The answer my friend, is a blowin' in the wind... the answer is blowin' in the wind....

As Mayor of Forrestville, Mayor McOak had called a Bored Meeting for 6pm on Tuesday night.  They didn't dare call 'em Board Meetings, cause they knew if they did, none of the Spruce, Pine and Fir trees would show up for fear of being turned into a 2 by 4 or a round fence pole, or sumpin of the like.

Wendy Willow was the Recording Secretary, mainly because her limbs were the closest to the ground/table, to take, keep notes.  Wendy was a longtime Widow, but it'd been a lotta tree rings ago, she was basically past the Weeping Willow stage and there's even a rumor afoot she's been seen at the ShadeTree Lounge with Marcus Maple a time or six.

The Deciduous and the Firs shuffled in.....For the most part they get along, but too, there's the fair share of banter... what with Preacher Pine needling Barney Birch about how his yard is a mess ffom all his shedding...  Barney, deep down, wanted to call him a prick, but he knew he couldn't, so he'd simply reply "You're just jealous cause I get to sunbathe in the nude all Winter."

Sherry Cherry, in spite of her being so very sweet, had earned the reputation as the town gossip.  Somehow she just knew, and TOLD everyone, of every cross pollination that happened after hours of the ShadeTree Lounge.  Anyways, she piped in with "What's on the Agenda this week Mayor McOak??"

The Mayor, he was'a runnin' late... proud man... he'd always count, and brag, about how many acorns he'd saved up. Townfolk were use to it by now... but anyways, he de-firred, pun perhaps intended, to the notes of Wendy Willow from the last meeting.

"Wendy?"... "Yes Mr. Mayor... we're going to branch off into two topics.... One, The Leash Law for dogs in Forrestville... Sycamore Sam would like to make a presentation on that.... "  The Mayor stopped her... "Well, I saw how everyone's eyes turned to the Bradford Pears, so, I think we oughta stop, attack these one topic at a time.  Sycamore?  What say you?"

Sycamore rubbed his chin, and even though the Mayor had many more rings around him than Sam, he still opened with "And careful how ya toss that word 'Saw' around.. it kinda feared the Spruces Fines and Firs gathered here.... but OK..... here goes:

"We've had complaints about the Bradford Pears.  As most of you know, they live in the trailer park in buckets... and, since they're so mobile, they'll let their dogs out, then stay inside... and then, when the dogs come back in, then they go out for awhile.  Wouldn't be so bad, ceptin' while their dogs are out free to roam, they come over to CottonWood Lane where a bunch of us live, and they relieve themselves on a lot of our family members...." (TBC)

"Now.... you know and I know... whenya get peed on and there ain't no rain for two weeks, it's not pleasant.  I gotta petition here signed by fellow residents....  Arnie Apple, Barney Birch, Elmer Elm and myself for a Leash Law to be established, and none'a these damn dogs the Pears own can galavant as they like."

"Now HOLD ON a minute," Barbie Bradford chimed in... "That's pretty judgmental, accusatory... and we ain't the only ones in town with dogs.. and I fear everyone would gang up on us... especially all you folks out there who've been granted Concealed Carry Chainsaw licenses by this group."

"SO," Sam Sycamore's wife Sally offered... "if your hounds come to pee on us, howabout we buy some limburger cheese and come stuff it in the vents of your mobile home?"  Bout that time Mayor McOak pounded his plastic gavel... "ORDER.. ORDER.." (TBC)

"I hearby propose," the Mayor orated, "we endorse a Leash Law effective tomorrow, where all hounds be either on a leash, or enclosed within the confines of a fenced yard."  The breeze from his words shook the trees, limbs looked left, right, as if to say "I dunno, whaddayou think??" - and, before you know it, Mayor said "All in Favor?"  of course, Arnie, Barney, Elmer, Sally, Sam and others hollered "Aye"....  the Mayor looked left, right, then announced "Opposed?"  Not a creature stirred, not even a Bradford seedling.. SLAM, the plastic hammer again, "The law takes effect at 8am tomorrow morning."  "So recorded your Honor" Wendy Willow added.

"Next?" Mayor McOak peeked over his specs at Wendy... "Secondly, Elmer Elms has asked to speak with regard to whether or not we should outlaw Ash Trees in Forrestville."  Leafy eyebrows raised, folks looked left to where Elmer was sittin', then right... right to where Ashley and Ashton Ash were seated.  Easy to see, they were already kinda a beet red mad at the suggestion."

"Elmer?" The Mayor queried... "What say you?"  Elmer had a lot of rings too, but, he was thin like old age thin by now... he cleared the limbs from his view out, then spoke... 'Mr. Mayor... this ain't really nuttin' personal, cause we know them ash's can't help it.... but with all the known cases of Ash Borer disease... the cost involved for the taxes we healthy trees pay to remove dead ash trees....I, we, kinda look at 'em like Lepers... and maybe they'd be better off living on top of Old Smokey Mountain, or down in Shady Valley... we don't need or want 'em here."

Ashley Ashton furiously stood, her hubby, Ashton, tugged on her shoulder and had her sit back down as he stood... he too had taken on kinda of a lava hot red color.... "YOU, Elmer... YOU of all people, YOU, of Dutch descent.... short memory eh? Mr. Mayor, there is nationwide effort to make our 'type' strong and proud again.  Arborists have successfully utilized trunk injections.. as well as releasing parasitic wasps that target the ash borers... and it's working!  How dare he!"

The Mayor, and many of the others in the grove gathered, were tired, uncomfy with the growing dissidence of the evening.  He looked at the watch on his limb.  Thought to himself "Geez Louise, it's only and hour and a half before closing time at the ShadeTree Lounge... "I gotta gitme a nightcap after this long night."

SLAM... he pounded his plastic gavel again.... announced... "I move we table the topic of Ash trees until the next time we meet, and move to adjourn this meeting... those in favor?" Treemendously, they all agreed, hollered "AYE"... and adjourned it was. "We'll meet here, same Robin Channel, same bat time, the 21st of February.

On the way out.... Ashley and Ashton Ash caught up with Mayor McOak... "Thank you your honor... just one thing, you think we could just all it a Town Hall meeting and not a Bored Meeting?"

Shorly after dawn the next morning.......

Bulldozers, excavators, mulchers, backhoes and skid steers showed up...... wiped out the entire town of Forrestville before straight up noon.

At this time and date, it's speculative and it is unknown what is to be in the place of Forrestville.   It is rumored to be either an Arthur Tree'cher's Fish and Chips....... an ICE detention facility.... or, the new home to the Kansas City Royals.

Jane you ignorant slut, trees don't talk.

Have a treemendous day,

Love, Victurd.

I couldn't tell the back of my palm from the back of yours........

It's been discussed here, I ain't too observant.  "Honey?  When'd we get that painting that's above the couch in the living room?"......... "Two years ago."

People in, people out.  I'm among the very best at meeting someone, introducing ourselves, and... remember the start of the old TV show Mission Impossible?    They'd give a message about their task, the specifics, yaaa, an then, "This message will self destruct in two minutes!?"  That.  That is about how long I remember someone's name when first introduced.

Google, AI, that crap, tell me we interact with 80,000 to 90,000 people in our lifetime.  Dunbar, whoeverinthehell that is, says you can only maintain about 150 stable relationships at any given time. So........ each and every, also has 150 people they have a relationship with... (To be continued, paragraph 2 long)

S0000000000.... One fitty times one fitty = a network of 22,500 people.  That might excite a realtor, or a cable salesperson... to me though, (HOLY CRAP) I thinka germs, bacteria, scabies, hookworm, I've heard delusion and anxiety rubs off.... lice, herpes, just thinka the crap!

Side note.  I did and DO love my outlaw sister.  We usedta be inlaws, but now we's outlaws since the divorce.  (The 150 made me think of her, more on that in a sec).. One night (I ain't sure if she was ever in Band, I wasn't, so it wasn't band camp), liquor was probably involved.  We each had just lost a sibling.  She lost her brother, I lost my sister.  I don't recall how we 'drew blood' but we did, then we touched each other and became 'blood brother, blood sister.'  When we are out and about nowadays.. and we meet people, I tell them who she is (My ex SIL Kim), how tight we were, and then I tell them we still are, and, that, "She's still in my top 150 of friends!"

Where was I?  Oh yeah, friends.  I saw something I wanted to quote but it's like much in my life, now I can't find it.  Damn nutcracker has been missing for six years and I ain't sure why I ain't bought another.  Anyways, it was a lady whose father had told her "If you know 5 people, really really really well in your lifetime, you're lucky."  She didn't understand it, but, as aging happened, she did.

And it's true. It's reawwy reawwy twue - OH HOW WE SO APPRECIATE  GOOD, CLOSE FRIENDS. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo many we meet (80,000 to 90,000) sooooooooo many we know fairly well (the one fitty... their one fitty... the 22,500)........

But, it's the ones that REALLY know us, and we them (to me anyways) that make life a bucket of laughs... and tears... and fun.... and hugs... and warmth... and, VICTOR, STOP, you're being effeminate.... HEY, I don't give a rats.  Older I get, more I don't care. I LOVE MY FRIENDS, especially the really really close ones, of which, if you're like me, ain't many.

It was here I was gonna add the words to the old Lesley Gore song "You don't know me", except, when I went to snatch the lyrics I noticed it was "You don't own me" which, is a whole nuther blog in and of itself.  (And, per the Lesley lyrics mishap, scroll to "When'd we get this painting?")  I don't pay attention, BUT, I really really do when it's a very close friend.

If you only knew how much close friends helped me in 2025.  And yes, it's a great perk to give that love, loyalty back to our friends.

People let me tellya bout my best friend............ nah, we all know who our good friends are.

Tell me who are the people in your (best friend) neighborhood, in your neighborhood......... and no, yain't gotta.  You know. I know.  We know. And that's all that really matters.

Sonofagun, I just looked. I got two horizontal lines and one vertical line on my palm.

Palm?  I needs me another trip to Mehico.

(He's nuts folks, I truly think he's lost his coconuts.)

Yeah and I hope I find 'em... after I buy me another nutcracker.

Love, Victurd

You can't be serious.......

I can, but admittedly not very often.

Watching the early football game as it snowed... and then the second one - cold there as well... my eyeballs tired easily and I went to bed very early.  I know, I know, "Who cares?". .Well, I do, because then I awaken hella early.

As in, it was too early to peruse the E edition of today's paper... so, a trip around the horn (Daily Sudoku, Faebook, three cups of coffee) then, it allowed me to access today in the local paper.  Read the local Sports... .that's always first... usually then the obits... too early, carry on... OK then, to National Sports - catch up on the NFL late game....NOPE, too early for that.. so......

I read the parts that I've grown to hate reading...  Local, Regional, National and World News.  It was there I read a letter to the Editor - Oh man, them things can range from 'this person is off their rocker' to 'you know, that makes me stop and think, I'm glad I read that.'

A letter this morning made me stop and think, I'm glad I read that.'  You are absolutely free to turn left, hit that little X in the upper right hand corner - promise I won't get mad.

The letter was from a gentleman that's presently a nurse, attempting to get his doctorate at Duke University, traditionally known for it's academic excellence.  Paraphrasing, he has a lifetime of being a 'square peg in round hole'... smalltown raised, writing from Durham, NC... a male nurse in a profession mostly dominated by women.....

As such, he finds himself navigating spaces where he doesn't quite belong or fit the mold - yet, his in-betweenness has become a strength, not fully belonging anywhere - he belongs everywhere - and as such, he's gained a healthy dose of curiosity (Siskoombah, today's keyword.)

His claim, and I kinda found myself shaking my head "yeah, I kinda agree" is, we, as a society, lack genuine curiosity - which, the writer suggests may contribute to our growing division in this increasingly polarized world.

"Instant gratification" and "algorithmically curated echo chambers" (brb, looking that crap up).. point being, genuine curiosity is slipping away from us. We scroll, we skim and react in social media without pausing to ask "Why?" or "What's it like to be that person?"

"Curiosity, more than just a thirst for knowledge, serves as a bridge to understanding.  When we inquire about someone else's experiences - growing up in a different neighborhood, speaking a different language or living with a disability, we begin to perceive the world through their eyes. This act of wonder is the foundation for empathy."

Instead, we hop over it.  Certainty over inquiry, speed over depth,, choose sides rather than ask questions.  He suggests asking "Why" is a fear of offense or conflict, thus being trapped in our own perspectives and unable to envision lives beyond our own, Empathy doesn't emerge from agreement, it grows from exploration. To ask questions, not to challenge.  We listen, not to reply, but to learn.  Curiosity invites us to sit with complexity, to resist the urge to simplify, stereotype or dismiss. 

"We observe the transformative power of classrooms where children eagerly ask "Why" and in stories that open our hearts to unfamiliar truths."

His plan, start with our kids... remind ourselves that questions are not indicators of ignorance, but rather signs of engagement.  Questions are not conflict."  The writer admits "Curiosity may not be the sole solution to every problem, but it serves as a promising starting point."

Sorry this ain't been the normal Peter, Paul and Mary... Tom, Dick and Harry... Woke up, fell outta bed blog like normal.  His article kinda hit me.  Enjoyed it.

He closed with "We live in a time when anxiety, depression, and a myriad of other mental health ailments are prevalent in society. As a nurse, I aspire to facilitate healing in all its forms. A healthy dose of curiosity could significantly contribute to healing many of these societal afflictions and divisions we currently experience."

Thanks dude (Matthew Donegan)...

I like happy.

I like medium (even though, at present, I lean toward large...hehe)..

I like happy mediums.  I thought them hippies from the 60's, not necessarily in their rebellion, but, in their asking "Why?" had us on the right curiosity path,  A happy medium might be:

Somewhere between "My Way Or The Highway".... and "Hey teacher leave the kids alone".......

I'm curious... do you like pudding?  Er, I mean curiosity?

I do.

Love, Victurd

Wishy washy......

Ain't that life?

As always, I've had a dadgum hard time in ciphering what I felt like writing about.  I thought about stupid observations along life's way, then thought "nah".... but then i remembered friend David saying something to the effect of "we don't know whatintheheck you're saying, but we enjoy reading it."

So what the hey.......  I've noticed 66.6% (2 or 3) men, wash their hands after peeing.  So, you ask (I know you wouldn't, didn't, but patronize me).. women?  100%.  100% of the times I entered the women's restroom to balance the survey, see from their shoes, I was kicked out.

See?  What Moffitt said.

Traffic annoyance.  Don't anyone follow rules any more?  (Victor?  There are rules.. to the road?)  Uh huh, what I thought.  Yesterday I was at a light... Facing North.  There was a car across from me, facing South.  She (oops, sorry) turning Left onto a Three lane road going East, me, turning Right onto Three lane road going East, same way as her.  She must've had a green light, she turned.  I, not needing a green light, after coming to a complete stop turned right into the inside lane (dats where the law says I must turn) at the same time She turned left...  It was my belief, the law indicates she turn into her inside lane.  SHE. HONKED. HER ASS. OFF. AT. ME. Exxxxxxxxxccccccuuuuuuussssseeeee me, I wasn't aware you needed all three lanes.

See?  I'm nuts.  Maybe that one guy that 'liked', agreed with Moffitt, the one that I ain't seen before in 12 years of writing this crap, will once again, comment, or something in agreement of me being nuts..

I don't rightly care no mo' what others think.  It's a glorious feeling.  I keep a pee cup in my car too. I'm 73, I pee way more times than I'd like. Sometimes I ain't got time to turn (get honked at) pull into the QT, wait, as being the 4th in line to the urinals.... so... I park. I pee in my cup. I open door, I poor it out.  Uh huh, do.   It's a red Landing cup I keep tucked way up under the passenger seat, don't never drink outta it.

And then, I got all serious in thinking about grief.  The loss of a loved one.  Should I feel guilty, am I nuts in that sense too.... that these feelings surface:

Shock.  Numb.  Denial.  Disbelief.  Disorganization.  Anxiety.  Guilt.  Regret.  Sadness.  Depression.  Physical symptons.  Spiritual questions.  And even sometimes, relief.

YES, normal to feel, to all of the above.

Is it normal to feel guilt the next, very first time you catch yourself smiling, laughing, having fun?   YES.

Is it, can it be hard to look at pictures of your loved one?  YES.  Or so many sites I saw indicated it was normal.

So.  I'm deducting the following:

Ya damn right you should wash your hands after peeing.  I saw online a bar that somehow had it eletronically rigged, where if a dude went to pee and didn't wash his hands after, lights would flash, bells and whistles happened "DIDN'T WASH HANDS" would light up, said patron was greeted with a unanimous EWW upon restroom exit.

But................ ifn's you're 73, have a probable enlarged prostate, can't no longer run the pee pee dance 50 yards (and start leaking, after going about 30 yards) by all mean, pee in a cup. Wash your hands first chance you get.

Ya damn right you turn into the inside lane, and you're an idiot, stupid driver should you not. And if you honk, add ............. B, to that.

Grief?  A little tougher nut to crack, but we'll all get there.

Love, Victurd

I read the News today oh boy........

With 'Bits and Pieces' thanks to lyrics of The DC Five:

A volunteer for a Children's Home.... a Builder's Class..  A Service Network that moves families out of poverty toward improved quality of life and self-sufficiency.. Choirs... Mayoral Committee...  City Citizen of the Year.. County Volunteer of the year...

Another who volunteered for a League of Women focusing on women's and children's well-being, education and health..... a group focusing on Colonial history preservation, education an patriotism.. and, to mention a talent in the beauty of nature outside, bringing it in to display for others inside the home....

One who wrote a manual for a new long distance, which ultimately led to replacing the use of operators... juggled Church Administrator, Organist, Chairman of Missions, and Outreach Committee... a Discipleship ministry for boys focused on building godly men through activities, mentorship and spiritual growth, Young Life Chairman, Church Fundraiser, etc etc etc.

Another....... member of Missouri and American Poly Sci Association.. Wrote four books.. (40's Sports Heroes, Atomic Energy Law, Constitutional Law, History of a Coal Company..  Gathered, outfitted, coached eager kids in the mini-track club he personally organized.. Ran a gym, when the business ended, donated all the Nautilus equipment to a local University..

I got fatigued simply reading all those accomplishments...   Those four have recently moved on from our Earth, and it's a certainty, they're continuing their good elsewhere..

And............. oh yeah........... they had jobs.........

And............ oh yeah........... families........

And............. oh yeah....... Every. Single. Day. I read the Ugly that dominates our News today. TV. Radio. Social Media.  Seeing something on Social Network as simple as..... seeing a car for sale...  a group convo on how a college sport team is doing... a restaurant review on a local site........ within the first five entries, people are at the throats of others.  Name-calling, mudslinging, hatred spewed from a keyboard.

I'm in pieces, bits and pieces... all I do is sit and cry......

Thank you thank you thank you to The Greatest Generation examples above of folks who spread good... care... concern for others......  rather than standby, armed with a barrel of manure and a shovel readied to shove it on someone.

Seems we could all learn from their examples......  perhaps pull ourselves up by our bootstraps........ concentrate on good......... giving.......... niceness......... to give another Dave Clark Five record a chance.........

And I'm feelin', glad all over yes I'm glad all over.

Why's it so hard?

I'm gonna...........

Hibernate.

Uh huh, am.

Katie Horner.  Victor?  Who's she?  She's a local weather lady Channel 9.  This morning, one hand on my coffee, one eye, here...... one eye, one ear, on her....... she announced...... "Sunday, wind chills below zero."  Now I enjoy Katie.... after years and years of study, comparing each forecaster's predictions vs actuals, she's way more accurate than Busby, Bender, Grigsby, Miller and Foster. (by a lot).... NOTHING to do with her being fitty, looking like she's 25, fit, trim, gorgeous complexion and I NEVER mentioned body parts.... and I NEVER complain like many when she turns sideways and ya can't even see Lawrence, KS on the map.  NOT a Jayhawk fan, don't bother me a bit.

So, there's the cold... and.....

EVERYTHING is more expensive... Needs (cigs, Natty Light) and Wants (food, rent, utilities, taxes, that crap.) and...........  The rising costs to Medicare, completely wiped out any increase in Social Security.

I read the news today oh boy......  THAT.  Not ONLY, are the Chiefs NOT in the playoffs... I hadn't noticed, but someone mentioned our Continental Divide is worser than ever before.

So...... joining the list....... bears, ground squirrels, bats, hedgehogs, chipmunks (Alvin?  Get in here!  Alvin?  ALVIN!!!!! "OK!"... dormice (what's a dormice), skunks, opossums, snakes, turtles, frogs, ladybugs, bumblebees... a lot of us are.

As I age........... I just likes the sounds of some of the aspects of hibernation.

Minimal activity.  Sign me up Gomer, I'm right there withya. Maynard G. Krebs, you comin?

Before entering hibernation, animals need to store enough energy to last through the duration of their dormant period.  Larger species eat a large amount of food and storing the energy in their bodies in the form of fat deposits.  Tell 'em Austin! YEAH BABY, pass the Twinkies Sherlock, flip those funnel cakes Arnold!! Hyperphagic, they call it.  Whatever, sign me up Goober!  Ms. Piggy?  You in? (Kermit is fer sure)

So.......... ya think this means I'll go in the ground fat, then, once Pux gives the OK, I'll come out skinny?  Ain't no GI Blues here, let's go Elvis! We both could use it!

Researchers have studied how to induce hibernation in humans.  You could... hibernate 'em, treat the ones with afflictions whilst they snooze...  or, traveled to Mars...turna' last Century, the Brits tried to help some peasant Ruskies by having families sleep six months around the stove, waking up once a day for bread and water...  You in Boris?  Natasha?

I mean........ what better?

Mahomes would be damn near healed....... ICE melted.. it's a joke son.... Midterms near... and, Katie only fitty-one.

Who needs five months of Mehico?  A hunnerd-plus at night at an Arizona RV Park.... 

My pocketbook.......... my fatness.... and my disposition all vote yes.

Taking a long Blogcation....... There's a snow shovel and a bag and half of ice melt in the shed if anyone needs it.

Good day(s)........ Paul Harvey

Love, Victurd

 

Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood... in your neighborhood?

The Muppets tossed about the Mailman.... and.... the Fireman... and, it's twue, it's reawwy twue...  and, where I live, well, Agnes is next door... Mr. Davis, catacorner across the street... Opal next door to him........

Yeah yeah yeah, but, not really what I meant.

Oh the games minds play now, every night and every day now...... (crapola, tangent warning, here he goes!)

I have moments.  I look at my phone..  nope, no texts.  Then, check the recently called me list.. huh uh, nuttin' there.  So, naturally, my mind takes a walk down 'poor poor pitiful me road'...  Them thoughts up there in the brain... I'm just sure it's akin to needin' to clean your gutters out... or, have one'a the fitty local "YOU HAVE TO get your ducts cleaned out" companies that clog up Facebook. And, reckon we do.  We all visit the boxing ring of our brain to have a sparring bout.  All too frequently.

To have a friend, we learn, we gotta be one.

Why can't we be friends, why can't we be friends... Lemme ask first, WHY do we NEED friends?  Mebbe I'll Google it...  I dunno about you, but, at this point in my life I don't needs no Encyclopedia Brittanica, Yahoo, Google, and especially HELL TO THE NO'S I don't need, want, amscray AI, don't let the dangling participle hitya in the ass..... BUT(T?).......

In this instance, I kinda did like AI's response as to why we need friends:

Friends provide crucial emotional support, reduce stress, combat loneliness, boost happiness, improve mental and physical health and offer different perspectives, helping us feel a sense of belonging and purpose, leading to a more fulfilling life.  Friends are essential companions for celebrating joys, navigating hardships, building self-esteem and encouraging personal growth, acting as a vital buffer against life's challenges.

Nicely done AI, and, conversely, it too feels pretty darn good to be on the 'giving end' of friendship...

We are unique in life......  our age..... our disposition... so, so many factors... where we live, what we look like, our families (or not)..our health... our economic situation... PARTNER (or not)... siblings, cousins, other fam... jobs can uproot us to different zips, time zones...

"Friendship is not something you learn in school.. but, if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything."    Muhammed Ali

OK, I admit, it feels pretty darn good when someone looks you in the eye.... or, calls you on the phone, and specifically asks "How are you doing?"  We needs it... and again, it must travel East and West, North and South, both directions.

Perhaps the Muppets were even smarter than we thought......... the Fireman, a great example.. one might grease the pole a little so he, his friends can board the firetruck a little faster...  another, might operate the ladder lift.... raising his friend up in time of need..    And, I think it's known and common most everywhere, Firemen (and Women) work 24 hour shifts.. so... there can be oodles and oodles of time to sit around, enjoy camaraderie, become wonderful buddies with great emphasis on helping.  I've found, any job where plenty of time is allotted 'off task', healthier work habits happen... greater friendships are achieved.  Just my take.

"I have learned that to be with those I like is enough."  Walt Witman

"Pickya a friend who can make driving to the gas station to get gas, FUN."  Rufus Iheard Itsomehwere

"The world is round so that friendship may encircle it."  Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

We've heard.... Friends don't let friends...  drive drunk... give friends haircuts.. hire their friends.. a true friend intervenes to prevent a friend from doing something foolish, harmful, or embarrassing, even if it is unpopular advice...  friends, dont let ice buildup on the electrical line over the head of their friendship - for you never ever want that severed.

Can you imagine someone who doesn't have any friends?

I gotta go... I'm gonna run out and ask Mr. Davis whyinthehell is he mowing his yard at 7am, waking up Agnes, Opal, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, the firehouse boys and girls... me.. .and...  I MEAN... I'm going out to see if he needs a glass of iced tea.  yeah, that's it.  He's a good friend!

Love, Victurd

Oh But Interesting Tell Us All Remembered Years

Oh

But

Interesting

Tell

Us

All

Remembered

Years

Get it?  Got it.....

I'm weird, but you knew that.  My daily routine - awaken.  Be thankful.  Sit on edge of bed long enough to see if I remember whointhehell I am, what day it is, and, most importantly, which way to the john. (Yesterday kinda frightened me. After putting out on hole #7, I walked and sat in the wrong golf cart.  Ya never know ya know?)

After that, make coffee, chromebook to 'DailySudoku' (It's easy on Monday, works it's way harder thru the week, Sunday is a bitch, I LOVE a good challenge.).. Fill coffee cup.  Read local sports.  Then, obituaries.

I understand that (to read or not to read an obit) is a thing of choice.  I'm weird (we established that), but, I'm weird in that, I NEVER want anyone to die, but I gotta admit - I enjoy reading, learning about other's lives.

Yes, there are the basics.. born where, when, to who... survived by.... suggested donations if folks feel so moved to do so.... and, services, date, time, place.

That's kinda like a book.... Title... Table of Contents... Main chapters.. Indexes.. we all gots that. I wanna hear the core narrative baby.  Tell me about this person, who this person was.  Is fun legal?

Can we include "Mildred used to bake chocolate chip cookies and would leave them on her front porch for when the neighborhood kids would enter her yard to retrieve their Wiffle ball." Or, hell, if that wasn't the case.... tell us..... "Herbert, when the kids would hit their Wiffle ball in the yard, would crank up his weed eater and chase the little bastards away."

Who are you?  Who, who, who, who?  Who are you... or, better said "Who were you?  Who, who, who who? 'Cause I really wanna know (Who were you?  Who, who, who, who?)

Problem is, it's often written by loved ones... so it's a third person view from their shoes.  I guess, sometimes, that could be good.  You know, like, "Boyd cared more about that damn dog than he did any of my family members."  Boyd is left defenseless.. were he able, he mighta answered "Bruiser (the hound) never borrowed money that he didn't repay, he never griped about this, that or the other (continually) and, he was always welcome, he never wore that out."

Plaguerized (NO, not YOU Victor? Uh huh, me... a couple below from Readers's Digest)...  "Faced with the prospect of voting for either Donald Trump or Hiliary Clinton, Mary Anne chose to pass into the eternal love of God."

"She loved her family more than anything else....except cold Budweiser, room temperature Budweiser, fall follage, the OJ chase, and the OJ trial."

June, 2015.  He was kinda boring.  His family honored his choice to pen his own.  It was, simply, "Doug died."  Let's just say it gives new meaning to the old adage "brevity is the soul of wit."

And, Emily Debrayda Phillips, self penned "It pains me to admit it, but apparently I have passed away."  She mentioned she wasn't sorry for making her daughter wear "no frills" jeans as a kid, nor for red-shirting her son... back in kindergarten (No, seriously, Red Rover is surprisingly competitive...."If you want you can look for me into the evening sunset or with the earliest daffodils or among the flitting and fluttering butterflies... you know I'll be there in one form or the other... Of course, that will probably comfort some while antagonizing others, but you know me... it's what I do.  Any questions?  TOO LATE!"

I really wanna know............ Did he own twelve hammers because his garage was so dirty, messy, he'd buy another when he couldn't find it........ or, "Sam was particular, mebbe OCD. If you put a box end wrench in an open end sleeve, you were never allowed in his home again."

Did he/she snore?  A lot?  Busy body?  "Her lasagna was the bomb, recipe passed down from her Italian grandmother."  "He/she couldn't cook a lick, I never said nuttin' but many a night after he/she went to bed, I snuck a bologna sandwich"

"She liked your or she didn't, it was black or white.  As her children, we are still trying to figure out which one if was for us (we know she loved us.)"

"It is believed she passed away peacefully at age 94, believed to be caused from carrying her oxygen tank up the long flight of stairs to her bedroom that made her heart give out.  She left behind a hell of a lot of stuff to her daughters and sons who have no idea what to do with it."

I know many disagree... about fun...  that's ok, I'm good with that.  We talked yesterday, I think levity helps virtually any situation, especially maybe the really crappy situations, of which death can certainly be one.

I honestly do enjoy reading what loved ones have to say... it can be very touching..  some paint very vivid pictures... sure, some are mundane (scroll to levity... or, really knowing about someone.  Ominous task, a one page wrap on one's life.

This morning, there were only two in the paper.  The first one, astutely written, I think I woulda liked getting to be a friend with the guy.  The second one........ I clicked the link..... it took me to..........."FORBIDDEN" some # error message, 404 maybe.  So, I switched to my phone, tried there........... same.

For shame for the fella.  Will never know.  All I really wanna do is know people.  I enjoy people, even if perhaps too late to sit and enjoy a dinner with them.

Memories fade..  obits go in the ICloud or whatever they call it.  Stand up and be counted.  No, that ain't.  Lay down is fine, but be counted.  And let us (you or your loved ones) know who are you.... who who who who.  We really wanna know.

Oh But Interesting Tell Us All Remembered Years........... before it's too late.

Maybe I'd mention "I never cheated on her... or at Wordle... I did once, not say nuttin' when I gave a lady a 10 and she gave me change for a 20... sorry... kinda... I enjoyed my beer, my cigs, outta leftfield humor.. I was far, far, far from perfect but all I really wanted was to be known as a good guy.  And, find a woman that really enjoyed........... well, nevermind. Garage sales, yeah, that's it, garage sales.

Love, Victurd

The never annual 2026 "Checkenginelight Awards"......

In keeping with Rhyme and Reason (ie, about all he does is steal song lyrics [Rhyme]... adds his own thoughts..[Reason, as in whatintnehell is he talking about?] there is no particular order, logic, popularity, 1st or 2nd or 3rd, nope, nonea that)....... no Order (just like, my junk drawer... the front and backseat of my car with hamburger wrappers, hammers, RainX, mouthwash, cologne, brush, see the pattern?  Me neither).. no order.......

The Been There, Read That, Day After Day After Day Award goes to friend David S.  Normally published way too early Pacific time, he always manages to read, usually comment, from a treadmill somewhere aside the Sea Of Cortez.  I owe him many Pesos for his every day hitchhiking.

The Catch Em Doing Good goes to friend David M.  David could, would qualify for many awards, including the "BRB, Lemme Lookup What You Said In My Funk and Wagnalls" the "NoDoz I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" for the toothpicks he certainly keeps his eyelids open with, from late Eastern to hella early Pacific.  David is remarkably creative, owns, runs, a remarkable software business, has a remarkable family, and three remarkable hounds I ain't even gonna try to spell the breed of.

The I'm Really Nice And A Good, Calm Friend award goes to Susan.  Susan is first to compliment, do/say things friends do/say... If the United States was full of Susans, we wouldn't have the discourse we witness daily today.

The Carol Burnett I Want Fun Award goes to friend Phyllis. Happy Capital H, Fun, Capital F, and Loyal, Capital L.

The Sly and The Family Stone Wanna Take You Higher Award goes to buddy Bear.  No, he's not a drug dealer, he is one of the prime oranizers, doers, of a group of kind men in his Community that raise funds, then use those funds to purchase materials, then, sweat and build, loooong wooden handicap access ramps for residents at no cost to them.  Kudos Buddy!

The Biblical Quote A Day goes to buddy Pie. He never takes a day off on his posts, and more importantly, he lives the life.  Kudos Steve!

The Worlds Best Juggler Award goes to friend Liz.  Mom, Granny, Corgi Mom, the Middle Sibling of a Pierce Liz Tommy sammich, Lifelong friend to the same ole same ole wonderful group of ladies forever... congrats.....

The Pig and Bernie, Yes I'm Happy, No, it's Not Drugs Award goes to friend Joyce.  There is but one beat, up.  As in upbeat.  Very cool!

The Fitty Fitty Award, goes to buddy Terry  Fitty Percent Humor, Fitty Percent Strong Posted Beliefs... all, from the easy chair of calmness. Cool.  And that he is.

The Warmth From Afar award goes to friend Vicki, never forgetting her KC, WJC roots...... friends starting many years ago, close, thanks to her, Facebook, today.

The Yeah Buddy I'm A Buddy Buddy Award to friend Janice. Always supportive, always up for fun, alway loyal. Cool.

The Most Likely To Succeed Hell, He Done Did It Award goes to friend Larry.  If you need an Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lincoln, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Hyumda i, Volkswagon, or... a 5-10 minute meetup with guaranteed humor, seek him out. Congrats Larry, a life well done.

The Best Supporting I'm Not An Actor I'm A Real Friend to friend Ryan, thank you Ryan!

The I'm ALMOST As Popular As My Hound Buddy Award goes to one of the nicest men I know, Randy.

The Big'N Award goes to Big'N, now a kinda sorta Texan, they STILL, haven't forgotten "The (Basketball) Shot" from these parts, years ago.

The I'm Now Making (Rockies) Mountains Out Of (Flint Hills) Mole Hills friend Schwabby.  We may bat heads over KS/MO, brothers forever.

The Certainly Among The Best Grandpa's Ever Award, friend Brian.  His excitement about that is crazy good to witness.

The I Commented For The First Time On Blog Number 12,763 friend Pat.  I'll see you again on blog #25,526 when we're both 97.

The Best Niece Award (tie between Valerie and Vickie!)

I know I'll leave some out (apoligies) and that worries me, but please know, I appreciated any, everyone that comes by.

Off to pee, then Piggly Wiggly to buy something for this itchy itchy rash. Thank you ALL for being here!

Award list has been protected by PricewaterhouseCoopers because we kinda thought Steve Harvey would be too busy.

Love, Victurd

So..... when are you considered 'old'?

Kids might say....

When you get lines and vines.......

When you grow a beard or a mustache....

When you need help figuring out electronics.....

When you become a 'repeater'...  I agree kid, color me guilty.

When you have readers everywhere

Some, even made up a list

Talking about 'the good old days'

Gardening

Drinking Tea

Listening to the radio

Watching daytime TV

Talking about aches and pains

Sleeping

Knitting

Complaining about the weather

Doing crosswords.

What year were you born Grandpa........... 1952...    and, you're not dead?

We, of age, might say

When you can cough, fart, sneeze and pee at the same time.

When, the only females that pursue you are mosquitos

You knew the Dead Sea when it was only sick

When the candles cost more than the cake.....

Married twice, which, is my 'out' for not saying which one this was.....  Quite fetching, she'd get highly aggrevated at 'catcalls'... a smart alec hubby would comment, "The time to worry is when you no longer hear them."

Ten or so miles East of my hometown is Excelsior Springs.  Waaaaay back in the late 1800's, a farmer had his daughter drink from a spring there - and presto, she was cured of tuberculous.  Katy bar the door... word traveled, folks came and came... the water won awards at both the 1893 and 1904 World Fairs.

Why?

WE WANT TO BE YOUNG. FORE'ER....

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age." Sophia Loren

Sears has a Santa Claus....... but being young has freedom, energy, fewer responsibilities, better health, optimism, much.

We've all seen videos of kids, having just met, hugging, becoming best buds, no mater the size, age, clothes, weather, color, yada..... we see children jump in to help without being asked... 

Kids have unmatched BIG, BIG SMILES, and WIDE, BRIGHT EYES!

Kids can find fun just about anywhere, doing just about anything.  One speed, full bore.

For fun, and sure, part need maybe, I gave each of my three grandkids forty bucks to go to our town's most charitable, lowest priced, thrift store, to buy clothes or whatever else their heart desired.  My ex, their granny, had just lost her aging houndpooch.  The youngest grandchild, 9, searched the entire store for something that would ease the hurt of her granny losing her dog - before she bought anything for herself.  That's kids today. Empathetic.

I briefly scanned an article by a shrink who studies American youths....common perception "They don't care what people - their mothers and fathers and uncles and aunts think of them.  They haven't any sense of shame, honor or duty.  They don't care about anything except pleasure."

Trickster he was, as this was  a quote about flappers from 1926.  He found, youth of today, as measured by test scores - smarter.  More patient. With more time spent in school, schedules jam packed, kids are anything besides lazy, having less unstructured time, thus, a tad bit of burnout.

I haven't done a very good job of communicating what I wanted to...... It's a pretty stressy era we're going thru for VARIOUS reasons.  We need, feel good.

To me, kids give good cause for a feel good.  Among my favorite moments in life - I was teaching Elementary PE long ago.... Seven times a day, thirty or so kids would walk into the gym quietly, but OH if I could recapture the smiles from those days, the excited look of  "What are we doin' today coach?"  Twas the best.  Minimum, ten times a day a wonderful little sweaty palm would hand me a piece of candy, a note, a small gift... giving.  They learnt me more than I they.

Have your own little loved ones?  Hug em up, fill your lap... talk, ask, listen.  They 'ain't there long'....  Mine are now 9, 13 and 15.  It usedta be easy.  Pull into ANY playground, two hours of fun guaranteed.  It's a little more difficult now as 'too cool for that' has naturally happened - so, we go, stop, unannounced, no time for "Nah, I don't wanna, I'm too old for that."  They jump out and again, are kids.

Just like we wanna be.

Love, Victurd

Third base.... last stop before home......

My Uncle had always said he wanted to open a bar by that name... Third Base, Last Stop Before Home.  Catchy, mebbe pun intended.  Once upon a time, my bucket list included Cooperstown to see the Baseball Hall of Fame, and - I'd still like to, just dunno if I will ever get the chance.  Was to go with my two cousins - sadly, that's impossible now.  Anyways, in doing research, I noticed THERE IS a bar by that name there! OH to get a T Shirt!

Kinda sorta instead, yesterday I went to Northmoor.  HUH?  Yeah, I know, what I thought too.  To prearrange cremation, you know, last stop before home.  Being a tightwad, I'd called around... several.. most wanted me to come in...nah, no thanks.  I saw that as kinda like shopping for a car (the urn).. WOW, I want that one with the really cool spoke wheels, said, no one.  So, I did what I always do, least expensive.

Victor, are you really sharing this story?  Uh huh.  Are you, the blog person asking this question, the almighty in decision on whatintheheck one can write about, and cannot write about?  No, but it's a tad TMI.

Whatever.  So, walk in... lady says "You Vic?"  Uh huh, Hi.  Really no idle chit chat, strictly business - which, is OK... but I kinda like "off the train tracks" in life.  Relax, exhale, just be you.  I noticed she had ten different tattoos, one on each knuckle.  So a third of the way in, and hoping to temporarily derail the lady, and, truly intrigued as to their meaning, asked.  She must notta heard me... or did, and thought "ain't going there, leave me alone old man, let's get this crap done. or, maybe she'd hold up one of the middle ones and just explain that one."  Nope, nada. Choo Choo, business at hand, er, well, you know.

So, being the good little boy I am, I pressed my luck soon after.  I think, in times of sh*t, levity helps. (One of THE BEST convos I ever had... was a 2 hour visit in a parked camper in front of my aunt's house...  My sister and I only were in town, there to bury our mom.  Of course we cried, hugged, related stories. An hour in.. she excused herself to use the camper restroom. VICTOR, you've told this one before. Bite me.  As she went into the restroom, I hear this "CLICK", the lock on the door.  As she comes out of the restroom, she hears this LAUGH, from me.  YOU LOCKED THE DOOR! DID YOU LIKE REALLY THINK I WAS GONNA COME IN THE RESTROOM?  I loved my sister like cray... she had The Best laugh.. and I got to hear it there.  I will NEVER forget the two hours I was afforded with her that day.)

Bottom line, again, I think levity helps in really ugly life situations.  So, back to pressing my luck,  I asked the 'stay on the train track' cremation lady, "Do you ever tell anyone you're in a dead end job?"  A hint, a hint of the corner of one side of her mouth almost forming a smile... "No, but you know First Responders?  I tell everyone I'm a last responder."  Hey, she didn't come completely off the tracks, but, at least she didn't hit "The Big Air" (Brakes) as we rounded the corner.

I considered circling back to the tattoo questions..."what's the meaning of those"...  Didn't, but if I had, I was gonna continue to relate the only tattoo I EVER thought about getting.  A small one, some inconspicuous place, in keeping with levity in ugly situations, maybe, hopefully, making 'em go down laughing (if it were even possible with train track lady) that would say, again, tiny letters...... Morticians suck.

I asked fitty or so regular ole regular questions.. I listed my ex as the person that will call when that time comes.  Asked "what if she keels first?"...  Asked, "What if you go outta business?"  "# of death certificates?" Being said tightwad, they'd told me I could pay by either regular ole regular check, or, cashiers.  Of course, I wrote a regular check. "Outta curiosity, you ain't gonna hold that until I die and I gotta worry about having enough in my checking forever and ever do I?"  They mail it to the Missouri Funeral something or other, they soon cash it.  "Whew, thanks."

I ain't dying, that I know of... but coincidentally, I'd checked out a book online from the Library a buddy had recommended   Read it on a Kendal, which is also my middle name but the Library misspells Kendal.  Geez, you'd think they would know how to spell it.  It was from Faulkner, written in 1930, "As I Lay Dying."

If you know me......... (VICTOR, how could we not? You got a big mouth/keyboard, you share EVERYTHING.)..  Ahm, if you know me, you know I'm a simpleton and my life includes work, sports, golf, family, pets, gambling (I usedta anyways) , "light" and uh huh, an occasional beer. NO WHERE in there is reading a book.  I ain't read a book in it's entirety since forced to in 6th grade probably.

OK, I admit.  I've missed some good stuff.  The book, kinda hard to read to fully unnnerstand life back in the 1930's... but man oh man.  I was on the edge of my chair (yes, belly hanging over since you say I tell everything) and Faulkner had me.  Nutting but me, the lights out, my chromebook, and 280 pages from 4pm to 9pm.

So, in answer to your question.... (VICTOR, we never asked a question)... Oh, I thought I heard "how was your day yesterday?? Sorry.

I kinda had a dead day.

Hug a loved one and don't forget, laughter can help ease ugly tears.

Love, Victurd

Eenie meanie........

Weather forecast......... cold........ Winter........ for a good bit........then FINALLY having baseball players gather, crank up another season come February.

Our local baseball team was OK, but closer to 'meh' (82-80)... and the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in A LONG TIME.

Sure, the NFL Playoffs are upcoming and I don't wish any team bad luck... it's just the me and Phill Collins, "We don't care anymore, we don't care no more."

Victor, get outta the Winter doldrums, pitchers and catchers report in a month... and, it's BASKETBALL SEASON......... You LOVE Basketball season.

Then, KU flattens MU........... and so does Illinois.........  scroll to what Phil said.

BUT VICTOR......... we've got the FINAL FOUR College Football teams playing!  Ain't that kinda exciting, and, WHO ya rooting for?

OK, I admit, that is kinda exciting - and it's cool to see 'new faces'.........  That said, I'm wishy washy on which of the FOUR I want to win.

MIAMI........ everyone counted them out.  Except the team and their coach.  A good, human interest, 'us against them' story.  Hard not to root for them.

Then, ya got OLE MISS.  After their last regular season game, their coach bolted for LSU, he's kinda had a history of doing that... and, further prediction (I saw a Facebook post ) had him sitting at a desk, gussied up, and it was suggested he's the new leader of Venezuela, HA.  The players that are left.  The coaches that are left.  Hard not to root for them.

INDIANA........The only undefeated team left... a program that'd been a bottom feeder forever and ever.......WOWZER they've turned it around.  Hard not to root for them.

OREGON.  They was neon when neon wadn't cool.  Their conference flat dissolved... they gotta "Win one for the Gipper" (Nike) attitude... and HEY, their coach is a local kid (Richmond, MO) who went to Good Ole WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE!.  Hard not to root for them.

Wishy washy.  I'd tell that old joke but I think it's rated R.

Eenie meanin........  which to choose......

I'll share an old joke I'm sure 99% of you have heard.  Me and Phil don't care no more though.. I think it's fun, funny.......even if, once again, all the dadgum women here get mad at me and run off.  I've grown accustomed to your face.......  no, that ain't it.  I've grown accustomed to women running off...  here's the old joke.

A poor guy was having trouble picking which of the three gals he was dating as a favorite.  As a test, he decided to give each woman $5,000 to see how they would spend it.

The first girlfriend went out and got herself a complete makeover. She told him, "I spent the money so I could look pretty for you because I love you so much."

The second went shopping and bought the man new golf clubs, an iPad and an 80-inch flatscreen TV. She said, "I bought these gifts for you because I love you so much."

The third woman took the $5,000 and invested it in the stock market, doubled her investment, returned $5,000 to the man and re-invested the rest. She said, "I am investing the rest of the money for our future because I love you so much."

The man thought long and hard about how each of his girlfriends had spent the money, and then he decided to marry the one with the biggest boobs.

Damnit VICTOR............ there THEY (the women) went.  You're an idiot!  So... Mr. Wishy Washy...  Mr. Eenie Meenie.......  who ARE you gonna pick?

For some reason, OregOn stood out.

Go Ducks!

Love, and sorry, kinda, Victurd

You deserve a break today.........

Trite...  yet true.

Not Mickey D's. well.. I guess it could be....  Just a break anywhere even if you're mated... a mini one.. 

Victor?  

Yes?

WHO are YOU to give RELATIONSHIP advice?  NO.  NO. NO. NO.  And besides... do you think you're Dear Abby or something?

Well... no..  Just relating what I see, and, what, to me, helps along life's path.  Googling about the benefits of 'a break' brings a long, long list of benefits.

Breaks help prevent and reduce stress.

What's so stressy Victor?  Ahm, when's the last time you had your buddies over for burgers?  Did you have to take out a loan?  Steal from your IRA?

Breaks can enhance your mood.

Victor, if you're gonna talk R rated (again) I gotta warnya, there ain't been a woman to read this blog in three weeks or so prolly.  I know I know, and I'm not.  I speak to current mood. It seems we're all on edge (and all, or most of us, guilty).  Pleasant conversations, especially social network ones, go astray in a heartbeat.  Mudslinging, defriending, "snooze for 30 days on (so and so)".. I think we, most, have been there.  It's trying.

Breaks help improve your physical health.   

I know personally, I will never gallop the 600 yard dash or do many pull-ups - but, the saying for us old farts, "If you don't move, you die" I really think is true.

Breaks restore your motivation.

I resemble needing that.  Old age makes "No" easier to say on invites.  We shouldn't so much, and really I ain't trying to be Joel Olsteen, just trying to help us all.

Breaks fuel your creativity.

Victor?  Yeah?  You've been blogging damn near every day.  OK OK OK, I get it, and you're right.  I will take one, no promises on improving creativity, that's a tough one for me.

Breaks improve your memory and learning.

Cant hurt, huh?

Breaks allow you to reassess and keep an overview.

OK Google, I call BS on this one.  Sure, maybe this fits the working world, whippersnappers..  us old folks, that sounds too much like "Linkedin" or, "When's the last time you updated your resume'?  Not no's but hells to the no's.  Gee Officer Krupke, you've done it again.

Breaks prevent fatigue and improve concentration.

I can go for that, oh oh oh........ Ahm, Victor.  You've butchered the lyrics to that Hall and Oates song for years.  It's "I can't go for that, no no no.."  I dunno about your fatigue, but mebbe a break could improve your damn concentration.

Breaks improve your mental health and overall wellbeing.

OK, joshing aside - I think we have a huge mental health issue today.  Who knows 'the why', and I'm certain the reasons are many.  From personal observation, better healthcare, easier access too could, would certainly help - but hey, a break is inexpensive, I think we oughta heed.

Breaks increase your productivity.

Again, sounds kinda Linkedin, resume'ish, go, be an atta boy, but too...  I put things off (cleaning, laundry, everday stuff...) then, worry about it twofold.  A break certainly couldnt hurt..

Of breaks:  You fer sure don't need my help here.  For one, it may be a trip to the Library and that real comfy easy chair they got there, a good book and quiet..  For another, it may be a week in St. Thomas....  to yet another, maybe a spin to Lexington MO to see the cannonball that's lodged in the courthouse column....  or, mebbe a month or three in Mehico.

Or, maybe even simply McDonalds.  Ahm, among my McDonalds visits I remember:

1. Learning I was old...  "Black coffee please...."   "Thanks, and here's your Senior Coffee!"

2.A four year old grandchild, maybe three, don't remember, in the playroom, standing up, holding the plate of pancakes I just helped 'em get two tubs of syrup on, look me in the eye, and flip it over so it all falls on the floor.

3. As the order taker gave me my total and said "Please go ahead and pull to the first window" so... I did. And I hear the lady in the adjacent lane holler "IT'S EVERY OTHER CAR YOU IDIOT".

4.  Ordering from the app, then pulling up to the speaker... "BN47 for Vic, and, can I get a small water with that?"  The speaker lady says "I cant add to your order, you'll have to tell them at the window".... and, this stressy old fart thinks to himself, a multibillion dollar industry and there ain't no way to notify 'em I want a water?  Two tin cans and some string mebbe?  So's, I gets to the window... "Here's your buy one get one sausage biscuit sir.."  Hey thanks, can I add a small water to that?  "OK, but I'll have to ask you to pull forward to stall number two and we'll get it."

Maybe Burger King would be better anyways.  They're flame broiled too.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em.  No, that ain't it.  Just take a break, perty please.  We all need 'em.

Love, Victurd

Danger Danger, Warning Warning, It's Political.....

I know I'm not supposed to do this.  I subject my own self to scorn. That's OK.  There are just so many examples of 'The Derangement Syndrome' I think it's only fair if we ask, "Who? When?  What's been said?  Prove it!"

OK.

Mitch McConnell, then Senate Minority Leader.. "Failed insurrection... that mob was fed lies... provoked by the President."

Kevin McCarthy, then House Minority Leader... "the people who broke the law should face repercussions... I've had it with this guy."

Mike Pence, Vice President.. "the attack on our Capitol will not be tolerated and those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law....  I will likely never see eye to eye with him."

Rep Chip Hoy (R-Texas) "Today, the people's House was attacked, which is an attack on the Republic itself. There is no excuse for it.  A woman died. And, people need to go to jail. (He) should never have spun up certain Americans to believe something that simply cannot be."

Lindsey Graham (R-SC) "When it comes to accountability, the (He) needs to understand that his actions were the problem, not the solution, that the rally yesterday was unseemly, it got out of hand. I said on the Senate floor, who the legitimate President-elect of the United States is."

John Bolton (R- National Security Advisor) "(He) is not fit to be president. A second term would be irreparable."

Alyssa Farah Griffin (R - White House Communications Director)  "(He) is wholly unfit for office and a clear and present danger to democracy."

Ted Cruz (R-Texas) "(He) is a sniveling coward... a big, loud New York bully..  this man is a pathological liar. He doesn't know the difference between truth and lies.... utterly amoral."

In the lead up to the 2024 election, the Derangement multiplied...they ganged up..  spoken out against (Him), the list included Mike Pence, former VP, Cabinet level officials John Bolton, Dan Coats, John Kelly, H.R. McMaster, Mark Esper... White House Officials..  Griffin, Stephanie Grisham, Sarah Matthews, Anthony Scaramucci, Marc Short...  Greg Brower - FBI, John Mitnick - Homeland Security, Richar Spencer - Navy Secretary, Olivia Troye - Homeland Security, William Webster - Homeland Security. (Continued)

Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Todd Young, former Senators Jeff Flake, Bob Corker, Rob Portman, Pat Tooney, Goron Humphrey, Nancy Kassebaum, Judd Gregg, George LeMieux, Mack Mattingly, Mitt Romney, Alan Simpson, John Sununu... a long, REALLY long list of current and former Representatives.. State and Local Officials..  Former Jucicial Officials.. State and County Judicial Officials, Party Officials (aplenty), Organizations... Publications.. 

IT. IS. ALL. THEY. KNOW. HOW. TO. DO

Pile on........

Life should be as in football... if you pile on a downed player, it's automatic 15-yard personal foul.

Derangement Syndrome...  It ain't right ... WAIT.. I thought it was left?

They always, always pick on me
They never, never let me be
I'm so very lonesome, awfully sad
It's a long time since I've been glad,

But,I know what I'll do bye and bye,
I'll eat some worms and then I'll die,
And when I'm gone you wait and see,
They'll all be sorry that they picked on .

Sorry, but you know I'm not really...... It's just a tired message.  We have both left and right shoes. And pardon me, er, I mean them, which, happened.  How soon they forget.

Love, Victurd