Message Forum

Good mornin, Lloyd this is your old trainer offering some advice on your back.When I used to keep you guys healthy and playing football it was little easier. Anyway here a few suggestions that I've picked up over the years for disc problems. Experiment with moist heat and cold packs. different people get relief from one or the other or alternating. Beau's suggestion about the rice socks is good. You could probably throw them in the freezer as well as the micro wave. You can also buy them at drugstores that can be used for hot or cold. They are reusable and are filled with some kind of gel. I would also recommend not giving up road work. I would just switch to walking. You don't get the same jarring that you do from jogging or running. Walking also helps strengthen your back and stomach muscles. If you can walk on grass. It provides more cushioning than concrete or asphalt. One of the main culprits with discs is inflation and swelling. If your doc doesn't have you on an anti-inflamtory you can take aspirin or bufferin or ibuprofen if they're ok with your system. Another thing is just to quit doing the things that aggravate your back. Mowing the grass was something that I enjoyed doing but I'd be limping around for two days after mowing. So I've switched to doing other things in the yard that don't kill my back and have the mowing done. So far that's working well. Also make sure that you're not slouching when you're watching tv or reading. Another thing that guys need to do is quit carrying your wallet in your hip pocket. That makes you sit a little crooked and it puts pressure on you sciatic nerve. If you look at a lot of guys wallet they're several inches thick. hey probablly still have the Cub Scout Card in there with everything else they've put in it over the last 40 years. If you do any traveling don't sit for long periods of time. Stop every 50-60 miles and just get out nd walk around the car a few times. It makes a world (or as Beau says, a whirld ) of difference. Make sure you're sleeping on good bed. I think most docs recommend a medium firm mattress now instead of stiff like they used to. If you and your doc agree you might try yoga. it is supposed to be great for flexibility and strengthening your core muscles. Rob Wallis keeps recommending it. I think he is probably offering good advice. I've got it on my list of things to do. I hope these suggestions help. If I think of anything else I'll send it along.

Just on the lighter I side something reminded me of a couple of favorite bumper stickers. First is "Honk if I'm an Aggie" and "Visualize Whirled Peas".

Chronicle reports that job growth is positive in Houston and the unemployment rate dropped. Let's hope that is the beginning of a trend.

Good luck to all you Baylor Bears tonight when you go up against St. Mary's in the NCAA basketball tournament tonight. Everyone else root for them too. They're the last Texas team left in the tournament.

Driving back from Ft. Worth last Sunday I was amazed at the number of seemingly wild Redbud trees I saw blooming. Really pretty. It's supposed to be another pretty weekend, get outside and enjoy it.

See you down the road,
Doc Meek

03/26/10 10:51 AM

#2429

Good luck on your good health quest! I already drink alot of water and juices etc, plus stay away from fat and some sugar, not all, but some! I love my DARK CHOCOLATE I try to get at least 60% cacao or more! About 80 or so and its just raw chocolate, no sugar at all! But I still like it! Dark choco is good for you too, lots o antioxidants!

Girl scout cookies and ice cream are also good for you!
right??? If you eat them standing up they are!!!
Ha, I got this ol health stuff figured out!

My beloved brought out some chocolate cheerios for breakfast one day! Seems she got them for our grandaughter! Now I like Chocolate, and I like cereal, but I also like spinach and ice cream, but just not together!!!

Hey richard, my wallet is about two inches or more thick! If I cant put it in my back pocket, then where???
I need everything in it, my cub scout card especially!!!

Another beautiful day! Just back off second dawn patrol, and alls quiet on the western front! No ducks no coots and nobody left on! Water was raging in cole crick yesterday, about F5 on the richter scale, but today it has calmed considerably!!!

think I'll get on pegasus and ride the wind!!!
Of course thats not good for my back, but it is good for the soul! Lets see, back...Soul...Hmmm...I'm going with the soul!!!

Didnt Jim Bowie have a cousin named Dram Bowie???
I think there is a liquor named after him! Hmmm, I will have to look in my liquor cabinet and see ifin I got any!!!

Time to ride boldly ride...
Me

03/26/10 01:28 PM

#2430

Beau, do your pants have front pockets?

03/26/10 06:58 PM

#2431

Yeah, but it wont fit, cause I got about 20 pounds of keys and 85 dollars in quarters in both front pockets, just in case I run across a bunch of vending machines!
There were three badges or 4 for cub scout, anyone remember what they were??? I thought they were bear, wolf, webelo and ...??? Too bad more kids arent invloved in scouting!!! And church!!!

03/27/10 05:08 PM

#2432

Lloyd Pond

Lion? Heck, I still have my Cub Scout shirt! Heavy duty cotton with removable metal buttons. I always wanted to be a Jr. Woodchuck like Huey, Dewey and Louie. One of my first Woolyworth's billfolds had a picture of Barbara Stanwick or June Allison as a young ingenue. I would tell guys that she was my girlfriend. Yeah, a few guys bought it. Richard, thanks for the advice. You must have done a good job keeping me healthy, I never had one back ache.

PS WEBELOS is the progression from cub to boy scout First you are a W{olf}
then a B{ear)
then a L(ion)
then a S(cout)

I guess they could have chosen other vowels as well

WoBaLuS

WeBeLoS

WiBaLeS

03/29/10 10:51 AM

#2433

Well Beau I guess you'll just have to resort to a European shoulder bag! Just get one with and H-D emblem on it and everything will be fine. Did you get up to your contry estate this weekend? It certainly would have been a fine weekend to do that! If not I hope you at least got to ride your Harley. That really would have been beneficial therapy this weekend. I noticed in the paper that Randall's was featuring Beauregard sweet potatoes. How did you get a sweet potato named after you?

Lloyd part of the success has to be attributed to taking care of people that were 16-18 yrs. old. By personal experience I can tell you that a 62 year old body does not heal as quickly as an 18 yr. old one. I read an interesting article this weekend that diet can have an influence on inflamation and pain that goes with it. Foods like meat and dairy products increase inflamation. So minimizing those things in your diet and making it more plant based will help. End of today's lesson. I'm not sure I could be a total vegetarian. I had a great cheeseburger at Miller's Cafe on N. Shepherd on Saturday. Man their burgers are great!

03/29/10 11:19 PM

#2434

Lloyd, thanks for the info, I plumb forgot all the badges and stuff for the cub scouts! My denmothers name was
Mrs Denman, methinks! We made candles by pouring hot wax in a coffee can, then I guess we cut the can open and voila, a candle! We dressed them up with glitter and stuff, and my mom still has that candle!

Beauregard sweet taters...I guess, cause I'm so sweet...and dumb as a tater!!!!

Yeah, me and me beloved and the boys went up Saturday, and had a peach of a day! Cooper and John Boy just love it up there! We let JB off the leash for the first time up there, and he was magnificent! Stayed right with us, and in fact led most of the way when we walked the place checkin feeders. I was afeared he would run amok or off, but I think he is here to stay. He did break on a cottontail, but broke off the chase when I called him!
Made me so proud of him! He is a born worker! And, ol coop didnt mind a youngster being in the lead! When we stopped to work, both boys would lay down together, in the shade, and wait for us to finish!

Teddy knows what I mean about a working dog! His dog Gus, just lives to hunt! That is the most magnificent site, watching a dog hunt, or work!

I did a little research, and found Catahoula County, or parish in Louisiana, and it is in the middle and a tad east of middle! If you were to travel west, you come to toledo bend, and then pick up OSR (old san antonio road, or kings highway) and head west and southwest till you come to The Alamo! Methinks that is how Jim Bowie went to the Alamo, down OSR, which is just south of my place a couple of miles! So, His dogs probably had pups or bred with other Catahoulas, and then down through the years, Ol John Boy was sprouted! See, I told you he was related to Jim Bowies Dogs, and this proves!!!

What a beautiful weekend it was in the country! Got our blackberry bushes planted, and a raspberry and only one Blueberry. Need at least two more Blueberry plants to pollenate successfully!
Tried talkin to that fool mule, but he wouldnt talk to me! I left an apple on the fence post, and it was gone later on when we went back by! My beloved thought I was lunier than normal, trying to talk to a mule, but you know me, once I get on to something, it's hard for me to let go until I am successful!

There was a plethora of beautiful cardinals, as there always is! Plus, redbuds by the gazillions all up and down the county road, but none on our place!!!

Road my harley last week, plus I road it today! What a beautiful day to ride! Hurts my back to ride nowadays, but I will ride until they say I cant anymore! I wish everyone could feel the joy and serenity that I feel when I ride! Back been hurting so bad, it's hard to think anymore!
Saturday night was extra hard! I hurt so bad, all over, I was up all night! Tried to get on the forum, but could not think! Me and John Boy sat out on the swing all night!
Then I was too tired and cranky to go to church, but did, because it was Palm sunday, plus I had duties to attend to!
Got Maunday Thursday, then Easter. I am communion server this Easter! Anyone need a church to go to on easter, got one right here in the old neighborhood just waiting for you! Many years ago, on Christmas and Easter, it was standing room only! Now we are lucky to have half the pews filled! If you come this sunday, I promise I wont spill the wine on you...maybe!!!

Minds a little fuzzy, had to take a pain pill, couldnt stand it anylonger! My beloved takes good care of me, and reads all the labels and makes sure whatever I take, isnt gonna turn me into BEOWULFS meaner brother! Wasnt he one of the 7 dwarfs???

Millers CAfe, havent had one of their greasy burgers and fries in years! They are sure good, but greasy! The Itty Bitty Burger Barn on Pinemont, at the RR tracks, is good, but even greasier than Millers Cafe! Now, I liked grease, just as well as the next man, in my yout, but now, not so much!

Guess I'll shut er down, brain not cooperatin with my fingers! Gonna try to ride pegasus tomorrow, and or wed and thur! Going back to the country Friday and Saturday!
Got fence building and gate building and deck building galore! Got a custom pallet deck up there now, but gonna change to a real one soons I can! Got a barn raising also to get done, and several truck loads of gravel to spread out! In other words, I am gonna be busy! But who among us isnt??? Oh, and need to change oil on all my equipment! Gonna change to Royal Purple synthetic!!!

Ok, ride boldly ride, yall
your frien and brother,
Sweet tater beauregard

03/30/10 08:14 AM

#2435

Somewhere in my memory I remember Miller's, was it on Shepherd? Family owned I think.

Well that was a good memory walk and Beau,

Guess we won't be hearing from you as much, hope you have some young strong men helping you.....you have just entered what I have had people doing on my place for the past two years. Forget the porches, decks, etc. They are wonderful, but not on my radar at the moment. I foresee plenty of pain pills coming your way, though.

Yeah, we might all benefit from a more vegetarian, and less red meat lifestyle, then we could really appreciate and relish our occasional steak dinner.

03/30/10 08:49 AM

#2436

Lloyd Pond

Had one of those medical procedures yesterday where they tranquilize you. ..like on TV where they shoot the polar bear with a dart, drag him into the cage and cart him away. Then old bear wakes up on a new iceberg and says, "What the heck am I doing here?"

Well that stuff really works! I closed my eyes went to sleep at the clinic. Then two hours later, I'm sitting in the big chair at home. drinking coffee and eating a cinnamon twist without a clue how I got there are what had transpired in the meantime. Guess I really don't want to remember anyway. Lets just say everything came out OK.

I hate the feeling of being out like that. Happened when I had surgery. I hoped that I would not have to do that again, but under the circumstances, I guess it not to different than being asleep.

Pain is no fun. I used to think I had a high tolerance for pain, but no, I'm a big ol' baby. Fortunately, what I have had can be relieved without too much trouble and I'm grateful.

Today, I'm going to try and finish up the taxes. Oooh they are so confusing and I get so mad at the investment reports every time I go through the numbers. You would think that they don't want you to know how the investment is really doing.

I wish I was there in H Town to attend communion at your church Beau. Instead of meeting at Fudds everyone could meet at your church. The Bible Church that I have attended is great for studying the Word, but I just haven't been able to get that family feeling.

03/30/10 09:20 AM

#2437

Hey kay...
speakin of vegetarian, I have a friend that had scoliosis as a yout! She was in a body cast for 18 months, and I never knew that she hurt so bad years later from it! But she called me up one day and was in tears, but tears of joy! She said she stopped hurting!!!!!!!
She new I also was in pain, and wanted to let me know that she got rid of the pain, said she stopped eating RED MEAT AND DRINKING MILK!!!

She was in her 30's or 40's when she made that discovery!

Havent seen her in 15 years, they live in Virginia,
So, I dont know what her diet consists of now, but she is of considerable high intelligence and knows what works for her.

After she told me about her diet, I tried the same, and it works!!! I dont miss milk, I use the lactose free milk on cereal, and I never did eat that much beef, but I could sure tell when I did have beef and or too much milk! I dont claim the above diet to be a cure all to pain, obviously, since I am still in considerable amount, but a lot of that is due to the advancing age of my, arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis!

You know, I only put this stuff on the forum as just useful information, or not! It deffinitly is not to illicit symphony! I know most of us have all kinds of problems, and maybe by sharing the things we go through, we can look inward and say, "hey, things aint too bad, I got lots o friends to go through it with"!!!

Owning a country place, means you have to learn how to prioritize things! So, the gates come first then the gravel, or limestone, or what ever the stuff is! Then luxuries such as decks! The decks in this case serve to keep our feet out of the mud!!! But it is all a labor of love!

No noise in the country, save the wind blowing, or the boidies chirpin and maybe a train whistle off in the distance and The sound of silence!!!! Or me moanin and groanin after using the posthole diggers!!!

Lloyd, methinks I went to sleep in 1953 and just woke up here, this mornin!!! I will keep a place in a good pew just for you, should you venture down this way!

Got to sign off for now!
your sweet tater
beauregard

03/30/10 11:27 AM

#2438

For those of you that don't remember, Beau's little country church in the city is Oaks Presbyterian across the street from Black JHS (now Black MS). I know several of the regulars at Fudds attended OP as I did. It is a very special place.

Kay the Miller's that you're probably thinking of was Miller's Drive in on 43rd. It's current incarnation is
Myti Burger. They're slogan is myti burgers are myti good. I stop in once and a while and have a buffalo burger. I enjoy it and it's a healthy meal since buffalo meat has virtually no fat. I feel more virtuous because I walk over on Saturday or Sunday and them walk home.. Not too virtuous thoudgh it's only half a mile. Wow I just got a cramp from patting myself on the back. I don't know if the one on N. shepherd is connected to the same family or not. It isn't a drive in. It's in the shopping center between Sears and the former Garen Oaks Theatre. Beau the Miller's burger didn't seem to be as greasy as in the past, which is a good thing. I tried the itty bitty burger barn and you are correct it is way too greasy. One try was enough for me. It was sort of like the scene from My Cousin Vinnie when they're getting breakfast and the cook starts by putting about a half pound of lard on the grittle. Did you say utes?
In addition to red meat and dairy products increasing pain and inflamation add eggs to that list according to that article I read this weekend. It was written by an M.D. So I guess it has some credence.Also verified by Doc Wann.

Beau I telling a friend about all the Redbuds I saw budding out weekend before last. He mentioned something I had forgotten. You used to see a fair number of Mimosa trees along the highways. I don't remember seeing any in a while do you? I'm wondering if TxDOT removed them with the push to get rid of non-native trees and plants. Good luck to you and Kay with your places in the country. I seem to stay busy just trying to keep my city lot in shape. keep on keeping on.

See you down the road,
Rich

03/30/10 06:46 PM

#2439

John Burgess Webb

good to see everybody up and talking on the forum.little more time to heal;i have much less pain in my back;still a little in my chest from the heart surgery.doing better.
burge

03/31/10 02:23 PM

#2440

I've always wondered about the fad of a certain flower, tree, etc. Japanese Yew, used to be on everyone's list as well as the Mimosa....where do they go? Do they just become specialty items in some grower's hot house?

I would also think the state would remove them to start something else on our highways and byways. I have seen mimosa on deserted old homesteads, not showy as before, kinda forlorn and forgotten.

Guess that is progress.....after all, we now have a new face for Jesus for Easter.

Burge, glad you are recovering, I'm sure it is not easy. It is good that there is support and concern for everyone undergoing the life repairs at our age on this forum It certainly goes a long way in helping with the emotions and such.

I love Spring, watching the trees turn light green, grass peeking out, flowers, bluebonnet and Indian paintbrushes, lillies, etc come out. Warmth returning .....

Happy Easter and "toodle-do".

03/31/10 03:24 PM

#2441

Kay I have a couple of questions about your ag. exemption on taxes. Do you have to have livestock involved? Or could you have something like a pecan orchard and get the same exemption? Also do you have to pay the exempted taxes if you sell the property like you do on building depreciation?

03/31/10 08:23 PM

#2442

Teddie Jordan

Richard,
I can help you a little with Ag and other exemptions on real estate in Texas. I'm aware of, and at one time or another have had three different types of exemptions on real estate I've owned. The oldest and most common is the Ag exemption. You have to fill out a questionaire, from the county in which the property is located, establishing what type of agriculture is taking place on that particular property. Usually you have to have been engaged in it for three of the previous five years. The most common is raising cattle in a cow-calf operation, but your activity could also be raising hay or other crops or other animals for sale. The county then reviews your application and the answers to the questionaire and rules on the exemption. The exemption usually takes the value down to about 10% of the market value.

A similar process is available now, thanks to the Texas Wildlife Association and their lobbying of the legislature about 10 years ago, to get a wildlife exemption. Basically you have to demonstrate that you are doing things to actively manage and improve the habitat for the wildlife on your property. Some activities would be re-establishing native grasses, doing prescribed burns, surveying your wildlife population, supplemental feeding, and habitat manipulation.

The third type is a timber exemption. My business partner and I did this on a commercial tract we owned for a number of years in northwest Harris county. We hired a licensed forester and he surveyed our timber, arranged to do a thinning cut and sold quite a bit of pine, then replanted live oaks which we eventually sold to builders of new subdivisions at a profit. The idea is the same as an ag exemption, you are actively managing the property for a commercial ag related venture.

With all types there is normally a three to five year rollback if the property is sold and the "use" of the property changed, such as from ag to commercial. This recapture of the difference in the taxes calculated both ways for 3 to 5 years can be very significant, but should be part of the negotiation for sale, and is the responsiblity of the buyer who changes the use unless negotiated otherwise. But it is completely different from recapture of depreciation in that it does not affect your cost basis or the calculation of gain and capital gains tax on your federal income tax. Also with all types, if there is a house or other improvements on the property, they and at least one acre are broken out and valued normally.

Anyway, I hope I helped and sorry to be so long winded. Must have been something in the water at that grocery store where Beau and I worked as teens, or maybe it was that stuff they sprayed on the produce to control the fruit flys!

03/31/10 10:58 PM

#2443

Good eefening all,
Dont know what happened to the minimosa tree! My grandparents down here, and my mom and dad and uncles and aunts always judged a yard by what you had in it like, minimosas and china berries, sorta exotic stuff! I thought that was what you were supposed to plant in your yard! Funny how the likes and dislikes of your predecessing families have such an influence on your young impressionable life!!!

I like pines and oaks and pecans and the like, or just whatever is growing! Lots o redbuds as richard noted, and I confirmed! Dogwood should be bloomin here before long!
Generally they start before all the late spring and early summer folliage gets thick! That way, they stick out like the beauty they are! Me and Billy (quick draw magraw) tried to transplant one from the deep woods to his house, Never could get that tree out of the ground!

Road Pegasus today! Met my son, crash, out at Blackhorse, on 290 and cypress rose hill (old Cypress, Texas) and we road to Chappel Hill and then to Washington on the Brazos! WOW AND WOW, WHAT A RIDE!!! The country side was so beautiful! We saw one car on the 20 mile ride from Chappel Hill to WOTB!!! There is one section of road that climbs to the top of a hill, and you can see forever! The fields were just butter yellow from the wildflowers!
Looks like horse country!!! Lots o hawks and buzzards!

BLUEBONNETS???? LORDA MIGHTY YES!!!! You folks need to get out and prowl the countryside of Texas! What a sight to behold!!! Had lunch on 105 just 8 miles west of Navasota! Some old old general store/gas station/cafe!
It is rather rugged, but the burger and fries are first rate! Hamburger patty is not preformed, and must be a pound or so!!! Not a whole lot of parking area, and just a might tricky for a motorcycle, but we managed!!!

Went back through Navasota! I hollared, "hi Tony", but didnt see him! Rode 150 miles and on just a couple gallons of gas! Paid 3 dollars a gallon, cause my bad boy only eats premium oats! Had a chevy 350 that would only run on premium, but it only got 12 miles to the gallon!
That woulda been good back in 1953, but alas and alack it aint 1953 anymore is it!!! Them was the good ol days, when the dodgers were where they belonged, Brooklyn!!!

Guess I will close for now, bery tired from my sojourn into the twilight zone of the past!
would you believe there are two dogs and 5 cats in this tiny library??? Oh, and two humans! Cozy!!!
Yawn!!!
Ga'night
your sweet tater
beauregard

04/01/10 08:37 AM

#2444

Richard, of course I tried to look ag exempt for Grimes cty, up on the internet. They are very picky about releasing their information. Actually hay baling is an easy way to establish an ag exempt, probably the easiest. I really don't know if you have the look back period for getting started. Ted is correct on exemptions. You can have horses, if you can prove they are not for pleasure, but working the ranch. Since our land had not suffered tree clearing, but allowed to grow wild for 50 yrs. I had wanted to establish wildlife. Ted is right, you must improve and maintain for such. For me, it is just easier to continue the old lease on my land and do cows. Had a friend tell me that even if I had cows, it wouldn't be that advantageous on my taxes, as Ted is right, they still tax the largest value, your house, 1 ac around it, your barn and anything else you have permanent on your property.

As a summer vacationer with my Aunt on the property, I enjoyed the Hereford cows strolling through the brush and I just want to duplicate it for myself. I was lucky enough to inherit the pond (where we fished for catfish)and barn portion of the property so I am trying to re-establish the nostalgia of the past. It's a really great place to live and raise children.

Beau - 8 mi. from Navasota? Sounds like that little white bldg. w/pricey gas. I can certainly tell you of some great places to go. Have you heard of Chappell Hill Chill? There is also a place, I'm told, serves food around the Brenham airport that is '50's & '60's themed. Might be a good place for those of us wanting to have a country experience back in time. Dobbin, TX 1 block off Hwy 105 (near Mongomery) has a really cute place called the Dobbin City Hall....draft beer, reg. beer, margaritas made from wine, philly steakcheese, reubens, shrimp, burgers, you name it. They have band entertainment there most weekends.

Richards, TX has a Richards Cafe with gasoline now, that is a good stop off.

Then if you are on Hwy 90 in Anderson, go in the direction toward Roans Prairie. You will see Mark's Outpost- not the most pleasant, but you can get a burger and fries there, Hang a left at 244, going to Carlos, TX. On the left about 2 mi. up there is BUCKSHOTS, beer and wine only, caters to the locals, bikers, local parties, wedding and baby showers, birthdays, etc.....no food, but band entertainment on April 3 at 9:00 p.m. thru.... and of course, there is Mbeauxs cagon crawfish, execellent sauces, gumbos quality, has a really good fried bacon burger. That would be a heart stopper!

Then, of course, there is Yankees in Carlos, TX - Biker populated major with good food, beer and wine. Also Gibbons Creek reservoir is 1 mi. or two down the road from there.

Plenty of Places to go, many I don't even know of myself. You will meet a lot of friendly people out here.

04/01/10 10:10 AM

#2445

Teddie and Kay , thanks for info on an ag exemption. If I ever buy property I'm more inclined to have something like a vineyard than livestock. I remember the old Texas saying that if you have livestock you need to build your fences goat high and hog tight. It's ironic isn't it that most land owners now would like to have hog tight fences that would keep the hogs (feral) out instead of in. Do eithr one of you have prolems with feral hogs?

Beau the Dogwood in my back yard is about to open it's buds. I understand that it is pretty difficult to transplant Dogwoods and Redbuds. I think it works better to start the seeds in a pot and then plant that tree wherever you want it. Just FYI, there are some HD riders that show up at the Starbucks on 43rd @ Ella on Sunday evenings. One guy rides a three wheeler that looks like it would be sort of like riding your recliner down the road. All of them look like pretty expensive bikes. Randalls is still advertising Beauregard sweet taters!

Later dudes and dudettes,
Rich

04/01/10 11:41 AM

#2446

We all have feral hogs, dogs, and cats, part of the scenery. And yes, the new fad is to become a winemaster Check Messina Hof in Bryan, TX. The man is tremendously sucessful. AAAAAnnnnnWaaaay....another Day,

Everyone had a Joyous Easter!

04/01/10 09:46 PM

#2447

Kay, been to some of the places you mentioned! But generally not allowed in because of the alcohol! I have a chl and it be a no no!

We have an ag-exemption and a wildlife exemption!
Got feeders set up and natural habitat for the dear deer! got lots o deer and hogs and rabbits! Gonna set up some raptor roosts, or perches! Hope to get owls and more hawks! Of course if we try to reintroduce quail and turkey, then I wont put the perches for raptors!

The hogs dont tear up too much, aint much to tear up cept the trees and ground, and they grow back! My grandson took a 350 pound hog last year with one shot behind the ear! Hog just dropped! You could smell that hog long before you could see him! We hauled it to a processor and gave it to them! The meat from a hog that size is way to rank for me, or anyone I know of! But the processor said he knew folks that would want it! Good luck, says I!!!!
Best eatin hog size is less than 100 pounds!!! Piglets are just wonderful!!! Meat is dark and reddish and almost sweet!!!

If youre set up for wildlife, ie deer feeders, generally what does the damage to the feeders, are the cattle, if they get in! They will push a feeder over, and generally damage it beyond repair!

Those three wheelers cost upwards of 30K and more! I'd rather have a new truck! I'd go to starbucks, if they served Dunkin Donut coffee!!!! I dont like the froo froo coffee, and the no flavored crap they serve, tastes like burnt rubber! They over compensate with too much coffee! You want a good cup O joe, you measurments have to be PRECISE!!! Takes trial and error, but it is worth the effort!!! But didja notice, that the people that make the coffee, dont drink it!!!! Why is that???

Had I a coffee shop, drinking and loving coffee would be a prerequisite!!!!

Getting ready to go to ye olde country place! Boys are just dancing around and grinnin! They know!!!!
Lots o prep work involved!!!
Gonna have a good ol fashion barn raisin sometime this spring, or early summer! How many of youse youts out there can I count on??? Ok, show of hands???? Anyone anyone??? Buhler buhler???

Just came from Maunday Thursday services at the little country church in the city! Had all of 16 people! That included pastor and choir and organist and one usher!
Caught 3 youngsters smoking dope between the church and the utility house! I had my cell phone out, and was pretending I was talking to the cops! I told the boys, that the cops were on the way, so no use to run! But run they did! Three different directions! Man they were fast! Didnt know anyone could run that fast holding their pants up! tsk tsk tsk!!!

Keep the sun at your 6 and ride boldly ride
your sweet tater
beauregard

Post script: if you dont want a motorcycle, rent borrow or buy a convertible to look at the country side!!!
You will be glad you did!!!

04/02/10 10:08 AM

#2448

Beau, I agree with you Starbucks over roasts their coffee. Maybe we should meet there some Sunday evening and bring our own coffee with us and just sit on the patio. If you haven't tried Melita brand coffee give it a try. I also like the Community medium roast but Dunkin Donuts coffee makes an excellent cup of joe. I've never heard why coffee is referred to as joe have you?

I'm curious how did you get a 350 lb. hog in your truck to haul it to the processor? I met a fellow that says he makes tamales out of the big hogs and their great. I've never tasetd them so I can't verify that. I have eaten the smaller ones and you're right, as one of my grandfathers used to say, they're real fittin to eat. He grew up on a farm up around Stephenville. He used to ride his horse to school. They would go to town in a wagon. My grandmother on the other side of the family was born in the Arizona Territory. Lived around Doglas & Bisbee when Pancho Villa was raiding along the border. Absolutely amazing how far we've come in just over a hundred years.
Don't know how I got off on that tangent.

Wild turkeys would be an interesting addition to your place. Are there any wild ones around that part of the State now? I've seen some flocks of them when I was out around Paint Rock. Really interesting birds.

04/03/10 01:37 PM

#2449

Douglas Romans

Hello, gang,
I've been digesting the cost of the recent health care bill which the CBO has estimated at about 940 BILLION DOLLARS--which, I think, everyone will agree could be safely rounded off to ONE TRIILLION DOLLARS, right? Whether you are for or against this bill, the math below doesn't lie.

Just to put ONE TRIILLION into perspective, be it in US dollars or grains of sand or earth years, it's a hellava big number.

Sooooo, follow me close here--just think of the age of our universe which is estimated at about 13.7 BILLION years since the "Big Bang" up to today.

Say tomorrow, a SECOND Big Bang occurred obliterating everything in existence and starting the whole process all over again (egads!). Say this second BB also lasted another 13.7 billion years before yet a THIRD BB lasting an equal time happened!

Do you know how many subsequent BBs must occur before you came to ONE TRILLION YEARS in the future?

TRY 70 (as in SEVENTY) MORE BIG BANGS!!!!!!

Well, folks, that's what ONE TRILLION adds up to--quite a big pill to swallow, ain't it!

Sleep well, DougR

04/05/10 12:05 AM

#2450

DougR, man, you made my head hurt with all that big banging going on! Of course this past weekend, I big banged my knee and arms and legs and back etc, building a picket fence to keep Coop and John Boy in whilst I ride the tractor, when I am up there by myself! That way, they cant get into much trouble! Just a bout got er done! All I lack, is finishing up...duh!!!

Hey Richard,
we got the 350 pound hog up in a 16 ft trailer with ramps and a come-a-long! There was three of us also, plus I equal about 3 people or so!!! yeah right!!!
Also one of the theories about where, "cup o joe" came from, and I thought it might be one of them, and that is from the song by Stephen Foster, "Old Black Joe"!
Around 1840 or so! But there is no definitive answer! Probably just a southern colloquialism! But it is homey and harmless, and harkens up a time when we rode trains and visited roadside diners, and tourist courts, and life seemed a tad slower and so much more gentler.

Today is Easter, glory hallaluja and amen! After church, where all the ladies had their easter hats and white gloves and such finery, and the men in suit coats and ties and starched white shirts and fedora stetsons,we Had a huge after sunday dinner at my grandmother Nellie Jones house on Plateau st in Little Rock, Ark!
Aunt Elenore and the reverend Uncle Freeman and children were there, Uncle Clyde (son) and Sybil and children, Aunt Alpha and Uncle Bubs and Aunt Thyra and uncle Dennis and children (full growed) plus my mom and Dad and two sisty uglers and of course Grandmother Jones and granddad Homer Stacy Jones (Doc)! He was licensed as a Doctor in Tennesee! Dont know why he didnt practice med in Ark! He was a salesman for Ligit and Co! Sold Hershey bars and wrigley gum etc! Use to eat onions like apples! He and my dad were also Deputy Sheriffs of Little Rock at one time or another! I have their badges!

But there we all were for a classic sunday dinner! My grandmother bought all the groceries on Saturday, so they would be fresh! Got tomatos and greens and green beans and onions and potatoes from mr Johnson the truck farmer!
Got a side of bacon and a fresh ham, that must a weighed in at 30 pounds, And a fresh jar of honey and fresh churned butter for the scrumptious homemade biscuits that was her trademark, or one of em!

My Aunt Thyra was married to Dennis Williams, president of Encyclopedia Britanica! I dont think he said more than two words to me ever, as most of the men grownups didnt talk to us youngsters except to tell us to be quiet and get out! But my aunt Thyra had a way of making you feel like you were the most special human being on earth! I dont know how she did it, but you would do anything for her, including stepping in front of a locomotive to stop it for her! She was just that special! I had on my cubscout shirt, and just got my Wolf patch and was as proud as if I had gotten the Medal Of Honor, and aunt Thyra made me feel that way! What a wonder ful person!
You could give her an old stick, and she would carry on as if you gave her the Hope Diamond, and it was genuine how she carried on so!!!

All the rest of my aunts were also very nice! Aunt alpha would roast a duck, and bake some special cakes and goodies for us! She was an expert duck hunter! She was from St Charles parish, Louisiana! She taught my uncle bubs how to hunt ducks! Aunt Alpha suffered from Asthma as did I, only hers seemed a touch worse! sometimes when I was at their house in North lookout, north little rock, she would hug me, and the both of us would wheeze and gasp for air together! All of my aunts were of very special quality!

I sat in the living room, at my grandmothers ebony Steinway baby grand piano, and just tinkled with the keys, being careful to play very softly! Didnt want to incur the rath of my dad for being a nuisance! As I sat on that shiny black piano bench touching the keys lightly, with washed hands I might add, always had to have clean hands to play the piano! Cant say it helped me very much though! But as I sat there, I would listen to all the conversations, listening with extra attention to see if my name was being mentioned in any positive way! Generally not, but on rare occasion, if I had done something right, or something special enough for my name to be brought up in a grownup palaver, which was rare as I stated, it always made me feel good, and special!

Generally the conversation was of other adults, friends, and cousins and distant relatives, where they were now, and wasnt it sad that uncle kergy passed on when he did! I was kinda glad back then that he had passed on! Well, my mom told me a story of how he use to hunt alot, and he had a bird dog, cant remember his name, but anyway, the dog broke on a rabbit, and good ol uncle kergy shot him for doing that! Now I understand, back in the 20s 30s and 40s, times were tough, and hunting was a way to make ends meet, but to shoot your own dog because he chased a rabbit, seemed a might drastic and cruel to me! Besides, hasenpheffer stew is pretty good, especially ifin yore hongry!!!! I never met good ol uncle kergy, but ifin I ever do, I'm gonna smack him upside his stupid head! Might even sic Coop and John boy on him!!!

"Well Freeman, you ever get that new roof on your church yet" I heard my dad ask!!! "Not yet Harold, but we're working on it! We've prayed alot, and Ought to have it on before full summer" he replied!!! (I know my dad was thinking, "if you got your hands dirty, you might have that roof on before then") but that's another story! "Hey Doc, you got any of that jug of corn squeezins left" my dad asked, which drew the attention of my mom and her sisters and my grandmother! Dad withdrew the question after a whithering glance from my Grandmother!!! Boy she could sure stare you down!!!

"Say son (that was what they called my Uncle Clyde! dont know why, I never had the courage to ask questions) when you going back out" my uncle bubs asked! He and uncle clyde both worked on traveling mail cars on the southern pacific railroad! What a great job that woulda been for a little idjit kid like me!

"Oh, going out on the 5:40 tomorrow" son replied!
"When you going out bubs"! "Tuesday on the morning 4:30", Bubs answered! They both had a filling station during the depression, but being the depression, they hadnt faired too well! Both were in WWII, army! Bubs was in the invasion of kitka, Alaska, to take it back from the japs, when they invaded it! Now, I'm not perzactly a gifted tactition of battlefield strategy, but why on earth would anyone invade an icy frozen island of Alaska??? I hear tell we spent 3 months trying to take it back! And, to take what back, some frozen ground that had no value as even farm land??? The generals had said it would only take 3 days! How we won the war with that kind of thinking, I dont know!

The japs only had control of a few yards of ground, and werent going anywhere, and were only a threat to the frozen tundra and nothing else! Turns out all the japs committed suicide, about 800 of em! Then we went to another island that the japs held, only to find them gone!

Some of my info might be a tad off, but you get the jist of it!

Oh lets see, "All right everyone, dinners on...everyone find a seat" My grandmother said! She had a huge round oak table with ball and claw feet that I use to hide under during thunderstorms! The thunder hurt my ears something fierce! Aunt Thyra use to get under the table with me, thats how cool she was!!! But being an idjit kid, I sat at the "kids table" in the corner, which was fine with me, as long as I got to sample some o them vittles!

"Ok, everyone settled?...Freeman, would you offer the blessing" Grandmother commanded!!! "DEAR LORD..."boy that Reverend uncle freeman could raise the dead with his prayers...WE HUMBLY BESEECH THEE..." many words and much BESEECHING, and time passes!
I look over at my grandmother and she is getting perturbed at the length of the blessing..."Freeman, you want to wind it up, I'm sure the lord has seen fit to bless us one and all, and ifin you let my biscuits get cold..."AMEN" My stars, I couldnt wait to get my mouth around one of those wonderful mouthwaterin biscuits, soaked with gravy or honey, whichever came first!!!!

"Elenore, would you pass the beans honey" my mom asked!
Oh, those green beans were just heaven in a bowl! They had about an inch of bacon grease floatin on the top, and I just know had to be as good for you as they were good!!!! Mashed Potatoes with butter just oozing from them! Tomatoes so ripe and pungent, food for the gods! Of course I got a dab of gravy on my shirt, and drew an icy stare from my dad! Oh great, already in trouble this day!!! Dinner gently winding down, everyone sufficiently stuffed, mom and aunts starting to clear the table, getting ready for some strawberries and homemade vanilla ice cream! Who needs bluebell???
Got ice cream on my shirt too!!! Oh well, At least I'll die with a full tummy!

Dinner over and cleared, dessert consummed and eveyone sitting back and enjoying light banter, and Mom and Aunt Elenore both sit down at the Steinway, and play a duet! Seems the only one I remember is "The Saint Louis Blues"! But they would also play a classical piece I cant remember the name to, and Grandmother would play the mandolin and Son would play the violin and bubs would play the harmonica, and the rest of us would tap our feet, and marvel at the talent...Dad and granddad and Dennis disappeared, corn squeezins run no doubt...

Hmmm, sure do miss those days! My mom is the last one of that era still alive!!! She can remember just like me, those wonderful after easter church sunday dinners...

God Bless all, happy Easter, for He is risen!!!
Goodnight Nellie and Homer and Alpha and Bubs and Son and Sybil and Reverend uncle Freeman and aunt elenore...Dad...where ever you are!!!
Sleepless in Oak Forest
Beauregard

04/05/10 10:04 AM

#2451

Moanin gentle folk,
Been on midnight patrol and dawn patrol, and alls quiet on the western front! Specially at midnight thirty or round a bouts thereof! It was so quiet and still, coulda heard a duck quack! Cole crick barely runnin! No ducks, and only an errant coot here and there! Nothing but dove cooing this morn, and the sound of 290 freeway crankin up for the mornin rush hour!!!

Both boys down for a mid mornin nap! Both still worn out from runnin wild in the country! I do love to see em romp in the tall grass! My God, a workin dog or playin dog is such a beautiful sight, especially if it breaks on a rabbit, UNCLE KERGY!!!!

Hey youse youts, havent heard from Pretty Pirate Paige and Tony and Bernd and Lynn in Hearne in a while! Jimmy Lee and Jimmy sue??? Burge youse doin ok??? Howz you pups??? Everytime I see the Sharpei in our hood, I think of youse and your pups!

Be glad to see all of youse youts! I know, I know, everyone is busy making a living and taking care of bidness and just livin life! I'm glad I have the extra time to get on the forum! Truly blessed, thats for sure!!!

Guess I'll get busy mine ownself!
Keep the faith and ride boldly ride
Beauregard

04/05/10 10:05 AM

#2452