Pull Tight

Did a fish fry for Dad on Father's Day. Received a call from a relative a couple of days before with bad news - Walmart was out of frozen hush puppies. This was probably a concern for many Walmart shoppers at this particular store.  I am thinking you might be a redneck if this causes angst. Made them from scratch using beer as liquid ingredient as beer is my tasty alternative to dairy. Turned out really good.

Grad Pics

Big weekend for at our house.  Both kids graduated. As of today we have an engineer and a registered nurse in the family. Both made very good career decisions. And, both have jobs they are excited about. It is a good time to be a parent.

Riding 160 miles, please help me in the fight against this terrible disease. Texas, Dallas - Bike MS 2015 - National MS Society

“Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." [ Mark Twain, a Biography ]”  ―  Mark Twain A few years ago, I went to the library to review shop manuals for auto and home repairs. Now U Tube videos are the place to go.  Watched a few and set out with my projects last weekend. All the videos for garbage disposal replacement said it wasn't too hard, but every video mentioned cursing as a part of the process.  Working under the sink holding a heavy appliance above your face is somewhat awkward.  Finished this project much faster and easier than expected with only one additional trip to the hardware store.  No profanity needed. This kind of repair has probably gotten easier with pvc pipe and sink adapters. Then I moved on to a headlight replacement.  Before the 80s I used to do almost all of my own car repairs from tune ups to engine overhauls.  Cars were simpler to work on then, but needed work m...

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/12/08/ride-lives Bothers me these kids can't evaluate the risks of what they are doing.  Have read the human brain can't truly assess the effects of risk until reaching an age in the late 20s.  Many of these kids are going to end up with injuries which will change their lives forever in sometimes major ways. Enjoyed participating in some very tame (by recent standards) local rodeos as a teenager. Then, I went to a college with the national champion rodeo team. Became acquainted with some of the guys who rode bucking stock. Met a few around 20 years old getting around as if they were 40 years older.  The stories of injuries, accidents, hospitalizations were numerous.  Many of these guys were never going to be the same. Wonder how many of them now in their 60s look back and think the glory was worth the risk. Read the attached article and ask yourself if you would want your child or grandchild to participate in such an injur...

My favorite tree.  This old oak tree is near the mouth of Pony Creek.  Have visited it many times over the years.  As a child I camped with my uncle and cousin underneath. It once provided shelter for my horse and me in a sudden rain storm.  Walked from the tree to watch fish swim in the clear water of Pony Creek.   And, swam in the Paluxy river a few yards away.  If I were ever to become so destitute I had to call a tree my home or if I ever become so affluent I can call a tree my home, this is where you might find me. Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come. - Chinese proverb