Windstorm

I awoke last night to close, frequent lightning, heavy rain and a lot of wind.  When I saw Sheila was awake too, I asked her if the patio umbrella was up or down.  She looked out and said it was down .... down in the yard.  It had blown completely out of its stand and taken out two solar light units as it went.  As the storm progressed, we lost two panels of lattice from the deck.  Then we lost power.  There was no tornado but the straight line wind speeds were between 70 and 80 miles per hour.

Losing power in the middle of the night is not a big deal for most people. You just sleep through it.  I have severe sleep apnea and can only sleep using a cpap machine.  From approximately 2:00 AM on, I awoke every ten to twenty minutes gasping for air, heart racing, chest burning.  It was a bad night.  My BP was up 30 points today.

This morning, I looked out the now open bathroom window and noticed there was way too much light for that time of morning.  So, I got up and looked a little closer.  The huge, ancient locust tree that has shaded our backyard since the house was built in the forties was completely down.  The root ball alone is higher than Sheila's head and the tree itself is spread all the way across our neighbors backyard and into the vacant lot south of that. 

We are waiting to hear from our insurance agent to see if our homeowner's covers tree damage.  I sincerely hope it does since removing the remains of a tree that size could be costly indeed.  Some night.

Babysitting

Two happy campers.

Our daughter Michelle called and asked if we could babysit last night.  No power on earth could have stopped Sheila from being there.

When we got there, Little Ben Bob was in top form. He's a real live wire now, crawling all over the house if you will let him, pulling himself up on to everything he can reach and squirming like a fish out of water when you try to hold him.  But, he is also all smiles and giggles (at least for us) and great fun to watch.  He really is a good baby.

Sheila was in her element.  Holding him, feeding him, and getting him ready for bed.  Of course, we took turns entertaining him and holding him.  I don't know why, but he seems fascinated with me for some reason.  I don't know if its my voice or my size or what but in odd moments I will feel someone staring at me, look over and there he is ... looking intently at me.  He usually gives me a cute little baby smile when I look back.

It was good evening.

Friday Night At The Sala's

Jodi texted last night and asked if we would like to come swim.  Unfortunately, I was in a late meeting and couldn't get loose.  I asked for a raincheck ... and got it.  Tonight, we went to dinner together at the good Chinese in their neighborhood and then back to their house to swim. 

Just as we got changed and started outside, a brief thunderstorm passed through and we had to sit it out under their pergola. As we were waiting, Mike and Jodi's son Josh dropped by.  Mike and Jodi have a great relationship with their kids and they all stop by on a regular basis.  A few weeks back, their daughter Katie's husband was out of town so she spent the night.  When it came time to swim, she donned her bikini and jumped right in with the old folks.  Sweet girl.

After the shower, we got in the pool.  I took up my usual residence where I can let my legs float with no weight on my knees.  The pain almost instantly disappears.  Mike took a seat nearby and Sadie the Wonder Dog swam up to sit on his lap.

 Mike and Jodi have a great patio and pool and they get a lot of enjoyment out of it.  And, thanks to their gracious hospitality, so do their friends.  After a while, Mike and Sadie engaged in one of their favorite games, racing in the pool.  The dog gets all excited and has a really good time and expect Mike does too. 

It was a nice, quiet summer evening with good friends, something cold to drink and time to just kick back and enjoy it.  Around sundown, Mike and I were talking about our youth on the farm and all of the hard work.  We agreed it was a hard life.  And then, it more or less came to both of us just how lucky we were.  Our fathers, for all of their hard work and sacrifice probably never had a evening like the one we were enjoying.  Good food in a good restaurant without having to worry about the check and then a nice visit around a swimming pool that only the wealthy could have owned in our childhood.  We agreed that life had treated us a lot better than our fathers.

The only thing missing was our friends the Harmons.

One Thing I Forgot About the Trip to the Farm .... THE TOILET BURPED

I don't know how I forgot this in recounting yesterday's visit to the farm.  There was on more surprise.  A big one.  Maybe my mind blocked it out for a while.

When we walked into the house, I immediately noticed a strong smell of the septic tank.  When I went into the bathroom to investigate, I found the toilet full of the brown live bacteria that you flush down it every month or two to keep the "bugs" alive in the septic tank.  We had done this the last time we were down.

Apparently, Mr. Septic Tank didn't like that brand of bugs and spit a batch of them back up into the toilet after we left last time.  Needless to say, I had to clean the toilet before I could use the toilet after a long drive.  But, I had so much going on, it was just one more challenge I guess....  and one so disgusting that I apparently blocked it out of my mind for a while.

Went to the farm today .....

We went to the farm today.  It had been a while since we visited and the farm let us know in several ways.  First, the postman had once again put a big pink piece of duct tape across the little swing out door of the mailbox.  I hate that and take it down every time he puts it up.

Next, there was big red wasp nest in the back door where we usually enter.  Luckily, there was just enough spray wasp killer in the can I leave hidden near the door to take them out.  Then, the big AC in the living room did not want to cycle, period.  After several minutes of fiddling, I finally managed to get it going but it is out of balance worse than ever.  It shakes the whole house.

And then, just as I got ready to settle in to my big easy chair and watch a bit of ME and Retro TV, I couldn't get a signal.  Figuring the wind had blown the antenna out of alignment, I walked out on the front porch to turn it.  I couldn't.  A big tree limb had grown through the antenna, knocked several arms off it and made it impossible to align what was left.  So basically, no TV.

Oh well, did a few odd jobs, cooked us some lunch, ate it and decided to take a shower before we headed back.  Turned the water on and OUCH!  No cold water in the shower.  Worked the last time I was there.  I fiddled with valves every which way but there was simply no cold water to be had and the hot water was too hot .... period.  I hadn't taken a sponge bath in a long time.  Made me remember the times when we had no indoor plumbing.

We headed back in mid afternoon, visited with Sheila's sister in Sallisaw for a little while and then headed

home by way of Lake Tenkiller.  I was amazed at the lack of traffic and activity.  In years past, the various restaurants, service stations and convenience stores would have been jam packed on a nice Sunday afternoon in the summer.  We didn't see a soul for the full length of the lake.

I had been timing our arrival in Ft. Gibson for thirty minutes before the legendary Charlie's Chicken Sunday Buffet closed down the steam tables.  We made it right on time and enjoyed an early dinner that was simply amazing.  On a good day, it is the best southern home cooking to be had anywhere.  Their chef/cook is an absolute master of the country/southern/soul food genre.  I won't tell you how many desserts Sheila and I sampled and the astounding thing was that they were all good!

We got home just in time to settle in for the evening.  We will watch Masterpiece in a while and call it an evening.  It was a good day.

July 4 Weekend, 2013

There ought to be a special place in lawyer hell for lawyers who file motions whose answer is due right smack dab in middle of what is a long weekend for most people, my wife included.  Having said that, I spent a good portion of the day July 4 sitting on the deck in front of a laptop answering a frivolous, knee jerk, "I object to everything" motion. Granted, I got to work in shorts and flip flops, but I was still working.

Friday, we bummed around.  We had a late breakfast at IHOP and I needed to go to the pharmacy.  Sheila had managed to get herself infected with poison ivy again and went to the doctor's office for a shot to clear it up.  They "got her right in."  She showed up at about 9:45 and they got her a 10:45 appointment.  She got out of her "10:45 appointment" around 12:30.  Then we stopped by Name Brand Clothing for a few minutes and both walked out with a couple of items.  I got a thirty dollar pair of "wicking" golf shorts for six bucks and a forty dollar pair of Levis for Ten.Sheila bought several tops and a pair of shorts. Sheila has a thing for Ci Ci's Pizza but we don't eat there often because of the carbs and the fact that they don't really have much that I should eat.  But, this was a special occasion, a holiday.  We went to Ci Ci's and Sheila took full advantage of her opportunity.

Saturday we loafed mostly.  At least I did.  Sheila cleaned some, etc.  I called Michelle and asked if she and Robert would like to come for dinner.  When they agreed, we asked Sheila's sister Gwenda as well.  I grilled a turkey tenderloin, corn on the cob and peach halves which we served for dessert with ice cream.  Little Ben Bob didn't feel well.  He fussed quite a bit and then slept right through everything on our bed.  I let Robert and Michelle sample what was left of my home made

wine.  Michelle didn't like it.  Too sweet.  Robert did and had a couple of glasses to prove it.

We had intended to go to the farm today and I decided against it.  Monday is a work day after a long weekend.  If we had gone to the farm we would have been gone all day, worked several hours while down there and generally came back tired.  I decided that rest was in order and that's more or less what we did.  Sheila and I cooked a Spanish omelette for breakfast.  Turkey sausage, onions, roast jalapenos and tortilla strips cooked with egg beaters, topped with cheese (at least for Sheila) and then garnished with avacodo slices.  We ate it on the deck, sipped our coffee and enjoyed the cool of the morning.  It was a pleasant experience.

About mid-morning, we experienced what I am calling the "miracle of vino blanco."  I had two partial bottles of my home made wine left.  The blend of red and apple had done well and was sweet and smooth.  That was the stuff that Mike Sala  liked and that my son-in-law Robert was drinking last night.  However, the white that was made with white grape juice and peach nectar had gone through several evolutions none of which were very good.  Yesterday, I sipped a bit of it and it had turned even harsher still and had developed an aftertaste like dirty feet.

Sheila's now dead brother in law August used to play a game with her.  He called her "Sally."  August was a Cherokee.  Not a college Cherokee but rather a roam the hills and deep woods, kill it and eat it Cherokee.  When he would kill and cook something nobody else would touch, he would call "Sally."  Sheila has always
been adventurous about her food.  She'll try anything once.  So, I thought I would prank her by getting her to take a sip of the dirty feet tasting white wine.  I did.  She did.  She said, "It tastes like white wine."  I was taken aback.  No bad faces, no spitting it out.  I asked for a sip.  Miraculously, it tasted like a good sweet white.  I soon learned why when I looked at the bottle.  Sheila had laid it on its side overnight because we ran out of room in the fridge.  On careful examination, I saw a thick scum of dead yeast and wine solids coating one side of the bottle.  With that stuff settled out, it was darn good.  I guess we had just been drinking it too "green" and hadn't given it time to mellow.  I quickly filtered it and re-bottled it.  There's a good two thirds of a bottle left and it is better than the stuff I normally buy.

Sheila has two turkey cutlets thawing.  We will have dinner in a while, watch Masterpiece Theater and call it an evening.  It has been a quiet Fourth but not a bad one.   

The Pack's Pipedreams .... or plans for the future?

One of the recurring topics of conversation when the Pack convenes is dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in the U.S. and the possibility of either "retiring south" or at least spending part of the year in Latin America where the weather is better, your money goes farther and you don't have to put up with the sad state of social affairs the the current embarrassment in chief has created.  Costa Rica and Panama are usually the two most discussed places.

Mike enjoying a sunset

I have a friend who has lived out that dream.  He is a professional musician who also runs a boutique recording studio.  His wife is a retired schoolteacher.  Over a period of several years, they built a villa in Costa Rica paying as they went.   It cost about the same as an average home in America.  (Click on the pictures for a larger view.)

View from the terrace

Now they spend part of their time there every year and part in Tulsa.  His place is about 45 minutes from the beach and is located high enough in the mountains to maintain a pleasant temp year round. They rent it out when they are not there.  I have picked  Mike's brain on this subject many times and I have yet to see a downside.  As the pictures show, the Villa itself is stunning and he rents it for less than a thousand a month!

Mike tells me that the cost of living is very good as compared to the states, the people are friendly for the
most part and do not have a cultural dislike for Americans as many Latins do.  He says the health care system is quite good for Latin America and that Americans who stay there will encounter no problems with either buying into the local government health care program, using their private insurance or both.

Visas are freely granted and the level of violence is no worse than in the U.S.  Like any other place, you just have to use your head and not do stupid things, like walking down dark alleys at night, etc.   High speed internet is available pretty well nationally.  With a high speed internet connection and electronic banking, an old lawyer could sit there on a terrace like that and have a pretty good part time practice, cranking out briefs, contracts and pleadings for stateside "court house lawyers."

One of the pack member's brother spent several years in Latin America serving in the military.  He worked in various embassies.  He is married to a lovely Panamanian lady.  Together, they light up the dance floor at every party they attend.  And of course, like many American ex-pats these days, they are retiring to Panama

I visited Panama in the late 60's/early 70's.  My memories of it were not as a retirement destination.  I remember Colon and Panama City as being two of the roughest, toughest, most wide open sailor's towns I encountered in my time at sea.  Merchant sailors from all over the world were constantly passing through.  Literally anything you wanted from drugs to human exploitation were for sale more or less openly.  And that was while the Americans still controlled the place!  It was a good place to get killed if you didn't watch your step. Recent television documentaries that I have watched indicate that the old drug gang/culture is still alive and well there and still in control of much of the country.

I also remember the climate in Panama.  Americans, even Okies who are used to crippling humidity, know nothing about real jungle humidity.  Part of our unit's mission was facilitating jungle training/acclimatization for troops bound for SE Asia.  The grunts used to stuff their dry socks into condoms to keep theme from growing green fur within hours of going ashore.  They also used to stretch condoms over the barrels of their weapons to keep the bores from almost immediately rusting.  But having said all of that, more and more Americans are reporting that Panama is the "new Costa Rica" for American retirees.    





So, is this all pipe dreams and back  yard conjecture for the Pack?  Who knows?  I can't speak for anybody else, but lately, I could definitely see myself "cashing out" of our U.S. assets and heading south.

Old Rednecks

Old Rednecks don't need an excuse to have a party.  The fact that it is a weeknight is no impediment either.  So, Sheila and I hosted a Redneck Wine Tasting last night.

I prepared some non-PC, definitely Michelle O disapproved snacks: baloney sandwiches, bacon wrapped spam bites, potted meat and crackers, cocktail weenies in barbecue sauce and jelly, and of course cheese cubes on toothpicks.  Fat, unnamed animal parts and salt were the key ingredients.


My home made wine was, well .... uh .... interesting.  I re-bottled a bottle of good Argentine red in one of my bottles so that there would be something to compare my home made to.  But, I didn't tell anybody at first.  As I suspected, the folks who are actually wine drinkers preferred the dry commercial red.  But, the wine lowbrows among us (Mike and I mostly) preferred my sweet, fruity, home made stuff.


The party was greatly hampered by the absence of our friend Jodi Sala who fell and broke her ass.  (Her words, not mine.)  She is in quite a bit of pain and couldn't make it.  Her gentle, quiet smile and Pentecostal humor were greatly missed.  However, that did not keep her husband Mike from coming by for a while and sampling the products of my wine experiment.  I promised to give him a couple of packages of my champagne yeast so that he could try it himself.

I don't drink much to start with (none of the Pack does) but I wasn't drinking at all last night. About one time out of thirty my BP meds knock me on my tail.  I'm dizzy, tired, no energy, etc.  It happened last night of all times.  So, I spent the whole time sitting on my butt watching Sheila keep things going.

As usual the food and drink were not the stars of the evening.  It was the people and the conversation.  It is truly a blessing to have interesting, smart, funny, faithful friends.