Tumbleweed Wandering

It Truly Has Been A Long time

2009-12-13T16:13:00.000-08:00

Well to everyone that reads my mindless, at time thoughtful banter, and musing I am sorry I have not posted since VERY early this year that is nearly over!
No real reasons why, work, not enough hours in the day, and really what makes what I do with my life any more special than what you do with yours? It doesn't. That you honor me with a counter that says 11 thousand+ of you care enough to stop by boggles my mind, makes me want to write more, I feel as though I have let you down in some way, but, then the more sensible side of me comes back to life, and says now just a minute here, YOU really think people care a rat's rear end what you've been up too? People who read blogs, read because they have an insatiable hunger that drives them to read, read, and read more. Somewhat like yourself, silly person! Who else reads labels at the store, you say it is because you want to know what's in the product, BUT, we all know it is because you feel the need to KNOW, and to READ, read, read, and your oblivious to all because you have your nose in something that has print upon it's pages, and your entranced, give me a minute, will you while I finish reading this!

We are off again for the winter. Going to the family house as the matriarch is at the ripe age of 94, and we all decided to make this the Christmas we would lay down our arguments, and become the offspring of the union that fathered us all, and celebrate with her as she is still basically able to hold an earth shattering conversation, and keep us all on our toes, and truly hoping we could at least light the candle that she has so bravely carried all these years in the face of adversaries, the kind that you and I only read about, and that epic movies are made about.
It shall be a grand event, for an even grander, elegant lady.

With that graceful thought in my brain, I wish all who read these postings, and those that don't a very blessed, Christmas season, AND if Christmas isn't your religion, then a season that you, yourself dictate, may it be rich in what you desire, peaceful in the knowledge that the world is unfolding in the way that it was meant to, and there really is nothing that any of us can do to change the way it is unfolding, except to get comfortable, and hang on!

Greetings From the Cyber Truckstop

2009-02-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

Greetings from the cyber truckstop. Actually we are sitting at the house where we
have been since Mid December. Freight basically dries up although as it usually goes
if your at the right "spot" at the "right" time you can usually score a run no matter
what the season, or freight climate. We just decided that with the roads being an
unknown quality come ice, snow, and inept crews that staying home was a far easier
pill to swallow.

We haven't been lazy, although we aren't driving perse. Our taxes are nearly done for
another year, and although it seemed like we hauled a ton of ourselves around the country
we were in fact only out for 170 days. That seems about par perhaps a tad bit on the slow
side, but, ya know we can afford to do it, so why the heck not!

Had a nice quiet Christmas, talked to everyone that needed talking too, and reminded the
family of the upcoming trip where we all touched base for the first time in face to face
scenario in 2 years.... what a frigging blast! We are all older, perhaps wiser, although the
younger members of the family disagreed on that point, the eldest member of the family...
the Grand matriarch coming in at 93 years of age, and still packing a healthy whack of
intelligence, and brute force to be reckoned with admitted we had all turned out rather
well considering our upbringing, or perhaps lack of.

We are now back at the house surveying the frozen lake,and dreaming of sunny days,
and tugging lines, and of course we are slated to go back to work next week, but, you
know... perhaps not....

Greetings from the road

2008-10-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

Greetings friends, neighbors, any and all who come to visit.
It's been a slow week for freight in our business. 2.5 ruins
total miles maybe 2000. Last run paid well but was only
90 miles set us right back into Atlanta, and the home of (
as far as I am concerned) scary truckstops! The place we
resting our heads this weekend and resetting our clocks
is at least free, and therefore has more let's say interesting
people strolling through, pan handleing etc.

We are trying to get home for the festivities of All Hallows
Eve.... time will tell

Dont forget play Bow-Wow trivia!!
Thanks for your support

Play the game

2008-10-25T16:08:00.000-07:00

Either way win or lose...........the critters win with free kibble donated to feed them.

Stand Up For Your Rights Weekend

2008-08-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

It happens everyday, or at least it should what we celebrate this weekend.
Some more than others, some perhaps never.... (Oh that word...
have to do a page on that soon).

Remember all who have walked, talked, ran for office, stood up for the
weak, the innocent, put their feet in their yawning mouths, who have
skipped, walked, danced to a different drummer..... because they truly
believed in what they were doing would make the world a better place.

I applaud my Mother for having the courage to face the big logging companies
of the Pacific Northwest, and literally lying down on a logging road to impede
their destruction, I applaud her friend Gordon, who recently stood up for the
trees of Nova Scotia, and was wrestled to the ground for leaning against one
of the trees slated for destruction, holding a Canadian flag by the Provincial
Police. I applaud all the people who have done something courageous for us
the population whether it strengthen our workforce, or strengthen our
resolve to make the world a better place.

Life

2008-08-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

Ah......... Life.

One minute your flying on top of it all, the next your cascading down the sides of a bottomless
pit, wondering if your ever going to stop, and just as important are you ever going to be
carefree, and casual again about anything.

My niece lost her youngest child the other day. Caroline was about a month old. Poor, innocent
child, her parents, adrift in a wash of raw emotions, clinging, yet pushing away the outpouring of sympathy, and empathy from us all. I stand in helpless abandonment and wash another sink of dishes, and hold tear-wrenched bodies, and read stories to the ones left behind.
I pray the parents will someday find the peace within their souls that they truly did all that they could. The two divine children who are left will never replace the one who left, but, they are their own souls, their own people, and they will bring joy to their parents, they will help fill in the void that Caroline left in their own way.

Forgive yourselves, for the children have.
Hugs,and peace

Life Comes AT you Fast

2008-05-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

Life sure comes at one fast. I mean think about it... The long hazy days
of growing up are a blur now, but, way back then the days lounged by,
at times not moving fast enough especially when there was some great
adventure planned, then the days crawled by dreadfully slowly.

Now at the ripest part of life, when one is able to enjoy and savour each
passing moment to the fullest, the days and the events that make them
special flee from your grasp as though you had the plaque.

But, then there are also the events that unfold that you really wish you had
no part of, the ones that you could have sworn were from some A or B film,
that the writer's were bored with the way their life was going so let's pretend
to spice someone else's life up and do this film.

Wasn't looking forward to having my 15 minutes of fame concern this city that
I live in. Wasn't interested in having the extra stress, and the concern that
someone else has in how I conduct my affairs, however boring, and mundane that they are. We did nothing wrong. NOTHING, but, now I am contacting the local
newspapers, television stations on the advice of the State Police, that if we want the protection we deserve that this is the only way we will get it.
So be sure and watch the news Channel2,4 and 7 have been contacted. Sure hope to heck that someone comes out.

2008-05-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

Rodent Escapades

2007-12-16T10:27:00.000-08:00

Day 2, or 3, I think it's actually week 2 or 3...
anyways the live trap was sprung again but, not until
the peanut butter on the paddle had been well licked!

So we now think it's larger than a mouse, or chipmunk,
perhaps a squirrel, or a rat. Now we are going to try
the larger live trap again. It will be well greased, a wisp
of a lick shall shut the doors, and we will lay out the
banquet of all time for rodents, succulent cheese, organic
peanut butter, whole grain breads, the smells permanating
the attic shall tickle their nose, and bring them to the trap
in a hypnotic trance of easy pickings.
Shall we cross our fingers, and toes, and pray that the little
darling quite literally takes the bait!

Santa Claus

2007-12-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

Well, it's 10 days and counting ( Whose counting anyway!!)
Here's a site for all the kids, even the one's who have a hard
time admitting that they still are!

With that in mind ( It's there somewhere) I am off to track down
the rodent that has taken up residence in the ceiling of this house
that is the floor of another house, that this house is built under-
neath!!!! It's no wonder that the the live traps can't catch him there's
not much room between the ceiling and the floor:-( Sadly,
if it's not caught before we head out, I am throwing some drop em dead
in their tracks stuff up there... already discussed this with it, and told it
that in it's best interests it shoud get caught... after all it is top of the
line cheese up there, and there is rodent food until the weather vastly
improves down here. I told him/her it's your choice. I hope it
chooses wisely.

Your Sky

2007-11-09T14:11:00.000-08:00

New Post again, another interesting link.
Map the heavens the night you were born!!!!
Map the heavens the night of your first date, the night you wed,
your first kiss, your first big break in anything.....

Another Link

2007-10-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Another link, and wow it finally came together after looking at it, cross eyed and all!!!

New Link!!!!!

2007-10-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

New Link...
This guy and his friends are hilarious!

Letters To My Father

2007-09-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

Afternoon Father,

Drove down to Ohio yesterday, ordered a reefer unit for the truck, and attempted
to spec out a box for the truck. We are thinking we will just add to the frame our-
selves, and weld a decent DOT fishplate to join it altogether. Then have the box
put on the frame. Decisions, decisions none easy, all long lasting repercussions,
so we want to take our time and do it right, so that the next truck, AND there will
be another one, will go together much easier.

Drove under the canopy of trees today. Some are changing, some resisting the
known fact that their brief life is over,and Winter is indeed coming.

Mum's on her way to Loopyland. She is going to see Amz, and perhaps some
old friends, and they are stopping to see Brian's nephews golden retriever's.
She's a fantastic person, and still going strong. I often compared you two,
as mum being west coast 90, and you east coast 90, she's still going strong...
and although you lost Maxine, who you loved dearly I think, perhaps even
though the economy isn't that good on the west coast..... the lifestyle is better.
Food for thought, wouldn't you say?
By the way the Canadian dollar is at par today!!!!!! First time in 30+ years

Letters To My Father

2007-09-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Father,

It's been almost 2 months since you passed. Life is amazing, in that even
though you've gone onto the next phase, we keep muddling along here.
People extend their condolences, perfect strangers who if I didn't have your
death certificate in hand, would presume you were alive and kicking somewhere
To them I tell them you lived a long, and very rewarding life. 92 years. No
small feat in any one's estimate.

That your home was to the covered eye, a beautiful home, with all the amenities is true. To the naked, uncovered eyes of your children, (your own,
and your stepchildren) the place was a pack rat's heaven!
I have held in my hands, since your passing interesting sized boxes.... I only
have to remember the hoards of interesting sized boxes we uncovered at your
house to remember I don't want my children to remember me as a saver of
interesting sized boxes, and hurriedly toss them in the recycle box.
I seriously think twice before saving anything now... my life's possessions
fit in my car, except for some furniture that the girl's have, I've either donated
or tossed everything else.

I looked at your living will the other day. Remembering all the pain,
and uncomfortable things you put up with towards the end.
Father, I would have brought you home in an instant if I could have,
for you to end your days in the house you saved, gazing with fondness
at the lake you sailed, and cruised. You could have fought all your
Navy battles in your mind looking at the lake. But, sadly your living
will left the boys in charge, and there was no way they would ever
allow you to come home. sometimes a woman's heart is in the right
place, even if their business mind is not what you would call cut throat.
Sometimes, Father it truly is the heart that cares.

Was truly sad to see your life end up in 2 dumpsters. I am still amazed
that the Salvation Army was not in the least interested in yours and Max's
life belongings. We gave away to churches what we could, took what we
wanted, things we couldn't have,and enjoy when you were alive, we got
in the end. You'll be glad to know that I got your music collection, and the
art that I wanted, beyond that there really wasn't anything that meant much
to me, although I do thank you for all the childhood pictures of the kids.

It's too bad that you kept us apart us and Max's children. That Tina and I are
such good friends was because I came over unannounced one Labour Day when
she was in town. You and Max had all those anniversaries, birthday's, holiday's
to share the families, and you chose to keep us apart. As though we weren't
good enough for them, or they us.

Well, we ran into a speed bump with the truck. Seems the box is not fork-lift
rated, so we are having one built to our specifications. Probably for the
best. Although it backs up our start date by four to six weeks, we will just tighten the belt a little more snugly.

You do realize that I am the only one who left her job to come home, and see you through your last months?
It's been rough but, for you, Father I would do it again, gladly.
I'll re-assess how I deal with the other family members though, some have
been supportive, others free loaders, the free loaders have grazed to the
stubble their last meal with me.

Be blessed wherever you are Father. Look at us when we are plying the highways
and back roads. Know that although we were never really close, you are my
Father, and I am your only daughter. And, I do love you,and always will.

A Toast To End All Toasts

2007-09-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

Here's to me, and here's to you.
And,..... if by chance we disagree,...
Then to Hell with you, and here's to ME.

I was raised on this toast, and the supposed fact that
it was considered in bad taste to "clink" your glass,
because every time one 'clinked' their glass, a sailor
died at sea. Now, I am not sure about this only going
on what my old man told us time and time again.

I much rather prefer that everytime one 'clinks'
their glass that another angel gets their wings.

We 'planted' the old man on August 4, 2007.
Well part of him lies with his second wife, Maxine.
Suffice to say that she was never a Mother to me,
let alone her own children, or grand babies.
Took the rest of the time to settle the house,and
ready it for the market. In reality we cleaned the
place out in 10 days... no small feat to which the
bulk of the whole mess landed in my stepsister's
lap, and to her I give a hearty applaud,and a rather
loud 'CLINK' on the glass of creme de cacao I am now
drinking.

Sadder still that my Dad's illustrious career ended up
in 2 dumpsters, a very sad reflection of the current
economy of throw away society that thousands of
dollars of very good clothing, and furniture ended up in
there too. I kid you not Salvation Army turned us away,
and by the time we found that out it was too late to get any
one else. Im sick at heart but, it goes to show that if you
haven't used it in at least a year ditch it now while you
have some control over where it goes.

On a lighter note............
The truck is nearly ready to go get put together....
AFTER MONTHS of searching,and talking to
engineers, and frame people and liftgate people
we have narrowed it down, and should have the
truck into some body's garage by the end of the week
early next week IM hoping.

Have a splendid fall...............

2007-08-26T13:40:00.000-07:00

2007-08-26T13:37:00.000-07:00

In honour of my brother Zigzagman,sister Agrah a mere stump upon the Pacific coast at the Pacific Rim Provincial Park
a more fitting ode I could not have found:-). It is here that countless visitors from all walks of life have
tipped their heads back, and allowed the mellow taste of their particular quaff to flow pleasingly down
their throats.
That they honour my brothers and sisters in such regal surroundings with the next known landmass of
any substance to be Japan I am sure they have great reverence for the area as
these caps attest that they are here, and not strewn upon the beach
awaiting some frolicking person to heavily trod upon them
whilst not wearing shoes.

2007-08-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

2007-08-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

Wow I am so sorry it's been I see eons since I last posted ... my apologies for all of you ( totally sarcastic) who daily read, and post replies to my half witted posts.
Since my last post I have been watching my Dad pass on to the next plane in life, and helping the family attend to his dying wishes of which some were done but, not all. We had him cremated in order to put him in several places if only for token reasons but, quite honestly we all couldn't understand why he wanted to be buried with his second wife, and her first husband, I suppose it would have been all right if Dad and him had been friends but to our knowledge they never met, so we put part of him there, and the other part Carey and I are taking out to the West coast to put him with my big brother, Ken,and Dad's sister. There another service will be held for the West coast people.
I wish him Godspeed on his journey, while we were never really close he was a great man and touched so many people in his work. That he was never a good Father to me , is forgiven as he was a great Father to so many other children.

On to other news. We bought our first truck for our new business, pictures in here somewhere hopefully near by. It is a 04 Freightliner, dual stacks, has 12 forward speeds, most important it is an automatic there is NO clutch pedal on this truck... that is strange I want to put my foot on the clutch when we stop and start the truck but it's not there!!! Too Cool!!!. We got a pretty good deal it was through someone's ill fortune that we got such a sweet deal, the person we bought it from was going over the truck and methodically replacing every hose, belt, clamp, and filter. The truck has super singles on the back axles. It only has 302,544 miles on it, which for this type of truck is just broken in. It has a Cat C-12 diesel engine in it, and the Cat company said for what we are going to do with it it is a 1,000,000 mile+ engine. We got a great deal on a reefer box saved ourselves around 6grand on the box, finished pictures of the box will come as we get them for the time being here is the first set.

Aging & Life

2007-02-18T06:22:00.000-08:00

Morning people,

Well it's been a long time coming, or perhaps it's been there all along and we are just seeing it
now.... but my parents are aging. It's an interesting scenario. They are both in their 90's, respectively both 91, and turning 92 this year, and there the similarities end. Dad is an East coast 91, well ensconsed in society,and all it's trappings, and Mum a laid back somewhat health nut West coaster. Mum has despite hip surgery fared better than Dad. Her mental status is bright, and witty, she has a good relationship with various people in her area, and is physically
active. Dad, gets through everyday reading an ever increasing, over whelming stack of newspapers, magazines, and radio,and television. Mum is now a bus isn't commuter not because she capable of driving but, because her car of 30 odd years finally gave it's last belching spew of exhaust fumes. Dad, well he is taking driving classes, because his driving has become a bumper car exercise. How he has not seriously injured someone yet is beyond us all. They both still live on their own, but Dad is in the process of moving into a home. How he will get rid of most of his 91/ 92 years of possessions is beyond me, I understand he also has several storage areas he rents too. Here you go people if you haven't used it in the last 5 years toss it now! To the East coast parent add two step children from his last marriage, whose house he now lives in. To me,and my sister lies the chore of taking Dad with pen,and paper in hand through the house we never grew up in,and asking him gently what he would like in his new place, write it down, and move onto the next room. When all is said and done, and he has reviewed the list, we can then open the doors to his step-children, and let them do what they will, letting them know that if it is
on Dad's list that all they have to do is wait for Dad to pass on. I am not loking forward to doing this, not at all. I guess this wil

Newly Certified

2007-02-14T06:33:00.000-08:00

Well it's offical. We both now are DOT certified to haul everything
under the Sun,and or the Moon. We got our Explosives,and
Radioactives papers:-) . We did those on Saturday, and yesterday
we did Temp-Validated training. Now we have it all!!!!

Sure am glad we took all this time off.... whoosh the roads were
dicey coming home from Akron yesteday.... lots of white out
conditions,and generally just a yucky situation. By the way
I do feel safer in a truck... no glaring driving lights in my rear
view mirror, no indecisive people undecided about what lane to
be in, and all that weight under me almost sticks me to the road.

We found out at training on Saturday that they NEVER haul
explosives out of Canada......... so I demurly asked what
pyrotechs were, and mentioned we had hauled them. And
out of Canada. Which leads us to definatly believe that our
company takes loads willy-nilly off all the load boards,and bids
on them the same as anyone else in this business. Not a reassuring
thought.

2007-01-19T10:38:00.000-08:00

Hi people:-)
Greetings from Seattle, Washington, via the possessed laptop from places I don't ever want to visit. Just joking it has it's moments don't we all, and why shouldn't machines have off days, weeks too? Been sitting here since after our delivery on Wednesday, seriously thinking it's time to move East but esteemed owner has pulled off all the money off the Com-Data card we are effectively screwed unless we use our own money to fill the beast. and at 3.00 a gal. for diesel I find it hard to swallow, oh did i let that 'S' word slip in? LOL It's been entertaining watching the drivers back into smaller than usual parking slots already had one accident but it seems to have been settled amicably Im surprized! If anyone has freight to ship from the west coast to preferably MI but anywhere in the area will do.... call FedExCustomCritical and request our truck DR4313. we have 22' of cargo area, and also have a reefer unit on board, we'd like to make at least 2.50 a mile heading back that's after FedExCC takes their 39% off the top, see what you can do we will be here until late tonight, perhaps tomorrow depends what FedExCC tells us on the cell in the next 15 minutes.
Have a good one drive safely,and allow room for all us depraved truckers out here

2007-01-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

Hi people!!!
Greetings from exit2 on I-94 in Wisconsin ( spelt wrong Iam sure), in our line of work, we are
paid to drive, and dechipher short-hand written directions that are usually wrong.
We are sitting, a dire position because when we sit, we arenot making money, that we are sitting
in a motel makes what we earned to get here pays for the motel basically a losing propostion. At least we are not freezing our sad butts off.
We have been pretty busy, freight is moving but this is just a crapshoot business good loads are out there one just needs to be in right area to snag one. If your not, you sit, or you deadhead into what you hope will be a 'hot' freight area. We have already turned down 3 load offers. $ 1.19@ mile does not constitute a good paying run. Well cross this AppleBee's resturaunt off your list. the one in Woodbury,MN at 10150 Hudson Rd is the total pits.
Ah bitchings aside it is time to hit the hot tub again!

2006-12-08T14:21:00.000-08:00

Well we are picking up the truck tomorrow sometime after 10am Iam thinking.
Then we are off for a couple of weeks driving the country delivering last minute, ooops we forgot we needed an extra 1500 pounds of something or another....
call FedexCC. Thats basically what our job is... making up the shortages in the least amount of time. Delivering something to a factory, or warehouse that was ordered but never showed up. We save the day! We do other shipments too but the meat is last minute, forgotten orders. Like the last run we did 1400 pounds of McRibs( blech) to 7 RottenRonnies that didn't get any. Picked up in some dark area of Tennesse, and then delivered to RottenRonnie's in kentucky,and Indiana.
Some we're excited to see us, others where more concerned with did we have to pay for this??? Company pride is alive and well.

So there will be another hiatus from this.... unless of course I get a chance to whack at it while on the road.... time will tell...............
Stay thee all very well...

2006-12-06T18:07:00.000-08:00

Wheeeeeeee I've been tagged...okay 6 weird things 'bout moi.your sure you all ready?

First off I hold dual but where it gets really weird is my Canadein parent resides Stateside,
and you guessed it my American parent took out landed immigrant status and resides in Canada.

2. I am a trucker................... still... this changes on every run but, we are heading back out Friday

3. I enjoy bondage

4. I love squid,snails,and chocolate

5. Home Depot is more fun than Sak's Fifth avenue

6. I love most everything

and the only ppl I can think to tag don't have blogs so its back to you Ziggy

2006-12-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

First off Season's Greetings to all!
That said,and hopefully everyone is madly getting into the spirit of things in whatever way they enjoy the best.

Speaking of spirits.... I went to a bona fide haunted house last night but didn't actually go in.... just drove up the driveway,and drove by the great doors,and looked somewhat timidly( at least I did), and drove away. But, it is in my mind that what a shame.... it's a beautiful piece of property, even if the last owners, and I presume they are now the absentee owners chopped down all the trees in front, they left great hulking stumps, as though they raped the grounds of majestic trees. Carey my best friend,and current, and hopefully last room mate told me that the house has been haunted since he was a kid growing up in the area... the current house is the newest in a long string of houses since the original one was torn down. The people buy the property move in, and move out
2 to 3 days later. There are virtually no animal tracks in the snow on the property.

Part of me wants to delve into it, and part says leave alone. Time will tell.

2006-09-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

Oh Shit, oops sorry I bet everyone thinks im on with landstar.oh heck not a chance.....my gf I guess she's still thinks she's my gf lied to me, to landstar, to the owner, made everything such a screwy quagmaire that it was easier to leave than stay, so i left... and as I was returning the truck to Rockford, IL i got a call from FedExCC what would it take to get me back to FedEx...I said get me, and my co-driver,and the owner into the orientation the next Monday which was today..... well they did...so here we are in FedExCC... Its kinda nice actually to be home so to speak...

2006-09-18T14:19:00.000-07:00

OH didn't think it had been so long since i had posted, and OH Goody your getting it from my laptop which is possessed.... I'll try and catch all the mistakes but I might not.

well, Carey and I are in Green, OH at FedExCC's headquarters going through orientation.... oh they must be desperate for drivers to hire us!!!! Just joking but its an interesting selection of people.... and I only dozed off once!!! The hotel bed came complete with bugs!!!! so we moved to the next bed.... Lunch was free,and quite nice....dinner last night was errrrrrrrrrr weird....tonight well who knows.....
More on this another day....

New Job?

2006-08-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

Well,....
I think it's almost offical... why the operative word is almost, is
because as I type this out I have a 150,000$ rig sitting in the
driveway.. can't believe Im not almost in if they wouldn't let
me have the truck, but don't want to hex my chance, so enough
said.
Spent the better part of the other day sanding, and steel-wooling
all the rust spots of the rims, and then priming,and painting them
I don't own the truck wish in a way I did but if I owned it, it sure
wouldn't have sat out in one if not both of the hurricanes that
ripped through Florida last year. There's too much internal
rust damage, and the fiberglass roof on the cab part has too
much damage for normal wear and tear. That coupled with
who ever has been driving it has no regard for other people's
equipment that I spent all day spiffing it up. I take pride in what
I drive even if it's someone else's truck. It's embarressing to pull
into a shipper or consignee in a filthy truck, you know their
wondering is my freight going to be safe in that truck!
Had Worst-Buy take out the crappy, tinny sounding stereo
system,and install mine, added my XM satellite radio to the
system, the same station the whole run of I-10 from coast to coast
no listening to a good tune, only to leave their broadcast area,and
recieve static grrrrrrrrrrrr so irritating, best toy I ever bought for
work, even better than the CB radio, Oh yes, if your out on the
interstate highways and hear SideSwipeSquirrel on the airwaves...
that's me. Sadly I earned the handle I have sideswiped others:-(
not in a commercial vehicle but I've been there done that deed.
I added Squirrel to my handle. because there is another SideSwipe
out there, so I have company!!

First Date in Like I Don't want to Remember

2006-08-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

Well good people....
It went off as planned... are these things ever planned at my
age I'm not so sure. It was like my first bona fide date in well
over 40 years!
The sweet man called in the afternoon, want to go to a concert?
ME: Sure whose playing?
KC& the Sunshine Band.
Me: WHO
You've never heard of them and your a Detroit native?
ME: Guess not, doesn't matter I love all music sure, I'll go.
Pick you up at 6:30 okay?
Me: all right.
It's 5pm great what the F do I wear, ack I hafta shower,
wash my mane, find something decent are we sitting on the
lawn, or in the Pavillion, go buy some crackers for the wine
and cheese ahead of time in the parking lot.... go girl GO!

OMG he was on time..... asks me after we pass the last
corner store did you bring glasses for the wine?
ME: Nooooooooo the wine was your responsibilty.
oh well he says we'll just pass the bottle back and forth
We get there, he has all these special passes gets us right up
to the front gate VIP parking, Okay who does this dude
know that he can get tickets at the last second, and park way
up front?
We park he goes to get the tickets, pops the trunk asks me to
set stuff up.... the stinker brought glasses, some divine
cheese, 2 bottles of wine,( thinks he's gonna get me plastered
does he) We never got to bottle #2 or I might have.
We had a spectacular time, he knows alot of people there, they
were coming up all night Hey! man how ya doing, as they
ogled me... the ladies hugged him, glared at me, just kidding
but I told him they'd all be talking when they went back to their
seats...he said why? OMG sometimes guys are slow.. because
you brought someone new with you, and their all curious,
told I still hear stuff about my ex in another country no less, almost 10 years later.. he finally admits Im right!!! He hears stuff about his
ex too, and Yes, they will talk do I mind? And I looked at him,
and said not at all, shall we make the gossip good? He roared!
After the concert, which by the way I reconized the songs, and
yes, we danced in the aisles like everyone else. was good fun.
He brought his binoculars with him... because we are both tall
he's really tall we got the back row.no problem closer to all the
beer...I couldn't hold the binoculars steady, so he held them for me
up to my eyes, I thought it was sweet, we went out for a bite to eat,
listened to some tunes on his stereo, and he played this nice
ballad love song, and sang to me yea it was kinda corny but
it was sweet too, as we danced in a parking lot.then I told him
I know you sing that song to
all your dates.... and he roared again, and admitted yes he does
but, you gotta admit he said it's a nice song well done, and I agreed.
But it still wouldn't get him past 2 base with me too. Age and
a divorce has made me cynical, so keep trying!
He brought me back to the house... tried to get me to his place
by asking if I wanted to see his goldfish swimming! Oh yea?
I didn't see them at your house when I came and trimmed all
your hedges? He said that's cause their in another room...
Oh well not this time but, thanks, he laughed again.

The next night my oldest called me from Vancouver... so Mum
you went out on a date, eh? Uhm yes. then I got the investigator's
question period, job, responsible, shower, wealthy, wise, of course
he asked me out, can't get much wiser than that! Then the next
night youngest kid calls same questions different format... I know
they hash over the answers and woe to me if I answer differently!

We've talked a few times on the phone, no second date at least he
deosn't have to have his date stand on a milk crate to kiss her
goodnight, so who knows might snag another.

Sometimes It's good to know....

2006-08-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

Today I received a somewhat interesting email, and I say that
rather loosely because I can't believe I got it. The email came
with a set of directions on how to proceed through it... I read
them, so... so what am I going to do? Ignore it, probably for a
myriad of reasons... I am not a walker around the neighbourhood type, people here are paranoid of others, and Im not going to be the
first one in the neighbourhood to get shot at. One of the excer-
sizes is find a playground....... hmmmm none around here,and
if there were the chances of finding kids playing in them would be
slim to none. I might see lovers in their arms, feverishly touching
through clothes, devouring each others faces, some how or
another I highly doubt they want an observer.
So the meaning of this post?
Sometimes it's good to know what your friends are on, because
in this case I don't want any!

WOW 53 people I think

2006-08-19T19:15:00.000-07:00

Yes well I think it's people who have been stopping by but for all the comments left behind it's really a crap shoot if they were people or not!
AHEM!!!!! People be it ever so humble a small note that you were there
goes a long way to providing fodder for the isatable thirst that writers have, just like applause, and standing ovations it help keep the creative
juices flowing:-))))))) Do see if you can toss out a crumb or two next time through... I might even get a HNT if I thought it would feed the masses!

LOL Couldn't have made it 3 in a row...

2006-08-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

Still undecided on font colour, let's try this, sheesh having/ still back spacing more than I am going forward, why worry about the colour let it be enough that I am posting, thank God for spell check, everyone will look like brainiacs even if their not!!!
The ongoing, looks like it will be forever saga of getting on at Landstar. Because they do ALOT of their contracts with the big cheese companies, the background investigation is right up there with crossing the border @ the Detroit Tunnel ,and what happens to YOU when THEY don't ask the right questions... hey not my fault my oldest kid is an Investigator for The Pacific Region of Canada Customs & Excise. I can play the cat and mouse game as well as they can, trouble is I got to sit in teenie tiny seemed like 6' square box while they thought I was stewing, when it all actuality I was resting my eyeballs. I finally after a good nap asked them hey! do you want to see my birth certificate? Oh it was comical when they said yes, why didn't you show it before, and I told them straight up hey you didn't ask to see it. Cardinal Rule of US/Canada broder crossings DON'T OFFER ANY INFORMATION!!!! Answer the questions as short and concise as possible................don't drone on.
Anyways it appears the previous companies I have driven for are resisting sending in my experince with them.... some of the reasons have been down right comical, I am a tad unimpressed with FedExCC in being so slow. But, sure as the sun rising in the East I figured GoBlair an independant company based in Louisville would drag their feet. That the owners are out of the country, and that all their previous driver's records are sitting in their house and the manager can't get to them seems about right. Anyways after talking to the very nice people in recruiting ( sounds like Im joing the Forces) @ Landstar and discussing the afore mentioned companies seems I am again at least a week if not more from getting back on the road:-( <--- BIG SAD FACE
No it doesn't mean I can publish a blog a day as my good friends on the west side of the State do, but I'll see what I can do.

Two days in a row, Bro are ye impressed???

2006-08-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

WOW !!!!
Look at this another blog... but, seriously every single day?
That's for people who have interesting 9 to 5 days...
trust me when I get back on the road there will be weeks
that go by, and I'll not be adding to this BUT when I do
you'll get to read all about the BS that goes on in the
commercial driving world, the accidents, the doofuses
that ply the highway, the action at the truckstops, the
creative ways that the cops lie in wait for unsuspecting
fools, the endless droning on the CB from Sesame Street,
channel 19, might even give you all a brief synopsis of the
horrors of some of the more hideous rest rooms I've been
in...:-(
My soon to be hopefully new co-driver just called me, she
wanted to know what PCMiler was being hawked at online
at the company's store.... OMG 3 grand, no flipping
wonder all the freight companies have it and the driver's
don't....
Well I have managed to nearly slip into the afternoon, so I
guess I'll finish my java jolt,and get on with the day activitites.

Activity @ the feeder

2006-08-15T06:35:00.000-07:00

Good Morning People:-)

I think that this colour is probably worse than the red but, let's see...
We have a hummingbird feeder set up on the redbud tree in the
backyard, it is about 5 feet from the edge of the deck, and has
provided some interesting observations all spring and summer
long, first there was the staking of the area as a prime feeding
site, and the competion was furious for about a week as several
pairs of hummers vied for ownership of said feeder, the resulting
victors then assailed the feeder in the early morning, mid after-
noon, and another assault just before the sun set for the day.
Often during the day there would be no activity at the feeder
and a stray hummer would chance upon the sweet nectar, and
proceed to lick at the feeder, they would get about 1 minute at
the feedeer, and the 'owners' would buzz in and chase them off.
We have never been able to locate the nest, but they laid their eggs,
hatched their off-spring, and we now have the parents and their
young foraciously feeding at the holes. It appears that there are at
least 2 young, and their parents, perhaps even more, as there are
often at times 4 young or more hovering in the air waiting for a
chance to load up. Their antics are often quite hilarious as they
immate their parent's as sometimes they seem to just stab the
feeder with their needle beaks, and bury it to the hilt as though
this is their last chance to partake of the sweet juice.
A word on the nectar that we provide... it is clear, no red
food colouring.. just sugar and water syrup boiled, and then
refrigerated. We learned a few years ago that if we added the
red dye to the liquid that we in effect were adding the demise
of these colourful characters of the birding world. So now all they
get is clear, sickly sweet laden water, the ratio of water to sugar
varies, in the early spring it's more sugar to water to entice them
to stake 'your' feeder as their's, we taper it off somewhat as the
season progresses, building it back up to the same or greater
ratio as in the spring for their long flight back to their winter
areas. You can use the hummingbird nectar that is sold in
garden shoppes, or bird stores, but the sugar/water blend
works just as well.
Another way to keep the little hummers in your immediate area
if not your yard is to provide them with the ingredients that they
use for their nests. These are cattails, their fuzz in particular, or
if you haven't any near by that you can harvest in the late winter,
or early spring, and if you have climbing clematis vines, the hummers
will use the fuzz that comes on the seed heads of this vine. Also grow
in your garden flowers that the hummers enjoy to supplement,and
increase their use of the feeder, these plants include but are not
limited to bee balm, trumpet vines, honeysuckle, anything that is
red, or orangey/red in colour.
You will be provided with hours of entertainment,and be assured
that next year you will have them back again with their youngsters.
The only down side to all this is that next year we are buying another
feeder, it seems we have become a regular stop, and woe to us that
we don't provide that which they have come to expect, and honestly
it is a small price to pay for the enjoyment that these small creatures
bring.
http://fohn.net/hummingbird-pictures/

I've been told Im supposed to blog everyday!

2006-08-13T15:50:00.000-07:00

And........... not only that but not to use red letters....
hmmmmmmmmm I think the red on black looks rather
interesting.
Well, having a usual weekend here... haven't budged too
far from the espresso machine, or my rooms. I am either
painting my retro 60's flowers on some material that will
eventually cover the futon in the livingroom, or goofing
off online. And thinking.... OH! what a dangerous com-
bination that is... thinking bout my life the turns it has
taken some I have purposely taken, others foisted upon
me by events, and people.
Having just erased the next 100 lines........................
I am outta here, and will return another day when Im in a better mood,and not fighting the dragons!
Stay thee well......I am, honestly

OH! Doesn't life throw Lovely Curves

2006-08-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

Well, people...

It seems that the ballgame is still not finished:-(
My excellent friends on the west side of the State
informed me today that the newest current ex in my
life (and I mean as in ex boyfriend) still hasn't got a
clue, or maybe he does that our relationship is kaput!

Zig's informed today that he recieved a phone call
from ex b/f.... I perked, bad girl! I really should keep
those emotions under control!! Just kidding I didn't.
I said, " Oh really?" Ex b/f was calling to discuss ways
I could lower MY cell phone bill that I pay for with MY
money, so that I could keep the phone I added to MY
plan for him ( that was a bad move on my part, but it
was one of the how many times do you allow yourself
to be led things) see a previous post ( self advertising)
Anyways most of my family/friends lives on the West
Coast of Canada ( Lucky fricking people), so I make a
ton of calls every month, whenever I damn well feel like
it, time zones accounted for, and his first suggestion was
that I not call as often!!! Oh for fuck's sake not call MY
family........so YOU can have a phone?
You know what go get a job.............any kind of job
who cares if it's only slinging burgers, or sweeping up
after horses, or whatever....its a job... be creative
send a resume as a shot in the dark every week to
someplace you don't think you have a rats ass chance
of getting into. Sell yourself...
Anyways.......... he called to ask Zig to interfere into
my financial affairs!! Wise man that Zig's is told him I'm
not stepping in that puddle! I am truly thankful that
you only think its a puddle... it's a deep, bottomless,
cash flow sucking sewer pipe connected to God only
knows what with an insatiable appetite for cash!
Anyways the phone gets turned off tomorrow, hope
he called all his other atm friends... OMG this reminds
me of .......... another ex bf who had the gall to call me
and ask for money too.......to which I told him what
the Fuck do you think I am.YOUR PERSONAL ATM?
I'm finished ranting............. at least on this bf.....
I'll try another more uplifting we're really sick of your
personal problems, do you think you could write
on a different slant/story next time. I really gotta
wonder who read these things... oh wow maybe
ex boyfriends will read them someday.......
c'est la vie if they do I hope they seriously see
themselves in the story,and try to amend their ways.

Stay thee all very well...
TW

More Musings from the Mystic Pen

2006-08-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.tumbleweedwanderingtoo.blogspot.com

Tumbleweed Wandering

2006-08-04T12:48:00.000-07:00

Tumbleweed Wandering

Summer's snow, winter's heat
the world's all gone awry
Yesterday's morning I arose to sleep
and tonight I fell to wake

Allowing LIfe to Unfold

2006-08-03T13:24:00.000-07:00

Hello friends...

Wow another chapter is about to close in my life...
pretty well decided the next course of action but thought
I'd share with my friends, and others who happen to chance
upon this blog to add their thoughts.

The question I pose to all who read the following is
How many times do you allow yourself to be led
where you know you really don't want to go. Once, because
you think to yourself that perhaps the person who is
leading is just having a rough time,and needs some moral
support, twice because you can't really believe your can be
so gullible... I haven't gone past twice, well, maybe I have...
anyways I'm no longer gullible, the wellspring of support
is rapidly drying up. I've realized that things they have
promised to do with me, I can do on my own, its just a question
of making the time to do them. I have come to understand that
most of the conversations we are having seldom mention me as
a complete person, that it is only a portion of me that they need.
That doesn't cut it... its all me or nothing. I m not a beauty
queen, nor, am I a hag of the swamp, I am some of each.
But, what really counts is my inner self, and she has been
screaming for months get the heck out of this. I can and do
enjoy my own companionship... if needs be I can carry on
an intelligent conversation in my head,and agree to disagree
with whatever Im telling myself at any givcn time... why else
would I still be entertaining ideas of a relationship with this
person?
So I ask you readers to post your comments. They may
agree they may not... While your at it... if your in the same
scenario as I perhaps this will be the break you also need
to end a going nowhere relationship too...
I leave you with Merry meet, and merry greet, and may your
roads be smooth with rocky outcroppings for time to sit
and contemplate the reasons your traveling the roads you are

2006-07-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

Camp Photos - July 2006 - somewhere near Lake Michigan

Camping with friends

2006-07-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

Well another camp come and gone :-(
Good friends, excellent beverages beer, rye, cognac,
water courtesy of Lake Michigan ( I swim with my mouth open)
The usual camp critters, plus the not so usual ones

All bitchin aside the camps that Zig's family put on are worthy of great praise. That they trusted me to take their rugrats to the lake for the day speaks volumes to me. Of course they could have just been bored out of their gourds with the kids,and I offered, and so there fore I was 'okay' anything to get them out of our hair for at least an hour!!! I had a screaming great time with them.... we swam, we joked, we 'marked' our territory in the lake... the look of total bliss on the 4 y/o's face when she came up to me on the beach and whispered I have to go pee...
I looked towards the lake and told her in a conspirator's voice there
you go sweetheart a great big lake just for you... pee to your heart's content ... just don't poop. She looked as though she didn't believe me, then flew down the beach, and a new camper was born!

I didn't fair as well and shamed my Manx forefathers that I couldn't stay up with the Gaelic tribe,and drink myself into the new day.... Hey! in my line of work random whiz quizzes are the norm. I save my drinking to excess the first day I am at the house after being on the road countless days/nights. My stamina is not what it used to be.... someday again I will toast
my Manx family and say ' See I didn't loose the ability to drink myself into a stupor, and remember the next day what a great time I had'....... Until then Im a 3 drinks Im blitzed person.. such a flamin' waste of good booze!

2006-03-15T08:39:00.000-08:00

River walk in San Antonio. An excellent place to spend a day. Miles of below street level walkways. Excellent eaters. Serene, yet, busy.

2006-03-14T20:56:00.000-08:00

Looking North-West from Lordsburg, NM

2006-03-12T16:52:00.000-08:00

Loup @ Devils Tower in Wyoming August 2005

2006-03-12T16:19:00.000-08:00

Well, here we go.
Another page on someone's life unfolding ....
It isn't spectacular, or thrilling. But, I hope
you will find it interesting and thought provoking,
and perhaps some of the things I've done in
my life will lead you to try them too.