Don't Over Schedule!

Yes, it HAS been over two weeks since I've written anything here, but I am SO busy.  I retired sort of early, so I can't say that I need to slow down, but I think I've over done it with activities and projects.  I'm so busy I just can't get to the blog.  As an example, in the past two weeks I've attended three government meetings (2 half day and 1 full day) to take minutes and write reports.  Doesn't sound that bad, does it?  But this means getting there, attending the meetings, getting home, deciphering my minutes and writing a reasonably readable report.  Add to that on all other days either Body Pump, Body Flow or biking AND golf lessons and art lessons.  Add to THAT completely building a large garden, visiting friends, and numerous phone calls home about mom and medication.  Whew.  I am getting tired just writing this.

Guns.  The Boston marathon bombing was all we've been hearing about, but I'm still hopping mad about the Senate voting down background checks for gun purchases.  I almost laughed the other night when a gun show attendee said that we had enough laws ..."criminals and the mentally ill are not supposed to buy weapons already".  Great.  I'm sure that criminals and mentally ill people won't buy guns because they are not supposed to buy them.  Don't forget to pick up your assault weapon before you leave the show.

Sequestration.  Are these congressmen/women nuts?  They cut the budget across the board, but they don't seem to want any changes in the levels of government provided.  You can't have it both ways then you make cuts in this ridiculous manner.  I haven't written much about this because I am sure it will make some folks mad, but if they want to cut the budget they need to take hard looks at things like weapons systems that we don't want and don't need.  But their attitude is "not in my district."  I wonder why the defense industry builds weapons systems, airplanes and ships that require one piece to be provided from somewhere in every state?  HINT HINT - then the Congressman from that state doesn't want to vote against the system, plane, ship - even though we don't need it--because it will mean jobs in his/her state/district.  Same goes for closing down military bases that we don't need any longer.  Hey, Congressman!  Budget cuts have to hurt somewhere.  Why does it only feel good if that hurt is the federal worker who by the way has no say so in how YOU spend the money.  HMMM.  I think this is why I haven't been writing.  I'm just so fed up.

Let's change the subject to the more positive.

Spring.  winter, summer, spring, winter...weather in our nation's capitol can't make up its frigging mind.  I'm dying to plant and to take my plants outside but everyday is a crap shoot. One great thing, though, a robin has made a nest in a flower basket hanging from my front door!  I love it, but also fear for the poor eggs soon to be fledglings.  Mother robin flies away from the nest every time I open the door.  Even if I go out the garage, she flies away.  I've been doing some reading on robins and believe that the baby birds will be in the nest for over two weeks before they are ready to leave it.  Right now it is just 4 eggs, but how am I going to protect those little babies from falling out the swinging door.  I can't move the nest because the mother bird won't recognize it as her own if it is moved.  This is too much a responsibility, but I think I can handle it.

What about this great idea for a bird nesting house?  This is an old drawer and a teapot.  I've got the teapot and as soon as I get a drawer this baby is going up in my new garden.  Maybe mother robin will move over here and free up my front door.

Golfing.  Friend and I have completed three of six golf lessons.  So far, I've learned to putt, chip and have gone to the "range" to hit balls with a number 7 iron.  I think that is pretty impressive and I am pleased that I seem to have a pretty good aim, although I don't control how far I hit the ball very well yet.  My biggest problem so far is that my arms inside from above the elbow to below the wrist HURTS at the end of each lesson and our practice sessions.  Who would know?  It looks so damn boring on TV, but it is hard work and really kind of fun.  We have three more lessons and then I guess the real test will begin.  Am I too cheap to PAY to golf?  More on this as the story unfolds.

No one but The Lass gets my humor, but I just have to post one more of my favorite Get Fuzzy comics.  Let me set the scene.

Bucky Katt has a feud going on with Fungo the Ferrett who lives next door.  In this series of strips, Fungo has walled up the door to Bucky's closet.  All Bucky knows is that his closet door is gone, so he has called Rob, his "owner" at work to find out if he has seen it.  But what made me laugh was the last panel....poor old Satchel Pooch just wants to know what Rob can smell.  This is so much like a dog.  Look at that face....I see it everyday with my own pooch.  So happy just to smell who has been around the neighborhood, who has peed and where.  So happy in the car when I turn on the heat or air condition and the air from outside comes in through the vent.  He is in heaven figuring out all the great smells.  What a life and what a life to share with me.  Goodnight, Irene.