Monday 12-22-08

It is cold today! As of noon, the temp is 32 degrees F. The birds and squirrels are eating to keep warm. Linda & I are staying inside. Not much to do.

The deck of the bridge is complete! We can walk to the other side of the creek. I'm going to add rails and a small truss frame to add strength, although me and a 250 pound neighbor jumped up and down in the middle of the span and nothing broke! Ha!

Wed. we go to Hewitt and return Thursday. We'll spend Christmas Eve and Morning with Jon and his family. Then I work four days. Hope we're not busy.

Got to go. Bye!

Thursday 12-11-08

We had a little snow, sleet, and freezing rain Wednesday night. The following are some photos.

Now comes the strange part. Look closely at the first photo of the falling snow. You can see a small colored orb in the upper right quarter of the photo. Below is an enlarged section of the photo with the orb in the middle. I first thought that a speck of rain or snow had fallen on the camera lens and caused the image. I enlarged the orb part of the photo and was startled to see that the leaves on the small tree is between the lens and the orb! The round glowing ball is from something in the forest. There are no houses or other structures in that direction from our house for .57 miles. The photo was taken from the door into the living room and the camera is pointed almost due north. The bottom of the photo is even with the edge of the creek bank and shows the bottom of the tree trunks. The orb must be at least ten feet or higher from the ground, depending upon it's distance from the camera. I don't believe the glow is a reflection from an owl's eye because we would see two reflections. It could be the reflection of one eye from another bird or animal. It is not there tonight and Linda and I cannot find any light sources through the trees from that direction. In the two photos of the deck the camera is looking toward the same area where the orb was seen but from a slightly different angle. If any of you can enlarge the photo below, you can clearly see that the orb is BEHIND the small tree leaves.... Get my gun, sleep with the lights on tonight!!!

Oh, one more photo:
Bye!

Wednesday Update

WOW! Go to Google Earth, Street View, go to our address and you can see me and Linda at the end of our street. I'm working on the wooden fence and Linda is in the Saturn and has stopped to talk. The photo was taken last Winter. Spooky!!

Plus: The snow is still falling!

Wednesday 12-10-08

It is 7:30 p.m. and sleet and snow is falling heavily!! That's right! We are getting Winter weather! It has been sleeting for a few hours and now the snow is falling on top of the ice. I will certainly have some photos posted tomorrow. Suddenly, I feel cold!! Brrrr.

Tuesday 12-09-08

We left early Friday morning for Muleshoe. I was sniffing and sneezing. Spent Saturday eating allergy meds. Drove back Sunday. Linda started showing symptoms Sunday. Didn't get out of bed Monday until noon. Still taking meds but feel much better. The rain and sickness means the bridge construction is in an idle stage. Rain is expected most of the day.

We drove back from Muleshoe via a different route suggested by the GPS. We saw the most beautiful canyons and landscape! Did not know such pretty terrain was so close to our usual route on IH-20. We stopped in Guthrie, Texas for Wayne to change a tire on the pickup. On several the sides of several building constructed of native store were the numbers "6666". We were at one of the headquarters of the 666 Ranch. Read about it at:

http://www.6666ranch.com/

That's all for now. Bye!!

Tuesday 11-25-08

We went to Lindseyville (near Alto) at 11:00 a.m. to have lunch with Jean & JD. The Bar-B-Que sauce was better than most places we've visited this year. The restaurant is the country-home cooking-family operated kind.

Tomorrow we order the decking and the last of the lumber for the bridge. Rain is forecast for Thursday and then I work 4 days. SO, the bridge construction will be on hold for a while.

Today was a beautiful day - much nicer than either New York or London!! Ha!

Bye!!

Sunday 11-23-08

We have had beautiful Fall weather for the past few weeks. The trees are changing colors although most of them around here are simply brown!

Here is a photo of Ike having his breakfast this morning.

The Bandit River Bridge frame is almost complete. Next will be the truss frame and the deck. I can actually cross the creek with ease now!! Moving, placing, and attaching the 2"x10"x16 ft treated boards was not easy. The muscle ointment was used often and in great quantities!

Bye!!

Wed. 11-19-08

Well, the State of Texas has not changed!! I discovered this afternoon that I must be in Rosharon, Texas tomorrow (Thursday) at 10:00 a.m. at the gun range for annual pistol qualification. See, retired state officers still have to qualify each year in order to legally carry a firearm. We also are photographed for our new identification cards (they expire December 1st each year).

Sure wish I had a few day's notice...

I did get a little work done on the bridge. I bought what I hope is all the hardware except for the screws for the deck.

Bye!!

Tuesday 11-18-08

Yea!!! The west end of the bridge has been poured. A total of 950 pounds of cement has been poured to anchor each end. Tomorrow, I can start placing the main deck supports. We will be in West Texas Friday through Sunday. Hopefully I can get a lot of construction completed before and after the trip.

The pet squirrel occasionally comes to the patio door early in the morning and shakes the screen to get Linda to bring him some breakfast.

Bye!!

Thurs. 11-13-08

The west side of the bridge is beginning to take shape. However, construction will have to stop for the next four days while I attend my part-time job. Hang in there - the grand opening will be soon.

Bye!!

11-12-08 Wednesday

Here is a drawing of the bridge that I intended to build across our creek - known as "Bandit River".

However, budget and labor shortages has resulted in the bridge pictured below:

The object is to get to the other side of Bandit River. This bridge achieves that goal economically.

Tuesday 11-04-08 10:47 p.m.

We have our first Black president. He did not win in Texas but, luckily, the majority of the nation did vote for him and against the Bush Republican Party!!

I feel good about the outcome. I know many people who are outraged at the thought of a Black president. Hopefully we will all support him.

Tuesday 11-04-08 Election Day

Well, Linda & I have pizza for the evening while we watch the election results. I sincerely believe that there should be no election reports until the very last polling place has closed. Fox News is already projecting the results in the few states that have closed. Texas and everyone west of here are still voting. Many people watching the TV could now go vote with the knowledge that, at this early moment, McCain is leading in the popular vote.

It is my opinion that many white voters may publicly claim to have voted Republican when, in fact, they voted for Obama. They do not want to tell their fellow white friends that they voted for a Black man.

I will post again as the election winds down. Bye!

Sun. 11-02-08

It's true! Our youngest is now 29 years old! Good Lord!!!

Construction of the bridge to somewhere has begun. It will resume later this week. A photo will be posted when the thang is finished. That might be later this Spring...

Halloween was quiet. We had about 30 trick-or-treaters. Still have too much left over candy. None of it chocolate, darn!!

We closed the funeral home early today. Linda & I went for a drive. Drove east then north to Hwy 7 through the pretty hills of East Texas. We ate supper at a Nacogdoches bar-b-que restaurant. From there we drove to Forest, Texas near Alto. We went to the house we had considered buying. Yep! It had been sold. Two pickups and a jeep now reside there. We then stopped to visit Wayne and Carolyn for a few minutes before driving back to Lufkin. The total was 116 miles.

Next Saturday, we will be attending the Veterans Day arade in Lufkin. Next Sunday we will be in Rowlett (near Mesquite) for the day to visit Kathy Wright.

That all for now. Bye!!

Thursday 10-30-08

Okay, here's the results of the cardio tests.
The test found an "abnormal myocardial perfusion (blood flow into the tissues) of a small area of mild defect in the inferior wall with partial reversibility at rest." He said that I apparently had a small heart attack in the past! Hah. Don't recall ever having a heart attack. The doctor gave us two options:
1. Assume the test was accurate and treat with meds. The "SPECT Perfusion Imaging test" has a 20% rate of false results.
2. Conduct a cardiac catheterization to determine if the first test was accurate and the exact extent of any blockage.

We are considering the options and will be back at the doctor's office next month.

Thursday 23rd

This blog is "flatbrokekounty". My old blog is "flatbroke-kounty". Does anyone know how I might merge the two??

I went Tuesday to my cardiologist for a routine six-month visit. He had the nurse wire me up for an electrocardiogram. The doctor came back with the results and said that there was a problem. He scheduled me for a series of tests this morning that lasted about 5 hours and included the injection of radioactive isotopes into my blood stream, a very tiring treadmill walk, and several x-rays of my chest. I will get the results next Thursday. I do not sense any irregularity in my heart since I've been taking Sotatol daily. Maybe the clinic simply needed help with this month's rent!!

Ike the squirrel has moved into his own house somewhere north of our deck. He returns to his tree when Linda or I call him and he still prefers to eat the food we provide. Yesterday evening we sat on the deck and Ike hopped onto the deck and licked the salt deposits from several potted plants. He seems to be visiting us and having a chat. Linda and I would talk to him and he would stop whatever he was doing and pay close attention to what we were trying to tell him about his diet and the weight he appears to be adding. After visiting for about 15 minutes, he picked up an acorn from the deck and climbed to the top of the house I made him and ate the acorn. We left him there and went inside. He is getting bigger and really seems healthier than the other squirrels in the area.

The first real cool air has entered East Texas. Tonight's low should be in the low 40's or upper 30's. Time to get some firewood.

Bye!

Thur. 16th

Just came back from Waco. Seems there was a good rain while we were gone. We enjoyed the kids but it is good to get back home.

Need to unpack. Bye!

Sun. 12th

Wow! Jason did well in the Chicago marathon! Good show!!!

Today we found a GPS system for dummies and bought it. Amazing instrument. I have fired it up and told it that we were in Texas, the Central Time Zone, daylight saving time. That darn thing then displayed, in full color, my position facing North at 1909 Dawnwood, Lufkin, Texas. It was using 7 satellites at the time! It warns, by voice and map, of a turn 3/10ths of a mile in advance, 1/1oth of a mile in advance, and at the turn. If you miss the turn, it recalculates your new route and tells you. The thang even warns you verbally if you exceed the speed limit!!! It has a female voice. If it were a male voice, it would say, "*&%$^^##!! You missed th' turn, you **((&&!!"

Ike the squirrel now lives in a wooden box on the side of a Red Oak near our deck. Note: NEAR OUR DECK! He ventures out occasionally and I saw him actually cross the creek once. Most of the time he sleeps under his pillow case cover and eats the food we place in a saucer on the TOP of his house! Yea, he has to move about a foot from bed to plate! Much of the time he lays on his cover with his front paws and chin resting on the edge of his house as he watches the world go by. This morning at about 8:00 a.m. Linda opened the patio door and there sat Ike. He calmly walked into the house, looked around a bit, and walked out again.

We will be in Waco Monday through Thursday while Angie goes through orientation at her new job. We will be keeping Ian occupied as best we can and touring Waco. We will return Thursday evening since I have to work Friday.

Oh, well. Out of here! Bye!!!

Wed. 8th Oct.

It is 8:13 p.m. and Ike the squirrel has not come to the door to be let into the house so that he can sleep in the bed in his cage. I watched him apparently trying to build a pine straw nest just before dark. He was pulling green straw from small twigs and taking them to a small pine tree in the back yard. He has been venturing farther from the deck each day but has always returned to his cage for an afternoon nap and to spend the night. It might be that he has discovered he is not human. Linda just checked outside and did not see Ike.

Sunday evening we will be going to Waco to sit with Ian for three days while Angie goes through the final days of orientation.

That all folks. Bye!!

Mon 29th

Okay - I do not think the taxpayers should be buying the bad investiments made by banks, brokers, etc. who were trying to make big profits at the little guy's expense. The current $700 Billion will become $900 Billion before we know it. Leave it alone and let the market adjust itself.

Sat 27th

We burned two large piles of Ike debris yesterday. The contractors have not yet picked up the piles near the street. We've seen them in other areas, but not here!

We are going to Waco tomorrow, leaving early (6:00ish) and returning late evening. An insurance adjuster is coming to the house Monday - We need to be here. Not much to claim - if anything. Lost the small freezer but our deductible is $500 and a small freezer could be less.

Ike the squirrel is getting bigger and harder to handle. We may let him go Monday or soon afterward. Need to wean him from the bottle. He does eat sunflower seeds, dried or fresh fruit, and dried berries.

Otherwise, nothing happening. Bye!!

Thur 25th (3 months 'til Christmas)

We survived Ike. Still picking up limbs and leaves. We are going to Waco this Sunday for a visit with the kids.

Ike, the squirrel, is growing. His tail is fuller, indicating he is maturing. He prefers indoors and snuggling with either Linda or me. The cat ignores him.

Nothing else to report. Bye!!

Ike Aftermath

Attached are a few photos of our property after Ike came through.

Above is the root-ball of a huge Oak that was blown down. This was the most majestic tree on our property. This photo was taken at a distance of about 200 feet.

The above photo is of the dead Mimosa tree that Ike blew down. This is the only tree in the lawn that was lost. It is now a bridge across the creek.

The limbs shown above are typical of what we found in the yard. The entire forested areas of East Texas are covered with debris like this.

Then, we have feeding time for Ike the Squirrel. He is about 4 or 5 weeks old, fell from his nest before Ike struck, and can put away 4 teaspoons of formula in a flash.

We survived with minimal damage. If the electrical grid was buried, away from falling trees and limbs, we would not suffer periods without electricity after wind storms!!!

Wednesday, 09-17-08

Electric power was restored to our home at 3:00 p.m. today!!! The noise of the neighborhood generators has stopped. We can hear again!!! I will soon have photos of Ike's rampage through Lufkin.

Fri 12th

We are still awaiting Ike. As of 8:22 p.m., we have had a few breezes and one light sprinkle of rain, but nothing else! I am certain that Saturday morning will bring home the fact that a hurricane is approaching.

We have a new pet. Our neighbor found a young squirrel on his patio. About 4 or 5 weeks old. He is a male, has all of his hair but does not have any fear of humans. We have him in a small plastic cat-carrier. He drinks formula from a bottle and sleeps a lot. Cute little bugger. We have named him "Ike". Go figure!!

I will update the storm Saturday morning - if we have power....

Thur. 11th

I have been thinking since Tuesday that IKE would make landfall closer to Beaumont than predicted. As of 4 pm this evening, the projected landfall has moved east, closer to Houston.

Lufkin could get some really bad weather Saturday. The forecast just announced that IKE could still be a cat 1 hurricane as it neared Lake Livingston.

Get all the animals into the Ark NOW!!

Wed. 10th

Did not go to Waco. Linda remembered a Dr. appt. May go Fri. if IKE does not cause problems.

My prediction: IKE will strike near the Tex/La border. I've followed the track and it has continued to move Northwest. Draw a line from the island it crossed just before Cuba to the present location and extend that line to the U.S. Coast...!

Sun 7th

Watch for Ike to visit your neighborhood soon.

You will not believe how lucky some people are!!! The first photo is a close-up. The pickup went through the guard rail, struck the culvert, flipped, and landed where you see it. The second photo shows how close the driver came to meeting the local Undertaker!!!

Sat 6th

I heard "Amazing Grace" sung in French at a funeral in Orange, Texas Friday! Wow!!

Thur 4th

Back from a quick trip to Beaumont to meet the movers and get Jon's condo moved. Linda & I packed until 1:30 a.m. Wed, slept for about 2 hrs, then cleaned the place after the movers left.

We no longer have any attachment to Southeast Texas, Golden Triangle, or Jefferson County!!! YEA!!

Glad Gustav is gone. However, Hanna might cause Nikki some heartburn Sunday. She moved from the earthquake state to NY and suddenly might be facing a hurricane. Wow!

Tomorrow, Friday, I have to take a funeral coach to Orange and help on a funeral down there. Darn!~~

Next Tuesday we plan to go to Waco and help the kids unpack. Surely they will have unpacked most boxes by then..?? Think so??

Bye!

Tues 2nd

Gustav has brought us just a little light rain and a gentle breeze so far. This morning the center was not far northeast of us but we are on the calm, drier side. The neighborhood was prepared for the worst. I parked our cars on the side street away from the trees. Everyone moved their lawn and patio furniture into their garages and generally secured everything left out doors. At 8:56 a.m. there is no sunlight - skies are dark, a gentle, misty rain is falling, and tree leaves are hardly moving. It is very still outside - like a cold Winter morning. I think the weather will return to normal very soon.

Then there's Hanna and Ike!

Bye!

Thur 28th

We will be in Beaumont Sat and Waco Sunday helping Jon move. Hope the storm does not cause problems - like an evacuation that clogs up IH-35. A moving co. will load and unload their belongings. All we have to do is help with the packing and unpacking. This weekend will be the last move in the family for the foreseeable future. Nikki has settled into New York, Jon will be settled into Waco, and Kathy will be moving soon to a new house. We will not be helping Kathy.

I ran the generator for a few minutes today and we will stock up on necessities tomorrow when Linda gets home from Beaumont. I do not want to go through another hurricane!!!!

Tues 19th

We have had RAIN! 1.8 inches yesterday and more coming down today. Looks like "Fay" might head toward East Texas. That would bring too much water.

Nothing else happening. Bye!

fri.15th

Nikki has safely made the road trip to NY. Thank the Lord!

We had a HEAVY rain this afternoon while we were waiting for Wayne and Carolyn to arrive. We took them out to eat since today was their anniversary. Ate too much!! Heck, I do that every time we eat out!

Bye!

Thur night Update 10:12 pm

Nikki just called. They made it to Staunton, Virginia where they will spend the night. The first leg on Wednesday was 540.73 miles. Today they covered 650.56 miles! Total milage is now 1,191.29! Linda and I plan to make the same trip later this year.

Thurs. 14th

Nikki and Sofie are in Eastern Virginia for the night - just a few miles west of Washington D.C.
They plan to arrive in NY tomorrow. The car needs to be returned by 11:00 a.m.

We have had a total of three inches of rain in the past few days. A BIG log floated down the creek and, of course, jammed against a grape vine near the house. I'll need to get my chainsaw and cut it up tomorrow. Odd, how the trees make it all the way to OUR house before they get caught in the creek and I have to remove them!!

I hope Nana Puddin doesn't recognize any relatives at the zoo Saturday. We have tried to keep that part of the family tree a secret.

Bye!!

Wed. 13th

Nikki and Sophi left for New York City this morning at 10:00 a.m. and were in Little Rock at 5:30 p.m. They plan to take three days to drive the 1554 miles. Nikki rented a PT Cruiser and it was packed to the max. Literally, objects were shoved into every nook and cranny. The doors were forced shut. A big bump in the road could cause an explosion!!!

Okay! Just during the past four days - Jon was hired for a good job in Waco, Nikki is headed for the Big Apple, Jon is being paid to paint murals in Dallas, we now have a second car, and we had 3 inches of rain. Everything seems to be leveling out, settling down, improving. We have really been worrying about Jon's employment and Nikki's move. Both are apparently turning out very well. Linda and I can now plan our own ocassional trip, to Waco, NY, Oklahoma, New Mexico, or where ever we may want to go!!

We need to stop going to the Atkinson Candy Co.!!! We sent three bags with Nikki and kept a few for ourselves.

Bye!

Good News - Mon. 11th

The TV station in Waco has hired Jon as the graphics member of their creative team. YAHOO! He finally will have insurance and benefits.

Nikki is here. Tomorrow we are going to Houston Bush Int. Airport to pick up a rental car for the drive to NY.

Hope the rain makes it to our house!!
Bye!

Sun 10th

Nikki will arrive tonight from San Diego on her way to New York City.
She and a co-pilot, left SD Sat morning and by next Friday morning, they will have driven completely across the US in a small car loaded with household items.

Bye!

Sun. 3rd

A major TV station in Waco wants to interview Jon for a position there. The station is covering his trip expenses, including motel. We are driving to Beaumont tomorrow (Monday) to pick up Dyllin who does not want to go to Waco. Jon, Angie, and Ian will go Tuesday morning and stay two or three days there.

Earlier in the year, Jon drew new mascot images for a high school in Dallas where Mark teaches. The school has already had the logo painted into the center of the gym floor. Now they want Jon to paint the logo on a wall inside the school. They have agreed to pay Jon $5,000.00 to paint the mural. SO, when he gets through with the Waco interview, he, Angie, & Ian will drive to Dallas to visit with the high school administration ref: the logo. All that traveling may be wet and windy because of the new storm in the Gulf.

While our temp was 101f this afternoon, a line of severe thunderstorms moved through the area from the northeast. We received a good rain with no damaging wind or hail. NOW, a tropical storm has popped up in the Gulf south of New Orleans. It is forecast to grow into a minor hurricane before if moves into Texas Tuesday morning near Houston. That means that Lufkin should get plenty of rain beginning Monday evening and continuing for several days. We will see if the creek can handle a lot of rain. While the creek was dry this week, I removed some debris and cut some roots and stumps that had been creating log jams. We'll see what happens.

Fri 1st

Okay, Here's another Eastern State that uses North, South, East, West, and Center in the names of the town. Notice how many I found. See if you can find some I missed.

Whhhh? This is August?! Now we will see some HOT weather!!

Just like the past few days - too hot to go outside - tomorrow and Sunday may be hotter with heat indexes around 105F or 106F!!. All vegetation is dying if it is not being watered. Some lawns are already brown and trees are showing Fall colors!

That's all. Bye!

Thur. 31st

Goodbye July. Hello August!

Otherwise, see last posting.

Wed update

I noticed that in many Eastern States the people who named the cities seemed to be too lazy to try to think up unique names - they just added North, South, East, West, or Center to an existing nearby city name and let it go at that. They is not common in Western States. Maybe people who traveled West to the Frontier had more individualism or something. You will need to enlarge the attached photo of the Cape Cod area to see the cities that I have noted. Look at maps of other Eastern States and you will find the practice to be oddly common. Weird!

Wed. 30th

Hot! That is spelled H-O-T!! We are putting water on the lawn just to keep the grass alive.

Nikki will be here in less than 2 weeks. She arrives late on the 10th of August and heads for NY on the 13th. When the trip is over, she will have driven from San Diego to New York City. That makes the trips to Muleshoe and Oklahoma seem like a drive around the block.

Nothing more to report. Bye!

Mon. 28th

On Friday a second auto crash in a few months occurred in from of the FH. It took out the fire hydrant and our water meter. Temporary water fix allowed us to stay open through the weekend. Today we watched the plumbers install new back flow valves and meter. We finally had water at about 4:45 p.m. just as visitors began arriving for a visitation.

I have to work tomorrow (Tuesday) because of vacations. It's gonna be a hot one!!

Bye!

Sun. 27th

The car thermometer at 4:00 pm showed a cool 102 degrees!! Flowers are wilting even though we are trying to water them often.

Jean did get the turtle. She said that it was an old female but Jean had her cleaned and fed after they were back in Alto.

Nothing to report. Bye!

Sat 26th

It is much too hot to be outside. We had no funerals today so it was a sit-and-drink-coffee day, oh, and some housecleaning. Nothing is scheduled for tomorrow so we may have another quiet day.

Our new funeral coach has arrived. Slightly bigger that the older one.

Nothing else to report. Bye!

Fri. 25th

Long day. I'm watching the Raccoon eat out back.

Just got a call from Jean. Yesterday,I found a small box turtle in the back yard and called her to ask if she wanted it. OF COURSE! So the turtle has been inside an old clothes hamper. I was intending to drive her (it is a girl turtle) to Alto after work but when I called Jean, no one answered. They were at a local diner. She and JD will be in Lufkin tomorrow so she will come by and get the turtle. I'll be at work and Linda will be at an event at the Expo Center so the turtle will be in the hamper outside the front door. All that for a turtle!!???

Ok, that's it folks!

Thur. 24th

Shucks! My 10 day week-end is coming to an end - I have to work the next four days. I see that we have a graveside tomorrow. Not bad, except for the heat.

I walked through the area where I might build the storage building and cut lots of vines. There really is not a good spot for the building. Too many big holes, trees, vines, and stuff. But we must have a storage building so I will proceed- probably after Nikki leaves in early August.

We had just enough rain to dampen the driveway! The radar showed lots in the area. BY THE WAY - check out the "interactive radar"at KTRE.COM. It is cool!! It uses the radar and satellite images over the Google Earth images. You can zoom in to any area in the country ( or maybe the world) and see if there is precipitation falling.

Out of here! Bye!

Wed. 23rd

We drove to Beaumont and back today. Visited with Jon's family and took Dyllin shopping for a few school clothes. We all went to Ryan's Steak House for our typical "lunch in Beaumont". While driving back this evening, we could see some huge thunder storms north of us. None were in Lufkin, as it turned out!! That means more sprinkler tomorrow.

Bye!

Tues 07-22-08

All the visitors have gone to their respective homes. We had to go to Wal-Mart and get a few things. Otherwise, the day was spent watering the lawn and watching the Raccoons.

Tomorrow we are going to Beaumont to visit and get Linda's haircut. Should be rainy tomorrow, especially in the Beaumont area. The hurricane may bring us a little rain but nothing other than that.

Out of here.

Bye!

21st

Nothing much. Took the car to KIA and had the oil changed and tires rotated & balanced. Ronnie, Tisha, Carolyn, and Wayne were here most of the day. We ordered pizza for supper. They just left.

Too hot to work outdoors. The "Storm" in the Gulf may bring us some rain during the week. That could bring a few hours of cooler temps.

Bye!

20th

We had company this week-end from Oklahoma and Muleshoe. Joann and Harold drove down Friday from Locust Grove, OK. Ronnie drove in from Muleshoe to get a tractor he had left at Wayne's last month. We had an enjoyable time. Joann & Harold left this morning and Ronnie will leave Tuesday.

OKAY! Here is our latest final decision. We should stay in this house, complete the projects we have planned to do from day-one, and forget about moving out of town. We need new gutters, a bridge, a storage building, and a roof over part of the patio deck. More dirt and grass should be added to some areas of the property and additional items (mostly junk) stored over the garage.

Bye!

Thursday

We did tour the house on Menefee this morning. It was not as nice as I had thought. It does have a lot of room. The garage has been enclosed and would be a fantastic train room. I think we would have to do a lot of renovating if we bought it. But, it does have everything we have been wanting: lots of storage in the floored attic with stairs (not a ladder), train in the garage, no close neighbors (on a corner with 0.753 acres), big yard, double carport, near everything, and it could be beautiful.

The we realized that we have not lived in the current house for more than two years so we might get hit with a big capitol gains tax if we sold the house in which we now live. There is ALWAYS a government hand grabbing for something we have!!

Joann and Harold arrive tomorrow for a visit and Ronnie is coming from Muleshoe. We should have a busy week-end.

Bye!

Wed.

We had a funeral in Diboll with burial on private property in Wells. Odd. The family had cleared a small area about the size of a house and we buried the lady there. The large family lives on the property in several neat homes. Now they have the family cemetery there.

We are going with our realtor to look at a house here in Lufkin tomorrow morning. It is not in the country but it has more room and storage than we have now.

Bye.

Tuesday??

Humm. We cut or pulled a few weeds from flower beds this morning, went to Wally World for a few things, and looked at a house on Menefee at Raguet. 3 Br, 3 Bth. 2600 Sq Ft, 0.753 acres in the city, third floor storage, slate roof, room for my trains!!

Tried to get our realtor to meet us there for a tour but she never called back. I work extra tomorrow so we may try Wednesday.

Bye!

Mon

We are having a HEAVY rain at the moment. Lightening & thunder & lots of rain.

I had planned to get the lumber for the bridge this week but now I have to work Wednesday = two church services in opposite ends of the county.

Nothing else to report. Bye.

Ho Hum

Hot day - nothing to report.

Sat

Worked until about 1:00 pm and then went to the Black reunion at Ratcliff Lake. It was just too hot to do much other than sit in the shade with a cold drink! Had a good visit and really enjoyed the company. Glad everybody could see me!!

Spent the remainder of the evening at home watering the grass and flowers.

Bye!

Thursday

We went to Ramona's today and then to her neighbor's to pick figs. I don't think I have mentioned this amazing discovery:

Wwwaaayyy back in 1963, while I was still a high school senior or had just graduated, I was working at Oakley-Metcalf Funeral Home. We had the ambulances then. One night we were called to a wreck on Hwy 59 North near the Angelina River Bridge. A Volkswagen Beetle had struck a huge bull that had wandered out of someone's pasture. A lady in the middle of the back seat was thrown through the sunroof of the Beetle. She landed in the roadway and was then struck by another vehicle trying to avoid the Beetle. That lady died. Ramona's neighbor was telling me that since her mother was killed in a wreck in 1963... I stopped her and asked where the wreck had happened and she said on Hwy 59 to Nacogdoches near the river bridge. I asked if her mother had been riding in a Volkswagen that struck a bull. She said that was it! I told her that I had been in the ambulance that transported several of the injured to the hospital. She then told me that she and her husband had been in the Beetle and both had been injured. I actually remember that a total of six people were in that little car and only a young girl was uninjured. This lady told me that the young girl was her sister.That accident and another on Hwy 59 below Diboll (both parents killed & two daughters survived) near the Neches River bridge are two that I vividly remember from those years.

Our home insurance agent told us not to buy a frame home if it is farther than 5 miles from the city and preferably buy only a brick house. Otherwise our insurance cost would just about double. Can't buy the Forest House!! Still thinking about one in Huntington.

Saturday is the big reunion at Ratcliff Lake. I have to work at least until noon unless we have several deaths Friday. Otherwise, we will arrive after 5:00 p.m.

No rain today! Bye!

Wed

Had to work today - 3 services and people on vacation. It was hot - super hot. May need to work tomorrow.

A realtor we know, and to whom we are actually related, called today and wants to appraise our house. She also asked us to look at a home for sale. We might.

Tuesday

Linda & I took the cat to the vet for shots. Never met a person as rude as the older lady running the front office. I thought a rain cloud had moved overhead so I peeked through the wooden shutters on the wall across the waiting room from her desk. (Small window about four feet off the floor.) She stated, "We don't open those!" I looked at her and asked, "We don't?" She said that they caused a glare. The window was sooooo dirty that very little sun could shine through. Linda's cousin asked how much was the charge for her dog's shots and the lady said, "55 dollars! You weren't listening!" This vet is on Locke Street.

Did get a small rain in the past hour. Just enough to leave wet spots on the deck.

Priced lumber for the bridge. Maddux Building Material was the least expensive by quiet a bit and they don't charge for local delivery. McCoy's was way too high and charged for local delivery. Lowe's was in the middle and I don't think they deliver.

Update to update

8:36 p.m.: Raccoon Kits are weaned at about two months. These four in our yard are then at least two months old. This is the first time we have seen them so today could be their first day to eat "real" food - at least human food. (checked the internet ref: baby raccoons)

Update

8:20 pm= we are watching a mother raccoon and her four youngsters eating in the back yard. Daddy raccoon is hanging around and watching. The little ones look like they are a few months old or less - can't tell for sure.

Mom ate first, let Dad eat a little, and then she left to get the little ones hiding nearby.

Monday 6:54 p.m.

RAIN - water falling from the sky in the form of large drops. Oops-it stopped? Will it resume???
Radar shows storm to the South moving North - toward us. Usually the rain storms split and go around us!! Yep, this one will likely do that!

We cleared more brush today. One can actually walk up to the edge of the creek and see all the trash now. What a pretty sight! Colorful plastics, a big piece of yellow carpet draped seductively across a rotting log, and something that is red and white plastic with a white metal frame of some kind. We even have high milage tires (black walls), a push mower, lumber, and plastic bags. Yum-Yum!!

Hum- still raining lightly. Will this one actually help--- THUNDER!~ Whoa, we may yet get some water. Thunder getting louder--- rain is very light.

Gotta go- Linda just announced that supper was ready.

PS: Nanna Puddin - I coated the pole with grease straight from my grease gun. They still managed to climb it with a running start.

NOTE: 7:07 p.m. -Rain is pouring down! A real gully washer!

Er--Sunday, I think.

Bought two swivel/rockers and glass topped table for the deck. They are comfy.

Nothing else happening. Slow, lazy day. Tomorrow, I need to go price lumber at another lumber yard and find out what they charge for delivery. MUST get the bridge built so we can use the property across the creek. I now plan to build a "Queenpost Truss" style bridge. Less lumber and it looks neat.

Bye!

Planning

Been standing out back by the creek with a cup of coffee trying to imagine a bridge crossing the creek without impeding the water flow. Think I have it! A "through truss" like the railroads use. It is not a complicated design. The frame is above the roadway and creates a bracing effect against the end supports to prevent sag in the middle. The entire bridge will need to be about 18 feet long and 5 feet wide. I found on the Internet that a 2"x8" board can span 13'4" and carry a good load. I plan to place 6 of the 2x8's one foot apart with a brace at 9 feet. Should be enough to support the lawn tractor and a trailer load of something - 1,000 pounds of less.

Squirrels are cute. Squirrels in bird feeders are a pain in the @#^^%**!!! I pile corn and sun flower seeds on the ground and in pans but, NO, we have one that MUST eat the same stuff from the bird feeder on the pole!!! He has learned to run when I walk onto the deck. The other three or four feed on the ground, as squirrels are supposed to do..

OUT OF HERE!

4th

I am full of Bar-B-Que ribs and good sausage cooked on our very own grill. I was surprised that it tasted soooooooo good!!

Carolyn ate with us since Wayne is in Muleshoe for about three weeks.

Looks like we have decided not to move. If we spot something terrific in the future, we might move, or if the city complains about our bridge and storage plans. Not going to get a permit - the construction will not cross or abut any other person's property, including the city.

Happy 4th. We might go see the firecracker display produced by Ross and Brenda tonight.

Thursday

I attended the funeral for Mrs. Audrey Tucker this morning at the O'Quinn Baptist Church. Ms Tucker was a member when we attended O'Quinn back there in the late 50's (That's the late 1950's). Her husband, S. M. Tucker, was a deacon. He died in 1983. I felt strange, being inside O'Quinn for the first time in probably 50 years! I actually recognized Ms Tucker's oldest daughter and her husband. Nothing stays the same or lasts forever.

Went down the road after the funeral to visit the fireworks tycoon. They are selling enough explosives to equip a good sized army. Maybe that's why Ross grew a beard and Brenda wears a turban...

After I spread an entire bag of fertilizer, we had an unexpected good, heavy rain. Now the grass will grow fast and mowing will follow.

Should we move or stay here!???! Really do need more room. I could build a storage building across the creek... the Corp of Engineers might complain...

Oh, well. We'll see if something pops up that we really like.

Wed.

Mowed, edged, trimmed, watered, rested.
Nothing new on the moving idea.

Tuesday

We looked at the outside of a house in Huntington today and plan to try to visit the place with a realtor tomorrow. The house was once owned, and probably designed, by an artist named Forman. She apparently had a studio built onto the two-car garage and another studio or plant room attached to the back. The yard (1.7 acres) appears to have been planted with several varieties of trees. The place looks great on the outside so we will try to see the inside.

Sun

Looked at another house this evening. Old home that has been refurbished - new plumbing, wiring, central heat/air, with a little more than three acres. In another county. Twenty-five miles from our present house. Hardwood floors, 3 br, 1 bath, sun room, front porch, car port, and about a dozen large Pecan Trees. $79,000.00 and has been reduced. Thinking about it but .....

Sat

We closed shop at about 1:00 pm today. Nothing going on. We have not even had a thunderstorm this evening. The forecast predicted a good chance today. Missed!!

Friday

Worked today. We had one funeral. No others scheduled. This may be a quiet weekend.

I need lumber for a bridge over our creek - five feet wide and 18 feet long. That will be a PROJECT! We need to cross the creek in order to build a storage building. Not enough room on our lot.

Think I'll go to be early tonight. I'll be back at the FH tomorrow.

Camera

We are now equipped with a WEB-Cam and as soon as I figure out how to use it you will be treated to almost live coverage of the exciting events in and around this house.

This has been a wet day. The new grass has sprouted. The bare spots seem to be growing a green beard.

Ronnie, Wayne, and Carolyn were here this evening. We had fried chicken and watermelon. Doesn't that sound southern!! The Racoons are eating the left-over watermelon. There will be several Racoons with upset stomachs tonight!!

Storms

A second wave of thunderstorms has brought us more rain today. Looks like everything is soaked. We needed the rain and the temp has dropped into the 70's. WHOA! A big lightening strike just lit the room! I like storms - as long as there is no damage. We were at Doris Conner's house this evening and she has a large limb down in her yard and laying partially on her garage roof. I'll go over there in a few days and cut it up.

Ronnie is in town to buy two tractors. We'll visit tomorrow.

Gone for now.

PS: I cut into a bumble bee nest today while clearing some brush! None of them got me but they were sure looking for whatever tore up their house. I can still move rather well when those little boogers are around. Sprayed them later - think I got them all.

It is a hot, hot, hot day! A big thunderstorm is approaching from the south. Perhaps we will get some rain and cooler air. Linda & I have been cutting and burning bushes and vines off the vacant lot. They grow back fast. We can now see into the creek at that end of the property and have spotted some interesting stuff. One thing appears to be a brightly colored plastic tent or pool or something with a metal frame. Found in the weeds a rusty, bent/mangled lawn mower, push type. Looks like someone beat it with a big hammer - it is really smashed! Lots of large size lumber in there, also. May try to pull some of that out. There also appears to be a big trash pile with every kind of junk or trash in it.

Not looking at houses today,

Later.

Not really a good day. Cannot find a house that we like, want, can afford, etc. Some have a little acrage but a septic tank and butane heat/stove. Some have good utilities but the lot is .23 acre! We will keep looking but.....

House huntin'

We looked at and into several houses today. Found out that Hudson taxes are HIGH. Looked at one in Keltys - apparently it has been sold because surveyor stakes were planted at the corners. Brenda showed us one that is the leading contender as of today, but it had neighbors close-by. We looked at another in Hudson that was TRASHED OUT. It has potential and 3/4 of an acre but it would require a lot of work. Looked at another on Hwy 706 with 3 acres (including a small lake) It was also TRASHED. We found it in the paper and -WOW- somebody wants way too much money for that place.

There is a two story on South First street that we may look at. It is big, has a small lot, and is still in town but it is beautiful. The taxes on the two story is about what we are paying here.

We are still looking and are in no hurry. Outside the city with an acre or two is still our #1 target - OR stay here and finish the projects that need to be done - bridge, gutters, erosion control, STORAGE building, etc..

WHAT?

My goodness! I have not been blogging since April???? WOW! However, in my defense, not much has happened since April!

We did spend a few days in a place called "Muleshoe, Texas". That's where God dumped all the extra sand, heat, and tumble weeds. It was hot while we were there. We also went to Clovis, Portalis, and Lubbock. We brought back several antiques that were being stored in Ronnie's late Father-in-Law's buildings.

We are actually sorta looking for another house... This one is simply too small, no storage, high taxes. Sine the house was re-built, the City decided that it was worth more so the appraised value went up. We pay twice the taxes that our neighbors do. We cannot build a storage building on the lot without placing it almost against the north side of the house because there are drainage easements on two sides of the lot!!

We are not aggressively look for another house, but we are checking all the internet realestate sites. We want more room but would prefer city water and sewer in an area where taxes are lower.

Oh, well. I'll try to write more often.

SICK!

Ill, whatever! Linda & I have been suffering sinus problems since March 24th. We take medication every day, several times a day, and still have the problem. Aches and pains, sore throat, sinus pressure, etc!

Both Toby and Rosie have had or are now suffering from Chicken Pox since San Diego. Kathy and Jason have had to postpone two flights so far. They should have returned to London last Saturday but they are still here. Jason flies to New York Monday for a meeting and will return Wednesday. They now plan to return to London next Friday.

Tomorrow (Monday) we are going to try to get Dr. Wells to prepare two letters for British Airways - One to say that Rosie has the Chicken Pox and the second to say that she is not contagious.

Out of here!

The London kids arrive tomorrow - Tuesday - late in the evening.

Sandy Ago Photos

This is where we stayed - second floor. Not a Motel 6!

At the college just before graduation ceremony.

Rosie, Jason, Toby

A view of IH-5 from the bridge to Balboa Park.

Nikki's office at the University of California at San Diego.

Beautiful Bird of Paradise flowers were everywhere!

At Easter Sunday brunch near the beach in La Jolla.

Resting in Balboa Park. BIG PARK!!

This is an oddly shaped Pine in Balboa. It's flat on top!

Leaving SD - Above the pools is La Jolla. The planes do climb Fast!! We

had just taken off and I had to level the camera!

Trip

We returned home Monday evening from our trip to Sandy Ago, CA. Nikki now has her Masters Degree! It was an interesting four days. We spent most of our time in La Jolla - that's La Hoy Ya. (People out there don't speak common English.) We ate a lot - a whole lot! Italian and local foods. All were foreign, ya might say.

Linda & I really did find the area very interesting and extremely pretty. There are trees growing out there that I never imagined. Weird trees, odd trees! The houses were built into the side of the mountains with parts of some houses extending into thin air. If you took a leak off the back deck, it would evaporate before it hit the ground!

Traffic was not bad, really. We were able to scoot around the area without any traffic jams.

I have photos and will post them soon.

Raccoon out back eating corn already - It's not even dark yet. BYE!

The weather forecast has warned us of possible hail and lots of rain beginning late tonight and into Tuesday. Our neighbors, Roger and Carolyn, have parked their beautiful 1992 Cadillac in the garage of the unoccupied house next door to them. We have no place to park our car!!! If we get damaging hail I suppose we will have a damaged car - and house roof!

I think Linda & I will sleep in the Humble area Thursday night so we can be at the Bush Airport by 8:00 a.m. Friday. Don't feel like leaving here early Friday and getting into Houston traffic at 7:30 a.m.

Bye!

Linda & I worked in the yard all day. I think I hauled four trailers of leaves and limbs to the vacant lot and burned two trailers full. We need more grass and about two loads of top soil. We'll get that after the kids leave.

Saw where a small snake crawled across the mud in the bottom of the creek. First sign I've seen of any kind of snake in the creek.

Gone again. Later.

Krimnal Justice Bulletin

This just in from New York!

Worked in the yard today. I spotted three big web worm nests and had to cut some limbs to get to them. They are no longer a problem! Linda bought MORE Easter stuff for the two grandkids that will be in San Diego with us on Easter. I think the candy will melt before we get it into a cool place.

Joe came by this morning on his way to work. Some people still do that, I hear. He works whenever the funeral home has a service and there was two today.

Out of here for awhile.

Haven't been here for awhile.
Yesterday, we went to the blueberry patch in Silsbee and then into Beaumont to visit the kids. Ian is really growing. Angie was at work so we missed her. Jon, Dyllin, and Ian were home.
That trip seems to get longer each time we go but we enjoy the visits.

Next week (21st) we go to San Diego for Nikki's graduation. The trip should be a new experience. Kathy and her family will also be there. We return on the 24th and Kathy, Jason, Toby, and Rosie come to Lufkin to visit awhile. We plan to have one of those "family gatherings" while they are here - maybe at the "store" in Beulah. The weather in East Texas should be rather warm for the London folks. The forecast for Friday, the 14th, is for temps in the 80's!!

I had to move two logs in the creek. The last big rain floated them in from somewhere. They were too heavy to pull out so I cut them in half and stacked them against the bank. Hope they will help stop the erosion. Had to use my come-a-long to move'em.

Mowed our lawn and the front lawn of the empty house across the street where the fire occurred several months ago. The inside of that house is gutted - only bare rafters and wall studs in the master bedroom. The lady living there (Linda) let the house go back to the mortgage company because the smell could not be removed.

Last Sunday, while at work, we had a funeral service at Sandflat Cemetery with the Rev. Ross Black officiating. Brenda sat with the "older gray headed ladies". HA!!

Good day!!

More of nuthin'

More of nuthin'

Feb. 1st

Well, here it is February 1st - already!! Where has time gone? Going to Canton Saturday - May God have mercy on my soul!!

Another day

Weather is too bad to be outside, so - new cartoon.

Kommand Center opened!

2008

Too cold to work outside so I drew two new cartoons using the strip format - may use that format more in the future,