One of the blogs that I follow has disappeared. Not just quit updating but now blogger says it does not exist.
This blogger does not have an internet hookup and only blogs every few days when he can find wifi.
Could it be that he never switched to the "new blogger" and is no long allowed access to his blog? Could blogger "delete" it for not changing? Can't see any reason for him to "delete" his blog.
Anyone still using the "old blogger"?
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Dumas, Arkansas
Dumas is a small town in the southeast delta region of Arkansas. It is farm country and without cotton and soybeans, Dumas would have little reason to exist.
After the two tornadoes that passed thru Dumas yesterday, it almost does not.
My sister Vivian lives in an assisted living center there and it was heavily damaged but there was no injuries. Two of my nieces live in the area and luckily their homes were spared.
The Madbutcher grocery story was destroyed. One of my great-nieces works there but had already gone home.
When a tornado rips thru a town the most common description says it is like a "war zone". Well that is Dumas today!
So far there has been no reported deaths and the number of injuries is very low considering that such a large portion of the town has been destroyed.
My family is safe and sound but their hometown will never be the same.
After the two tornadoes that passed thru Dumas yesterday, it almost does not.
My sister Vivian lives in an assisted living center there and it was heavily damaged but there was no injuries. Two of my nieces live in the area and luckily their homes were spared.
The Madbutcher grocery story was destroyed. One of my great-nieces works there but had already gone home.
When a tornado rips thru a town the most common description says it is like a "war zone". Well that is Dumas today!
So far there has been no reported deaths and the number of injuries is very low considering that such a large portion of the town has been destroyed.
My family is safe and sound but their hometown will never be the same.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
4 weeks
Four weeks from today I will be boarding a flight for France for a visit with my son.
I would be less than disingenuous if I did not say that this trip has had me on edge for quite some time.
This time of the year the weather can be rather unpredictable and I will be flying out of Chicago.
The weather in France can also present a problem as we have our itinerary set. Not so much what we will be doing but the cities we will visit.
Doesn't matter in the big picture as my trip is about spending some quality time with my son.
I love you Zac. See you soon.
I would be less than disingenuous if I did not say that this trip has had me on edge for quite some time.
This time of the year the weather can be rather unpredictable and I will be flying out of Chicago.
The weather in France can also present a problem as we have our itinerary set. Not so much what we will be doing but the cities we will visit.
Doesn't matter in the big picture as my trip is about spending some quality time with my son.
I love you Zac. See you soon.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Doing my part
Being the "good husband" that I am. I try to uphold my end of the bargain.
p.s. I haven't looked this good in years.
p.s. I haven't looked this good in years.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Gaylord boxes
The large cardboard boxes you have seen sitting around (for instance, with watermelons in them at Wal-Mart) are called "gaylord boxes".They come in several sizes and when they are empty they can be "broken down" for easy reuse or disposal.
While delivering 16,000 pounds of 40% cream to the Fayetteville plant that makes SWANSON tv dinners, I noticed several gaylord boxes. They were about 3ft x 4ft x 3ft. That ends up a little less than 35 cu.ft. after you deduct for the corners that do not extend to a 90* angle.
Inside was 1100 pounds of "macaroni". I just never thought of macaroni weighing that much. The powder for the cheese sauce was on another pallet.
Another surprise was a box of ground black pepper. The box was about 16in x 16in x 12in. Not very large at all, but it contained 50 pounds.
I am often amazed at the things I notice about manufacturing plants I deliver to.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Switched
Well I finally changed over to the "new" blogger. Why the heck can't things just stay the same. Every time you get used to something , they change it for no apparent reason.
I know I didn't have to switch but was afraid that one day I could no longer access my blog.
Things seem pretty much the same on my end but don't know how it will affect those who check out my blog. Please leave a comment (if you can) if it seems different to you.
On another front. We still haven't heard anything on our camper. The annual rv show in Little Rock was this past weekend and I'm sure our salesman has been to busy with new customers to worry about someone that has already put a deposit on one.
I know I didn't have to switch but was afraid that one day I could no longer access my blog.
Things seem pretty much the same on my end but don't know how it will affect those who check out my blog. Please leave a comment (if you can) if it seems different to you.
On another front. We still haven't heard anything on our camper. The annual rv show in Little Rock was this past weekend and I'm sure our salesman has been to busy with new customers to worry about someone that has already put a deposit on one.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Stagecoach Inn
We drove to Russellville today to look at a truck I had seen on the internet and decided to check out " The Potts Inn".
Being Sunday, the museum was closed and I just snapped a few photos of the grounds. I think we will try to visit when it is open so we can read more about it.
This magnificent Inn most have been a welcome stop for weary passengers of the Butterfield Stage Line.
Can't you just picture people getting off the stage and dusting themselves off before entering to have a meal and retiring for the night.
This building was used by Dr. Charles Teeter for nearly the first half of the 1900's.
This was another cabin on the grounds. Without being able to visit the museum, I can't give any details about the cabin or if the doctors office has been moved the the grounds of the museum. My guess is that both building were at other locations.
This time capsule was buried on the 100th birthday of Pottsville.
Being Sunday, the museum was closed and I just snapped a few photos of the grounds. I think we will try to visit when it is open so we can read more about it.
This magnificent Inn most have been a welcome stop for weary passengers of the Butterfield Stage Line.
Can't you just picture people getting off the stage and dusting themselves off before entering to have a meal and retiring for the night.
This building was used by Dr. Charles Teeter for nearly the first half of the 1900's.
This was another cabin on the grounds. Without being able to visit the museum, I can't give any details about the cabin or if the doctors office has been moved the the grounds of the museum. My guess is that both building were at other locations.
This time capsule was buried on the 100th birthday of Pottsville.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Genes
Thru the years I have often been asked about my ability with make or repair things. I have NO special talents just a willingness to do things for myself.
My dad (born 1902) was a blacksmith and a carpenter among other things and my mom could do almost anything (yes, I'm a mama's boy).
All my siblings received that "can do" ability. Our genes has a lot to do with it , plus the fact that we simply could not pay someone to do things that we could do ourselves.
The things I do may not have the factory-made beauty but most will outlast things that are built to turn as much profit as possible.
Everyone has that inner desire to accomplish things for themselves.
Say you can't cook, make, or repair things. That is poppycock. Working with your hands is the most natural thing that one does. Fear is what holds most people back. Heck, I have messed up more things than I care to admit.
In its simplest form, my generation was defined by a womans ability to make biscuits and a mans ability to keep their old worn out car running.
Ask any man my age about his wife and he will tell you about her biscuits.
We all want our children to be more successful than we are. Lets just hope that means more than just a larger bank account. Money takes away our self-worth to some degree.
Moms spend some time in the kitchen with your children and dads do the same in the workshop. This can mean grandparents as well. I did not differentiate genders because there should be none.
My dad (born 1902) was a blacksmith and a carpenter among other things and my mom could do almost anything (yes, I'm a mama's boy).
All my siblings received that "can do" ability. Our genes has a lot to do with it , plus the fact that we simply could not pay someone to do things that we could do ourselves.
The things I do may not have the factory-made beauty but most will outlast things that are built to turn as much profit as possible.
Everyone has that inner desire to accomplish things for themselves.
Say you can't cook, make, or repair things. That is poppycock. Working with your hands is the most natural thing that one does. Fear is what holds most people back. Heck, I have messed up more things than I care to admit.
In its simplest form, my generation was defined by a womans ability to make biscuits and a mans ability to keep their old worn out car running.
Ask any man my age about his wife and he will tell you about her biscuits.
We all want our children to be more successful than we are. Lets just hope that means more than just a larger bank account. Money takes away our self-worth to some degree.
Moms spend some time in the kitchen with your children and dads do the same in the workshop. This can mean grandparents as well. I did not differentiate genders because there should be none.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Computer desk
I ordered 3 doors from the rv factory for the computer desk I plan to build. These will match the doors you see in the picture and were cheaper than buying doors locally that would not be a perfect match.
The doors came with hardware but when I opened the box, they had forgotten to include the handle escutcheons ( backing plate ). A call this morning and they are now on their way.
The desk will be taller than a normal desk as I want to place our printer in a drawer over a file cabinet drawer. That will require the desk top to be almost as tall as the counter top but I can place the keyboard and mouse on a pull out tray that will be lower. All in all I think I can make it look alright.
Can't say I am thrilled with the dealership but the factory parts department is just great .
The doors came with hardware but when I opened the box, they had forgotten to include the handle escutcheons ( backing plate ). A call this morning and they are now on their way.
The desk will be taller than a normal desk as I want to place our printer in a drawer over a file cabinet drawer. That will require the desk top to be almost as tall as the counter top but I can place the keyboard and mouse on a pull out tray that will be lower. All in all I think I can make it look alright.
Can't say I am thrilled with the dealership but the factory parts department is just great .
Monday, February 05, 2007
Slower pace
I am REALLY ready for my life to slow down a little.
The holidays makes my work schedule very unpredictable.
Add to that trying to prepare to visit my son in France. No big deal for some people but I have never been to Europe and have not been on a plane since I was in the Army in the late 60's.
Income tax time is always stressful until I know what the bottom line is going to be.
Plus it has been a struggle getting our new travel trailer ordered. Even ordering new, we had to make some last minute (and unwanted) changes. We have no idea then it will actually be delivered. It could be a couple weeks before I leave for France (unlikely), days before I leave ( just my luck) , while I'm in France ( probable) or after I return. I know the wife would like to be in it before I leave.
Waiting on the doors I ordered from the rv factory to arrive so I can build a computer desk for said camper. I plan to have it ready to install in the camper.
May need a little dirt work done on our site to level the new travel trailer. Should be alright but until I actually park it on the lot I will not know.
At least Zac is helping with the planning of the trip and my plane ticket has been bought for a while.
The holidays makes my work schedule very unpredictable.
Add to that trying to prepare to visit my son in France. No big deal for some people but I have never been to Europe and have not been on a plane since I was in the Army in the late 60's.
Income tax time is always stressful until I know what the bottom line is going to be.
Plus it has been a struggle getting our new travel trailer ordered. Even ordering new, we had to make some last minute (and unwanted) changes. We have no idea then it will actually be delivered. It could be a couple weeks before I leave for France (unlikely), days before I leave ( just my luck) , while I'm in France ( probable) or after I return. I know the wife would like to be in it before I leave.
Waiting on the doors I ordered from the rv factory to arrive so I can build a computer desk for said camper. I plan to have it ready to install in the camper.
May need a little dirt work done on our site to level the new travel trailer. Should be alright but until I actually park it on the lot I will not know.
At least Zac is helping with the planning of the trip and my plane ticket has been bought for a while.
Friday, February 02, 2007
My kind of gal
If you are not from Arkansas then you may not know that Arkansans can not survive 2 days without "milk and bread". Let the forecast call for a chance of ice or snow and you will find the grocery shelves empty of "milk and bread".
I am not joking. People that use one gallon of milk in a week will buy 2 or 3 gallons if a snow is forecast. We are not talking about a blizzard but a snow that will keep driving to a minimum."It might not be wise to drive today but tomorrow will be fine", type of snow.
Being in the milk business, things get crazy with a snow scare. We "hot shot" (a term we use for unscheduled deliveries) to all stores. I can always count on a few hot shots to Wal-Mart stores.
I had a hot shot to Malvern Wal-Mart and everyone in the receiving area was talking about the "starving without milk and bread" theory. The gal that is in charge of the back door spoke up and said, "To heck with "milk and bread", give me "pizza and beer".
I am not joking. People that use one gallon of milk in a week will buy 2 or 3 gallons if a snow is forecast. We are not talking about a blizzard but a snow that will keep driving to a minimum."It might not be wise to drive today but tomorrow will be fine", type of snow.
Being in the milk business, things get crazy with a snow scare. We "hot shot" (a term we use for unscheduled deliveries) to all stores. I can always count on a few hot shots to Wal-Mart stores.
I had a hot shot to Malvern Wal-Mart and everyone in the receiving area was talking about the "starving without milk and bread" theory. The gal that is in charge of the back door spoke up and said, "To heck with "milk and bread", give me "pizza and beer".
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Feburary book review
"STANDOFF", by Sandra Brown.This month I thought I would throw a little something different at you. I read mostly nonfiction but I do enjoy a good novel. I picked up this book just to thumb thru it and ending up reading it almost nonstop.
I will just "steal" a review as it tells the plot better than I can.
From Publishers Weekly
Workaholic Dallas TV reporter Tiel McCoy thought she would take a well-earned vacation, but while driving to a secluded condo in New Mexico, she hears a radio report that changes her plans. Teenager Sabra Dendy, only daughter of Fort Worth multimillionaire Russ Dendy, has been kidnapped. Soon Tiel learns that Sabra, who's pregnant, has run away with her boyfriend, Ronnie Davison. Smelling a story, Tiel heads for the remote town of Hera to interview Ronnie's father, thinking the couple might go there for help. But when she stops at a convenience store for directions, Tiel encounters Ronnie and Sabra bungling a hold-up attempt. As Sabra goes into labor, Ronnie takes everyone in the store hostage, and Tiel and a handsome cowboy who seems to know a lot about medicine deliver Sabra's daughter. Tiel learns that the desperate young couple are fleeing to Mexico to escape Sabra's dictatorial father, who has vowed to separate them and put their baby up for adoption. He has even threatened to kill the child, and Sabra and Ronnie have vowed to commit suicide if they are thwarted. Bestselling author Brown (The Alibi) sets up believable conflicts (Ronnie once killed a puppy, rather than return it to an abusive owner). If the dialogue and sex scenes occasionally seem stilted, this popular author's tale still hits hard and keeps moving briskly to its satisfying conclusion.
I enjoyed this book and the end is not predictable.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Changes
The RV dealer received a call from the factory today. Had to make a few necessary changes to some items that are no longer offered on the 2007 unit. Not happy about them but we just had to make other choices.
SABLE was the interior trim we had liked in the unit that I wrote about but it is no longer available. Plus the MERLOT carpet is not the same shade. We decided on BIRCH trim and tan carpet. All fabric including window trimmings and molding around the doors will be different as will as mid-wall border.
The trailer doesn't have a lot of carpet ( a plus for us) but I liked the way the nice MERLOT carpet livened it up.
The sofa has been redesigned. The one shown has cushions made on the arms that fold over when you make it into a bed. The new style has arms and throw cushions. The BIRCH sofa will have a slight yellowish tint we are not thrilled with. The other color choices were not to our liking.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Long Day
For several years my Saturday morning run took me thru the back roads loading a truck and then up to Pangburn . I received inspiration for a few stories, my favorite being about the amputee motorcyclist.
A few months back, that run was changed as the load became to large to be put on one trailer. So we now deliver a trailer to two different places. The truck I used to load now gets a trailer but for scheduling it has to be delivered the night before. Since I couldn't be two places at one time, I was switched to running the Monticello and Hamburg run (also producing a couple of posts).
The man that was on Monticello/Hamburg has wanted the run back. Things were worked around and starting last Saturday, he has his old run back and I am doing the Pangburn run again as well as being "on call" for 4 hours.
Yesterday while down at Texarkana, my boss calls and asked if I could do BOTH runs today because the other driver has the flue. Being the team player (yea, right ) I am, I said sure.
14 hours and 398 mile later, I finally made it home. Sure is nice to be loved.
A few months back, that run was changed as the load became to large to be put on one trailer. So we now deliver a trailer to two different places. The truck I used to load now gets a trailer but for scheduling it has to be delivered the night before. Since I couldn't be two places at one time, I was switched to running the Monticello and Hamburg run (also producing a couple of posts).
The man that was on Monticello/Hamburg has wanted the run back. Things were worked around and starting last Saturday, he has his old run back and I am doing the Pangburn run again as well as being "on call" for 4 hours.
Yesterday while down at Texarkana, my boss calls and asked if I could do BOTH runs today because the other driver has the flue. Being the team player (yea, right ) I am, I said sure.
14 hours and 398 mile later, I finally made it home. Sure is nice to be loved.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Redbird
If you have followed my blog or read my profile, then you know we live in an older motorhome. For about 7 years we have been fulltiming ( a term used for people who live all the time in a rv as opposed to just camping now and then) in a 32 ft. Itasca.
Since the hood and driving compartment takes up over 7 feet, the actual living part of it is about 25 feet long and about 8 feet wide. Small enough the wife can manage it and large enough to be comfortable with just two of us.
It has served us well and has more than paid for itself in actual cash savings, but I have been on the lookout for something newer and a little larger. I wanted a trailer trailer this time as I think it better suits our needs.
We could not buy a fifth wheel because the wife has bad knees and did not need to climb the steps on the inside of a fifth wheel several times a day.
We needed a shower with a short step over.
Lots of cabinets
More closet space
Didn't want the tv 20 feet from us
We wanted slideouts to add living space
Did not want the commode in a room the size of a closet
I prefer a rear bedroom
Affordable but above an entry level rv ( the quality of our Itasca has spoiled us)
I prefer to buy locally if possible
We started the search and really only found one unit that came close to fitting our criteria. It is not perfect but close.
That unit being a 32FKR Cardinal by Forrest River
Our local dealer had the model we were looking for on their lot. It is optioned nicely but did not have a few of the things I felt were deal breakers for us.
It was built in March of 2006. A few of its options are now standard equipment but with a higher list price to cover those options.
We fell in love with the colors and decided that it was the one for us after we added the options we needed.
Here is how that unit is equipped:
Sable interior color
Merlot color carpet
10gal, gas electric DSI water heater
16" tires on Aluminum wheels
Pillow top mattress
Euro leather recliner & ottoman
Dinette and 4 chairs
Marbelized shower and bath sink
Center awning support
Slideout awnings
15F btu A/C with solar panel
Roof ladder
Fantastic fan with rain sensor
Coffee maker
Outside shower
Slideout oak facia
Electric front jack
12V battery disconnect
Satellite prep
Shock absorbers
Auroa china toilet
5.1 stereo with dvd
carbon monoxide detector
water purifier
The dealer offered us a very good deal on this unit but it was not what we needed. A couple of the small options we could live without but since I knew the price of this one, I told him I wanted one just like it except with my added options.
Thermopane windows
2nd A/C
Micro/convection with the already full stove
Wood plank flooring ( we added this at the last minute)
It is now on order. Build time about 8 weeks or a little longer. As the old saying goes, "everything but the kitchen sink", but this time even that is included, and to answer the wifes question, " a maid will not be included".
The pictures are of the unit in stock and the only real difference you will notice is it does not have the wood plank flooring and the graphics are not the same.
Since the hood and driving compartment takes up over 7 feet, the actual living part of it is about 25 feet long and about 8 feet wide. Small enough the wife can manage it and large enough to be comfortable with just two of us.
It has served us well and has more than paid for itself in actual cash savings, but I have been on the lookout for something newer and a little larger. I wanted a trailer trailer this time as I think it better suits our needs.
We could not buy a fifth wheel because the wife has bad knees and did not need to climb the steps on the inside of a fifth wheel several times a day.
We needed a shower with a short step over.
Lots of cabinets
More closet space
Didn't want the tv 20 feet from us
We wanted slideouts to add living space
Did not want the commode in a room the size of a closet
I prefer a rear bedroom
Affordable but above an entry level rv ( the quality of our Itasca has spoiled us)
I prefer to buy locally if possible
We started the search and really only found one unit that came close to fitting our criteria. It is not perfect but close.
That unit being a 32FKR Cardinal by Forrest River
Our local dealer had the model we were looking for on their lot. It is optioned nicely but did not have a few of the things I felt were deal breakers for us.
It was built in March of 2006. A few of its options are now standard equipment but with a higher list price to cover those options.
We fell in love with the colors and decided that it was the one for us after we added the options we needed.
Here is how that unit is equipped:
Sable interior color
Merlot color carpet
10gal, gas electric DSI water heater
16" tires on Aluminum wheels
Pillow top mattress
Euro leather recliner & ottoman
Dinette and 4 chairs
Marbelized shower and bath sink
Center awning support
Slideout awnings
15F btu A/C with solar panel
Roof ladder
Fantastic fan with rain sensor
Coffee maker
Outside shower
Slideout oak facia
Electric front jack
12V battery disconnect
Satellite prep
Shock absorbers
Auroa china toilet
5.1 stereo with dvd
carbon monoxide detector
water purifier
The dealer offered us a very good deal on this unit but it was not what we needed. A couple of the small options we could live without but since I knew the price of this one, I told him I wanted one just like it except with my added options.
Thermopane windows
2nd A/C
Micro/convection with the already full stove
Wood plank flooring ( we added this at the last minute)
It is now on order. Build time about 8 weeks or a little longer. As the old saying goes, "everything but the kitchen sink", but this time even that is included, and to answer the wifes question, " a maid will not be included".
The pictures are of the unit in stock and the only real difference you will notice is it does not have the wood plank flooring and the graphics are not the same.
Kitchen
The front kitchen has a nice array of cabinets with a window over the sink.
Along the front wall is the stove, micro/convection, and lots more cabinets.
This shot show the large counter work area.
Living room
The living room slide contains the sleeper sofa, dinette, refrig (to the right of dinette), and overhead cabinets.
One area I am not thrilled with is the tv area. Probably have to build something to enclose the sides of tv.
I plan to build a computer desk to sit in front of the lower part of this window and use the leather chair as its chair. The ottoman can be used when watching tv or over at the couch.
Bathroom
This shot from the bedroom shows the layout of the bathroom.
The marbelized shower has a low step over.
Nice bathroom cabinet over the sink.
Bedroom
The king size bed ( I would have preferred a queen) is in the slide out with storage under it.
The dresser has 4 nice size drawers and a cabinet overhead with more storage and a place for a tv.
Across the rear is a very large closet.
All this and for a price less than a new SUV.
Well, what do you think? Feel free to post your comments.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Female President?
First off, this is really not a political post. It is not about Hillary but about a woman for president. If we are ever going to have a female president then a viable woman has to break the "political ice".
Now I "will" tell you why I think a woman would make a good president. By and large, I think women are more compassionate than men. It is just encoded in their DNA.
Health care for every individual is long overdue. Maybe some day when we elect a women president and have enough females in the senate and house, it might happen. If we can't have a female president, then the next best thing would be have enough women to get things done without the president.
Nancy Pelosi is just such a "political icebreaker". Maybe it starts here.
Would I actually vote for a female president? I vote for the candidate that
think will best lead our country.
We all want what is best for our country. We just have different issues and ways we think will best accomplish that goal.
At the end of the day, we must all work together for a better America.
Now I "will" tell you why I think a woman would make a good president. By and large, I think women are more compassionate than men. It is just encoded in their DNA.
Health care for every individual is long overdue. Maybe some day when we elect a women president and have enough females in the senate and house, it might happen. If we can't have a female president, then the next best thing would be have enough women to get things done without the president.
Nancy Pelosi is just such a "political icebreaker". Maybe it starts here.
Would I actually vote for a female president? I vote for the candidate that
think will best lead our country.
We all want what is best for our country. We just have different issues and ways we think will best accomplish that goal.
At the end of the day, we must all work together for a better America.
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