Tomorrow is Here...

Dad and I escaped Kroger at almost midnight last night.

"We made it Chuck!," my father exclaimed bolstering the troops as we walked across the parking lot to our cars.

Loading and unloading my car is the hardest part of this adventure for me.

"Sorry, I was so late tonight," my father profusely told me and he apologized. My only real worry last night was withdrawal from my medications and I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. We took my medications very late last night before our grocery trip.

The after 10:00 AM self-checkout lines were cranky tonight causing us much strife and delay. You can only checkout with self service after 10:00 at our Kroger. We kept having to call the attendant. I was starting to get angry at going so late, but I am now just glad and ecstatic to have food in the house. I unloaded my food and put it away.

Count your blessings as the old saying goes. More Auschwitz Mantra evoking moments for me to ponder. I wonder about the veracity of those sayings that the Russians would stand in line an hour for one roll of toilet paper during the cold war.

I was thinking tonight that why don't I get the three cheese tortellini meals and compliment them with real Parmesan cheese or "stinky cheese" as we always called it when we were kids. I've got one tortellini meal in the microwave so we can see how it tastes.

Dad was also remarking tonight about the Promised Land chocolate milk I found and get every week.

"The grand kids love it and I always keep a couple quarts in the fridge," he told me.

Happy Meals ala Charlie...

"Where's dad?" I curiously asked Charlie as I walked across the yard to help him get inside. I was dismayed when he didn't come. I had been looking forward to seeing him all day.

"He has a date tonight and don't you dare let your father know I told you!" Charlie told me. "I think they went to Valdosta out to eat out for some reason."

Tonight, Charlie brought my Sunday night supper. I got a 3pc meal, original, and two boxes of crispy wedges. I am still looking for the biscuit.

"Now, let me see you swallow them," Charlied said during the medication ritual.

We made sure Maggie was set for another day and Charlie hurried home to brood that needed to be fed.

The Wild Bunch Was Over...

"What's Charlie doing here?" I asked Maggie softly and and very coyly.

She was previously very soundly asleep on the couch.

Maggie jumped up into the window and went immediately nuts due to his arrival. Maggie was in 0 mph to 60 mph mode. Guess who followed behind Charlie? We had my father and Horsefly. We had the whole crew tonight. Maggie was in ecstasy.

Horsefly immediately went to pacing around the house which intrigues Maggie greatly. Maggie used to be very scared of Horsefly as he talks very loudly in what seems as gibberish until he grew on her. Maggie has welcomed him into our pack. Maggie will follow him has he walks and Horsefly also kept flushing the toilet.

"He will wear out the commode at home if we're not careful," Charlie told me.

"They always taught us at summer camp if it is yellow, please be mellow. If it is brown, then flush it down." I told that to Charlie with a big grin on my face.

Charlie spent his whole time here sweeping my floors and gathering up dust bunnies. My father and I took care of the medication ritual and there was quite a bit of banter on our parts.

"Have you done Maggie's ritual?" my father asked Charlie from the den and he said yes.

It really was good seeing the whole crew tonight. A man can't live on silence and sleeping dogs alone.

You Take Me the Way I Am...

I just read on the Internet that my old high school band director got arrested for being a part of a child pornography sex ring. Before the arrest, he was principal of an elementary school in Atlanta and had earned his doctorate over the years. I never did like him with those shifty little eyes of his. Of course, he is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. I always used to think to myself in that how can a band director afford a Camaro Iroc Z sports car, but that is just me.

That's One Hell of an Injection You've Got There...

I think I am the only person in the world that can fall asleep sitting upright in their chair. I was sound asleep in my Laz-E-Boy when the shrill phone rang and I was jolted out of a very peaceful slumber and sweet dreams.

Reality Bites...

"We both forgot your injection!" my father said, sounding frantic as if the Titanic were sinking.

I wanted to tell my father women and children first.

I pulled on some pants, grabbed a jacket, and out my front door I went. Keep in mind that I was in a deep REM sleep just mere minutes ago. I felt very impaired on the drive to the pharmacy. I kept having this feeling that my car was not going to stop at traffic lights which is extremely, incredibly disconcerting. Yes, it would've have been a white-knuckled ride with Andrew this morning.

"You are never late," Rebecca playfully ribbed me and giving me a hard time. "I was going to call your father if you haven't arrived at 10:00 AM."

As I was leaving, patients started to  quickly fill the lobby hoping to see a doctor. I had perfect timing on that matter today.

Comment Replies...

amelia said...

Do you ever forget your cokes in the freezer and have a big mess??


Andrew replies...

Yes, Amelia! You are very astute. I had two burst just this last weekend and it was a mess to clean up. It sounded like a gun going off inside my house while I was lying in the bed. I cursed loudly and put the four left in the sink in case of another frozen explosion. Maggie looked up nonchalantly and went back to sleep.

Bobby Burgers Delight...

My father gave me a big surprise tonight. You know the way to a man's heart is through his stomach right? That certainly applies to me as well. Dad brought bobby burgers or more widely known as Manwiches. He cooks them from scratch saying the stuff in the can tastes funny and has a twang.

One important thing I've noticed about my father lately is that he is no longer drinking all that wine. The boozy visits have ceased. He was playing with hell-fire with a family history of Uncles and Aunts on both sides of his family who were all severe alcoholics. My fall from grace would have been several years ago if I tried that stunt.

Pluses and Minuses...




The photo above is how far along I want to be in two or a few more months. I want to have the benchwork up and the trains rolling.

Charlie called me tonight just after my father left.

"Did Jimmy James ever show up?" Charlie asked.

Charlie was fixing to come over and see his handiwork.

"He never showed," I told Charlie -- his aggravation apparent. "I stayed close to home hoping he would be here any moment."

"He's a pain in the ass, but he sure does damn good work!"

Perfectly Deplorable...

So, Papa is heading home after a rough day. It was pouring down rain when he arrived. A few hundred miles to the North and then we would be having a historic snowstorm. Dad shook off his umbrella and put it by the door before he came inside.

"I filled over 300 prescriptions today if you can believe it!" my father told me proudly as he sat down on my couch.

Dad handed me my crazy meds and I gulped them down all at once.

Maggie snuggled close up him with him being Gamma dog who is allowed such amenities. It is certainly is deplorable weather outside and perfect weather for warm homes and even warmer hearths. He had also remembered to bring my cigarillos and Cokes and for that I was very happy and animatedly so. I thought I was going to have to drive and get them in this terrible weather.

"Let's give Ms. Maggins her food and water and I shall be on my way," my father told me.

I am fixing to go crack open one of my Diet Cokes which are getting icy in my freezer, light a cherry hinted cigarillo, and recline in my chair with my iPad and this months Model Railroader magazine.

Comment Replies...

glittermom said...

Didn't your mother do your grocery shopping at one time? its good your able to do your own shopping...

Andrew Replies...

Glittermom? Mom did all my shopping due to my anxiety attacks several years ago. Bless her heart. She used a calculator to make sure I wasn't buying too much. She would then pull up to the curb and honk her horn. I would then walk out to bring in all the food. Yes, it is good to do all my shopping.

Mom would also do my father's and her shopping as well after she did my shopping. It was amazing what she could do back then only a few years ago. 

And Water Fell From the Beyond...

It is raining here at quite a good clip. Maggie has been whining because she had to use the bathroom and didn't want to get wet. This usually means that I get wet as well. Misery loves company as the old saying goes.

"Come on sweetheart," I told her kindly as I pulled on a weatherproof jacket. "It's potty break time."

She was then waiting on me at the back door. I have never seen a dog so adverse to getting wet. If you turn on the water in the tub, she will go flying out the dog door thinking she is getting a bath.

It didn't take Maggie long to wee wee and we were back inside when the heavens opened up as I shut the back door. First thing a wet Maggie did? Go jump on the bed and take a nap. I chuckled. To be a dog. I got her off the sheets so she could lay on the comforter on top.

It should rain for the rest of the night which will make for great sleeping weather tonight. They, the Weather Service, say we are under drought conditions. All this rain should help.

Grand Central Junction...

Charlie helped for several hours this morning and now my "computer room" is completely devoid of anything -- it is a perfectly empty room.

"What are we going to do about the windows?" I asked Charlie.

"We are going to tear out the inside frames and leave the windows intact," he said. "We will then put sheet rock over them and you are going to need track lighting for the ceiling to light the room and to light your model railroad."

I also want to put a light colored linoleum over the hardwood floor in that room.

A Ten Minute Thrill Ride in Jermaine's Cart...

I was bending over to put four bags of frosted flakes in my cart when I heard a familiar mechanical whir and then that completely unmistakable voice.

"Where does Alec shop?" Jermaine asked as I put the voluminous bags of frosted flakes in my cart.

I noticed he had two honeydew melons and some grapes in his cart on his Huv-a-round. He was eating the grapes as he shopped.

"His wife shops at Publix in Auburn I believe," I told Jermaine. "I doubt my brother does the shopping, though."

I was on a mission tonight to get out of there as fast as I could. I was just not in the mood for grocery shopping tonight. Dad said we were "bumfuzzled" tonight. He had trouble checking out at one of the self serve lanes.

"Love ya man! But I've got to run," I told Jermaine treading softly.

Jermaine told me to step over so he could give a man hug.

I hope I didn't hurt his feelings. It took me ten minutes for me to do my shopping and the total was $74.94. I told my father it was inflation and he let out a hearty laugh. I've had some very expensive grocery store visits lately.

"Let's have a look at what your buying tonight," my father said he then told me got some good stuff for not shopping very long. The two pies were $16 dollars and are what cost me so much.

Let Them Eat Cake....

That's what Maggie told me tonight in dog lingo. Let them eat cake. The first thing on tonight's agenda is to get lots and lots of bananas. Kroger was sold out last week and the lady assured me they didn't have any back in the storage area (I went and looked anyway breaking the rules). ONLY EMPLOYEES PAST THIS POINT.

You all know what I want next is two pies -- Edwards lemon meringue pie and Hershey's chocolate creme pie. I am certainly a nutritionist's worst nightmare.

A Grand Adventure...

My father had all four grandkids over this weekend and he looks like he had been wrung through the wringer today. Dad is a clean freak and I have never seen his house in such disarray. I woke him up when I knocked on the back door tonight. He was laying on the couch recuperating.

"We're buying groceries tonight, right?" he asked.

"I will do fine if you just stay home," I told him hopefully. "You are tired. You won't have to worry one bit."

"I've got to give you your medications anyway so I better come with you," my father said disappointingly.

Aw Shucks! I tried!

Birth of the Chattahoochee Valley Model Railway...

http://www.ebay.com

Charlie is taking a half day from work tomorrow to help me get ready for his nephew, Jimmy James. I've already got my computers and all my computer gear moved into the bedroom and spent most of yesterday marveling over all the junk I've accumulated these past 8 years I have lived here. We need to move the rest or put it in storage in Charlie's basement. Jimmy James comes Wednesday to begin tearing out the closet in what used to be my computer room.

Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust...

It was a quiet ride back up the interstate to the Chattahoochee Valley. My father and I had just been to a somber funeral where many tears were shed. It can really tug on your heartstrings to see so many friends in anguish. "Hugs for everybody!"

Part of the drive was showing my father things about his car he din't know. Hell, dad didn't even know how to open his glove box.

"These two buttons control the heated seats," I told him.

We turned them on and soon our rumpuses were toasty warm. Dad also has a panoramic sunroof and it thrilled me to open it up. I was greeted by blue skies and wispy white clouds.

"What do you think death is?" my father asked ponderously as he drove.

"It is final and it is the finish line," told him. "You live forever by the propagation of your genes."

I then chuckled to my father and told him I was a genetic dead end. I don't think any woman would want to sire progeny with me if she was in her right mind.

When we arrived back at my house, we took my many medications and performed Maggie's cherished ritual. She was sitting in the den window waiting on us.

"Shit! I am tired," dad said. "I am leaving here, putting on my pajamas, and watching some TV."

You Only Get One...

My father went to J.L.s visitation tonight at the funeral home. I thought he would be extremely late, but he arrived at 8:30 PM.-- which is about the normal time my father arrives after work. I sighed with relief as Maggie and I headed to the front door in the den to greet him. I had planned a midnight vigil for his arrival.

"Papa's Here!!!" I said loudly to Maggie.

Death was knocking on my door and making me think out of the box this morning about some neat changes I could and should incorporate in my life seeing that I only have one. I decided I am going to play fewer video games and put those efforts into model railroading (true artistry), online learning or my online journal. I will love to grace the pages of Model Railroader some day.

Liaisons...

"Tara asked about you," my father then told me.

Dad didn't sit down on the couch as he had dark pants on and didn't want to get Maggie's hair all over them. We stood in the den talking. We also took my medications and headed to the laundry room to take care of Maggie's ritual. Some things must go on come hell or high water.

Tara is J.L's daughter. She is also one helluva go-getter. She was Auburn University's most valuable employee last year.

"I told her you loved her and that you appreciated the card she sent you after your mother's death."

"Remind me to get another card when we go shopping at Kroger Monday night," I replied to my father. "So I can return the favor."

That Little Scoundrel...

The Meter Readers came today and left the left side fence open. I was sitting here at this computer when I saw Maggie once again scratching her back on the grass in the front yard. Birds gotta fly and fish gotta swim. I got this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was also so very damn livid. School had just let out and the neighborhood streets were saturated with cars as the elementary school is just down the street.

Dammit! We Have a Hoodlum On Our Hands...

I finally enticed Maggie in with some tasty and expensive cold cuts (Black Forest ham). Food is the only way I have found that works reliably. Maggie can think with her stomach sometimes. I let her smell it first and then she quickly followed me inside through the front door. The door slammed shut behind her as I sighed in incredible relief. If I were a cat, I would have just lost one of my nine lives.

What did Maggie want once I got her inside? Yes, it was more food. I put the rest of that ham on a paper plate and sat it down on the floor in the laundry room by her usual food dish. She ate her regular dog food as well.

I can't make the call myself because of my phone phobias, but I am getting dad to call city utilities tomorrow or Monday about what happened. This is the second time they left the fence open.

And He Wonders Where I Get it From...

I've learned to turn my TV off when it is about time for my father to arrive.  My father is completely addicted to the television. Then, I have his attention and we can carry on a normal conversation.

I forgot tonight and my father zeroed in on the TV like Big Boy on Hiroshima and was asking me questions about what was on. I call most TV "Cops and Robbers" as so many countless shows revolve around murder, crime, and the penal system.

"It is all social manipulation and conditioning," I told my father and he chuckled and said that's the paranoid side of my schizophrenia talking.

As my father was leaving, he asked me about how I felt about mom.

"It gets easier as each day passes by," I told him. "I keep thinking she will call soon and see how I and the Magster are doing."

"At least, she didn't have a long protracted illness in the nursing home or the hospital," my father told me to soften the blow. "Let's count our blessings."

We proceeded to take my medications as another Klonopin fell out of my father's hand and went rolling across the floor. We did manage to find it by my entertainment center. Whew!

This Intrigued Me...

I am a super Big Mac fan and I have been claiming for years that the Big Mac keeps getting smaller and smaller as the price increases. I am getting me a Grand Mac tomorrow and we will see how it tastes. How many calories do you think that burger is going to entail?

Friendly Foreigners Are Always Welcome...

I was standing in line at the Piggly Wiggly doing some covert and low-cost shopping this afternoon when this young and very nice looking guy behind me struck up a conversation.

"Where are all the good places to eat around here?" he asked me after shaking my hand.

When in Rome Do As the Romans Do...

"Avoid Wing Time across the parking lot," I told him. "I tried it a few times and it was terrible."

"If you want to eat some really, really good barbecue then Chuck's barbecue in Valley and Roger's barbecue across the river are both great places to go," I told him. "They sell Southern style barbecue -- Vinegary, tart, and with a hint of mustard."

"Merl's Diner down the road is also good and has about everything a restaurant could sell," I then told him. "They have a really good fried catfish plate. The hamburger steak platter is also great as well and my father would vouch for that."

"Now if you are looking for low-cost fare then fast food row is just down the highway past the interstate."

I noticed the fellow had some loaf bread, mayonnaise, Kraft cheese slices, mustard and some cold cuts in his basket.

It was my time to check out and I put my two boxes of Little Debbie fudge walnut brownies on the counter. Certainly I didn't break the bank at $2.22.

Comment Replies...

glittermom said...

How much further from you is the river house compared to where your father lives now?


Andrew Replies...

Glittermom, about a quarter mile -- basically just down the street and a turn and you are there. My father often says that he wanted that house since he was kid. He made an offer and they accepted.

But Doesn't the River Smell Sometimes?

Straight Out of the Appalachians and then Atlanta...

That's what one of the pharmacy techs asked my father the other day. "Doesn't the river smell coming out of Atlanta?"

My father grumbled something as he told me about it.

The river house had a very large pool, but my father had it demolished today and the hole filled in with several dump trucks of topsoil. I haven't been to the river house in a long time and things are coming along very nicely. Dad had all new windows put in last month. The kitchen is next with new appliances.

"I think I am going to sell your mother's house and mine and move into the river house indefinitely," my father told me.

Mom had often alluded to this already...

"Aren't you worried about floods and flooding?" I asked my father.

"We're not in the floodplain," my father told me and I was not sure what he meant.

The house is 10 feet from the water.

"At least get enrolled in the Federal flood protection insurance program."

"Come on, Chuck!" he said with lots of motivation in his voice, "Let's go get your medications and get you fixed up for the night."

I had hoped for this, but I didn't say anything.

"That's not why I came to see you," I told my father, but it was a moment of elation for me.

So Many Passings Lately...

Dad's good friend J.L.Grant passed away early this morning. Liz, his wife and high school classmate of my father, called to give him the news. I expected a somber and melancholy father but he just seemed to be very thankful for being alive.

"Don't you and Charlie go dying on me as you two are all I've got," I told my father.

Let's Get This Alco RS-1 Looking Good...

The CHV bought this Alco RS-1 locomotive to help build West Point Dam carrying rocks, cement, sand, and such.

Say Good Night Gracie...

I hurriedly put away my groceries last night. I wrote my customary grocery day blog post while I drank my wonderful Sunkist sodas. I then sat down in my recliner for a quick break and to take a gander at the Weather Channel. I was sleeping like a baby before I had a chance to even go to bed. As soon as my body hit that comfortable suede chair, I was down for the count as they say and in slumber-land. I just woke up feeling rested with a little bit of disorientation and the sun is almost over the horizon. Now, that was certainly a fine power nap if I say so myself.

Full Moon = Full Lunatic...

Dad showed up at my house a little late as I expected, He was tired and he was a little sad and melancholy. He had been down to Auburn to see his big Buddy J.L. who is dying from prostate cancer (we hope not but it is looking grim). That's why he was so late and I felt ashamed of myself for doubting him. We took my medications and fulfilled our obligation to our dearest Maggie. Next, was a short drive to Kroger.

"Goddamn, how does a grocery store run out of bananas?" dad said scratching his head in thought.

"There goes my main snack for the week," I replied stymied. "And welcome to Kroger."

Even the organic bananas were sold out. I usually buy two big bunches of green ripening bananas. I got a honeydew melon and a cantaloupe melon to make up for the missing bananas mishap.

"Now, I am getting some rechargeable batteries and a charger," I alerted and warned my father. "I also need a new flashlight as well. It might be a little pricey."

Those were some expensive purchases once we tallied everything up. I had spent $94. I looked at my father and my face flushed in embarrassment. Yeah, I am a rabble-rouser.

The hardest part of buying groceries is getting everything inside and put away. I also have to keep the Magster on the other side of my front door lest she runs frolicking out the front yard and the neighborhood.

You Take the Good With the Bad...

My one and only really big gripe about my life these days is that I am always and constantly waiting on someone else for what I need. I can't even go buy a hamburger without approval.

I just called my father to inquire about his whereabouts because we buy groceries tonight. He was kind of surly with me about my call and he said he would be over here in a little bit. What is a little bit? One hour? Two hours? He was very vague and it is already 9:45 PM here.

The Man With A Black Shirt As Dark As Night...

I was going to greatly surprise my father tonight. I made my most sincere and best efforts to do so. I took a shower, put on some nice clothes, cleanly shaved my scruffy face, and straightened up the house all the while freshening things up with some Febreze air freshener.

Charlie's car came pulling up to the curb around 7:45 PM as I walked out to help bring in all the food and sodas. Wouldn't it be my luck that all my tiresome efforts were met only by Charlie's ever watchful eye? My father had something to do with my sister and the Grand Kids. Charlie was also more interested in my trash and not my composure and togetherness in this matter. Bless Charlie anyway for bringing me supper and cleaning the kitchen. I will try again tomorrow night when my father arrives for the medication ritual.

Chattahoochee Valley Railway Modeling...

Jimmy James, Charlie's nephew, will be here next week to tear out the train room closet. Charlie says he is a goofball and a pain in the ass but does damn good work. They bicker like siblings.

Tonight's project is painting an undecorated SW1500 locomotive in CHV livery -- the mainstay locomotive many years for the CHV.

The Words of the Day are Love and Comrades...

Charlie handed me three sausage biscuits and then he was quickly underway again. Luckily, I was up and going -- sitting in front of the computer as Charlie pulled up to the curb. Maggie and I met him at the front door when I told Maggie that Charlie was here.

"I've got a bunch more deliveries to make," he said to me a little flustered as he turned to walk back to his car..

"I love you, Andrew," Charlie then told me. "Enjoy your biscuits."

It is rare for Charlie to outright say that he loves me. Charlie is a man of action and shows his love by cleaning your kitchen even though it might not need it.

"I love you more," I said to a grinning Charlie as he walked across my front yard to get back into his car.

Maggie was just about to go nuts for her biscuit. I tore one into little pieces and put it on the computer room floor and it was magically gone in a matter of minutes.

"You didn't even get a chance to taste it," I told Maggie admonishingly as I laughed.

It gave new meaning to the phrase "wolfed it down".

Once again, I made my sausage toasters. I toasted four slices of loaf bread in my toaster and then I added the sausage and some mustard.

Shades of Martha Leah...

Are embodied in me...

"Where are you?" I asked my father worriedly over the phone. "I was expecting you many hours ago."

I was starting to anxiously get ants in my pants as dad's mom would say when we would wiggle on the pew during church. I finally got up the gumption to call him (thank you withdrawal), even though he says my late mother and I try to be nosy and want to know his whereabouts and business. Hell, I was just hungry and it is close to grocery day. Hunger is a pretty good motivator when your refrigerator is barren of food and water is the only thing to drink in this house.

At that point, mom would be driving my father absolutely ape shit crazy about driving to my house and giving me my medications.

"Are you going to make him wait all night?" my Chief Advocate General would say waking my father from his boozy slumber.

Dad finally showed up around 9:30 PM telling me numerous times profusely, "I'm sorry! I fell asleep on the couch watching television,"

To my father's credit, he brought some wonderful food and lots of it. I will have to give you his recipe for some of the best rice I have ever eaten and the recipe is simple. It certainly is not low calorie let me warn you.The recipe calls for a whole stick of melted butter and beef bouillion so beware.

If I Could Only Catch My Shadow...

It's been very quiet around here leaving me with little to write about except mundane type stuff. I did go to father's house this afternoon to watch our favorite cooking shows on Georgia Public television. We both enjoy those programs very much. My favorite show is America's Test Kitchen. It seems more like chemistry rather than cooking.

"I am cooking supper for me and you," my father told me as we sat in his den. "Don't eat this afternoon and ruin your appetite.

"What are you cooking?" I asked with a growling stomach and an inquisitive mind.

"We are going to have what was left of that roast I cooked the other day. We are also going to have your favorite french style green beans and  buttery creamed potatoes."

That all sounded so very delicious. Sadly, I didn't do so well this week with my groceries. I've got a half loaf of bread and some Beefaroni to last me until Monday night. Charlie will bring sausage biscuits and a cola in the morning. I also have Sunday night fried chicken as well to tide me over until grocery night.

An Automobile to Covet...

While I was at my father's house, I walked downstairs to the garage to have another gander at my mom's Honda Civic. I sat in the car for quite awhile listening to a jazz CD and then I looked at the engine for a moment as well. My only real qualm about my mother's car is that the engine only has a single overhead cam instead of a double overhead cam.

My father says he is going to let me have it once it has been serviced and four new tires have been added. There is also a little bit of bodywork that needs be done which will the most expensive aspect of this project. Mom hit a parking pylon shortly before her passing.

"We've got to get my car cleaned up before we give it to Mrs. Sandra," I told my father. "She is going to be so surprised!"

We're Just a Little Hyper Around Here...

Gosh, Dad was hyper and talking a million miles a minute tonight belying the fact that he worked 10 hours today. He was certainly riled up, cantankerous, and boisterous.

"Do you ever get tired?" I asked my father with a smile and with an air of facetiousness as well.

This grade D- introvert was being bombarded by a grade A+ extrovert. I was inclined to toss a couple of Klonopin in his mouth when he was talking. He was bitching about my aunt, mom's sister, coming to see me at my house unannounced.

"She put you in a compromising and imposing situation," my overprotective father told me with a snarl and a growl.

"All's well that ends well and I was glad to see her," I told my father to placate him in my aunt Pamela's defense. "I was lucky that my house and bathroom were pretty clean that weekend."

It also worried my uncle Steve, a self claimed introvert as well, and he talked to my father about it.

My Endearing Little Dog...

Maggie's not a very affectionate dog with regards to me. I know she loves me, but she is the dominant female around here also known as Alpha dog and acts as such. She is fiercely independent. It makes you feel good when she does something to tug on your heartstrings.

For several hours after getting my injection, I feel really groggy with an extra layer of sleepiness.  I decided to take a nap this morning as my eyelids were so heavy, but I didn't mean to sleep so long. Maggie was curled up as close to me as possible when I woke up from a very deep slumber. I smiled and almost didn't want to disturb her so I laid there for quite awhile longer listening to her rhythmic breathing. Maggie was taking quite a nap herself.

Where Did All this Kindness Come From?

My father gave me a ribbing this morning and he said he felt bad about it, but it is just because he cares. I know a helluva lot of it has to do with my mother passing away. Dad's realizing from mom's very sudden death that most things in the universe are finite and we better enjoy ourselves along the way before our own demise.

"How are you on groceries?" my father nosily asked me a moment ago.

I almost didn't answer the phone -- phone phobias and such.

"Astonishingly, I am doing pretty good this week so far," I replied proudly. "I am drinking a large glass of V-8 juice right now with an ample amount of Louisiana style hot-sauce."

"It is going to try to give me terrible heartburn, but I am going to get me a $5 Little Caesar's pizza when I get off of work. I am going to get one for you as well," my father told me.

Nurse Adulation...

To All the Kind Healthcare Providers, Bless You!

My father pulled me to the side of the pharmacy counter and admonished me for what I was wearing today. He calls my disheveled and mix-mashed attire the "homeless look". I had on gray elastic sweatpants, a long-sleeved gray pullover shirt with a white cotton t-shirt underneath, and some Nike Air Jordan tennis shoes. I didn't need a coat or jacket today as it was very mild outside.

"Wash your socks with bleach as well," he told me very carefully not to upset me. "They are looking kind of dingy."

"I barely got up and got going this morning," I explained to my father. "I grabbed the first thing I could wear. I feel very self-conscious about what I am wearing as well."

"We just need to go buy you some decent clothes," he said to me with a kinder tone to his voice. "Getting you to wear them is a whole other matter."

I was still almost half asleep and very disorganized as I grabbed my injection from my father's hands and drove the short distance to Kamath Medical. I was completely on autopilot and you could tell I needed my injection. I had barely sat down in the lobby when Rebecca called me back to an examining room. It made me smile a warm smile. I told her it was so very, very good to see her.

"You're going to have to bear with me this morning," I warned my dear nurse Rebecca. "I smell like Irish Spring deodorant, wet dog, and smoldering cigars."

Rebecca laughed jovially and told me not to worry about it. She said she has seen and smelled at lot worse things ar Kamath Medical. Ah, bless!

Coordinates Set -- Thrusters On Full...

Well, I just managed to dodge the proverbial bullet -- the bane of all the banes of my existence. My father called me and woke me up this afternoon. I was in the middle of a very nice catnap with the Magster curled up beside me on the computer room bed. Maggie and I pretty much love such days to rest and recuperate.

"I am going out to eat with your aunt and uncle in a few moments," my father told me. "They very coercively asked for you to come with us."

"I haven't even got around to getting a shower today," I told my father protesting.

I was in full panic mode by then -- my heart pounding in my chest.

"Tell them I am sick and that I have projectile diarrhea."

Dad got to laughing.

The first time I saw my aunt and uncle for over ten long years was at my dear mother's funeral. I guess we do have a lot to catch up on.

"Well, I am going to head your way," my father said. "Do you want to take your medications early?"

"Yes, please," I replied. "That would be very nice!"

"I will be over at your house in about fifteen minutes."

They Call Him The Flash...

Maggie and I were both looking out my den window when my father arrived much to our elation. Maggie and I were certainly ready for the Calvary to storm the battlefield.

Johnny Otis didn't waste any time at all tonight performing the medication ritual in haste. We hurried Maggie's ritual along as well. Dad about dropped Maggie's ceramic water bowl.

"Son? You okay before I go?" dad asked me standing by my front door. "I am going to head on early. I am dog tired."

I had been so lonely for company all day, but I didn't tell him.

"I'm perfectly fine," I told him. "You head on home and enjoy your evening. I am just going to dick around on the computer till about midnight."

Dad usually stays 15 - 30 minutes making sure I keep my medications down. Years, and I mean years ago, I would always throw my medications up when he left. I thought he was trying to mind control me with those dastardly pills.. He finally caught on to what was going on. After all these years, he still fears I will throw up my medications.

We are certainly living on easy street tonight. My very thoughtful father also remembered to bring my six diet Cokes and two packs of cigarillos despite working all day. I told my father "awesome!" when I saw the bag he had in his hands. My dearly departed mother, the secretary, would have been extremely proud of Papa.

Comment Replies...

glittermom said...

I don't know why your dad pushes those frozen dinners...there's a lot of sodium in them..and that's bad..could you just cook some fresh vegetables? Maybe he thinks you won't eat anything but pie if he doesn't make you buy those frozen dinners...


Andrew Replies...

Glittermom, he doesn't want me to cook and mess up the kitchen. He says I will leave food out and I will get bugs (las cacarachas). Also, he says I won't wash my dishes properly. He means well, but can sometimes be a little misguided. In his mind, he is helping me. There is no precedence for all this mind you.

Constantly Consta...

My father generally dissuades us from calling him at work on his cell phone. I had a good reason to call him in that my injection is this Thursday.  My mom, the secretary, used to keep up with this task with alacrity. I was being proactive. I also wanted to make my father proud of me for taking an active role in my mental health and remembering such details.

"You are right, Chuck," he told me happily after looking at my next appointment card.

"Check and make sure one injection is in the store's refrigerators," I told my father anally.

"Yep, we've got one," my father said. "I will see you tonight when I give you your medications."

He told me he loved me and we got off the phone.

Mom also handled all of Maggie's healthcare.  I need to get mom's most interesting calendar and check when it is time for Maggie's flea and heart-worm medications. I think they are due. I also want to know when it is time to take the Magster in for her yearly checkup.

$104.79 Somolians...

"Get you some frozen meals with lots of vegetables in them," my father told me as we walked across Kroger's parking lot. "Carrots and broccoli and such."

My father was coaching me. My father had his own agenda tonight as well. That didn't stop him from making my business his business, too!

I walked into Kroger and headed straight to produce to get my allotment of bananas for the week -- two big bunches. I thought I saw Jermaine in my peripheral vision and I headed the other way. I could hear the whir of one of those motorized shopping carts. I love Jermaine, bless his heart, but tonight wasn't a night for lengthy conversations about nonsense. I wonder if he was eating more grapes?

I grabbed a loaf of bread and a lemon meringue pie and Hershey's creme pie. Then it was time to buy those "much coveted" frozen meals. Dad caught up with me and started to fill my cart with meals.

"This chicken parmigiana meal looks delicious and has vegetables as well," my father said as he got four of those meals and put them in my cart.

It is actually a really good meal to get -- one of Marie's finest.

"I want some more meatloaf, niblet corn, mashed potatoes and gravy," I then said joining in on the festivities.

My father put four of those meals in my cart as well. I grabbed four turkey and dressing meals and tossed then into my cart for good measure along with two boxes of four cheese, three meat lasagna.

My last item to get was my three (journal writing) drinks and we were ready for checkout.

My Next Weathering Project...

This is going to be my next adventure in Model Railroading which is weathering a boxcar similar to this one I found on the web. 

The Tradition Continues...

"You didn't leave me anything to clean!" Charlie replied disappointingly and complaining as we finished up our Sunday evening chores.

There was a very smug grin on my face. There might have even been a smirk as well.

"I had to clean up for a visit from Mary E. and her family," I told mien Charlie.

"It sure smells good in here."

"Your daddy decided to let me take care of things tonight as you can obviously tell," Charlie then told me. "Come on! Let's give Maggie fresh food and water."

I completely forgot Charlie's birthday last week and told him happy birthday tonight.  Charlie is 71 years young.

"Everybody continues to remind me I am 71 years old!" Charlie said with a laugh.

After our Charlie left, I looked in my box of fried poultry and there was a measly biscuit, two boxes of potato wedges, 2 breast pieces, and a wing piece. Maggie always gets the fried poultry wing after I debone it and pulled it into little bite size pieces.

Visit Finis...

"Say kitty to Maggie," my father said to me as we all sat in my den.

The kids were standing next to my sitting sister and Maggie was in the middle of the den floor taking care of some errant cooties oblivious to what was about to happen.

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty!" I said loudly. "Where's that kitty?!"

Maggie got to loudly barking her fool head off and hurriedly got on the back of the couch to look out the window. My sister, the kids, and dad loved it. My sister then had to do it and Maggie repeated the process. I hate to cry wolf, but it is endearing.

"I can tell Maggie doesn't care for kitties," my sister said laughing.

Luckily, and I say luckily, dad remembered to bring my medications as I was teetering on the edge of insanity. (a little bit of hyperbole) I did feel uncomfortable mentally as it had been 24 hours since my last dose..

So now, I have this big plate of supper to eat. We'll save it for later. I want two roast beef sandwiches before bed.

"Are you and Charlie doing Sunday night fried chicken?" I asked my father catching him off guard.

I didn't mean to burden him. It was just a casual question.

"I will call you if we do," dad said. "You know Horsefly will have to get his chicken tenders. Charlie might handle tonight."

Frenetic Cleaning Going On...

I ate lunch with my father, sister, and my nephew and niece. We all agreed that we missed my mother and her presence. There was an empty chair at the table. Mom would've enjoyed this meal. Dad cooked a pot roast, caramelized onions, carrots, potatoes, tasty green beans, and delicious creamed corn. We also had a tart lemon congealed salad that was delicious. I felt like a duck out of water, but I did okay.

I frantically cleaned my house as they are headed my way. My niece and nephew want to see the Magster. I've learned to pour a little Fabuloso into the toilet and the whole house will smell clean in a matter of minutes. I swept the floors and then got to dusting the furniture a bit. Maggie's couch is well, Maggie's couch. They will have to deal with it.

I am also frantically sitting at this computer trying to burn a CD for my sister. It is Morcheeba: The Platinum Edition. We have the same musical tastes and I am sure she will love listening to it.

Dad is also bringing my medications so we can get the medication ritual out of the way. I  gave him a hug and whispered in his ear to bring meds and he smiled. I am in serious need of them today -- two days in a row.

What's a Little Rain Between Friends?

It is 6:45 AM. I don't know why my body decided to wake me up this hour. I guess going to bed at 9 PM will do that to you. I feel like I could have slept for several more hours and might just go back to bed with the Magster.

Maggie was thrilled to death when I crawled into the bed so early. She jumped up on the bed and immediately began her nightly grooming. Soon, she was asleep snuggled up by my side as it was cold in my house last night. I have the thermostat set on 76 ° degrees this morning and it feels rather balmy.

I just noticed George driving by my house in the pitch black dark headed for the Waffle House. Does he keep up with the weather? It is 42 degrees outside and it is about to start raining. It should rain for several hours -- purely deplorable weather.

Next up? Charlie, the biscuit man. I don't expect Charlie until around 10 AM. I am going to make more of my sausage toasters and discard the McDonald's biscuits. A man has got to do what a man has to do. My main interest is the large Coca-Cola Charlie always brings me on Sunday mornings.

My Model Railroad Project Tonight...

This undecorated GP30 locomotive is going to soon see some new livery. I am painting it in the Chattahoochee Valley Ry. paint scheme.  The GP stands for general purpose and the 30 stands for 3000 horsepower.

We Have a Go For Crazy Meds...

Dad's cooking something for supper (a roast with potatoes, onions, and carrots) and will call me in a minute to come and take my medications. He has to go get them out of his car. I grew a pair and told him I wasn't feeling well at all and I needed them which is the god's honest truth. I feel like something the cat threw up today. It cycles like that -- my mental illness. This is just one of those days. Bless him for being so nice about it all. He was kind as kind could be.

It Tastes Mediciney...

I just called my father and left a message...

Good morning! I hope you are okay. Would you please put out my Cokes so that they will be cold when I come and get them? I hope things are pleasant and that you have something neat to do today. Your porkchops and rice were exquisite last night.

Dad also gave me some spicy cheese straws that my cousin Jean made and they were delicious as well.

I really need my medications this morning, but I was too much of a chicken shit to ask -- too much of a wimp. I've got the jitters and feel as if I am about to jump out of my skin. That could all be cured within one hour of taking my medications. I need to grow a serious backbone. The thought of waiting till tonight is almost unbearable.

Subsequent Call -- The Godfather Calls Back...

"Hey Chuck!" my father said in a very chipper and good mood. "I am putting your Cokes out. I am doing laundry right now to give me something to wear at work next week."

"Do you think we could maybe take my medications?" I asked with great trepidation and hope.

"Let's wait until 5 PM," my father replied. "We need to get back on schedule."

"Yeah, I've just gotten used to taking them earlier in the day this week."

Damn!

Well, at least that is better than waiting until 9 PM tonight -- count your blessings. The only real minus to taking my medications early is that Maggie misses seeing my father every night. I always take them over at my father's house.

On a Very Good and Inspiring Note...

We are moving closer to building the Chattahoochee Valley Model Railway in my computer room which will soon become the model train room. The computers will go into my bedroom after moving some furniture around. I inherited a little money from mom and it is going to be used for my model railroading dream.

Charlie stopped by this morning and looked at my closet in the computer room. I want to tear it out and make room for a model railroading empire. That will give me a completely square room to work with. We are also going to have to tear the windows out and put up dry wall or at least cover them so the horizon of the room will be seamless and curved in the corners. I will have to paint the clouds and the sky with my airbrush.

"I'll get my nephew, Jimmy James, to stop by and look at it," Charlie said excitedly. "It shouldn't be that expensive. Jimmy James is an asshole, but he does excellent work."

Comment Replies...

diane said...

How are the two cards working for you? I tried it a couple of years ago when I was still gaming. Not all my games performed well with SLI or have SLI support.

I had a problem with frame pacing and it threw up funky things like see-through walls that weren't supposed to be see-through, flashing textures and stuttering. I found one high end card worked best for me.

Andrew Replied...

Diane, the technology has matured a great bit. I haven't had any issues so far, but I am only playing Skyrim: Legendary Edition right now on that computer. My frames per second have gone from 60 fps to over 100 fps and gaming is so smooth and fluid. So far, it has also worked fine with all my numerous emulators which is serious old-school gaming. That was important to me.

Hiding Out...

There was a ball of fur curled up on the computer room bed a minute ago. I looked at the thermostat and it read 70° degrees. No wonder! It was cold in here. I turned the thermostat up to 75° degrees and it feels downright toasty in here now. I think the furball is about to stir.

Your Son Beckons...

We're Not Receiving Calls Today...

My call was simple enough -- I wanted to know if my father put my cigarillos and Cokes out on the back porch as has been his custom this week. I hated to drive all the way over there and they were still inside. I would be so disappointed. I've got to write down the new alarm code.

Firstly, I called the home phone. The answering service picked up the call and it was my mother talking saying she couldn't answer the phone at the moment and to leave a message. It was like hearing a ghost speak from the past. Hearing her voice sent chills down my spine.

I then called my father's cell phone and got dumped into voicemail after a few rings. I am sure my father was thinking that I wanted my medications early today and was avoiding me.

Well, I threw caution to the wind and drove on over to my parent's house. I noticed all their cars were there. The X5 and mom's Civic were in the garage. Dad's CR-V was parked in the driveway.  Dad's Ford truck was parked at Charlie's house. Thankfully, my drinks and smokes were sitting in the chair on the back porch. I didn't tempt fate and try to knock. I gathered my bag of goodies and drove home.

Looking Back On That Fateful Day...

Mom was sitting on the couch when I arrived for my Cokes. I noticed she had a brace on her foot and she was sitting kind of odd. She always hides her obesity, but she was letting it show that day. Her belly was hanging over her belt.

Dad was in a hurry and was about to go pickup the Grand Kids in Auburn to take them to our pond in god's country. They were going to do a little fishing. The day seemed innocent and normal enough.

"Come on," my father told my mother. "Let me help you get back in the bed. I've got to run."

"I'll see y'all," I said loudly as I was opening the back door of my parent's house.

"Don't forget your Cokes and your cigars," mom said as my father helped her up off the couch.

The phone was ringing when I walked into my house after I drove home.

"Your mother's dead," my father told me. "I just wanted to tell you first as you are the closest to her."

"What happened?" I asked completely stunned and flabbergasted. "She was fine a few minutes ago!"

"She just collapsed on the floor of her bedroom and died." dad told me. "The paramedics are on their way."

I went into full panic attack mode and had to sit down. I told my father I would be back over to their house when I had gathered my wits about me.

Visitation went on for 3 hours. There was a line going around the funeral home that had formed. Mom was an elementary school teacher for over twenty years. Many of the visits she got was from her former students.

My very talented uncle played the guitar and sang a song he wrote about my mother at the funeral. Mom was buried with her ashes in a little ornate box in Waverly, Alabama surrounded by friends and family.

A Pig's Vignette...

I called my father at lunchtime. I had barely got my pants and shirt on when it hit me. I wanted some pickled sausages from the Piggly Wiggly. Kroger doesn't carry them. I quickly tied my shoes.

"You don't really need to eat those," my father said disparagingly. "They've got to be bad for you -- all full of sodium and fat."

"And delicious vinegar," I added. "I just want to let you know there would be a debit on my debit card!"

I didn't give him a chance to say no. He told me to be sure to get a receipt.

I donned a jacket on this lukewarm day and headed out as Maggie cleared the way for me -- barking her fool head off that I was leaving. She ran outside through the dog door.

I noticed that all the tulip trees are blooming as I drove out of the neighborhood. We are having a Indian summer down South.

The Pig was deserted. I didn't see one other customer while I was in there which was very odd. They are always gangbusters busy. Also, they had moved the little jars of Penrose sausage and it took me a moment to find them. I found them above the 6-packs of Vienna sausages.

"This all for you honey?" the rough looking cashier asked.

"Yes ma'am that is all I needed," I replied.

The only other thing that happened was a black lady almost ran into my car as she was parking. I sighed with relief when she missed me by a couple of inches and I drove home.

The avian toilet: You know one more thing happened. Birds shit all over the hood of my car as I was shopping. I am not happy about it.

Charlie and Horsefly...

The Dope Man...

The phone rang loudly and obtrusively this afternoon as I was in a pivotal point in a retro video game I was playing.

"I am headed to the Circle K," my father said. "I will meet you there."

I told my father I would be there in just a minute as I saved the state of the game I was playing.

I pulled into Circle K and dad was already pumping gas into his car. The total was $27.91 I distinctly remembered as I told my father he was running on completely dead empty.

"My low fuel light was on," he told me. "When it does then I have 30 miles of gas left before empty."

He handed me $5 bucks and told me to get some of my tutti fruity drinks I so love. He always says my dearly departed mother and I have the taste buds of small children. I got two Mountain Dews for over $3 dollars. When did drinks get so expensive? You used to could get a 20oz Coca-Cola for .99 cents. My father told me that everything is more expensive these days when I complained about the price.

We got in dad's car and I took my dope from the dope man.

"I know you don't want these Klonopin," my father said jokingly with a sly grin.

"Gimme, Gimme!" I replied playfully.

Really, to be honest about the matter, I really can't feel its effects much lately. It has a placebo effect more than anything I think.

Mom's Honda Civic LX...

Momma sure was hell on wheels...

"I am going to get your mother's car fixed up next month," my father told me as we sat in his car. "Just give me some time to get things together."

"She hit a parking pole a few months ago and also hit the garage door again," my father then told me. "I want to get that fixed before I give that car to you. I also want to get all the fluids changed and the car tuned up at the Honda dealership. I am also leaning on putting 4 new tires on that car as well."

All I could say was, "Thank you so very much and I will take good care of the car."

Manna From Heaven...

"Wait, before you go," my father said as I opened his car door.

He reached into his backseat.

"Here's a container of lasagna. I cooked a big pan around lunch. I gave half to your brother and sister-in-law. I am giving you the rest. It was your mother's recipe and it is delicious.

Rendezvous at the Circle K...

I called my father on his home phone and didn't get an answer. Next was his cell phone and he immediately answered. He was in his car.

"Hey Chuck!" he said with another pleasant tone to his voice which is abnormal. "I am out and about taking care of some legal matters again -- lawyers and such."

"Can we take my medications this afternoon?" I asked extremely apprehensively and timidly.

I am used to getting derided about such matters for the most part. Usually, my father will tell me to wait until nightfall or our normal time.

"Sure!" he replied surprisingly. "I also need gas so we will meet in an hour at the Circle K. You can get one of your tutti fruity drinks you so like to take your medications with."

Dad always keeps some of my medications in his car. Charlie does as well for emergencies.

I told dad I loved him and we got off the phone. He immediately called back with shades of my mother being reminiscent.

"We're forgetting your Cokes and cigars again," he told me laughing and saying I am just like him about such things. "I'll try to run by the house and get them before we meet."

Count your blessings as that is going to be so nice to drink some cold Cokes this afternoon.

One thing that did come out of my mother's death is that my father is a much kinder, gentler, and patient soul.

One Humungous Box of Detergent...

This was just sheer circumstance and coincidence today. The ethos works in weird ways sometimes.

A few years ago, my mother bought me a gigantic box of Gain detergent at Sam's Club which was her inclination to do so. Dad bitched and bitched about it saying that was a $50 box of detergent and that I would never use it all. I used it all today. The empty box is sitting on my stoop ready to be carried to the trashcan.

Well, Charlie just called and asked me if I have enough detergent. I laughed and laughed as I told him the tale of the now depleted box of Gain in my laundry room.

"I've got a whole nother box of Tide with Bleach," I told Charlie. "Thank you, though."

"I am bringing you some some giant packs of toilet paper and paper towels when I get off of work," he told me laughing.