Deck the Halls...

Remember all the really nice days right before Thanksgiving, and the mid-50s on the Friday after Thanksgiving?  Well, a smart person would have thought that was the ideal time to put up outdoor Christmas decorations.  And then there's me -- I thought it would be ideal for that one last round of golf for the year.  Oh, I didn't skip the decorations this year, I just waited until the temps got down to the upper 30s and low 40s.  Nothing like a good 15 mph wind and a 35 degree afternoon to inspire a procrastinator like me.  Just something about hitting your fingers and thumb with the hammer when you're putting up garland.  And top that off with a cold, runny nose -- man it just doesn't get any better than that!!!

So anyhow, here are the pictures of our efforts.  I think they turned out pretty nice.  Here is a picture of the front of the house.

You may recall that we put a pergola on the back of the house this fall.  Well, I thought it needed some decorating so I went out and bought a tree to liven it up a bit.  I hadn't shopped for an artificial tree for a while so I had a case of sticker shock when I went to Lowes to see what they had.  I ended up buying a cut tree -- not quite the Charlie Brown version though.  It was a pretty nice tree, about 6 feet tall.  I figured I could throw it out back by the shed after Christmas and then sink it in the pond this spring to serve as cover for the fish.  Sounds like a plan -- I just hope I remember that this coming year when I get snagged on it while going after Walter.  I don't think I 'll tell all the other people who come up to fish.  Let them find out by themselves!!

I took some pictures of the back.  The night ones take on that "Away in a manger" look.  And I think the bow kinda makes it, don't you think? 

Two things I will learn about decorating the back deck -- I will see if the water in the tree stand freezes, and I will see if the tree keeps its needles until Christmas.  Just an experiment.

I don't think I'll take the Christmas lights down.  They'll look so festive for Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day.

Hooah

Lots to give thanks for...

We had a real nice Thanksgiving family get together hosted by Linda and Luke and, of course, their dog Buddy.  It was a real nice drive up to their house, sunny and temps in the upper 50s.   Brian, Melissa and the kids were also able to join us this year which was nice since we haven't seen them for a couple of years.  I enjoyed a part of the afternoon talking with Brian about different military things (he's a former Marine but I don't hold that against him !!!).  Got a real good picture of all of us.  Check it out.

  One other thing that I might mention --  there was quite a bit of wind which figured into another interesting thing -- all the wind turbine farms.  Once we got on the outside of Van Wert, there they were.  They just popped up and it was really fascinating.  They were all over the place, these giant poles and the three blades swirling around in a slow, but steady rotation.  It was kinda like some Orwellian "War of the Worlds" thing all around us.  Luke said there were 200 of them spread out all through this area.  I took some pictures, but they don't do it justice.  And it was a bit distracting driving -- we couldn't stop staring at them.

There are signs all over the place down in our area about "no wind turbines."  People say they create such a racket when the blades are turning in a stiff wind.  Well when I stopped to take these pictures, I couldn't hear anything (of course, my wife says I can't hear anyway, so you be the judge).  I saw an article in the SDN looking to sway public opinion against these turbines because they kill the earthworms all around the bases of these things.  I didn't get a shovel out to check it out, but I would doubt if any more worms are killed after their construction than might be killed by the application of fertilizers and manure to the same fields.  Anyway, check these out.

Luke told us that he heard each of these would provide the electricity to power 500 homes.   They also told us that the local schools benefited substantially from the taxes these things generate.   That's great for the local residents who have to support the schools with their taxes.  Can you say "ROLLBACK."

All in all, it was an enjoyable, interesting day.  Too bad this happens only a few times a year.  But being spread out pretty much from Columbus to western Ohio means it's hard to get everyone in the same place all at once.  Then when you add D, D, & Q being in NY, it's really hard.  So we just enjoy the times we do get and remember them until the next time.

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice.  (Meister Eckhart)

Hooah

I wonder what else is still working...

Yesterday was an exceptionally good day as both my lovely bride and I both turned 64 -- just now entering the prime of our lives.  We had a nice dinner and took a nice walk later in the afternoon (the sun was out and it was in the mid 50s here).  In fact, I could have probably played golf again, but thought it would still be nice this week and instead chose to watch the Browns blow a double-digit lead and lose to the Cowboys.

Anyway, I thought since Pam and I are still moving around pretty good, what else around here has held up that well.  I didn't have to look too long as I noticed a couple of objects in our bedroom that have been pretty dependable -- a couple of fans and a white noise maker.

I got all three of these things in 2005 while stationed in DC.  The black fan has run pretty much 24x7 since I bought it.  I like a soft gentle movement of air in the bedroom so it has passed the E.B. (Energizer Bunny) Test with flying colors.  The only time I turn it off is when we take the face off it and wipe down the blades and dust it.

The silver fan and the noise maker haven't been put into that much service, but they are both used every day.  The noise maker is on every night and sometimes during the day when we might have a thunder storm -- it helps settle down Bailey.  And for some reason, she really likes lying in front of the two fans.

I have never checked these items to see where they were manufactured, but wherever it was, they certainly did a pretty nice job.  I wonder if any of these companies are still in business.

Oh yeah, when I was putting this article together, I heard a little whimper in the corner of the office room, over by the old computer.  It was Barnabus.  He was my flying buddy.  He has logged about 10 years of flying with me.  He just wanted to remind me that he was still here, on duty if I needed him, ready to go at a moment's notice.  Sorry, old buddy.  You'll just have to be content to flying a desk for now.  Happens to the best of us.

And then there is one other thing I have to tell you about that has been "working" for a real long time -- my golf clubs.  I don't know if I can say they were "working" all this time -- it's more like a labor of love (most of the time).  I got the irons made way back in 1972.  They are PGA Ryder Club models.  Someone I was playing with the other day said these clubs are called "muscle back clubs" and aren't seen much these days.  At first I thought he might have said they were "knuckle head clubs" which would have matched my game some.  But he didn't.  And he also liked my putter (an old PING Answerer model) and said he saw one on the internet going for about $200. 
Like I said, these clubs are still working pretty well.  I shot a 99 the other day (pretty cold and windy) and one of the guys I was playing with shot 100.  I told him I was 10 strokes better than him.  He said how's that?  I said I shot in the 90s and you were in the 100s.  And that's how I learned golf math.

So those are some of the things I have seen in the last day or two that really have held up over the years -- just like my bride and me.

To me, old age is always ten years older than I am.

Hooah

Pergola all set for next year...

I don't know if everyone felt that this summer was a really hot one, but we certainly did.  In fact, there were times in these summer months that we really couldn't use our deck on the back of the house  because the boards were so hot your feet got burned if you were barefoot out there.

Well we decided to do something about it and got a pergola built.  We originally talked to a contractor about getting it built way back in early September, but their schedule didn't allow them to get to us until last week.  And what a week it was.  They started to work early in the week when the temperatures on Monday and Tuesday were in the mid- to upper 70s (got two rounds of golf in !!).  Then they got rained out for a day, and then had to work on it as the temperatures fell to the upper 40s.   They finished today with winds gusting to upper 30 m.p.h. and temps (wind chill) at 28 degrees.

Not only did we put up the pergola, but we also expanded the deck a bit to all ow us to move the deck table and chairs around a bit and expand the seating area.  

Anyway, they did a real nice job and I think it will be a very welcome addition come next summer.

The worst part of this was how it altered Bailey's routine.  She had to change her route to get out to the yard to do her business.  We took her by the collar out to the yard, and brought her back, but we could tell it took her out of her comfort zone.  Now that they are done she is getting back to her old routine so things are getting back to normal.

It will be interesting to see how this does in its first winter -- which might not be very far away.  With the hurricane off the east coast, we were getting the winds of the winter half of the "perfect storm"  and there was actually a short period of snow flakes and drizzle this afternoon.  So we'll see.

Winter either bites with its teeth or lashes with its tail.  (Proverb)


Hooah

Unsportsmanlike conduct, get your glasses on dummy, and other things...

Pam and I went to OU last weekend for homecoming, something we have been doing on a regular basis for many years.  Generally it is such a beautiful drive through the hills, but even more so at this time of year.  This trip was kind of interesting in several ways, so let me get into them for you.

First item: just as we got past Logan and were wondering what, if any, progress had been made on the Nelsonville by-pass, there was a little traffic detour and shazaam -- we were on it!!  I first made this stretch of road a subject for a blog entry way back on Dec. 16, 2010.  At that time, I wondered if there would ever be a time when we would be able to come here and not have to go through the snail's-paced section of  Rte.33 that contained more traffic lights than all other lights in the whole town put together.  In fact, that chamber of commerce mile contains more traffic lights than all the lights from Columbus to there put together.  So seeing that the by-pass was now open was just that much more sunshine on an already beautiful day.  But lo and behold, after only a mile, there was a sign that said "Expressway ends in 1/4 mile."  My hopes were dashed!!  Out came a yellow flag -- 15 yards for unsportsman-like conduct (intentionally tricking a motorist).  In fact, the end of the detour put us back at the very beginning of the Nelsonville town limits so we still had to worm our way through to the other end of town.  At that end, the road was still dirt and had no signs of even being close to being paved.  So, as I worte in 2010, I may still have a shot at being in "the home" before this ever gets completed.

Second item:  OU's football team is undefeated so far (7-0 and ranked #25 in the AP polls).  My wife will start yelling "Way to go, Mahlon." as soon as she sees this.  You see, Mahlon Rough was a sportscaster for WHIZ radio (yep, that's the real name of the radio station and it's still there) when we were growing up.  It seems that Mahlon was famous for putting the old sportscaster's jinx on everything.  If someone had just hit 5 freethrows in a row, old Mahlon would point out that he hadn't missed one in 5 attempts and how this was a sure thing.  Sure enough, the kid would miss the next one and usually the next 5 or 6 just for good measure.  If a kid had kicked 10 extra points in a row, old Mahlon would put the evil curse on him and sure enough the next one would be missed wide right or left, or go doinking off the cross-bar.  So Pam would say my talking up the Bobcats is evoking the Mahlon curse.  I don't think so -- they look pretty good ('course, you never know about injuries, or someone who might exchange a trinket for a tattoo!).

Third item:  When we were in the stadium, basking in the sunshine and enjoying the game, a guy came up to us and said we were in their seats.  I checked our tickets and sure enough we were in the wrong row -- we were sitting in row 18 and I thought we were supposed to be in row 17.  No problem -- just move down a row to the two empty seats right in front of us (all through the first quarter we were saying how happy we were that those two people didn't come take these seats so we could stretch our legs a bit).  Well, right after that, a lady came up and said we were in their seats.  So out came the tickets again, and sure enough, we were in the wrong row.  I didn't have my glasses on when I looked at the tickets when we first came in the stadium, and all I saw was "17."  Well, we were supposed to be in row 38, not row 17.  So up we went.  I asked Pam where she wanted to move to for the second half.  Now she wants me to get one of those cords you wear around your neck so I will have my glasses with me all the time.  I don't think so.

I have really been impressed with the progress of OU's football and basketball programs.  They have always had good programs in general, but these two in particular have focused the national spotlight on "The Harvard on the Hocking." 
  
All in all, the day was beautiful, the Bobcats won and the seats were great.  Can't ask for much more...except maybe the completion of the Nelsonville by-pass!!! 

The reason women don't play football is because eleven of them would never wear the same outfit in public.  (Phyllis Diller)

Hooah 

Another Bean is on the way...

I have been so wrapped up with getting everything done for the Vets ttip to DC this past month that I forgot to let you all know that D & D are expecting again.  This will be our second grandchild.

It's hard to believe that they can get pictures of this child and we can see it and begin to know it.  Oh, and by the way, this second grandchild is a boy!!  So Quinn will have a little brother.  It was so funny when he first told us he was going to have a little brother or sister (this was back when they visited us in August).  He was so proud.  When Danika told him the baby was inside her, Quinn wanted to know if he could look down her throat and see it!!

Bean #2 is due in February.  D & D have given some thought to a name, but haven't shared it with us yet.  Of course Quinn has a name already picked out -- Oscar.  I doubt that will fly though.

It is said that the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams, so develop and dream little Bean.

Grandchildren are the link between angels and men.

Hooah

Great trip and even greater game...

Pam got me tickets for a football game at West Point as a Christmas present last year.  So I selected the Army-Boston College game, as that is the game (at least for the Cadets) that is just under the Army-Navy game in importance.  Granted, they certainly like to beat the Air Force Academy when/if  they can, but this game usually involves at least regional TV coverage and, given who BC plays throughout, provides them with a pretty good measuring device as to how they might fare against Navy.

So we drove over to NY, across the mountains in PA and it was well worth the drive alone.  The trees were changing colors and the sunshine really showed them off.  In the summer that drive is pretty much what I call "the LONG green mile" -- not much variation until you get high enough to look out over the mountains and valleys.  In the fall the trees really catch your eye and really make it enjoyable.

Once we got to West Point, and finally parked the Jeep, we walked up the hills to the stadium.  we have been there before, but not for a game.  The crowd was huge (seems both teams were 1-4 at the time) and the atmosphere was charged.  Part of the Corps was already in the seats and then one of the brigades marched onto the field for the National Anthem and the reception of the football team.  Lots of pageantry.  The cannons went off as the team took the field, and everyone waited for the sky diving team to jump out of the helicopter that was hovering above the field.  Just one catch -- it was very windy and there was a threat of thunderstorms that morning, so they cancelled that part.  Too bad.  There were lots of other "Army Things" going on all morning and lots for the visitors and parents to see.

The rain never showed up, and the Black Knights ended up winning the game in an exciting fashion, 34-31, leaving the Cadets and their families feeling very good, and the BC fans with nothing to do but return to their tailgating.

That evening we drove down to Brooklyn to stay over night with D, D, Q & B.  I must say, that drive which took us right thru the heart of NY was very busy.  4 & 5 lanes of traffic on each side, packed full of Saturday evening drivers with a slight rain in the dark was quite a thrill!  But we got there safely and had a very nice night and next day with them.

So, having gone to that game, I can now cross another item off my bucket list... cross one off and add three or four others.  Still got a ways to go , but making progress and getting to do lots of things.

Some time in the future, our children and grand children will think it strange that we would burn up a few gallons of gasoline just to go somewhere and see a game or a tree.

Hooah