Oct.

done gone in a few hours! Time to get a calendar out and my famous lists going to at least plan for my next trip south. I am making a vow not to take so many clothes. Hope that works. My DSIL in SA said I needed to hurry up as he is getting hungry for some of my cooking!

Saturday's Finale

I did not feel really good yesterday and that seems to be the norm lately. But around five I decided to go to Lincoln anyway. Had a chance to visit with Dale and Deb then followed them over to where the Halloween party/jam session was being held. They went as the Blues Brothers. I got the job of drawing side burns on Dale and doing the Love, Hate and Jake on the knuckles. I wore a white top and red athletic pants with a white stripe with red and white tennis shoes. UNL colors are red and white. Told everyone I was a Nebraska Cheerleader let out of the old folks home. I did pretty good, did not stay too long, left before the hayrack ride and was back at Mom's by 10:15 p.m. (typical old folk). But early this morning the BBQ did not set well with me. What a bummer. Feel a little better now.
When I got in the first thing out of Mom's mouth "hey, can you set the clocks back now?"
The Rose Bowl did not do as well as I'd would have liked but can't complain. Glad it got the bids it did. Now to get everything packed to arrive safely.

My Keyboard

has drool on it.

OHMYGOD

Phooy

Before I listed the Pilgrim bowl, I had done a search and found one that "sounded" pretty close to mine. Except mine is not a rose bowl in the shape. This one had a $300 price tag. Well, the shop was closed and they were suppose to open yesterday. They did not get it open until just a little while ago, and yep, the treament is just like the one I have, by the same artist. Sure hope mine does a little better but that is the chance you take.


Rose Bowl

At least I feel good about having the eye for a change on buying something good. LOL

Back to no energy. Don't know if I will make it to Lincoln tomorrow or not.

Clear, chilly

and the window is open, even though it is in the 30's. I had to call the boiler people one more time and think they will have to replace one of the controller parts, again! If I am going to try and be gone for a while this winter, that boiler has to be dependable!

Had some interest in a few items I threw up against the eBay wall. It is always a surprise. What you think might sell and what actually does sometimes are worlds apart.

Sent some cards to DD in San Antonio via priority mail. The end of Oct. through 12 Nov. a big time at their house. DSIL, DGD birthdays and their anniversary on Oct. 24th, 25th and 26th, Nov. 12 the other DGD's birthday.

Just saw in the local weekly newspaper that the Haunted House in the old Opera House is not allowed. Fire Marshall said without a sprinkler system in place, wasn't going to happen. To bad they didn't go that route first before people put so much time and effort in it.

Need to get a roast on for dinner today. Then there should be left overs so I won't get the "oh brother" remark when I tell Mom I will be gone for most of the day tomorrow and she has to fix her own meals.

To Tired

this morning. Went to an auction that started at 3 p.m. yesterday and I returned at 10 p.m. Was on my feet most of the time. Did find a few things and able to buy them. They had a table with the "good stuff" go at almost the end. Just to keep people hanging out. The draw was a big lot of Fire King Jadite. A set of Jane Ray dishes, two sets of mixing bowls in the Swirl pattern and 5 Chili bowls. A friend of mine got the chili bowls for a good price. I was after an odd piece of Cameo hollowware that was missing a lid and was able to get it. Now, wonder if it will sell on eBay? Time will tell. The other piece was a candy jar in pink Adam. Tried for it but some other gal wanted it real bad. That was a piece of hollowware too, and had its lid but had a chip on the under rim of the lid. It should still sell but she may have been a pink dression glass collector because that is all she bought.

Auctions in midweek throw me off. Feel like it should be Sunday!

Food Groups

I belong to a couple of groups that do the dutch oven cooking and BBQing. The good thing is, you get lots of tips and recipes. The bad thing is, you sure do get hungry. There has been talk of different shrimp boils, seafood gumbo etc. and I really miss fresh seafood. I imagine that the hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico have upset the oyster and shrimp industry for the time being. I did buy oysters last Thanksgiving to make a family favorite and think the pint was right at $13. Don't belive I'll do that this year as that would put about five gallons of gas in the Baby Truck!.

A Chilly Fall

morning. Hard frost and about 26 degrees.
I belive I will have to remove the #2 son's picture. I went to resize it at Flickr and I have none of the tools showing.

There are four types of poisonous snakes in Nebraska. I have not seen one. (yeah for me) The Timber Rattlesnake is the largest one and can get up to five foot long. The others are Pairie Rattlesnake, Western Massasauga (a small rattlesnake) and the Copperhead. They were out catching and placing radio transmitters in some Massasaugas this past week. In southeastern Nebraska there is a patch of prairie around Burchard Lake that one of the oldest wild life managed areas. Between two arms of the lake is a high ridge that is the booming ground for Prairie Chickens. There is a blind that is available on a first come basis for viewing the mating ritual. It was about 20 feet off the parking lot for that area that a Massasauga was found.
This morning in the news a girl was bitten by a copperhead in the thumb. She may lose her arm. A fellow student had brought one in a shoe box and was showing it off when she was bitten. Probably trying to pet it.
When I lived out in the country, down on the coast in Texas, tried to always remember to stay alert about snakes. Especially at night. There we had the added two bad guys, coral (I have seen a couple of them, did a fast "red and yellow kill a fellow" to make sure it was a coral snake) and the dreaded Cottonmouth Water Moccasin. They are pretty aggressive.
While cleaning the shop, that was a large metal building with easy access for anything, I found a snake skin behind some wood, it was about 4 ft long. That got my attention. I do believe it was a corn snake skin, though.

I Am So

glad the phone interrupted my sleep after the alarm went off. Nick, the son that was in Africa just called. He got in late Friday night finally. Of course, yesterday he went and bought a new truck. I know he deserves it! He will be stateside for several months now and they plan on being in Texas at Chrismas time so if my plan works out, I will get to see them. It was just wonderful to visit with him this morning.

I have a very neat friend who is playing around with a blog on this site. Welcome, Susan.

Susan's Art Jounal
I hope you like this site. Your MSN site is pretty neat, though.

Frost on the truck this morning. No plans for today. After leaving the auction early yesterday and not knowing if the piece I thought was a sleeper, really was one, I ordered a couple of books. Most of my books are in storage in Rockport and I did not want to haul them here. Did bring a few (4) but never enough.Ha!

Big Red (NE Husker Football team) lost to Missouri yesterday and I think the Astros lost the first game of the series. Maybe I should cheer for the opposing teams and they would lose! Just a thought.

I Forced

my self to get out today. Drove to York which is about 30 miles away. Rummaged through the Goodwill store and found a couple of treasures. I asked if there were any antiques stores and was told no. On my way out of town, saw a little drug store that had crafts etc. and a very small antiques sign, way up in the corner of the window. Went in and almost left, but a little cubby hole did have "old stuff" in it. Took a chance on a couple of pieces, we will see.

Stopped by the new Wally World and picked up some groceries that they do not carry here in town. It did feel good to get out and blow some cobwebs of the brain away.
Did get my piece of Fire King jadite sold, but it is going to Japan. Now have to get that high dollar postage figured out and add to the bill. Best get it done and the total emailed off so I can get paid.

Was Not

a good Thursday. Went to sleep at 1 p.m., had nightmares about Mom's other daughter and at 6, was awakened by Mom coming upstairs. I missed fixing her supper!! Went down like a bear, fixed her something to eat and came back up. Not a good sign.

Now my ISP is acting up this morning. Think I had better count some blessings or something.

This is the neat Corpus Christi Cushman ride weekend, too. Maybe I will just go back to bed and pull the covers up!

Halloween

They are having a haunted house and a masquerade ball for fund raising events for the old Opera House restoration. The events will be held in two separate places due to permits, etc. They did have the fire marshall come in to check out the electric set up for the haunted house which will be held in the Opera House proper. The ball will be at the local country club because of the liquor requirements. They wanted everything at the Opera House but, being a small town, you can imagine the dissent with the Mayor being very pro no booze and the hoops that would be jumped through to get a liquor license. The committee is learning by leaps and bounds what it takes to get something like this done and how quick the faint of heart abandon ship.

I had a great idea for the ball but it would have *issed a few people off, I am sure. The weekend of the ball is the jam session weekend (it was postponed from the prior date) that will include the Oklahoma/Big Red football game and lots of good food. This will take place in Lincoln, and that, I will make if feeling OK.

New Parts

arrived and are installed. Working so far but of course it is in the mid 80's. Tomorrow will be a different story. Low to mid 60's for a high. Hope this is the last of the boiler problems.

Received an update from the friends in Gulfport. House is gutted so hopefully will find workers to do the needed work. They are hanging in, bless their hearts.

Trouble

in the basement with the new boiler. Bled all the radiators and still would not come on. The circulating pump would run but no heat. Got the guy out and it seems one of the burner tubes had rolled sideways and eventually with heat high in the wrong area melted a wire finally and messed up the controller. One is on order and I heard him request it be sent directly to them, NOT from Iowa to KC then back to NE. This whole thing could have been prevented if the installers had gotten down on their knees and eyeballed all the burners when they were ready to start it up. Bet they will check them in the future. But a chilly morning and no heat for Mom. Sigh. Guess I will be in trouble again.

Mom got a big package from her other daughter yesterday. Think it really made her day. Sure did not make mine. Was a lap tray (which she probably won't use) and a Christmas ornament. She got on the phone to thank her. I never got than kind of response when I sent items. Hmmmmm guess there is a reason for the Prodigal Son (or daughter) story.

Once again

Once again
Originally uploaded by sfinds2003.

these pests are thick again this year. They congregate on the warm side of

the house, which unfortunately is where the back door that we use the most

is situated. They can squeeze through the small cracks and are such pests.

Be glad when they are gone!!!

On Saturday

I really intended to go to an auction about 22 miles away. There was one in town also. I just barely felt as though I could make the local one. So that is all I did. Did not get anything at all but felt pretty rough so glad I did not attempt to make the other drive. There was a piece I certainly wanted but the "little old lady" was not at the local one so I know she was at the out of town one.
I did want to get a couple of things but alas, went way to high. One is coming up on Thursday evening, thing I will try to make that one. Hopefully will be feeling close to "normal" by then.

Mowed

most of the back 40. Before: took two advil..After: an antihistamine, saline spray and a shower, in that order. Lots of dust ect.

It's Thursday

and I still haven't heard if there is a jam session going on Saturday in Lincoln.

I hope to feel good enough to go, if there is, plus attend an auction early Saturday a.m.

The Spurs losttheir second preseason game. What's up with that??

The Black Walnut trees have less than a third of their leaves left. I know what that means. I like cool, not cold. Predictions are for above normal winter temperatures. Hope the forecasters are right on that!

I Agonize

over the dumbest things. For instance, my DD is to send any important mail to me while I am in NE. There is not a lot that comes in besides junk mail because now days, you can do almost anything over the net. Well, she has been working loooonng hours (until 1 or 2 in the morning) and was suppose to send my insurance card a couple of weeks ago. Did not get it. Finally called her last week. She said I could probably get it over the net but would get my stuff in the mail. It did not arrive as of today. So, finally, called the insurance co. and had them fax me one. Well, have never used the fax on the computer to receive 'em, just send a couple. And it worked!! I was amazed. All that agonizing for nothing!!! Agonizing and procrastination...my two worst enemies in line behind myself.

Still Not

feeling worth a darn! Sure do get tired of it.

The Good News ?? and Bad

I guess the good news after a trip to the dentist, at this point in time, they don't think it is the tooth I was worried about that is giving me fits (under a crown). If it is a tooth, it will be NEXT to the tooth with the crown.

The bad news is, my sinus on the left side may be infected, causing the widespread pain.

The other bad news (seems it is winning in the percentage game of good news, bad news) is after about 6 weeks of no ISP problems, they are having problems again....some day..all will be better.

I Should

have figured this was GENETIC. In another test about sleep positions, mine wasn't even listed..hmmmmm

Still

outside this morning. Not a breath of wind. Have been having flocks of birds coming through heading south. They are smarter than I am. They were fighting over the water in the bird bath. The first flock that came through two days ago was robins. Yesterday either blackbirds or starlings. My eyes not good enough to see the beaks. I think that is the way to tell them apart. Guess I will see if I can find the bird book.

LaterCould not get this to post earlier will try again.
Remember when certain Muslims were so gleeful about our two hurricanes? Wonder just what spin they will put on the recent earthquake?

He Did It

before, with federal money that was earmarked for emergancy prepardness, now, he wants to DO IT AGAIN

Lordy

I had to laugh...

HARDTOKISS

Small Town Life - Yuk

Small town life. I know there are many pros for it but it puts me in a pessimist mode. Yes, some are there to help but the lack of privacy is rampant and for me, out weighs the pros. On a personal level, I was asked as I mailed a package, was I selling off my Mom's stuff. Now, would anyone have asked me that at any other post office? I was so taken aback by the question that I inflicted no damage, verbal or otherwise. But, rest assured, that won't happen again. There is nothing that is not discussed in this town. Your bank balance, bills received, suicide reasons, health matters....and guess where the info comes from? The Post Office, Bank and Hospital..all up for grabs and speculation. That is one of the reasons all my personal stuff goes to my Texas address. It is a pain sometimes but certainly beats anything else.

Football Saturday

Since Mom does not have cable we will not be able to watch Big Red and Texas Tech. Last year Texas Tech whomped 'em 77 to 10. I hope the score will be closer this year but will not hold my breath. The game I will be able to watch is the Longhorns and Ok. This will be one of the few times I will be rooting for the Longhorns.

Found the cold weather solution to the coffee dilemma for now. Spring summer and fall I have had it out on the back porch. It is set to go off about 5:50 a.m. To me the grinding noise is pretty loud although Mom says it doesn't wake her up. Once the coffee is finished, the heat goes off as it is in a thermos type pot. That way it does not continue cooking and get that slimey film and it will cool down too fast with these high 20's morning. Today I brought the pot upstairs and set it on a radiator...hmmmm better be careful, it still might "cook". I suppose when it gets into the teens and below, will have to put it inside once again.

Just heard

they finished all the harvesting. Corn was right on the line for whether they would have to run the dryers in the bin. I had wanted to cook them lunch one day but they did not let me know when they were out there. Oh, well.....

The Frost

was on the pumpkin this morning and my favorite pumpkin is THE PUKING PUMPKIN.


Dad use to grow them when I was a kid. I have always liked pumpkin pie. It is not my all time favorite but it is right up there. If we would go a year without growing any, the neighbors always had plenty. The record one this year was up to 1000+ pounds.

I guess I pushed the wrong buttons on the coffee machine, OR a little gremlin named Mom messed with it. Last night she had the thermostat on 82, I moved it down to 80. You would think when she gets chilled she could put on a robe or something over her sweats. The problem besides her being thin and poor circulation is not moving around enough. She takes her little walks every day but while in the house, usually just sits in a chair and works word puzzles. In the summer she moves more, gotta peek out different windows to see what's going on with the neighbors! Lordy, I need out of here.

Bear Scat and other Tidbits

Went off on a tangent reading someones comments and following to a new blog. Some where in there was a discussion on bears, bear scat, cougers, coyotes etc. I have always loved seeing the "wild" things in their environment. In fact, I use to go bear and boar hunting while in Tennessee. Don't worry, it was always hunters zip and bears winning! In fact, there was a refuge for them and if you were caught in there with a weapon, they would lock you up and throw away the key. Hunting was done with dogs and of course, the dogs could not read the signs and the bears always would head for the refuge with the dogs in hot pursuit. Then we would have to put the weapons in a truck and go in with nada to get the dogs out.

My first encounter with bear scat was on top of a mountain. It was not steaming fresh, thank goodness. In some research they use dogs trained to find bear scat. Bears are primarily herbivores but they have found small deer hooves, etc. in the scat. The researchers have to do a sniff test (what a job) scratch test and sending it in for analysis. Scat analysis can tell them type of bear; black or brown, sex of the bear and what they have been dining on. They do research like this when considering areas to possibly add to a bear population or to see what type of bear may already be inhabiting said area.

The mind is a wonderful thing but mine takes a strange trip now and again.

Heat's On

Just damn...walked downstairs and she has it set on 80..I have the north and south window open just to not suffocate upstairs..I did ask the heating guys about shutting the radiators off up here but the valves are stuck open and no one wants to try to change 'em because of their age.....

Done done

They finished up the boiler installation about 5:15 today. Had a few problems but it is in, all the radiators are bled and Mom is ready for the next cold front, which is due in
Wed. night. Suppose to get down to 30 or so. They tied it in to the new thermostat that was installed earlier this summer for the AC. Mom caught it. Darn, here I thought she would use the old one and I could keep the heat under "boiling" this winter...just kidding.



TUESDAY 6:30 a.m.

Coffee's good..had a restless night with an upset stomach.

They are still predicting the front coming through this evening. Wonder what temperature Mom will set the thermostat?
The other reason for tying it in to the new digital thermostat is the accuracy of the degrees. With the way the price of natural gas has shot up, those degrees will probably make a big difference. I have heard that the prices have doubled already.

The group

arrived for dinner. One was a little late but we had started eating as it was already an hour later than when Mom usually eats. Anyway, thought I had scorched the lasagna but it was OK. Just on the verge and that makes a BIG difference. I baked a lemon cake, angel biscuits and the lasagne in the dutch ovens. Creamy corn and cole slaw with homemade dressing rounded out the meal. Everyone went for seconds so all was OK. Mom and I had left overs for supper. Was still good. Think I am cooked out for a couple of days and plan on pulling something out of the freezer for tomorrw.

Hope they show up to finish the boiler installation tomorrow and get that done.

Windmills

The blog IS THERE ANYTHING OF INTEREST by Rozanne recounting her vacation hiking in Eastern Oregon and her terrific photos of abandoned and decrepit homes, barns and sheds was delightful to read and absorb the images. It brought back my own fondness of finding similiar buildings along with old windmills in my travels around Texas and other states and backroads.

I find old windmills facinating but I do not know why. As a child we had one that pumped water into a tank for the cattle. The creaks that emanated from the play of the wind on the sails was a constant background noise when you were outside.

Of course windmills have been around in the world for several hundred years. I have not been to the Windmill Farm in Hood County Texas but must add that to my "must sees".

In an article I read in Texas Agriculture stated "the windmill not the six shooter" is really how the west was won. Railroads had to have water for the steam engines and here in Nebraska, away from the rivers, farms had to have access to water. My Great Grandmother picked the spot for their house, almost in the middle of their acreage because of a spring that cooled the milk and butter and provided water for them. The well that they put in later, did not have to be real deep. Windmill weights were also manufactured in Nebraska. They were made of cast iron and slowed down the speed of the blades in high winds to protect the plunger rod. I had a chance once to get a Dempster Short Tailed horse and passed it up. Wish I could replay that scenario.

I Can Relate

to this saying

I have a photographic memory....but ran out of film

At least

one responded about dinner tomorrow. He did have an excuse. I had asked about his son coming along (college student) and they played telephone tag for a couple of days before he got an answer (which was no). So, will cook even if just one is coming out.

My son's GF called last night and I asked her about storms as their location is on my storm alert list. I had already received 3 email alerts about it. She said she did not pay any attention and within a minute we were cut off. She sent an email a couple of hours later when power was restored. So, she had to pay attention then. Her son gave her some grief about not having enough flashlights handy.

Will make a grocery store run today. The cake I am going to try in the DO uses a lemon cake mix, vanilla pudding and a cooked icing made with pineapple. Hmmmm. For the first time I will use the F word. There are loud, flaming debates in the DO groups about using foil. Me, I usually don't but don't care who does. This time want to remove the cake to cool properly so will make a liner and should be able to remove it much easier. Once again, the pans I would use in place of foil are in storage.

Back downstairs for the second cup of java.