Autumn

Autumn

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Rambling

I've followed the CBS program Sunday Morning since the early 1970's, even though I detest left wing celebrity worship media, I like the show.

I read my Sunday paper as the program streams in the background. Once in while I'll drop the paper and give my attention to bits and pieces of the show. My point, heck I don't know. I'm conflicted. I watch a hour and a half program for the last ten seconds of nature.

Hear the elk...

*****

As she dressed for church I slapped on a skillet of hash browns and cracked eggs and tossed bread in for toast. After the coffee maker began its dance I flipped the kitchen towel over my shoulder and went outside for my morning paper.

Our weather has turned towards nice. The river is flat this morning. The scent of marsh is thick and pleasant - and I found a squirrel turd. Large oaks overhang our driveway and the little tree rats love to splat the concert with their droppings. As I examined my new found treasure I felt a presence. It was the poodle walker. He's a retired doctor. Lives across the street. The doc is about four foot nothing and prances around the neighborhood with a mangy poodle tied to his hand.

He seldom if ever glances my way as we have personal issues. His poodle likes to dump own my lawn. I know this because I clean its mess. I know the doc knows and he knows I know his mutt poops on my grass. Get it...

We don't like each the other and one of these days, as I once told him, I'll catch the critter in its act. Not exactly sure what I'll do, I mean, I'm an easy enough fella to get along with and I reserve violence only for those that intend harm to me or mine. I believe everyone deserves a second chance, but him and his poodle just might push my unfriendly button.

I'm fairly certain the doc doesn't like me, after all, he walks poodles and I shoot squirrels and paper images of democritters. So, there I am, with my rare piece of squirrel poop in hand, dish towel over my right shoulder, newspaper tucked under my arm on a beautiful Sunday morning wrapped in the peace of the moment when along comes the poodle walker. The poodle tugs at its leash, its beady eyes locked on my grass with a full load in wait of a download.

"No, Sabrina, no."

For Pete's sake, he called it, Sabrina. See what I mean...hey, if you're gonna walk a poodle at least give it a badass name. Something like, Killer or Deathray or Doom.

The poodle walker flicks me a quick glance and strains to control his two pound bundle of fury. Then, "Oh, good morning. Whatcha got there?"

"Squirrel poop."

"Sabrina, no. Come back here. Get away."

"Want it?"

I mean, after all, how often does one find a piece of squirrel poop. I extended my find.

"My, God, no. Are you cooking breakfast? Shouldn't you wash your hands...I mean, well, that's filthy and those things carry germs."

I'd forgotten the dish towel. "Yep, as a matter of fact if that rat on a leash dumps in my yard I'll have fried poodle for breakfast." Fast on my feet, I am...

He jerks the poodle into his arms and soon his tiny little legs carry him across the street. I yelled and once again offered him the squirrel poop but he never glanced back.

Weird little fella...

*****

I need to climb from this chair and run finance five gallons of premium gasoline. After my lovely wife arrives home from church we have plans to wash our travel trailer. It's way past time. I'll use my pressure washer and of course I'm slap out of premium gas. I only use the 'ole high test for all my small engined equipment.

After a years neglect the trailer is dirty and its roof holds at least a ton of leaves. Well, maybe not a ton but it is a mess. We've given thought of placing it on the market. Not sure yet. It's a pain to use and to tell you the truth, a waste of space. She's suggested a big tent. I'm thinking, depending on our budget, maybe down the road we'll look at a small class 'c' motorhome. Not sure yet. If we can't pay cash its just a pipe dream.

Either way our afternoon will be spent wet. We should take this time and also unload all the gear. Its full of stuff...canned goods, kitchen gear, two short wave radios, spare clothing, flashlights, medical kits and reference books and novels, three nice gas masks with spare filters, dutch ovens, rope and buckets and a cast net. Fishing gear with tackle boxes, Coleman lanterns and stoves and fuel for same. Like I said, lots of stuff. Then, where do I store all this gear.

Lord only knows.

You know, now that I think about it....a tent might just fit the bill.

 (No, the classic canned ham trailer pictured is not ours. It's a stock photo off Google. Nice, isn't it.)

Stephen



39 comments:

  1. Those trailers have a following. Several of my female relatives belong to "Sisters on the Fly".
    http://www.sistersonthefly.com/

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    1. There's a fella I follow on YouTube that rebuilds old canned hams from the ground up. He does fine work. His website is called, Canned Ham Trailers....thanks, my friend.

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  2. Replies
    1. I just don't understand his refusal. Squirrel turds are hard to find...

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  3. I'd have paid cash money to see the look on the retired munchkin's face when you said those words ... LOL!

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  4. You are quicker than I am. I think of a snappy comeback 15 minutes after it is needed. Well played...

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    1. Vicki, I was a bit sarcastic with my words....I not usually that quick on the comeback. Thank you, Sweet Lady.

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  5. I stopped watching anything on the alphabet networks. My hope is enough eventually follow my path and they go out of business.

    As far as what my enemy is thinking? I already know that. I want to limit their resources.

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    1. Jess, I understand. My television habits are limited. Unfortunately we are far out numbered by the celebrity worshipers. Thanks, my friend.

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  6. Must be something in the air. We just finished pressure washing the back patio, side porch, driveway skirting & the front walkway.

    And, that show has always been one of my favorite.

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    1. Speaking of your husband I must now pay him a visit....seems the pump on my fancy German pressure washer is kaput. I sincerely hope he doesn't fleece me....

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    2. Oh, forgot the smiley face thingy....

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    3. You know he's as fair as anyone can get. Remember our conversation regarding Turner Ace during hurricane season.?

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    4. I know, Sugar....just jerking your leg.

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  7. Priceless. You should take a photo of him or the mutt for lead slinging. Your trailer sounds like more of a store room??? Enjoy your day wet or dry.

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    1. Thanks, Rob...it was fun. The wife tells me she can't take me anywhere in public since I tend to embarrass her something awful. No, the TT isn't a storage room its actually part of my bugout plan. Its very well stocked. I hate to lose it but it's time for us to downsize.

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    2. Can you park it at the nest?? Cover with a camo trap or something??

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    3. No, I'd rather keep it here...kinda under lock and key if you will. Then load and run.

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  8. I absolutely despise people who let their dogs poop in my yard. I want throttle those who walk their dogs on a leash and allow the dog to pull towards the yard and poop, all the while the owner watches. I have resorted to sharp words. One woman said, "Well, he has to go somewhere." "Then, take it to YOUR yard!" She: "But, I don't have a yard." She lives in an apt with the horse-sized dog. I suggested she let it poop on the grounds. But, Noooo, the apt manager won't allow it. I screamed at her to come clean it up as she passed the house. It turns out that the huge fanny pack she wore was where she carried poop. But, she was going to try to leave it.

    Picture a pound of poop from her dog-horse right by the mail box EVERYDAY.
    Practical Parsimony

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    1. Perhaps you should find a nice baseball bat...or better yet, borrow a dog and replay in kind...me, I'm thinking about a midnight stroll with a roll of toilet paper.

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    2. That mean I would have to stalk her back to her apt. And, then I would not hurt her at all because the apt manager would have to clean up all the tp. That bitch and her bitch could outrun me, and I would be a maniac with a baseball bat. When I saw her coming down the street, I would sit in the car in the driveway and scare the daylights out of her as I came out roaring at her. I carry a bbq fork and wasp spray and tell her what I have and to keep moving. It is good thing I don't own a gun.
      Practical Parsimony in case anyone is confused.

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  9. You give and you give . . .

    If you need a leash for your dog, you need a clean up bag too. Part of the price of keeping a mutt. Back home my dog is smart enough to wander out into the woods. Other places, I just do the clean up. My dog after all.

    Love that little trailer. Reminds me of one my folks had when I a kid.

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    1. Thanks, my friend. He's one of those that just stands idly by as their critter dumps their loads....then pretends nothing happened. I've taken shovel fulls of his gifts and returned them to his yard...I always give fair warning.

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    2. I hope you sling the shovel full of poop some place not easily cleaned up, like on his front door! Or someplace on the car.

      Practical Parsimony, revealed

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    3. I've slung it all over his yard, as has a couple of neighbors. He just doesn't seem to get it. I hate being vindictive....no really, I do.

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    4. Stephen,
      I hate to be vindictive, too. So, I have a rich fantasy like that is so satisfying, about what I could, would do. lol

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  10. I think a poodle shaped bullet ridden target leaning on a nearby by tree would work wonders.... (I'm mean tonight Grrrr)

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    1. Not a bad idea...i'd probably get a few smart remarks from some rat's peanut gallery.

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  11. I love the light bulb moment when u realize all the stuff u need to unpack...especially the gas masks and filters.after reading this to my hubby he mentioned they are probably for use on chili nights ...u know small spaces and su c h at least with a tent u would have ventilation!

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    1. Indeed...hadn't thought of netting. Our granddaughter used to love to play in my travel trailer. Those memories make it hard for my wife to even look at it...thus, most of the reason it'll be placed on the market. Memories are killing....

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  12. Stephen, if you decide to part with your trailer, would you keep me in mind? If the price is within a disabled pensioner's reach, I'm interested. You'll find my e-mail address in my blog profile if you need it.

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    1. Yes, Peter, I certainly will keep you in mind. Please let me remind you the picture of the little trailer in my post isn't mine, just a stock photo. My girl is a 2005 18' Pilgrim designed for 'Boondocking.' She rides high with plenty of ground clearance. Her fresh water tanks hold a bit over sixty gallons of fresh water, where most others hold thirty. Her black water tank is forty gallons deep. I also have a portable black water tank, which is towable that will be a part of the package. The trailer has a full bath with tub, shower, and a porcelain toilet, not plastic. Large queen bed with storage beneath. Two LP tans, filled. And of course a/c, LP range w/oven, nice small refrigerator and microwave, stereo, and we'll throw in a small television/DVD set which has never been used. Stabilizer bars too. Ah, heck, I might just keep it...but I let you know.

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  13. Keep a bottle of Marvel Mystery Oil, Seafoam, or Yamalube handy for your small engines and just add some to whatever ol' gas you have. Those products will help with the ethanol issue and stabilize the gas. Octane is not an issue, regular 87 gas is fine for your 4-stroke lawn mower, pressure washer, etc.

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  14. Thanks, my friend, that is a great idea. I currently use a cap full of Seafoam as recommended by a friend of mine that is a marine mechanic...but I hadn't thought of Marvel's Mystery oil...used it as a kid. Again, thanks a lot.

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  15. You don't need both. One or the other. I use Marvel because it was wildly, enthusiastically recommended by a couple small engine mechanics I happened to chat with. One keeps the small engines for a large fire department and the other for a local hardware store.

    When a serious storm is forecast during hurricane or blizzard season I fill the gas cans and add a dose of Marvel and dry gas. I've never had any trouble with the engines. Of course I never keep that gas longer than a few months - it goes in the autos between storm seasons.

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    1. Thanks, Bubba...little red bottle on my list.

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