Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967

Don't go sailing near Antarctica for a while... Dang thing's the size of Delaware! Reckon the wags will be blamin' us for the "climate change" that caused it to happen. Ban Black Powder!! Giant Iceberg Set To Break Away

Polly's a sweetie! And she LOOKS like a "Polly!"

For Sociable Security, waiting 'til 66 (September) will be about $200/month. I'll gamble and wait it out... Filing for SS, that is... fer sure ain't gonna wait 'til then to bail!

First, this isn't about Snap-On or other high-end tools. All my life the guys in my family have bought Craftsman mechanic hand tools... and when I reached "wrench-turning age" I did also (when I could afford 'em). Well... I just received an email from Sears - it seems they've sold the brand: Wondering if the quality will change* and how the warranties will work. *I don't think they're stamped "Made In USA" anymore.

It's been a while, Badger... too long. So what's the word on waders these days? I haven't bought a pair since the '80's...

Startin' to dream early.... come on April!

I'm gonna tell 'em April 14. Sorta kinda not quite... I'll need to (WANT to!) work, but hopefully something fun. Probably part-time, and something least more fun than accounting stuff - which could be just about anything.

Just had a private meeting with our CEO, and told her that I'm leaving. I'll let my boss know tomorrow... After a colorful and unnecessary "spat" with my boss last October 04 I went home and wrote my resignation letter, with the intention of submitting it the next day. However, that morning I wanted to let my co-worker and "team-mate" know in advance. She at first thought I was kidding. When I assured her I was not, she asked me to please not do it 'til after the holidays - a very, very rough time of year here. Knowing how difficult it would be to find a train a replacement by then, I told her I would. But it's time. Thanks to all of you for the advice and support over the past few months... it's been VERY much appreciated!!

So TM, in your original post you said that "the Alamo paints Travis as a real royal jerk..." Was that one of the Alamo movies? A particular book or set of books? General lore...? I've wondered about the man myownself... but having grown up in Texas, I do believe that if I'd ever said such as a kid I woulda gotten beat up.

"Obamacare" "Affordable Care Act," Warden...?

He (Travis) just wouldn't listen when 4-T tried to teach 'im how to behave...

So, wondering ~ for those who've retired, at what age did you pull the plug? And for those who haven't, at what age do you intend to...?

Sixty-Four....?? BW, you're a KID~!!

Yeah... I didn't think it all that funny either... but I CAN relate.

I can relate...

I love it! Followed by a smile and a heartfelt "And by the way... Up Yours!" And speaking of "and by the way's..." By the way ~ anyone who wouldn't recognize Allie a a girl ( ) is blind, nuts, or from San Francisco!

So what the heck is this "fixed stock" mentioned in the article that makes AR- type rifles non-assault types...?

Done. "Emergency" indeed!

That is sad almost beyond belief.

Good 'un, Shadow...!! "The Great One" speaks!

I'm reminded of the time in San Francisco (where else?) when I walked into the break room at work... three female-type persons were seated at a nearby table; I smiled, and said "Good morning, ladies..." At which one of 'em turned, glowered at me, and snapped "We are WOMEN! We are NOT 'ladies'!" I smiled again and responded "Well then... I reckon you aren't at that," and walked away.

Sometimes it don't pay to try to say something nice. Steve Martin blasted for tribute comment on Carrie Fisher Oh well...

Well? Was he? Sassparilla Kid really surprised me with a couple of antique Stanley planes (a block plane and a Bedrock jack plane), and a cool hardwood mallet to accompany the Stanley Sweetheart bench chisels from last Christmas. I'm happy!

*Ahem* Back 'bout the middle seventies a buddy and I shared an apartment in Pacifica. On a whim, Bill and I decided to take a ground school class down the road a bit at Skyline College. Now, it just so happened that Bill's girlfriend was from a little town up on the Russian River. Both her parents were doctors, and for fun her dad and brothers had an old Cessna 172 they'd bomb around in. Which was very cool, as we were invited to come up and "play" with her brothers and the aeroplane. Well, it seems that big brother thought "yours truly" had some sort of natural affinity for flying; heck, landing that thing was like pulling into my driveway. Or so I said to "brother." Shoulda kept my mouth shut. Next thing I knew, over lunch the brothers and Dad told us about this gyro copter they'd built. It was all ready to go - or would be as soon as they installed the engine! And they had a plan! They wanted to haul it to the airport (an old Army Air Corp training base with very little traffic) for "test flying." The plan was, they wanted to strap in some sandbags the same weight as the engine for ballast, then tow it down the runway behind one of the bro's Jeep and "kite" the thing for some test flying. And Golly Gee, Hardpan... we'd be right honored if you'd accept the honor of being our "tethered test pilot!" Huh! Well, wonders never cease! As young and dumb as I was even back then, I had enough sense to politely decline...! But I do still find 'em kinda fascinating.

Uh... Uno? Put yer spectacles back on... that's no way to talk 'bout the young lady...