October 19

Yesterday turned out to be a very hot one. Then in the afternoon during a nice bright sunny day we were put under a tornado watch. Nothing happened, it just stayed hot and humid. One of those Missouri days where you can get wet just standing around outside. I, of course, chose to do a little work and really got wet. I even caught a Crappie believe it or not. One Crappie doesn't go very far in making a meal so I ended up releasing it.

Sunday we removed some excess dirt away from in front of the new wall by shoveling it into five gallon buckets and carrying it away. As I made my second trip carrying a full five gallon bucket in each hand, I started to step over the rocks that line the walkway at the side of the house when my eyes spied a snake laying exactly where my foot was proceeding to step. You might not believe how quick my mind responded to the sight and told my foot no. Imagine a five gallon pail of heavy dirt and rocks in each hand and the left leg/foot being swiftly reprogrammed and an order being sent instantaneously, out of turn, to the other leg/foot. A little off balance, was I, but thanks to the walking I've done the right leg was strong enough to propel me backwards all by it's lonesome and without dropping a pail. I'm not sure, but I think the snake was only a water snake. Was is correct. I thought he was too far from the water to be a water snake with good intentions and they do look a lot like a copper head so he/she is a was.

For some reason I was reminded of Mikey. Going down steps he almost always carries his left rear leg tucked up high. I suppose trying to find a place to put four down in the proper place and in the proper order gets too complicated when you can't see the rear two as you're facing forward.

Going to Jeff today to do some things for Lena and allow Glenda to keep a doctor's appointment on her ear. The ear seems well now but I think he must have bought a condo in Florida and needed some extra income. I guess it could be he only needs extra money to pay for gasoline. It has been many years since I've hitchhiked but I may once again take it up as a means of transportation.

So goes our rainy looking day...................

"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use."-- Emily Post