Overboard on Decorations 12.08.16

            My present wife enjoys the Christmas season, to say she goes overboard when decorating, that could be an understatement. How many Christmas trees are there in the Homestead, I don’t know the exact number, but I do know where six of them are?

            I have reported on this in the past, referring to the forced labor that I must endure annually, but today I believe this particular spouse has gone too far. Please do not make any rash decisions as to the validity of this story before you hear and see all the facts.

            Yes, I included see in that statement, as I have pictorial evidence of the very unusual decorations, and the fact that there could be legal repercussions. I caution you, the forced labor is not of me, it would not be as bad if it were me being forced to decorate a Christmas tree. Instead she has somehow coerced or otherwise made one of the most unusual, and I should say, somewhat scary decorations I have ever seen. 

            I had not noticed the unusual decoration until I was in my recliner, after having a modest lunch. As some of you may know, I do enjoy a brief nap after lunch most days. I was attempting to get comfortable with the TV on, and the sound turned down so as to allow me to have a little background noise, drowning out all the hustle and bustle of the city sounds.

            Comfortable, leaning back, eyes almost closed, and there it was. I could not believe what I was seeing. It is almost impossible to describe so I will not attempt to use words and will post the following photo.

   

            My present wife has somehow convinced our cat Molly, to lay under the Christmas tree with her bright green eyes open, imitating lights on the tree.

            I don’t know how she did it but Molly is a decoration!

May your decorations not be alive!

Don Ford                        (No animals were hurt or abused in this decoration)

Let down by a friend 12.07.16

            As I set here with tears in my eyes, it is still difficult for me to believe an old friend would let me down and not seem to care! I still find it difficult to believe, someone I considered a friend and at times a confidant, would just turn his back on me, basically causing me to feel lost and alone!

            Being forgotten by others when I was young, didn’t seem to be a big thing, the sadness didn’t last as long and was more or less expected by me, but being forgotten by a friend now, seems much worse as I get older.

            I remember a time when I was probably 14 or 15 years old, a friend who had turned 16 and had just got his driver’s license, was supposed to come by my house and pick me up. We were going to the school bonfire, since “Jim” had his license, he was going to take me and a couple other friends.

            I was ready and waiting on the front porch but no Jim. Time had passed and when he did not show up my dad offered to drive me there. I told dad that I was sure Jim was just late and he would give me a ride home after the bonfire.

            There were many kids at the bonfire and as expected, it was a big fire. For some reason I did not see any of my friends there. The fire was over and everyone started to leave. I was alone and did not have a ride home, so I walked home. It wasn’t too far, maybe 20 city blocks or so, not a huge walk for me. The next day when I saw Jim I was not upset, he explained that something happened and he could not come.

            The point to this story is to state, when I was young, disappointments were more or less a normal occurrence to me. They were just something that happened, I didn’t expect too much and I did not get too much. When I was young and a pet such as a dog or cat died, there was no sadness, you could always get another.

            The above information has nothing to do with my sadness of today, it is just my way of saying the older I get the more I rely on, and the higher expectations I have of my, “So called friends”.

            Sitting here at the keyboard, attempting to share my disappointment with the world, I was interrupted with a message that I have mail, email that is. The email is confirming that the last of the items I had ordered on line have shipped. We should receive all the online orders starting today and the last delivery should be here by Thursday the 16^th. I don’t mind shopping on line as long as I know what I am looking for. Going to a store and shopping anytime, but especially during the Christmas season is not something I look forward to!

            Before I get a question from, you know who, I will get back to my story of rejection and disappointment. If someone you are not friends with lets you down, it isn’t too bad, as we don’t usually have high expectations from those whom we are not close too.

            This morning a few minutes before 5:00am I rolled over and looked at the clock. Good I thought, I have another 30 minutes to sleep. I repositioned my pillows and pulled the cover up around my neck making sure my entire body was warm and protected from the extreme cold in the master bed room.

            Being on a fixed income we must keep the temperature inside the Ford Homestead very cool in an attempt to save on the heating bill.

            Being comfortable and warm in the covers, I quickly fell back into a deep sleep. I don’t think I even moved for an hour or so. I was awoken by the clock in the main living room which strikes on the hour. Being somewhat groggy I was not able to count the strikes, so I had to reposition my body so I could see the clock next to my bed.

            6:00am, what?    It is 6:00am!    I was late getting up!

            No I don’t set an alarm clock, as I am normally awoken at 5:30 by, what use to be a friend! Charlie normally wakes me at 5:30 each morning, but today he did not.

            Upset, I sat up on the edge of the bed. Where was Charlie? Was he ill?

            I turned and surveyed the room, wondering what had happened to Charlie. Then I saw it, Charlie was peacefully sleeping on the roll top desk. He had not been injured, was not ill, just sleeping!

            This event has hurt me to a point, that I may never have any expectations of friends again! Charlie had one job and that was to wake me at 5:30, he failed!

            Sad and lonely I sit here, pouring my breaking heart out to the world, tears in my eyes, a box of tissues, mostly used, hoping this never happens to you! 

May you still trust your friends!

Don Ford                            (If you don’t know, Charlie is our cat.)

Colder than 12.06.16

            Yep, it’s coming! The prognosticators are telling us to get ready for some real cold weather. They have stated, “it will be colder here in the heart of Texas this coming Thursday night, than it has been in two years.”

            FYI, SpaceX is firing a rocket right now, it is very loud, and actually shakes the house a little. This particular test was about 30 seconds in duration, one of the longer tests, many tests are just five seconds long. Our home is about 10 miles from the test site but it is very noisy! What must this sound be like for those people who live around the SpaceX test site? 

            Back to the cold weather, they have predicted a low of 21 degrees Thursday night. For us naturalized and those real Texans, temperatures in the 20s are a real problem. I have installed the Dolly Parton covers on the outside faucets in preparation for the cold weather. I have installed a heat lamp in the Outhouse (aka known as green house or hot house) also in preparation for the frigid artic air.

            For today (Tuesday) the rain has stopped, although there may be some mist later today, and for some reason the temp seems to be somewhat warmer or at least less cold (43 degrees). I took some items outside to the recycle bin and I thought the sun was attempting to peak through the clouds. Some sun light would provide a positive motivation for those of us here at The Ford Homestead! 

May your day be filled with happiness!

Don Ford

Winter 12.05.16

            OK, as you know I am a very patient person, who enjoys change and many new things. I am that one person who never complains about anything, never! I personally see complaining as a childish type act perpetrated by uninformed people.

            When one complains, they show their inability to consider all aspects of a given situation. Politically correct people complain all the time, but being politically correct individuals (usually a liberal) they don’t understand real life and how to approach situations, believing that they are not in a complaining mode. 

            Let’s get back to me! I am, “Not Always Right But Never Left”! I just felt as if I needed to toss that statement in this soon to be wonderfully executed, and informative narrative about my thoughts. Again I want to restate, “I never complain about anything”! I have on occasion commented about situations, providing you with my opinion on a situation, but that isn’t complaining, that is just being informative. What better way for you to learn than to hear from someone at The Ford Homestead!

            I am not complaining about this ridiculously cold winter weather, even though I had to wear a jacket when I went out for Brunch Sunday morning. Can you believe it was no higher than 51 all day Sunday? I had to stay inside all day due to the cold winter weather and the rain! I almost felt as if we were in one of those northern states do to the cold weather, that was, until I called a friend who lives in Dixon IL.

            I had seen on the TV weather that Illinois, was going to get a couple inches of snow Sunday, so I decided to call my friend Lonnie, yes, before you make that comment, I do have a friend! I was going to kid Lonnie about the couple inches of snow, and I was going to tell him it was 80 degrees here in Texas. No that is not a lie, it is a naturalized Texan exaggerating some information to a naturalized Illinoisan.

            Lonnie surprised me by telling me they had more than 6 inches of the white stuff, Snow. Lonnie went on to explain that he had his spouse outside digging the two vehicles out of the snow. I have to say, “Way to go Lonnie, having the wife dig the vehicles out of the snow is a good idea”! Photo of the snow to follow.

 

            Lonnie ventured out into the cold snow to take this photo of the work his wife had completed. Lonnie went on record giving his wife credit for all the work she had done.

It is difficult to see, but their home faces a park. Yep, my friend Lonnie is a rich, retired person.

May you always have someone to clear the snow!

Don Ford

Light it up 12.02.16

            Our Homestead Photographer braved the frigid night air in an attempt to take a couple photos of the Ford Homestead’s display of Christmas lights. The night air was brutally cold, as the northern wind forced its way down the street, causing our old senior Homestead Photographer to find it difficult to stand, let alone take professional photos. The homestead photographer was out in the cold for what seemed like an hour, avoiding the numerous vehicles that were driving by the Homestead just to get a look at the massive display.

            After our photographer displayed outstanding team spirit by braving the cold weather, in getting those most excellent photos, we have decided to remove the written warning from his file.

            There are two photos which allow one to see the entire display. You may click on a photo to see a larger version.

            We are definitely getting closer to the gift giving part of Christmas. You may send gifts for your author (me) to the Ford Homestead in Hewitt. Yes, large cash gifts or large gift cards are acceptable. To that one reader who sent me a penny, yes I know who he is, I don’t want to be critical of him saying he was being a “smarty”, it may have been his last penny. No I did not return it, it was a gift to me!

May all your gifts be exceptional!

Don Ford

This Christmas 12.01.16

            Below is the poem, “The night before Christmas”. I may have taken a few liberties with punctuation marks, but I believe the pome to be accurate in its wording.

            I challenge you to read it, then consider how you might be able to make Christmas better for others and or, yourself.

                                                           

            Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were all nestled, all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter’s nap, when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.

            The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, gave the luster of mid-day to the objects below, when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer, with a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

                                   

            More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; “Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer, and Vixen, on, Comet and Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall, now dash away dash away dash away all!”

            As the dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky, so up to the house-top the coursers they flew, with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof, as I drew in my hand, and was turning around, down through the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his close were all covered with ashes and soot, a bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his sack.

                                                           

            His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the bread of his chin was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly ole elf, and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.

            A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread, he spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

            He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle, but I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!”

Did that Christmas tale bring back any good memories?

A couple suggestions, if I may:

                Focus on the people around you!

                Put down the smart phones, tablets and computers, and talk!

                If you can’t be with friends and family, you might want to call them!

                Your smart phone also makes phone calls,

                Others might like to hear your voice, rather than a text message!

Don Ford

Rhythm 11.29.16

            Can you believe how that word is spelled? Who the heck would know how to pronounce it, if it were the first time they had seen it? It should have been spelled, “Rithum”! Why don’t they come to me before they try to spell these words!

            Rithum defined, “Movement, or sound marked by the regular recurrence or…”

I may have modified the definition somewhat to make it more relevant to my subject matter, do not look it up!

            Why would I come up with a subject like this? It has to do with my morning strolls. Not that anyone actually cares that I walk for 30 minutes at least 5 days per week, or that I have written about my meditative walking several times. This has little to do with meditation and more to do with rhythm. Now is a good time to stop reading this posting and go do something interesting!

            I walk with a walking stick (aka cane) not for stability, but to have something in my hand, and I usually carry the same one during my strolls down the avenue, although I have several canes / walking sticks, some that I have made, and some that were purchased.

            The other morning as I walked at my normal quick pace, which is very fast for a senior citizen, with my walking stick in my right hand, it became apparent that the stick tapped the street every other time my right foot impacted the street. Now that I am aware that the right foot and walking stick impacted the street at the same time, I began thinking about the rithum.

            I harkened back to basic training (could it have been 50 years ago, can I be that old) and all the marching, also known as, “Dismounted drill”, we had to do. Marching has a rithum of, “1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4” and I am somewhat experiencing that rithum now.

            I moved the walking stick into my left hand and continued walking. Strangely enough, the walking stick began impacting the street at the same time my left foot impacted. Why did it change when I changed hands? I did not do this knowingly!

            Walking stick in my right hand, I decided to make the stick impact the street when my left foot impacted. That is just the opposite of what I had been doing spontaneously. Being such a focused person, I was able to cause the left foot to impact the street while the walking stick was in my right hand. That worked for about three steps then I unwillingly reverted to spontaneous right hand and right foot. 

            I told you to stop reading this earlier, you should have listened.

            Below, I have placed a less than professional photo of a Red Oak tree located in front of the Ford Homestead. The less than professional photo, was taken by the Ford Homestead photographer. He will receive a written warning for this less than professional work!

            The photo was supposed to show you that some leaves had begun to change in color. Possibly you can still see the beginning of the leaf change at the Homestead. Get the leaf rake ready!

 

May you have a Rithumic day!

Don Ford               

We made it 11.28.16

            As the title states, we made it through the Thanksgiving holiday without any bad incidents. My present spouse cooked way too much food and we all enjoyed it. Family and friends were here and we all had a good time. Left overs were and are good!

            My first wife has placed many of our decorations in the yard several days ago, and is hoping to be able to finish the job by connecting all the wires today, (Saturday the 26^th). One little problem has dropped in, it is raining! (Did you notice the use of dropped in, when referring to the rain, you know, rain drops? Why do I even try to make these stories interesting with cute comments?)

            We thought Saturday was going to be rain free, but the prognosticators were wrong. It hasn’t been raining hard so we were able to get some work completed after lunch. We had to decide where to have lunch, and how many aluminum cans will my present spouse need to pick up, in order to pay for the food.

            Let’s change the subject from the lack of funding at the Ford Homestead, to another favorite subject of mine. Let us talk about the so called service that others are supposed to provide.

            In a recent posting I described an unsafe situation cause by a delivery service. Without naming the delivery company, I will say that they have a fleet of brown delivery trucks.

            Recently, I was enjoying a cup of coffee on the front porch here at the Ford Homestead. It was raining lightly, (seems as if the topic of the day may be rain) as I observed the delivery guy driving the golf cart pulling a trailer, neither of which were street legal. I know these delivery people do occasionally toss packages around, but this was the first time I have observed them driving around pulling an open and uncovered trailer in the rain.

            If you get a package that is wet, it may have happened while riding in the rain on an open trailer.

            This same driver drove close to the curb again, on the wrong side of the street, and he gave a hand signal that he was turning left from the left side of the street. That’s just dumb!

            Well, the rain stopped so my present spouse was able to get most the wires connected and after dark the lights came on. We will need to do some timer adjustments, trying to get the on and off times within a minute of each group (there are four groups of lights).

            Sunday: after our brunch and my nap I proceeded out of the house to help my first wife who was finishing up the outside decorations. We adjusted the timers to come on and go off at the same time. We were outside at 5:30 pm and the lights all came on with in about 30 seconds. We were successful!

            Now my spouse of 47 years will begin the process of decorating the inside of the Ford Homestead.

            That is all for now, I need to get ready to go to the dentists, he is going to replace a filling.

Have a nice safe week!

Don Ford