A Healthy Opinion

Small Business Grants

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:48:00 +0000

Have you ever thought back to some of the advice that you were given by your parents and realized that they knew what they were talking about? My parents owned a dairy farm that they worked very hard to pay for. They never made enough money to pay their bills from the farm alone so they also worked full time jobs away from the farm. I could not understand where they got the passion and energy to devote to this endeavor. My parents would always tell me that anything that you dreamed about was

Capital Gains Tax

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:36:00 +0000

There are so many things to keep track of when it comes to personal finances. Through the years I have done our personal taxes because we have a rather simple income base, but it is difficult to keep up with all the different tax laws. Having the tax programs on the computer is extremely helpful. If it had not been for the computer program that I installed this year we most likely would have had a penalty. My brother and sister in law had a penalty and they went through a tax preparation

Bad Credit Personal Loans

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:16:00 +0000

So there you are, your job has been iffy, you've missed a couple of bills, and your credit has been becoming fast friends with the bottom of the barrel. Your needs, nevertheless, seem to have not got the memo. If you think about it, you think you need an extra $5000 over the coming months. How exactly are you going to get that? Well, even if you do have bad credit, personal loans still are within the realm of the possible.

The first thing you want to do is to order a free copy of

Buying a Super Big Screen Television

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:57:00 +0000

Whoever said money can't buy happiness has probably never seen a 65-inch plasma HDTV. There's something about a behemoth of the television sitting in your living room or (even better) your bedroom. Life just seems to be life-size with a big-screen television.

The surprising thing is, owning a huge TV isn't as expensive as it used to be. If you've ever bought an HDTV before and even if it was a 22-incher, you just have to practically apply the same rules. You need to think about the

5 Easy Ways to Lift the Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:53:00 +0000

Luckily for me there have always been that curiosity of what ís out there in the alternative world including the alternative therapies. I've tried many of them over the years and will continue to do so, all in the hope I can make things better for my body, mind and spirit.

Iím aware that what may work for me may not work for someone else, so the message is to keep trying until you find something that will suit your needs.

Many times I’ve been told they have tried

Does it make Financial Sense Canceling Credit Cards?

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:49:00 +0000

When the Times Square bomber was caught boarding a plane to the Middle East, the first thing that the newspapers wanted to know was, whether he paid for his ticket with cash. Who on earth would want to pay with cash, the newspapers wanted to know, and be left with less buyer’s protection and with no way to claim reimbursement at the office? Apparently, if you don't use a credit card for something, you're as good as a terrorist. Financial institutions all over the country seem to agree with

Should you get Credit Card Debt Consolidation Help?

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:48:00 +0000

It happens to just about anyone these days no matter how regular a life they live. They think they're managing their finances just fine until one day, they realize that they have $20,000 in credit card debt and no way to make even the minimum payments. When things get rather out of hand, your credit card company will usually schedule for you a free debt counseling session where they give all your options to you. Let's talk about one of the more popular areas of advice they offer you on credit

Push-Up Workouts That Can Ready Us For Serious Workouts

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:19:00 +0000

Being able to do push-ups is never about strength, really; children are usually able to go great guns at them, and they hardly have any discernible muscles. The ability to do push-ups, instead, is about general fitness, about flexibility. And with a little practice, people who aren't really blessed with these qualities at the moment can bring their bodies around to figuring it out too - people who are thickset, skinny, obese, or anything in between - just anyone, with a little

Common Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:22:00 +0000

Among the most beneficial, yet little used complimentary or alternative medicines are anti-inflammatory herbs. The most common such herbs are ginger and turmeric. Fortunately, these two are not the only ones. In fact, a person suffering from inflammatory health conditions can access numerous such herbs regardless of where he or she is located. Among the lesser know, but potent anti-inflammatory herbs is Guggul, which is available either from herbalists in powder form, or in its raw forms either

Female Body Building

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:20:00 +0000

If you are trying to lose weight, you may have toyed with the idea of female bodybuilding. You should know that if you want to lose inches, bodybuilding is indeed something that you should look into, even though you may have fears about what is going to happen. For the most part, you are not going to look like the Hulk once you are done, and you will wonder why you didn’t start working out like this earlier in your life.

The more you work out with weights, the more muscles you will have on

Learning Muscle Groups Using Word Association and Movement

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:18:00 +0000

Remember when asked which muscles were sore after a workout or sporting challenge, you just pointed at the area and said, "it hurts here"! Naming the muscles that were aching simply slipped our minds. We learned these areas back in health class or maybe human anatomy, but years have slithered by like a run away mudslide sweeping valuable knowledge into oblivion.

Let me show you a simple way to relearn the basic muscle groups and spread this knowledge with your friends and family. You

The Passing of Common Sense

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:48:00 +0000

I read this a while back, and immediately thought about using the article in my Blog. In my healthy opinion, after seeing the following events take place, no wonder we older ones sometimes think the Country is going to Hell-in-a-Hand basket! As I move along in years, I must admit I've become much more cynical. I fight this movement, but according to my family, I have attained warp speed. Oh well, enjoy this post.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain, Why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies, don't spend more than you can earn and adults, not children, are in charge.

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned, but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home, and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son Reason. His four stepbrothers survive him: I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame and I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on, if not, just do nothing.

All My Life Get-To-Gather Of Friends And Classmates

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:23:00 +0000

Iowa Park Hawks Homecoming Parade

Class of '63 and '64 Float

From Left to Right: Andy Crawford, Bill Shelton, Dennis Mitchell, Ronnie Berry, Head Shot is Carson Crume, Robin Crawford, David Brown, Head Shot is Dwight Cathey, Donna Childers, Standing is Mike Berry

From Left to Right: Chip Brown, David Brown, Dwight Cathey, Ronnie Berry, Carson Crume, Dennis Mitchell, Mike Berry

In the bed of the trailer Left to Right: Andy Crawford, Robin Crawford

My son Chip and I travelled the long trail to Iowa Park, Texas this past week, to attend a gathering of classmates, whom I have known basically all my life. We held our get-to-gather at the Mitchell Ranch, South-West of Iowa Park. Dennis Mitchell, the owner of the ranch and classmate, was our awesome host.

We laughed at stories from the old days as well as ate mightily of shrimp and fish. Denny's recipe for the preparing and cooking of our meal is his self-developed, taste bud exploding, and life altering own. I promise, you have never eaten shrimp or fish as delicious anywhere, as good as Denny's! My Son Chip, will back me up on this statement!

On Friday afternoon, we formed for the Home Coming Parade, of which we were next to last in line. Our classes were 1963 and 1964. We used Mike Berry's (classmate) pick-up to pull a flat-bed trailer. Hay was arraigned on the trailer to sit upon, while signs were attached to the sides. Crepe paper of green and white hung from the side rails as well as the mirrors of the pick-up. Chip drove while Dwight Cathey, (classmate) rode shot-gun.

The flat-bed trailer hauled myself, and classmates: Carson Crume, Robin Crawford, Ronnie Berry, Bill Shelton, Robin Crawford, and Donna Childers. Mike Berry and Denny Mitchell walked along side the trailer. We pitched candy and beads to all the people lined up along the parade route. There were a whole bunch of people at this years parade, surprising us all.

Mike Berry, being a very creative man, loaded up his extremely large sound system and used a generator to produce power for our music. We entertained the people with early '60's rock and roll music, which thrilled the crowd! We were the STARS OF THE PARADE! They could hear us coming and going. What a blast! Chip and I had to return home after the parade, but we were thrilled to have been a part of the celebration. In my healthy opinion, a good time was had by all.

Thanks to all of my dear classmates and beloved friends for such a wonderful experience, and we look forward to next years fun!
Dave

A Remarkable Woman Named Gabrielle Chanel

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:08:00 +0000

In my healthy opinion, a very remarkable woman named Gabrielle Chanel was born in France in 1883. She would become famous with her nickname, an icon of the fashion world and one of the most influential women of the 20th century. Coco Chanel revolutionized haute couture and is still revered today. Her beginnings were humble and she was taught to sew by nuns at the orphanage where she was placed.

The budding designer’s first foray into fashion came when she started to design hats. This led to the opening of her millinery shop in 1910. The career advancement of Coco Chanel was rapid and she opened her first couture house five years later. Women have a lot for which to be thankful to Chanel. Not only did she provide an early example of a woman being successful in business, she also was responsible for getting rid of the corset! She sealed a reputation for designing clothes that were simply elegant and stylish but also comfortable.

Early successes in her range swept through high society, eventually filtering down to the woman in the street. Celebrities and aristocracy flocked to buy her creations, including the famous Coco Chanel suit. She also made the little black dress, as it came to be known, an indispensable item in every woman’s wardrobe. Remarkably, she held the position of Chief Designer for the label until her death in 1971.

Coco’s range was not limited to clothes. Coco Chanel expanded into other lucrative enterprises from an early stage. The world famous Chanel no.5 perfume was launched in 1921 and costume jewelry followed three years later. Men would have to wait for their first eau de toilette until 1981 when Antaeus came on the market. Today, the product range includes clothes, accessories, watches, sunglasses and jewelry. The fashion line includes ready to wear. The company is still a big player on the world stage and is successfully led by German designer, Karl Lagerfeld.

The icon has been portrayed on the Broadway stage and on screen. Katherine Hepburn played her in the 1970 musical production of Coco with words and music by Andre Previn and Alan Jay Lerner. A film called, Coco Before Chanel stars French actress Audrey Tatou. It tells the intriguing story of her life before she achieved fame.

Coco Chanel, despite an all-consuming career also managed to have a very complicated love life. Her enduring legacy however, is the classic designs she brought to women’s fashion.

A Grandpa's Very Real Concern

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 17:22:00 +0000

As many of you know, Texas, my State, has established a new test for our precious kiddos to demonstrate their knowledge. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) program beginning in spring 2012. The STAAR program at grades 3–8 will assess the same grades and subjects as are assessed on TAKS. For high school, general subject-area TAKS tests will be replaced with twelve STAAR end-of-course (EOC) assessments.

Now, I need to remind you, Texans and other interested out-of-state citizens, that our leaders are scrapping the old TAKS test and are paying millions to construct another program and test! In a time when evidently we are hurting for money, we are spending an enormous amount of money to develop another "better way" for our children. Really?

I have been under the impression that the controlling Republican forces are dead set against wasting our money. I thought they wanted to follow a "conservative approach" to spending, but obviously, the money is there to completely revamp the State tests! The money the test-preparing companies will make is offensive.

Education has been good to my family and me. I am concerned about the ulterior motive our State legislators have for our future. I fear for our children's health! I can imagine a time in the future when our children just "shut down" from being tested and experience a mind-numbing trance and brain lock-down to where they just revolt and run from the schools shouting, "We've had enough!"

With my precious grandchildren, Lilly, in kindergarten, Cole in seventh grade, and Coby in second grade, I am positively against them being some of the children doing the running and shouting for relief!

Now, let me tell you "the relief" our State offers to prevent such a situation.

Our State Legislators really are pushing for private schools for everyone. Just think, if we as parents get fed up with all the requirements of the public schools, we can send our children to a private school. These schools do not require the STAAR test! That is correct, no test required! If you select this method, you will fork over lots of dough(dollars) for the tuition. The state saves the money that would normally go to the public schools: thus, allowing them to divert the money into other pet programs they favor. The only students that will remain in the public schools are the special needs children and middle-class families who cannot afford private school tuition. In my healthy opinion, cultural and economic diversity in public schools would be a thing of the past. Segregation would be back in more than one form!

Okay, I have expressed my healthy opinion. If you think I am "way-off-base" just wait, you have been warned!

Dave

Go Cole

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:01:00 +0000

I have had a busy summer from postponing my knee replacement to my stepson having a hip replacement. Susan and I did not get a lot of rest and relaxation. Susan is now back in school doing her Principal thing, and I am assisting her and following my hobbies.

Last night we went to see Cole, our Grandson play his first 7th grade football game. He is playing guard and he did really well. Cole loves to play, and we like to watch his progress.

We had our own cheering squad with Susan and I along with Heggie his Mother. Coby, Cole's brother was there along with Chad the Dad, and Chip, the uncle and his girl friend Raven. Go Bobcats!
Cole's team won so we were all happy.

In my healthy opinion, we are going to have a great season.
Dave

Right To Masturbate At The Office

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 30 May 2011 07:03:00 +0000

In my healthy opinion, I thought I had heard almost everything in my life. Was I wrong! I read an article about a lady that had won her court battle in Brazil, to masturbate. Immediately every joke I have ever heard about masturbation flew through my brain like a tornado from North Texas. I though we all had a right to masturbate in privacy, but as I read on the place she won her right to masturbate was at work. Yes, she now can masturbate at work any time she wishes! Can we all say huh?

You see, Anna Bezzera suffers from a chemical imbalance which triggers severe anxiety and hyper-sexuality. She is an accountant and she began to have problems at work which led to her problem. Of coarse the only way she can relieve this stress is by masturbating.

Get ready for the next part of the Court's decision. Anna now is allowed to watch porn on her own computer and masturbate at the office. The article did not say if she went to the restroom or just sat at her desk. Talk about perks! Do you think this might be a distraction for other employees? Unfortunately, I assume the others don't get to join in the merriment!

Anna, before the doctor prescribed what was called a "cocktail" was masturbating up to 47 times per day. Whew! Since she has begun taking the cocktail, she has managed to slow down her rate of masturbation to only18 times a day. I don't know if that's really making progress?

Okay, in my healthy opinion, I believe I know what those employees are thinking! They are asking themselves how are they planning on benefiting from her delima! Can you imagine the stares she has to deal with from all the men?
Dave

Pit Bulls Kill Again

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Sun, 15 May 2011 16:09:00 +0000

In my healthy opinion, today I'm going to step on some toes, might lose friends, or hurt some feelings. Fortunately, I do have the Constitution on my side concerning free speech so here I go with my relating.

As most know, I am a dog lover with three of my own friends living in my house, sharing my food, and sometimes sleeping next to my over weight body. These friends don't give a shit whether I smell or am in a bad mood. They are true to me through and through. Some people say that they are only "in it" for the food. I don't care, I still love them like you love a child.

About a week ago, I became sick after reading an article from a newspaper in New Mexico. The article caused flooding in my brain from past memories of a jury of which I was a member, in the city of Longview, Texas. The trial was of a man who was accused of owning about five Pit Bull dogs that had latterly eaten a boy of five alive. The boy was a fighter and lived for a few days before passing.

As the attorney passed his little shoes down the row of jurors, and I took them in my hands, I remember getting a sick feeling in my stomach. There was not a half inch on the shoes that did not have fang marks! Of coarse, his cloths were next to be passed around with the dried blood stains, and torn parts drawing my attention as if I was under some macabre trance. All I could think of was his screaming and fighting for his little life. Tears came to my eyes, and I kept my head down so no one would see my reactions.

We the jurors were told by an animal psychologist of how when dogs are attacking their prey, the dogs will work themselves into a feeding frenzy. This frenzy is identical to a shark attack. The boy did not have a chance to survive. He suffered, as we humans sometimes say, "a horrible death".

These terrific memories of mine resulted from an article in a Santa Fe, New Mexico paper written by Alex Dobuzinskis. The paper related how a lady in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, was mauled to death by four Pit Bulls who had escaped from their yard. The yard was fenced, but the dogs had gotten loose and were prowling the neighborhood. The lady whose name was Margaret Salcedo was just walking down the street when the dogs attacked. Help arrived, but it was to late. All her limbs were mauled and she passed away in the hospital. After reading this, I wanted to puke! This breed of dogs, who were in a fenced area, but got out, had killed again. They are killers and they did it again!

Alright, I know all the lovers of the Pit breed will say that if these dogs are trained properly and raised with love, will be well adjusted and not aggressive, and after all people are killed only when these dogs are in packs, which is not always the case. These Pit lovers will say they are great with the family and they haven't ever seen any bad behavior. I say to this statement, great, but it is only a matter of time. They are aggressive dogs who are bred to kill, of which they are unbelievably efficient. I have seen the results of their proficiency. If you can have a dog for an assassin, this breed, I believe are perfect for the job.

I really plead with you, from a man who has seen the complete results of their killing perfection, to consider changing your choice of dogs. I have heard and understand all the justifications of owning this breed, but how much is one's live worth? Oh yeah, remember, if a person is not killed, the mauling can scar someone for life.

Testing Finished and Inter-Galactic

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:29:00 +0000

For now the Texas Test of Essential Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) is finished, and with this finish all the tension of students, parents, teachers, and administrators is released until next time. Susan, my wife who is an elementary principal, is certainly relieved and is looking forward to this weekend to relax. Have you asked yourself why grown women and men of our State Legislature would be in favor of placing small children in such a pressurized position with these tests? In my healthy opinion, this pressure is not right for children so young, and they are being treated as if they were adults. I have always heard you should follow the money if you want to get to the bottom of a situation. Could it be the money lining of pockets that keeps us well stocked in pickle sucking tests?

With this post I would like to thank and brag about Kristie Jordan, the Counselor at Curtis Elementary in the Beaumont ISD. Kristie, is the best I have been around in an Elementary environment. Her calmness certainly brings a settling effect upon the campus. Kristie, Susan and I love you and place you upon the highest pedestal. Our lives have been blessed and enriched from being part of your life. I call her the Inter-Galactic Counselor because of her prized value. Thanks IG.
David

Rain

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 09:05:00 +0000

At 03:06 A. M. the rain finally began to fall quenching our parched earth. Finally! Hallalleuya! Southeast Texas has been under a prolonged drought for many months and we desperately desired and needed the moisture. In my healthy opinion, the rain is the answer to many prayers and some rain dances.

I know bunches watched Dancing With The Stars last night, as did Susan and I, and want to know the answer to one major question. Where did they find and then resurrect the group Hanson? We thought they were long dead and buried, but there they were “MMMBopping” their collective hearts out in front of millions! The producers must have hired Jonah Hex to find and then lay hands upon the lads…talk about rising from the ashes!

In a few hours, Susan and I have to draw our bodies from the bed and go administer our TAKS test to not so eager students. This State mandated test, in my healthy opinion, sucks big green cucumbers! Oh how I deplore this test!

Time to end for now, so I will go and watch the rain fall upon our great land, and dream of the “Green, Green Grass of Home”.

Dave

Garrison Keillor's Aunts Favorite Song

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:33:00 +0000

The last 20 minutes of Garrison Keillor lecture was an emotional story of his Aunt's faith. Keillor's lecture was filled with story's of his fictional Lake Wobegon and of his past experience, but his final thoughts were of his Aunt and her favorite song. The song was, When I Survey The Wondrous Cross.

If you are one to darken the door of a church, you certainly understand, and have heard an invitation extended to anyone whom is in need of the warm wrappings of fellow believers arms, their prayers, and their love. This invitation is also a mighty call to follow Jesus. When Keillor begin to sing, his phrases were expressed slowly and softly which made for a heart wrenching pull of emotion which wet the eyes. Garrison Keillor sang the best invitation to our Lord and Savior I have ever heard or even witnessed.

He is one of the best authors and observers of the current and last century. If you do not know of Garrison Keillor, I suggest you research this fine man, and read his awesome books. Let me finish with the next line. "On which the Prince of glory died". Amen!

Word To When I Survey The Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts 1707.
Charles Wesley reportedly said he would have given up all the other hymns he had written to have written this beautiful tribute to our Lord.

Here are the words Issac Watt penned,

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

The Fires At Night Are Big And Bright

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:25:00 +0000

I am awake now for three hours, and my head hurts, I have tweeted several times, and wild fires are devouring my Texas. Get this, only 2 of 254 counties are not burning! If anyone would like to come to Texas and fight wild fires, I am sure you are needed. In my healthy opinion, this is the worst of a long time. Our State song now reads like this, "The fires at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas".

The County I live in is named Hardin, and has a fire devouring trees in large gulps, and we need rain quickly. Yes, I did say trees! In Eastern Texas we have lots of timber, with a great logging industry.

If you are adept at doing rain dances, or praying we need you on your feet or knees which ever one fits. As James Brown once squealed, "Please, please, please". Really, we are in hurt locker, and need help.

I know most want a good firm govt tit to suck upon, before inventing or developing some live changing apparatus, but as my Mother, Blanche Brown use to say, "Well good grief". I know you geniuses could develop something to assist in extinguishing fires right now and in a hurry. Please do it!

Maybe as some want us to do, we could count on President Obama. I'm not sure about this, because I don't know if he knows where Texas is located, or if he even gives a care. We probably need to promise him re-election money then he would be on Air Force One telling the pilot to go to Texas, where ever that is! Until help arrives in some large fashion, we will just burn baby burn!
Dave

The Awesome Honey Badger

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:07:00 +0000

Okay, here is the video that I really enjoyed. It is about the Honey Badger, and its tenacity. In my healthy opinion, this animal is tough and definitely committed! Enjoy this enlightening and funny show.
Dave

Ole Stomp Drag

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:43:00 +0000

My left knee has finally given out, so just call me ole stomp drag! This sucks big sour green pickles. My other knee has been replaced, so at least all I have to look forward to is one knee job. In my healthy opinion, the summer will be much more fun since I will be walking without pain. Yea!

I am doing the "tighten up" with my website. All the time writing and developing this site has been fun. I was mentored by Norm Garrow, who is one of the best design people in the world. I feel lucky and honored to have been "under his wing". Thanks mucho Norm. My new website is named Give Novelty Gifts, and the address is http://www.givenoveltygifts.com. Please go and try out my website.

Now that you are up to date with my current life, let me go and moan awhile, and see if any pity will be given by my three dogs.
Dave

Planting Fruit Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 14:11:00 +0000

Yesterday, was an overcast high humidity day here in Southeast Texas. The temperature was around 80 degrees with the wind blowing about 10 to 20 mph. I am relating this back ground so everyone can understand the weariness level we achieved. Yes, weariness! Okay, Susan and I worked our until our gluteus maximus's were dragging! Digging holes and planting trees was our labor, and we had plenty of the digging and planting.

Not a long time ago, we bought an earth augur to assist us in developing our orchard. The augur requires two people to control, with bunches of lifting required to dig properly, and plenty of pulls of the chord to start the damn thing. Susan and I now have the starting down, as Mark Twain said, "to a feather edge".

Naturally after digging the holes with the augur, we had to widen them and clean out the rest of the earth using the ole shovel. I have often heard of the shovel referred to as an idiot stick...and in my healthy opinion I can see why! We finished prepping the holes, and launched into the planting stage.

We planted peach and plum, and moved a cherry tree to a better location. Of course we took a few breaks, and discussed future plantings, but if you are planting trees, you better stay the course and work. I moan and groan about my knees and back, but Susan just keeps going. I think she probably is a machine, because she literally never stops working. Those who know her and have been around her can certainly verify the previous statement. If you doubt me, just ask the teachers and staff who work for her!

Finally the digging and planting was finished, and we retired to the showers and our trusty chairs for an evening of, oh shit I'm tired, please rub my feet, and does your eyes burn? By the way, the answers to the complaints were yes, and we struggled up from our chairs and went to bed. It was a wonderful day!
Dave