will come back to bite you. Patriot management has no patience for disgruntled players.
My question is can the Patriots win a Super Bowl without Randy Moss? Who will be the deep threat guy if they Patriots do trade Moss?
I do like the youth movement with respect to the players on the team right now, but I think that you have to have some veteran leadership too.
Social Calendar – I have a few errands to do this morning before Linda gives me a haircut, eye brow, and mustache trim. I have to look good for this weekend’s wedding which we are attending in New Hampshire. I think that today’s cool and rainy weather will force Linda to cut my hair inside the house instead of on the lawn in the back yard. The birds, some of which stay around for our cold and snowy winters, will miss a whole lot of bedding material for their nests.
Linda is the only one who as a booked in activity today. Her knitting group meets every Wednesday at Panera Bread. This is not a formal organization. It is just a bunch of women chatting and knitting, and sharing their patterns. During the summer they one time had 18 people participating. The teachers in the group are too tired to go out during the week so that the numbers have decreased since September.
Linda has already made me a new winter hat. My hats have to be specially made because I have a full head of hair to cover up. I am usually not a person who even wears a baseball cap because my hair acts like a hat. Most of our friends who wear baseball hats seem to be follically challenged.
Even though I don’t have a formal event booked in today, I am going to press some shirts, and do some serious packing for our weekend adventure.
Speaking of the weekend, Linda and I will be partying, helping out with taking care of our grandchild since Kevin is an usher in the wedding. We also will help out with taking care of their two dogs at this animal friendly hotel. Our room is across the hall from Kevin and Kyla’s.
Our grandchild Max is on a get up early schedule. He has been waking up at 6 AM. It might be Grandpa’s job of taking care of Max at that hour. I don’t think that Kevin and Kyla will want to do the parenting thing after a night of partying with their friends.
Could Max be sleeping in our room on at least one of the nights?
Well, I am going to put on my gym gear, and head off to Retro Fitness. I will be with the 4:30 AM crowd today.
Since I have been up so early this morning, I will be taking an afternoon nap for sure.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Our Tuesday went exactly as planned. The contractor showed up first at our home, and has finally ended his obligation to get our home back to normal.
The Cleaners arrived with all 114 pieces of items which got wet during the water damage way back in June. Our insurance company already paid them for the cleaning bill which had to be very expensive.
I did go off to have my aching leg checked out by a primary care physician in our Family Practice group of doctors. The doctor scheduled me in for a 3:30 PM ultra sound yesterday just to make sure that I had no blood clots in my leg. The primary care doctor called a little before 5 PM to tell me that I was clot free. My aches and pains are just muscle strains.
The Doctor who dealt with me became famous a several months ago because her and her husband put a swing set out in the front of their yard to make it easy for the movers to get at it the next day. Someone came by in a truck, and took the swing set assuming that the owners put it on their front lawn, and that it was free for the taking. The local newspaper reported it as a theft. The person who did take the swing set returned it to the owners once he found out that the police were trying to find him and arrest him.
Linda was exhausted by the time her day came to an end on Tuesday. Playing Mah Jongg twice in one day is mentally exhausting. I wouldn’t exactly know the feeling because I don’t know how to play the game.
My day ended when the UNICO board meeting concluded at little after 7 PM.
During my non engaged hours, I have been reading a book on Linda’s Kindle device. I didn’t think that I could adjust to not holding a book, but the device is real simple to use. I can’t wait to use in while on a trip, or while on an airplane.
A couple of times, I did start to dose while using it and the Kindle almost hit the floor. A regular book can take the punishment, but I am not sure if this electrical device can. I also have to be careful if I put the Kindle in one of the pockets of my cargo pants. Can you imagine if I washed the pants with the Kindle in it? Maybe I should check to see if I can get insurance for the device?
Observation1 – As I have been driving on the multiple streets of Pittsfield, I keep on seeing the various lawn mowing services cutting and taking care of people’s lawns. I can see if you are elderly, and you might want to pay for this service, but if you are young, you should be doing it yourself. On the other hand, if you make the big bucks, and can afford to pay someone to cut your lawn, then it isn’t really a big deal. Am I weird because I actually like cutting the lawn, weed whacking, tending to the flowers which we plant, etc.?
Linda is not so sure that I did a great job of pruning some of the bushes in our yard while she was shopping on Sunday with her girlfriends. I might have got carried away a couple of the bushes that I trimmed. She is afraid that I might have killed one of the bushes instead of giving it a trim. Every time Linda looks out the kitchen window into our back yard she can see the bush that I hacked up pretty bad. I am praying that the bush comes back to life in the Spring. Maybe I should have left the pruning up to the professionals?
Observation 2 -- I didn’t sleep well last evening. I was heart sick when I heard the sports report that my Patriots are in negotiations to trade their premier receiver Randy Moss back to the original team which drafted him years ago; the Minnesota Vikings. Randy wants the Patriots to sign him to a multi year contract, but the Patriots’ management doesn’t want to pay him a whole bunch of money as he gets closer to the end of his Hall of Fame career. Also, Randy has been whining about his lack of securing such a contract on national television. If you portray the guy who writes out your paycheck as the bad guys too many times, your whining will come back to bite you. Patriot management has no patience for disgruntled players.
My question is can the Patriots win a Super Bowl without Randy Moss? Who will be the deep threat guy if they Patriots do trade Moss?
I do like the youth movement with respect to the players on the team right now, but I think that you have to have some veteran leadership too.
Social Calendar – I have a few errands to do this morning before Linda gives me a haircut, eye brow, and mustache trim. I have to look good for this weekend’s wedding which we are attending in New Hampshire. I think that today’s cool and rainy weather will force Linda to cut my hair inside the house instead of on the lawn in the back yard. The birds, some of which stay around for our cold and snowy winters, will miss a whole lot of bedding material for their nests.
Linda is the only one who as a booked in activity today. Her knitting group meets every Wednesday at Panera Bread. This is not a formal organization. It is just a bunch of women chatting and knitting, and sharing their patterns. During the summer they one time had 18 people participating. The teachers in the group are too tired to go out during the week so that the numbers have decreased since September.
Linda has already made me a new winter hat. My hats have to be specially made because I have a full head of hair to cover up. I am usually not a person who even wears a baseball cap because my hair acts like a hat. Most of our friends who wear baseball hats seem to be follically challenged.
Even though I don’t have a formal event booked in today, I am going to press some shirts, and do some serious packing for our weekend adventure.
Speaking of the weekend, Linda and I will be partying, helping out with taking care of our grandchild since Kevin is an usher in the wedding. We also will help out with taking care of their two dogs at this animal friendly hotel. Our room is across the hall from Kevin and Kyla’s.
Our grandchild Max is on a get up early schedule. He has been waking up at 6 AM. It might be Grandpa’s job of taking care of Max at that hour. I don’t think that Kevin and Kyla will want to do the parenting thing after a night of partying with their friends.
Could Max be sleeping in our room on at least one of the nights?
Well, I am going to put on my gym gear, and head off to Retro Fitness. I will be with the 4:30 AM crowd today.
Since I have been up so early this morning, I will be taking an afternoon nap for sure.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Hello on Tuesday Morning
Dear Friends,
Our appointment went well at 9:30 AM on Monday. This appointment was at the Social Security Office in anticipation of my 65th birthday which will take place a year from December. We also went to the Treasurers Office for the City of Pittsfield to get even more questions answered and more details of what is going to happen when we change over to Medicare. Linda took copious notes, and has become an expert for our particular situation. Our City has made a rule that if anyone is eligible (40 quarters) for Medicare at age 65, you must go on the Federal program. If either spouse has those 40 quarters, both husband and wife must go on Medicare. Linda has her 40 quarters, but I do not because teachers in Massachusetts don’t contribute to social security while they are employed.
One scaring thing that we both learned was that I should go back to work for three years to get my 40 quarters so that I can be eligible for social security. I haven’t worked since I retired in June of 2004, and it would be real difficult for me to mentally go back into the work force.
Linda had fun with a girlfriend doing lunch and a movie.
While she was doing her thing, I did several errands, and ended up visiting Mom in the nursing home. She seemed to be doing very well physically. The restrictions on entering her room about wearing masks and gloves have been lifted. She even has a new roommate. She still does ask the same questions like; “Where am I? How old am I? Who are you?”, etc. It is amazing that a few weeks ago that she was on death’s door, and now she is back to her old self.
I was so exhausted after the visit that I required a nap. While I was napping, I received an email form a friend whose television had died in his man cave. Since he and I are avid Patriot fans, he asked if he could join me in watching the Patriot Game. Well Linda and I just happen to have one of those Pork Rib roasts brewing in our crock pot. My friend and his wife joined us for supper. His wife left for their home after supper, and my friend and I went into my man cave to watch the game.
Supper turned out wonderful. There was no pork left. People seemed to suck every piece of meat off of the bones. I sliced the roast like it was a prime rib roast. We had some corn, tossed salad, and some of those quick cook Pillsbury rolls. None of the just mentioned food was left either.
Speaking of the Patriot Game, by half time there wasn’t much to cheer about whether you were a Patriot or Dolphin fan. The second half was a different story. No name and rookie players from the Patriots excelled with blocked punts, blocked field goal attempts, intercepted passes, run backs on kick offs, etc. They set a record on scoring from all the above mentioned situations. My friend left at the end of the third quarter, but I stayed up for the whole game, and post game roundup. I have never seen Coach Belichik express his emotions as he did during the last few minutes of the game. He was going up and down the sidelines congratulating both offensive and defensive player. He is starting to convince everyone on the team that the direction and the hard work during practice has the Patriots heading in the correct direction. They still have some week spots in the defensive area, but they are improving each week.
They have a bye week this weekend. Boy do I wish my friend and I had kept our season tickets!
Social Calendar – We are so busy today. The contractor is coming at 8 AM to finish what he has to do. The cleaners are coming at 9 AM to drop off the garments which had water damage. I have 10:50 AM doctor’s appointment so that the doctor can tell me what is going on with my good leg.
Linda is playing her usual Mah Jongg at a friend’s home, but she has to drop off a baby shower gift before the session. The baby shower takes place while we will be at the wedding in New Hampshire this weekend. Linda was also invited to substitute for a different Mah Jongg session at 7 PM. I have a 6 PM UNICO Board meeting at the Italian American Club.
Both of us will be exhausted when this day is over.
Well, I don’t have time for any words of wisdom today since I have to finish my morning routine, and get dressed.
We are in for several days of on and off showers. I am not sure I will be able to squeeze in a round of golf. I will be missing Friday golf with the seniors for the next two Fridays. Oh Darn!
Have a great Tuesday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Our appointment went well at 9:30 AM on Monday. This appointment was at the Social Security Office in anticipation of my 65th birthday which will take place a year from December. We also went to the Treasurers Office for the City of Pittsfield to get even more questions answered and more details of what is going to happen when we change over to Medicare. Linda took copious notes, and has become an expert for our particular situation. Our City has made a rule that if anyone is eligible (40 quarters) for Medicare at age 65, you must go on the Federal program. If either spouse has those 40 quarters, both husband and wife must go on Medicare. Linda has her 40 quarters, but I do not because teachers in Massachusetts don’t contribute to social security while they are employed.
One scaring thing that we both learned was that I should go back to work for three years to get my 40 quarters so that I can be eligible for social security. I haven’t worked since I retired in June of 2004, and it would be real difficult for me to mentally go back into the work force.
Linda had fun with a girlfriend doing lunch and a movie.
While she was doing her thing, I did several errands, and ended up visiting Mom in the nursing home. She seemed to be doing very well physically. The restrictions on entering her room about wearing masks and gloves have been lifted. She even has a new roommate. She still does ask the same questions like; “Where am I? How old am I? Who are you?”, etc. It is amazing that a few weeks ago that she was on death’s door, and now she is back to her old self.
I was so exhausted after the visit that I required a nap. While I was napping, I received an email form a friend whose television had died in his man cave. Since he and I are avid Patriot fans, he asked if he could join me in watching the Patriot Game. Well Linda and I just happen to have one of those Pork Rib roasts brewing in our crock pot. My friend and his wife joined us for supper. His wife left for their home after supper, and my friend and I went into my man cave to watch the game.
Supper turned out wonderful. There was no pork left. People seemed to suck every piece of meat off of the bones. I sliced the roast like it was a prime rib roast. We had some corn, tossed salad, and some of those quick cook Pillsbury rolls. None of the just mentioned food was left either.
Speaking of the Patriot Game, by half time there wasn’t much to cheer about whether you were a Patriot or Dolphin fan. The second half was a different story. No name and rookie players from the Patriots excelled with blocked punts, blocked field goal attempts, intercepted passes, run backs on kick offs, etc. They set a record on scoring from all the above mentioned situations. My friend left at the end of the third quarter, but I stayed up for the whole game, and post game roundup. I have never seen Coach Belichik express his emotions as he did during the last few minutes of the game. He was going up and down the sidelines congratulating both offensive and defensive player. He is starting to convince everyone on the team that the direction and the hard work during practice has the Patriots heading in the correct direction. They still have some week spots in the defensive area, but they are improving each week.
They have a bye week this weekend. Boy do I wish my friend and I had kept our season tickets!
Social Calendar – We are so busy today. The contractor is coming at 8 AM to finish what he has to do. The cleaners are coming at 9 AM to drop off the garments which had water damage. I have 10:50 AM doctor’s appointment so that the doctor can tell me what is going on with my good leg.
Linda is playing her usual Mah Jongg at a friend’s home, but she has to drop off a baby shower gift before the session. The baby shower takes place while we will be at the wedding in New Hampshire this weekend. Linda was also invited to substitute for a different Mah Jongg session at 7 PM. I have a 6 PM UNICO Board meeting at the Italian American Club.
Both of us will be exhausted when this day is over.
Well, I don’t have time for any words of wisdom today since I have to finish my morning routine, and get dressed.
We are in for several days of on and off showers. I am not sure I will be able to squeeze in a round of golf. I will be missing Friday golf with the seniors for the next two Fridays. Oh Darn!
Have a great Tuesday.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Monday, October 4, 2010
Hello on Monday Morning
Dear Friends,
I dropped Linda off at her friend’s home at 9 AM on Sunday. Another friend was coming up the friend’s street as I was driving back home. I waved to her, but she didn’t recognize me since I was driving the Kia.
The three ladies did do everything that I said that they had planned to do. They had breakfast at the Look Park Restaurant which is across from a Veteran’s home / medical center. They neeed human fuel before they hit the Holyoke Mall. There main store which they focused in on at the Mall was Macy’s. We have a Macy’s in our Berkshire Mall, but this one has more and different offerings, and it is a larger store.
They then went off to Cosco’s and snacked their way and shopped around this store. For anyone who doesn’t have a Cosco’s, they have multiple food samples through the whole store. Some people go there not just to shop, but to treat the food samples as a light lunch.
They did end their adventure by stopping in Northampton at a restaurant which makes their own pasta. I didn’t see anhy leftovers so that meant the food must have been wonderful.
I picked up Linda around the 7 PM hour.
I did transfer a whole bunch of snack food from the driver’s car to the Kia. The snack food should get me through a good portion of the football season.
I didn’t exactly have a whole bunch of fun doing my outdoors project. I worked from a little after 9 AM until 1:30 PM. I removed a lot of the dead flowers in all the flower beds in the front and the back of the house. I also pruned multiple out of control bushes. I hope that my pruning didn’t kill any of the bushes. I then bagged up over 10 bags of this yard waste which I will drop off at recovery plant at some point today. Yard waste can only be put in clear bags when I drop them off at the recovery plant. They don’t charge Pittsfield residents for disposing of yard waste as long as you have a sticker. Do you think that Linda will let me use her Kia to take the yard waste bags to the Resource Recovery Plant? She already said “No”!
The bagging of yard waste seemed like a simple task, but you have to visualize trying to stick sharp branches into these bags without poking too many holes through the bags.
Needles to say, I was exhausted by the time I decided to stop communing with nature. I still have a little more pruning to do on two bushes, but I have to get on a step ladder to do so.
The good thing was that the weather was nice for doing this work. I also wanted to get a good deal of this work done because we are booked into social events for the next two weekends in October.
Speaking of social events, the Curley’s have agreed to host the Irish Sister City Annual Meeting on November 9, 2010. This meeting is where President Pat Gormalley will give a “brief” report of the year’s activities. It is also when we have the election of officers. I think all of the officers decided to keep their positions. We really have never had any fight for officer positions. Not many people of sound minds want to be an officer in our 20 member group.
This is a covered dish affair. The food, fun, and merriment will take place in our basement at 6 PM.
Linda and I are off to a 9:30 AM appointment today. I think that she is going out to lunch with a girlfriend, and they are going off to see a movie. I was invited to join them, but I decided to stay home and go back to my yard work. If the weather is not okay to do yard work, I will slave over a hot iron, and press some shirts for this weekend’s rehearsal party, and wedding which we were invited to in New Hampshire.
I do have to save my energy for Monday Night Football since my Patriots are playing a division rival, the Miami Dolphins.
I almost forgot that the contractor is coming to put in the last three ceiling tiles in the basement’s drop ceiling today. He might be doing this when we are at this morning’s appointment. This is the last thing that he is doing, and then his obligation is over.
On Tuesday, the cleaners will be dropping off the coats that had to be cleaned when the water leached from the laundry room into the basement’s storage room. We are talking about cleaning at least thirty coats. The cleaners said that they were already paid by Liberty Mutual, and that they were waiting for us to give them the okay to drop them off.
While waiting for Linda to return from her adventure, I tried watching NFL football. The games that were being televised were kind of boring. I turned the volume down low, and continued reading a book which I started on Linda’s “Kindle”.
Our next door neighbor is having a massive pine tree in the front of his house taken down. The chain saw and the chippers were making noise at 7:30 AM on Sunday. We have an unwritten rule in our neighborhood not to start lawnmowers, and any noisy devices before 10 AM on the weekend. The owners of this home moved in a month ago, and they must know this rule about making noise on the weekends. The workers cut all the branches on Sunday. Today the 50 foot plus tree will be coming down. I am guessing that our neighbors will be paying close to $2000 for the removal of this single tree.
Have a great week at work or play.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
I dropped Linda off at her friend’s home at 9 AM on Sunday. Another friend was coming up the friend’s street as I was driving back home. I waved to her, but she didn’t recognize me since I was driving the Kia.
The three ladies did do everything that I said that they had planned to do. They had breakfast at the Look Park Restaurant which is across from a Veteran’s home / medical center. They neeed human fuel before they hit the Holyoke Mall. There main store which they focused in on at the Mall was Macy’s. We have a Macy’s in our Berkshire Mall, but this one has more and different offerings, and it is a larger store.
They then went off to Cosco’s and snacked their way and shopped around this store. For anyone who doesn’t have a Cosco’s, they have multiple food samples through the whole store. Some people go there not just to shop, but to treat the food samples as a light lunch.
They did end their adventure by stopping in Northampton at a restaurant which makes their own pasta. I didn’t see anhy leftovers so that meant the food must have been wonderful.
I picked up Linda around the 7 PM hour.
I did transfer a whole bunch of snack food from the driver’s car to the Kia. The snack food should get me through a good portion of the football season.
I didn’t exactly have a whole bunch of fun doing my outdoors project. I worked from a little after 9 AM until 1:30 PM. I removed a lot of the dead flowers in all the flower beds in the front and the back of the house. I also pruned multiple out of control bushes. I hope that my pruning didn’t kill any of the bushes. I then bagged up over 10 bags of this yard waste which I will drop off at recovery plant at some point today. Yard waste can only be put in clear bags when I drop them off at the recovery plant. They don’t charge Pittsfield residents for disposing of yard waste as long as you have a sticker. Do you think that Linda will let me use her Kia to take the yard waste bags to the Resource Recovery Plant? She already said “No”!
The bagging of yard waste seemed like a simple task, but you have to visualize trying to stick sharp branches into these bags without poking too many holes through the bags.
Needles to say, I was exhausted by the time I decided to stop communing with nature. I still have a little more pruning to do on two bushes, but I have to get on a step ladder to do so.
The good thing was that the weather was nice for doing this work. I also wanted to get a good deal of this work done because we are booked into social events for the next two weekends in October.
Speaking of social events, the Curley’s have agreed to host the Irish Sister City Annual Meeting on November 9, 2010. This meeting is where President Pat Gormalley will give a “brief” report of the year’s activities. It is also when we have the election of officers. I think all of the officers decided to keep their positions. We really have never had any fight for officer positions. Not many people of sound minds want to be an officer in our 20 member group.
This is a covered dish affair. The food, fun, and merriment will take place in our basement at 6 PM.
Linda and I are off to a 9:30 AM appointment today. I think that she is going out to lunch with a girlfriend, and they are going off to see a movie. I was invited to join them, but I decided to stay home and go back to my yard work. If the weather is not okay to do yard work, I will slave over a hot iron, and press some shirts for this weekend’s rehearsal party, and wedding which we were invited to in New Hampshire.
I do have to save my energy for Monday Night Football since my Patriots are playing a division rival, the Miami Dolphins.
I almost forgot that the contractor is coming to put in the last three ceiling tiles in the basement’s drop ceiling today. He might be doing this when we are at this morning’s appointment. This is the last thing that he is doing, and then his obligation is over.
On Tuesday, the cleaners will be dropping off the coats that had to be cleaned when the water leached from the laundry room into the basement’s storage room. We are talking about cleaning at least thirty coats. The cleaners said that they were already paid by Liberty Mutual, and that they were waiting for us to give them the okay to drop them off.
While waiting for Linda to return from her adventure, I tried watching NFL football. The games that were being televised were kind of boring. I turned the volume down low, and continued reading a book which I started on Linda’s “Kindle”.
Our next door neighbor is having a massive pine tree in the front of his house taken down. The chain saw and the chippers were making noise at 7:30 AM on Sunday. We have an unwritten rule in our neighborhood not to start lawnmowers, and any noisy devices before 10 AM on the weekend. The owners of this home moved in a month ago, and they must know this rule about making noise on the weekends. The workers cut all the branches on Sunday. Today the 50 foot plus tree will be coming down. I am guessing that our neighbors will be paying close to $2000 for the removal of this single tree.
Have a great week at work or play.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Hello on Sunday Morning
Dear Friends,
It is 37 degrees as I start this e-mail. One of these days, we will be dealing with a frost warning.
I watched Ryder Cup Golf from the moment I woke up until it ended due to darkness in Wales on Saturday. I didn’t just sit on my butt! I worked in the basement trying to get rid of ceiling tile dust that seemed to be everywhere. Every nook and cranny of the basement had ceiling dust on it. I had the Ryder cup golf on the bar television as I dusted and vacuumed for several hours. Yes, I took an afternoon nap.
Linda on the other hand went to a multiple person Bas Mitzvzh at Temple Knesset Israel. She said that the place was packed. She was there from 10 AM until 1 PM. The service was two hours long. She said that it reminded her of those Latin Masses which all of us baby boomer Catholics grew up with. After the service, they had all kinds of Jewish food, a lot of which was fish based (salmon, tuna, onions, and bagels (from a Jewish Bagel shop). Linda is not a fan of uncooked fish, so she stuck with the plain bagels, and desserts.
Will Linda be like the entertainer Madonna (another Catholic girl) who gave up her Catholic faith and converted to Judaism?
We did get invited to supper last evening at a friend’s home. After some appetizers, the host grilled some steaks to perfection while the hostess prepared oven roasted potatoes, fresh yellow beans. The hostess made one of those crust less apple pies, and she put a little dollop of vanilla ice cream to complete the dessert.
Since we finished supper early we decided to play cards. Yes, we stuck to the women against men format. We played a couple of games of cribbage. The women beat us soundly in the first game as we men had the lead, and thought we were well on the road to winning the find game. We men got a strong indication that our good sized lead was in jeopardy when Linda gets a hand of 24 points. The best hand that you can get consists of 29 points. Linda’s great hand made us lose our substantial lead. The next hand her partner gets a 24 point hand too. Game over, the women win! The chance of getting a hand of 24 points is almost unheard of, and these women get two of these 24 point hands during the same game.
They beat us again in the second game too so we changed the card game. The men soundly beat the women in two games of straight pitch. It was still men against the women. We went home after the pitch game.
Social Calendar – Linda and two other female friends are booked into breakfast, shopping at a Mall in Holyoke, shopping at Cosco’s, and having supper at one of those homemade pasta places in the college town of Northampton.
I will be outdoors removing dead plants from the front and back of our yard. Doesn’t that sound like a lot of fun?
We have something going every day next week before we head off to the 10/10/10 wedding in New Hampshire. We are not leaving a day early and going to our son’s place n North Tewksbury before going to New Hampshire. Linda is socially engaged Monday through Thursday evening. I am so happy for her. We won’t be having any coordinated suppers next week including right through the weekend.
Observation – I had some thoughts on dust. I thought I did a pretty good job in the basement removing dust. Linda went into the basement after I woke up from my nap. She found places that needed more dusting. I felt like I was with my son when he was at the Air Force Academy. They would have room inspections where upper classmen would come into each Cadet’s two person room, and go through with white gloves on. If they picked up any dust on their white gloves, you failed inspection.
I think this lack of seeing dust is a male trait. Just think of our ancestors who lived in caves with dirt floors. There must have been dirt and dust every where. Do you think that our cavemen male ancestors cared if there was dust on every surface in the cave?
Linda pretty much follows me around everyday with sponge, cleaning cloth, some kind of chemical spray and paper towels cleaning up finger prints on every door and surface that I touch. I have to touch up some of the paint on some of these surfaces because she has rubbed the paint right off of where she has cleaned up after me. During one of her cleaning episodes the other day she said that “Men are basically slobs.” She did say that if I use the door knobs, and not the doors themselves to open and close them, she wouldn’t have to clean so much. Well, we have been together for over 39 years, do you really think that I will change my habits?
I am really not complaining about Linda because you can enter our house any day or night, and it looks like Linda just got through cleaning for any unannounced guests. I am so glad that I live with this Martha Stewart type of person. My Linda has a lot of work if she thinks that she can tame the beast like qualities out of this male!
Sports – My football team is not playing until Monday night at 8:30 PM. I will squeeze in some sport watching after doing my chores today..
We have another fine day on tap for today.
Get out and enjoy it!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
It is 37 degrees as I start this e-mail. One of these days, we will be dealing with a frost warning.
I watched Ryder Cup Golf from the moment I woke up until it ended due to darkness in Wales on Saturday. I didn’t just sit on my butt! I worked in the basement trying to get rid of ceiling tile dust that seemed to be everywhere. Every nook and cranny of the basement had ceiling dust on it. I had the Ryder cup golf on the bar television as I dusted and vacuumed for several hours. Yes, I took an afternoon nap.
Linda on the other hand went to a multiple person Bas Mitzvzh at Temple Knesset Israel. She said that the place was packed. She was there from 10 AM until 1 PM. The service was two hours long. She said that it reminded her of those Latin Masses which all of us baby boomer Catholics grew up with. After the service, they had all kinds of Jewish food, a lot of which was fish based (salmon, tuna, onions, and bagels (from a Jewish Bagel shop). Linda is not a fan of uncooked fish, so she stuck with the plain bagels, and desserts.
Will Linda be like the entertainer Madonna (another Catholic girl) who gave up her Catholic faith and converted to Judaism?
We did get invited to supper last evening at a friend’s home. After some appetizers, the host grilled some steaks to perfection while the hostess prepared oven roasted potatoes, fresh yellow beans. The hostess made one of those crust less apple pies, and she put a little dollop of vanilla ice cream to complete the dessert.
Since we finished supper early we decided to play cards. Yes, we stuck to the women against men format. We played a couple of games of cribbage. The women beat us soundly in the first game as we men had the lead, and thought we were well on the road to winning the find game. We men got a strong indication that our good sized lead was in jeopardy when Linda gets a hand of 24 points. The best hand that you can get consists of 29 points. Linda’s great hand made us lose our substantial lead. The next hand her partner gets a 24 point hand too. Game over, the women win! The chance of getting a hand of 24 points is almost unheard of, and these women get two of these 24 point hands during the same game.
They beat us again in the second game too so we changed the card game. The men soundly beat the women in two games of straight pitch. It was still men against the women. We went home after the pitch game.
Social Calendar – Linda and two other female friends are booked into breakfast, shopping at a Mall in Holyoke, shopping at Cosco’s, and having supper at one of those homemade pasta places in the college town of Northampton.
I will be outdoors removing dead plants from the front and back of our yard. Doesn’t that sound like a lot of fun?
We have something going every day next week before we head off to the 10/10/10 wedding in New Hampshire. We are not leaving a day early and going to our son’s place n North Tewksbury before going to New Hampshire. Linda is socially engaged Monday through Thursday evening. I am so happy for her. We won’t be having any coordinated suppers next week including right through the weekend.
Observation – I had some thoughts on dust. I thought I did a pretty good job in the basement removing dust. Linda went into the basement after I woke up from my nap. She found places that needed more dusting. I felt like I was with my son when he was at the Air Force Academy. They would have room inspections where upper classmen would come into each Cadet’s two person room, and go through with white gloves on. If they picked up any dust on their white gloves, you failed inspection.
I think this lack of seeing dust is a male trait. Just think of our ancestors who lived in caves with dirt floors. There must have been dirt and dust every where. Do you think that our cavemen male ancestors cared if there was dust on every surface in the cave?
Linda pretty much follows me around everyday with sponge, cleaning cloth, some kind of chemical spray and paper towels cleaning up finger prints on every door and surface that I touch. I have to touch up some of the paint on some of these surfaces because she has rubbed the paint right off of where she has cleaned up after me. During one of her cleaning episodes the other day she said that “Men are basically slobs.” She did say that if I use the door knobs, and not the doors themselves to open and close them, she wouldn’t have to clean so much. Well, we have been together for over 39 years, do you really think that I will change my habits?
I am really not complaining about Linda because you can enter our house any day or night, and it looks like Linda just got through cleaning for any unannounced guests. I am so glad that I live with this Martha Stewart type of person. My Linda has a lot of work if she thinks that she can tame the beast like qualities out of this male!
Sports – My football team is not playing until Monday night at 8:30 PM. I will squeeze in some sport watching after doing my chores today..
We have another fine day on tap for today.
Get out and enjoy it!
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad
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