A RAINY, FOGGY, DREAB OF A DAY......

but, not too cold, which is good, 'cause I'm running out of wood!  I do believe spring is just around the corner.  The red-wing blackbirds are quite vocal and loving the cracked corn I throw out.  They are my harbinger of spring, not the nasty robins.  Once I see the red-wings I know winter is about over.  Of course, there is always March to get thru and she has given us some nasty surprises.  We'll see.

Helped dad yesterday with his taxes.  Once we itemized all of the expenses in restoring those 5 tractors he sold against what he made from the sale, he was in the hole about $600.  He just laughed.  It woulda been much worse if he would have included the cost of his labor.  But, it was a labor of love, and, saving a couple of them from the scrap heap. 
He has a new kitten that showed up.  Of course he's feeding HER.  I wasn't sure of his intentions but now she has a name.....Dollie.  I hope we can catch her and get her to the vets before she makes him a grandpop.  He is concerned what MoMo and Kitty-Ruth will do about her.  Also, the Amish have bought the property next door, an old two story school house that is two apartments.  They've moved into the bottom one and will probably take over the top apartment when more kids come.  The sad part is the 13 acres of woods behind all of the neighbors are being cut down.  I swear some Amish don't have the brains GOD gave a goat.  When they buy a property, the FIRST thing they do is cut down most of the trees.  Pisses me off, big time.

That's just about all the news that fit to print.  Later.............

WHEW.....DODGED THE BULLET, WE DID.......

Was at the restaurant this evening, left about 6:30.  Snowing all the way home, almost.  Got within 4 miles of the house and it turned to rain.  Certainly won't be getting what New York and poor Boston will be.  This is one nasty storm.  Here, it is suppose to be 36 tomorrow and 39 on Sunday.  Yep, dodged the bullet this time.

Truck is running great.  And, yes, some anti-freeze will turn acidic.  And, that's what Sam and I think happened to the truck.  He does not use that crap.  He is so good to me.  I kid him and say that he treats me right because...."I know where he lives, where he works, and the route that he travels.....PLUS, I know his mother-in-law."  But, he is a good guy.

Getting late, time to punch up the stove, pee the dogs, get to bed............

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

GOT A COUPLE OF INCHES OF THE WHITE STUFF.................

yesterday afternoon into the night.  Wasn't an issue for traffic.  Kinda pretty and just about gone by this evening.

Watching the Super Bowl, mainly for the commercials, don't really care who wins.  Right now, no one is playing, power is out in half of the stadium.  Maybe some disgruntled 49ers fan hit the switch. 

Had lunch yesterday with old friends, always good to catch up.  I was telling Buddy about my radiator problems and he said his mechanic told him when he was having rad problems in his Buick, that after 2 years, antifreeze turns acidic and should be replaced.  Need to talk to Sam, changing it every two years is cheaper than a new rad for sure.

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

OH BOY! NEW RADIATOR!....

just what the 'budget' needed!  Then..........a Parking Violation notice from.............Philadelphia!  I HAVE NOT BEEN IN PHILTHY DELPHIA IN 50 YEARS!  Morons!  Called the number, press 1 for English, yada-yada-yada and finally get a real live person!  Boils down to.... me, sending in paper work to prove that...yes, the car is mine, but, no, it is NOT a white Dodge, it is a black PT Cruiser, and, no, it is does not have an expired inspection sticker, and, I HAVE NOT BEEN IN PHILTHY DELPHIA IN 50 YEARS YOU MORONS!  She told me to send in my recent emission inspection sheet and that would void the ticket.  To which I replied, "But, it is NOT my car!  It is my tag number, but not my car.  What does that tell ya!"  Anyhow, sent in the paper work and I'm to call them on the 15th to see if it is all resolved.  Dad said if it is not, we're going to the lawyer.  He's more pissed than I am.  Mistakes have never 'sat' well with my father.  Now, I think the microwave is taking a dump.  Just ^&*#$%^ lovely.

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

SNOWING.............

not much, probably 2 inches or so.  'Nuf to be a nuisance.  We decided on Wednesday not to do supper tonight with this storm coming in.  So, tonight I made fried chicken, gravy and potatoes, not bad.  Was s'pose to go to breakfast tomorrow morning with friends, but that's cancelled.  With my truck in the shop, I'd have to drive the PT Cruiser and that's out of the question.  I'm not afraid of driving on bad roads but there are too many nutz out there that do not know how to drive in good weather, let alone bad.  Besides, I had to drive it for 46 years, to and from a job, that's enuf of that. 

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

I'M GOING BACK TO A HORSE AND BUGGY....

no, wait, that won't work either.  Have to build a barn, buy hay, vet bills.  Crap.  Anyhow, Monday, took the car to Sam to fix the tire but, as in a previous post, the screw was short and only in the tread.  Ahhhhh.  Life's good.

Today, took the truck to the PO and got about 3/4's there when the heater started blowing cold air.....again.....Managed to do a u-turn before it shut off.  Temp was WAY OVER....Crap.  Called Sam,  "See if it starts and try to get it here,  it's probably the stat."  Right.  Started it after the temp dropped, managed to get another mile or so.  Did that two more times and got it to the garage.  When I looked back at the truck while walking into the garage, I saw the drip.  Crap.  Sam went out and saw a drip, crawled under the truck.  Came back in, looked at me and said, "I don't believe it, that $%^&* plug is gone."  We decided to go with a new radiator, Sam brought me home and then we saw all of the anti-freeze in the driveway and down the road.  Later, Sam called me to say he called a couple of guys with shops and both said, new rad, once this happens you'll never keep a plug in.  Oh, and when he left my house, he spotted the plug down by the bridge.  It's not hurt, nothing broken, just can't figure out why it flew out.  I googled the problem and one fellow said there might be excessive pressure in the cooling system and to check for head gasket issues.  Crap.

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

A CLOUDY, DREARY DAY, IT IS.....

Yesterday went to a memorial service for an old family friend.  Harry was 83, his heart finally gave up.  Left a wife and four daughters, 3 of which are Drs.  One is a GP and the other two are college profs.  Had a son to his first wife, but the last anyone knew of him was he was in jail.  Family dynamics are strange sometimes.

Found a screw in the rear tire of the car.  Took it over to Sam this morning, luckily, it was a short screw and was only in the tread.  No leak.  Got them to inspect it and will take it back for an oil change this after.

Calling for snow today and tomorrow.  Just flurries.  But got a mess of wood in the house over the weekend just in case. It was so pleasant outside Sat and Sun it felt like spring. 

Dad is feeling better so him going to the doctors is a pipe dream, now.  Not much else happening,

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

FOG, RAIN, FOG, RAIN, FOG.....

sums up our weather for the past 3-4 days.  Yesterday, the weather coin-flippers were calling for snow on Tuesday.  Now it's rain.  Where else can you have a job, be wrong 50% of the time and still get paid? 

I'm meeting my ex-boss for lunch on Wednesday, with two other ex-co.workers.  Lunch at the small airport in town is always a treat.  It's fantastic food and I'll go early so I can people watch.

Coco had another 'hot-spot'.  I caught this one in time and we didn't have to go to the vet.  Daisy's limp is gone.  Archie is doing great, he gets groomed next Tuesday.  Dad said it's too cold for a haircut.  Maybe I'll just have her trim it a little.  The crate I bought for him seems to be working.  There have been no messes in the house.  Of course, he's not happy.  But when I came home to pee and poop in the house, I wasn't happy.  So....if one of us has to be unhappy.......it's gonna be him.  The cats are all OK. 

So, all is good and quiet at the Meadow House. 

Oh, go visit Brigid at Home on the Range!  She has a great post about garages.  What a treat to read her writings.  The girl has a gift, for sure.

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

PUP-FEST DAY.............

Took Archie over to Trudy and Phillips' for a play-date with Titus.  What a drop-dead, beautiful dog.  He is just about a perfect Doberman.  Feet the size of saucers.  They tolerated each other, a little growling, Archie curled his lip once when Titus got too close to me.  But it was a good day and we plan on doing it again if the weather stays nice.

Then on the way home I stopped at Bob and Judy's to see their pup, Savannah, a Newfoundlander.  Another sweetie, holds her own with Jasper, who is a full-grown Newf.  She'll be good for him as they lost Caoz this summer and Jasper needed a companion. 

Then, stopped at Dad's and picked up his mail.  He looked really tired and said so.  He is also dropping hints that he needs to go to the doctors, so I think I'll quietly encourage that and see where it goes.

Need to punch up the stove and read the paper.

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

GOOD GOD IN HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

as my grandfather use to say.  I've got a dead mouse, somewhere, is it ever getting rank.  Probably under the house.  Lord, God almighty does it stink, and, will most likely keep stinking until the weekend.  Geesh!

Archie has a 'play-date' tomorrow with Titus.  My friends, Trudy and Phillip, got a Doberman puppy last Friday.  She asked if I would bring 'the boy' over as they are trying to get the pup socialized.  This will be interesting.

Got home last Thursday from dad's and as I pulled up to the house to back in the driveway, the heater started to blow cold air.  Hmmmm.  Called the mechanic the next morning after I saw the wet spot on the road and the trail down the driveway.  He asked if I could get it there.   Sure, no problem.  It's about a mile.  Got to the stop sign and it died.  What?  Wouldn't start! What?  Sat there for a minute, called them, Jim said, "OK one of us will be there shortly."  Tried it again, it started, I floored it, got to the garage.  Whew!!!  They started pouring anti-freeze/water in it and it started pouring out the bottom.  Ooops!  Looks like the rad was cracked from the accident last year and  Rich missed it.  Oh boy, now I get to fight it out with the insurance company.  Jim brought me home and I found the bill where I had the radiator replaced in June of 2010.  Went back over to the garage and Sam said, 'Hey, it wasn't a crack after all.  The plug is missing.'  What?  In all of his time spent working on vehicles, he has never heard of that plug just popping out.  He said, 'I've got a new plug coming, we'll fix everything and I want to drive it so I'll drop it off.'  Okey-Dokey!!   $69 is sure better than $400.  There is a God!!

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

WELL, ANOTHER YEAR............

has gone by.  Not much has changed.  I have much to be greatful for.  Have  made a few resolutions, hope and pray I can stick to them 'cause I believe I could be a better person if I can. 

Calling for snow tomorrow, I cleaned house this morning, even washed the cat tracks and dog slobbers off of the bay window.  It'll snow for sure now.  Need to get another load of wood in, nothing worse than pushing that wheelbarrow across the yard in snow or rain. 

Going to Fred's house tonight, good food, good friends, lottsa laughs.  Need to get that wood in and get over to Dad's.  Want to wish everyone that follows this humble, eratic blog a Happy and Safe New Year.

Later......

SNOW..............

has come to the Meadow House.  Started this afternoon about 3.  Don't think it'll amount to much but it sure is pretty and Christmasy.  The trouble with snow is I will lose some satellite reception, but, I've seen 99% of the Christmas movies anyhow.  I did watch 'The Bishop's Wife' and the last 1/2 hour of 'An Affair to Remember'.  I am a Cary Grant fan.  So-much-so that I named Archie after him.  For those of you that don't know, his real name was Archibald Leech.  I can understand the need to change it.

So, I'm sitting here with a nice fire, listening to classical music and trying to deal with the Christmas blues that I get every year.  I know Jesus is the reason for the season.  But I really cannot wait for this holiday to be over.  It seems to get worse every year. 

On a brighter note, went to 5 different stores today to get my cranberry-orange relish.  Can't be found.  Poop, shoulda went to Market on Friday.  Oh well, guess I'll just show up empty-handed at my friends house.  They won't care but I do.

Went to dad's this after, visited for a while, then he mentioned about throwing the rest of the firewood he had rikked-up at the Bilco door.  I offered to help, he declined saying I had enuf to do at home, I replied that I already had my wood in.  So, he went down and unlocked the doors at the devil steps (the ones I fell down, remember?).  It didn't take but a few minutes and it was done.  I do not even offer to rik up his wood, oh no, nobody, not even GOD, could do THAT to please him.  But, at least I can throw it down those devil steps.

So, hope everyone has a safe and Merry CHRISTmas, and that the fat guy brings you all that you wish for.  ME?  I just want peace on earth, that's all.

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

COMPLETE. SIGNAL. LOST.

WHAT??????????  I watched TV on Saturday.  Wadda mean 'Complete Signal Lost'?  HMMMMM  OK, called DISH Sunday night.  Gotta guy who couldn't really help after I told him, "Yes, all of the cables are secure." " Yes, the Satelite Dish is still in the side yard."  "No, there are no fallen trees near it."  So, he passes me on to another Dish person, named Michelle.  Ah, a woman-to-woman thing, now we're gonna get somewhere.  First question outta her mouth?  "Yes, Michelle, all of the cables are secure.  I just watched the TV yesterday, and, it's way to heavy to carry around the house, so, I don't move it, much."  "Yes, the Satelite Dish is still in the side yard, and, before you ask, No, there are no fallen trees near it."  "No, I haven't weed-wacked for a couple of months, it's December."  So, we run a couple of test.  She tells me if the second test states on the screen that it's 1 of 38, we're in trouble.  We're chit-chatting, she is a VERY pleasant young lady, when....whoops, we're at test 2 of....yep, you guessed it....38.  She tells me to cancel it.  Then she starts talking about sending out a technician at $95 a visit...........BUT.............I could buy a plan for $7 a month and then the visit would cost $0.  Wait, No, uh, NO, I'll just talk to Harry on Monday.  He installed it and knows the system, the house, the layout.  Plus he's local and mama always said, "Spend your money local."  So, I always try to do that.  We hang up.  Harry is coming by tomorrow.

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

I DID A BAD THING, REALLY, REALLY BAD,BAD,BAD.........

and no one is to blame but....ME. 
I was over at dad's on Wednesday.  He's still fartin' around with the old porch railings and posts from the bungalow in town.  Stuff is probably 60 years old, too short to ever use on another porch, lead paint, etc.  He agonized over cutting it up????  The two post from the farm house are over 100 years old with cut nails.  It was even harder for him to think about cutting them up.  "What should I do?"  'I don't know, dad, it's up to you.'  He wouldn't listen to me anyhow.  So,  he tells me he needs to unlock the cellar doors.  He never, hardly ever, asks me to do anything, just drops big hints.  'I'll go do it.'  Mainly cause it is less walking for him.  So........I go into the house, down the basement steps, pass the woodstove, unlock the man-door, up the concrete steps to the underside of the Bilco door, unlock it, turn, take one step, take another and.......what!!! there shouldn't be a step there!  I should be at the bottom!!!  The bottom was two steps down, I missed those two steps, but I found the bottom.  Boy, is concrete hard.  The left knee took the brunt of it and not only did I land on it, but then it ended up bent under my left leg.  Hit my head on the block wall, and, then, just laid there, moaning and thinking....How am I going to get up?  I couldn't crawl back up the steps, 'cause I couldn't push the Bilco doors open from underneath.  I finally managed to get up and hobbled out of the house, over to dad, who promptly asks me, "Why is your jacket so dirty?"  'Cause I fell down your outside steps!'  "Aw, honey.  I did that about 10 years ago."  So, Archie and I went home, I put ice on it all evening.  Next morning, still swollen, call doctor, see him in afternoon, sends me for xrays over at 'Health Campus' where you have to park and walk 3 blocks, up hill to even get in the door, then walk another block down the hall to get to 'Diagnostic Imaging'.  Four xrays, on the way home, doctors office calls, nothing fractured, nothing broke, keep it up and ice it down.  Phone call from Lois,  "Whatcha doin'?"  I tell her.  "Crap, feel like supper at the restaurant?"  'Sure'  Artie stops in and we three eat and chit-chat.  Leave, stop at Dad's,  "Where have you been, I've been calling all afternoon."  'Why didn't you call my cell?'  "I never thought about it."  Now, I had called him at lunch time to tell him I was going up to the doctors, so he knew where I was.  So, each day, it gets a little better, swelling is down, big time.  Both knees are a little weak, but the pain has improved 80%.  Doc gave me a script for Percocet, but I didn't fill it.  Oh, Dad finally did cut up most of that sorry-ass lumber, but not the 3/4 round pieces, and not the century-old porch post from the farm, they're in the barn.  Whatever.

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

ABSOLUTELY.... A.BEAUTIFUL.DAY...

in the neighborhood.  Got a wild hair and cleaned out and cleaned up the barn.  Trouble is, I'm trying to fit 25 lbs of crap in a 10 lb bag.  Did manage to rearrange it a little bit better.  Had to move the one set of shelves, so then I was able to drag the newer work bench over to that wall and butt it up against the other bench.  Both benches are piled high with stuff yet to be placed, thrown out or given away.  Maybe tomorrow, as it is to be even warmer than today.

Been working on the family tree, my own for a change, and found out that two of my great-great grandfathers fought in the Civil War.  John T from PA and John B from WV.  Did some research and figured out they were not in the same battles, so at least they weren't shooting at each other.

Not much else is happening.  Charlie finally got that mouse....just now.  He's taken it to the bathroom to torment it in the tub.  Guess I'll try and get it and take it out.  I'd rather do that than find its headless corpse in the morning.  I tell these creatures, as I'm carrying them by the tail, "Go back to the clan and tell everyone of horrendous and giganic monsters that live in the meadow house and to avoid that house at all cost."  Wish they'd listen.

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