"HILDA-ISMS" and "HILDA-SPEAK"

My Mother returned to Florida early yesterday morning, flying from Little Rock, to Memphis & then on to Orlando.

After several days of stories & videos in/on the TV News regarding the snow storm/blizzard in the North-East -- causing the airports to close & the cancellation of thousands of flights worldwide -- Hilda had no problems getting home on time. In fact, she arrived in Orlando ahead of schedule.

The Little Rock airport seemed quite busy & crowded when we arrived there at five A.M. yesterday. [Snow storm problems ??] The ticketing area had long lines for so early in the day. It was good that I had printed Hilda's boarding passes off the computer at home. Saved MUCH time & potential hassle.

My Mother told me when she arrived, in Orlando it was wall-to-wall people in the main part of the airport terminal & that she did have to struggle to get through all the people.

Give the 83 year old woman a break, people !!

No doubt, the Orlando congestion -- much greater than Little Rock -- was again due to all the people who vacationed in Florida at Xmas & now found their return flights canceled & needing to be re-booked.

Once my Mother began her flights back to Florida, things started returning to ... ah ... "normal" around here. That means I did laundry, start keeping my own schedule & I got to eat some of the leftovers without sharing. The cats also got back to living with just one person in the house.

The last of the Xmas cookies that Hilda made before she came to Arkansas were -- & are -- all mine now. They won't last much longer.

Because we have lived apart for so many years -- I left home for college in 1965 & only came back for "visits" -- even with her being my Mother, often our current "visits" require a time of getting re-acquainted to each others mannerisms, speech & little "quirks".

As we both grow older ... there seem to be more "quirks", for both of us. Being together on a non-regular basis sometimes highlights our little ... "differences". It sure does for me.

My Mother met & married my Father in England during World War II. She's been in the United States for about 65 years, but in her case ... you can take the gal out of Great Britain, but you can't take Great Britain out of the gal.

Below is a list of "HILDA-ISMS" I seem to always notice when we are together:

** She loves her cup of hot tea. She drinks at least two or three cups a day, sometimes more. And not any tea. It's a tea from Canada. She brings her tea bags with her each visit.

** She's fussy about her food. (It was ME who was the fussy eater as a kid.) There is always a "pressure" on me to have the food she likes/will eat in the house when she visits. Thank goodness for visits to Captain D's for fish 'n' chips.

** If she's sitting down ... she's knitting. She learned to knit as a child & can make ANYTHING using yarn & needles. Sweaters, quilts, baby clothes. ANYTHING.

I don't hear it, but many people who meet Hilda notice she has a bit of an English accent. I guess she re-formats it on her trips back ... "across the pond". When she returns -- at least for awhile -- she does sound VERY British.

With, or without, her accent, there is also the realization during our visits of listening to "HILDA-SPEAK". This would include some of the following dialog:

** "Cheers" == This is an expression she uses often in place of "Thank you".

** "Ta" == She will use this sometimes in place of "Cheers". Hand her the vinegar for her fish 'n' chips & she might say "Ta".

** "Ta Ta" == This is used in place of "Good-Bye".

** "T.T.F.N." == This is an abbreviated version of the above & stands for "Ta Ta for now".

** "I have to tiddle" == Hilda's headed to the bathroom.

** "I have to take a quick tiddle" == This "tiddle" is the last minute, ready-to-travel variety.

There are probably more words/phrases my Mother uses. It's just that our in-frequent visits through the years, bring certain ones to my ears & remind me of the years passing & moving us both along in this thing called ... "Life".

T.T.F.N.

WANT FRIES WITH THAT ??

For most of the past 20-plus years, I have gone to Florida for Christmas (Xmas). This year, my Mother came to Arkansas to "experience" Xmas in more Northern latitudes.

Xmas in Arkansas this year means no palm trees, nor live oak dripping with Spanish Moss. Certainly no tan lines being formed. Still, the colder weather here in Arkansas -- due to the cold temperatures dipping further South -- was mirroring the weather Florida was experiencing at the same time.

My Mother, to her credit, brought plenty of warm clothes; a few of the items she bought specifically for this trip. That's not to say she spent a whole lot of time outside during her visit. He blood has "thinned" too much from all the years of living in Florida. Cold temperatures are not her thing.

I have never been one for decorating my house at Xmas ... either inside or out. That also means I never had decorations -- & lights -- still to take down -- or turn off -- come, say, oh ... February. [It happens -- too often -- around here. Remember, this is ARKANSAS.]

My "Xmas tree" this year was a woven, wall-hanging tapestry I bought many years ago in a crafts store in Bogota, Colombia. It has served it's purpose several times for me & this year, provided a place for the presents my Mother & me each had to open.

Of course, with any & all things "new", each of the cats had to take terns inspecting the tree & presents, before granting "approval". Here, Nibblets does the honors.

Precious is developing into a bit of a "poser" when it comes to photographs. Here she gives me the "OK" that everything has been sniffed, touched & approved.

As I have written previously, this years main gift to my Mother was a printed, hard-cover book of the first 15 months of my blog. To say this gift went over BIG on Xmas morning, is an understatement. If she was not knitting or doing word puzzles while here, my Mother was reading the book, with about a third of it already read before her visit was over.

Note to fellow bloggers: This is a great gift idea & so easy to do. Any & all blogs get extra impressive in a book format. [Thanks ... to Wendy Ray for the original idea.]

Of course, one of the things I have to consider when having my Mother visit me, is feeding her. She's pretty much a meat 'n' potatoes person, who cooks for herself. I tend to fix my food as an after thought, & too often settle for fixing rice -- which is one item Hilda will NOT eat -- & veggies. Actually, my Mother isn't one to try different foods. No Chinese, Mexican, etc.

Being of English origin, my Mother does love her Fish 'n' Chips. And thankfully, the fare offered at Captain D's meets with her approval & it is one "fast food" -- other than Wendy's -- that she enjoys & will eat.

This Xmas visit, we went to Captain D's on two occasions. Hilda enjoyed her Fish 'n' Chips, & although it's not a food item I would normally eat, I too enjoy it ... as an occasional menu item.

Sticking to my odd eating habits, I did not get french fries with my fish, but instead, substituted corn on the cob.

French fries -- for me -- are a no-no.

JUST A MATTER OF TIME

I have always loved dogs. I enjoy going to people's homes where they have a dog I can fuss over & play with. I like dogs & dogs seem to like me.

The first dog I remember our family having was a mutt named Whitey. He would always find a way out of the fence surrounding our yard & be gone all day, only to return home at night, naturally, needing a bath.

Whitey lasted until one night at dinner time when the sound of a fire truck's siren stopped on our street, meaning the fire truck was right ... THERE !!

Everyone in the family ran out of the house to see what was going on & if there was a fire on our street.

Everyone ... but Whitey.

When we all returned, Whitey was laying bloated on the floor & all the cube steaks -- which were on our plates when we ran outside -- were gone.

Shortly after that -- I'm not sure on "details" -- Whitey was gone, too.

The next dog we had was a Cocker Spaniel named Sally. A friend of my Mother won the puppy at a bingo game. Somehow, we ended up with the prize.

Cocker's have been described to me as a dog "... with a bite, just waiting to happen". Sally lasted about five years with us, & then, she too ... "had to leave".

The last dog I had was in high school. A black & tan mutt named Jinx. She was a great dog & a wonderful pet. But, like all the dogs our family owned, she had "issues".

Jinx liked to "travel" & would often be gone for days at a time. We once had people call who lived across the lake from us, telling us Jinx had somehow made it to the other side & was hanging around in their neighborhood.

One night, a neighbor who lived down the road a few miles, brought home Jinx in the back of his truck, in an empty concrete bag. Jinx had been chasing & barking at the one lone sheep in the neighbor's pasture. He shot & killed my dog.

I've never had a dog since Jinx. I never handle death very well, with people or pets close to me. I would just rather avoid the whole mess.

Well, there was one other major dog, but she belonged to other people, which in retrospect, may be the best way for me to have a dog in my life.

When I moved to Arkansas, the neighbor's dog from across the road -- Sassy [photo above] -- adopted me as an almost constant visitor/companion. I later learned Sassy's owner -- a young girl about 18 years old -- was killed near here in an automobile accident. Maybe in a way, Sassy ... needed me.

About five or six years ago, the people who "owned" Sassy moved & I never saw the dog again. Sassy was a great dog & I often wished she had been mine.

But then ... fate had other things in store for me.

A different neighbor's cat started showing up around the house. Like an idiot -- after all, I'm a "dog person" -- I started feeding the animal, as shown above. [This is the oldest photo I can find of my sweet, "Momma Kitty", Precious.]

I've told the story before: one cat became three cats; one cat on the porch, became three cats in the house; one cat became three cats in my heart.

One of the great things about my trio, is the never ending way they will amuse me through their "investigating" any new item brought into the house -- a la shopping bags or boxes -- or when I allow them access to normally closed off areas, such as an open closet door.

This A.M. I was getting ready to go work out at the Hays Center in North Little Rock, when I heard a noise in my bed room. As when any of the three are in the house, I had to investigate the sound.

Wobs was on the floor, in front of my dresser, looking upward, which is how my eyes flowed ... to see the head of Precious, in the cabinet. [She's been in the lower drawers previously -- naturally -- but this is the first time she got in the top part of the dresser.]

I was gone for about two hours. When I returned home, Precious was still in the dresser. No doubt, she was comfortable & enjoying the new found location to relax & snooze.

Well, as soon as Precious came down & went outside, I heard another noise coming from the bedroom, this time more of a "flop" sound. I entered to find many of my clothes on the floor & Nibblets having made herself comfortable in the same spot as Precious had previously occupied.

Nothing like some comfortable gym shorts to lay on, to make a lady feel right at home.

When Nibblets vacated the dresser, I put everything back together & made sure to close the doors. After all, what TWO cats have investigated & enjoyed, the THIRD is sure to want to do as well.

It's just a matter of time.

COLORFUL BAMBOO

With the cold & wet weather conditions we have had in Central Arkansas for the past few weeks, the local landscape is taking on the colors of fallen/dried leaves. That would be shades of BROWN.

For the next few months there will be little, if any, change in the "dead look" which will permeate the color palette, save for the often scattered pockets of Pine Tree green.

The only other color to arrive might be WHITE. That means snow, & frankly "No thanks". I had more than enough for one lifetime, as a kid, living in upstate New York.

Not only is the ground covered in fallen leaves, but the deciduous trees now look naked without their leaves. This large Willow Tree on my South property looks kind of creepy & sinister.

The Clematis vine at the mail box -- which flowers continuously from April until just recently -- looks pitiful. With the vine providing so much color, for so long, it seems sad to see it look so brown & barren in it's present state.

The above photo -- taken about six weeks ago -- shows the abundant flowers the vine produces all growing season.

I don't know the official name of this Clematis. I would love to have a couple more plants, since this variety seems to do so well in this area of the country & with our weather conditions.

I am able to combat the muted Winter brown colors on my property with the large number -- & variety -- of Bamboo plants I have growing. The colors of the Bamboo -- depending on the species -- range in various shades of green, along with yellow, gray & white.

The sun -- along with the shading effects it creates through the Bamboo -- adds a colorful contrast in the winter landscape. It provides me an uplifting feeling walking through the Bamboo in the Winter cold.

There are two species featured in the above photo -- Phyllostachys Vivax & P. Edulis 'Moso'. [Sorry ... there are no common names for these two species of Bamboo.]

NOTE: The Moso is a "giant Bamboo" & in the movie, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" there is a scene of a sword fight in the top of a forest of Moso Bamboo.

Again, above, the sun light provides color variations, especially if the Bamboo is "moving" in the breeze. Bamboo provides more color stimulation to the viewers eyes than the plain green of Pine Trees.

Not all the Bamboo on my land is of the "giant" variety. The photo above is a plant named Sasa Veitchii. [Again, sorry, no common name.] It grows about three or four feet high & quickly spreads as a ground cover. In the colder weather -- NOW -- the edge of the leaves develops a bright white-stripe affect.

For the next months, I may be reminded constantly of the change in seasons as I rake & dispose of the leaves which have fallen on my land. Thankfully, the colorful Bamboo provides a stimulus with both its size, shape & many color varieties.

COLD SHOWER

It's not officially Winter yet & already Mother Nature has provided much of the United States with record show falls & temperatures at or below freezing.

The local & national news has had stories & articles each day on people stranded due to snow, be it on a highway, or in an airport, suffering the effects of too many canceled airline flights. It's never fun sleeping on the floor, or worse, in your car.

Here in Arkansas, we have had the cold temperatures, worsened by winds which have reached as high as 50 MPH. Temperatures in the 20's have been brought down to zero with the "wind chill".

The wind, rather than the cold, has been the problem locally. Many homes & business have lost electrical power due to the wind toppling trees & dropping them on to the power lines.

So far, in these cold weather conditions, we have been spared any ice & snow.

Knock wood !!

I can live with the cold. I can tolerate the electricity going off ... briefly. [It was off from 1:30 to 3 A.M. Monday morning. Thank goodness for warm cats in the bed.] I can deal with the snow.

Ice storms, I don't want, or need.

While all the nightly news shows were detailing the weather problems, there was a small blurb about the impending "meteor shower" which is an annual event every December.

Now that's something to catch my interest. I've always enjoyed seeing "shooting stars" in the night time sky, created as bits of space debris "burns up" upon entering Earth's atmosphere.

According to NBC News, the best time to see the "... 100 meteors per hour" -- from the size of a grain of sand, to football size -- was "... after midnight & an hour before sunrise".

Works for me. I get up early every day.

With fond hopes & illusions of seeing a sky full of meteors, I was out the door at 3:15 A.M. today, flashlight in hand. I was "layered" in my clothing & hoping I would find the sky cloudless for viewing.

I ventured to the far back of my property & was pleased to be greeted to just a few clouds, all on the Western horizon. The longer I stood & looked skyward, the more my eyes "adjusted" to the darkness & the many more stars I could see came into view. A perfect night for the "Meteor Shower".

Well, it was also a perfect night -- or early morning -- to freeze my fanny off.

Despite my heavy coat, hoody & sweater, I was rapidly getting chilled, no doubt due to the fact I had failed to put on a pair of thick pants. My "house pants" provided squat as to warmth.

I lasted about 25-30 minutes outside -- in 25 degree temperatures -- before I decided frost bite was not an option. As I was walking back to the house, it dawned on me that none of the cats had joined me in coming outside, as they might normally. I'll give them credit.

And as for the "Meteor Shower" ?? For all the hype & expectations ... I saw one brief flash of light, from one basically tiny meteor. It certainly was not "football size" when it burned up.

Thus ... I started today with a cold ... "shower".

"TURN OUT THE LIGHTS ..."

I (almost) never look at the obituary pages in the newspaper. Seems depressing, especially since I am getting older. A lot of people being written up are younger than me.

I have some friends who ALWAYS read the page of obits. Not just a paragraph or description, but every article, about every person.

I figure if someone dying is important enough, the information will be on the main pages of the paper, or on the Internet. Everyone else, well, I'll depend on one of my friends to keep me aware/updated on someones "passing".

Don Meredith died last week. "Dandy Don" made the "main pages", for sure. At one time, he was the star quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys football team & later one of the announcers when Monday Night Football was first broadcast on ABC television.

I hate the Dallas Cowboys. I LOVE any team that beats them. Last night, that love affair would be with the Philadelphia Eagles, who beat the Cowboys.

The Dallas football team now has only four wins this year. They've lost NINE times ... so far. Hopefully, they will lose a few more times this season.

Sad to say, but at one time I LOVED the Cowboys; way back in time, when Don Meredith was their quarterback.

Back then, the Cowboys actually played their games in Dallas, not in Arlington, Texas. They played in the Cotton Bowl. Outdoors. Not in some billion dollar stadium, that owner Jerry Jones built.

Every year, "Dandy Don" would lead my beloved Cowboys to exciting winning seasons, culminating in a divisional championship.

Then, every year in the NFL Championship game, the Green Bay Packers would hand the Cowboy's their butt.

I loved the Cowboys back then, but each year, Don Meredith couldn't seem to help the team win "The Big One". Every year, he & the team, broke my heart.

When "Dandy" retired early & moved on to being the color commentator for football games, I lost interest in the Cowboys.

Gradually, I came to detest the Cowboys. Still do. I'm not sure why.

It was just the opposite for Don Meredith. I always liked him & was glad when he was announcing & no longer getting clobbered on the football field. I would always think of him when I would be in Texas & be driving through Mount Pleasant, his hometown.

On many of the football game telecasts , as it became clear one team was about to win, the "good-old-boy" in Don would break into song, singing: "Turn out the lights ... the party's over".

"Dandy's" gone now. God bless Don Meredith.

The lights are out & the party is over.

MMM and M

"MMM&M" -- Mertle, Marty, Memphis & Meowathon.

It's hard to believe it is already three weeks today, since I was over in Memphis, Tennessee to run in this years MEOWATHON, 5K race.

The race, in support of The House of Mews, was a fun event, as I have written previously. The extra good "mews-news", is that over $32,000 was raised this year for this fine cat rescue/adoption agency.

One of the other highlights of the day in Memphis was having lunch at Mosa Asian Bistro with my friends Marty & Mertle. This is a couple I have known for over 30+ years, as Mertle & I worked together at Maybelline Cosmetics.

I often describe Mertle as ... "The sister I never had". [My parents had "perfection" when I was born, so there was no need for any other children in my family. At least, that's the way I look at it.]

It would probably not have been easy for anyone -- including Mertle -- to actually be MY sister. I would no doubt be a "pincher", or a brother providing "noogies".

Actually, as sweet & angelic as Mertle is, I bet it would be hard to pick on her as a sister.

Wait. This is ME. I am sorry to say I have hurt Mertle's feeling on more than one occasion as an ADULT. I surely -- "Don't call me Shirley" -- would have done so as a KID BROTHER.

So, having strong feelings for my "sister" & always a bit sad that now days I don't see her & Marty as often as I once did, it was good to have a long lunch -- with GREAT FOOD -- with them both, while I was once again in Memphis.

The above photo was taken at lunch on November 20th, 2010. I really like this picture Marty took, as it shows how happy me & Mertle both are to be together again. The joy shows on our faces.

Actually, Mertle is laughing at the fact, that with my arm around her, I just told her she felt "SOLID". [Got to love a woman who reacts like that.]

It was a good day ... for "MMM&M".

XMAS SEASON

Well, so far, the approaching Xmas Season doesn't have the "pressure" associated with it as some Holidays in the past. Maybe it's because all "gifts" are taken care of & I will not be traveling to Florida this year, since my Mother will be coming here.

Then again, there will be the some "pressure" -- real or imagined -- associated with keeping Hilda entertained & involved during her visit, as well as making sure she is warm, in a latitude 800 miles further North than the warmer weather she is used to.

As I wrote recently, I have had my blog printed into a book for my Mother's Xmas gift. That was the last item I had to acquire. However, some members of the household have not had gifts bought for them ... yet.

Earlier this A.M., on the NBC News show, they presented the "fact" that 52% of dog owners -- & 48% of cat owners -- would buy Xmas gifts for their pets this year.

I don't remember how this "fact" was determined or substantiated. Part of their information was wrong right from the start -- Who "owns" a cat ??

What I do know, is the three "Girls" in this household are spoiled rotten & get gifts & presents all year long, be it snacks, special treats, comfortable beds or the "kat kondo", as examples.

Still, I am sure I will be included in the 48% group of cat ... ah ... "providers" who will give them something "special" for Xmas. But, if they want a bird or a mouse ... well ... that they will have to acquire those themselves.

__________________________________________________________________

NOTE: For readers unaware of WHY I favor the term "Xmas" ... you'll have to do some searching in my blog archives to find my post on Mrs. Gilmore, my beloved seventh grade teacher.

POST OFFICE SURPRISES

Is there ever any positive news in the media about the United States Post Office ??

It seems every month some new crisis arises for the Post Office, from the agency being billions of dollars in the red, to the arrest of some postal carrier who has horded hundreds of thousands of pieces of undelivered mail.

And let's not get started on the increasing costs of mailing a basic letter. It's at 44-cents now & the Postal Service wants the cost to increase. It's that ... "We're losing money" thing.

If it were not for magazine subscriptions & "junk mail", some people would not get any mail at all. With the current "electronic age", many people no longer write letters or need stamps to pay their bills. It's kind of similar to the current state of many daily newspapers & weekly news magazines; the Internet & electronic media are making them obsolete.

For many years I have utilized the U.S. Post Office more than most people. I have -- mostly -- only good things to say about not only about their services, but also the individuals who work for the Post Office.

Since way back in the 1970's, I have always rented a postal box at my local Post Office. I had one in mid-town Memphis, the same one I kept even when I moved to (exclusive) Bartlett, Tennessee. One of the first things I did when preparing to move to Central Arkansas, was to rent a P.O. Box locally.

When I was working -- & traveling -- I had much of my mail addressed to the P.O. location. When I returned home from my travels -- or just when I felt like retrieving my mail -- I could get it 24/7. Very convenient.

I also like the Post Office because of the stamps; having been -- & still am -- a "collector". Most all the letters & payments I mail utilize "commemorative stamps". These colorful stamps seem to coordinate with my envelope colors.

My most recent stamp purchase was for the Holiday Stamps shown above. While I buy most of my postage stamps on-line, these I bought at my local Post Office.

Through the years, visits to the Post Office have brought me into contact with the many fine people who work there. These folks are always helpful & seem to enjoy their jobs. Said visits have also brought me some "surprises" when it came to my mail.

The biggest surprise -- & one I still remain curious about -- occurred at the Post Office in Memphis .

Picking up my mail one day, I received a Sports Illustrated magazine. It being in the month of May, I was curious to see the cover photo & graphics proclaiming the Super Bowl results. The magazine appeared to be about four months late.

It was not until I got home & had a closer look that I realized the magazine was FOUR YEARS & FOUR MONTHS LATE. It was in perfect condition, not a rip or a tear on it. Just ... "late".

I have always wondered where the magazine had been for all that time.

I had a "surprise" again yesterday when I went to the Post Office. Entering the outer lobby, on the table to my right, I noticed a single piece of mail which looked similar to a weekly newsletter I subscribe to. Sure enough ... it was the newsletter -- ADDRESSED TO ME.

I can only assume this piece of mail was put in the wrong box & whoever received it, tossed it on the table, rather than taking it into the service desk, or at the very least, putting it in the outgoing mail slot for re-delivery.

I mentioned it to the agent on duty, who was most apologetic. I've received mail previously addressed to others, but I take care to see the mail is re-handled, & would never leave it on the outer lobby table.

I continued to contemplate the chances of my timing & arrival at the Post Office yesterday afternoon which enabled me to find MY misplaced mail, before anyone else might have picked it up, or toss it in the rubbish can.

Was it "LUCK" ?? As in ... "Time-to-get-to-the-airport-&-get-a-flight-to-Las Vegas", lucky ??

Maybe ... just another Post Office "surprise".

BAMBOO BOOK TOUR

Sarah Palin was in town last week. She was at the Sam's Club in West Little Rock, signing copies of her new book.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is also on a book signing tour. I think Mitt Romney is also coming out with a book soon. No doubt he will be out there with his Sharpie.

Are there anymore Republican Presidential-Wanna Be's writing books ??

The book tour thing looks pretty good to me. Fly to a different city each day. Scribble in a book handed to you. Fly to another city & repeat.

Now that I am a book author, I guess I can set up a tour of my own. The only problem; I only have one copy of my book .


As a Xmas gift this year for my Mother -- Hilda -- I've had my blog printed into a hard-cover book. She lives in Florida & does not have, or use, a computer.

The book is 235 pages & has an index & dedication. The book is titled "Bill's Big Bamboo". [How original, I know.] I did make it "Volume One", as I plan on "publishing" future blog posts.

I printed my book with a company called Sharedbook. It was easy, fast & not too expensive. The whole process took only minutes.

And unlike Palin & the rest of the "authors" ... I didn't use a "ghost writer". My book is all written by ME.

I also have DOZENS of Sharpies, for if/when I go on my "Bamboo Book Tour".

NO CAMERAS OR REPORTERS, PLEASE !!

BROCCOLI IS MY FRIEND

I love pizza. I could eat it each night for dinner & then have the leftover slices -- if there were any -- for breakfast the next day.

Hot or cold. I love pizza.

When I lived in Bartlett, Tennessee -- an exclusive suburb of Memphis -- my home was quite close to two pizza chains -- Domino's & Poppa John's. Not too many Friday night's went by without a pizza being delivered to my home.

For toppings I would get pepperoni, onions & black olives. On a LARGE pizza.

I would often call in my order & tell them I had a "special" coupon, from another pizza company. Would they accept the coupon ?? They always did.

They never asked me for the coupon when the pizza was delivered. Good thing, since I made up the coupons & the "special" when I called in the order.

I'd call & say: "I have a coupon from (other company) for a large, hand-tossed, three-topping pizza for ... ah ... $5.99. Will you honor that"??

Viva La Competition !!

I may have "cheated" a bit on the pizza & the price, but never on the tip to the guy or gal delivering the pizza. Minimum tip: $5.00. The tip is where they make their money.

It was interesting that the people delivering were always the same folks. I guess they knew my address was easy money for them.

I love pizza. Just writing about pizza make me want one real bad. I can almost taste it right now.

As much as I love & have enjoyed so many pizzas, I have not eaten one since April of 2007. That was the last time.

There are a many foods I have not eaten since April 2007. Think onion rings, hamburgers, ice cream, tacos & a lot of other common foods which used to be on my plate.

I also don't drink beer, wine or hard liquor any more. No thanks. I'll drink water.

In April, 2007 was when I had my heart surgery. Since then, I've tried to make up for all the poor eating habits I had for so many years.

I still grave certain "treats". What I would not give for a handful of peanut M&M's.

The Dustin cartoon above is a reminder of some of my eating habits in the past ... & the results of same.

Now days ... it's "NO" to pizza for me, along with a lot of other foods I loved & consumed in the past, as if there were no consequences.

Well, there were consequences. They are called "scars" & I've got them on my chest & left leg as a reminder.

Now days, I eat a lot of vegetables. No "flesh foods", other than some chicken every so often.

Tonight for my dinner I'm having noodles & broccoli.

After all ... broccoli is my friend.

But, I still would LOVE a pizza !!!

GOODWILL & A GOOD LIFE

Tomorrow is house cleaning day. I have my place cleaned once a month.

Sandra -- the lady who does all the work -- has been cleaning for me almost the entire time I've lived here in Arkansas -- 14 years. She's trustworthy, does a great job & I would dread the day she would not want to come clean for me. I pay her well ... as an "incentive".

I'm pretty neat & certainly not a slob, but I just don't want to clean house. I don't mind doing laundry, changing the bed & running the vacuum every so often. I don't want to do the MAJOR cleaning ... like the kitchen & bathrooms, especially the floors. I'm not a big fan of dusting either.

Tomorrow will be "Xmas Bonus Day" for Sandra. I always give her a "double salary" at this time of year. It's because I appreciate her ... & of course, part of the "incentive" thing.

On cleaning day, I leave the house so Sandra can do her job without me being in the way. I always go to the Hays Center to work out & kill time. I also do some "retail activity", with damages usually being done at Barnes & Noble & Target.

Also on the schedule tomorrow is a trip to the Goodwill Store. I donate clothes each year. It cleans out my closet & gets me a deduction on my yearly taxes.

This past month I bought a new microwave oven. The old one -- which I have had for 20+ years -- is also going to Goodwill tomorrow. [Please ... no comments on the three knife blocks in the photo. There is actually a FOURTH block in the kitchen.]

I lay out the clothes I am going to donate on the bed. Everything I give is clean & in good condition.

I give away clothes I wore when I had a job. Now they just take up space in my closets.

The final step -- before putting the clothes in large trash bags -- is "the inspection". Wobs & Nibblets provide this service.

Then tomorrow: a hard work-out, donate the clothes, spend a little money & come home to a clean house.

Life is good.

DUCKS & SPEEDOS

Six days a week I try to do exercise which will get my heart pumping, along with using some of the muscles I still have -- not many -- in some vain attempt to keep from getting fat (again) as well as try to hold back the ravages of getting old. It's a losing proposition, but I keep doing it.

At home, I do stretching exercises, lift weights & do sit-ups. I then hit the road & traverse a course of 2.5 miles; jogging &/or briskly walking, or a combination of both.

Once or twice a week, I usually go to the Hays Center for my exercise. There I have a 60 minute work-out each time; 30 minutes/3 miles on the treadmill & 30 minutes/2 miles walking the track.

Sunday's are my day of rest. No weights, sit-ups or running & certainly no Hays Center. Wearing my stop watch & keeping up a set pace is prohibited. I walk my local 2.5 mile course, enjoying what is (usually) a relaxing, early Sunday morning.

Yesterday I was joined on my early morning walk by two things: A GORGEOUS sunrise, filled with BEAUTIFUL color shades of red, orange & finally, maroon. There was also the sound of so many LOUD gunshots, it sounded like a war already starting between North & South Korea.

It's hunting season in Arkansas & no doubt, the shots I heard where not tanks -- although they sounded like them -- but the sound of duck hunters enjoying themselves. I assume it's not as much fun for the ducks.

My good buddy, Kenny, sent me a photo of a recent duck hunt he was on. I think he indicated they shot/killed 50 or 60 ducks. Kenny is the fella in front, where I hope he stepped in a three foot hole in the water, just after the photo was taken.

Now for all you Northerners ... these are NOT "Red-Necks", although Arkansas sure has it's share of them. These are "Good-Old-Boys". At least Kenny is. [I'm really not sure of the others in the photo.]

Kenny has always told me that there are two major things necessary for "successful" duck hunting; cold weather & plenty of water. Since Thanksgiving day, we have had plenty of both.

Weather conditions good for duck hunting don't really lend themselves to being favorable for outdoor exercises. I had another reality check in that regard this A.M.

Today' weather forecast was for rain. 100% ... all day.

I checked the computer radar before I went for my jog this morning. Lot's of green showing, indicating rain to the West. It looked like the rain was far enough away that I could get in a 30 minute run before the rain arrived here.

NOT !!!

I made it down to the main road -- too far to turn around -- before I got caught in a MAJOR down pour. I'd call it a "frog-strangler". To the "Good-Old-Boy's" it would probably be a "Duck-Drowner".

I had to keep running. It was the only way to keep from getting hypothermia.

I actually had a good work out. My clothes absorbed so much rain, I was most likely caring an extra few pounds of water soaked clothing during the majority of my exercising, adding to the resistance for my jog. [Good thing I know the route. It was raining too hard to see anything with rain covered classes in the downpour.]

As I got closer to home, I realized when I had left, only two cats were inside the house. Nibblets had gone outside earlier, before the rain. She was NOT waiting on the steps or on a window sill when I returned. I knew then a hard-target search was necessary

So ... I had to strip all my wet clothes off me on the porch. I got the umbrella, slipped on my shoes & went outside to look for my cat ... in only my underpants.

NOTE: No photos available of the trek through the yard, in 50 degree temperatures, carrying an umbrella, looking as if I was wearing only "Speedos". (YOU do the "brain picture". It's not pretty, I'm sure.)

I found "Miss Nibs" in the storage building, much drier than me. We both scurried back across the yard -- again, that "brain picture" -- to the house ... Nibblets to get fed & me to have a needed, warm shower.

Tomorrow ... I'll excerise again. Hopefully ... I'll be much drier.

WHERE'S THE LAWNMOWER ??

In Wednesday's newspaper (November 24, 2010 ... Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) there was a small article detailing how the United Stated Department of Agriculture has declared all 75 counties in Arkansas as ... "natural disaster areas". Due to the hot, dry weather conditions the state experienced this year, farmers are now entitled to apply for emergency loans at a low interest rate.

While certainly not a farmer, I have seen & experienced the effects of the dry conditions this year on my own property. I have had several trees suffer severe stress from the heat & lack of rain, so much so that the trees leaves were being "dropped" back in August.

Unfortunately, my largest Japanese Maple tree -- in the ground almost 10 years -- withered & died within the space of several days, despite my efforts to save it with water & reverse it's declining condition.

The only GOOD which was the result of the weather, was the grass slowing it's growth & not requiring me to cut the grass as often as I might normally. I guess I could also sight the reduction in buying gasoline for the lawnmower as a "benefit" of the hot, dry weather.

One "cosmetic" effect of the weather this year was the poor Fall coloring in many of the trees which did retain their leaves. Most of the very large Oak Trees close to my house have produced large quantities of acorns this year, but have looked lousy when it came to any leaf/tree coloration. Well ... "brown" IS a color I guess.

Without Cedar Trees & other evergreens, along with the large groves of Bamboo, the yard is devoid currently of any "color". The carpet of fallen leaves does little -- or nothing -- to make the property appealing to the eyes.

Too little, too late for the farmers, we have finally started to get needed rain. In fact, yesterday -- Thanksgiving -- we had rain ... all day long.

Not only have the creeks, ditches & other non-permanent bodies of H2O filled up -- like "Lake Hilda" in my front yard -- but accompanying the rain was a very fast moving cold front. It was 73 degrees yesterday at noon. An hour later ... 51 degrees.

It kept getting colder as the day wore on, till finally it was in the low 30's for temperatures in the night.

Cold AND damp. Winter weather is here.

What few trees in my yard which did have some colorful leaves, took a beating in the wind & rain yesterday. Above is a Parrotia Persica (common name - ??), which had some nice yellow color starting to show a few weeks ago. The neighboring trees were a combination of either still retaining their leaves, or already having dropped them.

As of this A.M., the tree still retained it's color in the lower part of the tree, but in the upper half, the wind & rain has stripped the branches of leaves & color.

NOTE: This tree has been in the ground since 1999, when I bought it via mail-order from the White Flower Farm in Litchfield, Connecticut. I have another one of the same species on the other side of the house. Both have good shape, interesting bark & -- normally -- provide me with nice Fall coloring.

The tree in the above photo is a Japanese Maple - "Bloodgood". The unique thing about this picture is that the color shown in the photo is the actual color on the tree as it was in my back yard just a few days ago. It really had a bright, pink-red color to it.

Well ... it DID have a beautiful color to it.

Yesterday's weather conditions took their toll on this tree's leaves. In fact, yesterday I sat on my couch, looking out the window -- with Precious in my lap, naturally -- watching the tree shed it's leaves as the wind & rain hit it. Sort of sad.

We HAD hot, dry weather this Summer & early Fall. Now, as Winter is just a few weeks away, the rain & cold temperatures have returned, as they do each year.

And ... the lawnmower is in the storage building for another few months.

MEOWATHON -- 2010

As usual, I was up early this morning -- think 4 A.M. -- & after attending to my roommates & making the bed, I began my morning as I usually do ... sitting at the computer getting caught up on the news & visiting my favorite -- & informative -- web sites.

I always check the weather -- current & forecast -- to gauge what the next few days will offer. Today there was a RED ALERT for Dense Fog !! Among the warnings listed were the words "Dangerous Driving". I had to laugh. Where were those warnings yesterday ??

Yesterday was the Meowathon 5K run in Memphis. I have been planning on this years race ... well ... since the Meowathon in November 2009. It's an annual event in my life.

I left here about 5:30 A.M. All three cats were in the house, which I felt was safer than one or all of them being outside, on their own for the day. [They have stayed out previously for the day. It's just not "the norm" & something I am not comfortable with.]

I doubt any fog "warnings" yesterday would have prepared me for what I faced in driving on Interstate 40 to Memphis. It was a complete "white out" for almost the entire 130 miles. Other than one or two previous occasions -- in upstate New York -- I have never ever driven in fog as heavy & thick as yesterday.

Despite the fog, I made it to Overton Park in Memphis prior to 8 A.M., more than enough time to get ready for the race at 9 A.M.

This year is the seventh consecutive year for the Meowathon. It's my fourth straight year to partake.

The gazebo in the park is the race headquarters for registration, getting the race T-shirts & "gift bags" from sponsors, as well as the central location for the items in the silent action, the raffle drawings & presentation of race medals for the winners after the race.

The first three winners in the various age groups of runners -- I'm currently in the 60-64 group -- win a medal. I will keep trying, but I don't think it is in the cards for me to ever be fast enough to win a medal. Maybe when I hit 80 years old.

For the silent auction, my Mother (Hilda) in Florida, made this Puss 'n' Boots knitted doll & donated it for the Meowathon.

The winning "bid" was $30. This money -- as with all the funds collected through the race, auctions, etc., -- was for the benefit of The House of Mews.

As for the actual race, I did the 3.2 miles in 30 minutes & 24 seconds. Good enough to place #111th , but not enough to beat another bunch of "old guys" for a medal.

After the race, I did three of my favorite things:
1] I went to Davis-Kidd Booksellers & had an enjoyable time visiting one of my favorite bookstores.

2] I had a wonderful lunch at Mosa Asian Bistro ...

3] with my good friends Marty & Mertle. (Sound like a Vaudeville act.) So good to see them & have quality time visiting with them. I even allowed Mertle to gush over the grand baby photos she brought along to show me. (Actually, she probably has them with her ... always !!)

The drive home in the afternoon was almost as dangerous as in the morning. It was not the fog this time -- that had long ago cleared off -- but all the 18-wheelers & other odd drivers. Interstate driving -- especially I-40 -- is not one of my favorite things to do at this point in my life.

And ... to show how the cats were GLAD to see me -- NOT -- as I opened the door to the house, all three ran past me & out in the yard, as if to point out how relieved they were to again be outside.

I had just busted my hump running for 3+ miles for their kind & this was the thanks/welcome home I got.

Rotten, THUGS !!!!!

MEET ME IN MEMPHIS

Today's the day. It's here ... finally.

[Well ... of course I still have to drive the 130 miles to Memphis. In fog, no less. YUCK !!]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

When I was MUCH younger -- think 8-10 years old -- growing up in Rochester, New York, a group of us kids would go to the Monroe Theater on Saturday afternoons. Times were "safer" then & going to the movies without an adult -- & lots of other activities -- was never given a concern.

Every Saturday, the Monroe Theater would have a afternoon special of 20 cartoons & a feature film. It cost 25 cents to get in & a HUGE bag of popcorn was only 10 cents. For another two cents, you could get a Tootsie Roll Pop. Nothing like several hundred kids all hyped up on cartoons, sugar & salt.

I think my favorite cartoon characters were Bugs Bunny, along with Tom & Jerry. It was always a big moment when the next cartoon appeared on the movie screen. It was our duty to all scream out in unison.

There were always one or two Mickey Mouse cartoons every Saturday. Mickey's face would fill the theater screen & get one of the biggest reactions from the kids. Adults, if there had been any, might have reacted the same way.

Mickey Mouse turns 82 years old today. The first cartoon he was featured in was called "Steamboat Willie". Walt Disney was the voice of Mickey in the movie. What a start.

To celebrate Mickey's birthday, Nibblets brought a mouse up on the front porch this morning. I guess Miss Nibs was feeling in a festive mood & shared the moment with Precious & Wobs, who were stuck behind the storm door & could only watch from in the house.

Being the sweet kitty that she is, Nibblets "played" with Mickey's relative & provided it with "games" ... like Tag, & Hide & Seek.

Then, Miss Nibs ate it.

iPHONE & TOMATOES

FOLLOW-UP TO YESTERDAY'S POST --

Once I charged up the iPhone I found yesterday morning, I spent some time with it, trying to see if I could determine the owner by any information in the phone. I was encouraged right off, due to the opening screen picture being of a peach orchard in Spring bloom. And I knew where that orchard was located.

I finally found a phone number/name in the directory which looked promising & called it. Small world ... it was my neighbor just down the road. The phone belonged to her daughter -- Karen -- who I know, since in the Summer I ride my bike to buy tomatoes & other produce at the farm her & her husband own ... where they have the peach orchard.

Last night at 6 P.M. I went to the neighbors house to return the iPhone to Karen who was visiting there. Due to all the personal items in the phone -- think new-born grand-baby pictures -- Karen was VERY HAPPY to get her lost iPhone returned to her.

I have a feeling I am going to have some delicious tomatoes next year.

NO BODY ... JUST AN iPHONE

Being a person of habits, each day I HAVE to do some form of exercise. It doesn't matter what it is -- lifting weights & doing sit-ups, jogging or just going walking (or ... all three) -- I do ... SOMETHING.

A lot of it has to do with my own past medical history. I'm trying to keep all my body parts -- especially the internal ones -- functioning & providing their necessary performance. As the saying goes ... "Use it, or lose it".

As I have written previously, I am going to Memphis Saturday to run in the annual Meowathon 5K. This run is in sponsorship of The House of Mews. It's always a well managed race & a fun event, for a very good cause.

Thus I am not only exercising for my health, but I am "training" (for lack of a better description) to run at a steady pace -- on a course with several hills (just to make it more challenging) -- for about 30 minutes in Memphis Saturday.

I have been doing "spirited work-outs" at the Hays Center in North Little Rock as part of my preparation. I was there this past Friday, Saturday & yesterday. My "plan" is to have one more hard workout tomorrow & then ease off till the Saturday race.

Well, this morning was a time when "planning" met up with "habits".

It started raining in the night. A GOOD, steady rain. The kind of rain that puts water in the creek & finally provides the needed moisture this area of Arkansas has been lacking for quite awhile.

The rain also came with colder temperatures & a stiff wind. Several million more tree leaves have been blown to the ground as a result of the weather conditions. Areas in the yard where I had previously raked/removed leaves, where again covered with them this morning.

The blowing rain & cold did not appeal to the cats this A.M. Nibblets went outside several times -- mostly just on the front porch -- but quickly made the decision to turn around & come back inside.

More of the leaf covered yard is shown above. Note Nibblets in the bottom, left corner, sitting in a brick planter. She's under the roof over-hang, but didn't stay outside very long. She soon joined the other two Girls, who both remained inside this A.M.

Now, normally on a rainy day, I will go to the Hays Center. But with my "planning", I was there yesterday. Today is a "recovery day". Plus -- again, in "the plan" -- I'll be at the Hays Center tomorrow. I'll do my hard workout then.

So, this morning, as is my "habit", I did my exercising ... locally ... in the rain. Make that "wind driven rain". I got soaked, naturally.

I did wear a good layer of clothes, as well as have on gloves. I was nice & warm, if not dry. I did a steady, sustained "power walk" with my head down, trying to avoid the rain pellets in my face.

Naturally, it stopped raining just as I got home.

When out on the roads exercising -- even in a steady rain, -- I keep my eyes alert, not only for traffic, but for anything ... ah ... different. This time of year, with deer hunting season having started Saturday, I'm sure to find deer "parts". It seems to be a custom with Arkansas hunters to discard unusable "parts" of the deer on the side of the road, or in the local creek. Very classy.

What I have not seen -- but am always alert & looking to find -- is a HUMAN body. My neighbor found one a few years ago. Some of this rural area is good for "disposal" of remains, not just of the deer variety.

What I did find today was an iPhone. Head down, rain in my face & there was the phone on the side of the road. Bingo.

I have the iPhone hooked up to the charger I use for my iPod. Maybe I can determine who the phone's owner is, or, if there is a body in the weeds that it belongs to.

KITCHEN ... "STUFF"

I was taking some photos in my library today, with the thought of responding to a blog comment received about all my books. I plan on doing that in the future, but in the mean time decided to send along some pictures of my refrigerator.

Like many homes, I have a lot of magnets, photos & assorted items sticking to my refrigerator. I just don't have the report cards & kids drawing so many families do. And don't send me any !!

I've tried to space the first two photos together to give a full frontal illustration to the "junk" on my "double door". Note too, the woks on the top.

About this point in reading this post, I know my friend Bubba is taking off his glasses & moving his nose closer to his computer screen, trying t see the fine details in some of the door attachments.

Yes, Bubba, that's a butt in a thin thong -- say that five times, fast -- riding a bike. It's a POSTCARD I received in the mail, from Germany, from our buddy, "Sting".

It's quite a collection. You name it ... people, pets, presidents & magnets from my travels.

The photo above is the right side of the refrigerator. More room. More magnets & paraphernalia.

There is Elvis & Nixon, the Alamo, my Mother & a brother & sister, as well as two pictures of "Wemus", along with more ... "stuff", including more butts. [Cats]

The refrigerator. I also keep food in it.

HEY, EMERIL

Today seems like that one specific day each Fall when the weather indicates a permanent change in both temperature & the condition of the all plants, trees & their foliage.

Yesterday was a beautiful. Temperatures in the mid-70's & a light breeze.

Overnight it changed. A cold front came through. We had rain, the wind arrived & this A.M., many trees seemed bare & devoid of leaves. Of course, those leaves now cover the yard, driveway & the truck.

Welcome to Fall.

The temperature has now taken a cold plunge & the forecast for next week has the temperature lows heading down into the low-40's & high-30's. It will feel worse if the cold breeze we had today continues.

I did indoor exercise this A.M. I went back to the Hays Center for the second day in a row. [I like going there on Saturdays. Most of the "Old Pharts" are not there & the facility seems empty compared to some of the weekday crowds.]

I had another good workout; pushing myself for next week's Meowathon. I plan to have several more serious workout's this coming week, then taper off starting on Thursday.

Normally -- whether I exercise at home & jog on the local roads, or at the Hays Center -- I have my "breakfast" when I return home. Of course, depending on the time of day I eat, it might actually qualify as "lunch", or even "dinner". Good, sweating exercise kills my appetite.

Today when I came home, I was not feeling any hunger pains. Rather than eat, I did laundry, read for awhile & even took a bit of a nap on the couch. It was early afternoon before I actually started the "pantry hunt" looking for food.

Rather than go for a "quick fix" -- the usual such way is cereal -- I decided to make up an early dinner. After all, isn't that what "old people" do ??

I had all the ingredients -- chicken, onion, red pepper, H2o chestnuts & broccoli. It was time to cook up a wok full of my special "Kung Pao Chicken A La Billy Boy". Semi-professional home cooking at it's finest.

Whenever there is chicken being cut in the kitchen, Precious is SURE to show up. She will stand on her hind legs, reaching up with a front paw "asking" me to cut off a small piece of chicken for her. She will eat two or three small pieces -- as above -- & be satisfied.

I probably NEVER make any of my cooking adventures the same each time. I don't measure anything & I always "add" things. Today I added Chinese Noodles directly to the wok. No need for rice to enjoy this meal, which should probably be better named as: "Kung Pao Chicken & Noodles A La Super Chef Billy Boy".

Hey, Emeril. BAM !!

NOT NOW. NOT THIS TRIP.

My travels today started at the Hays Center, with a sixty minute work out. The MEOWATHON 5K is next Saturday in Memphis & I'm trying to work on my preparation & confidence to run the 3.2 miles once again.

This will be my fourth time to compete in this event. I am still trying to win a medal in my current age group (60-64 years old). It always seems as if guys who look to be in their 80's, but are in my group, finish a lot faster than me.

My next stop was the Walgreen's in North Little Rock. Time to pick up my monthly prescription refills. People with heart disease -- ME -- have to try to keep the cholesterol from collecting in the arteries. I've battled the plaque build up previously ... the hard way.

It was then off to the shopping center on McCain Boulevard that contains some of my favorite places to flash my Visa card; Target, Office Depot ... and ... Barnes & Noble.

I visited two of the three stores today -- Target, along with Barnes & Noble.

A strange thing happened to me today at the Barnes & Noble bookstore. Something I don't recall happening previously to me, or if it did, it was so long ago that I do not remember it.

[DISCLAIMER NOTIFICATION: My recollection of many events, names, places & "lost items" comes under the heading of ... "Losing my memory". Like cholesterol, it's part of the unwilling slide into old age.]

Today I went into my local Barnes & Noble ... and ... DIDN'T BUY ANYTHING !!!!

Let's face it, I usually find SOMETHING of interest on their shelves. Not today.

[ANOTHER DISCLAIMER NOTIFICATION: I was in the same Barnes & Noble last week & spent $96.00 & the other day I ordered $130.00 worth of books on the Internet from Amazon.com. I'm still spending $$ on books.]

The one book featured heavily in displays in the store was the new book by former President George Bush. He & the book have been featured in the media all this week, as he has been granting interviews for the first time since leaving office.

Even with all the "hype" surrounding his new book, I am not interested in buying it right now. I've got more than enough books which remain un-read & waiting on my library shelves.

Maybe if the book doesn't sell well, or if Barnes & Noble has over-ordered, the price may come down & I may acquire it. (I don't know what it currently costs. I didn't even look at the price today. In fact, I didn't even pick up the book to look at it.)

Yes, m-a-y-b-e, if the book appears on the "Sale Table" in the future, I might get it.

But, not now & not his trip.

ANOTHER TIME ... MAYBE

I seem to have settled into a life style which finds me (currently) satisfied to remain close to home. I'll be the first to admit living in Arkansas is NOT the most cosmopolitan of places, but the life is easy & the people are (mostly) very friendly. I suppose I could do worse.

Back in the days I was employed, I was provided the opportunity by the companies I worked for to have business appointments to most of the United States. Adding in travels Canada & Europe, as well as Central & South America, I've sampled just about the whole earth, minus Africa & Asia.

Now that I have slowed down my life, the thought of traveling does not have the attraction it once did. With all the rules & regulations -- as well as added fees & expenses -- whether by plane or hitting the road, extended/distant traveling seems like too much of a hassle for me. I don't need it.

Still ... I would like to go to Japan some day.

When I worked for Caboodles Cosmetics, as part of the relocation of the company from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to Memphis, Tennessee, I made many trips to Western Canada.

It's never "Quick & Easy" to fly anywhere from Little Rock. It's a small airport (12 gates) & most of the airlines fly to their "hub airports", where another flight -- or two ... or more -- is involved in getting to a final destination.

It was always an all-day event to fly to Vancouver. Most times, I would fly to Memphis & then catch another flight to Seattle, Washington. From there I would have to catch a commuter plane -- read that: "small plane ... with propellers" -- to Vancouver. Reverse everything to get back home to Arkansas.

Flying has often been "glamorized" for traveling. Fly often enough, & far enough, & the "thrill/enjoyment" of flying soon goes away. For me, due to the amount of mileage I had acquired with my years of travel, I was more times than not, "upgraded" to First Class. It's really the ONLY way to fly ... especially when thousands of miles of travel is involved.

In Seattle, just about every time I was waiting for my connecting flight, I would see a Northwest Airlines 747 being loaded for it's daily trip to Japan & Korea. I often wished I could be on that flight -- in First Class, of course -- & visit a part of the world which holds much desire for me to explore & see first hand.

In reality, I was either just deplaneing, or preparing to board, a MUCH smaller Horizon Airlines plane. The size difference in planes, not to mention the propellers on the commuter plane, made me realize my wish to visit Japan, would have to wait for another time.

I'm still waiting.