Thursday, September 30, 2010

Just call me rev

Approval of Ordination

Thank you Reverend Jimmy Lee Chandler

Effective 09/24/2010

I, Douglas E. Hickman, Ordaining officer of the Universal Ministries, do Ordain, Anoint, Appoint, and Select you for placement into our Registry of Ministry as a minister, and member in good standing. This is an important date in your faith so keep this date with all important dates of your life. Even as you read these words now, I have already said them, and with your request accepted them in the Milford, Il., church in a physical, defacto service on your behalf. You, as with every member/minister of this church, were ordained in a ceremony this date with full rights of minister in the UM. Through your request to be ordained we have granted the legal authorities of the church in the world that faith grants you in spirit.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Brutus in de house

This is my new partner, Brutus. Or, I should say Gwen's, since I bought him for her birthday Wednesday. Had to drive to Henderson to get the little yorkie poo and he was a bit worn out by the time we got back home (AC not working on van). But he perked up yesterday and today he's been lively as all get-out.

I'm not the biggest dog lover in the world, but I suspect I'll get real attached to this funny little shit. He's just 10 weeks old and has been trained to use those "puppy pads," but I wanna get him to the point he can go outside to do his business. Had to leave him on a leash while we went to Camden this morning and he was ready to run wild by the time we returned. I think he can eat more than I can!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Little improvement

Gwen is somewhat better, but still far from being totally well. She has begun eating a bit, which is one hell of an improvement over days with no food at all. I didn't pick the best time to smoke a pork butt Saturday -- she's had one sandwich of it and it didn't agree with her -- but I'll eat most of it and freeze the rest. Matter of fact, will have some later and then freeze what's left; quite a bit, considering it was close to 5 pounds to begin with.

Weather has improved as well. Warm today, but not overly hot and the humidity is low. I sat on the porch drinking boilermakers all afternoon and evening yesterday, watching Titans kick Raiders ass. Dozed off at some point and woke up at 2 A.M. and came inside. Browsed around until 5 and then slept for a couple hours. Damn, forgot "Mad Men" was on last night and will have to watch the missed show at midnight tonight.

Apparently, the Vols are going to have a rough year if Saturday's game with the Ducks was any indication. Looked damned good until a couple minutes remaining in the first half, then they went complete shitsville. Matt Simms seems to be a decent QB, but getting the ball to the target doesn't help much if the target can't maintain a hold on it. I think their next game is with the Gators; I'd love to see them beat Florida, but if the past is any indication, that isn't likely to happen.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Onward, if not upward

Not much has changed on the personal front since my last entry. The woman is very ill; I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t end up in the hospital before it’s over. No appetite, losing weight rapidly. And there are some other ominous symptoms as well. She wasn’t feeling well for some time, but has really gone south in the past couple of days.

We’d planned to go to a big house party being thrown by a Facebook friend this coming Sunday but, unless there’s some dramatic improvement, that’s out the window. I was looking forward to that, too. But hell, way things stand now I’ll be lucky to get out and pay bills tomorrow.


Speaking of bills, the bathroom work was a help with the water bill. It’s down about 40-percent over the last one. The shower obviously requires a lot less water than did that old claw foot tub, and the leak he found and repaired added to the positive side. Not to mention this new commode with the 1.6 gallon siphon flush--it has dual flushes and the first one doesn’t require that much water. Anyway, a $59 bill beats hell out of a $99 one.


Supposed to cool down over the weekend. Highs in low 80s and low 50s at night. Low humidity. I’m ready for it. This summer has worn my old ass out.


On the other hand, a hot, miserable summer beats no summer at all.