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Susan Howard (Bowman)

Just got a text from Jimmie - sounds like Charles is doing okay!!  He had a busy day yesterday - she said he probably overdid and was paying for it by 7 last night.  He is up and walking, getting in and out of bed, doing breathing exercises - all of the things to help him get out of the hospital quickly.  Of course he is not getting much sleep because in hospitals you don't get much sleep.  He is now on oral pain meds, too.  The hospital served him a beer for dinner last night and he was happy with that!  Apparently, according to Jimmie, they try to accommodate their patient's normal habits!  She couldn't believe it!!  Most of his tubes are out!  So it sounds like he is doing well!

Teddie Jordan

Thanks Susan. It all sounds very good. Being a guy, I especially like the part about them serving him a beer. I think hospitals are starting to get it.

I remember my dad having a couple of surgeries for ulcers back when I was a kid and we always knew he was on the road to recovery when he asked us to go get him a pack of cigarettes, which he would lay in the hospital bed and smoke. And we would walk down the hall and see patients in other rooms smoking too.  My, times have changed!

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

Thanks Susan for the update, I didn't know about Charles until this morning.  Was not on my computer this weekend, so hadn't checked my gmails or message forum.  What a shock, so glad surgery is over and he's up walking and had a beer!!!!   I sent Jimmie Lee an email this morning, but if you should text her, ask her if she wants me to send out a broadcast.  I don't until I get permission.

My prayers go out to Charles and Jimmie Lee and family!

Hugs,

J

Larry Reid '63

Beer at the hospital!

Sounds like a really great idea but then I think about how much they probably charge for a beer? Is this one of the reasons for soaring healthcare cost? Also, do you think insurance would cover?

I guess with enough beer, who would care one way or another?

Beau Wann, Jr.

A beeeeer by any other name...would be just as good. I remember being in Tripler Army Hospital sometime back in 68 maybe, and some guys were losing weight, or couldnt gain weight, and were sick, probably due to one or more of the exotic parasites from exotic southeast asia, so they were prescribed 2 beers a day, plus all the malts they could drink. I tried to get in on that program, they let me have the malt, it was kinda messy cause I spilt it all over myself, but was disallowed the beer. I'd a rather had the malt, but seems I couldnt find my mouth with the cup or the straw. With the straw, I developed an eye problem, cause I Kept pokin myself in the eye with the straw. And they wouldnt let me have a beer cause it woulda made me like Jackie Wilson, "HIGHER AND HIGHER".

Seems I already had a high on. Lost all the fluid in my inner ear, due to ??? Labrinthitis??? thats what they wrote on my chart, and added the question marks. So, for a month I was on a permanent high, couldnt stand up, sit up, couldnt do anything. If I was down, I was falling up, if up then down. They had to strap me in bed, and put up the sides so I wouldnt roll out onto the floor, and roll out into the hallway, and roll down the stairs, and roll out into the street, and roll to the airport, and roll home! ! !  What fun that was! I have drank myself into that sorta state before, but by morning it had worn off, well cept maybe the headache.

Glad Charles is up and about. wont be long, more than 2 months, he'll be out on the links challenging Tiger to a pickup game. I'm gonna bet on Charles.

Well, the "CUTEST PET CONTEST" at The Leader, is almost through. Today being the last day. I thought cooper would be in at least the top ten, he's not even in the top 20. But, already some are crying foul due to the many votes other pups have gotten due to "tweetyface" "facetweetybook" etc, or some such nonsense. I do agree that 343 votes in one day is sorta supicious, especially when all you are allowed is ONE vote, but some folks take these corntests serious. There's about half dozen that have been getting on the average about 100votes or more a day. Lots of complaints.

You'ld think it was for title of "BEST IN SHOW" at Westminster. But it's just for a basket of dog and or pet treats, that I probably wouldnt let Cooper and Jack have, and also some "free" pet grooming and "free" pet sitting. Well, we all know about "freebies", cause nothing is free. "sir? did you want us to groom him with your free grooming? Well, that will be an extra 59.95 plus tax."  I'm the onliest (east texas for only) one allowed to groom Cooper and Catahoula Jack. 

As my old aunt Mildred use to say, "boy", (she called me boy. In fact, she called us all "boy", well, not the girls, then she said "girl") anyway to make a short story even longer, she said, "BOY, a sweet tater is just a yam, but when it's a sweet tater pie, then thats a whole nother whirld" ! ! ! Words to live by for sure...

Your frien and brother nut...JabberWrocky

Post Script: CHARLES???? GET WELL!!!!!!!

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

Happy Birthday to my dearest girlfriend, Glenda McDonald! Hugs and love, J

Susan Howard (Bowman)

Hey Jackie!  I know - I asked her permission before I put anything on the Message Forum, too.  The only other message she sent me this morning after I asked her how she was doing was to say she is doing surprisingly well under the circumstances!  Apparently Charles has been having some health issues the past few months, only not with his heart that she knew about- other things.  He had the heart issues checked out himself and she didn't know about the cath until 3 days before they did it.  She said that our prayers are helping keep her "calm"!  

Jimmie Lee Smith (Brawner)

Well, guys, I'm glad you're all getting a kick out of Charles getting a beer in the hospital.  They were asking him about what he wanted for dinner and he laughingly said, "A nice cold beer would be really nice."  They said, "We can handle that."  Get this - it came from the pharmacy and even had the pharmacy label on it, like any prescription.  Wasn't his brand (Coors Light), but, hey, who's going to complain.  And, as Larry said, no telling how that charge is going to show up on the bill, and yes it's probably one of many reasons our healthcare costs are so high. 

Charles is doing extremely well - much better than I expected at this point in the process.  He's following all the rules and they say he's an exemplary patient.  He's having way too many visitors, though, and with that and not sleeping, he's worn out.  He'll have to come home to get any rest, which hopefully will be Thursday.

Susan, thanks for posting for me as I'm having a hard time with phone calls, e-Mails, texts, etc., and your taking care of that means a lot.  Thanks so much to each of you who has sent a message or called telling us you are praying for us - means the world to us.

John Burgess Webb

jimmie lee,

its good to hear charles is doing good;it will take a while to figure out just where his heart is inside his chest but he will have more energy and stamina.give my regards and welcome him to the "zipper club". dont let the small stuff get you down,

burge

John Burgess Webb

oh yeah,on another note just for your information.i read about the military exercises at an old school in south houston;scot street at airport blvd.this was prohibited under 'posse comatus',a law that prohibited armed forces opperation on american soil.well,thats gone;now military units are conducting "training"exercises in urban areas all over the united states.it has implications beyond the use of delta force troops at the waco extermination where all evidence was destroyed or compromised.forward-looking infra-red rader(flir) footage prooved the military assult of that compound.if you dont believe it then watch the documentary 'waco'.even sheila jackson lee was shocked when the film was shown to congress;her face dropped in disbelief as the infra-red images clearly showed the heat signatures of the fully automatic fire shooting into the compound as  soldiers went into position behind tank cover.it was all to protect the children;too bad so many of those same children were killed.it took a few years to get rid of posse comatus but it was done last year.now us military can legally operate on american soil.

as an anticdote;when i was in the military police in albany georgia,i had to be deputized while off duty just to help direct traffic in albany during the memorial day parade-i emphisize-off duty and deputized by the sherrifs dept.

now, not only houston but miami,chicago,mineapolis, los angeles,boston and denver record military opperations;using helicopters and special ops.whats with that?to say the american people are ignorant is an overstatement;what is coming is un-american.as "the ragin cajon"(james carville) said during thanksgiving before clinton came to power"go ahead,eat chur tuky,enjoy your fambly;were commin to get cha"! political rheteric?veiled threat?its comming to pass,little by little.the constitution is just a fable created by a bunch of racist white fools who had some notion that the people actually had god given rights,inaleinable rights;like speaking your mind or defending yourself from those who would harm you and those you love,preserve your home and person from some thug coming along and ransacking your belongings whenever they wish,or forcing you to incriminate yourself and your friends for resisting thier unreasonable power.

when the chinese refuse to accept the dollar for repayment of the debt we have incurred (or own money by the way,payed to them for counterfiet or adulterated goods produced with no standards under unfair trade agreements)and demand land(including ports) dont you think something is amiss;do you think at all?the foriegn banks that were given billions by paulson and bernanke hold us in a stranglehold that threatens our economy and our congress does nothing...you have elected a president that gives f16s and abhram tanks to our sworn enemies(the muslim brotherhood)who spawned the entire radical muslim force through the middle east at the turn of the century. deception? wolves in sheeps clothing?it's much deeper and neferious than communism or facism.when our dollar is worth 40 cents in the global economy,whats to keep us solvent?the downfall of america has been planned from the very writing of the 'declaration of independance',courage and sacrifice has preserved it up until  now;our power is being stripped incrementally.technology has hastened this machination in the last hundred years.foriegn usury has put us in debt.we will pay with our soverienty.china owns the panama canal and the port of longbeach,the second largest port by tonnage in the us.new york is #1 and houston is#3.longbeach sold the port to chinese management as an economic necessity along wth attendant marine installations in place for security.

in 1998 during a dinner and lecture sponsered by the association for intelligence officers in houston;a question was posed to just retired admiral bobby inman of the national security agency.the question pertained to foriegn ownership of american corporations and assets.the answer pertained to a contingency of nsa regarding these assets.in the event of hostilities with countries holding such assets;a machinism is triggered in a contengency involving the forfeiture of assets and the freezing of funds in american controlled banks.that was 24 years ago.who now controls american banks?anybody's guess.would we have to go to war with china to protect our ports?it is relavent now that china is trying to build the worlds largest navy as our defence dept.is determaned to cut ours back to the silly parameters during the carter administration(who,by the way gave up the panama canal to people who couldnt even tie thier own shoelaces...enter china,who bought both the atlantic and pacific ports first and the rest is history...are we history?the great power reduced to just another third or perhaps 4th or god forbid 5th world depository of 'used as needed resources'by offshore power brokers;run in total submission by high tech multi-national corporations completing thier world domination for "social justice'?iv personally known one of 'the planners',he was devestated and cynical because he had a conscience.its as real as the nose on your face.

start thinking and divert your attention from the'bread and circuses',the deversion of television's masterpiecies such as 'dances with the stars' or the trash of 'reality tv.

you are my classmates and the children of my youth and affection;what i express is in no way meant to alarm you.there is no time to be condecending;look around you and as indication;check to see if your 401k is stable or 40% just disappeared without explanation,40% seems to be the test,even to the absurdity of the hershey chocolate bar. we can remember the 5 cent coke or pack of wrigley's.when you graduated from college you expected 30k entry level;well,thats about poverty level now.phd's are waiting tables or working as plumbers or mechanics because a phd in some fields are worthless;much less a masters.

i just want you to think;break loose from the propaganda designed to entrance even those with 150 IQs.investigate for yourself,read material written for enlightenment before its all destroyed or prohibited.check out what information has been gathered on you by this machine that can think almost at the speed of light and never forgets what you buy or where you go.THIS IS NOT LIBERTY!it is control,far more sophisticated than the tyrants of past history ever imagined.every keystroke i have made in this post is somewhere in the fiberoptic matrix of supercomputers controlled by a government most know nothing about and i wonder how few really care.ive been an official member of "the walking dead"for over 45 years.for that long i havnt cared if i live or die.it for that reason i have survived what some would call 'mission impossible' im just ole burgess,no one paid much attention to me;ive cursed out colonels and extracted secrets from captains to generals [using(without threat or violence)"the indirect way"].what do i care?what do constitutional principals mean to me?id bet my miserable life on them.become aware and protect yourselves and the ones you love before its too late.

for the simple pleasures and fortunate life we knew growing up in what was the pinacle of american pride and innocence,paid for by our parents and a generation that knew the hardships of sacrifice and love.dont let the decievers and ususurers of modern intrigue strip us of that which holds us above the barbarian and arrogant pols that levy upon us the restrictions rights and privilage they believe belong only to them.thier ivory tower thinking is just a polished form of the same reasoning that kept capable people in serfdom and servetude by threat,violence and sure death for the very crime of thinking for oneself and dissagreement with with what they demanded for themselves.this is what america is becoming and one sees it happening and fails to assert that in this nation,WE THE PEOPLE have the power and those we elect to be our representatives are to serve our desires and wishes and preserve our rights and freedoms guarenteed by that living documant with it's well thought out solutions to ballance.when the day comes that i fail to try to protect those i love and those who fall victim to random violence is the day i fail to be a man.i would would just as well be dead and face my lord in judement

 cyrus

Beau Wann, Jr.

Heard from Jimmie Lee, and charles is doing very well. At first when I read it, I went "oh no", cause what my eyes read was "Charles is doing well, and then went down the tubes"..."How can that be, he was doing so well too", My beloved, Diane was reading it with me, and she got it, but my eyes, or my dyslexic brain, (I dont really have it, but seems like it to me) failed to see the "two" in front of the "tubes".  SO, CHARLES IS DOING WELL, AND DOWN TO TWO TUBES...WHEW! ! ! !

As I have said in the past, "a mind is a terrible thing...sometimes..." ..."The onliest (east texas for only) thing you have to feah, is feah itself"...or woids to that defect...

So, be that as it may...I just love that phrase..."BE THAT AS IT MAY"...Gotta go for now, but "I SHALL RETURN"...fair warning! !! ! ! :) Do you know how hard it is for my little pea brain and fumble fingers to do an "emoticon"??? :) I believe I was signing off wanst I!

Your frien and demented brother...JabberWrocky

Jimmie Lee Smith (Brawner)

Well, Beau, now he's down to 1 tube,  We're supposed to go home this afternoon.  They will remove the remaining tube beforehand.  He just got out of the shower and is dressed and definitely ready to leave.  Again, thanks to all of you for your prayers and caring notes, calls, e-mails & texts.  Now, we go home and see whether my caring for him measures up.  He's requested a bell and I told him what he could do with a bell.  Please continue to pray for us and that I'll be able to get through this "nursing" period without fouling up.  I call today to set up his rehab schedule at a center close to us and I think that will begin in a couple of weeks.  It's just been amazing to me that he's come through all this and has actually not complained once about pain.  Might have just been trying to impress all the pretty nurses.

Linda Webster '65 (Jennings)

Jimmie Lee,

I was so happy to hear that Charles was doing much better and that ya'll are scheduled to come home today .

I am sure you will be a wonderful caregiver for him, as you among many others prayed and sent cards during my wait and after surgery. Thanks so much for all you did for me. 

Also, tell Charles not to overdo. as I am learning. I too am so glad to be home. My stamina lasts for. 2 1/2-3 hrs now after 5 weeks out from surgery .

Again I want to thank you and everyone for their special thoughts and prayers  througout my whole ordeal. I hope Charles'

recovery continues to go well. I will keep you & Charles in my prayers. 

Linda

Jimmie Lee Smith (Brawner)

Linda, boy, it was so nice to see your beautiful face and message on the forum.  I can just imagine how glad you are to be home.  Hang in there and your strength will come back as it should.

Yes, we are at home.  Charles has been resting in his favorite chair (actually, it's my chair, but it's what the doctor ordered for him - wing-back recliner so his feet are on the level of his heart).  Hopefully, he will get some sleep tonight.  I've been very fortunate getting advice from so many of you who have had or have loved ones who have been through this and your suggestions are so greatly appreciated.  Please keep him in your prayers.

Beau Wann, Jr.

It's nice to see and hear from all yall...Did the doctor actually prescribe Jimmie lees chair for Charles? Charles, looks like you wont have to carry the trash out for at least 20 or 30 years..."Oh jimmie lee, I'd love to carry the trash out, but you know, my condition and all"...youre not suppose to lift anything over 5 pounds for a couple of years. Hope you got titanium golf clubs!  And a caddy...I know, if you had your druthers, yould druther carry your own clubs and trash, and with some good rehabin, you will be up to snuf before you gnow it.  Yall have some of those garlic cheese grits...no salt of course. Is sea salt ok to use? I have some kosher pickles in sea salt...they are really good too. Ok, baby sitting the little monkey munchkin dog from next door, so gonna take him home to sleep in his own bed in his own garage.

Your frien and brother JabberWrockey

John Burgess Webb

jimmie lee,its good to hear that charles is out of the hospital and im sure he has the support he needss.dont be suprised if you hear the distant sound  of bells in he middle of the night though.those first days are hard but soon he will be walking around with no particular destination in mind.its that free flow to and from the heart and i couldnt sit still or stay in one place for long;chair to chair,walking in circles and trying to get some sleep.it heals up faster on the outside than on the inside.i guess we have all become students of the human anatomy in these 66 years.i bet that beer tasted good.

linda,be strong girl;we wont forget about you and little by little your body should adjust.

good thoughts to all who are recovering from difficulties.sometimes i forget myself and sound too serious about things i know i can do nothing about but just consider that im not alone in thinking that we on this forum had something so special,in the way we were tought and the values we held. no one is perfect but i cant recall malace or hatefullness in the friends i had during all the days i lived in oak forest.that includes before and after vietnam.sometimes it got a little wild but most of the time there was the fortitude for an apology and it spoke well for the generation as a whole.

god  bless and keep going.

burge

Steve Puckett '65

Another Mr. Roth story: Waltrip had an annual variety show named Showcase, I think. It always had 1 headliner so Uncle Bert was picked one year to go to the talent place to arrange a headliner, usually some pop singer. The talent guy said he was just starting to represent this great cajun storyteller, Justin Wilson. Mr. Roth said he didn't want a cajun storyteller, he wanted a pop singer. The talent guy forced him to listen to part of Wilson's brand-new first record, just coming out. Bert loved what he heard so booked him, then went back to Waltrip and reported he had booked someone. "Which singer?", they asked him. He told them that he had instead booked a cajun storyteller and they replied that he had lost his mind!. He convinced them to accept Wilson - just before the show his record hit bigtime & was big on the radio. There was standing room only at all performances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2m22Svovbc

Justin Wilson was a big deal on the radio in the early 1960's. Later he had a cooking show where he spiffed up his cooking by using Carlo Rossi jug wine, some of which actually went in the dishes. Wifey loved that show.

Some cajun music for your enjoyment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuapCENFM2U

    Down at the Twist & Shout

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbfYaSkPm44

    Jolie Blon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9BHYvuWVl8

    Louisiana Man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NHsG0acKpY

    Fais Do Do

Next year Bert was urged to not take a chance and to just get a pop singer. All that was available was a guy named Ike Clanton - he was the older brother of Jimmy Clanton and died later in an auto accident. Again, there was SRO at the shows, assuming that Waltrip would have 'magic' again but alas, Clanton was a big dud on stage, forgetting lyrics, etc. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbYHHwR8nHc 

    Down the Aisle, Clanton's big hit at the time.   

A pre-Waltrip Bert Roth story:

Bert was stationed in Hawaii and the Royal Hawaiian Band really wanted him to play flute with them. Bert was OK with that but it was against the rules since he had to be of Hawaiian blood. They fixed that - one weekend they took him out to a remote ancient temple overlooking the ocean and had a long ceremony to make him 'Hawaiian'. He liked that band.

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

Jimmie Lee, so glad to hear y'all are at home and Charles is doing as well as he can.  Tell him to be patient and mind the doctor and YOU!!!   I feel for you, guys are just bad patients!  Sorry guys, but the truth is the truth!  The doctor gives them instuctions and they want to entirely disagree and do the opposite, been there done that!   Give him a hug for me!   

Linda so good to get your update -- you've come so far and done so well -- pace yourself and each day you will be stronger!

BroBeau, hope you are feeling better, you've had your share of sickness, aches and pains.  Here's to a healthier and brighter day!

I just had chemo #5 yesterday so if any typos, etc. I'm still a little under the weather -- just the usual, (weakness, little nausea, etc.) but give me another 4 or 5 days and I'll be back to almost NORM!!  Whatever that is.  I'll be at Carrie's a couple more days (James keeps me laughing) and then home.  Hopefully back to work on Monday.

 I will have my last FEC chemo #6 on 2/20 and then will switch to Toxol chemo, which is milder (at least that what Dr. Arun told me).  FEC was the most aggressive and Dr. Arun from Tuesday's report says I have done remarkably well as far as side effects, etc. compared to her other patients on FEC  Yep, I'm tough!!!!   As far as tumors, haven't shrunk but haven't spread, so holding my own.   I continue to dance, smile and laugh!

Susan hope your mom is adjusting to her new surroundings.  Sounds like a nice facility ---

Burge, health to you too and I agree entirely with all your concerns of life these days.  In our days a man's word was his word.   A little different now --- so much deception.   We have to keep the Faith that God will bring us through these trying time!

I have music back on most of the sections, so turn up your volume and enjoy!

Everyone take care and love ya lots - ya'll keep me going!

Hugs, J

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

Teddie, Happy Birthday to a "good looking" guy who doesn't show or act his age!!!  Love J

.

Beau Wann, Jr.

Hey Steve, the band I played in in highschool, played in one of Mr Roths talent shows, "soundtrack" or whatever it was called. I think it was the one with Justin Wilson, the South Coasters, or the one with Ike Clanton, or whichever show it was in our senior year. Herb Ellis backed Ike Clanton on the guitar. Herb was a really gifted guitar player and was the brother of Curt Ellis that went to Waltrip.

We also played at the Spring Branch 'BRUIN BRIGADE" talent show that same year, and  played down at the Music Hall for a "TEEN TALENT SPECTACULAR" congtest, where we placed 2nd out of all the bands that entered. Still have the trophy.

 Wasnt there a James something or other that was the headliner at one of the shows, also a brother to a Rock and roll star? Dang, cant remember his name off hand. I think he had a record called 'WHITE ON WHITE LACE ON SATIN", about a girl he loved, but was marring someone else. Aint that the way it always goes!

James Darin???? Well, my recollectin is warped.

Ok, Einstein Cooper has found his voice and is barking his fool head off. He never use to make a sound. The older he gets, the dopier he gets. Gotta go see what the problem is. Probably the wind blew on him, and he doesnt know what to do about it, cept bark.
That boy is a puzzelment for sure.

Your frien and brother JabberWrocky

Teddie Jordan

Jackie, thanks for the birthday wishes. As for the picture what can I say? The fun combination of laughter, old friends and alcohol. We have to get older but we don't have to grow up. Please see my previous comments on page 205  of this forum.

And thank you all for the birthday wishes I have received. It has been a great day, and for those of us in Houston and the area a beautiful one to boot. I'm headed to Freer tomorrow with two of my grandsons to work on their whitetail deer buck merit badge on Pop's Cowboy Camp progression, and excited about the wonderful weather we will get to be outdoors to enjoy.

Jackie thank you once again for the blessing that this website represents to each of us, and for all that you do, and for the fact that it has brought us all back together closer than ever. We are forever indebted to you. (I just wish you couldn't put pictures on here)

Steve Puckett '65

Thanks, Beau - I think you are right, it was called Soundtrack.  Not sure if it was put on by the Fine Arts department or the school in general.  I do remember that Mr Roth was one of several teachers that worked on it. My main instrument was not needed for the 'stage band' and there were better percussionists available than me so I sat in the audience. 

I will guess that Justin Wilson was in the 1961-62 show, which was the year before I started high school and his record came out in 1961.  That would mean that Clanton was in the 1962-63 show.  Dunno about other headliners. I recall almost nothing about those shows.  I also went to similar variety shows at Hamilton and I think I may have gone to some at Reagan - again, remembering almost nothing about them.

I do remember going to the Coliseum for band talent shows and 'battle of the band' shows. I quit going late in my senior year because it was such a hassle parking, getting a seat, trying to hear, trying to keep from getting trampled, etc., etc.  I had tickets to see The Beatles in August 1965 but ended up selling them at the last minute because I was dreading the hassles.  I have heard from numerous folks who did go that it was a fun experience but they could not see and could not hear.  The Beatles were not too pleased about it either.

The Weird Beard, DJ, attempts crowd control without much success:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Ksmf_ig3k

http://www.chronicallybiased.com/features.php?itemid=1316  

    Memories of a KILT newsman.

http://blog.chron.com/40yearsafter/2010/08/the-beatles-short-visit-to-houston-left-lifelong-memories/

http://blog.chron.com//40yearsafter/2010/04/remembering-the-first-time-with-the-beatles-and-more/

    Memories from members of the crowd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi8HuwzxQ3Q  

    The concert.  Also see parts 2,3, & 4

Teddie Jordan

So what was your favorite super bowl commercial spot? I think ours were the Taco Bell ad that showed the old guy sneaking out of the nursing home then partying all night with his oldster friends, and the Dodge Ram farmer ad with narrative by the late, great Paul Harvey. The Taco Bell ad gives us inspiration that we won't have to give up having fun as we age.

Speaking of getting older, Fran and I were in Campioni, our favorite neighborhood Italian place, last week and saw and heard a funny exchange between an older, probably just a few years older than us, couple. They sat in the booth next to us and he sat with his back to me. After a while she said something to him and he said in a loud voice, what? She then said louder, do you have your hearing aids on? He said yeah!  At this point I must make a disclaimer. I'm not making fun of hearing loss as I too wear hearing aids. But I had noticed when he sat down that he had hearing aids about the size of satellite dishes behind each ear. I got tickled and then Fran did and from there it was kind of like when you were a kid in church and someone did something funny and you knew you couldn't laugh, but the harder you tried not to the more tickled you got, until you were just about to explode and your eyes were watering and your entire body was shaking. That was just the beginning.

The waitress came and was taking their order. They both ordered then he added that he wanted a salad too. His wife said you don't need a salad. He said I don't give a damn if I don't, I'm gonna have one anyway. We busted up again. Then after a little interlude she told him he needed to scoot over a little on his side, I guess so he would be directly across from her. His reply was, if I sit any closer to the edge I'm afraid I'll fall out of this booth onto the floor and kill myself. That did it, we had to quickly make our move for the door and barely got outside before we completely broke up with laughter!

Getting older is gonna be alot of fun!

Beau Wann, Jr.

Wow Teddie, was that you and Fran behind us? Cant hear, cant see...

That conversation sounds alot like ours does.  "What"? says I,  "I said I'm going to the store" Diane replys! "WHAT? Somethings wrong with the door"? I say, To which Diane adds, "Sweety, why dont you take a nap, and I'll take care of the door"..."Well, ok, if you think you can fix it, didnt know the door had a strap,  what the hells wrong with it anyway...oh, and would you go to the store, we're out of orange juice..." and so goes another conversation.

We didnt watch the stupor bowl...I sorta reached the point, if youve seen one football game, youve seen em all. In fact, I havent watche the stupor bowl in 5 or ten years.

Looks like the Leader lovable pet contest is over, and Cooper wasnt even in the top 10 or 20.  Looks like the fix was in. The dog that won, was a small breed little baby puppy...COMON MAN, WHO DOESNT THINK A PUPPY IS CUTE. thats dirty pool is what that is.

Cooper has been acting stranger than normal, if that's possible. But, we think we know why. When we adopted him 4 years ago, he had a little friend, that was adopted before he was. If they both had been together, we would have adopted both. Anyway, we didnt see it coming, but Cooper has gotten attached to the little munchkin next door that we are taking care of.

 The munchkin was over yesterday, and none of the dogs seemed to be paying any mind to the other. We took the munchkin home, and cooper got all obstinate on us. He would not settle down, wouldnt sit, or lay down, kept pacing and turning around, and went outside, then back inside, he was driving us crazy. He wouldnt let us go to bed. Even barked at us, now that's really weird even for Cooper. Finally it dawned on me that this was how he acted when we first got him.

So, we found some animal valium from when Cooper had surgery, so we gave him one. Finnally calmed down, and slept all night. Today, seeing as how it was a school day, he was and is fine.  That ol boy could go on Oprah or Dr Phils if he could talk. But, we love him.

He's a dang nut...but when he's with his kids, he's a genius. He has one autistic 3rd grader, that didnt speak, or smile, until he met cooper. Now he is grinning and jabberin like a magpie. Still too soft for me to understand much of what he is saying, so I just smile and nod my head and say "sounds great" "wow, what a great reader your are..."!

Hey burge, you see what dog they are using to advertise Westminster Dog Show? Yup, one of your guys.

Ok, time to go. All the critters are down for a long winters nap. Winter...HA...some winter this turned out to be. Did get some rain today though, and we can allus use some rain, eh what! ! !

See ya in the funny papers...
Your frien and brother JabberWrocky

Beau Wann, Jr.

Good rainy morn mine fine waltripines! ! !
Looks like the fix is in! They said the groundhog did not see his shadow. What, is he blind? The news coverage I sawr, the sun was shinning brightly, and shadows were cast hither and yon. Wonder whats up! Someone stands to profit from this for sure. Groundhogese doesnt work down here in ice tea and grits land. For one, we hardly ever have a winter anymore. Dont recollect it getting to freezing this year, or for the last 5 or 10 years. Had a heavy frost this year, twice, and thats always a good thing. The mockingbirds are out and singing to 'high heaven'! I just love to hear them sing. What makes it even more special, is my hearing aids. I can hear every bird within 40 paces, if they so much as sneeze. Without em, I'm just another deaf post!

"I" before "E", except after C, unless that rule doesnt apply. There's always a "however" isnt there! "A,E,I,O,U, and sometimes Y and W. For the life of me, I cant recollect just when a Y or W is a Vowel! No one ever buys a Y or W on Wheel of Jeopardy. So, that would leave me to believe that there is no such occurance as Y and W being vowels. Why dont they make em pay for some consonants, like, "uh pat, can I buy and X"? And then give ol Pat the option of not letting them purchase any letter. "Uh Tina, no you cannot buy a vowel, or any other letter, so get out of here"!

All good questions for an early morn, dontchu think? Got to thinking about things I have never owned, or treated myself to. I dont have a "DUSTER" coat...I love those, but dont know just why I dont have one. I have a "Colombo" trench coat! Maybe it's because I'm not riding the trail on my trusty steed "Topper"! Remember whose horse he was? Thats right, Hoppalong Cassidy, man you guys are good. Remember who played ol Hoppy? Yup, right again, William Boyd. Why? you ask yourself! I dont have the foggiest idear, but it will be on your final, and as we all know, the final is half of your grade.  

I do know that I have been up since about 2! Wandered all about the house for a hour. Made coffee, well, back up, I made coffee FIRST, then, wandered about. I always have to make coffee before I do anything. Kinda like when a woman goes into labor, gotta boil water and tear sheets into strips. Anyone know what that was all about? I believed em for a while, but they couldnt fool me for long, as I caught on to em as early as...last week!

Well, anyway, got up and made coffee, went outside, and got rained on. Let Jack and Big Oliver out. Jack likes to run around and catch raindrops in his mouth. What a Pup! It started raining a little harder, which aggravated Big Oliver no end. He is a low talker, and was mumbling about getting wet, and just WHY WAS I ALLOWING IT!

Finally he ran to the backdoor and mumbled for me let him back in. By this time, Jack had had enough sport of "raindrop catching" and wanted in also, running over me and Big Oliver in the process. Which earned him a couple of choice "kitty kuss words" and a "fist full of claws" on his behind. Which earned me a look of "why did you let him do that"? Round and round we go...Now Big Ollie wants out again. Sometimes that ol boy has a short memory!

Back to things I never owned...snow shoes...I know, we dont have much use for em down here, but they look cool... A "FLEXIBLE FLYER" sled. Oncet again, no real use for one of theose down here in cow patty land...Chaps, another fine commodity I have never owned! I've been chapped, and chapped a few, but never owned any...once again, since I'm not out riding the range, guess I dont have much use for em. They do make chaps for motorcycle riding, but thats not the same. I like the "batwing" chaps! Those are so cool! I guess I could take up "bareback bronc" riding, or "bullriding"...NOT! ! !

Now, there's two sports that I dont think you need to take up just to prove how tough you are, or that youre a "man". There use to be women bullriders and bareback bronc riders. That was in the early 20th century. For the life of me, cant recollect any names, cept "Bonnie" something or other. They were good too. Story going round, was that Gene Autry was the one that killed that sport for the ladies. Yup, thats right buckaroos, the old singing cowboy somehow put a stop to it. Guess he didnt think it was lady like!

Yup pahdnah, I think someday, ah might just have to get a "duster" and some chaps! Maybe bout the time the "ghostriders in the sky" come riding by.
I do have a couple of "fast draw rigs" , and we all know how important and useful those are today! I dont actually have a gunslinging pistol to put IN the fastdraw rigs, or one that actually works, unless you count my old 44! Alas and alack, it's busted, and been broke 'nigh unto a coons age'. But, just in case, I'm ready to patrol the streets of Deadwood, or Dodge City. Since I cant shoot em, guess I could do like Wyatt Earp, and bop em on the head. I think he did more "boppin" than shootin! I guess you could call him the first "BIG BOPPER"...Ok, you had to see that one coming!

Back to getting up early...I had fed all the critters, cleaned the litter boxes, swept, cooked breakfast, and made the bed and fixed my beloveds lunch, loaded her car up with all her "school marmin" stuff, and all before she woke up. Now hows that for being industrious! Just the other day, I was wondering aabout when the last time I woke up feeling good! I guess today would count. Well, I didnt actually feel good, just didnt feel bad. Wish I could go back to bed. Once I'm up, never have been able to go back to bed. Some kind of major flaw in my biological clock I suppose.

Ok, guess I'd better go,  Big olivers at the door wanting out, and the "School Marm" is getting ready to walk out the door.
Keep the sun at your six, and ride boldly ride...dont think youre gonna have to worry about ol Mr Sun today.

Your frien and resident nut...JabberWrocky