My sister-in-law died unexpected last Friday. I have been somewhat bummed out; really in a funk ever since. Today we are driving to Cheyenne for the funeral tomorrow morning. I will be glad to see my brother and offer him support but the hardest part so far was writing the sympathy card. How do you write down all your feelings for a person you've known for almost 40 years. One side of a card just isn't enough and that's why I'm glad we live within a couple of hours where the family will gather to say good-bye. I know I won't get total closure but it's a start. What I will say to my brother and his family, I don't know but it will come from the heart.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Things I can't make up:
About 11:30 this morning I opened our e-mail. One item was a receipt from OLD NAVY in Walpole, MA. Items purchased were an OUCH (whatever that is), a small (I don't think I ever wore anything small) rayon tank top, and 2 pair of uniform shorts. I also don't think I need gym shorts or whatever uniform shorts are. Fortunately the store number was listed. The time the items were purchased was 12:25 and it was just little after 11:00 am in Denver. I finally wound up talking to the store manager. I explained that I live in Denver and hadn't been in Massachusetts in years. I had checked the last four credit card numbers listed on the receipt and they weren't from any card of mine. The manager said sometimes they e-mail receipts and apparently someone had listed the wrong e-mail address. She said they would call when they solved the mystery. I'm still waiting for the call.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Yesterday I HAD to go to the bank. I HAD to go to a bank branch that I avoid whenever possible. My bank, a large multi-state bank, practices "happy talk" at all it's branches however this branch is the worst. I appreciate a smile but after that let's just talk business. How am I feeling or what have I done today or what are my plans are none of their business. Just take care of my account and don't screw up when dealing with my money. They always want to know if I would like to visit with one of their financial advisors-no I wouldn't-they just want to sell bonds. I have a broker and he makes me money. Bank financial advisors just want to make the banks more money and meet a quota to justify their jobs.
I couldn't avoid going in and I try to avoid drive-ups but I can't stand the practice of "happy talk."
Bah, humbug.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
You have to be a baseball fan to appreciate this.
When Eric and I went to the Rox/Houston game the other night I was wearing my Baltimore Orioles T-shirt and Camden Yards cap. This was sort of to honor a good friend who is a big Baltimore Orioles fan. I had an aisle seat in our section about half way up. A guy passed and went down the steps toward the bottom rows. He was wearing a Rockies Carlos Gonzales jersey along with probably 2,000 other Rockies fans (including Eric) so I didn't have any reason to think more about him. Later he came back up the stairs to hit the consessions or restroom. He stopped next to me and started shaking my hand very robustly. I couldn't remember if I knew him or not and then I saw he was wearing an Orioles' cap. I guess there are still a few Baltimore fans out west. Baseball has many large families.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
This was a big week.
First: Our first granddaughter Geneva Mae Starrs (to be called Eva) was born at 12:04 am Saturday morning after several hours of labor. My wife is on the way to do the granny thing. I'll go back a little later.
Second: I resumed my highly paid job (well, I got invited for supper tonight) last week. I only had to report at 7:00 am but 6:00 am is on the horizon. This year the guys are walking and inquisitive (they get into everything) but I enjoy it. Keeps me out of bingo parlors.
FWIW: my last name failed the spellchecker test.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
I know how to save thousands of gallons of gas each year and make people healthier. Close down the drive-up window at Starbucks and make folks get their backsides out of the car and walk in to order their $5 cup of coffee. Drive-up should be reserved for the handicapped, pregnant women, and women with small kids. Saves on pollution too.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Had he lived, this would have been my dad's 97th birthday.
As you all know by now, Michele Bachmann recently got confused as to whether it was Elvis's birthday or the anniversary of his death (50-50 chance and she missed it.). When she was informed of her gaff, she sort of blew it off as it weren't that big a deal. I think it was probably a big deal to Elvis. Yes, she is a member of Congress and you wonder what the problem is in Washington.
Monday, August 15, 2011
I feel like a political cartoonist-some subjects are just too good to let go. For me this is the "Ames (Iowa) Straw Poll."
In my past life I did a lot with statistics and analysis of same.
Base: fewer than 20,000 cast ballots or whatever for a Republican candidate for President. Remember statistics don't lie-or do they?
1. I learned that Minnesota Congresswomen Michele Bochmann is a "submissive wife" (her words; not mine). That means that more than 20% of the voters like submissive wives.
2. The candidate who finished #2, Ron Paul, is a Libertarian Congressman from Texas. Libertarians do not like taxes for government subsidies or handouts. Does this mean that over 20% of Iowans are against farm subsidies which are substantial in Iowa? Food for thought.
3. The #3 finisher; Tim Pawlenty, a two-term Minnesota governor; talked about balancing budgets, etc., but his state is billions of dollars in debt. Is there a contradiction here? I like the story of the guy who was interviewed after walking out of the polling booth. He carried a "Pawlenty T-shirt", entered on a Pawlenty voting ticket supplied by the candidate ($35 a pop to exercise one's rights), but voted for someone else. I guess there is no honor among Straw Pollers.
4. All candidates swore not to raise taxes, to balance the budget, and to put millions back to work. Usually it is government spending that creates jobs in a recovery and that means more taxes or a bigger deficit. Is there a problem here?
5. No one mentioned the war in the Mideast. Did it go away or did the candidates just forget about it?
6. All attacked Prez Obama as a total failure but didn't offer any solutions of their own. Now they get to spend the next year attacking each other-LOVE IT!
Fortunately my nephew clued me in that it's just a big Republican fund raiser. I can't believe the American media treated it as something that actually mattered. I can hardly wait for the meaningless Iowa Caucus. Smart people those Iowans.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Went to see "Glee the 3D Concert Movie" yesterday. Liked every moment of it. As a teacher in my previous life, I enjoy movies and shows about school kids. I like the singing, dancing, and social issues in GLEE. I am a true GLEEK and they gave me a cap at the movie theatre to prove it but I don't think I will wear it too often in public.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Tis the season for balloons falling out of the sky. This is the second balloon to land in the field just beyond our cul-de-sacs. This one barely cleared the wire fence that runs along the walking path at the end of the streets. At least it didn't come close to the 4-lane highway in the opposite direction.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Smart people those Iowans. As if the Iowas Caucus was phony as a three-dollar bill, they have come up with their next environmentally clean, no tax breaks, etc.; they have come up with the "Iowa Sample Poll", which is even more meaningless as the "Caucus. People have to pay "to sample" so money talks. Maybe they could come to Colorado and help our state make money on scams or do they want to keep their monopoly? There are some real creative people in the corn belt.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Spent the weekend in a condo in Vail. Keri and Eric were invited to a wedding there Sunday night so Kathy and I went along as the live-in nannies. Saturday night Kathy and I hit the village. I managed to buy two fleece vest with Vail on them-but I don't care as I wear vests from other places all the time), a Vail hat, and finally a "bald is beautiful" T-shirt with a picture of a bald eagle on the front (very patriotic). If you are familiar with my hairline (or lack of), it was an appropriate choice. Prices were about half price which tells you about the time of the year or the economy. Anyway, there were some good deals.
We spent time with the boys most of Sunday. They both had upset stomachs so diaper changes were often but we always have a good time with them.
It was in the low 60's when we left Vail this morning and almost 90 when we arrived back in Littleton a couple of hours later.
Funny-I still can sense the odor of soiled diapers.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Eric and I went to the Rockies-Phillies game last night. We drove in and out of rain all the way to Coors Field. They were just taking the tarp off the infield when we got inside. We had tickets under the overhang which was good because although it had stopped raining, people had to get towels, etc. to wipe off the stadium seats. About a third of the crowd was wearing Phillies gear. I've never seen the crowd with both sides into a game like this. Of course the Rockies blew a lead and lost in the 10th inning. Was glad we went, however.
Saw a T-shirt on a hippie-looking person with a saying I'd never seen before: "Support your local glassblower." A person sees all sort of fans at the ballpark.
Monday, August 1, 2011
I painted our garage door this morning. On July 13 we received a notice that we have a garage door painting violation. They gave us 7 days to correct the matter. I was gone for three days and then the next two days were the weekend. I demanded a hearing since I didn't think the garage door needed painted that badly. I also demanded the see the criteria in writing and know who had the power to make a subjective decision like that. A week later later they wrote that they didn't want a hearing since it was our first violation but not a violation if we painted it (and you wonder how lawyers get rich). They were even going to give us an extra 30 days. We decided to paint.
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