Thursday, 25 February

Late in the day entry for a change of pace. Busy day & still kind of behind but even by my own personal high standards, this day was huge.

I started today fighting, battling melancholia. Big time. I was beginning to even contemplate assigning ‘depressed’ or ‘depression’ to my condition because it was growing worse as each weekday passed.

But I was up early, achieved a caffinated condition and while in the shower, things changed. I must be careful here Phans lest you get an inaccurate reading.

While looking up into the shower head, I got a message from God. Yes, again. This one was different from the others but He always works in mysterious ways so this one no exception. Nor was I shocked or surprised.

The ‘voice’ was my own and only in my mind. He told me to be strong, have Faith things were going to be fine.

When this passed, I immediately recalled a noteworthy Homily from Monsignor Don at Saint Joseph’s in Richardson where he said, paraphrasing, that how fortunate (we) are that we can surrender the ‘small stuff’ to God for he would take care of the details. Not to worry …

It all fit together. I started getting ideas and developing them.

Shortly after the drying process I got a call from Martha. The center is still on lockdown after one (1) full week. An intestinal virus is running rampant so all the residents are quarantined, She called to tell me she had sent me a book & watch out for it. We exchanged stories, laughs & giggles for quite some time. I had to cut off & run to Leon’s and Martha was cooking something for one of her special dear friends down the hall.

I got out to Leon’s & we commensed work on the mirror frame. I had all the boards rough cut to length yesterday at Cal’s so Leon took the boards & made the precise corner cuts on this frame cutter & it fell together almost too good.

I was aiming for a little more ‘rustic’ look and he just nailed it. The 45 degree corners fit perfectly & almost invisibly. We got the first inner frame cut out which was a good stopping point for Leon had to run to Dallas for some supplies & we are going to pick it up again next week. This project is going to be way cool. Yes, Emma, I’ll post a picture.

From Leon’s, I did some commando or surgical-strike shopping.

Summarizing in the name of brevity, Sprout’s, Ace Hardware & Michael’s.

For instance, Sprouts oatmeal was $.99/lb up drastically from $0.50/lb (2 lb for $1) a few weeks back.

At Winco, oatmeal has been running $.69/lb. Winco has very competitive such bulk items so a trip there next week is in order. Problem with Winco is that NO credit cards at all are accepted so cash only. This does not fit well into my program for double rewards points for groceries. Also at Winco, I purchase ground cinnamon there last time for a huge cost savings. I must give some consideration to the Indian Bazaar for cinnamon & such spices.

I made a list of priced items at Sprouts in my phone to compare at Winco & elsewhere later.

A

t Ace, rapidly becoming my hardware store of choice, I got personal service for some plastic (nylon) washers from an older gentleman. Very knowledgeable. He got me to a dremel bit/saw/cutter. I also bought some lettuce plants & thyme for home container jardin.

Michael’s proved to be an inspirational & spiritual visit. I went for specialty wood for tropical fish fins and a tube of cobalt blue acrylic paint.

There also I was going to price different size canvas frames.

I finally found the wooden strip, perfect. Minimal cutting for $0.69. Many, MANY fins at 36 inch length.

Frames were on sale. Bought a 10-pack of 8 x 19 for $8.99 and 2-pack of 18 x 24 for $6.99. I had a plan to reclaim/recycle/repurpose such frames but that was going to take some time to accumulate frames to start and these are brand new. Can YOU spell no brainer?

So I get home, thrilled with all my ‘shopping’ successes, put things away & I get a phone call from state Representative Scott Sandford’s office. I had sent him a letter (very well written) detailing some election reforms and he agreed with my points and his Executive Assistant/admin is going to set up a meeting for mid-late March to discuss my letter & ideas with an election officer & official.

Todays images are Silver tethered at local Ace hardware, in McKinney, Groom Brothers, off of Virginia and yours truly, local & trusted correspondent with Hunter Mahan, professional golfer that does the commercials on telly for Ace.

Ace is the place ...

Two pitch-people for Ace for the price of one ...

Tommorow, dentist appointment in the morning, from there to the Gem, Bead & Jewelry show in Grapevine and after noon Stations of the Cross followed immediately by the Knights of Columbus Friday fish fry at Saint Michaels.

Then home for the duration of the weekend with the lone exception being Mass Saturday. Weather is forecasted as BEAUTIFUL. Sunny with highs in the low 20’s (C). And projects galore to keep me creatively occupied & out of trouble !!

So there you have it.

I hope your weekend is as good as mine is looking.