I’m Alive

Just a short entry to let you all know that I am still alive and kicking.  It has been so hectic here with traveling and babysitting and just doing “stuff”, I have neglected my space.  Ok, so shoot me. Lol  

As far as traveling is concerned it seems like all I do is go to Texas.  This past week I went to Houston and flew back. Spent the night in Huntsville, Texas.  Texas State Prison is there and one of the drivers I was with surprised me and said his brother in law was a resident there. He did not seem interested in visiting him though. Lol  

Last Friday night I stayed in Denton, Texas.  A nice motel, free hot buffet breakfast, yippee, and it was next door to “Hooters” restaurant.  The food there was ok but it was too noisy for me.  Too many men getting spanked because they said it was their birthday. Lol  

Sorry it has been so long since I have been around. Will try today to get to all my dear friends here in blogland. 

Enjoy,

Ed

Two Short Trips

It was two short trips this week. Trip #1 was up to Grand Island, Nebraska. We took 5 vans up to help open a new territory for the company.  Did you know that Nebraska once had an island 40 miles long?  Yep, it was “Grand Island”.  The surronding branches of the Platte River formed it.  That trip was on Monday and Tuesday.

Wednesday and Thursday I helped take 2 vans down to Childress, Texas. The photo showing is from Shamrock, Texas about 50 miles north of Childress. I really enjoy seeing restored buildings and businesses along the old Historic Route 66. 

We are having a stretch of perfect weather here this week.  My son’s 21’st birthday is next week.  Any ideas of how to keep it sober??? Lol Have a great and enjoyable weekend.

Enjoy,

Ed

Busy Springtime

Why is it that springtime is always so busy? I thought that when I retired that I would be able to sit back and just let spring happen. That has not happened. Lol 

I can’t even count the days it has been since I was able to sit down here at the computer and type a blog. Anyway, I am sure everyone is as busy as I am so we all understand about being absent for a while from blog land.  Since my last post I have made a couple of trips. One was to Trinidad.  No, not the Bahamas, (I wish), no: this Trinidad is in Colorado.  It is south of Pueblo on I-25 just north of the New Mexico border.  We stayed the night in Pueblo at a motel next to a railroad track. I thought that for sure the track was just a small feeder line back into some factories so I was not expecting a train to go by in the evening. The cool Colorado night air beckoned me to open the window to feel the crisp mountain air as I slept. Well, you guessed it, about 10 pm I thought a plane was landing in my room. I jumped straight out of bed, not easy for a 55 year old man.  A train came roaring by. I closed the window. 

After dropping off the van in Trinidad I was taken to Colorado Springs to fly home. The first leg of the flight was on a small prop plane to Denver.  The Denver airport is an awesome place to just hang out. I ate lunch and Wolfgang Puck’s place. Excellent!  The last leg was on a Boeing 737 but it was packed. I was assigned the last row next to a window.  The two gentlemen that sat next to me were, shall we say, LARGE MEN.  The air was not working very well that far back in the plane so needles to say it was a long, hot, uncomfortable ride home.

On my next trip I was dispatched to Ft. Worth, Texas.  Actually it was a small town just north of Ft Worth called Haslett.  If you are a Nascar fan it is just west of the racetrack there.  Spent the night in Oklahoma City on the way down. The trip down was on a Monday after we had just had over 6 inches of rain in the area.  It was interesting that on the way down to Texas all the creeks were overflowing.  But on the way back to KC, 24 hours later, the creeks were back in their banks and the rivers were overflowing.  We had some flooding here in the Kansas City area as well on the Missouri River. One of the parks I like to walk at in Parkville, MO was underwater. 

I did a movie run on Thursday to Columbia, Jefferson City, and Lake of the Ozarks all in Missouri. That went well and was glad to be home early.  We did “Mom’s day stuff here today with cookout and the like.  Hope all of you are doing well. I will now try and go and check out what has been happening in your neck of the woods. 

Have a great week,

Enjoy,

Ed

Cheyenne

We left early Thursday morning for a trip up to Douglas, Wyoming.  Douglas is the sight of the Wyoming State Fair.   The trip took us up I-29 through St. Joseph, Mo and then crossing the Missouri river at Nebraska City.  We reached Lincoln, Nebraska by about 10 am and we were soon back on the interstate heading west on I-80.   At one point we were delayed by a hailstorm.  Luckily a gas station was found, with some cover, just as the biggest of the hailstones started to fall. One poor guy was there on a motorcycle. Ouch, that would really hurt. 

We reached Cheyenne by around 5 pm and decided that was a good place to stay for the night. Cheyenne is the sight of “Frontier Days’, one of the biggest rodeo events in the nation. The motel was at the intersection of I-80 and I-25 so that worked out well as Douglas was north on I-25.  That evening we went downtown Cheyenne for dinner. They have done a fantastic job of re-inventing their downtown.  We ate at the completely restored Union Pacific Depot, now called the Cheyenne Depot.  If in Cheyenne and hungry you have to do the Snake River Pub and Grill. (It is in the Cheyenne Depot and Railroad Museum Building)   The stone fired pizza’s are to die for, not to mention the sweet potato fries sprinkled with a brown sugar mix and some honey butter for dipping.  I promised after leaving I would not eat again for a week. Lol The trains, as you can see in the picture, are within just a few feet of the restaurant and add a unique charm to the atmosphere.  Oh, one last thing about Cheyenne.  The motel we stayed at was a haven for dogs.  I guess they had a very pet friendly policy and lots of travelers stay there that have pets. As a matter of fact, at the front desk, there was a basket of dog treats for incoming “guests”. 

The next morning we drove up to Douglas, Wyoming, dropped our van and headed back home.  The evening found us at York, Nebraska.  A former Superintendent of the schools there founded the 4-H clubs of America in York. They also boast their farmland as being the most fertile in all of America.  I suppose that has a lot to do with the Platte River snaking its way through that area.  Anyway, I would recommend eating at Chances “R” Restaurant.  I know, I said after the pizza Thursday night I would never eat again. Lol  I did eat light though, some fantastic Potato Soup and a salad. 

We got back to KC around noon on Saturday. It was a good trip except for my driving partner putting a dent in the back bumper of the van.  That happened the last morning as he was backing out of the motel lot.  We will see how the company handles that mess. Lol 

Hope your weekend went well. It has heated up here in the heartland and I am off now for a long walk. 

Enjoy,

Ed

Quick Chicago Trip

I left late Wednesday afternoon to take a van to Chicago.  It was a nice drive across central Missouri on US 36 heading into Hannibal, Missouri.   I thought about stopping there for the night but it was only 7:30 so decided to head on into Springfield, IL. As it turned out, I was glad I did.  Shortly after I crossed the Mississippi River at Hannibal it was beginning to get dark and there were a lot of dear out.  None crossing the highway thank goodness, but I bet I saw over 100 in total. One herd must have had at least 30 in it.  They looked so peaceful out there grazing in the fields.  It was too dark and I don’t really have a super zoom lens to be able to get much of a picture. 

I stayed at a Holiday Inn in Springfield that night.  When I travel alone I like to eat at a place that has a bar so I can sit down at the bar and have someone to talk to. Ok, maybe drink a beer too. Lol Anyway I was at “Capital City Bar and Grill” (Hey, at least I didn’t go to “Hooters” next door) ordering dinner when this couple came in and sat next to me. Why is it that people want to give me their life story? Within 10 minutes I knew where all she had lived, why her and her family were all mad at each other and that she now works for the FBI.  At any rate I did enjoy the conversation, ate my dinner, drank my beer, and went back to the motel for a nice long sleep. 

The next morning I was headed for Chicago on I-55.  When I got about 60 miles south of my destination I had to stop for some gas.  I must tell you of a story while I was in the men’s room.  First of all, when I walked in all the stalls were full.  Now a men’s room is not like a lady’s room.  There is not a lot of privacy in the male bathrooms.  That is always an awkward moment.  What do you look at as you wait your turn?   Ok, maybe it is more important to say, what you DON”T look at.  Ok… well… anyway moving on. Lol There was this man at the hand dryer trying to get it to work.  He did everything he could to get it to start but to no avail. Finally he bent over to dry his hand on his pants leg, and, you guessed it, the dryer came on and did a wonderful job drying his butt.  He looked up and we both started cracking up.  Maybe it was one of those things that you had to be there for but to see him bend over and then the dyer start to work on his backside, I thought was very funny.

I delivered the van to a location that is right next to Chicago Midway Airport so that is where I flew out of.  Have a great weekend coming up. 

Enjoy,Ed

Stay Focused

I have tried twice to post a blog since the deadly shooting at Virginia Tech.  One attempt was to just ignore it and write something whimsical. I deleted it. My second attempt was to delineate my feelings on all the issues involved with the deadly massacre.  I deleted that as well.  

I have come to believe that we must stay focused on two issues. The first and foremost is our thoughts and compassion towards the Virginia Tech faculty and students that were killed, injured and also those that have been emotionally scared for life. 

My second focus is that the blame lies solely with the gunman.  Yes we need to ask questions about police response, signals the gunman had given prior to his rampage, gun control, etc.  But let us lay blame on him and only him.  All other topics are merely investigations on how things could have been done differently and should not be a manhunt to try and blame others.

Ed

You Are In Charge

Be NOT defined by what brings you down.

Be defined by what drives you.

See NOT only the sunset.

See also the horizon.

Dive NOT into the sea of despair.

Dive head up into the wave of the future.

Live NOT in fear of the past.

Live with the knowledge of what the past has taught.

Keep NOT your depression to yourself

Keep faith in the one you love.

Dwell NOT at the clouds in the sky.

Dwell beyond to the blue sky ahead.

Feel NOT the darkness of the night.

Feel the light of the coming of each new day.

Exist NOT for what others want you to be.

Exist to be only true to yourself.

Worry NOT of what you cannot control

Worry only of what you have the power to direct.

Live each day to it’s fullest.

Written by Ed (4/07)

Philosophy

I was thinking today about a college roommate of mine many years ago.  He was a political science major and always studied very hard to get good grades.  An incident during finals week reminds me of how so often we make simple problems difficult.  Case in point.

My roommate, Tim, was in philosophy class.  Tim had worked very hard all semester to grasp the deep discussions and readings that he had to do for the class.  Final exam time finally arrived. I remember seeing Tim spending hours preparing for the final exam. When he came home from the test I asked him how he thought it went.  This is what he said. 

The professor handout out the blue books and wrote the final exam question on the board.  Here is what it was.   “Why?”   I asked him, “That’s it, that was the final exam question? “   He said ‘yes”.  After he thought for a moment he glanced around the room and saw all, busily writing in their blue books a long and detailed answer to the question “why?”  Tim then took out his pen and wrote his answer. He wrote “Because” and turned in is blue book.  You know what?  He got an A.  

I guess it just go to show you that we often make difficult things out of something that is really very simple. 

I am leaving again Wednesday, to Indiana for a couple of days.  Then a short trip out in Kansas when I get back.  Saturday and Sunday will be time with family for Easter.  Happy Easter weekend to you all and peace be with each and every one of you.

Enjoy,Ed

Two Trips

I have been out of the town the better part of the past week.  A week ago Tuesday I left for Mingo Junction, Ohio.   That is a town on the Ohio River, not far from Pittsburgh, Pa.  The route I took was across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio on I-70.  I spent the first night in Columbus, Ohio.  Not a good choice of motels that night however. My room overlooked a parking lot full of truckers.  Their motors were running all night with many of them coming and going at all hours. I did not sleep well that night. I made a note never to stay there again. 

After delivering the van in Mingo Junction on Wednesday I picked up the van I was to drive back and headed back west.  Another driver was behind me so we kept in contact by cell phone and decided to stay in Effingham, Illinois that evening.  We ate at a great Lone Star Steakhouse and had a nice time flirting with the waitress.  (At our age we are allowed to do that. Lol). 

The drive the next day had one thrill in it for me.  As I was passing a semi, one of his trailer tires blew out. It was like a shotgun had gone off right in my ear. Scared me to death for just an instant until I realized what had happened.  I have seen them blow tires before from a distance but never have I been next to one at the time.  There was really no danger as the truck driver just slowed down and eventually pulled over. 

We finally got back to KC early Thursday afternoon and wae were asked to shuttle some vans around town for a few hours. When we finished we were told that we would be leaving the next morning for Sacramento, CA. That is a 1700-mile trip and I was to fly back from there. 

We finally got out of town Friday morning around 11 am and got as far as North Platte, NE for the night. The pictures I have posted are where we stayed, ate, and a local tourist attraction there as well. That night we ate at a place called “Whiskey Creek Steakhouse”.  Yum Yum Yum. It is a chain and if you ever get a chance to eat there do it.  Very good. 

The next day took us on I-80 into Wyoming, Utah and Nevada.  It snowed just a bit near Laramie, Wy but the roads were really not slick. I always enjoy driving past the Great Salt Lake west of Salt Lake City.  That night found us in Elko, Nevada.  It was an ok Comfort Inn and we ate at a casino buffet across the street.  Not a good idea, too much food and not really that good. I know better than buffets but did it anyway. Lol

Sunday was the most beautiful part of the trip.  We came into Reno and then by Lake Tahoe, Ca and through Donner Pass.  The views were most impressive.  Arrived in Sacramento about noon but I was not able to get a flight out that day.  I guess it was the end of spring break and not a flight to be had. Oh, I could have gotten one for $800 one-way to KC but decided my company would not like that. Lol So… . I spent the night in Sacramento and flew out the next day.  Finally arrived home on Monday around 9 pm. 

On one of the flights this lady next to me had to go to the bathroom really badly.  She got up right after take off and they told her she would have to wait until the seatbelt light went off. Well, I told her what to do. When the flight attendant went by handing out the peanuts I told her to make a run for it behind her back. My plan worked like a charm. Lol Anyway, this lady kept falling asleep the rest of the trip. You know how your head drops as you fall asleep sitting up?  Well she kept resting her head on my shoulder. Then she would wake up, jerk her head up and then do it all over again on the lady’s next to her shoulder. This pattern repeated itself the entire trip. When we were preparing to land and she was finally awake I told her I was hurt. She had rested her head on my shoulder 3 times and on the shoulder of the lady on her other side 5 times.  I think I really embarrassed her, but she smiled and laughed.  Lol

It has been a busy Tuesday and Wednesday after arriving home with lots of things to catch up on.  Hope your week has gone well and enjoy the springtime.  Love the green grass and all the beautiful trees and flowers in bloom here. 

Enjoy,

Ed

Where Have I Been?

Has it really been over two weeks since I last was at my sight?? Oh my gosh, where has the time gone.  Busy, busy, busy here, as I am sure you all are.  Since my last post I have been to Columbus, Ohio and Albuquerque, New Mexico.   Both trips went fine.  I guess what I have to talk about is food. Lol

On the way back from Ohio we spent the night in Collinsville, IL. (Just east of St. Louis).  That evening we were directed to a local Greek restaurant. Excellent choice.  There were two Greek items that I had.  The first one was MOUSSAKA (Baked eggplant and potato, meat sauce topped with béchamel) To me it was like a Greek version of lasagna, yum yum.  The other food I sampled was Dolmades  (Grape leaves stuffed with special blend of herbs and spices, topped with Tzatziki sauce and garnished with cucumbers and olives rice,) The name of the restaurant was Fazzi’s.  I would highly recommend it. 

My second food story was while in Albuquerque.   I was at the bar at an Applebee’s.  I often eat at the bar when I am alone. That way I have someone to talk with. On this night I had a very nice conversation with a nuclear chemist.  Anyway, I was eating my Buffalo wings and drinking a cool one when the bartender dropped a large glass of beer on the bar right in front of me.  Oh my, I was totally soaked, not to mention dodging flying glass.  My trousers were soaked and I was too embarrassed to get up and leave with my front looking like I had not made it to the bathroom in time.  Lol The management of course was very apologetic and said my entire meal and beers were on them.  After about an hour, and a few beers later, I was finally dry.  Lol 

Who knows what the week ahead will bring.  Rain and warm weather predicted for here.  Have a great week.

Enjoy,Ed

Spring like weather ahead

I thought I had seen it all.  The place where I often do my walk is in a park near my house. Many people frequent the Park as it has a nice 1-mile trail that goes in and out of the woods and also along a creek. It is a great place to workout in my opinion.  Often I see a lady pushing a baby stroller. No big deal, right?  Well, she actually has a little dog in her stroller. Sometimes the small dog is trying to walk with her on a leash but can barely keep up.  Ok, today on my walk I saw even more. Approaching me was a man about my age, perhaps older, pushing one of those running strollers people use while jogging and strolling their baby. As he got closer I could see not one, but TWO dogs in his jogging stroller.  Each dog was sitting up just seeming to be really enjoying the view.  I asked to take a picture of them but he did not feel comfortable with that I so I did not push it. At first I could not decide if this was absurd or cute.  Knowing how many of us love our pets and treat them as if they were a child in our family I would have to say I think it was cute.

March Madness has begun.  I watched one of the best games of the year so far Saturday when Kansas played Texas in the regular season finale. Now, being from Missouri I am not a huge KU fan but I am a college basketball fan. What a performance by the Texas player Kevin Durant. He is amazing, truly one of the best college freshman, if not overall player to play the game in a long time.  I also have nothing but respect that KU was able to overcome this awesome output by Durant to actually win the game. Awesome job KU, awesome job Texas, and I can’t wait for the rest of March Madness to unfold.  Oh, by the way, to Big 8 (12) basketball fans, the output by Kevin Durant reminded me of a Missouri player named Anthony Peeler. Now I don’t think even Anthony is the awesome player that Durant is but Peeler laid 40 some points on KU back in 1992 that perhaps compares with the game Durant had this past Saturday.  GO MU, GO KU, and GO BIG 12!!

Spring has sprung here and it is 62 degrees out with sunny skies as I type this.  Go out and attack the week ahead.

Enjoy,

Ed

I Was Thinking

Yes, I know that is dangerous.  Before I get to my one thought, I just wanted to let everyone know that I made it back from New Orleans Friday night. I did not get to see much of the devastation as we arrived after dark.  We did eat some awesome seafood at a local place in Kenner, La (A suburb of New Orleans).  Our regional manager took us there, a local favorite and it was awesome. I had a pound of boiled shrimp and a pound of potato poppers.  The boiled shrimp were JUMBO, and I do mean JUMBO. I have never seen shrimp that big before.  It took awhile to eat them all as the heads were still on and I had to work the meat out of the shell. Mmmmm, I loved it.  The potato poppers were new potatoes boiled in the hot-spiced shrimp water they cook the shrimp in.  You have to try those sometime if you ever get the chance.

Ok, here is my thought.  I hope I don’t get into trouble for this. I heard on the news today of a discovery of Jesus’ tomb and that of his family. Not sure I believe it but one thing that this discovery puts into jeopardy is the belief that Jesus arose from the dead.  Ok, here is my thought.  If someone were to print something like this against the prophet Muhammad or the Islam religion a bounty would be put on their head, they would be in danger of being killed, not to mention the violent protests, the flag burnings, etc.  Here is my question; Why is it fair game to go after Jesus but not Muhammad?   Just wondering.

Hope your week is off to a flying start.  Not sure of my plans yet for the week but I am sure I will end up somewhere out of town.  I will end with a couple of funnies.

Enjoy,

Ed

 ps  The song that is playing: "House of the Rising Sun", I used to sing that song in the rock band I was in during high school and college. Oh my, I would hate to try and sing that one again. lol

Today's Humour

This little grandmother was surprised by her 7 year old 

grandson one morning. He had made her coffee. She drank what 

was the worst cup of coffee in her life. When she got to the 

bottom, there were three of those little green army men. She 

asked him why.

He said they say on TV 'The best part of waking up is 

soldiers in your cup

Today's Stupid Quote

"All of the Mets' road wins against Los Angeles this year 

have been at Dodger Stadium."

-         Ralph Kiner, NY Sportscaster

-          

Too Dumb To Be A Criminal" Bonehead Award

How about those bungling thieves in Bogota, Colombia, who 

broke into a shoe store and stole 756 shoes, all for the 

On The Road Again

After my scary   experience of early last week the rest of my travels went well.  On Thursday I did another 15-hour movie run with clear skies and even more important, clear roads.  Then on Friday I was supposed to leave for New Jersey.  When I arrived at the office my plans were changed and instead I was sent to Los Angeles.  That was good luck for me, the folks that were sent to New Jersey had a snowy drive going out and a hard time getting a flight out once there. My drive on the other hand was sunny, with temps in the 60’s and up.  The flight home from LA was beautiful and on time. I guess my luck must have changed. 

I am off this morning for New Orleans.  What is up with this??  My college son went there last week for Mardi gras, and I get to go for Ash Wednesday. Go figure.  I guess he can party a lot harder than I can anyway. Lol

Have a great rest of the week.

Enjoy,Ed

A Night to Forget

It was a cold steady rain, not unlike the persistent flow of a mountain stream in late summer.  Ahead was a 600-mile journey, which included stops in southern, central and northern Missouri.  His little Honda was loaded with a new release movie to be shown on Valentines Day in theaters around the nation.   Thoughts however were not on the movie, the drive ahead of him or even the cities he was going to visit.  Instead his only thought was the rain.  The temperature as he drove out of the city was near freezing.  For sure the rain would soon become frozen.  His concern was not if, but rather, when and what form it would take. 

The first stop was Osage Beach, in the heart of Lake of the Ozarks business district.  For the first time he afforded a glance at the title of the movie he was dropping off.  It was called “Music and Lyrics”.   To him it meant nothing, for his mind was still on the cold steady rain.  Next was an 80-mile drive over hilly and treacherous two lane roads in the heart of Ozark country.  If the temperature dropped now…well… he didn’t even want to imagine what this section of pavement would be like.  Driving in rain is not that difficult. But when the lightness of the day gives way to darkness the rain creates halo effects on the windshield.  Seeing where to turn, what the signs are saying, oncoming traffic, all   become more of a challenge but something he was very used to.

Stop number two was in Rolla, Missouri, home of the University of Missouri at Rolla School of engineering, a small city in southern Missouri.  As he pulled into town it was still rain.  Thank goodness for that.  The giggles of the high school girls working at the theater did not delay him as they took the movie and he was soon on his way again, now heading north..’North’..where temperatures were sure to plummet and turn his drive into a nightmare. At this point he was thinking, why did I agree to do this?  But agree he had so a job he felt obligated to finish. 

Almost two hours later he was in the home of the Tigers. The University of Missouri in Columbia commonly referred to as “Mizzu”.  The rain now felt different. The steady drops on his windshield had turned to “splats”, an explosion of water with white crystals spreading over the glass as it impacted his car.  What did this mean?   SNOW!  The rain was starting to turn over to snow and he was only half done with is nighttime run. Without hast he made his two stops in Columbia and headed out of the city.

Driving north out of Columbia soon turned the black wet pavement to a white covered skating rink.  The only good news he could think of was that the rest of his drive would be on 4 lane roads.  Within 5 minutes of leaving the lights of Columbia behind him his worst fears were realized.  In his rear view mirror was a semi truck.  The truck was attempting to pass.  His speed in the Honda had slowed, as he knew the road was very slick.  Why was this semi attempting to pass, speed was the enemy of driving on slick highways?  The semi pulled into the passing lane about 500 yards behind him. Looking forward again both hands gripped the wheel to prepare him for steady driving, as the truck would pass.  Again he glanced in his mirror.  The truck’s lights were no longer facing him.  The lights, cab and trailer were heading perpendicular to the highway.  The truck was sliding sideways, following his little Honda down the road.  As he tried to drive and watch in his rear view mirror his concern was not so much for himself, for he was ahead of the ensuing wreck.  His thoughts were of the truck driver’s battle to regain control.  The truck slid sideways into the median, then turned 180 degrees and started back across the highway again.  Crossing the white pavement, still perpendicular to the flow of traffic the truck went into the ditch on the other side.  His last sight of the semi was of its turning 180 degrees once again and coming back up out of the ditch.  The trailer was starting to pass the cab when all the steel and wheels backed down the embankment to the ditch. The truck had now disappeared.  No lights, no roaring motor, nothing.  He considered stopping to help. But a last glance in his mirror showed that several cars had stopped behind him to offer assistance.  He continued driving, shaking from what he had seen.  His mind kept seeing the truck driver fighting a useless battle to regain control. Moments later a police car met him heading towards the accident.  He prayed that the driver was ok.

The last destination was finally reached.  Kirksville, Mo, home of Truman State University, his alma mater.  He knew the town very well having toiled there many years ago to gain his math education diploma, a degree that led to a successful 30 years in public education.  Dropping his final movie canister he headed back to Kansas City, a drive that would normally take about 3 hours.  But not this night, his mind tried to guess what time he would make it home. 

Driving south was not comforting, for now it was snowing heavily, the wind was howling and visibility had become difficult.  He knew where the ditches were but not sure if he was in a lane on the road. His decision to just stay in the middle of where he thought the sides of the road seemed to be working.  The rest of the 40-50 mile per hour drive saw many wrecks and semis in the ditches. At two instances police stopped him so they could clear the road ahead of mangled vehicles that had not heeded to the weather conditions and slowed down. A mistake he knew many people make. 

Finally at 4:30 in the morning he was home, a full 13 hours after he had left on this eventful night. As his head hit the pillow his mind was still thinking of that truck driver. He said another prayer hoping he was all right.  Sleep came and the long night of tense driving was over.

The above narrative was of my recent journey this past Monday.  I vow to NEVER EVER drive in weather like this again.  But alas, I know that I probably will. Lol  The entire nation seems to have been hit to some degree with this most recent storm. As always I hope it is safe and warm where you are.

Enjoy,

Ed

Home For Now

It was a nice trip out to California and back again. No snowstorms, no wrecks, and no slow downs.  I even got to spend time at my favorite Denny’s in Ontario.  They are such nice people there.  I flew out of Ontario airport in Los Angeles and changed planes in Vegas.  For you smokers out there, they have banned smoking now in the Vegas airport. If you have ever been there, they used to have two rooms with slot machines where you could smoke.  That has been banned, not sure if that is a Nevada thing or a new Vegas rule. 

I also took a trip up to Iowa over the weekend to see my parents. Always somewhat sad to see your parents health slowly degrade but at least they still have each other and are living on their own.

Perhaps I need to clarify a misunderstanding that has been created here. Many of you commented that you missed my birthday. Not sure how that started but it was not my birthday recently.  I had made a comment on someone’s sight that I do not celebrate my birthday and do not really tell anyone when it is.  Seems as though somehow that got misconstrued as I had just had a birthday. Lol   Not sure of why I choose not to do much on my birthday, I think it is because I just don’t like to draw attention to myself much. 

Here are a couple of rambling thoughts I had this weekend.

1.     We often talk about “radical Muslims” and the hate and terror they spread.  I would be interested in comparing radical Muslims to radical Christians.  For sure there are many differences, but in many ways, I feel there may be similarities as well.  My believe is that if we were to compare the two, perhaps one would better understand what the hell is going on in this world of ours.

2.     Here is a thought about giving.  The most rewarding part of giving is when I know, the one receiving the gift will never have to repay it other than to say thank you.  In other words, to give to something, or someone that has no way of repaying you, is the ultimate giving. Your thoughts?

Have a wonderful week ahead. The entire region seems to be in a deep freeze for at least another week, so find that special someone and enjoy some cozy moments together with hot chocolate and lots of hugging and kissing. 

Enjoy,Ed

I just got a call from work and will leaving for San Bernardino, Ca Tuesday morning. I plan to travel through New Mexico and AZ, crossing the Mohave Dessert in CA and then stay in Ontario, Ca Wednesday evening. If you see me fly by, wave. lol 

Let It Snow

There is not much new to report going on here at the ranch.  We did get some snow over the weekend, a much-welcomed change from the ice storm of a week ago. All total the snow amounted to a 6 inch, wet, heavy, great snowman making event.  I have an interesting story of my neighbor as I was out shoveling my driveway and sidewalks Sunday morning.  I noticed the he too came out to clear his driveway about the same time I did.  While he was busy trying to start his snow blower I got to work with my trusty shovel.  Two hours later I was done. I noticed the he had been trying to start his snow blower the entire time I was shoveling.  The kicker is that he gave up on the snow blower about the time his wife finished shoveling their driveway.  Moral of the story?   I will leave that up to you. Lol

A year ago my son was hired to shovel a different neighbors driveway of snow. The neighbor did not have time to do it himself; he had to go the gym to workout. 

Keep warm, as spring is getting closer.  (I hope). 

Enjoy,

Ed

Slow Bartender

A man in a bar has a couple of beers, and the bartender 

tells him he owes $8.

"But I already paid you! Don't you remember?" says the 

customer.

"Okay," says the bartender, "if you said you paid, then I 

suppose you did."

The man then goes outside and tells the first person he sees 

that the bartender can't keep track of whether his customers 

have paid or not. The second man then rushes in, orders a 

beer, and later pulls the same stunt.

The barkeep replies, "Okay, if you said you paid, then I 

suppose you did."

The customer then goes outside, sees a friend, and tells him 

how to get free drinks.The third man hurries into the bar 

and begins to drink highballs. Some time later, the 

bartender leans over and says, "You know, a funny thing 

happened in here tonight. Two men were drinking beer, 

neither paid, and both claimed that they had paid. The next 

guy who tries that stunt is going to get his ass...."

The man interrupts, "Don't bother me with your troubles, 

bartender. Just give me my change and I'll be on my way

Stockton California Trip

I took off Thursday noon heading south towards Oklahoma City.  The plan was to head south to Oklahoma and then travel west using I-40.  The trip took me through, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and finally California.  What a weather menagerie I encountered.

The first day was beautiful, sunny with temps in the 50s.  I made it to Weatherford, Oklahoma that first day and bedded down with spring like temperatures. When I awakened, it was like someone had moved me to Siberia. Lol  

The temperature was at 32 and falling.  The day started with rain, then freezing rain in Amarillo, TX.  By the time I got to New Mexico I also had driven though sleet.  At Tucumcari, NM thick fog had set in.  As I approached Santa Rosa, NM the fog had turned to freezing fog.  Oh my, what was I doing driving in this mess. Lol 

My trip ended that day in Holbrook, AZ (Just outside of Flagstaff).   After a nice dinner at a place called Jerry’s the bed invited me to finally settle down from an unsettling day of driving. 

I went to bed thinking; “I have not seen any snow yet”.  Guess what?  The next morning I drove through snow in Flagstaff.  FINALLY, by the time I got to Kingman, AZ the bad weather was behind me and I could relax a bit driving.

Crossing the Mohave Desert when temperatures were near freezing was a first for me.  At Barstow, CA I headed NW towards Bakersfield, CA, and then north on I-5. Oh the devastation I saw of the fruit orchards.  Ice hanging from orange trees just did not seem right.  Time will tell if the crop was ruined, but it sure looked like all the fruit was destroyed.  I also saw evidence as I drove up the San Joaquin Valley.  My final destination on that Saturday was a truck stop town called Santa Nelle , CA.  (About 70 miles due east of Monterey)  Have you ever heard of “Anderson’s Split Pea Soup”?  They acted like it was famous.  Anyway, I ate at their restaurant, yum yum. 

On Sunday I arrived in Stockton, Ca, switched vans and then drove to Sacramento, Ca. I flew out from there.  The first leg back to KC took me to San Diego.  Freezing rain and sleet in KC all weekend had the airport there closed.  I was not sure until we took off if the flight would go or not. No flights had made it to KC for two days.  As we too off the pilot said if we were not allowed to land at KC we would divert to Nashville.  Heck, I would rather have stayed in San Diego.  At any rate I was told that if the flight did not go, it would be at least two days before I could get another flight. 

The flight made it to KC!  I took an hour to get the ice off my car and finally got home around midnight.  What an adventure. I actually enjoyed most of the trip.

I do hope the winter blast has not been too bad where you live.  Stay warm and dry.

Enjoy,