Last Crepe Myrtle to Pop Color in BToS

Crepe Myrtle in back yard - Dated August 9, 2013

I've had this Crepe Myrtle for quite a few years now.  It's a very slow grower and a late popper when it comes to color.  I love the color of the blooms (or whatever the red thingies are called).

I trimmed it back according to directions about 3 years ago and occasionally I still get a compliment now and then on the show it makes.  I think I'm just gonna let it grow from now on and see how big it gets..

The main down side to the bush is the late blooming.  The rest of town is full of color from Crepe Myrtles before mine even considers popping.  I ride down the street and yards and yards are just full of color; then pull into my driveway and come to rear of house and no color yet.  I think the color is worth the wait.

The second drawback surfaces when I mow the lawn.  If you take a good look at that bush you can imagine me trying to get close to go around the bush with the mower.  Typically in summer I mow wearing a T-shirt; thus baring my arms.  Well being the old fart that I am, my skin isn't as tough as it used to be and cardio doctor has me on anti-clotting blood stuff.  I tend to ignore the pain from scratches on the arm and only realize it's still weeping blood when I come in from mowing and have a few blood spots on my clothes.

I should probably be a bit more careful while mowing around the Crepe Myrtle; after all, it's just trying to protect itself from critters, like me!

JD, looking for blood spots on my clothes here in the Big Town of Savage

You Go to Your Church and I'll Go to Mine

As usual on Sunday mornings I was listening to Stained Glass Bluegrass over on WAMU-2 while reading the Sunday paper.  I'm sure I'd heard this song many times over the years, but this morning was the first time I'd ever really paid attention to the lyrics.  Why is it that in today's society of multiple cultures living together in the world that the answers to most of our problems can be found by looking back a bit into history.

This is a performance of the song I found on YouTube.  Give it a listen and possibly read the lyrics below; or, just sing along.

JD, feeling good here in the Big Town of Savage on a Sunday morning.

Happy Mother's Day - Iris Dement - Mama's Opry

This is appropriate for any time, but especially for Mother's Day.



JD, here in the BToS once more thinking of Mama who ended life at 52 back in 1967 when I was only 26.

PS - As I age, I notice that I seem to spend more time pondering what life was like for my parents and their parents back in the early 1900s while being raised during the depression and making do with what they had.  No one's left that I can query about those times and most of what I have left are photos of family from that period.

DVDs - Organized, or Just Stacked

Last nite I was looking for a 'Feel Good' flick in my DVD stacks.  I usually stack the flicks that I enjoy in the same place and then when I'm searching for something familiar, I can find it fairly easily.

My son actually gave me a DVD stacker gizmo as a birthday present a few years ago.  As a top notch procrastinator, I managed to keep it within eyesight for a while, then I relocated it out of eyesight and now it's still in the box over in my Creepy Clutter Room.

What I'm saying is that I actually have a solution available to me for my DVD disorganization, but it's still in the box.  My current DVD library is scattered in small stacks on the hearth of my fireplace close to the DVD player.  They're also close to filling a large Pine Mountain Log box.

Will I ever shift my DVD storage paradigm from disarray to structured; doubtful.

JD, here in the BToS wondering where my Danny Deckchair DVD might be hiding...did I loan it to one of the kids...now just where is that thing anyway...I need some order in my life...

Sunday Paper Arrives Saturday Morning

I've always enjoyed sitting by the front window in the morning to read the paper.  Sunday mornings especially were quiet with a little Bluegrass Country playing in the background and me digging through the Sunday Washington Post or Baltimore Sun.  I found it was a good way to spend close to an hour reading the comics, sports and news.  Then if I was really energetic I'd peruse the ad inserts and maybe find a worthwhile coupon or two.

Seems that the newspaper delivery paradigm has shifted.  All of the special Sunday paper sections are now delivered along with the regular Saturday edition of the newspaper.

I guess logically that could be a good thing in that I could get a one day head start on all the ads and special sections.  But, it doesn't really work that way for me.  Where Sunday morning is typically quiet and laidback, Saturday mornings are just the opposite.  Saturday is hustle bustle for the whole world.  The roads are busy, people are walking up and down the street, there's action in the yard next door and for me it's difficult to devote time to all the extra newspaper sections.

I've decided to change my approach to the morning paper on Saturday and Sunday.  Even though the delivery guy brings the really heavy paper on Saturday and the puny little Sunday paper on Sunday, recently I have begun to separate the Sunday inserts from the Saturday delivery.  Then when the Sunday paper arrives, I perform the delivery guy's job and assemble the Sunday paper with the Saturday delivered Sunday inserts.

Now I'm back to reading the complete Sunday paper on nice quiet Sunday mornings and scanning the scanty Saturday paper on busy Saturday mornings.  You're right, I have to store the Sunday inserts for a day and hope they don't get lost before Sunday morning, but...

JD, here on a Saturday morning preparing to perform the Saturday set aside of the Sunday inserts.

How Old Are Family Members?

How do you remember the age of family members?  I've often gone to family gatherings and can't recall how old some of the folks are, especially folks that are older than I am.  I could never quite get it right.

I think it was about the time that the kids were being born that I realized that all I had to do was recall the year they were born, not their age.  A person's age is only valid for one year; birth year is a constant value.  If I know their birth year and it's their birthday; then I can calculate their age accurately.

I can't always remember the actual birthday month and day, but in today's world birthday celebrations and calendar reminders are everywhere.  If I forget one that's on Facebook, there'll be another 30 people wishing them a happy birthday.

In the case of my kids, it also helps that they are two years apart in their birth year.  Given I know their birthday I can calculate their age.  So there ya go; just remember the year folks were born rather than their age and you've got it covered.

JD, here in the BToS trying to remember the year I was born!!!

PS - My neighbor was born in 1918.  I found it helpful to know that so I could congratulate her on being 94.  She was a wonderful lady who unfortunately passed away right before Christmas.  After living beside her for almost 47 years, I miss her each day when I walk out in the yard and look over to her house and she's not outside to say "Hi" and wave to.

Snoopy New Year - Everyone needs a new start

I think we all need a new start once in a while and this Snoopy cartoon is how I feel about 2013 right now and I hope you feel upbeat about it too.

JD, here in the BToS feeling upbeat about 2013, at least for one day even tho I awoke with a sore back.  :-)

Sleep's Back On Schedule - Daylight Saving Time Gone

I'm pretty much a creature of habit and my body isn't too happy when I get off schedule.  Daylight Saving Time is something that throws me off schedule.  I wake up an hour later when it takes effect and my early morning hours are limited due to the lack of early sunlight.

Earlier this month, we changed from Daylight Savings Time back to Standard Time.  My 'Standard Time' body has enjoyed the change very much.  I can truly say that after 10 or 11 days my body is back on schedule.  I typically wake with the daylight and my body is happy that daylight is earlier in the morning.

The last two days have proven to be regular sleeping days for me, with just about 7 to 7.5 hours of restful sleep each night.  My eating schedule has settled back to normal and all things are peaceful as we head to the holiday season.

JD, loving Standard Time here in the BToS

Toy Truck Renewal

A couple of months ago I began pondering how to replace the ol' beater GMC Safari AWD van that left me over the past summer.  In this case, left me means I told my grandson he could have it to sell and use the funds during his college years (he's now about 3 semesters along).

I had been spoiled and hadn't had to use the AWD feature of the van in the two winters following the horrendous snow we had in early 2010.  Even though my two pickups were only two-wheel drive, I figured I could find a more economical AWD vehicle to replace it and had my eye on a used Subaru Forester that belonged to Karen and Don, a couple I worked with before retirement.

Earlier this month the Forester went off the market when Karen and Don decided it made more sense to keep the Forester for themselves to use as a second vehicle for foul weather.  I spent a few days traversing the internet looking for other Foresters that might fit my budget.  I found that used Foresters sell at prices not that much lower than new ones.  Just one more thing to ponder.

Then it occurred to me that I don't really need 3 vehicles since I'm the only driver, and you guessed it, I can only drive one at a time.  It also occurred to me that my Toy Truck was due for quite a bit of maintenance at the 50k mileage mark.  Possibly I could trade the Toy Truck for a new Toy Truck with 4x4 drive system.

I decided I might find a better deal on a leftover 2012 than I could get right now on a 2013 model.  Once again the internet provided the answer, a 2012 Chevy Silverado, regular cab, short bed, 4x4 at Wantz Chevrolet in Taneytown, MD.  An ideal Toy Truck replacement that could also get me thru some snowy weather and keep me down to 2 vehicles.

Wantz Chevrolet's internet sales person returned my contact and we arranged for me to wander up to Taneytown last Friday to get a hands-on experience with the possible New Toy Truck.  Bea Buckland was very gracious to spend time demonstrating the New Toy Truck while their appraiser guy worked the numbers for my ol' Toy Truck.

Stan the Money Man put the numbers together in a way that I could hardly resist and rather than go home empty handed, I signed the papers and scheduled delivery of the new Toy Truck for early Saturday morning.

The Saturday morning delivery was uneventful except for my farewell to the ol' Toy Truck.  This image shows Bea Buckland and BToS JD standing by the New Toy Truck at delivery.  Wantz Chevrolet is very kind to chronicle deliveries with the camera.

JD, here in the BToS still trying to figure out the New Toy Truck radio thingie!!!

PS - I couldn't ask for a friendlier dealer than Wantz Chevrolet and I must say that I actually enjoyed spending time with Bea.  Did she convince me to buy the New Toy Truck?  I'd like to say that she did, but I'd already made up my mind to purchase given a fair price.  However, Bea did make the experience much more enjoyable than I ever expected.

PPS - If you'd like to view the Original Toy Truck, here's a link to the 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 @ Wantz Used Vehicles for it.  Give 'em a call and tell 'em JD sent ya.  I had word today (Nov 21) that Wantz has sold the ol' Toy Truck.  I sure hope the new owners enjoy it as much as I did in the 8+ years I owned it.

PPPS - My definition of a Toy Truck is a vehicle with power that maneuvers quickly in tight spots and has a huge trunk.  My ol' Toy Truck certainly fit that description with the tonneau cap on the bed.  I now need to find a similar cap for the New Toy Truck, which is powerful and maneuvers extremely well too.  Ordered tonneau cap on Nov 27.

PPPPS - A.R.E. tonneau cap was installed Dec 14 and now my Toy Truck Renewal is complete.  I can only hope to get the fun and service from this one that I got from the original.  Here's foto with tonneau cap installed and ready for Toy Truck duty.

 

PPPPPS - MVA provided special tag for the New Toy Truck - Jan 28

Two Year Update - Nov 10, 2014

T0YTRUK is about to turn 16k miles; it's actually 15973 on the odometer today.  It's time for an oil change and probably to have the tires rotated.  I'm a Mobil 1 synthetic oil user and have been for over 20 years now.  To date I've had no problems.  Most difficult thing for me is keeping it clean.  Guess I just don't have the shiny truck need that I had when younger.  

Overall, it gets good fuel mileage for living in the congested traffic area of central Maryland.  In summer my tank average is typically a bit over 19 mpg around here and a bit over 21 when driving down to the ocean and back.  In winter it's about 17.8 or so.  I typically drive short distances and unfortunately it takes a while for the engine & transmission to get up to an efficient operating temperature.  It's only natural that the mileage would be bit lower in winter.

Given the hilly nature of central Maryland terrain and my 'never in a hurry' driving patterns, I noticed early on that the cylinder deactivation feature that goes from 8 to 4 cylinders when not under load could be what I call a bit 'clunky' when becoming active again in certain no or low throttle positions when turning on to another street at bottom of a hill and heading up hill again.  I discovered it was negligible when I was back on throttle early during turn but a bit irritating when being late getting back on throttle.  However, cylinder deactivation increases fuel mileage when cruising major highways, etc.

I found the deactivation wouldn't engage until the transmission was in it's top gear.  So I decided that when driving slow around town I'd place the transmission selector down a notch in 'M' vice 'D'.  The 'M' position allows you to select the top gear you want the transmission to use.  I would set it at M5 vice M6 for around town driving.  That worked like a champ and the slightly irritating cylinder reactivation didn't happen; thus eliminating the irritation I described earlier.

That worked and I used it for a while, then I decided to purchase a Hypertech programmer for the vehicle computer.  I had used one on my previous Toy Truck and it worked great and I also have one for my 2005 GMC half ton 5.3 that works great.  One of the features of the Hypertech programmer is that it provides ability to 'turn off' the cylinder deactivation feature.  So, you either leave it as a regular computer action or you disable the deactivation feature.  I turned it off.  

I also installed the power tuning and firmed up the transmission shifts.  Now my Toy Truck actually feels like a truck should feel to an 'old fart' like myself.  I can tell when it shifts, it runs on all 8 cylinders all the time and the fuel mileage is comparable to the standard factory programming with cylinder deactivation active.

Toy Truck drives great and it has a HUGE trunk and with the short wheelbase it still turns on a dime.  Guess what I'm saying is that I luv my T0YTRUK.  Hope you luv your truck too.

Four Year Update - Apr 17, 2017

Appears the four year update is about five months behind schedule.  T0YTRUK is sitting at 33,586 on the odometer.  That's approximately 7600 miles each year.  T0YTRUK continues to run on the Hypertech power programming described in the Two Year Update above with similar power and mileage characteristics.

About a year ago, I sold my 2005 GMC extended cab, long bed pickup truck to an old friend and purchased a 2015 Chevy Express passenger van (kind of a really big moving box with seats).  After a few months of not having the open-bed pickup to carry large bulky items, I began thinking about alternatives.

About three weeks ago I was driving home from some quick shopping and it dawned on me that it might be time to convert the T0YTRUK's big trunk back into a pickup bed.  I drove to the dealer that provided the original A.R.E. cap for the bed and had them take it off.  

I was still using the old bed mat that I bought back in '2004 in the T0YTRUK bed and the fact that it didn't really fit too well didn't mean much with the bed cap hiding it all the time.  I bought a new bed mat for the T0YTRUK and it is now officially a short-bed PU once again.

Outside-Inner or Inside-Outer

I'm the kinda guy that reads the newspaper while sitting in comfortable chair by a brightly lit window.  I'll lay the newspaper in my lap and open it to the inside section, typically the sports section or ads, or possibly a style section  I then work my way outward to the front section of the paper; thus, reading the world and national news last.  When finished, the paper is fairly straight, still organized properly and can be read by another person without the confusion of misplaced sections.

I've noticed other folks tend to pull out the section they want to read and lay it down when finished.  They then pull out another section and when they're finished reading the paper, it looks similar to the one in the image above.  If I'm the second person reading this newspaper, it's a bit disconcerting to find it in this condition.  It's like visiting the barber shop and scanning their paper while waiting; basically it's typically a mishmash of disorganized sections.

Thinking back, I probably got into the habit of reading from the inside out when I was a kid and the only items in the paper that interested me were the sports section and the comics.  My recollection is that the comics were at the back of the sports section in our paper back then.  Being a baseball fanatic that memorized every statistic of my local team, that was my primary interest.  We also had no TV then and I seldom listened to radio, so the morning newspaper was the latest "what's happening".

JD, still a Inside-Outer in 2012 here in the BToS

Cold Weather Uniform Change -- Shorts to Jeans

Morning temps here in the BToS are down into the low to mid 40s lately, which is to be expected in early October.  Last nite was the coolest I recall since back in the spring.  This morning it dawned on me that I should change from my summer uniform which consists of cargo shorts and T Shirt to jeans and T Shirt with long sleeve flannel shirt for cool day temps.

I happened to look down at my legs before I put on my jeans and noticed that the left leg was considerably tanner than the right leg.  I looked at my arms and noticed the same phenomenon.  It wasn't the first time I'd noticed the difference but it did stick with me.

It appears that my exposure to the sun is primarily when I'm driving one of my trucks.  Evidently, the sun comes thru the driver's side window on the left and tans my left arm and my left leg.  So I walk around all the time with one leg darker than the other.  No one ever says anything, maybe they just think that I'm such a strange old man that I forgot to put sun block on my left side.

From now until probably April or May the issue of sunshine on my left leg will not exist.  However, I do still wear only a T-Shirt on warmer days and so my left arm will still be getting sun thru the window-tanning during the winter months and likely remain darker than my right arm.

JD, evening up his leg tanning here in the BToS

No Primary Care Physician - Flu Shot

About five years ago my primary care physician moved on from the local medical group I was using.  At the time I was a regular with a cardio group and had no real need for a primary care doctor.

First year I needed a flu shot and primary wasn't available, I noticed a facility called Patient First while on way to grocery.  I had heard they were excellent, with speedy service and required no appointment.  Indeed they were.  After taking my medical insurance info, I was out of there in no time flat with flu and pneumonia shot (I had become of age for this one).

I'm still a regular with the cardio group and still have no primary.  Each year I make my way to Patient First for the flu shot.  This morning a pleasant young lady named Elizabeth registered me.  Her name tag said Liz and I found she definitely does not like to be called 'Lizzy'!

Thanks Patient First

JD, protected against main stream flu here in the BToS

I didn't realize I was on hiatus

I typically visit 'Thots from the BToS' each morning to check for new posts on some of my favorite blogs.  This morning I noticed the date on my last post was the first of September.  Today is the first of October.  While not intentional, obviously I have been on hiatus.

During the past month I have had thots of what I considered good subjects for a blog post, but possibly due to the forgetfulness I notice coming on as I age, I can't recall the subject by the time I make it to my computer.  Yes, I'm still one of those folks that actually use a desktop computer with a full keyboard and a 24" monitor.  I'm more comfortable there than I would be poking at some mobile device and needing to be 'online' with everyone all the time.

This post is merely an observation that I have indeed been online.  I will volunteer that my life is getting back a bit closer to normal than it has been for the past 10 months or so when I had Bella Boxer living here along with her family.  If my mind is still capable of blogging, we'll know as the month wears on, won't we.  :-)

JD, resting up here in the BToS

PS - Yes I do have a FB account and visit it at least once each day, generally right after visiting 'Thots from the BToS'

Garbage/Recycle - Is tonight the night?

Recycle containers for here in the BToS

Earlier tonight I wasn't sure about the day of the week and wondered if I had to set out the garbage or the recycle before hitting the sack. After determining it was Saturday night, I breathed a slight sigh of relief, tonight isn't a set out night.

Monday is recycle night and Wednesday is garbage night. I set out the containers and bags before I go to bed. Usually by the time I'm ready for bed, I'm in no mood to be carrying heavy bags or heavy containers out to the curb. Since I'm not an early riser, I have to set it out at night. I have no idea what time the collection rascals will show to pick it up, or if they'll show up at all. Local government says they won't be here before 6 am, but that's before I get outta bed most days.

To make it more confusing, on holiday weeks like this week which has Labor Day on Monday, the days after the holiday become part of a slide week. Collection schedule slides a day. With Labor Day on Monday, my Tuesday and Thursday collection days will slide to Wednesday and Friday.

I don't know how they keep their schedule straight, but typically the collection folks show on the correct slide day. Guess I have the local government management folks to thank for that. And that's good, 'cause there aren't a whole lot of things to thank them for. I'm just kidding, if they knew I felt that way, they'd never collect the garbage and would probably want my recycle bin returned.

JD, here in the BToS relishing the night off from trash/recycle set outs.

I Don't Gamble - I Donate to Mega Millions

Maryland got into gambling casinos a few years ago and now has them located around the state. Adjacent states are also into casinos. The idea of gambling with coins in a machine or on a table has never really excited me. I'm also not the type to visit the local convenience store to buy lottery tickets. It just ain't my style.

I figure my chance of winning is nil, so why invest an inordinate amount of time just to give away some of my pocket money. I'm entirely too lazy to latch on to that type behavior pattern. If I'm gonna give money away, I'd just as soon contribute it to a cause and in some cases political candidates.

Having said that, I do donate money to the Mega Millions for a yearly subscription to their twice-weekly drawing. All I have to do is check a few boxes on a form and send it in along with a check to the lottery folks and later they send me my subscription card with the numbers on it. It's good for a year and I don't have to think about it again for 12 months.

If by some chance my numbers come up, the lottery folks let me know, typically with a small (very small) check at the end of the year with my total winnings. No check was received last year; thus no winnings last year. Now, if I do win a substantial sum, the lottery folks say they'll contact me with the good news. I'm still waiting for the first call!!!

So there you go. I spend about 10 minutes a year applying for two chances each week to win Mega Millions. I just send 'em a check each year and they send me the money. What more can a lazy guy like myself want out of life. No time spent and likely no money back. Just like donating to a favorite political candidate that has practically NO chance of winning...donating to Mega Millions each year provides similar results. Wonder if that contribution is deductible???

JD, laying back here in the BToS

PS - If you're a subscription kinda guy/gal like myself, just click the image.

Red Hot Christmas Blues in Summer

Who listens to Christmas music in July?  I do.  I'm not completely sure when I got into the habit, but I think it was sometime in the late 1990's.  On Sunday mornings, I found it relaxing to have some music playing while I read the huge Sunday edition of the Washington Post with all the ads.  It would take a good album to get me through the whole paper.

Primarily I listened to rock and roll of my youth from the 50s and early 60s and some old, down home country and bluegrass. 

I had also discovered the Red Hot and Blue Memphis Pit Barbeque restaurant over in Laurel.  While there for our office Christmas luncheon, I noticed that Red Hot and Blue was selling their own version of a CD called the "Red Hot Christmas Blues".  The following Sunday morning I put it on while I read the Sunday paper.

I found myself turning up the volume, as it was just some really fine music.  I looked at the date on the CD jacket when I scanned it this morning and it says 1998.  I think that the Red Hot Christmas Blues was the album that got me listening to Christmas music year round. 

I was, and still am, a fan of the Ally McBeal TV show.  They released a Christmas CD too; "Ally McBeal: A Very Ally Christmas" featuring Vonda Shepard and some members of the cast.  Over the years I've managed to keep both albums available and play them when I want some Christmas music to brighten the day.

JD, listening to Red Hot Christmas Blues and Ally Christmas here in the BToS

PS - here are other images from the Red Hot Christmas Blues CD.  Click for larger images.

 

My Netflix Queue Has One Flick

Didja ever run out of movies to watch?  Is your Netflix queue, like mine, down to one solitary flick!

I'm not sure how long I've been a member of a basic Netflix subscription of 2 movies each month, but when I look through their movies to find something interesting, I notice there are few flicks I haven't already watched at least once; hence the barren Netflix queue.

Like many folks there are certain movie genres that I enjoy, typically those with a feel-good ending.  I'm not big on ACTION flicks nor dark dramas.  I'll tellya, even being an old fart here in the BToS, I like Mary Poppins occasionally.

Guess I'm just lamenting my empty queue.  Netflix is scheduled to distribute my next flick July 7, the beginning of my next paid period.  Since I have only one left in the queue and haven't been successful at adding more the past week, I may just have to suspend my subscription until I can find another flick I might enjoy.

JD, soon to be Netflickless here in the BToS

PS - It's been almost 25 years since I visited a movie theater.  That's something else I don't plan to change.  I think HD DVD players and huge HD TVs have just about made theaters obsolete for folks like me.  Now if I only had a set of high quality speakers for my BIG TV!!!

PPS - I thot a 60" HD TV was large until I noticed an 80" model yesterday at Costco...obviously, this old fart here in the BToS won't be buying one of those any time soon.

What's a Derecho storm - I found out Friday Nite

I don't know what a Derecho storm is, but it sure tore the hell out of the area around the Big Town of Savage Friday night.  Around 11 p.m. JD's power died and was gone for the next 26 hours, coming back around 1:15 a.m. Sunday.

Power loss affects us all in different ways. As you can imagine, my greatest loss, after the air conditioning, is my computer's internet access.  It's not my whole life, but I do use it for about 80% of my life actions, especially banking, shopping, etc.

My biggest disappointment was missing the NASCAR race from Kentucky on Saturday nite.  I've seen reviews since and read articles, but I won't get to scan the race until Weds around noon when they show a shortened version on SPEED channel.  I'll DVR it and view when I have some time. 

Now I have to figure something for dinner tonite.  Most restaurants seem crowded with so many folks out of power.  I also noticed Saturday nite when I went out for a ride around the area that every motel parking lot was just PACKED!!!  I can't imagine they had any empty rooms...

JD, glad to have some electricity here in the BToS

PS - This is just one option for some folks to get into their house.

PPS - Managed an early dinner visit to Famous Dave's up in Columbia.  I must say that it's the best dinner we've ever had a Famous Dave's.  Seems like things just hit the spot.  I'll have to raise it a bit higher on my restaurant list.

Stomach Stretch - Eat Too Much - Senior Edition

Original "Stomach Stretch - Eat Too Much" posted just over 3 years ago - May 18, 2009.

Three years ago I weighed 255 lbs and was getting ready to have my 68th birthday.  Today, I weighed 239 lbs and just had my 71st birthday.

Something I try to avoid is looking at myself in a full mirror when I have no clothes on.  Since no one was home but Bella Boxer (her family is at the beach house this week), I figured I was safe.

Boy was I surprised.  After checking out the front of my body, I checked the side view.  Even tho I am about 15 lbs lighter than I was 3 years ago, my body still shows a familiar trait, belly overhang.  The other thing I noticed is that my rear end seems to have gone away to the point where there are just a couple of flabby butt cheeks back there.

Officially I am showing the true signs of aging.  My weight loss is usually from muscle mass and not necessarily fat tissue.  I try to remain active, but I have to admit to a basically laidback lifestyle with little exercise other than regular lawn mowings and long walks thru Costco and Sam's Club and occasionally a trip thru Lowes when I can't find something.

Basically, I am down to bone and fat and the bone is probably weakening more each day.  Heck, my muscles are getting so puny I couldn't even get the lid off a new jar of sweet gherkin pickles last week.  Had to find a tool to provide extra leverage.

Rather than drone on about things you may already know, I'll stop here and say that I am obviously marching downhill on the slippery slope of life.  My train of life hasn't come to it's destination yet, but it seems to be slowing in preparation for the eventual arrival in station.

JD, still pondering the wonders of the human body here in the Big Town of Savage.

PS - I know, I know, be more like my old work buddy Ray, you gotta have regular workouts to keep the muscle tone!  That rascal's a couple of years older than I am and I guarantee you he could get the lid off that new jar of sweet gherkins without any tools...

PPS - No, it's not me in the foto (you're lucky it's not)...

Bella Boxer Shedder - Furniture Habitat

Bella Boxer sheds these little short doggy hairs everywhere she goes and on anything she uses for a bed.  Unfortunately, some members of the household (oh, did I mention granddaughter) think that Bella Boxer is a bedmate, chairmate, couchmate, etc.

I won't trudge thru all of the repercussions of dog hair on furniture or in bed.  Let's just agree that dog hair on furniture is not a good thing to have, especially for an old fart like me.

There are prices to be paid when pets share your living space.  Bella Boxer will likely be the last pet in my house.

JD, here in the Big Town of Savage

PS - Bella Boxer is still working her way thru the 43 year old carpet, two additional bare spots have emerged.  Looks like carpet removal and exposure of hardwood floors is just that much closer.