Trashy Tuesday 8/20/2013

“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

GOOD Morning Drivelholics!!

I hope all is well with you today. I am pretty good. The “good looking” knee continues to come back at a record pace it seems. No limp, no pain and feels stronger every day. I did an easy ½ mile yesterday on the walking trail. Just a little soreness but not bad I didn't think. I will continue to ramp things up slowly which is unusual for me.

I want to give a HUGE shout-out, prayers and good thoughts to my friend Dr. Football. His long time friend “Q” (his black Lab) is not feeling well. Working with his vets I hope all the best for”Q”. We all know how it feels when our best friend is facing some tough times. Get better “Q” and that's an order!

Still with the dog theme, my current wife and I were treated to a 3 dog day on Saturday. Yep, Barney, Max and the Kinnick were all here for the day. Oh, they had a great time and wore themselves out completely. Max of course sustained an injury on his first trip outside to meet and greet his girlfriends behind us. They tend to race back and forth along the chain link fence as fast as they can go, stop and smell noses. Kind of cute actually. However, Max I think pulled a Hamstring or something. He came in on three legs. His mood never changed and he would not acknowledge that he had an injury. He is a tough little pug. They had their share of treats and snacks. Kinnick found some pears we had on the patio table and selected a couple to chew on. Pears were new to Barney and Max. Max decided he didn't want anything to do with them but Barney nibbled on some leftovers from Kinnick and decided that they were kind of tasty. Before we know it, Barney was chowing down on his very own. 
 
Later in the afternoon, I was collapsed in my recliner. The 2 pugs, one on my side and the other between my legs decided that this was a good place and time for a nap. About 4:00 pm Kinnick's dinner bell began going off. He doesn't eat until 6:00 pm – a full 2 hours early. He is obnoxious and not very patient when his tummy is growling. Tired of me ignoring his protestations, Kinnick decided there was room for 3 dogs and a Grandpa on the recliner at the same time. Up he comes. One of his paws landed squarely on a VERY delicate area below my waist. Instantly, with all 80 lbs. being in the right paw, I yelped, screamed and otherwise made an awful racket. My current wife, Sue, in her finest “Florence Nightingale” manner inquired as to what was wrong. Even though I was desperate for help to get this paw off of my area but at the same time not wanting to get vulgar about it, I shouted “HE IS STANDING ON MY DOWN LOW”. Florence, oops, Sue roared with laughter for an awfully long time but never did attempt to help me with my plight. What seemed like an eternity, Kinnick finally got the idea that maybe he should move so he moved his paw. He got the hint I think because I was yelling at him, pounding on him and otherwise trying to get him to move. It very well may have been a payback for not feeding him. I did get my breath back but had a considerable amount of discomfort on my “Down Low” the rest of the evening.

I take my “great looking” knee to the gym the other day. It was so excited to see all of other knees. Some were bruised, some kind of boney and a few chubby ones also. I have commented on some of the patrons in the past. They do a couple of reps then pant for a few minutes. So on so forth – more show than go. So here I am in the gym minding my own business; warming up on the stationary bike when the guy next to me says: ”Hey, man, I can bench 300 pounds - what can you do?" "Uh, read." I replied. Nuff said. The next day, I phoned the gym and asked if they could teach me how to do the splits. The guy on the other end said, "How flexible are you?" I said, "I can't make Tuesdays." He hung up! No idea why. 
 
You know I haven't slapped the Sanitation Pickup crew in the side of the head for a while but I think it is about time. I have never gotten over the rule that your refuse MUST be at the curb by 7:00 am on your scheduled pickup day. It really frustrates me. I have neighbors that begin putting their stuff out on Sunday for crying out loud. Shoot, I did that myself last week. People are paranoid that their trash won't be picked up if it isn't out there by the appointed hour. I am fine with that if they are picking this stuff promptly in the morning. Tuesday is my pickup day. As I am writing this the recycler (Curby) guy just picked my stuff up – it is 1:30 pm. Garbage guy was here a little earlier. I think it would be feasible for them to at least commit to an am or pm pickup but this blanket 7:00 am for everyone is nonsense.

A few weeks ago I was grumbling about the downstairs bathroom. The stool began leaking and I became totally frazzled by yet another plumbing/bathroom adventure. My current wife has strongly suggested I use the downstairs toilet for my “morning” business, if you know what I mean. Well, it is all done and thought I would share a photo of what I came up with. Sure makes those extended stays a little more comfortable, don't you think? Pretty cool – note the grab bar on the right and TP on the left, all within arms reach.

My editorial staff is out of the office today on assignment therefore, the blog will wait until Wednesday for distribution. I am trusting myself less and less each day so it would be to everyone's benefit to have the editors review this. 
 
The staff has returned and has given me the green light. This issue of the Drivel is in the books. Sorry for the delay but it is hard to keep the editors interested in Drivel. Don't understand why that is but that is the way it is. Before, I completely sign-off, I am pondering an interesting dog sitting opportunity. Seems as though there is something called the CranFest in Wisconsin and it is coming up. Daughter Debby, the younger, and her girlfriends have gone the last few years. Barney and Max stay with us for the 4 days. Debby has a friend who is going this year and has 2 black labs. I was asked if I would be interested in a 4 dog 4 day stay over. Something tells me that we will have to discuss it. I am certain that the recliner will not hold me, 2 pugs AND 2 labs. Until we meet again on that dark and lonely road going nowhere, stay safe and stay proud. TA!