On The Fly

Twas’ the week before Christmas, with bargains galore. Customers were scurrying, expecting to score, Christmas trees, combo kits, and holiday yard decor. Little did they know, the most fun they would have, was to visit Tool Rental to Pressure Wash their Cat ® . We start the morning with Penske my friend, Vince pounding the keyboard, it has no end. The website is finicky, let's not pretend. Then the doorbell rings, oh what a racket, a contractor hollers, “Get me an Auger . . . and that dump trailer too.” A line starts to form, patience is nill’. “I want a jackhammer, that suits the bill. Rent me a Hilti. Serve me first, or I'll do more than blabber. Your VOC score will fall off the ladder.” Bob sneaks in and checks the repairs. Get them done early, and no angry errors. With Jeff and Ricky all dressed in red, Joe customer enters with a cap on his head. “I have a repair,” the customer said. “It's Christmas lights, all green and in red. They don

“Twas Christmas-Eve day," and all through our house, The kitties were stirring, in search of a mouse. With Missy on guard, and Junior prowling ‘round. We were watching TV, not making a sound.   The stockings were hung on the mantel with care, In hopes that Junior would not go on a tear. Filled with ornaments and lights, to brighten the season, The house was all warmed . . . 'gainst the cold was the reason. Mother was nestled all snug her chair, While the TV was blaring with holiday fares. Me in my sweater, with Junior in lap, Had just settled in for an afternoon nap. Sunlight caressed the freshly mown lawn, Gave warmth to the day, as dog-walkers trudged on. Then the doorbell rang, there arose such a clatter, Junior sprang from my lap to see what was the matter. Away to the window, he flew like a flash, Tore open my leg, while Missy chewed on the sash. When what to my drowsy eyes should appear, But gift-bearing neighbors, w

In this episode - Natures Sandbox . . . "Greensand? It looks dirty brown from up here.” We were standing atop the towering cliff at Green Sand Beach, the wind whipping, with a glaring sun overhead, looking straight down to the beach. Our vacations center around wedding anniversaries. This adventure was our 28th (Oct. 2016). We visited the Island of Hawaii with our friends Merrill and James Marker, called the "Big Island," and what an appropriate name it is. "According to our map, this island is near twice as big as all other Hawaiian Islands combined.” "This is amazing. Did you know one can travel through ten of the world's 14 different climate zones on Hawaii ranging from Wet Tropical to Polar Tundra.” Says here, "A result of the shielding effect and elevations of the massive volcanoes Maunakea and Maunaloa." "Are you guys up for a hike to the green sand beach?" According to Google Maps, it's about a three-hour drive, located at the

I’ve found the Norelco commercials for this Christmas season! It seems like yesterday, Santa cruising down the snow-filled slopes on his triple-head Norelco electric shaver. Before your time? No problem they’re on YouTube - of course. Now Santa is selling you a luxury sports car (A red BMW ). Have you noticed how fast time flies as you get up in years? We’re already into November, Thanksgiving in just two days! And yes , “Christmas - is - just around the corner.” Do you have this years tree? If not, you can order your fresh Christmas Tree Online and have it delivered to your home. Shopping Online is not just one day anymore. Deep discount sales start one-week before Thanksgiving. A ccording to  Foursquare , the check-in app turned location intelligence company,  Black Friday crowds are expected to decrease by 3.5 percent compared to last year. And once again REI is closed for Black Friday. I salute them. Do you think others will eventually follow suit? As a you

The Chicago Cubs are World Series Champions! Honestly, did you ever think that was something you could say in your lifetime? Admittedly last night when the Cubs took game seven with an 8-7 Win over the Cleveland Indians my first thought, “Well Dad, they did it - finally the Cubs win the World Series. Wish you were here to see it.” But it was much more than that . . .  The names and faces of every Cubs fan I’ve known since boyhood exploded into my mind; Cocky Lyons , my fathers barber, The Heller boys, our neighbors where I played baseball as a small boy, Ole’ Tom, who ran the town pool hall, and so many more. The Cubs, back then, were a team we could only listen to on Super Station WGN Chicago. That was over 50 years ago. But every season we listened, and prayed that someday the Cubs would be victorious. For those who follow this blog you’ve read many of my baseball ramblings as a fan of this great game. And yes, this historic game seven was a most exciting game. Last

The Harvest Moon is your gateway to fall. It is the full Moon nearest the start of fall or the autumnal equinox . If you missed it this year, Friday, September 16, 2016, the day of the Harvest Moon also brought a  Penumbral Lunar Eclipse . Wow! Can you believe summer is over, another year that has simply flown by. It’s early morning and I’m noticing sunrise creeps over the horizon later and later. Siri tells me, “Sunrise will be at 6:41 a.m. today.” The shorter days bring cooler weather. Soon we will don our jackets for a trip to the market. During the summer you could enjoy sunrise at 5:42 a.m. (for those who were up). For readers of this blog this summer marked a milestone. My 60th year. Yes, Lori had planned a outstanding birthday surprise! Breakfast at Allen's Alley, then off to Los Angles to visit the Grammy Museum. We toured a special exhibit on The Beatles. Turns out August 16, 1966 the Beatles played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles - 50 years ago to the

“Para bailar La Bamba -  Para bailar La Bamba . . .” Podcast - What the Cat Heard . . .  If you’re reading this post you may recognize the lyrics to the adaptation of the Mexican folk song, La Bamba , released October 18, 1958, by Richie Valens. I’m certain, listening to this tune played on the guitar you would quickly find yourself tapping your toe to the beat. And doing your best to sing along. Me, I’m still wondering what the cat heard? Cat lovers out there maybe you can provide some insight.   While playing the introduction to La Bamba, my cat (Junior), jumps to my shoulders, needles a little, settles in, and meows in my ear. I suppose if he could talk he would say: “Dude, how many times do you have to repeat the same segment to get it right?” No doubt, his comments might be a lot more entertaining than listening to me attempt this catchy tune on my guitar. Allow met to set the stage. Every morning I strap on my guitar, check the tuning, and begin to practice. For flexibility, fir

“We’ve planned a 50 mile wilderness hike over six days in the Sierra’s every year for the past 30 years,” said the lean stranger with a warm smiling expression and a fully loaded backpack over his shoulders. "You guys inspire me to keep climbing! May I ask, how old you are?” “Sure, I’m 78. . . ” Unbelievable , I thought to myself, pausing to reflect, at how physically demanding the past few days of climbing switchbacks, scaling boulders, squatting lakeside to filter water, and simply doing the daily chores it takes to wilderness backpack in the Eastern Sierra’s. “How in the world do they carry enough food for six days, their packs look smaller than ours? We must be doing something wrong.” I commented to my companions. My muscles were strong, breathing easy, but for some reason I had been physically exhausted this trip. I suspect it all started with a beer! It was day three of our 2016 Sierra adventure. Finally accumulated to the elevation of over 11,000