Cows on the Overpass

While travelling across Oklahoma on my way to Wichita I pass this sign which reads "Chisolm Trail ... East Branch Crossed Here". Every time I see it I wonder how they got all those cows across that overpass.

First kayaking of the year

Yesterday we were finally able to take the kayaks out. The weather was absolutely wonderful … 80 degrees and a light breeze. We launched onto our local lake, and paddled around for more than two hours. I was surprised at the number of boats on the lake this early in the year. We saw several fishing boats, a couple family party boats, and a few speed boats (one pulling a ski-boarder). As far as I could see there were no other human powered boats on the lake that day.

We have quite a few small and medium sized lakes within easy driving distance, so we’re looking forward to enjoying them all this summer.

Absent, but busy

It’s been a while since I last posted, and there’s been a lot going on around here. We enjoyed a trip to Texas to visit the in-laws a couple of weeks ago, and last weekend we reconnoitered a nearby lake with the expectation of soon hitting it with our kayaks.

We ordered the majority of the materials to build our patio cover, and it now sits in the garage where my wife’s car usually sits. I built the forms and poured the concrete for the post pillars, but the actual framing will have to wait until after my trip to Wichita next week. Hopefully, by then most of the April showers will be past.

Last week our DSL modem bit the dust. My wife spent a couple days troubleshooting the system with the help (or hindrance?) of on-line support, and ended up ordering us a new modem. It arrived yesterday and she installed it and had us back up and running before the evening began. It seems to be rock-solid and fast so far.

On a personal note … It was forty years ago today that my father died. He had just turned 39 years old, and I was not yet 16. It’s strange to think that he’s now been gone longer than he was alive. And after all this time I can still remember the way he walked, the sound of his voice, the feel of his hand on my shoulder, even the way he smelled. If my own children remember me the way I remember him, my life will have been a success.

Everyone Loves a Surprise

When I got back to my hotel room after work last evening I found this in my room.

If it's not immediately obvious what that is, I'll tell you. It's a Candy Bouquet Easter Basket bubble thingie. And I like it. It's got candy and blue plastic grass and two blue stuffed monkeys and a ribbon on top. I can't help it if you've never seen an easter basket in a plastic bubble.

You see, my wonderful little wife is so sweet that she just can't keep from doing nice things for those of us lucky enough to be a part of her family. She's constantly showering me, the kids, the dogs, the grandkids, friends and fellow bloggers with thoughtful expressions.

I like it so much I'm gonna wait till I get home to open it so we can sit on the bed and eat the candy together.

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Here I am in Kansas without even a jacket. It was in the 70's when I left Oklahoma, so I didn't even think about it. But now it's snowing! Bummer.

Oh well, at least I'll be heading home in the morning.

Catch-Up

Been busy, lazy, committed, out of town, indisposed, apathetic, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah ...

Here's a picture of the Mustang my son recently purchased. It's his first car purchase (his others came from ol Dad) and he's rightfully proud. It's a guy thing.

Here's a pic of my Randonee that I promised in my last post. It's ready to ride, and I even rode it to work (once).

Been working in the backyard lately. First we removed the 24-foot pool. It's going to live at my daughter's house. Then we disassembled the deck. The deck posts have now been removed, but the holes are waiting for me to fill them.

Haven't had a chance to get the kayaks out yet, but we did stop by the local lake to see if the water level has risen any (didn't look like it). My beautiful wife took pictures of the lake while I took pictures of her. I have my priorities.