WELL, AT LEAST FOR TODAY

 WE HAVE 3 FRONT YARD  BUNNIES VISITING US DAILY NOW

It was encouraging to see sunlight streaming through our living room window first thing this morning but that encouragement soon dwindled when an unseen cloud cover soon blotted out that encouragement.  With a few lazy snowflakes in the 33F morning air, Pheebs and I slowly made our way around the Park's road for fifteen minutes before returning home and backing the Jeep into the carport.  Another 9 days and we can finally burst out of the Park and take to the country roads again:))))) 

I HAVEN'T DECIDED IF THIS STUMP ON A PARK RESIDENT'S LAWN IS A RHINOSAUCERUS, A HIPPAPOTAMOOSE, OR A FRANTIC SNAPPING TURTLE THINKING  IT IS A WADDLING TURKEY....OH, AND I SEE THE HEAD OF A LARGE TROLLLIKE GARGOYLE LOOKING SKYWARD TOO

Since April 27th of 1993 I have been keeping a record of my weight.  On that April day, I weighed in at 173 pounds.  The heaviest weight I reached through the ensuing years was 217 on May 4th, 2010.  This morning I weighed in at my lightest weight in nearly 30 years.  For some reason, the pounds are dropping off and the scale registered 181 pounds this morning.  Ideally, though I thought it would never happen, I'd like to get down to 175 pounds or a touch lower.  We'll see what happens.  

 TRULY A HANDSOME COUPLE IN OUR PARK

 WALKING WITH SWAGGER

For a fellow who has said a number of times in his posts that he much prefers to read books of fact rather than fiction, I have to take a step back from that statement of mine and say I just finished another work of fiction which quite held my interest all the way through the novel from beginning to end.  And, this book was a real challenge for this short-term memory of mine with all its unexpected twists, turns, and plots. As it so often happens, it's difficult for me to remember what I'm reading as I go along and I'll give you a non-exaggerated example of that.  Whether I'm only five minutes into starting a new book or maybe half of the first chapter, etc. and you were to ask me the title of the book I am reading I would give you a blank stare.  It happens to me every time without fail.  I might only be on page 15 and already I can't remember the title of the book I'm reading.  If I'm reading and set the book down for a couple of hours before resuming my reading, I always have to go back maybe three or four pages to jog my memory as to where I am in the story I am reading.  You can imagine how far back I have to go if I haven't picked up the book for a couple days or more.  Frustrating to say the least but when you love reading as much as I do since my public school days it's just one of those little things I have to accept and take in stride.  It wasn't always like this for me, but it is now in these twilight years.  Oh, by the way, the book I just finished was a nine-hour read entitled, The Lost Bookshop: by author, Evie Woods.  Again, it was the title and cover of the book that first caught my attention.  Once again, I nearly bailed out of the book about half an hour in but by then the author had me hooked and I soldiered on right to the end and have to say, I did enjoy the read.  For my next book, I may seek out something a little simpler and less brain-challenging.  Maybe another Dick and Jane book:))  Feeling better today, the sick feeling nausea seems to have finally lifted.  Well, at least for today.

LOOK CLOSELY THERE ARE FOUR LITTLE EYES IN THIS PHOTO

A Blast From Our Past:))  Fourteen years ago today we were east of Phoenix, Arizona and the morning found us Hiking Up Superstition Mountain (click on the smaller photos to enlarge them)

Al's Music Box:)) New Soul is by the group Album Leaf which officially began in 1998 as the solo project of Jimmy LaValle, guitarist for San Diego, California-based post-rock instrumental band Tristeza. LaValle has also performed in several other San Diego-area bands, including The Crimson Curse, The Locust, Swing Keds, and GoGoGoAirheart.  Mike Vermillion recorded LaValle doing improvised material on a Rhodes piano to a vintage Roland drum machine. This would become his first full-length album. Vermillion supplied synthesizers and vocals to these recordings.

GROANER'S CORNER:((  How Do You Decide Who To Marry?(written by kids)

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10
2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10
3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8
4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8
5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10
6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7
The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
-- Curt, age 7
The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8
7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child )
8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8
And the #1 Favorite is...
9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
-- Ricky, age 10

---------------------------------

=========================