Thank You For All The Great Birthday Wishes!!! So How Does It Feel To Turn 60?

First I'd like to thank everyone for the texts and FB posts wishing me well on my Birthday!  I cherish all my friends and wish I could visit with more of you more often.

So how does it feel to turn 60?  I wish I had a good answer for everyone.  If I had to choose one thing I've noticed, and this has not been an overnight thing, I'd have to say it's that I don't heal like I used to.  The little nagging injuries that are not really that big of a deal but just don't seem to go away, at least not in a timely manner.

It hasn't been that long ago I was running with teenagers, high schoolers and young adults as a soccer referee.  Something I've been doing for years more than and (I hope) better than many younger than I.  I know I've lost a step or two but I'm still out stepping which is a good thing.  My racquetball career pretty much ended with Covid.  No surprises there.  And to be honest, I'm losing interest in some of the more strenuous activities I've enjoyed in the past.  I'm still walking 18 at the local municipal golf course fairly regularly.  And don't forget I live on the side of a mountain which makes that a bit more challenging.  My local social bowling group is starting to take a few small group trips to the alley. I bowled a 232 yesterday.  And, I'm still cutting my own lawn, about 3/4 of an acre with a push mower.

So how was my birthday?  Maureen always works hard to make sure "Our Day" is what we would like it to be.  Our friends Joe and Marilyn took Maureen and I to the indoor range in Hendersonville for a bit of recreational shooting.  Maureen capped it off with a great dinner and a bit of carrot cake, my favorite.

For those of you still with me, the Packers' Jersey was one of my birthday gifts.  Everyone knows I'm a big Packers fan, but not many of you know why.  And with all the great Packers players over the years there is a reason I wanted the Bart Starr jersey.

I believe it was Christmas, 1967, the Packers were on their way to their second Super Bowl win and I had just turned 7.  My dad wasn't a big sports fan and I don't remember watching any football on TV.  However, when 7 year old "Ricky" (my name growing up, and still to some in my family) opened his presents Christmas day there was a boxed Green Bay Packers uniform set, including shoulder pads and helmet.  And I'm certain that my jersey was.....you guessed it, number 15, Bart Starr.  And for no other reason, I'm a Packers fan to this day!

And last, many of you know that I purchased a 2019 Tacoma to replace my 2002 Tacoma.  Maureen has been helping me trick it out and it looks great.  I purchased that truck knowing there was a recall on the fuel pump (the reason I was able to get a deal).  I've been waiting patiently for the replacement part until this week.  I couldn't get any updated information so I started to make a little noise.  And guess what, the squeaky wheel does get the grease.  I got a call today, my part was ordered, will be in tomorrow (Thursday), and my truck is already at the dealer waiting for the repair first thing in the morning.  It really has been a great day all around.  And, I'm still getting a party with many of my friends this coming Saturday!

So how does it feel to turn 60?  To be honest, the difference between how I felt day 364 of my 60th year and how I feel day 1 of my 61st year was completely unremarkable.  But having friends to share the day with and people who love and care for me.....That feels wonderful!

Thanks again for all the great birthday wishes and I hope the same for all of you!!!

R-

Working Around The House, Plus: What I Learned From My Uncle John (Spoiler; A Possible Reliable Covid Self-Test?)

 

So we've been sequestered pretty much since early March and during this time, aside from our normal yard work and just generally helping around the house, I've been fairly successful at avoiding new projects.  All that ended last month.

Maureen has talked about having a walking path around the one side of the house that is fairly level.  And It's a good idea especially now that we are having our guests meet us out back where we have room to physically distance in the yard or on our decks.  When it's wet out, and we're in a temperate rain forest area that gets 50 to 60 inches of rain each year so it's frequently wet out, it would be nice to have an all weather path to walk around the house.

At some point Maureen decided that she wanted to install the pavers herself, which of course was fine with me.  Liam and I have both tried to help until she shoos us away, but Maureen is making progress, a little each day.  I'm more of the mind of our Uncle John.  Uncle John (and we can all appreciate this) will help with any project; "as long as it can be done in one day!"  I recall a couple of projects where I needed the extra hands, knowledge and experience; once where a water heater failed, and once when I had about 40 feet of fence that blew down.  In both cases, Uncle John showed up, we did demo, purchased materials, and completed the jobs before the end of the day. When we replaced the fence, we even poured concrete footings for the posts that day and still had the job done the same day.

Here is Maureen's path.  She is planting two or three stones each day.  She should be done by the end of the week weather permitting.  The wood pole border along the house was Liam's and my job.  And yes, it was done in a day, actually in just a few hours.  I do have a confession.  The last section of pole, per one of my earlier Uncle John-isms, I measured twice...........but made a huge gaff.  I'm embarrassed to admit how far off I was.  I can't even back into how I made the mistake.  Needless to say, from now on I'll be measuring twice and double checking again before I make that cut!   

Maureen's July project was our new fire pit.

And again, Maureen insisted on doing the lion's share of the work.  I was hands on a bit but for the most part I did what I do best, I supervised.

I don't believe I've ever done any advertising before but there is a first for everything.  I was looking for a face shield but didn't like the options with the hinged head bands.  I tried to find a baseball cap with an attached shield but found that everything I looked at had a poor review.  Problems with attaching the shield and having the shield stay attached.  About that time an ad for Instashield popped up on my Facebook page. 

The shield is designed to attach easily to the bill of a baseball cap that you already have.  The shields are $3.00 each as opposed to $10-$20 per for other options.  If you are tired of wearing a mask even around friends and family that you are sure are being careful, this could be an option.  Or if you follow Dr. Fauci's advice, he's suggesting that to be more safe, we should all be wearing masks and face shields.

And Now, this installment of "What I Learned From My Uncle John!"**

While we're talking Covid, I was on the phone with our Uncle John this past week and he told me about a Covid self-test he'd heard about.  Two of the more common Covid symptoms is loss of smell and taste.  So for the test you get your favorite whiskey, bourbon, or scotch (I also imagine wine would work).  Pour your beverage of choice into a glass, and raise it to your nose and sniff.  If you can smell it you likely don't have Covid.   But to be sure, drink the contents of your glass.  If you can taste it then it's almost positive that you are not infected.  I'm investigating this method myself to test the validity.  I've self-tested six times today and so far my ability to smell and taste has been perfect...and I feel great.  I think I'll continue my test trials. (**Disclaimer: Not intended to be taken seriously!)  

I hope this finds everyone healthy and safe!  I'll leave you with a link to my drawings page.  I've done a couple of Disney water towers for a friend and they turned out OK.

Take care,

Rick

This Joke is an Oldie but a Goodie!

(Make sure you read through the joke!) 

If you don't think your vote is important think about where we are now. Politicians promising Universal Health Care and the protection of preexisting conditions and then working to dismantle the only public health care option we've ever had and specifically focusing on eliminating the protections for preexisting conditions. Promising tax cuts only to vote in a thinly veiled tax raise on what remains of the middle class to fund their corporate giveaways (think corporate socialism). Promising to "build a wall and have Mexico pay for it" only to try and plunder our military and homeland security budgets so that US tax payers pay for what amounts to an ineffective eyesore on the landscape and a weakening of our military and border protections. 

I think this old joke sums it up nicely: 

While walking down the street one day, a politician is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance who welcomes him. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem to address. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.” “No problem, just let me in,” says the official. “Well, I’d like to but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.” “Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the politician. “I’m sorry, but we have our rules.” And with that, St. Peter escorts him to hell. 

The politician finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. He sees his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and dressed in evening attire. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that, before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell. Next, the politician goes over to the doors of heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him. “Now it’s time to visit heaven.” So, 24 hours pass with a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns. “Well then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.” The politician reflects for a minute and then answers, “Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.” So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. 

Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up trash and putting it in black bags. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. “I don’t understand,” stammers the politician. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and club, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now all is a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?” The devil looks at him, smiles and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning… Today you voted.” 

The moral of the story is "Beware of false campaign promises" and in November "Get out and vote for what you know is right!"

Poison Ivy - Song by the Coasters (1963)

Poison Ivy - Song by the Coasters (1963)

(Click on the link to hear this old classic)

So why do I have this old Coasters song for you to reminisce with?  I needed a clever lead in to this edition of the Brooks Family Blog!

That's right, I'm currently covered from wrist to elbow with; you guessed it, Poison Ivy!

For those of you who have visited and received a personal tour of my modest acre and a third, I may have pointed out that a good third of the property is wooded and covered with brush.  I also most likely pondered about clearing the underbrush from the narrow east and south strips to the property lines.  There is just too much jungle on the west side to even consider clearing over there.  I don't have any great before pictures:

Lots of underbrush, downed logs, trash left behind by the previous owner, including old tires, building materials, old shooting targets, etc... you get the idea.

When we first moved here the first thing I did was haul off the biggest junk, the old tires and a couple of full size archery targets, a Styrofoam deer and turkey.  Just recently, my neighbor on the east side decided to hire a crew to completely clear his back and side properties, including our adjacent property line, of all the undergrowth.  His crew actually came across the property line and did about 90% of my work for me, at least on that side.  So with that to motivate me, Liam and I got after the last 10%.

At different times in my youth I've had bouts with poison ivy.  Not all that different from my battles with yellow jackets.  I've mentioned my yellow jacket encounters a couple of times.  Since we've moved here I've had multiple stings from yellow jacket swarms three times.  As I've worked around the yard, occasionally I'll pick up a spot or two of poison ivy, not really even a rash.  This time however, one of the things I'm tackling head on is the poison ivy.  What does poison ivy look like?  This meme appeared on my Facebook page recently:

It seems I have this proposed "TP" substitute on about a third of my trees.  I've been chopping sections out of the vines at the bottom hoping to kill it all over time.  I'm trying to use rakes and shovels so I don't handle the vines at all but apparently it only has to brush you to transfer the oil.  I've been washing my hands up to my elbows after every work session.  Of course, the first little bit of rash started just above my wash line.  So what does a poison ivy rash look like?

It's not too bad but yes, it itches.  It usually takes a week or so to run it's course.  I'm sure I have at least the better part of a week to go, arrrrg!

Anyway, here's what my side and back property lines look like now.

East Property Line between the houses.

Rear Property Line

I still need to hit them both with the mower and spread some shade tolerant grass seed but at least all the trash and building materials are gone.  I found enough joist hangers to build a new deck.

That's all for now, at least until I find something more interesting to write about!

Take care and stay safe!

R-

And What Are You Doing To Pass The Time?

So the home we purchased in Western North Carolina is on an acre and a third of land, about one third is trees and brush, then there is the house footprint and two substantial asphalt driveways. The front yard is pretty much unusable due to the size, layout and slope. That leaves me roughly one-half acres to play with in the back yard. After my postage stamp lots in Southern California, a half acre seems like a full soccer pitch. If it were all flat I'd probably have a soccer pitch.

Trying to be the responsible family, we are doing our best to stay sequestered in our home, or at least on our property, with the exception being outings to the grocery store, and those as few as possible. I have my shop downstairs and I've frequently confessed to completing projects, not because of any particular need, but just because I like working on projects. It remains to be seen whether what follows falls into that category or if I've actually created something that we will use as a family to keep us occupied and sane for the foreseeable future.

This is what I've done with our little slice of God's half acre!

First, if you've kept up with some of my previous posts these next couple of recreational stations will not be new to you. Sometime back I created an archery station and backstop for Maureen's birthday and Mother's day one year. Archery is something Maureen expressed interest in and I even took her for a lesson, but as of this writing I'm the only one that has used our archery setup.

You can also see in the picture above my golf tee box, sans golf mat. Well my golf practice venue has expanded considerably.

From near to far I have a chipping net, a PRGR Launch Monitor (the least expensive I could find with good reviews), real golf balls to hit into the net away from the house and foam golf balls I can hit to the house, a Balight Golf Swing Trainer Aid (Orange Whip knockoff) leaning against the tree on the left, and of course my golf mat and target net. 

Has all this helped my golf game? The jury is still out on that because I can't get out to the golf course but I think I'm hitting the ball much better.



My next project is shown is shown in the picture above. I don't have access to racquetball or bowling anymore but Pickleball is all the rage with the senior crowd around here. Don't know what Pickleball is? Neither did I until a few weeks ago, now I have a Pickleball court, net, and accessories right here.

Click on this link to see some Pickleball action!

The last readymade outdoor activity we have is target shooting. I have a nice Italian pellet rifle, a .22lr, and a hill for a natural backstop behind the house. We can shoot right off the back porch. Yes, in Western North Carolina it's legal to shoot firearms in a residential area. The only restriction, I checked, is you have to notify neighbors within 300 feet of your property. And that has nothing to do with firearms per se'. That's from a noise ordinance.  

Bonus points for anyone who can identify the rifle I'm shooting, except for Dave Dyer who knows everything about firearms and Uncle John, who I'm pretty sure owns one (that's a hint).  Those two lose points if they don't know!

Also, Maureen has her gardening. Liam and I have put together a couple of raised planters and Maureen has been weeding and preparing everything for her spring crops.

That's pretty much our outdoor activities available. When the weather is not cooperating, Maureen is partial to a canasta type card game called "Hoof-in-Mouth" or "Hand-and-Foot" or something as ridiculous. 

My Living Room Poker Setup

I have my on-line poker. I'm playing with two groups now, the Blue Ridge Bluffers and the OLLI SIG (Special Interest Group), sometimes at the same time. If anyone is interested I can get you into the SIG group, no problem.


Liam has his own PS4 setup and is equally occupied. And of course I have my drawing and wood shop if I'm so moved. 

And last, for your entertainment, I have a picture and short video of Maureen's first attempt at giving me a hair cut. This social distancing motivated me to purchase a hair cut kit. Maureen didn't do too bad, I may never pay for another hair cut again!  Haircut video

So back to my original speculation, are these projects activities we will use?  Or am I creating all of this just to have projects to do?  Only time will tell, but I have my eye on a reasonably flat area off to the right that would make a nice Bocce Ball court!

Be safe everyone and stay at home!

R-

I'm Somebody!

Remember Steve Martin from the movie "The Jerk"?  When the new phone book comes out and he finds Johnson, David R on page 73, his charactor gets all excited because his name is in print and he is finally "SOMEBODY!"  (See the video link below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7aIf1YnbbU

(Spoiler Alert)  Well I have my name in print now!

So here's the story:  Maureen and I are driving to Sylva to visit with Liam and there is road work ahead.  I know in one of my previous blogs I've complained about the propensity for North Carolina drivers to merge immediately upon seeing a "lane closed ahead" sign.  It might be three miles ahead but that doesn't matter.  Everyone feels obligated to merge immediately.  And it's not uncommon to be forced to comply by drivers straddling the line or even driving in the otherwise open lane to block cars and drivers not choosing to be lemmings.  So we catch up with the merged line and there are THREE semi-trucks with trailers lined up in an otherwise comletely open lane driving at the same speed as the already merged traffic.  The merged traffic and adjacent open lane extend as far as the eye can see.  I'm Pissed!  As I approach an offramp, where I intend to exit and get back on in front of this crawing road block, I notice the shoulder widens for quit a distance.  So I break the law and make a mad dash past the three semi's (I didn't get caught) and go on about my merry way.  What could have been a twenty minute delay took me about five minutes to get through.  But this has happened one too many times for me.

Did you ever have some thought bouncing around in your mind and you knew you would not be able to sleep if you didn't get it out.  I wanted so badly to write and OP-ED, it didn't even matter if it were published or not.  I just had to get it down on paper and submit somewhere, where was not important, before I could rest.  So I did just that.  I hammered out my opinion piece and submitted my first draft to the Asheville Citizen Times.  I didn't even put any effort into the bio and picture requested because it wasn't going to be published anyway, right? (As it turns out I should have proof read it because I did find a typo after it was published.)

Two days later, here is the email I received from Casey Blake, the Editor of the Asheville Citizen Times:

"Hi Richard, thank you for this unusual submission - I don't know that we've ever run a full-length driver-rant but this one reads really well to me so you may be our first on Sunday.  I know this is an issue we hear from readers about a lot so I'm sure you'll have many fans."

Although I submitted this as an "Opinion" piece, it did not make the Opinion Section.  If you will look closely at the By Line it reads:  Richard Brooks, Guest Columnist!  See, I am somebody!

I haven't found the web page link to my article yet.  I think there might be a delay to encourge people to buy the paper.  So here is my "Column" below: 

NC Drivers:  You have a choice.  Behold, the zipper merge

You have a choice to make it through 35% faster, you have a choice to be safe and courteous, you have a choice to comply with NCDOT recommendations and the law, and all that is required of each and every one of us to use all available lanes up to the necessary merging point.

That's right, NCDOT recommends that when interstates and major highways are reduced to a single lane (or fewer lanes than normally provided) for any reason, that drivers utilize ALL available lanes until it becomes necessary to merge.  NCDOT.gov describes their formal program using new sensor technology as the "Dynamic Zipper Merge."  The Dynamic Zipper Merge includes sensors that detect traffic flow and adjusts message boards to read; "Use Both Lanes/To Merge Point." At the start of the work zone, the signs will display “Merge Here/Take Turns."

The zipper method works just like it sounds.  Everyone uses all available lanes up to the merge point, and then we all courteously take turns merging into the single available lane.  And the great thing about this method is it really does not require any sensor technology or message boards.  All that is required is for everyone to use the lanes available, pay attention to the road and vehicles around us, and take turns.

What about forced compliance by the "Get In Line" crowd?  You know, those passenger vehicles and large trucks that straddle the line or drive full in the open lane at the same speed as the already merged traffic.  Below is an excerpt from North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 20. Motor Vehicles § 20-141. Speed restrictions.  I don't know if I'm applying this correctly, but in most states, if not all, obstructing the free flow of interstate traffic is a violation of traffic laws.

North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 20. Motor Vehicles § 20-141.

(h)  No person shall operate a motor vehicle on the highway at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law;  provided, this provision shall not apply to farm tractors and other motor vehicles operating at reasonable speeds for the type and nature of such vehicles. 

Blocking other vehicles from using an open lane would not be justified as "reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.”  It's not safe, it is certainly not courteous, and it just doesn't make sense!  And here is the rub.  I can't tell you how many times since I moved to North Carolina that I have seen a sign for "Right/Left lane closed ahead", and I've driven ahead two or three miles only to find that there was no requirement to merge.  For weather, scheduling, whatever... there was no roadwork underway that day and there was a single line of slow traffic for literally no reason.

Full disclosure:  you may have noticed I indicated a relocation to North Carolina.  I was born and raised in Virginia but spent the thirty-five years prior to my 2015 move to North Carolina in Southern California.  So you can imagine I have an decidedly different view of traffic than most native or long term North Carolinians.  In Southern California when there is a traffic accident on a six or eight lane freeway requiring traffic to merge to get by, there is no choice.  You use all available lanes and courteously take turns to get by the choke (merge) point.  And the reason everyone automatically does that is that it works.  Otherwise the resulting back up for six lanes merging to one or two lanes would result in a back up of 10's of miles.  Using the 35% faster statistic.  An hour long backup in North Carolina where everyone merges as soon as they see the merge sign becomes 40 minutes or less using all available lanes and the zipper method.  A more likely half hour back up becomes 20 minutes or less.  And if everyone participates we all get there 10, 20, 30 minutes or more, sooner.

And remember, it is a choice.  A choice to be smart about how we use the interstate space available to us.  A choice to acknowledge the expertise and experience of the NCDOT traffic engineers and follow their recommendations.  And an opportunity for all of us to choose to get where we are going a little bit faster, safer, and even a little more courteously.

So I'm published, and as a "columnist" no less.  I'm temped to hammer out another column on "Gun Control".  I'll give you a hint.  I think both sides are doing it wrong!

Until next time!

R-