“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, It is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
Happy Labor Day Family & Friends. I hope your long weekend was a hoot. I personally am rather sad. Summer came and went so fast I didn't even get to enjoy it. I am hoping that this fall will be such that I can enjoy and travel a bit perhaps.
I gave our beloved solid waste agency and garbage collectors the day off yesterday. I mean it is called Labor Day so I thought it was fitting to give those people a day off as a way to honor their efforts. I'm certain they appreciate the three day weekend. They will learn later this week that they only have a one day weekend this coming weekend. They will be working Saturday picking up Fridays trash. Just guessing, but I bet they will not appreciate a one day weekend.
I don't know about you but I am really happy that there are around 60 days until election day. I sure wish Iowa wasn't a so-called swing state. We would have fewer political robo calls I think. I have gotten so much mail from Romney that I feel like we are old friends. Never met the dude in my life. Obama doesn't spend much time on me however. It's probably because I am distressed with this prolonged economic condition. Maybe I'm more jealous than distressed because I haven't found a way to make money during this time. Not being a banker, financial expert, or someone of this ilk has certainly been a stumbling block keeping me from cashing in.
I have been wanting to give a big shout-out to a dear friend of mine – Missouri Molly. Oh, we go way back. Many years ago she and her husband became rather well known in the quarter house and rodeo arenas. I say that like I know what I am talking about. Actually, all I know is that they liked horses and I am guessing about the rodeo thing. You see I am not really a horse person although I have been accused of horsing around rather frequently. Sorry, back to my shout-out. Tragically, seventeen years ago her husband passed suddenly. Since that time she and her family have hosted a rodeo about this time each year in his memory. Such a beautiful way to honor him. Where she got this talent for horses, I don't know but I am proud of her. Personally, I don't know much about them except for the fact that THEY DON'T LIKE ME!
I had a surprise yesterday. My brother and his wife dropped in to visit for a bit. Nice to see them again since it has been a rather long time. We had a great time and naturally, I had to show them around pointing out all of the improvements I have completed this year. It cost them a pretty penny to be decked out in all of the Harley gear. His wife told us that the cost of the bike is the small part of it. All of the add-ons are what really cost. Actually, with his white whiskers he looked like the old dude on “American Chopper”. Reflecting back on the visit, I have to admit that his Harley and the Harley gear upstaged my paltry upgrades to the property. Am I jealous – sure; do I want one of those machines – ah, no. Thanks anyway, I like 4 wheels and a steering wheel. Heck, it took him ten minutes to get the bug goo off of his teeth when they got here. He said the bugs weren't too bad this summer. Right! Do you and your siblings try to one up each other? Probably just our family. I think it is hereditary probably. Shoot, we have a box of “chocolate cover cherries” that have been passed around our families for 40+ years. The box actually contains “greetings from Rudolph” - deer poop in other words. It is really a cherished gift.
I was in my “favorite?” Grocery store the other day. My current wife and I have been trying to take advantage of the fresh produce this summer so we bulk up on fruit and veggies every time we make a visit. Now, I go to the store a lot. I know where everything is located, you know, the whole bit. I'm sure you all are the same way. I have seen a lot of things and customer antics over the years. But the other day, I just stood and watched a middle aged woman standing in front of the grapes. Our store has the grapes prepackaged in cheap plastic zip-loc type bags. Well, this lady was taking a bag of grapes, inspected it, then she would pluck a small bunch of grapes from the package and put them into another plastic bag. She would grab another bag of grapes and repeat this procedure. She did this for quite a while until she had her bag full. I stood with my mouth open but when I notice another woman doing the same thing, I began questioning my shopping habits. I was under the impression that one was supposed to review the packages of grapes and select the bag that looked the best to you. Who knew that wasn't the way to shop for grapes. That certainly explains why my bag of grapes are less than ideal. Lesson learned. In the same vain I notice all the time an elderly customer will look over the bananas. They usually only want 2 or 3 which is fine. However, I have noticed lately ladies selecting their bananas the same way they do the grapes. They take one or two from this bunch, maybe another couple from another bunch and so on. Now that makes me go nuts. In order for me to get 5,6 or 7 bananas I have to settle for several bunches of “seconds”. Why can't I find a “friendly smile” when I need one?
Plans are coming together for the weekend extravaganza at Grandpa Bailey's Doggie Fitness Center and Spa. Billy Bob will have his sanitary sewer sucking service truck there. He will be giving demonstrations of the correct sucking technique. I think he is giving away doggie poop bags also. Sure hope he gives his truck a washing with Fabreeze or something. I have also arranged for Gino to perform every couple of hours with his trained monkey and dog show. They do all sorts of stuff. I have convinced Jenny, the elder, to bring Kinnick out so we can harness him up to my decorated wagon to give kids rides. Kay decided she would hold some work shops for people with pets. She will be demonstrating one on one different forms of workouts for dogs and their owners to do together. You know exercising is more fun when you do it with someone. The face painter is on board to paint kids and dog's faces. The masseuse is excited to setup and give some doggie massages. Daughter Debby, the younger, will be on site to counsel dogs and their owners who have issues with private mini counseling sessions. I was going to get a balloon guy but helium is in a short supply so I nixed that idea.
It has been interesting watching and listening to the other shop owners gossiping about what I am doing. I think they are seeing a lost opportunity and would like to get in on it but don't want to eat crow. Although I think crow is a staple with the gray hairs at the library. So next weekend could be a hoot. I will probably have more to add to the weekend as this week progresses. I will keep you up to date.
On a very serious note, I have been searching unsuccessfully for a device known as a “bone folder” or “folding bone”. If anyone knows where I can get one or two that would be great. Simply put these devices originally made from ivory but probably of plastic now give you the ability to fold paper with a perfect crease.
On an even more serious note, we just learned that the father of one of our Hawkeye tailgate friends from Chicago has passed. Our thoughts, prayers and best wishes go out to them. We will be thinking of them. Last weekend they spent the day with the Hawkeyes at Soldier Field for the opening football game of the 2012 season.
Many of you have asked me over this summer, “Hey, don't you know any Useless Drug Facts?” Most of you also know that I know a little bit about everything or at the very least I think I do. Here goes, folks, some really useless drug facts. Did you know.........
In the Andes Mountains of Peru, where porters can work with superhuman endurance for days with little or no food by chewing the leaves of the coca plant (from which cocaine is extracted), distances are measured in cocadas rather than miles. A cocada is the span of road that can be traveled after chewing one portion of coca leaves.
In 1865 opium was grown in the state of Virginia and a product was distilled from it that yielded 4 percent morphine. In 1867 it was grown in Tennessee; six years later it was cultivated in Kentucky. During these years opium, marijuana, and cocaine could be purchased legally over the counter from any druggist.
The drug thiopentone can kill a human being in one second if injected directly into the blood.
Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew Canabis sativa (marijuana) on their plantations.
In sixteenth-century Europe, many druggists sold medicine made from the powder of Egyptian mummies. Such “medicine” was considered good for gout and catarrh and was often incorporated into products known as “mummy balm” or “Egyptian salve”. In 1564 someone named Guy de la Fontaine attempted to corner the mummy market in Alexandria, a center for the export of such commodities. He discovered that Alexandrian merchants had for some time been selling the mummified remains of derelicts who had died not so long before from a variety of rather loathsome diseases.
Yikes, my children's mother just blasted in alerting me that Michael Strahan is the new co-host with Kelly Ripa and the show is now called Kelly & Michael. That news flash is hot off the wires folks. She also reminded me that my coffee is gone and I have begun to ramble instead of Driveling and it is time to terrorize the people at the gym, so I had best shut this thing down. I certainly don't want to be accused of “rambling”. For goodness sakes. Until we meet again down this long road of life, TA!
No comments:
Post a Comment