Pate

This evening I did a quick run to the market, grabbed a few things and marked each from my list. The very last item on my scrap of paper was liver pate. 

I searched and searched. Isle after isle. I threw in the towel and like a good boy moved towards the front of the store and raised my hand for help.

Finally, a young man walks over and asked if he could be of assistance. I asked where they'd hidden the pate. He mumbled. I said, "Excuse me?"

"What's 'dat?"

I explained. Then repeated my request to five other store employees and one manager after I gave each an education in liver pate.

How sad. The number one food market in the state and a regional manager asked what one ate with a liver paste. Said he'd never in his life heard of pate.

Then again, I'm fairly certain he voted for Obama.

I just ordered a case of Sell's at Amazon.com. 

Stephen 

Tick, tick, tick

Trust me...

Soon.

(Edit to add, for some odd reason Blogger will not allow me to reply to comments. Any ideas?)

Stephen

Good Morning

I'm very sorry for my absence. It hasn't been an easy week.

Our weather has been unsettled with rain and windy conditions. Perfect for a book and coffee but awful for business and yard work. I suppose I shall break down and hire a truck load of democrats and have them take on the job of my long neglected yard. I just haven't the time.

The mother in law has retreated. She arrived home safe and sound and reported she had a wonderful time and her care was graded as, adequate. She also informed Sweet Wife she'd miss my meals. I smiled.

During her stay she recruited my wife as tour guide on her hunt for a new home. Early yesterday the two ladies descended a series of concrete steps. Sweet Wife, ever attentive to her elderly mother's needs, took her hand as they descended the steps. In the process Sweet Wife forget her own safety and fell. She landed hard.

Later, after I arrived home I remarked it looked as if she'd gone three rounds with Floyd Patterson. My lovely wife had scrapes, bruises, and cuts. Unfortunately when she fell she landed on her bad shoulder and arm. Six weeks of physical therapy out the window. She's fine, just sore.

*****

How, pray tell, do those very beautiful Fox ladies hold their legs in the crossed position for hours on end.

*****

Last evening in the quiet I read. I'm an easy man to please. Give me a good book and either a hot cup of fresh coffee or tea and the satisfaction of my life is complete.

Late, she steps into the family room and said, "Bed time." I turned the music off and afterwards, in the dark, the book came back to haunt me. I adjusted my pillow and eased to my side and flipped the switch of my bedside light. I took my reading glasses and once again lost myself in words of a past age.

I read far into the morning. At some point she rolled over, moaned, then flipped her beautiful green eyes my way..."Is it that good?"

"Yes," I said.

Another gentle moan, "You're hopeless."

"True, but you love me in spite of it."

"Yes, but much less so if you don't turn off that light."

I complied.

Stephen



 

Thanks and Welcome

To my two new friends, Woody and Ronnie Jay. Gentlemen, I promise to always reply to your comments. It sometimes takes me a few hours, even days, but count on it, I will answer.

Again, thank you and welcome.

Stephen

I Have

A blackberry patch, and the berries are ripe. Deep black juicy tiny bits of goodness which offers your tongue a baptism of juice when eaten fresh from the vine.

My patch is located at the rear of my shop and takes space along the fence and many of the berries are red with future goodness.

Isn't it strange where we find our little pleasures in life...

For instance the news has arrived that my best friend, my long time pal, blood brother in crime and travel and hobbies, Duke, has squeezed several gallons of fresh Florida citrus. There isn't a doubt in my mind his juice and my blackberries would offer a wonderful combination treat.

With this fact in mind rush forth and bug the heck out of him until he hand delivers at least two gallons of nectar.

I shall await results.

Stephen
 

The Egg and I

Tomorrow morning I'd like to wake and find this pictured breakfast on my table.

It's been many years since I've had a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg with toast points.

It's only a dream you know...more than likely my breakfast will consist of a stale granola bar and a cup of coffee.

At least I can dream.

Stephen

Bits & Pieces

Allow me, please, a moment to again shake the dog bone. Only because I've had several emails from good friends and followers with questions about the purchase of silver.

I mentioned to one good friend that perhaps they should also include fractional shares of silver bars among their stash of one ounce coins and rounds. If you have a nice little pouch of fractional silver pieces such as - tenths, thirds, quarters, half and other odd gram weights, it is possible the odd eight point eighth piece of silver might turn the table in your favor at the local market.

As an example below we have a one third troy ounce silver bar. The reverse has a skull and cross bones. As always please excuse my very poor photography. 

Above, I've given you a hint as to where you might purchase such tiny pieces of silver. My knife is placed as scale. This piece arrived in the morning mail. The cute little booger actually weighs a fraction over its stamped weight and indeed tested pure. I only test my first purchase when dealing with a new business. The test acid will leave a flaw in the piece.

I also strongly suggest, if you make a habit of precious metals investments, and take physical possession of the metals, the purchase of scales. Since I'm very old fashioned I still use balance scales. Mine are old...I guess those new fangled digital things would suffice.

I know it's darn hard to tell from this picture but my one third piece actually weighed a bit heavy...I liked the little mint erred to my credit.

Sorry about the blurred picture.

Above, ten grams of silver. Hint to Atlantis Mint. Please be careful and make sure its stamped .999, not .925 which is sterling. If it is indeed sterling, make sure the price is adjusted lower.

I keep my little scale in my satchel. It also comes in handy for jewelry.

Above, folded.

As you can see its not much bigger than my knife.

I enjoy the trade of silver for goods and services. Just yesterday I sold a low grade revolver for several ounces of silver. The gentleman paid with American Silver Eagles. He walked out with a smile and I loved that soft tink when the pieces were dropped into my leather pouch. 

I should make a point about price. I try and keep my purchases within just a few dollars of spot. Many though, collect these tiny pieces as art, and think nothing about paying far more than the current market price. You decide.

*****

The shop was busy yesterday. I was distracted and just this side of aggravated when my cell phone beeped. An email. I grabbed the sucker and quickly glanced at the email.

Here is what I found.....

**

I really hope you get this fast. I could not inform anyone about our trip, because it was impromptu. we had to be in Philippines for Tour..  The program was successful, but our journey has turned sour. we misplaced our wallet and cell phone on our way back to the hotel we lodge in after we went for sight seeing. The wallet contained all the valuables we had. Now, our passport is in custody of the hotel management pending when we make payment.

I am sorry if i am inconveniencing you, but i have only very few people to run to now. i will be indeed very grateful if i can get a short term loan   from you(2,550). this will enable me sort our hotel bills and get my sorry self back home. I will really appreciate whatever you can afford in assisting me with. I promise to refund it in full as soon as soon as I return. let me know if you can be of any assistance. Please, let me know soonest. Thanks so much.

 

**

 

This email was supposedly sent by my cousin. Let's call her, Glynda. The two of us, as they say, grew up together. There isn't a gnats difference in our age. She's about a month younger or older, I forget, the point is we were very close. I loved and still love her very much indeed.

 

Since I was so very busy, like I've said, I didn't read the text very carefully. I thought, damn, she's in trouble. Anyway, I went about my business as sad thoughts floated about my mind. 

 

I know Manilla, lived there for six months. Its full of thieves and pick pockets, easy to believe she was in serious trouble. But, something bothered me about the letter. I again removed my phone and this time read it carefully. Scam. Just to make sure I sent her a quick text and asked if she and her husband were home. She phoned back within seconds.

Seems her computer was hacked. The hackers had cleaned out her contact list. She'd received hundreds of phone calls. Then she said, "Don't respond."

Too late.

I'd sent a reply that said, "Contact the U.S. Embassy." Me, felt like an idiot. Changed my email password.

Oh well.

*****

Time for coffee, later.

Stephen