Eighteen Jan 15

Yeah Hi everyone. It is the 18th, a Sunday, the sun is shining brilliantly this morning on the back deck, thru the windows warming the castle & lifting the spirits.

There is so much to report, the sirens are going off, the floodlights WERE lit earlier of course but all are off now, flack & anti-aircraft shells were exploding & successfully drove off the aliens, walkers, homeless & democrats with liberal leanings.

IT is quiet now and the solitude has returned. So let’s jump right into the report.

From Walmart, this tidbit … a couple of shockers this week. First, I actually found & PURCHASED something I was looking for & needed that was made in the USA!! Yessir. The Thomasville Woodcare wood cleaner & polish containment vessle was inspected MULTIPLE times examining the finest print & as best can be determined IS in fact manufactured in the USA. FINALLY !!

Second, I found & also purchased a long-sought after pair of wind or workout pants the color & configuration I had been looking for at Goodwill and all the sporting stores locally. I did finda pair CLOSE but they had that idiotic & foolish looking Nike swoosh & I DO NOT WEAR anything with a ‘swoosh.’. Russell finally delivered & I slapped down the plastic & own a pair of fashionista statement school crossing guard running pants. Very cool.

Patty stopped over yesterday afternoon after her reign of terror on the world. We went to Mass & out for a lovely dinner at a charming local little Italian place. Received this morning Marching Orders for a social function this afternoon. The time slipped slightly but manageable.

Friday late I received an order for a carving commission. Very exciting but also presents problems aka ‘growing pains.’ Just little things easily navigated. Like selling price, future considerations, signings, etc. Fortunately the species was one I had a cut-out for & had already started. I donated two (2) decoys to the local DU chapter in the Spring one of which was a blue winged teal. Customer actually REQUESTED a bwt. I had one pushed ahead starting Friday night but now I am thinking that I need to catch the second one up & it’s a long story & I don’t have the time now this morning to dive into that.

THERE YOU GO AGAIN. YOU ARE RETIRED & HAVE ALL KINDS OF TIME…

FB or Emma? Must be Emma from Oz as reception is shaky.

Emma writes that the cable with improved internet connectivity has reached their compound just short of the outback. Much news in the most recent correspondence not all of which I will share. They no longer get only 4 stations but closer to 40. Previous selections were EWTN, BBC which is probably most acceptable and get this … CHINESE MTV.

I mean is this a CHOICE ? Strap me in a rugged chair with headphones & CMTV playing & I would tell you anything. ANYTHING. ANYTHING !! Crikey, I will even MAKE STUFF up to avoid that torture.

Emma also reported arrival of brand new baby alpaca. Such newborns are called a ‘cria’ regardless of gender I believe so if you get this question on a multiple choice test, and see ‘cria’, good chance that is correct.

Anyway, what is most noteworthy is the legend of ALL baby packies pass go & right to ‘potty trained’ in a mere three (3) days. I am thinking they are called ‘packys’ vs ‘pakis’ to avoid confusion with people & citizens of Pakistan.

Continuing with the previous thought, Emma explained how the little one sniffs to identify the site, backs up to it & lets go. Fascinating.

I am thinking the ancient aliens COULD splice this little gene into humans if they wanted to but opt NOT to. The diaper industry would collapse & so many bonding opportunities between parents, especially Fathers, would be lost. FOREVER. So they don’t and are leaving us to continue the struggle until we figure it out for ourselves.

Always good to hear from our roving Professor, Emeritus, Emma … the Wonder from Down Unda.

OK. I could go on aimlessly but I am going to cut it off here now. I have things to do & I have revenue-generating tasks GREATER than this vehicle begging for completion.

Right now carving blue winged teals, looking at photos & making marks on wood with a soft lead pencil is what I want to do most & more that ANYTHING else. Yes, I said ANYTHING ... even THAT.

Finally, utterly MEANINGLESS … Bill’s picks for todays footy games.

Seahawks dispatch the Packys. Pats flatten Indy.

Federal gambling regulations prohibit me from giving scores.

Bill over, out, aloha, chow, ciao, sayonara, adios & Hi oh Silver …. AWAY.