BOUNCING CATS....10/12/16

--I find it really quite amazing how just by moving around a couple of things you can turn a bunch of cats and dogs into a bunch of bouncing fools.

--Usually any little change will set the whack a doodles off, and it really doesn't have to be that much either.

--What's really cool is it also works on people to, change a couple of things around and watch the fun begin.

--Sort of makes you wonder if a bad case of the same old same old could be that simple....

A QUESTION OF DEGREES.... 06/30/16

A QUESTION OF DEGREES....

--if given a choice between sitting in a ac cooled house or outside i usually choose outside.especially as i get older because the dang fool ac starts more aches and pain than it's worth as far as I'm concerned.

--unfortunately the wife and children fail to understand the whole dlima because usually i walk around with two sets of long-johns on and a sweater even in the summer.

--don't get me wrong i like a cool room just not one where you could hang meat.

--so rather than dive into the whole thing i usually opt to spend the daylight hours outside int the warm summer day.....

A UPSIDE DOWN DAY.... 10/15/16

--Sometimes I feel like a yo yo, with a knot in the string on a upside down day. Oh, you know the one where one day it's in the high 70's and the next it's in the low 50's. Meanwhile your body's stuck somewhere in between. Trying to figure out if your hot or cold.
--Of course once everything settles down it works a little better, it just those dang fool upside down day's can get to be  bit of a pain.
--Over the years I've come to the conclusion that it's best to be prepared, sure it gets to be a head scratcher keeping track of where in Sam Hill the old long John's are constantly. But in the end it pays of, for just that few seconds of brief comfort before the next round begins.
--My wife's gotten used to the whole thing but at first it was a big step, and one she had a hard time taking. But now she's gotten used to living with a old pink hat wearing fool I guess because she doesn't even bat a eye when I run off to find the old longjohns, because I'm cold......

CUT AND DRIED….04/08/15

--Sitting in the dark with the curtain open watching the sun rise while drinking a cup of coffee can be fun. If it weren’t for the chill of the morning and the constant banging about of the cat kittens and dogs it might almost be relaxing.
--But not everything can be cut and dried in the morning. Sometimes you have to learn to take the good with the bad.
--It could be worse. At lest were on the way to may flowers . And all of summers glory day’s.
--It’s quiet moments like this that make the day not so long…

A LITTLE BIT....07/06/16

--Sometimes a little bit goes a long way's. for some reason that little phase seems to stick in my head when dealing with those things that have a tendency to throw a good day for a loop.

--Don't get me wrong I've never been much of a jump through hoops kind of guy .In fact you could say I've gone out of my way to start as far as I could from the whole hoop jumping game.

--Sometimes you jump have to jump through those dang fool thing's just to keep the peace.

--When that happens a few little saying seem to help....

Trying to talk to the wind…01/23/15

--I often marvel at people who have the unique ability of hearing only what they want. Conversation’s with these people are often one side and very long. No matter how hard you try to make your point it's like spitting in the wind. with more blow-back of their point of view.
--Myself I try for the most graceful exit possible. Which is hard because not only do you have to try and be polite, but you have to do it while the other person is usually taking a deep breath.
--Actually when I think about it it's like trying to talk to the wind I guess....

A Rainy Afternoon Chat....11/14/17

--Standing out in thee cold afternoon drizzle isn't my ideal of fun, in fact there are certain times I find it a real pain in the neck. And will go out of my way to stay away from the rain and outdoors altogether.

--And then of course there are those days when your walking around counting steps feeling like you've been wailed on with a bag of rocks all night. When you're so desperate for something to take your mind of what in Sam Hill your feeling you figure what the heck it sure can't make things any worse.

--Of course my wife looks at me like I've lost what left of my mind when I throw my coat on and head for the door for a bit of fresh rainy afternoon air. And truth be told I probably am a little bonkers, but I've always figured a little change of space will do wonders for the old mental brain pan. Just in the amount of recharge from doing something different.

--Well WAFFLES wasn't to keen on the whole walking in the rain thing, but he chose to come along rather than staying in his warm box. Amazing a what a leash will bring about.

--About the only thing we saw in our walk about was Morning Flinch and he seemed quite happy because he followed use around the yard just a jabbering away.

--When we got back to the house he went back to his house and I waved to the little fella because it seemed liked the right thing to do.......

IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE....10/23/17

 --For some reason at certain times of the year you can almost feel the change in the air before it even arrives.

--Of course my wife usually looks at me like I've finally gone around the bend when I start talking about it's almost time for a few changes and such things.

--But she'll be the first one to grab the extra blanket I've placed out the day before on every ones beds.

--It seems with all the ache and discomforts of a foolish youth, old age has blessed me with the ability to know when it's going to get a tad colder and of course when it's going to rain.

--I suppose it could be worse at lest I'm usually prepared and all the long John's are usually clean and ready ......

TRYING TO FIND WHAT YOU'VE SEEN AT A GLANCE.... 03/22/16

--Walking through a store with a list is good, because it gives you a idea of what your looking for.
--Catching a glimpse of something on the bottom of the list while your looking at the top. Is good to, until you get to the bottom and can't seem to remember where in Sam hill you caught the glimpse.
--Then you get to play where in Sam hill did I see it. Which is a wee bit of a pain in the neck.
--But like everything with patience usually you find it. Of course it does require going over the same bit of ground over and over again....

When life was simple…01/21/15

--It’s funny but when the power goes of in winter, life is turned back to the simplest form . Just the basic's are needed to survive the ordeal, and everything else becomes secondary.
--It’s hard on children used to so much that runs on power. But in the old days, that's the way it was. We didn't have a lot of electric do dads and what not-s. For entertainment we told stories, or played games. Most of which were made up as we went along….

WHEN THINGS BRAKE DOWN… 02/07/15

-As weird as it seems when things go wrong it usually happens in groups of three’s. I used to think this pure hogwash. But after years of being subjected to the formula. I’ve been forced to become a convert. Time and time again, it never fails.
--My wife of course thinks this is one of my many wild theories, but I secretly think she’s starting to come around.
--When two thing’s brake down we’ll spend time looking around waiting and wondering which one will be next . And sure enough within a few days number three happens and we each breath a sigh of relief. Because the waiting is over and now it’s time to rebuild or replace. Before the next bout happens..

TRYING TO FIND….06/24/15

--Trying to find something shouldn’t be so hard just a process of retracing your steps. Or so you would think.
--Ask my children and they will tell you because I’m the one who says if your looking for something and can’t find it. Take a break and then try again later.
--Nine times out of ten this seems to work. And I know in my case it is usually right in front of me.
--Of course when I’m really getting frustrated one of my children will yell out hey dad why don’t you take a break. No one likes a smart mouth but of course their usually right.
--Our old cat Blacky was good at finding the right socket  I was looking for when I was working on our car. I'd check the whole tool box first. Then he would come over and drop the socket I  needed into my hand. And sometimes it would be a wrench I needed and could not find. That was the best finding cat ever! Now if I could teach the old cat Dinky to stop finding mice and bringing them to me I would be so pleased…..

BUT IT'S SPRING.... 04/13/15

--A open window and a room full of cats and kittens is not a good mix. For some reason fresh air bowing in makes them all whack a doodle crazy.
The dogs are more reserved. And will actually get cranky when theirs to much of a breeze.
--Cats and kittens just totally lose it. When faced with the prospect of going outside they will run from a open door. But will sit for hours watching and looking outside.
--The running and playing takes on all forms from ninja fighting to jumping of iceboxes, to trying to see who can fly. It's a little weird to watch, and more than a little annoying to have to try and navigate through as the temps get warmer.
--But hey it's spring and a heck of a lot better than the other side of the coin. Which is being in a room full of moody cats and kittens who are constantly fighting….

PAINTING THE PICTURE OF SPRING MYSELF…. 03/06/15

--The garden is full and the flowers are painted with bright colors of spring.
--Oh course everyone else can’t see a thing. When they look all they see is cold and the ever lasting snow. What can I say, if spring won’t come I’ll paint the picture myself.
--No I’m not ready for that rubber room on high. I’m just tired of letting snow kick me in the by and by. I’m finding it better to look forward a tad. Instead of staring about being so sad.
--Call it what you want. It won’t faze me a bit, because I’ll be sipping my Ice Tea trying figure out which flowers to clip….

IT NEVER SEEMS LIKE ENOUGH...04/21/15

--Fill the water, fill the food, clean the box, and you think your done. but like little children there back in five minutes wanting more.
--Clean the counter, clean the floor, clean the table, and in five minutes your right back doing it again.
--Now it doesn't seem fair but what can I say it's part of the joy of raising cats, kittens, and children it seems. Oh and don’t forget the dogs have a hand in this whole collage of whack a doodle ness.
--Take me out, feed me, water me, and do it again. Sometimes it seems most of your day is spent feeding, watering, and washing, and waking the dang fool whack a doodles. No wonder you fall asleep early.....

JUST ENJOYING THE WALK THROUGH A GOOD DAY…02/12/15

--Each day is filled with mysterious  sights, some good , some sad and some that give you  such a fright way into the night.
--Seeing is believing, or so they do say.  But as for me I’d rather just enjoy each day.
--Leaving all the rest for other’s to ponder, and wonder about if they must.  It seems only fair, and I do so like to share.
--Argue not about what is, or what’s not, and just enjoy the walk through the day.

NOT AGAIN.... 10/02/16

--When two dogs come charging around the kitchen table at top speed, the look on Gandolf's, face as he heads for high ground seems to say,” Not Again."
--Of course I can't really blame him Waffles and Max are allot bigger than him, and they don't really look where in the Sam Hill their going. The fool's have almost knocked me over a time or two.
--And besides trying to catch a mouse with those two wing nuts banging around is probably quite hard.
--I do have to give Gandolf credit for a whack a doodle he has been catching allot of mice, unfortunately their probably the same dang fool mouse because he keeps loosing them. But he tries and I guess that's what counts.
--Come to think of it there's probably a lesson in there someplace.....

COUNTING THE STEPS RATHER THAN THE DISTANCE LEFT TO GO....03/05/15

--One step, two step, three in a row. At this pace your of on a roll.
--Oh the day is far from done. What promise's were made are sure to prove to be fun.
--But as long we remember that race is not won by standing around.
--The day should end with a smile and not a frown....

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....

ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK.... 09/17/16

--You would think after all these years I'd be used to the whole one step forward two step back routine. But apparently it doesn't become any easier to swallow as time goes by.
--For some reason sometimes progress isn't measured in steps but in how long of maintain the steps you achieve.
--The whole dang fool thing is enough to drive a Tibetan monk to talking to himself.
--I suppose it could be worse at lest over time there is the promise that you might archive more steps forward that back.....

The early hour's of a new day.. 12/28/14

--Call it what you might I guess I've always enjoyed those first few hour's before everything begins. Before the sun comes up and the day begins, when you can actually smell the crispness in the air.
--Of course our dogs aren’t to crazy about it. And probably wish I had another hobby, that didn't include dragging them out of there nice warm beds. But hey we all can't be happy all the time. And besides with their little tiny bladders they need every opportunity to go that they can get.
--And come to think of it I usually get quite a few dirty looks from the cats when I start my morning routine. But that's only because they figure after being up all night chasing what ever the Sam hill it is they chase, they need their sleep. And don't appreciate me banging around interrupting it. But like I said that's life.
--And I'm quite sure my neighbor isn't a member of my fan club either. Because as soon as I open my front door it seems a single goes of that wakes his dogs. And they start rising all sorts racket.
--But besides all the dirty looks and whining and racket from next door I still like taking a few seconds and enjoying the new day. I guess that's what it's all about. And hey it really starts the day of right..

GOOD MORNING WAKE UP KITTY STYLE....10/27/16

--Usually I prefer my wake up to be slowly, something that's hard to do when you've got 4 kittens crawling around on your head.
--I suppose it could be worse at least the little darling didn't follow me to the kitchen to get coffee. It seems playing king of my shoes was more pressing.
--Of course when I came back to the living room it was follow the big guy again.
--Now don't get me wrong I think kittens are just cute as all get out, but I really think the little darlings push it sometimes. But I guess when your that cute you can get away with any thing....

TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ....02/16/15

--Please won't you tell me why it always happens that for everyone you knock down another one always pops up.
--Like a never ending song it just keeps going on all day long.
--I’ve tried to figure it out, maybe you know what this weird game is all about.
--At first I figured it one way and them I tried another. Now I just don't know what to do, I sure don't mean to complain, but let me tell you it's getting to be a pain. I just can't figure out what in Sam hill this game is all about...

MEMORIES YET TO COME…02/16/15

--The room is cold, the air is quite crisp. Bringing back memories of other rooms in other places and other times, just about but not quite like this. The same yet so different, but how can this be.
--Like a painting seen in different light that’s the tricks, of memories. Like pages of a giant book blowing in the wind, they flip, leaving in their wake whatever it is that was painted for the future to compare.
--So many times forgetting was it was that made them shine, or to dark to ever want to go back there.
--The spark of life is never what was but what is, and that’s found in the light of each new day. where the seeds of memories yet to come do lay...

IT NEVER SEEMS LIKE ENOUGH...04/21/15

--Fill the water, fill the food, clean the box, and you think your done. but like little children there back in five minutes wanting more.
--Clean the counter, clean the floor, clean the table, and in five minutes your right back doing it again.
--Now it doesn't seem fair but what can I say it's part of the joy of raising cats, kittens, and children it seems. Oh and don’t forget the dogs have a hand in this whole collage of whack a doodle ness.
--Take me out, feed me, water me, and do it again. Sometimes it seems most of your day is spent feeding, watering, and washing, and waking the dang fool whack a doodles. No wonder you fall asleep early.....

MAYBE THE NEXT TIME….03/18/15

  --Funny thing about simple and easy, they usually don’t go hand in hand.
--Nothing makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up faster than in the hear the term.
--It usually means somebody’s left out something.
--And I’ll be the one who has to navigate the minefield of reality as a result….

PRETENDING NOT TO CARE....02/16/15

--I knew he was watching I could feel him sitting there staring, but I didn't take the time to look. it's not a good idea when your chopping thing s to cook, so I just continued what I was doing. and for me that was real good.
--with the chopping done, I turned for just a peek. and sure enough sitting in the chair was the little kitten watching me . I tried not to show I’d seen him, because then he would run and pretend he didn't care.
--so I went back to cooking and getting dinner ready to be cooked. every once in awhile casting a side long glace and sure enough he was still there.
--when everything was ready I put it in the oven, and went and sat down in a different chair.
it didn't take very long before I felt a tugging on my leg, and sure enough when I looked down the little kitten was sitting looking up at me with a look that said I won't tell if you don't tell and promptly went to sleep...

WAITING FOR THE MOUSE….02/16/15

--Each day they wander about the house going from place to place waiting for the mouse to appear.
--They know that it’s about you can tell by the twitching of their ears.
--Everyone once in awhile you’ll see their tail wag and they’ll get set getting ready for the little mouse to appear.
--When it finally does then the fun begins because that’s the reason that their here…

GRUMPY CATS AND SUNNY DAYS..... 07/13/15

--Every once in awhile one of the furry little fools will wake up on the wrong side and spend the whole day being grumpy and crabby to anybody who happens to cross his/her path. It’s a real pain in the neck because besides the constant fighting it just gets unnerving having to break the fools up. It’s like dynamite waiting for a spark when days like that happen.
--The worse thing there doesn't seem to be any reason for it. The sun could be shining high in the sky, and it's as cool as can be. But Mr. / Miss. grumpy can't seem to find a way to let it go long enough to notice.
--In some ways it kind of reminds you of some people you meet these days. Sadly they seem preoccupied with the dark side of life and oblivious of anything positive.
--Myself when days like happen I try to slow down and take thing's as they come. Because I know it's just one thing to many and I’ll be cursing the universe and looking for somebody to take it out on. It’s probably not the best way to handle things. But hey I figure why should I go out of my way to ruin somebody’s day just because I woke up on the wrong side....

ICING ON THE CAKE... 03/15/15

--The sounds of trumpets and music begins, is it a message from beyond? or somebody’s alarm.
--The cats and kittens are all at full gale, fall is on the way and their singing the tale.
--The coffee is cold which is fine by me, as long I’m spared a trip into the sanctum of nuts. I’ll enjoy what I have until I wake up.
--Finishing the pot I arise from my chair, the time has come I must venture out there. Knowing what awaits, is like icing on the cake. but in order to progress it's time to clean up their mess...

JUGGLING FIREBALLS....07/02/17

--On a whole I pretty much try to stay in the middle ground when it comes to morning conversation's. For the simple reason people take awhile to wake up and it's not really good trying to converse with Zombies before they've had their dang fool coffee.

--Of course every once in awhile a day comes along when you just know your going to be tasting shoe leather from the bad taste in your dang fool mouth.

--They say as we get older we have a tendency to become forgetful, myself I like to remember mornings are a lot like juggling fireballs, if you don't want to get burned keep your eye on what your doing and can the useless chitchat. Some people just can't handle words until they 'very had their dang fool coffee....

Putting the day right...01/16/15

--The hardest time to try and put the day right is after it's over. Or so I’ve found. Sometimes I like to try and pause for a minute and think for a few seconds. Mostly to make sure I’m not forgetting anything that needs to be done.
--Even though lists have become a must as I get older I still find that thing's have a habit of slipping though the cracks. And there’s nothing worse than forgetting something simple that you were supposed to do, when it was simple and not a full blown emergency.
--My wife shakes her head when I’ll stop what I’m doing for a second and run and find my list to either check it or add to it. But over the years it's helped me keep track of things pretty good.
--Except for days when I’ve forgotten where I’ve put my list. But luckily that doesn't happen to often....

STEALTH MODE…. 03/16/15

--Impossible to archive when half awake, even though you do try.
--Keeping your eyes only on the prize, you navigate though whatever is waiting.
--It’s not the best policy but you really can’t help yourself you see.
--Whatever is waiting isn’t really going anywhere, and it doesn’t do any good to start your day in total despair….

THE DANCE OF THE HAM BONE…. 03/16/15

--Bouncing like a couple of tiggers, when they first see me. Each holding a ham bone as proud as can be.
--The cats, and kittens are glaring because the dogs are not sharing.
--Apparently they’ve had all night to work up a plan of revenge. The path to the coffee pot is a mine field of peek a boo poo.
--But rather than be surprised along with coffee cup I brought along the mop. Because if there’s  one thing I’ve learned is the dance of the ham bone usually results in unexpected surprises for me… 

FIRST THINGS FIRST…. 03/16/15

--Sometimes the order in which things are done, isn’t as important as it seems.
--And sometimes the order is more important than the accomplishments that they bring.
--It’s a conundrum but that’s what makes life interesting in a house filled with cats, kittens, dogs children and my wife and me.
--You wouldn’t think it would matter, but apparently it does. Thank God for the whack a doodles because nobody else does….

SOMETIMES THE LONG WAYS BEST... 04/09/15

--It looked like the perfect solution to an approaching problem. Continue to climb a steep hill or take what looked like a short cut that went around.
--Not being one who put a lot of thought into thing's. The shortcut was chosen.
--Of course looking back, it would of probably been worth the effort to see that the path over the hill was well worn. And the shortcut was overgrown with weeds and all sorts of brush. But hey you live and learn.
--And learn you did. Mostly you learned that sliding down a hill covered with all sorts of stuff wasn't the best way to spend an early morning. But it was a heck of a wake up. And of course there was the climb back up the hill to reflect on all you have learned. Mostly, sometimes the long way is best….

WAFFLES and the Snow Boogers....12/14/17

--Getting WAFFLES to go outside in the winter is getting harder as the years go by. He just doesn't seem to impressed with the idea of leaving His nice warm bed for a frosty adventure in the dang fool snow.

--I can't say as I blame Him to much cold air sets the old bones to aching and then some. But when your on the up down sleep pattern you learn to make allowances I guess.

--Grabbing my cup of tea and coat I followed old waffles outside for a few minutes of cold winter morning mental recharge.

--Every thing was going fine until the wind shifted and started to blow across the yard picking up snow dust in its wake. Waffles saw the giant cloud of white coming after Him a did a mad dash for the house barking all the way.

--I couldn't help but laugh and ended up spilling my dang fool tea which started Morning Flinch, to chattering away. Apparently all the racket woke the little darling up.

--Squash, and Puffy just gave me a evil eye as they sat munching on their pre- morning treat I had tossed them.

--When I opened the door WAFFLES dove into His bed and rolled about for a bit before settling down. When I asked Him if He had fun He just growled at me and closed His eyes.

--I guess it's going to be a long winter because now Old WAFFLES has something else He's afraid of Snow Boogers.......

THE CHILLY MORNING SHUFFLE.... 03/03/16

--While I’m not to fond of a chill morning, I will say they can be quite pretty in there own chilly way. And that I do have a fondness for.
--Those morning's with their fresh little peek a boo games under foot are some of my most favorite. Like the cloud with sun peeking through ever once in awhile, or the frosty mornings with the bright cloudless skies.
--They are one in all part of the endless arrays of mornings that mother nature provides each day.
--Even those mornings when she has a tendency to really mix it up, provide quite a few blessing if you take a few moments to check it out.....

A little Morning Tea Mixed With Snow....11/20/17

 --Drinking Green Tea out under the picnic table umbrella probably isn't really the brightest idea in the world when you wake up feeling like you've been wailed on with a bag of rocks all night. But the mental recharge it provides is more than enough to over come  the temporary discomforts.

--At least that's what I tell myself as the snow falls gently to earth and my bottom becomes molded to the dang fool plastic lawn chair from Hades.

--WAFFLES of course thinks sitting outside in the snow is stupid and has been letting me know of his displeasure by barking and chewing on my shoe.

--The cat's who hang around the house are starring at me with a look of annoyance because I woke them up and forgot to give them food. But hey at 4:30am in the morning what in Sam Hill did they expect.

--When I finally soaked up enough of the frosty morning I asked waffles if he was done fooling around he gave me a dirty look and ran for the door.

--Oh, well I guess he just doesn't appreciate a frosty morning cup of tea.....

The Sweet Smell Of A Frosty Winter Morning....12/14/17

 --If there's one thing I've learned over the years it's that when sleep won't come sometimes it's just easier to get up and putter around until it will.

--Of course it can be a tad tiring to be doing the dang fool up and down thing all night long. It can also be kind of refreshing and once in awhile enables you to to find those blessing you would normally miss.

--On a whole I'd say a few minutes standing outside on a winters morning can be very refreshing and quite the mental recharge. There's just something about the Sweet Smell of a frosty winter morning that gives this old pink hat wearing fool such a mental jolt that the cobwebs just seem to fade away. Leaving a kind of inner peace that these days is getting harder and harder to find.....

Making plans…02/05/15

  --My wife and I always encouraged our children to set goals for themselves and then of course try to achieve them. Leaving plenty of room for the Murphy factor. Because if there’s one thing that will derail a when made plan faster than anything it’s a visit from old man Murphy. And the resulting discouragement is sometimes hard to recover from.
--I don’t know how many times over the years I’ve seen well made plans broken down over the Murphy factor. It’s always good to have a backup plan just in case, and sometimes maybe a few waiting in the wings..

It only cost a smile or two...12/28/14

  --My wife thinks I'm a goof when were out and about. Because I'll walk up to people we meet who look like there having a bad day and smile and wave. Usually I'm greeted with a reply or ignored depending on the person.
--Depending on the response I'll go from there, if they look like their troubled I'll keep pestering them until I get a smile in response. or I’ll just leave it alone.
--9 times out of 10, I’m usually able to get a smile in response. And on more than one occasion we'll end up chatting about whatever it was that was bothering them. And we'll both walk away feeling better for the effort.
--It's a strange thing to do in this day an age I know. And I’ve had more than my share of people point this out to me. But on the other side of the coin I figure hey spread the sunshine you never know when you might need a few rays. And it only cost a smile or two...

WAKING UP TO REALITY….02//10/15

  --Watching the temp slowly rise in a room is very comforting. Especially when the outside temp seems to have been frozen in place for the last few hours.
--According to the calendar spring should be here in about 39 more days, so close yet so far. But comforting never the less. Especially when the first light shining through the window reveals a winter wonderland in full bloom in the front yard and beyond.
--It really is amazing all the things that run through your mind while drinking that first cup of coffee in the morning….

THE FIRST ONES ALWAYS THE PRETTIEST... 11/23/15

--I know by the time winter over I’ll be cursing the dang fool notion. But for some reason I have to admit the first bit of snow is always the prettiest.
--It's probably the little child trapped inside, just yammering away. Chomping at the bit to go out and play in the dang fool snow. Or the old pink hat wearing fool who admits a fondness for the white fluffy stuff.
--Of course keeping the old bones warm and moving becomes a wee bit harder. But as long as I keep everything in perspective I do notice a little spring in the steps at the first whiff of a frosty snow covered morning.
--Perhaps my wife is right and the old brain pan has become a tad addle minded over the years. Either way only time will tell the tale I guess......

CHECKOUT POLICE.... 08/27/15

--There's nothing worse than standing in a line for 20 min and then being told you have to many item for the 20 items or less checkout. To say it gets my goat is a understatement. But like everything else I guess it's just one of those thing's you have to deal with it the new age of shopping. Where it’s more important to follow the rules of the checkout than keep the customer happy.
--I mean why have 20 checkouts if your only going to have 4 open and 2 of those are 20 items or less. The other 2 well I guess it's just grab a book and get ready for along wait. Unless of course you want to try the new fangled self pay where you check yourself out and then get the stink eye from the gall/fella standing there making sure you do everything right.
--It's a whole new world of shopping out there that's for sure. Gone are the day's when a pleasant smile was a small reward for trudging through endless isles looking for your bargains. Now it's all line up and take a number.
--Oh some store's are still pleasant enough. And these I relish while they last. It’s always nice to see a smiling face. Even if it's for a few seconds or less. And I really hope and pray they hang in there and don't get forced out by the new norm. Because that would really be a shame. Life’s hard enough and a smile and a pleasant face go a long way on a cloudy day .....

A QUESTION OF TIME....07/20/16

-- As a rule I'm not to impressed with waiting, in lines . I've never had very much patience. it's something I've had to work on over the years. And of course still have a long was to go.

--As usual the universe makes sure we have plenty of opportunities to learn our lessons well. Being a father of four children I've had more than my share of waiting in lines. and the funny thing is I really don't think it's gotten any easier.

--My wife of course has the patience of a Tibetan monk. probably because she's had to live with some of my shenanigans over the years.

--I guess it could be worse at lest were not waiting at doctors office's any more....

What a difference a smile can make… 12/19/14

--Sometimes I wonder if people realize the kind of difference they could make with just a simple thing like a smile. I’ve found in my own case it’s pretty much a two-for’er.
--It make’s me feel better, and on those occasion’s when I’m out and about it’ll usually bring a positive response from the people I meet… 

All the reason to smile….09/10/15

--I once had a conversation with a fella who was the most depressed person I’d ever known. This guy would take a good day and find a way to turn it into a nightmare just so he'd have something to be depressed about.
--I felt sorry for him and once asked him man, "Don't you ever just feel like cracking a smile?"
--He just looked at me and said, "I don't have a reason to smile."
--Well I didn't understand it at the time, and I guess I still don't. It just seam’s that allot of people miss the point somewhere. It’s not about having a reason, it’s about feeling better. Well I know it is for me. And for some dang fool reason a smile is the quickest way to accomplish that. It’s kind of hard to maintain a good old pot of anger stew if your grinning like a fool.
--When I’m up to my butt in muck and mire that's when you'll usually find me grinning like a fool. Because if there's one thing I need is to feel better at a time like that.
--Of course my wife say's it's because I’m addle minded. Any normal person would be shaking their fist at universe and cursing creation.
--But like everything else I find smiling works better at times like that. At lest for me. And of course when times are good I smile all the more. Because I figure what ever makes me feel better is a two for in my book. And that's a good thing....

DIRTY DISHES BEFORE DINNER....03/11/15

--Understanding just won't come. For some it seems real simple. But for others it's like climbing a steeple.
--Before a new pile is started, the old pile must have departed. As simple as it sounds, it still manages to confound.
--It's not that it's so hard, it's just that it means everyone has to choose a card.
--But rules are made by life and not me....

DEALING WITH THE LITTLE THINGS….12/27/14

--Over the years I’ve found that it is very important to take care of the little things, that come up in each day on a first come first serve basics.
--That’s not to say that I forget the big things, it just seems that there’s  a time and place for everything. And spending all day worrying about the major things, is kind of a waste of  time.
--I know it’s a weird way of looking at it as my wife will more than happily confirm. But guess what? It works and usually we all end up having a pretty good day in spite of the fact that the hand basket were in is usually in a downward spiral…

Building a Mountain out of Nothing….11/17/14

--Why is it that we take something so simple and build a Giant Temple of complexity to Worship at. When really all we have to do is remember most of the time the simplest answer is usually the right one….

A PICTURE IS ALL IT TAKE'S....09/11/15

--Sometimes it amazes me how with a picture of just what I is you want your able to put it together. Of course I usually draw the dang fool thing in my mind, but for some reason it still works.
--Usually it’s process of trail and error. But after awhile with a little perseverance I’m able to put it together.
--As hard as I try to explain the process to my children it seems to be such a foreign concept they have as yet been able to grasp it.
--Maybe someday. I’m hoping with enough example's they'll figure out what in Sam hill I’m talking about.....

PUTTING THING’S BACK ON TRACK…02/10/15

--Trying to put thing’s back on track after being side tracked for so long is like trying to tread a needle while standing on your head. Oh you’ll probably get it after awhile but it’s sure to be a pain the neck…

THANK GOD FOR UPDATE'S.....06/14/15

--I like updates, they’re like little nuggets of happiness that keep you abreast of the current situation. Preview or coming attractions are fun because you get a glimpse of things coming. When it comes to news you can pretty much tell what’s going on by the first 60 seconds or so. Books are fun because again it's usually just enough to peek your interest.
--When it comes to computers well that's another case I guess. Even though the update makers swear what their doing is in your best interest. For some dang fool reason 85% of their updates are a real pain in the butt. And usually makes things a whole lot worse. The only good thing is sometimes they point out the weakness with your computer. A more than suttle reminder to fix the little bug-a-boo's before the next dang fool update.
--I suppose it could be worse. At least 15% of the dang fool things don't give many problems. Maybe someday they will work the number down. In the meantime I look forward to the coming attraction’s and news updates while I’m waiting......

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....

MANAGEABLE LITTLE MESS.... 06/07/15

--I have to give mother nature credit the old gal loves to keep you on your toes. Dealing with all her shenanigans can be a pain in the neck sometimes. But is makes for never a dull moment.
--Like the old well guess what I did game. Finding out one of your overgrown fruit trees has blown down with the last big wind and all the rain we had. Makes for interesting conversation. Let alone a work load cutting the dang fool thing up and hauling it out of the neighbors yard.
--But it did give everyone a chance to work together. Which is always a plus.
--Being one to try the best I can to learn from thing's when they happen. I trimmed the rest of the dang fool trees in the line. Which brought sighs of tired protest from everyone including myself before we were done.
--My wife’s comment when we were done made me crack a smile. “ You know next year on my birthday why don't you just give me a hug ".....

OF ALL THE DAY'S....10/21/17

  --It's not until your lying on a hospital bed waiting for the test results to come back that you happen to look down and realize the socks you grabbed that morning were your stretched out comfort socks.

--Of course your wife is more than happy to point out that fact. Which for some reason you seem to find rather funny.

--Which is par for the course, because it's about the only thing you've found funny since this dang fool day has begun.

--But life's like that sometimes I guess you just have to take the giggles where you can find them I suppose.....

Forgetting the little thing’s… 01/12/15

--as time goes buy it amazes me at how people can plan for most thing's as if their very lives depended on it while forgetting little thing's that when piled up become major obstacles. Figuring that they’ll be taken care of by the universe I guess…

SLIPPING IN WATER.... 03/31/15

--I realize cats on a whole are quirky bunch of four legged animals who'll probably always be a mystery to me.
--I accept this and pretty much try to coexist with the furry little gremlins.
--One of the things that still cork's my griddle though is a few of them have the annoying habit of pawing the floor when they go to get a drink. If that was all I could probably live with it but our cats also have to drag their water dish back and forth across the floor. Which of course leave’s a trail of water in it's wake.
--And yes you guessed it being the klutz that I am constantly slipping in it. Why they do it I have know idea. My wife says it's cat thing. I of course have my own ideas....

NOOKS AND CRANNIES.... 02/20/16

--I find it amazing just how much can be hidden in those tiny little places. And just how hard it is to get the dang fool things clean.
--I guess it just goes to show it is not just the wide open places that need a good cleaning but all those hidden dark places need a good going over from time to time too.
--Of course everyone gives me a weird look about chasing dust bunnies. But  I’ll be danged if there’s anything that corks my griddle more than vacuuming a whole house and 10 min latter finding big piles of dust everywhere.
--Now my wife just smile when she’s asks what’s on the agenda for today. When I mention chasing dust bunnies. She knows just what in Sam hill I’m talking about.
--In the winter time I like to hit the dang fools at lest once a week. I find this usually cuts down on the little darlings. The children have their own feelings about this disruption in their routine I suppose but they usually endure the disruption and let me get it out of my system.
--I guess they’ve learned a few things over the years also….

GIGGLES AND TWITTERS.... 10/03/15

--Being surrounded by a bunch of whack a doodle children taking about the latest game their playing is quite the experience. Usually I try to stay out of it because quite frankly I’ve no idea what in the Sam hill their talking about half the time when their full giggles and twitches.
--Every once in awhile I’ll happen by and take a gander at the latest craze. And listen patiently as they explain to me what’s going on and the mechanic’s of the game.
--I do the best I can to get a handle on the whole thing. Some I get and some not so much.
--My wife says it's a generation thing. Our generation just doesn't get the fascination with virtual reality and the whole game craze.
--Myself I like to think I’m pretty open minded about things. But some of the content seems a bit marginal at the most. Why in Sam hill they figure a game should have to be tittering on the edge of reason in order to be good is beyond me. But I guess it takes all kinds.
--My wife seems to think I’m a throw back to a different time. And need to accept that it’s it's a different world these days. Myself I kind of figure that once you throw out common sense and good taste out the window all your left with is useless drivel. But hey what do I know.
--I do think entertainment doesn't have sink into the gutter to be entertaining. It just takes a little bit more work to try and raise the bar a tad. And there lies the problem. It’s so much easier to just lower the bar and produce the kind of stuff that’s been passing itself of as entertainment these days.
--Someday people will realize easy is not always better. But until that happens I guess we just have to make the best of what’s available. And remember these always the on off switch to fall back on.
--We all have a choice and once we start compromising our common sense and core values just for the sake of a few hours watching a movie or TV show or playing a video game. It gets easier and easier to accept more and more. Until we find ourselves no longer being able to face the man in the mirror. Something I‘m just not ready to give up just yet. But hey what do I know according to some people I‘m just a throw back to a generation when common sense and values were something to take pride in not apologize for ever time some over sensitive whack a doodle with a axe to grind makes a fuss…..

WAKING UP TO REALITY….02/10/15

  --Watching the temp slowly rise in a room is very comforting. Especially when the outside temp seems to have been frozen in place for the last few hours.
--According to the calendar spring should be here in a few more weeks, so close yet so far. But comforting never the less. Especially when the first light shining through the window reveals a winter wonderland in full bloom in the front yard and beyond.
--It really is amazing all the things that run through your mind while drinking that first cup of coffee in the morning….

Running On The Reserves.....11/26/17

--Waking up feeling like you've been wailed with a bag of rocks all night isn't really to bad and is to be expected I guess after all these years.

--Of course it's also usually when Old Man Murphy and the Universe conspire to see just how far they can push a Old Pink Hat Wearing Fool.

--The worst part is the waiting for the other shoe to drop while you sip your cold green tea. But the waiting doesn't usually take long so what peace and mental recharge your able to store up has to be found in that first cup.

--Luckily being a parent of four children and ring master of countless whack a doodles pets over the years you've had to learn to make the most of those few magic moments before the games begin.

--And when that other shoe does drop you can't help but smile because if there one thing you've certainly learned over the years is you can always count on Old Man Murphy and the Universe to put the icing on a day that is going in a downward swirl.....

WHEN THE BELL IS RUNG….08/26/15

 --I’ve always wondered if anybody ever understands when enough is enough. When it’s time to cut the shenanigans out and stop with the dang fool games.
--I mean really there’s a time and a place for everything, and sometimes it’s just time to get on with the job of living.
--Through the years we all pick up misconception’s that keep us trapped in a certain way of thinking. And it’s hard to let the dang fool thing’s go. Mostly because their familiar and letting them go means we have to take a chance. Which means we run the risk of falling flat on our face. But like everything else that’s how we learn.
--I know I’ve had my share of encounter’s with the old bell and when it rung. I’ve ignored it and most often paid the price. It wasn’t until many years later that I learned the significance and paid attention.
--I’ve always tried to let my children know that failing at something doesn’t mean you’re a failure it just means you need to try harder or try a different plan. Some picked up on the concept right away and some are still mastering it. As a parent I always try to giver them plenty of room as they work out the kinks in the whole process….

WHAT A DIFFERENCE....06/12/16

--Under a full moon in the darkness of night the world is cast in such a beautiful mysterious glow. When the sun comes up the glow is less apparent but still there if you look.
--Of course taking the time for such things sort of falls to the bottom of the list sadly to say.
--Perhaps what we need is a new list with a few simple reminders thrown in.
--Myself I try to keep a balance between what needs to be done, and what needs to be reinforced each day. It makes for better days, and keep the old brain pan fresh. Better able to handle the endless battle with those little bug a boos and their endless hoops were forced to jump through each day just to survive.....