Dad

Dad died 6 years ago today. He was 86 years old, died of a heart attack. He lived in Holbrook Az. The nearest kid lived in Calf. about 8oo miles away. Just the way he wanted it. He lived in a trailer out in the desert. About 10 miles outside of town. Had a dog, three sheds to putter in, 5 cars to putter on and no neighbors. Satellite TV [one of the first in the area] Cell phone [only turned it on 3 hours a day when he remmbered]. Than couldn,t hear it if he got a call. No air condition, fans, and very little air thur the windows. Went to mass everyday, and to the bank about everyday to see if he could get a better rate on his savings. Never called or wrote anything to us kids. [There was 9 of us] If you wanted to talk to him you just started calling, hoping it was at a time when he had the phone on and hoping he would hear it. If you wanted to see him you flew to Phoenix Az, drove 4 hours north than waited until he would see you. I went there and was told he would see me in 2 days. I drove out right now figuring he would get mad and throw me off the land. He shook my hand seen me for about 2 hours than said he had to take a nap. So I left went back the next day stayed about 3 hours and left for the Grand Canyon. Went home after spending about 2 days at the Canyon. Needless to say dad didn't have any relationship with any of us kids. He just had us and moved on. When mom died that really ended any relationship with us. So I guess you can say I dont remmber many good times with him. That is why I spend so much time with my kids and grandkids.
Now having said all that, the things I did learn from him was save money, work hard, mine your own busness, shut up and listen, and do the right thing in all things.

Winter Blas

It's cold, wet, windy and gray outside. Very little sun and a little snow. But other than that it's great. Good day in church yesterday. Bad day at work today, slow night but I,am glad to be alive and up and able to take nourishment. Just sort of killing time.

Tiger Woods

All is good in the world, Tiger is playing again. I caddied at a local golf course when I was 13-14. I was there every day in the summer carrying golf bags [I carried doubles] around the golf course. This was a old money country club, you could only join if you were invited, than you had the pleasure of paying about 30000-40000 dollars to join and a big fee every month to be a member. You got to remember this was in 1959-60 when money was worth something. So this was no small potatoes. I got 12 dollars a round 6-7 days a week. Big money for a 13-14 year old. Than I worked on course year round while going to high school. I did this until I went into the service. Never played but followed it all my life. I say all this to make a point that I have been involved in golf a long time. I was sitting watching TV one afternoon killing time when I saw Tiger for the first time, it was 1998. Since than every time he has played I have tried to watch, just to see how he wills a ball into the hole is a lesson in will power. He is probably the most intense athlete there is. I have seen him make shots that no golfer could ever think about much less make. 1998,1999, 2000 were the huge years for him. Than he decided to remake his swing and had some down years [for him down years] now has finally got it where he wants it. It will be fun watching and just see how well he does.

Cold

Its cold here right now. About 5 with a wind chill of -2. Its 10:00 am in the morning for cry out load. Suppose to drop all day until 0 tonight than -20 wind chill in the morning. I hate the cold, no if, ands or buts about it.
Electric went out at the plant, that was a fun time. No power for 3 hours, machines getting cold [we use a heat process] hard to start back up. Got thur it and moved on but expensive. Dealing with a electric company is a fun time to. They didn;t know the power went out than didn;t know when they would find out where the problem was than didn;t know when they would have it fixed. Other than that it was just fine. O ya they were sorry for the inconvenience. They are sorry alright but when you are the only game in town you can do what you want when you want to.
Got to go going to start a fire in the fire place and warm my old bones.

Football

My daughter lives in Wis. she loves the Packers and is a very happy women right now. My boy lives in Texas and has been a Cowboys fan since he was 6. He is on suicide watch right now. He can't believe that they would blow it so bad. Me! Iam enjoying the games. When you like the Bengal's, you learn to like other teams during this time of the year. The Bengal's only play [if that;s what you call it] 16 games a year, than they go home to watch all the good teams play on television. Used to be a Browns fan but lost interest after Jim Brown quite playing. Than became a Bengal fan, than lost interest after Paul Brown died. So now I watch them if I have nothing else to do on Sunday afternoon. They are a great napping team. You watch them for 15 minute's, you will fall asleep-guaranteed.

Politics

It is the silly season where normal people loose there minds. So many candidates, so many tax levies, so many issues to be decided by a vote. So many lies, half truths, crooks and noise. I let the meat grinder called primaries sort the candidates out, vote most money issues down, vote against anything calling for more government regulation, vote against any candidates that is pro choice [baby killers], more government, higher taxes, against the military, anti god in everyday life, anti business, and for more welfare.
I realize I just put myself in about the bottom 10% of the voting public but it is just the way I think things should be done. Basically my politics are just a little to the Conservative side, maybe a whole lot to the Conservative side. I could go on a whole lot more but you get the picture and with that I'll go for now.

The Ohio State Football Debacle

Let me start by saying I have been a Ohio State fan since Rex Kern's days. So I go way back but the reality is boys and girls that Ohio State can't play with the big boys. The big Ten is over rated and State keeps playing the little sisters of the poor. Having said that, it hurts my heart to watch State play the better teams and struggle. They have a great coach, lots of money, win a lot, and play hard but just don't have the ability to win the real hard games. I mean they totally collapse. I know I know don't be so hard on them but its just so frustrating to watch them go to peaces. O well nobody died or lost there salvation. At the end of the day that's all that counts. Still frustrating.