Thanks & Welcome

To my new friend and follower, montanasmama. I promise to always answer your comments. Jerk a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and let's chat.

Again, thank you and welcome. You are now among friends.

Stephen

Pecans

Are so good. I've spent the last three hours with nutcracker in hand shelling several pounds of sweet Georgia pecans. It's tedious work. My right hand has had a good workout.

The market for shelled pecans in our region is $11.35 per pound. Remember, three hours of work.

I figure it took me ten minutes to eat about twenty-three dollars worth.

Ahh, so good.

Stephen

Thanks & Welcome

To my surprise two nice ladies reached over and clicked my follower button and I thank and welcome you both.

The first is Peggy of Hidden Haven Homestead Too. She's a grandmother with two and half acres of land and raises various farm animals and a darn good writer...please, take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and run over and read. Give me a few minutes and I'll list her on my links. 

Then we have Sue. Sue is a very good friend of our very own sweet kymber.

My new friends, I promise to always answer your comments. It might take me a few hours, or days, perhaps even a week or two (the case lately) but I shall answer...count on it.

Again, thank you each very much, and welcome. You are now among friends.

Stephen

Tagged

By my friend, Mystic Mud. She must have it in for me...anyway, I'm supposed to answer five questions.

Here goes.

Question number one - If you could pick a super power, what would it be?

The ability to travel through time.

Question number two - If you could spend the day with someone (famous or not, still alive or not) who would it be?

Christ. Then again, he might whip my butt and send me home to try and live my life correctly the second time around. So, perhaps I should chose someone like Ernest Hemingway...we'd at least have Paris in common.

Question number three - have you ever won a contest, award, or prize.

Yes, many. I've won several in the martial arts. Two or three for other odd accomplishments, but my all time favorite was for my venison chili, a blue ribbon. Hey, it was two days of hard work.

Question number four - tell us something about yourself that we don't already know.

This is a tough one. I'm kinda private, believe it or not. Let's see....total blank here. Okay, I'm a hopeless romantic. A very devoted friend when you've gained my trust.

Then we come to - I dare you, no double dog dare you, to take a picture of your desk where you keep your computer and post it without cleaning the desk first.

Well, Mystic, I've done so several times already. But, since I'm still at home, I have no desk. So, let's see if I can find one of the old ones. Stand by.

Here you have it...my desk. Not cleaned. It's from a few months ago.

I wasn't requested to tag anyone, and I won't. Play if you like.

Stephen

Noah At Least Had A Boat

Sorry for the lack of posts today. I was busy dealing with a broken main water line. It's been a long day and I'm tired. It was hard to sit in a chair and watch men work. It wore me out - really.

See you tomorrow and good night.

Stephen

Thanks & Welcome

Another nice person hit my little blue button, sometime last night. My new friend and follower is Guffaw. He writes the great blog Guffaw in AZ.  It's a daily must read of politics and firearms related issues. I highly recommend it. Please, drive on down and say hello.

My friend, I promise to always answer your comments. Don't be a stranger.

Again, thanks and welcome to my humble blog. You are now among friends.

Stephen

It's The Little Things

I pulled into my son's driveway and shut the truck off and waited. I was early. The engine ticked and pinged as it cooled under a light rain. It had been twenty days since I'd made this drive. When my watch said 0715 I walked to the front door and knocked.

She ran outside and screamed, "Papa."  Then jumped into my arms.

She took me by my hand and walked me back to the truck and when inside she began to chant, "Me and Papa, Me and Papa." I smiled. We were back to normal.

"Papa."

"Yes, Sweetheart."

"Did Nana say you could come get me."

"Yes, Nana gave me permission. She said it'd be good for me and you."

"Nana's smart, isn't she Papa." Before I could answer (yes) she said, "I get a real breakfast this morning. Papa, I want a breakfast burrito and hash browns, and I want an apple pie too. Okay, Papa."

The rain intensified. She reached and took my hand. Her's was warm and soft. "Little Bit, what have you been eating for breakfast?"

"Poptarts."

"Just poptarts?"

"Yes, Papa, and they don't even warm them."  Black thoughts on my mind...

I controlled my anger. It was too nice a morning and I had my Little Bit, and I was happy. Then, "Papa, can you pick me up after school?"

"Not today, Sweetheart. Maybe on Monday." She'd taken a book from her bag and was reading to me. She has a beautiful voice. "Okay, Papa."

After breakfast we're sitting in front of her school. She's in my lap. Then, "Papa are you finished being sick now?"

"Not completely, Honey, but Papa feels better." She smiled and gave me a few butterfly kisses. Then reached into her bag and and took out an envelope. "I made you a Valentine's Day card Papa. I got one for Nana too."

I read her card and thanked her and gave her a kiss. Then, she sat back and put on her waiting face. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I smiled and took her back into my arms. Said, "Honey, Papa hasn't had a chance to buy you a card yet, but I promise, on the way home I will."

Back at me she said, "Papa, it's okay. I know you love me and besides I get to spend Sunday night with you and then Monday too 'cause schools out and you know what?"

"What?"

"Monday's my birthday." 

 I'd forgotten.

I made a few stops on my way home.

Stephen