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My thoughts released; a mind set free |
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These pages contain my thoughts, from meandering ideas and persuasions to deep cerebrations and serious mentations. Why, for what purpose? To release my mind and set creativity free. Somewhere inside the constraints of my mind dwells a writer, a poet, an artist who paints with words. In here I release those constraints and set the artist free. Perhaps, lost somewhere in the depths of thought, is a story or a poem, waiting to be written. 
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| No, I don't think it's a ghost of Christmas past, present, or future; I'm sure it's not a ghost of any type. Last fall, after we had parked it for the winter, we had a situation with the mobile tent (pop-up camper) where someone had turned on the furnace, used up all the bottle gas, and run the battery dead. But, after discovering this, we finished winterizing it, closed it down, and locked it up. A few weeks later I discovered that someone had been in the HiLo camper I've been working on. There is not gas in the HiLo, and it had been winterized, so nothing other than the lights would have worked, but things had been moved around and one of the chairs that was stowed behind the table was in front of the table. No problem, I locked that up for the winter as well. At the time, I thought it was likely just some local kids screwing around. We live out in the country, but there are a lot of houses around us, some with various aged children. But, a week ago I went to take the Yukon into town and discovered the battery was dead. The seat had also been moved, but I thought my wife had adjusted it when she used it a couple days before. I jump started it and it seems to be fine now, and just because someone had been messing in the campers, I parked it in the garage where it's locked up. However, the car is still parked outside, and we have never had a reason to lock vehicles up. I thought about it after the Yukon, but told myself, "Stop being so paranoid, nobody is messing with the vehicles." Any way, we got a few inches of snow so I went out to clean up around the car. I decided to move it so I could shovel the snow and discovered that the door on the side away from the house wasn't shut tight. It had snowed in a bit, but nothing too serious. I also noticed, because of the door not being shut, the dome light was on. The battery was low but not dead, and thankfully the car started right up. Oh, and the seat was reclined about halfway back. I used the car yesterday to drive into town. Just me, so no one used the passenger side door and I know it wasn't open when I drove into town or home. I also would have noticed that the seat was reclined because I had set my packages on that seat. Last night, around midnight, Bellah, my wife's dog, started barking when we heard a car door shut. We looked around, but didn't see anyone in our driveway so we thought it must be next door. Now, looking back, I realize it was our car door being shut after someone had gotten inside. Now, everything is locked up and hopefully the problem is solved. In a nearby town (six miles north) there has been some problems with items stolen out of vehicles and transients seeking shelter in anyplace they can gain access. The local police did arrest one person, a transient, who had taken up refuge in someones car and pulled a knife on them when they surprised them the next morning. I notified the sheriffs office of our situation and was told to lock and secure all doors, windows, and vehicles, and to be cautious if anyone is messing around. |
| I've mentioned before how difficult it is to try and plan anything out without it getting interrupted and Monday and Tuesday verified it again. A lot of the times it's just me interrupted while trying to do some writing or work on a project. Being introverted, this messes me all up and gets to be very frustrating. Also, being introverted, it's difficult for me to talk to anyone about it, but I have tried and it seems to only make the interruptions worse. I do vent to my wife about it, but until the last two days, I don't think she really comprehended how bad it's gotten. She works rotating days at work as well as every other weekend, so Monday and Tuesday were her weekend. She had worked a double shift on Sunday and was beat and needing some quiet, restful time on Monday. Our plan was to do a lot of nothing much for the day letting her relax and do whatever she felt like while I took care of cooking. But, shortly after getting up, her mom called and got her worked up over some family drama. Shortly after she got off the phone and tried again to relax and take it easy, her sister called about the same family drama. She was trying to work on my Christmas present, something she's sewing for me, but after the two interruptions, she didn't feel like trying to get back into it, so I suggested we take a break and drive over to the state park we live by and just get away from everything. It was a nice day and she agreed, it would be relaxing to take the dogs to the park and get away from everything for a while. But, before we got out the door, the neighbor came over to visit. Not wanting to be rude, she let him in. I was getting a few things ready to bring along with us, and told him he had just caught us as we were heading out the door. He asked where, and I explained. He sat down and said, "I know just what you mean, sometimes you have to just take off to get away from people." But he didn't know what we meant because he proceeded to tell us about everything going on with him. During the conversation and a few cups of coffee, we mentioned a few times that we wanted to get going before it got too late. He claimed to understand and mentioned a few times that he should get going as well, but in the end, it was almost dusk by the time he left. I had given up on getting to the park, so I decided to start getting things ready to make dinner. Maybe if I was busy he would take a hint and go back home. He did, eventually, but by the time he departed most of the day was wasted, dinner was late, and it seemed the day was wasted. While we ate dinner, we discussed plans for Tuesday. We needed to pick up a few groceries and some meat from the butcher/locker plant, but my wife also wanted to take some time to work on her sewing project. I offered to do the shopping while she worked on her project and watched the dogs, but in the end she wanted to shop together. The plan was, get an early start so we could get the shopping done, return home and have the rest of the day for her to work on her project. Tuesday morning we relaxed with some coffee, then double checked our shopping list and by nine we were off to do our shopping. It was another nice day and we enjoyed the drive into town. The dogs were with watching out the windows at all the sites and it seemed like it would be a great day. We had driven to a town about forty-five minutes away because the grocery store there has better prices and more variety, and there's also a Walmart there and there are a few things they have that we needed to replenish. The shopping went fine and soon we were headed back towards our local town where we shop for meat at the local locker store; they carry locally raised beef and their prices are generally lower than the grocery stores Yep, it was turning out to be a great day. We had the shopping done except for the meat and would be home shortly after noon. We had already decided to get a chuck roll (it's the entire chuck of a beef) and butcher it ourselves because it's so much cheaper than if they cut it up. I was going to do the cutting while she worked on her sewing project. But, about five minutes out from the meat store, her nephew called. She explained we were heading to the locker plant, then home with groceries and the chuck to butcher out. She talked for a while and after she hung up informed me that his clutch was acting up and he wanted to know if one of us could follow him to the garage and then take him back to the trucking company he works for. We talked it over, and since he was having vehicle problems she decided that she would follow him over to the town his cousin has a garage in so he could drop off his pickup for repairs and then take him back to the town he drives out off so he could get his truck (he's a truck driver). We got to the locker plant and completed our shopping, but he hadn't showed up yet. It was her understanding that he was also at the locker, but it turns out he was still at the trucking company when he called. She told him to meet us at home so we could get our groceries unloaded and he showed up shortly after us. Once the vehicle was unloaded, she followed him over to the garage, about a half hour drive from here, then from there she took him over to where he works, an hour drive, then filled up with gas and returned home, another forty-five minutes. I put groceries away and waited for her to text me when she was ready to drive home; I had ribs ready to go in the oven for supper, but didn't want to start them too early. After I got her text I put the ribs in the oven to slow roast, got potatoes peeled, and a vegetable ready. But, I didn't want to start everything until she got home so it would be fresh and hot. In the end, we had a very good dinner of barbecued ribs, boiled potatoes, and stir-fried fresh green beans with a bit of bacon thrown in, but it was also another late dinner and another day she didn't get to relax or do what she wanted. After dinner we relaxed with a brandy and talked for a bit. She was a bit frustrated because she hadn't gotten to do much of anything she had planned. I agreed and told her I understood exactly how she felt. I also pointed out that she has the upcoming weekend off and could take the time to work on her project then; no plans, nothing to do, just relax like we had intended for this two day break. But, any day now her nephew will be calling needing a ride to go get his pickup. He's back on the road for now, but it's unsure when he will be back or when his truck will be ready. Also, there family drama is building as Christmas gets nearer and her family members are doing their best to draw her into it. As we talked over coffee this morning she told me that she was finally starting to understand why I get so frustrated when I want to spend time alone doing my thing and can't. Especially when you explain it to these people and they nod and say they understand, but then demand even more attention and time. I had told her before, but mentioned again that it seems the only way to write for me is to have someplace to go that nobody knows about and to turn the phones off. She smiled and asked, can I bring my sewing machine and come with? |
| It's been about five days and Norbert showed up again. Norbert is the muse that showed up to replace Halo; Norbert Horace Wankenspanker that is. I didn't ask him to show up, he was just at the door one day after getting fired from his previous job. He told me all about it, with the idea that I could write it out as a story. I declined since it was kind of gross and not the kind of story I prefer to write. It seems Norbert worked for a guy who pumps septic tanks, and in the cold snap we had the discharge valve froze shut and Norbert could not empty the sewage from the tank. He went into great detail, I'll give him that, detail enough that I lost my appetite, but I will spare all of you. In summary, he got his boss to help him free the frozen valve, but Norbert had forgotten to depressurize the tank, and as his boss knelt in front of the valve heating it with a torch, the valve opened, under pressure, and blasted the poor guy with the contents of the truck. I can understand why he was upset. To add to his misery, Norbert confessed that he thought it was the funniest thing ever and couldn't stop laughing. Well, up until his boss fired him. He, Norbert that is, was a bit upset that I wouldn't write it all out in gory detail for a story, but I explained that I write fiction and was hoping to write fantasy or something similar. Norb, as he prefers to be addressed, thought for a bit and then smiled and told me he had a fantasy I could write. Excited, I got myself set up to write a story. Yes, I was excited to be writing something again. Norb sat on the edge of the desk and started sharing a tale that involved three hookers, some acid, and an assortment of kitchen utensils! Yes, it was sexual in context. Well, it was more like unadulterated porn than anything, but Norb was really getting into the story. I felt bad when I stopped him and explained that I didn't want to write porn, I wanted to write a fantasy. He started turning red and his breathing made me think of a bull about to charge. Standing in front of me now, hands on his hips he yelled, "It is a fantasy, it's my fantasy!" Before I could say anything he turned and stomped towards the door, then turned again with a look in his eyes that made me fear he was going to charge me. "You wanted a muse to help you write and now you tell me you don't want to write about my story or my fantasy? I see why Halo quit, well so do I!" I never did get a chance to speak, he stormed off, packed up and out the door he went. So here I sit museless and wondering where I'll find inspiration. Maybe Santa will bring me a muse for Christmas... |
| Not completely out of juice, but pretty damn close. You may be asking, "What kind of juice?" Or something similar to this, so let me explain. Today I needed to drive into town and refill some water bottles; our water is not the best for taste and especially not the best for making coffee, so we use three gallon water bottles that we refill when needed. Normally, this isn't a problem, I put the empty bottles in the back of the vehicle, start it up, and then drive into a nearby town and refill them. But today wasn't normal. For starts, it's been cold here, bitter cold. The temperature has not risen above zero degrees Fahrenheit all week which means the vehicles are cold, stiff, and harder to start. But, they always start right up and seldom do we have to plug them and use the engine heater. Today, however, I should have plugged it in and pre-warmed the engine. I put the bottles in the back and got in and turned the key, but instead of a cold engine starting reluctantly, all I got was a low groan from the engine compartment; the battery was dead. Well, not completely dead, but low enough that it would not turn the engine over and start. Luckily, I have an old battery charger. My mother-in-law had an old Napa battery charger like they used to use in garages and shops. It has multiple settings, including a 250 watt jump start function. I put the charger on and it indicated that the battery was almost drained, so I let it charge for a bit, then switched it over to the jump start setting and tried to start the Yukon again. It started right up and I was able to complete my drive and return home without any further problems. I, of course, did not shut the vehicle off until I was back home, for fear of it not starting again. Tomorrow I'll see if it will start without assistance and put it in the garage and see if the battery is in need of replacing. I hope not, money is tight to say the least and I can't really afford to replace the battery right now. |
| The title, I think says it all. All of what you may ask, or then again, maybe you wouldn't ask. No matter, because I'm going to tell you anyway. It started some time back, but not long long ago, and it was right here, not in some distant galaxy... This is confusing, but that's what I get for listening to Norbert. Who's Norbert? That's what I'm trying to tell you. Oh fudge, let's just start over.. I've been wanting to write something for some time now, but I seem to have lost my inspiration and motivation. Halo, my muse, used to jump in with ideas as well as assistance whenever I needed it. But then she started to take off for longer and longer periods of time, and even when she was around, she didn't seem motivated to help out. So, I had a long talk with her and gave her a choice to either start musing or move on. Well, Halo made a hand signal that involves one finger and took off to join the circus. So, I've been looking for a new muse and today one showed up. I wasn't expecting anyone but there came a knock upon my parlor door and when I opened it up there was Norbert. Norbert stepped in as soon as I started opening the door, literally pushing me aside as he forced his way into my home, and then yanking the door out of my hands and slamming it shut behind him. "What the..." I didn't get a chance to finish. Norbert grasp my hand and started pumping it up and down, "I'm glad to meet you. I heard you was lookin for a muse, and I'm here to fill the position." "Uhm, I..." Again I didn't get a chance to finish before Norbert cut me off. "Norbert Horace Wankenspanker the third, at yer service, sir." "Oh, uhm. Norace was it?" "No, it's Norbert Horace Wankenspanker, the third." He was talking very slow. "I see you aint to quick with things, probably why you need a muse." he added. Then, still talking very slow, he added. "I'm here to help you with your writing, you know, to be your new muse." "Okay, Norbert, I understand and you don't need to talk so slow. My new muse you say. Have you aver mused before? What are your qualifications?" "Oh, I never been no muse before, but I did other things. In fact, just recently I worked for a guy that pumps out septic tanks. But I'm sure I can be a muse, it's got to be easier than putting up with all the crap from my last job. Just give me a chance and you'll see." Norbert turned and went back outside, but withing a minute he returned with an old battered suitcase and asked, "Where's my room? I want to get my things unpacked and then go soak in a hot tub, it's below zero out side and I had to walk. I'm froze!" "Norbert, before you get settled in, I have some questions for you and I have yet to determine if you are qualified to be my new muse." "Don't you worry none about that stuff. I'll get settled in and tomorrow I'll tell you some more about me. But for now I just want to soak in a hot tub, then get a bite to eat and settle into my room for the night." So, I got Norbert settled in and will learn more about him tomorrow. I don't know if Norbert will be my new muse or not, I guess only time will tell. |
| Last night my wife and I spent the evening making merry. Now there's a term not used very often in this day and age. I could say we went to a gay party, but nowadays that would be misunderstood by by the masses as something far different than the party we attended. I should just say that my wife's place of employment held their annual holiday party last night. We attended and had an enjoyable evening. It was a Los Vegas themed party with live music and a lot of card tables. They hired a group to set up the tables and provide dealers. Upon entering the party, we were greeted, offered champagne, and provided with a one hundred dollar bill. Not a real bill, but the type used in movies, so it looked real but was not legal tender and was redeemable for chips to use at the card games. There was also plenty of food available and free refills on the champagne as well as free tap beer, and red and white wine. As we had started out drinking champagne, we continued with that beverage until the supply ran out. Not wanting to mix drinks, I switched over to white wine for a time, but that also ran out and I refilled my glass with red wine. It seemed the majority of the crowd was drinking beer, so I was surprised when the red wine also ran out and I had to switch to tap beer. I know what your thinking, "He's going to end up getting sick." Well, having been around the block a time or two, I also was aware of the risks of switching beverages. Also, I wasn't out to get sloshed. So, I sipped my drinks slowly and made them last. I also drank water between switching beverages, and maintained a condition of feeling well and moderate sobriety. Both my wife and I decided to play Black Jack and purchased chips from a table that wasn't very busy. The young lady dealing was pleasant enough, but she was new to her job and new to Black Jack. Even so, she did well and we stayed at her table throughout the evening. At the end of the evening, chips were cashed in and the four highest winners picked cards (high/low) for a hundred dollar gift certificate good at most local businesses. I pooled my remaining chips with my wife's which qualified her as a finalists. She picked her card and won the certificate! |
| I mentioned a short time ago that I need to get back to writing but have been struggling for inspiration. In times past, I could look at various prompts and Halo, my muse, would provide some suggestions. If, while writing, I got stuck or mired down, Halo would again step up with some inspiration. But, she has been letting me down for quite some time now. Hell, most of the time I don't even know where she is. Growing tired of her shenanigans, I told her, "Halo, you have till Thanksgiving to get back to work." "And if I don't?" She sneered. "If you don't, you're done and I'll find a new muse." Well, Thanksgiving arrived but still nothing from Halo. In fact, she left me a note saying she was tired of musing and quit. She wrote that she was going to find a circus to join. Where does that leave me? The same place I've been for some time now; nothing has changed except that Halo will be in a circus with her clowning around instead of here. One thing that has changed is I need to find a new muse to provide me inspiration, motivation, and enlightenment; yes I am a musing... |
| We had the mobile tent (pop-up camper) opened up to clean it, winterize it, and get it ready to store for the winter. After my wife cleaned it out, it was left set up so we could run antifreeze through the water system, but since I didn't have any on hand, it had to wait for a few days. I picked up a few gallons of RV antifreeze and waited until my wife had a few days off to assist me with running it through the system, and when we went out to do this, discovered the battery was dead. I hooked up the battery charger and as soon as it was charging, the lights came on as well as the water pump. We were sure everything was turned off, but it's always possible we forgot to shut stuff down. After winterizing the water system, I turned off the lights, the water pump, and the main power switch, but left it set up while I charged the battery. I was using a low amp setting on the charger so it would take a few days to bring the battery back up, so I left it parked in front of the garage until I could make room to store the LP gas bottles and battery for the winter. After a few days passed, I went out to close it up and park it beside the garage. I knew one bottle of LP gas was about empty, but the second bottle was filled before our last camping trip just in case we needed it. We didn't, so I was going to move it over to the HiLo camper to run the furnace in it while I worked on it. But, when I went out to the pop-up, the lights were on, the furnace was running, and the bottle of gas was empty! I also noticed that someone had taken the couch cushions from their storage space and put them back on the couch, as well as cushions for one of the benches, and the table was set up instead of down for storage. Someone had been staying inside the camper! Who? I have no idea. If we lived in a larger town I would say vagrants, but we are out in the country and don't have this problem. If it was kids they would have likely left a mess inside. I checked with the neighbors on each side of us, but nobody noticed anything. The pop-up is now closed down, locked and parked beside the garage for the winter. Problem solved, right? Last night, or actually around one o'clock this morning, Bellah woke me up grumbling at something. I dismissed it at first, but she continued to act like she had heard something. So, I got out of bed and looked out through the windows but didn't see anything. I was just about to go back to bed when I heard something as well. I quickly slipped some sweat pants and a jacket on, grabbed the flashlight and went out the back door. Before I could get around the corner of the house, I heard the door on the HiLo slam! I hustled around the corner but there was nobody in sight. However, there was a light on inside the HiLo. I went inside the camper and found it empty, but someone had been inside and turned the light on. I know, because my wife would have seen the light on when she got home from work earlier that evening. That is also locked up now, as are the vehicles. I'm also thinking of getting a security camera installed. |
| On Saturday one of my stepdaughters and her family came over for an early Thanksgiving dinner together because they live four hours away and usually spend Thanksgiving with other relatives. Also, in our neck of the woods, and their neck of the prairie as well, winter weather can make travel difficult, so we wanted to get together before winter weather hits. It was a fun day, but a bit tiring since we are not used to young children, especially children as full of energy as our twin grandaughters. But, they listen well, are very well behaved, and the weather did provide them some time outside to run and play with the dogs. In fact, they taught Bellah, our Austrailian Shepard how to play volleyball. They would hit the ball back and forth and Bellah would try to get it, but soon she figured out how to jump up and hit it with her nose back to them. |
| Here it is, November already. So far the weather has been kind to us, not too cold yet, and no snow. Further south, in southern Minnesota, it has snowed already, but here it's only been a bit of rain. I haven't been doing much outside, even though there is a lot that could be done. I haven't been working on the HiLo camper despite it still being nice enough to get more done. I kind of ran out of motivation. Why? It's the time of year. Even though the weather is pretty nice for this late in the year, it could change anytime. I do most of my sawing and such in the garage, but it's not insulated or heated, so if it's too cold, it's hard on the machinery; it's also unpleasant to work with freezing fingers. I do know that I could likely get some done, but I don't want to be in the middle of something and then not be able to finish it. Will I get motivated to do more if the weather remains nice, like it did last winter? There are some smaller projects I could work on, and with the furnace going in the HiLo, it's nice inside. I may just talk myself into it. But then again, I may just wait until spring to get back at it. For now, I'm undecided. deny |
| It's just dog-gone confusing sometimes and leaves me wondering what goes through their heads. Tonight I made Finnish Toast (French Toast made with Finnish Cardamon bread) for my dinner. Of course, the entire time I was making it, Max and Bellah were right under my feet waiting and hoping I'd drop something. We don't have a five-second rule, but instead it's the "if it hits the floor it's mine" rule (unless it's something that they can't eat, like a raisin. After I was done cooking, both of these knuckleheads sat and made puppy dog eyes at me while drooling and licking their chops. But another rule we have is they must wait until after we finish eating. With a stern, but loving tone I address them, "Hey you know the rules." They give one last, pleading and desperate glance with even bigger puppy dog eyes and then lay right on my feet to wait. After I finished eating I butter them each a slice and pour a little maple syrup on it, then cut it up into bite size pieces, then set their plates down for them. They sniff the food but don't eat. Instead they sit down and look at me with questioning eyes. Of course they love Finnish Toast as well as French Toast, especially with a bit of maple syrup on it. But usually my wife makes it. I'm feeling a bit insulted over the fact that they scarf hers down and won't eat mine. I coax them a bit, they sniff again, but won't eat. I pick up their plates, switch them and give them the others and they lick the plates clean, no hesitation what ever. Is there any difference? Absolutely none, except that it's the other dogs food. |
| I still have a great deal to do on my camper (HiLo) project and the weather is still great for working on it. Some days it's a warm, but mostly it's fifties or sixties, nice weather to work in. Besides, I have it sealed up pretty well and the furnace works great. So why am I not out there working on it? The answer is simply motivation, or the lack there of. That's the same answer for not doing a lot of things I should be getting done before it gets colder. Where has my motivation gone? How do I get it back? It seems to stem from having so much going on, so many interruptions, and so much disruption through the summer. It seems I've burnt out and am now struggling to get my mojo back. Perhaps it's fear that's robbing me of the will to take on these tasks. Not the fear of failing, but the fear that if I start something I'll be interrupted or disrupted shortly after I start. That has always been a problem for me; I tend to be the type that goes all out on my projects and despise having anything or anyone stop me from reaching the end of the task. Once I get going on something I want to see it through, but if something forces me to stop, it's hell to get back into it. I know I need to overcome this lack of motivation and consistent procrastination; maybe tomorrow. |
| Yesterday was a beautiful day at Maplewood State Park. It was sunny, with just a few wispy clouds decorating the pale blue sky. The temperature was in the mid-seventies with a nice gentle breeze. The ground was littered with colorful leaves, and many of the trees still displayed their vibrant autumn colors. It was my wife's birthday yesterday and my gift was a day spent driving and hiking through the park. Max, my Husky, turned two years old on Sunday, so it was also a birthday gift for him. After a wonderful, relaxing day we returned home for a relaxing dinner. I had put a chicken in the slow cooker, so dinner was ready when we got home. I know, a day in the park doesn't sound like much of a gift, but she loves the fall colors and spending time outdoors. It also kept her from working around the house, which she would have done since yesterday was her only day off until Friday. I took quite a few pictures to share:     |
| What season is it? Here in our part of Minnesota, we should be seeing the first onslaughts of winter or at least the freezing temperatures of late fall. But this year it's been warmer. I did winterize the campers already, and we have had two nights with hard frost, but other than that, it's been rather temperate and nice. Windy, but relatively nice with temperatures warm enough not to even need a sweatshirt during the day; like today being in the lower seventies. The downside is that the bugs are terrible as the temperature climbs, and they try to find food and shelter before the snow and cold arrive. Also, it's been very windy most days, and since we are in a dry period, it's always dusty outside. We had a pleasant spring, a very wet summer, and now a very dry fall. Today it's pretty calm out, sunny, and already seventy-five degrees out. So, since my beloved is off work today, we are taking the two dogs out to Maplewood State Park to enjoy the fall colors (many trees have already lost their leaves because of the wind, but we should still get to see a lot of colors). It's also her birthday, so after we return, I'll fix her a nice dinner, topping it off with cake and ice cream, and then a relaxing evening, possibly even a fire if she wants to sit out. This means I'll likely not be online much for the rest of the day, but I'll be back for a bit tomorrow. The title? Oh year, "Don't Fall" simply because it should be fall but the weather isn't going there, at least not yet. So, we had summer, then fall, and now we are in a short, but pleasant, don't fall. Hopefully, it will last well into what should be winter, or even till spring -- I wouldn't mind at all. |
| Yes, another entry. Why? First, I need to take a break from catching up in the Newsfeed, my email, and all that I have missed while I was absent. Secondly, I want to share a few things with you. Actually, I was pondering a few other things I missed during my time away. For instance, the twenty- fourth birthday bash. This makes me sad because it's a rather big deal. I do appreciate all of you, the site, and especially all that the The StoryMaster   and The StoryMistress  do for us.I also missed my own anniversary, which is a big deal. I want to thank all of you for your c-Notes, badges, wonderful messages, and everything else. It was very heartwarming to log back in and find so much from so many. Of course, I also missed interacting with everyone and many of the activities you've hosted. I was a bit upset when I discovered that Andre The Blog Monkey's Banana Bar was no longer open, although I understood why. I hope that one day Andre and his side-kick Brother Nature  will return.But, my absence was needed, I had a lot of things going on that demanded a great deal of my time, and I also had a great many distractions and problems that needed to get worked out. I had to step back and find my path, so to speak, so that I can get back to writing again. Writing is, and always has been a big part of who I am, but somewhere along the past few years, that part of me became lost. Somewhere I lost my muse, Halo, and with her a big part of who I am and I needed to reflect, make some changes, and find my way back. I am happy to say I've made progress and I'm once again on the right path. Here is a video that very much fits: |
| The title, yes fact or fiction, it fits the item because I was there and I still don't know if it's real or make-believe. I do know it's a rather long tale, perhaps enough for a book someday. But today is not that day, so here is a summary of what happened, or what may have happened; only the otters know for certain. It was just the other day; no not that day, the other one. Well, to me it was just the other day, here it was the other month! Anyway, it was a cool evening, drizzly and dark, when I noticed a deep blue light in the backyard. I stepped out to investigate and noticed it was shining down through the cloud cover, much like a giant blue flashlight. Because of the clouds, I couldn't see where it was emitting from so I stepped into the light. If you ever hear a voice that says, "Step into the light," don't do it! Anyway, I did and a tingly sensation swept over my entire body. One second I was standing in the yard among the fall leaves, the next me and the leaves began floating up into the light. As I drew closer I caught a glimpse of what looked like a giant, metallic fish. One of the rather large scales on the fish's belly was open and the light was coming from inside. The next thing I know, I'm inside the metallic fish, in a storage hold filled with autumn leaves! I tried to find an exit but was knocked over when the fish began ti rise vertically at a rather rapid speed. I think I passed out. When I woke, I was in a room with bright white lights and this big otter, standing on two legs, was looking down at me. I tried to sit up, but I was strapped down to the examination table and could not move. "Please relax. We mean you know harm." he turned and spoke to another otter standing off to the side, "Dare we release him?" I think the other otter nodded, I didn't hear anything. Then the one standing over me told me, "I'll release you if you give me your word you won't try to harm us, and will stay calm." I nodded and he, or maybe she, it's difficult to tell with six foot tall otters, unhooked the restraints so I could sit up. "Where am I? What's going on?" I had so many questions. "It's difficult to explain, but you are on a spacecraft and traveling through space to our home world." I let out a gasp. "You're aliens?" "Yes and no. We are otters, and we originally came from Earth. But the fur trappers where killing so many of our kind we feared we would become extinct, so some of us more advanced otters built a spacecraft and left in search of a safer planet. We return about once a decade in Earth years to make sure our species is still surviving." He, or she, was quiet for a few minutes while this all settled into my bewildered mind. "We also stop by to harvest." I was about to freak out! "You harvest humans? Are you going to dissect me? Do strange experiments on me?" "No, not humans, we harvest dead leaves. We have discovered a way to use in the process of converting lithium to dilithium crystal which we use foe fuel and energy needs both on this craft and on our home world. Our world is covered in water and has no trees." I let out a sigh of relief at hearing this. He, or she, went on, "I cannot tell you more, and you shouldn't even know about us. But, Allen is still an apprentice and messed up, the damage is done. We are returning you to your home and will be soon. But, there is a problem. Even though you have only been here for a couple of days, the time lapse on Earth will have been longer. I have to go back to the control module now, but Allen will stay here with until it's time to put you back." He, or she, and the other otter left. Shortly after another younger otter came in. "Sorry. I didn't mean to bring you aboard with the leaves, I wasn't watching as I should have, I was playing a game on my phone." I nodded, "It's okay, we all make mistakes, especially when we are still learning." Allen smiled, "When you get back, people are going to want to know what happened to you. I suggest you tell them the truth even though they won't believe you. For Otterkind, honesty is the biggest pillar of our existence. Therefore, we won't ask you to lie for us, and besides, by the look how you people drive, it's going to be a long, long time before you ever make it to our world." Allen and I talked the rest of the trip back, but he wouldn't provide many answers to my questions; I suppose he couldn't. He did offer me a fish, but I declined since it was still alive. After, he escorted me to a platform shaped like a circle with a spiral design upon it. He moved a series of levers on a console and the spiral began to glow blue and spin. The next thing I knew I was descending down from the clouded sky in a beam of blue light and then I passed out. I woke in my backyard, on the ground with my Husky Max licking my face. That's my story, believe it or not. As for me, I hope one day to visit again with Allen the alien otter... |
| Yesterday I bought an older (1996) HiLo fifth wheel camper that is in need of a lot of work. Why? Because the price was right. Do I have anything I can haul a 5th wheel trailer? No. But, they included a 5th wheel hitch and on Tuesday the 9th I will have it installed on my pickup. How much did all of this cost me? I got the camper and 5th wheel hitch for $300.00, and the installation is going to cost about 200.00. or so it's estimated. I haven't checked out everything in the camper, since I don't have any LP gas right now, but the three-way refrigerator works on AC and 12 volts, the air conditioner works, the lift system works (there is a problem with it however). Everything so far works and I'll put in a bottle of gas soon and see if the water heater works as well as the stove, fridge, and furnace. I forgot to take before pictures when I started working today, but I did remember and took some shortly after. The back of the camper sustained some water damage because the previous owner left the windows open. The added weight cause the back of the camper to sag about three inches lower and that is the problem with the lift system. It caused it to bind up and won't come down. I used a hi-lift jack to raise it up to where it should be at and then blocked it up. Because of the water soaked wood, there's some swelling on both back corners, the door could barely be forced open, and the section behind the door has pulled away from the supports. In short, I will likely need to rebuild the section behind the door and possibly the back wall. But, the paneling inside the camper doesn't show any water damage, so I'm hoping the frame is still solid. Now that the top is aligned, the door works fine, there are no soft spots on the floor, and it looks like most of the damage is confined to the section of wall between the door and the back. Oh, and the storage box on the back needs to be rebuilt. It seems most of the water ran down the wall and into the storage box. After aligning the top today I set into the task of cleaning it out. I hauled five kitchen garbage bags of junk out of the camper and then vacuumed the floors, cupboards, and storage areas. What a mess! But not as bad as I anticipated. The person who purchased it second hand used it for one season and then parked it in the yard and let the kids use it for a play house that fall. They left the windows open and the water damage started. It sat like that for two years. I looked for any signs of frozen and busted water lines, but they look intact and it seems it was at least winterized before it sat for two years. In fact, it looks pretty good despite they lack of attention. I likely won't start working on the damage until next week, after we return from hauling a couple of rabbit hutches to our granddaughter. But I'll post about my progress and maybe add a few of the before pictures. The plan right now is to fix the back section so it will raise and lower again before putting time and money into anything else. Until that's done, there isn't much reason to work on anything else. But, once I can raise and lower the top, I'll work on getting it ready to uses. Then, I'll start remodeling the inside a little at a time. |
| Our third camping trip was to a campground we have never visited even though it's only a couple hours away. This was our annual camping trip with my wife's cousin and his wife who we will call Dick and Jane. It was at Glacial Lakes State Park, and it was over the weekend so it was pretty full, but it was quiet. We had adjoining sites with Dick and Jane and enjoyed some warm weather for this camping trip, so no furnace required. Everything went nicely this time around, and what rain we did get was at night. No bad storms but a bit of lightning, thunder, and some light rain made for terrific sleeping. Since we have the two dogs, it's difficult for my wife and I to kayak at the same time, so she went out with Dick and Jane while I took the dogs for nice hike. Later that afternoon I went out kayaking with Dick and did a bit of fishing. I caught a nice large mouth bass, I'd guess about four or five pounds. The next day we all four went hiking with the dogs. We took the trail that went around the lake, about two and a half miles of hills, prairie, and trees. Surprisingly, the bugs weren't very bad and it was an enjoyable hike. We stopped by the swimming area and let the dogs enjoy the water before returning back to camp. We spent the evenings around the fire, cooked over the fire, and dined together. The only down side to this camping outing was I forgot my phone at home so I didn't get any pictures. It was an enjoyable camping trip, but it's not the same as when just my wife and I go camping. I suppose being introverted makes it different as well as when we go with Dick and Jane, they tend to plan out the days. It's always our option to join in or do our own thing, but since we are camping together, we try and join in. The latest camping adventure was lose to home and just the two of us, well and the dogs. I was particularly looking forward to this camp out, but things started going wonky the day before we headed out. My wife was called in to work leaving me to try and get everything packed and organized. Of course, she usually does this so a few things were forgotten. We started out on Sunday, got set up, and enjoyed a nice afternoon. But our only neighbors showed up by dinnertime and the noise started. I couldn't believe how loud they were. After dinner, we sat out by the fire, but their kids were riding bike and would stop right beside us, ring their annoying bike bells, get the dogs worked up, and then ride back, only to repeat this over and over. I finally raised my voice a little and got the point across to quit stopping right there and to lay off the damn bell! Monday they packed up and left, making a lot of noise in the process. My wife got called into work again, so she left shortly after noon. She worked till after midnight, so she just returned home after her shift and came out to the campsite on Tuesday. I was anticipating a very quiet evening with just the two dogs, planning on being lazy around the fire. But, it was very warm our, very humid, and the bugs were terrible. Also, another couple moved into the campsite next to ours. It was an older couple, so I thought at first it would be quiet and peaceful once they got set up. But, they had a couple of little dogs that barked anytime anyone drove past, walked by, and whenever they seen me or the dogs. They also liked to walk past our campsite whenever they needed water (they hauled it in a one gallon watering can so they needed water quite often, despite having a holding tank on their camper), used the vault toilet, or walked their dogs. I should also add, there was a nice trail that sent from their site to the water and toilet that was a shorter distance. Oh, and they didn't walk on the road, they would walk in the grass right next to our mobile tent! On Tuesday, a church group arrived and set up a half dozen tents, but they were pretty quiet most of the afternoon. Or at least anytime we were around. But by eight that night they decided to play soccer and the yelling and noise lasted until after ten. We had thought that camping during the week would mean less people around, but it was very busy the entire time we camped. The lake was bustling with boats, people were hanging around the lakes fishing and swimming. It was hot and humid, and we tried a few times to take the dogs to the lake, but it seemed like wherever we went, someone would show up and spoil the plan. It was like the majority of the people there were rude, intrusive, and went out of their way to encroach upon us. It wasn't a bad camping experience, but it wasn't as peaceful and enjoyable as I had hoped. I was looking forward to some serious quiet and down time after the busy spring we've had. I suppose I'm also a bit over sensitive towards people since it's also been a spring filled with people, interruptions, and demands for my time. Being introverted, I need alone time to refresh, recharge, and rejuvenate myself, and this spring it just hasn't been possible. Next month, we are going to spend four days on a road trip, possibly heading across the painted desert of North Dakota and over to Devil's Tower. It's undecided yet on our destination and if we are going to bring the mobile tent or not. |
| It's almost July and my last entry was back in March. It's been that kind of busy and hectic! Despite this, we have already managed four camping adventures this spring, returning from the latest on June26. The first one was early spring still dropping down to freezing at night. We had an electric site, so we brought along electric heaters to safe on LP fuel. The furnace worked great the first night. I had just gone through it and installed a new blower, so this was a great test. But, we camp in a mobile tent (pop-up camper) and they do not hold heat. Thankfully we had the electric heater as well and between the furnace and electric, it was comfortable. We arrived Friday afternoon and with it being cold and windy, didn't even start a fire. Saturday we had our granddaughter's birthday and didn't get back until late afternoon. It was a sunny afternoon, but windy and chilly. That didn't stop the party north of us, they had music blasting and were yelling over it until about two in the morning. The next day started out the same. The campers across from us woke us early when they started their loud pickup, and the rest of the day was noisy from a church group camped a few sites down from us. But, by late afternoon just about everyone had left the campground and we had our last night camping nice and quiet. it was another chilly evening and cold night, but it just made the fire more enjoyable. Luckily it only dropped to about forty degrees overnight because the furnace quit working. (I believe it was because of the high winds that night blowing straight into the furnace vent.) Our second camp was local and included an online friend of my wife whom we had never met. It all sounded good when we set out, but it soon became another flop of a camping trip. However, the first day was great. We got set up and started a fire to cook over, talked around it until it got too chilly, then went into the camper. With three adults and two dogs, it was a bit crowded, but comfortable. This time, we had no electric hook-up, so we relied on our battery for all power. I brought a second, just in case we needed it, which we did. The first night the furnace did great, and instead of an electric heater, we aided it with a small propane heater. The next morning we woke to rain, thunder, and wind. Being a mobile tent, the wind made it more difficult to hold the heat, so the furnace was running a lot. By early afternoon, it quit; it just wouldn't light. I knew we were low on fuel in the first tank, so I switched them out, but the furnace still wouldn't light. Everything else was working great, but no furnace. I took the cover off to look for any loose connections and jiggled the wires around a bit. Note to self, and I know this; always cut the power before reaching into an electrical component. The back of my right ring finger came into contact with the igniter, and wow, what a rush! No serious injury, luckily, but it left my hand tingling for a few hours. To make a long story shorter, it was a gloomy, rainy day, and I couldn't see well, so I turned on the overhead light. It barely glowed, the battery was almost dead! I switched out the battery and the furnace worked great. Since it rained and stormed all day and late into the night, we stayed inside and played cards and talked. We woke to sunshine the next morning but the day started out rough. The friend who came with, I'll call her Jill, was up super early and went out to enjoy the morning. No problem except in a mobile tent, when one person is up, everyone is awake. I wouldn't have minded, but she let the dogs out without their collars or leashes on! I flew out of bed and rushed out before they could run off chasing something. I confronted her about it, but since I had just woke and hadn't had any coffee, I was a bit gruff about it. I did apologize and explain things a little later, but the damage was done and her feelings were hurt. Also, she hadn't ever gone camping before and didn't want to hike or kayak, and wasn't seeming to enjoy the adventure, so we packed up that afternoon and returned home instead of staying for the next day. That brings us to number three, but I don't want this to get too long, so I'll pick up there in the next entry. |
| An old house and a sealed room — is there a story there? I grew up in an old house, a big two and a half story, stuccoed structure built around 1890. I don't remember the exact date, but it's recorded in the towns history. Originally, it was both a residence and a hospital. The doctor and his family lived in the main part of the house, but there was also a hospital ward that served the miners when required. The doctors brother also resided in the house, but he was terminally ill with TB and was quarantined from the rest of the house. Off of the doctors bedroom was a small entryway that led to a staircase down to the laundry/kitchen area on the ground floor and to a rather fancy room on the east side of the house that was a self contained living quarters with many windows where the infectious brother resided until the end.The room had a large built in closet, dresser, and booth like table as well as a second small closet which housed a wash basin and chamber pot.There was a small door, about two foot square, that opened into the upstairs bathroom and latched from the bathroom side. It was used to empty and clean the chamber pot, as well as the wash basin. I should mention, the brothers room also locked with a skeleton key that hung outside the door as well as with a small dead-bolt on the outside to insure the resident not leave the room and infect others. There are stories about this time-frame, some documented, some not, but most of my history of the house came from an elderly woman who lived next door. I was in my early teens and she was in her late 80's at the time. Her house had been built about 1902 and she was born and raised next to our house and had many memories. There is much yet to be said but not now. Perhaps if there is a story (it would be fiction as it's based on both fact and rumor. Of course, to make the story even more interesting, I would likely add to it with my wonderful imagination. But for now, the true base I would work with. The house served the miners in the area, and we know the mine were unsafe and there were terrible accidents. Because of this, there were some deaths within the hospital part of the house, as well as the brother who also died, locked in his room with only occasional visits from his brother. This resulted in the stories of the house being haunted but did not explain that when my family moved in, the doorway to the brother's room was nailed shut, from the outside! Of course, in time my dad opened the door and we got a look inside. The room was exactly the same as it had been, except there was no one in the single bed, no clothing or personal items, just the room, pulled blinds, and stripped bed. Oh, and decades of dust. The people we had bought the house from provided some answers. Being a small town, about 1200 people, it wasn't difficult to keep in touch. Harry told me the door was nailed shut when he purchased the house from the second owner who had informed him that the door was sealed when he purchased the house from the doctor. He had also been stern that the door should never be opened! Harry had lived in this town his entire life and knew some of the rumors, so he had no ambitions to open the sealed room. Even after my dad had opened it, I was still preteen at the time, he never used the room except to store some junk in. He also ensured the door was always locked and dead-bolted and kept the key in his dresser. Us kids were forbidden to ever go near the room! I had seen the room when he opened it up, I was with him, but that was shortly before the room was locked up again. My mother told me years later that it wasn't until after the door had been opened that the weird things started happening in the house; she didn't believe in ghosts, but she did agree that something haunted our home. Nothing bad ever happened, but doors would open or close, we would hear footsteps at night, and items would disappear only to be found in the strangest places with no explanations. In time my parents sold the house and we all moved on. Years later, I was showing my kids where I lived and grew up. I showed them where I went to school, and where I lived. The house was still much the same, but the brother's room on the east side of the house had been removed! Curious I went to the door and knocked. A middle-aged, pleasant woman answered. I explained I had lived there and was showing my kids where I grew up. I mentioned the east room being removed and asked why. She looked shocked. "You lived here? Then you know why! It was unclean!" She literally slammed the door in my face. That's it for now. I had recently had a dream of the old house and the "unclean" room, and wanted to write a bit about it in my blog. Perhaps there is a good story that can develop from this. I don't know too many people who grew up in a haunted house, and with my imagination, I'm sure I could add some good yarn to the truth. |
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I think I'd have to call a septic cleaner to flush out my brain after meeting Norb... I'd send you my muse, but I need it (?) more than you do right now. Best wishes for getting a good one!
