Greeting World I'm checking in again-

Ah Today ! I started serious activity around 9:00 AM with a snack and set off for the 1st item - get the Scout through emissions ! The prep. work was done, I was dressed and ready – get her done old man! 9:15 AM. 97 degrees so I didn’t need to drive it much to get it up to temperature. My thinking was most folks would try to get there early before it got really hot. I was wrong or it WAS really really busy earlier – judging by the sweat soaked uniforms of the employees it had been VERY busy and still was. I was about to desert the Scout for a shade tree, when an employee waved me in. I have to give him credit! He was polite almost smiled when HE got to do the Scout. A little later he returned and asked how I wanted to pay – CASH. He brought my change and handed me the report and said- “it didn’t just pass it did great” with a quick smile and waved me out for the next one. Report in hand and I was off to a third party MVD. I’d noted that on the renewal form I was re-registering a 1979 Interstate trailer with the same VIN # and plate # as the Scout. Not an issue for THAT department BUT an issue. Try explaining THAT to an officer of the law in the evening after a stop at the Legion. No Thank you. The time to take action was right THEN. I pointed out the problem to the nice young man that was assisting me and asked what the best way to deal with it was- “have to get a changed/corrected title and DO YOU HAVE the title of the vehicle ?” “Not with me close- within a few miles IF I can lay my hands on it ”. SHOCK when I got home I walked right in, went to a drawer that I knew at one time held such data. SHOCK ! An envelop that read Titles & Ins. Vehicles and trailers in my scribbles. Hot Dog ! Now I just have to wait for the sticker and title to arrive BY MAIL ! . That reminds me, get the receipts out of the envelope that I so carefully returned to the designated file in the designated drawer. Better carry them till I have other evidence of my uprightness and legality. Ha Ha Ha.

7:30 PM Home, fed, and OK. It was a busy day (comparatively for me). It was a VA day for me. All positive for the VA except the eye dilation. It lasted way too long. Dilated eyes and 4:00 traffic out of Phoenix is not recommended. Made it - but I was SO ready for a small pitcher at the Legion. I experienced the most extensive eye exam I’ve ever had! Probably why the dilation issue. Learned a lot . . . Advice from VA eye doc. - Get it done where it’s most convenient for YOU just don’t let them sell you anything more than VA will pay for. Your eyes need the cataracts removed but that’s all. Special lens etc are uncalled for. Your eyes are healthy and there are no other problems and laser surgery is really cool but it isn’t any better than my work and I’d be the surgeon that did it here. Make your decision based on what works best for you- time and travel expenses. Whoo I’m in - schedule it at my local provider (3 miles away from home). Closing advice – just don’t let them sell you anything else you don’t need. I laughed out loud! “Not a problem” I said. Ha Ha Ha
Oh that was only ½ the VA involvement - Dermatology was actually first in the scheduling order. I have so much experience in that department that – well I watched the intern and evaluated and approved & proceeded. Awaiting biopsies report etc. As I checked out with arrangements for future appointments the receptions said “HEY – what are going to do for your upcoming 75 ? I laughed and said (probably responded inappropriately)’ “I don’t know but it’ll probably involve pretty ladies & alcohol”. As she wrote her PH# on the back of my appointment card. Ha Ha Ha Well it’s mostly true. Ha Ha Ha If you aren’t at least snicking - you might consider lightening up.

7:45PM Sat. evening. In sweats and house slippers and full tummy . The partners provided dinner in Crusty's Cavern. Dishes and pans etc all conveyed back into their kitchen and they are already in front of the TV. Actually a nice evening visiting and swapping stories that we all told/heard before. Please Understand I'm not complaining,and actually kind of nice. Many of Old Crusty's Cavern's regular patrons have departed so there was a little nostalgia, at times. There are times when "Old Pard" P. C.Schooley's name has to be remembered and missed amidst the laughing with stores of "Old Pard's many antics. Ewing & Marlene are both gone on. My favorite Ewing story is his usual preface to telling a story "If I've told this story before, Please bare with me because I really enjoy telling it(Ha Ha)? Makes me smile every-time I recall that preface of his. Most recently a guy. in a big box truck I'd never met. stopped in front, got out and came over. He said "I used to see a big green IH truck parked at your house". I said "Yep that was 'Big Bertha' Jerry Haynes's truck". The Mobile Mechanic - The guy just said "I kinda liked him, he kept our fleet on the roads for years." I could only reply that he helped me keep my vehicles functional for over 20 years and there was always a couple cans of Squirt in the fridge for Jerry when he just stopped by, whether it was to help me out or just to visit. I could carry on in this vein for much longer but I won't, mostly for my own sake. (smile)
I started out the morning with the pancakes, link sausage. orange juice and coffee I could hold. It was a Legion Post 26 Aux fund raiser. The pancakes were especially good. 3 was my limit but I handled 6 sausage links.
I also did something I rarely do - I bought a raffle ticket- in fact I bought SIX tickets for $5. Ha Ha Ha As I was putting my name & phone number on the tickets, I said "I'd better check the phone number as I so rarely dial it(true.) The lady handling the tickets said "Oh don't worry about the phone number we all know you Roger". Whoops I think I'll accept that in a positive manner and not think about it. Ha Ha Ha

Wow I think I’ll pass on a post tonight- Kind of been messing up of late. Passing on lots of offered help – thinking to far ahead while being too far in arrears. Now is the moment and now it’s late and too late for serious considerations and way past my normal “Night Night”. Should have, would have maybe even COULD HAVE etc. Last part not verified. (chuckle)

11:00 PM
Being up this late isn’t a normal part of my routine. It’s raining in Central AZ. Sure hasn’t been a common occurrence recently but it’s expected to continue for several days. I don’t mind the rain but it’s expected to include winds for a portion of that period.
I mentioned laundry in an earlier post so the update is “today was finish the laundry day.” I did and I don’t know why but it took a tole on my back. Too long standing I expect. It went OK and 20 + dress shirts plus a stack of work cloths are hanging or folded in the closet and the only bed clothing unwashed is what was just put on my bed a couple days ago. I hereby officially declare the laundry done till tomorrow at least.
With rain falling and my fortitude being so low I elected to recoup with a book and a fire outside. Gentle showers falling on the metal roof of the courtyard and a small fire plus a book & beverage and the evening was extended beyond what I expected. One glowing log (wasn’t totally dry ) remains glowing slightly but the book and beverage are finished.
I’m starting to fit the ‘back thing’ into my mind better. I had to grocery shop before the laundry excursion. I actually had my grocery list with me when I went to shop (usually make a list and leave it at home) and got everything I went after and only slightly more. I didn’t expect fresh sweet corn that looked good and a couple baking potatoes weren’t on the list but. . . Wonder what tomorrow will hold ? Staying dry inside will play a major role I expect. Sometimes the pace around here is just plain scary.

Seems like I have a lot to say but I’m short of the words to say it. Yeah Yeah ME short of words? – Nope – just short of the RIGHT words. Therefore silence may well be quite appropriate. Darn “silence” isn’t my specialty. Just ain’t quite figured what actually my specialty is. . . .