Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967

Nope. 'Course I don't. However, they're not always wrong. But, I have heard plenty of stories from medical folk I've known, including the Former Missus Hardpan, who had been an E R nurse and hospital administrator for many years. And I had an employee who didn't show up for work one day; she was found comatose, and ultimately had a tapeworm removed from her brain. She survived, and even returned to work, but was... different. If you enjoy the stuff, by all means keep on enjoying it! I just choose not to. Although I do have fond memories of countless bowls of lomi-lomi.... By the way ~ this was local to us: https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/19/579130873/man-pulls-5-1-2-foot-long-tapeworm-out-of-his-body-blames-sushi-habit (I don't think I know the fella, but I do know the doctor)

Back in the 80's, while I was living in the Bay Area, a local TV news program did a spot on sushi one night. They placed a variety of freshly prepared items under a microscope, and Lordy! but several of 'em were literally crawling with itsy bitsy worm-like critters. I'll pass. But I do like wasabi!

As soon as I saw the title of the thread, I honestly expected THIS:

Colt... I feel for ya, but be glad you're not in california.

First time trying sushi....

So Walter's on it... right?? You can see where all the efforts are focused here: https://www.energy.gov/ And here are Walter's deputies who are busy workin' on it: https://www.energy.gov/leadership

That hat's perfect! Dang... you even got ME smiling~!

A few years ago my son was staying with his mom in an "exclusive, secure, gated community" with an HOA. Three times while there their cars were broken into - so much for the security. But the camel's back was broken when they received a notice that the "derelict old Mercedes automobile abandoned in their driveway" MUST be removed. Abandoned? It was the Kid's daily driver. Derelict? Really??

I bought regular gasoline last night for $5.65/ gallon at the local "bait and beer" stop - possibly the cheapest retailer in the county. And this is probably one of the lowest priced counties in the state. Here's a snap a cousin in Upland sent me last Friday... undoubtedly, it's gone up since then:

Driving along one day with the Kid, back when he was still in his teens, I turned on the stereo with a Dean Martin CD inserted. Suddenly I realized that the Kid was singing along with "Ain't That a Hole In the Head..." Surprised, I looked at 'im and remarked "Hey! You know this song??" He looked at ME kinda surprised, and replied "Dad! It's DEAN MARTIN! Of COURSE I know his songs!" As if I wasn't astonished enough, I pulled up to my office building and dashed in to pick up something I'd left on my desk. It was Saturday, the office was closed, and a workman was installing new flooring. He had his sixteen-year-old son helping him... and that young man had the same Dean Martin CD playing!

In case ya missed it from a month ago.... Crows - A Story

With that jerk running it I have immediately lost interest.

Almost as easy but more fun....

A good ol' Texas thunderstorm can trump an eclipse ANY day~!

"Son... yo' mama riiiides tonight~!"

Well, a very good friend for the last twenty-five years is retiring. And not only retiring, but gettin' the hell outta Dodge next month. Just can't take it any more! Mark and his bride have sold their house, and are headed to a new home near Jackson, Tennessee. I'm gonna miss the guy ~ and he WILL be an asset to his new state. Anyway, thinking about a parting gift for the lad. His fun passions have been dove shooting and especially fishing. To that end, I'd welcome any suggestions on tackle, lures, books on fishing specific to the area, or heck, just about any ideas. Thankee!

I've heard of it since I was a kid, and have watched countless sunsets. Never seen it, but have been told by others that they have....

For years I carried a Samsung Rugby II, until the danged thing was worn smooth. Then I "upgraded" to a Samsung Rugby IV - big mistake. I thought it was identical to the II, but no... just looked identical. Slightly larger (wouldn't fit the II's holsters), but worse, in a nod to Microsoft's example, they significantly changed the command function sequences. Major PITA. But I adapted, and used it. Danged things were nigh unto indestructible. Then one evening about a year and a half ago, I got a call from a very nice young lady with AT&T: "Mister C, I'm sooo sorry to tell you this, but in a few weeks we're no longer going be able to support your old Samsung phone," she said with the sweetest Texas accent. "Miss, I'm sooo sorry to tell YOU this, but I have absolutely no desire to spend a bunch of money on some danged 'smart phone' with a bunch of stuff I don't need!" I replied. "But, Mister C, we really don't want to lose you; we see that you like Samsung models, so we'll be more than happy to send you a brand-new Samsung 'smart phone' for FREE if you'll just stop using the old one!" She did and I did and life is good. At least in the area of phones.

Sad news, Tom... you and yours are in my prayers and thoughts. And absolutely, everyone - get the shots!

I don't find 'em to be much work at all. Fill the feeder and flush out the automatic waterer every few days, clean up once in a while, and collect eggs. Now, that last part is an adventure! When one or more hens decided to be "broody," egg collection can be a challenge. Well... in my case, anyway: a feral hen* moved in a few years ago. She's a good layer in the springtime, but always decided to get "broody," and she's convinced that she's gonna be a momma. She will set on a nest and takes unkindly to having her "future babies" stolen from her. And when disturbed, she becomes MEAN!! So, during "brooding season," I'll do my egg collecting at night - if I do it during the daylight, she will positively come unglued and attack; she's a one-hen tornado of sharp beak, flogging wings, and small but effective spurs. But at night, with hands encased in welding gauntlets, I wear a headlamp; shine it in her eyes, then use the small, metal (garbage can) lid from my coal bucket. I call it my "Captain America" shield, and use it to shove her out of the way and recover the day's deposits that she's claimed as her own. And during this exercise, she's whanging away on my "shield" with her beak - "Clang! Bang! Bangbangbang!" Actually, kind of funny... she can't give chase in the dark, so she settles down when I withdraw. Oh... and I leave a porcelain egg (Sharpie labeled "phony!") for her - she can't count, and it calms her down. *At one time I had more than two dozen feral chickens move into my back yard. Eventually, most moved on or were killed by critters - one morning I found six dead under a tree, and single ones at other times. Culprit turned out to be a 'possum. I researched 'em, and many of those chickens seem to have been some sort of Mexican fighting birds. The hens were pretty plain, but the roo's were downright gorgeous. And surprisingly, the roosters were fairly mellow - not so the hens! I call her "Betsy." Others simply call her "The Bitch." Moments after I snapped this shot, I donned my Captain America persona and rescued three fresh eggs after shoving her back, as she did a Gene Krupa number on the lid with her beak: One of the mellow Buff Orpingtons... she's trying, but nothing under her: Our intrepid egg-collector, Hardpan the Mighty, armored and armed: My li'l cottage sits on an adequately fenced 1/3 acre lot. I turn the gals out of their 12' x 18' enclosure and let 'em free roam - they do a terrific job of keeping bugs at bay. And they have enough room to not be a bother; I seldom see them during the day. After sundown I close their gate, and have not lost one yet to predators.

Such a cheery bunch o' folks...!

Boy, that bottom left hold is likely to sting a mite....

It's been a bunch of years since I've read the book - an excellent read! And as I recall, it even contains mention of the Horse & Cow.