Friday is here 08/21/2020

            Friday is here, he thought, as he tried to drag his ole body out of the bed. Will I be able to make it to the toilet without help? It is rough when one gets old.

            Actually, it happened like this. It was 4:00am and I knew that because the clock in the front room had just chimed four times. The Tres had been moving around in the bath room, that is where he normally sleeps. Then it happened, the door to the bed room opened and Tres went into the front room. Yes, he can open the door. I assumed he wanted a drink of water, but I was wrong. He came back and begin bumping his nose against my back, I knew that meant he wanted or needed to go outside. So, at 4:00am I crawled out of bed and went to the back door with Tres. As I opened the door, I could hear other dogs barking. Now I knew, he didn’t need to go, he wanted to see what was all the barking about. 

            I let him stay outside for a few minutes and then called him back in. I returned to the Ford’s ole bed as I usually get up at 5:00. Charlie was on the bed, my favorite wife was on the bed, and now Tres was on the bed. Tres was laying on the covers, so I had to lay there uncovered.

            To make a short story longer, I got up, made coffee, let the cats out, put food in the cats bowl, got Tres meds ready and gave them to him, went into the front room and acted as if I was watching the so-called news!

            After an appropriate amount of time passed, Tres convinced me to put some clothes on, and he would take me for a walk. Don’t ask, yes, we did get the news paper before we went for a walk.

            It was dark enough that I carried a flash light this morning. We have a new neighbor and I did get to talk with him for a few minutes and welcome him to the neighborhood. He was outside watering the lawn.

            As the Tres and I walked we observed a man open the door to his pickup. I knew he had seen us so when we got close, I said, “Good Morning”, to which he did not respond. He appeared to be putting something in the seat as he had not yet entered the vehicle. We were now even with him, but we were on the opposite side of the street, so I again offered a Good Morning, to which he kind of looked an us and said, “YA”, to which I laughed. He must have been in a bad mood.

            We walked on with out further incident and no other greetings.

 

            Change of topic: I noticed that our neighbor’s wife had been driving their pickup, she usually drove the van, and their van had not been seen by me for a couple days. I had also noticed Thursday morning when the Tres and I were walking, that there were packages on their front porch. I decided if I did not see them by Thursday afternoon, I would call them to see if they were out of town.

            I called the wife of the neighbor, as I do not have his phone number, and she said her and the kids were in Arkansas visiting friends. She went on to say, her husband was in Alaska fishing. She said she had sent a text message to my wife, we never got it, I assume she sent it to the house phone and not a cell phone.

            Anyway, I have procured the 5 packages from their front porch, and I have obtained their mail from the mail box. I must be a good neighbor!

           

            Subject change; I did get out back and water the blackberries this morning before the sun was baring down on them, and I was able to pull a bunch of grass out of the patch. Less grass, more water will reach the black berries.

            Having done all that work, I allowed myself to leave the Ford Homestead and go to the teller machine to get a couple dollars for this week’s expenses. Then I traveled on to the star coffee place for a cup. When I place my order, they ask for my name. If I say Don, they never get it right. I have started saying names that they can understand, such as today my name is Fred.

 

            Well that is it for today, I hope your day is safe and productive.

 

Don’t let your mask down, stay safe!

 

Senior, name maker upper, weed puller, and all-round good neighbor, Don the Ford

Nice unexpected day 08/20/2020

            As the Tres got me dressed to go for his morning walk, I was assuming we would be sweating upon return to the homestead. Tres put his lead on my hand an pulled me out of the house, and that is when it hit me. The temp was a freezing cool 64 degrees! When I use to ride motor cycles, if it was below 70 degrees, I thought it was jacket weather, no jacket needed while walking today. How could this be? Can it be this nice in Texas mid-summer? Yes, it can!

            Tres said he really enjoyed taking me for a walk this morning, and we both arrived at home not sweating!             What a day for a stroll.

            That all being said, the fact is, that social distancing is not being followed here in the Ford’s ole homestead. Last night as I was sleeping our cat Charlie snuck into our bed. I had no idea that he was there when I rolled over. Heck, he was only 2 feet away from me, and that isn’t social distancing. I turned my back on Charlie and went back to sleep. I woke up again as the clock struck 4:00am, and I started to roll over when I learned that Charlie had changed position, he was now laying against me, not social distancing. If I were to have moved, he would have fell off the side of the bed. Why can’t I get some respect and space in my own Homestead?

 

            A friend commented on my last posting noting; it seemed as if I had cleaned and straightened up the work bench area recently, and now I am doing it again. He was correct. I have a tendency to put my tools away but leave scrap pieces of wood, notes, and things I have made just laying around. The work bench area looks better, again!

            Change in topic; My favorite spouse is going to lunch with some friends to celebrate a birthday, I don’t get to go. I guess I will be social distancing today, as I stay home by myself. We do have some leftovers for my poor ole lunch.

            It is difficult for poor ole lonely retired people to have a good time at home alone. Possibly I will take a nap and forget the tears that are flowing like a river from my eyes.

            In truth, my favorite wife said I could go along. I declined the offer, knowing I would not enjoy listening to the lady’s discussions (aka gossip).

 

May all gossip be interesting!

 

Senior retired person who gets no respect from Charlie, Don the Ford  

Clean up organize 08/19/2020

            With nothing to do, I have decided to “try” to clean and organize the work bench area in the Ford’s ole garage. I did say try as it is very difficult for me to toss out things that might be needed at some point in the future. You know what I mean, there is a piece of wire 2 feet long and you roll it up and save it just in case.

            I will attempt to toss some of the scrap wood pieces that are in a box. Wish me good luck!

 

            Tres and I went for a walk this morning and made it back home by 7:00am. The weather outside is actually nice this morning with temps in the lo 70s, and a slight breeze. Walking before the sun rises is nice.

 

            I got to get going, have a good day!

 

Don’t let up, stay defensive, mask up!

 

Senior dog defecation picker-upper and scrap tosser, Don the Ford

Going back 08/18/2020

            I received a return label for the bike and I attached it to the carton. The note that came with it stated, when we see the tracking number of the carton indicating it is on its way back to us, we will send you a new bike.

            I attached the label to the carton and tried to find UPS phone number. All I could find was the UPS stores in our area. I tried two of them and was put on hold by both stores several times. I then decided to call my ex-employer to see if they could give me a phone number. When I explained that I have the return label on the carton I was told I could bring it out there and UPS would pick it up from there. Problem solved.

            I also learned that a fork lift operator had hit a 4-inch water pipe. These pipes have water for the fire sprinkler system, and are under pressure. That happened a couple times during my years at the center and it is a big mess.

            First, someone had to turn the water to that system off, to keep it from pouring water onto the floor.

            Second, you need a bunch of staff members to clean up the water including buckets and wet dry vacuums. 

            Third, the water in those pipes has been sitting in the pipes for a long time, and it stinks.

            Ninth, merchandise gets damaged and or has to be moved out to clean up and then moved back, time consuming effort.

            Fifteenth, all the staff you are using to clean up and move merchandise are not doing their normal work! Probably means OT!

            Well we had a nice day yesterday; the temp was high 80s and low 90s. There was a bunch of clouds which help keep it cool. One of the neighbors mowed their yard today, and today is my normal mow day. I did not mow. It is so dry and the grass doesn’t need me mowing it until it begins to get healthy and grow. I haven’t mowed the back 40 for two weeks now.

            My favorite spouse and I went to the big city (Waco) today, to get some dog food.

            I need to go out in the garage and toss out a bunch of scrap wood I have been keeping. I look at some of the smaller pieces and think, there should be something I can do with them, but they for the most part just sit there in the way. I can create more scrap wood pieces.

            Last short note: I lit my last cigar from Cuba the other day, I puffed on about half of it. I liked it and thought I would go on line to see about purchasing more. A box of 25 was on sale for $499.00. Being on a fixed income, I will not be partaking in those cigars!

Thank you for being a friend!

Senior retired person with out a bike and no cigars, Don the Ford

Monday afternoon 08.17.2020

            What have I done today, as usual nothing but sit around? The Tres and I did go for an early morning walk, I carried a flash light as it was not day light yet.

            I did go to the wally world store early this morning to purchase some tape. I needed the tape to secure the electric bike back into the carton.

            While at the store I ask an employee, who was on her hands and knees stocking a shelf, where the tape was. She very rudely said around the corner across from the candy. She did not look up at me and sounded as if she was in one bad mood.

            I found the tape and then went to the dog food area to get some treats for our pot hound. I did notice as I passed other so-called employees, none of them made eye contact and none seem to be happy. Now it was about 7:30 so they may not have been a wake.

            The lady at check-out was very friendly!

            I did get to go to the star coffee place for a cup, and then headed for home. Yes, it had coffee in the cup.

            Arriving back at the homestead I was getting ready to begin the process of dismantling the bike, when I noticed a problem. Even when the bike was shifted into first gear according to the shift lever, the bike chain would only go to second gear. So, there is another problem with the bike.

            I carefully dismantled the bike, to the point that it was dismantled when it arrived here. Then I tried to understand how to put it back in the box. A couple parts were understandable and I got them in correctly, the rest went by guess. Would you believe, I used a big hammer to get a couple items in?

            My favorite spouse came out and help me get a couple areas taped. Then I finished taping the bottom and ends of the carton. The bike and carton weigh 70 pounds!

            The carton had been laying on its side, so I stood it up and went to work on the top. I have a couple photos which may help you understand my efforts.

                                   

            You might wonder why the clamps. I wanted to get the top as close as possible before taping. In other words, I wanted it to be very tight.

            I have a secret that I will tell only you, don’t tell anyone else, I used super glue on the plastic straps. I had cut the plastic strap when I opened the carton and I knew the plastic strap would help hold the carton closed, so I tried the super glue. I put tape over it so I don’t know if it helped or not.

            When or if they send another bike, I will open the box, take a photo, and then take other photos as I remove each item. I will not cut the box open, just incase I have to send it back too.

            Later I took a nap then went out and watered the black berries.

            Now I am typing this boring message, which you do not need to read.

 

            It is now 3:00 so I will need to get to reading. Hope you have more to do then this ole man.

 

Be kind to ole people!

 

Senior carton packer, Don the Ford

           

           

  

Lunch out with 08.16.2020

            Saturday my favorite wife and I along with Patrick and Karla went out to lunch. We went to a Mexican restaurant as I wanted some fajitas. They were very slow at everything from bringing the drinks to bringing the food. I assume they have minimal staff doing the work. We were there over 1.5 hours.

            On the way home I stopped by the booze shop to see if they had a bottle for me. We pulled up to the drive through window and the lady opened the window, she did not ask what I wanted, but how many. I said one and she walked away. There was a discussion that I might should have bought two. When the lady returned, I asked if she could get me two bottles which she did. I offered her a couple dollars for a tip and she refused saying, “You are a good customer”! She knew what I wanted, with out me asking, I must be a good Customer!

            When we arrived back at home, we found that David was there. He had brought a computer over for Patrick to look at. We all had some interesting conversations, including some political discussions. Basically, those of us present, had much of the same opinions.

            It was 106 yesterday and when we walked outside it was literally like entering and oven.

            I had some communications with a friend via text messaging. I guess neither of us thought about picking up the phone and calling. 

            All in all, a good day.

 

            Today it is supposed to be hot again, and tonight a cold front is coming through. We might get a chance at rain, and the temp might get down into the upper 90s next week. I have set up a sprinkler out back this morning prior to sunrise. It has been moved twice, and now the sprinklers in the flower beds are running. It is super dry due to this extreme heat. 

 

Mask not, wash not, live not!

 

Senior connoisseur of good food, Don the Ford

Posting

Send it back              08.15.2020

            Thanks to everyone who wished this senior person happy birthday. It was a good day except for the heat and something I ordered.

            I ordered a bike for my wife. We received it yesterday. We had decided to get a bike we could both ride for a while, and then, if we liked it, we would get a second bike.

            I put it together even though the instructions were not very good. I did watch a video showing how to put it together which helped. I can tell you the video helped, but there were differences in the equipment on the bikes.

            Once put together, I was attempting to learn about the controls. My favorite wife came out and as I was attempting to show her the way it shifted gears, when the chain came off. I put it back on, and it keeps coming off. We also noticed the back-wheel wobbles some.

             I contacted the company through Amazon and they said they will send me a return authorization. They indicated they will send a new bike.

            That means I will need to take the bike apart and put it back in the box. A bunch of work!

 

May your day be filled with items that work!

 

Senior bike assembler, Don the Ford

 

Birds in Hewitt 08.14.2020

              As the Tres and I walked yesterday morning, prior to official sunrise, I observed what appeared to be a couple large birds “doing it” in this person’s front yard. As we proceeded up the street the birds stopped flapping their wings and I could see the bird on top was a hawk. He was not a large hawk, possibly a red tail hawk. I could hear other birds in the trees making a lot of noise. Suddenly the hawk flew away and he had a smaller bird in his claws.  Could not tell if it was a baby bird or if it was just a small bird.

              I have a happier bird story. I had written in the past about a white wing dove who was nesting in a tree near the black berries. In that posting, there was a photo of the dove on her nest. I was surveying the back 40 yesterday when I noticed a dove on that same nest. Do they re-use the same nest, or is it another bird using that nest? If you know that answer you are allowed to tell me.

              Yesterday, it was the first time!              Literally, it was the first time I had heard those words!        Now my favorite spouse said those words to me, and I gave her a big hug!      I think it was the first time anyone, not just my spouse of over 5 decades, had ever said those words to me!               Feeling that good for the first time, wow!

              This morning, after Tres and I had our morning constitutional, my present spouse and I took the time to see if we could remove a piece of tape from the Tres belly. It has been there since the operation, it was several inches away from the main incision, and it seemed to be stuck in some hair. Upon further observation we determined that Tres still had staples in him! We called the vet, they said bring him over. I took him to the vet and they did remove the tape and the staples. They didn’t even say sorry, we missed those staples.

              Today (Friday) is this senior retired person who is on a fixed income’s birthday. Now that I am legally old enough to have an adult beverage, I might drive into the city later today and again attempt to get a bottle.

              Speaking of adult beverage, when I was stationed in Fort Lewis Washington, I was 20 years old. I was old enough to learn to kill, but not old enough to have an adult beverage.

              I need to go out to the DIB center and pick up a retiree order. Before that one person asks, I am the retiree!

              What?  Oh, I didn’t tell you what the word was, sorry, I thought I had enlightened you. Here is how this all played out. The Tres had taken me for a walk, I was hot and sweaty, and I had another project to do outside in the morning heat. I said to my first wife, “I am going to do the other project before I take a shower”, to which she replied, “You are smart”! I can’t remember anyone ever saying, I was smart. I did give her a big hug!

May your day be fill with nice comments!

Senior sweaty person who is now considered as smart, Don the Ford