I am eligible for senior discounts
I know many of you are shocked to know I am over 49, but it is true.
I can get a senior discount in a lot of places.
But I have to ask.
I know the discounts are available, but honestly, I felt goofy asking for them.
First off, I am not mentally a senior. Not a senior citizen, not a senior statesman, not even a senior in high school. Don't get me wrong, I have senior moments.
Like today. Was weeding the plants in front. I went out with four tools. By the time I hit the fifth plant, I only had three tools. I lost my pronger donger type tool. I looked, and looked, and looked....but I never found it.
Aside from that senior moment, and trying to heat up my food by putting it in the fridge instead of the microwave, I am of sound mind and semi sound body.
So should I take the discounts? More importantly, should I ask for one?
For example, Big R gives 15 percent off to seniors on the first Tuesday of the month. I want to buy a shepherd's hook to hang a feeder and they are $30 or so. 15 per cent is.....borrow from the ones, trade tens, divide by ten, add the temperature of the human body at rest.....$4.50, which pays for my coffee at Cypress House!
McDonald's has a senior coffee, Kohl's has senior Wednesday. At Kohl's, if you have the right type of coupons you can buy stuff and they actually give you money!!
I always feel guilty about taking the discount, because truthfully the money never seems to amount to much.
Maybe I am looking at it the wrong way. I should view it as a challenge: Can I raise enough money by getting senior discounts to buy a Porsche?
Reaching an age where I get a senior discount. Almost makes the sore knees, failing eyesight, flatulence, faulty hearing and memory loss worth it.
Almost.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
must be the full moon
I am going nuts because of people
Good gracious, what is wrong with people?
The other day I was on my way into town. I was turning left onto Flagg Road at the same time a car was turning onto Flagg Road from Indian Trials subdivision.
Now folks, that road is at least a quarter mile away. I don't drive fast. I accelerate gently to conserve fuel and protect the environment.
I caught up to the guy almost immediately. Yes, guy. Middle aged guy driving a light tan SUV. He was doing 20. 20! Plus he was swerving over the yellow line then going onto the shoulder. I was going to call the police, but a passing zone opened and I passed by him at about the mind numbing speed of 40.
He was texting!! He had his dam phone in his right hand and he had his arm extended about two feet from his body! The reason he was driving erratically was, he was texting!
Unbelievable.
I did not call the police, because I figured by the time I pulled over and called, he would have been done and driving normally....if he lived that long.
I went to Walmart today and some lazy butt had left their cart in a parking spot 10 feet away from a cart corral. Ten feet!! The person was too lazy, or stupid, to walk the 10 feet and put the cart where it would not be blocking a parking space.
Don't get me started on the Cubs! If they had blown tonight's game, I would have blown a gasket! Two games when they were ahead, two games they lose. At least tonight they held on, but they have a way to go to be contenders.
Finally, voles.
At least I think it was a vole.
I was mowing and a fat little mouse like creature with no tail ran through the grass. It kept running back and forth, unable to decide where it wanted to go.
I went into the house for my butterfly net (yes, I have a butterfly net. Laugh if you want. I don't know how good it is for catching voles, but I was determined to try) but when I got back it was gone. That explains the holes in the back yard and the trails through the grass.
OK, the vole isn't people, but it has legs and hair, which means it could be smarter than the guy texting and the shopper to lazy to push the cart to the return.
That's it.
Love and peace to all.
Good gracious, what is wrong with people?
The other day I was on my way into town. I was turning left onto Flagg Road at the same time a car was turning onto Flagg Road from Indian Trials subdivision.
Now folks, that road is at least a quarter mile away. I don't drive fast. I accelerate gently to conserve fuel and protect the environment.
I caught up to the guy almost immediately. Yes, guy. Middle aged guy driving a light tan SUV. He was doing 20. 20! Plus he was swerving over the yellow line then going onto the shoulder. I was going to call the police, but a passing zone opened and I passed by him at about the mind numbing speed of 40.
He was texting!! He had his dam phone in his right hand and he had his arm extended about two feet from his body! The reason he was driving erratically was, he was texting!
Unbelievable.
I did not call the police, because I figured by the time I pulled over and called, he would have been done and driving normally....if he lived that long.
I went to Walmart today and some lazy butt had left their cart in a parking spot 10 feet away from a cart corral. Ten feet!! The person was too lazy, or stupid, to walk the 10 feet and put the cart where it would not be blocking a parking space.
Don't get me started on the Cubs! If they had blown tonight's game, I would have blown a gasket! Two games when they were ahead, two games they lose. At least tonight they held on, but they have a way to go to be contenders.
Finally, voles.
At least I think it was a vole.
I was mowing and a fat little mouse like creature with no tail ran through the grass. It kept running back and forth, unable to decide where it wanted to go.
I went into the house for my butterfly net (yes, I have a butterfly net. Laugh if you want. I don't know how good it is for catching voles, but I was determined to try) but when I got back it was gone. That explains the holes in the back yard and the trails through the grass.
OK, the vole isn't people, but it has legs and hair, which means it could be smarter than the guy texting and the shopper to lazy to push the cart to the return.
That's it.
Love and peace to all.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
what's that noise?
I have ringing in the ears
I know that is not something new to you, I have mentioned this before.
During winter's coldest days, I can hear locust singing in the trees in my mind.
There is a high pitch that is constant...a tinny hum that I hear day or night, awake or asleep.
This has been a problem for years. I read some articles on line and basically there is no cure or medication, but there are some mind control techniques that you can do.
Mind control?
If I had any control, I would not eat like a pig.
Something new has developed in the past few days.
When someone taps on a glass with a spoon, it makes a clinking sound. Try that 24/7!
When I first noticed it on Sunday, I thought there was a smoke detector losing its battery. Then I looked for a dripping faucet. I looked for an appliance that had a dying battery.
Nope. It's all inside my head.
I have a problem with names.....and now I think it's because the constant noise takes up space in the memory card and causing the brain to jettison information considered not vital. Like names. Or bread when I go to the grocery store. Or telling my wife someone called for her and it's important to call them back but that was yesterday so maybe it is no longer important.
In any case, it's we8ird inside with the high pitched noise, the locusts, the beeping and the general crackling all mixed into a strange, chaotic symphony.
It's enough to drive me to drink. Kind of maddening, really.
I also think that's why some nights I don't sleep well, and why I seem to sleep better with music playing outside my head.
Maybe it's time to visit an audiologist......after all, there could be something I can do to ease the situation. Or not.
I gotta go.....seems the phone is ringing.
I know that is not something new to you, I have mentioned this before.
During winter's coldest days, I can hear locust singing in the trees in my mind.
There is a high pitch that is constant...a tinny hum that I hear day or night, awake or asleep.
This has been a problem for years. I read some articles on line and basically there is no cure or medication, but there are some mind control techniques that you can do.
Mind control?
If I had any control, I would not eat like a pig.
Something new has developed in the past few days.
When someone taps on a glass with a spoon, it makes a clinking sound. Try that 24/7!
When I first noticed it on Sunday, I thought there was a smoke detector losing its battery. Then I looked for a dripping faucet. I looked for an appliance that had a dying battery.
Nope. It's all inside my head.
I have a problem with names.....and now I think it's because the constant noise takes up space in the memory card and causing the brain to jettison information considered not vital. Like names. Or bread when I go to the grocery store. Or telling my wife someone called for her and it's important to call them back but that was yesterday so maybe it is no longer important.
In any case, it's we8ird inside with the high pitched noise, the locusts, the beeping and the general crackling all mixed into a strange, chaotic symphony.
It's enough to drive me to drink. Kind of maddening, really.
I also think that's why some nights I don't sleep well, and why I seem to sleep better with music playing outside my head.
Maybe it's time to visit an audiologist......after all, there could be something I can do to ease the situation. Or not.
I gotta go.....seems the phone is ringing.
Monday, May 4, 2015
why? because
We save too much stuff
Going through the garage stuff has proven that point.
Yes, some of it was saved for a reason. We put Julia's dishes, pots and pans, decorations, and knick knacks (that's an old person's word for stuff that collects dust) into tubs and stored them first in our basement, then in Emily's.
An EF 4 tornado kind of forces you to sift through the stuff and discard the broken, the unwanted, the unnecessary.
What have we encountered?
We found Jackie's picture of her grandpa from WW I. We would like to get that restored, so we are going to visit Danny at the studio to get his opinion, and estimate.
Emily was in Camp Fire Girls along about 2nd or third grade. We have her vest. Still. Last week while I was at the museum entertaining myself I looked at the Camp Fire Girls display in the Curiosity Cabinet. They disbanded in Rochelle in 1992. If any one wants the vest, call ASAP.
We have a parent guide for kindergartners for Kimble Hill Elementary in Rolling Meadows.
We found the authentication slip for Julia's Troy Aikman autographed photo, but the framed 11 x 14 picture has flown the coop.
A nice set of hand painted dishes, which may belong to Julia, but she has no recollection of them. Along the dish line, her Fiesta ware took a beating as did Jackie's grandmother's China. Does anyone use China anymore? We used to, at Christmas, but it always has to be hand washed. Jackie's was a beautiful set and I was sad to see it damaged.
My historical guide to Chicago is from about 1960. Judging by my signature, I was just learning cursive. In all honesty, it actually looks better than my current handwriting.
(Digression: One year after report cards came out, a little girl came in and said, "You have a funny first name, Mr. Dickow." I said I didn't think it was funny...actually pretty common. "But your name is Tenny. My folks said that was strange." Well, when it came to signing my name I got a little lazy and my r looked like n...so Terry Dickow became Tenny Dickow. I tried to write more carefully after that.)
Cabbage Patch dolls of Emily's went to a family friend, and her little girl is enjoying the heck out of the dolls. By the way, the little girl's name is Julia!
What was amazing was a tub could be still sealed, and there was insulation inside! In fact, one tub was snapped shut...but a ball of yarn was outside the box, with the other half still inside the snapped tight lid.
While it is good to get rid on unwanted things, I know there is a better way than having your house destroyed.
Going through the garage stuff has proven that point.
Yes, some of it was saved for a reason. We put Julia's dishes, pots and pans, decorations, and knick knacks (that's an old person's word for stuff that collects dust) into tubs and stored them first in our basement, then in Emily's.
An EF 4 tornado kind of forces you to sift through the stuff and discard the broken, the unwanted, the unnecessary.
What have we encountered?
We found Jackie's picture of her grandpa from WW I. We would like to get that restored, so we are going to visit Danny at the studio to get his opinion, and estimate.
Emily was in Camp Fire Girls along about 2nd or third grade. We have her vest. Still. Last week while I was at the museum entertaining myself I looked at the Camp Fire Girls display in the Curiosity Cabinet. They disbanded in Rochelle in 1992. If any one wants the vest, call ASAP.
We have a parent guide for kindergartners for Kimble Hill Elementary in Rolling Meadows.
We found the authentication slip for Julia's Troy Aikman autographed photo, but the framed 11 x 14 picture has flown the coop.
A nice set of hand painted dishes, which may belong to Julia, but she has no recollection of them. Along the dish line, her Fiesta ware took a beating as did Jackie's grandmother's China. Does anyone use China anymore? We used to, at Christmas, but it always has to be hand washed. Jackie's was a beautiful set and I was sad to see it damaged.
My historical guide to Chicago is from about 1960. Judging by my signature, I was just learning cursive. In all honesty, it actually looks better than my current handwriting.
(Digression: One year after report cards came out, a little girl came in and said, "You have a funny first name, Mr. Dickow." I said I didn't think it was funny...actually pretty common. "But your name is Tenny. My folks said that was strange." Well, when it came to signing my name I got a little lazy and my r looked like n...so Terry Dickow became Tenny Dickow. I tried to write more carefully after that.)
Cabbage Patch dolls of Emily's went to a family friend, and her little girl is enjoying the heck out of the dolls. By the way, the little girl's name is Julia!
What was amazing was a tub could be still sealed, and there was insulation inside! In fact, one tub was snapped shut...but a ball of yarn was outside the box, with the other half still inside the snapped tight lid.
While it is good to get rid on unwanted things, I know there is a better way than having your house destroyed.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
What a day....
I am a little tired tonight
I did an MS walk this morning. Emily, John, Sherri and I walked with the Miles for Smiles team in Rockford. This is a team formed by the Hayden/Harper clan and it was great they welcomed us into their family.
Jackie was there, but she did not walk. She did enjoy the beautiful sunny morning.
Several years ago we walked in St Charles. It was a hot day. The walk was along the Fox River, but there had been some flooding so the path was changed. You walked about 2 or 3 miles. turned around, and walked back. It was hot. I hope I don't forget to mention it was hot.
That walk took about 3 hours, if memory serves correctly, which it often doesn't.
Today's walk....about 35 minutes.
It was short. It was not hot.
Length does not matter because it all goes toward raising money to find a cure for MS.
I also signed up for a bike ride in June. If you want to contribute to an MS event, go to this site:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/ILDBikeEvents?px=14080464&pg=personal&fr_id=25280
That should take you to my personal page and you can donate.
I am riding with the Jackies Jokers team. I had planned a team, but at this point I am a lone ranger! You can also sign up to ride, but you have to raise $300 in pledges. I have a ways to go.
(Truth: I don't remember making a personal page. The good looking person on the bike is not me.)
When we got home , I almost finished the raised beds, planted 9 oak trees in a plastic container that weighs 90 tons, cleaned two bathrooms and a bedroom, did some laundry and emptied the dish washer.
John and Kevin got the grill on the patio, so tomorrow I can test for leaks. And order a replacement side piece because this one is broken.
I am listening to thunder in the distance, and not sure how I will sleep tonight.
Tomorrow my plan is to ride my bike and assemble my new patio furniture.
Add my inability to follow directions with my inability to read small print, and you can just guess what they will look like!
Jackie has dusted a couple of rooms, so I get to run the vacuum. We generally clean every Thursday, but since April 9 we have not done that. It was a little confusing around here.
But the kids have moved into their rental, so we are empty nesters again.
Peace and love, world.
I did an MS walk this morning. Emily, John, Sherri and I walked with the Miles for Smiles team in Rockford. This is a team formed by the Hayden/Harper clan and it was great they welcomed us into their family.
Jackie was there, but she did not walk. She did enjoy the beautiful sunny morning.
Several years ago we walked in St Charles. It was a hot day. The walk was along the Fox River, but there had been some flooding so the path was changed. You walked about 2 or 3 miles. turned around, and walked back. It was hot. I hope I don't forget to mention it was hot.
That walk took about 3 hours, if memory serves correctly, which it often doesn't.
Today's walk....about 35 minutes.
It was short. It was not hot.
Length does not matter because it all goes toward raising money to find a cure for MS.
I also signed up for a bike ride in June. If you want to contribute to an MS event, go to this site:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/ILDBikeEvents?px=14080464&pg=personal&fr_id=25280
That should take you to my personal page and you can donate.
I am riding with the Jackies Jokers team. I had planned a team, but at this point I am a lone ranger! You can also sign up to ride, but you have to raise $300 in pledges. I have a ways to go.
(Truth: I don't remember making a personal page. The good looking person on the bike is not me.)
When we got home , I almost finished the raised beds, planted 9 oak trees in a plastic container that weighs 90 tons, cleaned two bathrooms and a bedroom, did some laundry and emptied the dish washer.
John and Kevin got the grill on the patio, so tomorrow I can test for leaks. And order a replacement side piece because this one is broken.
I am listening to thunder in the distance, and not sure how I will sleep tonight.
Tomorrow my plan is to ride my bike and assemble my new patio furniture.
Add my inability to follow directions with my inability to read small print, and you can just guess what they will look like!
Jackie has dusted a couple of rooms, so I get to run the vacuum. We generally clean every Thursday, but since April 9 we have not done that. It was a little confusing around here.
But the kids have moved into their rental, so we are empty nesters again.
Peace and love, world.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
dag nabbit!!
I called someone by the wrong name....again!
I knew who he was, but for some reason it came out all wrong! He just looked like someone else and I get terribly confused.
It's not only people. Back in the 60s there was a British spy show called The Avengers. I was in lust with Emma Peel, played by Diana Riggs. I still remember her name! She was quite attractive.
So when The Avengers movie came out, I was pretty stoked. I wondered who would play Emma Peel?
Imagine my chagrin when I discovered....I was from a different decade. Or two. The Avengers is a comic book based movie, and it does not include Emma Peel and John Steed! Who knew? OK, anyone under 55 probably did, but not me.
And I heard Hawkeye was going to be in the area. I thought the character from M.A.S.H. was touring in the form of Alan Alda but nooooooo, old one, Hawkeye is a band. Or a singer. But he is not from Korea in the 50s. Again, who knew?
Earl Flatt and Lester Scruggs were old timey "country" music players. I still hear Luster Scruggs touring, but it does not seem to be the 865 year old banjo player I remember from my youth. Again, who knew????
I really think life is a cycle. What was new back in the 50s is back again, new again, same name but different beat and a different look.
Doesn't make it better, doesn't make it worse....just different.
And for us older guys, it does present problems. We are having enough trouble trying to heat up suppers in the fridge! Confusing us with similar names is just not nice!
After all, I still think the Rumble in the Jungle was the fight of the century....and that wasn't too long ago...was it?
I knew who he was, but for some reason it came out all wrong! He just looked like someone else and I get terribly confused.
It's not only people. Back in the 60s there was a British spy show called The Avengers. I was in lust with Emma Peel, played by Diana Riggs. I still remember her name! She was quite attractive.
So when The Avengers movie came out, I was pretty stoked. I wondered who would play Emma Peel?
Imagine my chagrin when I discovered....I was from a different decade. Or two. The Avengers is a comic book based movie, and it does not include Emma Peel and John Steed! Who knew? OK, anyone under 55 probably did, but not me.
And I heard Hawkeye was going to be in the area. I thought the character from M.A.S.H. was touring in the form of Alan Alda but nooooooo, old one, Hawkeye is a band. Or a singer. But he is not from Korea in the 50s. Again, who knew?
Earl Flatt and Lester Scruggs were old timey "country" music players. I still hear Luster Scruggs touring, but it does not seem to be the 865 year old banjo player I remember from my youth. Again, who knew????
I really think life is a cycle. What was new back in the 50s is back again, new again, same name but different beat and a different look.
Doesn't make it better, doesn't make it worse....just different.
And for us older guys, it does present problems. We are having enough trouble trying to heat up suppers in the fridge! Confusing us with similar names is just not nice!
After all, I still think the Rumble in the Jungle was the fight of the century....and that wasn't too long ago...was it?
Friday, May 1, 2015
oops....
I forgot a date to remember
I had my weekend all planned out: finish the raised gardens, move the dirt, install the railing, reseed and fertilize......
Then I got a phone call reminding me that I volunteered to be at the museum Saturday. All day. 11-4.
I did not remember the date, but I remembered volunteering.
I may only be there 11-2...jury is still out on that.
I know it's only three hours, but it comes in the middle of the day! I could try to get up and do some dirt sifting, but I don't get up early.
OK, dirt sifting. I know you are thinking I had a typo. I don't. I have a pile of dirt on the lot next door. There are rocks and other debris in the dirt. I bought some chicken wire, built a 2 ft by 3 ft. frame, and stretched the wire over the frame. Now I scoop up the dirt, throw it on top of the wire, shake it back and forth and the rocks get sorted out.
My arms are killing. me. (I used to ask fifth graders if their face hurt. If they asked why, I'd laugh and say "Cause it's killing me!" They did not laugh. But they also learned to ignore the question.)
Lifting, sifting, shoveling.....it's a drag on an old body like mine. But I did manage to fill one yard cart and move it to the raised garden. I have another cart started, and hopefully I can get that to the raised garden before it rains.
I have a tow behind spreader. I did not think (surprise) too clearly on how it works with my mower. In theory, you hook it to the tractor, start moving, reach back and open the hopper and spread whatever stuff you want merrily around your yard.
Unfortunately, the reach is about 3 feet. I can't reach it from the mower seat. If I open the hopper and don't move right away, seed or fertilizer just spills out.
So I have a 4 ft. pole (no, I am not making a joke about someone from a European country who is short. It's an actual pole.) and I start the mower, reach back with the pole, open the hopper and go like mad.
I have a zero turn radius mower and if I take my hands off the controls, it goes in weird directions.
If I was able to mark where I was going, it would look like a drunken lunatic was driving. Hopefully the grass will be evenly green and not have huge swatches of dark green, or dead, lawn.
Reseeding and fertilizer....done.
moving dirt pile.....one third done
finishing planters.....one half done
tired and sore....completely done
I had my weekend all planned out: finish the raised gardens, move the dirt, install the railing, reseed and fertilize......
Then I got a phone call reminding me that I volunteered to be at the museum Saturday. All day. 11-4.
I did not remember the date, but I remembered volunteering.
I may only be there 11-2...jury is still out on that.
I know it's only three hours, but it comes in the middle of the day! I could try to get up and do some dirt sifting, but I don't get up early.
OK, dirt sifting. I know you are thinking I had a typo. I don't. I have a pile of dirt on the lot next door. There are rocks and other debris in the dirt. I bought some chicken wire, built a 2 ft by 3 ft. frame, and stretched the wire over the frame. Now I scoop up the dirt, throw it on top of the wire, shake it back and forth and the rocks get sorted out.
My arms are killing. me. (I used to ask fifth graders if their face hurt. If they asked why, I'd laugh and say "Cause it's killing me!" They did not laugh. But they also learned to ignore the question.)
Lifting, sifting, shoveling.....it's a drag on an old body like mine. But I did manage to fill one yard cart and move it to the raised garden. I have another cart started, and hopefully I can get that to the raised garden before it rains.
I have a tow behind spreader. I did not think (surprise) too clearly on how it works with my mower. In theory, you hook it to the tractor, start moving, reach back and open the hopper and spread whatever stuff you want merrily around your yard.
Unfortunately, the reach is about 3 feet. I can't reach it from the mower seat. If I open the hopper and don't move right away, seed or fertilizer just spills out.
So I have a 4 ft. pole (no, I am not making a joke about someone from a European country who is short. It's an actual pole.) and I start the mower, reach back with the pole, open the hopper and go like mad.
I have a zero turn radius mower and if I take my hands off the controls, it goes in weird directions.
If I was able to mark where I was going, it would look like a drunken lunatic was driving. Hopefully the grass will be evenly green and not have huge swatches of dark green, or dead, lawn.
Reseeding and fertilizer....done.
moving dirt pile.....one third done
finishing planters.....one half done
tired and sore....completely done
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