Thanks & Welcome

To my new friend, Larry of Last Refuge of a Scoundrel. Larry I promise to always reply to your comments. My response might take a few hours, even days if my life gets complicated, but trust me I shall reply.

To my other friends I ask, please, run over and say hello to Larry. He's a grandfather, retired from the Navy and an all around nice person.

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

Stephen

Short and Sweet

Since two people I love most in this world are female, this struck home with me.

H/T Oleg Volk

Stephen

Blog of the Week

It's been awhile since I've posted a blog of the week. Holidays kind of 'got in the way.'

As you well know I have certain criteria when it comes to my blog picks. First, I like to list those blogs I feel are overlooked, those with few followers. Second, the author must write, keep the old cut and paste to a bare minimum. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing at all wrong with cut and paste, but when it's the main course...well, it doesn't catch my attention.
Third, I like to read blogs by authors of 'like minds.' With world views that reflect my taste, not only in politics but life. You know, the important stuff; firearms, and the outdoors, family, food and cooking, books, and politics, art, homesteading and preparedness issues. Life.

I've found my man. MSgt B of My Muse Shanked . He's a sharp writer. Witty. He's one of us.

Please, run over and say hello. I'm sure he'd appreciate a kind word and a few new followers. Warning, for those of you not 'used to' military language, be warned.

Thanks,

Stephen

Bits & Pieces

It's been a morning of technical difficulties. First thing this morning I find my internet connection down for the count. Hit the phone. Two hours later a dude appears at my door, which is a miracle. Dude checks out my modem, then walks back outside. Repeat. Twice. Said, "Hey, man, we gotta rewire the whole system from the pole back to your business."

In the meantime I'm dealing with customers, writing checks for the first of the month accounts, and answer fifteen phone calls an hour with buttwipes that want to sell me their version of a card scanner.

Comcast dude, at noon, checks my system and said all is well, have a good day. Finally.

I take a break, close my shop and jump into my truck to make a run to the bank. I turn into the commercial line with my deposit at ready. Pretty lady at the window said, "Sorry, our computers are down."  Bang head on steering wheel.

Click

Today was Little Bit's first day back to school. I pick her up at our regular time, she's climbs into my truck, she makes adjustments to my radio, heater fan, and then buckles her seat belt. Down the road she begins to wrap herself around my arm.

Then, "Papa."

"What, Honey."

"There's nothing like a good 'ole Papa arm, and Papa truck. It sure is nice to be back to normal."

I'm telling 'ya, this little girl can tie my heart into knots.

Stephen

Sorry

My internet connection is down. Back ASAP. Posted from my Dingleberry.

Monday, isn't It?

I'm lost. I haven't had this much time off in a very long time and it has me whacked out. Disconcerting indeed.

This is just a short note to let you, my friends, know I'll be back later this evening. I've set a heavy agenda of housework for the day. Still have a bit more of Christmas to pack and hump into the attic. Some yard work now that a cold front has moved into our area, and other odd bits and pieces to finish.

Little Bit went home last night with her Dad. Hey, get this - he asked me about 'get home bags.' I damned near jumped for joy. My son, asked me to help him put together a bag.....I now know there is a Lord in Heaven.

He then freaked me out when he then asked if I thought he should purchase more ammunition for his weapons.

Perhaps 2012 won't be so bad after all.

Stephen

The Aftermath

The Christmas tree sits sadly outside. Most of the ornaments are packed; bits and pieces are scattered here and there around the house, waiting. This 'taking down and putting away' process takes us several hours.

As items are loaded and the containers are locked or taped, I heft and carry them out to the garage where I stack them. Later I'll begin the hard part - the hard hump up and into the attic. Not sure how many years I have left in me for this kind of work.

What was the old man's name, oh, Scott Nearing, the fella that homesteaded up in New England. I always admired the old fellas work ethnic, his wife Helen's too. He busted butt until the day he decided to say the hell with it and stretched out and died at the age of one hundred. Hated his politics, but that's neither here nor there.

Not sure I have it in me. We'll see.

Rambling here - anyway, just wanted to let you know we're hard at it, this first day of 2012. Little Bit has been a great help. She's only become upset with Papa once. I'd grabbed the vacuum cleaner without her permission. I stood corrected, she then gave me a hug and told me in no uncertain words never to touch her gear again...said, 'yes dear.'

 Have a good day, and until later.

Stephen