So much has been happening around these parts since last week, most of which has been continuing work on the house, of course. There have also been some nice diversions, some with their own surprises. Those of you following baseball would know that the Baltimore Orioles made it into the playoff series, first among their own American League division ( Read more... )

I've been laying low these past several weeks as far as social media and socializing. Part of the reason is I've been busy, or at least trying to be, with everything from work on the house, cars, tractors, yard, and whatever my body allows me, as I play catch-up. The other, more sinister reason is I have basically been detoxing. It's nearly a year ( Read more... )

Jeff came home early Thursday for a doctor's visit, the last few days he's been having mild flu-like symptoms. We made a trip together to the doc and tests seem to indicate it is viral in nature, so it is mostly a rest and wait it out situation. I went with him to see if there was anything I could help with at home, and to get an idea what it was, ( Read more... )

I'm finding that more people from our ten year's past "heyday" of Livejournal are beginning to come back into the fold lately. It does my aging heart good. There were lots of good times. There were also lots of bad, but there was never a lack of community support during the dark moments. I credit the gang here for helping me through the worst times ( Read more... )

So long, beg1n/Jeff. Though I only knew you online, you had enriched my life since our virtual friendship began. Life handed you a lot of nasty stuff, but each time you came through it with your sense of humor and unstoppable positive outlook shining. You define inspiration, and I will miss you greatly.

*BigBadTxHugs*

(Warning, lots of personal meanderings ahead ( Read more... )

I found out moments ago via several friends' posts that Greg Garcia, known better in LJ circles as beastbriskett has died after a long fight with cancer. I'm still stunned. Greg was an early LJ friend and his posts were always an enrichment to my day. Were I ever to make it out to the left coast, he was the first person I wanted to give a huge hug to and just ( Read more... )

I'm pretty good at a lot of things. Many people know that. It benefits me greatly, and others as well. Eventually, this ends up in a scenario such as this:

Friend: Hey, Phil. I'm having problems with x. Can you help me?
Me: Sure.

Repeat scenario, substitute different value for x. Repeat, oh, hundreds or thousands of times over the years. Hey, it' ( Read more... )

I'll admit that I have not been the most chat-worthy sort in the last few years, given so many of the issues I've faced. During that time, I kept low, not bothering anyone with my problems. Lately, however, I've been trying to 'reconnect' with those friends I've had through the years by 'hanging out my shingle' on the many online messaging services ( Read more... )

Often is the time I regretted getting to know someone. In this case, it was danbearnyc, whose erudite commentary seemed found in so many friend's entries. Being already saddled with an overly large 'friends list' and having trouble keeping up with everyone as it was, I have been hesitant adding even more folk to my alphabet soup knowing that it would ( Read more... )