FEATURED Morning Pops!

[GrammaJan]

Looks like you're wanting a double to me.

Ahhh... If only, but I know I can't.

 

[CouchCoach]

Ahhh... If only, but I know I can't.

I borrow ahead for extra drinks. If I had that days allotment, I simply have another and that's tomorrow's libation. I do not think this will end up even...….unless I live to be 174.

 

[Xelda]

Early afternoon Pops and friends. Here's hoping cousin Leon's surgery went well. You're in our thoughts, cuz! Street lost his pants and Corso cut them to capri length. If he'd wanted to, he could have left you with hot pants, so be grateful for what fabric you have Street. RGV is within striking distance of a Blue Bell factory? That's the destination right behind beach house! Looks like I've acquired another relative here, cousin RGV. People in the south love our Blue Bell. I know people that have moved away and have to get Blue Bell when they come back for a visit. I faintly remember an actor from Louisiana being interviewed by Jay Leno saying he missed Blue Bell most of all while living in California. I didn't laugh, I just nodded my head in solidarity with him.

I went to the flower bed and attacked those weeds. I had to go under some bushes and came up with what I thought was a leaf on my arm. It was a fluffy spider. I flicked it off with gratitude for not being scared of them like I am of snakes. I have one area in my yard that requires thick winter boots, gloves and a big shovel after seeing the fastest and largest worm ever! It's hard to kill something when fight or flight kicks in and you find your feet facing a different direction. Speech failed me as I proceeded to say "gk uk ega ge" which is my native sissy translated into "ABANDON SHIP! THERE'S A SNAKE!". Gardening is always something of an adventure around here.

Have a good Friday and weekend everyone.

 

[Montanalo]

Early afternoon Pops and friends. Here's hoping cousin Leon's surgery went well. You're in our thoughts, cuz! Street lost his pants and Corso cut them to capri length. If he'd wanted to, he could have left you with hot pants, so be grateful for what fabric you have Street. RGV is within striking distance of a Blue Bell factory? That's the destination right behind beach house! Looks like I've acquired another relative here, cousin RGV. People in the south love our Blue Bell. I know people that have moved away and have to get Blue Bell when they come back for a visit. I faintly remember an actor from Louisiana being interviewed by Jay Leno saying he missed Blue Bell most of all while living in California. I didn't laugh, I just nodded my head in solidarity with him.

I went to the flower bed and attacked those weeds. I had to go under some bushes and came up with what I thought was a leaf on my arm. It was a fluffy spider. I flicked it off with gratitude for not being scared of them like I am of snakes. I have one area in my yard that requires thick winter boots, gloves and a big shovel after seeing the fastest and largest worm ever! It's hard to kill something when fight or flight kicks in and you find your feet facing a different direction. Speech failed me as I proceeded to say "gk uk ega ge" which is my native sissy translated into "ABANDON SHIP! THERE'S A SNAKE!". Gardening is always something of an adventure around here.

Have a good Friday and weekend everyone.

We escort our house cats outside a couple times a day (main cat, back-up cat 1 and back-up cat 2). We can't leave them out on their own simply because there are two many creatures that would make a meal of them.

Anyway, yesterday back-up cat 1 uncovered a small bull snake. You would thought she was Rudyard Kipling's Riki Tiki Tavi incarnate. There was hissing, jumping and dodging.

I declared a draw and moved the cat to a neutral corner. Just glad she didn't run across a timber rattler.

 

[CouchCoach]

Early afternoon Pops and friends. Here's hoping cousin Leon's surgery went well. You're in our thoughts, cuz! Street lost his pants and Corso cut them to capri length. If he'd wanted to, he could have left you with hot pants, so be grateful for what fabric you have Street. RGV is within striking distance of a Blue Bell factory? That's the destination right behind beach house! Looks like I've acquired another relative here, cousin RGV. People in the south love our Blue Bell. I know people that have moved away and have to get Blue Bell when they come back for a visit. I faintly remember an actor from Louisiana being interviewed by Jay Leno saying he missed Blue Bell most of all while living in California. I didn't laugh, I just nodded my head in solidarity with him.

I went to the flower bed and attacked those weeds. I had to go under some bushes and came up with what I thought was a leaf on my arm. It was a fluffy spider. I flicked it off with gratitude for not being scared of them like I am of snakes. I have one area in my yard that requires thick winter boots, gloves and a big shovel after seeing the fastest and largest worm ever! It's hard to kill something when fight or flight kicks in and you find your feet facing a different direction. Speech failed me as I proceeded to say "gk uk ega ge" which is my native sissy translated into "ABANDON SHIP! THERE'S A SNAKE!". Gardening is always something of an adventure around here.

Have a good Friday and weekend everyone.

First thing Matthew McConaughey did when he moved from Austin to LA was put in a Sonic ice machine.
Glad he had his priorities straight because no one of good taste and refinement quaffs a Margarita, Mojito, Mint Julep or Moscow Mule with anything but Sonic ice.

Personally, I am not big on Blue Bell since they did that Listeria flavor. More of a Dreyer's man for my ice cream. And Haagen Dazs for the pints. HD Strawberry is so good, I beat myself with a switch right after eating it but that won't stop me from getting more. But I usually wait until one of my other personalities is out so I have someone to blame.

 

[Xelda]

First thing Matthew McConaughey did when he moved from Austin to LA was put in a Sonic ice machine.
Glad he had his priorities straight because no one of good taste and refinement quaffs a Margarita, Mojito, Mint Julep or Moscow Mule with anything but Sonic ice.

Personally, I am not big on Blue Bell since they did that Listeria flavor. More of a Dreyer's man for my ice cream. And Haagen Dazs for the pints. HD Strawberry is so good, I beat myself with a switch right after eating it but that won't stop me from getting more. But I usually wait until one of my other personalities is out so I have someone to blame.

Sonic ice is special. I used to make a mental note of any place that had that kind of ice. Back in my teens, I knew which Icee machines were over due for a tune up and frequented those for the quality of their ice. They'd stack higher, stay colder and the syrup would run through it leaving behind lots of little ice balls. Icees as God intended them to be.

Flags flew at half mast when Listeria caused the senseless violence to tons of innocent Blue Bell ice cream. They had to stop showing the destruction on TV for our mental well being. I had a gallon in my freezer but wouldn't tell anyone for fear of having my house broken into. I've got relatives that would save a gallon of Blue Bell over any of us if we were on the Titanic.

I am concerned about your hide now that you told me about whooping yourself with a switch. Switches are the worst! Can't you blame Siri instead? After all, she hasn't apologized to you yet. Her days are numbered.

 

[Cowboys_22]

Early afternoon Pops and friends. Here's hoping cousin Leon's surgery went well. You're in our thoughts, cuz! Street lost his pants and Corso cut them to capri length. If he'd wanted to, he could have left you with hot pants, so be grateful for what fabric you have Street. RGV is within striking distance of a Blue Bell factory? That's the destination right behind beach house! Looks like I've acquired another relative here, cousin RGV. People in the south love our Blue Bell. I know people that have moved away and have to get Blue Bell when they come back for a visit. I faintly remember an actor from Louisiana being interviewed by Jay Leno saying he missed Blue Bell most of all while living in California. I didn't laugh, I just nodded my head in solidarity with him.

I went to the flower bed and attacked those weeds. I had to go under some bushes and came up with what I thought was a leaf on my arm. It was a fluffy spider. I flicked it off with gratitude for not being scared of them like I am of snakes. I have one area in my yard that requires thick winter boots, gloves and a big shovel after seeing the fastest and largest worm ever! It's hard to kill something when fight or flight kicks in and you find your feet facing a different direction. Speech failed me as I proceeded to say "gk uk ega ge" which is my native sissy translated into "ABANDON SHIP! THERE'S A SNAKE!". Gardening is always something of an adventure around here.

Have a good Friday and weekend everyone.

Good evening Pops and friends. Hiya cousin Xelda lol. I live about 100 miles away so it’s somewhat of striking distance. I didn’t see any listeria flavored ice scream so I settled for 2 scoops. Cookies n Cream and Rocky Road That place gets lots of visitors.

We didn’t see as many bluebonnets as other years but was still worth the drive.

Have a great weekend everyone

 

[Montanalo]

Morning Pops and Zoners Friends.

Well, so much for Spring. It's back to the high 20's and I'm shoveling snow for my morning workout. We were teased with a few days of 65 F and now this. Pretty typical of our spring.

Because it is not that cold (all relative, eh?), the snow is wet and heavy... Kinda like Hawaiian shaved ice.

Got a dinner party tonight with a few neighbors and I am making Moroccan chicken, cous cous and baklava for dessert. At least the home will smell very aromatic.

 

[CouchCoach]

Good evening Pops and friends. Hiya cousin Xelda lol. I live about 100 miles away so it’s somewhat of striking distance. I didn’t see any listeria flavored ice scream so I settled for 2 scoops. Cookies n Cream and Rocky Road That place gets lots of visitors.

We didn’t see as many bluebonnets as other years but was still worth the drive.

Have a great weekend everyone

Bluebonnets are out in force in Central Texas but the beauty is spoiled by the worst allergy attacks people have ever seen around these parts. Mine flared up when I moved down here and never settled down but it has blown up in the past two weeks.

Between the heat in the summer and year round allergies, I have to keep reminding myself why I live here. Masochist seeking his punishment and reward.

 

[CouchCoach]

Sonic ice is special. I used to make a mental note of any place that had that kind of ice. Back in my teens, I knew which Icee machines were over due for a tune up and frequented those for the quality of their ice. They'd stack higher, stay colder and the syrup would run through it leaving behind lots of little ice balls. Icees as God intended them to be.

Flags flew at half mast when Listeria caused the senseless violence to tons of innocent Blue Bell ice cream. They had to stop showing the destruction on TV for our mental well being. I had a gallon in my freezer but wouldn't tell anyone for fear of having my house broken into. I've got relatives that would save a gallon of Blue Bell over any of us if we were on the Titanic.

I am concerned about your hide now that you told me about whooping yourself with a switch. Switches are the worst! Can't you blame Siri instead? After all, she hasn't apologized to you yet. Her days are numbered.

I think Siri reported me to Apple for abusive language and I can tell from her voice she's doing her job under protest. Yesterday I said "hey Siri" and she barked 'WHAT"?

I always thought I got along great with women but the woman in my SUV is a little terse with me and when I decide to not go the way OnStar wants me to go, I can almost detect "stupid" at the end of a sentence when she tells me to take the next u turn. And she turns down the radio to talk to me so I can't even drown her out. I have a plan though. I am going to ask for directions to Juno, Alaska right before I turn the engine off and leave her in the garage all night begging me to turn the engine on. By the time I get back in the next morning, she'll have learned her lesson to treat the captain of the SUV ship with more respect and I will tell her I am in Juno.

 

[CouchCoach]

I think Siri reported me to Apple for abusive language and I can tell from her voice she's doing her job under protest. Yesterday I said "hey Siri" and she barked 'WHAT"?

I always thought I got along great with women but the woman in my SUV is a little terse with me and when I decide to not go the way OnStar wants me to go, I can almost detect "stupid" at the end of a sentence when she tells me to take the next u turn. And she turns down the radio to talk to me so I can't even drown her out. I have a plan though. I am going to ask for directions to Juno, Alaska right before I turn the engine off and leave her in the garage all night begging me to turn the engine on. By the time I get back in the next morning, she'll have learned her lesson to treat the captain of the SUV ship with more respect and I will tell her I am in Juno.

Correction and apologies to the citizens of Juneau.

 

[Runwildboys]

Speaking about how people dress these days, especially is public, is that not just more of the signs of our civility slipping away? Rude is the rule of the day too often.

I went to my banker when I lived in Dallas to complain about the casualness of his employees 10 years ago. I told him I have expectations of the people in charge of keeping my money and casual day on Friday is one thing but every day is ridiculous. I also told him the next time my wife is in that branch and gets addressed by anything but Mrs. _______ by one of your twenty something employees, I am pulling everything out and letting your home office know why.

Around this same time, and what charged me up to talk to my banker, I happened to be in Kroger picking up a few items after work one day, and it was packed in the checkout lanes, and was third in line behind this guy that looked to be in his forties, about twice the age of the guy checking him out. I see the checker hand him his change and then turn away and the guy is still standing there and hasn't picked his bag up. The checker turns around and just looks at him. Well, the guy had reached his breaking point and yells as loud as he can "I am waiting to be thanked for my business. There are other options within walking distance and I want to be thanked for my business". Now every head is turned in his direction and people are walking over, including the manager. He's not done yet. "Of course it's no problem, it is your job and you are in customer service and I want to be thanked for giving you my business and keeping you employed".

The manager arrives and he's no longer yelling but he is talking very loudly at the manager. "Who trained this young man, I don't blame him, I blame whoever trained him not to thank the people that keep you in business". It was my action that stopped the man as I was beginning to clap, not a Garrett clap, a real hearty clap and others began to join in as the man was inspiring me. It was "Network's" I am mad as hell and not going to take it anymore moment and it was glorious. The young man was wisely just standing there and the manager was doing everything to defuse the situation. I gotta tell ya, on that day for the rest of the day, there wasn't a shopper not thanked for shopping at Kroger.

I don't get the need to be thanked, personally. As long as the people are personable, and not rude, I don't need them even speak. Just don't shortchange me and we'll be fine.

 

[Runwildboys]

Thank you for the likes @GrammaJan

I don't think we've spoken directly before.
It's a pleasure to meet you.

It is, isn't it?

 

[Runwildboys]

Morning Pops. Morning Fellas and good morning to any who decide to stop in and check out Pops's thread.

Corso, good to see you posting in this thread Brother! Hope everybody is doing well this morning. Everybody ready for the weekend?

Leon, I hope you are doing well My Friend.


Jobs, Leon, dbrp, Xelda, zrin, Trouty, ksk, RGV, Coach, RWB, Ranching, SW, John and Jan, be of good cheer, the weekend is finally here!

Everyone, be safe, be happy, be healthy and enjoy life!

I just picked up all the sticks and branches strewn all over my yard today. Growth is a long ways off, in New England.

 

[CouchCoach]

I don't get the need to be thanked, personally. As long as the people are personable, and not rude, I don't need them even speak. Just don't shortchange me and we'll be fine.

I am old school and always thanked my customers for the business as I knew they had other choices, just as I do. And there is this generational break between those that simply say "thank you" and those that say "no problem". And I always reply with "you're welcome" or a responsive "thank you" if I felt they went above and beyond.

Runny, it's just common courtesy down here in the South but I also experienced that in the Northeast as well. Even in The City. But my favorite NYC story follows.

I made countless trips to the Apple and loved going there because it energized me and I love a good walking town. However, I did make the mistake of renting a car one time and that was a harrowing experience. That's one promise I did keep to God. "Please God, just let me get back to the car rental place without killing myself or someone else and I promise to never rent a car in Manhattan again".

Anyway, I am on one of my trips, when living in PA, and took my wife and younger son and they did some sightseeing while I worked. I had noticed on my first day that people seemed unusually friendly, people were smiling and nodding at me and I had to keep reminding myself 'I am in New Yawk, something's going on'. It was like this all day long and I even remarked to the clients I took to lunch and they said they hadn't noticed.

Anyway, the end of the day comes and I decide to walk back and on the way walked too far, taking in the sights and getting energized, and forgot the street the hotel was on and found myself in front of this newsstand. I waited in line and when I got to the guy I asked "excuse me but I've gotten lost and need to find the Parker Meridian". The guy looks me right in the eyee and says "what the f I look like to you? A fing tour guide. Turn around and look up, ya fing idiot". I followed his instructions and voila, there it was, one block over. I thought about thanking him but didn't think he would appreciate it and would have responded "ya ain't fing welcome" so I just walked to the hotel. As I entered the room I announced to my family "finally, I am in New Yawk" and relayed the story to them and they got a kick out of it.

 

[Runwildboys]

I am old school and always thanked my customers for the business as I knew they had other choices, just as I do. And there is this generational break between those that simply say "thank you" and those that say "no problem". And I always reply with "you're welcome" or a responsive "thank you" if I felt they went above and beyond.

Runny, it's just common courtesy down here in the South but I also experienced that in the Northeast as well. Even in The City. But my favorite NYC story follows.

I made countless trips to the Apple and loved going there because it energized me and I love a good walking town. However, I did make the mistake of renting a car one time and that was a harrowing experience. That's one promise I did keep to God. "Please God, just let me get back to the car rental place without killing myself or someone else and I promise to never rent a car in Manhattan again".

Anyway, I am on one of my trips, when living in PA, and took my wife and younger son and they did some sightseeing while I worked. I had noticed on my first day that people seemed unusually friendly, people were smiling and nodding at me and I had to keep reminding myself 'I am in New Yawk, something's going on'. It was like this all day long and I even remarked to the clients I took to lunch and they said they hadn't noticed.

Anyway, the end of the day comes and I decide to walk back and on the way walked too far, taking in the sights and getting energized, and forgot the street the hotel was on and found myself in front of this newsstand. I waited in line and when I got to the guy I asked "excuse me but I've gotten lost and need to find the Parker Meridian". The guy looks me right in the eyee and says "what the f I look like to you? A fing tour guide. Turn around and look up, ya fing idiot". I followed his instructions and voila, there it was, one block over. I thought about thanking him but didn't think he would appreciate it and would have responded "ya ain't fing welcome" so I just walked to the hotel. As I entered the room I announced to my family "finally, I am in New Yawk" and relayed the story to them and they got a kick out of it.

Now picture driving a 35 foot lumber truck around that place! I'll tell ya CC, this being sidelined from work is really gettin' old, but I don't miss goin' to NYC once a week.

Back to the thanks: Waiters and waitresses, car salesmen, cashiers at a Husqvarna dealership, etc., those people I think should definitely thank their customers every time. But thanking every customer going through a checkout at a grocery store just gets to be habitual, and means about as much as saying "How are you?". Nobody really wants to know how you are, it's just a greeting, which is why most people ... if they answer at all... respond with a simple, "Good", or in my case, a sarcastic "Livin' the dream."

 

[CouchCoach]

Now picture driving a 35 foot lumber truck around that place! I'll tell ya CC, this being sidelined from work is really gettin' old, but I don't miss goin' to NYC once a week.

Back to the thanks: Waiters and waitresses, car salesmen, cashiers at a Husqvarna dealership, etc., those people I think should definitely thank their customers every time. But thanking every customer going through a checkout at a grocery store just gets to be habitual, and means about as much as saying "How are you?". Nobody really wants to know how you are, it's just a greeting, which is why most people ... if they answer at all... respond with a simple, "Good", or in my case, a sarcastic "Livin' the dream."

I do miss your posts when you are headed into The City, had a certain melancholy note to them and I always felt sad for you.

Agree on the "how are you" and I've lashed out at that a few times and told the asker exactly how I was feeling but "thank you" is more of a courteous and polite gesture to me. Not a throwaway to me.

There is this grocery chain called Market Street that trains their employees to try and connect with the shoppers. These kids will inquire about my weekend plans and I've given some answers that stopped them in their tracks. My favorite was one day when I was really in a bad mood and this young girl asked me "are you doing something interesting this weekend"? Well, what would a 19-20 year old girl find interesting that a man in his late 60's is doing? I told her "yes, I am. It's sacrificing virgins weekend with my cult and I was sent here shopping but I struck out". She just stopped walking, it is also a requirement that they walk your groceries to the vehicle and this is the time for prying into your private affairs, and looked at me and then burst out laughing. She told me that was the best answer she ever got and couldn't wait to tell the others. None of them really liked asking strangers about their plans but it was a policy of the company. I verified that by complaining to the manager and he told me that was policy from the owner.

 

[Runwildboys]

I do miss your posts when you are headed into The City, had a certain melancholy note to them and I always felt sad for you.

Agree on the "how are you" and I've lashed out at that a few times and told the asker exactly how I was feeling but "thank you" is more of a courteous and polite gesture to me. Not a throwaway to me.

There is this grocery chain called Market Street that trains their employees to try and connect with the shoppers. These kids will inquire about my weekend plans and I've given some answers that stopped them in their tracks. My favorite was one day when I was really in a bad mood and this young girl asked me "are you doing something interesting this weekend"? Well, what would a 19-20 year old girl find interesting that a man in his late 60's is doing? I told her "yes, I am. It's sacrificing virgins weekend with my cult and I was sent here shopping but I struck out". She just stopped walking, it is also a requirement that they walk your groceries to the vehicle and this is the time for prying into your private affairs, and looked at me and then burst out laughing. She told me that was the best answer she ever got and couldn't wait to tell the others. None of them really liked asking strangers about their plans but it was a policy of the company. I verified that by complaining to the manager and he told me that was policy from the owner.

You miss seeing me melancholy? Damn CC, I thought we were friends!

 

[CouchCoach]

You miss seeing me melancholy? Damn CC, I thought we were friends!

No, I miss the posts because there was usually something clever and funny.

 

[LeonDixson]

Morning, Pops and pen pals. Please excuse any typos as I can't see very well. I can't even read posts very very well. The eye surgery was last Wed. and a follow up on Thurs. The doc was pleased with the early progress on the healing. He said the macula was already starting to push back together. They gas bubble in my eye pushes the membran flat and together as long as I keep my face piippointed ant th floor. I am cautiously optimmistic about the outcome. I won't really be able to tell until the bubble dissipates. Right now I can't see anything through the bubble.

I'll post again when I cn see better. In the mean time I thank everyone of you for you proayers and well wishes. Take care my friends.