Freddie, the Town Dog

 In reaction to a friend who recently lost a valued member of the family, their pet, I am writing this. Sometimes we don't realize how much pets are a part of our lives, as a member of the family. Nor do we know the affect they have on others around us. The following is about our pet. I'm sure many of you have stories just as grand.
I would like to tell you about Freddie. Ole Fred came to us one day by way of a little red wagon. A young girl came by our house one day with a red wagon full of little fur balls. She asked the wife and kids, "Wouldn't ya just love to have one?" Here we go...a pretty little girl making a "pitch", and again who can say "No." If it would've been a boy pullin that wagon, I could have turned him down flat. So that how we added Freddie to our little family. He was just a mutt who needed a home. A little pup we could train, play with and love. That was the idea anyway. The only thing we trained (or he soon learned) him to do was go outdoors to do his business. He was good at that too. He never made a mess in our yard, he would always go next door to the neighbors. He was sensitive that way. He knew we'd be unhappy if the kids went out to play and stepped in his "doings." One time the neighbor shot at him with a BB gun, in hopes of making Fred to find a different bathroom. I swear Freddie looked at him, raised his right paw, and flipped him off, before trotting back across the street. As soon as the coast was clear, Ole Fred went back to the neighbor's to finish what he had started. The kids just loved Freddie, and he would tolerate just about anything they could dish out. My niece actually bit him on the ear, and he never moved. He slept in their room beside their beds. He was their protector. If they went for a bike ride Fred would run along side, putting himself between them and the cars. If they took a walk, same thing, Freddie be on the traffic side. Let me just add that he was never put on a leash. Freddie became well known around the little town of Markle, where we lived. That dog went with us everywhere, he dearly love to ride in a car, any bodies car. Cindy and the kids use to go down to the laundromat back then. Although Markle was a pretty safe place to live, they would take Freddie along for protection. He was good at that too, he was content to station himself between them and the door. No stranger could get near them, he could change from "nice doggie" to "vicious beast" in a heartbeat. If he knew you, you were a friend for life. Sometimes at the laundromat kids would drive by, see Freddie and stop. They'd open the car door, "Freddie...wanna go for a ride?" Off Freddie would go, anything for a car ride. Of course after a cruise around town, they would bring him back. I suppose that is where it all started. Freddie became the town dog. I took him to work with me late one evening (I was working a second job part-time at a gas station). While I was in the back room Freddie was on guard by the front door. Suddenly I was startled by a man behind me. It was the local Town Marshall. Freddie "knew" him, and let him pass unannounced. Back then we lived next door to my folks. They started letting him in whenever he would scratch at the door. Believe me that must have been quite often judging by the amount missing paint, and deep gouges on the door frame. My Dad worked downtown, just a short jaunt down the hill from our house. Freddie by this time had developed quite an addiction to car rides. He knew what time Dad went to work, and came home. That dog would be over there early to hitch a ride along to work, and then Freddie would walk home. Come about 10 minutes before 5 pm and Ole Fred would walk back down there, just to ride home. If Dad was running a little late, Fred would scratch at the door at work til Dad would let him in...as if to say "what's the hold up, let's go." Dad tried to pull a fast one on him one time. Dad snuck out of the house, and went a different way to work. Freddie wasn't buying that, he trotted on down to Dad's work, got there ahead of Dad, and waited for him. It was Freddie's way of saying nice try Pops. Being the town dog gave Freddie privileges other dogs didn't get. He was allowed to have a membership in the local Markle Fish and Game Club. He even attended meetings and sat at the table with other members. (Somewhere there is a picture of him in attendance.) He went to the ballgames, sometimes with family and sometimes on his own. He pretty much came and went as he pleased all over town. I think he also enjoyed a carefree, playboy style, love life. Girl friends all over town. One fella said he was going to sue Freddie for support payments to care for the pups he left behind. Freddie got mail. He once got a card from the ASPCA for his contributions in fertilizing somebodies lawn. Fred was always a regular in the local Wildcat Festival Parade. He never won any prizes, but did get a mention more that once.
Freddie was also a hero. Might not measure up to Lassie, but never the less. One night when we were sleeping he came into the bedroom. He stood up and put his paws on me and starting whining. This never happen before, something must be wrong. I got up and followed him down the hall. He stopped in front of the furnace. I was then I noticed it was unusually warm in the house. Upon further investigation I discovered the furnace was stuck running, and was shutting off. Needless to say, if it wasn't for Fred...well who knows? I'm sure many people in Markle from those days and recount their personal relationship with Fred. Everyone has their own story to tell. He probably did a lot of good deeds we'll never hear about. He will be remembered for a long, long time. In the end though, it was his philandering lifestyle that would do him in. He decided one day to go visit my sister, on the side of town. Freddie had a (dog) girlfriend up there he liked to visit. Seems that Fred decided it would be safe to cross the busy highway...oops. Well that was the end. It was probably some out-of-towner who didn't know Freddie was allowed the right-of-way, just like other folks in town. If only someone would have given him a ride up there to see his girl friend.
We probably should have erected a memorial in the town square. Just the same, I'm sure he has lived in the hearts of everyone who ever met him. May he rest in peace. If dogs go to heaven (and he deserved to), I'll bet some of the town folk who have passed on, are happy to meet back up with Freddie, and I hope we will too.

The Older Man and the Younger Woman - Part 1

The Older Man and the Younger Woman                                Part 1

   Looking back forty two years, I’m gonna change my mind about “the younger woman.” I met my future wife lo those many years ago. I was a young man of 22, and she was a pretty good looking gal with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a very nice figure. I couldn’t resist. I asked her for a date, she said “no.”

   Let me give you some background. Up to that point in my life, my charm with the ladies had not yet developed into what it is today. Guess I just lacked the confidence, and maybe I wasn’t as handsome then as now. Now though, I was fresh out of the Army, complete with a tour in Vietnam. I looked death straight in the eye, I could take on anything. Nothing could happen worse to me than what I had just recently survived. A “no” couldn’t bother me anymore. And another boost to my confidence was my 1967 Pontiac GTO. It was sleek, fast, and unbeatable on the street, a true “Muscle Car” envied by most of my friends. I didn’t need charm, I had my GTO, what girl could resist.

   I guess it worked. When I confronted her “No”, she simply replied, I’m only 17. To which I demanded proof, and she obliged by showing me her driver's license. There it was, in black and white, 17 years old…jail bate (as we use to call those under 18 back then). Well I was sunk, too young…but worth a risk? No wonder the other guys put me on to her. They’d struck out too. They knew I’d get a “no.” Stupid as I was, being an adult over 21, I kept going back to the greasy spoon where she was working as a waitress. Something in her smile, and her eyes, just kept me going back for another look. Finally she agreed to take a ride around the town in my car, like I said, "what girl could resist.” And I think the car was more impressive than I was, after all it was a '67 GTO, speed and power on steroids.

   This sort of “seeing each other” thing went on over the course of six months, never any real “dates” just visits at functions, or her house. Then the magic day came. She turned 18 and 3 days later we were married. I had me a gen-u-wine “hot young wife."  Ooo-eee, what man could ask for more? Did my dream come true? Most of my friends were thinking “how the world did he pull that off?” Truthfully…I don’t know either, but that was then, and then was good. It was great. 

   Now…it is still good, but some problems have come up. The 5 year age difference started to show up, I couldn’t keep up, I should say I couldn't (and still can't) keep ahead of her. Seems she's always one step ahead of me. Anyway...

   I thought here was this beautiful young woman, dumb blonde if you will, that doesn’t know much. I’ll be her Knight in shining armor. I’ll be the King, and she’ll be my Queen.  Little did I know, and as time went on, I found out the King has little real power, and even less authority. Somewhere along the way this young girl developed a mind of her own. She had her own thoughts as to how this was going to work. I don’t know how or when it happened, but I think she slipped something in my coffee one day that somehow gave her complete control. Maybe I worked to much, was away from the castle too long. Maybe she plotted with the children, and they staged a coup. I haven't figured it out yet. One of the early signs was when I was given an “allowance”; she needed the rest to pay bills. An allowance, what the...  Later it was her deciding what car we would buy. Suddenly my choices weren’t right, me the former mechanic. I knew more about cars than she did, right? Damn, I had fallen into the trap. She had become the buyer and made me the buyee. I was just there to say “sure, sounds good to me, if you say so.” Once in a while, if I got brave, I might ask, "how much was it?" It has been that way ever since. What ever spell she put on me, it seems to be permanent. I think that women should come with a warning label. I think Avon has a secret ingredient in there “Night Magic” perfume (which she always wears). There is no Secret Victoria; I know what that clothing does to men. Now they show it on TV, during the game no less, just to keep us under the spell. Men beware…they have taken away our self control. Hypnotized us with there feminine charms. “Honey, will you come here?” And you’re off to see what they want. Thanks be to the “geeks” we now have DVRs. I have recorded a lot of important must see stuff the last few years.

   Use to be when a guy came home from work, he’d be greeted by the wife and “dinner will be ready in a few minutes, why don’t you relax.” Well that all changed when the gals started getting jobs. Now my wife is still working, and I’m retired (?) (which is a bone of contention by it’s self). The shoe is on the other foot and I’m supposed to have the meal ready and the housework done. I started out okay, feigning ignorance, but she cured that with the List. "No excuses, I left you a list,” she says. To make sure the list is seen she puts it on my computer keyboard, lord the woman doesn’t miss a trick. I’ve tried on several occasions to outwit, out think, get ahead of the game, but to no avail. How she got so smart I’ll never know.

   I feel like Darren on the TV show, I think I was Bewitched. (If you don’t know who that was, look it up). It’s the way they talk, the way they walk. It’s the smile, the eyes, girls are made for trickery. Hypnotists, mind readers, magicians, pick-pockets every one of them. They can empty your wallet, and you are helpless, and you sit there watching. We are powerless saps, fruit ripe for the picking. My father warned me about younger women, but I thought with a young naive girl like this it couldn’t happen to me. I have also discovered that the female species learn their craft early. As a Grandpa now, my grand daughters are honing their skills using me as the whetstone that sharpens their loving claws deep in a man’s heart. “I love you Grandpa.” That is how it all starts, melting your inner man to mush, and you can’t say “no!” They are the new “Younger Women” in your life. The cycle of life continues. 

   (More on this subject later)

It is the extra things, The List

So...today the wife comes home from work this morning (from her 3rd shift job) and starts ranting about my grandsons staying up late. Justin was still up (all night). I turned in about 1:00 am, (sorry boys, paw can't party all night). Of course this was all my fault. Oh well, I went on down to the Java Bean Cafe, to hang with the other retirees, and I think she was still goin on as I went out the door. I'm not sure though because once I shut that door behind me I couldn't hear anymore. Forty five minutes later I returned, and as my luck goes, she was still up. It would sure please me if when she got home, and being as tired as she repeatedly tells me she is, she'd just go straight on up to bed. No luck today. She had a short list. Go to the post office, go to the grocery, take out the trash, clean pool filter. Not too bad. I could probably handle more, but she believes that is probably my limit, without a written list. No since making a written list, I'd just lose it.
Now here is where I'm probably gonna get myself in trouble. I did more than was on the list. Five extra things that she didn't mention. I just wasn't thinkin. Well when I was outside working on the pool filter, with the hose, I noticed the tomato plants need water (that was one thing). Then while I was sitting on the front porch (take my morning break), I noticed the flowers needed "deadheading". Counting all the roses, we got a lot more flowers than I thought (there's the 2nd thing). Naturally while doing the flowers, I notice some weeds. I just pull them while I'm here (I don't know if that counts as an extra thing on not). Well that led me to the kitchen. I had to dispose of the dead flowers, but the trash was full. WAIT...oh yea, "take out the trash", that's on my verbal list. Well I tried to stuff just a little more in without success, and now I got a mess on the floor. So I'll take out the trash, get a new bag and clean up the mess. I'm looking around and since I now have the broom in my hand, I'll go ahead and sweep the kitchen floor. Well...that just wasn't working, there was something sticky. Sweeping just made the sticky spot show up more. This just isn't my day. Now I'm gonna have to get out the mop. Mom always said, "don't do half a job." Well there you go, I mopped the whole kitchen floor (thing number 3). Guess I better shake and clean those throw rugs I threw out the back door (whole job again). Can't put back down dirty rugs on a clean floor. We're a little civilized around here (#4 on the extra list). Okay...computer time. Well what do ya know, she got a towel order. I just go ahead and print that out for her (that brings the count to 5, even if it is a small thing, I count it as a separate task). Time now for another break, more coffee. Wouldn't you know it, I have to wash a cup. Thanks again Mom, may she be looking down on me now with great pride, I'm going to wash ALL the dishes, dry them, and put them away (that should count as 3 different chores, but well call it just 1 this time, extra thing #5)
All done, I think. Time to check facebook, check email, and blog about my day. After that it will be time for another break before taking my grandson to his baseball game. Hopefully I'll be gone, and back before she wakes up. Hopefully she'll notice what I've done but I can't leave that to chance. I better leave her a "List". May your hearts be filled joy, your troubles be few, but when the sh*t wagon comes down the hill, be sure its not coming at you. GOOD DAY :)

Well in about an hour another Father's Day will be over. I hope all of you that still have your Father around, took time to celebrate the day. My own father was lost to me 25 years ago, and he is still missed. I have enjoyed celebrations in the past with our own children, but as they get older and have families of their own, their own celebrations are important. They begin what they hope will be "their own traditions." I can't remember if when I was growing up that we did anything "special." But at our house now (or we use to), it was the first real cookout, and hopefully swimming in the pool. Pretty much an all afternoon event. Great fun, especially with the grand kids around to help in the excitement. A word here about Mother's Day, that has always been a duty to "take her out for dinner," and of course flowers. Father's don't usually go in for the flower thing, and by now we've pretty much got all the power tools we need. If you like me, a lot of the tools have been "borrowed" back by the ones who gave them to me in the first place. I think that was the plan to start with. So this year I didn't expect anything, and wasn't disappointed. I did get 2 phone calls and 1 text, so that is something. Maybe next time we'll get back to the cookout gig, I like to eat. Happy Father's Day to all of you!

Keep those hedge trimmers sharp...

It is time once again to trim those hedges. I've had my Black & Decker trimmers for over 30 years. I think it was the latest gadget for yard work back then. Anyway...I've never had to sharpen them. I've cut some stuff up to 3/8 inch in diameter too. My secret? I spray them with Pam before I use them, then spray with WD-40 when I'm done. It is just that simple. It runs quieter, and smoother too.

Lets Save Some Money...

Every year my wife spend a lot of money on flowers to plant around the yard in various flower beds. I'm talking a couple hundred dollars worth. Now don't get me wrong, I like pretty flowers. They make the place look nice, but $200 bucks is a lot of money. We have one flower bed on the corner that I made by putting some railroad ties in a square (about 64 square feet). That takes a lot of plants, if you buy them. Plus all the labor getting the ground ready and then planting, and the eventual weeding that follows. I'm basically a lazy guy (and cheap), and if I can avoid all this I will. So...I went to Wal-Mart and happen to notice a box (about the size of a cereal box) of flower seeds. It said wild flower mix, and another said butterfly mix, and yet another said hummingbird mix. One box cover 500 square feet, ah ha! I bought 2 boxes. When I got home I dug up that flower bed. Leveled the dirt, and made everything all nice and pretty with my rake. Then I open the boxes and emptied them, completely, over the whole bed and rake it in a little flowed by a gentle watering. I figured that if you plant enough flower seeds, and weeds won't have a chance. IT WORKED! In a month flowers were growing. by the end of June we had a beautiful flower bed. I didn't have to weed. Butterflies and Birds were there. It was perfect. Cost: $14.00