Fall 2013 October 20

39 degrees this morning.  Didn't seem to be that bad, exercise went fine. 

Weekend half over.  We tried a new place for breakfast yesterday "Brother Juniper's" .  We have a wide variety of excellent restaurants within two or three miles, so we hardly ever get out of our area to eat out anymore.  However, after we decided to stop eating at Starbucks (we'll still enjoy the coffee!), we thought we would try something different.  Brother Juniper's has been rated as the "Best Breakfast" in Memphis.  It was certainly enjoyable and the service was excellent.  Parking was non-existent and there was a 30 minute wait at 8 a.m. (not a bad wait, coffee was available, some seating if you moved fast and some paintings to look at, but don't try it if you're in a hurry).  

My major yardstick, the coffee, rated five stars.  A different taste, but excellent and the service was really outstanding.  Coffee was refilled constantly, which I appreciate.

Speaking of coffee, some of the best coffee places are Starbucks, Steak n Shake, and Firebirds.  Bob Evans and Cracker Barrel coffee isn't quite as good (to me) for some reason, I definitely will drink it, it just isn't quite as good as the others.

 J. Alexanders coffee is luckwarm and undrinkable, just eat there and go across the street to Starbucks.  Also, forget it at On the Border, they just don't know how to do it.  

TGIFridays and Bahama Breeze seem to use some  type of instant coffee which is almost undrinkable.  Save your money.  I don't eat at Logan's Roadhouse much (no reason, just don't, I love their meat loaf) but I believe the coffee is usually ok.  I have learned to just not order coffee at any Mexican or Chinese/Japanese/Thia etc. restaurant.  You're either get some junky instant coffee or they just don't know how to do coffee.

Ruby Tuesday's also has excellent coffee.  Perkins has so so coffee, just tastes somewhat like Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans.  Rafferty's has excellent coffee, just insist on it being fresh (same at Firebirds).  The Blue Plate always has  excellent coffee, although we hardly eat there anymore (too far to drive).  After a weird experience with the Manager at the Texas Roadhouse (she is gluten intolerant and was more or less told to eat elsewhere by the Manager,) we haven't been back, but I seem to remember their coffee was ok.  O'Charlie's is uneven, if you insist on hot fresh coffee you will get it and it is good.

Macaroni Grill can have excellent coffee, but they seem to have a no refill policy, so I just save my money.  Red Lobster?  If I remember correctly, save your money, like almost any seafood place.  

What I resent most is paying $2 to $3 for a cup of coffee and then getting a tepid, old cup of coffee or not getting refills.  I assume the coffee doesn't cost much and they make a big profit on it.  I don't care, I'll pay, I just want a fresh cup of hot coffee with reasonably frequent refills!  

I could go over iced tea, but it is difficult to get tea as strong as I like it, but Steak n Shake has excellent strong tea. Most places in Memphis have good tea.  I don't even think about ordering tea in Oklahoma City, all you will get is slightly favored water.  

It has been a cool, but nice weekend.  I have my annual "audiocardigram" (or something like that) tomorrow.  Like the annual physical, I always am slightly stressed about the Doctor saying "I see a problem", but I believe it is better to know, than not know, if there actually is a problem.  

I have always had a very low heartbeat (38-40) and I'm not that worried about it, but I recently read in Dr.K about how it can indicate problems.  Of course, every new Doctor I sees checks it out and it is just normal for me.  

Looking forward to a day of slightly flexible time.  I have some things to catch up on etc., but at least I can do it on my own schedule.

Summer 2013 August 31

79/80 degrees this morning.  A little muggy. 

Last day of August of 2013.  To say the year has flown by would be to minimize it.

The early morning has it's own little world, and I am both a participant and an observer in it.  Almost every morning I wave to the newspaper carrier, the Walgreens truck driver (they apparently change at this Walgreens at the time I ride my bike by) and, of course, the other persons who work out what could be considered early (in the 4 a.m. to 5 .am. range).  

When I think about it, there are a lot of little subcultures we exist in daily, from our drive to work, have coffee at Starbucks on Saturday morning and breakfast at Steak n Shake on Sunday morning.  We get to "know" people and then wonder what happened when they disappear and never return.  Since in most cases we never know their names, or frequently even their occupations, just that they occupy that little subculture and we meet daily or weekly or even monthly or several times a year (in the case of the Hampton Inn we stay at on the way to OKC where they recognize us by name as we walk in the door, and ditto with the Hilton Garden Inn in OKC) where we truly minor actors in their stage of life.

The wonderful start of a 3-day weekend!  I love it!  The empty slate lies before me, although I know I won't get close to getting done what I plan!

Went to a new restaurant last night "Jacksons on the Square", a wonderful place.  Service was excellent and some of the best blackened catfish (with crab on top) that I have ever had!  It was a truly wonderful experience and it wasn't all that expensive.  Certainly not cheap, but affordable for an occasional meal. 

Summer 2013 August 30

77/79 degrees this morning.  A slight touch of muggy in the air, although still relatively coolish (to get hot later)!

Time keeps getting away from me, as it seems my attempts at organization to get more done are successful, which only brings more things to be done since I am getting more done!  

Friday, the last work day in August. One thing I am lucky about, I almost never have "writers block".  That may not be good if what I write isn't that good, but at least I get something out!

Labor Day always reminds me of the time I feel on my bike (I believe 4 years ago).  I scraped my arms and knees and realized I wasn't immune from falling.  It was a very low speed fall, which I think almost made it worse.

I love 3 day weekends.  The time seems to spread out, and then of course, I get busy and the 3 days speed by.  Anyway, I enjoy the anticipation and the 3 days.

Summer 2013: August 2

Coolish this morning (70 degrees).  

TGIF.  I am ready for a weekend, although the week seemed to fly by.  Finishing a long process today of final interviews for a Receptionist/Administrative Assistant position.  Three very qualified persons, which means at least it is a positive choice, although a difficult choice.

Listening to "Steve Jobs", who believed in (and practiced) a minimalist life style.  I look around and see how possessions have taken ownership of me, not always a negative.  I tend to hang on to things (especially books and clothes) until they wear out.  

i remember when I first started working I rented everything so I wouldn't have to worry about it.  As the years went by, I accumulated items, and now look aghast at all the stuff.  However, I have a hard time giving away my books, even ones I haven't touched for years, my clothes (I recently lost enough weight to justify keeping some clothes for years on the basis that "I could wear them when I lost weight!, which is a wonderful feeling!  I want to throw away all of my "too large" clothes, but Aliene insists on putting them away "just in case".  

Of course, my Hot Wheels (Matchbox etc.) collection will die with me.  I will always pack them up and take them with me.  I will probably leave them to an orphanage or someplace where they will be used.  Or maybe a museum if there is such a thing as a "Hot Wheels Hall of Fame".  I don't know why I am so attached to toy cars (and similar vehicles), but it is an inexpensive hobby and one that I enjoy.  I actually bought my first "Hot Wheels" car in 1980, when my daughter was less than a year old.  Over the years, I pick them up, with no real purpose in mind, just nice or unique to look at.  I have a lot of race cars.  I don't "play" with them, but I do like to display them and change the displays.  

One reason August was always my favorite month probably was because it was the "birthday month".  John and Mary Anne were born on the same day (August 5) exactly one year apart and I came along 3 years later on August 6. We would aways combine into one big birthday part, usually at the swimming pool.

I can remember the swimming lessons we had when we were kids.  We would actually walk (on mud roads in bare feet" for over three miles to be picked up by a bus and then we would walk back three miles.  (It may be 4 1/2 miles). That is the absolutely truth!

Summer 2013 August 1

79 degrees this morning.  Still slightly coolish from the rains last night.

I am amazed that Staples Office Supplies and Dell Computer stay in business based on their horrible customer "service".  

As discussed before, an item I bought at Staples Office Supplies quit working.  I following instructions and, in spite of having purchased an "extended warranty" that guaranteed in house repair, I was advised to "call the 800 number".  I did and was advised a "box to return the item will be sent to you".  That was over three weeks ago.

I even received an e-mail from the Staples "Office of the President" and they apologized and said I would be send a "store card" to purchase another item to "fulfill the contract".  Guess what?  That was two weeks ago, still no action!!!  Pathetic.

Dell Computer isn't much better.  I have written on this before, so I won't bore you with it.

I always like August.  Of course, my birthday is in August and the weather is usually the type I like.  I actually enjoyed going to school so I alway anticipated returning to school.

One think I don't personally like about election campaigns is all of the yard signs.  I realize they are necessary and all that, but I am so glad when the election period and (most of) the signs are picked up, at least no new ones are put out.  

August ought to be an interesting month.  I hate to see baseball season end, but it also means (college for me) football will begin. 

My six (or seven?) year old MacBook battery is finally going out.  I get a message to "replace soon".   I hope that is referring only to the battery.

The morning "hyper time" continues.  I don't really know where the time goes in the morning. It is like someone forwards the clock.