What am I Going to Do With My Electronical Skill Deficient and Phobic Family Members?

Charlie called me as I drove home from the Society. His big 65 inch television wouldn't come on.

“Simplest things first, Charlie,” I said. “Check the batteries in your remote.”

“I’ll put a fresh set in and call you back,” Charlie replied.

That didn’t work so I told Charlie to unplug the TV for 20 minutes and then plug it back in. Wait 5 minutes before hitting the power button on the remote.

“I’ll call you back in a little while,” Charlie said.

“If that doesn’t work, then I will drive out to your house and have a look for myself,” I told Charlie.

So, now I am awaiting his call back.

*****************************************************

I just drove out to Charlie’s house and the TV is kaput. The main power supply board has gone out. Charlie is driving to Walmart to see if it has a warranty. Janice saved the receipt thankfully. If it is out of warranty, then I am going to order the required part and install it to repair the television.

Comment Reply…

Rita said...

I think you going to college is a wonderful idea. It will be stimulating for your intellect. You are great with electronics. Does a local school have training for certification in something along those lines? You may not need to learn anything more along those lines. It makes me wonder if you could have your own business repairing people's electronics? There is nothing wrong with a degree in literature, but is there some way of using it to support yourself? Maybe that is not even a consideration.

Andrew Replies…

Rita, I have a lot of really neat ideas bouncing around in my head at the moment. This morning I was looking at tool sets from Sears. Rachel got all my many tools in the divorce years ago. You have to have a set of tools to take the car mechanics course at my local community college. I have $550 dollars to spend for Christmas and instead of purchasing a $499 video card for my computer as planned. I could purchase a really nice tool set and tool chest from Sears and continue my dream of becoming a car and truck mechanic. It is a dream I have held for a long time. My community college offers a full course in car mechanics with ASE certification. I don’t think they offer a course in electronics, but with today’s cars, electronics will come into play.

Science confirms what the heart already knows: Hugs really do make you feel better…

(CNN) - Feeling down in the dumps? Stressed? A little off-kilter because of some disagreement?

Hug it out! A new study suggests that just reaching out and touching someone -- consensually, of course -- can reduce bad feelings associated with the typical ups and downs of our social interactions.

The study from the Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, published this week in PLOS ONE, looked at the social interactions of more than 400 people over two weeks. A summary of their daily activities, moods and physical interactions revealed a causal link between emotional states, conflicts and the number of hugs a person gave or received.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/health/hugs-study-relationships-wellbeing-trnd/index.html

Possible College Reenrollment…

My father and I discussed my going back to college tonight. He wants me to try one class and see how I do.

“I think I can do it now that I do not drink,” I told him. “I was drinking so heavy the last time I tried. I was showing up for class drunk.”

“Start slow,” my father replied. “Take only one class in the beginning.”

“I want to take World Literature with Professor Sands,” I told my father. “Dr. Sands taught me English in grade school. We have a rapport with each other.”

“We don’t have to rush things,” dad said. “You wouldn’t start till after New Year’s anyways.”

“You’ve given me something to look forward to. Thank you,” I told him. “Classes start the 7th of January.”

“What’s going to be your Major?” dad asked.

“English,” I replied. “I first wanted to be a social worker, but let’s be realistic.”

Dad chuckled.

“Well, we’ll talk about it some more as the time goes on, Chuck.”

I told my father goodnight and thank you once more.

This Evening’s Sunset…

Helen’s Soul Food Friday’s Meal #7

Here we have a fried veal cutlet, creamed potatoes, cornbread, spinach and boiled eggs, and rutabagas. Helen’s veal cutlet would just melt in your mouth and she always put lots of hot and vinegary cayenne pepper sauce on my spinach and rutabagas. I can remember Helen always complaining when we had rutabagas as she had a touch of arthritis in her hands and it hurt to cut them up and dice them.

A Moment of Endearment Last Night…

I was almost sound asleep last night when Tracy vigorously shook my shoulder.

“Andrew, what is that strange noise?” she asked.

I lifted my head off the pillow so I could hear with two ears.

“That’s Maggie,” I said. “She is snoring on the computer room bed.”

Tracy giggled.

“She snores like a freight train,” I told her.

“That is so cute!” Tracy exclaimed.

“Maggie!” I said loudly. “Shh!”

The snoring stopped.

“You need to go to sleep,” I told Tracy. “You have to work in the morning.”

The last thing I remember was her cuddling up close to me wrapping her arm around me spooning and I was sound asleep. My girl with the curls and the curves.

Morning Comes…

Tracy had to be up at six thirty her time to get ready for work. I begrudgingly got out of the bed and got in the kitchen to scramble some eggs, fry bacon, and make some buttery toast. We sat down at the kitchen table to eat. Maggie was begging for some bacon.

“Is it okay if I give her some?” Tracy asked.

“Be careful,” I replied. “She may try to take a finger as well.”

Tracy laughed.

My phone rang as I was cleaning up the kitchen from breakfast. It was my father and it was awful early for him to call.

“My iPhone is not charging,” he said in a panic. “I think the battery has gone out.”

He’s had a series of problems with it lately. He has a second generation (1st generation?) iPhone. It is time to trade up I told him. He said he was getting a shower and heading to T-Mobile. He's had his old phone for six or more years.

“Will I lose all my stored phone numbers?” he asked.

“I am pretty sure they can transfer them over to your new phone,” I told him. “They’ll just put your old simm chip into your new phone.”

That made him feel much, much better and emboldened about getting this new phone.

Making Preparations…

I’m am extremely excited about Tracy spending the night to put it lightly. There is a first time for everything I keep telling myself. I told her not to grab a bite to eat – that I would be cooking supper. I’ve got mom’s recipe spaghetti meat sauce bubbling away on the stove. All I have to do is boil the noodles and toast the garlic bread in the oven and we will be ready to eat. We are also having a garden salad with a vinaigrette dressing.

The house is picked up and clean and the computers have been sanitized of Andrew’s Mind Delvings links in Google Chrome and the browsing history has been cleared. I don’t want Tracy reading my journal for privacy reasons. She will probably bring her laptop anyways so I am worrying for naught. She should arrive at 9:30 pm my time after she drives from college. That’s 8:30 pm her time.

I'm showered, shaved, and dressed nicely. Thanks to Charlie my bathroom is spotless. Charlie told me jokingly last night to leave the lid up when women folk are around. The sheets and my comforter are neatly on the bed and pulled back slightly and the pillows are fluffed up. I think Maggie can sense my excitement as she has been very busy and affectionate tonight – like she knows we are going to have company.

Insecurity…

Tracy worriedly met me at the door to the Society when I arrived this morning. I was taking off my coat as Tracy couldn’t get her words out fast enough.

“I got so worried about you last night,” she said. “I called your phone probably ten times and it kept dumping me into your voice mail.”

“Dad and Charlie bring me supper every Sunday night and Charlie cleaned my bathroom in case you would spend the night. Things were busy. Dad and I then talked over an hour on the phone last night as well,” I replied. “Then I turned my ringer off and went to bed. I didn’t get in the bed until after midnight.”

“I thought you were avoiding me after what happened Saturday night. I thought I moved too fast.”

“Saturday was a wonderful night,” I said giving her a big hug. “I was still furiously smiling the next morning. Don’t you worry yourself at all sweetheart.”

“I almost drove up and got in the bed with you last night,” she replied. “I had picked out a night gown and everything. I wanted to see you so badly.”

“You should have come. I would have relished the company. Next time you just drive on up to the Valley.”

“Can I come and spend the night tonight after class?” Tracy asked.

“You most certainly may,” I replied excitedly. “I’ll see you tonight.”

I had to get busy cleaning the kennels and took my leave of Tracy as she began to tackle the cat room. I grew increasingly excited about tonight as the day progressed. Thankfully, I had planned ahead for the scenario of Tracy spending the night. My sheets, pillow cases, and comforter are all washed and clean. They still smell strongly of Gain fabric softener.

Curing the Crapper…

Mike the plumber called me on my drive home.

“Are you going to be at your house soon?” Mike asked.

“Mike, I just left work and will be home in thirty minutes,” I told him.

“I will see you in about an hour,” he said.

Charlie was right. It was the plunger. Mike installed a new plunger assembly and my toilet is no longer leaking and running every hour. I called Charlie at work and thanked him for doing that for me.

Rickie Lee Jones - Chuck E's In Love (1979)

I Doth Protest!

Dad was carrying KFC and Charlie was carrying cleaning supplies as they walked across my yard this evening.

“I’m cleaning your bathroom in case Tracy comes to stay awhile,” Charlie told me with a sly smile.

I protested greatly, but to no avail. I hate for him to have to go to all that work on my behalf, but it’s Charlie’s way of saying he loves me. Dad got on the couch and watched Masterpiece Theater while Maggie vied for his attention.

“There’s a lot of noise going on in there,” dad hollered to Charlie as he cleaned. “You haven’t fallen in have you?”

“Oh shut up, John!” Charlie replied with a laugh.

“Charlie? My toilet tends to run once every few hours. What could that be?”

“Your plunger is not seating properly. You may need a new one. I’ll get Mike the plumber out here to see about it tomorrow,” Charlie replied.

Charlie cleaned for about 30 minutes until he was satisfied everything was spic and span.

“Are we ready to go?” dad then asked.

“Let me check Andrew’s trash,” Charlie said.

I had beaten him to the punch and carried out all the trash earlier in the day. There was a fresh bag in all the trash cans.

I hated to see them go as I was quite enjoying the company and activity going on in the house. Dad said I seemed down in the dumps tonight. He said I sounded that way earlier on the phone as well.

“The holidays are hard for people with a mental illness aren't they?” he asked me.

I didn’t say what I wanted to say, but I defeatedly said, “Yeah, they can be tough.”

Amy Winehouse - There Is No Greater Love - Frank

Helen’s Soul Food Fridays Meal #6

Not only did Helen excel at soul food, she could grill a mean ribeye as well.

Love Has Many Faces…

I woke up in a panic. Had I overslept? I was just worn out from yesterday. Dogged tired. Charlie hadn’t arrived yet so that gave me some comfort. I looked at my cellphone and the time was 10 am. Whew!

“Maggie? Charlie’s coming!” I told my precious dog.

She got in the window on lookout. Charlie arrived at 10:30 am. Maggie started to yelp and whine loudly signifying he had arrived.

“Meals on wheels is running late this morning,” Charlie told me as he walked across my yard.

Maggie and I greeted him at the front door.

Charlie came inside after handing me two biscuits and a giant diet Coke. He got on the couch with Maggie who put on a grand show of affection. Maggie was feeling her oats this morning. She would playfully run around the den and jump back on the couch. Rinse and repeat. Charlie laughed and laughed.

“Look at her go,” Charlie said pleased.

It was going to be a busy morning. I had a date to meet dad at 11 am. If I don’t call him at 10:50 am he begins to worry and will call me instead.

Dad was enjoying his sausage biscuit and senior coffee when I arrived. Charlie just had left.

Politics and CNN was the viewing choice this morning. Trump (Little Daddy) has been really busy as of late. Politics bores me and I consider it a fool’s errand.

“You better sit out Thanksgiving this year,” my father told me. “There is going to be lots of champagne, beer, and wine. I’ll be sure to bring you and Maggie a big plate of food.”

I said okay a little bit disappointed. I always get left out on the holidays. It makes me think my father is embarrassed of me and that is his true motive for keeping me at home.

The Longest Journey...The Sweetest Reward...

Dad called me this morning and told me he had two extra season tickets to the Auburn game.

“Do you want to come?” he asked. “It’s Auburn’s last home game.”

“Can I bring Tracy if she wants to come?”

“Sure,” he said. “I look forward to meeting her.”

I called Tracy and she sounded so excited about going.

“I haven’t been to an Auburn game all year,” she said. “Let me start getting ready.”

“I’ll pick you up around 2 pm your time,” I replied.

Well, I picked Tracy up at two and she looked gorgeous. She was neatly dressed and had on perfectly and meticulously applied makeup. I remarked upon what a babe she was and she told me thank you and giggled.

“I want to make a good first impression with your father,” she told me.

“Get you a warm jacket and possibly some gloves as it will be really chilly by the end of the game,” I told her.
  
We headed to the game. I liked to have never found a suitable parking spot. Dad, my brother, and brother-in-law were already in their seats. Dad and my brother gave Tracy a big hug as I introduced her to them. I liked to have frozen my ass off the whole game I am so cold natured. I had brought some hand warmers from my camping days and they really came in handy. I handed some to Tracy.

Auburn won big. It was a rout. My father and brother were ecstatic and exuberant. There were many hugs and high fives. Tracy and I got in on the revelry.

“War Damn Eagle!!!” my father hollered as loud as he could as if it were a Comanche’s war cry of victory.
  
Tracy and I made our way back to my car which was still in one piece thank goodness. I was worried about it. We headed back to Tracy’s apartment amidst suffocating and stifling traffic. I finally pulled into her apartment’s parking lot and let loose a big sigh. It was pitch black dark outside now. I’ve told you all how I hate to drive at night especially in traffic such as that. Tracy let us in and I parked my butt on the couch. I was just exhausted from all of today’s exertions and orchestrations. Wheezy, of course, jumped up into my lap purring.
  
“She’s not going to bite you, you know?” Tracy said giggling some more. “You can pet her.”

I refrained from explaining to Tracy how cats make my eyes water and itch.
  
Tracy fixed her a glass of red wine and I drank a diet Coke which she had bought a 12 pack specifically for me and put it in the fridge. We talked about our day and my relatives.
  
“I just loved your dad,” Tracy said. “He’s so much fun and kind, too!”

Tracy really had a good time, but it was not my cup of tea. I didn’t tell Tracy this, though. Tracy is much more outgoing and much abler than I for such outings.
  
Tracy drank a second glass of wine and soon put the empty glass on the side table. She moved closer and closer to me until we were locked in an embrace and passionately kissing. She just laid one right on my smacker catching me by surprise. I could smell the alcohol on her breath and taste the red wine on Tracy’s tongue and it was a curious and pleasant sensation. I knew things were getting heated when she took her bra off. Curious fingers on both sides then began to explore previously forbidden places.
  
“I kept hoping you would make the first move, but I guess it was up to me,” Tracy told me almost breathless in a whisper and then she continued kissing me.

We finally and begrudgingly composed ourselves. Our clothes got put back in proper arrangements. I was ready to get home and see about my house and see about my Maggie. I had been gone all day. We passionately kissed one more time on her doorstep and then I was on my way home. I had a big grin on my face as I headed up the interstate. I keep telling myself to relish these first few weeks and months in our relationship. They are always the most exciting, vibrant and passionate.

Helen’s Soul Food Friday Meal #5

Helen could make the best mac and cheese. Couldn't you tell how much she loved me by how much she gave me on this plate? Here we have mac and cheese, a fried pork chop, brussels’s sprouts, and colored butterbeans. There is a story behind colored butterbeans emanating from the Deep South I will have to tell sometime.

The Harbinger of Things to Come?

It was 39° degrees when I walked out of my house to drive to the grocery store. I liked to have never gotten my windshield and rear window to defog. Once cleared, I hit the road heading straight through downtown and then onto highway 29. It’s a straight shot to Kroger from there.

I set about my shopping tasks upon arriving at Kroger. Dad would soon follow right behind me as he lives a little farther away. I knew what I wanted and where it was at. I ended up getting those sports drinks, A1 sauce, and ground chuck. My total was $69 dollars for the night – the highest in weeks.

“Are you getting enough to eat?” my father asked me. “Don’t be like your dear mother and overdo the diet.”

“I’m fine,” I assured my father. “I get enough extraneous meals from you to balance out my nutrition.”

“But you don’t have any real meals in your cart!”

I thought for a moment there it was going to be time for Lean Cuisines, but thankfully dad let the moment pass. I left him for he had shopping of his own to do.

“Nice truck!” I told the fella next to me as I loaded up my groceries.

He was loading up his groceries as well. He just started talking and talking away telling me the tale of the dent in his truck by a PepsiCo employee.

But I digress…

I subsist off of cheese filled Ritz crackers and peanut butter these days just eating when I feel hungry. You’d be surprised how a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter and a pack of crackers can make you feel full for quite a few hours.

Tonight is a respite for we shall eat, drink and be merry. I have that ground beef browning on the stove (Maggie’s rejoicing) and a few Gatorades are quickly getting cold in the freezer.

Groceries at 9:00 PM…

I’ve deprived myself these past three weeks for the sake of my diet. I am going to splurge tonight. I want some ground chuck, A.1. sauce, and white Sunbeam loaf bread to sop the gravy up with. I also want a six pack of some variety of sugary lemon/lime sports drink. That should make for a $70 or more grocery outing. One fattening meal won’t hurt or it shouldn’t. I’ll be back on the diet tomorrow.

Helen’s Soul Food Friday Meal #4

This meal we had hominy, fried okra, fried ham, cornbread, and turnip greens.

Tonight’s Sunset…

This was a wonderful sight after all the days of rain and storms we’ve had lately.

Comrades in Arms Against a Tirade! (Hyperbole)

The day started normally. I was the first to arrive so I got everything up and running. The dogs put on this grand cacophony of joy as I walked into the kennels to check on everybody. This day would take on a sour note, though.

Tracey was the first to be berated today. I was standing in the lobby when Mrs. Barbara told her she was still putting too much cat litter in the litter boxes. I was next…

“Sweet pea,” she said to me. “Please leave the thermostat where I set it. Fiscally things are tight right now.”

I said yes ma’am and headed back to the kennels to finish my job for the day.

Later, Tracy walked back into the kennels to talk to me.

“Who pissed in her Cheerios this morning?” Tracy asked with a smirk.

“She told me later her nose is to the grindstone and her job is on the line.”

“What about my job?” Tracy asked worriedly.”I hope I don’t get a pay cut.”

“You’re pretty much irreplaceable in my opinion,” I replied.

“I had a really good time with you last night,” Tracy then told me with a sly grin as she gave me a hug and kissed me on the cheek. “You are welcome any time.”

“Are you nervous about your chemistry exam this evening?” I asked intrigued.

I wish I had taken my second chance towards school more seriously years ago, but I was going to biology exams drunk.

“Just a little bit,” she replied. “I’ve studied as much as I can, though. I never want to see the periodic table ever again.”

I wished her luck and then she went into the outside kennels to mingle with and check on the dogs this chilly day.

Maggie! I’m Home!

Maggie was barking fervently as I walked across the yard from the car tonight. “Where have you been?” she seemed to urgently say as I stepped through the front door. I plopped down on the couch with a loud sigh as Maggie thoroughly sniffed me finding out where I have been. It’s a smell she is becoming accustomed to.

“I’ve got a lady friend, Maggie,” I told her as I turned on the television and took the shoes off my tired dogs.

I gave Maggie a big hug and then I told her I loved her as I scratched her back. That seemed to have settled her down some.

I had driven down to Tracy’s apartment tonight. Tracy was studying for a chemistry exam which was tomorrow evening and I watched The Outlaw King on Netflix at her home which I had been itching to see. It was okay. A little slow in places. I actually didn’t watch the ending as I gave up on it and got up to leave – ready to head home. Poor Tracy. I know I had to have been distracting, but she said she was really glad I was there.

“Drive safe, doll,” she told me. “Call me when you get home.”

We gave each other another tantalizing peck on the lips, a long embrace, and I disappeared into the night like a tomcat on the prowl.

One thing I am noticing about Tracy is that she tends to be a loner despite her bubbly personality. She is just not being overrun with girlfriends. I am not exactly running over with friends myself these days except for my blog friends and (gasp!) Tuleana and Richard.

Outlaw King Synopsis…

A true David vs. Goliath story of how the 14th century Scottish 'Outlaw King' Robert the Bruce used cunning and bravery to defeat the much larger and better equipped occupying English army.

Not Long Did I Linger…

Thursday mornings is a time dad and I get together and watch television. We had buttered toast slathered with strawberry preserves for breakfast this morning. It was a sweet treat. Dad is a bad influence as far as my diet is concerned. My sweet tooth rejoiced, though.

“Do you want some coffee?” my father then asked.

“Not this morning,” I replied. “Thank you, though.”

I like my coffee cold brewed these days of the café latte and mocha varieties. The Califia brand.

Dad was acting funny this morning and it perplexed me. I asked him why.

“It’s not you I assure you,” he said. “I feel like I am coming down with a cold and I am going back to bed when you leave.”

I took dad’s trash out to the bin and then came back inside and got an icy cold diet Coke for the road as I like to call it.

“Love you, son!” dad said when I said goodbye.

I told him to get to feeling better and I drove home.

Helen’s Soul Food Friday Meal #3

This was a whopper of a meal that took a man sized plate. We had cubed steak with gravy, colored butterbeans, steamed broccoli, white rice and gravy, biscuits, and fried okra.

Sleepyhouse…

Papa just stopped by braving the weather with some homemade corned beef hash, buttered biscuits, and a garden salad. He made a homemade dressing for the salad by mixing ketchup and mayonnaise together. It was delicious and a much needed diversion on a dreary night. I think half of Alabama has cabin fever like me after it has rained for three days straight.

“When is it going to stop raining Mr. Meteorologist?” he asked me.

“They say it is going to taper off at dawn,” I replied. “It might get down to 29° degrees Friday morning. The high tomorrow is only going to be 41° degrees.”

I thanked dad profusely for the hot meal and he soon headed on his way after coveting his old TV one more time.

“I still can’t believe you fixed that TV,” he said.

Even Maggie has cabin fever. I walked into the laundry room and Maggie’s head was out the dog door and the rest of her body was inside. I chuckled heartily. This is about the time of the night she likes to sit at the fence gate and bark at things unheard and unseen. She has to assert her dog authority throughout the neighborhood.

Mr. Smooth Operator…

Last night was a flurry of activity brought about by Tracy’s imminent arrival. I have a Blu-ray disc of different fireplaces and picked a fireplace and put it on loop. I then turned the computer desk lamp on and turned the other main lamp off. The room flickered romantically from the fire on the TV screen. Next, I got the pizza in the oven. I wished I had a Digiornos pizza, but Red Baron had to suffice. Soon, Tracy’s black Volkswagen Beetle pulled up in front of my house.

“Hey sweetie,” she said as I opened the door.

Oh, my heart went into a whirl. She looked gorgeous last night despite having no makeup and her work clothes on.

“Hey gal,” I replied. “Come on inside.”

It is amazing what dogs know. Maggie has instantly welcomed Tracy into her pack. When Tuleana and Richard would come over, she would hide in the hall and look into the den apprehensively. I would have never thought Maggie would be the jealous type as she lay in-between Tracy and I as we sat on the couch. She was our referee.

We talked and talked and talked some more. I told her some things in my past and she didn’t balk. She had a few skeletons in her closet as well. We were really honest with each other last night.

11:00 pm rolled around and I told Tracy we better get some sleep. We both had to be up bright and early to arrive at the Humane Society. Tracy gave me our first kiss as she was leaving. It was just a peck on the lips, but a kiss none the less. It send a tingling down my spine and my heart had a few palpitations.

Helen’s Soul Food Fridays Meal #2

Here was a tasty meal. We had a fried chicken breast, brussels's sprouts, creamed potatoes, chowder peas, and corn bread.

Rethinking A Conversational Ride Home…

“Hey you!” Tracy said over her cellphone. “What are you doing?”

You could tell by the noise that she was driving and her radio was playing softly in the background.

“Maggie and I are listening to big band jazz on my computer surround system,” I replied.

Tracy laughed that Maggie was listening as well.

“She’s laying at my feet and loves it. She especially loves Diana Krall’s voice.”

“I was about to ask if I could come over, but I am already halfway home and I didn’t want to impose,” she said.

“If you change your mind, you are always welcome here. I could put a Red Baron pizza in the oven,” I replied.

“That sounds so nice!” Tracy told me. “All I need is a nice cabernet.”

“What are you doing?!” I then asked as there was a lot of commotion and noise going on the other end of the phone.

“I am trying to turn around and head your way,” she said. “You sure you wouldn’t mind having me?”

“I would be delighted,” I replied.

“I will be there in about 30 minutes. See you then,” she said.

“Home and hearth is waiting. I’ll see you then!”

Helen’s Soul Food Friday Meal #1

I have hundreds of these photos of Helen’s Friday meal. I am going to start posting one a day so we can all reminisce back to the good old days. Here was my favorite Helen meal. Meatloaf, mac and cheese, cornbread, colored butterbeans, and steamed cabbage.

Eastbound and Down! Loaded Up and Truckin!

Dad called me at 1:00 am last night sounding panicked. I was still up watching the television and fiddling with my tablet listening to the rain pitter patter on the eaves of my roof..

“Your shot is in the morning!” he frantically said as if we had already missed it.

“It’s no big deal,” I replied calmly, assuaging his worries. “Just call me at eight and make sure I am up and I will drive down and get it. It won’t take but 30 or 45 minutes. You just have the prescription filled when I arrive.”

Dad called me right at eight this morning. I had just popped two unfrosted strawberry Poptarts out of the toaster. It was like handling hot baked potatoes.

“You okay?” he asked worriedly. “You and I both haven’t had much sleep.”

“I am ready to roll!” I replied exuberantly.

He chuckled and told me I was a good man.

Guess who was back? I hadn’t seen her in a month! Rebecca, my coveted nurse, welcomed me back this morning to administer my shot. She had gained a lot of weight I noticed. She still looked the sexay in her dark blue scrubs. Seeing her was the icing on the cake. I have a slight crush on her.

The shot went without nary a hitch after much small talk and banter and I was soon on my way back to the pharmacy. Dee Dee had me all set up for another two weeks. I just had to grab my next appointment card off the counter.

“You look nice this morning, Chuck!” my father told me – a man who doesn’t give compliments lightly.

I thanked him for the compliment and headed home in a pouring rain. It is supposed to keep raining until tomorrow night. Yikes, but I enjoy the interesting weather to be honest. 

Not Gonna Do It…

“Let’s go ahead and get your groceries tonight,” Dad told me over his cellphone as he was driving home from the pharmacy.

“Not gonna do it,” I replied. “It is thundering and lightning outside. Maggie needs dogfood, though.”

“I’ll go get Maggie’s dogfood,” Old Fuss and Feathers said. “I wish you would come with me and get your groceries.”

“Not gonna do it,” I replied again to my father’s consternation. “I’d be soaking wet just loading up my car. I'd catch the death of me in the process.”

“I’ll honk my horn and you can run out and get Maggie’s Purina One.”

“I will be waiting on you,” I said. “Can do that.”

I had told my father last night that it was going to be bad weather-wise tonight and that Maggie needed dogfood. He didn’t listen to me. I asked to be able to use my debit card to debit Maggie’s food last night at the Piggly Wiggly and he said no that we would get it tonight. Now? He is riding around in a rainstorm trying to get Maggie up something to eat. He can be so hardheaded at times.

Captain Zero…

I recycle water bottles. I’ve got about a collection of twenty I keep in the fridge to keep them cold. We have really sweet and clean tap water here. Every morning before I leave for the Humane Society, I put six water bottles in a little collapsible cooler I have.

Well, this morning I wanted something different to drink and I swung by the Circle K just down from my house and bought six Coke Zeros. Dad is going to think I bought beer I just know it. I gambled and we will have to wait and see the outcome. The total expenditure was almost eight dollars. Oh hell, it is my money and I should be able to spend it. I am going to stand up to him on this one. This keeping me from beer crap gets taken too far most of the time. If I really wanted to get it then I would and I could.

Mother Nature Abhors Us This Morning…

It is just pouring rain. I hated putting the dogs in the outside kennels this morning. It was cold and damp out there. I hurried to finish cleaning so I could let them back inside. We’re only at half capacity which makes my job much easier. We’ve had a lot of adoptions lately which is nice. I love seeing the dogs I’ve fallen in love with get a good home. Sometimes, I can get possessive, attached, and hate to see some go as well.

Tracy was having a bad morning which is rare for her. I wish I had her usual Pollyanna attitude about life.

“I can’t do anything right this morning,” she told me. “Mrs. Barbara said I was putting too much litter in the litter boxes.”

We got on the subject of what was the worst thing that has ever happened to us.

“I woke up Christmas morning, stepped outside to drive to my parent’s house to open presents, and my car wasn’t there,” I said. “It had gotten stolen on Christmas day.”

“That is terrible!” Tracy exclaimed. “I bet that ruined Christmas.”

“Yes, it did!” I replied. “The police, Charlie, and my father were soon at my house.”

“You already know the worst thing that has ever happened to me,” Tracy told me. “It was when I caught Michael sleeping around with all those loose women.”

Before I left for the day, I turned up the heat in the kennels much to Mrs. Barbara's chagrin. It was chilly in there and I wanted the dogs to be comfortable. It was on 70° degrees and I set it to 75° degrees.

They Say Papa and Charlie Are Coming…

“Papa and Charlie are coming!” I exclaimed to Maggie and she ran into the den to get on the back of the couch.

She was on lookout. I was relying on her to let me know when they got here. I had just called my father to get an ETA and he said they were already heading out. 

I sat down in my recliner to watch Jamestown on Georgia Public Broadcasting all the while fiddling with my tablet. Suddenly, there was someone coming up my front steps and then there was a knock on the door.

“Now? How in the hell did you miss them arriving?” I asked Maggie, astonished.

I then decreed that Papa and Charlie were here and opened the front door. Maggie went apeshit bananas and started to bark loudly and howl.

Charlie didn’t clean tonight bless his heart. He just got Maggie some fresh food and water as he does every Sunday night. Dad remarked on the TV again about how good a picture it has. They weren’t here ten minutes and then they were gone again. Papa and Charlie didn’t dawdle tonight.

I got the same thing Horsefly gets and that’s the chicken tender $5 dollar fill-up. Maggie got all the chicken and I ate just the biscuit with some honey to stick to my diet. I later snuck in the kitchen and ate two small bananas and a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter which I relish.

Diana Krall -- It Could Happen to You

Torn Apart From the Inside…

They say life is a series of opportunities and if you let them pass you by, then you may never get them again. I am just torn apart inside about what to do with Tracy. I’ve had a lot of lonely days and nights since my Rosa left me for a new life with her daughter in Atlanta. I realize I miss Tracy today and want to call her to hear her voice. Have I already fallen in love, but I am over analyzing things? Is this what love feels like? An extreme temptation is there to escalate our relationship to the next level. Tracy would jump at the chance of us starting dating. Who knows? It may be my one last chance to start a family and be a father. She’s cute. She’s beautiful. She’s young, vivacious and full of life. As my commenter Jennifer said, we would make a good fit. I will give it a week and see where we stand after some time has passed  I just don’t know if I can keep up with someone that age, though. Hell, Hugh Hefner had babies with young women into his eighties. My uncle Maxie didn’t get married until he was in his late fifties.