Weather Memories

Looking out the frosted bathroom window I saw some flakes of something illuminated by my nightlight (the street light).

I assume it was snow flakes. I contemplated the wisp of flakes a bit and looked through my memories as has become my habit too many times during a normal day.

The first snow I remember is a record breaking storm in the sixties – can’t say early or late and am not inclined to look it up.

I just remember I was young but not too young to shovel snow.

The only problem was there was so much of it and I was not able to lift a shovel full if I let the shovel scrape the concrete. I had to insert the shovel about half-way down and take very small scoops.

No vehicles were able to navigate our street. I remember being out of school for a week and the school was less then a block away. I do not remember anything getting up or down our street until the end-loaders loaded the store into dump trucks.

I tried to walk to the park beside the school but was worn out fighting the wet snow after a half block.

I remember Dad walking to work – he was like that. I also seem to remember he refused or did not like to wear a hat. Might be false memory and not important. He would always bring home a few groceries each night even though the store had to be a few blocks out of his way.

I don’t remember another storm that bad until the last few years.

My next weather related memory was a tornado warning on the same street.

The air raid sirens were sounding and the rest of the family was in the basement. For whatever reason, Dad and I were on the front porch and saw a funnel cloud drop from the clouds several miles away.

It was a small funnel and slipped back up into the clouds in a few seconds but I always remember it whenever I hear the tornado warnings.

Next was the ice storm of 1977 or 1978. I had just starting working for the police department. We were on full alert in the garage but kept losing electricity. The department’s emergency generator would not start automatically so someone had to baby sit it 24-hours a say.

I remember dropping my wife and kids at her mother’s – it was warmer or they still had power – I don’t remember why.

But I do remember that on the drive back to the police station I drove down a tree lined street and it sounded like hail was destroying the car – failing ice. At one stop sign I had just pulled away and a branch the size of a bus fell blocking the street where I had just been.

Thirty seconds earlier and it would have landed on the car. I spent the few hours I was off at home – it was so cold – the furnace was kicking on but would shut off when the fan failed to start.

I was so cold that one night I slept in the car I was driving with the motor running waking up ever hour or so to go back in and run the water to prevent the pipes from freezing. Luckily we had a gas water heater that provided plenty of hot water but toweling dry sucked. Going out with wet hair was worse.

Two more memories – I was in Joliet repairing a computer and a tornado warning was issued but I did not hear it. I was deep inside a building that stopped the noise from the sirens.

When I went out to get a part from the truck, the sky was a deep dark green – very scary sky swirling in a circle – it was dead quiet except for the sound of the sirens.

I learned later the sky I saw was a debris cloud. Two or three blocks away the tornado had removed the roofs from five buildings but no remains were ever found. I think I saw them that night a few hundred feet above my head.

And the last was recent. The night two tornados touched down in town – one very close to Dad’s – he heard it while in the basement. At the same time he was in the basement, my son and I stood on my back porch and watched the clouds spin.

When the golf ball sized hail started pounding the roof and siding we both headed for the basement two stories below.

There used to be a real life old air raid siren in the back yard. It was replaced when the city upgraded the system after these tornados.

That night it was blaring but we could still hear the hail pound the house. I stole a look out a basement window. I could not see the neighboring house less then twenty feet away. Shortly after that the entire city lost power. The siren in the back yard was silenced.

The rain and hail were hellish but it did not end there.

A second wave of storms came through about 2 AM the next morning. My son and his family had gone to sleep downstairs. I laid down with a battery powered weather radio beside me.

It went off with the new tornado warning. I stumbled downstairs to wake them. It took several yells to get them awake and I went to my granddaughter’s room and had to shake her several times to get her moving.

We all stumbled downstairs and listened to the regular radio about people being trapped in a movie theater because of downed power lines or poles in all directions.

They were eating cold popcorn and drinking bottled water and were moving around using the lights from their cell phones.

Then the storm hit just as ferocious as the first. Since the power was off, the radio host suggested people go out and honk their car horns or call the neighbors and wake them.

During the worse part of the storm the power came back on. My grandkids were wide eyed and hanging on dad and mom tightly.

Then silence for about 30 seconds – we could hear my TV two stories above. The storm had passed but then we all got a scare. The air raid siren started back up and sounded for at least another twenty minutes.

We didn’t care – the weather radio gave the all clear and we all went to bed even though the siren was sounding.

I was still listening to the normal radio when the host said another wave was a few hours out. I was so tired but didn’t want to fall into a deep sleep in case the electricity went out.

I got up and watched the weather and listened to all the radio callers describe the damage and their experiences.

At 8 AM the last wave of weather came through – very mild thunderstorms. I finally went to bed when the cable TV went off air.

It had survived two tornados and hundreds of lightening strikes but it could not escape a utility worker cutting down broken poles and gathering the wires up.

The main feed was cut and took several hours to find and repair.

In fifty-six years that is the weather events I remember.

The Night Light

I can tell winter is almost here OR that a tree lost a branch. During the time trees have leafs my bathroom is very dark at night.

Unless the moon is out and in the west it is best if I turn on the light to help me ‘aim’ unless I sit to pee.

Once the leafs start to fall, there is a street light that shines right into my bathroom providing plenty of light for almost any activity.

I call it my night light and today, after the high winds, my night light is back.

One of life’s simple pleasures.

What Time Is It?

I now spend most of my time not knowing what time it is. I can ‘see’ the clock as an object but not enough details to read the time. It had become more common in the last few weeks and is just one of those things I am adjusting to.

I use to have a clock on the computer that would ‘tell’ me the time every half hour but I lost it and can’t find it (help - I’ve fallen and can’t get up). It’s one of those things I keep forgetting to mention when a person with sight visits.

I know if it is dark or light but I have no idea how much time is left of either unless I notice daylight come or go.

At night it could be 8:30 pm or 4:30 am – I have no idea.

I have been using the sun during daylight hours (if it is out) to ‘guess’ at the time and have been very successful.

Lately I turn on the radio hoping to hear the time but many times it becomes background noise and I never hear the time.

I do know when some talk show hosts are on so I know the time within three hours but that is not always fool proof since some of the hosts repeat their ‘best of’ at different times.

So far it has not been a real problem. I watch almost no TV –why watch when I can’t see it. Listening to TV is not like listening to radio – too much info missing.

For weeks my cell phone had been beeping at the same time everyday. I some how set a daily alarm I could not kill and have no idea how I set it.

This evening my daughter took me to visit my father. Her son was dressed for Halloween and she wanted to show him off. Such a cute kid – I wish I could see him.

My phone alarm went off and I asked her to ‘fix’ it. It was set for 5:32 pm daily.

So for several weeks I knew when the alarm went off it was the same time as it was yesterday and the day before that. I just didn’t know what time it was.

Think about that for a minute. You knew when a certain moment in history occurred every day but did not know (until now) what time that moment in history was.

So how do I tell time? I don’t – I guess and most times don’t care. I go to sleep when I am tired. Sometimes I wake up having no idea how long I have slept – if I feel OK I just get up – if I am still tired then I go back to sleep.

Tonight I know it was about 11:30 pm when I went to sleep. I heard it on the radio. I woke and felt pretty good so I got up to proofread another story I had written.

By now you know I don’t read a damn thing – I listen to my computer read it to me. Twice I heard the radio tell me what time it was at the same time the computer ‘spoke’ and talked over it.

I just found out it was 1245 am. That means I might have slept a half hour or less.

I think I’ll go back to bed and hope I have not screwed up this post too bad.

Food Cravings and That Full Feeling

I recently decided to limit my food intake – remember I could never get full but quitting my medicine seemed to help?

Well it appears it was insulin related. Once I shoot up I never feel full when I eat. If I skip my insulin for a few days my full feelings return.

The last few days I have noticed something else. You know I love tea – plain ole black tea but with honey and whiskey (not often enough) or at minimum some sugar or fake sugar. Can’t stand it plain.

Well I usually use fake sugar – blue package – can’t remember name – anyway as long as I use the fake stuff I never get hungry in the morning. As a matter of fact, if I just drink tea with an occasional water chaser, I can go from 4 am to noon and never feel hungry. Can’t go much longer because my blood sugar falls too low.

The last couple of mornings I did a test. I used real sugar instead of the fake stuff after a few cups. Within twenty minutes I was starving.

Of course once I eat and never feel full I continue to eat and then my blood sugar skyrockets and here we go again.

I think I am going to have to add quick acting insulin and shoot up every time I eat to keep things under control. Nothing else seems to work except not eating at all and then my blood sugar plummets within eight hours.

There’s gotta be a better way.

Another Friend Update 3

Tuesday early morning I had given six burials for my enemies so far.

Tuesday and Wednesday were uneventful. Recon showed no activity. It looked like I could claim victory.

Then late Thursday afternoon I noticed one of my mines were missing – last night another was gone. I’m thinking maybe I better get some help and figure out where they are making entry to my second floor apartment.

I tried to charm the local cat with some tuna salad but he ignored me. He used to come to my front window and meow until I let him in.

My window opens right to the roof of the front porch. He came in, checked all the rooms and corners and under whatever he could find.

Then he’d take a nap on the couch until I woke him. He always showed his displeasure by meowing loudly until I let him out.

I’ve seen him play with mice – sometimes for a long time – and I’ve heard when he tires of playing with them he deposits them in his food dish as if to tell his owner his culinary desires.

So I have more mice – back in the battle again.

Got To Be Live To Do Some Things

I'll bet many are wondering what the hell this will be about.

It is very simple - sometimes if I am not feeling well or on a weird sleeping schedule I record the local radio station on the computer or my TiVo (yes I can, KnowItAll).

It might be three hours or 24 hours before I listen to the recording. It is talk radio and it is not unusual for even the radio stations to time shift a show - like Komando or Brinker's Money Talks.

But I have a little problem - I disagree with many of the things these people say. When it is live I wait to make sure I understood what they said IF they repeat it or by the rest of the conversations/discussion - when it is Memorex (you have to be older to understand that - Google) I can rewind to make sure I heard correctly.

As it turns out, I pay more attention to the recording because I can rewind and fast forward through the commercials and news (and stuff that sucks). Plus a three hour show becomes ninety minutes - more time to 'think'.

If I get distracted while listening to a recording I can always rewind - if I am listening live I can't go back - so far I have not be able to find a DVR for radio so I dismiss some issues immediately.

With a recording I can understand what they say better - I can pause the recording while I contemplate - I can form a solid opinion - but since the show is not live I can't respond.

So far I have tried to call twice to bitch/moan/groan/agree hours after the show is over. I have caught myself both times before someone on the other end answered. The show is a small market so the hosts answer their own phones. I wonder if I have hung up on whoever was live at the time. Sorry radio hosts.

I have never called the show live because it takes me a while to form an opinion (I know many of you are laughing - it seems I always answer immediately - well I am a heavy thinker).

So that is the reason for the "Got To Be Live To Do Some Things" title and tag.

Like responding/calling in to 'LIVE' Talk Radio.

Senior Moment Number 13,243

I have published this at Pops the Ole Man of the Net's Content Producer Page - Associated Content. Once I am paid or it starts collecting views I may copy it back to the blog.

Another Friend Update 2

About three this afternoon I woke from a nap. I decided to get up and start supper.

Both traps had been sprung again - I was getting good at reloading my weapons and getting them positioned just right. It was not going to take me long at this rate.

But it made me think - what if this was a family of mice. A mother, father, son and daughter just trying to get by? They might have been traveling to a new home and were just visiting long enough to get nourishment and some rest before continuing their trip.

Maybe this was their final location - some welcome I gave them. As the day wore on and my popcorn mines stayed in place and the camouflage kept my weapons hidden and the did not fire I wonderded if I might have guessed right.

I thought about what would have happen if someone had declared war on my family when we were so young. My brain was going places I would not have given a second thought if I had only caught one or two mice.

Then I heard a snap and I notched my sixth victory. Screw it I said out loud - you invaded my lands without permission - tough. I reloaded my weapon, relaid some mines and took another nap - war is very tiring.

It it now five am on Tuesday morning. Been watching TV and playing with blog setups and the computer in general. The Sitrep on the war has not changed. I just did Recon and none of the mines have been disturbed. Over twelve hours of no activity from the enemy. Maybe they retreated or maybe they are waiting for reinforcements.

I noticed the neighors outside cat sitting on my back porch - maybe he has been on patrol too. Maybe the mice are waiting for the next season - the yearly war - but maybe it is still too warm.

I'll keep my mines in place and we'll see what happens.

I'll live this report open for another day or so before declaring complete victory.

Another Friend Update

Monday Morning

I was almost asleep last night when something popped. My eyes snapped open but I did not hear anything else. Being in that place where you are more asleep then awake, I went back to sleep.

About three I got up to pee but was still not in the awake state and went back to sleep.

At four a loud car woke me – same loud car every weekday morning since last winter - one of these days I’m going to be standing in the rode with a hammer to ask him where the heck he goes so early.

I was almost back to sleep when SNAP! - my eyes were forced open. This time I knew what I had heard.

I got my flashlight to do Recon. Both of my traps were sprung – I was right – there was more then one – maybe a whole platoon.

I reset my traps after giving the soldiers an honorable burial, and grabbed a heel from the loaf of bread to camouflage my traps and entice any other enemy soldiers.

After checking my work and feeling good about my victory I went back to bed but no joy – my stomach was grumbling and I was ready to start my day.

While I heated my water for tea I noticed the camouflage for the old wooden trap had disappeared. I could not believe it – they must have a battalion trying to plunder my treasures.

I have plenty of ammo and plan on keeping a sharp watch until I get them all the darn bastards. So far it is me three, the enemy zero.

Another Friend

I last wrote about my conversationalist coming to a dreadful end ( Thursday Oct 16, 08).

Well evidently it had a friend or friends. Out of habit I dropped some popcorn beside the stove and less then an hour later a piece was missing.

I blamed my memory and figured I had miscounted so I counted again and wrote the number on a scratch pad.

Look what I have reduced myself to – counting popped kernels of corn.

A half hour later another piece was missing and I cursed the mice gods. I had already reset the trap and it was in the path to the popcorn.

I got my video camera out and re-checked my work – trap was armed – until I set it down too hard.

Why do you still jump when you are the one making the loud noise?

I put the trap back in place and waited for the sound of victory.

I had decided to declare war. I promptly forgot about my declaration and spent a few hours watching the stupid box.

About midnight I was hungry – the sight of the stove in the darken room reminded me I was at war – I snuck back out of the kitchen without turning on the light and retrieved a flashlight from the bedroom.

I just wanted a glimpse of my enemy. They always say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I’m all for it - except when the enemy is bigger then me.

There was no one there – my black weapon with its chrome trigger (the spring loaded bar) was undisturbed. But the other pieces of popcorn were gone.

The other side must be resting so I decided to do the same and went to bed.

Friday morning I decided to Recon the area but nothing had changed.

For breakfast I cooked some pancakes and tore off a corner and put in on top of the trap – maybe it would disguise my weapon.

I finished breakfast, cooked some lunch and each check showed the Sitrep unchanged.

At supper, the camo was gone. Man, the enemies I was facing were good.

Before retreating to no-man’s-land I reloaded my weapon with fresh ammo just to be on the safe side and camouflaged my weapon again. As I was getting ready I thought to myself that I hope my bedroom was really no-man’s-land. My enemy might be sitting on the night stand watching me sleep.

Saturday I forgot to check – I did not sleep well – I kept dreaming about this mouse stroking his gun repeating the saying “Here Kitty-Kitty, Here Kitty-Kitty.” I kept licking my head and rubbed my face to get the hair off.

Today, Sunday, I noticed that the camouflage was gone but my weapon was still locked and loaded. Darn these guys were good.

I watched the NASCAR race and made some popcorn – I scattered a few pieces along the path to my trap, sort of like mines. Five mines to be exact and one of those was a double – two pieces stuck together.

About fifteen minutes later I realized I had forgotten my drink and returned to the kitchen.

My enemy is so quick – all my mines were gone - there must be hundreds of them. Those four pieces and one extra large piece would feed a family of twenty if they were the size of mice.

I dug around in my warehouse of old antique weapons and found an old wooden trap. I armed it but realized I forgot to put in the ammo after I had pushed it behind the stove.

I dropped some sugar on it – no way I was going to try and move a wide-open trap like that. I also put some more mines out as a test.

That was about an hour ago on Sunday night. I am getting ready for bed. I can barely keep my eyes open – not good for a lookout.

I’ll give updates as warranted on the Sitrep – I plan on creating a battle plan while sleeping. My first thought of burning them out didn’t ring very practical.

My New Best Friend - Final Chapter?

I am sorry (or am I happy) to bring you the latest report on my new friend.

I have been patiently waiting for the 'snap' that says our friendship is over.

How many times have you wished it was that easy to end it with some of your friends?

So I went to sleep at 4 am expecting to have the final rites when I woke.

Somehow the little creature has avoided his destiny. I can hear all you mice lovers cheering. One explanation, he sleep the same time as me. Another, he was on a trip to another hot spot. Or maybe he got caught with his tail out at a different dive.

Whatever (I am refraining from using curses) the little creature has not made an appearance since about 4 am. I left him a snack of graham cracker right in front of the trap. Very seldom takes longer then a half hour for it to disappear but ten hours later it is still there.

I just heard a noise - can it be? Wait..........



I am sorry to report that 'it' ate its last meal just a few minutes ago.

Goodbye dear friend, you will NOT be missed.

And yes this is true - no literary license taken here my friends.

My New Best Friend Part Two

I have just declared war. My new best friend will not be here much longer – I was at my computer desk and it decided to join me by climbing up a cable to the top of my desk. I slapped the top and it was gone.

I also discovered it earlier in the day on top of the microwave. I had a few cans of stuff up there so I moved them and cleaned the top with kitchen cleaner two or three times.

I just heated some tea and noticed something on top of the microwave. It left two little calling cards.

I setup my video camera to help me see and I think I figured out why the trap was not working. Even though it sounded like it was engaging it was not.

So I know it is lethal now and I am just waiting for final rites after I hear the ‘SNAP’.

My New Best Friend

Most weeks I talk to no one but myself and the Radio/TV. I very seldom go outside. I check mail usually on Wed, the day I take my garbage to the curb.

My daughter and her family take me to the store every two weeks usually on Friday.

The last three or four days though I have a new best friend. They tell you to keep your friends close and enemies closer? Well this little (pick your own expletive) is my BEST friend.

I have is little tiny mouse. I have been trying to catch it for three or four days. Evidently it does not like peanut butter or I am not getting the trap set right.

I think I shared that I drop small bits of popcorn, bread, crackers and etc to see if I have a roommate.

All I am doing is feeding it but last night I caught myself talking to it – telling it what my next move would be. Then I saw the little creep sneak (running like hell) across the living room to the back of the entertainment center.

I talked more yesterday than I have in weeks – too bad it does not talk back.

Lexia Font

Tonight I found a font that is very easy to read and is free. It is called Lexia. So if you see it, know it was designed for the vision impaired and is free on the net. I think it is great.

Late Night Writer

I spent all day thinking I ought to write a couple of stories or memories but nothing came to mind. About two hours ago, just as I was ready to go to bed - my creative side took over and I have been writing ever since.

How much more I could have got done if I could have just turned the switch on.

Only Book You Need

Just heard something I really like. Someone was asked what one book he would take with him for eternity.

He would take the dictionary – it has all the other books in it.

Shingles Suck

I am up so late (or early) because my shingles are really busy tonight. I can not get comfortable so no sleep. IB not helping.

All five locations have erupted. I was really sick last week for almost a week – sickness means immune system goes down and shingles pop up.

Two spots on my left back – spot right above my crack and the WORST spot in my crack very close to you know what. And my left eye – it hurts the worst.

I have intense pain, intense itch and leaking blisters between my cheeks. They drive me crazy.

I HATE shingles and there is nothing to be done. Meds don’t work when the outbreak is in the different stages, pain, itch, leaking blisters and slow healing

This is worse then rotator cuff surgery, open heart surgery or getting kicked in the balls and maybe even a broken heart.

Of Mice and Man

I live in an older house on the upper floor and when the weather turns the mice come in to play. I never see flies or any other pests except for those few orange beetles that like my bathroom window.

Anyway, I never hear the mouse, I never see any ‘tracks’ he/she visited. I have two ways to track the mice – one I keep a trap set and replace the dried out peanut butter every two weeks.

OR since I love popcorn and use crackers and eat graham crackers and bread on a regular basis I have gotten in the habit of leaving a few pieces in between the stove and kitchen sink (a good four inch gap). Popcorn is easy for me to see.

If I put it out and it disappears in the next 24 hours I know I have a problem so I set the trap.

If it stays I know I do not have visitors. The fastest I have seen it disappear is about five minutes. I took my bowl of popcorn to my computer desk and forgot a napkin (paper towel). The popcorn on the floor was gone.

The trap snapped less then twenty minutes later.

So if you see popcorn or other small pieces of dry food on my kitchen floor – that is my early detection system – not lazy housekeeping (check behind the couch for that).

Oh Of Mice and Men

The Great Debate of 2008 #2

What a waste of time – I did not watch it live nor even listen to it. I just watched the highlights.

To me, ‘That One’ won again. It seems that McCain is right on the edge of losing his temper – I have not heard anyone else say it so I am probably imagining things.

You have probably noticed I did not comment on the vice presidental debate – it was not funny nor informative – why waste time on it?

My Best Bicycle

The memory I have is probably from fifth or sixth grade to high school.

I had a Schwinn bike that had what looked like a gas tank where a motorcycle normally has one.

I remember it was red with white trim. Big fenders that curved or flared at the ends; lots of chrome; the chain guard was chromed.

It had a spring loaded book rack over the back fender. Lift one part, slide the books in and a spring held them in place.

The seat was giant and was really comfy for long rides. It sat on two chrome springs that looked like pine cones. For some reason I remember a chrome trim piece along the bottom of the seat.

The tires were white walled – very wide and had special inner tubes designed to prevent leaks. I think I only fixed one flat in all the years I rode it. I was so proud of the size – 26 inch I think – a grownups bike.

I remember ‘borrowing’ the chrome caps off the valve stems at a local car lot because they looked so cool on my bike.

I also remember buying some streamers to put in the end of the handle grips. For some reason I remember white handle grips with sparkles in them. They had cushy pads on top for comfort. The streamers were red and did not last very long.

I could jump that bike up on the highest curbs and do a sliding stop (ride fast, put my left leg near the ground then jam on the brake with my right foot and ‘lean’ towards the ground.

The back tire would leave a black mark and if done correctly my left knee would almost touch the ground as I was sliding but I would end up sitting on the bike upright at a full stop and a full 180 degree opposite of my approach direction.

I was good at them. But my favorite trick was a daredevil stunt that I practiced and practiced and practiced. I never once crashed.

Our street was sort of a dead end. To the east it ended in a T at the park. It continued on the other side of the park, four or five blocks away. From this T to the west our street ran downhill – not very steep but enough you could build up some speed coasting.

The ‘north-south’ T street actually ran down hill in both directions. We were just about the high point.

I would ride on the T street from the south towards our street. I could get going very fast on the 26 inch tires.

Four houses from our street I let go of the handlebars and rode no-handed (is that right?) and turned the bike around the corner and coasted faster and faster to our driveway where I would stop and calmly put my foot on the ground.

I never touched the handle bars (unless I didn’t make a good turn). I had curb feelers (look them up) on both the front and back fenders.

If the front feeler touched the curb on the right hand side of the street I was not going to make it and I would turn the trick into a slide to try again. If the rear feeler touched I was perfect.

As I got braver I would ‘turn’ into a double wide drive and go up on the sidewalk then turn back out to the street at the next double wide and stop right in front of our house putting my right foot on the curb AFTER I stopped.

I thought I was so cool – I wonder how stupid I looked practicing this over and over and over with my arms crossed and sometimes wiggling the front of the bike so bad it looked like there was NO way I could control it.

That bike always pulled to the right when I rode it no-handed on a flat street.

I remember not wanting to ride it anymore because it looked childish in my eyes. I was a ‘cool’ kid and had to walk every where until I got my driver’s license. Still had to walk because we only had one car.

That reminds me – my first car.

Cubs – Oct 8 2008

I have not commented – I have not been grieving – I now know that the Cubs will probably never make it to the big game while I am alive.

And since we always say wait till next year – I am going to change it – wait until the next century – or maybe not in my lifetime or IT is just not meant to be.

I am glad I did not watch the meltdown – I did not even listen to the last two games – I KNEW this would happen.

So no more till next spring. We’ll let them hibernate.

Simple Act of Showering

I live above an idiot. She has no brains at all but tries to screw everyone she comes in contact with. It’s all about her and screw everyone else. I hear her talk on her front porch and she will tell three different versions of the same story – each one making it sound more like she is a god when in actuality she is worthless.

OK, done venting – for several weeks I have heard running water at my kitchen sink – it’s as if a facet is on downstairs.

The last few days I’ve started to take a shower or wash dishes and I have no hot water. Only happened three or four times in the five years I’ve been here.

This morning I woke up at 3 am hoping to get a shower but no hot water. I bitched to the landlord about a week ago but nothing happened - I bitched again today but didn’t here anything.

Around 130 I heard the idiot screwing with the water in her bathroom and at 245 the water was warm enough to take a shower.

I had just finished washing and was getting ready to rinse when the water went off. I had soap everywhere and no water to rinse it off.

I had even checked all parking areas and the street for anything that looked like a plumber’s truck and saw nothing.

I wiped off as much as possible with a towel and dry washcloth. I hate drying soap on my skin and my hair feels terrible but there is nothing I can do until the repairs are complete.

The plumber said it would not be long and that he beat on my door but of course I was in the shower. As he says, it sucks.

Cubbies

The poor Cubs – is there a curse or just the suggestive power of one. Once the team is out of Wrigley is their talent magically altered or erased?

Whatever the problem here we are at game three of five – if they lose our season is over.

I swear I will not watch or listen the next year but when the season starts I can not help myself.

Butt his year they kicked some butt – and now it’s all slipping away – I guess I should have know better.

Cubbies – Cubbies – this sux!

Random Memories - Interracial Neighborhoods

I am sure you know I spent years five to eighteen in a mainly Catholic old well maintained neighbor hood.

Our house was three from the corner of the street that divided our neighborhood from ghetto. Three or four blocks farther were the railroad tracks that marked the other end of the ghetto.

I walked almost everywhere but I only walked through the ghetto when absolutely necessary. This white boy got many a threatening look and was confronted several times.

Never got my ass kicked but I think that was because I was a pretty big boy and had lots of big friends. My first memory was a kid at school that lived two blocks down called me a whitey living in the ghetto.

My ‘big’ friends corrected him without touching him. Me and that kid became good friends. He later went to the majors and played for my beloved Cubs. His sister became a very good teacher. They were the lucky ones.

My most memorable racial situation was after a football game one evening.

The football field was four blocks in the opposite direction as the ghetto. Between us and the field were one block of houses and three blocks of park, most of it open. I learned lots in that park –sports - tennis, baseball, football and basketball – to how to open a bra with one hand.

This particular night my younger brother and myself were walking home from a high school football game through the darkness of the park.

A group of black kids from the ghetto were walking near the middle of the park. When they saw us they gave chase. We made it to the street light at the edge of the park and one of the ghetto kids told the rest of them to leave us alone – we were good people.

The kid that probably saved us from a beating was the biggest, meanest, stupidest kid in school. My brothers can supply a name with the initials A.H. or the fact his nickname started with a S.

Once the rest of them saw us in the light many said hello and let us go on our way. I have never been more afraid in my life except maybe the first time I held my daughter.

Our ‘friend’ protected us every time a racial issue came up – and there were many – it was the late sixties – I saw him once when I was in my mid twenties. I was over visiting a friend and ran in to him at a grocery store.

He shook my hand, we traded stories – me not married and a mechanic and him working at the foundry with six kids. He was driving a nice Cadillac and I was in an old convertible whose roof leaked but had a great motor.

I once drove into the south side of Chicago to fix a computer. For several blocks I did not see a white person. When I stopped, pulled out my took kit and set my alarm everyone was quiet and probably deciding how to rob me.

I walked to the door of the building and someone said we can’t mess with him he’s here to help us.

When I came out there was a big black guy sitting on the bumper of my van. I ignored him, put my took kit away, climbed in behind the wheel and cranked the van.

He looked at me and I raised my hands in a WTF gesture. He shook his head, laughed and got up waving goodbye.

But he held up his hand and asked if I had a smoke – I gave him the last four or five in my current pack and he told everyone else that I even smoked their brand of cigarette, Kools.

He handed me one back and lit it for me telling me the white part of town was a long way away. I waved and drove very carefully to the white part of town.

I was wishing my friend from high school was with me but it dawned on me later that one of his friends must have helped me – two hundred miles away.

Shingles Again

I’m going to record each time my shingles pop up. I have been half sick for a week. Today the blisters popped up in all places.

The original site on my left side right at the edge of my back came up last night. The spot an inch below, which had not erupted for over a year is also turning red.

The spot at the top of my crack on the right cheek is turning red and the spot between my cheeks near my you now what is starting to blister.

I hate shingles. I would rather have open heart surgery again.

Where Is The KY?

I believe that every legislative member who voted for the bailout should lose their seat.

We have just been screwed even after many, many normal people called and told them not to.

The banks and Wall Street are celebrating tonight. They said the banks were not loaning money. I’ll bet if we had waited another week the banks would magically ‘find’ money for loans.

I’ll bet we/you will be screwed for many years to come.