Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes, it is once again that time of the week that we all look forward to when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday!!!

You looking for a little bit of High School Football action? Well what do you know right here in Morgantown, even on my side of town, Morgantown High and University High will go at it tonight on Bakers Ridge Road. Clay Battelle will also be at home hosting Oak Glenn this evening out in Blacksville. Good luck to 2 of the 3 teams, as all 3 can't win this evening. 

Tonight is Halloween so I'm not sure of our plans. I know Michelle talked about going over to Chris's to hand out candy to the kiddies, me I'll be listening or watching the Mohawk Bowl. 

Have yourselves a great day and lets get this party started. 

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week, I like to take a little bit of time out, time to look at some of the 30,000+ photos that I have stored on my computer. Little lost moments in time that I either captured with a lens, scanned, or just stole from somewhere on the internet. I like to find just one and post it up, recalling or reliving the picture to the best of my ability. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task, and sometimes it's not that easy, but one thing it has always been a lot of fun.

Since the greatest daughter anyone could ever ask for loves Halloween so much, it is her favorite Holiday of the year believe it or not, I decided to steal a pic from her on Facebook from a Halloween past. 

This one is from 2021 with her cousin Abby and Luke's biological Mother getting ready to take Lukeout in search of Halloween treats. 

Have yoursleves a great day Hi ho hi ho

Lucy's Journal

“The Case of the Missing Snacks”

Dear Journal,

This house has a serious problem. A crisis. A catastrophe of the highest order. All the snacks… have vanished. I, Detective Lucy Louise Fluffington, was enjoying my morning grape Kool-Aid (because I’m a lady of sophistication), when I noticed the treat jar was EMPTY. Not low. Not almost empty. EMPTY.

Naturally, I summoned the squad.

Kiwi flew in first, shouting, “EVERYONE REMAIN CALM! I REPEAT, PANIC IMMEDIATELY!” He is terrible at crisis management.

Peanut slinked in next, claiming she already had a theory, which she refused to share because she “wanted dramatic timing.” Typical cat.

Then the Quacker Twins waddled up, quacking over each other so badly that we understood absolutely nothing except maybe the word “snickerdoodle.”

Suspect List:

1. Peanut — because she looks sneaky 24/7

2. Kiwi — because he eats like five dinners a day

3. The Twins — because they are chaos with feathers

4. Myself — but only for fairness, because I am an honest detective and also innocent and perfect

We conducted interviews.

Kiwi swore on his favorite sunflower seed that he didn’t do it. Peanut refused to answer questions without “legal representation,” which was just a sock she called Mr. Flufferson. The Twins brought alibis in crayon. None of us can read duck handwriting.

Finally, I noticed a trail… tiny crumbs leading to the laundry room.

We followed them, hearts racing, suspense building, music swelling — and there, behind the basket of unmatched socks…

WE FOUND THE SNACKS.

And also: Peanut.
Curled up. With the treat jar. And crumbs on her face.

Peanut blinked at us and simply said, “I plead the Fifth.”

Case closed. Snacks retrieved. Peanut sentenced to 10 minutes of listening to Kiwi sing the “I’m Sorry” song, which is honestly a fate worse than any jail.

Disaster averted. Order restored. And I, Detective Lucy, remain the hero this household needs.

Until the next crisis,
— Lucy

Wednesday

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is yet once again in our rear view mirrors, Michelle is still loving her new job and that's a good reason for a tidbts. 

* It has been 22,587 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, new, and improved 1,069-day Calendar. 

* It has been 7,840 days since I graduated from WVU with a Degree in Geography. I love what I do and am thankful to still be working in my field. 

* 6,434 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together. Life has been much better since then. 

* 5,638  days ago I proposed to Michelle in the backyard at 4:00 in the morning. I've been the luckiest guy since that fateful day. 

* It was 5,676 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, for the most part, Michelle and I became husband and wife at the Marilla Center, it was a great day with friends and family. 

* I have now lived 2,813 days longer than my Dad did and I'm still going strong, slowing down but still going. 

* Michelle has been living a clean and productive life and beat that alcohol demon 1,467 days ago today. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,273 days, I've now outlived him by 1,330 days, making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! 

* Old roommate Gregg proposed to his fiancée 45 days ago, I'm happy for those two. 

* I have 2,297 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, but I love doing what I do. Who knows, though, doing what I do I may never retire.

* There are only 283 more days to go until Michelle and I will celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary. 

* There are 143 days until my favorite season begins, a lot of people love different seasons, I am a Spring person who loves the Springtime. 

* 104 more days until Phil steps to center stage once again for Groundhog Day.    

* 71 more days to go until my Goodbye 2025 Blog is posted. Hopefully, I can put some better content together this year.

* There are 57 more shopping days left until Christmas 2025. We're down to double digits, quick everyone panic. 

* There are 36 days until I hit the age of 62. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* It has been ∞ (infinity symbol) days that I have hated both Pitt and Penn State.

* I have written 8,124 blogs in what is now 21 years of Blogging. 

* Older Drone still needs to be sent out for repairs, not a big priority at this time. My little drone is awesome and I really like it....when I take time out to fly it.  

* It's still football season, Basketball should be gearing up soon. 

* Jim and Chris have scheduled their Christmas Auction for the 18th at Woodland United Methodist Church on the Mileground.

* Are you looking to buy some Girl Scout Goodies? Well Releigh has started her campaign to sell chocolates, candles, stationary and other things. This is her store. 

* Are you looking to buy some Girl Scout Goodies? Well Bella has started her campaign to sell chocolates, candles, stationary and other things. This is her store. 

* They both have their own stores, their own campaigns and their own goals to meet. 

* Let's keep it in the same household, go give Crown of Scars a listen. It's my Nephew Moke and he tells his life story through song, so listen to the lyrics, it's pretty deep. 

* Still playing Monopoly Go, but not as often. 

* This is my favorite Tiktok, you have to love AI. 

* Progress on my Selfie in Space, right here. We are ready for liftoff and holding. 

* I think my AI skills are really expanding, I'm using a number of them doing all kinds of different taks (other than drawing pictures). 

* Have yourselves a great day

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

All good things must come to an end—but if you’ve got to wrap up the weekend, today’s a pretty exciting way to do it. Now it’s time to take our collective noses and press them firmly back onto the grindstone of life. Back to work, back to the hustle, back to doing our part to make this spinning rock a better place.

Kiwi and Peanut have decided they are working today, they are just going to relax and take a few naps while Mommy and Daddy go out and make this a better world to live in. They are planning on sitting at home on the couch and watching all the Star Wars movies back to back to back as we head out to the office. 

Nothing too earth-shattering is scheduled this week for Michelle or I. I did have to go to Parkersburg to work last Friday, but I spent half my day traveling back and forth. I was productive when I was at my computer, but I honestly could have done that from my office in Morgantown as something else came up as priority over what they brought me down for. 

Have yourselves a great day

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Here I sit in what I thought would be a nice quiet household, Kiwi and Peanut are up listening to some Bee Gees music on Alexa (Kiwi loves the Bee Gees) and they are preparing dinner for us today. Reubens are going to be on the menu. I do have to say I am very thankful for them, especially with all that we needed to do yesterday, between changing the oil in Pearl and Kiwi driving it up to Sheetz to fill it up. He's a pretty amazing little bird to drive a 5-speed all by himself. Peanut took Ice and filled her up, she has trouble driving a 5-speed and opted for the Automatic. 

So what is on my agenda for the day? Of course I have a few weekly household chores to do, same ones I do every week. Thinks like cleaning up the cats litter box and Kiwi's cage and putting fresh bedding down. He does have a tendancy to poop on it during the week. 

After that it's probably going to be my favorite part of the week, which is the weekend nap. A time when I can sleep and not having to worry about waking up in time to be someplace or do something, the older I get the more I appreciate these kinds of things. 

Have yourselves a great day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit in a quiet household. I just happened to mention to Michelle that I am going to have her oil changed in her car this morning, she is thinking I'm going down to The Ranch Quick Lube Express in Sabraton like I always do, truth be told I have a couple of  Mechanics here who have volunteered to do it. Kiwi and Peanut you know are master mechanics and love their mommy very much. 

I had to take a trip to Parkersburg yesterday for work, no complaints on my end as it is 4 hours of drive time and I get paid mileage, so I'll make out going there today. Usually, on Fridays, Hope lets their employees work from home, but I'm a contractor and we are in the middle of a mapping freeze, so my boss asked me to go to Parkersburg for the day. It makes for an easy day and a lot of music to listen to. 

WVU plays this evening at 6:00, it's probably going to be ugly but none the less I love my Mountaineers and I know Rich is changing the culture. We'll get there as a team eventually, he just needs to build the team and time to do it.

Have yourselves a great day. 

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes, it is once again that time of the week that we all look forward to when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday!!!

You looking for a little bit of High School Football action? Well Morgantown is off this week in anticipation of playing the MoHawk Bowl next week. University High will be on the road this week at Preston in anticipation of the whooping they will receive next week. Clay Battelle is at home this week, taking on Sherman. Good luck to both teams this evening, hopefully, bring home a couple wins. 

I'll start talking about it now to give people time to plan, but Jim and Chris's Christmas Auction will be on November 15th starting at 4:00 PM at Woodland United Methodist Church on the Mileground. Michelle will be working it, so go and grab yourselves some Christmas KnickKnacks. 

Let's all have a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week, I like to take a little bit of time out, time to look at some of the 30,000+ photos that I have stored on my computer. Little lost moments in time that I either captured with a lens, scanned, or just stole from somewhere on the internet. I like to find just one and post it up, recalling or reliving the picture to the best of my ability. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task, and sometimes it's not that easy, but one thing it has always been a lot of fun.

So I am scrolling around on Facebook, looking for a picture to post and I went to a group and saw this post from 6 yearas ago. Yes I was quite active in the conversation as was Sharon and Lynne. 

Both of these pictures were from an article that was written, and were taken years after we had sold that house, Grandpa was recording his music for the University at that time (I have it) and they took a trip down to the end of Van Voorhis to grab these two pics. 

Have yourselves a great day. 

Hi ho hi ho

Lucy's Journal

 

Lucy’s Journal – October 22nd

Ohhh boy, it’s almost Halloween, and the chaos is brewing! Tonight was one for the record books — or at least for the “How to Get Grounded by Every Neighbor Ever” files.

Kiwi, Peanut, the Quacker Twins, and I had what I like to call “Operation Spooktacular Mischief Planning Night.” The four of us met up at the old Hero Hut — you know, that greasy spoon diner that closed for “renovations” last spring but still smells like french fries and adventure. We’ve made it our unofficial HQ until they reopen (any day now, supposedly). We brought a thermos of cider, some pumpkin donuts, and our wildest ideas.

But first, costumes. You can’t go creeping around the neighborhood without a proper disguise, right?

Kiwi strutted in wearing a tiny black cape and a domino mask — said he was going for the “avian vigilante” look. He looked more like a feathery Zorro, but we didn’t have the heart to tell him. Peanut showed up as a “shadow cat,” which mostly meant he rolled in the dirt until he was one shade short of asphalt and wore a pair of glow stick eyes taped to his head. Effective? Absolutely. Terrifying? You bet.

The Quacker Twins, bless their yellow, chaotic hearts, decided on matching “undercover spy duck” outfits — trench coats made from old grocery bags and tiny sunglasses they found in the lost-and-found bin at the park. They kept whispering into their coat sleeves like secret agents, but it was mostly “QUACK QUACK — affirmative.”

As for me, I went incognito in a hoodie, face paint, and an old bandana that made me look like a cartoon bank robber. The perfect setup for our “Totally Harmless Neighborhood Prank Extravaganza.”

Plans? Oh, we’ve got ‘em. Kiwi’s idea was to TP every yard that ever had a “Keep Off the Lawn” sign. Peanut suggested adding the pièce de résistance — a dab of Dawn dish soap on people’s windshield wipers so when they turn them on, it turns into a foamy mess. The Quacker Twins volunteered as the “getaway squad,” waddling recon style down the sidewalks, keeping watch with their spy goggles.

We practiced our “duck and cover” maneuvers in the Hero Hut parking lot until Peanut got tangled in a streamer of toilet paper and Kiwi dive-bombed to save him. We all laughed until cider came out of my nose.

Before we packed it up for the night, we sat under the flickering neon sign, dreaming about when the Hero Hut finally reopens. We decided that’s where we’ll celebrate after our “Halloween mission” — greasy burgers, thick milkshakes, and the sweet taste of victory (and possibly soap bubbles, depending how the wiper plan goes).

If we pull this off without getting caught, it’ll be the greatest Halloween prank of all time.
If we do get caught… well, I’m blaming the ducks.

— Lucy 🕸️🎃

Would you like me to make a follow-up entry for Halloween night itself — when they actually go through with their plan?

Wednesday

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is yet once again in our rear view mirrors, Michelle is still loving her new job and that's a good reason for a tidbts. 

* It has been 22,580 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, new, and improved 1,069-day Calendar. 

* It has been 7,833 days since I graduated from WVU with a Degree in Geography. I love what I do and am thankful to still be working in my field. 

* 6,427 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together. Life has been much better since then. 

* 5,631  days ago I proposed to Michelle in the backyard at 4:00 in the morning. I've been the luckiest guy since that fateful day. 

* It was 5,669 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, for the most part, Michelle and I became husband and wife at the Marilla Center, it was a great day with friends and family. 

* I have now lived 2,806 days longer than my Dad did and I'm still going strong, slowing down but still going. 

* Michelle has been living a clean and productive life and beat that alcohol demon 1,460 days ago today. She is coming up on 4 years and I already have her 4 year coin. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,273 days, I've now outlived him by 1,323 days, making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! 

* Old roommate Gregg proposed to his fiancée 38 days ago, I'm happy for those two. 

* I have 2,304 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, but I love doing what I do. Who knows, though, doing what I do I may never retire.

* There are only 290 more days to go until Michelle and I will celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary. 

* There are 150 days until my favorite season begins, a lot of people love different seasons, I am a Spring person who loves the Springtime. 

* 111 more days until Phil steps to center stage once again for Groundhog Day.    

* 78 more days to go until my Goodbye 2025 Blog is posted. Hopefully, I can put some better content together this year.

* There are 64 more shopping days left until Christmas 2025. We're down to double digits, quick everyone panic. 

* There are 43 days until I hit the age of 62. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* It has been ∞ (infinity symbol) days that I have hated both Pitt and Penn State.

* I have written 8,116 blogs in what is now 21 years of Blogging. 

* Older Drone still needs to be sent out for repairs, not a big priority at this time. My little drone is awesome and I really like it....when I take time out to fly it.  

* It's still football season, Basketball should be gearing up soon. 

* Jim and Chris have scheduled their Christmas Auction for the 18th at Woodland United Methodist Church on the Mileground.

* Are you looking to buy some Girl Scout Goodies? Well Releigh has started her campaign to sell chocolates, candles, stationary and other things. This is her store. 

* Are you looking to buy some Girl Scout Goodies? Well Bella has started her campaign to sell chocolates, candles, stationary and other things. This is her store. 

* They both have their own stores, their own campaigns and their own goals to meet. 

* Let's keep it in the same household, go give Crown of Scars a listen. It's my Nephew Moke and he tells his life story through song, so listen to the lyrics, it's pretty deep. 

* Still playing Monopoly Go, but not as often. 

* This is my favorite Tiktok, my flower girl from our wedding has grown up into a beautiful young woman. 

* Progress on my Selfie in Space, right here. We are ready for liftoff and holding. 

* I think my AI skills are really expanding, I'm using a number of them doing all kinds of different taks (other than drawing pictures). 

* Have yourselves a great day

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

All good things must come to an end—but if you’ve got to wrap up the weekend, today’s a pretty exciting way to do it. Now it’s time to take our collective noses and press them firmly back onto the grindstone of life. Back to work, back to the hustle, back to doing our part to make this spinning rock a better place.

Kiwi and Peanut think they have perfected a super advanced pivot table and want to make sure Michelle really understands it so they are going to the office with her today. Personally, I think Kiwi just misses his Mommy and is doing everything he can to spend time with her. Peanut, she's just indifferent and doesn't want to stay home alone today, so she is going with them. Michelle has milk and creamer in her fridge that she bought for the top of her desk, so Peanut is good to go. Kiwi I think, will fly back to the snack room and play poor and see if someone will buy him a Snickers bar. That little kniver, such a manipulator.  

On my front we are going to experience a mapping freeze this month until the first of the month. It's due to a merger of multiple companies (Hope being the Parent) and bringing all the data together. I have been named the Administrator/Project Manager of the new GIS Sharepoint. I'll be creating content for the general used to understand what services we offer. I just found that out Friday. 

Have yourselves a great day, let's make this one special. 

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Here I sit on a quiet Sunday Morning, Kiwi and Peanut have decided that they are going to make dinner for Michelle and Me, Chicken, Noodles and Biscuits are on their menu for this evening. I swear they are a couple of multi-talented pets that just want to help out their humans. I just hope Peanut keeps her fur out of the biscuits. 

We were going to do the Breast Cancer Survivor walk yesterday at the stadium, there were no parking places and I had to park in the lot beside the stadium. We just decided to run and do a few things instead. We both get our flu shots at Sam's (we usually get them at the walk), but paid for them this year out of our own pocket. They were like $26 each at Sam's, but you got $10 back for each one so it ended up being like $15 out of pocket really. We are both flu shotted for 2025-6.

We ended up taking the air conditioner out of the window yesterday, I left it in last fall and the AC unit ended up needing replaced so we stuck it on the wagon and stuck it in the garage for the winter. With it in the winter last winter, it made it hard for the furnace to really bring up the temperature in here last year, so hopefully if can be nice and warm and toasty for the animals as we are working. 

Anyone watch the Mountaineer game yesterday? Have patience, Rich is changing the whole culture and there will be some growing pains obviously. 

Have yourselves a great day, make some memories. 

Four Years

It's hard for me to express sometimes just how proud I am of my wife. Four years ago she had something that controlled her and her life and she needed to get away from it. She had a problem with drinking and it was beyond even what I saw as she hid it quite well from me, plus I was doing a lot of traveling with RTI which made it easier to conceal. 

It was four years ago today that she knew she needed help and she went and got it. She was in a facility that helps people dry out, a gesture that she wanted to be healed.

Here we are 4 years later, she is alcohol free and loving life. I can't say how proud of her that I am and how thankful for many people along the way. To her sister Dani who first reached out to me and helped me understand how dangerous this problem was. To Amanda for her assistance, to Chris for showing her undying love and support. To Juan who beat his own battle and was always there for words of encouragement for Michelle. To my family for being so supportive of her and her battle. Thank you all for returning my wonderful wife to me and allowing us to be happy again.

The coin that you see is the one I bought for Michelle for her 4th Anniversary. 

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Kiwi and Peanut wearing Pink

Here I sit in a quiet household, Kiwi and Peanut are both excited this morning, they are planning on doing the Breast Cancer Survivor Walk at Milan Puskar Stadium in support of Aunt Terri. They are both really excited to do this, Kiwi said he may fly the walk if he can't keep up. 

Yes this morning is the Breast Cancer Survivor walk, this will be the second year Terri will be walking as a Survivor and her third year walking in it. When she was it diagnosed with it, she walked that year as well, but that was downtown. The past couple of years it has been at the Football Stadium. I'll be there with the camera in tow to grab a few pictures. 

After the walk I think I am going to try to pull the Air Conditioner out of the bedroom window for the season. I left it in last year and they are kind of expensive to keep replacing, so I'm going to stick it in the garage for the winter. We were going to do it last week, but Michelle thought we would have some warm days this week which really didn't come. 

I got a few messages from Daniel this week, some were pretty heart felt and in depth, like he just needed someone to listen to him. He's doing well, studying his butt off and trying to earn his Bachelors Degree so he is prepared when he gets out. He looks at life in a totally different perspective now, age snd missing so many memorable moments will do that to you. He does seem like he is on the right track. 

Have yourselves a great day and letss go make some memories. 

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes, it is once again that time of the week that we all look forward to when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday!!!

Are you looking for a little bit of High School Football action? Well the Morgantown Mohigans will be at home playing against Parkersburg South. University will also be at home against Spring Mills. Clay Battelle is home against River View. Good luck to all three local High Schools this evening, bring home three wins this week. 

No plans yet for the weekend, the Mountaineers play at UCF tomorrow at 1:00. Kiwi and Peanut will be watching the game with me. 

How do you like this picture? I was talking to Kim when I generated it, I said what are my puts drinking as they are sitting on the porch and she indicated Apple Cider, so I asked if it gets a cinnamon stick and she said yes. I'm actually using another AI tool called Perplexity that I have been playing with and like. 

Have yourself a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week, I like to take a little bit of time out, time to look at some of the 30,000+ photos that I have stored on my computer. Little lost moments in time that I either captured with a lens, scanned, or just stole from somewhere on the internet. I like to find just one and post it up, recalling or reliving the picture to the best of my ability. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task, and sometimes it's not that easy, but one thing it has always been a lot of fun.

This weeks pic goes all the way back to 2017, I know that is hard to believe it's been over 8 years, back to Calvin and Jeanetta's wedding. 

Michelle and I had traveled to this little church right down the road from James Madison University where Jeanetta graduated from and had a wonderful day watching these two souls be eternally joined in the bonds of matrimony.  It was our honor to be there and share this special day with them. 

Have yourselves a great day

Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Brittany Talerico.

I would love to take this time out to wish my beautiful niece, Brittany, a very Happy Birthday today.

It seems like it was only yesterday that she was born, it's amazing how 35 years can go by in the very blink of an eye.... wait what?  When did that happen? It seems like just yesterday I was in the waiting room watching Who's the Boss and Kim and Ed were in the delivery room waiting for this bundle of joy. The amazing thing about all of this is that this remarkable young lady is now fourteen years older than me.

 She is an amazing young woman, and I think she has found someone very special to her to spend this day with. Wouldn't you know, she just got married to the love of her life, Matt, and they just celebrated their first Anniversary on Sunday. 

 If you get a chance to see or talk to this marvelous young lady today, make sure that you take a little bit of time out and wish her the Happiest of Birthdays today.

 Happy Birthday, Brittany.

Lucy's Journal

 

By Lucy, the Almighty Shih Tzu Goddess of Fluff and Chaos

Dear Journal,

Ohhh boy, what a day! I, Lucy the Magnificent, the Regal Ruler of the Couch Kingdom, woke up feeling extra spunky this morning. Maybe it was the cool autumn air, or maybe Kiwi the Green Cheek Conure squawking “Wakey wakey, fuzzball!” right in my ear. Either way, I decided today was destined for adventure.

It all started when Peanut (that tiger-striped rascal) was snoozing on the windowsill, pretending to be dignified. I told Kiwi we should liven things up. Kiwi, of course, was instantly in—he’s basically chaos with feathers. So while Peanut stretched and yawned, Kiwi and I hatched Operation Whisker Wiggle.

Step one: distract the cat. Kiwi flew over and started whistling the “Mission Impossible” theme while dangling one of Peanut’s favorite toys—her squeaky mouse—just out of reach. Peanut’s eyes went wide, her tail flicked, and before I knew it, she launched herself into the air like a furry missile! Squeaky mouse went one way, Kiwi went another, and I—ever the brains of the operation—grabbed the fallen mouse and bolted down the hallway.

Peanut gave chase, naturally, while Kiwi cackled from the ceiling fan like a feathery little goblin. We tore through the living room until—uh oh—the Quacker twins (you know, the ducks) decided to get involved. They thought it was a game of tag and started waddling and quacking after us, wings flapping, slipping on the rug.

Soon it was absolute mayhem—Peanut chasing me, me barking at Kiwi, Kiwi dive-bombing the Quackers, and the Quackers honking like a pair of air horns. Mom walked in mid-chaos with a cup of coffee, took one look at us, and just said, “Not before I finish this cup.” Then she turned around and left.

Eventually, the chase ended in a glorious pile of fur, feathers, and webbed feet right in the laundry basket. Peanut was purring, Kiwi was still laughing, and the Quackers were bobbing their heads like they’d won something. I called it a team victory.

Moral of the story: never underestimate the power of a good plan, a squeaky toy, and a group of slightly unhinged friends.

Until next time,
✨ Lucy the Fluffinator ✨
Ruler of Mischief, Queen of Cuddles, and Leader of the Duck Rebellion

Wednesday

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is yet once again in our rear view mirrors, Michelle is loving her new job and that's a good reason for a tidbts. 

* It has been 22,573 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, new, and improved 1,069-day Calendar. 

* It has been 7,826 days since I graduated from WVU with a Degree in Geography. I love what I do and am thankful to still be working in my field. 

* 6,420 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together. Life has been much better since then. 

* 5,624  days ago I proposed to Michelle in the backyard at 4:00 in the morning. I've been the luckiest guy since that fateful day. 

* It was 5,662 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, for the most part, Michelle and I became husband and wife at the Marilla Center, it was a great day with friends and family. 

* I have now lived 2,799 days longer than my Dad did and I'm still going strong, slowing down but still going. 

* Michelle has been living a clean and productive life and beat that alcohol demon 1,453 days ago today. She is coming up on 4 years and I already have her 4 year coin. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,273 days, I've now outlived him by 1,316 days, making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! 

* Old roommate Gregg proposed to his fiancée 31 days ago, I'm happy for those two. 

* I have 2,311 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, but I love doing what I do. Who knows, though, doing what I do I may never retire.

* There are only 297 more days to go until Michelle and I will celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary. 

* There are 157 days until my favorite season begins, a lot of people love different seasons, I am a Spring person who loves the Springtime. 

* 118 more days until Phil steps to center stage once again for Groundhog Day.    

* 85 more days to go until my Goodbye 2025 Blog is posted. Hopefully, I can put some better content together this year.

* There are 71 more shopping days left until Christmas 2025. We're down to double digits, quick everyone panic. 

* There are 50 days until I hit the age of 62. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* It has been ∞ (infinity symbol) days that I have hated both Pitt and Penn State.

* I have written 8,107 blogs in what is now 21 years of Blogging. 

* Older Drone still needs to be sent out for repairs, not a big priority at this time. My little drone is awesome and I really like it....when I take time out to fly it.  

* It's still football season, Basketball should be gearing up soon. 

* The Breast Cancer Survivor Walk is coming up on the 18th. 

* Are you looking to buy some Girl Scout Goodies? Well Releigh has started her campaign to sell chocolates, candles, stationary and other things. This is her store. 

* Are you looking to buy some Girl Scout Goodies? Well Bella has started her campaign to sell chocolates, candles, stationary and other things. This is her store. 

* They both have their own stores, their own campaigns and their own goals to meet. 

* Let's keep it in the same household, go give Crown of Scars a listen. It's my Nephew Moke and he tells his life story through song, so listen to the lyrics, it's pretty deep. 

* Still playing Monopoly Go, but not as often. 

* This is my favorite Tiktok, really worth a listen. 

* Progress on my Selfie in Space, right here. We are ready for liftoff and holding. 

* Have yourselves a great day

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

All good things must come to an end—but if you’ve got to wrap up the weekend, today’s a pretty exciting way to do it. Now it’s time to take our collective noses and press them firmly back onto the grindstone of life. Back to work, back to the hustle, back to doing our part to make this spinning rock a better place.

Michelle starts her second week back to working, I'm sending Kiwi and Peanut with her today so they can see where Mommy works and can help her out and keep her company. I told her to make sure Kiwi stays away from the acetylcholine torches and the welder and to not let him sand blast Peanut in the butt because he thinks it's funny. 

She is actually loving this job, she said it could be a job that she retires from as this is her first chance to work in Industrial Plant rather than a retail setting. She is loving it. 

Wish the three of them a great day

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Here I sit in a semi-quiet household, Kiwi and Peanut are up in the garage playing for the all species ping pong world championship. Amazing how these two are the only two in the tournament, but it is what it is. The game is intense and neither one wants to tell me who is winning. 

Yesterday we got a lot accomplished, Michelle did the grocery shopping and Peanut drove the tractor around the yard and cut all of the grass. Kiwi was riding on the hood at the ready with the weed eater, so they deserve their own little ping pong tournament. 

I have a few chores around the house (garbage, little box, cleaning cage, sort medications, etc) but other than that it is planned on a resting day. 

The Steelers and the Browns play today at 1:00, so I do have that to watch today. They were off last week and the Mountaineers were off this week, so I have to get a little bit of a football fix in. 

Have yourselves a great day. 

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, Michelle is quite happy with her job and loves it there. Says she would like to retire from there and that is her first time working at an Industrial Facility (doing office work) as opposed to working retail. She is also happy to be able to sleep in a little bit this morning. 

Kiwi and Peanut keep reminding me that the grass is getting a little high and may need to be cut. Peanut has volunteered to mow the lawn, weather permitting of course. This may be the last cut of the year to be honest with you, but we'll have to wait and see. I may assist them as Michelle does the weeks grocery shopping today. 

No Mountaineer game this week, not even a road game as it is a bye week. We get to relax and watch everyone else play, we can use the break and hopefully be able to get some of our players healthy and ready for next week. 

I'm trying a new feature on Blogger where it automatically inserts google searches, not a fan of it. 

Have yourselves a fantastic day, do something special. 

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes, it is once again that time of the week that we all look forward to when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday!!!

Are you looking for a little bit of High School Football action? Morgantown High is on the road this week and are taking on a very tough team in Martinsburg, a team that has won 10 State Football Championships since 2010, the dominant team in the state and we're playing them there. University will be at home hosting Connellsville High in a out of state matchup. Clay Battelle will be on the road playing Richwood this evening. Good luck to all three of the county teams this week, hopefully we can win 3 games tonight. 

Oh and a very Happy 15th Wedding Anniversary to Moke and Ang. Not sure if they have anything planned, but you just never know with those two. 

The Mountaineers are off this week, so there is no home or away game for us as they gear up to travel to Central Florida next weekend. 

Have yoursleves a great day. 

Hi hi hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week, I like to take a little bit of time out, time to look at some of the 30,000+ photos that I have stored on my computer. Little lost moments in time that I either captured with a lens, scanned, or just stole from somewhere on the internet. I like to find just one and post it up, recalling or reliving the picture to the best of my ability. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task, and sometimes it's not that easy, but one thing it has always been a lot of fun.

This weeks pic goes back 13 years ago, Chad was helping start Scales and Tails in Westover, a petstore that primarily dealt in saltwater fish and reptiles. I'm not sure of the backstory behind this snake, not sure if it was Chad's, Johnny's or one for sale at the store. If that is Chad's his grew to 13' and weighed 65 pounds and it does look like his snake at the time. He has raised it from a baby. 

Oh the days of having dangerous pets live here, ones that could eat you or were just plane nasty like his Savanah Monitor that he had.

Have yourselves a great day

Hi ho hi ho

Lucy's Journal

 

Lucy’s Journal – “Laser Beams and Talking Animals”

Dear Journal,

It’s me, Lucy — white and tan Shih Tzu, leader of operations, keeper of snacks, and apparently the only one in this family who knows how to behave in public (most of the time). Tonight was pure chaos, in the best way.

First stop: Laser Tag Arena.

Kiwi showed up first, flapping down from the rafters with her vest already on. “Lucy, this is it,” she squawked, “tonight we conquer the battlefield!” Peanut strolled in behind her, tail swishing like he owned the place. The Quackers waddled in last, helmets on sideways, looking like feathery little stormtroopers.

We split into teams:

• Me and Kiwi — the Speed Squad.

• Peanut and the Quackers — the Ambush Alliance.

The lights dimmed, the arena filled with fog, and suddenly it was on. Kiwi dive-bombed from above, zapping Peanut right on the shoulder. “DIRECT HIT!” she screamed. I darted around corners, tagging anyone who peeked out. But then the Quackers launched their secret move — waddling in a V-formation, quacking loudly, and blasting lasers in every direction. Peanut leapt from the top of a barricade like a jungle cat and scored three points at once.

When it ended, the scoreboard flashed: Ambush Alliance – 425, Speed Squad – 399. We lost by a beak. Kiwi swore the system was rigged. I told her we’d get them next time.

After all that running and quacking, we headed straight to the movies. Tonight’s feature: Dr. Dolittle. Kiwi insisted, “We HAVE to see this — he talks to animals. Finally, some representation!”

We snuck into our seats, but of course, the Quackers couldn’t just watch quietly. No. They ordered the largest tub of popcorn in the theater and started eating so loudly it sounded like a construction site. CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH. People turned to stare, but the Quackers just quacked at them mid-chew like, “What? You want some?”

Meanwhile, Kiwi had a giant soda almost bigger than she was. She wrapped her claws around the straw and sucked it down so fast the bottom made that awful slurrrrrp sound. The humans in the row ahead of us kept turning around, but Kiwi just shrugged and said, “What? I’m thirsty!”

Peanut was the only calm one. He curled up in his seat like a king and whispered, “Finally, a human worth watching. This Dolittle guy gets it.”

Me? I loved every second. Not just the movie, but watching my cousins act like total maniacs in public. At one point, Dolittle was giving advice to a squirrel, and Kiwi yelled, “YES, PREACH!” The whole row laughed.

By the end, we all agreed: Dr. Dolittle is officially on our “Approved Human List.”

Laser tag victory for Peanut and the Quackers, movie night chaos for everyone else. Another perfect family adventure.

— Lucy 🐾

Wednesday

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is yet once again in our rear view mirrors, Michelle is happy as hell to be back to working and that's a good reason for a tidbts. 

* It has been 22,566 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, new, and improved 1,069-day Calendar. 

* It has been 7,819 days since I graduated from WVU with a Degree in Geography. I love what I do and am thankful to still be working in my field. 

* 6,413 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together. Life has been much better since then. 

* 5,617  days ago I proposed to Michelle in the backyard at 4:00 in the morning. I've been the luckiest guy since that fateful day. 

* It was 5,655 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, for the most part, Michelle and I became husband and wife at the Marilla Center, it was a great day with friends and family. 

* I have now lived 2,792 days longer than my Dad did and I'm still going strong, slowing down but still going. 

* Michelle has been living a clean and productive life and beat that alcohol demon 1,446 days ago today. She is coming up on 4 years and I already have her 4 year coin. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,273 days, I've now outlived him by 1,309 days, making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! 

* Old roommate Gregg proposed to his fiancée 24 days ago, I'm happy for those two. 

* I have 2,318 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, but I love doing what I do. Who knows, though, doing what I do I may never retire.

* There are only 303 more days to go until Michelle and I will celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary. 

* There are 164 days until my favorite season begins, a lot of people love different seasons, I am a Spring person who loves the Springtime. 

* 125 more days until Phil steps to center stage once again for Groundhog Day.    

* 92 more days to go until my Goodbye 2025 Blog is posted. Hopefully, I can put some better content together this year.

* There are 78 more shopping days left until Christmas 2025. We're down to double digits, quick everyone panic. 

* There are 57 days until I hit the age of 62. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* It has been ∞ (infinity symbol) days that I have hated both Pitt and Penn State.

* I have written 8,099 blogs in what is now 21 years of Blogging. 

* Older Drone still needs to be sent out for repairs, not a big priority at this time. My little drone is awesome and I really like it....when I take time out to fly it.  

* It's still football season, Basketball should be gearing up soon. 

* The Breast Cancer Survivor Walk is coming up on the 18th. 

* Are you looking to buy some Girl Scout Goodies? Well Releigh has started her campaign to sell chocolates, candles, stationary and other things. This is her store. 

* Are you looking to buy some Girl Scout Goodies? Well Bella has started her campaign to sell chocolates, candles, stationary and other things. This is her store. 

* They both have their own stores, their own campaigns and their own goals to meet. 

* Let's keep it in the same household, go give Crown of Scars a listen. It's my Nephew Moke and he tells his life story through song, so listen to the lyrics, it's pretty deep. 

* Still playing Monopoly Go, but not as often. 

* This is my favorite Tiktok, really worth a listen. 

* Progress on my Selfie in Space, right here. We are ready for liftoff and holding. 

* Have yourselves a great day

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

All good things must come to an end—but if you’ve got to wrap up the weekend, today’s a pretty exciting way to do it. Now it’s time to take our collective noses and press them firmly back onto the grindstone of life. Back to work, back to the hustle, back to doing our part to make this spinning rock a better place.

Michelle is officially back in the workforce this morning. She will be heading over to Swanson Industries in Mount Morris to start working for them. She is excited and ready to get back into an office environment. 

Kiwi and Peanut are not going to know what to do with themselves, they probably can't recall (I know Kiwi can't) a time when no one was home all day because and they were left alone to wreak havoc in the household. I know Kiwi was texting Lucy about playing some lasertag later this week.

Have yoursleves a great day

Hi ho hi ho 

Sunday

Here I sit in a quiet household once again. Kiwi told me that I forgot to write this morning's blog, and I asked him and Peanut to assist me in gathering the trash around the house to take to the dumpster. They are complying and helping me out as I write this morning's thoughts down for the Journal. 

So what is on today's agenda? The Steelers are off this week (as WVU will be next week) so there is no football to watch that I honestly care about. Had the TV on yesterday on a few games, didn't really pay attention to any of them.

We did stop over and visit with Mom and Gerald yesterday, of course Lucy was afraid we were going to take her home with us and decided to hide under the bed, personally I think she was texting Kiwi, Peanut and the Quackers and wondering why we were there and thinking she might be in trouble from their antics at the Pitt game, but they are not. 

So what is on today's agenda? Not too much, just our typical do stuff around the house and get ready for the upcoming workweek preparation. Michelle is excited for tomorrow and can't wait, she hates sitting idle. So what is involved with preparing for the week? I eat the same breakfast every day, eggs whites, fried onions, diced peppers and diced ham. Michelle cuts all that up for me. My lunch is Humus raw cauliflower, Caby Carrots and Grapes. Michelle destems the grapes and cuts up the cauliflower for me and stores it for easy assembly in the mornings. Laundry, general cleaning, gathering all the trash, cleaning Kiwi's cage and rings and cleaning out Peanut's litter box. A lot of little things that just make it easier to do during the week when you are getting ready to leave. 

Have yoursleves a great day. 

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit in a quiet household, Kiwi and Peanut are having a very deep intellectual discussion about where they came from. They are reading Origin of Species by Charles Darwin, they are pretty sure they have found the answers. Now Kiwi is thinking he evolved from a Pterodactyl. Peanut, she said she came from a Saber-Toothed Tiger. Saying she is a badassed hunter and no butterfly can get past her. 

So we had an eventful week this week, some drunk actually wrecked in front of the house at 4:30 Wednesday Morning. I had just woken up and heard a big POP, and then our power went out. We were the only to lose power. The passenger in the car was taken away by ambulance, and he hit hard. He left a bottle of Whiskey in the yard that I eventually drained and threw away, along with a bag of McDonald's that was drawing ants. Michelle watched the Power Company change the fuse on the pole and she was quite happy we got power back. 

Speaking of Michelle, she is enjoying her last weekend before starting a new job. She'll be working at Swanson Industries at their Mount Morris facility starting Monday. She is super excited and said this could be a company she could work until retirement with. 

Did speak with Gregg a couple of hours this week, they are planning on coming down to bring Michelle a Chicken Coop (she wants chickens) that they want to give her. Did I mention she wants Chickens? 

Have yourselves a great day and make some memories. 

Big Ole Hairy Friday

Yes, it is once again that time of the week that we all look forward to when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday!!!

Are you looking for a little bit of High School Football action? The Mighty Morgantown Mohigans will be on the road this evening playing Wheeling Park in Wheeling. University High is also on the road, traveling clear up to Butler PA to take on Butler. Clay Battelle has the only home game this weekend as they play host to Meadow Bridge. Good Luck to all three local teams as they take to the Gridiron this evening. 

Michelle is going to be partying all weekend with Kiwi and Peanut, because when this weekend is over with she starts her new job at. Swanson Industries. She is excited and ready to get back at it and re-enter the workforce. So enjoy your weekend Michelle as Monday it is back to the grindstone. 

Have yourselves a great day. 

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

Once a week, I like to take a little bit of time out, time to look at some of the 30,000+ photos that I have stored on my computer. Little lost moments in time that I either captured with a lens, scanned, or just stole from somewhere on the internet. I like to find just one and post it up, recalling or reliving the picture to the best of my ability. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task, and sometimes it's not that easy, but one thing it has always been a lot of fun.

This adorable young man in the sailor suit is none other than the world's greatest Geographer/GIS Guy. Yes that picture is of none other than me way back to an ancient time, a time before Cell Phones, Google or even the internet. 

I'm not sure of a precise date on this pic, but I would guestimate that being that I am young (and have the same hair style as today) that it may be sometime in 1964-ish? 

Have yourselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Lucy's Journal

Journal of Lucy, Shih Tzu Goddess
October 1

Today I called forth my cousins for the Grand Council of Movie Night. As the Shih Tzu Goddess of Snacks and Regal Cuddles, it is my duty to bring order to chaos. Sadly, chaos showed up first.

The Quacker twins barged in, feathers flying everywhere, chanting in harmony:
“Howard the Duck! Howard the Duck! QUACK QUACK QUACK!”
They even brought a hand-drawn poster and stuck it to my dog bed. Truly blasphemous.

Peanut, in typical tiger-cat fashion, sauntered in, plopped down on my rug, and began grooming a paw like she was bored of our very existence. Then she purred, “Garfield. Fat, orange, lasagna-loving royalty. Accept no substitutes.”
She flicked her tail, yawned dramatically, and added: “I don’t care what we see, but let the record show I am absolutely NOT driving.” Then she rolled over and started snoring.

I rose from my pillow throne, let the divine fluff of my ears shimmer in the lamplight, and declared:
“The answer is Underdog! A noble hound of honor, courage, and impeccable grooming. Only a fool would deny his greatness.”

Kiwi, meanwhile, was hanging upside down from the curtain rod, cackling so loud I feared the neighbors might call a priest. He shouted, “You’re all ridiculous! Birds don’t even PAY for tickets. I’m sneaking in the popcorn machine!” Then he dropped a sunflower seed right on Peanut’s head.

The room descended into pure pandemonium. The Quackers flapped onto the coffee table, squawking “Howard! Howard! HOWARD!” Peanut swiped at them lazily with one paw. Kiwi was now doing dive-bombs and chanting “Free refills! Free refills!” And I, the only voice of reason, stood proud and noble… barking until my throat hurt.

The debate ended with Kiwi announcing, half-asleep:
“Fine. Whatever. But again—NOT. DRIVING.”

And so, the council remains divided. But fear not—Lucy the Shih Tzu Goddess shall prevail. By next week, there will be a movie, and it will be Underdog. Or I shall chew the remote into dust.

— Lucy 🐾✨
Supreme Deity of Movie Night

Wednesday