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08/19/2003 Archived Entry: "IT'S TOO HOT TO THINK"

IT'S TOO HOT TO THINK

With all the rumbling last night and tonight, our rain gauge only showed 1/2 inch. Bummers.

Brit heard on the news where a guy was arrested in a car wash. Seems he was naked and going through the wash/rinse cycles. A little wax might not have hurt. The heat will drive you to it!

We had to go to Salina today so Brit could see the podiatrist. All is well, but he thought he should have a handicapped parking permit so he wouldn't have to walk so far with a foot that hurts. I wouldn't let me do that but I did find a stall right next to handicapped which appeased him.

We ate at Potrillos, or however it is spelled. I like #19, Brit had #15. Actually, I like them all.

When we arrived home, I walked in our back door and knew our #3 grandson was doing his magic. All the furniture was pulled away from the walls and there were sweeper tracks everywhere. He runs a sweeper better than anyone I know. He's a sweeper magician. He also pointed out some brass ducks that he had polished and he cleaned my kitchen counter, washed dishes, put them away. He's an amazing kid. And the nice thing is, he enjoys doing it and gets pleasure out of doing it for me. He likes things neat and tidy. I hope our timing in life is right so that he can just move in here and take over when we are through with it. That should be in about 12-15 years for him. Ooopss...that's stretching it from our end, but we'll see. Who's to know?

The pastures that were so lush and green a month or so ago are brown and crisp. The water shortage is really critical.

I guess the fish and game people want to come explore the woods behind our house for tracks. We said that was fine but it will probably be very dull work. About the only thing they'll find is a bountiful supply of poison ivy and those stickery things that cling to Jack's coat. Jack makes a few tracks here and there and there are other little critters wandering around too. The thing is, we've caught maybe 15 raccoons since the first of the year and there are still more around. I'd think a hungry cougar could have wiped them out in short order....along with Jack.

EHS boys are practicing football now...some practices are being held inside, I've been told. I'm sure the coaches are watching them very carefully and seeing to it they drink a good supply of water. We have a very conscientious coaching staff so that takes a lot of worry out of practicing or playing games in this heat.

Thursday I'm going to Sterling to eat a hamburger with Bill Bunyan #1033, a Kansas Explorer who has eaten a hamburger in every county in the state. It is his birthday and he has chosen to eat his last burger at Paddy's with his fellow Explorers, and others. Sterling also hosted Larry the Bowler's last bowl. Everyone is invited to attend. They'll ask Bill to make a few remarks; we'll ask him questions (no doubt regarding hamburgers) and eat a hamburger with him in the back room at 1:00. Just show up. He and his wife, Susan, have done a good job of exploring the sites in each town and his wife contributed in the "spending money and feeling good about it" department. Of course, he has eaten all his hamburgers in locally owned restaurants and cafes…the mom and pop variety.

Thursday night is Hoop and Holler night with a couple lady friends. We're going to Drummers again. Reservations have been made.

Granddaughter #1 is settling in her apartment to begin her third year at SMU. She picked an area midway between the University and Plano where she will be working at EDS (Electronic Data Systems Corp). She was one of three who was named an industry scholar and it's a good deal. She works 10 hours a week for them this year and they plunk down a whole lot of money for her education. Next year she works 20 hours a week and they plunk down even more. Next summer she will work for them full time. She's worked very hard for it.

We saw several B-1 bombers today hovering around Salina. We think that's what they were. Brit says he thinks they are stationed at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA. He knows those things. They find Kansas a convenient place to practice their maneuvers. I'd love to hop a ride in one.

Brit reads a lot. I should get some of his book recommendations to share. He's gives the ones he particularly likes to #2 grandson who is reading a lot these days.

A friend from Pawnee Rock is coming tomorrow for lunch and a visit. I’m looking forward to that. Big salads are on the menu along with a side of white-fleshed nectarines. I bought some today and they are almost too sweet to eat. They are marvelous.

Oh, one more thing. I'll divulge a secret combination that is my own creation. Toast two slices of whole wheat bread and spread both slices liberally with Jiff extra crunchy peanut butter. Then take a ripe, homegrown tomato that has never seen the inside of a refrigerator and peel it. Slice it thick and put the whole thing, one way or another, on one of the slices of toast. Then take a very thick slice of icy cold Walla Walla, Vadalia or some very sweet onion and put that on. A thick slice! Put the sandwich together and enjoy. It's an incredible combination. Really it is. I have variations on that theme too, if you really twist my arm!

I got some stuff today to treat my impending baldness. I can't imagine it will help, but at this point, I better try something.

One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been. Goodnight.