Time Passes so Quickly

I have just discovered that I haven't posted for over 2 months. I have had company, done some artsy-craftsy things and read a whole lot of books in that time. My brother and sister in law were here for 3 weeks in June. They had their respective 55th class reunions, so they used my home as their base camp. We had a whole lot of good times while they were here and the time ended all too soon.

I have visited my daughter in the Big City twice since I last wrote. We ate a lot and had a bunch of laughs. Her step-son was here visiting them for a month from Florida, and it was great to see the young man. I only see him once or twice a year, but he is now 17 and is 6' 5" tall. He said his doc says he can expect to grow taller even. Funny thing is, his dad is only about 5'9", and his mother is short!!  I suppose in some generation there was height. He's a great kid, smart and funny, and will be a senior this coming year. He has decided he wants to come back to Indiana to go to college. We are hopeful. He would be welcomed with open arms.

Let's see, what else has happened. Oh, we found out that my son's new addition to their family is going to be a girl. She will arrive on or around 10/10/16. That will make two of each for them. They will range from 0 to 8 years in age.  We are all excited and trying to come up with names is not only hard, it's freakin' hilarious!  They were so sure that it was going to be another boy that they haven't even thought about girl's names.  It's been fun making suggestions. My favorite is Kara Elizabeth, but I don't think either of the parents like my choice. I think since this will be their last one, and I am the only living grandparent, I should be allowed to name this new arrival, don't you?  (preferred answer would be to comment a big "YES").

I have been learning the craft of "art journaling." It's been fun and a challenge. If you aren't familiar with the term, look it up on the internet. There are websites, and blogs and videos dedicated to this art form. I am just getting started, so my stuff looks rather amateurish, but it's fun and passes the time on these hot sultry summer days when it's too  warm and muggy to be outside. (I much prefer being housebound by snow and ice.) Anyway, I am learning and being kept busy, so that's a good thing.

I had to have a plumber last week for the first time since moving into this home 24 years ago last month. A copper pipe leading from the "main" developed 3 pinholes about the size of a pencil lead and was spraying water all over my cellar. Bear in mind that there's nothing down there that requires my attention, just furnace, water heater and softener, so I don't go there very often. About every 3 months to change furnace filters is all. The softener serviceman discovered the leak. After receiving the plumber's bill, I decided that all the years I worked, I was in the wrong business. Zowie!! But he and his helper came promptly, fixed the problem the way it needed to be fixed, so I am not complaining too loudly. I was just shocked a little at the labor cost for only being here an hour. But, I also realize that these two guy are just trying to make a living being small businessmen.

Well, that's it in a few paragraphs of what's been going on. Maybe I won't wait so long to post again. And, maybe, just maybe, I will post some pics of my new craft of "art journaling."

Until Next Time,
Peace,
JE

Traffic in a small town

I live in a small town. (Sounds like an old Mellencamp song, doesn't it!) Not village small, but the usual small mid-America town of about 11,000 people. We have two N and S state highways and one E and W US highway running through town.  On state highway 15, on the north side of town are all the fast-food restaurants, banks and shopping areas.  The city planners, bless their hearts, thought that letting Burger King, Hardee's, Wendys, Taco Bell and Arby's build on the north side of town, they would be closer to the US highway dual lane 24.  Okay, that's good. But they didn't plan an access road, so all of these things, plus 3 banks, 2 strip malls, a church, a furniture store, and 2 pizza parlors all have open access to 15, or Cass Street as it is called withing the city limits.  Anyone wanting to make a left out of any of these businesses is stuck waiting. I have waited behind cars for up to 10 minutes trying to go left. Now, if I am at any one of the businesses, I just make a right and go WAY out of my way to get home.

I live in East Central, an old part of town, so to get to any of the businesses, including Walmart, I have to travel north. I am finding it easier to use surface streets to get the the dual lane then head to Cass Street coming back into town from the north. It's frustrating, too, because the city is working on some of the surface streets, especially one called Alber Street, which is a main surface street headed north, and it is closed to through traffic.

All in all, it's just easier to stay home!  Or go South, through the downtown area, and 16 miles South to another town where they have the usual array of fast food places, and a Hobby Lobby.

I guess getting older makes me somewhat impatient, but waiting 10 minutes to make a left turn would make anyone develop a bit of "road rage."

Until next time,
Peace,
JE

Another birthday, another year!

Today is my birthday!!! Wow! #71. Where the hell did the time go?  When I look back at my life, I have to ask myself that question. It seems like only yesterday that I was handed my high school diploma and began my "adult" life.

My life has had many bumps and curves and even some slow and "danger" signs along the way, but never has it had a "stop" sign. Maybe if it had, my life would have been a bit different.  Who knows? And at this late date, who cares?

As I reminisce, I realize that I had the chance to have the one great love of my life.  We shared 38+ great years together. Even though our life together was cut short way too soon, I wouldn't change one thing about our time together.  I have two wonderful children and 4 (going on 5) grandchildren, all who help keep me young and centered.  I have great friends who make my life more interesting and fun.  I was lucky enough to come from a home with two parents who not only loved each other, but loved me to the moon and back. I have an older brother who accepts me, warts and all, and has been the best teacher, especially in the area of "do it, just don't get caught by Mom."

My life is full. What more can a fella ask?  So, if it's okay with all of you, I am going to lift a glass of wine and toast myself. And hope for many more years to celebrate this great life I have been given!

Until next time,
Peace,
JE

Brotherly Love

Right now I have the privilege of having my brother visiting.  He flew here from Texas on Sunday last, and will be here for a few weeks.  His wife, being the brave soul that she is, decided to take a "total immersion" Spanish language experience.  She is residing with a Mexican family in Puebla, Mexico, attending class for 4 hours a day and also has one-on-one instruction each day plus homework!!! ( At age 73, this woman is either one brave lady, or she's NUTS!)   She is gone for 3 weeks, so Brother decided to come visit me as he had no desire to go to Mexico nor did he wish to stay by himself for 3 weeks.

We are having a blast of a time.  We have toured some of our old "stomping grounds," drank a lot of wine and beer and eaten well. I am the chief cook, he is the bottle washer!  This seems to be working. Yesterday, he and I assembled my new gas grill, so I predict some outdoor cooking over the weekend. It is my understanding that my daughter and her BFF are coming to take us both out for dinner this evening. That should be fun.

It is totally a different experience to be "living" once again with the guy I grew up with. And totally different. I am finally bigger than he is!  He is 2+years older than me, and has always been the big brother, both physically and emotionally.  I think that he finally realizes that I grew up and matured just as he did.  We are now equal!! Well, sorta!  He will always be better in math than I am. He knows more about traveling than I do as they have traveled the world extensively down through the years. He will always be good at sports...something I was not!  But he can't sing a note, or draw, or craft, or dance a step. So, I got him on some things! Not that it makes one whit of difference now. All those things that made us different and caused numerous tiffs as we grew up, have faded into the past.

Now we just enjoy sitting, having a glass of wine, and scratching where it itches!  We are having a bang-up time remembering old times, discussing politics and our children and grandchildren.  That, my dear friends is....priceless!

Until next time,

Peace,
JE

He ain't heavy, he's my brother!

Lookin' Good

Or maybe I should say "Good Lookin'"

Not to be overshadowed by the "big sister" drama queen, the grandsons needed to be included. They are two very handsome guys.  And as different as night and day. Of course, we wouldn't want them any other way.

Until next time,
Peace,
JE

Beautifulness!

This is my beautiful granddaughter in her Easter dress and sparkling shoes. So much beautifulness in a small package. I told my son that in a few years he'd be beating the guys off with a bat. He said, "No, I am licensed to carry." Enough said!

Until next time,
Peace,
JE

Just for Fun!

Found this and copied it from a fellow blogger. Thought it might be a way for readers to get to know me a little bit better. Maybe, I just posted it for the fun of it!

Four names I go by:  Dad, Jim, Sparkie, Papa

Four tunes I adore:  Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, “Does He Love You,” “Baby Grand,” “Canon in D.”

Four things I hate: spiders, broccoli, rudeness, and high winds.

Four places I have worked: a lumber company, a sporting goods store, GenCorp Automotive, and our public Middle School.

Four things I love to watch: Youtube videos, good movies, sunsets, and people doing what they do.

Four places I have visited: Old “Cowtown” in Ft. Worth, Gettysburg Battlefield, Disneyland, and Bad Axe, Michigan.

Four things I love to eat: Rib-eye steak, baked corn, Rosemary’s sugar cookies, and biscuits and gravy.

Four favorite drinks: Coca Cola, Margaritas, Jameson’s, and Dos Equis.

Four shows/plays: Les Miserables, Rent, A Chorus Line, and Jesus Christ, Superstar .

Four things I am happily anticipating: Spring, Billy Joel in concert, Summer, arrival of grandchild #5 in the fall.

Four things I am dreading: changing physicians (mine’s retiring), next prostate exam, next winter, and doing the next load of laundry (always).

Four items on my bucket list:  a trip to Nova Scotia, reading all of Shakespeare’s works, spending a winter where it’s warm, laying on an ocean beach somewhere.

Until next time,

Peace,

JE