HAD SEVERAL STORMS......

the past few days.  Soaking, badly needed, rain.  Probably over 2 inches.  But, any rain is a blessing, since things are so dry.  Not much else going on.  Sorta in a blue funk, again.  It'll pass.  Things just don't feel right.  Don't know why.  Kinda waiting for the other shoe to drop.  Maybe I need to stop at the gun shop.  It's been a while.......

Later..............

THERE WERE 14.........

at breakfast this morning.  Had a great time, as usual.  Not talking politics seems to be the answer.  On the way home, Lois called me to say they were going to supper tonight at the other restaurant.  Hey, I'm helping the local economy!!!!  Anyhow, then she tells me she fell at the appliances store and broke her foot, screwed up her knee (not the replacement one) messed up her elbow and on and on.  Girl's gonna need a keeper sooner than later.  She fell last year and broke her little finger.  Gotta go, hang out wash,

Later..................

WELL, GUESS I'D BETTER MOW........

it's not too hot out, slight breeze blowing.  Since I must go to the dentist tomorrow at 10:30, then do some errands for dad while I'm in town, the day will be shot.  Calling for storms, Thursday and Friday.  We need the rain, for sure.  I broke down and turned on the A/C, for the dogs, of course.  Last month, the electric bill was $40 higher, but, it was worth it.

Went to supper last night with Artie, Ross, his grandson, Michael, and, Lois.  They were all at the restaurant on Sunday night, but didn't call me, used to, whatever.  So, I went up to pay my bill and saw a lady that was a good friend of Joyce, my best friend that passed away in 2007.  I sat down and talked with her, she will be 87 in December.  Sweet woman.  I enjoy older people.  We had a great conversation for about 45 minutes, and, after saying good bye to her, I paid my bill and went back to the table and everyone had left.  Oh, well.

Later.............

UPDATE:  Got the yard mowed, put the mower in the barn, fixed lunch....thunder, lightening, whoa.  Quick, put windows up on vehicles, get in flag, get in house, get shower.  Then, it was over, just a quick as it came.  Damn, coulda kept it up all day.  Went to dad's and helped him put a gasket on the Farmall H.  The brother from next door came over to borrow a rake and shovel.  He had to burn the mattress, box spring and bed linen from his brother's bed, and, he needed to clean up the ashes and metal.  Seems the guy was dead for 10-12 hours before he was found, so, it was quite a mess.  The other neighbors were telling dad this morning and kinda chuckling about him burning everything, but, I guess they are too stupid to realize what a body will do when it dies.  He had no choice.  Trash truck certainly wouldn't have taken it.  After the autopsy is done, he's not even going to claim the body.  There is no money for burial, and this way the state will cremate him and dispose of the ashes.  So sad.

Later, again.

THE SCANNER SPEWED OUT THE ADDRESS....

of dad's road.  My ears perked up.  It was next door at the school house apartments.  Cardiac Arrest.  Mmmmmmmm, both apartments have young tenants, could it be the wrong address and actually be dad's place?  Called, no answer, quickly got dressed, grabbed Archie, headed over.  The ambulance was at the school house.  The two brothers that I'd mentioned in an earlier posts...........the oldest one found the younger one dead in bed this morning.  He was already blue, so, must've passed in the night.  The other neighbors are saying it was a drug od.  The cops were there, so I guess that's how it is being treated.  Such a shame, to die so young, of your own foolish habits.

Later...............

QUIET SUNDAY............

at least that's what I tell the dogs.  Only one open carriage and one buggy went past the house this morning.  That was before I got out of bed, then, while walking Archie in the back yard, a young man went by on a scooter.  My house is in the bottom of a valley, sorta a small bowl, with slight hills all around.  The biggest hill is towards the village.  These kids hunker down on their scooters at the top of that hill and by the time they pass my house, they are FLYING!  And, he was.  He was pass the house, almost to the bridge by the time the dogs noticed him.  Archie and Coco just barked, but, Daisy went running past me like a race horse.  Funny.  Anyhow, this will be a Quiet Sunday with few Amish going by.  I'll be able to watch the British Open in peace.

Had a nice lunch by the river yesterday with Sue and Sarah.  Got on line yesterday and outta 14 reviews, 9 were very bad.  I told the girls, they agreed we would see for ourselves.  When we got there, I mentioned to the hostess about the reviews and she told me they have a new chef.  OK.  Well, we got a LOT of attention from 3 different waitresses, the hostess was at our table, the manager stopped by and then the chef came over.  I guess they were concerned?  I didn't mention the reviews to get all of this attention, but, we assured them that the food was excellent, the wait staff was attentive and, of course, the view of the river was excellent.  Last night, I got on the web site and put in my own review saying how great the place was.  Hope it helps.  Gotta go, fix breakfast, or lunch, whatever.

Later.............

COUSINS..............

This has been a week for cousins.  Monday, had supper with Jack and wife, Wednesday, got several emails from Terry in NJ and today, Faye came to my house and we met for the first time!  Her dad and mine were buddies as teenagers.  They are 21 months apart, and, outta 24 grandchildren, dad was the oldest and Billie was next.  We had a great time, she came about 9 and left at 3.  Gave me some cool family stuff, and I gave her a pic of her parents wedding and one of her great-great grandfather, with two grand children, all holding musical instruments.  She plays piano and organ and always wondered where the talent came from.  I told her the story of Grandpappy Sam loved playing in the band SO much that he lost the farm.  He'd rather play music than milk cows.

Got a spotty shower last night and again this after.  Getting black over towards the river and I hear some thunder.  Dad said that they are calling for soaking rains the next couple of days.  I sure hope so, corn is beggin' for rain. 

Going for breakfast tomorrow, then into town to pick up chicken b-b-q to support the fire company.  Need to stop at the amish grocery store for coffee and Archie's cereal.  It's a lot cheaper there.  Having lunch with Sue and Sarah on Saturday.  Sarah's birthday is the week after mine, so we'll celebrate both at the same time.  I sure hope it rains.

Later...............

THE BOYS CAME THRU.....

yes, they did.  Dad's neighbor showed up with his chain saw.  Then came his buddy, Bill, not long after that, here comes the third one on his HUGE tractor.  Took care of that tree limb in short order.  Dad called me this morning to tell me all about it.  He never suspected I talked to the guy.  Except, now he fussing about getting it split up so it can dry out for winter.  It's shumac, which is not the best wood to burn, makes good ashes, some people won't burn it saying it's poison.  I told him, "This ain't wood-splitting weather."  He agreed, but he'll keep on fussing about it until we get it split.  He tried to pay them, but they wouldn't accept anything.  He also showed them the hole in his screen door, and they said he should call the police, but, he's gonna let it slide for now.  The guys suspect the two brothers next door that live in the old school house apartment.  They call them bums 'cause both have bad backs, can't work and are trying to get disability.  My father believes that how we treat the weakest among us is how we will be judged.  I told him he's gotta do whatever he feels is right.

Then later in the day, my nephew and brother-in-law showed up.  They're coming back from a car show and stopped in to see dad on the way home to Baltimore.  Then another young man showed up on his restored Farmall to show dad.  It was a busy Saturday for him.

Had a nice rain last night, but probably only 1/2" in the gauge.  The Amish, in the next town over, lost a barn to lightning.  Neighbors managed to save the equipment and the two puppies that were in a shed that was burning.  They'll have another barn raised before the end of the month.  That's one thing you can say about the Amish, they pull together and help each other, and, sometimes, us 'English' also.

S'pose to be 91 today, so, guess I'll turn the A/C back on. Gonna be worse tomorrow, around 97, with storms. Then cool off. Already feels muggy and humid.

Oh........67 years ago, today, at 5:30am, Mountain Time, the first atomic test bomb was dropped in New Mexico.  One hour and fifteen minutes later, Eastern Time, I was born.  Fallout.

Later..............

WOKE UP TO A NICE DRIZZLE.............

then a steady rain.  But, it stopped before 11.  Still, it was nice, just short.  S'pose to have thunderstorms later and maybe more rain tomorrow.  Hope so, mowed yesterday, first time in three weeks and the yard is dying.  Trees are suckin' all of the moisture out for themselves.  That's OK, rather have trees than grass.

Got my haircut this morning after stopping at the feed store for black oil sunflower seeds.  Then went for the mail and some B-B-Q'd chicken.  Got dad a piece and dropped it off.  WTH, a big limb from the hugh tree in his back yard came down.  Just got the corner of his wood shop.  He says he can get it with his chain saw.  NOT.
Then he showed me his front storm door.  Last Sunday, Fred was down, I asked him to come to dad's with me and put the new latch on the door.  Which he did.  Now it can be locked.  Today, dad showed me the lower corner of the screen, looks like something or SOMEONE poke a hole in it and pushed their finger in.  The screen is curved in, right at the new latch.  I told dad we should call the cops, but he wanted to talk to his two neighbors first.  One knows all about the low-lifes in the area and the other guy is in the fire police.  Wouldn't want to mess with either one, glad they are on our side.

So, when I left dad's, I saw the one fellow down at his garage, pulled in and talked to him.  He said, he'd get a hold of a couple of his buddies and they'd have that tree limb outta there in a heartbeat.  Then I told him about the screen.  He agreed with me that dad shoulda called the cops.  We'll see what happens after dad talks to him.  Maybe he can convince him, remember, I'm only 2 years old.

Later................

I THINK I'M GETTING BACK TO MY OLD SELF....

Last week, I felt REALLY bad.  In fact, on Friday, after breakfast with the gang.  Phillip said, "We'll call you mid-week."  Which might not sound like much, but, it's a pay call for them and there's not much money coming in.  'GOD, I must look as bad as I feel!'  So, Friday, I stopped at the store to pick up a few things, was hungry for fruit, and, I have always felt that if you crave something, your body is telling you 'Hey, I want this in order to feel better!'  I saw 'Joint-Juice' on the shelf and picked up a 6-pack for around $5.  Have an 8oz bottle every morning, and, am feeling much better.  Think I'll totally go off of red meat, especially bacon (damn) and stay away from sodas.  But the weakness in the legs is subsiding and that was what had me worried.  I know if I went back to the doctor, he'd be talking MRI and surgery.  Ain't goin' there!!!!

Last week, while feeling like shit, I dropped a sale bill off at the Amish Market 'cause I'd talked to John about the sale and he was interested in it.  The Amish around here are starting to buy tractors, especially the younger ones.  They can keep them on rubber wheels for a year, before the bishop starts givin' them the 'hairy eyeball'.  But, they get around that by lending it to their brother, cousin, nephew, etc, etc. for a year and back again.  It's the usual double-standard.  I seriously doubt if any Amish would be buying these tractors, but they love a sale, and love looking at them.  But these are restored and will bring more $$ than they'd want to spend for a working tractor. 
Anyhow, I digress.......
John was busy with a customer looking at very large fishing hooks, telling him he only had that one in the store but he had more at home, the young man said he'd take them all.  John turned around and I quickly handed him the sale bill, he thanked me and I walked out of the store and up the side walk towards the PO.  By this time, there was another dude, that wasn't with the two buying the fish hook, standing at the front of the store, who said, "Yeah, you could hang a day-old kitten on that hook."  I stopped in mid step, probably about 15-20 paces up the walk, and said, "THAT'S DISGUSTING", turned around, looked him in the eye....."You're an asshole".  He just looked at me.  I thought, come on, get up here and say something else, I feel like jerking a knot in someone's tail today.  He walked back into the store.  I went into the PO.  When I came back out, he was getting in his SUV, I backed out, looked at him, an the idiot waved to me!  I hope he went back in and asked John who I was, 'cause I ain't forgetting what he said.  Jerk.  I told my dad and he just laughed, told me I was 'Little Betty'  which is my mom's name.  And, that's a compliment.

Later.................

SUNDAYS AREN'T THE SAME......

without Ben's funnies to read.  So, I didn't even turn the 'puter on 'cept to read the obits, and, there was my old girl scout leader.  Eleanor.  She was a classy lady.  Well, this is turning into a downer-of-a-day.  So I finished reading my book, Lights Out by David Crawford.  Been at it for about 2 or more months.  75 chapters, small print, chapters are only 5 or 6 pages, characters are many but good, some of it seemed a bit juvenile.  Found a few typos, don't think the local grocery stores would be open like they were in the book, but, all-in-all, not a bad read.

Cleaned out 3 cupboards this morning, did 3 loads of wash and hung out.  Mmmmmm love the smell of sheets that were hung on the line.  Towels will be scratchy tho.

Went over to Dads, he was cleaning up the JD60.  The other guy, Bob, that's having the sale with him was down on Saturday and told him he was going to buy it.  I think it half pissed dad off, now he doesn't want to sell it.  He was on the fence before, I guess he's jumped over.  Whatever.


Later..............

BOY, IS IT HOT!!!!

and suppose to hit 101 on Saturday.  I haven't mowed the yard this week and ain't gonna.  Just sittin' in the AC with the zoo crew and staying cool.  Except for going over to Dad's I ain't budging.  He has central air but won't turn it on.  I don't argue, it is his choice.  
Check out http://gowestferalwoman.blogspot.com/ and read what she has been going thru . I had to read it twice. 

IT HAS BEEN UNBEARABLY HOT............

and I have been running the AC, for the dogs, of course.  Was over at Dad's yesterday, he wanted to put the new latch on his front storm door.  Well, we hemmed/hawed with it for 20 minutes and the sky was getting blacker, and I was concerned about a storm 'cause I'd left the car windows down.It takes the man forever to do anything, and, between that and the heat, we just forgot about it, and, since Fred is coming down next week, I volunteered him to do it.  Guess I'd better tell him.
Going over to 'the farm' today for their '4th' celebration.  As usual, good food, good company.  Then going up to Fred's, going to take the chair so he can fix it.  He said the table leg is done. 
Dogs woke me up at 4:15 this morning, pee brake.  Went back to bed, heard critters in the meadow, sounded like deer.  At 4:30, dogs started BARKING!!!  I mean BARKING!!!  Got up, couldn't see a thing, told them they were nuts, went back to bed.  5:00, repeat.  5:20, Elijah started growling, Elijah is a 25lb cat.  WTH.  Got up, again.  He had a fat mouse, got it away from him, threw it outside, took Achie for a pee brake, stayed up.  Guess who is now sleeping.  ALL of them.  Think I'll take a nap.


Later..............