Drinking and Driving

With the Holidays upon us I would like to share a personal experience with my friends
With the Holidays upon us I would like to share a personal experience with my friends about drinking and driving.

As you may know some of us have been known to have brushes with the authorities from time to time on the way home after a "social session" out with friends. Well two days ago I was out for an evening with friends and had several cocktails followed by some rather nice red wine. Feeling jolly, I still had the sense to know that I may be slightly over the limit. That's when I did something that I've never done before - I took a cab home.

Sure enough, on the way home there was the usual seasonal police road block but since it was a cab they waved it past. I arrived home safely without incident. This was a real surprise as I had never driven a cab before. I don't know where I got it and now that it's in my garage I don't know what to do with it.

Everybody please have a safe and Happy New Year---johnnyb

Thoughts

Lots of thoughts going through my mind this morning.  As usual nothing much of importance though.   One of those cloudy, cold winter mornings when the best thing to do is just sit, drink coffee, and go through the massive amounts of seed catalogs that we have received over the past couple of weeks.  This one of the the things that helps get me through the winter.  Garden time is still a ways off, but planning is in order.  This year we are going to use all heirloom and organic, non GMO.   We are going to start some plants inside this year.  Tomatoes and peppers especially.  Maybe some herbs.  We have been given a bunch of cattle mineral  tubs, so we are going to do some container planting.  Especially herbs and some of the root crops like carrots.  Our ground is very heavy here and carrots have a problem growing well.  It is easier to put them in tubs with good soil than to work the soil loose and deep enough for them to grow.  Hopefully our plans will work out.  I had  been amending the soil in  the planting beds this winter before  the weather turned cold.   I have added some leaves, grass and other composting materials to them.  Eventually we will get things closer to where want them, if we live that long.  Hopefully we can have a more successful garden this year.  We always had a good garden in town, but we spent a lot of time on the soil to have a good garden.  It just takes time.  This will be our fourth summer here, so things should start coming around. 

We have been dog-sitting for the new pup for a couple of days.  He is really growing and getting ornerier every day.  He is definitely all puppy.

He is going to be a monster.  Legs are like tree stumps.  Right now it is quiet.  He is outside bunny hunting with the big guys.  We love him to pieces, but sometimes wears on us a little bit.  He wore himself down yesterday, so he slept all night.  He is kind of house-broken.  A couple of "happy" accidents were the cause of our not listening to him when he needed to go.  He will go back home today.  We will miss him, well kind of.  No, that is not right we will miss him.  Our dogs will not miss him.  They are ready for peace and quiet and the ability to do a power nap.

Time to wander on to bigger and better things.  Not really.  Nothing on the social calendar for today.  Matter of fact, there is not much on the social calendar tomorrow either.  Matter of fact, there is no social calendar!!  The only reason I would write anything on a calendar is to keep from forgetting things , like my name or other important facts that us "old" people forget from time to time. 

God Bless--johnnyb

Day After

After I typed in the title, I got to thinking, (which Carol considers a very dangerous thing for me to do).  I stopped before any real damage was done.  There was only minimal smoke damage to the dining room!   Anyway,  My idea was, here it is the day after Christmas.  People are heading back to work or traveling back home if you are lucky enough to have an extended time off.  But, today is always the day after something.   Everyday people are heading into work.  So there always a happy day after,or not.  Where did that come from? My coffee must be too strong this morning.  Maybe I should check the creamer.  I might have grabbed the Baileys by mistake.  Not really, just weird stuff that wonders in and out at times. We all have those moments.  I just like to share them. Then again, it could have been the package and a half of bacon wrapped LiL Smokies smothered and cooked in brown sugar that I ate yesterday.   Almost better than turkey!  Or maybe the tortilla rolls with cream cheese and salsa inside.

We had a real quiet Christmas day.  There was just the two of us.  We just mostly vegged during the day.  Watched some movies, read, ate smokies, napped, ate smokies.  We went across the line into Nebraska on Monday for food, you guessed it-- Smokies--and other decadent things.  We played some Scrabble, did some last minute shopping, you guessed it ---Smokies and bacon, ham and ammo, before Wally World closed for Christmas Eve.   Kids from Nebraska are coming over this evening for Ham Beans and homemade cornbread.  I may just eat myself into oblivion yet.  I probably should go to town and get something for lower GI discomfort.  If not, I may give the dogs a little competition on the SBD's.

Actually I think that is a very good idea.  I will cut this off here and do it.  The temperature is up to 0 degrees from -10 during the night.  Heat wave in the making.

God Bless all--johnnyb

White Christmas

Merry Christmas to all.  May God Bless each and everyone of you on this morning. 

We are having a true white Christmas here.  It is snowing and blowing a little bit.  Not much expected, but it is nice.---johnnyb

Hamburger Stew

I had a request from Stephen for this:

HAMBURGER STEW

2 lbs hamburger, browned in the kettle with some chopped onion (1/2 cup?)
salt and pepper to taste
3tbl of powdered beef broth or to taste  (this is very scientific)
1 large can of diced tomatoes or 1 qt. canned
1 cup sweet whole corn
carrots as many as you like chopped
potatoes as many as you like chopped
shredded cabbage 1/2 head, this I add toward the last as I don't like it too soft
Simmer until all veggies are cooked and enjoy with a fresh loaf of sourdough bread and butter.

Other spices could be added but I like to keep it simple, enjoy.--carol

This is very tasty, especially on a cold, blizzardy day. (Computer does not recognize blizzardy).  What does it know.  Chilly morning here today.  I need to rephrase that statement--It is damned cold here this morning!  We have kids coming for Christmas lunch today.  Home chicken and noodles on mashed potatoes with fresh sourdough bread.  Don't know what there is for dessert, but It will be good also.  May have to have dessert later.

Since I woke up this morning, the world didn't come to an end overnight.  I hope not too many indulged in a kool-aid drinking frenzy in anticipation.

Please, everyone,  be extra careful this Christmas and holiday season.  Lot of crazies out there.

God Bless, all----johnnyb

Winter storm update.

The snow started about noon yesterday and blew through by 10PM.  It is hard to tell how much snow there was because of the wind.  Straight winds in the 40-50 MPH range. A lot of drifts around.  The first picture was taken a couple of hours after it started.  It got worse for a few hours.  We could just barely see across the road at one point.  The snow was horizontal for most of the afternoon and evening..  The moisture will be good if any of it stayed where it will do any good.  Temperature was 13 degrees this morning with the wind chill at 0 or lower.  The wind has come up again, so it is still chilly.  I haven't heard of any power outages in the area.  All of the rural power lines and poles were replaced in this area in the last 5 years, so that probably helps.

The dogs have enjoyed the snow.  They have been romping around and acting plumb stupid in the snow.  the chickens are a different story.  They would not come out of the coop until I scooped a path out and around.  They came out for a bit, checked things out and decided it was better inside.  They have plenty of food and water inside and plenty of room.

Carol fixed a big pot of hamburger stew and homemade sourdough bread for supper last night.  It was just the thing for a snowy winter evening. 

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas.   I am being very optimistic that we will still be around for it.  My son posted on FB that all power companies should off power for about 10 minutes on Friday just to spook the EOTW people!  To any that will be traveling, please be careful.  It's going to take us all to get through the BS that is being handed to us.

God Bless all---johnny

Draco

Winter storm Draco is supposed to hit today.  Why do we have to put a name to a damned blizzard.  What's wrong with " the big one of 2012"?  Or the blizzard of all blizzards of "aught 6"?   It's not like we have 15 or 20 major winter storms go through each winter. I can sometimes, thanks to older age, forget what day of the week it is, but can still usually remember a major blizzard that blew through.  I guess it gives the weather Channel an extra thing to talk about.  Which brings up another burr under the saddle or in my shorts, whichever comes first.  It seem like since TWC was bought by NBC, there is less weather and more reality shows.  If I want to see the weather, I have to wait while someone gets rescued by the Coast Guard, which is usually a re-run, or while an air cargo plane has to battle high winds and foul weather with an old WWII plane with one engine out, (which is also a re-run) until a commercial comes  on and then give the Local on the Eights.  Then if my clock is off a little bit when I turn over to it, I miss it and have to wait until the next 8.  I am convinced it is just a conspiracy to screw up my "busy" daily calendar.  Sometimes I am even forced to look out the window like in the "old days" to check on the weather.  So very unreasonable.   Life is such a bitch. The things we have to endure just to survive.  Whatever happened to the days of "Weatherman Snider"  on  KXXX AM?   You just have ,miss them.   Anyway, we are still expecting a blizzard of sorts.  Forecast to be 4-6 inches of the "white stuff".   That isn't bad in itself,  but also 50 MPH winds to accompany it.  We will see.  It is getting darker from a heavier overcast, so it should be starting soon.   We had a couple of hundred gallons of propane delivered yesterday.  We don't use much propane, hot water heater and kitchen stove.  If the electricity goes out, we have a propane fired furnace that doesn't need electricity for heat.  We have not had to used it.  The pellet stove keeps our little house warm.  But it is nice to have a back-up.

We are having Christmas for some of the kids on Saturday.  They had requested Chicken and home made noodles over mashed potatoes, so Carol has been busy in that aspect.  We have noodles drying over the pellet stove.  We will also give some as gifts.  I told her I would help peel potatoes, but only on Saturday morning.  If the world comes to an end sometime Friday, I would be royally peeved to have peeled all those spuds for nothing!

Can't think of any words of wisdom today.  The old brain is taking the day off.  Actually my whole body might take the day off, especially if it snows.

God Bless All and especially to those who are in deep grief  and at this time of year.--johhnyb

Neither here nor there

Just sitting here having my cup or four of morning get and go so I won't feel like it got up and went. I haven't been on here for a few days, so I should make it known that I am still kicking.  Not very high, but still kicking. We finally got a little moisture this weekend.  Friday nite we got 1/2 inch of rain and Saturday nite about 2" of nice wet snow.  Supposed to warm into the 50's for a couple of days and then cool again and maybe some more snow.  At this point it doesn't look as there will be a lot of snow, but there is high winds forecast, so it will just pile up in the fence rows.

A busy week in store this week.  We are having some kids here Saturday for Christmas.  Chicken and home made noodles have been requested, so Carol will be busy on that project.  I usually help by just staying out of the way, but am available if needed.  I have things to do in case we do get some snow.  Things to put up and out of the weather.  A friend is supposed to be bringing a bunch of pallets on Wednesday, but that might get put off because of weather. There are some projects that are kind of in the R & D stage yet for pallets or parts of pallets.

I have been looking through the seed catalogs that have come in the mail.   I need to order some heirloom seeds and non GMO seeds so we can save them for future years.  Garden time is still a few months away, but it doesn't hurt to plan a little, or dream!

All for now--God Bless--johnnyb

WHY GRAMPS CARRIES A GUN

My old grandpa said to me 'Son, there comes a time in every man's life
when he stops bustin' knuckles and starts bustin' caps and usually it's
when he becomes too old to take a whoopin.'

I don't carry a gun to kill people.
I carry a gun to keep from being killed.

I don't carry a gun to scare people.
I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.

I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid.
I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I'm evil.
I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the
world.

I don't carry a gun because I hate the government.
I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.

I don't carry a gun because I'm angry.
I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life hating
myself for failing to be prepared.

I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone.
I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not
on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.

I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy.
I carry a gun because, when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a
cowboy.

I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man.
I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the
ones they love.

I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate.
I carry a gun because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am
inadequate...

I don't carry a gun because I love it.
I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful
to me.

Police protection is an oxymoron.
Free citizens must protect themselves.
Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the
crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.

Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to
take an "ass" whoopin'....

Welcome

Welcome to Tunnely Newhollow.  Thanks for stopping by.  Comments are encouraged and always answered
as soon as possible.

Just stuff

Here it is Monday, start of a new work week, well for some people anyway.  (My how time flies when you are having fun.) For us it is just another day in the wild and untamed world of the retired.  For my excitement to start the week, I woke breathing, which is always a plus.  Did my morning "stuff".    Made an excellent pot of coffee.  ( My opinion only).  Didn't ask for any other opinion.   Took the chickens some warm water and fed them.  They were looking like they were in the attack mode.  This is their first really cold morning of the year.  Temp is on the minus side of zero.  Whoa, just dropped to a minus one, wind chill minus fourteen.  They were a little more pleasant after the warm water.  At least they didn't act like they wanted me for breakfast.  Nothing worse than having to go into a pen of killer chickens first thing in the morning.  I am out of scratch food for them, so they will be in a foul mood again this evening when they discover they don't have a late afternoon snack.  I can't seem to disguise their regular food for what they consider the good stuff.  I will need to go to the feed store soon to keep them in good spirits as they have been providing us with a good supply of eggs.

Deer season ended last nite.  I think it was a successful season for most of the hunters.  At least those that were after meat and not a trophy.  There are some good trophy deer to be found, you just have to work for them.  Our friends from Colorado and Florida are here for deer and pheasant.  They worked hard all week and finally got a deer on Friday.  They had white-tail permits and all they could get close to were mule deer.  But on Friday they got one at the end of the day.  As they were coming back to the house, there was a bigger buck than what they got and four does about twenty feet from their front door.  He has a water feature in the front yard.  We have been keeping water in it for all the critters.  It has been so dry that water is scarce for the wildlife.  The deer had found it and were taking advantage of it.  I have been giving them a bad time since.  There was no need to go beat the bushes when all they had to do was sit on the front porch with a toddy and wait! 

We always enjoy having them around during the various hunting seasons.  They had us over for supper last night.  Pheasant in dill sauce over noodles. Served with some of our home grown corn, Carol's delicious chocolate cake with a decadent  crunchy peanut butter chocolate frosting.  Topped off with the right wine.  Good meal in the plains!  

I have kind of wandered off from original thoughts.  I had some other things to add about our life being retired, but I have rambled on long enough.  I will say though, that I enjoy each and every day to the fullest.  I will continue on next post.

God Bless All--johnnyb 

Story of the day

THE OFFICIAL TEXAS SHERIFF EXAM

 

A young Texan grew up wanting to be a lawman. He grew up big, 6' 2", strong as a longhorn and fast as mustang. He could shoot a bottle cap tossed in the air at 40 paces.

When he finally came of age, he applied to where he had only dreamed of working: the West Texas Sheriff's Department.

After a series of tests and interviews, the Chief Deputy finally called him into his office for the young man's last interview.

The Chief Deputy said, "You're a big strong kid and you can really shoot.  So far your qualifications all look good, but we have, what you might call an 'Attitude Suitability Test' that you must take before you can be accepted.  We just don't let anyone carry our badge, son."

Then, sliding a service pistol and a box of ammo across the desk, the Chief said, "Take this pistol and go out and shoot:

six illegal aliens,

six lawyers,

six meth dealers,

six Muslim extremists,

six Democrats,

and a rabbit."

"Why the rabbit?" queried the applicant.

"You pass," said the Chief Deputy. "When can you start?"

 

 

Welcome

Welcome to zinger123.  Thanks for stopping by.

Another night with the pup has gone by.  He sleeps for about  2 hours and then he goes out to do his jobs.  Keeps from having messes in the house, but tough on sleep.  Grandson will be here today or tomorrow to pick him up.  Will be kind of hard to let him go.  The other dogs will be glad.  It has upset their world a little.  The Lab/Doberman mix has been plumb grouchy about the whole situation.  A little snappy at times.  The Black/Chocolate Lab is real possessive of everything, so that has been a challenge.  The Grand Dame, Yellow Lab/retriever,  doesn't let much bother her.  At the moment he is trying to kill one of Carol's crocs.  Never a dull moment.

Time for refill and face the day.  Blessings to all ---johnnyb

Weekend Update

Traveled to central Kansas this weekend.  My daughter was baptized on Sunday.  I had always left that decision to my kids and at age 34, she made that decision.  Did my heart good to see it happen.  My baptismal gift to her was a Bible that belonged to her great, great, great aunt.  I don't know the exact years that she had it, but it is 1901 ASV Bible.  She died in the middle 1930's, I think.  I had planned on passing it down, so this was a good time to do it.

On the way home, I stopped a picked up a German Shepherd pup that our Nebraska grandson had bought.  Worked out good that I was coming through at this time.

Heart warming video

Very good video.  The girl is a deaf mute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKK7AXLOUNo

Welcome

Welcome to Sandy.  Thanks for stopping by.  Your two cents are always appreciated and will be answered in a timely manner.  Check out her blog.  Always interesting.

Another chilly morning here, but that is to be expected this time of year.  Just sitting here with my morning cup or four of "get up and go".  So far it feels like my "get up and go" has "got up and went"!  But then I am only on cup #1.  It will get better.  If it doesn't, then there is always tomorrow.  If there is no tomorrow, then it just don't matter.  My philosophy of life in a nutshell or sentence in a blog post, whichever is appropriate.

Got the stitches removed from my hand on Monday.   Nurse had to do it because the Doctor was having eye problems.  She was afraid I would need more stitches before she was done.  I could of done it myself, but I needed to get some meds taken care of.  It has healed fairly well.  It is in a bad spot and hard to heal, so it will just take  guess.  I have that. 

Seed catalogs started coming yesterday.  Will be ordering some more non-GMO seeds so we can have seeds for next year.  We are doing more garden planning for next spring.  Trying to make better use of our garden space.  If the drought continues, we want to have a better watering system.  We have a good well, but it could be affected by a prolonged drought.

Time to play like a horse turd and hit the trail.   I hope everyone has a good day.  Be safe.  If you can't be safe then at least be careful.

God Bless each and everyone of you---johnnyb

The Fallen Soldier

This has probably been around, but it is something to see.  Nothing more needs to be said.

 

Thanks Roger for this

 

God bless All--johnnyb 

Good Morning

 Good morning and welcome to new follower BadgerMedic.  Thanks for stopping by.  Comments will be answered, usually in a timely fashion.

 

Not much new in our little part of the world.  Temperatures have been respectable for this time of year.  There is a cold front moving through today that will drop the high temps into the 40's and 50's.  For this time of year that is something.  Usually a cold front means 20's and 30's or worse.  Still no moisture.  It doesn't take much wind to stir up a dust storm.  I know,  it is the "global warming" that is causing everything.  That and too much flatulence among the cattle population.  What are we going to do!  There was time when millions of buffalo roamed the prairies.  I don't know much about the buffalo, but I would assume that they would be prone to an occasional fart or two from eating the rich grass of the tall prairies.  Of course the only tree-huggers of the time would have been a grizzled old mountain man hugged up around a tree to try to get some relief from the harsh and sometimes brutal blizzards that strike the country.  What do I know!  Only stating common sense, and uneducated guesses.  Who would I be to challenge the great minds of those "in the know"!

I don't know what brought that on.  Must have been something I read.  I must quit reading these things.  Not good for my blood pressure.  That brings up another topic.  Doctor decided my B/P was too high.  Actually there wasn't too much deciding to it.  It was too high.  Changed my medicine, so we will see how it goes.  I probably should cut back on the caffeine a little.  Lose a little weight.  All that good stuff.  Really!   Life without caffeine and good food.  Can a person really survive like that?  Just being obnoxious here.  I really should cut back a little.  I just love food.  I will eat about anything except fried grasshoppers and crickets!  Just never been that hungry yet.  The day may come, but not yet.

Ok, enough of this interesting stuff.  I need to do something constructive like feed and water the chickens before they go on strike.

God Bless all--johnnyb

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  To those in other parts of the world---have a good day. 

We are having family here today at our humble abode.  There is a standing welcome to anyone who may stop by.  Being strong members in good standing of PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals), the oven is on preheat and the turkey ready to go in.  Some of the side dishes are prepared, kids are on the way.  The weather has been beautiful, temps in the 70's.  Today temps in the 50's and 35 MPH north winds!   Oh well, it will be fine.  Good food, good company, good wine.  I have opted for something better than Thunderbird for our turkey toast!

Once again--Best to all today and God Bless---johnnyb

The sights of fall and other things

These are some pics I took the other afternoon as the shadows were getting long.  The gnarly old elm tree in the backyard has a lot of dead branches, but still provides good shade in the summer.

The next four pics are the view from our front door.

The happy flock waiting for their afternoon snack.

The happy flock after their snack!

The neighbor's happy flock.

Bella and her chewed up frisbee.

The  "guard dogs" kind of on duty on the front perimeter.  Master Sgt. Dinka observing from the rear.  Sgt. Annie on the left and Corporal Bella on the right.

God Bless All--johnnyb

Buy unkilled meat???

From a San Francisco newspaper:

And they vote also!

Being Green

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the much older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this 'green thing' back in my earlier days."

The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."

She was right -- our generation didn't have the 'green thing' in its day.

Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day.

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, that we reused for numerous things, most memorable besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property, (the books
provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags.

But too bad we didn't do the "green thing" back then.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.

But she was right. We didn't have the "green thing" in our day.  Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that young lady is right; we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she's right; we didn't have the "green thing" back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But we didn't have the "green thing" back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service in the family's $45,000 SUV or van, which cost what a whole house did before the "green thing." We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the "green thing" back then?

Please forward this on to another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smartass young person...
We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to piss us off...especially from a tattooed, multiple pierced smartass who can't make change without the cash register telling her what to give back.

This was was sent to me from a good friend.  Thanks Roger.

God Bless--johnnyb 

Coffee time

Just sitting here having morning coffee and reading the overnight news on the internet.   Coffee is great.  News is not always up-lifting.  Sports about the same.   Football Saturday sucked the big one.  Some of my teams did not fare all that well.  Oh well, that's life in the fast lane.

My typing is a little cumbersome.  One hand and one finger.  Then as I am typing along, I discover that having one hand bandaged does not really impair my typing ability.  Like I said, a little cumbersome and thank God for spellcheck!

Pheasant season opened here a week ago.  The bird population has been depleted by the drought, so hunting has been a little disappointing.  I don't hunt anymore. Actually I never did hunt pheasants much. Never cared for the meat all that much.  Mostly just deer hunting.  Haven't even done any of that for about ten years.  Our friend from Colorado is here this weekend with his boys doing a little hunting.  He had a successful elk season out there and brought us some meat.  Elk is very good.  His was a younger one, so it should be all the better.

We had Thanksgiving with my side of the family yesterday.  Always good to get together with everybody.  My daughter came on Friday, so we got to spend a little time.  The son had to work.
Carol's family will be here on Thursday.  Hope the weather holds.  Always nice for people to be able to go outdoors.  Might do a little shooting if weather permits. 

Time to go.  I see the chickens have upset their water pan, so they must be trying make a point.  It is also time for their morning feeding.  They would rather have their afternoon snack, but won't eat their regular feed if they get the snack now.  They are molting now, so we have been giving them a higher protein snack (dry cat food) later in the day.  They are like kids going after candy.  We have regular feed out for them all the time, so I know they are not starving!  They just like something different.  This summer I thought I would be smart and mix some rolled corn in with their feed as an additive.  Wrong!!!  They just slung all the regular feed out on the ground to go after the corn.  So now they are fed their snacks separate.  Live and learn.  They just about have me trained.  We get anywhere from 8-15 eggs daily from 16 hens.  Not too bad.  Carol has been using some to make home-made noodles lately and freezing them. She has also canned some beef and chicken.  Will make a nice meal on a cold, snowy day (if we ever get any snow) this winter.  We would gladly share eggs with everybody, but shipping would be a problem.  I don't thinks the eggs would survive the daily USPS, "see how far we can kick this box" game!

Thought for the day--"Six out of seven Dwarfs ain't happy"!

God Bless all--johnnyb
--

Tuesday

 Nothing much new this morning.  My finger is doing ok.  We change the bandage everyday to keep it clean and dry.  Stitches have to stay in for two weeks at least.  I have not had much pain so far.  The doc gave me some really good medicine if there is any pain.  I mean,"this is some good shit Maynard" medicine!  I haven't had to take much of it.  Most of the pain is in my ribs where I augured in.

I am catching up some of my reading, and football, and a lot of thinking on things we need to do this winter to prepare for spring,  and/or when the SHTF.  And is probably the best word.  Things just get scarier every day.  I guess we need to keep the powder dry and prep for the worst.

Good to see Matt back again.  Always enjoy his posts. I enjoy all the posts that are on my list.  Always a good way to start the day.

God Bless-johnnyb

Vetrans Day

I have been out of commission for the past couple of days.  Thursday I took the window A/C out and intended to put the storm window back on.  In the process of carrying the storm widow, I tripped and fell.  The sharp, metal corner of the window sliced through the right hand ring finger, cutting it to the bone.  Right at the point of attachment to the hand.  Took few (16) stitches to get everything back to where it should be.  I told the doctor to make sure he didn't get any of my middle finger stitched into the ring finger. If I flip somebody off, I don't want both fingers popping up!For a few weeks I will be doing everything left handed, which I can do with no problem except for writing.  But then I look at my usual penmanship and it isn't all that good either.  Life continues on.  The storm window will go up when the hand heals.  BTW, the storm window did not break.  It is an old metal storm.  No aluminum in it.  Solid metal.  

I can accept growing old.  I just can't accept growing old.  This meaning, I have not put myself into the mod of growing older. I need to slow down and not try to hurry myself through things.  I'm retired.  I can do it tomorrow.   There is nothing,unless it is an emergency,  that it has to be done right now.  If it takes me all day, WTF.  As long as it doesn't interfere with lunch or a nap,  I'm good.  Or I should be.  But, oh no, I have to go at a project like there is no tomorrow.  The thing is, if there is no tomorrow, what difference does it make.

Thanks to all of those who are serving, and have served. to protect the freedom of their country, wherever that may be.

All for now--God Bless-johnnyb

Our little part of the world

I am posting some pics of the community that I live in.  They were taken in the early 1900's and maybe some earlier.  I have no way of knowing the exact years.  The first picture has to be after 1902, because that is when one of the houses in the center was built (it is also the picture in my header).

 The little shed,  and the two houses  next to it are still standing.  In the upper left hand part of the picture is the school, a church and house.   The school was replaced by WPA in the 1930's.  The newer one still stands.  The church was torn down a years ago.  The little house is our little house.  Still standing in all its glory!  Where the church stood is where our garden is.  Everything has grown in weeds and trees now where the main part of town was.  I guess you could say we live in the suburbs.  This is also my profile picture.  The other picture are just pics of the town at that time.

.

Just something different for today.  BTW there are about 6 full time residents now.  During hunting season, this will increase greatly.

God Bless All--johnnyb

I have not posted anything yet, but have been reading and commenting on other blogs.  There is not much I can add to anything that has been said, so I will leave it at that.  Happy I am not.  Disappointed I am.

Went to the doctor yesterday.  Had to get my meds redone and blood tests to check all the things that my need to be checked a couple of times a year.  I am happy to report that I am just about as healthy as I can be for  66 y/o male with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides.  I have been fighting fight a cold and cough for a few days, so he gave me some happy medicine.  Hasn't helped the cough, but now I don't give a damn!

Oh well, onward and upward or downward, as the case may well be.  I want to thank Stephen for his post this morning.  It was well said.  Life must go on.  We can't let ourselves be taken in too much with happenings of yesterday.

God Bless you All.  Keep the faith---johnnyb

Welcome and other things of interest, (or not)

Welcome to new followers Gail and Claudia.  Thanks for stopping by.  All comments will be answered, hopefully in a timely manner.

Another nice week in the making.  Forecast is for a small chance of snow on Saturday night, other than that looks good for the week.  Hopefully I can get some more done on garden preps for next year.  I have taken down the fence and re-doing it.  Hopefully it will be more bunny-proof.  They have been a real problem this year.  We seeded in new grass in the lawn this fall.  Got a good stand coming up, but the rabbits have been keeping it "mowed" off.  The dogs keep them out during the day, well sometimes:

These two seem to be off duty this morning.  Oh well, they were out on  perimeter recon late last night, so I guess they can sleep in a little!  Then again, they may be on strike.  Dog biscuits are all gone, and when there are no dog biscuits, it ain't pretty.  Have to pick up some when in town tomorrow doing our civic duty.   I can see a widespread lead poisoning pandemic rising among the rabbit population this winter.  There are just too many around.

I have been fighting a cold for the past few days.  Hopefully I am on the mend.  Too much to do.  Maybe I can get the fence done.  A friend gave us a large pumpkin, so we will process it this week.  The seeds we will keep for snacks and for next year.  Carol dry canned some more pasta and some home-made granola last week.  The granola turned out well.  I think she got the recipe off of Pinterest.  Our chickens are  doing good.  We got 15 eggs from 16 hens yesterday.  They have been moulting so production has been off a little.  I increased their protein during this time and it seemed to help.  Nothing fancy, just some cat food along with their scratch in the evening.  They always come to the front of the pen when they see me coming.

I hope everyone will vote tomorrow if you haven't already.  I haven't said much about my political views here,  but I am very concerned about the future of our Great Country if something isn't changed.  I just hope it is not too late.  We The People need to take back more control of things before Big Brother gets any bigger.  Voting is one way that we can show how we feel about the situation.  It is our right and we need to use before it is taken from us.  Ok, I'm off the soap box now.  Said more than I had intended.  Just concerned is all!

God Bless this Great Country, those who live in it,  and above all, those who serve, have served, and have given beyond the call of duty to help protect the freedom given us by our Founding Fathers.---johnnyb

Thought for today

“It is a great advantage to a president, and a major source of safety to the country, for him to know he is not a great man.”

— Calvin Coolidge

Halloween

Halloween morning moon

 Happy Halloween to all.  When there were still  munchkins  around the house, this was one of my favorite days of the year.  It was always just fun.  I never did relate anything bad with the day.  None of the occult, witchcraft, etc.  It is what you want to make of it.  We always made costumes for the kids.  Made it more personal that way. 

I grew up on a farm and went to a one-room country school.  We always had a school program on Halloween, complete with all the fun games, dunking for apples,  prizes for the best costume.  And then a big bonfire, with a hot dog roast and marshmallows,(no  s-mores back then).  It was always a big deal.  The whole community would be there,  so it was a big trick or treat event. 

The weather has been good this week.  Last week was cold.  This week Indian summer.  Still no moisture and none forecast in the near future.  Too bad the moisture from Sandy couldn't be spread out.  I am sure they would be willing to share some of it!  Our prayers go out to all that have been touched by the storm.

Enough for now.  God Bless All--johnnyb

Finally

I think I have the problem solved with my blog.  I have been able read thru my blog list, I just couldn't comment or do a post.  I will hopefully have a post written soon.

Good Bless--johnnyb

Just me

I have been having problems with google again.  I couldn't get signed in for a couple of days. I know what the trouble is and have found a solution for it for now.  Just a pain in the ***,  if you know what I mean.

The Artic Express rolled in last night. Temps around 40 with cold north wind.  Snow flurries earlier this morning.  It is that time of year.  Still need moisture.  Not just flurries.  We had to fire up the pellet stove in the middle of the night.  Sure did feel good this morning.

I have been working on the garden in preparation for next spring.  Been adding mulch in the beds and getting ready to build more beds.  I may not get them all done this fall, but will have time in the spring to finish.  Carol has been busy canning.  Our daughter had given us some sausage, so she canned it last week.  Makes room in the freezer and if we lose electricity it will be not be lost.  We bought potatoes from a commercial farm anf have cannedsome of them.  Still more of them to do.  I got a little wheat last week from a neighbor and will make some flour out of that.  Our new chickens are doing ok.  There is still a little animosity in the pen, but not too bad.  They are laying also, so we have plenty to spare. 

I did a power shopping trip this week.  Caught a lot of items on sale that we either needed or wanted for stock.  We have been trying to get our supplies built up  in case we need them.  We are at the end of the county road system, so in the event of a bad blizzard, we could be blocked in for a few days.  Not only that, but if the "you know what hits the fan"...............!

Time to "play like a horse turd" and hit the trail. 

God Bless--johnnyb

I Pledge.......

I post this here today, not just for my friends in the USA, but for my friends throughout the world to do the same for their own country.

God Bless-johnnyb

Dirty thirties all over again?

 Beautiful fall morning here today.  cool temps, blue skies, slight breeze.   Couldn't ask for it any better.  This picture was taken earlier this morning.


The next picture was taken yesterday afternoon, same area,  after 2 days of winds in the 50-70 MPH range: The blowing dust was terrible.  These old houses are not the most airtight of buildings.  In the areas where there were wheat stubble fires last summer,  it was a complete brown-out.  I haven't found any damage around here.  All the trees seem to have all their limbs. 

It was dry enough this summer that weeds didn't grow real good, so that eliminated the problems of tumbleweeds traveling through at 60 MPH and destroying everything in its path.   Winds today are only supposed to be in the 20 MPH range, so it won't be so bad.

Oh well, such is life in the fast lane.  Could be worse.

God Bless-johnnyb

Entertainment at the Senior Center

It was entertainment night at the senior center and the Amazing Claude was topping the bill. People came from miles around to see the famed hypnotist do his stuff. As Claude went to the front of the meeting room, he announced, "Unlike most hypnotists who invite two or three people up here to be put into a trance, I intend to hypnotize each and every member of the audience."
The excitement was almost electric as Claude withdrew a beautiful antique pocket watch from his coat. "I want you each to keep your eye on this antique watch. It's a very special watch. It's been in my family for six generations."

He began to swing the watch gently back and forth while quietly chanting, "Watch the watch, watch the watch, watch the watch..."

The crowd became mesmerized as the watch swayed back and forth, light gleaming off its polished surface. Hundreds of pairs of eyes followed the swaying watch, until, suddenly, it slipped from the hypnotist's fingers and fell to the floor, breaking into a hundred pieces.

SHIT!", said the Hypnotist.

It took three days to clean up the senior center!

God Bless--johnnyb

Ramblings on hump day

Here it is hump day and I still haven't got the things done I was going to do on the uphill side of the week.  I guess there is always tomorrow, and if there isn't a tomorrow, then it won't make any difference.

We got some more layer chickens last week.  Brings us to 16 hens and one horny rooster, foghorn- the self appointed stud muffin of the flock.  He seemed pleased with the addition to his harem.  That is more than I can say for the other hens.  Kind of caused a furor among the older hens.  They will get over it.  The extra eggs are nice.  We give them to family and friends as they need them.  Carol has made some home-made noodles.  They will be nice this winter.  We have been watching the grocery stores for meat to be on sale to use for canning meat.   We have been trying to build up our supplies a little better.

The weather has been nice.  Temps have been in the eighties.  Cooling a little for couple of days with 50 MPH winds today and tomorrow, not gusts, but straight winds. We still have not had any moisture to brag about.  Farmers are planting their winter wheat in hopes that we will get some moisture.  A lot are not too optimistic about it.  I have been working at getting the garden prepared for next spring.  Everything is done for this year.  Wasn't the best of years for gardening.  We are doing more to hopefully improve on the soil conditions for next year.  Carol trimmed back the  asparagus and mulched it for the winter.  She also cut back the raspberries.  I don't mess with them.  Seems like I always come out on the short end of the deal.  It looks like I have been in a fight with a wild cat.

I had some comments to make about the Presidential Debates last night, but have decided against it.  My blood pressure is back to normal and no use setting it off again.


We had supper with our military grandson on Monday.  He is home for a few days.  Always glad to see him and spend a little time chatting.   We have been dog-sitting with our daughter's Yorkies while he is home.  Allergic to dogs.  With 50 MPH winds, I may have to tie an anchor to the little ankle-biters.  They ain't got much lead in their shorts.

Time to feed the chickens.  I hope that the day will be bright for everyone.  If not, please keep a candle lit to help you find the way.

God Bless--johnnyb

Blog-site problems

It seems as though something is messing with my blog site.  Tuesday it wouldn't let me sign in.  Last night I noticed the background had been changed.  I am still working on it. Still have a few changes to make.

God Bless All--johnnyb

Tuesday

What an interesting title!  I am sure that it just really tweaks a person's imagination.  Unless you live in another part of the world,  you would already know it was Tuesday, or at least I hope so.  So you ask yourself, "Self, what could he be writing about that would have such a novel title?"  Well, I hope that maybe I can provide a little insight to that question.  Actually I really don't have a whole lot of wild and wooly things to talk about.  I do have one thought.  Let me re-phrase that!  I have a thought.  Tuesday, to some,  might have a special meaning.  It does to me.  Mainly, the fact that I woke up breathing this morning has a sort of importance to me.  Other thing of importance might be that today is the tomorrow that I put off doing something yesterday.  Today will probably the day that I put off doing something until tomorrow that I had planned on doing today, like burning some trash.  The wind is blowing gale force today, so burning is out.  I may put some of the thistles out and let them blow south at 40 MPH!

Tuesday could be important in the way of birthdays, anniversaries or such things.  I guess everyday has to have some importance to somebody.  We need to be thankful for everyday.   Wow,  I have made a complete circle and convinced myself that the title "Tuesday"  may be an eye-catcher to someone.  I'm sorry that I didn't have anything earth-shattering to say, but you never know.  It could have been something that just changed the world.  (That's a laugh!)

God Bless All-johnnyb

Lessons from Mom

This has been around the web for a while, but always is good for a few truthful laughs:

25 VIRTUES MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
"Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother ! taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, They are going to freeze that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: my mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

Have a good Sunday and God Bless All--johnnyb

Thoughts

Just sitting here drinking my morning coffee, reading the posts from my friends in bloggerville, watching snowflakes fall, and thinking about this post.  My mind is actually kind of blank (not a good description ),  maybe I should say it is wandering aimlessly in the world of no conscious thoughts.  Nothing really new to write about, so why take the time.  Then, lo and behold, a thought did actually materialize.  I don't need anything to talk about.   The important thing, in my opinion,  is the maintaining of a  line of communication.   There may be a time where this may not be possible. It is not so much of a point of what we say, but that we are letting  everyone know that we are still out here and that we are ok or not okay.  I go through my blog list everyday if possible.  The one thing I don't always do is take the time to comment on some of the important issues I read about.  I may look and see there is already 30 comments, and will my comment just be lost in a sea of others, or it is a couple of days down the road.  I apologize for this.  This should not matter.  I will try to do more in the future.  It is always easier to do in the wintertime, but that is just a lame excuse on my part.  I value all the friends that I have made in this electronic age that we live in, and want to continue on that.   I guess my point is, and and I only have my finger pointed in my direction,  if it is no more than a hello, how are you, I will try to do a better job of it.

I really don't know where this all came from, but I sometimes feel guilty when I don't post for a while.  Oh well, just thinking.  And that is scary!!!!  Once again I am not pointing my finger at anyone, but myself.

GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS---johnnyb

Snow

Snow here this morning.  There is no accumulation, just enough to remind us that winter is on the way.  Big flakes and wet.   I wouldn't mind if we had a few inches of it.  The moisture would be appreciated.  Temps have been hovering close to the freezing point.  I covered the tomatoes last nite and will keep them covered for a few days.  Supposed to warm up next week.  Farmers have been trying to get their wheat planted, but just not much moisture in the ground. 

The chickens were a little puzzled this morning with the snow flakes.  They were looking at the flakes as if they should be chasing them.  They are molting now, so egg production is dropping a little.  We still have plenty.  Should be getting our new pullets in the next week or so. 

The dogs were not overly excited with the weather.  They went out and did their morning jobs and came in and went back to bed.  Life is tough. 

Enough rambling--God Bless All---johnnyb

Reasons I love fall

Fall has fell

Fall is starting to show its colors.  As dry as it has been,  I am surprised that the leaves didn't just fall off of the branches.

I enjoy this time of year.  To me it is a relaxing time of year.   The only problem is, there is never time to relax.   We have been getting the garden ready for next year.   The ground where we have our garden is really poor, so it has been a long process trying to amend the dirt.  Hopefully by next year we can have a better garden.  We are doing more composting in the raised beds this winter  and plan on putting in more of them.  I got some newspapers out of the recycling trailer last week, so will be putting them down and covering with a dirt, manure, and other composting materials.  The tomatoes are still producing a few.  They just didn't do well this year.  Carol has canned a few quarts, but nothing like we had planned on.  She canned some apples last week.  Those will be good this winter.

Can't believe it is October already.  I guess time flies when you are having fun.   I hope everyone is doing ok.  My thoughts and prayers go out to anyone who is not.  It makes no difference that I don't know who is and who isn't, or that I don't know who reads this.  My prayers are there anyway.  There is only One who knows and that is what counts.

God Bless--johnnyb

It's a tough life and other musings

Such is the life of a good dog.   It just don't get much better than this. 

 But, do I have to pee bad enough to get up!

I always try to have a camera handy around just in case.    You have to be there at the right time.  This is Dinka, our 9 y/o Lab-Retriever mix.   She has had joint problems and is under medication for them.  Recently we added some glucosomine, which is over the counter.   She can once again get up on her beloved couch and romps a little with the other dogs.  Good to see it happen. 

The lady we got our chickens from called last night.  They wanted to know if we wanted more.  Carol told her we would take 6 more. They are just starting to lay.  We can get them settled in before winter.  Will get them in a week or so.

It was a busy night at the bar and grill on Saturday.  Saturday nite is rib-eye steak night.  They served 80-some steaks.  Good steaks.  18-20 ounces.  On top of that, they also served quite a few pizzas and burgers.  Not bad for a little town of a couple hundred population.  Some Saturday nites they will serve over a hundred steaks.  The bar was two-deep for a while when the dining room was full.  But a good time was had by all.  Lots of beer, good food,  a few games of shuffle board, snooker and eight-ball. Thursday nite is prime-rib nite.  Same deal, 18-20 ounce prime rib.  Usually not as many, 30-40 served. 

I started with a dog story, so I will finish with one:

God Bless All, especially man's best friend---johnnyb

Friday Football and other things

We watched our Grandson play football last nite.  It was a good game as they won 34-12.  4 wins, 2 losses.  Couple of big games coming up and then District play.  Hope they can get into play-offs.

Grandson is the "healthy" one on the left, with a couple of the running backs. He does a good job of blocking for them, as do the other linemen.   Good bunch of boys.  Some of the boys have a chance at college ball. It was a beautiful evening for football.  Light jacket later in the evening.  As usual I had to partake of the food concessions.  Senior parents put it on and I might say they do an excellent job of it.  Brauts, Killer Nachos, popcorn,  plenty of Diet whatever to wash it down and plenty of anti-acid to finish the evening off.  Don't get much better than that.

Haven't got much planned for today.  Maybe a game and a nap, not in any particular order.   Then it will be off to the local bar where I have volunteered my services for the evening.  Gives me a chance to catch up on the local color and gossip.  That is always interesting. 

Not much to add for this post.  I will leave off here before I get to rambling on aimlessly about nothing.

God Bless All--johnnyb

Needs no title