Progress On The Honey Do List

The following are some before and after photos of our recent work on trying to upgrade the look of our home by painting the back and side fences.  Note: we didn’t actually try to “fix” the fences.  We only painted them.  This is based on what I learned 40+ years ago in Basic Training: “If it grows, trim it.  If it don’t grow and don’t move, paint it.”  I’m including three older “before” photos for comparison…  A lot of work, but we’re happy with the results.  Not bad for a couple of retirees.
Before	After
James	Back and retaining wall done.
Shiva at “Before” back fence.	Back, retaining wall and north side done.
Hil and Shiva
Awkward corner behind tree
Back done; south side to go
	View of patio area
	South side fence done
	North side fence done
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On This Day In:
2017	Both Dismissed
2016	Poetry Isn’t Going To Work
2015	MA Fix
	Getting Better
2014	Actually
2013	Unfortunate Evolutionary Accidents
2012	Tense (Past, Present And Future)
2011	What Is Your Preference?

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Earlier Still

A happy family is but an earlier heaven.
—  George Bernard Shaw
[And, a Happy 91st Birthday to my mom!  —  KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2017	Ten To Go
2016	Unstable Emergence
2015	88
2014	Some One-Liners Are Too Easy
2013	Greatness
2012	Memories Of Arlington
2011	Wake Up

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Coffee Crunch

A few nights back, I was chatting with my older daughter about funny things which happen at work.  She chuckled and said like teaching the boss to make his own coffee.  I asked what she was referring to.  She said a co-worker approached her one day and commented she was sooooo lucky to have a boss who didn’t expect her to get up and make his coffee for him.  The co-worker inquired how she managed it.
My daughter explained she didn’t actually.  She began working for her boss as an office intern while in high school.  Her only experience with adults drinking coffee up till then was her parents (my wife and I) drinking instant coffee.  When she was asked to make some coffee, she added a couple of spoonfuls of ground coffee to the pot, poured in some boiling hot water, and gave it a stir.  Voila!
She didn’t realize ground coffee went in a separate place and required a filter…
No one actually complained, but no one asked her to make a pot of coffee for quite awhile after that.
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On This Day In:
2016	Preparation
2015	Scarcely Asked
2014	They Resemble Us
2013	Both
2012	That’s Success!
2011	Losing At Dominos
2010	1,001

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Hearts And Memories

To live in the hearts we leave behind is to live forever.
―  Carl Sagan
[This quote was found at one of the blogs I follow: http://ididnthavemyglasseson.com/
The specific post is located at:   http://ididnthavemyglasseson.com/2017/03/02/valhalla/
Well worth a visit…   KMAB]
My Children
It is not how much I have gathered
Through my honest work or even greed
In the end possessions won’t matter
But what flowers from each planted seed
I wanted them to have all my heart
And leave no part of my love unused
Give them an easier place to start
Let them find their own dreams to pursue
I wonder will they remember well
The lessons that I have tried to teach
Those things that I tried to gently tell
To show that hope is within their reach
To show them not to stand on the stage
Instead intermingle with the crowd
Always have the want to turn the page
Be the one of whom they could be proud
They’re the footprints that I leave behind
They will be my only legacy
They will be the story brought to mind
When my grandchildren remember me
[This poem was found at one of the blogs I follow:  https://thebackyardpoet.com/
The specific location for the post is:   https://thebackyardpoet.com/2017/10/06/my-children/
Another site well worth visiting (if you have the time)…  —  KMAB
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On This Day In:
2016	Tremendous Energy
	Beyond Trying
2015	Tell Me…
2014	Live Forever (To Remember Me)
	Orange October (VI) – Giants Win Game 4
2013	More Than Just Words
2012	Egotist, n.
2011	Good And Bad

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Surprise!!

Retirement Pie
Retirement Pie Close Up
On Sunday (10/1/2017), Hil arranged for a family only retirement BBQ / party for me.  It was a complete surprise to me.  Everyone even parked away from the house, so I wouldn’t guess what was up as I drove home from Sunday Mass.  (I will add more photos as they become available…)  A big thank you to my family and (of course) to my wonderful wife!
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On This Day In:
2016	The Bell Tolls
2015	It Is What It Is
2014	What Have You Learned (Gently) Lately?
	Orange October (I)
2013	Ignore The Man Behind The Curtain
	For A Time
2012	What Are Your True Measurements
2011	What It Is All About
2010	The Magnificent Seven
	Giants Fever!!

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Princess

Hi Princess,
Here’s three quotes for you:
I have been complimented many times and they always embarrass me; I always feel that they have not said enough.
–  Mark Twain
From a speech given on 23 September 1907
[A good day!  —  KMAB]
Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent.
―  Napoléon Bonaparte
[Be heard!  —  KMAB]
Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you’re going to be right.
―  Muhammad Ali
[Make every day count…   —  KMAB]
Happy Birthday!
We love you always,
Mum and Dad
XXX 00 X
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On This Day In:
2014	Optional
2013	Happy Birthday, Rebecca
2012	Be Not Old
	2012 National League Western Division Champions!!!
2011	What Kind Of Work Do You Do?
2010	Another Loser… And Come November

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Don’t Mess With Mosa

Jurassic World – movie review  (Spoilers coming.  If you haven’t seen the movie – STOP NOW!!)
Last Sunday (Father’s Day), Sarah (my youngest) took me to see “Jurassic World“.  Sarah loves dinosaur movies and all things John Williams.  Okay, John didn’t contribute to this film, but some of the compositions have little samples from John’s original score from the first “Jurassic Park“.
So, what’s the movie about and is it any good?  Uh, dinosaurs and heck YES!!
So, the plot is basically, intro scenes, some talk, (blah, blah, blah, ethics lesson,) dinosaur eats human, (blah, blah, more ethics lessons, blah,) dinosaur kills other dinosaurs, blah, blah (arggh, MORE ethics!), dinosaur kills and/or eats more humans, and repeat until biggest dinosaur (Mosasaurus) eats not as big, steroid-raptor dinosaur and T-Rex roars: “Not in MY house!!”  (Okay, I kinda made that last part up, but just kinda.)  And then we fade to a happy ending – surviving.
The acting is okay.  The pace is pretty good.  The special effects are great – but I may be biased.  I love dinosaur movies (there I said it!), too.  And of course, one of the bad guys escaped with some amber for a sequel.  Final recommendation: Go see it again!  The film has raked in over $1 Billion dollars in just two weekends.  If you haven’t seen it, get out from under your rock or outta your cave (or wherever you’re hiding) and go!  Highly recommended summer action and adventure movie.  As usual, a disclaimer – some intense (munch) scenes may be too much for small children; it’s also not realistic science.  It is an entertaining movie.
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On This Day In:
2014	The Importance Of Being Forgetful
2013	Anyway
2012	Habit Forming
2011	And In The Other Hand(ful)
	In Love With Words
	Boundless Naïveté
	Who Did You Say Signed Off On This Treason, Pat?

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