Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is over with good reason to do a tidbits. 

* It has been 22,679 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, new, and improved 1,069-day Calendar. mom is at 30,333 which would make her 28 according to my new and improved calendar. 

* It has been 7,931 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. 

* 6,525 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together. Life has been much better since then. 

* 5,729 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 5,766 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 2,904 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 1,558 days ago today. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,273 days, I've now outlived him by 1,421 days, making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! 

* Old roommate Gregg proposed to his fiancée 136 days ago, I'm happy for those two. I asked him a couple weeks ago if they set a date yet, he saids we would be the first to know. 

* I have 2,206 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.

* 338 more days to go until my Goodbye 2026 Blog is posted. 

* There are 331 more shopping days left until Christmas 2026. 

* There are 308 days until I hit the age of 63. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* There are only 192 more days to go until Michelle and I will celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary......maybe

* There are 51 days until my favorite season begins, a lot of people love different seasons, I am a Spring person who loves the Springtime. 

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

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

* I have written 8,228 blogs in what is now 21 years of Blogging. 

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

* I need to get some new bullet points, both Ryleigh and Bella's campaigns have ended for their Christmas goodies. Any suggestions? 

This is my favorite TikTok of the week, Nick Saban tells it like it is. 

* Have yourselves a great day

* Hi ho hi ho

Home or Office

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.

I do have a dilemma this morning. I brought my computer home over the weekend and have the opportunity to work from home today due to the state of emergency. I can either work from here or travel 3,000' Southeast from here and go into the office for the day. I'm leaning in the direction of going into the office, but that all depends on how traffic is flowing and how bad the roads are this morning. Michelle is also kind of in the same situation, except it would be an excused absence rather than points against her. 

No big events coming up this week, we did interview for a Summer Intern on Friday which we are extending an offer to the candidate. My boss and one other co-worker came up from Parkersburg and the three of us interviewed the candidate. 

Other than that, still churning away on a task. 

Have yoursleves a great day. 

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Here I sit on a cold but entertaining Sunday Morning. Kiwi and Peanut were bound and determined to go out in the back yard and build themselves a snowman, Kiwi was in his hut yesterday streaming the movie Frozen from my MyCloud and singing right along. Peanut didn't want to feel left out so she struck up a deal, they would build the worlds greatest snowman ever built by a Cat and a Conure and I would make them Hot Chocolate with marshmallows, you know the little sprinkle type that don't take forever to melt. I thought that sounded like a good deal as we let Mommy sleep in. 

Fortunately, Michelle got all of the shopping done yesterday morning, and by yesterday mornng I mean she was at Super Walmart along with about 50 other shoppers when they opened their door. I saw horror stories in Facebook about people trying to arrange pickups from one store or another and all of the time slots were already taken or the services were suspended, so everyone was out over preparing for the snowstorm. The thing is people tend to panic which leads people to hoard items. Michelle managed to grab the next to the last snow shovel yesterday and a lady by her thought that was a great idea and grabbed the other one. I guess someone else asked if they had anymore snow shovels and they said those were the last two. 

So what are my pkans for the day? Watch the AFC and NFC Championships to see who the two teams are that will be playing in the Superbowl. I have no favorites or predictions. However in the AFC I see New England beating Denver, especally since Denver's starting QB is out for the year now. NFC I have no idea, I'll say the Seahawks over the Rams just because the game is going to be played in Seattle. I hold no emotional ties to any of the teams left, but I like football. 

We did get a New or should I say we replaced our Microwave yesterday. We had the other one a number of years and it worked perfectly for us, it was just the paint inside the microwave where it spins around was starting to wear and peel off, so we just replaced it and got a new one. We both really liked the one we had, which is now going to be placed and plugged in in the garage just in case someone needs to nuke a hot dog while mowing grass...lol

Have yourselves a great day, stay safe, stay home and stay warm. 

Saturday Morning Snowmageddon Preparation

Here I sit on a quiet Saturday Morning, Kiwi and Peanut are both kind of quiet and giggling back and forth about how much snow we are going to get between today and tomorrow. Kiwi likes snow, he said he can fly over top of it if he wants to go anywhere and Peanut, she plans on sleeping through it. Oh the life of spoiled animals. I think Kiwi is eyeing up where he is planning on building that waterfall this spring. 

Michelle is heading out early to do the grocery shopping before all the snow drops today and tomorrow. She actually wants to get there and get the shopping done before the excessive influx of people all show up to do their snow shopping. She hates crowds the same as I do to be honest. Other than that no big plans for us other than to wait it out over the weekend. As a precaution, I brought my work computer home with me, I'm planning on being in the office on Monday but if it gets too bad I can still work from home. 

Today may just be a day of watching movies. Landman completed last week, Tulsa King completed a couple months ago and George and Mandy's First Marriage is in the middle of a 2 month hiatus, so there is nothing that I am anticipating on watching as far as TV shows at the current moment. The NFL is even winding down with the AFC and NFC Championships tomorrow to determine who will be playing in the Super Bowl. 

Have yourselves a great day, get done what you need to get done early and most importantly, stay home and warm once this all starts. 
 

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!!!

There’s something about Friday that just hits different. The emails slow down, the calendar suddenly looks less aggressive, and my brain starts gently powering down sometime around mid-afternoon. Responsibilities don’t disappear, but they do get quieter—and that’s a beautiful thing.

This week was one of those weeks. The kind where every day felt a little longer than it should have, and the coffee pot worked harder than I did. But we made it. The finish line is here, and it’s waving a big checkered flag that says: relax.

Tonight is all about doing absolutely nothing productive—and doing it well. No alarms, no plans that require shoes, and no pressure to be anywhere except exactly where I already am. Maybe it’s pizza. Maybe it’s leftovers. Maybe it’s staring at the TV wondering how I ended up watching something I swore I’d never watch. That’s Friday magic.

This weekend, I’m slowing things down on purpose. Sleeping in just a little too long. Letting the morning decide what kind of day it wants to be. A little time outside if the weather cooperates, a little couch time if it doesn’t. No rushing. No “shoulds.” Just rest, recharge, and whatever small joy happens to wander by.

Weekends don’t have to be packed to be perfect. Sometimes the best ones are quiet, simple, and slightly lazy. The kind where Monday feels far away and time forgets to keep score.

So here’s to Friday. Here’s to letting go. And here’s to a weekend that does absolutely nothing—beautifully.

Happy Big Ole Hairy Friday. 🍻

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.

I had to go back well over 20 year ago for this one, back when Nick and Terri had first opened their first Bar, the Country Inn on Rt 73, it was their first of two bars that they would own and operate. 

The dollar that they are holding was the first dollar that they had made together on their first official day of business. I can't remember who the first customer was or what they ordered, but I was fortunate enough to have been there when they opened and it happened. 

Have yourselves a greeat day

Hi ho hi ho

Lucy's Journal

January 21, 2026

Dear Journal,

Today I learned that nothing in this house happens by accident—especially when Kiwi and Peanut are involved.

It started innocently enough. Kiwi landed on the back of my chair with that wide-eyed “I have an idea” look, while Peanut stretched out on the table like a furry project manager who already had blueprints drawn up. The topic? The backyard waterfall. Apparently, this is no longer a “someday” idea—it’s now a full-scale operation.

Before I could even ask a question, they tried to recruit me. Not ask—recruit. Kiwi pitched it like an adventure: “Think of the ambiance! The soothing water sounds! The dramatic lighting!” Peanut followed up by slowly tapping the table with his paw, as if waiting for my signature on a contract.

Then came the bribes.

Kiwi promised front-row seats to every construction meeting, exclusive early access to the finished waterfall, and unlimited shoulder time during “supervisory flyovers.” Peanut, on the other hand, offered something far more serious: reduced 3 a.m. zoomies, fewer mysterious items knocked off shelves, and a temporary cease-fire on keyboard sitting while I work.

And then they brought in the Quackers.

The Quackers are apparently unionized. They won’t lift a feather without proper compensation. Their demands included premium pond access once the waterfall is complete, extra snacks (the good kind, not the boring kind), and veto power over any rocks that “don’t feel right.” One of them insisted on a daily headcount meeting. Another wanted naming rights to the waterfall.

The payouts kept escalating.

Kiwi requested a cut of the snack budget. Peanut wants a shaded lounging rock positioned just so, with optimal sun coverage. The Quackers want assurances in writing—possibly notarized—that this waterfall won’t suddenly turn into “a bird bath with dreams.”

By the end of it all, I realized I wasn’t being recruited at all.

I was being managed.

So here I am, considering my options. Do I help them build the backyard waterfall and pay the bribes in snacks, treats, and future favors? Or do I risk being on the wrong side of a very determined conure, a master-manipulator tiger cat, and a flock of highly opinionated Quackers?

Let’s be honest.

I’ll probably help.

But I’m definitely negotiating my own payout.

Wednesday

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is over with and I have to go back to work with these 10 hour shifts for the rest of the week, good reason to do a tidbits. 

* It has been 22,672 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, new, and improved 1,069-day Calendar. zmom is at 30,326 which would make her 28 according to my new and improved calendar. 

* It has been 7,924 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. 

* 6,518 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together. Life has been much better since then. 

* 5,722 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 5,759 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 2,897 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 1,551 days ago today. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,273 days, I've now outlived him by 1,414 days, making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! 

* Old roommate Gregg proposed to his fiancée 129 days ago, I'm happy for those two. I asked him a couple weeks ago if they set a date yet, he saids we would be the first to know. 

* I have 2,213 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.

* 345 more days to go until my Goodbye 2026 Blog is posted. 

* There are 338 more shopping days left until Christmas 2026. 

* There are 315 days until I hit the age of 63. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* There are only 199 more days to go until Michelle and I will celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary......maybe

* There are 58 days until my favorite season begins, a lot of people love different seasons, I am a Spring person who loves the Springtime. 

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

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

* I have written 8,220 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.  

* 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. 

* This is my favorite Tiktok for this week, got to love the birds. 

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

* Morgantown High and WVU Alum Curt Cignetti, lead Indiana to the National Championship of College Football. 

* Have yourselves a great day

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday Morning Gratitude

Mondays usually come with alarms, coffee refills, and that familiar mental checklist of everything waiting to be done. But this Monday feels a little different. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and with it comes a rare and welcome gift—a day off.

Dr. King’s birthday isn’t just a name on the calendar or an excuse to sleep in (though I’ll gladly accept that part). It’s a reminder to slow down and reflect. His words still echo decades later, calling for kindness, equality, and the courage to stand up for what’s right—even when it’s uncomfortable.

Having the day off gives space to think about those ideas without the usual rush. It’s a chance to appreciate progress made, acknowledge how far there still is to go, and consider the small ways we can live out those values in our own lives. Not through grand gestures, but through everyday actions—listening more, judging less, and treating people with respect.

So today, I’m enjoying a quieter Monday. Maybe a second cup of coffee. Maybe no alarm at all. A little rest, a little reflection, and a lot of gratitude for a holiday that honors someone who challenged the world to be better.

Tomorrow, the grind will be back. But today, I’m thankful for the pause—and for the reminder that even on an ordinary Monday, we can choose to move forward with purpose.

Happy Monday, and happy MLK Day.

Sunday

Here I sit in a quiet household, Kiwi and Peanut are actually still sleeping (do you believe that), and it is actually quiet around here. There is no mischief or anything going on, except Kiwi now wanting to play 52 pickup with the little toys just outside of his cage walls. That's a little game he and Mommy love to play. 

Do you need an example of sometimes life moves too fast? My little flower girl from our wedding is turning 18 years old today. She is a High School Senior at University High and in a program that is pretty much going to help her get a start in the Medical Field, and she has been in the program for a couple of years now. I know Michelle, and I are both honored watching this little baby grow into a beautiful woman. Happy Birthday, Layla. 

No plans for the day, but what else is really new. I am excited the watch the season 2 finale of Landman sometime today. I just started watching it this past fall and by the time I was done streaming season 1, season 2 was starting and now it is getting ready for its conclusion. 

Have yourselves a great day, make it special. 

Saturday Morning Rambling

Here I sit in what I like to call a quiet household, I'm not quite sure of the two animals who live here understand that Saturday is my day to sleep in, because Peanut is banging on the drums and Kiwi is playing the electric guitar. They have been playing a lot of Van Halen, Peanut thinks she is Alex and Kiwi thinks he's Eddie. They have contacted David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar to come and sing with them, but no answer from either of them. I think they just reached out to Neil Diamond to fill in, but we'll have to wait and see if Neil us up for that. 

So what is on today's agenda? Michelle is going to run and do our grocery shopping and that is about our highlight for the weekend. She has been under the weather the whole week with a massive headache (I know we are married), but it is not a migraine. She's meeting with her Doctor on Tuesday, so she will bring that up. 

I have a three day weekend, due to MLK day on Monday, which means I will be working 10's once again this coming week. That should pretty much be the end of it for a few months as I don't think their next Holiday is until Good Friday. I like the 8 hour shifts but don't mind the longer shifts especially when there is time off associated with it. 

I hate to say this, but my football season is over with. I'll still watch the Super Bowl and maybe a game or two, but the STeelers are out and with Mike Tomlin stepping down earlier this week we have a new era that is getting ready to begin in Pittsburgh. 

Have yourseleves 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!!!

I swear this is the time of the year when writing the Friday Blogs are the most difficult. Starting in about May there is a Concert series every friday night at the Ruby Ampitheatre where they bring in a number of acts throughout the summer, many have been headliners in years past and there is usually a lot of really good music. After that series is over with I can start talking about High School Football and what WVU has going on that weekend. They are space fillers for me and help me write my blogs. I am going to have to rely on my own intellect and creativity to fill this space for a few months. 

So what is new, Michelle will be doing the shopping as she usually does every Saturday. I slow her down so she likes to do it on her own after we plan out some kind of a menu for the week. Other than that not too much is going on, especially during this time of the year. 

Have yourselves a great day and the start of a great weekend. 

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.

How about this one from 2021, it features not one but two Birthday Girls today. Yes Chris and Michelle were both born on the dame day, but a couple of years apart, but they do both share the same birthday. 

Two remarkable and special ladies in my life to say the very least. 

Have yourselves a great day

Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday Michelle Dawn Hall

I would like to take this opportunity to wish what I truly believe as the best wife in the Universe a Very Happy Birthday today. This is my soulmate and the absolute love of my life. I do not know what I would do without her, she is an absolutely amazing woman.

 
Mother, Wife, Daughter, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cat Mom, and Bird Mom are things she does and does very well. I have to say that I am very lucky to be able to witness all that she does on a daily basis.

 
She is lucky to share this Birthday with her Sister Chris who is also celebrating a birthday today. So if you see either of these lovely ladies, make sure you take a little bit of time out and wish each of them a very Happy Birthday today. We are planning a group outing this evening to celebrate both Michelle's and Chris's Birthdays. Japanese Steak House here we come. 

 
Michelle, I Love You with all my heart and I truly appreciate everything that you do. 

Lucy's Journal

Lucy’s Journal — January 14

Dear Journal,

Today turned into one of those “we should’ve known better” kind of days, because somehow the regular crew decided that Monopoly was a perfectly reasonable way to spend an afternoon. It started innocent enough — snacks on the table, music playing, and everyone agreeing that this time we would “just have fun.” That promise lasted approximately seven minutes.

Kiwi immediately claimed the little green house pieces and began stacking them into what he called “luxury bird condos,” insisting that birds should always own property near the railroads for easy travel. Peanut, sitting with his tail wrapped neatly around his chair, chose the top hat token and said it “gave him an air of authority,” which was a polite way of saying he planned to be ruthless.

By the third lap around the board, all civility was gone. Peanut somehow owned half of Boardwalk and Park Place, and every time someone landed there, he’d flick his tail smugly and announce, “Rent is due.” Kiwi tried to negotiate by offering snacks instead of cash, which was creative but did not hold up under Monopoly law.

Things really got spicy when Lucy (that’s me 😇) landed on one of Peanut’s hotels and nearly went bankrupt. I accused him of running a feline real estate scam. He accused me of poor financial planning. Kiwi tried to mediate but ended up buying another railroad instead.

By the end of the game, Peanut was swimming in fake money, Kiwi was buried in properties he forgot he owned, and I was left clinging to Baltic Avenue like it was a life raft. No one officially flipped the board, but it was definitely considered.

Still, I have to admit, even with all the dramatic accusations, wild deals, and suspicious dice rolls, it was a pretty perfect January evening. There’s something special about watching your friends argue over imaginary money while eating snacks and pretending it actually matters.

Tomorrow we might go back to being normal.
But tonight, Monopoly ruled the house. 🐾🎲

Wednesday

Tuesday's Tidbits

* Monday is done, we are looking down the barrel of a Tuesday so you know what that means. 

* It has been 22,665 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, new, and improved 1,069-day Calendar. 

* It has been 7,917 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. 

* 6,511 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together. Life has been much better since then. 

* 5,715 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 5,752 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 2,890 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 1,544 days ago today. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,273 days, I've now outlived him by 1,407 days, making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! 

* Old roommate Gregg proposed to his fiancée 122 days ago, I'm happy for those two. I asked him a couple weeks ago if they set a date yet, he saids we would be the first to know. 

* I have 2,220 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.

* 352 more days to go until my Goodbye 2026 Blog is posted. 

* There are 345 more shopping days left until Christmas 2026. 

* There are 322 days until I hit the age of 63. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* There are only 206 more days to go until Michelle and I will celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary......maybe

* There are 65 days until my favorite season begins, a lot of people love different seasons, I am a Spring person who loves the Springtime. 

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

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

* I have written 8,212 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.  

* 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. 

* This is my favorite Tiktok for this week, I ran across this last week and was surprised of how big of a channel that she has. 

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

* I think my AI skills are really expanding, I need to figure out how to make me a Billionaire. 

* 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.

I get to work 8 hour shifts again this week, but since next Monday is Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday, I'll be working 10's next week to make up for that Holiday. It was nice to be at 8 hour shifts again for a couple of weeks, the 10's next week will just be next week, it's just one HOliday I need to make up for. Of course the following week will be 8's but I have a Doctor's appointment the week after that so I may have to make up an hour or so for that. Good thing is I work pretty close to the hospital, so that makes it convenient. 

I did find a pretty useful website last week for a piece of software I use a lot, but tends to be expensive for work puroposes. I like Adobe Acrobat Pro, and I ran across a site that basically gives me all of the tools that you pay for, but with unlimited usage and it's a free gnu license. PDF24 I have found to be very useful for whata I do, when you need beyond just having reader. I'm going through the channels to have it installed locally on my work computer (I have Pro with my Parsons Computers), but I want a local copy for proprietary information reasons. 

Have yourself a great day. 

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Here I sit in a quiet household, Kiwi and Peanut are work out from all the waterfall planning they did yesterday. They actually build a working model and everything, I think where they want it I'm going to need a pump and a return system to get the water back to the stream because they want to build it using the back yards natural slope to make it easier. 

So what it on my agenda for the day? Michelle De-Christmas'd the house yesterday and made it Valentines Day friendly. So that is taken care of. 

The College Football semi-finals are completed and Indiana (coached by Morgantown and Suncrest guy Curt Cignetti) will be playing for the National Championship. 

The NFL playoffs started yesterday, play again today and will culminate with the Pittsburgh Steelers playing Monday Night. It's win or go home time right now. Winning extends your season and losing gives you until next year to worry about what needs to change before next season. 

Have yoursleves a great Sunday, relax and make it special. 

Happy Birthday Sandra Irene Bell

On this day I would like to wish my Mom a very Happy 83rd Birthday (That is 30,316 days, 43,655,040 Minutes, 727,584 Hours, and 2,619,302,400 seconds if you are counting) today. 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my wonderful Mother, Sandra Irene, a very Happy 83rd birthday (which rounds down to 29 years old) today. I know she really enjoys reading what my two rambunctious animals do every weekend, but I told them to play nice for Grandma today but their competitive nature took over.

Not too sure what Mom has planned for the day, not that I would advise them on going anywhere with the additional impending snow that we are scheduled to get, but whatever it is she gets into today I'm sure it will be special.

Happy Birthday Mom from Michelle, Peanut, Kiwi and myself.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit once again in a quiet household, Kiwi and Peanut have taken it upon themselves to be the self-appointed architects of the waterfall they claim they are going to build in the back yard this spring. There is a nice spring that runs in the back yard, they want to draw the water from that and capture fish and frogs then plan on opening up a specialty Fish and Frog Sandwich Restaurant this summer. Such innovative young pets. 

So what is on our agenda? Michelle is going to do some grocery shopping this morning and other than that not too much of anything is on our agenda. This is the time of the year when the weather is cold and the days are short so it's a great time of the year to take naps. Let me tell you the older I get, the more I appreciate naps. I'm so ready for Springtime. 

Michelle has been informed that her contract hours are fulfilled and that Swanson intends to bring her on as a full-time Swanson Employee which she loves the idea. Now it is just a matter of sitting down and negotiating the particulars with them so there should be an announcement coming up pretty soon concerning that. 

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!!!

It felt good to get back to 8-hour days this week; the week basically flew by, and here we are at Friday already. I get to do these 8-hour shifts again next week, then the following week to make up for Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday. I get to do 10's again, but that's just for a week rather than three weeks at a time. 

There are no big plans that I know of for this weekend, but you know that could always change on a whim. I know I have been playing with developing my ArcGIS online content, where I am doing every fast food place in West Virginia, or at least the ones I can extract with an Open Street Map Query and stick the results into a database. That more so to teach myself how to do it, I need a value-added product that someone might care about to play with. 

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 is not a photo, but I knew exactly what I wanted to do with this post before I ever even did it. I was thinking about the old video from 1993 of when Dad and Jean went to Florida to see Patty and Susie and they were in Naples,  and Dad was on the patio feeding ducks bread. Then he started dipping the bread into beer and feeding it to them. 

If you knew my Dad, this should bring back some fond memories and if he left us before you part of the family, a chance to see the demeanor of a great man. 

Hi ho hi ho

Lucy's Journal

Lucy’s Journal – January 7, 2026

Operation: Giggle Domination

Dear Journal,

Today was one of those cold January days where the sun exists but doesn’t actually help. Perfect weather for indoor planning, which is exactly what we did. The crew gathered for our first official strategy meeting of 2026, also known as “What Practical Jokes Are We Definitely Doing This Year.”

I, Lucy (Head of Organization, Morale, and Snack Inspection), called the meeting to order from my favorite blanket. Kiwi was already there, naturally, because he never leaves the room where the action is. Peanut showed up five minutes late and acted like he hadn’t been sitting behind the couch the entire time. The Quackers arrived together, loudly, and without an agenda—typical.

The Goals for 2026

Kiwi’s Objectives:
Kiwi wants to “expand his portfolio,” which I’m pretty sure just means screaming new words at unexpected moments. His top goals include:

• Perfecting the Delayed Laugh—waiting until the room is silent before cracking up.

• Yelling “WHO DID IT?” every time something falls.

• Sitting very still on someone’s shoulder and then whispering “boo.”
  Honestly, ambitious, but on brand.

Peanut’s Master Plan:
Peanut says he’s focusing on psychological humor this year. His ideas include:

• Staring intensely at nothing until someone gets uncomfortable.

• Sitting in boxes that are clearly too small, then acting offended when noticed.

• Randomly sprinting through the house at 3 a.m. for “atmosphere.”
  He says these are “long-term jokes.” I say they’re already working.

The Quackers’ Contribution:
The Quackers presented their ideas simultaneously, at full volume:

• Following people room to room while quacking softly, then suddenly yelling.

• Pretending to be statues until someone relaxes.

• Sneaking up behind Lucy (ME) during nap time.
  That last one was immediately vetoed. I run this journal.

My Own Goals:
As leader, I plan to:

• Relocate important items just enough to cause confusion.

• Sit directly on keyboards, papers, and GIS maps at critical moments.

• Master the art of the innocent look when absolutely guilty.
  Subtlety is my specialty.

By the end of the meeting, no actual plan was finalized, but morale was high, snacks were consumed, and everyone agreed that 2026 will be a very confusing year for anyone who lives here.

We wrapped things up with a group nap (except Kiwi, who supervised loudly). All in all, a productive start to the year. Big dreams. Big jokes. Even bigger chaos.

Until tomorrow,
Lucy 🐾

Wednesday

Tuesday's Tidbits

* I'm back to 8 hour shifts with the first day under my belt, Tidbits? 

* It has been 22,658 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new,  new, new, and improved 1,069-day Calendar. 

* It has been 7,910 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. 

* 6,504 days ago Michelle and I had our first date together. Life has been much better since then. 

* 5,708  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 5,745 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 2,883 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 1,537 days ago today. 

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,273 days, I've now outlived him by 1,400 days, making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again! 

* Old roommate Gregg proposed to his fiancée 115 days ago, I'm happy for those two. I asked him a couple weeks ago if they set a date yet, he saids we would be the first to know. 

* I have 2,227 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.

* 359 more days to go until my Goodbye 2026 Blog is posted. 

* There are 352 more shopping days left until Christmas 2026. 

* There are 329 days until I hit the age of 63. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21. 

* There are only 213 more days to go until Michelle and I will celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary......maybe

* There are 72 days until my favorite season begins, a lot of people love different seasons, I am a Spring person who loves the Springtime. 

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

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

* I have written 8,204 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.  

* 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. 

* This is my favorite Tiktok for this week, you have to love the pet TicToks

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

* I think my AI skills are really expanding, now I just need to implement it with GIS. 

* 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.

Well, after working the last 3 weeks and 6 of the last 8 weeks doing 10-hour shifts, I can finally go back to 8-hour shifts for a while, starting today. It's not so bad when there is a holiday during the week, it's when Holidays are back-to-back on the same week (Thanksgiving and Christmas, for example) that it takes a couple of weeks to make up the hours, and you bookend those with a couple more Holidays (Veterans Day and New Year's). I'm so happy to get back to normal. I can leave for work later and get home earlier just like everyone else. I'vee even taken my Christmas Tree down that I had in my office for the Holidays. The Holiday season is over with, back to breaking your resolutions and your diets...lol

Now we are at the first of the year, I'm going to start to pursue other opportunities for work. I always like to keep my options open and fresh, and I even planned on waiting until after the first of the year before I pursued anything, even though I was offered a position that I was supposed to start in November that fell through at the last minute (I had my office cleaned out and my new computer in hand). I like what I do and who I work with, it just doesn't pay me my market rate so I am going to explore other opportunities like I planned. I think I have a future there, but it's a matter of when that is factored into my strategy. 

Have yoursleves a great day. 

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday

Here I sit in a non-quiet household; it seems like we have a turncoat in our household. The Steelers and Ravens are playing this evening for the Division Championship and Peanut is a die-hard Steelers fan, Kiwi on the other hand, figured out that a Raven is a bird, and he's cheering for the team of his own species. He has broken my heart and I told him this is Steelers Country. Damned Peckerhead. 

Michelle did the shopping yesterday and also went to her Mom's 80th birthday celebration yesterday at the nursing home. Her Chris and Dani went up and had a little bit of a party for her and helped her celebrate the day. 

Today's agenda includes trying to explain to Kiwi that a Raven is a bad bird and he needs to switch his loyalty back to being a Steelers fan. I think Peanut shall teach him. 

I am happy to be going back to 8-hour shifts again starting tomorrow. 6 of last 8 weeks working 10's was starting to get a little bit old if you know what I mean, especially when I was generally the only one there. 

Have yourselves a great day. 

Saturday Morning Ramblings

Here I sit in a somewhat busy household, Kiwi and Peanut think they have this great idea of making seed and catnip cookies. They are up early and have the kitchen all messed up, trying to experiment and make some proprietary recipes that they feel that they can market to all birds and cats around the world. They have a target audience, now they have decided that they are going to create a product to market and get rich from it. Such innovative minds in this household, I got to tell you. 

I don't think Michelle and I have any plans as of yet that I know of. It is Michelle's Mom's 80th Birthday so Michelle and the sisters are all planning on going to the nursing home to have dinner with her. Because of the snow on New Years they didn't make it up that day, so this will be something special for her. 

I'm probably just going to relax and take it easy. I think I'll go out and measure the grass to see if it needs to be cut yet...lol Maybe put together a nice little gift basket for a couple of groundhogs so that they can do me a favor here in about a month. Other than that, days are short, it's cold out and it's my least favorite time of the year, it's just a matter of waiting until Spring for me. 

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!!!

As the rest of us, or should I say some of us go back to work after the New Years Holiday, Kiwi and Peanut are still celebrating. They keep throwing confetti everywhere and yelling Happy New Years and for us Humans to get to work while they party on. 

Well today does end my streak of  3 straight weeks of 10 hour shifts to make up for Holidays. I get to go back to doing normal 8 hour shifts for a couple of weeks before I go back to 10's for the Week of Martin Luther King Day to make up for that Holiday. This will be the end of 6 of 8 weeks that I have been making up hours to get past the Holiday season. 

I hope everyone had a great New Years, stayed safe and here's to a great 2026 for everyone. 

Hi ho hi ho

Happy New Years

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

and old lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!

and surely I’ll buy mine!

And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,

and picked the daisies fine;

But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,

since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,

from morning sun till dine†;

But seas between us broad have roared

since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!

And give me a hand o’ thine!

And we’ll take a right good-will draught,

for auld lang syne.

CHORUS