Happy Halloween

 

That Halloween when my Sweet Mother was dressed up like Elvis.  

Happy National Candy Corn Day

 TWIT and I would like to wish everyone a very happy national Candy Corn Day.  I'm sure this is no coincidence given that tomorrow is Halloween.  But I digress.  I love candy corn, and from what I've heard and read, I am in the minority.  But I don't care. I love candy corn, and buy it throughout the year when I can find it in the stores.  I even have a hand knitted winter cap that looks like a big candy corn.

I have to thank JTB, a former boss, that introduced me to a simple but very good snack using just candy corn and salted peanuts.  When you eat the candy corn and peanuts together, it tastes like a Payday candy bar.

I hope you will go out today and get some candy corn if you don't have any and enjoy.  

File Under: WTF?

I talked with three different people today and they all said the same thing as I did:  they all went to the grocery store this morning, and all three said it was crazy at their stores - just like it is on a snow eve.  Maybe the stores were crazy busy with people buying Halloween candy.  But all I know is my store was crazy, 

Friday Funny

An old man gets out of prison, after many years being locked up. He stands at the pavement, and yells, "I'm free! I'm free!"

As he shouts, a little kid walks up to him and joins, “Big deal - I’m four! I’m four!"

Another Great Customer Service Report

 As a retirement present to myself,, I bought a very badass watch that I have wanted for years.  I got it, and I was stupid and couldn't figure out how first, to open the band to put it on, and second, how to pull back on the stem to get the watch set for the proper time.   I went to the local watch shop this morning, and in about two minutes, he showed me how to do both things, as well as a few others.  And he didn't charge me a dime.  That's what I call good customer service.

Post Shots Update

 The Old Man and I both had some soreness in our arms last night but it didn't interfere with our sleeping too much.  Today, we both feel a bit more tired than usual, so we are just laying around and taking it easy.  Other than being tired, we have no other side effects from the Covid booster or flu shots, thank the Lord.  

Shots Fired, Sorta

 This morning, the Old Man and I went up to the corner drugstore and got our third Covid boosters and our flu shots.  A few friends expressed their concern over us getting both shots at the same time after hearing stories about friends or relatives that had a bad reaction the following day.  But the Old Man and I have never had any reactions or issues with any vaccines we've had; and last October, we both got a Covid booster and our first Shingles vaccine at the same time.  

As I type this, neither one of us have any soreness in our arms (we both got the two shots in the same arm just in case there was some soreness), and we are hoping and expecting nothing but the best. 

Stay tuned.

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 Once again, we have had the furnace and a/c on in the same week.  It was up to 80 Saturday and Sunday, and is expected to get up to 82 today.  At least it's been sunny.  It's also still windy - we've got leaves in our yard from homes probably a mile away.  

Brrr Update

 As I post this, it is 78 degrees and sunny here at The Compound.  It sure was windy again today, as it has been for the past few weeks.  We're expecting a high of 80 for the next few days, so I can put my coat back in the closet and still keep my khaki shorts out.  

Flashback Friday

 I know a while back I posted about the cool leather dice cup that Gram would use when she and our neighbor would play Yahtzee.  But I had another flashback about it.  

Last weekend when my Favorite Cousin and her husband were here for a visit, we went old school and played Monopoly one evening.  As I was being the banker handing out the money, the Old Man went to the back bedroom closet and got out the cool leather dice cup for us to use.  I think it brought me luck because I won. 

Brrrr, Again

 As I type this, it's 28 degrees here at The Compound.  It was 28 yesterday morning, too, as I was heading out, and I didn't hesitate to get out one of my coats.  Luckily my favorite gloves were still in the pockets so my hands were warm, too.  Of course, this means that in a few days it will be 80 degrees.  Stay tuned.

Brrrrr

 We had our first freeze warning of the season here in the Ville last night.  As I type this, it is 34 on the back porch here at The Compound, so I don't think it was an official freeze here.  But I digress.  In preparation, I set up Large Marge's heated waterer yesterday in case if did get below freezing, her water wouldn't freeze and leave me another outdoor chore to take care of.  

Celebrity Endorsements

 Top Celebrities Doing The Annoying Medicare Commercials

1.  Joe Nameth

2. Jimmy Walker

3. Joe Montana

4. George Frazier

5. William Shatner

6. William DeVane

Super Saturday

It's been another Super Saturday here at The Compound.   We've had a great day with my Favorite Cousin and her Sweet Husband.  We've ate, drank, and have been merry.  And as of right now, we are continung to do all three.  

Can't Have Nothing, Part 2

 A week before I left ZCO, I turned in all of my work uniforms that consisted of various colors of golf shirts and khaki, navy and black pants.  I had been paying a great price of only $15 every two weeks to have them laundered and pressed; a bargain considering how much I hate doing laundry and ironing.  But I digress.  

It wasn't until yesterday afternoon that I discovered that they had still been deducting the $15 from every pay period for the uniform cleaning.  It came to a total of $75 but $75 is still I emailed HR about it, and they replied back quickly saying it was an "oversight" and that the $75 would be direct-deposited soon..  

Once again, you can't have nothing, 

Can't Have Nothing

 I was driving home on the Watterson yesterday morning after my weekly Bible study, and I had (key word) a great idea.  There was a Target less than a mile from the Watterson, so I decided to stop in and get a bag or two of their awesome concession stand popcorn for a snack for me and the Old Man.  Imagine my surprise and disappointment when I walked all over the perimiter of the store, only to discover that they no longer have the concession stand.  You can't have nothing.  

Fall Cleaning Continues

 Fall cleaning continued today at The Compound.  We dusted everything that needed to be dusted.  Tomorrow, I will get the trusty spin mop out and clean the kitchen and family room floors.  Then we can sit back and rest and marvel at our clean house.  

Apologies, Again

 Once again, I apologize for not posting for a few days.  We've been doing Fall Cleaning here at The Compound in preparation for visit from my Favorite Cousin and her husband.  They will be making the trek down from LaFayette this weekend.  

I need to give a great weather report from here in the Ville.  For the past few weeks, we've actually had a fall season, unlike a lot of years when we still have had 90's in October..  It's been sunny every day, and a bit cool in the mornings but you know that doesn't bother me a bit.

A Great Saturday

 Even though I am retired and can go to the grocery any time I want, I still like to go on Saturday mornings.  And I sure am glad I did today.  I saw one of my former coworkers and protege, The Beard.  H pulled into the parking space next to me, and when I got out of the van he gave me one of the best hugs I've had in a long time.  We caught up for a few minutes, and then we did something that probably doesn't happen too often in the grocery store parking lot - we prayed.  The Lord put him in my life at the precise time that I needed his and his wife's support and prayers, and I will always be grateful for them. 

Flashback Friday

 I come from a family that has always loved baseball.  But you already knew that.  Yet, I can't help but think about my Grandmother today.  Today started the post-season MLB games, and this was her favorite time of the year.  She loved watching baseball, especially the Yankees, her favorite team because of Reggie Jackson. When the playoffs would be on TV, she would make sure supper was cooked ahead of time so she could watch the games.   Today, we are keeping the tradition by watching the playoff games. I sure wish Gram was still here with us.  She'd be in her recliner, watching every pitch.  

A Post-Retirement First

 I experienced a first today - I slept in until about 9:15.  I don't think I've slept that late in years.  It was needed, though.  I had a hard time going to sleep, and tossed and turned for a few hours.  So when I finally went to sleep, I sure slept.  It sure was nice not having to answer to an alarm clock. 

My Loretta Lynn Experience

I've had the privilege of seeing a lot of country music superstars in my lifetime, and I am proud to say I saw Loretta Lynn in concert one time.  It sure was a memorable experience. 

It was in the summer of 1975.  Me, my Sweet Mother and the Old Man went to Opryland in Nashville with our Uncle Paul and Aunt Sybil.  After spending the day at the amusement park, we went to the newly opened Opry House for a concert by Loretta Lynn.  During the day at the park, my Sweet Mother bought me a helium-filled balloon that I carried around all day long with no mishap.  But I digress.  We went to the Opry house and sat down for the concert.  Loretta had sang maybe two songs, when the unthinkable happened:  my balloon popped.  Of course, we all did what anyone else would do:  we all looked around like the other people to see whose balloon popped.  I think we pulled it off.   

Somewhere in a box of my archives, there is a photograph from my Kodak 126 camera of Loretta on stage.  You really can't tell it's her, but at least I know it is.  

RIP, Loretta Lynn

 The country music world lost an icon today with the death of Loretta Lynn.\

I was fortunate to have seen her in concert one time.  It was back in the mid 70's. My parents and I went with the Old Man's Uncle Paul and Aunt Sybil down to Nashville for a day at the Opryland amusement park.  At the end of the day, we went to the newly built Grand Ole Opry House for a concert by Loretta Lynn and the Wilburn Brothers. 

During the day at the park, my Sweet Mother had bought me a balloon, and I proudly carried it into the Opry House.  Our seats were up in the balcony, and it didn''t take long for the balloon to pop.  So when it did, we did what anyone else would do - we looked around, trying to divert attention from us.  I think it worked.  But I digress.

Somewhere in my boxes of pictures is a photo that I took with my Kodak 126 camera of Loretta Lynn.  All I remember is the big flowing stage gown she had on.  It is a moment I will never forget.,  

It's Official

 Well, it's official, faithful readers.  As of today, October 3, I am no longer employed and am officially retired.  On Friday, I used my last vacation day, and also on Friday, my new Anthem health insurance kicked in.  So today I am officially retired.  

Stay tuned. 

Hogzilla Update

 It's been a long summer here at The Compound battling Hogzilla and family.  Thanks to the skill and diligence of two neighbors' dogs, they've gotten rid of a few, but yet Hogzilla still remains. 

This week, Neighbor Nick spent half a morning filling in holes all around our barn, his barn and his garage that Hogzilla had dug.  I was faithful in my pouring of ammonia around the barns.  And we haven't seen Hogzilla in a week.  We hope he's moved on down the road.  

Stay tuned.  

Excellent Customer Service

I have a gold Claddagh pendant that I have worn for over twenty years now.  I can count on one hand the number of times I have taken it off, in fact.  I've never had to clean it because it's always gotten clean when I took a shower or bath.  But I digress.  I got up during the night Thursday to go to the bathroom and discovered the chain had come undone and was barely around my neck.  I put it on the nightstand and when I got up later, I checked it out and noticed the clasp on it had broken.  So as soon as I could, I made a short trip to my favorite jewelry store over in the Beechmont neighborhood.  The jeweler said he could put on a bigger clasp for only $35.  He examined the chain, and then said that if I really wanted a new one, it would cost about $300.  He said that solid chains like the one I have are pretty high.  He said that the chain was in perfect condition, and in about 10 minutes I was back on my way home, proudly wearing my necklace.  That's what I call very good service.