October 8, 2023

            Are we back to Sunday again, yep, I think we are. So, what plans do the Ford’s have for this Sunday, someone would ask if they were at all interested. You did not ask, and I am not going to tell you anything about our plans. You do not need to know that Alex and Gabi spent the night with us last night, or that I mowed and trimmed the front yard yesterday before they arrived. Since you are not interested in our events at the homestead, I will not explain that Alex, using the string trimmer cut the weeds down in the ditch behind our house, or that he mowed the back 40 using the riding mower.

            I know you are not interested in the fact that my favorite wife made homemade chicken noodle soup for supper last night, and that we all enjoyed it. For the un-interested person, you do not need to know that while Alex was mowing the back 40, he was stirring up dust and pollen, or that I started sneezing like crazy and I had to put a mask on, since we were sitting outside.

            If only you were interested, I would inform you that after the work was done and the riding mower put away, Alex, our favorite grandson, brought his violin outside where we were sitting and he played some songs for us. Wow, we had our own musician as we sit outside!

            I would have told you, if you had been interested, that someone in a dark colored SUV stopped in front of our homestead yesterday after I had mowed the front yard, and took a photo of the house. This vehicle drove on down the street and when it came back up the street, I was out near the street videoing the vehicle, just in case we have some problem with theft or break ins later.

            I am glad I don’t need to inform, “the un-interested” that we plan to go to the Cracker store for breakfast this morning. Yes, it will cost us a pretty penny, but it is worth it.

            Wow, it is nice when you are uninterested in what we do here at the Ford Homestead, I do not need to write a bunch of words that no one reads, it makes my morning nice and restful.

            I am sure you will be interested in this last sentence; we hope you have a good day and be safe even though you are not interested.

Happy ole senior

Senior ole person who needs to get ready for breakfast, Don the Ford

May today be better than your best day, but not as good as tomorrow!

 

October 7, 2023

            Is it morning yet? It is still dark outside so does that mean it is night or is it morning? I think ole people have too many questions like that.

            It is very cool outside this morning, I think they said it was 58 degrees, it feels very cool and there is a breeze which increases the cool feeling. If I still had a motorcycle and if I were riding today, I would have a jacket on. My rule was above 70 no jacket, 70 or below jacket.

            Well, I do not have a motorcycle to ride today, so what will the Don do today. I believe my favorite wife wants to go to a home store to get an item.

I need to count the strings of light on the angel in our front yard, as many have stopped working, and they all need to be replaced. Why do I need to count the strands of rope light, we need to purchase new rope lights. Replacing the rope lights is not hard work but it is a time-consuming job. I will need a couple hundred wire ties which secure the rope lights to the angel’s frame. I might get a photo of the work when or if I start. 

            Also, I need to mow the front yard, I need to trim some areas with the string trimmer and if I start trimming then the entire ditch behind the house needs to be weed eaten. My yard man will be helping his dad to mow their yard today, so I guess I must do my own work. The back 40 will need to be mowed now that it has rained.

I still need to continue removing the dead vines from the berry beds and if I get all the dead vines removed, I will then need to remove all the weeds and grass from the berry beds. I guess there is a lot of work for an ole senior person.

Maybe when we go to town my favorite wife will let me get a sandwich to eat, which might help me to continue all these difficult work situations. 

Ok, that is all for now, have a good day and as always stay safe.

No rest for the Don

Senior ole person who might work too hard today, Don the Ford

 

May today be better than your best day, but not as good as tomorrow!

October 6, 2023

            I would like to wish you a nice and warm good morning but… Would you believe, it feels like freezing in Hewitt this morning, it is 66 degrees outside. Would you believe, that when Tres and I walked this morning I had a jacket, sock cap and my earmuffs on? Well, I would not believe it either, just wondered if you would believe it.

            During our walk this morning, it was the first time I have reached for my container of pepper spray for dogs. Yep, there was a big dog loose and he started walking toward us. Now Tres is secured to my belt so if there was a dog fight, I would likely be involved. We continued walking and the dog did come out into the street and the owner started calling him back into the yard.

            At home I did add a little water to some pots, but not all. We have 4 pots that we are reducing the amount of water getting them ready to hibernate.

            I went out to the back 40 yesterday and started the process of removing the parts of the black berry bushes that had berries on them this year. The limbs from the berry bush that produce berries this year, will not produce again the next year. Removing them makes room for the berry pickers to access the berries the next growing season. I worked on the number 2 bed and I filled a trash can with stickers, but I did not get them all. I do not work in a hurry; I will do more today. When the berry stickers are removed from all the beds, then I will attempt to remove the grass and weeds, less injuries to an ole person’s arms.

            Speaking of weeds, I have a photo taken yesterday at the #2 bed of a weed.

            What you might see is a bloom from a weed known to me as a, “Honeysuckle”. Now if you don’t plant these vines then they are weeds. I can remember when I was a little childern my parents had honeysuckles planted near the back door. They do have blooms on them and there are many different kinds. Also, in the photo you see ole dead stuff that I have started to remove. 

            We had a good supper yesterday afternoon at the George restaurant, the food and service were good. When we arrived back home, we did sit outside for a while discussing many things.

            That is it for today’s informative posting, please have a safe day and be nice to old people.

Sticker pruner.

            Senior ole person who could use some rest, Don the Ford   

 

May today be better than your best day, but not as good as tomorrow!

October 5, 2023

            Good wet morning from the Ford’s to you. We did get the rain that was predicted last night, and we are still getting a little at this time. I was able to get out to the rain gage a few minutes ago and we had almost 1 inch. That means I will not need to water the flower pots today.

            When I went out to check the rain gage, I noticed that three of my favorite wife’s four big flowers, all in pots, were blown over. Now I had positioned them close to the Ford’s ole Chevy under the car port but to no avail. Yes, I did set them back up, I guess there was some wind last night. I have also noticed that the skeleton dog is also blown over, but I have not yet set him back up. I hope there are no limbs down in the back yard, it is still dark and I can’t see out back. 

            What plans do we have for today, well, the repairman is supposed to be here to repair the washing machine. We hope that goes well as we have a bunch of clothes to wash.

            This being Thursday, we plan to go out for supper this evening and when we return home we will likely sit outside for a while.

            Yesterdays events: I did go to the teller machine to get the weekly stipend, and since I was close, I drove over to Daves place of work assuming he would be getting off soon. He had gotten off earlier and was at home, also I did not need to get the Gabi from school.

            I sit outside yesterday and Molly our cat wanted to be close to me.

             Molly does not like being on my lap but she does like sitting on a table next to me while I pet her. After providing the petting for the cat, I noticed a cloud over head, so I thought I would get a photo.

           The clouds were starting to gather, which would eventually bring us some rain.

            I guess that is it for now, have a good day and stay safe.

Washer repaired?

Senior ole person who may not go for a walk today due to rain, Don the Ford

 

May today be better than your best day, but not as good as tomorrow!

October 4, 2023

            How do I start this day off? It is still dark and I have not yet ventured forth with the Tres for our morning walk. We did go to the Football game yesterday afternoon, it was a close game, but we lost, “7 to 6”. If we could have scored the extra point we would have been tied.

            My favorite wife and I did sit outside after the game, we were outside until about 7:30, heck there is nothing worth watching on TV anymore.

            Yesterday; I did get the Fords ole Chevy inspected and then I went to the H E B to get the necessary sticker. Now for those of you who do not know what H E B is, it is a very large and popular grocery store. Well, I went to the H E B to purchase my tag for the car and they have about 1/3 of the parking lot closed off. It appears they are replacing some of the drives and parking spaces, some they are giving a new coating of asphalt.

            The parking lot was full of cars and I had to drive around looking for a place to park. Then I had to walk a long way to get to the building. They were working on half of the drive that goes in front of the building, so I had to walk down and around the work area to get back to the entrance.

            Once inside the building I observed that all the check-out stations were full, it seemed as if everyone was trying to get groceries. The line I was in was short and I was only in line for a few minutes. back outside of the building I again had to walk around the work area and down the parking lot looking for my vehicle. Not a fun adventure.

            I do not yet have any big plans for today, but hopefully I will find something to do. I have offered to go to the store with my favorite wife to help out with the parking and carrying, not sure if she wants me along or not.

            Today is a special day, it is, “The day I quit”! Yes, it was 20 years ago when I quit chewing tobacco. It was a big challenge at first having been addicted to nicotine for years. Now, I only think about it when I see someone chewing or dipping. Someone might ask, “How to you remember the exact date you stopped?” That is easy, I wait until Dave and Claire announce their wedding anniversary and I then know that is when I stopped. In truth, I stopped the day after their wedding. 

            Happy 20^th anniversary to Dave and Claire.

            Another topic: when the Tres and I started our walk this morning we were joined by a lady who lives down the street. Now this lady and another lady from our block usually walk together for an hour most mornings. This morning one of the ladies had a bible study meeting so the other lady walked with me. Now Tres and I walk about half as long as they usually do, so this lady continued her walk when the Tres and I finished.

            I guess that is it for now, please have a safe day and be nice to everyone!

Chewing tobacco, nope!

Senior ole person who needs some rest, Don the Ford

 

May today be better than your best day, but not as good as tomorrow!

October 3, 2023

            I am sitting here at the computer attempting to enter a few words for the blog, as it is too dark for me and the Tres to go for a walk. Yes, we have walked in the dark, but I kind of like to see the things that are around me when walking. I use to do what I called my “meditative walking”, but that was without the dog. In the meditative walk I would focus on something ahead of me and off in the distance, and let my mind go wherever it wanted to go. It was kind of like daydreaming while walking. There were a couple times that I would be meditating, and someone would surprise me with good morning, and I had not seen them before they spoke. The meditative walk can only be done when you are alone.

            How did I get off on that topic, I guess it was cause I did not have anything else to write about. Other than transporting the kids and Dave, I did not do much of anything yesterday. When we have bible study, my favorite wife and I do not sit outside, so I can’t comment on that. I can say the bible study and the fellowship was very good yesterday.

            I did take a photo yesterday and I thought you might enjoy it.

            My first wife suggested that I should put the cat and the dog out front.

            Well, it seems to be getting light outside, so I guess I will stop for now.

            Ok, I am back at the keyboard, and yes, the Tres and I did go for a walk. It was a somewhat interesting walk for a few reasons.

First off, Tres did not stop at three different fire hydrants to smell of them and or relieve himself on them! Now that is something. 

            Second: I was attempting to not look down at the road as I walked, instead I had my head upright, and was looking all around. Even though I have walked this street many times, by not looking down at the street I was seeing things as if they were all kind of new. I was looking at the sky, the trees, the houses, and all the way to the end of the street. I may try to make that a habit.

            Third: as we walked there was an older man who came out to the street close to where we were walking. We greeted each other and he asked if Tres was friendly. I noted, it depends, if a person stands still and does not reach his hand out to Tres, which allows Tres to smell of him then Tres might be friendly. This ole man did not understand what I had said, he bent over toward Tres, and reach his hand out. Tres responded with several barks. We excused ourselves and continued our walk.

            Back home I did water the flowers in pots, and then came back to this ole computer.

            Allow us to swap topics: we have an 8^th grade football game this afternoon, it is a home game. We are supposed to purchase tickets online, but I am not going to download the app. They will just need to allow me to pay at the gate.

            Last topic: I have no funding on my Star coffee card, but I do have enough points to get a free cup of coffee. I may save the point for a special occasion.

            That’s it for now, I know you wish this posting could have been longer, but it isn’t! Please stay safe, have a good day, and be kind to someone today.

Look around while walking.

Senior ole person with nothing to do, so maybe a nap is in order, Don the Ford

 

May today be better than your best day, but not as good as tomorrow!

October 2, 2023

            Hello to one and all, we hope all is well with you, family and friends. My favorite wife and I did sit outside yesterday afternoon, I think the temp was 90 degrees and there was a slight breeze. We did not have any visitors as we sat outside, so we enjoyed our own private thoughts which occasionally turned into conversation. Even without comments from others, we enjoyed some brisk conversations.

            As we were outside enjoying the afternoon, our pot hound Tres was providing security for the two of us. He is an observant watch dog.

             For that one person who looked at the photo, yes, his foot does have the star on it, and yes, I have commented on that in the past.

let’s swap topics: the kids arrived at our homestead early this morning, as Claire has to report to work early on the first of the month. It has become a thing that the kids and I go to the star coffee company and get a drink when they come over early. A newer part of the early drop off is breakfast burritos. The entire cost of this early morning rendezvous is almost $40. My star coffee card now has zero dollars on it, so I guess all my coffee will be homemade.

I did get them to school on time, I dropped Alex off first and then Gabi and Brice. I am not going to comment on the school traffic.

Different subject: I need to get outside and water the flowers in pots. Now that the weather is somewhat cooler, I am providing a little less water per pot and we are supposed to get a decent amount of rain this week. I did sit out on the front porch for a while yesterday with a cup of homemade coffee, and during that rest period I noticed that the Jasmine is looking better and even growing after the last rain event.

If all goes well, I might take the Tres for a walk after the watering is complete.

On another theme: we do have bible study tonight and we are supposed to get there early as there will be a fellowship with pizza, before we start the studying.

I guess that is all for now, have a good day and stay safe.

Water then walks.

Senior ole person who must get started, Don the Ford

 

May today be better than your best day, but not as good as tomorrow!

October 1, 2023

            We are now into October and I think it supposed to be fall like outside, but is it? It was very hot yesterday, but there was a slight breeze, as my favorite wife and I sat outside with a good friend discussing everything from politics to the bible. This friend actually brought some cheese sticks and peperoni bites to snack on. I did partake in a few as we sat outside, and I saved some for later today.

I have a question, why is October spelled and pronounced that way, it should be, “September, Octember, November, December, not October! 

            This morning when The Tres and I went out front for his review of the yard, and to relieve himself, we could hear many birds calling out before the sun got up. There were birds making noise from all directions. As I listened, the only other sound I heard was a dog way off in the distance barking.

            I was able to get the back 40 mowed yesterday, but the actions I must take before starting mowing is the part, I do not like about the back 40. I removed the Poopa-Loopa and a few sticks, I roll up the garden hose, I don’t know why I called it a garden hose, we don’t have a garden, I looked for items like Tres’ ball so they are not in the mowers path. Then I checked the air pressure in the tires of the ole riding mower and added air as needed, yes, I checked the oil and added gas before starting the process.

            Now you can see why an ole senior person would be totally worn out before he even got onto the ole riding mower. I was able to get the mowing done, and I have some areas that need to be trimmed with the string trimmer. Heck the ditch behind the back fence needs to be trimmed, more work for and ole senior person.

            I thought I was going to pick Dave and Alex up after the popcorn sales for the scouts but Claire got off work and was able to get them. I was also allowed to take my first wife’s van and get gas in it. It took $50 to fill the gas tank. She is not happy about that because she will need to pick up twice as many aluminum cans, and that means she will get less sleep, as she does most of the aluminum can searches at night.

            We would like to go over to the cracker store for breakfast this morning but after that $50 gas, we may not be able to eat out for a couple weeks. The price of everything is too high, especially for us ole people on a fixed income.

            Well, I guess that is it for now, we hope you have a good first day of October, and we hope everyone stays safe.

Ole yard man Don

Senior person who would like to have breakfast out, if we had the funding, Don the Ford 

May today be better than your best day, but not as good as tomorrow!