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Bennie Schielack

A happy birthday shout out to Beau, one of my Gemini brothers . . . . . Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, I'm schizophrenic and so am I . . . . . 

James King '65

Bennie, it’s awful the misery you have experienced due to flooding.  Please don’t move to my neighborhood.

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Hey myne Waltripynes, thank youse so much for all the birthday wishes.  Sure makes a body feel special,  you do! ! !   Been trying to get on the net, but having trouble with our wifi "hotspot".  We are totally warless out here in rural America, and sometimes we are totally not receiving our warless signal. And, anytime I got a signal, I was hurting so bad I couldnt concentrate to type anything on the forum, so forgive me. 

      Hey Bennie you and yourself need to move to higher ground methinks.  We flooded in Candlelight back during Allison. Got 35 inches of rain in 8 hours.  I was using the squeegie in the master bath pushing water out the back door to the pool, which was overflowing, and  Diane was using the wet/dry vac in the powder room.  We did that for 8 solid hours. I wanted to cry, and Diane did cry. Not because of the flood, but because we were so tired.  We managed to isolate the flood water to the master bath and bedroom and powder room, so we counted our blessings.

     Saturday was my youngests 49th birthday, Sunday was Dianes and my 35 anniversary, and today was of course, my 74th birthday.  Lots O celebrating, before dark 30, then bedtime.  I have to say that this year I've really felt old. I guess it's the pain. Pain sure does wreak havoc with ones mind as well as ones body!  Diane is trying to find a specialist  in that area. My GP doc, doc fraunkensteen, gave us the name of one a couple of years ago. but I was way much smarter than my doc....that was the other me, not me.

    Condolences to Susan and Family.  Got me to thinking about my own mom who passed away spring a year ago.  She had Alztheimers, so she was not my mom last couple of years of her physical life.  Little Miss, Dixie Belle, and Scout (our newest family member) was sitting on the couch on the front porch, this eening,  listening to the crickets and watching the fireflies in the light of the full moon. My juke box was playing "Suppertime" by gentleman Jim Reeves.  One of the lines is "come on home son, it's suppertime...". 

    I didnt need someone to tell me it was suppertime, I could smell  the chicken fried steak and green beans with bacon cooking along with other wonderful palatial delights, and heard my mom singing through the open kitchen window which of course precedes air conditioning. 

      Soons I heard my mom call, the last of my name was not spoken when I was washing the dirt off my hands and almost drooling at the wonderful smells. Of  course we did not go to the table until Dad had sat down, and then mom.  It seems that we all had no sooner sat down when mom was up shuffling dishes around and taking biscuits or rolls or cornbred out of the oven, and slathering butter on them.

    That was the magic of my DuBarry days.  But even further back than that when we lived on South Oak st in North Little Rock, my memory is a little fuzzy, cause I was only 4 or 5 way yonder back then.  We lived at the top of the hill and my grandparents lived at the bottom of the hill on the corner of South Oak and Plateau st. This was about 49, and the streets were still dirt.

     When aunts and uncles and cousins visited, we all gathered at grandmothers house and suppertime was a collective endeavor. Hard to imagine nowdays, all the talented cooks in the same kitchen.  When it was time to eat, where was I?  Outside playing in the dirt as usual.  Back then, my brain had not chosen "eat" over "playing in the dirt" , so I had to be called to supper.  My sisters were suppose to call me, but back then we did not like each other, so their effort was minimal, hoping I would get a scolding for not being obedient  to the wishes of the adults.

     When I didnt show up at the table with clean hands, one of my aunts would open the squeeky screen door and call,  "HAROLD JUNIOR, SUPPERS ON".  Can you imagine being called such a name?  Even at 4  or 5, it embarrassed me to death because both sisters would be jeering at me and calling me that frightful name in a most ugly manner.

    Well, one evening I was called yet again, and again and again and again....what tha?  Seems one of the neighbors had a parrot that picked up the calling me in to supper routine.  That damn parrot must have loved the sound of "HAROLD JUNIOR" , because it was just about the only thing it said, at least so the whole neighborhood could hear it.      In fact when I was out and about, whoever I saw would say, "HAROLD JUNIOR, SUPPERS READY"  and then snicker and laugh.    To this day, I can still hear that call from whatever that stupid parrots name was.  I'll bet it's still alive and hollaring my name, you know they live 75 years or more!

    Got me to thinking about the Waltons John Boy.  Can you imagine being called that?  Harold boy, Teddy boy, youhoo boy....!   They didnt call John senior "John man" now did they.  "Uh bob, I'd like you to meet John Boy and John Man"....! ! !  Ah, such are the musings of my youte.  

    Completely blew my diet this festive weekend.  Had a fork full of tater salad, well, I made it so I was due a bite.  Also had a bite of mac and cheese, made that for our grandaughter, and the ever present 4 layer chocolate on chocolate cake made by my beloved, and an apple pie.  Had one potato chip, just one, and it was a Lays.  So, I proved them wrong, "Bet you cant eat just one", naner naner naner, proved them wrong didnt I.

    Today, we went out to eat, well, to the local BBQ joint, and bakery.  Diane and I split a chicken fried chicken, an order of onion rings, a slice of homeade toast, each, and the ever faithful and carbless green beans and coleslaw. Oh yes, and gravy.  First gravy and bread I've had in 6 months.  It was heavenly.  Abstaining from things makes you appreciate them all the more doesnt it ! ! !

     Been windy here of late, cept today of course. Had a helluva storm last night, or two storms, one before midnight and the other after. Got just over an inch of rain, thank you very much Lord, we needed it so.  Filled all the rain barrels up again, yea, cause we had emptied them over the course of a couple of days watering my beloveds flawrs. 

    Been having a not so successful attempt at "housebreaking"  the little munchkin, Scout.  She does her bidness outside, and then when we think her system has been depleted of stuff, she comes inside and does it all over again, so outside she goes.  Any thoughts on the subject?   We have a kennel inside for her and keep her in there most of the time she is indoors.  We do take her out frequently hoping she will get the message. 

    All seems to be fine here, no problems other than pain.  got to hurting so bad I had to take a couple of hydrocordones, and I almost never do that.  Of course they made me dopey. Well dopier than my normal dopey self. Isnt that one of the seven dwarfs?  Hmmm, can you name them?  Well let's see. Dopey, docky, droopy, stinky, Hamlet, Olglethorpe, and Algernon...?  No?  Well, I was close I'm sure!

     Guess it's time to deplane boss...keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride"...
Your frien and resident resident,  HAROLD JUNIOR R CEPHUS, esq 

Tom Britton '65

Happiest of birthday wishes to you Beau!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pat Brantley (Ross)

Bennie, that is the most awful luck I have ever heard of!  We lived in Bunker Hill Village for 32 years and our street flooded every time it rained more than 2”.  It didn’t get over the curb until it hit 6”.  Alicia brought water up to our back door.  After that we put sump pumps in and had the yard graded so that water wouldn’t head toward the house.

Hurricane Rita just hit us with a lot of wind.  After the storm several of our neighbors came by wanting to saw branches that were in the yard.  It was hilarious to me to see all these lawyers wanting to play with their new chainsaws.  I just knew there was going to be blood spilled before the evening was over.  Why do white collar men want to learn how to use power tools when they are 50?  A man in our Sunday school class got a flamethrower for father’s day!  

Beau i hope your birthday was fantastic.  I really got hungry reading about your mother’s cooking.  My grandmother was a fantastic cook.  I don’t think she taught either daughter to cook.  My mother could cook about 4 recipes well.  Other than that she wasn’t very good at cooking.  My sister has about ten things she cooks well.  I think I have about that many.  I love to cook Italian food.  My sister’s son was a fantastic cook.  He lived with us for a year and I loved letting him cook.  I just came home from work and sat down to dinner.  Heaven.

 I am praying for you.  Thank you for being honest and telling us how you feel.  I generally tell people I am fine when I am ready to scream.  Broken ankle is almost healed.  Have a new doctor to try to fix nerve problem in a couple of discs.  Hope he can do something.  He will be third try.  Glad you settled on a name for Scout.  

Teddie Jordan

Cephus, if you think HAROLD Jr. was tough, think about hearing Theodore Fiquet, which doesn’t exactly roll off of the tongue, or enter the ear, or drift through the neighborhood melodically! But to be honest, I was always a chow hound, and just to hear that supper was ready would put me on a salivating dead run, awkward name be damned!😀

Beau Wann, Jr.

    Theodore Fiquet sounds positively regal to me, a name of authority, one in command !  Yup that's my take on the subject.  Of course I heard there was a king Harold or Harold the great, and that certainly aint me.  Howsomever, there was a king Malcolm of Scotland that I'm suppose to be kin to, so I'm thinking Harold sounds a lot better than "Malcolm JUNIOR, suppers on", lets see that parrot get it's beak around "Malcolm".

    In subsequent years, we visited my grandmother several times a year till she passed away sometime in the 60s methinks, and that damn parrot called my name everytime we visited.  Well, no matter, not really a complaint, though it sounded like one, just a small story from my past that is now a tad humorus. 

    Once I discovered there was more to playing in the dirt, like eating great southern food cooked by half dozen genteel southern ladies that could make an old boot taste good, I changed my priorities.  And, seeing as how you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, I learned to "help" in the kitchen, got many of, "cephus, see how this tastes", and "does this have enough salt for you", and "why dont you have that ol broken biscuit, dont want to put that on the table"...I'm tellin ya, life was grand for a boy named Sue, or Harold Junior, or "Hey You knucklehead", once I discovered vittles!

    What I wouldnt give for a plate of steamin hot fried green tomatos.  Diane and I tried to make some recently, but they didnt turn out very good at all. I blame the tomato, but told Diane they were pretty good and reminicent of my moms FGTs.  I dont think she bought that for a moment, but thanked me anyway. What a sweet lady she is!   Has to be to put up with 3 dogs, two cats that hate each other, and  me, and me.  Goodness, that's 5 critters and two knuckleheads! ! ! !  

    Well, today she is leaving on a vacation of sorts to dallas, going to the national meeting of the Delta Kappa Gamma society, a professional teachers organization.  Be back Sunday eenin.  I will be too busy to be lonesome, taking care of the critters.  Well, even at that, I still get lonesome when she's gone no matter how much work I have to do.  I dont watch TV anymore, too much ugliness, and that's just the commercials. The british TV mysteries are horried and dark like they were all written by Charles Dickens or Edgar Allan Poe.

    Even my recorded ones have gotten old and worn out.  I've watched most of them at least a dozen times like , "Tin Star", "12 angry Men", "Jeramiah Johnson", seen that a zillion times, love the scenery and the solitude.  I cant seem to concentrate on reading for some reason. I start a book and after a page or two I get bored and put it down. Started a zillion new books, and only read a page or two.  Tried writing and just come up empty.  I think I have a "blackberry cobbler" and "fried green tomato" deficiency.   Well no matter gonna be  too tired anyway. Already tired thinking about the work. 

    I did get Dianes car ready to travel, wash and waxed it myself, packed it with ice chest full of water, plus snacks and coffee etc, whatever will make the drive more pleasant. She will stay with our grandaughter and her husband tonight, I know she's looking forword to that, I certainly would be.  I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies for Lucy and Austin. I've disciplined myself so much on this diet, I didnt even sample one, now that's will power, or wont power.

     Ok, time to deplane boss, so keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride"...

your frien and resident whacko, Cephus Junior R Me esq... 

Scotty Croom

cephus,jr. if teddy /fiquet is royalty , he is a duke, because he is no count...honked aGAIN SUN. , as we flew by......

Teddie Jordan

Scotty, and to think back to that second day of kindergarten when mama, desperate to get me to stay at school and not to cut through the woods and beat her home again, said as we walked over to you, “Now this looks like a nice boy!”

🤪👍

Wayne Lake

From the North

Long time no/no for me, thanks to all that have corresponded and sorry I have not replied, contributed much to the forum or attended recent get-togethers – no excuses except old, tired, dumb, lazy and fat.

Currently up North enjoying pleasant weather with numerous species of birds in the back yard.  Got a note from Lynn Wren verifying my mailing address and got to thinking (a potentially dangerous social situation) that Jackie had two last names that were birds and Lynn has one and they both have been instrumental leaders of our little Waltrip 64 clan. The Gold Finch is one of my favs on the feeder and we had House Wrens nesting out back. It’s a small world when you think about it. Whenever I log in, I think about Jackie, RIP……

Fishin’ was terrible last winter everywhere I went from Galveston to Mansfield. Hope it gets better this next season or I’m gonna ‘have to take up new hobbies. I brought a pad and pencils up North but have not tried sketching yet. I also brought my fly rod and waders but have not yet wet a line.

Headed to Normandy in the fall to pay our respects to the greatest generation on this 75^th anniversary. I have been studying up on WWII and the more I read, the more I wish I would have learned earlier. Will go to the National D-Day/WWII Museum in Nawlins’ over the 4^th of July and stop in London on the way to France in order to purge the cobwebs and visit the Cabinet War Rooms across from 10 Downing St where Winston Churchill prosecuted the war effort. If you have never been through them and you are ever in London, take the time and go – they were closed from 1948 -1984 and when opened to the public, everything was left the same as it was during the war. After France, we are going to spend time in S.W. England/Cornwall and I am looking forward to the trip. Will be back to TX just in time for the 55^th and hope to see you all there.

Thanks to Johnny, Barbara, Beverly, Lynn, Tom, Jimmie Sue and everybody else that keeps us in touch,

wtl                  

Beau Wann, Jr.

     It's me again Margaret! ! !   Hey Scotty, we heard your honk, we honked back.  If TJ is no count, then yall might have to DUKE it out, hey!   Wheel chairs or walkers at 40 paces, after a nap of course.  Hey Wayne, wow, what a whirld traveler you are.  I'd love to see a slide show of all the places you've been.  Fishings not been very good up here on the hill eyether.  I did catch some cod today, from Krogers howsomever. 

     I use to love to fish, or thought I did, even though I rarely went.  First two and only fish I ever caught was a sheepshead and a flounder in Matagorda bay, on just a hook and line. I think I was 10 or roundabouts thereof. Mom kept those in the freezer till I left home 10 years later. 

    Fishing was Kind of like I use to play golf, never good at it, in fact downright stunk at it.  Good thing my boys didnt inhierit my talents, or no talents. Both lads were good at golf and  have fished the whirld and caught schools of fish. Both hunters, me, no, unless it was hunting for something to eat or the remote.

    Seems like a fall eenin here up in the CHALPS.  Nice and cool, almost clear skys, lots O stars and fireflys. All that was missing was the smell of my moms cooking wafting out the kitchen window on DuBarry.  Dont know why the cooking back then was more oderiferous than it is today. Might just be my nose as gone awry. Well no matter, food is food even if it isnt bread, rice, pasta or taters.

      I seem to be stuck at 167 168 pounds, and have been for the last few months.  Dont know what the problem is, I havent cheated and had any of the four "white" food groups.  Or sugar.  My sons tell me I'm not eating enough fat.  74 years of "fat is bad for you" is hard to overcome. I did have some bacon though, just not dipped in a pound of butter like "keto" wants you to do. Well, I'll get there sooner or later I reckon.  I am down to a 30 waist in mah wranglers, that's something ah reckon.

    Got a pinched nerve in my back that started around 1:47 AM Sunday morning.  That bad boy pain grabbed me and said "hit the deck", so I did. Good thing the floor was there to break my fall, eh.  Well, the floor, the cedar chest, couple pair of boots, foot stool and a cat dish were all there helping to get me to the floor. Good thing they were there or I might have hurt myself. "Houston, we have a problem"...  Let me tell you, a pinched nerve in the back registers a 10 squared on the 1 to 10 scale. I've had them before, just not at 74 years old.

    Took me some time to recover and get up as no matter how I moved, it was the wrong way. And wouldnt you know my beloved was in Big D little a double L a s.  By the time she got home at noon, I had inched my way out to the containers and rounded up the walker, inched my way back to the house, finished the laundry I had started Saturday, finished cleaning the kitchen, fed all the animals and walked same.

       Must not have been too bad if I did all that eh!  I'm not an ordinary citizen, I do what needs to be done no matter what.  As soon as she walked through that door, I handed over the reins and all control to her. Took a couple O pain pills and dozed the rest of the day.  I use to be against drugs of any kind, but now ahm all for em.  I will say today it's much better, hell anything is better than "Sunday morning coming down" off a pinched nerve.

     Seems all my pains have multiplied and magnified this year. T9 where I broke my back in 15, has started feeling like I've got a flaming arrow stuck there. Dont the indians know, we're at peace?  Besides, I didnt steal their lands, homes and hunting grounds, in fact, they can have it all back, of course they'll have to mow it some.

    Looks like the guv has signed a bill allowing "hemp" to be grown here in texas, now they have to appoint a committee to appoint a committee on who's going to regulate it and the rules etc. That ought to take about 20 more years.  If they dont allow the good ol boy farmers and ranchers, those with thousands of acres, to rule things, I might apply for a license to grow it on the hill. I read where it's some 400,000 plants per acre. That seems a tad much, but I'm game.  (maybe I read that wrong).

    Anyone out there want a really cute BEAGLE???? She has proved to be too much of a challenge for this ol boy.  Never seen a nose like hers with four feet and a tail. When she's on the trail of something, she cackles like a chicken. Yup, maybe she's a "chicken Beagle" who knows! Well there is such a thing as a chicken hawk, a chicken snake and chicken ranch, and game of chicken and chicken foot, so maybe.......   Gonna contact the Beagle rescue people and see if they will find her a home. She has to stay in the kennel whenever she is in the house, or else she will leave us all kinds of unwanted presents, even though she had just done that outside.  Go figure! ! !  

   My eldest son and his wife found a rescue down at NRG stadium at an animal greet and meet and adopt affair.  It's a Munsterlander, a large munsterlander.  There is a small munsterlander, though alike in appearance and work ethic and temperment, not related. As one would imagine, the Munsterlander was developed in Munster, Germany, duh! ! !  Most Munsterlander breeders will not let one be adopted by a non hunting family as that breed was bred to hunt, despelling "that ol dog dont hunt" theory.  (sure wish I had my cooper back).

    Speaking of which, my sister the artist, painted a portrait of Cooper from a picture I sent her. Let me tell you, she captured his soul in his eyes.  She said she painted the eyes last and cried while doing it. You'ld have to see it, it is magnificent. Maybe I'll take a picture of the painting and post it here.  I still believe that ol boy was an angel and I was the lucky chosen caretaker. 

   Ok, time to deplane boss. Keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride"

Your frien and resident Munsterpain, Cephus R Me esq...  

Teddie Jordan

HAROLD JR. (Cephus), Theo here. Please post the portrait of Cooper that your sister painted. Fond memories of him down at Freer on our OFDH on the couch watching TV and enjoying the A/C, and would love to see it!

Also good memories of her and her young son coming to the grocery store and shopping in the evenings during high school. Now that I think about it that young fellow is probably in his late 50’s now. Wow!

Beau Wann, Jr.

Ok TJ, here it is.  I was looking for the picture that she painted it from, found it, lost it again. This is a blow up of part of a picture. We were at Oaks Pres one Sunday with Coop for the blessings of the animals, and also a lot of kiosks were set up, this rescue gbroup and that rescue group among others. Coop was laying under a tree at Dianes feet.  He was craning his neck, looking up at her with such loving eyes.   I think it's on my extra hard drive.  I will look again. 

       Been having a heck of a time trying to get on the net. Says we are connected, but it just sits there no matter how many times we refresh or redo over.  Well anyhoo, here is a portrait of an angel.  I do remember our dove hunt.  Cant remember a finer funner time than the dove hunt in Freer at your place. Thanks for the great memories and camraderie..

I found it....

Beau Wann, Jr.

     It's me again Margaret !   Today was sort of a triumph for me, I trimmed my own toenails. Yup, there was dancing in the streets and parades and fairs and fireworks and all kinds of celebrations.  I didnt think it was that big a deal, however, I havent been able to do that for a few years. Now my belly is gone, voila, I can trim myown nails
      On a much sadder note, my bike riding days seem to have come to an end. I was suppose to ride in the 4th of july parade in Chappell Hill, (voted best small town parade in America. By whom, I dont know.)   Anyway, my legs hips and shoulders hurt so bad I couldnt hold it up. Luckily the kickstand was still employed or it'd be laying on it's side with me under it.  It only weighs 900 pounds!   Heavy sigh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
       Getting back to our toes...(martha? that ol boy is talkin about his toes again, get the kids away from the computer...)  Yeah yeah yeah, toes toes toes...I have heard from an educational source some years back that since we dont use our toes for anything, except balance, that they will disappear.  Hmmm, I've had mine for 74 years and they look ok to me.  And besides, I use my toes all the time, testing the water, planting them in the sand at the beach, well not that one so much, only been to the beach twice in the last 50 years, but should the occasion arise, I wil plant my toes in the sand.
        You know, that Bobby Darwin fella was wrong about evolution.  Oh, I believe in some things evolving, like dough into bread, and chocolate chips into cookies and stuff like that, but us from apes?   I dont think so.  If that were true, why are there still apes and monkees? huh?  What, they not all get the memo?   "Yo dude, tomorrow we're gonna change into human beings, but tonight we party, eat with our toes and stuff, yeah, rock and roll"
         My beloved was reading this over my shoulder, and says Bobby was not Darwins first name, Charles was his first name.  I say, so what, Bobby, Charlie, Bill, Pete, whatever, he was still wrong! ! !  I know, this is all pretty heavy stuff to be laying on youse youtes on 4th of july, but someone had to do it and today seemed appropriate, cause we can all celebrate our toes together.   So, next 2nd Saturday, Fudds is coming up, so bring your toes, cause I'm bringing mine! 
      Got another name change for the little munchkin beagle..."Georgi Girl" !!!!!     I was listening to my tunes and had the Seekers on and they were singing Georgi Girl, and I being of niether sound mind or body, was singing along with them.  The munchkin came and sat at my feet and sorta barked or squeaked or whatever munchkins do.  I stopped singing and said "good girl Georgi Girl", and she went away.  So I started singing again, "hey there Georgi Girl da da da da da da da...."  not sure of the words, but I do know the title.  So back comes the little munchkin and sits at my feet and talks to me, sort of. 
      Sasaaaay, we have a winner, "Georgi Girl", yeah that's the ticket, Georgi Girl! ! ! !   Diane seems to think the munchkin just wanted me to shut up, that's why she responded. I say "balderdash" ! ! !   That pup likes the name so Georgi Girl it is, so there. Ha, take that Mr Darwin!   Mathew Brady was right! ! ! 
      Ok, time to deplane boss, keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride"..
your frien and resident big toe,  Cephus R Me, esq.   

Teddie Jordan

So is Anybody going to be at Fudd’s on Saturday?? 

Beau, you called this second Saturday standing get together, and I know you mentioned and reminded us of it in one of your posts a couple of weeks ago. 

Richard Meek '65

Paige and I are planning to be there. Assuming we don't have to deal with a hurricane.

Richard Meek '65

Just so more of you will be inclined to attend, Paige will be entertaining everyone with a report on her concert tour of Israel. She wasn't performing alone though. Our church choir performed six concerts while there. They even had groupies atttending them. While she was globe trotting, I traveled to Fort Worth to a attend a conference for Water board Directors. I liked my trip better. I just got in the car, drove to Fort Worth. Attended the conference. Got paid to be there and drove home. Paige got to fly for a total of fourteen hours to get to Tel Aviv then a two hour bus ride to Jeruslem. Then of course reverse that to get home. My trip coming home got exciting due to torrential downpours and a detour because of an accident on Hwy. 290 that shut down the south bound side of the highway. Turned a normally four hour trip into six and a half hours. I don't have any pictures of my trip but she has plenty of hers.Pretty interesting stuff. Particularly the picture of her riding a camel. Hope to see lots of you folks on Saurday. We're going to have a positive attitude that the unfortunate folks in Louisiana with be dealing with Hurricane Barry. Yes!

Beau Wann, Jr.

     It's me again Margaret !   I may or may not finish typing this due to my phingers not cooperating. I donno, is it me or is it memorex?  Nah, my psycho moralgia hoten toten hoochiecoochie has been acting up again this year, in fact all this year and mostly into last year. This 6 months on the pain scale of 1 to 10, it's been a 10 squared, kill an ordinary human, even a kryptonian for crying out loud, and been trying not to do that.  I'm plumb crippled up especially in the morning.  I have found that no matter how intense the pain, if I can get moving without tripping and falling, I can generally get through the day, but I better not stop, cause it gets worse.

     Sorry I missed all yall at fudges tonight, Doc Fraunkensteen gave me some meds that shut my immune system down, or severely hampers it's ability to phight inphections, and I dont need another problem at this time, thank you very much.   My better half went in my stead and thoroughly enjoyed herself with yalls company as she always does.   I wont be aloud to leave the compound till next Saturday, or whenever the med regimine has expired.  Then after my "citizens arayest" is up, "I'm off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of ..." rumortoligist. (I know that's not how you spell it, but I have so much fun with that sort of thing)   Hmmm, wonder just what rumor he or she will be spreading around.

     Got another name change for the little munchkin. Seems she is so picky about what she wants to be called, and I dont blame her, wish I'd had a say in what my handle was gonna be.  Anyway, seems Diane was right about the name Georgy Girl, her not wanting me to sing. Something about carrying a tune in a basket. Seems she only came when I struck up the band and sang "Hey there Georgi Girl, da da da da da da da...." or woids to that defect.  So now, we've finally hit upon a name she likes and actually responds to,   "Isabelle", or "Izzy", Or "Iz".   Hmmm, wonder if that's what bill was talking about when he said "all depends on what Iz Iz,  a munchkin Beagle?

     She does respond to Izzy and all it's kin.  But, I'm here to tell you, that little munchkin is krazy animated squared.  When she and Dixie are not engaged in some kind of combat, Izzy is racing around the yard, touching down every 4 or 5 feet, with her mouth open trying to catch grasshoppers.  Looks like a cartoon, Snoopy comes to mind. 

     We've had temps up in the 100s  this past week with heat index up in the 120s, now that's hot mah phriends.   No rain in the last month or so.  We see rain on the radar racing towards us, only to split and go around. Now that's just rude dontcha think!  Oh well, when it finally starts raining I'll be complaining about too much water, you know how that goes. 

     It's late, so ahm gonna sing off for now. Sorry I missed seeing all youse youtes, maybe in August things will be much better.   Oh, we're having a pool put in as I type this. After having one for 20 years and swearing I'd never have another one, I'm looking forward to some zero gravity and a spa.

       I've found my "speedos" and man do I look phantastic!   Sorta like a mozzarela cheese stick wearing a coozy.  HA, unsee that!    I also found my Lloyd Bridges "Sea Hunt" Navy issue  mens, knit swim trunks, waist size 30.  I've had those things for 55 years, dont know how long the Navy had them, or who they had design them, Twiggy or whoever.   I tried them on, and they just aint right atall. Yeah, I can still get into them,  now I've shed 45 pounds, but dont think I'll model those for anyone. What were they thinkin????

     Wow, it's already past "midnight at the oasis, bring your camel to bed...", never did quite get that song. Probably written by the same guy that wrote "Tie me kangaroo down sport".  Guy, Gal, probably Carole King, she wrote just about every tune in the 50s and 60s anyhoo, what a talent she is. 

       You know, I really believe my mom was wright, about me being  "retarded".   She didnt quite put it that way, but I knew what she meant.  Her basis for that diagnosis was the fact that my brain was deprived of O2 when I was born, being blessed with double pnumonia and asthma and almost dying.  I am a little slow at things!  I can tie my own shoes however especially now that my belly is gone and not in the way anymore.  Well, my brain knows how to tie my shoes, but my phingers dont particularly care what my brain is up to.  Opening jars and things up here is a comedic but sad experience around this house hold.  Feels like I've got bricks at the end of my arms, and dont get me started on my arms....ok phyne!

     I do believe I was signing off wasnt I.   Sooooo, keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride"..
your frien and resident "Mark Spitz" lookalike and all around greek god,  Cephus Neptunus Magnamonious the greatus, esqus.   

Scotty Croom

wish that we could have been there,too...still iffy weather,power has stayed on since late  yesterday am....so.we had food,computer and cell phones...more rain expected thru tues...bo, i have aches in feet and hands,but if i get up and move they seem to go away...  rescheduled trip to htown and hill country until aug. 1st..travel between biloxi ands beaumont will be drier...

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Hey Scotty, glad you are well.  Diane said there was a good crowd there last night, and you and Sharon would have added just that many more good folks.  I'm so glad that Diane fits in well with our class because even when I cant go I still feel connected because Diane is there. Talk about best of both whirlds.

       We cant buy rain up here in the Chalps.  First couple O years here, and we were inundated with frog stranglers weekly,  just goes to show you some days chicken, some days feathers.  It will start wraining up here at some point, so not to worry...maybe!  Just dont want it to start anytime soon so as not to hamper cornstruction on the zero gravity pit and spa.

    Would you believe I've got on my speedos as I type this! ! !   Yup, getting in practice on  modeling mah swimwear.  My arms and face are dark as an islanders, but mah legs....hmm hmm hmm, they will blind you. Look like two mozzarella cheese sticks.   I never ever cottoned to shorts even when I was a liter kid.  Bugs always biting and crawling on your legs, cat or dogs always scratching your unprotected legs.  Maybe I can come up with some "long shorts" .  Not sure how that's going to work, but we will see what we will see, eh what!

     Time to deplane,  Little Miss has gotten up off my arms so I can turn loose of the keyboard.  Although it's a tad hampering to type with a cat laying on your arms and the keboard, but it's good finger and arm  excersize, plus cant see the keyboard, so mah typing skills improve with each forum response. Keeps your hands and arms warm, heaven knows with it 100 degrees outside I sure do need em kept warm. Might change Little Miss name to "Jimmie Lee, typing teacher".  She always said she didnt allow for her students to look at the keyboard.  Well, Little Miss has seen to it that I honor those class room instructions.

    Keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride"
your frien and resident  greek god swimwear yodeler,  and Acapulco cliff diver, (not cliff notes), Zeus Cephus esqus.

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Gooooooood morning Chappell Hillllllll...!!!!  Off to the races today, well, maybe not actually races, with cars bikes or horses, more like lame snails, but off to the...anyway, wherever that may be.  Little Miss, my nazis typing class instructor is once again laying across my arms and hands and keyboard looking very content and full of herself, if not full of a can of tuna as well.   She weighs about 8 pounds maybe 9ish.  Big Oliver use to lay on my hands and arms and the keyboard, and the desk and the whole office.  When he layed around the house, he layed around the house litterally, he weighed 22 pounds and that was on a light day.

    However, the aforementioned is not why I've gathered all of you together this morning.  SO WAKE UP!!!!!  And that's all I have to say about that!  Zero gravity pit and spa going along fast, then slow then nothing.  It thundered yesterday, and the tile people left like ICE was after em.  It's just a little thunder people, come on, no rain, no lighting, no hits no runs and nobody left on, cept me.

    Ok, time to deplane and quickly. My macular degeneration seems to have kicked in full syringe, cant see what I'm typing, BOOOOOO.  Little Miss seems to have s ensed it as well, cause she has gotten up and is in my lap kissing my cheek.s  I love this little kitty.  fortunately my typing skills are such that I dont really need to see the keyboard or screen, so I can type with my eyes shut, and sometimes do like now.

Keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride"
Your frien and resident whacko, Cephus Magoofus Greekus Godus, esquireus...

Beau Wann, Jr.

     It's me again Margaret !  Mr Magoo!   Ok, dont panic, dont know what caused the vision problem, but it seems to have gone away. Thought I'd let yall know before yall all mobilized the entire class and showed up on our doughstep, not that you wouldnt be welcome.  For sure come when the zero gravity pit and spa is finished.

        Sure acted like MacD, first couldnt see out of the center of my eye, but then it moved to my peripheral.  Wierd.  Decided I'd lay down with Little Miss, so we cut a few Zs.  I just love that kitty!  Time passes, got moving, mowed part of the hill, moved stuff around with the tractor, weedeated, etc.  Now it's shower and nap time....Goodness gracious, mah hands are cramping up something fierce.  The powers that b e just dont want me typing today, so I will sing off.

     Keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride"

Your frien and resident blind cripple and crazy Cephus Magoofus esquireus...

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Good morrow myne fyne waltripynes, brokedown Magoofus back atchafalya this fyne mernin.  Just a tad foggy heah up in the Chalps.  Pups and kitties all fed, pups out on the "daugie decks" in the backyard.  They sure are a funny lot those critters, and I'm not of course.  

    Little Miss and I sat out on the front porch last night, bathed in the light of the full moon, watching the fireflies and listening to the crickets, well I cant hear the crickets, but my beloved visited us and said the crickets were cricketing real loud.  The crickets I could hear were Liszt,  Brahms, DeBussy, Rachmaninoff,  Bethoven, Chopin, Paganini etc.  Probably my all time favorite is Liszt.  Music for the angels for sure, and they were kind enough to allow me to listen in. 

     The one great thing about my "smart stupid phone" is that I can get YOUTUBE on it and "bluetooth" it to my "Rock" speaker out on the porch. Sounds like the orchestra is a settin rat out on the hill serenadin me personally.   Got that phyne rock speaker for my birthday, wow, what a phyne developement that toined out to be. 

     Back in the old days I could generally name a composition by whichever composer composed it.  Now, I just remember the tune but dont recollect name of or composer. But, that's ok as long as I can listen. I can hear a piece like Claude DeBussys Claire De Lune for violin, piano, harp, cello etc.  Really makes for a wonderful listening experience.  AND I can hear them without me bionic ears also too!

     Ever now and again I'll feel like a little rock and roll and go back to the 50s or 60s or even some swing way back in the 30s and 40s.    How about Jimmy Durrante singing "I'lll be seeing you" or "As time goes by", Vera Lynn singing the same tunes.  Alltime favorite big band/early rock and roll instrumental tune is "So Rare" by Jimmy Dorsey.  He passed away 3 months after that came out in 55. I think it went right to the top of the chart if memory serves me correctly, although dont know why it should start now.

     "Moonlight Serenade" by Glenn Miller of course, and  "Stranger on the Shore" are close 2nd to the aforementioned, then Floyd Crammers "Last Dance".  Mostly nowdays its the classics I strain my broke ears for. I always get "Rhapsody in Blue" by Rachmaninoff confused with Claude DeBussys "Claire De Lune", but no matter, both as beautiful as  can be.

     Technology is such today that even when my hearing gets more worser, and it is, ear phones and ear buds work phyne, bud.

     Going to Texas Aand M this morning to my new Rumor toligist to hear his or her rumors on payne, then back to the mountain.  Started last of 4 days of the meds this morning. Be glad when I'm phinished with them.  No ill side affects, just tired of having to take them at breakfast at the same time of day, and having to write it down so I will remember what when where and why! 

    I know this post was sort of boring, but I'm excersizing my phingers without a kitty laying across the keyboard.   Hope all is well with everyone and come hell or high water I will be at next Phudds.

Keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride"..

Your frien and resident soothsayer and dragonslayer, Cephus Magoofus Magillicutus esquireus

Scotty Croom

beau,i agree about music.,....i had gershwin's raphsody in blue/amer. in paris album and played it until it wore out..that was true music..did anyone take pics sat at fudds...thats why we miss jackie soo much...made it thru barry ok..just lost power for 3 times sat. am,but stayed on after 10am...

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Hey Scottman, so, youre the onliest (east texas for only) one reading my boring shstuff eh.   Well, glad to have you, it gets lonesome here on the air late at night.  You know, that's something I've allus wanted to do, have myne very own AM radidio station, and then I can play whatever in the heck I want to listen to.  Wonder what it costs to set up an AM station, and how many hoops you have to jump through for the Feds.  Then you have to pay ASCAP money for playing their music. Hmmmm, what if it were a non profit station????

     I remember listening to the radidio back in me youte, whether it be from the headphone, singular, stereo had not been invented yet, of my ol crystal radidio set mounted in a cigar box, or in the ol 51 ford heading to or from Little Rock. Mom and dad drove at night, no air back in them halcyon days so it was cooler to drive at night. Plus for some reasons Fords ran a tad hot.  It was an 8 hour trip back then, dont know how they stayed awake.  All they had to listen to was fuzzy AM stations.  I generally slept on the floor board in the back, or layed there listening to the road noise and the strained music drifting in and out of range.

    One song I allus heard on the road was the Ames brothers "Canadian Sunset", to me, that was the loneliest song in the whirld.  Now when I hear it, still reminds me of those trips and  "lonesome" for some reason. Guess maybe I was just a lonesome kid back in them DuBarry Days.  Sometimes I still feel that way, and can be lonesome in a crowd.  Dont know why, it just is. Some things you can change and some things you cant.

     Went to mah gnu rumor tologist today.  Nice young man, doctor!  He listened intently at my ailments, mostly pain. And for some reason the pain genie was out of her bottle and beating the hell out of me, her and the Poly Myalgia sisters.  Usually when you go to the doctor, or mechanic about your car making a strange sound, or acting up, when you get there, it's all running smooth, no pain, no problem. No so today, wow!  I was hurting so bad, I was jabbering like a magpie, and pacing,  it was bad.

      I kept apologizing to the nurses and doctor about my mouth running away with itself, saying it was the pain making me so hyper, and it was, and they said they understood. I mean, I was talking a mile a minute with just about anything that came to mind.    I guess I wasnt their first patient. 

       It's hard to relay the kind of pain I'm in to anyone, because unless youve experienced it, you have no idea.  Like anything else, I'm starting to get use to it and tolerate it more. Kind of like the cigaret commercial, "are you smoking more but enjoying it less?"  We all know the answer to that dont oui! ! !

     Anyway, they took blood for some reference point and the doc is increasing the prednisone strength and longer, oh joy! ! !   You know, I started to bolt from the waiting room, thinking, what the hell, I dont even care anymore about it, nothing they can do about it no matter what it is, but I'd already paid my 45 dollars so see the doctor I must.

    Just because I talk about my pain so much, doesnt mean that there arent others out there with more worser problems, I'm just yakin!  Believe it or not, it does help to talk about it even if it's typed out on a puter keyboard.  Little Miss is asleep and snoring in my arms as I type this. Did I mention I love this little kitty. One of the most loving creatures I've ever encountered.   OH, BTW that's "by the way"!  I didnt know it before, but now I do, so BTW, I SAW A CAMEL ON THE WAY TO COLLEGE STATION !!!!!!!!   Yup, no kidding!

    It's on the right hand side of 6 just north of Hempstead about 5 miles maybe, just beyond the "Hill Country BBQ" joint.   Yeah, a real bonifide by golly Camel.  Of course that worries me that it could be being mistreated. What the heck is a camel doing on the road to College station?   I didnt see a mate, so it must be alone and wondering why the heck it'd been sent to "hell".  Oh well, my compassion button is always pushed to the max!

    My beloved has been looking on line and in our nutrition books about the management of pain.  Lots of conflicting data from maybe not so reliable sources.  One souce says "tomatos" cause inflamation of the joints, and another source claims they help with the decrease of inflamation.   Most all agree that broccoli is the number one best food for youse youtes.  Oh joy, why cant it be chocolate malts and shipley donuts?   Just aint nothing right in this whirld is there.

     Another source says that "fermented" food is good for you.  I guess they havent looked in our fridge where everything is fermented and fuzzy green.  Sauerkraut is suppose to be good for youse, and voila, I love sauerkraut, and sausages or sauerkraut and sauerkraut.  If fermented things are good for youse, then it would stand to reason that some good sippin whiskey would be good for you, eh what. I mean, it's just fermented grain of sorts, eh!    Which is why I've decided to supplement my diet with some good ol Tennessee and or Kaintuck sippin whiskey. 

    Actually some of the best whiskey in the whirld comes from Texas ie Rebbeca Creek, and 1836.  Very nice indeed. Oh, and not to worry, I dont mix drugs and alcohol. Just alcohol and ice.  The drugs dont do very much and I dont have a good time, whereas the alcohol does dull the pain somewhat, and I can have a good time to boot.  Of course it does make you somewhat wobbly and the eyesight suffers just a tad, but what the heck, if I fall, I dont have far to fall, and the floor is always there to break my fall and I have cats and dogs to administer first aid via a lick on the cheek and hands, so see there, things are looking up indeed.

    No no no , I'm not gonna become a drunk, already been one of those in me youte, and didnt care for it atall. No, now I'm a more responsible drunk, and only drink really good expensive whiskey.  You know, I've only had 4 ounces over ice tonight, and the pain seems to have been stiffled somewhat, yeaaaaaaaa!  AND, maybe I can sleep too, double yeaaaaaa!

   Ok, so what have we learned here tonight?    I'm loonier than a march hare! I wish yall all could see me type with a cat on my arms.  I am phenomenal if not downright supernatural at typing.  Maybe make all the typing teachers in the whirld proud.  Yaaaawn!  Hey, I yawned!  Guess it's time to call it a day,  hit the hay, hit the rack, hit something with this tired old body, preferrably not the floor. 

    The cornstruction on the zero gravity pit and spa is still ongoing and sloooooowwwwww.  I  cannot wait to throw myself in the drink and float on a cloud O water.  I think it'll be a good thing dontchu?  I'm gonna try to get the sawbones to prescribe "pool" therapy for me, and then maybe I can get the insurance company to pay for the pool, heaven knows it isnt free! 

     Ok, just drained the last of my medicinal kaintuck pain and snake bite meds, and I must say I'm feelin po nain. So, tyme to sing off...
Keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride"...
Your frien and resident Doofus, Cephus Magoofus Retardus Maximus esquireus....

Post Script:  Surely EVERYONE wasnt "kung fu fighting..."  ! ! !