These used to be tennis balls. My lab will be 8 months old in 10 days and loves to tear apart tennis balls. He throws them and chases them too.
My ten-year old dog never liked to play with tennis balls; she was a soft-toy dog growing up.
At least they do enjoy rest time together in the evening. They keep me busy, that's for sure!
For me, Thanksgiving day is just another day. But like all other days, today I give special thanks for waking up in the morning, having a roof over my head, being able to watch the Macy's Parade on television, and for the love of my two dogs and a cat. They love me unconditionally.
I also am thankful for my small family and friends. I wish everyone a happy and thankful day.
I recently acquired the book The Torch is Passed: The Associated Press Story of the Death of a President. It is an illustrated book on the death of President John F. Kennedy. I can now add this book to my collection of great books of history. The book included the most famous photo of little John-John ever taken.
That was the message on Michael Brown Jr.'s father's t-shirt on television during a news conference today. It is blatantly obviously that there was NO justice in Ferguson, Mo. yesterday. The prosecutor did everything he could during the grand jury to get Darrin Wilson not indicted.
The saying being heard on social media these days is "want to get away with murder (or kill a black kid), become a cop." Cops can kill unarmed kids and get away with it. No person being called for grand jury duty has the guts to do the right thing and indict the cop for doing the wrong thing. So he gets away with murder. It is a tragedy of enormous proportion.
The only hope is that the Brown family will file suit against Wilson and the Ferguson Police Department and win their case just like the Goldmans did in the O.J. Simpson case. There is precedent in these civil cases.
Now Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin can meet in Heaven and together seek justice for the future kids that will be killed by trigger happy cops. There was one in Cleveland just the other day.
While sitting in the bank's drive-through isle, I noticed a lot of birds lined up on the overhead wires, all facing the same direction.
Being curious, I looked it up online. According to Wild Birds Unlimited, "Birds sit on power lines, trees, roofs or any perch, facing into the wind. Any other direction would ruffle their feathers. It's also easier to communicate."
When I was much younger, I learned that this high-wire bird formation in late fall also means that winter weather is VERY close behind. Be prepared, because winter is coming early this year!
It's been a while since I have written a long blog, but I've been sick off and on for a while. But today, I must tell the story of the Rube Goldberg effort. Necessity is the mother of invention!!
First, I want to thank the great people at my local Home Depot – Ashley, Brad, and Kim for all their help (especially Ashley). Without their help, I would not have gotten this renovation job done.
A couple years ago, the tiles on the back wall of my bathtub area started to come loose. As time wore on, to prevent them from falling off, I put duct tape on them. One year later, more duct tape. When the tiles started tilting forward, I finally decided that something had to be done.
With Ashley and Brad's help, I priced the materials to replace the back wall of tiles and the proper method to do so. It seemed like hard, complicated work.
On another day, I priced the fiberglass insert (3/5 piece walls) – my other option. The insert and adhesive were about the same price as replacing just one wall. After talking to the experts (mentioned) at Home Depot, I decided to go with the fiberglass wall insert method. Kim, in the Home Appliance department, helped me pick out the Allura style insert, which the inventory list said was available. However, it could not be found while I was there. It was a Friday, and more stock was due in on Monday, according to Kim. I said I'd wait.
The next morning about 8 am, I got a call from Brad at Home Depot. He found the Allura box in the overflow stock area overhead and it was available for me to come pick it up. That to me is dedication to the job. I had spoken to Brad when I was pricing the tile replacement job. Kim related to Brad that I was looking for the item that was suppose to be in the store, and he took it upon himself to find it for me. Saturday, I went to Home Depot and purchased the tub insert and the greenboard drywall.
Sunday afternoon, the guy who was going to do the job showed up with his helper. The helper turned out to be the contractor, and the one who agreed to do the job was the helper, after the job started. A tarp was put in the tub and I pulled the duct tape off the wall and all the tiles fell into the tub. There was nothing behind the tiles in that section. The plaster had desintigrated and fell behind the tub wall under the house. As the workers removed the rest of the tiles on the wall, there was only a small bit of deteriating plaster between the rear studs.
The top of the back wall was in tact and usable; the right side wall was totally in tact; and half the left side wall was useable. Therefore, only three-quarters of the back wall had to have drywall attached, and half of the front side.
The next day, the insert was installed with the tubes of adhesive I had purchased. The glue residue from the tiles was still on some of the wall area. It was sanded down and drywall mud was applied to cover that area.
Tuesday the guys came back to apply a second coat of drywall mud to the wall area. After it dries, it can be sanded and a primer coat of paint applied to protect the wall from moisture. In order to assist in the drying process, I put my small space heater in the bathroom overnight to keep the room warm. It worked, because it was all dry by noon the next day.
They were coming back to sand and primer on Wednesday. I contacted the “helper” but got no response. I contacted the “guy” but got no response. So now my handyman said he will finish the job. I bought the paint and primer.
After being without a proper shower area from Sunday to Wednesday, I took it upon myself to “make-do.” Rube Goldberg was always an inspiration to me, because my father would speak of him often. I used old-faithful duct tape to attach both my shower curtain and liner to the wall around the shower. The walls had not been caulked yet. It worked! I got an 'almost real' shower.
Needless to say, the contractors never came back after they got paid. I won't be recommending them any time soon! But they did get the job done those three days. My handyman came to sand and primer the wall areas on Thursday. Saturday he came back to paint the entire room after I stripped the walls of decorations.
On Sunday morning, I opened the paint can and touched up a few areas that needed attention and began to put the room back together. The wall decorations went up, the floor (and everything else) was cleaned, and the shower curtains went back up on the rod. When I was finished at 3pm, the room looked like a normal - newly decorated – bathroom. Success!
The finishing touch was to add the border around the tub wall that matches the ceiling border. After 3 pm, I got my first REAL SHOWER in my newly decorated area and it was GOOD. One week without a proper shower area is too long; sponge baths get old fast.
If it were not for the help I got at Home Depot, this job would not have been done in a financially responsible manner. I also want to thank my best girlfriend for her assistance in getting this mission accomplished. She is a TRUE friend!
I usually don't talk politics on my blog, but I will be so glad when the November elections are over. It probably won't change much in the Ohio State House or in Washington D.C., but I won't have to wear out my mute button on the remote to stop the lying ads on TV.
The dirty money in politics has overrun the airwaves with ads that are downright lies, because politicians are trying to BUY this election. The Republicans are the worst. I am so sick of listening to the lies and twisting of the truth, it is outrageous.
So everyone - please get out to vote on November 4th, because by then I will probably have worn out the remote button to stop hearing the lies. There is no law against lying in television ads, and the Republicans are sure taking advantage of every inch they can crawl under our skin.
I've decided they should make larger mute buttons on every size of remote control. I would like to have one like in the photo, so I could just smash it until November 4.
More than a year ago, I was used and treated badly by a young man the same age as my son. He took advantage of me and hurt me deeply. I had helped him in many ways and gave him unconditional love and support. I want to say - I forgive him.
One sermon at church this year was about forgiveness and the words really hit home with me. I must forgive to let go of the pain and move on in life. He will no longer have any space in my life, but I have released my feelings and have inner peace now.
In August, I had another devastating loss, but one I have learned to deal with and move on. A former friend said something that was not true, because she did not know all the facts of a situation. When I verbalized this, she abruptly turned against me and we are no longer friends. It is hard to deal with a person who thinks they are ALWAYS right, even if they are wrong. When there is no empathy, and the person does not have the will or courage to apologize, I accept the loss and move on. I forgive her for treating me badly, and sometimes using and (self-admittedly) manipulating me. I now have inner peace, because I have released the pain from my life.
Forgiveness is the best way to achieve inner peace, because it releases all the pain and bad feelings from within. It also allows the past to become the past, not ever present on the mind. I feel better because true loyal friends would not treat another person in this way. I am probably better off today than I was a year ago.
One of the first things that happened during my two week (approx) hiatus from blog writing, was the window fail in my truck. It happened during the second half of September and I called my friend, and trusty mechanic, to have him fix it. Being so busy, it was a couple weeks before he could get to it.
The passenger side window would not roll down so I just didn't use it. I don't like to use the air conditioner in the truck except when the temperature is above 85 degrees outside. I like the fresh air.
My mechanic came over and picked up my truck, took it to his garage and took the door panel off to check the motor and track. He called me a little while later and told me that the regulator on the window motor was dead. He called Auto Zone (where he used to work) and got a price and it was in stock. I drove my car to Auto Zone, picked up the part and delivered it to him. Within two hours total, my truck was fixed and he brought it back to me. He is just GOOD at what he does!
I took this picture while dropping off the part, because I had never seen the inside of a door panel on a Chevy truck. The front panel is on the left, hanging on by the electrical wires that are enclosed in the door. The motor is attached to the outer door under the plastic covering. The truck is now fixed and ready for winter.
This week was a birthday I was happy to celebrate. Duke turned six months old and is such a good, smart dog. He is growing rapidly thanks to Mars Pedigree Puppy Food.
Duke is now 24 inches tall at the middle of his back; 22 inches long from the base of his tail to the base of his neck, and weighs 44 pounds - AT SIX MONTHS!
At or about six months, Duke needed his third in the series of DHL/Parvo/etc shots so I took him to the vet. The vet gave him a mild checkup and said his legs were growing (almost) too fast for his age and asked what I was feeding him. After I told him, he said to switch him to regular adult dog food now, instead of waiting the usual next six months for him to turn one year old. He said I could mix the food until he adapted to the adult food. I mixed it for two days and he was ALL IN for the other food. He loves mealtime. No more puppy food for this graduate!
My cat likes to play with Duke sometimes, slightly teasing him. She will sit on his blanket and dare him to join her. One day I found him straddling the cat on his blanket, but not in a captive manner. I discouraged him from doing so with a stern look. I haven't seen him do it since.
I talk to him often and he seems to understand and responds appropriately. We are now working on the STAY command, since he has mastered the other five standards so far. He continually amazes me with his intelligence, love and devotion.
I was on my way home from Home Depot the other day when I saw something that made me stop on the side of the street. When I saw it, the vehicle brought back memories from the late 1960s to late 1970s.
After doing a little research, this model of Volkswagon Bus was made between 1968 and 1978. I did not check the taillight housing for its exact year, because there was a woman in the front seat at the time.
The Volkswagon gave me the impression of travelers on a great journey cross-country or vacation. The bicycles on the back give them transportation in campground areas possibly. The two cargo haulers on top might mean they have all or most all their personal belongings with them.
The vehicle was parked at one of the local laundromats in town. During their travels, they have probably stopped in several cities to wash clothes. I didn't see the rear license plate, but I did notice that the vehicle comes from a state that does not require a front license plate. (Not Ohio)
I remember seeing many of these VW buses while growing up in the 60-70s. What a rare find here in my hometown!
I took some time out to deal with a home renovation which was very necessary this month. I have neglected my blog, but now that the job is finished, I can get back to THINKING again. Tomorrow I will start to share the events of the past few weeks, so please stay with me. Thanks.
I have five pieces of furniture, two lamps, and about 30 tote boxes of items collected so far. Each day as I walk through the house, I find another item to add to a box of sale items. I'm cleaning out my cupboards in the kitchen also. If I don't use it – it's going to be gone.
I have cleaned half of the garage and will have more items to sell when the second half is completed. My garage is getting neater as I go. There are so many items for the sale that can't go into totes or boxes, but I'm sure I can fill two pickup trucks, not counting furniture.
I read a book called Minimalist: Decluttering for Joy, Health and Creativity. I found that I could do more with less, meaning that I didn't need all the visual “stuff” sitting around on table tops and bookcases.
Since I am getting out of the craft business, I filled two tote boxes of crafty items and donated them to my church rummage sale coming up next week, along with several other items.
I have a couple items boxed to ship to my niece in Oklahoma, since she wanted them. I have not heard from any other family members yet as to what they might want or need. I am still checking.
Today, I cleaned out my front “coat” closet and found one to donate to the rummage sale, The Ohio State University Buckeyes jacket (which I put on Facebook for sale since it is new), and two others that I will try to give to someone in need of a winter jacket. That thinned out the closet to what I really wear or need. I have two pair of winter boots, each for different depths of snow, and that is all I need.
It feels good to unburden the mental attachment to items and let things go. I can do well with less – just what I really need. My living room will look more roomy once I remove the four large furniture items; and the dining area will improve after the china cabinet and contents are sold, including the silverware set in the felt-lined wooden case that I've stored for 50 years.
I am anxious to declutter and move on – looking forward to the future.
I watched the Miss America pageant the other night and one of the best performances in the talent section was from Miss Ohio. She should meet another great ventriloquist, Jeff Dunham; they would make a great team. She sang a popular song and favorite of mine - watch this: (She's really good!)
Yesterday, I supported the Washington Fire Department's effort to raise money for the MDA Fill The Boot Campaign. They were having a drive-thru car wash on Saturday for donations. I believe in supporting their fundraising efforts.
Captain Larry McGarvey, Lt. Martin Rennison, Lt. Tim Downing, and FF Jason O'Dierno did a good job of washing all the summer dirt off my truck. It really needed that bath. Thanks guys!
A friend gave me half a very large cantaloupe last week. I cut it up in small chunks and threw the rind away.
Then last Friday at the free produce delivery at my church, I received a small watermelon. I also cut this fruit into small slices to put in the refrigerator.
Since the trashcan was not yet full, I didn't take the trash out that night. The next morning I found fruit flies in my kitchen. They are quick!!!
I did some online research and found out that a small container of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap is the best killer. I used a small plastic container, drilled a few holes in the lid and filled it appropriately. I let it sit on my kitchen sink overnight and it worked! I have only seen two since then, so I let the container stay out overnight once again. Plus, I emptied the trash and now I think they are all gone.
So if you have purchased (or been given) any fruit, leave it out or cut it for refrigeration, and you find the pesky fruit flies, put some apple cider vinegar in a container (plastic or glass) and add a few drops of Dawn (or other dish soap), cover and let it sit out overnight. You can use a covered plastic bowl or a glass jar (cover with plastic wrap and poke a couple holes in the wrap).
Fruit flies love the sweet smell, are drawn to the liquid, and they die in it. The cover with a few holes prevents the flies from escaping before contact with the liquid.
IT DOES WORK!!
Today I remember my parents who were married 77 years ago today, September 11, 1937. I think of you often and miss you lots!
I also remember the events of September 11, 2001 and pray for the many lives that were lost in the twin towers tragedy and pentagon plane crash. May all the families find comfort in the good memories of their loved ones.
“The virtue lies in the struggle, not in the prize.” - Richard M. Milnes
After doing some genealogy research, I set a goal, a two-part goal. I believed it to be an attainable goal. I laid out a plan and began to act on that plan. Every goal needs a plan.
Then my goal was hijacked. I made the mistake of telling someone my goal. There was no “can I help?” There was no “I have some resources that might be able to help, may I call them for you?” There was only one statement, “I WILL get this for you.” “I can do this.”
I appreciated the effort, but I wish I had been asked first. The person made me feel like I could not do things for myself. I have made it through most of my adult life working hard and doing things for myself. My father's greatest statement to me, which I heard many times, was “you have two feet to stand on and a head on your shoulders, now use them!” I never forgot that teaching.
When I set out to accomplish my goal, I was reminded a few times that the someone else could do it better, faster, and my methods would “be to no avail.” I said they were wrong, to let the process take place and see what happens. I had faith in the outcome. The person had no faith in ME.
When half my goal was attained by someone else, not giving me a chance or any input, it was no longer MY goal. The person had to be first to boast about accomplishing something that I had set out to do. You know, like the little kid that has to be first on the bus, or first to raise their hand in class, always wanting attention.
I was hurt and felt 'put down' and my self-esteem was damaged. I said thank you, but I did not give the excited exuberance that was wanted by the hijacker and for that I was severly chastised.
I continued to pursue the second half of my goal. I purposely did not talk about the emails and phone calls that were taking place, nor the plan that was working. When the process had time to play-out, because I am a patient person, I was surprised one day with a successful outcome. All I could think was – I'm not so dumb afterall – even though I was surely made to feel dumb by the hijacker. I had accomplished my goal. It gave me great satisfation. Satisfaction is the greatest feeling after accomplishing a goal, making a plan, and setting the plan into action. It gives a person purpose, and every person needs a purpose in life.
I learned – don't let others hijack your goals; don't let others take away your purpose in life; don't let others take away your satisfaction.
I proved “to no avail” wrong. The person is NEVER wrong, whether right or wrong – NEVER wrong. Those two important words of apology have never crossed the person's lips, and probably never will. I have been hurt by this person in the past, and those words were never forthcoming; just a moving-on like nothing happened. Well, in this case, the operative words are “moving-on.”
In the future, I will set new goals, make a plan, and set the plan in motion to achieve my goal, and then reap the satisfaction that I stood on my own two feet and kept my self-respect and self-esteem undamaged. No one will hijack my self-respect again. I feel that it is a worthy goal. I feel liberated.
Moral: always have faith in yourself. You CAN do it!
When Henson came home from the war, he did not join a G.A.R. post, so in my mission to honor him for his service, I had to look to general veteran services type medallions in order to put on on his grave.
Henson's wife, Phoebe is buried next to him on the left, and on his right, is his son, Harry, who died February 12, 1872 at age 2 years.
Today, I went to the cemetery and placed a veteran medallion and flag on his grave. My mission is complete. I wanted to honor both my great-great uncle and my great-grandfather who both fought in the civil war once I learned that no memorial was ever placed on their gravesites.
Sometimes setting a goal, taking the right steps, following through, having patience, and praying for a good result is what it takes.
Both my civil war veterans are now honored!
I was watching the noon news when a UPS truck stopped out front of the house. I wasn't expecting anything - some of us seniors are pretty poor at the end of the month (smile).
I opened the box and was surprised to find a U.S. Veterans medallion and stakeholder in the box. I remember just looking at it for a long time.
I had been trying to honor my great-great uncle, who was a civil war veteran, and find a veteran medallion for his grave, without the G.A.R. symbol. In all my family and genealogical investigations, I find no evidence that he was a member of any G.A.R. post. I learned that not all civil war veterans were members of G.A.R.s after the war. My other ancestor, my great-grandfather, was a member of a G.A.R. post after he returned from the war to Greenfield, Ohio.
During a quick trip to the Dollar Store today, I saw small American flags for $1.00 that would fit the holder of the medallion. I purchased one.
Tomorrow I plan to go to the cemetery and put the medallion on his grave and then let the cemetery office know that it is there. They mark their records of veterans accordingly.
I won't reveal here where the medallion came from, because I don't want anyone to think the wrong thing. All I will say is that sometimes there is more than one way to solve a problem. It is not always "my way or the highway" and other's have good ideas that come to fruition through patience and prayer. Fortunately, I am a very patient person and have faith that sometimes gives me inner peace. I will give my appropriate 'thank you's' and make sure they are loudly heard.
Great-great uncle Henson, this one's for you!!
I got three blankets at an auction for $1.00 total. I put one down on the floor for Duke to make him more comfortable. As soon as I put it down, big sister Miss Kitty had to come check it out first.
Duke says, isn't this suppose to be mine?
Ok, I moved, staring contest!
Oh, boy, now it's mine!
Soon they will share it I'm sure.
As I was driving down to Greenfield on Sunday, I noticed that the purple people eater building I wrote about on March 8, 2014 (CLICK HERE) has been given a splash of lime green embellishment.
Both sides of the building have a privacy fence in the back painted in lime green, and a little trim on top of the the sides.
I am still waiting to see if the business will be opening as I was early told.
Then I learned that a great-great-uncle on my maternal grandmothers side was also a Civil War veteran. When I visited his gravesite, the same void of acknowledgement was missing.
As the oldest living relative of each of these veterans, I decided to make it my personal mission to get acknowledgement for their service. I started with my great-great-uncle since he was born and raised in Fayette County where I reside. I obtained a copy of his death certificate from my local health department, and printed out a copy of his service from the online Civil War military records.
When I went to my local Veterans Service Office to inquire about obtaining a flag-stake medallion, I was told that they could not help me, with no reason given. Therefore, I did some research on veterans services and learned that Congress changed the law effective July 1, 2009 so that the only veterans who could receive monuments or medallions had to be buried after 1990 and be requested by the next of kin. I have no idea why they would not just tell me that at the office.
Personally, I didn't think that was fair to genealogists and others who learn of veterans in their lineage. So I decided to write to Ohio State Senator Sherrod Brown and voice my concerns. After sending my letter, I learned that another Ohio Senator recently introduced H.R. 2018 Honor Those Who Served Act of 2014 which would revise the "next of kin" policy of the 2009 law and allow a person to go back 62 years to obtain medallions for deceased veterans.
When I learned of H.R.2018, I wrote a followup letter to Senator Brown. However, before his office received my second letter, I was contacted by Senator Brown's office via email and asked to call a contact person there. I called and was told that my concerns were being addressed and reminded of the law change of 2009 and the new bill just introduced. I asked if my second letter had been received and it had not; I was asked to send it via email to my contact person, which I did. I was then notified that my letters were being sent to the proper channel in Washington D.C. to be processed so I could obtain the necessary medallion. I do not need a G.A.R. medallion for my great-great-uncle, because I have no proof he was a member of a G.A.R. post. However, I do have proof that my great-grandfather was a member of a G.A.R. post in the county of his residence.
My second goal was to obtain the G.A.R. medallion for my great-grandfather's gravesite. I did not yet have a copy of his death certificate, but had the proof of G.A.R. membership. I also have his original G.A.R. medal from the Civil War.
While waiting for my request to be processed in Washington D.C. through the proper channels (everyone knows how slow they can sometimes be), a friend contacted me and said she would get me a medallion. Later she said she contacted a State Representative's office and was given no assistance. (At least my contact obtained a positive result and paperwork is being processed through proper channels.) I'm a very patient person and was willing to wait for the 'wheels to turn,' so to speak.
In the meantime, around the beginning of this month, I got very ill and have not been able to write any blogs, especially about my efforts in this matter. One evening while I was lying on the couch in great pain, my friend said she wanted to bring me some melon. When she arrived she also had a G.A.R. medallion she had obtained. I thanked her for it and the melon, however, due to my pain and suffering at the time, I was not able to be as demonstrative as she hoped. I was later chastised for that. I have since apologized for not being more vocal and 'huggy' at the time, due to my condition. I'm sure she had no idea of the great pain I was in at the time. It is really hard to be cheerful and upbeat when your body is being overtaken by agony due to the incompetence of others. Maybe someday she will understand empathy.
On Friday, I was able to get in touch with my doctor's office and I got something to get me through the weekend. Therefore, on Sunday, after church, I went to the Third Annual Cemetery Stroll at the Greenfield Cemetery Honoring our Civil War Veterans sponsored by the Greenfield Historical Society, of which I am a member.
I was not able to stay long, but I did get the brochure, walk to my great-grandfather's grave, and put the G.A.R. medallion on his grave. I had my own flag that fit the holder so I also installed the flag and gave him my gratitude for his service. It was all I could do to get back home and back to the couch.
Goal number two was accomplished prior to my goal number one, so now I will refocus on the contact name and number I have been given in Washington D.C. and get an update on the progress of my request. I have taken on this task because I feel it is the responsibility of the living to honor our deceased, and especially our veterans. Our heritage is important.
When I bought the large crate second-hand, I guess I didn't realize it did not have the pan that goes in the bottom (or it's lost in the garage). So I improvised and put a blue velour blanket on the bottom and put his two mats on top of that for comfort. The white one is from the medium crate and the striped one is the one he was trained to lie on in the dining room when he first got here. So he will have familiar smells to his new bed.
Today he has a new crate and a bowl for his toys. I used to have 11 toys scattered all over the dining area floor, and after he learns to empty the bowl, we can work on training to pick them up and put them away.
He now knows how to lie "down" on command. He also knows "sit" and "paw" (for shake). We worked on that training the past week or so. He is so smart and picks up on things fast. I have yet to work on "stay" and "heel" but they are on my to-do list. I think he is doing remarkably well for four months old. It only took (within) 30 days for housebreaking and he has the cutest whine when he wants to go outside. He hasn't yet learned to bark like a big dog.
He keeps me busy, happy, and engaged in new learning. I am so glad he's here and fits in so well in the family. I look forward to many more days of successful training and bonding.
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