September 15, 2023

            Hello to each member of the reading group, yes, and even to you. I know you do not consider yourself a member of the reading group, but I enjoy having you here with the group. Now I have nothing to provide to the reading group today, but I will comment on this matter. A couple days ago we purchased a short hose which was used to replace the short hose that was leaking, and we purchased a new sprayer for the end of the hose as the old one was broken. Now why would I bring those two items up, he asked, well allow me to expand the thought. We paid cash for these two items, and we installed both items. We did a short test to be sure they worked, and they do, then it started! We have had rain each and every day and I have not been required to use them. Money spent and unable to use the items! 

            Actually, I am thankful for the rain, we have had a total of almost 1.25 inch here at the Fords homestead. It is predicted to rain today and there could be a storm in the area. Rain please, storm no thanks!

            The walk this morning started about 6:30. To say it was dark would be an understatement. It was pitch-black outside. Now I know some of you have no idea what Pitch is, but I do. When I say it was pitch-black, I am saying it was very dark. The fact that it is cloudy increased the darkness.

            During the morning walk we did not have any interesting events, as a matter of fact, it was a very boring walk.

            Different subject: I have an appointment to have a local repair person to come to the Ford’s home and see if they can fix a problem on the refrigerator. This repair is through the Lowes warrantee company. I called this so-called local business yesterday to confirm the appointment and to see if I could get them to also work on the washing machine. They did not answer the phone, I left my name and number, they have not yet returned my call.

            I was going through some appliance info from years past and I found a note that explained that this same local repair group, had worked for us before, and did not perform very well.

            The front yard needs to be mowed but the rain is keeping me from the task. Heck if it keeps raining, I might need to mow the back 40.

            Well, I guess that is all from here at the Ford homestead, we hope you have a safe and productive day, or at least a safe and enjoyable day.

Thankful for the rain!

Senior ole person who thinks a cup of coffee while sitting on the front porch during a little rain storm might be good, Don the Ford

 

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

September 14, 2023

            Another day another bill to pay, or was the work free? We did get the stove repaired yesterday, and it was covered by a warranty, so the work was free. Now we need to get the washing machine repaired, but it has no warrantee, that will cost money. I need to find someone who can do the work at a fair price.

            By the way, it is raining this morning, YAY! We had some off and on rain showers yesterday with a total of about ¼ inch of rain. We are hoping for another day of rain with a larger amount. I doubt that any of this rain has run off into the lakes, the ground is soaking it all up.

            This morning Tres and I went out front as usual, but the rain kept Tres on the porch most of the time. I sat on one of the rockers and enjoyed the darkness and rain. I would have sat there longer if I would have had a cup of coffee. Tres did leave the protection of the porch (went out into the rain) to relieve himself on the mailbox post.

            As I sat there in the dark, I decide to attempt to get a photo which would allow you to enjoy the early morning darkness. The photo isn’t very good but my ole cell phone doesn’t have a good camera, or the photographer isn’t that good, you can decide.

            The orange light is coming from the streetlight. As I sat there and Tres was laying on the porch, we observed a flash of light, but not a lightning streak. I wondered if it was lightning, or something else that cause the flash. It took several seconds before we could hear the thunder, and it sounded as if it was very far away.

            As I sit here looking at the security cameras, I can see the rain fall is “picking up”, for that one person I meant to say, the rain fall is increasing. Even though the rain has increased, I still do not see any large amount of water flowing down the street.

            I am back, I just went out to the driveway and moved the flowers that were partially under the car port, so they would share in the rain, (get some water). During this venture into the wet world, I looked that the Free rain gage and it is showing ½ inch of rain total for yesterday and this morning.

            There was some thunder and Molly the cat came in out of the garage. I guess she don’t like the noise. I just thought, with all this rain I will not be allowed to mow the front yard, darn it, I was looking forward to getting some exercise. I have an umbrella, I guess I could take Tres for a walk, nope I guess not. It just thundered again, and he has come and got in under the desk.

            I guess we are now in a thunderstorm as it keeps thundering and raining.

            I will call it quits for now, we hope you can stay dry and that it keeps raining. Please be safe and careful in the rain.

Night photographer!

Senior ole person who might take a cup of coffee and sit outside, Don the Ford

 

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

September 13, 2023

            We made it to mid-week, and it is sprinkling rain this morning. We are hoping for real rain and we are thankful for even a sprinkle of rain, anything is better than nothing.

            The Tres and I did take a walk this morning, it was a cool 70 degrees and there was a very slight breeze when we turned and started back toward the homestead. I have a couple comments on this morning’s walk, one is, early mornings I hear and see crows in the area. Now I am wondering if they spend the nights here and then go somewhere else during the day. I do not usually see or hear them during the day or when we sit outside in the afternoon.

            A second comment would be, as the Tres and I were approaching an intersection walking south, there was a vehicle approaching going west. The vehicle had a stop sign, so it stopped, and we also stopped. I being a nice ole man waved at the driver, whom I could not see, to go on. The vehicle then started across the intersection, and it appeared that this person was giving me the finger. His hand was at the window, there was one finger standing up and I could not see this person’s face. Now I could be wrong, and he may have been looking at his fingernail…

            I am trying to determine how much rain we might get, and do I need to water the flowerpots. I can see on the security camera that there is more light rain happening, although the driveway is still dry under the tree limbs, so we haven’t had much rain yet.

            I have a photo of some blooms that are growing in places where I do not want them to be, they are in our Jasman bed.

            The front yard needs to be mowed but I am sure it is too wet for me to get outside and mow, maybe I can get the yard man Alex over on Saturday. If we get enough rain the back forty might need to be mowed. The riding mower has not been started in several weeks.

            I could get my hair cut today but then I would be attractive again, then my favorite wife would get mad when the other female subjects start looking at me.

            I decided to review my bible study homework yesterday, and I am happy to report it looked as if I had answered the questions correctly. I received my book several weeks ago and I went ahead and completed the first week’s work, when I first received the book. 

            Well, I guess I will stop for now, it is sprinkling a little harder now, so I will try to stay dry. We hope you have a good day and stay safe while you are being nice to ole people.

Rain, nice!

Senior ole person who may do nothing today, Don the Ford

 

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

September 12, 2023

            The bible study group meeting went well last evening. I got to see some of the people I had studied with last year, and met a bunch of new people. I think they said there are 170 men in this bible study session.

            Now let’s discuss this morning’s walk. The walk started about the same time but it was much darker than it has been, I thought it was probably due to clouds, but as the walk proceeded, I could see that there was not an excessive number of clouds. I guess sun rise is getting later each day.

As the Tres and I walked we approached two different people without them seeing us. There was a vehicle between us and the man who got in his van, he left the door open for a short while then closed it and left. He did not know we were standing on the other side of the vehicle that was parked next to his. If I had been a bad person, I could have taken his vehicle from him easily.

Then up the street and around the corner there was a female person who walked out of her house, she did not appear to even look around to see if anyone was there, Tres and I was within 40 feet of her at first, and as she was trying to unlock her vehicle, her back to us, we walked behind and past without her ever seeing us. People should look around when they go out of their house or get out of their vehicle.

Topic swap; we were supposed to go to an out-of-town football game in which Alex would have played, but for some reason it is canceled. I guess we will learn why later.

We got some rain last night, but not a lot. When Tres and I went out this morning there was a wet spot on the driveway, I said wet spot, not standing water. I checked the Free rain gage and there was a little water in it but not enough to measure.

Now let’s talk cons: the tree has a lot of pecans on it, but as dry as it has been we are not sure they would produce good pecans. We will probably not get any this year as the squirrels seem to be taking more than their share. There seem to be partially eaten cons on the driveway all the time, photo to follow.

            I guess I will stop for now, stay safe, be nice, and have a good day!

Studying again? I mean Studying again!

Senior ole person who needs a cup, even a homemade cup of coffee, Don the Ford

 

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

September 11, 2023

            Well, today is 9/11 and we all remember where we were when the attacks occurred. I was in New York state working between the towns of Middletown and Newburgh.  

            But let’s first review Sunday, as I am writing this first part on Sunday afternoon. My favorite wife and I did go out for breakfast at the cracker store. A couple things about this breakfast, one we only recognized possibly two people who work there, they have a bunch of new employees. The second comment is the food prices have gone up a little but the amount of food received is smaller. Part of my meal was pancakes, there were two and they were smaller than what they use to be, heck even the supposed to be scrambled eggs did not appear to be two complete eggs.

            After eating, we went to the Woods store hoping to find a 20-foot hose, but they did not have a 20-foot hose. They had 50, and 100 feet but no short hoses. we also need a couple sprayers for the watering of plants and they had some but we did not purchase one.

We left there and went to Wally world looking for a hose and we had no luck there. I did see something I should have purchased and that was a string trimmer for $99.00. My trimer is old and could give up at any time, I might need to go back and get the trimer.

Arriving back at home, having purchased nothing, I proceed to get into, or is it onto, the ole recliner, either way, I took a nap. 

Awaking from the nice nap I decided to go out back and remove the Poopa-Loopa from the back 40, as trash day is Monday. Having successfully removed the Dog Waste I then decided to pick up the sticks and debris from the back and front yards. The temp is a lot cooler than normal, it was only 97 degrees, wow I can work outside and not die of heat exhaustion.

I have purchased three fire extinguishers, so I decided to install one here in the ole office. Before you ask, the ole office is close to the kitchen and there was no place in the kitchen to install the extinguisher, that is why it is in the ole office. Photo to follow.

            Before you ask, no I do not know what all those keys go to. Some keys have been there a long time.

            The yards cleared I decided to repair the front water hose. The problem is the clamp that holds the rubber hose on to the connector leaks, so I thought I would put a second clamp on the connection. I went out to the shed to see if I could find another clamp and while I was there, I installed a fire extinguisher in the shed. As you might know, I get distracted easily, and I was distracted by some bird seed that I did not know I had. I distributed the bird seed. I did also find a clamp and then I headed back to the front yard and I was hoping to add the second clamp.

            The second clamp was too small it would not fit so I decided to see if I could make any adjustments to the connection. I found that it just needed to be tightened, and the leak stopped. I guess I should have tried that a month or two ago.

            My favorite wife was cleaning the back patio off so I took the leaf blower out there and did the initial sweeping of the area. I blew the dirt and dust off the patio so my wife could do all she needed to do, and there would be a lot less sweeping. I also hauled the dog’s bed to the trash container, the bottom was falling apart, and the BBQ grill cover was also taken to the trash container. Then I came in here and started writing this posting. It is now 3:45 on Sunday afternoon and I will stop writing now. There may be more comments added tomorrow.

 

            Today is Monday; it is cool today with a temp of 69 degrees. Heck when Tres and I went for our walk it was almost a shock with cool air and a breeze. Speaking of Tres, he did get a bath yesterday afternoon, then we sat outside for a while. It was nice enough that we did not need the fans to keep us cool.

            The lady who lives next-door and her two sons came over while we were sitting outside. They brought treats for Tres and for Molly the cat. The youngest boy likes cats and he really likes Molly. Tres got a kick out of all the attention and petting he received.

I don’t intend to comment on the 9/11 disaster, I think the TV seems to be covering it pretty well.

            Our bible study begins this evening, I hope I can study and learn something this year.

There is rain in the area, we hope it will get to us. Well, I guess that is all for today, we hope your day is filled with things you enjoy, and we are hopeful that everyone will stay safe.

This posting was too long!

Senior ole person who needs to do something, Don the Ford

 

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

September 10 2023

            We have made it to Sunday again and all seems to be well here at the Homestead. I have watered the flowers and berry beds and have done nothing else.

            I want to say thanks to everyone who commented on the photos of the sunrise in yesterday’s post. I thought they were very interesting and unusual.

            My favorite wife and I have decided to go to the cracker store for breakfast this morning. I have no plans for the rest of the day, my wife will probably continue to place fall decorations inside and outside the house.

 

            Thats it for today, stay safe and be nice to everyone, especially ole people.

Positive comments appreciated!

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!

September 9, 2023

            Wow how does the Don want to start today’s sermon. Let’s start with walking the dog. Now I am an ole senior person and I have lived in the neighborhood for more than 44 years, and that alone should provide this ole senior person with some shall we say, “special privileges!”

Now let us take for example todays, “walking of the dog”. All went well until we turned and started back toward the homestead. There ahead of us, coming toward us was a female person leading a dog. First, she was on the wrong side of the road. All dog walkers should walk facing traffic, but she was walking with traffic. This female dog walker was coming toward me and Tres, which caused me to have to walk to the other side of the street, yes that meant I was forced to walk with traffic. This young female person did not say good morning, heck she acted like she was unhappy that the Tres was barking at her and her little white dog.

I think there should be a way that Tres and I could go for our walk without any other dog walkers being on the streets. Then, when we finish, we could post a note on the internet and these other so-called dog walkers could then go for a walk. Ole people need some, “special privileges!” 

I did take some photos of the morning sky as we walked, photos to follow.

             There must have been a big jet plane or a spaceship down in those clouds, and they must have had their head lights on, to make all that light. I don’t think a flashlight could make that much light.

            Other than the incident with the female dog walker, this morning’s walk was good. There was a nice breeze during the entire walk.

Back at the home I was allowed to water the flowers in pots. An odd thing happened while I was watering the pots, I could feel “rain drops falling on my head”, wow, that kind of sounded like an ole time song. Yep, even though the cloud above did not look like a rain cloud, there was a few drops of rain falling. I tried to call my favorite wife and ask her to come outside to experience the rain drops, but she would not answer the phone.

Wow, she was busy and did not answer the phone. What if I had fallen and could not get up? I guess in the future I will call 911 and not my wife, if I have had an accident.

Topic swap: the boy scouts are having another popcorn sell today, so I guess I will drop by and see if I can get a couple $20 bags of popcorn.

Well, I need some rest so I will shut down for now, we hope your day is good and that you can walk facing traffic, that means “please be safe!”

special privileges!

Senior ole person who has no special privileges, Don the Ford

 

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

September 8, 2023

            Good morning or hello depending on when you look at this posting. There is nothing new here at the Ford homestead, unless you consider the fall decorations that have been recently placed inside and outside of the Homestead. I would like to take credit for the decorations, but if I did, I might not get to eat for a month or so, yep, my favorite wife has been and is placing these decorations.

            Please allow me to comment on a thing or two from yesterday.

            I did take the Ford’s ole Chevy to the dealership for some upkeep. On the way home the touch screen was acting odd, (not working as it had been prior to the new battery) which irritated me to no end but I was not in a mood to go back to the Dealer at that time.

            A few of the processes began working but not all so I decided to call them this morning and see if they had any ideas or if I should bring it back. Before calling them, I decided to go out and see if it was still acting odd. I turned it on, and it worked as it should, happily, I turned it off and started into the homestead when it came to me, I still needed to set the time. My ole body spun around and I dashed back to the vehicle. (Dashed, in this setting means, “I was able to drag my ole body back to the truck.”)

            I again started the vehicle and went to settings, then to time, and I was able to set the time! Heck the darn thing may be ok.

            What else did we do yesterday: my first wife allowed me to go with her out to supper. Now the food was good but I do have a small problem with sandwiches at many restaurants and that is, “they are too thick”. What I am trying to say is, I can’t open my mouth wide enough to get a full bite of the sandwich. I often end up using a knife and a fork to eat the sandwich, or I have to remove part of the fixuns, then I can get my mouth around the sandwich. 

            We made it back home safely and even though it was 106 degrees, we did sit outside for a while.

            Speaking of heat, for those of you who do not live in Texas, we are supposed to have a record setting day for September, with a temperature of 108 or more. I will be getting Alex from school this afternoon during the 108 temp, and I will be sitting there in the vehicle without the air conditioner or motor running. I do plan to take two types of fans with me, one is battery powered, and one is a hand fan. I would not want to be going to the high school football game tonight, it will be very hot.

            Tres and I did walk this morning, but we did not have any unusual events. Speaking of unusual, a friend thought he saw a coyote running up the street the other night, and he wanted me to check my cameras and see if I could see the animal. I did see what appeared to be a coyote going up the street.

            Well, I guess that will be it for now, be safe and have a great day.

Hotter than hot!

Senior ole person who needs to get a short nap before lunch, Don the Ford

 

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