EVERYTHING COMES IN THREE'S

As much as I enjoyed my Christmas visit with my Mother in Florida, I admit I had several "worries" while I was there. It is not something that usually happens when I travel. It's not like I fear the plane will crash. I get ... well ... "concerned" about some things -- back home in Arkansas -- which I have no control over.

I always worry about "The Girls". I know they are getting good care at the Vet where I take them, but I still wish there were some other way for them to be safe & sound -- & well fed -- while I am away. I always look forward to getting them back home.

I get concerns about the weather when I am in Florida at Christmas. Not the weather there, but what the conditions are in the rest of the U.S. I guess I am always fearful I will not be able to get home as planned, I'll miss a flight connection or that I'll be stuck in some strange airport due to weather.

In 2000, while flying back to Little Rock, I got stuck in Atlanta, due to the ice storm in Arkansas. They didn't want to do it, but I finally convinced Delta Airlines to fly me to Memphis, where I could stay, until the airport in Little Rock was re-opened. That took an additional two days.

This year at Christmas week, there was a MAJOR set of storms working their way across the U.S. I was trying NOT to watch The Weather Channel. I didn't want to get all hyper & concerned with their reports on the terrible conditions the travelers were facing. Of course they certainly had my attention with reports the state of Oklahoma was shut down with record snow. Check the map !! That's the next state West of Arkansas.

By Christmas Eve, all the news programs were reporting on the horrible weather. My alert level was at "Def Con 4" when the reports came in of Central Arkansas getting 5-9 inches of rain !!

I phoned my neighbor in Arkansas. His news was worse than the TV. We actually had 10 inches of rain. All the area where we live was flooded, as he reported "... the worst I have ever seen."

Well, luckily for me, my flights coming home were fine & right on time. Flying over from Memphis, I was able from my window seat to see all the flooded farm fields, rivers & homes. Now I was worried my route home from the airport would be blocked. Faulkner Lake Road had been flooded & closed two times already in 2009.

I had to drive -- carefully & slowly -- through high water as I feared. It's a creepy feeling & one never feels safe in doing so.

Then, I had to drive through it again the next morning, "TWICED" (Inside Joke) to go to the Vet to get my cats. I HAD TO GET MY CATS !!

The road, looking West, still with water flowing over it, two days after I got home on Christmas Day.

To the East, where the same creek meanders back again, the flooding was worse & the water was deeper & wider. It looks as if a car stalled from trying to make it through the water.

For all my worries, the flooding on my property had receded quickly. Water had gotten into my storage building, but it appears it resulted in little damage. Still, I have a good amount of yard clean up ahead of me.

Once again, I have been lucky. Many places in Arkansas experienced far worse flooding than where I live. I had three reasons to be grateful: my house was high & dry, I got home on time, safe & sound & My Girls did too.

As my Mother always says -- "Everything comes in three's."

XMAS PAST

Ever since my Father died -- about 20 years ago -- each Christmas I go to Florida to spend the holiday with my Mother. I fly to Orlando & then rent a car to drive the remaining 60+ miles to Wildwood, Florida, where Mom lives in Parkwood Oaks, a "55+ Community".

Christmas in Florida is different. Never a chance for a "White Christmas". Maybe rain & "cool" temperatures -- got 50 degrees ?? But, not the need for ice scrapers or salting anything other than food. The roads are drivable, even if full of "Blue Hairs" & constant turn signals.

A lot of people from the North -- Canada included -- spend their Winter months in Florida. They are the "Snow Birds". The traffic on the roads changes with the seasons. Winter can be hectic & congested.

People in Florida like to decorate their homes for Christmas. Lots of displays, colored lights & music playing from hidden speakers. I like to take a walk at night to admire their efforts. Very seasonal.

With the warmer weather in Florida, my Mother & her neighbors have the ability to garden just about all year round. What we have as "house plants", grow outside all year. Sometimes, when colder weather comes along -- think 30's -- the plants get covered up at night.

My Mother has several large palm trees. A few years years ago, I attached a Staghorn Fern to the palm in the front yard. It has now grown large enough to almost circle the tree. This is how these ferns grow in nature, attached to trees ... just not where it freezes.


My Mother, next to the front palm tree, is bundled up in two sweaters & a jacket, fighting the bitterly cold 60 degree temperatures. [Full time living in Florida, thins the blood.]

In the backyard, is another Staghorn. This one I started in a wire basket, hanging from one of the awnings of Mom's place. It grew so large it had to be moved to a tree, where it is hanging from a limb & has a large flower pot under it, for added support & to not break the tree limb. This fern is too large to move now. But, it just keeps growing.

Being Florida, Mom also grows her own oranges on a tree she planted. Nothing like picking your own -- really fresh -- fruit. Neighbors "share" their fruit with each other, as some grow grapefruits & lemons as well.

This past Christmas trip had some "visitors" appear in the backyard, but not to pick oranges. These are Sandhill Cranes, which came several days to sample the food put out for the smaller birds, [the cranes were 4-5 foot tall] & some treats intended for squirrels. The cranes were very regal & mellow, & seemingly not afraid of humans. The birds knew where the handouts were.

Whatever the time of year, it is always enjoyable to visit my Mother in Florida. At Christmas, it now seems "normal" to have the pleasant weather & be outside each day in a T-shirt & shorts, rather than fighting the cold weather. The "Spirit of Christmas" is still there, it is just easier to enjoy.

As I sat in the Orlando airport waiting for my flight home on Christmas day, I admired the large tree in the center of the concourse & thought to myself ... "MERRY XMAS & let others have the WHITE Christmas".

CONSIGNMENT CATS

I had to take the three cats to the Vet for boarding while I went to Florida for Christmas. It's expensive, but I do have responsibility for them. Comes with the territory.

I was surprised to find out the Vet has a new service; they will "advertise" in their clinic the availability of animals in their care to people they know to be trustworthy pet owners. It ensures the animal a good home & continued care by the Vet who knows & has treated the animal.

On a lark, while there last Saturday, I registered my three cats. Let's face it, three cats are a bit much, especially when they are fussy on which [expensive] foods they will eat, require a lot of my time & it costs more than $30.00 a day to board them. I'm on a fixed income.

I was surprised get a phone call while in Florida. Someone wanted TWO of the cats. The good news is that the new owner pays the boarding fee & any other Vet costs associated with the process. I save a bunch of money.


NIBBLETS (left)

The bad news is the new owners took Momma Kitty & THE WOBBLER; my favorites & certainly the sweetest of the original three. I end up still owning Nibblets, who I have mentioned previously, has some "issues" in the social world of cats.

Well, having one cat is a lot easier all around. I'm saving money. I don't have multiple cats fighting over which one will be sitting in my lap all the time & the bed at night will now be a lot less crowded.

Thinking about it ... I may go back to the Vet & see if anyone will take Nibblets as well. There is one"issue" I would have with the whole plan, which is highlighted by reading down below ...

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DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE ANY OF THIS THAT YOU ARE READING ?? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I was sooooo glad to go get "My Girls" this morning at the Vet. [They were closed for the holiday weekend, but I had made arrangements in advance to retrieve them.]

After getting home & getting the cats -- & me -- situated, everything has settled down & back to "normal" ... whatever that is in this household. THE WOBBLER is laying in my lap -- purring -- as I type.

I love my kitties.

THE CATS ARE GONE

I knew this day would come. I just didn't realize it would be so soon. There is such an empty feeling in me right now. In a way, I knew I would feel the "loss", but it seems greater than I thought it would.

With the cats, I received many comments from friends who found it strange for me to be attached to non-reptiles. Suffice it to say my "Dog Lover" friends made it known I was some sort of nerd for having cats. Those people who like cats, mostly expressed surprise.

I have questioned my own feelings towards ... "The Three Thugs". Many times. I have seen the changes in myself. Caring & worrying when they were "late" coming inside. Did they have enough food ?? Would they eat the food I gave them, or did I need to try another variety ?? Cat hair ?? Who cares !! So many emotions inside me. So much love to give ... and receive back.

Heck. I've treated ... "The Three Idiots" -- Precious, Nibblets & THE WOBBLER (always spelled in caps.) better than most women I have known.

I walk through the house & it seems strange they are not under foot. I miss WOBS "talking" to me.

I don't think I'll ever have any other cats. It would be too hard to find & train a new cat to replace any of the three. These show personality & return emotions. We have fun "together", working & playing in the yard. Well, not so much when the old John Deere is cutting grass.

I miss them not being here.





Precious, the Mother Kitty -- Laying in the middle of the desk where I write. This is actually a favorite of all the cats. A place to relax, receive back rubs, purr up a storm & donate cat hair to whatever/whoever I was writing to.







Nibblets at the top of the photo, with THE WOBBLER, out in the yard. A time to inspect & explore everything & an opportunity to bring bird & rodent remains to the front porch, to savor & enjoy. [And for me to clean up when they are finished.]


Yes ... it was hard taking them to the Vet this A.M., especially Nibblets, who went "missing" for 20 minutes when I was ready to put her in her carrier. Maybe she knew it was time for them to be on their "vacation" at the Vet, while I went off to Florida for Christmas with Mom.

I already am looking forward to "our return" next weekend.

Then back to "normal" -- cats running through the house, let them out, let them in, food snubbed, cat hair on everything, including me. In other words -- THE GOOD LIFE.

LIFE SAVING PEANUT BUTTER

My Mother came to America after World War II. She'd married my Dad when he was serving in the Military in Great Britain. Love at first sight. He "popped the question" in less than 10 days.

Things were different with emigration after the war. With tons of paperwork & sponsors needed, it took almost a year for my Mother to make it over to the U.S. & join my Dad. The borders were a bit tighter back then.

In 1953 my Mother took me to England; to show me to the family & probably to cure a bit of homesickness on her part. We were there for two months. Dad got to stay home & work.

My friend Kelly sent me an e-mail recently titled "Older Than Dirt". It listed a lot of things from ..."way back then" ... which if you recognized, you scored points. The winning score -- for knowing things like home delivery of milk, ice boxes, (which my family had) & phone party lines, etc. -- made you "Older than Dirt".

Our trip to England certainly had methods of transportation which would probably make that "dirt" questioner. My Mom & I took the train from Rochester, New York to New York City. It was a steam engine train. The train had to make stops in such cites as Syracuse & Albany, not only for passengers, but to take on water for the engine, since it ran on steam from coal.

From New York City to Great Britain we went by boat -- H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth. Think Titanic. We even saw some ice flows in the upper Atlantic Ocean.

The trip took a week to complete. Today the same distance would be covered by plane in eight to 10 hours. Back then, in the "dirt days", flying was for the wealthy & it was not the method of travel it has become.

When we arrived in Watford, England, I was treated like a movie star. The local news paper came to interview my Mother, the returning British girl, & former G.I. War Bride, bringing her "American son" back "home". We had our family picture on the front page of the newspaper, & I was featured as the "Little Cowboy" from the United States, due to my blue jeans with small guns & bullets embroidered on the pockets.

I had a good time my two months in England. I played a lot with my young Uncles & did things like going to the movies, having "ice lollies" (Popsicles) & playing at the bomb shelters. Yes, this was post-war & there were all sorts of aspects of the fighting & destruction still visible. Many areas & buildings were in rubble & vast areas had not yet been cleared.

One thing I did not care for in Great Britain was the food. Really strange stuff they ate. Plus, I was a VERY fussy eater -- the type told to sit at the dining table until the carrots were eaten. Never did eat them.

This is were my Mother was really prepared. She knew me well. She wasn't going to let "Cowboy Billy" starve.

For the trip, my Mother packed TWO five-pound CANS of Peter Pan Peanut Butter. [Metal cans with a key attached to the bottom. The key was then used to unwind the lid from the cans. (More "dirt stuff".)] I survived on P.B.&J.'s. I think I did finish off both cans before we made our return trip -- again by boat -- to America.

I still love my peanut butter. There are currently two jars -- big ones, not in metal cans, from Sam's Club -- in the pantry. Now I buy Jiff Peanut Butter.

Sorry Peter Pan. But, thanks for saving my life.

MERRY XMAS

I know ... "Xmas" is a crude abbreviation for Christmas. My beloved 7th grade school teacher, Mrs. Gilmore, who I have written about previously, was the first person, maybe the only person I can remember, who had such a strong dislike for the word "Xmas". It's weird & convoluted, but I like to write "Xmas" at this time of year, in memory of Mrs. Gilmore. I would love to hear her voice say one more time -- "Xmas is not the proper word for Christmas".

So ... to do it proper for everyone ... MERRY CHRISTMAS.

When I was a young kid in Rochester, New York, Christmas, was a special time. It was cold outside & most every Christmas was a White Christmas, from "lake effect snow", off both Lakes Erie & Ontario. Despite money not being plentiful growing up, my Mom & Dad -- and/or, Santa Claus -- always seemed to manage to have one "major" gift under the Christmas tree each year. [A real tree. I don't think the fake trees were even invented back then.]

I remember the electric trains I received one year, which led to additional trains & accessories each following Christmas for the large train set-up my Dad built in our basement. I still think he built all that for his own fun.

Another Christmas, next to the tree, brought a bike, something I had been wanting truly bad. Before that year, I had a series of used, second-hand bikes. This bike was brand new & all mine. [Of course, all that snow meant the bike stayed in the neighbor's garage till Spring, when the snow & slush finally melted & I could take the bike out for ride. The Curse of Christmas Bike's ... in the North.]

Somewhere, long ago, perhaps about college time, Christmas took on a different meaning. It was about returning home, visiting with Mom & Dad & sharing time together, making up for all the miles & years which now separated us.

The idea of a "White Christmas" disappeared about 25 years ago, when my parents moved to Central Florida. Certainly no snow there. Much warmer temperatures too, even in the Winter.

I'll be flying down to Florida this coming Sunday for Christmas. When my Father passed, I made sure it was the one holiday my Mother & I would always be together. I've been going down there every year. Now days, instead of snow, it would not seem like Christmas without palm trees, temperatures in the 70's & riding my bike in my shorts, working on my mid-Winter tan.

That one week of time is really the only time it "feels right" ... like there is something "special". Now days, Christmas is all commercial & money spent & made. The Christmas displays are up in the stores/malls long before the Halloween candy is marked down. Thanksgiving is just a prelude to shopping on "Black Friday". The nightly news broadcasts show people, crowded in the stores, shopping for bargains, no doubt adding to the balance on those high-interest credit cards.


Not for me. I want to remember Christmas as it was when I was a kid. For many years, I would be going out in the cold & snow on a dark, moon-less Christmas Eve, looking up at the stars, trying to find that "special star" which shown so long ago. I was looking for the BRIGHT STAR, almost hoping to see it move in the heavens, to let me know ... "That's the one" !!

Christmas is joy, love & remembrances of what we really celebrate -- a birth & life to save us all. It's NOT just buying big, expensive presents on sale. It's a time we remember to give thanks for so many REAL GIFTS we have been given.

Merry Xmas, Mrs. Gilmore ... where ever you are.

MY GRAY HAIR

I have had gray hair for years. What people don't know or realize is this -- I was born with gray hair & for years DYED MY HAIR.

As proof, I submit a photo of my Mother & me taken in July, 1949. I was two at the time & my Mother -- a total HOTTIE -- would have been twenty-two.

At an early age, my Mother started adding color to my hair, since as I was getting older, my hair was not darkening. It continued to be a very light -- almost white -- color of gray.

It was an event which took place about every two weeks at our house -- Mom putting on the rubber gloves, me with my head over the kitchen sink & the hair color being applied. I think it was when my toe nails got cut as well.

Mother tried several different colors. I was rather young, but I remember some old photographs my Dad took. I had light to dark brown color most of the time, depending on what was on sale at the corner drugstore. I think I was even a redhead for a few weeks one time. That's not a good color for me.

When I got older, I learned to color my hair myself. I often thought of coloring my hair bright blond. Think "Professional Wrestler Blond", but I didn't have the nerve to try to pull it off. Plus, I thought someone would pick a fight with me & beat me up.

Finally, around college, I had enough of the ritual of coloring my hair & went for the "Gray Look". Much to my delight, the chicks dug it.

They still do, although they would NEVER have gray hair themselves !!

RURAL HOME FIRES

My address is listed as North Little Rock, Arkansas. Actually I live outside the city limits ... "in the county" (Pulaski). As such, emergency services -- in this case, the Fire Department -- are from the East Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department. [I know, it says EAST. Technically & geographically , this area is EAST of Little Rock.]

Since I moved here in 1996, there have been several house fires in the area I am aware of. In two cases, people were killed, one of those being Mr. Mayo, who had a home at the end of my road. He was old & frail, & as the story goes, when the fire was underway, he went back inside the house to look for his wife. She was already outside & he died in the fire.

Another fire was just about a 1/4 mile from here. I woke one night to noises, which turned out to be the trucks & cars of the Volunteer Firemen. The house was being totally consumed by flames & the firemen had to keep running in water trucks to fight the fire. The house was lost. There are no fire hydrants out here in the country.

A few years ago, I was out of town when an electrical outlet shorted & melted some wires in my garage. This is were I have my turtle & lizard collection. I was VERY LUCKY a fire did not result, although the smoke/soot damage from melted plastic resulted in a large clean-up job covered by insurance.

From the damaged/destroyed homes I have seen, it appears that if a fire gets well started, then by the time the Volunteer Firemen & their equipment make it to the location, the chances are slim & none to save the structure without MAJOR damage. In most cases, the homes are gutted by the fire & will have to be torn down, or completely rebuilt.

This picture is the latest home in my area I have seen destroyed by fire. It must have happened Thanksgiving weekend. I drove by the house -- on Faulkner Lake Road -- on Wednesday. The home was there. When I went past the location again on Sunday, the house was leveled. I have no idea what caused the fire but everything about the house has been destroyed, including a car in the driveway.

What concerns me, is this location is across the road from the Stone Links golf course & housing development. It is inside the city limits of North Little Rock & as such should have had the city's fire services respond, not Volunteeers. How did this fire get so out-of-hand ? How long did it take for ANY fire equipment & personnel to arrive ? I never saw, heard or read anything about this fire.

I don't use "fire" in my house. I don't burn candles & although I have a fireplace & stove insert, I do not use them. I have my gas furnace inspected twice a year. Outdoors, I do burn some trash, leaves & tree limbs, all well away from the house, in only the best weather conditions.

The last thing I would want would be to have a fire at my house. From the burned homes I have seen locally, a house fire requires three phone calls: (1) -- 911 (2) -- Insurance company (3) -- An Architect ... because the house is going to go to the ground. Not a pleasant thought.

Everyone reading this -- BE FIRE SMART & FIRE SAFE !!

MARLENE ... AKA ... "WEINER"

In the past I have mentioned her several times in these posts, so it is time I added some more "detail" to who Marlene is & some of the role she has played in my life. Hopefully, too, this will satisfy Bubba, who seems way too interested in the details of this relationship.

Marlene -- called for some unknown reason "Weiner" by her two younger brothers -- was the object of my affections, starting in the early 60's in Honeoye, New York. It was my second year at Honeoye Central School. My sophomore year. I don't know were she was my freshmen year at the school -- DUH, try the 8th grade -- but that second year at school, Marlene became "IT" as far as my heart was concerned. She truly was ... "My First Love".

We had a great relationship in the beginning, as most couples experience. Her family accepted me & allowed me to join in most all their activities as the "7th member". It was -- & is -- a memorable time in my life.

Marlene & me were a "couple" till the end of my junior year. We broke up that Summer, but had times when we were back together. It was a very small school, in a very small town & it was certainly hard to not drift back to each other. We always cared about the other person ... a relationship which lasted -- in various forms -- to this day.

A lot of my Senior year, I was strictly single, & always aware of which fellas were walking down the school halls with Marlene. I had the proverbial "broken heart" for a long time.

Finally things got better for me. Time does heal. So the less I needed Marlene in my life, the more she entered it. We never stayed apart too long. We'd be back together, get in some argument or disagreement & "break-up". After awhile, we'd start the "make-up" process & it would all begin again.

One of the BIG blow-ups we had occurred late in the school year of 1965. We were in the "make-up" process ... when I changed the rules of the game. I had a date to a school event with a very good looking, much younger girl [try 8th grader] named Pam. Actually, in that time, I had several dates with Pam. I was cookin.

Marlene did not take it well when she found out about Pam & me. Jealousy is one word for it. Maybe it was just because we always seem to think of the other as ... "mine".

This is where my memory gets ... well ... fuzzy. The bottom line is: I dumped Pam. Thereafter, Marlene & I were once again "steadys". Ah ... stupid, young love.

A few weeks later, Marlene had a school activity in New York City. [I had a date with Pam while Marlene was gone -- just to "explain things" to Pam.] Marlene returned from NYC with an autographed photo of herself with Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jack Dempsey, as a gift for me. Being a big boxing fan back in my teens, I was elated at the gift.

The photo, & folder it was in, stayed in my hands for all of five minutes. I made some wise-ass comment about the photo would look better without Marlene in it. She snatched the photo out of my hands, took it back & we broke up again. Swift !!

And I don't think Pam would go out with me anymore, either.

Through the college years, Marlene & I continued our off/on relationship. It became more difficult when I moved on to schooling in Memphis, Tennessee. We drifted apart at times, but I still stayed in contact with Roy & Ruth, Marlene's parents. That never changed

Eventually Marlene & I married others & lost contact for a few years. We both got divorces & eventually were back in contact as friends, which we remain to this day, me living in Arkansas & Marlene dividing time with her new husband between homes in New York state & Summerland Key, Florida.

It's nice to be adults. We get along now & don't disagree ... well, very often. I even got my autographed Jack Dempsey photo back from "Weiner". Life is good.

SARAH

There was an article on Sarah in the Little Rock newspaper today. [Arkansas Democrat Gazette] We all know who Sarah is now days. Like other "celebrities" -- she may be questionable in her political future, but no doubt she qualifies as a celebrity -- Sarah no longer needs to have her last name included. Just like Madonna, Britney, or even another name in the news a lot the past few days -- Tiger. We all know who she is.

Sarah was in Fayetteville, Arkansas yesterday, on her book tour, signing copies at the Sam's Club. The article had a nice photo of her & was captioned with the fact each person getting a book signed would have a MAXIMUM of six seconds with Sarah. The article went on to say people had lined up over night, in the freezing cold, to buy copies of Sarah's book & have those six seconds with her while they got the book signed.

I have a large collection of books which I have been lucky enough to get signed by the books author. I have been to both book signings & in many cases, found an address for the author & sent the book directly to the author to sign. I ask the book be personally inscribed with my name. Makes me feel like there has been a "connection". The people getting Sarah's book are just getting her signature. [I have not seen what her writing looks like, but from the video on TV of her book tour, that's a pretty quick "slash" for her name. But, hey. It's six seconds.]

I doubt if I will buy Sarah's book. They have it at my local Barnes & Noble Bookseller. I have not even bothered to "thumb it". I'll wait. Maybe when it is on the SALE TABLE for $6.49, maybe then I'll buy it, mostly to say I have a copy. I've got lots of books I've never really read.

I do have another book ABOUT Sarah. Got it off the Internet. I think I will read this one. Looks more interesting.

The newspaper article on Sarah had quotes from some of the people who stood in line overnight & got the book signed. All had positive things to say about her. I would hope so, to be in the freezing cold for 8-10 hours.

One comment caught my eye & stayed with me. Someone said Sarah was "... our Princes Diana". That's taking it to an even higher level than "celebrity". That's going ROYAL.

It's funny, I always had a different opinion of Diana. [Here we go again -- a one word name.] Maybe it is being half-British, since my Mother was born & raised in England, I had a different take on Diana.

Diana -- to me -- was a "nanny" to small children, who was "selected" to provide Prince Charles heirs to the British throne. She was a "commoner" ... not a "Royal". From an unknown, she eventually grew so popular, she became more important than other members of the Royal Family themselves. She took on a life all her own, with the expensive clothes, articles written about every single thing she did or said, & seemed to be only interested in her own prestige & wealth.

WAIT !!! Maybe Sarah IS our Princes Diana.

HAIRCUTS & NOSE HAIR

A lot of people know I cut my own hair. I have not been to a barber in probably more than 35 years. That means for over half my life I've done my own haircutting.

The last haircut I had from a "professional" was at a little shop in the basement of the YMCA, on Madison Avenue, in Memphis. There was a little black barber who would cut my hair just as I wanted it done. [That was another issue with barbers -- I'd tell them how I wanted my hair to be cut & how I wanted it to look. But ... they never did it the way I wanted.] "Jimmy the Barber" -- or what ever his name was, as I can't remember stuff from 10 minutes ago -- always cut my hair to my liking.

Those many years ago I just got it into my mind there was no reason to pay someone to do something I could do myself. If I messed up & cut my hair wrong ... so what ?? It would grow back pretty quick.

My friend Bubba always would rag on me about cutting my own hair. Bubba liked to get his hair cut every two or three weeks. He made appointments. Also, at least when he lived in Little Rock, he went to a "stylist" -- a "hot babe" I believe -- who would serve him wine & fuss on him, no doubt working on Bubba for that "tip" at the end of the session.

I never went to any barber shop which served booze. I used to question Bubba about how many glasses of wine he drank while he was there. I was always concerned the police would nab him on the way home & Bubba would get a DWI. At least he would look neat & trim in his mug shot.

I know that barbers -- or "stylists" -- often trim more than the hair on the head. They cut beards, mustaches & "other areas".

It's no secret guys, especially as we get older, have to be concerned with those little hairs which seem to start growing in our ears & nose. [I don't ever remember anyone in college who had any "hair problems" in those areas. It's an "old guy thing".]

I also don't remember asking Bubba if those girls who styled his hair worked on his nose & ears. I'll have to ask him sometime.

Since I do my own haircutting, I have to also deal with the "other hair". I've got one of those battery operated trimmers which fit so nicely in the nose & ears. Does a good job. I use it about every 3-5 days. Nothing looks worse than a hairy nose, or for that matter, "grass" growing out of the old ear canal.

Now days, since I don't have a job to go to, looking all neat & tidy in the morning is not a major function of starting my day. If my clothes don't match, or my hair is not combed, so what ?? Still, it's nice to know my nose & ears look good & smooth.

NIBBLETS

Of the three cats which live with me, I have written in detail on two of them -- Precious, who is the mother cat & THE WOBBLER [Wobs] who is the youngest of the group. It's time I wrote a few paragraphs about Nibblets, the older sister/stepsister of Wobs.

Nibblets was born on my front porch on March 22nd, 2007. She was -- by some act of God -- the only survivor of a batch of six kittens born to Precious. This was probably due to the fact that Precious was too young to be having babies & it seems neither she nor I knew much of what to do at that point in time. [It was learn-as-you go for both of us, with me assisting with umbilical cord cutting.]

Despite semi-poor mothering skills, freezing temperatures & and a human [me] who wasn't sure they even wanted cats around here, Nibblets survived, mostly on her own. The fact I had major surgery several weeks after she was born only added to the difficulties. To this day, I feel some guilt about the conditions she faced.

NOTE: When Precious had a second batch of kittens on June 6th, 2007 -- nine this time -- she was more mature & physically ready for all mothering duties, & did the whole birthing process on her own. No help from me this time. This batch of kittens provided me with Wobs.

I realize now that Nibs would have benefited from being raised with siblings/litter mates. She is the "roughest" of the three cats & often has to be chastised to ... "play nice". Nibs can play too rough with Wobs & seems to delight in stalking her smaller sized sister, either in the house or in the yard. Being in a litter of kittens would have "taught" Nibs the proper ways to play. [Ever the "Mom", Precious will still give Nibs a good chase & as she gets older, Wobs is standing up for herself more & more with her sister.]

As she has gotten older, Nibblets is becoming more mellow. While not the "lap cat" which both Precious & Nibs are, Nibs will still seek me out & almost demand her chin & ears to be scratched for several minutes. When she's had enough ... off she goes.

As each cat has a distinct & unique personality, Nibblets is the most "outdoor" of the three. When I first get up in the morning, she wants to go out. She remains outside for an hour or two, then returns to the door to be let inside for breakfast, a nap & then back out.

Often, Nibblets doesn't want to come back inside at night. The other two cats will be at the door when it gets dark, ready to come in for the night. Sometimes Nibs is a "no-show". I have to wait on her, often going to the door every 15 minutes to look to see if she has arrived back. Finally she is at the door & comes in for the night.

Last night she didn't come home. Between six & nine P.M., I had to keep removing Precious from her cozy spot on my lap & would go to both doors to check for Nibblets. I even took the flashlight & walked around outside calling for her. No Nibs.

I gave up & went to bed. A few minutes later I thought I heard something. I got up to check the doors again. Still no cat.

I woke at two A.M. I got out of bed & checked the front door, then the side door. There was Nibblets, ready to run in & go straight for the food bowl. I was so glad to see her I didn't even bother to scold her, as if that does any good with a cat.

Nibblets has been inside all day, probably due to the wind & rain we have had, rather than being too tired from her night outside. As a matter of fact, all three cats have been inside all day.

As I finished the paragraph above, Nibblets came into the room, let out a squeak which means "follow me" in cat talk & led me to the side door. She's gone outside again, now the rain has stopped. I wonder when she will come back tonight ... or ... in the morning.

FINALLY -- COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET !!!

Although Thanksgiving is over, it's still the "holiday season", with Christmas less than a month away. A change of seasons ... a change in me.

For me this time of the year is bringing much reflection & a strong desire to go on-the-record with an issue which needs to be addressed. I am afraid this may be "startling" ... but it needs to be said & brought out into the open. I mean no ill will. Just a strong desire to correct misconceptions on a very private matter.

First let me say -- before any words which may be frightening are laid out, never to be retrieved -- that I hope there will be no feelings hurt; that life will go on & friendships/relationships -- so long enjoyed & nurtured -- will weather these statements.

Secondly -- I know I have "changed". I know too, I am different than most "normal people"; single, living alone, having strange hobby's & interests. And then -- I added three cats to my life. A sure sign of "change", & although I see it as a kinder, gentler me, others look deeper.

So, with these changes within me ... with a sense of strength in what I am about to do ... a knowing feeling all will be so serene & accepted, I want to move forward with these changes.

I want to say what I am feeling.

I want this to be out ... "in the open".

PRECIOUS ... GET YOU FAT BUTT OUT OF THE CLOSET. YOU'VE BEEN IN THERE AN HOUR !! DANG NEAR BROKE MY TOE ON THE OPEN DOOR IN THE HALLWAY. GET OUT !!

There. It needed to be said.

That cat would stay in the closet all day long if I would let her. Well, no more. It's a new me & a new attitude.

___________________________________________________________________

Please don't be mad, Precious !! Don't get upset. You can go back in the closet. Here ... I'll open the door for you

___________________________________________________________________

Well ... that didn't work.

"HA-WOE ... MRS. WOOOOOM"

The people in the photo with me are Roy & Ruth Roome. This photo was taken in Florida on Christmas Eve, 1995. Both have passed on now, but like a select number of people, they had an impact on my life which helped format me as I am today. [Does that mean credit AND blame ??] I like to think they get strictly CREDIT for the good they did & the help & love they gave me always.

When I met the Roome's -- around 1962 -- I was a sophomore at Honeoye Central School, in Honeoye, New York. They had three kids -- Roger, David & a daughter the brothers taunted with the name "Weiner". [Ahh... I just heard some light bulbs click on in some brains.] Yes, the daughter was Marlene Roome, & we were an "item" -- between break-ups -- in high school.

Those high school years corresponded with a difficult time in my life & I faced some major problems. Luckily for me, Roy & Ruth -- well, actually the whole family -- took me in as the seventh member. They provide a proper family atmosphere & included me in so many activities, as well as giving me a sense of discipline when & where I needed it growing up.

Through the years, we always stayed connected in some way. Marlene & me went our separate ways but to this day remain in contact. Roy & Ruth were "snowbirds" in Florida & had a home not more than a dozen miles from my Mother's home. We would all visit when the Roome's & I were in the state at the same time.

Ruth Roome was a first grade teacher at Honeoye Central. As such, she had an influence on many more lives than just mine. To this day I still remember one little girl -- I believe her name was Debbie -- always yelling across the street to Mrs. Roome when she saw her in town -- in a high, squeaky voice which only exists in my memory -- "Ha-Woe Mrs. Woooom". Ruth -- in her sweet, school teacher way -- would always acknowledge Debbie for her greeting & was truly glad to see Debbie each time.

In all the decades which followed, to the last time I saw her in Florida, a few months before she died, I would always attempt to copy little Debbies voice as I greeted "Ruthie" -- "HA ... WOE MRS. WOOOOOM." Ruth would always have a chuckle at my greeting -- another voice which exhists only in my memory today.

Roy & Ruth Roome ... gone from this earth, but really, never far away.

MEOWATHON -- PART II

It's got to be noted the race T-shirt for the 5K MEOWATHON this past Saturday ... WAS ONE OF THE COOLEST T-SHIRTS ... EVER !!

It was designed/drawn by noted artist/political cartoonist BILL DAY. It features many "famous" cats, all "Running For the Claws". [I'm sure, if there is food at the finish line, Garfield is going to win.]



I also have to give snaps to Bill Day & his young son for their efforts running in the MEOWATHON. As a non-medal winning runner, I have to congratulate BOTH for each winning medals in their age group ... the only family members to do so I believe.

DOUBLE-PLAID ... LIKE MY DAD

When my Father was alive, he often wore some strange mix & match clothing styles. Not that my Dad didn't know how to dress "properly" -- he had his work clothes & ties matched-up -- but when it came to casual clothes, I think my Dad let comfort come first ... rather than style.

One way my Father had of dressing himself was the "Clown Look" -- double, non-matching plaid shirts & plaid pants/shorts. All he needed was a pair of huge shoes & some face paint -- don't forget the red nose -- & the circus would have snatched him up. He always said it didn't matter what he wore, it was just going to get dirty. Plus, he liked to say -- "Nobody will see me anyway" -- as we stood their mocking him out for his double-plaid outfit.

In my days in the business world, I was always very careful of my own personal "dress code". I had to have the correct color shirt, pants & corresponding tie. Shoes too, had to fit the look. I had hundreds of nice, silk ties which I would cycle in such a way to make it appear I was always wearing a NEW tie. "Mr. GQ".

Years back, when "business casual" became standard & all those tie racks in my closet came down & the ties themselves got put away into big plastic boxes -- where they still are -- I was still careful with my clothing selection for work. The key was to be careful of the shirt "rotation" & the color pants matched with each wearing. Again, it kept the look ... "new".

I did have a lot of plaid shirts to wear to work. [Still have those in the closet also, but fewer each year as I make donations of clothes to Goodwill. Tax deduction, ya know.] Again, the rotation of the shirts was critical, but the multi-colors allowed for some good match-ups with the pants.

Well, once I quit working & stayed home most days, I started getting a bit lax about MY clothing selection. I had gained weight & clothes for around the house were chosen for ... "comfort". Even after my heart surgery & subsequent life style changes, the weight loss did not affect my liking of "comfortable clothes". Heck. No one was going to see me, & the clothes -- working in the yard -- were just going to get dirty anyway.

WAIT !!! Where had I heard that said before ?? Then it dawned on me. I was starting to dress like my Father. The apple was falling closer to the tree.

One of my favorite ways to dress around the house -- I would NOT go out in public like this ... well, hardly -- is a plaid flannel shirt & plaid "house pants". Comfortable.

The flannel shirts are actually worn almost year round ... for "protection". The shirts combat ... cat claws. "The Girls" like to lay in my lap, purring & "making biscuits" -- as my Vet Tech calls it -- with their paws & claws. OUCH !! The extra layer of flannel shirt helps avoid scratches & pain. My pain.

THE PANTS ?? I never can find these in solid colors. Always plaid. I guess the "house pants" are really pajamas. Whatever. Who's going to see me ?? They will just get dirty.

So here I am, sitting on the bed, wearing an example of MY double-plaid, believing I hear Wobs & Nibblets... laughing at ME now. As long as there are NO big shoes & make-up, I guess I am safe from the circus recruiters.

Besides ... I'm comfortable.

MEOWATHON -- 2009

Saturday, November 21, 2009 was a full day of activities, starting at 2:30 A.M. & lasting until almost six P.M. In that time I drove about 320 miles, ran 3.2 miles & added around $130.00 to my Visa Card. I also had a delicious lunch & got to share a few hours of quality time with close friends I see too seldom.

Yesterday was the annual MEOWATHON 5K run in Memphis, Tennessee. All proceeds & money raised goes to support the non-profit House of Mews in Memphis. The H.O.M. is a feline rescue & adoption agency which I support. [http://www.houseofmews.com/]

I pulled out of my driveway at 5:30 A.M. & headed to Memphis on Interstate 40. I hate the drive over -- & back -- no doubt due to the several years I commuted weekly from home to Memphis. It is a long straight drive, with too many big rig trucks all having to be some place soon.

I got to Overton Park in Memphis at 8 A.M. The race -- 3.2 miles -- began at 9 A.M. I was done 29 minutes & 28 seconds later. I ran the race last year in 31:01. I wanted to beat 30 minutes time this year ... & I did. Now I need to improve my time as much again for next years MEOWATHON.

There were several hundred runners this year -- the largest group ever. I finished #62, but not fast enough to beat several others in my age group who were medal winners. That is another reason to be speedier next year. Go for the gold ... silver ... heck, I'll take bronze.

Among the activities taking place was a "silent auction". I was able to get a signed copy of the book Homer's Odyssey donated from the author Gwen Cooper to add to the auction. ["Homer" is the story of Gwen's cat, blind, but not limited, all his life. http://www.gwencooper.com ] The high bid was $40.00, which is double the list price & money going to a good cause.

On my way to lunch -- out in Germantown, Tennessee -- I stopped at two of my favorite retail locations & places I try to visit each time I am in Memphis -- Art Center Supply & Davis Kidd Booksellers. I dropped coin in both stores ... as expected.

Mosa Asian Bistro [http://mosaasianbistro.com] was the lunch location & worth the entire trip for both the food & friendship shared with my Tennessee friends -- Sharon & Marty McPherson of Cordova & Kathy Ray of Buchanan. [Kathy's husband, Larry, was down in South Alabama fishing & missed a good time & great meal. Next time, Larry.]

The drive home was hindered by the forever on-going road construction in West Memphis, Arkansas. [Yes ... for those unaware, there is such a place, across the Mississippi river, in my state.] Driving over earlier in the morning I did not have any problems with the repair work. That was not the story in the late afternoon. Traffic was backed up at least 10 miles -- well into Memphis.

NOTE TO DRIVERS GOING EAST/WEST ON INTERSTATE 40 THROUGH WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS: Don't !

I managed to get out of the traffic back-up near St. Jude Hospital, cut across town & drive the "old bridge" [I-55] to Arkansas. There, I drove through the main part of West Memphis, which has an old, crumbling & deserted feel to it. Kind of sad. Later I got back on I-40 & fought the heavy traffic, many trucks & the setting sun in my eyes as I drove onward. My cat, Nibblets came to greet me as I got home. She spent the day outside. The other two, Precious & Wobs, had the easy day ... inside.

I did not run this morning as part of my daily exercises. But then, I don't run on Sundays. I always walk & try to enjoy the day & the country feel. Plus, today my legs were a bit sore. Getting too old, I know.

Tomorrow I start getting ready for next year's MEOWATHON in Memphis, when I will do it again ... with shopping, food & friends, of course.

HE BE BUBBA

In the 40-plus years of living in the South, I have met a lot of guys called "Bubba". It's a bit more common nickname than people realize. Even President Clinton was a "Bubba".

For a lot of people these days, hearing about someone having the name "Bubba" is an indication the name holder is to be considered somewhat of a "redneck, good old Southern boy". Not so with MY Bubba.

My friend Steve is in no way like a "Bubba". Not even close. Put him in a line up of "Bubba's". He wouldn't even be picked. Still, for too many years, I have called him BUBBA.

I give people nicknames all the time. [Gosh. I am just like the last President Bush.] I don't know why. Maybe parents should come to me to help me name their kids. Besides Steve being called Bubba, there is Wemus, Monkey Paws, Cratsley, Number One & a host of others. Even my cats names have nicknames.

I don't remember really why I started calling Steve ... Bubba. As pointed out ... he's not one. I think it was because when we worked together in Memphis, he lived up in Covington, Tennessee. Quite a long commute to/from work. Something to do with his living in rural Tennessee ?? I don't remember.

Bubba & I are opposites in so many ways, starting with politics. He's also quiet & keeps to himself. I am loud & obnoxious. I like living on my own, by myself. Bubba is a family man who, along with his wife Teresa ["The Bubbette"] has raised two kids, both who are now Dentists. No dummies in that family. [There are also three WILD grandsons, who they love & adore.]

I consider Bubba a GOOD FRIEND. I don't have a lot of friends, but those I do, I cherish & try to keep special to me. When Steve retired from Maybelline in North Little Rock a few years ago -- yes, he retired, I got pushed -- he & Teresa moved to Springville, Tennessee [on the Tennessee River]to be closer to family. I wish they had not moved so far away.

Like the good friend he is, Bubba helped me out in 2007 when I had my heart surgery. He, along with Kenny, came to the hospital the first day & got my truck out of the hospital garage & took it back home. Bubba also came to visit/stay with me as I was taken to surgery the next morning. He was the "contact" for the hospital & kept up on my condition, to alert my Mother & friends.

I found out later, Bubba came to my house each day to feed the stray cat on my front porch. [Precious was nursing one kitten -- Nibblets. I still did not consider her "my cat" at the time. Little did I know. I guess I can blame all three cats on Bubba.]

Yes, Bubba -- the nickname stuck & a LOT of people know him by that name -- is NOT a "Bubba" as the nickname would indicate. He's so much more than that. He's a gentleman ... a kind man ... and ... he's my friend. [Plus the nickname "Elvis" -- because of his neatly combed hair (another difference between us) -- just didn't work for me.] So ... he's BUBBA !!

DEER [GUTS] SEASON IN ARKANSAS

I am not a hunter. Never have been. My Dad liked to hunt. It's one of those things I never picked up from him -- the desire to kill something for ... "sport".

Deer hunting season in Arkansas started this past weekend I believe. Again, not being a hunter, I was not following "opening day". I'll have to check with my friend Kenny. He's a big time hunter & can get me up-to-date.

I read where 300,000 deer hunters would be in the "deer woods" -- that's what they call it in Arkansas -- for the opening day. Deer hunting is a big deal here. Some school districts in the state close so the students can get in those ... ah ... "deer woods". Bag a big one, boys & girls.

There are several ways I know the main deer hunting season has arrived:
1] The newspaper starts publishing pictures of hunters & their kill.
2] Articles appear in the same paper, of hunters themselves shot -- & many times killed -- while in those "deer woods". It can't be preached enough -- hunting skills & gun safety.
3] Locally ... the deer carcases start to show up.

I have commented previously about the habits of people in Arkansas to dispose of their trash on the side of the road. It's the spoiling of the "Natural State".

In deer hunting season, the roadside trash includes deer remains. The meat has been harvested, so the left over "parts" need to be disposed of. In Arkansas, many times that means thrown on the side of the road.

A favorite disposal site locally is the creek to the East of here. Toss the deer remains in the water & let someone else -- MOTHER NATURE ?? -- deal with it.

This morning, while doing my daily jog, I came upon the first -- of many ?? -- deer remains for this hunting season. This one was unique -- the butcher paper used while cutting up the deer was thrown in the creek along with the guts. [Sorry. I can't think of a better word for the bloody innards. How about -- "internal organs" ?? The messy stuff.] I guess if this hunter didn't want to take time to properly dispose of the deer remains, well, getting rid of the paper was just as much a "problem". [Toss it out too -- No Problem.]

Later I rode my bike to the bridge to take the photos which appear here. It was then I noticed it appears when unloading the deer remains from the truck or trunk, the process of disposal must have resulted in a ... "slip". Some left over guts remained on the bridge & blood stains were prevalent. The impression is there must have been some difficulty in getting the carcass over the side of the bridge.

Maybe a car was coming down the road & the "disposer" had to hurry with the "disposee" before being discovered as the polluter. They sure didn't take time to clean up the mess on the bridge. Probably just a "toss & run".

I am sure there will be more deer remains in the creek as the hunting season goes on. Like the hunting itself, the disposal of the left over deer is handled as so much other trash in the Natural State -- TOSS IT.

FALL IS FALLING

Here it is mid-November & the cold weather still has not arrived. In some years, by Halloween, we will have had a frost. Not this year. So far, a "cold" night is in the mid-40's. The day temperatures are still hitting 70's. I like it ... a lot.

Despite the temperatures not seeming Fall-like -- Global Warming ?? -- the trees have been shedding their leaves, mostly on schedule. There are some trees -- Bradford Pears -- which are still green. Other trees -- the Hickory Tree in the front yard -- have lost ALL their leaves.

When it came time to look for a home in the Little Rock area 13-plus years ago as part of my job transfer from Memphis, I remember telling the real estate agent ... "I would like a place with a lot of land". No more townhouse living for me.

Well, be careful what you ask for. I got my "land" -- four acres. Along with the land -- which requires MAJOR of grass cutting -- I also have a lot of full grown trees. Mostly Maples, Oaks & other hardwoods. Every year I have added additional plantings. There are probably 50 or more trees on my property. Some day I will count them.

One thing I could never count are the number of LEAVES which come down to earth each Fall. About a third of my property takes on the look of a thick, brown carpet, where green grass would be. When I asked for a home "... with land ..." I failed to consider the "leaf factor". Another thing to remember when home buying in the Summer time.

So ... I am enjoying this unseasonable weather by doing the outdoor activity I do each year -- leaf raking, hauling & BURNING. It may not be the most environment friendly thing to do -- forgive me Al Gore -- but I am not going to send leaves to a land fill in big plastic bags like some people. I "mulch" a lot of the leaves with my mower. Some I compost. And a few billion/trillion/gazillion get burned.

Burn, Baby ... Burn

I'll be raking & burning from now through February, depending on the weather. Rain of course slows down the process. Wet leaves don't burn. I always need a few follow-up days of dry weather to re-start the raking/burning. A nice breeze helps to speed up the drying process.

I don't know how much "exercise" I get from this yearly experience. There is a lot of bending, pulling & pushing, steering the wheelbarrow around & general back-&-forth activity. When I am finished for the day, a warm shower sure feels good. The shower also removes my Smokey Bear smell too.

CAT NAPS

I have always been a "napper". My Father probably got me started on it. He nightly tried to get in 15-20 minutes of nap time between arriving home from work & dinner. He always seemed "refreshed" afterwards.

I started napping in college. Friday afternoons were my best naps. POWER NAPS. Strip the clothes, get under the covers & snooze for several hours. Get ready for the Friday night activities.

Truth be told, those power naps were to help me recover from the "all-nighter" on Thursday. Friday was the day when the weekly art project was due for submission. There was never any rush to get the assignment done during the week. Suddenly it was the night before & it was either the project to complete, or go to sleep.

Ahhhhh ... the value of a good "make-up-sleep-nap".

Now that I am older, I have two basic naps. Both are utilized in an average week for me, but, never both in the same day. One nap a day is all that is allowed.

My main nap is the morning nap on the couch. I get up early in the morning & have enough early activities done by around 9 A.M., I will often lay down on the couch to read a book & allow for some "dozing" time. The "couch nap" does leave me vulnerable for my momma kitty, Precious, to come running down the stairs [thundering is more like it] to join me -- ON ME -- for some quality relaxing time. Nothing like an 85 lb. gray-tabby cat stretched out on my eight inch chest scar. OOF !!

My secondary nap is usually reserved for afternoons. It's for when I am tired, but don't want to read or watch TV before dropping off to sleep. The "bed nap" is for serious ... "I'm-going-to-sleep-now-and-that's-all -I-am -planning -to-do" napping. These naps are utilized most often when there will be something on TV later that night which I want to see & be alert to watch. These naps help me to stay up beyond my usual 8 P.M. bedtime.


Bed naps will also most often find me joined by one or more cats, usually Nibblets, [In photo] but sometimes THE WOBBLER as well. Precious isn't much of a "bed cat", which allows me to sleep on the bed in different positions, not just on my back, as I would be on the couch, with 100 lbs. of cat on me.

Occasionally, I find my daily nap has not provided me the staying power to be active & alert after my [4 P.M.] dinner. I'll be watching TV & just feel like I need a few winks. In that case ... I go to bed. Who cares what time it is ??

Jerry Seinfeld did a joke on his show about his Mother warning him as a child not to spoil his appetite for dinner. As an adult he learned -- so what if I spoil my appetite ?? I'll have another !!

Same with bed time. So what if I go to bed ... "early" ?? I'll just get up early.

If I need more sleep ... I'll take a nap. With cats. A "cat nap".

NATIONAL REPTILE BREEDERS EXPO

I have kept turtles as pets for most of my life. I think my first turtle was one my Dad brought back from a day of fishing.

The second one -- when I was about five years old -- was a baby turtle which came in the mail from Florida. A woman my Mother worked with sent it to me. It's shell was painted red. My Father removed the paint.

I still have turtles in my life. I guess the "quest" to properly care for & keep them as been with me since that turtle in the mail. I have quite a large collection of turtles. Rare, exotic -- & valuable -- turtles.

Each year in August I attend the National Reptile Breeders Expo. It started 20 years ago in Orlando. When it got too big annually for that location, about eight or nine years ago, the Expo was moved to Daytona Beach.

The Expo is my "vacation" each year. I go visit my Mother for a few days in Wildwood, Florida, then head on over to Daytona Beach. I stay at the Hilton Ocean Walk Resort & spend a few days enjoying the beach. [Photo above] The Expo is held in the Ocean Center, a huge facility across A1A from the hotel. The Expo takes up the weekend, then I return to my Mother's & finally back to central Arkansas.

The Expo has hundreds of vendors selling snakes, turtles, tortoises, lizards & everything having to do with keeping them alive & healthy, such as cages, lighting, foods, etc. Attendance is in the thousands for the two day event.

I have been attending for the last 17 years. I never miss going. I have even survived two hurricanes to be there.

I see a lot of the same people each year. Many have become old friends who I look forward to seeing & talking to each year. I also meet many new people, some of which then become "old friends" in the following years. The number of people grows with each passing year.

One of the people I enjoy seeing each year is Russ Gurley from Oklahoma. Russ is a book publisher [Living Arts Publications] & book seller. Russ also heads up the annual Friday night "TURTLE TALKS". The speakers who appear & make presentations, are coordinated through Russ. Not an easy task, as many speakers come from overseas, but Russ pulls it off each year. The "talks" are always informative & entertaining. I enjoy them each year.

Russ has been an "old friend" now for several years. Besides buying a lot of books from him, I am not sure what I have done to deserve the kindness he shows me each year. [Truth be told ... Russ is well known & respected by everyone. An example is the attendance at his selling table. It's always busy with visitors & people wanting to talk to Russ. EVERYONE seems to know Russ.]















Russ Gurley - Center, dark blue shirt

A "new friend" I made this year is Dr. William Zovickian, a dentist from Georgia. "Dr. Z's" life-long interest has been keeping & breeding Radiated Tortoises, a large, rare, endangered tortoise from Madagascar. I had known of Dr. Zovickian for many years & it was a real treat to meet & talk with him. Actually, it was one of the MAJOR highlights of the 2009 Expo.

Dr. William Zovickian -- center/black shirt

Below are some of the tortoises from Dr. Zovickian's breeding efforts. His "high yellow" Radiated Tortoises are in much demand -- which includes ME -- & they command premium prices. As noted, they are endangered, Federally Protected & require a U.S. fish & Wildlife Permit to own & transport. [I'm getting there. I do have a permit for Radiated Tortoises. Only missing one thing -- THE TORTOISE.]

I thank my "new friend" for providing me the pictures of some of his tortoises.



Color variations of Radiated Tortoises belonging to Dr. William Zovickian.

I have a good time each August in Florida; visiting with my Mother, working on my tan & viewing & buying various turtles & books at the Expo. Seeing old friends & meeting new ones is just the icing on the cake. I am already planning my 2010 vacation.

EAST, WEST, OR, THE FRONT DOOR

The Weather Channel sure got it right this time. The forecast for Thursday was for a series of major rain storms, with "... flooding expected, in flood prone areas". When I hear those words, it actually translates in my brain to "... flooding expected, especially at Bill's place".

This year has been a wet one in central Arkansas, with rain totals over 20 inches above normal. We certainly didn't need more rain, but it started raining again about mid-day Thursday, first lightly, then building to "frog-strangling" volume. Dang you Jim Cantore.

I have found that despite the prevailing theory about cats & water, my three thugs will tolerate water quite well, especially if they are focused on something, such as a bird or squirrel in the yard. They don't like a downpour of rain, but wet conditions will not keep them from wanting to spend at least some part of the day outside. I have greeted them at the door many times with a towel in hand as they have returned from such "exploring" on wet & rainy days.

Thursday night was a downpour. The cats lined up at the front door, mesmerized by the wind & rain, but there was no desire on their part to venture out into the extreme conditions. They were satisfied to stay behind the glass. Smart cats. There were also tornado warnings -- & one tornado locally, this side of Lonoke, Arkansas. A good night for all of us to remain inside.

THE WOBBLER & Nibblets

It rained all night. And -- YES -- my property was flooded, as were most of the home sites on my road. It's a low-lying area & too much rain means we are going to have ... "issues". In my case, water in the barn, sticks & tree limbs on the ground & debris in the flowing creek water. Such items in the water need to be removed from the creek so the debris does not clog the culverts under the side roads & cause more extreme flooding. I spent part of today with my boots on, walking in water where there normally would not be water.

About 11:30 A.M., as most of the rain had let up, I went for a walk to see how the rain had affected two nearby creeks. They both flooded this past Spring & I was curious to see if they had flooded over the roads again, with the rain from the past two days added to the wet conditions we already had.

Sure enough ... the water was flowing over the road -- Faulkner Lake Road, (well named) -- at both locations. At the bridge, going East, there were two road barriers up, due to the conditions. Still, I saw two trucks drive through the water. [I probably would have, too.]

EAST ... going towards Lonoke

Getting my exercise -- & like the cats, needing to get out of the house -- I turned & went West, till again Faulkner Lake Road was under water. No barricades at this locations, but the water was flowing with a much faster/stronger current across the road.

WEST ... to Little Rock

Late in the day today, the levels of water on my property had reduced considerably. The creek is flowing fast & full, but the rest of the land is just mostly wet & mushy. The current forecast is for sunny days for the next week. Hopefully such weather conditions will help to get everything cleaned up, dried out & all set for the next big rain.

I am not sure how long it will take for the roads to clear. I am in no hurry to go anywhere right now. I know too, if the roads & bridges have flooded here ... they will be flooded in other low lying areas around this area.

As for my cats, they will be all set to resume their explorations, come rain or shine. Just no downpours, please.