Hunkering down in the cold today. The dogs ran out and did their quickest pee on record this morning at 7am. We had a wonderful time with friends at our house last evening, eating snacks and drinking wine all lamenting the weather that was forthcoming. Playing music from our youth on Pandora on the TV. We all had reminiscences about our times with these songs. Judy has ventured out for coffee with a friend. I stayed in holed up. Going to see Stan and Ollie today. It got good reviews and have always found these legends to be nuanced and funny. Hopefully the actors portraying them with be up to the task.
Made oatmeal in the small cooking pot from my mother. She made her oatmeal in this pot. Something small, but it keeps me connected to her. I miss her every day and often think of the insights and happiness she brought me.
Well a short one today. Stay warm everybody.
all for now
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Saturday, January 26, 2019
A cold ass day, with more to come
Its cold for me and for everyone else. We are all stuck inside and feeling claustrophobic. The dogs cannot go for a walk because even with their winter coats on, their feet would be burned by the cold on the concrete and snow. So, it is a good day to write. Have been reaching out to people that show up on Messenger to find out what they are up to. Responses have been interesting. I guess a lot of people are feeling like me, isolated by the weather. Most recently a new great aunt friend of mine went on about their new family member. Her happiness came ringing through on the message. I have been contemplating looking for someone to write to in say the U.K. just to find out a different point of view on day to day living and their current situation. We have Trump's escapades and they have Brexit. Would be interested in a comparison. Have some concern that I would come off looking for lurid activities, which is not the case at all. Will let you all know how it goes.
Been on a cooking binge this morning preparing meal components, roasted garlic, roasted peppers and baked, spiced tofu. Going to try a new dish today, spaghetti squash with Parmesan sauce, garlic and peppers. I will see how it goes. I am a forced vegetarian, not by anyone else but myself in that it is indeed a healthier way of eating. But it has to taste good to me. That's the bottom line. If not, then I will not participate. I am ashamed to say that I ate a hot dog at Costco last night, you know forbidden fruit and all. It was enjoyable.
I viewed the Handmaid's Tale season one completing it a few nights back. When originally seen, I told a young woman fellow employee that twenty three year old females sitting on bar stools should see this show. Currently I am midway thru the second season. It is truly scary in a real sense. Having women with no rights even to read or hold currency or hold jobs. Its all very Pencian. The scenes presented seem like his utopian vision. And just think of it. If Trump is ousted, he would be the replacement. I have started reading the book by Margaret Atwood as well. Her style is very descriptive but takes some getting used to. It has helped that I viewed the program before. However thought provoking, these programs put you in a dark place. So if your already depressed, steer clear.
The shutdown is over for 3 weeks. I hope the people needing paychecks get paid before the time period runs out. And one more thing, what about the refugee children separated from their parents at the border? What's going to happen to them?
all for now
Been on a cooking binge this morning preparing meal components, roasted garlic, roasted peppers and baked, spiced tofu. Going to try a new dish today, spaghetti squash with Parmesan sauce, garlic and peppers. I will see how it goes. I am a forced vegetarian, not by anyone else but myself in that it is indeed a healthier way of eating. But it has to taste good to me. That's the bottom line. If not, then I will not participate. I am ashamed to say that I ate a hot dog at Costco last night, you know forbidden fruit and all. It was enjoyable.
I viewed the Handmaid's Tale season one completing it a few nights back. When originally seen, I told a young woman fellow employee that twenty three year old females sitting on bar stools should see this show. Currently I am midway thru the second season. It is truly scary in a real sense. Having women with no rights even to read or hold currency or hold jobs. Its all very Pencian. The scenes presented seem like his utopian vision. And just think of it. If Trump is ousted, he would be the replacement. I have started reading the book by Margaret Atwood as well. Her style is very descriptive but takes some getting used to. It has helped that I viewed the program before. However thought provoking, these programs put you in a dark place. So if your already depressed, steer clear.
The shutdown is over for 3 weeks. I hope the people needing paychecks get paid before the time period runs out. And one more thing, what about the refugee children separated from their parents at the border? What's going to happen to them?
all for now
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Lousy weather day, but happy news
Despite it being a dreadful weather day, I am happy to report that on January 15th, we received another gift to our family in a new grandson, Everett Edward Kocsis, 10lbs 5oz and 21 inches long. He is at home with mom and dad and brother Paxton and all are doing well. Words cannot express the happiness I feel with his arrival.Schools are closed today and teachers and students are rejoicing alike. Elijah and Marie were thrilled at the news this morning. And because I don't feel like slipping off the front porch, its a good day to write. The dogs especially hate days like this, going out to pee is problematic in that they cannot find a happy place to do their business. I am stuck inside peering at the rain on the windows and a porch that's like a skating rink with water on it. I fell on my ass recently and mostly injured my pride but bouncing back is not happening as quickly as before.
The dogs are staring at me saying like "well dad lets do something fun" awaiting their meal in about an hour.
Our government is still partially shut down and many federal workers will have no paycheck for the second pay period. Many are mandated to work without compensation. Families are obtaining food supplies from food banks, depleting savings accounts, and IRAs and rents are going unpaid. This is all because our president wants to build a barrier, however medieval around our southern border to satisfy his base and make good on a campaign promise. This whole process is upsetting to me in that there are people suffering through no doing of their own, no bad choices, no misspent capital. The Coast Guard, the TSA and others are protecting us for free, no pay. I don't know if I could do that.
In order to stop this dishonor of these heroes, give him his wall and fund the government. The suffering has to stop. I pains me greatly to say this.
all for now
Monday, January 7, 2019
January 2019
The holiday season is finally completed. I must admit to some relief. Our time was pleasant but truly, I am eager to get back to a more normal routine. The kids start backup at Oak Ridge today and I can only imagine what the educators are going thru trying to motivate their pupils. After a couple of warm and sunny days, we are back to the dreary, cloudy bone crushing cold days.
We are embroiled in the process of getting Shannon's wheelchair repaired and was really surprised that we have a now really effective occupational therapist. We have been battling wheelchairs, the process of repair and replacement for decades. She is due for new one later this year and I hope it goes smoothly.
So I am at the local 7-11 in the early am purchasing the Free Press. The guy behind the counter is a 50 something gray haired man looking like it had been a long night. There is another man buying smokes in front of me, followed by a little, paunchy, balding man buying multiple coffees. The place is pretty silent. We all hear a sound. Everyone looks puzzled. Then we realize it is a trumpeting elephant. We all smile. The coffee guy reaches for his phone. Its his wife making a request to buy something. What does say about this relationship?
We have kids for a couple of hours this afternoon. Dinner is all made and ready to microwave. This system works quite well. The afternoon should not be too exciting. This is ok.
Are we going to have wall (barrier - fence - slat structure)? Feeling bad for the federal employees with no pay and no end in sight for this shutdown. The bitching will really start with the tax refunds are supposed to come out. Neither side seems to be moving. Our country is really suffering with all the conflicts in government. And as much as I applaud the success of many female candidates, I cannot help but think that John Conyers replacement misspoke with her comments about impeachment. She might not be taken seriously when painted with a broad brush. I hope that she does prevail however. We will see how our new governor does. Will she fix the damn roads? Will Flint have drinkable water coming out of their pipes? Will Detroit's children be educated?
At my wife's insistence, I will seen more doctors to have myself evaluated inside and out. Never been to a dermatologist. Fair folks like me with years of no sunscreen are subject to skin damage. We will find out how I do.
Visited a restaurant in Ferndale recently, most enjoyably (Pops for Italian). It brings to mind what a cool place Ferndale has been for a long time. One place comes to mind in particular. Back in the 70's we all bought records and later cassette tapes. The premier recording emporium was on 9 mile road called Sam's Jams. This was an independent store the stocked recordings of all genres of music and a good batch of rarities. They also had a paragraph posted about new recordings so the purchaser could read a synopsis of the music. They even had live musical performances. I saw a young Joey Defrancesco play they Hammond B3 organ with my son at this site, all for no charge I might add. I am sure there were others. This place was filled with music lovers of all ages.
all for now
We are embroiled in the process of getting Shannon's wheelchair repaired and was really surprised that we have a now really effective occupational therapist. We have been battling wheelchairs, the process of repair and replacement for decades. She is due for new one later this year and I hope it goes smoothly.
So I am at the local 7-11 in the early am purchasing the Free Press. The guy behind the counter is a 50 something gray haired man looking like it had been a long night. There is another man buying smokes in front of me, followed by a little, paunchy, balding man buying multiple coffees. The place is pretty silent. We all hear a sound. Everyone looks puzzled. Then we realize it is a trumpeting elephant. We all smile. The coffee guy reaches for his phone. Its his wife making a request to buy something. What does say about this relationship?
We have kids for a couple of hours this afternoon. Dinner is all made and ready to microwave. This system works quite well. The afternoon should not be too exciting. This is ok.
Are we going to have wall (barrier - fence - slat structure)? Feeling bad for the federal employees with no pay and no end in sight for this shutdown. The bitching will really start with the tax refunds are supposed to come out. Neither side seems to be moving. Our country is really suffering with all the conflicts in government. And as much as I applaud the success of many female candidates, I cannot help but think that John Conyers replacement misspoke with her comments about impeachment. She might not be taken seriously when painted with a broad brush. I hope that she does prevail however. We will see how our new governor does. Will she fix the damn roads? Will Flint have drinkable water coming out of their pipes? Will Detroit's children be educated?
At my wife's insistence, I will seen more doctors to have myself evaluated inside and out. Never been to a dermatologist. Fair folks like me with years of no sunscreen are subject to skin damage. We will find out how I do.
Visited a restaurant in Ferndale recently, most enjoyably (Pops for Italian). It brings to mind what a cool place Ferndale has been for a long time. One place comes to mind in particular. Back in the 70's we all bought records and later cassette tapes. The premier recording emporium was on 9 mile road called Sam's Jams. This was an independent store the stocked recordings of all genres of music and a good batch of rarities. They also had a paragraph posted about new recordings so the purchaser could read a synopsis of the music. They even had live musical performances. I saw a young Joey Defrancesco play they Hammond B3 organ with my son at this site, all for no charge I might add. I am sure there were others. This place was filled with music lovers of all ages.
all for now
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