Thank you for your concern for my mom; she is noticeably improving now and even her thinking is much clearer. I am hopeful that she will get back to exactly where she was before her medical issues started one month ago.
On the work front, I am still staring down that 18-wheeler that's headed my way.
So there has been little time to ponder or read or take pictures. When it came time to write a post for today, I had only a few minutes and no plan. All I could think was that I had no photos, no ideas, no time, no energy ... and -- poof! -- an old country and western song ("no phone, no pool, no pets") came to mind. I haven't heard Roger Miller's "King of the Road" for decades, so I decided to see if it was on YouTube.
Sure enough, there it was.
(Isn't the internet a gold mine? Okay, YES, it's a black, tarry pit of hell in some cases, but so often when I have a question or want to relive an old memory it coughs up the answer or memory in such a brief flash of time that I am almost giddy.)
I remember hearing quite a bit of C&W music while growing up. Tunes by Roger Miller, Hank Snow, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and many others were played on our radio station, and the radio in our kitchen was on full-time. My father enjoyed this music, so I associate these songs with both him and my early years -- a winning combination for a good memory for me.
That's it for today. And I'm hoping that by the end of the weekend Life will be calmer here.
For now, it's still a case of ...
 |
Life, I decline your kind offer of a drive. Vamoose! |
P. S. A bird-y postscript: a little woodpecker comes to our deck regularly now for the purpose of drumming... or so it seems. He sits on the barbecue and jack-hammers away on the lid. Does anyone know WHY he might be doing this? Wouldn't he be in danger of blunting his insect-hunting equipment?? He's fun to watch, although I didn't realize how loud he was until a day ago when the window was open. I thought there was someone on our deck with a hammer and a sheet of metal!
Wishing everyone a good weekend :)
I hear you on the length of that walk - it is too short to even call exercise.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that your mama is getting better, and hope that you can redirect the juggernaut heading your way.
Hugs.
Hugs gratefully received - and returned. I've just come home after finishing the work file ... things are already a thousand percent better!
DeleteGlad your mom seems to be on the mend. And posts without a plan can sometimes be pure gold, like this one.
ReplyDeleteProbably only if you like Roger Miller's song :)
DeleteClose enough to walk, that's pretty good.
ReplyDeleteHope things clear up for you, soon.
Thanks, Ivy :)
DeleteI am glad to read that your mom is getting better.
ReplyDeleteOver-stressed and over-worked is the story of so many people today. I hope things lighten up for you.
I love the music of those you mentioned. I remember watching Roger Miller on his TV program and he always made me smile.
It would have all been fine ... except when it all fell apart ... having an elderly parent is wonderful in one way and also hugely stressful when things go wrong.
DeleteWEll...if he's a male woodpecker he probably just likes the idea that he's the loudest.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteCan the bird see his reflection? He could be in mortal battle with a foe. Or, live to be king of the road.
ReplyDeleteThere are windows near the BBQ so maybe that's contributing to the behavior - I never thought of that.
DeleteYour woodpecker is looking for a hot date! The drumming is a mating ritual. Woodpeckers brains are protected from the drumming so that there are no injuries. they never seem to find woodpeckers with broken beaks.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! When I looked out at him, he was staring right at me ... uh oh
DeleteThanks for the insight, Red!
Being English I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by 18 wheeler. Is it a Canadian/American expression?
ReplyDeleteI like Country and Western music too, but not the 'new stuff' that's become popular, just the good old-fashioned songs like Roger Miller's King of the Road. It reminds me of a poem I absolutely love called The Millionaire its author was anonymous. I may include it in Monday's comment.
Hope your day gets better.
Joan (Wales)
Sorry, Joan - didn't mean to confuse anyone. An 18 wheeler is a large transport truck. I don't know if they still have 18 wheels or not, but they used to, years ago. Mr. Google tells me that in Britain they are called articulated lorries!
DeletePlease do include the poem on Monday, if you have time!
Thanks for the explanation Jenny. I thought it was something like that, but wasn't sure.
DeleteJoan (Wales)
I think the woodpecker does that because he's not very bright.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Internet is a gold mine of inconsequential trivia. Dave and I have been watching the HBO show "Feud," starring Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange, about the disputes between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford during the making of "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" I've found actual footage of SO MANY of the scenes and events referenced in the TV series -- it's been fascinating to watch the fictional representation on the show and then go watch the real thing!
Red would disagree with you on the woodpecker's intelligence!
DeleteI have found so much interesting stuff on the internets :)
We have a woodpecker who's intent on impressing the chicks with his drumming skills, too. Remember, chicks always go for the drummer and the lead singer!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your Mom is doing better, and thanks for the tune. Even after all these years I still know all the words. :-)
"Chicks always go for the drummer and the lead singer" - Hahaha! I love it :)
DeleteI'm impressed you still knew all the words to that tune. I was doing a lot of "sumpthin' sumpthin'" where I couldn't remember them!
I love King of the Road and still sing it regularly, to everyone's annoyance. I'm glad your mom is getting better.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Oh! I'll have to try that!! Thanks for the idea :)
DeleteAnd thanks.
Phoebe is currently obsessed with woodpeckers! We heard one once at a friend's house, and now every time there's a tapping, she's looking around and talking about woodpeckers. I agree that your woodpecker banging on your grill is strange - maybe he's got a screw loose from too many years of headbanging and so he's slightly stupid :)
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha!! And I think I should start calling all the woodpeckers headbangers! My accuracy with other bird names is just about as good :)
DeleteLots of interesting stuff on the internet, but these days I'm limiting my time there. Glad to know your mother is improving and I remember that Roger Miller song and others from when I was small. My mother had his albums.
ReplyDeleteOur parents' choices in music have a big effect on us, don't they?
DeleteI hope you and Jacob are doing okay, e.
My dad had that Roger Miller record when I was a kid, I think it had "You Can't Roller Skate In a Buffalo Herd" on it also.
ReplyDeleteThe cat managed to murder a little yellow bird this week and leave it on the door mat.
Speaking of woodpeckers, remember when the woodpecker pecked a bunch of holes in the space shuttle and delayed its launch?
https://1995blog.com/2015/07/07/of-space-shuttles-and-love-sick-woodpeckers-1995/
Sorry if that link doesn't work correctly, it still points you toward the article if you Google it.
-Doug in Oakland
That is awesome :) I either hadn't heard of that or had forgotten about it. Pretty strange thing to have happen! Thanks for the link.
DeleteRoger Miller had some memorable tunes, didn't he?
Too many interesting things on the internet! Sometimes I get swallowed up by what's out there. I start searching for information about one thing and before you know it BAM I'm in some black hole struggling to get out.
ReplyDeleteI hope things ease up a bit for you. You sound crazy busy. I laughed like a lunatic with that photo about being close enough to walk to crazy! I have days like that :)
Things have slowed down a bit with the completion of my work deadline, thankfully! I know what you mean about the black hole of interesting things on the internet :)
DeleteYou've evidenced a capacity in this crisis I can only describe as grace under pressure, and that's also a workable definition of courage. My compliments and best hopes.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Geo. I have found that crying or punching someone in the nose are not very useful responses, even if it's me I punch :)
DeleteMy mother is improving, my work deadline is over, and I am catching up on sleep. All is well for now.
Yes, there is a lot of interesting and at times most useful stuff on the internet.
ReplyDeleteLove that Roger Miller track
Sending my good wishes.
All the best Jan
Thanks, Jan :)
ReplyDeleteI felt peace when read the improvements in the health of your mother Jenny.
ReplyDeleteGlad you gave this sweet quick post ,touched my heart as just like you i too had radio listening passion for many years of my teenage and youth.
You have your father along with these beautiful memories and i have my late mother .
We are lucky to have good memories, aren't we? Not everyone has them. Thank you for your kind words in every comment you make, baili.
DeleteThere are a great many interesting things on the internet, but for some reason I'm a little tired of it all. Maybe I've reached saturation point? I've never had a Facebook page or done Twitter or Instagram so at least I don't waste my time on those, but I do agree Youtube is wonderful, especially for music!
ReplyDeleteI have felt like that at times, too. Usually I just use it when I'm trying to find specific information. The news feeds are overwhelming a lot of the time!
Delete