Cement Mixer (284/365)

“Notoriously insensitive to subtle shifts in moods, children will persist in discussing the color of a recently sighted cement mixer long after one's interest in the topic has waned”

Fran Lebowitz (American Writer and Humorist, b.1950)

TIME:  5:03 PM
PLACE:  Back driveway
SUBJECT:  HH’s cement mixer

This baby mixed 18 bags of Quikrete (2 at a time) for the basement floor yesterday.  I’m pretty sure it saved HH’s back from going out as well.  Plus, it’s a lovely orange color.  What more could you ask from a cement mixer?

Bicycle Wheels (189/365)

“I'm lazy. But it's the lazy people who invented the wheel and the bicycle because they didn't like walking or carrying things.”

Lech Walesa (Polish trade union Activist, Electrician and President of Poland (1990-95). Nobel Prize for Peace in 1983. b.1943)

TIME:  6:54 PM
PLACE:  Dad’s back yard
SUBJECT:  Rear bicycle tires

Tonight our town has it’s 6th annual bike ride which raises funds for safety equipment and provides a recreational opportunity for individuals and families in the community.  I wanted to ride in it last year, but had a scheduling conflict with having to pick up MonkeyBoy from scout camp on the same evening.  This year, MB and I were going to ride, but I couldn’t with my stupid broken wrist. *grrrr*  It all worked out though…with me being out of commission, it allowed HH and I to lend our bikes to my California brother and nephew, so they could ride along with my dad.  MB is riding as well.  Hopefully, next year will be the year that I participate dammit!

Abandoned (100/365)

Abandoned farmhouse,
Paint peeling off white siding.
Wheels rust in the grass.

Original haiku by Sujomi

TIME:  1:37 to 1:54 PM
PLACE:  Podunk, IL
SUBJECT:  Abandoned farmhouse

The HandsomeHusband and I abandoned left our kids (not really, my nephew sat for awhile and Grandpa made sure they didn’t starve at supper time) and drove up to Podunk to meet with Dana for some broasted chicken at the Chick-N-Dip.  It was great chicken and company.  After we ate, we all stopped by the Podunk library which was having a book sale (Dana snagged a 6-drawer card catalog…score!) and then we hit the country roads to find some photo taking opportunities.  This farm house fascinated me.  I just couldn’t choose one photo – so I went with five today.  And Dana? You’d better post some as well.  I know where you live woman! *evil laughter*

Tired (106/365)

 
“Woman's Rule of Thumb:  If it has tires or testicles, you're going to have trouble with it.” 

Author Unknown

TIME:  8:28 AM
PLACE:  B--- Tire Mart
SUBJECT: Tires

The low tire light appeared on the Jeep’s dashboard last week, so HandsomeHusband checked the tire pressure and found the rear driver’s side was low.  He filled it up using our air compressor.  Two days ago, it came on again.  So this morning I stopped by the tire place before work to have them look at it.  Yep, we had issues, specifically, a screw AND a nail embedded in the rubber.  About 15 minutes and exactly 17 dollars later, the tire was repaired and I was on my way to work.

Industrial Roller (329/365)

 
Joan Holloway: Good Morning, Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

Mad Men. By Matthew Weiner. Perf. Christina Hendricks. American Movie Classics, AMC. 2007

TIME:  12:39 PM
PLACE:  The Study
SUBJECT:  Desk chair roller

My current desk chair is a recent purchase from Goodwill.  For a mere $15 I became the proud owner of a vintage steno chair…it looks exactly like this Rockwell Steno Chair which has a refinished price of $850(!).  It is the most comfortable desk chair I have owned.  It supports my lower back perfectly and has a nice little recline on it as well.  This is wonderful for when I desire to lay back and “check my eyelids for leaks” for awhile. 

Let The Big Wheel Roll (164/365)

 
Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds?
Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
[a croupier hands Renault a pile of money]
Croupier: Your winnings, sir.
Captain Renault: [sotto voce] Oh, thank you very much. [aloud] Everybody out at once!

Casablanca (Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, Marcel Dalio,
Michael Curtiz-director, 1942)

TIME:  8:29 PM
PLACE:  St. Mary's Parish Picnic
SUBJECT:  The "Big Six" Wheel

According to the calendar, the official astronomical date for the first day of summer doesn't occur until June 21st.  However, I declare that the true start of summer began tonight with the first Catholic parish picnic.  About every 2-3 weeks from now until September, there will be one going on for you to attend if you so wish.  Tonight was our parish's picnic and we walked there to enjoy the beer, bingo and brats.  There was gambling (it's a Catholic picnic for heaven's sake!) with the Big Six wheel, a quilt/cash bingo and raffle tickets.   A cold beer stand is a given.  There were booths where you could take your chances to win a theme-filled baskets or a cake.  For the kids, there were several inflatables (a slide, obstacle course and bounce house) and a kid's game area.  As we were leaving, a band was beginning to play.  The best part this year was that they were selling margaritas on the rocks...very yummy!  

When I was single, before HandsomeHusband and the kids, my cousin Kathleen and I would make the rounds of the majority of the parish picnics.  We went for the cheap beer and the gambling.  We always made sure that we made it to our home parishes to meet and hang out with our friends from grade school.  Good times!