Plumbing - Update

Holy Smucksville - cleaning out the hot water tank has done wonders - it really should be included as one of the wonders of the world!

I took a shower this morning and before I enter I told the noisemaker, now if I get blasted out, bare nude, please come and find me. He did not have too. The shower was delightful, I had pressure, hot water, and took a moment to sing a song. I love to sing in the shower, I love to sing period!

Tomorrow, my brother and his wife come to pay us a visit, I am looking forward to it. Feeling a bit anxious. It is not for overnight - a luncheon. I plan to serve Unturtled Bars for dessert, god I love them; ham, salads, buns, and condiments. Yep, go with dessert first!

Our forest fire situation has taken a turn for the worst. The fire chief (in charge - I guess) said we are going to explode today/this evening. A new fire sparked up near 45/50 miles north of us. It is small - 400 hectares - no where near the size of two other major fires that continue to smoke us out.

We are nearing 40 days for when I will see John Prine in Vancouver. Good lord, I flutter at just the thought. It is going to be so exciting to get off on this mountain side - meet Charlene - be a tourist and then - the finale - John Prine!

Hot Water, Cold Water, No Water At All

Hot Water
Cold Water
No Water At All
We looked at the rust bits
Coming out of the pipes
And wondered my god
We will finish tonight

Signed, I Need Water

I gave it a jab with the screwdriver
All the rust bits spewing out the pipe
I had a bowl near the outlet
It was working just right
Until Noisemaker enter in a rage he outlaid
He was not impressed with my plumbing accolade

Signed, I Am A Plumbers' Daughter

I saw objects in those pipes so foreign to me
I thought I should call on a plumber expertee
But when I was finished
There was nothing to say
I cleaned up the pipe threads
On my hands and my knees
And, said

Noisemaker, Noisemaker
you will not believe this
I found this plastic kissing the lips
On threads of pipe and I never thought
I would popping a 'ferrule' that you never got

Signed, I Should Have Been A Plumber

Plumbing, Pipefitting, and I Kind Of Need My Dad...

Yesterday noisemaker awoke and announced that perhaps we should install the new toilet today. Oh lordy, I thought, but went with it because it sounded better than cleaning the abode.

My Dad was a plumber/pipefitter, sometimes he would let me help him. I love it! As we were removing the old toilet, noisemaker left to get something, I do not know a tool I think. Anyway, I am nuts, bolts, washers - thinking to myself - well, hell, I can remove these and proceeded. Noisemaker returns and we get the New Marina out. Things are going very well for us. The time comes where Noisemaker has to replace the nuts, bolts, and assorted 'other' things I removed. He asks me, where did you get this from - yep, like I am going to remember that. I guessed, I had no idea where the hell I got it from. I only know plumping/pipefitting to take off things, I never got to put them back on - my Dad always did that. Alas, we made it. The New Marina looks very nice and I'll be damned we never had a leak. My Dad is very proud of me.

Today - we are fixing the hot water tank. At the beginning I just did some clean up and re-arranged items so Noisemaker could fit in that space to work. He decided to go to the general store left me with hot water tank. I bet you he was not out of the driveway and there I am with flashlight in hand looking down this pipe. The pipe is all filled up with little rocks, etc., I found that out because I shoved the screwdriver down it and stuff starting falling out. I looked at the threads around the pipe and thought this is not right. So I clean it up with a little screwdriver, I got lots of stuff. At the end, I came to this piece of thing, I did not know what it was. However, I pushed at it with great strength and the damn thing came off. I knew well from yesterday's toilet experience, to put it right back the best I could and I did.

Noisemaker arrives home and I tell him there is something not right with that pipe, let me show you. We go to the tank - it is a tight squeeze and we are not big folks. I explain what I have done but do not tell him about what I did with the piece at the end (previously). I have my screwdriver there and I said, look now if I pop this out it will come, I know it. He replies, oh do not screw it up ... blah, blah, blah. 'Too late, I popped it out - look'. I went on to say I cannot understand why is that piece there, what do you call that? He says - ferrule, I reply - . .... .
F A I R E L L E (so typical female). He spells it backs to me. In giggle mode, I reply, I must break now all these f words are just too much for me.

Stay tuned for part two.

It amazes me how stupid I can be. Two days ago, my fine neighbor - you know the fellow - Chris stopped by and told me a sad, sad story of how he had a disagreement with his friend and could no longer do his laundry. He asked if I would do it and he would pay me for it; I agreed. He does have a clothes line so it is only to wash. At this point, I am thinking like normal folk would - a weeks' worth of laundry, yep - I can do it. The foolish, lunatic, idiot (and I shall call myself that for being so stupid) brings two wheelbarrows full of bags of laundry.

Because I had agreed, I did it. For the first time and it will be the last time. He paid me and I told him...never again will this happen. The rest of the comments I made cannot be published.

To move onto the forest fire situation in my province - we were advised that we should not use a chainsaw, nor a lawnmower, nor any outside equipment that could cause a spark. Noisemaker was delighted. Not really, it is so dry here - I am thinking that rice, crackle, pop situation - but it is not cereal, unfortunately. It was Rice Krispies, right?

50 more days to get to Vancouver to see John Prine with Charlene. Unfortunately, still the Olympics get far more coverage. I cannot understand why? The Olympics has forced so many people that were living quite comfortably - out of their apartments (to make way for $$$$). If anyone thinks the Olympics 2010 brings $$$ to my area - think again. In any international city that holds the Olympics - people - the homeless are ..well, you know the word.

Odd as it is, Vancouver is hosting 2010; but also it the poorest postal code in Canada - go figure.

Meet Elduardoe

Elduardoe (elle - do - ar - doe), a gift from my fine neighbor, Chris. He is like a two headed guy made out of glass and he shines in the sun, he sparkles. Chris brought this head to me the other day, I thought - oh lord, what am I going to do. He was being thoughtful so I cleaned the big E up, placed him so where he could have a chest - in the garden, near Lydia. Now she has a friend.

As I way cleaning up Elduardoe, Chris came over. He sees I am cleaning the two headed figure, he asks me what are you going to do with it....I replied, well I will give him a name and put him need Lydia in the garden - Chris - what goes with Lydia. (I was thinking of Donald - but this figure it is no Donald). Chris thought of Albert - nah I said - Albert is common, we need something off the wall. Then a light went off upstairs, I said - Elduardoe.

Now, try and get this picture. It is around 7:30 a.m., I am cleaning a glass head figure, Chris and Noisemaker are preparing to go fishing and Elduardoe hits me. Within a second I thought of ELVIRA by The Oak Ridge Boys. I said - I got his name is Elduardoe and proceed to sing. . .

Elduardoe, Elduardoe
My hearts on fire for Elduardoe

Chris joined in the song and we laughed, giggled big time. Unfortunately, noisemaker finds no laughter in the enjoyment Chris and I are having and spews 'are you finish being children'? I replied, no.....come on Chris, let us go and give Elduardoe his place in the garden. We did singing
Elduardoe, Elduardoe
My hearts on fire for Elduardoe
...we then, changed the words
Elduardoe, Elduardoe
Lydia's heart is on fire for Elduardoe

Noisemaker comes outside - hears us singing away. He is frowning, I said - yep, most people Sunday morning get a sermon, no you get Elduardoe! He could not help but laugh. A good way to start a Sunday morning.

Clay Eals ~ Steve Goodman - Facing the Music

Congratulations to Clay Eals on the second printing of his book titled - Steve Goodman - Facing the Music.

See more by visiting his website at: http://www.clayeals.com

and on this blog under Steve Goodman.

Golden Years

I seem not to be able to rid myself of the songs - the voice of Sammi Smith.

...I stood in the crowd and I shed not one tear...

...That you trembled at the touch of my hand...

...The Toast of 45...you can tell the boys back home you spent an evening alone with the Toast Of 45...

...15 cars, 15 restless riders...

2010 - Vancouver

As most of you know, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada will be hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. Thank god, John Prine is coming in 2009.

I am not really in favor of British Columbia hosting the Olympics as I know, the taxpayer is going to pay dearly for it. Hell, my grandkids will be paying for it. Many homeless folks have now been displaced to make room for condo activity. I am afraid to say that in 2010 a dumpster bucket rented out in some drug store parking lot will cost you $500.00 for an unforgetable five hour sleep.

As a city, well, - Vancouver does have it all. It is a beautiful, international city. Recently, they sported up a new transit line - The Canada Line. It will take you from YVR (Vancouver International Airport) to downtown Vancouver in 25 minutes. Charlene will be taking that when we go to see John Prine.

Vancouver also has a special postal code - East Vancouver - the poorest region in Canada. I have been there and I saw things my eyes never want to see again. The drugs, the homeless, the many line ups to food kitchens - the needles and the damage done.

It is near 102 degrees F here today, I have boiled over and cooled down several times, I thought in posting about the 2010 Olympics, I would get the same rise and fall in temperature, I did.

Steve Goodman

I am not getting a lot of work done today. Time had to be spent chasing cows and looking after the puppy, Bubba. Throughout the morning one song has been rolling in my head, a song by Steve Goodman - City Of New Orleans. Arlo Guthrie had a big hit with that song; several people released it - Johnny Cash, Sammi Smith.

One song I most enjoy of Steve Goodman's is Yellow Coat. I can just picture a smile from a window box when someone special walks into a room. Oh yes, that dancing song - Arthur Murray patterns, it'll come to me....Would You Like To Learn To Dance. Such a romantic song.

A New Friend

Meet Bubba. My fine neighbor, Chris - this is his new four legged friend. I truly hope Chris will be able and stable enough to care for him as Bubba is only eight weeks old. He is such a cute little bundle of fluff, like all puppies are.

Chris brought him over and asked me if I could babysit for less than an hour as he had to 'take care of some business'. I asked no questions, I know the lil bit of a hound needed help and I could give it.

We played, we walked, and naturally, when I brought him in the house, he peed on the carpet. All dogs do that too.

My Dear Cow Friends

Geez, these heathens, I tell you there must have been a hundred of them roaming here between yesterday afternoon and this morning. When they thunder down the path, lordy, it feels like an earthquake hit. The black heathen in the picture, well after I took the photo he thunder on up the path; after that the cows came in from every direction possible. Needless to say, I got the heck out of there as quickly as my feet could travel. I took shelter up on the deck hollering for my noisemaker to get outside, come quick, the heathens are everywhere.

This morning around 4:30 a.m. - what do I hear....moooo, moooo. Good lord. I went outside at first light and looked at the beautiful rounds of you know what that they left for me. Later, noisemaker came outside to survey the sight and step right in a big one! I laughed and promptly went and got the hose for him to wash his boots off.

The cows here are free range, thus meaning from May to around end of September or so, they roam freely - there go everywhere - roads, yards. I tell you some of them are huge. I feel like I am as big as a cows' ear. I was reading somewhere in England, a lady was actually kill by a cow. Then, there is the bulls. Lord, I run quickly away from them big heathens and I cannot for the life of me figure out why they have that ring in there nose. I must inquire.

Vancouver, British Columbia

The skyline of Vancouver, British Columbia -it is a beautiful city, a population just a tad short of 3 million. I once lived 30 miles east of Vancouver, in the suburb of Maple Ridge.

Now, if you look real close, you will see the Centre For The Performing Arts - you know - where John Prine along with Jason Wilber, and David Jacques are going to entertain the Artist From Wisconsin, Charlene Stevenson and the Lady From The Mountain on October 16th, 2009. Geez, can't ya see it? :)

Elvis Presley

Born - January 8th, 1935
Died - August 16th, 1977

Isn't it funny how you can remember exactly what you were doing when some folks depart from our world. I was working at a pulp mill as a secretary located in northern British Columbia. It was just after lunch and always after lunch I would sit with the boss man and we would go through his mail. Suddenly, there was much noise, commotion - a streak of red came running down the corridor. My boss, Gary (not my Noisemaker) looked at me, I rose up and went hallway bound only to find my other boss man, Al standing there...he says to me 'what the hell was that'? I replied, I did not know, but I would go find out. I located the red streak - she was a secretary in the Engineering department - Frankie was her name. She had flaming red hair and no bottom teeth - she was a site to behold. She was in near panic, blabbling telling me Elvis, the King; Elvis the King he died. She was near tears.

I liked Elvis Presely, he sure was a good looking fellow. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi - I once knew a fellow who lived in Mississippi, maybe he still does. Yes, I would have to say the fellows I know from Mississippi yep, they are good looking gentlemen.

Pyrex

I love Pyrex. It has to be the most durable, washable baking/casserole dish on the market. I previously used the teflon/metal bakeware until the onset of grandchildren. They know not of using plastic utensils in teflon/metal bakeware. Pyrex is a breeze, a breath of fresh air after years of using metal/teflon. It washes up good and I do that by hand - on the mountain side - well, a dishwasher is not something this four walled abode has.

Too funny, if I take the 'y' and the 'x' out of Pyrex and add an 'i' and an 'n' what do I get ~ Prine!
I am Pyrex - Prine crazy - Crazy As A Loon.

An Evening With John Prine

A wonderful evening it must have been.

http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/music/2009/08/15/10470321-sun.html

Two months from today; guess where I'll be. Y

Welcome To Canada, John Prine~Jason Wilber~David Jacques

Tonight John Prine, Jason Wilber, and David Jacques will be playing Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario.

Charlene is very excited, to say the least. She is getting acquainted with our loonies and toonies.

When John Prine plays Crazy As A Loon all the folks will clap and holler real loud as he does mention ~
'neath this blue Canadian moon
This old world has made me crazy
Crazy as a loon
~John Prine

53 Days until Vancouver Y

40 Years Ago - All Flocking to Woodstock

Hard to believe it is also 40 years ago for Woodstock, August 15th, 1969.

Woodstock - written by Joni Mitchell - words inspired by her then boyfriend, Graham Nash. Later to become one of classic songs by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.

Yep, truly - it was, peaceluvnstuff (thank you ntd).

Welcome To Canada, Charlene

Welcome, Charlene

To Canada

Of course, not until tomorrow - but greetings must be given today. Standard, we are ahead of the rest :) She is Prine-ing in the big TO, yikes!

The Morning - Not A Good Start; But It Got Much Better

Generally, when I awake in the early hours of the morning, I like to make my coffee and go outside to sit and drink it; have a cigarette, and watch for animals. This morning was no different in the routine. I should mention, at this point, I rarely turn lights on because I do not want to scare any animals that maybe around. My milk carton was low, but I figure eh, I have enough, it'll do. I proceeded outside and sat quietly having my cigarette enjoying my coffee until a big chunk of sour milk touched my lips. Oh lord, this is not good for me, I have a very weak stomach. I knew I was not keep this down and also that I would not make into the four walls. I held my stomach and walked out a few steps in the darkness of morning and well, you get the rest of the story.

I thought to myself, this is not anyway to start off a day, I do hope it gets better - and it does! When the noisemaker awoke he was all in glee (this is a rare event; he is not a morning person). He tells me he is going on a camping trip sometime in September with the sons/grandsons. I thought to myself, I have hit the damn lotto! I could have jumped for joy.

There is a story behind the event of a camping trip for noisemaker, sons, and grandsons. The sons were trying to arrange this back in around the first of the year. Noisemaker said he did not want to attend because he does not hunt anymore. I questioned this because with three generations it may never happen where they all can be together again. After Noisemakers' surgery and life changing events he clearly sees how important this is to his sons and his grandsons (not to mention me).

So sometime during September I will have a week or so to myself. I will do very well - I will not have to shovel snow and I will not have to do wood. I will be at peace, I will Prine in preparation for you know, that big date on October 16th.

56 more days to Prine
Y

The Year Is 1969

A very good year, indeed. The photo of Abbey Road was actually taken on this date in 1969.

Come Together ~ Lennon/McCartney

...he wear no shoeshine, he got toe jam football
he got monkey finger, he shoot coca cola
he say, "I know you, you know me"
one thing I can tell you, is you got to be free
Come Together, right now, over me...

My Leave Continues

I am getting far too much done around the abode with the noisemaker waking up so early for two days in a row. This morning I was the defrosting queen. I defrosted the fridge. So I gave myself a reward and I'm sitting here listening to Paradise, singin along like I am some kind of back up singer. Toe tappin' ~ head noddin' - john prinein' Y

59 more days to go until I hear and do the paradise wave:

and, Daddy won't ya take back to Muhlenberg County
down by the Green River where Paradise lay
I'm sorry my son but you're too late in asking
Mr. Peabody's coal train has hauled it away
~John Prine~

I Have Taken Complete Leave

...of my senses, that is. This morning noisemaker was up bright and early ready to tend to the wood. I mean early, earlier than I; we are talking like 4:30 a.m. Off he went around 5:30 a.m. to start his project of the day. I thought to myself, I shall take this opportunity to clean up the abode. Lordy, that little blue duster went places today it had only dreamed of. I cleaned, cleaned, and cleaned somemore. Heck, I even dusted canned goods in the pantry. Our lil bit of four walls, today is spotless.

Noisemaker brought home a truck load of wood. I looked at some of those huge pieces and thought to myself, noisemaker - you should not be lifting that much. Although it now has been five months since his surgery, he was told to be careful as to how much weight he should be lifting. We will have to look at getting him some assistance.

It is pure joy to get up early and have the place all to yourself, I love it. I sing, I dance and of course, all while cleaning.

August 5th, 2005

The evening of August 5th, 2005 there I was attending a John Prine concert in Vancouver, B. C. Oh my lord, I have told you all - right?

The past few days I have been quite filled with John Prine excite. As most of you probably know I am returning to Vancouver and on October 16th, 2009 - Charlene and I will see him in concert. Geez, maybe I will get to meet him again! Oh lordy, would not that be something. I have been looking at the venue, the hotel, the presale thing and I just think to myself - how lucky can one woman get.

Happy Anniversary!Y

Barry White

Such good dance music, Barry White has. His sexy, sexy, songs.

Noisemaker is outside doing wood, I am inside listening to Barry White.

We are explosive here, forest fires abound - all around us. It is a smoke filled territory to say the least. The law of the day has actually stated, no atv's, no chain saws, nothing that can produce a spark.

I have been prohibited from being myself -

I. Spark

Jason McCoy

I'm listening to him as I write this. He is a Canadian artist has a great cd titled Sins, Lies, and Angels. My favorite song is I Feel A Sin Comin' On written by Jason McCoy/Denny Carr.

...I try to be good every day
But tonight I hope the Angels turn and look the other way
I fight the urge, every time
But to tell the truth right now that apple's lookin' mighty fine
I can feel a fever deep down in my bones
Lord have mercy on my soul I feel a sin comin' on...

The Countdown Begins

75 days until John Prine -
72 days until Charlene and I meet.
Great Days!Y