1 Mar - 7 Mar

 Sunday
7 Mar

I just had the pleasure of seeing 8 deer in the back yard.  Must have watched them for almost an hour and was so relaxed I feel asleep, when I woke up they were gone.  There is nothing like nature to make you feel good all over.  Geri was baby sitting last night and it got too late for her to come home so she spent the night.  I never sleep well when she's not here so I was up early.  Figured I'd get the paper, have a bite to eat and then get ready for mass.  Well as I open the blind in the living room I noticed the deer, so I sat in the chair and watched.  Like I said that was all it took, guess I'll have to add them to fire and fish tanks that put me to sleep.  When I did wake up I figured I'd better get my shower because Geri would be home shortly.  I got all spruced up and went out to get the paper.  Yep, there were the deer and I knew if I went for the paper they would run off.  I really wanted to read it though and did my best not to disturb them.  Got as far as bending over to pick it up when they took notice and ran off about 25 yards.  By the time I got back to the house they had went into the woods.  Sure was fun watching them.

I did get to read the paper and have a bite to eat, just as I was finishing Geri came home and we decided that we'd go to church this evening.  So it's going to be a relaxing day around the fire place and maybe some golf on TV.  I'm sure hoping that I'm going to be able to play this year but right now I don't think it's too promising.  Just need to get a few more of these kinks out and then maybe I'll try and swing a club to see what happens.  Gene is hoping to be ready as well and then we can go try our luck.  We were able to hook up with a couple of civilian friends near the end of last season so hopefully we'll be able to play with them again.  If not the two of us will just have to play.  It's a lot better when I play with more than one person because the more eyes I have on watching my ball the better.  Gene has the eyes of a hawk but sometimes even he needs back up.  I can't see the ball once I hit it because of that stroke but then again I might not be able to hit it as far now.

Talked with Dave yesterday and the Coyotes are really raising heck out there.  He asked when I might be able to come out.  He didn't know about my problems but he does now.  You would have thought I'd told him I'd died.  Finally after about 10 minutes I told him as soon as I could I'd be out, if not to hunt at least to have a beer.  That sort of calmed him down and then we got to talking about projects that we had planned for this year.  I sure don't want to let him down so I'm hoping the warmer weather is going to help. 

Next week we are going to try and go to Columbus for our Grandchildren's birthday's.  I sure hope I'm up to the ride, well make it, maybe just going to take a lot longer.  We still have that dock/deck to build up there so maybe I can get a look at that and see what or how were going to approach that project.  Not going to be easy with the way this weather has come on.  If the engineers don't drop the lake level again, which I'm sure they won't, we're going to have a heck of a lot work.  Sure would have been a lot easier it we could have got the pilings in before the water level came up.  I've done it before but like I said it's a lot more work.  Sure hope we can get all the SIL's together a couple of weekends in a row.  We've got 18 pilings to dig and pour, give it a week to set up and then build the deck the next week.  It can be done but they are going to be long days.  Sure wish I had my camera.

I did run my tracking number this morning and they have received the camera, now it's just a matter of time before they send me an estimate on the repairs.  I'm hoping it's nothing too serious but not getting my hopes up.  Ever have one of those feelings where your know the dog is going to bite but you keep playing with it anyway.

So much for an easy relaxing day, Geri just thought of something she needs from town so I guess the lazy chair is going to have to wait an hour or two.  Best to All, Take Care and

Have a Great Day
Pray for Our Country, Our Troops and 707th Family

 

Friday
5 Mar

Not a whole heck of a lot to write about today, been sort of taking it easy and letting these new meds try and help.  Got to admit I'm starting to feel like I'm not as stiff, but sure do ache.  So enough of that.

I received a call from Beth Gaizauskas last night to let me know she wouldn't be coming to the reunion.  Said she would sure like to but doesn't like to travel alone.  I told her I'd put her on the list but hold out hope that she might still make it.  She wanted me to tell everyone she thinks about you and sends her best.  I found out that she was born on St. Patrick's day, even know how old she'll be but I'm not at liberty to share it.  She sure is a sweet lady. 

Want to thank all those that wrote in defending me on the post of the other day.  I don't think we need to post anymore in regards to that subject.  I've pretty thick skin so I don't let things bother me too much.  I guess the older we get the more we over look some things as we realize we're on the short list and have other things to do.  One of those emails spoke of a special on Fox News tonight at 5 P.M. EDT, that has to do with what children are being taught in school.  If I have a chance might just watch and learn. 

The weather here has begun to warm up.  Been in the 30's the past couple of days and it's actually going to get up to 50 on Monday, or so they say.  Sure is a lot of cleaning up to be done outside and hopefully I'll be able to get it done.  Just being out in the sun ought to be a plus, could be the bending over and stretching might be the minus.  Only time will tell.

All the vehicles need to be washed as I've not done them in over a month.  I've got a power washer and usually spend more time cleaning the under carriage than the rest of the vehicle.  Found out the front loader has sprung another leak and have to get up to the farm and get that fixed.  It sure came in handy for snow removal this year and I don't know when the piles of snow are going to melt.  I'll bet those piles along the road/drive are 6 feet high and 8 feet wide.  Some of the drifts this year were 6 - 8 feet high and that's a lot of snow.  After awhile you don't know where to go with the snow removal.  There are quite a few vacant lots that have been used for snow removal, and the snow is trucked in from the city and dumped there.  I saw one from the expressway the other day and it's unbelievable.  This pile of snow must be 10 feet high and is maybe 5 acres, going to be quite some time before that melts.

I sent my camera back to Fuji the other day.  It's a Z1 and I really like it, small, takes great pictures.  I think it's just worn out and needs a few moving parts fixed.  I'm waiting for the estimate to repair it.  I wanted to send it a couple of weeks ago.  They are located in NJ and when I called to get instructions on how to send it back they asked me to hold off since they were shut down because of the snow.  I called again the following week and they were still shut down and couldn't receive shipments since the trucks couldn't get in.  So now they are at least open but really back logged and the normal 10 - 15 days might be a month or more.  Geri bought me that camera for Christmas 2004 and it's seen quite a bit of service since, I would guesstimate 8,000 plus pictures easy.  Sure hope it don't cost too much to fix, might have been cheaper to just get a new style.  That was one of the first of it's kind and cost close to $400 now you can get a like camera for around $200.  Just have to wait and see what they say.

Like I said not much to write about so I'm going to post this and get on with my chores.  Best to All, Take Care and

Have A Great Weekend
   GOD BLESS AMERICA    

 

Wednesday
3 Mar

I didn't realize we had so many teachers in our ranks.  Seems my article on education sparked some interest, only the wrong type.  I even got an email from someone that isn't even a member but reads the website, her father was an Air Force veteran.  She stated (I take offense to the implication that teacher's are to blame.  Where are the parents or guardians to support our efforts?  Where is the backing we need to enforce discipline?)   I read that article over and over and I don't see how anyone could say I was blaming the teachers for the current situation.  I specifically stated "The Administrators"  to me this is the school board at the local, county and state level.  Another email simply stated "Those that live in glass houses, should not throw stones."  Another was more precise and to the point, and I was given a quick lesson in proper use of words and grammar, which I'm sure I need, see for yourself;

"When you write an article like the one today always check for spelling errors. Make sure you don't drop endings on words. Check for errors in grammar. Use the correct verb tense. Do you mean to use a singular possessive form or a plural form of a word? When is it Mother and when is it mother? Make sure you use the right word. Cursive writing was taught when I went to school.
I have news for you. The adult world does not know basic math.
When you speak or write you remove all doubt."

Like I said the lesson was given and, just like in school, I might have absorb some of it.  I would like to clear up a few things.  I found 2 spots in the article that I didn't Capitalize a word in 2 places.  That word was grandparents, used in the sense they were they should have read Grandparents.  I can hear everyone saying I'm wrong but if you were raised in an Old German family you would realize that this is the way we did things.  It's a form of respect, anytime you referred to a member of your family it was always with a capital.  For instance, when talking about my Mother compared to asking about the health of your mother.  Now granted this might be wrong but woe to us that didn't do it.  The school I went to was in a German neighborhood so it was understood and accepted.  Sure I caught some heck over it, in later years, but I still do it.  As far as checking the spelling goes, if spell check accepts it that's good enough for me.  Grammar is a horse of a different color, as is punctuation, and I deserve a rap on the knuckles.  I figure if I'm going to write something and then go back and check the books to see if it's right nothing will ever be posted.  Not that it's right mind you, it's one of those take what you get scenarios.  

Let me make one more point and then I'll move on.  I have the utmost respect for anyone in the teaching profession.  I do not have the make up, nor the disposition, to handle such a demanding job.  I also think it is one of the most thankless jobs out there.  Granted there are some that don't quite make the grade but they are few and far between.  The dedication most teachers show to their school and students is commendable.  This is evident when you see the number of retired teachers that still volunteer their time to the school.  So my hat goes off to all the teachers and if I roughed up your feathers, I'm sorry.

In just a short time I report to the hospital for an array of test and x-rays.  They are going to x-ray every joint in my body.  Yesterday I couldn't hardly make it out of bed and when I did there was very little movement for the rest of the day.  I know it takes awhile for meds to work but this new one sure doesn't seem to be doing anything for me.  Maybe by the weekend they'll know something, sure hope so.

Well Geri has left for bowling and I'm leaving for my appointment.  Didn't mean to take so much time trying to dig out of the hole I dug.  By the next time I post I'll have forgotten out what else I was going to talk about, must not have been that important anyway.  Best to All, Take Care and

Have a Good One
GOD BLESS AMERICA

 

Monday
1 Mar

I received an email last night from Esther Sanders informing me that Charles Alley was killed in a snowmobile accident, on 27 Feb.  I don't have anymore info at this time but I'll keep you informed.  Our condolences to the family, please keep him and the family in your prayers.  If anyone has any background on Chuck I'd appreciate it.  I don't have the dates he was at the 707th or his duty section.  Seems like every time I talked with him I'd forget to ask. 

I also received the following in response to my bit about tires and to say the least it was one of the best because it contained some information I didn't have.  My thanks to Dan Capece for sharing it.  Read and Heed I guess is the best suggestion.

"While most drivers' past experience might not indicate it's necessary, the growing realization that tires are perishable means tires on some vehicles will possibly age out before they wear out. Composed of steel belts, fabric plies and rubber compounds, the structural integrity of tires can degrade over an extended period of time as the result of chemical reaction within the rubber components, cyclic fatigue, abuse and road hazards.

Tire aging isn't typically an issue with vehicles driven frequently, however the lower annual mileages put on sporadically used motor homes, enthusiast vehicles driven for pleasure and collector cars trailered to events could make tire calendar age an important consideration. Tire age is also a concern for the often unused spare tire in a car's trunk, '

Most every article that I have read indicates that a tire that is not used regularly,  (RV's are a good example) recommend that they be replaced within 6 to 7 years. My RV is a good example as the tires were manufactured in November 2004 (DOT 4904) and they are protected against the sun with covers when not in use. However, I noticed on the edge just below the cap there are signs of cracking on one or two tires (Michelin) which will eventually weaken the tire. Now understand, I only have 14,000 miles on these tires and lots of tread but based on age and signs of cracking, it's time to replace those. Spare tires are another good example of an aged unused tire that may need to be replaced in 6 or 7 years. On personal vehicles that are used frequently, barring extensive hard driving, I believe the recommended time to replace is about 10 years.

If we have any tire dealers out there I'd sure like to hear your side of the story and what the tire manufactures have to say on the matter.  Thanks.

I don't know about you but my Mother and grandparents (both sides) didn't go to high school, as a matter of fact they would say "I never finished grade school" or "I only had an 8th grade education."  Despite this fact my Mother and grandparents were able to achieve.  I just read in the paper the other day where our public schools are no longer going to teach cursor.  Now it's bad enough were graduating people that can't do basic math, can't read but now they aren't going to be able to write.  What a shame!!!!  I've got quite a few civilian friends that were and some still are teachers.  The ones that are still teaching are ready to hang it up, not because of years served but because of the way the educational system is failing the student's.  They are sick and tired of passing on a problem but they aren't allowed to hold them back.  This is BS for sure, what ever happen to Summer School and Remedial Class.  The administrators say there isn't enough money for these time tried programs, instead they just say pass them.  Listen to the majority of our so called elite athletics/role models for the children.  The only words they can say are ugh, and Ya know.  I listen to a college basketball pre game show the other night where they interviewed 2 players from each team.  One school was a Catholic University and the other a State University.  It was a pleasure to hear two of them talk and the other two it was very hard to even understand or follow what they were saying.  I'll let you guess which went to what school.  I'd better shut up before I put my foot in my mouth again.

Before I forget there has been a new RAO Bulletin posted.  As always some good information is contained in some of the articles.  Naturally some are more interesting than others.

Looks like it's time for me to get going.  Geri has an appointment and I'm going to take her.  It's not that far but it's in town and I don't like her in that area by herself.  Best to All, Take Care and

Have A Good One
GOD BLESS AMERICA