IN CASE YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN THE SIMPLE JOYS OF LIFE

Before anything else gets said in today's entry, I wanted to post this wonderful photo of a young man named Sebastian Brown. Sebastian's grandmother, Jill, was an aide at Roosevelt School to my wife, Kim. After viewing the picture on Kim's computer, I asked Jill if I might have a copy to publish in my blog and I will tell you why: so many times as adults we forget the simple pleasures and the real joys of life -- for instance, a bath! Sebastian's face says it all, doesn't it? Have you ever witnessed more complete bliss???

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CASH FOR CLUNKERS USED AND ABUSED


I picked up the Leader-Telegram of thursday, November 5 and read:

The most common deals under the government's $3 billion Cash For Clunkers program, aimed at putting more fuel efficient cars on the road, replaced old Ford and Chevrolet pickups with new ones that got only marginally better gas mileage, according to an analysis by the Associated Press.

The single most common swap - which occurred more than 8200 times - involved Ford 150 pickup owners who took advantage of a government rebate to trade their old trucks for new Ford 150s. The fuel economy for the new trucks ranged from 15 mpg to 17 mpg based on engine size and other factors, an improvement of just 1 to 3 mpg over the clunkers.

And all the teabaggers are screaming about how the Obama administration is taking away their freedoms. Yes, we have the right to be dumb asses who not only don't care about saving money, but also can continue to destroy the earth's atmosphere.

BEAM ME UP SCOTTY!

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HALLOWEENS OF THE PAST

Another Halloween has come and gone without incident.

Oddly, we never get trick-or-treaters at 4896 Hobbs Road - I think it's because we have a long dark scary driveway. That, coupled with the fact that we never turn on the yard light ( rural term) sort of discourages them. Instead I sit around and stuff myself with miniature Baby Ruth and Butterfinger bars. Oinkety oink! When we lived at 2444 4th Street we got lots of little ghosts and goblins as we lived only within walking distance of Roosevelt School where the Kimster taught.

One summer day one of her little kindergartners came strolling through the house unannounced - I was taking a nap - Kim was gone - I awoke to the sound oF "tinkle" - disconcerting to say the least as I knew Kim was gone. So I got up and waited outside the bathroom door - out pops this little Hmong boy who just looks at me as he passes, says nothing, and leaves!

This led to locking doors.

Now that I think about it, we didn't much get involved in treat-or-treating as kids either. Living out on the country where the nearest neighbor was a goodly walk on a frosty night will quickly discourage such activity. Of course we all heard the stories at school from the city kids who went out and caused all manner of mischief in their respective neighborhoods.

One of the most frightening stories was about home owners who had shotguns loaded with rock salt and wouldn't hesitate to unload it into some miscreants fleeting posterior when warranted. I always tried to imagine just how much that would smart, having had salt enter a cut finger as a youth.

I do remember as a young adult living in Eau Claire hearing the story first hand from a friend of mine who, in the company of other friends of my acquaintance, delivered a steaming pile of fresh cow manure to the base of the Big Steer statue on North Hastings Way asw a Halloween prank.

At one point during my college career my room mates went out to Corky's bar on a Halloween night, consumed copious amounts of Walter's beer, and proceeded to steal a very heavy but obviously not anchored sign from a gas station at the top of Harding Avenue - or as the natives refer to it - "Plank Street Hill" - and tote it back to our second floor apartment at the far end of Madison Street.

I was awakened from deep sleep by the sound of giggling, cursing, and loud bumping, as they struggled to get the sign up the rickety wood steps to the apartment.

Two days later I find that their little escapade is listed in the police report. So here I am, not even a party to the crime, but in possession of stolen property.

The following night as my roomies are out of the apartment drinking again (I think it was their major) I took it upon myself to load the damn thing in my car - no small task even though it was all down hill on the steps - and return it to the gas station from whence it came. All the while I am at this task I have visions of being pulled over by the cops. When I reached the station, I pulled the car into the darkest of shadows and quickly unloaded it, my heart trying to pound its way out of my chest.

There was quite a row with the room mates when they found out what I did but I held firm and righteous. I just wish i could have seen the face of the station owner upon his arrival at work the following morning. The gas station is long gone now. I think there is a cheese house in its stead.

I think my all time favorite Halloween was the one when my now departed friend Gerald Fitzgerald and I put on navy jackets (as close as we were going to be in costuming) and went down town in a driving rain to watch the Packers trounce the Vikings on Monday Night Football.

It was shortly after the big scandal that occurred at a gathering of former naval airmen called The Tail Hook Club that's was all over the news. the Tail Hookers had engaged in sexual harrassment of young women.

Gerald's battle cry for the evening was "TAIL HOOK!"which he repeated as amantra all evening, even under the influence of tequila and many beers.

The Packers trounced the Vikings. it was the good old days with that Brett Favre guy.

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Night Driving in Thailand With Robert Johnson

I received an interesting letter from Robert "One Man" Johnson, my pal who is spending the year in Thailand while wife Marge is teaching there. Here it is:

Night Driving in Rural Thailand

Having lived in Japan and rented cars in England and New Zealand, I have driven on the left side of the road before. True, I occasionally turn on the windshield wipers to signal a turn, but as long as I repeat the mantra, "Keep to the left. keep to the left!" I am, generally speaking, OK. Nervous, but OK.

But driving in Thailand is a bit more challenging, especially in rural Thailand and even more so at night. For one thing, two-lane roads seem to be more than two lanes. It is normal and acceptable for people to pass down the middle. It's simple really. The person being passed moves over and the oncoming driver does too. This creates a sort of a third lane down the middle. A grateful driver may flash their lights in appreciation. (Nobody in Thailand ever honks their horn.) The shoulder-less roads have reflector marker posts on each side at just the right height so they look just like the reflectors on vehicles themselves. It starts to get a bit confusing and, on mountain curves, your hair begins to stand on the back of your neck.

Huge, double-decker tourist buses on the all-night drive from Bangkok seem to have the understood right-of-way. They plow down the middle of the road with impunity. For some reason they do not use their headlights at night. Wide-eyed long-haul bus drivers, who frequently sniff at benzedrine inhalers to stay awake, peer into the moonlight at 70 miles per hour even in the towns. If they have an accident, they may just jump out of the bus and run into the jungle to avoid prosecution.

After driving for a while, you might begin to relax a bit and get used to it all. You convince yourself there seems to be plenty of room on the road, except that now there are also small extra added lanes on the outside of both auto lanes to accommodate the sudden horde of motorcycles. It starts to get a bit crowded and chaotic. Add to this the fact that the motorcycles and scooters usually have one to three passengers, including babes in arms, and that some of the motorcycles have side-cars stacked high with various goods and produce.

In some areas, great numbers of pedestrians use the motorcycle lanes as well. On their way to town for the evening or home after work, frequently clad in dark clothing and walking two abreast holding hands (both men and women), they casually step aside, if necessary, off the road slightly. They don't seem to be concerned at all as their clothes flap in the breeze of passing vehicles.

Packs of street dogs bark and snap at your wheels as you pass. Roosters chase hens and stop to peck at flattened snakes and lizards. In a final note, add the occasional elephant, almost invisible in dark grey, but with battery-operated running lights hanging from forehead and butt, strolling home after a hard day of work in the teak forests.

White knuckled, butt puckered, you hope the Buddha is watching over you.

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DOG BUILDS NEST FROM FAMILY POSSESSIONS

I GUESS WITH ALL THE TRAUMA AND EXCITEMENT WITH HAMMY THIS WEEK THE FOLLOWING STORY TOUCHED ME DEEPLY:

Dog Builds ‘Nest’ From Injured Family’s Possessions

When Kathy, an animal shelter worker in Tennessee, spotted an emaciated Rottweiler along the side of a highway, she figured the dog was a stray or had been cruelly abandoned there.

But Kathy soon realized that there was something different about “Ella.” Ella was friendly and eager for attention -- behavior that is unusual for either a stray or an abused animal. She had clearly been loved by someone.

There were more clues in the wooded area just off the highway. Kathy discovered a “nest” where Ella had been sleeping. It was strewn with someone’s personal items, including a toothbrush, razor, comb and candle.

Then Kathy remembered something crucial. A few weeks earlier, a terrible car wreck had taken place on the highway…very close to where Ella had made her makeshift home.

Could Ella have been in the car? Was it possible that she had survived the crash and gathered the items thrown from her family’s car? Was she now loyally waiting for someone’s return?

Help Pets Separated From Suffering Families

Kathy’s hunch soon proved true. She contacted the state’s highway patrol authorities and learned that a single car had flipped over and landed on the side of the road near Ella’s “nest.” A family of five had been in the car. Some members had been hospitalized, but they all survived.

Rescuers had never seen Ella, who had likely been thrown from the car. The dog foraged on her own for a few weeks, drinking from a drainage ditch and patiently waiting for beloved family members who thought their special pet was dead!

American Humane stepped in when we learned that the family’s medical bills had caused tremendous financial strain. Unfortunately, the family had moved to a home that did not allow pets. We provided a critical grant to Kathy’s animal shelter to help fund Ella’s care.

Though unable to bring Ella back into their home at this time, the family was thrilled to see her and hopes to be reunited for good in the future. Meanwhile, Ella is living safely and comfortably in a loving foster home.

During this month of giving thanks, please consider a donation to help fund American Humane’s Foreclosure Pets Grants. A single act of generosity -- no matter how small -- will make a tremendous difference for pets like Ella, whose families are undergoing extreme financial hardship.

Donate today!





Dog Builds ‘Nest’ From Injured Family’s Possessions

When Kathy, an animal shelter worker in Tennessee, spotted an emaciated Rottweiler along the side of a highway, she figured the dog was a stray or had been cruelly abandoned there.

But Kathy soon realized that there was something different about “Ella.” Ella was friendly and eager for attention -- behavior that is unusual for either a stray or an abused animal. She had clearly been loved by someone.

There were more clues in the wooded area just off the highway. Kathy discovered a “nest” where Ella had been sleeping. It was strewn with someone’s personal items, including a toothbrush, razor, comb and candle.

Then Kathy remembered something crucial. A few weeks earlier, a terrible car wreck had taken place on the highway…very close to where Ella had made her makeshift home.

Could Ella have been in the car? Was it possible that she had survived the crash and gathered the items thrown from her family’s car? Was she now loyally waiting for someone’s return?

Help Pets Separated From Suffering Families

Kathy’s hunch soon proved true. She contacted the state’s highway patrol authorities and learned that a single car had flipped over and landed on the side of the road near Ella’s “nest.” A family of five had been in the car. Some members had been hospitalized, but they all survived.

Rescuers had never seen Ella, who had likely been thrown from the car. The dog foraged on her own for a few weeks, drinking from a drainage ditch and patiently waiting for beloved family members who thought their special pet was dead!

American Humane stepped in when we learned that the family’s medical bills had caused tremendous financial strain. Unfortunately, the family had moved to a home that did not allow pets. We provided a critical grant to Kathy’s animal shelter to help fund Ella’s care.

Though unable to bring Ella back into their home at this time, the family was thrilled to see her and hopes to be reunited for good in the future. Meanwhile, Ella is living safely and comfortably in a loving foster home.

During this month of giving thanks, please consider a donation to help fund American Humane’s Foreclosure Pets Grants. A single act of generosity -- no matter how small -- will make a tremendous difference for pets like Ella, whose families are undergoing extreme financial hardship.

Donate today!

HAMMY'S BACK HOME -- ALL'S RIGHT WITH OUR WORLD

Gynecologist's Assistant

A retired man went into the Job Center in Downtown Denver,Colorado and
saw a card Advertising for a Gynecologist's Assistant. Interested,
he went in and asked the clerk for details.

The clerk pulled up the file and read; "The job entails getting
the Ladies ready for the gynecologist. You have to help the women
out of their underwear, lay them down and carefully wash their
private regions, then apply shaving foam and gently shave off the
hair, then rub in soothing oils so they're ready for the
gynecologist's examination."

"The annual salary is $65,000 and you'll have to go to Billings ,
Montana, that's about 550 miles from here."

"Good grief, is that where the job is?"

"No sir -- that's where the end of the applicant's line is right now.


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Brett Favre has done it - as he always done when challenged - he rises to the occasion. He looked positively brilliant yesterday in the drubbing of the Packers on his old home turf. Don't know if you got a chance to watch it or not, but if you are a Packer fan, it wasn't pretty.

I hated the fact that fans booed him loudly during warm ups, upon his return to start the game, and during the first series when the Vikings had the ball. After all, the old hillbilly gave us 16 years of great football. He deserved respect no matter who he is playing for now.

The booing should have been aimed at frickin' Ted Thompson and Coach McCarthy. I am more and more disenchanted with McCarthy's ability to coach. He allows way too much lack of discipline. At one point Johnny Jolly started up with a Viking player on the sidelines and drew a totally unnecessary 15 yard penalty which cost us at least three points.

I was sick to my stomach by the end of the first quarter and turned off the TV - told Kim I was going grocery shopping - then 5 minutes later I am back in front of the TV - middle of second quarter I shut it off again and left.

Our cat Hammy became very ill on sunday morning - throwing up and walking very slowly - then he went down in the basement and hid. We ended up taking him to the one veterinary clinic that is open on sunday (which of course cost an arm and leg) - thee vet took blood, did a work up. Came out somewhat puzzled because all systems were either normal or nearly normal. His conclusion that it was some sort of virus, probably bacterial. He gave him a shot intended to control infection and also a steroid shot.

By evening, Hammy was doing somewhat better. He even wanted to be around us a bit but was still very subdued. Monday morning he began throwing up again so we took him to his regular vet, Dr. Meyer at Westgate (near Mike's Smokehouse). Dr. Meyer decided to do one thing that hadn't been done on sunday - he took x rays and found signs of signs of backup of gas and fecal matter. He asked us to leave Hammy over night as he would have a tech administer an enema and see if that didn't make a difference.

Kim had some trouble with handling it all and cried a bit on the way home worrying about what Hammy must be thinking. We got busy cleaning the garage together -= something we had been putting off all summer - and this kept our minds occupied (mostly). We got a call from Dr Meyer about 5:30 in the afternoon - the enema had produced both hard and soft stool and was as he put it "quite odiferous". He said Hammy seemed to be a lot better. We lobbied to go and pick him up but the Doc wanted to keep him overnight so that he could check his temp first thing in the morning (sunday Hammy had a temp of 106.5 which is dangerously high).

Dr Meyer has dog surgery this morning so we are still waiting to hear about whether we can go get him or not. This. of course, has been really expensive (sunday alone was over $450) but Kim said not to worry - she has the money and will gladly spend it on her "baby boy" as she calls him. Hammy and she have bonded and Stella is my girl. Stella has been very clingy in the absence of her brother.

Waiting for hopefully good news.

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We got the call from Westgate Animal Hospital at 10:30 this morning. Hammy's temperature had dropped dramatically overnight and we were able to go and pick up the poor little guy. As soon as we saw him, we could tell just by his demeanor and the look of his eyes that he is much better. He responded to us immediately and wanted to get into his travel cage.

All the way home while he rode in the back with Kim, he was "meowing" - and it wasn't really a mournful meow. More of an excited sound. He even pressed his little nose against the screened door of the cage.

Once we got home and opened the gate, he didn't make a beeline for the basement and his "hiding place" as he had the last time. Instead he roamed about the house, tail swishing, and lay down by the sliding glass doors to both peer out at nature and to wash himself. So we lucked out this time!

Well, not wallet-wise. I mentioned to Kim on the way home that Hammy's two visits cost us more than all our other cats combined! Today's bill was $350!

We are looking into cat health insurance - it's probably better than human insurance! We'll have to check out the "pre-existing conditions" and "the public option".

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IN MY CONTINUING CORRESPONDENCE WITH MY PAL IN OHIO, HERE IS KIRK ROEBUCK'S TAKE ON RECENT EVENTS CONCERNING MR. FAVRE:

I was picking the Vikings all along—both games. I think Favre is one of those rare athletes that can will his way to a win, and makes his team-mates around him better.
I wasn’t surprised at the booing-after all, GB fans actually booed Bart Starr, so no one is immune. Personally, I’ve always thought booing is boorish, and immature. Kinda like giving someone the finger. If that is the best thing you can come up with, I feel sorry for you. (Not you, personally, Larry J ) I also feel that fan actions (see upcoming protest at the next Browns game) is highly overated, and only affects the fans themselves. Until the fans can come out of the stands and affect the play, they are simply background noise. Anyone who has ever played, especially at a pro level, can get motivated by being booed, so sometimes it is the wrong thing to do to “egg on” the person you hate.

I was thinking over the weekend about a similar situation. Back 1970 (I was 13) I started following the Cincinnati Reds—the Big Red Machine, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench. Well, Pete had a falling out with the Reds management and left the team in 1979 as a free agent. Now this was truly a home town guy—born there, lived there his entire life, played for the hometown team. He went to the Phillies and they won a World Series with him. I remember fans booing him. What the fans should be doing is booing the organization that let a HOFer and a legend leave.


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WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY CAN MAKE

I took these photos of Hammy last night while we were up in the loft. He suddenly focused in on a very tiny insect that was circling the light bulbs in the lamp. One of the personality traits that we find so endearing about him is his "child" - even though he is fully grown, he maintains his curiosity that he has had all along.
Then this morning (sunday) Kim found him throwing up his breakfast. Throughout the morning his demeanor deteriorated and by noon Kim called the one veterianarian service that carries a doctor on call on sundays and we rushed him right in.

You don't really realize how deeply fond of you are of your pets until something like this happens. The veterinarian checked his pulse which was extremely rapid, and he was running a temperature of 106 degrees - much too high. He ran some blood tests and ultimately concluded after checking also for leukemia that Hammy has a bacterial infection.

The vet gave him two injections; a cortisone shot and a shot to combat the infection. Now it is a matter of seeing how Hammy responds to the meds. If he continues to vomit we will have to take him back to the vet for an interveinous feed to keep him from becoming dehydrated.

Currently he has gone down to the basement and is hiding in one of his secret places which is making me a bit nervous. that combined with the start of the Packer game has me really jumpy!!!

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FAVRE RETURNS TO LAMBEAU IN WHITE

Well, I was right (nearly) about the plot of "Money Train" except that Snipes and Harrelson are not security cops on the money train itself, but rather are two undercover transit police. The money train is the subway that carries all the cash receipts from all the toll booths within the New York subway system. Consequently, I dozed off a couple of times during the movie.

No matter what we tried, we couldn't stop the subtitles from appearing at the bottom of the picture. I hate that! I also don't like picking up movies that are older as they pose a problem of how to frame them on the Sony HDTV. We have gotten used to the wide screen with margins at both the top and bottom. Man, my life is difficult! WAH!

Today is the day. Brett Favre makes his first appearance in Lambeau Field wearing a Vikings uniform. I have been following the polls all week and it appears that if the polls are accurate he will be booed soundly upon entering the field of play. I hope that doesn't happen. I would hope that Green Bay Packer fans have a little more class than that.

It should be a good game. at least I hope that it is. Dom Capers and his defense will have their hands full trying to stop both Peterson's running game and Favre's passing attack. Some feel the Packers should blitz him on almost every down but I don't think that wise as Favre has learned to read blitzes very well after 17 years in the league and he will burn the defense. If the Packers are to win they will have to play flawless football. And for God sake stop making all those undisciplined penalties. We have way too many penalties per game to be winners.

Time to get the NFL channel on the box and listen to the talking heads.

Go Pack!

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