All Posts - From The Beginning
Landed
( 1 of 2167 )

Hello, it's been a while since I plastered my life up on the internet. Guess it's bout time. I drove a 20' U-Haul full of stuff from Driggs, ID, across the Heartland of America to a location in the Deep South. I then caught a greyhound bus back to Driggs, whereupon I proceeded to drive myself and Piper (with Steph on my tail) back to the Deep South in my truck and then Piper and I moved into my new sweet little place. Steph is diving deep into her daughters life while I'm diving deep into my own.

I have to say, hot damn! I made some dramatic decisions and I stuck with them. I approached the situation strong, healthy and determined. As a result I accomplished all of my goals. I couldn't ask for a better place to land. I absolutely love where I'm living right now, and Piper is on my desk within inches of my fingers as I type this...

The view from my assembled computer station was so terrific that I couldn't block it with a monitor. That space is now Pipers and mine to share. Click the photo below for some more shots.

More Yard
( 2 of 2167 )

Grabbed my camera today and walked out into the big yard. The story is, it was a once bustling subdivision until the flood wiped out all but the remaining houses on the street. HUD condemned it and most was turned into public park while the area lower left was bought by my landlord for private family gatherings. This is my new walking strip.

Basket
( 3 of 2167 )

A hot sweaty guy with an extended basket gave me internet yesterday. The connection isn't great and not bad. It's about 10m less than what I'm used to, and the upload is lame, but my computer and devices are finally together again. It was like Piper re-connecting with the stuff from her old house, she knew she was home.

Just Net
( 4 of 2167 )

All you really need these days is a good solid connection to the Net and a decent pipe. The first thing I did was install a top tier VPN. My IP address is now pointing to someplace I'm not. I then changed the default Name Servers to point to CloudFlare's faster, privacy-first consumer DNS servers (1.1.1.1) This means I don't have to go through the Net provider to resolve an internet address. These two things combined offer me a huge amount of anonymity and an overall speed bump.

From this tweaked pipe I drive my computer, my VoIP phone with a Google Voice number, my Echo and associated tablets, and my TV for Prime, Netflix and YouTube.

I've been testing out YouTube TV and I like it. I get all of the local channels in the nearby big city market, Fox News, plus a bunch of other channels I may ultimately like, for $40 a month. It's a month-to-month billing with no contract so I can opt out whenever I wish.

Spacing
( 5 of 2167 )

Spacing: Using space efficiently and creatively, without preconceived bounds. I've really been spacing out lately and my latest contraption was a piece of insulation that I've been hauling around waiting for just the right moment that has transformed an old stove-top into a clean and tidy little workspace for food and Cuisinart prep.

When ready to cook, I set it aside. I used the whole setup today for my first Idaho Stew, a recipe I perfected from over a decade in Idaho. It came out great.

Our local tap water is not an acceptable consumption option for me. So, in the spirit of Spacing I bought a water dispenser from Amazon that arrived in 1.5 days which attaches to the top of a big water bottle. Push the button on top to start, push again to stop...

New Station
( 6 of 2167 )

Life changes, so does your workstation...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Reasons
( 7 of 2167 )

If anyone wondered what Steph's reasons for leaving Idaho were, well, here you go:

Blue Eyes
( 8 of 2167 )

Birthday Bath
( 9 of 2167 )

Piper got a Happy Birthday email this morning from her Vet in Idaho, so I took her to the local pet place for a much needed bath. Tina the groomer was lovely, called me sweetheart, and Piper is now very clean, the clumps on her butt are gone, and her nails are trimmed.

She's also flea free, which was the main reason for the visit. Piper's never had to deal with fleas before, being a Rocky Mountain girl, but she got jumped on here. I also picked up some expensive stuff that I put on the back of her neck to keep them away.

The Best
( 10 of 2167 )

This reminds me of the first time I tasted hormone free - free range chicken, it's the way it used to be. I just bought and installed into my setup the best PC keyboard in the world, by most counts, the Corsair K70 RGB mk.2 mechanical gaming keyboard. It has real keys that feel like the best of the many mechanical keyboards I have used over the decades. Real keys made with state of the art components.

This keyboard is a premium mechanical gaming keyboard with an aluminum frame, 100% cherry mx key-switches and per-key dynamic back-lighting. It has a braided cable coming out of the back which contains the USB 3.0 connection and a 2.0 pass-through. They had me at the cable...

  ↑ Yep, that's the space bar.

County Fair
( 11 of 2167 )

Went to the local county fair tonight and hung out with the family. I took a couple shots along the way, starting from the time I walked into the fairgrounds, and I'm sharing them here. Click the photo below to see them (along with a couple of videos at the end :-).

Here's a couple videos:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

 

If the video fails to load, click Here.

 

Ancestry
( 12 of 2167 )

According to my DNA my ancestors migrated to Tennessee from Europe back in the early 1800's. Which means I'm now living in the area that my ancestors founded. There's got to be a spiritual reason for this...

DDay
( 13 of 2167 )

Went to Dillans birthday party the other night. I didn't know most of the folks there. Still don't... Click on Lily in the cage to see some more shots.

Scratcher
( 14 of 2167 )

Piper's been using the corner of my bed as a scratching post, so I bought her one today. I slathered catnip on it and put it at the corner. What did she do? Ate all the catnip and then scratched around the post. I love her but she aint the sharpest tool...

Carseat Kids
( 15 of 2167 )

Hung out with Melissa and the girls today:

Gas Tank
( 16 of 2167 )

Melissa stopped to let me take a shot of this tank today. Pretty weird...

Bricks
( 17 of 2167 )

Drove down the road to Pulaski this morning because I've never been there before. Nice little town with lots of cool places made from bricks.

Vision
( 18 of 2167 )

My eyes have been kinda messed up lately so I deviated from my general philosophy of no doctors and went to the Vision Clinic. I thought I had cataracts and it turns out I do, but the problem is something else called Central Serous Chorioretinopathy, a build up of fluids under the retina which occurs most often in Type A young and middle aged men. I'll be seeing a specialist next month and they gave me a sucker and a sticker for being a good boy.

Popeye Mouth
( 19 of 2167 )

Fair Video
( 20 of 2167 )

Just playing around...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Mine
( 21 of 2167 )

Lily opening her keyboard birthday present.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Half Way
( 22 of 2167 )

My thirty year old truck made it to her half way mark today, in Huntsville, AL.

Anika
( 23 of 2167 )

Back story: Annie is the daughter of my nephew Brians girlfriend. I've watched her grow up and was her bus driver for one school year. Shes a smart, talented watch out world girl.

Security
( 24 of 2167 )

Installed some security cameras today:

...and the guy that lives across the street is a cop, who knows what he's got. Stay away!

Halloween
( 25 of 2167 )

Here's some pictures that Melissa shot from Halloween. (Click on Lyla)

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Roadkill
( 26 of 2167 )

Michael harvested some deer he hit on the highway recently and some of it ended up in my jambalaya tonight. Delicious!

Impact
( 27 of 2167 )

Giving a child a gift that makes an impact is, priceless...

Vibrations
( 28 of 2167 )

When I was a kid (around seven) I lived in a very small town on the side of a mountain. My brother and I were free spirits that hiked everywhere, ran with the deer, and listened to the mountain. Family and friends thought we were crazy when we talked about it, but apparently we were the only ones that heard and felt the vibrations coming up from our feet. We used to lay our ear on the ground and listen to the mountain talk to us.

Later on as a young adult I was visiting with my dad’s side of the family down in Texas and I was hanging out with a bunch of my cousins. They set up a game that they were quite intent that I play in which I was blind-folded while they they stood silently around me in a circle. I was told to extend my arms and fingers straight out and slowly turn within the circle. I felt them. As I moved I could feel the vibrations of their bodies and I could detect their shapes, on the tips of my fingers. I kept moving out from the middle of the circle and tapping each one on the chest muttering oh my god. There were some other things they had me do involving sensing objects on a table, but it’s clear to me now, they wanted to know if I had the same hereditary ability that they all had.

For the last few years I’ve been feeling vibrations running through my own body. I first felt them in the quiet of the night as I laid down to sleep but they've been progressively growing stronger, and now I feel them constantly, loud and strong.

I think I've finally figured it out: My ability is detecting the other hereditary item in my family, Parkinson's. The traditional symptoms of the disease haven't manifested themselves outwardly, but I am sensing them inwardly. How weird is that!

I don't know if this a blessing, or a curse...

Family Tree
( 29 of 2167 )

I finally decided to research and document my family tree. I looked at all of the options out there and determined I could do it best with my own custom Google spreadsheet. What an enlightening process! Now, after I do some work on it, I convert it to HTML and FTP the code up to my server as a simple web page. If you're interested, here's the link: My Family Tree.

Breakfast
( 30 of 2167 )

Cabbage, Kale, Garlic and yellow Beets makes a months worth of frozen breakfast bags.

Along with: Cayenne, Turmeric, Garlic, Ginger, Pepper, Hawthorne Berry, Ashwagandha Root, Gotu Kola, Soy Lecithin and Amla blended up in water with a little protein powder.

Paradise
( 31 of 2167 )

My home town has been destroyed by fire and I have nobody to talk to about it, so I'll do it here. That's the nice thing about a blog I suppose, you can talk to it like an old friend sitting across the table from you, but it still doesn't meet the criteria of the human connection. Oh well.

I was relocated to Paradise, CA from Visalia, CA by my family around 1960. We arrived with a large trailer that even included my pigeons strapped on the side in cages, and moved into a house north of town that belonged to my stepdad Paul's sister.

I entered Paradise High as a freshman mid-year and joined the track team. Three years later I was riding with the coach and three other top guys down to Sacramento for a state meet. We placed third. I acted in local plays and was hired by the Chamber of Commerce along with a couple others to walk around town and sing Christmas carols. I was a star first baseman on the Babe Ruth team.

I was sitting in class when they announced the assassination of JFK over the intercom. They sent us home and as I walked alone down the railroad tracks my view of the world changed and it impacted my later life decisions profoundly.

Paradise was my home town and I even briefly thought about it as a possible destination for retirement. As I worked on chores around my little place today I was grateful to be here now, and not there, but it it angers me that the news I'm watching isn't covering it like I think they should. An entire city has been wiped out and people have died, probably more than the recent bar shooting and the synagogue shooting combined. Very sad...

Saturday morning update:

  • Pacific Gas & Electric Co. notified state regulators that one of its high-voltage power lines located near where the fire began had malfunctioned shortly before the first flames were reported.
  • Officials said at least nine people died and more than 6,700 homes and commercial buildings were lost — making it the most destructive fire to property in state history.
  • Paradise Vice Mayor Greg Bolin said that early reports from fire officials suggested that 80 to 90% of the town had burned. Bolin, who lost his home, said: “The town is gone.”

Sunday morning update:

  • Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said Saturday 14 additional bodies were found, bringing the death toll to 23. The victims have not been identified. There are 110 outstanding reports of missing people.

Monday morning update:

  • The fire has burned more than 111,000 acres and is 25 percent contained. Its death toll of 29 now equals that of the Griffith Park Fire in 1933, the deadliest wildfire on record in California. At least 228 people are still missing,.

Thursday morning update:

  • 56 dead, 130 missing, 8800 homes lost...

Thursday evening update:

  • 63 dead. People who remain unaccounted for increased by more than 500, to 631. 52,000 have been displaced.

Friday morning thoughts:

  • Jerry Brown vetoed the bipartisan wildlife management bill 1463 in 2016, despite being passed by the Legislature, 75-0 in the Assembly and 39-0 in the Senate, which would have required electrical lines to go underground.
  • Obama-era regulations introduced excessive layers of bureaucracy that blocked proper forest management and increased environmentalist litigation and costs—a result of far too many radical environmentalists, bureaucrats, Leftist politicians and judicial activists who would rather let forests burn, than let anyone thin out overgrown trees or let professional loggers harvest usable timber left from beetle infestation, or selectively cut timber.
  • California fires produce as much pollution in 2 days as all the state’s cars do in a year.

Amazing article Here.

Second Tuesday morning update:

  • 151,272 acres burned, 79 fatalities confirmed, 699 unaccounted for and 15,573 structures destroyed (11,713 residences, 472 commercial and 3,388 other buildings).
New Bench
( 32 of 2167 )

My nephew Brian is doing well and his cat Fluffy is looking Lucky! (or something like that :-)

Codeless
( 33 of 2167 )

Writing code, developing apps, exploring new constructs, has been the underlying passion of my life. In the seventies and eighties I made a pretty good living from it. I slowed down in the nineties, came roaring back in the 21st century and for the last 15 years HTML, JavaScript, CSS and PHP have been my passion. I would do my day job then come home and write code.

Everything has now changed. I've been pretty busy just trying to salvage life after Idaho but now having accomplished that I realize I'm having a Vincent epiphany. I finally faced the reality that nobody really appreciated or used the stuff I created. So, instead of cutting off my ear, I just stopped.

It's the weirdest damned thing, I have all the time in the world now to write code, and I have no interest whatsoever to do so. I now find myself putting my creative energy into mastering new technology and using it to enhance my day to day life. My new pad has become my man-cave. If you're in the neighborhood, drop on by, I'll show you!

Southbound
( 34 of 2167 )

I'm heading to Florida for Thanksgiving with my granddaughter Shelby and great-grandaughter Prudence. I'll return with lots of photos...

Sweet Lyla
( 35 of 2167 )

Had a very nice Thanksgiving with Stephs family tonight and got a bunch of nice shots, but I just had to give little miss photogenic her own post. Click the photo below for 25 more, totally un-retouched:

Turkey Times
( 36 of 2167 )

Melissa cooked up an amazing turkey tonight, best I've tasted in recent memory. It even had boobs! Click the fart machine below for some more shots:

Friends
( 37 of 2167 )

Florida
( 38 of 2167 )

I got up early Thanksgiving day and drove south to spend time with my Pensacola, FL family. My granddaughter Shelby has recently adopted my great granddaughter Prudence and together with their friend Homer we had a great time.

After dinner they drove me around downtown where Homer pointed out several places he designed, then down to the waterfront, and then out to Todd's (develops shopping centers) place on the water for a dessert party.

There are 40 photos available by clicking the photo below

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Tweaks
( 39 of 2167 )

I've been tweaking this blog a bit, note the buttons instead of just plain text. Individual posts now have the ability to move Up or Down the list of posts, and I've added monthly archiving so the list on the right doesn't get out of hand. There's also a cool little arrow lower left that will scroll you back to the top once you start scrolling down.

Still getting asked about a comment module but I'm sticking to my position (see About). This is not a social media platform, it's just a place for me to put stuff up on the internet.

Downtown
( 40 of 2167 )

I took some photos of our downtown area a while back and they somehow slipped out of the blog conversion, so here they are. Click on David Crockets cabin below to see them.

Cool Tools
( 41 of 2167 )

Well, I thought I was done writing code, wrong! I've figured out how to implement PHP and JavaScript directly into articles here so I'm now developing some cool modules that plug into the blog as opposed to stand-alone apps. If you click on the Tools menu option above you can try out the ones I have so far.

I currently have 9,885 photos up on Flickr, organized across 724 sets. My new tool Sets By Date presents all sets in descending order, starting with my most recent, and ending with the first one, Riley and Jess in Vegas. The counterpart tool Sets By Name presents them in alphabetical order.

When you select a set, all photos are presented in full format, sequentially. There's an option at the top to show them stacked, which is handy if there's a lot of photos in a set. and also a sweet little slideshow option. Click on any photo to bring it up full screen.

Potpourri
( 42 of 2167 )

I've whipped up a sweet little Slideshow app (chose a Set and select SlideShow at the top) and discovered some old favorites:

Stephs mom Betty:

Paper tited Amy: (run the Slideshow)

The hundred year old man:

Cupcakes
( 43 of 2167 )

Tasty cupcakes and great spaghetti were featured at Steph's birthday gathering, of which I was pleased to attend. Click the cakes for more...

Sunflower
( 44 of 2167 )

I took the photo, did the art, it's original...

World Maps
( 45 of 2167 )

I've created a new tool, available under Tools, called Geography. It presents every country in the world and shows a map of the country you select. Simple...

Update: The apps just keep coming... Two new ones are now up there: Largest Cities shows the top 99 largest cities in the U.S. and State Capitols gives you a birds-eye view of all fifty state capitols.

More: Colleges shows the top U.S. colleges and National Parks gives you links to all of them.

Oh, and of course, all of my favorite Places!

Whew, busy day...

Old Barn
( 46 of 2167 )

Vue
( 47 of 2167 )

I'm porting some of my apps over here to the blog. Vue is a great one that I developed as part of the eclipse madness in Teton Valley. It shows a connected split screen of Map and Streetview. Move one, the other follows. I've changed the default position to my neck of the woods but you can create a permalink for any location by zooming the top map out, dragging it around., and then clicking the link icon. Click the image below to try it out...

And of course, a view of Oakland from the City aint bad either...

Route
( 48 of 2167 )

My daddy used to tell me, the shortest distance between two points was a purple squiggly line. He also told me to never believe anyone that used the phrase my daddy used to tell me. Anyway, my newly refurbished app Route proves he was right on the first point.

I love this thing and I've missed it for a while now, ever since Google started demanding a developers bank account info before coughing up map tiles. I finally gave in, and it's back better than ever. To use it, click on the map to select a starting point, then drag the marker(s) around the map. When you release a marker the route is computed between the two points and presented at the bottom. There's also some cool functions available by clicking either marker.

Treats
( 49 of 2167 )

Just seeing if I can embed a Vimeo video of Community School kids grabbing treats on my bus.

Secure
( 50 of 2167 )

I applied the one available SSL certificate from my host, to this blog, and the site is now secure. If you look up at your address bar you will see the Lock and the https. The internet is going secure, and I have arrived...

Twilight
( 51 of 2167 )

A Flickr video...

The Box
( 52 of 2167 )

The Box showed up at our place in Idaho one day, and it was talking. I've composed a set of short Flickr videos (they have an imposed time limit on them, Flickr's rule) and you can watch them by clicking the box.

Map Code
( 53 of 2167 )

I've been working on some really nice Map code today. I've added U.S. Counties By State, All Cities By State, and tweaked the destination when you select a place. Instead of going to my NeXht app, it goes to a new built-in Google Map, with options.

My goal today was to display polygon outlines around cities and counties. I have the data, and the knowledge to pull it off, but to my surprise Google is doing it for me. Sometimes I really love those guys...

Below is an example map created from the query Paradise, CA and below that is the result of a Butte County, CA query. Considering that I've got more than 20,000 cities in my database, and over 3,000 counties, this little map handles them all. It also works great on National Parks, U.S. State Capitols and Colleges.

The first map will sadly self-destruct shortly...

Snowless
( 54 of 2167 )

It's almost the middle of December and I haven't seen a single snowflake. Neither has Piper, of course she never goes outside anymore. My, how things have changed...

Search Tool
( 55 of 2167 )

There's a new tool in the garage, called Map Search. Enter anything you like and I pass it on to the Google API geocoder for the Lat/Lng and then on to my new embedded Google Map. By computing the location in the process I can enable all of the other cool tools at the bottom, which are based on Lat/Lng.

Also note the [Unlock] button at the top. Normally the map is exposed and when you scroll the page it does zoom things to the map, which I consider bad UI. So, I lock it! You can't click on or drag the map until Unlock is clicked. There are so many other ways of looking at the location with the tools below, you may not even need to unlock it. Click the image below and give it a try!

New Maps
( 56 of 2167 )

Had a busy code day today, adding some new categories and implementing the Embedded Map into everything. I built a JSON database called US Places containing 530 interesting Places and the Map finds them all. I liked the results so much I included them into the Search Map in random order, every time you go there, as Inspiration.

Geography now feeds straight to the map in the form of Countries and the results are damned cool. Oh, and Vegas Casinos also managed to slip in there.

Also, remember that the Info button at the bottom left of the map more than likely will give you the web site of the selected place, if not, at least the Wikipedia. :-)

Flags
( 57 of 2167 )

It's great when you can have fun doing something, and the results of that effort turn out to be something of value. I whipped up a new tool this morning called Country Flags and it's pretty sweet. Click on a flag and it will display it full size, click on a country name and it will launch the map.

U.S. State Flags:

U.S. State Seals:

Weather App
( 58 of 2167 )

Weather Search provides a search box, just like Map Search, where you enter a city name or a zip code and it returns a variety of charts for that location:

  • Hourly Temperature
  • Hourly Wind Speed
  • Hourly Wind Gust
  • Hourly Humidty
  • Hourly Dewpoint
  • Hourly Cloud Cover
  • Daily Maximum Temperature
  • Daily Minimum Temperature
  • Daily Wind Gust
  • Daily Humidity
  • Daily Dewpoint
  • Daily Cloud Cover
  • Daily Moon Phase

You can see the current charts for my area by clicking below:

The urls are also permalinks you can save...

Zip Code Fun
( 59 of 2167 )

I've built a new database containing all of the Zip Codes in the United States, and developed a tool to analyze them. This is really fun and informative and I've put the query power in your fingers.

Up A Notch
( 60 of 2167 )

I've improved the quality of my zip polygons quite a bit and the before and after image below speaks for itself. I think I've found the right balance of resolution and load time as these things are detailed and responsive. Zip codes with a polygon will be highlighted.

Here's the final result of this project: 40,968 total Zips with 32,220 matching high quality Polygons.

Holiday Visit
( 61 of 2167 )

Steph brought the girls and Dillan over today so I could give them some holiday gifts. We had a fine time, Dillan rocked Fortnite on my PC, the girls had fun, Steph drank her coffee and I fed them some jambalaya. Now I have to get back to my solemn prayers and joyful meditation about the upcoming birthday of my lord and savior. Or, maybe I'll just write code...

Click the photo for more.

My Keyboard
( 62 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Poly Fun
( 63 of 2167 )

Ever wonder what all of the U.S. zips codes that start with 23 look like on a map? Probably not, but if you would like to try such a thing, click the map below and play with your own criteria...

How about all the zip codes in Texas? Those clusters are Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston. You can zoom down...

Or just browse by City...

Post List
( 64 of 2167 )

I've come up with a new tool called All Posts which shows every post on the blog, including archives, in alphabetical sequence. Click on a title and it opens the post. I'm also working on some new ones that show all posts from Current, the Begining, Alphabetically and Randomly.

Storage
( 65 of 2167 )

My old 3 terabyte WD external backup drive started making funny noises so I picked up a new 4TB drive today. I have two backup systems where the WD is my primary system image backup while an older Lacie 1TB drive stores a lot of old photos and videos.

Today I moved and organized a lot of stuff off the Lacie onto the WD and as you can see, I've got a lot of space on my hot-rod PC.

  • The C drive is a 256GB SSD holding my Windows 10 OS.

  • The D drive is a 3TB internal holding all my primary data.

  • The F drive is my new 4TB backup drive.

  • The H drive is the old Lacie.

A lot of what's left on H is Steph's old photos and when I'm done organizing, that's all there will be and I'll then disconnect it and store it.

County Time
( 66 of 2167 )

I don't know why I find geographic entities like U.S. Zipcodes and Counties so fascinating, but I obviously do and my latest project has been Counties. Did you know there are 3,142 official counties in the U.S.? Each one has a unique five digit code consisting of a two digit state code and a three digit county code, known as FIPS codes (Federal Information Processing Standard). The state numbers range from 01 (Alabama) to 56 (Wyoming) and each county within a state has a three digit code. Thus, the FIPS code for my county here in Tennessee is 47-099.

My source for this project was a huge geojson file with all of the county polygons packed inside and it was way too big to handle with normal PHP functions so I had to tear it apart with some mad code hacking into 3142 individual county files. That was successful and I now have high quality polygons for every county.

Drop on into my newest tool Counties By State and look around if you like. Once you select a state you can view the individual counties by clicking on the code or select View Polygons to show them all. If showing all you can hover over them for a name or click on a county to bring it up individually.

I'm still working on Alaska, damned state with all it's multi-polygons is driving me crazy :-)

Rockin
( 67 of 2167 )

Steph and Melissa brought the girls by today so I cranked up the country music and we hung out in the sun. Bongos were banged... It was 58° and still not a snowflake yet, but it does know how to get it's rain on here. The creek is rising but under control.

A couple of days ago:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Conviction
( 68 of 2167 )

All through my journey as a computer programmer I've had the conviction that whatever you can conceive can ultimately be achieved. Sometimes it's damned hard and really stretches my brain to it's limit but I push on and when it finally works it's a true eureka moment where I thrust my arms in the air and yell yea!

The sad thing is that most of the time nobody sees it or gets it, except me. So tonight, I'm going to put my latest breakthrough out there just because this is my blog and I can. Wether you read on is up to you...

The challenge I faced is that the articles (posts) in this blog are simply lightweight shells from which I can dish out a little PHP and Javascript, but not build a complicated app within. So, I have to construct a window (called an iframe) inside the post which runs the app and then add functionality around it within the post. In the example below I present a zipcode map of my area.

The map is inside the window and is a stand-alone complicated piece of mapping code that I've developed to handle the context, which in this case is showing the outline of the zip code over the area. I have other apps that show individual counties and multiples of both. All run inside of a window.

The complication arises from the communication between the shell (the blog post) and the map program. As the user pans and zooms the map I needed to know what the lat/lng and zoom values are when the user stops, so I can pass those values to the very cool functions available for that location (on the bottom). You can see those numbers in the lower left corner of the map.

I really wanted to open the functions in the same tab as the map, so that clicking the back button brings you back to the map but the nature of browser history is such that it refreshes the page and you lose that position you have so carefully panned and zoomed down to.

Well, with some amazing code, I've pulled that off. You can now zoom down to a neighborhood you want to see and all of the functions are relative to that position and zoom level and when you go back, you're still there on the map.

This is a game changer as far as I'm concerned. It's now a really valuable tool for checking out an area. All of the map functions give you a different perspective based on the provider (Google, Bing, Streetview and OpenStreetMap), and even my new Flickr Geo app will give you photos taken within a mile.

So, enough of my rambling, enter your zipcode here, zoom down to your house and see what I'm talking about. Oh, and one last thing, click on the lat/lng lower left when you get around to it...

Zoom
( 69 of 2167 )

Map Zoom algorithms suck when it comes to accurately returning to the place you started from. I don't know what it is, rounding errors of floats or some such shit. Today I wrote some code that corrects that problem with my new maps (implementing ERSI). Works really good...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Colorful
( 70 of 2167 )

The new maps generate random colors now for Counties and Zips across three new map modes. Just sayin...

How about zip codes in NY state?

List Of Tools
( 71 of 2167 )

I've put together a nice little List of all my Tools, in alphabetic sequence with descriptions. Click on any tool name to run it.

Meatloaf
( 72 of 2167 )

Made myself a fine meatloaf tonight. Not only pretty, but delicious!

Perfectly cooked on the inside I might add...

Enlightenment
( 73 of 2167 )

An interesting video I ran across: If You Can.

Map Work
( 74 of 2167 )

I've been putting a lot of effort into my Place Map which is the destination and workhorse of a lot of my tools. I've stripped all the map controls out and replaced them with my own, along with a couple of new ones. There's a cool Quick Zoom tool upper left and I've gained access to the maps attributions on the bottom right, and turned them into links.

Search
( 75 of 2167 )

I've been searching for the holy-grail of geo-coding for a while now, trying various systems and methods, and none of them satisfied me. With the right one you should be able to type in your home address and see it on a map, or type in a place and have it discovered. I think I have it now in the simple control you see below. Start typing your search and when you see what you want in the results box below, select it...

I've also implemented this control into the Place Map and when you search for and select a new place, everything gets updated. (holy-grail stuff...) Click the image below to try it out.

The Middle
( 76 of 2167 )

Snow to the north of me, tornados to the south, here I am, stuck in the middle with Piper.

Status
( 77 of 2167 )

Just in case anyone is wondering what Old Man Jim is up to, well, I picked up a new domain name yesterday and I woke up this morning at 0230 with visions of iframe communication functions dancing in my head so I got up, started coding and here it is 1900 and I'm still in my pajamas and I haven't spoken to a single human all day, much less gone outside. That's alright, the code came out the way I conceived it, and it's great.

I'll put the link to the new site up here when it's ready...

Poser
( 78 of 2167 )

Tennessee Lily posing, dressed in girly attire. Reminds me of a young, Reba McEntire.

Echos
( 79 of 2167 )

Dogs barking echoing over Tennessee.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Todays Ride
( 80 of 2167 )

Did my part-time gig today, running cars from the huge Manheim auto auction east of Nashville down here to town. Ended up in a cute little 2000 gold Mustang coupe...

Net Five
( 81 of 2167 )

I made five bucks this week. Two car shuttle runs brought in $90 and I spent $85 on a DOT physical yesterday that I probably will never need. Beats a stick in my bloody eye!

(2006 Chevy Impala six cylinder with 157K)

Son Snow
( 82 of 2167 )

My son Riley and wife Jessica have been getting dumped on at their NW Washington home. The power is out but the generator is humming and the place is warm, and he got Saturday off from his auto body job.

Yard Birds
( 83 of 2167 )

Took a few shots of a couple cute birds fluttering around the front yard this afternoon. Click the photo below to see them...

My New Clock
( 84 of 2167 )

I've been wanting to pick up a new wall clock, and I use my Echo device to time my meals, so when Amazon announced the new Echo Wall Clock, well, it was a no-brainer and it arrived today.

I asked Computer to setup the clock and the first thing she did was set the correct time. You can tune in on the action by watching the video below...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Rain
( 85 of 2167 )

They say that by this weekend it will be the highest rainfall February on record and since I live in a flood area I'm watching the creek below the house. There's also a new animal (groundhog) that's hanging out, and Piper don't like it one bit...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

History
( 86 of 2167 )

I'm sitting here looking out on Shoal Creek, which runs below my window, and as the rain continues to fall I figured I better bone up on it's history. It used to be called the Sycamore River and Davy Crocket used it as a power source to run his powder mill, grist mill and distillery (i.e. gunpowder, grain and booze). A flood wiped him out in 1821 and he left the area.

On July 13, 1998 the creek flooded again after nine inches of rain fell in four hours, killing two people and resulting in the wide open space I have south of my place. Apparently the water came up to here and crested, wiping out the other homes in this sub-division.

They referred to that as a Hundred Year Flood which I find interesting considering that this will be the most rain in February ever around here.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Davy Crocket
( 87 of 2167 )

In 1955 I was nine years old, TV was finally becoming a reality to me after living on the side of a mountain, and one of the first shows I remember was Davy Crocket. The phrase "Born on a mountain top in Tennessee, greenest state in the land of the free" was burned into my brain. So here I am now, living in his home town. Wow...

I dug up the first episode (a Walt Disney production) and here you go: Watch It!

Creek Walk
( 88 of 2167 )

Our county is under an official flood watch so I decided to walk the creek, ever mindfull of Michael's warnings about snakes and water. It will only get better this afternoon when the level 4 tornados roll through. Is it too late to head to Florida for a few days?

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Flooding
( 89 of 2167 )

Ok, here we go, my first flood! Hopefully I can just enjoy it without it wiping me out. Great new video below...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Dillan Lexi
( 90 of 2167 )

Steph called me this afternoon and said the kids were heading down to the town square in their formal wear so I hustled over, grabbed a few shots, and then disappeared back here into my hole. They looked mighty fine and you can see the rest by clicking the photo...

Red
( 91 of 2167 )

Lyla Lines
( 92 of 2167 )

Fiper
( 93 of 2167 )

Lucky
( 94 of 2167 )

My nephew Brian lost his cat Lucky in the Jackson, WY snow for six days. He never gave up looking for him and finally found him, trapped under his neighbors deck by the snow, alive.

Eight lives to go and doing well!

From Brian: "I almost gave up looking after the fifth day and then I thought if there's even a small chance to have my buddy back I'm going to try as hard as I can for as long as I have to."

Yellow Sky
( 95 of 2167 )

I saw the yellow sky yesterday afternoon and didn't know what was going on. I'd been following the real-time radar map on my computer screen as thunderstorms were moving in and I saw a red blob that was moving in over my neighborhood so I went to the front door, opened it, and looked around. That's when I saw it.

We had been under a tornado watch throughout the afternoon so I was ready to grab my valuables, along with Piper, and head to the bathtub. (Hmmm, now that I think of it, maybe I need a better plan. :-)

Everything was fine but Melissa's husband Michael, who grew up here, saw the yellow sky and put his family on alert. Turns out, I should have been very afraid...

In the meantime, browser testing on my wide-screen monitor is underway:

Reality
( 96 of 2167 )

To see a place that once played an important part in your life, now sit desolate and abandoned, makes you realize how fickle and irrelevant your current reality really is.

Beans
( 97 of 2167 )

Tennessee sure knows how to serve up a gourmet meal for a charitable cause. At least the girls around here are cute.

Business Card
( 98 of 2167 )

My boy Riley's got a new business card for the new autobody shop he's at. It's just him and the owner, and they're busy. Looks like it was a great move up.

Mule Town
( 99 of 2167 )

Went up to Mule Town Rec in Columbia today for a little heat and wet. Met a guy in the spa that was older than me and wrote assembly language for some Nasa space flights. Never thought I'd meet another person in the world that knew how to do that. Very cool, for being hot...

Frog
( 100 of 2167 )

Pipers Butt
( 101 of 2167 )

I used to think that my cat Piper was not the sharpest tool in the shed when it came to smartness but I'm beginning to change my mind. Lately, while she's up on my desk being a treat whore, I start sniffing her butt and she gives me this look like, really? So when I head to the kitchen and gather up paper towels to perform the personal area cleanup procedure she so badly needs because she's gotten too fat to do it herself, she's off the desk and heading for the door. I have to catch her, put her back on the desk, grab the cat cleaner and do the deed, and she hates it. I don't blame her, I guess when I'm old and feeble and someone has to clean the shit off my ass, I'll hate it too.

Fishin Holes
( 102 of 2167 )

I need to get my Senior fishing license from Walmart and start hitting up the fishin holes around here. This one's called VFW Lake and it's only 20 minutes away, has a road you can drive all the way around and a $6 all day fishing fee.

Update: I just bought a fishing license online. Tennessee knew who I was, I guess that Commercial Drivers License I just got locked me into the system. Anyway, $4 bucks for a year ($3 handling). It pays to be legit, and old...

Vibrated
( 103 of 2167 )

Cliff Creek
( 104 of 2167 )

I was dragging a lure through a local creek today and saw these cool rock formations.

Spring Tree
( 105 of 2167 )

This is my first Spring here and my drab little trees are coming alive.

House Flowers
( 106 of 2167 )

Spring is blooming along my old brick wall.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Big Bee
( 107 of 2167 )

Since the flowers have come out a very large species of bee have been buzzing around. They're fat and fast, big bodies with small wings. Pretty tame too, they don't harrass me at all.

Tracks
( 108 of 2167 )

After all those years of maintaining a photo blog in Teton Valley I was pretty much burned out. It's great to have new subjects in a new state!

Easter
( 109 of 2167 )

Easter Fade
( 110 of 2167 )

Nothing to do this Easter but watch the creek fade to black.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Stillhouse Hollow
( 111 of 2167 )

Hooked up with Melissa, Dillan and the girls today for a hike down to Stillhouse Hollow Falls, just north of Summertown. Very fun! Click the photo below to see some shots of the hike:

Here's a video:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Nashville
( 112 of 2167 )

I finally made it up to Nashville for a little sightseeing this morning, on the busiest day of the year. It's the final round of the NFL Draft which drew 200,000 people on Thursday night, and blew all expectations away. It was also the running of the St.Jude Rock and Roll marathon this morning, which had live bands and beer scattered all along the course.

I mossied through the runners and made it to Broadway where the crowds were starting to build for an 1100 kickoff of the Draft. I went right up to the barriers that separated the masses from the VIP area where the picks were about to be announced on stage, when a guy in a staff coat came up from the other side and asked me if I'd like to come in. I said sure, he strapped a band on my wrist and before I knew it I was right next to the stage that I've been seeing on TV for the last two nights. It pays to be old and sexy I guess...

I've put together 55 photos of the day, all unretouched. Usually I like to clean my stuff up a bit but there's too many, so click the armband shot below to see them.

Video: You can hear me get invited into the VIP area :-)

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Big Yard
( 113 of 2167 )

My buddy Brian's coming here from Idaho next month for a week long visit. One of the last things we did before I left was spend an evening golfing in his back yard. Turns out this place where I've landed has a splendid backyard, just made for a nine iron.

So Brian, stow your clubs in the bottom of that plane and we'll have a little fun before taking off on an adventure or two. Here's a walk around I just did on this gorgeous 85° afternoon.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Wendy
( 114 of 2167 )

This is my little friend Wendy. She lives on the road outside my house and I see her every day when I go walking, and she's been here since I moved in last August.

Other than Piper, she's sometimes the only other thing I speak to on a daily basis.

Passport
( 115 of 2167 )

My new Passport arrived today. It's the full book, unrestricted, and valid for ten years.

Watch Cat
( 116 of 2167 )

Piper's getting really comfortable with the neighborhood. Sometimes she just lays on the sidewalk flat on her back and sometimes she uses the vehicle that brought her across the country to scan the neighborhood.

Mothers Day
( 117 of 2167 )

Always a bittersweet holiday for an old guy like me, but my sweet grand-daughter Shelby is having her first with my great-grand-daughter Prudence, so all is well...

Flickr
( 118 of 2167 )

I've been a Flickr Pro member since 2006. I store all of my photos there (currently 10,078) and they provide the images for my old blog (BusDriverJim) as well as this one. I use a technique called hot-linking where the link to each image goes directly to Flickr's server. This technique is normally frowned upon if you don't own the photo and pay for the service, which I do in both cases.

I have continued to pay Flickr $25 bucks a year for Pro even when the free service started blurring the lines, but I felt it was the right thing to do. Two years ago they doubled the rate but I didn't have to pay $50 bucks until now as they let their Pro members grandfather in.

Flickr was owned by Yahoo! and has now been bought out by SmugMug. They are currently in the process of moving billions of photos and over 100 million accounts over to AWS (Amazon Web Services) which is the biggest and baddest cloud service on the planet. When done, everything should be faster and more secure.

The service will be down on May 22 for about 12 hours while they flip the switch, which means that neither one of my blogs will have photos. No big deal I suppose and I'll be traveling down to Florida with Brian during that time. My only concern is that links to the images might change, at which point my blogs are toast. I can't imagine they would do that, but I'll find out on the 23rd.

Hog Hole
( 119 of 2167 )

I found the old groundhogs hole today down by the bend in the creek and watched him shove his big ol body down into it. Speaking of old bodies, I had a profound thought during one of my walks today that I have two vehicles: my old truck, and the entity that carries my brain around, and I maintain them both very well. All I do these days is eat healthy, bump my exercise reps up a little bit more each day, and write code. I guess I'm just the old health hog...

The hole is there on the bank in the center, great view!

Getaway
( 120 of 2167 )

I snagged a couple of nights at what Shelby refers to as the "locals favorite" hotel in Pensacola for next week. Brian and I will be heading down for some sun, family time and great food. The place has it's own bar & grill with live music, and a private beach. It's also surrounded by all the cool places that make up the Pensacola Beach area so I can leave my truck in the parking lot for a couple of days.

My grand-daughters will be hanging out with us, Homer Jolly I hope, and maybe some of Shelby's friends. Should be a great time!

Piper Proud
( 121 of 2167 )

It's been a long road for Piper to acclimate herself to this new neighborhood since moving here last August. The next-door neighbor had a dog and a cat, and if Piper can't be the queen of her yard, she just stays inside. Well, the neighbor moved and gradually Piper has come to realize that she's free to roam about now.

Lately she has just been going outside and hanging out in the bushes next to the house for most of the day. The big backyard was just something she kept an eye on from the perch of my desk. Today I saw something walking down by the edge of the creek and I grabbed my glasses and sure enough, there she was. I was so proud!

Turtle Jam
( 122 of 2167 )

Brian and I were driving through Davy Crockett park this morning, when a turtle crossed the road. I got up close with the old guy and now I'm listening to Pearl Jam, thus the stupid post title...

Beach Days
( 123 of 2167 )

Brian and I just got back from Pensacola Beach with 174 photos, several videos and great memories. Click the photo below to see the set.

Karma
( 124 of 2167 )

It all started when we rescued the dog Sunday morning. Brian and I were walking around the Fairgrounds while waiting for our laundry to finish up when we spotted a small black dog stuck in a holding pond, too exhausted to pull himself out. I rousted him near the bank and Brian grabbed him by the scruff and pulled him out. We noted the good Karma and continued on.

This morning we were walking around downtown Nashville after breakfast at the Sun Diner, and I noticed my truck getting a parking ticket from a motorcycle cop. Karma led us back to the truck at that moment. I said good morning to the officer, asked him if I could try to talk him out of that ticket, and he said sure. A moment later I shook his hand and we drove off clean.

Click the photo below for some more shots...

Beach Clips
( 125 of 2167 )

I've put together three video clips of our Pensacola trip. The first has Shelby dancing with the girls, the second one is about the beach and the third has some exerpts from our tour of the new Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (by the guy who designed it, I might add).

If the video fails to load, click Here.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Shelby Shots
( 126 of 2167 )

Grabbed some of Shelby's photos for the blog:

Pirates Cove
( 127 of 2167 )

After touring the Zoo, Shelby and Homer took Brian and I to a secluded location in Alabama that only the locals know about. It's not marked from the road and most everyone shows up by boat.

Their was something magical about Pirates Cove, besides being the rumored place where Jimmy Buffet wrote Cheeseburger in Paradise. Pulling up to the pier with your friends in a boat with the sound system blasting out country music, is a lifestyle I could get used to.

Hog Mug
( 128 of 2167 )

I snapped a shot of my little groundhog buddy in his hole this afternoon.

Double Down
( 129 of 2167 )

I saved $20 a month today and more than doubled my internet speed. My previous provider ATT was charging me $50 for 15M. I switched to Spectrum today and I'm now getting 34M for $30. This is an unadvertised rate that the salesman I was working with yesterday gave me because he was beginning to lose the sale. Install was free and it looks like no monthly router charge. More for less, yes!

Update: I just shut down my wi-fi, completely. I've been concerned for a while now about the effects of a constant bombardment of wi-fi, and after more research, I've decided to turn it off. My new router cranks out hi-powered 2G and 5G signals and it has a toggle switch on the side.

Most of my stuff is hard-wired but it means the end to my Echo and smart home. I can live with that if it means wi-fi signals are not blasting through my body 24/7.

Relaxed
( 130 of 2167 )

Piper's getting pretty relaxed outside these days, I just hope nobody steps on her...

Legal
( 131 of 2167 )

I finally got around to getting Tennessee plates on my truck today. This pretty much wraps up my legal status around here, as I've now got:

  • A birth certificate that matches my name.
  • An unrestricted Passport.
  • A Tennessee Commercial Drivers License.
  • A perfect driving record.
  • A current DOT physical.
  • Current and valid vehicle insurance.
  • A fishing license.
  • A lifetime pass to our National Parks.
  • I can pass an FBI fingerprint background test.
  • I can pass a drug test.

Now I just need to get my ass out there and do something with my life!

Fifty
( 132 of 2167 )

Fifty bucks. That's what I make running a vehicle down from the Nashville Manheim vehicle auction and todays ride was a 2006 Toyota 4-Runner with 256k. I don't know about these jobs until the night before, when Tim's raspy voice fills my phone and says 7:00, you ready to roll?, and I've yet to say no.

I enjoy the runs, the toughest part is just figuring out where the trunk and gas cover switches are for each vehicle. As for the money, I've made more than that an hour several times in my life, but I ain't proud, I'm retired.

Groundhogs
( 133 of 2167 )

My neighbor the groundhog has a mate!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Clutch Job
( 134 of 2167 )

I take very good care of my little truck. Over the years since I bought it off Riley at 86K I've pumped a lot of money into her and she's paid me back with the security of knowing she will always get me home.

Riley did the clutch, along with a timing belt, before he turned it over but now she's over 200k. I had another timing belt and water pump installed in Driggs last year and the new clutch I've been hauling around in a box for a couple of years finally got installed today.

Tim is my new favorite mechanic now! He's the main guy in the used car shop I drive for and he picked the truck up last night and dropped it back off this evening, job done. And, he brought the cost in at well under half of what I would have paid a regular shop, who think they're really worth the bullshit amount of money they charge per hour.

Birds
( 135 of 2167 )

No Net
( 136 of 2167 )

I've been living without wi-fi for more than a week now, and everything is fine. I have to manually turn my lights on, and flip a switch to get coffee, but what the hell else am I going to do with my time other than to be a slave to my devices.

My Kitty
( 137 of 2167 )

My kitty Piper, chillin on the bed.

Thing
( 138 of 2167 )

Just playing around with some stuff...

Rough Up
( 139 of 2167 )

Piper getting her afternoon rough up and brush.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Mellow Creek
( 140 of 2167 )

The campers in the campground across the creek have to drive here to enjoy this while I just have to walk.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

How about a peaceful lake?

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Downtown Raw
( 141 of 2167 )

I went into beautiful downtown Lawrenceburg (he says facetiously) today and set the f-stop high for some raw depth of field shots, and I came away with 55 (click the photo below to see them). This poor town is sorely in need of a makeover...

In The Eyes
( 142 of 2167 )

Had a fun time yesterday afternoon hanging with Steph's family up at Natchez Trace Campground. Michael did his famous seafood boil and it was as good as advertised. As to the title of this post, well, you'll just have to click on the photo below to see the rest...

Motor Mounts
( 143 of 2167 )

My truck has had an issue lately where it vibrates up front when I downshift at a stop. Riley suggested "motor mounts" and after some internet research, I concurred. I ordered two engine mounts and a tranny mount from the local parts store yesterday and picked them up this afternoon. Now I needed someone to do the work.

I checked with the Mazda dealer in Huntsville, AL and they wanted $318 for the labor. Nope, nice benchmark though, and then I checked with Tim who did my clutch and he wanted $260. I was hugely disappointed in this quote, hell he charged me $300 for the full clutch job! That left me to call around the local repair places to see what I could find.

Finally, one place told me what I wanted to hear: they couldn't get to it but they knew this guy who has a shop. His name was Johnny, I called him up and he said sure, $100, can you bring it out here now?

The guy turned out to be great, I've made a new friend and I've found a new mechanic. When he said yep, one of these front mounts is broken hell, I should of been wearing my white pants! I took a picture of his main tool box that he made out of a hospital food cart and drove off with no vibration, and a happy man.

Myrtle Beach
( 144 of 2167 )

I just got back from a little jaunt over to Myrtle Beach, SC for a fresh fish sandwich. It was OK, came with extra hush puppies, a homemade chocolate chip cookie and a hug. I really wanted to get down to the water, put my toes in and take a picture, but I didn't make it. I tried approaching the Atlantic Ocean from south of town but the private home owners had taken over all the sand and by the time I found a public beach all thirty or so parking spots were taken along with ominous signs about not parking illegally. I said screw it and drove to Atlanta, GA.

I pulled into Atlanta just as the sun was going down, about 8:30pm. It's a big damned town with tall skyscrapers towering over the freeway that runs through it. There were also thousands of cars on the road, I assume a Braves game must have just ended, and there was a torrential thunderstorm with lightning and hail going on. Oh well, I wanted adventure, as long as I could survive it and write about it the next day...

All told it was a fun little trip. I made it through States I've never been to before and the vibes were good. I travel with the window down, no A/C, and the one thing that distinguished one State from another was it's smell. This is a very hard property to quantify, but it was real for me.

I didn't take any photos but I did grab the camera to shoot a video clip of the countryside coming into southern Tennessee this morning:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Internal Flame
( 145 of 2167 )

A man must be needed to feel worth, otherwise doubt and decay invade his soul and his internal flame begans smoldering like a campfire in the rain.

Oh well, at least I don't have to buy my fruit in California.

...even if they do have excellent healthcare.

New Tool
( 146 of 2167 )

Every so often you need to upgrade your tools and my latest new shooting rig is a Sony A6500 with a 16mm Sigma lens mounted to a hand grip and a really solid mini-tripod.

New Editor
( 147 of 2167 )

I've installed a new video editor called Filmora9. It looks great so far and here's a short little snippet I just whipped up for the hell of it.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

The Parkinson's tremors get worse by the day and they're slowly depleting the Dopa in my Mine. What happens when you run out of Dopa? That's a depressing thought...

Loretto Market
( 148 of 2167 )

Well, that was interesting! I just got back from the Loretto Farmers Market, which was down the road about 11 miles, and opened at 1600. I mean really at 4pm, on the dot. There was a huge line of people lined up at the first stand (ok, about 10 people I reckon) and I asked the lady in the front of the line why they were standing there and she said waiting till 4:00.

Ok, that was 5 minutes away and I got it that nobody was selling nothing until that time. The big ol boy at the first stand said in a real thick southern drawl "when the church bell goes off". Sure enough, the bell sounded and the crowds descended on the market.

I've been to a lot of markets in my time but this little thing was unique. I bought some eggs laid this morning, a couple of breads, two squash for a quarter a piece (with two radishes tossed in for free) and some homemade ice cream that I ate before i got back to the truck. Click the photo below to see a few shots...

Lawco
( 149 of 2167 )

Hung out at the Lawco Freedom Fest in Rotary Park last night with Steph, Dillan, Lexi and their friends. It was a mighty fine time with live music, vendors and good vibes. Click Lexi's face art to see the photos for the evening, while I put together a composite video of all the footage I shot.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Dumping
( 150 of 2167 )

Dumping the trash, to it's own beat...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

My Drink
( 151 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Cayenne, Turmeric, Garlic, Ginger, Pepper, Hawthorne Berry, Ashwagandha Root, Gotu Kola, Soy Lecithin and Amla, blended up in water.

First Ride
( 152 of 2167 )

Tori's first bike ride. 7/30/2013 Driggs, ID

If the video fails to load, click Here.

From original: dropped wind blown audio, stabilized, zoomed and cropped.

Franklin
( 153 of 2167 )

Not much happening locally for the 4th of July so I drove up to Franklin, TN this morning to check out their little downtown event. I must be getting jaded by large festivals like Cornucopia in Kent because this one bored me. I took a few shots which basically became test subjects for resolution and compression settings on my new rig. Click the photo below to see them, if you like...

Shiloh
( 154 of 2167 )

I grabbed Steph from the air-conditioned animal shelter today for a little company and we drove to the Shiloh National Military Park past Savannah, TN. A famous Civil War battle was fought there and a lot of men died. Click on the tombstone below to see what we saw.

The most famous (and disputed) battle of Shiloh was called the Hornets Nest where the Union troops were hunkered down in a grove of trees and held off the Confederate Army, allowing Grants forces to strengthen from the rear and ultimately win the fight. Look what I found inside of a canon!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Update: Melissa asked me if I really got that close to those bad-asses and I said yes, my Sigma lens is not a zoom. I woke up this morning thinking that maybe I got lucky yesterday :-)

South Stroll
( 155 of 2167 )

Just strolling thru the South, and yes Jim, you're not in Driggs anymore...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

What
( 156 of 2167 )

What...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Update: Piper entered our lives in June, 2011 but she had a few years on her before that so I just called her vet in Idaho and had them lookup her birthday. Sept, 12, 2005, so she will be 14 in a couple of months, which actually makes her right around my age in human years.

Hog Pop
( 157 of 2167 )

Caught my little buddy the groundhog popping up out of his hole.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Shrooms
( 158 of 2167 )

A couple interesting mushrooms appeared on the lawn today.

My Life
( 159 of 2167 )

Checking the mail, again...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

(Actually just testing out my new tripod)
Wuz Up
( 160 of 2167 )

My Fan
( 161 of 2167 )

Here, let me loan you my ceiling fan.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Update: 7/13, New version.
Cruise
( 162 of 2167 )

Chalk up one more item on my bucket list, I just booked a cruise! It sails out of Miami late next month and goes to Key West FL, Costa Maya Mexico, Belize City Belize, Cozumel Mexico, CocoCay Bahamas and then back to Miami. Eight days on the Royal Caribbean Empress of the Seas. I got a terrific deal on a cabin that has no window or balcony (just a place to shower and sleep) and without any single supplement (the amount they charge if you travel solo), which can be up to 100%. Total price including taxes (and meals): $667.80!

Update: Just booked a cheap R/T out of BNA for $134.60.

Barry
( 163 of 2167 )

Tropical storm Barry is right on top of me. I'm the dot...

Wishy Washy
( 164 of 2167 )

The old laundry place I use has been around for decades, so it makes you wonder what it used to be? Or maybe the sign was just reused.

Game Changer
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My new Sony E 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 OSS lens arrived today and I love it. It's made for my camera so focusing works together perfectly, even while zooming and capturing video. I would be out and about shooting with it today but I'm busy setting up my new Asus netbook for the upcoming trip. Too many tools, too little time...

Update: Took a moment to shoot my stressed out little creek.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Small Setup
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This is the new travel rig I've put together for my upcoming cruise. I picked up the Asus Netbook for under $200 during the recent Amazon Prime sale, with 64 gig of storage, 4 gig memory, and Windows 10. I've installed a 128 gig SD card for program storage thus it has plenty of internal room and it's damned snappy I must say.

Attached is a four port USB 3.0 hub from which I run a new little 2 terabyte hard drive and come Saturday I'll have a small USB lamp to plug in there. I'm also getting a Micro USB to USB-C cable since the netbook has a C port.

So here's how it works: At the end of a cruise day I'll hunker down in my cabin and download all daily photos and videos from the camera (using the USB-C port) onto the external drive. Then I'll use the editing tools I've installed to process the selected photos for the blog, upload them to Flickr, and create the post for the day. Then I'll wipe the camera card clean for the next day.

Eight days, eight posts, titled Cruise Day 1, Cruise Day 2... with hundreds of high quality shots. I'll handle the videos when I get home.

Landed
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In honor of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, I share my story. I was three days shy of my 23rd birthday, attending the old Merritt College on Grove Street in Oakland learning how to program a computer. Earlier that day I played tennis at the campus and as a lark I walked out on to the street and stuck my thumb out to hitchhike into Berkeley.

A tall gorgeous black chick picked me up and we spent the afternoon visiting her radical female friends around town and I got a real earful about the current state of the black male. She was studying law at Berkeley and we ended up at the apartment she shared with her infant son.

As Neil stepped off the ladder I was laying on the floor of her living room in front of a TV, with my head resting on her naked thigh. Everyone alive at the time has their story, and this is mine.

P.S. I actually remember what I was wearing that day: white tennis shorts and a white t-shirt. What was I wearing when man landed on the moon? Nothing...

4xMaps
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I have a new website that I started last year, ran into coders block, and ultimately stopped working on because nobody looks at my stuff anyway. For what it's worth, here it is: 4xMaps.

Trucks
( 169 of 2167 )

Lawrenceburg put on a little event in the town square today called Touch A Truck where the good ol boys brought their work trucks down and let the kids climb up in them. I met with Steph's clan and we had a good time. I made some new friends at the local radio station and Dillan chatted with some Army recruiters. Click on sugar-face below to see some shots.

I'm still fine-tuning my new camera settings, these were a little flat for my taste. By the time I hit the ocean I will be ready.

Sparky
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Sparky was the mascot for the Lawrenceburg Touch-A-Truck yesterday.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Seventy Three
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Birthdays don't mean much to me anymore but they are good for reflecting on how things have changed since the last one. So, this time last year I was hanging out on the deck of the Idaho house, sitting at the glass table soaking up the sun, listening to Lucas Nelson on my Echo and feeling very lost.

I had just returned from Washington State realizing that I couldn't afford to live there and a trip down to Arizona was pending, but the truth was, I just couldn't see living there either. We had to be out in a month and I needed a place that would accept Piper and the things I was taking with me had to fit in the back of my little truck.

It was looking pretty bleak and the thought that I would end up in a nice little place in Tennessee with all my stuff, and my cat, never got close to crossing my mind, but here I am a year later and I'm doing fine. Thanks god!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

My Cake
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Melissa made me a banana cream cake for my birthday with exactly 73 little brown things all over it. Very cool, very pretty, and delicious!

Oak Hill
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I guess you know the end is near when you spend your afternoon scoping out burial sites and I found this very nice place off the Old Florence Pulaski Rd. I've often maintained that I don't want to be burned, just stick me down in the ground (without a casket if possible) and put a marker down, just like Jimmy's.

Crockett Park
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David Crockett State Park is only two miles from my house and a great place to mellow out on a nice Saturday afternoon in Tennessee.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Garbage Monster
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My poor cat Piper hates the Garbage Monster. She hated it in Idaho and she hates it here. She's actually becoming an outdoor cat, loving the nice weather and the quiet neighborhood. She spends hours lounging around on the sidewalk keeping watch on her hood, until the monster arrives, and then she disappears into thin air.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Stats
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My Zip Code tools are being used a lot, but I have no clue where. 56k+ hits is significant. If anybody reading this knows why, please hit me up (gmail = tetonpost).

Lucky Nickel
( 177 of 2167 )

My new read arrived in the mail today, it's called Signs, the Secret Language of the Universe and it's all about recognizing messages from loved ones and spirit guides from the Other Side. I did a quick glance through it this morning and I saw a piece about the significance of coins, and I instantly thought about my Lucky Nickel.

I can't even remember where I found it, or when, but it was decades ago. I've always carried it my wallet, stuck down in a little crevice where it would never fall out, and always transferred it to each new wallet. Where's my nickel? I frantically thought!

I bought a new thin wallet last year and threw my old one in a drawer, so I went and found it. When I opened it, there was my nickel sitting up on the edge of a pocket. It had dug itself out of it's crevice and was sitting up there like Get me out of here, damn it!

Looks like a sign to me...

Alien Lights
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I was watching a show on TV today about an old woman who shot alien spacecraft creating colorful light shows in the Canada sky, with an 8mm camera. Squiggly lights would suddenly appear in a single frame of an 18 fps camera, like they were drawing something in the sky. So, I took a picture of it off my TV screen and did that funky photo thing I like to do, and this is the result.

Web Catch
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The spiders around here drive me crazy with their damned webs. I'm always walking into them and then wondering if the spider got down my pants as I wipe the cobwebs off my body. I guess I should cut them some slack since they catch the flying things and they are my neighbors after all.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

After securing his lunch, he sucked up some guts before hauling it up to his perch on the roof.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Laurel Hill
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Drove out to Laurel Hill Lake today for a few shots.

Tubey
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I heard a ruckus on the creek today so I grabbed my camera and headed on down there. Floating into my viewfinder came the rare orange shelled Tubey and I was lucky to grab a shot before the rapids swallowed him up!

Bag Lady
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Piper's been pulling some all-nighters lately, heading outside around 8pm and coming back in when I get up at 5am. My camera bags were her prefered place to crash this morning.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Water Tank
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This is Lawrenceburg's water tank, next to the Walmart. Hey, I think it's cool...

Cell Tower
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I spotted a nice little lake nearby with my map programs and drove out there this morning. I couldn't reach it from the main road because the FCC had the road blocked due to a cell tower. So, I came in from the other side and discovered a maze of high class baseball fields. Turns out that Lawrenceburg has hosted the Babe Ruth World Series here several times. I used to be a damned good Babe Ruth first baseman with visions of pro ball dancing in my head, but instead I take pictures of cell towers.

Sewer Pipe
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Floating down the old sewer pipe...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Bolt To Bolt
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This is a single photo I took this afternoon, animated, just to teach myself how to do it.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Workout
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Lyla dropped by today to try out my resistance bands.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Crocket Days
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I drove through David Crocket Park today to check out the Days event. It reminded me of the frontier event they used to have in Victor, ID, except everyone here has a Tennessee accent. Click the photo below for some more...

Jeep Daze
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Lawrenceburg had a Jeep competition as part of their Second Saturday downtown event. It's only a two minute drive for me so I slid in the back way, grabbed some cool shots, and then back home to the blog. Click the photo below to see them.

Flow
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F/32, ISO 100. I think I'm going to have a good time with this camera on that cruise...

Trailer
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I've created a cool video production trailer:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

...and here's a little thing I whipped up called Walkin:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Drinks
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I figure I better make a post of this stuff so I can reference it on the boat :-)

Brian's picks:

Vodka: Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Rum: Bacardi, (Bacardi 8)

Gin: Bombay Sapphire

Tequila/ Mezcal: Patron (Pa - trahn) Silver

Whiskey, Bourbon/ Rye: Makers Mark

Cognac: Remy Martin VSOP

To try:

Rolling Stone: Ilegal Joven mezcal, honey, lemon & cucumber juices, yogurt mix and basil leaves

Baton Rouge: Captain Morgan Original Spiced rum, Hennessy Cognac and pear syrup with bitters and lemon juice

Sandy Collins: Whisky - Crown Royal and maple syrup whisked with lemon juice and ginger soda

Spiced Rum Runner: Captain Morgan spiced rum, creme de banana, blackberry brandy, pina colada, grenadine

Teqmo: Jose Quervo Gold Tequila, agave syrup, fresh lime, mint leaves

Strawberry Mezcal Pepperita: Del Maguey Vida Blanco Mezcal, Cointreau, strawberry rita mix, pinch of pepper

Kentucky Burgundy: Maker's Mark, creme de classic, fresh lime, strawberry mix

Long Island Iced Tea: Mount Gay Eclipse rum, vodka, gin, triple sec, sweet & sour, Coke

Wildberry Margarita: Patron Silver, Island Oasis wildberry, margarita

Mango Sunrise: Captain Morgan mango rum, Smirnoff Raspberry vodka, cranberry juice, lemon

Shanghai Smash: The Macallan Select Oak, orange curacao, lemon and mint

Vanilla White Russian: Absolut vanilla vodka, Kahlua

I've been such a health nut lately and my alcohol consumption is negligible, I hope I live through this trip :-)

Vetted
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Riley just sent me a shot of a $120k Corvette C7 that he's going to be doing about $20k in repairs on. This is why I love my old truck...

He's also working on a Tesla!

Update: Here's the vet broken down:

Hanging
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This tree sits across the creek and I watch it from my office window, along with the groundhogs and the giant pre-historic type bird that comes sweeping down into the creek sometimes. All that's left to photograph now, is that bird...

Terminal A
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Terminal A at PortMiami is the largest cruise terminal in the U.S. It's new, and it exclusivly serves Royal Caribbean. I think I should go check it out.

Tractors
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Went up to the tractor show this evening at the park, took a whole bunch of tractor shots and ate a homemade bologna sandwich with slaw. Click the one below to see the set (and the sandwich).

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Not Drunk
( 197 of 2167 )
My original ↑ :-)

As I prepare to go on this cruise, genetics are trying to take over my body, but losing big time. I feel amazing and as I glance in the mirror I see a trim fit and tan man. I've worked hard for this moment, doing exercise repetitions that I couldn't even envision a year ago, and I thought I was in shape then. The tremors are internal and they are my energy. Let's rock on!

My Creek
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I love walking down to my creek as the sun goes low in the evening. I was chatting with some folks this afternoon as they were tubing by the house and one guy said You're blessed to live here. I really am...

btw: This is the creek that flooded and wiped out David Crockett's local businesses which sent him off to the Alamo, where he died. Just sayin...

Rig
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My 360° panning adaptor arrived today, completing the short tripod hand carry setup I've created.

I should be able to shoot some smooth panned videos with this rig.

Nightlys
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Tonights nightly walk by the creek shots with the rig.

Root Stubs
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I've been enjoying my Sony zoom lens so much lately that my Sigma lens was being neglected, so I swapped her on today. Totally different lenses as the Sigma aperture ramps up to a f/1.4 with min f/16 vs the Sony f/5.6 to f/35. It's buttery smooth and I've worked out the cameras Clear Image mode so I can still zoom the Sigma digitally without losing detail.

Sigma Smooth
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Sigma lens, meet my creek.

Breakfast Egg
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Nothing like breakfast with the girls...

Dillan
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Yes, I took both these photos. Today, and 16 years ago.

Ready
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"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Mark Twain

Cruise Day 1
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Made the boat! Miami airport was a zoo, took me twenty minutes to get curbside. Grabbed a cab to the Port of Miami, Terminal A. Started to board the boat when I realized it wasn't my ship, which was way down the road at terminal G. I thought I had researched this shit! Took another cab to my boat.

All was forgoten as I settled into life on a cruise boat. We sailed all night to Key West, where I am now, hunkered down in my cabin making this post and giving my already tanned body a break from a beautiful hot day here. Who say's this is hurricane season? More tomorrow, click the photo below to see thirty shots.

Cruise Day 2
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Arrived in Key West this morning and left the ship for a bit to look around. It's touristy, quaint and artsy. Thers's a bunch of photos to see by clicking the ship below.

Cruise Day 3
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I just drank my morning coffee standing on the bow of the ship watching the lights of Cuba roll by in the dark. The Empress was one of the few ships they initially allowed to visit Cuba because of it's smaller size but nobody's going there now. Don't know why, don't really care.

This is a day at sea for us, not sure what to expect but I will update this post as it rolls along. In the meantime, here's the sunrise over Cuba:

Took a few shots, hung out with my new friends Ron and Cheryl from Canada, regreting not joining in the Sexy Man contest (bunch of lame dudes anyway) and the weather has been perfect. Click the photo below to see the rest.

Cruise Day 4
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For the fifteen years I lived at the base of the Grand Tetons I often factitiously used the phrase another day in paradise but this morning I speak the truth. I haven't been to Mexico for decades because I couldn't prove who I was but now my passport gives me that freedom.

We just docked at Costa Maya after a day at sea, the hurricane heading towards Miami is going to miss us, and I'm going exploring. Grabbed a few shots this morning, click the photo below to see them. More later...

Update: Explored Costa Maya, both the touristy pier and the actual town. Here's a story that sums it up: As I returned from town I heard a lady hustling a couple right off the boat for a 45 minute massage for $85 each. I took an $8 cab ride to town and they were pushing one hour massages on the beach for $20. The poverty downtown was striking but not unexpected and I can't imagine it before the cruise lines came to town. Anyway, there's seventy more photos in the set below if you're interested.

Leaving Maya
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Some giant cruise ship was docked next to us all day and left before we did. I also had dinner in the dining room finally (escargot, some great fish and met two nice ladies from Pennsylvania) then hung at the pool watching the ship leave. Click the ship to see more...

Cruise Day 5
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Passed this uninhabited island this morning as we swung around toward Belize. There is no pier there so the ship has to anchor off the coast and use tender boats to get us to shore.

I'm sipping a Tito's and water by the pool, on a cruise boat, off the coast of Belize. The weather is beautiful and the Reggae band is about to start. The scuttlebutt on board is that our main stop on R/C's private island (CocoCay) is about to get canceled because of the hurricane, in fact we're wondering if we can even make it back to Miami. Of well, bring it on I say!

Click the Belize sign below to see my excursion to town:

Cruise Day 6
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It's official, CocoCay, R/C's private island water park, is a wash out due to Dorian. They're offering a one day cruise credit which is cool and we will overnight in Cozumel which is coming up on our horizon as I write this.

I've had my scrambled eggs, corned beef hash and fresh squeezed orange juice so I'm ready to make land and see what's up on this island (Mexico's largest). I might make it into San Miguel, the only city on Cozumel, stay tuned...

Update: We've docked at Cozumel and I grabbed some shots. To see them, click the control panel below:

Update: Mosied around the shoping area, picked up a couple t-shirts for the girls. Click below for more:

Decadence: Where you walk by the pool bar, make eye contact with the busy bartender, and your Tito and water is waiting for you when you saunter up, with no fruit and a straw without the silly little piece of paper on the top. You slide his tip across the bar and grab your drink as he says Hello Mr Jim and you continue on without breaking your stride.

Update: Some guy came into the pool area wearing a stupid balloon hat. I was enjoying exotic coctails so I took his picture and he passed the stupid hat over to me. So, I passed it on to others. Click below to see...

Update: Finished up the evening with a random chick wearing the stupid balloon, and a great sunset. Click below to view:

Change Of Plans
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Well, my mind is blown, and it's not because of those cocktail creations last night with no dinner. Hurricane Dorian has really messed things up! We should have been in CocoCay today but we're still in Cozumel, which would have then be followed by a sailing day on Saturday and a Sunday morning arrival at Miami.

The new plan is to extend the cruise until Wednesday! Tomorrow we go to Roatan Honduras, Sunday and Monday we'll just be sailing around, Tuesday we'll spend the day in Nassau Bahamas and Wednesday back to Miami.

This is contingent of course with Dorian not wiping out their Miami pier at which point I'm not sure what the hell will happen. Some folks on this boat are really scrambling to get off and get home but I just checked with Steph and she's going to keep on house/cat sitting for me until I get back, whenever that is...

Update: The gossip onboard here is that everything is waiting on the captains final decision. The funny thing is that when the captain makes the announcement nobody will understand him (really thick Norwegian accent). Lots of stuff is up in the air here! Very entertaining to observe.

Update: Still waiting for the captain's annoncement but by the number of people stacked up at the reservation desk, I'm sure this thing is going down! Roatan tomorrow, Nassau on Tuesday. Stuck on a cruise boat in the Bahamas, whoda thunk :-)

Update: It's offical, the captain has speaketh. This eight day cruise is now eleven. The only questions remain are wether the drink and internet packages are extended as a courtesy. I suspect we will know shortly. Brian texted me and said our new next stop Roatan is his favorite place on earth. I'm going to hook up with new friends Ron and Cheryl and do a snorkling tour tomorrow.

Cruise Day 7
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Lucky number seven. I've talked to a bunch of cruisers on this boat who have made many sailings around the world but this is the first time something like this has happened to them. Hurricane Dorian had already disrupted our cruise, we were supposed to be in Perfect Day CocoCay today, but they shut it down and we were stuck in Cozumel for the day.

Turns out, Royal Caribbean has done a class move for the safety of their customers. Not only has the entire trip been extended by three days, to two new ports (Roatan and Nassau) but they have extended the deluxe drink package and internet access (of which I have both) for those days, comp.

A lot of folks couldn't take advantage of this and bailed today, flying out of Cozumel back home so they could do their jobs. I'm sorry for them, but that means fewer people on the boat, more food, more drinks, more internet, yea!

My friends back home have stepped up and Steph is covering my house and Melissa changed my flight from Sunday to Wednesday for me. Click the photo below for todays shots up to this point.

Cruise Day 8
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Instead of dead-heading back to Miami as planned, I'm enjoying an amazing sunrise over Honduras and eating a great breakfast. Life is good, very good. Today I explore Roatan and maybe get some snorkeling in. Stay tuned...

Roatan
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I took the tender boat to the pier at Roatan and proceeded to walk forcefully through the hustlers on shore. As I was heading towards some sort of town area a guy approached me from my left and offered to be my driver around the island. I asked how much, he said $40. I agreed and we took off on a magical mystery tour that I will remember forever and may have changed my life.

Everywhere we went, my driver was known. He want's to run for mayor, and he has my vote. He asked what I wanted to do and I said get high on life and see Roatan. We bonded instantly and took off through the busy crazy streets of Roatan dodging people and other cars with the deft skill of a professional driver.

We stopped at his house, we stopped at his brothers house and before long I was cruising out to the west end of the island high on life.

The west end is a divers paradise with bars and diving shops going on for miles. I see why this is your favorite place on earth, Brian.

We talked about life and people and how the island is made up of kind hearted real folks that have your best interest at heart and all along the journey I kept mumbling, I could live here.

Cruise Day 9
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We are in a fluid state, so to speak, currently out to sea somewhere with a new destination: George Town, Grand Cayman. The scuttlebutt around the coffee pot on the top deck this morning is that we probably could have made Miami safely this morning, and they could probably head straight there now if they wanted to but they would have a bunch of pissed off people on board needing to change flights again. I think they're committed and we have three free days on R/C.

It's 0800 and I'm sitting by the pool. The emerald blue of the Caribbean surrounds the ship completely and I heard it's well over a mile deep here. I mentioned to the guy that makes my fresh squeezed orange juice every morning three more days and he smiled knowingly and said "maybe more". What?

The internet package I had bought for 8 days ended this morning and I just re-connected and there it was, internet on the house. I better go check my drink package! Anyway, no plans today, just another day in paradise...

Update: Good news, bad news, the drink package is alive and well but they're out of whipped cream and cherries for my Mudslide.

Melissa texted me about how delicious that Mudslide looked and I told her: It's cold, chocolatey, strong and melts in your mouth. I've got some pictures up that I took last night if your interested, click the photo below. And before anyone asks who the chick in the metal hat is, since she's appeared twice now, I don't know. Last night she had me shoot a selfie of herself on her phone...

Cruise Day 10
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Hmmm, never thought I would type the words cruise day 10. Good morning world, we're pulling into George Town, Grand Cayman now and I have no plans and I don't know what to expect. It's great to be alive though!

Update: The anchor has dropped:

Another beautiful day, another paradise. Rode the tender boat to shore this morning with Ron and Cheryl and we ended up hanging out together. We first went to hell, and then back, then we walked seven mile beach. These are the obligatory tourist things to do in George Town Grand Cayman, and we did um!

There's 39 photos to see by clicking the one below:

Update: We have set sail to the North, cruising all day tomorrow and Miami come Wednesday. That's assuming Dorian doesn't change her mind.

Cruise Day 11
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I feel sorry for our hosts Royal Caribbean, they made a call to not return to Miami last Sunday because of Dorian, and then it stalled. Now as we sail towards a landing tomorrow the hurricane is bumping up against the area big time.

So, at this moment I don't know if we're going to make it and if we do wether the airport will be open. Assuming both those things true, I get to spend all day in Miami before the flight. What an adventure!

Here's the Disney ship as we set sail yesterday:

One of the best things I did for this trip was to get a stack of one dollar bills at the bank. Gratuities onboard here are 18% and you accrue the charges daily, and the crew splits it all up at the end. Sliding a single along with my card when I get a beverage means they all remember my name and often have the drink ready. This morning the guy who makes my fresh squeezed orange juice had it sitting on my table as I came back with my eggs and I didn't even see him. Here's the sunrise over Cuba for you as we sail on by:

It's Mudslide time somewhere, might as well be here and now.

Dorian is fading and heading North, Miami is spared, and this trip is finally ending. Goodnight.

Cruise Done
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The outer bands of mister Hurricane Dorian were rotating around Miami yesterday as we came into dock. Lightning was exploding inside the dark clouds all around as if the weather was welcoming us home with a light show.

We floated right by a container ship and another cruise boat as we turned into the pier and I got some cool low-light shots of the event. I walked around Miami for a bit with my travel bag and left the camera inside of it, just too much to handle, and Melissa, Steph and Dillan grabbed me at Nashville airport last night. Cruise done.

Click the photo below to see the last shots of a great cruise. (Yes, that is lightning inside the cloud)

Back Home
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God it's nice to be back home after being trapped on a cruise ship for eleven days, forced to visit exotic locations I keep forgetting the names of, eating food I would never make for myself because I couldn't afford it and shamed into drinking top shelf booze because my fellow travelers say I should because I can (I'm being facetious of course). And, the girls loved the shirts I got them that change color in the sunlight.

The Mayor
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I shot a bit of video footage on my cruise and here's part of my wild and bouncy ride through Roatan Honduras with my private driver Omar, the Mayor.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Belly Flop
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Here's 10 minutes of edited belly flop contest goodness for you from the Empress of The Seas:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Visionary
( 224 of 2167 )

We see only what we look for. If we don't look for something, we miss it.

Update: After I created this post I walked to the kitchen to make myself a drink because my body craves it after a booze soaked cruise and I'm weaning myself down and as I reached for the bottle I saw this:

I don't have any bugs in this house, much less one this size and I can only rationalize this as a sign. I took his picture and then carried him out to a tree where he casually stepped off, job done.

As I walked around the tree later looking for him I spotted this Cicada shell:

Update, 4 days later: I'm seeing images of Praying Mantis's everywhere now and I have no doubt my friends on the other side are telling me to clean out my liver. I have listened.

Slow Wake
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Join me at the stern of the Empress of the Seas somewhere in the Caribbean.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Ma Jun
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I met a great guy on the cruise boat named Ma Jun, from China. He didn't speak English but I was impressed by his ability to communicate anyway. We shared the common bond of photography as we were the two guys walking around the boat with nice camera rigs always taking pictures.

He wanted to send me his photos so I gave him my email and they showed up today. They're great and I've created a photoset out of them (click the one below). He got some good shots of me and now I'm scrambling through my originals to see if I got a decent one of him.

Here's his email:

Dear Jim, Very happy meet you on Empress of the Seas!

I send some photos to you. I'm not a professional photographer, please understanding. Just to evoke memories of your trip. I think your photography technology is first-class.

Welcome you to visit China.

Next week I go to Malaysia for one week.

I wish you a happy life!

Best Regards, Ma Jun

Here he is!

Birthday Girl
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On Aug 10, 2011 a girl named Megan gave her cat to Steph and I because it kept coming to our house and Megan was pregnant and concerned about a cat in her life. Piper was rescued by this girl and bottle fed, fixed and loved very well. We were honored to have her.

Piper eventually became my cat because I'm the cat guy and we have had amazing adventures together. She and I now live together in my little place and she is my partner and my best friend.

I checked with her vet back in Idaho and today, Sep 12, is her 14th birthday. Happy birthday baby!

In My View
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I think this rendering pretty much sums me up...

Nashville Fair
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I treated the girls along with their mom and grandmother to the Tennessee State Fair today. Parking was bizarre, shuttle drivers were rude and I think some of the big animals went home early since it was the end of the event, and it was damn hot. I've been to much better Fairs but a good time can always be had anywhere if you let it happen.

Click the cute mug below for a fifty shot PhotoSet.

Road Trip
( 230 of 2167 )

I went to bed last night at 6:30pm, slept for 4 hours and then was out the door showered and coffeed at 1130pm. I pulled up to the Discount Tire place in Springfield, MO exactly at 0800 and they got me in and out as their first customer with balanced and rotated tires in 18 minutes. The moonlight drive was great! I'm currently in Wichita, KS. Next stop, Pueblo.

Colorado
( 231 of 2167 )

I really like night driving across the country after 2am. The moon was out again under a clear Kansas sky as I rolled along two lane roads through small towns keeping my speed legal and cranking my formidable stereo music out of my open windows into theirs.

My spirit guides were active as I was easy to find out there on the open road with no distractions. I was playing my entire music collection stuffed on a USB plug into my stereo and it was amazing. Songs would pop up that I had previously made a connection to and I was belting them out with my Parkinson's shattered voice into the moonlit night as loud as I could.

My sweet little GPS gets me off the path sometimes and photo subjects like the one below pop up but she always comes through. Pueblo was dull so I moved on up to Colorado Springs which allowed me to meet the budda.

Update: I was planning my return and captured this map. The dot Eastward is my current location, ultimately US 70. The little blue line below was my Westward route this morning.

White Feet
( 232 of 2167 )

I slept in a Rest Area in the middle of Missouri last night. Pulled in just before dusk and was able to unwind a bit and picture my white feet cozied up in the truck. Wow, what a day!

It all started to transform from great road trip vibes to surreal when I entered a freeway on ramp after fueling and spotted someone on the side with a sign that said "Going to Manhattan, Stranded, Please Help!". I stopped of course and Jack climbed into my front seat with a small backpack he stuck between his legs on the floor, and the sign.

He was 28, a troubled young soul with a peaceful face. Said he'd been hitch-hiking for three weeks trying to get back to a girl that he met at a party somewhere and she's in Manhattan Kansas, just down the road. Ok, I get it! I praised him for perpetuating the great American hitch-hiking tradition! He had lost his phone somewhere, hurt his hand and had $5 to his name that he just found on the ground before I stopped. I relate!

I took the Manhattan exit thinking I'd drop right into town and let him off at a store but the town was eleven miles down the road. My reaction was instant, I told him that I had been assigned to be his temporary Guardian Angel by the Other Side and that I was taking him to Manhattan and he began smiling and nodding his head up and down saying I believe you, thank you. It was a moment. Anyway, dropped him off and got back into my homeward bound journey just a little behind.

Chompy
( 233 of 2167 )

I've been thinking about that amazing eleven day cruise I just took, reflecting on a possible next one, and I realize it's bucket list checked. I don't think I could top it so why waste my time on another one just for the decadence factor. Life is short, time to move on to the next adventure.

I just returned from a road trip in my old truck, carrying my grandfathers paint-stained tools and my grandmothers blankets covering the bed in the back. One of the first stops was my grandfathers birthplace, Joplin, MO. and I felt his presence there.

Back in Idaho when I was driving the bus, the little old homeless lady that I had helped out with some money and personal items at Broulims looked up at me and said "Are you my guardian angel?" and I said no. Now I believe I was. We are all someone's guardian angel when we allow it to be so. Sometimes the slightest human interaction can change a persons life and we are both the giver and the receiver.

And then there's Chompy. I followed this thing a long ways at different times. It first crept up on me from the left as the trucks cargo came into view. It was a large Army helicopter.

Mantis
( 234 of 2167 )

Working on a new production trailer:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

It was based on another view I had of the Mantis Sign:

Here's another based on the original:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Backward
( 235 of 2167 )

Here's people going backward slowed down on a ride that actually is going backward at the Fair in Nashville recently.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

I also created a painting I call The Other Side. Click it to enlarge, and look deep...

This is my new video creature, I've named it Red Eye.

Next Up
( 236 of 2167 )

I have a nagging thought in the middle of my head that slaps the insides of my brain around trying to get my attention. It's saying "You don't have as much time as you think"!

I'm trying to discern if this is a message or just a thought based on who knows what kind of insecurities about life in general that I might have. The question is: Is it true? If so, it's the perfect rationalization to continue bouncing off into what ever adventure I dream up next.

Basics
( 237 of 2167 )

Let's review the basics. The most important things in life are water, food, shelter, waste disposal, bathing, electricity and internet, in that order. If you got the basics, you're gold and everything else is gravy.

I think back of my Roatan cabbie The Mayor Omar. He and I connected the instant we met, I trusted him, he trusted me. He took me to his home, a run down house with multiple rooms and he had his own, a bed in the middle, surrounded by his possessions. There was a shared bathroom that required a bucket of water to flush it. I was standing in the middle of Roatan poverty and I got it. Now I look back and I realize they had the basics. Every human being on the planet should have the basics!

Take for example the guy below that I photographed from Omar's cab:

Looks to me like he had the basics!

Never Assume
( 238 of 2167 )

I'm sitting here trying to figure out what wanks my chain. It used to be computer programming but something snapped internally this early Spring where I just lost interest because I assumed nobody was using my stuff. Ironically, part of that last coding effort has now been used 113,964 times according to my blog's control panel, which advances one of my new mantras, Never Assume!

You know how our mind fills in the blanks when we don't know the complete truth about something? The assumption remains the reality until we find out differently. My goal is to leave the blanks empty and fill each of my life situations with nothing but truth.

That's Wisteria Island off Key West, FL. A large homeless encampment lies hidden among the trees there and I don't believe they provide the basics.

Visualizing
( 239 of 2167 )

Memories are fuzzy, out of focus snapshots of our life. The reason I take photographs is to record what I see at that instant, in digital purity, and not have to rely on my totally inadequate brain cells to capture it. I can then revisit and evaluate my life at that moment, at my leisure.

You can also attach a name to a photo (Cozumel, Mexico), unlike memories which don't come with a Title function unfortunately. You can even add descriptions (glass-bottom boats, U.S. cruise ships, Mexican ferries and the coastline of Cozumel) which adds the dimension of depth to the visualization.

Or just a description (baby trees starting life as vivid red seeds inside a furry bud taken this afternoon in my backyard).

The Crew
( 240 of 2167 )

I took this shot of some workers emerging from the side of a cruise ship and turned it into a drawing.

And no, that big black thing does not appear in the original photo, artifacts like that are triggered by slight shadows... Here's a leaf:

The Ghost
( 241 of 2167 )

Put together a video clip called The Ghost and the Letter F.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Dead Armadillo
( 242 of 2167 )

I found a dead Armadillo in my creek today. Now, if I start seeing Armadillo's everywhere like I did Praying Mantis's, then I will know it's a Sign.

Belize Me
( 243 of 2167 )

Checking my bad self out in the stateroom mirror before heading out into Belize.

Which Hole
( 244 of 2167 )

Here I am once again in life trying to decide which hole to put it in. My old engine loves the SeaFoam but since I installed my new Weber carb I'm never really sure which hole to pour it into while I'm pumping the throttle cable to keep her from dying.

The one on the left? The one on the right? Both? And which side of the little flappy thing? I better send this link to my son Riley, the man who has torn down and reassembled every car on the planet, he would know!

Update: Just got a call from The Man. There's a primary and secondary intake and you pour the SeaFoam down underneath the primary intake flap. Turns out the one on the left was the primary, engine clean at 210,771!

Cool Creek
( 245 of 2167 )

Temperature records are crashing around me as the days in the upper nineties continue to languish. I'm staying cool and just flowing along and the creek is my inspiration.

Dog Man
( 246 of 2167 )

I'm down in Alabama today visiting my old friend Crash Dog Man Hunter. He was in a punk rock band I used to frequent back in the Bay Area and he just went through gender re-assignment surgery. He also had a skin transplant and I have to say, he's looking good!

He looked like this when I knew him, went by the name of Venice Neil:

New Phone
( 247 of 2167 )

I just pulled the old Amazon trigger on a new phone, the Panasonic 2-Line KX-TG9541B. I've got two phone lines/numbers: my Google Voice line running through a VOIP adaptor (with a Las Vegas prefix), and the land-line provided by my Spectrum internet account (with the local prefix).

Right now I have the VOIP line hooked to a cordless phone, I'll dump that. The Spectrum line is a simple corded black thing, I'll dump that. The new unit will sit proudly on my desk and handle both lines with one common voice message, great speakerphone and tons of other good stuff.

Home Coming
( 248 of 2167 )

The girls invited me to the Summertown Home Coming parade today. I missed the football float but grabbed a few shots worthy of checking out by clicking the photo below.

Dillans Site
( 249 of 2167 )

Dillan's turning seventeen and I created his own website for him as a birthday present. Guys his age normally want cash but I'm stepping beyond the norm. He asked me what to do with it and I said anything you want!

My advice is to just ask around, ask his friends what they would do with a website that matches their name, ask his teachers. In this day and age it has value. He can then choose how much he wants to invest in it. Learn a little code, setup a blog, or just sit on it until he starts a career and then hire somebody to do it.

I've been thinking about what I would do, as a HS Junior in a small Tennessee town, with a My Name domain hosting a sweet little custom CMS (Content Management System) running my own Blog. I would start doing daily posts about everything and share the links with my friends via social media and if what I had to say had meaning and value eventually the audience would grow large. Then, I really would have a voice.

I just happen to be working with a sweet little CMS called Anchor. I've set up a test blog (which I'll announce shortly) that would be a perfect fit for a one person blog, like dillanflores.com.

Tori Travels
( 250 of 2167 )

I produced a new video today.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Stop Signed
( 251 of 2167 )

The locally decorated stop sign heading up Ski Hill Road to Grand Targhee many winters ago...

The sign before that:

How Are You
( 252 of 2167 )

How often do you lie when people ask how you are? For the grocery checker it's a casual greeting and they really don't expect a reply that matters to them, so I lie. If it's a neighbor that I rarely talk to, I lie.

If a friend looks me in the eye and asks, or if I establish a connection of empathy over the phone with someone, I tell the truth.

So what are the lies? Fine, good, great, ok, hanging in there, blah blah blah...

What's my truth right now? "Ok, but wallowing somewhat in the muck of eminent inevitability".

What's your truth?

Fallen
( 253 of 2167 )

The talking head weather girl on channel 2 gushes that Fall is in the air! Yea, but it's mostly on the ground around my place. It is Fall after all.

PMantis
( 254 of 2167 )

I've produced a new video with the four best shots of the Praying Mantis that appeared as a Sign in my kitchen after I returned from the cruise.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Drop By
( 255 of 2167 )

The girls dropped by to visit old Papa today. It's been great to watch them grow up and to catch an occasional photo shoot along the way.

Click the photo below to see the set. Look close for the peanut butter and honey cracker remnants around the mouths.

Video Player
( 256 of 2167 )

I've created a new Video Player for the blog. All embeded videos now have their YouTube ID inserted into a clickable button at the upper right corner. When you click on it, a new page will present the video as a stand-alone post. It's a great feature if you just want to share an individual video.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

I can actually play any YouTube video with the Player: The Lilium

Leaf Life
( 257 of 2167 )

My life has been like a leaf floating down the creek. Sometimes I bump into other leaves and bounce off and sometimes I get attached for a while. Inevitably, like the course of the journey from the leaf falling from the tree and hitting the water and floating to the place where all leaves go to die, I get stuck in a little cranny in the creek.

As I float swirling around the current cranny I realize I'm not depressed, I'm reflective. I'm not afraid, I'm concerned. I have a magic camera, an experienced eye, and I'm alive!

My spot in the Land of Leaf:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Genes
( 258 of 2167 )

How do you tell the difference between male and female chromosomes? You pull down their genes.

Sometimes deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is your friend, sometimes your enemy, but you're stuck with what you got and you wonder how it's going to play out as you approach that last curve in the creek.

Update: I just returned from the dermatologist where they froze a bunch of spots and removed three things from the top of my head. The guy that did the work had the same name as me except his middle name was Wes, we bonded. It will take ten days to get results back and I told Wes that I don't do doctors and pills so if the result ain't good, I'm booking a long cruise. He smiled and nodded.

Leaf Pool
( 259 of 2167 )

Leaves are amazing, they're vibrant when alive and somberly beautiful when dead. But do they truly die or is the process of returning to the earth actually a form of living?

I used my Sigma lens this morning in a search for the truth and this looks alive to me.

Art:

My Yard
( 260 of 2167 )

Lately I've been imagining that my little place is a bungalow I've rented in some quiet retreat spot somewhere. I have all the basics necessary for a fun day and beautiful peaceful images await me when I walk out the door.

The Fox
( 261 of 2167 )

Our local fox was hanging out below his den across the creek this afternoon.

Mucuna
( 262 of 2167 )

Today around 1015 a product called Mucuna Pruriens will arrive in the mail that I hope will have a positive effect on my Parkinson's tremors. I'm going to mix up a tall glass of the powdered stuff in water, sit back in my easy chair, and consume it. I'm insanely in touch with my body so I'll know if it's effective or not. Of course, I will update the results here...

Update: Tried it with water first, then put a scoop under my tongue, with no effect on the tremors. It has other supposed benefits so I'll include it in my morning herb mix, other than that, disappointed.

Oh well, how about a portrait of my Roatan Honduras driver, Omar. This is his first appearance on the blog.

Roatan Man
( 263 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Davys Lake
( 264 of 2167 )

Drove to Crockett Park this morning to visit the birds on the lake. The park road had a sign that stated Original route of the Trail of Tears and it just astounds me that such a honorific human event would be glorified. Maybe we're just supposed to hang our head when we drive by and say sorry for the Native American population transfer from their ancestral homelands here in the South to reservations in the West. Maybe I even drove over a spot where one of the ten thousand Indians died during the trip, that would be cool.

Put up a video.

Reunion
( 265 of 2167 )

Steph's sisters, mom, and niece visiting in Driggs, ID.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Since I'm cruising down Memory Lane here's a nice little drive through Teton Valley, ID from a European perspective:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

To Be
( 266 of 2167 )

To be, as opposed to not.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Wyotech
( 267 of 2167 )

Now he's torn down and rebuilt every car on the road...

Lilly Cam
( 268 of 2167 )

I got Lilly a camera for her birthday next Saturday and then created a guide for her:

Gravy Time
( 269 of 2167 )

The stupidly extravagant way I've spent my life should have killed me off long ago but no, here I am, running on Gravy Time.

I live in Tennessee the land of the free and I ain't beholden to nuthin. Every minute of every day is spent doing exactly what I want to do, when I want to do it. I move forward to a future fraught with pitfalls but bursting with possibility. Gravy Time.

First Picture
( 270 of 2167 )

This is just a marvel of Chinese creativity. Combine a 3M sensor, a cheap processor, a lens and some buttons with a molded piece of plastic and make a functioning kids camera. I pulled it out of the box and took a shot with existing battery power and it worked.

The lighting was poor and it's only 3 megapixels but it delivered an acceptable image. I'm sure my little Lilly will get much better shots, from a four year old perspective, that I can't wait to see.

I need to dive into settings and turn that Date off, and who knows what else I'll find there.

Fading Out
( 271 of 2167 )

Just another eclectic video on a windy rainy day...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Success
( 272 of 2167 )

Pictures from the field just came in, looks like the camera was a hit with Lilly. Success!

Later on, while Lilly naps...

Sunday Creek
( 273 of 2167 )

Every breath every step moving on gravy time down to the creek. It's cloudy, it's calm and it's Sunday. Shoal creek has been around for a long time and the earliest history I can find shows that Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto and his men wintered along the creek in 1540 here in Lawrenceburg, quite possibly on the land from which I write this. They arrived here on Christmas day and met the Chickasaw Indians who called the place Chicasa.

Two Ways
( 274 of 2167 )

When you're old like me and running on gravy time there are two ways to die (barring an accident), the Doctor Way where you submit yourself to a corrupt medical system that claims they can cure you with modern science at a big price, or just live until you don't. You might live longer going the doctor way but otherwise your money could be spent on you, not them.

Pine Time
( 275 of 2167 )

There's a giant pine tree living next to my house that offers great shade in the Summer and lots of needles in the Fall. I'll bet this tree was around when De Soto pillaged and enslaved the Chickasaw Indian tribe that lived here.

Hangin
( 276 of 2167 )

Messy
( 277 of 2167 )

Freeze Warning
( 278 of 2167 )

The first freeze warning of the winter is swooping down on us and it brings back memories of forty below back in Idaho.

Residue
( 279 of 2167 )

Cruising through an old hard drive I came across a few photos that captured brief snippets of my time in Idaho. Click the shot below to see them.

Jimazon
( 280 of 2167 )

I'm thinking of joining a local photography club and I need a way to share my work from a tablet so I've created a new domain just for that purpose called Jimazon. It's a work in progress and I'm diving down into code for the first time in months so stay tuned...

Alexia
( 281 of 2167 )

Code
( 282 of 2167 )

In the late seventies I landed the biggest IBM systems consulting project of my career with Interocean Steamship of San Francisco. These guys were the leading container management company on the West Coast and they wanted a state of the art computer system. I gave my hand-typed presentation to a room full of suits, wearing a tee-shirt and ragged jeans, and got the contract. A year later they had their system and loved it, and I was rocking and rolling on the IBM gravy train.

Now I sit hunkered down in the cold and dark, still writing code...

Shelby
( 283 of 2167 )

Angel Friends
( 284 of 2167 )

My grand-daughter Shelby drove up from Pensacola to Nashville yesterday and Steph and I had lunch with her today in Smyrna, TN. We met up at the Jeff Kuss Memorial who was the Blue Angel killed in 2016 practicing for the airshow here. Shelby was a good friend of Jeff and his family in Pensacola and she was dating his best friend, another Blue Angel, when this happened. Very sad but his memorial is impressive.

We had a nice lunch and caught up with a lot. Looks like I've got a Thanksgiving invite in Mississippi at our friend Homer's mother's house. I am honored.

Steph was saying the last time she saw Shelby she was in the 5th grade and she's now 27. How can that be? Have I known Steph that long? The answer is yes.

Click the photo below for some more shots.

Compliments of Steph...

Blood
( 285 of 2167 )

Whacker
( 286 of 2167 )

Prudence
( 287 of 2167 )

Magical vibrations hiding in the dark.

On Deck
( 288 of 2167 )

First Snow
( 289 of 2167 )

Finally, southern Tennessee had it's first snow last night in the 14 months I've been here. Having recently lived and driven a bus for a living at 6500 feet in the Teton Rockies for 12 years, I think I can handle it...

As opposed to this:

Emi
( 290 of 2167 )

Guest Room
( 291 of 2167 )

I have no routine. Every instant of my life is different in some respect from the one that preceded it. As to the creation below I think it sums up the general state of my mind.

Mantis Logo
( 292 of 2167 )

I've taken some moments out of my code crazed days to flesh out a new logo for my project, but it's just too big and complicated, so I'll just share it here.

Roots
( 293 of 2167 )

Look how close I landed to one of the genetic melting pots of my DNA. My provider (ancestry.com) has further refined the hot spots where my eighteenth century relatives formed their families. Here's the blurb:

"Palatine Germans, English, Welsh, and Scottish Highlanders escaping economic, political, and religious crises in their homelands headed to the British colonies. Generally poor and often indentured, many found their way into Virginia and the Carolinas. They followed trails through the Appalachian Mountains, settling cheap land and turning the American frontier into an agricultural powerhouse built around cotton and tobacco."

Overview:

Furtherview:

A Visit
( 294 of 2167 )

The kids dropped by this afternoon to enjoy my mellow leafy yard. They were moving too fast for picture taking but I got a few shots. Sometimes the emotion of the shot is more important than the quality. Click the photo below to see them.

And me climbing a small tree here:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Hello
( 295 of 2167 )

I was boring deep into the Flickr inerverse today, testing the exploritory powers of my new app when an image landed on my screen so hard it knocked me back in my chair.

Meanwhile, my evening creation:

Rambling
( 296 of 2167 )

I see these TV commercials lately where the old guy my age sits in an easy chair surrounded by generations of siblings, exchanging smiling glances with the grand kids and Moma rubs his shoulder while the Lawrence Welk Show plays in the background. Am I rambling?...

Too Risky
( 297 of 2167 )

Earth to Jim! Earth to Jim! The scientists say it's too risky to try, but if you don't, we all die, so there is no choice.

It has to be done! There, I pushed the button and...

The Curve
( 298 of 2167 )

I'm an old lonely depressed man. I live in a little place at a curve in Shoal Creek down in southern Tennessee. I am not surrounded by friends and I rarely even speak to anybody here on this dead end street.

I have everything I need to get by comfortably and my days are spent writing code and spoiling my old cat. Some days I feel like I'm making a difference and some days I feel like I'm fading away.

But you know what? I'm really glad to be here and living it!

Full Circle
( 299 of 2167 )

I was testing out my new search code in the app today so I typed "oldmanjim" and searched across the billions of Flickr photos and it found just one. This is the only photo in my Flickr collection that has this name in it. The uniqueness of my brand are apparent and the implications are immense.

“To be caught happy in a world of misery is the most despicable of crimes” — Virginia Woolf

Another Down
( 300 of 2167 )

I had a good Thanksgiving. At first I thought it would be one of those hunker down events I seem to be having a lot of lately but Steph dropped by with dinner (M/D's fish sandwiches) and we had a nice time. Cleanup was minimal as it all went back into the bag from which it came and I hung out with my two remaining close friends (Piper was there of course). Another one down...

Irony
( 301 of 2167 )

Sometimes you just want an older person to walk up, put their arm around your shoulder and tell you everything's going to be alright. It sucks when you're the oldest guy around and there's no older arm in sight. The irony is, I'm also now an old guy with an arm, and no shoulders in sight.

Flickr
( 302 of 2167 )

Melissa dismissed Flickr to Steph the other day, saying she knew nothing about it. I found this very interesting that her generation is so caught up in the latest social media buzz that Flickr could have passed them by.

Yahoo! acquired Flickr from a start-up group in 2005. I was involved with Yahoo! doing mapping stuff so it came into my radar and I signed up as a Pro user (unlimited) and have been hosting my photo collection there for years. Both of my blogs link directly to my photos there.

SmugMug acquired them last year and other than some cosmetic changes, the service is still solid. Stats for Flickr are somewhat secretive but this is what I've uncovered:

 • 75 million registered photographers across 63 countries.

 • 10 billion photos in their database.

 • Millions of photos are uploaded daily.

These are significant numbers!

Delayed
( 303 of 2167 )

I finally got some Thanksgiving fixings and quality time with the girls this evening. Lilly has this condition where she can't keep her tounge contained, and I captured it. Click the photo for more.

Essence
( 304 of 2167 )

Describe your essence.

Mine: I don't take pills, I don't eat meat and my feet hit the floor at four forty four every morning. I work constantly on making my health issues not define me. I develop computer concepts in code that I express online. I love my cat.

Steph
( 305 of 2167 )

Here's a shot I grabbed of Steph yesterday, pretty much sums her up :-)

Which Straw
( 306 of 2167 )

I bought some cool reusable silicone straws recently that are soft and flexible, come with their own cleaning brushes, and I'm saving the planet. The problem is now, that instead of asking myself if this is the day things are going to be different, I pause to ask which color straw?

Sandbox
( 307 of 2167 )

As I was working on my drag sliders today I realized they needed a sandbox, a playground, a testing area. A place where users could put their finger on (or mouse) and try out that sweet new setting they just adjusted on the sliders above.

Designing a concept is as much fun as implementing it. Now, back to work...

Windows
( 308 of 2167 )

I was programming computers as a professional consultant for a decade before Microsoft Windows met the world. I had already made the switch from mini-computers to PC's developing graphics software, holding court at mid-eighties Vegas Comdex's in their prime and in later years writing device drivers in assembly for ZSoft's PC Paint on the Windows platform, which means I've got cred.

I have seen Windows through every one of it's painful transitions and I finally arrive here in almost 2020 on a fully-patched current version of Windows 10 on my blazing fast MSI box, and I think it's amazing! My computer world does not crash, contrary to some.

The degree to which I am connected to the world and my computer stagger this old coders mind. I live with a dozen Windows open at once on my wide screen monitor and my awareness of where they are in relation to each other is amusing at times, but always there.

My Aegis 3 is almost three years old and Windows 10 has continued to improve my computer life. Thanks to my fellow geeks over the years that have made this happen!

Binary Dust
( 309 of 2167 )

I awoke this morning thinking about a Javascript function that wasn't working. Turns out I wasn't returning anything from the function and as I looked at the code and laughed I realized that this is a metaphor of my life.

You can enter into the most powerful function ever written, designed to come up with the true perfect answer, but if you never return the results to the caller it dies within the function in a cloud of binary dust, as if the question or answer never existed or mattered.

Stop calling functions that don't return an answer and then decide if it's worth fixing, or moving on.

Just Love
( 310 of 2167 )

Piper is sitting in the middle of my desk alternately licking the moisture off the window and licking my forehead. Then she nuzzles my nose with hers and I totally cave and reach for the treats. There's nothing complicated here, just simple love.

Now here we go into Christmas again where the ability to put on a happy face bumps into the hunker down and lay low ho ho and as my wise grandfather used to say My do-lapper-dinker ain't swinging on it's rocking ball!

That phrase evolved centuries ago right up the road from my present location by my ancestors so I reclaim it now and pass it on to my grandchildren, wherever they are.

A Time
( 311 of 2167 )

There comes a time in every life when you need to stop talking and just create. Close out the world, excite your mind to what you want to achieve and thrill in the results. Then you can talk about what you've learned in 73 years:

 • Growing up, I was taught how not to be a bad man, not how to be a good man. It took me decades to learn the difference.

 • Never leave a tossed tissue outside the rim, you never know when you might have company.

 • Avoid touching other humans, you may come to like it.

 • Every second of our past defines how we are presented to the moment now and our body brain eyes voice and soul are the mirror.

 • What doesn't make you stronger, kills you.

Appearances
( 312 of 2167 )

I appear to some as a pathetic old man who's let the modern technology scene pass him by. I have no Facebook, no Instagram and no cellphone.

But my tech cred is fine, thank you. I can hack into a JQuery plugin and tweak it do my bidding, I have created near a hundred websites now, I write creative quality code for the internet and I've been an integral part of the computer revolution since 1969.

We should all try not to judge a person by what they appear to not know anything about.

Minor Blip
( 313 of 2167 )

Looking back at my life I see where things went well and where they often times didn't, where I made some mistakes and had some success, where I landed on my ass and bounced back on my feet, each event just a Minor Blip in the steady stream of Time until I arrived here now.

I am fortunate and thankful to have avoided the Big Mistake, which becomes a Major Blip, and everything is downhill for most folks from there. I have landed OK and I believe my extended family on the Other Side made this happen. Now I'm trying to figure out why.

Stepdad
( 314 of 2167 )

When I was about seven I lived in a very small town on the side of a mountain between Reno and Truckee. That christmas eve we had a blinding snowstorm and my stepdad was stopped by the CHP down the road in his commercial truck trying to get home from a road trip and they told him he would have to walk. He loaded up the presents he had to a toboggan (gift) and dragged it miles through the snow in the dark to our house in time for christmas. It's been downhill from there.

As I sit in a small house on a dead-end street with nobody around, it's quiet and peaceful. Tonight, Xmas tomato for dinner. I'm content, and what's in your wallet?

Best Present
( 315 of 2167 )

The best christmas presents are the ones you give yourself. I've been chasing some incredibly complex code the last couple of days, knowing what I wanted to achieve but the technical roadblocks were huge. I have learned to never give up on these things because I always succeed, eventually. This morning it all came together and I smiled broadly and said merry christmas to myself.

Then I had Road Killamale, venison style, for dinner:

...and Banana Brogurt for desert.

Fresh made from the deep south :-)

The Place
( 316 of 2167 )

My Place tool is becoming quite popular (200k hits). I wrote this app less than a year ago as part of the development of the Blog. Like the other tools it's written in html php and javascript running right inside the blog post. Yep.

I revisited and tweaked it this morning to include my map program OMJMaps into the bottom mix of services. The Place app is great code, I was on a roll back then.

The beauty of Place is that it's self-regenerative, it morphs back into what it was when you return to it. Click the image above to go there...

Strokes
( 317 of 2167 )

I am with you brother Vincent though we paint with different strokes. In your soul you knew you were creating great beauty yet your heart cried out for acceptance by your peers and awe from the public. It's just a human thing, talk to you soon...

Mindmeld
( 318 of 2167 )

This guy is really at peace with himself and probably stoned on something. My hero, so I sent my new magnifier over to check out his head gear.

I've seen this look before in my travels, a person resigned to their place in life and ok with it. Or maybe he's some famous holy guy that millions worship, hell I don't know I just grabbed it off Flickr to test my zoom anyway which grabs a larger version of the photo in the background and serves it up under the glass.

As Real
( 319 of 2167 )

This is as real as I get.

This is as real as my brother gets.

Pipers Back
( 320 of 2167 )

No, she didn't go anywhere, the poor baby has pain in her back. I took her to the Vet and he eliminated the possibility of tumors with an x-ray and said she's just old and fat with arthritis. He got a pained look on his face and suggested weight loss but I told him that's like telling your fat old grandma sitting in her rocking chair she needs to drop a hundred pounds. He laughed and agreed.

I have pain medicine for her but I have to pour it on treats to get it in her. The least I can do now is just let her lay on my pillow, and love her.

Her spot is the edge of the bed but she moves in and takes over the pillow when she can.

New Years
( 321 of 2167 )

I love New Years, been hunkering down and laying low on the Eve though lately. My resolutions have been spectacular over the decades and I'm sure I must have achieved some of them, just wish I could remember.

I'm an old numbers guy and 2020 feels good to me so let's rock on, enjoy every breath and smile!

My Thumb
( 322 of 2167 )

New Years Day is the ultimate manifestation of corporate greed, one more day to soak the economy, and half the working force of America is wondering why they're not at work. The holiday life tradition family mumbo jumbo 2020 song is being forced into our minds through our electronic media. Thank god my footprint is small with consumption under my thumb, shaky as it is.

Since celebrating the transition between years as a holiday is true then decade changes should qualify as bonus which means everyone should be off tomorrow also. Hell, might as well take Friday off...

Soaring 20s
( 323 of 2167 )

I dove down deep this morning and modularized some critical components in my app as a function of implementing paging. It worked great then I drove to the dermaguy who sliced a squamous from my scalp. First real day in the Soaring Twenties!

Armed
( 324 of 2167 )

Met my friends for lunch and they were armed.

Tennessee
( 325 of 2167 )

I never imagined I would be saying this two years ago, but my official state of residence is Tennessee. I've lived here well over a year now, I have a Tennessee commercial drivers license, the address on my passport is here, I have a Tennessee Medicare advantage plan, and my new adopted football team is the Titans. Last night I stayed up well beyond my bedtime to watch my team kick the Patriots ass and I made a prediction to my son Riley (a Seahawks fan) a couple of months ago that the Titans would play the Seahawks in the upcoming Super Bowl. I could visualize him rolling his eyes over the phone, but watch out now.

Kids Cruise
( 326 of 2167 )

Riley and Jessica are on a cruise and her last FB post said she took a spill in the casino and was hurting. Damn, that sucks. I guess they didn't get the internet package because there's no update and not responding to texts.

Reminds me of a time back in the '70s when my wife and I were on vacation down in Texas. I was foot racing my uncle John through the huge Dallas county fairgrounds and when I glanced right to see why he was pulling up I ran right into the street and smashed into a car. Broke my collar bone. We went to the Kennedy memorial after that and I was in so much pain, it was a blur. Didn't get it looked at until we got back to CA and the drive home was excruciating. (Not sure why Marci didn't drive :-)

Update: Just heard from them, everything is alright I guess, Riley sent an image:

Shoal Creek
( 327 of 2167 )

I just discovered that my great-great grandfather on my mothers side, Thomas Grundy Smith, was born in Shoal Creek, MO. in 1857, and his mother was born in Tennessee. That explains this:

The creek that runs below my window here in Tennessee is named Shoal Creek and it's been around for over four hundred years. According to the geneology charts my great-great-great grandmother lived right down the road from this Shoal Creek before moving to Missouri to farm the land. Maybe she named the creek up there?

(and that looks like a bus :-)
Riley Pics
( 328 of 2167 )

Riley and Jessica are hanging out in Puerto Rico and he sent me some pics. I've started a Set and I'll add to them as they roll in over the next few days. Click below to see them.

Jimazon Done
( 329 of 2167 )

My new app Jimazon is ready...

Water Diet
( 330 of 2167 )

I'm goint to start a new routine come this Sunday called the Water Diet. Not because I'm overweight (I ain't) but just that I'm reading good things about it. The reason I'm waiting till Sunday is because I made a new friend yesterday on a used car run from Nashville who invited me to Iron City on Saturday to join him and his friends at the famous Taco Shack for breakfast. After that I need to watch the Titans advance in the playoffs, and then I'll be ready. Also assuming I have a roof as tornado warnings are focusing directly on my little town tomorrow afternoon.

The diet:

• Drink four glasses of water immediately after waking, before brushing your teeth, and on an empty stomach.

• Do not eat anything for the next 45 minutes.

• After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.

• Do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours after breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Stephs Buick
( 331 of 2167 )

Making friends with, and driving cars for, a used car lot whos owner is also my landlord, has great perks. They had a Buick that had been in the family since it was bought new in 2003 by the parents and wanted it to go to someone they knew. That would be me, and I just bought it for Steph for a great price (she will pay me back with payments).

It's a very sweet ride, click below for more shots:

The Eighties
( 332 of 2167 )

This is a story about computers and cats. Back in 1983 I was living in a house along the Sacramento Delta, right down on the water, with a boat ramp. I had a cool big cat who liked to sit on the edge of the dock where he attracted boaters to swing by and say hello. Sometimes he would walk on board a boat and be gone for days, but they always returned him.

I was writing graphics software at the time for a Silicon Valley startup called Mindset who were creating a slim IBM PC 16 bit clone and the prototype box was this big aluminum chassis thing that sat in my office. One day it stopped working so I called the company and later that afternoon a helicopter landed in the big yard and two techs got out and brought a replacement box into my office. They swapped the hard drive out so I didn't lose my work, took the old box and flew away. Venture capital money at work and you can't make this shit up.

Taco Shack
( 333 of 2167 )

This morning I watched torrential rain blowing sideways at 75mph from the window of the Taco Shack in Iron City while I ate a great breakfast with the owners Randy and Pam before the power went out.

I was supposed to meet some new friends there but I messed up the day (it's tomorrow) so it was just me and the owners. Randy told me the reason Iron City had a bad rap as a dangerous place was because of the Ford plant south of here in Alabama, the iron ore was here, and Alabama was dry. Ford found better iron in Michigan and the rest is history.

His place has a pool table, a stage for live music and great food. Summer time is hopping with kyakers on the creek, a campground and it's 420 friendly. All twenty five minutes from my place and I can see myself sleeping in my truck down here a few times come summer.

I drove home in the middle of a major tornado warning, turned on the news and heard about roofs blowing off and downed trees on the special weather segment happening on channel 2. Ahh, good to be home, and I have power...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Surgery
( 334 of 2167 )

I'm going to a doctor tomorrow for surgery. Yea, I don't do doctors but I'm making an exception here to get some skin cancer removed from the top of my head. I could blow it off but then it would seep down into my brain and that would suck.

There are multiple issues up there but they can only tackle one at a time due to insurance bullshit, and I'll have to go back to get the stitches removed, which I find amusing. The skin on my bald head is really thin and stretched tight, how are they going to cut off a section, pull it together, and sew it up? Why not just scalp me, get rid of all of it at once, and then implant a plastic wig with hair? Yea, I'm all for that!

Update: The Mohs surgery went well, now cancer free on that basal cell with another one (a squamous cell) to go next month. He actually pulled the skin on my scalp together and stitched it up, pretty cool. Still bald though...

Pain
( 335 of 2167 )

Five years ago I went to a doctor in Idaho because I had lower back pain really bad. I was driving a bus and could barely walk from the pain. Instead of trying to figure out what was wrong he prescribed some heavy duty pain pills and muscle relaxers, which proceeded to clog my gut up and send me to the hospital. I swore off of pills from that time on.

A year later I dried myself out and the pain went away. I have determined the problem was leaky gut syndrome, excessive alcohol was leaking out of my intestines causing inflammation. I can prove that to myself now by simply drinking.

Last night as I tossed and turned trying to find a way to lay my head to ease the throbbing pain from yesterdays surgery on my head, I thought of the two left over pain pills in my bag of bathroom stuff, and I said to myself hell no. It's been five years since a single pill of any kind has crossed my lips and I'm proud of that fact.

Stitches
( 336 of 2167 )

I kinda wish I hadn't taken this photo, it hurts just to look at it, but for the sake of full disclosure, and if you're going to share your life on a blog, what the hell. This is day two...

That squamous cell on the left is due for slicing next month.

Pupdate
( 337 of 2167 )

Steph recommended liquid Ibuprofen for pain, the Dollar General has it she said. Well, I live a couple of blocks from one of those so I went out and started my truck. Then I just sat there and again told myself hell no and turned it off.

I realize that I don't take any man-made pharmaceuticals at all, period. I've had the flu a few times in the last decade and I just ride it out, none of that liquid cold medicine crap for me. There are just some things this old man doesn't do anymore like eat meat that's been murdered by humans (I did eat some fish the other day, regretted it...) or consume stuff with high-fructose corn syrup in it.

For example, my dinner last night was a half can of organic lentil soup, an avocado, and a sugar free one calorie yogurt with fresh blackberries, for dessert. Slept pretty good, pain is fading. In the meantime my blog tools are approaching a quarter million hits:

And since it's so popular, I turned Place into a stand-alone app.

Medicine
( 338 of 2167 )

My cat Piper and I are really close. Last night I knew she was in pain from the arthritis so I said you're getting the medicine and she scrambled out of my office. I loaded up the plastic oral dispenser with liquid from the vet and carried her 18.6 pounds (she loves to stand on my electronic scale and watch it light up) to my desk, and the battle began.

Years ago I taught her to never hurt the daddy. When she would scratch or bite me and draw blood I would stick the wound in her face and let her know this was not acceptable. The guilt in her eyes was apparent, and she learned. She hates the medicine being squirted in her mouth (who wouldn't) and as we wrestled furiously around on my desktop not a single claw or tooth came out. Have I mentioned I really love my cat?

Update: I've decided that's the last time I do that, unless she's really hurting bad. I don't do medicine and Piper is making it clear she doesn't want to either...

New Place
( 339 of 2167 )

I've been putting some long overdue new and updated code into my Place app due to it's popularity. A lot of folks have been landing on this fine piece of code (228,369 as of this moment), so I might as well make it shine.

Fixes and Additions:

 • Due to a code-packing issue, my Info Boxes weren't working. They are now.

 • Clicking on the Lat/Lng in the upper right corner copies it to your clipboard.

 • Quick zoom now works.

 • Map attribution is damned slick, nobody has seen this.

 • There were three map modes available, now there are twelve, with labels.

 • Numerous cosmetic changes...

Moral Issue
( 340 of 2167 )

I am compelled to discuss here my position on the consumption of animals by humans. Fair warning if you choose to click the X. I've been developing a strong position on the sanctity of all life for many years and it's now affecting me directly as I no longer consume meat, period.

This is a moral issue that goes to my core. The animals that we share this planet with have just the same rights to be here as we do. We should not raise them or hunt them, just so we can slice them open, harvest their bodies and eat them, period.

The criteria I use to define an animal is that it has two eyes, a nose and a mouth. A lot of them are good stewards of the earth as they eat the same things we should be eating: grains, fruits and vegetables. Sure, lions eat deer and ravens eat road kill when the land is covered in snow, but they do that to survive. We have a choice.

All I have to do is look deep into my cats eyes as she nuzzles my nose with her's, to know I'm right. I've been to many state fairs and I've seen the same awareness in the eyes of the caged chickens, pigs, and cows. They don't deserve to die at our hands just so we can eat them. That's my old man position and I will carry it until I die. Maybe I could then be ground up and served at McDonald's, I am just another animal after all.

On that note, let's go for a drive...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Lifeo
( 341 of 2167 )

The earth spins while time drags along on it's tail.

Bright moments turn dark at the flip of a switch.

The search for reasons continue to fail.

Life is a bitch.

My pathetic rambling for the day...

Bates Road
( 342 of 2167 )

My latest:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Diet
( 343 of 2167 )

If you would like to see my reverse geocoder code, click here. (253,000 hits to my Place function certainly indicate an interest in this stuff...)

If it walks, hops, swam, crawls, slithered, has eyes, a mom and a dad, don't eat it.

You're welcome...

A MapBox
( 344 of 2167 )

I've created a new map system (actually an enhanced port from OmjMaps) based on the great MapBox platform. Beautiful tiles combined with place clickable geocoding, this thing rocks! It functions inside a window, like Place, and blows out to full screen goodness like below. Click the map to try it and be sure to zoom around, change the style, and click on things. I reverse geocode everything and present them as clickable links lower left.

Holes
( 345 of 2167 )

There are some cool holes in the ancient hillside across the creek from me and come summer I'll wade over and check them out.

Elephant
( 346 of 2167 )

I drove over to the jobs center this morning to check out a job listing in the paper about transporting local seniors. As I stood behind the one person in line I glanced down at my hand holding a resume that summarized 25 years of experience driving seniors and the disabled, and it was shaking.

I certainly wasn't nervous, I was over qualified for this position, times ten. It was the elephant in the room. The internal tremors were strong this morning and I was doing a good job of ignoring them as usual, but there it was, visible shaking. I turned around and walked out the door.

Wind Storm
( 347 of 2167 )

Cats and dogs were pounding on my roof last night so I brought up my radar map and there it was, barreling down towards my neighborhood. Big bad red and ugly. I prepped my place for a power outage, which happened within minutes, then I opened my front door, pulled up a chair right to the screen, and watched the show.

Lightning flashes were going off all around me, about one every second. The wind picked up my garbage can and threw it thirty feet. I expected one of the old trees around me to come crashing down any second. And then it was over, so I went to bed in the dark.

This morning I had power but no internet (still don't as I write this). I dug out my old Radio Shack radio and listened to some good old boys talk about the storm that blew through last night with trees down, damage to homes and the roof of the Library took a hit. I took a drive and sure enough, what they said was true, all about 400 yards from my place.

Update: The sun is going down, still no internet, and the radio is telling me that it was a tornado. Check that off my bucket list... Now I'm hunkered down with no phone, tv, email or connection to the world and it makes me realize how much I've come to take all of that for granted. At least I have power, which is really all an old man and his old cat really needs.

Click the photo below for this mornings shots:

Beauty
( 348 of 2167 )

Beauty is but skin deep...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Zyx
( 349 of 2167 )

You know you want to learn the alphabet backwards, so get on it!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

53 Bucks
( 350 of 2167 )

That skin cancer gouge-out on the top of my head is infected so I got two scripts at the pharmacy. I told the doctor I don't do pills but she said I may have no choice, so she gave me a topical cream to try first and some antibiotics. The pills were $27 and the cream was $53! (omfg...) A pill hasn't crossed my lips in five years, god help me.

Update: I think the Mupiripoff is going to work. If I take a road trip, snag a little strange, pick up a dose, maybe I can use the pills then...

In the meantime, coding is keeping me sane, sort of. I've added live traffic to all of my map systems, pretty amazing.

Progress
( 351 of 2167 )

My life has improved dramatically since I moved from Idaho here to Tennessee a year and a half ago. It used to take me almost an hour to walk to the liquor store in Idaho...

...and now I can do it seven minutes!

Clicks
( 352 of 2167 )

It's funny what grabs your eye sometimes, in this case it was the wall of my little house reflecting sunlight that looks like white paint on the trim of my front door.

I find joy in the little things these days as my sarcasm drips, my logical brain expands, and the wound on my head slowly heals.

Auto Advance
( 353 of 2167 )

I'm having fun with code in my new Directions app. I've added an Auto Advance feature that will move from waypoint to waypoint automatically and then wrap around from point B to point A. You can just click the button and watch the route unfold. Flip it into Satellite view, set a cool Pitch and Bearing and you can fly across the country visually for as long as you like.

I considered an adjustable timer so the user could determine how long the app pauses at each waypoint for reading, but I scraped that and wrote a timer that counts the words in the text and apples a constant to it. The number I came up with that matches a normal reading speed was 420 milliseconds per word. So, a waypoint with a longer description will allow you more time to read it. Did I mention I was having fun?

OMJRoute
( 354 of 2167 )

There comes a time when a project has evolved to a high enough state, that it needs it's own platform. I've been working hard on the directions code that has been sitting in my tools directory as an app and it finally shouted out Get me my own domain!, so I did.

Coming up with a name wasn't hard, I've already created omjmaps.com and the OMJ (OldManJim) prefix is becoming my trademark so I logically acquired omjroute.com as the new website. I'll leave the app sitting in tools alone and continue development on this one.

The latest version is pretty slick, click anywhere on the map to acquire data about the location and chose when and where you want to create an A/B route right from the infobox.

Route Player
( 355 of 2167 )

What a wild technical ride I just went on. I've created a new Player which launches from OMJRoute (Tools/Perma) and creates a stand alone page with a Leaflet map showing what the route looks like in a simplified manner. Click the icon in the middle to launch the main program and play the route. The player is stripped down to the bare minimum to load as quick as possible and the map system (Leaflet) has the smallest footprint in the map world.

The goal was to be able to run everything in a window inside the blog as you see below, but browser security was getting in the way. The solution was to buy a server security certificate for OMJRoute (https vs http) like I have for OldManJim and OMJMaps. Bottom line, it cost me money to do what I do, so I hope you enjoy!

To break out of the blog and run it full page (like on your phone) click the route key number in the top right corner :-)

A Dream
( 356 of 2167 )

I had the most profound dream last night. I was walking out of a large city towards skid row when I came upon an old black man struggling to pull a piece of plywood over a small arched bridge. I grabbed one edge and helped him carry it, glancing down at my arms and realized I too was black. There was a wild eyed crazed white guy on the other side pointing a large revolver at us, urging us to move on.

We came upon a mass of rundown apartments that we had to navigate to reach our destination. Behind us a throng of people several hundred strong had joined us as we walked through filthy kitchens and bedrooms, twisting and turning from one to the next. At one point we walked through a nursery with toddlers watching us in awe.

We finally burst through the last door to find a beautiful beach and sparkling ocean where we all threw off our clothes, ran joyfully into the water and bathed the grime of the inner city from our bodies.

Good morning America from southern Tennessee, I need to grab my coffee and get on with my code...

CSV Format
( 357 of 2167 )

Modern map API's (Application Programming Interface) use a data structure called GeoJson which represents geographical features and their attributes in JSON (Javascript Object Notation) format, to plot places on the map.

Over the many years writing map code I've devised a variety of ways to achieve this, most of them convoluted, involving PHP modules and MySQL databases.

My new app OMJRoute has now achieved a wonderful level of simplicity. The program reads a basic CSV (Comma Separated Value) file using some sweet JQuery asynchronous code, converts it to an Object, then into a GeoJson entity, and then places it on the map as a Layer.

The file format is simple and efficient: Longitude,Latitude,Name. For example, here's three Walmart stores with store number as the Name:

-96.770372,32.963375,8930

-97.578089,35.365702,7326

-86.492693,34.818134,7324

The file contains 4,339 entries for the US and is 113 KB in size, so it loads really quick.

You still with me? This allows me to create some cool layers on top of my Route Map showing things like Rest Areas and Flying J/Pilot fuel stations. The points are clustered so the further you zoom in, the more are displayed.

My ultimate goal is to apply the Places only to the Route. If it ain't along the way, you ain't gona see it, because it doesn't matter. I create this stuff to help me travel, and hopefully others...

Dear Brian
( 358 of 2167 )

My dear nephew Brian. My friend. So good to hear from you, it's been months since we last connected.

The Nashville tornados missed me but the one a month before went right over my little house while I sat at the screen door and watched.

Sorry to hear about Dave's broken foot from the snow machine but it's not like the guy has never had nothing broken before, sheesh... and I relate to quality time with your cat, it's the only thing that keeps me sane.

As to that ex-girlfriend, well, you don't need to pour booze on your hand, just drink it when necessary.

How am I? I realized today that this will be one of those periods in life that I will look back on someday and wish that I could recapture, because it's going downhill rapidly. Not that I'm feeling sorry for myself, just pissed that it's all finally catching up with me.

So what to do? I drank a lot of Corona back in my mexican beach bum days so I'm immune to that shit, so I should travel while everyone else is hunkering down like spineless bastards. It's not like this stuff knocks you down and makes blood spurt out of every orifice until you die a horrible death within minutes. Again, sheesh...

I will be heading your way at some point shortly in my trusty truck looking for new hot springs to conquer and smoke to soak in. We should hook up.

Your Uncle Jim.

The Wall
( 359 of 2167 )

Well here it is Friday the 13th, I see the writing on the wall, and it is profane. Big events are shutting down everywhere, people aren't traveling and the economy is crashing. What everyone seems to be missing is what happens when the people that work in the grocery stores, the Walmarts, the Amazon fulfillment centers say screw this and stay home? What happens when truck drivers stop driving? What happens when the police stay away? Just sayin...

Phrases like Boomer Remover are sweeping the net but my favorite is: Does the unlimited drink package extend into the quarantine period? I don't think so...

Saturday morning numbers: Thank god, some good news. The experts are predicting that only 1.7 million people in the U.S. will die. Cool, and we only have 925,000 hospital beds in this country with only 1/10th available for the critically ill. I actually have more numbers but I'll just stop here.

Perspective
( 360 of 2167 )

The battle of Shiloh was fought on April 6, 1862 seventy miles from where I live now with 23,746 casualties. I woke up this morning still glad to be here. I'm not afraid to die and I will not hunker down and hide, nor will I fight my fellow man over a roll of asswipe.

Alright, here's the deal, the stupid world is shutting down around me. As I prepare to launch a road trip in my little truck the bars in Nashville are being forced to close after going through major tornados. Are you kidding me?

Shiner
( 361 of 2167 )

Man, I picked a hell of a time to plan a road trip :-) My truck is packed, primed and ready to roll. Steph agreed to set up residence in my little house to watch my cat, and I have plenty of TP and supplies here. Then I wake up, turn on the TV and hear that states are going to be putting up roadblocks at their state lines to take temperatures before allowing people to enter. What a logistical nightmare that's going to be.

To top it off all the talking heads on TV are saying if your over 65, keep your ass home. In other words, guys like me trying to drive across the country are going to be perceived as the enemy. Damn it all to hell.

Actually, to really top it off, my cat Piper gave me a shiner this morning. We have a cuddle position on my bed where she likes to plop her big old belly down on my hand. It's very endearing, until the arthritis in her back acts up and she jumps straight up in the air and one of her claws caught me in the eye. It's good that my eyes were closed or I might have lost one. As it is I have a puncture wound in my lower lid and the area is starting to turn black.

Afternoon update: Sorry governors, but I need to drive. You can chastise and harass me for doing so but I'm one of the most legal people I know. I'm a U.S. citizen with roots in this country going back to it's founding. I have no warrants, I've passed an FBI fingerprint background check, I had my ID run through the entry gate at Camp Pendleton, and I have a commercial drivers license and a passport. If the only thing you can get me on is driving while over seventy during a pandemic with a black eye from my cat, then have it.

Evening update: After dwelling on this a lot I have decided to get off my high horse, settle down, and stay put. The world doesn't need an old man running around in an old truck looking like a zombie with his blackened eye possibly spreading shit from one state to the next. If we all make it to summer, I'll travel then. Over and out...

In The Air
( 362 of 2167 )

Something is in the air, and it smells like martial law. My dermatologist wasn't too concerned as he sewed up my head again after slicing off the last bit of cancer today. I guess he's too busy to notice the writing on the TV networks wall.

I'm sitting here in my little house at the end of a dead-end street in a small southern Tennessee town and I feel the vibration rippling across the country. I'm sensitive to vibrations in things and people, a physic ability I don't talk about much, but now I feel it on a bigger scale. The States are freaking out and I think dramatic notices are close to being announced. Riley just clued me into a rumor about Washington State but I'd already felt the vibe. Be ready folks.

I'm stocked up, guns loaded, truck is ready as I just canceled a road trip, and I still have power and internet, so I'm sending this post out. Hopefully it won't be my last for a while.

Positions
( 363 of 2167 )

I just threw one of my pretentious, better then thou, bullshit positions out the window this morning. I used to love to say I haven't taken a pill of any kind for many years because it's been true and it somehow made me feel superior to all of the other sad pill-popping fools in the world.

The top of my poor bald head was throbbing when I woke up this morning. I was recovering from the Basal Cell removal surgery a couple of months back, that still hurts like hell, when I went in yesterday and had a Squamous Cell removed. So, I found those three heavy duty pain pills that I've been holding on to for years, and took one. I could have taken two or I could have just knocked myself on my ass and taken all three, but I just took one.

How do I feel? It worked, the pain is still there, but dulled to a manageable throb. Hopefully the destruction of one of my prized moral positions does not lead to the demise of others.

Plague
( 364 of 2167 )

I drove to Huntsville, Alabama today and discovered a horrific scene. All the people there just carried dead bodies around to be buried. At every corner they dug deep pits and those who were poor who died during the night were bundled up quickly and thrown into the pits. In the morning they took dirt and shovelled it over them, and later others were placed on top of them and then another layer of dirt, just like making lasagne with layers of pasta and cheese. There were some pits that were barely covered and dogs dragged the bodies out and ate them.

It was just like the bubonic plague of 1346 where 60% of the people in Europe died. Thank god I live in Tennessee.

Questions
( 365 of 2167 )

California in lockdown. Where do all the homeless go when told to stay home?

No toilet paper, I knew I should have bought that bidet stock. Oh, wait...

What happens when the folks that maintain your Internet and TV can't make it to work? The bit-rate sucked on my Spectrum TV service last night.

Meanwhile, dozens of military vehicles have been carrying virus victims across Italy – with morgues too full to hold corpses.

So
( 366 of 2167 )

The digital TV world we live in interviews a lot of people. The interviewer introduces a person and then asks for their opinion about a subject. I pay attention to the very first word out of a persons mouth for some reason and I find it fascinating actually. In most cases we've never heard this person speak and it's their opportunity to grab our attention and make their point. It's their thirty seconds of fame you might say.

The most common word these days? The conjunctive adverb so. Sometimes they will add a comma and you get a drawn out so..... which allows them to make sure the next words out of their mouth make sense. Sometimes no comma and they drop right down into the subject. Either way, it's fascinating and I urge you to pay attention to this. It is the word of our times.

Simple Fix
( 367 of 2167 )

Steph had the AWD disabled light come on in her 03' Rendezvous. I told her to inspect connectors C305 and C305B at the body pass through for corrosion and if they look good suspect the differential clutch pump actuator check valve. It's under the vehicle in the area behind the driver's seat and is known for getting water on it and causing issues. She said WTF?

What's wrong with women these days, can't handle a simple fix?

To Be or Not
( 368 of 2167 )

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

Whether 'tis nobler in the minds of men to endure the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

or to take arms against a sea of oppresion and by opposing, end them.

CV Graph
( 369 of 2167 )

Todays data:

This is why our government is destroying it's own economy in an attempt to stop it...

Daily Status
( 370 of 2167 )

I have developed a new layer for my OmjRoute application. It's pretty damned complicated and cool if I do say so. I wrote it to distract me from the collapse of our world around us and my subsequent depression.

I created an SQL query against Data-World's COVID-19 daily extraction which represents the current state of the virus as of 9:00am EST every day. I massaged it into a JSON entity which feeds my map application on demand. It contains the number of occurrences and deaths for each State, which are overlayed on the map.

Here's the Link.

Update: They changed the data up on me, back on track now...

CEO Bailout
( 371 of 2167 )

Some CEO's of major companies obviously had prior notice to a possible pandemic and resigned from their positions and liquidated their holdings in their own companies at a time of record profits and a bright outlook for the economy. Here's a partial list:

• Alphabet - Larry Page   • Bed, Bath & Beyond - Steven Temares   • Best Buy - Hubert Joly   • Boeing - Dennis Muilenburg   • Colgate-Palmolive - Ian Cook   • Disney - Bob Iger   • eBay - Devin Wenig   • Gap - Art Peck   • Harley-Davidson - Matt Levatich   • Hewlet Packard - Dion Weisler   • Hulu - Randy Freer   • IBM - Ginni Rometty   • Kraft Heinz - Bernardo Hees   • LinkedIn - Jeff Weiner   • Mastercard - Ajay Banga   • McDonald’s - Steve Easterbrook   • MetLife - Steven Kandarian   • New York Post - Jesse Angelo   • Nike - Mark Parker   • PG&E - Geisha Williams   • Salesforce - Keith Block   • T-Mobile - John Legere   • Under Armour - Kevin Plank   • United Airlines - Oscar Munoz   • Warner Bros. - Kevin Tsujihara   • Wells Fargo - Tim Sloan  

All of these corporate assholes bailed just before the world found out about Covid-19.

Onward
( 372 of 2167 )

I can't determine if I'm depressed and drinking more because my Parkinsons is getting worse or my Parkinsons is getting worse because I'm depressed and drinking more. For being such a smart guy, I sure am a dumb ass. I can't even get any respect around the house as Piper has taken over my chair (again!) and I'm sitting here on a portable folding chair with an arm rest cup holder. Meanwhile, working on a U.S. County based Covid-19 map, stay tuned...

County Status
( 373 of 2167 )

The new Covid-19 by County layer is ready for viewing. It uses the same display structure as the one by State but has a completely different source (usafacts.org). Drag the map around to an area of interest and zoom in. If a County has any cases, the info will be displayed, otherwise not. Zooming in exposes new counties.

Here's the Link. I focused it initially around Washington State, because. When you drag and zoom the map a permalink url is automatic, so just save the link.

New York
( 374 of 2167 )

Kimberly Marsh, a nurse at Westchester Medical Center outside New York City, said "We all think we’re screwed, I know without any doubt that I’m going to lose colleagues. There’s just no way around it."

Tip: Click above to open the map, click on any county name for more...

OMJim
( 375 of 2167 )

Five letter domains are pretty rare these days, most have been grabbed up by corporate robots, but I now own one which maintains the OMJ brand I've been building up. It's an empty shell with no direction or purpose. A layer upon which I can build.

Since my plans to travel after the fifteen day Trump order was up have been shattered into the ground by, everything, I might as well face reality and just hunker down and do what I do best, write code.

http://omjim.com/ is now my blank canvas. I'll probably spring the extra bucks shortly to make it secure (https), and then go to work. As I love to say, stay tuned...

Linda
( 376 of 2167 )

Tomorrow is April Fools day, again, and Google is canceling it's normal bullshit nonsense due to the Virus. The day has always had a secret meaning to me as it was Linda's birthday. She was my girlfriend just as my hormones were beginning to rage and I made the mistake of squeezing her little buds while we were kissing. That was a joke as she dumped me immediately and I was traumatized for years.

So, no April Fools joke for me this year, and happy birthday Linda, wherever you are...

Pelican
( 377 of 2167 )

I caught my porch pelican eating flowers today.

Sources
( 378 of 2167 )

I've been chasing down the best data sources for my Covid-19 maps, as the ones I've been using have been letting me down. I finally found the source from which all of the others derive from, it's the GitHub data repository operated by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering. They put up a daily .csv file containing the U.S. County counts and I've programmed a method for obtaining the most recent one. When you select my County Map you will be guaranteed the very latest information. btw: New York City is at 47,439/1,139 as of yesterday. Working on State data now...

Update: I now have new code for the State Map. It uses the same source as County but totals up each individual County within each State to derive a total. Thus, both State and County final totals match exactly. Done here, moving on...

Depressed
( 379 of 2167 )

Depressed... The country I love, that has allowed me to create, prosper, sometimes starve and more often then not, make a fool of myself, is falling apart. I sit here now on my little patch of rented dead-end street lawn listening to the traffic rolling by on the nearby highway and wonder "didn't they get the notice"?

The governor announced a very explicit stay at home order this morning and I am doing my part as a citizen of Tennessee to comply even though I ache for the open road right now. I notice no change in the volume of traffic out there, what the hell is going on?

And why the hell am I living in a state where I can't buy some fucking pot legally? Damn, I wish I was stoned right now.

Roads End
( 380 of 2167 )

The four men at the end of our road hung out on my lawn yesterday for some day drinking, story swapping and weapon comparison. We're in-sync so I wouldn't advise venturing into our neighborhood with ill intentions.

The shrubbery along the house is blooming nicely and I have a rad new YouTube page happening in OMJim. Scroll to the bottom and select My Videos. Clicking any thumbnail will launch the YouTube page and I'm working on an inline player.

Hot Spot
( 381 of 2167 )

Looks like Central Tennessee is a hot spot...

Old Thing
( 382 of 2167 )

I found this old thing down on the creek yesterday. It was high up on the bank and the recent high water had exsposed it. It's some kind of rod that appears to have really old metal making techniques applied.

Creek Stroll
( 383 of 2167 )

Illegal aliens in California are called undocumented residents and Governor Newsom wants to give them some virus bailout money. What a great guy!

On that note, thank god I live in Tennessee and can stroll along my creek and take pictures. Click the photo below for more...

btw: That thing above was right next to the old thing I found yesterday...

Easter Eggs
( 384 of 2167 )

I love Easter. Riley and I had a wonderful tradition in Kent, WA of me hiding a basket and leaving directions to it in reverse order, hidden in plastic eggs, and placing the first clue on his doorstep Easter morning.

Now I'm here and the best I can do is put 72 plastic eggs full of snacks and money into the tall grass in my lower forty and have the two little girls that I love come and find them. Click the photo below for more.

China
( 385 of 2167 )

China is definitely out to get us. First, the virus, now the giant asian hornet which originated in China is invading the U.S. (it can drop you dead with one sting) and I've got tornados heading towards my house on Easter Sunday that I have no doubt originated in China.

Hey, I'm not complaining and just glad to be alive! I wrote two geojson parsers for the covid data yesterday and now I'm going to go plot them on a Leaflet heatmap, so take that China.

Heatmap
( 386 of 2167 )

I've created a heatmap of my daily Covid geojson data. This shows the number of cases only, not deaths. Click the image below to launch it, drag it around and zoom it in and out.

Analysis
( 387 of 2167 )

I've written some code to massage the Covid by County data. There are two tables, one for number of Cases and one for number of Deaths. The top 100 U.S. Counties are included and the tables are sortable by clicking on the headings. Click on a County name to show it's outline.

Here you go!

Eeester
( 388 of 2167 )

Eeester Sunday. I haven't been to the grocery store in two weeks and supplies are running low. The only time I've been out was to buy egg hunt stuff for the girls at the drugstore up the road. I've had frozen brussel sprouts for dinner the last two days. My neighbor dropped by the other night with a bottle of Texas craft vodka and I don't remember much more about it. We're under a flash flood and tornado warning until 2200 and it's only 1700. Piper's well and my code is going good. Jesus has risen, amen.

Update: The band of storms heading my way last night went south. You just never know around here...

New Analyzer
( 389 of 2167 )

I've got a new and vastly improved version of my Covid Analysis app, with fixed sort headers and internal County polygon outlines. Give it spin Here.

Update: I screwed up, that's what happens when you wake up at 0200 with COTB (Code On The Brain) and your only recourse is to turn the coffee on and have at it. I wrote a convoluted sort routine that apparently only my developer version of Firefox understood and implemented it without checking my other browsers. Sheesh, rookie mistake. Anyway, I have it fixed and if you tried it before, try to refresh your browser on the Here link above.

Top Gun
( 390 of 2167 )

My friend and neighbor Daniel rode shotgun in my truck today and gave me a tour of Amish country I've never seen. Along the way we dropped into Top Gun and I grabbed some shots of their bad ass truck sitting out front. Man, you got to love the deep South!

Repair Man
( 391 of 2167 )

My next door neighbor Daniel is the maintenance guy for the school district and a master electrician but like a lot of folks, not good with computer maintenance. He asked me if I could clean up his very sluggish Windows 10 laptop, so I did. I got rid of a ton of crap and deep cleaned the Avast antivirus from his registry so Windows Defender could work again and protect his machine. The computer was also locked in that Windows Update/Repair loop so I killed the Service. Then I installed some tools and a secure version of Firefox, and the box is purring like a kitten.

Yesterday he asked me if I could take a look at his son Drew's computer, a six year old HP laptop running 8.1 and loaded up with all the crap a twenty year old normally acquires. I asked Drew if he was willing to give it all up and restore his OS to it's original state from the recovery partition and he said absolutely. I left that process running all night, upgraded the box with all of the 8.1 updates this morning, extracted his product key from the registry, then installed Windows 10 right on top of it. Again, new OS, purring like a kitten.

They just dropped by to pick up the box and they were very happy campers. Daniel keeps saying he want's to pay me and I keep declining. You never know when you're going to need a handyman. :-) When he said My wife's laptop has some issues... I shouted "What am I, your computer repair bitch?". You should have seen the look on his face until I told him I was kidding. The truth is, I take great satisfaction out of using my experience and knowledge to bring an old computer back to life. Wife's computer, next...

The Blob
( 392 of 2167 )

This virus thing hasn't impacted me as much as most folks. I didn't lose my job because I didn't have one and I didn't get any extra money from the government because I didn't deserve it. It has kept my sorry ass home and because of that I have achieved a goal that has escaped me for years: Storing individual U.S. State and County geojson datasets converted from the Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles into a MySql Blob binary data type with a FIPS code key. Seriously, I've been chasing this one down for a long time...

I've implemented them into the State and County Map polygons from my Covid Analysis app and the extra detail is significant.

Here's the code to read a State polygon:

Here's how it's stored in the Database on my server: (54 = West Virginia, 12 = Florida)

Which results in detail like this:

FIPS Codes
( 393 of 2167 )

I know I tend to drop buzz words on this blog without explanation, me bad. Today I would like to explain a couple of mapping concepts that you may or may not know, and hopefully find interesting.

Like what the hell is a FIPS code? It stands for Federal Information Processing Standard and they are numeric codes used by the government to identify Places, i.e. States and Counties for my purposes. Every U.S. State has a two digit code just as they have an abbreviation and I have no idea where they originated from and it really doesn't matter. For example: Tennessee = 47, California = 06, Washington = 53, Idaho = 16 and Florida = 12.

Every County has a three digit code which are subsets of the State FIPS code in which they reside. For example: my County code is 099 which combined with my State code 47 makes up a unique FIPS code for Lawrence County, TN of 47099. This 5 digit FIPS code is the magic number from which all government mapping functions operate, just like the 5 digit Zip Code, which in my case is 38464.

Every FIPS Code and Zip Code have a defined geographical area in the form of an outline of the area (polygon) that are maintained by the government, which is where I get my data. This morning I extracted 33,144 Zip Code polygons from their website and stored them in my database. Combined with the 3,233 Counties and 50 States I stored yesterday, I have a good handle on the data and can present them on any map platform I choose. I hope you learned something from this!

Picnic
( 394 of 2167 )

Steph and the girls had a picnic at my place today while Melissa did Walmart. Daniel dropped by, we had much fun, and I took sixty pictures worth posting. Click my wild-ass mug below to see them.

Counties Map
( 395 of 2167 )

I whipped up a cool Map today using my 3,233 U.S. County polygons that plots all of the Counties for a single State when you click on it. Then, click on an individual County for info about that County, or move on to another State.

New Zips
( 396 of 2167 )

I've made some dramatic progress with my Zip Code data. Yea I know, when is the old fool going to stop babbling on about crap like Zip Codes, Counties, FIPS and all that other nonsense? Sorry, it's what's keeping me sane right now and if you want to tune out, bye!

Still here? Ok, the thing about Zip Code data maintained by the government is that they never associate a State much less a City to the Zip for some reason. It's just a number with geographical boundaries which happen to intersect with a City inside a State. So I did some research and found an API that provides that missing info and completely rebuilt my Zip Code database.

152 Zips from my initial dataset were determined to be invalid for various reasons and I now have 32,992 verified Zip Codes, each with a City and a State. This means I can write tools that query the data in a variety of ways, like show me all the Zips in Seattle, or all the Zips in Tennessee, or all the Zips in Utah Cities that start with "Ce". You get the drift...

Now I'll go write some code. (Update: Try this and click on a State or two.)

OMJzp
( 397 of 2167 )

My creativity runs amuck and sometimes I blow my own mind. I woke up this morning at 0300 envisioning a new website with the name OMJzp. I saw it in bold letters on the back of my closed eyelids and it woke me up. I then crawled out of bed and created it.

First I had to secure the domain name. Done. Chalk up another sweet little five letter domain to add to my OMJ collection. Then I ported over the table processing code from my Covid Analysis app and used it as a template. I combined it with my new Zip Code analysis code and a new website was born.

Please allow me to introduce to the world, created in one day with love, inspiration, and no drugs, omjzp.com, the OldManJim Zip Playground! Click on the question mark for help...

Dancing Horses
( 398 of 2167 )

In July of 2014 I was visiting my boy in Kent, WA and attending my favorite street fair event, Cornucopia. On Sunday we were at the parade and I filmed the Dancing Horses which at the time I thought were very cool so I put the video up on YouTube for my blog.

Through the years the video has been viewed over 30,000 times, been up-voted 139 times, down-voted 20 times and has 19 comments. A lot of folks have very strong opinions about the mistreatment of the horses as a means to make them perform. As a result I eventually formed the opinion that what I witnessed that day was perhaps animal cruelty, until this morning when Barrel Racing Liston left a long and very thoughtful comment defending the practice.

Here's the video:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Here's the comment:

 I understand people have their different opinions on these type of things , but yes. Their is cruel people who unfortunately train their horses in a cruel way. But their is also those who care and are patient on training their horses. Also just because the people in this video are mexican, dont go and hate on mexican people who have dancing horses. More of the dancing horse industry, treats their horses well. I own a horse that is a 6 yr old andalusian stallion, I've owned him his whole life. He started dancing when he was around 2, he started moving by himself in the round pen when we turned on music. Now most of the time he hears music, he starts to dance. He loves dancing. Now to the bits and spurs. Bits arent necessary but not all horses can be ridden without them. Not all horses behave the best without a bit, it gives more command and direction. Also, not all bits are horrible. As a matter of fact, the bits us mexican use are very light and we have a scroll thing on them that the horses can play with when it's in their mouth. Also, using bits depends on the hands of the rider and the horses mouth. Spurs; not necessary but useful for direction and an extension of the foot. Now luckily, these people arent jabbing the spurs on the horses side. Barrel racers usually use spurs kick a lot so they are causing the horse more pain. Think about other sports and such that also use spurs and bits before you hate on horse dancing. :'))

Here's the Original Post from my BusDriverJim blog.

Cities
( 399 of 2167 )

One of the most sought after datasets in the world is Cities in the U.S. with polygons. I've been looking hard because I want to be able to click on a City name and present an outline of the City on a map. I finally gave up because it ain't out there, and created my own!

The current cool magic number is 36,654, which is how many Cities I've added to my database. Every Zip Code city has a city record with a polygon. It's better than the government's DB and the implications are immense.

Happy
( 400 of 2167 )

I am happy. The virus ain't got me and I'm alive, I haven't lost or gained any net worth, or weight, more animals are alive instead of being slaughtered to feed humans, travel sanctions are loosening up and I'm road-tripping shortly, I finally did my laundry, and my code is solid. Thank you god.

Which Way
( 401 of 2167 )

I'm getting ready for a short road trip just to shake the cobwebs from my old head and my old truck. I thought about East, over to Chattanooga then up to Knoxville, two places I've never been to, and then I looked at my heatmap. I wrote this app just for this purpose, to show the state of the covid world using the most current data, and I didn't like what I saw.

I'm at the X, planned destination to the right. What would you do? I'll just sit here for a bit and wait for an answer, oh wait, I didn't implement comments on this blog, guess I have to figure it out for myself...

Comment from Paul: Just slip out the back, Jack. Make a new plan, Stan. You don't need to be coy, Roy, just get yourself free. Hop on the bus, Gus. You don't need to discuss much. Just drop off the key, Lee, and get yourself free.

Ok, thanks Paul, I've decided: Chattanooga, TN via Huntsville, AL along scenic route 72. On the way back, Georgia, down through Fort Oglethorpe, Chickamauga, Rising Fawn, over to Flat Rock and Pisgah Alabama and then back through Huntsville. Road trip baby!

Joe Simpson
( 402 of 2167 )

I just came across this photo of my great-grandfather Joseph Simpson. Considering that I'm a great-grandfather, what is his relation to them? And the fact that a photo actually exists, considering that he died more than a hundred years ago, is pretty damned cool.

Kentucky
( 403 of 2167 )

I'm hunkered down in a rest area a couple miles south of the Kentucky border on I75 and it's raining. Wierd out here, a lot of stuff is closed, breezed right through Chattanooga and Knoxville and somehow ended up here. Oh well, a great drive and the gas prices are sick, averaging 200 miles for 10 bucks.

The rest area actually has wifi and it's pretty decent. I'm content. Just checking in, no idea where I'm going to end up tomorrow and I don't really care.

Responsive
( 404 of 2167 )

One nice thing about road trips is you get to press "refresh" on everything in your head. I've had something bugging me for some time now, and that is the responsiveness of the code I'm creating. That's a phrase all web developers have known for a long time and most have developed their own standards for dealing with it. It simply means, make it look as good on a phone as it looks on your personal hi-res monitor in a freaking state-of-the-art browser.

I don't own a cellphone and as such I never run my code on one, but I do have tools to emulate how it looks on one. I try my best to support the phone but sometimes I get lazy and say screw it, let them run it on a real computer, and that's a cop out.

Today, back at my office after a disappointing road trip (nothings open but gas stations, fast food and sometimes a rest area), I tackled my most recent app: OMJzp and made it responsive. I think it turned out great and I urge my phone owning friends to try it out.

Melissa also gave me some great feedback on OMJim and I think I improved that also. Now I'll dive into some older stuff and see what I can do.

The Worst
( 405 of 2167 )

Suicide is the worst way to go and I would never consider it because I strongly believe there's a really bad place on the other side for those that take their own life. Then I read this morning that a Hillary / Michelle O ticket is being considered to replace Joe, and it gives me pause...

On that bright note, I have a new app! It's called OMJcp, where cp stands for City Playground. It's just like my Zip Code app, without the Zip, which means there aren't multiple Cities, which means more fun. It's phone friendly and ready to explore. Open her up and click on the question mark for instructions, if you like. It even supports permalinks, for example, here's all the cities in the U.S. with the word summer in them.

Snap
( 406 of 2167 )

Our storm Saturday night packed a nice little 70+ mph punch and broke a few trees. It came out of the north and made me scramble to shut the house down and secure the cat and the garbage can. A popular fire-fighter was killed up in Spring Hill when a tree hit his house, but mine seem to be pretty strong.

Shades of RGB
( 407 of 2167 )

I've been working all day on a new concept: a way to overlay Counties, Zipcodes and Cities within a State all together on a map such that the result is attractive and meaningful. I first process the Counties giving them random hues of Red, then the Zipcodes with random hues of Green and finally the Cities with random hues of Blue.

The result is fascinating. Here's California and you can feel the unincorporated open County space in Red, the areas in the state where Zipcodes are relevant in Green and the dense population of the Cities in Blue.

It's coming together as an app where you can zoom in and everything is hoverable and clickable. I will certainly share it when ready. The other States are equally fascinating!

Oregon
( 408 of 2167 )

I'm having a good time with my new prototype and thought I'd share it with my readers in it's current state. You can run it here: click on a State, and see what you get. You can also go straight to the Oregon map by clicking on it below. It's a work in progress but I can see the I-5 corridor and Portland pretty clearly, plus all the open space in red.

Seattle Art
( 409 of 2167 )

Seattle looks like a stuffed pig in my latest grab from the new app. The multi-colored things around it are Cities, drawn by their boundaries without regard to land or water. I lived and worked that area for twenty years...

OMJst
( 410 of 2167 )

Introducing my latest website: OMJst.com. Again, in keeping with the OMJ brand, another succinct five letter domain and in case you hadn't noticed, I'm having way too much fun with this.

Please try it out and make some cool art!

New Layer
( 411 of 2167 )

My new app allows me to take an area like New York, isolate the cities, randomize the colors, turn off the state outlines, make the actual underlying map go away, and create this:

It's All Over
( 412 of 2167 )

Confusion wanders in, chaos and turmoil prevail, but strangely we settle down, resigned to the sinking ship on which we sail. (It's All Over, A Century Ends, David Gray, April 1993)

And if you think I just grabbed this profound thought off the internet and mindlessly reposted it, think not. I'm a huge David Gray fan and I culled this from the second phrase of the last song on that album. Please god, never let me post a non-original entity again...

Here's the video clip.

A New Sign
( 413 of 2167 )

Sometimes signs come in the most unusual way. I've been busy all afternoon planning an upcoming epic road trip out west, sending texts, trying to feel out where the most interest in my company might reside.

All of a sudden, opportunity came knocking, in the form of a knock on my door. It was Ricky, the owner of the local tubing company that transports creek tubers down to my dead-end street, get's them in the water for a two hour cruise and then picks them up later. I met the girl bus driver last summer when I helped her turn the bus around down by the creek. Combine that with the fact that my landlord Steve told his friend Ricky that I was a good guy, and I now have a job for the summer driving the bus.

How about that. No road trip for me, and with everything going down out there, probably a good thing. I think in their magical mystery way, my people on the other side just gave me a sign.

By The Way
( 414 of 2167 )

What an interesting day. Very glad I'm alive and my brain is still working just fine, thank you. I decided to dive into a mobile template today and I needed a subject so I chose my upcoming employer.

They have a Facebook page and no website. I took it upon myself to grab a cool domain for them and construct the template within it. I used a few images from their Facebook page, extracted the relevant content and had a functional attractive website up in about ten hours.

So what now? I know they get most of their business from their Facebook page, so how would having a website and a cool domain like ( cstubing.com ) help them promote their product this year?

They actually don't even know it exists yet. I figure I better get on the payroll first, check out their cool little bus, and maybe then say: oh, by the way, I created you a website...

Mobile Template
( 415 of 2167 )

I really like my new mobile template and it would be perfect for any web presence. It has a one page structure which means as you scroll to the end, you have viewed the site. The menu below the header image drops you right down to it's content and a scroll button appears on the lower right to take you right back to top.

It's responsive in that if viewed on a computer, laptop, or tablet it will make use of the space and float the aside content to the right as a second column, while a phone will simply present everything sequentially.

This is a holy grail for me as I've been lazy in the past and not supported mobile as I should. Alright, slap me upside the face and we can move on now.

Here's my New App. Drop by and check it out if you like.

S20 Plus
( 416 of 2167 )

OMG, OldManJim bought a phone. Sheesh, what next, eat a steak? It all started when I casually searched online for the best Android phone and the Samsung S20+ kept hitting the top spot. I'm a Spectrum customer and they offer an unlimited plan for $45 so I called them and talked to a sweety from South Carolina named Jasmine. (hope I got her name right because I gave her my website link :-)

I was going to pick up an unlocked model from Amazon but she talked me into the Spectrum monthly bundle and my new S20+ 5G black should arrive in a few days. Why now after years without a phone? I'm starting a new job tomorrow that pretty much requires one and the extra money coming in will pay for the phone. Now excuse me while I run to the store and buy that steak. (ok, maybe not...)

New Job
( 417 of 2167 )

I started my new job today. It was a great opening day, at least fifty happy tubers throughout the day enjoyed a stress free two hour cruise down Shoal Creek with driving services from the top to the bottom provided by me. I've had a lot of different driving jobs over the many years and this one is sweet, and unique.

Ricky
( 418 of 2167 )

Ricky is my new boss at Crockett Shoals Tubing and I grabbed this shot today to put on the website. I hope he likes it as much as I love my new gig. It's a good physical job getting people in and out of the water, handling the heavy tailgate of the tube trailer, combined with the pleasure of driving fun people along the back roads of downtown Lawrenceburg, TN.

Anytime
( 419 of 2167 )

I connected my new Samsung S20+ to my Yamaha YAS-207BL Soundbar with Bluetooth and cast the phone's screen on to my 65" 4K TCL TV.

Pretty sick for a 73 year old great-grandfather living in Tennessee.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Broken Ground
( 420 of 2167 )

My truck has been having electrical issues lately and I just figured that my old Interstate battery was on it's last legs. She wouldn't start this morning so my neighbor hooked his rig up for a jump start, and nothing happened, dead. We then jiggled the battery and she came back to life.

Then I drove to O'Reillys for a new battery. As the store guy Kenneth was installing it he went Oh shit, do you see that? Hmmm, not something you really want to hear about your old truck, but I'm really glad he spotted it. The ground wire was broken and hanging by a single wire at the chassis. Electrical issues solved! He snipped the wire, put a new clamp on and then ran a ground from the clamp to the old ground spot.

This guy went above and beyond the call of duty for a battery sale and I have myself a new parts store.

CSTubing
( 421 of 2167 )

OldManJim is out having fun by the creek this summer, doing what I do well, driving people around. Ricky and I started the morning out cruising through the David Crocket Park campground, smiling and waving at the folks as they woke up and making sure everyone saw our old yellow bus towing a tube trailer with the company logo on the side. I felt like the ice cream truck just without the music.

The day went well, lots of happy tubers and our ability to arrive at the pickup spot within minutes of the end of their two hour float was spot on.

I'm also having great fun with my new phone and new Facebook page, reconnecting with old friends and making plans for some late summer visits out West.

Busy Float
( 422 of 2167 )

We had a hundred floaters today. That's a lot of runs up and down Shoal Creek with tubes piled high in a trailer on the back of an old twelve passenger school bus. Everyone had fun and now we rock into Memorial Day tomorrow. Nobody wore a mask, nobody coughed and not one person let the word covid enter our space.

Landing Spot
( 423 of 2167 )

My start time with the new job is 0945, bankers hours. From 1000 to 1400 today we handled 145 tubers, from grandmas to three year olds. I truly haven't worked this hard in years. Every time I made it back to base after dropping an over-capacity load of 14-15 people at the start point, another group were ready to go. After a couple of hours I had to start working pickups in to get everyone back. The company is only on it's second year but this was a record. Happy covid Memorial Day!

Part of the drill is to tell everyone to look for our flags in a tree by the disk golf course. That's where they stop, get out, and wait for me to pick them up. Only a few floated by today. Here's the spot:

Laundry Day
( 424 of 2167 )

Today was laundry day and when I strip my bed down, Piper swoops in. I give up trying to make it right away, she owns it.

Little Place
( 425 of 2167 )

Took this shot of my little place from the comfort of my easy chair after a day driving tubers along the creek in the little yellow bus. My life is simple and I like it that way.

From The Door
( 426 of 2167 )

We had folks drive from two hours away yesterday just to float our creek in tubes. A lot of them actually, my old body is sore but I'm getting back in shape.

Not one of them threw a brick.

New Routine
( 427 of 2167 )

Here's my new routine: I bust my ass Friday through Monday driving a bus, (again!). I wake up and get my coffee on at 0300, let Piper out, do my computer thing until 0430, put Pipers fresh food down, let her back in and carry her from the door to her food (she loves the routine), eat my oatmeal at 0600, nap for an hour at 0700, eat my eggs and blender fruit smoothie at 0800, shower at 0900, arrive at work at 0945, drive non-stop with no break and no food (my choice), arrive back home around 1730, let Piper out, eat dinner, watch Netflix, Piper back in, bed by 2030.

So much for retirement :-)

The Boys
( 428 of 2167 )

Many years ago I had the honor to hang out with my son Riley and my grandson Chris in my place down on Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA. As the years evolved I still maintain a loving relationship with my boy, but somehow I have lost it with Chris. Maybe someday we will reconnect...

Here Chris is all grown up with a child of his own.

What problem
( 429 of 2167 )

Some folks say I got a problem. I just say I'm prepared.

Comfortable
( 430 of 2167 )

I stepped outside this afternoon and found Piper flat on her back in the clover. It's a dead-end street with very little traffic, I havn't seen any dogs around for days, and she just feels comfortable here.

Unlazy Healthy
( 431 of 2167 )

I finally got my butt out of lazy mode today. I've been eating oatmeal for breakfast for months now and I've missed my vegetables so I made some up. I run red beets with the stalks and leaves, red cabbage, kale and garlic through my food processor and freeze them in baggies. Every night I bring one down before I go to bed and cook it for breakfast like oatmeal.

Then I made a raw vegetable smoothie from the leftovers.

Staff
( 432 of 2167 )

As I was planning out a westward road trip recently, having the title Staff never crossed my mind, much less driving a bus and getting a lot of exercise. Yet here I am and I must say the transition has been very positive. I've started working out again, eating insanely healthy and envisioning the abs I had before I went on that decadent cruise last year. My goal now is to have a rock-hard body when I turn 74 in July, and some extra cash in the bank for a road trip late August.

Bus Load
( 433 of 2167 )

The tubing business is booming! Yesterday we launched over 200 folks down Shoal Creek (a company record) with just a basic crew. I drove non-stop and my young helper Jacob and I handled every tube. The bosses were shocked and some much needed support people showed up today.

There was one group in particular today that stressed the limits of my little bus and trailer. I decided to take their picture with my new phone, standing by the passenger door up on the hill. To my surprise they spotted me, and posed! How cool is that?

Pickup Spot
( 434 of 2167 )

I am a camera snob and I've always snickered at people taking pictures with their cell phones. I have a beautiful Sony camera rig that has taken some great shots but carrying it with me out on the job is inappropriate. Now I have this new Samsung s20+ and I have to admit, it's pretty damned good, and interesting.

I've played with the various modes but I'm settling in on 4/3. It matches up with my blog and everything I do. Here's some shots I took today down at our pickup spot:

Yep, that's my finger :-)

CS Flyer
( 435 of 2167 )

I've been creating a flyer for my employer this morning and just got an IM from Melissa with a shot of this weeks front page of our local newspaper.

Graphic Flyer
( 436 of 2167 )

Here's my latest flyer:

Right Words
( 437 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Profit Sharing
( 438 of 2167 )

When a business takes off and starts bringing in a lot of cash, the workers and owners are at odds. The employees are still making the same basic rate while the owners are profiting big time from the increased effort the employees are putting out. The owners feel guilty so they buy the workers an occasional pizza or a gift card at a local restaurant, while the workers feel slighted.

I'm an old guy who has been around startups for a long time and the most successful solution to this problem has been profit sharing. When the owners start taking 10% off their daily profit and dividing it among their staff equally, it changes everything. It puts every employee in the game. They bust their ass with purpose knowing that every dime the owner brings in, they share a portion of.

Just sayin...

Dark Hole
( 439 of 2167 )

When I tell people where to get out after a float I tell them to look for the rocky beach and our flags up in a tree. Sometimes the people in the back are so engaged in their own loud conversation that they don't hear me.

In which case they end up floating right on by into the dark hole of Shoal Creek and like that Kingston Trio song M.T.A. they never return...

Cracker
( 440 of 2167 )

My down home born and raised Tennessee neighbor Daniel was explaining to me what a Cracker was. It was a white slave owner who cracked the whip over his slaves. Wow, I'd heard the phrase before but never knew the origin. I was called a Honky a lot back in my Oakland, CA days but I still don't know what that means.

I have also determined that I can completely remove the EGR valve from my Weber carb converted truck engine, slap a plate over the hole, and complete the total removal of all evil emission controls. I think this makes me a Whacker.

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve recirculates a portion of your exhaust back into the combustion process. How sick is that?

Short Walk
( 441 of 2167 )

I installed an app called Walk to my phone today and then took a short stroll down along the creek to check it out.

I love this thing!

New Pickup
( 442 of 2167 )

My boss Ricky dropped by the house last night to tell me about the new route, starting today. The drop spot is still a little unclear, I need to check it out, but the pickup spot looks workable.

From the base (red dot) I'll hang a right out onto the highway, take another right past the water tank and swing around towards the creek. If I'm on a drop run I'll inform my tubers that this is the spot to get out at, continue on to the highway, take a left and on to the drop. Otherwise I'll enter the little round-about, load them up, proceed around the loop, hang a left, back to the highway and on to base.

Update: Ricky read this and added: You can also point out the alley way up to the store by our base in case they would like to walk back with the tubes if you get busy and take longer than they want to wait. Or you can tell them they are welcome to play in the creek till you get back to pick them up.

New Drop
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The new drop spot works well:

Here's the pickup spot:

Here's our flags at the pickup spot along with my new landmark, the stack of trees:

Place App
( 444 of 2167 )

I added a line of code to my Place app today and then killed it. It reads: This app has had 624,023 hits and not one person has sent a thanks or dropped a dime in my PayPal, so I'm shutting it down. Have a nice day.

I also hauled a bunch of falling down drunks off the creek last night at 1815 after eating a beany weany from my truck for dinner. I also killed my Facebook this morning. Hello world...

Update: I'm also considering not renewing my top-level domain which is the mother from which all of my apps exist. It costs around $150 a year to keep it going and I have countless domains and code projects flowing from it, which cost $15 each. Letting it die would negate all of the code I have written for the last fifteen years. I have to look myself in my minds eye and ask myself what fucking difference would it make.

Excuse me while I do that...

Ok. Nothing... I never get feedback from anything. I have no idea how people out there are using my stuff, and without feedback, it's empty.

Killing the top-level domain would bring both busdriverjim.com and oldmanjim.com to a screeching halt, along with every app I've ever written. My presence on the internet would cease to exist.

Anyone reading this right now specifically came here to my blog, as there is no Facebook click bait to get you here otherwise, so I ask you: Stay or Die?

email me: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Moment
( 445 of 2167 )

I helped a young family member get a job the other day, questioned his integrity to the parents, and now I'm on their shitlist. Pulled the job offer...

My cat Piper is missing. She went out last night and she's always ready to come in when I get up but she wasn't there this morning, or all day. It's now evening, it's raining and she hates rain, but she still ain't home. She is my partner, I would be heartbroken to lose her.

Things are pretty fucked up at the moment.

There was actually a fine moment down on the creek today. We had a father and son hit the creek right at the end of our 1500 deadline. Stormy afternoon, they probably shouldn't have gone in, but what the hell. I'm down at the pickup spot anxious to get these boys home and it's raining hard. I did something I never do and walked down the creek toward the highway bridge and there they were, struggling but having fun. I called out and they made their way to the bank where a couple of rocks offered an exit from the creek. The good old boy tossed the tubes to me and I extended my hand to both of them as they exited the creek with gratitude.

They didn't know me, and when I put my arm out to pull them up a precarious embankment, it was a moment of blind trust in your fellow man to make it happen. I pulled both up strongly, with smiles on their faces.

Update: Piper is home!

Louie Part 1
( 446 of 2167 )

In 1965 I was nineteen and living in a rundown little dive in Chico, CA with my best friend, Crazy Louie. We dumpster dived at night to furnish it and it's where I learned the pleasures of tomato sandwiches. One day we decided to hitch-hike to Mexico so we packed up a couple suitcases and headed south out of town with about $40 bucks between us.

In Tijuana we hit the bars and started drinking. When we ran out of money we sold our American made clothes from our suitcases to Mexicans on the street for pesos. In one bar we met an American who offered to drive us to Ensenada, so as the sun was rising, we took off. Along the way we picked up some Mexican hitch-hikers and we're all getting drunker on a bottle of something the stranger had in his car.

When we got to Ensenada, Louie was passed out and the stranger suggested he and I walk in opposite directions around the town square looking for the best bar, and meet on the other side. We took off and he never showed. I continued around the block and the stranger, the car, Louie and our suitcases, were gone. I was alone, broke, drunk and stranded in Ensenada, Mexico.

To be continued...

Louie Part 2
( 447 of 2167 )

I should first say a few things about Louie. He was affable, not very bright, socially inept and everybody loved him. I was the troubled anti-social track star outcast. Somehow we had a chemistry together and were best friends. I was devastated and worried about him as I stood on that hot Mexican sidewalk. He really didn't have the street savvy to be down here on his own, much less in the hands of a guy who had just kidnapped him.

I wandered around town all afternoon looking for them and finally realized they were long gone. I spent the next two days hitching out of Mexico and landed in downtown Long Beach, CA, my birthplace and the spot were my other good friend Rick was stationed on a Navy ship. He told me once that he could have guests on board and we could eat a meal there. I hadn't eaten or slept for three days so I was trying to make it to Ricks ship.

I came across a park, laid down on the grass and slept for a while. When I woke up the logical thing to do was continue on down the street to the Navy base, but I didn't and this is where the magic of fate, or whatever you want to call it, happened. I got up and walked into the middle of the park, and there sitting on a bench was Louie with his head in his hands, both of our suitcases, and an old man with a long beard was standing in front of him with his head bowed.

Louie looked up at me and we ran together and embraced. As we separated the old man was gone and I asked Louie who that was and he said the guy had just come up and asked if he was alright and Louie said, no, that he was lost, and the old man said "Lets pray together". That's what they were doing when I walked up, I swear to God.

Louie Part 3
( 448 of 2167 )

Never did make it to Ricks ship. We immediately hit the highway and hitched our way home. I asked him what happened and all he was really willing to say about it was that the guy dropped him off on a beach somewhere in Southern CA. and that he had been walking and sleeping in phone booths those last few days. The only conclusion I was able to come up with was that he was probably raped.

I have a very strong belief in God, he spoke to me once and gave me some power that transformed my life at the time, and I pray to him every morning before I get up. This belief does not fit in with any organized religion, it's personal. But that day in the park changed Louie's life forever. He became a devout Christian which ultimately gave him the faith to recover from a devastating fall from a roof which put him in a body cast and paralyzed him. Shortly after they removed the cast in an Oroville hospital Louie got up and we hitched over to Chico and attended a party were he danced his ass off.

I ultimately moved away and we lost touch but if you're still out there old friend, God bless you and I'll see you on the other side.

Home Again
( 449 of 2167 )

I guess it's time to scrub down my table...

Afternoon Moves
( 450 of 2167 )

Some Steely Dan, an afternoon cocktail, the bongos and some moves.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Orange
( 451 of 2167 )

I spotted something bright and orange down by the creek today from my office window. Just a flower...

Creekside
( 452 of 2167 )

My helper Jacob and I walked down under the bridge today looking for a group of tubers and came upon one of the many cool places along Shoal Creek.

Cliffs Of Shoal
( 453 of 2167 )

These cliffs tower over our pickup spot on Shoal Creek and I don't think the photo does justice to how tall they really are. Come float with us and I'll show you.

Alki
( 454 of 2167 )

Before Steph and I headed to Idaho fifteen years ago, I managed the Water Taxi bus service around Alki Beach in Seattle for King County Metro under contract to Hopelink. It was the coolest damned bus system in the world where the Water Taxi would shuttle people over to Alki on these sweet little ferries, then we picked them up at the pier and drove them to Alki beach and around, and then back to the pier for a return to Seattle.

Some days when a driver called off I had the pleasure of driving one of the routes. As I shuttle tubers around now on a little creek in southern Tennessee, memories of those days come rushing back.

Original photo: Here

This is how the Water Taxi looks now, same service, bigger boat:

Under The Bridge
( 455 of 2167 )

Jacob and I went upstream this afternoon looking for our last tubers, a couple from Nashville with a cooler float. We were also on the lookout for the homeless midget who was rumored to be living under the bridge. I've seen him several times lately and I always wave to him but he never responds. A bare shirted man of short stature is not someone you encounter normally and I would love to hear his story.

My Mask
( 456 of 2167 )

I have decided to be socially correct when I go to the grocery store and my new mask arrives tomorrow from Amazon. I'll slap my hat and shades over this beauty and should look pretty dapper.

Under The Bus
( 457 of 2167 )

The dopamine neurons in my substantia nigra are quickly fading away, the internal vibrations are bouncing off my old skin like a caged angry ethiopian fruit bat and I've been thrown under the bus, again. But at least I have a mask!

Pond Sketch
( 458 of 2167 )

Took a drive south on the Natchez Trace Parkway this morning into Waterloo, AL (never been there before) and snapped a shot of a little body of water, and then created a sketch from it when I got home.

July 4
( 459 of 2167 )

I asked Crissinda to grab a shot of our parking lot from up on the hill at the height of our busy day today. She did good:

Sandy
( 460 of 2167 )

Sandy was loud, sometimes abrasive, strongly opinionated and had a heart of gold. She adopted her sister Wendys two drug born grand-babies and gave them a home they so desperately needed. When she and Jimmy left our place in Idaho after a visit two years ago she said to me well, I guess I won't see you again. She thought I was heading South while Steph was heading East. Turned out I went East and if she had just lived long enough to get out here, I would have.

I feel very sad, she died way too young and I can't imagine what will happen to her family as she was the rock. I also don't think Steph should try to get back there for the funeral, after all, Sandy always gave Steph her frequent flier miles just to go visit...

So, I am going to attempt a virtual funeral attendance for the both of us. I have all the tools: camera, microphone, software, all I need is someone back there to handle a phone or a camera so we can attend.

Here's Sandy (in the shades) with Steph and I and her daughter Monica up at Grand Targhee a while back.

Some more shots:

At Cornucopia with my boy Riley, Steph and her daughter Tori: Photo, at her home: Photo, at our place in Driggs: Photo, back at their old house: Photo and an old Video.

Remembering
( 461 of 2167 )

Just thinking about Sandy and how quickly we can leave this place. I'll post photos as they pop up in my extensive colection. Any doubt who the leader of this family was?

Old Bus
( 462 of 2167 )

This was one of my workhorse vehicles over twelve years of driving at the base of the Grand Tetons in Idaho.

Kayla
( 463 of 2167 )

What a weird, sad, cosmic day it's been. We had a steady flow of interesting tubers today and as I was loading up one group down on the creek I got a call from my son Riley. First off, he never calls during a work week at 1600 and I could tell by the timbre of his voice I wasn't going to like what he had to say.

Turns out the mother of his childhood best friend, Shelia, also a friend of mine, had died from a heart attack. What the hell? Two friends in a few days!

Shortly after, I was standing on the old bridge watching our last group of the day approach and I told Jacob I wanted to walk down and meet the homeless person living under the highway bridge as the group floated by. He declined to go so I walked down alone.

Her name was Kayla, with a sweet smile, and we became instant cosmic friends. She described herself as broke and homeless and I thought back to a time when I was also. I reached into my pocket for the two $10s I got today as tips and slipped them into her palm as the group floated by. We agreed to talk more next week.

When I got home the check I've been waiting for had arrived from the gas royaltiy company. I had no idea what to expect from the class-action lawsuit but I was hoping for thousands and it turned out to be $66 bucks and change.

Hey, no complaints, at least I ain't living under a bridge...

Fishwich
( 464 of 2167 )

You just can't get a good fish sandwich in this town so I went to the store, bought the fixins and made my own.

Ate both of them.

Alabama Group
( 465 of 2167 )

Had a fun group of teachers from Alabama ride with us today. These kids know how to party! They even went around twice, tubes tied, beverages held, working off steam.

Cutout
( 466 of 2167 )

I need to delete the EGR valve on my truck. It is the last remanent of an insidious emissions control system imposed upon that vehicle. I've been running a Weber carb and a header for years now and that stupid damned EGR valve is still pushing exhaust back into the combustion process.

To delete means to remove it but I have to replace the hole it leaves with a solid plate. The local machine shop wanted $250 just to create a cad drawing from a gasket and who knows how much to cut it. So, I called my boy Riley, master auto body guy, and he said he could make one.

I purchased a gasket from Amazon, mailed it to him, and he just finished it. We're calling it my birthday present. Here's the EGR valve:

Here's the setup for the cut:

Here's the piece:

Love you son.

Washout
( 467 of 2167 )

Torrential rain and fireworks came sweeping into town this morning and I knew the beep on my phone meant the tubing day was canceled. Quite frankly, thank god. My poor old body has been in recovery mode since that nine hour non-stop, ass kicking, record setting day we had yesterday. Apologies to my co-workers for being in a pissed off mood, missing lunch and dinner will do that...

From my office window as I write this the creek is brown, angry and rising. Quite a contrast to yesterday when every load of tubers returning had at least one flat from sharp rocks on a low creek. Piper is back in, finally, laying here on my desk contentedly watching the show outside. She's been outside for three days but finally broke down soaking wet at the front door.

Current Creek
( 468 of 2167 )

It's 1530 on Shoal Creek below my house on a Sunday afternoon. The bosses will decide if we launch people into it tomorrow, or not.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

New Breakfast
( 469 of 2167 )

This is my new favorite breakfast. I pan fry a wild-caught Alaskan whitefish patty in butter on one side for three minutes, flip it over and cook for two. Then I break three cage-free brown eggs over it, sprinkle on a generous amount of grated local Amish goat cheese, cook until the eggs are solid enough then flip it midair and cook for just a bit more.

Baby Birds
( 470 of 2167 )

Steph sent me this photo of sweet little Emma today, and it breaks my heart. I know this girl as she spent time with us in Idaho and I always thought she was precious. Her world is now upside down with Sandy's passing and hell, if I wasn't an old grumpy codger, I would welcome her into my world.

And then Crissinda and I found a baby bird under the homeless bridge and I assured her that the infant was fine, that's just how it rolls for them, they fall from the nest and learn to fly from the ground.

I offer up a prayer to my god that little Emma learns to fly!

Thirsty
( 471 of 2167 )

Just a thirsty squirrel...

Notice Given
( 472 of 2167 )

Well, I gave notice at the tubing company today. I told my boss Ricky that I was just working too hard. We as individuals are the only ones capable of knowing this and my poor old body let me know loudly. I also told him that I can't continue to intimately expose myself to so many strangers. Covid kills old people and what's the point of working to build up road trip cash, if you're dead.

I told Ricky I had his back completely until he can find a replacement. There's got to be a young buck (or doe) out there with a license and the integrity to pull off this job. I can have them ride along and trained in a day. Hell, I used to train transit supervisors!

So, we are parting ways in the most honorable way. Ricky told me two things: I'm surprised you lasted this long and you will be hard to replace. Thank you sir. And I've had a ball! My coworkers have become friends and it's been just downright fun.

Next up, road trip baby...

Take Out
( 473 of 2167 )

Madison was riding along with me today and we were trying to verbally define the spots where we put people in and where we take them out and her simple solution was Put In and Take Out. Well, I would like you to take a moment and view our Take Out spot.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Lava Days
( 474 of 2167 )

My current gig is not my first tube rodeo. I was telling my co-workers yesterday about one of my favorite places, Lava Hot Springs. It's a quaint little town south of Idaho Falls, ID with world-class hot springs and several tubing outfits. I had many adventures there and it's high on my upcoming road trip list. I've thrown a few photos together into a photoset you can view by clicking the shot below:

And yes Crissinda, the last shot is the biker dude drinking buddy who helped get me 86'd from the 112 degree pool.

Idaho
( 475 of 2167 )

Lava Hot Springs is open and firmly implanted in my list of road trip places. Here's a shot I took heading there a few years back. I do love Idaho...

Outdoor
( 476 of 2167 )

My indoor/outdoor kitty has become full time outdoor. Not sure why but she's way more fearless now and just owns our little dead end street. Last night I coaxed her in for some food and brush, which she needed badly. I can't leave food out for her because the possums and coons get it.

She's also got a skin condition under her fur that's rough and scaly which I brush out hard. Here's a video I shot last night, just being chill with my baby before she went back out and I went to bed.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

The Call
( 477 of 2167 )

Yeah, I got the call from Crissinda today. Been hanging out with Steph all afternoon talking about her sister Sandy, her family, and life. I realize that she and I are no longer a couple but she is still my best friend and we can talk about anything, and we did.

Her car was heating up so I hooked her up with my local mechanic who helped her through a solution over the phone. We worked out the details for taking over my place and feeding our cat. She said she is ready to go, I just paid next months rent, and then the call came.

They found a replacement for me, some guy out of Pennsylvania who decided not to work for the Post Office and they took him out driving today and he appears good. Happy 74th Birthday to me! Thanks guys!

Here's a shot of Steph's siblings taken at Sandy's celebration of life. Just thought I would share...

Lower right...

Laundry Morning
( 478 of 2167 )

So how did I spend my birthday morning? I did my laundry down at the Wishy Washy. While I was there I read a Forbes magazine article that stated 1.5 million children under the age of five die every year around the world from malnutrition. Compare that to the number of deaths from Covid worldwide as of today. Wait for it... 631,238.

Draw your own conclusions.

Cruise Control
( 479 of 2167 )

The reason my little travel truck is alive and purring like a kitten is because I pulled all of the emission control crap off the engine and replaced it with a Weber carb and a header. In the process I lost cruise control.

Keeping my foot on the pedal all of the time is exhausting on long trips and I'm taking off shortly on my longest. I needed to find a solution and I did. It's called a throttle depressor and I love it. Once I get to my desired speed on the open road I put the tip down on the throttle, press the lever to release the holder and slide it till it fits the edge of my seat and bingo!

Springs Itinerary
( 480 of 2167 )

I've got an itinerary, for the next few days at least. I'm leaving early tomorrow morning and driving to Wichita, KS. Saturday I drive to Colorado Springs, CO and Sunday on to Rock Springs, WY. Lava Hot Springs is just a 3 hour drive and I will meet Brian (and perhaps his new lady friend) there around 0900. I have a room booked at my old favorite motel and Brian will setup his own. A fine day at Lava is in store and Tuesday they will head back to Jackson and I will continue West.

Overnight
( 481 of 2167 )

I got up at midnight and drove twelve solid hours to Kansas. I'm hunkered down in a great little rest area 7 hours out of Colorado Springs using my phone as a hotspot to get this post out.

I called the motel at Lava Hot springs and changed my reservation from a room to my favorite little camping spot behind their property up on the hill. Brian and his lady can then bring some chairs up from their motel nearby and hang out. This aint my first hot springs rodeo ya know...

Maggie
( 482 of 2167 )

I visited Maggie on the Farm when I hit Colorado Springs this morning. What a zoo, masks everywhere and traffic I would not deal with.

I'm remembering fondly where I live and currently relaxing in a nice little motel room in Castle Rock, CO.

So where am I really at, I might ask? Good, happy as shit, stoned, a little drunk on warm water, vodka and no ice, and really glad to be alive!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Lava LaLa
( 483 of 2167 )

Landed in Lava LaLa Land this afternoon. Secured my camp for two nights, took a long soak across the street and now back. My camp spot is still the most bad-ass spot in town and a large hill behind me has my back.

Lava Tubes
( 484 of 2167 )

I walked around town this morning waiting for the Wagon Wheel to open for coffee and grabbed some Tube shots. Sure glad I ain't slingin tubes today. In fact, why am I surrounded by tubes anyway? What is life trying to tell me?

Fresh Air
( 485 of 2167 )

Had a fine time with the kids last night at Lava Hot Springs. Idaho was a breath of fresh air after the absurd, grungy, insultive mask down your throat bullshit of Colorado. The first thing you see when you drive into that state is a freeway sign saying Masks are required in all public places.

Bonded with Brian's new lady Nadia and re-established that bond I have with my nephew and friend, Brian.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Floating North
( 486 of 2167 )

As I rolled out of Lava this morning immediate decisions had to be made. South on I-15 and every steamy hot thing that move would require, or swing North to the sanctuary of the open sky. Well, I'm currently in Butte, MT. so there you go. My gut said North and here I am.

Butte's a good town, had more than one good time here. But today I'm simply hanging low and recharging my inner self while at the crossroads of my life.

Bouncing West
( 487 of 2167 )

I flipped the coin of life high into the Montana air yesterday and as it rotated around in the cosmic cloud it was strongly nudged West by an invite to my sons house on Friday for a couple of days.

I'm currently in Missoula Montana, one of my favorite places. Tomorrow I'm heading down to the Dalles with a drive up to Rileys the next day. And the road trip rocks on...

Wallace
( 488 of 2167 )

Nothing like a good vehicle emergency to validate a road trip and mine happened this morning. The engine started running real rough and it happened just as I'm coming down that mountainous hill towards Wallace. I barely made it to the exit where I pulled off and she died.

Ahah, I said, it's my Farmers Insurance Roadside Assitance time to shine and I called the 1-800 number on my card. After identifying myself to Farmers with my insurance policy number I was asked if I wanted to start a text session, and we did.

I'm telling a robot via text where I am (just push a button when asked and you're gps is snagged), what the issue is, do I want a tow, yes, here's a few mechanics to try, ok, I'll go with Danny's Lube and Oil and the deal was done. They hooked me up to a web page that showed how many minutes out the tow truck was and that it was taking me to Danny's. It showed up 5 minutes early.

This little shop on the side of the road in mountain country was manned by salty magicians who ran a smoke test on her to check for compression leaks and the poor old girl was leaking like a sieve. There are many rubber caps attempting to prevent previously used connection ports from giving up compression and they get old, melt, break and I carry many in my glovebox. I looked at them of course before calling the tow and they all looked alright.

Garry's guys put some sexy things on top of several of the unused ports. I'll check them out more when I get to Rileys. They even replaced a hose that had cracked on the end and was leaking smoke. Bottom line she's airtight and back better than ever!

Where am I now? Rest area off I-90 about 30 minutes east of Moses Lake. Here you go:

The Garden
( 489 of 2167 )

I hooked up with Jess at the Safeway in Orting, WA. and then followed her home. I spaced out halfway through the drive when I wondered if that was really her Kia in front of me or am I following the wrong car. What if the person is freaked out that I'm following them up and down every little beautiful road and their husband is waiting at home with a shotgun? This marks one week on the wild open road and I'm starting to hallucinate.

We arrived at the Riley and Jess house. Thank god because I'm unarmed. Love this place, still have a hard time finding it, very much off the grid. I'll have more shots here as the weekend unfolds but in the meantime, The Garden:

RJ Ranch
( 490 of 2167 )

Wandered around the ranch for a bit...

Hanging Back
( 491 of 2167 )

Hung out with the kids well into the evening last night, great to be here. Here's some shots and no, Riley doesn't sit around flexing, but the subject of his biceps did come up. :-)

My Space
( 492 of 2167 )

One thing I've learned about myself after all these years is that I am a man who respects and maintains well the older vehicles that I have owned.

This morning I decided that my living space deserved a redo so I pulled everything out, swept it and rebuilt it.

btw: Those are magic blankets, both prized posessions of my grandmother and now mine. They help me make the connection to my other side.

Mystery
( 493 of 2167 )

There is great mystery surrounding a video I shot of Brian and Nadia interacting in the hot waters of Lava Hot Springs recently. The question is, what in the hell is she saying?

If the video fails to load, click Here.

I asked Brian and he said: No that was casual. You got a good look. Something lke that. She does speak French though.

Fire Pit
( 494 of 2167 )

Saturday. Riley took a rare day off and we hung out all day. Friends and neighbors dropped by for a fire pit. Quality time with my boy. Hitting the road again this morning.

Tailgate
( 495 of 2167 )

Sitting on my tailgate backed into the last spot in a wooded rest area stoned with a drink in my hand and I get it. I kept thinking I wanted to go South but as I rolled past Mt Rainier this morning the reasons were nowhere to be found.

I flipped a bitch East at Yakima without even a hitch in my giddyup and merged right into I-90 as if I had planned it. East along the northern corridor was always my goal, I just needed to bop over to whacked out, glad I'm out of there, Washington so I could spend great quality time with my boy. Now I'm back on course.

I've never driven East on 90 past Billings, at least not in decades. There are memory patches that suggest I might have but are now totally irrelevant. I used to bop up into Billings often when I lived in Idaho but always returned home. This time I'm rolling straight into uncharted territory and since this rest area has no cell or internet service, I can't plan it out.

I'll spend the night in Billings tomorrow because I can and it needs to get done. I'm sleeping here tonight and should be there mid-afternoon. Rock on...

Up Next
( 496 of 2167 )

Stayed at a nice place here in Billings called the Dude Rancher Lodge and after a $5 breakfast special here at 0600 I'm hitting the road. I have an itinerary, sort of.

From Billings down into Wyoming (Sheridan, Buffalo, Gillette), over to South Dakota (Spearfish, Rapid City, Chamberlain, Mitchell and Brandon) then abandon I-90 and head south on I-29 through Sioux City, Iowa and hit I-80 just North of Omaha, Nebraska to head East to Des Moines or continue down I-29 to Kansas City. That's as far out as I can plan.

Bad Lands
( 497 of 2167 )

Northern Wyoming is gnarly, tough and sparse. The early settlers named their creeks with things from their life like Wild Horse Creek, Dead Horse Creek and Crazy Woman Creek. I was just thinking about a discussion I had with Riley and Jess about his mom when I passed that last creek. I laughed out loud.

Wyoming has also shut down all of it's Rest Areas, at least along I-90. I heard it was because the State is broke and can't afford them. What about no state tax and all of the rich folks living in Wyoming because of that and, hell, lost my train of thought...

Rolling into South Dakota was like having a dark veil removed, the lights came on and this beautiful state unfolded. Everything was spaced out more, the grass was greener, the sky was a soft pale blue and Sturgis was just down the road.

Shared the road East with a lot of bikers, some looking like tourists in a motor home but the covered bike in the back of the truck gives them away. Every cool biker in the country is bearing down here and the air was electric as I drove right on by.

I am now in a Rest Area somewhere in the Badlands of South Dakota. It is day twelve and I will probably be home by Friday. I'm road weary but still having the time of my life. Rock on...

Ratio
( 498 of 2167 )

Steph told me I spend more time driving than adventuring. I don't put everything I do for road trip fun on this blog and my driving vs adventuring ratio is quite good actually.

This is my last night on the road. I am currently at an undisclosed location (see above) and will be home tomorrow. Thanks for following along, and rock off...

Road Trip Done
( 499 of 2167 )

My fun little two week 5,484 miles across countless States in my 32 year old truck road trip, is successfully complete. Here are some take-aways:

• Grateful to survive and make it home with truck and possessions intact. If your vehicle craps out you have to figure how to gather up your stuff on the side of the freeway and then deal with everything else from there, saw it happen twice. My truck had one issue in Montana but otherwise, she's my baby.

• I didn't get sick. I never wore a mask unless I was absolutely forced to when services were required. One afternoon somewhere out in the middle of nowhere I pulled over to check out a scenic view. Inside the only other car there was a woman with her windows up, playing with her phone, and wearing a mask. That pretty much sums up all the true madness I've seen.

• I didn't lose anything. Money, wallet, shades, phone, all that stuff you use and stand the risk of it parting your possession, especially while you're having a good time, know what I mean?

• I'm very satisfied with the trip. You never know how something like this is going to turn out when you pull away from your house at midnight, anything can change everything! You just need to have faith that good things are going to happen, and not worry. Occasionally I made a bad decision like choosing the wrong road or the wrong State, but hey!

• It was great to see family, my heart is warmed.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Here's that lookout:

Some tubers:

Family Tubing
( 500 of 2167 )

While hanging out at Brian and Nadia's motel backyard, which looks right down on the water, I grabbed a ton of video that I will convert tomorrow into one take.

Goat Cheese
( 501 of 2167 )

I used to be addicted to local grown goat cheese back in Idaho. Marianne was my dealer, she raised the goats and grew the food she gave them. Nothing can compare.

Now I buy goat cheese from the Amish Market here and it's pretty good. Back in Washington, Riley picked up a couple different types but they were hard and funky. It should be soft and squishy and crumble when squeezed. If someone told me at a young age that I would still be alive in 2020 and a goat cheese snob I would have laughed out loud.

Update: It's at Sams Club

Member's Mark Fresh Goat Cheese Log is made with American goat milk and has a soft yet crumbly texture, and a mild tangy taste. Goat cheese is rich in protein along with a powerful combination of calcium, phosphorus and copper that is essential for bone health. Plus, it also provides healthy fats that improve satiety and support weight loss. Our fresh goat log is the perfect accompaniment crumbled on salads, sliced on a cheese board with crackers, and versatile enough to be used as a culinary aid for baking or stuffing.
Lava Tubing
( 502 of 2167 )

I recently hung out with Brian and Nadia at the backside of their motel which looked right down on the Portneuf River in Lava Hot Springs Idaho. Brian made dinner, Nadia entertained and I shot video. I have combined over twenty clips into one fun little video of people from all walks float this particular stretch in the river. Set aside five minutes, and enjoy...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Trip Videos
( 503 of 2167 )

Working on video from the road trip today.


• First up, bees putting rocks into a hole at the kids house:

If the video fails to load, click Here.


• Here I hit The Twilight Zone under the pale blue sky of the South Dakota Badlands:

If the video fails to load, click Here.


• Just following Brian somewhere at Lava while Nadia and I giggle like school girls.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Monarch Site
( 504 of 2167 )

I'm putting together a web site for Rileys Auto Body business. It looks great on a phone, very pleased. Still needs images and content tweaking...

I'm hosting it here for development but can move it to their domain and server when they choose. You can try it if you like by clicking the image below.

EGR Deleted
( 505 of 2167 )

I just installed that EGR Delete plate that Riley cut out from a gasket for me. The process was a bit glitchy as the top edge was a little too big which forced me to approach the lower right thread from an angle. The thing is air-tight as far as I can tell and what do you know, she runs better without the valve, surprise, surprise.

Lost Cat
( 506 of 2167 )

I've lost my cat. Oh, I can find her, she's laying in the next door neighbors driveway, but our connection is fading fast. Not only has she stopped coming inside my house, she won't even come in my yard. She will get up and let me pet her when I walk over bringing food and water, which she barely touches, and that's about it.

I've been really close to this girl for many years now and it breaks my heart to lose her this way. The flea infestation in this neighborhood just must not be quite as bad next door. I never should have brought her here from Idaho, but nobody there stepped up to take her. It's too humid and the fleas have harassed her since we got here.

I don't know what's going to happen next.

Update: I'm going to have my house and yard defleaed by the local Kirkland Pest Control. That same day I'm scooping Piper up and taking her to Northside Animal Hospital to be bathed and defleaed. Then I will bring her home and lock her up, with lots of love and good food.

Drive Times
( 507 of 2167 )

After getting my clutch slave cylinder replaced at Jerry's Automotive I drove up to Spring Hill to get my free tire rotation at Discount Tire and picked up Steph in Summertown along the way so we could catch up. The tire place's walk-in wait time was 2.5 hours (they didn't mention that when I called) so we just had some great barbecue and split.

It reminds me of our Rexburg runs from Driggs. If you needed a service that you couldn't get locally, you made the drive. It got me to thinking so I used my OMJRoute app and plotted both. Home to Walmart in Idaho was 46.69 miles while home to Discount Tire here is 49.49. Both of them are lovely numbers with symmetry, the kind you want for your phone, know what I mean?

Tomorrow I meet the pest control inspector, we will set a date and Piper hits the vet on the same day. Being pro-active beats the shit out of resignation. Home on...

The Zoo
( 508 of 2167 )

You need to enjoy life now because eventually you can't. I was sitting on the porch last evening texting with my granddaughter Shelby who is currently in California helping out family. I told her I wanted to go to the zoo.

Shelby said she would talk to Homer and make it happen, and maybe he can come along. There was no question we were referring to the new Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and to enjoy it with the guy that designed it, would be amazing.

I need a new road trip and my rejuvenated truck is begging for the road. I'll have Piper inside and flea free shortly and I told Shelby to pick a date and I'll make that easy 6.5 hour drive to Pensacola in a heartbeat.

Piper Update
( 509 of 2167 )

I managed to get Piper in last night after promising her she wouldn't have to walk on the floor. The exterminator guy is coming tomorrow morning to totally deflea my house so in the meantime she spent the evening on my living room table where I set up food and water. We had great quality time while I watched NetFlix with her sleeping on my lap off and on and lots of kisses, and she stayed on the table all night.

This morning I drove her to the veterinary hospital where they will get her vaccinations up to speed, give her a flea bath and totally deflea her, then put her up in a room for a couple of nights until the house is ready. Just taking care of my baby!

There were no fleas at 6500 feet in Idaho, btw...

Flealess
( 510 of 2167 )

I despise most insects with the same passion I love animals. What purpose in the world does a flea serve other than to torment and suck the blood from animals?

My house and yard are free from the little bastards now and I'm bringing my kitty home tomorrow morning. I haven't seen her motel room yet, looking forward to it. I'll place her cleaned little body on my cleaned floor, and point her towards her food. Can't wait to get her home...

Tagged
( 511 of 2167 )

Piper got herself a tag, now I need to get her a collar. I assume that if we got separated anyone could call the vet, give them the number and they have my address. She's also got a chip in her neck so I should figure out how to point the thing here.

Contentment
( 512 of 2167 )

Piper's had a rough few weeks and I've felt the strain drain from her body as she slept on my lap today.

Contentment goes both ways. My mind has eased on down as she settles in. When I drove to town for supplies earlier I spotted the yellow bus unloading tubers on the creek. No regrets on leaving that job because I have more time to take pictures of leaves.

Meanwhile, back in the chair...

Sheila
( 513 of 2167 )

I lived in Kent, WA back in the nineties helping Riley grow up. The Aldworth family lived in the same apartment complex and we became friends and the oldest boy Andrew became Riley's best bud. Brad and Sheila had two other kids while I was living there, Lisa and Alan. Years went by, everybody moved on, but I still saw them at Rileys major events like graduation, marriage and the occasional backyard party.

Sheila passed away recently, way too young. I am honored to attend her memorial service today, remotely. RIP my friend.

Chev Ra
( 514 of 2167 )

I have a couple of goat cheese road trips planned. First up, I've discovered that one of the most prestigious goat cheese (chevra, pronounced chev ra) makers in the country is only 41.4 miles from me, down in Elkmont, AL. They're called Belle Chevre and I just called them to say hi. I can't get there today and they're closed Sun and Mon so I asked where I can buy locally.

Which brings up tomorrows road trip, the Publix market down in Florence, AL. which sells their product. At 36.18 miles it's an easy Sunday jaunt, buy some cheese, and then see if I want to go to Elkmont next week. Retired life is tough...

Here's a Montrachet style log:

How about a goat cheese cheesecake. This thing is an award winner:

Kinda like me, sexy skinny and smart.

Just Goat
( 515 of 2167 )

Drove down to Florence, AL this morning to buy some Belle Chevre at the Publix Market, and there was none. I asked why they didn't have any of that world class chevra that's made about 40 miles away and they had no answer, so I bought some cheese anyway. I really like this store though, makes Kroger look like a Dollar General.

Nine bucks for these two, while a log up at the Amish store is way more cheese and only eight bucks. The crumbly stuff on the left is ok, good for cooking, and the soft one is actually quite tasty.

No animals died in the production of this cheese, or this post...

Eye Contact
( 516 of 2167 )

I made eye contact with a pig on a truck heading to slaughter in the middle of Iowa recently and it made me sad. The look was piercing but the eyes were blurred as if it was drugged. The turn of it's mouth showed sadness and resignation.

I renewed my vow to avoid eating pork and then ate barbecue with Steph the other day. Just not holding firmly to my convictions lately. I am proud of rescuing Piper though, the situation was fucked up, and I fixed it.

Just shot this and titled it Covid-18.

Leaves, goat cheese and Piper, thats all that matters...

Here's a cool video I also just shot, down by the creek. Find a quiet place and meditate to this one:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

The Hole
( 517 of 2167 )

I've discovered a cool hole in the ground down by the creek. It's about a foot wide and supported on three sides by tree roots. I sense magic.

Rear End
( 518 of 2167 )

The rear-end on my truck is shot. It came on out of the blue yesterday and I've been scrambling to get her fixed. I found one at an auto salvage place down in Athens, AL for $106 bucks. Everyone knows the place and it has a good rep.

Steph drove me down today and we got it. My regular mechanics couldn't get to the job for a week so I'm going with a small little shop on the main drag right up from my house who quoted me $135 for labor. Damn, $240 total is less than the shipping charge a big parts house wanted for shipping from Oregon.

We unloaded the rear-end there and I'll bring the truck up at 0800 tomorrow. I just might have a fixed truck tomorrow afternoon and I shudder to think what would have happened out on the road. She waited till I got home.

Junkyard
( 519 of 2167 )

There is nothing quite like a northern Alabama junkyard. My first impression as I wandered into it was huge. I tried to keep up with the guy driving the large machine flipping cars around trying to find a Mazda B2200 as he faded deeper into the huge yard, but gave up.

Maybe because I drove an old school bus around this summer, I was drawn to an area of buses and metal, and took some shots.

Down Home
( 520 of 2167 )

I stripped the bed and baseboard out of my truck yesterday so I can transport my old rear end back for a core refund. I had no other place to put it so I plopped it down on my bed, and slept on it last night.

My neck is turning red and I really need to do something about those cans out in the back.

Junk
( 521 of 2167 )

My truck is up at a little shop, with a guy I know nothing about, getting a new rear end. I decided that I was not going to sit around and stress over someone else's work so I got a little buzzed and made a video. I'll be at his place first thing in the morning, whatever the result.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Jim and Jill
( 522 of 2167 )

I've been handling a big piece of metal all morning. The new rear end is installed and I hauled the old one back to Alabama and got my $40 core deposit back. I could barely drag it along the bed of my truck but a couple of good ol southern boys handled it like it was a hocky stick.

One hundred mile round trip and the new axle is purring like it should. I tried to get some pedigree from the salvage guy but all he could say was these things are getting really hard to find. Ok, I'm really happy I'm able to give my truck continued great life, and as a consequence, my own. It all is what it is and welcome aboard Axle, join the ride known across the land as the Jim & Jill Show.

Destiny
( 523 of 2167 )

What is it about life, that makes you land where you do. We live it as destiny but I believe our path is being influenced by loved ones on the other side. Our souls remember life and love and become part of the big family collective when we cross over. Souls have identity and influence here. I feel them around me all the time.

Sum your entire current existence, everything that defines you, everything you love and everything you don't, into a one digit number (that would be 0 to 9). I'll wait...

Now, does the other side treat you differently based on that number? I believe so. The higher the number, the more they just kick back and smile. If your number is low, they get to work and try to help you get back up.

And sometimes they present themselves! Nothing like a midnight drive through the heartland of America under endless stars, with the window down...

Where am I? Well, since I'm using a zero based scale with 9 highest, I'm going with a solid 7. You?

btw: The formula is: why(0 - 9) = zero is real, single digit

The Scale
( 524 of 2167 )

The Zero to Nine Scale project:

This is a work in progress and open to category suggestions.

Happiness

Hard to quantify, affected by everything. I guess the only way to measure it is to compare this moment in time with other moments in your life and when you're my age, that's a lot to compare. I've been to zero and back more than a few times and I've probably approached nine a time or two.

Happiness score: 7

Ego

Your ego presents your self to the world. How do you feel about yourself? Are you proud of your positions and do you defend them. How pleased are you in what you present?

Ego score: 8

Sexuality

Have you ever thought about your sexuality on a scale? I guess the question would be: are you happy with who you are as a sexual entity, do you accept who you are, and is your sexual appetite, if any, being satisfied.

Sexuality score: 5

Speciality

I wrote my first computer program in 1969 at Merritt College in Oakland, CA at the age of 23, and I wrote my last one a few days ago at the age of 74. Fifty years writing code and I've covered most of the big languages and a lot of the small ones.

I created complete IBM-PC applications back in the eighties using pure assembly language. Trust me, It don't get much nerdier than that. There were also years in there that I didn't write a single line of code, just trying to stay alive. Now I just dabble in web stuff using Visual Studio Code.

Specialty score: 9

The Moment

You have to be able to factor in the now. This afternoon I was sitting in my blue chair on the porch of my little place on a quiet street with only one exit, surrounded by lots of open grass and a cool creek, buzzed and stoned with my cat asleep in my lap, and I was content.

The Moment score: 9

More Scale
( 525 of 2167 )

The Scale is missing some obvious categories which I will try to address as Saturday unfolds.

Health

I have to say that my health is amazing for a 74 year old guy. I still take no meds, period. No pills, no liquids, no nuthin. I eat healthy, only consume meat when I'm desperate for protein, yet currently concerned about my 162 weight which is ten pounds over my ideal. Need to walk more.

I have Parkinsons but it's not getting me down, I just deal with it. My stomach muscles are sore, which is weird since I'm not working out. From the web: Stress and anxiety can cause stomach soreness or muscle pain that feels remarkably like the soreness you'd experience from overworking your stomach muscles through exercise. Your nervous system connects your brain and your gut in ways that scientists don't yet fully understand, and stress or anxiety can slow down your digestive system, especially in particularly sensitive people.

Health score: 8

Motivation

This is a tough one for me to quantify. What should be my motivation as an old guy, another trip, another job? I know most folks my age would just simply say stay alive, but I need more than that.

Motivation score: 7

Social

How do you share yourself with the world? I started dumping my soul to blogs that few people read in June 2011 and haven't stopped yet. I have a few close friends and family that I text with, I have a neighbor who likes to come over and drink, and Steph and I get together on occasion. So, not much going on.

Social score: 3

Mental Clarity

It's important to see everything around you clearly and honestly. I have the ability to do that, and more. Sometimes I see people beyond what they present to the world, which is my secret skill that is no longer secret now.

Mental Clarity score: 8

Empathy

I consider this one of the most powerful human traits. Do I have empathy towards others in need, most definitely. Do I respect, and avoid taking, the life of all other animals? Strongly. Do I think insects have a right to exist? Hell no.

Empathy score: 8

Integrity

This is what you define it to be. For me it's honesty, character and doing what you say you're going to do. It took many decades of drama to learn what it meant and a couple of decades to get it right. I ain't perfect yet, but I'm getting better every day.

Integrity score: 8

My current overall Scale average, rounded down, is 7.

I need to expand on that secret skill. It usually happens after talking with a person for a bit, they move sideways, always facing to my right and offer me a profile of their face and then bam! It's like an acid trip where I've slipped into another dimension outside my body. Their face lights up and I see their true self, like all the veils have dropped away and the hidden persona emerges.

A few examples:

Steph and I had Piper at the vet ten years ago. As we were leaving and chatting with her she turned and I saw a face emerge that was contrary to her demeanor. She wanted nothing more to do with us and wanted us out the door. Got it.

One time I was standing in our Driggs kitchen having a drink with Karen, my bus driving partner in Teton Valley. She was chatting with Steph and she turned right and there she was: my wonderful, proud, dyke friend. Glowing brightly with her new dyke haircut she emanated gay pride, and I was proud.

Then there was the time I took my regular old senior to her lunch at the center. She was ninety, the embodiment of sweet old lady and everybody loved her. As she was going up the ramp with her walker I told her I would be a little late picking her up and it happened. What emerged from that kind old face was the face of a witch, the kind you see in movies, as she demanded to know why I would be late.

Sometimes I wonder if it's a skill, or a curse, but it is out of body and it's real.

My Backyard
( 526 of 2167 )

Walked down to the creek to reflect on life.

New Cup
( 527 of 2167 )

Those that know me well, and there are only a few of you, know that I always carry around a pale blue ceramic cup as my primary drinking utensil. I've had that cup for many years, bought it off Amazon and it was all hyped up as the best long lasting ceramic coffee mug you could buy. They were right.

I've just added a new guy into my hand: sexy and black, shorter and squatter, same pedigree, and I'm going with my red straw. Meet my new cup!

That's all condensation btw, the cup is smooth.

No Plans
( 528 of 2167 )

I'm heading to a secret location on an unspecified day, next month. I would love to discuss it here but surprise is at the core of the trip and maybe she reads my blog.

And that's it.

I have absolutely no plans for the rest of my life. There are hankerings, like a week at an all-inclusive Cancun resort, or a Club Med, do those still exist?

I also have catback which is the situation where you have your cat back in the house happy and also being taken care of while you're gone. (Steph, or the Vet@$25day)

The truck is running great! A new old rear-end, fresh oil-lube with a tranny fluid refill, clutch slave cylinder replaced and my EGR delete job is solid.

My passport is ready with no restrictions and I could go anywhere in the world. Instead I'm hunkered down in a little house on a dead-end street in a little town in southern Tennessee writing this shit instead of code.

So, what can I say but, stay tuned...

Runs Great
( 529 of 2167 )

My little truck is running great! I took it up to Spring Hill today for a Discount Tire rotation and it was the first time I've flexed her muscles since the rear-end job, and I was stunned! There was alway an engine rattle that rolled around in her straight pipe as I approached cruising speed, and having just completed a 5k+ mile cross country jaunt, I knew it well.

It is now gone. Replacing a loosy-goosy, near death rear-end with one that appears to be solid, changed everything. The new axle is of unknown heritage, has fresh fluid and it's applying way more torque back to the engine. The vehicle gods are on my side. Thank you.

Radar Shot
( 530 of 2167 )

An 0930 screen video capture of weather brewing here in the South. That's the front tip of Hurricane Laura lower left, my place upper right.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Meanwhile, all is well on my porch...

Belle Chevre
( 531 of 2167 )

I have finally found a goat cheese approaching my friend Marianne's, back in Idaho. She loved her goats and I sense the same passion here at Belle Chevra in Elkmont, AL.

It was a great little one hour drive this morning down to country I've never seen before to buy goat cheese. These guys are world-renowned, award winning and don't sell locally except here in their little cheese shop and they make all of their stuff in the creamery behind the store.

So how is it? Hell ya!

Landing
( 532 of 2167 )

There is a lot of knowledge, tempered by experience, stored in my old bald head and it amazes me that I still remember so much. I have had one hell of a great life! There was always shit going down somewhere, lots of regret, it bounced both ways and I always landed on my feet.

My slide along the edgier side of life slowed down when I became Riley's dad and after almost 34 years, I think I have finally landed.

Every experience, good or bad, is stored in the core of your brain and every instant of your life runs through this filter. When the filter is your friend, guiding you to be the best person you can be while still enjoying yourself, you have landed well.

Otherwise you end up like, you know, that person.

Mouse Out
( 533 of 2167 )

I really hate taking life and I messed up again. I discovered a mouse in my house yesterday so I picked up a couple of sticky traps thinking I could safely remove him. Nope, found him this morning hopelessly stuck to the trap so I had no recourse but to drown him so he wouldn't suffer. Damn.

I left the water running 15 minutes then pulled the bag up by the handles. The water ran out the bottom but the sticky pad stayed inside, while I took it to the garbage. Piper? Absolutely no help whatsoever...

Survival
( 534 of 2167 )

I took this shot down by the creek today. The roots have been stripped bare by the hot summer rain and the leaves are turning to Fall. I've seen this before as I float into my third winter in Tennessee and I feel oddly displaced by it.

I don't have anyone here to hang with as the holidays approach. It's not the first time in my life by far, and I always survived. That's really what holiday bullshit comes down to, survival. We party at the end of the year simply because we survived.

I'm 74, and I've had a hell of a life. For most of it I was successful enough to live it fully. I made a lot of mistakes, but somehow a degree of integrity helped me land better each time, and here I am now.

Font Effects
( 535 of 2167 )

I woke up this morning with a code-on. It's been awhile and it was very persistant until I opened my editor and brought up my mobile template which is currently in the form of Brian and Rileys auto body shop in Federal Way, WA.

I'm awaiting content on that site from the boys but I decided to tackle the Title. What I've come up with is a software generated font with cool shadows on an upward pitch. Whatever I plug into the title will inherit the effects and it floats around nicely based on screen size. Click the image below to go there...

Update: That cool effect I used to generate MCC's logo won't run on Android so I had to capture each word as an image from my desktop and present them as floating objects in the header as opposed to generating them on the fly. They align themselves perfectly as the size of the screen changes.

I also changed Riley's picture...

Today
( 536 of 2167 )

It's Monday morning, last day of August, two-thirds through the year 2020. I'm there, as opposed to here, which is fine because I have no desire to have direction anyway.

A birthday shoutout to my brother, currently captive in a west coast mental hospital, love you man. Hey, at least you know what's coming tomorrow but I have no idea what happens to me next.

Most people have a plan, I have none, unless Staying Alive is considered a plan, which ok, now that I think about it, why not...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Cheese Share
( 537 of 2167 )

I was reverse lactating goat cheese into my mouth when Piper expressed interest, which she lost as soon as I plunked a treat down into hers, and ruined it.

Vincent Mode
( 538 of 2167 )

Sometimes I settle down into Vincent Mode where great code concepts are shifting from my fertile creative mind, down to my fingers, and then on to that great canvas in the electronic sky. Along the way, I feed my cat.

Vincent Van Gogh, 1885

So what's going on with this code stuff, you might ask? I'm continuing a project that I started early this summer where I created a mobile friendly web site for the creek tubing company I drove the bus for and they were too busy succeeding to notice it, which is fine because it was too cool for them anyway.

Then I realized the template would be perfect as a web site for Brian and Riley's auto body business, then I realized it would be cool as a template for any small business! So here I am, being Vincent!

My focus today was a photo gallery presented in a mobile friendly manner. You show the major categories as clickable thumbnails, which display the individual sets.

So, you ready to drop on in? Here's the link, mosey on down to the Photos.

Spot Back
( 539 of 2167 )

Piper has her spot back overlooking the big yard and creek.

Meanwhile, I did some pretty nice structure stuff to my Mobile Template. I can now just load up a photo directory with images and the code self-generates.

Coasters
( 540 of 2167 )

I'm getting design inspiration from my desk. I use three coasters there, remnants from Idaho, for everything from oatmeal to cocktail. I look at my site designs and see that I use a lot of similar squares, with distinct borders and shading. I believe layout should be emphasized, not made transparent.

Template notes: Menu items can be scrolled to directly by passing their name to a ?m= parameter in the url. So, if you click the image above I will take you to monarch/?m=photos.

Thirty Two
( 541 of 2167 )

My sweet little '88 Mazda B2200 is 32 years old. I drove her hard on the road trip, broke her compression apart in the Montana mountains and limped her back into town with a trashed rear end and no clutch.

Well, she don't leak no more, she has a new ass and slave, and I don't think she's ever run better!

Opinions
( 542 of 2167 )

I had a conversation with Steph today about embedding electronic trackers into her grand-daughters. I say yes.

If one gets snatched, first thing you do is call the cops, report a kidnapping and give them the childs tracking number. Modern technology could locate her immediately and have a chopper overhead with a patrol car behind, in minutes.

Tell them about it and let them know as soon as they want it removed, it will be. If they were ever kidnapped, the knowledge that it's there could help them.

And here's the kicker: As child traffickers start to get busted because one of the kids had a tracker embedded, I assume it would begin to happen less.

-----

And there is a powerful group of people on the Left that is better served by the U.S. being weak and the thought of another four years under Trump has them panicked and desperate.

I think we will end up a bitter divided country when this mail-in ballot debacle the Left is pushing destroys the integrity of our electoral system and our elected President will be unknown for months.

-----

Oh, and I wrote a song:

Step On You

by OldManJim

I don't want to step on your life,

you're arms don't have to hold me,

I just want to be your friend.

The connection's real and can't be denied,

drop all the bullshit and come inside,

Just let me know you're there.

Come on by my place, you know were I live.

Don't be afraid, ain't going to rock your world,

I just want to be your friend.

-----

I write code, and songs, and I have opinions. Here's my backyard today:

Photo App
( 543 of 2167 )

One of the key components of this blog is the users ability to display photos full size when clicked, and this only applies to photos stored on Flickr, which is 95%. The other 5% are smaller photos stored on my server that I use to augment a post. There was no click logic on these photos.

People have told me the photo app sucks on mobile but I blew it off because I didn't have a phone. My apologies... Now that I have a phone I realize they were right.

So, I've re-written it. Now when you click on a photo the whole image is displayed in it's actual size. Drag it around to see it and click it (touch it) to close. Works great, and here's a photo to try it out on:

I've also just created a similar app to display the smaller image files on my server. This means that every image on my blog since it's creation two years ago, that isn't a link to a web page, is now expandable. Wow, impressing myself...

That Vincent Van Gogh painting I used recently is a good example and you can try it out below.

Labor Day
( 544 of 2167 )

Happy Labor Day from my backyard.

De Luna
( 545 of 2167 )

I'm driving down to Pensacola, FL tomorrow and parking my truck at the Court of De Luna Event Space and Winery. I've heard it's a cool place to hang.

Next day, the Southern Alabama Zoo!

Looks like I better grab a sports jacket and a hot date, then go hang out in the Man Cave

Clanton, AL
( 546 of 2167 )

The fuel gauge on my truck has never worked, so around every 200 miles, I fill up. The trip tomorrow to Pensacola is 400 miles so I used my great routing app (OMJRoute) to split it in two and I found an Exxon with an easy exit in Clanton, AL exactly 200 miles from my house.

I put the trip from there to Pensacola into playback mode and maybe you can get it to run on your device by clicking the image below. Who knows!

Grand Daughters
( 547 of 2167 )

Thank you god for blessing me with two amazing grand-daughters. The word on the street is there are more grand kids out there, maybe ten or eleven more, but these are the only two who will have anything to do with me, and I love them.

I just got back from hanging out with them down in Pensacola, FL and we had a hell of a good time. I drove home this morning and they drove over to New Orleans for a day trip.

Shelby lives there and co-runs an event planning company with a big wedding happening this weekend. Taylor, the mother of my great grand-daughter Prudence, whom I love very much, was up from Austin, TX. I've got thirty seven photos to share with you here. We hit some great places, hung out at the beach in Flora-Bama (swam in the Gulf of Mexico), I kicked Taylors ass last night at pool in the Man Cave, we met Shelby's new friend and well, just click the photo below to go there...

Update: I didn't like the initial resize cropping of this photoset, so I redid it here and now Shelby's face is no longer cut off at the Alcohol sign.

Dark Souls Matter
( 548 of 2167 )

Excuse me while I take a knee...

Meanwhile:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Every step I take, every move I make, glad to be alive!

My List
( 549 of 2167 )

I just decided to write down the top ten attributes that I believe define me as a person, as they pop down from that processor above, unto my hand. Here's my list:

Sensitive, troubled, brilliant, creative, caring, kind, addictive, loving, lonely, happy, restless. What's your list?

Sorry
( 550 of 2167 )

Sorry about this but it appears you have reached a page that no longer exists.

If it was one of my posts, I have changed my mind about sharing with the world.

Please click the Home button above.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Tumbler
( 551 of 2167 )

I am now the proud owner of a Flora-Bama Silicon Tie Die Tumbler. My new travel cup from Taylor just arrived and I've got a green silicon straw around here to match. I'll use it on my upcoming Austin adventure!

Update: She fits right on in and works great!

Even with Piper back.

New Monarch
( 552 of 2167 )

People are accusing me of sluffing off by taking stupid pictures of my cat and a cup. They say I should be doing something meaningful with my precious time because I'm old and I could be dead tomorrow.

Truth is (and I can do this with one arm around my cat and a straw in my mouth) I registered a new domain for Riley's business this morning and ported over all the code I've been creating, and then set the domain live.

The company is called Monarch Collision Center. They seem to often drop the Center so I've just taken Monarch, added a "c" at the end, and come up with monarchc.com. I think it's catchy and easy to say, monarch with a c .com.

Riley is running it past his partner now. If they don't like the new name, or the look, then I still have a great template for someone else and I'm out $10 to buy the domain name.

Here you go: http://monarchc.com

Trick Links
( 553 of 2167 )

Ya know how a traditional website link takes you directly there? Well, I'm playing around with a fun little concept that I call trick links. Here's an example: In my latest project I have an item in the main menu called "Photos", and to create a trick link to it all I have to do is go monarchc.com/photos

The site is loaded up, the menu item "Photos" is lit up, and then everything pauses for a magic second so the viewer can see where we're going, and then the site slides on down to "Photos".

This works for every menu item...

Transparent Logo
( 554 of 2167 )

Riley and Brian wanted their logo on a black background as the header and I gave it to them. Brian sent me a .pdf of their logo so I opened it, captured it, resized it and created a sweet transparent .png image. Then I centered it inside an almost black container and voilà!

Stayin Live
( 555 of 2167 )

My day to day goal is to stay alive. Writing code in the company of my cat, helps.

Nature
( 556 of 2167 )

What an interesting time to be alive. I never thought I'd live long enough to see pot become a multi-billion dollar business in California, where the ready for harvest buds are currently getting infused with wildfire smoke while a hurricane is threatening my grand-daughters business down in Pensacola. My prayers go out to both today.

I got a call last night from Riley and he said his partner (and boss) Brian loved the new website. He asked Riley "Does he do this for a living, can I give him some money?" and Riley said "No, and he won't take money". My boy knows me well, I do it for the love of the game, and positive feedback makes me happy. I'm also thinking that the domain monarchc.com is sitting pretty well with them.

Now the site needs content, which is on Brian's wife, a very busy medical executive. Right now it just contains template gibberish that I cut and pasted from sources around the net. The site needs to define them properly and present photos that reflect the quality of their work. We'll hook up...

A Kiss
( 557 of 2167 )

I've finally taught Piper how to kiss. She learned years ago to just plant a big lick on my forehead when she wanted a treat and I've been slowly ramping that down, rewarding her more for the soft touch. Today she planted the sweetest little kiss in the middle of my forehead that I swear were just her lips. Heart melted...

Focus
( 558 of 2167 )

As I live another day of intoxicants and code I slowly slide away into southern Tennessee oblivion. I question my future, reflect on my past, and search my soul for that next big move.

What was my last move? I did that fucking road trip, had a great time and survived. I rescued my truck on a Montana mountain pass and gave her new life when she brought me home. I saved my cat, found a cool goat cheese place and made that trip to Pensacola to meet Taylor. Oh, and I'm creating a website.

Wow, I don't know what's next...

But I want to look like this!

Ok, who's the girl? She was one of the kids from the Reach For Rainbows daycare north of Driggs, ID about five years back. I drove them once a week to wherever Day Care Mistress Lucinda (my buddy) chose to go.

I was told that this one talked about a daughter who had died. She was an old soul who blew everyone's mind that met her.

There you go...

Oh wait, check this out!

Rock On
( 559 of 2167 )

I wrote my first computer program in Fortran at Merritt College in Oakland, CA in 1969. They installed an IBM System 3 Model 10 in 1970, I took over the lab, and learned RPG II. As I stepped out into the Bay Area business world in 1971 my skills were in huge demand.

I took the first job offer that looked good, from Golden Grain Macaroni in San Leandro. I setup their new Sys 3 box as an employee and then quickly got swept away, up into the consulting world working on the hottest computer platform on the planet, the IBM System 32/34/38.

I was the guru that everyone wanted. IBM was selling their systems all around the Bay Area and my sub-contractor passed me the work. Eventually I became independent and great systems were built from the ground up for many companies.

By the time the eighties and the IBM PC rolled into town, I was a jaded, burnt out code head. But of course, I took it on full steam and started several companies, blew up Comdex's and ultimately wrote scanner device drivers for Z-Soft's PC Paint, in assembly, at 5k a pop.

Now I'm just an old guy hunkered down in a small town in southern Tennessee. I still write code. I'm still as messed up as ever. Rock on baby!

Chilen
( 560 of 2167 )

I have no plan, parkinson's is kicking my ass and my website project is at a standstill. Despite that, I gave my life an eight yesterday while talking to Steph. I have shelter, technology, supplies, a great old truck and a great old cat. Just chilen.

btw: This blog has been spasmodic lately, a function of the process known as my old brain. So many memories always flooding in from every corner and I try to convey them (because this is a blog :-) but sometimes it gets too personal and I have to step back. Sorry.

Animal Friends
( 561 of 2167 )

I have some cool animals that live along the creek and frolic in my backyard: Two busy squirrels, a fat groundhog (used to be two), a big armadillo, and a red fox with a bushy tail as big as it's body.

When I opened the door at 0430 this morning to let Piper out we both spotted the fox on the road under the street light. Piper wasn't fazed at all as it took off to the back, like they've crossed paths in the nights before.

Logo Cube
( 562 of 2167 )

I've created a cool concept today that I call the Logo Cube. It has six sides: front, back, left, right, top and bottom. Here it is with all six sides at 0.7 opacity, being built one side at a time and then unbuilt:

It's now the site header with each side a decreasing level of opacity.

Here it is with all six sides at full opacity:

Lyla Cube
( 563 of 2167 )
Box Of Books
( 564 of 2167 )

Pipers new bed, the box of VC Andrews books and no I don't read that stuff...

Update: Sold the box of books on FB.

Hog Leaves
( 565 of 2167 )

The leaves are falling again as I enter my third winter in southern Tennessee. My groundhog and I reflect.

New Gym
( 566 of 2167 )

A new gym opened up over the weekend in our little town and I'm now a member. It's a 24/7 called Workout Anytime and it's big, they have brand new state of the art equipment, a Hydro Massage, a reACT Trainer and my Medicare Advantage plan makes it totally free for me.

So I get home after a great first workout, open the carton of eggs my neighbor gave me from his wife's chickens, and find this little egg. That's me, the 74 year old sleeper...

Meanwhile, Piper was laying on the floor where her bed of books used to be so I grabbed my travel bag, threw one of her old blankets from Idaho in there, and...

Walkaround
( 567 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Crockett Lake
( 568 of 2167 )

Made the long drive (2 miles) over to David Crocket State Park this morning and had the place to myself.

Bird Trap
( 569 of 2167 )

Random Things
( 570 of 2167 )

When I get thrown under someone's bus, I never crawl out, I just move on. It's a fact I've learned about myself, it is what it is, even if it means losing love.

When I touch my cheek I used to say "I should shave today", now I say "maybe I'll shave today".

The tremors only stop when I numb my brain and control of my hands is heading south. It's very depressing.

My new smart home routine starts the coffee, turns on the living room and kitchen lights at 50%, sets the volume on my Echo down to 30% (in case I was blasting music the night before) and then she say's "Good morning Jim", tells me the weather and checks my messages, whenever I say Computer, good morning from my bed.

I think I'm done taking cross-country trips in my old truck, she needs a break.

Thank god I've got my cat...

My Brain
( 571 of 2167 )

Busted
( 572 of 2167 )

Piper always pretends to have no interest in TV but some 4K flyovers last night got her attention.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Fade Away Spot
( 573 of 2167 )

Every afternoon I walk down to my fade away spot, sit on the rocks with the sun to my back, and reflect on the many chapters of my life. Now I wonder if some day I'll look back and think then there was Tennessee, or is this the final chapter...

Impedence
( 574 of 2167 )

Darkness
( 575 of 2167 )

Danger
( 576 of 2167 )

Life is dangerous. Live it fully and without fear while you still have a pulse, even if you end up going down the drain.

Leaves Down
( 577 of 2167 )

The leaves in my yard are starting to hit the ground and soon it will be solid yellow. Back in Idaho Steph would spend days raking and bagging the leaves, which I always thought should have stayed put.

Hey Steph, want to tackle this? You can gather walnuts while you're at it!

Parkinsons
( 578 of 2167 )

Regular readers of this blog have undoubtedly noticed me bitching about Parkinsons so let me elaborate. I first noticed it about 12 years ago lying in bed in the quiet of the Idaho mountains. It was a very small vibration inside my body and I said to myself "what the hell is that?". Over the years it has continued to grow stronger and now it's like a large nuclear powered 24/7 vibrator has been shoved up my ass and taken residence in the middle of my body. It's always there and it never stops.

Sometimes, when I'm buzzed and stoned, I don't notice it as much. Medical marijuana is a proven therapy for Parkinsons and is legal in 33 states. Unfortunately, Tennessee ain't one of them. So now when I travel into a legal state I pick some up, which ultimately has my friends and family thinking I'm just an old stoner. So be it.

The gene comes from my dad's side, and my brother in the nursing home had it full blown when I saw him about six years ago. I'm lucky I don't have the external tremors but I notice my hands often times don't do what I ask. The disability is inevitable.

I ran out of Colorado shit weeks ago and my body is now a vibrating fucking mess. I'll stop bitching now, thanks for reading.

Old Hippie
( 579 of 2167 )

Alright, maybe I am just an old hippie...

Where Am I
( 580 of 2167 )

I keep asking my phone Where Am I? Just now she said I was at a rest area off I70/40 just West of Terre Haute, Indiana, called the Sugar Creek Complex.

Well, aint that slick, I'm going to hang out here for a while, drop on by!

Life Good
( 581 of 2167 )

I sent this photo out last night to a few, and grand-daughter Taylor wanted to know if I was naked. Considering this is a dog walking area of a large rest area off a major interstate, the answer is: ...

As I rolled through southern Indiana towns early this morning where every second was a new adventure I realized that despite being flat broke a few times and no roof over my head a couple of times, I've had a pretty good 74 years.

As the sun rose over Kentucky I knew that the good life is continuing, and I'm very grateful.

The Dopa
( 582 of 2167 )

One of my most treasured sources of pride is the fact that I don't take medicine of any kind, haven't for years. That means no pills, no stuff out a bottle, no injections, nuttun. That's not to say that I don't put bad shit inside me, just nothing pharmaceutical :-)

Sadly, this stretch may be coming to an end. The constant internal vibration from Parkinsons is wearing me down and I need to address it. There's a neurologist in the hospital complex just down the road from me so I'll make an appointment for a little L-Dopa, and go from there.

Half
( 583 of 2167 )

I never thought I'd say this but half of the photos I shoot these days are on my phone. My smart S20+ does great in a lot of situations but sometimes I just need to take my digital out for a walk strapped into my 16m Sigma lens with the f-stop pumped to max while the ISO kisses 100. Know what I mean?

My Blogs
( 584 of 2167 )

It's really amazing how life fluctuates over a lifetime, and most of my 74 year memories are still at my disposal. Thank you god.

I've been dumping my daily life out to the internet with two blogs since June 6, 2011. I was down in Vegas hanging with Riley and Jess when I created BusDriverJim. That wonderful blog spanned 7+ years of my life in Teton Valley, ID and then I moved here to Lawrenceburg, TN and started this blog which is now into it's third year.

I've also written a huge amount of code while hunkered down here in Tennessee. Creativity has erupted in the last couple of years and I am proud of the work.

Go Big
( 585 of 2167 )

Go big or go home. My new Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is arriving today and I can't wait to introduce her to my Samsung S20+. The FDA has approved the companies EKG and blood pressure apps so it's like having a doctors office on your wrist.

I went with the bigger one: 45mm, GPS, Bluetooth, black and I've got a new band here waiting.

Waiting
( 586 of 2167 )

I expect the stuff I buy online to arrive when promised and because I'm an old impatient man I get pissed when it don't. I bought that smart watch from Amazon on Saturday for a Sunday delivery and according to the USPS site it was dropped at their facility in Lewisburg, TN at 0520 Sunday morning and it's still there now on Monday morning.

Amazon tells me sorry and if it doesn't arrive in a couple of days, to ask for a refund. Screw that, if my buddy the postman Richard doesn't put it my hands by 1100 this morning I may just slam the brakes on it now.

Then I called the local neurologists office to make an appointment and she told me December 2 is the soonest. I'm sure she detected the shock in my voice as I asked huh? and it turns out several nearby neurologists have recently gone under, and they absorbed all the patients.

Oh well, another Monday morning in Tennessee in 2020 and I'm just glad to be alive!

Update: Nope, so I contacted a customer service rep at Amazon and got this:

I am escalating the issue to the concerned team. We will try to deliver it as soon as possible. The new deadline for its delivery is Tuesday, October 20, 2020 12:00 AM (PDT). In an unlikely event, if you don't get it by the deadline then you can contact us and we will help you with a full refund or a replacement.

So tomorrow by noon. Do you really think this person has a "concerned team" that's going to strike fear in USPS and demand they find their customers package and get it in his mailbox quickly at any cost?

It's just a carefully crafted phrase that plugs in current date and order data generated by possibly the press of a human finger, or perhaps not.... It was followed by the leading question: Sound good?

God help me, I just want the damned watch!

Deep Breath
( 587 of 2167 )

Sometimes you need to walk down to the creek and take a deep breath. Of whatever you have in hand.

Piper Time
( 588 of 2167 )

My neighbor Daniel drops by on occasion to get his Piper Time.

There was a time when my programming skills were in very high demand, right out of college in 1971 thru 1992 actually. I made and spent a ton of money, helped form several startup companies and it was quite a ride.

Then I got into transportation up in Seattle and code went dormant for 15 years. As I was leaving town to Idaho with Steph I had started writing code again and I never stopped.

Isn't life funny? I never thought I would end up alone on a little dead-end street in a small town in southern Tennessee. Still creating, occasionally on the cutting edge, and it all means very little in the broad scope of the world.

I'm also old enough and wise enough to know that life is where you land, either live and enjoy it or suffer and die.

Phrases
( 589 of 2167 )

I've developed a technique of breaking down my day into simple words or catch phrases:

Lewisburg: The name of the small town to the east that received the Amazon package destined for me in Lawrenceburg. I called that post office today and spoke to a great guy who confirmed that my new Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 that should have been in my hands Sunday was totally out floating around the universe.

Ashley: The Amazon rep I contacted who called me back from a Seattle prefix but was actually in Uruguay. Sweet voice, great English, it felt like a date and then she ordered me a new watch, be here tomorrow.

MonarchC: Riley and Brian's website https://monarchc.com is now on security steroids and the url is ready for business cards. Brian's wife is working on content.

Fifty Two: The number of days before I can see the neurologist. Tremors are worsening, quality of life is going to hell and I need drugs now. I'll be melting on the sidewalk as a quivering blob of mush before Dec 11.

Connect Table
( 590 of 2167 )

All of my latest toys have arrived, they've been installed and connected, and everything works great.

I've placed two wifi hubs behind my main tv in the living room driven by ethernet from my office, where I sleep, and wifi no longer emanates from there because it's off.

One hub drives my Echo (pre-original) along with the house smart devices like lights and coffee. The other hub provides internet to my phone, tablets, smart watch and the Ring camera mounted outside facing the street.

When I walk outside now my screens start buzzing and my wrist starts a knocking. I am so glad to have made it to 2020 and still have the smarts to pull this off!

New Silo
( 591 of 2167 )

My neighbor brought over a piece of wire from a new grain silo he's wiring. Then he drove me to the site and let me climb inside to shoot a video.

The wire is the diameter of a dime and it's a bitch to bend.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Dopamine
( 592 of 2167 )

I did a good thing today. Faced with 50 days before I can see a specialist to deal with the genetic Parkinsons that's kicking my ass, I stopped by my local clinic and walked out with a prescription for dopamine. I told the doctor straight up that I take no meds and proud of it, but I need this one.

He initially said that taking it could skew the official diagnosis but I told him that if it worked, it would validate it. He smiled, and agreed. Doctor visit with my medicare advantage: $10.

I had them send the script to my local Walgreens and I went home for a bit so they could fill it and found Steph waiting, so we drove down to Alabama for lunch. When we got back they didn't have the drug in stock, not until tomorrow, and it costs $85 for a sixty day supply. I gave them my medicare advantage card and, $10.

This is the lowest level of dopamine dispensed. I'll take it and I would be thrilled if the tremors settled down in the slightest. Armed with 49 days of dopamine consumption history I will see the neurologist on Dec 11, and we can tweak the dosage from there.

Teddy Bear
( 593 of 2167 )

This teddy bear was a gift to me when I was born prematurely and placed into an iron lung for a week down in southern California more than 74 years ago.

How it has remained in my life despite losing all of my possessions multiple times over, is a magical mystery.

Lower
( 594 of 2167 )

A1C is a fraud of big pharma and there is nothing to lower. I'm in the B&P with dopamine corner and there is plenty to lower.

No human contact today, good football, sweet pussy and life vibes on...

My WiFi
( 595 of 2167 )

I have two wifi connections sitting by my living room TV. One controls the house and one controls my devices. If you walk in my place all you have to do is scan the code on my wall to hook up to devices.

btw: This is what I was doing four years ago.

Gelato
( 596 of 2167 )

OMG Yes! Don't you just love those moments in your life when that phrase explodes from your soul like an orgasm?

I just had that happen as I watched a YouTube video on Parkinsons, which I have never done before. I plugged it into the search box and a wonderful woman neurologist came on who proceeded to describe my life.

As the vibrations have increased daily, even while taking dopamine, I have fallen victim to depression, substance abuse and a general don't give a shit attitude about life. Meanwhile, my exercise regime has totally jumped the shark.

The answer is: Parkinsons and exercise are joined at the hip! Early this last summer I was in great shape, tossing float tubes around, and substance free. I felt terrific as I headed off for a road trip and multiple adventures, and along the way I forgot to work out, started drinking a lot and smoking pot. WTF!

Since I've settled in for the winter the tremors have grown stronger. I joined a gym a while ago but haven't been back there once, just couldn't get motivated, and now I'm at a turning point!

Do I take the easy decadent way out and just let my life, brain and testicles explode into a vibrating old depressed drunk and move down to Roatan Honduras, or do I get my ass back in shape and give this thing the best shot I've got?

P.S. I took this shot, source here.

Popular
( 597 of 2167 )

The Place app I wrote for this blog has more than a million hits. Each hit represents someone around the world looking at it, and since the app itself is only presented within the blog, they are all visiting oldmanjim.com. Along with the other apps, that's over two million visits since I created it two years ago.

I sometimes tend to dump my heart into a post for the world to see and it feels good! Later on I may wake up in the middle of the night and trash it. I have 25 such posts currently tucked away.

My Package
( 598 of 2167 )

Amazon/USPS shipping is falling apart in my neck of the woods. After the debacle with my watch where I had to cancel and reorder because it got lost, I ordered a couple of things on Sunday (watch band, key chain light) and it should have arrived Monday morning. Here you go!

Sunday, October 25

*** order placed, package has shipped

 • 11:44 PM arrived at Nashville, TN

*** at this point, ready for early morning USPS ship down to Lawrenceburg.

Monday, October 26

*** but for some reason, it went to Kentucky

 • 10:05 AM arrived at Horse Cave, KY US

*** and by the end of the day, at a different Kentucky location

 • 10:03 PM arrived at Louisville Ky

*** twice

 • 11:03 PM arrived at Louisville Ky

*** finally left Kentucky

 • 11:57 PM left Louisville, KY

Tuesday, October 27

*** ooops, now it really left Kentucky

 • 4:41 AM left Louisville, KY

*** and arrived back in Nashville

 • 7:45 AM arrived at Nashville, TN

*** yey! left Nashville, again

 • 8:29 AM left Nashville, TN

*** and left again

 • 8:44 AM left Nashville, TN

*** and back again

 • 9:57 AM arrived at Nashville, TN

*** spent the morning in Nashville, left again

 • 1:31 PM left Nashville TN

Wednesday, October 28

*** no idea where it's at!

Update: (0730)

 • 3:34 AM really left Nashville TN

 • 5:14 AM arrived at Pulaski, TN

*** why 20 miles down the road?

 • 6:51 AM arrived at Lawrenceburg, TN

*** maybe it will make the truck this morning?

Update: (0930)

 • 9:30 AM arrived at my house

I'm a fan of Amazon and I really think the issue is with the USPS. I was in text contact with an Amazon rep early this morning who apologized for the delay, gave me a $30 credit towards my next order and suddenly the shipment accelerated, landing in my box an hour earlier than everyday normal delivery.

Voted
( 599 of 2167 )

It really pays to do your civic duty, I got a free pen!

If Biden somehow pulls this off, which I strongly believe he won't, I'm going to bail on this country and drag my sad old Parkinsons ridden body down to Roatan Honduras and die on a beach as a happy, fucked up, maybe well fucked, gringo.

Hey wait, that doesn't sound so bad, can I change my vote?

Pam
( 600 of 2167 )

Back in 1974 I lived in Oakland, CA with my Japanese wife Marci. Our best friends were Dave and Pam, Dave and I went to high school together and Pam was his Chinese girlfriend from Sacramento.

One night they headed across the Bay so Pam could participate in the Miss Chinatown USA beauty pageant. Marci and I both had early mornings so we didn't go but at 0200 in the morning Dave called and said she had won!

He also said he had to go somewhere and asked me to be her escort in the upcoming week of festivities in Chinatown and I said hell ya! We did lots of great dinners with San Francisco city big shots, and had a blast.

Later that year I landed in Sacramento, coming back from a Greyhound bus trip. I had bonded with a bunch of good old boys on the bus and we were hanging out in front of the station when Pam pulled up in her convertible, jumped out wearing a halter top and shorts and ran up and embraced me. As we drove off, the boys were scraping their jaws off the sidewalk.

Years later she was working as a model in L.A. and I got to hang out with her backstage at a show. It was my turn to scrape my jaw off the carpet from hanging out with a bunch of beautiful naked women. Anyway, life moved on, we all lost touch and all I have is memories, which I have just shared with you.

Belly Rub
( 601 of 2167 )

No description needed here...

Catfish
( 602 of 2167 )

Catfish, onion rings, hush puppies and coleslaw. In a roadside diner in southern Tennessee. The waitresses were dressed up as catsup and mustard and my lunch partner Daniel was cracking sexual innuendo jokes to them and they just dripped all over the table.

Then we went north of town into amish country where I bought some local grown goat cheese, pickles and honey from a couple different small farms. The taste combination was amazing and I need to introduce the local honey into the mix. Oh, and we stopped by the drag strip and a couple antique stores.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Conception
( 603 of 2167 )

My son Riley and Jessica are in Phoenix trying to expand their family. Ain't they cute :-)

Queen Piper
( 604 of 2167 )

I live at the end of a southern Tennessee dead-end street and my cat Piper is the queen of the neighborhood. Since we've been here she's had to compete with dogs and cats, but they're all gone now and she loves it.

She even has me totally wrapped around her tail, I'm her doorman, chef, and masseuse. We have a running bet about who's going to outlive the other but there's nothing in place, in the event of either.

Peaceful
( 605 of 2167 )

It's the day before election day and I'm just hunkered down, watching the world and orgasiming over the connections between my Samsung watch and phone, my old original Echo, and my living space. Then I walked down to my creek:

The Rub
( 606 of 2167 )

I'm a technical guy and considering my fifty years as a computer programmer, I damn well should be. I've been involved in what seems like everything and now I write great Javascript, I massage CSS and I push PHP. I'm also into my second blog over the last ten years.

For the last few years I've been doing without cell phones, didn't own one, but now I've allowed myself to sink back into that wonderful magical world of connectivity where my watch, my phone and my brain are now on the same page. So are my two tablets and a laptop, so is my vintage Echo and all of the smart devices around me, so is my blazingly fast development box and her wide screen monitor. We all be hooked up.

Now I can take some time to sit next to my baby, and rub her:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Then I ate some local honey to fight off the allergies:

Dear Steph
( 607 of 2167 )

Dear Steph,

I read something recently that listed a couple of side effects from Parkinsons as hallucinations and delusions. Ha! That's a long way off.

Thanks for watching Piper this weekend and I really want you to enjoy the space, unlike the last full day off you had and you didn't show up until late and then I don't think you spent the night.

Be down here Friday morning at 0800, I'll buy you breakfast at that place in the square and then leave you to binge watch the Queen's Gambit on Netflix, enjoy my internet connection and boss the house around with your voice.

You can then work Saturday out as you wish and I'll be back home on Sunday. Is it a date?

Wait, this is email, right?

Piper Lap
( 608 of 2167 )

Piper, in my lap.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Carol
( 609 of 2167 )

My friend Carol called me last night from a nursing home in Rexburg Idaho. She was struck down as a young girl with a disease that landed her in a wheelchair for the rest of her life, and I used to drove her around in my bus. I normally don't answer calls from out of state but this one came from Idaho and I recognized her voice instantly.

We had a nice chat and she finally asked me why I moved to Tennessee and I didn't have an answer. Am I glad I ended up here? No. Another holiday season is approaching and I only have two friends, Steph and my next door neighbor Daniel. Steph's grand-daughters that I grew to love are no longer in my life, I'm not involved in anything here other than staying alive, and my body is bailing on me.

But hey, I ain't bitching, how could I having known Carol, I'm just commenting on my life because this is my blog and I can. At least here in the South there are new places to explore and I'm doing that tomorrow...

Long Gone
( 610 of 2167 )
Long gone relatives on my mother's side, from left to right:
• My grandfather, James King.
• My grandmother's sister (Idelle or Irene).
• My grandmother, Maude Erway.
• My grandmother's sister (Idelle or Irene).
• My younger sister Lorelle, still alive.
• My mom.
• My older brother Dana, still alive I think.
• Me, barely alive.

Great Great
( 611 of 2167 )

The towhead kid on the left is my grandfather in Joplin, MO. So for all my grandchildren out there, those are your great-great-great grandparents.

Richard Tilton King (1874-1943), James Lloyd King (1897-1968), Walter (top), Unknown (bottom), Thelie May Smith (1879-1899). She only lived for 20 years?, and they were both from Illinois. I need to research that date...

Proof
( 612 of 2167 )

In the event that there were doubters about the fact that the teddy bear in my corner has been with me since birth, here's a shot taken with my wayback lens. Only made it back to about one year old, but come on, trust me.

That's my grandmother and brother, btw...

Rileys Book
( 613 of 2167 )

I've collected a lot of great photos of my boy Riley as we adventured through his young life, along with some cool craft stuff. I realized that I needed to get this stuff into his hands, it's his legacy, so I created a book.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Shipping it off to the kids shortly and btw there's a back story. I tormented Riley for years with the shots of him in the tub with the girl, and I did it one last time here :-) Now you can destroy them son!

Photographs
( 614 of 2167 )

Printed photographs are becoming rare. I've been a serious photographer for fifty years, investing a small fortune in equipment (Nikon guy), taken tens of thousands of photos, and now I'm down to just a few.

The secret to keeping your photos and equipment intact is to never leave your house, but then all you would have is pictures of your house! I had all of my equipment stolen one day back in Oakland, CA by friends of my daughter Becky who were partying there when I was at work. Never did recover it. I had my entire photo collection, with the exception of a few prints, burned up in a fireplace by Riley's jealous mom, when I was at work.

Now I live alone, in a digital age, and I suppose that is for the best...

Albert
( 615 of 2167 )

Albert Erway (1/11/1811) was the father of Mark Erway who was the father of Maude Erway who was the mother of Janice King who was my mom. He was my great great grandfather and lived to be my age now. Mark lived to the age of 98.

Backstory: Albert was a rancher and businessman famous for getting down to his last dime a few times and always bouncing back (sounds familar) and Mark was the head stagecoach driver for the Sparks to Virginia City run (sounds familiar).

Saturday
( 616 of 2167 )

I drove to David Crockett State Park this morning to find a hiking trail and hooked up with a stranger for a hike. We got half way up a hill and just sat down and talked, turned out she rode on the tubing bus with me twice last summer. She took my picture, I took hers, and never got her name.

Back home, neighbor Daniel brought over a couple of cool old things he just found, a 1945 pressure gauge and a 1900 house electrical meter. Good day!

The Battle
( 617 of 2167 )

The battle against darkness and tremors rages on. Nameless people pass through my life. I walk in circles by my creek, clean and sober, just to stay alive. No one really knows me, or cares to. It's time to say good night.

Steps
( 618 of 2167 )

My Galaxy Watch 3 45mm counts every step, monitors my heart and tells me I sleep too much.

...and then I go to take a shower and there aint no water.

Bad Thing
( 619 of 2167 )

Big Lot
( 620 of 2167 )

I rode up to the huge Manheim auto auction lot today to bring some vehicles down to Lawrenceburg.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Checkmate
( 621 of 2167 )

Ten million Americans who were employed in February remain without a job and 60% of businesses closed because of Covid will never reopen. Now, China is issuing debt at negative interest rates, taking cash out of western economies as they try to recover, and theirs is the only major economy in the world expected to grow in 2020. Well played, and with Joe in their pocket, checkmate...

Here's a couple shots from the past, Riley at a Seattle car show and me hanging with the Sunlight Foundation folks in Phoenix after placing second in their nationwide programming contest.

Stuck
( 622 of 2167 )

While walking the creek lately I've noticed this object stuck in a ripple. It's been there for three days now, unable to escape as forces from both sides keep it trapped. I thought about making this a comparison to my existence, but couldn't make the stretch...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

I'm not stuck, I make a daily conscious decision to be here, until I don't.

New Mask
( 623 of 2167 )

Loaded
( 624 of 2167 )

I'm so excited, Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I'm ready. I'll be keeping the head count here below the state mandated eight people (1) and just family members only (me and Piper).

Younger
( 625 of 2167 )

Thanks
( 626 of 2167 )

As Thanksgiving approaches, all of the regrets and mistakes I've made over the last 74 years are swirling around my brain like dust devils in the desert. I'm very grateful that nobody died or was seriously hurt by my presence here on earth and that I never ended up in prison. It's the big things in life that matter most, and the rest you just deal with...

Dave
( 627 of 2167 )

I was hanging out with my neighbor this afternoon at his place looking at pictures of his relatives when suddenly my phone woke up and my watch started beeping so I opened my phone screen and a bearded face with a funky hat appeared. It was Santa, otherwise known as my great friend Dave from Kent, WA that I haven't talked to in years, and his wife Sue!

They got my number from Riley, called with Duo, looked terrific and we chatted for twenty minutes. Totally made me want to be there firing up a blunt with my old friends. Oh well, it's Tennessee for the moment...

I texted him and asked for a picture to put here, and this is what I got:

Left to right: Son Jereme and wife, Sue, Dave, grandkids Dakota and Riley.

Left to right: Daughter Sabrina, Dave, Nick, grandkids below: Gianna and Lola.

Riley and I watched Jereme and Sabrina grow up and it's very cool that Jereme named one of his kids after my boy. :-)

The Past
( 628 of 2167 )

Big River
( 629 of 2167 )

Tennessee River, Florence Alabama, Black Friday.

Shoal Dump
( 630 of 2167 )

I developed an app a while back called 4xmaps that nobody uses but me. It's great for plotting a destination and then getting four different views from the major mapping platforms.

Today's destination is a marina off Hwy 72 in Alabama where little Shoal Creek in my backyard becomes big and dumps into the Tennessee River.

Here's another app I wrote that nobody uses called OMJRoute that plots the 32 mile trip from my front door to the marina.

...and yes, that little blue line on the left is Shoal Creek.

Funny
( 631 of 2167 )

It's funny how quickly depression can turn into anger.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Crockett Falls
( 632 of 2167 )

Quieting the mind on a Sunday morning out at the falls.

Snow Day
( 633 of 2167 )

Hmmm
( 634 of 2167 )

A kid named Dillan.

My friend Betty.

Digital Research
( 635 of 2167 )

Back in the late seventies I was down in Carmel Valley, CA writing IBM Sys 3 software for the company that marketed the original Flasher (Uncle Sherman) Doll, made famous by Johnny Carson, and yea, the doll had a dick.

I met Dawn there who become a major lady in my life, and I also met Beryl there who become one of my best friends. She went on from there to work for Digital Research in Pacific Grove and in case you're wondering where these places are, think Monterey, CA, beautiful seaside area, nuff said.

Digital Research marketed CPM, an operating system for pre-PC systems, created by Gary Kildall. The story is famous about Gary being out of town when IBM came around wanting him to build an OS for their new machine, and when his wife wouldn't sign an NDA they got pissed and flew to Seattle to sign with Bill and Paul, who created DOS, and the rest is history.

I used to hang and party with the Digital Research crowd right at that time and if things had gone different, who knows. I went on to be a major IBM PC software developer, and had a wild ride, but...

These photos are over fourty years old, btw. On July 8, 1994, Gary fell at a Monterey biker bar, hit his head, and died. He could have been Bill Gates.

Letter To Doc
( 636 of 2167 )

I'm finally getting in to see a neurologist next Friday so I composed a document for him:

So here's the deal Doc. Last summer I was at the top of my game, driving tubers down to Shoal Creek and back in an old school bus four days a week and working out the other three. My body was lean and mean, drinking was down to a couple in the evening, and the tremors were in the back of my mind. Not bad for a 74 year old man.

Then I hit the road, picked up a bunch of pot in Colorado, and partied for a couple of weeks out West. When I got home I slid into a "lubricated mode", first hit at 0800 and first drink at 1100. The tremors became stronger so I just fought them off harder. Ran out of pot so I drove to Illinois and bought more.

Now I'm sitting here clean for more than a month and contemplating a local management job setting up rides for seniors, which I am totally qualified to do. The problem is, I feel like shit. I've dropped ten pounds cutting out all the munchie crap but I'm out of shape, and the tremors are back bad.

And now I'm depressed. What the fuck! I just posted a blog post with a shotgun in my mouth for christs sake, and I'm totally anti-suicide. Anyway, this pretty much sums me up at the moment...

On the medical side, the tremors are all internal. I first noticed them lying in bed in a quiet cabin up in the Grand Tetons of Idaho about 15 years ago. It was just a little vibration from within and I thought "what the hell". Over the years they continued to grow stronger and now they dominate my existence. I find myself dropping things a lot, securing my watch band is a nightmare, and if I was a vibrator I could make a women happy, but I ain't.

Parkinson's is in my genetics on my dad's side, multiple uncles had it and my older brother has it flat out bad with major visible tremors last I saw him.

One final note, I ain't a pill guy, don't do any, period. How the hell can we fix this?

Balls
( 637 of 2167 )

Expressing myself to the world with a blog is something I've been doing for the last ten years. Many times it got deep into my soul but I kept the post up thinking someday I would revisit it and learn something about me. What a bunch of bullshit, all I did was expose my deepest self to the world for anybody to exploit if they wanted to. That never happened, so what the fuck?

Talking deeply about your life to the world takes a certain kind of balls, that I bet most of you don't have {metaphorically speaking girls). For me it's been amazing, I can include a passion for photography, technical expertise accumulated over fifty years and a god given ability to write words, into a post.

Sometimes I dive too deep, back off and send the post{s} to blog trash hell, and it hurts to do so. Right now I'm hurting in a bunch of different directions so I suppose I should just stop right now and let this year slide into an end...

Update: My very few freinds expressed concern about this post. This was not some sort of cry for help, that ain't my bag, just expressing the truth, and looking forward to New Years.

Worst Photo
( 638 of 2167 )

Flickr hosts my photos and they have a contest going on called Worst Photo of 2020. So I submitted this shot, along with this description:

While on a 7-day cruise in the summer of 2019 a hurricane hit Miami and we were extended to 11 days at no charge. We ended up in Roatan Honduras where a cabbie talked me into a cruise of the island. I took this shot out the passenger side window of the cab, along with some great face shots of the resident.

Here's the resident:

Three take-aways here: Makes my place look like a mansion, the guy really looks at peace with his situation, and they rejected the photo because it was shot in 2019.

Not only am I ungrateful for my own position in life, I can't even follow the rules... :-)

The Navy
( 639 of 2167 )

This is a story about me, never told. When I was about seven I lived on the side of a mountain down the road from Truckee, CA. One day my older brother came to me and said that the father figure we called Paul was not our dad. Turns out the guy that showed up one day and let me drive his car while sitting on his lap, that my mother called her cousin, was our dad.

Paul and my mom had a deal, we never find out that he's our step dad and he would raise us as his own. Ooops, after that, life was very tough. There was no dad there, just severe discipline for my brother and I while our half sister sailed on through.

As a result I grew up with no concept of integrity, honor, and what it meant to be a man. After high school I hitch-hiked around the country while Vietnam simmered and eventually joined the Navy. Why, I have no idea, maybe because I probably would have been drafted, but who knows...

Boot camp in San Diego was weird. Turns out I was the smartest guy in the class, scoring the highest GCT they had seen in a while. I was also in great shape, high school track star and all that. So the day a buddy of mine and I decided to go AWOL and find some fun in town, had them concerned.

They put me in a disciplinary segment of boot camp and tried to break me, but couldn't. One day I was called before a bunch of men in uniforms with brass all over their chest and they told me I was going to be discharged honorably. They said that they realized that the military was not for me, but didn't want to ruin my life, which they thought had great potential. Wow...

I went on (after a brief stop in the Haight Ashbury) to school and an amazing run as a visionary technologist, and finally ended up here all these decades later.

The reason I bring this story up is because I have had two Navy career guys in my life lately, one I'm about to spend Christmas with, and I wanted them to know who I am. If I had been given the gift of honor and integrity from the father figure in my life, I might have gone on to great things in the Navy, instead, it is what it is... Steph, please forward this to Jimmy.

Like A Rock
( 640 of 2167 )

Since I'm on this truth kick lately, I might as well just share a phone call I got from my neighbor Daniel. We were hanging out here at my place last night having cocktails and quite frankly I don't remember him leaving but my watch said I fell asleep a little after eleven. Daniel was concerned about me and asked how I felt after falling last night. WTF?

He said I was coming back from the bathroom, rounded the corner into my living room, and proceeded to drop like a rock and hit the floor hard. I have no memory of that whatsoever. I forgot to ask him how long I was out but the important take-away here is that it happened.

I know Parkinsons is kicking my ass lately and I finally have that appointment with the Neurologist this Friday, but man, this has me shook bad. Has it happened before and I don't know about it? Could it happen while I'm behind the wheel of my truck? What the fuck...

Back Again
( 641 of 2167 )

I tried, damn it I tried, but bloging is in my blood. I feel compelled to share my life with the world even though the world don't give a shit. It fulfills something within me, and my life is so bleak now I need to fill it with something. So, hello again.

Several things have gone down lately, I wrote a letter to my ex-doctor:

I went through the drive-up line of our local utility company and spoke to a couple of people on a computer screen, asking them to not charge me a hundred bucks deposit to hook my gas up because I'm fucking freezing in this little house and my payment history over the last two and a half years has been impeccable, and they said go to hell. It aint the money, it's the principle. Once you pay a deposit it's their money to invest and draw interest on for the next three years and you can't touch it. No gas for me this winter.

Christmas is coming on fast and I aint stroking it, it can come on it's own. I spend my days at David Crockett State Park because it's bleak and beautiful and I don't have to think about anything. I sit there surrounded by leafless trees drinking from a tin cup because I can since I just downgraded my commercial drivers license to a class D.

So, there you go...

Route 43
( 642 of 2167 )

I've been mapping out my next road trip. U.S. Route 43 is born just up the road from me in Columbia, TN, rolls through Summertown where Steph lives, my little dead-end street here in Lawrenceburg connects directly to it, and about 400 miles later it drops down into Cajun country at Mobile, AL.

There are faster routes to Mobile but 43 takes you through the country, most of which I've never seen despite three trips to Pensacola, FL which is just down the road.

Hell, if it was a bit warmer I would leave today but it ain't, I have no cat sitter, and I just need to wait...

Here's the Google Map if you want to dive deep.

Honey
( 643 of 2167 )

I like to eat healthy and I love goat cheese and honey. Fortunately both are available around here in their most natural state. The Amish make amazing cheese and I have a great source, and I've just found a place (Nature's Nuggets) that sells local totally raw honey straight from a bulk container into a jar.

Both, are delicious!

Grateful
( 644 of 2167 )

It seems like a good time to list the things I'm grateful for:

•  I'm alive, I ain't broke, I'm supporting myself and I ain't in no fucking nursing home.

•  I have a cheap place to live on a quiet street with all the electronics a man needs in this modern world. I also have the expertise from decades of experience to make them all work together.

•  I have a cat that loves me, that I cherish in return, and we warm each others backs in bed at night.

•  I have an old truck that takes me where I need to go, to places I shouldn't go but what the hell, and always lets me stretch my legs out in the back when I'm done driving.

•  I have a few people in my life that care about me, for which I am eternally grateful.

Everything Falls
( 645 of 2167 )

It's cold here in southern Tennessee, sort of, like about 25 or so, but I came here from the Idaho mountains where it got down to 40 below often, so it's all relative.

I'm hunkered down in my little bedroom office space with my computer, smaller TV, and my bed with cat sleeping on it. The only heater in the house is sitting on the floor warming the space up nicely, screw the local utility company who wanted a hundred bucks deposit to turn on the gas.

Christmas day is a week away and I can't wait. Until then I will hang low, watch the Titans on Sunday, try to eat healthy and not drink too much. On christmas eve I will be right here with the heater on, cat on bed, looking forward to New Years.

And stuff will continue to fall from my hands, I drop everything, it's comical. If this is the only downside from whatever ails me, fine, I'll live with it.

I have a job resume sitting on a local Lawrenceburg city desk that I'm totally qualified for and probably could land. It's a noble job setting up rides for seniors that I applied for recently. I'm really torn, do I want to go back to work, am I up for it, would my physical issues get in the way? Wow, I don't know, merry christmas and a fucking happy new year.

btw: Sometimes the f-word is the only word that works...

My Friend
( 646 of 2167 )

My friend Steph dropped by last week.

MyRide Proto
( 647 of 2167 )

It amazes me how many businesses rely on FaceBook to provide a web presence to the world. It's even worse when they create a domain name presence that cries out for securing that name, but they don't because they don't know how or what to do with it once they get it.

I have a job in the hopper here with a local rideshare for seniors program. They need someone to take it by the reins and make it come alive. I am hugely qualified to do it with decades of experience in the paratransit world, barring health issues that might get in the way.

I was looking at their Facebook page yesterday and saw that they were calling themselves MyRide Lawrence which is a subsidiary of the MyRide, TN program, based here in Lawrence County. Their email was myridelawrence at gmail.com which showed a definite commitment to a domain name.

But, they hadn't secured the name! OMG... So I did. Then I took that great template I used for Rileys auto body business and created a website on it. It looks damn sexy on my phone, just like an app, but it's pure php, html, css, mysqli and javascript.

And, I don't have that job, what the hell am I thinking? Do I send them the link and say Merry Christmas? It's still a work in progress as I need to build signup forms for it, but if you would like to take it for a spin, because you're special and follow my blog, here you go:

myridelawrence.com

Feedback appreciated...

Award
( 648 of 2167 )

I had been transporting folks in wheelchairs around south Seattle for years when ATC Vancom took our company over in 1996. A year later I won their first Employee of The Year award and we went on to be the largest paratransit company on the west coast, acquiring all the competition.

I remember one day a couple months later in front of the Kent, WA bowling alley. I had the twins on board, two strapping handsome young non-verbal guys in their early twenties, both paralyzed from the neck down when their mom contracted Toxoplasmosis from a litter box. The only thing they could do is move their head, eat and drink, and express their feelings to the world with facial expressions. That particular day I was blasting music out on the buses radio as I unloaded them and we were having a great time, they loved music, and then my boss walked around the corner.

I thought I was going to get grief about the loud music but as soon as I got the boys inside and turned it down he offered me a promotion to supervisor. I accepted, went on to be the lead, wrote the companies first supervisor manual and trained eight more. Another career at Hopelink Transportation followed that, another ten years driving the bus in Teton Valley, and now I sit here with 25 years experience in the business. This is on top of a 20 year career as a computer scientist.

I mention all this because I might end up adding to the story here in Tennessee and I wonder if I'll ever really retire.

MySQLi
( 649 of 2167 )

Well, here we are, again, and I have no comment about christmas anymore... I hadn't written any code for months and now I find myself wrapped up in a new project. I've also made a discovery, it's called MySQLi.

Over the many years I became very proficient in database software MySQL running under PHP. A few years ago it upgraded to an object oriented form called PDO, and I mastered that too. Now I find that the whole game has changed again to an improved version of MySQL, thus the i at the end, and I just figured it out, and I like it.

The MyRide Tennessee system I'm working with, and the position I applied for locally, appears to be a manual system. Maybe they have some online spreadsheets going on that match seniors who need a ride, to volunteer drivers willing to take them, but that would require someone to sit by the phone, take the requests, match them to a driver, and OMG...

The whole thing screams out for automation and that requires a database of drivers, clients and ride requests. Well, I just implemented a database of drivers, and software to allow signup, into my MyRide Lawrence app. If you would like to try it out and give me some feedback (as a fucking christmas present :-), I've got a link for you. Just signup as if you were a local driver and let me know how it works.

Here's the link: ( myridelawrence.com?m=links ). Click on Driver Login under Links, click the Register Now link at the bottom, and I'll check the database occasionally to see if anyone has done it. It's just test software and you can't break anything... Thanks.

Mxmas
( 650 of 2167 )

Dancing alone in my little cold place to youtube, neighbor gone so I can crank it up, singing out loud so hard it hurts, moving my body so smooth like somebody would want to. Outside, people are wallowing in the birth of christ dressed up in a little santa suit, Steph has a new grandson I won't see, my code writing is back to it's old brilliant self, and I'm ok...

Company Saved
( 651 of 2167 )

In 1979 I started working on the second version of the shipping software I had created earlier for Interocean Steamship Corporation based in San Francisco. The company had become the envy of the industry from the RPG software I created to run on their IBM System 3 computer, doing business in both Seattle and Long Beach via modem. IBM introduced RPG 3 along with a new processor and they wanted a conversion.

I billed them $65 an hour for a year and a half and created a brand new system. It was beautiful, amazing, and did everything they wanted. When I was done they hired a lady to take over as data processing manager, and I moved on. About a month later I got a call from her, and she was crying.

Turns out, she was doing some kind of backup at the IBM Data Center in the City, screwed up, and lost all of the code! I mean everything, they were down and non-operational. We're talking a major shipping company on the tenth floor of the California building employing hundreds of people!

Fortunately, I had printed out all the code (we didn't have external storage back then) and it was sitting at my place in the form of a stack of computer paper a foot high. I was training two lovely ladies at the time to do what I did and the three of us walked in to Interocean carrying that stack of paper just before Christmas.

We told them they had to bring in every specialist they could, over the Christmas holidays, to enter this code back into the system by hand. A formidable project indeed!

And then we left. We never billed them for our time, hell, this was one bunch of despondent people thinking the end was near. A few months later I dropped by and they were up and running and doing great! There was one little stunning blond that I had hit on there, to no avail, and she came up and planted a kiss on me. Nuff said...

Comdex
( 652 of 2167 )

The early eighties following the release of the original IBM PC were like the wild west, and I was right in the heart of it. I had a couple products being marketed by a startup out of San Rafael with two business partners, buddies of mine, who pushed them.

The biggest computer show in the world was called Comdex and it blew apart Vegas every year. Huge amazing parties, millions of dollars thrown around and deals were being made that shaped the future. Me and my boys were down there every year, they worked the angles, and I played the role of software guru.

My office was a table in the corner of a strip club west of the convention center. When people wanted to meet the guru they were brought to the club, plied with drinks and tits, and deals were made.

Amazing things sprang from those Comdex adventures and continued to the end of the decade.

Zoom Shot
( 653 of 2167 )

Well I finally got around to digging out my old Logitech video cam and microphone, and setting up Zoom. I'm now connected and can work from home, if the opportunity shows up. Here's a shot from my office desktop with a Golden Gate Bridge background. If you have Zoom installed, hit me up!

Pipe Tools
( 654 of 2167 )

My neighbor is a heating and air conditioning guy and he brought over some tools he just paid over $600 for. One set bends pipes, the other expands the ends. I have software tools that do similar things, and for the most part don't cost me a cent.

Midnight
( 655 of 2167 )

I considered staying up last night to watch the ball drop but I went to bed at 7:30 instead. I woke up five minutes before midnight and thought about jumping up and grabbing the TV remote, but I just laid in bed and stared at my expensive watch as it marched quietly into the next year. I wondered if it was going to do something fancy, like a little animated show or something, hell I can send texts, make phone calls and it shows me a stupid happy face when fully charged!

Nothing, it read Jan 1, 2021 around the edge, a small explosion happened outside (firework or gun, you never know around here) and instead of watching the ball drop I let my own balls drop back into that warm spot between my legs they were hanging out at before I rolled over to look at my watch.

Happy New Year.

My Ride
( 656 of 2167 )

To whom it may concern,

Greetings! My name is Jim Hamilton, currently residing in Lawrenceburg, TN. I'm a former computer scientist, turned transit specialist, and now retired. I recently became interested in the MyRide Tennessee program from an ad in our local paper looking for a coordinator to take the reins of their volunteer program, for which I have applied.

I realized quickly that the program here has no internet presence other than facebook, and they use the domain name myridelawrence throughout, which begged for it's own website, so I created one. Then I wrote some great code to go with it.

Before I proceed here I should make my intentions clear. I do this for the love of the game, I'm not a hustler trying to work an angle with these fine people. Whatever comes from this will resolve itself honorably.

As to the code, besides being a pleasant landing spot for anyone interested in the service, it's phone friendly and looks like a native app, yet it's real strength lies in it's database structure.

There are three main components to a service that hooks up volunteer drivers with seniors to provide them rides around town to stores and doctors. You need a database containing the drivers, the clients, and the trips. Then you need an interface that individually allows drivers to signup, clients to signup, and then a system to handle the bookings.

I have created the driver and client signup systems, with state of the art security, along with administrator functions which oversee everything. The database is lacking financial information for the clients because it's a nonprofit, but otherwise complete. There is no bookings system, yet.

I have not met with the Lawrence county folks regarding this job yet, and quite frankly, if they have a person in mind who can handle it, I will support them, pass the code over if they're interested, and get some road trips in.

If anyone else within the MyRide system has an interest in what I have created, hit me up! You can reach the website here: myridelawrence.com. If you go to the Links section you will see options for signing up as a Driver or a Client. Give it a shot if you like, it's only test data. The Administrator functions are very cool with control over everything, but you need to ask me directly for the Username and Password to try them out.

Sincerely,

Jim (tetonpost at gmail.com)

I sent this to all of the MyRide Tennessee operations in the state. Here's what the Admin Dashboard looks like:

DB Status
( 657 of 2167 )

When a new Driver or Client signs up to my new system, a basic record is created in the database containing their Name, Address, Phone and Email. They are then presented with the option to enter supplemental information about themselves. If they choose not to, or want to do it later, that's fine.

Each Driver and Client record then may or may not have a Supplemental record associated with it. The System Admin wants everyone to have all their information on file so he needs a tool to manage that. He needs to know if they have even bothered to fill out the supplemental info, and have they filled out all of the fields.

My Admin Tool Database Status gives them the power to keep the whole thing in line. It shows them who hasn't filled out the info at all, and who hasn't filled out everything. It then presents their Name, Phone and Text so they can just click the number, initiate a call or text, and remind them...

Lost
( 658 of 2167 )

Awsnu.com
( 659 of 2167 )

Pronounced Ahhs-New.com, it stands for "Another Web Site Nobody Uses" and I just grabbed the domain name. Why? Why the hell not. I can do it because I know how, I can put code up there that simply spells out the name because I know how, it only costs me $10 bucks, and five letter domains are cool.

Now all you need to do is click here and you will see how brilliant it is...

Seagull Art
( 660 of 2167 )

Face It
( 661 of 2167 )

I just can't seem to get anyone to embrace this web template of mine. I started it out with the tubing company last summer and they blew it off, I ported it over into a site for Riley's auto body business and it died the slow death of waiting for content from the partners wife. Now I've ramped it up into a database driven transportation entity that appears to be going nowhere, again.

Maybe I have to face the reality that I'm delusional, that it really sucks and people I show it to are just being polite when they say, that's cool. To accept that premise would shatter my ego and drive the knife deep into my failing grip on sanity.

The web world is funny though. I did a Google search on this latest piece and it appeared at the top of the list, right before their facebook page, and they probably don't even know it. I've got a YouTube video about dancing horses out there approaching 40k views, 200 thumbs up and tons of comments, I've got a mapping app on this blog that's had 1.4 million hits, and yet I still can't make a website stick...

What Snow
( 662 of 2167 )

We got a dusting of snow around here last night, southern Tennessee is treating it like a major snow day, and they shut down the schools! Piper and I are not impressed as it took at least a foot of snow to bring transportation down where we came from.

MRL Structure
( 663 of 2167 )

MyRide Lawrence Database Structure and Login:

Tables

There are currently six database tables within the MyRide system:

 • The Drivers table contains basic information about each driver (name, address, phone, and email).

 • The Drivers Supplement table contains additional data about the drivers personal and vehicle licensing, insurance and hours of availability.

 • The Clients table contains basic information about each client.

 • The Clients Supplement table contains additional data about the client such as services required and additional contact info.

 • The Staff table contains a basic information record for each staff member.

 • The Admin table contains a basic information record for each administrator (typically one).

Logins

There are four different user login procedures, each requiring a User Name and Password. The Driver and Client logins offer the ability to Sign Up if they are not yet in the system.

 • The Driver login gives each driver access to procedures relevant to them.

 • The Client login gives each client access to procedures relevant to them.

 • The Staff login is a subset of the Admin level, allowing maintenance of non-sensitive Driver and Client information along with report functions.

 • The Admin login gives access to everything, update control over all information, along with add and delete control over all Drivers, Clients and Staff.

Pending

The next logical table is Rides which will put the entire structure to work...

btw: When a new driver is added they automatically get included in the Photos / Drivers section of the website. :-)

New Driver
( 664 of 2167 )

My friend Crissinda signed up as a Driver at my new website and made my afternoon. As a result she now appears as a driver on the site and I got an email notification that it happened (I wrote that notification code btw, hell I wrote everything...). When she added her vehicle type to the supplementel data it showed up under her photo. Worked great!

Here's the email:

MyGPT-3
( 665 of 2167 )

GPT-3 is a neural network powered language model which predicts the likelihood of a sentence existing in the world. It's being made available by OpenAI, and I've applied to it's API. Elon Musk initially invested in and supported this artificial intelligence entity but bailed when they sold it to Microsoft.

It could be the next big thing in tech so I decided to hop on board and grab a domain while I can. Stay tuned to mygpt3.com!

Unibomber
( 666 of 2167 )

Sometimes I question where I've landed in life, (a small house on a dead end street in southern Tennessee) and then I think of what might have been. I guess we all do that don't we. My new technique in dealing with this is to imagine the worst scenario, like ending up unibomber style in a maximum security cell with just a hard cot, a toilet, and a small little writing shelf, until you die. My place is a palace in comparison and I'm free to live my life how I wish! So shut the hell up brain.

Speaking of that, my creativity is running rampant, my brain is exploding with new ideas and concepts and it's truly out of control and I need to settle it down a bit or I won't be able to focus on anything. Right now I'm going to get my ass off this chair and go to the store for food, just because I can. Have a great day and thanks for dropping by!

Moving On
( 667 of 2167 )

I didn't get that job running the MyRide Lawrence program, hell I wasn't even called in for an interview, and I had to email them twice to see if they had made a decision! I suspect they had someone picked all along but had to go through the motions, it is a small southern town after all. Oh well, they don't know what they missed and at least now I'm free to explore other life options. I've been pouring my heart and soul into a website for them, knowing full well I probably wouldn't be able to implement it, and now I need to just have fun with it.

If you do a Google search for myride lawrence my site is right up there with their Facebook page, and a DuckDuckGo search has it at the top of their list! It has been truly rewarding to create an amazing piece, my creative mind is happy, but watch out now. :-)

I haven't given up on it at all, in fact I'm converting it to a generic MyRide template and there are several around the state. Maybe I can find an interested party...

myridelawrence.com

 

Torn
( 668 of 2167 )

I've created a new website btw. It's called MyRide Lab (myridelab.com) which I'll use to pitch the concept around Tennessee, and the MyRide Lawrence site can just die a slow death. (what, me bitter? nah... :-)

And yes I know the site title still says Lawrence, working on it. Also, all new Photos and Videos...

btw: Here's the original photo for that artwork:

The Future
( 669 of 2167 )

In 1981 I was making $65 an hour coding mini's and had a bunch of cash saved up. One afternoon I walked into a Computerland store in Oakland, CA, plopped down $5k and walked out with one of the very first IBM PC's to hit the market, a nice color monitor from Canada and a printer. I knew it was the future, shifted coding gears, and it turns out I was right.

Now I sit here forty years later and I'm still typing code into an Intel powered machine running a Microsoft OS! What the hell?

MyRide Lab
( 670 of 2167 )

I've launched my new template myridelab.com out into the wild. It has evolved into a very nice app and I'm pleased with it. We'll see what happens...

Horses
( 671 of 2167 )

I shot some video of dancing horses at a parade in Kent, WA many years back, and put it on YouTube. It's been pretty popular and has generated a lively comment discussion. Click the photo below to go there.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Jenny
( 672 of 2167 )

It all started at a Four Square Baptist church in Paradise CA. I was hanging out there because my best friend Crazy Louie wanted me to. I met a girl there named Jenny Arcuri who was as bored as I was and invited me to her place for sex. We continued that relationship for a while and she became pregnant.

The church people said we should get married so we did. Wild times happened, I ended up as my daughters sole parent, and proceeded to fuck it up.

Now, after all these years, I have thirteen grandchildren from Beckys multiple relationships, and from what I can tell they were all given up for adoption or abandoned to the state. If ever there was verification of the phrase we reap what we sow, this is it.

Yet if I had never met Jenny, all of these beautiful lives would not exist. I haven't met most of them but from what I know the genes handed down to me on my grandfathers side out of Joplin, MO have prevailed and my ancestry lives on now strongly and varied.

I have decided to make it my goal to meet every one of them and share my knowledge of their heritage, which expands back through this country for hundreds of years. I'm sure they don't know any of this and coming from broken homes, maybe they would appreciate it.

Here is a grand-daughter I knew existed but have never seen before until a few days ago:

The resemblance to my daughter Becky is striking and heart breaking...

Crazy Louie
( 673 of 2167 )

I mentioned Crazy Louie in my last post, and thought I would expand on that. Louie was my best friend in Paradise CA, during high school and the few years that followed that. He really wasn't crazy, that's just what people called him because he was different. To put it honestly he was slightly retarded, but he always looked upon life with childlike innocence and was always smiling at the wonderment of it all.

We rented a run down little apartment in Chico one mid-sixties summer and payed the rent with whatever odd jobs we could find. At night we roamed around town and dumpster dived for furnishings. We lived off of tomato sandwiches. Life was wonderful.

One day we decided to hitchhike to Mexico. As I reflect back on that idea, it was probably mine, and Louie was just up for the adventure, because he was crazy.

We each packed up a suitcase with clothes, hit the road, and crossed into Tijuana two days later. The first thing we did was hit the bars and proceeded to blow all of our remaining cash on booze. At one point we were sitting on the sidewalk selling our clothes to the Mexicans for more bar cash. We met an American there who asked if we wanted to drive to Ensenada with him, he had tequila, we said sure. Along the way we picked up some Mexican hitchhikers and the party was on.

When we got to downtown Ensenada, Louie was passed out in the back seat and the guy suggested he and I walk around the block in opposite directions looking for a good bar, and meet up on the other side. "That's a good idea!", I slurred.

Ok, not... While I walked around the block the guy disappeared with Louie and our suitcases. So there I was, flat broke, 65 miles from the border, and my compadre who really needed me to take care of him, had been kidnapped.

I wondered around looking for him for a while, realized it was hopeless, hitched back up north, crossed the border and landed in a park in downtown Long Beach. My plan was to go visit my other good buddy Ricky on his Navy ship and get a meal, but I was exhausted and crashed on the grass for several hours.

When I woke up, god spoke to me. Instead of walking over to the street that led to the base, I headed for the middle of the park. Up ahead I saw somebody slumped over on a bench with his head in his lap and an old man with a grey beard was standing over him. Suddenly Louie looked up and came rushing into my arms.

The old man vanished and there by the bench were our suitcases. Louie told me he had been dropped off at a beach down the road (after probably being sexually assaulted) and had been sleeping in phone booths until landing in this park. The old man had walked up to him and after hearing his story told him they should pray together. That's what they were doing when I walked up, I swear to god. And to be clear, this park had no significance, it was not some place we agreed to meet at, if ever separated.

We then hitched on home and got on with our lives.

Pipers Bed
( 674 of 2167 )

My email from Amazon was trying to sell me a cat bed, then I turned around to check on Piper and realized she don't need no cat bed, she has mine. She's been sleeping on my bed with me for many years now and lately at night she finds the nook of my leg and curls up into it to stay warm.

I recently saw a thing on TV mounting a campaign to stop pet obesity. Those people can go to hell and Piper can be just as fat and happy as she wants. As I glance out my window at my huge back yard I think a campaign to stop groundhog obesity would be better.

I should mention that the blanket her nose is on and the crocheted one are both my grandmothers old blankets. In fact, she made the crocheted blanket. They are two of my prized possessions.

Me Cubed
( 675 of 2167 )

btw: This effect is my creation...

JimCube
( 676 of 2167 )

It's funny how I've fallen into the senior transportation bag and apparently it's big business around the U.S. It makes sense, a huge portion of the population (baby boomers) have hit that mark where they need transportation services to get them around.

So I started out applying my mobile template to the local MyRide thing here in Lawrenceburg. It was an interesting start into a transit oriented app but I had all these individual programs performing various things to various database tables and it had quickly become unmanageable.

One night I went to bed at seven and woke up four hours later with a concept of consolidating tables and code, and proceeded to develop version two.

It has now evolved into really nice code. At the core I have created five tables:

 • A User table which contains the records of the four different user types, Admin, Staff, Driver and Client. This is basic information like ID number, username, password, name, address, email, phones, and geo-location.

 • Supplement tables, one for each type, containing their own unique record layout requirements.

Then I created five layout files which define the fields for each of the five tables, the idea being you can customize the data based on a companies requirements. If you need to add or change a field in any record layout the entire system will recognize that new field, or change, and handle the data appropriately. No diving down into the code to change anything!

This is damned cool stuff, and this morning I ported all of the code for a generic MyRide Tennessee operation, which nobody bit on, into a new app called, wait for it, jimcube.com.

There are a ton a start-up senior transportation companies around the country and maybe I can catch the interest of one, or two.

Text Editor
( 677 of 2167 )

I've been running all of the major rich text website based editors through their paces lately, and most were developed by geeks who love pushing javascript bullshit on you just to get them up and going. One of them had 240 setup options, give me a break!

I have settled on the one I should have checked out first, called tinyMCE. It's open-source but does have paid plans that I need to stay away from. I like it a lot, it's very configurable, and it just works.

A text editor is key to my marketing plan for JimCube. I want to give folks the ability to create/change their own content on the site, whenever they want. Now all they have to do is log on as Admin, select the section they want to edit, and do it.

I was having so much fun with the editor today that I rewrote all of the main site text with it, instead of changing the code here on my computer and then uploading it to the server.

Finally
( 678 of 2167 )

Serious
( 679 of 2167 )

If I'm going to get serious about this website project, I should just, you know, get serious. Steph dropped by on her day off yesterday so I sat her down and showed her the latest stuff. She said, I like it a lot, but you're naked.

Ok, I've known the broad for a couple of decades and she can be brutally honest and the plea that I'm only shirtless in the spinning logo fell very flat. Not to mention the stupid name, JimCube.

So, once again, I have rebranded my latest project. MyRideLawrence, MyRideLab and JimCube are now retired and the three domains all re-direct to, wait for it...

Ahh, just click here :-)

First Shot
( 680 of 2167 )

I got Vax Sin Ated this morning. Stayed in my truck through the whole process and barely felt the prick in my arm. They asked you to wait in the church parking lot in case you had a reaction, I waited ten and was out of there.

This is the first flu shot I've ever had, always just said no, but people my age around me are dropping like flies. I've got stuff to do and I ain't gonna let this shit take me out.

Next day update: Zero side effects...

Secure Ride
( 681 of 2167 )

Don't you just hate the hassle of adding a security certificate to a domain? Not to mention having to update all of your links from http to https like everywhere you have them, all of your various API keys from map vendors and such have to be re-created with them because the URL has changed. Know what I mean? Sheesh...

And then to do it on the first day you've launched an ad campaign with a new product page on Facebook! Why do I do this to myself? Oh well, everything is done and it went smoothly. http://www.rideque.com/ is now https://rideque.com/

Queue Notes
( 682 of 2167 )

I've been going to bed at 7pm and getting up at 3am. Sometimes earlier on both ends. I have no human contact unless I go to the store. My goal is to avoid the world until my second shot Mar 8.

I was alone on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and the Super Bowl. Guess what I'm doing on Valentines Day? :-) Not complaining, these are my choices in life as it exists now.

I woke up this morning thinking my project was pretty well wrapped and then proceeded to design an amazing Ride Queue concept that ties the whole thing together, and then created a Notes structure that lets me describe everything externally from links within the main application.

Here's the Notes on the new Ride Queue Table.

Book A Ride
( 683 of 2167 )

Fleshing out the ride booking process here. Inbound and outbound rides are single rides and could be handled by different drivers...

Snow Update
( 684 of 2167 )

Ok, I'm a snow snob, I admit it. I have frequently brushed off the lame ass snow events that have happened here over the last three years, but this one wasn't bad, about six inches down, icey underneath, temps into the lower teens.

I've been hunkered down for days now waiting for it to melt but it just keeps coming. Power and internet are still up so I'm good, but I was running out of things so I decided to do a store run this morning.

Got out to the highway, ran into a pile of snow and ice blocking the street, and got stuck. As I was walking back to the house a big ol monster truck pulled up with a good ol boy driving around with his kids unstuking people. His teenage son in another truck came up from the south, turned his rig sideways and blocked the road. I grabbed my tow strap, hooked to his bumper and he had me pulled out onto the highway in a heartbeat, and down the road towards town we all rolled.

Went to Krogers and stocked up and on the way back into our street I gunned it and went flying through that patch of crap and slid to a stop at my carport. Fun day!

Help Me
( 685 of 2167 )

I need Help! I ventured out yesterday into the Winter Disaster of 2021, at risk of life and limb, just to get critical supplies at the store with barren shelves, and I forgot two things. Plastic garbage bags and crackers. Not just any crackers mind you, but those little organic cheesy round ones. I need them for my goat cheese mid-morning snacks! If anyone can help, please let me know, the situation is dire...

Update: I was wrong, they're square:

Austin Move
( 686 of 2167 )

My grand-daughter Taylor is moving from Austin to Pensacola in a couple of days, new place, new job, proud of her and Shelby. I was running my new kick-ass ride booking app through it's paces just now and plugged in the moving truck run. Wish I could help, but it looks like they have it covered.

Watch Out
( 687 of 2167 )

Steph's doctor said that her A1C level is lowered, which is good I suppose. My B2D (bottle to drink) level has been at zero for some time now and I don't need no doctor to tell me that my body is loving it. Combined with the fact that smoke hasn't touched my lungs since last summer, and I get my second covid shot shortly, I'm one healthy old asshole. Watch out world...

Ride Test
( 688 of 2167 )

Just thought I would share my latest work here. The Rides system is coming along nicely where Clients can go online and search, click, and drag the map around until they have their ride from Point A to Point B specified. It then enters the Que where Drivers can decide if they want to accept it.

As a test, I booked a ride from the town I used to live in, to the town I live in now. I offer it here for you to try out in Visitor mode, which is what Drivers and Staff would see. You can't change it but you sure can have fun with it!

If you click the black A box, the map will fly to the starting point. Then click that little icon to the right of the car to start Auto mode. Forward and backward buttons become available. If you drag the map around and center the red dot near any place along the route and start Auto, the map will pickup the directions display at the nearest waypoint. This is a new directions concept I came up with, involves a little trig, and I'm quite pleased with it. :-)

Click the image below to try out my little test...

Update: I just opened up the Click logic so you can try your own routes :-)

To Taylor
( 689 of 2167 )

Just had a nice little video chat with my grand-daughter Taylor and now I know where her new home is down in Pensacola. I'm really antsy to hit the road with my girlfriend Piper and go hang out there for a bit, but I've got that damned second shot coming up.

The area behind the seats in my truck is cleared out and ready for the girl. I'll put food on one side and a place to shit on the other, and she will be right at home.

The route below is not quite accurate since I'm going to be following Hwy 43 all the way down so just picture a line to the left through Tuscaloosa. I have to admit, as much as I make fun of the South, I'm glad I'm here. Hey, I'm even going to be driving through Hamilton Alabama!

Fifty Two
( 690 of 2167 )

Sometimes, when working on a complex block of code, I have a moment. After hours of diving deep into a project where I know what I want to achieve and all of the pieces are slowly converging, I think to myself, what result logged to the browser console would indicate complete success, that everything works exactly as I conceived it.

I had one of those moments this morning when I opened the console thinking of a single number sent from the code that said success! It was the number 52 and when I saw it sitting there quietly, solidly and alone in the window at the bottom of the browser I thrust my arm towards the screen and shouted "Yes" to a quiet neighborhood where nobody heard me.

I think everyone has those moments at sometime, where something happens that validates all of your hard work and energy, and you just say "Yes" and pump your fist.

The Look
( 691 of 2167 )

I have an unusual ability that I don't talk about much, but then that's why I have a blog. On occasion, I get a glimpse of the other side, usually involving people, where their facade drops off and their true self is visible in all of it's harsh reality.

I suspect this ability became unlocked back in my Haight Ashbury sixties days where I dropped a lot of acid. I used to peek behind the curtain often and it was always enlightening.

I recall the last most vivid occurrence was with the little old lady out on Bates Road in Teton Valley about six years ago. She was a spoiled old broad, nice home on a few acres with a stunning view of the Tetons. Her son was a top mechanic in town, performed magic on my old truck a few times, and mom was well taken care of. Three times a week I would brave the snow drifts to bring her in to the Senior Center for lunch, and then back home, a fifteen mile tough drive in the winter, and it was free to her.

One day as she was walking up the ramp to the Center, pushing her walker in front of her (she was in her late eighties), I mentioned I might be a little late picking her up. Her face was sideways to me and as I think about it, she rarely made direct eye contact. Suddenly she stopped and turned towards me, and I was stunned.

What emerged from that winkled, mostly pleasant face, was the look of a gnarly old wicked witch. It was a Dorothy in Oz kind of witch, and I have never forgotten it.

Just one example, I have a few more... Speaking of weird things, the slab in my creek looked interesting this morning. Considering that Hernando de Soto camped on this creek back in 1541, who knows.

Little Mind
( 692 of 2167 )

I've been wondering lately what stands between me and death and the fact that I'm asking is good because it means I ain't there yet. Covid didn't get me, I have no heart issues or cancer that I know of, and my genes are good. A bit snug, but good.

So the main thing standing in the way is me, and the choices I make. I could always fall victim to fate, like the guy my age up in Nashville that just got smashed into by a 13 year old kid running a light at high speed in a stolen car, but that's out of my control, unless I decide to never drive again.

As I mosey down Hwy 43 next week I'll have plenty of time to think about all this, and my goal is to show Piper the ocean. I bet it will blow her little mind...

Twonated
( 693 of 2167 )

Waterline
( 694 of 2167 )

So when the nurse at the fire station jammed the needle in my arm she asked if I had any issues with the last one. I said hell no and she said I should expect flu-like symptoms with this one. Hell no...

My truck is packed and ready to roll down to Pensacola tomorrow and I just plugged a route into my vehicle GPS that will take me to Hamilton, AL then on to Jackson, Al then on to Pensacola, FL. It should be Hwy 43 most of the way and take nine hours. I could make it in 6.5 hours if I took the Interstate, but screw that. I get up every morning at 0200 so I'll be out the door around 0300 and into Florida mid-day.

Wednesday I'm taking my grand-daughter Taylor and my cat Piper to the beach in Florabama where I'm going to set her cat carrier down at the waterline, let the saltwater drift on in, and open it up. Of course I'll take pictures.

Disaster
( 695 of 2167 )

What was I thinking... We were rolling down 43 about ten miles from the house when Piper climbed into my lap to look out the window. How sweet I thought, want's to hang with daddy, then she let out a guttural meow and proceeded to pee all over my lap, big time.

I pulled in to a closed gas station for a little light, stripped my soaking wet sweatpants off and wiped myself down. It's a good thing I live in the quiet south because walking around to the back of my truck for dry pants, without any pants on, wasn't even noticed at 0230 in the morning.

Ok, onward I mumbled, accidents happen, poor baby. She climbed into my passenger seat and a little further down the road she let out another meow so I pulled over and put her in the cool little litter box I had set up in the back. Too late, she had already shit all over the seat. And my phone.

My poor truck reeked of cat piss and shit as I pressed the Go Home button on my GPS. Shortly I was being guided through every little backroad I never knew existed as she brought me back, with the window down, on a dark chilly Tennessee morning, home.

I don't know what my next move is yet. Let the sun come up and clean my truck at least...

Cut Off
( 696 of 2167 )

Last summer I was driving people up and down Shoal Creek in an old school bus, pulling a trailer full of float tubes behind. Business was booming, we were short-handed, so I got the bright idea to get Steph's grandson on-board. He was a buff kid, broke and in need of a job, so he came down and worked an afternoon for us. I told him we really needed him the next morning by 1000 but he had some over-nighter with his buddies going on, and never made it the next day. The job fell apart at that point and I ended up the villain with the family, and they cut me off. I have not seen those two little girls that I was falling in love with, since.

A while ago I drove to Pensacola to meet another grand-daughter and I was on my way down there again for a few fun days, when my poor sweet cat pissed and shit on my parade. I didn't make it and as punishment, I have been cut off.

It's becoming a pattern that I am not happy with. But, I have to face reality, it is what it is, and I am a realist. I also don't have that much time left and I despise self-pity wallowing, so all I can do now is say "Fuck It" and see what comes down the old highway of life next.

Staying on this dead-end street for no damn good reason, ain't high on the list...

Care
( 697 of 2167 )

Maybe it's because I'm old, but I'm running out of care. Like when people I care about threaten to disrespect god's gift of life, when old uncle Joe stumbles up the stairs, and the blackification of America shoves it's self down my throat on TV.

So what happens when you run out? You sit back and take stock of what remains real. You dig down into your core and ask questions, like, what the fuck do you want to do with your remaining time on earth?

And then you do one of two things, sit back and say it ain't worth the effort, and kill yourself, or get your ass moving down the road to a final destiny that makes you fulfilled.

Life is a gift from god. You live it until you die, that's it, end of story, and see a smiling god on the other side. Ending it by your own hand pisses him off and commits you to hell. So I'm going to Boca Chica Beach, that will make him happy!

And where is that you ask? It's way down in the southeast corner of Texas, right on the Mexican border. It's a beach you can drive out and camp on but you better bring your own shit because there ain't no services. You also drive right by a Space-X launch site to get there.

And what about Piper you ask? Steph's got it, she reminded me today that she took care of the girl while I was on that eleven day cruise and the recent road trip back West. Thank you my friend, you get me, and I love you.

My truck is totally striped down, just the bed in the back. I'm not carrying all the normal stuff I ride with because I'm not sure she's going to make it the whole way. After all, I came back from that last road trip and had to put in a junk yard rear-end to just keep moving. Although I must say, she's moving mighty fine! I'm bringing along a backpack that will hold my important shit in case shit goes to hell, know what I mean?

So here I go. I ain't pushing this post out, so if you landed here, you chose to. stay tuned...

Shoal Creek 21
( 698 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Trailer Trash Mama
( 699 of 2167 )

She ain't pretentious, she says what she feels.

There's no doubt about it, this mama's for real.

She done raised her kids, she ain't havin no more.

She spent all her money, and now she's dirt poor.

She's my trailer trash mama.

Biloxi Bound
( 700 of 2167 )

Putting treats inside plastic eggs is not on my list this year, so I'm heading down to Biloxi to eat some seafood on the beach, have a cocktail or two, watch the sunset and try to get my head straight. My truck is running great but I've got her stripped down this time, not carrying all the road stuff I normally travel with. If shit goes south (or north) I've got a backpack to throw everything into and I can work my way back home. I'm very grateful that I still have my spirit, as depressed as it is, and I have my health. Steph's watching Piper, fuck everything else...

My Gut
( 701 of 2167 )

I pulled out of my driveway this morning around 0400. Within minutes a knot started forming in my gut and by the time I stopped at a gas station for coffee, as the sun was coming up in Huntsville, Al, it was screaming at me.

What was it saying? Turn around. The reason I've lived this long is because I always listen to my gut, so I did. Now I'm sitting back at my house with visions of a Biloxi beach dancing sadly in my head.

Man, if I was depressed before, I'm bordering on suicidal now. It's a good thing I don't believe in that shit. Had a nice evening with my gun expert neighbor Daniel last night and we had my sawed off shotgun loaded to the hilt, one in the chamber and the safety on. He said I should take it with me, which I didn't, and the first thing I did when I got home was rapid eject five shells onto my table, flipped the safety off, and pulled the trigger.

So what now? I really don't know...

Shoal Creek 21a
( 702 of 2167 )

Never seen the creek go this high. Daniel thinks it's crested because he couldn't see the fence an hour ago.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Shoal Creek 21b
( 703 of 2167 )

From my front door, down to the quiet little creek.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Neighbor
( 704 of 2167 )

I have three good friends here in Tennessee: My cat Piper, my partner in life Steph, and my friend Daniel.

Over the last three years my next door neighbor Daniel and I have been hanging out. He's gotten married since and he and Jennifer live in separate houses, have a great relationship, but he comes over to my place once in a while to hang out.

We drink, we talk, we bond. His background is law enforcement and he currently maintains heating and air for the entire school district.

One time he picked me up off the floor where I fell. One time he held me from the scruff of my robe while I took a leak. He has taught me about guns, of which he has many. I'm old enough to be his dad. I love the guy.

Today he pulled up to his house in his service truck and came over to see how I was doing. I told him that I was depressed but thankfully I consider suicide not an option.

We hung out on my porch, I hugged him, life goes on...

Action
( 705 of 2167 )

I have decided that I have had enough of the Deep South. Starting today and continuing into the Spring and Summer I will be actively searching online for a new pad. Daniel suggested Amsterdam, which I could do, I have a passport and a double covid vax card. But nah... I'm thinking Western U.S., South and hot, live in a trailer rental with cheap rent. Legal weed all around me.

I'm thinking Kingman Arizona. Two of my favorite places are just across the valley in Bullhead City and Laughlin. A drive up to Washington to see Riley and Jess is workable, as is Jackson to see Brian and Nadia.

I have great references here that I can use to setup a place remotely. Trim my shit down, rent a small Uhaul, strap my truck on the back, and get the hell out of here.

The best cure for depression, is action.

Status Now
( 706 of 2167 )

Hey, hi! Thanks for dropping by oldmanjim's blog. You landed here because you chose to and I am honored. I suppose you're wondering what's going on in my life so here's the straight shit:

Unfortunately, I'm pretty fucked up. I'm existing in a small place on a dead-end street in southern Tennessee. I have two friends here: my next door neighbor Daniel and Steph up in Summertown. I have a fat old cat who is both a godsend, and a pain in the ass.

My goal is to get the hell out of here. I came here three years ago thinking I could enjoy a family but the kids I had come to love were wrenched from my life, and my heart is broken badly.

I'm very depressed. That's not a good thing for a man becoming 75 in July, so I'm working on it. Wish me well...

Old Asshole
( 707 of 2167 )

The old asshole is back, and I almost bought the domain oldasshole.com this morning, but bailed. The very last thing I need is another website.

I had an interesting day yesterday and decided to share it here. At 0800 I dropped Piper off at the Vet for a bath and board and kept on going north. Through Nashville, straight-pipe roaring loudly in the slow lane. Into Kentucky with visions of Paducah ahead signs blasting through my shades. Window down, arm out. Clean shaven, hair cut, the cool new hat my neighbor gave me, I must have been quite a sight in my old truck.

Just blindly following my GPS as I hit Illinois. As I was going up some freeway on-ramp, a hitch-hiker appeared on the side of the road, black backpack in one hand, and the other had it's thumb out.

We locked eyes and we both knew instantly that I was going to stop and give him a ride. He let go the backpack and raised both hands in the air like a touchdown sign, as I pulled to a stop right in front of him.

The guy has been on the road for the last thirteen years. He has no ID but he has a cellphone which he continuously played like a maestro as he video chatted with friends while snapping selfies of the both of us as I drove down the road. Mid thirties, dark red goatee, infectious smile, nice guy.

I told him I was in Illinois to buy a little sativa, a bit of indica, and a box of blunts. I invited him to hang while I made the purchase and I would brighten up his day. He tried to raise his arms again, but it's a low ceiling. We stopped at a Wendys and got us some lunch, then I left him sitting in my front seat while I went into the dispensary without a single worry. When you've been around as long as this old asshole you develop a sense about people, and I liked this guy.

We drove up on a hill that overlooks Marion Illinois, and smoked a blunt down to it's filter. We determined that our next moves in life were in opposite directions, literally, I was heading East he was going West, but I drove him six miles in his direction to a place he had hitched before. As he stepped out of the passenger seat he reached back in and extended his hand, and his shake was real and strong. A great life encounter and I feel honored to have met him.

Back Side
( 708 of 2167 )

Behind my monitor, way above the ground, birds chirping, creek flowing, home...

Thirty Years Ago
( 709 of 2167 )

Thirty years ago I lived in Kent, WA and one day I handed in my apartment key to the office and moved into the field next door. Borrowed a tent from Dave for a roof, flat broke and only had a few possessions, homeless.

I did have a little transistor radio though. The first song that played once I set up camp was Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn. I always associated that song with that moment in my life, and now I'm living less than a gas tank away from Memphis, watching the original video on my giant TV in my small place at the end of a little dead end street in Tennessee.

So, in honor of the anniversary, I'm going to Memphis. Check that, maybe not, reviews are sketchy...

Sex Drive
( 710 of 2167 )

I have a sex drive but by consciously choosing to remove sex from the life equation, I'm able to focus more clearly on the important things: Booze, Pot, my Truck and my Cat.

My past becomes clearer the longer I live and I move forward in life knowing every breath might be my last. I have FOSDD (Fear Of Suddenly Dropping Dead) syndrome. What would become of my remains and my massive estate? Who would quietly shut down all of my stupid internet domains? Who would rub my cats fat belly...

The best cure for FOSDD is BPTC.

I recently created an amazing webapp called RideQue.com. Some late nights last winter I literally blasted out of bed with a brilliant solution to a block of code. Now I lift each leg out, carefully.

My whole life is in front of me, and unburdened. I ain't financially or emotionally holdin to nobody, with a little money in the bank. Maybe it's time to change the life equation?

Piper Puppet
( 711 of 2167 )

Little Help
( 712 of 2167 )

A phone call got me up last night, but that's fine, I accept real calls anytime of day. It was my nephew Brian calling from Jackson, WY telling me that he and his lady Nadia need a little help in Belize and he want's to spring for the flights if I can make it down there in June. What's the job? Having fun. I'm always up for that so I said hell ya!

I spent a day there on my recent cruise, click the Belize sign below to see my excursion to town:

Hand Rig
( 713 of 2167 )

Took my custom hand rig down to the creek this morning to brush it off. Adding the hand-grip with an adjustor at the top and a badass small tripod to the bottom under my Sony A6500 mirrorless with a Sigma 16mm lens, made the rig balanced, easy to carry and I could set it down on things. I also use a Sony 18-135mm zoom lens.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

My Tools
( 714 of 2167 )

I dug through all of my tools today and consolidated them into "ride with the truck" and "stay at home". You need to be prepared to leave your old vehicle by the side of the road, and hitch on home, always. Hopefully you get back to get it, and sometimes you do, otherwise when you leave you carry everthing of value with you in a backpack.

Morning update: These are actually my emergency tools, most are not making it into the travel bag. And those cool hammers on the left are my grandfathers and I don't travel with those. I think I'll take the seatbelt cutter, the tool between the hammers and tripod, and that small prybar thing with it's head near my remote. Also, I don't carry when I travel.

Uncobwebing
( 715 of 2167 )

I've been taking the same little drive every morning to uncobweb my head. It's actually the ride between the place we dropped tube floaters off last year, and the pickup spot. I know it well, it bops through downtown Lawrenceburg and some cool little spots and ends at Shoal Creek west of town.

As I drove it yesterday I conceived the idea of filming it today. I swapped my bigger tripod to my Sony and straped it down in my backseat with bungee cords. It worked amazingly well, it's one second under six minutes, watch when you can :-)

If the video fails to load, click Here.

I just put new plugs, points and fresh synthetic blend into my truck and she's purrin...

Stow Job
( 716 of 2167 )

This just takes a minute...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Stoked
( 717 of 2167 )

I just booked a beachfront condo for a few nights on Caye Caulker island off the coast of Belize. It's right next to where Brian and Nadia are staying and we arrive on the island the same day. Stoked!

Times
( 718 of 2167 )

What an interesting time as Steph and I packed up our possessions in Kent, WA and headed East, with Riley on our tail in the Mazda. I was the transit supervisor, across two large King County outfits, stepping down for an opportunity to unwind in Teton Valley, Idaho and Steph was the mother of two, scattered across dimensions and tagging along with love.

We lived there twelve years, in a beautiful log home. The first year I took a local job as a paratransit driver and ended up doing that until we left, three years ago. Steph mastered everything she touched from the Teton Valley News to Tolbert's Hardwood Flooring and Suburban Propane.

Now, here we are in Tennessee. Steph wipes down baby asses and works at the Dollar General. I have this blog and spend most of my time yelling at Piper to keep her tail out of my fucking drink.

But, I have a passport, a double covid card, and a June hotel reservation for Caye Caulker, Belize. I'm just an old guy moving through life, until I don't. Please wish me well.

Sunrise Park
( 719 of 2167 )

I like watching the sunrise through the trees at David Crockett State Park.

Dads Toy
( 720 of 2167 )

Water
( 721 of 2167 )

I will have been here for three years when August rolls around. When I first got here I was drinking water right from the tap because that's what I was used to. We had well water in Idaho and I was the guy who dove under the house to change the filter regularly so I know it was clean and great. I didn't like the taste of this water and assumed it was just typical city bullshit water, and started buying bottled water and setup a large dispenser. A significant amount of my grocery budget has been going to water.

Then last night my neighbor Daniel who was born and raised here and is the utility guy for the entire school district tells me that the water here is great. What?

We were watching a YouTube video of the Jack Daniels whisky plant down the road where the water was pumped out of a limestone cave, and he said that our town water was pumped up out of a well and filtered through limestone. The reason it tastes funny is because the city is mandated by the feds to add chlorine to it. He just fills a jug and lets the chlorine evaporate naturally before drinking it.

So, I got out some paper cups and we did a taste test in my living room. The water I've been buying was so filtered down it had no taste, where Daniels aerated tap water tasted like water.

I'm now going to fill my two big jugs of store bought water with tap water and let them sit for a bit. Thanks buddy!

And this photo has nothing to do with water, it's just the space from which this blog springs.

Condos
( 722 of 2167 )

I was playing around with all of the mapping code I've developed over the years, trying to capture the condos I'm staying at on a Belize island. I happened on Vue, one of my favorites, which I can't even remember when I wrote it, and it grabbed a stretch of sand right in front of the condos, which you can navigate in both directions.

To run it, click the image below:

Oakdale Art
( 723 of 2167 )

Grandkids Shelby and John in Oakdale, CA having a vibrant conversation.

Water Stats
( 724 of 2167 )

I've gathered up an analysis of the water coming out of my tap. Click the chart below to see it.

Here's the link to the data, and under Menu is a zip code input for finding your own water stats.

Old Stuff
( 725 of 2167 )

I've been backing up old photos and saw a bunch I wanted to share here, but just settled on four.

Decisions
( 726 of 2167 )

It's funny how one decision can change everything. My dad returned from the Navy after the end of WW2 and wanted to swoop my mother and my brother and I up from California and move us all back to Texas to be around his family, where I would have grown up completely different. My mom chose not to go, they got divorced and she ended up marrying Paul Hamilton, from which I gained a sister.

In 46 days I'll be down on a Belize island sitting on the beach with my sisters son, his lady, and maybe my grand-daughter Shelby. As I was power walking around the creek this morning, getting in shape for the beach, I realized that if the divorce had never happened, I wouldn't have a nephew, my son, or the many grandkids I've got, and love.

The truth is, every decision we make, changes everything. I've decided to quit abusing my body, shed 18 pounds, and work on my abs. I'm glad to be alive and to be here now.

Tree Bridge
( 727 of 2167 )

The recent heavy rains took a tree down across the creek and it lodged itself perfectly into another tree. It looks walkable, I think...

Flea Collar
( 728 of 2167 )

Piper loves to sleep on my lap when I'm watching the big screen and I don't mind her fat old body one bit, but her new flea collar stinks.

It's a chemical smell and we both hate it, but damned if I'm going to let those little bastards crash our house again!

Egg Diet
( 729 of 2167 )

As part of my new fitness regime, I've started a new diet. I eat one bluebird egg a day, sometimes fried, sometimes hard-boiled. Sadly, just before eating my egg, I decided to take this picture, and broke it. Guess I'm going hungry today, oh well, off to the gym!

Belize Rules
( 730 of 2167 )

According to the Belize Tourism Board:

Non-vaccinated travelers:

[ Must continue to present a negative COVID-19 test to enter Belize. Belize will accept a PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel or a rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours of travel. Those who fail to present a test will be required to undergo one upon arrival at the airport at a cost of $50 (payable only in cash). Travelers who test positive for COVID-19 at the airport will be placed under a mandatory 14-day quarantine. ]

Vaccinated travelers:

[ Need only to present a vaccination record card, with full inoculation completed at least two weeks before their arrival into Belize. ]

Which means, if you're not vaccinated and you take a few days off from your work to enjoy Belize and you test positive when you get there, they can detain you for two weeks in lockup and your job back home is screwed!

Damn...

New Season
( 731 of 2167 )

I was sitting on my front porch this afternoon, soaking up rays with Piper at my feet, when a familiar sound came rumbling down our very quiet dead end street. It was the Crocket Shoals Tubing bus pulling the main trailer with three tubes in it, heading down to the creek.

The owner Ricky smiled and waved as they drove by so I walked down to see what was going on. Turns out they were doing the first float of the season, armed with a branch trimmer and checking out the creek for a Memorial Day opening.

Driving the bus was my job last summer and Ricky came right out and offered me the job again, which I respectfully declined. I actually have a new job, it's called getting my ass in shape for Belize in six weeks!

Big Bird
( 732 of 2167 )

My office window looks down on a large grassy area along Shoal Creek. I see a lot of wildlife from here but there's one big elusive bird that comes soaring along the creek occasionally and all I see is an eight foot wing span and a long curved neck.

Today he stopped to visit. He landed in the water and was so tall his head was above the bank. I knew if I ran out and tried to get a shot he would be gone so I grabbed my camera with the zoom lens and took a shot from a hundred feet away, through my window screen.

As soon as I snapped it he extended his huge wings and disappeared down the creek. Using my art tools I was able to get a defined image of his head and if anybody knows what this is, hit me up!

Here's the shot:

Update: It's a Whooping Crane, the largest bird in North America (5ft) with a wing span of 7'5".

Amish Ocra
( 733 of 2167 )

Daniel needed to go to the Amish store up north off the highway this afternoon, and invited me along. Great store, been here a few times and he ended up talking me into buying some pickled okra.

Then we went for a drive deep into Amish country on a perfect afternoon in the south and it was spectacular. We stopped at a family farm and they were all out working in the fields while we poked around in their store. Pastries to die for, fresh baked bread, chocolate and pickled okra.

I bought ocra and some chocolates and I put the money into the cash drawer they had sitting on a table. No checkout here and no photos, they don't allow it.

Then, we headed to the Old Natchez Trace original trail which I had never seen. It's a narrow dirt road and it took us down to the main parkway.

When we got back we did an okra taste comparison and both gave the ribbon to the home grown.

Creek Steps
( 734 of 2167 )

My new neighbor across the creek built some steps down to it yesterday with his young son. We chatted from across the water and he told me the creek was the deal closer for him.

Here they are in relation to the tree.

Steph and I had what we called a creek, behind the Driggs property. In reality it was a farmers irrigation ditch. This is the real deal and I love it.

Vaccine
( 735 of 2167 )

It seems I'm surrounded by anti-vaxers, bless their hearts. I understand, I used to be one, never had a flu vaccination in my life, but something clicked in my brain with this one.

Watching people my age dropping like flies around the world, I chose to double vax on the Moderna.

Side effects? Basically none, a sore arm for a week or two, second shot more so.

Benefits? Immense, I blow off mask requirements now when I enter a place with a mask sign. I carry my card in my wallet and I'm just waiting to flash it if confronted. My sense of well being has improved, I can travel freely, and I just feel great about it.

So to my hesitant friends, and family, here I am still alive and healthy with absolutely no regrets. Yea there are sporadictic reports of fully vaccinated people around the world still catching it, but if I have no side effects and it offers me freedom and peace of mind, why the hell not?

Is it some insidious government plot to take over our bodies? Man, if that's true, then we're all fucked, and you might as well just enjoy the societal benefits of the vaccine, until it's over.

Amish Kid
( 736 of 2167 )

Got stuck briefly this afternoon behind an Amish kid driving a wagon on a narrow road. It just goes with the territory around here...

Sure different then where I came from...

↑ Steph's coworkers from the Teton Valley News, at the Grand Targhee Ski Resort, Wyoming.

My Knees
( 737 of 2167 )

I love my knees, I kiss them every morning, if I can. Before I roll out of bed I lay on my back and pull my knees up to my chest, wrap my arms around my legs and rock back and forth to loosen up. Then I lift my head up and try to kiss my knees.

If I haven't let my gut get too out of shape, that's normally not a problem, but before I started my recent daily regime of 30 minute fast paced treadmill at the gym, diet and exercise, I couldn't do it.

This has been my litmus test for years now and when I'm really in shape I can bury my face between my knees. Kissing them is just a way of telling my body that I love and respect it, and promise to make it better each day.

Sidekick
( 738 of 2167 )

I bought a new camera today! It's a handheld 3-axis gimbal stabilizer with a 4K camera called the DGI Pocket 2.

You can use it stand-alone or hook it up to your cellphone, which I plan to do.

It shoots amazing physically stabilized video, as opposed to computer stabilized, and I can control it completely on the phone.

I also picked up a great phone clamp to secure the whole thing to my tripods and handgrip.

Arriving tomorrow :-)

Tripods
( 739 of 2167 )

These are my handheld tripods. The one on the left mounts my Sony mirrorless and is what I took on that cruise and is my main rig. It's great, but lugging it around all day takes a toll.

The new guy on the right has these amazing bendy legs that you can shape into a really solid connection with the ground. They also bend straight down so they're out of the way when you want. The phone and camera will mount to this and I'll have a lightweight stabilized video system with a big high resolution screen.

First Walk
( 740 of 2167 )

First walk around Shoal Creek with my new DJI Pocket 2. Shot at 4k/60, post down to 1920/60. Uploaded to YouTube as 60fps.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

My Rig
( 741 of 2167 )

All the pieces came together today for my new Pocket 2 rig. The mounting bracket secures the phone and the camera's USB C connection, and attaches to the tripod. The battery pack on the back provides an all day charge to both the phone and camera.

It's light as hell, feels balanced in my hand, and I can't wait to take it to Belize.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Studies
( 742 of 2167 )

Fifty years ago I walked into Melvin Newton's office at Merritt College in Oakland, CA with my cute blond girlfriend and we asked to join his new class on Black Studies. Melvin's claim to fame was his brother Huey Newton, the head of the Black Panthers, on trial for murder at the time.

He sat behind his desk and smiled with amazement. He said the class was going to be filled with black kids expressing their outrage and anger against the white society that was repressing them. Did we really want to subject ourselves to that?

We said yes, and finally he said no. He felt it would be disruptive and the students wouldn't be able to express themselves freely.

Do such classes exist today? I don't know, maybe...

Shoal Cliffs
( 743 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Caye Map
( 744 of 2167 )

I used my RideQue map to capture the Belize island Caye Caulker. It's a cool dragable map you can scroll down the island with. Just click the image below and explore.

Rescued
( 745 of 2167 )

Met these characters at the bird rescue pens this morning.

Linemen
( 746 of 2167 )

I was in downtown Lawrenceburg yesterday and jumped out of my truck to take this shot, throwing my expensive prescription shades on the seat, then proceeded to sit on them when I got back in. Smashed, but a lovely lady at the place I bought them put them back together for free. Gotta love small towns...

So here's the linemen and some raw video footage of the rescued birds:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Version Two
( 747 of 2167 )

My camera design is now at version two. The whole thing was too tall and unsteady with the center grip, so I pulled it. The unit is now closer to the ground, rock steady, and the collapsed tripod makes a great new handle.

I also picked up a braided C cord just the perfect length for the back and put a protective case around the phone.

The Source
( 748 of 2167 )

I recently discovered the spot where water is extracted from Shoal Creek and pumped to the big treatment plant up on the hill. From here, to my tap.

The creek that flows from the lake in the park merges with Shoal Creek just upstream from here, which means we get their water also. The spot where last years tubers ended their run is, just upstream from here, in fact, this is the dam we warned them about if they missed their stop.

So, everybodys crap flows right down to our water supply, and yes, that is a dogs tail lower right...

The pumping station above:

Mom
( 749 of 2167 )

The reader board at the local church today read "Thank you God and Mary for Jesus". I assume this is a Mothers Day reference but I always thought Joe was the real dad.

Those that give birth and nurture deserve acknowledgement today, regardless of who the father is.

That's me on the left, older brother Dana on the right.

Stupid Moves
( 750 of 2167 )

After smashing my sunglasses with my boney butt last week I went searching for my next boneheaded stunt, and proceeded to lock my ignition key on gym strap inside my truck, only to discover my spare key had gone missing.

No problem, I'll just call Farmers Roadside Assistance and a local outfit will come down and have me unlocked quickly. I'm writing this post with a purpose because I'm sending this link to my Farmers agent.

It was 1400 on a Friday afternoon and a Farmers computer bot started sending me messages every 10 minutes saying they were still looking for someone. At 1500 it said they found someone and they would be there at 1810. Cool, at 2000 I called the nice Farmers lady down in the Philippines and asked where the truck was and she said that due to privacy issues the tow truck driver was not allowed to contact me directly because he wanted to make sure I was still locked out before driving 45 minutes to get here, and bailed. There is so much wrong with that answer I'll just let it sit.

I said find somebody local for the next morning! She said ok and we said good night. Good thing I'm home and not out on the highway.

The next morning, it started all over again and the nearest they could find was 45 minutes away in Columbia. This time I looked the tow outfit up and called them. They couldn't figure out why they were being dispatched from so far away and they were going to charge me $150 because they didn't trust Farmers to reimburse them. I said cancel.

I ended up calling a local guy and he had me unlocked in a jiffy and charged me $40. So, this turned out to be a total fail of Farmers Roadside Assistance and I'm droping the receipt off with my agent this morning hoping to get reimbursed.

Update: My agent took care of everything, said it's just that local availability for services around here suck and that's out of Farmers control. I get that.

Hmmm, now what stupid move can I do next?

Rescue Pup
( 751 of 2167 )

I rescued a puppy today down on Shoal Creek road. It was just walking along the side of a desolate road, totally out of place and looked lost. This was not the way I planned on spending my afternoon but I had no choice but to pull over and stop.

He came right to me so I picked him up and put him on my passenger seat and brought him back to my place. I fed him some cat food with water but he just wanted to get close to me and come inside the house, howling on the front step like a baby.

It was 1430 in the afternoon, places shutting down soon, no way could I allow this flea-ridden adorable little thing to spend the night with us. I looked up Animal Shelter and found one really close, up a few side roads from my house. An animal control officer answered and said if I could get there by 1500 she would take him. I was there in five minutes.

Two women met me at my truck, they fawned all over him, rescue done. I managed to shoot a little footage at the house and it's waiting to be watched below.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Filter
( 752 of 2167 )

Filters are an integral part of my new camera system and normally come in a pricey set of four, offering different levels of shutter speed adjustment to compensate for bright areas. They're magnetic and just pop on over the lens.

I just picked up a combo filter that handles all four types with just a twist of the rim. I'll get out there today and shoot some footage with it...

Frames
( 753 of 2167 )

My new camera shoots 4k/60 and I like to throw that acronym into my blog posts, but for those not wrapped up in this stuff like I am, allow me to break that down.

Most modern computer displays have resolutions of 1920x1080, which means 1,920 pixels across and 1,080 pixels down, and they display at 30 frames per second.

4k/60 is twice that, 3840x2160 or 3,840 pixels across by 2,160 pixels down, and captures 60 frames every second. In post production (running raw footage through a video editor and outputting a new video) I can cut the speed in half, output at 1920x1080, 30 frames per second, and it looks great. Then I upload it to YouTube.

To shoot 4k/60 from a small camera mounted on a stabilizing gimbal, is pretty damned cool. Thanks for reading this far and I hope you learned something.

Bonus notes: The resolution numbers may seem odd but they have a foundation in the lowly computer memory entity called a byte, that I learned about in my very first computer science class in 1969. There are 8 bits in a byte and it can represent a value from 0 to 255 (256 characters).

The numbers that have evolved into the video world are in multitudes of 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 etc... 4K (4,000) is a roundup of 3840, which can be divided evenly by any of those numbers. And 60 frames per second is really 59.94. :-)

Graduation
( 754 of 2167 )

I would have been sober for twenty one days today, but shit happens. Steph's grandson graduates high school tonight and I won't be there. I was with her when he was born and good times together followed over the last eighteen years, but now the old asshole don't get the invite.

So as I write this I am sad and sorry that things worked out like they did, but the truth is, it's time to move on. The family that I tought I would share with Steph when we moved here, doesn't exist for me anymore.

I have two friends here in Tennessee and one ex-old lady. My neighbor Daniel is my buddy and he's going to be shocked when he sees this drink in my hand while Crissinda is my friend from the tubing thing last year, but we never see each other, just text.

Quite a life I've built for myself here, but at least everything else rocks! My house responds to my voice and provides all the basics, on a quiet dead-end street. My truck is running great, my cat is healthy and happy, I'm healthy and getting in shape, I still have a little smoke left, I don't have to work, I drive up into the woods every day, and I will be in Belize shortly.

The Ball
( 755 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Crumbs
( 756 of 2167 )

Indica is the buzz weed, you know you're stoned. Sativa you're so stoned you don't know it, you just are. The buds are unique but they both end up eventually mixed together in a little bowl as crumbs that soon disappear.

That's where my life is at, hanging on to crumbs as if they were all I had left. In the other hand I embrace my freedom and health. I should be the envy of my friends, free to go anywhere in the world (passport, double vax), nothing holding me back, a kick in my step and a little bit of cash to pull it off.

So for those of you that endure this sad piece of shit blog just because you like me, thanks and I love you.

And please stay tuned. Each day is an amazing adventure for me and I have no clue what's going to happen when I get up in the morning.

Systems
( 757 of 2167 )

I was introduced to computers in 1968, at the age of twenty, at a college in Oakland. I exploded out of it into the IBM Sys 3/15 rage that was sweeping the Bay Area, and never looked back. It was an amazing run, big players in the City living and possibly dying at the hands of my code. I took it seriously, never left anyone hanging, and even rescued one (Interocean Steamship).

From that world I blasted into PC's in 81. This time around companies were formed, and I was the creator. It was an amazing wild ride from which endless stories of craziness could be told, but not by me, I'm just glad to have survived and walked away with my heads high.

Now I sit on a deadend street in a podunk southern tennessee town creating content for my deranged blog.

How cool is that!

Old Reality
( 758 of 2167 )

There have been a few times in my many years when people I cared about have let me know that they no longer want me in their life. Nothing quite hurts like that and I always held them to it, even when they changed their mind, I never saw them again.

I fell in love with those girls. They were like grand daughters and I was part of their family. I haven't seen them for almost a year and it has broken my heart.

Now I'm here in Tennessee alone with my cat and wondering what my next move is...

Notes along the way:

• Do you ever start your day with a bowl of hot steaming organic oatmeal topped with a giant sliced banana, only to have vodka for lunch?

• Just came off an amazing few weeks of daily gym treadmill and exercise at home, lost 1.65 pounds.

• Updates list: my boy Riley with wife Jessica and baby to be announced, nephew Brian, grand-daughter Shelby, friend Crissinda, and Steph until she tells me to stop.

• Piper and I spent the afternoon playing question and answer from the comfort of my warm lap.

• 

Just South
( 759 of 2167 )

I live in a small house, last place on a deadend street, just south of a podunk southern Tennessee town, twenty miles from the Alabama state line.

But I can go far beyond that border. I have a passport, a double vax card, enough money in the bank, a cat sitter, and I can go anywhere on the planet I want to.

The cat sitter is the vet hospital boarding at $25 a day. She will get pampered there, and lonely. Wish I could find a house sitter...

As to planet locations, I was chatting with C and she likes Europe and Tropical and it made me realize I have no interest at all in Europe. This country, Mexico and South America. There certainly should be plenty to enjoy within this group, and perhaps a new landing place, before I die.

A Break
( 760 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Life
( 761 of 2167 )

Click it...

Recent life...

Amish Haul
( 762 of 2167 )

My neighbor scooped me up today and we headed out for Amish goodies in a pouring rain.

First up was a bucket of organic strawberries that melt in your mouth and some giant tomatoes

Then a homemade Amish fried fruit pie.

And finally a little sign that sums things up around here from the surplus store coming back into town.

Memory
( 763 of 2167 )

Age, covid, dementia, something is going on that is messing with my life. Simple things I can't remember how to do and my mind is totally empty when I go to draw on the memory, often comically. It just ain't there.

Considering that a few months ago I was writing state of the art web code, wow... I have to accept now that code writing is over, not that it was going anywhere anyway.

Life is so interesting and I am grateful to have lasted this long. Granted I have been depressed by recent events, but that emotion is crap, I have no use for it and I have adventures to live.

How this memory thing is going to affect those adventures remains to be seen, yet there is no other direction to move but forward, with a smile on my tan face and a fit body.

No Mistake
( 764 of 2167 )

I recently stated in a post (which I took down) that it was a mistake to move here, and I am now rethinking that position.

My friend Crissinda told me it can't be chalked up to a mistake or bad decision if it has left any good memories, adventures, experiences, or new people. She's right of course, since I've had some great adventures (eleven day cruise to the Caribbean, road trips all over the south and midwest, reconnecting with my grand-daughter Shelby down in Pensacola, a great cross country road trip back west last summer, and now on to Belize) along with good experiences and nice people along the way.

My life has stabilized economically with cheap rent, low monthly bills, $300 a year vehicle insurance and a great Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plan. Today I drove sixty miles to Franklin, TN and got my tires rotated for free at Discount Tire, then I had half the teeth in my head pulled out (only had eight) at a top rated dentist down the road from there with zero deductible, and then paid five bucks for pain pills.

I have a passport and I'm double vaxed. I have a gym membership at Workout Anytime that doesn't cost me a dime. What the hell am I bitching about!

None of this would have occurred if I had stayed in the Idaho log home, so allow me to stand corrected.

p.s. I was in the waiting room on the third floor of the fancy dentist waiting room, looking out over beautiful Franklin, TN, and I told the receptionist "I haven't been this high since traveling through Colorado last summer!" Cracked her up :-)

Travel Plans
( 765 of 2167 )

Perhaps you might get a kick out of how a wired dude such as myself plans a trip to Belize:

The day before my flight from Nashville to Miami I'll log in to American Airlines and print my boarding pass for the 6:15am flight.

I'll leave the house at 3:45pm and drop Piper off at the Northside Vet at 4pm for six days of boarding at $25 a day, reservation is made.

Then I'll drive 60 miles to the big T/A Travel Center off Hwy 65, Exit 61, where I have booked and paid for a $20 parking spot for the evening. I just call a number when I'm almost there and someone will guide me to my spot. These are big truck parking areas where I'll pull out my folding chair, grab a bite at the store and kick back and relax.

After a good nights sleep inside my canopy I'll grab some coffee at the travel center store about 2:30am and then mosey 30 miles up the road to Fly Away Parking where they're expecting me at 3:30am. My reservation both ways to the airport nearby is paid for ($62), and I just scan my code to get in, park my truck, and they drive me straight to the A/A airport entrance.

After a two hour layover in Miami (been there, done that) I'll fly to Belize. I'm going to miss the 1200 ferry over to the island we're staying at so I'll have to spend a couple hours in Belize City until the 3pm ferry. Darn, what am I going to do. :-)

The ferry ride is 45 minutes and I'll check into the Caye Caulker Condos, where my room is booked for three nights. Brian and Nadia should already be checked into the Seadreams Hotel next door, we'll hook up, and let the party begin!

Urophylla
( 766 of 2167 )

My Urophylla arrived today, just in time for my trip!

Reveal
( 767 of 2167 )

My real family is having a baby! Son Riley and his wife Jess are throwing a gender reveal party today for family and friends at their beautiful home in the hills outside Orting, WA.

They wanted to stream it live but poor internet comes with seclusion, so a friend is recording it. I will upload it to YouTube when it arrives in my inbox, and post it here!

Here you go:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Fry Jacks
( 768 of 2167 )

Yea, I'd never heard that phrase before either, but apparently they are a staple breakfast item in Belize, savory fried dough stuffed with a combination of beans, meat, eggs and cheese.

Amazing coffee with a fry jack for breakfast, and lobster every night for dinner, I think I have my food planned out.

Man I am so ready to be out of here...

I wonder if you can get them stuffed with lobster?

Bleach
( 769 of 2167 )

Tiny little black bugs were drawing blood from my legs as I lounged behind my truck at the travel place in Franklin. Turns out it was free parking after all and they refunded my $20. I went in the store and asked the cute cashier with the great ass if they had any bug spray, and she said follow me, which I gladly did.

No bug spray but she sold me a jug of Clorox bleach, gave me a cup to mix it with water, and said this should work. It actually did and as I sit here in the Miami airport people are social distancing because I smell like a laundry room.

Now high over the Gulf of Mexico using Airbus A319 wifi to send this post. Click!

Caye Day 1
( 770 of 2167 )

I had a great evening with Brian and Nadia, good food, drink and amazing ocean water. We headed to our respective hotels (which are next door) relatively early due to the insane day they have planned out for today.

They hired a private guide to take us to the mainland to visit the zoo, pet the iguanas, ride float tubes through caves, topped off with an insane zip ride. As long as we make the last ferry of the evening from Belize, we're good, otherwise...

It looks like I got the better room deal, it's bigger, ground floor, (Apt 1) and has a balcony facing the ocean right above the street. And, I woke up this morning to discover a coffee pot, fresh water and ground coffee. It's 0445, I'm on my second pot, and we take off for the ferry at 0600.

Life is good!

Caye 1 Update
( 771 of 2167 )

We got half the agenda done yesterday and still made the 3pm ferry back, which is fine considering we're on island time. Our guide Skinny showed up on the morning ferry to Belize City, coming from San Pedro island. We rode over to the mainland together, rented a car, and drove to the zoo.

The place was as much about local plants and trees as it was about the animals native to Belize and I grabbed some great video which I'll stitch together when I get home.

Next up was cave tubing. I didn't research this one because Brian had asked me not to, so I had no idea what to expect. We were met at the caves by our next guide who was a friend of Skinnys and one of the few people in the world allowed to take people into this national park and explore beyond just a float through the cave.

He knew every inch of this huge place and was the point man for National Geographic when they came to town. In other words, we weren't confined to tubes, we were going spelunking!

With life vests on and helmets with lights strapped to our heads, we floated into the cave. I made the choice to leave my camera behind, which was wise, I probably would have lost it.

To say that the place was incredible and truly mind blowing is an understatement. We floated through huge chambers and then down into pitch black side caverns where we got out and hiked into. These caves were a worshiping place for the Mayan Indians in 2500 BC and I got to hold their pottery remnants in my hand. The normal tourists just floated through, but we had the guide.

We stayed in there way too long, missed out on our other agendas and barely made the 3pm ferry back.

To sum it up, I've been on this earth a long time and seen some amazing things, but this just may be my most profound experience. At one point we were standing deep inside a cavern and I was moved to tears by the sheer beauty around me...

Caye Day 2
( 772 of 2167 )

I visualized today several times during the last few weeks. Standing at the top of the stairs leading down from my deck to the street. Nothing but shorts on, warm sun tanning my body while I watch the very brown natives and bikini clad tourists walk by.

It's just as imagined, with the bonus of soft rock reggae with a beat floating constantly across the sand from the nearby bar where I had great pork tacos for dinner last night.

Today we chill. Brian and I had the comp breakfast at his place this morning and then walked the island. I got some great shots with my Sony and now he's off feeding Nadia and I'm loving it on the porch.

I think we're going to swim, and some chick from Canada, been here 22 years, invited us into her Mango Restoration house for a tour, so who knows...

Tomorrow we water taxi to San Pedro island for two days, then done.

Jacked
( 773 of 2167 )

We left Caye Caulker early this morning so the kids could dive the great barrier reef out of San Pedro. We pulled up to the island around 0900 but unfortunately our bags didn't make it on our boat, they were headed back to Belize City. Major screw-up on their part but they were finally brought to our new hotel here around 1pm, just barely enough time for Brian and Nadia to get to their dive shop on the other end of the island.

So I'm free for a bit and craving a fry jack but the shops stop making them after breakfast, except one little old lady that whipped me up a beauty.

Bonding
( 774 of 2167 )

What an amazing evening on San Pedro island, off the coast of Belize. We hit the bar across the street from our sweet hotel on the beach, and smacked happy hour down. Then as I was leaving, a couple of good old boys hanging out in a boat tied to the dock flagged me over and shared a blunt with me.

Freshly stoned, I was standing outside our hotel digs waiting for the kids to continue the adventure down the strip, when I met Jim. He was my age, owned the place we were staying at, and has lived here off and on for the last twenty three years.

We ended up at the locals bar down the road where Nadia played their trivia game and Brian and Jim and I bonded...

Secret Beach
( 775 of 2167 )

This morning I staggered over to the main drag for some hot instant coffee and the special, a plate of good stuff with orange juice. The kids are still crashed but today we take the rented golf cart to Secret Beach, for some fun in the sun.

Last full day and tomorrow we charter a small plane to take us directly to the Belize airport. Oh, and somewhere along the way we need to get fresh negative Covid tests or they won't let us leave for 14 days.

I'll update this post when the day is done...

Our digs, The Hotel Del Rio:

What Is It
( 776 of 2167 )

Man, what is it about me, why do I attract men who want to get me stoned? Today we're having an amazing time at Secret Beach, I'm dancing in the sand to some fine rhythm coming from the nearby bar when this Rastafarian dude walks up with a superbly rolled joint of local shit and passes it smoothly into my hand while introducing himself as the King.

He flashed on Brian's "Dive Bar" tee shirt and said if we hit that place tonight, to mention we hung with the King. Works for me!

Speaking of men, a bunch of gay guys from the U.K. hit on me when I passed their table in the ocean (yea...), it was fun, but not quite as much fun as marveling how a string can completely disappear from a bikini on a bubble butt.

We took care of business this morning, bought our tickets for a short hop to the Belize airport tomorrow and then took a negative Covid test, heading out for dinner now...

Belize Over
( 777 of 2167 )

Between Customs and passports, it was difficult getting into Belize and it was downright comical getting out. How many times do you need to drop your mask, remove your shades and hat, just so they can verify you are who you are, again and again!

Then you put women behind the flight carrier microphones that barely speak English and they're doing it through a heavy tight mask, and you have no idea what they are saying. In Miami we were herded through lines that felt like a cows last walk down the chute to slaughter.

I decided to buy a drink at the Miami Airport (just one because I was driving home from Nashville) and they served my Vodka Water as a plastic cup with water and ice along with a shot glass of their house vodka (Absolute). The $14.65 tab would have covered an evening of drinking in Belize. Never again.

Just got home after a drive south and all is well. Brian and Nadia on the other hand missed their flight to Jackson, Wy because of the Customs, Covid re-entry crap.

Ok, this adventure is over for me, and I can't wait to get my baby Piper out of Vet boarding hell tomorrow.

Raw Test
( 778 of 2167 )

I shot 145 videos on this trip in 4K at 64M with my amazing little DJI Pocket 2. It's so easy to shoot I would just hand it off to people to have fun with. It's going to take weeks to wade through, convert down, and edit them all but here's one I just grabbed for a YouTube test, uploaded full res and raw, just to see it.

This was shot coming back from a day on Secret Beach on San Pedro island, Belize, rocking out to my new sweetheart, Miley Cyrus.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

UK Boys
( 779 of 2167 )

Here's that encounter with the boys from the U.K. at Secret Beach.

Update: Created a high-res version (still experimenting).

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Also, here's the hot sauce we used for meals non-stop down there, amazing:

Just bought a couple bottles from Amazon (read the reviews) :-)

No Working
( 780 of 2167 )

Local bar across from our hotels on Caye Caulker.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Ride To Caye
( 781 of 2167 )

Here's a little video of the ride back to Caye Caulker in the water taxi after the Cave Tubing day. Sit back and smell the salt air from the front of the boat.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

And this is some really long hair on a Caulker girl, from the bar above the street:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Caye Cruise
( 782 of 2167 )

Here's a cruise around Caye Caulker island from the reverse perspective of the back of a golf cart:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

San Pedro Stuff
( 783 of 2167 )

Threw some stuff together here, from San Pedro island:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Cuckoo
( 784 of 2167 )

Cuckoo bird at the Belize zoo.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Tropical Rain
( 785 of 2167 )

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon on Secret Beach, San Pedro Belize when a few storm clouds rolled in and I thought, hmmm. The next morning when I got up it was raining and coming down pretty good but it was warm and refreshing so I walked through it up to the main street where a vendor made me some fresh coffee in a pan. We were flying out shortly so I didn't care if it was raining.

As I watch the weather now I see that tropical storm moving up across the gulf towards the states and realize I was right there when it formed. Small world. The temp here in Tennessee is a balmy eighty with low humidity and I can only imagine the hell Arizona is in now.

I remember well a road trip few years back where I scooted along the Death Valley border with Arizona in my truck in the summer with no a/c and the thermometer read 119. No thanks, once is enough.

It looks like this storm is going to veer to the south of us, which is just fine. Now if I can just find a cat sitter I can get a few road trips in this summer.

Juneteenth
( 786 of 2167 )

My Boy
( 787 of 2167 )

Happy Fathers Day son.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Still Dance
( 788 of 2167 )

I spent Fathers Day 2021 drinking alone up at David Crockett State Park in southern Tennessee doing a deep dive into how the fuck I got here.

I kept looking for starting points. What were the key events that formed me as a man. Was it at the age of seven when my stepdad bailed on my brother and I when we discovered he wasn't our real dad, and the beatings began? Was it when I hitch-hiked out of Paradise, CA at 16 to explore the world and nobody gave a shit. Was it the honorable discharge from the Navy because I scored the highest GCT test they had seen and didn't want to mess up my life. Was it the Haight Ashbury and all those drugs?

What the hell brought me to that point in life where I failed totally as a father and bailed on my daughter Becky when she was a teenager. It fucked her up badly and she went on to a life of drugs, multiple partners, and many children. It is the biggest regret of my life.

After bottoming out so many times I arose from the ashes to become a good father to Riley. Most of the cycles were finally broken and all I could focus on was being a good dad and role model to him. It actually helped me become a better man.

He is now 34 and I am 74. His life is solid, he has a good woman, and a baby on the way. He's landed much better than me. That's alright, I've accepted all of the most recent stuff that has put me here alone. I am a grown old man with a good truck, a little travel money, and an urge to hit some music venues this summer. And I can still dance...

Signs Of Belize
( 789 of 2167 )

Various signs around Caye Caulker and San Pedro, Belize.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Coconut
( 790 of 2167 )

I'm in a dark place but all I have to do is remember the taste of a fresh cut coconut on the deck of a beachfront condo on a tropical island to lighten things up.

Web Card
( 791 of 2167 )

These days a simple and easy to remember website is like a virtual business card. Recently I was talking to a couple on a plane and I said in parting, drop by my blog! Later on if they remember the Old Man named Jim on the plane, they will remember my blog.

From the site they can learn a lot about me and extract my email address if they wished to connect. If I had a business and was promoting something I would have my phone number and address there also, but I am not.

I believe my assessment that the Covid vaccine affected my ability to concentrate, thus unable to write code since, was correct. Fortunately, it's effect is declining and my code writing is returning.

Yesterday I woke up with an idea to strip my RideQue app down into a simple vanity page, and since my friend Crissinda is helping me find a cat sitter, and she has a small business, I chose her for the first implementation. The first step was to find a cool domain name with a .com extension. Gee, guess what I found, and bought for $10: crissinda.com. How cool is that!

I trust your getting the concept here. Now, when she meets a new contact, instead of handing them a business card she simply says go to crissinda.com. I guarantee you, they will be impressed!

So how did it turn out after a major coding session? Here you go: crissinda.com. It's still under development, but ready for a look.

btw: Shelby and Brian, you're next if you would like.

San Pedro Roll
( 792 of 2167 )

It's interesting how two islands so close to each other can be so different. You've seen the mellowness of Caye Caulker, welcome to San Pedro.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Kitty Karma
( 793 of 2167 )

I went for my normal walk down by the creek this morning and four adorable little kittens came running out of the bushes and right up to my feet. I knew instantly that whatever I had planned for the day was out the window. As I walked back to the house they followed me and cried as I went into the house for food, water and milk.

I called the local animal control officer and she told me the shelter only takes dogs. She thanked me for stepping up and suggested social media, the local radio station and Walmart as the only viable means of finding them a home.

My neighbor Daniel got me a large box and supplies to make a sign which read: Abandoned Kittens, Please Help! and I started to head to Walmart when Crissinda showed up and snatched the grey one. I had reached out to her for help earlier and it was great to see her.

Me and the kittens were popular at Walmart. I plopped the box down right by the front entrance and met a ton of nice people. One lady worked at some animal place and identified all three as males, six to seven weeks old. I found homes for each of them!

I am now hoping that my kitty karma is high so I can find some nice person to house sit Piper, who never even knew the drama that unfolded on her porch today.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

btw: Here's the Piper:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

About Shelby
( 794 of 2167 )

I've turned my new web card format into a template. It's dynamically configurable internally and can be brought up to speed quickly. My grand-daughter Shelby expressed an interest in having her own so we quickly agreed upon aboutshelby.com, I grabbed the domain, and ported the template over.

I've plugged in a few things but now it's in her corner to decide what she wants to say about herself and what she wishes to share with the world. She told me a new additional business is on the horizon and the template can handle it easily.

It's in very raw format at the moment but you can click that pretty face below to try it out!

btw: She inherited that lazy eye from me :-)

Park Ghost
( 795 of 2167 )

Spotted a strange thing in the park today...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

The Formula
( 796 of 2167 )

My heart and soul are like a pair of black holes slowly merging together towards that ultimate destiny known as death. One pumps and one spins and together they form the internal vibration that I have lived with for years which only grows stronger with time. The formula is: (H+S)*(P+S)/T = D.

Lens 75
( 797 of 2167 )

Well now they call me the breeze, I keep blowin down the road. I ain't hiding from nobody, nobody's hiding from me.

(JJ Cale)

Oh! I wanna dance with somebody, I wanna feel the heat with somebody. Yeah! I wanna dance with somebody, with somebody who loves me.

(Whitney Houston)

Lens 75

Visitor
( 798 of 2167 )

I meet the most interesting people in the park. Saturday I walked up on this older guy sitting in his truck with his black lab type dog on the ground by his open door. As I approached he yelled out something about his dog so I just turned around and said "Well excuse the fuck out of me" and headed back to my truck. His dog Hunter got up and met me, and we bonded, then David got out his vehicle and said Wait, hello, sorry... Turns out the guy is sixty, living out of his truck to allow his sons to live under his ex-wives roof and, welcome to the South.

I then ran into him again yesterday, the 4th of July. He had some local brewed moonshine and I had my sunshine and we stopped at my house where I introduced him to Piper and my neighber Daniel while Hunter laid on the lawn. He visited a while and then moved on down the road.

Later that evening I'm hunkered down in my living room as the big Nashville fireworks show was ready to blast off my big screen, when he appeared at my front door with green to put in my pipe. In return I let him crash on the foam bed in the back of my truck, which he did shortly after arriving, while I watched the amazing fireworks on into the night, yelling loudly and smiling.

Update: I just got Daniel's seal of approval, which was very important, and I have found myself a house and Piper sitter! Hunter will be staying with one of his sons.

I Bailed
( 799 of 2167 )

The strangest thing just happened. As I was talking to David in my living room my gut started screaming at me. My head was all settled in to turning my place and Piper over to this guy so I could hit the road for a while, but my gut was having no part of it. So I just bailed on the whole thing.

I apologized profusely, slipped a fifty into his hand and asked him to leave. Not that I didn't like him, I did, and Daniel was over last night and the three of us drank together and had fun. It was just the concept of turning my very structured little world here over to a stranger. I couldn't shake it, I couldn't do it, now what?

I told Dave the story of me meeting god, this morning. How I was driving down a back road in Kent, WA homeless, living in my car and looking for a tree to crash into and end it all. God said, in a male voice from above, "I'm giving you some power" and suddenly a burst of energy hit the top of my head and blasted down through my body.

It worked. When I left that town with Steph heading to a new life in Idaho I was a respected transit supervisor, having crawled up from the bottom. Thank you god.

Yard Flowers
( 800 of 2167 )

Spotted a couple nice flowers in my backyard:

Amazing Life
( 801 of 2167 )

My amazing exciting life down in southern Tennessee!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

New Word
( 802 of 2167 )

Sometimes you need to come up with a new word that describes your life. As I sit here in my little house with internal tremors turning to external and my sweet fat cat in front of me on the desk gazing peacefully out the window, the word that rises up from my gut is fukallyall. It's a southern expression and fukallyall.com is actually available, but fuck that...

A Problem
( 803 of 2167 )

More footage from the abandoned kitty problem.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Lounging
( 804 of 2167 )

Found geese lounging around DC Park this morning between storm fronts.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Peace
( 805 of 2167 )

Insects have declined by 75% in the past 50 years, bad news world. There are 220,000 people living in Georgia without any ID, violence and homelessnes is everywhere, a family of illegal Hondurans just setup camp on my creek, and I have the audacity to piss and moan about my life. Wow...

Putting new shocks, brakes and tires on my truck. Got a new neurology appointment for Aug 4th. Just trying to stay alive and moving down the road. Peace...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

My Will
( 806 of 2167 )

I have created my Last Will & Testament through LegalZoom that contains:

To my son Riley, I leave my truck. Fly here and drive her back home, and bring back my fancy Samsung phone and watch for Jessica.

To my neighbor Daniel, I leave whatever vodka is under the sink and my big comfy chairs and Wyoming tables.

To Crissinda, I leave my two big TV's.

To Shelby, I leave my computers, she'll figure out something.

To Brian, I leave my cameras.

To Steph, I leave Piper.

Everything else can be hauled to the dump. I want to be buried, not burned. Whatever money is left goes to Riley.

Quiet Lake
( 807 of 2167 )

Took my truck into the park this morning to test the ride and my new brakes saved a sweet little brightly spotted baby fawn that darted into the rode from it's mother side. Then I drove around to the lake and caught it before the sun hit the water.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Butterfly
( 808 of 2167 )

I just got a butterfly stoned. It was hanging on my screen door and looked just like the one that loved the leather on my sandal the other day, perched on it for a while as I sat out on my lawn.

Speaking of connections, I'm heading to Georgia this weekend, south of Atlanta, hooking up with grand-daughters Shelby and Shannon. I'll drop Piper at the vet tomorrow at 0800 and I'm off for a road trip with my rebuilt smooth ride. Stoked!!!

Hitting Hunstville, AL first.

Freedom
( 809 of 2167 )

I was standing in the door of my little house this afternoon, blasting music out and rocking my hips, when it struck me that I account to nobody. I don't need approval for my road trip tomorrow from anyone!

Every decision I make about everything I do is completely my own, unbiased by another. Every financial decision is totally uncompromised. I do it, I own it.

To my friends, can you say that? More than likely not, but that means you have a partner. Partners are good, you share your life, your decisions, your money, all good things...

But so is freedom. I stand here before you as an example.

Blessed
( 810 of 2167 )

It was my extreme pleasure to spend amazing quality time with my grand-daughters Shannon and Shelby in Atlanta, GA this weekend. This shot was taken at a luxury downtown hotel after dinner where they charged serious money just to pull a cork out of a bottle you brought in yourself.

I have a lot of video content to sort through but I wanted to get this photo up here, just to establish the fact that I am a blessed old man.

St Regis
( 811 of 2167 )

My grand daughter Shelby texted me Friday morning that she was heading up from Pensacola to Atlanta, GA to hook up with my long lost grand daughter Shannon, and invited me along. I accepted, stored my cat at the vet on Saturday morning and arrived just in time to jump in the dinner Rover with the power couples and have a memorable dinner in town.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Shannons Home
( 812 of 2167 )

Shannon just moved in to her five bedroom home and is setting it up nicely. I grabbed a few shots of the downstairs along with a three inch long flying thing that was hanging out by the front door. Click on it to see the photos.

Home Video
( 813 of 2167 )

Here's a few clips from around Shannon's home.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Smakin
( 814 of 2167 )

Shannon and Shelby smakin the white ball.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Emma
( 815 of 2167 )

Another beautiful grand-daughter.

Leaf Face
( 816 of 2167 )

Brian had a close encounter with a large leaf in Belize.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Waiting A Turn
( 817 of 2167 )

I notice a lot of folks around here are just waiting for their turn to die. Most are so overweight there's no going back, so they just eat what they want, finish it off with a smoke, and shorten the wait. I was walking out of Walmart this morning and an old broad was sitting in a truck parked in the front handicap stall, coughing and hacking loudly between drags on her cigarette. I mumbled Welcome to Tennessee as I strode strongly across the parking lot...

That ain't to say I'm some saint, I got my vices, but I don't walk around in a fatalistic state sayin wtf either. I want to live as long as I can and as a result I stay as healthy as possible. But, just in case my time comes up unexpectedly (I am old as dirt), I'm ready.

My LegalZoom Will is sitting on the table waiting for me to sign it in front of two witnesses. It cost $89 bucks and it's customized to Tennessee law. It contains the stuff I put in a blog post awhile back, with a few tweaks.

I don't know if I have to take it down to the courthouse and have it processed, or if it's good to go as is, but it sure feels good to know the State ain't going to take my shit.

You got a Will?

Primidone
( 818 of 2167 )

I've been dealing with essential tremors for a decade or more. They never get better, always worse. It's like having a large vibrator inside your body that is always on and radiates everywhere.

Last Wednesday I went to a Neurology clinic up in Columbia and met with Amanda. She was impressed with my overall health and the fact I don't take any pharmaceuticals. She also got it that these vibrations are debilitating, and prescribed a drug called Primidone.

She recommended a half tab of 50mg every evening because it makes you drowsy. I broke one of those little suckers apart, couldn't decide which was bigger, said screw it, and popped both halves around 1600. As I read up on this stuff, that's the normal initial approach and the long-term efficacy of Primidone is 375-750 mg/day.

Around 1900 I was sitting here at my computer, petting Piper up on my desk, when I realized the vibrations had subsided big time. The web calls it reducing the amplitude of essential tremor from within the brain by suppressing the firing of some electrical shit.

I call it a gift from god...

The Bench
( 819 of 2167 )

I mosied up to the park this morning to check out a little bench down by the dam:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Top Three
( 820 of 2167 )

It's kinda funny that two of my top three videos (out of 370) on YouTube are of Steph working around the house in Driggs.

Roof Snow

Mexican Dancing Horses

Weed Whacking

B12
( 821 of 2167 )

I'm cleanin up and dryin out. It's time to get my body and mind back into the top of my game. Those tremor pills are working good enough to get me through the day, but we need to up the dose.

I got a call and a script from my doctors office for Vitamin B12 injections, turns out I'm seriously lacking that vitamin. The pharmacy guy asked if I'd ever given myself injections and I said I'd figure it out, got home with a bunch of needles and a tube of liquid and proceeded to totally fuck it up. Tried to open the little rubber thing with a knife so I could suck the stuff up and...

Hey, I have determined that I have a damned needle phobia anyway, and I just couldn't stick one in my stomach. That's why I'm not a heroin addict or have a tattoo. So, I threw it all away and said Plan B?

Today I went to LabCorp, had them stick a needle in my arm for blood so they can check my intrinsic factor, to see if I can absorb B12 in pill format. Sigh...

Pill Kill
( 822 of 2167 )

In an attempt to get my tremors under control, along with a few other issues that have popped up in the last three years, I've accumulated a bunch of pills taking space in the back of my icebox.

I'm not a pill guy, I would try them out briefly to no effect, or a negative effect, and then stop. Today I decided to get rid of them so I dumped them all out on my counter and tossed the bottles.

Then I took them out and placed them under the front tire of my truck and ran over them a bunch of times.

I guess my truck is too light because it didn't work well.

So I got out grandpas hammer and pounded the shit out of them.

Now what? I thought about burying them away from the creek where it would take a long time for them to reach the water supply, and hopefully inept at that point, but I'm not sure...

Update: Thanks to advice from Jessica I threw the powder into my kitchen garbage bag and put it in my outside garbage can. Let the landfill disolve it.

No Idea
( 823 of 2167 )

I have no idea where my older brother Dana is or wether he is still alive. Last I saw him was in a locked down nursing home in Stockton, CA and when I checked on him a couple of years ago he had been moved somewhere and when I asked where all I got was an email address for his conservator, who never responded to my emails. Dead end.

It's like the time I called my uncle John down in Texas because I hadn't heard from my dad in a while and he said oh, he died a few months ago.

What a wierd thing life is as I enter day four of no booze, bud or beans. My head is clear though, my old truck is running great and my cat is still purring. Rock on...

Dead Hair
( 824 of 2167 )

I bought Piper a new brush yesterday and proceeded to remove a pound of dead hair from her hot big body. (hmmm reminds me of a few women I've seen around lately...) She loved it, and is looking very pretty.

Vincent
( 825 of 2167 )

Many years ago, late one rainy night, I was sitting in a rundown one room apartment in Renton, WA, writing some C++ code. It was my first C program (I usually programmed in Assembly or RPG on the minis), and I was pretty stoned and getting down on it. It was an astrology app that a Bay Area friend of mine commissioned me to write for a few bucks. I had a crushed ankle from a fall and money was scarce, so I took it.

It was a pretty cool app, using all of the tricks of the astrology trade to come up with a series of numbers based on your name and birthdate. The numbers could then be compared to a database of famous people and you could see who comes close to yours. My birth name is Leigh James Riza so that’s what I plugged in and when I scrolled the screen down to see who was close, I literally fell out of my chair when I saw the results. All six numbers matched exactly with Vincent Van Gogh!

I’ve always had an affinity for Vincent and I had read everything about him I could get my hands on. I related to him as the tortured artist who was never recognized for his work. I still relate to that…

So there's an interactive Van Gogh exhibit coming to Nashville in Novemeber, and I have to go!

Solution
( 826 of 2167 )

I've been concerned about the microchips implanted by the government into the two vaccines I had earlier this year. I read online that I should get an extension cord, cut off the end, grab both wires and plug it in. Another site said I should go the extra step and run a bath and stand in it when I do it. Thank god for the internet, damned microchips anyway...

I'll try that later this afternoon and let you know how it worked. In the meantime I'm seven days into no BB&B, working out again and feeling great. I've found a walking path nearby that's exactly one mile around and I got four laps in yesterday and shooting for more today, along with some photos.

Update: Click on my truck to see the walking path!

Bananas
( 827 of 2167 )

I've added another B to my No BB&B (booze,bud,beans{coffee}) equation. I've been consuming a lot of bananas over the last couple of years in the smoothie I make every day: three bananas, more than a dozen strawberries, plain yogurt and a scoop of protein powder. The folks at Kroger's roll their eyes every time I place a big pile of bananas on the treadmill.

It's been my main drink and while it's healthy with all that fruit, I just discovered that bananas have 150 calories each! I've been walking five miles a day to drop a few pounds to no avail and wondering why, it's the damned bananas!

There is now a big pile of bananas in my trash, I'm done and from here on out my new health regime shall be known as No BBB&B.

btw: my new drug Primidone is controlling my tremors. I take one 50mg tab in the morning, one in the evening, and the tremors while still there, are reduced to a manageable buzz. No BBB&B required...

Ragein
( 828 of 2167 )

Our quiet little creek gets ragein sometimes when the downpours come. No tubing today.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

The Queen
( 829 of 2167 )

Piper is the queen of our little neighborhood as she is the only pet on the entire street, and she knows it. She doesn't get along with other animals and that's just the way it is, so when the next door neighbors moved out with their dog and cat, the neighbor across the street lost his dog to the highway, and Daniel can't have animals in his house, it all became her's.

btw: That storm yesterday killed 22 folks here in Tennessee, with 25 missing, many of them children. Very sad day here...

Screw Up
( 830 of 2167 )

Man did I screw up! I was getting in my two afternoon laps on the trail today and I carried along a garbage bag this time to pick up the trash I've been noticing along the way. I spotted a big piece of rubber, about two feet long, and decided to pick it up. It was a wasp nest and they attacked me.

All I was wearing was shorts and shoes and they hit me from all angles as I backed up the trail screaming like a baby, killing them against my body as they stung me, until I collapsed on the grass defeated. They backed off and I stood up, knocking the last ones off my ankles, and I thought ok, if I was my neighbor Daniel, who's highly allergic to these guys, I'll be dead shortly.

I stood there in great pain, trying to figure out which one hurt worst, the one that went up my shorts and stung me on the inside of my leg, or my left ear. I thought of the Afghan vet I saw on TV this morning who put his buddies in body bags then went out the same day and disarmed bombs. You carry on, he said.

So I went back to the scene, wasp swirling around my garbage bag full of trash, grabbed it and continued on down the trail. Hell, I even got in my second lap, passing the piece of rubber one more time, wondering if they were going to recognize me.

So how am I as I sit here writing this? Sore, but ok...

Wasps
( 831 of 2167 )

I called the City this morning about that wasp nest and a guy met me down there armed with wasp spray. The rubber thing had moved from the spot behind it where the nest was, and the wasps were gone. I just lifted it slightly yesterday so we both concluded that someone else picked it up and is in the same shape I am this morning.

Barely slept last night from the pain of multiple stings all over my body. The shot below is on the inside of my leg, next to my stuff.

For what it's worth, Daniel and I got revenge last night. He spotted an active yellow jacket nest in the ground next to my front door. He said the down home way to kill them is to wait for sunset when they're all in the nest and then pour gasoline down the hole. We did, they're all dead, and I feel good about it.

Path Partner
( 832 of 2167 )

Met up with Crissinda and her kids this morning for a sweaty three miles around the path. It was great to chat in person while the two older ones rode bikes, and she pushed the little one in a stroller. The kids are home schooled so classes don't start for them until the normal time in September. We had a fine time and hopefully we can get a couple more in this year.

The Edge
( 833 of 2167 )

Some folks have a couple of drinks in the evening to take the edge off. What I have come to realize is, the alcohol is the edge they're trying to remove. Your body expects it and puts the edge on until it gets it. Take away the booze and the edge goes away!

Caffeine and sugar also have their edges. I noticed when I was down in Belize recently the first thing I needed to do when I woke up was to wander into town in a desperate search for a hot cup of coffee. Fortunately my sugar addiction was kicked many years ago.

Sadly the folks here in Tennessee don't give a shit about edges, for the most part. I've lived in a lot of places but I have never seen such a disregard for obesity as I do here. It is the norm, and it ain't pretty.

I've seen a few cases at the gym or on the trail where people are trying to slim down, but the energy exerted is not up to the task. You really have to work at it, hard. I've been busting my ass to drop a measly ten pounds around my waistline, and succeeding. Crissinda dropped a bunch of weight from last summer with a vigorous exercise program, very proud of her.

The bottom line: eat healthy, no sugar, caffeine, booze or drugs, work out hard, walk a bunch of miles every day. Get your pride back!

Sleep
( 834 of 2167 )

The absence of caffeine in my body has led to an amazing improvement in my sleep. I hit the bed nightly at 1930, asleep within a few minutes and wake up at 0400 sharply. Wide awake, no coffee needed.

I'm having amazingly realistic dreams and my smart watch is measuring REM sleep in hours vs minutes. Last night I got up to pee in the middle of a dream and stood there thinking I want to go back in, and damned if I didn't continue that dream when I hit the bed, right where I left off!

I even dealt with sore knees that were trying to mess with my sleep. I guess yesterdays eighty squats and seven miles didn't sit well with my old joints. Suck it up boys.

btw: Ida is expected to come right over my head tomorrow morning, I'll try to shoot some video...

No Code
( 835 of 2167 )

I've been writing computer code for fifty two years now. Since the advent of the web I've created a ton of code and tossed it up against that big virtual wall in the sky, and nothing has really stuck. Reality is finally gob-smacking me in the face and it stings. It's time to give up the ghost.

I'm going to let all of the domain names I've coded for die a quiet expiration death, all within a year actually. I'll keep my blogs (busdriverjim and oldmanjim) but that's it. May all that carefully crafted code rest in peace...

Fantastic
( 836 of 2167 )

Man, I feel fantastic and just wanted to share it here on my blog. Next Tuesday marks one month clean, sober and caffeine free. It's also the day I hook up with my neurologist to see if I can get my new wonder drug Primidone bumped up a few notches. That shit has changed my life, the tremors are down to a buzz and I think I created my Will way too early.

I start my day now with a protein berry smoothie, walk three miles (laps), workout (adding one rep a day to an amazing routine) walk two more miles, eat dinner and then walk two more. My upper body is muscling out, my waistline is dropping, and I'm getting very tan since all I wear on the trail is shorts and walking shoes.

There's a new pet boarding place opening up down the road in Loretto and they are expecting me on their 9/11 opening. Looks like a great alternative to the Vet, and they're cheaper. Pipers first visit will be 9/17 when I head to downtown Memphis for the Cooper Young Festival, where I can strut my new body, enjoy some music, and see what kind of mischief my sober single self can get into. Stay tuned...

My Water
( 837 of 2167 )

I had the funniest thing happen this morning. Piper gets up on my desk first thing and starts bugging me for treats while I check my mail. She head butts me and gives me kisses (licks on my forehead) while I'm trying to see my screen behind her fat body. It's our routine.

I get myself a nice cup of cold water first thing, instead of coffee these days, and I set her treats down on the corner of my desk near the window to get her out of the way. This morning I heard a slurping sound and looked over to see her drinking from my cup! "Oh look, daddy's drinking the same thing I drink". Sorry Piper, boundary crossed.

After getting a new cup of water I set it off the desk, right next to the TV controller that she's always knocking to the floor, spilling the batteries all over, with her tail.

Life with a cat has it's moments...

Outdoor Box
( 838 of 2167 )

I've converted the planter box off my front porch into an outdoor litter box for Piper. It used to have some shrubs and a tree growing in it so I pulled those out with my truck and a tow strap, borrowed Daniel's shovel and rake, threw some diatomaceous earth in it to kill fleas, and voilà!

She's been using the area lately to do her business since she can step out the door and right into it, even when it's raining, and now she has lots of room.

If she passes before we move from here, I'll bury her there.

Crockett Museum
( 839 of 2167 )

Did a walkthru of the David Crockett Museum in downtown Lawrenceburg this afternoon. I turned the light on inside which caused a few reflections but if you've never been there, it's an interesting take.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Food Thing
( 840 of 2167 )

Food is a really big thing here in the South. As folks go through their daily routines, it seems like they're sharply focused on the meal events as the highlights of their day. A big breakfast with a chocolate mocha to go, a hearty lunch, topped off with a big piece of meat and all the fixins, plus dessert, for supper. It's the consumption of food that satisfies their inner soul. And of course, they need sodas and snacks to get them to the next meal!

I was listening to a local radio DJ this morning talking about Deep Fried Cheesecake. He said "I'm fat, so I can eat that". What a revealing statement! Being fat is accepted around here, almost like a badge of honor that says "I can eat whatever I want, and as much as I want".

The County Fair is coming up at the end of this month and I'm going, stripping my shirt off and strutting around like a peacock. Go ahead neighbors, chow down...

911
( 841 of 2167 )

I never get political on this blog but I'm making an exception today. Twenty years ago I was a supervisor for a large paratransit company in south Seattle. I had driven my company van home that morning to take a break and watched the towers come down live on TV.

Not really knowing what to expect I got back in the van, turned my radio on that was in communication with about sixty active routes, and listened to them fall apart. Drivers were pulling over, in shock, in tears, and just wanted to get home to their families. We managed to get everyone in and it was shit for days.

Now after thousands of lives lost, tens of thousands wounded, and trillions of dollars spent securing that country, Biden has thrown it all away for a political stunt, to be the president who brought the troops home after twenty years. I am sickened by this and I won't be watching any of the tribute crap on TV. Fuck 911, I've had enough.

Cat Cage
( 842 of 2167 )

I drove down to Loretto today (8 miles) to check out the new pet boarding place. Met a nice young couple and their two little girls and Derrick showed me the kennel area he built in what used to be his shop. Six cages (two for cats) and a play area behind them for the dogs. They love animals and just decided to make a business out of it.

Unfortunately, it ain't going to work for Piper. Stuck in one of those cages along with food, water and a litter box, along with incessant dog barking, would be hell for her. Quite frankly I've never seen the Northside Vet accommodations where I normally leave her, could be the same or worse. Places like this are just not an option for my old fat spoiled partner.

Fortunately, I'm back in text touch with Crissinda's young friend Molly who does on-site pet sitting. She will come by the house twice daily, feed the old girl, give her treats and change the litter box. It's a perfect solution for a couple nights out of town and I look forward to meeting her next week!

Come Apart
( 843 of 2167 )

I have a friend who was havin some issues in life and he told me the other day, in the most southern way possible, I'm fixin to have a come-apart. Then I don't see him for about four days and I figured that his shit had come apart and he was in jail.

He dropped by today to tell me everything was fine, fixins under control, issues resolved. He had just been hangin low from a second Covid shot that knocked him on his ass. Very interesting, my arm just hurt for a couple days.

So here it is Sunday afternoon in my little house on the creek in Southern Tennessee, sitting at my computer, Piper kissing me for treats, thinking about come-aparts. For anyone who has ever had a come-apart in your life, raise your hand. I've had a couple, fortunately they only involved busting shit up, but I've been there. I'm so glad my friend is not in jail.

Also, thinking about Jess, her baby girl waiting to make an appearance. And life in general, what the hell am I doing other than walking a lot, working out and eating like a California hippy? My evenings are spent talking to my cat with soft humms that emulate hers while she emulates mine. We had an amazing conversation last night, her sitting in one big black chair, me in the other...

Claws Out
( 844 of 2167 )

Piper and I have been hanging out in the shade provided by our large trees out front. She's still hangin while I'm uplodading this video, and no, she never breaks my skin, just lets me know she could if she wanted to.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Delivery Day
( 845 of 2167 )

Jess is delivering their baby today! She and my son Riley have been working really hard for years to make this day a reality, and after a trip to a hi-tech fertility lab down in Arizona, eight embryos, down to two, they finally have this baby girl. Grandpa is very happy and can't wait to see her.

Hopefully Riley can get some photos to me and I'll post them here tomorrow. In the meantime, my pet sitter Molly was fully booked this weekend so I'm making a modified run to Memphis, land of the delta blues. I'll get Piper all stocked up and leave early Saturday morning, back Sunday morning. I think she can hang for 24 hours without the daddy, beats a cage surrounded by barking dogs. Here's the link to the Street Fair.

Here We Go
( 846 of 2167 )

Riley and Jess have checked into their hospital room and are sending photos to me. I've created a photo set that you can view by clicking the photo below. As new ones come in I'll send them up to the set. Save the link and come back whenever you like to check for new ones.

Vehicle ID
( 847 of 2167 )

I was setting my Sony's zoom lens into Action mode today and needed a subject. What better than the vehicle id on the firewall.

I suppose I could look up that number through the Mazda web site and learn all about her origins, but she is what she is, 33 years later. I've dealt with countless issues, and fixed them all. Now she roars like a lion, purrs like a kitten, and rides the roads as smooth as homemade Tennessee moonshine.

This baby was made in Japan by hand, steel fabricated by Japanese craftsmen. Note the weld joint on the left...

Kitchen Antics
( 848 of 2167 )

I threw together some of those video clips of Shelby and Shannon in the kitchen, slowed them down, brightened them up, and added a beat. I think it works!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Weird Event
( 849 of 2167 )

I just experienced a very weird event. At 1230 this afternoon I was sleepy so I laid on the top of my bed for a quick nap. I was naked because my shorts were damp from just walking the trail and gettin caught in the rain, so I stripped them off. I had this weird dream of an ex-FBI neighbor and his kid and these caves behind his house where aboriginal people lived. They were jet black from the sun with long hair and they bathed in a filthy conduit that ran between his house and the cliff.

All of a sudden I began falling into a state where I could hardly move and began yelling out for help but nobody came. I was trying to pull this veil off the right side of my face, somehow knowing I was asleep. I began panicking, thinking if I could not wake up soon, I never would.

Finally I did and I looked down at my naked body on the bed and screamed out "Yes"! I looked at my watch and it said I was asleep for exactly one hour, no awake time, no REM, thirty minutes of light sleep and thirty minutes of deep sleep!

Suns out, think I'll go finish that walk...

Squeezer
( 850 of 2167 )

I'm totally over coffee now but I do miss a hot beverage (or two) in the morning so my new thing now is Lemon Water. You can read up on all the benefits, so I won't bore you here, but I want to tell you about my method.

Krogers sells a 5lb bag of big lemons for six bucks. First thing every morning now I grab one and slice it in half, for two drinks. Then I fill my old coffee cup up with spring water and nuke it for a minute and a half.

Then I use my new Squeezer to drain every drop of juice from a lemon half, into my hot water, and done! The device is solid, made out of metal and does the job perfectly, highly recommended!

Ducky Creek
( 851 of 2167 )

6,000 rubber duckies released into Shoal Creek today, what could go wrong...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Da Fair
( 852 of 2167 )

The local fair has arrived so I drove up there yesterday and they wanted $10 to park while nothing was open yet so I headed over to the Wishy Washy and my friend who runs the place let me park there. Then I walked into the place without a ticket because, nothing was open yet. I was walking around feeling great because I hadn't spent a dime yet, taking pictures with my Sony, and then I tripped over some big electrical cords that were laying across the walkway because, nothing was open yet...

I was holding the camera in both hands so to protect it I let my body absorb the fall onto rough jagged blacktop. All I can say is that it's a good thing I'm in shape because it would have taken out most 75 year olds but I walked away with just some bad cuts and a sore hip.

Dawn
( 853 of 2167 )

I met Dawn Beckmeyer in the late seventies down in Carmel Valley, CA. Her family lived local and she worked at the place I was developing an accounting system on an IBM Sys-3 Mod 10 for, a new startup called Flasher Fashions.

She was not your typical looking woman. She had a square face with a smile and energy that melted everyone she met and just radiated positivity. Her very first sexual orgasm was on top, in my Pacific Grove apartment. We fell in love.

We hung together for several years, had a great time, traveled a lot. She was bi so we had some amazing encounters and then one day she said she was going to become a cloistered nun in a remote Northern California monastery. Forever.

Damned if she didn't do it! Many years later I made contact with her there and she was happy and fulfilled...

Marci
( 854 of 2167 )

Marcia Amamoto was born to Japanese parents who met in the concentration camps. Her dad went on to build a successful nursery in San Mateo and sent Marci off to UC Berkeley where she graduated second in her class with a teaching degree.

One evening I was hanging out at my friend Milt's house with his wife Suzi and they invited her cousin Marci over for the evening, and we connected. She was just starting her first teaching job at an elementary school, soon discovered she wasn't into it, went into a business career, and we began living together.

We were both making good money and loved to spend it on trendy little French restaurants eating snails. One day we were partying with Dave and Pam (Miss Chinatown USA) up in Sacramento and decided to get married so we went to a little chapel. All I had was a puzzle ring, which I dropped, and ended up handing it to her to seal the deal.

Marci was my last wife, together about eight years. Towards the end we went to a marriage counselor and she landed in the guys hot tub up in the Oakland hills. They had an affair, I met Dawn, and it was over.

Colleen
( 855 of 2167 )

In the early eighties my friend Steve Smith invited me over to his shop in Oakland to check out his new Apple computer, it was the first to hit the market and I was the computer guy.

One of his employees was a petite fiery redhead named Colleen Bangert. We hooked up later that night at a party at Steve's house, and I met one of her many personalities, the Sex Kitten.

This chick truly had multiple personalities and over a couple of decades, I got to meet them all. My least favorite was the Boxer, where she would use my head as a punching bag.

One time we drove in to Mexico from Arizona, crossed over to Baja on a ferry and were heading north on the peninsula in the middle of a desert, when the Boxer came out. I was in no mood to get my head beat so I kicked her out, at which point she climbed up on a sand dune and sat down, while I drove off. Obviously I didn't leave her there, because Riley would never have been born, but I was tempted.

The Boxer would also come out every time she found me naked in hot tubs with other naked women. She would walk up, pound me on the head, then split. Every time!

Anyway, there are a million stories here that will go untold, because she is my boys mom. Do I have any regrets? Hell no, she allowed me to be Rileys dad, and for that I respect her.

Stephanie
( 856 of 2167 )

This is a hard one to do, especially since I think she reads my blog on occasion, but here goes.

Stephanie Hernandez and I met when I was a supervisor and she ran the front desk, at a transit outfit south of Seattle. A weird connection was forming between us as we worked together, especially since she was married with two half grown kids. She's not Mexican but her husband was.

One News Year day I had the day off and was buying seafood at a market while Steph was at work for half a day. I called her at her desk and asked if she would like to drop by my house and share the seafood with me. She had never been there but knew how to get to my house, and she said yes. That one single call was the start of at least a twenty year relationship, I've actually lost track, just like I can't remember the type of seafood. Yet I vividly remember her jumping my bones the instant she walked in the door that afternoon.

Thus the long affair began. It was under wraps for a while, pretty soon the office figured it out, male drivers began glancing slyly at my crotch while the female drivers just smiled. Then her husband and kids figured it out when she moved in with me. And I can understand now how her daughter secretly hated me for this, I don't blame her, but mom was coimplicant.

We became a couple, Riley treated her like his mom and she was alway running him around to things and down to the DMV to work on his license. Her son Junior moved in with us for a while and I liked having him around.

Then my sister called. She was busy setting up her mansion on the Wyoming side of Teton County Idaho in a town called Alta (the richest per-capita place in the U.S. at the time), buying up new property, and invited us to move to Idaho. I drove down there and we looked at places together and the last one we saw was an amazing log home. Three bedroom, two bath, family room, deck, hot-tub, on a half acre of land at the base of the Grand Teton mountains. She bought it later that evening in cash and invited me and Steph (and Junior if he wanted to come) to move in for free.

We accepted, and lived and loved there for many years. It was a great life, sweet memories and no regrets. Steph was a great partner and lover. We would occasionaly get testy with each other but it never lasted. We showered together every morning and washing a fine set of tits from behind was the way I started my day.

We eventually started paying my sister rent but we split every thing right down the middle. I realize now that I incorporated that way of doing things into every relationship I've ever had.

Also, in a pattern I now find myself repeating, I tried to do a good deed and everything went to hell as a result. I wanted to bring my brother Dana to the Valley from the nursing home mess he was in. A group home that cared for other men like Dana had been my client for all those years driving the bus and they were willing to look at bringing him on board.

Unfortunately, my family didn't welcome him, he must of done some shit to offend, I never found out. But I was hurt and decided to leave the Valley. It was the beginning of Steph and I splitting up as I was thinking Arizona and she was thinking Tennessee or Washington. I gave her a fourth of my stash and bought her a truck. She was off to Tennessee and I had no idea where I was going as the last items at our yard sale left the property.

Finally, as we were packing boxes she said sternly "you need to make up your mind" so I said, "fuck it, I'm going to Tennessee with you!". I had this delusion that perhaps I could integrate into her family and find some roots there, which did not work out. Now we never see each other, I miss her, story over...

Marion
( 857 of 2167 )

Marion was my college girlfriend, half black and hot. I fell hard for her the day some prof called her up front to do something, and all the class and I could see were these great tits behind a transparent lacy top. She was out there, rocking the class and knew it. I had to have her.

We had some great adventures, lived as a couple in a few different places, dropped acid along the way, and were together for about four years.

Marion came up from inner-city poverty. She used to tell me about the old black guy that paid her well and often to give her head when she was a young girl. She said it was a good deal, she got money and it grew her up to be a horny bitch, as she would say.

One of a kind and it was my privilege to know her.

Leslie
( 858 of 2167 )

Riley has been following my ex's posts and reminded me about Leslie, a sweet woman that was in my life for a time there in Kent, before Steph, and she obviously made an impression on him.

I was driving a bus for a Bellview, WA outfit and Leslie was my dispatcher. I am acutely affected by human voices, a lot of which I can't stand, and yet some have a calming affect on my soul.

Her voice was wonderful and we began a relationship from there. I'm sure my fellow drivers heard what was going on, we were courting over the radio. One day we met and she came to my place and we started hanging out.

It was never meant to be, she was into religion, I wasn't. I went to a local church with her and we sang hymns from a book, god help me.

I eventually ended it and she and her mom went off on a vacation to Mexico. Everything cool, there you go son...

Old And Older
( 859 of 2167 )

New Song
( 860 of 2167 )

Working on my new song, no musical score yet...

-------------------------

Sucking old bud

  from a homemade pipe

Falling off the wagon

  aint got no wife

Looking all around

  at the little I got

Thinkin bout things

  I wish I had not

Rambin down the road

  at seventy five

    livin my life

      like I'm out of time

There are times I sit

  times I walk

times I cry

  wish I could talk

...

-------------------------

Core Toner
( 861 of 2167 )

Daniel dropped by as I was starting my workout so I put him to work videoing my litte core toner routine.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

New Poem
( 862 of 2167 )

At least when you're drinkin, you ain't thinkin bout drinkin

Which gives your poor mind, a break from the thinkin

It's vodka for supper, here in the south

With Iron City bud, piped in my mouth

Walk workout eat wise, sleep well at night

Do what you can, to finally make it right

Fish Fry
( 863 of 2167 )

Went to the volunteer fire department fish fry fund raiser in the little community of New Prospect today. Local farm raised catfish, hush puppies, fries, coleslaw, beans and dessert.

Damned good!

Biker Friend
( 864 of 2167 )

I ran into my buddy Ricky at the park this afternoon, actually the last person I saw there before going on that health kick. He's a crusty old dude, biker, trucker, long white beard with eyes that have seen everything Tennessee has to offer.

He smokes Marlboro and rolls a few joints for the day every morning when he rolls out of bed. He's 57 and has pretty much given up on life outside of what he's got. He will live until he dies, with 145 proof moonshine in the evening to help him along the way.

We connected today on a deep level. I told him about quitting smoking when I turned fifty and how it changed my life. Hell, he still has time to change, but he really chooses not to, and accepts it totally. I get it.

Later when I got home I asked Alexa what 2021 minus 1967 was and she said 54, my daughters age...

It's Ok
( 865 of 2167 )

The most powerful spoken phrase in human relationships is "it's ok...". That means you got it, and you accept it. Set your mind at ease, the truth is resolved. Move forward from there and work on the issue.

Meanwhile a little island is forming under Piper's and my view...

Maintenance Man
( 866 of 2167 )

Chatted with a couple of nice girls and their disabled clients yesterday. They hang out in the afternoon at shelter seven, in case one of the guys needs a restroom. Good folks allround.

Then my all american handy man next door neighbor Daniel came over and gave my wall heater a blow out and fine tuning. It was full of dust from nonuse, I've never started it up, so he brought over his tools of the trade and she is now ready to keep Piper and I warm for the winter.

This guy could fix anything, I swear. I guess that's why he works for the Lawrence County school system as a maintenance man. He is also my friend, of which I have very few...

Winter is a strange time around here as I enter my fourth. Nothing like the mountains of Idaho from which I came. These folks have no idea what fourty below feels like.

Old and New
( 867 of 2167 )

Riley called this morning to let me know that an old friend of mine back in Kent, WA had passed away. Greg Worthing was a good guy and father to a couple of Rileys childhood friends. I had just received baby pics from Jessica, so here she is. Life goes on and life ceases to be. Sad thing is I won't be able to write a post about my own death, unless I compose it within minutes of the end, and then click send. I'll name it Goodbye.

Old Pics
( 868 of 2167 )

I was digging through old photos today and ran across a few of interest.

Proud Dad.

Steph talking to Riley's mom.

Gregs girl.

Steph and Sue in the vette.

Sue is my good buddy Dave's wife and that's his vette that goes 200mph...

Old Piper
( 869 of 2167 )

I was in the middle of creating a video about my old cat, when the phone rang. My old buddy Dave's face appeared on my phone and soon I was sending back. His wife Sue slipped on in and I realized I miss these guys a bunch. They dropped by our home in Idaho for a few days, had a great time, soaked in our hottub.

Now they tell me that they have a timeshare in San Destin, FL which is right down the road from Pensacola. Maybe we could all meet up for Thanksgiving?

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Baby Video
( 870 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Letter To Vet
( 871 of 2167 )

Hi folks, Jim Hamilton here. My cat Piper has been under your care for a while, and I need some advice.

She's old and fat and that ain't going to change. Lately she's moving slow and seems to be in pain over a lot of her body.

I could put her in the carrier (which she hates) and bring her up to you folks where she would probably be miserable while you tried to figure out what's going on, or just let her live the remainder of her life out being well loved by me.

So I'm torn by what to do. Is there a medicine she could take that would make her life more comfortable as she approaches the end? Or am I just being a foolish old man and you actually have a way to make her not old and fat.

Sincerely,

Jim Hamilton

Piper Search
( 872 of 2167 )

Just for the heck of it, I plugged "Piper" into my old blog and it brought up our entire history back in Idaho together. It caps out at some internal limit but keeps going back through time when you click on "Older Posts".

My old blog (busdriverjim) is not as mobile friendly as my current one, but you can get an understanding of how my relationship with Piper has grown, if you're interested :-)

Hell, it outlasted Steph!

Here's the link.

Update: Just remembered I had a Piper link, that shows things from the begining.

At The Bench
( 873 of 2167 )

Woke up in bed at 0900 with my arm over my kitty. Drove to the Square for breakfast, which I never do these days, and they had a buffet going on. It was weird to eat in public alone, almost had my first cup of coffee in two months. Think I'll go to the park and sit on the bench...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Update: That stupid buffet gave me food poisoning, miserable night, still lingering the next morning.

Vet Stuff
( 874 of 2167 )

I have been dealing with Northside Vet here in Lawrenceburg, TN for a couple of years now. They have boarded her, gotten shots and things up to speed, supposedly, and I've never met the Vet. A couple of fresh scrubbed young ladies work the front and I just hand Piper off to one of them in a carrier. When I get back one of them takes my money while the other retrieves Piper.

What if it's all a scam and the animals are just tossed into a common pen until the owner comes back to get them? What if there is no Vet? It was way different back in Idaho. I knew both Vets because they always invited me to stay in the treatment room with Piper while they did their thing.

Tennessee

Idaho

Local News
( 875 of 2167 )

I'm not sorry I moved to Tennessee, but I do regret staying here. Granted I've had several adventures I probably wouldn't have had, like an eleven day cruise, hooking up with family in Florida and Atlanta, a sweet trip to Belize and a nice Easter egg hunt. I also have a little place that I like and can afford, for what that's worth.

I really want to take a road trip to see the kids and their new baby, and my truck is in pretty good shape, but that one last summer almost broke her and gas prices are crazy. I could fly I suppose, but from what I see on TV, it looks like hell these days.

So now what? I'm doing my best to insure this is not the last chapter, but I worry it just might be. Stuck in the deep south with no enthusiasm, trying to look good for that final obituary in the local news...

From The Bench
( 876 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Tori
( 877 of 2167 )

This image is just wrong on so many levels, but I love it. The girl used to be my little buddy, I taught her to ride a bike, and yes, she did survive this.

Coding
( 878 of 2167 )

I bottomed out in front of a public library in Fremont, CA. back in the mid to late sixties. I spent the night in the bushes across the street homeless, walked in when they opened and told myself I need to figure out what I'm going to do with my life.

The acid buzz was wearing off as I walked around, looking for anything, when a book about Computer Programming leaped out at me. I sat down and devoured it, left knowing that if I ever had the chance, this is what I wanted to do.

I eventually got that opportunity at Merritt College in Oakland and departed there with skills that rocked the Bay Area IBM System 3-Model 10/15 world. IBM had this sweet machine they wanted to implement in the Bay Area, many company's wanted them badly, and I was the implementor. I completed some wonderful projects and became a legend.

Then the IBM PC hit in the early eighties and it was off to the races with another box, another life, and more wondrous code spilling from my fingertips. I've had an amazing coding career.

Another Human
( 879 of 2167 )

I had my kitty Piper in my lap tonight, rubbing her all over, whispering I love you into her ear, and realized I probably should be doing this to a member of my own species.

I wonder how that would work out? I have extolled my singularity here on this blog, how I'm glad to be single, my own boss, do what I want, blah blah blah...

But what if I hooked up with someone who could hang with me in this small space, while we explored other options?

I constantly watch people light up when they see me. I'm kinda unique around here: old, tan, fit and dapper.

I see the cruise line deals in my inbox showing that two people can travel together cheaper than one.

Do I need another human in my life? I don't know yet, working on it...

My Back
( 880 of 2167 )

I haven't had my back washed for more than three years now. It used to be a regular morning ritual with Steph and I back in Idaho. We always showered together and washed each others backs, and I washed her tits.

That spot in the middle of my back that I can't reach has got to be needing attention, maybe I should go to Walmart and buy a back scrubber. Isn't this a magical world we live in where we can just throw money at a problem to fix it. Unless of course, the back scrubbers are stuck on a container ship off the coast of California...

Missing Socks
( 881 of 2167 )

As I was rolling through the town square on the way back I heard a song on WLX that knocked my socks off as I was cranking it loud through my very capable stereo with the windows down. Their station office is right here in town so it was local radio.

I never got the name of the woman that sang it, so I called the station when I got home, and asked. It was K.T. Oslin and the song was This Woman, off her 1989 album. I did a little research and learned that she died last December up in Nashville at 78 from Parkinson's and Covid.

I'm including the video here so you don't need to go digging around.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Cat Care
( 882 of 2167 )

Wow, the responsibility for the care of my cat is complicated sometimes. She lives the life of a feline princess, her next move always anticipated, and what she expects is usually there.

I love her completely and she is my partner, a process of many years together. Sometimes I feel her end is near, other times, hmmmph.

So what if I want to go travel? You know, pay my rent up, lock my little house down, and go?

I have two options: board her at the Vet in a cage, or have my new friend the cat sitter come by and supply her the basics twice a day while I'm gone. She hates the cage I must presume, but she always emerges intact and back to normal quickly.

In June I left her there for a week while I went to Belize, and she survived just fine.

But what if she died in the cage, or from the neglect of a twice a day visit, while I was on the road? The answer is, I'll see her on the other side!

Right now I'm sitting here at my computer writing this with the rain coming down good and my baby laying up here on the desk looking out the open window at the creek below, and life is ok...

Frayed
( 883 of 2167 )

"Life isn’t easy. Most people drink to forget, or drive for hours trying to get away from what they can’t let go of or leave behind. Work takes it out of you. Love falls short or destroys you. Disappointments stack up. But still you have to keep going – and how you do that says everything about the man that you are."

Aaron Lewis - Frayed At Both Ends

Oatmeal
( 884 of 2167 )

My breakfast: oatmeal, golden flaxseed meal, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. No sugar, no milk, no bs.

Southern Life
( 885 of 2167 )

Daniel invited me up to his wife's house in Amish country today for a brush burn and some southern cooking. He smoked a pork shoulder and a big round thing with kraut, made some potato salad and I checked out the house next door where no one has lived for fifteen years. Family and friends came over later, we had a fine time, and the food was amazing!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

My History
( 886 of 2167 )

I was walking the path this morning and writing this in my head, so here you go, if interested:

I was born seventy five years ago in Long Beach, CA to a pretty young lady named Janice and a Texas born WW2 Navy vet named Gene. I was their second, preceded by my brother Dana, and I was premature so they stuck me in an iron lung for a week.

My dad bailed to Texas shortly after, and my single mom of two hooked up with and married a guy named Paul Hamilton. My sister was born and then we traveled all over the West: Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, god knows where, and landed in a tiny town on the California side of the Sierras outside of Reno, named Floriston.

I spent the ages of five to nine in that fucked up little town, climbing giant pines to their top, swinging in the wind for hours, escaping everything. My sexuality was formed there. Then we moved to south central California: Ivanhoe, Visalia, where I excelled in track, raised pigeons, and was generally just a messed up little kid without a father figure.

Paul was a long haul trucker and construction worker by this time and he moved us up to Paradise, CA to work on the Oroville dam. I was a sophomore at Paradise High when JFK was shot, still doing track, flunking everything else. I hit the road that summer and hitchhiked all around, nobody cared. Got my diploma at a night school down in Chico.

I knocked up a girl named Jenny there and we had my daughter Becky. Things started going downhill when about a dozen teenage boys from the bowling alley came over and fucked the shit out her. We left there and moved to the Bay Area.

Madness, drugs and homelessness ensued, Jenny faded away, and I ultimately ended up going to Merritt College for three years and graduated with honors.

Life finally improved because I was making great money as a computer guy. Lived all over the Bay Area from Berkeley down to Carmel, mostly around Oakland, many relationships, married Marci for eight years. Shit finally hit the fan, lost Becky as her road to fourteen kids began, and moved up to the Seattle area to be with Colleen and the little guy I loved, Riley.

Lived in Kent for twenty years and was Riley's dad. Once again craziness ensued but I found a way to move beyond it and had a successful career as a transit supervisor. I met Steph, Riley went off to Wyotech in Laramie, WY to learn his career, and Steph and I were offered a life down in Teton Valley from my sister, which we accepted.

We lived a nice life for twelve years in Driggs, sweet log home ten miles from the ski resort, family, good jobs.

We left there to move here in Tennessee three years ago. I never see Steph anymore, I've had a few good adventures and now I just walk the path, workout, and eat pig and potato salad when I can...

A Poem
( 887 of 2167 )

I carry this fear, that I'm just another stat,

a man with regrets, he can never take back.

Dying from living, wouldn't be so blue,

if only I could speak, to the ones I knew.

I'd say I'm sorry, from the depths of my heart,

and pray for forgiveness, for my pathetic part.

I'm not a bad man, just abused and confused,

and I will love you till life, serves me as used...

A Painting
( 888 of 2167 )

Revolution
( 889 of 2167 )

I woke up this morning with a revolution. I'm sitting in this little house on a dead end street in a small southern town, unfulfilled, lonely, and looking for some purpose in my life.

I'm in great shape for my age, no major health issues, smart, talented, with a sweet little truck that could be used to help out the neighbors.

It's time to engage with my community. It's time to visit the local Senior Center and volunteer. I've been holding on to a pathetic position about this since last year when I applied for their MyRide Lawrence manager position and didn't get it. I even wrote an amazing website to support the whole thing ( RideQue ), that nobody got.

They're closed this Halloween weekend but I'm dropping by next Monday and we'll see what happens. I spent twenty five years providing bus rides to Senior Centers from Idaho to Seattle. I'm more than qualified, I can pass any background check and my driving record is flawless. Maybe I'll make some new friends and find some meaning to my life...

Treaters
( 890 of 2167 )

I almost had trick or treaters tonight! My door was open with a bowl of candy by it when three little kids in costume, their dad and a dog came running by. They obviously didn't know it was a duplex and they headed straight to my neighbors door. So I'm standing at my door thinking they'll come back by because it is a dead-end street after all, but they crossed the street and disappeared towards the big houses up the creek. Oh well.

I've been thinking a lot today about the frailty of life as I almost lost one of my very few friends to an ectopic pregnancy. Thankfully she's going to be ok and my grand-daughter Shelby said she lost a good friend to this horrible condition. So you can take all of my pissin and moanin here on this blog and throw it in the garbage. It don't measure up...

Fall
( 891 of 2167 )

I fell yesterday, not sure why, just passed out. The back of my head got pretty messed up and paramedics arrived, but I declined attention. Going to the clinic this morning.

Update: Sometimes you should just fib. When I got to the clinic and mentioned passing out, they wouldn't treat me, sent me down the road to the ER where they did a Cat Scan and an EKG before telling me that I waited too long and they couldn't stitch it up.

Hopefully my insurance will cover that stuff, and at least I know my head and heart are fine. Got a tetnus shot and antibiotics. Sheesh...

Drug Prices
( 892 of 2167 )

The cost of modern medicine is outrageous. The ER prescribed an antibiotic for me: Cephalexin 500MG capsules, 21 pills to be taken once every 8 hours for seven days. These things are big, bad, red and expensive.

The total price for the whole bottle at Walgreens was one dollar! I remember back in the day when I could have picked up something like this for fifty cents, seventy five at the most. Thank god I'm doing ok and I can afford it, but a lot of folks aren't as fortunate.

I hate taking pills but I might as well pop one of them hydrocodone things I got from the dentist with my lunchtime big red boy. Maybe it will take care of my headache...

A Lady
( 893 of 2167 )

I'm ready to take my second 7-day Caribbean cruise and I don't want to do it alone this time. I'm looking for a cute young Tennessee girl to travel with me: an old guy, in good shape, and not bad looking. The cruise lines offer couples the best deal, so here's the offer.

I would expect you to be employed with your own money. Single, with some time off in December, not a welfare momma or a drugie, and you look good in a bikini. I'll pay for the cruise, transportation, and a drink package.

Ain't lookin to get laid, just someone to share an adventure with. We would be the hit of the ship, cool old guy, pretty lady.

You up?

New Cruise
( 894 of 2167 )

Well, the next cruise is on! I'll be getting my Covid test on Saturday Dec 18th, meeting with my new pet sitter Molly who has agreed to do twice daily Piper visits for nine days, and then driving to Pensacola.

It also looks like I may have a hot date! Shelby's friend Jill has expressed an interest in hanging out with us!

I'll spend the night at Shelby and Andy's place and then we'll all drive to Port Canaveral, FL (a 7.5 hour drive) for boarding on the Carnival Magic.

It's a seven day cruise with stops in Costa Maya, Roatan, Belize and Cozumel. Saturday (Christmas) we'll be at sea heading back to port, should be amazing! Sunday we'll drive back to Pensacola and I'll be home on Monday the 27th.

I've got six weeks to get myself in top shape (I'm pretty much there now) and then let it all go to hell with food, drink and fun. Life is short, live it!

Cruise Shot
( 895 of 2167 )

I shared this shot from my August 2019 cruise at a pier down in Roatan with tour guide Shelby, and she asked me to plan the itinerary for the stop. Working on it...

Til You Cant
( 896 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Zoom Check
( 897 of 2167 )

Shot a few zoom shots to fine tune my Sony rig:

My phone in cup holder.

David Crockett State Park.

Piper's new heating pad.

Dry Out
( 898 of 2167 )

I have made some decisions regarding the upcoming cruise in 40 days. For one, as a function of my exercise routines and walking, I'm going to dry out, again. I'll need to be at the top of my game to keep up with the youngins.

I've also decided to not get the drink package, for a couple of reasons. It's much more expensive than my last cruise at $51 a day plus 18% gratuity on each drink. Besides, when you have the package you tend to way over drink just to justify it. I'm getting a great deal on my room, $548.86, which works out to $78.40 a day. Considering your food is included, you can't beat that!

What would be truly amazing is to do the cruise sober, nothing but water. I can still hang out at the bars with the gang as there's no rule you have to drink to sit there. Besides, Shelby mentioned to me she's looking forward to making some enduring memories from our adventures, and the cool thing is, I would remember them, and have more cash to spend on making them.

Pad Happy
( 899 of 2167 )

Piper loves her new heated pad underneath her favorite blanket. The house is going to be cold in December while I'm gone so she can just hunker down while Molly drops by twice a day to take care of her. It sure beats nine days in a cage at the vet.

See Ya
( 900 of 2167 )

Walk, workout, stay sober, stay warm. See ya...

Relieved
( 901 of 2167 )

I've been stressing for days over that Emergency Room visit last week, afraid that the Cat Scan and EKG would blow my precious Medicare Advantage insurance out of the water. My fears have been put to rest.

It's a rainy day here in Southern Tennessee and I couldn't get laps in on the path, so after my workout I went up to my gym, Anytime Fitness. After a great treadmill workout I asked about their best ab machine and the girl mentioned that my Silver and Fit membership had expired. This is one of the great benefits I get from my Medicare Advantage insurance so I told her I would get it straightened out. She also showed me a sweet ab machine :-)

When I got home I called BlueCross/BlueShield and talked to Adriana, who was amazing. She called the gym and worked everything out, I'm back on board. Then she asked if their was anything else she could help me with, so I asked about that ER visit.

She found the bill which was about eight thousand dollars. Through the magic of insurance it had been adjusted down to $400 and my liability was $101.04. Considering I thought I had lost my insurance and faced a huge debt, I can live with that!

So I'm very happy, think I'll hit the gym every day now, and work on those abs...

YouTube Stats
( 902 of 2167 )

Considering that I don't promote my YouTube channel in the slightest, this is interesting. I haven't decided on an internet package for that cruise yet, I had one for the last one and posted daily from the ship, and I posted daily from that Belize trip this summer.

There always seems to be time when you're hunkered down in your cabin or motel to get a post out. The secret is to just put up photos and then process all of the video footage when I get home on my powerful desktop box.

Apparently people like my stuff...

Days Dry
( 903 of 2167 )

I'm working on a new website called daysdry.com. It's got a ways to go to totally flesh out, but worth dropping in on now.

I've also implemented a slick technique for updating the day count easily from anywhere, like my phone, at the end of the day.

Instead of talking about it here, go there if you like...

Quickie
( 904 of 2167 )

I've got a new breakfast routine where I mix up a few ingredients into a paper bowl, cover with a small paper plate, and microwave for two minutes. Cleanup just involves a fork and it's delicious.

Ingredients:

 • Two cage free large eggs.

 • A bit of butter.

 • One pre-cooked Jimmy Dean pork sausage, diced.

 • A spoonful of Newman's Own Mango Salsa.

 • Southern Flavor Charbroil Seasoning.

 • Ground pepper

btw: I also got a Covid booster shot this morning at the Health Department.

The Plan
( 905 of 2167 )

Grand-daughter Shelby and Andy have secured their spot on the Carnival Magic Christmas cruise! They've also come up with a great plan to get us to Port Canaveral, FL the day before the Dec 19 boarding.

My job is to get to Pensacola on Saturday Dec 18 before 1600. I've done that run three times now and know it well, a seven hour drive with gas stops. So, I'll get Piper set up in the morning with Molly taking over that evening, and leave early so I can hang out with them before we leave.

Their plan is for the three of us to hop a flight to Orlando that afternoon at 1840 ($130 RT), stay in a nice hotel, have dinner, and make the boat the next morning. A great plan! There was some doubt wether Andy could get his employers approval (the U.S. Navy) for the trip, but they pulled it off!

Here's my run, using my great routing program RideQue. Click the image to open the program.

Drink Package
( 906 of 2167 )

Andy and Shelby are ordering the Drink Package for the cruise. I haven't made up my mind yet, I'm on day eleven of my sobriety kick and who knows where I'll be come mid-December! I told Shelby I could be the designated driver and she just laughed :-)

Where To Start
( 907 of 2167 )

The folks currently in control of our government seem intent on destroying the petroleum business to force us into electric vehicles. I can't afford an electric car so if I'm going to continue having the freedom to drive in this country, I better get with the plan and convert my old truck.

But where do I start?

DaysDry
( 908 of 2167 )

I finished up that new website this morning, replacing crappy text with more meaningful stuff, and all images now link to cool content, if you're interested.

Today is day fourteen, and here's the link: daysdry.com

New Hat
( 909 of 2167 )

My neighbor Daniel told me he had his eye on a hat for me at Tractor Supply, and bought the last black one they had in the store today. Early Christmas present, one I will wear proudly come the Day out on the ocean.

Gravity
( 910 of 2167 )

Gravity pulls rain out of the sky. And snowflakes. And leaves in autumn. And tears from my eyes when I knew you really are gone. Where did you go?

I thought gravity pulled my mind into the past, stuck in memories. But now I know I can’t trust memories. Some are invented, all are edited. The whole web of who I am — what I’ve seen and done, what skills I’ve found — is nothing but fog.

Gravity pulls me to the future, bits of me falling off along the way. Each of us disappears into the mist of the possible. In our minds, time is gravity’s other side.

Michael Frame

The Cards
( 911 of 2167 )

Here I am, 0835 the day before Thanksgiving, drinking bourbon topped off with moonshine, for breakfast. I woke up with bottles scattered across my table, sure enough signs of drinking last night with my neighbor Daniel, and a bottle of clear moonshine that a cop friend of D's brought over last night but chose not to join us. Too bad, I love our police.

Daniel and I were taste testing Makers Mark to Jim Beam Black Extra Aged, and the later won, I think...

I have no idea how my day is going to play out, but I suspect a trip to the gym is not in the cards...

Nostalgia
( 912 of 2167 )

Think of the life you have lived until now as over and, as a dead man, see what’s left as a bonus and live it according to Nature.

Love the hand that fate deals you and play it as your own, for what could be more fitting?

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

The Valley, dead to me now...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Considering
( 913 of 2167 )

I'm seriously considering moving to Roatan, Honduras. Make some new friends, like these guys!

Gotta be better than hanging out alone in my little house in the deep south on Thanksgiving...

The Circle
( 914 of 2167 )

Yea, I just posted about moving to Roatan, but that's just a pipe dream. I'll be down there next month, have lunch at Sandy Buns on the West End, and move on. But where?

There is nothing for me here anymore and I'm dying a slow lonely death. I really miss my boy back in Washington and I would love to see his new daughter grow up. So maybe I'll move back?

I would have to go back to work, couldn't afford it otherwise. When I left there back in the early 2000's I was a transit supervisor in good standing with Hopelink. Moved to Teton Valley where I kept on driving a bus. Moved here and drove a bus last summer. I'm in great shape, I could handle it.

Hopelink is hiring at a great rate now with sweet signup bonuses. I could rent a u-haul, put my truck on a trailer, and get the hell out of the deep south.

Right after my Caribbean Christmas cruise :-)

No Limits
( 915 of 2167 )

Back in the early seventies I was pushing my limits pretty hard and was convinced I wouldn't live past the age of thirty. As I reached that milestone in 1976 I was enjoying a bottle of fine wine in a Kansas City motel room with my Japanese wife and a hot young lady. The details of that three-way are still engraved in my memory.

Ok, I thought, there is no way I'm going to make it to the year 2000. As that New Years Eve rolled by I was walking back from a party at the local bar, good job, roof over my head, when a pretty lady I had never met came out of the darkness and kissed me hard. When I woke up the next morning I realized that setting limits was foolish.

Now here it is 21 years later and I'm still kicking. My body is in amazing shape and my mind still functions fine. Perhaps I should set a limit on 2022? Maybe I'll get laid on New Years?

Results
( 916 of 2167 )

I dropped by the hospital today and picked up the records from my visit to the ER last month. Took them over to my clinic, payed my $10 and asked to see the new doctor in the house. They finally got their own Primary Care physician and Wednesday is the only day she is in.

She was terrific, went through the Cat Scan, the EKG and the blood work results. It's actually a cool thing to get your head scanned and it showed absolutely no issues. The EKG showed my heart as healthy and strong, and my blood is great in all areas. She said that despite my old ugly face I have the body of a 21 year old.

Ok, she really didn't say that but she would have if she could have. I also told her I figured out why I passed out and her eyes lit up as she awaited my answer. It's called the drinking on an empty stomach syndrome. She nodded wisely and said that sounds probable, especially since I mentioned Tennessee whisky.

Piper Days
( 917 of 2167 )

I realized I should put together some instructions for Molly when she watches Piper in a couple of weeks, so I thought the hell with printed instructions, I'll just make a website!.

Yea, that's just what I do, so I grabbed the domain name piperdays.com and did it.

It's pretty cool and you can check it out here. The idea is that my pet sitter Molly can just open it up on her phone and know my wishes, contact information, and a bit of history about the cat she is watching.

I love the internet!

BusDriverJim
( 918 of 2167 )

My old blog BusDriverJim was not responsive and looked crappy on the phone. That blog represents a major portion of my time in Teton Valley and I like to reference it, as I did with my new app PiperDays.

I had written a bunch of functions and custom code for the current WordPress theme so I extracted all of that today, updated to a new responsive theme, and put it back in. This was risky as hell, I might have turned it into a slobbery mess, but it worked!

Drop into PiperDays and try out a few of those Piper links under History, they work great, hell even the comments have resurfaced. :-)

Good Stuff
( 919 of 2167 )

I've added a new category under the menu item Stuff for my old blog. The first new category is Random Post. If you like, this will drop you randomly into one the 2,232 Posts from my life in Idaho. Rinse and repeat, good stuff!

I've also ported over some cool tools from the old blog, and created a couple of new ones:

 • Posts By Category - This shows every Post within a Category, for individual selection.

 • Category Posts - This presents each Post within a Category, sequentially.

Birthday Dad
( 920 of 2167 )

My son Riley turns 35 today. He's done well with those years, a fine man, a successful career, now a great father, and he sure makes pretty babies!

Update: My friend Crisinda just pointed out that baby creation is a two way street. Jessica also makes pretty babies! :-)

Gena
( 921 of 2167 )

A couple of days ago I finished up a great workout at the gym and decided to get a walk around the path before dinner. As I approached my parking spot I noticed a woman sitting alone on the bench there. I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable so I headed straight to the path and started my walk. As I came around after doing a full loop I noticed she was still there so I walked by her to make sure she was ok. The sun was going down and a cold night was coming up fast.

She was wearing a thin jacket and plastic sandals, with an old guitar at her feet. I asked her if she was ok and she told me she was homeless. I didn't hesitate a second and asked her if she would like to come back to my home. No idea what I was getting myself into, but I had no choice, as one human being to another, who has been homeless in life, I had to step up. She said yes.

I fed her some of Daniels great homemade chili he dropped by the other day and let her take a shower. Then we just sat around as her story unfolded in front of me. She was 31, born and raised in a troubled home right here in Lawrenceburg, an outcast to her family, struggling with drugs, no ID and with about five bucks on her and a pack of smokes.

Gena told me she really wanted to get into a shelter and I told her we would work on it tomorrow. Daniel got home and came over as usual only to find his chair taken up by this woman. At that point we sprang into action. We pulled the bed from the back of my truck and put it on the floor in front of my big TV. Daniel went to his house and got a bunch of warm clothes he had, and brought them over. I pulled down my brand new backpack I bought for the Summer Belize trip that I never used and she stuffed them all inside. I asked what size shoe she wore and she said 10, which is my size, and I hooked her up with some good shoes. Daniel drove her up to the Dollar Store and bought her a bunch of essentials a woman needs.

The next day (yesterday) we started calling the local shelters, which were full. She had no phone so we used mine. She made several calls to her mom and from the screaming and the drama I heard on the other end, I knew that wasn't going to work. She had an older friend named Jerry who has helped her out in the past but he had his grand-kids with him and couldn't help her. As the sun went down on Thursday she was still here.

Gena is a tall girl, about 5-10, with an appetite to match so I kept her fed between what I had, and some fast food. When she woke up this morning I had coffee for her and a healthy bowl of cereal and berries waiting. Jerry had texted me about a place up in Columbia named Crossroads so Gena called them and they said she needs some form of ID and a birth certificate. Did I mention she had nothing of that sort.

We drove to the local health department to see about a birth certificate but they needed ID to release it, catch-22. Then she got the idea to go to her old bank where she had no money but maybe they had her ID on file. That worked! Back to the health department with a paper copy and she got her birth certificate! Armed with these documents we headed North for a thirty mile drive to Columbia, with fingers crossed.

Gina was accepted at Crossroads! She gave me a big hug and grabbed her guitar, backpack, shoes and the remaining Long John Silvers fish from lunch today, and went inside...

Red Stuff
( 922 of 2167 )

The red stuff (possible tornados) missed the blue dot (my house) by just a bit to the East this morning. The rain was whipping down the street and the creek filled up fast. I was in my safe spot (the living room chair) watching the weather channel mention Lawrenceburg, TN.

Itinerary
( 923 of 2167 )

The new cruise to the Caribbean is days away, so here's the itinerary:

 • Sun, Dec 19 - Depart Port Canaveral, FL. My previous southern adventures have been out of Miami, so this is new.

 • Mon, Dec 20 - At sea.

 • Tue, Dec 21 - Costa Maya, Mexico. Second time here, Shelby is making plans.

 • Wed, Dec 22 - Roatan, Honduras. Second time here, maybe just head out to the West End and hang.

 • Thu, Dec 23 - Belize City, Belize. Third time here, second time this year. Sheesh, I need to get a life!

 • Fri, Dec 24 - Cozumel, Mexico. Been here before also. At least I wasn't onboard when the ships collided!

 • Sat, Dec 25 - Christmas at sea, thank god.

 • Sun, Dec 26 - Return to mainland.

YT2021
( 924 of 2167 )

Maybe one day I'll monetize my YouTube channel...

Chilton R/A
( 925 of 2167 )

I'm going to get an early jump on my Pensacola run, where I'm hooking up with Shelby and Andy for a flight over to Orlando Saturday afternoon. As soon as I get the results back from a Covid test at my local clinic Friday afternoon, I'm hitting the road.

Molly has agreed to start cat sitting Saturday morning so the spoiled old cat named Piper will be just fine. I'm anxious to hit the road and get on down it, so here I go.

I've selected a Rest Area mid state Alabama to layover at, called the Chilton R/A. Looks nice and roomy and it's halfway to Pensacola.

Birmingham
( 926 of 2167 )

I was sailing down I-65 this afternoon, running cruise drink options through my old brain, when I decided I wanted a cocktail at the rest area. I haven't had a drink in five days but I always drink at R/A's, so I called Daniel.

I asked him to find me a liquor store off the highway around Birmingham, AL. and within minutes my text beeper was beeping. It turned out perfect, on and off the highway quickly, and then proceeded to run into a Birmingham traffic nightmare due to a wreck down the road.

Daniel and I have a great friendship, he don't judge me when i fall off the wagon and I don't judge him when he drops by and drinks while I don't.

I've got a great spot, ate a sandwich, and cheers to my friend back in Tennessee. At Shelby and Andy's tomorrow morning!

A Moment
( 927 of 2167 )

There came a moment at 5am this morning, rolling through Montgomery AL in my sweet running little truck, full tank of gas, coffee in the holder, window down with warm southern air rushing in from the dark, hiphop blasting from the radio, when I thrust my fist in the air and yelled at the top of my lungs I'm alive! Fuck the past!

Good morning America.

New Cruise 1
( 928 of 2167 )

Riding towards the coast from a landing in Orlando in a Uber, I noticed cars pulling off to the side of the freeway and getting out. WTF? All of a sudden Andy and the driver remarked about the streak in the sky from their side.

Turns out it was a Falcon X launch carrying satellites into space. This is rocket country after all!

The hotel was fun, had a nice breakfast, rode bikes to the beach and then ubered over to the boat. Boarding was crazy and didn't settle down until we slid into a hottub on the upper deck with a cocktail in hand.

People are running around masked but we've pretty much said fuck that. It's a vaccinated cruise and you need a negative test to get on board, so kick us off on some island if you got an issue Carnival!

The evening was pure decadence between lots of great food and booze. I got more video then photos but I can't process them untill I get home, so here's what I got, promise to do better on Day 2. Click the photo below to see them.

New Cruise 2
( 929 of 2167 )

Carnival's one device at a time internet access is a royal caribbean pain in the ass. Do I need airplane mode on or off, VPN active or not, internet on or off while I try to connect via login.com. I spent half the day yesterday out of touch with Shelby and Andy because of this but they finally found me in the hottub.

It was a great fun day at sea, discovered a new cocktail called an XO something and don't quite remember getting back to my cabin, but here I am.

And I've managed to combine all of the new photos from my camera and phone into a new album, clickable below.

New Cruise 3
( 930 of 2167 )

Have I mentioned that I really love my grand daughter Shelby? If not, consider it noted. She took Andy and I on an amazing Mexican adventure day before yesterday, cab ride out in the country, private boat, amazing water, and I swan with the catfish, goggles on. Damn... Simple words on this blog can not define it.

And then of course I proceeded to get drunk at the bar on deck ten. Thankfully a stranger hoisted my sorry ass off a deck chair and got me back to my cabin. Thank you sir!

So what's in store for today? Oh yea, my favorite place on the planet Earth, Roatan! God I love life...

Update: I have some photos, sitting on a sim card inside Shelby's gopro, I'll put them up later. Here's what I got from Roatan yesterday, and we are currently docked off Belize. Staying on board today, sore throat and hot. Click the photo below to see the set.

New Cruise 4
( 931 of 2167 )

Man it's been an interesting few days leading up to today, Christmas. I was sitting out by the pool with a drink in hand trying to see either Florida or Cuba and all I saw were big tits and fine asses.

So, I decided to go to my room and get a post up, and here we are.

My new mantra has been get home alive and on time due to the fact that some shit going around knocked me on my butt. I ain't sayin it's the C because there's no way I'm going to get tested here on this boat and go into lockdown. Sorry folks ain't happenin.

In the meantime I've continued to have a great time and this evening only promises more, so hang on! Meeting Shelbs at the tubs shortly (even though I've been there and done that today :-) and who the hell knows what tonight will bring before we get kicked off the boat tomorrow...

You know the drill, click the photo below to see the set.

New Cruise 5
( 932 of 2167 )

We departed the ship around 0900 yesterday and Ubered to the Orlando airport. We wanted to check our luggage into the Spirit Flight From Hell (another post...) at around 1900, early, but they wouldn't let us. Then Shelby had a great idea to rent a cheap car, put the luggage in the trunk, and go play in Orlando. Brilliant, so she booked one online from her phone and rented a car.

Had a fun time in Orlando, survived a Spirit flight to Pensacola and I hit the road north in my truck around 8pm. Layed over in a rest area south of Mongomerery and made it home alive and on time the next day.

Here's the last set of photos, from a variety of sources, for the cruise. Click on the chick in pajamas to see them.

Handicap Room
( 933 of 2167 )

My cabin on the Carnival Magic was huge by most standards. Here's the video:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Bacalar
( 934 of 2167 )

Some tourists get off the cruise boat at Costa Maya and shop at the port. Some find a beach nearby or do a touristy excursion. My grand-daughter Shelby hires a couple of guys and their boat to take us to Bacalar with some fine stops along the way. I've put together an eight minute video that captures the feel, please drop on in!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Homer
( 935 of 2167 )

It was so weird last night, still feeling like shit after coming down with something in the Caribbean. My home covid test was negative so I don't know what's going on.

Yesterday afternoon around 1700 I talked Piper into going outside, promising to keep an eye on her. All of a sudden I got real ill and grabbed a container of water with a straw, some tissues and went to bed sweating like a pig. I spent the next six hours coughing and rolling around, listening to fireworks going off down the street, and finally remembered Piper outside.

I got up and brought her in, poor baby, and then watched the New Years Eve stuff on TV. I talked to my boy Riley on the phone who was worried about me, and went back to bed. I've been making it up to my baby all day now, gave her a spray bath with a good brush, and lots of treats. I think she forgives me...

I've also been writing code through all of this. I have a friend down in Pensacola that I met through Shelby, those two cooked me a Thanksgiving meal once, and Homer took Brian and I on a tour of the new Alabama Zoo, which he designed. Shelby told me on the cruise that Homer needs a new website for his art, separate from his design site.

Homer is an amazing designer and artist and it is my pleasure to come up with something that works for him. His current site is great, but not responsive (i.e. looks good on a phone). I'm using my template to create a workable solution, and hopefully he likes it.

It's in pretty good shape at this point, and if you would like to check it out, here you go HomerJolly.com

Snow Dust
( 936 of 2167 )

Ok, it don't match the snow Riley got back in Washington, and it certainly don't compare to Brian's ski resort in Jackson, WY, but southern Tennessee got a dusting last night!

Waves
( 937 of 2167 )

 • Sometimes the memories of long ago crash like waves inside your poor mangled head, and drain from your eyes like a river. The longer you live, the stronger the current...

 • Rapid tests may not pick up positive cases in people who have been vaccinated or who have recently recovered from Covid-19, since they may produce less virus.Isn't that interesting...

 • Still no word on that Homer Jolly site, oh well, I know it rocks. I've created a lot of stuff over the last two decades that never went anywhere, but I always knew it was good. Sometimes people just don't get it...

 • Down to the very last remanents of that flu I got onboard the crusie ship, one more rest day, watch the Titans secure their division tomorrow, and get back to my work out routines come Monday...

 • Life goes on... Not sure why, but it does.

My space at 1400 on Jan 8, 2022, got some electronics on the table, a drink, and my grandfathers hammers. Big TV and my teddy bear, all is well...

Steph Update
( 938 of 2167 )

Steph has been on my mind a lot lately, she hasn't responded to my text in a long time and I didn't know if she was even still alive what with Covid going down. So I decided today to drive up to her last known employer (a Dollar store) and do some shopping.

As I was checking out my plan was to ask about her, when she suddenly appeared with a cash drawer in her hands, all masked up. We exchanged a brief hello as I walked by and she appears well.

I get it that she's moved on and I'm happy for her, but I'm not alone in wondering how she was. She endeared herself to many members of my family over the twenty years or so we were together, and I know they think of her. So this is an update, Steph appears fine and doing ok!

As for me, I still love her. I've also accepted the reality that life moves on, as it should. But tonight my heart rests easy knowing that she's still at the same job, probably an assistant manager at this point, and still around. Hopefully she's enjoying her sweet grandkids to the fullest.

Things
( 939 of 2167 )

God, country, booze and Tennessee. TV, Netflix and the internet. The unbiased love of an animal. An old truck. Football. Coding skills that don't mean shit anymore. Family left behind. I have things...

A roof over my head, a bed, heat. Food and enough money to buy more, until it gets too expensive. A computer to type this shit with. A blog to post it on. I have things...

Remnants from my past that I have no idea how I held on to. An empty pipe that I used to smoke pot with, a passport, a worthless triple vax card. I have things...

And at the end, things don't mean a flying fuck...

A Pause
( 940 of 2167 )

I have been dumping my bullshit here on the blog a lot lately, and then deleting it the next morning. My apologies, time to take a break...

Jim Update
( 941 of 2167 )

Jim's been on my mind a lot lately, so I decided to drop by his little house and check up on him. When he answered the door I was shocked, he looked like a wild man.

His hair was getting long and the space on both sides of his long goatee were filling in with beard. He told me that he shaved his head when he took off for Belize last summer and hasn't cut it since. He also said the last time he shaved his face was before his recent cruise, which included Belize. I began to see a pattern forming.

His place is well kept. The old cat he's had for a decade or more seemed well and very fat. Heat was on, so was Netflix. The big computer was shut down and he had his tiny little laptop in front of him.

I sat across from him in one of those big chairs he brought from Idaho and damned if he didn't have the same table that was in his living room. I asked him how he was. I have to admit I was a bit concerned since he had stopped bloging, and that was my main way of keeping up with him.

He said every day is the same. He wakes up at 0400, drinks his hot lemon drink, makes breakfast for himself and Piper. Said he alternates between hot oatmeal and organic cereal, both topped with strawberries and black berries. Drinks a berry smoothie around 0700, eggs at 0800, tuna and egg sandwich around 1100.

From that point on the days appear to be a blur for him. He shuts down at 1900. No code, an occasional trip to the park, said he really want's to get back into working out, but say's he has no reason to do so. He also mentioned he's got a book coming from Amazon tomorrow about getting motivated or something. I hope that goes well.

So I said goodby to my old friend and as I was walking out the door I asked him if there was one thing he really missed. He said children in his life. Wow, that's sad...

Willpower
( 942 of 2167 )

By good buddy Jeff the book dealer sent me a paperback yesterday called The Willpower Instinct (How self control works, why it matters and what you can do to get more of it), by Kelly McGonigal out of Stanford.

I starts out by laying down three challenges:

• I will: What is something that you would like to do more of, or stop putting off, because you know that doing it will improve the quality of your life?

• I won't: What is the “stickiest” habit in your life? What would you like to give up or do less of because it's undermining your health, happiness, or success?

• I want: What is the most important long-term goal you'd like to focus your energy on?

I knew immediately what my priorities were within that list and wrote them down in the book. We'll see where this goes...

Update: Crissinda just gave me a hard time, wanting to know what was on my list. What the hell, why not share it:

I will get back into great physical shape.

I won't drink anymore.

I want to find inner peace with myself.

What's on your list?

Wtf
( 943 of 2167 )

I was driving through town today just to get out of the house when I noticed a good old boy standing in his driveway checking out my truck, so I pulled in. I thought he was just appreciating my ride but he walked up to me and started bitching about how loud my truck is.

I'm really despising this little southern town I live in and I need to get the hell out of here. This is not my first incident with southern inhospitality, there have been many, trust me. Man, I don't know what it is but I feel like a duck out of water.

I have two friends here, my married friend Crissinda and my married friend Daniel. Crissinda and I text often but only see each other rarely. Daniel and I see each other daily but he drives me crazy often.

My cat's on her last legs, I love her dearly, and I'm sticking around for her. Otherwise I would leave all of this physical shit behind and hit the road. Throw some clothes and my electronics in the back of my truck and road trip until I die...

4Point
( 944 of 2167 )

I just ran across an online article about my first IBM PC product called 4-Point Graphics. It was marketed by a company called IMSI out of San Raphael in 1984. The article was written by one of the co-founders, Bob Mayer and here are some highlights:

-------------------------

4-Point Graphics – really the first painting program for the IBM PC. Able to display 4 colors at a time out of a palette of 16, all at a stunning 320 x 200 pixel resolution. And this was a program that still used the cursor pad to move the cursor around the screen. Computer mice were just in their infancy and we hadn’t yet written an input driver for any of them.

4-Point Graphics quickly became the most popular program that we sold, mainly because there was a dearth of graphics applications for the IBM PC. Its success at retail soon caught the attention of hardware manufacturers, OEMs as we called them. These OEMs were both interested in our writing input and output drivers, as well as supporting their graphics cards; implicit in this support was the potential to have them bundle our software with their hardware products. On the input device side, we were approached by mouse manufacturers such as Logitech and Mouse Systems, a digitizing tablet manufacturer, Kurta, the first color ink jet printer manufacturer, Diablo Systems (a Xerox company), and a ‘graphics’ oriented computer manufacturer called Mindscape.

One of the biggest challenges we faced in closing these deals, was that our ‘team’ of people responsible for selling and supporting these OEMS was not exactly a polished, professional group.

4-Point Graphics' Product Manager, Dusty P, was a professional astrologist who dressed and looked like someone from the Haight Ashbury in San Francisco. Our OEM sales manager, Alan K., while looking and dressing fairly conservatively, had big drinking and cocaine issues. Finally, the programmer of 4-Point Graphics, Jim H., never went to sleep before 3am and when he did wake up, began his day with a joint or two.

Naturally these personalities presented challenges to morning meetings with the more conservative manufacturers such as Xerox and NCR. Alan would often attend the meetings with his wrap-around sunglasses still on, Dusty would weave references to the position of the moon and stars into his comments about the program, and Jim, if he actually showed up for the meeting, was usually too stoned to say much of anything at these meetings, so would just sit there and smile.

-------------------------

Here you go :-)

Some art from the program:

And a couple other things I created back then:

Muffler
( 945 of 2167 )

I decided yesterday to finally break down and get a muffler for my truck. I love the performance of a straight pipe but it ain't worth the grief and I've just been waiting for the local police to give me shit.

On the way to check out the only muffler installation option in town, a State Trooper pulled me over on the main drag for being loud as hell. I started laughing as I handed over my stuff, and swore I was on my way to a muffler shop! I get it!

Anyway, no ticket and when I arrived at ProLube, the same guys that change my oil and the only option for a muffler install in this town, I was shocked at their quote of $200. Come on man, you've been my oil guys for going on four years here, and that's the best you can do?

Then I went to my parts guys and they recommended a little shop down in Iron City. I called and made an appointment for 10am this morning. They quoted me $70 sight unseen and neighbor Daniel said he knew and trusted the guy, just bring cash.

When I showed up and went inside to the funkiest little shop I've ever seen they slid behind the wheel of my truck and drove it round back. I spent the next half hour shooting the shit with some locals hunkered around a pot bellied stove who had no reason to be there other than they wanted to be. I'm talking down home real country boys.

I saw my truck pull up out front, gave Greg $65 cash and drove off. I didn't even look at the job till I got home. What an amazing way to do business!

The work was great by the way and she's purring like a kitten...

Update: It just occured to me that he cut five bucks because I dropped Daniel's name...

Covid
( 946 of 2167 )

Just thought it was time to share my feelings about this crap.

Last year as the virus was spreading around the world I was transporting 200+ people from around the South up and down Shoal Creek in a cramped 14 passenger bus. Then I drove cross country to Seattle and back.

People around me were catching this thing and a bunch dropping dead so when the City offered drive thru shots at the firehouse early this year I joined the line and got both jabs from the window of my truck. Stories of rough reactions were everywhere but all I experienced was a sore arm. I did have a couple of months of mental fogginess early on, but who knows...

I stopped masking up at Krogers and Walmart, went to Belize this summer and a few other trips, and I have not caught Covid, not even the flu. Yesterday I got the booster and I have a slightly sore arm, that's it.

I've been a staunch anti flu-vaxer, never got one, but I have no regrets about these shots. Maybe there is shit going down with them, but at 75, I don't care, all I know is that I have never caught Covid and I'm still alive!

Covid Stats
( 947 of 2167 )

I'm working on a new tool that extracts data from the Covid Act Now API which is the most up to date database in the US currently. I will eventually integrate it into my tool set, but for now, if you want to try it out, click here or click the logo below.

Click on a State to see the state totals or dive down into the county data. Very interesting...

C19Table
( 948 of 2167 )

A funny thing happened yesterday, Daniel was over visiting and I mentioned I had a new website. All of a sudden he starts freaking out, saying "there you go, changing shit up again", blah, blah blah. I showed him the new site on my phone and he calmed down. I'm pretty sure he thought I was talking about my blog, which he gets. No sir, I was talking about the new domain and content I just created, of which I have many.

This one uses the CovidActNow API I recently mastered to create a cool sortable data table. It was a challenging piece of code as the fixed table header is a sort of holy grail among programmers, but I got it down.

Anyway, if you would like to check it out, here you go: c19table.com.

Tinder
( 949 of 2167 )

I've been feeling really lonely lately, so I signed up with Tinder. What a joke that is! I filled out my profile honestly and all that comes across the screen is a bunch of old women.

I don't want an old woman in my life. Ex husbands, dead husbands, baggage, christ... Which means, since I'm an old guy, that's all the options I got I guess.

So I need to get over this lonely thing and move on, but where? Nobody could live with me anyway as I go to bed at 1900 and wake up at 0130 in the morning writing code.

The code thing is interesting, I realize I still have it, diving into old projects, grabbing complex code I've written in the past and creating something new. I'm behind the modern curve but I can still blaze forward. Not that anyone is going to use it, but that's another story...

It's a nice sunny day and Piper and I have been chilling on the porch. I've been nuzzeling my face into her beautiful belly and life is what it is, until it ain't.

C19 Maps
( 950 of 2167 )

A couple of years ago I put a lot of work into generating polygon outlines for every county in the U.S. Today I implemented then into my new program, on a Leaflet map, and they look damn cool. Once you drill down to the county level within a state, clicking on the county name opens up a map with the outline overlayed. I even plugged a title layer on to it so you know what you're looking at. Zooming the map removes the title.

Run the program!

 

↑ Shelby's neck of the woods...

Soft Tap
( 951 of 2167 )

I was laying in bed last night on my left side, quieting down my mind and relaxing my body preparing for sleep, when something happened.

I felt a soft tap on my left shoulder and my older brother Dana's unmistakably deep voice came floating into my left ear and he said What is that?

I bolted wide awake and a chill went down my back. My brother had just spoken to me. I sadly don't know if he is dead or alive, we have lost touch, but damn.

We all make choices that dictate how we end up in life, and death. I take full responsibility for mine but Dana was dealt a bad deal when we were kids. He was abducted by aliens from a Sierra Nevada mountion at the age of ten. They chose him because he was older and they tried to wipe the event from my clear eyed seven year old brain, but I remember a lot. It fucked him up pretty bad and his life was never the same.

Now I need to figure out what he meant last night...

Sometimes
( 952 of 2167 )

Sometimes I just want to say fuck it and sit on my porch blasting music out the door, getting drunk as a skunk. Sometimes I do. I have nobody around me that cares, or that I bother. Welcome to Tennessee!

I'm beginning to develop a don't give a shit attitude that surprises me. I've survived an amazing life, I haven't made any big mistakes to bring me down, and here I am, living legally on a deadend street in the south. My finances are cool, I could easily die here as an old drunk, but that ain't what I want.

I want to go out with a bit of integrity. I would love to reconnect with my daughter, meet as many grandkids as I can, and hug Riley and Jess's daughter in Washington. Maybe see my brother one more time, if he is still alive.

So what's holding me back? Piper, and my stuff. I have a cool little pad here with all of the things I need to have a life with, and my cat and I love each other.

Pussy
( 953 of 2167 )

I love my pussy. I kiss her often. I don't touch her pussy unless it's covered in shit because she's too fat to lick it off, then I wash it down with a wet paper towel.

I've encountered lots of pussies in my life, she is my favorite. I must admit to having been pussy whipped in my time, it sucks. Now I get tail whipped and I love it.

Pussy rocks! I love to stroke it. I rub it until it gets off, my lap. Underneath lies my other friend that she never meets, or sees, I'm careful.

My pussy will die someday, I have a box for her, and a planter and a shovel. And a tombstone thet says The head of this house is the one with the tail.

Until then, my pussy is queen.

Court
( 954 of 2167 )

I had to go to court over a minor issue today and it was enlightening to sit there and listen to how shit goes down in this little southern town. Simple pot possession was a sizable fine and a year probation, open container was a $400 fine, and DUI's were passed on to criminal court. Wife abusers were banned from ever owning a firearm for the rest of their lives (I get this one), and there were several shoplifters that were treated very harshly.

The court was jammed full due to a whole Thursday session being cancelled from last month due to an ice storm. They were calling the cases in alphabetical order and as they were working through the "c"s a good hour into the session, I knew it was going to be a long day.

All of a sudden the judge called my name and I shot up to the podium. She shuffled through some paperwork, looked up at me and smiled and said "case dismissed!" I said "thank you your honor" (a lot of folks had been calling her ma'am). She raised her palm up, told me to have a nice day, and I walked back through the crowded courthouse and out the door.

I believe all things work together towards a purpose, at least they do for me. I now have a new perspective on what's not allowed in this town. Not that I steal stuff or beat women, but you know...

Run In
( 955 of 2167 )

Ok, I'm writing this account of my run in with the law here in Lawrenceburg, TN.

It was early December on a Saturday and my goal was to walk up to the Square and take pictures of the Christmas parade as it rolled into downtown. I was in great shape and walking a lot so it felt like the natural thing to do.

Daniel dropped by and we drank a couple of cocktails and then we decided to go out to the Brass Lantern for a couple more before dropping me off at the Square. Before I left his vehicle in town we had stopped by the liquor store and consumed one of those small bottles they sell, behind some buildings next to the Square. You can see where this is going... Look, sometimes friends can be bad influences but I'm a grown ass man and I take responsibility for everything I do.

Daniel went home and I wondered out into the crowd with the Sony strapped around my neck, my DJI Pocket 2 in my pocket and my sexy black cowboy hat on my head.

I was pretty smacked at this point, I remember giving my DJI to a young guy to take some video of the parade and looking at the footage later he caught me leaning up against the wall and his family thought I worked for the local newspaper. How funny.

Anyway, I had just learned that the Square had a real life sit down bar that served hard liquor so of course I had to drop by after the parade. It gets fuzzy after that.

I can handle my booze as long as I eat something, when I don't I get real dizzy and lightheaded. That's how I ended up in the ER a few months back. That night I was making my way home, dizzy as hell, somehow I managed to cross a busy highway without getting killed, and collapsed against the wall of a house about a block and a half from home.

All of a sudden three badass dudes appeared on an incline in front of me. The bigger guy in the middle was shouting and swearing at me, telling me to get up and off his property, obviously trying to impress the guys on either side. If I had landed at a more compassionate house, I would not be telling this story.

I managed to get up, make it out to the sidewalk, and continue home. Picture me, I'm well dressed, expensive camera around my neck, a fine cowboy hat on my head and staggering like crazy down a sidewalk on a busy highway.

I was a block from home when the cops rolled up, handcuffed me and took me to jail for pubic intoxication. Man, a courtesy ride home would have been nice, but...

Jail was interesting, I haven't spent real time in a cell since I was eighteen serving time for unpaid hitch-hiking tickets in Oroville, CA. I had to put on these funky clothes and sleep on a pad in a small little space with characters I didn't know.

Before that they took all of my stuff and put it in a bag. They emptied my wallet out which contained $600 in twenties which they fed through a machine and said I would get a debit card.

While I was standing at the counter some guy next to me was on the phone with his bail bondsman, saw I had cash, and handed me his phone. I cut a deal with the guy and bond was made. They released me at 0130 in the morning, and I walked home, again.

That's my story as real as I can convey it...

Thinking
( 956 of 2167 )

I have come to the conclusion that the mobile template I've used for several web projects, must suck. Nothing I create seems to stick or create enthusiasm. And the fact that I thought it was good makes me seriously consider what the hell I'm doing.

I guess I've passed my programming prime. I've also been checking out local driving jobs but christ, I'm seventy five, wtf?

Oh well, things could be worse, I have a roof over me and supplies. But I have no partner and no life so I need to head out into the world for a bit, and rediscover myself.

On another note, I've been dropping into my old blog on a random basis. I started that blog, busdriverjim.com, back on June 6, 2011 down in Las Vegas and ended it September 30, 2018 as Steph and I were leaving the Valley and moving here. Between those 2,673 days I wrote 2,232 posts. I have no idea what I was doing those other 441 days.

I travelled a lot, usually taking the summers off from my bus driving job and focusing on the western states. I had some great adventures along the way and bloged every bit of it. Sometimes I would just talk about my crazy past life.

Now it sits as a fun archive that I drop into occasionally with the random function. It applies a random algorithm to those 2,232 posts and displays it, I never know what to expect and most of the time it's pretty entertaining.

For example, here's a look back post that showed up an a recent random click: Carmel Valley

Done
( 957 of 2167 )

I'm sitting on the little block of concrete called my porch, sun's out and warm, classic rock blasting from behind me. I've disabled all electronics and I'm getting drunk. Wish I was stoned, wish I had some peyote! I can't see what I'm typing on my little laptop because the sun is blaring everything out.

If I was suicide prone I would blow mu brains out with my old shotgun right now, or maybe later when I'm really drunk. But, I ain't. I despise suicide as an option to the end of your life. The cowards way out.

My place is pretty cool with a couple big screen TV's hooked up to everything, it's a perfect place to survive anything. I have a computer you all would envy, just because I am who I am, and a kitchen full of stuff from a past life.

So what to do? I'm writing this shit in non visual mode, on the porch of hell there is no visibility!

So here we go, what the fuck, this blog is done...

Piper and Ducks
( 958 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

I'm sitting on the little block of concrete called my porch, sun's out and warm, classic rock blasting from behind me. I've disabled all electronics and I'm getting drunk. Wish I was stoned, wish I had some peyote! I can't see what I'm typing on my little laptop because the sun is blaring everything out.

My place is pretty cool with a couple big screen TV's hooked up to everything, it's a perfect place to survive anything. I have a computer you all would envy, just because I am who I am, and a kitchen full of stuff from a past life.

So what to do? I'm writing this shit in non visual mode, on the porch of hell there is no visibility!

btw: This marks the 1,018th post I've done since moving to this dead end street three and a half years ago. Way short of my last blog, still, a lot of sad old crap to dump on the world. My apologizes...

Consequences
( 959 of 2167 )

I'm just a sad old man living with the consequences of his reactions to hurtful words. Within the last five years there have been two such life changing events. I wish I could go back in time and react differently, but that's not possible so I sit here on my little porch on a deadend street in the deep south, and regret.

My cat may die soon and she is the only thing keeping me here. I would post a house sale on Facebook, sell all my shit, and move on down the road. The nice thing about being old is that you've lived a life, everything else is gravy.

I need some place warm, maybe south Texas, New Mexico or Arizona. Party until I drop then check it in. I certainly don't see myself growing older in a fucking nursing home. I need to keep one of my folding chairs, sit back with the sun burning me black, extend my middle finger to the sky, take one last drink and ...

Ice Houses
( 960 of 2167 )

My neighbor Daniel took the day off from his job as maintenance man for the school district, to work his side job fixing ice houses, and I went with him today.

First stop was the Pulaski unit. I've driven around the edge of this town but never made it downtown, and I was smitten. I'm definitely coming back to spend the day with my camera. My buddy Crissinda lives here, maybe we can hook up.

Ice houses are a trip. The ice making unit is on top and it falls down into the house where it's conveyed and bagged out to the consumer for a couple bucks. It's been down and empty for a while and the owner has been begging Daniel to fix it up.

The next stop was the ice house in Lewisburg and I'm riding along in countryside that I've never seen before. We passed the little towns of Brick Church and Cornersville and a strip club off of I-65.

After fixing the Lewisburg house we stopped at Captain D's and I gorged out on catfish. Then we headed back to Pulaski through Lynnville and more country I've never seen. We even stopped at a couple pawn shops along the way and I found a five dollar bill on the floor of one of them.

Fun trip! Click the photo below to see a few shots I took along the way.

Covid Tests
( 961 of 2167 )

I got my four free Covid tests from uncle Joe today. I put my request in online the day they were announced and that was about a month ago.

I haven't opened them up because I don't need to. I feel my Covid protection is pretty high with three jabs and an Omicron, and I feel fine.

So these are the governments free tests. I'm sure the distributer, iHealth Labs in Sunnyvale, CA made a ton of money. And I'm sure the folks that manufactured them profited even more. Where where they made? China...

Chrome OS Flex
( 962 of 2167 )

Well, now I've gone and done it. I've had my little 4 gig Asus laptop for years now running Windows 10. I take it on all of my travels and I've written many posts and uploaded a ton of photos with it. I also use it for banking and other stuff.

The problem is it's running an old unsecured version of Win 10, because the updates always fail. So today I decided to turn it into a Chrome book. I saved all important stuff, created a bootable Chrome OS Flex boot USB stick, and installed Chrome.

Man I forgot how non-multitasking Chrome is, but it looks good and it's fun. For anybody with and old laptop laying around running Windows, that they don't use because it's crappy, I highly recommend this option.

I can read my mail, sync with my phone for text messaging, watch Netflix and Youtube, access the web, a whole bunch of apps and it's even got OK Google!

For me though, I've run into a serious issue. It does something to secure passwords and I can't do online banking with it. It's a beta version that will continue to automatically update, so we'll see it that gets fixed.

It's also free!

Update: When I first wrote this I couldn't post to my blog, but I fixed that! This update was performed on my new OS :-) It's also a better multi-tasker than I thought!

Chrome Test
( 963 of 2167 )

This is a test post from my new little Chrome laptop (formally Windows 10). There's a lot going on here, and it's a proof of concept with a bunch of functioning parts.

First, I took two photos of Piper with my phone on her little warming blanket in quick succession. Then I had to figure out image transfer between phone and laptop with a USB cord. Got it, and then transferred the photos over.

I then used the built-in photo editing features of Chrome to resample, resize, and visually tune them. This works great, no need for a standalone editor.

I store photos for this blog in two different places. Most of them are stored on my paid Flickr account in the cloud, and this was simply a matter of logging in and transferring the first photo up via the browser.

I also store photos in a directory on my host server, which required an SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) connection to be established, which was complex and successful. Here's the second photo from the OldManJim server:

Finally, I had to log in as Admin to my blog and write this post. A lot of interesting challenges met, and overcome.

Update: Just pulled the card from my Sony camera, plugged it in to a USB reader and had full access.

Box Love
( 964 of 2167 )

I really love my new computer that didn't cost me a dime. It's so different than windows yet esthetically lovely. I keep it near me throughout the waking day.

I've been sharing one cheap mouse between my new chromebook and my desktop in the other room, and it's become comical. So I drove to walmart this morning and bought each one of them a quality logitech wireless, both black and slick. I put the cheapie in a drawrer...

Feeling a little better every day.

The Roach
( 965 of 2167 )

A funny thing happened this afternoon. I spotted what looked like a large cockroach sitting on the base of my living room lamp. Upon closer inspection I saw it was just a roach and I laughed. A friend brought a joint over last Saturday, and I've been wondering all week where it ended up.

I was into my second day sober and running a little tense, but that thing smoothed me right out. Within thirty seconds of finishing it, my boy Riley called me fron Washington.

Had a great chat and enjoyed two gifts at once. We talked about where he's going to be in less than five years as he turns forty, and how he lives his life getting there. He's in a rock solid place now, enjoying and loving family, friends and work. We love each other.

Enamored
( 966 of 2167 )

Still totally enamored with my new Chrome OS laptop. Just discovered some tweaks that turbocharge it because it's running on an Intel processor with graphics acceleration, which was originally required for the demanding Windows 10 environment on this little computer. It's now amazingly responsive.

I have set up this little box to do everything I need to do, in a stylish and fast way. I enjoy it so much more than I did as a crippled little Windows laptop. I know you're tired of hearing me rant on about this, but this is a major game changer.

Google bought the software, integrated it into their universe, and now supplies it to the world free. There is nothing wrong with living in this universe, it works. Of course, they may eventually fuck us over, but I'll be dead by then.

Think about all the old Windows laptops out there, they are about to see a new life, if people choose to do so.

Favorite Motto
( 967 of 2167 )

I try to live by one of my favorite mottos: Never do unto others anything you wouldn't want done to you.

That was the case today as I almost bought a bicycle off Craigslist, down near Huntsville, AL. Talked to a nice old guy who bought this three-wheeled thing for his wife, who said it was too fast. Tomorrow seemed like a good day to drive there, so I said I would drop by around 1300 to check it out. This is an hour and a half drive, mind you.

Later on I got to thinking about the reality of owning a bike right now, especially one with three wheels, and talked myself out of it. Besides, it's going to be raining its ass off tomorrow anyway.

The moral of this story is that I went strongly out of my way to let the guy know I was bailing, via text and finally a phone call. Otherwise he would be putting off another possible sale because I agreed to look at it first.

He was very appreciative, and we parted as new acquaintances. He said his ancesters were here back in the settlement of this area. So were mine.

A lot of people just brush other people off in these situations, very sad.

Tree Stump
( 968 of 2167 )

Whipped up this little video today. Shot the footage last summer up at David Crockett State Park.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Reddit Hole
( 969 of 2167 )

I started my mid-morning off with a couple laps around the park path and it felt great to be walking again. When I got home I fired up my new little Chromebook, saw an article about Google Search being dead, and dove on in.

The premise was all about the crap around the returned results, but what caught my eye was the tweak. By appending reddit discussion to the end of your Google search it will drop you down into the Reddit discussion about that topic.

So I searched for "chromebook os flex reddit discussion" and followed it down the Reddit hole. I love Reddit, been using it for years, but this was cool.

Then I posted my latest experience, and suddenly I was part of the community around this OS. Here's the post. I don't know if you can see it if you're not a part of Reddit, but I think so.

Tifits
( 970 of 2167 )

I put together a list of things to buy at the store today, to make smoothies, and I used my old tool Tifits. It used to have it's own domain name but like many things I've created, it got moved into my tools directory. Steph used it all the time and was quite crushed when I let the domain go, but it works just fine now as a tool.

It's really simple to use on your phone. Click the Add button to add a Store, click on the Store name to add an Item. Click on an Item to Google it. Click the X next to an Item to delete it.

You can put together shopping lists for multiple Stores and as you drop an Item in your cart, delete it. Leave the Store name there for your next shopping trip.

It uses local storage on your phone or computer to store everything, so you can shut it down and then reopen it when you go shopping. I updated it today with a couple of tweaks to the Credits section on the bottom, and it's working as great as always. Click the photo below and and give it a try!

As I look at the name Tifits now, it's pretty silly (Things I Forgot In The Store). It's really about things you want to buy at the store...

Tiwats
( 971 of 2167 )

I got creative today and breathed new life into the old code of my tool Tifits. First off, I grabbed the domain name tiwats.com from my host for $10. It stands for "things I want at the store". Then I updated all extensions with the most current versions: Jquery, localForage, Magnific and FontSpy.

It functions just like Tifits (see previous post) but is has it's own domain name and the name makes sense. So, if you added the Tifits tool to your phone, thank you! Now delete it and add this:

Update: It's now at version 1.2. Fixed the focusing so your phone keyboard will pop up when you enter a store or item. Also added a comment email link under credits and Google search handles multi-word items better and includes the store. This version is much better than Tifits.

I also noticed that Facebook adds a bunch of tracking data to the end of the url when clicked, so I added code to remove that garbage upon loading :-)

tiwats.com

Kent Coder
( 972 of 2167 )

Back in the early nineties, my boy's mom moved him to Washington State, and I followed. I got a job writing assembly language code (the base language of processors in those days) with Sundstrand Data Control up in Redmond. My code went into the airline's black box, which was actually orange.

I got a call one day from Mark Zachmann, the founder of ZSoft and the creator of PC Paintbrush. He wanted to know if I was interested in writing printer and scanner drivers for his product, and I said sure. So they sent me a printer, this thing was fresh out of Japan with no docs, and I wrote a driver. Sent them both back to Atlanta, they liked the results, and I went to work for them. Over the next year or so I did a bunch of them for $5k each.

Mark and his CEO flew into Seattle one day for a meeting with Microsoft. They had a day to kill and chartered a fishing boat for some salmon fishing in Puget Sound, and invited me along. This was the first time we had met in person and had a great time while Mark whipped out a joint on the boat and got the three of us stoned.

The next day they went to their meeting and I picked up Riley from his mom's place to spend the day with me at my nice apartment in a community around a lake in Kent, WA. After the meeting, they came by my place and installed some proprietary software on my computer, given to them by Microsoft. It was the beta version of Windows 3.1, the multitasking beauty that changed personal computing forever. PC Paintbrush went on to become Microsoft PC Paint, a very popular program in those days.

Then they asked me if I could get them some pot, so I called my dealer friend and she said sure. I left those two guys alone in my apartment watching Riley for an hour while I went off and scored. How they got that ounce of bud back to Atlanta on the plane, I don't know, but it was more lax thirty years ago.

Found this old picture of ZSoft back in those days, they were bigger than than I thought!

Bicycle
( 973 of 2167 )

I'm re-considering a bicycle. I've got my eye on a Trek Verve 3 Lowstep hauling an Aosom bike cargo trailer cart. The bike is the top model in this line and sells for a $1000 at the Trek shop up in Columbia and the trailer is less than $200 on Amazon.

The trailer hooks up to the back of the seat assembly and can haul a lot. I envision using this setup in the upcoming Spring and Summer to get me through town along bike friendly sidewalks to Anytime Fitness for my workouts and Kroger for supplies. Fuck the gas prices.

I will be very fit, shirtless, and tan. I see a few eccentrics walking these sidewalks lately, some are druggies, some are homeless, but I will be the exception that people talk about at church. My beard and hair are getting long and scary, I look like a wild man, with abs.

Summer is approaching, and I am embracing this southern world I have chosen to live in. Rock on...

Chain Test
( 974 of 2167 )

I secure my truck with a big chain and a badass lock wrapped around my steering wheel and bolted under the seat, when I'm in shady neighborhoods. I was debating yesterday between a similar setup for my upcoming bike or just a traditional bike lock, and decided to run it past my neighbor Daniel's experienced brain. He said, let's test it out.

He took the heavy-duty bike lock off his Harley and proceeded to cut it within seconds with his big bolt cutters. Lock ruined, question answered. Then we went to my truck, and he tried to cut through the last link with the same tool, and it barely made a dent.

He then got out his handheld grinder with a diamond tip blade and cut through the link in about twenty seconds. He also noted that a bolt cutter could cut through the steering wheel easily, and remove the chain.

The bottom line is: bike locks and chains are deterrents, not security.

New Bike
( 975 of 2167 )

I drove to downtown Florence, AL this morning, met a couple really nice guys at the Spinning Spoke, and bought a new Trek bicycle. It's a 2022 Verve 3, top of the line and sweet. I had my eye on the LowStep without the middle bar but it was just too big.

I also had them install a rear rack, front and rear lights, a rearview mirror, a kickstand and a water bottle holder. I also bought a lock which is strapped to the rack. This thing also has a cushioned ride on the seat and the front end, with disc brakes front and rear. Price out the door: $1,215.39

When I got home, I hoped on and headed to town and the first thing I ran into was the big hill on Hwy 43 heading North. Heck this thing stresses my truck out but once you get to the top it's relatively flat. I dropped it down into a granny gear and by the time I reached the top I realized I wasn't anywhere in the shape I thought I was. That will come over the Summer.

Rode around town for a bit and I love it. Here's some shots I took when I got back, click the photo below to see the set.

Waffeling
( 976 of 2167 )

Buyer's remorse is a real thing, I've experienced it many times in my 75 years. But I have absolutely none as I gaze on this beautiful piece of bicycle engineering siting in my living room. Hell, I've spent more money on a Sony camera and lenses!

If you want to achieve a goal, you have to go for it full out. Life is most definitely short, and we could all die tomorrow. Don't sit on the fence, waffeling!

Real Ride
( 977 of 2167 )

Did my first real ride this morning, up to Krogers and back. I stayed on the sidewalk all the way north with traffic whizzing by my back at 40 mph. Ran into a few sidewalk blocking obstacles like a garbage can, a construction crew and a truck unloading, but managed to maneuver around. I had my little red rear flasher going and it's pretty visible!

Swung around to the back of Krogers and over to Springer Rd which for the most part had nice wide accessible sidewalks. They eventually gave way to a decent bike path. Hit E Gaines St heading into town and made it home the back way.

A pretty good first ride I must say, I've got saddlebags coming tomorrow from Amazon so when they arrive I'll do a little shopping and then hit Anytime Fitness which is a couple blocks north of Krogers.

Clear Night
( 978 of 2167 )

On a clear night from the deck of my home in the Oakland, CA hills back in the late seventies, I could watch jets circle around SFO fifty miles away. Now I rarely see any aircraft overhead. The hospital helicopter flies over on occasion and today I spotted a high flying jet trailing a white exhaust, but that's it.

Now all I hear is the roar of traffic out on Hwy 43 with the occsional jake break of big trucks. It's an interesting life living on a little dead-end street off a major highway in the deep south.

I really wish I could afford to live in a Florida beach town, with no hills, and a vibrant downtown. Or South Carolina, I was there a couple of years ago and I liked it. Lawrenceburg, TN has a creek and one downtown restaurant that serves crappy food.

I will embrace this area for one more summer, get tan, get fit, and see what happens. I'm meeting up with my friend Crissinda and her kids for a walk around the path tomorrow, it will be great to catch up...

In the meantime:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Saddle Bags
( 979 of 2167 )

I picked up a great set of saddle bags for the bike from Amazon for $30. They fit the rack perfectly with two straps each, front and rear, along with bottom attachments down to the frame on each side.

There are two compartments on each bag, one large and one smaller. I put my lock into one of the small compartments and it fit perfectly.

With gas prices bumping $4 I'll be doing a lot of grocery runs with this setup, and leave the truck at home.

I just bought another bag to mount on top of this for $27, be here Saturday. Pretty sweet!

Don't need no trailer!

My Pajamas
( 980 of 2167 )

Life is what it is, I am where I am, I know who I know, I love who I love. My body is my soul, if I worship and respect it, I will experience life longer. It's as simple, and as complicated as that.

In the meantime, my pajamas are falling apart...

Pipers Age
( 981 of 2167 )

I got to wondering how old Piper really is, so I called our old Vet back in Driggs, ID and spoke with Page. Piper was micro-chipped as a kitten by her original owner Megan at that location and we continued taking her there once she became ours.

Piper showed up at our door on Friday, June 17, 2011 (it pays to have a Blog). According to the records that Page just emailed me, she was born 16 years, 5 months, and 2 weeks ago on Sep 12, 2005. So she has been in my life for almost eleven years.

I have hundreds of photos and videos of her but here's one I found after she had been around for a year: Pipes Under Jack.

Ariella Update
( 982 of 2167 )

Sometimes a photo of Riley and Jess's baby girl comes across my screen, that I just have to share.

Bike Bag
( 983 of 2167 )

My new bike bag arrived from Amazon today, and I mounted it on top of my saddle bags. It has roomy internal storage with pockets on each side. That makes a total of seven zippered compartments sitting on my rear rack.

Phone Case
( 984 of 2167 )

I bought a Dexnor case for my Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G, with a built-in screen protector and a kickstand, from Amazon for $17.

I love it for the most part but it has one small defect in the screen cover down by the fingerprint reader. Not a deal breaker for me, but I did discover something very cool.

I decided to set up fingerprint recognition on my phone, so when the screen toggles off I have to press the little circle to log in. The cool thing is I don't have to press the side button to wake it up, I just press the circle that I can see against a black screen, and the phone comes alive!

Daniel said that's easy to defeat by simply cutting off my finger. I suppose so...

Geo Idiot
( 985 of 2167 )

A funny thing happened today. I decided that I needed a bike rack on the back of my truck so I went shoping on CraigsList, and found one for $25 here in Lawrenceburg.

I made email contact with them and eventually got an address of 1293 on a subdivision street 7 minutes away. But, for some reason I wrote down 93 on my sticky note, not 1293. When I got in my truck to head there I typed 93 into my GPS and it couldn't find it.

So I just went with the subdivision street and hoped for the best. All the numbers were 1200's and when I got to the end of the street, I turned around and noticed a family sitting outside looking at me. I figured I would just ask them if there was another street with the same name, and when I got out of my truck they said Are you Jim? I had stumbled on to the place, despite my critical geolocation error.

I bought the bike rack. Now I need to go shoping tomorrow for an adaptor to replace the ball hitch on my truck. Stay tuned...

Brian
( 986 of 2167 )

I just got off the phone with my friend and nephew Brian. He told me he was six months sober and that I was his insperation. Damn, he is now my new insperation.

We have great history, I remember him at my mom's house as a baby, handsome to ths day, and now turning 40 shortly. If y'all remember I was with him down in Belize last summer.

Brian is my buddy, I love him.

Riley
( 987 of 2167 )

My other favorite guy of course, is my son Riley. Thirty five, married to Jessica, father to Ariella. Home owner, master craftsman at a popular two man auto body shop, all around great man of character. I love him deeply.

Issues
( 988 of 2167 )

My cat Piper, my partner, is not doing well. She slept most of the day yesterday, and didn't try to get me up this morning at 0400 for treats, like she always does.

Now she's barely moving and not eating. I really don't know what to do, take her to the vet to be poked and proded, or just see how it plays out over the next few days.

I emailed the vet about the procedures involved with euthanization, just in case, and haven't heard back.

Meanwhile I got chewed out by my sister for waking her up early this morning with a post update. I just assume everyone turns their phone volume off when they go to bed. I wonder how many other friends and family have experienced the same thing, but just didn't tell me. Time to stop that...

Zoom Camera
( 989 of 2167 )

I realized this morning that with gas prices spiralling up to an unknown height, travel this year by any means, is going to suck.

I thought about investing in a better camera setup than my outdated little Logitech video cam, but than I decided to explore how to hookup one of my Sony cameras to the desktop. I discovered that Sony has a driver called Imaging Edge Webcam, downloadable from their site.

I tried it first with my little RX100 but that's a 2005 camera, and out of date. So I went full bore and hooked up my Sony A6500, selecting it from the list of approved cameras, and it works! Combined with my beautiful Sigma 16mm lens, it delivers a stunning video image, and it works great in Zoom.

Unfortunately, the operator on the other side looks like a wild-eyed, unkempt, long-haired hippy, but I is who I am...

Now maybe I can that see that new grand-daughter in real-time.

Meeting Ariella
( 990 of 2167 )

I saw my grand-daughter Ariella in real time today, via Zoom!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Bike Rack
( 991 of 2167 )

I went to B&W Auto Parts this morning and bought a $32 bumper adaptor for my $25 Craigslist bike rack. Then I drove down the street to the tractor repair place and had a good old boy weld it on to my bumper for $30 cash. Total investment in the whole project: $87.

He did a damn fine job!

Slid my bike on and fastened her down.

Looks pretty sexy from the back.

And the best part is, I can still open up my rear end!

Now the only question is, legality. A lot of states, including Tennessee, make it illegal to block the license plate, and rear lights. My setup is not bad, but I'm heading over to the State Patrol office tomorrow to get their opinion.

Piper Status
( 992 of 2167 )

I laid on the bed most of the morning with Piper, talking to her face to face and softly petting her. She was purring and seemed content. It's been a rough four days, not eating, hardly moving, and I'm taking her to the vet for an exam this afternoon.

The other part of the morning I spent digging out a spot in the flower bed in case she needs to be laid down. As I got up to write this she left the bed and ate a little gravy I had given her for lunch, then headed to the heating pad. First time eating anything in days...

I don't want to lose her and I don't want her to suffer. If the vet says her time is up, I will make the hard call and bring her back home to be buried. Otherwise, she will have a fun hole out there to play in.

No Hole
( 993 of 2167 )

I went with a new vet this time. Piper has been to Shoal Creek and Northside, and I never once met the vet.

This time I went to the Lawrenceburg Animal Hospital, down on W Gaines heading out of town. I actually got to stand in the exam room while the cool old guy examined my cat. Just like the old days in Driggs, ID.

He determined that Piper is diabetic and wanted to keep her for a couple days and treat her. I asked how much, he said a couple hundred bucks, and I said yes.

So here I am back at the house with no Piper, but at least she ain't in the hole.

DSC 100
( 994 of 2167 )

First off, Piper is responding to treatment at the vet. Eating and drinking and the prognosis is good. Not sure when I can get her tomorrow, and snow is coming in, and they close at 1200. At the worst she would spend the weekend. I walk around the house wondering where she is, forgetting, can't imagine when she's really gone.

I ran across one of my previous cool cameras in a drawer the other day, it's a Sony DSC-RX 100/B that I bought back in 2005, and took on many adventures. It still had a charge and works great. One of the first small cameras to have a 1" sensor, with a great menu system.

I just watched a video running through all of the features and realized that back then I just shot in Auto Mode. Now I shoot in Aperture Priority mode with ISO Auto, unless I need a 100 ISO with a tripod. The guy in the video I watched was running full manual, adjusting ISO and Aperture on the fly, too much for me, but I did discover the control ring on the front allows for Aperture adjustment. Suddenly this little camera is my new, fit in my pocket, friend!

It has a Carl Zeiss lens and still sells on Amazon for $300.

The Brink
( 995 of 2167 )

The Lawrenceburg Animal Hospital has brought Piper back from the brink. They're not sure what was wrong with her but she's back to her old self and I'm picking her up shortly, after the vet does a couple more things.

Numbers
( 996 of 2167 )

Russia's invasion is not a war, it is a terrorist attack. There are more than twenty biolabs in Ukraine containing viruses that could finish us off, if bombed. More Russian soldiers have died in the last two weeks there, than the U.S. lost in twenty years in Iraq. I don't know about you, but my butt is tightening up more every day.

Hoenhwald
( 997 of 2167 )

Rode out to Hohenwald, TN this morning with Daniel in his service truck, to work on an ice house. Saw some new country and a new town.

There was a little joint next to us called The Store, so I went over and checked it out while Daniel did his thing. When I walked in, I was met by friendly women and the overwhelming smell of barbecue. They explained to me that the pork meat is cooked on Sunday, simmers overnight, and served on Monday.

We were going to eat at Junkyard Dog, a very popular local joint, but they were closed. So I ordered up a couple of pulled pork sandwiches with all the trimmings. While I was waiting, the lady kept getting phone calls saying "barbecue?" and then she laughed and said the entire sheriff's department would be here shortly for lunch.

Needless to say, it was great. Daniel had some issues with the house, and after a while he had to bail and drive to an electrical supply store in Columbia. Along the way, he pointed out big homes with horses and barns that he worked on as a kid.

Leaving Columbia and heading home, he showed me sprawling southern plantations with rock walls built by slaves. He pointed out a tunnel where the South hid their slaves as the North approached. Battles were fought here, and the place just emanates history.

World Ending
( 998 of 2167 )

Alone in my house, my cat by my side. Wondering if the world is going to end, and what should I do before that happens.

Should I try to make amends with those that I've wronged, connect with those that I love, or none of the above.

Should I go out in a blaze of glory, satisfying every one of my longings, or whimper into the hot Tennessee summer on the back of my new bike.

What if the world doesn't end? That would be good, and all the people I have wronged, and loved, would be able to reach my point in life, to wonder...

Most of the people I care about aren’t anywhere near my age, and they have their lives before them on a platter. I would like to acknowledge here the few remaining people on this earth that mean something to me:

 • My son Riley, his wife Jess, and baby girl.

 • My nephew Brian.

 • My granddaughter Shelby.

 • My granddaughter Taylor.

 • My friend Crissinda.

 • My friend Elizabeth.

 • My young friend Madiline.

 • My friend Daniel.

 • My ex Stephanie.

 • My daughter Becky.

 • Old friends Dave and Sue in Washington.

 • Old friends Sherry and Grant in Sacramento.

If I left anyone out, please DM me.

Text App
( 999 of 2167 )

I often find myself out and about with a blog post in my head, and nothing but my phone in my hand. So, I decided to write an app for that. I've been hunkered down for the last couple of days writing code and it's coming along good.

It's a short little domain name (nine letters total) with a .org extension and cost me eight bucks. I'm not ready to share it because it ain't ready, and it would just load your browser cache up with development code anyway.

The endpoint is to write some words with it, and then have those words sent to your email address, where you can do with it what you want. Like in my case, copy and paste it into a blog post.

Thanks for dropping by...

BText
( 1000 of 2167 )

Well, my little project is ready. It's called BText.org and it's purpose in life is to accept your text entry, save it locally, then format and send it to your inbox.

So here's the concept: You open the webapp on your phone and save the link to your desktop as an icon. Then, whenever you need to take some notes when you're out and about, or keep an ongoing list, you can use this app. Change the email subject to match your needs.

The beauty of this approach is that your email is common across all of your devices. Instead of writing stuff down inside your phone and then figuring out how to get it to your computer, laptop or tablet, email solves the problem.

Of course you could open your phone email and send yourself some text, but you have to go through all the steps to send it to yourself with a subject. BText automates that and allows for your content to be an ongoing persistent entity.

So give it shot if you like, no ads, no bullshit, and no privacy invasions since your stuff is saved locally. Peace!

BText 1.2
( 1001 of 2167 )

Got up real early this morning and knocked out version 1.2 of my new app BText.org. The updates were spinning around my brain and I couldn't sleep. The primary change was adding the ability to specify a Subject for the email, and change it whenever. I also completely re-worked the text input area for cross browser compatibility.

So here's the concept: You open the webapp on your phone and save the link to your desktop as an icon. Then, whenever you need to take some notes when you're out and about, or keep an ongoing list, you can use this app. Change the email subject to match your needs.

The beauty of this approach is that your email is common across all of your devices. Instead of writing stuff down inside your phone and then figuring out how to get it to your computer, laptop or tablet, email solves the problem.

Of course you could open your phone email and send yourself some text, but you have to go through all the steps to send it to yourself with a subject. BText automates that and allows for your content to be an ongoing persistent entity.

So, if you tried it out yesterday, hit refresh to get Ver 1.2, and save a link to your Home Screen.

Thanks...

The Cycle
( 1002 of 2167 )

I keep waiting for feedback from anybody about my new app, is it cool or not? Am I just a crazy old long haired, wild bearded, former computer programmer, who thinks his shit is still good, or I am I just a drunken old lonely fool cranking out worthless crap with delusional ideas that it's worthwhile?

God, I've been such a programming failure lately. I think I'm such a hot shit because I can grab a domain name, attach it to a webspace, and build a code structure around it. The problem is, my concepts suck. That mobile template I developed and applied to several friends and family websites was a total flop, but nobody had the balls to tell me. So what to do?

How about this. I'm sitting on my cozy chair typing this on my little notebook that I converted to a Chromebook, using the new app I just developed. It's spell checking and grammar checking me every step of the way, and I'm now ready to send it to my email. The funny thing is, the thing I'm bitching about, is the thing that will create this post.

Update: It worked great, I just extracted it from my email, and posted it here. The cycle is complete.

Boat Rocks
( 1003 of 2167 )

I was walking along my creek today and spotted this. The folks that live at the top of this little beach are a husband and wife and their young son. I've chatted with them before and their very protective of their small spot on Shoal Creek.

But for the life of me, I can't figure this out...

What To Do
( 1004 of 2167 )

God help me, I don't know what to do with my kitty, my baby, my partner. She's relapsed again, even worse than before I took her to the vet. I'm going to call them tomorrow and see what they say, but how long can this go on. I'm willing to spend whatever it takes to save her, but my gut is telling me she's too far gone.

She's miserable now, I see it in her eyes. What is my responsibility at this point? Do I continue to let her suffer, or do I let her go?

Update: We had a special moment last night that I wish to share. After I made this post, she moved towards the door letting me know she wanted to go outside, so I let her out onto the porch. She just plopped down and enjoyed the afternoon sun. I kept checking on her every five minutes, and one time I checked she was gone.

I found her out under the car-port by the back of my truck, sitting up proud and strong, staring out at the highway. Just like she did when she introduced herself to us eleven years ago, on our deck in the Idaho mountains. As I approached, she started to waddle down towards her secret spot along the creek, a place I've never found, and I swooped her up and brought her inside.

She drank a little water and then landed on her heating pad. She was laying on her side and I got down next to her, putting my arm under her head, and began loving on her. Suddenly she did something she never does, she put her arm up on my arm and left it there. It's like she was saying thank you for loving me. I went to bed thinking she might pass in her sleep, but she's still with me this morning!

She is now not eating, not drinking and barely moving. I just got off the phone with the vet, I told him I thought it was time, and we are ending her life today at 1445. I make this decision three days sober, I couldn't live with myself otherwise. But my heart is BROKEN!

Gone
( 1005 of 2167 )

My baby is gone, she died in my arms. r.i.p. Piper Hamilton.

Here's a Piper Link from the old days in Idaho:

Life goes on... and my heart is broken.

Half The Man
( 1006 of 2167 )

I am half the man I was when I arrived in Tennessee 3.5 years ago. Here's my first Post when I started this blog. Steph and Piper defined me, and I have lost them both.

Yea, I've had some great adventures since I've been here, but that's different. I was driving around today, went to the skin doctor, Krogers, the bank and paid my rent for next month in advance. All the time I had this feeling that part of me died when Piper did. Then I realized the same thing happened with Steph. I am half the man I was.

I ain't looking for sympathy, it is what it is. I'm a grown ass man and I will find a way to handle it. Hopefully better than last night when I dove into that bottle of homemade moonshine sitting up on my shelf. That shit fucked me up! I woke up this morning and I couldn't hold stuff in my hands. Hell of a way to approach a skin cancer session with the local doc. But I did...

Not sure what the future holds. I put a bunch of money on my debit card, and filled my wallet up with cash. I may just head out into the world and see what happens, all one half of me...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Grief
( 1007 of 2167 )

One does not understand the true grief of the loss of a pet until they experience it firsthand. My family and friends have lost pets and all I could do was feel compassion, and try to understand their loss.

Well wow, I sure get it now. Grief is a tangible thing, that floods over you like a wave. Especially when you have to put them down. You second guess yourself, did I make the right move, did I do everything I could? Should I have tried to extract a few more moments with her, but at her expense?

It's debilitating and I find myself crying often. Thank God I haven't lost people close to me lately, but the feeling would be the same.

They say time heals all wounds, I suppose. But in honor of Piper, I will not have another pet in my limited lifetime.

Fuck
( 1008 of 2167 )

Fuck Ukraine, fuck Russia, fuck Biden, fuck the New World Order. Fuck the world.

Ok, now that I got that off my chest, how's your day going? Think I'll mosey up to Dairy Queen and grab me a fucking ice cream cone.

Then tomorrow, get an oil change and drive till I drop, or my truck does. Thinking East, or maybe West, maybe South. Fuck, I don't know.

Brain is scrambled, just like the way I've been making my eggs lately, with a dollup of sour cream. I call them fucked up eggs.

And finally, fuck the word fuck, way overused...

Cleanup
( 1009 of 2167 )

Cleanup on aisle five. I decided to clean up my act today and dug out all of my grooming tools and then realized I needed professional help, so I went up the road to the local barber shop.

There are just some things you can't do by yourself, and the 81 year old barber named Raymond did a great job. He told me about losing his wife last July and I told him about Piper. He said it was the hardest thing he's ever gone through, but it get's easier with time. Now he's just lonely, and I understand.

I think I may have talked him into taking a cruise by himself. Then I went and got an oil change, then stopped at Walmart looking for a flower I can plant out in the bed. They were too busy but any suggestions would be appreciated.

Update: As the day has progressed, I marvel at the transformation. The barber trimmed off all of that side beard I've been growing since Belize last summer. I had hair growing out of my ear an inch long that was just blending into my long hair, so nobody noticed. Zapped! Eyebrows trimmed, back of my neck shaved.

My prescription shades have needed an alignment badly, so I finally went in this afternoon to the eye doctor and got it done. As the nice little old lady is fussing around the fit on my ears, I thought, thank god...

On the flower front, Crissinda recommended Peony or Hydrangea. Jessica wanted to know some more details, so I said I want a perennial, big growing plant with deep roots to reach my baby below, in a three foot by two foot space. In the sun all day long. She's working on it...

Daisy
( 1010 of 2167 )

I drove out to Weasly Creek Nursery this morning and talked with the young guy that grows all the stuff there. I said I wanted a perennial flowering plant that grows big and strong, with deep roots, and likes the sun. He recommended a Gardenia Daisy, and I bought one.

Then I dug down to the blanket Piper is wrapped in, and planted it right over her.

Gods House
( 1011 of 2167 )

Man, you never know how your days gonna go. At 1130 I was sitting around the house when my phone rang. It was a local 931 number, so I answered, and a woman's voice with a strong country accent asked me for a ride.

Turns out, she found my number online through the rideshare app I wrote last year called RideQue. She said she was out of food, she and her roommate hadn't eaten in two days, and needed a ride to the local food bank called Gods House. I explained to her that I was a programmer, not a rideshare, then asked for her address and told her I would be there shortly.

She was really close, just over off the old highway and as I was approaching her street a good old boy was walking and stuck his thumb out, so I pulled over. He was going about a half mile down the road, I told him it was my afternoon to help people out, and took him there. This is a really poor neck of the woods by the way. He said his dad just died and he was walking home from the funeral parlor.

When I arrived back at the lady's run down little trailer, a big ol boy came out and said Marie would be right out. She told me her story as we drove to the food bank, they wouldn't get a check until the end of the month and they had completely run out of food two days ago. She hoped that the paperwork she clutched in her hand was good enough to get some food. What I didn't tell her was that if they turned her down I was going to drive her to Krogers and fill up her cart.

She was a sweet older lady, a bit disabled, and I liked her. The food bank came thru and on the way home we talked about where we came from and places she wanted to go. Montana was tops on her list.

I helped them get the food into their trailer, shook their hands, and felt damn good I could help them out today.

Flat
( 1012 of 2167 )

I created this image from a recent visit to the tractor repair place. It sums up my mental state pretty well.

I'm still mourning over my kitty, it ain't getting better. Trying to get motivated to get back in shape and start riding my bike, or hop in the truck and road trip, but the weather has been crappy and I can't seem to get a grip on my drinking.

Semi Auto
( 1013 of 2167 )

Daniel brought over one of his weapons last night, a semi-automatic with a laser sight. I think he said he a had a couple of these, and the ammo was badass also, some kind of armor piercing shit. Coming down our little deadend street, with ill-intent, would be misguided...

btw: In case you hadn't figured it out, you can tap any image here to bring it up full-sized. Tap again to restore the page.

Empty Headed
( 1014 of 2167 )

A funny thing happened at the dentist yesterday. The lady going through my medical forms said I notice you checked the alcohol/drug abuse box? and I said yea, I drink, and if a joint comes my way, I smoke it. She laughed and said well, ok then.

So what was I doing at the dentist? Wiping out my $1000 dental insurance benefit for the year by getting the last four teeth in my head removed. I was brushing them yesterday morning and they hurt, so I said screw it, they're gone. I managed to get an afternoon appointment at Beck Dental Care up in Columbia. They were terrific, lovely ladies, cool young dentist. They put the nitrous on my nose, numbed me up, and went to town.

So now what, insurance is gone, guess I'll just learn to do without. I'm ok with that, teeth are a pain in the ass anyway...

Aspire
( 1015 of 2167 )

Death is happening all around me lately. My kitty is gone, my barbers wife died, the hitch-hiker I picked up just lost his dad, the teeth inside my head have died, and now my little Asus notebook, that I have carried around on all my latest adventures, and blogged with, has bricked. Hopefully I'm not next.

But from death, springs life! The flowering plant I placed over Piper is growing well, and I just bought a new laptop at Walmart for $547 out the door.

It's an Acer Aspire 5 with 8GB memory, 256GB storage, Intel I-5 processor, running Windows 11. I spent the afternoon setting it up and now I have all my bloging tools on it.

This laptop will be an extension of my desktop when I'm on the road, with no compromises. I can process photos from my Sony and my phone, edit videos with Filmora, even write code with Visual Studio Code. The display is amazing, YouTube videos rock in full screen, and the sound is good.

In fact, I have created this post entirely from my new laptop.

Fix This
( 1016 of 2167 )

I love taking pictures of unrepairable vehicles and presenting them to my master autobody tech son Riley, and say Fix This!

So here you go, from Iron City, TN:

Lonely
( 1017 of 2167 )

Having all the time in the world isn’t much use if you experience it all on your own.

Memento mori is a latin phrase meaning remember that you must die. In other words, live every day to the fullest, as if it was your last.

Death
( 1018 of 2167 )

When you get to my age you wonder about death. I've outlived all of my immediate family, most died in their sixties and early seventies, and I wonder how my death would impact the few people close to me?

I have a Will sitting in the drawer next to my icebox, along with the key to my lock box. Basically, Daniel gets my chairs and table, Shelby gets my computers and Riley gets my truck and lock box. I now have a bike in the mix, whatever, everything else is up in the air...

God, what would happen if I died? I hope Riley could make it out here, and Shelby could make it up here, but they both have busy lives!

Death fucks everything up. But, you have to accept it. So, I hope everything goes well as I make the transition.

Regret
( 1019 of 2167 )

Ya know, I live in regret about how I've handled attacks on my character. Our first response when we are attacked is to defend. Our minds go crazy and we react.

I did that a couple of years ago with Stephs family, and I live with the consequences. The family I had hoped to grow with is gone, and the woman I loved was hurt beyond repair.

Our brains are a pretty fucked up entity sometimes. There is a fight or flight thing that kicks in when we are attacked. What we need to do is take a big breath, wait five minutes, and think about a measured response.

I didn't do that, and now I live with the results...

Sasha
( 1020 of 2167 )

Daniel brought his dog Sasha over last night. She lives at his wifes house because his landlord doesn't allow pets. Very sweet dog!

Trippen
( 1021 of 2167 )

Heart broken, road trippin, bar hoppin, free white and seventy five, just east of Chattanooga. Give a fuck, busted...

Shelf Baby
( 1022 of 2167 )

I was having breakfast this morning at a little barbeque place, when I saw this three week old baby up on a shelf being tended to by my waitress. She was the grandmother and the daughter was working somewhere.

Riley's wife Jessica saw this post and being a mother to a new baby, expressed outrage. She thought CPS should have been called! I calmed her down by saying that, shortly after, the baby was brought down and placed in the arms of a coworker at a table. I didn't have any real sense of danger of the baby falling off, it was sound asleep, but I understand. Only in the South...

Actually, she was telling me that her dad started this joint fifty years ago and it was the first job for many in the family. Might as well grow up on a shelf...

Black Ladies
( 1023 of 2167 )

Back home, cut my trip short, not sure why. Really missing Piper, the loneliness is oppressive.

I did have a couple of interesting run-ins with middle aged black ladies on this trip, both at gas stations. The first one, I was standing behind a young Mexican guy buying some stuff, wearing a hoodie and not speaking or interacting with the lady behind the counter, so I assumed he didn't speak English. When he scooted out the door I said to the woman fresh from Texas, and that really cracked her up!

The second encounter was this morning as I pulled up for coffee. I parked right next to a white van and a lady approached me in the dark and asked for gas money because her van was completely stuck. I gave her a twenty and sure enough she was in line in front of me with a gas can in her hand, so I knew it wasn't a hustle. She gave me a big smile and we fist-bumped. Made my morning.

Mystery Marker
( 1024 of 2167 )

I went to water Piper's plant when I got home today and noticed this new marker in the corner. I assumed Daniel placed it there, I know he loved her, but he just told me he didn't!

Who in the world would have driven here and placed that sweet little thing by my baby's grave? Steph? Molly?

Update: Mystery solved, Steph placed it there when I was on the road.

Missing Camera
( 1025 of 2167 )

I don't know if anyone has noticed, but I haven't posted videos here for quite some time. Back on Feb 10, 58 days ago, I lost my sweet little DJI Pocket 2 camera with the gimbal.

I searched the house high and low, searched my truck several times, nothing... I finally made the assumption that it had fallen into the garbage can in my office, and was gone forever.

Today I was dumping the water out my truck cooler, and looking for my little red plastic drinking straw under the passenger seat and I saw something dark up against the seat frame. Yes, I'm sure they heard me a block away as I screamed out Oh my fucking god!

I found my camera and it's still got a 93% charge on her. It's an amazing thing to think you've lost something forever, and then have it re-appear in your life.

I've taken this thing to the Caribbean twice and across the country. To think I had lost it around the house was disheartening.

Portable Video
( 1026 of 2167 )

Now that I have my video camera back (thank god), I decided to do a test. Shoot some footage of Pipers resting spot in hi-res, import it into Filmora installed on my little laptop, slow it down, and then crank it down to 1920/1080. Then see if I can export a decent video for upload to YouTube.

It worked great, and my mobile solutions are working out quite nicely. Every process was performed from the little laptop.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Short Trip
( 1027 of 2167 )

I've got a little road trip in mind: Home > Jackson, MS > Biloxi, MS > Pensacola, FL > Home.

I've got two weeks before my rent is due, bills are all paid, trucks running good. Went to the clinic this morning to have a recent skin removal thing looked at that I thought was infected, it was, and now on antibiotics. Also taking a depression drug.

I figure if I'm driving a lot I won't start drinking at 1100. Shelby invited me down before they move northward, so a couple day visit would be nice.

Then, come early May, as soon as the mask mandates are lifted, I'll fly to Seattle and see my boy and family. Maybe do a multi-hop and stop at Jackson Hole to see Brian and maybe a trip over the hill to see family in Driggs.

That's my plan, to be implemented Tuesday.

Coming To Grips
( 1028 of 2167 )

Just thinking about Piper's last days, and I think I'm coming to grips with my decision to put her down. I could have extended her life with extensive examinations to determine her problems, followed by invasive surgery to try and fix everything. She would have suffered greatly.

Instead she died in my arms while I blubbered I love you's and tears over her beautiful face. She was loved deeply from the moment she came into my life, until the moment she left. I guess you can't ask for more than that from life.

Amends
( 1029 of 2167 )

Like all of you, I have regrets about things I have done in my life, but I'm much older than most of you, so I have more of them.

Some regrets were deal breakers, where I hurt people emotionally, and some were just bad decisions.

Often I think I would love to track down all of the people I have wronged and try to make some form of amends with them, but I'm finally realizing that logistically it's improbable, and would just be a bad idea.

Life is what it is, for the good and the bad, we need to accept that and move forward on down the road. Connect with the things that turn us on, and live our remaining days to the fullest.

Also, in a recent (since deleted) post, I launched a couple of trial balloons about flights next month to visit family in Idaho and Washington. I got no feedback on that, so the idea is on hold. Road trip down through Mississippi tomorrow.

Mississippi
( 1030 of 2167 )

My plans are to drive to Jackson, MS tomorrow, through the middle of the state, downward. I want to see Mississippi in it's raw form.

My vehicle GPS want's to take me down through Alabama and then over to Jackson, so I will need to fake it out. If I head due west on 64 to the town of Crump, TN first, it should work.

I'll hang in the capitol city of Jackson for the day, been seeing some disturbing videos about corrupting infrastructure, extreme poverty, and gang violence, but what the hell. At the end of the day I'm heading to a rest area off I-59 for the evening.

Next up is Gulf Shores, down at the coastline, east of New Orleans, west of Biloxi. I'll drive the coast all the way to Biloxi and have breakfast and beach time along the way. Spend the day there and then drive to a rest area up on I-10.

After that, Pensacola, FL and quality time with Shelby.

Abort
( 1031 of 2167 )

I was deep in middle Mississippi, an hour out of Jackson, truck was running amazing, when I pulled over to work on my GPS.

I turned the engine off and when I was done, I went to crank my truck up, and she wouldn't start. Nothing, it was like when my starter went out two months ago, which I replaced. After several attempts, it finally started.

I called my boy Riley, who knows everything and he said it was probably the little switch at the bottom of the clutch that has to activate before the starter will crank. So I googled local part stores and asked if they had that part. They did not, and had no idea where to find one. My trip was fucked, I couldn't continue on with a vehicle that may or may not start. So I turned around.

On the way back I called my local parts store and they found one in Indiana, and could get it to Lawrenceburg in three to five days. I said go for it.

Now I'm home, bummed, but I still got to see some great country.

Speed Limits
( 1032 of 2167 )

Always respect speed limits and drive like there is a cop on your tail, because sometimes they are and you don't know it.

I was driving through a small Mississippi town yesterday in a 35 zone and checked out the vehicle behind me, looked like a regular pickup.

We were in a double yellow and I was surprised to see him move into the other lane and slowly pass me, at which point his light bar came on and I realized he was a cop. He was responding to a wreck I encountered down the road.

So he was probably running my plate, wondering what an old Tennessee boy was doing in his town. I haven't had a traffic ticket in over thirty years and I plan on extending that streak.

btw, here's a shot of the neutral safety switch that blew my road trip out of the water yesterday. It sits behind the clutch and when it gets pushed, it allows the truck to start.

Bummed
( 1033 of 2167 )

I'm really bummed. I should be rolling into Pensacola right now, with Gulfport and Biloxi under my belt. Fuck that little switch. I told Daniel last night I was going to drive up to Illinois today to cop a little recreational, but I still don't have the switch replaced, and it's too risky.

Well, maybe I should fire up the desktop and create another website that nobody uses. Or maybe I should dig up Piper and see if the vet can undo everything.

I guess the only sensible thing to do is to go buy a bottle, and drown this bullshit from my old tormented brain...

Switch In
( 1034 of 2167 )

B & W Auto Parts just called and my switch had arrived from Indiana. This is normally a $35 part, but they charged $46.95 plus $14.95 shipping, for a $67.93 total. Sheesh... Now I need to find somebody to do the swap.

Bypass
( 1035 of 2167 )

OMG. The switch was way off, wrong one! Daniel got down there and determined he could bypass the whole switch because he's an electrical genuis, and then he did. Everything works! Taking the part back tommorrow.

Fish Fry 2
( 1036 of 2167 )

Daniel supplied the ice this year for the New Prospect volunteer fire department semi-annual fund raising catfish fry, and he, his wife and I went. I drove Daniels vehicle.

The meals were free because of the ice, but I donated the $15 cost as a donation, and after we finished I bought another one to go for Annie at the smoke shop, just because Daniel promised her one this morning when he bought his chew.

I meant to take a picture of the food before I dug in, but I was starved, oh well. This is my second trip out here and it was delicious, again.

Motivation
( 1037 of 2167 )

Grief decimates motivation. Out the door, down the creek, and gone. Blindly putting one foot in front of the other, while you walk the path of life, is like eating butter to lose weight.

You end up doing things that are bad for you because you just don't give a shit, and that's a terrible place to be in. Motivation gives you reason for being, a goal, an idea of who and where you really want to be. Without it your just floating on the creek.

It's also really hard to get motivated, when you're unmotivated to do it. I don't have an answer or a solution to this, just observing...

Dalton
( 1038 of 2167 )

Met a nice guy named Dalton this morning, retired trucker, married to his high school sweetheart, 5 kids, 14 grand kids, and drives a 20 year old, 800 pound Kawasaki.

He said before gas went up he could strap his camping gear to the back and ride all day for ten bucks, travel cheap. He's also a smoker, wished he had rolled one up for the trip today. Me too.

It's a beautiful day here in Tennessee. Still got a roach left from Carls visit last night, a little booze left in the bottle, and contemplating a trip to Illinois in the next few days.

I need to take the simple gifts life offers and embrace them, because that's all I got.

The Abyss
( 1039 of 2167 )

If you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back.

My best friend ran off with my ex-wife, and I miss him.

If you were a women, would you be gay or straight?

Daniel's answer: pussy and boobs, all over them...

How do you want to die?

Daniel's answer: I want to be 98 and shot by the jealous husband, after fucking his thirty year old wife, while I'm jumping out the window.

How would you sum up your life?

Daniel's answer: tater chips, and ham and cheese sandwichs, no sex, no lovin.

We're all heading into the abyss, and some people just get there faster.

Welcome to Jim and Daniels daddy issues pity party.

Meow
( 1040 of 2167 )

I backed off the drinking yesterday, trying to get a grip on myself, and went to bed at 1900. The house was creaking throughout the night, strange sounds I had never heard before, but I managed to sleep fairly well and had some good dreams.

I was laying on my right side in the early morning, in that half awake, half asleep state, when Piper's sweet little meow came into my left ear, clear as a bell, like she was right here.

I rolled over and looked at my clock and it was 0400. This is the time she came into my room every morning. Over the years she got used to my 0400 habit and her internal clock was set to it. She wouldn't let me slide past it.

My sister sent me a very kind email recently about her dog Nana, that she had to put down. She said Nana was still with her all the time. I'm a believer, what I heard this morning was real.

RouteQue
( 1041 of 2167 )

I've been writing code. I created an application last year, called rideque.com. The site was great, but nobody got it. One of the things that evolved out of that was a routing application available as a sub domain. (/que).

It was a mapping route generator that gave you great flyovers of your chosen destination, step by step directions on how to get there, and map modes galore.

I actually use it all of time, it is my goto tool for planning out a road trip. Programing wise, I needed to generate an eight character random text string to replace the sequential database storage id, currently in place.

And strip out and modify all of the code that was integrated with my ride share app, and get a new domain name to hold it all, so I did...

Here's my new site: RouteQue.

I've only got a little bit more work to do on it, like make sure my randomly generated eight character keys don't already exist in the database, but that's about it.

Old coders rock on, despite everything...

New Program
( 1042 of 2167 )

I've created a new mapping program that gives you great flyovers of your chosen destinations, step by step directions on how to get there, and map modes galore. It's a port from the routing features of an older program, which has been my goto tool for planning out road trips. Now I have this one.

Check it out: RouteQue

I also posted this on Facebook for the hell of it, and FB appends it's tracking code on every link you include in your post.

So, I wrote a little bit of javascript that detects if there is garbage at the end of the url. The only thing that should be there is nothing, or a route key in the form of ?r=.....

Here's what it does:

•  Get any parameters at the end

•  If any exist

•  If its not my route key parameter

•  If the browser can do it (most can)

•  Reload the program with no garbage

Here's the code:

const parameters = window.location.search;

if (parameters) {

  if (parameters.substring(2,1) !== 'r') {

    if (history.pushState) {

      history.pushState({}, null, 'http://www.routeque.com/');

    }

  }

}

Fun Trip
( 1043 of 2167 )

Would yow like to see what a trip from Seattle, WA to Miami, FL looks like?

Click Here: And then click the A buttom, and then click the route button, the circrular button at the top.

Here is Fridays trip to the worlds largest fish fry up in Paris Tennessee.

Paris
( 1044 of 2167 )

I'm heading to Paris, Tennessee tomorrow morning for the worlds biggest fish fry. There's also a parade so I'll get a bunch of shots with my Sony, and some video with my little cam.

I'll stuff my face with catfish, hush puppies and slaw, spend the night at an easbound rest area off I40, then come home Saturday morning.

Both images below are links...

Paris Parade
( 1045 of 2167 )

I arrived in Paris at 0830, found a parking spot run by the boy scouts, and had my chair out on the line in a heartbeat.

Tons of people, very long parade, and I took a lot of photos. As I sensed the parade was close to ending I boogied back to my truck to avoid the crouds heading to the fairground. No such luck.

I finally made it to the line forming for the biggest fish fry in the world, and it was long, over 200 people, and it took over an hour to get fish on my plate. This was an all you can eat event but I just had them pile it on and left without seconds.

Then I drove to Metropolis, IL and bought some supplies, and I'm now sitting in the shade at a cool rest area, on my tail gate, getting my drink on, and about to fire up some supplies.

I'll process the photos when I get home tomorrow.

Just living my life. This sure beats sitting in the big chair, watching Netflix in the dark, and crying...

btw: I did everthing I said I was going to do :-)

R/A Encounter
( 1046 of 2167 )

A funny thing happened when I was sitting at the back of my truck at the rest area this evening. A man and his wife drove up next to me and as they departed the man had this instant look of "I smell pot". My drink is sitting there, I'm chillin, and he walks over and says hi. His wife rolled her eyes and went off to the restroom.

You're probably wondering where this is going, but it's not what you think. The guy moved right in front of me where he could see everything inside my truck. Like a bed, some booze and water, a shotgun.

He started asking me where I'd been and I told him about the fish fry in Paris. When he started to wonder about the logistics that brought a man from Lawrenceburg to Paris, and then back home through Metropolis, IL, I realized he was an off duty cop.

It just emanated from him, He was nice, I liked him! We chatted about a whole bunch of shit. It was a great conversation. Then his wife showed up, we parted ways, and now I'm writing this post.

I'm not doing a single illegal thing. I'm parked in a rest area that promotes people getting sleep while you're road trippin. I have a bed for that purpose and it's obvious I'm spending the night. I'm having a cocktail or two because I'm a grownass man and I am allowed.

And I'm still in Illinois, and that other stuff is legal here.

Isn't life interesting...

New Encounter 2
( 1047 of 2167 )

Man, rest areas like this are just amazing for meeting like minded people. I just met another traveler, and I can't remember his name because I was stoned and he's probably laughing at this because I hooked him up to my blog.

He had a sweet two year old large van that he was converting and living out of, as he did a short jaunt west. Had a great dog, was a management consultant/engineer with a company and employees under him, and was just out driven around.

I offered to get him stoned and he said he would have loved to, but had five more hours of driving in front of him.

Hopefully, I have made a new friend.

Fish Plate
( 1048 of 2167 )

Some out of towners may not know what goes onto the standard fish plate, they're all pretty much the same: two to three pieces of breaded, deep fried (preferably local farm raised) cat fish, french fries, cole slaw, white beans and two hush puppies.

At the big tent event yesterday I told the guy I was hungry so he piled on five pieces of fish, which makes this officially the biggest plate I've had here to date.

The pot purchasing process was equally as interesting. You first present your ID to the guy at the front, who runs it through what I assume would be a state based (at least) background check. If you pass, the door to the store is unlocked and you're allowed in.

There's a whole bunch of waist high tables scattered around, with little tablets on them, from which you enter your name, the products you want, and how many, then press the buy button.

The back half of the store consists of this long counter with about six people behind, putting together orders, with big flat screens up behind them, showing customer names, which served no purpose what so ever.

When you hear you're name called (last name, first initial), you go to the person that called it out.

Then again, you have to present your id, to confirm that name and face match. They take cash only.

In this case I spent $138 on product and the combined taxes from various agencies of $30.71, was added to that. Let that sink in and you realize why states have legalized pot.

Paris Shots
( 1049 of 2167 )

I have just blown my own mind. The photos that came out of that parade in Paris, TN were amazing. I was shooting my Sony with the zoom lens attached, aperature at F11, grabbing everthing I could with no fear. I then removed the shots that didn't work, and made a photoset out of the rest.

I honestly believe I could convert these shots into a video for the Paris Chamber of Commerce.

Click the image below, if you think you are up for the photoset...

Fish Tent
( 1050 of 2167 )

Whiped up a little video from inside the Paris, TN Fish Tent, which is actually a concrete building. This is right after the parade, it took an hour to get here, and the line behind me was long :-)

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Two Dots
( 1051 of 2167 )

As I was driving down I-24 towards Nashville Saturday morning, I spotted two bright dots in the early morning sky. I watched them for about a half hour as clouds rolled in front of them. Stars were not visible. I really don't know what was happening here, two planets?

Sunday morning I bought three bags of brown mulch at Walmart and spread it out over Pipers bed. Waiting for Daniel to loan me a rake.

Meanwhile, Shelby and Andy and dogs are starting their move north to the Pentagon today!

An Invite
( 1052 of 2167 )

My grand-daughter just text invited me to come up to DC on Memorial Day weekend. Big parade, lots of military appreciation, and all the flags laid at each headstone at Arlington. I told her I'd think about it.

Well I thought about it. I pictured driving my sorry old ass for 13 hours, only to slide into a crazy wild scene around Memorial Day in DC. With a couple joints in my pocket and a bottle of vodka in the back.

I'm adventurous, but I have to honestly reflect on my abilities, and limitations, and know my limits.

I'm passing on that one, sweet Shelby. Rock on!

Hey, I've been to Belize three times and Roatan twice, in the last four years, but this is different. I am finally settling in as a down home country boy, and I don't foresee any big trip in my immediate future. The only exception would be flying to Seattle.

Tuna And Egg
( 1053 of 2167 )

My tuna and egg sandwich thing started back in the mid-ninties in Kent, WA.

My big black good buddy Roger Cave told me the secret of tuna fish. I had always just bought chunk because it was cheap, but Roger had me try a can of solid white and I was amazed at the difference in quality and taste.

So I combined this tuna discovery with hard boiled egs, and started feeding myself, along with Riley and his high school buddies, this as a sandwich.

I was at a party with those guys when they were older, and they all remembered my sandwiches fondly.

These days I use Krogers Albacore Solid White Tuna, in water, wild caught, you get the drift...

As for eggs I use Krogers free range large. I only use one slice of sour-dough bread, fold it in half.

Ice
( 1054 of 2167 )

Life is like ice, may it melt in peace.

Made that expression up today, maybe it's been muttered by others, but for the moment, I own it.

It all started today when I dropped a cube of ice down between my stove and cabinet. Most rational men would just say "fuck" and move on, not me, I had to rescue it.

So I got down on my hands and knees and rescued that ice cube from an inglamorous death on the floor, to one up in my sink. And it got me to thinking, do ice cubes have a soul?

Do they scream out like lobsters going into the pot when they finally transform into water?

I don't know, but thank god for ice, I am their friend...

Leftovers
( 1055 of 2167 )

Had a catfish hankerin today. Showed up at Legends Express right as they opened at 10:30, just me and a good old boy in front, at the drive thru. We both kept our engines off after ordering, understanding that they're in start up mode.

When I got to the window the rosy cheeked smiley girl said the fish needed a couple more minutes. Nobody behind me so I just scrolled thru TikTok on my phone, engine off.

I love this meal, the catfish is super fresh in the morning, big chunk of cornbread to dip into my sides of baked beans and creamed corn. Everything just melts in my mouth, which is great because my tooth count is at zero. The cornbread, baked beans combo, is a lesson in down home southern cooking.

I pull over into the big empty parking lot at the fairgrounds and eat half of it, saving the rest for dinner later.

So how much is this combo badboy? Eight dollars even.

Leftovers:

Way To Go
( 1056 of 2167 )

Reading sappy stories and crying, in the dark, door open and it's misty outside. Life on Lee street, in the middle of an early May day, in southern Tennessee.

I discovered that Daniel has two trash cans and a fire hydrant in his back yard, when I went looking for the groundhogs he had spotted from his kitchen window.

Exsessing. Contemplative and aroused.

I suppose that if I suddenly fell face first into my laptop, dead from a heart attack, this wouldn't be a bad way to go...

Little Dance
( 1057 of 2167 )

I just want to do a shout out to women. To carry and nurture a future life to delivery, is something we men really don't understand. The sacrifices you make with your bodies to bring our children into the world is amazing!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Thinkin
( 1058 of 2167 )

Been thinking about Andy, Shelby's man. I could have been his superior officer, had not life taken a different path, in the late sixties.

I was in the Navy boot camp at San Diego. Vietnam era. I wasn't adjusting well but still scored the highest notch in their initial test, across about 250 guys. (I found this out at my exit hearing)

I was a smart, troubled guy without a real father in my life. Nobody to say "Hey, stick with it, you will go far!".

Who knows how far I would have gone in the Navy, had not me and a buddy decided to go awol, crawling down a culvert into downtown San Diego, for hours.

Until we were busted, walking around in skivies, with no money. MP's hauled our sorry asses back to base.

At which point I was dispatched to the bad boys camp. I was forced to walk around a fucking metal table, carrying a heavy artillery shell, for hours.

They never broke me. Then they booted me. But, all of that brass up before me in military court, were really sorry to see me go.

And, they were kind enough to give me an honorable discharge, because they thought I had a future, just not with them. Thank you U.S. Navy!

So, now I'm sitting on the sidewalk in downtown San Diego, with a few bucks, and decided to hit the Haight Ashbury up in San Francisco. Can't remember how I got there, but I did. I hit it at it's prime, fish and chips on the strip and pure meth up the nose in the park.

How I survived that is a mystery in my mind, but of course, how have I survived almost seventy six years, to arrive here? Typing this now!!!

Hmmmmm......

Flower Bed
( 1059 of 2167 )

The flower bed in my back yard is blooming nicely. I never water it, as opposed to watering Pipers plant daily, yet is quite beautiful in its reckless abandon, and thriving!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Update: I just gave the whole bed a glorious watering. Leafs were flying in the air with joy, flowers drank thirstly. and I gave a full minute of full on water, from my sweet flexihose, down to the center of her base.

Did I just have sex with a plant?

Boiled Eggs
( 1060 of 2167 )

It's taken me three quarters of a century to finally figure out how to boil fucking eggs. So that the shell slides off whole, with a tap, as opposed to shattering into a thousand little pieces, super glued to the fucking egg.

I now love boiling and pealing eggs, so here it is, Jim's version:

Take the eggs out of the fridge and put them on the counter while you fill up the pot and bring it to a boil. The eggs can reach near room temp by the time you put them in.

Throw a good dash of salt in the pot as you add the eggs. Boil without a lid for 12 minutes, then remove from heat and cover for 14 minutes. I call it the 12/14 algorithm and I've got me a sweet little timer attached to my stove that implements it!

After 14 minutes covered, drain the water into the sink and just let cold water run over them to cool them down, less than a minute.

Perfectly cooked, and they peal great!

And since I'm playing the role of Mr Tweak, here's a snap of my grandfathers hammer from his sign painting days in Northern California. I have this and others, I have my grandmothers blankets, somehow.

I use the hammer to continually break up the giant bag of ice Daniel gave me for free, because he's the ice house god, as it takes up my entire freezer.

Life on Lee street, 2022...

Face Melt
( 1061 of 2167 )

Your entire life, every exhilarating and heartbroken moment, up to this instant in time, defines you. It's what the world sees as you move about it.

Some days I don't know where I am, and some days I just blow my own mind!

I use Visual Studio Code from Microsoft, the top code editor in the world, to create websites, and then use NoteTab Pro, a relic I've carried on for decades, to be my text editor. This old piece of code runs amazing on my Acer laptop under windows 11.

I compose my text here, spell check it, then port it into my blog.

You know you're in trouble when the joint you are about to lite up is called Face Melt OG Slims XL lg.

Her Domain
( 1062 of 2167 )

That big flower thing that I interacted with yesterday, is pregnant.

With new growth, she really loved the water.

So I gave her more this morning and as I was walking back I noticed the vines climbing up to my office window, so I watered that one also. Hot dry days you got to take care of your plants.

It's interesting that I didn't know those vines were there, I never open the shades on that window anymore. That was Pipers perch, she loved to lay up on my desk, window open, and survey her domain, of which that big flower thing played a big part.

And, I'm almost positive that was her hiding spot on hot outside days, where she could hunker down and blend in. I never could spot her in there.

My Video
( 1063 of 2167 )

I've been pushing videos I've shot, up to the internet, since the first day it could be pushed.

I had a prototype computer based webcam in my place overlooking Lake Merritt in Oakland. That's where I shot a great video of me and Riley when he was about three. Riley is 35 now, so that was thirty two years ago.

I've shot a lot of video since, and the best of it goes up to my YouTube channel. I actually have two channels, the other was from years back and contains some old esoteric shit. If you want to see those, drop by...

Old Video
( 1064 of 2167 )

I've been pushing videos I've shot, up to the internet, since the first day it could be pushed.

I had a prototype computer based webcam in my place overlooking Lake Merritt in Oakland. That's where I shot a great video of me and Riley when he was about three. Riley is 35 now, so that was thirty two years ago.

I've shot a lot of video since, and the best of it goes up to my YouTube channel. I actually have two channels, the other was from years back and contains some old esoteric shit. If you want to see those, drop by...

Here's an old link I just ran into.

Here's another and another:.

Not sure of why I am, when I am, where I am, or who I am. I'm the old leaf rolling down the road in the wind, which will finally crumble into dust, and die a hot death on the highways of America.

Buyers Remorse
( 1065 of 2167 )

I was stopped at a light, coming back from Krogers this morning and spotted a little handmade sign that said "Yard Sale - 128 Jackson St". It was dated today so I got my groceries home, then headed straight there.

Pretty lame, just a few items, with a very short lady sitting behind a table, with a cash box. A little boy and girl were sitting in a nice Jeep under a canopy. I asked the lady how much for the Jeep and kids. Fortunately, she laughed.

I didn't want to leave empty handed, so I shelled out some big bucks for an item, and I now suffer from buyers remorse.

I like eggs scrambled in the morning, but the cleanup is a pain, so I decided to try these egg cooking things out.

I whisked up three quality eggs with a dollop of sour cream,

then poured the mixture into three of these little silicon thingys. At least they stood upright on the counter.

I then lowered them into a pot of boiling water.

One of them fell over, just wouldn't stay uprite, and the egg mixture poured out of the little venting holes. There were no directions on how long to cook an egg in these Chinese slave worker made pieces of shit. I pulled out the two that didn't fall over, and they were a runny, uneatable mess.

Three quality eggs down the drain, less space in my garbage can, and I'm out a bunch of money...

Wayback
( 1066 of 2167 )

I ran across this old grainy shot from life with Riley as he grew up. I plastered every creative thing he brought over to my place, up on the wall, and all over my fridge. My little studio was right across the street from his high school and thru the woods to his middle school.

I eventually put all of that into a book, which I gave to them a couple years back.

This was about the time we put a fan page of the Spice Girls up on this new thing called the internet. My first dive into html...

Skoge
( 1067 of 2167 )

I was standing at my sink this afternoon, melting my face because I can, and I'm also a grown ass man making my own choices, that don't affect anybody but me.

Then I thought of Skoge. My buddy, my long standing friend, we shared houses together over the decades, she's known me through every major relationship I've had since, and we met in 1971. She's three months older than me.

So, I thought how nice it would be to have a phone conversation with her, as I sit here peacefully in Tennessee with my front door open, on my dead end street, fan on, and my feet kicked up.

The problem was, Skoge and I have not been in a phone conversation for a very long time, just social media. The last time I saw her and Grant, was maybe ten years ago, or more, in San Francisco. Now they live in Sacramento.

So I went on facebook, clicked on her name, went into messaging and said call me, then left my number.

One minute later baby, the call came in! I bitch about FB all the time, but at moments like this, it shines!

We had a great talk, it was like sitting right there on the couch with her, passing around a joint, which is now legal in her neck of the woods, thank you.

Love you Skoge,

Lopes

btw: Sherry's last name is Skogen, thus the nickname Skoge. My nickname was somewhat more complicated. For some reason I ended up with Hymie Lopez, aka: Lopes.

Wilson Dam
( 1068 of 2167 )

Spent the afternoon down in Muscle Shoals, Alabama today. Went across the Wilson Dam on the mighty Tennessee River, to the Rockpile Recreation Area.

Shot with my Sony and the zoom lens.

My Song
( 1069 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

My AI
( 1070 of 2167 )

I have one of the original Amazon Echo's, got it early before the public, as part of something I was doing. So I've had an AI as part of my life for a long time, and I've been shelling out for Amazon Prime ever since, because you need access to the monster.

I currently call her Computer and I use her constantly throughout my day, to control lights and my big Roku TV. You can hear me down the block when I scream Computer! Mute Roku! because I'm doing something else and don't have access to my remote, when the fucking My Pillow commercial comes on, at Fox News.

I'm always asking her shit, she's my insanely knowable friend. What's the temperature, what time is it, what is ..., how do you spell ..., everything!

Today, I asked her what the weather was going to be like tomorrow. She told me, and then she said btw, did you know that cat succulent planters for small plants by animal lovers is on sale now?.

She asked if I was interested, I said sure. Then she proceed to give me a sales pitch for a product that incorporates everything that Amazon knows about this old, long standing customer, and his recent purchases. I've bought a lot of cat stuff over the years and I recently was searching plants and fertilizer.

How fucking insidious is this? Anyway, she asked if I would like to put this thing in my cart, and I said sure. Then she told me it had been added, goodbye! Mission accomplished...

So I go to my cart, and there it is. The sappiest most stupid crap you can imagine. Deleted, goodbye!

I love this little artificial intelligence lady that sits next to me, but she works for the monster.

Pipers Corner
( 1071 of 2167 )

Mid-mornings around here, the sun is fighting to get thru the blossoming trees, to reach it's hungry children on the ground.

Pipers corner gets the early sun, as the canopy on my porch blocks the rest.

Ramblings
( 1072 of 2167 )

I'm just an old man, seventy five

Drunk and stoned, glad to be alive

Living alone, on a dead end street

Hanging out, with everyone I meet

Ain't no rich man, ain't no poor man

Glad to be a real man, ain't got no sham

I pursue my pleasures, wherever I can

I'm an honest man, and I got plans...

Bird Feeder
( 1073 of 2167 )

Smoke is smoked, finished it last night. Time to clean up, start again.

Just bought a little bird feeder kit that I have setup where I view the yard from my chair.

Gulfport
( 1074 of 2167 )

I've got a road trip planned. It's a variation on my failed trip down south a few weeks ago. First stop, a rest area off I-59 in Mississippi. It's 400 miles, six hours away.

The next morning I'll bop down into Gulfport and get me some beach time. I may even hit Ship Island, one of the top rated islands in the U.S.

Later Biloxi, then sleep somewhere. After that, mosey back home at my leisure.

Think I'll leave tomorrow morning. Get up early and do a laundry at the Wishy Washy, put some clean clothes in the back of my truck, grab my electronics, and cameras, and get the hell out of town.

I checked the weather for the next few days, it looks great. And yes, I know Shelby, I'm there, you're gone.

Hattiesburg
( 1075 of 2167 )

Spent the morning doing laundry at the Wishy Washy, and trying to rescue a bird that had flown in an was trapped behind a cabinet and a big picture window. Poor baby couldn't understand why she couldn't fly through it, and her partner was frantically squaking at her, fluttering around on the outside. Couldn't make it happen, but I'm sure my friend the laundry lady would solve it when she came in.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Packed up and was out of the house by 0930. Down to Birmingham, over to Tuscaloosa, on to Meridian, MS and I've landed at a rest area south of Hattiesburg. Both New Orleans, and Gulfport Mississippi are 96 miles away. Been to New Orleans a few times in my life, so tomorrow I hit Gulfport, put my toes in the ocean, ass in the sand, with a cold drink in my hand!

Ass In Sand
( 1076 of 2167 )

Alright, technically, my ass is not in the sand, but on a bench in the sand, at the beach in Gulfport, MS. My toes have found the water, the suns coming up, I just had a video chat with Daniel, showing off my spot, and I feel better than I have in a long while.

I like Gulfport, my kind of town. They even have a WhataBurger, the last one of those I saw was down in Laughlin Nevada, years ago. And beach access is terrific, lots of parking spots, at least early in the morning here.

Today I'm going to just mosey up the coast, find a place to eat later on, and check out Biloxi.

Biloxi
( 1077 of 2167 )

The thing about road trips is, you got a lot of time to think. Piper is in my thoughts, a lot.

I remember one winter back in Idaho, four foot of snow on the ground, Steph was back in Seattle for a few months, and I was out driving the fucking bus through the slush.

Piper saved my sanity. We had this morning routine where she would ask for her gravy with a little meow. We spent our evenings hunkered down in my office staying warm. God I loved that cat.

In Biloxi at the moment. It's right next to Gulfport and I like this place also, even if the traffic lights are stupid. What I have discovered is that this is a gambling town, with lots of big name casinos. I passed a Harrah's Casino, hell, I thought they were just in Nevada. I was a bellboy at the Harrah's up in South Lake Tahoe when I was a kid.

Enough talk, it's time to go sit in the sand...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Blooming
( 1078 of 2167 )

Life is good on Lee Street. Pipers plant is blooming, and my baby's love is resurrecting!

A new flower has appeared on big mama.

The bird feeder is up with it's new base that has been super-glued to the bottom.

And the squirrels are eating the crumbs down below.

Life On Lee
( 1079 of 2167 )

Shot a little walk-around of my yard.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Who Mows
( 1080 of 2167 )

I just had a text encounter with my friend Skoge in California, after she viewed my backyard walk-around video:

• Who mows all that lawn?

• The landlord.

• And my rent is $425 a month. Welcome to small town Tennessee!

• The lower area was wiped out in a flood back in the nineties, homes destroyed, now maintained by the county, all mine to walk around.

• Isn't it interesting where we land, my friend...

Creek Life
( 1081 of 2167 )

I almost fell off an embankment, into Shoal Creek today, shooting this little video...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Wounded Tree
( 1082 of 2167 )

A lightning strike knocked out our power last Saturday evening, and as I was walking Veteran's Park this morning, I spotted this.

My house is a couple hundred yards from here, as the raven flies, but I'm suspecting this was just wind damage. Or maybe more...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Meanwhile:

Cayenne
( 1083 of 2167 )

My Cayenne pills arrived today from Amazon. I was chatting with my nephew Brian on the phone yesterday, from Jackson Hole Wyoming, and he remembered when I turned 70, quit drinking, and became a health nut.

Cayenne powder, and a whole bunch of other great powders, were my daily regiment, and it made an impact on him as he watched me slim down, get sober, and healthy.

Now he's clean and sober, taking Cayenne pills, and I just bought the same brand. Full circle.

He also has an opportunity to become a coder, in a very complicated field of control systems, and he sent me the details this morning. I researched everything, broke down the acronyms individually, and sent him summaries of what I found.

He works for a water treatment facility at a ski resort in Jackson and they want to get rid of their high priced consulting firm, and pass it over to one man. Hopefully him.

I am so honored to be an inspiration to my nephew, and great friend, Brian!

Pool Baby
( 1084 of 2167 )

My adorable little grand-daughter had her first pool party, down in Lake Havasu, AZ last week. I know that area very well, it was my goto escape place from the harsh Idaho winters, along with Bullhead City and Laughlin, NV.

Jess took her down for a family visit, while Riley slaved away at his job :-)

Basel Cell
( 1085 of 2167 )

Well, it turns out when you leave your left arm hanging out the window on long road trips, and travel through the Caribbean a lot with your shirt off, you pick up shit.

Then you have to go to the skin doctor and have it cut out. That happened today and if it weren't for the fact that the young lady that did the cutting was pretty, and very nice, it would have sucked!

Current State
( 1086 of 2167 )

Man, Memorial Day is next weekend, I need to continue walking and working out like yesterday, try not to drink, take care of my arm, stay away from the park and try to like myself, just a little bit. I've given up on loving myself, that ain't never going to happen, but a smidgen of self respect would be terrific.

I put together a crockpot pulled pork yesterday, whipped up some fresh coleslaw, made sandwiches and shared it with Daniel. He said it was great and coming from a good old southern boy, that means something. It was a package of pre-cooked smoked pork, a can of pinto beans, a can of organic tomatoes, with a little southern seasoning.

Feeling very sad about that school shooting. Daniel works for the local school system and he said all doors to every school here are secured with card locks. No card, no entry. You don't need armed guards at every entrance, just solid electronics.

I'm trying to figure out an economical way to go see Brian in Jackson, then Riley and family in Seattle, then a flight back to Nashville. Checked out the painful 2.5 day Greyhound trip to Rexburg, ID for $223, then Rexburg to Seattle, a little over one day, is $151. They could be great photo blogging adventures, or bus trips from hell :-). The total cost to spend a few days with Brian and then see Riley is $374, plus expenses along the way. Then of course there is the flight back home.

I told Riley a while back that I wouldn't insult his family by showing up there drunk and stoned. I'm 2/3 of the way better now, and working on it...

Anyway, that's my current state in life, if you read this far, thanks.

Meanwhile:

Evolving
( 1087 of 2167 )

Alright, things are evolving. As of this moment, we are all looking forward to the possibility of meeting in Seattle around September 17, on Ariella's first birthday.

Who is all of us? Me, Brian and Shelby! We are all connected, we are all family, and friends. What an amazing thing it would be to re-connect in Seattle, and see my precious grand-daughter!

Meanwhile:

Hodge Poge
( 1088 of 2167 )

I cleaned the photos off of my phone today, and ran across these:

The chipmunk that showed up on my porch this morning to eat the feed I put down.

The bird that was trapped behind the window at the Wishy Washy.

Video

Daniel getting his groove on.

My sign painting grandfathers hammer that I use to bust up ice.

An uneaten catfish plate, freshly made, from Legends Express. Creamed corn, baked beans, homemade tarter sauce, farm raised catfish, cornbread...

Sunrise at Gulfport, MS.

My GPS on the ride back North.

Flowers
( 1089 of 2167 )

Little Friends
( 1090 of 2167 )

I am making some new friends, just not of the human variety. I have three little animal couples that love to come up on my porch and chow down. I leave the door wide open to shoot my photos, and they have come to trust me.

Each couple has a dominant mate, I assume the male, that comes to my little feeding station, while the other remains in the background. In this photoset I've captured some great shots of the squirrel and the chipmunk. The other couple is a beautiful little red bird that comes to feed and then carries it back to it's mate, just a few feet behind, and feeds her from his beak.

All I've got here is the squirrel and the chipmunk, but they're great, no screen door or window in the way because I was just standing there in the door, a couple of feet away. Working on capturing the birds. Click the photo below to see the photoset!

Seattle
( 1091 of 2167 )

Just booked a flight to Seattle for mid-September. So did my nephew Brian. Waiting on Shelby...

Going to visit Riley, Jess and Ariella, Riley's providing a car and I will play tour guide, based on my tweny years there, and as a transit supervisor. I have so many places in mind, to turn those two on to. My great friends Dave and Sue will be in town, and this could be epic!

Hell, the Oregon coastline is not out of the question!

Devotion
( 1092 of 2167 )

I water my baby's plant well, today I watered her twice. The flowers continue to sprout, and die. This plant is a living testament to the sweet cat that lies below her.

My debit card was denied at a store today, so I called the bank, and said What The Fuck? It turns out they have this fraud protection thing going and my flight to Seattle purchase triggered a shutdown.

So, I told them I purchase items like this all the time. I've been to Belize three times in the last three years, and Roatan twice. The nice bank lady said it was for my benefit and I said turn it the fuck off, please. There is now a note on my account, that I travel a lot!

Sheesh. And then a guy washing windows told me that because of the war in Ukraine there was going to be a global famine that will affect us all, come winter.

Now my brain is going South! Or North, I'm not sure. I've been having weird shit going on inside...

Chiggers
( 1093 of 2167 )

I was hiking through the woods of Florence Alabama last weekend, down past the Wilson Dam, and picked up a batch of Chiggers. These tiny little bitches are the parasitic larval stage of mites. They pierce the skin with their sharp mouthparts, inject a digestive enzyme, and then feed on you. I thought they burrowed all the way in, but it's just their head, then the resulting sore forms around them.

You carry them home unwittingly and they end up infesting your bed when you go to sleep. I've now got some major bites all over me. So this morning I hit the clinic up and got some drugs, along with a steroid shot in my hip, then took my bedding over to the Wishy Washy.

Stuff arriving from Amazon tomorrow to disinfect my bed, at which point I'll put fresh sheets down. Meanwhile I'm sleeping in my truck tonight, out under the carport.

I asked my friend the laundry lady if they managed to rescue that bird that was stuck behind the window a couple weeks back, and she said yea, the owner trapped it with a broom and grabbed it. Very good!

Update: The drugs are wurkening, not itcheng, qhat the hell...

Squirrel Proof
( 1094 of 2167 )

I've got two squirrel couples hanging out in my front yard, and I love um. I also have two chipmunk couples here and a variety of birds.

Unfortunately, the squirrels have been just raiding the bird feeder bad, so I had to fix it today. I lowered it from it's perch, set it outward from the tree and put a pan between the feeder and the tree.

It's a down home hick solution to an age old problem, but I think it will work, we'll see...

What Color
( 1095 of 2167 )

I see more and more people walking around with colored hair, what an interesting statement to the world, and I like it!

They're saying that they want to be different in this bland world of look-alikes. They don't give a flying fuck what people think, and some folks will curl their lips up and smile broadly, while some will look down and shake their head.

With me, I've got a long ol goatee to go with the side hair on my head. What color to chose? Purple, orange, yellow? Flaming red? Can I do it myself or should I go to a salon?

I don't do tattoos, ain't my style, but this intrigues me. I think I might be ready...

On another note, the pills my local clinic doctor prescribed seem to be working just fine, the chigger bites and the itching are fading away, haven't bothered me all day. Yay!

And Shelby may be able to join Brian and I in Seattle in September, fingers crossed, and extended in the middle...

Chip Shit
( 1096 of 2167 )

Ahh, the audacity of my little chipmunk friends! I feed them daily, they give me photo ops, and then shit on the table that fed them. Is this a message, or an accidental discharge? I suspect the former, for some unknown reason they are saying screw you, give me more food. Wow...

From My Porch
( 1097 of 2167 )

Some shots from my porch:

C Monk
( 1098 of 2167 )

Captured some nice footage of my little friend, mister C Monk.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Squirrely
( 1099 of 2167 )

A cool closeup video of one of my squirrels enjoying some treats.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Homeless
( 1100 of 2167 )

I know that I piss and moan about my life a lot, and I am an idiot to do so. I have a great little place, warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and it provides most of my needs. A hot tub would be nice, but I could buy one from Amazon if I wanted to.

I've been thinking a lot about the time I was homeless back in Kent, WA. I was down to zero, living in a borrowed tent from my friends Dave and Sue, in the middle of a field that eventually became a Target store. I was walking through the parking lot of a local grocery store, looking for change to survive.

I had led the life of a brilliant computer programmer, money out the ass, totally fucking up relationships, and here I landed. My boy Riley was nearby and he kept me going.

And then it took an injury to fix everything. The kids in Rileys apartment asked me to climb up on a carport to retrieve toys that had landed there. I did, and instead of climbing back down, I jumped into the playground with sandals on. Crushed my left ankle, and ended up having major surgery at the local hospital.

Bear in mind, I didn't have a penny to my name, so they put me on welfare to recover their costs. Suddenly, I was on crutches, with a little bit of welfare money to survive.

Finally, when my ankle recovered, I got a job at a downtown Kent motel, as a bellman. Hauling luggage and washing dishes, for $4.50 an hour. I called up my social worker and told him to take me off of welfare, he was happy.

I did that for about three years, worked my way up to $7 an hour, finally I applied for a bus driving job with Hopelink in Bellevue, and got it. By this time I had a little apartment across the street from Riley's high school and was actively involved in his life.

I went on to become the top supervisor for the largest paratransit bus company on the west coast. I eventually met Steph, moved to Idaho, and left that world behind.

Thanks for reading...

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. – Oprah

Be who you are and say how you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind. – Dr. Seuss

My Guests
( 1101 of 2167 )

I had a pretty bird eating at my feeding board this morning. Daniel said it's a dove, he's a local boy so I will accept that. He also said that eating doves brains right out of their head with a spoon is a southern tradition. I think he's full of shit, and dove's brains.

No animals around here harmed on my watch! Even if he has two AR-15's and enough ammo to blow up the neighborhood...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Update: Daniel said he was talking about Squirrel brains, not Dove brains. Ok, that makes it all good...

Interocean
( 1102 of 2167 )

I was sitting around the house today, telling Daniel about a life event that occurred back in the late seventies. I had just wrapped up a huge contract with Interocean Steamship in San Francisco. Actually it was my second with them, I wrote the code that ran their business, on IBM Sys 3 Models Ten and then the Fifteen.

They were a big shipping company with offices in Seattle and Long Beach and the system I created for them allowed their 150 employees to enter shipping data and have it communicated in real-time to the remote locations. Waaay before the Internet! They bought a one gigabyte drive from IBM that cost $50,000, was bigger than my living room chair, and we thought we were in data heaven.

I turned the whole thing over to a lady they had hired to be their Data Processing Manager. I then moved on to my next project, training two beautiful smart women, how to do what I do.

The three of us were at the IBM Data Center when I got the call from their DP manager. She was in tears, sobbing hysterically over the phone, said she fucked up and lost the code. Everything, gone. System down. Company paralyzed!

Well, thank god I had violated our agreement, and had printed out every line of code into a six inch high stack of computer paper, one late night, and took it home on the Bart Train.

The ladies and I retrieved that printout and showed up at their Christmas party, on the tenth floor of the California building in downtown San Francisco. It was like walking into a funeral! Their business was about to go under, and 150 jobs lost.

We told them that they needed to bring in as many people as possible, right now, to transcribe the printed code. Over Christmas, pay whatever they want, just get it done.

A year later I walked in on them. They were thriving, and grateful. There was this one little blond girl that I always used to hit on, to no avail. She walked up to me and kissed me on the mouth. Payment accepted.

Feathers
( 1103 of 2167 )

I opened the door this morning and the first thing I checked was to see if Daniels work truck was gone. (It was thank god, no early morning drink parties like yesterday!) Then I saw the feathers on the porch.

My little feeding station is getting pretty popular, and the squirrels have been raiding my hanging feeder so bad I had to take it down. But the bird feathers indicate a fight of some sort occurred last night. I hope the bird survived.

Then I spent the afternoon with an old friend. It was great to catch up!

Fullsize Parade
( 1104 of 2167 )

I took an amazing number of great shots at the Paris, TN parade recently, and trimmed them down to 392. This is overkill for even my diehard viewers, I get it. Well I decided to use the Roku Flickr app on my big 65 inch TV, and I was surprised to see them showing up as smaller images in the middle of the screen.

I shot these with my Sony 6500 with the zoom lens, taking multiple shots if possible, at different zoom levels. They were all taken in high resolution (4840 x 2832) with a size on average of 450mb. These are big juicy photos full of detail and clarity, but I had to reduce them down to 1024 x 768 to make them suitable for my blog, thus the small size on my TV.

So, I got the idea to create a new Flickr album and upload the full size images to it, in sequence from the beginning of the parade, to the end. It took me a couple of hours last night to upload all 392 photos.

Then I brought them up on my big TV and they filled the screen wonderfully, vividly, colorful, and wow! I watched the sideshow from beginning to end this morning, each photo up for about four seconds, and the whole thing ran for about twenty minutes. It was just like being there, standing on the sidelines, with the benefit of zoom.

I've created a link to the Flickr Sideshow Page, and if you have an unlimited data plan and a laptop or bigger, it's great. Click the third button over from the top left to start the show. I'm going to give it a shot on my phone, we'll see what happens.

btw: Flickr is one of the oldest photo sharing sites on the web, and I've been with them from the begining, paying a yearly fee to be a pro memeber, with unlimited uploads. That rate is now just under eighty bucks, which I just paid. So, I'm trying to get my moneys worth :-) and my current photo count with them is now 13,082.

And they are all referenced between my two blogs in some manner. From BusDriverJim (Jun, 2011 thru Sep, 2018) to OldManJim (Sep, 2018 to right now). I actually have thousands more photos stored on the server for both blogs, that never made it to Flickr...

1024 x 768 on my TV:

4840 x 2832 on my TV: (edge to edge, top to bottom, full!)

Actually, there is a little vertical truncation on the big image, it could handle a larger screen then 65 easily!

Imagine sitting back in a comphy chair watching all of these photos rolling across your eyes, it really is like being there. I know, because I was there. Hey, if you're near my house in Lawrenceburg, TN, drop by, I would love to show you this.

Hello Goodbuy
( 1105 of 2167 )

I don't know what I'm doing anymore. I pulled up to the highway from the side road, ready to make my quick jaunt over to my home street, when I spotted this lady walking along the road with her thumb stuck out.

I pulled over and asked her if she needed help, she said yes and she was tired, and then climbed in to my truck. I then drove home, made her a sandwich, gave her a cup of water and said sleep in the bed of my truck as long as you need.

She is now gone. Ok, good luck to you...

Live Slow
( 1106 of 2167 )

One of my favorite actors when I was kid, was James Dean. He often used the famous quote: Live fast, die young, leave a good-looking corpse, to describe his life.

He died in 1955 at the age of 24, when his Porsche 550 Spyder crashed head-on with a pickup truck on a California highway. Unfortunately, he didn't fulfill the later part of that quote.

I have since tweaked the expression for myself to: Live slow, die old, and carry your battle scars to your grave.

And I added a few more scars to the mix yesterday. I was out hiking around in the woods, when I fell, twice, I think. Then an interesting thing happened.

My watch sent out an SOS, in the form of a text message, to Steph that said SOS! My watch detected that I've fallen and I'm not responding. Wow, a few takeaways from that!

I didn't know my watch had that capability, I didn't realize that Steph was my emergency contact, and I hadn't realized that at some point, I was out cold.

The watch also sent a link to her with a Goggle map of my location. I made it back to my truck and as I drove home, it continued to send out updates of my current location.

I ended up with a cut over my right eye, a scrape on the lower part of my right arm, a big scrape on my lower right leg, a jammed middle finger on my right hand, and a sore butt bone. But hey, I survived to make it home, and tell the story!

Daniel came over right after I got back, said what the hell? and asked if I had looked in the mirror. I hadn't. Today I took the last Hydrocodone I had in the cabinet...

Sasha & Gabriel
( 1107 of 2167 )

I've been hanging out with Daniel this evening, and he showed me a photo of his dog Sasha hanging out with their cat Gabriel.

Just thought I would share it here.

Garbage
( 1108 of 2167 )

Just garbage...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Feels Good
( 1109 of 2167 )

God it feels good to help people! I'm telling this story, not for you to be impressed with what a great guy I am (cause I'm not), but to inspire you to pay it forward whenever you are blessed with the opportunity.

I was hanging out at the park today, shirt less and in shorts, trying to stay cool in this heat wave, when a rattley vehicle pulled up behind me. The voices sounded young and in distress so I got out and said what's the problem?

It was three teenage kids, two skinny little white girls and a boy with an afro. The driver of the little car, with the hood up, said her radiator was cracked and she was pouring radiator fluid into it.

We chatted for a bit while the car cooled off, and they said they were local kids, with no money, and they needed gas. They were really nice and I immediately decide to help them out.

I told them that when they get the car cooled off, go down to the Taz Mart, right next to Crockett Shoals Tubing, and tell them that Jim bought them some gas. I know the couple that run the place pretty well as I drove the bus for CST a couple of summers age.

The kids were very grateful, I drove to Taz Mart, explained the situation to the guy, and left $20. As I was walking back to my truck I was overwhelmed with a felling I can only describe as fulfilling.

Pay it forward my friends, it feels damn good! I could die tomorrow, and if I could be known by the people I've helped, as opposed to the people I've hurt, I would move on in peace...

Seed Breakfast
( 1110 of 2167 )

I hardly ever eat fast food, but today I pulled into a Burger King down in Leoma (or Loretto, they all look the same) and ordered a fish sandwich and a cup of water.

I pulled up to the window and saw the sandwich presented to a cute young girl while she was just chatting away with someone and putting my water together.

Finally she opened the window and said it would be $5.80. I held out a twenty, which she finally took, and handed me my stuff.

I then drove off and started eating my sandwich, heading home. About 10 miles down the road I thought about my change. Woops! Oh well, hopefully she considered it a tip and put it in her cute little Tennessee girl pocket.

I really am spacing out a lot lately. Don't know if it's the aging process, Covid vaccinations, drinking, or all of the above.

Daily living is a challenge, but at least I'm independent with a roof over my head. In the meantime, I've made some good friends, who like to come over for breakfast:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Chai Peni
( 1111 of 2167 )

A place in Asheville, North Carolina has just won the James Beard award for best restaurant in America. It's called Chai Pani, and serves Indian street food. The menu looks amazing, prices are reasonable, and it's only 372 miles from my house. That's a six hour road trip.

You have to wonder though, after winning this award, if you could even get a seat at the table. Oh well, it's going to be a long hot summer before I fly to Seattle in the middle of September, anything could happen!

Adam
( 1112 of 2167 )

Adam Osborne invented the first portable computer, called the Osborne 1, back in 1981. The guy was English, drove an old vintage car, and I met him at an outdoor party in Oakland, CA.

It was an oyster feast, fresh seafood cooked over three grills, at a house up in the hills. There were about a hundred people there and we stuffed ourselves with barbecued oysters.

At one point we ran out of ice, and Adam and I drove to town to get some, in his vintage auto, and we talked computer shit the whole trip.

I keep saying what an amazing life I've lived, and this was just one more chapter...

A Wreck
( 1113 of 2167 )

Man my adrenaline is still pumping! About 1115 this morning I turned on the highway that our little street connects to and spotted a bad accident that had just happened. One car was in the middle of the southbound lane while another car was across the street, in the ditch.

Two women exited the car in the street. One was carrying a baby and she walked across the highway, the other was walking towards me. I walked into the middle of the highway waving my arms to slow down the northbound traffic, which runs about 50mph to get up the hill. I stopped the traffic, and then went to the women and asked if I could help her.

Her face was banged up and she was sobbing. She asked me to take her to her boyfriends house up off the old highway. I threw the stuff on my seat in the back and got her inside. As we were driving there I asked if she didn't want to go to the hospital, and she said no. I asked if her boyfriend had a vehicle, she said yes.

Turns out he didn't. So he climbed in with the girl on his lap and the three of headed along the back roads to the motel near Walmart. What a sight we must been, two shirt less guys with a girl in the middle of my little cab.

I knew the main road was going to jam up and many sirens were blaring in the direction of that wreck. The poor girl never stopped crying and I trust that whatever family member was working in the office of that hotel could help them.

Then I drove the back roads to the tobacco store and walked down and took these shots. The southbound traffic was stopped completely but finally began moving, and the scene was pretty much cleaned up. Wow!

An Event
( 1114 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Fathers Day
( 1115 of 2167 )

I had a great talk with my boy Riley the other day, and he and his family are doing great! His two man auto body shop is booming, their home and property are increasing nicely in value, and they have consolidated their debt.

They shop at Costco and the shelves are not empty yet. He writes off gas prices in the Seattle area as a cost of doing business. He finally has a beautiful daughter, to share with his lovely wife.

He's a good man, and I am extremely proud of everything he has achieved. Happy first Fathers Day son!

Unfortunately, his dad is not doing well. I'm drinking too much, falling down a lot, and I have weird bumps and dark spots popping up all over my body. Quite frankly, I'm a fucking mess. Think I'll bop into the clinic on Monday and see if they have a test of some sort to figure out what's going on.

I'm also looking at options that could get me to Seattle shortly to meet the baby. I have a flight booked to there in mid-September, but damn, what if I don't make it through the summer?

Sorry for the doom and gloom, just trying to be honest with myself, and the world.

Meanwhile, here's my planter these days, loving the daily watering and cleanup:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Happens Next
( 1116 of 2167 )

Spending my fathers day with my neighbor Daniel, rocking out to country music on my big screen, getting drunk. He gave me a box to hold my truck tools, and cut out portions I didn't need with a cool hand held saw.

It's a trip having a mechanical genius for a neighbor, and friend. He broke one of my table flat things last night, from a cup slamming contest, and copped to it this morning. We hugged, shook hands, and moved on.

He's heading off shortly for a dinner with his wife and kids, but I got me a fathers day text from my boy. Not sure what happens next...

What happened to the in shape dude from last summer? Down the drain! God help me...

Weird Shit
( 1117 of 2167 )

Stumbling, staggering, afraid l will pass out with each step. I want to venture out on a road trip, but I question my ability to pull it off.

Weird shit is going on. I feel like I'm losing myself. The end is closer than it's ever been.

And I have no idea how to fix it...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Hand Tremor
( 1118 of 2167 )

Parkinson’s disease is finally catching up with me. Several relatives on my dads side had it, and the last time I saw my brother (about 5 years ago) he was in bad shape from it. I've had the internal tremors for years now, but it's finally reached my right hand. As I was eating lunch in my truck today, I had a hard time keeping food on my fork.

I had my phone on the steering wheel so I googled it and saw that it usually begins to rear it's ugly head with a tremor in the hand. Other symptoms are feeling light-headed, losing your balance and trouble walking. I have all those issues going on. Then another bit of my lunch dropped to the plate as my hand visibly shook, and the reality sunk in.

Shut Down
( 1119 of 2167 )

I used to love listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio at 10:00, but he died last year. Now my new favorite 10:00 thing to do is watch The View. God I love those ladies, especially Whoopee, what a stupid thing she is!

Facetiousness drips from my fingers as I write this. Sorry, I know I haven't posted anything lately, because most of the shit in my life is negative. There's nothing worth writing about, and I'm tired of being a pissy old man here.

So, this post is just to let the few people that care about me, and drop by my blog to check on me, know that I'm still fighting and kicking, and glad to be alive.

AI Images
( 1120 of 2167 )

I used to love listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio at 10:00, but he died last year. Now my new favorite 10:00 thing to do is watch The View. God I love those ladies, especially Whoopi, what a stupid woman she is!

And then there's Joe!

I created these pictures with a new AI powered image generator called DALL-E. You type in a phrase and it generates a bunch of interpretations.

Above: "Whoopi Goldburg as the devil", "Joe Biden as the devil".

And here's "Chipmunk bird":

How about Hillary?

How about Trump?

How about Trump wearing sunglasses holding a teddybear?

And of course, Nancy.

Ok, Kamala here...

One more, OldManJim:

More AI
( 1121 of 2167 )

How about Hillary?

How about Trump?

How about Trump wearing sunglasses holding a teddybear?

And of course, Nancy.

Ok, Kamala here...

One more, OldManJim:

Recovery
( 1122 of 2167 )

Today, June 30, for the first time in quite a while, I managed to not drink, walked a lap around the path, and got 20 reps each of my core workout routine.

The goal for tomorrow is the same, two laps around, add one rep to each routine every day, and hit the gym. Then continue until I'm healthy again.

I know it's only one day, but I have to do this, work through the Parkinsons, and stay alive!

Wish me well...

Update, July 1, met my goals! 21 reps each routine, two laps, and got back to the gym. And no booze one drink in the evening.

I figured out something, that I could either be killing myself with alcohol, before Parkinsons takes me out, or get my body in shape to fight it. I guess I'm choosing the latter...

A funny thing happened while I was walking a lap {1 mile) with Daniel. I told him he should hit the gym, then he smacked me hard on the shoulder and said I just did! :-)

Update, July 2, 22 reps, 3 laps, gym.

Update, July 3, 23 reps, 1 lap, gym.

Update, July 5, 24 reps, 4 laps, light gym, dry.

Tube Patcher
( 1123 of 2167 )

It looks like I have a new summer job. I dropped into the tubing company I used to drive for, to see if they needed a driver, and they said no. But, they needed a tube patcher.

Now I've had some interesting jobs in my life, but this is different. I'll be working when they're running, Friday through Monday, so I get to be in on the action, just sitting in the back maintaining the tubes.

I've never patched a tube before but I used to live in Michael Cottens house, the keyboard player for the rock band The Tubes, when he was on the road. That counts!

Update: Ricky the owner just dropped by my house and we sealed the deal, start tomorrow. We also talked about a wine touring bus driving job that would require me to re-up my CDL. I said I'm on board.

Tube Guru
( 1124 of 2167 )

I busted my ass today! Showed up at 8:30 and the boss man Ricky and I started patching tubes. He showed me the tricks of the trade as we begin moving through a backlog of flat tubes.

The work area is between the office and the storage area, and the sun was moving in a straight line directly overhead. By noon I was drenched in sweat and then Rachel (Rickys daughter and manager) showed up with a big canopy and a fan. Wow, what a great difference.

Rachel told me that they were looking for a tube manager, and me showing up yesterday was perfect timing. I really feel like they're glad I'm back.

Things have gotten automated from two years ago, with a great little phone app where you clock in and out, and your pay goes straight into your bank account.

So I got me a summer job, how about that!

btw: We launched 269 people down the creek today.

Small Victories
( 1125 of 2167 )

I was buying my regular bag of ice at the tobacco store today, and an Amish dad and his three kids were set up there selling vegetables from their buggy.

As I drove by I made eye contact with one of the young girls, about five, in her little Amish outfit, and waved at her. Her face lit up, she smiled broadly, and waved back.

Sometimes you get ignored in life, and sometimes small victories occur!

Ignored
( 1126 of 2167 )

I encountered Melissa and Michael at the gym today. They were on the treadmill as I walked in, and wouldn't make eye contact. I saw my favorite machines open and started my workout.

After rotating around the gym, Melissa walked by me, and I came up behind her and called out her name, three times. She totally blew me off and kept on walking. It was impressive. I said OK, and backed off.

I finished my workout with a good treadmill session, and split.

What I wanted to say to her, was that I was sorry for everything. I'm an old asshole who gets his feelings hurt easily. I regret my reactions, I wanted to shake her hand and tell her good luck in life.

Instead I got ignored, like a worthless piece of shit.

Ok, I get it. There is no reconciliation here, they hate me so much. Steph watches the kids while they work out, and then goes to work. I guess it's time to finally move on from Summertown, and get on with my life.

And just pretend they don't exist at the gym...

Update from Mellisa:

Checked your blog. Sorry if it seemed like I ignored you, I wear wireless headphones and cannot hear with them in. I told you I wouldn't bother you, so I let you be. Apologies if it seemed like I was Ignoring you, I did not hear you. Look, I forgive you. Shit happens and we can all do things in life that hurt other people's feelings. I don't hate you. I am extremely protective of my children and what happened with dillan made momma bear come out. He's an amazing young man despite what we went through with Chris early in his life... he's not perfect but I love and cherish him. As far as what happened, it's water under the bridge. You can be at peace with that situation.

Thank you for the kind response. Sorry I mis-understood.

New Office
( 1127 of 2167 )

Did a walk around of my new working space at Crockett Shoals Tubing.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Parking Lot
( 1128 of 2167 )

Busy ass day! Our tubing parking lot looked like a big used car lot by midday. And consider that each vehicle carries a group of people! I did a walk around for the video below.

My commute along the back roads is just under two miles, takes five minutes, with no stoplights. Man, how fortunate am I to find a nice little summer gig, with those commute numbers.

And I'm tired and sore, which is alright...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Love
( 1129 of 2167 )

Riley and his family are down on an Oregon beach for a little vacation time. This photo just warmed my heart so much, I had to share it!

New Feeder
( 1130 of 2167 )

My mechanical genius neighbor Daniel conceived a method to hang my bird feeder between the house and the tree, and to make it squirrel proof with a couple of cones, that will spin and make them fall off.

We've been buying the parts over the last few days, and hooked it up this afternoon. Here's a little video of it:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Patch Man
( 1131 of 2167 )

I really upped my game on the job today. I've been struggling with removing old patches that were leaking, for replacement. I've been using my fingers, with a little help from pliers once I got a corner up, and then the old glue was impossible to remove fully.

I bought a dispenser of denatured alcohol that Daniel recommended and a bottle of DeSolveIt he loaned me, along with lacquer thinner, to no avail. So before work this morning I dropped into True Value Hardware, told the boss man my issue, and what I was using. He said those were my best options and couldn't recommend another product.

Then he suggested something that became a game changer. He said buy a hair dryer! It's great for melting the glue, allowing it to be removed. Brilliant!

Then I picked up a mid-sized Conair 1875 watt dryer at Dollar General for $15. First thing I do now with an old patch is to heat it up from a couple inches away for a minute. Then, with the glue melted it peels right off.

I spray denatured alcohol on the reamaining glue and let it soak in, then I heat it up some more and wipe it off with lacquer thinner. Slick as a baby's ass.

I also bought a tool from Amazon last week that allows me to apply a hard textured roll to the new patch, that works amazingly well. I then let the new patch sit for a while with weight on it. As a result I knocked out an impressive number of repairs today, ran out of tubes to fix, and went home at 1230.

How about that shit!

Planter Presents
( 1132 of 2167 )

I was listenen to a song today, and the lyric, hold on tight to your dreams, jumped out to me. I'll be 76 shortly, and I ain't got no dreams left.

I live day to day, with a few plans down the road. Today I walked the path, worked out, ate catfish, bought some stuff to put in the side holders of my bird feeder, and hit the gym.

None of those things stack up as dreams, and there certainly ain't nothin to hold on to. So, just glad to still be alive!

Meanwhile, my planter is lovin the daily water, and is giving me presents in return.

Hot Lemon
( 1133 of 2167 )

I stopped drinking coffee quite a while ago. Oh I would have a cup on the road when I traveled, but I don't drink it around my house. I have replaced it with one freshly squeezed lemon, hot water, and a dash of sea salt.

I have one cup every morning, gets me going. I have recently discovered that it's a sleep aid, which is counter-intuitive to a morning drink.

For example, I woke up at 0230 this morning, couldn't get back to sleep, and said screw it and got up. Made myself a hot lemon, read my mail, watched a little TV, then went back to bed about 0415.

I fell asleep quickly and had an incredible deep rem sleep, with amazingly vivid dreams. Woke up at 0600 and felt totally refreshed!

Tonight I'm sitting here writing this post, drinking a hot lemon. It's 1915 and I'm ready to hit the sack, should be interesting. I should also note that I did three laps, worked out, and hit the gym hard today. Goodnight.

Lemon Press
( 1134 of 2167 )

I bought my Zulay lemon press last September, and I love it. It's got two compartments, one for lemons and one for limes, but will actually work on any small fruit. Just cut things in half, insert face down and squeeze.

It's sturdy, you can put some muscle into extracting every last drop, then just flip it open and the flattened fruit drops out. Quick and efficient.

It's a little awkward to clean, but you learn how quickly. As someone who has used it daily, I highly recommend this device, if you decide to get into hot lemon juice drinks. Or if you just need this kind of tool in your kitchen!

Yea, I should get a commission from Zulay for this, but click an image below to go there on Amazon.

Following Daniel
( 1135 of 2167 )

We went down a driver yesterday at Crockett Shoals Tubing, Marvin had to leave to help his dad with Parkinson and Dementia. Turns out, they put me on their insurance and I'm now a back-up driver along with the prestigious title of tube patcher.

I actually did a run today, had a great time, glad to be back.

Then, I rode to Hollywood, via Waco to connect Daniel with his freshly serviced Harley. I tried to keep up with him on the ride home, but he smashed some gears, and left me in the dust.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

PatchMan
( 1136 of 2167 )

248 people rode our tubes down Shoal Creek today. It was a beautiful hot Saturday and the folks just kept showing up all day. We almost ran out of tubes and the staff were throwing flat ones they found inside the storage unit at me, as well as ones that got flattened on the creek from rocks and who knows what shit.

I was a tube patching machine today and now I'm home and walking around the house like a fucking old man. Oh, wait...

I'll be 76 next Saturday, and I'm still working out here at home before I go to work. Eating very healthy, no sugar, meat on a rare occasion. I inject meth into my arm before bed to help me sleep (ok, I drink hot lemon juice). I'm trying to beat the odds and stay alive!

I am the PatchMan.

...and thank god patchman.com is taken, I don't feel like programming a website.

The Tubes
( 1137 of 2167 )

I was talking to my co-worker Rocco today about The Tubes. You know, that eclectic San Francisco band that formed in the early seventies. My friend Skoge was actively involved with them, and I just hung out.

Perhaps you've never heard of them, or their music, so I'm going to share a couple videos here. Btw, I was amazed to discover that they are still touring!

Also, Micheal Cotton, the keyboard player, was an artist, and designed a logo for one of my companies computer products.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Spot Spotted
( 1138 of 2167 )

We have a new put-in spot for the tubers. Actually, it was our original spot when I drove for CST a couple of years ago. I love it, it's my favorite, it goes right down our dead end street, past my little house, with a full driveway to exit without any backing.

Much better then the spot down the road where the neighbors were complaining and we were blocking one lane of a two lane street. I'm one of the neighbors here, and I know the others, so no complaints.

My manager Liz told me that tubes were being flattened at a spot down under the first bridge (now the second bridge since expanding the run), so I drove over today to check it out. I think I found the culprit, a narrow little passage that draws tubes in, and then accelerates them right into some gnarly rocks.

I shot a little video of the spot, and then later on Rocco and I drove a big two bus group of beautiful young people, down to the new spot to try their luck.

They posed for a group shot down at the drop, and I really wanted to stand next to the lady that was taking it, and shoot my own, but I thought they might have freaked out, so I didn't. OK, no balls...

Also, my little 8 year old helper Maddie found a pinpoint hole in a tube that was driving me crazy, bought her a peanut butter cup!

Anyway, check out the video if you like:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Southern Thing
( 1139 of 2167 )

I watched my neighbor knock off a can of Vienna Sausage the other day, and then I saw some good ol boy waiting to ride our tubes, also eating a can of these things. They are a convenient source of protein I suppose, with the little tear off lids and all, but I don't eat them.

So I asked Daniel if this was a southern thing, and he said yep, along with potted meat, pickled pigs feet, spam, chitlins (hog intestines, deep fried), pork brains and eggs, rooster fries (hog balls), and pork skins.

Ok...

And I don't think my happy son in the Pacific Northwest is feeding Ariella any of those things.

Pry Bar
( 1140 of 2167 )

My boss Ricky and I took care of those rocks today, that were busting tubes under the bridge. Daniel loaned me a badass pry bar that worked well. I asked Ricky if he had one on his truck, and he said, yea, bigger than that. He is a contractor after all.

We used the one I brought, mainly to break up rocks with pointed edges, and manually moved the bigger ones to the side of the creek. Should make for smooth tubing down a fast moving stretch.

Ricky showed up at 1030 and his timing was perfect as I was trying to figure out what to do before my in-home medical checkup at noon.

The medical visit went great, a distinguished older doctor showed up and he updated the things my provider needed to know, checked my b/p, heart, reflexes and general stuff. Right from the comfort of my big chair. I passed!

He was probably more then fifteen years younger than me, but I bet he wouldn't be rolling big rocks around the creek in his spare time.

Big City
( 1141 of 2167 )

Did you know that the average monthly rent for a Manhattan apartment is over $5,000. I pay $450 for my little man cave on a dead end street in a hick town in southern Tennessee, and I got a creek and a park to go with it.

I can crank my sound system as loud as I want, I leave the door wide open and suck air through it with my ceiling fans, and out the back windows toward the creek. No air conditioning and I have chipmunks walk casually into my house for peanuts.

I see everyone who comes into my neighborhood, down my quiet street, and my shotgun is loaded and a few steps away. But I've been here four years now, and have not had any bad actors roll through here.

The other night I left my truck wide open with my wallet in it crammed with cash and my cards. I woke up at 0200 realizing what I had done, and walked out naked and fixed it.

My grocery store, my liquor store, my gym, my job, many restaurants, and Walmart, are within three miles away.

So, New York can charge 5k for the privilege of living in that crime and drug infested crap hole of a big city, and shove it up their ass!

Seventy Six
( 1142 of 2167 )

What of a way to turn 76! I could have been sitting in a beach bar on an ill-conceived road trip, sipping a cocktail alone, wondering what the hell I was doing.

Instead, I showed up for my job, wore my company shirt for all of one minute, then stripped it off and started patching tubes.

It's Saturday, it's very hot, and folks started showing up in droves! I was patching the down tubes as fast as I could, but we started running out.

Rocco pulled out blue tubes from the container that were flat and hadn't been used since last season. It was hectic, I even found our blue double tube, inflated it, and gave it to a dad and his kids.

Meanwhile, I kept getting birthday wishes, both online and from the staff. (Liz and I are FB friends). My very small circle of family sent regards, and my sister gave me a very generous Amazon gift card.

Now I'm home, cooling down, sipping on a cocktail. Which in this case, beats a strange bar any day!

Every birthday is a milestone when you reach my age. I marvel at it, respect it, and I'm thankful for surviving one more year. But the truth is, where your head is at, is the most important thing.

My head is fine, I'm working, with people I enjoy, and I'm contributing to the happiness level of many folks, every day.

Rock on!

Update: My boss Ricky just dropped by and gave me a family made apricot fried pie. OMG, never had one, delicious! The South is really growing on me. Also, Liz just texted me the count for today, 270 people rode our tubes down Shoal Creek today, beating last Saturday by 22.

Here you go, half eaten:

Daniels Boys
( 1143 of 2167 )

Daniel talked his sons Chad and Drew into bringing an amp over and playing some music for the old man on his birthday. Enjoyed the hell out of it! Thanks guys.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Flight Change
( 1144 of 2167 )

My flight to Seattle is on Sept 12, departing Nashville at 1017, arriving at 1753, a perfect time to hook up with Brian, and Riley can pick us up from his shop near the airport, right after work. It cost me $500 and change.

It was perfect, until American Airlines changed the terms of the deal yesterday. Now they have me laying over in Charlotte, NC for 5 hours, changing the arrival time to well after 2100!

So I called Priceline and requested rescheduling. The recorded message told me I would be subjected to a $200 charge plus any difference in the cost of the flight. I was starting to fume, shouting what a scam to an empty line.

When I finally spoke to a nice young lady, I explained that arriving at 1700 was critical, I wanted a different flight, and I didn't want to pay an extra dime, since American broke the contract. She put me on hold and I didn't know what to expect.

I got a new flight, even better than the other one, it leaves at 1143, 55 minute layover in Dallas, arrives in Seattle at 1658.

The best and most critical part was, American waived the $320 surcharge because the change was due to their scheduling, not my whim.

So, I've taken my share of commercial flights, but I am far from a seasoned flyer. I learned something today, perhaps you did to.

Breach
( 1145 of 2167 )

To expand on yesterdays post, it seems to me that when you buy a ticket from a commercial airline, you are establishing a contract with them that states:

We will transport you from this location, at this time, to this destination at this time, for X amount of money, up front. We both understand that emergencies and weather could affect this, but otherwise it our responsibility to fulfill this agreement.

You then plan your life around this contract. If the airline fails to perform as specified, we should be able to sue them. A whole new industry of law firms would pop up, specifically to assist travelers to sue the airlines for damages.

If they over schedule, overbook, or push their people too hard such that things fall apart and your flight is delayed significantly, or worse cancelled completely, they need to be held accountable.

The air traffic controller shortage issue is bullshit. This is a federal agency and the country needs to divert a few billions from the money going to Ukraine, and fix it!

Here's the kicker: you can buy expensive insurance to protect you, if the airlines or the feds blow it. This ripoff industry needs to go away, you shouldn't need it.

We need a new federal law protecting fliers from airline breach of contract!

Tube Status
( 1146 of 2167 )

I've been organizing my office space the last couple of days, which consists of an old desk and a small metal container with a lock door on it.

It's been the catch all spot for patching, storing dead or near dead tubes, life jackets, compressor, and various patching shit. It has been a mess.

I've been gradually pulling old tubes out and determining their status. If they have a big ol gash in them, I'm deeming them patch material and stacking them on the right side. If they're dead from an old patch that has fallen apart, but might be revived, they go on the left. In the middle in the back are about a dozen tubes to be examined, and assigned.

I'm doing this while maintaining our present stash of tubes in use across two big containers. At the end of my day I put the tubes that are not maintaining pressure in the middle, to be examined the next day.

Some tubes just have a slow leak, it might be from an old patch with a bit of air coming out, or a pinpoint hole sometimes impossible to find. Often it's best to just blow them up hard and send them out on the creek for a 2.5 hour run. They'll hold up.

My boss Ricky just dropped by two boxes of new tubes. Fortunately I had space in the new office to store them. I asked our driver Rocco, who really runs the outside show, if we had room for new tubes. He said, after putting those old blue ones into service following Saturdays rush, no.

Ok, this is the current state of affairs in the tube department, at Crockett Shoals Tubing, from the tube manager!

Sound Machine
( 1147 of 2167 )

I just bought this very exiguous device called the Magicteam Sound Machine. It generates 20 non-looping sleep sounds: white noise, brown noise, pink noise, blue noise, fan, brook, rain, ocean, bird and bonfire.

I got it specifically for the brown noise generator, which has been established as a sleep aid. I tried it out last night.

Plugged it in, set for brown noise, cranked it up and placed it a foot away from my pillow. Instantly, the noise that I endure throughout the night such as traffic out on the highway through my open window, my neighbors air-conditioner below my window, and my refrigerator noise, disappeared.

I had a great sleep, amazing dreams, and my watch gave me a sleep score of 80. I highly recommend this $26 device!

Ripped Off
( 1148 of 2167 )

I love my vehicle's Garmin GPS, but the woman's voice is like some drunkin ex-wife, sitting in passenger, with a map in her lap, telling me which way to turn. Drives me nuts!

I got ripped off last week when I tried to re-schedule that home wellness visit because I had to drive a couple loads of tubers that Monday. They ripped me off to about $96 in debit charges along with monthly subscriptions. I canceled the card and the Bank Of Commerce in Driggs, ID is working with me to refund that loss.

I complained in an email to Blue Cross/Blue Shield about the incident, and an investigator just called me about it. His name was Don, former FBI guy, working with BC/BS to resolve these kind of incidents.

He wanted me to go through my phone records for the 15th and compare the called phone number to the one on my insurance card. Sure enough, I had misdialed. There were two numbers on the card, I dialed the first digits then looked back to the card and typed the last four digits of the second number.

Don was excited, now he had a number to call. I told him to rip them a new asshole, he said he would do his best.

On The Roof
( 1149 of 2167 )

Man, Parkinsons and Dementia. I've been really forgetful lately, and it almost cost me big time this morning. I walked out to my truck in the rain with an armload of stuff for work, and set my $1,200 Samsung S20 on the roof of my truck while I got everything inside.

Then I drove to work in a downpour along my twisty little back road. I tought it was strange nobody was there yet, but I parked the truck in the shade, and then reached for my phone to clock in. It wasn't on my seat and I yelled "Oh Shit"!

I jumped out and looked on my roof and damned if it wasn't still there. Wet, but there. I pulled the case off and dried everything off, then called Liz to see if we were running today. We weren't, and I would have had all day to back track looking for my phone, in the rain...

Skins
( 1150 of 2167 )

I've got three skins in the Mega Million drawing tonight, and when they announce the winning ticket being bought from the Taz Mart on the outskirts of Lawrenceburg, TN, and it's me, here's what I'm going to do.

The cash out is seven hundred million plus. Everyone says you need to quickly hire on a management staff to take over everything. Fuck that!

Please, just deposit it into my checking account.

My local bank Capstar, where the inside girls I genuinely like, would gain great notoriety! The town would bloom from tourists around the world flocking to see where the man who won the Mega Millions lived.

Then I would hire a local law firm to take care of all the legal stuff. I would ask around my few friends here and take their advice. The same with an accountant.

Ok, continuing in my little house at the end of a dead end street in southern Tennessee is probably not a good idea.

So, I would find the coolest old mansion around here, with beautiful properties all around, and buy them up.

Then I would invite every friend and family member in my life: daughter, son, grandkids, great-grandkids, sisters, brothers (I have one each) to take up residency around me.

I would pay for their homes and set them up finanicaly. If they chose to accept, I would be surrounded by family, not substance.

Hey, this could be an important document, so I better shut it down and save it...

Tank Top
( 1151 of 2167 )

Our new psychedelic staff tank tops arrived today and I got me one. I haven't seen these colors since the Summer Of Love, 1967, in Golden Gate Park.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Initial
( 1152 of 2167 )

My neighbor and I watching ourselves and his sons on YT from the initial space it was created in.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Blogging
( 1153 of 2167 )

A good blog post is one where you can capture a thought, an incident, your daily life in general, and then string together words, paragraphs, and media into a concise, enjoyable journey.

I've been blogging for 4,076 days (June 6, 2011) and I still love it. To encapsulate your day into a post that you share almost daily, is an amazing thing.

Old blog posts, from busdriverjim.com, to oldmanjim.com, are like a beacon into my soul when I wrote them. I allowed comments on Bus, composed in WordPress, but suppressed that in Old.

When I created the second blog I wanted something new, and created it with Joomla. No comments, slick tools. I understand that not many of my readers have the skill set to pull this off, but Facebook provides the alternative.

Talk about your life everyday, we want to know!

Fish Trail
( 1154 of 2167 )

Wilson Dam is located on the Tennessee River, between Florence and Muscle Shoals in northern Alabama. It was completed in 1924 and named after president Woodrow Wilson.

It's been closed to traffic for months now, but I was pleased to see it open yesterday, and shot a bit of video on the way to Fishermans Trail.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Scammed
( 1155 of 2167 )

So, I was talking about getting scammed over the phone recently, and it's now resolved.

My bank in Idaho accepted my request to investigate those charges made against my account, and they found my claim to be valid. Then they put the ninety three bucks back into my account.

I'm impressed! I'm not sure what fund they use to finance this sort of thing, but I'm glad for it.

The scammers got $3.99 from me. That was the authorized charge I made with them, thinking I was dealing with an associate of my health care plan, but I had mis-dialed. They subsequently signed me up for four monthly ripoff subscriptions, and this was the amount refunded.

The card was killed immediately and they will never get another dime from me. And, an investigator for my health care provider is tracking them down.

Not all stories like this end well, just thought I'd share.

Leason Learned
( 1156 of 2167 )

There is a lesson to be learned from my previous post. If you suspect that you have given your card number out to a scammer, check your bank transactions online and survey the damage.

If it shows scam items, call your bank immediately and cancel the card. Then ask if they have the ability to recover your loss. In my case, the lady offered the advice and sent me the documents I needed to print and scan, tell them what happened, sign, and then email them back.

The whole process has taken less then two weeks. I don't know if this is just the down home Idaho way of doing their customers right, or a nationwide thing, but it's worth remembering if you ever get scammed.

You do need a scanner and a printer though...

Bird Shit
( 1157 of 2167 )

I wonder if dried bird shit is a protein source for chipmunks. They share the same board and sometimes the shit mixes in with the seed, and the board is eaten clean often.

I accept full responsibility for the small animal obesity problem in my little neighborhood, but everyone is looking happy and plump.

I've run out of peanuts and I can't keep Chipper from running around my living room demanding nuts. I could close the screen door, but then I wouldn't be able to see the feeding board.

And yes, that's my biggest issue going on today!

Heading back to work tomorrow, hopefully. We got rained out 3 of 4 days last week. I've had way too much time on my hands, beginning to feel retired again.

Oh, and the Tennessee elections are today. What? I thought next Tuesday was the day. I have decided to not vote. I could go vote straight R but I don't know these local people, just not right...

I'll save my vote for the presidential in two. I cried with joy when I woke up to drive a bus in Driggs, ID, and learned that Trump had won. Steph can attest to that.

I remember when he announced an interest in the job after a brilliant radio interview with Sean Hannity, many years earlier, and I liked him then. When he ran and won, the world became better.

Only Darted
( 1158 of 2167 )

My monthly rent is $450.

My utilities average around $110.

My internet, TV and phone run about $125.

About half my social security goes to these basics monthly.

I think that's a good balance, leaving the rest for food, gas, insurance, vehicle maintenance, Netflix, Prime, the Mozilla VPN, etc....

But what about living? I've been to Belize three times and Roatan twice, since I moved here four years ago. I'm lucky, so many folks in my position are barely getting by, or not, as the economy crashes.

If not for the choices I made as a young man, to be successful, rich, and loved, I would not be here today!

And that's about as thick as the bird shit on my board. I made terrible decisions, fucked up at every angle, and yet finally turned it around, and survived.

So here I sit, broken hearted, tried to hit, but only darted...

Madeline
( 1159 of 2167 )

I drove the TRPTA bus in Teton Valley, Idaho for 10 years, along with my driving buddy, Karen Huff. The company was based in Idaho Falls, about an hour and a half away, and we ran the show in the valley.

It was an on-demand service, if you needed a ride, call dispatch down in IF and set it up. In the morning as we started our busses, the onboard computer would come on and show us our route for the day. Very slick.

One of our regular runs throughout those years was the Teton Valley Community School. It was a charter school located at the top of the valley that took in kids from all over. We had a fixed morning and evening run between the school and downtown Driggs, the center of the valley.

The grades ranged from kindergarten to 8, and over the years I watched these amazing kids grow up. They were priveleged to be living in a special place, with cool parents, and a few of the parents were my friends.

The runs between Driggs and Victor were the highlight of my day. I love kids, I love their intensity, and lately I've been missing that.

Recently, my manager Liz, brought her niece to work for a couple of days, and Madeline gravitated back to my patch tubing area. I liked her immediately, vivid blue eyes, obviously had her act together, and smart.

She became my little assistant, and we worked great together! Liz said she might drop by today, but I guess I left too early.

Hanging with Maddie reminded me so much of my interaction with the Victor school kids. These young people are amazing and they should learn good values in life, self appreciation, and the tools to excel in the future.

Tube Man
( 1160 of 2167 )

Ok, I need to put air in a tube, where's my nozzle, where's the last place I dropped it, did Rocco come by, top a tube off and hang it somewhere (he likes to do that). If we hired Maddie on as my assistant, all I would have to do is say "air".

I could then focus on finding small gnarly pinholes, large rips, and patching them all, if possible. When they were ready to be tested, all I would have to say is "soap".

If they failed the damned test, I would send her up front, and say "what the fuck".

Her eyes are better than mine and when she finds a pinhole, all I can say is "thanks".

And then buy her a treat...

Permatex
( 1161 of 2167 )

Patching holes on seams is a bitch. Today I ran into one that kicked my ass, on an older pink tube, named Martha. Yes, I name all my babies.

It was on the seam between the body and the headrest, backside, and I swear the seam must be plastic, not vinyl.

I just could not bond a vinyl patch, that I carefully cut out from a dead pink tube, on to that seam, with vinyl cement.

So, the first thing I did when I got home today, was head to Amazon looking for a solution. I found this, arriving next Thursday:

I'm also sending this post to my boss Ricky, if he objects, I'll find some other use for it :-)

Advice
( 1162 of 2167 )

I wish I had a dog. I also wish I had a partner in life who would either support me, or challenge my thinking.

I still mourn my sweet cat Piper's passing. The idea of another pet, is daunting. I want the companionship, but hell, I might die before the dog.

I used to pick Piper up, hug her up to my belly, with my arm under her butt, and we would do a walk around my little house. She got to see things differently, from my perspective, and she loved it.

I offered some advice to a friend of mine today, here it is:

I am so sorry you are going through a rough time. I understand, I've been there at your age, and it was crazy. And you know what? All the shit that came down the road after was equally fucked up. It's called life. My best advice to you is to step back, look around, soak up everything meaningful, and be thankful for what you have at this moment.

Baby Bike
( 1163 of 2167 )

Hi everyone, this is Ariella, OldManJim's grand-daughter in Orting, WA. I have hacked his blog to show you the birthday present he just gave me. It's actually next month, but he insisted we open it yesterday.

It was my first bike! A funky little pink thing with four wheels, a cool seat, and handle bars that fit my arms.

My dad, the amazing auto body guy, put it together, and my talented mom put my name on it! Here you go:

My first thought when they set me down on it was what the heck is this thing and how am I going to handle myself here, to not disappoint my doting loving parents.

Then I kind of got it, a seat to hold me up, handles I can grab on to, and it moves me around if I try. I like it, maybe one day I will have my own Harley!

Thanks grandpa, can't wait to meet you next month!

Black Beauty
( 1164 of 2167 )

As I was setting up my workstation this morning, a beautiful black butterfly with amazing markings started swirling around, trying to get into the container, and I kept shooing her out of there.

Finally she landed on the compressor and when I stuck my finger out, she stepped on board. I brought her up to my face and said hello, eyeball to eyeball, and she was just content to sit there.

After we chatted, I set her down, and she continued to flutter around for a while. I made a few trips to my truck, where the windows are always down, and I think this butterfly hitched a ride.

I know, it sounds crazy, but after I had been home for a bit I walked outside and there was an identical butterfly sitting on my slippers out on the porch. No other butterflies around anywhere, I felt it was the same one.

Suddenly she wants to come in my house and I let her. She lands on the table, I extend my finger, and she accepts it. Then I shot a video and am posting to YouTube now. There was also a second encounter where she was sitting on the welcome part of my porch mat, climbed on my finger, and I shot another video.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Air Chuck
( 1165 of 2167 )

I've been working on a little project to improve tube inflation, and I've finally got it. The rubber tip on our air chuck is too small for the large inflation receiver, so we've had to wrap electrical tape around it, to fatten it up for a better fit. It worked ok, but never got a good seal for fast inflation.

So I gave one of the removable tube receivers to Daniel and he found a rubber tip that matched perfectly, except the inner hole was too big for the insert.

Mike at True Value hooked us up today, with three adaptors, and it's perfect. I'll wait until Daniel gets home to show me the proper way to connect them together with thread tape.

Dana
( 1166 of 2167 )

I've been trying for years to locate my older brother Dana. The phone number I had for his conservator within the California system was bad, but I finally obtained the right number, from the nursing home he was in.

I talked to a guy named Raheem, identified myself as Dana's brother and he said "Oh my god, we've been trying to track you down!"

Turns out my brother was in a California hospital with advanced Parkinsons and Schizophrenia.

He died Jan, 15 of this year. Goodbye brother, I loved you.

I recall when I checked in on my dad down in Texas one year, with my uncle John, and he told me that ET had died six months ago, they tried to get a hold of me...

I asked Raheem if there where any legal obligations, and he said no.

So this is the end of a long chapter. I have wonderful memories of my brother, along with some tortured ones. It's called life.

Maybe we'll all meet up on the other side, that would be nice! I guess we'll never know until we get there...

Yesterday
( 1167 of 2167 )

I apologize to anyone I spoke with yesterday, after finding out my brother was gone, I was a mess.

My blog is a window into my soul at any point in time, so I went looking to see what I was doing around January 15, as my brother lay dying alone in a California hospital.

Turns out, I was in the middle of a major depression. The day before, I wrote this little shut down post, which usually means I had written a bunch of sad stuff, that I quickly trashed.

When I resurfaced five days later, I wrote this.

I was mourning the passing of my brother, and didn't even know it.

Goodbye
( 1168 of 2167 )

I celebrated last Christmas on a cruise boat in the middle of the Caribbean ocean.

In the meanwhile, my brother Dana lay dying in a Sacramento, CA hospital, until he passed away a month later.

I don't know what to say, when usually I do...

Wow, what a cosmic meltdown in the fabric of family. How can we drift so far away from this value?

Now, I'm going to tell you a story.

My brother was abducted by aliens at the age of eleven.

Ok, get your laughter and derision out of the way. Done?

Lately I can't remember what I did the night before, but I remember that night vividly. I was three years younger than Dana and one day we decided to go camping up in the woods.

Two young boys with no restrictions gather up our jungle hammocks (which had a roof and netting), our dog, and hike up into the high mountains of Floristan California.

Floristan was a town on the side of a Sierra Nevada mountain, thirty minutes west of Reno Nevada, consisting of maybe thirty houses. My step dad was a trucker, so I guess he figured that this was a good place to raise a family.

It is what it is. That night we hiked for miles and set up camp at the top of a cool mountain.

We made a fire, strung our hammocks between trees, and settled down for the night.

Around midnight, I was awoken by a very bright light in the sky overhead. I looked up through the netting and saw this circular white hot disc hovering overhead.

I looked over at my brother's hammock and it was empty, and our dog was howling. Suddenly, a mountain lion walked under my hammock. I have since learned these are a diversion. I went back to sleep.

The next morning my brother was back, but never the same.

He lived a tortured life, a good man, with demons not of his own making. He saved my life a couple times, but I never saved his.

Rest in peace my brother, love, Jamie.

IRS Agent
( 1169 of 2167 )

I was looking at my photo storage Flickr stats today and discovered that 103,528 views have occurred.

Flickr was created in 2004 and I've been with them from the beginning. It's a cloud space, to serve up my photos to my blog.

It cost me about $60 a year, my blog and various websites, another $250.

So, because of these immense expenses, I've decided to get a full-time job, as soon as I finish my part-time job, and my Seattle adventure.

I'm going to become an IRS agent! They're hiring 80,000 people, and what a fun job that would be.

You get to carry a gun, and truck loads of 9mm Sig Sauer's are currently on their way to DC.

Then you would get to play bad ass and harass your fellow Americans to make sure every penny the IRS can extract, gets extracted.

Heck, you might even have the ability to destroy a family or two. Damn, what fun! Heading to IRS.gov now...

Rachel
( 1170 of 2167 )

My boss responded to my blog today. I belive she gets it, how cool!

Wow. I'm so sorry to read about the passing of your brother. I can't imagine what it must have been like being unable to track him down and then finding out that he was gone. I can't say that I know exactly what you're going through because I know my experiences with my brother aren't the same as yours (and we didn't get to share as much life together), but my brother also lived a tortured life and succumbed to his demons a few years ago. I don't know if what you need is time to grieve or to stay busy, but whatever it is, feel free to take it (as far as work is concerned). Personally, I think writing is a great way to process things and it only makes sense to express it the same way you feel it, regardless of how raw it is. I think if I had a blog, I would treat it like a private journal (even if public) because it's not my responsibility to decide for others what they choose to read. If they don't like it, they don't have to read it! I myself enjoy/appreciate getting an authentic glimpse into someone else's thoughts and feelings. Next time I see you, I wouldn't mind hearing more about your camping story (unless there is nothing more to tell). I've heard two similar stories...

And I wrote back: You write well. You need a blog. One day I visited my brothers house in Sacramento, CA. He was just coming back from an extra-terrestrial visit and his wife said he was laying unconscious for three days. His first words to me were, "You wouldn't believe the places I've seen!" I have no doubt that this is real!

The Couple
( 1171 of 2167 )

I was done early today, just ran out of meaningful tube projects. I'm bummed, because Maddie was there and we had a great time. She found another pinpoint hole and earned herself another Reese’s.

I could have easily stayed there, working on tubes with marginal survivability, enjoying Madds company, but that would be an abuse of the clock, and I ain't built that way.

So I drove up to Crockett Days in the park, where a bunch of people dressed in pioneer clothes set up camp once every summer, and sell their hand crafted goods.

I ended up buying a sweet porcelain item for my table from a guy my age sayin he's been making them for 50 years.

He gave me his business card, it referenced one of those free web page links, and I tracked down this photo. Obviously as a much younger man, but look at this couple! Two people, dedicated to the same thing, and living a great life. Enjoy my ten bucks!

He's the artist, the craftsman, she's the partner, the organizer. They both have a smile that says don't you wish you were us.

Bring It
( 1172 of 2167 )

I've been trying to figure out who the hell I am.

I'm old, 76.

My weight is OK, 160, prefer 150.

I live alone. I survive on SS.

I work part time patching float tubes.

I battle demons, you know, the ones that want to rip your world apart! So far I'm winning, sort of...

Obviously, I want to live as long as possible, and I thrive on what comes next.

Bring it on!

Text Art
( 1173 of 2167 )

I jumped on board as an early user of another big AI project from OpenAI called DALL-E. It generates original images based on the text you type.

I've generated a bunch so far, here's an example: "The statue of liberty, an american flag, standing in waist high water".

A couple more:

A cool dog in an old sports car. In watercolor.

A bird feeder with a bunch of birds.

Tube Job
( 1174 of 2167 )

Daniel asked me the other day if I was happy at my tube patching job, and it got me to ponderin.

The job itself is hard, and it's outdoors, it's hot and I stand a lot. I mangle those dead tubes around and get glue all over my hands and brake cleaner in my eyes. It's not fun.

But the best part of the job is that I have integrated into a smooth running organization of great people, that I really enjoy working with, and nobody has to patch a tube this summer!

Yesterday my little container was jammed with flat tubes, the customers are being rough on us, and the creek is down.

This would have been hard for the staff to deal with, between doing their own jobs, and patching tubes, so my effort is worthwhile.

It's also great to be around a bunch of happy customers, in their bathing suits, ready to enjoy themselves on a Shoal Creek adventure.

We are now down to three weeks of three days (Fri, Sat, Sun), ending with Labor Day.

I can handle ten more days, and the answer to your question Daniel, is a solid Yes!

Two Dollar
( 1175 of 2167 )

I ran across this two dollar bill in my drawer today, and the memories came flooding back.

I used to love giving gifts to my bus full of kids, and Steph was always up for creating the package, no matter what the occasion. There were some memorable ones!

In the case of this bill, I went to my Bank Of Commerce in Driggs, ID and asked for some two dollar bills. I told my friend behind the counter that I was going to give them to my kids, and she ordered me a bunch of uncirculated two dollar bills. Pristine!

We put them in envelopes and I told the kids to save them. My hope is that some of them got the concept, and saved them as a memory of the old guy who used to drive them around.

And maybe some day they will have some value.

Not so much for my un-enveloped, beat up bill.

Here's some gift related old blog posts, if you're interested:

Two Dollars

Valentine Treats

Gifts Given

Treats
( 1176 of 2167 )

Here's a cute little video from one of the treat pulls that occurred on my Idaho bus.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Game Change
( 1177 of 2167 )

I'm upping my tube patching game.

Currently, we place a patch over the hole and draw a circle around the patch with a pen. Then we put cement on the patch, then put cement in the area inside the circle on the tube, let both sit for a few minutes, then apply the patch to the circle on the tube, and rub it down.

I've been putting bricks on the patch for a bit to get a good seal, then inflate the tube, check for leaks, and put it back into service.

After some extensive research, I believe this is the wrong approach. Often the patch will reduce as the tube inflates, leaving exposed glue and the circle line. They work, just not pretty.

Here's what the experts say:

Partially deflate your float tube, leaving just enough air inside so that the inner walls don’t touch. Applying adhesive to a totally deflated tube risks having the glue drip inside, causing the inner walls to stick together.

Then apply adhesive to the air leak, and then to the patch. Wait five minutes for the adhesive to become tacky, and then apply a second coat to the patch only. Stick the patch directly over the air leak and press down with the palm of your hand to get rid of bubbles underneath the patch.

Do not take your float tube out right after the patch job. Wait at least 24 hours for the adhesive to cure before you try to inflate it again.

This makes sense, after 24 hours the patch has bonded to the tube as if it was part of it, and expands out normally.

This morning I drove out to the tractor store north of town, handed them a patch, and asked for a washer that would match that inner diameter. The best they could do was a tad smaller, but that makes it perfect.

So now, I'll just place the washer over the tear, use a pencil to draw the line, which will now be inside the patch and not visible, and since it's a washer, not a patch, I can center everything perfectly!

As I apply the cement I'll make sure it gets over the line perhaps 1/8 of an inch.

I really do think this approach is going to a game changer. The first thing I'll do when I come in the next morning is inflate the previous days tubes, and get them going. Then I'll just start stacking up newly patched tubes for the next day.

As a reference to this overlap for future patchers, I will draw the outline on this red patch, cut it to size, then center it and glue it on to a blue patch. Right now it's just a paper mockup.

I'm really liking this, it's a new critical tool in our arsenal, that shold lead to more professional patching.

One final thought. The texture of the patch on each side is different. One side matches the texture of the tube, while the other side is smoother. I believe this is intentional and by putting the cement on the smooth side, the upside blends right in.

Photos
( 1178 of 2167 )

What do these two photos have in common?

I just entered them into the Flickr Photo Contest for 2022. I'm not sure why really, I have 13,083 photos on their site and these were the ones I chose to present in the Animals and People categories.

I have also wasted an entire afternoon looking through those photos trying to find a cool shot I took of some Tetonia haybales, with the Grand Tetons in the background. Still lookin...

I certainly don't expect to win anything, it's just fun to participate, and maybe one or two people will pause and reflect on my photos, thats good enough for me.

There's a back story to both those images, of course.

Piper, dealing with snow and saying, Really?

Lyla, I shot thirty closeups of this sweety in her Tennessee home, in the evening of a busy household, with my Sony and Sigma lens. This shot captures a young beautiful girl, with flawless skin, and blue eyes reaching out into the room, for the truth.

Float
( 1179 of 2167 )

I had a very productive day at work today, short lived as it was. First off, the tubes I patched yesterday with the new technique inflated solidly, passed the leak test and looked great. Then I rolled them into the hands of the boys as they were handling a big Girl Scout group.

Then I cleaned and organized the dingy little container that has served as the dumping and storage area for everything since Crockett Shoals Tubing Company started. The place I call My Office.

Then I went home, kept my CSTC staff shirt on, and walked down my backyard to the creek, and watched them float by from above.

It's fun to watch people deal with float tubes in shallow water and by the time they reach my house, which is a few hundred feet down from their launch spot, it opens up. So I just stand on the edge of the bank and give them encouragement that deeper water is right here. You can now get into that tube that I may have patched, and hopefully have an adventure.

The key thing here is, the multi-colored CSTC Staff tank top. The folks floating down below, recognize who I work for.

Hell, unless they had seen me slaving away over patches earlier, they might have thought I was the boss, checking up on everything. Sorry Ricky :-)

No pictures or video, I can't be invasive that way, but you would have enjoyed the interactions today!

Valuable
( 1180 of 2167 )

The other day, I was coming by the funky thrift store, that used to be a church, right down the road from me. I saw a guy with a backpack, carrying a bag, walking near me and I yelled over and asked him if he needed a ride.

He stopped, looked at me, and said yes. Turned out, he was just heading to the town square to meet up with other homeless people, to decide how they were going to spend their night.

I said hey, come to my place, take a shower, eat some food, and we'll talk.

All of that occurred. Then, sitting across me in Daniels chair, was a freshly scrubbed man in clean clothes that he had in his backpack.

I made him a cocktail, or two, got him stoned. He just beamed and we chatted through the evening. I let him sleep in my truck, with the memory foam mattress. He did, gone in the morning...

The simple act of giving someone the space to feel like a human being again, is so valuable.

Phone
( 1181 of 2167 )

I've been thinking about the ramifications of losing your phone, like I almost did leaving it on my roof as I drove to work.

Ok, assume you can't find it anywhere, it's gone. One of these things will occur.

1. It's lost in the grass of the earth, never to be seen again for 1,000 years.

2. It's been found by a human, and one of two things will normally occur.

  2a. The person goes out of their way to figure out how to get it to you. I leave my phone unlocked because of this. I figure I got a fifty-fifty chance of it being found by a good human, as opposed to a bad one.

  2b. It's been found by a bad person, who will either hack it themselves, have somebody else do it, or just sell it.

or... The worst situation would be, after you've shut down your financial accounts, the bad one, pretending to be a good one, brings you your phone.

You are so grateful, and bouncing around, offering hugs and rewards! Alright, I can bring my accounts back online again.

Meanwhile, bad person has your phone totally hacked, probably has a duplicate that see's everything you do.

bottom line: DNLYP. Do Not Lose Your Phone!

The best return outcome for me would be a hot suburban soccer mom with a bunch of kids in the back of her mini van, with big boobs so I can enjoy the hugs.

To Blog
( 1182 of 2167 )

I have a creative energy inside me, that wrote computer code for decades, web sites for a couple more, and now I don't code.

So, that energy has transitioned to writing. Words, sentence structure, delivery.

My brain is constantly writing a blog post in the background. At least once a day the words start to come together in my mind, swirling around, and finally written down when I reach my laptop.

Sometimes I can't wait, hunkered down in the park, I bring up an app I created called BText. It lets me write my thoughts down, save it locally to my phone, and email it to myself later. My life is a blog post ready to happen.

Blogging captures your day, your year, your life. Want to know where your head was at in the summer of 2021? All I have to do is revisit my blog around that time and discover I was on an island off Belize, with pictures!

I have eight years of posts from Teton Valley, ID, where I posted nearly every day. It was an amazing blog, and I allowed comments.

The ability to drop down into a precise period of my life and relive it, makes me really grateful I took the effort to record it...

Why I Blog
( 1183 of 2167 )

I have a creative energy inside me, that wrote computer code for decades, web sites for a couple more, and now I don't code.

So, that energy has transitioned to writing. Words, sentence structure, delivery.

My brain is constantly writing a blog post in the background. At least once a day the words start to come together in my mind, swirling around, and finally written down when I reach my laptop.

Sometimes I can't wait, hunkered down in the park, I bring up an app I created that lets me write my thoughts down, save it locally to my phone, and email it to myself later. My life is a blog post ready to happen.

Blogging captures your day, your year, your life. Want to know where your head was at last summer? All I have to do is revisit my blog around that time and discover I was on an island off Belize, with pictures!

I have eight years of posts from Teton Valley, ID, where I posted nearly every day. It was an amazing blog, and I allowed comments.

The ability to drop down into a precise period of my life and relive it, makes me really grateful I took the effort to record it.

Mana
( 1184 of 2167 )

My Trinity natural gas well down in Oklahoma is doing well. Prices are up and she's still pumping strong. Of course I don't own it, or I wouldn't be sitting here writing about it. But I do have shares.

This all started when my dads grandfather, Joseph Simpson, leased out land that he owned, to be pumped for oil and natural gas.

I really have no idea how it all works, but I am a descendant and a percentage holder. As a result I have received royalties from Trinity for well over a decade.

We're not talking big money here, there was a few thousand built up when we first hooked up, but the checks were finally down to a hundred or two, every three months. Then they stopped after I got here. I did get one, so I know they had my new address, I just ended up in a questionable address queue.

We worked it out and the other day I got a nice little check for $130. I took it to my bank, convinced the lady that the Riza name on the check was really me, and stuck the cash in my pocket, fun money.

I was sitting around the house this morning with my lazy neighbor Daniel who decided not to go to work today, when the cute mail lady drove by. We both have a crush on her.

She stopped and left me some mail, and it turned out to be another Trinity check for $329.19. Now I ain't a wealthy man, I'm on SS, with a bit of a stash. This is like mana from heaven, I don't think I made this much in the last three weeks patching tubes, between days rained out and short hours.

I really believe that your entire family before you is watching down on you, and giving you every bit of support they can, along the way. These checks are a gift from my fathers side, and I am grateful.

Here Now
( 1185 of 2167 )

I'm really independent for a seventy six year old man, and I don't ask nobody for nothing.

Considering all of the possible outcomes from my tormented deranged life, I'm more than fucking happy to be here!

I am who I am, I've landed where I've landed, and it's all good.

This is an important self realization, which accepts fully the outcome of the decisions that landed me here.

People, we are all now, what we were...

Garmin
( 1186 of 2167 )

I've had my Garmin Nuvi 2797LMT GPS in my truck for years, and I love it. We've had great adventures together and she has never let me down.

I want to take her to Seattle next month, and use her in the vehicle Riley is setting us up with, because I don't use my phone for navigation, and there's nothing like a good GPS.

But the power cord is now integrated into my wiring from the three way adaptor, and I don't want to tear it apart. I need a second power cord.

So I called Garmin today and was met with superb customer service. Told Bill about my situation and he found me in their system.

Then, he gave me a power cord. It's a $25 item, but he said it was on Garmin, and they would handle the shipping. Wow!

Good things continue to come my way. Thanks Garmin.

Indian
( 1187 of 2167 )

I shared some time in the park today, with an old encounter. We had met, back a couple years ago, talking bikes. And today he shows up on a 2022 Indian. Very sweet bike, speedometer tops at 200.

The truth is, I will never get on a motorcycle again, period. I had a wipeout in front of the Tacoma Dome when I hit a patch of spilled diesel fuel. Done...

Neighbors
( 1188 of 2167 )

My four neighbors on this dead end street are single men, living in their own houses or in a duplex such as mine.

I'm thinking about inviting them all to a party at my house next Saturday evening to watch the new Top Gun movie on my big screen with killer sound. It's just been released to Prime, and I can stream it for twenty bucks.

They have all been to my little man-cave on multiple occasions, except Tony, so everyone just bring a chair and supplies.

I think I'm starting to get this southern thing down, and if you would like an invite to this event, hit me up!

So Far
( 1189 of 2167 )

It's been a good day, so far. Went to O'Reilly and bought some Purple Power and an extendable brush that hooks to the hose, with a switch that determines how much water comes out of the brush.

Than I washed my truck. I have neglected this important old truck owner duty, for years, and today she got all scrubbed up.

My free Garmin power cord arrived, within 48 hours I might add. It works great and my GPS is now going into the electronics travel bag, that I just bought on Amazon for $15.

My sandals have been funky since I used them to move rocks in the creek with Ricky, so I ordered some new ones from Amazon.

Then I went up to the Square to get myself cleaned up. I've noticed the Beauty College there and a bunch of nice looking young people in black uniforms, are always hanging around outside.

I walked in and the energy was great. A pretty young lady named Abby gave me a great haircut. The cut was seven bucks and I tipped her ten.

Then I went to Legends and ate catfish, with sides. All before eleven.

Line Up
( 1190 of 2167 )

I have this great idea to line up as many co-workers and bosses as I can in front of our office and tubes. Everyone is in work mode, tee shirts blazing, and then I would shoot a video.

I would notify them all in advance that I would be walking up to each of them, move my little DJI Pocket 2 into their space, and have them tell me their first name, what job they did, and their story, in 30 seconds or less.

Then I would upload that video to YouTube, and post it to TikTok and Facebook, with Crockett Shoals Tubing Company, in Lawrenceburg, TN, splashed all over it.

We already have people coming in from around the country, in fact the pushpin map in our office has a pin right over Teton Valley Idaho, my former world.

What if the video went viral, and tens of thousands of people from around the world descended onto our little town, just to float down Shoal Creek.

We would be screwed, for a while. Then, trade along the creek would boom, property prices would go crazy, and CSTC would enlarge to a thousand tube per hour facility.

That's assuming the creek will stay high enough to float on it...

IBM
( 1191 of 2167 )

Back in mid 1971 I was living in Oakland, CA and finishing up my third year of a two year college.

I was Merritt College's audio/visual guy for the first two years. Then IBM delivered the ground-breaking IBM Sys-3, Model 10 to the school. I was the computer geek there, I took over the lab, and stayed for one more year.

I learned a lot. My knowledge of the hardware, and the ability to program it to do what the user wants it to do, was the best in the Bay Area when I hit the street.

One of my first gigs was setting up a Sys-3/10 for the mafia, (Golden Grain, San Leandro) who were selling pasta worldwide and investing. That's where I met my lifelong friend, Skoge.

Then I met Ralph Key, who became my agent. He leased me out to the biggest bidders, from Monterey, to Sausalito, for a percentage of the take.

Then I moved on from Ralph and just pursued the best projects the Bay Area had to offer, and their were many.

IBM was promoting their Sys-3 systems to the area big time, I'm talking flat out hard. I had developed a name and a reputation, and I was on IBM's speed-dial list.

So I did that for a decade. Then they invented the PC, and I have been their bitch ever since...

I just want you to know, that I am way more than what's currently been hanging out on the end of Lee St.

John
( 1192 of 2167 )

I'm Netflicking a documentary about John McAfee, the antivirus guru who left his company with 110 million, and moved to Belize. As one who has been to Belize three times, and the offshore islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker, I understand why. It's amazing down there.

I could have been John. Well before antivirus software became a thing with PC's, I was approached by my Israeli backers to create one. They were already pushing my PC software around the country, and conceived it as a viable product. I turned them down for some reason.

I despise antivirus software in general, never met John or Peter Norton, but I was at Pete's office down in Los Angeles with my partners, and he was out of the office.

Remind me to tell you about hanging out with the folks from Digital Research down in Monterey. This was the company that IBM first approached for an operating system for their new PC. The owner, Gary Kildall, was out of town when they arrived, so they headed north to talk to Bill and Paul. Oh how different computer history could have been!

But I digress. I need to sweep my floor for movie night at 1800, because the housekeeper is out of town...

Movie Night
( 1193 of 2167 )

It's movie night at OldManJim's place tonight. Never done this before, should be fun. The neighbor I share this duplex with, Drew, is on. My crazy ass neighbor Daniel, is on. I'm sort of sure, when my neighbor Jeff across the street gets home, that he's going to be on.

Tony down the road, who Daniel describes as eccentric, is on the fence, but I got a chair if he arrives.

Top Gun Maverick, blasting out from my setup! I invited three women over, all turned me down. I guess hanging out with four or five interesting men was not on their agenda for a Saturday night, oh well...

I've swept the floor, scrubbed the john, and I ain't mopping the fucking kitchen floor, sorry Daniel.

Cheers to that radical Tom Cruise, make my evening!

Substack
( 1194 of 2167 )

I got an email today from a guy named Chris Jennings, as part of a service I've signed up with, to send me sample email newsletters matching my interests.

I liked his writing, talking about VR headsets and Meta. Went to his site showing his previous posts, and I discovered substack.com. I've checked them out and here's what I found:

His email is named Iterate and the web address is https://iterate.substack.com/

Substack is a service that hosts people that love to write and create content, then share it with the world as a newsletter.

You can also make money in the form of paid subscriptions. If folks want to read your stuff they can pay three or four bucks a month to do it. Substack handles all the details and drops the money into your PayPal.

I have a blog where I dump my soul out to the world, just because I thrive to create, and I don't make a dime on it. Actually, I pay to have it hosted.

Maybe I could start a substack and then feed it content I've created over many years of blogging. Get some subscribers and...

My Heart
( 1195 of 2167 )

As I look back on my seventy six years, one thing stands out strong, I was an amazing computer programmer.

Hell, I wrote assembly code for the airlines black box (actually red) for Sundstrand!

I developed scanner drivers for PC PaintBrush at 5k a pop.

I set up an entire accounting system for the makers of Uncle Sherman, a flasher doll made famous by Johnny Carson.

I developed two systems (Sys 3/10 and 15) for Interocean Steamship, allowing them to become the premier west coast shipping company. Folks, I was billing my time out at $65 an hour, sometimes more, in the late seventies.

I then created PC software that was marketed around the world. I attended ComDex down in Vegas for several years as a coding rock star.

I developed the graphics for a 16 bit PC killer company called MindSet. And on and on...

Now, it's all over. I've been developing web sites for a while (since the internet evolved), but no more.

I haven't written a line of code in months. I had the html, javascript, jquery, css, php thing down! And then it suddenly died in my heart.

I miss it...

Hospital
( 1196 of 2167 )

I was talking to a man named Pat today, and he said his younger brother (around 50) was having issues and kept passing out. He ended up in the hospital and when Pat went to see him, they told him his brother tested positive for Covid, and they just assumed everyone in the family must all be positive, and they kicked him out to the street!

Shocked, the guy then had to contact all the family members who were going to visit this guy in the near future, and tell them that they wouldn't be allowed in.

Here's the kicker. The next day they called Pat, and said they made a mistake. Two tests were taken that day, and the results got swapped in the lab. So, then he had to contact the family, once again, to say they could go visit.

I forgot to ask him what hospital, but he's a local guy, and we only got one.

Hah! I just realized that naming this post Hospital smacks of clickbait! Sorry :-)

A Song
( 1197 of 2167 )

 

Drunk and stoned, again

Livin life at the shore

Waiting for the moment when

I can't walk anymore.

 

Love is elusive, I can't touch it

My heart is empty and lost

Waiting for the moment when

Someone finds my quiet spot.

 

That Time
( 1198 of 2167 )

Ok, it's that time again, to clean up my act and get in shape for a Northwest adventure. Working out at home, laps around the walking path, and hitting the gym.

We've got one more tubing weekend coming up, then one more week to work on my self.

Expiration
( 1199 of 2167 )

I paid my rent today, and walked back to my landlord Steve's office and chatted for a bit. He's doing very well!

A Nashville group has made him an offer to buy all of his well over 150 rental units around here (I think he said 174). He's also behind the new storage units being built north of town, and of course his used car lot.

I drove for him a couple years ago, bringing cars from up North down to his lot, and he told his contractor Ricky about me and that's how I started driving the tube bus.

Anyway, I asked if my rent would go up substantially under the new group, and he didn't think so, maybe $50.

I told him hey, I'm a grown ass man and if they did drive me out of my range, I would just move on to the next adventure somewhere. Besides, the new U.S. life expectancy number is now at 76, and I'm one month past my expiration date.

On the way out, Steve's office lady said the potential buyers are doing an in home visit tomorrow between 9 and 12 to photograph my place. Really, glad I paid my rent a day early, now I better go mop that kitchen floor.

Declination
( 1200 of 2167 )

Cognitive decline is a bitch.

Do you ever have those occasional moments when you do something spacy, like putting your phone in the refrigerator, or forgetting where you are for a second, or what you're doing at the moment?

Happens to me all the time lately. I suppose, as a man who's expiration has expired, and one who has enjoyed, used, and abused his brain for decades, I should be grateful that anything is left up there at all.

And to my lovely grand-daughter Shelby, who suggested that maybe it was time to put web development back on the table, my answer is sadly still the same. No.

After fifty years of writing code, I officially retire, due to cognitive declination.

I still have a bunch of my web apps out there, that I use frequently. I never tried to profit from any of them, just a gift to the world, like this, and this.

No Facade
( 1201 of 2167 )

The potential new owners are coming by to assess my little space, as a function of buying everything out from Steve.

He was telling me that they are not going to do inspections, or any of the normal things you would do before buying a property, they just want to know what their getting, for cash.

Unoccupied property has had Goggle 360 degree cameras installed, which lets the buyers examine each place in detail. Steve swung his monitor around and showed me one, impressive stuff.

So, I'm going to have strangers walking around my place, takin pictures. I'm proud of my little living space, it's perfect for an old retired guy like me. I cleaned most everything up the other day for movie night, now all I got to do is mop the kitchen floor.

I ain't going to put on a facade, my place is what it is, and if they don't raise my rent, I'll be here until I expire, like Piper. Otherwise they can overhaul it, raise the rent, and I will move on.

I'm sure we'll take a walk behind the house and I will show them my well maintained planter, and the cool ivy growing up the back of the house, that's starting to cover my shower window.

This is a wonderful piece of property, that survived the nineties flood. Steve pays $120 a month in flood insurance for our duplex and his spot down on the creek. This is deducted from the rent from Drew and I.

He could charge us so much more, but he doesn't. I admire Steve, for whatever has drivin him to do this.

Patch Time
( 1202 of 2167 )

Hey Ricky and Rachel, thanks for hiring me on this summer! I have enjoyed working with your fine crew, and you.

It was an interesting process learning how to maintain a variety of tubes, some three years old with up to eight patches on their ass.

But I got the game down, just began flowing into some solid patches with my new tools, liquids, and techniques, and now the season is ending this weekend.

I had a good time back in that hot little space. I loved the interaction with the staff, and the crowds, but it was hard ass work.

I told you I would take the job, and I'm glad I did. If you commit to a job, you do it till the end, no matter how hard it is.

But I won't do it again. If you want me to drive next season, hit me up :-)

Monkey Lala
( 1203 of 2167 )

The Monkey Lala is unique to Roatan, Honduras. It contains rum, vodka, kahlua, baileys, rich coconut cream, then blended with ice. It will not cause blisters on your skin, or invade your backside.

I've been there twice and never had one, next time. Why do I bring this up? I was just scrolling through some photos, and saw it on a bar board.

The first trip down there was not scheduled. I was on a cruise boat three years ago that got stuck out in the Carribian, due to a hurricane heading towards Miami.

So they changed a seven day trip to an eleven day trip, folks that had to get back to their lives, bailed at Cancun, the rest of us sailed on down to Roatan. Every onboard package was extended at no cost, four extra days, courtesy of Royal Carribian. ...the post

Then, last Christmas, I cruised with Shelby and Andy to a scheduled stop there. They rented a car and we toured the place in style. ...the post

Inclusive
( 1204 of 2167 )

I found an all-inclusive resort down in Costa Rica called Hotel Riu Guanacaste.

Here's their blurb:

Located on the seafront in the beautiful region of Guanacaste, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The resort boasts 701 inviting guest rooms, four dining venues, six free-flowing bars and five conference rooms. A host of daily activities and nightly entertainment compliment the surrounding lush landscape. The resort's prime location allows guests to take in all of the sights and sounds of the tropics. Pristine beaches, bird watching, sport fishing and jungle treks and much more are all within reach at this new all inclusive resort.

What this doesn't mention, is the jacuzzi suite with an ocean-view hot tub on the terrace.

Here's the room:

Here's the terrace:

The base room rate is $192 a night, and I havn't dug deep enough to determine how much this would cost for a week, a couple grand I suppose. Heck I made that much patching tubes this summer! Or maybe not...

Patch Ring
( 1205 of 2167 )

According to Joe I'm a MAGA Republican, part of an extremist group trying to destroy America. Wow.

So I've come up with an acronym for Biden and his party: MAFA. I'll let you figure out what the F stands for.

My new patch ring is working out great. Before you had to put the patch over the hole, hope you have it centered, then draw an unsightly circle so you know where to put the glue, and the patch.

With this technique you can center the hole directly in the middle, then draw a circle that will appear under the patch, then apply the glue with an additional 1/8" border radius.

Here are two older patches, alongside my patch. I got just a touch of glue on the right side, but hey, I have Parkinsons.

Teton Float
( 1206 of 2167 )

I just received a newsletter from the mayor of the little town I recently lived in for twelve years. Driggs, Idaho, in the middle of Teton Valley, at the base of the Grand Teton mountains.

The first image I saw on the page was people floating down the Teton River, which flows through the valley. This is one of the top fly fishing places in the country, and it looks like a pretty cool place to float these days.

Then, I tracked down the folks running the float, and it turned out (logically) to be Peaked Sports, our great outdoor shop downtown.

Here's Peaked, and here's the shuttle service.

Ha! If I was still there I might have been driving for them :-)

Teton Shuttle
( 1207 of 2167 )

The shuttle service for the Teton River is a fascinating model.

People with their own floating equipment, call them, say where along the river they will be putting in, and what time. They are then told to figure out a place on their vehicle to stash the keys, along with the $30 to $35 for the service.

Two shuttle guys show up. One gets off, grabs the keys and cash, then the vehicle and whatever it's hauling is driven to the customers pull in spot.

Keys are returned to the hiding spot, cash pocketed. I assume the other shuttle person just followed behind, and they are ready to move on to the next job.

Wow, if they had 274 people running (in groups of course) like we did one Saturday, they would need multiple vehicles and multiple drivers, it would be crazy.

But fun! I know all of those dirt back roads that run along and across that river. I made a living driving a bus there for a long time.

Uncle Morris
( 1208 of 2167 )

I turned twenty one during the Summer of Love, 1967, and I was hanging out on the corner of Haight and Ashbury, eating fish and chips from a newspaper and trying out every drug they had going on.

I crashed and burned from that scene, and I was a mess. My grandmother intervened and got me over to Reno, NV, to stay a while with my uncle Morris, her nephew the Catholic priest.

He was cool, young people would come to his door and he would lay his hand on their head and say "God Bless You Children", facetiously.

He was also straight, which was unusual at the time. Towards the end of my one week visit, I talked him into wearing some street clothes and go into downtown Reno with me, and we went to a strip club.

My poor uncle was one flustered dude, hell, I don't know how it works becoming a priest, maybe he had never been with a woman. Religion is so weird, especilly the Catholic one.

Joomla
( 1209 of 2167 )

When I first got to Lawrenceburg and had my internet set up, I knew it was time to start a new blog. My old one, BusDriverJim, used the WordPress CMS (Content Management System), and it was great, but I wanted to try something new.

So I chose Joomla, and I love it, a perfect choice. During construction, I had to make a critical decision, wether or not to allow comments. I chose not to.

My initial blog did, and it turned into a social media event. It was fun, but I realized I wanted my own platform to speak my truth clearly, with no feedback to blur it.

Drop into the Stuff menu item and see what I've built with this CMS.

Blog Post
( 1210 of 2167 )

I create, therefore I thrive. I need it, to stay alive.

My coding days are gone, but the creativity is still bursting out of me, in the form of writing. I love to write!

A blog post is the process of starting a thought, expanding on it, and then completing it to satisfaction. Kinda like sex.

Our Hang
( 1211 of 2167 )

Brian, here's our hangout space in Rileys back yard. No expensive hotels, and he's providing a car. We are free to enjoy my family and friends, maybe make an epic drive down the Oregon Coast, then make it back for Ariella's birthday.

Or if you want to stay local, I'll show you Seattle :-)

We really havn't planned this other than to meet at Seatac around 1800 for Riley to pick us up.

Can't wait to see you, my nephew, my friend!

Here we were four years ago at Lava Hot Springs: Water Buddy

Job Done
( 1212 of 2167 )

Happy Labor Day, to all of the hard working people doing actual labor. I guess that included me this summer.

I worked hard out in the sweltering heat, the noise from the office conditioner along with the compressor was loud, it may take months to get the glue out from under my nails, and today it was over.

I never missed a shift, always there early, I even showed up a few days that we called off. Granted, I only worked three to four hours a day, until the immediate patching was done.

I could have pulled a full day shift if I wanted to, there were some tubes there that needed hours of surgery to bring them back to life. I consider that just running out the clock, cheaper for the company to just replace it.

So here's the status of my office on this last day. First off, it's cleaned up and organized. Towards the back there are three stacks of tubes:

 • On the left, the surgical repairs, tubes damaged badly or proven to not be quickly patched.

 • In the middle, the tubes whose new patches are curing for 24 hours. There are currently three. This new technique has worked great, btw.

 • On the right, behind the box of new green tubes, are the tubes that were killed in action and have become patch material, to cut out and make your own, depending on the color of the tube. I believe all colors are represented.

On the left shelf are the tools and cleaning supplies. I have contributed many of the items there, to the company, just to make my job easier. Ricky, consider this a gift to the next person who does this job! If they need training next season, hit me up.

So, job done...

Farmer Katy
( 1213 of 2167 )

I eat a lot of eggs, and I love getting hold of the good ones. Kroger offers Pasture Raised eggs for six or seven bucks, but you really don't know what your getting. Sometimes you need to go to the source.

I've been following a lovely lady with the handle farmerkaty from Lawrenceburg, TN, on TikTok. She talks about her farm and her animals, but particularly about her chickens.

I decided to drive out to her place this morning so we hooked up via email and text and I was off on an adventure for some farm raised, free range eggs.

It was a twenty mile drive out into the country, on beautiful little roads I'd never seen before. Katy was charming, I met her family, then met her chickens. She even pulled three eggs out from under a laying hen, placed them in my hands, and they were warm.

They just recently started adding minerals from volcanic ash out of Utah, to the feed, so the eggs should be healthy and delicious.

I got four dozen eggs, two unwashed, for $4 each. The unwashed have a layer on them called the bloom and they can go un-refrigerated for three weeks. Both types can last for three months if refrigerated.

I can't wait to taste them. Here's the unwashed eggs:

And the washed:

And I met my first TikTok influencer today, very cool. Here's her Facebook.

And this is Farmer Katy Eagle. She lives on that beautiful farm with her husband, and her mother and father. Real, down home folks.

Flying Ball
( 1214 of 2167 )

I bought this cool little flying ball off Amazon, and it showed up today in a small box, transported by a large UPS truck.

I charged it up, turned it on, and the lights began to flash. Nothing happened, the rotators inside weren't turning.

So, I read the directions and learned you had to give it a shake to wake it up, oh cool.

It's supposed to hover in your hand, or return to your hand if you throw it up at an angle. I thought it would be a great ice-breaker to my new grand-daughter.

So, I'm in my chair, shake it, and throw it up at an angle. That SOB started flying around all over my house, lights flashing, bouncing off walls, buzzing my head, until it finally dropped to the floor and stopped.

Whoa, it was crazy. So I picked it up and took it outside. Once again, powered it on, shook, and threw it at a 45° angle.

It flew straight up about 15 feet, and headed West, over my carport, over Daniels house, and it probably landed in the downtown square. OMFG...

Click the image to check it out on Amazon.

Update: I found it down the road, hiding behind a bunch of leaves...

A Treasure
( 1215 of 2167 )

My boss just sent me a text. She's been catching up with my blog and made this fine comment. This is why I do it.

My Plan
( 1216 of 2167 )

My new electronics travel bag arrives Saturday. I have this cool cable and dodads organizer to put in it, along with my laptop and tablet. I can carry it over my shoulder and present it as a package to TSA as I fly to Seattle to meet my newest grandchild.

On Sunday, I'll load it up, along with packing up my rolling bag. Ha! I'm putting my bulky Garmin GPS and a crazy light ball into the bag, I guess I'll have to notify them...

At 1600 I'm going to drive up into the park and hang out with my fellow CSTC crew for an end of the season gathering.

Then, drive to one of those layover gas stations near the Nashville Airport, and spend the night on the memory foam bed, inside my canopy.

In the morning, grab some coffee and an egg biscuit. Then I have an easy shot over to the Fly Away parking spot for an 0800 check in, that I have reserved and paid for.

My flight is around 1100, plenty of time to get on a plane.

Digressing
( 1217 of 2167 )

My phone battery is heading south, and she ain't bouncing back up. I've been searching all over Lawrenceburg, TN for a phone repair shop this afternoon and we don't have one.

Heading to Seattle with a dead phone is not an attractive option. Ok, just found a place down in Florence, AL called Fix N' Go. He has one Samsung Galaxy S20+ battery in stock, and he can do the job for $90.

The guy was really knowledgeable, had me go to settings and get the exact model type, and he had it in stock, as opposed to his other two competitors in town, who I tried first.

Cool, I've been trying to figure out what I was going to do tomorrow. I told him I would be there at 0900 sharp.

But, what if it's not the battery? The other day I had a moisture alert for the charging port. What if I damaged it by not letting it dry out completely, before using it?

Man, maintaining your stuff is getting really complicated in 2022. In my early life, things were simple. As I approached middle age I was absolutely convinced that I would never make it to the year 2000, much less hold an amazing computer in my hand twenty two years in.

Around 1980, I coordinated the purchase and delivery of an IBM storage system (hard drive) for Interocean Steamship Corp in SF. We hooked it up to their Sys3, Model 38, which was a large computer. It would take up to 1/3 the space of my living room.

The big drive arrived and everyone was excited. It was on rollers, stood four foot square, and sided right up to that IBM mini-computer.

Ya wanta know how much space was on that drive?

One megabyte. One measly million bytes. But for this growing company, it was like data from heaven.

One byte consists of eight bits of binary data (0 = Off, 1 = On), representing a value from 0 to 255. Mapped against a character set, one byte represents one unit, whch could be a letter, a number, or a special code.

For example: 01101111 is the binary version of lowercase o. Think of a byte as one character.

One megabyte=1,000,000 bytes. One gigabyte=1,000 megabytes. One terabyte=1,000 gigabytes.

Today, we deal in terabytes, which is one million of those $65,000 one megabyte IBM drives.

If our society survives another ten years, can you imagine what lies ahead?

...but I digress

Phone Update
( 1218 of 2167 )

Yesterday I thought either my phone battery, or the charging unit, had gone bad. The cable was the culprit.

It was a good quality thick standard USB to C cable. When I got the phone message about moisture on it, is when it went bad, on it's own, no moisture.

I plugged the phone into my laptop using a C to C cable, and she charged up fully in an hour. I'm calling my new friend at Fix N' Go in Florence at 0900 and bailing on that trip.

At least I've found someone to work on my phone, when things really do go bad.

Got It
( 1219 of 2167 )

So, I bought my round trip to Seattle a couple of months ago thru Priceline.com, They sent me the itinerary and I decided I would wait until almost travel day to figure out how to turn a confirmation number into a way to make it on the plane.

That day was today, and I had no idea what I was doing. So I started texting with my brilliant, well traveled, very tech savvy grand-daughter Shelby.

The flight leaves Nashville just before noon on American Airlines, lays over in Dallas, and Alaska Airlines finishes the trip to Seattle. The return flight is on Alaska and is a straight shot.

Shelby's first advice was to download the American app, sign up, then add a trip with the confirmation number off my Priceline printout. I did that, but it wasn't showing the Dallas leg. She told me I had to swipe left to see it, really?

Now I'm a little bit of a savvy tech guy, but I didn't see that option. Ok, American has my info now and twenty four hours before the flight they will send me a boarding pass that I can use from my phone. Cool.

Then I downloaded the Alaska app, signed up, and all they showed me was the return flight. What about the inbound leg, I didn't see it? Once again, Shelby explained that the flight was covered by the American app, and was just a slide to the left away.

Ok, I finally get it, but man, what a process. What if you didn't know what you were doing, didn't have a phone, or didn't have a Shelby. You would be walking around the airport waving a bunch of printed pages around and yelling "Help Me"!

My End
( 1220 of 2167 )

I've been trying to figure out what I'm going to do this fall and winter. I really don't like this season. Cold weather, I like it hot. Halloween, nobody comes to my door. Thanksgiving, I have no family here and I always spend it alone, and hungry. Christmas, is the worst. I had to be on a cruise boat last year to endure it.

I've been thinking about getting a dog, but I don't know if my heart is into it, or if I could endure another ultimate loss.

My neighbor Daniel thinks I should get a job as a Walmart greeter. With all due respect, fuck you sir.

I have no programming projects, no hobbies, and no ambition to do either.

Is this my end?

Ball In Hands
( 1221 of 2167 )

Daniel contained the ball, I shot the footage.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Tubing Crew
( 1222 of 2167 )

My Seattle trip has performed perfectly within the plan, so far. Hung out with the Tubing crew yesterday afternoon, ate some food and had a nice time.

Then I drove to a Love's travel center north of Nashville and parked between two large white vans, which were still there when I got up at 0500. The parking lot for my truck was just down the road and caught the shuttle to the airport with no issues.

Breezed through security, shoes on, and didn't have to take my electronics out. Very smooth. Then I found a table with a power outlet and everything is all charged up, and I've goten two blog posts up, and two videos.

I shot some footage of the tubing crew yesterday, where I shoved my camera in everyone's face and told them to say their name and who they were.

I got everyone but Rocco, Madie, and Rachel, I must have hit the photo button by accident, so I just have a picture, and missed Rachel completely.

I'll still create a video, but it won't be all that I wanted...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Orting Walkaround
( 1223 of 2167 )

Spent the night in Riley and Jess's trailer, with Brian, still hanging out here.

Here's a walkaround video of their back yard:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Astoria
( 1224 of 2167 )

Brian and I are on an Oregon coast road trip. We just landed in Astoria, OR, I bought three pre-rolls from the local dispensory, we're checked into the Columbia Inn, and we're ready to go explore. Just thought I would post an update, much more to come. Road trip, baby!

Tomorrow we continue down the coast, and land where we land. The next day we will head inland a bit and make it back to Riley's by Friday night, just in time for the birthday party.

Salem
( 1225 of 2167 )

Brian and I are in Salem, OR staying at the Shiloh Inn. Great room, with a hot tub and a sauna downstairs. I've been there twice now, Brian once.

We had an amazing fish and chips meal at McGrath's Fish House, I subbed for mashed potatoes.

The meal was preceded with two terrific crab cakes... but I digress.

We left Astoria this morning and mosied down Hwy 101 to Seaside, where we had breakfast.

Then we hit Cannon Beach, walked out to Haystack Rock, and I put my feet in the Pacific Ocean. Bucket item checked.

Tomorrow we head North along I-5 and see what lies ahead.

Holy Toledo
( 1226 of 2167 )

I hit the Shiloh Inn hot tub and steam room early this morning, finally got Brian down there, and we planned our day.

First stop, the restaurant next to the hotel, for breakfast. Brian was trying to be conservative because folks around here serve big meals, so he ordered french toast. I ordered some of their in house hash, potatoes and eggs.

The french toast was this giant round thing, and there were two of them. My meal was quite tasty, thank you.

The remaining french toast, and a dollop of my corned beef hash were than placed into a food box.

And then we drove to downtown Portland. Been hearing all this stuff about Portland being messed up, so we went. I have a history with this town, so I was curious.

Ya know, I got a pretty good vibe from the place. I had the window down letting everything flow.

The downtown was pretty together, the homeless camps were in the outskirts, but an occasional tent can be found.

We spotted one on the right, with a turnout area, and we stopped. There was a toothless guy with a big smile and I reached over and clicked the horn.

As he acknowledged and approached, I grabbed the food box from the back seat and handed it to him, saying it's french toast and hash. He was excited and grateful, calling down into his tent for his partner to join him.

We did Portland, and continued on, smiling.

Our intention was to arrive back at Riley's in the early evening and settle down in the camper. But in the meantime, we had time.

The plan was to travel due north, avoid all the big city stuff along I-5, slide into Washington and take the back roads to Orting.

At a pit stop I chatted with a local and he directed us to the side highway system that rolls north and south, avoiding I-5.

So with Brian driving, and me navigating, we pulled it off! Never touched I-5 again, dodged all traffic issues, rolled through beautiful country that reminded me of Tennessee, and landed us back at the trailer.

Party Girl
( 1227 of 2167 )

Happy first birthday Ariella! You had a ton of friends and family in your backyard today, giving you the love, and your composure and smile was amazing.

I got some great photos and video but I'll wait until I get back home to sort through them. You are something, little one, and I can't wait for the second.

Party Pics
( 1228 of 2167 )

These are my cool shots from yesterdays party. Normally I would collect these into a photoset, but I'm on vacation, so here they are:

Me And Gram
( 1229 of 2167 )

This is my friend, Riley's grandmother, Sharon.

The Gift
( 1230 of 2167 )

I had an uneventful flight into SeaTac last night, hopped on a Fly Away bus at midnight and was inside my truck in about 15 minutes.

But somebody slipped me a gift among the way and I have no idea how, or who. I woke up this morning and found a napkin and a small shot bottle of Fireball in my pocket. Inside the napkin was some sweet smelling bud. WTF?

I sat between two people on the trip, on my left was a beautiful woman, said she was a nurse, and had an amazing smile. To my right was a guy, and we chatted a bit, but I don't remember what he did. I chewed on a bunch of edibles prior to the flight, so I was pretty mellowed out.

It's good to be home. I'll give that redcap to Daniel, he drinks that shit, and now where did I put that lighter?

It was getting chilly south of Seattle, so it's nice to lose the shirt and bask in our ninty degree weather.

First Birthday
( 1231 of 2167 )

Here is a set of 65 photos from Ariella's first birthday party:

Here's some video of the day:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Ashley Meets Brian
( 1232 of 2167 )

My ability to get people has served me well over a lifetime. I tend to be outgoing and I approach strangers with energy, and fearlessness. If I sense danger or drama, I don't approach.

Brian and I made a hell of an impression in Oregon. First off, he's more than one year clean and sober, and he's traveling with his uncle, who likes a good bar, and a little bud. More power to my great nephew!

When I first walked into that Central Oregon bar, I felt good vibes. I made eye contact with a guy in the corner who welcomed us over to his table.

Brian is way more cautious of initial encounters than me. I dragged him over to this table, and you can watch Brian's expression on the video below. Priceless...

Later we met a nice local lady at the bar, who enlightened us on her State. The Oregon adventure was on!

Now I'm home. I don't remember yesterday and I slept untill 1230. I never sleep that late, recovery mode I guess.

None of my photos made it into Jess's FB page. I didn't expect otherwise. :-)

It's 1538 and I'm buzzed, and weird. Need my buddy Daniel to come over after work, and add some solidity.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Weird Trip
( 1233 of 2167 )

What a weird trip that was to the North West. It went south in Denver when American Airlines had to round up a fucking plane and a crew, which took four hours and messed with everything. I will never fly them again.

My trip down the Oregon coast with Brian was great. At one point I got a text from Jess saying no pot at the party, and Riley's and my friends, Dave and Sue, were not welcome. So I had to uninvite them.

Brian was holding up his sobriety great, while I partied. We did clash about it that night in the Oregon motel, and I woke up the next morning looking at those texts, and crying at my computer.

Ok, so clean and sober at the birthday party, and no Dave and Sue. I'm a grown ass man, I can handle that, lets continue this road trip and have fun. We did.

The party was nice, Brian was a bit stand-offish since he didn't know anyone there, and his sobriety has affected his ability to be social. I get that, and respect it.

So that's my summary of the trip. It was great to see Riley, meet Ariella, and travel with my nephew Brian. But I won't be doing that again.

If I'm still around, and they do a timeshare here in Tennessee, I'll see them. If not, I won't.

It is what it is, but I digress...

Dave And Sue
( 1234 of 2167 )

Dave and Sue are my oldest friends in Washington. Dave and I spent a Christmas Eve putting together a motorized car for Riley in his mom's living room when he was about five or six. They loaned me their tent when I was homeless and living in the field that is now a Target store. They dropped by to see Steph and I in Driggs, spent a few days and soaked in our hottub.

They returned the favor on this recent trip and Brian and I soaked in their hottub up in the Auburn hills. Dave retired at the top of his trade as a master machinist. Sue had a career at JC Penny. They're good people, grandparents, and they watched Riley grow up. They were family friends.

Remember It
( 1235 of 2167 )

I was laying under my blanket this morning, watching TikTok on the tablet, when a very strange thing occurred.

My brain went blank. I didn't know where I was, or how I got here. I shut down the tablet and started reassembling my memory.

I rolled over and saw stuff that looked familiar, but I couldn't make any connections. I finally figured out that I was in Lawrenceburg, TN, but how did I get here? I literally could not remember.

I finally put it all together: I came here with Steph from Driggs, ID, thinking I was going to start a new life, with her grandkids and family.

It's interesting to reconstruct something like that in your head, and then say to yourself Man, that sure got messed up.

Anyway, that was damned weird. I sure hope it's not a sign of something going on in my head. Living here is interesting enough, but I still want to remember it.

The LB Fair
( 1236 of 2167 )

I went to the Lawrence County Fair today. Ten dollars to park, seven to get in. The place was mostly food trucks (I had a barbecue sandwich) and rides. It was not busy at 1100 and a lot of the operators looked bored and were messing with their phones.

I was told there was a livestock building so I checked that out. Turns out it was all about rabbits. I saw a few that were really cute. I wonder what would be involved in raising a rabbit as a pet.

And what in the hell, is a Funnel Cake? No thanks.

Click the photo below to see the shots I took, if you like.

New Plan
( 1237 of 2167 )

I have conceived a new plan. I want to find a young homeless pregnant girl, and give her a roof. I don't have the biggest place, but we can make it work.

I will be here for her as she delivers the child, then help her raise it. For a bit.

Meanwhile we're working on all of the social resources available to her, and hopefully find a match.

I think it would be very cool to help someone in this way. I could take her to doctors appointments, the place of delivery, and back home.

I'm not talking about taking on a large debt over this, I'm just providing a roof, meals, and transportation. There has to be social services available for the rest.

How would I find someone in this position? I would love to keep it local to Lawrenceburg, TN. So here you go, young pregnant and homeless, hit me up!

Or maybe I should just get a rabbit...

Feeding Chipper
( 1238 of 2167 )

I have spent the morning feeding peanuts to my little buddy Chipper.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

New Twins
( 1239 of 2167 )

My grand-daughter Taylor just delivered her twins in an emergency c-section. They're premature so they are in ICU, but they will be just fine. She's living up in Minnesota and doing well, but I'm waiting till next summer to go visit.

The Hamilton last name continues to expand. I have 14 grandkids, eight of them I have never met. They are all adults now, and some of them may have kids of their own.

Anyway, welcome to the world girls!

A Gift
( 1240 of 2167 )

I think my nephew Brian, driven by a force out of our control, picked a perfect gift for Ariella. It was a stuffed cat in a sleeping bag. I was right there as she opened it, and the ohhhs and ahhhs to her reaction, were palpable.

Jess just posted some recent shots showing Ariella holding the cat, so I grabbed them. She said the baby loves it, and plays with it every day.

I then texted Jess reminding her of the teddy bear I was given when I was born, and I still have to this day, over decades of living. She gets it.

Last Push
( 1241 of 2167 )

I've been writing a lot of weird shit lately, letting it stay up for a day, then taking it down. It's been self therapy for me, it feels really good to my brain to write words that describe my life.

The mistake I've been making is to send the post out to my small group of friends and associates, forcing them to do one of three things: mutter "God, not another OMJ post!" then deleting it, or reading it and wishing they had not, or getting a kick out of my old weird experienced brain, and smiling.

That's a totally selfish, looking for reaction bullshit place on my part, and I apologize to the folks on my list. This is the last text notification you will receive from me.

A blog should stand on it's own. If someone want's to know what's going on with OldManJim, they can drop on in.

If they get freaked out by my words, they can move on. If they like what they read, then please, read more.

Simple as that.

Most websites these days are monetized in some manner, where clicks matter, and they make money. OldManJim is not monetized in any manner. It's just a place for me to share my photos and express my opinions about life.

I've never made a dime off the many websites I have created, since the dawn of the Internet. I did place second in a nationwide programming contest a while back and won $2,500, a trip to Pheonix, and a great time, but that was diferrent.

This is a pivotal moment in my blogging experiance, I'm going to keep writing my words because of our wonderful First Amendment, but I'm no longer forcing them down anybodys throat.

And to my sacred and valued friends, of which are few, thanks for putting up with my stuff for all these years!

I love you, your friend,

Jim

The Switch
( 1242 of 2167 )

I'm nearing my end, I can feel it in my soul but I've been ready for this for a while now. I wish I could go out in better shape, but my reality is sick, depressed, confused and lonely.

It's like a switch has been thrown in my brain lately, everything looks off, different. Like I've slid into a parallel universe, just a smidgen carnunculated.

I don't like this, I enjoy life, even if it is challenging, but it feels out of my control right now.

So what do I do with my end times? I still have some money left, I could bop down to Tampa and watch Irma come in, or boogie up to N/Y and watch migrants get off busses.

Or I can just stay right here, buy a couple bags of Reeses, and delusion myself into thinking any kids are going to knock on my door at Halloween.

Maybe I could wander around downtown looking for homeless people, and buy them all a meal. We can sit around the same table and shoot the shit, you never know what you might uncover.

No Plan
( 1243 of 2167 )

Some recent blog posts of mine have been hovering around neurotic lately, had to trash them.

I guess that's what happens when you're seventy six, with no life to speak of, and some old addictions are still hanging around.

Apologies, my few friends.

So what's next? No fucking clue. Most folks have a plan, I absolutely have none at the moment, taking each day, one at a time.

I am currently sitting here with my teddy bear in my lap, talking to him, and texting with Farmer Katy about her honey.

A Plan
( 1244 of 2167 )

Some recent blog posts of mine have been hovering around neurotic lately, had to trash them.

I guess that's what happens when you're seventy six, with no life to speak of, and some old addictions are still hanging around.

Apologies, my few friends.

So what's next? No fucking clue. Most folks have a plan, I absolutely have none at the moment, taking each day, one at a time.

A Hobby
( 1245 of 2167 )

My boy Riley thinks I should get a hobby. I have a hobby: writing pathetic lame shit, sending it out to the world, shoving it down my quickly shrinking list of friends throats, then trashing the post.

What I need is a new hobby.

Daniel and I drove over to Pulaski today, ate some homemade bbq at a local place called Hickory House, then we hit the Home Depot and a place called Gimme 5, where everything is five bucks.

Just cruising through life, Daniel is talking on the phone to some women he has never met, in Oklahoma, with big tities. I told Daniel earlier today that I have not held a women's breasts in my hands for over four years. So I think he is trying to hook me up, but Oklahoma is a ways to drive for that.

Hmmm, is this my new hobby?

Carrying On
( 1246 of 2167 )

I'm running out of keep on carrying on energy. Not well, not eating good, drinking too much, tired of being alone, and every move I make lately is hard.

The internal Parkinson's vibrations are getting stronger, it's quite disheartening.

I need to take a shower, drop my rent check off, and go shopping. If I can do those three things today, I will feel accomplished. I'm not even wasting peoples time today by sending this post out. I would just end up trashing it later.

Been looking at the drivel that has spilled onto my keyboard lately, including this, and I don't know what's going on. Sorry. Maybe I should just shut this blog down and stop making a fool of myself.

Update: accomplished my morning goals: rent paid and shopping done. I have determined that the most important person in the world to me is my son Riley, even though he just endures me. I also have two brand new twin great grand kids from Taylor.

I talked to Daniel this morning about the reality of chucking this and moving into a nursing home, and he successfully talked me down from that position.

Went to the local county fair here in town, on a Saturday. What a lame ass fair, just sayin, I've been to the Puallup Fair many times with Riley, and this is like a kindegarten class.

Twins
( 1247 of 2167 )

Grand-daughter Taylor just sent some cute shots of her twins. According to her text (Lucinda Jo is superman/tan and big headed. Lorelei Harper is Batman/pale and small headed). Here you go, very cute:

Twins run in the family. I have some twin grandkids, and my nephew Brian is a twin.

My Steph
( 1248 of 2167 )

I just got off a long phone conversation with Stephanie, my ex. We talked about great things but the most amazing moment came to memory as we were standing on the back deck of the company we both worked for, under an umbrella I was holding in the rain, and she looked up at me.

She was the bubbling front person for ATC Vancom as they walked in, and I was the lead transit supervisor. The look was I really love you, you know?

We were together for twenty years at least, from that moment on. She helped me raise Riley, we ended up in Teton Valley, Idaho for years, and eventually landed here in Tennessee.

We are no longer together. She is up North, loving her grand-babies, but today we had a great talk on the phone.

Everything is OK...

Dead Air
( 1249 of 2167 )

I had to make a really hard choice today about my two blogs, and all of my websites.

I've really been in rollback mode lately, writing a post in the afternoon and then waking up the next day, reading it, and sending it to the trash.

The worst part of that is that I sent the post link to my small band of followers, you know who you are, and now it points to dead air.

Today I got the yearly bill from my hosting outfit, IONOS, and it was using a debit card I had to take down recently. I could have bailed on all of this website stuff by just doing nothing. Within a few days, everything would have died.

I chose to keep things alive. I hooked up with a great company rep on the phone and we installed a new card, with an updated address.

I was telling the guy how I ended up with IONOS when I was back in Idaho more than a decade ago. I started BusDriverJim with an outfit down in Utah Mormon land, called BlueHost. They ran a script that detected every site that dropped an F-bomb, and started giving them shit. You can guess what I said!

So here we are, I'm still blogging and I'm in the process of backing off a lot of my domain names. But I need to break the pathetic habit of sending new blog post links out to my friends.

If you have read this far, thanks. This is the last new post text I will send to you. Unless you specifically ask me to. I've been looking at the hit counts for my posts, and a lot of people follow my stuff, way more then my small little contact list.

I love all of you.

DC Birds
( 1250 of 2167 )

I grabbed some cute shots of birds up in David Crockett park today.

DC Lake
( 1251 of 2167 )

The weather in Tennessee has been great since I got back from the Pacific Northwest, beautiful clear skies, perfect temps. I grabbed a little footage up at David Crockett Park today:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Dog Walker
( 1252 of 2167 )

Our new Animal Shelter opens here in Lawrenceburg, TN in about two or three weeks. I just got off the phone with the two ladies that run it, and have officially offered my services as a volunteer dog walker.

Their location is right along the back road I've been driving all Summer to work, about four minutes away.

I told them about having to put Piper down, that I love animals, but I'm just not ready to commit to another pet. They truly seemed excited about my wanting to volunteer, and now I'll just wait to hear from them.

This could be amazing!

btw, here's my previous two interactions with them:

Rescue Pup

Kitty Karma

Uplifting Post
( 1253 of 2167 )

I put a bunch of the few remaining domain names I own, up for sale today. They all have code on them, i.e. functional websites, but none of them have stuck up against the internet wall, instead sliding down into a puddle on the floor.

I will eventually have just four websites: my two blogs, along with RouteQue and Jimazon. I'm keeping those last two because I use them and like them.

And then I'm done. It's been quite a programming adventure for 53 years. I still have my mainframe back in the office/bedroom, but I never turn it on anymore, just using my laptop here at the table.

My Will is specific: grand-daughter Shelby gets my computers, Riley gets my truck and stash, Jessica gets my phone and watch, Daniel gets my furniture, Crissinda gets my TV's and Brian gets my cameras. There are still a few things left around so if you're interested, drop on by when I'm gone.

I stated in the Will that I wanted to get buried but I may just buy one of those local cremation packages for a grand and call it done. When you're gone from the body it don't matter what happens to it.

Gee, what an uplifting post this is! I'm just facing reality and who knows, I may outlive everyone, but I don't think so...

Yard Sale
( 1254 of 2167 )

I drove along Hwy 20 in Summertown, TN during their annual yard sale today. I didn't stop because I don't need anymore possessions, got too many as it is.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Keys
( 1255 of 2167 )

I was chatting with a stranger at a restaurant today about keys, and I told him I only had four. Then he walked me over to his work vehicle and showed me his key collection. He said he uses all of them.

Hand Fed
( 1256 of 2167 )

I took some of my wild bird seed up to the park today and fed the ducks, right out of my hand.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Here's another video: More Feeding.

Blankets On
( 1257 of 2167 )

This is my bed. The larger blanket belonged to my grandmother and it kept me pretty warm last night as the temps start to drop. Today I put that colorful thing on top just to cut the edge. It was crocheted by my grandmother.

I hope they somehow continue in the family when I'm gone. (these are your great-great grandmothers blankets, grandkids...)

Update: Shelby just claimed them!

Lloyd Hooley
( 1258 of 2167 )

My first boss in the para-transit business was a guy named Lloyd Hooley. I drove up to HopeLink in Bellevue, WA from Kent one afternoon in the early nineties, armed with just my printed driving record.

Meeting Lloyd was a shock as he was a burn victim, but we hit it off and I ended up driving for him, and Hopelink, for years.

We also became friends and he told me the story of how he got burned. He was a California State Highway Patrol trooper down in the Bay Area. He and his partner had pulled a car over on one of the narrow two lane bridges in the southern bay.

They were both sitting in their vehicle, lights flashing, when they were rear-ended by a drunk driver. It burst into flames, Lloyd managed to dive over the bridge, on fire, down into the bay. His partner died.

Lloyd eventually married one of my fellow drivers, can't remember her name but she was a sweety. I went to work for ATC VanCom down in Kent, the largest paratransit outfit on the West Coast, and moved on.

Here's to you buddy, I hope your life went well!

Update: I've been thinking about Lloyd all day since writing this post. I got my commercial license with HopeLink, he was my mentor. I quit smoking by walking three miles to work every morning at 0300. He would drive by and offer me a lift in the morning, I never took him up on it, even in the snow.

I went on to become the first Employee of the Year for ATC Vancom and eventually the lead supervisor. I trained eight new supervisors during that run. I owe everything to Lloyd!

Meantime
( 1259 of 2167 )

Yesterday I stuck a thousand bucks in twenties in my wallet just to make me feel good, then I had a hell of a time getting my debit card out to buy some booze, because it was so tight.

If anyone tries to lighten that load, my sexy little shotgun is a hair trigger away from creating a very large hole.

My ultimate goal is to be euthanized and composted.

Fed my ducks again today: More Feeding.

Killing time, until I die. Spinning my wheels before they lock up. Might as well eat a pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich at the new Hinie's north of town, in the meantime.

It wasn't quite what I was expecting, tasty, but very light on the meat and cheese. Not substansive enough for $12. I left a comment on their FB page about it, and they said it was a new person on the flat top. Issue solved, I'll be back.

Solutions
( 1260 of 2167 )

I have decided that I want to be euthanized and composted. I just read about a woman, suffering from incurable PTSD, who was put down, like we do our old pets. That's a good way to go, give me a couple shots.

There are a few States now where human composting is legal. Your body is converted into a cubic yard of compost over a period of 45 days.

Washington, where my boy Riley lives, is one of those States. They could put me into a planter out back and grow some flowers on top.

Hmmm... Beats dying a painful death and either getting burned up or buried in a box.

Fed my ducks again today: More Feeding.

Life Regrets
( 1261 of 2167 )

I'm really depressed, what an interesting state this is. I have major life regrets, that cannot be undone.

I have landed alone, and I'm still an alcoholic, despite many noble attempts at sobriety.

My health sucks. Not sure what's going on, but I know Parkinsons is right up there, followed by Dementia.

I live in a little house on a dead end street in southern Tennessee. I have no job, no initiative, and my finest moments are feeding the ducks in the Park.

Yesterday I stuck a thousand bucks in twenties in my wallet just to make me feel good, then I had a hell of a time getting my debit card out to buy some booze, because it was so tight.

I am 76 years old. I bet I'm older than most of you reading this post. I should have died many times during my fucked up life, but I have not.

So, to my few remaining friends, thanks for putting up with me! I know I've been an interesting and challenging friend, and I love you all.

Going South
( 1262 of 2167 )

I've had a hell of a life, and while I often suffer from short term memory loss, I remember most everything. Some things I wish I could forget, but it doesn't work that way.

As I sit here in my last days I am grateful for the good stuff, and emotionally crushed by the bad.

I have ended up a good man. I care about other people and try to help them when I can. I don't lie, cheat or steal.

I don't know what to do next. My days consist of NetFlix, trips to the park to feed my birds around noon, and getting wasted in the evening with my neighbor Daniel.

The last two days I have hit local places for breakfast in the early morning. Today I went to Pat's Cafe, first time, and had eggs over easy, hash browns, sausage, and biscuit's smothered in gravy. Ten bucks, gotta love the South...

A Document
( 1263 of 2167 )

I got a document in the mail today from the outfit down in Texas that throws a gas royalty check my way, once in a while.

It was looking for in-depth information about my brother, who died earlier this year. I think they were trying to transfer his royalties to his next of kin, but I know nothing at this point.

I emailed his last wife when I found out he had died, but I never heard back. I assume she is also gone.

How sad that families can become so detached. I can't even name all of my grandkids, much less their kids.

Maybe one day a relative of mine will receive the same letter.

A Road Trip
( 1264 of 2167 )

I need a road trip. I've been talking with my grand-daughter Shelby about making a trip to see Taylor's new babies, but nothing solid yet.

Cold weather is rolling into Tennessee in the next few days, and I want no part of it. I hate the cold, I remember mornings back in Driggs, ID when I went to work driving a bus at 40 below.

One winter Steph was back in Washington for a few months, and Piper and I just hunkered down. One of the darkest points in my life, but I still drove the fucking bus every day.

I am now heading into my fifth winter here. Only had noticeable snow a couple of times, so I should not be bitching, but I am.

So, where should I go? I have a lunch date with my friend Crissinda on the 24th, right before my neurologist visit in Columbia, but that's ten days away.

I guess I'll update my destination as it unfolds, if it happens, here...

Aint Workin
( 1265 of 2167 )

Some would say I need to get a life, but probably not. I do things, I wash my dishes and make my bed every day. I watch TikTok in the morning, NetFlix in the afternoon and feed my buddies in the park at noon.

There are some things I haven't been doing lately, like sweeping the leaves off my living room floor that have blown in during the day. I want my chipmunks to feel comfortable when they come in for peanuts. Also, I haven't been eating out in the company of other people, way over-rated, I think.

I keep telling myself I need to take a road trip, but the road isn't calling me and my internal GPS is broken. I've also tried to stop blogging lately, but that aint workin.

I made it out to the New Prospect Fire Department fish fry yesterday, it's their annual fund raiser and I know I was there last year, and maybe the year before. For $15 you get a plate with a lot of home cooked catfish, hushpuppies, fries, slaw, white beans, a drink and dessert. Delicious.

Next Tuesday the famous Swamp Johns food truck out of Florence, AL is doing a fish fry at a church up on Springer Road. I'll be there. I have determined the best thing about living in the South, maybe the only thing, is the catfish.

Your Day
( 1266 of 2167 )

I shared a catfish dinner in a church last night with two lovely ladies and a pretty eight year old girl, who is into karate.

I fed my duck buddies again, calling them from their hangout at the dock by shaking my bag of wild bird seed, to the amazement of onlookers.

I thought I had left one of my debit cards at the liquor store, but they didn't have it, so I assumed someone palmed it off the counter. Called my bank in Idaho, shut it down and ordered a new one. Found it in a shirt pocket an hour later.

My brain is going South while my health is going East, dropping into the Atlantic.

I put a foolish ad on some Facebook marketplaces, offering myself up to any local woman who would want to hang out with my sorry ass. Took it down later and shutdown my FB account.

Now I'm hunkered down in my little house, trying to stay warm during a Tennessee cold front.

How was your day?

Relative
( 1267 of 2167 )

I was reading today that over 1100 towns and villages in Ukraine will not have heat this winter, and probably very little food. Where the hell do I get off bitching about my life?

I have a roof, gas heat, and food. If I wanted to spend a week or two in Cancun, I could in a heartbeat.

My truck is still running great, but I wouldn't submit it to a high mileage trip. As long as it gets me to the park to feed my ducks, to Krogers for supplies, and the liquor store is only two blocks away, I can survive the upcoming winter, once again.

I was eating breakfast at Pat's Cafe this morning and overheard the locals complaining about the 20 degree temps. I thought about living at 6500 feet at the base of the Grand Tetons in Idaho four years ago, heading to my bus driving job, at forty below. That's -40 folks, these people would absolutely lose their minds.

Everything is relative, my friends.

Omegas
( 1268 of 2167 )

I'm heading up to Columbia next Monday for an afternoon visit with my neurologist. Before that, I'm meeting my friend Crissinda for lunch at Omega's, a hole in the wall diner, that has some amazing reviews.

Crissinda is a parole officer up there and I'm trying to figure out a petty crime that would get me on her list (just kidding :-)

I told her to pick anyplace in town, and she chose this one. So Monday looks great, meet my sweet friend, have some great southern cooking, and chat with my Parkinson's doctor, Amanda.

Hmmm, for an old sorry ass, I'm still able to connect with smart women.

My Becky
( 1269 of 2167 )

Becky, my daughter, where are you? Do you follow my blog? I really need to connect with you, before I die.

Now you may not want to, I understand, but you have created thirteen childrem, that from what I see, are amazing.

I've met a few of them, and I love them all.

I am so sorry for everything.

What if I made a trip out to California, would you see me?

I am ready to do so, now.

Falling Apart
( 1270 of 2167 )

I'm falling apart, and I have no one to help me get back together. Last night I made a fool of myself, trying to contact my long lost daughter Becky. I won't do that again.

I'm drinking too much and the Parkinson's is making me move like an old man. I went to the dock to feed my ducks today, and there was a ton of people there. They must of thought the old man was crazy, walking around shaking my bag, trying to get the ducks attention. When they zeroed in on me and walked out of the water and started eating out of my hand, the folks were stunned.

My neighbor usually drops by after work, we shoot the shit, he drinks his fire ball, and I don't remember him leaving. I have no idea what the weekend holds, I'm having lunch with C and seeing my doctor on Monday, no clue what happens after that.

Halloween is the following Monday and I'm just going to get forty one dollar bills from my bank, instead of candy. If I get any kids I'll just put two bucks in their basket. I will probably have $40 the next morning.

There you go, sums up my life, thanks for reading...

Busy Day
( 1271 of 2167 )

The park workers called me the Duck Whisperer today as I fed my buddies. I like it. I actually managed to pet the one little aggressive guy with the white fluffy thing on his head. He freaked at first, probably never had a human hand touch his back before, but he quickly returned to my hand. These are wild birds that I watch run from people, but they recognize and like me. I like being liked.

I've had a busy day today, on top of feeding my ducks. I ate at the breakfast buffet in the Square and I don't plan on eating for the rest of the day. I bought ice, and I'm currently taking advantage of my pricey NetFlix plan. And hell, it's not even noon!

Guns
( 1272 of 2167 )

Daniel and I were taking guns apart this afternoon, and fortunately, neither one of us was shot.

Things Not
( 1273 of 2167 )

Things I Don't:

Gamble, invest or donate. Eat steak, bacon, chicken, pizza, candy or ice cream. Drink sodas, milk or power drinks. Smoke cigarettes, have sex, exercise or take long walks. Go to church, libraries, theaters or senior centers. Kill animals, mow lawns, or play games. Have a partner, or good health.

This was an interesting exercise, I suggest you give it a try.

Jesus
( 1274 of 2167 )

So, has God sent a representative to every habitable planet in the universe, and had a book about the event written? Do aliens even have books? What audacity christians have, to think that their theory about jesus is gold, and this is far from the only religion on our little planet.

We have our biggest national holiday based on it, commercialized to the max. What a joke! This is why I spent last christmas drunk on a cruise boat in the middle of the Caribbean.

The reason I write this is because on my trip to the park this morning I passed church after church here in Lawrenceburg, TN, with packed parking lots. The people around me really buy into this.

OMFG. I actually believe in a higher power, just not this jesus nonsense. I have written before about the time I was driving my old car down a back road in Kent, WA, homeless and broke, looking for a tree to crash into, when a voice spoke to me.

It was a male voice that said I'm giving you some power. All of a sudden a bolt of energy entered the top of my head and flowed through my body. It was amazing and changed my life. I got back on my feet and started to succeed in life again.

But it wasn't this long haired jesus guy, nailed to a cross and resurrected...

Comment from Skoge: I've told you before, haven't I, that when I was 8 or 9 I died? Interesting experience. God is not a human being, but an emotional being... pure LOVE. God doesn't judge us when we die, it can't, being Pure Love. In our attempts to grow closer to that love we judge ourselves and plan the circumstances we will have to endure the next time we come back, to learn to love. I was shown things to come, told I'd never get married, so if I wanted a child I'd have to do it alone. They showed me a device that was flat with a screen and you could ask it any questions, any thing, and it would answer.
Contact Made
( 1275 of 2167 )

I had lunch with Crissinda at Omega's up in Columbia today. She was all decked out in her parole officer uniform, packing a handgun on her hip, and she looked great.

We got all caught up over some good food, then I went and met with my neurologist. I've been saying I have Parkinsons for some time now, but she's not sure about that. She did some tests, watched me walk, and thinks at this point it's something called Essential Tremor. Then she bumped my dosage up for the drug I've been taking to manage it.

Then my daughter Becky texted me. I have been out of touch with her for forty years. She sounded great, upbeat, and said she would love to see me. We will text more this evening. To any of my grand-children that helped make this happen, thank you, and stay tuned.

Mindset
( 1276 of 2167 )

As I was texting with my daughter Becky last night, I proposed meeting up at Skoge and Grants house in Sacramento. She said, Sherry? I said yea!

It made me realize that in the fifty one years that Skoge and I have been friends, Becky was in her life a lot down in California.

The three of us even lived together for a while in a great house out on Bethel Island. That was the place where the Mindset PC clone company flew a helicopter up from the south bay to replace the pre-production computer I was writing graphics software for, because the one I had, was dead. That was around 1983, it landed in the field right next to our house, and it was surreal.

GH
( 1277 of 2167 )

I heard a great line on General Hospital today; You're either ripping his clothes off, or ripping his heart out. I like it. Why am I watching GH? Because I used to be a soap opera junky, that's why.

The same characters that used to be on the show decades ago, are still on. The amount of plastic surgery they have had to go through to keep their characters look, is stunning. And the younger guys are all scruffed and wearing lipstick.

I can't believe this show is still on.

btw: The mask is Daniels, he just bought it off Amazon, for some strange reason...

Bird Food
( 1278 of 2167 )

I think I understand the chemistry I have with my ducks, they have no teeth. Today when I drove up they recognized my truck and came running, and swooped in on me when I sat down. There are about eight of them, plus one goose.

The feeding was frantic, they were really hungry and often they would miss the seeds in the palm of my hand, and put my fingers in their mouth. It doesn't hurt and I just keep on moving from duck to duck.

The morning was chilly so I'm assuming they need these seeds to burn calories. I have approval from park ranger Rachel to do this, so I guess I'll keep it going as long as I can this Fall and Winter. I can get a 35lb bag of wild bird food from Tractor Supply for about $15, so it ain't going to break me.

I'll grab some more video tomorrow.

Duck Buds
( 1279 of 2167 )

The offical count is seven ducks and one goose, and I'm starting to name them.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

To Do List
( 1280 of 2167 )

Friday, 10/28/2022

 • 0800: Call the local voter registration office to see if I need a card to actually vote on Nov 8. I voted in 2020 and I have an ID number, but never got a card. ✔

 • 0900: Drive out to the new voting location just to make sure I know where it is. ✔

 • 0930: Feed my ducks. ✔

 • 1000: Pick up a bag of lemons at Cash Saver for my morning hot drink. ✔

 • 1100: Get a couple carnitas tacos from the taco truck. ✔

 • 1200: Put some cash on my local debit card, thinking about getting some tires for my truck. Also get forty one dollar bills in case I'm here and I get trick or treaters. 𐄂

 • 1230: Pay my rent early. ✔

 • 1300: Head to the Wishy Washy and do my laundry. 𐄂

 • 1400: Check around town for tire options. 𐄂

Update:

I normally do my laundry around 0600, so I'll stick to that schedule next week. And, I'm rethinking cash out of my stash, so holding off on tires for the moment.

I was watching a NetFlix documentary last night called Expedition Happiness (highly recommend) and the young couple were eating street tacos in the heart of Mexico. It brought back great memories so I knew I had to have the old Mexican lady working the food truck, make me a couple carnitas (pork) tacos today. Ummm...

btw: I have been to Mexico at least six times, including a drive out of Texas, through the heart of the country, a ferry across the Sea of Cortez, and back up the Baja Peninsula.

Tough Choice
( 1281 of 2167 )

As my health declines and my body wears out, I am faced with a serious decision. I moved here four years ago and have since put a pretty good dent in my savings. Two Caribbean cruises, a trip to Caye Caulker island off Belize, multiple long road trips, just living life to the fullest.

Now, I have to decide if I want to back off and extend my existence out as long as I can, or just go for it and live, and ideally die just before I go broke.

I suppose if I hunkered down, did nothing but live a minimal existence on my Social Security, dipping into my remaining savings only when absolutely necessary, I could last into my eighties. But what if my body don't make it? Life wasted!

It's a tough choice...

Decadent Past
( 1282 of 2167 )

As I was writing about my many adventures in Mexico, I recalled my four trips to Hawaii. It makes me realize what a crazy ass life I have led.

I was a computer software developer and crazy traveler. I could be amazingly creative, and then have the money to do whatever I wanted.

I vaguely remember one summer I spent three weeks in Mexico and as I was walking to the plane to go back to the States, the police pulled me out of the line to question me because I was so dark from the sun. I convinced them I was American and they let me get on the plane. Before the days of passports...

As soon as I arrived at SFO, I flew to Hawaii for two weeks. It's amazing I didn't croak from skin cancer decades ago.

Disposition
( 1283 of 2167 )

Life expectancy in the United States is now 81 for women, and 76 for men. That's assuming you live a normal life, stay married to the same person, have kids and grandkids, work hard, go to church, blah, blah, blah...

Then there are the ones that live fast, and die young. You know who they are.

Finally, we have the old hard cores. People who have lived crazy lives, booze, smoking, and drugs up the ass, yet they're still alive and kicking.

For example: Willie Nelson(89), Bob Dylan (81), David Crosby (81), Mick Jagger (79), Keith Richards (78), Debbie Harry (77), Jim Hamilton (76).

It's like they have a genetic and spiritual disposition to survive, no matter what they do to their bodies and minds, over the years.

Fate
( 1284 of 2167 )

One slight twist of fate, a different turn down the road, and none of what you currently perceive your life to be, would be.

There are infinite twists in my life that would have prevented me from meeting Jenny Arcuri, and creating Becky. Even more twists that would have brought Becky to the point of being in the position of having fourteen children.

But that's what life is, a moment to moment series of moves and reactions, that dictate history.

Which means, my friends, we need to realize the possibilities, and take responsibility for, every move of importance we make.

Currently, I sit here and lament the absence of Stephs family in my life, because I was offended by a small act, and was an asshole in the process...

Come Running
( 1285 of 2167 )

All I have to do is pull my truck into a parking spot at the lake boat launch now, and my ducks come running towards their feeding spot. I swear they recognize my vehicle. That's pretty smart!

Unfortunately, the are starting to bicker among themselves about who gets to hang out directly in front of me, thus assuring the best feeding spot. Which again, points to their intelligence.

Apple
( 1286 of 2167 )

I'm watching the Steve Jobs movie on NetFlix tonight. I was writing RPG 3 code for the IBM System 64 in San Francisco around 1980 and Apple Computer was making waves. For the heck of it, I mossied down the Bay and talked to them about opportunities.

We didn't hit it off, and I continued my lucrative job in the City. I wouldn't say I really held a grudge from that meeting but I dove into the IBM PC world a year latter, and to this day, I have never owned an Apple product. Ever!

Family Style
( 1287 of 2167 )

I just had breakfast at Crockett's Mill restaurant up in Davy Crockett park. It's an all you can eat family style buffet, served at your table, open from 0800 to 0945 to accommodate the church goers, served only on Sunday.

Biscuits, white gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, baked apples, breakfast potatoes and grits. I ordered eggs over easy, thinking it would replace the scrambled, but no, got them both. My waitress asked me how many eggs and I said two, then she winked at me and said go for three.

Several times she returned to my table to see if I wanted more of anything. Ahh, no sweety, this is plenty :-) The food was delicious, cost $15 a head, and would have been perfect for two people, as the food is served on separate plates, and you share. There were a few large families there, having a great time.

Then I fed my ducks...

Trimmed Up
( 1288 of 2167 )

I finally trimmed up that out of control goatee that I've been carrying around for years, especially around my mouth, and cut the bottom off. You can now find my lips and kiss me if so inclined.

I notice my neck area is pretty saggy, the long goatee hid that, but I am an old man, it is what it is, and perhaps adds some character to a face not seen for awhile.

DJI Holder
( 1289 of 2167 )

The new window mount for my DJI Pocket 2 arrived from Amazon today. I just did a test run up to the park, fined tuned the setup and it works great! It's funny, when I arrived at duck landing, the ducks didn't budge from their hangout because I had already fed them earlier.

Tomorrow I will make the feed run and record it from the entrance of the park.

Drive To Ducks
( 1290 of 2167 )

I was chatting with my friend Farmer Katy of Healing Homestead Farm about the ducks and she told me they were domesticated and dropped there two or three years ago. She can't get very close to them, and she's the real animal whisperer, so I guess I have gained their trust.

I recorded my drive through the park today with my new window mount, hope you enjoy! If you're a local and know the Park well, you can skip to the duck feeding end.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

My friends on Halloween:

Outfits
( 1291 of 2167 )

Yesterday was Halloween, and I screwed up. I had forty one dollar bills in an envelope that I was sure I was not dipping into for treats at the door, when neighbor Daniel came over mid-morning with the day off, and we started drinking.

It's what we do sometimes. Daniel was born and raised here in Lawrenceburg, and has lived here his entire life. Wow. He brought his 1985 Senior yearbook over and we started from the beginning photo, and he knew where and what 90% of those people were doing now. I find this truly amazing.

Then he finished up the trimmer job on the back of my head that I did earlier, then he rubbed my shoulders with his big strong hands. I know this sounds weird, sometimes he is like my wife, without the sex. He even bitches me out when I do stupid shit. And yes, he has a wife...

So I woke up this morning and checked my texts. There was one from Elizabeth saying she and Maddie were coming over to Trick or Treat. Oh shit! I saw that the dollar envelope was open and I freaked. I texted Daniel and the last thing he remembered was the two of them coming into my house.

So I missed my friend and her wonderful little niece. Oh, I was here, but I don't remember nothin. I have apologized profusely to them, and hopefully they understand. Jim can really tie one on.

She sent me a picture of their outfits, so sorry I missed them.

Home To Park
( 1292 of 2167 )

The trip from my house to the Park entrance takes five minutes along the back roads. There are no traffic lights and only four stop signs. It's a very relaxing ride and you're welcome aboard!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

It also was a good day at the Park this morning. The ducks were in the middle of the lake and when I called for them they began quacking and hurried back onto the landing. And I finally got a shot of some of the wild turkeys. There's a herd of about twenty that lives there.

Cracked Corn
( 1293 of 2167 )

I decided to change up the ducks diet today and my farmer friend Katy suggested Performance Feed on 4th St. That's where she buys feed for her farm.

The owner John was great and he recommended cracked corn. I bought a 50lb bag of it for $10.

The ducks loved it! I'm going to mix the wild bird seed and corn together for upcoming breakfasts.

If you would have told me a year ago that Piper's feeding station would be full of bird seed, cracked corn and peanuts, I would have said you were nuts.

Dunkins
( 1294 of 2167 )

I met up with Farmer Katy at Dunkin's Market this afternoon. She was dropping off a bunch of eggs for resale, but sold me a couple dozen from her car.

It was great to see her and I helped load up the vehicle with bulk pumpkins for the farm. The passenger seat and the whole rear seat were stacked with pumpkins, quite the sight!

btw: Here's her TikTok link: farmerkaty

And her sheep enjoying those pumpkins:

Quack Cocaine
( 1295 of 2167 )

The poor goose at the park is a loner, an outcast from the flock, and he hangs out with the ducks because he's lonely I assume, and the ducks pick on him. The other day when they were in the middle of the lake, he was just standing on the shore by himself.

He's eaten out of my hand several times. Today a big flock of geese were there and they all came within 6 feet of me because they saw goose there eating.

I tossed them a bunch of my custom bird seed/cracked corn mix, which I have now named Quack Cocaine, and they went wacko! That corn is all it's cracked up to be.

Football
( 1296 of 2167 )

I have always developed an attachment to my local pro football teams, wherever I lived. In the Bay Area it was the 49's and Raiders, in Seattle the Seahawks. I carried on the Hawks fandom when I moved to Idaho.

Now I live in Tennessee and I'm a Titans fan. They are currently first in the AFC South at 5 and 2. Our QB is down with an ankle injury but they won last week with a rookie replacement.

That's very cool, but the big story here is college football. I've never been into the college scene, but the University Of Tennessee in Knoxville is number one in the country after beating Alabama in a great game, which I watched.

They now face Georgia, number two, tomorrow. Tennessee is undefeated, averaging 40 plus points a game, and if they win, it will be amazing.

I will be watching that game on my big TV, and Daniel said he would be here. Anybody else want to drop by, you're welcome.

Vegas Dream
( 1297 of 2167 )

I had one of those dreams last night, you know, the super realistic dream where you think you're there and living it.

I showed up in Vegas, on the Strip, with a bunch of friends on a tour bus. I've been to Vegas several times, so my brain had a lot to feed on.

Everybody spread out around a large Casino and I was the tech guy who moved around and helped everyone with their devices that they were hooking up to the casino system to gamble.

Like most dreams of this kind, things started falling apart quickly. At one point I'm wandering around with a bag of my dirty clothes and my devices, couldn't find my friends, and eventually lost everything.

So, I thought this must be a dream and I forced myself to wake up, but when I did I was in a small room with a bed, and when I walked outside I was still on the Strip. Now I was getting concerned...

I started doing stupid things (won't go into detail), challenging my reality. Things were going downhill quickly and I really thought this was my life, but I eventually forced myself to wake up, one more time, just in case.

When I did and I was in my bed, in a little house on a dead end street, in a small town in Southern Tennessee, with laundry to do.

Geese Bullies
( 1298 of 2167 )

The ducks expect breakfast at 0930. Their little internal clocks don't understand the human bullshit known as Daylight Savings Time, so I guess I have to adjust my schedule and head up to the lake at 0830 for a while.

That flock of geese was there this morning, hanging out in the ducks feeding spot, while they were out in the water a bit offshore. I know they wanted to come in, but I guess the bigger geese intimidated them. Only got three to come on shore but as soon as the geese approached, they split.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Red Box
( 1299 of 2167 )

I've been watching Manifest on NetFlix and the Black Box for the missing flight was prominent in the story. It brought back memories of my first job in the Pacific Northwest after moving there in the early nineties.

I wrote assembly code for that unit with a team of about twenty, up in Redmond, WA for the manufacturer, Sundstrand Data Controls. This is the cockpit voice and data recorder, that exists in all major airline planes.

I remember when I first saw the box, and chuckled because it was red. That was a challenging project and I get a kick out of knowing my code may still be riding around in the planes I sometimes fly in. Yea, there's a good chance they have rewritten the code base, but not many people these days know how to write ASM, and they may have kept it.

Air Fryer
( 1300 of 2167 )

My goto mid-morning breakfast is a slice of toasted bread, mayo, cole slaw, two of Katy's free range eggs, topped with Sweet Baby Ray's Hot Sauce and Newman's Own Medium Salsa.

The cooking and toasting is done on the really old stove I have in my old house. It's a pain, and cleanup is a bitch. Daniel said I should get an air fryer counter top toaster oven, so I looked it up on Amazon, loved what I saw, and pushed the buy button. Be here tomorrow.

It was a Hamilton Beach product, and is the brand I always buy when I can, which sealed the deal. You know, two words dear to my heart: Hamilton and Beach!

Click the image to see the product on Amazon ↑.

Kindred Spirit
( 1301 of 2167 )

I was driving through the park today and spotted an old van, with a surfboard strapped to the roof, and the drivers door slung open. Of course I had to stop.

I approached the open door and there was an old guy sitting there. I said Hi, but he didn't hear me at first, realized he was hard of hearing, so I upped my volume.

I pointed to his roof and said surfboard? He said Yea, do you surf? I told him I have, and I sucked, and we started talking. He told me he was living in his van and just traveling around. He got out, with a cane, and we walked to the other side of the van and he showed me his living space.

I pointed to my truck and told him I have a bed in the back, and I love to travel. We made a connection, and had a great chat.

We talked about California, I told him I knew that great Santa Cruz surfboard maker from the seventies, been to his house, but neither one of us could remember his name.

I told him I've been to Belize a few times, but he blew my adventures out of the water. Back in the sixties he returned from Vietnam and traveled to Belize with a crazy ex-vet buddy. Took them a year and a half to get there, through Mexico, living in caves.

He currently works for Bryce Canyon Tours out of Utah in the Summer to build up his travel money, then visits friends and family during his travels.

I asked him how old he was, and I knew he was going to say 76. I asked him his name, and I knew he was going to say Jim. I knew I had met a kindred spirit.

I gave him my blog name but he said he's not into modern technology, and showed me his old little hand held something that he uses to stay in touch.

I thought about letting him park in front of my house for the night, to get to know him better, but he said he was on his way to Memphis, so we shook hands, and said goodbye. This was a cosmic connection.

Update: I just tracked down that seventies Santa Cruz surfboard maker. His name was Jack O’Neill and he had a great brand (still going strong) with a house out on the ocean. I don't remember how I knew his two beautiful daughters when I lived in Santa Cruz, but I do remember them taking me out to dad's house, and meeting him.

Election Day
( 1302 of 2167 )

Where does OldManjim stand as the election unfolds tomorrow?

My ancestry in this country goes back to at least the 1500's, maybe more. Perhaps my relatives were slave owners, I don't know. I have apologized to the black girlfriends in my life, and we were good. My black male friends have always been the best.

I have had my children aborted, and as I look back on everything, I am so sorry, it never should have occurred, and I miss you.

For many years I had no political affiliation. Just brain dead, moving through life, like a lot of people now. Tomorrow is the day to get you're head out of your ass, and vote!

I think illegal immigrant women and children flowing into our country from an unsecured southern border is great! The human trafficking business needs victims, and this fills the void. It helps to protect our female joggers on the street from abduction.

I hate paying over three bucks a gallon for gas, damn, I remember when it was $.19 a gallon back in the sixties, and around two bucks under Trump.

I have seen the prices for everything double, in the last two years, thank you Brandon.

So, lets go vote!

So how am I voting? Flat out Red baby! I will go to my location tomorrow and vote R across every item on the ballot.

And I think Trump should step down, and give the nomination to Desantas. I love the guy, but he's too toxic, and we just need to win.

There you go, my opinion...

Lottery
( 1303 of 2167 )

I think the Powerball Lottery is rigged. They know the numbers of every ticket sold, stored on their big computers. That's why they can announce that a winning ticket was sold at a particular store in a particular state.

So, armed with all that info, they "draw" numbers that don't match up fully with any of them. This allows the jackpot to rise into the billions, which brings out folks that would normally not play, and they rake in huge profits.

They will allow a few million dollar winners to keep people excited, but that's chump change.

When I checked the numbers in the morning for the most recent drawing, the site said there was a delay in the process. Apparently one State had an issue with reporting, so they had to pause everything to get back on track.

I researched it and discovered that State was California. The winning ticket showed up a few hours later in, wait for it, California.

Just sayin...

Egg Rings
( 1304 of 2167 )

I'm really enjoying my Air Fryer. I elevated it off the counter yesterday, using bricks from the old demolished building downtown, along with Pipers treat storage container that I kept next to my desk. It's great for storing the ovens accessories.

This morning I made my breakfast sandwich using two egg rings, with a slice of bread right next to them. Cooked on air-fry mode, flipping the bread when ready, and it all came out great. Katy's eggs topped with Newman's Own medium salsa, and Sweet Baby Ray's hot sauce.

Cleanup was easy. I didn't use any cooking oil spray, and that's fine, just tossed the foil.

Jeep
( 1305 of 2167 )

My grand-daughter Shelby,

is selling her Jeep Wrangler. It's a 2012 with 93k miles, asking 18k. In great shape! She's living in DC, but she could use a road trip, within reason. :-)

If interested, email me: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Floriston
( 1306 of 2167 )

I learned to read when I was a young kid living in a small town called Floriston. It was about thirty houses splattered against a mountain side, just into California from Reno NV, along I-40.

It was a major stop for the railroad in the 1800's, with a 52 room hotel and right next to a large ice facility, where the trains could load up.

The town was built in 1899 by the Floriston Pulp and Paper Company to house employees. It was the second largest paper mill in the world at the time.

When the mill shut down, it turned into a ghost town. In 1947 a lawyer from San Francisco bought the place, and incorporated it.

Why we moved there in the early fifties when I was about six, only my step dad knows, and he is now long gone.

I lived there for several years with my older brother and younger sister. We walked at least a half mile every day, across two major railroad tracks, up to I-40 to catch a school bus into Truckee, thirty miles away.

Reading became my passion. As I encountered new words, I would look them up in a dictionary I somehow had. I learned the difference between then and than.

It didn't serve me well as I landed a major programming contract many years later, where I made a written presentation to a company and the President said I had the contract, but there are two p's in shipping, Jim.

That would be Interocean Steamship, a major shipping company in San Francisco, where I created two major computer applications, over seven years.

I suppose I could stop here with this post, but that would leave so much unsaid about Floriston.

These were my brothers and my formative years, under a strict step dad, and they ended up defining us. I survived, somehow, Dana did not.

Our bedroom was a dark basement with two small beds. Our mom was wonderful and kept our spirits somewhat alive, and occasionally my grandfather would show up and take us to the drivein in Reno.

In Dana's later years, unknown to me, he ended up homeless on the streets of Sacramento, CA, out of his mind. One day he took a leak behind a building and the cops charged him with indecent exposure and he ended up in jail as a registered sex offender. They put him in a mental institution, and eventually a locked down nursing home in Modesto, where I saw him last. He died early this year.

Me, hell, I was one fucked up kid as I reached my teenage years. We were long gone from Floriston but I was a mess. My IQ was very high, but I didn't know what to do with it, and I lacked the skills and guidance to do anything right.

Thus evolved the crazy journey that led me here. It is what it is, and I finally consider myself a good man...

Veterans Parade
( 1307 of 2167 )

It looked like our little Veterans Parade might get rained out today, but the sky cleared, and the parade went on.

So I mosied up there with my Sony and the Zoom lens, and grabbed some shots. It was a typical small southern town parade, but it felt good, and if you weren't able to make it, you're welcome to view the pictures by clicking the photo below.

The South
( 1308 of 2167 )

I think it's about time I said it, I'm enjoying living in the South. I was a West Coast boy for decades, moved a little bit East to Idaho, and then suddenly planted myself in the Deep South more than four years ago.

I have seen a lot of it. Several great road trips have exposed me to the Southern States, and I've loved everything I've seen.

But sometimes it's the little things that amaze me. Back West when someone is walking out of a door in front of you, the door swings closed. Here, and I think it's due to respect for the elderly, they stop and hold the door open for you, before they exit.

Today I saw a funeral procession coming down the busy four lane highway 43, and that road came to a stop! Everyone pulled to the side of the road in respect, even traffic in the opposite direction. Tears welled up in my eyes at this tradition.

I'm an agnostic, but I respect these god fearing, church going people. There is something amazing about the friendliness and spirit of good will among them all.

And then there is the food, and the traditions that have grown from poverty. It is unlike anything I've experienced from the pretentious West. Down home real cooking, and they don't eat escargot here...

When I Pass
( 1309 of 2167 )

I was driving the back roads this morning to feed my ducks, and as I came down that little hill which connects to the highway, my old tires met ice and I almost slid into high speed traffic.

It got me to thinking about that funeral procession I saw yesterday. That's not happening in my afterlife. I should probably go see that local outfit offering a $900 cremation package, and prepay for one.

Then what, I have an official Will, but who knows who could make my funeral and gather up the few remaining things in my life. I guess I haven't played my cards very well.

I respect those that can generate a hundred car procession, they were probably well loved in the community, married once with a huge family, and downright good people. Well deserving of a great send off.

I am old, I have no idea if I have any major shit going down inside my body, because I don't ask. I could drop dead tomorrow, or live to be a hundred.

So, I'm glad to still be alive, I take pleasure in whatever I can, and I feel sorry for the few family and friends I have, left to clean up the mess when I pass.

The Life
( 1310 of 2167 )

I am so alone. I fed my ducks this morning and have spent the rest of the day watching movies on my big TV.

Daniel came by and fed me homemade corn bread with pork and beans, then he left. I am grateful for his friendship, but I need more.

I'm lonely, I miss the companionship of a partner. I write, because I cannot speak. I share my life on my blog because I seek feedback and validation, or rejection, and for the most part, receive neither.

So what to do? I suppose I could take a road trip, somewhere, but the weather is turning cold and sleeping in my truck doesn't sound fun.

Elizabeth has invited me to Thanksgiving, so I need to be here, to enjoy that wonderful invite. It's been a few years since I have experienced that.

So there you go, my life, thanks for reading...

Goose Gone
( 1311 of 2167 )

It's a very cold day here in the South, and I couldn't find my ducks in their usual spot this morning. So I did a slow roll along the shore with my window down, calling for them. They know my voice and suddenly I heard a quack, I recognized it as Whitey, and I called them some more.

Then they appeared from their hunker down spot along the shoreline, quacking like crazy. They had a great breakfast, they need this food as the temps drop.

Goose wasn't there. The whole big flock of geese was gone yesterday because they knew the freeze was coming, but Goose must have flown off on his own today. I'm very fond of that bird, hope he's ok...

Update: He's still here, fed him this morning! (11/15)

Couple Things
( 1312 of 2167 )

I tracked down my grandfathers grave. It's in the Sacramento Memorial Lawn Cemetery, in Sacramento, CA. He was a World War One veteran and his burial flag hangs on my wall here.

The last time I saw him he was dropping me off on a Sacramento freeway onramp, to hitchhike to Arizona for a professional baseball tryout. The last thing I said to him was Pray For Me, then he went home, mowed his lawn, and died in his kitchen from a heart attack. I never made that tryout, but I made his funeral.

If I ever get to that neck of the woods again, I will pay him a visit.

On a local note, Farmer Katy's cows arrived and she shared them with me, and I will share them with you. They're called Pineywoods, a breed that almost went extinct.

Katy
( 1313 of 2167 )

Farmer Katy came into my awareness, from TikTok. She has a great presence there, a local farmer here in Lawrenceburg, and she caught my eye.

Katy moved here from Michigan a few years back with her husband, and her mom and dad. They bought 140 acres of land, and began farming it. They market free range eggs, honey, and grass fed beef and lamb.

I contacted her a while back and she invited me to the farm. She was very gracious, gave me a tour, introduced me to her family, and sold me some amazing eggs.

Here are her links:

 • TikTok

 • Website

 • Instagram

Illinois
( 1314 of 2167 )

I need to get out of my head and out of the house, so I'm heading to Metropolis, Illinois tomorrow. It's 210 miles away, a four hour drive. The home of Superman!

I'll be staying at the Motel 6 with a quick stop at the Thrive dispensary for some legal weed. And it's right across the street from the Super City Bar & Grill, so I can get housed, stoned, fed and buzzed, without moving my truck until the morning. It's also right next to a Huddle House for breakfast.

It's the ideal one day vacation spot! I can also feed my ducks before I head North.

Great Truck
( 1315 of 2167 )

I really love my 1988 Mazda B2200, with a canopy and a bed in the back. Her name is Jill and she is one of the best things I have ever bought, thank you son.

She transported me to great adventures from the home in Idaho, across all of the States in the West. I would take the summers off from my bus driving job, and just drive.

Now she's been treating me to the East. I keep her in top condition and she rewards me with reliability. Currently has around 256,000 miles on her, stripped the emission controls off, replaced with a Weber carb and a header.

She's also been in a garage or under a canopy since I've had her, so her exterior is holding up well.

Why have I assigned her the gender specific name of Jill? When I drove it into Idaho it had no name and no gender, until I parked it out in our back forty, nose to nose with my big black seventies era lifted Chevy Silverado, named Jack.

This post was created at a Motel 6 in Metropolis, IL, using my phones wifi. Peace...

The Highway
( 1316 of 2167 )

I had a pretty good buzz going on as I left my motel room in the afternoon for the bar & grill, trying to figure out a way to cross a busy four lane highway, with no pedestrian crossings.

As I walked along the sidewalk, a white car came out of a shopping area to my left and I saw a nice looking lady in her fifties. I pointed at her and she stopped, to my surprise, and rolled down her passenger side window.

I walked over to her and asked if she would drive me across the highway to the bar. She said "I can't do that, you're a stranger!" and I quickly told her that I lived in Lawrenceburg, TN, I was staying at the Motel 6, and that I was a good guy.

To which she replied, "Ok, get in". As we're heading to the highway she turned to me, smiled, and said "I can't believe I'm doing this", and I told her that I was very grateful. She then asked me if I was a Trump supporter and I said "yes ma'am".

We arrived at the bar, fist bumped, and said goodby. In hindsight, I should have offered to buy her a drink.

The bar was fun and as I was leaving, and dreading the trip back in the dark over that highway, a big burly guy offered to walk me across the road. The last thing I remember was my hand on his shoulder, walking in the middle of the highway, and he says "Come on Jim, walk faster!

I woke up in my room the next morning, and all my stuff was intact. Another adventure on the books. I came up to Illinois thru Nashville yesterday and the freeways sucked, so on the return I headed South to Paris, TN and then down thru a bunch of great little Tennessee towns, to home. Then I loaded up a big bag of quack cocaine and went to the Park. The ducks were ravenous.

...and a correction to yesterday's post, they were not nose to nose when they met.

BK Reward Hack
( 1317 of 2167 )

Yesterday on the drive North, I went through the drive thru at a Burger King along I-24, and bought a Big Fish sandwich. I pulled ahead to a parking spot, ate it, then walked into the place to use the bathroom to clean up, then on down the road.

Within a minute of leaving, I got a text, supposedly from Burger King, wanting me to click a link with a bunch of funky characters in it, for some rewards. Here you go:

I really don't think Burger King hacked my phone for it's number, but it happened, so somebody did. Somebody near the Burger King, who could associate my particular visit there, with the cell phone sitting in the passenger seat of my truck!

And then text me a link, which I knew was bullshit. Unfortunately, a lot of folks would just see "Burger King Reward" right after leaving the place, and then click the fucking link. Suddenly they are screwed!

The more I think about it, our cell phones must be broadcasting our number, and the hackers have learned how to capture that number, and associate it with a geolocation! This is serious folks!

Life Song
( 1318 of 2167 )

I'm working on a new poem/song:

 • Living my life, one drink at a time, wondering down the ride.

 • Waiting for death, I'm so much past, and always asking why?

 • I need love, someone to be mine, and be by my side.

 • But I know I will be, alone and abashed, and just die...

My friend Skoge just commented saying "Boy, is that depressing!" and my response is, it's a country song about a sad old man, looking for love that he strongly believes he will never have again, accepting it, and ready for whatever comes next!

Some more:

 • Still I'm a goin, living life to the max, glad to be alive!

The HBFA
( 1319 of 2167 )

I have an idea for a new device. It's a small unit, about the size of a silver dollar, that installs magnetically to anything with a metallic interior, and is used to cook food.

It's heat resistant to levels above the standard. It's got a 3D camera that constantly scans the food, using AI to identify each item, and determine the internal temperature.

This data is then streamed through the walls of the oven to the tablet, or phone, sitting up on your counter. An app is running that shows the 3D contents of the oven, with pop-up floating buttons that show the exact internal temperature, and minutes until done.

Simple, the unit lives inside the oven and is turned on and off from the app. I call it the Hamilton at the Beach Food Analyzer.

Duffel Bag
( 1320 of 2167 )

As I drove towards my house this morning, coming back from the Park, I spotted a large duffel bag on the side of the road. There was nobody coming either direction, so I stopped to look inside.

What if it was Cartel drug money? Big bound stacks of $10K each inside. Hey, I'm an informed guy, I watch NetFlix and Prime, there's probably going to be a tracker on it, and they're on their way now.

Then, as I approached the bag, the ethical issues start blasting through my mind. Should I call the cops? Hell no, I respect them, but... Take the duffel bag to my place? Ahh, no and no! Drive it to a secluded spot and move the cash into my truck and then toss the bag with it's tracker into the creek? Ok, maybe! But wait, that's littering.

I unzipped the bag and was greeted with someones clothes and belongings. Kinda had homeless written all over it. I zipped it back up, drove off, and a while later it was gone.

I've helped several people out since I've lived here in the South. On three occasions it involved me bringing a homeless person back to my home, letting them shower and put on clean clothes, if they had any. Then feed them and offer either my floor with a memory foam bed, or my truck with the bed, to crash on. Gena stayed a couple of days, and was a success story, I still hope. Glad I still have a photo of her...

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. – Oprah

Feedings
( 1321 of 2167 )

Another day feeding my buddies, then feeding myself to the Sunday buffet at Crockett's Mill in David Crockett State Park. Bacon and sausage, three eggs over easy, home style potatoes, grits, biscuits and two types of gravy, plus hot peeled apples.

The food was great and the apples were warm and spicy, must be a Southern thing. My servers name was Katy, really down home, pretty and nice. I mentioned Farmer Katy and she said she had twenty acres herself, and after making fun of her kids for using TikTok, she can't go to the site anymore!

I was stuffed from that one plate, and didn't go for seconds. I could have ordered another stack of everything, if I wanted to. This is a different type of buffet, you don't walk the line, it's brought to you. $16.41 out the door, plus a nice tip for Katy.

Here's a short clip of the morning:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

T Blanket
( 1322 of 2167 )

Products we buy in the store are shrinking by volume, count and weight, while costing way more from a couple of years ago. Don't know why I felt obliged to write that, as if you didn't know.

My great $400 rent has also had two $50 raises in that time. Gas? NetFlix? Prime 2 day shipping turning into 7 or more? nuff said!

Yet some things don't cost nuttin, like this cool Titans blanket that a Secret Santa left for me last night. At least that's what I thought until Daniel told me he brought it over, after seeing me sitting in my chair with the super heavy goose down jacket on, that I brought from the mountains of Idaho.

The blanket is now slung over my chair and feels nice. Meanwhile I'm still in full insulation mode, with the gas heater off, just trying to keep my bill down.

Don't know if this a gift or not, find out later. Probably. Daniel knows he gets the chairs, and everything on them, when I die from hypothermia, real soon now...

Elizabeth
( 1323 of 2167 )

I have only a few friends in this area, two of which were formed from working at Crockett Shoals Tubing. Three summers ago, Crissinda was the manager and Elizabeth was her assistant. Crissinda and I have formed a nice friendship since then, which her husband and kids allow me to share.

Elizabeth was the manager this summer, and I was reminded of her kindness and sharp wit, that I enjoyed a couple summer's back. She's also Madeline's favorite aunt, so that ranks high in my book.

Getting together with these ladies, evolves around food. I had that great catfish dinner with Elizabeth, her sister, and Maddie, and a soul food lunch with Crissinda, a while back.

This Thanksgiving, for the first time in a long time, I'm getting out of the house and spending it with Elizabeth and her people. I asked if I could bring anything, she replied "to go containers". And she has agreed to meet me for brunch in the Park next Sunday, finally, some company for that event!

Thank you ladies for being my friend! And yea, this 76 year old ex-hippy is hard to deal with sometimes, but you both have recognized that I am smart, and have a good heart.

btw: Daniel just told me that homminy is rotten corn, combined with lymestone and hardwood tree ashes. The slaves here in the South, along with the white poor, were forced to pick up that corn, and make a meal of it.

He also said a mess is a measureing unit of things in the South, like polk salad, the amount necessary to feed a family of four or five.

Polk Salad Annie:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Off Switch
( 1324 of 2167 )

If I could find my bad habits On/Off switch, I would flip it to Off. But I truly don't know where it is anymore.

I loved that switch, flipped it Off a few times here in the South, got healthy and fit! Then you lose it for a while, the switch turns back On, and the cycle of life continues.

I have arrived at a point of acceptance about myself, and how I interact with everything else, and I'm really glad to be alive!

I love life, I love people, I love sharing my story, and I don't hate or feel badly about anyone! Thank you for reading.

Vibrant
( 1325 of 2167 )

I just bought the domain name "omjadvice.com". It will be a space where one person every evening, for a couple of hours, can text with me directly, and talk about anything.

If I help them along their journey, they can drop a tip into my PayPal, which is currently at zero.

The sad truth is, I have lost the ability to make it happen. A few years ago I would have been all over this thing, but not now.

I mourn the loss of my computer programming skills, they used to define me. Now I'm just glad I can keep this blog together, and vibrant!

Discovery
( 1326 of 2167 )

I just discovered that my 3rd great-grandmother on my moms side, Elizabeth M Greenhaw, was born on this day in 1835, and died on Aug 4, 1914. She lived to be 78.

The lineage goes thru my mom, on her dad's side, my grandfather, who was the most powerful adult figure in my life, and currently my guardian angel.

Guess where she was born. Right here in Lawrenceburg Tennessee, 187 years ago, sixteen years after the city was founded. Wow...

She was buried under her married name of Williams at the Layton Cemetery in Yellville, Arkansas.

Her husband, my 3rd great-grandfather, was Joseph Nevil Williams, a confederate soldier in Company B of Stirman's (1st) Arkansas Cavalry.

And here's me in our Idaho kitchen sporting my new Tilly Hat.

Skin In Game
( 1327 of 2167 )

I shared my Discovery post with my summer boss Ricky, and he said his granny was a Williams. It then struck me, actually it's been floating around my old brain all morning, that I may have skin in the game here!

How ironic that I would end up in the town where my great-great-great-grandmother was born. She also lived to be two years older than I am now. I am blown away...

What if she was born along Shoal Creek, in the exact spot I'm sitting now. The way fate works, it wouldn't surprise me a bit.

Holidays
( 1328 of 2167 )

So there it was, and then I lost the thought. Happens all the time, lately.

Amazing ideas flowing from my brain, trying to make it into words here, before they're lost, forever.

Just made my old geezers cocktail, I call it the vodkalax.

I write Posts sometimes, that I think are brilliant, then blush and remove them as fast as I can. I've been blogging since the nineties and that's always been the case. Sometimes you get too real, and you need to back off.

Suddenly everyone here is my cousin, better not make any babies with them.

Having Thanksgiving dinner with Liz and Maddie in the basement of a church, shortly. I have not enjoyed a turkey meal with friends, in a couple of years, and looking forward to it.

Christmas, on the other hand... I spent the last one in the middle of the Caribbean with Shelby and Andy, had a fine time, and didn't sing a single carol all through the cruise.

This one, not sure, maybe get my daughter out here.

And I just got an invite to Farmer Katy's home for Thanksgiving Dinner next year! Wow, can you imagine that experience, where everything is grown and raised on their farm. Thank you Katy.

News Crush
( 1329 of 2167 )

I consume a lot of live media on my big screen and I've taught my original pre-release Amazon Echo how to control it. I hate listening to commercials and then having to scramble for the remotes mute button, so I just say "Computer, Mute Roku", and she does. When content comes back on, I talk to Alexa.

But I digress, I want to talk about local news personalities. I'm often up at 0400, and the four local Nashville news outlets are my first look at the world.

Most of the TV people grate on me, for one reason or another, so I decided to announce my favorite Nashville news anchor. Nikki Burdine, morning anchor for WKRN News 2, Nashville.

My eyes always hit the screen when she speaks. I am met with her amazing blue eyes, freckles scattered across her cheeks, with a down home country accent, that lands gentle on my soul.

This lady is the real deal. She lives in Nashville with her husband and baby, she's written a childrens book, has a podcast, and a great website.

My favorite lineup would be Nikki and Mary Mays, the cute little blond who did the weekend channel 2 morning weather, who is now retired as of Nov 1.

Paul
( 1330 of 2167 )

It's a nice afternoon, door is wide open, and Daniel just left. The name Paul came into my mind, then I raised my eyes upwards and had a chat with my long gone stepdad Paul.

He blew an opportunity to do well in the role of stepfather. In the end, I knew he regretted it.

One sunny afternoon, late seventies, I got a call from him, said he would like me to come over and get my mom stoned. Shocked, I said sure. I was living in the Oakland California hills, and they were in the suburbs. I was there in fifteen.

We sat at the kitchen table, Paul had a breathing thing pushing air down his lungs, and he could mix shit with it. I then introduced my mom to a bong pipe, filled with some fine homegrown out of Carmel Valley. I was commuting down there, and knew the growers.

My real dad was a Texas boy that fought in WW2 as a sailor. Married my Mom at the end of it, created my brother and I, then split back to Texas.

As Paul injected vodka into his contraption, and my Mom and I got stoned, I asked them where they first met, I didn't know!

It was a bar in Southern California, Mom was freshly divorced with two sons, and Paul saw an instant family to add to his truck driving ambitions. Mom saw a savior.

It was amazing to hear them tell this story, in such a liberated state!

Unfortunately, it was too late for Paul and me. I had already been raised by this man as his stepchild, it was what it was.

In the end, it was the first and last time I ever got stoned with my mom, and probably the last time I ever saw Paul again...

S Wesson
( 1331 of 2167 )

Daniel has been trying to buy this gun from his stepdad for years, and Carl finally just gave it to him. It's a 44mag Smith and Wesson stainless steel revolver, with a four inch barrel.

He said these were banned by the local cops, just too big and bad. You don't want a bullet going clean through someone and then through two or three people behind them.

Daniel said the gun is about thirty years old. We'll take it to the range someday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Church Dinner
( 1332 of 2167 )

Had a great Thanksgiving dinner this evening with Elizabeth and her family in the basement of a church. Food was delicious, and the company friendly and fun. I haven't done one in years, it was good.

I sat next to Madeline's karate sensei, a fascinating guy, energetic, takes his role as a teacher seriously, and sharp as a tack.

I loved Elizabeth's mom, she is a sweety and we had good conversation.

Prime
( 1333 of 2167 )

I finally climbed on the scale today, been putting it off, and came in at 172, before Thanksgiving dinner. I was kinda shocked, my Base weight is 160 and when I'm fit, not drinking and active, I can get down to 150, the Prime number.

The last time I reached Prime was in Driggs Idaho six years ago when I turned seventy. Quit drinking for almost a year, obsessed with my diet and exercise, you could see my abbs!

I've hovered around the mid one fifties a couple of times since I've been here, just nowhere near Prime, and now I'm twelve pounds over Base.

I keep having wild thoughts about taking advantage of my triple-vax status with passport, and hanging out in Cancun for a week. But I'm twelve pounds over base!

And I'm moving slow, stupid little things bumping up against memory loss. I'm not fit enough for a Mexican resort right now, besides, who would feed my ducks?

Tree House
( 1334 of 2167 )

I walked Veterans Park this morning, first time in a while, and wondered if I have one more run to Prime in me? I hate to say it, but I may have passed my prime.

I just need a controlled steady path forward. Feed my ducks, and maybe those ladies will contact me about dog walking.

With the trees barren, structures across Shoal Creek come into view. This thing looks like a giant hanger on stilts for a big boat, or maybe it's a large tree house, with people living in it. You never know, here in the South.

But I know what it is, it's the shell of a big beautiful home on the creek, that got wiped out in the '91 flood. Elizabeth and her mom were telling me about that night, they were stranded at the church, couldn't get home.

Anytime I give out my address to a local entity, they all have a story about folks they knew, that lived on my little street before the flood.

Uninsperation
( 1335 of 2167 )

So how are you going to spend the rest of the Winter, old man jim?

Well, last Summer I patched float tubes, this Winter I'll just be the quack cocaine dealer down at the duck dock.

It would be great to put new leaf springs and tires on Jill, and spend Christmas with Shelby up in D.C. Haven't seen this grand-daughter since last Christmas, on a cruise boat in the middle of the Caribbean.

It's only 750 miles and twelve hours, I used to be able to pull that down in a day. Like on that jaunt I made across the country to see Riley in Seattle, two summers ago. I wore Jill's ass off on that trip.

I'm not tied down, Piper is saddly gone and I'm not in a relationship, unless you count my husband Daniel, who is currently hanging out with his wife. Bitch!

There are some things stopping me, like uninsperation, brain abuse, soul searching, fear that if something goes south, can I handle it?

Meanwhile, maybe I can get my ducks to frantically eat Quack out of Madeline's hand tomorrow. That would be nice.

Here's how I see it going down. Liz and Maddie meet me at number seven, tomorrow morning between 0800 and 0815, and follow me to the dock. It's important that we arrive together, because they know my truck.

Maddie and I will sit on the curb, by the dock, side by side, and feed them from seperate bags of Quack. Hopefully Liz can grab video.

Feeding Company
( 1336 of 2167 )

Madeline joined me for duck feeding this morning, they liked her. Auntie shot some video from a distance with my Sony zoom lens. Then we fed ourselves at the Park restaurant buffet.

It's great to have nice company in your life, if just for brief moments. My vibrations were raging this morning, and a large breakfast with the girls is just what I needed.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Haight
( 1337 of 2167 )

I mentioned the Haight/Ashbury over breakfast conversation this morning, I then had to clarify it as the intersection of two San Francisco streets, during the Summer Of Love, in 1967.

I was there and it was amazing. English style fish and chips, wrapped up in a newspaper, then heading out into Golden Gate Park. I like to throw out this reference because it sounds like I was one of the cool characters that made up that cool scene, but I was not.

Someone gave me some pure Meth, uncut, before it became a hit in the world. I was up for three days, psychotic towards the end, waiting to die on the grass in the middle of the Park!

That's when my brother found me, got me out of there, and checked me into the psychiatric ward of Napa State Hospital. Yes, I was in a nut house for two weeks.

I feel very guilty that I was not able to rescue my brother from a locked down nursing home for the mentally disturbed, in Modesto, CA. He is now gone, rest in peace Dana...

Ice Store
( 1338 of 2167 )

I made a decision a couple weeks after I moved into my house, that I wasn't going to consume our terrible tap water, or make ice with it. I was totally spoiled by the well water from our home at the base of the snow covered Grand Tetons in Idaho.

So I started a routine with the little tobacco store up the road, where I would say hi and slip two dollar bills and a quarter on the counter, even if they had a customer there, and go outside and get a bag of ice. The ice only costs $2.14 so I've been supplementing their register for the last four years.

Today I did the routine, but the ice machine on the side of their building was empty. So I walked back in and told them. They were going to issue a cash register refund and I said no, I'll just grab a bag in the next couple of days.

Norma said no and grabbed some empty bags and went back to their in-store ice machine. Meanwhile I chatted with Chris about this law requiring ID to be presented and scanned, for beer and tobacco purchases. He said it was mandated to sell Marlboro products, which means a database is established containing every beer and tobacco purchase you make. God I'm glad I quit beer and cigarettes decades ago, no ID needed for vodka!

Norma showed up with two bags of ice and a big smile. I guess that day I bought her a catfish meal from the fire station, was not forgotten! I have established a presence in the neighborhood, after four years, and it has value...

Clarify
( 1339 of 2167 )

Just in case anyone was wondering, I don't have any romantic relationships going on. I have a couple of young lady friends, and I'm old enough to be their grandfather.

I don't understand the connections, but I value them greatly. It is so nice to have smart young women as friends, willing to take time out of their schedules to spend time with OldManJim.

Elizabeth said something offhand, that she respects my history and knowledge, or something to that effect. I get that, I do have both.

Her dad has Parkinsons and it's affecting him pretty bad. He was a school teacher for decades around here, and my neighbor Daniel has high regards for the man, taught his boys!

Just thought I would clarify things...

Purpose
( 1340 of 2167 )

Living is hard. My tremors are getting worse and make everything difficult. Quite frankly, the only thing keeping me going these days, is the birds in the park.

There's a flock of about sixteen geese that apparently are wintering down with the ducks, and they all gather around me for feeding in the morning. It's an important meal for them, and has become important to me. It's called purpose, sadly.

Xmas Parade 22
( 1341 of 2167 )

The annual Lawrenceburg Xmas parade hit the downtown Square this evening, and I was there. The parade was supposed to start at 1700 and I got up there about 1640. I bopped into the bar and had one overpriced cocktail, then ventured out into the crowd.

It was a cold clear night, and everybody was bundled up. Why have a parade at night, in the dark, I don't get it. The first two floats finally showed up, twenty minutes past start time, and there was nothing behind them for quite a ways down the road.

I said screw it, came home, then climbed into my pajamas and turned the heat on. I shot a little bit of content, just to grab the flavor of the event:

That's the moon up there at the top, btw...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Bluebird
( 1342 of 2167 )

I've been hearing a load squawking out on the feeding board, and I spotted a couple of blue jays through the little strained glass window on my door. I knew they would split if I opened the door, so I took this photo through the glass.

It's a good enough shot to show the cool markings on their backs, with a great tail. The feeding board on my porch and the hanging feeder have drawn some beautiful birds to my little place.

Speaking of birds, I haven't missed a morning with my ducks and mister goose, since I started feeding them in the Park months ago. We now have a special spot at the dock, and they expect me there between 0815 and 0830.

Last night I went to bed with a clear head, and the tremors in my legs, and the cramps in my upper back, caused me to research the difference between Assisted Living and Hospice, when I stumbled out of bed this morning.

I'm a very independent old man, and I don't want to end up in either of those situations. But what if I can't maintain that independence?

I have also decided to stop sending Blog updates out to my very few family and friends!

Instead of subjecting my newest Posts to them via Text, they can drop by when and if they're interested. It's the way it should be!

I know, I have said this before, but then I feel the need to share, and perhaps find some understanding or validation in my words. This has to stop, now.

I can't count how many times I have written a gut wrenching Post, only to wake up the next morning thinking what the hell did I write last night!, and then trash it. If I don't send out the link, the odds that people will end up on my Sorry page, will decline.

I'll keep on blogging, it's in my blood after decades, but this is my last Text update...

The Drive
( 1343 of 2167 )

I'm done designing websites and I'm done developing apps. I've been writing code for 52 years now in some form or another, starting at Merritt College in 1970 in Oakland, CA.

The drive is just gone, formatted to empty. Shelby asked me last month about developing a site and I had to turn her down. I told her I didn't have the expertise to code the specific things she wanted, but I could have learned them, if the drive was there.

Losing skills is like the death of a great friend. It's been an integral part of my life, I've had great successes across many platforms, and now it's gone.

I can't even maintain the cool things I've created for this blog. Most of them still work and if you click on the menu item above called Stuff, you can have some fun. Just don't ask me to fix one if it's broken...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Mask Ready
( 1344 of 2167 )

I'm heading up to Columbia on Wednesday for an 1100 appointment with my neurologist. They told me I had to wear a mask and bring my own, or they will send me away. So, I'm mask ready!

Americus
( 1345 of 2167 )

I need new tires for my old truck! I bought these Hankooks back in Idaho Falls from Discount Tire many years ago, and they have exceeded their high mileage rating. I know I've got well over 80K miles on them, maybe a 100K.

They still have some tread left, but with the wet weather and occasional ice, I'm sliding around. So I contacted Sullivan Tires, the local guys that did my brakes and shocks last year, and asked for a good quote.

The owner just emailed me and said I can get your size tire in an Americus brand for 85.99 each. There is no charge to install them and they come with lifetime rotation and balancing. The total for four would be 395.67, and includes new stems and tax.

I researched Americus and the reviews are pretty good. They are based out of Katy, TX and if there ever was a sign to proceed, this is it! For new followers, I have a friend named Farmer Katy, and the lady that serves us up at the Crockett Shoals restaurant, is also named Katy!

I have an appointment for Thursday morning, and maybe we can talk about leaf springs, get this old truck road trip ready...

Direction
( 1346 of 2167 )

My friend Farmer Katy's husband Jason, is a Holistic Health Practitioner. He could possibly fix the neurological issues going on in my body, which are many. Maybe I can work out a farm labor deal for treatment, sleep in my truck in the back forty!

In the meantime, excuse me while I write real. I have no time left for bullshit.

My walking style is old person with issues, you see it around you everywhere. Last year I was walking strong miles with my bare chest puffed out, abs on parade, and now it's gone.

I have two types of evenings, one where I drink until I can't, then hit the bed with no memory of it in the morning. The other, I shut down alcohol early, drink my hot lemon juice, take my Primidone pills, and go to bed.

Then I lay there with my body vibrating, especially my legs. I have a device next to my head that emits a low frequency sound, that I try to match with the vibrations, and hope for sleep.

When I finally start dreaming, the vibrations and pain wake me up. Last night I was woke up three separate times, and fell back into the same dream each time. My brother Dana, my cat Piper, and some old girlfriend was there, all long gone, and then I met a lady named M, who took me on an amazing adventure!

Ok, choices need to be made! Which direction brings me to the point where I am meant to be. Sobriety of course, is at the top of the list!

I have spent four fucking years surviving alone in this little house, and I'm tired of doing so. What next?

Gifts
( 1347 of 2167 )

As usual, I'm going to try to avoid any kind of Christmas gift exchange this time, like I did last year by hanging out on a Caribbean cruise boat. Not trying to be bah humbug, but I've got too much stuff as it is. Just stating my position, Merry Christmas, and I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

But, children need a good gift experience this time of year, and I only have two in my immediate life: my grand-daughter Ariella, and my little buddy Madeline.

So Riley and Jess, and Elizabeth, let me know if there is something special I can do, or get, for these girls!

Noisy Park
( 1348 of 2167 )

My new Katy, TX tires are installed, and I love them! Great grip on our rainy roads and they run soft and quiet. Nothing like new tires! I should drive to Katy and thank them.

I also had them check out my leaf springs, and a big old boy put some pull on them and he thinks they're fine. Saved me a bunch of money!

Then I had a lot of blood sucked out of my arm at the local lab. This is good, if I have any major stuff going on, hopefully this will find it. Results are heading up to my neurologist.

It was loud and crazy at the park this morning after I fed my ducks, and I tossed some Quack towards the geese. I think a lot of then were waiting for me to leave before they chowed down. Grabbed some video:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Branding
( 1349 of 2167 )

Americus tires are distributed by the American Omni Trading Company based out of Katy, TX, and are manufactured in Thailand. They describe themselves as Made for the American Roads which it appears they are, a well made economical alternative to the big brands, styled to our highways and weather.

I think it's unfortunate that they have to imply, in a subtle way by their name, that they are American made, but it is the way it is these days. Here's the rub, their home company is based in Houston, TX. Where does it end?

Here's their office in Katy:

Did You Know
( 1350 of 2167 )

Not many people know this, but I once spent a month in jail.

I was a teenager one summer back in the sixties and I didn't have a car. I was working a few odd jobs around Butte County California, which consisted of Paradise, Chico and Oroville. The only way I could get around was to hitch hike, and the cops didn't like that so I racked up a bunch of tickets.

Which I didn't pay because I worked hard for my money and didn't want to give it to the County. I finally got hauled in front of a judge who told me I could pay them off by spending a month in jail. I said fine.

The Oroville county jail was interesting and a month there was enough to convince me that a life of crime was not for me. I read a lot, and I learned that the square root of -1 is the imaginary number i, which I applied to Calculus many years later in college.

The food was pretty good, three squares a day and I never got gang raped. Later that year I dated the daughter of a Highway Patrolman, who terminated that relationship when he discovered my criminal record...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Embedded Videos
( 1351 of 2167 )

Something is going on with my embedded videos. They work fine on a laptop or desktop, but just display the stupid scrolling thing on phones, so I realize a lot of folks are missing out on my video editing skills!

I actually suspect this is intentional on the part of Google, but... So, I have added an alternate link at the bottom to take you straight to YouTube, and you can play the video there.

Click the Home button and scroll to any post that contains a video you weren't able to watch on your phone, and try it out, if you like.

Cat In Tree
( 1352 of 2167 )

I was pulling away from the dock after my morning feeding and I spotted this young grey cat, meowing loudly on the other side of the geese. As I approached, it darted up a tree, where I was able to pet it's nose, before it took off. I'll grab some treats today and maybe I can make a connection tomorrow.

At 1100
( 1353 of 2167 )

Wow, I don't know where I am in life. Sitting here alone, watched my adopted football team for the last four years, lose to an inferior team, and just, you know, sitting here. Think I'm done with football!

Talked to Steph on the phone as she headed into town, about life and the past. I miss her, but it is what it is.

I have new tires, my truck is ready for a road trip, but I have an invite to hear Maddie sing at church on the 18th, and I have a present for her.

I don't want to be here for Christmas, I've managed to endure the last two.

One year I just sat here alone, the next on a cruise boat. I haven't figured out what comes next, but it will be, what it was meant to be.

I've always been an anti-pill guy, but now I'm taking my drugs, Primidone and Propranolol (where the hell do they come up with these names), and they ain't doing shit to stop the tremors.

My morning consists of staggering out of bed, turning on the heat, and making my hot lemon drink. I then make my bed, do the dishes, and head to the park.

I start drinking exactly at 1100...

Last Four
( 1354 of 2167 )

The beauty of having a blog, is total recall. Here's my last four Christmas's.

2021

2020

2019

2018

Here's some past ones from my old blog, apologies if the links don't work since I converted the blog to be responsive.

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013 (eve)

2012

2011

Our Jesus
( 1355 of 2167 )

Jesus was a good guy. Joseph and Mary borned him, not knowing his father because they never got it on. I think Mary was a virgin, which I'm sure caused some questions in the neighborhood.

He walked around during his life spreading good will. People wrote about him, documenting everything. Eventually a book was written by somebody.

He got caught up in something, and was hung up on a cross, between two bad guys, and was left there to die, which he did, apparently.

He was put into a tomb, where he got up off the slab a few days later, and walked out. Thus the legend, and religion, was born.

He came out in a Santa suit, and nobody knew where he got it. He was also followed by a bunch of small people.

Together they started a toy factory, that spread across the world, and was only presented on the guys birthday, December 25.

Tennessee Pride
( 1356 of 2167 )

I'm really going to try hard to not be a debby downer this Christmas. Yea I could piss and moan about the commercialization, the mixture of church and state, the blending of sappy fictional characters with organized religion, under the guise of a federal holiday, but I don't want to.

A lot of folks really enjoy this time of year and hey, anything that makes you happy and warm and fuzzy, I'm all for it!

So, here's my favorite young lady Madeline:

And here's my friend Elizabeth's cross-stiched artwork which recently won the Best Of Fair award at our local county fair:

Beautiful, and beautiful. Tennessee Pride!

My Chairs
( 1357 of 2167 )

This is the view from my ass to the wall heater, down onto the two chairs in my living space. In the upper right corner are my Samsung tablet and my pre-release Alexa. The sweet round table holds my laptop and my life. The chairs are expensive as hell, a gift from my sister, which landed in our Idaho home, and ended up here.

The chairs and round table have made this place. I live in a small house, and I bought a giant TV when I moved here, hooked up a surround sound speaker system to it, and I now live in media la-la land, with an occasional guest.

These are amazing chairs, I can't imagine life without them. They rock, they support, they breathe. They are the center of my existence here. My visitors sit in the chair towards the top, I sit in the chair with the crumpled up Titans blanket, with my laptop in front of me.

One Christmas
( 1358 of 2167 )

I know I've told this story before, but after thousands of posts over eleven years, I can't find it, so I will retell it here:

One Christmas eve when Riley was a young boy, about eight or nine, I spent it with him and his mom up at grandma's condo in Bellevue. I was doing well, making good money as a paratransit driver, and I might have even made supervisor by then.

I kinda went overboard in the gift department for Riley, and brought them into the house from my vehicle, and stashed them in a little room off of grandma's living room, while they were in the kitchen.

As the evening progressed, we started opening gifts. I had one stashed under the tree for each of them, and Riley enjoyed his present, whatever it was.

Everyone was in a nice Christmas buzz, when I said, Oh wait, I have another present for Riley, and retrieved it from the room. I did this three times, each gift outdoing the previous. I thought I was being cool, trying to give Riley a memorable Christmas!

As I pulled out the last one, I recall a pained look on mom and grandma's faces that I can only describe as Really?, and I realized at that moment that I had fucked up.

I think that's when my issue with Christmas gift giving started. Hell, I can't even remember what the gifts were, and I'll bet neither can Riley...

This occured well after he and I were homeless, and living in a box on a friends back porch...

Here's grandma's condo from a later Christmas:

Connected
( 1359 of 2167 )

I received a text from my estranged daughter Becky yesterday, and we began chatting. It's been a couple months since we last connected.

At one point she asked for my address. All of a sudden the words from my long time friend Skoge, who used to live with us, came rushing back. She said Make sure you're not getting ghosted! Like, make sure this is Becky you're texting with, not some disgruntled ex-boyfriend who want's to take you out!

So I texted: Do you remember my mom? You're grandmother? And she replied: Of course I do, I talk about the three of you quite often (grandma Janice & King). She laughed at the question, authenticity resolved...

My daughter is 55, a grown ass lady who has given me many grand-children. She lives in the Bay Area with her boyfriend Greg and her bff Jeana. She seems happy and together.

I sensed no bitterness on her part, just a desire to get together and re-connect. I would love to make that happen somehow, it's a great big giant hole in my heart, that I need to fill, before I die!

What Path
( 1360 of 2167 )

So how can I make this connection with my daughter Becky happen? I could fly into Oakland or SFO, but then what? I don't do credit cards, thus I don't Uber or Rent.

I could fly into Sacramento and hook up with Sherry and Grant, but I would still have the same problem, unless they have a vehicle I could borrow for a few days.

Or I could just drive there. It's a 2,250 mile road trip, across Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and then up through central California. I drove the northern route to see Riley a couple of years ago, and it almost killed my old truck, but I brought her back to life!

My biggest concern would be breaking down in the middle of America, having to leave my truck behind and continue on with a bag in my hand, somehow.

This has happened a couple of times in my life, but I was much younger then. I would probably never see my truck again, and my life here in Tennessee would change forever, when I returned.

Hmmm, so what path do I take?

Here's Becky:

Snapped
( 1361 of 2167 )

I have bought only one Christmas present this year. A simple little video camera for my favorite eight year old girl, Madeline. We exchanged gifts in the parking lot of the Taco Truck, over lunch in Lawrenceburg, TN, on highway 43.

I told her this is the only gift I am giving this year, and she could open the gift basket whenever she wanted.

Apparently, she chose Now! I love this young lady, very smart, pretty, and a sense of humor beyond her years.

She is maybe singing at the church next Sunday, I'll be there, and maybe recording...

Xmas Tree
( 1362 of 2167 )

The vibrations were pretty rugged this morning, which affects my walk, and my ability to talk. Not a good combination to attend church, eat good food and maybe watch Madeline sing, so I bailed.

Actually, the last time I attended church was more than twenty five years ago, when I was dating my dispatcher Leslie back in Kent, WA, and she talked me into going to her church, once.

Besides, I don't have any nice clothes anymore, that fit me at least.

My Xmas tree is up! On the wall and looking good. Thanks Maddie, I hope you got to sing today.

The arctic blast is creeping into the South, extending down as far as Florida. Sleeping in my truck on a road trip down there is out of the question, so I'm loading up on supplies, and hunkering down.

Almost Lost
( 1363 of 2167 )

I've been thinking about possible life changing events that never happened. The first one occurred in a park up in the Oakland Hills, having a picnic with my wife Marci, and my little girl.

Becky wandered off and disappeared into a steep wooded canyon. Marci contacted the rangers and I went running into the ravine, screaming out her name. I searched for almost an hour and finally heard a soft cry for help.

I found her, huddled up in a ball in the middle of a sticker bush. We made it up to the main road and were met by vehicles and people ready to launch a search party.

The second event occurred at the marina in Monterey, CA. Riley was a young boy, and his mom, who had custody, let me take him down there for the day. We were hanging out on this sprawling wooden marina with friends, when he disappeared.

After we searched up and down the boardwalk for a long time, I was convinced he had been kidnapped. It was one of the worst moments in my life. All of a sudden he appeared, having wandered into a shop, where he had been looking around.

There is nothing more tragic than losing a child. Even when they're grown up, or living up the road.

Him Or Her
( 1364 of 2167 )

I've had a new routine after the morning duck feeding, of calling out for that little grey cat with a couple meows. I haven't seen him since leaving a can of cat food out next to the bushes where he lives, more than a week ago.

Today he came running to my truck where I fed him a can of cat food. Then I managed to pick him up and place him on my passenger seat. Then I called my Vet which is right across from the entrance to the park.

I asked the nice young lady if they could give him a flea treatment and determine his sex, so I can stop calling it him, if necessary, and take him or her home. She said sure. On the ride over he sat on my lap and let me pet him.

I went inside and they gave me a cardboard carrier and we started the paperwork. Then, when I opened the door to gather him up, he darted down off the seat, between my legs and headed straight into the bushes, where I lost him.

I went back in and told the girl what happened, and she said other cats live in those bushes and they feed them. If they catch him, they will call me.

So now I have an additional morning routine. After feeding my ducks I'll head to the Vet's and try to find him. The arctic blast is hitting Friday, with sub-zero temps, and I've got a warm home waiting for him, or her.

I'll have to get all new cat stuff if successful, since I gave everything to Daniel's wife Jen, for her animals. I really hadn't planned on this, but I have to do it.

Big Hole
( 1365 of 2167 )

This geoglyph is a huge figure carved into the Peruvian desert more than 2,000 years ago, and just discovered recently. I was struck today by the similarity of the lower round object, to a big hole I've discovered in the same location.

And if I don't find a needle and thread shortly, my stuff is going to be falling out of my sweat pants! :-)

Soft Spot
( 1366 of 2167 )

I have a big soft spot in my heart for entities in need, wether they be people, cats, dogs, or ducks. I have helped four homeless people out around here, at the least fed them and allowed them to regain their humanity with a shower, and more.

I've given folks rides to food banks, and money in their pocket if they need it. I've given money to people in the dark on road trips who need it to buy gas, I rescued a puppy walking along Shoal Creek and four kittens abandoned on my dead end street. And most recently tried to rescue a little grey cat living alone in the woods at the park.

I really don't need another cat in my life, none could compare to my sweet partner Piper. I think though, it was good to get the little guy out of the park and into some woods with other cats, and supported by a compassionate animal hospital.

I dropped by there this morning and called out to him, to no avail. Even though it would disrupt my sad lonely life, I still would be willing to bring him home, just to save him.

So, I will leave it to fate. If the Vet calls me and say they have him, I will adopt him because I said I would. Otherwise, I will continue in this life, and see where I can help next...

Bright Side
( 1367 of 2167 )

My Neurologist had me do some blood work after my last visit and the results came in. Her office just called me and said that my MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin) and MCV (mean corpuscular volume) levels were abnormal, and she is referring me to a Hematologist.

I'm now awaiting a call from the closest one, but I'm betting on Nashville. I'm lucky to have good insurance, and this should be an adventure!

Meanwhile, the Extreme Cold is sweeping down on us tonight, and people are freaking out at the possibility of sub-zero temps. I've driven a bus at -40, in a couple feet of snow, so I'm just going to take it in stride. The ducks are getting fed tomorrow, and the search for the little grey cat will continue.

And the fact that I have no family nearby to spend Christmas with, means I don't have to travel this weekend. Looking at life from the bright side!

Two Bars
( 1368 of 2167 )

The first couple of winters I spent here, I used a small floor standing electric heater to stay warm. Piper and I managed through them, but never really got warm.

Then my amazing heating and air genius neighbor Daniel, certified with decades of experience, came over and hooked up and cleaned out my inactive wall gas heater. I then had the local utilities company turn on the natural gas, and everything changed.

This morning it was well below zero when I got up, and I cranked all three bars on. The place was warm in minutes! Now I'm sitting here watching season three of Jack Ryan on Prime, running two bars, and snug as a bug in a rug.

I did venture out this morning, winter dressed to the max with the equipment I brought from the Idaho mountains. I even dug out my insulated boots, and I don't think many folks around here have such a thing.

With my down jacket and insulated pants, I was able to accomplish my goals this morning, and no, I didn't find the cat. I truly hope he survives.

And my new tires handled the roads just fine.

Destination
( 1369 of 2167 )

It's 1730 and I just asked Alexa what the temps were in places I have lived, or been to.

In Lawrenceburg, TN it's 7 degrees. In Driggs, ID it's 18, in Seattle, WA it's 31, in Oakland, CA it's 57.

As for places I haven't lived in, but been to:

In Miami, FL it's 76, it's 79 in Belize, and it's 81 in Roatan.

I don't know what this little exercise was meant to accomplish, but I think I should move to Roatan. I have no family here, I would have no family there, but I would be warmer. Lay on the beach, with my toes in the warm water, and live fully until I don't.

I have a passport, I'm fully vaccinated, with some savings. I could be there in a heart beat!

Hmmm, what should I do?

Ho Ho Ho
( 1370 of 2167 )

It appears I have made a false assumption. I really thought Santa Claus was a fictional character, but after watching all of the network news channels tracking his trip from the north pole, obviously I was wrong.

I mean, news channels don't make stuff up, right? So why doesn't he stop at my house, is it because I'm old, or because I don't hang a stocking by my heater with care?

Now I think about all the Christmas's I've missed out on, because I didn't buy into Santa! Damn... Oh well, I ain't hanging no stocking and I have more things than I need. And I get that he needs to focus on the kids.

Liz and Madds dropped by some homemade cookies yesterday, which made my day. I was craving something sweet and didn't want to drive up to Dollar General.

So, ho ho ho, and Merry Christmas everyone!

Run Away
( 1371 of 2167 )

Why did you run away, little guy, little girl? You could have been with me now in my small house, safe and warm, with a loving future ahead.

Instead I fear you are dead, or severely frost bitten, and near death. How did you end up there in the park? Obviously someone dropped you there, and I hate them.

You sat in my lap as we drove to the Vet, and I petted you. You knew what human contact was like at some point in your life, you just couldn't trust me.

They say that you don't chose cats, they chose you. It was certainly true with Piper when she appeared at our sliding glass door onto the deck, and posed like a princess.

I have called for you every morning since, after feeding my ducks and geese. I will continue, but at some point, I must stop...

Daddy
( 1372 of 2167 )

Daddy's getting drunk with Santa Claus,

Underneath the ceiling fan today.

He's done all his rounds and now needs a pause,

With a joint or two along the way.

They're both getting hammered just because,

Thank god Santa's got a cool reindeer sleigh.

On Donner on Blitzen they yell with a buzz,

While he staggers to his ride and fly's away.

One More
( 1373 of 2167 )

How you spend Christmas day is the barometer of your life. If you have surrounded yourself with family during the year, you spend it with them. If you feel compelled to travel, to reach family, you do.

Friends don't count on this gauge, this holiday is about family. I've had seventy six Christmas's during my time here on Earth, and they have all been unique.

I've bitched about my step dad Paul in the past, but one winter when I was Madeline's age, his semi-truck couldn't make it to our mountain home, and he loaded up a toboggan with our gifts and pulled it for miles to reach us.

I have had many memorable Christmas's. I know I come off as an old humbug asshole, and I'm sorry! I guess there was a point in my young life where I actually believed in Santa Claus. And maybe I felt resentful to eventually find out the truth, I don't know, it was too long ago, and maybe it just added to the confusion.

Why do we do this? If you want to celebrate the birth of your religious figurehead, then just do it! Skip the nonsense! But I know this is not going to happen.

So how do I gauge this one? It's ok, texted with a couple friends, Riley sent me pictures, fed some very hungry ducks, and otherwise have not spoken to another human being all day.

I'm warm, and content. One more in the books...

Meat Loaf
( 1374 of 2167 )

Daniel and I were talking meatloaf this morning, so we both decided to make one today. Now he's a good old southern boy who has made many a fine loaf in his day, but he decided to experiment with weird shit like mushroom soup and other things. Meanwhile I made a traditional meatloaf, following a great recipe closely.

We ate mine first, and we both concurred it was very tasty. Then we ate his and it was, well, experimentally unusual, to be polite. Hey, all great cooks venture out with new stuff, which don't always succeed...

They had the Park shut down this morning when I went for the daily feeding. There was a quarter inch of snow on the ground and folks around here freak out when they see white. It finally opened at noon, and I was there. The boys were hungry and a huge flock of geese just stood around trying to figure out what was going on. They must have been from out of town.

The Feds just bumped my SS up by $131, effective next year. That will cover the $100 rent raise and a tank of gas.

Here's my loaf:

Good Feeding
( 1375 of 2167 )

I spent the night in Huntsville, AL just because I could, and I needed to stretch my new tires out a bit. Ate some crab cakes and fried onion rings at the Roadhouse.

I slept in my truck and left there at 0400, pulling onto my street at 0530. My phone rang immediately and Daniel said I wondered who in the hell would be coming down our street this early? Glad to see he's keeping an eye on the neighborhood.

The ducks were real hungry this morning and a huge flock of geese were in the lake. A few wondered up for the daily feeding. Normally you can't get this close to these wild birds, but watching the ducks eat out of my hand, they figured I was OK. And I was tossing them some Quack!

Also, for the first time since I started, I skipped looking for the grey cat in the Vet's wooded area. It just wasn't meant to be.

Turn Signals
( 1376 of 2167 )

I was sitting in a Dairy Queen the other day, having a chili cheese dog for lunch, when a bunch of Tennessee state troopers came in to eat. I thought about walking over to ask them a question that has bugged me for a while, but I didn't.

I've been driving for sixty years, started at sixteen, and I use my turn signals religiously out of habit. In fact it bugs the shit out of me when people don't!

But what if you come to a four way stop, to make a right or left turn, and there is absolutely nobody around you that would be impacted by you flipping on your turn signal? Many times around here I've done that, only to think why.

If a cop was sitting in a parking lot observing that intersection, would he be justified in lighting you up and writing you a ticket? Technically it's the law, but are their exceptions to the rule?

I actually believe this is a truism of life. If the harmful actions you take affect no one but yourself, are they really bad? It's your life, your choices, and you should have the right to make them, without punishment...

For example, I love smoking pot. It mellows out my tremors and makes me creative. I currently don't have any, but wish I did. How is sitting in my little house puffing on a joint, not going anywhere, making the world a worse place than it is? It don't!

Law enforcement in a pot unfriendly state such as Tennessee, has the right to beat down your door, rip that joint from your mouth, and bestow all sorts of legal shit on you, if they chose to. The states that have legalized it are making huge sums of taxation revenue from sales, while personal consumption enforcement, has gone away.

What a mixed up, whacked out world we live in!

But I digress...

Quack Supply
( 1377 of 2167 )

My duck drugs supply was getting low so I stocked up this morning. The 50lb bag of cracked corn is holding steady from the feed store at $10, while the 35lb wild bird seed has doubled from last year to $20.

I opened the new bags and topped them off with the older supplies, and we should be good for a while. The lady at TS said I'm doing the birds a great service, as food is hard to come by up there in the Winter. It's nice to be appreciated.

License Plates
( 1378 of 2167 )

Alright, this is downright funny. Everybody here in Lawrenceburg has these new blue license plates, that we were all required to upgrade to a while back.

Every one of my neighbors plates have three numbers, followed by four letters. Except mine, which has three letters, followed by four numbers. It's been bugging the hell out of me so I called the county clerks office and asked why?

It turns out that because I didn't check the In God We Trust box on the application, I get singled out with this reverse numbering system. It's a damn code, propagated by the State of Tennessee!

So, as I'm driving around town, people are probably looking at me and shaking their heads going, well, there goes another sad pathetic agnostic...

They don't put "In God We Trust" on the plate itself, but if your plate number starts with three numbers, you do!

Ya gotta love the South!

Another Year
( 1379 of 2167 )

As another year ends, I'm trying to figure out my position on the totem pole. I suspect not too high, kinda like the down on a thistle, it peels off a notch every time.

The view through my shades has become darker, I'll ask the eye doctor about that on the fourth. It could be an issue from a fall the other night, or maybe just lights out.

Memories of people I've known and loved are flowing into my head like they're standing beside me. Multiple ones converging at the same time, from various pasts, and totally out of my control.

What an amazing way to end a year I never thought, in my wildest dreams, that I would ever reach!

Happy New Years my friends!

I Love You
( 1380 of 2167 )

I just started watching a NetFlix series called Kaleidescope, and the underlining theme is, mistrust.

They keep saying What it comes down to, is you, versus the people that want what you have! Then they follow it up with The only thing that matters is, can you manipulate them, better than they manipulate you?

It makes me wonder how many people, and businesses, live by this position?

What a sad take on life! First off, if someone can give me a convincing argument that they need something I have, more than I do, it's theirs.

Secondly, I don't manipulate anyone, or anything. It's not in my blood. I embrace honesty, as evident by this blog. I don't share everything here, just enough to establish my position. But everything I say here, is the truth.

I wish you all a great year ahead, and I love you!

Gettin Weird
( 1381 of 2167 )

It's been a strange start to 2023. I woke up this morning thinking I had done something major yesterday, gone somewhere important, then finally realizing I didn't go anywhere. I fed the ducks, that was it, I think. Maybe I bought some groceries, or was that Saturday...

My mind is heading south, while my body heads east. I must have dreamed about doing something yesterday, and somehow can't distinguish between dream and reality.

At least I have a blog to confirm what I did and did not do. It now appears I just watched NetFlix.

This morning I called my ducks over from across the lake, and when they got out of the water, they weren't hungry, they just stopped by to say hi. It's gettin weird...

Pigeons
( 1382 of 2167 )

My step dad Paul was an asshole. To my nieces and nephew on my sisters side, he was their grandfather, and I'm sorry kids, but I've got to call him out for what he was.

He's been dead now for over thirty years, a chain smoking long haul truck driver that adored his daughter, my half sister, while barely enduring my brother and I.

In the early years, between five to twelve, he whipped my brother and I regularly with his belt over the slightest things. I guess that's what he determined his role to be, the discipliner.

When we made it up to Paradise CA, the whippings stopped. My older brother Dana was big enough to kick his ass, and I would have put up a good fight.

He rarely participated in our lives, instead hanging out in his car, parked in the driveway, reading paperback books.

I was a track star in High School, and played first base for a high ranking California Babe Ruth team, and he never attended a single event.

One summer when I was sixteen I took off from Paradise and hitch hiked around the state for three months. I wasn't missed.

The reason I thought about Paul today, was due to some pigeons being raised in a coup on top of an apartment building, in a movie I've been watching.

I was raising about twenty pigeons as a kid when we moved North out of Visalia. At the last minute he gave into my mom's pleadings and strapped their cages to the big trailer hauling our stuff up to Paradise.

They survived the trip, and loved hanging out in the tall pine trees. One day when I was trying to get them down from the trees into their cages, I accidently killed one with a rock. I was heartbroken but Paul freaked out and said That's It and the next day when I got home from school, they were gone. And I had no idea what happened to them, never did find out.

So, it's going to be interesting if there is another side, and I run into that guy...

First Memory
( 1383 of 2167 )

My first memory was lying on the floor as a baby, watching my mom in the kitchen. I described the scene to her one day and she recalled the house down in Southern California. I was less than a year old.

I actually still remember it, after all these years. I was in the middle of a small living room, the entrance to the kitchen was about eight feet away, on the left. Mom was facing the counter either cooking or washing dishes.

The teddy bear that now sits alongside my big TV, and watches over me here, must have been nearby.

A great memory, and now some days I don't remember what I did yesterday, which is why I really do this blog. Meanwhile I spotted something white in the creek from my kitchen window. Turned out to be a downed tree with a little snow.

The Programmer
( 1384 of 2167 )

I smoked a joint with three stewardess and my business partners in a private room at the back of a commercial jet flying between SFO and LAX back in the early eighties.

My buddies Bill and Dave and I had a software business going on and frequently had to fly to Los Angeles. Things were real loose back in those days and we always ended up getting drunk and smoking cigarettes with the girls.

They had a private room at the back of the plane where we could kick back and relax, the girls liked us and we partied hard.

One night on the way back to the City, on an almost empty flight, I pulled out a joint and we all smoked it. Think about todays security standards, and let that sink in...

Those were amazing times! We went down to ComDex in Vegas for several years, at the height of the birth of the Personal Computer. The parties were huge and insane and my office was a strip club south of town, where my partners would bring folks to meet me, The Programmer.

I have since been homeless once, and flat broke twice. Isn't life amazing!

My Values
( 1385 of 2167 )

As I fade towards the sunset, I would like to take a moment to reflect on my values, because I can. But instead of defining who I am, I will define who I am not:

• A Crook. The idea of stealing anything from anybody, or taking advantage of an illegal situation, is so far from my reality that I can't even explain it.

• A Liar. I just don't lie, period. Sometimes I will use semantics to suppress the truth, for that persons benefit, but I fully embrace honesty, if folks can handle it. Then I have to make the judgement if that's possible.

• An Asshole (anymore). This applies to everything I do now in life. I am polite and friendly, I help folks that need it, I smile, even though it's hidden behind my toothless goatee. I do my best to be a good man and neighbor. I think long and hard now, about my initial reactions!

• A Sucker. I've been ripped off lately due to my lack of ability to spot a scam. I have recovered my minimal losses and everything is good. My defenses are now on high alert!

I guess that pretty much sums it up...

Bread
( 1386 of 2167 )

I went to the park this morning at my normal time of 0830 to feed the ducks, and there was a man and a young girl tossing them bread into the water. From a big bag of bread! I've done my research and I know that bread is one of the worst things to feed them.

I just sat in my truck watching for a minute, with my bag of healthy stuff sitting next to me, and wondered what to do. I certainly don't own these birds, although we've gotten very close over the last few months. I really wanted to jump out and confront the two about it, but I had no right to do so.

Besides, the girl was probably his daughter (around five) and they were bonding. I also suspect this was not their first time here. Some days I show up and the ducks will come visit me and hang out, but they're not hungry. I think I just found out why.

So I went back home and my morning has been ruined. The old expression "You need to get a life" was never more true for me now.

The park opens at 0700 so I think I need to start going there at 0730. That's my way of getting a life!

Lori
( 1387 of 2167 )

Amanda Kohlberger plays "Lori" in a low budget horror film called "Two Days Back", where people get slashed to death with a knife.

Why is this important? Her brother Bryan is the accused killer in that Idaho crime where four students where slashed to death, with a knife!

I just rented the movie on Prime Video for $1.99, watching now...

Update: Watched the movie, and it was awful. Nothing really gorey, just bad acting and a stupid plot. But, it involved two college girls, a few guys, and one crazed dude, who took out a bunch of them with a knife. Now I don't know if you're following the Idaho murders, I am, having lived there, but this is crazy shit! Wow...

Good Night
( 1388 of 2167 )

I've felt really weird lately, and I'm trying to figure out how to describe it. Everything feels off a notch. My vision through my prescription shades seems really dark. Memories of people I've known pop into my head like they're standing beside me. Then I get dizzy like I'm going to pass out.

It could be a brain issue from a fall the other night, but the back of my head is finally not sore. I went through this last year, they scanned me every which way from a worst fall, and I was alright.

This is not a cry for help, this is documentation. I write about my life because I can, while I still have a platform to share it on. When folks get tired of hearing about my stuff, I trust they will let me know.

It's Thursday night, 1/5/2022. Tomorrow is my grand-daughter Shelby's 31st birthday. Please send a warm vibe her way up in government land, DC.

I have a few people in my life that I send notifications of new blog posts to. Not every post, but most of them. The list is short: Shelby, Christina, Elizabeth, Steph, Katy, Riley, Jessica, Skoge, Daniel, and Dave.

So far they have not screamed at me to stop, so I won't untill they do :-)

I suppose when that list drops to zero, I'll hang my blogging jacket up in the closet, and say good night...

Stratton
( 1389 of 2167 )

I think my friend Carol Stratton is gone. I've tried texting her in the nursing home in Rexburg Idaho, to no avail.

Carol contracted a childhood disease, I think Polio, that changed her life forever. I first met her in Victor, ID, driving a para-transit bus with a wheelchair lift. She was chunky, in a chair and sweet as hell. Over the years of driving her to and from the Driggs Senior Center for lunch, we became great friends.

Her sister lived in the house next door and took care of her for many years. One year the sister died, and Carol was moved to the nursing home, totally robbing her of her independence.

The last time I saw her, Steph and I drove down to Rexburg, and chatted with her from her hospital style bed. We have chatted on the phone a few times since I've been here, but it's been a while.

So I just called her. Her message box was full, and I belive she is gone. What an amazing woman! Crippled as a child and living her entire life in a wheelchair. Yet, she was one of the sweetest people I have ever known!

Crying tonight for you, my friend.

Update: I tracked down her nursing home, Temple View Transitional Care Center in Rexburg Idaho. I just called them and they confirmed that Carol has passed away. Hopefully see you on the other side, my friend!

Carol Gone
( 1390 of 2167 )

Another day, blending into the others, currently hanging with the present. I confirmed that my friend Carol is gone, called the nursing home.

I just ran into my buddy Ricky at the liquor store, he was buying a Fireball. We have shared a joint or two up in the park, on occasion. I invited him and his crusty friend to drop by my house this afternoon, he knows where it is, maybe I'll get stoned. Or probably not, who knows...

Steph called and asked me to check out an Idaho number that has been blowing up her phone, so I did. Had a nice conversation with a hispanic man who spoke little english. He had no idea what I was talking about, was working, and we talked for five minutes.

Done With
( 1391 of 2167 )

I've been walking around my little house muttering, Ok, I'm done! But I can't figure out what it is I'm done with.

Drinking? Writing embarrassing blog posts? Loving? Living? I guess if I embraced that last one, all of the others would be resolved. But I'm still glad to be alive, as painful as it is sometimes.

Ok, so here's what I'm really done with:

 • Eating at the taco truck, like I did today, and regret it.

 • Searching for the kitten, I hope you're ok little guy.

 • Texting out blog post notifications, this is the last one.

 • Hanging on to lost love, need to move on.

 • Writing code, been done with that for a while.

 • Long road trips, I think.

 • Another cruise, twice and done now.

 • Buying anything from Amazon, two day shipping has turned into six or more, Prime video sucks, and I want my money back.

Poem
( 1392 of 2167 )

Live hard and fast, end old and alone.

Look back at last, and see what you own.

Love is a bitch, never meant to be.

Turn off the switch, and set yourself free.

Fly to a land, leave it all behind.

Die in the sand, nothing on your mind.

--------

Meanwhile, here's Daniel hanging at his wifes house, with the dogs:

Teton Valley
( 1393 of 2167 )

I lived in Teton Valley, Idaho for a dozen years before moving here to Tennessee. My sister and her family still live there.

The Valley sits at 6200 feet and is surrounded by mountains, with the Grand Tetons on one side and the Big Hole range on the other. The Wyoming state line was a couple miles from where I lived, with the Grand Targhee Ski Resort at the end of the road, about ten miles away.

To top it off, a river ran right through it with trout that brought fisherman in from all over the world. It is quite the place and I enjoyed living and working there.

I still get the newsletter put out by the mayor, and I just snagged this artwork from it. It sums up the place nicely and just thought I would share...

Spoiled
( 1394 of 2167 )

I used to be very spoiled. For twenty years I had someone to cut my fingernails and toenails, trim the hair in my ears and my nose, give me haircuts, and rub my body on a massage table that she bought early on.

When my school bus kids needed treats, she was all over it. Creativity flowed from her hands, it was amazing.

I returned the favors as best I could, I could give a great body rub, I could make her satisfied, I was a kind man, and I could cook.

Today I asked my neighbor Daniel if he had anything to patch the hole in my grey sweat pants, because I have a couple of appointments this week, and I don't want my nuts falling out.

He hooked me up with a spool of thread and a needle. He then advised me to not attempt this repair until tomorrow morning.

I asked for his help and he just rolled his eyes, and left. Some things you just need to do by yourself...

Still Code
( 1395 of 2167 )

I have determined that I cannot thread a needle, much less actually sew. But I can still dig up my coding skills when I need to fix something.

I was looking at my "All Posts" feature and clicking on them randomly, when I started seeing some of them show up with the dreaded "Sorry, I've deleted that Post" message. I then realized that I had written that PHP module to grab everything, even though I had changed my mind about viewers seeing some of them.

Oops. Hey, I write a lot of stupid posts, some more stupid than others, and I just send them to the trash the next day or so. But the All Posts code was grabbing everything. So I did a var_dump on them and found that Posts with a "state" of -2 were the trashed ones.

So I went to the code and added a conditional that specified "&& $row['state'] != "-2", and now that function shows 1,278 posts as opposed to 1,486. Which means I have 208 posts on this blog that I have written, and trashed.

Maybe I should write a module that just shows "Trashed" posts, and prove to the world how fucked up I am!

At least I have discovered that, even though booze is getting the better of me, and taking me down, I can still code...

Blogist
( 1396 of 2167 )

I saw my Neurologist today, a very kind young lady, and we talked about tremors, blood work, and alcoholism. I have some weird blood things going on and she has referred me to a Hematologist in a couple of weeks.

I appreciate people that can help you solve your problems, or even figure out what they are in the first place.

I don't solve anyone's problems, I'm just a Blogist. I let words and thoughts flow out of my brain, through my fingers, into a keyboard. Sometimes they're entertaining, sometimes informative, most times just down right crazy.

But I ain't getting paid, in fact it costs me to do it. If anyone comes across my blog, reads it for a bit, and never comes back, that's fine! I don't allow comments here, as opposed to my previous blog, so I never know if someone hates it, or loves it.

I do send out new post links to a few of my friends and I trust they will let me know when to stop doing this. The friendship will not end, I promise you.

Embrace It
( 1397 of 2167 )

I'm very happy with my Medicare Advantage health insurance. Today was eye examination day, and I had gone in late December to buy a frame on last years allotment. So, I had a complete exam, ordered the glass, still have a frame credit if I want to get some shades this year, and all it cost was a $35 copay. Those visits to my Neurologist are only $10.

So I now have intermediate macular degeneration, on top of pre-Parkinsons and some funky shit going on with my blood. But I'm still alive! Still kickin the bucket down the road, and I havent fallen in a while now.

I've also got a roof over my head, money to buy food and booze, a trusty vehicle to get me around, and a couple friends. I really do need to stop bitching about life, and simply embrace it.

I also said a prayer to God today, sitting in the eye doctors exam room, waiting for my pupils to dialate. I had texted Jess about her baby girl who was sick with flu like symptoms, and she wrote back that she was taking her to the doctor today, and I prayed that she would be fine. It takes a lot for this old agnostic to pray, so I really hope he's lisitening.

btw: I just ran across an old post called My History, so if you don't know, here you go...

Close Call
( 1398 of 2167 )

I almost bought the farm this morning. My little dead end street connects with a busy four lane highway at the bottom of two hills. Trucks coming in both directions speed up well above the 45 speed limit so they can get up either hill.

My trip to the ducks involves crossing the highway from my street (on the right) to another small street (on the left). This morning I crossed into the turn lane (red dot) and waited for the traffic to clear. A hole opened up as a large truck was coming down the hill in the right lane with another vehicle next to it.

Now I'm a good aggressive driver and I've made that turn many times in that situation. Unfortunately, it was cold, and I didn't let my truck warm up enough. As I crossed into the trucks lane, my engine hiccuped, leaving me stalled in the trucks path.

I was able to use my forward momentum to clutch her back to life, fortunately, because that truck had nowhere to go, and I would have been crushed.

On Friday the 13th, no less. Anyway, it was a good wake up call to back off my aggressive driving, and wait for the traffic to clear.

Your Welcome
( 1399 of 2167 )

I gave Madeline a cute video camera for Christmas and I received a cute video back.

Elvis
( 1400 of 2167 )

I've been following Lisa Marie's passing, along with her daughter Riley. Imagine going through life as Elvis Presley's oldest grand-daughter! She's 33, three years younger than my boy Riley.

My fifteen grand-kids have me, the old broken down man on Lee St, to admire. Of which, only three do, the rest I have no contact with. Ariella, Riley's baby girl is an exception, since she really doesn't know me.

On last years one year old birthday visit, she looked at me like Who the hell is this guy, with the long goatee? I never even held her because I didn't want to freak her out further. I'm hopeful that will change.

As i was driving down the main highway this morning, here in Lawrenceburg, TN, I realized this is probably going to be the place where I die. There's no way I'm going to rent a u-haul, tow my truck behind, and move to somewhere else!

It may happen on a trip somewhere, but this is where I have landed. After all of the amazing adventures, careers and lovers, this is it!

I ain't Elvis, but I'm still a good man, who holds no resentments towards anyone...

Going On
( 1401 of 2167 )

My alcoholism worsens, as my depression deepens. I try daily to deal with it, fix it, but every day I fail. What can I do? I have no support system here, my best friend drinks with me, and I feel lost and defeated.

At least I'm not into hard drugs, like heroin, meth, coke or crack, so I should be grateful. I'm just a drunk, trying to numb all of the issues going on with my old body. Right now, I'm succeeding!

But I'm still just an old asshole, sitting here writing shit, and texting it down the throats of the few people I love. I am so sorry, and hopefully I can stop this now...

My Problem
( 1402 of 2167 )

I wrote another drunken post last night, and trashed it when I woke up this morning. I just dug it out an read it, and realized it was a cry for help. Not that anybody could do anything, it's my problem, and mine to deal with.

But, I absolutely need to stop sending out text notifications. If anyone wants to drop by my blog, they can, and they will get what they get. I'm also turning off my phone and going off the grid, for a while...

Any Sleep
( 1403 of 2167 )

Went to bed sober last night, giving the new prescription for tremors a shot. It was a restless night, but managed to get some sleep. And any sleep is better than non-moving unconsciousness. The tremors didn't stop, but the edge was a bit softer.

I skipped watching football for the most part yesterday since I don't have anything invested, but I did watch the last few minutes of that game where Trevor Lawrence brought the Jaguars back from being down 27-0, to win over the Chargers. These guys are now my pick for the Super Bowl.

I also watched all current episodes of Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount+. Pretty edgy show, I like it, and I just heard a great quote from it:

My father used to say, I can't wait to get old, for my mind to soften, and my memories to rot away. The hardest thing to do is forget, forget the scars that life gives you, forget the scars you gave others. The challenge, then, is hiding a few memories worth keeping from your dying mind. He told me to keep a journal and only write down the good things. Then, when the bad things fade away, you can read about the happy life you had.

I should take that advice...

My ducks weren't very hungry this morning, only Whitey and Cotton Top really chowed down. But still I can call them onshore from the middle of the lake and we just say good morning, and hang out. We have become good friends.

A Statement
( 1404 of 2167 )

I'm beginning to form a very short list of folks who would like to receive text notifications of my sometimes crazy ass posts. My grand-daughter Shelby is always up, and my probation officer friend Crissinda seems never offended, and often comments.

Today I learned of an unlikely source, my ex, Steph. She just called me realizing she had missed a particularly pathetic drunken post, because I trashed it the next morning, and mentioned it in the afternoon.

She said she gets a kick out of reading them. I guess she must have enjoyed my occasional intoxicated state during our relationship. I was never violent, and the sex was great.

So, I'm down to three people who would like to be notified of every post I make. Wow, what a statement to my current life!

The Rest
( 1405 of 2167 )

I have spent all day working on this blog. It started yesterday when I grabbed all of my 209 trashed posts, untrashed everyone of them, and then put them into a blog post list for the world to see.

What a stupid fucking thing to do! There are posts in there that were just down right foolish and didn't belong. There were posts in there that were inappropriate, or embarrassing.

So, I read every one of those trashed posts this morning. I was surprised to see there was stuff in there that was pretty good, or at least interesting. If they were stupid, I re-trashed them. So, here's the new list of 117 posts givin a new life, with 92 dropped.

I now expect you to stop whatever you are doing right now, and read them all :-)

A Hobby A Lady A Plan A Road Trip A Song About Shelby Action Ashley Meets Brian Astoria At 1100 Back Again Biloxi Bound Black Beauty Bring It BText 1.2 Care Carol Gone Carrying On Clarify Colleen Court Crumbs Current State Cut Off Dave And Sue Dawn Depressed Direction Disaster Done Face It Falling Apart Focus Football Fuck Gelato Gettin Weird Going On Going South Graduation Graphic Flyer Haight Hello Goodbuy Hmmm Homeless I Bailed Ice Interocean Jesus Just South Last Push Leslie Letter To Doc Life Regrets Life Song Like A Rock Live Slow Marci Marion Me And Gram Me Cubed Meantime Midnight More AI My Becky My End My Gut My List My Ride My Video MySQLi Nature Neighbor New Plan New Poem New Song New Word No Plan Old Reality Our Jesus Outfits Park Ghost Parkinsons Party Girl Party Pics Profit Sharing Pussy Ramblings Random Things Revolution Ripped Off Rock On RouteQue Run In Short Trip Shut Down Snow Day Solutions Sometimes Stephanie Still Dance Systems The Abyss The Cycle The Formula The Gift The Navy The Switch Things Thinkin To Blog Trailer Trash Mama Valuable Visitor Waterline Weird Trip World Ending 117 Total
Charlies
( 1406 of 2167 )

I helped Steph out this morning, getting her cars engine pressure tested, because it's been overheating. The verdict was a crack in the head gasket. The estimate was over a grand to fix it, or $30 for an additive called Blue Devil to try and seal it.

I contacted Riley and got his opinion. He said there was a third alternative, buy a complete used engine. He then hooked me up with car-part.com and found one in good condition, 70 miles away, for $425. So now it's in her court on how to proceed.

Then, I plugged my truck into that site and searched for leaf springs for my baby's old sagging rear end. Found some at Charlie's Used Auto Parts in Dayton, TN, 185 miles away, for $50 each. The route takes me right through Chattanooga, one of my favorite places here in the south.

So I bought them over the phone and they said they would be pulled and available next week. Road trip baby!

The Girls
( 1407 of 2167 )

I casually asked Steph over breakfast this morning, if her granddaughters Lilly 7, and Lyla 5, knew where their mystery $50 each at Christmas, came from.

I was surprised to hear that they were told it was from me. I haven't seen these girls for a couple of years, what with the falling out and all. Steph showed me pictures on her phone, and they are beautiful.

They probably have faded memories of me. Lilly is into sports and Lyla is just into being provocative, from what I can tell. They also have a new baby brother who's walking around, Steph adores them all.

Maybe one day I'll see them again, the space between me and Mellisa has mellowed, but just ain't there yet. I just want to say here, that I fell in love with those girls, and I wish them the best!

Muster
( 1408 of 2167 )

Todays news here in Tennessee had a guy under suspicion for killing his wife, found dead, along with his 9 and 11 year old sons, that he shot before killing himself. What the Hell!

The next story was about a newborn baby that had been dropped into a dumpster. The baby was found, and is still alive, but What the Hell!

What a sad messed up society we live in! I guess all we can do is live our lives with as much integrity that we can muster.

As I was feeding the ducks, head ranger Rachel and one of her deputies were standing up on the road talking, so when I was done I walked over to them and told them that I was feeding the ducks wild bird seed mixed with cracked corn. I think they knew that, my boss at the tubing company was also a ranger and I told her. We were all in agreement that my mix was good for them, and they were appreciative of my daily routine.

I was chatting with Daniel today, and asked him if he had ever taken a human life, having been a cop for a while, and he said no. Some folks have lasting injuries from his actions, but not dead.

I certainly have not, nor have I seriously harmed anyone. I've been in a couple fights, always ended up on top.

Then I sold him my old Remington rifle with a great scope for a couple hundred bucks. We were comparing shotguns last night and my gun collecting buddy said my Mosburg sawed off baby needed a cleaning. So, he's dropping it off at a gun store south of town on his way to Alabama. $65, ready in a week, and the rest of the two hundred will go to those leaf springs.

I don't need that rifle, I don't hunt, I don't take the life of any animal, even insects if I can avoid it...

We then talked about suicide. He lost a dear friend to it years back, and it ain't in my bag. But, if I reached a point where my body couldn't move, and I was down to my last $50, maybe. Then we discussed methods.

I certainly wouldn't splatter my brains around the house. I would take that $50 and buy some high potency fentanyl, sit in my chair, sip on a cocktail, and say goodbye...

Melissa
( 1409 of 2167 )

I first met Melissa when she was a young lady, daughter of the woman I was having an affair with. She was in a relationship with a guy named Chris, and became pregnant. I don't remember the details about this guy, but he was not good news.

I do remember the day that Melissa called her mom to say she was pregnant. Steph and I were at the pool at our Kent Terrace apartment. He was born as Dillan Hernandez, and I grew to love him, and enjoyed every moment we shared together.

Then, Steph and I moved to Idaho. Melissa made it to our house once with some friends, and we had a good time.

Melissa then hooked up online with a guy named Michael, in Summertown, TN. He was an Army vet. She moved there, got married, and had three kids.

When I showed up in Tennessee with a truck full of her mom's and my stuff, she was the best. We found a storage place for Stephs things, and we even found a place for me to live, here on Lee Street.

I felt we were friends, her boy Dillan would hang out at my place and play Fortnight, her girls were my little buddies, and we spent quality time together.

And then, over a mis-understanding I can't explain, it fell apart. So, for the last two years, I have not seen any of them.

Steph and I fell apart over this, but lately our connection is growing stronger. I don't know what comes next, hopefully, maybe something good...

Fast Food
( 1410 of 2167 )

Steph and I lived in Driggs Idaho for well over a decade. It's centered in Teton Valley, with Victor on one side and Tetonia on the other. The valley runs parallel to the Grand Teton mountain range for 17 miles along Hwy 33. There are about 6500 people living there, and I was the bus driver.

There was not a single fast food joint to be found, and we had to drive 45 miles down to Rexburg to shop at Walmart. The largest city around was Idaho Falls, an hour and a half away.

Now, Walmart is only three miles from my house, along Hwy 43, and we have: Wendy's, Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Burger King, McDonald's, Hardee's, Long John Silver, Dunkin Donuts, Arby's, Little Caesars, Krystal, KFC, Jack's, Sonic and Zaxby's. In that order.

This strip also has everything else you could want. The only time I really need to go out of town is for my neurologist up in Columbia, or the airport in Nashville. I've met a lot of folks who were born, raised, and lived their entire life here in Lawrenceburg, TN. It is an interesting medium sized town in the deep South, and everyone talks with a twng.

And they really like to eat...

Another Night
( 1411 of 2167 )

Pretty down and out today. I made it up to Walmart this morning where a couple of nice ladies in the eyeglass section hooked me up with some clip-on shades that fit my new glasses perfectly.

Then I went home, hunkered down, and watched TV all day. It's 730 in the evening, I'm sober, but thinking about correcting that situation.

Daniel was over for a while with his FireBall, talking about how his wife cuts his hair, trims his nails, and rubs his back. Yea, been there my friend, happy for you. Then, as he started talking about her making breakfast for him all the time, I had to shut him down.

I am concerned that I have lost the connection with my sister and her family back in Idaho and Wyoming, and this includes my nephew Brian. I think perhaps their sobriety has clashed with my lack of.

Wow, what a way to end up, and I take full responsibility for everything.

My shotgun is getting cleaned and leaf springs are being pulled, so as soon as the gun is ready I will load it up, stash it in the back of my truck for protection, and hit the road to that small eastern Tennessee junk yard.

I have not missed a day feeding my ducks since I started months ago, but it looks like that's going to happen.

Still haven't made that cocktail, guess I'll just go to bed. Goodnight...

.
Wasting Gas
( 1412 of 2167 )

It's a little after midnight and I'm sitting here at my laptop. I've been laying in bed for hours trying to sleep but the vibrations in my body, especially my legs, won't let me.

Around 10, my phone rang once, which startled me because the ringer is off. I ignored it, then at midnight there was a knock on my door. I jumped out of bed, threw on my robe, and approached the door cautiously. There was nobody there.

These were not dreams, they were quite real. As I sat down to drink some water it reminded me of the time I clearly heard Piper meow, shortly after she died. Someone on the other side wanted me to get up.

Then something caught my eye, and I realized that the starter flame on my gas heater was on. I don't know if that could have caused an issue, but it was certainly just sitting there wasting gas.

The space between half asleep and half awake, is a magical place, where the other side can attempt to reach us, and sometimes succeed. Maybe I'm not as alone as I think...

Crumbling
( 1413 of 2167 )

As I was reading my recent early morning post, it became evident what the problem is. Although I knew it, sometimes I need to accept it, and articulate it.

When I self medicate with alcohol, my Parkinsons symptoms decline, I become numb to them, and I pass out on my bed in the evening. I don't experience the kind of shit I went through last night sober. I just sleep like a rock and then drag my ass out of bed to start the daily routine up again.

The meds my neurologist prescribed, ain't working. My physical condition has declined to the point that I can't work out.

But hey, it could be worse! Next Wednesday I see the hematologist about my blood workup. Who knows how that shit is going to go down :-)

I'm not sitting here bitching about my life, just observing. I am really grateful to have survived this long, and not be homeless on the street. I am my families patriarch, the old remaining guy at the top of the lineage, and proud to be so.

I have accomplished a great deal in my 76 years, and fucked up a lot, but thats called Life!

Anyway, my current condition really kinda makes sense to me now. I accept it, as do I accept the relationships that are crumbling around me, because of it. But please don't think too badly of me, I really am a nice, honest old man, and I will take that with me, to my grave...

Hudson
( 1414 of 2167 )

I just got a text from one of my young co-workers at Crockett Shoals Tubing Company last summer. His name is Hudson, a great kid, junior at Lawrence County HS, and he has been following my blog.

Wow, I didn't realize my eclectic ramblings reached into the young lives of the County I live in. He said he has been enjoying my computer science history posts from over the decades.

And today he stepped up and said he would be willing to feed my ducks while I was gone on this upcoming road trip, before he goes to school, so the ducks don't miss a day. I am touched!

He just dropped by and I showed him my feeding techniques via my YouTube channel on my giant TV. I showed him how to call them from across the lake with a series of quack sounds. How to feed them from my hand.

Then I set him up with bags of wild bird seed, cracked corn, and an extra bag to mix them in. I told him I would text him when I hit the road, he smiled broadly, and we shook hands.

What a solid young man!

Be Proud
( 1415 of 2167 )

I'm sitting here this evening thinking about Hudson stepping up to take over duck feeding duties while I'm on the road. I really don't know this young man well, we worked together over the summer, but I suddenly have a great respect for him.

What a fine gesture to do this! He chose to do it from simply reading my blog, and caring enough to reach out. I am so humbled.

Obviously he was raised well, working the summer for the tubing crew, other then that I know nothing about his life.

But damn folks, this is what upbringing is like! If you have the privelege of raising a boy like this, be proud!

Ground Human
( 1416 of 2167 )

Our world has a real love hate relationship with our fellow animals. We love our dogs and cats, but we raise cows, chickens, pigs and other animals by the millions, just to eat them.

I love eggs, but I don't eat chicken. Somewhere along the way I abhorred the commercialization, but still eat beef, pork and fish, and sometimes feel guilty doing so.

What if someday we were invaded by an alien force that crushed our militaries, then rounded up all the humans and put us in cages for breeding and consumption. Tear down all of our cities and build their own structures.

The animals that we eat would be set free or used as pets, and ground human would become one of their culinary staples. Leg of human would be a delicacy, female breasts would be used for sandwiches, genitalia as appetizers. Our skin would me made into clothing.

Hey, we have a great planet, with billions of people. A roaming band of aliens would find this place a perfect spot to set up camp.

Just sayin...

Names
( 1417 of 2167 )

I was talking to a local mechanic about my leaf springs when a parts runner came in. I asked how he liked the job, thought about it myself, he loved it!

Then I came home and watched a documentary about the porn industry. There's big money to be made there. So now I'm torn between parts runner, porn star, or stupid old retired blogger. Have to think about that for a bit...

I kept messing up Hudson's name yesterday, was calling him Hayden. I just realized that the East Tennessee town I'm heading to shortly for parts, is called Dayton. God it's tough getting old with your brain going south.

I've got a blood doctor appointment on Wednesday, and hoping the weather cooperates for a Friday morning road trip after the ducks. Hunter goes to high school so on weekdays would have to get up there early, but the weekend should be easier.

The ducks absolutely know my truck, fascinating. I pulled into the dock this morning and they come running before I could park. Hopefully they will accept my young friend Hanson. Shake the bag son, they know that sound!

Update: Yea, I crack myself up sometimes, just like the corn in the quack :-)

Smoked
( 1418 of 2167 )

Unlike some bloggers who have writers block, I can't stop writing. The words flow from my unstoned brain onto my screen. Damn, I wish I was stoned right now.

I am so envious of people that live in a pot friendly state. Get in your car, drive a few miles, buy legal product, take it home and smoke it. I have to drive to fucking Illinois!

Pot unleashes my creativity. I made some incredible breakthroughs in code technology stoned. In the early eighties I went with my business partners up into a sweet cabin in Lake Tahoe. They set me up with a multi-screen original IBM PC system, and I developed our next product. Stoned.

With so many states legalizing pot, the badness is now off. I don't consider myself a drug addict because I like to smoke. Trust me, I have bigger issues.

The last time I drove up to Metropolis, IL, I smoked a joint in my truck because I didn't want to smoke in my motel room. The smell lingered in there for a month, and if I had been pulled over here in town, I would have been hassled. How sad.

The truth is, weed is grown all over Tennessee. I have encountered a few people here that have sold me some local grown bud at a good price. Unfortunately, I have lost touch with them.

Yea, you may question me even talking about this, but wtf, are the local cops going to beat down my door and search for drugs because I wrote this? Trust me, they won't find any.

No, simple possession inside a private residence is a low priority for them. Yea, if they pull someone over and the vehicle has a pot smell, they have to dive in, because that's their job, and the law is what it is.

State legalization is a money crop in taxes. Almost half of what I pay for weed in a legal State, goes to the State. Excuse me? Who are the drug dealers here?

I truly believe, that all laws across this country involving pot, should be eliminated completely. Drop the fucking taxes. Put pot next to the lettuce in the grocery store.

And then move onto magic mushrooms...

Again
( 1419 of 2167 )

There I go again, writing posts that I really shouldn't be, and sharing them with people I really should not. I wake up the next morning wondering what I wrote, who I texted the link to, and just shake my head.

I have obviously alienated a bunch of folks. Some of my texts are not going through, which would imply that my number has been blocked.

I've been using Goggles web based messaging system on my laptop, connected to my phone via blue tooth, so it's way too easy to copy a link and paste it to everyone on my list.

I have shut that down now, and the list of people in my text history is empty. So the only way I can text now is on my phone, which means I won't be texting links to anyone because it's a pain.

Bottom line, hopefully I never send a single post link to anyone again. I will keep blogging, but if anyone wants to see what I write, they need to drop by the website.

Sometimes you need to take drastic actions, to solve a problem...

Party House
( 1420 of 2167 )

I just came to grips with something, now that I've shut down notifications, that this blog is really my personal journal, it just happens to be online for anyone to see. If you want to drop by, please do, otherwise avoid me.

The best position in life is to not give a shit what people think of you, just be honest, be real, help people when you can, and express yourself.

I have this new morning routine where I get up at 0400, drink my hot lemon water, catch up on the news, eat some cereal, watch TikTok and then go back to bed around 0530. As a result I've been having some amazingly realistic dreams as I sleep for an hour. The dream this morning was something!

I was living in a large house alone, when suddenly it was invaded by a bunch of people having a big all day office party. My possessions were striped away, party stuff was being brought in, I kept finding bud lying around that I scooped up and stashed.

I wanted to take a shower but the curtain was gone and there were people everywhere in my large bathroom. I just couldn't expose my nakedness to the group.

Later a beautiful freckle faced redhead approached me with a baby on her hip. She pulled her blouse open and presented a big nipple to me, dripping with breast milk, inches from my face, and said remember this?. As I moved my mouth toward it she suddenly said no! and I stopped. Story of my life...

This afternoon I was asleep behind the wheel up in the park, soaking up the sun through my windshield, when my phone rang. It was the used parts outfit in Dayton, TN and he told me that the leaf springs were a no go, damaged.

Road trip off, searching for other options now...

What Now
( 1421 of 2167 )

My road trip to Dayton, TN is off. Charlie called today to say that the leaf springs they pulled were damaged. The next nearest place is up in Ohio and I have no desire to travel that far in the winter, so I guess my tail will just keep on dragging.

I tried to help Steph out this morning with her engine fan issue, hooked her up with the guy that did my rear-end, but I guess we weren't on the same page.

Hmmm, now what? Hudson's prepared to feed my ducks, I have no pets, maybe a trip to Cancun? I just asked Alexa what the weather was and she said 83 with clear skies. Damn that sounds nice, find myself an all inclusive hotel on the beach for a week, get a $20 massage every day, and soak in the hot tub at night. Anybody want to join me?

Or drive up to Metropolis and buy some stupid maker? Daniel says I'm an asshole when I'm stoned, but I strongly disagree, he just doesn't get me in that state. He's just an old southern boy, never been stoned in his life.

Or do nothing...

I Win
( 1422 of 2167 )

I have classified documents in my house. On one of my road trips a few years back, I stopped in Vegas and hit up my favorite bar at the Flamingo. Hunter Biden was there drunk, surrounded by hookers and hanger-ons, passing out documents with big red letters at the top that screamed Classified! Said he found them in his dad's garage.

I can't say specifically what was in the two that I got, because, you know, they're classified. But I can hint that one discussed aliens, and the other shed light on the Kennedy assignation.

OK, just kidding, don't want the Feds showing up at my door! But it's a totally feasible scenario.

Daniel was over last night, and we were talking favorite female singers. The first one out of his mouth was Megan Trainer, OK. We then started using Alexa, his Goggle shit on his phone, my ChatGPT site, and our memories, to conjure up our favorite female singer.

Armed with a giant TV with a kickass soundbar, and a YouTube search engine, we explored our favorites. If we could not remember an artist, we used Alexa or ChatGPT to remind us.

We played Megan, sweet and sings good. Then we moved to Stevie Nicks. I told him the time my sister bought me, Steph and Riley front row seats to Fleetwood Mac in Oakland, CA. She's amazing.

He considers Miley Cyrus a whore, I don't. I love her music and her style. So here we are at a standstill.

My final vote goes to Jennifer Nettles of SugarLand. Her song Something More was Stephs and my theme song leaving Kent Washington, down to a new life in Idaho.

This is my blog, so I win...

Tiwats App
( 1423 of 2167 )

I just renewed one of my favorite web apps for another year. It's called Tiwats and it stands for Things I Want At The Store. It works great on your phone or laptop and you can use it to create a shopping list at multiple stores.

The first thing to do is click the Add button at the top to add a store. In this case I'm typing in Walmart and then clicking the Add button within the box.

Walmart is added to the list.

Then I repeat the process for Kroger, note how the Stores are automatically sorted.

Next I click on Kroger and add an Item.

Here I've added more Items to both stores, note the Items are sorted.

Once you're at the store and you place an Item in your cart, simply click the X button next to the Item to remove it.

Now here's the cool thing, clicking on any Item name will open a web page that searches for that Item, in that Store!

The About button summarizes these instructions while the Reset button clears everything, which you really don't need to do if you shop at these Stores regularly. All of your data is stored on your device, and pops back up the next time you open the App.

I hope you use Tiwats, and enjoy it.

The Ride
( 1424 of 2167 )

Had a crazy ass day today, trying to hook up with my blood doctor. My GPS got me close to the spot in Columbia, TN, but I was sitting in the middle of a small strip mall, when she said I had arrived.

I walked into a TMobile phone store and asked if there were any Maury Regional doctors offices around and he said they were all over the place, but the big office was a mile away, biggest building in town. Yea, I passed that, so I went back and it turned out to be the Hospital. Nope, no doctor Messenger there, so I checked the building next door, nope.

So I called my doctors office and they sent me back to where I came from, and finally found their building, around the corner from TMobile. OMFG. I entered the office right on time and spent the next hour dumping out my soul as a new patient.

I waited a long time in the room, finally a frail old man appeared. He dug deeper into my world, taking notes along the way. Finally he took me back to the lab for more blood draws. Then he examined my pelvic/stomach area for some reason.

I now have an appointment in two weeks for an ultrasound. I have no fucking idea what's going on, but I'm in it for the ride...

Gig Over
( 1425 of 2167 )

Watching Hunters on Prime today. The Jewish accents and mannerisms are bringing back memories of our two Jewish partners back in the early PC days.

They were the money guys as I created Four Point Graphics. I can't remember their names, but they were two badass dudes. Our company was called IMSI and it was based in San Rafael, just across the bay, over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco.

Both of these guys were Israeli tank commanders, military guys. Tough and ruthless, you wouldn't want to mess with them physically. They came to me one day and asked me to create an anti-virus program. This was before any such thing hit the market, before Norton.

I turned them down, just wasn't interested and I still despise anti-virus programs. They suck the life out of systems without merit.

We were at Peter Norton's shop down in Los Angeles one day for something, I missed meeting him because he was out to lunch that day.

Anyway, one of the Jewish guys bought me a ticket from Oakland to Seattle, actually rode with me for a meeting with Microsoft. I ended up hooking up with Riley's mom there, to be with my boy, and never saw any of my business partners again. Gig over.

But, the bottom line is, I created one of the very first graphics programs for the brand new IBM PC, in 1982!

Broke
( 1426 of 2167 )

Wow, thinking about all of the highs from my programming adventures during the seventies and eighties. When I landed in Kent Washington in the early nineties, I continued on for a while, writing assembly code for the Black Box with Sundstrand, scanner drivers for ZSoft's PC Paintbrush, and then I crashed.

It all just came crumbling down, lost my apartment because I couldn't pay the rent. I ended up living in a tent that Dave loaned me, in the middle of a field. Flat broke, homeless.

People helped me out and it took me years to crawl back up, fueled by the love for my boy Riley, I needed to be there for him. I got a job as a dishwasher at a local hotel. Then I got a small apartment that was near Riley's Elementary, Junior and High schools. I was there for everything.

I eventually landed a job as a paratransit driver, became a supervisor for two companies, and left Washington State with Steph, holding my head high.

I know this fuels my obsession to help others who are down and out. Sometimes it only takes a little boost, a shower, a meal, a few bucks in your pocket. I will continue to do this, until I can't.

Shotgun
( 1427 of 2167 )

I sold my hunting rifle to my gun collecting neighbor last week, and had a great gun shop South of town strip down and service my only remaining gun, a Mosburg short shotgun. They did a great job, the weapon is clean, shiney, and fireable.

Daniel and I have had this ongoing discussion about leaving a shell in the chamber. I carry this gun on my road trips and I always considered racking the gun as a deferent to anyone wanting to hurt me in the back of my truck.

The problem is, there is an additional safety switch on the side that needs to be pressed upward to allow the rack. If you fumble that move, you could end up dead.

So, I have conceded the point to my gun expert neighbor. She is now fully loaded, racked with a shell in the chamber, and the regular safety is on. To fire, push the safety off with your left hand and pull the trigger with your right hand.

No rack, no fumbling with the damn rack safety, just push a button and shoot. I get it.

Tracy Watch
( 1428 of 2167 )

Dick Tracy was a comic strip crime fighter in the 1930's. In 1946, the year I was born, he started using a futuristic two-way wrist radio called the Dick Tracy watch. I grew up with this stuff, always wondering if it would ever become reality.

It has, and then some. My Samsung phone is joined at the hip with my Samsung watch via bluetooth. I can place and receive phone calls around the world, with this device on my wrist. I can update and set watch settings from my phone. Not to mention all of the apps and body tracking goodies it contains.

But sometimes my watch surprises me, like this morning. When I flicked my wrist to wake it up and check the time, there was Jess and Ariella starting back at me. Now I'm a pretty tech savvy guy, but I have no idea how a notification like that ends up on my watch, I didn't set it up to do that!

Not that I mind, I enjoy their photo site and drop by every time I get an email showing new content, but this is just downright strange.

Update: I figured it out. Somehow Family Album notifications got turned on from my phone. I'll leave it on :-)

Quack Quack
( 1429 of 2167 )

The weather in Florida looks good for next week, seventies and eighties. I would really like to get my act together, pay my rent, buy some bird feed and leave it on my porch for Hudson, and road trip down South,

I called the ducks in from across the lake again, with my quack quack quack call. Not sure if Hudson could pull that off. He also has school next week and that's quite a burden to impose on him.

I really wish I could take those bags of wild bird seed and cracked corn up to the dock, and have the Rangers invite the folks visiting in the cabins, to have a go at feeding them.

I think I will post this and send it off to Rachel, maybe she could forward the idea to the park staff.

Here's a good feeding video: Duck Buds

The rules of the game: I've been showing up between 0815 and 0830 for months now. Often they are waiting at the dock for me, but sometimes their sense of feeding time is a little off, and they are hanging out way over by the dam. I can get their attention and have them swim across the lake to me, and that takes about ten minutes. The geese also gather around and appreciate the feed tossed towards them. That's it!

My quack mixture is good for them, it suppliments their diet daily, and they love it!

Gobble Gobble
( 1430 of 2167 )

I encountered the wild turkey flock in the park this morning. They were pretty chill, tossed them some quack, then continued on to the ducks.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Foda.com
( 1431 of 2167 )

I had this whacky idea today for a new app, even though I haven't fired up my development box for months now. I envisioned the domain name foda.com, which stands for Fear Of Dying Alone.

I just checked and I should have known it wasn't available. I think all four letter .com domain names, no matter the weird character combinations, have long been snapped up. Five and six letter combos are probably close.

Anyway, the premiss of the app was to give people in my position, but without a Facebook page or a blog, a voice. A place to tell their story to the world.

I got the idea from our local radio station, The X. They asked the question: What are people most focused on, when they turn thirty. A fear of dying alone was right up there.

At my age, I don't fear it, I accept it, and plan for it. When I leave my house in the morning I make sure my bed is made and my dishes are washed. My Will is sitting on the little counter by my fridge. You never know!

btw: mykwak.com is available, so is kwaqy.com, if I felt like creating...

Oh what the hell, I just bought kwackd.com for $10!

Kwackd
( 1432 of 2167 )

I fired up my dev box this morning, grabbed a template and uploaded it to my server. Then I brought my laptop up, downloaded the template and began to write code. So, sitting here in my chair, at my laptop, I have created a brand new site.

I've still got some tweaking to do, but to create a brand new website before two in the afternoon, not bad. It was fun diving into code again!

So here you go, a site devoted to feeding my ducks, named Kwackd.

Bones
( 1433 of 2167 )

I guess writing code takes a toll on my body these days. I stayed up late and slept in late this morning, to 0730. Considering I normally get up at 0400, and at the boat dock by 0815, that's really late for me.

What the hell does it matter I suppose. No job, no partner, no life.

I've been driving by this skeleton every morning lately and finally stopped to check it out. Looks like a deer. How sad to be struck by a car and left to rot by the side of the road.

I wonder if it had a partner, a mom or a dad. I believe that animals grieve, they are not different than us in that regard. They just don't have the ability to express it to our dominant race.

I'm not going to bury the poor animal, I'll just watch it decompose over time. Although, I count my ducks every morning, and would grieve if one went missing.

Still Here
( 1434 of 2167 )

I piss and moan about my life a lot. It's what I do. Maybe I'm looking for sympathy, or help, or maybe not. I really don't see a solution to my issues on the horizon, so it's all just babbling nonsense.

But I am grateful for what I have:

 • A reliable vehicle with new tires.

 • A good independent roof over my head. Not some fucking apartment with people above and below me.

 • A gas heater to warm it up.

 • A fridge, a stove, an air fryer, to provide food.

 • A good bed, a giant TV, and computers to type this shit.

I'm really envious of the man who can meet a woman, fall in love forever, raise a family, have a solid career, and die with a large funeral procession.

But hey, I'm still alive until I ain't, and I'm grateful for that. I have had amazing adventures, loved deeply, fucked up badly, and I'm still here!

San Francisco
( 1435 of 2167 )

I remember a day in San Francisco, when I was a young man. I was hitch hiking around and ended up down at Playland At The Beach. It was an amusement park down on the water that had big animated clowns and shit.

I don't remember much about that night, but I do know that as I was walking down the steps to the ocean, hundreds of giant rats came rushing up from the beach, and swarmed around my feet, towards the street.

I spent the night sleeping up in the woods overlooking the attraction at the curve of the road.

What a strange memory to pop up in my brain. It really defines my troubled young life. I think it all went south when I turned sixteen. A step dad that didn't give a shit, school sucked, a president shot, riots in the street.

What the hell was I doing in San Francisco?

Awards
( 1436 of 2167 )

I was chatting with Steph on the phone this afternoon, as she fueled up at McDonald's for a night shift at the Dollar General. She said she won the employee of the month award for the region, a nice gift basket and a weekend off.

We reminisced about the time back in 1997, twenty six years ago, when I won the very first Employee Of The Year award with the largest ParaTransit outfit on the West Coast, ATC/VanCom. It was a great honor and ultimately earned me the lead supervisor position.

Steph was the front office receptionist and that's where everything started. She told me today that I got pissed off somewhere, sometime, and threw that award in the trash. She talked me down from that, and I still have it today.

Do you realize that I dragged myself up from a homeless ex software genius, washing dishes at a hotel for years, to get to this point? Life is amazing, and I am grateful!

Video Tweak
( 1437 of 2167 )

I spent this cold Tennessee day, tweaking code in my Kwackd app. I really wanted to embed YouTube videos into my popup code, the stuff I use for my maps.

YouTube don't like their videos wrapped up into a frame, but they do allow individual videos to be framed if you play by their complicated rules. They would much rather present their whole site to you as a link so they can advertise.

I got it working on my Windows 11 laptop, but my phone and tablet are resisting. I don't know if it's a cache issue or what, but you can help me out by going to Kwackd, select the Videos menu option and click the Test option at the bottom of the list.

It should open the video in a fullscreen content box. If not, let me know... Thanks!

Reactions
( 1438 of 2167 )

I realize that blogging has become an avenue for defining my life, confessing my sins, and reliving my accomplishments and failures. I guess I could have written a book instead, but...

Writing about things in your past is helpful in understanding your present. During my life I have often become offended at something, and then reacted in a spiteful way. The reason I'm here in Tennessee was because of that. The reason Steph's family is not in my life, is because of that.

Today I had a memory of an incident in High School. I used to sing, I have a deep voice and I was pretty good. The Paradise, CA Chamber of Commerce hired me, a buddy and two young ladies to walk around one Christmas in costume, singing carols around town.

But the incident occurred while performing in choir to a large gathering at the school. I got pissed at something, no clue what, and my reaction was to sing everything loud and out of tune. I'm sure I ruined the performance.

That was my pattern in High School. One year I was forced to join the wrestling team if I wanted to continue track and field. It pissed me off so I started wrestling dirty, hurting kids, and the coach finally shook his head and said get out.

The teachers considered me stupid, because I was bored. One day I did a book report and presented it to my English class. The teacher accused me of plagiarizing it, not believing that I could write. I told her fuck you and dropped out of school. Finished up at night school down in Chico.

Years later I graduated at the top of my class at Merritt College in Oakland.

So I see this pattern in my life, and I'm really sorry that I react this way. You can't go back and fix mistakes, but you can learn from them, and try to do better the next time.

Walking
( 1439 of 2167 )

It's catching up with me. I'm having problems walking lately, my legs feel weak, like they're about to crumble underneath me. I did a little research on liver cirrhosis and walking, and sure enough, they are related.

It all makes sense now, the blood doctor examining my torso and ordering an ultrasound.

I'm facing two options here: lifestyle changes and hope for the best, or fuck it all and live crazy until I can't. Not being able to walk would certainly complicate either option.

I always sit on the curb at the park for feedings, and lately I'm having a hard time standing back up. It would be comical if one day I wasn't able to, and had to flag a ranger down for a helping hand!

Oh well, I'll find out on the fifteenth...

Oakland Life
( 1440 of 2167 )

I guess I have an affinity for dead end streets. Back in the late eighties I lived on a small street that ran up a hill from Lake Merritt in Oakland CA.

I was in a three story apartment on the second floor, looking down on to the street, with my computer monitor in front of the window.

I think the house across the street belonged to the famous Hells Angels boss, Sonny Barger. The biker parties were epic, hundreds of bikes and colorful jackets.

I researched Sonny, who was based in Oakland, and discovered he might have been in prison around that time. So it may have been one of his high ranking chiefs, or him. I never got invited to a party, but they were fun neighbors.

I also had a major drug dealer living above me. Tall, well dressed black men in top coats were always coming and going on the steps in the hallway outside my door, carrying stylish bags.

The nearest bar was gay and the bartenders name was Suzy. He liked me, always hitting on me, and failing. But when money was tight, he would always run me a tab until I had some.

So that was one of my lives, in the years prior to moving to the Seattle area...

btw: Sonny Barger died on June 29th last year at the age of 83. He told fans to stand tall, stay loyal, remain free, and always value honor!

Now that I look at this picture, yea that was my neighbor, talked to him a few times.

Phone Call
( 1441 of 2167 )

I was sitting in the park around noon today, reading my mail, when the phone rang. My daughter Becky's name appeared!

She and I reconnected a while back via text, after almost fourty years, but she wasn't ready to talk directly. So, I thought Is this the moment? Then I answered the phone.

Silence. Then I heard some muffled voices, a woman with a husky voice, a man in the distance, talking about what I believe to be, a dog.

I had been butt dialed! I tried to get her attention, to no avail, so I just listened.

There was nothing exciting, just two people having a casual conversation, but it was nice to hear her voice.

After about five minutes I hung up, then I used the sweet little app I created called btext.org to write this post and email it to myself, for posting when I got home.

Famous People
( 1442 of 2167 )

I got to thinking about famous people I have come in contact with. Folks that I have met, and physically touched.

 • Muhammad Ali, boxer.

 • Billy Graham, evangelist.

 • Adam Osborne, invented the Osborne portable computer.

 • Mark Zachmann, created PC Paintbrush.

 • Gary Kildall, founder of Digital Research.

 • Sonny Barger, boss of the Hells Angels.

Fantasy
( 1443 of 2167 )

My daughter Becky's butt dial to me today started a cascade of events. She read my post about it and laughed, then we started making plans for her visit here in Spring. She's free within dates in May and June, with days from seven to ten.

She want's to do Dollywood, that's great, never been there! There are many fine places to see here. She can be my sidekick in my little two seater truck. I can stay in two bed motel rooms along the way, with my daughter!

Her daughter Shelby would love to come down for a weekend and do DollyWood with us, that would be amazing. My boy Riley, Jess and the baby might be free for a June trip to Tennessee, staying at a timeshare.

Ok, here's the old man's fantasy, all of us meeting at DollyWood! Damn, that would be amazing. Maybe even my grand-daughter Taylor could make it down with her twins, from the North?

Becky is the source of my fourteen precious grand-children, many of which I will probably never meet. To make a connection with any of them, and their mother, is an old mans dying fantasy. But most importantly, I want to reconnect with my daughter.

Over
( 1444 of 2167 )

My buddy Daniel and I having a peaceful conversation...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Cookies
( 1445 of 2167 )

I was just getting ready to shut down tonight, drinking my lemon juice, when my sweet young friend Madeline blew me a kiss and said that Girl Scout Cookies are ready. Made this old mans evening!

Math
( 1446 of 2167 )

I minored in math at college, taking algebra, geometry and trigonometry. I got A's in the first two but when I got a B in trig, I realized I had maxed out. No calculus for me. Besides, computer programming had become my passion, and that's a world of ones and zeros and languages.

I also took chemistry and biology classes, but as my computer career advanced, I never used any of that stuff. After a few years, I had forgoten all that math and science. I did take electronics and some of those principles served me well on occasion.

I bought a hand held calculator at Radio Shack when they were invented, and by the time calculators were available on computers, I had forgotten how to do basic arithmetic on paper.

If a calculator is not within my fingertips, or a mouse click, I can just ask my Alexa device to solve math problems for me.

My neighbor Daniel shocked me when he said he could do long division on paper, so I made up a problem and he solved it. I'm impressed, I can't do that anymore!

Blog Died
( 1447 of 2167 )

I totally trashed this blog yesterday and it is a miracle that you are reading this, or any other post I have written over the last four years.

I kept getting a notice from my web host to upgrade to PHP 8.0. If I did not, they were going to start charging me maintenance for my current version at eight bucks a month.

So, I upgraded all of my sites to 8.0. It broke my blog completely, anybody dropping by yesterday morning/afternoon would have seen nothing, or some PHP junk.

Fortunately, I had backed up my blog and it's database prior to the upgrade.

Anyway, I cranked up my dev box, and everything I did was not working. I tried upgrading my blogging platform from ver 3 to 4, and that just put the finishing touches on my blog. Dead to the world.

I was suddenly in a horrible state, realizing I had trashed four plus years of blogging. My only recourse was to recover my backup.

It was a complicated process, I'm getting drunk, I'm freaking out, but somehow I managed to recover this blog! When the site came back up I was screaming "yes" out to my neighborhood and running around like an idiot!

So here's the new reality: I'll pay the eight bucks a month to run an old version. I ain't changing nothing, rock on!

From The Dam
( 1448 of 2167 )

The ducks were hanging out over at the Dam so I moseyed over there. It was an interesting feeding, and as I was sitting down I fell over backward. Startled them and I had to coax them back. Then the geese showed up...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Oakland Time
( 1449 of 2167 )

I had a cute little blonde girlfriend when I was attending the old Merritt College in Oakland off Grove Street. It was a predominantly black school, and a good one. One day we walked into Melvin Newton's office and said we wanted to be in his African American History class.

Melvin was the brother of Huey Newton, the founder of the Black Panther Party. They had a bad rep as a violent group in Oakland, but they actually founded over 60 community support programs there.

I had no fear of living in that town, I walked everywhere, even in tough neighborhoods. Little kids would call me honky, because they didn't know better.

My girlfriend and I wanted to be in Melvin's class, but he said no. He wanted it to be black only, so the students would feel comfortable sharing their history.

We accepted that, but the reality was, we were discriminated against.

Ha! I've actually told this story before. :-)

Gravy
( 1450 of 2167 )

My neighbor Daniel has been trying to talk me into hitting the local convenience store and ordering biscuits and chocolate gravy.

Apparently, this is a Southern thing. The gravy is made with sugar, flour and cocoa. I got pretty belligerent, saying I was not going to eat the stuff.

He recorded my reaction with his I-Phone and texted it to me. The video is blurry and had some weird extension, .3gpp and I had to convert it to .mp4. I thought about putting it on YouTube, but wisely decided not to.

It's funny as hell and I will only share it with my friends, so, if you're interested and have my phone number, I will text it to you.

Then, on the way home this morning, he stopped and bought some for me. It was exactly how I perceived it to be. No further comment. :-)

Some Help
( 1451 of 2167 )

Sometimes in life we need help, and sometimes it ain't there. Which is usually caused by the actions and decisions we have made in the process of getting to that point.

Help is often needed in different ways, emotional, financial, guidance, and friendship. I try to help people all the time, and I've actually helped a lot of folks around here.

Lately I stagger around my little house wishing I had help, someone to step in and say Jim, you're fucking up what you have left of your life!, and then help me change it.

But I do not. So, I will continue to stagger on legs that are failing me, with a semblance of pride, until I can't.

I will observe and write about life, ponder the mistakes of my past with compassion, and do my best to make it to the next day.

This is not the best description of living, but it's what I got, and I'm grateful for every moment, no matter how good or fucked up they may be.

Update: I just got a response to this post: Get your shit together papa!! Ok, sure, I'll put that down as tough love help!

My previous blog. busdriverjim.com, allowed comments to be made on posts. That was interesting and social, maybe I should have allowed them here, but I did not. I wanted to take full responsibility for every word.

Here's an example from my old blog. Wow, I was in a much better place five years ago...

Cancun
( 1452 of 2167 )

I have a deep travel history with Mexico, partied in the Mexican resort towns on the western side, many times, and driven across it from Texas and taking the ferry over to Baja.

But I have never done Cancun. I would say it is at the top of my travel list, should I choose to travel again. The weather in April is great, and damn if I couldn't use some warm sun, an all inclusive resort, and some adventure.

I have all of the tools to get there. I have a solid passport, I'm triple covid vaxed with an Omicron infection on a cruise boat. I have enough cash to pull it off.

Wether my legs would hold up to walking the beaches, is another story, but I would give it my best.

So the question remains, do I wallow around this funky old house until I fall over and can't get up, or do I live! I could still do this and make it back to enjoy Tennessee with my daughter Becky around June.

I don't need help, I just need to have the balls to go for it!

Update: Shelby just turned me on to Playa del Carmen!

Kingstown
( 1453 of 2167 )

I've been watching a great show on Paramount+ called Mayor of Kingstown. It represents a fictional city in the U.S. and is all about gangs, prisons, and a cool dude called the Mayor that runs everything.

It got me to thinking, is there really a town or city called Kingstown somewhere? It's a perfectly sensible name for a city in this country, so I went looking and found one, the only one! Kingstown, West Virginia, a fork in the road...

Pretty clever move on the producers part, I'm impressed.

I do the heavy lifting, just to lighten your load!

Breached
( 1454 of 2167 )

My bird feeders security has been breached. I opened the door this morning and a squirrel jumped down from it and took off. Bird seed gone.

I really thought the spinning funnel things would keep them off the wire. Maybe he jumped from a nearby tree?

It's a nice day and my door is open and the squirrel is at the feeding board on my porch, eating the rest of the seed there. Standing up straight and staring me down. It's like, I own you now, dude!

Medical Day
( 1455 of 2167 )

Tomorrow is medical day for me, leaving the house at 0600 and driving up to Columbia. Getting an ultrasound, then a meeting with my blood doctor afterward at his office down the road.

They're all part of the huge Maury Regional Health system here, so I assume the doctor can bring the results up on his computer, and we can talk about it.

I have to start fasting this afternoon, and Daniel is bringing over some of his homemade pulled pork. I'll stick some in a container for dinner tomorrow.

It should be an interesting day, have my insides scanned, then get an expert opinion...

Station
( 1456 of 2167 )

I have to say, I have set up my little house as a survival station, with benefits.

The 65" TCL TV that I bought at Walmart when I moved in, along with the soundbar and subwoofer from my previous Idaho setup, gives me amazing A/V.

The small little kitchen space next to my stove in the corner, has been my challenge, where every cubic millimeter matters.

It's finally landed in a very workable place. The small air-fryer is sitting atop hundred year old bricks from downtown, and Pipers old treat basket holds tools for the fryer, which has become my new best cooking friend.

I only use the oven top to boil water for lemon drinks, or to hard boil eggs. I haven't fired up a frying pan there for months!

Combine that with the fact that I can sit out on my porch and do whatever I want, and not see another person for hours, priceless!

Workers
( 1457 of 2167 )

I respect all of the people here in Lawrenceburg, TN. but I respect the workers the most. Yea, we have our share of folks who have learned how to live off the system, more power to them, along with the retired oldies like me, but for the most part, everyone here is working.

My neighbor Daniel works seven days a week, as the heating and air genius for Lawrence County's sprawling school system, and then maintaining several big Ice Houses all around, on the weekend.

His wife works in a cookie production plant, on the midnight shift.

Everybody around me in is running in full work mode, or mom mode (a job), or the I'm so fucked up I can barely move, but I really want to go to Krogers mode!

In the evening they all fire up the barbecue, some fire up smoke, and then they slide into party down mode...

Driving
( 1458 of 2167 )

I've been driving vehicles in America for sixty two years. I've left a few along the highway, but I never totaled one. I loved every special vehicle that came into my life, wether personal or professional.

I've never hurt anyone as a result of my driving. I haven't had a ticket in more than forty years, last one for speeding up a hill in Seattle.

I have yet to file a claim with my insurance company for anything, but I did use their included towing services a couple times.

The bottom line? I've driven millions of miles around this country, enjoying every moment, and I've managed to slip by those brief moments, where I shouldn't have been in, and survived.

So, the old man is still driving around town, in a cool old truck. I think I'm doing great!

Kim
( 1459 of 2167 )

I spent this morning hanging out with some great young ladies. The first one that struck my attention was a pretty, petite woman, mid-fifties, who verified my data with the Maury Regional Health computer.

I asked her if the simple band on her wedding finger meant she was married. She said yes, and I refrained from saying what I wanted to, which was "he's a lucky man!". Daniel would have said it...

I was at a new place, Imaging. I finally got called in for the main event, the Ultrasound. And then I met Kim, a really nice young lady, 45, three kids in the Lawrence county school system, middle and high.

As she moved a warm thing over my lower body, we talked about travel, and life. Beautiful eyes above a mandatory mask. I could easily incorporate this into my daily routine.

I turned Kim on to my blog, then I asked if I could get all of the images she was taking. She said sure, and burned them to a CD. I will be firing up my dev box shortly and copying them to a USB stick for editing on my laptop.

Then I moseyed down the road to my blood doctor. In and out of different rooms, poked, prodded, and blood sucked, I finally came face to face with the expert, holding the entire state of my body, in his hands.

If this was TikTok I would make this Part 1, but I hate that shit.

So when I left the doctor's office, I drove straight to Williams Park, a cool little hang off Hwy 43, heading back home. I had planned for this event, depending on the results. Made myself a couple of drinks, smoothed my mind, and thought about his final statement, limit yourself to two average cocktails a day, and you should be alright.

So what did he say? My liver has a little fat around it, my bone marrow is low, and I have a vitamin B12 deficiency.

In other words, I'm fucking alright!

Your Dream
( 1460 of 2167 )

I received a notice in the mail yesterday that the oil and gas company that sends me royalties on occasion, has settled their lawsuit for fifteen million.

Who knows what will be left after legal fees, or how many folks will split this up, but I will be getting a check, one day. Thanks dad!

Hudson fed my ducks yesterday, before school. He found them down at the dam, thanks buddy! I never know where they're going to be when I pull up to the dock. What do they think they are, wild birds?

Somewhere along the video jungle that I traverse, armed with my clicker, one person said to another, What's your dream?

So what's mine? Landing on an ocean beach somewhere, as I sail towards the sunset of life.

Recognizing what it is, and expressing it, is the first step to getting there, I suppose.

But I still have some years left now, which gives me time to work on it.

So what's your dream?

Creepy
( 1461 of 2167 )

I know all of my neighbors on my dead-end street (Drew, Jeff, Tony and Daniel), except for the folks up facing the highway in houses on each side of our street.

Yesterday I met one of them as she drove up and down looking for her dog. A cute young lady, a good contribution to a neighborhood full of frumpy old guys. She told me her name but I've forgotten, since that was yesterday.

Today I saw her walking down our street, barefooted, on a misty afternoon, calling out for her lost dog. I believe it's name is GaGa.

I wanted to invite her in for a drink, or a smoke, get to know what's up? But I didn't, it probably would have been perceived as creepy. I am the oldest man in Lawrenceburg, TN, after all.

Daniel said she lives there with her fiance. She is his next door neighbor and I believe he said he talked with her once.

Anyway, summer will be here soon, hot days, walking her hopefully found dog, in skimpy outfits, for our entertainment. Ok, that was creepy, but I make no apologies, this street needs help!

Tornados
( 1462 of 2167 )

Our southern Tennessee Lawrence County was all over the Nashville news yesterday, as a couple of EF-0 or EF-1 tornados touched down. The one on Grandaddy Rd was actually pretty close

.

The one that hit Ethridge further North is where Daniels wife lives. No structural damage to their house, but stuff around the place got broken up.

We got lucky compared to some places in the South, over the last few years I've lived here. Hey, I've been through major earthquakes in downtown San Francisco, ten stories up, rocking and rolling. Nature can be badass when it want's to.

Checking Damage
( 1463 of 2167 )

I finished my evening last night, with a hot lemon drink and my meds. Woke up this morning determined to brush off my demons, and have a straight day today!

I made it up to Kroger by 0700 and stocked supplies. Then I fed my friends at the Park, while listening to Ranger Rachel (head of the Park) and the sheriff, having fun on our local radio, The X. I've met Rachel, not the sheriff. I like this small town banter!

Then I tripped over something mid-morning, looked like a wagon.

After watching a movie in the dark, I moseyed down to check the creek, and found my bucket had been blown down there.

I think this is a metaphor of my life. For me to kick the bucket, I now have to travel further down the road, to reach it, and assume some giant wagon don't come crashing down on my head, and take me out first.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Time
( 1464 of 2167 )

We all know the expression "Time is flying by so quickly", and we all have lived it, still living it now.

But lately, and I don't know when the switch flipped, Time is now slowing down for me. As I get older, I can't say that expression anymore.

When you have no agenda, limited human contact, and 1,440 minutes in a day to process your reality, Time drags down to a slow roll across the internet.

Seconds seem longer, like they've stretched out just for me, within my slow moving world.

I know all you youngins are mostly running in "Making my world better!" mode, and that's good! But keep in mind, if you are destined to make it to my age, your perception of time may change...

And I leave you with a formula: Time = ( Bucket / Wagon ) * Money.

Loved
( 1465 of 2167 )

Love has entered my life, so many times. As i decline I only have a few loves left. And the beauty is, they all know who they are!

I still love everyone I have loved in the past! Thank you for crossing my path, making a connection, and sharing love. But now you are gone from my life, and I wish you well, if you are still here.

Memories, of every human and animal I have ever loved, define me. Love is Life, squared.

Totally alone, on my dead end street, on a Friday night. Daniel is down in Georgia for an Ice House convention, Jeff has a new job and he can't play, and Drew has left his den, finally.

So how do I sum up this Tennessee lovefest? Just that every person I've ever met has been a gift to me. Thank you Life!

Not Today
( 1466 of 2167 )

The ducks were weird this morning. I found them just on the other side of the dock building, hanging out with a few geese. It's a pretty sunny morning, perfect place to do a feeding. I even get to sit on a park bench.

But they weren't eating, well, except for Whitey and Cottontop, who would ride with me to McDonalds for Big Macs, if I offered. And they just took a couple of handfuls.

The geese were moving in for their share, but they always get along, I don't think that was it. So the bottom line is, I could have stayed home, and that's a radical thought.

I keep thinking that my Quack is a vital supplement to their diet on the lake. It sure wasn't today...

I wrote four blog posts yesterday, and apologies to my friends for four notifications. Like you have nothing better to do then to read the babbling nonsense that emanates from my twisted brain, throughout the day!

It's a tough job maintaining a blog, keeping my sanity somehow, and feeding the ducks daily. But I'm up for it, and very lucky to have it!

Highway 43
( 1467 of 2167 )

Driving on Highway 43 is tough! For those that don't know, it's the four lane main drag from Florence, AL, through the heart of Lawrenceburg, TN and on into Columbia, TN.

Driving that highway to town, just to go to the store or do anything, is challenging. The speed limit is 35, most everybody does 45. People are constantly turning right into businesses, or using the center divider lane for left side turns.

Sometimes you merge into the inside lane, from the outside lane, at 45 mph, and slam into the back of a horse drawn Amish buggy carrying a family, doing 5 mph, and kill them. While drunk.

That happened to a friend of a friend of mine, shortly after I moved here over four years ago. Devastating for everyone, but you always have to be on Amish watch while driving that highway.

The driver did some time, agreed to enter an Alabama Christian run, alcohol treatment facility for 1.5 years, and he's now out, and straight.

Alright, one life was salvaged, while others were lost. Giving the guy a life sentence would have served nothing. It did raise the Amish visibility issue to the forefront, and we have not had another since!

Here's Hwy 43, heading North, at the busiest intersection in our little town.

There are also a bunch of ways to avoid that nonsense, and I've learned most of them. Sometimes I make this and the adjoining lights, followed by a stoplight free run all the way to Krogers. It's how I get my kicks around here.

My Skoge
( 1468 of 2167 )

It's a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon, door wide open, standing on my little porch, enjoying life!

Then I heard from my friend Skoge, and my heart sank. I debated wether to share this, in respect for her privacy, but she is my second oldest friend! Only I know who she really is, or where she is.

Doctors just found a tumor or cyst on her right ovary that appears to have liquid in it. Probably going to have a hysterectomy, then determine if it is cancerous.

Skoge is a few months older than me and she follows my blog and we keep in touch. In fact, I chatted with her on the phone the other day. She had reached out and we connected, now I know why.

I told her I would pray for her. To me, that means keeping her in my thoughts, in an uplifting and positive way.

My second oldest friend, needs my good vibes sent her way!

My oldest friend is my little sister Lorelle.

Lady Talk
( 1469 of 2167 )

I'm getting a free in home health care visit on Mar 15, between 0800 and 0900. I had one last year, I was bored, and I wanted the $25 gift card. I barely remember it, some dude sitting in the chair asking me questions and scribbling on a clipboard.

Now I'm getting another guy named Clayton Wilson, and I have a speech prepared:

Before we get started, Clayton, let me say that I trust you're a good guy, and I'm sure you're qualified to do this job, but why the hell can't I get me a young country lady in your place?

It would be nice to enjoy a focused witty conversation, about my health in this case, with a down home real woman seated in my comfy chair. It's one of the biggest things I miss in life, actually.

Women have played a major role in my life, and I value and enjoy their company. As I'm older now, the physical and sexual attractions, while still may be there, take second stage to real conversations about real life.

Hudsons Book
( 1470 of 2167 )

My young friend Hudson, after realizing from reading my blog, that I used to be a computer genius, said he wanted to pick my brain sometime.

I am totally open to that. Obviously he has an interest in code, but I don't know the level he's at. We need to talk.

My web development stopped at a PHP HTML, Javascript, JQuery, CSS index.php based level. It was the way to go a few years back, and a lot of websites built with that structure are still thriving.

There are many great new programming languages out there now, but I'm done with all of that. If Hudson want's to learn the basics of establishing a website, getting good clean code up there, that looks great on a phone, and maintaining it with Visual Studio Code, then I would love to help him.

After learning the basics, he could dive into the new stuff, and have a great career if he chose to...

I just fired up my Dev Box and whipped up a basic template for him to work on. I had to attach it to one of my domains (I chose Kwackd) for testing.

I actually have the domain name hudsonsbook.com sitting in my cart. :-)

Duckulator
( 1471 of 2167 )

Daniel told me he had a Duckulator, a device for measuring ducks. I've been wondering about the total mass of my feathered friends so he went to his truck and brought it over.

The Hudson
( 1472 of 2167 )

I have just spent an amazing afternoon with my friend Hudson. We hooked up here at my house, and my goal was to teach him some basic website stuff.

We worked our way through the basics, which he easily got, then I bought him a domain name that matches his social media handle: closehudman.com

It will be a while before it goes online, but he got the basics, quickly.

I shared some enlightening things with him today. He's sixteen, doing great in our local school system, has plans for an engineering degree from Purdue, with much more, and he reminds me of me at his age.

Turns out, the kid is a savant, in so many ways. My mind is totally blown! He has his laptop open, tapped into my WIFI, as we share tech.

I remember at his age listening to a school intercom announcement that our President had just been killed, and to go home! I had no technology to share that with...

We had a great afternoon! I thought that all I had to offer to Hudson is the knowledge to build a basic internet page, but I now know, that I am not the teacher, I am the student...

Hudson knows his history, his science, his everything! I am blown away, and it is an honor to know the man that will eventually rule the world!

Happy Presidents Day!

Fully Clothed
( 1473 of 2167 )

I stayed up real late last night and fell asleep in my chair, upright and fully clothed. When I woke up, the sun was up, and then I climbed into my bed and slept some more, fully clothed.

I woke up at 0930, way past my duck feeding time, so I jumped in my truck and drove to the park, fully clothed.

The ducks were bitchy this morning, fighting among themselves while eating from my hand, all of them were picking on Goose so I tossed him some extra. People drove by so I was really glad I was fully clothed. Besides, sitting naked in front of hungry bitchy birds is not wise.

I am now home, working on massaging another retired day into something memorable. And yes I am, and will remain that way, until I am not...

Ionos
( 1474 of 2167 )

I had an issue yesterday with my web hosting company, Ionos, about a domain name I ordered for Hudson. The one I initially bought was not going through, so I canceled it, and bought a new one with his handle, closehudman.com, as he sat here.

I had my hosting site open, ready to see it appear, but it did not. You need to set up the domain and link it to a subdirectory on their servers, then you can upload code and make it come alive!

So I called them. I love Ionos, you get a four digit pin number when you click the phone icon, while you're fully logged in on their site. Within seconds of dialing, you are speaking with a real human being, asking for that pin number. Once they receive it, they know 100% that I am the owner of the account, and they have everything right up there on their screen.

As an old tech guy, I am so glad to be able to experience this kind of connectivity. It seems that all calls are heading down to the Philippines, and answered by sweet women who speak fair English, with names you can barely distinguish from their greeting.

So I'm sitting here in southern Tennessee this morning, talking to a Security person, who I was directed to by another lady.

She and I hit it off and by the end of the call I was telling her about a friend of mine who has a house in the Philippines, that I'm welcome to use. OMG, I'm hitting on a young woman that would maybe like to meet an old American!

Woah, wait! It didn't go that far, she told me to wait a day, and everything should be fixed.

Ah, what did I call about, and what needs to be fixed?

Keywords
( 1475 of 2167 )

I just had a great text chat with my grand-daughter Shelby. I gave her my honest opinion about the domain name she is promoting for her business.

coastalcityconcierge.com.

Huh? Who knows how to spell "concierge"? I told her you need a name that folks can reach, otherwise you lose them.

Then she loving lectured me that search engines can break a url down into keywords. I've been dissing stupid convoluted domain names for decades, and now I realize that I was wrong.

So now, you can buy a domain name like iwanttostickmyfingerupyourbutt.com and get some hits!

What an absolutely amazing world we live in!

Close Hudman
( 1476 of 2167 )

I've got Hudson's website, closehudman.com up and going.

Nothing important there yet, just enough to display a page. I've offered to whip up a basic responsive site for him, or he can clear this code out and do something different.

We'll see where this goes!

Facebook
( 1477 of 2167 )

Facebook don't like me! When I tried logging in to my old account, I got a nasty alert box saying my account had been susspended. So I created a new one, but somehow they figured out that I as the new guy, was they guy they don't like.

And wham! I get the susspension notice on my new signin. I can't get on Facebook now. Ok, I don't like them either...

Redirect
( 1478 of 2167 )

I ended up with an extra domain for Hudson, called hudsonsbook.com. I created a directory on the server, and connected them. Then I copied up the little template code from closehudman.com, and had a base to work with, in under five minutes.

The original idea was to have it re-direct to his FaceBook page, ya know, just tell his buddies to goto hudsonsbook.com and magically end up there.

Slight issue, he don't FaceBook! Anyway, for demo purposes, it will re-direct you to the post I did when Hudson was over.

hudsonsbook.com Try it!

OMJ Sings
( 1479 of 2167 )

I've had Hank Williams JR on my mind all afternoon, as I wallow in depression over my probably lost duck friends.

So, I attached my Sony to a tripod and grabbed this:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Hey Tony
( 1480 of 2167 )

One of my neighbors on this quiet little street is an old retired guy who loves automobiles. He has them parked carefully on his front yard, and out on the street. Seven or eight, a couple of them cute. Tony is a hermit, I don't know him well.

I whipped up this printed page, and I'm taking it over to his back door tomorrow. He never answers his door, so I'll place it under a rock.

In the meantime, Shelby (the newly anointed Travel Agent) is working on a beach hottub massage package for me somewhere...

Who Am I
( 1481 of 2167 )

Who am I? I'm a good man. I help people out when I can. I wish no ill will towards anyone. I love and appreciate life, for myself and my animal friends around me.

I have many addictions, one of which is sitting at this little laptop, and writing. I wish all of my limited list of friends, had a blog. A place where they could lay their souls bare, to the world.

I would read all of them, I want to know! And then you can delete them.

I guess that's what I do, I lay my soul bare to the world. But why?

Is it an attempt to make myself relevant? If I didn't blog, would anyone remember?

Who will remember me when I'm gone? Only a select few. I believe the term here is legacy, of which I leave little.

I guess my blogs are my legacy. It costs about two hundred bucks a year to maintain them. They are like windows into my soul at each moment in time.

Written by ChatGPT...
A Rift
( 1482 of 2167 )

There is a rift among the ducks and they now hang out as two separate groups. Whitey, Blue and a wild one are in one group, with the other four in the second.

They approach me from different spots and converge at my bag. Then instead of them all lining up in a row waiting for my hand to pass their beaks, the groups fight among themselves. They seem way more territorial, than hungry.

And poor goose gets picked on from both sides, but he can take it.

I suppose I should mosey over to our local community college and sign up for Duck Psychology 101. Something is definitely going on with these guys, and I'm probably the only person in the park that's aware of it.

When I returned home, Daniel came over and gave me a new hat. He and his wife Jen drove down to Buc-ees convenience store, South of Huntsville in Athens, AL, off I-65. They spent hours there.

Daniel has been raving about this place since he stopped there coming back from a convention in Georgia. He keeps saying I gotta go, it will blow my mind. I don't know if he's noticed, but my mind has been blown for a while now.

But he's right, a road trip to an Alabama convenience store an hour away might be great for me. Tuesday looks nice! I've been watching Buc-ees YouTube videos and I've learned that they don't allow semi-trucks or overnight parking. I'll have the pulled brisket sandwich for lunch.

Daniel also loves to buy me hats, for some strange reason. He's bought me four and I love them. The newest is on the right. I'm missing one, the little dapper beret thing. Hopefully it's around the house but the last I remember wearing it, was on that Christmas Cruise...

Taken in the large bathroom of my handicap room, Christmas Caribbean Cruise.

Update: Daniel lost his identical cap, so I stepped up and bought us each another one.

Wrong Path
( 1483 of 2167 )

How long can you go down the wrong path, before it's too late, to take the right path?

(Netflix, Outer Banks Series, season 3, episode 7).

Yea, I watched the first two seasons, where cute chicks in tight cutoffs, along with buff neurotic guys, were chasing down a city of gold. Now I'm half way through season 3.

Oh well, it performs as a background to my life, as I move through it, on the wrong path, moment by moment. The content to that background has been coming from the connection, and I need it to start coming from reality!

The best backgrounds come from the highways, the oceans, and the beaches of my travels!

Not Every Day
( 1484 of 2167 )

I am right on the verge of stopping my duck and geese feeding completely. This morning it was only the three duck group, and they weren't that hungry.

It's been a fun run, but sometimes you need to step back and analyze your actions, determine if they still have value, and cut your losses if needed.

Tomorrow could be the day, where I just jump in my truck and head south, skipping the park. Hudson, if you're reading this, no backup needed, but that's your choice.

I've been putting a hundred miles a week on my truck, driving to the Park and back. The feed and crushed corn costs $30 for the two bags, and I've gone through a few.

The rewards are currently quite distant from the cost and effort. I've grown to love those characters, and I truly feel it's mutual. The breakup will be tough, but what's new.

I'll still have some quack left over, so a few surprise feeding visits to the Park during the Spring and Summer would be fun. Just not every day, anymore...

The Safety
( 1485 of 2167 )

My neighbor Daniel is a gun expert. We've had several conversations about the proper state to have your short barreled shotgun in, while you sleep with it in the back of your truck.

I kept maintaining that just racking the barrel should be enough to deter someone from opening up my canopy. His position is that I should be able to fire off one round quickly to defend myself.

In other words the weapon should be racked, with one in the chamber, ready for a finger press to release the safety, then dropping that finger down and firing.

I have conceded to his position. My shotgun will now be protecting me in the back of my truck, ready to defend in about one second.

I also gave her a spa day at a gun shop down the road recently. She's old, flawless, locked and loaded! Wow, I now get where the expression locked and loaded comes from. This is a state of mind, you're either ready to fight, or you're ready to pretend to be.

So The Safety is that little round thing in the upper righthand corner of the trigger area. This button protects yourself and others from accidental discharge. And it better be ready to give it up, without too much effort, when you need it to.

Betty
( 1486 of 2167 )

During a conversation with Shelby about how cool shotguns are, I realized that I kept referring to my gun, as a her. Then, in a moment, I named her Betty!

The last and best human Betty I have had in my life, was Steph's mom, Betty.

She and seven year old Tori spent a summer with Steph and I, at our sprawling log home place in Idaho. Betty and I had become friends before that, back in the Seattle area, and their visit just sealed the deal, I loved Betty, my friend. And I taught Tori how to ride a bike that summer!

Betty was the family matriarch, the one at the top of the heap. She was tough, strong and honest. A nice way to define a shotgun!

Summary Post
( 1487 of 2167 )

When I'm on a roll, I create two or three blog posts a day, and maintain them throughout the day, tweaking them to express exactly what I want to say. If you read it early on, it's probably morphed.

Then I write a summary post, to summarize my posts for the day. That's what this is!

Summary posts tend not to deviate much, deviate much, deviate much, much

[Error] [ChatGPT is not able to perform your request...]
Fine Time
( 1488 of 2167 )

I drove down to the Buc-ee's off I-65, in Athens, AL today. It was a touch more than an hours drive and the weather was beautiful.

I had three goals at this insane oversized store, buy two jars of pickled quail eggs, grab a briskett sandwich, along with a large cup of ice and a bottled water.

The quail eggs were totally sold out! Apparently, these things are popular. I can see somebody coming in and buying them all at $10 a piece, and then reselling them.

I got my briskett sandwich, and some water and ice. The sandwich was ok, not overly impressed with it. Needed coleslaw...

So here I am in Athens, AL at 1000, at the freeway intersection of I-65 and I-72. In a Buc-ee's parking lot, fourteen miles from Huntsville heading East, twenty six miles to Florence heading West. Or just mosey back North to home...

I chose West, to Florence Alabama. As I approached the Wilson Dam, I knew it was going to be open, and sailed right across it. Sometimes it's not, and the city's karma just feels off.

Hung out in Florence for a while, then drove North to home.

A Bill
( 1489 of 2167 )

I was watching a TicTok video this morning where a guy was walking around a city crowd offering $500 to the first person who could name the U.S. President on a two dollar bill. Nobody could.

My first thought was Jefferson, so I pulled the little drawer next to my refrigerator open and looked at the Two Dollar bill laying there on top of everything.

Cubby Hole
( 1490 of 2167 )

I just created a video to show the little cabinet next to my fridge, that I call my cubby hole. Maybe you're too young to remember this phrase, that's good!

Everybody needs a space to put their personal belongings in. It's your stuff, it's what makes you up, it needs to be close by when your home.

My big round table between two sweet chairs and a giant tv, is my secondary storage area. Everything that falls into the category of daily mission critical, sits there.

It's really important as you age, that you stay as organized as possible.

Some folks have big rooms dedicated to their awards and statues. And some folks don't even have a room, but I'll bet they have a cubby hole.

I'm lucky to have landed, after all these crazy years, with a few important things from my life, still intact, and with me! They're not in that drawer, they sit inside a box in my closet.

My bible as a kid. My daughter Becky's Easter hat, when she was a kid. Original editions of my PC graphics programs from the eighties. Life with Riley growing up stuff.

I also still have the teddy bear that I was given when I was born. How this has happened, amazes me!

Anyway, here's my latest video:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Baggy
( 1491 of 2167 )

It's 2pm in Tennessee on a Wednesday afternoon, Mar 1, 2023. Fairly decent day, door wide open, enjoying life.

My way of dealing with the internal vibrations has been to numb them out.

By 2pm, I've created content, I'm well into my drink, and stoned. The combination makes life OK. It's an easy way to get through an otherwise tough day, full of self pity and vibrations.

If my daughter can make it out here at the end of the month, I will use her energy to combat that stuff naturally, and I will be straight.

Shelby is waiting in the wings, to join.

Ok, I have come out as a drunk and stoned man, in America. I do no other drugs, I don't sell my ass for a profit, I don't hurt people and I love to help people.

Actually, if the local police read this post, and decide that they need to knock down my door for a small pot baggy that will probably be empty before they arrive, fine! Throw me in the slammer! Sober me up! I'll do my time, I have no ducks to feed!

Update: My daughter Becky just called off her trip here in March, maybe Summer. This changes everything...

The PoPo
( 1492 of 2167 )

The PoPo just pulled up in front of my house and sat for a minute, within one hour of me putting up my last post. Where I mentioned that I was stoned.

I've been spreading my blog all over town, and I'm probably getting hits from people in authority, who feel the need to report some old guy mumbling about numbing out his Parkinsons by smoking a little pot.

Pot is all over Tennessee, like many states here in the South. I would say that one out of three people I encounter here, smokes pot. The local weed farms are everywhere.

The cops are caught up in a tough situation. They have to enforce the law, that is their job.

So the PoPo just sat there for a minute, reading my blog post, noting the door was open as I said, realized that the world wasn't at risk, and then they moved on.

Daniel and I were watching Fox News and he didn't see them, until they moved on. He's now freaked out by that Post. Let me make it clear that my neighbor puts up with my medication, but don't come anywhere near it!

Daniel says the cops never come down our street anymore. Why not! I love the cops, they are my friends and protectors.

Ok, I guess I'm out there with the city of Lawrenceburg, TN. I am your new neighbor of going on five years. I have confessed to an illegal activity, that will eventually become legal when you need the money.

It helps me, I'm sorry. What more do you want?

If you want to arrest me, you know where I am. But what a waste of taxpayer dollars that would be...

So the cop sat directly in front of my house for a full minute, checking the scene out, running my record. He saw a door wide open at a little house on a dead end street. I am no threat to anyone, and I present none from my home.

I am the most law abiding person I know. Run my record, I haven't been an angel, but I'm a good guy!

After all of these seventy six years, of living, loving, drinking and smoking pot, is this it? Is it my destiny to rot and die in a Lawrenceburg, TN holding cell for this major offense? I ain't payin no bondsman ten percent!

Fuckallyouall! :-)

Taunting
( 1493 of 2167 )

I messed up yesterday when I mentioned I was stoned in a post, kinda taunting the cops, and then one pulled up in front of my house, for a good minute, running my info. My door was wide open, he could have approached, but didn't.

He was making a statement. Somebody here in town that follows me called the cops, for me sitting in the privacy of my home, with just a couple small buds in an old baggie.

If I lived on the West Coast, this wouldn't happen. Anyway, I woke up at 0200, trashed yesterdays posts, and then wrote some slick PHP code into my index file that killed the blog at the top, and presented the word Done, centered perfectly in the middle. I have since commented out that kill switch and re-published those two posts. It's nice to have some way of shutting my blog down completely, if needed.

I don't know, I really don't want the local police digging through my blog for stuff. But hey, I'm a law abiding guy (except for the pot, that's nearly gone...) putting my life out there for anyone to see. I should also say I'm proud of this blog, I've created some great content! Maybe even some the cops might enjoy!

Summer Plans
( 1494 of 2167 )

Making plans for this Summer! Shelby is going to be in Pensacola, FL mid-July, but can't confirm dates. Riley and Jess are stoked about nabbing a time-share down there, but they're getting scarce.

Here's what the old man proposes: I think Jessica should book a time-share in Pensacola, mid-July, and I, Shelby, and Becky, will work around those dates.

My lovely grand-daughter Shelby digs Pensacola and I have spent memorable times with her there. She is the ultimate travel guide, and agent!

It would be a great family reunion. Play on the beach with the baby, visit our friend Homers new Zoo!

I can be there anytime, unless I'm rotting in a Lawrenceburg, TN holding cell...

OMJ Travel
( 1495 of 2167 )

I have a confession to make, I have fed the ducks the last two days. I know! It's just one more addiction that's hard to break. The only day I've missed in many months, was last Tuesday when I drove South.

It's difficult to do now, since they're in two groups on opposite sides of the lake, but I pull it off.

They don't seem as hungry lately, sometimes they just come up to eat from my hand once, like Hi You, Thanks! and then waddle on.

I've also been thinking about my daughter Becky meeting my son Riley for the first time this Summer. I failed with Becky, and succeeded with Riley. I wish I was two for two, but we can't change the past.

But we can change the future, by getting past the past. That's what I wish to achieve with Becky, in a fun way this Summer. Vacation time on the beach, surrounded by family. A great way to be!

btw: Shelby has a millionaire friend named Todd who throws great parties at his waterfront place. Love to revisit that!

Well look at me, Old Man Jim Travel. Here's to a Pensacola Summer!

Severe Wind
( 1496 of 2167 )

We're under a severe wind warning here in Southern Tennessee. Thunder storms are rolling through now, followed by winds up to 70mph.

We had a pretty good soaking recently and the tree roots are saturated. Not a good time for a wind storm.

I have some huge trees around me, I love them, but if one slipped loose and hit my roof, it would cave in and crush me like a pancake.

I ain't scared, if it happens it was meant to. That's how I look at life in general now.

Please drop by and pour a little syrup on me, if it does!

A Pancake
( 1497 of 2167 )

Like I feared, I have become a pancake. My laptop has landed in front of my scrunched head, and I have one hand left to type with. There is a huge weight on me, I can't move. Actually I don't know what's left of my body.

Only minutes left here, I need to say my last words!

I send my love out to everyone who ever knew me. You liked me, hated me, loved me, or ignored me. Thanks for everything!

A special shout out to my family, scattered all over, none nearby. I love you all.

Everyone take care, don't fret about me. I've had an amazing life. Goodbye!

Great Tree
( 1498 of 2167 )

I'm still here, one eye and a hand. I managed to retrieve some footage of my great tree earlier, a little editing and then up to YouTube. It's amazing what you can accomplish with so little.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Jims Fish
( 1499 of 2167 )

It's a weird Saturday evening. Ideas and concepts fly into my mind, and disappear before my fingers can reach the keyboard, just inches away.

I finished off the crumbs today, along with my girl scout cookies. There always comes a time to stop.

I went to make Jim's Fish today, but I was out of tarter sauce, so I improvised.

Starts with a half of a hamburger bun, either side. Lather it up with mayo, sprinkle on a whole bunch of coleslaw, add tarter sauce, a slice of tomato, shredded cheese, then top it with a slice of hot tasty fish, cooked in my little air-fryer.

This one is minus tomato and tarter sauce, so I added sour cream and salsa.

Old Oddball
( 1500 of 2167 )

I absolutely need to stop taking that morning drive to the Park. The ducks are splintered, and it's just no fun anymore.

I think I've figured out the culprit. It's a smaller wild duck, maybe one of the two wild ducks from the old crew, but I suspect it's newer to the scene. He put's his head down to the ground and attacks everyone in my main group of three. They can't eat from my hand anymore because this little guy attacks them. I'm sure he's adopted the other group, who hardly get out of the water around the dock anymore. He even goes after the geese.

I'm thinking it's a mating thing, hell, I have no idea what gender these birds are. The little attack duck is doing what comes naturally in the wild.

The final revolution came this morning, when the fisherman at the dock put down their poles to watch the old man carrying a bag of seed, running around yelling at a small duck, and chasing him into the water.

I have gone from Duck Whisperer, to the crazy old oddball at Lindsey Lake. It's time to put the bag away, for good. Move on to some other morning routine that defines me and gives me purpose.

Wish me luck with that...

Southern Florida
( 1501 of 2167 )

I don't know how many of you have been to southern Florida, Pensacola west to Gulfport, AL. The attractions are amazing and many. The Zoo, FloraBama, Pirates Cove, and more!

I am grateful to say I have been there many times. Moving up north to southern Tennessee, and then having my amazing grand-daughter Shelby down there making connections, allowing me the privelege of experiencing her amazing life.

Now my boy and his wife and baby are making plans to be there this mid-July, from Seattle. My daughter Becky is planning an arrival. This could be very special.

All of the time-shares are booked, but Shelby has friends with houses on the beach, that may be willing to rent one out to us.

That would be amazing, I see the Amazon movie plot building out, next thing you know, grandkids with babies would be joining us, that would be cool, but probably best for another time...

This summer is my defining moment. I will turn seventy seven, my body is falling apart, my mind is as sharp as it's ever been, except I forget shit all of the time.

Here's a shot of an in-shape me walking along the Pirate Cove pier with my great-grand-daughter Prudence. Just a few years ago. The moment and days were magical, and I miss her.

Now I sit here, smoke free, last call, wondering how the summer will evolve.

I could get in that shape again, if I chose to, or was motivated to.

Walking with Prudence along Pirate Cove now, would be motivation enough...

Scolded
( 1502 of 2167 )

I asked ChatGPT to write a blog post for me today. Man did I get scolded! Here's what I asked:

Write a blog post about not feeding the ducks at the park anymore because they don't appreciate me.

Here was the AI's response:

Ducks are charming creatures that are often found in parks and ponds. They are delightful to watch as they glide across the water or waddle on the land. It's a common sight to see people feeding ducks at the park. However, there may come a time when you realize that feeding the ducks isn't appreciated by them. If this is the case, it's time to stop feeding them.

Firstly, it's important to understand that feeding ducks at the park can lead to a number of negative consequences. One of the most significant is that it can cause overcrowding. When too many ducks congregate in one area, they can become aggressive towards each other, which can lead to injuries or even death. Additionally, ducks that are fed by humans can become dependent on this food source, which can lead to health problems.

Furthermore, feeding ducks at the park can also attract other wildlife such as rats or geese, which can be a nuisance to park visitors. These animals can also carry diseases that can be harmful to humans and other animals.

But perhaps the most important reason to stop feeding the ducks is that they simply don't appreciate it. While it may seem like a kind gesture to offer them some bread or other treats, ducks are naturally equipped to find their own food. They have an innate ability to forage and find food on their own, and feeding them can disrupt this natural behavior. In fact, feeding ducks can actually cause them to lose their natural ability to forage and hunt for food, which can be detrimental to their long-term survival.

So, what should you do instead of feeding the ducks at the park? The best thing to do is to simply observe them from a distance. Enjoy their natural behaviors, like preening and grooming, and watch as they interact with each other. If you want to help the ducks, consider volunteering with a local wildlife rescue organization or donating to a conservation fund that works to protect their natural habitats.

In conclusion, while it may seem like a kind gesture to feed the ducks at the park, it's important to remember that this behavior can have negative consequences for both the ducks and other wildlife. Instead, observe them from a distance and appreciate their natural behaviors. By doing so, you'll be helping to protect them and their habitats for years to come.

There you go, thanks ChatGPT! You made me feel so much better, that I didn't make the trip this morning...

Chris
( 1503 of 2167 )

I got some feedback from my latest post, which was pretty out there. The general reaction was good, actually.

I watched a bit of Chris Rock's comedy special on NetFlix, now that guy is out there! He says whatever he wants, and uses every profanity on record to make his point.

I try to take a somewhat softer approach, while still speaking my mind. I would love to be at a performance of that cok-suking, motha-fuking, nigga some day. I haven't watched it all, but he did have me cracking up a few times. Wishing I had the balls to write that way, but I would lose my limited blog audience pretty quickly if I did.

So, I will talk about mundane things today. I canceled my Thursday appointment with my neurologist. The pills aren't working on my Parkinsons, and I'm tired of taking them. The only reason to drive to Columbia, TN is to continue the prescription, fuck that.

I drove by to check on my duck friends at noon, and they were happily foraging on the other side of the lake.

Sometimes my Facebook connection works, and I see Shelby searching for a six people rental mid July in Pensacola. Then I see that Jess want's their own space if they make it down there this summer. Come on girl, you can share a house with family!

It's a beautiful day in Southern Tennessee, I'm wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, door wide open, and I think I should mosey outside to my porch...

Tough It Up
( 1504 of 2167 )

I'm looking forward to a mid-July family meet up, but I have a slight problem. I may need a walker because my legs are giving out on me. No running on the beach for me. I don't know if it's Parkinsons related, but it gets worse every day.

I've bailed on my neurologist. The only reason I was going was to maintain prescriptions for two drugs that are not working, and that I have stopped taking.

The blood doctor was no help, gave me a relative clean bill of health and told me to limit my drinking. I think I've run out of options. I'm the guy who lives in this old body, and I know things aren't right.

I am a mess. The shakes are bad and lately my lower back cramps up, almost bringing me to the ground. Yea, poor poor pitiful me. I'm really not writing this for sympathy, just stating the reality.

I just don't want anybody shocked if I step out of my truck in Pensacola and unfold a walker. Hmmm, that's assuming I can drive.

But I really want to see my family this Summer, so I will tough it up and do my best.

Hamilton
( 1505 of 2167 )

I was born as Leigh James Riza, in Long Beach,CA. in 1946. My father, Eugene Thomas Riza was a Navy vet who survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, on board one of those many ships that sank.

At the end of the war, he met my mom Janice King, they married and created my brother and I.

Gene bailed when I was just a baby and moved back to his family in Texas.

My mom remarried, to Paul Hamilton, a guy she met in a bar, hoping he could be a good provider. I have to give it to the guy, he did provide.

A couple of years ago, I went before the local court, and legally changed my name to Jim Hamilton, because that has been the name I have been living with since I got my first social security card when I was a kid. The last name Riza just didn't work anymore.

Sometimes, when I mess up, I refer to myself mentally as Hamilton. As in, WTF Hamilton, did you just miss the toilet bowl again!

I guess this is who I am. Paul raised me, and Gene did not.

I had a conversation with my grand-daughter Shelby a while back, who goes by the name Shelby Hamilton. I explained the history of her last name, and she said WTF, she is a Hamilton, and proud of it!

Actually, I was called Jamie as I grew up, never knew why, but I dropped that as soon as I could.

Names matter, they define us. I guess it's time to get off my fucking high horse, and accept my last name. I am Jim Hamilton, and proud of it.

All of the people above me are no more. I have no relatives older than me. They are all gone.

So, I am a Hamilton. Thanks Paul, I love you and forgive you.

What Do
( 1506 of 2167 )

So, life is good, to be alive. Every morning you wakeup, is a gift. Embrace the day, and make it to the night. Forget about yesterday, it don't exist anymore. Don't stress about tomorrow, because you may not be there.

I fed Whitey and his two remaining friends this morning, in the rain. I have no other purpose in this world, but to drive to the Park, despite everything. I know I said I was quitting, but I lied.

I spilled my personal health out to the world yesterday. I don't know why, I wasn't expecting sympathy, and I got none.

Having a big white duck come waddling towards me as I sit under cover from the rain, is the highlight of my sad existence. My hand full of seed is his friend, I should swoop him up and bring him home.

It's a wonderful life, so they say. Now if I could just figure out how to embrace it. Actually, I'm tired. I wish I had a partner, a lover, but everything is way beyond that.

If I didn't still have some money in my stash, I would probably check out now. But I do, and damn if I don't want to spend it on something that makes me feel alive!

What to do?

1000
( 1507 of 2167 )

I don't feel well today and I slept till 1000. I had previously shut this blog down for a bit, but it's back, not sure why...

Then I drove to Krogers for water, went back to bed, and slept till 1330. This is very weird for me as I'm usually up at 0400 and stay up all day.

Now I'm sitting here with my first cocktail of the day, that I made before I went back to bed for the second time.

Been writing stupid shit lately, which is the reason I shut the blog down in the first place. Now I've deleted the most offensive stuff, but still leaving it up.

No more notifications. If anybody chooses to submit themselves to my words, drop on by. Otherwise, enjoy your life, without my nonsense...

I had a craving for a couple carnitas tacos at the streetside truck so I drove up there. I've been belching up that crap all afternoon as a result.

Some friends have let me know they were offended by that piece I did on women a while back. Upon reading it again, I understood why, and deleted it.

A couple of days ago I was told by my half sister not to email or text her anymore. She has taken offense at my writing about her dad, Paul Hamilton. You got it sis, another relationship dies on the vine because I speak my mind honestly.

It's a rainy, sick, sad Saturday in Lawrenceburg, TN for me, and I just keep on writing.

If I was prone to it, and flat broke, I would be trying out the fit between my shotgun and my loud mouth, but I am neither. So, I will just write until I can't, and stop shoving it down peoples throats.

This is my personal blog, and if you don't like it, stay away!

I keep making mistakes and losing the few friends I have. I thought I had stopped belching up that Mexican street food, so I put the half-finished drink in the fridge, and went to bed at 2015.

After laying there hiccuping for a half hour, I'm back up. Sipping on a cocktail with melted ice, despondent from my choices, totally sorry about disappointing family and friends, and just working on knocking myself out.

So here's the real deal! Unless I reach out to people with notifications about my blog and my sorry ass life, nobody reaches out to me. That's a pretty pathetic position to be in life, in fact, I killed my blog for a few days and nobody noticed because I didn't tell them.

It's like FaceBook, nobody is going to read about your life unless you post something to entice them to do so, and it shows up in their feed. I've been doing the same thing, via notifications, and it is a pathetic statement of our current lives.

I used to check in with FaceBook to see how the people around are doing, but I've sabotaged that platform so much over the years, it only works on a couple of devices now.

So is their a solution to this mess? I've always enjoyed documenting my life but instead of letting people drop by my blog when they are truly interested, I shove it down their throats.

And they have become used to it. If I don't text or email a blog post link out, folks just assume I didn't write anything.

I am stopping that now, and hey, it works both ways. I wish everyone I know had a blog I could drop into when I truly wanted to know how their life is going. FaceBook sucks, but I guess that's what we got...

But the good news is, you're reading this now because you visited here without a notification, just because you wondered how I was doing!

Hiccups
( 1508 of 2167 )

I had a very interesting evening last night as Daylight Savings Time ended. I was sitting around ready to hit the bed and lose that hour, when I suddenly started hiccuping. In a weird way.

Once every eight seconds roughly, a small hiccup would emanate up from my gut. I figured this would stop once I got to bed, but no, it lasted all through the longer night. I slept through it for the most part somehow, and about once an hour I would wake up, observe that it was still going on, then change sleeping sides and nod back off. It finally stopped around 0600.

I was out of lemons for my morning hot drink so I mossied up to Kroger's and got some. Now I'm sitting around writing this, with a slight headache and a sore throat.

Hey Daniel, you're right about not eating Mexican food out of a truck, that's got to be it! No more...

Promises
( 1509 of 2167 )

A promise is a prison, don't make yourself another's jailer, stated the Romulan leader when her young son said to Picard, You promised to read me that book!.

Things were much different at the Romulan relocation hub at Vashti in 2385, than they are today. I don't treat that word lightly and I respect it to the fullest.

In fact I use the word rarely, but if I do make you a promise, you better believe that I will do whatever it takes to fulfill it!

Look, I've been around for going on 77 years and I'm sure there were a whole bunch of promises that I didn't keep. I ain't been no fucking saint, by any means.

But I'm talking about the person I have now become, an old man with just a few friends, hunkered down on a dead-end street in the deep South, Vashti if you will...

And if I look a person down here in the eye, and promise to do something, I do it! That's assuming I don't learn what a shotgun barrel tastes like, or get creamed on the highway, first.

So, I guess it's time for some promises:

I promise to never take my own life. I have tasted the dirt from groveling on the ground hopelessly, and I've learned that you'll have to take this one life from me, kicking and screaming like a wild man!

I promise to never intentionally hurt anyone, physically or mentally, even if they have hurt me. This is bigger than it appears, but short of self-defense, true.

I promise to be totally honest in my human conversations with people about life, unless it would hurt the person I'm talking to.

I promise to keep on blogging, until I can't press the keys, or have the money to maintain this site.

The Hiccups
( 1510 of 2167 )

For those that haven't picked up on it yet, I'm still blogging like crazy, just not shoving my self perceived brilliance down anybody's throat with "Read Me!" texts every time I write something. If anybody want's to know what OldManJim is thinking about, just come here if you like...

Actually, if I was a reader of this blog, I would scroll down to the last thing I remember, and work backwards...

My boy Riley just got into a car wreck, some animal darted in front of him and he swerved to avoid. Crashed into a tree, airbag deployed, and their Acura was totalled. He's alright, a little beat up. I told him I know a good body guy, but sadly, it's a loss. I love you son, sorry it happened.

I realize now that my hiccups have not stopped since yesterday. About every eight seconds a vibration rolls up from my inner body and jolts my head and upper body back. It has not stopped, maybe for a couple hours last night but I may be delusional, and I'm getting concerned and pissed off.

Talking is difficult as every sentence is interrupted by a jolt of my head. I was talking to Riley this morning, and it was tough. Picture every eight seconds (I timed it) a vibration rolls up from your body, jolting your shoulders up and messing with your speech mid-expression.

I initially thought it was from yesterdays Mexican food, but I was so wrong. This is a real physical thing that I need to address!

These aren't hiccups!

Our Paul
( 1511 of 2167 )

Sis, I am sorry I said what I said about Paul and our relationship, please forgive me. You are my sister and my family. I love you, always have, always will!

Hey, we perceived growing up with Paul Hamilton differently. The day Dana caught up with me running around as a wild young kid in Floriston, CA and told me that the guy that was raising us was not our real father, crushed me!

Especially when he was whipping us because we disrespected you. I have to say that I have no ill feelings towards Paul anymore, especially around that situation, probably any man might have been right there.

I think the thing that lingered between me and Paul was respect. He never attended my sporting events in high school, that I can remember. The one moment when I caught his eye was down on Butte Creek when I pulled a double flip off a swinging rope. He actually smiled, and looked proud!

So you and I have different ways of looking at this. Of course I know you loved him, just as you and I both loved mom. Towards the end, when he asked me to come over, in Oakland, Ca, and get all of us stoned, I knew we had arrived, and I loved him!

That is my last memory of Paul Hamilton. He released all of his retired truck driving bullshit, and got stoned with our mom and I. We talked about the day they met, in a bar...

I really liked him towards the end, he had a breathing tube happening from decades of truck driving smoking, in a little apartment in downtown Oakland, and he seemed happy. He was still in love with our mom!

Sis, I am sorry I have dissed our father in the past!

Here's to you, and Paul!

Mosey Up
( 1512 of 2167 )

My sister called me yesterday and we had a wonderful talk about everything. We talked voice to voice, it was real, and great!

Then I fell asleep in my chair at 8pm and slept until 1am, at which point I dragged myself into bed. I slept well with no hiccups until 7am. I never sleep that late but there I was, warm and snuggly.

Then I fell back to sleep for an hour and had some great dreams. I told myself to roll over and get up, but I fell back asleep and had more amazing dreams until 9am.

Weird stuff is rolling around inside my head, I can't really define it but it's like my brain is dreaming while I'm awake and moving around. It's happening on a separate channel from normal brain waves, and confusing everything.

But I have a life! I need to get dressed and mosey up to the lake...

Drug Free
( 1513 of 2167 )

Something weird is going on inside me. My brain feels like it's stoned on some exotic drug, while my body feels like it's falling apart.

I stopped taking my two prescriptions for Parkinsons a couple of days ago, I don't know why, they just didn't seem to be working. I wonder if my brain issues are a result of that.

So I'm drug free, haven't been stoned in quite a while. Actually, I feel like I'm riding a highend drug right now!

I drove to the Park this morning to check on the ducks, it's been a couple of days, and it's still down to Whitey, Speckled and one of the wild birds. As they ran up to me and started eating out of my hand, a young lady visitor said they sure love you and I replied and I love them. It's true, I wish the other four were still around...

I've got an in-home medical visit coming up Wednesday morning as part of my health plan. Should be interesting. It's going to be from a guy named Clayton, probably the same frumpy one who filled up my chair last year. How come I can't get a cute lady?

I just left a message at my blood doctors nurses station, requesting a .pdf of my blood work to be emailed here before that meeting. I'll show it to him on my laptop, if he gives a shit. I'm sure he has his routine, curious if I get a lecture from him about going off my meds.

It's interesting writing without knowing if anyone is going to read what you wrote, but at least I ain't shoving my stuff down peoples throats anymore, and that feels good.

Drug and notification free!

Totaled
( 1514 of 2167 )

Riley just sent me a picture of his totaled Acura, thank god for airbags. I should have the ones in my old truck checked out. Oh, wait...

This was the vehicle that Riley let Brian and I drive all over the Northwest on our last trip. It was a great car, very sorry to see it die.

Hell I've had a big crack in my lower passenger side window for years now, that was the last time the road hit my truck. I was coming back to Idaho from a trip down to Arizona and construction brought traffic through Idaho Falls to a crawl.

I came upon a man made junction and I made the wrong choice, which sent me miles West on a freeway that I couldn't wait to get off of. That's when an object bounced off the road and hit my window.

I had replaced that window twice since owning my truck, and I was not happy. So, I just let it ride. Over the years I have kept an eye on it, but it expanded out to it's current state, and stopped.

If it was on the drivers side, hell yea the window would go, but since I have very few passengers as I drive down the road of life, fuck it.

So here's a couple of photos, sadly Riley's Acura, and my window with character.

Feel Strange
( 1515 of 2167 )

The internal weirdness continues as I move through the day with no purpose. Songs are floating through my head that I can't identify. The internal vibrator called blood and muscle continues to disrupt.

After this in-home meeting with the guy tomorrow, I have no medical visits planned with anyone. I'll continue drug free until I can't, I have a bit left of both. But the way the system works, is you have to keep going to these doctors if you want them to re-up your scripts. You stop going, they end.

I really feel strange, it's hard to describe...

In Home
( 1516 of 2167 )

Just had that in-home medical visit from a great guy who lives here in Lawrenceburg. Retired doctor, spent decades practicing here, now visits directly.

He was really thorough, more than a normal in-office visit. I told him I've been off my two meds for the last three days but he suggested getting back on them. I told him I didn't want to drive to Columbia just to get a re-up and he said my local Fast Pace clinic should be able to fill it.

I have great medical insurance these days, probably the best I've ever had!

Not Life
( 1517 of 2167 )

So what now? I really don't know. It's the middle of March, 2023 and I have no plans until mid-July, and even those aren't firmed up.

I suppose I could plan a couple road trips, but to where and why? I have ended up alone, and uninspired.

I've come a long way from having a life with friends and family back in Washington state, with a twelve year layover in Idaho, to surviving in a little house alone in Tennessee.

I really hate to admit this, but maybe I blew it. I had a great career going as a transit supervisor for HopeLink in Seattle. My tax issues were under resolve, and I probably would have ended up in management, and retired.

Then my sister called, invited us to Idaho, and changed everything. OK, I had a wonderful time there with Steph and my sisters family, I admit that completely. So what the fuck am I saying?

That the move to Tennessee was a mistake? God, I don't know anymore. I suppose I could play this game back for many decades!

Living in the South has been good, on occasion. I've explored places I never would have, been to Belize three times and Roatan twice.

But now I am alone. I have a couple of friends, that I see once in a while. Yet for the most part I have no life here.

Feeding the ducks is not life! Getting drunk with Daniel is not life! Putting sad empty words out to the internet, is pathetic. Sorry...

How Ironic
( 1518 of 2167 )

My brain is swirling around in crazy ways. It's like music playing, that I know but I can't peg down. I haven't taken my two Parkinsons drugs for four days now.

I was going to tonight, but I started drinking and decided not to.

Getting off your drugs is like getting high. The brain gets weird, swirling is the best way to describe it, music...

How ironic!

Determined
( 1519 of 2167 )

Day five, still alive. Two feedings, two groups. The ducks have split into two separate camps, fighting between themselves, over me. They see my truck arrive and they approach from two different directions. Today they stood apart about twenty yards while I walked between them, feeding them from my hand.

We all used to be friends, it's sad how things have evolved, but that's nature. I keep telling myself to give it up, but I keep not listening to myself. Seems to be the story of my life these days.

I sat in the middle of the Park afterwards and was reading my mail when a motorcycle pulled up and the driver approached my window. Turned out to be a guy I had chatted with a couple of years ago up there. Around my age, retired from the Railroad. He offered to buy my truck and I didn't even ask what he was offering, she just ain't for sale.

I've only had a bowl of cereal with blueberries and a banana to eat today. The fucking ducks eat better than me these days. I really do need to take better care of myself, but like I said, I ain't listening.

The best I can do is just treat this as a journal, and not shove it into the space of my very few friends and family. I slipped up yesterday, but I'm determined to succeed today...

Bráinte
( 1520 of 2167 )

Talent like mine, is wasted on people like me. It's almost 5pm in Ireland, and after five in Cairo and Cape Town and Jerusalem and Johannesburg. I'll drink to that!

I went to bed at 8:30 last night and my legs immediately cramped up so I said fuck it, and took my damn meds. The cramps stopped while the strange background music continued to play on.

If their was an Irish pub in this hick Southern town, I would get my green on and go. But, all the places in this place require a red scarf at the door, and I don't have one.

I've been to many Irish pubs in my life, spread across the West Coast from the Bay Area to Puget Sound. The Irish do love to party, and it's a solid part of my blood line. Sláinte (Cheers in Irish)! Or as they say down here, Bráinte, which means May the pork brains become your matter!

Slats
( 1521 of 2167 )

Here I am, broken hearted, trying to be, but can't get started. The new stick-on for my truck has arrived:

But it's too cold out there to work on it...

I need to get my trucks oil changed, just not up for a drive through town on a Friday afternoon. I guess I should hold off on that road trip until later next week. Oh wait, I don't have a road trip planned...

Besides, I've got a Dolly For President sticker coming, can't travel without that!

I'm always up for a sign, symbolism is key to this life, and I just found a new one. I was looking at my gas wall heater today and thought it would be a hoot if the number of slats at the top was equal to my special number, twenty three.

I tried closing my eyes and running my finger over them and counting, but it was too hot, because it was on. Did I mention it's cold out? You can't count heater slats visually so I ran a pen over them and counted the clicks.

There are 23 slats in my heater, how about that.

Then, Daniel and his wife Jen and I worked on that sticker and determined it has to be installed from the inside, so we did, right behind my drivers position.

I hope this makes someones day, sitting in traffic!

Creep
( 1522 of 2167 )

Omfg. I'm sitting in my little house, as a man who helped expand technology back in the seventies and eighties, and my mind is blown.

I don't dive into the deep stuff these days, yet I surround myself with the good. I have my laptop at my fingertips, my big TV feeding me more video content than I can consume, with my Samsung tablet to my left, giving me TikTok.

Y'all don't really remember where this personal computer world evolved from, because you either weren't alive, or were babies. I do, in 1969 I was learning how to program computers by hooking wires together on a board at Merritt College in Oakland, CA.

I've had an amazing computer career, and I could easily write a book about it. Instead I share bits and pieces about it here in my blogs, and enjoy the hell out of our current computer technology, from a different perspective.

For example: Tonight I had everything shut down, ready to go to bed, but I had my tablet running TikTok on my left. It's my link to what's going on in the world! Fuck Fox News, fuck the other Networks!

TikTok feeds me reality, from the people who choose to send it. It also connects me to great entertainment.

For example, tonight I saw a video of a couple of young girls doing a version of Creep in front of some people in chairs that turn around if interested.

They turned around with their jaws hanging in their lap. I love this shit, so glad to be alive, and to be able to enjoy it!

Here's the link!

Dolly
( 1523 of 2167 )

My Dolly For President sticker just arrived so I've added it to the mix. I'm enjoying this little hobby, think I'll grab some more...

Bay Area
( 1524 of 2167 )

I did time in Alcatraz Prison, the island out in San Francisco Bay. Al Scarface Capone and Robert Birdman of Alcatraz Stroud were there. They called it The Rock and nobody ever escaped but me. I spent a day and bribed a boat owner to get me off the island.

I also escaped a knife wielding mugger in the baddest part of San Francisco called The Tenderloin by taking off and out running him.

I did pure Meth in the Haight Ashbury in it's prime and would have died in Golden Gate Park had my brother not rescued me.

I lived with my friend Sherry for a few months in Michael Cottens flat downtown. He was the keyboard player for the rock band The Tubes and they were on the road.

I saved Interocean Steamship from bankruptcy, after they lost the code I wrote from a backup accident.

I had a reserved seat at the coolest topless club in town while I lived across The Bay in Oakland, where I bought one of the first IBM PC's to hit the market.

Unfortunately, The City is dead now. I wondered over there one Summer to see Sherry and Grant while I lived in Idaho. The place has since gone to hell, and they moved to Sacramento.

I have grand and great grandkids living in the Bay Area, that I know I will never see. Brian and I made it to Oregon last year, but that's the closest I will make it back to California. Sorry Skoge.

So the biggest trip I have planned now, is to Pensacola, FL this Summer, unless I surprise myself with an adventure...

The Hoodie
( 1525 of 2167 )

Ok, I've had some interesting times. Yesterday I drove up to the liquor store for supplies, and as I was loading ice and booze into my truck, a guy appeared at my door.

Daniel told me later he spotted the guy standing at my truck as he drove by on his way to Allen's house.

He had a red hoodie over his head, and appeared homeless. We chatted for a bit and I invited him home, and he hopped into my truck. I drove back to my place, and we hung out for a bit. He refused to sit, standing by my door instead.

I have helped local homeless people here in my house before. It is what I do. If this guy wanted a shower and a fresh start, I was willing to provide it. But he did not.

I asked him where he wanted to go, and he said the Pawn Shop by the Wishy Washy. So, I drove him there.

I don't know if I will ever see this guy again, he knows where I live, and that's fine. He was interesting and kept referring to my name Hamilton, which is an apparently important name around here. A circuit judge or something.

He also had a disability, a severe indentation on top of his head. Would not elaborate on how it got there. Maybe I'll see him again...

Head East
( 1526 of 2167 )

If I can get a week of nice weather, between here and the East Coast, I'm thinking road trip. I have nothing going on, nothing! Pay next months rent up front and pay the rest of my bills from my laptop.

It will be a merge of a solid weather forcast, my icebox at a minimum state, and the Wishy Washy.

See what's going on in Chattanooga, TN, then mosey over to Asheville, NC and then down to Greenview, SC.

Been wanting to eat at the James Beard Award winning Chai Pani in Asheville, and Greenview just made a big top ten cities list.

I've hit all three places over two road trips in the last four and a half years but I must have been drunk because I don't remember them clearly. I think I need to erase the old memories, and put some fresh ones in.

And since I have this wonderful blog you can follow right along, unless I hit the strip club. I'll leave that out, save it for the Paid Subscription version of OldManJim.com...

First Person
( 1527 of 2167 )

The old man Jim is driving his old truck Jill East, through the South, just to be alive and moving!

He is sleeping in Jill's truck bed as often as possible. His shotgun is onboard, along with all necessary electronics, and condiments.

He just treated her to some fresh oil, with exam. Created 35 years ago, she is road ready and anxious to go, with new tires screaming Ride Me!

And he really hopes that he starts back writing in the first person.

Update: I reread this post and realized it sounds like I'm actually on the road. I'm not, planning to, just not doing it yet.

Rebounded
( 1528 of 2167 )

Still here. I'm thinking tomorrow, hit the Wishy Washy, pay some bills and pick up some Farmer Katy recommended Magnesium for my leg cramps, called Calm.

Load up and head out Thursday morning. The weather is warming up, rain today and tomorrow, then a few decent days as I head East. Three layovers: Chattanooga TN, Asheville, NC and Greenview, SC.

If my grand-daughter Shannon was still in Atlanta I'd swing on through, but she's moved back West.

Everybody needs a plan of some sort, and that's mine, unless I change it, but it's feeling pretty solid.

One time in Kent, WA I was homeless and living in a tent, in the middle of a wooded area that became a Target Store a year later. During the day I scrounged for coins in the Safeway parking lot.

The apartment complex I used to live in was across the street, and my good buddy Rodger would come over in the mornings. Big strapping black guy, always brought me a cup of coffee from his kitchen pot, then he would get me stoned from his homegrown bud. He rebuilt shipping pallets out of a downtown storage locker, for a living. With a wife and young boy.

Not everyone has the privelege to experience bottoming out. I sure did, then and there. Only a couple friends, Colleen and my boy Riley living nearby. One evening Riley brought out a small portable TV and we watched StarTrek inside the tent.

My mom was still alive down in California and asked my sister Lorelle to help me out, which she did to the tune of $250. Things started happening, I got my old car going, and I was determined to put my computer brilliance back to work.

Then I jumped off the carport in front of Rileys apartment, into the sand filled playground, wearing sandals. I crushed my left ankle and was rushed to the hospital where they put eight screws into it.

I had no money to handle the hospital bills, so they put me on welfare. Suddenly I'm getting a small income, I'm staying alive, found a little multi-story dive to live in.

Once I was able to walk without crutches, I landed a job at a downtown Kent hotel as a bellboy/dishwasher for minimum wage. I called the welfare department and said thank you very much, goodby!

I did that bellboy routine for several years. I was in Rileys life as much as I could, we didn't miss a beat.

Finally I landed an apartment right across from his high school. I shared his formative years there, with his mom down the road.

I eventually became a Para-Transit driver and one day Riley stared me in the eye and said: If you don't accept that offer to become Supervisor, I'll kick your ass. He was actually probably able to do it, so I said yes.

I went on to have a successful management career with ATC VanCom and Hopelink. I guess what I'm saying here, you can be at the very bottom of your life, and still rebound!

And having a wonderful son in my life, changed everything. Mine was the first place he and his buddies would hit after school. They figured out how to drink my vodka, and then water it down.

I was involved in his life completely, and then one day he drove the Uhaul with all of Stephs and my stuff to Idaho with us. He went on to a degree from WyoTeck, and his career.

Riley is now a husband, a proud father and an amazing auto body guy in a two man shop!

So, that's just a little stuff from my past, thanks for reading...

Main Goal
( 1529 of 2167 )

I am not a rain guy, or a snow guy, or a fog guy. I thrive on clear and eighty five. It has been raining all day.

My plans for laundry at the Wishy Washy were washed out. I got up at 0530 and then slept another hour at 0800. It's really hard being me, these days.

I'm either toggling my big screen between Fox and Local, or scrolling through TikTok on my big tablet. I consume content, it's what I do, it's who I have become. It's funny that I don't do both at the same time.

My possessions are meager, compared to some, but I'm very grateful for what I have. My stash has gone South since moving here, but I ain't broke, and I'm alright.

It's great to be Alive in America. As I was paying for my ice at the nearby tobacco store, I noticed the price of cigarettes at nearly $7 a pack. I told my store buddy that when I was sixteen, they were $.25 cents a pack.

A girl got me started smoking and I'm mad at you to this day Linda Galagher. I quit the day I turned 50, saved my life and allowed me to be here writing this.

I did the same thing with booze when I turned 70 in Idaho, lasted a whole year, dropped down to 150 and was in great shape. Did the same thing here for a whole month, got back to 150.

Now I'm probably in the worst shape I've ever been in. Weighing in over 180 and the tremors are constant wether I take my meds or not.

But every day is a gift! I treasure them, I embrace them! Ain't no self pity going on in this house!

And my main goal is to remember them...

User Agent
( 1530 of 2167 )

I only have a few domains left, and they all have active code on them. One site that I've maintained is called Jimazon and it processes the Flickr Photo site.

Flickr has been around for a long time and it's where I store my Photo Sets, for a charge of about $60 a year. Jimazon is also capable of showing Trending and Recent photos across the huge Flickr database.

I just got an email from Flickr telling all of it's developers that as of April their API (Application Program Interface) now requires a “User-Agent” header. Yea, Huh?, that's what I said.

So I went to ChatGPT and asked the wise entity in the sky how to do it. It showed me nicely, with a code example, then I loaded up the twelve Jimazon PHP functions that access the Flickr API, and added two lines of code to each one. The $user_agent variable is simply "Jimazon", followed by the name of the function.

For example: $user_agent = "Jimazon/getphotos";.

Then I dropped down to the Curl code that grabs the data off the Flickr servers and added a USERAGENT option which looks like this:

function curl_get($URL) {

$tout = 5000;

$c = curl_init();

curl_setopt($c, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, 1);

curl_setopt($c, CURLOPT_URL, $URL);

curl_setopt($c, CURLOPT_CONNECTTIMEOUT,$tout);

curl_setopt($c, CURLOPT_USERAGENT, $user_agent);

$contents = curl_exec($c);

curl_close($c);

if ($contents) return $contents;

else return FALSE;

}

I'm going to make the code changes now, assuming that the addition of a USERAGENT will not break Flickrs API before they implement the requirement, and work just fine after they do.

I really hope Flickr had a good reason to do this, because looking at their developers board, many folks are confused and pissed. I'm putting this post on that board and I'm hoping the Flickr engineers will tell me if this is right, or wrong...

Update: It's a good thing I have no life (although I did my laundry this morning). Flickr faced too much outrage over this addition and they have changed their mind, no USERAGENT required :-) Oh well, it was fun to challenge my brain and succeed.

I fixed my app, per their requirements, in a couple of hours. Not everyone was capable of doing that, apperently.

Cup Down
( 1531 of 2167 )

I texted my few friends and family last night that I had spilled my drink on my tablet.I mis-spoke, it was my laptop. Surprisingly, it still works, but a third of the keys got fried and their typing out garbage.

So, I bought a USB keyboard from Amazon and it will be here tomorrow. I'm writing this post from my desktop and I researched my next step, which involves using the Device Manager in Windows 11 to Uninstall the keyboard and then use Device Installation Settings to remove it permanently.

I wish I could say the dog bumped my arm, I wish I could say the cat jumped up on the table and hit my cup. But I cannot. I'm really lucky to still have a working laptop, and if I spill anything on the new keyboard, hell it's only $16.

Gee, what stupid thing will I do next?

Hwy One
( 1532 of 2167 )

Typing words on my phone to send to my blog. Laptop keyboard down. My greetings to the world!

Watching world famous highways on YouTube with D, we knew it was going to end with Hwy One down the Pacific Coast.

I have traveled that road many times, between driving exotic sports cars, to hitchhiking with a backpack.

I remember life events that occurred on that road, and they will die with me.

I was telling Daniel that I wish I had a road partner, someone to take care of logistics, while I created the adventure!

Had that with Brian last summer, haven't heard from him since...

Keyboard
( 1533 of 2167 )

Got my new keyboard hooked up! It took several hours to pull the laptop apart, rip the old keyboard out and hard wire the new one in. Then I had to write a new driver to map the keys!

Ok, just kidding, I plugged the USB cable in and they both worked fine together :-)

I went to the hardware store and bought some Silicone Glue then mounted my new Something Good message on my truck canopy rear window. The original glue was no good, and I had a heck of a time spreading it around, but it's ok.

All my neighbors are gone and I have this dead end street to myself today!

Life Questions
( 1534 of 2167 )

Why do I drink and smoke, when I really love being clean, sober and in great shape?

Why don't I do as I say? I blabber all over this blog about getting out on the road, yet both of those above lifestyles require localization. I'm still committed to Summer in Pensacola though, and I will be, how I will be!

Why have my duck friends split into two warring factions, while losing excitement daily about my quack cocaine?

Why am I still making the trip to the Park? I've only missed a few days, and there have been some days where I was completely stood up, by both groups.

Why do I continue to wonder if I will ever have a partner in my life again? I really should accept the reality that I'm way past that point.

Why don't I just post this?

My Joomla
( 1535 of 2167 )

In August of 2018, Steph and I arrived here in Lawrenceburg, TN. I got my sweet little place and she moved in with her daughters family, as Grandma.

It took about a month for me to set up the house, get all of the services going, especially a great direct wired internet connection from a telephone pole.

I had the two great chairs and round table, from Idaho, my bed, my computers, dishes and basic stuff. After establishing everything, I headed to WalMart and bought a great TV for my office along with a huge 65 for the living room. I added my great sound bar to the big setup, and my space rocks.

Then, with the house ready, mainframe hooked up on my desk, Piper and I looking down on Shoal Creek, it was time to code!

My blogging platform back in Idaho for BusDriVerJim, was WordPress. That blog is finished and totally accessible. I was ready to start a new blog on a new platform.

And then I discovered Joomla. It's a developers platform and I developed what I think is a great personal blog for me, as a traveler and photographer. And I had a great time developing a bunch of internal stuff.

The first post to my newly created blog was on Sep 14, 2018, called Landed.

The Mill
( 1536 of 2167 )

I drove by Crockett's Mill restaurant up in David Crockett park this morning around 0900 and they had a decent crowd. On Sundays they only serve breakfast from 0800 to 0945, so people can get to church afterwards.

Sunday is also an all you can eat buffet, and it's great. I thought about going but just wasn't up to doing it alone.

Eggs Benedict
( 1537 of 2167 )

I'm going to propose to the family members who are traveling to Pensacola, FL this Summer, that we create a to-do list. When someone finds an amazing thing on the Gulf Coast, put together some words and photos, send them to me, and I'll create a post for it.

For everyone else that follows this blog, you can learn new stuff!

I'll start it off. Out of the internet today came a Yelp link that showed the Top Eggs Benedict in every U.S. State (one of my most favorite meals).

For Alabama, Kittys Kafe in Gulf Shores had the nod, with their Eggs Benedict w/ Crab Cake, potatos and fried green tomato.

You know the crab meat will be fresh out of the Gulf!

Summer List
( 1538 of 2167 )

Here's a current list of this Summers Gulf Shores participants:

 • My son Riley Bangert, his wife Jessica, and daughter Ariella, from Orting, WA.

 • My grand-daughter Shelby Hamilton will be running solo from either Washington DC, or Pensacola, FL.

 • My daughter Becky from the East Bay Area of California.

 • And of course, me.

It't going to be a week in mid-July, with my birthday, the 23rd, within it.

If Becky fly's into Nashville, I'll bring her down and back from here. If she fly's straight there, I'll have an empty seat down and back, and open to offers. :-)

If there are any other grandkids or family members that would love to get involved, hit me up!

OMJ Factor
( 1539 of 2167 )

var standards = 100%; var done = NO;

If you want to get something done that meets your standards, you've got to either do it yourself, or find the right entity to do it for you, and if neither gets it done, lower your standards and loop it again.

Ultimately, it will either get done at the standards level that works, or you'll finally realize it was never really meant to be done at all.

Quiet Life
( 1540 of 2167 )

I've met a homeless guy named Kip. He's in bad shape, his clothes are falling off him and he needs cleaning up, bad. We stopped by my place for a bit, but the only thing that came of that, was my now stinky house.

I gave him some money and the first thing he wanted was food, so I took him to Arby's, but he wasn't willing to go inside, because of his condition.

I dropped him off near the square to take care of something, and eat pizza. He's not a druggie or a drunk, just a guy that's run out of options. I've helped out stray animals and people, that have come into my life here, Kip is another. He told me he would come by later.

I came home and thought about it. This is a local boy, getting turned away by everybody around here. He said we met one day when I was driving the school bus carrying tubers a few summers back.

I have decided, that if Kip returns this afternoon, I'll get him cleaned up. A shower first, and I've got some pants I haven't worn in a long while that might fit him, and a shirt. Trash what he's wearing!

I gave Gena my other good pair of shoes, but I've got a pair of boots.

Daniel will be coming over after work this afternoon, around 3:45. If I was in the process of helping a fellow human being, like I've done with other's that he has been a part of, would he jump in to help Kip, or lecture me for trying to help someone so far gone?

Stay tuned to oldmanjim's quiet life in the south, and be not tedious in discourse!

Soap Opera
( 1541 of 2167 )

George Washington, the father of our country, wrote his 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation by the time he was sixteen.

Rule Number 88 states: Be not tedious in Discourse, make not many Digressions, nor repeat often the Same manner of Discourse.

Rule Number 80 states: Be not tedious in Discourse, or in reading unless you find the Company pleased therewith.

I hereby proclaim these two rules the Basis Of Jims Blogging Bullshit Basics!

I want to ultimately be with God, join with all of my long gone relatives, and all of my animals, and lovers, and where does it end?

I want to leave my body, knowing that I made a difference. Daniel just reamed my ass about being a self-righteous old asshole who does this homeless rescue stuff to feel better than others.

I do this stuff because it needs to get done. It's way easier to do nothing, but that's not me...

So now I sit here, my neighbor and friend Daniel, is mad at me. It's 1900 and my homeless rescue Kip has not shown up.

Sounds like a damned soap opera to me...

Kip
( 1542 of 2167 )

I woke up this morning and realized that I couldn't rescue Kip, he's too far gone and needs more than a shower and some fresh clothes. I feel terrible about my decision.

He showed up at my door at 0900, with a big smile, figuring that I was going to do good things for him today. I told him I couldn't be a part of his life, and the hurt look that rolled across his face is something I won't forget. He dropped his eyes, turned and walked back towards the highway.

Now I have to figure out how to deal with Daniel. He said some really hurtful things to me last night, and it's tough when you see how somebody you consider a friend, really feels about things.

Update: Daniel came over and we made amends.

Skoge Wrote
( 1543 of 2167 )

My Sacramento, CA long time friend Skoge just emailed me:

I feel bad about your turning someone who needed help, away. Sounding like a Real Republican. That’s why I’m a Democrat, I don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks when they need help. The poor kid probably has no one. He may need psychiatric care. He obviously needed clothes.

She also wondered if Daniel was down on people who needed help? I replied:

Daniel was down on me for bringing homeless people into my house and into our quiet dead end street neighborhood. Which I have done several times. This guy needed professional help, way beyond what I could offer, and he was mentally unstable. I feel bad but I stand by my move.

And btw, Kip was mot a kid, around forty I would guess.

I have come to conclude that Daniel was right. I've got to find another way to help people other than bringing them into the sanctity of my little home.

On an unrelated note, I had a YouTube video of Dancing Horses reach 127K views and 74 comments.

Answered
( 1544 of 2167 )

Our Nashville Christian school shooting was a hate crime. The current balls lacking administration known as Biden's Boys, won't label it as such until they pour over the shooters manifesto, that hasn't been released yet.

It's a nice day here, storm tomorrow. Still questioning myself about why I didn't at least offer Kip a shower and some of my clothes. I haven't landed on an answer yet...

I remember one day when I was homeless and living in a field next to the apartment complex I used to live in. I ran into a buddy, a former neighbor of mine there, before I lost my apartment.

He asked if there was anything I really needed, and I said A Shower! It was the middle of the day, and he had the day off, so he invited me back to his place and let me shower. He was a friend, we've been in each others apartments many times.

His wife found out that I took a shower there, when she got home, and went through the roof. How could he let a dirty homeless guy into the sanctity of their shower?

Hey, I understand, I've let three homeless people use my shower here, to get their humanity back, if just for a few days. That's what it did for me.

Kip was just too far gone. You have to draw the line somewhere, and he was over it. The potential for spreading dangerous germs was high.

When he was here, he moved between Daniel's chair and the open front door. The house began to reek, Kip was in bad shape. I guess I've answered my question.

And Blog
( 1545 of 2167 )

This blog is four and a half years old. It started shortly after I landed in southern Tennessee, from Idaho. I try not to make it a dumping ground, but more a sharing and entertainment place. I've been blogging for almost twelve years now, and here's my latest:

I had a stuffed omelet biscuit for brunch today at Hardies. I asked them to add some gravy to it, and they did. It was great! $5 bucks, should have ordered two. There were only a few small chunks of ham, that required teeth.

My door is wide open, neighbors on all sides have stuff going on. Jeff across the street is noise polluting with his riding mower, duplex neighbor Drew is transferring his kids, but may drop by later, and Daniel is balling his wife, and may drop by later.

Meanwhile, I sit here and blog...

The Club
( 1546 of 2167 )

Apparently, I was in a club of some sort recently. I just got an email with a blurry photo attached. They wanted to know who I am? That's not me!

That sort of looks like my Tilley hat, and I have a tropical shirt that looks just like that one. And the shades, and the goatee...

But I would remember, right? And why do they want to know who I am? Sheesh, life is challenging lately!

Live Fast
( 1547 of 2167 )

The gap between thoughts is deeper, when you've landed at your low, and it's out of control.

The space forward is covered in land mines, places you don't want to go, that eat into your soul.

Live fast, die old, then give your body back to the world!

Hudson Visit
( 1548 of 2167 )

I just had a great afternoon chatting with my friend Hudson, from the comfort of Daniels chair.

He brought his laptop in and hooked up, we tried to setup some FTP settings for his WinScp install, to no avail.

I really admire Hudson. He's sixteen, smart, has his act together, drug free, and has a goal.

He turns 17 in June, one more year of school, then he heads off for a degree at Purdue in Hardware and Software engineering.

I told him about Dillan, Stephs grandson, that grabbed a full ride out of Summertown High, with a scholarship.

We had that smart person to smart person chat that only smart persons can have.

We swapped stories, but mine were easier to conjure up, since I had sixty years on him...

Thanks Hudson!

Uncle Jim
( 1549 of 2167 )

James Tilton (June 1, 1745 - May 14,1822), was the first Surgeon General of the United States Army, June 11, 1813 - June 15, 1815. He was my uncle.

Jim was the brother of my great-great-great-grandfather Richard C Tilton. I discovered this today bopping around my family tree at FamilySearch.com

He's got his own Wikipedia page, and he has a great write-up at AMEDD. There is even a Tilton Society with a mansion and another great write-up about my uncle Jim.

The more I dig, the more impressed I am. Here's a quote: "Not only did Dr. Tilton save countless lives during the Revolutionary War, but he also shaped the future medical landscape in the United States".

Deeply
( 1550 of 2167 )

Thinking deeply and wondering what if? If there is a more useless mental activity, I challenge you to present it!

Our current lives are the summation of every decision we have made from the time of birth. We have landed right here, right now, as a result of each decision, where moving your finger slightly, would be considered one.

Every breath is a moment, converted to a video clip and sent directly to long term brain storage. To then be blended together by RI (Real Intelligence) into the form of memory.

If humanity survives, memories can be saved at passing, to be viewed and enjoyed by friends and family.

Hmmm, let me think deeply about that...

McDonalds
( 1551 of 2167 )

I had a wonderful meal today, just one. It consisted of:

 • Kroger Rice Bitz Oven Toasted Rice Cereal.

 • Kroger Bite Size Shredded Wheat.

 • Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk.

 • Two handfuls of rinsed black berries, crushed in my hand.

 • A sliced banana.

Actually, my eating sucks lately. Had the rotgut buffet at The Square on Saturday morning, I didn't even go back for seconds.

I watched that movie about the rise of McDonalds, on Sunday, and it gave me a craving for fast food. So I drove into town. My first thought was a Hardies Stuffed Omelet Biscuit with a splash of gravy. The guy at the counter said it would take twenty minutes to get my food due to staff shortages.

It's Sunday in the South. The only other place open was, McDonalds.

As I walked in I was faced with a big blackboard showing worthless stuff, and a gaggle of young girls below it. Three or four, training one, which was the young lady asking me what I wanted.

I couldn't see any of their product, I was blinded by the big board, I said "What's good?" and it totally snapped her young trainee mind. She recommended some breakfast sandwich meal and I said fine, but as I was walking away, I turned and said "It has bacon?" I asked her if I could replace that with sausage.

So, she then walked away from the station, and had a conversation with the cooks. I set my plastic number down at a table, and worked on my condiments and a cup of water.

When I got back to my table, there was a tray with two sandwiches (I only paid for one), one with bacon on it, and one with sausage. And a triangle shaped potato thing.

I consider myself an honest and ethical man, and I don't take what's not coming to me. But I made an exception yesterday.

Actually, both of them sucked. They put a sweet flavoring in to emulate pancakes, or something.

McDonalds don't cut it for me no more.

Orange Afro
( 1552 of 2167 )

Daniel and I were sitting in my place Sunday afternoon, and happened upon the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. Daniel said I hate women's basketball, but I had the clicker and I was fine with tall fit women running across my screen in their underwear.

We figured out pretty quickly that it was a Championship game, and got into it. I liked LSU, with star player Angel Reese, with the big eyelashes, and Daniel was going Iowa, with the best player in the game, Caitlin Clark.

LSU's Jasmine Carson (she was my favorite) with her orange afro, was netting sweet three pointers from the field and then reacting.

Finally, I'm in love with the LSU coach Kim Mulkey, what a badass tough lady that coaches from her heart!

The 102-85 victory by LSU was the most viewed NCAA women's basketball game on record, with 9.9 million viewers on ABC and ESPN2.

But, there is controversy. Iowa's star player Caitlin Clark fouled out, and sat on the bench for a good while. I've seen a lot of buzz out there about the referees leaning the advantage towards LSU. I watched a video showing each one of her fouls, and a couple were really trivial and probably shouldn't have happened. Could she have provided a 17 point difference, I really doubt it. LSU won.

But that's OK, Jill Biden has invited both teams to the White House!

All I Need
( 1553 of 2167 )

I've traveled a lot. Hawaii three or four times, many places in Mexico, Las Vegas a whole bunch, and Mardi Gras at least twice.

I've been to Hollywood, and through the Redwoods. I've driven millions of miles around this great country, and visited 80% of our States. I've had three Caribbean adventures, in my four plus years here in Tennessee.

My friend Skoge sent me links about Mexican Cartels controlling beach resorts, tourists dying. Scratch that option.

What I really want, is what I call Old Man Heaven for a couple of weeks. A local resort where I could dry out, take many daily steam rooms and hot tubs. Full body massages from young pretty ladies! Be served amazing healthy meals.

Slowly get back into shape, and be able to handle the next adventure. Two weeks is all I need.

Great Buffet
( 1554 of 2167 )

Daniel had lunch today at the St Joe Café, down in St Joseph, TN, just before the Alabama state line on Hwy 43. It's 16.44 miles away and takes 19 minutes to get there.

I've seen it on trips down to Florence, AL, always busy, but I never stopped in.

Daniel said he's always had great meals there, and considering he was born and raised here, that says a lot.

We tried calling to check on tomorrows menu, no answer, I'll call tomorrow. He says it's a daily buffet, changing up the meats and veggies. He's talking spaghetti and meatballs, chicken and dumplings, omg.

I actually didn't leave the house today. Watched Trump being perp-walked, and wrote three posts.

The weather should cooperate nicely for a mid-morning jaunt down to St Joseph tomorrow. Have a great buffet, maybe hit Muscle Shoals, change it up!

No Partner
( 1555 of 2167 )

I have come to accept, that I have no partner to share anything with. Like this run down to St Joseph for lunch tomorrow.

And given the current state of my old body, and my old vices, the chances of finding a partner are pretty much null and void at this point.

I've had a female partner in my life, maybe 65% of the time, since I reached adulthood.

So what do you do after accepting it? Embrace it! I can now be the crazy old man who says whatever he wants! No partner to appease, or worry about, or to love...

Beach Cave
( 1556 of 2167 )

I was around twenty, working at Harrah's up in Lake Tahoe as a busboy, when I met a girl. She was my age, a sizzling hot redhead, bussing tables along side me.

We were both bored and looking for adventure, so we quit our jobs and headed to the Pacific Ocean. We landed south of Carmel and Monterey, at the beach below Mal Paso Creek bridge. Clint Eastwood had his ranch at the head of the creek, and Bad Crossing was one of his trademarks.

It was totally accessible, we called it Secret Beach, and we spent two weeks there. Sleeping in the sand, bopping into Carmel for supplies when needed.

Over the decades that followed, I revisited that beach, and watched it become locked down. People built big beautiful homes on the rocks that surrounded it. They wanted to treat it as their private beach.

I remember the last visit, we managed to find the trail and hit the sand on a hot Summer day. After a few hours, two buff white guys came walking behind us, and entered the cave at the South end of the beach. That cave was there when the girl and I were, we explored it.

These guys acted really nervous, and I figure they stashed something back in there, spotted us on the beach from their ocean front window, and got paranoid. We split shortly after.

A couple of Summers ago, I was in the Belize area and hung out at the official and famous Secret Beach. I had a great time, but there was nothing secret about it, and there was no cave, and no girl...

Remembered
( 1557 of 2167 )

Wow, I've had an amazing life, and I love to write. My two blogs have captured not only every event as it happened, but my reflections on the past. Combined, they represent my history, they are who I am.

So, say I dropped dead tomorrow. My finances would go south and my blogs would die with me. All of that writing, about everything, the photos, would soon be gone, lost forever.

I guess that's the problem with living in the digital age. If you're important or famous, your stuff gets archived, otherwise it dies.

If I had access to my grandfathers life, would I want to explore it? Hell yea! As I have arrived here after seventy six years, I would love to experience every one of my relatives lives, as they lived it.

So here's the deal. It takes a couple hundred bucks every year to maintain my webspace (Ionos), and my photo sharing paid subscription site, Flickr.

If those digital bills don't get paid, I finally die. So, I hope someone sets up a gofundme, to cover this bill, and keeps me alive!

Also, think about documenting your life events, they need to be remembered!

St Joe
( 1558 of 2167 )

I mossied down to the St Joe Cafe in St Joseph today, to try out their hot bar. I went with the lunch plate, one meat (I had the lasagna), three sides and a bread, for 9 bucks and change.

I showed up right at 1100 as they opened it up, so everything was fresh. They also have an all you can eat option for $14, but I barely finished my lunch plate.

So what did I think? I give the atmosphere an A, the two ladies running the place chatted the whole time between themselves and customers, with great southern accents. I'll give the food a B-, tasty, but it seemed like every item had the same seasoning in it. Will I go back, probably not.

This is the Deep South, the Alabama state line is just down the road, so this place is as country as it gets. One old lady was telling the cafe ladies that her husband was born in St Joseph (pop 790), lived here all his life, and will stay here until the lord calls him home. Amen...

Answers
( 1559 of 2167 )

My son Riley's mom arrived with him in Kent, WA, from Oakland when he was just a toddler, and signed up for services. I followed them both up there, because I had fallen in love with Riley and wanted to be his dad.

I was there through everything, schools from pre-kindergarten through high school, and then on to WyoTech down in Laramie. Every sporting event, every musical event, he was my boy.

One day, the welfare department wanted to go after Riley's biological father for back-payments. Since I was being his father, I was up first. They swabbed Riley's and mine cheeks, and determined that we were not related.

His mom was in a promiscuous state around his conception. No judgment here, hey, people fuck. The other guys involved were hit up in the Bay Area, and swabbed. Nobody...

So, who was Riley's biological father? There was really only one conclusion, the good looking mechanic named James Pruit, went by JP, hanging out with his mom's roommates, Mike and Michelle. He was the only one left, that never got swabbed.

Riley and Jess have jumped on this, determined that JP has died, and just had lunch with JP's brother and his wife, in Arizona.

My boy and his family have arrived at a place where answers can be found!

DNA Test
( 1560 of 2167 )

I never tell people that Riley is not my biological son. It's not relevant, and I have never mentioned this in any post across two blogs, across decades, until now with Answers.

I'm Riley's official dad and I will be until we determine who his real father is. I don't have an ounce of resentment towards this journey and I really want it to succeed!

I did the Ancestry.com DNA testing years ago, and my oldest grandson Chris popped up at the top of that list, so I know my daughter and all 14 grandkids and multiple great grand-children are related to me.

Riley is getting his DNA done soon, and they will see if he matches to any members of the family, that had their DNA tested. It would be wonderful to make this connection, to know his background and medical history, and discover a whole new family!

I'm pretty confident this will happen, can't wait!

Another
( 1561 of 2167 )

Just got off the phone with Riley and Jess from her moms house, down the road from one of my favorite places: Bullhead City, AZ and Laughlin, NV.

It turns out, I was a couple weeks behind the loop when it came to the discovery adventure they were on. They had already confirmed that my sons biological father, was James Pruit (or Pruid) from La Porte, IN, using DNA test results.

JP's brother lived nearby in Arizona, and they all connected over lunch. No secrets anymore, Just answers.

btw: My son and his wife and daughter have been down in that eighty degree weather, to implant another embryo. Another beautiful grand-daughter is on the way, in nine months!

Easter Hunt
( 1562 of 2167 )

I've told this story before, feel like telling it again.

Riley and I started an Easter tradition in Kent, WA when he was around six. We kept it local to his apartment complex but expanded it miles outward when he was a teenager with a car.

I would get him an Easter gift and hide it somewhere out in the world. The gift started out as a big basket full of treats, and changed as he grew older.

Then, armed with posit notes and empty plastic egg shells, I would reverse engineer the location of his prize, to his front door.

The first note would specify the location of the prize. It actually becomes the last note. Then I would hide that egg, go to a new hiding spot and hide another egg, with directions back to the last one.

I would complete this process across about twenty hiding places, and set the last egg at his front door. Easter morning, when he came out, he would follow the notes to his gift.

I would hover around at a distance, making sure he was OK, and I was always there at the end.

We had many great Easters together, and hopefully today he's following his dad's directions, one more time, to that In-N-Out Burger joint in Laughlin, NV. as they finish up their Arizona trip.

Sore Arm
( 1563 of 2167 )

My right arm is going South on me. It really hurts up by my muscle, woke me up several times in the night. It makes me realize how many things I do with that arm, like typing and driving a stick shift. It should put a muzzle on stupid posts at least.

I spent the morning in the clinic, had a bunch of x-rays taken and two different steroid shots, one in each hip. Talking to the radiologist tomorrow. The shots have helped a bit.

Shutting down...

As the lady that did my shirtless x-ray helped my get my shirt back on, because I caould barely use my arm, I joked that I should bring her home with me. She said "Let me check with the boss, I could use a change"." Was she talking about her boss at the clinic, or a husband. I don't know, but the vibe changed.

She had me present my ass to her later for steroid shots, and her eyes were probing mine, above the mask. wtf...

The odds of me hooking up with a woman now, are so long. I could still give a lady a fine time, maybe even a fine ride. But I am what I am, a seventy six year old man, with an arm that hurts, not so bad as the steroids kick in.

Diagnosis
( 1564 of 2167 )

I saw the specialist at the clinic today, and I have Rotator Cup Tendonitis, most definitely caused by sitting at this computer and blogging. My blood pressure is really high also.

I have to wait till May 5 to see my PCP to talk about blood pressure meds. I was also referred to our local physical therapy place, but my insurance doesn't cover the usual $10 copays for this service, they want $35 a visit and I'm being cheap, and foolish for skipping this. Hell, a bottle of vodka cost $23. Although, I ran out of smoke a while back, and have no plans to re-up. That's good!

Bottom line, I'm not doing good. It hurts like crazy to write this, so it will be my last post for a while. I would like to thank my family and friends for reading this crap for the last 4.5 years, you have put up with a lot. If I fail to see you again in person, I'm very sorry...

Forced
( 1565 of 2167 )

I'm forcing my sore arm into action. I was sitting on my front porch today, in the sun at 73 degrees. Cocktail on my little table, looking up at the sky and the sun through my beautiful trees, begging God to give me some more power.

He rescued me from homelessness once, as I was driving down a Kent, WA back road, looking for a tree to crash into. The voice came from above and said "I'm giving you some power" and a bolt of energy entered my body from the top of my head, and I was reborn.

I went looking for that again, today. He didn't answer. I guess you only get one shot at Gods help in your life. I've had an amazing life from that moment.

Jim Pruden
( 1566 of 2167 )

My boy Riley's biological father has been genetically established, thanks to some amazing detective work by his wife Jess.

His name is Jim Pruden, at least we have the same first name, and his last name was not Pruit as we thought. He died in 2016 and would have turned 75 in June. He has a great large family in LaPorte, Indiana that loved and respected him.

Jess has been working on this for years as a surprise for Riley. They did a DNA test back in 2018 but nothing with the name Pruit matched. This was the case for years but somehow she connected with Jim's sister Mary on Facebook with the last name Pruden, and offered to pay for a DNA test, Mary agreed but went half in.

Suddenly all the dots came together, and Riley's father had been found. They have since been in touch with the family and they're all very exited to meet them. They did meet with one of Jim's brothers and his wife when they were in Arizona, and made a great connection. (link) They shared photos of Jim and he looked like Riley's twin.

This is amazing! I'm very proud of Jess, I actually thought Riley would go through life with no father on his birth certificate. Now they're going to fix that, and they have a brand new family!

Update: I guess you could say that I was Riley's dad and Jim Pruden was his father. I actually held Riley in my arms before his mother did. He was delivered Cesarean, in a San Francisco hospital, and the nurse brought him out of the delivery room and handed him to me. His legs were bent back up towards his chest, thus the C-Section.

His legs straightened out just fine, and we have had a wonderful life together. Jim died not knowing he had a son, and that's sad, but I was more than happy to fill in!

I told Jess that Riley saved my life, he gave me a reason for being. She replied: Thank you, you mean the world to him and I know that without you he would not be the man he is today (he's also said you saved him & influenced him greatly)! In fact just about all his fond memories include you! You did something most men, especially back then, wouldn't do... You loved him (still do) unconditionally as your own!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Memories
( 1567 of 2167 )

I told Daniel he should get his Harley out and go riding with his boys this weekend. He told me he has to work on Ice Houses. I said, just tell them no and go riding, he rolled his eyes and said no.

The only one telling me what to do, is me. And I aint doing a good job of it.

It's a trip to be retired and single. You are totally responsible for every action you take, with nobody influencing nothin.

Tuesday and Sunday look identical, except some things are closed around town on Sunday, if I ever make it out of the house to be affected by that.

Every day my morning goal is to make my bed, eat breakfast, and wash my dishes. I accomplish that every day, and then my day turns into a downhill spiral, wishing I had someone to share it with, and lift it back up.

It sucks being an old miserable emotional drunk, with a sore arm that I continue to torment. I've had tears in my eyes all day over this Riley thing. Memories are precious, that's why I blog, to save them.

Not Quite
( 1568 of 2167 )

I've had a good couple of days. Friday I just hunkered down, bit the bullet, and didn't drink. It was a rough night, didn't sleep well.

Saturday I managed to get a one mile lap in over at Veterans Park. That was probably the slowest one I've done over the years, as the Parkinsons, and lack of exercise, have taken a toll on my legs. I also managed to walk the creek later, I'm getting back into the routine, and I'm hopeful.

I haven't been over to the walking path since last Fall, and it was great. Next step, working out, and hitting the gym.

I had abs three years ago, living right here. Sure would love to get them back!.

Unthinking
( 1569 of 2167 )

The very first grandchild that I ever met, was Chris. He was born in the Bay Area and was in my life a lot as an infant. He was a year older than Riley and we all spent some great years together.

A few years later I learned about two new grandkids being raised by their grandmother Shelly down in Oakdale, CA. So, I drove down to meet them.

The memories are blurred because I'm old, but I remember Johnny and Shelby being embraced and loved by their grandmother. The most vivid memory was a dinner on that trip at Shelly's house.

Shelby was throwing a little fit, traumatized by the insecurities that brought her and her brother to live there. But Shelly calmed her down, and dinner was fine.

Shelly raised Shelby and Johnny, and has since passed. I would say she was the most important person in Shelby's life.

A few years later, Riley and I drove down there and he and Shelby connected. We had a memorable visit, and a bond was forever formed.

We're still on track for a Florida visit this summer.

Shelby and I have been texting this afternoon about her childhood. She's like me, we remember great times, but not everything is in focus, except the love!

I kept this photo framed on the desk near my bed, for the twelve years Steph and I lived in Idaho. It was the first thing I saw as I rolled out of bed in the morning, and the last thing I saw as I went to sleep.

Rants
( 1570 of 2167 )

After catching up with the News and Weather on TV in the morning, I shut it down and start watching TicTok on my Samsung Galaxy tablet. It looks great full screen, it's addictive, and I have a weakness for addictive shit.

I have a firm rule that I don't click on any buttons or watch live feeds, which turns the platform into a frustrating one. The TicTok game is to gain followers and clicks, and everybody plays it.

A lot of the content is copyrighted material, and I don't know where they get it. Much of it is short movie clips, strategically cut up into Parts, hopping to get you to click through to watch the next one.

They don't tell you the name of the movie, heaven forbid you bail from their content and find the full movie on NetFlix or Prime. So you watch a two minute clip, find it intriguing, and then it stops and repeats. It's really becoming frustrating and every day I consider dumping the app, but like I said, addicted.

Sometimes I can figure out the name of the movie, with a little detective work. Then I jump into NetFlix, and it's never available, but you can usually rent it on Prime, for $3.99. What if Amazon is behind a diabolical conspiracy to flood TicTok with clips, just to get you to pay for the full movie?

TV has it's own game when it comes to News. I call it the Coming Up racket, where just before a long commercial break, they pimp you with what's on the other side, hoping it will interest you, and keep you from changing the channel! I usually just press the mute button if I choose to stay there.

I have one more totally unrelated rant. In the movies I like to watch, with government agencies pursuing bad guys, or men reading the News, the guys all where suits! I haven't owned, or worn, a suit in over forty years. I actually knew how to tie a tie once, now I just shake my head and wonder why?

I saw on TV our Governor Bill Lee dressed in construction clothes today, along with his wife who has just got her Cancer into remission, physically working on a house that had been damaged in a recent flood. Bill stood behind his wife, giving her the microphone, since she's leading the project. They looked great, and they're good down home Tennessee people!

Update: Elizabeth told me I can often find the name of a movie on TicTok, by checking the comments (or use IMDB.com if I recognize an actor). I found a chart, explains a lot, and Shelby also told me how. Guess I'll keep the app!

Nathan
( 1571 of 2167 )

There once was a slave named Nathan Green, also known as Uncle Nearest. He worked at the Dan Call Farm whiskey distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, more than 150 years ago, along with Jasper “Jack” Daniel.

Dan sold the farm to Jack, and Nathan stayed on and taught him how to make great whiskey. Nearest Green was the first known black master distiller of Tennessee whiskey.

Together, they introduced the sugar maple charcoal filter process, and made whiskey that today is known worldwide as, Jack Daniels.

I'm not a whiskey guy, but I have drank Jack Daniels. Right now I'm working on trying to drink nothing, but it was good.

Just thought I would share a little Tennessee history, pretty dapper looking ex-slave:

Everything
( 1572 of 2167 )

I've been dying in this little house on the end of Lee Street for going on five years. I arrived here with high hopes for a new life with Steph's family.

Things were going great for a while, I fell in love with her grand-daughters and I thought I had a lot to offer the family.

I set the place up very cool, giant TV with surround sound in the living room, big central table, with expensive chairs from our place in Idaho.

And then one day I loaned Steph's grandson Dillan a hundred bucks and got him a job at the tubing company. The family took offense at how I handled his failure to show up the next day, and it was over. Steph didn't have my back, and that was over.

Now I look around me and wonder, what the fuck have I done? I'm too old to be making mistakes like this. In my younger days I could rebound, recover and move on. Now I walk around here like the old man I am while trying to decide what I would want to keep, if anything, if I got the fuck out of Tennessee.

I've had some great adventures away from this house, which I cherish, but I could have had them from anywhere.

There was a point in our leaving Idaho, where I could have gone to any place. I was thinking the warmth of Arizona, but I just couldn't pull it off for some reason. As our garage sale loomed, and Steph was getting ready to be with her grandkids here, she finally said to me You need to make up your mind what you're going to do!

At that point I said, I'm going to Tennessee with you. As I look around this lonely little house, crammed with bullshit that needs to be downsized, I accept the fact that I made a mistake.

I've made a few life choices that were great, like moving to the Seattle area to be with Riley. I've also made some bad ones, and I'm coming to grips with the fact, that this was one of them.

I see people all around me here, that have maintained their life partner, and their home, until they die. God I'm so envious that it never happened for me! But, I take full responsibility for everything...

Bailed
( 1573 of 2167 )

My amazing grand-daughter Shelby and I, have been entertaining becoming roommates at a house on the beach as she moves back to Florida this Summer. I bailed today.

I look around my little house and realize that this is where I've landed, I accept it, and I will die here. My remaining possessions are embedded in this place, the rent is $500 a month, and I can go anywhere I want, whenever I want to. This is my base.

We had a great chat today, and I get that she want's to help her sad and lonely old grandfather out, because that's who she is. But I would be a burden to her in my condition, and I can't do that, because that's who I am.

So I'm staying put. I have offered my help with anything this Summer, she can swing through Lawrenceburg on any trip South from DC, layover and I'll show her around, and then jump in and head to Florida with her. I can also be a guest down there whenever I want, not a roommate.

I told her the sad and lonely thing is my job to correct, and since I'm retired, I need a job.

And the thought of my neighbor Daniel meeting Shelby, brings a smile to my face, he's a big fan!

Meet Shelby
( 1574 of 2167 )

My grand-daughter Shelby is a beautiful amazing woman, with a penchant for military men. One year on a road trip to Southern CA, I visited her at the Camp Pendleton Marine base, where she was living with her Marine snipper husband.

To get into the Base I had to present my drivers license to a nice young lady in a guard shack. Shelby told me later that my ID had been subjected to a top level security clearance scan, and if I had the slightest shit going on, I wouldn't have gotten through.

The guy was young, hot, and a snipper. She told me later over lunch off base that they were getting a divorce.

Later, she dated the Blue Angel that tragically died here in a La Vergne, TN crash.

She has now been in a relationship with Andy, a Navy Commander, for some time now. I got to know Andy over our Christmas Cruise to the Caribbean a while back, and I like him. He could have captained our cruise boat in an emergency.

Andy was assigned to the Pentagon recently and they relocated to DC, from their home in Pensacola. Now he's heading to Italy, and Shelby is heading back to Florida. She want's kids and a family, Andy wants a career.

So now she's going to put all of her stuff into a U-Haul, hook her vehicle on the back, and head South. She turned thirty one this year, at the top of her game, and I just have to wonder, what's next!

Sad
( 1575 of 2167 )

I've been thinking about this Sad and Lonely concept, that apparently I am under. First off, am I Sad? That would imply being depressed, and sometimes I am, but most times I'm not.

I love life, very glad to be here, hope it sticks around! I'm sad that I've made many bad decisions over my lifetime, but what the fuck can I do about that now, so I am over that. Sadness no longer dominates my life.

Am I lonely? Duhh! I spend most of my day without any human contact, much less have a partner to share the moments with. But I have come to accept that.

And there are benefits to living alone! You only argue with yourself! You can fart in bed, loudly, let it rip! Life is about you, and nobody else.

Most days these days, I get up at 0300. I make my hot lemon water, catch up on the news, TicTok for a while, and then go back to bed. I then sleep until 0700 because I can. I'm not lonely during that time.

As the day rolls on, my only decision is when I'm going to head to the path and go walking. It usually occurs around noon, depending on the weather.

Daniel rolls in from his school maintenance job in the afternoon, and often comes over, so I have a little human contact, even if he is a crazy son of a bitch.

So, the bottom line is, am I sad and lonely? No!

Bird Feed
( 1576 of 2167 )

It's been a beautiful day here in southern Tennessee, clear skies, temps around eighty. I drove up to check on my ducks around noon, before walking the path at Veterans Park. I haven't fed them in a while and I was excited to see them at the dock.

I had my window down as I pulled up, doing my quack quack call, and usually they would come running. They didn't budge, so I walked down to them with my bag of quack, and asked what's up?

They had no interest in getting fed, and as I looked around, I saw wild bird feed on the ground, the same stuff I buy at Tractor Supply. Someone has taken over the feeding, and I wonder if they have read my blog, or watched my videos!

It wasn't quack cocaine, there was no cracked corn in the mix, but definitely the same bird feed.

Whatever, I guess I'm off the hook. I can save my bird feed for the birds (and the squirrels) here at the house...

Legacy
( 1577 of 2167 )

I guess this is my claim to fame, as I fade into the sunset. I created the very first graphics program for the IBM PC! Ahead of Microsoft and all of the other big players: 4-Point Graphics.

I bought the first IBM PC to hit the Computerland store in Oakland, CA, along with a color monitor, and a development system called Compiled Basic, in the very early eighties, for around $6,000 in cash out the door.

I then shut down my IBM System 38 consulting career at $65 an hour, and never looked back.

Here was this amazing personal computer created by IBM, running an OS from Microsoft, and I had the new personal computer world at my fingertips.

So I wrote a graphics program, and it opened up a new career that lasted for a decade. I was a programming star, creating programs that made the world stage. I developed a reputation and coding cred, and formed two companies, Bridgeway Publishing and Hamilton Graphics.

I was an amazing computer programmer back in the seventies and eighties. As I look back, I have no idea where that gift came from, but it was a great ride!

New Family
( 1578 of 2167 )

We have a new family of groundhogs in the back yard. Daniel pointed them out to me from his kitchen window the other day, it looks like mom and dad and three or four siblings.

This afternoon I walked down to their hole and planted some of Piper's remaining cat treats at the edge, then I hid behind a tree with my Sony and the zoom lens, and waited.

I got a shot with mom and a couple babies, I think it was worth the wait!

The Emma
( 1579 of 2167 )

My daughter Becky, has created some amazing people. Here is one I have never met, her name is Emma, and maybe I will meet her someday...

Old To New
( 1580 of 2167 )

My backyard is beginning to recover from the winter frost. The dead leaves are dropping from the trees, and the big rhododendron, despite being pretty beat up, is sprouting new leaves and buds.

Sign Painter
( 1581 of 2167 )

I remember a few days I spent with my grand-father as a teenager, my only father figure, in a motel somewhere in California.

He was a sign painter, working a job and brought me along because he loved me. The place had a pool, the weather was hot, and I spent my days hanging out there.

As my skin cleared up from the sun, we watched boxing from the room. I saw Mohamed Ali kick ass, and later I met him face to face at Merritt College in Oakland, CA. About that...

Thank you grandpa! You were the male figure in my life, and I am so grateful!

My Position
( 1582 of 2167 )

I rarely write about politics, because it's so polarizing. I'm on the Right and I'm sure a bunch of my blog readers and friends are not, and I respect that!

But this should not stop me from expressing my opinion on the matter. So here you go:

I think Donald Trump should succeed the GOP nomination to Ron DeSantis, in return for a special position within the administration responsible for securing the border and restoring energy independence. Pick Kristi Noem or Nikki Haley for VP.

The bickering would stop, the party would solidify, and we would have a strong VP, along with the woman's vote.

Then promise to fire all of these Biden appointees that are destroying our country, on day one.

Put all of the political bullshit and the inflated egos aside, win this election, and make America really great again!

Lessons
( 1583 of 2167 )

I was chatting with my neighbor this morning about lessons learned and how they influence our lives. I was not close to my step dad, but I received a couple of object lessons from the man.

One day, I was hanging out in our town of forty houses on the side of a Sierra Nevada mountain, outside of Reno, called Floriston. My seven year old buddy Richard talked me into stealing something from Nana's store, a little place that sold basic supplies and the only store there.

I don't remember what it was, probably candy, and Nana caught us. She summoned our parents, and a severe punishment was handed to both of us. We were banned from the store for a year! As that year went by, I was reminded every day that stealing has consequences, and it formed my integrity on that matter.

As the years progressed, we moved all over California, finally landing in Paradise, CA. Yea, the same town that was burned down from the Camp Fire in 2018. I was still friends with Richard and he was living in Reno.

One day we came up with a scheme to buy a bunch of alcohol at a discount store in Reno, and bring it back to Paradise to sell it to my underage friends, at a markup.

In the dead of night, we rolled into town on Neal Rd and decided to pull off into the bushes to sleep until morning. Unfortunately, I fell asleep with my foot on the brake...

A local sheriffs deputy spotted the lights in the bushes, and lit us up. He demanded we open the trunk and found all of the booze, at which point he had us load it all up into his vehicle, and then he split.

He knew my step dad Paul, who was working at a local gas station, and the next day he pulled in and asked him if he wanted the booze, and Paul said hell no.

The cop kept everything, never reported it, and never wrote us up. We were out a bunch of money, and I realized that a life of crime was not up my alley! Lessons learned...

Richard
( 1584 of 2167 )

I've been thinking about my buddy Richard, from that last post. One day we were hanging out at a bar in Reno (I don't add the NV suffix, because there is only one).

He told me he was engaged to be married. I was happy for him and we drank.

On the eve of his wedding he got very drunk, and went driving. He crashed his vehicle big time, and fortunately didn't hurt anyone, except himself.

I hooked up with him later, and he was in a full body cast. If you have never seen someone in that position, consider yourself blessed. He was lucky to be alive.

I asked him what happened and he responded with the saddest thing anyone has ever said to me. He said he was under endowed and was afraid his wife to be, would find him unacceptable.

OMG. This meant that they had never had sex, and he felt he was going to disappoint her big time. How fucking sad is that!

So he gets totally drunk on his pre-wedding night, and ruins his life. I don't know if the marriage ever happened, probably not.

That was the last time I saw him, as life moved on...

Teachers
( 1585 of 2167 )

My neighbor Daniel is a maintenance man for the many K thru 12 schools here in Lawrence county. The other day while on a break, he had his phone open reading my blog.

He had Emma's picture up full screen as his boss walked by, and the boss said What's this?, and Daniel had to scramble, explaining it was his neighbors grand-daughter, from his blog!

Wow, this is very sad! Apparently, some male teachers here are accused of inappropriate attention to their senior female students!

Folks here are pissed off about this, and rightly so! We drove by a school board meeting yesterday at the Lawrenceburg HS, and there were four cops on the scene, expecting something.

To counter that, Daniel and I concurred what a great community we live in.

Everyone is friendly and willing to help their neighbors out, crime is low, and it's just a great laid back Southern Tennessee town to live in.

But these male teachers need to keep their dick in their pants! And if this shit is confirmed, get the fuck out of town!

Food Grudges
( 1586 of 2167 )

I have no patience with poor restaurant service. There have been four instances here that have pissed me off to the point that I will never return.

The first was a popular Mexican place that I don't even remember the name of now. When I was seated, I was handed a bowl of chips and a menu. I decided quickly what I wanted, then I sat there for ten minutes. The place wasn't busy, and a couple came and were seated in a booth across from me. When a waitress came up and took their order, I stormed out of there!

Next up was the new place in town, Hinie's Barbecue. I had their pulled pork sandwich, and it was a lame amount of pork in a bun, and over priced. I bitched about it on FB and the owner replied that it was a new guy cooking and he didn't know how much pork to put on there. I've never been back.

I have had an occasional breakfast at the place in the Square, and it's not bad. Unfortunately, when I go in, there are always a couple of big tables with a bunch of good old boys sharing loudly. Daniel says I should join in, hell no. The other day I went in, and again sat for about ten minutes while the two waitresses catered to those tables, and once again stormed out!

Finally, Arby's. They have a decent deluxe fish sandwich that I like, but when I went there yesterday, there was nobody at the counter. I'm watching the drive up window being serviced, Door Dash orders being filled, and I'm standing there like an idiot, waiting for someone to come to the counter and take my order. After five minutes, I said "Fuck this!" loudly, and stormed out the door.

I'm running out of places to eat around here, because I hold a grudge when it comes to bad service, or poor food quality!

Pacing
( 1587 of 2167 )

I spend my days pacing around my little house, watching streaming video. I rebuilt my bed today, flipping both sheets to avoid the laundry mat for a while.

I saw an ad on Paramount+ for Perdue chicken, free range and no antibiotics, so I broke my several year chicken boycott, and bought a big bag of strips. I also grabbed some new sugar free dipping sauce called Yum Yum from G Hughes. It was the highlight of my day yesterday.

I visited my duck buddies at the park this morning, it's been a while. They were hunkered down sleeping in the grass when I pulled in. I let out my quack quack call and they jumped up and came a waddling. It was great to see them and hand feed them some quack cocaine, which I carry in my truck at all times.

My dad gave me some pocket change ($107) today. The royalties from his old family gas well show up in my mailbox when they go over a $100. If I last the next couple years I may get some decent scratch from a multi-million lawsuit from the well. That's got long cruise written all over it!

I don't shower as much as I should, because it doesn't matter. It's also my biggest fear to fall in the shower, and break a hip with no phone in there to call 911. Besides, having a bunch of paramedics hauling my naked ass off the floor, to the hospital, is not on my bucket list. I think I would rather just lay there until Daniel got home. If I don't answer the door, he knows the codes to get in.

I ain't looking for no sympathy here, I'm just writing and saying what's real. That's what blogging is all about. I wish I could be talking about a new website, workouts at the gym, or a new lady! But that ain't the reality...

Squirrels
( 1588 of 2167 )

My bird feeder, and the seed board on my porch, have become pretty popular. I have a wide variety of regulars that show up, and I leave my door open all day, with no screen, just to enjoy them.

But I can't keep the squirrels off my bird feeder. I thought they were jumping there from nearby tree branches, so those were removed, but they're still getting up there.

I figured they may be jumping straight up, so I researched that and sure enough, they can jump that high.

I'll try to raise the feeder up closer to the line, but I don't have much faith that it will work.

I like squirrels, but they've developed a real craving for this bird seed, and keep wiping me out. I may have to borrow one of my neighbors AR-15's, then shoot and eat them. Folks here say they taste pretty good, and now they're all fattened up!

Best State
( 1589 of 2167 )

I just saw on TV the result of a major poll, asking "What's the best State in the Country to live in"? The result blows my mind! I'll bet if given twenty guesses, you wouldn't get it!

The answer, Utah! They even had a picture of the Salt Lake City skyline on the screen as they announced it.

Are you kidding me? That state is just south of Idaho, and I've driven down it many times on the way to Vegas, and my favorite places in Arizona. It's barren ass country untill you get to SLC, and I've visited that city many times. It's just as bad as any big city when it comes to crime and drugs.

And it's Mormon land, the big Temple is there, this is crazy. Idaho is way better than Utah. South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming are Paradise compared to Utah! How about Florida?

I just remembered something, I lived in that city when I was five, before moving to California. Wow, I used to live in the best State in the Country, now I live in the greenest State in the land of the free!

A Scam
( 1590 of 2167 )

I am convinced that Amazon is running a scam. Do you ever wonder where those movie clips on TicTok come from? This is copyrighted material, but it's all over that app.

Here's how it works. I'm scrolling through TicTok, pausing to watch an interesting movie clip, then I click the comments to determine the movie name.

If I find it, I bring up NetFlix, a service I pay for, and all of their content is included for that price, but the movie is never there.

Prime Video on the other hand comes with my Prime membership, and offers a lot of included content. When you go looking for that movie, it's always there, but for the additional rental fee of $3.99, plus tax.

I fell victim to that yesterday, as I have before. I wanted to watch Dreamer with Dakota Fanning as a young girl who races a horse in the Breeders Cup. So I clicked the Rent Now button, and watched it for $4.37.

I think Amazon is finding great movies that are not on NetFlix or other platforms, putting clips on TicTok designed to capture your interest, then making them available on Prime Video at a price.

It's a Scam!

Coffee House
( 1591 of 2167 )

I haven't had any coffee for several months now, actually the only time I drink it is on road trips, and it's usually rotgut stuff from a gas station.

I was in downtown Lawrenceburg, TN and I had the craving today, so I asked Goggle. Turns out there was a coffee shop just South of the Square in a beautiful old house. In fact, if it wasn't for the tiny little sign near the street, you wouldn't know.

As I turned the old doorknob, I wasn't even sure if they were open. I was greeted with a bustling scene of attractive young women, and kids. I asked the lady at the counter if this was normal, and she said yes, it's a gathering spot for young mom's to get together in the morning with their children.

She made me an espresso style black coffee, with a double cup and a straw, and it was delicious! The address is 205 S Military Ave, if you're in the neighborhood.

Lindsey
( 1592 of 2167 )

Back when I lived in Teton Valley, Idaho, I drove a Paratransit bus for an outfit called TRPTA (Targhee Regional Public Transportation Authority).

They were based down in Idaho Falls, and occasionally my partner Karen and I would be called there to attend a company meeting.

We would take one of our busses based in Driggs, and head down after work.

Somehow, I always ended up sitting next to Lindsey. She was an office lady there, married with kids, and we had a connection. Nothing sexual, we just enjoyed each other.

She would loop her arm through mine sometimes and rest her head against my shoulder. These were good sized meetings, with about forty or fifty drivers there, and I can't imagine what they thought. We didn't care, Karen was gay, and she would just roll her eyes and smile. :-)

TRPTA went out of business a while after I left them. My friend Amanda, the boss lady, was unfortunately full of shit. I had a long career as a Paratransit supervisor with two large companies back in Seattle, and one day she invited me into her office and diagramed her vision for the company on her blackboard.

She had a real talent for spinning bullshit, that fooled a lot of people, but I knew it was nonsense. She was my friend, I let it slide, and the company eventually imploded.

But at least I made a friend named Lindsey!

AR-15
( 1593 of 2167 )

I was discussing AR-15's with my neighbor Daniel, who owns two of them, and he asked me if I knew what AR stood for.

I assumed Automatic Rifle, and he said no, nor does it stand for Assault Rifle.

It actually is an abbreviation for the inventer and initial manufacturer of the rifle, ArmaLite, Inc, back in the fifties. The fifteen stands for the final version.

It wasn't selling well so they sold their design to Colt, who acquired a contract with the U.S. military, and it became the standard issue to Vietnam troops during that war. It was known as the M-16.

Colt's patent expired in the seventies, and multiple weapons manufacturers jumped on it and created their own version, and AR-15 became the generic name for the gun. Ironically ArmaLite, the creator, is still in business and is selling a variety of styles of their own invention.

The NRA estimates there are eight million AR-15's in circulation, and I would say that 99.9999 percent are in homes for self defense, not for school shootings.

Banning this rifle is futile and foolish. Imagine prying them from the hands of eight million law abiding patriotic Americans. You want to talk about a blood bath?

There has to be a solution to keeping them unavailable to deranged people, but outright banning the ArmaLite version 15 ain't going to work!

The Second Amendment:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

America was built upon it's Constitution and Amendments. It's the vehicle that gives you the ability to thrive here, and have the right to bitch about gun laws! But you cannot override it, because to do so, leads to tyranny.

Frog Legs
( 1594 of 2167 )

Living just down the road from Nashville is a hoot. There are ten different events going on this weekend, with a half million tourists expected in town.

The biggest event is the Taylor Swift concert. Hundreds of Swifties have been camping out in a line overnight, just to buy stuff off her Merc Truck when it arrives today.

I personally can't stand the girl. I don't like her look, her attitude or her music.

I wrote four blog posts yesterday, on totally different topics. I love to write, it's a substitute for creating code.

My big programming rig sits quietly in the other room, my old friend with the giant monitor, lighted keyboard, and powerful processor. I used to spend many hours in that chair over the almost five years I've lived here.

But, even though I considered my code brilliant at the moment, nothing stuck. And stickiness is what defines reality. So I quit coding.

Now I just write, from my little keyboard on the little Acer laptop that sits on my table in my little house at the end of a dead end street in a little town at the bottom of Tennessee.

And, I just had a great breakfast in the Square (yea, one of the places on my boycott list) with my neighbor, his wife Jen, her dad Norman and his wife Kay. It's good to get out and about and talk to folks! The old Southern lady Kay was talking about cutting the legs off of frogs to eat them, and then burying the bodies, only to find the dirt moving the next day. What a way to go, have your legs cut off and then buried alive! Count me in! OMG...

NP Fish
( 1595 of 2167 )

I hung out at the New Prospect Volunteer Fire Department today with Daniel, his wife, his oldest son and his girlfriend, and a young friend of theirs.

It was the annual fund raising fish fry and this makes the third year in a row I've come here. For $15 you get a generous portion of catfish, fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, baked beans, desert (I had the banana pudding) and a drink.

Update: It's been a great Saturday, watched the Kentucky Derby then had drinks up at Stetar's, with some fine bluegrass, and nice people.

Baby GH
( 1596 of 2167 )

I grabbed a closeup of one of our groundhog babies poking it's head out the hole this morning. It's a little blurry, but still cute.

Taking Life
( 1597 of 2167 )

I really hate taking life. Today I was trying to chase a small wasp out of the house with a fly swatter, and hit him too hard. He fell to the floor mortally wounded, and I had to finish him off. I then told his dead wasp body that I was sorry.

When I find an insect in my house, I capture it and escort it out the front door. Last year I had a mouse in the house and had to take it out with a trap. I felt very bad for days.

Back in Idaho, Steph talked me into taking out a beautiful woodpecker that was doing it's thing on one of our trees. I rested the pellet gun up against our log home, sighted it in, and dropped it to the ground. Never listen to a woman when she tells you to take a life!

It's a really hypocritical position to take I suppose, since I still eat animals and fish that have been killed by others. I guess I can only just hold myself accountable, as I try to survive.

Swiftie Hell
( 1598 of 2167 )

A hundred thousand Swifties were up in Nashville last night as strong thunderstorms rolled through. The last performance was finally at midnight, and imagine waiting four hours for that show, staying up all night in the rain, then dealing with BNA the next morning trying to get home!

I just heard about a couple of ladies that paid $2,000 a piece for tickets to see Taylor, only to have their show cancelled. Now they have to scramble for refunds.

Here's a breakdown of the Taylor Swift fan demographics:

The Clinic
( 1599 of 2167 )

I went to bed tonight around 2015, relatively sober, and just laid there and thought about everything. So I decided to get up and write.

Nights have been really tough lately. The Parkinsons vibrations are strong and the pain in my legs is messing with my sleep. I last about a half hour on each side before the pain wakes me up and I roll over.

And, when I lay on my right side, my rotator cup stuff hurts. As a result, deep REM sleep is gone, and sleep in general is shot.

I finally have an appointment tomorrow with my Primary Care doctor at the Fast Pace clinic up the street. Usually I deal with the lovely ladies that run the place, but this is with their main PC. I know they take this seriously, her time is valuable, and they have bugged me a bunch about being there. Trust me, I'm there.

The primary purpose is to discuss my very high blood pressure, and maybe put me on some meds. I'm currently taking just two pills for Parkinsons.

But I want to address other issues. This is my one shot to talk to a real doctor, why is my ability to walk going south, why does my lower back seize up and make me fall down? And talk about alcoholism...

This little clinic right up the road has been there for me several times over the almost five years I've lived here. The ladies are sweet, compassionate, and I appreciate them very much.

So, I'm stopping at the Sunrise Bakery here in town and picking up a dozen assorted fresh baked pastries tomorrow. I will carry the box into the back, and set it on their counter before I head to a cubicle. Sweets for the sweet!

I'll take a photo of the box and post it tomorrow!

Donuts
( 1600 of 2167 )

Today was my big doctors appointment, so after breakfast on the Square I picked up my donut order from Sunrise Bakery.

It was 0830 and my appointment wasn't until 1130, so I decided to drop the donuts by Fast Pace medical then, instead of right before lunch.

It turns out the Family Nurse Practitioner (CJ) was sick, and all appointments were canceled. I asked the lady at the front desk if I could go back and deliver the donuts to the staff and she said sure!

They were all very appreciative to have donuts mid-morning from the best bakery south of Nashville.

Update: I called Fast Pace back to make a new appointment, and was told that CJ had recovered and I could keep my 1130 appointment. She was absolutely amazing! I have never had a doctors office visit as thorough and as thoughtful as the one I just experienced.

She was also dealing with her own issue of Vertigo, so she called in a nurse during the physical examination, just in case we both fell.

She believes the problems with my legs may be a vitamin deficiency, complicated by my Parkinsons and alcohol consumption. She also said that when I'm ready to quit drinking and get back in shape, she has a med to help deal with the withdrawals.

I'm picking up the recommended vitamins, and seeing her again in three weeks. Did I mention she was wonderful!!

My Review.

And they loved the donuts!

Beckmeyer
( 1601 of 2167 )

I met Dawn Beckmeyer in the late seventies down in Carmel Valley, CA. Her family lived local and she worked at the place I was developing an accounting system on an IBM Sys-3 Mod 10 for, a new startup called Flasher Fashions.

She was not your typical looking woman. She had a square face with a smile and energy that melted everyone she met and just radiated positivity. Her very first orgasm was on top, in my Pacific Grove apartment. We fell in love.

For several years we had a great time and traveled a lot. We ended up in a nice place up in the Oakland Hills, and I was happy to have her for a partner.

One day, she sat me down in that apartment and broke up with me. She said she was going to become a cloistered nun in a remote Northern California monastery. WTF? Damned if she didn't do it, and it broke my heart.

She also told me that I was the love of her life. So, you experience that, and then become a nun?

Many years later I made contact with her there by mail, and she was happy and fulfilled. She was the cook for a monastery full of nuns, women who had bailed on conventional life, just to worship god.

That was a very tough breakup for me, and I've had a few. Things fell apart after, and I ended up making some bad decisions.

Oh well, if that hadn't happened I would never have hooked up with Riley's mom, so all things work towards the right place.

But still...

This Summer
( 1602 of 2167 )

I just put myself out there for a summer job. I saw that Crockett Shoals Tubing was looking for a driver, so I reached out to their manager, and my friend, Elizabeth, and offered my services.

I drove for them three years ago, and had a great time. Last year they needed a tube patcher, and I stepped up and did that grueling job.

I told the big boss Ricky that I was not going to patch tubes this year, and I figured that was it. Then I saw the driver job opening.

I really wasn't planning on working this summer, my main goal was to hook up with family down in Pensacola at the end of July.

But a summer job would do me good. I drive people, that's what I've been doing for the last thirty years. Driving an old yellow fourteen passenger school bus, towing a trailer full of float tubes, up and down Shoal Creek, is a great job!

I would have drove last season, but all they needed was a tube patcher.

So, we will see where this goes. If they make an offer, I'll have to scramble with family, and work out an alternative to a late July meet up.

Update: Ricky offered me the job, and I have accepted!

Besties
( 1603 of 2167 )

My grand-daughter Ariella has a best friend named Addy. They have grown up together, and how cute is this!

Tree Tears
( 1604 of 2167 )

I removed two branches from the tree that holds my bird feeder recently. Actually, they were cut by Daniel with a large set of trimmers.

The purpose was to keep the squirrels from jumping onto the feeder. It didn't work.

Now I notice that the tree is hurt. It almost looks like tears are falling from the point it lost it's limbs. I look at this, and I feel bad.

Dino Nuggets
( 1605 of 2167 )

I'm getting hooked on Perdue Chicken. It's quality, free range chicken, and they're dropping the Dino shaped nuggets, so they were on sale today.

Dipped in sugar free Yum Yum sauce, they make a great snack.

And I seriously modified my Summer plans this morning. I've been having second thoughts to committing myself to a full time driving job.

When I texted the manager Elizabeth about the days of the week we would be running, and she said it wasn't firmed up yet, I realized if I was going to bail on a commitment, now would be the time.

She asked if I would be willing to be a backup driver if I was in town, and I said absolutely. I then texted the boss man Ricky, and he was fine with that. I trust they will find someone shortly. It's a fun job, maybe just for a younger person.

So, to my family and a Florida hookup this Summer, I'm back on the table!

911 Profile
( 1606 of 2167 )

I was driving in the park this morning, listening to our local radio station The X, when a sweet southern voice introduced herself as a 911 operator here in town. She was talking about emergencyprofile.org, a web service you can sign up for, and enter your important information.

When you call 911 from your cell phone, the operator will see the information you provided, on their screen. Such as:

• Name.

• Address.

• Age.

• Contact info (phone/email).

• Emergency contacts (phone/email).

• Medical conditions.

• Anything else you would like a 911 operator to know.

The sign up procedure sucks on a phone, so if you do it, use a laptop or computer.

Loneliness
( 1607 of 2167 )

Loneliness sucks. I had one of those days where I didn't speak to anyone, until Daniel got back from work at 1535. He makes himself a Gin and Tonic, comes over and plops in his chair in front of my big TV, and we chat about our day while watching Fox News.

Today he brought his tablet over to watch TikTok and Pinterest and I had to work to pry some conversation out of him. Hey, I value his friendship and his company very much, but today was tough...

I was going through my many videos on YouTube, the TV recordings of my life, but couldn't grab his interest. He split, and I just continued on, reliving the moments that I've captured visually.

Communication with a friend is a carefully crafted state of mutual response, and listening. You are allowed to speak your mind, while giving the other person the space to respond, and it works both ways.

Some friends don't get it and they just continue to babble on and on about their life, without respecting yours. When you try to interject your position, it's blown off if it doesn't reinforce theirs.

This isn't about Daniel, we communicate pretty well, depending on the level of intoxication. I'm just making a statement about That Friend, and you know who they are...

Another Pet
( 1608 of 2167 )

My friend Skoge suggested I get a dog, or a cat. I told her Piper was the last cat I would ever have.

Taking an animal into your life is a major commitment, you agree to love and care for them until they die, or you do.

I think that's the problem. If I got a young dog, it would outlive me, and then what would happen to them? An older dog would have both of us bumping up against the fence, and I just couldn't take losing another pet.

Piper's passing broke my heart, badly.

I'll tell you what I really need, is a hot 18 year old illegal immigrant girl showing up at my door looking for a place to live. I'll teach her English instead of how to heel. I'll help her get legal, she can cook taco's for us!

Maybe I should start a web site that hooks up the millions of illegals, who are now in this country with no restrictions or resources, thanks to Joe, with citizens willing to help them out.

But I digress...

Bucket List
( 1609 of 2167 )

After the death of an old friend, Albert Einstein wrote Now he has departed from this strange world a little ahead of me. That means nothing. People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.

Einstein continues to be proven right about everything. My older friend of 52 years, Skoge, died one time for a bit, and came back. She saw the other side, said it's real, and they are all there.

Comforting words for an old man on his way to finding out, sooner than later.

So the secret to a happy old life is to accept that there is more than this, not worry about it, and make as many connections with the people you love here, sooner than later!

So, on my bucket list, besides seeing my boy Riley and family one more time, and my sisters family in Idaho, is to visit every one of my fourteen grandkids, their mother, and their children. Also get legally stoned with Skoge and Grant in Sacramento.

I can meet up with grand-daughter Shelby, my daughter, and my boys family, if we stick to their trip down here to the South, in July.

Then I can make one more road trip West in my old truck...

Test Float
( 1610 of 2167 )

It looks like my buddies at the tubing company are doing a test float down the creek today.

I pulled up to my house and spotted that very familiar little yellow bus at the end of my deadend street. The launch spot is right here, so if I'm home I get to watch the tubers drive by, and I can walk down below my house, sit in my folding chair, and watch them float on by.

Maybe I'll drive this bus again, a few days this Summer, in a backup position.

Way Sorry
( 1611 of 2167 )

I wonder if I'm being cat-fished on behalf of my daughter Becky. We have not actually talked on the phone, just texted. I talked to my grand-daughter Shelby, and she said the same thing.

Shelby maintains that her mother Becky exists, because of posts from men in her life from Facebook, which could easily be faked, and I'm seriously beginning to wonder what's real!

I think my bridges are burned, you apply too much heat and they crumble into ashes! My only real friend is my neighbor Daniel, and we've spent the evening playing with his many concealed carry handguns.

We have talked about family and hatred. He hates his dad and his ex-wife. He has nothing to do with his mom. They are all still alive and I am sad at his emotions.

I hate nobody. God I wish my mom and dad were alive. They were both wonderful people, and I loved them.

Tuned
( 1612 of 2167 )

I gave my 1988 Mazda B2200 her every other year tuneup today, new cap and rotor, new fuel filter, cleaned and oiled the Weber carb filter. Tomorrow, new spark plugs and high quality windshield wipers.

I messed up the plug to distributer sequence, so I contacted my automotive genius son Riley. Within a minute he had a diagram in my text feed, the sequence was 1,2,4,3. I then figured out which was 1, and she is now purring like an old cat.

I've got 240K miles on that truck, and I would love to get another 240K. I have taken very good care of her since I bought her from Riley many years ago.

I had a Driggs, ID mechanic strip all of the emission controls off the engine when I lived there. He then installed a Weber carb and a header. It was a game changer for my old truck!

I had a great stereo system installed, and the bed in the back of my canopy is a custom memory foam install that I love to sleep on!

Within the last year I've had new brakes and shocks installed, along with some great tires. She's ready for a road trip!

I talked to a local detailer today about power washing the engine compartment, and he said I would have to take responsibility for any component failures afterwards. I'll pass, she's old and greasy, and that's the way she will stay!

Her name is Jill, because she lived with my big old black truck named Jack, back in Idaho.

Bad Shelter
( 1613 of 2167 )

Last October I contacted our local animal shelter and volunteered to be a dog walker. They never took me up on it.

The place is on the back road I take to get to the Park, and I pass it daily. Down at the highway they have a big sign saying the animal shelter is Coming Soon. It's been there for years.

The other day I had a Nashville WSMV4 TV news vehicle turn in front of me, right at that sign, and now that shelter is all over the news.

Turns out, they're blowing it big time, and it pisses me off that they didn't take me up on that offer. I was up for the walking and enjoying the dogs, which are now suffering. And Lawrenceburg is looking bad!

Here's the news video, and my October post.

Ducks To Truck
( 1614 of 2167 )

I decided to drive to the Park on this beautiful Southern Tennessee morning to establish the fact that the ducks recognize my truck. Sure enough, as soon as I pulled in they spotted me, and came running.

There was a family setting up for some fishing and as soon as I sat down, three young boys, I assume brothers, ran over to join in.

It was a pretty hectic scene as I let the boys try to feed them, the camera was going all over and it's not one of my best cinematic efforts, but still a fun watch!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

CSTC
( 1615 of 2167 )

My friend Elizabeth is the manager of Crockett Shoals Tubing Company, a place I have worked for, over two Summers as both a driver and a tube patcher.

They need a driver and are actively looking, as Memorial Day is rapidly approaching. I've been texting with Liz about her position that the driver be able to back up a small school bus with a trailer behind. My position is that it's a circular route, and to lower that requirement. Update: Elizabeth convinced me otherwise, citing two emergency pickup locations, that require backing...

I've driven that bus, and I have backed up with that trailer. I consider myself a professional driver with decades of experience, and that combination of vehicle and trailer backing, should be avoided at all costs.

I also spent a great afternoon with the big boss Ricky, who dropped by my place yesterday, plopped down into my other big comfortable chair, and shot the shit with me for quite a while. We talked about the business, and cruising, he's taken fifteen with Carnival!

I apologized for initially committing to driving this Summer, the truth is I'm not up for it now. I was in great shape last Summer as I patched tubes in the back. I would have rather driven, but that's what they needed!

I have agreed with both Elizabeth and Ricky to be a backup driver, if I'm here when they need me this Summer.

I have also proposed a wonderful route to the drop spot here on my dead end street, just down from my house, on Shoal Creek.

It involves a nice little run down to Frisbee Park, a right up the hill and then a left into the Square. The driver will ask if anyone has ever been to Lawrenceburg Tennessee. What a perfect opportunity to act as a city ambassador for our city, with the wonderful little shops downtown and the David Crockett cabin on the right.

Cross over the railroad tracks and follow them to the right, until the road veers to the left onto Highway 43. The visibility both ways on this busy highway is great, with a short little jog over to Lee St, and the drop.

Next Friday I have agreed to train a driver, if they hopefully find one, and this is my lesson. I'll also be getting the boys up to speed with tube patching.

I love the folks at Crockett Shoals Tubing Company, I wish them a very successful season. and if I can help out this year, great!

Radar
( 1616 of 2167 )

I got an email the other day offering up a cheap Radar Detector for just a few bucks if you jumped on it right away, so I thought hey, I need one of those, so I jumped.

Then I realized that I had opened that email from my trash and thought Oh No, did I just give my card number to a spammer? Fortunately, I used my local card, so I checked my balance online and saw that $7.97 had been charged.

I immediately called my bank and canceled the card, then requested a new one. None of my bills use that card, so no big deal, and I got the new one the next day.

I figured I was out eight bucks, no big deal, and forgot about it. Then a cheap Chinese radar detector showed up today. Really...

I did some research and learned that most police departments are using Lidar these days, which are laser speed guns, rather than radar. which makes a standard radar detector useless. The unit says Laser on it, but I ain't buying it.

I also learned that some cops use Radar Detector Detectors. They can spot vehicles that use them. I guess I really did waste eight bucks! Besides, I'm an old guy, driving an old truck, and I don't speed, much...

Video Stats
( 1617 of 2167 )

I was looking over my YouTube video stats today, and was surprised to see Steph scraping snow off our roof in Idaho came in at 104,902 views, behind Mexican Dancing Horses at 128,377. Next closest was Steph weed whacking at 16,435 views.

It's funny how YouTube videos propagate. That one of me and Madeline feeding the ducks got a whole bunch of hits, and comments. One lady said she had a rough day with nurse exams, had no idea how that video ended up in her feed, but loved it and it made her day.

But the Horses video remains king at views and comments.

Now I'm trying to set a record for most vitamins consumed by a human in a single day. My doctor CJ at the clinic said I need to take vitamins to solve my leg pains, so I researched the best, and bought them on Amazon.

Then I had that cool free CVS offer based on my medical plan, and bought a bunch more.

Now I put them out on a paper plate at night before I crash, and take them all in the morning. I also have two prescriptions for Parkinsons in the mix.

Videos:

Mexican Dancing Horses

Roof Snow

Weed Whacking

Feeding Company

Charter
( 1618 of 2167 )

I got a text this morning from grand-daughter Shelby as she was driving to work. She spotted a big charter bus with Lawrenceburg, TN on the back, and sent me a picture.

These folks are a good sized company, based out of my little town, so I dropped by on the way to a duck feeding, they're just down Buffalo Rd. I walked in the door and was met by a lovely young lady and a nice guy, both behind desks with computer screens.

I told them Shelby spotted one of their busses in DC and they said they have several up there right now. Very nice people and it's a small world!

Here's their website.

Baby Girl
( 1619 of 2167 )

I have no doubt that my baby grand-daughter is going to grow into a beautiful red-headed woman! Hang on, Riley and Jess!

Nice Creek
( 1620 of 2167 )

My little dead-end street on Shoal Creek is a great walking area. It's like having a private park, and this spot is a short distance from my front door.

Unfortunately I'm walking like an old man these days. My lower back is locking up on me, and it's difficult to move.

I had a skin cancer thing removed from my chin yesterday, autopsy pending. Then I picked up some circular band aids today to hide the hole in my face.

I'm making myself available to the tubing company tomorrow, get the boys up to speed on the patching techniques I worked up last year, and do some old school bus driving training, if they found someone.

I just want my friends there to know that OldManJim is not up to the speed he has been in the past. If you see me walking funny, understand why. I'm not coming on as a full time employee, just as a consultant, because I like the heck out of all of you.

I told Elizabeth I would be available for driving this Summer if they get in a bind, and I'm in town. I can still drive, I just may be a little slow getting to the seat!

Fun Job
( 1621 of 2167 )

I had the pleasure of hanging out with my friends at Crockett Shoals Tubing this morning. The tube handling boys are back, and full of it as usual. I got them up to speed with the patching techniques I developed last Summer, and they will do fine.

I met the new driver that Elizabeth hired, his name is Chris and he's a former long-haul trucker. I drove, and showed him the route, along with the various emergency pick-up spots along the creek. He's a nice guy, but I have to say, I only understood half of what he said.

He has a really strong country accent, and I was trying really hard, but when you have spent the bulk of your life on the West Coast, decoding these down home accents is challenging for me sometimes.

I told him that half of his riders would be ladies in bathing suits. He understood and accepted that... I wish him the best and I really hope he works out this Summer. It's a great fun job!

Albino
( 1622 of 2167 )

I've got a new visitor in my yard, it's an albino squirrel! I have two little brown buddies that battle the birds for the feed I put on the board on my porch, and raid the feeder, but this one is new. And very pretty!

It just stuck it's nose into my house to say hi, how cool!

The House
( 1623 of 2167 )

Sometimes my house feels like this, but not lately. Moses is still caring for his dad at the hospital up the street, and drops on by. Daniel comes over and gives me a bad time. Last night the two of them met, it was a wonderful clash!

They're Harley guys, both born and raised around here, and maybe someday we can do a charity ride together.

Beats the hell out of:

The Squirrels
( 1624 of 2167 )

The boys were hanging out below the bird feeder this afternoon. I assume they're boys, but what do I know?

Maybe they're a couple, and soon we will have bi-racial baby squirrels running around my front yard!

Whatever, I embrace them, love them, and support them. No woke shit here, at the bottom of Tennessee!

OMG Update: My wise friend and neighbor suggested that maybe they are parent and child! This makes so much sense!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

The Echo
( 1625 of 2167 )

I have one of the original Amazon Echo's ever made. It's a round black tube and I got it from an early Amazon program back in 2014, well before the public. And she still works great!

I am constantly asking her about everything! If I don't know how to spell a word, she knows. Her wakeup word is "Computer", which I love. I am very glad that I have lived long enough to enjoy this experience!

As I was watching my little white squirrel eat from the seed board on my porch, I asked her about "Albino Squirrels" and she said they are very rare!

How blessed am I to have this new little rare friend hanging out daily on my porch. And the baby groundhogs down by the creek!

Zoom Meeting
( 1626 of 2167 )

Just because you're a broken man, doesn't mean you can't take care of business. The flock of geese that is hanging with the ducks in the Park came running to me this morning, right along with my buddies. It was quite the sight!

Even though I have trouble making my bed and feeding myself, doesn't mean I can't get things done. I paid my license tabs at the County Clerk, renewed my Farmers insurance, reminding Chad that I have been a Farmer's customer for more than thirty years, and never filed a claim. I then filled up my gas tank, bought groceries, picked up ice and a Walgreen script. All before 1000.

I was going to leave the laptop on the shelf, but grand-daughter Shelby needed some advice on web-hosting, so I put it back on the table. I also got a call from the Behavioral Health clinic, and I have a Zoom meeting scheduled next Thursday with somebody to talk about my options.

Then I cleaned my blog up from the stupid shit I've written lately, and wrote this. My bills are paid and my truck is ready to roll, if I choose to...

Wild Scene
( 1627 of 2167 )

It was a really wild scene at the dock parking lot this morning. There was a large flock of geese there, maybe a hundred, with the two factions of ducks on both sides. Everyone converged on me as I pulled in and parked, honking and quacking loudly.

One guy watching the quiet lake from his cabin deck had to come out and see what was happening. They were all squabbling for the quack cocaine. One duck from the rival group put his head down and bum-rushed Cotton Top in the middle of the parking lot, and CT's three buddies rushed to his defense. It was crazy!

There was nobody else there so we weren't disrupting any family outings, but I think it may be getting out of control. On the other hand, it's quite entertaining, kids would love it, and the quack is good for the birds.

Post Pushing
( 1628 of 2167 )

New post notifications here have ended, finally for good. If anybody is interested in what I have to say, they can drop on by and see what's new. If they're not, pushing a notification out to them, is an assault on their space.

Writing is my self-therapy, it allows me to formulate my thoughts and helps me understand them. I could just write a journal and keep it on my hard drive, that nobody would ever see. But fuck that, this is the Internet baby, and I have created a great blog.

I very often write a post that embarrasses me to the point that I have to take it down, but that's called life online! When I see internet content that makes me go WTF, I just move on. But pushing notifications to someone's private phone as a text message, is shoving your stuff into their face.

That is now over at OldManJim.com. Boom!

Update: Grand-daughter Shelby just told me she want's to be notified of new posts. Ok, if anyone reaches out like that, they're back on the list. Otherwise, I'm not bothering anybody, anymore...

The Issues
( 1629 of 2167 )

I'll be talking with a behavioral therapist next Thursday morning via Zoom. I presume we'll have the opportunity to discuss my issues, and options.

I think I've figured the issues out to a certain extent, and it would be helpful to summarize them here for reference.

I have Essential Tremor, which means that my body vibrates strongly from the inside every second of my life. It's evolving into full blown Parkinsons, which is in the family on my dad's side, big time. I'm a walking, talking vibrator. Too bad there's nowhere to stick me into!

I'm taking two prescriptions recommended for these issues, but they become less effective every day. My hands are shaking, my walk is declining, and the ability to do simple things, is fading.

In the mornings I stay busy and just deal with it, but by 1100 I've had enough, depression about this and life in general slides in, and I start to drink. By 2000 I'm able to hit the bed, pass out, and have a decent sleep.

When I don't drink, or drink lightly, I lay there feeling the vibrations course through my body all night.

I'm an alcoholic, and I've gotten sober many times in my life. The problem now is, I'm running out of reasons to quit, and I have nobody by my side to help. The last great effort was when I turned seventy back in Idaho! I lasted a year, got in great shape and dropped down to an amazing 150lbs. Steph was my supportive partner.

I'm now just an old man living alone in an old house, drinking myself to sleep at night! What a hell of a way to land...

So, that's it. Maybe I'll just email the therapist this post before the Zoom meeting, so we can cut to the chase!

Bird Times
( 1630 of 2167 )

It was a pretty day at the park, the birds were hungry, and only one fight. The larger group of ducks were missing, so it was Cotton Top, his two buddies, and a bunch of geese.

I forgot to convert the video down to 1920x1080, so it's sitting up on YouTube as 4k. OMG, I was wondering why it took so long to upload and process.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Jumper
( 1631 of 2167 )

The squirrels were totally entertaining tonight from my open front door. I'd spread a bunch of the wild bird seed out on the feeding board, in the yard, and up on the bird feeder.

The parents were out there with their kids having dinner while the kids, including the albino, were eating, playing, and chasing each other around.

Daniel and I have been trying to figure out how they're beating our bird feeder cone defense system, and tonight I saw it happen!

A squirrel was sitting on the wire where it's attached to the tree. Suddenly it jumped out to the top of the cone, used it as a launching pad, and landed on the roof of the bird feeder.

Then he sat inside and wiped the seed out, as I sat in the comfort of my chair, and took this shot.

Daniel was here, couldn't see it happen from his chair, but he heard it. Then he peeked around the TV and confirmed what I've been telling him, they're reaching the feeder!

Update: That's a custom bird feeder btw. I bought the base feeder from Greens Hardware, then asked the local lumber boys how much a foot square piece of plywood would cost, and they just gave me one. The wood was then super glued to the bottom, and it gives everyone a place to hang out :-)

Random Stuff
( 1632 of 2167 )

I'd like to become a rancher, buy a big old barn, put a couple hundred fat cows in there, and call it a Bingo Parlor.

Al Pachino, 83, and his 29 year old girlfriend, are having a baby together. Just sayin...

The main group of ducks, including Whitey, are missing at the Park. I haven't seen them for two days now.

I installed Zoom on my laptop for a face to face this morning with my behavioral therapist. Got up to speed with it pretty quickly, even did a test meeting at the Zoom website.

The therapist was cool, a guy around fifty. The zoom connection was high quality, like sitting across his desk from him. He had a wall full of books behind him.

I told him I had never been in therapy before, but I was wrong. I remember the time Marci and I went to a marriage counselor in Berkeley, CA. We divorced shortly after and she landed in his hot tub up in the hills.

I unloaded on him, and he was asking me questions that made me realize I'm not as bad off and crazy as I could be. The albino squirrel showed up on the porch and I swung the laptop around to show him.

We talked about goals and I told him I would love to be the non-drinking in shape man I've been before, but that's hard to do when your legs are giving out from under you.

We decided the best direction to take was moderating the drinking, and he's sending me resources in the mail. This could be a one time visit, but the guy is available via zoom anytime.

I flagged the new guy down after he dropped off a load of tubers at the end of the street. He seems to be enjoying the job and I told him to keep an eye out for the albino squirrel. Even point him out to his customers if he's in my yard as they go by.

I'm sitting here on a quiet afternoon, no TV, no traffic, watching this beautiful rare squirrel I've named Albi, eat peacefully off my porch. I guess life is ok, and maybe God is saying hello!

I may be a fucked up old man, but I have a good heart. I never have any intention to hurt anybody, and I help folks out every opportunity that I get, without expecting anything in return.

I listen and understand well, without needing it back. I don't lie or try to manipulate anyone. I'm as real as I can be.

I do my best to be a law abiding citizen of this great country. I respect the police, and understand they are not perfect.

These are values that unfortunately were not taught to me as a young man, I had to learn them through hard knocks.

But now I sit here in my chair, on a dead end street in the south, and I know that I have integrity!

Fridays
( 1633 of 2167 )

It's been an interesting Friday morning. I turned my phone off as usual last night and was sleeping really soundly when my watch started beeping around 0500. I answered it from my wrist and it was Daniel saying we should take a walk down by the creek.

I hung my watch up on him. A couple hours later he's at it again and I ignored him. Then he's knocking on my door. He's working four tens this Summer and I guess my Fridays are shot.

We ended up taking the pile of cash that's been collecting on my table from bet's over the last couple of months, and went in my truck to the Square for breakfast.

Daniel, born and raised here, knew both of our waitresses and got hugs. After we ate I just gave them the pile of cash and told them to settle the bill and split the change as a tip. You gotta love life in a small town in the South.

He's got a bunch of shit to do around the county today and invited me along. I told him I have to watch tubers float down the creek today. He gave me that look, and I guess I'm going with him.

But first, I dropped him off at his house and went to the park. All of my ducks were there, thankfuly, and I actually had a couple of wild geese eat from my hand! They've been watching the ducks, and figured out I was cool.

The Man
( 1634 of 2167 )

Back in the days when I attended Merritt College in Oakland,CA I was the computer and audio visual guy there.

It was a beautiful new campus up in the Oakland hills and I ran both departments as a student, on the side.

We installed a brand new IBM System 3 Model 10 computer that controlled the entire school system, and I ran the place. That's where I learned the skills that launched more then a decade of consulting projects across the Bay Area.

I was also responsible for making audio recordings of famous people that came our way. I recorded Muhammad Ali as he made his speech about one of his few losses.

I grabbed his massive forearm as he left the stage, and had him sign the tape for the school. I met and spoke with the Man!

Quack Bag
( 1635 of 2167 )

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Ironic
( 1636 of 2167 )

I'm all ready for a road trip, I just put a few thou on my debit card, and stuffed a bunch of cash into my wallet. My bills are paid, my trucks in good shape and I have enough clean clothes to last awhile.

I even have a plan. Drive the six hour run to Asheville, NC and have lunch at Chai Pani, an Indian place voted the best restaurant in America a while ago.

Then continue over to Myrtle Beach, SC on the Atlantic ocean, and then head South and follow the coast through Georgia, and all along the Atlantic, and Gulf Of Mexicao Florida coastlines. Then head North to home at Pensacola.

It's a very ambitious road trip, one I've been thinking about for a long time.

But I have a problem. I've been solo tripping for decades now, always wanted to address the adventures and challenges alone. I left Steph behind, on a couple I could have included her on, and I've felt bad about that.

I'm really at the point where I don't want to travel alone anymore. So I asked her yesterday if she wanted to go on this one, and she turned me down. How ironic! Hey, she has a lot of stuff going on with her family back in Washington, so any time off would be dedicated to that. I get it.

So what to do? I haven't figured it out yet...

My First Car
( 1637 of 2167 )

I got my first car when I was in High School at Paradise, CA. It was a 1941 Chrysler, I stripped the back seat out and put a bed in there. I took one great road trip in her down to San Francisco.

It became a party car, my few friends and I would drive down to Chico and drink, then crash in the back.

One night we were all passed out, and one girl decided she needed to get home, so she drove the car back to Paradise. Unfortunately she left the emergency brake on as she drove back up the hill to Paradise, and blew the engine.

I woke up the next morning, everyone was gone, and I had a dead 1941 Chrysler...

My RouteQue
( 1638 of 2167 )

I put my RouteQue app out to the MapBox community yesterday! This statement probably doesn't mean shit to you, so let me explain.

I wrote a web app a couple of years ago, that I'm really proud of. It's a mapping program where you specify a starting and ending point here in the U.S. and the program plot's your route for you.

Yea, Google does the same thing, sort of, but I do it better. I have used this app many times to plan my trips lately, and I really love it. I can switch map modes on the fly, zoom down to locations, and shift into Streetview to see the place.

And the fact that I created it, makes it even better! I honestly don't know how I do this stuff.

Since the early seventies I have been a computer genius. I create code from a part of my brain, that simply ends up working great. I developed two software systems over five years that turned Interocean Steamship Corp into the most prominent shipping company on the West Coast. And I now have no idea now how I did that!

That's the place I'm at with RouteQue now. My programming brain is toast, if I had to go back into that thing and fix something, I'd be fucked.

So it is what it is, a great tool for planing a road trip. I will keep paying my web host the money to keep it going, like my blog, until I die.

Here it is: RouteQue. To get started, just click the map and select point A, then click again for point B. Or you can specify places down to an address...

Enjoy my baby...

Home Less
( 1639 of 2167 )

I moved to Kent, WA in the early nineties to be with Riley. I wrote code for the airlines Black Box, and then made $5K for each printer driver I wrote for Mark Zackman's PC Paintbrush, out of Atlanta.

Then things fell apart and I went homeless. These days, being homeless means free phones, food and clothes. The only help I ever got was my black buddy Roger getting me stoned every morning in the tent my buddy Dave loaned me, in a field that later became a Target, and the $200 my sister sent me from California.

I jumped off a carport roof after rescuing some kids toys up there, and crushed my left ankle. I ended up on welfare while I healed, finally landing a job at a local hotel, washing dishes and busing tables, at $4.50 an hour.

I did that for years as I crawled back on my feet. Got a place, raised Riley, and thought about my $65 an hour position I left in the Bay Area, and the companies I formed down there, every day.

I eventually left Kent, WA with my head held high, as a ParaTransit supervisor, with Steph by my side, and moved to Idaho.

A Life
( 1640 of 2167 )

Some folks say I don't have a life. That's just not true! It's a beautiful day here in the South, and I do stuff.

The hundred or more geese now recognize my truck, along with both groups of ducks, and they all come running when I pull up to the dock. I get there around 0830 and I swear they are waiting for me. It's a wild scene!

I scatter quack cocaine everywhere and a bunch of the geese gather at my feet and demand that I hand feed them, bumping their beaks against my leg. The ducks stand off by the side and wait for me to emerge from the geese crowd to give them attention.

Then I take care of any errands, like filling up my gas tank so I can drive to the Park. I try not to drink before 1100, so this helps.

Then the busses start rolling down my street, full of floaters and tubes. The driver that I trained named Chris, throws open his door as he comes by, and we shout greetings to each other.

I put on my Crockett Shoals Tubing Company staff tee shirt, and walk down to watch everyone float by. I've taken to wearing the shirt because I don't want anyone to think I'm just checking out the women in bathing suits.

So I just watched a group of women float by, we chatted from the bank, and they probably thought I was the owner. Sorry Ricky :-)

And it was a hopping day at CSTC, the busiest tourist attraction in town!

So there you go, I have a life!

Life Decisions
( 1641 of 2167 )

Life is really funny, and can take so many different directions from every single decision you make. You need to focus on an outcome early in life, so you make the decisions that get you to where you want to end up.

I never had that focus growing up. I actually didn't think I would make it past thirty, so all of my decisions were random unfocused bullshit.

Then I didn't think I would make it to fifty, and a lot of my decisions were random unfocused bullshit. On the day I turned fifty I shook my young son Riley's hand and told him I would quit smoking if he agreed to never start. Finally, a good decision!

I didn't envision myself landing as a sad lonely old man on a dead end street in the deep South, but I have obviously made the decisions that got me here.

We only get one shot at life, and I wish someone had told me this, as a kid...

Road Lady
( 1642 of 2167 )

I just had the most amazing road trip, up thru Nashville and into Illinois, with a lovely, hot, smart and cool woman. She used to be a teacher, and she rides a Harley!

We talked about everything on the way up, stopped at the store, ate great barbecue, then laughed all the way back.

Stupid shit started coming out of my mouth. She closed her eyes for a minute, and when she opened them, I told her that I had been staring at her tits. She looked straight into my eyes, a smirk formed on her mouth, and then she laughed.

We had a great time. It's so nice to roadtrip with a lady like this, I think I'm smitten.

She showed me her place, I made my first drink of the day at 1530 in her kitchen, and we kept open the possibity of another roadtrip in the future.

Sometimes life can be better than sex. Especially when you're in your seventies, and she's in her thirties.

Round Up
( 1643 of 2167 )

My head is reeling from yesterdays road trip. My body is dealing with everything else.

What day is it? Do I have anything on my schedule? Do I even have a schedule, and if I do, where the fuck is it?

Ate breakfast at the Square, fed a hungry fuel tank with Kroger gas, and drove to the park. When I got to the lake, a dozen or more wildlife trucks were there. I'm not sure if they were State or Federal.

All the geese had been rounded up into a big black oval pen, and about twenty or more people were around and in the pen, doing something.

I approached the area and a cute Park Ranger approached me. She told me they're tagging them to track migration habits.

I told her I've been feeding them for a while, and she said "I know, I see you here all the time!" I wonder if they have a nickname for me back at the Ranger Station? The Bird Feeder? The Old Quacker? The Bag Man?

I went back at noon and they were far away, hanging out by the dam. They all have new leg bands on that gives them a unique ID, their sex, tracks them, and god knows what else.

What if a male goose identifies as a female goose? Where's the LGBT whatever communities uproar over this!

The human to goose progress I had made with that group, having them eat from my hand, and thump my leg when I missed their turn, is in question.

They certainly didn't want to be back at the dock, where the humans earlier trapped them, grabbed them up and pulled their feathers down around their genitals. Then get handed off to other humans, that I assume put the band on.

They're traumatized at the moment, and I hope one of my squawkers bit a nose! I'll check on them tomorrow.

Asheville
( 1644 of 2167 )

I need to plan the next roadtrip, to Asheville, NC, with lunch or dinner at Chai Pani. I'm going to be putting this On the options table when the kids and Shelby come to town in August, and I need to review it first.

The mystery woman I just road tripped with, is on my mind! She's busy, and can't commit to a multi-day roadtrip. I get it completely!

Next up would be that lady I hooked up with through Craigslist, when she gets back from that mystery job in North Dakota.

If that don't happen, go it alone!

btw: I took my Craigslist post looking for a lady roadtrip partner down the next day.

The Standard
( 1645 of 2167 )

I get my interactions with women in micro-doses, in a variety of ways, and levels. Occasionally one will happen, like that road trip, that turned moments into a dish, at a large family Thanksgiving meal.

I had forgotten how good that feels. I've been solo rolling for so many years now, I fucking forgot.

Driving, talking, learning and laughing, with an occasional downpour on the highway. For hours...

It set the standard for any future road trip.

Ankle Bands
( 1646 of 2167 )

It's been four days since the Feds swooped into David Crockett State Park and assaulted my geese buddies against their will. Putting bands on their legs, to track their every movement, while totally traumatizing them to humans from now until they die.

That would be like a bunch of parents swooping in on their teenagers heading off for a party, and installing a life-long tracker on their ankles. Totally traumatizing them to parents.

The geese flock of around 80 and I were bonding daily. I knew where they would be as I came around the corner of the Cabins, hunkered down with the ducks in the grass, waiting for me!

As I parked they all rose together, like a slow motion movie, and soon I'm surrounded. The act of a wild creature eating from my hand with no fear, is special, and now I've lost a bunch of friends, who will probably never eat from a human hand again!

The wild geese that settle into the lake dock for the Summer, are amazing birds. They fight among themselves, they mate, they are a family. They are surrounded by humans, some love them, some chase them, and some feed them bread...

I was feeding the ducks and geese last week, and a couple of young kids (boy 7, girl 9), under parental supervision, were chasing them around. I intervened with my bag of quack and showed them how much better it was to let them eat from your hand! They got it, the birds loved it, and memories were formed in these kids heads, forever

Update: I need to issue a retraction. I thought about taking this post down when I saw the geese up there this morning, but I unjustly dissed the banding program, I'm sorry.

Video Land
( 1647 of 2167 )

I'm thinking of a video based travel service app. Kinda like a cross between TikTok and Facebook. People from all over the world will send video snippets of their daily travels through life, along with coordinates.

Then if I, the user, want's to know what the drive up a certain back road to Nashville looks like, at 0900. I send my start and end places up to the service, and AI running on a supercomputer picks out the best snippets, stitches them together, and sends back a visual journey, using other peoples video.

Landscape mode, no shorter than one minute, no longer than five. The ultimate goal is to run it just like YouTube. Say you want to walk around downtown Paris in the evening. AI computes, and presents the best walks to you. Shot by multiple people by walk.

Then you just sit back and enjoy it on your giant TV!

In addition,

How about if everyone wore wireless ear buds with a covert video camera that records every second of our lives and streams it to the cloud.

You could walk around as someone else! I imagine millions of Swifties frozen to their phone seeing life from Taylors ear. Pathetic!

Enough, I have to get back to her new Karma video, and damn have you seen that Ice Spice?

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Local Crew
( 1648 of 2167 )

My buddy Ricky stopped by today, he's the co-boss of Crockett Shoals Tubing Company. He said business is down and most of the folks are from out of the area. I told him I've been keeping tabs on the tube counts, as they roll by.

It's a great thing to do on a hot Summer day if you're in our neck of the woods! An old bus takes you and family and friends to a launching spot along Shoal Creek.

You walk around to the trailer, grab your chosen tube and start a two plus hour adventure down a beautiful creek. We pick you up just past the little bridge behind our business.

Yea, I said "We". looks like I've got my first run of the year next Friday at 1415. A private group, drop with a pickup two plus hours later. Man if I can't handle that, I need to hang it up!

But back to the main point of this post.

Ricky was saying that most folks are from out of town, it's not a locally sustainable business.

He needs a great Facebook promotion! and I have no ability to help him with that. If anyone has any ideas, my gmail = tetonpost, or if your on my list, text me.

Share a way if you have it, I'll try to implement it the best I can.

... it's a non-profit adventure, for a great local crew.

Florida Group
( 1649 of 2167 )

Man am I out of shape. I drove one of the Tube busses with Massey and the boys this afternoon. We had a large group of 32 having a family reunion at the cabins in the park. I put in just under four hours of driving and tube handling, up and down the hill at the drop spot, finally bailed, and made it home.

I was still breathing hard, nauseous, and I think I was having a heat stroke. It's settled down now, but I was concerned. Simple driving and tube handling almost got me today.

I was chatting with the group about the cabins and told them there was an old guy that comes up there to the dock and hand feeds the ducks and the geese every morning around 0830.

They said they had heard about him! I told them it was me and to send their kids down tomorrow morning and I'll show them how to feed the birds.

Really nice people from Florida. There were a couple other groups that also kept us busy.

Hey, Crockett Shoals Tubing people are my friends, I agreed to be an emergency backup driver and I fulfilled my commitment. But it almost killed me. Hopefully, next time will be better!

One of the new boys that was riding with me asked how old I was. He had me pegged at 60 and was shocked by 76. I held my own out there just fine!

Hudson on the other hand stood in my stairwell, announcing my age to another group and stated that I wrote the very first graphics program for the IBM PC! He's my budddy, reads my blog, and is a fan...

Wakeup Call
( 1650 of 2167 )

I spend way too much time feeling sorry for myself, as evidenced by this blog, and today I got a wakeup call.

I was sitting in one of the enclosures in the Park, reading my mail and ready to go feed the birds lunch, when a white van pulled up. A heavy set guy in his thirties climbed out of the drivers seat, put himself into a motorized scooter and lowered himself to the ground with a lift on the passenger side.

He came around the corner of the van with a bag of charcoal, and headed for the grill. I asked if he was setting up for a family barbecue, which would have made sense since it's the day before the Fourth.

He said, no, they don't allow grilling where he lives, so he has to come up here. He's obviously alone, overweight and disabled, yet still get's out there and lives. Where the hell do I get off pissing and moaning about life!

I was buying wild bird seed at Tractor Supply this morning and the attractive older lady checking me out started flirting with me. The tab was $19.74 and we started talking about going back to that year if we could, and doing everything different. I didn't see a ring and I should have invited her to lunch to discuss this further. I think my confidence is shot...

The Code
( 1651 of 2167 )

The new Tube driver Massey and I have a special code when he drives by after dropping folks into the creek at the end of my street.

The thing is, I like to see women in bikinis. That's not bad, I don't consider myself weird, just being an old man who ain't getting nuttin, trying to remember what it was like!

If he honks twice as he rolls on by while leaving my street, it means that if I choose to, I can mosey down behind my house to the creek, and ogle a hot bikini or two, from up on the bank.

It takes a group about ten minutes to make it to my vantage point, time enough to fill my cup, put my shades on, and walk down.

Most times the groups don't see me at all. They've just finished navigating the low spot in the creek and are focusing on getting back into their tubes in deeper water. It's the spot where a lot of people get totally wet, trying to get back into the tube, and fliping over.

It's quite entertaining, especially if they're wearing skimpy bikinis. One day I heard something behind me, coming from my neighbor Daniel's kitchen window. He was yelling You old pervert, over and over. Lick the top of my head, mf!

If any of my limited friends and family consider this out of line, please hit me up! Otherwise, I just got a double honk and I'm heading on down!

The Fourth
( 1652 of 2167 )

Happy Fourth! I was craving breakfast this morning but the regular restaurants around here were closed. So I tried Krystal, never been there before, and had three eggs, a biscuit, sausage and grits for under six bucks. Not bad.

A short while later I had six ducks and a hundred geese lining up to eat their breakfast right from my hand. I'm afraid something has happened to CottonTop, haven't seen him in quite a while.

I really have formed a bond with those birds, they expect me to show up around 0830, and they bum rush me when I arrive.

I bought a water from Nicky at the convenience store next to the tubing company. She's a really cute young lady from India that I made friends with three years ago, and we're still on a first name basis.

The tubing company manager Elizabeth is finally back from globe hopping to Ireland and D.C. so I dropped in to say hi. We've got a big group heading out at 1430 and I'm starting at 1500 to bring them back from the creek. I'm working on the Fourth Of July!

Web Hosting
( 1653 of 2167 )

I just got a $35 invoice from my web-hosting company IONOS, which supports both of my blogging platforms over the last fifteen years. I stopped posting to my WordPress blog BusDriverJim when I moved here, and created this Joomla blog, OldManJim.com.

Turns out they were both using PHP 7.4 as the code base, and PHP 8.1 is the current standard. Since I hadn't upgraded to 8.1, they were billing me for maintenance fees. You can destroy a blog and years of work if you upgrade and they're are issues, it was a risk.

So I talked to my webhost and they said they could create backups of both sites for a dollar a month, and after six months it shifts to twenty. I went for the offer and I'm downloading the backups to a thumb drive now.

I upgraded to 8.1 and neither site has crashed. If you're reading this, OMJ is good. It could have been gone...

Decatur
( 1654 of 2167 )

I'm really craving some great Indian food and there are two award winning Chai Pani restaurant here in the Southeast. The one in Asheville, NC is 370 miles away while the one in Decatur, GA is a hundred miles closer and less than a five hour drive.

Chai Pani Decatur is having a big party next Tuesday, lunch is at 1130, with the main event at 1800.

Here's a few items being served at the Mela:

 • Georgia Peach Bhel: Pearson Farm peaches, basil, cucumber, spiced pecans, green chili, corn poha, green chutney, sev.

 • Chili Chicken: Marinated, battered and fried halal chicken thighs tossed with a soy chili sauce, peppers, onions, and chilis.

 • Wild Mushroom Uttapam: Savory pancakes made with fermented rice and lentils. Topped with roasted wild mushrooms, ginger, chilies, and onions.

 • Mango Halva Poori: Sweet mango & semolina pudding served with fresh deep fried flatbread.

 • Baingan Bharta: Fire-roasted eggplant mashed with olive oil, green chilies, onions, roasted tomato, and curry leaves.

 • And much more...

I have nobody in my life that want's to go with me, so I'm going solo. I'll blog about it and take a lot of photos. I have plenty of money, so I'll stay in a nice hotel and blog from there. Maybe I'll meet someone, probably not, but that's OK, I'm finally becoming resigned to my reality.

Broken Foot
( 1655 of 2167 )

My buddy Goose has a broken foot and is walking with a limp. Before the geese flock arrived this Spring he was the only goose here and hung out with the eight ducks. Then they broke into two factions and Goose was all alone.

But he's got me, for a brief time in the morning, before the geese spot me feeding him, and then it's game on. Shot some footage this morning.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

The Lottery
( 1656 of 2167 )

So, say you won a large mega-millions jackpot, what would you do?

First, I would head straight to downtown Nashville and check into the most luxurious hotel suite in town. Something high up, overlooking the city.

Then I would setup meetings with the top legal teams in town, look the lawyers in the eye, and choose one. Then let them take over everything.

I would then hire my grand-daughter Shelby in DC to contact her thirteen other siblings and get them to Nashville with limos to the hotel. She would become my business manager.

Certainly get my boy and family down here. I don't have many friends left, but them too. My daughter if she is still alive. We would take over as many rooms as needed to accommodate everyone.

Once they're here, I would have my finance team divide 20% of the cash balance among them. With the stipulation that when I die, what assets remain are equally distributed.

I believe how you work out a plan if you won a huge lottery, defines you! If I was younger I would consider a whole bunch of other options to expand my wealth, but I'm not.

Life is short, I'm old, I have many grandkids I've never met, and I'm dying to meet them all. Hopefully I could then last long enough to see how this changed their lives.

As to the other 80%, live like a drug lord on a tropical island, beautiful women tucking me into my giant bed every night. A private jet, so I can see the world and family and friends, when I want.

I guess that's it, what would you do?

Slowing Down
( 1657 of 2167 )

My many years as a transit supervisor back in Seattle came out today. I watch our tubing busses roll down my dead-end street all through the Summer. Sometimes it's me driving, not watching.

Speed is an issue on this street! We have kids walking down to the creek and my neighbor Drew has two young ones that often play out front. I also have a rare albino squirrel that crosses the road frequently.

Today one of our drivers was running hot, so I thought the best way to address it was to call the office and have them put a bug in the drivers ear.

Then I realized that's bullshit, I spent all those years telling my drivers how to drive, and I can't address this person directly?

So I flagged them down from my house as they drove back by. This is a coworker that I like and respect, and here I am playing supervisor, telling them to slow down on my street.

To my fellow driver, I apologize! I'm not your boss and thanks for slowing down...

Plans Shot
( 1658 of 2167 )

I had big plans for today, do my laundry early at the Wishy Washy, prep my truck for a road trip, then pack up my electronics and travel bag. The goal was to get an early start tomorrow for Decatur, GA.

All I've done is feed the birds and watch a movie on Prime. I haven't showered in days and my motivation is shot. I realized that I just wasn't up to doing that trip solo. Driving five hours just to have a fancy dinner with myself?

It's almost 1100, time to have my first drink of the day. Fuck it...

Ok, Daniel and I have been sitting around talking about nearby places to eat and he turned me on to Fish Creel down in Anderson, AL. Amazing seafood and it's only 23 minutes away. They're not open till Wednesday, but I'll be there. Maybe I'll take a shower before, maybe not...

We've been watching great country music on YouTube this afternoon, he's going to be off for a couple of months after foot surgery on Wednesday. He went home for a bit and I fell asleep in my chair.

Suddenly a big ol country boy burst thru my open door, and said "Wake up Jim, a good group is floating your way!" My bus driving buddy parked his bus out front, and came on in.

OMG, he was right. A bunch of beautiful country girls just floated by my house, and I was there to watch.

If there is one thing I have learned about life, it is that women love to be appreciated by men. It's human nature, it's the chemistry that draws us together to create life!

Chair Life
( 1659 of 2167 )

I got my place processed today. Grass mowed, edges trimmed. My landlord Steve asked me if I would like to take care of this myself when I moved in, and I said hell no. Probably would have had a reduction in rent, but hell no.

Steph and I had a big property to maintain back in Idaho, I bought a sweet gas powered mower from Ace Hardware, and she mowed.

I don't mow! I've never been on one of those noisy pieces of lawn mowing machines that torment my neighborhood. Let grass grow!

My neighbor Daniel is on drugs. He's having surgery to remove a cyst from the bottom of his foot tomorrow and he will be down for two months. He's been hanging out over here all day, mostly sleeping and snoring in his chair.

His wife will take care of him for the most part, but she works graveyard shift at the cookie factory, so I'll be stepping in when needed.

My goal tomorrow is to do laundry early at the Wishy Washy, feed my birds, and then have lunch down in Anderson, AL at the Fish Creel. Such is life in the South.

I'm looking over at Daniel passed out in his chair, and I ain't hearing no noise. He could be dead! No wait, I see a slight movement from his chest.

I'm driving a tubing bus on Thursday mid-day. I initially turned them down, saying I was going to be in Roatan Honduras. Then I said my handler was able to move that up, and make some time to do the run.

Anyway, that's my life!

Creel
( 1660 of 2167 )

It's been a good day so far! Doing my laundry at the Wishy Washy as the sun came up, fed my birds right on time and then had a long overdue shower.

Then I took off to Anderson, AL for lunch at the Fish Creel. Once I left Hwy 43 in Leoma onto Rabbit Trail Road, I was in virgin country for me. Daniel had mentioned the road was hilly, with a bunch of ups and downs. Way fun!

I saw a road closed sign and sure enough the whole thing was blocked off, probably construction. The detour took me off into some beautiful country with run down shacks and mutli-story mansions with huge manicured lawns. Southern Tennessee/Alabama is something!

I rolled into Anderson, AL at 1130 and landed at The Fish Creel.

I had the Stuffed Crab with slaw, hush puppies and mashed potatoes. My order took a bit longer than the folks around me, and I am assuming the crab was made up fresh. It sure tasted like it, definitely worth the drive!

I could only eat half and the to-go box is now siting in my fridge, ready for another round when I feel like it.

The service was terrific, sweet country girls that just emanated down home realness. Moving to the South has shown this West Coast boy a new way of living!

Goose
( 1661 of 2167 )

I'm feeling bad about my buddy Goose. He's the lonely old goose that has been hanging out with the ducks for quite a while now. I have spent many, many months feeding them all in the Park.

The other day he walked towards me with his broken right foot, and I hand fed him, before the other hundred geese came running into the action and I lost him.

This morning he was hobbling really bad. You may wonder how I know it's him, I just do, he's my friend. I tried approaching him to give him some food before we were swarmed, and he turned his back on me, and limped off.

Suddenly I was surrounded by ducks and geese, and I lost him again.

I guess it's the naturally occurring process of life and death among our wildlife. He can't feed himself and will probably die soon. My two favorite ducks, Whitey and CottonTop have been missing for more than two weeks.

I have allowed myself to become emotionally attached to these wild birds, and I'm sitting here crying at their loss...

I just contacted David Crockett State Park this afternoon via FaceBook and they confirmed they did lose a white one. There is only one white duck on Lake Lindsey. My friend Whitey has passed.

When you have wild birds eating healthy bird seed and cracked corn from your hand every morning for what, a year? You develop a bond! RIP my friend.

There are lot's of opinions about feeding wild birds like this. My position is, they're here, and enjoying the lake. I pull up, they recognize my truck, and I feed them a healthy breakfast to start their day!

Nightmare
( 1662 of 2167 )

I just woke up from a terrible nightmare. I was on vacation with my boy as a young man and his girlfriend. Somewhere in the Caribbean.

We were at a small airport and I had to get back to Seattle before them, so they were there to see me off.

I got on a plane just before the door closed, sat in the second seat on the left aisle, right behind the pilot. As it took off I placed the things I had in my arms on the fold down table. I had my laptop, my phone, his girlfriend's laptop, and her phone. With a bunch of chargers.

The phones were dead, so I'm scrambling across peoples laps to find a charging outlet, wires going everywhere.

After flying for a while, on the way to Seattle, the plane landed somewhere. I told the pilot I needed to get off to make a call so I jumped off with his girlfriend's phone and the charger. I found an outlet, plugged it in and called my boy.

I told him what happened and all he could say was "Oh my god", over and over. I told him I'd find someway to get her stuff back to them, pulled the phone off the charger and went running back to the plane.

Which was taking off with the two laptops and my phone sitting on the fold down table.

So there I was somewhere, with just a pink phone in my hand, and thank god I woke up!

Emergancy Driver
( 1663 of 2167 )

Ahhh, had me a day today! I slept nine hours last night then drove to Krogers for supplies at 0700. Then I fed my birds and bought my drugs at Walgreens all before 0800.

Daniel's on crutches after foot surgery and he hobbled over to hang out. Our sexy mail lady brought a package to my door and I know she heard Daniel comment about her sexy tattooed legs, as she walked away.

It was a set of bed sheets from Amazon, I've worn mine out, and he washed and folded them for me, while I headed on over to the Tubing Company for an afternoon shift. I told Elizabeth I don't do this for the money, I do it because she asked!

It was a big group, a bunch of young kids, five to seven, that had won a baseball tournament down in Florida, so the parents brought them up here to Lawrenceburg, TN for a float.

Thirty seven total. Both of our busses were standing room only, most packed up group I've ever seen. Tubes were bulging out from our trailers.

As I pulled through our downtown square I was giving history lessons, pointing out David Crockett's cabin on the right. It's got a museum inside!

We put them all onto the creek, new groups were arriving and we busted our ass all day. I really enjoy this job, I love the people I work with and I love the customers. I could have done this gig all summer, but I'm too old for it. Once in a while is OK.

I got home at 1500 and had my first drink of the day. I don't drink and work. Daniel hobbled over on crutches and we hung out.

Later I walked him back to his house, checked his mail, and got him up the steps and in. He wanted to go to town and eat some fast food with me, I said I wasn't driving, so he resigned himself to a TV dinner.

I grabbed my folded sheets, told him I loved him, and said good night.

Am I tired and sore and worn out? Hell ya! But it was better than last time. My body is sitting here actually appreciating the physical exercise.

But Elizabeth remember, emergency driver only!

A Wrap
( 1664 of 2167 )

I'm close to calling it a wrap. Sell all my shit and find a nursing home, while I still can. My co-driver Massey dropped by with a lady friend yesterday afternoon and I don't remember them leaving. Then Daniel came over and the only reason I know that is because he came over this morning and told me. He also said I fell, cool!

Turns out his crutches missed a step and he face planted on his porch on the way back home. Cut his face above an eye and had to have his friend Alan and wife come over to patch him up.

I drove him around yesterday morning for some errands, but was obviously not capable of helping him last night.

So, searching for nursing homes now...

Bird Friends
( 1665 of 2167 )

Just another morning feeding at the Park. The ducks were hanging out on the corner as usual while the geese were up the road.

I have to plan my escape route carefully, backing into a parking spot without running over one of the ducks, as they come running and quacking. Then I guide them and the geese into the grass and the feeding begins.

It was a fun morning and I grabbed some good video. It was a long feeding so I cut the video to a manageable length. I hope you enjoy this, before I check into the nursing home...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Bruises
( 1666 of 2167 )

I will be 77 shortly. I've lived longer than my relatives did in their time, and I'm grateful.

My old body is still in pretty good shape, considering the way I abuse it. I've been talking to younger folks lately that have all sorts of shit going on. I've only had two surgeries, a hernia op and a crushed ankle with eight screws. Both of which were self inflicted.

I ain't got no cancer or any serious illness. My doctor CJ is amazed, she's looked at all of my blood work and said there ain't nutin.

So, WTF? How did this happen? My older brother Dana died last year in a mental institution. I keep joking about checking into a nursing home but I love my freedom. I can do whatever the hell I want to.

And the things I do are for the most part legal! I love helping people in need, in fact I've given more cash to a couple of local homeless guys than I've made driving the tubing bus this Summer.

I consider myself a good man! I wish I had a woman in my life, but I don't, and I accept that. My love life lives on memories, unfortunately.

I finally swept my floors today. Next project is to scrub down my kitchen and bathroom. It's hard to be motivated when you live alone, but I've been having company lately.

New bruises keep popping up on my body, but according to Daniel these are also self inflicted. I just don't remember putting them there. I've got a beauty on my back, but I can't really see it.

My Mom
( 1667 of 2167 )

I was living in the Seattle area at one of the lowest places I've ever been, when my mom died. I had just started a bellboy job at a local hotel in Kent, WA. after scrambling back from a bout of hopelessness.

My sister helped me get down to the Bay Area for the funeral. At the ceremony they asked me to say a few words, and handed me a bible with some scriptures to read.

If my self worth was not at the bottom of the pile at the moment, I would have declined, and spoke to the sizable gathering about my mom.

So, my self worth is back on track and this is what I should have said.

My mom, Janice King, was a beautiful young lady, sole child of my grandparents Jack and Maude. As World War Two ended she married a Pearl Harbor surviving Texas boy named Eugene Riza.

She had my older brother Dana and I, and then Gene split back to Texas. So there she was, a single mom with two boys, when she met my step dad Paul Hamilton.

Paul was not a father, just a provider, and I respect him for that. My mom became a wonderful mother, strong, supportive and loving to us kids. She was an amazing woman. She stood strong for my brother and I as my sister entered the family.

Paul moved us all over the West in search of work, and my mom was there for us throughout the journey.

I loved her very much! These are the words I wish I had said at her passing, I just wasn't capable...

To Lose
( 1668 of 2167 )

I need a road trip so bad. Sailing down the highway in my old truck to a destination unknown. Locking my house down, the hell with everything else.

I really have nothing stopping me. Plenty of cash on my cards and in my wallet. I got my clothes clean, my bathroom is clean and smelling good, my floors swept, for what it's worth.

This house is ready to be left, and to be come back to, when I choose.

I have a short muzzle shotgun sitting behind my door. She was recently serviced to the hilt by our local gun shop, purring like a kitten now, fully loaded, shell in the chamber with the safety off. I have nobody to ride with me, so I'll just take her.

Fuck everything, let's go! What do I have to lose?

Come On Joe
( 1669 of 2167 )

My friend Massey dropped by this morning and hung out. We talked some politics and we are both Fox News watching Conservative Americans.

Who like guns and women! All I have is a shotgun. He showed me a video he took on his phone of an alien vessel flying over the moon. We agree on this subject completely.

I mentioned Dan Bongino, ex NY cop, Secret Service instructor, has a podcast and is a Fox News contributor. I respect the man's opinion, and have for years. Massey concured.

The other day, I watched a TikTok video created by Bongino. He is claiming that China is ready to launch World War 3, in the form of a Super Virus, way more deadlier than Covid!

He said that China has developed both the Virus and the vaccine, and is in the process of inoculating it's citizens. Then they release the Virus, and end up controlling the world. Without a shot or missile fired.

If I was President I would confront China today, and tell them that if this is true, and we are subjected to this new people killing, society destroying Virus, hell will reign down on your country.

We will attack you with everything we have, your country will be destroyed and your people will die!

Come on Joe, wake up and save us...

Rainy Day
( 1670 of 2167 )

A storm system rolled over Tennessee today, and I decided to take a day trip South to avoid it. All the maps and weather sites said Florence/Muscle Shoals, AL was going to dodge it as it moved East.

As soon as I got down to the Tennessee River, it started raining. The day was shot. When I rolled back in, Daniel called and said "I thought you were going to Georgia"? Guess I should have, maybe soon...

I may be pulling off a breakfast with Elizabeth and Madeline tomorrow, followed by a duck/goose feeding. I'll set Liz up with my Sony camera and the zoom lens, and she can shoot some cool video. The last one was popular!

A Heartbeat
( 1671 of 2167 )

I often think back to those days in Oakland, CA around 1971, when I finally left Merritt College. I stayed on an extra year to run the schools newly installed IBM Sys 3 Model 10 computer.

It was an amazing mini-computer developed by IBM for the small business market. I was the schools computer hotshot and I had the privilege to spend a whole year developing software for them, in a computer language called RPG 3.

Which actually stands for Report Programming Generator. I took that platform and brought it to a functional business level.

The first job out of college was with a company writing Cobol code. It was not the right fit, but a lady there taught me the concept of Level Blocks.

It was a way of structuring your code, and it changed everything. The Bay Area was exploding with companies installing these new IBM machines, with nobody to write code for them.

My next job was with Golden Grain Macaroni in San Leandro, where I first met my life long friend, Skoge. I built them a system to run their company, and then moved on.

The Bay Area was wide open to me, as IBM continued to install their Sys 3's. I was the guy, I had more work than I could handle, and nobody was better than me.

I've posted about many highlights of that career on this blog, so I won't go any further here.

I guess I just want to say, that you can go from a master of your trade, to nothing, in a heartbeat...

Feed Footage
( 1672 of 2167 )

I had a great time with my friend Elizabeth, her mom Sheila and her niece Madeline up in the Park this morning.

We met up at shelter seven a little after 0800 and formed the plan for filming the morning feeding. I gave Elizabeth my Sony a6500 with the zoom lens, which she has shot before, and I gave Sheila my little DJI Pocket 2 and showed her the ropes.

They both shot some great footage while Maddie and I hand feed the ducks and geese. Then we had breakfast at Square Forty. We talked about our world travels, and my friend Madeline continues to evolve into an amazing young lady, heading back to school shortly.

Here's Sheila's footage:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Here's Elizabeth's footage:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

A great crew!

Stylin
( 1673 of 2167 )

My lovely grand-daughter Shelby just updated her Facebook profile picture. Stunning!

On My Table
( 1674 of 2167 )

I woke up this morning and Massey's hat and Daniels drink cup were sitting on my table. I had every intention of driving down to Gulfport/Biloxi, MS this morning to jump in the ocean, but I think I did too much of something last night.

I did manage to get Daniel to hit the park with me, and he had a good time feeding the birds. Then we stopped at the Farmers Market in the Square.

I passed one table and said "those are Farmer Katy's eggs" and the lady asked me how I knew Katy and I told her I'm OldManJim, to which Katy's mom replied "Oh, the bird man". I bought me some good eggs.

The center of the Square was filled with people and rescue dogs. So tempting but I'm just not there yet.

D Meets P
( 1675 of 2167 )

I would describe the state of my life now, while I turn 77, as Dementia meets Parkinsons, with a cocktail, and a couple of strange friends.

I pulled my truck into Daniel's driveway today to use his shop-vac to detail the inside. As I sat there planning my approach, I felt my truck moving, rolling forward, straight into the back of my neighbor's Explorer. I had turned it off and left her in neutral.

I had one shot to avoid ruining both of our days, and I took it. My right foot shot forward to my brake, I could have missed it easily, but I nailed it, stopping inches from his rear bumper with a trailer hitch.

I walked into Kroger's the other day for supplies and headed straight to the water place to pick up my four Deer Park water bottles, when I realized that I had forgotten to grab a cart...

I went to make my egg sandwich breakfast, cracked the egg into the garbage and started to put the shells into the pan.

There are countless episodes like this occurring regularly. They are comical until they are not. I have the local nursing home on speed-dial, but the problem is, my shaking hands may not be able to make the call.

Anyway, my truck looks amazing inside, who knows what's next...

The Dog
( 1676 of 2167 )

I have a big ol black dog sleeping on my floor now. My tubing crew dropped him by after reading a post and having this boy follow them back to base.

They hooked me up with food while they try to discover his owners, and in the meantime I'm his.

He's a beautiful, well behaved pit bull. Got to have a family somewhere, maybe scared away by Fourth of July fireworks.

I took him for a walk and he pulls heavy, but he heeled and sat when commanded. He's currently laying at my feet and seems really happy to be off the street.

wtf...

Update: In the early morning I woke up and remembered I had a dog in the house, and I called for him. He came up on the bed, layed on his back and cuddled up against my body. Happy birthday to me! He's got to belong to somebody!

I opened my door, it's still dark outside, and he walked outside for a few moments. Now he's back on my bed. I think I'll join him...

God I hope he don't have fleas. I had my place flea cleaned a few years ago when Piper brought them in. We just went for an 0700 walk along the creek without a lease. I'm not considering myself a pet owner at this point, just a foster. He's a sweet dog, somebody must be missing him!

For my birthday present, Daniel undid the wire holding the bird feeder, and we removed the squirrel blocking cones that weren't working anyway, and turned it into a runner line.

The Dog 2
( 1677 of 2167 )

The Dog wanted to go for a walk, so I released him from the rope thing and hooked him up to a lease.

I don't walk this dog, he walks me. He wanted to check out the creek, so we did. He kept walking right to the edge, where a fall down the ten foot bank would be, 911 time.

At one point I fell, and rolled right into a tree. It saved me from dropping into the creek.

Later on, The Dog dragged me over to my neighbor Jeff's front door and demanded that I knock. Jeff and his girlfriend love him.

So here I am at night two. I'm going to bed shortly and I know this big ol pit bull is going to be cuddling against me.

I know I've said this before, but WTF?

I think The Dog is on my bed, time to call it a wrap...

Still Looking
( 1678 of 2167 )

The Dog rode up with me again to feed the birds this morning, then I stopped by the Police Department and spoke with a really nice guy named Chad. He was in street clothes and looked like a detective.

It turns out that the Animal Control unit there has shut down, but he took the green tag I removed from the dog's collar and ran it through their databases, to no avail. Then I called the Vets in town and they said since it's a green tag it had to have come from the shelter.

So I called them and left a voice message with the tag number, 000129. This is a 2023 Rabies Vaccination so it's recent. Now I'm just waiting to hear back.

Folks on Facebook suggested I keep him. He's too big for me to handle, I'm having walking problems and I can barely control him. He almost launched me down a ten foot embankment into the creek yesterday. I just really want to find his family.

Meathead
( 1679 of 2167 )

Ok, my Lawrenceburg neighbors, I need help. Nobody is coming forward to claim this baby. His big black pit bull body has fleas and ticks. I'm 77 and too old to handle him. I'll buy some flea spray to protect my home at least.

My neighbor and I have named him Meathead. I don't know how long he has been homeless, but I can't care for him. A couple of local Police Officers rolled through our street today and my neighbor flagged them down. They told me that Chad was their IT guy, not a detective.

What we have learned is that the Animal Control officer retired a short while ago, and the Animal Shelter is toast, bad news coverage and run by an out of county agency.

Update: Some folks have said the Animal Shelter is not toast, but they never returned my call!

Meathead needs to be adopted. My neighbor Jeff is entertaining the idea. Yesterday Meathead dragged me across the street to Jeff's front door, sat down, looked at me and said "knock".

But no commitment yet. Does anybody want this sweet dog?

My neighbor Daniel just gave Meathead a bath in my tub. I handled the water and the fluids, he's way stronger then me and Meathead handled it well. He has a pitbull back home and knows how to handle dogs.

Found
( 1680 of 2167 )

Meathead's owners have been found! Thank you Facebook!

His name is Jack, and his owners were nice, and appreciative. It was fun hanging out with you Jack, but I'm really glad you made it home!

FB Award
( 1681 of 2167 )

I just won the top contributor award for number of interactions in a Facebook group, within a specific amount of time, I assume.

I have no idea what that means, and it really doesn't matter, but thanks anyway FB. I just want to acknowledge the platform, it came thru, big time, in reuniting Jack with his family.

They reached out on FB to say that the kids are really glad he's home. Nuff said...

Melon
( 1682 of 2167 )

I ate half a watermelon for dinner tonight. The neighbors picked it up at an Amish farm today. Amazing...

Had breakfast at the Square this morning and Brenda is finally remembering my order. Two eggs over easy, hash browns and wheat toast. She always shows up at my table with a tall glass of water and a straw.

I've got 23 days before my son's family arrives in Nashville, and hopefully grand-daughter Shelby from DC! Looking forward to a great time for a week!

I can imagine road-tripping around Tennessee and the Carolinas, eat some great food and enjoy the baby girl.

Babies
( 1683 of 2167 )

There is a place down the road from the duck/geese feeding spot where the Park babies hang out. Spotted a bunch of goslings and their parents there today, along with a mom and her fawn.

Earlier I was robbed at the Wishy Washy. I got there early, around 0630 and there was just one woman doing her laundry. She wasn't exchanging good mornings and avoiding eye contact, so I just ignored her.

I got my laundry going and hung my coat hangers up on a cart. I have exactly the same number of hangers as I have clothes that need hanging. Only washing about ten hangables, so I brought their hangers today.

Then I sat in a booth with her to my back and read my mail. Shortly she walked by me with her laundry, got in her car and drove off.

When I got up to get my stuff, I realized she had stolen my coat hangers. So now I've got my goto Summer clothes draped over the back of my office chair, and I'm crushed! My faith in humanity is lost!

Bitch... :-)

Benefits
( 1684 of 2167 )

OTC Health Solutions, in cooperation with CVS Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, give me a monthly credit of $120 to buy stuff. Last month I ordered a bunch of vitamins and a digital scale.

This month I got to the party a little late and lots of stuff was sold out, so I just got a whole bunch of protein drinks. Not a dime leaves my pocket, and I assume it's a benefit of my Medicare Advantage plan.

Respect
( 1685 of 2167 )

What are we doing here? Do you realize that 270,000 women and girls went missing in 2022! That number is real and it shocks and saddens me to my core.

Our government is corrupt. Somehow, the Bidens may be held accountable, eventually. Probably not, how fucking sad...

I'm an old guy, 77, and I wish that we could find some evenness in our lives. Love our babies, raise them with honor. Love our animals, raise them with respect!

Played
( 1686 of 2167 )

UFOs are all over the news these days. Watching my brother get abducted on a mountain camping trip in the fifties, and seeing the Alien ship, changed my young life forever. It destroyed my brothers life.

There are a bunch of stories going around, about a secret Alien/Human base on the back side of the Moon, and another one down at the South Pole.

Some say JFK was shot by a member of his Secret Service detail because he wanted to release the truth about Aliens being amongst us.

Having that experience as a kid gets me way past the "do I believe?" state, so it's easier to accept the theorys. They mostly confirm cooperation between us and them, and they also suggest a dark evil side, like JFK and other assignations.

One crazy theory said that the Aliens have told World Leaders that the Earth is dying, from our own doing. We all need to band together to save it. Sounds like a radical far-left stoned teenager decided to get on Twitter.

The only thing we really know is what we have experienced so far, and the life that currently surrounds us. But beyond Lawrence County, TN, the only things I know lately is what I get from Media and the Internet.

And it all could be bullshit, we could be getting played big time!

Limits
( 1687 of 2167 )

Randy Meisner, a founding member of the Eagles in 1971, bass player, songwriter and smoker, has passed at 77. The cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

He wrote 'Take It to the Limit', and I guess he did. I keep seeing people born in 1946 dropping all around me, and I'm grateful to still be moving.

Taking it to the limit was also my theme song. But once I reached a particular limit, I learned to back off and stopped if needed.

Now, with a healthy diet of empty calories, my amazing physical shape, and totally addiction free, in my mind, I hope to make it to 78!

The Purpose
( 1688 of 2167 )

The spot overlooking Shoal Creek, directly behind my house, is about 150 yards down stream from where our tubers put in. Fifty yards up stream is where they first bottom out.

Small people can sometimes push themselves over the rocks, but most folks get out and walk down to my location where the water deepens, and then they get back into their tubes.

Pushing yourself backwards into a large tube in the middle of a big creek is not a skill that many have mastered. I have seen some epic fails as the tube flips over backward and the rider face plants completely into the creek.

All of the stuff they were trying to carry goes everywhere, with friends or family scrambling to catch everything as it floats by. Very entertaining!

Daniel claims I walk down there to watch hot women in bikinis float by, but that's a reward, not the purpose.

Thank You
( 1689 of 2167 )

I read a lot of stuff online, usually pushed at me via email. I disregard 90% of the writings because I don't like the style, or the flow.

When I write a blog post, I want to entertain, and make a point. I've been blogging now for over fifteen years, and when I look back at all those posts, I realize I've held that position throughout.

I love to write, and share my positions, feelings, and my personal reality, with the world. I created two large blogging platforms that allowed me to do so.

Sometimes, I get a couple too many in, and then get down. I discuss personal stuff, that should never have left my fingers. Then send notifications to friends and family saying Read This! If they're fortunate, they won't read the text until after I've trashed it.

So, this is my story, I will write until I can't. If any future historian decides to resurect my blogs as a glimpse into this period, with places I've seen, and things that I've done, thank you!

The List
( 1690 of 2167 )

I went shopping this morning, and used that great little app I wrote called tiwats.com. It stands for Things I Want At The Store.

If you have not used this yet, stop what you're doing right now, and launch this baby. Enter as many stores as you want, and add items to each of them.

I walk around the house deciding what I need, and what store to buy them from. If you click on a Store, it goes there. If you click on an Item, it goes to that Item within that Store!

Then shut it down. It uses Local Storage, so the next time you launch it, your list is there. As you put an item into your shopping cart, delete it from your list.

It's a powerful and simple way to handle your shopping. Hell, I have a hard time figuring which direction to turn onto the highway, much less the List of things I need at True Value, Krogers, Tractor Supply and Walmart.

Click on the image below, and start your own lists! It won't cost you a dime, never will!

Passports
( 1691 of 2167 )

The current delay to get a Passport in this country is four months, and folks are having to cancel planned Summer trips because of it.

I got my Passport when I first moved here to Tennessee, and have used it many times since. I've been triple vaxed and caught Omicron on a cruise boat two Christmas's ago.

I've gone to a lot of places with that Passport, and if I wanted to go anywhere in this world, I could. But I have no desire to do so at the moment.

Maybe an All-Inclusive, with a bunch of hot-tubs, in Mexico after this Summer...

Mystery woman, you up?

Digging Tools
( 1692 of 2167 )

Massey and Hudson's Tube bus stopped in front of Jim's Animal Control Center today, to report a dying groundhog down by the drop. They wanted to know if I could put him out of his misery with a 22.

I grabbed Daniel and we headed down there with his 38 carry. Turns out our little friend was dead, probably run over. Fortunatly, Daniel didn't have to use his weapon.

We've watched these groundhogs raise their families here, over the last five years, and this is a sad loss.

I took my pathetic shovel down to try and dig a burial spot right next to him/her, it was worthless. We need a burial party here, bring digging tools!

We have a local flock of vultures that will descend on our groundhog shortly, and the tubers will have quite a show tomorrow if we don't bury soon.

Update: I just learned what happened. The groundhog ran underneath Massey's bus trailer. What the hell was he/she doing running across the road in the middle of the day? Heading home to the hole in my backyard after a morning on the other side of the creek, I suppose...

Shit happens, we all die sometime. RIP my little friend.

Piper would sit on my desk for hours while I wrote code, watching the groundhogs below my window.

Update: Nobody showed up so I borrowed Daniels good shovel and buried my groundhog friend.

Back Around
( 1693 of 2167 )

What goes around, comes back around. I had ten clothes hangers stolen from the Wishy Washy a few days ago, so I went to Walmart this morning to replace them.

I found a ten pack of nice plastic ones, with no price, so I figured what the hell, and scanned them at the self checkout. They came up as $.50 for the whole pack, plus $.05 tax.

I figured this was a mistake and I didn't want to mess up my karma by ripping off Walmart, so I called the lady over. She scanned it with her phone, smiled and said, yep, $.50. Best Walmart deal I ever made.

I was looking on Amazon the other day and ten packs were running $18 and up. These were $05.5 cents a piece. Thank you Karma God!

Then my homeless friend Kip dropped by. Said he's been mowing lawns and needs gas money for his mover. I reminded him that he's into me for $40 already.

Then he showed me a necklace which he claims is gold, that he found. I gave him $40 for it and I'll take it to the gold shop tomorrow for appraisal.

I'm trying to help the guy get back on his feet, if money for gas is what he needs, I'm there. But if this turns out to not be gold, then this door is shut.

If it is, I'll have it sanitized, then give it to Madeline.

Later
( 1694 of 2167 )

I need a day off, from myself. A day where I do something spontaneous and different than the pabulum of my life.

I want to turn my creativity into adventure. I want to put my foot where my mouth is, right over the gas pedal of my truck.

There's always something. Like I'm waiting for my new ear and nose trimmer to arrive today. Clean those old man things up, then get a haircut and a shave at the Beauty College tomorrow.

My boy and his family are arriving in Nashville in eighteen days. Maybe Shelby! I need to look good.

Ooops, the mailman just dropped my trimmer off at my neighbors, time to go play porch pirate, and Daniel's slow cookin some ribs, talk to you later...

About Love
( 1695 of 2167 )

I'm sitting here thinking about love, and crying. It is the most powerful force in our world.

Love between people, love for family and friends. Love of an idea or passion.

Our Earth contains trillions of animals and other entities that experience love among themselves, and sometimes it spills out to us.

My little groundhog babies loved their momma.

Love can be a lifelong thing or a short moment. We can be born in a mothers womb, and die in her arms. Or fall in love with someone, only to lose them.

With me, the love remains. With every person, animal, and passion I have ever loved. I have no hate!

Losing returned love hurts, it is the biggest loss, especially when you continue to love them.

Steph's grand-daughters and I were forming a loving bond when I moved here. It's been gone for a while now, but I still love them all.

Here's some love for you:

Grand Sisters
( 1696 of 2167 )

Today is my grand-daughters Shannon and Heather's 25th birthday. I had a wonderful time down in Atlanta getting to know Shannon, but I've yet to meet Heather. Happy birthday girls! Grandpa loves you!

Here's the video of Shelby and Shannon at her home.

Dear Son
( 1697 of 2167 )

Dear Son,

I know you're an old man now, you outlived me, but sometimes I want to just rest your head in my bosom and rub your temples. You could talk to me about life, about anything.

I know it's been one hell of a ride for you, I did my best to provide for, and love you. But I was a single mom with two boys when Gene left for Texas.

Paul was a provider, not a good dad, but at least he stuck through it. Thanks Paul, I loved you!

So now here you are on a deadend street in Southern Tennessee with no life. It's OK, keep on living, keep on writing, keep on loving!

Please know that you will be with me soon.

Love, Mom

From The Lake
( 1698 of 2167 )

The ducks were in the lake when I pulled up, and they spotted me and came running. I couldn't film and open my bag, so it's a short video.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Shaping Up
( 1699 of 2167 )

The August Family Gathering is starting to go down! My son Riley, Jessica and young Ariella are landing at their Nashville timeshare Thursday evening, the 17th. They return Tuesday midday, the 22nd.

Shelby just got Friday thru Monday off, 18th thru the 21st. She's going to fly into Nashville Thursday night, with her service puppy. I'll pick them up at the airport, and then bring um down to my place.

Daniel bet me $5 that there is no way my beautiful favorite grand-daughter would agree to spend a night on the floor in front of my TV, on the bed from my truck. He lost.

The kids could then drive down here on Friday morning and we can plan our adventures. I can show them around town!

This great event is shaping up!

Welcome
( 1700 of 2167 )

As my family reunion approaches, I observe that monetary issues are important. We need to save a buck where we can while still having a great adventure, it's the reality of life today.

I just want to say to Riley and family, and Shelby, that I am so honored that you are coming here, to spend a little time with me. I'm a lonely old man and I need my family so much.

Let me cover the big bills. I want you to have a great time without worrying about your bottom line. Welcome to Nashville!

Lets Rock
( 1701 of 2167 )

I've been trying to have someone go on a road trip with me lately, or on a trip to Mexico! No takers.

Now I've got family converging in sixteen days. We can all road trip together!

I'm trying to get Riley and Jess to upgrade to a larger vehicle, where Ariella can sit between Shelby and me in the back. They will have one entertained little girl back there!

I don't know what the kids have planned yet, they're working on it tonight, but I think we have a hell of a road crew going. Let's rock the South guys!

Alisha
( 1702 of 2167 )

I just talked on the phone to a really nice lady from Summertown about house cleaning services. Her name is Alisha and she does it for a living.

She's going to professionally clean my house right before family gets to town. She quoted me $120 for an initial clean based on the square footage of 1700.

There's nothing like making a human connection over the phone, which we did, and Alisha is local.

I'm not looking to have my place deep cleaned. That would require moving around electronics that I probably couldn't remember how to put back together if they separated. There's five years of dust behind them, holding the wires together.

I'm looking to get my floors cleaned, kitchen area and bathroom cleaned. Just basic stuff that wears me out quickly when I start.

The reason I knew that square footage number is because the big company cleaning guy up in Columbia yesterday, looked my half of a duplex up, in a big database, and told me. He wanted $200 with half down, a full signup on their website, and access to my bank. I told him no, politely.

Alisha didn't ask me for nutin! We just set a date. I really love the South sometimes.

Update: Daniel just told me that that whole house is 1700 square feet. My corner is 300 at max!

Stettars
( 1703 of 2167 )

Daniel and I decided to mosey up to Stettars restaurant. have a cocktail, and eat. We had fried cheese curds and mushrooms, followed by tacos.

We had a bet pile going on my home table, which I grabbed and it paid the bill, with change.

A guy mossied up to the end of the bar and we started chatting. Turns out he owns the place. I shook his hand, introduced myself, and gave him my blog name. His name is Michael Stettar, very nice guy.

No Answer
( 1704 of 2167 )

It's been an interesting couple of days. My co-driver at the tubing company Massey, called me yesterday, had a flat tire downtown. I was really busy, watching TicTok, but I dropped everything and rushed to his rescue.

The morning was consumed with tires, a trip to his house out in the boonies, a tire shop and other goodies. We landed back at my place and a friend dropped by and got him back to the tire shop in town.

Massey's vehicle is now moving. This morning I drove him and the two tires sitting in the back of my truck, with the bed folded back, back to the scrap metal place off highway 64W.

Then I got my hair cut at the Beauty College! Erika was amazing, she even trimmed my goatee! A seven dollar haircut with a ten dollar tip. I love this place! She's got four kids, eighteen on down, sounds like a solid marriage.

She wanted to know why I stayed here after losing Steph. I had no answer...

Hammered
( 1705 of 2167 )

We're getting hammered. This storm started last night and looks like it's going on for a while. I haven't seen a tube bus go by yet, and I don't expect one.

The Plans
( 1706 of 2167 )

Things are shaping up for the family visit in a week and a half! Riley, Jess and my grand-daughter Ariella will arrive Thursday, pick up Shelby flying in from DC at BNA midday Friday, and then drive down here to Lawrenceburg Tennessee.

Where they will see my neck of the woods, my home, the town, the Park, maybe meet some friends. We have a few hours to do this, after which I will follow them back up to Nashville in my truck, with Shelby riding shotgun of course!

The kids have their own timeshare and Jess and Shelby have been coordinating everything. My grand-daughter Shelby's job is Event Planner, and she's really good. She just found this place for she and I over the weekend, called "The Swiftie Shangri-La" for $334 a night. I'm up!

OK, Shelby and I have a nice place secured, but it's not this place, just kidding!

A Charm
( 1707 of 2167 )

Riley is six years older than Shelby, in their early thirties. Jess is a couple years older than Riley, and Ariella will be two next month. This is my crew!

Shelby has secured us a sweet BNB in downtown Nashville. All the amenities, off street parking for my truck, walking distance to cool stuff, and a short Uber to the heart of the city.

The kids will have their own place nearby, so Nashville and the South are at our fingertips! First visit for the kids and I've been there twice, but not like this.

I managed to get up on the stage during the NFL draft a few years back, and Brian and I cruised around a sleepy downtown on a Sunday morning when he was here.

Third time's a charm!

This Space
( 1708 of 2167 )

I don't want to send out links to this space, to preseve our privacy, but just in case you would like to read the owners writeup about it, well here you go:

1 bedroom, less than two blocks from shopping and restaurants, 1.2 miles from Nissan Stadium concerts/events, and 2 miles from Downtown and Broadway.

Walking distance to numerous events, music venues, stores, restaurants, and coffee shops.

Apartment is over a detached garage with own private entrance. Cozy, well lit space with plenty of windows. One bedroom with Queen size bed, one Macy's. It's a great space for a couple or for 3-4 friends.

Things of note: walls in bathroom and bedroom are kept 8 inches shy of the ceiling to allow heat and air through the whole apartment. Dormer windows sit high above main space and allow light in and open and close for fresh air.

There are custom blinds installed over the bedroom windows which will allow it to remain dark in the mornings when you want to sleep in. There are also blinds on the windows in the kitchen area.

There is Wi-Fi, Smart TV, washer/dryer combo unit, full kitchen with basic cookware and dishes.

It's within 1-2 blocks of boutique shopping on Fatherland St, 3 blocks from 5 points restaurants, coffee shops, bars etc including:

 • Maru Sushi Grill

 • Far East

 • Wild Cow (Vegetarian & Vegan)

 • Five points pizza

 • Bongo Java East

 • 3 Crow

 • Beyond the Edge

 • Boston Commons

 • Margot Cafe

 • Emmy Squared

 • Treehouse

 • Duke’s

 • Rosemary and The Beauty Queen

 • Red Door East

 • Hunter’s Station

 • Snooze AM Eatery

 • 5 points Diner

And many more places!

Free street parking on 11th street just behind the apartment that is steps from apartment. Guests will have access to the entire apartment. It has a separate side entrance that is very private. Self check in with keyless entry using a code on a pad.

Other things to note: There is plenty of FREE parking on Street just steps from the apartment. The entrance does have steps leading to the entrance and to the main living area once you enter.

Too Old
( 1709 of 2167 )

We had a grandma down in the creek today. I'm shocked that the water level isn't higher, with all the rain we got. I've seen this creek banging up against the top of it's ten foot bank. It took out this neighborhood back in the nineties!

But no, the same bottoming out place is still there, you need to get out of your tube and walk fifty feet to deeper water. Today, a sweet old lady about my age had the nerve to try this run.

She was settled into that tube expecting a leisurely cruise to the finish. I'm sorry to say this, but you need a certain degree of agility to pull this off. She realized that she needed to get out of the tube, but that didn't quite work out as planned, and there she was, sitting on the rocks, calling for help.

One of her big strong grandsons ran to her assistance, and she was back on her way. I work for the company, I could probably ride for free, or for donuts, but I have not, nor will I. I'm too old...

My Family
( 1710 of 2167 )

I'm so jazzed about this upcoming Nashville adventure. My house is being cleaned on the 14th, with the crew arriving down here in the afternoon of the 18th. It's on a Friday, I told my tubing buddies to drop in as they drive by. Liz said come by the office! Of course Daniel will be there.

I could have easily taken another Cruise, or an all-inclusive to Mexico, with the amount of money I plan to spend on this trip. But I would have been alone, and I'm tired of that. The four people that I will be spending time with shortly, are the most important people in my life. They are my family!

What Happens
( 1711 of 2167 )

I've just put an idea out to my Tubing Company family, and they have accepted it. Well, Ricky the boss has accepted it, and that's what counts!

I was the tube repair guy last year, I patched a whole bunch of um. I know there is a box of new tubes in the trailer. I want to take one of those beautiful virgin tubes, blow it up, and burgee cord it to the roof of my truck!

Then, as I drive around town, advertise for my company! I told Ricky if it gets stolen I would pay for the tube, but I don't think so.

My truck is very recognizable around here. A cool old 1988 Mazda B2200 with a custom top. I'm the duck whisperer at the park. The park employees know me, as do the ducks.

Ok, so here we go. I'll mount a big beautiful virgin tube to the top of my truck, and see what happens!

Billboard
( 1712 of 2167 )

I have turned my old truck into a rolling billboard for Crockett Shoals Tubing. I swung by and grabbed a tube this morning, then Daniel and I drove up to Harbor Freight for bungee cords. It looks great up there!

If they ever get super busy and end up a tube short, we can pull it off the truck and float it. I've got the phone number prominently displayed and I bet we get some business from it.

Daniel said we need a Facebook page where people can comment where they saw my truck at. Office manager Elizabeth, you're welcome to add this to our company FB page, if you like.

Upgraded
( 1713 of 2167 )

Ok, the bungee cord approach did not work! But I didn't lose the tube!

We have rewired this bad boy with professional tie-down straps he pulled out of his service truck. Daniel's truck is amazing, has every tool in the world, and that doesn't count his County truck that sits out on the street.

That tube is so attached to my roof, that the whole thing would have to blow off, and that ain't going to happen. I bought that canopy from a place in Salt Lake City after the original canopy blew off in the Arizona desert. He bolted her down good!

Great Day
( 1714 of 2167 )

I almost drove the tube bus today. Massey had an appointment this morning and needed a few hours cover. So I fed my ducks and was hanging at the shop before the crew showed up, when Massey drove up. Appt, canceled, Cool!

The tube is hanging on to my roof great. I told Daniel that I drove over to the highway and reached 100mph, and it stayed put. He just gave me that look...

I have determined that I am a grown ass man, finally. Every decision I make is based on every fucking experience of my past, the good and the bad, and I have a whole bunch. I answer to myself, and nobody else.

I know who I love, who I like, and who I dislike. But I hate nobody...

Have a great day!

Our Country
( 1715 of 2167 )

I just watched the Fox News coverage of the Gold Star families of the 13 killed in Afghanistan two years ago, testifying before Congress. Fox to their credit ran the whole hour plus hearing uninterrupted.

It was the most moving thing I've seen on TV in a long time. I was in tears through most of it, shouting at the screen, and strongly applauding each person who spoke.

That bullshit pullout of Afghanistan, that left thousands dead, 78B in military equipment left behind, twenty years of U.S. military involvement that scarred millions of families, disrespected, and thirteen American soldiers dead from a suicide bomber, who could have been taken out by a sniper, but the call was made to not do it.

Heads should be rolling, but everything is being covered up. Meanwhile, ABC is showing General Hospital!

I'm pissed off and I know there are millions of Americans who agree. If you're on the fence about this, please wake up and take it away from Joe! For the sake of our country...

Why
( 1716 of 2167 )

OMG, my son Riley, wife Jessica, baby Ariella, and my favorite grand-daughter Shelby, are coming here to see me in eleven days!

I've done a lot of cool things since arriving in the South, Belize three times, Roatan twice. I was telling Massey about Secret Beach, off that island in Belize, at the shop this morning.

I've drivin millions of miles around this country, never had a major accident or harmed anyone. I am very grateful!

But I digress, sorry. The point I wanted to make was, this particular convergence of the family members that I value the most, into my home here in the South, is the best thing to happen since I've been here!

It will be a whirlwind, we'll eat, tour the town, then head north to our BNB's. This a special moment in my life, and I'm going full out with it, while I can!

The only question remains, is why Ariella's red hair is not growing out!

Jessica's response:

Ya i think she has my hair lol. I didn't have much hair until I was 3-4 years old lol. It's like my hair took time to thicken up before growing length. We feel Ariella is the same.

South Hangin
( 1717 of 2167 )

I lived more than forty years in California, twenty up in Washington, and twelve in Idaho. I'm a West Coast grown ass man, and things are different here in the South.

I was sitting around my house today with Daniel and Massey, talkin shit. Massey's accent can be cut with a knife, it's so thick. When the boys start talking together, Daniels freak flag starts flying and his accent rises to a new level. And I can understand them, for the most part.

I still have no accent since moving here five years ago. People take notice of my deep, West Coast, radio quality voice here. Yea, I'm bragging on my voice, but anyone that knows me knows that's true.

I was fueling up at Kroger yesterday when I saw this young Amish guy pull up in a small wagon, with a proud trotting pony. What a great way to get around! They have the right of way through town on Hwy 43, and the County just built them a special lane to get from their country, to here.

I went into Kroger's and ran across the kid hunkered behind a display, texting on his phone. These people get pissed when you take their picture, I guess his camera mode was off. Hey, I love them!

Speaking of phones, mine was messed up. Somehow something got tweaked, and all incoming calls were going straight to voice mail. Daniel called me at 0230 this morning and it appears I've fixed the problem. I ignored him btw.

So no trip up to the Spectrum store in Columbia today...

Initial Moves
( 1718 of 2167 )

I'm thinking of getting a BBQ Pork Family Pack at Legends Express when the crew arrives on the 18th. A sandwich, potato salad, slaw, BBQ beans and sweet tea. I can order it online and have it all down here in ten minutes, right as they arrive.

After showing them around Lawrenceburg, we can all head North to Shelby's and my BNB. The next morning Shelby and I can drive to Riley and Jess's BNB and check it out. I can leave my truck there while we pile into their rig and start our first adventure.

I actually have no idea what's on the adventure agenda, I'm just trying to plan out the initial moves. Let me know gang, if this seems logical!

I'm ready...

Travel Cup
( 1719 of 2167 )

I have a new travel cup setup! Daniel bought me this cool insulated aluminum cup at Harbor Freight the other day, and I added a great steel straw with a rubber tip. Then I slipped it into a cool sleave I picked up at Neptunes Cove in San Pedro, Belize.

I bought a second cup holder, that hangs on my glovebox and the cup fits perfectly. I'm sure grand-daughter Shelby will appreciate her own holder on our travels shortly.

Sorry Mystery Lady, I should have had that holder for you on our road trip. I even vacuumed up all of the quack cocaine on my trucks floor, that you endured. Me bad...

Just thinking about that Belize trip I took with Brian and Nadia a couple of years ago. We were one week early for lobster season, and coudn't eat a single one. The season is now one week in, and lobster down there is cheap and plentiful. Hmmm...

Small Town
( 1720 of 2167 )

I was listening to Aldeen's Small Town song and it got me to thinking. He talks about good ol boys, raised right, not letting anyone cross their line. In a small town.

I consider Lawrenceburg, TN a small town in that regard. I could have been raised that way, but my mom divorced my WW2 Navy vet dad when he wanted to move my brother and I, and her, from California to his family's small town home of Cleburne, TX, South of Dallas/ Fort Worth.

Yea, I know, following those rabbit holes are fruitless. Especially since I wouldn't be sitting here writing this drivel while waiting for folks I love to arrive.

So, to wish things had gone a different direction in your life, is selfish. Because it negates and disrespects the people and love that has arrived in your life at this moment, and your past

Based on this theory, I absolutely have no regrets!

Jennifer
( 1721 of 2167 )

I just wrote a poem/song about my friend Daniel's wife.

I call it Jennifer.

 

Workin the night shift, at the Frito Lay.

Missing my man, the way we used to play.

Our schedules collide, no time to lay.

Maybe the moment, will be today.

 

Two different homes, lonely miles apart.

Trying to connect, make it real again.

Rushing to him, need a new start.

Trying to figure out, who the hell I am.

 

Our family's are scattered, everywhere.

The children have barely met.

His parents are alive, but not there.

And life with him is a bet...

 

I did the surgery, lost the weight.

Now I think, I'm looking good.

Hope my man, will lose his hate.

Have a family, as we should.

 

Outsource
( 1722 of 2167 )

Hoping to hook up with Alisha this afternoon about cleaning services. She's going to call after a job up in Ethridge. I would love to have her shoot down and look at my place real quick, and talk about it. The service is scheduled for next Monday.

That's an eight mile drive, than another ten back to Summertown, so I'll give her some cash for gas money, and her time. I want to show her what I'm looking for, and get an honest quote.

My place ain't typical! Some have described this little space as Jim's Man Cave, and I guess that's what it is. It's not cluttered, it's just a comfortable main space, with two plush chairs, a 65 inch TV, and a killer sound bar. Along with a small kitchen, a small bedroom/office, and a small bathroom.

I do my best to keep her clean, but some areas and floors in the kitchen and bathroom need some good professional cleaning. I'm just not up to it anymore, and now I need to outsource!

Arrangements
( 1723 of 2167 )

Been walking Fort Myers Beach, FL this afternoon on my 65" TV, treading the floor in place, looking around. I'm swinging my arms like I'm moving forward, but I'm not.

Then a coworker brought his girlfriend over and we hung out. I'm beginning to compute my life, as the number of people that absolutely would show up at my funeral. Those two would.

I wonder if my sister would attend? I would hers. Every funeral I've ever been to sucked. I feel so fortunate that destiny has shined well on the people I love. The last funeral I attended was my Moms, four decades ago.

I missed my Dads, called my Uncle and found out he had died a year earlier. Missed my brothers completely. Steph lost family that I cared about, but never got invited.

Now it could be me, where people my age are dropping all around me. I have to make plans with Riley and Shelby while they're here.

This would make a great conversation over Thai Crab Fried Rice somewhere, "Now, about my burial arrangements!".

Water Melon
( 1724 of 2167 )

Spotted an old farmer along the highway today, with a trailer full of fresh picked watermelons. I pulled over and asked if he had any seedless and he said "Nope", and then with a sly grin he said he could cut one open and remove the seeds for me.

I'll bet he has a special tool that removes seeds for replanting, but the melon would be mush. He had me pegged as one of those people, with no accent.

I picked out the smallest one he had, which was still pretty big. He said "six bucks" and I reached into my pocket and damned if the only cash I had was a five and a one. Melon destiny!

I just chopped off the end and it was delicious!

Shelby recommended a sweet and spicy Mexican seasoning called Tajin, to put on it. I'm adding it to my Kroger list tomorrow.

Pancakes
( 1725 of 2167 )

It's been a fun day so far. Drove up to the big church on Springer Rd at 0730 for their pancake breakfast fund raiser. I support local events like this, and the food is always good. They provide free meals every third Thursday to anyone who is hungry.

A young church lady sat next to me and we shared how we landed here. She and her family are from Michigan and I told her Idaho. When folks dig deeper into my past I have a stock answer: 40 years in California, 20 years in the Seattle area and 12 years in Idaho. Add in the 5 years here, and that makes 77.

Then I cruised the Square where they had a cute little market setting up, before heading up to feed my ducks. As I was backing my truck into a parking spot, they came running to me as usual.

I realized I had a captive audience up on the balcony of the last cabin facing the dock. Looked like a family with kids. I'm sure we made their morning as the ducks noisily ate from my hand. We exchanged hearty waves as I drove off.

It's funny, I always dive into a plate of food before remembering to grab a photo for the blog. That's homemade blueberry syrup btw, and the breakfast cost $10.

When I walked out the door this morning, Albi, my young Albino squirrel, was sitting inside the bird feeder having breakfast. I've watched him try to build up the nerve to walk the wire, and he finally did.

Next up is the Loretto Farmers Market down the highway. Think I'll use my Sony/Zoom setup and create an album.

Loretto
( 1726 of 2167 )

I had a nice time down at the Loretto Farmers Market this morning. I'm walking around with my cool old man vibe going on, Tilley hat and shades, asking vendors if I can take their picture. They were all very friendly, I asked about their product, asked if I could photograph them, and then took a shot. I had my aperture at F11, should have had it at F8, so the vendors were kinda in the background. My apologies folks, a little out of practice, Working on getting the photoset up to Flickr.

Met a cool family at the end of the park, cooking barbecue, and ordered a fresh cooked sandwich with homemade slaw, to go. They may be my goto for a family pack when the kids arrive next Friday.

I was sitting here trying to remember how to get a cover photo on to a Flickr photoset, since I haven't done it in a while, when my young friend Hudson showed up. He works for the tubing company, a senior in high school, a martial arts guy, and a computer genius.

He could be one of my great-grandkids, age wise, and we are friends. I turned on my mainframe in the back room and he dominated it. He told me that the old box I spent a lot of money on, over ten years ago, still kicked ass. He installed a Steam game and was blown away by the performance.

Meanwhile, I'm still working on this Flickr issue. The heck with it, here's the link.

Meal Deal
( 1727 of 2167 )

Ok, I have a meal deal with the Harwell family down in Loretto. They're going to whip up a barbecue package to feed my incoming guests, and anybody that drops by around three next Friday. I'll drive down at two and pick it up nice and hot. Pulled pork, homemade slaw, baked beans.

There's a bunch of places around here that put barbeque family packs together, but I'm going with the Harwells. They're very nice, down home folks, and their bbq and slaw are great!

The weather forecast for next weekend is perfect, looks like we got the storms out of our system!

Shelby told me that salt is good on watermelon, so I sprinkled some sea salt on a slice and it was good! The salt accentuates the sweet.

Positive Vibe
( 1728 of 2167 )

I was really upset yesterday after getting stood up for the second time by the cleaning lady. I think this is my biggest pet peeve, folks not doing what they say their going to do, and then lack the decency to let you know they're not.

Anyway, it felt good to vent, but I took that post down. And, I'm not going to diss her on FB. I'm just buying a mop today and moving on. Also, if the Covid stuff was real, I don't want her in my house anyway.

Need to get my positive vibe back on, family will be here shortly and the weather is going to be beautiful! Elizabeth asked if I could be on tube driver standby next Saturday, but I'll be in Nashville!

Keep Cool
( 1729 of 2167 )

I need to keep my cool, sometimes I don't, but it's not long lasting. I have to keep reminding myself to not over react, because I always regret it when I do.

I'm surrounded by Leos. My neighbor Drew and I have the same birthday, July 23, the first day of Leo, on the cusp with Cancer. Daniel's is tomorrow, the 16th and Masseys is Saturday, the 21st.

I bought $28 worth of cleaning supplies from Walmart this morning and I already have my sinks and counter tops done. I have a new mop with some floor cleaner and I'll do the kitchen and bathroom floors tomorrow.

Done deal. I'll accept family into my home with pride! I really wanted to pass this over to a pro, but she wasn't available, apparently...

Meanwhile, here's a shot Massey took of Shoal Creek, that Tammy tweaked. I like it!

Bologna
( 1730 of 2167 )

Today is me friend Daniels 56th birthday. To celebrate, we drove over to Pulaski, picked up a gas cap for his Explorer at the Ford dealer, and bopped around Home Depot.

Then we stopped at Legends for lunch and drinks. Had a beautiful bartender, great food and a good time, I bought.

I called the Beauty College here in town and put us both down for haircuts with Erica at 1330. She's amazing, trims everything, on our heads. The cut is seven bucks but we both tip her ten.

This morning, I had a black bucket sitting out in my yard, and it got attacked by yellow jackets. Apparently, they felt threatened by it, and Daniel showed me their nest in the flower bed. I kicked the bucket into the yard, and then they attacked me. I escaped into the house and a bunch followed, killed them all, got bit in a few places. Pouring gasoline down the nest later...

Daniel is telling me that we have to wait until dark, when they're all back in the nest. If you start pouring gas down the hole, and one escapes, it emits a scent and all of the bees out there will come back in attack mode.

Damn, next thing you know he's going to get me to eat a Fried Bologna Sandwich!

The Floors
( 1731 of 2167 )

My young buddy Hudson follows my blog and knows I've had an issue with that no-show cleaning lady. So he texted me today and said that one of his older sisters cleans houses!

She called me today and we set up an appointment for tomorrow at 1600. I've cleaned my counter tops pretty good, just wasn't looking forward to the floors.

You have to admire a young lady who works her day job, and cleans houses after. Yet knowing Hudson, and his ambitions, I'm not surprised by the same cloth.

Daniel and I just bought the gas to kill the yellow-jackets. So, family coming down Friday afternoon, do my laundry at the Wishy Washy that morning, floors cleaned, grab the BBQ down in Loretto, and this vacation is on!

Life Is Good
( 1732 of 2167 )

A friend of mine used to go by "SwanNeck From TangledBranch". It's also really hard to rob a CBD shop in Nashville when you have to use one hand to hold your pants up. Just sayin...

The kids have landed, heading to their BNB. Hudson's sister Olivia has arrived to clean my floors. Playing Miley Ctyrus on the big screen. BBQ, slaw and baked beans ready to be grabbed tomorrow. Rick's potato salad is sitting in the icebox.

Life is good!

R e ella
( 1733 of 2167 )

Spent this Friday evening hanging out with my two year old grand-daughter and my thirty one year old grand-daughter Shelby, along with my boy Riley and wife Jessica, at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Nashville.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Bar Hangin
( 1734 of 2167 )

Here's another video from last night in Nashville.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Down Town
( 1735 of 2167 )

Ok, my beautiful grand-daughter Shelby and I have made it back to our BNB, via UBER from downtown. What an amazing day!

We started out looking for a place to have breakfast, which led us to a place that was booked 45 minutes out, so we moved on to the next. As we pulled into the parking lot, a Tesla began backing up into us, and he banged into my front end. We both stepped out and he wanted to give me his insurance info.

I declined, my steel front bumper was bent in a bit, but my genius auto body son said, his Tesla back end took the worst.

We went on to have an interesting day. The next place we found was cool. I wanted eggs over easy, hash browns and toast. They brought out two eggs in a container, hash browns in a bowl, and said cook it yourself! They even brought out pancake mix for Shelby's breakfast. The griddle was right in front of us, and thank god Shelby was willing to cook, other wise I would have told them to go to hell.

Then we hooked up with Riley, Jess and the baby and we toured the Grand Old Opry. That was fun and then we had lunch at the Aquarium. Fish swimming around while we ate fish.

Shelby had a surprise waiting for us downtown. A couple we had met on the Christmas cruise ship a couple of years ago were in a hopping downtown bar, and we hooked up. They had some friends along and we partied into the night. Riley and family smartly went back to their condo

Then we Ubered back to our BNB. My truck is still at Riley and Jess's condo.

Shelby and I played cards, and then we went to bed. Sometime in the middle of the night I got up and I fell. I'm siting here writing this with a banged up leg and a sore arm.

I have a ton of content sitting on my phone, my Sony, and my DJI pocket 2, I'm just not capable of putting it out there yet.

I think the zoo is next...

My Crew
( 1736 of 2167 )

Shelby and I walked over to the popular Nashville breakfast spot down the street this morning. It was a beautiful morning and we sat outside for thirty minutes before being seated. The food was great, and we didn't have to cook it ourselves.

Then we headed up to Riley and Jess's condo, jumped into their ride, and went to the Zoo. The day was heating up into the nineties as we started seeing the animals. R E Ella was riding along in a stroller with a canopy, and she had a ball. What an amazing little almost two year old she is, we bonded finally, I am Popa.

I have so many amazing pictures of everything the last few days, on my phone, on my Sony camera, and my DJI Pocket 2, I'll wait until I get home tomorrow evening to process them.

We worked up a great sweat walking the Zoo, and couldn't wait to get back to their condo and jump in the pool. I finally bonded for real with R E Ella, she was in a floaty thing that I pushed around the pool from behind, kicking her legs. She would turn around and look at me, and call me Papa!

We then went and had Mexican food, and my favorite grand-daughter Shelby and I drove home. We proceed to play cards and talk about life. We talked about her love life, honestly, and I think this FBI guy could be a keeper. Shelby is the hottest catch on the East Coast! I really love her!

Tomorrow we hook up with the kids one last time for brunch, and then I drive her to the airport. Her friend, who has been blowing up her phone, is going to pick her up at the airport.

Hmmm... Stay tuned.

Stairs
( 1737 of 2167 )

I finally figured out why I tumbled down the stairs the other night. Back home in my little house, the right side of my bed is up against a wall, as is the foot of the bed. I am totally conditioned after five years to getting out of bed on the left side.

My bathroom is just a few steps away and I can get there in the dark. As it turns out, the steps are in the exact position my bathroom door is. So, I got up to go pee in the darkness, stepped out into empty space, and tumbled down two flights of stairs.

I'm really lucky I didn't do more damage to my old body, other than a few scrapes and a sore arm. The pool helped me regain mobility, and I'm back! Shelby barricaded the steps with an end table before we went to bed last night.

Today we're having brunch with the kids and them I'm getting Shelby to the airport. Other than stairs pretending to be a bathroom, it's been a great adventure.

Nashville Photos
( 1738 of 2167 )

Just uploaded 209 photos of the Nashville adventure to Flickr.

Click here to see them.

Video Clips
( 1739 of 2167 )

I processed some video today.

Here are my two favorite grand-daughters.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

This is a montage of Nashville clips.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Here's Shelby and I hanging out with friends.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Ibuprofen
( 1740 of 2167 )

Ibuprofen, vodka, and maybe a little smoke might settle this shoulder down. I bought some Motrin rub in cream, but when I got home it said don't use it on your shoulder. Daniel thought because of it's proximity to the heart, and what's wrong with that, it hurts too! He talked me down and I'll take it back to Kroger.

Speaking of talking me down, he sure failed last night, or maybe he urged me on. I knew early on in the day that it was going to be one of those days. I ended up calling my favorite grand-daughter Shelby and having a speaker phone chat with Daniel included.

They both concurred that I wasn't going to remember it today, and what can I say, ok, you were right!

The last time I got that sloshed was a week ago Saturday night when Shelby and I tore up Broadway in downtown Nashville, then played cards and drank into the night after an Uber back to our condo. I remember most of that night and btw Elizabeth, it was two flights of stairs I fell down, not just two steps.

If I'm going to do it, I do it right. There were two indentations in the dry wall at the bottom of the first flight, and I remember banging into the entrance door at the bottom of the second. It's a good thing the door was closed, otherwise I would have rolled out into the street, bloody and naked.

I'm beginning to think that I should slow it down at 77, but you have to be motivated to do that, and my giveafuck is broken. There's a lot of people my age who would love to be living the life I have, and to have the body to survive shit that would put most people down.

Now if I could just get laid, one more time...

Here's some shots from Shelby's phone:

Wooden steps, omfg, how did I survive this?

The big hole was probably my shoulder! Daniel said if you're going to be dumb, you got to be tough!

Goodby Steph
( 1741 of 2167 )

Ok, I think I have this Steph thing figured out. I thought she was still around, my friend, and we could occasionally have lunch together. It shocked me to find that she had moved from Tennessee, and that I was partly to blame for it.

She started blocking my texts at some point, and I didn't know it. We were together for twenty years and I still considered her one of my few friends here.

So, it's alright. I figured she got tired of sleeping on her daughters couch, babysitting her beautiful grandkids, and fed up with me sending posts about my life to her phone all the time.

She probably moved back to the Seattle area, with a sister, brother, a son and grandkids. I'm happy for her! I hope she has landed well, and is doing great.

As for me still being in love with her, that's over. I still care for her because she was my decades long lover, now she is just a friend who has moved on.

I always maintain that I don't hate anyone, and Steph is not anyway near that category. I love her as a friend, and wish her the very best!

Goodby Steph!

DC Days
( 1742 of 2167 )

I mossied up to the Park today for the David Crockett Days event. Crafts people from all over the South come here to sell their handcrafted items. It's a fun event, the products are amazing and the folks are real nice.

I bought me a smokin pipe from Mark Stencll, to replace the one I bought last year from him. The old one had little legs coming out from the side that kept the pipe upright, but they broke off when it fell off my table.

Mark and I hit it off as he sat in his chair watching folks mosey thru his cool stuff. He's got a farm down in Georgia, been creating unique ceramics for decades, married to his wife Linda for forty years.

Here's Mark:

Here's his pipe table, looking awful thin, seems like business is doing well:

Here's his latest design, which I bought for ten bucks, and has a flat surface on the bottom that holds the pipe upright, when you set it down.

Animal furs were a big item here, but I would never own one:

There was a lot of cool stuff here, and I admire and respect the craftsmanship these folks create:

But in the end, it's all about the experience:

Some More
( 1743 of 2167 )

I cleaned up my desktop this morning and I ran across shots that hadn't made the blog, so here they are:

What A Fool
( 1744 of 2167 )

My shoulder gets a little less painful every day, actually had a great nights sleep last night. Eating chicken fried rice for the third day in a row.

I've removed the Text app finally from my system. I absolutely have to stop texting post links out, I'm losing friends and a lover over this shit.

Been waiting for a buddy to hook me up with a little smoke. The shit ain't good for me but it brightens my life, and I need all the brightening I can get.

Summer is winding down and I would love to get a road trip in before the dreaded end of the year events start happening. It still hurts to use the stick shift, so that would have to improve.

Riley suggested I get my trucks transmission and rear end flushed, along with new spark plugs. Getting that done at Auto Tech next Wednesday.

I realize that the recent family visit is what has been keeping me going. Now that it's happened, I don't have anything to look forward to. It was a wonderful bonding event and I loved it. Now...

Ok, I'm just depressed and rambling, but it is what it is. It keeps me somewhat sane to get it out. If anyone reads this far, thanks for giving a shit. But I swear to god, I will never send out a post notification again. I think that's how I lost the woman I loved. What a fool I am.

Wastin
( 1745 of 2167 )

Wastin away in vodkavilla again, searchin for my lost esteem again. Some people say there's a woman or two to blame, but I know it's my own fucking fault.

If you live like an idiot and do stupid shit, you can't keep a woman. Assuming keeping a woman in your life is important. Maybe it's not!

Maybe some men are destined to die alone. Is being with one woman your whole life the end game? I've had many serious relationships in my long life, loved them all, cried when it ended, then moved on.

So here I am, a seventy seven year old drunk living on a dead end street in a Southern Tennessee hick town, alone. How ironic is that. I have had relationships that rocked the world, in amazing places, that were to die for.

And they have all drifted into dust...

I think it's appropriate that I have landed as I have. I deserve this landing. Daniel says I need to quit pissing and moaning, and he's right!

So, my final statement to this life is, thank you for letting me live it. I have no regrets anymore about anything I've done.

Let these words be my...

Hard Rock
( 1746 of 2167 )

My shoulder is hurting bad and starting to stiffen up. Driving the stick in my truck is getting tough. I'm thinking about having my right arm removed at the shoulder, but I would have to trade the truck in for an automatic and that ain't going to happen.

I was riding around with Daniel this morning as he was buying stuff to make some stuffed smoked bologna. He was looking in vain for some thin wall PVC pipe yesterday, to cut the middle out of the bologna, so he can stuff cheese and other things in it, then smoke it for eight hours. He bought a stainless steel pipe off Amazon.

When we got back, the hot mail lady had set a large orange envelope up against my door. It was addressed to Shelby at my address, from the condo we stayed at last week. Oh shit, I thought they were sending legal documents trying to recover damages for the drywall holes that my body made.

Turned out to be the slick photo thing we had done at the Hard Rock Cafe, we obviously left it behind.

A Sign
( 1747 of 2167 )

I never got that smoke. Daniel rolled his eyes and said "Thank God". He doesn't like the old hippy side of me, but I saw a report on Fox that said many Seniors are turning to THC for pain management. And having more fun at Bingo.

Looks like that Florida hurricane is going to send stuff our way. My truck is going to be road ready by Thursday. Who knows what the hell I'm going to do next.

Whatever it is, I can't sit around this house anymore drowning in my own bullshit. Because one day I won't be able to find air, and it's all over.

Daniel's in a lot of pain from that foot surgery. After we got back from town he grabbed a FireBall at the store and knocked himself out. When I'm on smoke and he's on that, it's quite comical really. We got back at 1030 and it's 1400 now, haven't seen him since.

He's playing taxi for me tomorrow as I leave my truck at Auto Tech for the day. I'm buying him breakfast at the square in return. Maybe I should go over and wake his ass up...

Old Photos
( 1748 of 2167 )

I was looking through my tech drawer to find something to hold the Hard Rock photo up against my teddy bear, and I ran across a slim little hard drive with old photos and video.

I found some great stuff on there, and here's a few:

Me alone in the Driggs house staring into the mirror.

Our log home in Driggs, ID.

Shelby when she visited her fallen Blue Angel memorial.

The Grand Teton Mountians, Idaho side.

Lyla making a mess.

Shelby at age ten down in Oakdale, CA.

Steph on a snow machine.

Emma KoK
( 1749 of 2167 )

Just in case you haven't watched this amazing 15 year old singer, please do.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Alabama Ladies
( 1750 of 2167 )

Elizabeth contacted me last night and asked if I could pull a tubing shift today. She was in a bind and I said sure.

It was a fun day! It was just Elizabeth, Nathan my tube handler, and me. We had one reserved group of ladies up from Alabama, and they were a lot of fun.

They wanted to know if we served cocktails, and I said sure, then pointed out my house as we neared the drop and told them cocktails served there. They said "Yay, party at his house!" I wish...

I gave them the special treatment and walked them down to the creek, where I took pictures for them, and a couple for me.

Pulling a short shift tomorrow, the following two days are covered, and this season is a wrap.

Pet Karma
( 1751 of 2167 )

I was at the Wishy Washy doin my clothes for a trip, the other day. There were a couple of dogs tied up on the property in the back, very sad. Why have animals when you relegate their lives to being tied up in the back yard?

I made friends with the dog, and then bought crackers with some stuffing from the dispenser. I walked back and began tossing crackers to him, pretty soon he was catching them in his mouth.

Then I heard some howling from the left and realized there was another dog, tied up. While I waited for my laundry, I fed them both.

Today I was bopping around Huntsville, AL when I got a call from my young friend Hudson. His sister had a dog emergency and wanted to know if he could hook her dog up to the setup I used for the lost dog Jack a while back. Which was a rope tied to the bird feeder line.

I said sure, gave him the code to get in my house to get the rope, and told him to advise Daniel of his intentions.

I got back to the house at 0200 and found the big ol dog stuck under my canopy with the rope wrapped around a pole.

I didn't know if this was an indoor or outdoor dog, but I untangled her and brought her inside, as I brought myself inside from the trip.

She ran around, jumped on my bed, which I pulled her off from, and eventually pissed all over my office floor. Ahhh, she's outside now...

I don't think my pet karma is good anymore, and I will probably die without one.

Update: This whole thing wasn't working so I had Hudson come over and grab her. Her name is Sissie, she is an ouside dog, and she spent the night here...

Sinking In
( 1752 of 2167 )

The leaves are starting to fall, slowly. The seasons are approaching, once again. Another, just like the last ones. Depression is sinking in, rapidly.

Jimmy
( 1753 of 2167 )

Thinking about Jimmy Buffett dying from skin cancer, that turned into lymphoma. He was a year younger than me, I loved the guy, and often wonder if that's the way I'm going to go out.

I told tubing manager Elizabeth my infamous tan story last Friday. It was back in the late seventies, I was making a ton of money and took a month off one Summer.

I spent two weeks in Hawaii, working on my tan, then I flew to Acapulco and tanned for another two weeks. As I walked across the tarmac to board the plane home, I was pulled off the line by security.

They wanted to know why I looked like a dark skinned Mexican, but had an American last name! I eventually made the plane.

I've had three skin cancers removed since I've been here in Tennessee, and a few before. You never know if one of them will metastasize...

Redneck Smokin
( 1754 of 2167 )

Daniel just cooked up some Smoked Stuffed Bologna on his smoker up at his wife's house. I was running around with him the other day as he was trying to find a 24 inch stick of bologna along with a tube to cut the middle out.

He settled for a few five pound sticks and bought a two inch by three foot stainless steel pipe, food grade safe, from Amazon and cored the middle out of them.

Then he scored them and rubbed them down with yellow mustard and Dano's green top original seasoning.

Scoring them allows the mustard binding agent to get down into the smoke ring, followed by the seasoning. Then let them cook until they get dark, about four hours.

The stuffing consists of pepper jack cheese, cream cheese, fresh cilantro, fresh chives, one fresh jalapeno pepper with seeds removed, and bacon bits.

He cut me off a slice which I'm waiting to eat tommorrow, can't wait!

I'm going to fry it up slowly in a pan with butter, toast a couple slices of bread, along with two eggs in my airfryer, put mayo on the bread and make a sandwich out of everything.

Bandwidth
( 1755 of 2167 )

Internet bandwidth is a fixed entity, you get what you got. Today I brought my Garmin GPS into the house for software and map updates, it's been a while...

I fired up my mainframe in the back, hooked the GPS up and started the updates. It was downloading at a good rate, said it would take a couple of hours, so I decided to jump back into a sappy Prime movie called Barefoot.

Boom, the download speed started dropping rapidly, my Roku was sucking up most of it, so I turned it off. Two hours had turned to five. It has now gradually climbed back up to 2MB/s and time remaining is at an hour.

The moral of this story is that streaming movies is a big time bandwidth sucker!

Wow, it just jumped up and there's 18 minutes left, I may be able to get back into that movie shortly!

Fried Bologna
( 1756 of 2167 )

I think back on all the love I have squandered, and now I'm way over the hill. That opportunity is gone, and it's a sad reality to face. So, it's time to cook a fried stuffed bologna sandwich and make it through Labor Day alone.

Update: I drove by the shop today and saw they were slammed, so I jumped into the yellow bus to do a tube drop, and picked up some folks at the pickup spot. This is the last day of the season for Crockett Shoals Tubing and it was fun to be their backup driver!

The Other Side
( 1757 of 2167 )

Ya know, the only thing that keeps me living, is the trauma that my not living would cause to the few people I love. They would have to come here and dispose of my remains, disperse the remaining crap I have in my life, and it would totally disrupt their lives.

That's why I live, to avoid all that happening as long as possible. A hell of a reason to keep on ticking, but there it is.

I have pulled over for many long funeral processions here in the South. To have that many people care about you, and loved you, and honored your passing, is amazing.

So I guess your life is defined by how many folks would actually care that you're gone! My count is just a few, and that don't warrant a procession, hell, that doesn't even warrant a funeral.

I remember when I came down from Seattle to my mom's funeral in the Bay Area. My sister was handling everything and asked if I wanted mom's stuff. I was barely staying alive up there and told her no. I don't know where it ended up.

I guess I feel the same way about my stuff now. I have a Will that designates my belongings to certain people, but if it disrupts your life in the slightest, please don't come! Stuff is stuff and it will be cleaned out of my little house somehow, life goes on, and my landlord will find another renter.

I will be cremated, hopefully from whatever stash I have. Or I could end up in the paupers cemetery here in town, that would be cool! I would love that actually, it's a great little place I drive by all the time.

God it's tough planning your passing. I want it to be as painless as possible to the few people in my life. That's all I ask for.

I have lived the life I've lived and I take full responsibility for it. Send me some flowers and I will see you on the other side!

Whenever you find the one, devote your life to them! Or you will end up at the bottom, like me...

Survive
( 1758 of 2167 )

When I reached retirement age, I really had no hope of getting on Social Security. I had a major run in with the IRS back in Washington State, from past sins of the late seventies. I figured me and the Government were at odds for good.

Steph convinced me to apply anyway, so I did, and got it. I owe her for that. If I didn't have that money coming in every month (currently at $1,391), I would have blown through my savings and been on the street long before now.

The IRS grabbed an amount off my first check back there in Idaho, but they changed their mind, and have grabbed nothing since. I ended up in this magical state where I don't file taxes on anything I bring in. Sometimes it pays to be old.

So I can live off of SS, until I'm gone. If I did nothing other than survive, like pay my rent, pay for utilities and services, and buy food and gas, I could make it.

Anything above that, like travel and toys, comes out of my fixed stash, which will eventually run out.

You know, I piss and moan about my life, but I really am lucky. I answer to nobody but myself. I can do whatever the fuck I want to do, whenever I fucking want to do it. How many of you can say the same?

So I'll keep on going until I can't, drive my stash down to nothing, and then just survive...

Right Arm
( 1759 of 2167 )

The x-ray of my right shoulder showed no fractures from that fall down two flights of stairs. Just a lot of arthritis. I've been waiting for the pain to subside but it has spread down through my entire right arm.

I'm right-handed and I need that arm! I drive a shift stick, I move a mouse! If it goes South on me, here in the South, I'm done. The clinic said take Ibuprofin and it should get better. Umhuh... I am taking it and it dulls the pain for a while, until it doesn't.

I'm thinking about stopping all meds, like the two I take for Parkinson's, then just sit back and see what happens. I'll stock up on vodka, lock my front door and hunker down in my man cave. Pissin and moanin online all the way to the paupers cemetery!

This is Stephs beautiful grandaughter Lyla a few years ago up in Summertown. I lost them too.

The Old Guy
( 1760 of 2167 )

There once was an old guy that followed his lover from the Idaho mountains to her daughters family in the deep South of Tennessee.

He thought he had a chance of establishing a family connection with them, and for a while it was working out.

One day he did a kind thing, but it turned out to be the end of everything there. His lady's grandson was out of work so he got him a job as a tube handler at the place he worked and loaned him a hundred bucks.

He had known this seventeen year old boy since he was a baby back in Washington, and loved him like a son.

The job situation got messed up, which pissed off the boys mom, and suddenly the old guy was out of the family. His relationship with them died, and his lover gradually faded away, gone from Tennessee without him knowing.

Sadly, he had fallen in love with her two young grand-daughters, and it broke his heart. They went on to grow up and get into sports and he would have loved to have been there, taking photos and bragging about them on his blog.

He's still living there, still heart broken, and just a sad lonely old guy.

911 Story
( 1761 of 2167 )

The flag inside a triangular wooden frame that hangs on my wall, has a story.

It was given to me at my World War One Veteran grandfather's funeral in Sacramento, CA. I'm not sure why they gave it to me, or how I managed to keep it, as my crazy life evolved in the late sixties.

But I did. It's a huge flag and a neighbor of mine and I in Kent, WA held it up to the evening traffic coming up the hill on September 11. That was a special moment, I was a para-transit supervisor, it had been a horrible day and many of my drivers had bailed mid-route. I got home and we held that flag out high!

Then I folded it up respectfully and held on to it. Years later, I bought a frame for it and Steph figured out how to mount it.

She did an amazing job and now it hangs on my wall, proudly!

As 9/11 approaches, this is the story.

Hey Dude
( 1762 of 2167 )

I just received a pair of shoes from Amazon called Hey Dude. They're really light weight, memory foam insole, cost $40.

I'm impressed! Usually I kick my shoes off when I come into the house and put on my slippers. I put these things on when they arrived this morning, with a pair of low cut socks, and haven't taken them off yet.

They're kind of like gloves for your feet.

22 Years Ago
( 1763 of 2167 )

I've been thinking a lot about 22 years ago today. I was 55 and I had driven my Paratransit Supervisor Van up to my South of Seattle apartment for an early morning break.

I turned on the TV and watched both planes crash into the WTC towers, then watched them collapse. I immediately went back into the field.

I was the only Sup on duty that morning with about fifty routes running around the South County, and they were quickly falling apart. Drivers were calling me on the radio saying they were too distraught to continue. A bunch of them were sobbing.

I contacted my boss and he gave me approval to bring them in, if they needed to. One driver, who had friends working in Manhattan, couldn't even drive the bus back, I had to go get her.

We ended up bringing the day to an early close, people needed to go home and process what had happened.

I mentioned in an earlier post about holding up my grandfathers giant flag to traffic coming up the hill that afternoon, but I didn't mention that I didn't even know the guy holding up the other end. And we stood there for an hour...

Be Real
( 1764 of 2167 )

I lived in Southern CA, Albuquerque NM, Salt Lake City UT, Floriston CA, Ivanhoe CA, Visalia CA, and Paradise CA by the time I was a Junior in High School. I didn't make many friends up to that point.

At Paradise High, I was an odd ball. Kind of an outcast socially, but I had developed musical and athletic skills along the way, which I applied for some reason, to High School.

I played first trumpet, I sang, I set three track records, I played all-star first base. I got kicked off wrestling for aggressiveness. I was rebellious and confused about life.

I dropped out of High School in my late Senior Year when an English teacher gave me an F on an oral book report that I gave to my class. I had written it from scratch, presented it well, and she accused me of plagiarizing it.

I discovered later that I was really smart. Thank god, because I wouldn't have made it this far. I spent the first years as a young rebellious hippy kid, hitching Route 66 back and forth across America, landing back in the Haight Ashbury.

Then I had the opportunity to apply my smartness, at Merritt College in Oakland CA, and I took it.

So here I sit, a formally really smart seventy seven year old man! I have no interest in coding, music, athletics or anything smart. I just want to live, take photos along the way, and be real.

DAM Problem
( 1765 of 2167 )

I would define my once brilliant mind as cognitively declined and declining. One can only subject themselves to so much substance abuse, without consequences. That's the problem with being alone, there's no motivation and no motivating.

To sum it up: Declining motivation fuels substance abuse which causes cognitive decline.

I call it the DAM problem, Declination = Abuse - Motivation. There is medication for this, called Fentanyl. It's powerful stuff and it doesn't take much to fix the problem.

I just made myself a drink and set it on my table. Then I thought I needed to hit the bathroom so I stuck the drink in my refrigerator then closed and locked the front door.

Then, a bikini beach walk video on my big TV screen caught my declined mind for a couple of minutes. Then I opened the door, wondering why it was closed, and started walking around the house looking for my drink, wondering if I had actually made one?

Just a moment in the life of old man Bob...

Go For It
( 1766 of 2167 )

I do remember the pivotal moment clearly. I was standing at the end of the hall, between our two bedrooms at our home in the Idaho mountains.

Steph and I were packed up and ready to move on from there. She was heading to Tennessee to be with her daughter, I was considering several destinations, somewhere in the South West, start a new life! Steph and I were pointed in different directions.

Finally she said, in that hallway, You need to decide!, and I told her I would follow her to Tennessee. I could have gone anywhere with a small U-Haul towing my truck! But I chose here...

I drove all of our trimmed down possessions in a mid-sized U-Haul to Summertown, TN, unloaded her stuff to a storage locker and my stuff to this house. Then I took a fucking Greyhound bus back to Idaho. Then Steph and I with our cat Piper drove back here to Tennessee. It was a fun road trip actually.

I can't say it was a mistake coming here, since I've had some amazing times, but my relationship with Steph and her family was off from the moment we arrived. It finally dissolved into sadly, nothing...

I've dwelled on this topic before, about how a single decision can impact your life and your future. I don't believe in the concept of fate driving us to our destiny, instead, we are behind the wheel.

I started this blog within a week of arriving here. Got me some Internet, bought the OldManJim domain name, then installed the Joomla! platform as it's base. My previous blog was a WordPress, with comments, and I wanted something new. You notice this blog does not allow comments, a decision I'm very glad I made.

Who knows if the same domain name would have been grabbed in Arizona? I guess the decision to come here was good, meant to be! Oh wait, that's called fate...

We need to realize the possibilities, and the possible disasters, of every important move we make.

Then take responsibility for the decision, and just go for it!

All You Need
( 1767 of 2167 )

All you really need these days is a good solid connection to the Net, a decent Pipe, and Protection.

Install a top tier VPN and change your Name Servers to point to CloudFlare's DNS servers (1.1.1.1) for Protection.

For the Pipe, have one that will stand up straight, and present those goodies with style! (a triple entendre, btw...)

I have seen our Internet world from it's infancy. I hooked up three new items called modems for San Francisco based Interocean Steamship, to communicate shipping data with their subsidiaries in Long Beach and Seattle.

This was two years before the IBM PC came out in 1981!

Truth
( 1768 of 2167 )

My neighbor Daniel is finally back to work after foot surgery. I miss his morning visits but now it's late afternoon before he ends his job with the School District as the head Maintenance Guy.

He has to be cautious approaching my door, down the path. Not knowing what he's facing, he's a bit on edge. It's tough having an old cantankerous friend next door!

I love my friend Daniel. It's been five years now that I have been fortunate to have him as a friend. He is also the weapons guy on the block, squared.

Speaking of relationships, Daniel asked me last night if my current State had to do with Steph and I said maybe...

Jail Bird
( 1769 of 2167 )

It's been an interesting day in Southern Tennessee. I fed my ducks at 0815 and we're perfecting the two handed technique, where I feed two ducks at a time from each of my hands. The two shy ducks hang behind, and I throw seed back to them during the frenzy.

Then I came home and watched NetFlix. A friend of mine texted me, saying he was trying to bail his woman out of jail for being unable to pay child support, and he wanted to borrow some money.

I called my bail bondsman and he said he doesn't take child support cases. You are basically just paying the support amount. He remembered me, he and his Philippine wife came by my house one evening.

I wasn't comfortable with the amount of money, and I turned my friend down. No matter the friendship, I can't be a bank. Then he found a way to gather most of the money, and was $250 short. I can handle that, and his woman should be free by this evening.

Then I went to the Park and hung out at shelter seven. There were a couple of friends there and we swapped stories about helping people out around here.

I stopped by the tobacco store for ice, plopped a five in front of Annie, and she smiled and gave me three back. Ice is $2.14 but I always pay $2.25, so over the last five years I've built up credit.

It's not even 1400 and I expect to get a hug from our little jailbird, when they drop by later...

Old Coin
( 1770 of 2167 )

I told a friend today that I wished I had a coin older than me, as he scrounged thru my laundry Quarters. All of a sudden he stood up, pulled out his stuffed wallet, and presented me with a Buffalo Indian Nickel with a 1929 date, and it's way older than me.

It was the oldest coin he owned, he carried it in his wallet, and now it belongs to me. As soon as I grab a photo, it's going into my wallet.

Hopefully my son Riley will carry the coin when I'm gone.

Beryl
( 1771 of 2167 )

I met Beryl at one of my IBM Sys-3 accounts in Monterey, CA, in the seventies. We had dinner in town, then hung out in my large enclosed hotel hot tub, drinking and smoking until they kicked us out. We consumed the obligatory sex thing that night and there was no chemistry.

We never tried that again and became lifelong friends. She would rent big beautiful homes up in Carmel Valley, a very hip and cool place, with the Carmel by the Sea beach lifestyle twenty miles down the road.

She would get roommates to split the rent. When I was down there for business, I would stay with them in the current place. She also had a teenage daughter named Judy.

Carmel Valley was an experimental pot growing community. Many farms were scattered all over the back woods, learning how to grow bud without seeds, by killing the males.

One night Beryl threw a growers party at our house. Best party I've ever been to in my life. About forty growers showed up with their partners, all packing their crop, rolled up into giant joints. Show off and check out the competition, Willie would have been in heaven, probably would have played...

One grower left a bag of leaf from his crop at the house. Thanksgiving was upon us and as we prepared the turkey for her family and friends, I suggested putting the leaf in the stuffing.

The leaf still had a lot of THC in it, and the guy just gave it to us if we needed something to puff on. Beryl, for some strange reason, said sure, and we mixed it up into the stuffing.

I could very easily pull a TikToc here and say Wait for part two, but that ain't my style.

Judy got a new video game that she was playing on the TV after dinner, surrounded by the guests. There came a magical (possibly criminal) moment when I looked around the room and realized everyone was really stoned.

We never copped to it, nobody knew why turkey dinner at our house put them in the zone. Everyone made it home safely.

I recently talked to Beryl back in Idaho, she was a happy grand-mother living in Hawaii!

I think this is a grand-daughter:

Writing
( 1772 of 2167 )

I just realized that I write, like I like to read. I skip over a ton of content on the net because I don't like the style.

I love a writing that states a fact or position right away, dives down into it creativly, then carrys it to a smashing conclusion.

Talk real, inform me, be provocative and make me want to read more!

New Exercise
( 1773 of 2167 )

I was walking down a trendy Miami street called Ocean Drive this morning. It was wide and on the beach. There was a sidewalk opposite the beach with outside seating restaurants and a steady crowd of people flowing in all directions.

It was mesmerizing as it streamed in 4K from the big TV screen while I stood directly in front of it. My surround sound system was rocking and it felt like I was right there.

The footage was smooth, probably shot from a gimbal based camera, held in front of them while they walked. As people approached I found my body shifting to avoid a collision.

So I have a new exercise! Swaying left and right to avoid pixels pretending to be people.

G Stripe
( 1774 of 2167 )

A bright green stripe has appeared on my phone screen, from top to bottom. Or bottom to top, depending on which way you swipe.

This phone is five years old and I'm expecting possible battery issues, but not a display problem. I wonder if Samsung added a snippet of code to start a screen falling apart after five years. They want to sell me a new phone!

Is there an agency that monitors Android code for these big players? I'll bet not. Companies like Samsung and Apple have proprietory code bases that could contain anything.

Code can operate the electronics down to a binary level. What if code was included to go online after five years, and start extracting random phone issues from a company database.

And them implement these issues in a random manner. Self destruction of a solidly built computer, to get you to buy a new one, in a way that is untraceable. They don't want your phone to last!

Archived
( 1775 of 2167 )

The five year mark for this blog was met last month. Every memorable event and most of my daily ramblings (some trashed) are here. My previous blog back in Idaho covered more years than this one.

The truth is, the blogs exist for my benefit really. No one probably cares what I did on a particular summer day three years ago. They might have at the moment, but now it's archived.

I don't know why I feel compelled to write about my life, take pictures of it and then plaster it out to the Internet. It's what social media addicts do using Facebook etc...

Maybe I'm looking for recognition, where I need to keep people interested in what I have to say, otherwise I become irrelevant.

Or is it because I want to transform memories into words and images before they fade and die within the confines of my abused mind.

It's probably both.

btw: I have my Post notification issues under control, thank you. Only my boy Riley and grand-daughter Shelby receive Texts with a link to each new Post. On occasion, if a Post relates to one my very few friends, I'll send it to them.

Rabbit Hole
( 1776 of 2167 )

I was listening to a song called We Can Learn To Love Again which pretty much sums up the concept, but at seventy seven, I don't buy it. Hell I can barely make male friends, much less find a lady to hang out with.

Nobody is going to hook up with my sorry old ass in this small house in this small town.

The only woman I had any feelings left for, skipped town without telling me, and blocked my phone. We've since talked via email and it sounds like she's landed OK. She still won't tell me what happened or where she is, but she appeared happy and content.

There is not another man involved, she is not in Washington State, and she is still connected to her grandkids, somehow.

So, I'm giving up on the Steph thing! I totally accept that I will never see her or her family again. It's time to move on, down the rabbit hole of life...

Seafood Lunch
( 1777 of 2167 )

I discovered a cool thing on my Samsung Android phone. I use the voice command "Hey Google" all the time for finding places and web sites. Today I wondered if it could send a Text to somebody in my Contacts list by just asking it to.

Maybe everybody knows this already, but it was a pleasant surprise to have it work! I asked Google to send a message to Daniel. She said "Got it, what's the message?" I said "and the potatoes were amazing". She generates it, reads it back to me and then asks if I'm ready to send it.

There's a Cancel and a Send button that you then have to Press, but it's a great trick to know. My hands were all greasy from opening shrimp and crayfish shells.

Daniel and his wife Jennifer were partying down in Huntsville, AL this weekend with her company, and they ate a lot of seafood. Today they were trying to finish off a big foil pan of leftovers, they couldn't, so they gave it to me.

Seafood lunch!

Painful
( 1778 of 2167 )

I had a great time with family up in Nashville last month, but life has been on a steady decline ever since. Painful seems to be the dominant word to describe it.

The pain in my right arm has not declined and I just manage it now. Knowing I will die alone, lost love, lost friends, lost faith, pains my old heart.

Accepting the fact that I'm not capable of changing any of that, is the heaviest pain of all. And, like my arm, I just manage it.

As it stands right now, my faith in humanity, friendship and love is teetering on the brink, and I don't know where I'll land when I fall over it!

Filters Off
( 1779 of 2167 )

It's a beautiful 72 degree lunch hour in the Park, and Fall's almost here, once again. The trees are shedding their leaves slowly and on time, while the Sun lays lower on the land.

This is a pain free zone for me (unless I stretch my arm). Parked at Shelter Six as the disabled folks and their clients have Seven. Sitting in my truck, pain still neutralized, master of my own direction and destination, wondering what happens next...

Telling myself to be real, speak honestly, and turn my fucking filters off!

The Couchs
( 1780 of 2167 )

Back when I was driving the Paratransit Bus at the base of the Grand Tetons, Idaho side, I started transporting a young man named Charley. A very handsome kid, always with a big smile on his face, and he was non-verbal.

His parents were Wallace and Abby Couch, an attractive and smart young couple from Tennessee. They bought a great spread down near Tetonia, and were working it. Wallace was a Civil Engineer and Abby had some mysterious professional remote job. Charley had two younger brothers.

They had a long circular driveway off a dirt road out in the sticks of nowhere. Since our elevation was 6500 feet at the base of a ski resort, it used to snow a lot.

Getting from the main highway to their place in the snow was tough, going down that driveway was brutal. One frozen afternoon I was trying to drop Charley off and got stuck near the entrance. They saw me and came out to my bus, Abby got Charley, but Wallace had a bottle of good whiskey in his hand and invited me in for drinks.

I had to decline, sadly, for many reasons, but my main responsibility was to unstuck that bus and get back to base. Always regretted not getting to know them in off time, they were great.

I got Abbys email address somehow a few years back and we stayed in touch. I just got one today, it's been a couple of years, and she mentioned she had quit her job and Wallace was picking up contract work to make ends meet.

Why would a vibrant smart lovely woman in her prime, mid to late thirties, quit her job? It could be illness (god I hope not), pregnancy (ahh, I doubt it) or just to be with her family (I hope so).

They also have an invite to drop down here to see me if they ever get home to see mom and dad.

Wish Me Luck
( 1781 of 2167 )

I was watching Colorado coach Deion Sanders in an interview. I'm almost pretty sure I think these words come out of his mouth: It is what it is, it was what it was, it is what it was, and was what it is.

I discovered that I do a good rap version of this phrase, in Deion's style. maybe I'll do a video one day.

We have a nice stretch of weather coming up. A normal guy in my condition would consider a day trip to Chattanooga, followed by a meal at Chai Pani in Asheville, NC. Straight shot back on Friday, make the County Fair on Saturday.

Sleep in my truck at Chattanooga, get a nice downtown hotel in Asheville.

Wish me luck getting off my old sore depressed ass!

Not In Jail
( 1782 of 2167 )

I've already changed my road trip itinerary to, drive straight to Asheville, NC. I've found a cheap little motel for $69 plus tax next to a Red Lobster with a bar inside.

It's within a couple of miles of downtown Asheville, NC, where my Indian restaurant is.

Here's the plan, have breakfast at the Square at 0700. My bags will be packed in my truck and my house will be shut down. Hit my bank and grab some cash.

The route directly to Asheville is 371.88 miles long and takes 5 hours 51 minutes, running Northeast of Nashville. If I gas up after breakfast I should be there around 1400.

Check into the motel then drive to the Indian restaurant and fulfill a goal. After which, I will drive back to the motel, park my truck, and write a blog post.

Then try out the lobster appetizers at the bar.

If anyone would like to sit in my passenger seat for a few days, let me know quickly and I'll work out a different hotel. As it stands, I don't give a flying fuck where I crash for the night, as long as it's not in jail.

Something
( 1783 of 2167 )

I woke up this morning at 0500, planted my feet wobbly on the floor, and mumbled road trip. As I sipped my hot lemon drink I realized that I needed to shutdown this laptop and put it and all connectors into the back area of my old extended cab pickup truck.

Then ready my travel bag, gather up my beds top sheet and blanket, put them in the back of my truck. Swing by the bank and get some travel cash, breakfast on the Square, gas at Krogers.

Then drive five and a half hours to North Carolina to eat Indian food.

I was weighing the options on my laptop (Chai Pani is also in Decatur, GA), while watching a sappy movie I rented on Prime as 0700 approached. I wasn't packed, hell, I wasn't even dressed!

Still in my robe and a little sleepy, I laid down on my bed for a bit, until the phone rang. My first guess was friend and I was right. I knew he was off Wednesday.

He was headed to Square Forty to storm in over my breakfast and wish me well on the road trip. Instead, he came over here and got me stoned at 0806 in the morning.

I remember looking at my watch and knowing that I wasn't going anywhere today. As the minute hand rolled around the South end of 0800 heading North, I was making my first drink of the day.

Friend and I hung out and had fun for about an hour. I watched YouTube beach walking videos on the big screen while he scrolled through his phone.

So here I am now at 1000, friend is gone and I'm writing this pathetic post instead of doing, something...

Insert song: Poor Poor Pitiful Me.

Say Hello
( 1784 of 2167 )

Why am I still here? What do I still have to offer this existence called Life?

I offer a place for friends to drop by, I write stupid words on an old mans blog. I forgive people their weakness, because I have my own.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the hell out of life, I just keep having to ask the question, why?

Being retired and having the freedom to go anywhere I want to is cool, until I can't, because:

 • My body isn't working right, I walk like I'm drunk, sometimes I am. My right arm hurts.

 • Addictions have their hold on me.

 • I'm not motivated, my one self has not been able to produce any motivation, sadly.

Wishing my passenger seat was filled with a vivacious woman. I've been lucky to have Shelby and Mystery Woman ride shotgun with me recently, now it's empty.

The initial question was, why am I still here? I'm here because I was meant to be, to look you in the eyes through this screen with my words, and say hello.

Empty Space
( 1785 of 2167 )

A while back, my boy Riley's wife Jessica found his biological father, who had died. But he left behind a great large family, and the kids are now family with them.

Riley's oldest aunt and her daughter, his cousin, visited them at their home in Washington state. These two awesome women represent his new family. No more empty space with his real father.

The family resemblance is amazing!

Invited
( 1786 of 2167 )

Some may wonder how I feel about Riley's new family. Raising him knowing I was not his biological father was an honor, an adventure, and some of the finest years I have spent alive.

I held him in my arms at the hospital, straight from a c-section on his mom. I fell in love with him and did everything I could to remain in his life, and I pulled it off!

Now he gets to meet a family he may of dreamed of. Real blood relatives of his father, a very dashing man that went by JP.

They live in Indiana and plans are underway about getting together for a big family reunion in Auburn, CA.

I just talked to Riley and I mentioned that I have a connection with Auburn CA, my grand mothers sister lived there, and I've been there many times.

btw: I'm invited!

Chicken Dumplings
( 1787 of 2167 )

Daniel mentioned chicken and dumplings to me and the memory of my mom making my favorite dinner when I was a kid, flashed into my mangled mind. It was an amazing dish with big round two inch dumplings, big chicken pieces, and the classic sauce to die for.

I've only found two options for chicken and dumplings in this area. Striker's serves it once a week on Thursday at their early lunch, or I could drive down to Florence, AL to a Cracker Barrel.

Yea me, the cool old guy who was going to road trip hundreds of miles for an Indian meal, is considering driving 80 miles round trip for chicken and dumplings.

I like Florence Alabama. It's the big city next to me, where I go when small towns don't cut it. I love crossing the Dam and hanging out along the Tennessee river. Weather forecast is for 84.

The problem is, the chicken and dumplings at both locations look like shit. This may be the South but they fail on this one! Here's the Cracker Barrel version:

Lame! It looks like a TV dinner. Thanks guys, you saved me a trip.

I found an image of the Strikers plate, (and lost it) but it looked similar, in a bowl with flat dumplings. The South does not know how to make Chicken and Dumplings!

This is what I'm talking about, only with a bigger bowl and lots of chicken.

Hair Grow
( 1788 of 2167 )

Went to the Fair today, alone. Parked next to Legends Express to give some business to the locals. It's $10 outside or in. I tried to get in at the children rate, ended up paying another $10.

I walked around and shot a few photos with my Sony. I forgot my DJI video shooter and phone in my truck. I didn't last long at the Fair.

On the way out I passed my young buddy Hudson who had an entourage of cute teenage girls on his tail, I guess that long hair pays off!

So, back home, thinking about letting my hair grow out...

Live The Life
( 1789 of 2167 )

I have a few people that love me, not many. There is nobody In Love with me and nobody I'm In Love with. I miss that emotion terribly, and I'm too old and too far gone to do anything about it.

I really miss young kids in my life. I sat with a little guy at Lake Lindsey the other day and I got the ducks to eat from his hand. His dad was standing way back with his fishing pole in hand, letting his son experience it.

I miss the great-grandkids I will probably never meet.

I fell in love with Steph's grand-daughters, Lily and Lyla, up the road in Summertown. That relationship fell apart and they're all grown up now...

I made a loving connection with the amazing R E Ella last month, my flaming red haired two year old grand-daughter, who lives in Washington State.

I bonded with the sweet baby girl Shelby tried to adopt. It hurt me hard when she lost her to the system. Prudence was her sisters daughter.

I love spending time with my nine year old friend Madeline, looking forward to it in a week or so, but I'm talking about having little kids around you all the time.

It's a wonderful energy and I understand why Steph chose to live the life she did.

On The Floor
( 1790 of 2167 )

I like to eat dinner around 1530, but sometimes I'm so far gone, I forget to eat. I've got one TV dinner in my freezer, a Swedish meatball thing. Hopefully I remember it.

I've got weird skin issues going on, open sores breaking out, certainly wouldn't attract a woman. That's done.

Watching the Titans getting their ass kicked by the Browns, when Daniel comes over and says there is a Pickle Ball game on channel 32. I don't get channel 32 so I'm stuck with Titans losing football.

I can't believe another week has gone by. Nothing has changed with my lifestyle, and it's apparent that nothing will. When nothing changes you fall into survival mode.

But what if your survival skills suck? I'm not taking care of myself, motivation is shot and sometimes I just want to lay down on the floor and say fuck it...

Final Post
( 1791 of 2167 )

Living life on the floor and having said Fuck It is interesting. I'm near my front door so I can watch my bird feeder. I saw this cute little bird hanging upside down from the wire, waiting for the beautiful red bird to finish eating, then he swooped on down.

Birds and squirrels and chipmunks all get along on my front porch. They respect each other, no squabbles, and the human species should be embarrassed.

I have a pretty good setup here on the floor. Vodka, water and ice are within reach. No food, but that's good, limit the amount of shit I will eventually be laying in. I have my TV clicker here so I can watch it until I can't.

My 77 years of life is replaying itself in my head. Memories that I had long forgotten are popping back up in full HDR.

And the underlying emotions are regret and sadness. What a wasted life! I deserve to be laying on the floor waiting to pass on, to whatever...

To all of the people I loved, and loved me back, Thank You! To all of the people that I hurt and disappointed, I'm so sorry...

Inserting the shotgun into my mouth now, finger on the trigger!

Ok, maybe not... I'm not really laying on the floor, nor am I suicidal. But if I was, this would be my final post.

btw: Three people take their own lives every day here in Tennessee...

Burned
( 1792 of 2167 )

I was watching a teenage werewolf movie this morning when I decided to have breakfast at Square Forty, before I fed the ducks. Drove over and they were closed. Oh yea, redoing their floors or something.

So the only other option is Pat's Cafe on the other side of town. I've never figured out their schedule and I've been burned. So I decided to call them first, and I got a recording giving me two options. Neither one gave me the ability to talk to a person, or find out if they're open.

So I said what the hell and decided to just go there. Driving through this town at 0730 is crazy, people going to work, school busses, utility trucks.

I knew as soon as I pulled around the corner and saw an emerging empty parking lot, that Pat's Cafe was closed. Then I started to lose it.

Words began gurgling out of my mouth for the first time since last night. After the third time the words began to get clearer and louder, finally I was shouting at the top of my lungs "I Hate This Fucking Town". I really don't, but on that back road leaving Pat's, I lost it.

There really was no place to get breakfast here this morning, so I drove back across town and up to the park to feed the ducks. I had a feeling when I came around the corner and didn't see them in their normal spot, that I was going to get burned.

Sure enough, got out of the truck with the feed bag and walked up and down the dock looking for them, called out into the lake for them, and they were gone. I even slow cruised the lakeshore down to the dam looking for them. Burned again.

I told Daniel last night that I was road tripping to Decatur, GA today. I am so full of shit, hell I just spent the last hour driving around in bullshit traffic for nothing, and there was no way I was going to get my act together for a trip today.

So I came home and cooked myself up some eggs. I was just starting to get back into that werewolf movie, when my friend pulled up front. He decided to smoke a big fat one with me before going to work. Man, it's been a while and I said "hell yea", and that fatty got burned.

My miserable self loathing morning attitude has changed to mellow. The only road trip I'm taking today is up to the Park at noon to look for ducks.

My Skin
( 1793 of 2167 )

Human skin is such a fragile thing, a really thin layer that holds everything in. It's kinda like our planets surface, holding the fire down below, but volcanos can pop up anywhere.

I don't know what's going on with my body, my earth, that causes eruptions. But they are occurring. I don't know if it's internal or external. I have a big long dark brown area that stretches out from a recent skin cancer removal on my left arm.

I've had a lot of blood work done in the last couple of years, examined by great doctors, and nobody mentioned the C word. But I'm really curious about this shit.

How am I going to fulfill my wish to enjoy a women's body one more time before I die, with sores popping up on my skin? I suppose the solution would be to keep my skin off of hers, and I have hands and a mouth.

Is there any decent woman out there that would be willing to lay down on my bed naked on a warm Fall day with the door open, and be made love to? Just lay back and relax, let me do my thing. I have decades of wonderful sexual experiance under my belt and I can possibly get you off.

No penetration, I could, but thats not the point. I just want to enjoy a woman one more time. Old man sex, close your eyes and fantasize away!

Hey, this blog don't get more real than this...

Pav Bhaji
( 1794 of 2167 )

I reached out to the Indian restaurant Chai Pani down in Decatur, GA about dishes that would work for an old man with no teeth. I said I can eat a lot of things but crunchy don't work. What would you recommend?

Here was their response:

Hi Jim!

Thanks for reaching out. The main items I would steer you away from are anything with puri (flour crisps), poha (Indian corn flakes) or sev (chickpea noodles) in their ingredient lists... this is primarily going to be items on the chaat menu.

The Vada Pav, Kheema Pav, Butter Chicken, Saag Paneer, and Uttapams would be good choices. If you like a little bit of spice, the Pav Bhaji is my favorite dish! As an Indian vegetable hash, I think the texture would be perfect for your preference.

Please let me know if you have any other questions! Hope you can join us soon.

Cheers,

Kat

Wow, Customer Service don't get better than this, I have to get down there now and eat some Pav Bhaji!

I wish I had someone to go with me, and order a few dishes on that list...

Stood Up
( 1795 of 2167 )

I called the ducks in from the middle of the lake the other day. They obviously didn't like the spot I chose to feed them at and made me get up and move.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Good Friend
( 1796 of 2167 )

I tried to make it to Decatur, GA today, made it as far as Huntsville, AL before my body and my mind said turn around. When I got back home I saw my friend and Tubing boss Ricky head down to Steve's mobile home setup at the end of the road, which as his contractor, has done an amazing job with.

He parked his truck out front and came in and sat in the chair for almost two hours and we talked about everything.

We talked about his Tubing company and he told me he would love to expand it to local wine and whisky tours during the off season. I told him that if my health was better I would jump all over that business and make it happen. But I can't.

Ricky is the main contractor for the biggest property rental turnaround guy, and my landlord, Steve Kilburn. He's amazingly busy.

Our chat today was great, he's got way more cruises under his belt than me, but we both did the float thru the big caves of Belize.

An Award
( 1797 of 2167 )

My son Riley's five man auto body shop, Monarch Collision, placed second in the Seattle Times Best of the Pacific Northwest awards. This is very cool and I'm really proud of them!

Speaking of Seattle, I was telling Ricky yesterday about the paratransit outfit I worked for there, but I didn't elaborate. I forgot to mention ATC Vancom was the largest paratransit company on the west coast and one of the largest in the country. I won the very first employee of the year award and went on to become the lead supervisor. I wrote the manual and trained six new supervisors from our driver pool. That's were I met Steph, she was the receptionist.

The point I'm trying to make is that winning an award can bring recognition and great things down the road. For these guys to place second in a huge auto body repair market is amazing!

Take A Break
( 1798 of 2167 )

As another day drags along I realize I've lost something, it's called meaning. I'm not sure when or where I lost it, but it's definitely gone. I derive a small bit of pleasure when I feed the ducks in the morning, but for the rest of the day, there is none.

I've given up on the road trip bullshit, traveling alone while feeling like shit, with a right arm that's falling apart, is foolish.

Now I just sit around, watch NetFlix, drink and cry. It's pathetic, really. I sure have come a long way down from the man I just wrote about, the dynamic lead paratransit supervisor guy.

The Holidays are coming up, again. I managed to spend Christmas on a cruise boat recently but I can't remember if it was last year or the year before. I'd love to take another cruise with my dwindling savings, but I'm just not up for it. Hell, shopping at Krogers is my big event.

I'm sorry for this pathetic post, but I needed to get it written. I don't expect anyone to swoop in and rescue me, nor do I want it. I've landed in this space as a result of the decisions I've made, and I take full responsibility for it. If you've read this far, thanks, but I think I'll take a break from blogging for a while...

Good Days
( 1799 of 2167 )

Hey, I'm back! Daniel and I spent the afternoon at our friends house out in the sticks looking for his roommates lost gold ring that belonged to her mother, with Daniel's metal detector.

Our friend and I consumed while Daniel searched. He took me down into the woods around his place, down near a creek bed to show me some rock formations, only landed on my butt once.

We paused at the green moss covered round rock overlooking the woods, and I had the pleasure to sit down there. It was less than a foot wide and reminded me of the little curb I sit on when I feed my ducks. It was an amazing view.

Couldn't find the ring and we ended up hanging out on a swing under the shade of some great trees. All of a sudden a little white car came rumbling down the dirt road, and out popped a bubbly young lady in cutoffs who yelled out with a smile "Hey, Uncle Jim" as she sauntered on by.

Then we drove back home, with Daniel at the wheel. We are responsible guys after all. It was his first time driving my old '88 Mazda B2200 Extended Cab LX and he picked up my little powerful five-speed like the man I knew he was.

Still depressed as hell, but sometimes you have good days!

Prestons Way
( 1800 of 2167 )

Chicken and dumplings was the Tuesday meat today at Prestons down in Leoma. I ordered the meal while Daniel just got a bowl. I should have done that, couldn't finish the sides.

I have concluded that the Southern way of fixin this dish is very different then the way I grew up with, as in large dumplings and strips of chicken you have to cut with your fork.

And Prestons was a packed full house by 1100, construction workers, families, a large group of seniors, local cops, and us.

Line Items
( 1801 of 2167 )

I realized something today, that instead of fighting to live, I'm waiting to die. Which means I've given up on life.

Instead of walking and working out, quitting drinking and making healthy choices, I wallow in a world of pathetic self pity.

I feel my body falling apart, I'm in a lot of pain, I watch the open sores on my body that won't heal, and I succumb to my alcoholism, which softens the mental and physical pain but just creates more.

I know what I need to do to survive, I just lack the drive and the reason to do so. I still have a few people that love me, amazingly, and I love them, but now they have become but line items on my living will...

Cutting Board
( 1802 of 2167 )

It's been an interesting morning. I partied hard here at the house last night with my friend and his woman and was still in bed at seven thirty when Daniel knocked on my door. I put some nice threads on my old previously unshowered body, that I corrected yesterday, and we had breakfast on the Square.

Then we drove up into Amish country with drinks in our cooler cups and he picked up this custom cutting board that a young red headed Amish guy had built for him. It's big and beautiful and is going right next to his cooker on the covered deck.

On the way home I had him stop at the liquor store for supplies. The guy that runs the store is an uptight dude we call dick head. He is all business and doesn't interact well with people.

Until now. I asked him about some new vodka I saw a sign for, and he opened up about how great it is, and it's made in Bend Oregon. I told him I was a West Coast boy and I love Bend, OR, then he told me he was born there.

He said they moved from there to Pacific Grove, CA when he was a kid. I told him I lived in Pacific Grove (right next to Monterey) and was a computer consultant up in Carmel Valley in the late seventies.

Suddenly, our relationship changed. I no longer saw him as uptight dick head and I was no longer just the old drunk who bought vodka from him.

Sometimes you need to reach out beyond stoic interactions, and see what's on the other side.

My Arm
( 1803 of 2167 )

I've got a new pain med, called Aleve. First off, I hate taking pills of any kind but I've been forced into taking Ibuprofen lately for my right arm. Daniel recommended this stuff so I bought some from the Dollar store.

It's 1900 on a Wednesday evening and it seems to be working, so I just took another.

The right arm pain started a while ago and I suspect it was caused by my computer interactions over the decades. I've been using a Mouse long before anyone knew what that was. My right arm was the tool that drove my creativity.

I had been dealing with the pain for a while, until I fell down two flights of stairs at a Nashville bnb a month ago. I'm so lucky I didn't break anything else, but it brought the right arm pain to the forefront.

It has increased from the shoulder down and sometimes I just want to cut it off. But I realize I am just lucky.

I'm a 77 year old man pissin and moanin about a sore arm while I realize there are so many people out there dealing with so much more.

So, I just want to say, pain is life. It reminds us of what we have done to our bodies, and I think this Aleve shit is working...

Rebuild
( 1804 of 2167 )

My little truck is in amazing shape for being 35 years old, but today she fell ill. Some part in my clean little engine is failing and I can't keep her running. I found a mechanic here in town that wasn't swamped so I called an ambulance to bring her in.

I've had Farmers insurance for thirty years and I've only used it twice, both times for a tow. So this is free.

I was heading to the Fastpace Medical clinic this morning to talk about open sores and my arm. Maybe next week...

Update: I just got a call from Thomas, the guy that took over the little shop that replaced my rear end a few years back. Black guy, real nice, and he said the carburetor needed a rebuild, quoted me $225, said it would be ready tomorrow afternoon.

I've got me a new mechanic!

Show Truck
( 1805 of 2167 )

In my previous twenty some odd year relationship, we bought a massage table early on. We took turns on the table, but I think I came out ahead. We washed each others backs in the shower, I also came out ahead by washing her tits from behind.

It's now been many years since my back has felt a human hand holding a bar of soap. There is an area there that I can't reach, and it's probably green.

I have my truck back, parked under the canopy. Twenty four hour turn around, a correct diagnosis of a carburetor rebuild, and she's running great. It needs a final tune up and I'll bring it back to Thomas in three days for that.

Damn I like this guy! He's taken over this old garage on the highway and is making a name for himself. He doesn't even have a card reader yet but fortunately I had $225 in cash.

He drove my truck around after the rebuild and he loved it. The tow truck guy said the same thing yesterday. He said replace the front bumper where the guy backed into me in Nashville, wash her and get a new paint job, and I've got me a show truck!

My Truck
( 1806 of 2167 )

I think my little 35 year old Mazda B2200 Extended Cab LX is the most noticeable vehicle in Lawrenceburg, TN. She's pretty and has a sexy black canopy with bars up on top that I bought in Salt Lake City because her original one blew off in the Arizona desert.

I've got cool stickers on the back canopy window that promote Crockett Shoals Tubing and give out a positive vibe to make people smile. I drive all around this town, all the time, and up to the Park daily. I am very visible.

I told my boy Riley that she's in better shape now than she was when I bought her off him well more than a decade ago. Emission control crap was striped off, a Weber carb and a header installed, new timing, drive train rebuilt and refreshed, and new brakes and tires.

I had a kick ass stereo system installed and a custom made memory foam bed installed in the back. The interior is almost like new. I carry tools in the back that would allow me to rescue folks from a crashed burning vehicle.

I have a sweet Garmin GPS that guides me everywhere, an inverter that runs everything in my cockpit, and two cup holders hanging off my glovebox.

I love my little truck, it defines me, it is who I am.

My Beryl
( 1807 of 2167 )

OMG, I'm flying to Hawaii soon. I've been thinking about my dear friend Beryl lately, a lady that I have known and loved since the seventies. We have lived together in multiple places and have had wonderful adventures together over the years.

Today I searched for her on Facebook and found her. I sent her a message with my phone number and she just called me!

She's 84, living in Hawaii, her daughter Judith is 57 with a grown up daughter, and my mind is absolutely fucking blown in a great way.

As soon as I heard her wonderful Jewish accent it was like reliving yesterday. She has a house on the big island, near the airport, and I've been invited. She's still working part time at a jewelry store, but she's going to take a few days off to hang out with me.

I'm going to Hawaii!

Update: Well, not right away. I need to go to the Clinic and get this arm pain under control with some meds, and figure out why I have these big open sores on my legs. Can't hit the beach looking like this.

The Chicken
( 1808 of 2167 )

My neighbor Drew's adorable kids were playing in the front yard today and I grabbed a quick video on my phone (which I rarely ever use for video) as they squeezed the rubber chicken that my other neighbor Daniel gave them.

I showed them how to squeeze it creatively, and they got it. I also made sure their dad knew it wasn't me that gave it to them :-)

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Jugs
( 1809 of 2167 )

I just got an email from Flickr that some user named whey1 had grabbed a few photos from my Flickr feed and put them into a photo album he just created. They have no photos of their own up there, but apparently liked a few of mine.

Here they are, in the order they were presented:

Steph in our Idaho hot tub.

Some chick from one of my cruises.

Some cruise couple I met along the way.

Grand-daughter Shelby and Andy on the Xmas cruise.

I think this was from my first Caribbean cruise, maybe not.

Friends from the Xmas cruise.

My party lady friends up in Nashville a while back.

It's nice to have your work appreciated!

Fix It
( 1810 of 2167 )

A friend of mine had a rough night last night. He ran out of booze and went to his neighbors house for a nightcap. As he was leaving he stumbled off the porch and took his neighbor down with him. He fell a second time as the neighbor helped him to bed.

I'm worried about the guy. He's got a problem with no solutions in sight. We try to help him, but nothing seems to work. He's a nice person, smart, and gentle. It's a shame he has this issue going on.

Some people claim there's a woman to blame, but I know him pretty well and I know there were several. The poor guy lives alone and does nothing but watch streaming video and Fox News all day long.

My friend is a raving Trump loving conservative and yells at his TV when Joe comes on, reading his liberal script to the world, not mentioning the recent beheading of babies by terrorists in Israel.

We're trying to figure out what we can do to change this destructive path he's on, but he has to man up, take responsibility, and fix it himself.

New Beginning
( 1811 of 2167 )

I finally have the motivation I need for a road trip! My beautiful favorite grand-daughter Shelby is making a life changing trip to her new home in Tampa, FL. I have the honor and privilege to be there and help her move in.

It's a two day trip at the end of this month, and I'll be laying over in Decatur, GA to eat at that Indian restaurant I've been dying to go to.

I don't need no company, I have the money to pull it off, and maybe I'll stay a few days down there! I love Shelby and she would probably try to talk me into staying there.

As absolutely tempting as that would be, I still have a house full of stuff imbedded here. I suppose I could tell my landlord goodby and leave everything here, maybe he could rent it out as furnished!

But that's not practical. Besides, she don't need an old man in her life, she needs a roommate, a new guy, a new beginning!

Go To Bed
( 1812 of 2167 )

I'm sitting here in my little man cave at 2030 on 10/10/2023, thinking I should just go to bed, but I can't, I need to write.

I have come to accept that I have burned out most of my remaining friends and family with my incessant blogging, and then shoving it down their phone.

All I'm focusing on now is getting my truck road ready so I can get to Tampa in a couple of weeks to help Shelby move in.

Even my ducks were being weird this morning, my last bastion of animal contact, my little friends, were running from me.

I really wish I could talk about positive things here, but I'm running out.

Let me try. I've got a roof over my head, food, a bed, TV's and a truck. I have an internet connection to share this rambling bullshit with the world and two hands barely able to type it. I've had way more, and way less, in my long life.

There is nothing left to be said, but good night. I could die in my sleep tonight and this would be one hell of a last post!

Your Control
( 1813 of 2167 )

It's interesting how a perceived morning can take a complete u-turn. I called NAPA to check on my truck parts this morning and they were in, so I told them to put them on the counter and I would be right up.

Then a friend dropped by and got me stoned. Hey, I'm very happy he did, it's been a while and I was in the mood.

It's been an interesting morning as we watched war news on Fox and shared photos and videos. The bottle opened earlier than normal and I realized I wasn't going anywhere.

Around 1030 I called NAPA back and told them to put my parts under the counter, as something had come up and I wouldn't be there until tomorrow.

I made it clear that I wasn't standing them up, and the guy appreciated it. It's really important that if you make a commitment and can't be there, let them know.

And if you commit to do something for someone, you do it, unless you're laying in a hospital bed from forces beyond your control.

Jewish Partners
( 1814 of 2167 )

I've had a lot of Jewish friends in my life. Most notable were my decades long friend Beryl in Hawaii, we've been in contact today. And our two investors in Hamilton Graphics back in the late eighties were Israeli tank commanders for the IDF.

They approaced me one day and asked if I would like to create an anti-virus program for the PC, which didn't exist at the time, and I said no. Hell, I could have been Peter Norton!

I flew up to Seattle with one of them as they bought our Oakland, CA business out. These guys were no nonsense, badass tough guys. He had a meeting with Microsoft and as we shook hands at the airport, my computer connection with all that we had built in California, was over.

Riley and his mom had moved to the Seattle area a couple months earlier, and when I showed up at their apartment in Kent, WA, my adventure as his dad continued. He was just a toddler, but I had made the decision to be in his life, forever.

I could have gone anywhere but I finally knew where my heart was. Dove and I had a great chat on the plane about family and values, and as Israel gets ready to roll tanks over these baby killing Hamas monsters, I think fondly of my old badass Jewish partners.

Hallo Ween
( 1815 of 2167 )

I just realized that I will be in Tampa, FL for Halloween, thank god. I dread the holiday around here, because I have to buy candy just in case my neighbor Drew's kids drop by, or the ones a few houses down by the highway come to my door.

If no kids show up then I'm left with a bowl full of worthless candy, because I don't eat it. The last Halloween I enjoyed here was when Steph's grandkids showed up, and that ain't going to happen again.

Granddaughter Shelby and I will have all of her stuff moved into her new place by then, and since I'm sticking around for a few days, we can buy some candy. Or go to a Halloween party.

Last Wishes
( 1816 of 2167 )

I've been thinking about how I would like my old dead body handled when the end comes. There's a local outfit in town that will burn you up for about $950. I specified in my will that I wanted to be buried, but I think I'll change and initial that.

Daniel asked me tonight where I wanted my ashes scattered. I told him at Secret Beach, under the Mal Paso bridge off US Highway One, South of Carmel, CA. I have wonderful memories of that place and I know Riley could find it again, as he's been there.

I first found that spot traveling with a beautiful red headed girl I met working at the clubs up in Lake Tahoe. It was before the rest of the world found it and built luxury homes all around both sides of the cliffs.

We spent a week there, making love in the sand, swimming in the Pacific, and bopping up into Carmel for supplies. I don't even remember her name, but I still recall everything else about the adventure.

I strongly suspect the property owners have now secured access to the beach. So Riley, I want you to convince whomever to allow the scattering of my ashes there. Bring the family down the Coast, have a wonderful road trip, and say goodby to the man who raised you.

Plaque
( 1817 of 2167 )

My son Riley and his auto body shop partner Brian recently placed second in a major Seattle Times contest called the Best of the Pacific Northwest. Today they got a plaque to proudly hang on their wall.

Customers coming in to have their vehicles repaired will see this and know that they are in great hands, and working with the best in the business.

My chest is bursting with pride! Congratulations guys!

Religion
( 1818 of 2167 )

Pain and suffering are the kiss of Jesus and your body is a temple of his, if you pollute it, all bets are off and you're probably going to hell.

I have polluted my body a bunch, so I guess I know where I'm headed. And all the Jesus kisses ain't going to help a bit.

I've been trying to rationalize human evolution with Adam and his extra rib over his girl Eve, and why apples are forbidden fruit.

Religion is what drives wars, and hatred, and killing other humans who don't believe what you do. The Jewish people have a different take on Christianity and the Muslims have a different religious take on everything.

I maintain that if we just accepted the fact that we are all brothers and sisters of humanity, we could have a wonderful world, and Israeli babies would still have their fucking heads!

Bad Feeling
( 1819 of 2167 )

I've got a bad feeling about world events right now. My gut is telling me that the shit is about to hit the fan, and splatter it all over the planet.

I was a freshman in high school when John Kennedy faced down Russia over the Bay of Pigs, and it dramatically affected my view about life. I realized we are just a button press away from the destruction of everything, and I was a sophomore when he was murdered in Dallas.

This Israeli war is the manifest of the bullshit that corrupts our world. Every fucked up war event since Vietnam has been a result of Muslim terrorism.

I hate to say it, but I foresee a 911 type event occurring here soon. Thousands of military aged men have slipped through our Southern border, and our government is completely ignoring it.

WTF! Hey, they ain't going to attack Tennessee, because they know they will die, but gun hating cities are a big target.

I also feel like my end is near, and my give a shit is broken. I will defend our little dead end street with my life, and my shotgun, but I care about my family, who still have wonderful lives ahead of them...

Never
( 1820 of 2167 )

I watched the Titans play in London this morning, the team that never wins, then I watched the ground invasion into Gaza, that never begins. In between I tried feeding ducks that never eat in the middle of the day.

I thought about not buying a bottle today, but that never happened. Daniel spent the day with his wife, and never came over.

I never thought I would outlive Suzanne Somers, whom I've had a crush on for decades and sadly died today at 76. She survived 24 years of breast cancer and never gave up.

I never thought my day would come down to so many nevers. Hopefully, never again!

Backup Cam
( 1821 of 2167 )

I've really needed a backup camera for my truck since the canopy is blacked out and all I've got is my side mirrors. I found one with great reviews on Amazon for $50 and I'm working on installing it today.

I've got it all planned out but I have to wait for Daniel to get home and drill me some holes. I'm going to run the camera wire out the rear window of my cab, into the canopy, up along the roof and down to my fold up canopy window.

I've already got the display mounted up on my dash, right next to my GPS. I used tie clips from Daniels service truck and integrated the power into my current system. It's the red button in the middle of the splitter and lights up bright red when the truck powers on. I plugged the camera into the twenty foot wire to test it and the display starts instantly, and looks great.

Next I need a hole drilled right below the taped over window clasps and run the wire into the canopy.

I've got some really strong tape to secure the camera wire up to the roof and straight back to the canopy lift.

Then I need three holes drilled right over the canopies logo. I picked up a couple bolts and nuts for the mount and the third hole will be right in the middle to run the wire through.

I also need to mount the camera correctly, not upside down as this photo shows. The little sensor above the lens needs to be on the bottom.

So that's it, can't wait to finish this project up and get some much needed visibility behind my truck!

Amazing Care
( 1822 of 2167 )

On top of working on my backup camera today, I went to see my Primary Care lady at the Fast Pace clinic. We talked skin issues first and I showed her the particularly nasty looking thing on the inside of my lower right leg. I can't go to Tampa or Hawaii with shit like this!

I told her I was anti-antibiotics and she has prescribed a powerful ointment to tackle these issues. Then we talked about my arm.

Decades of coding and blogging with a mouse have trashed my right arm and shoulder. Hey, the fact that I've lived this long and this is my biggest issue, I'm very grateful.

My recent fall down the Nashville BNB stairs just set it off, and it hasn't stopped hurting since. Ibuprofin ain't anywhere near cutting it so I asked her about Celebrex. Daniel swears by it and she agreed that it's a great solution.

I'll be picking up a thirty day supply at the Walgreens pharmacy this afternoon and if the results of today's blood work are copacetic, I'll get more.

I love my Medicare Advantage health insurance, visits to the clinic cost me ten bucks, and the care is amazing.

Installed
( 1823 of 2167 )

My rear view camera is installed, minus some wire taping. Daniel drilled four holes in my truck to match the requirements and I can't wait to take her down the highway. The install over the logo was a little off center but she's rock solid on the backside and I bet nobody behind me knows that camera is there.

Riley mentioned that these cameras are normally installed down over the license plate, but I wanted something higher. I wanted to look the person behind me in the eye!

Update: Moved it:

My Jaw
( 1824 of 2167 )

I was having a fight with my older brother and left the house angry. I went walking through some abandoned apartments and came through one I recognized.

There were two women in shorts sitting on the floor at a low table. There was a young girl running around, a cat and a bag of bud sitting on the table.

I realized this was the place I had stashed my expensive camera in a cabinet. I walked around them and found my camera, then sat down next to one of them. I asked if they were homeless and they said yes, soon we were getting stoned.

Some guy appeared and was having a heated conversation with the woman across the table, while passing the joint on a clip to me. I was snuggling up to the lady next to me, laying my hand on her bare leg as she brushed the back of her hand across my enlarging crotch.

We leaned in to kiss and she had these large red lipsticked lips. Suddenly two four inch ivory colored fangs emerged from behind her upper lip and sunk down into the space behind my lower lip, and pressed down twice into my jaw.

Stairs Pussy
( 1825 of 2167 )

I'm hitting the road South on Friday the 27th and I'll land in Decatur, GA. Looking for a good hotel there now. I'll eat a great dinner at that Indian restaurant I've been raving about, then hang out at a bar near my hotel.

It's a seven hour drive from there to Shelby's new place in Tampa, so I'll just take my time, enjoy some virgin sights, and layover somewhere and sleep in my truck.

Next morning, Sunday, I'll roll into Tampa, FL. She's got a friend driving the U-Haul and they will arrive late Saturday night. Between the friend and her Tampa buddies, we should have her stuff moved in quickly.

It's a three story townhouse with a garage, main floor, and bedroom upstairs. She knows my issues with stairs and was trying to let me off the hook by just unpacking things down by the truck, and I said fuck that shit!

I ain't driving all that way to be the stairs pussy. I'll just man up, take my Celebrex, and do my share of stair climbing.

She doesn't have to be at work until the following Wednesday, so we have a couple of days to hang out. This is the motivation I've needed for a road trip!

New Problems
( 1826 of 2167 )

My doctors office called today with the results of my recent blood work. They started out talking about that stupid A1C word. Also that my liver enzymes are elevated and they want to do a liver ultrasound up at the hospital.

How could that be? I take exquisite care of that organ and I keep it well hydrated, lubricated and happy.

Facetiousness aside, what the hell are they saying, that I have pre-diabetes and I need to start sticking needles in me, and that I need to quit drinking? Excuse me, but I'm in full denial and I call bullshit.

They obviously switched my blood with the old homeless looking guy I saw in the waiting room. Sloppy...

Needles don't work for me, period, and I drink to counter physical and emotional pain. If I follow their path I'll need to double my Celebrex intake and start seeing a shrink.

Fixing problems often create brand new ones.

Stoned Parents
( 1827 of 2167 )

I was living up in the Oakland hills back in the late seventies when I got a phone call. It was my step dad Paul and he asked me to come over to their place and get my mom stoned.

They were living in an apartment downtown, and I said sure. I had never done anything like that with either of them before, in fact they were drug free their whole lives.

Paul was on a portable breathing device that he carried around with him, after years as a cigarette smoking trucker, while mom suffered from terrible migraines.

I remember that early evening visit as if it was yesterday. We sat around their kitchen table while I put some bud into a bong and fired it up. Paul injected some vodka into his breathing rig, and I got us all stoned. I know Paul was sucking that smoke up through his nose...

My step dad and I were never close, but that night he was smiling and I genuinely felt connected to him. He was the bread winner for all those years, while mom played the dutiful child raising housewife, and was a great cook.

This was a once in a lifetime event and I was dying to see where it ended up!

They started talking about how they first met. It was a few years after the end of WW2 and mom was divorced with two young boys, living in Southern California. She left my brother and I with her parents one night and went to a bar. I had never heard this story before.

That's where she met Paul. They talked through the evening about that encounter and I got the sense that they hooked up that night. A couple years later they were married and my sister was born.

How may of you have ever gotten stoned with your parents?

Mommy
( 1828 of 2167 )

My daughter in law Jessica was pretty pregnant when we all hooked up in Nashville a couple months ago. She held up great as we did the events in a sweltering heat.

But today I saw this photo on their Family Album page, and I'm blown away. How can the human body expand that much? She's got to be close to giving R E Ella a new little sister.

My boy has himself a fine family and I'm very happy and proud.

Update: Jessica just told me that the due date is around Thanksgiving, and possibly into December, OMG.

Hate
( 1829 of 2167 )

My old friend Skoge has been sending me long emails over the last few years, basically getting on my case as a bitter old hateful drunk who hates Democrats and life in general. My motto is that I don't hate anyone, or life, and I live by that motto. I may feel sorry for myself on occasion, but who doesn't!

She recently sent me an email saying I was hateful about everything, and here was my reply:

Skoge

I reread your long email and I get that you really think I am full of hate. You are so wrong my friend. I am an old drunk, I accept that, but I know who I am in my heart. I love people and help those down and out every opportunity I get. And I can honestly tell you that I am not hateful, and I'm really sorry you think I am.

I love to write and I'm passionate about what I believe in, I love to yell at Joe on my TV, but it doesn't mean I hate him. I regret many, many things in my life and I talk about them on my blog as therapy. If some things come off as angry or resentful, well so be it, but I do not hate anyone!

It's been many years since I sat on your couch in the City and got stoned with you. I feel very bad that our friendship has drifted apart over ideology and politics. I will probably never see you again my old friend, but know that I love you.

Lopes

I Quit
( 1830 of 2167 )

Sometimes in life the shit hits the fan and you have to turn it off and clean everything up.

I had the most amazing conversation with my friend Daniel last night, about our alcoholism. We talked about how everything in our life is affected by it, and how amazing it would be to forcibly end this addiction.

I think we have had a real moment. He took the last part of his evening cocktail and threw it into the yard out my door, and I followed.

We're out of booze and now have a commitment to buy no more. This is an amazing point in our friendship and please wish us well.

I'm not going to get that liver ultrasound, and fuck A1C. I'll get another blood test in a month and we'll see how it looks.

My Addiction
( 1831 of 2167 )

Working it through the day, battling this alcohol addiction and so far so good. I was thinking the other day that I really don't like the taste of booze, it just feeds my addiction.

I know how to quit and the first day is the toughest. Each day gets a bit easier and after a while your body accepts the fact that it's not going to get any more, and stops bugging you.

You also have to replace the addiction with something else. In the past it was exercise, but weights are out with my messed up arm. Hmmm, maybe it's time to get back to Anytime Fitness and figure out which machines I can use.

Establishing the mindset that you just don't drink anymore is also critical to making it last. You have to put the benefits forefront in your mind, like you've stopped killing yourself, and you're saving a bunch of money.

It also makes finding a hotel in Decatur, GA a week from tomorrow, much easier. I was having trouble finding a reasonable one with a bar nearby. Benefits!

I just got a call from Sunshine, the scheduling lady from my doctor, and I said I was really glad she called. I told her I was quitting and wanted to postpone that liver ultrasound. I have another visit scheduled in a month and we can retest my blood then. Hopefully I won't need it.

She also told me that additional results came back from the recent blood draw, and my A1C levels were normal. I am NOT diabetic, fuck yea!

Pixel 8 Pro
( 1832 of 2167 )

I'm getting a new phone! I called Spectrum today to try and get my $45 mobile bill down to their advertised $29.95. I spoke to a nice lady named Miranda up in Michigan, and she made it happen.

I was telling her that my Samsung phone had a green line display issue and she said there was a great deal on the new Google Pixel 8 Pro, with $600 off, plus a $145 discount for a trade-in of my current phone, even with the display issue. Which brought it down to around $355 bucks.

I then headed off in another Spectrum direction and spoke with Phil up in New York, and bought the phone. I chose the monthly payment option of $11.11 for 36 months, which means I'm getting a free phone and saving $15 each month.

I've been reading the reviews on this new phone and it is amazing! It will arrive next week and I'll drive up to the Spectrum store in Columbia and have them transfer everything over.

And I did this whole process with the benefit of a clear head!

Comments
( 1833 of 2167 )

I made the decision when I started this blog over five years ago, to not allow comments. My previous blog back in Idaho did, and there where days I regretted it.

Allowing comments to a platform creates this thing called Social Media where people start posting their own positions and generating more comments from that. Pretty soon a single post becomes a multi-legged monster.

This is my platform, period, and I want to use it say how I feel about anything. If someone has an issue with my words they can contact me directly, my email address is in the About section.

There have been friends that I sent Post links to, that I wanted to share with them, but finally realized that was invasive, and stopped.

My Liberal friend in California reads my blog and sends me long scathing emails about what a fool I am for being a Conservative. I don't mind, I'm a big boy and I can handle them, but I'm sure glad they ain't going out on my blog as comments!

btw: Day two is being rough, but I'm hanging in there...

Embarking
( 1834 of 2167 )

As I embark on this current road to sobriety I realize I'm doing it on my own. No AA, no drugs from the doctor, just support from Riley and Shelby, and hopefully from my neighbor.

I hope he can hang in there, but I certainly won't think less of him if he can't. Everyone has their own path, and their own motivations.

I'll be in Tampa around Halloween and Shelby has challenged me to some Sober Poker, a reference to our card games up in Nashville a couple of months ago, where I was not.

My new Google Pixel 8 Pro has shipped, and I'm stoked! There's nothing like getting a new phone that's best in it's class. I've spent the day watching YouTube reviews of cases, found the one I wanted, and pulled the trigger on Amazon.

Everything is coming together now, picked up a phone holder yesterday and I've got the USB cables coming to integrate it into my trucks cab system. Tires are getting rotated Monday and I'm waiting to make an appointment with Spectrum next week for the change over, based on the phones arrival.

Hitting the road in one week!

Schedule
( 1835 of 2167 )

Pardon me while I use my blog to plan out my schedule for the next week:

 • Saturday 10/21 - 1100 - Fish Fry.

 • Sunday 10/22 - 1200 - Nothing.

 • Monday 10/23 - 0800 - Tires rotated.

 • Tuesday 10/24 - 0800 - Wait for new phone.
 • Tuesday 10/24 - 0800 - Swap Phones.

 • Wednesday 10/25 - 0600 - Do laundry.
 • Wednesday 10/25 - 1000 - Spectrum canceled.

 • Thursday 10/26 - 0800 - Pay my rent.
 • Thursday 10/26 - 0810 - Get cash at bank.
 • Thursday 10/26 - 0820 - Phone to PO.
 • Thursday 10/26 - 0830 - Pack my truck.

 • Friday 10/27 - 0700 - Drive to Decatur, GA.

 • Saturday 10/28 - 0700 - Drive to Tampa, FL.

 • Sunday 10/29 - 0700 - Help Shelby move in.

 • Monday 10/30 - 0700 - Hang with Shelby.

 • Tuesday 10/31 - 0700 - A Shelby Halloween.

 • Wednesday 11/01 - 0500 - Drive home.

Fastdeal
( 1836 of 2167 )

I ran across a cruise coming up on November 25th that looks amazing. It's on the Norwegian Joy for eleven days, out of Miami, and down into the Bahamas, for $459.

Normally there's a 100% single supplement, which means if nobody want's to cruise with me, which is the case, I have to pay for double occupancy anyway. There is a 0% supplement on this cruise, which comes to $41 a day, before taxes!

Here's the game plan if I choose to do this: Drive to Tampa and have Thanksgiving with Shelby, leave my truck at her place and fly to Miami and board. Normally a cruise returns to the departing port but this one dumps you down in Panama City at the end of the cruise, after going through the Panama Canal!

All I have to do is fly back to Tampa and pick up my truck, no parking fees in Miami!

But here's the kicker, Shelby is now a travel agent, which means she could possibly get an even better rate, along with some killer flight deals.

If I'm going to do this I should pull the trigger soon!

btw: Day three on the books.

Day Four
( 1837 of 2167 )

Heading into day four of sobriety. For those not suffering from addiction that may not seem like a big deal, but it is to me. I can't wait to get over the hump, and reach that point where I don't have to constantly battle the craving, and just live.

I have a few plans today, get in a couple laps around the Veterans park trail, hit the store for supplies, then nothing. Last night I whipped up a boiled lemon and garlic drink and sipped on it through the evening. I need more lemons.

Been looking at the cruise I visualized yesterday, waiting for the flight costs from Shelby before pulling the trigger. It's a wonderful adventure but I have to decide if I'm going to dig into my savings for one last big trip, especially alone.

I've got a few things coming in from Amazon today, a case for my new sweet phone arriving Tuesday, and various USB cables for my truck setup.

Anyway, that's my day, I hope yours is great! This is post number 1,837, not counting all of those I changed my mind about sharing, and sent to the trash.

Steve
( 1838 of 2167 )

My landlord Steve is my new neighbor. He's building a new house and he needed a place to live, so he put his trailer down on his property at the end of my street. The city recently ran water, sewage and electricity to it, and the whole thing was put together by his cousin and contractor Ricky, who is my ex-boss from the tubing company.

This location down on the creek is also the place where we put tubers into the water. In fact, they waited until just after tubing season ended, to pour the concrete. You see how this all fits together?

Steve's is one of the largest property owners here in Lawrence County, if not the largest. He buys houses and flips them into rental properties, and the place I live in is one of them.

He also has a used car business and I've worked for him in the past, driving vehicles down from Nashville. His main mechanic Tim has worked on my truck on the side a couple of times and my current mechanic Thomas is Tim's brother.

One of his four sons was my neighbor when I moved in here five years ago. I guess I've become embedded in his life in a small way. I see him buying his HS aged grandkids breakfast at the Square all the time and I heard he just took them all off on a big trip somewhere.

I like Steve a lot, I just hope he don't raise my rent again for a long time...

The Move
( 1839 of 2167 )

I thought I'd give an update on my favorite grand-daughters move from DC to Tampa. Initially she was going to hook her car to the back of a U-Haul that was bigger than her stuff, then load her up and drive herself South. She even entertained picking up things for other people and making some money along the way.

The drive to Tampa is over eleven hours and she has to finish up her job on Friday, pack the U-Haul and drive all day Saturday. My beautiful Shelby does not have balls, but if she did they would be huge.

Fortunately, a friend of hers is going to fly into DC Friday evening from Pensacola, help her load up, and then drive the truck. I asked if he was a big guy and she said he's a world class body builder! They've also decided to skip picking up other peoples stuff along the way.

Sunday morning, one of her best friends husband (also a big guy) is coming over to work with her friend in getting the stuff up three flights of stairs.

Thank god. Having her 77 year old grandfather holding up one end of a couch or a king size bed going up stairs had hospital written all over it! I can handle boxes and unpacking.

Her friends are looking forward to meeting me and I'm looking forward to a great time. We'll be hitting the beach on Halloween, the day before she starts her new job.

Here's my program RouteQue's take on the run, and it's looking further than 11 hours.

btw: Day four is on the books.

Baseball
( 1840 of 2167 )

I had quite a history with baseball in my younger years. As a kid I listened to pro games on the radio, never saw one in person, I don't recall. When we moved to Paradise, CA I joined the Babe Ruth league and became an all-star first baseman.

I had a great arm, I could throw anybody out from any angle. As life moved on beyond High School I was heading out of Sacramento one day to try out with the Giants down in Arizona, when my grand-father died and I turned around. My baseball dreams died with him.

As Riley grew up in the South Seattle area, he loved baseball. We played catch every day and I attended all of his games. One day I wondered over to his practice and I volunteered to smack line drives out to the infield. I worked those kids hard for a half hour without swinging through a ball.

Life moved on from those days and I lost all interest in the game. I haven't watched a pro game on TV in decades.

The reason I mention all of this is that yesterday I was walking along the creek and hundreds of walnuts had fallen to the ground. I picked one up and tried to through it across the creek. My right arm is so fucked up I felt like a two year old trying to throw a ball to his dad.

I have no mobility there anymore, I can't wind up and let her rip like I used to. Quite frankly I'm glad nobody was there to see that as the walnut landed lamely in the middle of the creek.

Movin On
( 1841 of 2167 )

I knocked tires rotated off my list of chores this morning, before my road trip next Friday. As I was walking into the tire shop at 0800 I heard someone call out my name behind me. It was my buddy Slim who drives this cute little Kia, and he also had an appointment at Sullivan's Tire.

We playfully jostled for position as I made it through the door first. Poor guy ended up shelling out $1200 bucks for some top of the line new tires, while my rotation was free.

Slim's a cool dude, 82, full head of hair and a beard, wife is still with him, and kids and grandkids scattered all over town. He was in the Navy from 1960 to 1964, god someone older than me, and ended up a commercial glass installer for forty years.

I'm into day five sober as 1100 approaches. This particular time was always my start time if I was sitting around the house. Now it's just the time I turn on the news. It get's a little easier every day and I'm waiting to cross over the hump.

My new Google Pixel 8 Pro arrives tomorrow between 1000 an 1400 and I've been watching YouTube videos on how to set it up and transfer everything from my Samsung S20. I may be able to pull it off, but if not I've got a Wednesday appointment at the Spectrum store in Columbia.

Movin on, one day at a time..

Phone Lucky
( 1842 of 2167 )

Man did I get lucky on my new phone! Diving into YouTube today I learned that the big discounts on the Google Pixel 8 Pro have dried up.

I got $600 off this $1,000 phone right off the bat from Spectrum. Add in a $45 trade in on my five year old Galaxy with a green line down the middle, and a $100 bonus for trading in a phone, it ended up costing me $255 bucks! Yea the fed gets it's taxes, about $50, but it would have been the same if not more on the full price.

I'm also fairly confident I can do the setup, app and data transfer from my Samsung, and the sim card swap myself now, which eliminates a drive to the Spectrum store in Columbia. I have a sweet case for it, and a screen protector kit coming on Wednesday.

It pays to have a clear head, and my technical skills developed over 56 years, are still alive and well.

p.s. Click the image below.

btw: Day five is on the books.

pHoneComing
( 1843 of 2167 )

T W T F . . .

Ahhh, phone arrival day, when the best new phone on the planet arrives on my doorstep (sorry iPhone 15 Pro).

The first thing I'm going to do after moving my stuff over is to bump the resolution up to high, and set the brightness to max. They're initially set lower for battery savings, but screw that. This phone is said to have the best and brightest display ever developed. The word stunning pops up a lot.

As to the battery, the worst thing you can do to shorten the life of a phone battery is to charge it to 100% and then let it sit there charging. This phone has a setting that shuts charging off completely when it reaches 80%. I love this!

AI drives everything on this badboy. The photos from the new hi-res camera array, rival and exceed digital cameras. Ok, I'll stop babbling and write a new post when it arrives and I have it set up...

btw, the weather for my upcoming road trip is going to be beautiful, eighties, lows in the fifties. And when I arrive in Tampa it's going to be even nicer!

My Enemy
( 1844 of 2167 )

I was pacing back and front of my big TV, watching phone tips and tricks videos, waiting for the FedEx truck to roll down my street, when my friend and his woman dropped by and got me stoned.

I'm really glad they came by, we had a good time, and they distracted me from the fact that the 1000 to 1400 delivery window was sliding on by, and still no new phone.

My neighbor asked me the other day if I was going to avoid smoke, and I said I didn't know. As we smoked I told them I was into six days sober and they were both very supportive. They've seen me drink.

The afternoon turned out laid back, fun and comfortable. Bud is my friend, Booze is my enemy, and I have absolutely no desire to drive to the store.

Now if I could just get my phone...

Good Copy
( 1845 of 2167 )

FedEx finally arrived with my new Google Pixel 8 Pro phone. The setup process was amazing and blew my mind. First I transferred the SIM over from my Galaxy, then set it down next to my Pixel.

I scanned a QR-Code and suddenly the Pixel started grabbing my apps, wifi settings, passwords, messages, photos and contacts. It was magical.

Everything is now on my new phone, and works perfectly. So, I said goodby to my old friend of five years, and performed a factory reset. I'll take her up to Columbia tomorrow and turn her back in.

This puts my sixth day of sobriety, on to the books. Every day I become stronger of will and more empowered. Alcohol is my enemy and I'm fighting it with every cell in my old body, and I'm winning! Soon I'll stop counting!

Every fucked up thing I ever did in my life probably had booze behind it. I'm done with that, it's been hurting me bad lately, and I'm stopping it now.

I've found a great place to stay after dinner at the Indian restaurant Chai Pani next Friday. It's the Pilot/Flying J, nine miles (21 minutes) south of downtown Decatur GA. Very inexpensive, as in free. Why get a motel room when you're sleeping alone and have a sweet memory foam bed in the back of your truck?

From there the next morning it's 450 miles (6.5 hours) down to Shelby's new place in Tampa. This is country in the South that I've never seen before, so I'll take my time and explore.

Shelby and friend are getting into Tampa late, and armed with the gate code, I'll just sleep inside her complex until they arrive.

Going Good
( 1846 of 2167 )

I was going to drive up to the Spectrum store in Columbia today and have them help with any transfer issues from my Galaxy to the Pixel, and give them my old phone.

Well, the new phone is working perfectly, I have all my old stuff, she's tucked into a new case and I just installed a screen saver film on her. I also contacted Spectrum via phone and had them email me a shipping label and the Galaxy is now all packed up and ready to go back. No drive to Columbia needed.

It's taken me a bit to learn the new gestures on the Pixel 8 Pro, quite different then Samsung, but I get them now, and they are intuitive and sweet.

The camera system on this phone is so good, I'm leaving my Sony digital with the zoom lens home on this upcoming trip.

A holster case that clips to your waist arrives tomorrow. Daniel uses one and swears by it. When I first saw it on his hip I thought he was packing. He usually is packing, but not there. He goes up and down ladders all day and needs a safe way to carry his phone.

Got my clothes clean at the Wishy Washy this morning and everything is going good.

Lunch Buffet
( 1847 of 2167 )

I just called and talked to a lady named Stephanie. She confirmed that Chai Pani has a lunch buffet on Friday from 1130 to 1430. I asked if it's the kind you can walk around and try everything, and she said yes, for $15. I told her this Tennessee boy was going to see her there!

It's a 4.5 hour run so I can make the lunch buffet easily. Then I'll have a bunch of time to explore Decatur before heading south to my layover spot. I've changed my mind about the Pilot/Flying J and going for Rest Area 22 off I75, whicht looks nice. From there it's a straight shot down to Tampa.

Take care of business and pack up tomorrow, then head South. Withdrawals were tough today, all I need to fix that is some great Indian food. Day seven on the books.

.
Hoop Jumping
( 1848 of 2167 )

I needed access to the files on my phone, and I wasn't getting it, just an empty folder. I'm used to connecting a USB C cord between my laptop and phone, then drilling down through DCIM/Camera to get to the photos I took with the phone. Then copying (or moving) what I want to my computer and blogging with them.

This was a major snag and I had to figure out how to fix it. The solution was obscure. First I had to go to Settings/About and click on the Build Number seven times to get into Developer Mode. No shit.

Suddenly new options opened up and under Advanced I found an option that lets me specify what to do when the phone is connected to a computer via a USB C cable. I selected USB File Transfer and suddenly everything was visible and available.

Now maybe I'm an exception, I take photos with my phone and I need to get them onto my laptop, or I don't blog. That was one hell of a hoop to jump through to make that happen...

These were just some test photos I took up at the Park yesterday. I can copy, move or delete them directly. I need access to my content!

Ok, now that I've thought about it, it makes sense. Most people plug a USB C cable into their phones simply to charge them. Having a dialog pop up exposing the entire file structure to them is a recipe for disaster. If you want access to the insides of your phone, you got to jump through hoops!

Truck Bed
( 1849 of 2167 )

I've set up my truck bed into one of my favorite configurations. It starts with clean fitted sheets off my bed followed by what I call the Grannies Blanket Spread. It was her favorite blanket from our Pleasant Hill, CA home during the time her Alzheimer's was setting in, followed by a crocheted blanket she made years earlier.

She had both these blankets on her bed, it's the perfect combination of style and warmth, and I think of her every time I climb back there.

The bed itself is a custom memory foam mattress made and cut to fit my truck. I had it constructed in Idaho Falls, and it was pricey, but worth it.

I also carry heavy duty tools back there capable of breaking into a burning car. I love my little truck bed, it's served me well over the years.

These are Shelby's great-great-grandmothers blankets, and one day they will be hers.

Rocking On
( 1850 of 2167 )

I've been spouting bullshit on this blog for a year now about getting out there on the road, and bailing for one fucked up reason or another. It's finally happening tomorrow morning, and I'm very ready.

I got all my chores done this morning and put money in my pocket, and on my card. My new phone is rocking and ready to take it's position on my dash with the rear camera and GPS.

In the morning I'll toss my electronics into the bag and head to Indian food brunch in Decatur, GA. Finally!

My body is in an interesting place, on one hand elated that I've finally stopped poisoning it. Everything I do now is just better, and coming from a state of clarity and commitment.

On the other hand, it's pissed off. It ain't getting what it's used to, and lets me know it. I actually have mild flu-like symptoms that I know comes from the withdrawal from alcohol.

Like I said previously, the cure is Indian food. I'm going to make several trips to the buffet line, trying small portions of anything that looks like I can eat. I'm not a big buffet guy that eats too much, I just want to try it all.

I'll take pictures with my new Pixel 8 Pro and post them from Grannies Spread in a Rest Area South of Decatur, GA. Meanwhile, day eight is rocking on.

Back Roads
( 1851 of 2167 )

There are a couple of ways to get to Decatur, GA. One mapping app suggests the traditional way of shooting straight East thru Chattanooga, and then South. I've done that run to Atlanta and I want something different.

The Google Assistant is wonderful. From a dark screen I can just say Navigate to Decatur, GA and she loads the map up with options. I'm a Garmin GPS guy, but I'm going to let her guide me down tomorrow.

We'll hit Huntsville, AL and then I'll sail through new country for me, on a diagonal over to I75. We'll go through Scottsboro, Henager, Hammondville, Valley Head, Mentone then leave Alabama into Georgia and hit Cloudland, Menlo, Summerville, Armuchee, finally connecting with I75.

Back roads are so much more fun than Interstates. It may take a bit longer but if I leave early I should make the 1100 buffet opening at Chai Pani. If I'm late, hey they're open until 1400.

Early Run
( 1852 of 2167 )

It's been a great early morning run through rural Alabama and Georgia, with two cups of gas station rot-gut coffee and a $2.85 a gallon fill up.

Pixie (yes, I've named my new phone) surprised me with her chosen route, through small towns in the dark, finally merging onto I75 South. Getting through downtown Atlanta was challenging, but expected.

My new best friend Pixie's GPS skills were impeccable. I just used my main GPS to keep track of my speed, and the speed limits.

I am now in downtown Decatur, in the parking lot of Chai Pani, in the shade writing this post. I finally made it! I'm also an hour ahead of the buffet lunch opening. If I can find someone inside I'll ask if they don't mind me parking here until they open, so I can walk around downtown.

Hell yea, day number nine!

Off The Rose
( 1853 of 2167 )

Chai Pani in Asheville, NC won the James Beard award for best restaurant in America, two years ago. I was instantly intrigued and thought, "I have to try out that Indian street food"!

Thus began an obsession that I have totally worn out on this blog. My apologies. But finally, today was the moment of truth as I sat inside the Decatur, AL Chai Pani with a bit of most everything sitting inside a metal plate.

I took my first bite, hmmm spicy and interesting. I bit into the next item, hmmm spicy and intersting. The same thing happened with everything else and I realized the only difference in each was the composition, and they all used the same spice!

I decided to have the chicken over rice as a second dish but I could barely finish it. It was all sitting in my gut like a rock, and I thought WTF?

I was the second person through the door at lunch time and the place had since become packed. Folks here obviously like the stuff, but I decided that the bloom is off the rose and I'm never coming back.

It's funny how you can fantasize about something until it becomes bigger than life, then it ends up crashing and burning to the ground. That's exactly what just happened to me.

Road Office
( 1854 of 2167 )

I've set up my road office at Rest Area 22 off I70, fifty miles South of Atlanta. I've got my own bench with a canopy in the event of rain, I've got my portable power supply running everything, and my phone's hotspot provides Internet.

There's no food here, but trust me, I ain't hungry. I'll hang out here for the evening and mosey down to Tampa tomorrow. Shelby and friend won't get in until late, so maybe I'll go to the beach!

Update: Heading to the Ben T Davis Beach, a public beach in Tampa City.

I75
( 1855 of 2167 )

I climbed into my truck canopy, parked at Rest Area 22 off I75 last night, at 1900 (Eastern Time). I didn't come out until 0530, 10.5 hours in there and only used the pee jar once. I slept great, and the sound of the diesels running around me was like the white noise generator machine back home.

I've been driving South in the dark for a while now, with one gas/coffee stop along the way. The sun is finally coming up, all my devices are charged from the driving, and I've got another coffee going from a little joint along the highway.

I've been texting hands free with Shelby, Daniel and Massey while I drive, thanks to miss Google Assistant mounted in her carrier to the left of my steering wheel.

As I head into fucking day 10 sober, I have to say I haven't felt this alive in a long, long, time. I don't need a damned woman in my life, I like myself and I can hang with just me. I'm a good man when I'm sober, I'm smart, charming and I don't give a flying fuck what any stranger thinks about me!

Now to get back on the road, Florida is still a ways away and I've got a great day ahead of me!

New Pad
( 1856 of 2167 )

I've made it to Shelby's new apartment in Tampa, FL. Unfortunately, she's not here yet. She and her friend are pushing a big U-Haul with a car behind through the Carolinas, actually they should be in Georgia by now.

But that don't stop Grandpa Jim from getting the lowdown on the place. Shelby gave me the pass codes to the gate and her garage. I've gathered up her packages and brought them upstairs and set a new tire waiting outside for her, inside the garage.

It's a very nice upscale two story apartment and I'm sure she's going to love it. There's a big pool in the back and an outside barbecue. There are a total of thirty two steps in two levels of stairs, and I made it very clear a while back that I am Not the stairs pussy! It don't bother me at all.

I stopped at Walmart before coming here and bought a pot, a cup and some metal straws. Then I went to Publix and bought some large lemons and some peeled garlic. My drink is cooking on her stove as I write this.

I wish I had a chair to sit on, but hell, I've been sitting and driving all day and it's good for me to stand. I'll hit my canopy bed well before they arrive tonight and I told Shelby to knock on my roof.

Tomorrow is moving day but I assume we'll at least get the bed and some bedding up here tonight so they can crash, after a hell of a drive from D.C.

Shelbs Place
( 1857 of 2167 )

I was laying in the back of my truck last night around 1030, in front of Shelby's new place in Tampa, when suddenly I heard her voice, and my phone went off. They had arrived!

Shelby and her dog Zinny came running at me (glad I remained dressed) and we had a big ol hug. Then she introduced me to the friend that flew up from Pensacola to help with this move. His name is Stormy (yea), real buff, tats, good looking with a great smile. Shelby has a knack of attracting fine men, and I don't think this is romantic, he's just a good friend.

I thought they were towing Shelby's car behind the U-Haul but it turns out Stormy drove the truck the whole way while Shelby and Vinnie followed behind in the car.

Shelby loves her new place, huge compared to the cramped place she was living at up in DC. She's got a garage to park her car, a view out onto a big pool, with a barbecue off to the side.

We unpacked a few basics from the back of the U-Haul, including air mattresses for them to crash on tonight, and I said good night. Today is moving day and her friend and husband are coming over to help.

The husband was going to play off of Stormy to move the big items but he hurt his arm so Shelbs has hired a moving guy to fill that position. It should be a fun day eleven and the first thing I'm going to do is set up the shower curtain so we can clean up from the road.

She has a couple of days after the big move today, before she starts her new job, so new adventures await before I head back home.

Night Text
( 1858 of 2167 )

I was sleeping soundly in my truck canopy last night when a text came across my phone at 0244. Lately I leave my do not disturb mode off because nobody texts me at night. So I ignored it.

That didn't last long and I started to wake up wondering who it was. Finally I turned over and grabbed my phone, it was my son Riley from Seattle. Now there's a three hour difference there to here on the East Coast, so it was 1144 his time, on a Saturday night.

He's an amazing hard working man, and he has Sunday off, so I figured he was enjoying himself with a well deserved drink or two. I picked up the phone and clicked on the text. It read:

Hey dad hope your having a good time in Florida! Question... What is the spelling for your first name? Is it Lee? Or spelled differently

I responded groggily, Leigh. He texted: Thank you! What are you doing up? Lol and I said: Sleeping in my truck

At this point I thought he was going to get the fact that I was sleeping in my truck, but no.

He wrote: Nice! Another question... What's shelbys middle name?

At this point I was awake and laughing, and replied: I don't know, I'll ask her in the morning. Love you, goodnight.

Ok love you too dad

Sigh...

Moving Day
( 1859 of 2167 )

It was all hands on deck this morning as we unloaded Shelby's stuff from the U-Haul. The photo below only represents the kitchen and partial living room areas, there's still a bunch of stuff upstairs in the bedroom and down in the garage.

Her co-worker and boss came over with his wife and nine year old daughter. The wife is one of Shelby's closest friends and they all chipped in with the move. Earlier the guy Shelby hired to help with the move showed up, and he and her competitive body builder buddy Stormy got the heavy lifting done.

Meanwhile the Stairs Pussy did his share of stair climbing with lighter stuff. Shelbs and Stormy are now off to Walmart to buy a big TV because her 40" broke in transit. They'll use the U-Haul to get it back here, and then drop the truck off.

Shelby is juggling two jobs, her DC job for a couple of months, and this new one as a defense contractor, along with unpacking all of this stuff to make a new home.

Later this evening were all going out for miniature golf and dinner. Tampa is one hell of a fine Florida city, everyone drives fast and lives big. Shelby offered to turn her garage into a studio apartment for me, but I had to politely decline.

Hey, they just showed back up with a 65" LG from Walmart, for $492 after taxes. It's a beauty!

Biggest Test
( 1860 of 2167 )

Working my way through day number eleven of sobriety. It was the goal for my real self to show up here in Tampa, unencumbered by alcohol bullshit, and I have achieved that. I've still got a couple more days before I head back home, and I am questioning myself.

I'm thinking of taking my time around the Gulf Coast heading home, maybe landing in Gulf Port or Biloxi for the night, and quite frankly I don't trust myself to do it.

I don't know where my breaking point is, or wether I even have one anymore. I suspect in the back of my mind I might. Achieving something major like beating an addiction requires motivation, and I'll be heading back to a life that has none.

This will be the biggest test of this project as I travel alone back into the real world, through the land of bars and honky tonks. Do I have the strength and commitment to make this real for the rest of my life.

As I sit here on Shelby's couch on a Sunday afternoon, craving a drink real bad, the answer to that question is, I have no fucking idea, but I may not.

No Teeth
( 1861 of 2167 )

I was born without teeth and I'll die without them. I came up with that phrase yesterday afternoon with my friend Stormy, and I had the chance to use it over dinner later.

Shelby, Stormy and I met her friends (and now mine) at a steak house for dinner last evening. This was the couple who showed up for the move and they are wonderful. They have a nine year old daughter that bonded with me over games on her phone.

He's a career marine and she was stunning in a dress from a previous event. As the Happy Hour call rolled around I ordered a double vodka water, house. I toasted the group and announced that I had been sober for eleven days, just to meet them, and present Shelby's grand-father in a decent light. They cheered, and toasted. The run is over.

Shelby, Stormy and I played Poker later on in her new living room, and I think I beat them, but I'm not sure, probably neither are they...

Head Home
( 1862 of 2167 )

I had a hot lunch date with my sizzling young woman friend named Shelby. The old guys around me couldn't pick their jaws up off the table, it was embarrassing.

We ate at a place called BJ's and I asked the waitress what that stood for, and all she could do is blush. The food was great, I ate some tasty salmon, and we had pot-stickers and other good things...

We got Stormy off to the airport on time while Shelby pulled off mandatory video office meetings at the same time. I just rode along wondering where my glasses went to last night. I finally found them in the basket that held the poker cards.

My overworked beautiful favorite grand-daughter is still hanging chill, with everything going down across two jobs. The kitchen needs to be unpacked, but life has it's priorities. She keeps sayin we're heading to the beach, but I'm up for just hanging here at the pool today.

Life is tough down here in Tampa Bay, on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. I don't know when the fuck I'll actually head home.

Hot Date
( 1863 of 2167 )

I had a hot lunch date with my sizzling young woman friend named Shelby. The old guys around me couldn't pick their jaws up off the table, it was embarrassing.

We ate at a place called BJ's and I asked the waitress what that stood for, and all she could do is blush. The food was great, I ate the tasty salmon, and we had pot-stickers and other good things...

We got Stormy off to the airport on time while Shelby pulled off mandatory video office meetings at the same time. I just rode along wondering where my glasses went to last night. I finally found them in the basket that held the poker cards.

My overworked beautiful favorite grand-daughter is still hanging chill, with everything going down across two jobs. The kitchen needs to be unpacked, but life has it's priorities. She keeps sayin we're heading to the beach, but I'm up for just hanging here at the pool today.

Life is tough down here in Tampa Bay, on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. I don't know when the fuck I'll actually head home.

Our Lunch
( 1864 of 2167 )

I had a hot lunch date with my sizzling young woman friend named Shelby. The old guys around me couldn't pick their jaws up off the table, it was embarrassing.

We ate at a place called BJ's and I asked the waitress what that stood for, and all she could do is blush. The food was great, I ate the tasty salmon, and we had pot-stickers and other good things...

We got Stormy off to the airport on time while Shelby pulled off mandatory video office meetings at the same time. I just rode along wondering where my glasses went to last night. I finally found them in the basket that held the poker cards.

My overworked beautiful favorite grand-daughter is still hanging chill, with everything going down across two jobs. The kitchen needs to be unpacked, but life has it's priorities. She keeps sayin we're heading to the beach, but I'm up for just hanging here at the pool today.

Life is tough down here in Tampa Bay, on the Gulf Coast of Mexico. I don't know when the fuck I'll actually head home.

Dear Shelby
( 1865 of 2167 )

It's early in the morning on Halloween and I'm hitting the road. The best gift I can give you right now is one more day to unpack your things and fix up your apartment, and handle that remote job up in DC. Thanks for everything, it's been a wonderful visit!

Thanks for letting me crash on your couch last night, it was very comfy. I'm grabbing that door dash bowl of stuff for brunch later on.

I love you lady, very much, and may the spirits of our past be with you today.

Your proud grandfather,

OldManJim

While I Can
( 1866 of 2167 )

I'm back home from that little drive down to Tampa, FL. I left there early yesterday morning and drove a bunch. Half way up I75 South of Atlanta my electronics bit the dust. It all boiled down to the charger plugin outlet that feeds everything, and it was hot.

I pulled into a Rest Area and discovered that I actually do have my act together. Inside my glove box was a full fuse kit with a plastic extractor. I found the burnt fuse, popped a 15amp back in there, and down the highway I rolled, charging everything again.

I wasn't sure how far I wanted to go and kept playing different scenarios out on my GPS as I drove North. I remembered a little club up in Chattanooga that had a quiet spot in the back to crash for the night, so I headed there.

As the place was shutting down I talked to the boss and told him I had a bit to drink and was going to crash in his gated yard, and he said fine. But I couldn't sleep on my bed in the back because it was wet.

So I grabbed a blanket and my pillow and hunkered down in the drivers seat. After a while I woke up and drove my ass home. I just barely found a gas station open and damned if I didn't make it!

So here I am, home again. It's 0245 the day after Halloween. I was going to hit the beach yesterday with Shelby and setup a candy dispensary from her garage. I have absolutely no regrets bailing on my amazing grand-daughter, because she had amazing things to do. And entertaining me was in the way of everything.

It's really good to be home.

Update: It's really good to be awake! Apparently I passed out here in my chair a few hours ago. I guess I should get this post up now, while I can...

Backwards
( 1867 of 2167 )

My latest run at sobriety was a good one. I accomplished my goal of meeting Shelby's friends with a straight face, and I'm proud of that.

But in the process I became painfully aware that the addiction was still there and all I was doing was forcibly denying it. In the middle of day eleven as we were heading out to dinner with friends, I new it was over.

So what is a man to do in this situation? I'm not getting what I really want out of life, I've run out of goals, and I'm lying flat on my back having fallen off that fucking wagon, once again.

I really don't know what's going to happen next, or even what I'm going to do today. Each step forward this morning has felt like a step back.

Maybe that's the solution, turn around and start walking backwards. I'm really good at pissing and moaning about my past life, at least this way I'll be able to see it more clearly. I can use my new phone as a backup camera, just to make sure I'm not walking off a cliff.

Stormy
( 1868 of 2167 )

I made a new friend over the last few days, his name is Stormy. He's a world class body builder, runs a gym in Pensacola and consumes 4,000 calories a day. He flew up to D.C. to drive Shelby's U-Haul down to Tampa and he's driving back there in a few days with a dresser in his truck.

There's no romance here, just great friends, and my single grand-daughter Shelby is the hottest catch in Tampa, if you could keep up with her.

Be Done
( 1869 of 2167 )

I'm trying to access my next move, but I'm not seeing it. Survival is always good I suppose, while I watch the wagon roll on down the road without me. Thank god it's the season and my two favorite holidays are coming up, and I've already set a precedent by spending Halloween in a Chattanooga nightclub. And I trust that anyone that knows me in the slightest spots the facetiousness in that favorite holiday crap.

My auto insurance continues to go up, even though I've never filed a claim with Farmers in thirty years. I guess my agent needs that $30 to have lunch with my landlord, who also raised my rent by $25. When you live on a fixed income there ain't nobody or nothin you can raise to make up for it. But hey, look at all of the benefits I'm gaining for the money!

When you get old, life becomes a lose lose situation. The best thing I can say about my life, is that I still have a platform to bitch about it from. One day I'll have pissed off or bored the very last person who bothers to read this blog, at which point this thing will be done.

Our Status
( 1870 of 2167 )

As the story goes, four people were sitting around a round table when a question arose from the gray mist: If you could describe yourself with one word, what would it be.

As each word of truth came forward, the surprising small hands of the sole woman at the table, created this. But, to be honest here, the word Dick did not come from Chris's mouth, it came from the Bitch's mouth. He did not get a chance to get his word out, because she inserted it and passed him on by, because she's, you know, The Bitch.

It's interesting how one word can come blasting from your brain, one word to define yourself. It's also interesting how your friends perceive themselves. I don't agree with any of their perceptions, and hopefully they don't agree with mine.

What is your word, my friend the Dick, we can update this document!

Update: Dick has been changed to Limited.

Back Wards
( 1871 of 2167 )

I used to travel Mexico a lot in the mid-seventies with my Japanese wife Marcy. On one adventure we met another American couple who invited us out to the Sand Dune Hill Climb event the next day.

We found our new friends and climbed up into the back seat of a monster fucking big truck and headed to the start line. We were huge compared to the other large trucks.

As the countdown continued down, the guy say's "no, it's too easy this way" and flipped that baby around in a heartbeat. Suddenly, we're blasting up the side of this sand dune, backward, while the competition on both sides faded away.

We don't give Backwards the respect it's totally due.

Pickled
( 1872 of 2167 )

Daniel's been chattering about pickled eggs and pickled okra, so I bought a jar of each at the Cash Savers today. Both were great! I just needed some deep fried butter to make this a complete Southern meal.

Poker Chips
( 1873 of 2167 )

My neighbor Daniel and I have been picking up where Shelby and I left off up in Nashville. We've been playing poker the last couple of nights, just trying to beat the other.

So, I just ordered a nice Poker set with chips, from Amazon, be here Wednesday. I'd like to set a game up with, you know, the gang (Pussy, Asshole, Limited and Bitch).

It would be fun to enter chips into the equation, everyone gets the same amount to start, and the winner is the one with the most at the end. No money involved, just the fun of the game.

Have A Plan
( 1874 of 2167 )

I actually have a day planned out for tomorrow. The weather is going to be amazing for November here, a low of 53° and a high of 80°.

I'm going to see my Farmers Insurance agent in the morning about lowering my rate, down from the new increase. We have to take a stand against bullshit inflation creep!

I've got a small check for $51.23 that came in from my Oaklahoma gas well, that I'll cash at my bank drive-thru, then buy myself some Preston's Tuesday Special Chickin an Dumplins down in Leoma.

And since I'm already South I'll just keep on going down to Florence, AL. It should be a beautiful day to hang out on the Tennessee river and enjoy Alabama!

It's nice to have a plan, plans are good, beats hanging out around the house watching NetFlix and Fox...

I don't know if anyone's noticed, but I've stopped feeding my ducks in the Park. As Winter approaches they need to toughen up and hunker down. I did slip by there before breakfast at the Park on Sunday, and they were happy, playing in the lake, and they spotted me. It was good to see my friends as they came rushing over, and I fed them, from my hands as usual.

I hope Limited and Bitch can make it over Wednesday evening for Poker with the new chips. It's also CMA awards night, so live Country Music playing on my big screen in the background, sounds good to me.

Damn Belt
( 1875 of 2167 )

I took care of errands this morning and pulled into Preston's in Leoma just as they opened.

I sat in one of their side areas and a group of three older people, two ladies and a guy, came in. As they were moving to the table next to me I was getting the good old boy, how you doing routine, from them. I guess this is just the way seniors greet another single senior around here.

As I was peacefully eating my improperly made, but good, Chicken and Dumplins in a single bowl with no sides, I noticed the woman across from the couple making eye contact with me.

Ya know, if I was interested in meeting very nice god-fearing folks, and single women, I could be more out there. I could have walked over and said hi to the lady, and then told her that I have lost my only belt, and I'm afraid that my shorts might hit the ground as I head to the cashier.

I could have then charmed her, saying she looks like a woman who would know how to fix this, maybe even have a solution in her purse. And maybe start something I'm not ready to handle in the slightest.

So I just sauntered to the counter with right hand on hip, holding my shorts up, while the left hand was pulling wallet and cash out of my shirt pocket, because my pants couldn't support the weight.

As I past her, we exchanged smiles, strangers passing on a warm Southern day. As I continued to keep my shorts from meeting my ankles while I walked to my truck, I realized Alabama was off. It was time to just head back home and maybe make the Park later.

Now where is that damned belt...

Update: After exausting every possible place it could be, I finally narrowed it down to one spot off my office computer station, a place I never set clothes, just bedding and sheets and stuff. I dug down to the bottom and found my belt, attached to my favorite black shorts, that I had also lost. Yea!!!

Secrets
( 1876 of 2167 )

Ok, I'll reveal the obvious, I am currently on drugs. I've been taking this mixture of Fentanyl, Heroin, Meth, and Peyote, with a dash of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, for years now.

Hey, some people make strange trendy smoothies, this is my druuggie. There are so many ins and outs and sideways going on with this droctail, it all mellows out into that wonderful crazy together man everyone sees as Old Man Jim.

As you arrive here at the junction of this Post, you will probably have one of two reactions: "OMG, I never knew!", or "Bullshit, what's the reality?

Ok, that was my attempt to write fiction, and it felt strange. I live inside a body of honesty, I have no reason to tweak a fact just to make myself look better to the listener of my story. Or make myself look worse if it fits the narrative.

I tell my story, a lot of it here, with every bit of honesty and reality I can muster, because to do otherwise, disrespects the actual memory moment.

I'm way to old to do anything but tell the truth, to everyone. That doesn't mean I'm an open book, and that I share everything with everyone. No, I have secrets that most don't know, and I share them with a rare few, if I share them at all.

So, despite a couple of intriguing secrets, who the fuck am I? And why should anyone give a flying fuck about me? The answer is, you shouldn't, but here you are, so lets go!

Who Me
( 1877 of 2167 )

Who Am I? This question permeates every movement I make forward in this moment called life. It doesn't matter who I was in the past, that's done, history. The past now defines me as just a raw field of energy and knowledge, surviving here in Tennessee as an old male human.

My emotions fluctuate between sad and happy. My sexual feelings have been driving and confusing me, and that cool wagon I rode on for eleven days down to Tampa has been swept into the fucking Bay.

I've got a little bag of local bud that I'm using to break on through to the other side. Tomorrow's poker party should finish that off, and that's fine.

This marks the fifth consecutive year I've been facing the Holidays here in early November. I've faced it better, and much worse, and now I'm just hoping for a smooth survival time back into Spring.

Other than that, I'm nice, loving, peaceful, thoughtful, emotional, and intelligent.

I sometimes wish I had someone to share this adventure with, but that's just crazy talk. I'm way too far gone for that to work.

So, this is me...

Poker Set
( 1878 of 2167 )

I thought I was going to get out and about today, when our lovely mail lady stopped in front and walked around to the back of her truck. Oh yea, I had that poker set coming today, so I went out and met her. Glad I did, it's heavy!

And very nice, everything has a quality look and feel. Hopefully we can get a game going tonight.

There's a sweet new deck of cards, five poker dice, whatever they're for, and three Texas Hold'M chips. There are also instructions for playing Hold'M, but that game has a bunch of rules and procedures, that should not be attempted tonight. Draw and Blackjack will be fine.

Teleport yourself here tonight Shelby and pull up a chair. It was our recent games together that inspired this great poker set! Actually I have to include neighbor Daniel in that insperation, since we've been playing nightly.

On My Arm
( 1879 of 2167 )

My favorite grand-daughter Shelby and I have been discussing Thanksgiving. She has an invite to Fort Lauderdale that she could take her old grandpa to, or we could hookup with Homer down in Pensacola.

I spent an amazing Thanksgiving a few years back with Shelby and Homer. They cooked a great Turkey and Fixins, in her place, while I loved on my great-grand-daughter Prudence. We ended up later that evening at the hottest party in Pensacola.

Homer Jolly was a well known local artist at the time. Now he's a famous one, and he designed and created the new Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo along the way. What I'm saying is, Thanksgiving with Homer could be much fun.

Either way it goes, I'm getting out of town and spending it with Shelby, and wherever we land, I'll have my cool poker case with me, and a beautiful lady on my arm.

No Doubt
( 1880 of 2167 )

I have no doubt that my grand-daughter Ariella knows her new little sister is inside that belly, and she can't wait to help out!

Tonight is the CMA awards, up the road, and I'll be playing it in the background as we get a poker game on.

I was just checking out this Lainey Wilson in advance, damn, how did she dodge my radar? I relate to her lyrics:

I got a heart like a truck
It's been drug through the mud
Runs on dreams and gasoline
And that old highway holds the key

Chips
( 1881 of 2167 )

I worked out the chip denominations of MY poker chip set. There are two white rows with slightly different chip block colors, screw that, they're both White and worth One single "Lee ST Buck" each.

Next up are two rows of slightly off color black chip blocks, which will both be Black, and worth Five bucks.

Finally, we have the green and the red rows. I'm thinking Ten bucks for green, and Twenty for red.

I actually have no idea how this is going to work out. It's a no cash in game so just divide the chips into three or four stacks, and see what the hell happens.

I'll update this post after the game...

Update: Limited and Bitch were a no show, fighting amongst themselves...

So, Daniel and I tossed the heavy chips around and played with ourselves.

He finally claimed he won, having taken all of the red chips he had won from me earlier, and plopped them down on an illegal bet as he was hiding his last drawn card to fill a straight. You can't do that, but this is fun poker, so I went all in, let's play the cards!

My two pair beat his failed straight, but he claimed that since I couldn't match his large stack of reds that he put on the table in an illegal manner, that he won.

So, I conceded the fucking card game, with no fucking hard feelings, to my next door neighbor fucking Daniel, whom I love.

As to the chip monetary test, the Ones were useless, never played. Maybe because this is a cashless test run.

And Lainey Wilson just took the CMA house down up in Nashville, I really like this girl!

And she just won Album of the Year, WTF?

And now she just won Female Vocalist of the Year, I'm in love...

And finally she took home the top prize, as Entertainer Of The Year.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Twin Peaks
( 1882 of 2167 )

For an old guy with tons of world experience, I now find myself out of touch with the good things in life, like Lainey Wilson, and the Twin Peaks restaurant chain.

I rode with Daniel up to Brentwood, TN this morning to pick up a sleep study kit, and we had lunch and drinks at the tittie bar called Twin Peaks, down the road in Cool Springs.

It was more of a cleavage joint with a little ass cheek, but the drinks and food were good, and the vibes fine. I chatted up the guy to my left and he turned out to be a local chiropractor. I shared a couple stories with him and then the food arrived.

We noted the absence of women here, just mostly young to middle aged men, trying to be sexy. Two women replaced the chiropractor, and we determined that they were gay by the way the hot blond in cutoff shorts threw their coasters at them.

Daniel noted that we men had our drink coasters carefully placed in front of us, while those ladies had theirs casually tossed across the bar. He thinks it's a secret gay code, that only women understand.

I then proceeded to tell him about the greatest strip club I've ever been to in my life. It was along the Coast Highway in Oregon, South of Portland, in the seventies. It was a converted old Cafe, with a big counter in the middle, and chairs wrapped all the way around. The counter had been raised up so you could rest your arms on it.

It was a warm Summer day as the Sun filtered in upon the hot raised counter. The bartender women worked the stage, got your drinks, and then the hot young college girls emerged from a dark curtain on the right.

They began squirming along the counter clockwise, completely naked, on their back, with their legs spread.

You couldn't touch them and they were right in your face! Tits and pussy, and your job was to tip. They just kept on squirming on by, until I ran out of tips.

But I digress...

Liberator
( 1883 of 2167 )

It was a tough morning, with pain sabers diving through my shoulder, and I was heading to the Store, when my friend Limited drove up.

He had an Acer Chrome book in basic Set Me Up mode, so I did my thing on it and turned it into a new vibrant laptop for the guy, with links to the Quality Assurance job he's going for here in Lawrence County, TN.

It's a new fresh tool that he can use to bypass the clutter of the 500 apps running on his seven phones all at the same time...

I need to change my group name from Pussy to Liberator.

Chris stays with Limited

Daniel stays with Asshole

And Tami stays Bitch, by default, because she said "Fuck both you guys" when I told her, on Limited's phone, that of course we're not alone, we got five hot bitches here. Then she hung up on me before I could say, just kidding...

It's been a fun uplifting Friday, and I'm now the Liberator!

Lim hung out here through the afternoon, raging wild rants against the big phone companies, over his phone that was near death, into the ears of a women that represented them, from the Philippines.

It took the poor girl almost twenty minutes to realize she was being hit on by a crazy American from the deep South. I was writing this Post while hearing this go down, and I figured it out. She gets paid by the minute while she's on the phone with a client, but she's not opposed to talking to a Southern Gentleman off the clock, and I suggested this to Limited.

Finally, at one magical moment, Lim asked her to call him back and she paused from her persistant company rant, and said Yes.

As the night went quiet, the outside world became dark, and Limited's cell phone rang, the ultimate question was finally answered. I am the fucking Liberator!

Plastics
( 1884 of 2167 )

I try hard to be an environmentally friendly human, but I'm far from perfect. Once a year I take all the Krogers plastic bags that I've stashed, back for recycling. I was using the large water dispenser system, dumping the empties back into their bin at Kroger, but they became unreliable.

Drinking the tap water here is not an option for me, so I buy Deer Park spring water in jugs. Some I keep in my fridge for drinking, others out for cooking. And I feel bad when they end up my trash can!

I also use plastic straws for my drink, because the paper ones don't hold up. I buy these bags of multi-colored flex straws, and the color I pull out each late morning is a sign of how my day goes, and ends.

Blues and Greens usually indicate that I'm getting out to the Park that day. Yellows and Purples suggest a three to four Posts day.

Red means my chips are all in to the Poker game of Life. The hands are showing and the winner is obvious, and I get to choose the one I want. I've drawn Red the last two days, and I didn't win the pot yesterday.

So, I put plastic water bottles, tall white garbage bags, and straws, into the landfill. Their might be a plastic recycler around, but my place is small, where am I going to keep a growing collection of empty water bottles. I'm not.

I wish the city would provide a special container that we kept up against the house until it's full of plastic, then haul it out to the curb on recycling day. Since we don't, I lay the plastic induction into the land fill they manage, on them.

Red Straw Day
( 1885 of 2167 )

Ahh, a nice little Saturday afternoon Veterans Day at the end of a dead end street in the Deep South.

The front door is wide open, my neighbor Daniel is refreshing his drink next door, and all I can think about is my unfulfilled self. How do you fulfill something that's so deep, and honestly unknown, to yourself?

Daniel is back and now we're watching Tennessee v Missouri. He and his fucking college football fetish keeps me under control for a little while. He's gone now.

Hey, this Red Straw day is getting on! Riley just texted me some old pics of me and hey, I looked pretty hot back then, and he was so young!

It's almost 1800 here on Lee St. There is no Saturday night poker game going on, with this beautiful new chip set. I guess I've gone too far on this friendship thing that was growing on me...

Now it's 2130, and as I look around my little neighborhood, I see peace. It looks like my neighbor Drew is getting laid, that's really good, he's a good dad and desersves some fun time. Daniel has gone to bed, I think... He may resurface.

My life is near nothing. Friday just means there's new Bosch episodes on NetFlix. I hate Saturday, everyone is running around doing all of their down home important country shit.

Sunday is football, sometimes, I've yet to see the Titans new young QB play. I don't go to Church.

And then I start the week, an entity of five that I embrace as one. A place where memory and time are melted down into daily blog posts.

If I didn't write I wouldn't remember my life as it stands, I can go back in time to any day in my decades of blogging, and relive it.

Most every day of my life for the last eleven or more years is at my fingertips in this amazing database called the Internet.

Here's to Saturday, Nov 11, 2023!

Shout
( 1886 of 2167 )

When in doubt, shout, when in pain, don't complain. I've been running around Alabama this morning and I realized my shoulder felt ok today. I never mention the good days so y'all may think I'm in constant pain, and that's not the case.

I can usually find the right combination of meds and mellowers to settle that bad boy down to the point I can forget it's there. There's just some things that can trigger an episode, like when I rubbed Daniel's back a few nights ago.

Yea, it was kinda weird, my neighbor Daniel and I don't have a touchy feely friendship. But he was sitting in his chair wincing in back pain saying "It needs to be pushed up out of my back". I said "What can I do" and then he took off shirt, layed on the floor, and shouted "Push it up!"

So I grabbed my foam pushup pad and walked over to him, all spread out, my shotgun a foot from his head. I placed the pad up against his side, put my knees on it, then put my hands together at the base of his spine.

Now, I rarely feel Daniels back at all, unless he's helping me up after falling, and sometimes he never helps me up, I have to do it myself, but I digress.

So to be in this situation with my bare hands on my friends bare back, was surreal. I shouted "Get the fuck out of Daniel's back!" and proceeded to put the full weight of my upper body onto my hands, pushed down hard on his back, then moved them slowly up his spine, all the way to his neck, Yelling "Out, Out, Out..."

From below me, my tough, gun toting friend was moaning like a baby. I can't swear that he was also shouting "Oh Yes!, Oh Yes!", but it kinda sticks in my craw. Anyway, I thought this was going to be a one-off thing, mission accomplished, pain pushed from the back!

Oh no, as I was getting up from the pad, he shouted "Do it again!"

Now wait a minute. I just performed the most magnificent back pain exorcism in the history of humanity, and now you want me to be your masseuse?

I made a couple more passes up his back, because it helped him, without the gusto. I then felt my shoulder hurting and realized I had hurt myself, to help a friend with his pain. That's what friends do.

Current World
( 1887 of 2167 )

I have nothing to eat here at my little house. I should have gone to Kroger and bought supplies but I headed South to Florence, AL instead. When I got back home I had no interest in anything but a cocktail or two, and a puff off the dwindling crumbs from a small plastic bag.

Daniel and I have been playing Poker with no stakes at my table, watching football on the big screen, with the volume turned off. He just came back from a drive up North to his Sleep Study place and managed to take his wife with him.

She was going to bail this morning so he and I could go, but I wasn't here, so she went. It sounds like they had a great time and I'm happy for them.

Daniel's wife Jennifer, puts up with me. We are not friends, even though I've tried. He's told me it's not me, ok. I've suggested getting her over here for a round of Poker to fill a third chair, but Daniel insists that ain't going to happen. Whatever...

I turned on my TV tonight and spotted Yellowstone being pumped into American society, in Prime Time, through the CBS commercial network. I just saw a hot sex scene there, that made me think what I would have thought at thirteen. God I can't imagine growing up in this current world!

To Be Alive
( 1888 of 2167 )

I love my new Google Pixel 8 Pro. It's funny, you would think that a man who has been involved with creating new technology for many decades, would figure out his cell phone sooner, but that has not been the case.

I started out with this beautiful thing having to scan my face, along with my right index finger from multiple angles, and then enter a four digit pin number.

So, to get to my phone I had to press a specific spot on the screen with my right index finger, and then enter a four digit pin if the camera didn't recognize my face.

What a piece of crap this is! So, if my phone was lost or stolen, this high level of security is going to keep me safe! I suppose some cracker could do you harm before you could shut everything down, but that's not likely.

I don't have any Scan To Pay apps installed and I just don't use it for financial stuff. My phone has become something I always perceived, but I never thought I would meet. I love it for what it is and I am so glad I lived this long to have it.

Anyway, I have disabled all security on my phone. No more fingerprint checking, no more four digit codes. I have several levels of computers, from my mainframe coding monster in the back room, to my tablets and phone, which all reach my laptop, the bond that ties everything together...

The bottom line is, I now pick up my phone that went into dark home mode, thirty seconds after I last set her down, and then she sees my face and wakes up!

Hmmm, like I said, glad to be alive...

Update: I think it will work on any face, which means I have zero security. I'll test it out the next time I see a human face. If it's limited to just my face, that would be amazing. This also means her front facing camera is on all the time...

I walked out with my phone in the screen lock position and asked our lovely mail lady to help me. I held it up to her face, with sunglasses on, and it unlocked. I pushed the button to force it to the lock screen, and tried again, yep opened right up.

So I have absolutly no security, but it sure is neat to open this thing up just by looking at it.

Poor Baby
( 1889 of 2167 )

My 1988 Mazda B2200 Extended Cab with a Weber Carb and a header, is having issues.

She was purring like a kitten this Summer, until one day I couldn't keep her running and turned around from the Square and drove her home, barely making it. I had her towed to my mechanic up the road and he rebuilt the carb. He also noticed that the rotor cap was loose, so he tightened it.

When I got her home she was still running rough, but driveable, so I put a top quality Napa cap and rotor on, which helped. My mechanic has adjusted the carb twice now, to no avail.

Ok, here's what I think happened. With the rotor cap loose, the engine wasn't timing right, and I didn't help anything by forcing her home. Everything on top is fine, including the carb, but I think I damaged my valves.

Valves are defined as: Mechanical components used in internal combustion engines to allow or restrict the flow of fluid or gas to and from the combustion chambers or cylinders during engine operation.

A valve job is defined as: A ton of money to get her done, well over a grand.

My poor baby...

Here's another B2200 with a Weber carb and a header. Notice the shiny head, the valves are under there.

Hmmm, I have a shiny bald head, maybe my brain valves are damaged, that would explain everything. I need a valve job!

Life Goes On
( 1890 of 2167 )

My neighbor Daniel came by after work this afternoon, as he usually does, storming through my open door shouting for me to wake up, old man. I appreciate him dropping by, to get me up from my wasted chair, turn on some Fox News and play a little cards.

The deck sits by my mouse pad and everything is shoved aside, worthless tools of a dying blog, and we quietly play poker while Fox rages on. We just mentally keep track of the most wins, but it means nothing.

He kicked my butt, despite who dealt. After an hour he went home, worn out from his day.

All I have left in me is words on this screen. I really try to make them count, to have some meaning, but my best friend has not even read them during his day, and has no idea the despair I feel.

I've bailed on Thanksgiving with grand-daughter Shelby. Whatever part of Florida she lands in for the day, me and my old truck are not capable of keeping up. I just want to say here, I love her so much, and sometimes holidays need more than love, they need a big dose of reality.

The Blues
( 1891 of 2167 )

I drew a blue straw twice today, the first one bit the dust when the drink sitting on my center console tipped over as I accelerated across the highway on the way to the Park.

When I got back home, I drew another blue. So, I have determined that blue indicates a good case of The Blues, which is my current state today. Having the Blues doesn't carry the same weight as it did back in my early days. Now it's called Clinical Depression.

I've had many cases of this condition pop up over my lifetime, for many different reasons. It might have been caused by a woman, losing a job, or just your place in life in general. You get into a fuck everything mode and you stumble through the day, if you manage to get out of bed at all.

Hey, I did good today, considering I've got The Blues. I made it to the Park, spilled my drink, realized I had forgotten my wallet and cash, along with the bag of Qwack Cocaine I was going to try and feed my ducks with. But, I sat up there and managed to get my Gmail down to nothing...

Small victories count...

Crown Royal
( 1892 of 2167 )

Daniel and I did Crown Royal shots last night. It was my idea to do the shots, he dropped by after work and drug my ass out into the world and I bought the shit.

He did warn me that it would knock my dick into my watch pocket, and I didn't think it would stretch that far, but I think it did.

When I woke up this morning the bottle was gone and poker cards were scattered around two empty shot glasses. I'm glad I don't do this too often.

Then I went to the clinic and had my Celebrex prescription upped to 200 (it tops out at 400), and they drew more blood to check my liver. I'm sure it's fine.

It's a cold morning here, it's nice to get back to my little house, turn on the heater, and hunker down. Wish I had some smoke, but I don't. Think I'll put the heating pad on my shoulder and watch a movie...

My Liver
( 1893 of 2167 )

I told my doctor Christine that I went eleven days in a row last month without drinking. I also told her I canceled the liver ultrasound she had scheduled last month, so she drew some more blood today.

Gee, after those Crown Royal shots last night, I'll bet that's a pretty result!

The reality is, something is going to kill me eventually. So, if the ultrasound showed my liver hanging by a thread, what are they going to do? Cut my back open and give me a new one?

I actually don't think my liver is going to take me out. I've been drinking for almost sixty years and my sweet little liver has learned how to adapt.

My biggest concern is the arthritis in my right shoulder/arm. People that make their living using particular body parts suffer from this disorder. I used that arm to write great code over decades, others suffer from knee issues, like my auto body son, and everyone else that works is at risk of the same.

So I talked drugs with my doctor. I told her that Celebrex works, just make it stronger, and she bumped it up to 200. It maxes out at 400 and I will probably reach that some day.

I stopped by Walgreen's after a trip to the Park and they said it wasn't ready, come back in a couple hours. Then I came home and started writing this, and a text arrived saying it was ready, wtf.

So, if you've read this far, picture this. I'm sitting in my little house, door open on a cold day because I have my warm stuff on, writing this while getting drunker, and I need my new meds bad, but I can't drive anymore.

Hah! I'm actually laughing at the situation. Maybe Daniel will take me up to the drive thru after work, or I'll down a bunch of Ibuprofin and get through the night.

Just another day being OldManJim...

Hawaii
( 1894 of 2167 )

Daniel and I had a great chat last night with my longtime friend Beryl and her daughter JudyAnn in Hawaii. It was evening for us and noon for them, and Beryl was off to work.

What a fun time! We exchanged photos and I have to say, Beryl with a few years on me, and her daughter in the background, look amazing!

And she's still working, at a jewelry store! And she has a home on the big island! I am so happy for them. Talk about landing well...

Meanwhile, Daniel and I did shots, again. He brought over a bottle called Jim Beam Devil's Cut. It's still sitting on my table here, at 0500, along with his main drink cup. It's dark out but I should walk over there in my robe and make sure he's not unconscious on the ground. Ok, I just did, and he's not.

I still have an invite to Hawaii, thank you Beryl. We've had a great history and if I could get my act together, I would love to go visit you.

Royal Flush
( 1895 of 2167 )

Daniel and I did Devil's Cut shots and played poker tonight. At one point he thought he had a kick ass hand and started talking real bucks. The poor son of a bitch had two pair, and, being shot drivin, thought he could kick my ass.

We were up to eighty bucks, when we called each other. I told him there was no way he could beat me, but he just kept coming on. Thinking his two pair was going to beat whatever lame ass bluffing hand I had.

We play with two jokers, and I had both of them, along with three top shelf hearts, that added up to the best hand in poker, a Royal Flush.

We didn't exchange cash, but I whipped his ass good!

Correction: Since we were playing with two wildcards (Jokers), five of a kind of anything would beat a natural Royal Flush, but since I had both wildcards, mute.

Anywhere
( 1896 of 2167 )

I don't know what I'm doing anymore. I'm really confused about who I am and what my values are. There's a world outside my door but I'm running out of reasons to step through it. Driving to the liquor store doesn't count. Getting a royal flush with two cards that don't belong in a real deck, for fake money, doesn't count either. My shoulder continues to hurt despite stronger Celebrex. Sometimes I just want to give up. Every day I put clothes on, because that's what you're supposed to do, but it's almost 0900 and I haven't yet. It's six days until Thanksgiving, and I have a problem just getting dressed and stepping outside, looks like I'm not going anywhere...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

There
( 1897 of 2167 )

Do you ever have those rare moments when you encounter a face that is expressing pure joy in seeing you! I just experienced that with our lovely mail lady. As I walked to the curb she handed me an envelope from the truck, and her face burst into this amazing, real, down home southern woman.

Daniel and I banter about our hot mail lady with tats on her legs, but I saw her true self today, and it was something. I'm not talking about anything physical here, just the pure joy of interacting with an old man she's delivered mail to for over five years.

We had that fun little interaction last week where I used her face to see if my phone security was off. This was our first encounter since, and I'm sure she told her friends about the old guy that used her face.

I experience these moments more here in Tennessee, then there.

Existence
( 1898 of 2167 )

My friend what's his name, hell, the guy formally known as "Dick", and that's not in a formal name format, dropped by this morning, arguing in real time with the "Bitch" over his speaker phone, as he walked through my door.

Twice she wanted to hear my voice, to confirm that her man was not fucking some whore. The "Bitch" was threatening to destroy his prized collection of miniature cars, and wow, I love these two, especially when he turned to me and said "You want to get stoned?"

So here my day started in the depths of despair, and then my friend dropped by, and changed everything. He even spoke of that despair and then gave me that quizzical concerned look that implied "Are You suicidal?"

I told him "Fuck No!" I'm going to ride this train called Life until it runs out of tracks and nose dives into the sand. I may question my situation right now, but I value every second of it's existence!

Scars
( 1899 of 2167 )

So, I'm sitting in my chair, front door wide open, and a white SUV backs up in front. I thought it must be a DoorDash for my neighbor Drew, but after a while it honked at me. The passenger side window rolled down and I heard Daniel say "You coming or not?"

I then remembered that we were heading to the Store, for some Devil's Cut sipping whisky. It's funny and strange that I can't recognize my friends vehicle, and who the hell knows what happens after we finish that bottle, new scars?

We have come to playing Poker in the evening. He's helping some friends out right now, but this is his Friday, with next week off. Spells nothing but trouble to me.

So, here's to "new scars!" The plane that Sully landed in the Hudson survived, I figure we will to...

Whiskey Chips
( 1900 of 2167 )

Daniel introduced me to his friend last night, and he kicked our ass in poker. His name is Tony and Daniel has known him since childhood.

The Lawrence County School System with 14 schools scattered across a big county went down a maintenance guy when one retired, and Tony has all the skills required, and is hopefully their new hire.

He's also a hell of a nice guy, married with kids, and judging from my table this morning, a great poker player. His seat was the one with the double stack of reds ($20) and everything neatly stacked. Daniel had some impressive stacks of whites ($1) and some Devils Cut left in his glass. My chips were scattered all over and my cup was empty.

Actually, in my own twisted mind, I came in first. Considering that I started drinking and smoking around 0900 it's a miracle I was able to play at all!

Still Sipping
( 1901 of 2167 )

Alright, it's 1100 in Tennessee, the chips from last nights poker game have been put away, and Daniel and I have continued sipping on that big bottle of Devil's Cut that was purchased last night from the store up the street.

My new friend Tony also picked up a bottle of Proper Twelve last night, an affordable smooth Irish Whisky, sponsored by Conan O'Brien, but the whiskey was Great.

Daniels wife is still asleep next door. We have had nothing for breakfast but whiskey, and Fox News is on my big screen. My lovely neighbor is asleep in the chair next to me, I guess it's just a sleepy Saturday...

Oh wait, he's now up and standing in my front door, enjoying my yard.

Nobody Heard
( 1902 of 2167 )

Sometimes life sucks. Sometimes you let it out and just scream at it.

That just happened to me.

At least I didn't break anything this time, but what the fuck would it matter anyway.

I just screamed at the world at the top of my lungs from my little house on a dead end street at the bottom of the state called fucking Tennessee.

And nobody heard me...

Sunday Ribs
( 1903 of 2167 )

Drinking Smirnoff, sipping Devils Cut, heating up ribs that Daniel got this morning from the owner of our local bbq joint, and watching the Titans getting their ass kicked, once again. Sounds like Sunday to me.

The Titans
( 1904 of 2167 )

Just thought I'd post a followup to Sunday, like anyone really gives a flying, but hey, it's my platform and I'll say what I want.

I woke up this morning and realized all I had to eat in the house was eggs and beans, so I whipped myself up a scrambled egg bean thing. Daniel came over at 0800 with a drink in his cup, and I said what the fuck, and joined him.

He's been talking about our new local bbq place called Hinies, and their Sunday brunch with a build your own Bloody Mary bar. You get a big shot of vodka to mix with an amazing array of goodies that you could make a meal out of.

I'm going there next Sunday, if god gives me another week, but I wasn't up to leaving the house today and told him to go enjoy it with his wife, which he did.

Daniel and Jennifer have a complicated relationship. They live in sperate houses, love each other, but share different priorities sometimes. Like today, he wanted to walk next door and watch football with OldManJim after their brunch, and he did. Jen is certainly welcome in my little house but she don't like football, and finds me to be a questionable human being, so she went home.

So Daniel and I drank whisky and mixed drinks, yelling at the Titans on my big screen to get their act together, and played poker. We cooked up half a rack of those ribs on my stove, and he just went home to sleep.

So now I'm left to reflect on my life. I've been doing a lot of that lately, and I haven't figured a damn thing out yet. I had chest pains this morning and wondered if this was it.

I asked Daniel if I dropped dead in my chair, what was his game plan. He said no "mouth to mouth", but he would call 911, Riley, and Shelby, from my phone. God I would hate to disrupt my two favorite people in the world's lives at his moment, so I better stay alive!

I can't say the same about the Tennessee Titans...

Goodnight
( 1905 of 2167 )

I just realized that I truly don't give a shit anymore. When you're on the edge of life, shit don't matter.

Sitting in my fucking little house nearing midnight, typing words, watching amazing video's on youtube, and realizing that music can affect your life profoundly!

You rescued me from reaching for the bottle for a while, I stay stoned all the time on your love, then I fooled around and fell out of love, goodby Steph...

Turn off the heater, lock the fucking front door, and go to bed, goodnight...

Nuts
( 1906 of 2167 )

When I woke up around 0500 and swung me legs onto the floor, I was glad to be alive, that's good.

I've got a heart like a truck, that's been drug through the mud. I realize now that my heart has been broken by a woman that I loved for twenty years, that just left my life, with no closure, and just moved away to somewhere, and I don't know where that is.

I think that's it, I have no closure, no answers, no reasons how I arrived here in Southern Tennessee, and why I have ended up a sad lonely old man in a place I can barely keep up.

God, if you are there, help me, because I am lost...

Recovering
( 1907 of 2167 )

I'm trying to be done writing pathetic posts, and I just deleted the most stupid ones. I was saying fuck the world, take my stuff and I was going to just get in my truck and drive off into the sunset.

Then Shelby told me she want's me to take her child to the beach someday, but that child doesn't exist yet.

Then I went outside this morning and my truck wouldn't start, had it towed to my mechanic and he won't be able to get to it until Friday.

Then Daniel and I just watched "Secondhand Lions" on Prime here in my little house on my big TV. The message was, live as long as you can, and die with your fucking boots on the ground!

So, I apologize to anyone that has followed this blog. Depression is real shit, but I need to get my act together and live as long as I can, for the very few people that still love me, and for the even fewer people left who would not like to see me pass away.

The only stuff that I gave away in this madness, was my main computer in the back room. It went to Hudson, my young game playing friend who wanted it. I never use it anymore to write code, and it's a good gaming box. He did a factory reset on it, and I'm cool.

I guess my truck not starting was a message from above. I woke up in the middle of the night and took down the stupid "take everything" stuff, and even killed this blog for a while.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Recovered
( 1908 of 2167 )

So I gave my mainframe to Hudson, and he factory reset it, which means everything is gone. But, I was particularly cognizant over the years to keep my photos backed up onto external hard drives. And that's all I really care about, fuck the code, photos are what matters.

I just plugged one into my laptop and discovered a hoard of wonderful shots. So instead of being a "grumpy old bitch" as Daniel likes to call me, here's a small sampling of what I found. Please enjoy!

This is a guy I met up in Illinois at a rest stop after buying some legal weed. He was traveling in a sweet custom van with his dog, good looking and rich.

Here was Riley visiting us in Teton Valley, from Washington. Not a great shot, but...

These southern folk know how to do a catfish fry, but top this!

Seattle.

Riley and I in Seattle.

Our family room in Idaho.

The old back patio.

The inside of my little ParaTransit bus that I drove for a decade in Teton Valley, ID.

The outside.

Anika, my nephew Brians girlfriend, and my friend Andrea's, daughter.

Here's Steph with Eric Olsen who played Marty Deeks on NCIS, Los Angles.

Family, Brian Steph and Andrea.

I guess that's enough for a lonely old night before Thanksgiving, I hope you enjoyed!

Thanksgiving
( 1909 of 2167 )

OMFG. I'm laughing at my situation in life as opposed to pissing and moaning about it! This is good, I'm getting myself back!

I'm sitting here in a little run down house with no food, no vehicle to go buy some, and absolutely no plans for Thanksgiving.

I need to do my dishes, maybe tomorrow. My friend Daniel is hunkered down in his house depressed as hell, and I can't get him over here for a card game.

He was Plan B, my ride to somewhere tomorrow, for supplies or maybe a meal, but he's toast.

I understand and relate, I love my friend and I'm sorry he has reached that point that I was at just days ago.

So now what, as I sit here laughing. I suppose I can just walk up the hill, buy a bottle and some ice, and watch the Thanksgiving parade on my big TV.

Sounds like a plan!

Defeat
( 1910 of 2167 )

I'm sitting here at almost midnight ahead of Thanksgiving Day. I'm an old man, older then most of you, and I have many wonderful memory's of gatherings with family and friends! I am alone now, with no idea of what I'm doing tomorrow.

But I remember! Sitting around a big table with food everywhere, surrounded by people I love! Damn...

We make choices in our lives that impact everything down the road. I'm sorry we left Idaho, it was my move, and in the process, I lost the love of my life.

But, I still have a smile on my face, because to have other, is defeat, and fuck that!

Together
( 1911 of 2167 )

I just had a long talk with my friend Beryl in Hawaii. She's alone today, with family and friends scattered all over. When we ended the call she was going to make herself a peanut butter sandwich.

I scrambled my last two eggs and mixed in some baked beans, and that could be it for the day. No food in the house, and no truck to get any. Sometimes you just have to laugh at life, and make it to Friday.

Beryl and I had a lot of catching up to do. She's been in Hawaii for a long time now, her grand-daughter grew up there, and she has traveled all over the world with a lady friend that lives in Florida, near Tampa.

Usually they meet in New York City and go from there, but I proposed that on their next trip, meet up in Florida, and I can see her and Shelby in one drive down there.

We talked about my girlfriend Dawn when we all hung out together in Carmel Valley. She mentioned Dawn's younger sister and I drew a blank, until I started writing this. I just texted her "I remember Dawn's sister now, we had a three way, and resolved her virginity issue!". Dawn was great, I was the last man in her life as she went on to become a cloistered nun in a monastery.

I've said it before, but I really hate this time of year now. I just try to survive it, and make it through to the next year.

And then, out of the blue, I got a text from my nephew Brian. It read "Happy Thanksgiving Uncle Jim! from me and Andrea, Zion National Park. No/bad cellular. Call you when back in WY on Sunday".

They got back together! I love Andrea, she was my friend, and I am very fucking happy! If you scroll through the photoset I put up below, you'll see them in the last shot, along with Anika, who has to be a beautiful teenager by now.

Wow, I can't wait for this update, and pictures!

Year Done
( 1912 of 2167 )

Awe the irony of having your truck break down on the day before Thanksgiving, when you needed to hit the grocery store for a major shop. My mechanic thinks it's the firing rod underneath the cap and rotor, so he ordered the part and now he's shut down for the Holidays.

Thomas is not opening back up until Monday but he said he would try to slip into his shop tomorrow morning for a quick fix, and I'm grateful for him even considering that. He gets how fucked I am.

Daniel would certainly take me up to Krogers but he's been real sick, and I need everything, and I wouldn't subject him to that. The Senior Center here has a Ride Share program to get us old people around, $25 yearly membership and $4 a ride, but everyone is on Holiday time now, and there's no answer there.

Did I mention I hate this time of year? The last two days have been tough! I've been scraping around the house for anything to eat and had a three year old oatmeal pack for breakfast this morning. Maybe the restaurant in the Square will be open tomorrow, but probably not.

I barely slept last night as the upped Celebrex dose is not able to handle my shoulder pain. Ok, this is more than enough pissin and moanin...

So, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New Years Eve! Let's get this fucking year done!

Update: Daniel just got us up to the Dollar Store where we both power-walked the place and grapped enough supplies to carry us each through the weekend, Yeah!

Thomas
( 1913 of 2167 )

My mechanic Thomas came through for me today, big time. I suspect he read my blog and realized this old man was dead in the water without his truck, and he took time out of his family day after Thanksgiving to fix it. You have earned my loyalty sir.

Turns out it was my distributer, so he drove to the parts store, got it, installed it, and finished up the tuning on my rebuilt carb.

That's the thing about maintaining a sweet old truck, stuff wears out! I need my truck, it's like an extension of me, and I can't afford an alternative vehicle.

So if your looking for a great mechanic, I highly recommend Thomas! His shop is the old Bobby Darnell place, just past First St off Hwy 43 in Lawrenceburg, TN, heading North, on the left.

I just talked to my auto body genius son in Seattle, and he said the distributer makes sense. I bought the truck off him many years ago, and I have continued to maintain and improve her, and maybe I'll get another 250K out of her, or more.

Thomas's rates are also very reasonable! My boy was saying that having the same job done by the ripoff mechanics in his area would be much more.

Thanks again, my friend!

Texting
( 1914 of 2167 )

I'm sitting here in my little place tonight trying to knock myself down to a place where I can sleep. Last Thanksgiving night there were no cocktails in the house, I was hungry, and the Celebrex wasn't working. Every twenty minutes I was rolling over to avoid the inflamed arthritis on my right side, and waking up.

Tonight I have remedied those issues. I've also had great chats with my two most important people, my boy Riley in Seattle and my grand-daughter Shelby in Tampa.

I have lived a long time, and I can't even remember when chatting came into my computer consultant life. I know it occurred on PC based platforms in the eighties and on into the nineties, and I was right there to employ it. I think there was a rudimentary form of messaging between users on IBM systems in the seventies, but I can't remember anymore.

But the platform we have now, that all of you take for granted, is stunning to me, and I am so glad I have lived this long to experience it.

Talking via words on a screen in a naturally flowing format has been around for quite a while now, but the seamless integration between our cellular devices and our laptops and computers, is just kinda blowing my old mind now.

And the ability to throw every piece of data we have into the flow, is a testament to brilliant coders, and I salute you!

So, this old coder says good night, turning "Do Not Disturb" mode on, and really hoping I can get a good nights sleep!

Where Too
( 1915 of 2167 )

I drank last night and put myself to bed with 400mg of Celebrex and slept like a baby, God did I need that! I woke up at 0715 and Daniel knocked on the door shortly after. Soon, we were drinking Bloody Marys.

I offered to buy him breakfast this morning if he got me to the bank and then on to pick up my truck.

We called all around and the only place open was up in the Park. So, we took off into the world on a fucking Saturday morning at 0800, with a couple Marys in our gut.

I grabbed some cash to pay Thomas from the ATM, and then we drove to the Park. They had a buffet going and we got a table overlooking Lake Lindsey, and hit the breakfast buffet, with Mimosa's on the side.

Then we hooked up with Thomas and my truck is purring like a kitten, thanks man.

Now we're sitting around my house with cocktails going on and I'm not safe to drive my sweet little recovered truck! Maybe tomorrow!

The carb was still running high, and Daniel came over and brought it down.

Just now, he tapped on my shoulder as I was hearing her purr, for almost an hour, and suggested I shut everything down, and I did.

This old truck is ready to ride! Where to?

My Anymore
( 1916 of 2167 )

Ok, I don't know where my world is right now. I take my drinks into my mouth and they linger there, for sometimes long moments, before I choose to consume them.

I have no teeth anymore, and the experience is amazing. The drinks swirl around in my mouth and I have to tell myself to swallow. And when I do, they explode into an orgasm of energy as they blast down into my throat!

It's like a sexual experience, and since I am an old man who doesn't get any more of that anymore, I value the fuck out of it!

My Baby
( 1917 of 2167 )

My truck has been reborn, it's gone from dead to amazing! I drove her North on Hwy 43 up to Columbia and back, through multiple speed zones and topped out at 75 when the popo wasn't watching.

As I drove I thought about all the good things I've done to her recently.

• Major brake job.

• New tires, first rotation.

• New cap and rotor.

• New spark plugs.

• Rebuilt the carburetor.

• Flushed the transmission.

• Flushed the rear end.

• New distributer.

• Oil change tomorrow.

If you're going to drive a thirty five year old truck, you have to maintain it.

Losing her over Thanksgiving made me realize how much I need her. We have a relationship together! If I had put as much care and attention into a woman, I wouldn't be a sad lonely old man, now.

Period
( 1918 of 2167 )

It has been an absolutely fascinating and enlightening Sunday end to this thing called Thanksgiving!

I started out driving my truck North this morning and I saw employees getting Hinie's BBQ ready for breakfast and the build your own Bloody Mary's thing. Never made it there, damn!

I turned around at a little park just South of Columbia, TN. My truck was so happy after 69 miles I thought she was going to come! But I'm not sure what that would be like.

Then my friend called and asked if I'd like to burn one and I said sure! The rest of the day was a blur. I think the Titans won but I don't remember.

Now it's Monday, and all of that holiday stuff is done. I woke up this morning with a nagging feeling that I committed to something yesterday, but if I did, it drowned in alcohol last night.

I drove off into the cold looking for a hot meal and found Pat's Cafe open, thank god. I had me a big ol breakfast, two rounds of coffee, and multiple glasses of water, and here I am, still alive!

As I inspect the house, I realize that somebody drank a lot of my booze and all of my V8 juice. I guess Mary was on her period yesterday...

Sacked
( 1919 of 2167 )

I learned a couple of things yesterday. After barging into their house yesterday with a mask and a head thing, and almost getting shot before Daniel recognized me, I spoke with his wife Jennifer.

It was a quiet moment, but something happened. I have operated under the assumption that she didn't like me, always bugging Daniel to have her come over and play poker, and always getting denied. This house could use some female energy so bad.

But then last night he said Jennifer would come over sometime and play a card game called UNO. I have no idea what that is but that doesn't matter, the fact that she would be willing to socialize with me, is a big deal!

The other thing I learned was a word, called "tea bagged". As I was hanging out with my two male friends, it came up, they were laughing, and I had no idea why.

Apparently it refers to an act that one or more males do to another brother that is laying flat on his back unconscious from too much socializing.

It's nut sack to face. Who the hell came up with this? Is it a Southern thing or is it world wide, and how in my 77 years haven't I heard of it, much less participated in it!

It makes me wonder what happened after I passed out in my chair last night!

Pennies
( 1920 of 2167 )

Ok, I'm in legal trouble now, and if I don't resolve this within the next few days, I could be locked up for a long time!

It all stems from that recent road trip down to Tampa to see Shelby. Apparently I broke the law and didn't realize it. My vehicle was captured by a license plate scanner and proved that I was at the scene and committed the crime.

I am now frantically looking for an attorney to help me. I don't want to be imprisoned! I've been watching prison videos on NetFlix, and I would be old meat to those guys.

Hmmm, at least I would have a free roof over my head and a couple squares a day, but I don't think my ass could take the pounding. I would die on the cold dirty concrete floor with a giant dick inside me, a hell of a way to go, not what I planned!

So, I better resolve this now if I want to stay alive! The FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) has accused me of driving in some sort of fucking lane that I shouldn't have been in without a special permit to do so.

As I was trying to navigate the crazy busy freeways of Florida I must of happened into a toll lane and now they want me to pay up!

I have to login to their website with my debit card, write a check, or pay $4.82 cash, to stay out of prison.

Maybe I should just drive down there, find their fucking office, and pay them with four hundred and eighty two pennies!

Sounds like a good excuse to see Shelby in Tampa!

The Top
( 1921 of 2167 )

I guess I'm on a roll with these Posts that keep erupting from my fingertips. I layed down on my bed for a while and kept wondering if Shelby was sharing any of them with her co-workers. The image of her grand-father laying dead on a cold concrete prison floor with a giant dick up his ass, could linger in their minds for the entire afternoon.

I have been fucked in the ass. You know, when you live this long, stuff happens along the way, and I really don't like it. That little hole is not meant to be a sexual organ, it has one purpose in life, and getting plowed ain't it!

Speaking of my ass, one day back in my days as a paratransit supervisor in South Seattle, I had an appointment for doctors to do a colon cancer check. I was living with our receptionist Steph at the time, and I don't recall if our relationship was out or not.

I took the day off, for an afternoon appointment, and started drinking to prepare for a scope up my butt. I ended up passing out, missed the procedure and pissed a bunch of medical people off.

That was a couple of decades ago, so I guess it didn't fucking matter in the long run. I could have stuff going on in my body, or not. Life is what it is, and I will last as long as I'm destined to.

I have decided that I ain't going to be one of those people who worry about medical issues. I figure I've lived past my prime, and every day is just sugar on the top!

Into Words
( 1922 of 2167 )

What the hell is happening to me? I can't stop writing, then looking back on the Posts and cracking myself up! Maybe I've entertained some folks out there, along the way, or not.

I'm drunk now, surviving on the last bit of vodka Daniel left me after his Bloody Mary binge yesterday. My friend is coming over and I think getting our smoke on is underway.

Oh wait, I'm back, and stoned. My, what an interesting day! Our talk has been amazing, and now I'm writing, while he's deep into his phone.

My friend is really out there, in a comfortable way. He has this deep down home country voice, that rattles off great wisdom in rapid fire.

I have not recorded him during one of his amazing rants, or his interactions with spam callers, out of respect. But, they are truly mind blowing!

The man is looking for work, and I think he is promotable! He could be a TikTok media star!

And sometimes I have an ability to transform reality, into words...

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Boundaries
( 1923 of 2167 )

Thinking about drugs that I have tried in my life. I did heroin once, meth a couple of times, lots of acid, I love peyote buttons, had a cocaine phase, I grew a small crop of bud once, opium, and I'm sure there are many others that have not made this list.

But I never got addicted to any of it, never became a druggie. I stopped with everything when I moved to Seattle decades ago, to help raise my son. I was down to booze, and smoke, and quit cigarettes a few years in.

I'm experimental, I push boundaries both in this blog and in my life! To do otherwise is a waste of the moment, moments that I over share right here!

OMG's crash into my text feed as I write and post. I have boundaries, and when I wake up the next morning I have to decide wether I have exceeded them. If so, the excessive post will fade off to the big trash bin in the cloud, and the archive of my bizarre life will continue on.

But I'm discovering that my boundaries are stretching out, sometimes I write stuff that probably shouldn't stick around, and I just smile and say Fuck It!

A Mess
( 1924 of 2167 )

My life reminds me of this plate of Indian buffet food from Chai Pani down in Decatur, GA recently.

I designed the plate. Just wanted to slap some highly acclaimed food on it and try it out! It was quite the failure.

Your plate is your current state in life. Everything on there is stuff you put there, it is the image of your life that's presented to the world.

Every one of our plates is amazing and complex. The flavors merge together as we eat our way through to the end! Sometimes it looks and tastes wonderful, and sometimes it's a mess.

Wobbly
( 1925 of 2167 )

Here it comes again! A couple of years ago I was on a cruise boat for Christmas and now I honestly can't remember what I did last year. Let me look it up... Hmmm, nothing, hung around the house and wrote a poem.

Maybe I should put up a little tree here in the house this year. Run some lights to it, the flashing kind, I like those, and put some pretty ornaments on it.

Get into the spirit! Buy some fake little present boxes and place them around the base. Put a thingie up on the tip and sprinkle that glittery string all over.

Hang a stocking nearby! Hey, you never know what's going to show up in it on Christmas morning. God spoke to me once and empowered my life, and I still hear Piper's soft meows from the other side. So anything is possible.

I could always drive to Tampa and squeeze into grand-daughter Shelby's plans, but I'm thinking of just hunkering down. My old legs are getting wobbly...

Alive Girl
( 1926 of 2167 )

My beautiful and amazing grand-daughter Shelby and I have been chatting about a Christmas cruise this year. It would obviously be different than two years ago when we floated through the Carribean with her Navy Commander boyfriend.

I could tuck her arm into mine and as our new friends along the way discover our relationship, blow their minds with a smile.

Shelby is a travel agent, and I'm sure she can set us up with an arangement that works. Damn, thinking about sharing great meals and adventures now!

You keep me alive girl!

Be With
( 1927 of 2167 )

I had a wonderful talk with my nephew Brian in Jackson, WY this afternoon. I have family out there in Idaho/Wyoming that I love and miss. I told Brian to give each one of them a special hug from me, and a message of love, this Christmas.

Brian has realized that his ex, Andrea, is the love of his life. They have gotten back together somewhat, she and her daughter Anika (graduating from HS now, omg) are up in Missoula, MT and he's down in the Hole.

He has a great job there and can build it into a retirement platform. Or, he can follow Andrea and Anika out into the wilderness they are following, I think he said Costa Rico, not sure.

My advice to him was to follow his love. My nephew Brian Hunt is very smart, handsome, and could rebuild a new career anywhere, if everything crashed.

Go for it my friend, I love Andrea and Anika, they are who you should be with, in my humble opinion...

In Style
( 1928 of 2167 )

Ok, it's a quiet Tuesday evening at 2000 in my little house. I need some real food, probably do breakfast up in the Square tomorrow at 0700, then go to Kroger for my main supplies.

Survival is tough these days. I just move from moment to moment trying to remember and enjoy the previous one. I am drunk and stoned right now. If the popo want to come over and bust down my door for the small amount of weed I have that makes my Parkinsons and my shoulder feel better, have at it guys!

I'm thinking about cruising this Christmas with grand-daughter Shelby! The possibilities from that adventure are amazing!

I don't miss my ex Steph, anymore. She has fallen into that deep hole where lost loves land...

I'm an old single lonely man. Ok, that is what it is. But I still have this fire down below that burns constantly, driving me forward, making me believe I could pull off one more epic adventure, in style!

Maybe a Shelby Christmas cruise would be the answer! Imagine me escorting this beautiful young women to dinner on my arm?

The first assumption would be that she is, well, obviously not my wife. Then the assumptions would dive into who knows where, but when our new cruise friends realize that Shelby is my grand-daughter, I guarantee you the smiles will emerge!

Bean Tuna
( 1929 of 2167 )

Sometimes my legs give out from under me. It's a weird little tremble that quickly spreads down my legs and I'm on the edge of collapsing.

Damn it sucks to get old. Sometimes it happens when I'm driving and it's a struggle to maintain control. If I lose my mobility or ability to drive, everything will change.

But I bought myself a big breakfast today and then did a much needed shop at Kroger.

Back in the Seattle days I was famous for my tuna and egg sandwiches with split pea soup. My son Riley was raised on it.

Today I made a new sandwich, It consists of one can Bumble Bee solid white albacore tuna, in water, drained. Mayonnaise, and an equal amount of Bush's Country Style baked beans, drained.

Brown up some buns in the air fryer, put mayo and the mix on them, and it's perfect knife and fork food for me, right from my counter. They ain't pretty, but they're damned good! The Baked Bean Tuna Sandwich!

I ate two and saved two, which are going to get cheese put on them later and melted. The Baked Bean Tuna Melt!

Epic Meals
( 1930 of 2167 )

Shelby and I are scaling back our wild Christmas cruise plans. Prices are high at the moment, and she has no accrued vacation time with this new job, and it just doesn't feel right.

So we're backing away from the cruise, for a while. I told her I was even fine with going through these holiday's alone, which is usually what happens anyway. I said she should hang out with friends.

Then she told me something that set a light bulb off in my head, and explained a lot about my beautiful complex grand-daughter. She said "Christmas is meant for family. Not friends."

So, if she stayed home in Tampa, she would be alone for Christmas. She wanted to be with her sister in Dallas, but their were dog issues.

All of my 14 grand-children from my daughter Becky are scattered all over, and there's only a few that I think she keeps close contact with.

Shelby and I have formed an amazing bond. If she want's to spend holiday time with family, I'm it! I remember that great home cooked Thanksgiving dinner in her small kitchen in Pensacola, with the local artist, Homer Jolly.

She needs family, she needs to know her heritage. I would love to scoop her up and take her back to Idaho, meet her family. We had epic meals at my sisters amazing log home just across the Wyoming line at the base of the Grand Tetons.

She had a huge kitchen and a beautiful long wooden dining table. The crew would consist of my sister, her kids Brian, his beautiful blond twin sister, and their younger sister, sweet Elizabeth. Along with our partners and kids.

I actually have wonderful memories about those times, and I think my sister has the same Family gene as Shelby...

Unfortunately, my nephew Brian was just telling me that over the last five years that Steph and I left the Valley, the holidays are getting lost.

Sis sold her mansion and moved into the Valley, and it just sounds like epic meals are no more...

I just told Shelby that maybe we could pick a place halfway between our towns that has a Christmas dinner going on. Book motel rooms early and that I would meet her there. It could be a fun blog worthy adventure!

btw: If you would like to see our 2016 Christmas, click here.

Bring A Friend
( 1931 of 2167 )

There was this tall beautiful young blonde working in Kroger's this morning, about twenty. I approached her and asked if I could enjoy her body for an hour on my bed, without penetration, unless she wanted it, for $500?

She asked, can I bring a friend?

They showed up at noon and the Kroger girl was still in uniform, while her girlfriend was in tight jean shorts and a sweater. I've had some amazing three ways in my long life, but I had to use mild force to get my face in there for sloppy seconds, on both sides, and both ends! Damn, best thousand dollars an hour I've spent in a long while!

I realize that I have a dark side, I'm pretty sure everyone has. It's that place where sharing is impossible. I think there should be a dark side scale from zero to nine with the top being the crazy's of the world, and the bottom being Jesus.

I'm logging in at 2.3.

Feet Done
( 1932 of 2167 )

That Florida plate reader scam is really something. Somehow I ended up in a special toll lane while visiting my grand-daughter down in Tampa recently, and I got an invoice in the mail for using it.

The lane is called a SunPass lane and it's for the rich folk that can afford their per mile fees, which are being logged by an intricate Big Brother license plate scanning system.

My fine was $4.82 for a three mile errant lane selection, of which $2.50 was an Administrative Charge. This racket is earning Florida $.58 per mile for every vehicle using that lane.

When I went to their website to pay, there was a full sign up page where they wanted all of my banking and personal data. Screw that, just let me settle it with PayPal and move on!

So mailing them a check is the only option, but I wrote a to do list on the front of the return envelope, oh well, and then I have to take it downtown to get it stamped and mailed. Maybe tomorrow...

As to getting my Feet Done, Daniel suggested I go see a Podiatrist about my feet, which don't get much attention these days. Yea, maybe tomorrow...

Slabs
( 1933 of 2167 )

I'm refining my Tuna Bean Slabs recipe. You start with one can of the best tuna you can get, you know, solid white albacore in water. For a personal batch, I mix the drained tuna up with mayonnaise nicely, with a little seasoning.

Then I add two boiled eggs and continue mixing until it becomes tuna/egg sandwich mix. But here's my new twist! I add about five spoonfuls of Bush's barbecue beans, draining the liquid off as I spoon and blend them into the mix.

Meanwhile, I've got these little hamburger buns that I bought at Dollar General during the Thanksgiving crash and burn. I split a couple in half and put them on the small grill, and I'm air frying them.

Just when they start to look toasty, I pull them out. Then I spread the mix on the four buns. You will still have a bowl of Tuna Bean left that can handle you another round.

Then you stick the tray back in the air fryer, but wait, you got options! You could add anything you want to these little sliders as they make their last trip in. Cheese? Crushed garlic?

Watch the edges of the bread through the window, when they brown, they're done.

I eat them on a paper towel on my cutting board right below my little air fryer, with a knife and fork.

Tuna Bean Slabs!

Yea
( 1934 of 2167 )

Daniel brought by sippin whisky last night. It was that Irish stuff we had at the poker game a while back, and it was dammed good.

I didn't go to bed until 0230 and then I slept until 0900. What kind of grown ass man lives like this?

I thought of going out for breakfast, or lunch, then I made me a drink, fired up the pipe, and I've been sitting here watching lesbian porn all morning.

Some people say I don't have a life! Especially while I'm still in my robe as noon approaches and I haven't yet eaten, but I beg to differ!

Every time I roll out of bed and plant my bare feet on my rented wooded floor, I shout "Fuck Yea!". I've survived another day and I'm ready to start a new one!

The only plans I had today was to pay my rent and mail an envelope. Maybe tomorrow...

It's Friday Dec 1. Riley's birthday is the 9th, it's 24 days until Christmas, and I'm still alive, fuck yea...

Dishes
( 1935 of 2167 )

Oh boy, I'm in trouble now. Daniel just called me and said he and Tony are coming over tonight for a poker game, and I need to buy the whiskey, because we drank all of his last night.

It's 1300, I'm still in my robe, drunk and stoned, and a couple of friends want to play whiskey poker at my place tonight!

Hmmm, and I got to eat. Guess I'll put a TV dinner in, get dressed, and do my dishes!

All done! And I have determined that the Marie Callender's Kansas City Style Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese Bowl, is my favorite frozen meal. Kroger's was out of them for a month, I should have grabbed more than two.

The Robe
( 1936 of 2167 )

Tony kicked our asses in Poker again last night, and we almost finished that bottle of Irish Whiskey. I like Tony, he's a big ol Southern boy. He does what Daniel does, school maintenance, just in a different county.

The fact that Daniel's trying to get him to shorten his commute and come work with him here, speaks volumes for the guy. Daniel's a perfectionist with his work quality, which is heating, air, electrical, and every other thing that could go wrong in a large fourteen school district.

But Tony ain't sold yet, he's looking closely at his options, while beating us again in Poker. It's a real hoot to hang out with intelligent craftsmen, we shared stories and laughed hard.

Daniel said I was really out there last night, which means I was talking sex, and Tony was cracking up while Daniel covered his head and shook it in dismay. Hey, when you drink a lot of sipping whiskey with OldManJim, on top of everything else, you get the real deal.

At least I was dressed, my dishes were done and my bed was made! I'm back in my robe now, it's a rainy dismal day, I have nowhere to go, and I may not make it out of the robe!

No Gush
( 1937 of 2167 )

Man, the things you see on TV these days. Always Ultra Thin, goodby gush fears! Gordon Ramsey looking for earthworms in huge piles of rhino shit to make a meal for a Zulu king.

Heading out this morning with Daniel on an empty stomach and one drink in, to Hinie's for a build your own Bloody Mary brunch.

Just got back, what a joke. Service sucked, everyone that worked there had an attitude, food was mediocre. And the build your own bloody mary thing was blotched because our young waitress insisted that everything was back at the bar. No sweety, you bring the glass and the vodka to our table first.

They took the young thing off our table after that, and more than five different people showed up while we ate, trying to handle Daniels request for freeze wrapped ribs from the back.

Finally, some frumpy old lady disappeared with our debit cards into the back for more than fifteen minutes. omfg.

This was my second visit here since Hinie's opened a couple years ago, both have sucked, and I will not be back.

But, I have to say, the Mary I put together kicked my little Hinie! Every sip had me gasping for breath and rolling my eyes back into my head!

If the video fails to load, click Here.

R And B
( 1938 of 2167 )

Here's my son Riley with my decades long friend Beryl, thirty six years ago.

Update: I just got a text from Beryl in Hawaii and she said: Omg I looked at the picture before I read the caption and thought "That looks like me". It made my day!

 

Here's Shelby, Kim, Riley and Shelly in Oakdale, CA.

Have Left
( 1939 of 2167 )

It's 2100 on a Sunday evening. Think I'll mosey down to that little bar on the beach and have a couple drinks. Later I'll walk out into the surf barefooted with anyone that want's to take my arm.

I'm old, I have great knowledge to share, and I listen well! I have lived an amazing life, and now I'm living one that's trying to make amends in small increments, any way I can.

Making amends means to acknowledge the bullshit you have injected into your current small little world, and apologizing for it, then, give back with what little you have left!

I love the conversations that I have with my small remaining family. When I talk to my son Riley, grand-daughter Shelby, or nephew Brian, it's the real deal. If I want to dig deep they allow me, respect me, and love me.

Thank you God, for the internet, cell phone service, email and text! If my level of human interaction was limited to Southern Tennessee, with a few special exceptions down here, I would come visit you soon, my friend.

Still Drive
( 1940 of 2167 )

Daniel and I were casually playing poker tonight with the News on and we both drew first hand, ace high straights within minutes of each other.

We talked about St Lewis where his aunt lives, and what a tough neighborhood it was. I remember landing at their downtown Greyhound Bus Station one evening five years ago. I was in the process of getting back to Idaho after driving a U-Haul here with all of our stuff.

That night I walked out into the street and got stoned with a young Nashville guy I had met on the bus. We taxied to the liquor store and bought small bottles, then we hung out in the dark with the downtown street people until our bus arrived.

When we transferred onto the Westbound over-nighter, he and I sat together and shared stories all the way to Montana. The folks trying to sleep on the bus probably hated us.

I caught this great line from the new NetFlix series I've been watching all day, (called Obliterated}: Embrace your demons, only then will you finally be free. I need to think this one thru...

I want to accept myself completely for who I am as a man now. What are my desires in life and how far am I willing to go, to achieve them?

What are my values in life, and how do I hold solid to them and constrain them solidly within my heart?

Damn world, just let me still drive my truck!

FGD Xmas
( 1941 of 2167 )

My FGD (Favorite Grand Daughter) Shelby and I have been chatting about Christmas again, and she may land down in Pensacola. I know that straight shot down through Alabama run very well now, done it a few times!

It would be great to get a road trip under my belt, before Santa hits the road. I need to come back alive, wash my clothes, get out of my house and my rut!

She has many friends there, including mutual friends Homer and Stormey, and I don't know what my event planning, travel agent, who the hell knows what secret government job she has now, has planned?

But I'm up! I have not had a single person here in Southern Tennessee invite me over for Christmas. I don't want to spend another dismal holiday hunkered down on this dead end street!

My Shtick
( 1942 of 2167 )

Do you ever have one of those mornings where Things just weren't happening as smoothly as you hoped they would. Like the old lady waitress standing around talking to everyone, while my breakfast gets cold in the back, and then forgetting the toast!

One of those mornings where you miss every light on the way to the grocery store. And you know you'll encounter at least one dumb ass hick who doesn't know he can turn right on a red light.

As I started my shopping at 0815 at the Lawrenceburg, TN Kroger store, I felt the vibe was just off. Nobody smiling or making eye contact, stockers working each isle. I ran into somebody as I rounded every corner, I encountered a person day dreaming at the bread isle, with a big cart, right in front of the hamburger buns I wanted. I'm polite, I just waited.

I was under attack by the Kroger vibe so I just grabbed the basics, self checked, and managed to make it outside, almost getting runover in the parking lot.

As I read this back I realize I'm so full of shit they should operate on me to remove it. We create our own vibe by what we present to the world, and the vibe I've been putting out there lately ain't been pretty!

Folks around here are not going to smile and interact with a frumpy old man pushing his cart around thinking the vibe is bad, expecting folks not to be friendly, and they're all in his way...

I do piss and moan a lot, and rightfully so! My inability to walk properly is not my fault! My lost love, poor old lonely man shtick, is pathetic.

Truth is, only a few people like me enough to put up with me. I'm over the edge, the crazy old blogging ex-computer guy, who shares too much.

This is my Shtick!

A Book
( 1943 of 2167 )

My afternoons dissolve into a mellow blend of crawling around on the floor looking for my legs, while watching news, music, netflix and prime, youtube, email and text. Mornings are devoted to tiktoc.

I love consuming knowledge, and our amazing world provides it. It comes from everything we see, hear and feel, and it forms our perception of life.

Creativity is a state of using knowledge to form something new. For me, writing can be an out of body experiance, where I'm compelled to express, to create a new idea, stretch an old one, or establish my truth.

But maybe I should have just written a book...

Special Queue
( 1944 of 2167 )

My first memory was as an infant, less than a year old. I was laying on a living room floor watching my mom wash dishes in the kitchen. I shared the memory with her and described everything in detail. She confirmed that it was our California home when I was a baby.

I find memories fascinating. It's truly amazing that our finite space of brain matter manages to store so much data! But, I have a theory, I think human memory storage is finite, it has a limit, just like our storage devices, and it's not a definable number.

When storage is full, the brain starts juggling memories like the super computer it is, keeping the important ones in a special queue that lets you extract periods of your life, with time as the index.

Old memories just start getting compressed down to accommodate new ones, and it all starts when the brain is full!

That baby memory is as clear as any of my memories from this afternoon, it's just the first one to land in the special queue.

His Advice
( 1945 of 2167 )

Been sitting around with neighbor Daniel tonight playing cards and trying to get him into Netflix's new series Obliteration. It's got a great mix of special forces saves the world, with wild decadent parties in Vegas.

Daniel won two of the about twenty hands we played, and I was on a roll, must have been that Vegas energy. I think the show messed with his mind, and I took advantage of that. He also got into a rut of shuffling the deck way more than needed.

I told him that my son Riley turns 37 next Saturday and that we have a formula for remembering ages. If I'm at any age on his birthday in December, just subtract 40.

It seemed like a good excuse to call my boy since I figured he would be commuting home and we could talk on his hand held. It was nice, my phone on speaker phone and Daniel sitting in on the talk.

My couple of friends do this to me all the time. The tech is so good it's like we're all sitting in the same room.

Riley sounded great, confirmed the number was 40 and he turns 37. He said he recently thought he was turning 38, but the 40 rule applies.

He also strongly encouraged me to make the trip South to Pensacola to spend Christmas with Shelby and friends. My boy is an old soul and I value his advice!

The Liver
( 1946 of 2167 )

Before I went to Tampa a while back, my doctor did blood tests on me that indicated the rise of specific enzymes inside my liver. They wanted me to get a Liver Ultrasound at the hospital, in fact the hospital called me and wanted to make an appointment.

I told the lady I had stopped drinking and I would get a new blood draw when I got back, maybe I wouldn't even need it! Why do alcoholics try to fool themselves? I lasted eleven days and was back drinking when I got the blood test.

I hadn't heard anything back so I figured I was in the clear, then the hospital lady called this morning and said a new order for a Liver Ultrasound came in on Monday.

I guess it's time to get this done, and I'm booked for tomorrow at 1000. I can't eat or drink anything after midnight.

Hopefully my liver hasn't hit the fan. I've always known it's my most vulnerable organ.

If I have a liver disease, then I would have to decide how to handle it. If it's something that could be treated by insurance paid substance abuse treatment and a pill, I'm up.

If it's shot and needs a transplant, or if it's liver cancer, then I'm down. There is no way I would undergo any kind of surgery or radiation treatment.

I've made this old mans bed for decades, and I'll lie in it!

Liver Queen
( 1947 of 2167 )

My friend Elizabeth has written a fan fiction novel about the TV show Arrow.

Fan fiction is fictional writing in an amateur capacity by fans, based on an existing work of fiction. Her's is 103,000 words long and she is about to publish it online.

I've known and worked with Elizabeth over several Summers at the Tubing Company. There is downtime between trips and I've had many intelligent conversations with her. She's very smart, a substitute teacher here, and she reads my blog, which affirms my assesment

I'm looking forward to reading her fan story about this Arrow guy. I started watching it on Prime and it's good! The main character is Oliver Queen, a billionaire presumed dead for five years that comes back as a super hero. He's hot!

It reminds me of my life, presumed dead many times but I always bounced back. On a few occasions I was a super hero, but not many.

I should go by the handle: O liver Queen!

Stubble Cowboy
( 1948 of 2167 )

The Urban Stubble Cowboy is one of these young good looking guys with abs, a trimmed goatee, and a five to ten day stubble.

They're everywhere, in the movies, in the media, on the street, you know what I'm talking about! This version of man is what women are conditioned to lust after.

Real men don't give a fuck and let it grow out if they want to, but these guys keep the stubble trimmed to just the right length, because it's perceived as manly and sexy.

It differentiates them to women from the gay guys, who are going to be more tightly groomed, or fully bearded, at least that's what it implies.

It is The Look!

In Peace
( 1949 of 2167 )

I'm 77 and I've been drinking and doing every drug on the planet since I was sixteen. Tomorrow I will have my proud liver shine through an ultra sound and show the world that she is strong.

I stacked the cards for Daniel's and my next card game, while he was refilling his drink next door. I gave each other great hands, each with a wildcard.

When he walked back in and sat down with his drink, I had him. No shuffle, just cards sliding across my table, one at a time. When he realized he had five nines, four with a joker, his poker face dissolved.

He was thinking money on the table, real money, but we settled on fake money. He was truly excited, he was holding the best poker hand he has ever had in his life! Five nines!

And then I bet him a hundred thousand, and he raised me to some crazy number, I called, and we showed our cards.

Well, since I had stacked the deck, I had five aces, all four and a joker. The best hand in enhanced poker you could have! You should have seen the look on his face...

I'm sitting here waiting for one more poker round, but I think he has disappeared into his house.

Tomorrow I'm going to take that shower I've been promising myself for a while, then I'm going to use my new shampoo and some great smelling soap, and get my front end ready for some ultra sound!

No food or drink in me after midnight. Looks like I'm going to be a hungry thirsty man come noon! I need to find me a local, down home, bbq joint that serves whiskey shots under the table. Let me absorb that ultra sound in peace...

Gaming Machine
( 1950 of 2167 )

I've been thinking about recently giving my mainframe development box to my young friend Hudson, to turn it into a gaming machine. I bought it as such back in Idaho.

That box had my life on it, everything, all of my code. Which I finally realized meant nothing, and I let it go.

This thing about code, if you don't keep up with it, you're lost. I was a great jQuery Javascript html css programmer in my day, and it has now slid way beyond my ability to maitain it.

I have moved beyond many computer platforms in my time, the IBM Sys 32 and 34, the original PC and beyond...

Which all finally evolved down to my desktop full of code, that I wasn't maintaining, and that I didn't really give a flying fuck about anymore.

It's now Hudson's gaming machine!

Ultra Sound
( 1951 of 2167 )

The Ultra Sound room was cozy, with dim lighting. A pretty, friendly redhead named Melissa let me put my coat on her chair, then she laid me down on the bed.

I call it a bed because it was soft and cozy, with pillows. She and the machine were on my right and she asked me to put my right arm up around my head so it was out of the way. I fought through the arthritis and did it.

Then she placed one of those little wired clips on the index finger of my left hand that was laying by my side. She then had me pull my sweats down for a second and she put a wired clamp on my right nut.

I asked her what this was for, and she said This is my special Shock and Light system. She explained that I now have a small current flowing through my body that lights up my internal organs so she can capture them better.

I asked about the Shock thing and she said that if I moved in the slightest while getting my abdomen rubbed all over with a warm scope by a hot redhead, she was going to zap the shit out of me! Story of my life, I said fine...

It lasted about ten minutes and I laid perfectly still. She kept telling me to take a deep breath and hold it, then the dominatrix Melissa would let me breath again. Sometimes she would tell me to stop breathing right after I exhaled and there was no air in my lungs, but damned if I was going to gasp for air and get the shit shocked out of me!

We had a fun laugh at the end when I asked her if I still had a liver, and she said yes. That's good!

It was actually a very nice experience, Melissa was sweet and professional, and the results should be at my doctors the first of next week.

Peaban
( 1952 of 2167 )

It's interesting when you live alone, if you want to eat, you need to make it. Tonight I had a peanut butter covered banana, that I call peaban.

Yea, it would be nice to have a couple trendy little cafes, with bars in the back, to walk down to in the evening, but peaban works for me!

My FGD
( 1953 of 2167 )

My FGD (Favorite Grand Daughter) is at an Emerging Leaders Networking Party at the Tampa, FL Zoo tonight, on a Thursday evening. I think she is approaching the top of her game, with the new place and the new job.

Shelby Hamilton is an amazing young woman. I've watched her life evolve since she was three. I've met the main men, I've followed her career, we've hung out and loved each other.

When you reach the top of your game, run with it hard, and give it every drop of energy you have. There will be plenty of time to rest.

I was at the top of my computer game at her age (early thirties) and I know of what I speak. The best thing is, unlike me, I know she's going to be a star, make a family, and become the matriarch of my other thirteen grandchildren, and their families.

To Here
( 1954 of 2167 )

I inherited smart genes from both sides of my family and passed them down to my daughter, and she passed them on to her many children.

I devoured every book I could get my hands on as a young kid in the early fifties. My vocabulary grew with each word I conquered.

School was easy, I scored at the top of most tests I took. I created amazing computer systems in the seventies and eighties. Made an amazing amount of money, lived in great places, and lived a successful decadent life.

Then I crashed and burned in a field next to the apartment my boy lived at, in Kent, WA, South of Seattle. It was the early nineties and I had lost my apartment and stored the few things remaining in my life, a couple of boxes and my lifelong teddy bear, on Riley's mom's back porch.

I borrowed a friend's tent and moved into the middle of the dense field. I had nothing, I was flat broke, and all I had was a little radio to play music on. My smarts weren't doing me a fucking bit of good at the time, and I had bottomed out. All of the possessions of my past, were gone. Let that sink in...

I've owned amazing possessions through my well paid life. I once spent $300 for a record player needle cartridge in my sweet stereo system. I've owned and enjoyed so much stuff, can't complain, it was all good, and then it was gone.

I lived in that field for a while. My friends and neighbors from the apartment complex would bring me food. My big black buddy Roger would bring me coffee in the morning, then get me stoned.

I made my living by walking the Albertson's parking lot, looking for dropped coins on the ground.

But then, a song came over my little radio, called "Walking in Memphis" and I suddenly knew I was destined to land on a dead end street in Southern Tennessee! It changed my life, and I began creating a transition from homeless to here!

Monthly
( 1955 of 2167 )

Monthly fixed expenses:

• Rent - $525

• Utilities - $110

• Phone - $35

• Internet - $77

• Subscriptions ˜ $30

• $750 - Total

Yearly expenses:

• Amazon - $140

• Auto Insurance - $320

• Website hosting ˜ $200

• Flickr Hosting ˜ $70

• $730 - Total

Which averages out to about $60 a month. Combined with $750 monthly, it appears my fixed monthly expenses are around $800.

Then, considering I am a pathetic out of control alcoholic, add in another $300 a month in booze.

So here we are at $1100 a month. I get almost $1490 a month in Social Security, which leaves $300 a month for things like, food and gas.

I've been supplementing my life here, and my travels, with my savings. Those savings could be gone by next Summer, depending on what I do in the meantime.

At that point I would down size everything! Drop my blogs and web hosting, cancel Amazon and NetFlix, shutdown my internet and services. Then park my truck and cancel the insurance.

I would certainly keep my phone and the $35 cost.

So at that point I would be just like many seniors around here. I would go on food stamps and get my rides to Kroger from the Senior Center Ride Share for $4 a trip.

And then add another $300 to the monthly kitty because I couldn't walk up the hill to the fucking liquor store.

This has been an honest assessment of the state of my life. Thanks for reading...

His Truck
( 1956 of 2167 )

My friend came by this afternoon and rolled up a masterful joint, made from other roaches. It burned long and smooth, like taking sips of a vintage Napa Valley Cabernet, of which I've had many, btw...

We had a great talk about everything. I dove deep into the relationships he has in this house where he's hanging out at. His girlfriend is there, along with the lady owner of the house. His brother is there, banging the owner.

Then there is the mystery woman, kinda hot I thought, who has been here in my house a couple times. She is right there in the mix, probably fucking everyone there. Women are just as horny as men, I have learned.

But my friend was concerned that owner lady was going to kick everyone out, and end the party. He's got a new job starting next Monday up North, but he may be living out of his truck...

Around Six
( 1957 of 2167 )

I'm a down home country boy, born right here in Southern Tennessee. I never really learned to read or write. I'm using a translater with the help of a friend, to write this. Thanks to OldManJim for letting me speak.

I realize now that I was abused. I was just something that came out of my mommas stomach, that they threw scraps to. Social people came in and told them I had to go to school, and my parents were glad to get rid of me every day.

I barely knew how to talk, or write, much less handle school. I had never seen another boy or girl before.

I understood man vs woman, I watched it for years, and suddenly on the playground I was surrounded by others like me, and I recognized the difference.

School didn't work. I was kicked out after I tried to get into a girls pants to see what it looked like.

I was around six when I hit the road, and I had seen nothin. I didn't know nothin! All I could do is walk along the highway, stick my thumb out, and pray for life.

I think I'll call myself Six, I need to learn numbers next, so I know what that means.

Fatty Liver
( 1958 of 2167 )

I let that homeless guy tell his story here yesterday, and I forgot to mention that I got the call from somebody about my Liver Ultrasound. The results are in.

It was not good, but at the bottom scale of bad. I have Fatty Liver caused by consuming alcohol. I could have Skinny Liver if I ever managed to stop.

I guess my old body is OK, considering everything I've done to it. So I have trouble walking, and Parkinsons has turned me into a vibrator (don't know why the girls aint jumpin all over me?) , but it could be much worse.

I had breakfast at the buffet in the Square this morning, one plate, two orange juices, and coffee. I sat directly behind the buffet line so I could people watch while I ate.

I saw very obese people, who could barely walk because of their weight, keep coming back for more. I guess when you get to that state, the only thing that turns you on is a local feeding trough where you can eat until you're carried out the door. They're just as addicted to food as I am to alcohol.

I really don't like the Saturday buffet, rather have my regular, but when I rolled out of bed at 0700 I needed food, with liquids, and it's only three minutes away. It's tough having a Fatty Liver.

The Scam
( 1959 of 2167 )

I just realized something, my ultra sounder nice lady Melissa moved that scan thing all over my abdomen. I assume other organs would have been scanned incidentally, and if there was something going on, they would spot it.

I've decided I want to see that scan! Normally we just let the doctors do their thing, tell us what they think, prescribe a solution, then send us on our merry xmas way.

I am positive that unless I ask, they won't offer to show them to me. I had my head in a big machine after a fall a few years ago, and this hospital never offered to show me any of the results from that, along with a bunch of other tests. I was just their money maker that day.

That walk in procedure cost me more than $300, above my very good insurance. My normal high copay is $35, low is $10, and the hospital didn't ask for either when I left the other day, and I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to get another above insurance coverage bill.

Maybe there's something going on here? The clinic has a patient who admit's to a drinking problem. Blood is drawn and the liver enzymes are high. Duhh, of course they are!

Suddenly there is an urgency for a Liver Ultra Sound at the hospital up the street. They pushed this on me twice, I gave in on the second.

This is the same clinic I initially went to about my head when I fell. They wouldn't touch me, sent me right up the street to the hospital, and a bill.

I guess I have a great distrust about our medical system. The people that perform it are mostly wonderful people. I love the girls up at FastPace, I bring them fresh pastry!

But I think the whole system is rigged to maximize profit. The administrators think, how can we shift a procedure out of the standard insurance loop, make money, then pass some down to the clinic that referred it.

If I end up mysteriously missing, please refer this Post to the detectives.

Coast Mode
( 1960 of 2167 )

I'm in coast mode before Christmas, not sure where I'm landing, or even if I'm landing. I don't want to peak too early, with clothes washed and my shit together, but I need a haircut and a shave at the Beauty College by Erica soon.

Not in the kind of shape I've been in on previous Pensacola runs, but I'm up. It should be another great adventure to share here. Visions of frosty air, everywhere.

My door is mostly wide open during the day and I've had some interesting people pass through it. Today it was neighbor Daniel and he said "If you're going to be dumb, you better be tough".

So we visited lapdances.com and ordered a couple, with his wife next door. She's hunkered down in the recliner watching Lord of the Rings stuff, probably asleep.

I'm thinking just one car with two scantly clad young lappers showing up on our quiet little street, on a Saturday afternoon, would probably go unnoticed.

I crank my music up to max around here, anytime I want, and nobody complains. So I'm thinking of getting them inside with Lainey Wilson playing Heart Like A Truck, and close the door for a while.

I am no stranger to strip clubs, I love them, and I've been in some great ones. I had my girls in a small club in SF, I set up my office in the back of a strip club during ComDex in Vegas, a couple of times in the eighties.

I was a wild ass crazy son of a bitch, and a world class badass computer programmer.

Slathered
( 1961 of 2167 )

Daniel and I have been discussing what being the third of a threeway with Taylor and Lainey would be like. He's not up, but I say hell yeah, life is short, fuck!

He hates Lainey Wilson and just did a lap dance on me to get the remote out of my hand. He actually sat on my lap and banged my head between his hands until I gave him the remote. It was kinda hot, being palm slapped by my slightly high neighbor, but now we're watching football, and he's back in his chair, under control. :-)

His wife is hunkering down with a migraine at the house next door, so he came over to play remote wars with me.

I had one of the best laughs I've had in a while, when he proposed that we watch a particular movie on NetFlix. I was writing and quickly glanced up to the screen and said "as long as it doesn't have Dwayne Johnson in it, I can't stand that guy" (which is true).

Daniel, being two sheets to the breeze, melted down. It was fun to watch, and no, we did not watch the movie, he insisted.

So just a quiet Sunday afternoon in Southern Tennessee. Daniel may have already been absorbed by his wife, sucked in and slathered up! He went home to refresh his drink, and never returned...

Age Of Five
( 1962 of 2167 )

Old, stoned, stupid and horny. Sums up my life on this dead end street in Tennessee. I should travel somewhere this week, right after I get that oil change this week, right after I buy food, this week.

It's a strange place to be in. I have time left to live and I want to live it to it's fullest, while I still barely can. But I just can't find the energy spark! I want to spend my time out of the house for days, but the best I can do is supply runs and an occasional trip to the Park.

I've got my old truck ready to travel, she's running a little rough until she gets warmed up, just like me. But then she purrs when she hits the open road.

The first thing I should do this week is laundry. Hopefully everything will spiral upward from there.

Computer just told me that 2024 will be here in two weeks, six days and ten hours. It's amazing how much people jam into the end of December. A lot of you enjoy it, while I just survive it.

I'm envious of the people that love Christmas, they live in a different world than me, surrounded by family and friends and turkey.

I got laid a lot on News Years Eve, over the last twenty years. It was our anniversary, and that's usually how they ended up.

As a younger man, I never believed I would make it to the year 2000. Now I remember exactly where I was on that new century event.

I was walking back through the apartment complex in Kent, WA, just having celebrated at the bar up the street, when a beautiful woman appeared out of the dark and kissed me, deep and hard.

Then she turned around and faded back into the dark. I didn't know her, and I knew most people in the complex. Never saw her again.

I also know the difference between real memory and drunken illusions. Actually, as I wind this Post down, sometimes I can't remember where I put my cup, but the memories I've maintained are solid, and my blogs supplement them.

I wish I had started blogging at the age of five...

Tonight
( 1963 of 2167 )

My good friend and neighbor Daniel, gifted me with great words this evening. He said he really enjoys the subtle, and sometimes blaring, nuances of my Posts!

Those were well needed words to hear. To know that there is at least one person out there that gets you, means there may be more!

I'm down, it's tight, found myself thanking my life, and my friend, tonight. Now he's snoring in his chair...

Baggie Crumbs
( 1964 of 2167 )

My truck won't start, again. It turns over but don't fire up. I've replaced everything, and I think I've run out of options. I've said from the moment I moved in here, if I lose my truck, I'm in trouble. Especially since winter is rolling in.

The nearest grocery store is Cash Savers a half mile away. To get there I would have to walk up the hill on Hwy 43, cross two major intersections, then walk a few long blocks. I'm a Kroger guy but I could survive on what that place has.

Truth is, walking to any store is off the table. I've been able to combine driving, with limited walking, into a workable solution to living here. Take my truck out of that equation, and I'm just simply fucked...

It was a cold morning when I rolled out of bed and into my clothes. I had visions of eggs and hash browns at my table in the back at the Square.

I finally realized that I was going nowhere, and went back inside. This was going to be shopping day, I'm out of my basics.

I finished off a box of cereal, for breakfast. I've made several trips to my truck, I've got the hood open letting her warm in the sun, but she ain't firing.

Sucking on baggie crumbs in my pipe and drinking a fresh vodka water made from the leftovers of last night, helps me do something, but I can't figure out what that is, so I'll probably do nothing.

I guess it's time to sign up for the ride share thing here, tomorrow...

I Digress
( 1965 of 2167 )

I think I have figured it out. My WW2 sailor dad wanted to take his wife and their two sons back to Cleburne, TX, where his family was.

But my moms parents were all over their grandsons, in California. It caused a clash, and my dad went back to Texas without his family, a broken man. I got to know him in his older years, and I loved him.

Then mom marries a trucker and gives my brother and I a sister. We traveled all over the West, chasing my new fathers dreams, most of which are now a gentle blur.

I cherished my grand-parents, they were an intregal part of my life, until their end.

My brother is gone, his legacy passed with him in the locked down mental health nursing home facility he died in.

My sister is alive and doing well, building her legacy strong. They are my family, and I love them!

I have no clue what kind of legacy I'm going to leave behind. Minimal at the most! The old frumphy grandpa crashing and burning in a Tennessee town would make a fun TikTok short, but I ain't filming it!

I meant to name this post Legacy, but as I finish off the bottom of a peanut butter jar with a couple pickled eggs, for dinner, I digress...

Back Now
( 1966 of 2167 )

It was a rough morning, knowing my supplies are at bottom, and my truck is dead under the canopy.

I'm pretty sure it's a fuel pump issue. I found the fuse layout online and was getting ready to check the three fuses related to the pump, when Daniel showed up around 1100. He has a doctor's appointment this afternoon, and was here to help.

He dove under my steering column and rapidly confirmed the fuses were good. Then we checked the main block in the engine compartment, all good.

I thought I had an electronic fuel pump and the gas tank needed to be dropped to replace it. Nope, Daniel pointed to a device behind the carb and said, "You have a mechanical fuel pump". Sure nuff, you could see the hose running right into the carb.

He disconnected the hose and confirmed that gas was being pumped out, and she almost started. He put the hose back on, I cranked her again and she started! Maybe there was a blockage at the hose that blew out, I probably just need a new pump, they're good for 100k miles, and I'm at 245K. Pretty sure I replaced it a long time back.

All my truck needed was to be in the presence of mechanical genius. I left her running and then headed into town for supplies.

I had baked beans over a piece of toast for breakfast this morning and it was looking pretty bleak, but we're back now. Shelby was on the verge of ordering online groceries for me! How sweet, and how pathetic on my part. I had one hell of a pity party going on yesterday, but I'm now fully recovered with the roar of an engine.

I have supplies, and I have my truck back!

Truck Affair
( 1967 of 2167 )

It's tough maintaining an old vehicle, especially if it's your sole source of transportation. The speedometer says over 248k, but that's wrong. I've compared mileage on my more accurate GPS and determined that my truck speedometer was losing a tenth of a mile, every ten miles, since she left the factory.

I don't know if that was intentional on Mazda's part, for some reason, or they just didn't have the tools in 1988, to be more accurate.

I just ordered a quality fuel pump from Napa, for $50, be here next week. Daniel and I could tackle it, but maybe my mechanic Thomas can come in with a reasonable quote, and I'll swing her by his shop.

I have so much new stuff on my old truck, tires, brakes, drive system flushed, new plugs, new cap and rotor, new distributer, rebuilt the Weber carb, and shortly, a new fuel pump. I've done 5% of the labor and left the rest to the pros. I can do simple things like swap a fuel filter out and recharge the carb filter.

I've spent thousands on my little sweet truck since I bought her off of Riley about a dozen years ago. All money well spent and we've had amazing adventures together.

To have her go into cardiac arrest like yesterday, was something I take personal. She's my girl, I love her and take care of her, and she takes care of me. Her name is Jill, btw.

She got the name from the affair she had with my 1978 lifted Silverado named Jack, on our back forty one Summer in Idaho. It carried on for a couple of years.

Big ol Jack was a hell of a truck, they should have had children together...

The roots of the Jack & Jill story are in France. They are said to be King Louis XVI – Jack, who was beheaded (lost his crown) followed by his Queen, Marie Antoinette – Jill – (who came tumbling after). So they were beheaded lovers.

Jack blew his engine as Riley pulled our moving trailer into Oregon. We had to transfer everything into a UHaul van to complete the move to Idaho. Steph and I were up at Grand Targhee ski resort having lunch with my sister when the shop called and quoted $5k for a new boxed 350 engine. Sis didn't hesitate, fed her card numbers to the shop over the phone, and a week later I pulled him into town, with a new crown. She was a co-owner at that point, but never played that card. Thanks sis!

Remorse Ticket
( 1968 of 2167 )

Well, that was quite a run on Lee Street, dead truck, drama, starvation. Friends sitting in and offering condolences, and stoneries. Memories of my brother and sister, so different, with me in the middle.

Sad memories of all of the people that have passed before me are strong. I am the patriarch of this family. Not your typical one, all I've got is age, and Sis ended up the rich one.

I can't hold an amazing Christmas for all of my family at a Tennessee mansion, but I sure wish I could. The ability to send every grandkid, and great-grandkid, along with my sister and her kids, an invite, a plane ticket, and some cash, to come see me, would be amazing.

So that's the remorse ticket, I can't change it now. But if I and my truck can make it down South to hang with Shelby this Christmas, I'll be happy...

Wake Up
( 1969 of 2167 )

Ok, I held my drink up. Searching with my partner for his lost mission. No clue where that's at, but we continue on, drink spilled across the floor, back to the house for another...

Friendship valued, no wonder where. A knock on the door means more than I can accept at the moment. I love life, I accept it, and I live it. Knock on my door and come on in!

And there you were, raw, skinless, and naked. It wasn't a pretty sight, in fact it was really gross.

I thought about calling 911, but it would have been worthless, wish you were gone, a creature beyond creating, a fireball from hell!

And then you were gone, TV turned off because I passed out in my chair! If TV was turned off every time you passed out in your chair, there would be no chair, mother fucker!

Yea, Daniel walked out on me, while watchin a movie, and shut the whole house down on me because I fell asleep, in my chair, in my own house.

He could have at least locked up on his way out, he knows the code to my door. Instead, he leaves me alone and subject to the violence on our dead end street.

He knows I only have a shotgun, that I have moved from my front door to the back. He has enough fire power to take down anything, and carries it on his hip sometimes, hidden.

So, I sit here alone in my little house, everything turned off, because I fell asleep. Did it dawn on you, my friend, that I might wake up?

Xmas Plans
( 1970 of 2167 )

I got my truck an oil change yesterday, then drove down to Florence, AL. I ordered a fuel pump, should have it installed by Monday. Then I fell asleep in my chair, woke up at 2300, went to bed and slept until 0945.

Then my Favorite Grand Daughter Shelby called me and we have firmed up Christmas. Her friends that we had lunch with when I was down in Tampa have invited her to their home, and I've been honored with a seat at the table.

Shelby was concerned about my truck making it down there. Gee, I wonder why say's the old blogging drama queen! But we're going to Tampa, FL for Christmas. Shelby's working from home and has some time, so we can hang out, hit the beach and do the town.

She also told me Jess should be having my new grand-daughter next week. She's more on top of my Seattle family than I am! We talked about a possible trip there next year, and a possible Texas run to see two more of my beautiful grand-daughters.

So, time to get my act together. Do my laundry next week, haircut and a shave at the Beauty College, make my bed in the back of the truck, and hit the road!

Everyone
( 1971 of 2167 )

When I attended Paradise, CA High School, I was in the choir, I could sing, I had a deep bass voice that rocked the room. The town Chamber of Commerce hired me, a buddy, and two ladies, to Christmas carol around the town.

We wore top hats, and long outfits, and mossied around downtown singing Christmas carols. They actually paid us to do this. We were great!

You think I could remember their names after all these years, but nope...

I have been a Christmas bah humbug for a while now. Hunkering down, doing nothing. I had that wonderful Christmas cruise with Shelby and Andy a couple of years ago, but for the most part, it's a dead holiday for me.

Now I've been invited to a wonderful family home in Tampa, FL, with new friends and my beautiful grand-daughter. How about that!

My old truck is going to make it down there and back. If she breaks down half way, I'll put her in a great shop, pack my bag, and hitch hike on down to Tampa. It won't be the first time!

That's really what this season is all about, making the journey, making the connection.

My son Riley is about to be gifted with another beautiful daughter, a wonderful Christmas present as he sits in their hospital room, biggest one on the floor.

Taleigh
( 1972 of 2167 )

Taleigh Ann Bangert entered the world today at 1105. She's beautiful, and I'm so happy for my son Riley and his wife Jessica, tears are getting in the way of me typing this.

Her name stuns and humbles me. I was born as Leigh James Riza, and my daughter Becky's middle name was Ann. I hope my name was a consideration in choosing that first name, and maybe the middle name of Ann is a coincidence, or maybe not!

They have worked so hard to have Ariella, and now Taleigh, and thanks to a fertility clinic in Arizona, it's happened.

I have no doubt Taleigh is going to be as beautiful as her older sister, and damned if I don't need to stick around long enough to see them grow up together.

I'm still crying, happy tears!

Update: Riley confirmed her name did come from mine, and Ann was coincidental. And she's a big baby, 8lb 6.4 oz.

Ariella and Taleigh, I love the names, sure beats Betty and Jane!

My Name
( 1973 of 2167 )

My longtime friend Beryl in Hawaii just texted me and said Beautiful child. Wow I'm learning all kinds of "stuff" about you. Where did the Hamilton name come from?

I told her that my dad was Eugene Thomas Riza, a young Navy guy that married my mom right after WW2 ended. They had my brother and I, got divorced, and she married a guy named Paul Hamilton. My legal name shifted from Leigh James Riza to James Leigh Hamilton, that's what's on my SS. Somewhere along the way, it simply became Jim Hamilton.

I remember Paul driving me to the Social Security office down in Southern California when I was a kid. He was claiming me as his own, which I respect.

And now the name Leigh has made it's way to my new grand-daughter. Wow...

Tampa Xmas
( 1974 of 2167 )

I've worked out my schedule for the trip down to Tampa, FL and Christmas with grand-daughter Shelby. She's working late on Friday so I've moved everything up a day, I'll roll in on Saturday.

 • Monday - New fuel pump installed.
 • Monday - Put cash on my card.

 • Tuesday - Laundry at Wishy Washy.
 • Tuesday - Help out friend, get stoned.

 • Wednesday - Hair cut, nails, shave.
 • Wednesday - Let my nails set.

 • Thursday - Clean my house up.
 • Thursday - Pack for the trip.

 • Friday - Drive South halfway.
 • Friday - Stay at the Rest Area.

 • Saturday - Finish drive to Tampa.
 • Saturday - Park truck in garage.

 • Sunday - Do some Xmas shopping.
 • Sunday - Brunch at Oxford Exchange.

 • Monday - Christmas with friends.

 • Tuesday - Wide open...

Fuel Pump
( 1975 of 2167 )

The average life span for men in America is 76. That puts me 1.5 years past my expiration date, and man am I feeling it. Parkinsons is really kicking my butt today and it took me several minutes to put on my socks.

It's a cold day and I decided to wear shoes but I couldn't put either of my two pair on, so I settled for my sandals. But I'm still alive, still moving, and I've got a Florida Christmas coming up, so issues be damned.

My new fuel pump is sitting on the table and a mechanic friend of my friend is dropping by to install it. I really hope this is the repair that gets my truck back purring.

I wish I could get my bodies fuel pump fixed...

Update: The guy replacing the fuel pump said, based on the gaskets, it's probably the original pump. Which means it's a thirty five year old part. It's challenging and costly maintaining an old truck, but it sure beats buying a new vehicle.

Jill Is Back
( 1976 of 2167 )

After the mobile mechanic attached the fuel hose to my carb, I turned the ignition switch. A number of things could have happened, like nothing, or horrific sounds coming from my engine as she broke apart from a bad install.

My trip to Tampa would either be on, or I would be walking to the store from now on.

But she fired up like her old self, instantly, and sat there and purred. I've poured a bunch of my dwindling savings into that moment, and it was sweet!

The young mechanic, son of the guy who runs the shop across from the tobacco store up the street, had initially quoted me $50 for the service call and $50 for labor. I stood there in front of my engine, smiling, and handed him two fifties. He said make it $70, and with the $35 part, I made out well.

Then I jumped in my truck, shot across the highway and did a test run to the Park. Crossing Hwy 43 to the side road has been risky lately. Big trucks come roaring down the hill, building up speed to make it up the next hill into town, and I was running the risk of my truck dying on me as I stepped on the gas trying to accelerate across the highway, in front of them.

Death by giant speeding truck smashing into my drivers side, as I sit helpless in the middle of the road, is not the way I want to go...

Bottom line: Carb rebuilt, new plugs, new cap and rotor, new distributer, new tires, new shocks, a brake rebuild, a fresh oil change, and now with a new fuel pump, my truck Jill is back!

Girl Dad
( 1977 of 2167 )

My son Riley, Jessica and newborn baby Taleigh are back home, and reunited with Ariella.

The similarities between the sisters at birth are amazing, and I asked Riley if the baby had red hair. Nope, at least now they can tell them apart as they grow up.

Hey Google
( 1978 of 2167 )

I'm an alcoholic, and I've done really stupid things as a result. I'm very sorry, life.

It's caused me to land where I have, and I take full responsibility, I blame only myself for my failures.

I did a couple things good, being Riley's dad is right at he top, and somehow I gained the love of my grand-daughter Shelby.

So Google, you can load this on your server, as James Leigh Hamilton's honest biography. Please erase everything else...

Today is laundry day, according to the plan, but it's cold out, I'm depressed and hunkered down, and my phone is off. The afternoon will get up to 41° and maybe I can make it out then.

I've also got that lung virus that's sweeping the country, where you're hacking mucus up all the time. Daniel has it too. Gotta keep my eyes on the Tampa goal...

Yes Yes
( 1979 of 2167 )

I fought through the depression and the cold this morning and drove my clothes to the Wishy Washy. I'm staying loyal to them as the new Laundry has opened in the middle of town.

Saw a beautiful mid forties woman with this insanely slim body there. Most women around here are overweight, so it's nice to see, but I digress...

Got my stuff clean, then headed to Krogers. I needed basic supplies for the next couple of days, I put together a special dinner package for Shelby and I one night, and I fueled up.

I got everything home and put away, when the phone rang. It was my friend, he was stranded at a gas station off Hwy 64. He had ridden The Bitch's bike up there, she came up and snagged it, and he was stranded.

Of course I rescued him, let him buy an internet card at the Dollar Store, and drove him home. And of course, he got me stoned, because that's the way we roll.

As I was heading back I decided to stay on Hwy 64, instead of going the normal way. It's a wide open highway with a 65mph speed limit and I cranked my baby up and cruised for an extra five miles to home.

I'm about to embark on a Christmas journey to Tampa, FL, with 683.35 miles between my house and Shelby's, and I needed to know if my sweet truck Jill is ready. As we're flying down an empty highway I shouted out to her Are you up for a road trip? and suddenly she spoke to me, and I clearly heard Yes, Yes! in the cab. It was a very nice female voice!

So that's my day, as the early afternoon arrives. What started out as a miserable pity party this morning, turned out great!

Saturday Night
( 1980 of 2167 )

God I'm looking forward to some intelligent, sensible conversations. I have a friend that never lets anything through. I try to understand what's going on in his life, and he shuts it down. Saying things like I don't want to hear your shit anymore and shut the fuck up, and all he can do is piss and moan about his life and marriage, but want's no response, much less advice.

He is my friend, so I endure, but I'm an old man who has had many friends, who have shared their lives and their troubles with me, and I expect some interaction, not to just sit there and bitch, and walk out the door, when I try.

My new revamped Tampa schedule is worked out. Come Saturday night I will be parked securely in Shelby's downstairs garage, making her dinner, followed by poker, with real chips.

At the end of the evening I will make it down the steps safely, with Shelby holding up my arm, and sleep in my truck. Sounds like a great Saturday night to me!

Pure Love
( 1981 of 2167 )

There is this wonderful human emotion called authenticity, where there is no doubt upon seeing it, can you deny it!

This amazing photo of my boy and his girls, captures Pure Love!

The Nails
( 1982 of 2167 )

Tomorrow, I'm getting my hair cut, my beard shaved, my goatee trimmed and all of the little places hair appears on an old mans head, cleaned up.

I have a 1000 appointment with the amazing Erica at the Beauty College. She is a beautiful mother of local kids, working her way through school for a career. She's almost there, and in the process has become the most sought after mens stylist in town.

She also has the most beautiful pale blue eyes, that you can't help but gaze into, as she hovers around your head.

I've lost my beard trimmer, somewhere around the house, so I just let it all go to hell, and let Erica fix it when I'm ready to travel. I tip her well.

While I'm there, I've decided to get my nails done, and I've just called and added it to my visit. Why should women have all the fun when it comes to nails?

I remember that road trip I made a while back with Mystery Woman. As we drove up North so I could buy some legal weed, I kept gazing at her toes, they were painted and lovely.

So, I'm going to have my finger nails manicured and styled into a Christmas motif, green and red, with white sprinkles to represent snow. I think my girl is coming out.

It should be a fun attraction as I navigate Christmas as an active participant this year. I'm old, I'm convoluted, and I don't give a flying fuck anymore, if people think I'm weird.

I thought about having my hair colored, but I'll start with the nails...

Nails Done
( 1983 of 2167 )

I went to the Beauty College today and had Daniels and my favorite stylist Erica do her magic on my scruffy old head. They we're short handed so instead of passing me off to a nail person, Erica also did my Christmas nails.

She is a southern sweetheart, with four kids, three to eighteen, and I got to enjoy her beautiful eyes for more than an hour. I think she created a work of art on my nails!

We went with gel, so these will be sticking around until they grow out.

Is On
( 1984 of 2167 )

Since I've adjusted my Tampa, FL arrival to Saturday, I've got all day tomorrow to get ready to travel, which is good as it turns out.

My landlord's office manager dropped by to let me know that potential buyers of this duplex are going to be coming by Friday to check the place out, along with someone from my landlord's office.

Lovely, that means that I need to clean my place up before they rummage through everything for ten to fifteen minutes, while I'm gone.

I asked Steve's office lady if the new owners would raise my rent, and she said that they may not even buy the place. But she couldn't answer the question.

I've never had beautiful nails before and even though these are gell, which are permanent, I was hesitant to wash my dishes. So I ran up to the Dollar Store and bought a rubber gloves two pack.

One for dishes, one for cleaning my house up. I know I'm probably being paranoid, but I need to show up at that Tampa seat at the table, with flawless nails!

My girl, is on!

Be Thinking
( 1985 of 2167 )

I was archiving blog posts tonight, from July up to October, and I see the number of hits each post has gotten. I only look at these numbers when I'm doing this, and I'm always shocked.

I tend to think of this blog as a platform to share my thoughts, photos, videos and tools, with friends and family, and the occasional person I ever mentioned the blog to. I keep forgetting that this is the Internet, and OldManJim.com is solidly embedded in the Google search chain.

I saw recent individual Posts exceeding 10,000 views, and I haven't looked at the stats on most of the older ones, so there could be some even bigger hit numbers out there.

It stuns me to think that so many people have read my wild and crazy writings. Maybe I should tame it down. Fuck no!

But I love to know that my photos and videos have been seen so much.

One of my individual tools has been used over 4.5 million times, (Place), and that pleases me. I developed them in the early phase of the blog, when I still had my coding hat on, big time. This blogging platform allowed me to use my PHP and Javascript skills, to create some very cool stuff.

I don't code anymore, I'm retired from all that, and I just document my life here now. It's so interesting though, to think about all those people out there following my strange life! What must they be thinking!

Get Over
( 1986 of 2167 )

A friend of mine had a moment the other night, as he sat in my big chair and bitched about his life.

I love the guy, but after hearing the same stuff over, and over, I tried to break through and get him to talk about reasons and solutions.

Well, apparently that was a friendship mistake. He stormed out the door angry, as my departure to Florida looms.

I'm afraid that he's caught up in this depression loop, where you convince yourself that everyone around you is against you, and that becomes your reality.

Your wife doesn't love you, her grown ass son has to leave his mom's house, otherwise it's divorce. You hate your mom, you hate your dad, you're broken because your two sons, that you love, are spending Christmas with their Mom, you're ex-wife, that you hate with a passion.

I get it! All you want to do now, as this vicious thing called Christmas approaches, is to bottom out and drown in it, until it passes.

I've been there, a couple of times since I've lived here, I understand.

I wish I could give you a spark of inspiration, like the one I've received from Shelby.

Don't die without going for it! Lose the hate, create the love, get over everything!

Meanwhile my estranged daughter sent me a Christmas card.

Rein Me In
( 1987 of 2167 )

I got a hand job from the lovely hair stylist Erica at the Beauty College yesterday. After she created beautiful art work on my trimmed up finger nails, she squirted lotion on her hands and massaged mine, it was great.

This is, I assume, part of the manicure experience, and I would have never know this, if I hadn't done it. Women live a different life...

As to the haircut and shave before, she didn't cut down as low as she normally does, so I'm sporting one of those styled Stubble Cowboy looks, only the color is grey.

I thought about coloring everything, hair and beard, but I managed to get a grip on myself, avoiding massive embarrassment.

Hell, I'm 77, what old man in his right mind is getting Xmas colored nails prior to his grand-daughter's friends family gathering in Florida? Rein me in Santa!

No Crash
( 1988 of 2167 )

It's Thursday night before Christmas, and all through the house, no creatures are stirring, just my fingers and mouse.

Daniel has hung in my chair and stared. With visions his wife, would become his spouse.

He needed Dollar Store pizza, so badly and quick, and away to the store, he flew like a flash.

And then in a twinkling, as he rolled to his house, he knew he was lucky, that he didn't crash!

Tampa Bound
( 1989 of 2167 )

It's been a hell of a road trip so far. I'm now hunkered down in a Rest Area off I-75 SB, a little under six hours from Tampa. Just made my bed after throwing everything in the back this morning.

I could have pushed it a couple more R/A's down the road, but it's 1600, still light, and I found a great spot, before the Xmas travelers hit.

Shelby's expecting me around noon tomorrow, but I can beat that easily. If I get up before dawn I could grab some breakfast and still roll in early.

I left the house around 0530 this morning and drove about 12 miles before I realized I had left my wallet and cash at home. I could have driven a couple hundred miles, with no resources to buy gas and get home, and I would have been screwed!

I drove to Chattanooga and headed South on I-75. I should have known better, that Interstate thru Atlanta is always horrible, I even took the I-285 Atlanta bypass, and it was just as bad. Add in the fact that it's two days before Christmas and...

I'm going to find a diagonal route back home next week, through Alabama, fuck I-75.

I kept making contingency plans in my head if my truck broke down, then I realized all I was doing was creating negative energy, so I shifted to picturing myself backing into Shelby's garage tomorrow. She is running wonderful, cool and happy!

My nails have been a hit so far. I was joking with my nail artist Erica about handing over gas money to convenience store clerks and getting a reaction.

Sure enough, the first guy said, could I see your nails? and he said that he likes girls (ha ha) but he really wanted to do his nails like that, but his daughter said he would make a fool out of himself. I don't feel like a fool in the slightest, and told him to go for it.

The second clerk said she loved my nails, and asked if I did them myself. I told her the story.

I'm really glad I chose this R/A instead of pushing down the road. I've had plenty of light to get things done, and write this post. Tampa tomorrow!

Update: My friend Elizabeth just texted me:

To avoid Atlanta on the way home I'd head to Tallahassee, then to Douglasville, GA, then to Rome, GA, onto Huntsville then on home! That route keeps you off the Atlanta traffic and I've driven/rode the Huntsville/Rome/Atlanta route many many times and it's a beautiful drive!

Thanks my friend!

The Blanket
( 1990 of 2167 )

I woke up from a great dream at 0330 this morning, at that South Georgia R/A. As I laid there, I realized what I wanted to give Shelby for Christmas.

She told me a while back that she would love to have that beautiful crocheted blanket her great-great grandmother made. I wish my abused brain cells had thought of this while I was back home, because that's where it is.

So, the first thing I'll do when I get back is get it dry cleaned, boxed up at the post office, and sent on down.

btw: I'm at your door. Come on down and give your road weary poppa, a big hug!

Garage Office
( 1991 of 2167 )

Shelby used my truck for running a bunch of cardboard that had accumulated in her garage, down to the cardboard bin here at the townhouse complex. It specifically said cardboard only, but being my rebel grand-daughter, she added some styrofoam, and I ain't tellin.

This freed up her garage and I backed on in. We added a table at the end, some electricity, her internet, and I've got a bed and an office in there now. This means I don't have to drive in this crazy ass town, we'll just use her ride to get around.

Tampa Agenda
( 1992 of 2167 )

So here's the Tampa agenda, tonight we're having dinner with Kristen and Ryan and their two girls (Katrina 8 and Kaity 13). After that we're doing the Lighted Christmas Boat Parade, something sorely missing back in Lawrenceburg, TN.

Tomorrow it's brunch at the Oxford exchange, where her world renowned pianist friend Ricky, (@rickykeys on YouTube) is playing. After that, were hitting St Pete beach on the Gulf of Mexico, also sorely missing back home.

Christmas morning is wide open, heading over to Kristen and Ryan's house for dinner and some whisky drinking around 1400. I picked up a big bottle of Proper 12, the sipping whiskey that Daniel, Tony and I drink back at home over poker. I brought my chips down and maybe we can get a game going after dinner.

Shelby goes back to remote working on Tuesday and I'll have to decide if I'm going to bail on my garage office, but you may have to rip it out of my old cold fingers...

Boat Show
( 1993 of 2167 )

Had a great time at the Tampa Lighted Christmas Boat Parade!

Mystic Mafia
( 1994 of 2167 )

Shelby attends this Mystic Mafia Mardi Gras Krewe event in Pensacola every February. The women all wear red, get really drunk, kiss all over each other, and a bunch of them end up completely naked in a hot tub.

It's an annual event. Makes me realize that I really don't have a life, and I want to be reincarnated as a hot woman.

Xmas Eve
( 1995 of 2167 )

Shelby, Josie, and I had brunch at Oxford Exchange. We were bummed that her friend Ricky, the world class pianist was placed up above the brunch crowd, but we got a table with a view of him.

The food was different, but good. Meeting Josie was a treat, she's originally from Brazil and has a great accent. She's also hot as hell!

Then we drove to St Petersburg, I got my toes in the Gulf of Mexico, and we enjoyed the beach.

Shelby then pulled up in front of this beautiful pink expensive hotel called the Vinoy, and we went inside. We ended up at the pool and there was a hot tub. There was no key lock to the place, so I jumped in. Shelby had her Christmas hooker outfit on so she made a couple trips to the bar, and just dangled her legs in the tub while we made new friends. At one point I gave her a foot massage from the tub.

We ended the soak hanging out with a great couple from Columbia named Christian and Isabelle, and I think they're looking forward to making this blog!

Now we're back home, watching a hot Christmas movie called A Bad Momma's Christmas. Merry Christmas Eve!

Florida Baby
( 1996 of 2167 )

It's a little after 2300, Eastern time, and I'm sitting in Shelby's main level, while she's mossied off to bed, upstairs. My sweet grand-daughter is worn out, I can't even get a poker game out of her.

This has been a great Christmas Eve day down in Western Florida. The life style here is so different than Lawrenceburg, TN.

The energy is much higher, the people are prettier, and I can't belive they're paying thousands of dollars for a monthly roof over their head.

I told our Columbian hot tub friends about my now raised rent of $525, and they were stunned by how low it was.

Florida is amazing, but everything is insanely expensive. An old retired guy like me, on a fixed income, couldn't make it here, without a lot of compromises.

So, I have accepted Tennessee as my home, where I can live within the means of my fixed income. But the culture and the energy down here are something else. It's Florida baby!

It's now Xmas morning and here's Shelby giving Zinny her gift.

Great Xmas
( 1997 of 2167 )

What an amazing Christmas I've just had with Kristin and Ryan, and their family yeterday. The food was amazing, Shelby's boards rocked the house, and I got to know some great folks.

Ryan is a 24 year Marine and as we drove back to Shelby's place for the homemade cranberry sauce we left behind, we chatted. I told him that if I had served I would have wanted to be a helicopter pilot. He smiled and told me that's what he did! How about that.

Paul is Ryan's step dad, ex airline pilot, Flight Controller for decades, and eventually a Controller trainer for the FAA. I told him I worked for Sundstrand back in the early nineties, writing assembly language code for the Black Box. When I said, "but it's really a red box", he knew I was for real.

Rob jumped in and said he also wrote assembly code back in the day. Turns out he's a mainframe guy with an amazing background. Suddenly we were standing over in a corner swapping stories loudly and drinking Ryan's smoked Old Fashions. From left to right, Paul, Ryan, me and Rob.

Ryan's mom Jean Anne is a lovely woman with a great smile, who loved my nails. We chatted about cruises and life. Kristyn, Ryan's wife, cooked up a wonderful spread and spread her beauty around the house.

Their 8 year old daughter Katrina, who I met the last time I was down, was sick but hung in there. The other daughter, 13 year old Kaitlyn, was pretty, and very smart. What a great family!

Shelby and I did a Facetime chat with my Idaho family. It was wonderful to see them and introduce Shelby to my sister, nieces Catherine and Elizabeth, and Dave. Brian she knows well. No snapshots, but maybe Brian will send me a photo or two.

Then we did another Facetime with my son Riley, Jessica and the babies. It was also great to see them and the new baby.

I was honored to have a seat at the table, and see my family on a phone screen!

Spa Day
( 1998 of 2167 )

It's the busiest travel day of the year as people travel home from Christmas, and I'm not going anywhere. Shelby and I did Waffle House again, and then she got into a video chat, and landed herself another job, around short term rentals and a RV park.

She also mentioned I could live in a small trailer at the RV park and act as greeter and guide, rent free, not charge them for my time, and live off my Social Security. Sounds like a win/win to me!

We're trying to figure out what to do today, and I'll be heading home tomorrow. Shelby's looking at a Korean Spa, have a good soak and steam, then get an hour long massage, for $200 each. Ten dollars off for seniors.

She's calling them now for an appointment. Ooops, no masseuses available, we could still soak and steam. There's a male and female nude soak area, with a common dry sauna area.

Shelby's checking other options now, but we might just go for this one, stay tuned!

Upside
( 1999 of 2167 )

Shelby and I had a great day yesterday! I think my sweet beautiful grand-daughter has become my favorite human on this planet. We went to that Korean Spa and I just had the soak and steam, in the mens section, while she got an amazing body scrub, from an old Korean woman, on the other side.

My experience was great, alternating between steam room and hot tub. One guy convinced me to settle down into the cold tub for a bit, and I have to say, it was pretty cool.

We left the Spa in search of Sushi and her amazing Mercedes with the phone connection, guided us to the best spot in town. Our last night together on this Christmas adventure ended with a movie and some poker, with chips, and I'm heading back home shortly.

No Doubted
( 2000 of 2167 )

Shelby has taught me how to speak Waffle House, and I put it to use this morning as I walked into one. There was an open spot at the counter between a woman and a long haired guy, so I slid on in.

The waitress came up quickly and I said I wanted double hash browns, smothered (cheese), covered (onions), with chili, and two eggs over easy. I sensed the woman to my left shift her gaze in my direction, obviously impressed with my vocabulary. Or maybe it was my nails.

After a few seconds I turned towards her, and saw this beautiful young woman, with amazing tits. As I looked further down the counter I saw her young daughter, and her handsome husband. You're a lucky man sir!

It's been a great return ride so far. I worked the diagonal Northwest from I75, into Alabama, onto I65, and I've landed at a Rest Area South of Birmingham, at 1830, a hundred and ninety three miles from home.

My sweet little truck is running great, I don't know how I could have doubted her...

My Shelby
( 2001 of 2167 )

I've been thinking about my amazing grand-daughter Shelby, all the way home today. I've watched her strut through life with sas, confidence and style. She is truly an amazing woman.

I've listened in on conference calls across two jobs, and her eloquence and command of her position, is something to behold. As she reined in a new partnership with a rich client and another job, the words that poured from her lovely mouth were like technical honey.

I'm a tech guy, and I know what's involved in creating a website and a platform, but she was presenting a vision to this client that was pure brilliance. The very rich savvy woman was so overwhelmed by my Shelby, that she hired her.

Shelby is a force of nature. She has attracted and maintained relationships with amazing men. A Marine sniper, a Blue Angel pilot, the hottest artist and designer in the South, a Navy commander, a world class piano player, and a competitive body builder. I've met them all, except the pilot who died in that crash. And they all still love her! I listened to the recent phone call from Italy where Andy is stationed, and this badass big Navy ship captain is on his knees, and still in love with her.

I played poker with Shelby last night, and I saw her competitive side come out, she don't like to lose! She was like this hard ass poker player, with a glimmer in her eye, that said I'm going to kick your butt!

As it turned out, my chip stacks were bigger than her's at the end of the night, and she went to bed. I went down to my truck to hang out in the canopy, with a smile on my face!

Dumplins
( 2002 of 2167 )

Daniel made chicken and dumplings, tonight. I stirred the pot, and they were amazing. He used the big old cutting board and rolling pin he bought from his Amish friend up North. He also got his boys a smaller, but great, version for Christmas.

It was so damn good I ate three bowls. Right now he's running a bowl up to Mary, the hottie running the liquor store. Hmmm, life in the South is good, and Daniel made big points at the Store.

My Love
( 2003 of 2167 )

I love my grand-daughter Shelby, so much. I'm back home and I miss her, big time. She gets me, and I get her. Our talks are real, no bullshit, and I can share every aspect of my life with her, and she does the same with me.

Who ever grabs the heart of the most amazing woman I have ever known, is in for a hell of a ride, to the end.

And she has the same lazy right eye, as I do.

Cuttin Board
( 2004 of 2167 )

Daniel and I played us some poker last night, and had a wonderful FaceTime with my beautiful grand-daughter Shelby, down in Florida.

It was like she was sitting right here at the table with us! We talked about cutting boards and roller pins. Then she was gone, and we just faded into the night, the amazing Shelby had left the house. The table is now scattered with chips and I think I lost.

Then we drove up to Amish country where I picked up a hand made cutting board and rolling pin for my FGD. Unfortunately, this whole town is shut down until Tuesday, so I'll pick up my grand-mothers blanket then, all freshly dry cleaned, along with a box big enough to hold everything, and ship them down to her next week.

Daniel is walking over to his house now, to get a tape measure, so we can measure this beautiful board. Shelby has a 20.5 by 14.75 by 1.25 inches thick cutting board, and a 17.75 long by 2.75 diameter rolling pin, coming her way in the best box we can find.

Both created by an Amish craftsman. These are one of a kind originals.

Contact High
( 2005 of 2167 )

It's been an interesting New Years Eve afternoon here on my dead end street. Daniel mentioned smoked duck & sausage pasta with goat cheese at Ricatonie's down in Florence, AL. Hell yea!

He said he wanted to fall off into a bucket of titties and come up sucking his thumb. I have no idea what that means, and then we talked about Colaids.

Then my friend came by, sat himself down in Daniel's chair, scrolling through his phone.

Lanie rocking on the big screen. Door open, fresh air blowin all around us and it's a damned fine day in southern Tennessee.

Daniel split after my friend arrived, concerned about a contact high messing with his very respectable job in this county. I understand completely.

Then, what I thought was a total stranger, parked in front of my house, and walked through the door. He was intent, and sat right down in my empty chair.

He turned out to be the homeless guy I helped out a couple of years ago. I didn't recognize him at first, he was well dressed and looked good. We then spent the afternoon together today, laughing and getting stoned.

The story is, I was coming back from the Park one morning, when I saw this guy walking with a backpack, he looked down and out and I pulled over and asked if he needed help, and he did.

I brought him back over to my place, let him take a shower and change into the clean clothes he had in his backpack. I gave him food, respect, and dignity, because I've been in his place, and I know what it means to have those things, when you're down!

I then gave him my sweet little truck setup to crash in for the night. He was gone in the morning...

And here he shows up today, New Years Eve, with a vehicle of his own, not in need of anything, and an intent stare that puzzles me. We sat face to face at first, staring at each other for a long time, not saying a word, then suddenly we both smiled!

He has now disappeared into the night, and I can't even remember his name. Just a ghost from the past that dropped by to say thanks. You're welcome, and Happy New Years.

To 30
( 2006 of 2167 )

How in the hell did I end up at the Muscle Shoals National Recreational Trail on New Years Day, at 1000?

Sometimes life gets a little bit out of control, and you land where you shouldn't. But I made it back home safely, and alone.

It's 1350 in the afternoon, in my little house, first day of 2024. and I absolutely can't believe I made it this far!

If I could go back in time, I would advise my young soul, to expect to live this long, and take better care of yourself.

I remember when I honestly didn't think I would live past 30. As that birthday approached, I rolled into Kansas City, Missouri, in a white sports car, with my Japanese wife and a young lady we were helping get back to California.

We got a room, happy 30th birthday, to me.

Forward
( 2007 of 2167 )

My chair is the center of the small world I live in, my TV is the window to the outside, while the keyboard before me is my voice. I speak to the world with carefully crafted words, ones that attempt to define who I am, but often they end up like the flat strips of dough these folks around here try to pass off as dumplins.

Now everything is starting to move forward, I think. I feel a somewhat positive energy emanating from me, my long lost self is crying to get out. I have no idea what's going to happen to us next, but hey baby, welcome back.

The hospital has sent me a bill of $99.11 for that liver ultrasound. So much for a $35 copay. When they hand over a copy of all of the images that led to that lame ass diagnosis of a Fatty Liver, I'll give them their $99 bucks.

I'm heading up to the main UPS store in Columbia tomorrow. I've got a big cutting board, a rolling pin, and a family heirloom red blanket, to ship down to Shelby.

The Board
( 2008 of 2167 )

Daniel is speaking Water Heater with his step dad Carl. They're talking valves and pressure and overflow things. You can't go dumpster diving with an empty cup, I always say! And we found a great box behind True Value!

Daniel did his mechanical magic on it and everything, cutting board, rolling pin, and a hundred year old blanket, fit in there tight and ready to head South. It was a long flat box, that he cut down to size, made a new box out of it, and taped it up!

This is Daniel's Christmas present to you, my Beautiful Favorite Grand Daughter. Heritage, culture, love and friendship, from us to you, Shelby!

Heading over to UPS shortly, to launch this box into the world, and have it land gently at my grand-daughters front door...

Zinny
( 2009 of 2167 )

Zinny is Shelby's little partner/dog. When I showed up over Christmas, she recognized me and was excitedly jumping all over me.

I picked her lighted self up and used her to chat up a hottie wearing similar lighted colorful lights, at the boat parade in Tampa.

Whenever Shelby and I sat at her couch to eat food, Zinny was like a rocket to the spot, assuming her position to the right of me, her eyes riveted to mine.

As I ate my food, I always gently shared it with her. Zinny and I are good friends now, and I miss my Tampa girls.

Their box arrives tomorrow and I spoke with a UPS agent today, making sure Shelby's building and unit number are on there. It's a huge complex and our local guy left it off the packing slip.

HF Haul
( 2010 of 2167 )

My neighbor and friend Daniel asked me if I would like to go to Harbor Freight with him this morning. I thought there was nothing there that I needed, but as we slow crawled each aisle, embracing the beautiful tools and equipment that humankind has come to create at this moment, it was a sensual experience!

I got me some double sided sticky tape to secure my backup camera and my GPS to the front window. No more shifting around with my camera falling over...

Daniel convinced me that I needed these lights that I can velcro inside the two compartments of my truck, or use the magnets behind.

And you can never have too many zip-ties. All for ten bucks.

Far Future
( 2011 of 2167 )

Hmmm, I sit alone is this little place, with everything I need to keep me alive, and moving forward, while still hangin high on the branch.

Movies and music massage my mind, memories and fantasies embrace my body, while passion, love, family and friendship, feed my soul.

So I send out a greeting tonight, to anyone who happens to drop by, being alone sometimes ain't bad! The more you accept it, the more real you become.

I don't need a partner to define me, I define myself!

Alive, moving forward, and high up on the branch. Free, mobile, with a great mancave over my head. Not broke, yet.

I'm accepting reality when it comes to women. I don't expect that to happen again, and it makes me sad.

My Christmas fingernails are still rocking and entertaining folks. I have no plans for the near future, or the far future, for that matter...

Right Here
( 2012 of 2167 )

I was thinking tonight, about things I want to achieve this year.

Have a beautiful young sweet friend drop by, picking up cash off the table as she walks with a wabble out my front door.

To find peace with my many demons, embrace and accept them, and take them quietly to my grave, thank you...

To plan my future journeys out into the world based on family connections, not life's distractions.

To be as real as I can fucking be, with a cap on the sharing, but putting the rest of it out right here!

Keeping Tight
( 2013 of 2167 )

My local clinic/primary care place, just told me that they aren't refilling my main Parkinson's drug, because of my enhanced liver enzymes.

So the main drug that I've been taking for years now, which controls the tremors, is being taken away from me, because I drink!

They tested my B/P twice and it remained high. The nurse asked if I was taking meds for this, and I said nope. Hmmm, somewhat disconcerting.

I told the primary care guy that I wanted to see the images from my ultrasound. When he came back he said everything looked fine except for the fatty liver. They let me down today, writing me off as some old fool who wouldn't know what to do with photos if he held them in his hand inside a thumb drive.

I'll hit the hospital next week, where they want ninety one bucks. That should give me the leverage to obtain those photos of the inside of my old abdomen.

It's a cold day here in the South, staying warm, keeping tight. Waiting for a "Package Has Arrived!" message from UPS.

The Package
( 2014 of 2167 )

I got a message from UPS that Shelby's package had arrived, so I texted her, thinking she was upstairs surrounded by three laptops and working remotely.

No, she was working at her office today, and a few hours from home. But now she's back and the cutting board set may have found it's place.

Shelby's great-great-grandmother's blanket looks amazing in her spot on the couch. It's a beautiful link to her great proud heritige.

Empty
( 2015 of 2167 )

My insides have been blocked up since Christmas. My gynecologist neighbor, Dr Daniel, suggested a bottle of Magnesium Sulfide (or Sulfate). I thought that young pretend clinic doctor I just saw, would have a super prescription cleanse up his sleeve, but he said the same thing as Dr D, buy it over the counter.

So I bought and drank a big bottle Wednesday morning, and the blockage fell apart around 1300. It continued through yesterday until empty, and I'm now putting solid food back in. My gut is cleaned up, and feels great!

Anymore
( 2016 of 2167 )

I hate it when Daniel gets home late, so I demanded to know where he was tonight, and he claimed they were fixing a gas leak down in Loretto!

Yea right, I'll bet he and the boys were at the new Lesbian bar that just opened up, down the road in Leoma. I hear they have a couple of poles, and a big warm party room.

Sometimes my friend and neighbor Daniel never even makes it over here after work, because he's hooking up with his wife, or other friends. And I'm fine with that, bitch!

I don't hang out with Daniel's school system, maintenance department, co-workers. I've met a few of his friends, his two sons, and we've all hung out together, for a short bit, at some point.

The bottom line of this Post is, I have landed in a place where I have no family around me. I honestly thought Steph's family here would become mine, but that fell through.

I have a few eclectic friends here that I cherish, but just don't see very often, anymore.

Just Go On
( 2017 of 2167 )

I had breakfast at Pat's Cafe this morning, and this little place next to the bowling alley was rocking around 1000. Really busy, and I sat at the table in the corner with my back to the wall.

Each table has a number because the ordering system is computerized. A lady walks around with a tablet and takes your order on it, and it's sent straight to the kitchen.

I had eggs over easy, hash browns and a pancake. The food is served by pretty young girls, who wear short shorts in the Summer, btw.

When you're done and ready to pay you just walk up to the cashier and she magically knows what table you were at. Maybe there's a face recognition system that takes a snapshot once you're served, and presents it to the cashier, I don't know.

But today, it skipped a beat with me. She got a puzzled look on her face, then grabbed a small in-house walkie talkie and called the tablet lady up to the register.

My order wasn't there, the system showed that table empty. Then the tablet lady smiled and said Just Go On! I was shocked and said Pat's buying me breakfast? and she said Yea, just go on.

Then I put a nice tip in their jar, and went on. What a great way to start a weekend!

Truck Tools
( 2018 of 2167 )

I drove over to the Park to warm my dashboard up. Then I secured my two main screens with double stick tape. From left to right: Backup Cam, GPS, DC Splitter, and my straw.

This is my DJI Pocket Two mount for driving videos, while down in the corner is my internal radio antenna.

Here's the phone mount, to my left. On the recent Tampa road trip I had both Google, and my Garmin GPS, giving me step by step directions.

When I would deviate off the route, to get gas or whatever, it was comical to hear these female voices trying to get me back on track, in their own way.

Kinda the story of my life...

Pats History
( 2019 of 2167 )

Daniel read the Just Go On post and then, having been born and raised here, gave me the history of Pat's Cafe.

The very nice lady who takes orders on the tablet, and who bought my breakfast this morning, is the owner, Teresa. Her mom was named Pat, and with her step-fathers help, opened the cafe years ago.

Teresa and her two siblings inherited the restaurant, then she bought them out, and the place was all hers. I assume the implementation of the technology is also hers.

Daniel has known Teresa forever, and has a high regard for the family. She and her husband run a catering business and would love to see a responsible transition of the place, to new owners, but they haven't appeared yet.

Pats Cafe is a long block off the main highway, and down a small town road. And every time I've been there, they've always been hopping. Now that I know the history, I understand why.

Life Blog
( 2020 of 2167 )

As I float through early 2024, towards the middle of a decade that I thought I would never see, I've felt that everyday has been somebodies birthday. Some persons I was close to and loved, that I can't even remember their name now, had a birthday on this first week of January.

I am so terrible with names these days, and I have almost zero birthday cognizance. I wish I had started a blog when I first learned to write, along with a Google spreadsheet containing notes and dates about everyone I ever met.

Obviously, the tech wasn't there in the late forties, but it is now. I think it should be every parents responsibility to learn how to setup a blog and a spreadsheet!

Then give each child the gift of their own space to record their life, teaching them how to do it, and why they will love the ability to relive any day, any person, as life moves on.

Each post and spreadsheet update would be completely private and stored in the cloud. If the blogger want's to share a post with anyone, as the years roll by, they can. The rest of the blog is not visible, to anyone, but them.

Give each child a basic phone as soon as they're ready. The blogging platform could be baked in, and all the parents would need to do is customize it for them, and teach them how to use it.

Today Popa
( 2021 of 2167 )

Guess who's birthday I just spaced on. Umhuh, I knew an important one was happening but I couldn't recall that today is my beautiful favorite grand-daughter Shelby's thirty second birthday.

She had texted me earlier: "We're at Disney for birthday festivities", intentionally leaving "my" out of the expression, testing me.

Finally, after reading my Life Blog post, and realizing that I just wasn't getting it, she texted: "My birthday is today papa..."

I fell to my knees before my laptop, in humility, and texted her for forgiveness!

Photos of Shelby and Kristin's Disney birthday day are forthcoming, check back tomorrow.

In the meantime, here's a very short clip I found on my little video camera. It was taken as Shelby and I had just sat down to that fancy Tampa brunch, with what's her name.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

In The Truck
( 2022 of 2167 )

It's been a quiet lonely day here on the deadend street. Daniel dropped by earlier and drug me up to Cash Saver's for something he wanted. As he headed towards the store, with his door closing, I said "I'll just wait in the truck".

I think I saw his middle finger emerge from his stocky hand and it all has to do with Lanie Wilson. He hates her, or at least says he does, just to aggravate me, a Wilsoner.

There's a line in a recent CMA 2023 video about domestic violence, where the man finds a beaten woman in the middle of a dark road, and they drive back to her abusers house. He tells the woman to "just wait in the truck", and then takes the guy out, permanently. Smoking one of his cigarettes, and waiting for the cops to come.

It's a great performance, with a message, but my neighbor doesn't like it because Lanie's in it.

It's also sad that an otherwise intelligent, talented guy can be so wrong about the hottest female country star in the world. Jennifer Nettles is real high on my hot list, along with a couple others, but Lanie is tops for me.

Daniel says that she's bourgeois, boughie, as he likes to say. I asked him who he likes, and he shows me some chick in pink with pony tails. Meghan Trainer, I like her, but talk about the ultimate definition of boughie, she's it.

I'd love to be giving my friend some Lanie grief, and discussing these differences, but he's been hunkered down with his wife next door, all day.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Points
( 2023 of 2167 )

Sunday football and our Titans are trying to knock the Jags out of the play offs. There are a bunch of teams with an investment in this game. We're up 28 to 13, early third quarter.

Daniel did a fine thing for a longtime friend today. For years he's been the ice house maintenance guy on weekends, for his friend Jim, who owns ice units all around the area.

After his foot surgery he had to back off, and Jim has been scrambling to find a replacement for Daniel. The one he currently has, is an irresponsible idiot, the Pulaski and Ardmore ice houses are down, he's losing money, and he's furious.

So Daniel stepped up and said he would find a way to fix them this morning. He can't drive his service truck because it's a clutch, and surgery was on the left foot. He also can't go up and down ladders like he used to.

He then called his good friend Alan, who agreed to drive the truck and be a parts runner from the truck to halfway up the ladder. They got an early start, made a good team, got both ice houses fixed, and Daniel made it over here by 1200 for football.

He also made a whole bunch of valuable points, with an influential Southern Tennessee business man.

Image generated by OpenAI's DALL-E.

Place Levels
( 2024 of 2167 )

The best time I've ever spent here in my Southern Tennessee small place, was when the dark rental vehicle turned on to our street and I said "they're here".

Suddenly, a flood of family came rushing out the doors, into my space and into my arms. My son Riley, wife Jessica, baby Ariella, and Taleigh in the belly. Grand-daughter Shelby and her dog Zinny.

I had barbecue waiting in the center of my mancave. They all got to experience my life here, and like I said, the best day. I even took them on a back road cruise up to the Park and back through the Square.

Then we all headed North for our amazing Nashville adventure.

I've lived in many places in my life, and I've learned a truth. You either love it, hate it, or endure it. If you love a place, you lovingly hold onto it. If you hate a place, you fight desperately to escape it.

To endure a place is to accept the level of security it offers, at a price you can afford.

Maybe there's another level, where the three emotions can come together, and thrive. I think that's where I'm at right now.

Nahh
( 2025 of 2167 )

I wonder who my blog audience is anymore. Turns out, a lot of people have been reading my posts, but I have no idea wether they're friends or family, or just folks who I've given my site name to, and they decided to stick around.

This blog has been firmly embedded in the Google search structure for more than five years. It's secure, trusted, no ads, no cookies, no spyware and no comments wanted, just a place where an old man rattles on to the world about his daily survival, and what he thinks about this amazing experiance called life. New followers may very well be coming from Google.

It's interesting to think that OldManJim has a following, maybe I should be more careful about what I write.

Nahh...

The CD
( 2026 of 2167 )

I realized that I didn't pay my $10 copay the last time I was at my little strip mall medical clinic. The front desk girl was busy and I just spaced and left.

I went in there this morning to pay my bill, but the girl said there is nothing due. I told her that's just what happened at Pat's Cafe, where my order info vanished before I could pay, and I got a free breakfast.

She smiled and said "maybe you're blessed, pay it forward" and I told her I do that as much as I can.

Then, being on a roll, I drove up to the hospital to get copies of my liver ultrasound images. Once I navigated through a couple of folks in the main building, I ended up down in Records at the back of the Hospital.

I filled out a couple pages of info, let her scan my ID, we chatted about Florida beaches, and then she handed me a CD.

I don't own a CD reader anymore, but I could run up to Walmart and get one for twenty bucks. Or better, Daniel's got one for his laptop, I'll just borrow his tonight, for this one-off event.

Priorities
( 2027 of 2167 )

I've been thinking about my priorities lately, and they've come down to a few things. In order of importance: Family, friends, freedom, my mancave, physical and vehicle mobility, ice with vodka and water, a little smoke, and some hot sex before I die.

Beyond that, I'm just doing my best to keep moving forward, with a positive attitude and love in my heart.

It's a healthy process, to think about, and honestly rate, your priorities!

One of my goals today has been to pay god's blessings upon me, forward.

As I headed into the discount smoke shop for ice, I saw a man drop a sheet of paper into the parking lot, in the wind. He managed to secure it with his foot, but couldn't bend over to pick it up.

I walked over and picked the paper up and placed it into the stack of papers within his arms. He said it's rough being 57, and I told him I'm 77.

Then he said something that blew my mind: "I know you are, I think you're amazing"!

He looked familiar, was this another person I've helped out around here, that I can't remember, or a friend of one I have. Whatever, it was a great encounter!

Dicom View
( 2028 of 2167 )

I took the CD of my Liver Ultrasound over to Daniels last night and saved the contents to a thumb drive. I looked at the files this morning and there was no viewer software for the DICOM image file format included. Which means it's totally unusable to a layman. Only people in the Medical profession have the software to view these images.

Unless you're a computer genius like me, who can track down a Dicom viewer package and install it on my Windows 11 laptop.

Bingo, there were 37 images to do with as I wanted. I could have converted them all to .jpg, but the viewer app had an export to video function, so I created one.

The resulting video had my confidential info on the front and back, and it flew through the 37 images in three seconds. So, I popped it into my video editor, stripped off the personal data, and stretched it out:

The video turned out great. You can see the title of the organ, force it's way into the upper left, as each one slides into view.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Here is the good doctor Douglas White's diagnosis as a result of seeing these images.

 • Pancreas is unremarkable.

 • Gallbladder is normal.

 • Common Bile Duct is good.

 • Right Kidney has mild diffuse renal cortical thinning without hydronephrosos or nephrolithiasis.

Bottom line, he stated that I have diffuse fatty infiltration of the liver, otherwise unremarkable.

Sometimes you have to dive deeper when all they say is "You have a fatty liver, so now fuck off, that's all you get to know".

Freezing
( 2029 of 2167 )

It's headless chicken time, here in Tennessee. The weather people are warning about possible snow in some places this weekend, that may reach a couple of inches!

I moved here after spending twelve years in high altitude Idaho snow country.

My landlord just sent me a text to make sure I keep my faucets running when it drops below 32. We ran our faucets when the TV weather station in Idaho Falls said we should, and it was way below freezing.

Our Winter temps often got down to -40°. The faucets were defiantly running but Teton Valley would just shut down.

Schools would closed, and I drove a bus that had a bunch of kids on board throughout the day, so I stayed home.

Leave a skeleton crew at the grocery store, a gas station open, and the Valley would just wait for everything to warm up.

When snow is piled high against the house, and around the hot tub out on the deck, you hunker down at -40°.

But not with two inches of snow and temps in the twenties and thirties...

Taleigh 1
( 2030 of 2167 )

Riley and Jess's new baby Taleigh is beautiful, and it looks like red hair is emerging to match her sister Ariella's.

The Hammer
( 2031 of 2167 )

I'm using this old hammer for breaking up ice in the bag in my freezer compartment. It's been in my life for quite a while now, with no memory of how it arrived.

It's not like my grand-fathers hammers, which are probably at least a hundred years old, this one is different.

It's heavy, with a big solid white hammer head of unknown material, designed to deliver a softer, spread out blow. Handmade holes at the bottom, with wrapped braided threads at the tip.

Let It Snow
( 2032 of 2167 )

Ahhh, Sunday evening in the South, in January. The snow totals are projected to be seven inches or more tonight.

Back where I come from, we talked in feet, not inches. I know what driving a public bus in the dead of a high mountain Idaho winter is like. I did it for a decade.

That experience now tells me to just stay off the road and let it thaw. Put that strip club down in Huntsville visit off for a bit.

I have determined that I have an addictive disposition. Right now I'm suffering through a bout of Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter munchies. The kitchen knife lays poised to dive into the jar, on a paper towel, in my kitchen.

In fact, that's been my main exercise, back and forth for another scoop, each time swearing it was my last.

And I have not communicated with anyone all day. No calls, no text, no email, no human interaction. I have power and heat, I'm secure, and I'm thankful for what I have left in life. Let it snow...

Snowman
( 2033 of 2167 )

It's 23° and snowing in Lawrenceburg, TN. This is my fifth winter here and I've seen some interesting weather, including snow, but this one could dump a bit.

I remember Steph's and my first big snow in the Grand Tetons. I made a snowman out by the mailbox, on our little subdivision street, off Ski Hill Road. We were the new couple on this very spread out block, and were the first house you came to as you entered.

Just for the fun of it, I stuck a stick, facing upward, into the snowman's lower belly and packed a snow sculpture around it, in the shape of something very hard and erect. The Horny Snowman was born!

I wish I could give a rational reason for that, I do know, as that first Winter sunk in, we hadn't made any friends in the subdivision. I think I was just giving the place a friendly fuck you.

Heavy Snow
( 2034 of 2167 )

Well, we're getting hammered with snow, and Daniel said he's never seen this much here. It's real cold, seven inches on the ground, and more heading this way all week.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Going Along
( 2035 of 2167 )

It's Tuesday, midway through January 16, and there's still too much snow and ice on the roads to venture out to the Hwy, much less the Places in town.

I had an amazing Transit career operating up in the High Idaho Teton Valley mountains, for more than a decade. My work partner and I each drove brand new sixteen wheeled passenger busses along Hwy 33, we served the town, the kids and the Seniors.

The busses were made for the snow, with four rear wheels moving us between small towns, with the best tires money could drive at the time. On the last New Years afternoons we were there, Karen dropped by our log home to give me and Steph a bottle of expensive vodka, and I turned it down. I quit for almost a year there, and our friendship was never the same.

Summer came, I trained a guy to replace me, with Karen's and my friendship fading way.

Steph was the woman of my life when we moved here. I loved and lost her when we did.

Daniel is getting his big service truck ready for an icy snowy trip into town here, and I'm going along...

Wrong
( 2036 of 2167 )

Something's wrong. My brain has gone South on me and I have no idea why. I can't remember how to do things on my computer and I had a real hard time getting this Post out.

I have two food dishes in the refrigerator that I don't remember making yesterday. One is a large pot of some red stuff, and I really don't know what it is.

I do remember getting to the cheap grocery store yesterday but I ended up with two receipts, paid for both of them, and one had items I think I never bought.

I don't know what the fuck I'm doing anymore, not sure if I really care...

Growing Out
( 2037 of 2167 )

I'm beginning to recognize the expression on total strangers faces that I do business with. I call it the What do we have here? look.

What they get back in return is a toothless unshaven old man who really doesn't give a flying fuck. In fact, I'm not even going to cut them until the pattern grows out, get those nails long and gnarly.

I went into town this morning, almost had eighteen wheels roaring up the hill put my misery to rest, as I slid partially through the Hwy 43 stop sign.

This snow silly southern town has been mostly shut down for days, but it's slowly coming back. I moved here after a decade plus spent high in the Rockies, and this ain't nothing.

In fact, Teton Valley was at the base of a Wyoming ski resort, and thrived on many feet of winter snow. We lived and worked with it, here they just shut down at a few inches.

We were surrounded by love, beauty, money, volcanos and world class trout streams. None of that is no longer around me. I thought I was going to continue to be part of Steph and her families lives here, but I was wrong.

Saturday Evening
( 2038 of 2167 )

I've invited a buddy over tonight to play poker with Daniel and me, and I haven't seen either all day. I have everything needed for a fun Saturday evening of cards and all I need now is players.

It's 1735, I have painted fingernails, I'm a crushed lonely old man, and I feel on the verge of doing something stupid. Some times we have friends around to correct that stupidity, most times we have not.

Daniel just called and said he was picking up some House Fried Rice, so I'll set up the poker chips...

Emptiness
( 2039 of 2167 )

This big Southern Tennessee Winter snow event is over and it should be in the sixties by the end of next week. It's fucking fine with me if I never see another snow drop fall for the rest of my life.

I woke up this morning to an email from my longtime Liberal West Coast friend. We've been on the outs for a while and she wanted me to call her. My apologies old friend, if you read this, I can't.

My daughter, mother to fourteen grandkids and some great-grandkids, was three years old when I met this friend fifty seven years ago. We have a long history, and now there is none.

I only have a couple of friends left here, and they're both guys. Somehow I have allowed women and kids to fade from my life, and it's left a huge emptiness in my heart...

Too Much Ask
( 2040 of 2167 )

The point where the top of my right front thigh joins my upper torso, hurts. The spot where my lower neck joins my right shoulder, aches. I have no idea why these things are happening, and I feel it spreading to my left side.

I wonder wtf is going on, and I know that if it worsens, I'm in trouble. In the meantime I observe in pain and wait for it to happen.

I ran out of the primary Parkinsons med I've been taking for years, a few months ago, and nobody has renewed the prescription. Maybe my body is pissed off, and it's sending my mind South.

I remember when our mom dropped dead in an Orinda, CA extended living home. My sister offered me all of her stuff, and a U-Haul rental to take it back up to Seattle, after the funeral.

I had just started a $4.50 an hour bellboy job up in a Kent, WA hotel. I was barely staying alive and had no room for her stuff. It all went to the Salvation Army and I went back up home on the Amtrak train.

I've got a Will now, but I'm wondering if that's a mistake. Most of my stuff goes to son Riley back in Washington, and grand-daughter Shelby down in Tampa. Attending my funeral and processing my shit, would be disruptive and non-productive for both.

Why doesn't a service exist that could take care of all this stuff. Swoop in, separate family and physical things into a local storage area. Allow family to fly in and gather anything of sentimental value, sell the rest to a second-hand place, then organize the cremation and funeral with the proceeds.

I don't want my passing to be a burden, and I want folks to look back on it with a smile. Too much to ask?

Life Evolves
( 2041 of 2167 )

Here life evolves, on a snow thawing Monday evening in the Deep South. My friend Daniel dropped by after his school district maintenance job, on a day when they shut down the schools. School is shut down again tomorrow, he's not.

All sorts of shit is going down around here, Summertown's water froze, so did New Prospect's. They just don't plan for serious weather around here.

They get a few inches, it freezes, and they freak out. Pretty sad.

Daniel explains that the Deep South is not the North West. Really? He say's everything is buried deeper at 6500 feet, I suppose...

When Winter hit back there in October, it stayed until May. I lived, drove and worked in that shit for twelve years. Fuck you pussies around here!

Here it is in late January and the temp will be back in the fifties by the end of the week. What little snow and ice gone...

Hah! Hey, I'll take every day of it! I truly wish I could extend my life further. Fuck everything and wake up on a tropical island with no worries.

But that ain't happening, and all I can say is, good night...

Kill Switch
( 2042 of 2167 )

I killed this blog for a while today. I've been stressing over it so I shut it down to see how it felt. I wrote two lines of PHP code and stuck them up in the header of the oldmanjim.com index.php file.

"OldManJim is done." was presented to a blank screen, and then the site simply stopped. Dead to the world.

I left it up there for a few hours this morning, and access to all 2,041 posts across more than five years, thousands of images, hundreds of videos, and tools that have been used millions of times, was gone.

Here's what it looked like:

OldManJim is done.

I've since commented out that kill switch, but it is now less than a minute away.

For A Change
( 2043 of 2167 )

The homeless guy Kip showed up at my door today around noon. I saw his face appear through the stainless glass before he knocked, but I didn't know who was there.

There he stood, soaking wet from the rain, with a big smile on his bearded face. He owes me money, ripped me off the last time I let him in, and all I could do was shake my head and close the door.

He understood, and left. I walked out later to make sure he hadn't crashed in my truck.

I consider myself a very compassionate man, but there always comes a point where you have to stop. That happened today.

And now I sit here feeling bad. Maybe I should have given him shelter for a bit, found out what was going on, but I did not.

Or maybe I did the right thing for myself, for a change...

My Integrity
( 2044 of 2167 )

I turned the homeless guy away today, and as my lonely night sinks down over me, I know I made the right move.

I look at each major moment of life these days, as either a right or wrong move, never neutral.

My moves have been alright lately. I'm taking the depression of decline, and mellowing it out with vodka and legal smoke.

I look forward to my next day, my next month, my next year. I will give each one all the honesty and integrity I have.

And if I have to close the door on a homeless guy to keep my sanity and integrity, I will.

Neutral
( 2045 of 2167 )

Profound thoughts dissolve quickly from my fading scattered mind. I've been working on a good buzz with a good buddy all day, and now he's gone, along with my mind. Drove it right along into the rainy afternoon and now it's in stoned neutral.

I'm accepting the fact that my mind is on the last train to Clarksville, my body has left the station, and it's OK!

I had a great video chat last night with my boy Riley and his family in Washington State. My grand-daughter Ariella now remembers me from Nashville last Summer, and that's very cool.

She was holding the phone and staring into my eyes with a glimmer from hers that said I remember you grandpa!

So I guess I'm OK. I have no love life, just a couple of friends, and family scattered across the country, that I will never see.

Erica
( 2046 of 2167 )

My friend and next door neighbor Daniel and I have had a poker game going on around my round table for the last two days. We had a phone chat yesterday evening with Erica, our hairstylist, as Daniel made his appointment for this afternoon.

Erica is the stylist lady that both he and I lack in our personal lives. Steph was that woman for me back in Idaho and is long gone now. We can let our heads go to hell and she fixes them when we're ready.

She cuts our hair down to a short stub, shaves our faces and trims our goatees. She gets that hair on the back of our necks, she trims our eyebrows, the hair in our ears and up our nose.

Daniel was late getting to the poker game tonight because he was getting the Erica treatment at the Beauty College. My turns coming up, not sure when, and I am a mess.

Here Again
( 2047 of 2167 )

I got a craving for an ice cream sandwich and a little chocolate this afternoon, so I drove up the hill to the Dollar General. There was a couple in front of me buying out the place with their teenage daughter, who swore that Kit-Kat was her favorite taste in the world.

As I stood there with the ice cream melting in my hand, I thought about my ex who started working for Dollar General when we moved here five and a half years ago. She has since told me fuck you and disappeared.

And I realize the only feelings I have left from that twenty year relationship is sadness, and anger. For a while there I thought she would contact me and tell me how she landed, I loved her and wished her well, but it never happened.

Now I'm just bitter. I arrived in this place thinking I would have some family and maybe continue a friendship, and just ended up a broken lonely old man on a dead end street.

I have always spoken lovingly here of my many years with Steph, but I'm making it a personal vow to never mention her, or her family, here again.

Four Pills
( 2048 of 2167 )

Something is going on with me, my brain is fading, and I don't even know how to write about it. Daniel thinks it's because I've been off my main Parkinson's drug for more than a month, and I need to go see Amanda up in Columbia for a refill.

Maybe I can just call her office and request a refill? It's not like they need me up there to confirm I still need it!

So I'm down to two meds, morning and evening: Celecoxib for my right shoulder pain and Pramipexole, my other Parkinsons pill.

So, I suppose that's not bad, just four pills a day at the age of 77, with a max of six if I ever get my self together.

Last Adventure
( 2049 of 2167 )

Daniel's and my poker game was into day three on my table today, but his wife has had him snagged since yesterday, I needed the space, and just tore it down.

Grand-daughter Shelby and I are talking a Seattle trip this Summer, she out of Tampa, me out of Nashville. She's got some Defense business to do, we both have a new baby to meet, and we can stay in their trailer out back.

Shelby's also a travel agent, so I can just leave the arangements to her.

This will probably be my last adventure. I'm running out of money, mobility and ambition. A great trip to hang with my favorite people this Summer, is a perfect way to wind down.

Hey Riley and Jess, plan an event that includes both sides of your families. I would love to see them all again, and introduce them to Shelby!

Update: Can you spot Shelby emanating from the middle, surrounded by two dark haied ladies and a hot redhead?

Drop Dead
( 2050 of 2167 )

Well, it looks like a great visit is about to go down this Summer, between me and my sons Pacific Northwest family, and my amazing grand-daughter Shelby.

We can fly in for a week and enjoy both family and area. I'll show Shelby Seattle. Maybe hook up with some old friends.

I've got some issues to resolve first though. My old truck is running pretty rough, it started when the cold weather hit a couple of weeks ago. And, white smoke is blasting out of the tail pipe.

I told my automotive genius son Riley about it, and his answer was "ahh oh". He suspects a blown head gasket and had me check for a milky fluid in either the radiator fluid or the oil. If the two merge together, I can lose my engine.

They looked alright so I kept my neurology appointment today, 30 miles away. She got me up there and back and I booked a 1000 with my mechanic for tomorrow.

Thomas the mechanic said the recent rain and snow took out the roof of his small shop, and he's basically shut down for a bit, but he'll look at it out front.

I also got some bad news from my neurologist. Looks like my Parkinsons is getting worse and they're not going to continue the drug I've been out of for a month now, which was just for tremors.

Now I'm walking funny and my arms are messed up, so I've got a new heavy duty drug, to be taken three times a day, arriving at Walgreens tomorrow.

It's Carbidopa/Levodopa 25-100mg Tabs, Qty: 270. Apparently Parkinsons destroys dopamine, and this restores it.

Also, as I was driving up there this morning I had a couple sharp chest pains. I mentioned that to my doctor and she made it clear that she wanted no part of that and asked if I needed to go to the ER. I smiled and said no.

So, this is my drama queen post. Poor poor pitiful me. I'm actually not looking for sympathy, just documenting things if I or my truck drop dead.

Head Blown
( 2051 of 2167 )

I thought I really had my truck in great shape as she purred down to Tampa over Christmas. Then the cold weather hit and white smoke started belching out the tail pipe, and she started running rough.

My boy Riley correctly diagnosed it over the phone as a blown head gasket and my mechanic Thomas just confirmed it this morning.

He pulled up a guide that estimated the job at more then $1750, but he bid it down to $850. I asked if he would make a profit at that point, between him and his helper, and he said barely. We settled at a grand and that could finish off my travel plans.

So tomorrow I'll drop it off at 0800, Thomas and the helper will strip the head down and take it to the machine shop for resurfacing, all back together by Friday afternoon.

Rileys Girls
( 2052 of 2167 )

Jess grabbed some shots of Riley hanging out with his girls, and a visit from his mom and grandma.

His redheaded mom Colleen:

His redheaded grandma Sharon:

Out The Door
( 2053 of 2167 )

My truck Jill is thirty six years old. I don't know the formula, but I know one vehicle year is longer than a human year. Say it's just two, Jill would be 72, three she would be 108.

I continue to maintain her as she ages, like I do myself. Buying another vehicle is completely off the table and I need to get around. I need to be able to get to the stores here!

Although, if she dies, I could just say screw it, go on food stamps and use the local ride share services offered by the Senior Center to get to Krogers. I could even have everything delivered.

Walgreens
( 2054 of 2167 )

I like our local Walgreens here in Lawrenceburg, TN. They have been my pharmacy for more than five years, their prices are fair, and someone always greets you as you walk in.

Today, 1/31/24, I timed my visit to the exact arrival of my new Parkinson's drug, at 1245, according to their website. I want to start these new meds quickly.

The young lady that greeted me told me it wasn't ready yet. In other words it had arrived in a container box from somewhere, along with a whole bunch of others, and hadn't been processed.

The initial implication was, come back tomorrow. But this is where her customer service shown through.

She dug through that box of new arrivals, on the floor across the counter in front of me, and found it.

This fine young Walgreens employee had a three letter name. Very sweet, loved my fingernails. She could have easily said come back tomorrow but allowed me to start a new Parkinson's drug today.

Empty Carport
( 2055 of 2167 )

I drove my truck up to Thomas's shop this morning. He wasn't there yet so I left it in his yard with the key, and walked down to the Square for breakfast.

My watch beeped at me for the first time in a while, giving me a thumbs up for the walk home after breakfast. Now I keep glancing towards my carport and freaking out when I don't see my sweet old truck.

If I lose her, I'm screwed. I can't afford another vehicle, and walking around town with Parkinsons legs just won't work. So I'm thinking positive, waiting on a good phone call.

A Good Man
( 2056 of 2167 )

I honestly consider myself a good man. As I look back on the 77 years I've been around, I made a ton of mistakes, but deliberately hurting anyone, or committing an obvious crime, was never my makeup.

I broke the law on occasion. Hell, I did many recreational drugs, so did half this country. I stole a pen from the small store on the side of a mountain outside of Reno when I was seven, and was banned from the place for a year.

Hell, I was busted for public intoxication right here a few years ago! Case was dismissed. I've never had a DUI and I've never assaulted anyone, other than in self defence.

Somehow, I've made it this far, I have nothing to hide, I am who I am, I don't share everything, but all you have to do is ask.

Back
( 2057 of 2167 )

It's been a long morning stuck down on my deadend street, while my mechanic Thomas is working on my truck. He said yesterday it would be ready today around 1300, and he called at 1315. Turns out his helper didn't show today so he devoted his very full shop, to my truck.

I've made some friends here, Thomas is the brother of another buddy, Tim, who works for my landlord and that I drove cars down from Nashville for. Black guys, grew up working on vehicles as kids, and in my opinion, the best in town!

Tim's worked on my truck a couple of times, getting a ride from the car dealership where he's the head mechanic, to here after work, then takes it to his place to do the job.

I told Thomas to click the Home button on my GPS and it brought him right here. I jumped in my passenger seat, for the first time ever, and as we headed back to his shop, he told me the deal.

He tore the engine down, said the head was smooth, and the cylinder walls looked great. He said the engine has a lot of miles left on her. Considering she's at 250K, that's great news! He's also recommending four new spark plug wires, ordering now.

As Thomas was showing me the engine, back at his shop, I slid twenty fifty dollar bills into his hand. Straight out of my bottoming out stash, but absolutely necessary.

My beloved truck Jill, is back!

No Regrets
( 2058 of 2167 )

I am really beginning to accept reality as I approach 78. This little house in Lawrenceburg, TN is where my crazy life has landed, and this is where I will continue to live, until I die.

Now the focus becomes survival, not adventure. Trips are off the table, I need to figure out how to use every service available, to stay alive.

I haven't used any local or federal services yet. I have a moral code that say's, if I can pay for it, do it, until the day I can't. And I am approaching that point, this year.

Hmmm, as I write this, I'm smiling. If I had landed with a wife of sixty years, a great pension and a huge family, I would not have ended up loving who I do.

I have no regrets!

In Case
( 2059 of 2167 )

I'm writing this in case I don't make it. I've been having chest pains pretty consistently lately, and there is a chance I might just drop dead soon.

My Will is on the small table next to the icebox. I think having a garage sale would be a good way to clean this place out of anything left.

The Will says bury me, but with whatever money I got left, cremation is fine.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Best Not
( 2060 of 2167 )

I've been playing Poker with Daniel all morning, watching a bunch of vehicles for the second day in a row, parking across the street for an estate sale out on the highway.

Daniel's oldest son is getting married today at 1700, and he just left with his wife to buy clothes for the event. Here's what I've learned:

His ex-wife and ex-mother-in-law will be there.

His son has been seeing this woman for ten years, and Daniel has never met her parents, even though they're good friends with the ex.

His younger son called and advised him to not show up drunk. I've been encouraging him in the opposite direction.

His good friend and neighbor me was not invited, thank god, even though I know the boys and the bride to be. I haven't trimmed my head since before Christmas, I look like a wild man, no decent clothes to wear, and I'm staggering and grunting, as opposed to walking proud. And my pretty fingernails are still rocking!

Hah! Daniel could have drug me along as his old hippy avant garde videographer, with my DJI Pocket 2 camera, and I'd put the whole wonderful event up on YouTube.

Probably best not...

Update: Daniel went up to town and spent $350 on clothes. Then he came back and I kicked his butt in poker. We just had on epic hand where I grabbed a bunch of his red chips, beating his straight with four kings.

Now he's heading back to his house next door, to shave and shower, put on the new clothes, meet up with his wife there, and then go to his son's wedding. And, yes he is, thank you.

Btw: reds are twenty, greens are tens, and whites are one.

Daniel
( 2061 of 2167 )

My friend and neighbor Daniel showed off his new clothes before heading off to his sons wedding this afternoon. I think he looks great! My advice as I hugged him, and told him I loved him, was to wrap Jen onto his arm for the whole event, be cool and be proud.

btw: he's the top heating and air guy for the Lawrenceburg, TN school system. He also maintains our ice houses, wires corn silos and local businesses lighting. Those hands are genius and I really am a fan of his mechanical ability.

My son Riley is one of the top Auto Body technicians in the country, and I have to put him right there with Daniel.

Hmmm, it would be so cool if they hooked up, but Riley is rocking Seattle, and Daniel is ruling southern Tennessee.

And Write
( 2062 of 2167 )

My words and pictures define my life, as it fades away, and I have so little left.

What a trip it is to feel life fading! Yea, there's always the get yourself back together physically and stop drinking mode. But I've been there, done that, and failed. A few times...

Now I think about the very few people left who care about me, and wow, I've really dropped to a new low. They are my son Riley and family, my grand-daughter Shelby, and my neighbor Daniel.

Beyond that, I have my sisters family back West that I never see anymore. She brought me into Idaho, and I bailed eventually to Tennessee.

To chase a love, a possible new family, and have it dissolve around me without really understanding why.

All I do now is stay alive and write!

My chest hurts, I don't know if it's my lungs or my heart. I walk around my small house wondering if this is the day I drop dead. A hell of a way to live...

I'm absolutely done with Post notifications, shoving my shit into peoples text feeds. I'm just going to write until I can't.

I feel really broken. I actually would end it if I wasn't so morally opposed to that.

Is Real
( 2063 of 2167 )

I've had one of the most depressed days of my life today. If I was suicidal, you wouldn't be reading this.

I made my bed, did my dishes, and just started a movie on NetFlix when Daniel knocked on my door. He sat down, grabbed the cards, and we continued the game we've had going on for three days now.

I try to speak to him about this depression shit, but he turns me off. I accept that.

About an hour into the game, my phone rang. It was my sister Lorelle calling from snow covered Driggs Idaho. It was great to hear her voice and we put the game on pause.

Then she said something that blew my mind! She said that she was told by the other side to call me, out of concern.

I haven't talked to my sister in years. I think of her and her family all the time, I love them.

She mentioned our deceased brother Dana's name, as if it might have come from him.

What this tells me is that there very well is another side. The concept of my brother and all of my other beloved family members looking down on me with concern, and contacting my sister, is real!

Ducks Over
( 2064 of 2167 )

I drove up to the Park today with a bag of Quack Cocaine, looking for my ducks. It's been a few months since I've fed them and I didn't know if they were still alive. I've lost a couple over the last year and a half.

I spotted them down by the dock as soon as I pulled around the corner, in the water, with about a couple dozen geese up on the bank.

They used to recognize my truck and come running, not this time. The geese were very tame as I walked through them down to the shore. I sat within five feet of my old friends, giving out my quack quack call, and they ignored me.

I used to be able to bring them in from the middle of the lake with that call, today they just floated around me, totally forgetting our past. I couldn't feed them at all, much less from my hand.

It's good I suppose, the wild bird seed and cracked corn was eating into my budget, and the gas both ways was adding up. It was a great run, I grabbed some fun videos, they're doing just fine, and now it's over.

Copay World
( 2065 of 2167 )

I've been seeing a TikTok promotion for a Social Security food supplement of $3,300 a year. It was one of those click a few button sites to see if you qualify, before it expires. And it was not from the Social Security department.

So I mossied over to our local Social Security office to see what's up. I waited forty minutes in their lobby before talking to a nice lady through a window.

She confirmed my suspicion, that Social Security has no such supplement. Who knows what the scam is, but this old man ain't buying it. It's sad to think how many folks do fall for this stuff.

I did sign up for a Medicare Advantage health plan from a local outfit when I first moved here, best thing I ever did. A couple of nice ladies showed up at my house, sat in my comfy chairs, and took over my Social Security Medicare.

Since then, I've been living in the land of $10, and occasionally $35, copays, for high level visits and procedures! It's been excellent medical care on many levels, where I can just lay $10 down as I leave, or hand them my card for a $35.

I've had skin cancer removed, my few remaining teeth removed, major examinations of everything, from the speciality places up in Columbia, TN.

Blood worked, brain scanned, and in return I once bought my local FastPace Clinic friends some fresh donuts from the best bakery in town.

The bottom line is, somehow with the insanity of my life, I've landed in a space where my health can be maintained, at a price I can afford.

Major shit would blow it apart, I'm sure. I've had a couple of dealings with our local hospital and they don't play within this 10/35 copay world.

Blogged
( 2066 of 2167 )

I started my modern blogging almost thirteen years ago. I spent decades before that creating technology and sharing it, but I wasn't sharing my life with the world every day.

Back in 2011 I was living in a beautiful log home at the base of the Grand Teton mountains in Idaho, driving the local TRPTA bus around the Valley.

In my beautiful office, with a great PC, I created a blog using the best platform on the market, WordPress. I learned how to host it, maintain it, and I named it BusDriverJim.com.

The first post was called Vegas Notes One on June 6, 2011. I had driven down to Las Vegas from Idaho to hang out with my boy Riley, and his girlfriend Jessica, who is now the mother of his two girls.

Blogging is an amazing process, I kept living there and writing, shooting photos, and publishing it all to the world, untill September 30, 2018.

It was a glorious site on PC's and laptops, but once it ended I had to bring it down to phone size, for retirement.

If you truly wanted to follow my life in Teton Valley, either forward or backward, you still could...

Then I moved here and started this blog from a Joomla platform. I didn't miss a beat and my life in Lawrenceburg, TN, and the world, is documented here, in excess. With some really crazy shit sitting in the trash :-)

Around Here
( 2067 of 2167 )

Finally, my little truck is running good again. My mechanic Thomas did a great job on the engine and the carb, but she needed new plug wires, which I installed myself this morning. Two of them had fallen apart at the plug.

I also found a compression plug missing it's tip and the engine was sucking air. I could put my finger over the hole and feel the suction, then listen to the engine quiet on down. Daniel's home and he helped me fix that.

My truck manual states you should install a new timing belt every 60K miles, to avoid engine damage. She's got 250K and I put a new belt on well over 100K ago, back in Idaho. So I ordered one from the parts store when I picked up the plugs.

My parts guy was quite supportive of this decision, saying if it breaks it would twist the valves, destroying the engine. Besides, he wants to sell me a $60, part. I know the guy and like him, and that's his job.

Then I called Thomas, to tell him the problems have been solved, and to inquire about a timing belt job, dreading how much this would cost. Then my friend made my day. He said the timing belt looked in good shape when he had the engine torn down, if it had any issues he would have told me.

He said cancel that order Jim and get your money back, also tell your parts store friend he's wrong about the valves twisting. This particular engine style would not, it would simply stop.

Then I drove to Napa and canceled my order. Al was very gracious and gave me a credit on my card. I told him Daniel says hi, he did the B&W Auto Parts store lighting a year or so ago, before Napa bought Al and them out.

So this is where small town trust comes in. Most of these people around me were born and raised here. They work and live together, and if you don't maintain your honesty and integrity, you're done.

I trust and respect my mechanic, and friend, Thomas. He's done great work on my old truck, with passion and integrity. I think he's become fond of her, they have bonded.

I told Al at Napa that my mechanic said the valves wouldn't twist, just stop. He said Who's your mechanic? and as Thomas's name left my lips he smiled broadly and said Ahh, the black guy!, I didn't even have to name the shop. Respect is earned and maintained around here.

Are You
( 2068 of 2167 )

Who am I, this old man right at the beginning of being really old, bumping up against eighty, asks?

Around 1963 I discovered that I was smart. I was also a star athlete, musician, and an overall outsider in high school. Hit the road in the summer at sixteen, graduated high school later on at night school.

In the late sixties I was into everything. The seventies brought me through college and into a brilliant computer career, that extended on to a couple of years ago.

Now I love to write and share my words with the world. I still have so many memories that will never be saved, but I will record as many as I can.

The bottom line is, life is a document. If you don't record it, it's gone, as are you.

Entertainment
( 2069 of 2167 )

It's been an interesting Wednesday morning. I decided to have breakfast in the Square and as I headed out I thought why not do my laundry at the Wishy Washy, after. So I gathered almost everything up, grabbed quarters and detergent, and drove to the Square.

Every spot around Square Forty was taken and I had to park up the street. When I staggered (I don't walk anymore, it's a Parkinsons thing) through the door at 0830, the place was full and rocking. I mentioned how busy they were to Shana as I headed to my back table, and asked Sue along the way, what's up?

Over the dull roar she said Pat's Cafe was closed today, which is the only other place in town to get breakfast. Shana told me they close every Wednesday, for some reason.

Then, as I'm doing my laundry, I realized that combining this with breakfast, was not a good idea. I didn't grab my coat hangers when I left the house, and I was wearing my favorite warm pants, which really could have used a wash.

My mind and my body are going out together, like an old married couple named Deme and Park.

My memory bank is a swirling vibrant separate entity, where fragments of my entire life float around in there, wrapped up in visual bubbles. Switching it on and presenting those bubbles to my mind randomly, and quickly, is my entertainment.

High Everyone
( 2070 of 2167 )

My favorite grand-daughter Shelby called me today as she road trips down to Pensacola, FL from Tampa.

With her dog Zinny.

She's going to be hooking up with her Mardi Gras krewe again and Josie, Shelby's lovely Brazilian friend will be there.

Even Andy, Shelby's ex Navy Commander boyfriend stationed in Italy is going to be there.

It should be a wild and fun time, high everyone!

The Krewe
( 2071 of 2167 )

Shelby is heading to Mardi Gras in Pensacola, FL. She used to live and work there, joined this Krewe, recently did a Christmas event with them, and now she's headed back.

She didn't go into detail about all the events that were planned, but I sensed a slight concern at keeping up with all these beautiful women, at the 2024 Pensacola Mardi Gras.

Concur More
( 2072 of 2167 )

As I was looking at that shot of the krewe I thought how nice it would be to zoom in on any face and see details about them, using a worldwide facial recognition database, implemented by AI.

Of course the tech exists, it's just not available to us. Do you ever just have peanut butter for dinner?

Actually, I just did. Kept the jar on the counter with a kitchen knife hovered over the sink, as I wrote at my laptop.

I jokingly told Shelby that I would jump in my truck and join them all down there for Mardi Gras, and she thankfully said we should shoot for a quieter weekend in March, instead.

I'm doing good just getting to the peanut butter and I couldn't concur more!

Hanging In
( 2073 of 2167 )

Shelby is hanging out with the girls tonight at Mardi Gras in Pensacola, and sent me a shot.

The previous night she sent me this:

It's her with Pensacola's resident artist Homer Jolly. I know she loves that town, she and Homer cooked me Thanksgiving dinner before a swanky party one year. The next year he escorted us through the Alabama State Zoo, that he designed.

Hey Homer, looking good!

Down
( 2074 of 2167 )

My Chair
( 2075 of 2167 )

Kip the homeless guy came by today. The last time he showed up at my door I turned him away. I was still pissed off from a previous attempt to help him, and I just closed the door.

Today as I looked at him in his beat up, living under the local bridge clothes, my humanity to my fellow man kicked in, and I allowed him inside.

I made him a drink and we chatted for a while. I said I was still pissed at him, he wanted to know why, and I told him. No anger or animosity, just stated the facts, and he accepted it.

He's used up every service in the county and they're all turning him away now. His life has been a tormented mess since he was born here forty years ago. I saw the agony in his eyes today.

But I have done what I can, I slipped him a twenty and sent him out the door. Then I sprayed down and cleaned my chair.

Synopsis
( 2076 of 2167 )

I've been thinking real hard lately about my life, which is easy because I don't have one anymore. I've shared a lot of it here, probably way too much, but I find that writing about it helps a bit.

I could have just been writing a daily journal all these years, for maybe someone to read when I'm gone, but instead I share my stuff, my strength and my weakness, with the world.

I often dive deep into the weakness part, leave it up for a few hours or a day, and then send the Post to the trash.

It actually doesn't matter to me now what the world thinks. I only have a very few people left in my life, and they know who I am. If the world drops by my blog and reads a Post, well that's cool.

Verbs, nouns, pronouns and adjectives have been floating through my brain a lot lately, describing this point in my life that I have arrived at. I'm going to write them here, and if it's too much, please bail now!

The Physical: Old, out of shape, barely walking, falling. I'm amazed I can still do the things that keep me going, and I'm fading quickly.

The Medical: Parkinsons, Dementia, Arthralgia. The shakes are getting worse and I find myself doing simple things stupidly, and painfully.

The Emotional: Depressed, lonely, regretful, suicidal. I spend most of my days alone and crying.

The Sexual: Wishful, accepting, over. I will never experience a woman again.

The Compassionate: Caring, helpful, generous, non-judgmental. I have this desire to help people in need, and I do as often as I can, unless I find myself being used.

So here's where I've landed in life. It could be much worse, and I'm grateful it's not. I'm going to live my life until it's taken from me. This is my Synopsis.

Regrets
( 2077 of 2167 )

Fuck Tennessee, I wish I was back in Idaho, to be around my sisters family. I wish I was back in Washington, to be around my sons family. I wish I could afford Florida, to be around my grand-daughter Shelby.

It was a mistake moving here, thinking I could start a new connection with Stephs family. I fell in love with her grand-daughters, and was ultimately kicked to the curb. Now they've all disappeared from my life, my stash is almost gone, and I am alone and drunk, in a small place on a dead-end street.

I have two friends here, my neighbor Daniel, and a guy that gets me stoned once in a while, that asks to be anonymous. My neighbor has a wife and a life, while the other has no vehicle.

How did such a promising life get so fucked up? I was a computer genius back in the seventies and eighties, at one point making $250 an hour, collecting the cash as I walked out the door. I created great systems that made companies.

Back in Seattle during the nineties I was the first employee of the year for the largest paratransit company on the West coast, and eventually lead supervisor. That's where I met Steph and we ended up moving to Idaho.

It's been an amazing fucked up life. I failed my daughter in the late seventies and she went on to have fourteen children, most of which I've never met.

I really wish I'd had one of those magical lives, where you love and marry a woman, raise a large family, and end up surrounded by them as the patriarch.

But I did not. Instead I'm a pathetic old man, with no family around, wishing I had the balls to end it all, but I don't, and all I have now is regrets.

To Die
( 2078 of 2167 )

It's been a lonely weekend, too cold to go out and play, my neighbors wife has occupied his time completely, while my other friend has no vehicle and ladies to juggle. In other words, I have no life.

I really wish I was stoned, guess I should work on that. The weather is warming up to 70° by Wednesday and maybe a drive to the Thrive Metropolis dispensary up in Illinois would be a good test of the money I've put into my truck recently.

It's a couple hundred miles each way and I could layover in the Rest Area up there. The last time I drove there I took the mystery lady with me, and I've since lost touch with her completely.

I'm running out of reasons to restrain from stupidity. I'm tired of just hanging out with myself, done that too many times over the course of my life. Survival is not living, it's just waiting to die.

Connect Again
( 2079 of 2167 )

It's been a great day today. I had breakfast at Pats Cafe around eight. Eggs over easy, hash browns and sausage.

Then I went for a drive, up toward the park, when I called my friend. He was 3.8 miles away, he asked me to pick him up, so I did.

We stoped at a gas station where he bought an amazing array of greasy fried food, that we took back to my place, and he ate it all.

We spent the afternoon stoned. Not messing with anyone, just sitting in my wide open little space at the bottom of a dead end street in a small little house at the bottom of Tennessee.

A women dropped by, I liked her a lot, we talked about websites. Maybe my knowledge will connect again.

Be Wrong
( 2080 of 2167 )

I landed in Kent, WA in the early nineties, from Oakland, CA. What stuff I had left was in storage down in the Bay Area. I flew up to Washington with one of my Jewish investors, a former tank commander with the Israel army. Our business connection had ended and he was off to meet with Microsoft.

I hooked up with Riley and his mom, who had just moved up to Kent. I lived there for many years, starting a new separate life, while raising Riley.

I remember New Years Eve 2000, walking back to their place after a night at the local bar. I honestly never thought I would live into the 20th century, but there I was. Suddenly out of the dark a beautiful woman appeared and kissed me strong, I was her New Years kiss, and I never saw her again.

It's now more than twenty four years later, and I'm still alive. I can't remember the last time I kissed a woman, much less on New Years Eve. Probably Steph since it was our anniversary.

What this has taught me is that setting limits on your life span is foolish. Also thinking you may never be with a woman again, may be wrong.

Just Live
( 2081 of 2167 )

I've been programming computers for fifty five years. It all started in Wilson Price's data processing class at the old Merritt College in Oakland, CA, in 1969.

It was a JC and I was only going to do two years, but I ended up doing another year running their computer lab with a brand new IBM Sys 3 Model 10.

I learned how to write code in a language called RPG 3. It was business oriented, designed to be the computer backbone of small to mid-size companies.

IBM sold that system with gusto to the San Francisco Bay Area in the 70's and I was right there to code it.

My first Sys 3 job was with the Mafia, developing accounting software for their shell company, Golden Grain Macaroni in San Leandro. It's where I met my lifelong friend Skoge.

It was the beginning of an amazing coding career. I started consulting, selling my skills for good money all over the Bay Area, and down to Monterey/Carmel.

IBM would install the equipment and call me with the lead. I developed great Systems all over the Bay, from the ground up.

The one in Carmel Valley was built around making a doll with a dick, named Uncle Sherman, made famous by Johnny Carson, called Flasher Fashions. It's where I met my lover Dawn, and my lifelong friend Beryl, living now in Hawaii.

I developed two systems for Interocean Steamship, the largest shipping company on the West Coast, based in downtown San Francisco, in the old California Building.

The first was RPG code running on a Sys/3. It allowed the hundred and fifty operators to manage shipments from their terminals, between Seattle, WA and Long Beach, CA.

A year later they upgraded to an IBM Sys 3, Mod 15 and hired me back to write brand new code. I did and even saved their company at one point.

I was at the top of my game, making great money like crazy! Blowing a bit of it at my favorite strip clubs, before taking the Bart train back to Oakland.

Then the IBM PC came out. I bought one of the first, bailed from the Sys3, and proceeded to write amazing code on that platform, that formed businesses from the ground up.

I ended up in Washington state, loving my boy Riley, coding for a living through the early nineties. Then the jobs dried up, I went homeless for a spell.

I dragged myself up to lead supervisor for a large transit company and continued being Riley's dad, writing code, and exploring the Internet. Then I met Steph, and we ultimately moved to Idaho.

My wonderful successful sister allowed us to live in one of her properties, a three bedroom, two bath log home, on an acre of land at the base of the Grand Tetons. For free the first few years, finally just $500 a month as Steph and I both established good jobs.

Family was there, never should have left. It's where I went from broke, to building up the stash that's now almost gone.

I set up a great office in the smaller room, bought a powerful desktop and a wide screen monitor, and dove back in to coding, when I wasn't working.

I carried that computer here, where I kept on coding, with my cat Piper in my lap. I got a new web host, started this blog, while my coding skills were at the top of their game.

PHP, with JQuery, Javascript and CSS. Creating great blog code and individual apps. You can see the internals by clicking Stuff on the menu above.

I developed what I thought was a great template that scaled smoothly between phones and computer screens. I bought domains to develop code on, and I made some good ones.

Unfortunately, they never took off. It was then that I realized my coding days were done. I started living at my laptop, writing, only turning my old box on to scan or print something.

So, the story gets better! A while back as I wallowed in pathetic sorrow, I put out to this blog that if anybody wanted my shit, come and get it.

My computer was scooped up in a heartbeat by Hudson, wanted to turn it into a gaming rig. He assured me that he wiped it clean first.

Finally, I was thinking today that my old PC contained everything, every line of code I've written across many websites, over many years.

I could grab some of the code from the server, but why. I'm done! It's all gone.

So do I regret it? No. By submitting that box I wipe myself clean. I never want to code again, just live.

Seven
( 2082 of 2167 )

I was up at Number Seven in the Park today, and ended up having a fun conversation with a buddy and a guy eating lunch in his car.

I approached the car because I thought I knew him, I didn't. Turned out to be a nice local guy my age and we started chatting.

It was a beautiful day in David Crockett State Park, probably still is, when a friend of mine rolled up, parked, and walked on down to our conversation.

It was great, three old guys shooting the shit and swapping stories on the best weather day of the year so far.

It broke up after a while, car guy had to split, and we all went our way. It was a fun lunch time at Seven.

My View
( 2083 of 2167 )

I shot a little video of life around my place today, from the perspective of my front door. No editing, just tossed it up there, if you're interested:

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Tha NAME
( 2084 of 2167 )

Allow me to present Topher, performing his signature sound.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Lifted
( 2085 of 2167 )

Made a new friend up in Summertown with a beautiful tricked out lifted Chevy Tahoe.

Lifted in the front, adjustable in the back.

And of course the front is also adjustable.

Spacious and open.

And the little spinning things in the middle of each chrome wheel, cost $250 each.

Whishing
( 2086 of 2167 )

I've been hangin with a friend, watching video on my big screen and talking to my Echo. I asked her, per my friends request, what is Artificial Intelligence?

She went on to explain the science in technical terms but suddenly, the walk down the beach in Rio with the women in skimpy bikinis on the big screen changed, and a YouTube selection of videos about AI, was presented.

My Echo and my TV are friends. I appreciate and respect their friendship, but I'm cautious.

To present a selection of videos on my screen based on a question I asked my Echo, is amazing! Of course you have to have your TV on YouTube, but I can adjust her volume anytime, turn her On and Off, with just a voice command.

Lifted Video
( 2087 of 2167 )

The owner/creator's front walk around of his cool lifted truck, shooting with my Pocket 2.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Four of these little spinning things, cost a cool grand.

If the video fails to load, click Here.

Remember
( 2088 of 2167 )

I spent yesterday morning with one friend, and made another, the guy up the road with the lifted truck. We left there and ended up back at my place where we partied on into the afternoon.

A lady dropped by and swooped him up. After he left another friend dropped by, carrying a fifth of Southern Comfort in a brown paper bag. I've never had it before, so I opened it and we drank.

Interesting stuff, and shortly the bottle was half empty. After he left, Daniel dropped by. He stuck his nose up at it, and refused a shot. This is a man who drinks Fireball on occasion.

That's the last thing I remember...

The Deed
( 2089 of 2167 )

It's noon and I'm drunk and stoned. Any thoughts about adventure that involves driving, dashed.

I had the breakfast buffet at Square 40, one round, so food made it on down this morning.

It's a nice cool 54° day and my front door is wide open. I haven't seen my neighbor at all yet, he's got a case of White Car Syndrome.

It occurs when the white car is in the driveway, which means his wife is there. They live in separate places and she drops by occasionally.

God only knows what goes on over there? They could be snuggling down to NetFlix, bickering in the kitchen, or doing the deed!

Share This
( 2090 of 2167 )

The important family members in my life are my son Riley with his family, and my grand-daughter Shelby. We all had a wonderful time in Nashville last Summer, and connections were solidified.

I have fourteen grand-children, some great grand-children, all with families and stories. Wake up guys, you have a real grandfather, still alive!

I would love to establish a relation with all of you, share your life with me and I will share it to the world thru my blog until I die.

In the process, learn what I'm leaving behind.

Shelby, share this!

Accept It
( 2091 of 2167 )

What a strange life I live as an old single man in a small Southern Tennessee house at the end of a dead end street.

It's real peaceful, I leave my door open all day and the only sounds are the highway to my right, and my neighbors little kids playing to my left.

I have the freedom to be myself, smoke my pipe in my doorway, have a fucking drink or three, and write, and share!

And I just had a revolution! So much is made about the two person relationship that lasts forever, great. But there is a lot to be said about living alone, as a friend to a few, open about who you really are, and doing whatever the fuck you want to do, when you want to!

Without another to feel guilty about. There is no other, probably never will be. It's just me, single and all alone!

It really is an amazing form of freedom and I'm learning to love and accept it.

Me
( 2092 of 2167 )

A view from the chair opposite mine. A scruffy old dude, hasn't shaved or cleaned up since Erica at the Beauty College quite a while back.

This is me now...

Free Gas
( 2093 of 2167 )

I just got a free tank of gas at our local store! I picked up supplies this morning, then drove around to the pumps. As I pulled up to my regular number 5, two women approached me from the adjacent one, a very nice local lady and her visiting daughter.

They were just finishing fueling their vehicle and they excitedly told me it's pumping at two cents a gallon, the total had topped off at $.77, and I should take advantage of it.

So I did, the daughter moved their vehicle forward while the lady stood there holding the pump. By the time I got out and walked around she already had the cap off and was pumping.

I tried to give them some money, but when my tank was full, it was just $1.00, and she had it covered. Two tanks filled up for a buck, and we had a nice chat while the lady stood there and pumped my gas. I always get the low grade, maybe she was pouring Premium into my tank!

It was a very nice thing to do, and I told them I would pay it forward somehow. I also feel no guilt, I've been shopping there for going on six years now and I've watched my store bills almost double. Karma has jumped in and rewarded my loyalty with free gas.

Gas Karma
( 2094 of 2167 )

I'm still blown away by the free gas this morning. Maybe this was Karma's payback to me.

I've helped a bunch of people here. Four different homeless people, at least, I got Gina, the young lady stranded in Veterans Park, some ID and into a group home in Columbia.

One afternoon some polite young teenagers approached me in the park, asking for gas money. I told them I wouldn't give them cash, but I would drop gas money off with my pretty Indian friend behind the counter at TazMart.

Yea, I'm an old stoned drunk, but I'm also a nice guy. I help others, without an agenda or ulterior motive.

I would have done exactly what those ladies at the gas pumps did. And that woman pumping my gas for me was delicately topping my tank up to the top until it could hold not a drop more, while trying to reach the fuel max of 35 gallons per transaction, for just one dollar. She fell just short.

Girls, if we ever meet again, please allow me to buy you dinner!

To Tell
( 2095 of 2167 )

I've been driving for sixty two years, millions of miles, and I've never gotten a DUI, totaled a vehicle, or hurt anyone. I take driving very seriously.

That's why it was so nice yesterday when my neighbor Daniel called me and wanted to know if I would like to ride up North with him.

It was a nice Sunday afternoon, he'd been hunkered down with his wife since Friday evening, and he had to empty the coins from a bunch of ice houses that he maintains.

I said hell yea, give me ten minutes, then I made a drink in my insulated cup, said high to the pipe, and slid into his passenger seat. He said I stunk, I told him I loved him.

It's great to be escorted through amazing Tennessee countryside by a friend that was born and raised here. Beautiful backroads I've never been on, fun stories along the way.

It also happened the previous day, when a buddy of mine and I drove to Summertown to see a lifted truck. We talked about going to the infamous Hippy Farm, but we ended up driving back to Lawrenceburg, again on roads I've never been on, with another guy born and raised here, and stories to tell.

Some Day
( 2096 of 2167 )

I just had a great talk with my grand-daughter Taylor. I had someone reach out from the other side, and told me to do it. I found her on FaceBook, sent her my number, and she just called.

She sounded great, her voice was calm and collected. Her baby twin girls are at eighteen months, and doing well.

It makes me wonder how much family I have out there, fourteen grandkids, most I don't know. I would love to meet them all, or just talk to them before I die.

It was so nice to talk to Taylor, we both knew in a moment that we were talking real, no bullshit talk. She has a couple twin girls, that maybe I'll meet some day.

Puff
( 2097 of 2167 )

My grand-daughter Shelby just told me that Emma, one of my fourteen grandkids, watches my YouTube stuff and drops by here on occasion. I'm now working on a new radical thought.

We pick a spot in the middle of America, for a Summer meet up, of every family member that would love to show up. For a couple of days, we all stay at the same hotel, bring the kids, my great-grand-kids.

Everyone pays their own way. An opportunity of a lifetime to meet their siblings and families, and meet their grand-father.

I haven't landed well, it could have been way worse, but I'm still alive and somewhat presentable when I'm sober.

If I had ended up a rich guy, I would have tracked down everyone by now, connected with them, and loved them.

But I'm not, it would take the last of my stash to get there, but it would be epic.

So, I'm just tossing the thought out into the world, puff!

Tremors
( 2098 of 2167 )

Man, Parkinson's is really kicking my ass today. The shakes are bad, I take the two top meds on the market, and I almost couldn't make out my rent check this morning. It makes me wonder what happens when I can't take care of myself anymore.

Mugshot
( 2099 of 2167 )

I've been eating too many UPF's (ultra-processed foods), as in frozen meal style that I consume nightly, if I remember to...

I'm working on a possible new meal routine. Legends Express off N Military makes great food, right here, with a good menu. Today I was there at 1030, first one through the drive-thru. Ordered meatloaf, mashed potatoes, creamed corn and corn bread.

Eight dollars and change, served up quickly in a nice to go box, and I took it straight home. If you eat inside Legends, even though they're very nice people, the sides are cool for some reason, and they really need to fix that.

I put half in my air-fryer for a few minutes and had a healthy homemade lunch, at home. The rest I had for dinner later on in the afternoon.

I think the food is cooked locally and distributed daily to here and their sister restaurant Legends up the road from me. The locations just turn it from fresh refrigerated food into warmed up and serveable.

I could live off of Legends food. It would be like having a wife cook me lunch and dinner every day. With just a short drive thru the Square, a few stop signs along the way, and one light.

Their catfish is also great, by the way!

Here I Am
( 2100 of 2167 )

Never Lose
( 2101 of 2167 )

I was still in my robe this morning when I got a loud knock on the door. At first I thought it was the cops, but a peek through my door glass showed a tall old man standing there.

It turned out to be a guy I had chatted with in the Park a few years back, I had mentioned where I lived and he decided to drop by today.

He's an 84 year old country boy, hard of hearing so we talked loud. His girlfriend is 87 and they've been together fourteen years. He sold his house and moved in with her. The two drive as a team when together, one checking surrounding traffic while the driver handles the lights. They don't drive at night.

He was an insurance claims adjuster, which is interesting since my smoke buddy yesterday was urgently looking for someone to help him get some money from an auto accident a while back.

Mr. Jones said what he needs is an Independent Adjustor, someone who will jump through all the insurance company hoops, settle the claim, and draw a commission.

This guy was great to talk to, very down home, honest and ethical. He told me of folks he had helped over the years, even writing out checks on the hoods of cars.

He told me about a family that had made house insurance payments for twenty years, missed one payment, and then lost their home in a storm. The company didn't want to settle, but he got it done.

Then he said something that I liked so much, I wrote this Post to share it.

"If you do people right, you never lose."

DoorDash
( 2102 of 2167 )

I've been watching my duplex neighbor get food delivered via DoorDash for years now. You would think that a computer genius like me would have signed up with these guys long ago, but I just did now. Hungry, and not able to drive.

I got me some catfish, baked beans, potato salad and toast from Legends Express. Kinda pricey, DoorDash takes their cut, the driver gets an automatic tip, and I quite frankly don't get it yet.

Ahh, but now I do! I'm watching the amazing app that shows where your food is in-route, and as a coder I'm blown away.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw it turning on to my street so I went outside and greeted the car as it pulled up. A young lady with a big smile jumped out and handed me a bag, with no expectations for an additional tip.

So, the cost to get that meal DoorDashed here was a bit under twice as much as it cost. In this case, $16 something total. Was it worth it today? Hell yea! I was going to split it in half for later, but ate the whole thing standing at my kitchen counter.

This has been a wonderful experience! A delicious plate of food from my favorite local place arrived quickly with a smile, still warm, and the catfish melted in my mouth. Damn...

The Group
( 2103 of 2167 )

I have just set up a new Facebook Group, private and by invite only. It's for me and my fourteen grand-children, and their children, to communicate and ultimatly connect.

It would be wonderful if our families could come together now. I'm proposing a place in the middle of the country, this Summer.

The idea is that my group admins, Shelby and Shannon, could get all of my other grand-children involved, and talking with each other.

Omaha Idea
( 2104 of 2167 )

I've been looking at the middle of our country, waiting for a place to jump out to me for a possible family reunion this Summer.

It needs to be large enough to have an airport, attractions, restaurants, but not too big, no freeways, flat, quaint.

Omaha, NB checks all those boxes, and is close to the geographic center of the 48 contiguous states, in Lebanon, KS.

Mustard
( 2105 of 2167 )

My phone and my watch are connected, and I just found a photo that my watch took, and sent to my phone. I have no idea of when or where, appears to be an Amish jar of mustard, and it looks pretty tasty actually!

And Sad
( 2106 of 2167 )

I happened upon one of the last Posts I made on my old blog. Steph and I were bailing on Idaho, not sure if we were even going in the same direction.

We landed here together. I formed a bond with her family, that sadly dissolved into dust, and I miss them. I also yearn to reconnect with the family I left behind in Idaho and Wyoming, somehow.

And now my grand scheme is to connect with as many of my grand babies as I can, in one spot in the middle of America, this Summer.

Other than that, I'm just a bit drunk, smoked and sad.

Inspiration
( 2107 of 2167 )

I have so many emotions floating through my old mind, as I sit here fucked up in my little space in the South. Love, honesty, and being true to myself is really all that matters!

I didn't land rich, although I should have, instead I landed existing, lonely, horny and sad. I'm also the smartest mother fucker you've ever met in your life!

Yea, I picked up the smart gene, didn't know what to do with it, and it blew up in my face! Now I just respect it.

I dropped down into Instagram today, a land I rarely go to. I saw a message sent a year ago from Andrew Aldworth, a childhood friend of my son Riley, a kid that I loved as a son through the nineties in Kent, WA.

So, I left him a message, call me, with my number. I was passed out in my chair tonight when my phone rang. It was Andrew!

We had a great talk, he told me that I was his inspiration to pursue a career in technology.

I was doing some stuff back in the nineties that obviously inspired him. I had crawled my way back from living in a fucking field, to driving a bus and writing code.

My friend Andrew is now around forty and doing great in the tech world. I'm truly touched by the emotion he expressed tonight, and that I was his inspiration.

Fish Sliders
( 2108 of 2167 )

I whipped up my original sandwich mix today. It's one can of lobster meat, one can of albacore tuna, both drained well and chopped up, four boiled eggs, mayo and seasoning. Everything is mixed together.

Then I cut the crust off two slices of bread and airfry them until brown on one side. Flip them over, put the mix on, a slice of tomato on each, then sprinkle cheese and more seasoning on top.

Back in, and airfried until ready. Fish Sliders.

They are so good and just melt in my mouth, which works out great since I have no teeth.

The Dishes
( 2109 of 2167 )

I have some daily rules that I live by in my little house. The two most important are to make my bed and do my dishes.

But this was one of those let the fucking dishes slide kind of day, so I did.

I rolled my feet onto the floor at 0715 this morning, and straight into my clothes, instead of my robe. I was hungry, I called my neighbor Daniel and he was on the same wave length.

We drove to the Square in my truck and had their Saturday buffet. It's funny, but I've never had more than one round there, I just build me up a good plate.

Later I ate those sliders, all four of them. Then Daniel wanders over from his nap and say's he's heading into town for Chinese food.

He came back with a container of good stuff and we both ate a plate full.

Anyway, back to the fucking dishes, two more plates and a couple of forks have joined in.

I can't remember the last time I've used an electric dishwasher, it's been decades. I am a professional dish washer, having once dragged myself from hopelessness, to a job at the local hotel, for a few years.

I asked myself if destroying my buzz by doing the dishes was the right thing to do now, and myself said hell no!

Living alone and caring just for yourself is challenging. I have empathy for those that have to work, on top of it, and sometimes we just have to say, fuck the dishes.

And do them in the morning...

Caitlin
( 2110 of 2167 )

Caitlin Clark's playing her last college basketball game today for Iowa, at noon, Central Standard Time. I've been following her since she recently broke the record for most points in a game.

Now she's eighteen points away from breaking the season scoring record, women or men. I'll be watching and cheering her on.

Here's my view of the record breaking moment.

Caitlin has the ball with thirty seconds left before halftime, two points away from breaking the record that has stood for over fifty years. Other players stay back, and she slowly dribbles as the half approaches. Finally she rushes towards the net and launches one of her high signature shots.

She wants swish, nothing but net, a crowd erupting, halftime ending event while the network has the time to revel in it.

But she missed. The clock was down to 0.3 seconds and it was stopped for some penalty. Suddenly the court was cleared and somebody took a free throw shot, then Caitlin appeared and was given two free throws, on a cleared court, to break a fifty year old record, before halftime.

Thank god for the network, she made them both, but later on in the first big interview, she said she didn't know she had broken the record until the crowd erupted, because she was so focused on the game.

Sorry girl, congrats, but you didn't know you were breaking a huge record with each shot, right before the half ended that you slow rolled so you could take your big shot? And where the hell did those two free throws come from?

Gee folks, I think we might be getting played...

Badass Now
( 2111 of 2167 )

I watched Caitlan set her record at halftime, and enjoyed a down home cooked Sunday afternoon supper. Basketball on my TV is now off, my door is open, it's 59° and quiet.

I saw something big and white run across Jeffs yard across the street. I jumped up, grabbed the binoculars, and sure enough, our albino squirrel is back, and all grown up.

Last year he was just a kid being bullied by other squirrels because he didn't look like them. He's big and badass now!

Be Known
( 2112 of 2167 )

I've been thinking about death today as I walk around my little place. I'm alone with a will, that more and more just looks like possession distribution.

Death brings about disruption, and I don't want that to happen to my family. In fact, I wish you would all stay home. Unless you're in my Will and want any of my pathetic things.

I give my neighbor Daniel power of attorney to get me cremated. Use the possessions not covered or wanted in the Will, to cover the cost. Estate sale baby!

Split the ashes between Riley and Shelby, for a West/East coast beach goodbye.

Hopefully I'll continue being around for a while, just wanted to let my wishes be known.

Fun Moment
( 2113 of 2167 )

Daniel and I had a fun moment this evening. He finally came over after wasting away in his chair all Sunday, feeling miserable and sorry for himself.

I've been blogging all afternoon, and was really proud that I made it up to the tobacco store for ice and peanut butter cups.

At one point I started parroting him, pissing and moaning about how his wife doesn't love him anymore, and how sad and depressed he was.

Suddenly he returned it right back, doing a great imitation of me throwing blog posts and photos at anyone I can find. Read this post, check this out! Shut the fuck up Jim!

Daniel has gone home, but sometimes in life you know you have found a good friend.

Maybe One
( 2114 of 2167 )

I stepped out onto my little porch this evening, to caress it with a puff of smoke, and realized how dead it feels. Yea it's quiet, private and safe, but theirs no vibrancy, no life.

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one really living on this street. Since I landed here going on six years ago I've had some great drives around the country, two cruises, been to Belize three times, and Roatan twice.

I had an epic drive across America to hang with my boy in Seattle one Summer, while Brian and I hooked up there recently and did the NorthWest by car, fed the homeless in downtown Portland, and attended my grand-daughters first birthday.

My truck knows the routes between my place and Atlanta, Pensacola, and Tampa, well.

My heart was broken midway through this southern adventure, but I carried on, and for a guy in his late seventies, I've done alright!

But it's all catching up to me now. My physical health is quicky matching my monetary health, and both are bouncing on the bottom. Maybe I have one more great adventure in me, Omaha, NB.

Not Living
( 2115 of 2167 )

I'm not living at the moment, I'm buzzing and surviving. I can't remember the last deep intelligent conversation I've had with anyone around here.

My son Riley and grand-daughter Shelby provide me the words that keep me on track, it's all about love, family, and happiness.

And not about heartbreak, marital disputes or those that betray and abuse you.

I've been drinking smoking and writing all fucking day, just because I can, and I have no life. But what I say is very real, and the way I live my life is very honest.

Anybody that want's to know who I am, only has to ask. Or simply read this blog!

No Beans
( 2116 of 2167 )

I've got me a DoorDash order going from Legends Express. Getting the Meatloaf, I've discovered they make if from scratch, right there, and it's good. Along with Mac & Cheese and Potato Salad.

There is a DoorDash new user coupon code you can use for a month that gets up to $7 off orders over $10. So I added on Bbq Beans as a side, and saved a couple bucks on the order, at $15.84.

I'm getting kinda hooked on this way of consuming. The service charges and tip pretty much double the cost, but there is no cash involved, just food handed to you at your door.

My food has been picked up according to the brilliant interactive map, but now she (Karen) stopped at McDonalds for another pickup.

I split everything in half when it arrives, one for a later meal, and the other I heat up in my air fryer.

I'm not concerned about food temp since Legends sides are always barely warm anyway. The Dashers were nice, but the order got fucked up. I picked the Beans as an extra side to bring the total down, but there were no Beans when I opened the bag inside my house.

I wonder how things like this get resolved in the DoorDash, provider, consumer world. I'm not going to sweat a $3 cup of beans, that saved me a couple of bucks, but bigger issues would be tough to navigate.

Next Time
( 2117 of 2167 )

So because I have no life, I decided to see how DoorDash would handle my missing BBQ Beans side order problem.

I jumped through a few hoops, told my sad story to a text box, and within an hour I got an email from DoorDash.

If you click the image above, it will take you to DoorDash Claims. I'm impressed by the whole process there, you answer a few questions on screen as they narrow down what your issue is.

DoorDash's AI bots are then able to extract the issue, analyze the transaction from they're side, determine a solution, and execute it.

A silly message is injected saying a resolution will be sent to you in 58 minutes, implying that humans are actually looking at your issues, in a queue, and making decisions. After an hour, it's sent to you.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe they have thousands of Dashers handling claims on their phones, in between dashes. Calling the driver, calling the place, demanding to know what happened to this old man's beans! Naw...

Anyway, they were sorry it happened and issued a $2.38 credit to my account, usable next time.

A Flash
( 2118 of 2167 )

I watch the snow dump in Tahoe, and I'm sure the place I left in the Idaho mountains has been hit. The Texas wildfires have probably burnt out unknown relatives of mine.

Meanwhile, it's a beautiful Monday here at the bottom of Tennessee. Sunny, light wispy clouds, no wind, and 70°.

My door is wide open. Daniel's off today, playing hooker hooky, and man them ho's been flying up and down this street!

I don't even get crumbs, those girls walk a straight line between his door and the road. As I sit on my knees at the edge of his sidewalk, I can't get a peek up a skirt, much less a flash.

In Return
( 2119 of 2167 )

The only person I talked to today was a good old boy who jumped out of Karen's passenger seat to give me a bag of DoorDash food. He thanked me for indicating I was a new customer on the left of the duplex, in my profile. They've been delivering to my neighbor on the right for a while now.

Very interesting way to make a living, Karen drives while her partner picks the product up, and delivers it. Meanwhile she's juggling the business and new orders on her phone, sitting behind tinted windows at the wheel of her little car.

If I couldn't blog now, I would go mad. It is my outlet, like Acid was in the Sixties. Like creating new computer code and concepts in the Seventies and Eighties was.

Blogging at the most honest level with the world gives me peace, knowing I've documented it. I can go back to any day of well over the past decade and see where I was at, who I was with, what I was doing and what I was thinking.

And on another level, I've documented my entire life, because writing about my past, shares the stage with my present.

My blogs have been my therapists, I tell them personal stuff so I can feel better, not expecting any, but hoping for, a little feedback in return.

Empty Chair
( 2120 of 2167 )

Modern human life exists as a scale of 0 to 99, where a 0 is the sad soul living on a cold big city street with absolutely nothing, not a penny, starving and dying.

A 99 has it all, the billionaires. And between the two is an amazingly relative structure of levels that change as they interact. Back in my early seventies programming days we called these Level Breaks, but I digress.

Your LSN (Life Scale Number), 0 to 99, defines where you feel you're at right now, relative to everyone else on the planet. We'll put Elon and the Saudis at 99.

The decimal, 0 to 99, defines your self esteem at the moment, changing often, it's your how the fuck do you feel about yourself number.

So I'll start it off, my LSN is 23.77. Far from 0.0, where I have been a couple of times before.

I'm living in a nice quiet little place now, stash running out, but still alive and creating a new number system.

My .77 self esteem number represents my levels. There were many moves I made in life that changed my direction, and I regret none of them, because I wouldn't have the ones I love, in my life now.

Self esteem involves integrity, and you have to factor it in from your beginning, to where you are right now.

Mine is damned solid now, just damaged, so 77 it is.

Here's my 23.77 world, with an empty chair:

Primaries
( 2121 of 2167 )

Well, I'm living up to my history of failing to vote in the Primaries. I knew yesterday it was Super Tuesday today, but when I woke up, I had forgotten. By the time I remembered, it was too late to drive there responsibly and perform my civic duty.

If Trump loses Tennessee by one vote, take me out in a field and hang me, I'll tell you to hurry up. As to the other items on the ballot here, I have no idea what they are.

I would actually be doing this State, County, and City a disservice by walking in as an uninformed voter and checking boxes straight down a party line. But I always vote in the Presidential.

So there, that's why I really don't vote in Primary elections, never mind that forgetting thing...

Tin Cup
( 2122 of 2167 )

I realized a while back that my main external drive sitting on the table next to my PC had been sucked up in the grab. The whole thing was turned into a gaming rig, with the drive formatted for storage. I hope they're having fun with it.

Unfortunately, my entire collection of digital photos and videos, my code, and everything else that was on that drive, is gone. The good part is that over the years I've curated all of it, and published the best over two blogs, Flickr and YouTube.

The originals to everything were also there, the source from which all my content came. What difference does it make if it's gone, I'm not going to adjust some old photo or re-edit a video!

All that PC had on it was a history that should have been erased anyway. I just found a smaller drive stuck away that had a bunch of stuff from Teton Valley, a decade ago, I'll call this my empty Tin Cup.

Alt Memory
( 2123 of 2167 )

I've got the shakes real bad today. Some days my body is a vibrator from head to toe and it's too bad a Giant Woman's Society doesn't exist, I could rent myself out!

I've been watching a NetFlix series called The Resident, where the lead surgeon's hands are shaking, like mine. Not a good thing to have if your cutting on people. The solution is brain surgery.

That sounds wonderful, I'll pursue it! And just before I go under I'll tell them "Remember, if air hits the brain, it's never the same". Just in case I wake up as a still vibrating girl with altered memory...

Myself
( 2124 of 2167 )

Daniel was trying to get my dander up tonight, accusing me of being wasted all the time. I asked if he was willing to pay for rehab but he ignored the question and kept on bitching.

Being quite intoxicated himself, it was comical. I do have a normal lonely life, a routine that starts when I roll my feet off the side of my bed early in the morning, thankful to be alive.

My daily goal is to take care of my place and accomplish all external chores by 1100.

Then I start getting wasted. It's my place and my life, I'm not going anywhere and I am bothering absolutely nobody.

There is some magic that occurs within me when I reach a certain state. I make no apologies for anything, I'm not hurting anyone, I'm just finding myself.

A While
( 2125 of 2167 )

I'm real dizzy today, losing my balance. A buddy's coming over to roll a fat one and I'm hoping that will help. I'm on day three of a colon cleanse, not eating much, so I'm sure it's related.

There's a new burger joint in town called Daydream Diner. Last night I was putting together a build your own burger online, because I was starved. I like that approach, I can put things on there that I can actually eat. It was $10, plus $1 for sauteed onions and $1 for sauteed mushrooms, plus $5 to get it here by DoorDash. I left it in my cart, maybe today, seventeen bucks for a hamburger is something I'll have to think about.

Of course, I could also drive there, it's next to Walmart on the North side of town, and I'm running on that Free Gas, and the tank is still almost full.

I got a disturbing email today from my friend Skoge in Sacramento. She spent a week in the hospital with a BP of 220/198, it sounded like a horrible experience but she's alright now.

She told me that they have a friend in Tahiti that has Parkinson’s. He has NO cost. I could marry a Tahitian and let France pay for my care. Best suggestion I've heard in a while!

Not Aliens
( 2126 of 2167 )

I used to love Calamari, and Escargot, back when I had teeth. Now they have the McGangbang burger on the secret menu at McDonald. There is no way I would try to stretch my toothless mouth around this thing. I love a good burger, but the options are limited.

I'm thinking about pulling the DoorDash trigger on that build your own burger, and splitting it with my buddy scrolling thru TikToc next to me. Problem is, he don't like sauteed stuff.

It's been a fun afternoon with my door wide open, 70°, hanging out with a crazy man. His phone battery died, thank god, and he emerged from a state of conspiracy theory photo and video emersion, to actually talking!

He wanted to settle a debt, with no means to do so. I told him what I wanted was for him to get his shit together, then settle up like a man, when he can.

I've just run him back to the spot I picked him up at this morning, a left off the back road, just past the car detailer guy, and a ways down the road.

Riley and Shelby! It's off the little road from that pile of old tires on our trip to the Park last Summer.

I'm sure glad the kids got down here to my little place, to see how I live. It's a quiet magical space, with highway noise nearby that you eventually use as background music to your life.

I was telling my buddy that after an amazing computer career in the seventies and eighties, where I made a lot of money, I crashed and burned in a field next to an apartment complex in Kent, WA, in the early nineties. Flat broke and the few possessions I had were stored on the back porch of Riley's moms second story apartment.

That was thirty years ago, and since then my life has twisted and turned, and I landed here. This is where I was destined to be, a quiet stoned little spot where I can document my existence.

It's a strange life I live, I have everything around me to keep me alive and going, barely, but I have no passion, so I just survive.

I wish I had a woman in my life. I'm lonely, I would love to have someone to talk about life with, not about aliens.

Malpaso
( 2127 of 2167 )

I was watching a baseball movie with Clint Eastwood in it and the credits showed it was a Malpaso Production. I've been around a long time, and I know that's Clint's movie production company.

I also know the origin of the name Malpaso. I lived and worked in the Monterey/Carmel area back in the mid seventies, and Clint was the mayor of Carmel at the time.

Back in the sixties I was road tripping with a hot girl I had met bussing tables in a Tahoe casino and we spent a week on an amazing beach that could only be reached by a trail off the creek that flowed into it.

I learned later that Clint's ranch was back into the mountains a few miles from there, with Malpaso creek running right through it, emptying into the Pacific at the spot that I called Secret Beach.

Over the years I've taken friends, lovers and family there, and each time it had become less accessible. I'm sure by now it's closed off just to the expensive homes up on the cliffs.

Anyway, now you know the origin of Malpaso.

Pineapples
( 2128 of 2167 )

Nobody knows why I'm so fucked up. The truth is, there's only a few people left in my life, that care.

And I won't say why, until someone looks me in the eyes and asks. This isn't blogable.

In the meantime, Skoge sent me an email about her friend that moved to Tahiti. She and her partner Grant were involved in the music business, back in the day. Here it is:

Lopes, He lives on one particular island. One night after a Jimmy B. Show, Grant and his girlfriend went to dinner on Broadway, SF. There was a bottle of champagne on the table in a bucket of ice. Jimmy walked in and sat down at their table, for no reason at all. “This is the table I want to sit at.” Since Grant was a sailor, too, he told Jimmy to go to this one particular island in Tahiti. Jimmy did go, met Bobby, a Polynesian who was Grant’s friend from the Haight-Ashbury (Bobby Holcomb if you go to YouTube). Bobby sang the Polynesian verse. And “One Particular Island “ became a song. Thought you might enjoy this story. The song was written on that island and that’s where our friend Gary lives. He married the daughter of the watermelon man, Poiama. Divorced now, but Tahiti is his home. You would love Tahiti. The food is French and the people are beautiful. The beaches are white, the water is crystal blue. Much better than Mexico, and the Paul Gaugain museum is interesting. Across the bay, a ferry ride, is Moorea. That’s where there is a Fruit Juice factory and they sell fruit liquor. It is delicious. Did you know that Tahitian pineapples are different than Hawaiian pineapples? They have less acid and are 2x sweeter. Sent from my iPad

Roadtrip
( 2129 of 2167 )

Something good happened to my old truck today. I needed to run to the liquor store this morning, so I started her up.

She's been going through issues, 250k on her, and I've poured a bunch of my dwindling stash into bringing her back.

My mechanic Thomas has done a lot, rebuilt the Weber carb, new head gasket, there's new plugs and wires, and she should be running great, except she's not been. Hard to start, takes a long time to warm up before I hit the highway, and rumbles for five seconds when I shut her off.

Today, none of those things happened. It's like she pushed a turd that was clogging her up out her tail pipe. Started in an instant, and purred. I let her warm up for a minute, then roared up the hill to the store. She's running trucking great!

Maybe I need a roadtrip.

Pizza
( 2130 of 2167 )

My neighbor Daniel and I had a fun time last night. He said he was hungry so I brought up DoorDash, slid my laptop over to him, and told him to order whatever he wanted, on me.

So he ordered from Pizza Hut a 14" Meat Lover's Pizza, Hand Tossed, Classic Marinara, Regular Cheese, Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, Slow Roasted Ham, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Beef, Seasoned Pork. This fucking pizza cost twenty two bucks, thirty two after DoorDash.

I thought he was going to order a burger, with fries or something! That's alright, I did say whatever and he's bought me a lot of stuff over the years.

He offered me a slice, and the truth is, I hate pizza, ever since my young daughter and I wandered through a pizza joint in Berkeley, CA grabbing leftover slices off tables, to survive. I've avoided it since, for 55 years, as long as Daniel has been alive.

I hadn't eaten all day, hadn't planned on it, but I just spent $32 on this thing, I was a little messed up :-), so I ate a slice. That's the last thing I remember, and I regret it now.

Here it is noon on Saturday and I haven't eaten, I guess I'm fasting while colon cleaning, and the only thing sitting in my gut is a slice of fucking Meat Lover's Pizza!

Knock
( 2131 of 2167 )

I've been watching these TicTok reunion videos, where people cry and embrace after years apart. I would totally lose it if my sister or any of her kids knocked on my door.

I'm totally out of touch with this side of my family. My sister brought Steph and I into Idaho and gave us a beautiful log home to live in, which we did for twelve years. We bonded with her kids and their families and now I don't know a single name of any of her grandkids.

Getting a knock and a hug from Steph would be nice, and explain why she disappeared.

It would be amazing to have any of my fourteen grandkids knock on my door, many of which I've never met. I'm working on a Summer reunion but who knows...

If some old friend or lover tracked me down, wow, but that's not going to happen.

I'm an old man living in a small house on a deadend street in the deep South, Nashville above me, hugging the Alabama line.

Honest, honorable, and helpful is my motto. I would love to connect with anyone from my life, drop by and knock!

Closed
( 2132 of 2167 )

I don't remember buying three fourths of the stuff I own. Like the two small binoculars sitting behind my big TV, that I rarely use.

I have a friend that likes to grab one as he walks through my door and then sits in the other big chair checking out Veterans Park from the open door. I gave him the smaller Bushnell's the other day.

I've decided to have a yard sale this Summer. Take all of the shit in this house that I never use, and lay it out on the grass. Why keep anything that you're never going to use again?

I need to get my life down to a lean and mean state. It's my responsibility to dwindling family on both sides of the country, to make my transition to the other side as painless as possible.

I'd actually prefer it if neither my son Riley or grand-daughter Shelby came here. They're both insanely busy, and the thought of disrupting their lives to wade through my stuff, while getting me converted to ashes, doesn't make sense.

I'll check out if their is an outfit that performs this service, empties the house out, and puts my ashes into a couple of containers. Now if I can pull that off, a Riley/Shelby quick visit to town would be OK.

If anyone did show up, Daniel could hold a little gathering next door, where the few people left in my life can talk about what a wonderful successful guy I used to be, and how I died a worthless old fool here in the South.

Riley and Shelby can put my ashes in opposite oceans, and this chapter is closed.

Sharon
( 2133 of 2167 )

I've known my son Riley's grandmother for longer than he's been alive. Her name is Sharon, his redheaded mothers redheaded mom, and I still consider her a friend. We saw each other a couple years back and I've talked to her on the phone once since I've been here.

She's up in her late nineties, still going strong and I just want to share with the world, this photo with her great grand-daughters. Love you Sharon.

I love this shot, wise old lady sharing knowledge, smart young mind getting it!

The Burn
( 2134 of 2167 )

I had a couple packages of Feel The Burn Crushed Red Peppers that came with Daniels pizza the other night.

I'm making my world famous Tuna and Egg Sliders this afternoon, and after tossing the eggs into the mix, I added a package.

After mixing everything, it wasn't quite there so I added the other package and mixed again.

I love it! A perfect kick, and now it's time to make some sliders.

Great sliders, I thought about Salsa on top, but not needed, they had The Burn.

Company
( 2135 of 2167 )

I'm grateful to have my life long best friend as company,

On this nice day.

He was telling me how he lost his left arm, but since he can't walk, it doesn't matter.

Here Teddy is when we both were young, and he still had his arm. We were hanging out with my grandmother and older brother.

Need It
( 2136 of 2167 )

This is my 2,137th Post since I started OldManJim more than five years ago.

I'm finally, slowly, accepting that this is where I was meant to land.

You can think about how a decision here, a mistake there, has dictated your current landing, and maybe you resent where you're at?

I say accept every fucking bit of it, own it, be thankful for what you have. Give when you can, accept when you need it.

Five Years
( 2137 of 2167 )

I was standing on my little porch watching campers across the creek thru the glasses, when a familiar white truck stopped out in front. It was my ex-boss and friend, Ricky Fleeman. He and his daughter Rachel have run the creek tubing company I've worked at across three different Summers.

Ricky and I met out on my sidewalk, and he had someone waiting behind in another truck. These are the guys that put together my landlords new trailer space down on his property by the creek.

They were here to turn things on for Steve, the guy that owns my place and many others around here, whose moving in shortly while his new house is built. He's got a barbecue pit down there, maybe I'll get another invite or two this Summer.

It sounds like Ricky's got a bunch of projects coming up, but Crockett Shoals Tubing Company won't be one of them. They're trying to sell it, but shutting it down for good if they can't. It was a great tourist attraction for this town and it was my pleasure to work with them over five years.

Nash Crew
( 2138 of 2167 )

I've discovered a new tool on my Windows 11 laptop, that came with the March update. I've turned it on, and now when I take a photo with my Android phone, a notification appears on my laptop and the shot is available. Sure beats connecting with a USB C cord and copying files over.

In the process I discovered a folder where all screen shots are saved and I found a whole bunch I had forgotten about, that made the blog but are buried with others.

Here's one that came from that great Nashville trip with Jessica, Shelby, Riley and Ariella.

Not sure where this was taken, but I'm getting cleaned up like this next Thursday at Erica's new salon.

Here's another, no memory of where, but I like it.

Ariella Close
( 2139 of 2167 )

I've been moving videos and photos off my laptop today, onto my external drive, to free up space. I keep running across amazing content that I can't help playing with.

Here's the amazingly beautiful Ariella, Riley and Jess's first born. I can see her as a Lindsay Lohan someday with beautiful red hair down to her waist. I zoomed in and cleaned this shot.

Lost Photos
( 2140 of 2167 )

I been pissed off and saddened that a young guy I considered a friend, made off with my major external drive, when he grabbed my computer. I thought I had lost a lot of old photos, that I've been the family caretaker to.

I was overjoyed today to find that my secondary external drive, had a backup of the old stuff. Shelby takes over my computer and the photos when I pass, now she can retain the history.

Here's your great-grandmother sweety, my beautiful mom and her two boys.

Supervisor
( 2141 of 2167 )

I was the Lead Supervisor for ATC/Vancom, based out of Kent, WA, south of Seattle. We were the largest paratransit outfit on the West Coast and I had several supervisors and many drivers under me.

I worked my way up with them as a driver and won the first Employee of the Year award, becoming supervisor shortly after. Suddenly there was a rift between two factions of management and Rafeh, the big boss, called Jerry, Lance and me into Jerry's trailer and we bonded together to stop the takeover by the other guys.

We won, and went on to build a great company. I was given the lead supervisor spot, and my job was to train new ones. I wrote a great supervisors manual while on vacation in Hawaii with Riley.

I had great adventures at that job, met Steph there, she was the receptionist, and everything was great until the feds swept in, but that's another story.

Azteca
( 2142 of 2167 )

It's 1600 and all I've eaten today is a small bowl of cereal with a banana, early this morning. Not really too hungry, more muncie, so I'm cruising around the local places that have signed up with doordash, and found this.

The total was $19.14, fortunatly Daniel was next door and helped me eat it. It was all good, except the Chimichanga's were advertised as Deep Fried, which implies a thin crisp shell. These were not, they were thick shelled tortillas. I won't order them again, and yes I left a review.

Humbles Me
( 2143 of 2167 )

This is my mom in Long Beach, CA, the Fall of '46. My dad was a sailor and he had probably split for Texas at this point. One night, she found a sitter and went to a bar, where she met Paul, fell in love, married him, and they stayed together for life.

One night Paul called me, we were all living in Oakland, CA at the time, and he asked me to come over and get my mom stoned. I said sure, we had never done this before, so I grabbed my big bong pipe, some bud, and drove over.

Paul was on a machine for his lungs, shooting vodka into them to get high. He knew his time was near and he had opened up.

I showed my mom how to take a big bong hit and hold it in. We did a couple of those, Paul squirted vodka, their eyes lit up, and they started talking.

I sat there in their kitchen and learned about the meeting in the bar. They both had different memories about some things and laughed about it.

The fact that I'm still here, writing about it, finding old photos that have magically remained in my hands, then enhancing and sharing them, humbles me.

Daddys Girl
( 2144 of 2167 )

It's a good thing Riley and Jess have a new baby, because this one is taken.

She's watching, she's learning, from her master craftsman father!

Until they merge together, safely and at peace...

Andrew
( 2145 of 2167 )

Riley had a childhood friend growing up in Kent, WA named Andrew Aldworth. He was my friend also, as were his parents, Sheila and Brad. He spent a lot of time at my place and apparently saw me as some sort of technology guru.

He's reached out and we've talked recently. Turns out he got into tech and says I gave him the inspiration to do so. I just got a voice mail from him that said:

Would you be against the idea of me visiting you? I know I'm not family, but still, 30 years later I still see you as my non biological dad.

Wow, I'm honered and of course I said yes, it would be great to see him. Here's a shot I grabbed of him from a video link he sent:

To Home
( 2146 of 2167 )

I mossied up into town today around 0930. I was hoping that some wonderful persons had set up a, I don't know what you call it, a trailer with people cooking food inside.

I missed one a while back, I was eating a terrible fast food fish sandwich, while watching folks buy lobster meals from the back of the truck next door.

No food trucks so I just kept going and did a shop at Krogers. Back home, Daniel asked me if I would like to drive up to the store with him. Well, of course!

He had just had his ride detailed, looking pretty, full tank of gas, early in the afternoon of a St Patricks fucking Sunday.

So Daniel, a man who was born and raised here, and has lived his entire fifty something years of life here, turns to me and says where would you like to go?

I said somewhere I've never been and for the next hour or so we were cruising Iron City backroads that blew my mind. Places so far off the grid that the only time the police would show up, is when they absolutely have to.

We ended up at a bar called Parker's Place down on the Alabama border. Daniel and I were both wearing cowboy hats and probably looked like a father/son act as we came through the door. We hung out, had a beer and decided the best thing to do was to set the GPS to Home.

Here it is around 1800, door wide open, birds thanking me for the seed. I am alone. Suddenly the phone rings and it's a voice from Tampa, my favorite grand-daughter sending her love my way.

The truth is, I'm really beat up. I've been trying to hide it, but I'm a broken man. I think that's what drives me to write, I need to capture and save whatever I can, just in case somebody cares down the road.

Shannon
( 2147 of 2167 )

I think my grand-children got their pretty gene from me. My mom and dad were good looking people, both representing strong lineages, across the mid-west on my moms side, the south on my dad's side, spanning centuries.

Here's my grand-daughter Shannon from one of her model shoots.

Love Him
( 2148 of 2167 )

I grabbed a snapshot from a video created back in Oakland, CA, when Riley was just a baby. Just wanted to let the world know I've been there from the beginning, I stood outside the delivery room and they placed him in my arms first.

It's been a true honor to be Riley's dad. We've had fun times together, he's grown into a fine man, a great husband, and a wonderful father. I love him.

Hairy Head
( 2149 of 2167 )

I have no idea what the fuck I'm doing anymore. I'm sure this is how we've all felt at one time, because we're all human.

My self softens into nothing, my friend becomes quiet and peaceful, and here the fuck we are.

I wrote the above, last night, of a day that I just discovered, I don't remember. The neighbor had to be Daniel, I'll check when he gets off work.

But I touched base with my smokin buddy today, laughing about speeding down his driveway yesterday and sliding to a stop at his door. He remembered it very well, except it was the day before.

Which officially means I don't remember yesterday at all. My friend mentioned coming by with his brother last night while Daniel was there. I was on the ground out front at some point, Daniel said just leave him alone, he'll pick himself up, according to stories.

Today I remember so far. Bought some meatloaf and veggies at Legends, their first customer at 1030. Hit the Park, ran into a guy named Jerry who I've met before up there. We chated about old campers on old trucks, owned by old guys.

It's so weird to lose a day of your life. Tomorrow is important, I will be hooking up with the beautiful Erica at 1030. She has the most amazing light blue eyes, a true southern sweetheart, and she is going to cut most every fucking hair off my head and face.

I have not cut a single hair off my head (ok, shaved a few off the top) since she did it before Christmas last year, along with the Christmas Nails.

I am a fucking mess, and I'm hoping she can bring me back to life. She has moved on from the Beauty College and landed at a great beauty shop in the middle of town.

I had to book this appointment last week, she's our new popular hair stylist in town. She asks about me every time Daniel goes in, and she's about to get my wild ass hairy head tomorrow!

George
( 2150 of 2167 )

I just learned that George Washington was my cousin.

And Daniel shared this picture of his co-workers having fun at work yesterday.

No Choice
( 2151 of 2167 )

I've been trying to figure out why I'm such a mess lately. I landed here going on six years ago, with my best friend, the woman I loved. She had family here, two granddaughters I was looking forward to watching grow up.

They've all been gone from my life for a while now. I have no family here, and I'm just a heartbroken old man.

If I don't write it down here, I won't remember life. Some things I'm sorry I remember, and they go in the trash.

I'm really depressed, don't even remember going to bed the last two nights. But I remember my hair appointment with Erica today at 1000. I haven't had hair cut from my head since she did it before Christmas last year.

If I wasn't so anti-suicide, I'd cancel that appointment. As it is, I have no choice.

After
( 2152 of 2167 )

Erica trimmed everything on my head, except my goatee, down to nothing today. She works on consignment at Kim's Hair Salon, they really don't have a front desk there, and I was her Thursday morning appointment.

She is also Daniels hair dresser and it had been so long since she's seen me, she accused me of cheating on her to him the other day.

I made it up to her today as the hair fell from my head. She told me her grandmother is near her end, and she's my age. She has a great family, an eighteen year old, eight and nine year olds, and a two year old!

She's also very pretty with light blue eyes. Daniel and I are lucky to have found her, and followed her from the beauty college to this new spot at Kim's.

I was very honest with her today, and like a good hair cutter, she listened. I told her my drinking is out of control, don't remember the last two evenings, probably won't remember tonight.

Broken
( 2153 of 2167 )

It's been a fucked up day. I went into town for supplies at Krogers, ended up buying just three jugs of water. Took the backroads home because they were shutting 43 down to two lanes for some reason.

My smokin buddy called and wanted to hook up, never did, that would require me driving to his place, and all I wanted to do was go home and drink.

Daniel came over for a while and I was abusing him with videos from my YouTube channel while searching for the total eclipse video in Driggs, ID a few years back. He walked out, saying he'd seen all this shit, and the video of the plane flight from San Pedro to Belize made him ill.

So here I am, 1700 on 3/22/24, in a hick town in Southern Tennessee. I only have a couple friends here, and I'm beginning to wonder why I still have them.

I am alone in my small place. Staying alive for some reason, miserable, crying, muttering what the fuck.

I know that with all my achievements in technology, I should have landed way better, but I have not.

I was telling Daniel that it has been more than seven years since I've held a woman's breast in my hand. The sad truth is I have landed on a dead-end street as a lonely old man, savings almost gone, and I am broken.

The Right
( 2154 of 2167 )

I'm sorry, been writing some really pathetic posts lately. I've now done my best to get rid of the most recent ones, but this blog goes back five and a half years, so I've missed a whole bunch.

A long time buddy just reached out with a scathing email, saying the reason I'm down to just a couple of friends, no woman, and running out of money is because I'm a pathetic drunk.

She's absolutely right, and at least she took the time to ream me a new asshole. But, I'm never speaking to you again Skoge, fuck you old friend.

Sometimes you don't need to hear what you already know, sometimes all you need is a kind word, not a long lecture.

I could shut this blog down in less than a minute, where all that would appear is the word Done in the upper left corner. All of my visual content, the occasional good post, and all of the stupid shit, would be gone.

But I'm not going to do that, I'm going to try and leave it right here for a while. I'll try to stop making a fool of myself, because old pathetic drunken idiots should not have the right!

Goes On
( 2155 of 2167 )

I just got text messages from the two most important people in my life.

My grand-daughter Shelby said: Don't stop blogging, and who cares what you post, it's not hurting anybody.

And my son Riley said: I would not be the man I am today without you in my life dad. I credit so much to you, I just wish I could repay you. Anyway possible so that your not lost or depressed. I love you so much and I hate to hear or see you down.

So, on those notes, this blog goes on!

Nice Voice
( 2156 of 2167 )

It's been an interesting morning. Picked up my smokin buddy and came back to my place, and now I've got a McDonald's DoorDash heading here.

He called a friend this morning and I listened to them talk from my neighboring chair. It was a very nice lady with a great voice, retired military, and she was suffering from some of the same medical stuff I'm going through.

I liked her a lot, and asked to talk to her. We exchanged compliments about each others voices, I found out she is a recent widower, and about ten years younger than me.

She's looking for a three bedroom place around Lawrenceburg, with some storage, and accepts a support dog. If you're local, and know of such, hit me up! (see About above)

Brother
( 2157 of 2167 )

My brother Dana ended up in the California Mental Institution system for the last years of his life. He was an amazing and good man. He rescued me from Golden Gate park at the height of the Haight Ashbury, after I overdosed on the original Meth. We had a wonderful but tortured relationship, and loved each other.

I was there when he was abducted by a ship I remember seeing, as we camped out as kids, on the side of a Sierra Nevada mountain. They had him back in our camp by morning, and he was never the same.

There, but for the grace of God, go I. They could have grabbed me, a three year younger specimen, and this old blog would not exist.

For Love
( 2158 of 2167 )

I've been blogging across two domains for a decade and a half now. Laying my heart on the Net, trying to share who I am, if anyone cared.

I landed in the South six years ago come Fall, said goodbye to my Idaho based blog, and started this one.

I have poured my heart, my soul, my sadness, my love, my everything out to the world from here. I'm an old man that's becoming very real, mostly confused, and longing for love.

Abraham
( 2159 of 2167 )

I just learned that Abraham Lincoln was also my cousin.

Mellowed
( 2160 of 2167 )

An old buddy dropped by this morning and he looked great. He's in his fifties and still has his hair, lot's of it, everywhere on his head and face. He looks like a wild Harley rider. (oh wait, he is) He's got truck driver grit vibes. (oh yea...)

He's got years of cross country semi driving experience, and his eyes lit up when I told him about the big growers party I attended back in the late seventies, up in the Carmel Valley hills outside Monterey, CA. It's been almost fifty years so I'm comfortable being specific.

These were the scientists that cultivated the products that are now sold legally around the country. Picture thirty to forty grown men, with their long haired hippy wives, walking around a big house with fat hand rolls of their own stuff, looking to share and show it off.

I'm getting buzzed just remembering that night. It was the same place where I took a big bag of leaf from a grower buddy and made the Thanksgiving turkey stuffing with it. Yea, it was an amazing evening, only my lady friend and I knew, and nobody got hurt, just mellowed.

Just Stupid
( 2161 of 2167 )

I've got a date with a man named Dan. He just called and insisted that we watch a specific movie on NetFlix tonight, on my big TV.

I thought about pausing the moment, then checking my busy social calendar, making sure I'm not already booked. But I took a chance instead, and said It's a date!

It was a bold forward move on his part, and I admire assertive men, how could I say no? He's married, not that there is anything wrong with that, but there was no mention of her joining us.

It's a short trip to my place for him, maybe fifty paces, if that. I could DoorDash some food in, but I did that yesterday with a Big Mac, fries, and a milk shake, for $23.60! That's just stupid.

Bonus
( 2162 of 2167 )

When I was young I looked at women as sexual objects first, and possible companions after. As my life leveled out in the middle, I sought both equally.

Now I'm old and everything is flipped. I really don't know if I will ever have a woman in my life again, but if I do, love would be at the top, and sex would be an unrequired bonus.

His Life
( 2163 of 2167 )

I've been staring at that picture of my older brother, in that locked down nursing home, in the middle of fucking California, seven or eight years ago.

It had been decades since I'd seen him, but I found him, then I road tripped straight there from Idaho one Summer.

He was living on a cot in the back of that home. I had to sign in out front and they wanted to know my relationship to him. Not knowing what was going on, I said friend.

I sat on his cot next to him, and god I wish I had recorded our talk. All I have left from that now is the connection. He knew who I was, his blood, his brother.

Back in Idaho I tried to bring him into our Valley, and failed. In the process, we both lost.

I lost Steph and my sisters family, he lost his life.

And Lost
( 2164 of 2167 )

As my time here winds down, I realize that I would love to have a final gathering, where my vast family from my daughters side, meets my sister's family in Idaho.

Maybe connections and friendships could be made. I miss my family on both sides so much, as I slowly die here alone.

I am the matriarch of this wonderful convoluted family! I wish I had landed better, but I didn't. My sister Lorelle has made a wonderful home for her family at the base of the Grand Tetons in Idaho.

The children that have spun from my lone daughter, have spread far and wide. The child count is fourteen, as far as I know, and I have no idea how many great grand-children I have.

We can land two ways! Complete whole and happy, or separate lonely and lost.

Eat
( 2165 of 2167 )

It's been an interesting day. I had several agendas for this one, that were partially fulfilled, but they ended up stalled out, back here at the garage.

Been hanging out with my weird friend, staying stoned. I actually haven't had anything to eat today, and I'm several vodka waters down the road.

I'm a responsible man and I won't drive in this condition. So here I am in southern fucking Tennessee, in a hick town, in a small house on a dead-end street, with no agenda or reason to continue.

Maybe I'll let my friend drive into town, and we'll eat...

His Phone
( 2166 of 2167 )

Clinging to the awning of my porch this afternoon, I saw the tree where Steph's grand-daughters and I played, a few years back. We had a great Easter egg hunt down by the creek one year, I fell in love with those girls, and I'm so sad I lost them.

Life is funny how it evolves! I have so many triumphs and absolute failures under my old worn belt, that I can't count. I have no idea why I'm still alive!

But I am, and still functioning. I take care of myself and my space, nobody helps.

So, what the fuck am I going to do next? That's the common question that drives our lives!

Take a sip from my drink, a puff from my pipe, try to get a word out of my friend, whose buried in his phone.

Be Me
( 2167 of 2167 )

Daniel got home from work today and drove our friend home. That's how it works down here in the South, we take care of each other. I'm down to a couple friends and I'm worried about both of them.

My neighbor Daniel has become my best friend, and we've been hanging out together for going on six years now. I share him with his wife Jennifer, who has her own home up the road. I like Jen, every things cool.

He was born and raised here half a century ago. Married, had two boys, and divorced. I know both his sons, good men. His ex-wife is like a principal or something withen the school system where he's the head maintenance guy. He avoids her, which is easy because there are fourteen schools across many miles.

Daniel is concerned about his heart. I watched him struggle tonight and I share his worry. He will be going down for a while as they put stents in him.

I'm old enough to be his dad, but we are friends straight across the board, and I love the guy.

On the other hand, I have this very strange friend who I never mention by name. One of the most god damned weirdest persons I've ever fucking met! But I love him.

So I love a couple guys around here, nothin wrong with that! We sat around the other night and talked about sexual issues, and there are none.

So, thanks god, I'm glad to be alive, and to just be me...