Bank visit 02/10/2022

            Wow, the Don went to the bank, and it wasn't the bank that he goes to when acquiring their $5.00 weekly stipend? Why would he go to another bank? Well, I will try to enlighten you, my favorite person in the reading public! You didn't know, you are my favorite reader of these postings, but you are!

            Anyway, my first wife who pays all the bills (thank goodness) uses one bank, and I use another. We use to use the same bank, but something happened that made it a good idea for me to have a checking account at a different bank. No, I do not remember what happened.

            I do remember one reason for me going to a different bank, it was across the street from work. At work we had some petty cash on hand. When I would get a check for petty cash, it was a lot closer to walk across the street to cash it, than to get into a car and drive to the other bank. Heck, in the olden days I remember walking across the street to the gas station to get a candy bar for break. Yep, in the olden days, Chapel Road ended at works property line, so there was little traffic on the street. I would not attempt to walk across it now.  

            Anyway, I had not been in that bank in years. I went in and presented my case; they directed me to a person who would attempt to help me. All is well, and we have over 100 dollars in that bank! Nice!  😊

            I did check the sprinkler system yesterday, I wanted to see if any were broken due to the cold weather, they all seemed to work ok. There is some work that needs to be done. Grass needs to be thinned out around some of the heads, and some need to be raised about an inch or two. A couple need to be lowered an inch or two. I could do the work myself, but it means being on my knees for a reason other then praying, although, I could be praying as I was working.

            My favorite wife and I sat outside yesterday afternoon and enjoyed the nice weather. It is nice to have a little quiet time together, we can talk about anything, yep, even the neighbors.

            I think it is supposed to be 77 degrees Friday afternoon. Tres might get washed if it is that warm.

            Today is Thursday, and there is no ice on the ground today, so we will likely get to go to the Cracker store for supper. 😊

            Well, it is almost time to take the kids to school, so I will stop writing now.

Share your kindness!

Senior retired ole person Don the Ford

Wednesday 02/09/2022

            Let us see what may have been in the Dons schedule for yesterday. The Don went outside and did some yard work. Not a bad day. Well, I guess I will go get me something to eat for my breakfast, I hope you enjoy the day.

 

            Not even one of you, as I was getting my break fast sandwich, asked, what the Don did yesterday. That is very hurtful for this ole senior person, so in an effort to get even, I will tell you some of what I did.

            I decided to go out and water the plants in the hot house, the sun was shining and the thermometer indicated 100 degrees when I went inside. The door was open as I water the plants and upon leaving the building, a few minutes later, the temp was still above 90.

            Then I raked some leaves out of the number 2 berry bed, as I had intended to apply some fertilizer. When I read the directions on the fertilizer it stated, apply after the last chance of frost. I will wait to apply. I did go ahead and water all three berry beds.

            Completing that task, I then approached the task of picking up debris from the back 40, which includes sticks and dog poop.

            I then put bird food out for the flying neighbors.

            Completing that task, I took the Ford's ole red wagon to the front yard where I loaded a couple bags of cow manure into the wagon. The bags of manure have been laying on the driveway and they had been rained on. Did you know these bags have small holes in them, I assume the manure needs to breathe? Well, the manure was damp, which made it more difficult to distribute.

            I actually spread all three bags of the manure, and then I ordered more from the past employer. When I ordered the cow manure, I wrote to the office person that I need some manure. This person replied in a funny manner, that there was a lot of it there! I don't think that reply was referring to the cow manure. 😊

            I did get the grand kids to school safely and I was able to get the Alex home safely yesterday evening.

            Arriving at home I suggested to my favorite wife that we might want to sit outside as the weather was nice. Sitting outside we noticed that the sun seems to be moving toward the north, as we were being shaded by the house. A couple weeks ago when we would sit outside, the sun would be shining on us. That might be a sign that spring is coming.

            I did get a call from an ole friend last night, who still lives in Missouri. We talked for quite a while about many things. That was enjoyable, it is always nice to hear from ole friends. I guess ole people only have ole friends. One of the things about being old, our ole friends seem to become fewer every year. ☹

            Well, I guess that is mostly what occurred for me here yesterday.

 We reap what we sow, be nice!

Senior nice person, most of the time, Don the Ford

Today 02/08/2022

            Today I really don’t have anything to write about. It was a nice day yesterday, and today is supposed to be another nice day, so, I hope to get outside and do a few things in the yard.

            If I do get outside, I might have something to write about tomorrow.

 

Enjoy the weather!

 

Senior retired ole person who might work outside, Don the Ford

Back to normal 02/07/2022

            Well, it is Monday, the ice is gone and school is back in session, so, I think we may be back to normal schedule, at least I hope we are.

            Bad weather and no normal schedule, is not good for senior retired people. Sitting, napping, eating, and looking at the TV (I did not say watching TV) with nothing interesting to do, is not good. Ole senior retired people don’t have a vivid imagination, so it is difficult for them to come up with something to do, that might be interesting, or would keep them focused, when not on a schedule.

            Sometimes the grand kids get here early, and when they do, they have a tendency to want to go to the star coffee place and get a drink before heading to school. I do not know if they will be early today, so I try to be ready just in case. When we go to the star coffee place, I get coffee, they get what they like.

            Before you ask, we will probably watch some of the football show this coming Sunday. As I have stated in the past, “It is not a game, it is a job”! The show would need to be something special to get us to watch the entire show. If there is anything interesting which happens during the show, they will talk about it on TV the next day.

            I just went outside in the cold weather and started the Ford’s ole Chevy, I will let it warm up for the grand kids, really, I warm it for me and the grandees.

            Well, this is a very short posting, but I have nothing to present this morning. If something exciting happens today, I will present it tomorrow.

            Back on schedule!

Senior person who schedule is back but lite, Don the Ford

A good day 02/06/2022

            Yesterday was a good day for the two senior retired Fords. For that one person, the two senior retired Fords is me and my present wife!

            We went to lunch with Alex, Gabi, Claire and David, the service was very good, and the food was even better. Enjoyable conversations, and some kidding of each other. Alex paid for the lunch, using my credit card. On the way home from lunch, we stopped and got gas for my favorite wife’s van. 

            Since one person found it difficult to believe I used a wheelchair to get across the ice on the driveway, I have a photo to help you understand.

                                                           

            When you have a way to avoid an accident, you must use it. I used it!

            The ice in the back 40 is all but gone, as the temp reached 49 yesterday, and the sun had shined all day! I did venture forth to the shed, I tried to stay on the dryer parts of the ground, to get the last of the bird food. I was able to divide the food between the outhouse and the other feeder. It would be nice if we had some more food for the birds and squirrels.

            We did get the mail yesterday, I guess the post office is working again, now that the weather is better. I got a letter from the IRS telling me how much stimulus money I received. I still do not know if I got all the stimulus checks or not. The letters stated how much money I received, but I don’t know if that is all three checks or just two. If you know I would appreciate you informing me, if not, I guess I will figure it out sooner or later.

            We received the package from UPS today. We now have mouse traps and I have place 3 of them in the Ford’s ole garage. I have a photo of the mouse traps; they are different from the old mouse traps.

            Basically, you place some type of bait in the hole and open the trap. When something touches the square piece that has the hole in the center, the trap activates, for that one person that means, it snaps shut. As I said I have three set in the garage now, one has a piece of apple, one has peanut butter, and one has popcorn. I will check them tomorrow.

            Note: as soon as I set the first trap, our cat Molley was trying to check it out, but it was in a place that I hope she can’t reach. 

            Ok, I will be watching the three stooges in a few minutes so I will stop creating this wonder filled article, maybe I will have more to add Sunday morning.  By for now, you all!

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            It is now Sunday, and I don’t have much to impart to you. It is not as cold this morning as it was yesterday (29 degrees), it is supposed to be sunny all day today.

            I guess the person who delivers our newspaper is working a little later today, Tres went out but did not return with a paper.

            I attempted to watch the three stooges yesterday, and every one of the shows I have seen lately. They must not have many on hand to show. I actually watched the local news instead of the three stooges, part of the time. Nothing good for us ole senior watchers! 

            I am going to stop for now, I might even attempt to get a cup of coffee.

 

Smiling makes it better!

            Smiling makes what better, they asked! Everything he responded!

Senior retired ole person who might give up on the three stooges, Don the Ford

Most ice gone 02/05/2022

            Well, yesterday started out very cold, just as today is doing, colder than a well digger’s shovel. I did get outside and try to get to the truck, but there was ice everywhere. I put a little thought in it, and started the truck without going outside. Then I was thinking, the heater may not have been on full blast, and the defroster wasn’t on. I needed to get inside the truck to set the controls.

            How do I get to the truck with that ice out there? I tried to break the ice up with a shovel, but it was still frozen too hard and too thick. Then I had a thought, I have a wheel chair, I can sit in it, get a cross the ice to the door, I can hold on to the truck and get in with out slipping on the ice. Well, it worked, and just as my behind got to the truck seat, my foot slipped on the ice but I was already on the seat.

            The truck heated up good, and I got the ice off the windshield. I again used the wheel chair to get out of the truck and back to dry cement.

            Later in the day I again addressed the ice with a shovel. This time it was softer and I was able to remove a lot of the ice from around the truck. I was able to move the truck and clear most of the ice from the drive near the garage door.

            I then decided to assault the walk way. I was able to remove the ice from both walkways with some effort on this ole body. It was cold, but not as cold as early morning. Later in the day the sun began to shine. The street here at the homestead was then clear of the ice. The day had gotten much better!

            My wife allowed me to have a cup of coffee, after working outside.

            Yesterday was the second day without a mail delivery. Is the lack of postal delivery due to the weather? There is a saying, “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Did you notice it did not say sleet or ice, so I guess, they don’t have to work in the sleet or ice.

            The rain gage has two inches of water in it. We did have a lot of rain before the sleet started, so the two inches is a combination of rain and sleet. 

            Well, that was yesterday.

 

            Today is colder than yesterday morning, but we have no freezing rain or ice falling. The street is clear and Tres walked down the side walk, where there is no ice, to get the newspaper. The sun is shining already this morning, and that should get rid of the ice that is still on the grass areas.  Heck, we might even get a postal delivery today. We have ordered an item that was shipped via UPS. It was supposed to be here on the 3^rd, and every day since, we get different notices.

            I assume we will venture out today, I know my present wife’s vehicle needs gas, so we may take it. I don’t know if she needs to go to any particular store, I guess we can determine that before we leave the homestead.

            The sun is shining and I am getting a cup of coffee, what could be better?

Sun shine and coffee, good!

            Senior napper at the Ford’s Homestead, Don the Ford

Frozen in Hewitt 02/04/2022

            The title says it all, that is it from the Ford’s Homestead, stay warm!

 

            What? I said that is all, and you decided to ask me a question? Why do I even try? I give up, what is your question? You want to know what the streets and walkways are like in our neighborhood. Well, at least your question is about something significant.

            Yesterday afternoon the streets were completely covered with sleet, and the streets appeared to be melting some. There were possibly three vehicles go up or down our street yesterday. Driveways in the area are also covered, ours appeared to be melting a little yesterday afternoon late.

            Today, everything is frozen solid, the streets and drives look like ice skating ranks. Our sidewalk is frozen and slicker than snot! Nope, I did not walk on it yesterday or this morning. Tres slipped a little but was able to bring the paper in yesterday. The front porch is mostly clear of ice, the back patio is completely clear of ice.

            I noticed that the birds were looking for food around the two feeding areas, so I made my way out to the shed and got some bird food. I can’t provide them with water, but the food will help. It only took a couple minutes, and I was about frozen when I made my way back to the house.

            Many businesses were, and are closed, schools are all closed, Dave was told he could come to work two hours later than normal, and Claire said she might go to work today, with a later start time. If Claire goes to work today, the grand kids will come to the homestead. If all the side streets in Hewitt look like our street, then I don’t think any of these side streets are safe to drive on!

            I did try to get some of the sleet off the Ford’s ole Chevy yesterday and I did not do a very good job. It was just too cold. I don’t have an Ice scraper, if I do, I don’t know where it is. I might go out today and see if I can open the door to the truck, and if so, I could start the motor and allow it to warm up. Our maybe I will stay inside and say the heck with it!

            My favorite wife of over half a century, knows how to beat the cold weather with some food. My first wife made some homemade Chili for the evening repast yesterday. It was good then and it will be even better today! Photo to follow.

            The pot of chili was on the stove cooking at the time of the photo. Good stuff!

            Enjoy your coffee, or hot chocolate, stay inside, maybe you should try to read a story or maybe your bible today!

 

Coffee for me please!

            It is bad when I can’t go to the star coffee place and waste money on a cup!

Senior retired person who is not only retired, but tired of the cold, Don the Ford

It is here, darn it 02/03/2022

            Well, they said the roads are not too bad right now, but they are getting bad. I have heard if you are going somewhere this morning, the roads might not be too bad, but getting home could be a different subject.

            I stepped out on the front porch this morning to see if the newspaper was there, it wasn’t, so I check to see if the wet spot on the porch was slick, and it was not. I checked the side walk and it was slick. Don’t go out if you don’t have to, you could fall and get hurt before you get to your car, the mail box, the newspaper!

            It is sleeting here at the homestead, the Ford’s ole Chevy is covered with sleet or ice. I have a photo of the truck and the street.

            I have no plans to go anywhere until the weather gets better. I just thought, my favorite wife and I will not get to go out for the evening meal. Wow, we will save some money for a change!

            I do complain about the so-called news very often, and today is not different. When I got up, I was interested if the ice was here, and what the weather is. For the first half hour there was nothing but weather. I am now here at the puter, and I have the TV on. They are still saying and showing the same thing. I know, you are wondering, “Why don’t the Don turn the TV off”? The TV is a habit, and old habits are difficult to break.

            I just checked the cameras and the sleet appears to have lighten up somewhat. I can see the street seems to be covered but the newspaper guy just drove up and down the street without any problems. Tres and I went out on the porch, he found a place to urinate and then I sent Tres out to get the paper. Tres did not slip on the ice, he got the paper and once we were back in the homestead, I gave him a treat.         Good Boy Tres!

            Well, I have a cup of coffee which may provide me with clarity, as I attempt to finished this posting. I think today will be a good day to work on the income tax, if there is a good day for Taxes. 

            Using the security cameras, I just saw a neighbor come out to his porch, he surveyed the area, I assume he thought it was too cold, and then hustled back into his home.

Stay safe, stay home!

Senior retired person who will stay home today, Don the Ford