VALENTINES DAY - JIBBER JABBER

 "He did not go to Jared, he went to 7-11."

I am a "dyed-in-the-wool" fan of Valentine's Day. An "I love you card" and a small gift to follow up on that sentiment. My wife is always able to find a Valentine's Day card written just for us. 

She never ever wants any sweets/chocolates as a gift. She never ever wants flowers or an indoor potted plant which requires over watch to keep alive. And I know better than to try to get her a jewelry "geegaw." 

But this year I hit a home run. At least on our game field of life and living. She loves Fritos chips. We both do, but Fritos are off-limits on our diet and we have been steadfast in not cheating. We talk about it, but stay true to the "off-limits" of such treats. But it is was Valentine's Day and the rules are different. I thought she would get a kick out of a card placed on a bag of Fritos greeting her when she got up that morning. 

And it did. That little kid giggle and laugh. "He did not go to Jared, he went to 7-11." She stood there in front of me, holding that bag of chips with a smile on her face. "Ya hit a home run this year, mister."

It so happens that Fritos have always been our go-to road trip snack. Share a cup of coffee and a half a bag of chips alway gets us further down the road.  Took the edge off an appetite and always a welcomed treat. So why not give into a few chips over the next few days, I explained to her. It's Valentine's Day and I just knew you would enjoy getting off the diet wagon "for old time's sake." 

She was kind enough to share, too. Win win!! 

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 JIBBER JABBER 

Fresh hams smoked for Easter by a local fraternal organization on order and paid for. Local boys with serious smokers gather overnight not too far from where we live and they spend the long hours smoking fresh hams for pick up early Saturday morning before Easter. 

It is a "drive-through" pickup passing a dozen or so smokers. We present our receipt and in return, a fresh ham hot off the racks, is placed in a box and set in our car.

Hands down the best fresh cooked hams anywhere. A mild, smoked flavor that I cannot adequately put into words. So this is set into the annual queue and checked off our "to do" list.

Yard guys due this coming week. Trimming shrubs, leaf blowing, pine needle removal, gutters cleaned and a few small damaged trees from the mini-tornado a year ago to be cut down. A small dumpster will arrive soon for us to fill with "stuff."   

Thanks for the visit this week. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

"OLDING" - TV REVIEWS - LASAGNA - WHY WE PREPARE - JIBBER JABBER

Finally got back together with a neighbor friend for our Friday lunch out date. We get to get caught up on each other's weeks in review and enjoy one of our local eateries in the process. 

I picked him up and he extended his hand for a hello shake with "how are you doing." I actually took a moment to answer thinking of this and thinking of that, landing on "doing just fine, and you?" Explaining one of my aches and pains or being generally pissy due to getting older, I always opt for an "doing just fine response." I thought that there ought to be a term for these years. A term that encompasses the challenges to the aging years and I came up with "OLDING." For me, that encompasses all that is going on from day to day. 

Here is a comprehensive list of the challenges living in one's 80's.

1. Everything! 

Yep, most everything is a challenge. Not impossible, but for sure more work and energy needs to be applied to everyday norms. I find myself getting tired from what use to be the simple workings of everyday comings and goings. Just trying to get my hooded sweat shirt on with both arms in a sleeve while fighting the drag coefficient between sweat shirt and under shirt becomes a comedy. You would shake your head and think I am blowing this simple event way out of proportion. My wife comes to my rescue to the point of now being available for that moment of my morning dressing. I think it may scare her somewhat seeing me turn circles, both arms tied up, sweat shirt over my head and stuck inside that process. "How did you injure yourself, sir?" "I was putting on my sweatshirt."

Nevertheless, I am in the gym three times a week now and am noticing improvement in leg strength and balance. I am not young again by any stretch of the imagination, but there is proof in the benefits of exercising. 

The weather is improving in east Texas. Sunshine, 70s and 80s in the forecast. Initial count of things that need to be addressed outside and my wife counted "eleventy-million". We have decided to "Call the guy" to help us with a few of the big clean-up items. A small dumpster will be delivered mid-week and we are looking forward to throwing and throwing away clutter. My bet is we will fill it on day one. Enough!

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SUPER BOWL TODAY

For the past years, I have railed here over this yearly meeting of football teams and it is only getting worse for me. I am not adapting to change and more importantly, will not put myself in those arenas only to be disappointed.  "Bring in the clowns." It all started with the taking of the knee being pushed in our faces. From what I read..............well............ 

I did buy a large package of wings "in honor" past games, though. We both like them salted, garlic butter and then baked. The last couple minutes under the broiler. Wings and green salad for dinner will be our event this Super Bowl weekend. 

But there was a time when Super Bowl Sunday owned my day. Snacks, sitting on the couch, visiting with friends and a quieting of our visiting when the first Budweiser commercial aired. Quite often, we would be moved to tears for the love for this game. Budweiser could always be counted on to up hold and present the American way. Pride, honor, team work, the flag, Clydesdales and puppies reinforcing an "Americana" down deep inside. If the game was not up to our expectations, Budweiser would fill those moments between downs. Budweiser was the gold standard with whom all other advertisers competed.

The half-time shows were for the whole family to watch. 

I remember this moment and still cry today.  

"Those were the days my friends, those were the days."

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MOVIE REVIEWS

We found a 6-episode series on Prime called STEAL.  Great storytelling with beginning, middle and end. No season two. I highly recommend giving this series a watch. 

Having finished the above series, we are now re-watching SILK.  Three seasons, excellent storytelling and excellent actors and actresses. Worth giving it a try. I have mentioned this before.

Surprisingly, some of the best story telling, in my opinion, these days is coming from British (albeit older) television.

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TURKEY BURGER LASAGNA

Foodie photo sent by New Hampshire family. It is Lasagna and I would elbow up for a dish of this without issue. I like the photo!

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WHY WE PREPARE

This photo was taken a few years ago at the old home in New Hampshire. A heavy/wet snowfall made for a beautiful morning photo. Son's truck can be seen peaking through the trees as he was trying to get up the driveway. And there IS a driveway there, neatly defined prior to this snowfall. 

If a freeze follows a snow fall like this, it can shut power down for days at a time. 
It would have been a perfect storm event preventing us from going anywhere till a thaw came. But that happened one time and we were prepared with a generator, plenty of stores on the shelves and firewood in the shed. 

Even now, living in Texas, a icy winter storm warning brings this snow day up north into my memory. Being without power for extended periods of time in winters like this can become life-threatening and beyond a mere inconvenience. Planning and prepping makes a bad storm event much easier to navigate.

I got out after I took this photo and met son in the middle of the driveway shaking snow from tree branches. That allowed for the snow removal to begin.

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JIBBER JABBER

We find these kinds of meals at ALDIS. Bremer is one of their brands and we have found these prepared meals to be just fine. Not having/wanting to cook dinners seems to happen more often, and finding an oven-baked meal that serves us with flavor/"eatability" and ease of cooking is a good find. When my wife comments two or three times that this "is just fine", it means we will start keeping a couple of these in the freezer. This meals serves two folks perfectly. Not pushing Aldi's here, just sharing good eats that we have found.

Appreciate the visit this week.  

 

 

SURVIVED TEXAS ICE STORM - BUCKET TRUCKS - TUNA A LA KING - JIBBER JABBER

No power outages for us. Just a dusting of snow and ice and fracking cold for Texas folks. 

I started putting out food for the birds Saturday morning and they return now en mass. 

Pine tree seeds are a major staple for them and they are just fine from the availability here but I know they appreciate the help with the grounds covered in ice. I am amazed at how many families of birds live here year-round.There are at least 60 plus birds on the ground in the early mornings and mid-afternoons. It is simple fun just watching them. 

The storm so vividly depicted on the NOAA weather sites for this past week has been graphic in scope. All of Texas extending up through Maine. The snow and ice have impacted hundreds of thousands and power outages are abundant. An ice storm is worrisome in that the aftermath of the storm makes clean up and repairs damn near impossible. Slow going compared to a basic snow storm. 

Storm crews gather.

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LOCAL HERD OF DEER

 Family of deer as seen through neighbor's kitchen window.

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TUNA A LA KING - a great ice storm lunch for us.

Slices of bread stuffed in cup cake pans and toasted. (They look like kings' crowns, thus the name of the dish. Popular in the 1950s/60s.)

Then filled with creamed tuna and served.

My wife said she learned this some 60 years ago in 8th grade home economics class.  I am a big fan of creamed tuna on toast. The key to success with this dish (any tuna meal) is using high quality tuna.

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HOMEMADE BISCUITS AND EGGS FRIED IN BUTTER

 Storm eats for breakfast. Not a great photo, but very good eats!!

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JIBBER JABBER

This late January ice and snowstorm has been front and center for us. Making sure that everything outside was buttoned up, cats warm with water and multiple feedings during the day. We had our meals lined up in the refrigerator for a week of the storm.

We wanted nothing to do with having to get out of the house in this weather. As it turns out, our local area was spared major ice and snow damage. A few minor outages that were repaired quickly. 

We checked in on neighbors and they on us. We'll put this storm in the record books as a win.

Most all roads still iced up locally. 

Thanks for the visit. 

 
 
 

"GONNA REBUILD THE WORLD" - JANUARY 2026 WINTER STORM

 Son left yesterday from the northeast headed south in a bucket truck, along with his crew. One of hundreds of lineman crews being called up to help repair storm damage from south Texas, to the Carolinas,  the east coast and all the way back north through New Hampshire.

I just finished talking with him and he said that he has been hearing from other lineman crews that are being called up out across the entire area this storm will be touching. Talk amongst the crews is that they could be gone on storm duty one or two months due to the possible severity of this storm across a very large path. Snowfall and big concerns with forecast ice accumulations on power lines and other structures. He said ice build-up can take down major infrastructure and that it will take time to get all of that re-built and back up and running. Add single digit temperatures to complicate the repairs.

“Getting back on the road, dad, gonna rebuild the world, talk with you tonight.” There is a brotherhood among these young men and they are dead serious about the work they do.

Say thank you when you see the guys out working in this kind of weather. Drop off hot coffee and some doughnuts if you can. This kind of support goes a long long ways to these guys knowing folks are appreciative.

Our storm starts here in east Texas at 6 PM tonight. We are as prepared as two old folks can be (20 years in central NH taught us a lot, too). As long as we do not run out of propane for the generator, we will be fine. But ice storms are one of Mother Nature's hole cards. Just because our local propane company has us “covered” for re-fills does not necessarily mean they will be able to get here.

This week's brief post out early. Take care of yourselves, your families and neighbors. God Bless!

When Mother Nature sends you lemons, throw on the rib eye steaks!

 

 

SUNDAY MORNING BISCUITS - LEGO TECHNIC - TEXAS COLD - JIBBER JABBER

My wife found a new biscuit recipe in a Texas magazine while waiting in the dentist's office this past week. We gave it a try. This will now be our new "go-to homemade biscuits" from now on. Printed recipe at the bottom.

 

Out of the oven.

 

First test is always with just butter. Moist, flaky and full of flavor. 

 

Then with apple jelly. Scrumptious. 

There are a few more "moving parts" to this recipe but well worth the effort. My wife gathered the ingredients. I mixed the dough using a pastry cutter and cut the biscuits. Baked for 15 minutes. Next time I will take a little more time in shaping the dough to be of equal thickness before cutting squares. No biscuit will be left behind in this batch though!

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NEXT LEGO PROJECT

Two hundred page construction manual. Slow start this time as some colors shown on the parts page did match the colors of the exact parts. I find this from time to time in the Lego projects I have built. Once I realized this, it was easy to move ahead. The individual parts in this model are larger and much easier for these old hands to manipulate. 

Very easy to get lost in all of this for a couple hours.

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COLD IN TEXAS

I just finished texting and complaining to my son how cold it is in Texas. He replied with this photo.

 He wins!!

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 BEING LUCKY IS THE ONLY EXPLANATION

https://dailytimewaster.blogspot.com/2026/01/oops.html 

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FORD EVOLUTION (1896 to 2024)

Fun to watch.

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JIBBER JABBER

Quite this past week. Mother nature is practicing for the coming month of February weather-wise. Cold for old folk. Cats either eating or sleeping in heated cat house.

Evening movie watching. TRACKER, a new series for us, has been a good go to series to watch.  Every episode is a complete story. 

LANDMAN S2 finishes for us tonight. Because it has aired, I could go the the net and listen to the talking heads explain this last episode but I want the enjoyment of seeing it without spoilers. 

FALLOUT S2 has failed for us. I think it has much to do with my/our age and expectations from movie entertainment. We did enjoy the first season and put up with some of the gore and violence as part of the story. The characters kept us coming back more than the story itself. But now S2 wanders in the worlds of gaming. I miss the characters but am not willing to wade through the distractions of computer game worlds while trying to follow a story. See, it is me and I am ok with that.

THE NIGHT MANAGER S2

The next episode(s) air tonight and S2 episodes so far have been "OK." S2 is not up to the suspense and story telling of the first season. S2 currently feels like a retelling of the first season. S2 takes place 10 years later (in real time) from S1. Actors have aged in those years and it is noticeable. But will stick with it.  

SHERIFF COUNTRY

We are enjoying this first season. Have not formed any opinions as of yet.

BOSTON BLUE

I am wishy washy but we keep coming back for the next episode.

Enough for now. Thanks for the visit this week.  

 

NEW YEAR APPLE PIE - ICE DRIVEWAY IN NH - ELECTRONIC WARFARE - ANALOG - HERE A WAR, THERE A WAR, EVERYWHERE A WAR WAR - JIBBER JABBER

 

 

 Made at home apple pie brought in the new year. Lasted two days.

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Ice driveway in New Hampshire. A great area to go skating, but not walking or driving. Warmer temperatures, some rain along with salt and sand helps.

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ELECTRONIC ATTACK BLINDS ENEMY DEFENSES 

 

An interesting read on some of our current military capabilities.

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 ANALOG

 

Sitting across from friends having lunch out last week, I was asked if I was "trying to make a statement" with the ball cap I was wearing. The question caught me off guard. I had to think about it. The ball cap is comfortable and I wear one most all the time. It was a gift from my wife and because my hair usually stands up like Alfalfa's from The Little Rascals, the ball cap solves a few simple problems.

 

I hemmed and hawed looking for a quick way out so I could back to my Ruben. I said that "I just like the hat" and that worked. 

 

I was going to be flip there and say, "look it up." But don't do that.

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"Here a war, there a war, everywhere a war war."  E,I,E,I,O

 

Old MacDonald had a farm

E-I-E-I-O!
And on his farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O!
With a moo-moo here and a moo-moo there,
Here a moo, there a moo,
Everywhere a moo-moo,
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O!  

 

Not sure how my mind links up with things like this, but it does.

 

Wars this year 2026, seem to be everywhere. If there is not an on-going war, starting a war is not beyond the conversation. Taking lands and other countries as simple as "pass the salt, please" while sitting at the dinner table. We will buy the people and the country and hell, we can assemble an armada if need be. "Pass the pepper."

 

How can I take any of all of this seriously? How many wars can/should I worry about. TPTB, officeholders and decisions all vying for the spotlight, my attention, my understanding and most likely, a nod of my head. Rightly, wrongly, I work harder at not getting wound up in most everything that is beyond my understanding. Makes me tired.

 

But I know we are living in a world of a lot of bad actors trying to do bad things to this country and to the people. I get that!! "Can't we all just get along" is not going to work either. Eventually push comes to shove and just maybe this is the time we live through before shove. FYI

 

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it. Ask Google how many wars are ongoing in the world today. Take a guess first, just for the fun of it. Keep in mind the number changes depending on who you ask that question.

 

List of ongoing armed conflicts in the world  

Worth the time just for self knowledge and awareness. I had no idea. 

E,I,E,I,O 

 

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JIBBER JABBER 

 

Cool with cold winds blowing in east Texas. There are many chores awaiting spring; all I have to do is look out any window to see multiples. Potato and onion starts are now at the plant stands. 

 

We have been talking of hopping on a train for a cross-country adventure. Sleeper cars, dining cars and plenty of seats for viewing passing scenery. We are going to take a short trip to and from Dallas soon. Give it a try and see what we learn.

 

Hoping the new year is user-friendly for you and that good things are coming. Thanks for the visit this week. 

 

 

AND IT WAS GOOD - SILVER WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - DEER LIVES WITH CATTLE - I SKIED DOWN MOUNT EVEREST - JIBBER JABBER

.

Full turkey dinner formal table setting for her and me. Her idea to set a third plate for reasons from her heart for one who could not attend our dinner. This gesture is typical of her caring for others in her circle of life.

We have missed two Thanksgiving meals due to sickness and this Christmas we finally caught up.

Turkey parts and pieces along with a half bottle of Pinot Grigio and put on simmer several hours. Strained and leftover mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, turkey and vegetables were added to complete the soup. Add a turkey sandwich and the feasting continued for a couple days.

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SILVER WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

 

We married just after Christmas Day 25 years ago. Our wedding anniversaries come with this holiday season.We celebrated with a quiet day to ourselves in appreciation of good years together gone by so quickly. The figurine above says everything we both had to say to each other. A lunch out at our favorite Mexican restaurant was in keeping with just being together.

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The hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas is over now and we are enjoying some cold Texas weather, quiet naps and leftovers. New Years will be a large pot of family recipe homemade clam chowder. We will splurge and add a few slices of buttered homemade bread to round out this year and then peek into next year. 

Eating healthy will return, days at the gym improving on health and day trips as needed and or wanted. Spring will come fast and along with that, planting, mowing and working outside to keep up. Cats are fat and eating like horses. "The beat goes on."

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"THINKS HE IS A COW" 

Quite awhile ago, I head a story of a buck living with a local herd of cattle. Chance encounter with this herd near one of our back roads was a good photo opportunity. When I looked at the photo later that night, there was the buck blending in with the herd. Apparently the deer has been with the herd for a few years. It walks with a limp and has only one antler set. The thinking here is that this animal may have been hit by a car and injured. It has survived and doing just fine among his new found family.

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I SKIED DOWN MOUNT EVEREST 

Absolutely a team effort, but he gets to add photos and "being the first" to his wall of life accomplishments. All without the assist of oxygen. Yea!!

Watch on a big screen if you can. 

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FLIPPING SWITCHES

Sunrise and on the job getting power turned back on.

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JIBBER JABBER

Last post of this year. 

I have little desire to look back at this year in review and plan to enter the new year cautiously. This seems to have become a norm for me over the past decade. 

Thanks for all the visits and time spent here. May the new year bring all of us good health and great opportunities.