BETTER THAN A GIRLFRIEND

This will will probably be my last blog posting for 2011. With year 2012 only a few hours away, I end this year, not with resolutions, but reflections of many years ago.

My memories of life are that I have always been somewhat of a "nester" when it comes to where I lived.  In my youth -- at least through the end of high school -- my family lived the majority of the time in only two places: Rochester, New York & then in Honeoye, New York.  Always in the same house in each town.  No moving.  "Nested". 

I went off to college & spent two years in Utica, New York.  I lived in an apartment & later in an on-campus dormitory.  I guess -- living in two places in two years -- would be my "non-nesting" phase.  It didn't stick.

In 1967 I ventured down to Memphis, Tennessee.  The main reason was to continue my education, but the secondary -- & also important reason -- was to keep my "deferment" from the then military draft.  There was the very unpopular Vietnam War on-going at the time & being in college kept me out of the hands of Uncle Sam.

Two moves later -- to apartments, along with a "wife" who was soon gone -- had me again "nesting" throughout my 29+ years in Tennessee. The apartment stretched for 11 years & the condo which followed, was 17 years. True "nesting".

Now I am 15+ years living in Arkansas.  It will officially be 16 years at this location come September, 2012.  Again, once I "move" ... I then stay put.  "Nested".

I was never a "job hopper" either.  I stayed with Maybelline for almost 34 years & another two & a half years with Caboodles Cosmetics. I like things to be familiar, comfortable & manageable.  My job & my home.

Since 1969 -- which is as best I can figure/remember -- one thing has followed me & been with me.  It's the large "desk" in my home office. [Actually it's not really a desk.  More like a library table.]  I bought it at a used office furniture store in downtown Memphis for $20.00.  It was money well spent.  I've certainly got my value out of it.

The desk is six foot long & almost three feet wide.  It has a good amount of surface space for all kinds of projects & writing, as well as a large area to share with cats & several hundred pens & markers.

I should note that I was once "forced" to give the desk away to a co-worker.  I was on the losing end of a relationship where my wife had better uses for "the space" the desk occupied in our apartment. Luckily for me, I got rid of the wife & the new owner of the desk, got rid of a husband.  I jumped at the chance to get the desk back. [See.  Good things do happen when couples split up. (I hope Katy Perry is reading this.  Call me !!)]

Somehow this one piece of furniture has been with me for the past 43 years.  Not too many other objects -- or even people (well ... maybe Weiner counts for "time served") -- have been with me all this time.  It's a bit strange to reflect on the fact, but to the credit of the desk, it has stood firm & fast & provided me daily support whenever I have needed it. I've been in relationships which didn't even come close to all those attributes.  The desk is BETTER than a girlfriend !!

THINGS I HATE -- #1

I have strong opinions on a lot of subjects.  Not that I am smarter or more knowledgeable than other people, it's just that in a number of areas I don't go along, or get along, with the habits of my fellow human beings.  This ill-regard for many of the happenings in every day life, "caused" by other people, may be a defining reason why I live alone & have had no serious love interest in my life for many years. 

I guess I just hate ... people.  Well, that's kind of strong, either to write or to say.  It's more like I don't do a lot of things other people do & I don't think like most people either.  I'm probably turning into one of those curmudgeonly old men.

Now I know everyone has "issues" with various happenings in the world & no person really agrees with EVERYTHING going on around them, be it at their job, their relationships, political affiliations, etc.  I think we all agree, we disagree.  I am just more opinionated about ... "the little things".

I thought I would attempt to cleanse myself of some of the items I encounter in my life which more or less get me ... "steamed".  These occurrences may result in nothing more than me cursing under my breath ... or ... may find me confronting someone about something they did, realizing I might get my nose flattened in doing so.

I plan on writing about some of my "dislikes" -- which is a better word than HATE -- so I can "share" these thoughts & maybe find others who have similar feelings.  I'll start today with one of my pet peeves:  Shopping Carts Left Unattended In parking Lots.

The above photo -- taken at the local Sam's Club -- shows someone having used a shopping cart to take their purchases to their vehicle ... THEN NOT RETURNING THE CART !!  They just leave the cart in the parking lot & drive off.  It's the classic example -- which I also ... ah ... "dislike" -- of people having no consideration of their fellow man.  "Let someone else worry about it".

Yes ... whenever & wherever I shop ... if I use a shopping cart outside the store, I take it back to the store (Yes ... inside.) or, return it to one of the enclosed "cart returns".  That's why they have those & yet people find it requires too much effort to use them.

Most of my issues are the result of ... people.  But, since I have to share the world with them & I can only "limit" my interaction with others, I am always going to fuss & swear about ... things I hate.

SNOW VS. RAIN

All that rain we got on Sunday & Monday -- along with the resulting flooding -- had stopped by Monday afternoon.  Come Tuesday morning, the flooding on my property had reseeded. [Not so for other locations close to me, where the flooding was damaging, with standing H2O still & closed roads.  I was lucky.]

The cold front which pushed through the weekend rains did provide snow to the mix last night.  It's just added to the damp, chilling feeling which goes with the low temperatures & abundance of H2O.

While the above area was covered in H2O as of Monday, it is now looking quite different, with the creek having returned to ... ah ... "normal" ... which it really isn't, due to the addition of the snow.

As compared to another recent posting photo, the above shows how the snow can be covering the ground in some places & there be almost no snow in other areas.

As I write, it is getting brighter out my window, as the sun starts to penetrate the clouds. All the snow -- for now -- will soon be melted & gone.

AT LEAST IT IS NOT SNOW .... YET !!

Parts of the state of Arkansas are starting to feel the effects of the massive cold front coming down from our neighbors in the "Great White North". [Ah ... that's CANADA.]  I'm not sure if the snow/sleet associated with the cold front will make it to the central part of the state, but right now, such conditions might seem like an improvement from all the rain we have had in the past 36 hours or so.

Since Saturday night, the weather radar screens have been almost a solid green, if only dissected with the color yellow, indicating heavier rain.  This morning, the white & pink colors on radar now include the emergence of snow & sleet, respectively, into our forecast.

For the month of November, Arkansas received an all time record of over 14 inches of rain. December is not starting any better.  With the ground saturated with H2O from last month, the six or more inches of rain we have received since Saturday night has had no place to go.  The net result is all the streams & rivers are full, with many over their banks & flooding.  That's happening -- AGAIN -- on my property.

From my back lot, the photo above shows the culverts which act as one of the "bridges" across my creek, are once again under the flooding H2O.  Not quite as bad as two weeks ago, but still a mess.  Even after the H2O recedes -- usually in 24 hours or less -- the ground takes a long time to dry out.  Think mud on shoes/boots & cat paws.

The back lot has plenty of H2O on it & since the creek is full, the drainage is slow.  Another bridge -- this one NOT under H2O -- is in the upper left corner of the above photo, along with a pile of leaves & debris (look closely), which were removed just recently from the last rain.

And obviously, as shown above, the fire pit will not be hosting any fires for a few days at least.

One thing to be thankful for: if the temperatures had been in the low 30's or below, all this rain would have equaled about three feet of snow.  No thanks !!  I've lived through that many times in upstate New York & it is something I can do without !!

MEOWATHON - 2011 ... ONE MORE TIME

I just received a copy of the photo taken at the "awards ceremony" at this year's MEOWATHON. All the medal winners had photos taken as a free service of Business Visuals of Memphis, who volunteered their services & photography for the MEOWATHON.  They also have a cute photo from the event -- of a "visiting" kitty -- on their blog.

After getting the medal, I had my picture taken with ... "The House of Mews ... Mascot" (?).  I don't remember the name -- of either the cat, or the person in the suit -- but I'm including the photo as just another reminder of the good time I had this year in Memphis.

Now ... getting ready for the 2012 MEOWATHON.  "Run for the Claws" !!

MEOWATHON - 2011

It's hard to believe, but it has already been a week since I traveled over to Memphis, Tennessee for the annual MEOWATHON.  This 5k run/walk was the 8th "Run For The Claws", held to raise money & support for The House of Mews in Memphis.  This small, non-profit organization, located in the Cooper-Young District of Memphis, is a no-kill cat sanctuary & adoption facility.

As with many of my trips to Memphis, an early start was in order & I left home shortly before 5:30 A.M.  I was of course, out of bed hours before that, to be sure my own three "girls" had time for their normal morning exploration outside & be safely ensconced in the house before I left, as I knew I would not be returning till much later in the day.  As it turned out ... much later in the day.  

The MEOWATHON is held in Overton Park, a centrally located public park which is also home to the Memphis Zoo. The pavilion -- partially shown above -- is the center location for the event, as well as the silent auction, snacks & refreshments & the awards ceremony.

My Mother, Hilda -- who lives in Florida -- hand-made the above red Teddy Bear & sent it to the HOM for inclusion in the silent auction. It was combined with other items, making up a nice gift basket, with a bid value of $50.00.

The race this year had several hundred runners/walkers.  It's always a mixed group of folks, with many experienced & serious runners, all the way to families looking to enjoy walking together through Overton Park on a pleasant Fall morning.

I always enjoy the run & the people. This was my fifth straight year to partake in the race.  The first year, following so soon after my heart surgery, I mainly walked the course.  Since then, I have run .. ah ... jogged ... the 3.2 mile course, always trying -- hoping -- to win a medal.

This year I finished third in the men's 60-64 age group & won the medalion above.  Yes, I was very proud.  I have worked hard all year long, putting in long hours at the North Little Rock Athletic Club, always trying to increase & improve my conditioning. [I'm already "training" for the 2012 MEOWATHON.]

Another highlight of the trip to Memphis, was another "annual" event:  having lunch with my close Tennessee friends (L-R) Sharon, Kathy & Larry. It's always a good time, filled with laughs, friendship & an excellent lunch at Mosa Asian Bistro.

Note:  At these annual get-together, Sharon's husband -- Marty -- never seems to get into the photos, since he's the one taking pictures.  Well, this year I've been able -- via editing out a sleepy-eyed Sharon -- to include Marty as well.

Of course, even with the best of plans, not all goes as expected.  In this case, there were major traffic delays going home on Interstate-40 in Arkansas.  I never did find out the reason for the tie-up, but an extra 90 minutes was added to the drive home.

Now ... on to the MEOWATHON - 2012 & once again ... "Run For the Claws".

RECORD RAINS ??

Despite what the talking heads on Fox Noise want me to believe about the subject of "global warming", I have a -- STRONG -- belief in the changes taking place with good old Planet Earth.  If for no other reason than SEVEN BILLION people are now using up the resources of our planet [breathing & eating], along with spewing carbon dioxide back [breathing & ... well, you know what else], the Earth & atmosphere can't handle it all.

On the non-Fox Noise News the other night, [okay ... NBC] there was a story on how the weather is becoming more sever, more often.  Examples given included the tornado's this year in Missouri & Alabama, the Halloween snow storm in the North East, along with the fires & drought affecting Texas & Oklahoma.  Blame it on El Nino, Global Warming.  Whatever.  Something is changing.

In the past 15-plus years, due to the location & elevation of my land, I have had several instances where the creek in the back of my property has not been able to "handle" the volume of H2O flowing through it.  Results: Flooding. According to Jim Cantore on The Weather Channel, the rain & thunder storms we had earlier in the week resulted in a foot of rain in Arkansas. I don't know how much rain we received locally, but I know this was one of the worst examples of flooding on my property which I have witnessed.

Monday was a mess at my home.  While my house is elevated enough not to be affected by the H2O, the resulting flooding from the rain -- while quickly dissipating -- leaves behind a soggy mess, which in itself, takes several days to dry out.  Below are some examples.

                                         MONDAY

                                         TUESDAY

                                          MONDAY

                                          TUESDAY

                                          MONDAY

                                          TUESDAY

The clean-up has started & hopefully it will be a long time before we have any more "record rains".

RAIN, RAIN ... GO AWAY

I read an article this A.M. regarding one of the effects of the sever drought in Texas was many of the man-made lakes in Texas are drying up, exposing old towns & home sites, as well as long forgotten grave sites.  Where once there was 20-30 feet of water in a lake, now there is -- once again -- dry land.  Of course the "flooding" which produced these once water filled lakes & reservoirs, was a man-made effort.

I wish the rain produced flooding that is gripping Central Arkansas today -- & surrounding my home -- could somehow have fallen in Texas instead.  They sure need it.  We don't.

It started raining about one A.M. this morning.  HARD RAIN ... along with lots of thunder & lightning.  Since The Weather Channel & various computer web sites were providing "Flash Flood Warnings" for most of the state, I was not surprised to find standing water on my property as the first light of day arrived.  What DID surprise me was the AMOUNT of water I had.

I've lived here now for 15-plus years.  It's a low area, in an old flood plain of the Arkansas River.  My land has flooded many times; the worst was back in 1998.  For sheer volume of water & the amount of land under it, this may be the second worst case of flooding I've experienced.  And ... it's still raining !!

Above is the front driveway, with "Lake Hilda" -- a normal occurrence with heavy rains -- to the right, surrounding the tree.  What is NOT "normal" is the amount of water flowing across the driveway.

From the front porch, it is a sea of water & wet leaves.  I think there is even more water now, since I took the photo earlier this A.M.

The back of my property -- looking South, towards my storage building -- is in worse shape due to the overflowing of the drainage creek which intersects my land.  I'm not looking forward to finding out what damage may have been done inside the shed. [My John Deere is okay.  I checked it already.]

And finally, the creek normally can be seen just on the other side of the green Bamboo in this photo.  Now, the creek is my backyard.  And ... it's STILL RAINING !!!

Again ... I wish there were some way our friends in Texas could some how get some of this rain & water.  So close ... yet ... so far.

Rain, rain ... go away.  Get on down to Texas to stay.

CHANGES ... IN TIME, TEMPERATURE & COLOR

It's mid-November here in central Arkansas & the seasonal changes are in full effect, despite the temperature being almost 80 degrees today.  Apparently Mother Nature knows the calendar is closing in on Winter, even if some of the weather conditions are trying to mask such knowledge.

For the past few days, despite the above-normal temperatures, the trees, bushes & other plantings on my property are starting to shed their leaves, change their colors & show all the effects of the Fall calendar.  These days have been helped along by very strong winds -- 20-30 MPH -- helping to shake loose not only the leaves but acorns & seeds, along with various size sticks & tree branches.  It is sometimes dangerous to be outside, being exposed to these falling elements.

I am always impressed with the changes occurring to the vegetation on my land.  It is this time of year when these changes stand out & highlight the fact there are many "micro-climates" on the property, which occur, often within short distances of each other.  These small areas can have different effects on the very same species of tree or plant, causing them to have different shapes & colors, despite being the same plant family & in close growing proximity.

The above tree has the name: Parrotia Persia. I don't know of a "common name".  If someone asks me about it, I have to look up the name in my planting records. That request happens so seldom, I can never remember off-hand the tree's name.

I ordered three "Parrotias" in the Spring of 1999 from the White Flower Farm in Connecticut.  The trees arrived in large boxes, since the trees themselves were over six foot in height.  However, whoever packed the trees initially did not secure the trees within the boxes & all three suffered top damage due to the handling of the boxes in transit. [I certainly complained to the White Flower Farm at the time & have not ordered from them since, due to their attitude in hearing my "suggestions" for future packing of trees of such size.]

I planted the three trees at various places within my four acres of land.  The "damages" to the trees did not seem to effect two of the trees & they proceeded to grow.  The third tree "struggled" despite my efforts & died in the second year it was in the ground ... naturally, beyond the warranty provided by the White Flower Farm.

The above photo shows the second "Parrotia".  The photos were taken minutes apart & visually show the difference each location has on the color, shape & growth of the two trees. The tree above has already changed color & the growth through the seasons is more compact than that of the former tree, which due to it's location, is still green & has a taller growth.

The "location" reflects on the amount of light received along with the temperatures of the growing area, both of which are keyed by the other plantings around each tree, the amount of wind & breezes they receive in each area, as well as the water the earth absorbs.  All these elements are part of the "micro-climates" for each tree & other planting of a similar nature here on my land.

A few other examples of how the landscape is changing.  In the photo above, the dropped leaves on the tree now expose the only greenery left on the branches, which in this example is Mistletoe.  Merry Xmas.

The new Black Bamboo shoots in my garden arrive in the Spring with a bright green color when emerging from the ground.  By Fall, after a full growing season, the Bamboo changes color & earns it's given name as shown above.

As Fall advances & Winter soon returns, more changes will occur at my small homestead.  I'll be sure to keep everyone aware & up-to-date.

THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO ... ???

Didn't I write about the subject below ??  I seem to recall I did.

I just don't remember things like I did in the past.  And it just seems like this loss of memory has only happened in the past few years.  I wonder what has caused it ??

(New York, NY) -- A newly released study links several types of heart surgeries to loss of thinking and memory skills.
The study, involving German heart patients, included those who'd undergone invasive bypass surgery and who'd gone through much less-invasive stent placement.
All showed cognitive declines several months after their surgeries.
Researchers say memory deficits were more severe in patients who'd undergone coronary artery bypass grafting, probably because of blocked arteries, than among those who'd received a stent to help open an artery

I AM WHAT I AM ...

In response to a recent addition I made to my Facebook wall, my friend Bubba noted that I am a ... "Creature of Habit".  Once again, my good friend knows me quite well.

I have always been a fan of ... ME.  I remember way back in High School -- which at this point in my life is "way back" -- that the then "love of my life" -- Weiner -- was critical of some action on my part & told me bluntly I was "selfish", along with acting ... "better than everyone".  OUCH !! 

I came to realize years ago that Weiner was spot-on when it came to her description of me. As much as I like people & enjoy doing things with others, I really seem to function best with ... ME.  I have a list of damaged & destroyed relationships which would be evidence of that statement. 

I know after my heart surgery more than four years ago, I retracted into being a recluse in many ways.  Part of it was the life altering process I had just been through & some of it had to be me realizing I was "forcing" some relationships.

I have read where there is some belief the stopping of ones heart in the surgery process affects many of the bodies organs, especially the brain. I've adopted that as a valid "excuse" for some of my actions since then.  As for how I acted & felt before the surgery ... well ... I guess that was just ... ME.

Since I seem to be my biggest fan, along with knowing I function best as a single, I have found that indulging myself in my habits, hobbies & interests is often my best reward for living & feeling as I do.  Money can buy happiness.

I was in Memphis this past Friday & I took the opportunity to visit one of my favorite retail outlets in that city:  ART CENTER SUPPLY.  It's a large store which has in stock & sells everything anyone would be looking for in the world of art.  For me, that would be pens & paper.

I can truly say, through all the many years I have been visiting this store, not once(t) have I ever left without having purchased ... something.  Leaving empty handed has never occurred.  Nor, have I ever uttered the words ... "Thanks, but I was just looking".

So once again last Friday, I indulged my passion for pens & markers.  I know I have hundreds of same already, but they are something I use & enjoy, so I bought more.  I am not hurting anyone & no ones feelings are being affected because of my actions.  I am just bringing happiness to my favorite person ... ME. 

Don't get me wrong.  I enjoy my life & feel I have been blessed in it.  I feel I have earned my life style & as long as I do no harm to others, I am comfortable being a ... "Creature of Habit".

MY ELEPHANT BOYCOTT

On this blog, I have certainly documented my life long interest in all things reptile, with emphasis on my turtle & tortoise collection.  Also I have written -- ad nauseam -- on my love & strong bond for my three cats, which has occurred later in life.  [And that life is getting "later".  Trust me.]

Another interest in the animal kingdom which has long held my attention -- but never in my possession -- have been ... ELEPHANTS.

I think it all began at a zoo in Great Britain, many years ago, where me & my uncles rode on an elephant. Somewhere there is an old, black & white photo of us all riding on the giant animal.  It was love at first ride.

Now days, when ever I visit a  zoo, in any city, I usually go out of my way NOT to view the elephant display ... if the zoo has elephants.  Thankfully, more & more zoos are realizing that it is cruel to feature elephants in confined areas.

It's been about 40 years since I have been to any circus.  It's not a fear of clowns which keeps me away but rather the "preforming animals" -- which includes elephants.  It's not natural for the animals & it too is a form of animal cruelty.

Like many folks, I get solicitations all the time to donate to various organizations. [I got two in today's mail alone.]  Besides supporting -- with $$ -- The House of Mews in Memphis, I contribute to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee.  In both cases, I feel my $$ is well spent & well served.

The Elephant Sanctuary is a home for sick & abused elephants, which have been "retired" from "preforming" ... at zoos & circuses.  The elephants roam "free" on almost 2,000 acres of land, their care & needs provided by a dedicated staff, who watch over the elephants, as the animals enjoy life, no longer prodded with sharp "elephant hooks" or being chained in confined areas.

In nature, elephants wander many miles each day, in herds of communicating with each other, led by an elder female. [Males are solitary animals.]  The Elephant Sanctuary has both African & Asian animals; all females.

The above elephant is named Terra & her "companion" is a dog named Bella.  Sadly, I received an e-mail today that Bella was found dead at the Sanctuary.  As best that can be determined, Bella had been separated from Tarra at some point in the night & was attacked & killed by coyotes.  Tarra found Bella's body & carried the dog back to the barn where the elephants spend the night. One of the signs of intelligence in elephants is their grief expressed towards the death of members of their herd.  In this case, the grief was for a dog.

Like so many animals, elephants are facing many difficulties in the wild: being hunted for ivory & meat, & certainly the loss of land as man advances into new areas.  Add to this the exploitation of elephants in captivity for people's "entertainment", & the future does not look bright for elephants.

For my part I will continue to contribute what financial aid I can to The Elephant Sanctuary & I will continue to "boycott" circuses & zoo's which feature these animals.

THE PEANUT BUTTER CONSPIRACY

At several of my news sources recently, there were stories/reports on the poor weather conditions of the past Summer season -- mostly the extreme heat/lack of rain -- causing a MAJOR shortage in this years peanut crop.  Peanut farmers are reporting up to 70% or more of this years harvest will never make it out of the fields.  The peanuts are DOA.

For yours truly, this information on the peanut supply is not the news I want to find out about.  The major impact on the lack of a successful peanut crop -- as pointed out in each news report -- is the impending shortage -- & increased prices -- of PEANUT BUTTER.

I have always enjoyed eating peanut butter & there is always a jar in my pantry. In fact, I probably owe my life to peanut butter. I've written previously how my life was saved by two five-pound CANS of Peter Pan peanut butter which my Mother smartly packed when her & I went to England for several months when I was a youngster. She knew I was a fussy eater & would never be enthused by English food. [Would you ??  "Bangers 'n' Mash" ?? UGH !!]

The news of a potential "shortage" of my favorite "Fall Back Food" -- as when other items in the pantry/refrigerator don't get the mouth watering & the jar of Jiff sitting on the shelf seems to "call" to me -- had me adding peanut butter to my grocery list..

 I was at Sam's Club the other day & "stocked up" -- don't call it HOARDING -- on four jars of the creamy delight.  Since each jar has 40 oz., I bought 10 lbs. of peanut butter ... the same amount that kept me alive in England all those many years ago.

I eat peanut butter on bread, on crackers, & YES ... sometimes with a spoon, straight from the jar.  Naturally, a favorite way to eat is to have a "P.B. & J." -- Peanut Butter & Jelly.  So, while at Sam's Club, I got some more jelly too.

Well, if there is going to be a peanut butter shortage ... let it come.  I'm ready for it.

NO NEWS ... GOOD NEWS ??

I have lived most of my adult life trying to stay informed of the local, national & world news events.  Through the years I have always tried to watch the local/national news broadcasts on television every day. 

The radio in my car/truck would often be set to stations featuring news reporting.  I like to know what is going on around me & in the world, even while driving.

I have also always had a subscription to the local newspaper & when traveling, would buy the paper of whatever city I was in.  Just trying to stay informed, knowledgeable & up-to-date.

I guess it may be common knowledge that newspapers -- & national "news magazines" for that matter -- are facing decreased readership, mostly due to the advent of the cable/satellite television 24-hour news programing & -- of course -- the Internet.  People no longer need to wait on news & information to be printed & delivered.  It's already with them, often on display as the news is actually happening.

After 15 years of living in Arkansas & subscribing all that time to the local newspaper, I have allowed my subscription to expire.  For the first time in almost 40 years ... I am not receiving a newspaper delivered to me each morning.  And I can't say that I miss not receiving it.

In Arkansas, the newspaper was always delivered into a yellow "paper box" located next to the mailbox down at the road.  That box is now leaning up against the back wall of my shed, as shown in the photo above.  No deliveries there.

The last several years I have had "issues" with content in the Arkansas newspaper. Sometimes it would be articles, along with the point or position being presented in the article. Other times it might be editorial comment & political position of the paper.  Saying I disliked the "homer" position taken by the feature sports writer, would be describing it mildly.  All of this made it easier for me to "give up" the daily newspaper.

While there are many reasons for going negative on the local newspaper, the two major reasons which finally made me decide to discontinue reading the paper -- & paying for it -- were:
**  The local news section -- which always presents movie reviews in the Friday paper -- listed a movie review to be found by going to a website & gave the URL.  And it wasn't even the newspapers web site !!  I didn't buy the newspaper to tell me where to find information online.
**  When it became too obvious that most of the news & reporting I read each day ... was "information" which was already 24-48 hours old.  And I had read that information -- online -- 24-48 hours previously.

I will not write that I possibly won't re-subscribe to the Arkansas paper at some point in the future.  Heck, if the price is to my liking -- which it certainly isn't now at $180 a year -- & I am offered "a deal", I might have it once again delivered to me.

For now, however, no news(paper), is good news.

WE ALL EAT WELL

The weather in central Arkansas has just been ideal; sunny days with low humidity, gentle breezes & temperatures in the low to mid-80's.  It's the kind of weather most people would wish for year round.  I do.

This balmy weather makes me keep thinking I brought the tortoises inside too soon.  I could have taken advantage of the weather to keep them outside for an extra week or two. Although I have a good set-up for the tortoises inside, keeping most animals outside -- weather permitting -- is usually best. 

In reality, it's just as well I have the tortoises all inside now.  The nights can get cool, despite the much admired daytime conditions.  I still have a lot of plants to bring inside for the Winter. Having moved the tortoises inside now, is just one project I will not have to do later, which is usually at the last possible minute, right after some weather forecast predicts temperatures falling into the 30's.

Once brought inside this year -- into their NEW enclosure, which I have previously written about -- I quickly realized the need for multiple feeding stations.  The tortoises have all gown so well & gained such good size, that one or two animals can easily block their cage-mates from getting to the food offered at a single location.  Good "table manners" are not practiced in the reptile world.

 I now feed the tortoises -- as shown above -- on two separate plates.  Also, the plates are spaced well apart for each other, giving everyone a  fair chance to chow down.

 The above photo shows the Black Mountain Tortoises being joined at the "salad bar" by a Central American Wood Turtle.

 On the other side of the enclosure, the two Red Footed Tortoises are mowing down the greens.

In another container, in another part of the compound, I have two small (3") Cherry Headed Red Foot Tortoises. [Similar, but more colorful, compared to "regular" Red foots.]  Due to size & space, these little guys have no problems sharing their food supply.  However, in a few years, as they get bigger, there will certainly be "issues" at feeding times.

When it comes to MY FOOD ... the above photo shows the "goodies" my Mother sent me when she got back from her most recent trip to England. [Note: The homemade cookies on the left & the "Allsorts" candy in the top right, are no longer ... ah ... around.]  Along with the small bird magnet & some literature of places she visited in England, there is a candy -- still "available" in the house, but for how long, it is not known -- called "Eclairs" & some cookies with the foreboding name of ... "Digestive Biscuits".  [Leave it up to the British to think that's a mouth-watering name for a cookie.  Who did the market research on that name ??]

The weather is fine in central Arkansas.  And everyone is eating well.

DEAD, DOWN & GONE

The Japanese Black Pine Tree which recently died for some unknown reason, has been removed from my property.  I tended to the deed the other day with my yard cart & prunning saw. [I hate using the chain saw.  I don't trust it ... or me.]

 All that remains is the stump in the ground.  It too will be gone shortly, as the termites & wood eating ants soon do a number on any of the stumps on my property.

The last evidence of the tree is the above photo, where it was soon burned -- being dead & dry -- in my "fire pit". 

I am working on two more trees -- much larger than the pine tree -- which will soon be meeting the same fate & the same fire pit.

FEED ME ... BUT MAKE IT HEALTHY FOOD

Now that Fall has arrived & the promise of cooler weather, I'll probably be spending more time inside.  The days will be getting shorter, the temperatures dropping, along with (hopefully) wetter weather conditions, as rain we need badly.  All tend to be inducements to keeping me inside.

One of the major drawbacks to a life indoors is the lack of exercise.  I need it.  The absence of being outdoors -- where at home I am working outside; walking & hauling -- leads to extra pounds on the "waste-line".  AKA -- "Love Handles".

To combat the poorer personal habits, I make the effort to include daily walking -- 2.5 miles -- along with some free weights & sit-ups.  Also, my membership to the North Little Rock Athletic Club has proved to be a lot of fun & very beneficial to me through the past Spring & Summer.  I am counting -- hopefully -- my attendance at the club will be as helpful this Fall/Winter.

Of course, one of the biggest causes for gaining weight is the food intake.  For me, the problem is that I am a poor "planner" of meals & tend to look for food in the pantry/refrigerator when I am hungry, not at specific times.  Also, I want to eat ... right away ... when I am hungry.  No time for waiting on preparing a meal.

There is also the fact I have a deadly sweet tooth.  It's best not to have sugary sweets in the house.  After all, if one cookie tastes good, why not the whole package ??  [I've done it.  I'm not proud, but then, a package of Keebler Fudge Sticks does seem rather small.  I can do those cookies in one or two bites. (I try not to even look at them on the grocery store shelf.)]

So ... one of the ways I satisfy myself & at the same eat "healthy", is to fix food I like, when I feel like doing the "fixing", & keep "leftovers" for additional meals.  Today -- since it was raining & football was on TV ... GO RAIDERS !!! -- I fixed two quiches.  One gets to be the "leftovers" & the other is sectioned & put in the freezer, for later easy thawing -- & quick eating -- via the microwave.

 I made these today with broccoli, onion, & red bell pepper along with turkey sausage.

 The finished product.  I had two slices -- with hot sauce -- for my dinner tonight.  Delicious.

The older I get, it is easier to realize my weaknesses when it comes to food I like.  I also know my poor eating habits.  It's a constant battle, of which some I win & some I loose.

I sure wish those Keebler Elves where here tonight. Well ... maybe not.

BROWN IS THE COLOR OF DEATH

It's absolutely a B-E-A-utiful day today in Central Arkansas.  Cool temperatures.  Not a cloud in the bright blue sky.  Not a breeze blowing.  And ... not a bit of effort on my part to get my butt out the door & do some work outside.  I've spent too much time today doing what I am doing right now; playing on the computer.

Oh, I did go outside for awhile, just to look around a bit.  We had some rain late yesterday, which is probably one of the reasons everything is looking clean, fresh & crisp right now. 

So as not to feel too guilty at my lazy, do-nothing attitude, I did take on one chore, just so I would know I did SOMETHING while I walked around outside: I sprayed the wasps which make an effort to nest in a hole in the support for my mail box. It's an on-going battle.

 The dead wasps -- for now ... as they always seem to come back.  It must be a prime, "in demand" location for wasps -- joined the ranks of some of the other "death" making itself known on my property.  Death always seems to be the color brown.  One example can be slightly seen in the far, upper right corner of the above photo.

For some reason, perhaps the hot, dry Summer which has just left us -- today is the first day of Fall --  the Japanese Black Pine at the end of my property decided a few weeks ago this would be a fine time to turn brown & die.  So it did.  The other pine tree -- same species, in the extreme left in the above photo -- seems to be doing just fine. ["Seems" is a key word.  Ya never know with trees.]

 Next time I have my chain saw out -- something I never look forward to -- the brown/dead pine tree will be cut up & hauled to the back lot to be burned.  Then, I will have to decide if I want to plant something else in place of the Japanese Black Pine. I don't have any ideas right now.

 The REAL problem tree is going to be the LARGE Willow tree which also decided to pass away this Summer over in my South yard.  This is a BIG tree, which had been slowly going down-hill for the past few years.  This year was "it" for the tree.

Because of the size of the tree (huge) & the size of my chain saw (small), along with my confidence in felling large trees (non-existent), I'll probably need to have an expert/professional come & get the tree on the ground.

Just so all the "death" appearing ion my land is spread out evenly & sorted by size & species, some of the larger bamboo decided not to be out-done.  In the above photo, there are several clums visible in the  center of the grove, which are in stages of either turning brown, or, have already shed their leaves.  All of them need to be cut down & burned.  All are dead.

Yes, today as been a beautiful day.  Just a perfect one for tackling some of the "projects" I am facing, as outlined above.  Too bad I felt really retired today & decided to observe the highlights of the day, rather than live them.  After all ... everything will still be dead -- & brown -- tomorrow.