WISHING EVERYONE.........

that reads this humble blog a safe and Happy Easter.  I'm going to friends house for good food and good company.  Dad and Sarah are going out to eat at their favorite restaurant.
It's been a beautiful weekend so far, might rain later today and tomorrow, but it's in the 60's.  Got some yard work done yesterday, the one big flower bed out front is now ready for mulch.  Miss Cindystopped in a new van, but, it was a rental.  Some nut hit her and totalled her SUV.  That poor woman can't catch a break.  Then Mrs. S stopped and chit-chatted.  I've got good neighbors.
Had to take Lucy to the vets on Friday.  I looked at her Thursday night and her lower right fang was stickin' straight out.  Probably coulda flicked it out like the vet did but I felt she should be checked.  Got 5 days of anti-biotics to give her.  She's 10 and has always been healthy.  Brought her home from work, a scrawny, malnourished kitten weighing 1.4 lbs.  Wouldn't know it now.  Everyone else is OK.


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

UPDATE.....

..Havn't heard from the powers that be in Philthydelphia about the bogus ticket.

...Went to the doctors last Tuesday, check up, lost another 11 pounds.  Total of about 42.  Hoorah!!!

...Dad has been feeding a couple of stray cats.  Mother and daughter.  Mother left.  Daughter is getting rather fat.  HMMMM.  Tried scare tactic on Dad and finally got her to the vet last Tuesday.  Good news, she's NOT pregnant!!!!  SHE's a boy!!!!!  Dollie Marie is now Tommy.

Life's a gas sometimes!

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

BEST LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN............

Fred was scheduled to come down today and help me split wood.  I need him to start that cantankerous
thing.  Well, he had to work, so, I went out this morning to tear into the wood pile and pick out the longer pieces to saw up to stove size.  Dogs started barking, someone pulling into the driveway.  Oops, it's Suzie, I didn't know she was coming to help, so I didn't call her with the change in plans.  She said it didn't matter, she would help me anyway.
Dogs started barking again, and it was the neighbor, another Sue, asking me if it was OK to park in the yard.  I had noticed her husband, Kevin, with her two youngest teenage girls, on the tractor down by the creek.  "Getting firewood?"  I asked.  'No, we're fixing the fence.  Kevin wants to get a diary by the end of the year.'  "Great!" I told her.  I hope it works out.  Her youngest is 14 and wants to get into agriculture.  They plan on putting the cows back in this meadow.  Glad he's still wants to farm.
So, Suzy and I worked at it thru two gas tank fill-ups and got quite a bit in the wood shed.  Think I'll be OK till warm weather.  It was lunchtime and Sue said how about the pizza shop or the golf course.  When I came out of the house from getting the dogs settled, she suggested we go down to the river to that restaurant we ate at last summer.  Cool.  Got there, closed.  Not only closed, but empty.  Well, shit.  That was a great place to eat.  Oh well.  Back up the road to the old hotel.  Fantastic food there as well.  Not too crowded this time, usually is.  We were in work jeans and old sweatshirts, but it didn't matter.  They have a smaller building to the side that is a favorite with the bikers and their dress code is kinda...whatever.  I swear one woman had some funky kinda dress on that Sue and I thought was a sheet wrapped around her.  Anyhow, I'm sitting there facing the window towards the river and there goes an eagle!  We said something to the waitress and she said 'Oh yeah, they're are lots of them around here.'  Then she brought out a book, that some lady had put together, that had all of the eagle pics she had taken in the area.
So, all in all, what started out as a disappointment at not be able to split the wood, turned into a pretty neat day.

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

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...............