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.