Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Snail Mail
I surely do wonder what is going on with the United States Post Office. I can remember the good old days when I would set at my kitchen table and write a letter off to my mother to let her know that I was alive and well and preggers again. I would seal the letter and toddle off to the post office to mail it to dear mother.
Well those days are all in the past! Mother has since passed to her great reward, the child bearing days are well over around here, and the United States Post Office is slowly being replaced by the Fax Machine and the computer. Not to mention the telephone and the cell phone.
I look back on the changes that have transpired since I was a little girl traipsing the dirt roads around my home town of Nickerson, Kansas, and it is enough to turn my hair white!
We used to be on a party line on the phone. That meant that several families shared the line. If it rang 2 longs and a short, that meant the phone was for us. 2 shorts and 2 longs was for someone else. We could pick up the phone and "listen in", but we could and would very get her little fannies warmed for that! I am pretty sure the operator who connected the phone calls was not above listening, because she was very knowledgeable about the goings on around town. She actually reported to my mother that my older sister was pregnant and stirred up a real hornets nest there! Just doing what she thought was right (Like eavesdropping was right!).
The telephone came in one color; black. It had a crank on the side and that is how you got the operator, turn the crank. She would, in due time answer "Number please!" Usually we just said the name of who we wanted and she rang it through. She knew where everyone was at any given time of the day, or at least where she thought they should be.
We took a tour of the telephone company when I was in grade school, probably about the third grade. That was an eye opener! The whole phone office was probably 10 foot square. The operator set on a little stool in front of a board which had a bunch of holes in it with wires connecting the parties talking. The operator, who I always thought to be 8 feet tall, was actually a very short woman, but just as crabby in real life as she was on the phone.
Is life better now? Depends. I can pick up the phone and instantly talk to my son in Dallas, or fire him off an email and have an answer via his Blackberry within seconds. Sure takes a lot of the mystery out of life. Oh, yeah, and the privacy. I know there are people lurking out there who want to steal my identity and know all my dirty little secrets, but here is the bottom line for you to think about; how long will it be before we all have a computer chip and all we have to do is think about the kid in Dallas and we will be connected by thought? Scares me.
Gives new meaning to the term Big Brother is wataching you!!
Well those days are all in the past! Mother has since passed to her great reward, the child bearing days are well over around here, and the United States Post Office is slowly being replaced by the Fax Machine and the computer. Not to mention the telephone and the cell phone.
I look back on the changes that have transpired since I was a little girl traipsing the dirt roads around my home town of Nickerson, Kansas, and it is enough to turn my hair white!
We used to be on a party line on the phone. That meant that several families shared the line. If it rang 2 longs and a short, that meant the phone was for us. 2 shorts and 2 longs was for someone else. We could pick up the phone and "listen in", but we could and would very get her little fannies warmed for that! I am pretty sure the operator who connected the phone calls was not above listening, because she was very knowledgeable about the goings on around town. She actually reported to my mother that my older sister was pregnant and stirred up a real hornets nest there! Just doing what she thought was right (Like eavesdropping was right!).
The telephone came in one color; black. It had a crank on the side and that is how you got the operator, turn the crank. She would, in due time answer "Number please!" Usually we just said the name of who we wanted and she rang it through. She knew where everyone was at any given time of the day, or at least where she thought they should be.
We took a tour of the telephone company when I was in grade school, probably about the third grade. That was an eye opener! The whole phone office was probably 10 foot square. The operator set on a little stool in front of a board which had a bunch of holes in it with wires connecting the parties talking. The operator, who I always thought to be 8 feet tall, was actually a very short woman, but just as crabby in real life as she was on the phone.
Is life better now? Depends. I can pick up the phone and instantly talk to my son in Dallas, or fire him off an email and have an answer via his Blackberry within seconds. Sure takes a lot of the mystery out of life. Oh, yeah, and the privacy. I know there are people lurking out there who want to steal my identity and know all my dirty little secrets, but here is the bottom line for you to think about; how long will it be before we all have a computer chip and all we have to do is think about the kid in Dallas and we will be connected by thought? Scares me.
Gives new meaning to the term Big Brother is wataching you!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
It is still snowing!
I know there are people out there, when they hear about the snow in Colorado, especially the ones measured in feet, that they think of me! Thanks for thinking about me, but usually those feet of snow are anywhere but here. For the most part this is basically desert. Or at least I think so.
So now, we had our first snowfall yesterday, which was the 28th. It is putting down another layer, so that is 2 off of the 28. Means we have 2 snows left after today. Right? I wish the Indians that decided that stuff had been more specific. Since this is a snow on top of a snow is it one snow or since it is the second day is it 2? Because I do not like snow, I will count it as 2. I will mark it thusly on the calendar and next spring, assuming I actually did it, we will see what happened.
Hey! I got on my wii fitness thing today and I did not hear that woman say I was obese! She actually said my BMI was normal. And further I am now 37 years old! Course it was also blaring something about the batteries were going south and need to be replaced! Will that affect the accuracy? Do I care?
I kind of like this being normal and 31 years younger than I am so I may start putting weak batteries in all the time.
Good Lord! I can hear that weather man in there yapping about 5 more inches of snow! This is getting very scary. I do not like this stuff! What if it just keeps snowing and then gets over the house and keeps on snowing? What if the whole world, at least the cold parts, just lays there and keeps getting snowed on every day? It will get deeper and deeper and I will run out of food. The water will freeze. I see nothing but gloom and doom. I know that has never happened before, but what if.....?
So now, we had our first snowfall yesterday, which was the 28th. It is putting down another layer, so that is 2 off of the 28. Means we have 2 snows left after today. Right? I wish the Indians that decided that stuff had been more specific. Since this is a snow on top of a snow is it one snow or since it is the second day is it 2? Because I do not like snow, I will count it as 2. I will mark it thusly on the calendar and next spring, assuming I actually did it, we will see what happened.
Hey! I got on my wii fitness thing today and I did not hear that woman say I was obese! She actually said my BMI was normal. And further I am now 37 years old! Course it was also blaring something about the batteries were going south and need to be replaced! Will that affect the accuracy? Do I care?
I kind of like this being normal and 31 years younger than I am so I may start putting weak batteries in all the time.
Good Lord! I can hear that weather man in there yapping about 5 more inches of snow! This is getting very scary. I do not like this stuff! What if it just keeps snowing and then gets over the house and keeps on snowing? What if the whole world, at least the cold parts, just lays there and keeps getting snowed on every day? It will get deeper and deeper and I will run out of food. The water will freeze. I see nothing but gloom and doom. I know that has never happened before, but what if.....?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
It is gonna' snow!!
It is official, it is going to snow today. Of course it is! Yesterday I went out to the storage trailer and guess what was falling on my head? You got it, a drip! I could not get a tarp until last night, so we were out there this morning bright and early this morning and tried to fit a 12 x 20 foot tarp over an 8 x 30 foot trailer. We, of course, have a nice little breeze going and it did not go well at all.
So now, what to do. I need to leave here in 15 minutes to go take a lady to the doctor, then try to make an appearance at the weaving guild meeting. I fully expect something to happen while I am gone, like the tarp blowing off and up, up and away.
So this is the plan: I will come home and start moving the perishable and not waterproof stuff out of the trailer and into the tin shed. I fully expect to do this is a full fledged blizzard. I know how my luck runs.
Just wanted to touch base right quick. You all have a lovely day, and remember, "Some where the sun is shining and some where hearts are free, but there is no joy in Louville, the mighty trailer has sprung a leak!"
So now, what to do. I need to leave here in 15 minutes to go take a lady to the doctor, then try to make an appearance at the weaving guild meeting. I fully expect something to happen while I am gone, like the tarp blowing off and up, up and away.
So this is the plan: I will come home and start moving the perishable and not waterproof stuff out of the trailer and into the tin shed. I fully expect to do this is a full fledged blizzard. I know how my luck runs.
Just wanted to touch base right quick. You all have a lovely day, and remember, "Some where the sun is shining and some where hearts are free, but there is no joy in Louville, the mighty trailer has sprung a leak!"
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Why do the llama's run and jump!
Well, a very unusual sight out back this morning. The brown llama was running up and down the field and stopping to jump or buck or somethhng. The brown and white llama stood very still watching the brown llama. Now I have no idea about the sex of these 2 animals so they will be referred to as brown and brown and white.
If horses run and buck, there will be a change of weather. If cattle lay in the field the fish will not bite. I know if the geese or ducks hold real still and all look in the same direction, there is usually something furry over there thinking about duck soup. But this llama thing has me buffaloed.
I know what llama's are used for, kind of any way. To look at their shaggy, ragged coat, you would never guess that here is a fiber that when shorn, washed, combed and spun will make a very soft item to be worn. It is not itchy like wool, but it is a kind of wool. I would love to get my hands on either of these two fellows/girls.
See the irony of the whole thing is, when the man stuck them in the feild right there beside my house, he had no idea that I have in my possession, a basket to wash the fleece, hand carders to card the fleece, a spinning wheel to spin the fleece and 2 looms to weave the yarn!! I further have the knowledge to do all that.
I wonder what the man would think if he came over here and found naked llama's waiting for him?! What would the headline read in the local paper? "Old Lady Strips Llama", "Granny Charged with Fleecing Fleece", "Pulling the Wool Over Brownies Eyes!"
I think I probably would be better served just staying over here in my own yard and watch that silly llama hop around over there. I must learn to keep my mind from wandering.
If you know why llama's behave like they do, please let me know.
If horses run and buck, there will be a change of weather. If cattle lay in the field the fish will not bite. I know if the geese or ducks hold real still and all look in the same direction, there is usually something furry over there thinking about duck soup. But this llama thing has me buffaloed.
I know what llama's are used for, kind of any way. To look at their shaggy, ragged coat, you would never guess that here is a fiber that when shorn, washed, combed and spun will make a very soft item to be worn. It is not itchy like wool, but it is a kind of wool. I would love to get my hands on either of these two fellows/girls.
See the irony of the whole thing is, when the man stuck them in the feild right there beside my house, he had no idea that I have in my possession, a basket to wash the fleece, hand carders to card the fleece, a spinning wheel to spin the fleece and 2 looms to weave the yarn!! I further have the knowledge to do all that.
I wonder what the man would think if he came over here and found naked llama's waiting for him?! What would the headline read in the local paper? "Old Lady Strips Llama", "Granny Charged with Fleecing Fleece", "Pulling the Wool Over Brownies Eyes!"
I think I probably would be better served just staying over here in my own yard and watch that silly llama hop around over there. I must learn to keep my mind from wandering.
If you know why llama's behave like they do, please let me know.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
My Mohawk Hair Cut
Ever have a "Bucket List? I do. It is getting whittled down slowly but surely. Two years ago I decided to fulfill the mohawk desire. I had taken my son to the barber, one my husband had used forever, and the time was right!
I had a very hard time talking Louie into that, but finally he decided he might as well do it if he ever wanted me out of there. The deed was done! A little axle grease and the old mohawk stood right up as proud as you please.
Now, you should know, I always kept my hair short so the grand and glorious strip on the center of my 65 year old head was only about 3 inches tall. The bald head that surrounded it made it look fantastic! Paid my bill and off to the first stop; step daughter!
"What in God's name have you done? Wait till my husband sees that!" Her husband did indeed make it over to see me and know what he said? He laughed! "Way to go grandma!"
The grandkids were taken aback, but quickly adjusted. The other grownup kids were appalled, but soon adjusted. In all fairness, not all of them live around here and did not see it when it was fresh. I hated that.
The people at church dropped their jaws. But the best part and the part that made it all worth it were the strangers. Not many old ladies show up with a mohawk. The best reaction was the "gang bangers". I would walk down the aisle at the grocery store and run into one of them with his hat cocked on crooked and his eyes all hard and mean. He would glare at me, make eye contact and then give me the sweetest smile.
I had that happen several times and it dawned on me that if we would all just shave our heads and meet on common ground, an old lady and a punk teenager, we might get a little further down the road to peace.
I do not know how many thumbs up I got. Old people smiled, young people smiled,strangers on the street smiled. I had a good time with that haircut.
But, alas, the hair grew back and there was a lot of itching going on when that happened. I don't know if you have ever shaved your head, but there are a lot of bumps and stuff up there that is never seen unless you do shave the hair. Something up there is responsible for what is known as "cow licks." (Cow licks will be a later post!)
Now we all know there is not much sense to doing anything wild and crazy if you do not keep a record of that act. The day after I got my mohawk, I renewed my drivers license! It took the man 2 tries to get the light and everything just right so the mohawk is preserved for posterity! He actually worked with me on that photo!
Now when the clerk asks for my id, I hand her my license, she glances at the top of my head and we have a conversation going! I do not regret that haircut one bit, and may do it again if those kids of mine don't watch out!
I had a very hard time talking Louie into that, but finally he decided he might as well do it if he ever wanted me out of there. The deed was done! A little axle grease and the old mohawk stood right up as proud as you please.
Now, you should know, I always kept my hair short so the grand and glorious strip on the center of my 65 year old head was only about 3 inches tall. The bald head that surrounded it made it look fantastic! Paid my bill and off to the first stop; step daughter!
"What in God's name have you done? Wait till my husband sees that!" Her husband did indeed make it over to see me and know what he said? He laughed! "Way to go grandma!"
The grandkids were taken aback, but quickly adjusted. The other grownup kids were appalled, but soon adjusted. In all fairness, not all of them live around here and did not see it when it was fresh. I hated that.
The people at church dropped their jaws. But the best part and the part that made it all worth it were the strangers. Not many old ladies show up with a mohawk. The best reaction was the "gang bangers". I would walk down the aisle at the grocery store and run into one of them with his hat cocked on crooked and his eyes all hard and mean. He would glare at me, make eye contact and then give me the sweetest smile.
I had that happen several times and it dawned on me that if we would all just shave our heads and meet on common ground, an old lady and a punk teenager, we might get a little further down the road to peace.
I do not know how many thumbs up I got. Old people smiled, young people smiled,strangers on the street smiled. I had a good time with that haircut.
But, alas, the hair grew back and there was a lot of itching going on when that happened. I don't know if you have ever shaved your head, but there are a lot of bumps and stuff up there that is never seen unless you do shave the hair. Something up there is responsible for what is known as "cow licks." (Cow licks will be a later post!)
Now we all know there is not much sense to doing anything wild and crazy if you do not keep a record of that act. The day after I got my mohawk, I renewed my drivers license! It took the man 2 tries to get the light and everything just right so the mohawk is preserved for posterity! He actually worked with me on that photo!
Now when the clerk asks for my id, I hand her my license, she glances at the top of my head and we have a conversation going! I do not regret that haircut one bit, and may do it again if those kids of mine don't watch out!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Good old days may be yet to come!
I see I have been AWOL, which is the acronym for Away With Out Leave. That means I just took off and told no one that I would not be typing away in my little journal here. Did not go anywhere. Did not do anything in particular, just did not function like I should have. I do not feel one bit guilty even knowing you are out there thirsting for my wisdom and humor. Which brings me to the point of this missive.
For many years, well about 68 to be exact, I have functioned as others thought I should. I got my diaper changed and ate when momma thought I should. Went to school when teachers thought I should. Married a man because he thought I should, and then tended the babies, because that was expected. Life turned me into a single mother and then it was work, work, work. Later life gave me a wonderful husband who made sure I did not need to do that anymore.
Now, I find myself a widow, with a home and grandchildren and great grandchildren and a lot of time on my hands. I live alone, basically, so my life is pretty simple and my wants are few. I can eat breakfast at 6:00 AM or 2:00 PM. I can take a walk or a nap, depending on my mood. I can make a quilt, weave a tea towel, bake a cake, or just set and watch the ducks and geese. I can go to town or stay home. My choices are endless.
I am at no one's mercy but my own. I know that some day this life of mine will make a "u" turn and I will end up just like I started, but for right now, this moment in time, this is my good old days. Think this depresses me? Think again! Right now I have the whole enchilada and I am going to run with it. :)
For many years, well about 68 to be exact, I have functioned as others thought I should. I got my diaper changed and ate when momma thought I should. Went to school when teachers thought I should. Married a man because he thought I should, and then tended the babies, because that was expected. Life turned me into a single mother and then it was work, work, work. Later life gave me a wonderful husband who made sure I did not need to do that anymore.
Now, I find myself a widow, with a home and grandchildren and great grandchildren and a lot of time on my hands. I live alone, basically, so my life is pretty simple and my wants are few. I can eat breakfast at 6:00 AM or 2:00 PM. I can take a walk or a nap, depending on my mood. I can make a quilt, weave a tea towel, bake a cake, or just set and watch the ducks and geese. I can go to town or stay home. My choices are endless.
I am at no one's mercy but my own. I know that some day this life of mine will make a "u" turn and I will end up just like I started, but for right now, this moment in time, this is my good old days. Think this depresses me? Think again! Right now I have the whole enchilada and I am going to run with it. :)
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