HOW COME OUT IS EASIER THAN IN....10/12/16

--You know it's time to take the air conditioner's out of the windows when everyone starts complaining about just how cold their rooms are. Of course they always throw in a few cough and sneezes for added effect.
--And of course it's of you go to take the dang fool air conditioner's out, because if it's one thing you don't want it's a house full of sick people on your hands.
--For some reason taking the dang fool things out is always easier than putting them in, it's probably like the old it always seems shorter on the way home principle.
--Of course wading through the mind field's they call rooms is a little tricky, but luckily you've had years of experience in that department so it just proves tiresome not impossible.
--When it's all said and done it makes for a bit a fun, but by working together you are able to get it done.....

MOPPING UP THE CRUMBS....03/16/16

--It always amazes me that a simple act when left unattended can create such a problem you needed bigger tools to clean up the dang fool mess.
--Sort of makes you wonder what would happen if the simple things were taken care of when they were simple. And not left until you need a full crew and a has-mat team to solve them.
--But like everything I suppose its just a matter of time. And whether or not people want to do what needs to be done before walking away, patting themselves on the back about a job well done. Leaving the little crumbs for the next fellow who happens along to clean up.
--But like everything I guess with a wee bit of working together, it is possible to do a bit of back patting. and get the dang fool crumbs cleaned up to boot.
--Now all I have to do of course is convince my little darlings of that fact....

POWER TOOLS IN THE MORNING....07/21/15

--There's an unwritten rule in our house that is no playing with power tools until dad's had a cup of coffee or two. It keep's dad from having accidents and keeps mom from having to patch thing's up.
--Of course when dad start's gathering power tool's the children run for the hill’s. Never could figure that one out. Maybe it’s the noise or maybe it’s a warning sign for danger
--What ever little job that needs to be done if help is needed I have to do a lot of coaxing to get the little darling to come out of hiding. Usually my oldest falls victim first. Because quite frankly he's a lousy hider.
--But working together the job gets done and everyone’s happy. Except of course the fates. If no accidents have occurred. But hey there's always next time. And I’m sure they'll be waiting for an old fool to forget the first rule which is lots of coffee before playing with power tools.....

KIND OF HARD BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE.... 09/14/15

--Getting people to work together, is sometimes hard but not impossible. If everybody puts aside their differences for a time. Strange things happen like the ability to actually work together towards a common goal. At lest that's the theory.
--When I proposed this to my children their response was extreme fidgeting, and allot of eye rolling. but with the thought of a day spent listening to the old man on his soapbox. Retelling of day's and stories of his forgotten youth they came around.
--The end result was we got allot accomplished. And the little darling were not the worse for wear. Even though by their retelling it was a nightmare.
--Truth be told by the time we were done everybody was laughing and working along side of each other like one big family. Of course when they were done they ran back to their respective rooms and contemplated the experience.
--Sort of makes you wonder what the next time will be like....

LOST IN THE YARD .... 08/31/16

--When the grass gets a certain length it's very easy to loose things in the yard. That's why I guess people like to keep the dang fool stuff cut.
--In our yard tall grass can be a real pain in the neck, because if your not careful you could slip into one of those dang fool holes Jerry Lee dug just about every where.
--And let's not forget the dang fool cats who like to hide in the grass and pop out when you get near. Something Squash seems to think is the greatest thing, because he gets to scare me, and it drives poor Waffles nuts.
--when you think about all those things, you'd think it would make a fella think twice about venturing outside for a stroll. But what can I say I've never been the brightest blub in the box.
--Since the weather has broken a bit Waffles and I have been spending time outside, walking about. And Squash true to his nature has been popping up just about any where he can, especially when he thinks he can scare the two of us.
--It probably wouldn't be so bad but now he's gotten the wing nut gang to join in the fun. As if watching for holes and Squash wasn't enough now we've got to watch for Buddy, Puffy, Oreo, and that dang fool Alien Cat to.
--Let me tell you it almost makes a fella wish for winter......

PLOP AND DROP.... 08/21/15

--It's a old game. Basically it goes like this. Drop something and let somebody else worry about it.
--Of course after awhile it gets old. But apparently some people never out grow the dang fool game. Around our house we've always had a rule. Don't drop it till you find the place where it goes.
--When the children were little it was bad enough picking their stuff up. But when they reached a age where they could understand we straightened the dang fool game out.
--Of course we all have bad day's where we forget thing's I guess. Or the dang fool's like to make sure dear old father hasn't become senile. Usually it only last's as long as it takes to remind them....

STYMIED FROM THE START..08/22/15

--After a whole day of nothing but downward spiraling. It finally accrued to me maybe something was missing.
--Maybe the problem wasn't the fact that it was a bad day. I mean there's not much you can do about them. But the attitude I had while going through the dang fool thing.
--Now I pretty much remind myself no matter what I’m going to have a good day. It seems to work. Since I started it the day's have been touch and go sometimes but at the end I’d have to rate most of them a good day.
--Of course my wife noticed the change right away but waited for me to get the kink's out before commenting about it. Not wanting to jinx it I guess. It's kind of a weird system but it seems to work so far. But like everything else I’m sure there will come the day when a new system will be called for. When that happens I’m sure one will pop up.....

GOOD DEALS.... 07/28/15

--Finding good deals on food in this day and age is hard. Not impossible if you don't mind a little work. The adventure is worthy of old Indiana Jones sometimes.
--But sometimes you get lucky and sometimes not so much. If your lucky you skim by until a good deal comes your way.
--When you do find a good deal you find yourself spending the day cutting up and making up meals. Oh sure It makes for a long day but in the end it's worth it. Just in the amount of jingle you save.
--My wife and I usually make a day of it and even though were tired when were though we try to keep it light and usually have a pretty good time by working together. I guess it just goes to show it's all in how you look at it....

Being kind isn't supposed to be hard

Try to have a good day

Kittens attempt to steal dad's coat

Hot fries

Glimmer of hope

Bananas in the morning

Kittens and boxes

Breakfast for dinner

THE ROOSTER CROWS EVERY FIVE MINUTES.... 04/14/15

--Apparently my neighbor’s rooster is a tad bi-polar. Not only does he not understand where his yard ends and ours begins. But now he seems to have the habit of leading his band of merry vagabonds around our yard at all hours of the night.
--Which probably wouldn't be so bad, but this fool has to announce his presence every five minutes. And with the worst crowing to ever come down the pike.
--Now mind you living in the country there are certain things you come to get used to. Like farmers who wait till the hottest day of the year to spread cow patties in their field next to your house. Or neighbors who walk their dogs in your yard to poop. And get cranky when you point out the boundaries . And now it seems we've been blessed with whack a doodle caroler’s who only know one tune.
--I suppose it could be worse. It could be frog's or crickets.....

THE SAME THING EVERYDAY WITH A TWIST.... 01/26/16

--When it comes down to brass tack and nails, you’ll find me at the front of the line complaining about the same old same old.
--But like an old fool I also recognize the usefulness of the dang fool routine. And the necessity of sticking with it especially in a tiny house filled with whack a doodle's.
--So usually my morning's are filled with mumble's of round the mulberry bush as I go around and take care of all those tiny thing's, that left unattended will come back and bite me in the butt.
--That's not to say from time to time I won't give it a little shake-up. But usually I just run through and take care of them so I can get the dang fool day started.
--Along the way of course I often myself catching a few of the many blessing that are often overlooked on those days when the morning routine is skipped. Which provides for quite the early morning mental recharge. Which is usually enough to get me through those one step at time days....

WHISPERING NIGHTS.... 07/12/15

--Usually they really cork my griddle. I mean the whole idea behind going to bed at night turns into a joke and you wake up feeling like you've been wailed on with a bag of rocks all night.
--That being said there are also the nights when all of the things are turned on their head by the simple act of a whack a doodle cat. And his over powering need to provide comfort to his family.
--By such little simple acts of kindness. He reaffirms one’s faith and provides that added little touch. That helps you make it through the night with the tiny hope that rest might be achieved.
--I know it sounds weird but on whispering nights it helps a lot to wake up to a purring old cranky sour puss who normally wouldn't give you a second glance during the day.....

JUST GOT TO LOVE THOSE GREMLIMS: THE RAKE....

--Just when you thought the day was going pretty good, the furry little Gremlin known as the Rake pop's up and starts with His shenanigans.
--At first it's just the little stuff like reminding you about some mishap from the day before. And then of course if your not careful the furry little darling goes for broke and starts in on the past. Which is just plan loaded with enough gems to keep the little fella busy for a while.
--Over the years I've tried a bunch of ways to get rid of the little fella and have come up with zero results. About the only thing I've found that works a little bit is coming to terms with the fact that we're all human and we've all made mistakes. It doesn't get rid of the little fool but it sure takes the sting out of his games......

Dancing birds

Spring cleanup

It's to hot to bark

A day to remember

TEMPER TANTRUM WEATHER.... 03/30/15

--Round and round we go where it'll stop nobody seems to know. At first we were in a upward trend. Reached 40 according to outside temp. Then of course it decided to rain for a bit. And now it seems to be snowing.
--Talk about dueling weather. It appears winter and spring are having it out again. Kind of reminds me of two children throwing a temper tantrums.
--"It's my turn" ,"no it's not I’m not done playing". Sure would be nice if mother nature called a time out soon.
--Hopefully they'll get it figured out soon. Or a least get their act together. I've lost three buttons on my sweater so far taking it off and having to put the dang thing back on a hour later. At least I have a spring things to do list started...

THE GARDEN THAT DIDN'T GROW....04/05/15

--The ground was prepared the seeds were planted. The rest was up to mother nature. After waiting for the sprouts, way past the time. It was realized that perhaps a fence should have been put up to protect the seeds while mother nature worked her magic.
--Forgotten you see was the little dog named Sammy who spent all his time digging up what was planted. A rather strange little fellow who liked to visit, when no one was outside to see. Part of a new generation of me me's who truly believe what ever they see belongs to them and not you .
--Tried to explain to the neighbor who's dog Sammy was what had transpired. And his reply was it was impossible because Sammy would never do such a thing because he knows his boundaries you see. Well I thanked him for his time. Went back home and saying you live and you learn.
--The lessons learned were many of course. When putting seeds in the ground put up a fence to protect them. When talking to me me's don't bother you get more results talking to a tree....

THE OLD STOP RIGHT NOW.....09/29/16

--Like a old warning that never took effect all the signs are there, but you just don't notice them as usual.
--Oh, sure when the flashing lights go off and the sirens start wailing, away it starts to cut through the fog in the old brainpan. And you start to realize a retreat is in order, but the extraction is mind numbing slow.
--It's amazing what happens time and time again when you forget to watch for the dang fool warning signs.
--But like everything it works out in the end. Because even without the signs the end is usually the same, neutral corners assure that you can get a chance for another round.

NEVER FORGET....

--Myself I like to treat each day as a chance to start fresh, and go from there. Yeah I know the mistakes from the past are a crafty bunch and if you don't keep a eye on them they'll be more than happy to whisper in your ear all day long. I usually try real hard to learn from what mistakes I've made, and don't repeat them of course. Sometimes I do pretty good and sometimes let's just say I'm still learning.
--The point is lugging the mistakes of the past is like trying to run through quicksand, darn near impossible which is why I try not to do it. Of course that’s not to say the little darling don’t follow you around, it’s just I try not to be the one doing the leading.
--My wife thinks I’m a tad goofy about the whole thing but she’s pretty much gotten used to my ways after all these years. I guess that’s what makes the whole thing work….

Forever smiles sometimes break

The birds return

Spring filled cheer

Kitten video

AFTERNOON WITH MUCK AND MIRE.....10/09/16

--I have never been able to figure out why on a cold damp and rainy day everything feels like a long walk filled with muck and mire.
--It's hard enough sometimes keeping up with some of the shenanigans of the wing nuts. Especially when they all seem to be on the same page.
--But when those old muck and mire days come along it's like running uphill with a monkey on your back whispering in your ear,” Why bother...."
--I suppose it could be worse they could last far longer than they do. And as long as you can keep a steady pace things usually work out.....

Good days bad days and all the rest...01/24/15

--Just when things are going good, life throws you a curve ball. Or so it seems.
--The day becomes either a hand basket in a downward spiral or just another day to be enjoyed to the fullest.
--As with so many other things in life the choice is ours of course. Because along with the gift of life given to us at birth so was freewill.
--I've always tried to impress this fact on my children, as they stumble along trying to figure out how to handle life up's and down's. Sometimes with success and sometimes having a meltdown over something simple.
--Over the years they've gotten better at a whole spectrum of thing's, and I try to encourage them where I can.
--It's been a interesting adventure trying to help my children learn how to handle good days bad days and all the rest….

REMEMBER THE PAST....06/11/15

--Usually it's in the early hours of the morning when there's approaching rain or just a plain old change in weather that I do most of my remembering the past. It seems the silent watchmen of forgotten dances with the dark side of intelligence known as stupidly like to make their voices heard then. By reminding you of all the mistakes you made in the past.
--Over the years I’ve tried to find a middle ground where everybody’s happy. We’ve come to a draw of sorts. I get reminded with constant messages every time the weather changes. and they let me have about 2 hours sleep before it's time to turn over. It’s amazing what you can get used to.
--Usually for some reason the old cat dinky will hang around my bed on the whispering nights. Why I have no idea because during the day he usually will stay as far away as possible from me.
--The rest of the time I put the past where it belongs because sometimes it's hard enough getting through the day without carrying that monkey on your back. It’s probably not the best plan but so far it works. Sure someday it'll probably stop working then I find another way of handling it. Because no matter how hard the nights are each day is a brand new adventure.....

SAME OLD SAME OLD RUT.....

--Sometimes I get a little stuck in my way of doing things. It's like a same old same old groundhog day rut.
--Don't get me wrong I usually like a little change, in fact most of the time I'm the one who starts the ball rolling. It's just sometimes with out even realizing it I get stuck in the same old same old rut.
--Now to try and keep me straight I try for just a little change each day. It doesn't have to be much just enough to keep me out of that dang fool same old same old rut.
--Sort of makes you wonder if we all don't need a little change once in awhile.... 

Comfort and joy

Spring filled cheer

Fresh baked

Hot night cold dinner

Hot fries

Are you talking to me

Walking through the fog

Spring cleanup

The chicken little mode of life… 01/25/15

--When everybody gets into chicken little mode. Apparently the world takes on new meaning. And your supposed to run from one crisis to next putting out fires.
--I’ve tried to impress upon my children if they just calm down and approach a problem one step at a time they can solve it quicker than running around worrying about which part of the sky is falling next. But like I said apparently that’s not the way your supposed to handle it.
--I’ve often heard my children complain to my wife that I’m slower than maple syrup in winter. But at the end of the day everything is handled and the only ones that seem the worse for wear are my little chicken littlies....

THE ELIMINATION PROCESS....06/08/15

--It usually takes awhile but if your patient you can figure out what in Sam hill is wrong. At lest that’s what I tell myself when my children come crying about their dang fool computers.
--The whole process is time consuming. And quite the pain in the neck. But usually fixable. I just wish they happened on days when chicken little mode wasn't the song of the day. But like everything else in life I guess you can not pick and choose when emergency’s happen. Just try and do your best to fix the dang fool problem…

THE KNUCKLE BUSTER AND ME....04/15/15

--When my wife and I first got married she asked me to find the cheese grater. Needless to say I had no idea what in Sam hill she wanted. Of course she thought I was pulling her leg.
--When she pulled out the dang thing finally, I just looked at her and said," Why didn't you say you wanted the knuckle buster."
--Well she just looked at me and shook her head. This of course was the first of my wife's education to my way of looking at thing's. Oh their were days when she would try to bring me over to the norm. Like trying to explain the difference between an icebox and a refrigerator. But I really think she accepted the fact it was a lost cause.
--As far as the knuckle buster, well if you don't watch what your doing that’s pretty much what you end up with.....

SOMETIMES BIGGER IS BETTER....

--When it comes to certain things I favor small and compact. In fact if it does more than one job than it'll probably catch my eye right quick. Because after all these years were simply running out of space in the old house of whack a doodle, and sometimes smaller is better.
--Now when it comes to tiny computer monitors I'll tried the smaller ones and while they work quite nice, unfortunately this old pink hat wearing fool needs one that doesn't make the dang fool print so small.
--My wife and children get quite the chuckle when they listen to me complain about my dang fool monitor. Mostly because I do have a rather nice one that was a Christmas present a while back, and I've been waiting for the one I have to die so I could hook in up.
--Now if it was a can opener, or a toaster it would be a dang fool memory by now. Or of course if it was something bought at the always sells for less store.
--But this dang fool monitor I found along side the road one day while out and about. Where apparently the owner got tired of waiting for it to die, so he could hook up his new one.
--My wife is fond of telling I should just put it out by the road with a free sign, but if I know the universe some how some way that dang fool monitor would find it's way back again.
--So in the mean time I'll just be patient and try not to stub my dang fool toe on the new monitor sitting next to my desk......

Waiting for a cookout

Spring filled cheer

Kittens and boxes

Chinchilla delight

NEVER FORGETTING WHAT CAME FIRST...02/03/15

--Sometimes the simplest things are the easiest to forget. Maybe because they are so simple, and over looked for that fact. Or maybe because for some reason the big things are  what take up so much of our time. Not leaving much for the little things.
--My wife and I try to cover all the bases as best as we can. Working together as a team.
Not always agreeing but trying to never lose sight of the main goal. And we've done pretty well over the years doing this. we've had our share ups and downs but threw it all we've managed to keep it together. Mostly by remembering what came first….

TEMPER TANTRUMS AND BULLIES....05/29/15

--Raising four children I’ve suffered through my share of temper tantrums. Usually by being patient with the little ones we could work it out. Sometimes it just required explaining things a little better.
--It always amazed me that people seem to forget when your little your just learning and sometimes you go on an overload trying learn too much at once.
--As far as bullies, well them I have a problem with. People who go out of their way to run roughshod over other people just because their different. Never did seem right to me. Maybe if there was less catering to them when they were younger they wouldn't be such bullies.
--But like I said I’m sure catering to them will get them eventually to mellow out. Sooner or later you never know.....

Thank God for Gomez….01/29/15

--When we first got married my wife was driving me nuts. When we were dating she was the most agreeable women you ever did meet. But after we got married it seemed all she wanted to do was argue about everything.
--Of course I figured it was excess baggage from her first marriage which didn't end well. And in fact was continuing to plague us while we starting a new life together.
--I realized right away that if we didn't do something we were not going to make it.
--About this time was when I came up with Gomez.
--One day the kids were watching a episode of the Adams Family on TV and Gomez was kissing his wife's arm begging her to talk French to him. I figured what the heck about then I’d try anything.
--It wasn't long and my wife went into another bout of just why I was wrong or what ever. I figured it was now or never.
--I ran over and started kissing her on the arm working my way up to her neck, of course begging her to tell me just how stupid I was .And how you know what it does to me when you call me those names. All while specking in a French accent.
--Well it didn't take long before she started cracking up and told me to get the heck away from her.
--That was 27 years ago and counting I’m happy to say….

JUST A LITTLE CHANGE.....

--Sometimes I get a little stuck in my way of doing things. It's like a same old same old groundhog day rut.
--Don't get me wrong I usually like a little change, in fact most of the time I'm the one who starts the ball rolling. It's just sometimes with out even realizing it I get stuck in the same old same old rut.
--Now to try and keep me straight I try for just a little change each day. It doesn't have to be much just enough to keep me out of that dang fool same old same old rut.
--Sort of makes you wonder if we all don't need a little change once in awhile.... 

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A BACK UP PLAN....06/05/15

--Making dinner with no idea what in Sam hill your having is an art my wife excels at. She can rummage through the cupboards and pull out a mouth watering meal. With no hemming or hauling she will decide with the up most of ease. She will come up with a menu to have tonight with no planning at all.
--Of course it is usually when were down to brass, tacks and nails. And the cupboards are just about bare. It being the day before shopping you know. But over the years her little talent hasn't failed us yet and probably won‘t. Only time will tell or I happen to become abundantly wealthy!
--Since we share the cooking responsibility and its my turn to cook it’s a bit more challenging. But when I try it she has her work cut out for her making it more edible for the family. Even then she'll pull it off by adding this and that. She will say we need some spice in our life so not to hinder my efforts or feelings. That’s just the way she is!
--The last time she just looked at me when I asked her what she wanted for dinner. She said "you know sometimes it's good to have a back up plan.” I of course just smiled and said "but dear we don't need a backup plan we have you."…. 

LITTLE BIG STEP DAY'S.... 10/08/15

--I love watching the days when all the hard work of a uphill battle come together and little big step day are the result. Seeing the progress and being apart of it on the sidelines reaffirms the faith that with a little hard work it is possible to overcome and move forward.
--Of course watching it all through the eyes of a parent is a added plus also. Because you get to see and enjoy the growth in each of the children as they make their way through life's up's and down's.
--You would think after all these year's it would be a old time feeling but it's not. With each new instance it’s like a life affirming recharge you wouldn't believe.
--I guess that's what parenting all about....

MENTAL VERTIGO….08/14/15

--Doing thing’s that force me to go in circles makes me dizzy. Over the years I’ve fought with this aspect of my life mostly because I have never been too fond of thing’s having power over what I can and can’t do. My wife claims it’s because I don’t like being told what to do. She’s probably right.
--I’ve gotten better at going in circle’s but it has taken years of practice. And every once in awhile if I’m not careful the old feeling of dizziness will set in. But it has gotten better.
--Along with all the other thing’s  I was forced to deal with in this life I try to limit the amount of control fears and feeling have in my life. Because they can be a real pain in the neck when they get out of control.
--Of course sometimes going in circle’s are an aspect of the days progression. And falling down dizzy really isn’t an option. When that happens I usually just hum a few bars of around the mulberry bush and make the best of it….

IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT.....

-Usually those are the first words out of my mouth when something I've been waiting for finally happens.
--Of course there are those weird occasions when what I've been waiting for takes on a live of it's own and when it passes it's almost like losing a dear friend.
-- When it does happen I say a little prayer, and look forward to the coming days and all the other pages that life has in store for me…….

Crossing over to the simple minded side... 12/08/14

--Once again it's seems winter has decided to come back. Not a lot snow so far but it is cold. it seems as temp drops so do peoples IQ level. It's amazing how people loose what little patience they had when the temp drops. No more giving people a little extra space when the roads are bad and your forced to drive a little slower. No more putting your blinker on before your ready to turn. letting the Fella waiting know what your up to.
--Driving becomes a free for all. Which is a shame because it doesn't really have to be.
--The store’s are stuffed with people all in a hurry, to get there stuff and get out as quickly as possible.
--And the check out’s are all run by people that a smile seems to be a alien concept. Which is really to bad.
--I realize that times are tough, and after awhile it tends to drag you down. But as for myself I try to smile when life gets to most oppressing. I figure what have I got to loose. And the up side is no matter how bad it gets a smile really makes me feel better.
--My wife accuses me at times like that of being simple minded. But hey after all these years I’ve noticed she'll even crack a smile when every-one else is in chicken little mode so I guess she's decided to come over to the simple minded side to...

SMOOTHING OVER THE BUMPS..... 05/28/15

--Time like everything else seems to smooth over the bumps in life. Sometimes it seems with relative ease.
--Those little thing's that were once giant stumbling blocks that threw us    off track. Can be smoothed over with the passage of some time.
--It’s amazing really. And as I grow older a pleasure to watch.
--Of course at the time when we were a stumbling in chicken little mode, it does seem as the world was at the end. But hey with a little time passage everything will turn out ok.....

STAYING ON THE GOOD SIDE....03/09/16

--Some day’s trying to stay on the good side of a bunch of whack a doodle personalities, is like walking through a minefield blindfolded while jugging chainsaws. You might make it or you might make a mess of things.
--Usually I spend most of my time stumbling from one disaster to another. It makes the day interesting to say the lest.
--Of course if people would realize there's more to life than chicken little mode. Things would go allot easier. But apparently the only time they really think is when they calm down a tad. And stop reacting to every little thing as if it was the end of the world and the start of a zombie invasion.
--Myself it's taken a while but I’ve come to the conclusion time and time again that there’s more to life than running around chasing your tail.
--The time you save can be put to better use in allot of other places....

IT WAS TIME WELL SPENT...

IT WAS TIME WELL SPENT...
--Sometimes it seems the most useful words are the ones left unsaid, when dancing on the edge.
--While dancing may be enjoyable most of the time, on the edge it is nothing but a prelude to a rather big fall.
--Of course when it's all said and done it was time well spent if your careful with your words. Because words thrown about while dancing on the edge can leave a bigger impact than a fall...

Hot fries

Early morning chill

Cat's are not stupid

Yard sale watcher's

Planning a good day