WELCOME NEW FOLLOWER..............

Deb C.  As always, I am humbled by your desire to be a follower.  Welcome and thank you.

Sale went well considering the economy.  Dad got better prices for his tractors in 2001 and 2005.  But, gas wasn't 3.69 a gal. either.  Disposable income has dried up for most people.  After his 5 tractors were sold, he was talking with a fella about buying a JD40.  Whatever keeps him happy.  At 94, he deserves to get what he wants.  Sorry, didn't take very many pics.  Too busy, if people couldn't find dad, they found me, with questions.  But, with a lot of help, from neighbors and his John Deere cronies, we pulled it off.  The last sale will be after he is gone and I'm NOT looking forward to that.

Looks like Isaac will be a contender, be nice if it dumped some rain on the parched areas.  We are suppose to get rain the next couple of days and I need to mow.  Been neglecting the meadow house lately because of going over to dad's.  Did get the sweeper run today.  Had dust devils as big as the cats.  Pulled the weeds out front.  Having toilet problems and need to buy a snake tomorrow.  I have one but it is way too big to use on the john.  Been thinking about just flushing down a stick of dynamite.  But, decided against it.  Was also thinking about building an outhouse over the septic tank lid but figured the smell would get me.  It'll work out.

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

UPDATE........
Plumber showed up, snaked the sucker, put a new ball on it, $25.  Done.  We talked about an updated toilet.  They have them now that have a compressed air tank and uses less water.  As low as this house is, I am always concerned about the septic system.  So, using less water is a win for me.  Anybody out there in the blog-o-sphere know anything about them?

TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE ARE NOW DEAD.....

in this part of the county.  It's usually VERY quiet around here.  The most that happens might be a domestic dispute or someone calls the police about a drunken party that is getting too loud.  But the last two weeks, we've had two shootings and at least 3 break-ins close to both Dad and me.  The first one........daughter came home to find her 62 year old father shot dead in the hallway.  OK, you think home invasion.  The next night at 2 in the morning, a guy is in this house and the lady recognizes him, scares him off, calls the cops.  This is about two blocks from the first incident, but, the police says the incidents are not related.  Horse-hockey.  The fellow is now trapped in a corn field and shoots himself.  Sounds kinda harsh way to end it just for just a robbery charge.  Then, down the road from Dad, same block, two guys take out an A/C, crawl in the window, steal money, go out the front door.  The couple is in bed, with the dog, but the bedroom door is closed.  Go figure.  Two nights ago, three boys are camping, mother is concerned because of what's been happening, GIVES THESE BOYS A PISTOL, but takes the clip out.  However...........there is one bullet in the chamber.  Kids are 'playing' with the gun, goes off, 16 year old is now dead.  Now we're seeing more troopers in the area, and, getting phone calls selling alarm systems.  I told them last year, I got an alarm system, 3 dogs and a loaded 38.

Bob has been bringing down his stuff all week and different people have been stopping in to lookee-see.  Everyone is asking if the '57 Buick is being sold.  NO!  But I need to wash it today, even tho it'll be in the barn, people still snoop. 

Dad is still not feeling well, and, I'm hoping that once this sale is over, he will be back to his old self.  All critters are doing OK, I'm really tired and not sleeping well.  But that will pass. 

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

WENT OVER TO DAD'S............

today.  He wanted to move this nasty piece of steel, probably a 4x8, that was propped against the back of the barn.  Put it on a skid and set it out front for the sale.  So, he got his JD with the loader, pulled up to it, (a little too far, put a dent in the barn siding) and I was just going to let it flop over.  But.........NNNOOOO, he gets off and grabs the other side, we flop and he falls, ever so graceful, on his butt and back.  Now, remember, he fell last Wednesday also.  I shut the tractor off and asked him if he was OK (other than pissed off).  He was, but, it took him 20 minutes to 'butt-walk' himself to the tractor in order to pull himself up.  The only way I could help was grab his belt, 'cause his ribs still hurt from the last fall.  This sale cannot get here fast enuf.  I also told him, he'd better not even get out of bed NEXT Wednesday.  Looks like tomorrow will be the last sunny day this week.  Better mow.  Already told dad I'd be late getting over.

Not much else happening.  Don't know what to think of the coming election.  I DO know who I'm NOT gonna vote for.  But haven't done much research on Romney's VP choice yet.  I do think we are headed quickly down the drain; been circling it since 2008.  If he's gets back in, might as well hit the lever and flush it all, eh?

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

GOT THE 'STUFF'......

down to the uncles on Thursday.  Spent about an hour with them and then a couple showed up to visit, so I left.  Glad that's done and had one more pic to give to another cousin, so, called her that evening and she said, "I'd love to have it."  So, since I was on a roll, I took it over then and there.  Found out some more family tales and had a nice visit with Dot.  Now I have one more group of pics to give away and I'm done.

Been having storms almost every day.  Last night there were at least 3 that went thru and woke up this morning to 2 more.  Lotsa rain.  House fire over by the river, dispatch called out a lot of equipment.  Maybe lightening strike?  Don't know the details yet, but know the family.

Be glad when this sale is history.  Dad's nerves are really bad, 'cause there is so much to do and he's unable to do it.  Plus, no one can help him 'cause no one can do it to please him.  Also, he fell in the yard on Wednesday, taking the bucket of grass clippings over to the corn field to dump.  I almost said, "Couldn't that wait for me to take care of?"  But, again, I probably wouldn't have done it to suit him.  It's gets old.  He won't go to the doctor, but, complains to me every day about how bad he feels.  I am like mom in that respect.  Feel bad.....go see a doctor.  Talking to me about it ain't gonna fix the problem.  Speaking of dear old dad, need to get over there........

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

STUFF, STUFF, STUFF.................

I was priviledged to care for my best friend, until she passed away.  Her mom had died the year before, and I had her stuff at my house, along with my friend's stuff.  It was a LOT of stuff.  Been donating, giving to friends and just throwing out for over three years.  Saturday I hit the downstairs bedroom.  Found more stuff.  Lottsa family pics and such.  I need to get this 'stuff' down to her uncles in Maryland.  Family stuff should stay in the family.  Especially pictures.

Farmer is hauling pig-poop today from the neighbors.  It's liquid....brings tears to your eyes.  Now, I'm no prude; born and raised on a farm, love the smell of a barn, especially a milk house, cow manure, silage, etc, etc, but, THIS stuff is wicked!  Hope he's spreading it on the upper field far my house.

We've been blessed with lotsa storms of late, some short, intense, downpours.  All is appreciated, for sure.  Sunny today, but not as humid.  Still think I'll turn the A/C back on for the dogs.  Poor Coco is suffering with alergies and hot spots and the A/C seems to keep her more comfortable.

Gotta an email from a former co-worker informing me another co-worker passed at 55.  Nice lady, a wonderful person, self-taught artist.  I was always gonna get her to do a pic of this house when I got it to where I wanted it.  Too late, eh?

I love this house, this setting, this area.  I tell people that 'once Dad is gone, maybe I'll sell out and buy a motor home'.  But, I know in my heart of hearts, I couldn't leave this house.  It's so quiet here, and, I'm among like-minded people.  This area is still country and as long as that doesn't change, I'll stay around.  Besides, I could travel with the 3 dogs, but 5 cats?  I don't think so!  Gotta go, fix breakfast or is it brunch?

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

KIND OF A DREAB DAY.............

after that intense thunder storm last night.  Don't know what a dreab day is?   As many of you know, I live in Amish country.  A friend turned me on the "Die Botschaft", which is a weekly newspaper serving the old order Amish communites nationwide.  It's actually letters written by 'scribes', telling the happenings of the week.  They only get to submit a page, but it's a window into their lifestyle.  Anyhow, a dreab day, as close as I can figure out, is the combination of dreary and drab.    Kinda a cool word, dontcha think?To continue on with this Amish theme....I stopped at the little store in the neighboring village to get some milk.  As I was checking out, an Amishman came up and laid down two bunches of bananas, one bunch was green, the other one was a bright yellow.  I said to the check out girls,  "You know, politicians are like bananas, they start out green, turn yellow, and, before you know it, they're rotten."  Everyone laughed and the Amish guy said, very quietly, "For once, we agree."  I look at him and he was grinning. 

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