Almost a Ghost... 12.30.13

In the above photo you may be able to see what is left of me after the Holidays. I am just a ghost of what I use to be. Who knows I may completely vanish when the New Year holiday is past.

               Gabi noted that I was frowning in the above photo and she asked why. I couldn’t think of a good answer other than sometimes I frown.

 

               As to the New Year, I haven’t stayed up to watch the new year arrive for many years. Will I stay up this year?  If I was promised a ham and cheese omelet at one minute into the New Year I might stay up. Now that I have thought about it, I doubt that even the offer of food would keep me up.

 

Have a safe New Year holiday and remember, “IT IS AMATURE NIGHT” stay home and stay safe”.

 

Happy New Year

 

"It happened again" 12.22.13

               Yes good things are happening to me this Christmas season.

               (This is a follow up to the previous posting.)

               This story begins with a visit to friends and some good conversation before heading to the Outback Restaurant for our annual Christmas dinner. We have celebrated the Christmas Holiday by going to dinner together for many years. One year the Ford’s pay and the next year the York’s pay for the evening repast.

               As it happened, it was the Ford’s year to pay for the meal. We arrived at the restaurant a little before 6:00 finding all the parking spots close to the entrance; even the handicapped spots were full.

I, using my excellent vision, observed the backup lights on a pickup truck leaving a parking spot directly in front of the entrance to the restaurant. I couldn’t back up to get the spot due to another vehicle behind us. I would need to drive all the way around the restaurant to get back to the parking space that others were also looking to take.

               This drive took possibly 30 seconds but it seemed like an hour to me. When we made the final turn I could see it, “The Holy Grail of Parking Spots” to paraphrase a quote from an enjoyable holiday movie.

               This parking spot was next to the handicapped spots and directly in front of the entrance. Possibly other patrons assumed it was handicapped parking or it may have been our lucky night. Regardless of the reason, we had “the closest parking space available”.

               Entering the restaurant we found seats in the waiting area even though others were standing. I guess the younger people felt that we, “senior citizens” should have the seats. There was a short wait and we were taken to a booth which my wife did not like so they seated us at a table.

               We enjoyed lively conversation as we sipped on our drinks.

               After a few minutes the manager came to our table and said he had a request. I was fairly sure I had not been too loud and we had not told any off colored jokes yet. What could he want?

               He had a request asking if we would consider moving to a different table. He had a group of ten and they could put our table against another table to make room for them if we would move.

               Then the manager made an attractive offer. He offered to pay for half of our meal, to offset the inconvenience of our relocation.

               Our group, being filled with the Christmas Spirit, and wanting to help others have an enjoyable meal, accepted the offer.  We also liked the idea of a half price meal.

               After moving to the different table the food was delivered. We discovered that three of the steaks were cooked more than we wanted. I should also explain that the steaks tasted excellent. 

               The manager stopped at our table to again thank us for moving, so we told him about the steaks saying, “we are not complaining we just want to inform you” that our steaks were cooked more than what we ordered.

I ordered medium which should have had pink inside but there was no pink. We also explained that the steaks taste very good. 

               The bottom line to this story, our total bill was only $27.00 for four people which was about 1/3 the total bill. 

               Continually being blessed by the Christmas Spirit is a good thing.

 

I hope you enjoying the Christmas season. 

 

Don Ford

 

 

 

         

                        

                                                                                                                  

                  

 

It happened to me 122113

It happened to me…     

               This is a true story that begins on Friday morning. Alex and I had gone to Do it Best to pick up an item that I had ordered earlier in the week. We often get a coffee from Star Bucks when we are out running errands. In truth, I get a coffee and Alex gets milk which he refers to as his coffee.

               Alex and I had finished our business and I asked if he wanted a coffee. He responded in the positive so we headed to Star Bucks’. Rounding the corner to the drive-through we saw 6 vehicles ahead of us. That is enough to usually cause me to bypass Star Bucks but this time we decided to get in line and wait.

               The first three vehicles ahead of us went through fairly quick. There were still two vehicles ahead of us and evidently the vehicle at the window was having a problem with their order.

I noticed the lady in the vehicle just in front of me looked at us several times in her side mirror. Naturally I thought she found me to be a hansom gentleman or possibly she thought I was too close to the back of her car.

After a couple minutes the car at the window received their order and drove off. The vehicle with the Lady that had looked at me in the mirror got her order and drove off. 

Finally it was our turn at the window. I stopped at the window and the fellow handed me a coffee and milk. I offered him my Star Bucks card and he explained that the lady in the car ahead of me had paid for our drinks.

I was happily surprised that someone had paid for our drinks. She must have had the Christmas spirit. I can’t explain how good it made me feel, kinda warm all over. I assume it may have given her a good feeling too. It is nice to know there are still good hearted people in this world.

 

To the unknown person with the Christmas Spirit, I say, “Thank You!”

 

Don Ford

                

 

Child labor alive and well or Alex at work 12.20.13

               Living on a fixed income one must save money where they can. It is very helpful to have assistance doing the daily chores around the house, even if the helper is 3.5 years old. I am surprised daily by the amount of work this young man produces.

               In the photo below we see Alex sanding with his Papa. I should note that he was sanding with the grain and producing excellent results.

               Our “overseer” Tejas (that is the first time I have written the word “overseer” in my entire life, I did not know how to spell overseer) was actually under the table advising us on the proper procedures and attempting to stay out of the way.     (Tejas: may refer to the Native American spelling and pronunciation for Texas)

 

Sanding outside in the open air helps keep the dust out of the garage and house.

               The item we were sanding on is a project Alex and I have been working on. If we are able to put it together and make it look at least acceptable we will post photos and other info about the project.

 

I hope you have a cheerful day with a quiet nap this afternoon.

 

Don Ford

Christmas decorations 2013

As usual, I will post photos that are, if not perfect in quality, at least excellent quality.

click on photo to see larger version.

For those who can’t tell, the above photo is taken in the day and below taken at night.

Tree limbs are blocking the star at the left side of the photo above, so I included the photo below showing the star.

 

That’s all for now, no other comments from, “The Ford Homestead of Hewitt”.

 

Don Ford 

 

 

 

         

                                                                                                                  

                  

 

Merry Christmas 12.10.13

Merry Christmas          12.10.13

 

               Being on a fixed income it would be very expensive to attempt to purchase gifts, so we are sending this photo of a gift. You may pretend it is something expensive you want. 

               The photo below could be of a tree behind The Ford Homestead in Hewitt. It could be one of those infrequent snow storms that almost never come to our part of Texas.

Click on the photo to see a larger version.

 

Christmas cards and postage would cost a lot so we are providing this posting in an effort to save money. Please accept this photo and greeting as your Christmas card from the Fords of Hewitt.

If we were to attempt to purchased Christmas cards and postage, my spouse of 44 years would need to pick up aluminum cans from alongside the highway for more than two weeks. I am sure you would not want me to send her out in this cold weather to make a few extra dollars to purchase a Christmas card for you.

If she were collecting aluminum cans it would most certainly interfere with her baking, candy making and possibly the formidable task of “making Tamales”. 

 

Merry Christmas everyone

 

Don Ford

Two Seasons at once 12.05.13

               We live in a wonder filled world here in the state of confusion Texas and I will attempt to provide photographic proof.

As I was working here at The Ford Homestead I was struck by the visual effects of seeing our Red oak trees, all in color (more orange than red) while the shrubs and flowers on the opposite side of the house were green and almost summer like in appearance. I noticed that we still have red roses in bloom near the tower and white roses near the garage door.

Click on photo to see larger version.

 

Photos can be enlightening. I have observed that I have a directional micro wave amateur radio antenna still on the tower. That antenna was use to transmit TV signals during the time when I was active in Ham radio. Armature radio (AKA Ham Radio) is varied in the ways it may be used. The trees were not as tall when I put the antenna up, it was actually transmitting over the top of the trees.

               I remember when I pasted my first test and received my first call sign KB5PAC I decided to keep a record of anything I purchased for the hobby. In less than 2 years I had spent over $5,000.00.

               I haven’t been active for many years now but I still have radio equipment. A fellow called the other day wanting to know if I would sell one of the radios and I respectfully declined, I may want to become active again.

               My call sign is KJ5OD, I hold an Advanced Operator Privileges.

 

Wow, I got of the main subject of two seasons.

 

I hope you have a spring like day.

 

Don Ford

Never knew what hit him 120313

               Good morning all, I hope you are well and living the good life.

               Today’s article has to do with death. You are correct; this is not a fun subject but one that occasionally should be presented.

               I assume most of you have heard the term, “Sudden Death Syndrome”. Today my lecture is on the subject, “Causes of Sudden Death is this nature’s way”. I am sure that some may be shocked but if one reads the entire article one should learn.

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *

                    Prior to beginning the lecture I would like to deviate to a slightly different subject.

Today, as every day, I took Gabi to school and Alex went along for the ride. After dropping Gabi off at school Alex and I began the journey home.  I was driving and Alex was in the back seat (I find it better if I drive as Alex is just 3.5 years old). It was very quiet in the vehicle so I started snapping my fingers to break the silence.

Alex said, “Stop Papa, that makes my ears dead”. The somewhat surprising comment caught my attention.

Just to be sure I understood, I asked, “snapping my fingers make your ears dead” to which he replied, “Yes”.

                    Alex went on to say, “I have batteries in my ears and the noise makes them dead”.

                    Naturally I was somewhat surprised to learn that he has batteries in his ears, so I asked, “can you put new batteries in your ears?

                    Alex responded, “I have tools so I can put the batteries in my ears”.

                    Fascinated I asked, “Are your tools at home?”

                    Alex explained, “I have some tools in my pocket”.

                    That was the end of the conversation.

I would like to point out that discussions similar to that are not unusual between Alex and me. I just thought I had an imagination, Alex’ far exceeds mine dramatically. 

*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *           

 

               Back to the lecture:

               Yesterday as I was walking out to the shed behind my house I observed that some of the trees in the neighborhood have lost most if not all of their leaves. My thought process went along the line of; I wish some neighbors would keep their leaves in their yard.

               I noticed the people behind and to the left of my house were unloading firewood and stacking it near their fence.

               At that moment it happened. Something caught my attention as it was falling from the sky at a very fast rate of speed. Everything happen so fast it was difficult to comprehend what I was seeing.

I heard the wings of a large Hawk flapping as they were impacting some of the smaller tree limbs. Never stopping, this large hawk was flying away with a bird in his grasp.

The impact of the hawk with the small bird caused many small bird feathers to rain down on the ground. 

               If that isn’t, “sudden death” I don’t know what is. Even though one does not want to see the smaller bird die, it is nature’s way.

               I have seen hawks catch rabbits from a field but this was the first time to see a hawk take a bird from a tree.

 

Have a friendly day.

 

Don Ford 

 

The Angel 12.02.13

               First I would like to say good morning from everyone at The Ford Homestead.  We have survived the Thanksgiving holiday and are now on our way (halfheartedly) to the Christmas holiday. As I think about it my previous article, “Electric Sex” it was a prelude to Christmas.

               It is usual and customary for The Ford Homestead to have their Christmas decorations up prior to Thanksgiving. That did not happen this year, although we were able to get most of the outside decorations up the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

               Having been in Logistics for many years and not wanting to waste energy by double working, I planned ahead in an attempt to position our decorations and supplies for the Saturday effort.

Friday morning I moved all the decorations from the shed placing those that the weather would not affect, against the fence near the garage for easy access Saturday. The items in cartons were placed strategically in the back of my pickup. This gave us easy access Saturday with much less effort.   

               Friday afternoon I mowed the front yard. I was actually attempting to remove the leaves more than mow but both were accomplished. 

               When I completed these chores and prior to a needed shower and nap, I said to myself, “nice job Don”.  I occasionally need to pat myself on the back since others may not notice my valuable effort.

               Saturday morning came and we began the task. Of course we had to check all the lights to verify that they are working prior to putting them up. My job is placing the so called ice sickles lights along the roof edge across the front of the house. This requires me to climb up and down the ladder many times. The climbing can be good exercise and has a tendency to make sore muscles the next day.

               I was also allowed to install the lights that border the flower beds across the yard. This process required me to crawl on my hands and knees to install the lights. Each light had a plastic stake attached which is pushed into the ground.

               Other jobs I was allowed to do include taking empty cartons back to the shed along with sweeping up.

               A large portion of the work was completed on Saturday. I should also note that this may have been the first time we were not working in bad weather conditions. Usually the weather is cold, windy and or drizzling rain when these decorations are put up.

               My spouse of 44 years asked where the Angel was. My response was, “I don’t know”. There should be a small angel possible 16 inches tall that is hung over the manger scene. It was not there. I went back to the shed to see if possibly I had over looked it. It was not there. I must say my first wife was not a happy camper.

               Sunday afternoon the process was resumed with more light checking and decoration placement. I did get to put a star on the top of my flag pole this year.

Not being satisfied that I had properly looked through the shed my present wife of 44 years allowed me to remove all the empty cartons, the lawn mower, a tiller, the wheel barrel and assorted other items. After careful review her comment was, “I don’t know how you could have lost the Angel”.

               Monday morning I went outside to put the trash cart on the curb and I noticed a pile of greenery and red plastic berries on the floor. I, wanting to help keep the area clean, put them in the trash cart and took the cart to the curb.

               About 5 minutes after the trash truck ran my spouse of 44 years asked where the greenery was. I immediately knew something was wrong. I explained that I had put them in the trash. She explained in very clear terms that the pile was not trash; instead it was greenery she would have used inside the house.

               The project, although still not complete, should be finished before the cold weather again arrives this Thursday. No we never found the Angel (people will steal anything).

 

When it is complete I will attempt to post a photo.

 

I hope you have an uneventful day.

 

Don Ford 

 

 

Electric Sex 11.26.13

               If that title, “Electric Sex” didn’t catch your attention then you are either dead or old. Now that I am thinking about it, they may both be the same thing.

               Sex; I have been trying to remember what the definition of that word is.

               Now days, many TV shows do not leave a lot to the imagination when it comes to murder, sex or any other subjects.

               There is one movie that is shown on TV (usually this time of year) that I really like and it refers to Electric sex. This show is about Christmas in Indiana but I am from Missouri, why would I like a “foreign movie”. It is interesting to me because they have depicted many of my memories of Christmas through much of this movie.

               At the beginning of the movie the subject is a gun that the main character is day dreaming about owning. I have two of these guns in my position and one is the 50^th anniversary edition. I have no idea what the value of a, “Red Rider BB Gun” is but I have two.

               In another part of the movie, a bully who is much larger than the main character attempts to harass him. As it happens in most good movies, the main character turns the table on the bully and literally beats the crap out of him. I am not supposed to say crap in front of the grand kids.

               Ok, you want me to get back on the subject of Electric Sex. Let’s see if I can remember how this is presented in the movie.

               The main character’s father wins a major award. The award is delivered to the house and it happens to be a;               if I tell you the entire story it may cause you to not enjoy the movie when it comes on in a week or so.

Let me give you the name of the movie that refers to electric sex and you can watch for it when it comes on TV. The name of the movie is, “Christmas Story”, I hope you will watch and enjoy as much as I do. 

               Below is a photo taken in The Ford Homestead and it deals with the Electric Sex, kinda like in the movie.

               As you should be able to see, there is a lamp on the table next to my chair. This lamp is based on the, “Major Award” in the movie, since it is shaped like a woman’s leg it can be considered as electric sex.

               I purchased this lamp yesterday and on the way home I decided to have a spicy chicken sandwich. I pulled into the local Wendy’s where there were about ten vehicles ahead of me in the drive through. As every knows, I am a very patient person, so waiting several minutes for food is no problem for me.

               When I arrived at the first window the young lady told me the price and referred to me as a young man. Obviously this person was very observant when she acknowledged my youthfulness.

The young lady at the window and I were talking as I waited for the drive through line to move forward, when she noticed the carton containing my new lamp which was beside me on the seat.

This observant young lady said to me, “you are the coolest person ever”. She was very familiar with the movie Christmas Story and noted that her grandpa had one of the BB guns.

We could have talked more but the line moved and I wanted to get my food and head for home.

 

I hope all your awards are Major.

 

We want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving.

 

Don Ford.

  

              

It Snowed 11.25.13

               Good morning one and all, I hope your day is extremely interesting. It is cold and rainy here at The Ford Homestead so I decided to share a couple photos to help warm things up.

This is a photo of my constant companion and confidant, “Tejas”.  You may notice that he was still a puppy in this photo. I believe he was attempting to locate a suitable site to mark the pickup as his own.

         Some of you may have noticed that there is also snow in this photo (Feb. 2004).

 

Taken on the same day, this photo is of some Do it Best Corp. trailers at the Distribution center located in Waco, Texas.

               I just noticed, “There is also snow in this photo”. I thought it never snowed in Waco, Texas.
 

               Why did I show you these photos?

I was asked by a friend if I would search through my archives looking for some photos from several years ago on a totally different subject. As I was searching for those particular photos I couldn’t help noticing the snow photos.

 

Have a warm and dry day.

 

Don Ford

 

A Rose of a Different Color 11.21.13

               Yes I stated, “A Rose of a Different Color”. I understand that the usual statement is, “A Horse of a Different Color”, but we do not yet have horses at the Ford Homestead of Hewitt.

               I have considered the possibility of having a horse or two but when I consider the extra cost associated with equine and the fact that I am on a fixed income, I decided to pass on the horse and stay with less expensive attractions such as flowers.

This morning I had the task of preparing the Bougainvillea crop for their winterization. This process includes cutting the limbs back to a length that is equal to the size of the pot they are planted in and then placing them under a protective cover.

               The assistant grounds keeper did not work with me due to the thorns on the Bougainvillea limbs and I wore gloves in an effort to protect my delicate hands.

Above is how the area appeared at the start of the work.

In the above photo one can see the flowers under the tarp. I will need to get some clear plastic to cover the entire frame which will help keep the cold away from the flowers and yet allow sunlight in during the day.

               The title of this article, “A Rose of a Different Color” has nothing to do with the Bougainvillea photos so I will try to get back on subject.

               When I was preparing to start the above work I noticed a Rose which I thought was very pretty. The photo below is of a multiple colored rose which I have described as, “A Rose of a Different Color”. The rose is pink on the outside and evolves to a yellow to orange color in the center. Yes it was raining and I did work in the rain.

If you have a prettier rose, send me a photo.

 

Have a colorful and dry day.

 

Don Ford

 

Texas Football Playoffs 11.19.13

               The photo is somewhat blurred because it was taken with my cell phone and no I do not  have a smart phone. If I had a smart phone I could not talk about everyone who has one.

This was an excellent night for a game.

 

Have a nice evening, hope your team wins.

 

Don Ford

 

Yard Work 11.19.13

               Last week we had freezing weather for a couple days, yes we had to use the furnace. Then the weather changed and we had a record high temperature of 89 degrees last Friday, we had to turn the air conditioner on.

               All this good/bad weather got me interested in doing some yard work. Although the yard needs to be mowed I decided to trim a few limbs from the trees in the front yard. As usual my work as a, “Master Wood Butcher” was superb. I even cut a few low hanging limbs for the neighbor, even though she wasn’t home at the time. I assume she wanted these limbs cut but I didn’t ask prior to cutting them.

               The real hard work for me is the picking up of the limbs and loading them on the trailer. I had the help of our grounds keeper which made the work go much faster.

               We brought the trailer to the street in front of the house and began to load the limbs on the trailer. The grounds keeper and I would place a limb on the trailer then cut it to fit (in other words make it lay flat on the trailer so we could get more on).  There were 4 larger limbs and we save them for last loading, they help hold the other smaller limbs down.

               Once the trailer was properly loaded we began the process of picking up all the very small branches that fell off during cutting and handling. These little branches will cause a mower blade to dull so I try to pick them up prior to mowing.

               I want to say that our grounds keeper earned his pay yesterday, Thanks Alex.

 

Other news;

My computer is working much better today than it was yesterday. I am not saying it is perfect but much better. Almost everything is back to normal thanks to my son “Patrick”. He spent a couple hours trying to undo some of the things I had done. I am glad he is a patient person.

Patrick was able to log onto my computer and basically use it as if was in his home. That made it much easier because he was no longer attempting to instruct me. My PC now is accepting most updates. I am a happy camper now.

I now need to go mow the front yard.

 

I hope you are having an outstanding day.

 

Don Ford  

 

A project to keep me busy 11.11.13 finished

               I am sure you will be happy to know that all the pieces went together properly and the unit works as if it were built be an expert.

Yes, you are correct, it was manufactured by an expert, “me”. I was somewhat surprised that it set level on all four legs and I did not need to make any adjustments.

You may have been wondering whether we have checkers; we have two sets of checkers. One set was bought (cheap plastic that the kids like) and the other is handmade checkers (not as pretty but I like them). The handmade checkers although somewhat ugly work as well as the store bought checkers.

Painting the bare wood was fairly easy, I used spray paint and it went on fairly well.

The photo below shows the unit folded and stored against a wall indicating how easy it is to store the unit.

The excellent design of the leg assembly was made by an American sent to China so they could mass-produce the TV tables eventually allowing me to copy the design for my folding checker board.  

The photo below shows the finished product with the handmade checkers on the board.

Would you like to play with me?

OK, get you mind out of the gutter; I meant “play checker with me”.

 

I hope all your games are fun and you win most of the time.

 

Don Ford

Friday Posting 11.15.13

               As I started this morning thinking about the world while drinking my second cup of coffee, something came to mind that I had seen earlier this week. As you may well know, I am very observant. That morning there was frost on the neighbor’s yards and roofs. I noticed the frost was not on everything. I observed that there was no frost under any tree (the trees still have leaves on them). If the tree was over part of a roof there was no frost on that portion of the roof and similarly there was no frost on the grass under the trees.

               I am wondering if you know why this happens. I assume that the tree somehow holds heat which does not allow the frost to form but how does that happen?

 

               If you have been paying attention to the politics coming from Washington and “your” president, you may have noticed that he has issued many Executive Orders. After observing this procedure of getting around Congress and doing whatever he wants I have decided to adopt the practice and issue an executive order from The Ford Homestead. 

               First I want to thank everyone who donated funds to help this senior citizen purchase some power tools; I really do appreciate your thoughtfulness (although larger donations would have been more helpful).

               As president of The Ford Homestead I have decided to decree an Executive Order and move the power tool donations to the Thanksgiving Dinner Fund. By moving these funds to the Thanksgiving dinner fund it will help assure that we will be able to have a nice turkey with all the trimmings.

It will really be nice to know my spouse of 44 years does not have to pick up aluminum cans from the side of the road in order to have enough money to purchase the turkey and trimmings. 

Thanks again for the donations to purchase power tools.

 

Recently I have begun a process of a “to do list” written on post it notes an attaching them to the computer monitor. This is in an effort to remember things I need or want to do. Notes do help and it has surprised me how much more I am able to get accomplished once I have written an item on the “to do list”. It may be difficult for you to believe that I need help remembering anything but occasionally I do. Without the notes I most often remember what I wanted to do about cocktail time, when it is too late to do anything. 

My spouse of 44 years and I were discussing the “to do list”, which is totally different from her list, when she suggested that I may have a tendency to forget to put items on the “to do list” and I may forget to review the “to do list”.

I have decided to make a second “to do list” and keep it next to my recliner. This list will be a reminder to write items on the first “to do list” and also to read the first “to do list” after my naps. 

 

May all the items on your “to do list” be fun!

Don Ford

 

A project to keep me busy 11.11.13 continued

 

            Continuing with this narrative, I went to Home Depot and purchased one ½ wood dowel and two 1X2s. I went to the local Ace Hardware Store to get 4 bolts. I would have liked to gone to the Do it Best store but it is on the other side of town and being on a fixed income I need to save as much as I can on gas.

            Speaking of gas, I purchased gas at the Wal-Mart station for $2.79 the other day. I never thought I would consider gas at less than $3.00 as a good price.

When I was a teenager, many years ago, gas was .30 cents per gallon in town and .25 cents at the cheap station just outside of town.

I remember when gas prices were still below a dollar I stated, “if gas goes to $1.00 a gallon I will quit driving”. I didn’t quit driving.

Now I have a question, what happened to the “cent” symbol? We still use the dollar symbol “$” but the cent symbol seems to have vanished. Is it because many people do not have common cents (sense) now days?

I digress; I have now spent almost $10.00 for wood and bolts to make these legs. I couldn’t find plastic washers so I made my own out of an old Starbucks gift card. To explain before that one person asks; the plastic washer is placed between two pieces of wood as a spacer and to allow for free movement between the two wooden legs. 

Being on a fixed income I can’t afford nice power tools like a power sander. I have manually rounded off the corners of the 1X2s that will be used for the folding legs with an old wood rasp. My poor old hands are tired from the work. (Donations will be accepted for power tools)

I find it interesting how a simple project like this can have so many little details. I try to do each thing in the proper order hoping that I will not need to go back and re-due anything. I look at it as if it were a puzzle and I am attempting to get all the pieces in the right shape before I attempt to put them together.

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I received a question from the first posting which asked, “Were you looking at the checker board when the young lady with the short shirt and boots walked past, causing you to associate legs with the checker board?”

My answer to that question is, “how could a pair of nicely polished brown leather boots with a small yellow Texas Rose embroidery on the upper portion of the boot, a nicely pressed, very short, light blue denim skirt”, cause anyone to think about table legs. That is just silly.

Another reader noted that I had used the wrong word. I mistakenly wrote “Cracker Barrow” when I wanted to write “Cracker Barrel”.

In response; “my computer is still broken and the program that would read back to me want I have written no longer works. When something is read to me I can usually hear the words that are in error and correct them but when I re-read what I have written I often read what I think I have written and not what is actually there. “

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *                 

In the following photo you will see all the pieces to the project laid out ready for assembly. I have each piece ready to attach. Some of the pieces will be attached using wood glue and screws while some are attached with bolts and nuts. When it is all together I plan to paint the unpainted wood white, hopefully matching the white checker board.  

  

            After the above photo was taken I did put all the parts together to assure myself that each piece properly fit. I found some minor sanding was needed which will allow easier movement of the legs. There is one piece that was left out of the photo (an error on my part, and you are correct I do not usually admit my errors) a metal bar that is 11 inches long which keeps the legs attached to the checker board. I will try to get a photo of the bar when the unit is complete.

 

I hope you have a rewarding day with delightful surprises. 

Don Ford

A project to keep me busy 11.11.13

            While at the local Cracker Barrow enjoying my Sunday morning Brunch I came up with an idea. We had been seated near the checker board and there were children playing checkers.

            Everyone knows I would never criticize the way a person was dressed, unless they deserved the criticism; many do deserve it.

Naturally when the young lady, mid 20s, dressed in cowgirl boots (notice I didn’t say cowboy because they were on a woman) and a very short dress walked past, I was not about to make a negative comment.  Most men, even older men enjoy seeing a well-dressed young lady in a short dress and cowgirl boots. 

Sorry, my mind wondered for a minute there; back to my original thought. The kids playing checkers cause me to think of a project that could keep me busy for a couple hours and get the checker board out of my office.

Why do we still call it an office, there is no business done in this room.  This is my safe room, when my wife is cleaning the house or, as she has been doing for the last few days, putting up Christmas trees and decorations, it is my retreat.

Back to the story; The wait staff brought our food and we had begun to consume our lunch. I had a mouth full of meat loaf when the lady asked, (the waitress not the young lady with the short dress and boots, try to stay with me and get you mind off the boots) “sweet?” I could not say anything because I had a mouth full of that delicious meat loaf. All I could do was shake my head no, and she walked away.

It is my opinion, all wait staff are trained to only ask questions when the customer has their mouth full. This is done in an effort to save time as they expect the customer to nod their head and not engage them in a conversation.

A minute or so later she returned with a pitcher of tea. I then asked her, “When you said sweet were you asking if I was sweet or the tea?” This young lady was obviously working for tips when she replied, “you of course, I knew you tea was un-sweet”.

Somehow the subject of food causes me to deviate from the original subject.

I will attempt to get back to the checker board idea. As some of you may know, I made a checker board out of what I believed was an old cutting board. It actually turned out to be a good checker board and we have had a few games on it.

I came up with the idea of making a set of folding legs for the checker board. It would make it easier for senior citizens to play by having the board up off the floor but the younger people could still lay it on the floor and play because the legs would fold flat.

You are possibly thinking, “How does he come up with these great ideas”. It is easy for me since there isn’t much of anything important in my head to keep the ideas out.

            The above hand drawn image depicts my vision of the legs and how they would be mounted to the checker board. The drawing may be too technical for some so if you have questions send them to me and I will get to them in the order received. 

In an effort to provide full disclosure, I got the idea from some old wooden TV dinner tables in our garage. TV dinners, do they still have TV dinners? I use to like the Salisbury steak.

I have run out of time for this posting and I will end now.

If there are no further posting on this subject, you will know I have decided the project is too difficult or more likely, too costly for a retired person on a fixed income.

Have an excellent day!

Don Ford

Turn you back on me?

            If that is the way you feel, then turn your back on and old friend.

            Those who are supposed to be good friends while in the same room and they are unwilling to look at each other.

What can I say, it is just heart breaking. 

            What could have happen to cause these two who had just a few minutes earlier been close and communicating?

Possibility there was a slip of the tong or maybe some bullying (NFL type).

            Whatever the reason, they have turned their back to each other.

 

Hope your friends are friendly today.

Don Ford

Exercise 110513

               Exercise; may be a word we do not want to hear but it is important.

               I was explaining to my spouse of 44 years how to exercise her thumbs. When we exercise our thumbs something special happens.

               Thumb exercise is often known as, “twiddling your thumbs”. This exercise will help you when shaking someone’s hand and may help with your writing. If you exercise properly you will not only improve the muscle tone in your thumbs but it will keep your mind sharp as well.

Proper positioning of the hands and thumbs is important; the following is the conventional method.

Join the hands together with all fingers interlocked and the thumbs are side by side. Most often one will place their hands in their lap as this is relaxing. The hands may be places on a desk or table if one is more comfortable.

Each person has a preferred direction of rotation which is used without thought. Reversing the direction may be uncomfortable for some and requires a conscious thought process.

               There are three preferred methods used in this workout. 

First there is the, “single direction rotation” method which simply means the thumbs are rotated on one direction. This method should be used when you want to relax the body and allow the mind to unwind. One direction rotation can be accomplished by anyone.

The second method is known as, “bi-direction rotation”. This technique requires one to rotate both thumbs first in one direction then reverse the direction. To stimulate the brain during this procedure one should count the revolutions made by their thumbs in one direction then reverse the direction rotating the same number of turns in the other direction before switching back to the first direction.

There is a third method which is not often used; it is known as, “the non-rotational twiddle”. One should join the hands as previously described and move one thumb under the other stopping when they are again side by side but do not go all the way around, then reverse the process bringing the thumbs back to the original side by side position. This method does not seem as fulfilling to me. 

The speed of the twiddle is also important and may be used to determine the mental stress of the twiddler.       The slower the twiddle the less stress.

Definition of terms used in this commentary;

                              Twiddle; to exercise

                              Twiddler; a person who is exercising 

 

 

For those of you, who may have questions about this exercise, forward your questions to:

Thumb-ology Department

Ford Homestead Foundation

 

Hope you have a stress free day.

Don Ford