Dad 86: Sister Jean; A Snowstorm Coming

(I've been praying for my Aunt Jean....  We've got this!  -- Tracy)

Derf Here!  From the great Northeast.  Well we don't have much snow left on the ground on this special day (leap year, you know)!  However, the weather experts are predicting a snowstorm tonight and tomorrow, which will cause me to plow for the third time this season.  As the old adage says, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb."  Not looking forward to more snow.  Have no choice as I no longer control the weather (never did).  Such is life in the northeast corner of the United States.  Oh, well!!

My blog last week ended with a request.  I asked if you would say a prayer or two for sister Jean.  She was about to go into surgery for colon cancer.  No one is immune from this horrible disease.  It seems that everyone is touched by it.  On Monday, a tumor (size of an orange) was removed from sister Jean's colon.  I copy verbatim from Jean's daughter's Facebook page.  Kathy says:

"First I want to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts. You will never know how much it means. Please continue praying. Things were worse than expected on Monday but they felt they got everything and Mom handled everything well. This morning everything went downhill fast and they had to do emergency surgery. Mom is currently in ICU in critical condition. She is on a ventilator, has low bp, and she has developed sepsis. They are keeping her heavily sedated. Even in these trials God is so good and we know she is in his hands. Thank you all for your love, support and caring."

As the family enters this critical time with sister Jean, all prayers and thoughts on her behalf are accepted with thanks.  There is no greater gift to one than prayer!  My weekly blog will keep all advised of the progress of sister Jean.  Keep praying!!  God's will be done!

I sit here overlooking Uncle Lew's deck and watch as snowflakes appear just floating in the air.  The storm will not be here until this evening.  The sun is now semi-shining and no more flakes floating around.  The calm before the storm.  Can't wait for the snow to get here!  I'm ready and the Silverado is also.  The thing I like most about a storm this late in the winter season:  Spring is on its way.  Storms that happen this time of the year do not stay around long.  Thank goodness!

Enough for today.

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

What Did Tracy Do Today?

I did all but one of the following things today.  Can you guess which one I did NOT do?

1. Read from the Bible.
2. Watched the 1968 movie "Charly" starring Cliff Robertson.
3. Watched the 2007 TV movie "The Old Curiosity Shop".
4. Finished reading the book "Dewey" by Vicki Myron.
5. Used close to a whole box of tissues blowing my nose.
6. Drank lots and lots of tea.
7. Ate leftover Chinese food.
8. Took a nap.

Please see the "Comments" section of this post for the correct answer.

Use It or Lose It

My friend Mary came over for Chinese food and origami tonight.

The Chinese food was our dinner.  The origami was our entertainment.  (Just wanted to clarify.)

The last time Mary visited, I showed her some of the origami I had done several years ago.  We decided that we'd try folding some patterns together, and tonight was the night.

I had not done any origami for several years.  Based on how I did tonight, one would wonder if I had ever attempted origami before!  I was terrible.  It took me forever to familiarize myself with some of the folds again, and I had lost my ability to quickly follow a pattern.

But by the time we were done, I felt it may be possible to regain my former origami skills.  It will take a long time, but it is possible.  I'm almost sure of it.  (I think....)

New Every Morning

"Marilla, isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"

A friend of mine shared the above quote on her blog yesterday.  It's from the book Anne of Green Gables.

Yes, tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it.

It reminds me of Lamentations 3:19-23:

I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.   (NIV 1984)

It really is nice to know that, isn't it?

(Postscript:  I don't remember ever reading Anne of Green Gables.  I think I'll add it to my book list.)

This Is the Post That Never Ends

I sat down about 45 minutes ago to write today's post.

I wasn't coming up with anything, so I decided to do a little more work on the filing cabinet project.  Yes, I am still working on purging paperwork.  I've accomplished quite a bit already, but I still have a long way to go.

After a few minutes of going through paperwork, I sat down again.  Instead of blogging, I decided to search online for information regarding record retention.  This is something I had researched previously, but I still felt like I was keeping too much stuff.  Hence, my additional search.  I think tonight's research helped.

I checked my Facebook news feed.  I must keep up with my "peeps."

And then I came back to my post for today; the page was still blank.  I decided to write something dumb, which -- as my regular readers know -- isn't all that unusual.

Then I typed the following:

I sat down about 45 minutes ago to write today's post.

I wasn't coming up with anything, so I decided to do a little more work on the filing cabinet project. Yes, I am still working on purging paperwork. I've accomplished quite a bit already, but I still have a long way to go.

After a few minutes of going through paperwork, I sat down again. Instead of blogging, I decided to search online for information regarding record retention. This is something I had researched previously, but I still felt like I was keeping too much stuff. Hence, my additional search. I think tonight's research helped.

I checked my Facebook news feed. I must keep up with my "peeps."

And then I came back to my post for today; the page was still blank. I decided to write something dumb, which -- as my regular readers know -- isn't all that unusual.

Then I typed the following:

I sat down about 45 minutes ago to write today's post.

I wasn't coming up with anything, so I decided to do a little more work on the filing cabinet project. Yes, I am still working on purging paperwork. I've accomplished quite a bit already, but I still have a long way to go. 

After a few minutes of going through paperwork, I sat down again. Instead of blogging, I decided to search online for information regarding record retention. This is something I had researched previously, but I still felt like I was keeping too much stuff. Hence, my additional search. I think tonight's research helped.

I checked my Facebook news feed. I must keep up with my "peeps."

And then I came back to my post for today; the page was still blank. I decided to write something dumb, which -- as my regular readers know -- isn't all that unusual.

Then I typed the following:

Well... you get the idea.  I'll stop now!

Catching Something...?

I've been fighting a headache for most of the day and my throat is scratchy.

What could be causing this faltering health?

As much as I would like to, I can't blame the Lenten lack of cheese and non-medicinal chocolate.

It's raining a bit, and it might switch over to snow later.

So maybe the weather is the cause....  Yeah, I'll blame it on that!

Cinderella

My friend Ellen stopped by today to borrow a DVD:  Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.

I just read on IMDb that there are three TV-versions of the above:

• 1957 -- starring Julie Andrews
• 1965 -- starring Lesley Ann Warren
• 1997 -- starring Brandy Norwood

The 1997 version featured Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother.  Ellen and her daughter just watched this one yesterday afternoon.  They were interested in seeing it after Whitney's recent death.  (What sad news that was.  She had quite a voice.)

The 1965 version is the one that I am most familiar with.  I LOVED watching this on TV when I was a kid.  The minute I could buy it on VHS, I did.  Then the minute I could buy it on DVD, I did.  I don't watch it very often now, but I still LOVE it!

Which brings us to the first version from 1957...  CBS originally broadcast this live in a 90-minute time slot.  (The 90 minutes included the commercials.)  The incredible Julie Andrews played Cinderella.  I did not even know about this version until I saw the DVD for sale a few years ago.  I bought it, of course.

Take a guess:  Which version did Ellen borrow to watch with her daughter, Laura?

I will give the answer in the comments section of this post.

Hint:  You should be able to eliminate one of the choices right away, so you have a 50% chance of being right!

Dad 85: New Modem & A Prayer Request

(Lots of love to Aunt Jean!  We're all praying.  Enjoy my dad's post.  -- Tracy)

Derf Here!  Snowed last night.  One can almost see the covering of the grassy spots with the white stuff.  Not so in the driveway  It's melting already.  Reports say we could hit 50 degrees today.  That will take some of the snow cover down a little further.  Not much on the ground anyway.  Spring is in the air.  Should I remove my plow from the pickup or leave on just in case?  Being lazy, I think I'll leave it on until Spring arrives.  Seems like a good idea.  Can you tell I get paid by the word?

Originally I planned on a post today mentioning some of the autos that my dad owned as I was growing up.  This idea came to me as I woke up in the middle of the night last week.  Why I woke up thinking about this is still causing me to wonder why it happened.  I even started to write a list of several vehicles.  However, this post will wait for another time due to technical difficulties beyond my control.

Here lies the problem.  As I sit here writing I cannot get on the Internet.  We have been having trouble with the Internet shutting off and on for a few weeks now.  Tracy will unplug cords from the router and the modem for a few minutes.  Upon reconnecting the two we found success in Internet access.  I even figured out how to rearrange the plug-ins to regain access to the Internet.  Hooray for me!  I'm a genius!

While I sit here, Tracy is visiting a friend that is allowing her to connect with necessary persons on the Internet.  Upon her return home, I'm sure our problem will not be solved.  After several disconnects and reconnecting, I still have no success.  Perhaps this post will not be posted today.  Methinks a new modem is needed to solve our problem.  Tracy will be out doing errands later and plans on getting a new one.  Hopefully this solves our problem.  If not, we'll purchase a new router.

If you are reading this you'll know our problem has been solved.

Between now and next blog by Derf, I have a request.  Please lift up a prayer or two for sister Jean as she undergoes surgery in Indianapolis on Monday, February 27.  Sister Deb will be in Indy to help with this trial in Jean's life.  Also, it is fortunate that daughter Wendy (the family prayer warrior) and Kathy (along with husband, Gordon) live there to help in this time of need.  Thank you for your prayers on behalf of the family.  More about this later.

Next Tuesday, February 28th, would have been our dad's 100th birthday.  I have an idea that he will be celebrating this with all members of the family that have gone on before.  Happy Birthday!  I'm not quite ready to join the festivities!!  Another 50 years would be good!

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

Anticipating Lent

Lent begins tomorrow.

I do not typically give up anything for Lent, but I feel compelled to this year.

When I mentioned to Lew that I might give up chocolate, he reminded me about my "heart medicine" of two dark chocolate Dove Promises every morning.  And indeed, I do eat these for the health benefits -- although I enjoy them, too, of course!

So I told Lew that I would abstain from non-medicinal chocolate during Lent.

And because of the above non-medicinal qualifier, I will also give up cheese (with no qualifiers).

I love cheese.  In fact I had a grilled cheese sandwich at Dunkin' Donuts after Lew's colonoscopy today.

Giving up chocolate and cheese will be difficult for me.  But this difficulty is not what I should dwell on over the next few weeks.

What I will attempt to reflect on is the why.  What purpose does depriving myself of certain foods serve?  It will help me to remember Christ's suffering (although my "suffering" is non-existent in comparison).  It will help me to focus on the health of my own soul.  Hopefully it will help me with some much-needed attitude adjustments.

And most of all, it will be preparing my heart for that special day... the day after Lent ends....

Yes!

Easter Sunday!  The celebration of the Risen Lord.

(Postscript:  Lew's colonoscopy went fine, by the way.  He is very happy it's over.)

The Day Before

Lew had today off from work because of the Presidents' Day holiday.  This morning we went out and did a few errands.  We timed it so that we would be home by 1:00.

Our timing was important because Lew had to start his "preparation" for tomorrow's event.  Technically he had already started preparing by not eating since last night.  But at 1:00 p.m. today, he was scheduled to take his first dose of something that does interesting things.  ;-)

He's also been drinking Gatorade.  The yellow kind.  He's not allowed to drink anything red, purple, or blue.

Fortunately for Lew, tomorrow's appointment is at 10:00 a.m.  He's already dreaming about what he's going to eat afterward.

And he just reported:  "Three flushes.  Write that in your blog!"

(Postscript:  Lew granted permission for this post.  Perhaps his hunger has affected his judgment!)

Just Another Winter Day in Maine

After attending Sunday School and church, Lew and I decided to eat lunch at Rosa Linda's.  We had a delightful, delicious meal.

The weather was so lovely that Lew thought it would be fun to take a peek at the beach on our way home.

As we drove to the municipal parking lot, Lew asked if I thought the lot would be crowded.  We laughed at his joke!  On a beautiful Sunday in July, then we probably would have trouble finding a parking spot -- but not in February.  We both figured there would be just a handful of cars.

Well....

What do WE know?!

The municipal parking lot at Pine Point Beach.

Many two-legged and four-legged creatures enjoying the beach.

Okay... so Eli was NOT at the beach.  But he's really cute, isn't he?  :)

Who's On First?

Tim Wakefield, the famed knuckleball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, announced his retirement from baseball yesterday.  He contributed so much to the team over the years, and he will be sorely missed -- by this fan, anyway!  Best wishes to him.

But now the above news has me thinking about those two words that we all long to hear:  "Play Ball!"  And we still have several weeks to go until the start of the season.  Maybe I can use that time to finally figure out what constitutes a balk.

A friend once commented that -- although she enjoys watching football -- she didn't really want to get involved in baseball.  When I asked her why, she said "It's on EVERY night!"

So, what's the problem?!  :)

The Recurring Cleaning Conversation

A couple nights ago, I walked into the upstairs bathroom to find my husband cleaning the toilet.

I immediately lamented that I had not realized the toilet needed to be cleaned.  It's a household chore that I could have easily accomplished while Lew was at work.

When I expressed this sentiment to Lew, he rolled his eyes (I think) and assured me that it was okay that I didn't clean the toilet.  After all, I was not that good at cleaning.

Yes, he really told me that I was NOT a good housekeeper.  Maybe not in those exact words, but still....

And my reaction?

Relief!

The Trade

My father mentioned in yesterday's post that Debbie made a Valentine's Day candy delivery to the house.  In addition to my parents, Lew and I were also candy recipients.

The candy was in a cute little heart-covered pail.  There were some chocolate hearts as well as two little bags.

Each bag contained a dark-chocolate-covered Oreo and two pretty-good-sized Nonpareils.

Before dinner tonight I asked Lew, "Will you trade your chocolate-covered Oreo for my two Nonpareils?"

He responded, "If the Nonpareils are dark chocolate, then yes."

And just like that, the trade was made.

Yummy.  Yummy.

Thank you for the candy, Debbie!

Dad 84: Ramblin' Man

(A plethora of news, comments, and opinions from Dad today.  Enjoy!  --  Tracy)

Derf Here!  From still pretty much a winterless winter on the northeast coast.  Sure, we've had some cold (below zero degrees) temperatures, but no storms in sight and we're halfway through February.  Still cold enough for the ski slopes to make snow and groom their trails.  Spring is on its way.  Yippee!!

Well, as I said one year ago in post XXXII, we survived another Valentine's Day with no major expenses.  My secret wish for Valentine's Day still didn't materialize once again.  Maybe next year!  No, I still will not reveal my secret wish!  Don't even ask!  Secret means "secret."  So there!

I did have a chance to devour some delicious chocolate hearts and chocolate-covered strawberries from the famous Len Libby's candy store.  Daughter Deb dropped by on her way home from work with the goodies.  We're fortunate that she works in a candy store.  They have a fine product line.  Also an 1800-pound chocolate moose in the building.  Now that would last at least a day or two!

There is a professional sports story out there now following a young man named Jeremy Lin.  He is a graduate of Harvard and is a most unlikely member of the New York Knicks basketball team.  Forced into the starting lineup, he has led the team to six straight wins.  Just last night he tied the game with a three-pointer.  Then, with 0.5 seconds left, his three-point shot won the game.  This, after they trailed by twelve points in the fourth quarter.  He has sort of taken over the "Tebow factor" in professional sports stories.  Check it out!  Six and counting!

As I sit here writing this, I just glanced out my window at Uncle Lew's deck area.  To my surprise one of our squirrel friends is out there eating the mixed-nut feast that I put out there yesterday.  Since I put the scrumptious nut meal out there, I have had to scare away (twice) the largest seagull I have ever seen.  It was as large as our turkey visitors of a few years back.  I miss my daily sightings and feedings of the turkeys.  They were a lot more trusting of me than the squirrels.  They would wander around at my feet as I fed them.  Not the squirrels.

Lastly, after several thousand votes, people saying "keep the beard" outnumbered those who said "remove it" by at least two to one.  Actually there were only three votes.  I don't have as many fans as I had hoped!

Well, I'm going to go against the scientific vote and will be clean-faced one week from tomorrow (as planned prior to the worldwide vote).  It has been great not shaving since last fall.  Laziness is not a bad way of life.  Back to buying razor blades.  Oh, well!

I've rambled enough for today.  So!!!

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

Happy Valentine's Day!

In case you were wondering whether I received any chocolate-dipped strawberries from Len Libby's....

The box contained more than what is pictured above.  However, this was all that was left by the time I thought to take a picture.

Thanks for the berries, Sweetie!

Zack's Strawberry Gig

My sister Debbie works at Len Libby's candy store.  Tomorrow is Valentine's Day.  Do you think Debbie was busy today?  LOL!

I'm sure that business was even more brisk (between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.) because of the marketing effort by my nephew Zack.  He was outside the store, waving for cars to drive into the parking lot.  And he was dressed as a strawberry, dipped in chocolate.

Lest you think I jest, please review the proof that I have provided below.  :)

A cuter strawberry I have never seen!

An "Up Down, Turn Around" Day

Today didn't go exactly as I had planned it, but as my friend Penny often says, "Flop with the mop!"  (She believes that she read that in some preparation materials for a mission trip.  I like it!)

Lew and I did go to Sunday School and church as planned, and then I went out to lunch with the above-mentioned Penny.  Our friend Lisa was originally supposed to join us, but she decided to have the flu instead.  Bummer.  I hope she feels better soon!

At lunch, I ate an entire 9-inch pizza all by myself.  Hawaiian plus green peppers.  (Yummy!)  My original intention was to get a salad.

I got home shortly after 3:00 and was somewhat discombobulated for the rest of the day.  It was a good discombobulated, though -- I think I needed some "down time" after my tiring week.

When I went to give Pepper her night-night goodies, my father asked me if I had posted on my blog yet.  If he hadn't asked, I do believe that I would have completely forgotten about it today.  (Discombobulated!)

Have a great week, everybody, and remember to "flop with the mop!"

Walk This Way

Lew and I had company today!  Matt, Emily, and Eli came over for a late lunch of spaghetti and hung out with us for a bit.

I should clarify that Eli did not eat spaghetti.  But he did watch us as we ate ours.

Eli is getting bigger and stronger all the time.  We see him at least once a week, and we always notice how he's changed.

For several minutes today, Lew and Emily handed Eli back and forth to each other while sitting on the floor.  They held Eli upright -- so that he was "standing" -- and he was actually trying to move his legs in a walking motion as he was passed from Emily to Lew and back.  We clapped and clapped for him.

Eli smiles a lot -- which makes me smile, too.

Yawn....

I'm really worn out today.

Stayed up way too late Sunday night after the Super Bowl loss.

Then Monday was my tax marathon.

I began my declutter project on Tuesday.

Wednesday was bills, more decluttering, and choir rehearsal.

Last night I had a church meeting, so I spent some time during the day preparing for it.  Also did some more decluttering.

When the alarm went off this morning, I sort of knew what was going on.  I'm pretty sure that I remember Lew leaving for work.

I've accomplished a few things today, but I'm really ready for some Zzzzzzzzzz's!

Dad 83: Dentist, Doctor, and Defeat

(A special note to my Indiana relatives:  I do not write Dad's posts -- I just type them!  Enjoy anyway!  -- Tracy)

Derf Here!  A day late and a dollar short!  A couple days ago we set a record of 48 degrees.  The weather has been almost non-winter-like.  Cold on occasion but not much in the precipitation type.  I'll take it.

As Mainely Tracy mentioned yesterday, I had a couple appointments scheduled.  One was a dentist teeth cleaning for Spouse and moi.  It went well as no cavities were detected, so next appointment is six months away for another cleaning.  Hopefully nothing disastrous happens in the meantime.

The second appointment was an annual doctor's follow-up of blood work to check on all things like cholesterol, blood pressure, etc... and even how high up do the scales go.  It was the first time that the doctor's scales registered me below the 250-pound level.  I am very proud of that.  Down from 300!  Still working on it.  Next goal is to get to the 230s.  Next appointment in three months for one more checkup.

Of course, the most important part of the conversation between the doctor and myself was how he was doing getting his MG back on the road.  It seems as though progress is being made as his engine is now in the shop being rebuilt.  I expect to see the car on the road this Spring.  Also saw a "Jag" that Doc is looking to purchase.  It was a good meeting.

Now I must recognize the failure of the Patriots to defeat the New York Giants. There are so many "ifs" I could mention.  Suffice it to say they did not get the job done and Eli and his team members were the better that day.  I did grow up watching and rooting for the Giants but it doesn't make me any happier.  One thing I'm happy for is all the talk of Peyton being "the greatest ever" is sort of overshadowed now as little brother Eli has twice as many rings as big bro.  I like that!

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

Adorable!

My father had a few appointments today, so his weekly post has been postponed by a day.  Please check back tomorrow for more on the life and times of Derf!

I have spent the bulk of the day working on bills (oh, how I love seeing the money go out -- ugh) and going through paperwork.  It's been a barrel of laughs.

But when I need a pick-me-up, I just look at the latest picture of Eli.   :)

Mind Clutter

I worked a little bit on my novel every day last week.

This week I haven't touched it yet.  Granted, it's only Tuesday, but I'm not sure I'll do much writing in the next few days.

I am preoccupied with a project that I've had on my to-do list for quite some time.  Purging paperwork is something that has always been difficult for me.  But after my tax marathon yesterday, I was ready to tackle it.  I started today and I'm not stopping until it's D.O.N.E.

A clean desk and an orderly filing cabinet should do wonders for my creativity.  I hope so, at least!

Tax Season

I worked several years at a tax accounting firm.  Our busy time of year began in January and ended on April 15th.  In the industry, this busy time of year is called "tax season."

I no longer work as a tax accountant (doin' the happy dance!), but I prepare four tax returns each year.  One of those is obviously our own.  The other three are those of family members.  (And "no" -- I am not taking on any more!)

I started working on our taxes right after breakfast this morning.  After I finished, I went on to the next one... and then the next one... and then the next one.  I was a tax preparin' animal!

So I had a "tax season" this year after all.  And instead of three months, it only lasted one day!  :)

It's Only a Game

I felt like the game was lost with the first two points scored by the Giants.  They were awarded a safety on a call that is rarely made.  So if it's a call that is rarely made, why did the referees call it in the Super Bowl?

The Patriots should have been able to overcome that, though, as far as being able to win the game.  But it was indicative of the type of game it was going to be.  Not very many breaks.  It just wasn't their night.

Congratulations to the New York Giants.

Facing the Giants

Anything major happening this weekend?  Ha ha!  (Why, oh why, am I a sports fan?)

Several months ago Lew and I borrowed three DVDs from my sister Debbie.  We still had one of the three movies left to watch, and I decided that it was finally time.

The final movie?  Facing the Giants.  I told Lew that we had to watch this movie the day before the Patriots play the Giants in the Super Bowl.  It even has a football story line.

Inspired by God, a struggling football coach at a Christian high school discovers a new purpose for his team.  One of the lessons in the movie is that we are to give our best, using the talents that God has given us.  And whatever we do, we are to honor Him and give Him the glory -- whether we win or lose.  (I thought of Tim Tebow several times as I watched.)

Facing the Giants turned out to be a perfect choice for tonight... for reasons that have nothing to do with football.

Sunday's Menu

Lew and I will not be hosting nor attending any Super Bowl party on Sunday night.  TOO INTENSE!  We will be watching the game in the comfort of our own living room.  I'm planning on watching, anyway.  We'll see if my nerves can take it.

We just got home from the grocery store.  Our shopping included our Super Bowl food:

• Nachos -- with cheese, sour cream, and salsa
• Cocktail Wieners
• Mini-cupcakes
• Creme Horns
• Frozen chocolate-themed pie
• Veggie tray

Okay, I admit that the last item wasn't in our cart when we checked out.

Lew will also be making popcorn, but we already had that at home.  Lew is planning on drinking his Crystal Light iced tea.  I imagine that I will drink some Moxie.

We're as ready for the game as we'll ever be.

Bring. It. On.

50% Effort

I read about an interesting idea a few days ago.  A blogger that I follow, Jill Tracey, and her family have taken on a challenge:  Half our Stuff in 2012!

I think I'd like to try this, too.

When I mentioned it to Lew last night, he asked, "So we would have to get rid of one out of every two lamps?"  I don't think that's exactly how it would work, but we both agreed that we could probably get rid of half of what we own and not even notice.

Actually, we would probably notice.  Our house would be less cluttered.  Cleaning would be easier.  We would find greater enjoyment in what we have.  Our lives would be calmer and less stressful.

I say we do it.

Dad 82: A Tale of Two Beards

(My vote is "Do what you want to."  Enjoy Dad's post.  And GO, PATRIOTS!  -- Tracy)

Derf Here!  February arrives as we are enjoying a winter which really hasn't been too bad.  Only plowing twice to date.  Once we get to February, we figure winter can still be severe; however, we have only four short weeks until March.  Now -- don't misunderstand -- March and April can also create havoc with snow, but it won't stay around as long.

My mother always looked forward to February as winter would be on a downhill run.  Doesn't always work that way, but time is short.

Speaking of my mother, I'm reminded of a time back in the early 1970s.  One summer I decided I was lazy and decided not to shave.  Well, as time went by, my face was getting covered by a mass of hair.  I'm really not sure why Mom's reaction was so severe, but I was almost removed from the family.  This from a person who had seen several versions of Christ, all with facial hair.  Somehow, I didn't fit the bill with my beard.  Well, summing it up, I was not booted out of the family.  I was not regarded as being most likely to be chosen as "family person of the year" either.  Suffice it to say that as Fall appeared, my beard disappeared.  It was then that my family status was restored.  Whew, what a relief!

The years have flown by and I made another decision to check out how mature I would look with another beard.  Actually I became lazy and wished not to shave.  I would use as a reason for not shaving:  I must lose another 20 pounds (or close to 20 pounds).  Along about November 2011 I stopped using my razor.  It is now February 1, 2012 and I've succeeded in reducing my bulk by another 15-20 pounds.  So, it is time for me to clean my grubby face down to the skin.  I will do so on February 23, 2012 when I get my next haircut. I'll have Cindy clip all off as much as possible with her clippers.  I'll return home and clean up the mess.

However, I'd be willing to keep my very special look with a hairy face if my "fans" want me to keep it. The pictures below reveal the look of 1972 and 2012. You be the judge. I kind of like not shaving. Cindy does a fine job of trimming my face. What do you think? Be honest, but not cruel!



Then



Now

Now to the week's important news.  The Patriots face the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI this Sunday.  I think the game could go either way.  I, however, say "GOOOO PAAATTSS!!"

I want to thank our Indy niece and nephew (Kathy and Gordon) for their spectacular photos of Indy in preparation for the Patriots victory.  We all enjoyed the photos.  Poor Eli.  Eli can't win more Super Bowls than big brother Peyton.  That would not be right, would it?

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!