MOTHER NATURE

After two days of ice & snow, Mother Nature has started her clean-up process.

In the South, where most cities -- large & small -- have limited means of snow removal, the sun is the method for getting the ice off surfaces ... be it roads or roofs.

The sun is shinning in a blue sky today & the temperatures have reached past the freezing mark for the first time since Thursday. The roads have quickly dried & puddles are forming, where for the past few days there has been ice.

Yesterday, as far as outdoor conditions, seemed to be the worst at my location. On top of the ice & sleet from Friday, it had snowed in the night, hiding the slippery mess under it. With the temperatures below 32 degrees & the sun behind thick gray clouds, it made for a full day of a white & gray landscape.

I once again had to refill the bird feeders. I also walked the property to see if there were any damages due to the ice on the trees & check the land generally. Since the under surface was not frozen, the earth limited the amount of ice on the grassy areas.

Wait !! Did I just create an oxymoron ?? "Under surface" ?? Wow ... who do I contact ?? Will I get paid ??

Future Xmas card ??

The rest of my day was spent indoors, doing laundry, reading -- & once again -- being creative in the kitchen. This time, I made a big batch of cold pasta salad. [I was going to make chili, but decided not to go that way.]

Fixins

Note: The large red container is where I put the "cuttings" & kitchen scraps. Those items are then sent out to the compost pile when the container is full.

Note #2: The open, but covered, can of cat food is for other members of the house. Despite any potential comments to be posted by Bubba, this item is NOT a part of my recipe for past salad.

Finished ... & delicious !!

Hopefully, in the next few days, the snow, ice & resulting slush, will be just a memory. The extended forecast has temperatures well above freezing & no rain for several days.

With plenty to eat & books to be read, I am all set for what ever Mother Nature sends my way.

HELPING THE NEEDY

Today, I'll have to name this blog "Bill's Big BENT Bamboo". Central Arkansas is being visited by a Winter storm which is bringing in large amounts of sleet, snow, rain & freezing rain. Since six A.M. this morning, I have had all four kinds of precipitation falling at my place.

None of this weather is a surprise. It's been forecast all week, ever since the initial storm hit the Pacific Coast.

Once again, our neighbor state to the West, Oklahoma ,seems to have taken the worst of the storm, at least when it comes to loss of electrical power due to ice on trees & power lines.

We're getting a lot of sleet right now. It's giving the ground a white look, as if it were snow falling, but it's ice pellets coming down. It's like "noisy snow", due to the sound it makes when it hits.

So far -- thankfully -- it does not appear we have had the tree-breaking amount of freezing rain. [Note Key Words: "So far".]

The Electrical Co-op in my area has done a good job the past few years keeping trees trimmed around the power lines, so hopefully, there will not be issues here with electrical service.

I went for my daily morning walk earlier this A.M. I kept it short, staying on my road only. The pavement was icy & crusty, so I did not want to get on the main road where there would be traffic. It was also raining, as at the time, it was about 32 degrees.

As the day has progressed & the temperatures have started falling, the ice build up on the bamboo on my property is causing the bamboo to bend downward, giving it a "droopy look". So far, nothing major in the way of damage. [Again - Note Key Words: "So far".]

In the weather conditions we are having, normally, ice on the plants will cause a dramatic bending of the stems -- in bamboo, which is nothing more than large grass, these are called "clums" -- to the point where the bamboo will "lay down" on the ground. As long as there is no breaking of the clums, the plants will all return to their upright position when the weather warms.

Along my early morning walk, I have been outside two other times today. Because of the harsh weather conditions, there must be several hundred birds attempting to get bird seed from the feeders in my yard. I have had to refill the majority of the feeders, as well as scatter a good amount of seeds on the ground, twice(d) today.

At the rate the birds are deleting the seeds, I am sure at least one more refill trip is in my future. Still, by having the bird feeders in my yard, I have "invited" the birds to come & feed, especially -- like today -- when their environment is so harsh. It''s my way of helping them meet their needs.

Of course, with all the "bird activity" in the yard, two of the cats -- Nibblets & THE WOBBLER -- are both sitting in the window sills, eyes focused on all the "meals" they are missing outside. Both girls have ventured outside earlier this morning, but the weather not being to their liking, they quickly returned. Still, even if outside briefly, they were wet enough I had to rub them down with a towel when they came in.

The smart one of the group -- Momma Kitty, AKA, Precious -- is providing me warmth by laying in my lap as I type. It's sweet that she offers to volunteer her services to me on a cold, wet & snowy day, but I have a feeling -- based on how she approaches the effort, -- Precious is mainly INSISTING on getting in my lap ... for her pleasure & comfort.

I do believe, despite her being that selfish, it's really a "win-win" for both of us, as we both get our "needs" met.

19 CENTS A MILE

When I was in the workforce -- again, back in Memphis -- I used to go to the movies quite a bit. On the drive home from work, there was a movie theater in the Raleigh Springs Mall where I could see movies at a discount before five P.M. If I timed it right, got out of work promptly & the traffic cooperated, I could see a movie & save a few dollars.

Since being in the Little Rock area, I have only been to the movies a few times here. Now days, movies are on DVD fairly quickly after their run in the theaters. At the same time they are on "Pay Per View" on DirecTv, which is the system I have. [But, I've never "bought" a movie on PPV.]

Additionally, movies are on the "premium channels" i.e. -- HBO, STARZ, etc. ... all of which I have -- shortly thereafter. I'm spending the money each month for those "extras", so I often wait for movies to appear on DirecTv, rather than head to the theaters.

Probably the main reason I don't go to the movies as often as I once did, is just the fact there are not a lot of movies now days which draw me into making the effort to go see them with a crowd of strangers. Better to stay home with the cats, avoiding the germs, people talking loud & cell phones ringing.

Yesterday afternoon, I did ... "make the effort". I drove out to West Little Rock, to the new RAVE Theater. That's a 50 mile round-trip from where I live, near Scott, Arkansas.

The movie -- AVATAR -- was worth the drive, the time -- it's almost three hours long -- and money, at $9.50 admission.

The movie is shown in 3-D ... the first time I have ever seen a movie in this format. I really liked it, although wearing the special glasses provided, over my glasses, took a [quick] bit of getting used to. Two previews, for upcoming 3-D movies, helped settle everything.

Not only did I really enjoy the movie & the special effects, [A lot of people & objects in the movie are ... in the theater, not on the movie screen itself, which is ... back there.] but I soon came to realize I will HAVE TO see the movie AGAIN. There is so much happening in the movie, & so much DETAIL, it's almost impossible to comprehend, as well as see all that is happening ... there ... here ... down there ... over in the corner, as well as in the air ... right in front of me. It really is a unique way to see a movie, along with all which is in -- and around -- the movie.

As movie reviews go, I give it a BIG thumbs up. But ... IT MUST BE SEEN IN 3-D !!!!! There is a "regular screen" version, since not all theaters have the special projection equipment to show it in 3-D. That is why I traveled so far to see the movie & why I will make the effort shortly once more to see the movie again in 3-D. Seeing it on HBO will not be the same.

I realize too, I am "spoiled" now having seen the dramatic difference one movie in this new format can make. It's quite an impression. It's going to be hard to go to a theater & see a "regular movie". Nothing will compare, not when the guy standing right in front of me ... is part of the movie ... back there, on the movie screen.

At 50 miles & $9.50 ... that's only 19 cents a mile. Plus, I didn't buy any snacks. I more than got my money's worth.

WHETHER ... IT'S WEATHER

Back in my Memphis days, when I [finally] got cable TV, one of my favorite stations was The Weather Channel. It was then & still is today. At some point in time each day -- starting when I am first waking up in the A.M. -- I will be watching TWC to get current weather conditions & the forecast.

I have TWC on my computer as well. I also have several other web sites "bookmarked" which keep me current with radar screens & weather information. I like to be "in-the-know" when it comes to what is/will be happening outside.

Here in Arkansas, I have satellite TV. I had cable TV when I initially moved to this state, but soon switched to Primestar. With that system, I had a medium sized satellite dish in my backyard. I also got more stations, better reception & better service than the local cable system provided.

Primestar was purchased by DirecTv & my "dish" was converted to the smaller receiver on the roof top, which is what can be seen on many homes now days. I converted the Primestar base & pole into an additional series of bird feeders in the backyard.

I like my DirecTv system. Their service is good & I have A LOT of TV stations. I have all the sports channels, the movie channels & just about everything they offer. I even have quite a few Spanish channels,which despite my viewing them, has done little or nothing to improve my ability with a second language. I do enjoy the Lucha Libre [Mexican wrestling].

The Weather Channel on DirecTv has an "inter-active option" which allows current local weather conditions to be displayed at any time. No waiting for the "Local on the Eights". A few buttons pressed on the remote brings up current conditions, the forecast for five days & a selection of radar screens across the nation. The last option is very helpful when threatening weather is coming this way.

When I was growing up, there were not the weather forecasting options we have today. There was a "local" weather man on the news, but certainly no Jim Cantore, Vivian Brown or Heather Tesh, a few of my favorite Meteorologists on TWC. [I know ALL the names of the "On-Air-Personalities" on TWC.]

My Dad used to have a saying which I still repeat & believe in to this day. He would say: RED SKY IN THE MORNING ... SAILOR TAKE WARNING. RED SKY AT NIGHT ... SAILOR'S DELIGHT.



Well, yesterday morning's sunrise was a festive sky filled with shades of red sunlight & clouds. As the weather forecast from TWC was listing a 90% chance of thunder storms for the day, I had the quick feeling they were right on board with their prediction. I also thought of my Father's words.

Through out the day, I kept track of the weather on my TV & computer. In most cases, the conditions current in the Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas areas, will be in Little Rock in six to 10 hours. Those cities radar was green -- rain -- most of the day.

About four P.M. yesterday it started getting dark & windy here. By five P.M., I had the three cats inside & my flashlight with me, in case the power went out.

The storm arrived just after six last night. Lots of wind, some thunder & lighting, & for about 15-20 minutes ... heavy rain. [Just what we needed locally -- MORE RAIN. As if we are not water logged enough as it is.]

When I went for my walk this morning, I could see a lot of standing water in the fields, front yards of homes & full ditches on the side of the road. We had gotten a lot of rain, in a short amount of time ... just as predicted.

RED SKY IN THE MORNING ... SAILOR TAKE WARNING had been proven correct.

Both my Father & The Weather Channel had it right.

BIRD FOOD

With the recent very cold weather we have had, I am having a LOT of birds visiting the feeders in the back yard. Even as the weather hit a bit of a warm spell, the birds have continued to flock (pun intended) to the 10 bird feeders I have.

I get feeder visits from all the usual birds common to this area. The Cardinals are very pretty & the House Finches can be a noisy bunch. The Chickadees are the most demanding. They will sit on a near by tree branch & "fuss" if I take too long while I have a feeder on the ground refilling it.

I use black oil sunflower seeds & thistle mostly. I sometimes buy the "mixed" seed, but with that, I mainly toss it on the ground for the birds which like to scratch around there, which will include Doves & Sparrows.

I have a large group of Fox Squirrels which live in my trees. They have to search on the ground for their meals, as my bird feeders have "cages" on them; they allow the birds to access the seed, but not the squirrels.

I get my birdseed mainly from the Tractor Supply store. I like the quality of the brand of seeds they sell. It's "clean" ... meaning there is not a lot of dust, sticks or seeds of another variety mixed in the bag. It's just that -- clean seed. Pay for what you get.

The other reason I like to go to Tractor Supply: It's just down the road from Sam's Club. It makes it a "two-fer" when running off to do some shopping.


I hit both locations this past week. I was running low on seeds & the weather was warming up. In fact, it was making it necessary to turn on the air conditioning in the truck. Typical of Arkansas -- one week ice & freezing temperatures. The next week, almost time to start getting a tan base.

I loaded up on seeds. Two 50 pound bags of black oil sunflower & a 25 pound bag of thistle seed. That should last a week or two, depending on when the weather "turns" & gets cold again. The colder it is, the more bird food gets consumed.

I try to keep the bird feeders full & clean. Every few times I am refilling the feeders, I shake out the loose pieces of seed & debris which will accumulate in the cylinders. The flat feeder tray I do the same, getting out the old seed -- which the birds will not eat -- & making sure the seed is "fresh".

One of the draw backs of having so many bird feeders in one location, is the spent seed shells which will build up on the ground under the feeders. Every so often I have to rake up the shells & clean up the ground area.

One other draw back -- a major one -- is that sometimes with so many birds in the yard ...


The "BIRD FOOD" ... is the bird. With three cats, a few birds get to become snacks for one of "The Girls." A favorite dinning area -- as Wobs is showing -- is the front porch. When the meal is over, only a few feathers remain.

Guess who gets to clean up the mess ??

KUNG PAO CHICKEN

I had planned on making an "Oriental Supper" for Saturday night. It takes a little more planning & preparation than some of my other "fast food" dishes -- salads, sandwiches, etc. "Fast" = food I can prepare ... quickly.

I guess I got to goofing off too much Saturday. Although I had all the ingredients, I never gave myself the "kitchen time" needed. I was too busy doing other things.

I don't have a lot of pots & pans. I think I have one sauce pan & one fry pan. I do, however, have three woks & two rice cookers. I also have several cleavers & three knife blocks for all my cutlery. I'm a chop & stir fry kind of guy.

I do like GOOD Chinese food.

Repeat ... once again: GOOD CHINESE FOOD.

Though the years I worked, I was able to travel to most major cities in the United States. I was lucky to to visit & sample some very well known & recommended Chinese restaurants. Some lived up to their reputations & some did not.

I have been fortunate to have "found" local restaurants in the last two cities I have lived in -- Little Rock & Memphis -- which could rival restaurants, regardless of location, for excellent food & great service. I will have to write about them one day soon.

I think I am a pretty fair cook when it comes to Asian cooking. [I have had several Oriental lady friends though the years -- Korean & Japanese -- which has influenced my cooking as not strictly "Chinese".] I am a cook who ... "combines" food dishes, techniques & ingredients.

Sunday night I fixed MY BRAND of Kung Pao Chicken. I like my Oriental food spicy & fixing the dinner myself, I can add just about anything I want to heat up the recipe.

Sunday night was also a good night for cooking as it turned out to be a night for a VICTORY DINNER ... celebrating the Minnesota Vikings defeating the Dallas Cowboys in football.

Actually, more than beating Dallas -- crushing them !!!

Sorry folks, I dislike everything about the Dallas football team -- owner, quarterback, running backs, etc. Heck -- the whole team.

So on Sunday night I fixed a delicious meal to go along with my own personal celebration of a fine football ... LOSS !

FAST FOOD

I've written previously how two CANS of Peter Pan Peanut Butter kept me alive on a two month trip to England as a child. I was a fussy eater then. I still am. Maybe even more so now.

Now days I am "fussy" in how I eat ... and ... what I eat. It's been two & a half years since I was in a McDonald's. It's the same amount of time since I have had a slice of pizza, M&M candies, onion rings or any number of [desired] food items.

I don't eat at "fast food" restaurants any more. Now I do all my own cooking & food preparation, trying to have a balanced diet, with more fruits & vegetables than I did in the past. [Ah ... I just thought of some wonderful memories -- & tastes -- at Taco Bell. I could eat there. I choose not to.]

The two & a half years I have been absent from food places & their menus, corresponds to the length of time since my heart surgery. I have felt since that time my clogged arteries were the result of several major factors, including: (1) stress from work & (2) poor diet.

I don't know if/when my arteries will close up again, but I am taking action steps to prevent some of the direct causes, including the two above, by: (1) not working & (2) eating better.

I eat a lot of salads now. They are quick & good for me. I'm not someone who likes to cook every night in the kitchen. "Fast food" is what I like, as long as it is me who is quickly fixing the meal.

I have learned that broccoli is my friend.

I "limit" deserts. No cake, pies or ice cream. I like jelly beans & Hot Tamale candies to satisfy my sweet tooth.

No alcohol. I used to have a glass or two of wine just about every night before dinner. I think those drinks made me eat too much, both the meal & desert. Then I'd fall asleep on the couch & be worthless the rest of the night. Not a good life for me.


Now days, I "limit" certain foods. I still eat, for example, eggs. I just don't have them for breakfast, nor as often as I once did. I still like to have quiche, which has both eggs & cheese, the latter being another food I "limit", now days to 2% cheese.

A few times a year I will make a broccoli quiche. I cut the finished product into sections & freeze it, to have a slice with a salad for my dinner.





I don't eat in the morning hours until I have been for a walk/jog. I can't exercise AFTER I have eaten. It just doesn't work for me. I like to have an "empty" feel to be active, which means sometimes I may have my first meal of the day well after noon time.

For a true breakfast, I like cereal. I use 2% milk. Skim milk is just too much like white water.

I make my own cereal, using several varieties I combine together in a large container. I add "golden" raisins to the mix & when scooping it out in a bowl, add bananas & dried fruit -- cherries or blueberries.

I don't put sugar on my cereal. I certainly did as a kid. Most brands on the store shelves have more than enough sugar to begin with.

When I was working, we often as a group had the customary "food days" to celebrate birthdays & holidays. I used to bake cookies quite often. In fact, my "Super Sinful Chocolate Chip Cookies" were always in high demand.


Since chocolate is an item I "avoid" now, I don't make cookies as often as I once did. The last time I made chocolate chip cookies was to take to Memphis for the lunch time meeting with my friends, after I ran in the Meowathon.

Now when baking cookies,I don't keep any cookies for me. Too much of a temptation if I had them in the house.

CONFESSION TIME: When baking, I do "sample" the cookies -- both the cookie dough & the finished product -- as a part of my "quality control". It's a requirement of the total baking process.


I enjoy using recipes & ingredients to "create" meals & deserts.

Tonight I am fixing my own Kung Pao Chicken for dinner. Earlier in the day I cut up the chicken & I have all the "fixins". Left-overs then provide additional meals for the next few days.

Again, I "limit" what I eat & how often I have certain foods.

I try to enjoy life & part of the enjoyment is eating. I find I can "enjoy" my food more by controlling what goes into making it, & yet, not be "afraid" of the ingredients.

In the past, I was careless in my eating habits ... & I paid a price because of it. I'd like to avoid paying that toll again if I can.

SISTERS

I am an "only child". I tell people that means my parents got the child they desired. People with younger brothers or sisters just have to know their folks figured they could do "better" & kept on trying. Only one child in the family means just one thing -- PERFECTION ... FIRST TIME.

Growing up, I never desired to have any siblings. Our family was not very wealthy, both my parents had to work & I didn't feel I was missing anything in life. As I have written previously, the Roome family probably provided enough brother-sister fighting/feuding -- & my involvement with same -- to make me know what life in a larger family was like.

Years later -- after my life took me to Memphis, Tennessee to live -- I did acquire two "sisters". While not related by blood or parenting, two fine ladies entered my life, providing me with closeness, friendships & love, which made them as much, or more, than "sisters". If I ever had "real" sisters, these two would be the ones I would want.

Sharon ["Mertle"] & Kathy ["Wemus"] have shared a lot of good times with me. Along with their husbands -- Marty & Larry -- we have experienced dinners, concerts, social outings & weekend adventures & a whole lot more. They have also seen me through hospitalizations, broken hearts & the difficult times in my life. The good ... & the bad.

I met both of these woman through our working together at Maybelline in Memphis. It would be IMPOSSIBLE to write that I have known them each more than 30 years -- that would be a BIG lie ... yes, it would -- since both of them are soooooooo much more younger than me. Let's say there is a BIG age discrepancy in the years between us. I'm the old one.

Sharon is the "little sister" I never had ... or wanted, growing up. If I had been her brother, I KNOW I would have always been picking on her, calling her names, probably making her cry & hurting her feelings. [Wait ... I did those things to her anyway.] Sharon is a true friend, who has cared about me & stuck with me no matter what. Sharon is very Angelic & I am counting on her to get me into Heaven some day, even if it is only through the back door. [I'm going to need some help there.]

Kathy is the "Twin sister of different parents". Talk about thinking alike -- which can be VERY dangerous -- we do that. From both pointing to the same person, at the same time, in the crowded Coliseum in Memphis, to picking up the same pebble on the ground at the botanical garden in St. Louis ... trouble comes in two's. And don't even ask me to recall the number of times we have finished each others sentences. [Mostly Kathy. She's the smart one. She too, is an "only child".]

Poor Larry. All the stuff he has to put up with when we are all together. Luckily -- like Marty -- he more than holds his own. I think both of the husbands sometimes just stand back & stand out of the way ... usually laughing at the rest of us.



Our lives have changed through the years. I transferred to Arkansas in 1996 with Maybelline, when it was acquired by L'Oreal.

Kathy & Larry previously moved up to a home on the Kentucky Lake area of the Tennessee River, near Paris, Tennessee. [Bubba lives up near there, too !!]

Sharon & Marty are living in Cordova, Tennessee, just outside of Memphis. Now days they both fly a lot to Oregon & Idaho, visiting their daughters who have married & are starting their own families. One grandchild on board ... another on the way.

I am sorry to say we don't see each other often now days. I know it's my fault. I can give all kinds of excuses for not making the effort, but, that's all it would be ... "excuses". I don't like to travel much now days -- I did too much in the past -- & even the 130 miles to Memphis is an effort for me. As noted above -- it's my fault.

We were together in November -- the 17th -- at a lunch after my running in the Meowathon, in Memphis. Sad to say, Larry was out of town & missed a great meal. Marty took the above photo of Kathy, Sharon & me -- "MY SISTERS".

HEADS UP

The weather didn't do me any favors today. It's cold again -- 41 degrees -- & the forecast for tonight is for a low of 22 degrees. All the places having water still have ice. The ground is still mostly frozen. We have not had relief yet. It's cold ... & I don't like it.

I guess I was fooled by the semi-pleasant day we had yesterday. The temperature was in the mid-50's & I shook off the cabin fever to work outside in the yard for awhile in the afternoon. I raked a lot of leaves & burned them. That's a typical chore this time of year. That is, if the weather cooperates.

I guess getting older & having lived in the South all these years, my blood has thinned. I don't remember the cold temperatures -- and I do mean COLD TEMPERATURES -- bothering me when I lived in upstate New York. Just another sign of aging, I'm afraid. Kind of like my Mother in Florida, complaining about the cold when it's 60 degrees outside. It's an old-person thing.

Down in Florida right now, the cold temperatures can get people killed. Not just from prolonged exposure to the cold, but ... from falling lizards hitting people in the head. I have not heard of anyone being severely injured ... yet ... but those big, green "meteors" can do damage.

I've talked to "Weiner" today, who is down in Summerland Key, Florida. It's really cold down there too.

NOTE: For those uninformed, "Weiner" is Marlene. She was my high school "First Love" & through the grace of God, still communicates & correspondences with me, something a few other women in my past no longer do. For more "details" about our past, see my post of December 5, 2009.]

Back to the story.

Even in the Keys, the weather has been abnormally cold. So cold, the lizards are falling out of the trees. Since this includes Iguana's -- the illegal aliens of the lizard world -- some danger & damages are a possibility, since these brutes can grow to six foot in length & weight close to 15 pounds. Quoting Emeril: -- "BAM".

Luckily, "Weiner" -- [Okay ... prove you care, Bill. Prove you care !!] -- MARLENE ...found a young Iguana on the ground near her house. It was cold & lifeless, which is what happens to them when it gets as cold as it has. The lizards go into a form of forced semi-hibernation, something they do not encounter in the warmer temperatures of their native South America. They get ridged from the cold, lose their grip in the tree or branch they are on & fall to earth. CLUNK !!

Being the good soul she is, Marlene took the lifeless dragon home & put it into the cat carrier to allow it to warm up & recover from the chilling. When the temperatures further warm up in a few days, the lizard will be returned to where she found it, unlike a neighbor who told Marlene she cut the heads off the chilled Iguanas she finds. The neighbor doesn't like the Iguanas because the lizards eat her flowers.

One other exciting chapter of this adventure for Marlene -- so far ,that is, since the lizard is still with her -- is the first night the Iguana escaped from the carrier & made it on it's own to the upper floor of the house ... leaving "evidence", if you catch my drift. Apparently Marlene's Rottweiler dog is not much for dealing with "intruders". Slept right though the visit & house inspection by the lizard.

The Iguana is now back in the [secured] carrier once again. At least Marlene, a former Nurse, knows she still can care for her under-the -weather-patients & that shortly "Iggy", now recovered, will be back in a palm tree where it belongs.

But ... if it gets cold again in Florida -- HEADS UP !!!

I.B. BUBBA ?????

From my perspective, my friend Bubba has had a good life. He worked long & hard, gave of his time to his community, been a great Father & has been a good friend to many people, myself included. He & the Bubbette raised two children -- Deborah & Justin -- both of whom are Dentists. They have also become grandparents to three active -- repeat ... ACTIVE -- grandsons. It's a life I know Bubba is proud of. I hope he will have a healthy & happy -- as well as long -- retirement.

My life has been a lot different. I was married, very briefly, many years ago. While I have had a few serious relationships since then, only once or twice did I ever have even give consideration to getting married again. It's just is not my thing. Any woman who would have me for a husband, is not the kind of woman I would want for a wife.

As for children ... didn't want any. Didn't see the need. Never had the desire. Thankfully, no one has ever knocked on my door claiming we had the same DNA.

I like being on my own. I like to have a schedule for ME. Sharing my time ... my emotions ... opening up my life, well, it's not a good fit for me. I'm selfish. I know that & I've come to believe I am satisfied that this is the path my life is going to take till the end.

Around Christmas '08, Bubba sent me the picture of his whole family. I have it in a frame on the shelf over my main writing desk.

I often look at the picture & think of my friend & his family. I know the love they all share & how well they have each treated me.

When I look at the photo, I have many thoughts & feelings. Words I want to express, which come from down deep in me, waiting to cry out:

RED SUSPENDERS !!!! ????


When I first got this photo I went off on Bubba. [There's nothing I like better than mocking Bubba. It's something -- as a good friend -- I am REQUIRED to do.] When attacking Bubba, I like to do it via e-mail & copy a bunch of our friends. These people are known as co-conspirators.

Oh course, in reply, Bubba back peddled & tried to make up some story about buying the suspenders on a trip somewhere in the mid-West. Kind of like buying hand-made goods from the Amish.

The picture doesn't show real well the hat Bubba is wearing. Darn it. I know there is a "story" for that as well. I need to find out about that hat one day. Then, let the critiquing/mocking/belittling begin anew.

Well, since I'll never have a wife & family like Bubba. Since I'll never move back to Tennessee & be closer to them. Since I'll never do those things, the ONE THING I can do is ----


GET MY OWN SUSPENDERS !!!!!

Now in at least one way, I'm just like Bubba. The pants aren't slipping down & if I add a belt to the jeans & suspenders, I can be "dressed up all fancy" & can go to Wal*Mart on Sundays.

NOTE: I realize this admission of guilt [the suspenders] leaves me open to "attack" from Bubba. That's okay. Fair is fair.

But for the record, I had a need for them. See, I lost weight. The jeans -- well, all pants for that matter -- don't

fit any more. Working in the yard, bending over, the pants slip down, loosen my T-shirt & cause my under ware to slip down. [Also for the record -- briefs.] I end up having to continually keep "adjusting".

So, my "Bubba Suspenders" work just great. No more stopping to tuck in my shirt & pull up my shorts. Working in the yard is easier & more comfortable. Sooooo much better.

Now ... I need to find out about that hat Bubba is wearing in the picture. After mocking Bubba about it, I may need to get one too.

THE BANANA MAN

The bananas I bought the other day have proven to be quite tasty. Just the right firmness & texture as an additive to my morning cereal.

If & when bananas get "soft" in my kitchen -- not very often -- I feed them to my tortoises. It's a treat for them & they go after the plate of bananas with speed & gusto ... for tortoises that is.

While I have kept turtles as a hobby for most of my life, [the first one when I was about five years old] it's only in the past few years I have added tortoises to my collection. I think I have done rather well with them; meeting their captive needs & having them grow larger & gain weight.

RED FOOTED TORTOISE

BLACK MOUNTAIN TORTOISE

With the description of the role of bananas in my home & life, it dawned on me when writing these few paragraphs, of a different role for bananas, many, many years ago -- more than 50 years back in time. I refer to: THE BANANA MAN.

I guess all it takes it a faint memory ... a wisp in the mind ... AND GOOGLE ... to "find" those memories & bring them to the present: Two American treasures -- Captain Kangaroo & THE BANANA MAN.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et6Jt2YX44o

[Okay ... I know it's a corny & stupid video, just like I was (& most reading this) as a kid. But there were simple pleasures, in a more simpler time. It's fun to remember those times & recall what we enjoyed then ... & maybe now.]

YES ... WE HAVE NO BANANAS

The bitter cold weather continues. It was 13 degrees when I got up this A.M. & felt like Antarctica when I finally went outside & down to the road to get the newspaper. The wind in my face was brutal !!

Growing up in central New York state, an area known for it's Winter weather & "Lake Effect Snow", I have had my share of Mother Nature's wicked ways. I can remember two times the pain of minus-15 degree temperatures in New York: in my High School days in Honeoye, & a few years later in the city of Utica. I was reminded of those times this morning with that wind hitting me.

We had a dusting of snow on the ground again yesterday. I cleaned off the truck & the side walk to the side door, since the forecast was for falling temperatures & I knew if & when anything melted, it would soon turn to ice if not cleared off.

My plans all along have been to stay at home & "ride-out" this weather. I don't have to go anyplace right now, [that's what not having a job will do for you] my new, $4,000 furnace has been providing warmth & there is plenty of food in the house. I can make it.

Then, the light bulb went off over my head. I have plenty of food ... but what about ... "them". The piercing glare of six eyes & 27 lives made me realize I had only one package remaining of the [required] cat snacks -- Temptations. Fussy eaters demand not just the best, but ONLY what THEY WANT to eat.

Despite having a pantry FULL of food -- more theirs than mine -- I warmed up the truck & made a "foodies run" to both Sam's Club & the new Wal*Mart in Sherwood, Arkansas. Heck, I can always find something I want to eat, so the trip is for me as well as The Thugs.

I was pleasantly surprise to find, despite the cold weather, both places I went were not at all crowded. In fact, driving into the parking lot at Sam's, I was taken back at first by the few cars there. Certainly not normal, to be so "empty". It was pleasant to shop -- & check out -- with ease & speed.

The cashier at Wal*Mart told me, the previous day -- Wednesday -- was when the store was busy. Apparently snow warnings still stampede people to buy food, but cold keeps them home. Lucky for me.

I got the "snacks" for the girls. MY most desired item was fresh bananas. I like them with my morning cereal. The bananas at Sam's were too yellow. I like to buy bananas when they have a lot of green in them. It's timing -- & luck -- to find them in any grocery store the way I like them. The one's at Wal*Mart were okay. Not "perfect", but good enough to buy & better than the one's at Sam's.


When I got home, all three cats were in the house. Two of them especially -- THE WOBBLER & Momma Kitty -- like to "inspect" the packages, so I put the bags on the floor, to get their approval. The pantry door was opened too, so that was an added adventure for them. They love to explore any place behind a [normally] closed door.

So ... now we have plenty of Kat Fud. Actually, we HAD plenty, I just wanted to be sure we had the CORRECT food -- as requested by the Little Queens. Got to keep them happy & their bellies full.

This cold weather is going to be here through the weekend. It's a SECOND blast of Canada's cold breath we are experiencing now. At least, for central Arkansas, there is no more snow to come with it. The ground is frozen, as well as most of the places with water, are covered with ice. That includes all the flooding still remaining from the rain on Xmas Eve. If it was snowing, the snow would pile up in these conditions. No thanks.

And, "Yes", I DO have bananas.

GREENHEADS

The weather improved a bit today. Still cold, but the temperatures did get past the freezing mark for the first time in several days. However, the forecast is not good. Tonight we are due for freezing rain, turning to snow. Then 35 MPH winds and low temperatures of 10 degrees. What is this ... North Dakota ??

I put the electric blanket on the bed last night, which helped considerably. Wobs & Nibblets appreciated it as well. Toasty. Still, I got up in the night to turn up the house heat a bit.

I drove my truck for the first time today since Sunday. I went to the Rose City Post Office -- where I have a P.O. Box -- to get my mail. I got a nice package from Bubba. A copy of the Tennessee Conservationist, with an article on Tennessee turtles.

At the P.O. I also got my Visa bill. It had my Xmas expenses, including the rental car. I am sure the rental car companies jack up the rates at holidays. It was more than "twiced" [Inside joke again] that of my airline tickets.

I ran again this A.M. It was still in the 20's for temperatures, but the road was dryer than it has been. Still, lots of ice & even patches of snow on the ground.

The water in the creek to the East of here has gone down a lot. The road -- & bridge -- are dry & above water, after being flooded for several days after Xmas.

At the bridge this A.M., I noticed a duck in the water, which at first I thought was frozen in ice. It was a Mallard duck -- a male. Duck hunters -- like my friend Kenny -- call them "Greenheads".

Duck hunting -- as with the deer hunting I've written about previously -- is a big deal here in Arkansas. Heck, most all kinds of hunting is popular. I think people just like to shoot & kill things. They also shoot at a lot of Stop signs, probably when the hunting is poor. Most signs around here have "scars".

Well, if not frozen, I thought maybe the duck had been previously & was still traumatized. It wasn't moving. I made waving motions with my arms, to try to get a response from it. I see a lot of ducks at this creek & they usually fly off at the first sign of me. This duck was still not moving.

When I arrived home, I got some bread & walked back to the creek. I tossed bits of bread to the duck, hoping it would eat. It was still not responding.

Now I was worried. I went home & called the Fish & Game Commission. They promised to send an agent right out. Just for good measure, I called two of the local TV stations & the newspaper. I thought the duck "rescue" might make a good "human interest" feature. They were all sending reporters & film crews.

I figured this might be good & I would get my photo & name in the paper & on TV. Heck, CNN might pick it up & show it nationally. Maybe world wide. I might even get to meet Robin Meade !!!

I hurried back down to the bridge, to be there when everyone arrived. I even looked for some good angles & light direction -- for filming, photos & interviews.

The duck still had not moved. I was afraid it might be DEAD.

That's when I realized -- IT WAS A DECOY !! Dang greenhead. It wasn't real!!

I ran home as fast as I could. No one saw me.

I'm sure glad I didn't give out my name or address.

Stupid ducks !!!

And ... I'm not going to meet Robin Meade.

SENIOR SWEATING

Yesterday afternoon, the snow stopped & the sun came out for an hour or two. Enough time for a lot of the snow to melt & clear off the roads. The wind helped also, to dry the roads.

With the clouds disappearing, it made for a clear & COLD night. Lots of stars out, as well as a partial moon. All pretty to look at, but I did not stay outside long admiring the heavens, as I emptied the litter box siftings & hurried back inside.

I like my bedroom on the cool side at night. I like to sleep with covers on the bed, so I turn the thermostat down before I go to bed. It got more than "cool" in the bedroom last night. More like COLD.

I got up at 3 A.M. & turned the heat up. I also put on a pair of socks. THE WOBBLER didn't do enough to warm the bed at all. She spent too much time laying on me. I guess I was the one providing the bed warmth last night.

When I got up at 5:15 this morning, it was 16 degrees outside. Only one cat wanted to go out side: Nibblets. The other two headed up into the loft ... the warmest part of the house. Smart cats.

About 8:30, it was time to make a decision -- where was I going to get my morning exercise ?? By then the sun was shinning brightly & it was a balmy 21 degrees out. I had two options -- (1) Go outside & run my 2.5 mile course, or, (2) Go to the Hayes Center.

To explain; the better name is the Hayes Senior Center. [I leave out the middle word a lot.] It's in North Little Rock, about 12 miles from here. It has all sorts of offerings for the "over 50 crowd". I like it because it has a track, treadmills & is indoors . I go there when the weather is bad, or, I just feel like sweating a bit.

I also like the fact the membership is cheap. It costs me $130 a year for the "extended hours". For the shortened hours, it costs $25 a year. That's the membership most of the "seniors" have.

Even though I am in my sixties, I really don't relate to many of the other "seniors" using the gym area. I know my attitude is all wrong in regards to about 95% of the people, but I often feel they could stay home, walk their neighborhood & get as much "exercise" as they do at the Hays Center. I go there to work-out. I've come to the realization that most of the "Blue Hairs & Old Farts" are there to socialize, not to work up a sweat. I guess it's an "old person thing", which is what I am trying to avoid becoming by exercising.

It's a nice facility & for the money, is worth every penny. As I have improved my running & endurance, I utilize the treadmills more & more. In a 30 minute session, with the first 10 minutes being a fast walk, before increasing it to running for the last 20 minutes, I usually travel 2.6 miles & burn more than 300 calories. I try to do two sessions if the track is "busy". If not, I may follow up the treadmill with 30 minutes of hard walking on the track.

NOTE: The "problem" with the track is the "seniors" who are having a comfortable time, talking to each other, visiting & stopping to talk ... while in the middle of the track. And don't get me started on the numerous "seniors" sliding along in the fast lane of the track, taking a slow stroll ... some even carrying their purses !! As I confessed ... I have "issues". I just have to tell myself: "Self ... enjoy the workout & watch out for the 'seniors'".

As for my exercise today, despite the cold temperatures, I decided to run on the roads, rather than drive on them to the Hays Center. It does save me time to do my workouts at home & with the ice & snow we have had, avoid any spots where the roads may still have some slick spots.

I layered a series of light weight clothes to wear today, rather than a heavy jacket such as I wore yesterday, when I mostly walked. I just have trouble running if I am too bundled up with thick clothes.

I did run the full 2.5 miles. I did it in 29 minutes & 10 seconds, which is about 30 seconds longer than average. Considering the wind & how cold it was, I was pleased with the time & that I was able to work up a sweat in the 20 degree temperatures.

And ... I did not have any "seniors" in my way.

THREE CAT NIGHT

Like a lot of the country currently, Arkansas is receiving some MUCH colder than normal temperatures. It appears our friends in "The Great White North" -- Canada -- have sent us some bone-chilling temperatures to start us off in 2010.

And just for a moment ... what are we going to start calling this decade ?? Is it -- "two-thousand & ten" ?? Or -- "twenty-ten" ?? For my part, I like the latter. I'm going to call it "20-10".

The people who forecast the weather got it right this time. In our area the TV weather guys said it would be cold & we would have snow flurries. We got both. They also said it is going to get even colder -- like 10 degrees at night & 20's in the day -- for the rest of the week. More snow too. They will probably be right again.

When I lived in Memphis, we used to mock the weather forecasters for their inability to get their predictions right. In the Summer we would say the "forecast" is ... "Two inches of partly cloudy" & in the Winter we would get ... "Four to eight inches of no accumulation". That was usually about how it went, forecast to reality.

Well, it did start to snow yesterday, right on schedule. Very light & sometimes not really noticeable. It was cold, almost freezing, so it did "stick". At least it was not ice or freezing rain. I hate both of those.

This A.M., it was 25 degrees & "white" outside. It had snowed all night, but again, "flurries". Nothing deep or heavy. Just enough to show it CAN snow in the South.

The road in front of my house was covered in snow & very slick. I'm glad I did not have to travel anywhere today.

I am sure the schools were closed. In the South, the THREAT of snow cancels schools, some businesses [none I ever worked for] & sends people on a mad dash to the grocery store to ... "stock up".

I did go out to exercise this morning. About 8 A.M. I bundled up & [mostly] walked my 2.5 mile course. It was VERY slippery & I stayed well on the shoulder of the road, being mindful of any approaching cars or trucks. Luckily, there was little traffic & the few vehicles I saw, were traveling slow & under control, something it often takes drivers in the South a few days to learn, or re-learn, when it snows.

Coming back up my road, I did jog on home -- about a 1/2 mile. For some reason, I had taken off my gloves. For some reason -- STUPIDITY ?? -- I did not put them back on. My knuckles sure were feeling that knifes & daggers hitting my hands. I guess I was adding to the "wind chill", I was running so fast. RIGHT !!

This afternoon, the sun did shine & a lot of the snow/ice has disappeared. The sun is the "snow removal" in the South. There are no plows & only bridges get "salted", or whatever it is they put down to melt the ice. Of course, all the wet spots re-freeze at night -- & they will, with the cold we will continue to get for the next few days -- starting the next day with slick, icy streets & roads again.

The temperature only got to the freezing mark today. Another cold night is due tonight. Well, really, the rest of the week. The Eskimo's call such cold weather, a "Three Dog Night". I have something almost as good -- a "THREE CAT NIGHT". They do put out the warmth.

DON'T TELL BUBBA

I see in the news, Rush Limbaugh has been released from the hospital in Hawaii where he was on vacation. [Why does someone who lives in South Florida have to go to Hawaii to vacation ?? He lives in Palm Beach, for gosh sakes !! Oh, well ... never mind.]

Don't tell my friend Bubba -- who is a "Ditto Head" -- but I listen to Rush on the radio quite a bit. I don't agree with a lot he says, but Rush offers a different perspective on the news & politics, & frankly, I think he is an excellent speaker. [If Bubba knew I had Rush on the radio, it might ruin our Liberal vs. Conservative friendship.]

Anyway, the reason for Rush's hospital stay was due to ... "chest pains". That's the same health reason given, along with "health issues", for the University of Florida football coach, Urban Meyer, first quiting, then taking a ... "leave of absence".

Both men have been declared as healthy, with no signs of a heart attack or any heart disease. Good for them & I hope it is true. Doctors told me the same thing when I had chest pains. I also had four bypasses put into my heart.

Poke me in the eye with a stick, but "pain" -- wherever it might be -- is the body's way of saying "HEY ... Pay attention here". I hope both of these men in the news are "listening". My educated guess is they will have pains AGAIN & I would hope they would not be complacent about any such signs. Doctors don't always get the diagnoses right ... "the first time".

Long story short, but despite years of my own "chest pains" -- which Doctors, & many, many tests determined were not "serious" -- it was finally having "Bogota Breathing" which was the culprit that triggered ANOTHER Heart Catheterization. Then came the words from my Doctor -- "You are not going home. You need surgery. Now."

Pay attention -- this may help you, or someone you know: "Bogota Breathing" is what I called shortness of breath. I experienced it years ago in Bogota, Colombia, South America, due to the altitude. That city is about a mile high in the Andes Mountains. While there, I would have three "normal" breaths, then the fourth inhale would be a deep one, to make up for oxygen I was not getting. Then repeat, on & on. When I felt myself breathing that way in Arkansas a few years back -- three breaths normal, the fourth one deep -- I went to my Doctor. Shortness of breath is a signal. Don't ignore it.

Heart surgery now days is pretty much -- excuse the expression -- "cookie cutter surgery". Some hospitals do a dozen a day. A lot of the success depends on the patient themselves, both before & after the procedure. I had an interesting time. I'll write more about my experiences in a future post.

"Cowboy Billy" -- displaying his National Wrestling Alliance World Championship title belt -- with scars & bruises a few days after coming home from the hospital. Although the "restrictions" of post-surgery can be a bit difficult, the total pain involved is less than some root canals.

Four months later, with diet & exercise, THE KID is much lighter & is enjoying Florida. The scars which go up my entire my left leg -- where veins were taken to transplant into my heart -- are slightly visible below my knee in this photo. All incisions have healed to the point that the scars -- chest & leg -- are difficult to notice.

I really do hope the "chest pains" of Rush Limbaugh & Urban Meyer will be nothing more than a signal to take care of their health, have regular check-ups & alert their Doctors -- AT ONCE -- if they notice any changes in their normal life & activities. Certainly, if they get "Bogota Breath" -- get them to the hospital at once.

Now ... repeat after me -- "I will not tell Bubba ... Bill listens to Rush Limbaugh on the radio".