Yardwork and Exercise, oh boy, Yippee!!!

I knew it was going to happen and I dreaded it, but in the end, it is not so bad. It's that time of year and as much as I'd like to goof off, I need exercise so I have started doing some work in the back yard. My Nutritionist wants me to get more exercise to assist in my weight loss program so I decided to work in the back yard a little at a time. Not a lot after all I'm 65 and have to pace myself. I probably spend a half hour each day out back, raking and bagging things. 

Yesterday I went to the local gardening spot and bought 4 bags of organic soil and compost starter. I have been cutting up branches that fell in our backyard over the winter and bagging excess leafs that we don't need for mulch or compost to throw out. The weather has been nice so the back yard (Its a townhouse so its not big) has seen a lot more activity of late. 

Repaired the screen door with a new screen, next will be white rust-o-leum for the screen door and vision panels for the back door. Yesterday while sitting for a moment, I noticed how worn the fencing looked. I spoke to our next door neighbor with whom we share the fence. They are amenable to ripping it down and installing a new fence. I am thinking one of those white picket fence PVC jobs. We'll have to get pricing though.

Regina is planting vegetables in the planter boxes we installed last year with my son Danny's help. (Another yippee) since I really hate vegetables except if they're raw. If I cold live on eggs and potatoes forever, I would do it. I love breakfast and I can stomach vegetables in a Western Omlet. I also like pea pods and carrots. But I won't go near brussel sprouts, Broccoli or Cauliflower cooked that is! I like broccoli and cauliflower raw.

addendum

Saga continues, bought six more bags of soil, youngest son Dan helped a great deal lugging it through the house into the back yard and mixing it with a bale of peat moss. On a humorous note, I tried to fix him up with a couple of the sales girls at the Garden Place, they were very nice, cute and strong. After I told him that, he ran the other way  :-) and I think I got Poison Ivy from working in the back yard. There are itchy welts on my hands after yesterday's work.

Will probably need another 4 bags of dirt and another bale of peat moss. Will go back on Friday.

Well it had to happen!!!

Finally, after 7 years and 117,651 miles, my Ford 500 SE had to go to the dealer for repairs other than normal wear and tear like tires, battery and brakes. A few days ago, my engine warning light came on so I brought it to the local Ford Dealer. I brought it in three days within a week and I hope they finally got it. The mechanic replaced the EGR valve.Their analyzer kept reading a  "lean fuel" error.  Let's hope third time is lucky :-)

I am aiming for 200,000 miles, next scheduled maintenance is a biggie, 120,000 mile check up that involves a change out of  the synthetic oil in my CVT transmission. Won't be cheap, but she's still running well. After 34 years in the Building Maintenance field, I am a strong believer in preventive maintenance. She gets nothing but Ford parts and Ford service personnel working on her.So far, the defective EGR valve is the only blot on her long distinguished career.

St. Patrick's Day - Leprechaun Traps!

My daughter- in- law sent me this photo today of my grandson's latest escapade. He got his father to build a leprechaun trap for St. Patrick's day complete with gold coins to trap the Leprechaun. Of course it didn't catch one but the results are hilarious. Note the gold coins, foot prints and note left behind by the Leprechaun.

Little kids have a great imagination for sure, they certainly believe in a fantasy world. Wait til they grow up!

An Old Gem Has Resurfaced!

I was searching through my DVD library today looking for something to watch that I hadn't seen in a while. After a lot of shuffling cases around, I stumbled upon Cannery Row. It was made about 30 years ago and for those of you not familiar, it is based on a John Steinbeck Novel of the same name. It is my all time number one favorite movie. Yes, even more than Gettysburg or any Civil war or nautical flick. I strongly urge you to rent it, I'm sure you'll find the rental fee well spent.

It is a very poignant, funny, warm film about life in World War Two Monterey, California and all the characters who live there. Nick Nolte and Debra Winger star with a whole cast of terrific supporting characters, I especially loved the Seer and the bums with their relationship to the "Doc". Here are a series of quotes reprinted from the movie site IMDB.com  They will give you a definite flavor of the film.


Narrator: Mack is the elder and leader of a small group of men who have in common no families, no money and no ambition. Beyond the time to discuss matters of interest but little importance.

Hazel: I love Doc! He was a character witness for me, and I ain't got no character.

Suzy: I don't understand it. We get along great when we're not together.

Fauna: The stars say that you are gonna be - oh... that you are gonna be President of the United States!
Mack: I don't believe it.
Hazel: I don't wanna be no President!
Fauna: You got no choice; the stars have spoke. You'll just have to go to Washington.
Hazel: But I don't want to! I don't know nobody there!
Fauna: I'm sorry, Hazel.
Hazel: Ain't there any way I can tell 'em I won't do it?
Fauna: No.
Hazel: [sobbing] A thing like this could ruin my whole life!

Suzy: [Talking about Doc] So he's just hiding out.
Fauna: He ain't hiding out. He just ain't putting his self forward for comment, that's all.

The Seer: [Talking to Doc] It's time I go watch the sunset now. I wouldn't be much of a seer if I didn't do that.I've even come to think that it wouldn't go down without me.

Narrator: [Last lines] The party didn't slow down 'till dawn. The crew of a San Pedro tuna boat showed up about One, and was routed. The police came by at Two, and stayed to join the party. Mack took their squad car to go get more wine. A woman called the police to complain about the noise, and couldn't get anybody. The crew of the tuna boat came back about Three, and was welcomed with open arms. The police reported their own car stolen, and found it later, on the beach. Things were finally back to normal, on Cannery Row. Once more, the world was spinning in greased grooves.

 I love the movie so here's hoping the book measures up to it. I picked up a copy at the local library the other day and will read it soon.

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In the process of reading any book. I usually feel that  books are much better than the movie. I'm not finished yet; but, in this case the movie is much richer in my estimation. The novel is very bleak. I've come across three suicides so far. Most of the elements are there such as the party, the Great Frog Round Up, The Bear Flag and of course the Beer Milkshake incident; but overall, the movie is uplifting. A purist might say that the film is not true to the Steinbeck novel, I say that the film maker is just interpreting the book in a more positive light. I need to read Sweet Thursday to complete the arc.

Pet Peeve With TV Land!!

For nearly two decades now, we have done without TV broadcasts in our home. We felt that TV as a whole was not worth watching. We do, however, have a TV and DVD set up so that we can rent DVD's  based on our friends and coworkers recommendations. Over the years we have watched 24, Law and Order, NCIS, Bones, etc.

Once in a while we have come across series that have really aggravated me because both my wife and I have liked them, but it seems they suffered low ratings from what I will call low information people. Based on a few series we have seen, it is our opinion that any series should also have written into its contract that a wrap up movie should be included in case the series fails before the story arc is complete. 

For example, we are fans of Babylon 5. Based on that we purchased Crusade, a spin off series. It just ends as if someone split it with a meat cleaver.  It is frustrating because we enjoyed the series. Another one that comes to mind is Stargate Universe. While many Stargate fans seemed to have disliked the series because it is rather dark and not as humorous as the previous Stargate series, it is never the less very engrossing. Again it ends without a resolution. Another one that ended abruptly was Sanctuary, the Canadian SCIFI series about a refuge for Abnormals.

Firefly is another series we liked but it ended prematurely. At least in this case, a feature movie was produced a couple of years later which resolved the story line.So far other series we like such as House, MD, Castle seem to have a life of a couple more years which will have satisfaory or at least planned endings.

First Big Snow Over!!

It wasn't as bad as the weather forecasters predicted. I wish I could have a job where I could keep it and be wrong so often............ The forecast changed almost hourly. There was a different amount and different conditions every time I logged on yesterday. In the end instead of 18 inches we got about 10 inches and there was no heavy blizzard like white out conditions.

I was prepared for a power outage based on all the horrific stories on the news. Had battery powered lanterns and radios at the ready.There was even a robocall from Orange and Rockland Utilities  warning me about possible power outages in this terrible storm headed our way.

We had some enterprising preteen money makers come to the door this morning to shovel the snow in our drive way. Offered them 20.00 up front with a 10.00 bonus if they really did a good job. They did so they were rewarded. The only thing is that the darn highway department kept coming through and filling up the end of my driveway with snow as they continued to plow the streets. After clearing it twice, I gave up!

PS a couple days later the town came by and used Bobcats and dump trucks to cart off the snow, which is great considering these are town house developments andthere is no room to properly bank the snow. It went up to 40 degrees today (2/12/13) so the melt has started.

VOTING IS PRECIOUS for our system of Government!!

All my life, I have been an advocate of the democratic system and our right to vote. When I was young, at age 19, I did something that I now view as a mistake, I registered as an Independent. Back then I was convinced it demonstrated my impartiality, but I believe I have been proven wrong.  But voting really meant something because I was also a member of the U.S. Armed Forces at the time. I helped defend the government and as the oath stated I would defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic.

While I was too young to commit to a party platform or ideal, or so I thought, I still felt it necessary to cast a ballot. These last two elections have convinced me otherwise. Yes, I can vote for anyone in the main election on election day, but as an independent, I could not vote in the primary and thus support a candidate I may have liked. I don't like the way the country is headed now. The Democrats have turned 100% into the entitlement party. They clearly do not believe in the old adage of pulling yourself up by your boot straps. They want the government in everything. Whereas, I believe in limited government. For awhile I thought the Republicans were the answer, but the last two elections they have proved to be a bunch of wuss's. All they are worried about is whether or not they appeal to one voting block or another, not what is right for the country.

So, I went to the Board of Elections in New City today and re-registered as a member of the Conservative Party because, I believe that only conservative values will change this country around. My one Conservative registration will not make a huge difference, but if there are enough of us out there who are fed up with the direction this country is headed, maybe more will go under the conservative banner.  All I know is I feel now like I made a stand or a point or whatever you want to call it.