My paper has to be delivered before 6:30 AM. Until recently I've had a handicapped man deliver my paper and he would be out at about 3:00 AM so there wasn't going to be any problem with him. After that he went to his day job. This meant I could take a quick look at my paper before or after breakfast and read it later in the day when I had time.
Apparently I have new delivery person now and he let me down. I looked for my paper at 7:30 AM and it wasn't there. I phoned the paper and they said it would be delivered. Now usually when that happens you get your paper in less than half an hour. I looked a 8:30 AM and no paper so I phoned again. I looked at 9:30 AM and still no paper so I phoned again. Finally about 10:15 AM I received a paper.
Now usually I'm an amiable kind of person and don't get too upset by little glitches but today I am quite disturbed. I delivered papers for two years and know how the system is supposed to operate. My expectations were that it would operate in the same way and I would get my paper. So I am crying about my late paper. Now I expect that I will get a lot of sympathy from my kind hearted readers because this is a great tragedy.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The Harshness of Fall
The harshness of fall is about to visit us. Last night there was a forecast for risk of frost. So I covered the stuff I value. I only have tomatoes which are a soft crop which would be easily damaged by a light frost. It didn't freeze last night.
Many of my fellow gardeners picked their soft produce such as cucumbers, squash, zucchini and tomatoes. They were apparently taking no chances of having these products damaged. I like to take some chances and cover the plants. I don't think I gain anything. At this time of year the plants are basically finished their cycle. They've done all they are supposed to do and they begin to shut down.
When our tree leaves turn color it indicates the chlorophyl has stopped taking in the sunlight and turning it into energy that the cells use to grow. Many of my garden plants look pretty ragged right now . In fact, they look so ragged I won't even take a picture of them. Here I've taken out all peas and onions. The beans and chard should have been taken out. So I have carrots, beets, turnips and parsnips left. I will leave them a little longer. I will take them out before the ground begins to freeze.
As gardeners we have had our season and we can't push it any farther. We have to be satisfied with what we've got.
So slowly a stage of fall takes it's normal course and gently prepares us for the next season.
Many of my fellow gardeners picked their soft produce such as cucumbers, squash, zucchini and tomatoes. They were apparently taking no chances of having these products damaged. I like to take some chances and cover the plants. I don't think I gain anything. At this time of year the plants are basically finished their cycle. They've done all they are supposed to do and they begin to shut down.
When our tree leaves turn color it indicates the chlorophyl has stopped taking in the sunlight and turning it into energy that the cells use to grow. Many of my garden plants look pretty ragged right now . In fact, they look so ragged I won't even take a picture of them. Here I've taken out all peas and onions. The beans and chard should have been taken out. So I have carrots, beets, turnips and parsnips left. I will leave them a little longer. I will take them out before the ground begins to freeze.
As gardeners we have had our season and we can't push it any farther. We have to be satisfied with what we've got.
So slowly a stage of fall takes it's normal course and gently prepares us for the next season.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
My Scythe is Gone
Earlier this year I did a post about a scythe I had. I wanted to sell the scythe but wrote about my life time experience with scythes Little did I know that my scythe was pretty rare.
I had the scythe advertised for several months and had a few enquiries. With my very literal mind I envisioned somebody buying the scythe and cutting grass. Now I should have known that nobody would cut grass with the thing because I've had it for forty years and I didn't cut grass with it. All that time I've never seen anyone else cutting grass with a scythe. It took up space and collected dust in my garage rafters.
Someone made an enquiry recently about the scythe and today they came and bought it. He only wanted the handle but I sold the whole thing. What's it going to be used for? A piece of art. This fellow creates Gothic art and he wanted the authentic curved scythe handle. He then said that he could use the blade for another art project.He told me that they were very hard to find. When I stopped to think about it it made sense. I don't know how long scythe handles have been made with aluminum. It was too difficult to make handles from wood. The wood had to be soaked for some time. Then it was put in a jig and steamed. When it came out you had a curved handle which stayed curved forever but it had taken a tremendous amount of time and effort to make it that way.
So today I parted with one of my treasures and stupid me finally got it around my head that my scythe would not be used for cutting grass.
I had the scythe advertised for several months and had a few enquiries. With my very literal mind I envisioned somebody buying the scythe and cutting grass. Now I should have known that nobody would cut grass with the thing because I've had it for forty years and I didn't cut grass with it. All that time I've never seen anyone else cutting grass with a scythe. It took up space and collected dust in my garage rafters.
Someone made an enquiry recently about the scythe and today they came and bought it. He only wanted the handle but I sold the whole thing. What's it going to be used for? A piece of art. This fellow creates Gothic art and he wanted the authentic curved scythe handle. He then said that he could use the blade for another art project.He told me that they were very hard to find. When I stopped to think about it it made sense. I don't know how long scythe handles have been made with aluminum. It was too difficult to make handles from wood. The wood had to be soaked for some time. Then it was put in a jig and steamed. When it came out you had a curved handle which stayed curved forever but it had taken a tremendous amount of time and effort to make it that way.
Friday, September 9, 2011
The Doctor Has Spoken
A few weeks ago I posted on staying awake all night. The purpose of staying up all night was to get an EEG. If one is very tired things show up better. The staying up all night was fun for half the night but the second half was a real pain. I told you that I was not concerned about this test as I was not too worried that they would find anything that was critical.
Yesterday was finally the day to visit my neurologist. The test was done over a month ago and read the same day. So my neurologist started by telling me that they didn't find and really bad stuff like cancer. Then she got around to telling me that they found an area of my brain that had faster waves than it should. This could possibly indicate seizures. So the incident I had in June which started this investigation might have been a seizure. The neurologist doesn't know for sure and I don't know. I had juvenile epilepsy and I know that this was not in any way like the seizures I had as a child. So the whole diagnosis was very iffy.
So what happens with an iffy definition? They err on the side of caution. So I'm given medication for seizure prevention and control. For a kicker my license was suspended until Sept. 19. The incident occurred on June 19 th. If they'd made the diagnosis that day my license would have been suspended for three months which would have been Sept. 19 so in one way I'm lucky. The law is an ass when it comes to TIA's as they think that all people with these conditions completely pass out. Most TIA's people remain conscious and in control.
So I'm taking medication for a very iffy TIA which happened in 2008 and now I'm taking medication for a very iffy seizure. So my neurologist is erring on the side of caution. These medications will not harm me and if they do prevent harm to others that's a bonus.
Yesterday was finally the day to visit my neurologist. The test was done over a month ago and read the same day. So my neurologist started by telling me that they didn't find and really bad stuff like cancer. Then she got around to telling me that they found an area of my brain that had faster waves than it should. This could possibly indicate seizures. So the incident I had in June which started this investigation might have been a seizure. The neurologist doesn't know for sure and I don't know. I had juvenile epilepsy and I know that this was not in any way like the seizures I had as a child. So the whole diagnosis was very iffy.
So what happens with an iffy definition? They err on the side of caution. So I'm given medication for seizure prevention and control. For a kicker my license was suspended until Sept. 19. The incident occurred on June 19 th. If they'd made the diagnosis that day my license would have been suspended for three months which would have been Sept. 19 so in one way I'm lucky. The law is an ass when it comes to TIA's as they think that all people with these conditions completely pass out. Most TIA's people remain conscious and in control.
So I'm taking medication for a very iffy TIA which happened in 2008 and now I'm taking medication for a very iffy seizure. So my neurologist is erring on the side of caution. These medications will not harm me and if they do prevent harm to others that's a bonus.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wheeee! Ice Skating Started Again Yesterday
Yesterday was the start of seniors skating for this season. We skate until the end of April with the exception of two or three Tuesdays.
I have told you before that I participate in skating with a group of seniors. We skate for an hour and then do coffee at the Dairy Queen.
I've never been a good skater. I had second hand skates when I was a kid and we skated on a nearby slough in the fall and spring. I never played hockey. I skated a bit with my kids when they were growing up but still never became a good skater. I skate well enough to enjoy the activity. I think that participating in something like skating helps with fitness, strength and balance. These are things a senior needs to work at or they just deteriorate.
Most of our group are excellent skaters. It's quite a thrill to see an 88 year old man skate with strength, confidence and skill. This group seems to be not just enthusiastic skaters , but enthusiastic in life and know how to support their fellow skaters.
Yesterday was 28 C outside but inside the temperature was about 6 C. It was pleasant to be in the cool arena.
So when the first Tuesday of September comes a very eager group of seniors hits the ice for another year.
I have told you before that I participate in skating with a group of seniors. We skate for an hour and then do coffee at the Dairy Queen.
I've never been a good skater. I had second hand skates when I was a kid and we skated on a nearby slough in the fall and spring. I never played hockey. I skated a bit with my kids when they were growing up but still never became a good skater. I skate well enough to enjoy the activity. I think that participating in something like skating helps with fitness, strength and balance. These are things a senior needs to work at or they just deteriorate.
Most of our group are excellent skaters. It's quite a thrill to see an 88 year old man skate with strength, confidence and skill. This group seems to be not just enthusiastic skaters , but enthusiastic in life and know how to support their fellow skaters.
Yesterday was 28 C outside but inside the temperature was about 6 C. It was pleasant to be in the cool arena.
So when the first Tuesday of September comes a very eager group of seniors hits the ice for another year.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
One of Those Songs that Catches You...
Yesterday morning a tune came on the radio show I was listening to and the tune stuck with me. It was "I Might as Well Catch the Wind" by Donavon. I've heard the song many times over the years but never really listened to the lyrics. Yesterday somehow or other I caught the lyrics. It was being sung by Celtic singer and I didn't hear who he was as I wasn't listening to the introduction of the song. The singer had one of those strong rough expressive voices and for once the song really caught me.
The song tells about a lost love. The person thinks of how much they would like the lost love back but realize that it's impossible and the love is gone forever. So the singer tells us of something wonderful about the lover and then comes back to reality and says that they might as well chase the wind. The imagery is more than a lot of songs as he talks about tears falling as reain drips from leaves. I really enjoyed the song and it made me blue. In fact I think I was a little more than blue. The song stayed in my head all day.
Today I was still thinking about the song when I realized what I had done yesterday. A friend of mine lost his wife this week and her memorial was held yesterday. So I was thinking how my friend must feel that his wife is gone. Yesterday we heard many wonderful things about her. However, my friend might as well chase the wind as those wonderful things about his wife have been lost.
So maybe I was listening more carefully yesterday morning as subconsciously I knew what I would be doing in the afternoon.
So I looked up the song and read the lyrics. It's a song which has been covered by many performers. I think I can remember Bob Dylan doing this one. I will get to the library soon and see if I can find it . So Donavon's song has been around a long time and finally it caught my attention.
The song tells about a lost love. The person thinks of how much they would like the lost love back but realize that it's impossible and the love is gone forever. So the singer tells us of something wonderful about the lover and then comes back to reality and says that they might as well chase the wind. The imagery is more than a lot of songs as he talks about tears falling as reain drips from leaves. I really enjoyed the song and it made me blue. In fact I think I was a little more than blue. The song stayed in my head all day.
Today I was still thinking about the song when I realized what I had done yesterday. A friend of mine lost his wife this week and her memorial was held yesterday. So I was thinking how my friend must feel that his wife is gone. Yesterday we heard many wonderful things about her. However, my friend might as well chase the wind as those wonderful things about his wife have been lost.
So maybe I was listening more carefully yesterday morning as subconsciously I knew what I would be doing in the afternoon.
So I looked up the song and read the lyrics. It's a song which has been covered by many performers. I think I can remember Bob Dylan doing this one. I will get to the library soon and see if I can find it . So Donavon's song has been around a long time and finally it caught my attention.
Friday, September 2, 2011
How Secure is my House?
This week a friend who lives across town had his house broken into. They were leaving on a road trip the next day and went downtown in the afternoon for some last minute supplies. They came home about 2:30 PM and entered through the back door. As they went to the front of the house they noticed parts of wood scattered in the entrance. Then that awful feeling of being violated slowly dawned on them as they realized that they had been victims of a break and enter. The police think that when my friends came home they scared the bad guys out of the house.
So in discussion with my friends I began to think about how safe my house is. About twenty years ago I installed dead bolts on my doors. About ten years ago I installed security lights that would come on if motion was detected. This was in response to some vandalism which had occurred. For ten years my security light has been faithfully coming on mostly in reaction to cars going by or walkers on the sidewalk and the odd jack rabbit.
This summer during a loud thunderstorm my neighbor woke up just after midnight. He was watching the lightning when he saw a person walking down the side walk and up my driveway. He ran to another window to get a better angle and saw the kid running away. The security light had come on and scared the kid so he ran away. So this is the only time I know of when the security light chased the bad guy away.
My district is fairly quiet as far as crime is concerned. There's the very odd break in.
Now with my friend's breakin it's time to consider if I need added protection for security. If I need something more what will it be. My friend is shopping for a security system so I may listen to him and decide to add something else.
So in discussion with my friends I began to think about how safe my house is. About twenty years ago I installed dead bolts on my doors. About ten years ago I installed security lights that would come on if motion was detected. This was in response to some vandalism which had occurred. For ten years my security light has been faithfully coming on mostly in reaction to cars going by or walkers on the sidewalk and the odd jack rabbit.
This summer during a loud thunderstorm my neighbor woke up just after midnight. He was watching the lightning when he saw a person walking down the side walk and up my driveway. He ran to another window to get a better angle and saw the kid running away. The security light had come on and scared the kid so he ran away. So this is the only time I know of when the security light chased the bad guy away.
My district is fairly quiet as far as crime is concerned. There's the very odd break in.
Now with my friend's breakin it's time to consider if I need added protection for security. If I need something more what will it be. My friend is shopping for a security system so I may listen to him and decide to add something else.
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