Comment Replies...

Blogger Jenni said...

The Crown was racy? Was it maybe Game of Thrones? I've heard that GoT is full of sex and nudity. The Crown is about the early days of Queen Elizabeth II.

Andrew Replies...

Jenni, it was indeed The Crown. I had to call my father to make sure. At least several scenes were racy and full of nudity while I was over there and watching for a few moments.

Weather Gods? Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?

The National Weather Service said we would be beseeched with sleet this afternoon. I was met with overcast skies when I walked out of the house to go get my Cokes and smokes. Not a drop of rain fell on the drive over even though the radar looked really busy. It was probably virga and not hitting the ground.

My sister and family were at my father's house when I arrived. I got the treat of driving my sister's new Infinity sport utility vehicle. Wow! They, my brother and sister, live a lifestyle I can only imagine or dream of. My Honda gets me around just fine, though. Although she's starting to look a little ugly being 18 years old.

My sister and father were watching The Crown on Netflix and it was really racy with lots of sex and nudity. It made me squirm in my seat a little bit being around my sister, neice, and father with all that going on the screen. Poor Kathleen, my neice, kept having to cover her eyes and ears on the really racy moments.

"Are y'all bringing supper tonight?" I asked my father before I left as he followed me to the door.

"Charlie and I sure are," he said. "What do you want to eat tonight?"

"Just get me one of those Little Ceasar's $5 Hot-N-Ready pizzas if you don't mind," I told him.

Dad said Charlie and him would be around about 9 pm.

The house is a little worse for wear so I better get to cleaning and taking out the trash before they arrive tonight. I don't want to send Charlie into a cleaning frenzy.

Paramore Fans! Did They Jump the Shark?

I was aghast at the new album they put out called Hard Times. It was an extremely drastic change from their emo alternative rock sound to a more 80's sound. Well, I've listened to the new album several times now and have grown to really enjoy listening to it being a connoisseur of 80's music. I wonder what other Paramore fans think about it?

Their old alternative rock sound.

Yay! I Have Undies...

Captain Commando Himself!

"How much do you think underwear costs?" my father asked me a moment ago.

I had just driven to his house with undies on the brain. My dangly bits needed some support.

"I bet it is about $5 to $6 dollars a pack," I replied.

Dad gave me $20 and I headed to Fred's Super Dollar Store. I purchased two packages of Fruit of the Loom undies and brought dad the change back.

My father had me a massive care package of Christmas leftovers ready for me when I was ready to drive home. We are going to be eating good in the neighborhood tonight!

A Song For You!

Ying/Yang/Ebb/Flow...

I aspire to be a good gamer. It is like an exclusive club, but like anything in my short life my interest in gaming waxes and wanes. A lot of the games seem like work like the Elder Scrolls series. Fetch this. Get that. Get 200 gold septims and a pat on the back.  That's not always fun to me and feels like a real job except you get no real-world gains.

Right now, I am playing Metroid Prime using the Dolphin emulator, a USB GameCube controller, and an ISO of the game. The GameCube's graphics are gorgeous, but the game is of the FPS variety or first-person shooter for the layman. I am having trouble keeping interest and it is supposed to be one of the greatest games made according to several gaming publications, websites, and numerous circles. I can't seem to get past the opening sequence of exploring a derelict spaceship.

Wicked Cold Weather on the Way...

I saw where the high temperature was 9° degrees in Chicago yesterday. The temperature is supposed to drop down to 16° degrees here Monday night. I wonder how cold it will be when I am on my grocery gathering trip? I bet it will already be down into the low twenties. Moans. We are just not well suited for that kind of cold. Hell, I don't even own a warm hat or gloves. I have no heavy coats. Just jackets. Man, I'd give my eye tooth for a sweater right now.

Going Captain Commando...

I am going commando today as my last pair of underwear bit the dust. The elastic gave way.

"Oh, I dread going to Walmart to get you more," dad said over the phone. "Come over and get your Cokes and cigarettes while I think."

I headed to my father's house and was there in just a few minutes.

"Fred's just down the street has men's underwear," I told my father upon arriving. "Let me call them and make sure."

"You sure?" dad asked with a skeptics mind.

I looked up the number in the phone book. A lady told me over the phone that they did indeed have men's underwear.

"Can you go commando until tomorrow?" dad asked and I said yes.

He was so relieved he didn't have to go to Walmart and could just drive down the street. He was doubly surprised that I would make such a call with my phone phobias. He accused me of being hyper and on a Martha high.

"You've got it in your genes!" dad said laughing. "You know it is true!"

Yes, I was on a Martha high. I calmed down some and got a big plate of Christmas leftovers and my diet Cokes/cigarettes and headed home before any more accusations could be made. I had some barbecue pork roast to share with Maggie and me.

Marsupial Machinations...

Possum babies are so cute!

My father was late tonight with my Cokes and cigarettes. It was almost 9 pm when he arrived. He usually arrives between 8 and 8:30 pm. Maggie had been on vigil for an hour.

"He's coming doll," I kept telling her.

Maggie squealed with glee the moment the beemer pulled up to the curb.

"Your cousin Johnny caught me on the phone and he gets his feelings extremely hurt if I try to get off the phone with him or cut the conversation short," dad explained to me. "I was stuck on the phone down at the pharmacy."

I had two cigarettes left so it was actually perfect timing.

"Let me check your medications and your bathroom," dad said. "And then we will feed and water Maggie."

I have to keep a spotless bathroom these days after Charlie went to all that trouble to clean it to perfection. I cleared the inspection with flying colors. Dad gave me my two sleeping pills as is his custom on such visits. As far as I am concerned, it is like giving me a placebo.

"Where are you going with Maggie's food?" Old Fuss and Feathers asked as I carried Maggie's food to the computer room.

"A possum is coming in every night and eating Maggie's food," I told my father. "We are feeding a possum and not Maggie if I don't do this."

Dad chuckled.

"And Maggie doesn't put up a fuss?" dad asked incredulously.

"She is sound asleep in the bed with me when it happens," I told him. "This possum is super stealthy. I've only seen it once in a chance meeting."

Bleary Eyed But Fortified...

I finally fell asleep at 4 am this morning. Yes, I am cycling again to a nocturnal existence. It might be one week or two weeks of late nights and sleeping in the day before I am back to a diurnal existence again. The shrill ring of the phone woke me up at 8:30 am.

"Chuck? You up and at em?" my father asked cheerily.

"I am now," I replied with a moan. "Glad you called. I will see you at the pharmacy at nine."

I hastily dressed and put on lots of deodorant as I didn't have time for a shower.

The warm lobby at Kamath Medical felt absolutely wonderful. I basked in its heat as I waited for my nurse to call me back -- warmth was just returning to my toes. As usual, I didn't have to wait long.

My injection burned something terrible this morning, but I grinned and bared it. This was after a lengthy conversation with my nurse about what we got for Christmas.

"I wish I had a hobby like you do with computers," Rebecca told me.

When I got back to the pharmacy, I talked to Matt, the computer guy extraordinaire.

"They were out of stock on that sound card you wanted for Christmas," Matt told me. "I am going to reorder it today when I get some spare time."

I thanked Matt profusely and made my way back up through the Valley to home.

Green Doodie...

"I bet you never have green doodie," Jermaine told me catching me in Kroger's produce section. "It means you have a lack of potassium in your diet. Bananas are full of potassium."

"That's nice to know, Jermaine," I replied blithely as I grabbed the biggest bunch of slightly green bananas I could find.

Jermaine popped a purple grape into his mouth and said he was going to go see if there were any quick sale specials in the bakery. I got off easy tonight and continued with my shopping with razor sharp focus. I wanted to be finished by the time my father arrived. I quickly finished and was waiting for him up front when he walked in the door.

I didn't do so well tonight grocery shopping price wise. I managed to spend $86 dollars. I didn't mean to and had the grandest aspirations to keep it around $60 dollars again this week. I blame it on the gourmet chicken salad I am so enamored with at the moment and the multitudes of breakfast food I buy every week. My father didn't say anything though and seemed in a chipper and upbeat mood afterwards. I headed to my car in the freezing cold to load up and head home. There was a very brisk northerly wind and the cold just made me frigid and miserable. It was cutting through me like a knife.

"I am going to go get my Honda gassed up," my father told me as we parted ways in the parking lot. "Love you and be careful driving home."

Earlier in the evening, Old Fuss and Feathers and Charlie brought me a great supper.

"It is about time for me to give you another haircut," Charlie noted at my longish locks.

I had slices of barbecued pork roast, sweet potato souffle, some of that wonderful macaroni casserole, and some chicken and dressing. Maggie sat as if frozen in time as she intently watched me eat my meal. I didn't think she would eat the pork with tangy and spicy barbeque sauce all over it, but she scarfed it down despite my worries.

Star Wars Overly Met My Expectations...

Earlier in the day I called my father and told him I was driving down to Auburn to catch the afternoon matinee of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

"Don't go wild at the concession stand," he told me. "Your account doesn't have much money in it."

I forget about it being the end of the month. He said he was going to run to the bank and deposit $100.

The movie was great in my opinion. I saw the original Star Wars in theaters in 1977 so this was a treat to see old familiar faces and the new faces as well. I was disappointed when Luke didn't get into a light saber brawl with Ben Solo at the end. I wanted to see the petulant and arrogant Ben get an ass-kickin' by a master Jedi.

Nix on the Grocery Store Visit...

YUMMY to my TUMMY!

"Are you sure you can make it to the grocery store tonight?" I asked my father. "You have to be exhausted."

I didn't realize he had to work today. It is back to business as usual around here.

"I tell you what, dad," I said. "Just get me a double quarter pounder with cheese meal from McDonald's on the way home and I will be fine. We will grocery shop tomorrow night."

My father sounded so relieved. You could hear it in his voice.

"I've got plenty of leftovers from Christmas you can have as well," he told me.

"Yeah, I will probably need a plate tomorrow," I told him. "I desperately want some more of that macaroni casserole being the casserole fiend I am."

My father laughed and said he had to agree that was one of his better casseroles he had ever cooked. He said he would see me about 8 pm.

OMG!

My sister gave me the most comfortable clothes I have ever owned. An L.L. Bean fleece pullover and pants. They are so warm and super comfortable. I had to turn the heat down in here two degrees they are so warm. I am going to wear them to get groceries tonight and it will make for a much more comfortable experience. The grocery store experience always freezes my butt off every week. They keep it cold so the food lasts longer.

My brother and his wife gave me a very nice fleece jacket and the world's most powerful flashlight (torches as they are called in England). At least, that's what it says on the box. "You can see it from space!" I'll go over budget grocery shopping tonight trying to buy batteries for the thing. It takes like eight "C" batteries.

I didn't get into bed until 1 am last night playing some old emulated Sega Saturn games. My biological clock then decided I needed to get up at 9 am. I took my meds and got in the kitchen and fixed the Mags and I a hot plate. Just some cheese eggs and buttery toast, but it tasted absolutely delicious. It was all washed down with my last glass of sweet milk. I hadn't been on the computer for a few minutes when I felt as if the weight of the world were bearing down upon my shoulders. Back to bed Maggie and I went. The Magster and I didn't get up until 4 pm this afternoon. Can you say some serious sleeping? Dad would say I am depressed. What he doesn't know won't hurt him. Yes, I set my alarm and took my noon meds. It wouldn't be unlike my father to show up this afternoon and do a spot med check with Maggie and me in the bed and medications sans taken.

Mostly Forgotten...

I guess I can't complain. It has been a quiet Christmas. I set my alarm to take my noon medications and Maggie and I went back to bed and slept until 4 pm.  I couldn't get my father on the phone so I drove to his house and no one was home. The beemer was gone so that means he had traveled out of town. Charlie went to Atlanta to be with his oldest son and his granddaughter on Christmas.

It is also our first Christmas without mom and I miss her dearly. She wouldn't join in on all the revelry and would stay at home in the bed. I would call her with a sob story about how Christmas sucks and she would tell me to come over and be with her. She might just give me something medicinal to make me feel better as well. (ahem)

All Hope is Not Yet Lost...

Edit: Papa was just passing through Camp Hill, Alabama late this evening when he called me on the way back from my sister's house. Thank goodness!

"I'll call you when I get home," he said. "You have a lot of presents from your brother and sister. I've missed you and I love you."

"Do you know what I gave all the grandkids?" dad then asked. "I gave them all $250 and a framed picture of Samantha. (dad chuckles) The kids loved it and had a fit over it!"

I guess the cavalry is arriving after all. Just when I had lost all hopes for this Christmas. You just don't want to be alone on the holidays. You want your family to be around you.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas On Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve started with a big breakfast for the Mags and I. I scrambled cheese eggs, boiled grits, fried bacon, and made more homemade biscuits. I started another pot of coffee, but only took a few sips and gave up -- even with some milk it was unpalatable. I cleaned up from breakfast and the Magster and I crawled back into the bed to get some more sleep which I felt the need for. Anytime is a good time regarding Maggie and sleep.

I was awakened around 1 pm by a knock on the door. I needed to take my noon meds anyway. "Coming!" I said as I quickly pulled on some pants. I looked out the window and there was this sharply dressed, in their Sunday best, white couple obviously wanting to do some witnessing.  I waited until they gave up and left. Little did they know they left a man a nervous wreck in their wake.

My father soon called and told me to come and unwrap my presents before the house got too busy for me. He had a big Christmas party planned for the evening. I quickly headed to the car and drove to my parent's house with a big goofy grin on my face. I had been waiting for this moment for weeks since we ordered my parts. Everything was there except my Audigy soundcard.

"It must not have been delivered yet," my father told me stymied. "I will keep an eye out for it and get Matt to check and see if it shipped."

I had fun anyways installing my two new 4 Terabyte drives. I am backing up my main computer on one of those drives as I write this. Everything installed flawlessly and my new keyboard and mouse feel marvelous in my hands. No more cordless mice for me. I am tired of changing and recharging batteries.

Charlie brought me two big plates of food tonight along with two slices of delicious cake. A red velvet cake Charlie's sister made and a big slice of my father's coconut and pineapple cake. He also brought me a Christmas present which was a very nice Nike shirt. I can envision this shirt becoming my new sleeping shirt it is so pliable and soft. Charlie soon headed home to give Horsefly his Christmas presents.

Guess Who I Saw Late Last Night?

Yes, Charlie. I was feeling lonely late last night and I knew my father doesn't go to bed until around 1 am on nights he doesn't have to work the next day. Maggie wasn't being much company deciding to go to bed early. Dad was in the kitchen cooking more cake layers as his first batch didn't turn out.

"Andrew!" Charlie said exuberantly. "Don't mind me. I am just taking a quick nap."

Charlie had kicked his shoes off and was laying on the couch as dad cursed as he cooked in the kitchen. We call this "bake and hate" in the family. He was fixing to go get Horsefly at the bowling alley which closes at midnight.

"I just left him down there to bowl until his heart's content for Christmas. I bet he is worn out and a sweaty mess."

It always makes me feel uncomfortable when Charlie leaves Horsefly like that, but I guess he knows what he is doing.

I didn't stay long -- basically just long enough for me to drink a diet Coke and just long enough for that lonely feeling to leave me. Dad called me at midnight just as Maggie and I had crawled into the bed. Maggie and I both got up to answer the phone.

"Are you better now?" he asked me. "I am just worried about you."

"I am fine now," I told him. "The Magster and I are about to head towards dreamland."

"You know? You used to would never get lonely when you were drinking," my father told me.

"John Barleycorn was my best friend," I replied.

Fast Forward to Today...

Maggie and I slept in until about 2 pm. A phone call woke me up and it was my father.

"I've got to go get you some cigarettes," he said. "I will call you when it is time to pick them up along with your diet Cokes."

Dad soon called again and I was on my way to his house in a raging downpour. I was thanking my father profusely when there was another knock on the back door.

"Come on in!" dad said loudly as he sat in the command chair.

It was Charlie with a crystal cake plate and cover for my father's cake. Horsefly doesn't stop for anything and they were on their way to the movies in Auburn.

"Don't forget I am bringing you biscuits in the morning," Charlie told me.

"You don't have to go to all that trouble on Christmas," I told Charlie.

"I have to get Horsefly's sausage biscuit come hell or high water," Charlie said with a chuckle. "I'll see you in the morning."

Comment Replies...

Blogger Summer said...

Very interesting. So the diesel powers the alternator which supplies the electricity? How many miles to the gallon?

Blogger Andrew said...

Summer, I know this sounds like propaganda, but trains can move a ton of freight over 470 miles on a single gallon of fuel. They are much more efficient than moving freight by trucks on the interstates.

A Christmas Message From Facebook!

It's Christmas Time in the Chattahoochee Valley...

"Let me open my smallest present," I asked my father at noon with fingers crossed.

I knew the smallest box would be my two 4 Terabyte hard drives. I am almost out of space on my emulation computer. Too many Gamecube, Playstation 2, and emulation games.

"No, no, no!" dad replied laughing. "You have to wait until Christmas Eve."

I didn't push the issue. Mom would always let me open one of my presents early every year I complained.

"I am not your mother," dad said when I told him that.

Dad is busy baking a coconut cake which was his mother's specialty and claim to fame. He still has her recipe.

"Now is when I could use your mother's help," he told me. "She could taste the icing and know when it was ready to coat the cake. I hope my layers turn out. I just put them in the oven."

Railroading 101...

Blogger Summer said...

Do trains run on diesel?

Andrew Replies...

Summer, yes they do. Some engines hold up to 5500 gallons at a time. (General Electric AC4400CW 4,400 hp locomotive)

Most people don't know this, though, that trains are electric vehicles much like my brother's Tesla electric car. The engine drives a generator (or alternator) which supplies electricity to traction motors at each axle. The traction motors are what moves the locomotive and the train behind it.

My favorite all-time locomotive is the Alco (American Locomotive Company) RS3...

The Fabulous Franklin and South Manchester...

Hurry Up and Wait...

I tell ya. I am in the Army. Hurry up and wait. I just quickly drove to the Circle K to get a $.79 cent drink which I was dying for and now I am waiting for my father to arrive. He brings my Cokes and cigarettes on the nights he works. I pick them up on the days he is off. He says if I kept the Cokes and cigarettes in my possession that I would be constantly running out or would drink too many and smoke too much. So, I am allowed one pack of cigarettes a day and 6 diet Cokes. I just smoked my last cigarette from yesterday's allotment so it is condition red around here. Watch this be the one evening out of few that he shows up at 9 pm! I need Andrew's law just like that guy Murphy has.

A Chicken Snack Box or Beer?

I walked across the highway heading from the railroad tracks to the convenience store this afternoon. I had in mind to purchase a fried chicken snack box which this convenience store is reknowned for.

For curiosity's sake, I ended up peering into the beer cooler and was aghast at how much the price of beer has gone up over the years. "Idiot," I muttered to myself for even looking. I only had $10 to spend. I walked out of the store with a box of inexpensive chicken livers and a regular Coke on ice.

"Can I have some extra ketchup?" I asked the server before paying and she put about twenty packs in my box which made me smile. Can you say overkill? I put them in my condiment drawer at home and will eventually use them. I am always running out of ketchup.

I saw lots of trains today which thrilled me to death. A lot of interesting and odd locomotives. There were even some new Union Pacific locomotives on lease that were pulling freight for CSX. The Union Pacific is a western/midwest railway and seldom seen in the South. The locomotives of my youth were so much more varied and interesting than the modern locomotives today, though. I miss seeing an occasional EMD GP38-2 matched up with a GP30, or a  GE U33C (or U-Boats as we always called them).

Chicken livers are an aquired taste, but I knew Maggie would scarf some down. She was prancing as I opened the front door wondering what treats I had brought her today.  I had about six chicken livers left in the box and she consumed them with zest. Yes, chicken is a good thing.

Comment Replies...

Blogger glittermom said...

Did you ever get your WOW visit for your update speed?

Andrew Replies...

No, Glittermom, I never did. Dad is corresponding with a fellow who comes in the pharmacy. They have a "deal" worked out that has never come to fruition. I believe that is the holdup. If he would just call a customer service representative then I would probably have 500 Mbps internet in just a few days. Dad says he hates calling "Colorado" for service -- would rather deal with a real person. I keep patiently waiting and hoping a WOW! van will pull up in front of my house any day now. I betcha ten bucks he would be calling "Colorado" if his cable went out for a day. 

It's Eating Old Fuss and Feathers Alive...

I called dad this afternoon wanting cigarette lighters. My last lighter had bitten the dust. I was lighting my cigarettes on my stove.

"I've got about twenty," my father said. "They give me two free lighters when I buy your cartons of cigarettes."

I sighed with relief. Thank you Circle K for being so generous.

"Bring your medication blister pack when you come," dad said. "I want to make sure you're taking your medications as prescribed."

Dad was worried I was taking out the Klonopin from other days to get a mellow "high". I have been super hyper vigilant and careful to take my medications as I am supposed to. These random spot checks keep me on my toes which I am sure dad intended.

Dad met me at the back door of his house when I pulled into the driveway. Samantha also went flying inside all wet and damp and parked herself in front of dad's space heater in the den and began giving herself a bath.

"You seem to be taking them like you are supposed to," dad said. "You are not throwing them out, are you?"

"Dad, you would see a marked deviation in my behavior if I weren't taking my medications," I told him.

My father agreed with me and told me to always come to him if I needed help in taking them. I told him not to worry and that things are fine.

Comment Replies...

Blogger glittermom said...

What happened to the plans for your train set up in the spare room?

Andrew Replied...

Jimmy James was going to tear out the closet to make it a square room, but it was going to be expensive. We were also going to have to tear out the windows. Dad axed the idea saying my house is too small and he also told me to wait for a more opportune time financially. I really had high hopes for a train room so I could build my Chattahoochee Valley Railway empire. Model Railroading is also an extremely expensive hobby and I am participating vicariously through the magazines I get every month. I will have to put up photos of some of the models I've painted and weathered sometime.

Once Bitten, Twice Shy...

I was just finishing washing my dishes from cooking and consuming a grand breakfast when Charlie called me. I ambled into the computer room to answer the phone.

"I didn't wake you up, did I?" Chalie asked on his way to work.

"I get up early these days. Maggie and I just got finished eating a big breakfast," I told him.

I even made homemade biscuits this morning which Maggie found to be an oddity. She buried hers in the backyard.

"The reason I am calling is that Erin (Charlie's granddaughter) got a letter and a call from her internet service provider about downloading a Mariah Carey album," Charlie said. "I am worried about litigation."

"It is no big deal. It was just a warning," I told Charlie. "They are mainly after the big fish. Just tell her not to do it again. Tell her to get on YouTube and she can listen to all the music her heart desires and it is not copyright infringement."

"Does she still have internet service?" I then asked and Charlie said yes. "They would have ceased her service if it was a really big deal."

Charlie said he felt better after talking to me.

"Tell her she needs better taste in music," I told Charlie with a chuckle and a laugh.

Charlie laughed back and told me to shut up.

"Well, be prepared to tackle your computer room closet for Christmas," Charlie told me sounding enthusiastic. "And then we will get to your bathroom closet."

Frugality Was the Name of the Game...

I carefully counted each purchase until I reached $60 and then I made myself quit. It was another whirlwind visit as well as I left the house at 9:00 pm and returned at 9:24 pm. One reason I saved so much money was that they had Chef Boyardee spaghetti and meatballs on sale for $.99 cents a can. I bought a whole flat of the stuff and I am sure I will be tired of it towards the end of the week. My biggest expense was breakfast foods. Maggie and I will be eating extra high on the hog as far as breakfast is concerned this week. It always has traditionally been my biggest meal of the day.

"You head on home," my father told me as we finished checking out, "I am going to do some shopping of my own."

I stepped out into the cold, quickly loaded my still warm car, and headed home.

The only thing they didn't have and it was sorely missed was my Mrs. Grissoms gourmet chicken salad with craisins and pecans. I had to get the original recipe chicken salad. They actually had my Edwards lemon meringue pie this week along with six packs of Vienna sausages which is one of Maggie's favorite treats.

Minds Wracked With Anguish and Fear...

The fickle winds of mental illness are blowing harshly today. I felt so well yesterday and I feel like something the cat covered up in the litterbox today. I just took my noon medications with a tasty, coy, and bubbly diet Coke so I will find out in an hour if I am feeling better. The Magster and I slept so well last night. Maggie is still in the bed snoozing at this later hour in the day. It doesn't help that it is cold, rainy, and gloomy outside. I feel like a do when I have one of my depressive periods.

As If By Magic...

The medications did the trick. I feel as right as rain now. An hour passed and then suddenly I felt as if I were going to melt into this computer chair. What would I do without modern psychiatry, benzodiazepenes, and atypical antipsychotics?

As I felt better and better, I drove over to my father's house to get my diet Cokes and cigarettes for the day. I was surprised when Charlie was over there and wasn't at work. He had just had a tooth pulled and wasn't feeling well. I know my father was getting on his nerves -- all happy, cheerful, and joking. Papa was feeling his oats today.

"I am going to call you at 9 pm so you can go ahead and get started shopping at Kroger," my father told me. "I will meet you up there."

"I will probably be finished shopping by the time you arrive," I told my father bragging on the convenience of shopping with yours truly.

I had almost forgotten it was grocery day. I have a mind to make my spaghetti and meat sauce tomorrow and I want to make tuna salad. I also want to get lots of breakfast foods.Maggie and I had to contend with fried beef bologna and toasted honey wheat bread this morning.

A Song for You!

Are We There Yet?

I got a big surprise this morning when my father's Honda pulled up in front of the house instead of Charlie's Caprica. What was happening to Sunday morning biscuits? I walked out to the car as dad rolled down his darkly tinted window.

"Come on," dad said. "We're going to Jack's in LaFayette for breakfast."

Charlie was riding shotgun and Horsefly was in the backseat.

"Let me go change out of my pajamas," I said to my father and hurried inside.

"Hurry up or we are leaving without you. We are all hungry," my father replied.

All I had on was a t-shirt and some sweatpants. I changed into a nice button up shirt, blue jeans, and my glaring white new Air Jordans.

"That looks much better," my father, Hyacinth, said.

I poked Horsefly a few times on the drive and he would just burst out in laughter. It was like we always were when we were kids. It made Charlie smile.

It was a short drive to LaFayette -- the quaint little town that is our county's seat. We all got the big breakfast with a large coffee and Horsefly got a sausage biscuit and a Dr. Pepper. Charlie was nervous as hell about Horsefly's drink saying he hoped he didn't get sick and blow chunks in my father's car. He urged Horsefly to get a diet drink, but Horsefly put up a fuss.

Jack's has an awesome Southern-style breakfast. The grits were my favorite part of the meal. They were buttery and creamy. I made my biscuit go swimming in the sawmill gravy until it got gooey and soft. I ate it with a fork. My last act of the morning was to order a sausage biscuit to-go for the Magster. She would feel so left out if she didn't get her usual biscuit on Sunday morning.

The Supreme Organizer...

Charlie called me at 8 am.

"Are you up?" Charlie asked.

"I just got finished washing the dishes from cooking breakfast," I told Charlie.

"Do you feel up to tackling your closets?" Charlie inquired.

"Now or never," I replied to Charlie with a heartfelt thanks.

Charlie showed up at 9 am with an armful of clothes hangers and laundry detergent in the other hand.

Charlie is the master organizer and can make a big job not seem so big. My back bedroom closet is a very big closet and I had bags and bags of clothes piled up in there -- clothes I didn't even remember possessing. You couldn't even get inside the closet.

We soon had two piles of clothes on my bedroom floor. One pile was to be laundered and hung up in the laundry room. The other pile was to be put into the Goodwill bin over by Fred's Dollar Store. My job today is to launder all those clothes I kept and to hang them up or put them away in my chest of drawers.  Charlie gathered up all my old clothes and piled them up in his Caprica and is on the way to the Goodwill bin as I write this.

Inundated With Goodness...

I decided to treat myself at lunch today. No more bologna and PB and J sandwiches which I am tired of. I am running low on groceries this late in the game.

"Dad? I am headed to Roger's for lunch. Do you want me to bring you something to eat?" I asked my father at noon.

I was surprised he didn't put up a fuss as Roger's Barbecue is expensive. He then surprised me again and said he would love a barbecue plate with a baked potato instead of fries.

I sat down to a barbecue sandwich, fries, and slaw. It really hit the spot. The barbecue sandwich was delicious. I ordered dad's food when I was about finished with my meal.

Dad was in a stellar mood today when I delivered his barbecue plate. There was lots of banter, joking and laughing going on. He was so glad to be off of work. He had nothing to do today and he said it was a good feeling. He also said, "Now Martha! Don't you get me up something to do today as well!"

"I've got to work tomorrow, though," he told me with a frown. "I never have to work on Saturdays."

It's not too bad, though, as the pharmacy closes at noon on Saturday.  I had mentioned I wanted more ornaments for my Christmas tree and dad told me to meet him at the drug store at noon and we would run up to Walmart (the evil empire as he calls it) and buy some more.

My Cherished and Dear Friend...

Charlie is a "feeder". He takes great satisfaction out of surprising you with a good meal and your enjoyment of it all. I wasn't paying too much attention to the outside world this afternoon and Maggie was asleep on the bed. I had a knock on the door and it surprised me and completely surprised Maggie as well. Beta Dog had returned for a short visit. Maggie began to put up a fuss!

"Here's you two Whoppers for $6 dollars," Charlie said handing me the fast food sack. "I want to step inside and see if my kitchen and bathroom are still clean."

I laughed and welcomed Charlie inside.

"Your daddy says you need your closets cleaned and your old clothes thrown out," Charlie told me. "We will tackle that this weekend."

Charlie looked into my computer room and said I needed to organize the huge shelves I have in there harboring computer parts and countless Model Railroaders going back to the 1930s.

Charlie then soon left to go get Horsefly's chicken strips meal and then to take him bowling. Charlie never stops and his car is rarely turned off. I worry he is going to burn out one of these days.

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Day...

"Merry Christmas to you. I won't see you again until after Christmas," I told my nurse, Rebecca, this morning.

Rebecca had been regaling me on all the gifts she had gotten for her two little girls.

"Yes, I spoil them rotten," Rebecca told me with a smile.

It was time for another injection. A routine that has become so integral to my life. Every two weeks I get a new lease on sanity.

"Merry Christmas to you, too!" Rebecca replied as she gave me a heartfelt man hug.

I walked out into the reception area and Dee Dee already had my next appointment set up. The appointment card was sitting on the counter. Dee Dee was on the phone and I mouthed, "Thank you!" She waved at me covering the phone with her hand and mouthed, "Merry Christmas."

I was up at 7 am this morning trying to get Maggie and I a hot plate together. We had just plain scrambled eggs, buttered toast, and some bacon. I thought the bacon would never finish frying. I like it extra crispy. I then called dad at 7:30 am and told him this morning was my injection. He profusely thanked me for remembering as he had forgotten. I should have just shown up at the pharmacy and completely surprised him. That would have gotten old fuss and feathers excited and grateful.