"ARNIE NAKKERUD, YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN" - MEMORIAL DAY 2026

I was a 20 year-old kid when I first met you at Ft. Wolters, Texas. We were both arriving to the base, young Army helicopter pilot cadets, class of 66-15. You were from Seattle and I was from a little coastal town, Hoquiam, in Washington State. Being from the same state is what we first had in common entering this new world of helicopter pilot training. That first meeting found us together through the checking-in process, being assigned rooms in the same barracks and attending classes together. We ran together when off-duty and also flew together during training. 

We voluntarily held back a month after completing Fort Wolters training as our flight class was larger in numbers than Ft. Ruecker could accommodate. After that month of downtime, we arrived together with the class of 66-17 at Ft. Rucker, Alabama to complete our training. Through all of this, we continued as roommates, flying mates and running weekend trips to Panama City in my red 1963 Corvette. Memories of you, my friend, are many, some stories I can tell and some stories I will not tell.

To this day, your presence continues within me as a great friend who had a truly positive impact on my life and times while in the Army helicopter flight program. 

You taught me how to be me and to open up and enjoy life. You taught me that in your presence, I was always laughing at your antics and wantings to bend the rules just enough to afforded us getting away with living the colors of life, closer to the edge. How many weekends we danced and drank the nights away on the beaches of Panama City, Florida.

I remember the trip one weekend when we hopped in the Corvette, top down just after being released Saturday morning. We skipped breakfast, threw some clothes in the back, topped off the gas tank and left Ft. Rucker for Panama City. We stopped in a small store for a quart of milk and a bag of Oreo cookies that we shared as our breakfast while driving south down the back roads. The weekend was ahead of us and we owned it!

A few miles down the road and in one of the dry counties, an old Sheriff pulled us over to check the car for alcohol. He found us drinking milk from a quart carton and finishing off a bag of Oreo cookies. We explained to him that we were helicopter flight cadets at Ft. Rucker and were on our way to spend the weekend at Panama City. The sheriff checked our milk carton for alcohol as that would have been the things young guys like us would do. But no. We were indeed telling the truth, milk and cookies. 

There were many cars that day pulled off the road and being checked for alcohol. Folks were out of their cars as sheriff deputies checked their vehicles. The sheriff tipped his hat to us for being the "outstanding young men we said we were" and let us leave the line-up to get back on the road. 

You and I laughed so hard several miles down the road when you pulled out the 5th of whiskey you had tucked under your seat. To this day, I still laugh about so many of those moments we shared. 

 

Arnie is pictured here (top left) with fellow candidates during graduation week.

Arnie pictured here in the center on the day we were graduated from Ft. Rucker as young officers and Army helicopter pilots. Most everyone in the class that day had orders in hand to go to Vietnam. This was last time we were together.

The last time I saw you my friend was while placing a photo of you at the "Wall" in Washington DC, 2005. To this day, I weep as I am now.

I do look forward to the day when I do get to see you again. I am hopeful we are afforded the time to sit, talk and catch up on stories. Knowing you as well as I did here, I bet you have stories and stories to tell. You are not now nor never will be forgotten, my friend.

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Thanks for the visit this week. 

 

 

BASQUE CHEESE CAKE - UNO - TATER TOTS - THE LAST DETECTIVE - CITADEL S2 - JIBBER JABBER

Basque Cheese Cake

Rainy days here have found my wife getting out her mixer and playing with new recipes. Pictured here is her second attempt at making Basque Cheese Cake with the double flavoring of lemon and vanilla. The plating and addition of strawberries was my attempt a trying to achieve a good photo. Of course, this was my portion and it all disappeared after the second photo.

I am not a fan of cheese cake. More often than not, I find it lacking in flavor and with a texture that is not palatable for me. But she knocked this attempt out of the park. It was all I could do not to gobble the portion. Small bites, enjoying the flavor prevailed.

All that was missing was a great cup of coffee. She promises a repeat today for lunch with a French Press cup of coffee.

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UNO

To help pass the dreary afternoons cooped up in the house, we have found playing a few hands of UNO a fun and relaxing way to pass the time. We are relearning the rules and both improving our game. Simple fun with a good cup of coffee.

 

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IT'S WHATS FOR DINNER

Frozen tater tots was dinner last night. The cheese cake snack a few hours earlier was filling and neither one of us wanted more than a snack.

It was good excuse to practice using the air fryer and try for very crispy tots. Fifteen minutes at 400 degrees worked well. Letting the tots set for a few minutes helped.

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THE LAST DETECTIVE 

We finished watching all 4 seasons of this drama/comedy detective series last night, from 2003/2007. A British series that grew on us after a few episodes. Streaming on Prime. You may or may not like giving it a try. Story telling is good, characters are well acted and the filming gives a good feel for the people, times and places.

We binged Watched CITADEL S2 also this past week. I am neither a fan nor "not a fan." I expected more story depth and interest. It was a good vehicle for action shots but that got old quickly.  Stanley Tucci did keep me coming back for another episode. I doubt I will come back soon for a second watch.

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JIBBER JABBER

My wife awakened me at 2:45 AM by calling may name out in a manner of getting my attention without alarm. I was drop dead asleep, but her calling out my name in the middle of the night still flips the on switch. "Weather alert just called with a thunderstorm warning."

Not an emergency, but actionable this time of the season. I fumbled with covers and dry mouth from snoring.  I could not hear thunder or see bright lightening through the bedroom windows. She further eased me into the awakening with a "should I put the coffee on?"  The promise of coffee always starts each morning in the plus column.

Long sweats, thongs for shoes, a favorite raggy grey sweat shirt and a final  sitting on the edge of the bedside. Dressing for thunderstorms while waking up consumes those first moments. 

I walked through the kitchen, went out to the porch and to the carport. I turned on the carport light and the light inside the shed by the storm shelter. 

The long of it was that the fast moving storm burned itself out before hitting us. Some soaking rain. A half hour later I returned to bed, snugged in and dropped off for the last hour of sleep. 

We have a few more storms heading our way today. Looks like a few hands of UNO, some homemade tomato soup and a half a baloney sandwich today may be the highlights.

Thanks for the visit this week. 

 

 

 

MORNING FIRE - FISH FRY - HAMBURGER STEAK - JIBBER JABBER

 May 1st morning fire

May comes in damp and cold. A morning fire is needed to take the chill out of the house. A week already of soaking rain, low scuddy clouds and big thunderstorms. Twice we went into the storm shelter for security. Sun and warmth returns this weekend for a few days. Lawns mowed and yard cleaned keeps us even with outdoor responsibility. 

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GUYS FISH FRY GET-TOGETHER

 

Two weeks ago, neighborhood fellows got together for a late afternoon fish fry. Locally caught lake fish, cleaned and frozen for times like this. We gathered at 4 PM, sipped a few cold beers and told lies for awhile and then the hush puppies, french fries and seasoned fish hit the hot grease. A cast iron pan works wonderfully for the frying. 

Three separate paper bags with layers of paper towels held the fried foods, drained the grease and kept it all warm for the sit-down feast. Not much talking when we sat down to eat. 

Three hours of relaxing, laughing and eating. Old men still having fun!!

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Simple hamburger steak, fried onions and macaroni salad for dinner the other night. A craving satisfied. 

So often now, late afternoon finds both of us not wanting to cook. Cold cuts, fruit, salads and leftovers are scavenged and suffice. But on this night, she made the patties, I fried in a cast iron skillet and a scoop of lunch macaroni salad was worth the extra work.

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JIBBER JABBER - LAZY MAYBE

And maybe not. Stormy weather has been the norm here for several weeks now. Mainly big thunderstorms and steady rains. Cold for this time of the season. 

Some of the grass I have planted has hooked up but I have a long long ways to go before a full lawn is realized.  I am willing to work at it somewhat. Rains and sun always do wonders here. But when the heat sets in starting in June and long hot dry days become the norm, keeping green lawns is more work than I am willing to stay with. I have come to terms with all of this.  Neighbor advised us to "embrace the country".

Gas prices now $4 a gallon and this keeps us closer to home and driving her "rat car". Taking the Ford truck to town and back is a treat. If the cost of mowing and running our side-by-side has doubled, the farmers and cattlemen here are feeling this cost increase much more in the everyday running of tractors with diesel engines. Right now, cattle are feeding on fields of sweet green grass. But moving herds to rotating fields from week to week, fertilizing large acreage and the first cutting of hay costs will continue to raise beef prices. Everyone feels the increase at the gas pumps and inside the grocery stores.  I see no end in sight. 

Thanks for the visit this week.  

CAT NAP - CANNA FLOWER - WATER SNAKE - CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN - TOASTED CHEESE - HAMISH MACBETH - JIBBER JABBER

Maybe a good photo that well represents the past few weeks here. The cat and I have one thing in common, a drop dead nap after working in the yard. 

Lawn mowing, seeding, fertilizing and watering. I know our lawn will never ever be a good to great lawn. Too much floating in the Texas air that decides to drop and self seed. The good news is that much of that eventually turns green this time of the season and I am just fine with that. But the bare spots drive me crazy and this job has kept me busy.

CANNA

Potted canna again finds summer living in the handmade wheelbarrow near our porch. This one my wife picked out a month ago and it has exploded. 

 WATER SNAKE

Neighbor lady and friends are kayaking in Caddo Lake. I tried kayaking many years ago and understand the peace and beauty that can be experienced paddling around shorelines and inlets. But I would want "a bigger boat" here given the creatures that lurk and live in that water system. In all honesty, after seeing this photo, I am not sure there is a boat big enough for me. 

Go ahead, tell me one more time that water snakes are harmless!! And what is it in the water that is making the circular ripples just below the snake? 

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EATING OUT

The bride and I have been on the road seemingly every day for the past two weeks. Always some reason taking us away from home. We both love road trips, but have finally landed, staying home for a few days. Lunching out is always an upside treat. The Red Dome restaurant in Quitman, Tx is one of our favorite stops. 

Senior chicken fried chicken and enough gravy! Braised cabbage fried in bacon drippings was as good as the steak. Well, I am a fan. I told the waitress that there was no limitation to how much gravy she could show up with or have on the serving. Served with a smile. She received a very nice tip. Nice people and have never had a bad meal there since we arrived in east Texas.

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HOMEMADE TOMATO SOUP AND TOASTED CHEESE SANDWICH

The sandwich was photo worthy. Both are a favorite with us and the cold rainy weather over the past few days was reason enough.

The bread has to be well toasted and all of the cheese must to be melted. Eat when plated.

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 HAMISH MACBETH

Currently, our go-to evening TV series on Prime. Happened on this by accident and decided to give it a try. Aired in 1995, three season and filmed in Polckton, Scotland. The scenery is magnificent and the storytelling, actors and characters are fitting to the times and location. We have a difficult time wading through some of the thick accents, but catch enough to keep with the stories and characters as they develop in this quaint little town. What life and living there was like 30 years ago. Refreshing.

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JIBBER JABBER

Quiet days getting longer and  enjoying the greening of the fields, hills and pastures. Cows are fattening up on fresh grass. At a loss of any kind of overview or shared perspectives on worldly events. Grasping at straws.

Appreciate your visit this week. 

 

 

 

A SECRET TO SOUP MAKING - SPIDER BITE - EASTER DINNER - JIBBER JABBER

I had been craving a good bowl of "broth soup" for awhile now.

I wanted to use leftovers in the fridge and maybe something from the freezer.

What I could find on hand.

Carrots, celery hearts, 1/2 white onion, green chili peppers canned (large tsp), 1 russet potato, some leftover fresh parsley, salt, pepper, olive oil, the last of a tube of squeeze tomato paste, bay leaf and Italian seasoning. Enough here to start a small pot of soup to build on.

1. Onions, carrots, celery, potato and a half-can of canned corn. This is where broth soups start to build deep flavor of the finished soup (the secret). Sauteed over medium heat in a healthy covering of olive oil. Salt and pepper added. Ten-fifteen minutes stirring as needed.

2. Final squeeze of tomato paste stirred in. Leftover chicken broth with water and 1 tsp. chicken bullion seasoning added to fill pot to 3/4 full. 

3. Parsley, Italian seasoning (1 tsp) and a full turn around the top with olive oil added, then stirred in. A small bay leaf dropped on top before the lid went on. This final preparation is also a part of making a well-flavored broth soup.

 

I simmered it for 15 minutes and added a few frozen meatballs. Just because.  

 

Having grown up spending weekends at my grandparents farm, a garden full of greens was always available for my grandmother to throw into a brewing pot of soup. She always had a beef meat bone for a beef-flavor base or chicken parts for chicken soup. All was chopped and diced and set in the pot and brought to a simmer. Her soups always had a cheesecloth of tied-off herbs for flavoring. Served with breads and butter. 

 

Learning to build a pot of simmering soup is a skill set and a lifetime can be spent mastering it. Also a great way to spend time entertaining oneself in the house on an ugly, rainy day. I have posted many of these soup making ideas before.

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SPIDER BITE 

 

Wearing shorts now as the weather warms up. Somewhere, a week ago, a brown recluse got its whatever into me. I did not feel the bite but when looking at the "bug bite", I expected it to run its course as the run-of-the-mill bug bite and start to heal. But a brown recluse spider is a different bite and they quite often need help from a doctor. Left alone, the wound could worsen.

 

I realized this was that spider bite several days into the event. I went to the doctor and he put me on killer antibiotics for 10 days and a topical ointment for the wound and also to apply inside my nostrils. Staph germs can live inside the nose and can contribute to complications from this kind of bite. I did not know that.

 

It has been seven days now working this angry bite and just this morning, it shows signs of healing. Yet, it persists to a point where I am still keeping an eye on it.

 

And, NO wound photos or pictures of Brown Recluse spiders.  

 

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EASTER DINNER TODAY AND OUR TRADITIONAL HAM 

 

 

Our ham (above) this Easter was fresh and smoked most of the day on Friday and overnight into Saturday. The bride picked it up fresh off the smoker Saturday morning from a local service organization that prepares them as part of their annual fundraising activities. Just a simple fresh ham, smoked. No seasoning and the flavor and moist texture is as good as it gets.  Proceeds going to help good causes.

 

We are quietly spending this Easter at home.

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JIBBER JABBER

 

Cold front and an inch and a half of rain yesterday. Forty-eight degrees outside this morning and only warming into the sixties.  

 

Yards and fields received a good soaking and are glistening. Yesterday's puddles have soaked in and many yard chores beckon my attention.  I am slowing down these days and am challenged more so to keep it all going. But staying on all of this a little at a time, I will get in another summer season's work done, along with help from friends. We will view our little corner of East Texas daily this 2026 summer season and brag at how wonderful it is. 

 

Appreciate the visit this week.  

 

 

 

BLUEBERRY PANCAKES - WARWARWAR - TEX JOHNSON - SLO-MO-SHUN-V - YOUNG SHERLOCK - THE MADISON - JIBBER JABBER

Fresh blueberry pancakes this morning, from scratch. Two of these were all I could eat. Another of the bride's successful test kitchen ideas.  

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WarWarWar. Daily quick synopses from The Burning Platform. 

MARCH 10 - MARCH 11 - MARCH 12 - MARCH 13 MARCH 14

The BP seems to be connected to some degree, to someone, somewhere and/or he spends much time doing his homework. Regardless, I find the reading easy and beyond my imagination. It appears to me that the war being waged is not going as planned. We may be in a heap of trouble.

I quickly realized how quickly all of this impacts me at the pumps. To fill the Ford now is over a $100. Doubled in just a few days. My answer to this is to stop and top off the tank when ever I can and never ever get below a half tank. I an not saving money but it seems to hurt less. But folks who commute daily are hit the hardest. 

My wife's KIA is again paying for itself on weekly local travel. Even driving longer distances to meet family from Dallas for a lunch get together. 

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Tex Johnson. August 6, 1955 over Lake Washington in Seattle during the Seafair Gold Cup Hydroplane races. I have shared this before, but it's worth revisiting. Men being men!!

SLO-MO-SHUN-V hydroplane qualifying lap that year. 

My folks  and I sat glued to our TV watching these annual hydroplane races in Seattle. A great memory of times gone by and when men rode these wild boats going fast as they could and before the gas turbines. The sound of those boats crossing the starting line, well my friends; "those were the days, those were the days."

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MOVIE NIGHTS

Young Sherlock 

Very good story telling albeit hugely revisionist. Wonderful fresh cast and excellent filming photography. 

The Madison 

We completed the first three episodes last night. Again, Taylor Sheridan does NOT disappoint with this new series. I see it rated as a 7.7. It is much better than that in my book. Ten out of ten for us. This story really grabs the heart!

Michelle Pfeiffer is magnificent. Supporting cast all well acted. The Madison River in Montana provides stunning backgrounds for this story. I see that season 2 has already completed filming should be aired by year's end. 

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JIBBER JABBER

Compared to worldly happenings, life in east Texas is very quiet. Big winds, some rain, last freeze of the lingering winter weather is tonight and those who planted gardens early worry of losing some of their crops. I mentioned this in my last post. 

Yard and shop clean out progressing to a point to where I now want to finish the job because it is not so over whelming. I can see bare spots on the work benches and shelf spaces reappearing. Throwing stuff away can become too easy to a point of throwing away "stuff" I use and need just for the wanting of more open spaces.

The miracle of nature growing never stops being amazing. The greening has started and plants trimmed have sprung to living with vigor. Yard work is never done. Big value in standing with hands on hips, surveying a yard and garden teaching me the rewards of what a little hard work can accomplish and give back on a daily basis.

I appreciate the visit this week. 

Please help yourself to fresh slice of home made carrot cake while it is still warm. A cup of coffee, too, if you wish. We can sit and visit of times gone by and make "yum" sounds from each bite. And why don't you take half of this cake home with you as we will never eat it all.

 

 

 

WARMING DAYS - COUNTING CATTLE - MOVIE SUGGESTION - READS FROM BLOG SITES - JIBBER JABBER

I think our cat best exemplifies how to enjoy the warming days after winter, relaxing next to my wife and me as we sit in the carport visiting. Temperatures now in the low 80s with thunderstorms forecast later in the week. The small tornado that came thorough our neighborhood 2 years ago came through during the same first week of March.

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We had just finished breakfast yesterday morning when my wife raised her eyebrows at a text she had just received. Her neighbor lady friend to the west just asked if she wanted to go out with her to check the herds of cattle. Usually her husband does this, but was gone bird hunting. Checking the cattle every morning is one of the first of the day's chores for all cattlemen. Cattle are counted and generally visually inspected. A calf right now has a value of $2400 on the hoof. Big investments. This was going to be a first for her; a ride along through the fields, inspecting the herds. "We don't get many firsts anymore" said and was excited like a kid as they drove away.

All accounted for and the job took well over an hour driving through the fields, counting and inspecting. 

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MOVIE SUGGESTION

We found this movie, CITY ISLAND with Andy Garcia earlier this week. We are both fans of his. The movie is a drama/comedy and turned out to be one of the best we movies we have seen in months. Give it try and stick with it. Fun for the heart.

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"ODIE" 

We have been with out a side-by-side for over 6 months now. The Bobcat died and went to side-by-side heaven. We finally found a good used Polaris to replace him. It is quieter, runs just fine and ought to get the odd jobs done here plus get us back and forth visiting neighbors. This is my helper that keeps me working outside. 

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TAKING THE YOUNGSTER ON A ROLLER COASTER RIDE. 

This a great video.

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SPEED AT WHICH AI IS EVOLVING 

An interesting read from Bayou Renaissance Man.

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WAR UPDATES, from The Burning Platform. I have no idea what to make of all of this. Informational maybe, but to what end? Oh, gas prices up "bigly" here, too.  

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JIBBER JABBER 

Quiet in east Texas from my vantage point. Winter is done except for that last freeze before Easter. Seems to be a thing associated with winters in Texas. Rain and thunder storms starting to pass through on whims. Daffodils have been blooming for awhile now and things green sprouting everywhere. A long growing season has started once again.

We have filled our first small dumpster with "stuff." Mostly yard clean up and a few things from the shop. Will start with load #2 when the "guy" empties this load. No more planting of a garden because it is getting more difficult to keep up with. An excuse? 

Yard maintenance is job one and will keep me busy in the summer months ahead. The bride and I are trying to get out more to see and do which is higher on our list of things to do.

Daylight savings this morning. Clocks turned changed. I guess lunch and dinner are later in the day, yet at the same time. Naps will just happen. 

Appreciate the visit this week. Hey, a half a million views now from one older man's postings of life and living. Let's celebrate. Help yourself to a corner piece. Chewy ones on the right.

 

  

 

 

 

 

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.