Boo

I watched "A Recipe for Seduction" last night. Sugar Britches was trying to explain it to me and I couldn't quite wrap my head around it. "It's a Lifetime Network short movie that's being made by Kentucky Fried Chicken" she said. "Do what now?" I responded. "It's a love triangle where a woman is engaged to a rich guy but falls in love with Colonel Sanders" she explained..."Colonel Sanders is being played by Mario Lopez." "That guy from Saved by the Bell?" I asked. If you enjoy the kind of show that is so bad it's good, you just might like this one. It was unintentionally funny.

Spent quality time with the wife and daughter. Played fetch with the dog. Played a bit of kickball with the donkeys. Took a long walk in the woods. I have this entire week off from work so we loaded up and went for a hike. It's the simple things that matter most.

Congratulations Kate. You are doing great.

A bit of Christmas cheer from the old country...

Update on the miniature donkey situation: Peanut and Shorty are home now. They came home yesterday morning and are getting acclimated with their new surroundings quickly. The family Boo has spent most of the day playing with the boys and just watching them go. Peanut is the runner of the two. He does kind of a cross between a gallop and a hop and he usually has his body turned almost sideways so he can look around to see if Shorty is following him. Shorty tags-a-long most of the time but is easily distracted. He enjoys pushing a yoga ball around and carrying an old bucket...Shorty is easily amused. Maddie is fascinated by the donkeys. Sugar Britches is over the moon about the new additions to the family. Cash is not enthused at all, he barked a bit but mostly acted kind of pouty about new animals getting some attention. We went out this morning to check on and feed the donkeys. Got Miss Maddie all bundled up to go out and tend to the animals. I enjoyed that. It was a return to simpler times. The world out there is kind of crazy right now, but we're keeping it simple here on our little piece of land.

I'm giving you all a ten pound box of 3/32 4043 TIG rods for Christmas. But Boo, I imagine you're thinking, I'm not a welder...what use would I have for TIG rods? That's the thing, you can use these rods for practically anything. Snip 'em off to whatever length you need. They're easy to bend into whatever shape you want. I've used them for everything from unclogging a drain to making hooks to hang Christmas tree ornaments. Is it a fun gift? No. Is it a practical gift? You bet!

This is one of the better-half's favorites. Merry Christmas Sugar Britches!

The guys at work hate meetings and paperwork. However, the Christmas party is tomorrow and all of a sudden those guys are huddling up and comparing notes. If I ever get this crew as excited about inventory and logistics as they are about fried chicken and chocolate pie...we're going to be doing gangbuster business in the new year.

Earlier today, I saw some goofy chick on the Weather Channel standing on a rooftop in New York City. She was standing in snow above her knees. She said the skyline was beautiful. She also reminded people that outdoor dining is an option again in NYC. Outdoor dining...in a blizzard... I've heard of dining al fresco, but wouldn't this be more like dining el freezo ur ass off.

Great job Steven. Keep it up.

Congratulations Angeleek. The lido deck awaits and you're coming in hot.

Welcome to the Quit Train SweetPea. You're off to a good start. Unpacking the lies we accepted as truths as addicts is a big part of the process. Figuring out that our crutch is actually a club we beat ourselves up with. Figuring out that the only problem solved by cigarettes is the problem created by cigarettes. Breaking down the myths surrounding cigarettes makes it much easier to put the cigarettes down forever. The loss of a child is the most devastating thing anyone could ever have to deal with. I think everyone here used cigarettes as a coping mechanism for varying levels of grief at some point in their life. We all found out eventually that cigarettes are not the answer; they never were. Quitting smoking is a challenge, but a challenge that will reward you many times over.

Beyond the physical absence of stepping out for a smoke, there was a mental absence during most social interactions. I was only good for about twenty-minutes at a time when I was smoking. Anything more than that and I was scanning for the exit and looking for an opportunity to step out again. Even when I was there, I wasn't really there. Congratulations on ridding yourself of smoking and taking back the control.

Crabs in a bucket. You get a group of crabs trapped in a bucket and the crabs that try to escape will be pulled back in by the other crabs. If the crabs pulling the others back into the bucket expended that energy in trying to escape, they could all bust loose. Instead, many crabs resign themselves to being trapped and don't want any of the other crabs to experience freedom from the bucket. Don't let the crabs get you down.

Here's a Christmas song by Alabama that I know by heart. I had a seventh grade choir teacher who was very insistent that we not only learn this song but do it right. She took the same approach to teaching junior high choir that a drill instructor takes in turning young men into soldiers. Weird thing is, I didn't even sign up for choir. I was drafted against my will. It is a good song though...

A bit of banjo music for the birthday girl...

Don't take it personally. What other people say and do is not about you. Negative people act negatively towards you because of the negativity in their own life. That's not your problem...unless you take it own as your own which is entirely your choice. Welcome to the Quit Train Fluffyyellowduck. You have made a great decision for yourself by quitting smoking. Don't let anyone or anything distract you from taking your life back.

Holiday dedication going out to Miss Maddie, Merry Christmas little gal.

Dallas Wayne recently told the story of how John Prine was pivotal in the writing of "You Never Even Called Me By My Name." Steve Goodman is credited as the writer and is mentioned by name in the song. Prine and Goodman were playing some shows together in New York City. Goodman told Prine: "I'm working on a country song." Prine, who at the time was very drunk replied: "One of those you don't have to call me darlin', darlin' songs...You never even called me by my name!" Goodman tried to give Prine credit, but John was so drunk he didn't remember saying any of that and declined any credit. Makes you wonder how many songs John Prine forgot that he wrote back in his "Illegal Smile" days.