Let the Games Begin!

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Just before Christmas, The Nuke called and asked me, "So Dad, what do you want for Christmas?"

Now that is always a good question, what do you get for the man who has everything? And I really do, I have everything I need and most of what I want. The kids used to get me an Amazon gift card but they felt that that was too impersonal, and there's always the fear that I'll buy something like socks, or underwear. (Guilty as charged, hey, there's a certain joy in getting new socks and underwear as an adult.)

Well, I had to think about what I "wanted." Though The Nuke does work in DC, world peace isn't something she can do on her own. (Yes, I ask for that every year, knowing full well that our species glories far too much in violence to make that a reality.)

Now I have lists on Amazon, not necessarily lists of of what I want but lists of things I ran across and thought, "Hey, that's cool."

A lot of what I think is cool are boardgames with military history as a theme. (So Sarge, what about that whole "world peace" thing, ya damned warmonger you. Well, cardboard/plastic counters don't bleed. And this is history, that stuff has already happened and ... Damn, I don't know, certainly seems to be a conundrum, doesn't it?)

Anyhoo, I told The Nuke of these lists and she said, "Oh, I could get you something off your list, just make it public."

So I did.

Next thing you know, Christmas morning, The Nuke, LUSH, and The Missus Herself have gifted me with damned near everything on my primary list. An embarrassment of riches dontcha know?

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So now I have all these new games to learn. And opponents, I suppose I need opponents, being somewhat weird, I do play solitaire in these games, a lot. I guess when I was marked down in grade school for "plays well with others," those teachers saw something.

I do play occasionally against The Missus Herself, but she's a vicious opponent, beating me nearly every time. So I think I'll just drag the simpler games along when we go to Maryland. They dig boardgames down there.

As do I.

So ...

I gotta go, someone has to read all those rules!

Ciao!

Please Standby ...

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I have a story idea banging around inside my head, it wants to come out, but it ain't ready yet. I know better than to try and force it, it's in there and may, or may not, present itself soon. We shall see.

I feel like I'm hibernating, simply putting myself "on hold" until the next scheduled event comes to pass. It's not like I'm sitting, staring at the wall, or just eating and sleeping. Nope, I read, I watch movies and certain television shows, all streaming, I don't do the dish thing anymore. I listen to music, lots of music, and bang on the drum kit from time to time. I really need to get my six-string repaired and dust off my bass guitar as well. Music is in me, I'm not good at it, but I like the attempt.

Oh and games, I play games on the computer and I have a bunch of new board games I need to break out. I'll write about those later. When I get there.

Still I'm waiting, circling the field, and, well, just waiting.

Next big event is Finnegan's third birthday near the end of the month. I'm looking forward to going to Maryland again but this will be a shorter stay. With the kids in school and Tuttle and The Nuke both working there's not much to do during the day, so it wouldn't be much different to being home. Other than getting to see everybody in the evening.

We'll see, it's a long drive but I do enjoy it. Especially as I don't go through Moscow on the Hudson anymore. The drive up over the Tappan Zee adds twenty miles to the trip but the scenery in that area is lovely and it's not like I'm in an all-fired hurry to get places these days.

With all the travel lately I had an email from our pastor wondering if anything was wrong as they don't see us as much as they used to. I pointed out that now that I'm retired I can pull pitch and travel whenever I feel like it, so I do.

Freedom is awesome.

Rumor has it that there is the possibility of snow this coming weekend. Temperatures right now are in the mid to upper 40s so it needs to get colder. Other than a few parking lots, all vestiges of our last snow have vanished. I don't mind the snow as long as it isn't excessive, which here on the coast is seldom, and the larder is well-stocked.

Always amusing to go to the store just before a predicted snowstorm and seeing people buying enough supplies for a month. What's their plan if the power goes out? I'm not sure that five gallons of milk and twelve loaves of bread will keep for that long. I guess you could put the stuff in the yard, in the snow, and hope it doesn't freeze.

I once thought that anything with alcohol wouldn't freeze if left outside in the winter. Did you know that beer will definitely freeze? Don't ask me how I know.

Anyhoo, that's it for now.

Don't mean to be boring but hey, sometimes I am. (Some of you who know me well are probably rolling their eyes right now and saying "Sometimes?" Heh.)

Tschüss!

Fine Dining

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As I mentioned, Monday was the anniversary of The Missus Herself and Your Humble Scribe getting hitched forty eight years ago in the city of Seoul, Republic of Korea. She said I looked like a country lad visiting the big city for the first time.

Well, she wasn't too far wrong.

Not that I'm a city slicker these days but I'm used to cities now. (Still don't like driving in them, the terror is gone but the distaste remains.)

Now Newport is the fancy tourist town in Little Rhody. It's very nice and in the summer it's very crowded. Which is why we only go there, usually, in the winter. Fewer tourists, less traffic, but it's still a 17th Century town (founded in 1639) with streets better fitted to horse drawn conveyances than motor vehicles. So it's not a drive I look forward to.

But The Nuke recommended a dining establishment on the Newport waterfront, The Mooring, which I was most impressed by. Food was really good, service was outstanding, the ambiance was top notch, and the view from our table was very nice. Right on the water, I could see the lights reflecting off the waves of Newport Harbor.

Well, it was night but I've seen photos of it during the day and it's pretty, very pretty. This time of year there are far fewer boats in the harbor. As it's not long after Christmas, a nearby pier was still festooned with Christmas lights and that's something I always enjoy.

I had made reservations ahead of time and they asked if there was any special occasion we were celebrating. I told them it was our anniversary.

When we got to our table there was a "Happy Anniversary" card, signed by the duty staff, waiting for us. A really nice touch.

As I said, the food was great. When offered a dessert menu we declined as we were quite full by that point, our server said we should try their apple turnover as they were freshly made.

"But, we're just stuffed ..."

"It's free, because it's your anniversary."

"Free?"

"Yes, I'll box it up for you and you can take it home."

Nice, very nice.

The turnover didn't survive to become breakfast. I guess the thirty minute drive in the cold night air had given The Missus Herself an appetite. Especially when we opened the box and that turnover was still warm! (And big enough to easily serve two people.)

Thing was more pie than turnover and was absolutely delicious.

Now I'm not becoming a foodie, though I confess, I do like to eat, but Monday night was special enough to write about.

We had a good time in each other's company. I daresay, after forty eight years we should!

I'll think of something else to write about tomorrow, but for now ...

Ciao!

Forty Eight

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The title being the number of years The Missus Herself and Your Humble Scribe have been hitched as of Monday, 12 January.

The opening photo is where we went to lunch after church on Sunday. Looks out over the ferry landing from my town to the nearest island. Aidan's Pub has long been a favorite of ours. We used to go a lot more regularly but a change of ownership scared us away for a few years.

Some locals were saying the new owners had "ruined the place" and, out of character for me, I listened. Until a friend of mine told me that the place was as good as ever. Sure, the menu had changed ...

"Uh, the menu has changed?"

"Yes, but some of the old favorites are still there ..."

"Meatloaf Mountain, Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips?"

"Yes, yes, and yes."

So we went back and sure enough, the food was as good as ever, as was the atmosphere, and the service.

My only gripe is that their parking lot is tiny, a problem many New England establishments share, and my vehicle is large. But I'll get over it. (Especially as I have no worries of my car "disappearing" from there. Sigh ...)

For those who need to know, I had the Meatloaf Mountain. A big chunk of delicious meatloaf (wrapped in bacon), with mash, atop garlic bread, with Aidan's signature brown gravy. Delicioso!

I've written of Aidan's before, probably will again.

But for now, I'm off to enjoy the anniversary of marrying the most beautiful woman on the planet. And still being married to her!

Amazing what she'll put up with!

Ciao!

The wheels grind slow but exceedingly fine

 Man! Time sure flies when you're busy! I had intended to go out to the property and take some pictures of the trees from ground level.  This plan was based on the mid-week post I had about Trees based on Sarge's post about them.  

Unfortunately, I am still prohibited from driving because of the loss of conciousness which caused my accident and put me in a neck brace for the past 2 1/2 months.  

Yes, Beans, Thursday I'll see the Doctor that put me in the brace.  We'll see if I'm "Free at Last!" or not.  Please Lord the first option, pretty please.  

Unfortunately, because I blacked out I am prohibited from driving until the end of April.   Mrs. J has been very patient in driving me to places.  But, she's got something called a job, that takes up her time and driving me takes some prior planning and flexibility on our respective parts.  

No, Beans, I can't just go to Lowes on a whim.  Coordination with the "Driver" is required. 

I think I've mentioned that her latest "job" is as a travel agent.  We've been on a lot of cruises in our 44 years of marriage.  Found them to be relaxing, fun, visited many places we wouldn't normally have seen and several other reasons we like cruising.  

But, she found herself setting up the cruises herself and not through a travel agency after a couple of screw ups on the agency's part.

So, she decided to start her own travel agency employing herself.  My role is to schlep bags when we go on the trip.  It's been a lot of fun.

In the past month or so, she's been working on a  AMAWaterways river cruise through Provence, starting at Lyon and ending at Arles on the Rhone River starting April 6th.  The Boat (I have a hard time calling it a ship) only holds 155 passengers which is a plus in my mind. Service is good, It's not crowded, there isn't a disco pounding rock and roll at several thousand decibels at well past midnight either.  

The Rhone River at Avignon

 

All Good things, but she's been very busy.

Which brings me back to the "I can't drive" situation. She's busy getting her customers all ready to go, with reservations, tours they want, meal packages and a myriad of other things to take care of.

So chauferring me around isn't at the top of her priority list.

But...This week the construction foreman and Mrs J and I will get together and walk the property.  The primary reason is determining what is being built where and what is being taken down and a plethora of other decisions to be made.  

Realtor.com

 

As I discussed last Friday, the property is 4.2 acres.  There's one small cleared patch where the house to be demolished is located. (It’s a run down 1950s/60s model that's basically falling down on its own.). The rest of the property is heavily forested.  We need to clear a small clearing for my Brother's cottage. We're thinking it'll be on the right side of the small bend in the road just after you enter the property (there's a restriction of no closer to a border than 25') so that should work. Another area needs to be cleared for the Barn and grazing area for the horses.  That will be on the far side of the old house in the picture. Also an area for the dogs to run around in needs to be evaluated.  I think this one won't be much of a problem since they don't need a whole lot of space.  Fencing is also needed. The entire perimeter needs a good fence, The horse pen needs an additional layer, or maybe just a couple more sides using the perimeter to complete the pasture. The dog pen will use our house as one of the sides and a mesh fence small enough to keep our miniature dachsund from getting out.  

A gate is in the plan for access to the property.  On some of our readers suggestions, we'll put in some sensors at the gates and  receivers in the homes. 

So...A lot of things going down 

Comments and suggestions will be deeply appreciated.

Thanks

Peace out y'all!

P.S.  I meant to comment on Sarge's post on Tanks a couple of days ago, but got wrapped up.  The first live missile I fired was an AGM-65 Maverick.  The target was, you guessed it, a Tank.  Missile hit right between the chassis and the turret.  Blew the turret right off.  Yeah, I had to buy drinks at the bar that night.  Worth every cent!

Dude, Where's My Car?¹

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Not much to report, I'm tired as I had a dream Friday night where someone had parked a tank on top of me. Woke up sweating like the veritable pig to discover there was no tank atop me, but the temperature had stayed warm overnight and I was in a state of "too much blanket."

Ain't no thang, but having to get up early, that sweaty tank dream rather broke up my sleep momentum.

Sigh ...

Breakfast with my friends was, as it always is, awesome. It ain't so much the food but the company. I love those guys.

But the venue was classic little town New England, that is, the parking lot doesn't hold enough cars to support the clientele for the breakfast place and a mini-gym and a nutrition place in the same little building. I count fifteen spaces (two of which are handicapped).

Now there is parking across the street at a salon (top left in the lead-in photo, depicted below) ...

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The red circles show the NO PARKING WE WILL TOW YOU and the ubiquitous Handicapped Parking sign.

Now there were a LOT of people around Saturday morning, in the restaurant, in the little gym, and I'm pretty sure that nutrition place was also open.

So Your Humble Scribe spent a few moments looking for a spot to park Blue.

My buddy Tom, who has eaten at this place before and is watching me look for parking, says "Go ahead and park at the salon, it's not open."

I first slid in around a car to discover the Handicapped Parking sign. So I backed out and parked over to the left, convinced that I was gonna get towed. Kinda reminded me of this story.

Long story short, breakfast was awesome but was too short. When we left I looked over and did not see my car.

I repeat, I did not see my car.

Damn, somebody stole my effing car.

That's when Liz nudges me and says, "You parked over there, dumbass, to the left."

And sure enough, I did, just didn't see the car.

And got to look like a knucklehead at the same time.

Mr. Overreact, that's me.

But all in all, an excellent day.

Now I just need to keep better track of my stuff ...

That might help.

¹ With apologies to the movie of the same name.

I'm a Tank Kind of Guy

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Even though I was in the Air Force ...

I really am an aficionado of the armored fighting vehicle or main battle tank.

Sure I like halftracks, armored self-propelled guns, and armored reconnaissance vehicles but if it's got tracks, a big gun meant to kill other tanks, and the turret to carry that gun, then it's a tank, and I like it, like it, yes, I do.¹

I reported on that movie Der Tiger the other day and Joe in Northern California reminded me of another tank movie. This one ...

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It sounded familiar and when I started watching it, I realized that I had seen it before. As it is really a tank movie (not an M. Night Shyamalan tank movie, if you get my drift), I watched it again.

It's a very Russian film, of which the fellows in the old USSR have made a number of pretty good WWII films, and so has lots of very Russian stuff. If you know, you know. But overall, notwithstanding a number of technical errors, it's a very entertaining film. I give it 4.7 stars. It's available, as Joe said, on YouTube, search for "tankers Russian film."

The actual name of the movie is Invincible, I just don't understand this American need to rename foreign movies. I find it almost as annoying as dubbing films in a different language. Yes, I watched Invincible in Russian, with sub-titles.

Another good tank movie is The Beast ...

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This one is outstanding, it follows a single Soviet tank crew lost in Afghanistan. It's not a Soviet film so there are no sub-titles to deal with. It's also available on YouTube, search for "the beast movie 1988." (I offer search phrases, as opposed to links, as there are multiple instances of the two films, choose the one you like best.)

Oh yes, Tiger tanks, they came in two flavors, the Tiger I (as seen in Fury which used the last running actual Tiger I) and the Tiger II, or King Tiger, as you can see below. (Excuse the photo, it's a picture of a picture.)

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That photo was taken in La Gleize, Belgium, sometime in the early '90s, back when we were all so young. You can see just how big this beast is! (I wrote a post about it a while back.) In comparison, here's Your Humble Scribe standing next to a Panther tank ...

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She's a big beast but not as big as the King Tiger.

Speaking of which, here's the story of how that King Tiger wound up in the town of La Gleize back in 1944.

Mark Felton's videos on YouTube are outstanding, I give him 5 stars, you should be watching him, you might learn something, I do, every time.

Ciao!

¹ Apologies to Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones, I stole that from their fine tune, It's Only Rock and Roll.