Cat decorations 12/04/2019

            Having nothing to do yesterday made me tired.

            Last evening I looked through the glass of the front storm door, and what do you think I saw? Well, I saw that the lights I put on the mail box yesterday were working. The lights show up at the top of the photo.

            You may need to click on the photo to see the lights. 

            Also I just noticed that Charlie is also in the photo. What does that cat think he is, part of the Christmas decorations? Possibly he is afraid of the dark, and he is sitting there next to some of the lights in an effort to calm his fears.

                 

            Cats, who knows what they are thinking.

            My spouse of half a century allowed me to go to the hamburger place last evening and purchase some burgers for supper. When I returned, all the outside lights in our decorations were on, they looked very nice as I drove around the corner.

Enjoy your day, be safe!

Senior retired hamburger getter; Don Ford

Nothing to do 12/03/2019

            Today is Tuesday and I have nothing to do. It is kind of sad to have nothing to do on a day when the temperature is predicted to be at 71 degrees. If only there was something to do in the yard.

            After I drop the Gabi off at school, I could pick up the clothes at the cleaners, then I could go get a haircut all my hair cut. I could get a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich on the way home.  

            I could check on the heat lamp in the hot house to be sure it is pointing in the right direction.

            I have been told I would be allowed to attempt to remove the leaves from flower beds, and around a bench that has decorations on it.

            There is a bunch of leaves along the curb and I would be allowed to clean that all up.

            I could go to the back 40 and clean up the dog poop, and I could then mulch the leaves in the back yard.

            There are a couple weeds in the black berries that could be removed.

            I do get to go pick up Alex from school in the afternoon, wow something to do!

            As I have said, nothing to do, another boring day. It is not fun getting old and sitting around all the time.

 

Don’t get old and retire if you have nothing to do!

 

Senior retired person with nothing to do; Don Ford

Poor ole senior 12/02/2019

            This poor ole senior went to lunch Sunday and when he returned home he was allowed to get to work. I used the electric blower / vacuum to clean up leaves from part of the drive way and around the pecan tree. Removing the leaves from around the tree allowed me to find some pecans that were under the leaves.

            Then I brought an extendable pole from the shed and knocked down some of the pecans. After picking the cons up, I then brought the Ford’s ole walk behind mower to the front yard. I began vacuuming the leaves. Before you comment, yes there are many more leaves to fall, but I would rather vacuum leaves that are an inch or so deep, rather than when there is 6 inches deep covering the entire yard.

            There was a lot of leaves from our trees in the neighbor’s yard, I vacuumed many of them, (that is call being a good neighbor). 

            I then went to the ole shed and retrieved the Ford’s ole gas powered leaf blower. I cleared the driveway and then went down the street blowing leaves out of the street to the curb.

            After all that work, my ole body was able to put the equipment away.

            I then learned that I could have some Christmas decorations in the office. Being a retired senior person on a fixed income, we can’t afford expensive decorations. I have a photo of two decorations, and my spouse of 50 plus years said she has some lights to put on the tree and broom. Click to feel sorry for ole retired seniors on a fixed income.

                                               

Donations may be sent to the Ford Homestead, please mark them to be use in decorations for Don’s office!

Odd decorations can be very interesting!

Senior retired leaf cleaner upper; Don Ford

December oneth 12/01/2019

            This is the first day of December, there are only 24 days until the holiday, “Christmas”. My present wife has misplaced a stand for her largest Christmas tree. This tree is the last to be put up as it goes in the dining room, and takes space that is needed when family come to the Homestead for food, I mean to visit with family. 

            As I have previously stated, I offered to make her a new stand from some old wood that has been laying in the back 40. The wood was a 4 X 4 by about 5 feet. For the non-wood butchers among us, a 4 X 4 is in reality a 3.5 X 3.5 inch piece of wood.

            I made my plans on paper, this plan helps me to constipate, I mean concentrate on the wood working project by having a plan.

            I measured and marked the wood and checked my measurements prior to the first cut. I then decided to check the measurement of a store bought tree stand, to be sure I was making the home made stand large enough. This measurement caused me to change my plans from 16 inch to 20 inch long.

            I then re-marked the wood, double checked the measurements, and then began to cut the wood. First two cuts were vertical the next 4 cuts were 30 degree cuts all on the ends of the boards.

            Each of the two boards would need to have a cut based in the middle of the wood 3.5 inch wide and 1.75 inch deep. The wood will be put together using those cuts to make a one piece stand.

            Completing those cuts and some wood chiseling I put the two pieced together. ERROR, the 3.5 inch by 1.75 inch cuts were both on the same side of the wood, one should have been on the bottom while the other should have been on the top.  

            After an appropriate amount of crying and self-deprecation I again focused on the project and butchered another piece of wood. This time I made the 3.5 inch by 1.75 inch cut on the correct side.

            I have a photo of a chiseler in action. Please note that the wood mallet the chiseler is using, was created (made) by this same senior retired chiseler several years ago. The devise hanging on the chiselers pocket is used to keep the dog from barking. Click photo to enlarge.

                                               

            Even though I was working on the driveway there was saw dust everywhere, even in the garage. I had the electric leaf blower / vacuum / mulcher in the garage so I used it three different times in an effort to keep as much of the saw dust out of the garage as possible.

            I did drill a pilot hole into and through the connecting wood pieces. This hole was then used to guide the 1.5 inch drill bit through the wood. That was not easy but I did complete the holes. I finished the project, or at least I thought I had finished. There was another problem, the tree when inserted into the 1.5 inch hole that was there to hold the tree erect, allowed the tree to lean just a little, but it was enough that I and my present spouse could see it.

            It was getting late and I decided to clean up and put away the saw and other tools.

            The cleanup complete I decided to have a beverage outside on the fords ole rocker since the weather was nice and warm. As I sat there enjoying my beverage, a thought came to mind, the homemade tree stand could be put together in one of two ways, had I put it together wrong? I was able to get my tired ole retired body out of the Ford’s ole rocker and stagger into the garage. I pulled the tree stand apart, turned the top piece, and put it back together. I then installed the bottom portion of the tree, and it was vertical, no leaning! 

            You are correct, I am good! Photo of the homemade tree stand with the lower part of the tree installed. Click to rejoice.

                                   

Plan your projects but expect the unexpected!

Senior retired wood butcher; Don Ford

Update 11/30/2019

            ON the Nov 23^rd posting there was a photo of yours truly, I had a string of lights around my neck. Would you believe, there were many comments from the reading public, indicating that I made the string of lights look good?

            Even though I did make those lights look good, I may have made another set of lights look better. I feel as if I should fore warn you, the new string of lights are much larger than the previous set. I would also like to say, I did not purchase this set of larger lights, they were a gift to me from my first wife.

            I have stated that I did not want anything for Christmas, but this necklace is not considered a gift, it is a Christmas decoration, so I can wear it and be proud to be a part of the Ford Homestead’s annual decorations.  Click on photo to enhance.

                                               

            I know it is difficult to see where the tree ends and I begin. Most excellent decorations.

I light up the neighborhood!

Senior decoration specialist; Don Ford

There was family and friends 11/29/2019

               The title line states, “There was family and friends”! If you feel the need to ask what that title line means, then your thanksgiving day was likely lonely.

            Our thanksgiving day was filled with family, friends, good food and lots of interesting discussions. I did not hear one comment about politics, and that was good! One nice person said, “I should have brought the $50.00 gift card I received and given it to you to help pay for the food”. Nice thought but $50.00 would not come close to the cost of the food.

            I would like to change the subject please.

            I saw an advertisement from the DNA people, in it there was a comment about Sears catalogs from the past. That got me to thinking. As a children I like to look through the Sears catalog. Toward the back of the catalog they had animals listed that were for sale. I always wanted either a pony or a donkey, both were listed for sale. I don’t remember the price of the pony, but wouldn’t you think that my parents would have gotten me one.

            Another part of the sears catalog that I liked was the part where they sold female underwear. Yep, I liked to review the latest female underwear styles!  

            I would like to change the subject again please.

            As I sit here entering this data into the Ford’s ole computer I happened to look at the screen which displays all the security cameras. You should understand that it is still dark outside, and it is foggy this morning. The cameras are using the infer red night vision, and there is a set of shiny eyes looking at the camera. One of our cats was sitting there looking toward the camera and cat eyes glow brightly, it looks kind of scary!

            One last change to the subject.

            It is black Friday, I am staying at home, or at least that is my plan!

 

Shop not and you will not spend too much money!

 

Senior non shopper; Don Ford

Thursday morning 11/28/2019

            Thursday morning, the clock chimed 3:00am, as I lay there in the bed my thoughts focused on the coming day, it is Thanksgiving. Donna made the pies yesterday, and has been cooking the turkey during the night. This morning she will be baking the bread and getting ready to cook other delicious items.

            As I lay there all comfortable I heard Charlie the cat meow. I thought, it is too early for that cat to want to eat or go outside. I heard one more meow and then Charlie jumped on the bed and quickly found a place to lay in between Donna and me.

            There was no doubt in my mind that Tres was going to come to the bed to see where Charlie was. It wasn’t even a minute before Tres was nudging me with his nose. I assume he was wanting to be sure I was not petting the cat. I rubbed his head for a few seconds before he walked away. I then positioned my legs over to the side of the bed, as I knew the Tres would go to Donna’s side of the bed and jump up on the bed. Moving my legs gives Tres a place to lay.

            I was correct, Tres jumped on the bed, checked where Charlie was, and then he lay down with his head on my legs. Tres usually stays on the bed for a short time, and then gets off, but this time he seemed to be happy to stay for what seem to be an hour.

            As we all lay there in the crowded bed, I could hear Charlie Purring, which brought an old thought to mind. Many years ago, and by that I mean probably 68 years ago, our family lived in a three room house in the country. In this memory I assume I was 4 or 5 years old. My mother was ironing clothes the ironing board was next to the bed, and I was on the bed were I was supposed to take a nap. Our cat jumped on the bed, (no I do not remember the cat’s name) and it began to purr. I told mom the cat was purring, and she said, “He is singing you to sleep”. I assume it worked because that is the end of that memory.

            Why would an old senior retired person still have a memory like that, imbedded in his brain, or if not in a brain, at least imbedded in my head?  

 

            The thanksgiving schedule:

            The family will arrive prior to noon, as we try and eat the Thanksgiving meal at or about noon. Everyone will eat more than they should, and there will be some interesting conversations during the meal.

            I am usually one of the first to stop eating and I head for the kitchen sink. I get my plate and utensils ready for the dish washer, and then as others family member will bring their plates to the sink so I get them ready also.

            We sit around for a while allowing the food to settle, and then someone will get a piece of pie, which usually gets the attention of others. The pies are good!

            The family usually head for home around 4:00pm.

            Shortly after the family leaves and everything is quiet, an old senior person such as me, would get onto the ole recliner. As you might think, a nap would be in my mind.

            Just as I am relaxing, that is when friends arrive, and the eating process begins again. We enjoy having the friends over and there is a lot of good conversation.

            At some point my first wife and I are left alone here at the homestead.

 

May your Thanksgiving be as good as ours!

 

Senior person thankful for family and friends; Don Ford 

           

Getting ready 11/27/2019

            We are getting ready for both holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. My spouse of 50 + years is getting everything together for all the food that will be enjoyed tomorrow, “Thanksgiving”!

            We have installed the decorations outside, and there has been a couple problems. My first wife has been installing decorations inside but she still has other items to install. There will be some photos to follow, click to enhance.

                                               

Above photo is obviously before dark. Below photo after dark.

                                               

There is a star on the flag pole to the left, and there is a rope light on the tower above the house, kind of center in the photo. Below Tres is enjoying a Christmas pillow.

                                               

Hope everyone’s Thanksgiving is safe and filled with food and friends!

Senior master photographer (I took a photography class); Don Ford