Dad 123: Double Reds

(If the lady from the Red Cross is reading this, I assure you that he really does!  Enjoy Dad's post!  -- Tracy)

Derf Here!  Another great fall day in the Northeast.  Looks like a great stretch of sunny days in our future.  That's what the experts say.  Hope they are right!

I'm writing this post in the afternoon this week.  I had time this morning but just didn't do it.  I just returned from the Red Cross as I donated blood today.  I have donated as many times as possible over the last 20-25 years.  I used to donate every eight weeks but have changed that routine for the past few years.  Why, you ask, did I change the routine?  Well, now I give every 16 weeks because I give "double reds."  They separate the red blood cells and the plasma drawing the first pint.  Then the plasma, along with saline solution, is returned to the blood stream.  Then the process is repeated all over again.  So I can give six pints a year by only giving three times a year.  The maximum amount in half the visits.  It doesn't get any better.  I'll return in March to do it all over again.  Between now and then we'll have gone through another winter.  Whoopee!!  In fact, one of the ladies drawing blood said to me, "You will probably have your shorts on again in March."  I told her I wear them all year round.  Yes, I really do!  I'm not sure she believed me!

Well, a note to our relatives in Indiana.  I root for the Colts and their fine rookie quarterback Andrew Luck.  However, I will not be cheering them on this weekend as their opponent will be the Patriots.  If the Patriots don't play any better than they did this past weekend, the Colts have a chance.  I'm hoping for the Patriots to go undefeated the rest of the way.  Did someone say "Super Bowl"?  It is possible if they play as well as they did against the Rams in England two weeks ago.  Maybe I have hopes that are way too high.  Just maybe!  I can dream, can't I?

Big night Friday as we all will meet at Zack's house for his 12th birthday party.  It doesn't seem possible that "little Zack" is twelve.  I must admit that as I stood beside him one week ago I actually had the strange feeling of appearing small.  So, Happy Birthday, Zack.  Can't wait for the party.  Just think, a teenager next year!

Enough bloviating (a Bill O'Reilly word) for this week.

Sooo....

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

Mary Low 256

I received a large envelope in the mail from Suzy's mother this past June. She had helped Suzy clean out a few things, and they came across a poster I had done as part of a calligraphy class during college. Suzy's mom made a copy and sent the original to me.

Below is a photo of the poster.  The poster is my attempt at a comical rendering of our dorm room during our sophomore year in college.  (I hear that Suzy's habits have changed since then!)  I used the panorama setting on my iPhone to take the photo.  You may need to right-click and save the photo to your own computer in order to look at the details more closely.

One thing that I'm surprised I didn't include on the poster:  My mathematical rendering of our dorm room number... Mary Low 16-squared!

Story Adaptations

During the premiere episode of the TV series "Elementary," I was ready to quit watching after the first ten minutes but Lew wanted to give it a chance. I'm glad he did! We've seen every episode so far.

We initially started watching because we both enjoy Sherlock Holmes. We have watched some of the older movies based on his character. We've seen the first of the recent Robert Downey Jr. movies. And we especially enjoy the Masterpiece Mystery series. And now "Elementary" is another adaptation that we are really enjoying.

I also like watching different interpretations of Cinderella's story. Lew is a good sport and will usually watch with me if I ask him to!

Craft Show, Day 2

Working two consecutive days at a craft show tuckers a person out. I'm just a rookie, but you can take my word for it! But it was a lot of fun. :)

The sale that made my day:

A lovely retirement-age couple stopped at our table. The wife really liked a certain necklace. As they walked away, I continued to make eye contact with the husband. He mouthed, "How much?" After I responded he said he'd think about it.

Several minutes later he came back (alone) and bought the necklace for his wife. His alibi: the men's room.

When this same couple returned to our table later, the wife was disappointed to see that the necklace was gone.

"Ma'am, look in your husband's pocket!"

I didn't actually say that, of course. But thinking about when she receives her gift... well, that makes me happy.

(Postscript: I'm pretty sure this couple doesn't read my blog, so I'm not spoiling the surprise. But then again, I DID give this very piece of advice in yesterday's post!)

Craft Show, Day 1

Carole and I had a fun day, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.  In the meantime, I have some tips for craft-show shoppers:

Ladies.... If your husband does not want to go to the craft show with you, then PLEASE let him stay home.  (LOL!)

Men.... If your wife makes you go to the craft show, then PLEASE pay attention!  If you do that, you will have ample ideas for Christmas gifts for her.  Then come back to our table when she's not looking, and VOILA!  You are done with your Christmas shopping.  I'm just sayin'....

Smile!

It's Craft Show Season

I have a busy weekend ahead. I'm going to help my jewelry-making friend, Carole, at a craft show. I will be responsible for collecting payments, but anything to do with "craft" is all up to Carole!

I have to leave my house at 6:30 tomorrow morning, so I think I'll be snoozing shortly.

G'night!

My Voting Success... Not!

I have a meeting tonight, so this will be short.  Here's how I did at the polls on Tuesday:

• U.S. President ... Lost
• U.S. Senator ... Lost
• U.S. House Rep ... Lost
• State Senator ... Lost
• State House Rep ... Won (by only 18 votes!)
• Same-Sex Marriage in Maine ... Lost
• Four State bond issues .... Won 1, Lost 3
• Town council (one for 2-yr term) ... Won
• Town council (two for 3-yr term) ... Won 1, Lost 1
• Town bond for new fire truck ... Won

Additional comments:

Bummed about the president getting re-elected.
Bummed about the passage of same-sex marriage in Maine.
Happy that Scarborough is getting a new fire truck.