Rain

It didn't take long. A cloudy day all day today and when I went out around 5:30 for supper with local Democrats it was raining pretty hard. Not for long, but long enough to settle the dust in the air onto my nice clean car. At least, Trudy, I don't have to shovel it.

The monthly meeting of Yellowstone County Democrats for supper was tonight. My favorite candidate for US Senator, John Morrison, was the speaker. I've know John for many years and worked with his Father, Frank, years ago when he was running for office. Frank died about the same time Betty died. I had a chance to talk with John about our mutual grief. He certainly understood my feelings as his mother is in the same situation. He is currently State Auditor and we can only hope that he wins the primary and then unseats our current Republican - Conrad Burns. Burns is knee deep in the Abramov controversy.

While I am a former President of the Demo Club and a past Chairman of the County Executive Committee, I don't seem to know very many people at these meeting anymore. Time marches on!

Warm Day

I pulled the front window curtain to the top this morning. After reading the paper, doing up some dishes and going to the store to get some Chunky Soup at a bargain price (3 for $4) I came home and the thermostat read 80+ degrees. I decided then to wash the car before having some lunch. It really needed it - and we need the rain promised for Wednesday. It is sure to come now!

Montana & 60 Minutes

I hope you were watching 60 Minutes this evening. The segment with Montana’s Governor, Brian Sweitzer was a true picture of the man. I first met him 5-6 years ago when he was running for the Senate against Conrad Burns. Burns was a County Commissioner and was well known in Montana Ag circles as a radio broadcaster and auctioneer. He promised to serve no more that two terms and is currently running for his fourth. He is a solid Republican and can be expected to vote the party line without fail. We are probably lucky that Brian lost that one since we now have him in an office where he might do the best for our State. He is in his early 40’’s and we can expect him to seek other offices later. The talk with Lesley Stahl about some movement to run for President is a bit premature. The job of getting diesel fuel from coal is a big challenge with the opposition of many environmentalists in the State, but it may get done anyway. Annie and Bill will be somewhat distressed I suspect since much of the coal they are talking about is not far from where they live. Mining there would mean big growth for some of the smaller communities in the area such as Ashland.

Some may remember the fall I had last year resulting in significant facial bruising and involving a trip to the Emergency Room at the Billings Clinic. That happened when I was leaving a home after visiting with Sweitzer just before the election. I had not been in that place before and an unexpected step cause me to trip. It may have been a Democratic function, but I was completely sober. The Republican Lt. Govenor, John Bohlinger, is a long time friend. He and his wife, Bette, operated a women’s clothing store in Billings for many years. She died after the first of the year from Leukemia. So John and I have that in common as well.

Anyway. I was happy to see our fledgling governor get some national attention.

Musings

One of the gals who is helping me sort through stuff for a Spring Garage Sale showed up, but not the chief. I called her house and she has a “workshop” today at her place of employment, and failed to call Glennis. Anyway we had a nice conversation for a while and she left some packaging stuff for later use. I visited Glennis’ father many time a number of years as he was in the hospital and later a nursing home with cancer. His wife gave me a very lovely bolo which Orris had made from local agate.

Annie called earlier this morning. She and Bill are coming in this afternoon. She advised me not to make plans for supper. That’s always good to hear. I spent most of the morning cleaning up - dishes, running the sweeper, etc. I got my shredded wheat ready for breakfast and then remembered that I had used the last of the milk yesterday. Did not go out at all yesterday so didn’t think to replace that. Anyway there was wheat toast, a banana and orange marmalade.

After many promises of snow the ground is still clear. There was frost on the car this morning, but not the sun is shining in all her glory. (Oh, I guess that I did go out briefly yesterday. And there was some what I would call “pellet snow” for a while. I needed to go to the Credit Union to get a form photocopied [the do it as a courtesy] in order to send a couple of $10 coupons back to firstStreet for refund from the lamps I just bought. By the way, they give off a nice light.)

Guess that will be it for this time.

Sour Dough

I spent most of this morning making use of the sour dough starter I set a couple of nights ago. It just wasn’t warm enough yesterday to give it a cool workout. Today I had waffles for breakfast and then made the balance of the batter into a couple of loaves of bread. Again I was reminded of the emptiness in the house because the first waffle off the grill always went to Betty. For lunch half a sandwich was enough along with a diet Pepsi and a hand full of Fritos. Not sure yet about supper.

Enjoyed reading Son David’s blog about his kids and how proud he is of them, and how much they have enriches his own life. I guess I could do much the same about our 7, but that might turn into a long essay or a brief book.

As I was sitting in the front room the mail truck pulled up and the carrier (Mailman) got out with a large package. Turned out to be the two lamps I had ordered from firstStreet a couple of weeks ago. They have now been put together and I am using the light of one as I sit at the computer. The other will be in the front room upstairs.

There are errands to do and the Wednesday gathering to attend, so I’d best be about it.

College Reunion

Well, I guess that a faulty memory isn’t clearly a sign of “old age”. Several of you have commented about your own experiences in this area. So, here’s another sign. The postal service today delivered a large envelope with a message from my Alma Mater (Marshall University) inviting me to my 60 year class reunion. Yes, good folk, 1946 was 60 years ago. I was given my diploma in the new President’s Office in the summeer after the Registrar and the Dean fouled up my total credits and I was not allowed to participate in Graduation Ceremonies in May. As Registrar and Dean at Rocky Mountain College I did my best to see that that did not happen to any of my students. Included was a list of abut 75 students with their current addresses who are still living. There is another list of 30 who are supposedly still living, but who addresses have been “lost”. There are about a dozen among the living whose name I recognize. I doubt if I would ever recognize them in the flesh. It is the same weekend as my oldest Granddaughter’s wedding. It is unlikely that I will be attending either.

Incidentally, the papers I needed to complete the Minutes spoken of earlier were rescued and that task is now complete.

Old Age

I was bragging to my grand daughter today how proud I am that I can still remember the names of each of our children, their spouses, and the 12 grandchildren along with numerous in-laws belonging to the first of these. I try to mention each of them to God every day figuring she knows what they need most, and that they are under her protection. AND then I go to type up the minutes of the Board Meeting I attended last Friday and find that I left the packet with the minutes in the room meeting instead of bringing it home. I can only hope that our Administrator picked up the stuff still lying around and brought it back to the Office. She is off today so I can't check until tomorrow.

I'm glad to see that Brother John has started Team of Rivals about the life of Lincoln, How better to spend some time on Presidents Day? I shunned the Olympics last night and finished Hillerman's Skeleton Man. Fascinating read. Now I have a bit deeper subject to get into. Bought a book on the Gnostics a few weeks ago and haven't gotten back to it since Betty's death. Some how the Olympics don't fascinate me as they did four years ago in Salt Lake. Betty loved the ice dancing so I do catch that once in a while.

I was out about an hour ago and except for a strong wind from the North it was pretty comfortable. One more month til Spring and the Spring heavy wet snows. Ugh!

J

Literary Pursuits

Last night I went to the local community theatre for a production of "Out of Order" - a British Comedy. It was pretty well done and with a very appreciative audience. Their laughing often drowned out the next line or two. I sat in the usual place, but there was a distinct difference since the seat next to me was unoccupied. That kept my own enjoyment at low key.

Earlier in the day I finished Blood Brothers (earlier Blog) and began a Tony Hillerman novel. I've always enjoyed his writing. This one was published a couple of years ago - Skeleton Man. As usual there is a lot of Hopi and Navajo background.

At church this morning I find that I am still in mourning. Some lines from very familiar hymns are difficult to sing anymore. I'm sure that Easter will be a mixed blessing this year - all about rising from the dead. If ony . . .

"Blood Brothers"

I have just been reading a book which Pete brought by the other day - “Blood Brothers”. It is by Elias Chacour, a Palestinian and a Melkite Christian Priest. He writes of his youth and of coming to age during the early days of the Zionist movement during which Palestinian villages were ransacked and one learns an entirely new side of the establishment of the State of Israel. Chacour’s first assignment after his Seminary training in Paris is to a small village near Nazareth which is overcome with hatred and distrust. Four brothers, in particular are mentioned. When the mother dies in one of their homes the Priest is admonished not to alert the other brothers. “If we are in the same room you will then have five funerals since we will kill each other. Few come to services on most Sundays, but this group is not unlike many others. They feel some necessity to pack the church on Palm Sunday and Easter.

After 18 months of trying to bring some sort of peace to the villager, Elias padlocks the church doors after the Palm Sunday sermon as tells the people that they much work out their anger and hatred before the door will be opened. After a long time one man stands up. It is the town policeman and the brother in whose house the mother had died. Before it is over he confesses his hatred and seeks forgiveness of his brothers and of the Priest. They meet and hug each other and the Kiss of Peace is exchanged with the Priest. It is the beginning of community coming to terms with one another.

I have been particularly interested in this book since our Institute for Peace Studies has its Winter Board meeting this afternoon. Quite possibly each of us has deep seated feelings of distrust and possible hate for others. We are called to remember that Jesus once said: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons (children) of God.”

By the way, I woke up this morning to -14 degrees. By mid-afternoon it has warmed up to -6.

Cold Day

I made my annual trip to the MATE (Montana Agriculture Trade Exhibition) show this moring That was after buying a new battery for a wireless phone Pete has brought with him. I need one in the "office" while at the computer since I can hear the one in the other room. hen I decided to go by the Bank and bring my account up to date since the wife's death.

I go to the trade show not to see all of the latest agricultural stuff, but because the local hospitals and other businesses also have booths there. Some how I was thinking of brother Don this morning and of how he had battled diabetes for much of his adult life before dying of a heart attack. St. Vincent Hospital was offering blood sugar checking so I had that done. My score os 103 which is reportedly in normal range. That was good to know since the lipid panel I have a couple of times a year does not provide that information.

In regard to the title: it is cold today compared to recent weeks. I left the houe at 6 degrees and it dropped to 4 sometime while I was out. There was also a rather brisk wind. I'm glad I was able to park near the building where the exhibit is located.

Caution rules

Brother John wrote about not being to old to drive on a planned trip this Spring. I would have to admit that I’ve given the topic some thought, and have about decided that travel to far flung places in the future would probably be by plane. Not that I have any such plans at present. There will probably be a couple of trips the 320 miles to Dickinson, ND this spring, but that is about it.

What got me to thinking about this in regard to self is a decision made this morning. I needed to go to the Credit Union to transfer some money out of a savings account into a Valentine Day special CD at 4.5% APY which beats the heck out of the .5013% in the straight savings account.

When I left the house it was beginning to snow a bit. With the weather reports this was no great surprise. Actually I expected to find the ground covered when I got up. There had been a bit of moisture, but not white. After I had finished with my business I intended to drive to the west end and do some shopping. The snow had begun to get heavy and it was sticking to the streets and covering the parked cars. Now I know I am getting old. I decided to come straight home rather than have to sweep the snow off after shopping, and take a chance of some character ignoring how slick the streets are becoming. Shopping can wait. There is plenty of food in the pantry.

And a Happy Valentine's Day to all.

The meat themometer is ruined

The last time I used the barbecue grill I left the thermometer in the chicken breast and closed the lid. Well, you know what happens then. The plastic cover melted and ruined the thing. My plan for supper tonight includes a chicken breast so it was finally necessary to go out and get a new thermometer. While shopping at Osco I noticed that Hershey bars were on sale for 99 cents. They are often over $1.50 so I bought a couple of them. As I was paying the bill I thought to myself - when we first came to Billings back in the 1960’s these things were 50 cents apiece and they weighed 8 oz and not the 5 oz at present. And another thing about Hershey - I seldom see any Mr Goodbars anymore.

Since I about used up the milk at breakfast it was time to buy again. I usually only get it by the half-pint these days since it is mostly used on my cereal at breakfast. I bought some Frito Scoops. Another thing that I used to buy regularly was Pringle ripples. They don’t seem to be around anymore. My guess is that there was some sort of copywright with another company making similar shaped potato chips.

It was pleasaantly warm when I went out about 10 a.m. By the time I was coming home an hour later a brisk wind had come up and the chll factor was clearly felt. At least I have not had to shovel snow this week-end.

Cold Night

I woke up this morning to a rather strange sound. Turned out to be the blower on the furnace. It must have gotten quite cold last night. I typically set the thermostat at night to around 60 degrees, but because of insulated siding, double pane windows. etc. the house usually stays around 62-65 degrees.

I spent much of yesterday looking over stuff that has been laying around the house for years. Some of the gals from the Church are coming by this morning to begin preparations for a Garage Sale. I suspect that much of the clothing they will just tell me to take it to Goodwill or some other such agency. I have no intention of getting rid of the ceramics Betty spent a lot of time on, but there are the "bird houses" she was turned on to in recent years. They are big enough for real birds, they take up a lot of room, but her hand is clearly in the colors painted on them.

I got an e-mail this morning from a former collegue at Rocky Mountain College. He and his wife had moved back to New York State after retirement. She had suffered from polymyalgia and central vision loss for many years and recently died from two rather masssive strokes. I am still trying to come to terms with the fact that Betty did not suffer a long illness and that her passing was without apparent pain.

Well, the sun is bright and it seems that the day will be a lot warmer than it was last night. Duh!

Dental Visit

Today it was my semi-annual visit to the Dentist for routine cleaning. The DDS looked things over and gave me a clean bill of health, and then the Technician went about the cleaning job. She is a good gal at what she does and we have been working toether for a few years. She is currently in the last stages of her first pregnancy with the baby girl due sometime next week. She tells me that she will take a couple of months off and then be back at work 3 day a week. Good! I hate to break in a new dental assistant. Not to mention a new dentist. Greg is the fourth dentist I have used in the past 45 years. He is a gradate of Rocky Mountain College before going off to professional school so I've known both him and his wife (also a grad) for a long time. Betty and I started going to him when our previous Dentist retired to raise a family. She lived across the street at the time.

Now that is over until August.

-J-

Weekly gathering

I have been meeting Wednesday afternoons with a group of men at a local coffee shop. They are all Democrats, and I have known most of them for many years: A former County Attorney, a former Billings Gazette Editor, a director of a local drug treatment center, a former columnist from the Gazette who now writes regularly for the Billings Outpost, and a few others. Today the big talk was about a new treatment center in a neighborhood where there is some controversy over whether on not they can build a 4-plex as opposed to several 2-plexes. I suspect that the 4-plex will get built after all the fussing is over.

Some talk also about our unseasonable 63 degree weather mid-winter. I commented that the last winter similar to this we had many heavy wet snows in the Spring. I would remember this because my heart doesn't like that hard work, and unless I take some nitro before and work at it slowly there is much angina. It is apt to be even harder now after several years of fairly light stuff. Anyway, Pete is moving in and that may be all the "rent" I get.

Son David says that I should use this blog to write some of my own biography. Not sure about that. Maybe a bit will show up from time to time.

Laundry Day

I wrote to this title earlier this morning and it did not publish due to some problem with the server. I got the idea that I was supposed to publish it later, but it seems to have disappeared.

Anyway, Monday was always Laundry-Day in my youth. Due to mother's poor health the kids all learned early to soak, scrub and put the dirty clothes in the washer. The Maytag. Thence they were rinsed in clean water, run through the ringer and hung out to dry. Betty was pleased that she married a guy who could do his own laundry. As I was doing that usual chore and other usual things through the day it was going well. Then I realized that I had to get dinner. No one was doing that for me. I thought of the Marie Calendar frozen supper in the fridge, and then settled on a can of chunky clam chowder. It was good and filling along with the ice cream and a couple of cookies made over the week-end. I then brushed my teeth so there wouldn't be any temptation to eat further. Tonight I'm thinking chili of somesort since there is some hamburger in the freezer from sometime last December.

Today I've been hacking at the TurboTax and about have that ready to send off. Surprise! Surprise! I seem to owe both the Feds and the State. Ugh.

It is a beautiful sunny day here in Billings with temps to be in the mid-40's and a promise of 55 tomorrow. I'm tempted to wash the car, but that would surely bring rain or snow and I'd have to do it all over again.

Laundry Day

Well, it always was when I was growing up. Our mother wasn't in the best of health so she did one of the best things that ever happened to me. She had me (along with other sibs) do the laundry. The old fashioned way. From the day I married I was able to do my own laundry, and Betty had no problem with that. Yesterday was laundry day. A couple of loads. As I mumbled around the house it seemed pretty much as usual, until it came time for supper. That was always Betty's job. Now I have to do it myself. I settled on a can of chunky clam chowder and some salad. Dessert was ice cream with a couple of cookies I'd made last week-end.

As I slept last night it seems that I planned tonight's supper. It'll either been some chili type dish or just a big old hamburger laced with onion, garlic and some hot sauce. And, of course, some kind of vegetable.

Actually most of yesterday was spent re-doing my taxes. The earlier run was considered practice. Actually I've done our own taxes since I was first employed in 1947 as Instructor in Psychology at Marshall College - now University.

Church on Sunday

I went to Church as usual today. Betty always had a box of Bran Buds around for breakfast. I don't care for them, but there was a full unopened box in the basement, and I couldn't get any of the kids to take them home. Today they went into the Food collection at Church. When I got there Sheri Pogue was just coming in and asked to sit with me. I married her and Gary many years ago. Family will know that Gary and our Jimmy grew up together. G sings in the choir as a tenor.

Since this is the first Sunday we had Communion. I took the bread as it was passed and as I meditated about Christ's death it was very moving since Betty had died so recently. He arose, I said to myself. She won't. My tears came in silence. After the service I was able to talk with Janie about the possibility of her Circle having a Garage Sale of much of the stuff that is laying around. The proceeds can go to a fund which is being built to refurbish the Church kitchen. Also the twin sized hide-a-bed will be picked up this coming Friday to make room for Pete as he plans to move later this month.

Pleased to get responses from some of you congratulating me on getting on-line. Thanks.

Jcurmudge

Occasional Musings

It seems that many of my relatives have Blogs, and that is the primary way I keep up with grandchildren and others. So I just though "why not!". I've entitled this so that readers will recognize that it won't be a daily.

The Billings Gazette this morning had their usual FAITH column written by someone with some experience which enhanced their thier faith. The guy writes among other things that he had helped a Grandmother who had taken in several grandchildren and worked hard to feed them and otherwise take care of them. As for himself he had four children at home to feed and take care of, and his wife had died a number of years ago. It made me feel fortuante that my wife ( Betty ) had lived to grandmotherhood, and that she was an integral part in raising our seven. She died just after Thanksgiving with many of her children and grand-children having the chance to visit her in the hospital. We all miss her terribly, but are thankful for her full life and love.