Saturday, a day of rest 09.29.18

            It started out like many other Saturdays with coffee and one of those sausage and egg biscuits that you warm up in the microwave. It was ok but not great. As I sat there looking at the TV, my spouse of 49 years walked through the living room on her way to the front rest room. That should be a clue as to the fact that our bathroom, next the Ford’s Master bed room, is not operational.

            The toilet is set in place but not secured and has no water connected. This toilet, you know one of those small flush types, was built differently on the base when compared to the old toilet. The base is longer and it is against the water off and on valve. If the toilet had been secured to the floor the water could not be turned on or off. They will return some day and put a different valve, one that is a quarter turn valve. They think it will work.

            The shower is not completed, as the part that goes around the window was wrong. May have it installed sometime next week. The floor looks good and is complete in the john. The floor in the hall way is complete except for, the base board is not installed yet. Yep, next week!

            The shower will have a sliding door and it should be installed, you guessed it, next week.

            The mirrors in the master bath room have not yet been installed. I don’t need to tell you, “Next week”!          

            Supposedly, on the 8^th of Octember they will begin the demolition of the kitchen cabinets. Who knows what happens after that. (I know how to spell October, I like Octember.)

            I mowed the back yard this morning and it sprinkled during most to the mowing. The Ford’s ole rider works well in the light sprinkles.

            Our son Patrick and his lovely spouse Karla came for a visit today. We enjoyed the visit. Tres our dog was even nice during their visit.

            Well that is all that has happened so far today.

 

May your weekend be safe and filled with family? 

 

Not happy, and not un-happy; Don Ford

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Can you believe 09.28.18

            Would you believe, the neighborhood association gathered in protest in front of the Ford’s Homestead carrying signs for us to clean up the yard? I have not wanted to go outside the Homestead due to the almost rioting situation. Would you believe they are throwing rocks at our Homestead, due to some items that were sitting in our front yard?

            I will provide a photo of the items that may have been seen as unacceptable for the neighborhood. Would you believe the police who were trying to control the riot, would not allow me to take a photo of the so-called neighbors?

 

            Yep, that is an old toilet along with other items, setting on the side walk.

            They are supposed to be here today to install the floors. After the floor is installed in the bath room they can then install the toilet, thank goodness. Would you believe we have gone an entire week without a Potty! I really need to go!

May your Potty be there for you!

Needy senior citizen; Don Ford 

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Too Long? 09.27.18

            How long is to long, we may find out today? But before we get into that let us converse about the wonderful fall weather. It is 62 degrees this morning and it is also cloudy. It would be a great day to mow the yard if these contractors were not here.

            Good news, or maybe it is bad news, I am not sure, so you can judge. The contractors will not be here next week to work on the kitchen. Is that good or not?

            Today they are supposed to be installing a counter top in the bath room. The counter top is not only heavy, it is 10 foot long, and it has two sinks that are part of the counter top. In other words, it is 10 foot long and 2 feet wide and more than a foot thick at each of the sinks. All that being said, the doors, corners and furniture are like a maze, which they will need to navigate.

            They did get about half of the shower installed yesterday. They are working on the floor not only in the bath but also in the hall way at the front door.

            My spouse of 49 years insisted on painting a wall in the area where the new counter top will be installed. There were two different wall papers showing. It does look a little better but we are not done with it yet.

            The contractors are making a lot of noise today so I am trying to stay back here in the office area but I still hear them grinding away at the floor.

            Along with the above excitement, the TV will have nothing but the Judge Kavanaugh hearing on today.

 

May all be quiet and peaceful for you!

 

Not able to get a senior nap; Don Ford

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Not a lot of Progress 09.26.18

            Read the title, do I need to say more?            Nope!

            Has the contractor ran into a few problems?             Yes!

            First problem was some 2X4s that needed to be replaced. They allow for some unexpected damage in the wall around a tub.

            Latest problem is, a shower drain not properly positioned. The plumber set it but evidently it is about an inch off. That has slowed down the entire shower project. Repositioning scheduled for this morning.

            They are scheduled to be here at 8:00 again this morning. Those who have worked on this project have been pleasant people and willing to explain what they are doing.

            My spouse of 49 years and I went out and purchased a kitchen stove yesterday afternoon. We presently have a built in oven and the stove top is built into the cabinets. My present spouse wants to get rid of both and have a stove with the oven in it.

            Our garage is filled with artifacts from the Ford Homestead. I have decided to attempt to make a path to the opening that goes into the attic, as I believe the electrician will need access to it prior to installing the stove. No, they have not started on this yet, but I am trying to be, “Proactive”!

 

            Is remodeling fun, NO! Will the finished project be worth it? I hope so!

 

May your day be as scheduled!

 

Anxious senior person; Don Ford

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Understand 09.25.18

            How did this word get started? What the heck does it mean, and what should it mean! I don’t know if there is a dictionary anymore, but if there is the dictionary definition would be; Understand: to grasp the meaning of; to accept as a fact, or truth, or regard as plausible without utter certainty.

            After several months of investigation by the professionals here at the Ford Homestead, we have uncovered the original meaning of the word understand. We also know how it began. Read on to learn the unusual, an almost unreal explanation.

 

            Would you believe, our story begins many years ago in a small village known as New York? There was a fellow who was a painter named Willie and he had one worker name Billy Bob. Willie painted houses and buildings, Billy Bob was his helper.

            Willie had a job painting this barn which meant he would be up on the ladder most of the day. Back in the olden days their ladders were made of wood and were not very sturdy. Billy Bob’s job was to mix up the paint, and hold the ladder for Willie when he was painting.

            Willie had his brush in hand and a bucket of paint, the long ladder was leaning against the wall. He instructed Billy Bob to hold the ladder as he climbed to the upper part of the barn wall. Willie did not trust Billy Bob so he would have him stand under the ladder (between the ladder and the wall) so he could look down and see that Billy Bob was holding the ladder.

            The painting began and all was well. One area was painted and Willie climbed down from the ladder so Billy Bob could move it over a little and then he climbed back up the ladder and began to paint again. This went on for an hour or so until Willie looked down and Billy Bod was not under the ladder holding it. Willie was furious as he climbed down from the ladder. Billy Bob had walked over to the tree and sad down to rest.

            Willie was screaming at Billy Bob, “Why weren’t you standing under my ladder holding it?” Billy Bob said he did not know why Willie wanted him to be under the ladder standing. Willie said, “You must stand under the ladder so I will not fall”! Billy Bob said, “So I am the understand? That is when Willie said, “If you don’t understand the ladder I will fire you! Billy Bob said, “I will understand”!

            So now you know how the term understand began. It meant to stand under and now it means, to grasp the meaning of; to accept as a fact, or truth, or regard as plausible without utter certainty.

I hope you understand!

        

Author of true stories; Don Ford

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Full of it 09.24.18

              

            If you have read the title, then you know what this one of a kind article is about.

            I am wondering why that one person hasn’t made a comment out loud yet. Yes, I hope you know that when you have my posting open, I am able to hear everything you say.

            By the way, one of you reads out loud. Yes I know who you are but I don’t know why you read out loud. Are you reading to someone who can’t read, possibly you are recording what you read for posterity. Most likely you read out loud because the words I write, make people feel euphoric, when they are read aloud! Whatever the reason, I appreciate you reading the postings.

            You are totally correct, “I am full of it, and I like it”! If you think this article is about me, you are incorrect. Full if it refers to the front bed room and our garage. We have moved bunches of stuff from the bath room and have started moving from the kitchen, in preparation for the beginning of the remodel. I /we are not looking forward to the work but we are looking forward to the completion of at least the first phase. 

            Some of you who enjoy the tamales and Christmas candies along with other foods that my present spouse makes, will most likely be happy when the kitchen is done. One note about that new kitchen. After we pay for the remodel we will not have the funds to cook anything. Donations will be accepted!

            True story. We have to put in a new toilet. New toilets use less water. New toilets don’t always flush all the poop in one flush. The old toilet held almost 4 gallons of water, which under normal loads, cleaned the poo poo out. The new toilet have either a 1.2 gallon or 1.6 gallon flush. I ordered the 1.6 gallon and learned that they can’t sell the 1.6 in the state of Texas. I have a 1.2 gallon! Who knew Texas had gone liberal. Get ready for several flushes.

            Heck the remodel hasn’t started yet and I am already tired of it. How will I get to take my naps with people in our home? When they destroy the kitchen how will we eat? Will it all be worth it?

 

Donations should be sent immediately!

 

Poor senior; Don Ford

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Nothing to do so... 09.21.18

            Today is Friday but I am writing about Thursday. It was Thursday morning and I had nothing planned to do. How should I spend my day? I made myself a cup of instant coffee and watched the so-called news. I made a second cup of instant coffee and again returned to my chair.

            I decided to take a shower and put some clothes on, then I made a real cup of coffee and headed to my desk where I enjoyed the coffee as I powered up the PC. I finished a posting that I had started the day prior.

            I took the grand daughter to school. Returning home I tried to find something that needed to be done. My spouse of 49 years had her own projects, so I went out and water the flowers and black berry vines in the back yard. I was again made aware that the ditch needed to be mowed and trimmed. Since it was cloudy, I thought I should mow and weed eat the ditch. 

            I got the mower out and went to work in the ditch, then I got the trimmer out and trimmed what I couldn’t mow. I finished at 10:45. I removed my shoes and socks and hosed my legs and feet off prior to reentering the house.

            Lunch is at 11:00 at the Homestead, I ate lunch. After lunch I took a nap as usual, and I regained consciousness at about 12:00. Even though I was tired from the morning work load, I decided to mow the front yard before the rain arrives. I was somewhat slow in my mowing do to the morning work. Mowing completed I got the weed eater out and trimmed the front yard. Trimming completed I retrieved the leaf blower and blew the grass off the drives and walks. I completed the yard work in time to drive out to the school to get Alex from school. As usual in order to be one of the first in line I waited almost an hour in line at school.

            It rained while I waited for Alex, so I had to roll the windows up and turn the air conditioner on.

            I returned home with Alex about 3:30, my first wife was at the grocery store. David had got off work a little early and he picked up Gabi from school. Dave, Gabi and Alex only stayed at the house for a few minutes as Johnny, our contractor came to the house. Johnny had a change he wanted to show us. My wife arrived a few minutes after Johnny and she made the decision. We are getting a Lazy Susan at no additional cost.

            The contractor left and I decided to have a cup of real coffee on the front porch after the rain. Someone said that a cup of real coffee after one works out, is like taking an aspirin, it relieves pain. Coffee may have helped, but I could not be sure, due to the pains in my ole retired body.

            After the coffee I went across the street to the neighbor’s house and checked the doors and windows. I also checked and water the flowers that needed it. They are on vacation.

            Back at home, we had supper and I finally had time for an adult beverage.         

            Now you know the problems of a retired senior person, there is nothing to do when you leave the work force so you sit at home alone all day, twiddling your thumbs.

            Today is Friday, my present spouse has only assigned 4 jobs for me to do today, and I have only 3 projects of my own. It looks like I will have a restful day. Bored with nothing to do, retired senior person!

Do not retire, it is boring!

Retired senior, and I must say, bored person, with nothing to do;   Don Ford         

 

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Not easy 09.20.18

            I am sure those of you who read my postings may believe, I am a little or a lot off the rail. You may have thought, why can’t this wonderful writer of posting stay focused! Is there something that has a tendency to distract him as he sits at the ole Ford Desk pounding out these messages?

            The answer is yes, there is a problem. It is not entirely a mental problem, although that should always be considered when thinking of me. There is another problem that distracts me from my attempt to provide intelligent and informative postings. The problem is Tres.

            I know what you are thinking, how could a skinny dog like Tres be a problem to Mr. Ford? Well I have a photo that shows just a part of the problem. Click to enjoy.

 

            The photo is taken as I sit on my chair at my desk trying to type into this computer. His head is under the arms that hold the wheels on. His foot is more or less wrapped around the wheel, and the rest of his body is under the desk. You should try to constipate, I mean concentrate with a dog not only under foot, but under the chair and under the desk. Also, it isn’t comfortable sitting with my feet in odd positions avoiding the Tres!

            Different subject:

            The other day I saw something that would cause the average person to throw up. I did not toss my cookies, I just gagged a little. The following is a description of what I saw.

            Driving on a city street, during the morning hours, the sun was shining, the sky was clear. There was a senior person staggering on a sidewalk who appeared to be much older than me. This male, senior person’s clothing was dirty. He had a filthy pull over T shirt, his pants were down below his rear end. This possibly 80 years old fart was trying to look like one of those puck kids that walk around with their pants so low that most of their underwear are showing. Dirty, very old, barely able to walk, trying to be cool, senior person!

            Dirty, staggering, and old are all acceptable. The way he wore his pants was not.

Old people, should they act their Age?

Senior analysts; Don Ford

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Follow up 09.19.18

            As my post yesterday began, one might have thought that we were going to move out of the Ford Homestead. It was written in a manner to draw ones attention. We have emptied the hot house, and at some point in the future we will try to move it so we can attempt to bring down the broken limb without damaging anything.

            I hope we don’t damage the hot house when we try to move it, but it is less expensive to replace the hot house that it would be to hire a pro to remove the limb.

            Different subject:

            I receive comments on yesterday’s post, but none on the skinny dog posting. I thought I would get some comments on the skinny dog. J

            Different subject:

            If someone works at a company that use to be, or at least seemed to be, “Family oriented”, but the company now seems to be, “Not family oriented”, there are probably several reasons for that feeling.

            Is the company hiring people for the job, or the right people for the company?

            In the above question we are asking is the company hiring the right people for every position, from the lowest position all the way to the top position. One may hire a person for a particular job, but this person may not be right for the company.   Discuss!

            How often is the company promoting from within?

            If they are promoting from within, less than 50% of the time, then they are not hiring the right people, top to bottom!  Discuss! 

            Does the company evaluate and review all staff equally and professionally, for the position they hold?

            Evaluations / reviews are for many (those who give them and those who receive them) considered, “A pain in the back side”. Reviews and evaluations should, no, must provide valuable insight for the presenter and the person receiving the review.    Discuss!

            All companies need new ideas and outside influence.

            Be careful with this.  Discuss!

           

Don’t worry about it, it’s only your job!

Consultant emeritus:  Don Ford            

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Broke, may need to move 09.18.18

            If you ever get old and on a fixed income, you may understand what I am describing in this article. I hate to say it, but we will likely have to move in the near future! One of the problems in moving is where do we move to? Then if you find a good location for the move, consider all the items you have, that also have to be moved! When you find the new location for your move, who is going to do all the work in the move, and we know there is a lot of junk, I mean items (my wife gets upset when I say junk) to be moved.

            I have discussed this with my son David and he offered some suggestions as to the move, he didn’t state that he would help but I think he will.

            How long will it take, and can we even do it? I guess I will start by moving some items into storage and preparing for the actual move. I do not know when the actual move will occur, it kinda depends on the weather, we have had some cool weather and that kind of got me started, but the weather is back to the mid-90s again.

            Fall is supposed to be here this weekend, and we are climbing back into the mid-90s, crazy! I have reset the lawn sprinklers from 3 days per week down to two days. I do shut the system off when we get rain as we did last week.

            I have decided to move and store some items in the ole fort. No, not Fort “D”, how do you know about Fort D?  Fort D is back in Missouri and it is located across the street from May Green School. Fort D is a real fort and was there for protection of the population. There were other forts but we lived close to Fort D. All the kids in the neighborhood have played there in the olden days, I assume that kids still play there. I am not sending items to ole Fort D in Missouri! (You can go on line and see Fort D Cape Girardeau, Mo.)

            I am referring to the ole kid’s fort in our back yard for storage of items. The grand kids have been more into computers and not playing outside, so the fort can be used as a storage location. I plan to put the lumber and tools in the ole fort.

            When I get the house cleaned out, I will need to remove the restraints that attach it to the foundation. Then David and I will attempt to move the entire building from its present location to a location that is less likely to be damaged when the broke limb falls. The building is not heavy so I hope we can move it and then return it without damage.

            The Broke limb is over the Ford’s hot house, and if it falls it would likely fall through the house. If or when we get the house moved, we will attempt to get the limb down without damage to any surrounding items.

Broke but not by choice!

Senior Packer and Mover: Don Ford

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It was time to Diet 09.17.18

            Did my doctor say I should lose a few pounds? Who knows, I haven’t seen my doctor in the past 4 visits? My doctor works one day per week at the office that I use, he works at another clinic the rest of the time. The last time I was supposed to visit him, they called and said he had an emergency, not his patient, but he had an emergency. I assume he is ok, but I have not seen him. The other doctors seem to be doing their jobs, but they have not told me to lose weight, even though I know I should.

            I have a photo of a single rose that bloomed on one of the bushes that I have cut back. Click to smell the flower!

                                                            

            The company I retired from had an employee appreciation meeting last evening. The Hors d’oeuvers were good, and I am glad I had several. In the beginning there was no napkins on the tables. They had ice water on the tables for everyone but no ice tea. They gave everyone a free drink card which you could use for an adult beverage or a regular beverage.

            There was a buffet for the food and the food was supposed to be BBQ. They had chicken breast sliced very thin, possibly a ¼ inch thick. They had sausage and something that looked like bacon. I later learned that the meet that looked like bacon was brisket sliced ultra-thin. They had ribs which were ok, if you had enough sauce on them. The sausage was good, they could not screw it up.

            If you wanted a glass of tea with your supper you had to ask for it. If one was to say, “The food was less than enjoyable”, they would be right.

            It was time for the entertainment. The General Manager announced that the bar would be closed in a couple minutes. That did not work, about a half hour later the bar was closed. They had entertainment, a magician, he was ok.

            Where I sat there was a leak of some type. Water was dripping from the roof onto the floor and occasionally I could feel the splash.

            Let me change the subject!

            As I was observing the back 40, I happened to look up into one of the large trees in the back yard, and there is a limb that is broken. That in itself doesn’t sound too bad but, this limb just happens to be over the Ford Homestead’s hot house. The end of the broken limb is resting on another limb. At some point it will fall and it appears to me that it will fall on the hot house.

            It is probably less expensive to let the limb fall and take out the hot house, than it would be to pay the tree trimmers to come and remove it. I will need to consider this situation and form a proper answer to the situation. I could get my son to help me move the hot house as it is very light. The house is secured in place and I would need to remove those restraints, then we could move it. First I need to see if I can get to the limb with my pole saw.

            Let me change the subject, again!

            Our dog Tres has been eating a lot and he needed to be put on a diet. I asked the vet what to do and he said, feed him less each day. Wow that was a smart statement! He went on to say, if Tres begins to lose weight then increase a little until you find the right amount to feed him daily. Also we were not to give him food that we have left over from our meals. Tres likes steak, chicken, fish, spam, and he likes sweet potatoes, if they are cooked (yes we eat spam). We may be on a fixed income, but we can afford to splurge and have a can of spam once in a while!

            We decided to cut the Tres’ food back a little, but it didn’t seem to help so we cut him back a lot. We were wondering if he has been getting food from the neighbors, or maybe he is killing squirrels and rabbits and eating them. Where ever he has been getting his food, he was not losing any weight. We cut him way back and finally he begin to lose some of that excess weight. I have a photo of the Tres now that he has been on this diet. Photo of Tres to follow, see if you can tell that he has lost weight.

Below we see Tres at one of his favorite locations to urinate. Why do dogs pick certain locations and go there every time. Fat or skinny, dogs are like humans, they are habitual characters.

            For that one person who believe that is really Tres, I have another photo showing that Tres is doing well and has not lost any weight. Click to enhance.

            Would you believe, the dog skeleton was found on a country road and I brought it home so Tres could have a playmate? OK, what if I said we purchased the plastic skeleton and it is a Halloween item. His eyes light up, his mouth opens and shuts as he growls and barks. Tres will occasionally bark back at him.

May your diet be effective!

Keeper of the less that fatted dog; Don Ford

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Had enough? 09.14.18

            The title could be interesting, is it? The question, had enough, could have many different meanings. Have you had enough? I have not had enough! Then we need to know, “Enough of what”?

            How do I come up with these fun and interesting questions? It could be that I am a mental giant, or super observant, or possibly I try harder. It isn’t any of those things, I just saw something in my yard that caught a senior retired person’s attention. Seeing said item cause me to take a photo so I could pass this along to you.

            Today I went into town to purchase some items for our project for reworking some drawers and doors to the bath room cabinets. As I was on my way home from town, the vehicles in front of my vehicle passed a slower moving vehicle. I, not wanting to be the odd ball vehicle, proceeded into the passing lane. As I came up beside this vehicle I noticed a couple things. There was a female subject driving the vehicle. The vehicle had a windshield that had numerous cracks in it, looking as if someone had a wreck and their head hit the windshield. There is no way it could pass an inspection. The vehicle had damage to the driver’s side and front. There was one other thing, this female subject appeared to be texting. 

            Ok I digress. Back to the subject of this article. What is the subject of this article? Had enough, is the title! I just spoke to the people who are supposed to be doing the work on our bath and kitchen. We thought they were going to begin next Monday (17) but they are not. We now know they will start on the 24^th, but that has nothing to do with the title of this article.

            My spouse has informed me that I have not had enough when it comes to getting ready for the remodeling. She has indicated that we still have some painting that needs to be done and then we need to move a bunch of items out of the work areas. 

            I have in a past posting, shown some of these mushroom type items growing in the yard. We have had various amounts of rain each day this week, and even though we are still in a drought situation, the top layer of the yard thinks the drought is past. I have had enough of these mushroom type growths. I will post a photo, click on it to enlarge the view.

Pray for those people in the path of the hurricane!

Overworked, underpaid, and I have had enough; Don Ford

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None of your business 09.12.18

I have a couple photos, and it is none of your business who lives there, they know who they are. Ok they are relatives who live in the path of the storm!

               The following photo is of my hand. I wanted to show you the small red bloom that landed on my hand. I looked at the photo and I see that I have worked my fingers, not to the bone as the ole saying goes, but I worked them off. I am a hard worker, but I never get a thank you! Click to enjoy any photo.

               I will show you some of the work my poor fingerless hand was doing. First photo shows some of the drawers after being cleaned and stained. They have not yet been varnished.

             This second foto is a close up of one of the drawer faces. Can you believe someone drilled holes in the drawer? I can’t believe anyone would do that, now I have to find a way to fix the holes. My present spouse suggested a way to fix them, but you know how women think, their ideas are way out there! My spouse of 49 years suggested, that is where a handle goes.

            Anyway you now see some of what has been taking place here at the Fords Homestead.

            I will likely be applying polyurethane to the drawers and cabinets today. My first wife said I could do that while she goes to town shopping. I allow her to go shopping even though I must carry the work load, she usually purchases some food and I do like to eat. 

Work not and supper will depart!

Fingerless senior laborer; Don Ford

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Comfort in being close 09.11.18

               I would assume some of you would believe, being close to your spouse or special friend is a pleasant situation. You know, a warm hug from that special person, possibly a kiss or two, maybe someone says, “I love you”. Yes, that is for most of us, a pleasant situation.

            Let me continue, some of you do not have a human companion, but you have a lovable pet. The pets can be just as loving if not more so, and they do not have any verbal comments about what you say or do. Let’s hope any kissing is not on the mouth, and if it is don’t tell us!

            After working my tail off yesterday, I needed a little rest and alone time. What? I will tell you what we were doing! We were cleaning drawers and doors from a set of cabinets in preparation to stain and varnish them. It was not something one would do in a few minutes it was hours of continuous work. I hope that will be the last question until, or if, I open this article for questions.

  

            If you have reviewed the photo, you will notice that Molly has decided to stay close to her human, me! Molly is not normally a cat that wants to be closer that 5 to 10 feet from people. As you can see, for some reason she had decided to change her approach and get close. Before anyone asks, I keep a cap on my drink to keep bugs and other debris out of the glass. No she does not drink from my glass!

            I assume some of you know there is a hurricane heading for the east coast. We have family who lives very close to the water and they are making plans for the coming storm. Let’s all hope and pray that the storm weakens and is not as bad as they are predicting.

            We here in Hewitt need the rain, but not the kind that they will likely get.

Prepare and be safe, don’t get hurt!

Hard working senior: Don Ford

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