Wichi Dude

"COOL" RIDE

Driving around town earlier today, I was enjoying the fact that the weather has started to change. It is definitely cooler. The high for today was in the upper 60's.

Chilly, but not cold yet.

But not warm enough for the people I saw driving. It is not very often you see an old "dune buggy".

I'm talking about the vehicle popular back in the '60's. Fiberglass, pie pan flat body on a VW chassis, very classic.

Open top to the elements with nothing but a roll cage to block the stars, or the wind. No heater available in these things. Or air conditioners. Nothing but the weather outside.

The two people in the car were dressed for the tempratures though. Heavy coats, gloves and hats were the fair for a ride on a day like this. And they had them. Good for them.

Still nuts though. Maybe it was the last big fling before the winter.

HALLOWEEN

It is time for the pint-sized extortionist, to bang on the door, and demand payment for not kicking over the flower pots.

Galdly, you pay them with various forms of sugar and milk combinations. Or, just modified states of sugar in general, mixed with every color of the rainbow and flavors not normally found in nature.

This is the day dentists dread. As well as every parent of young children. Stuck parading the little ones around door-to-door, begging for handouts like the orphans in "Oliver Twist".

All I can say is, I'm ready for them. Bring it on. Got the bowl of candy by the front door, waiting.

Next year though, we decided to put out two bowls. One with the good candy; Almond Joys, 3 Musketeers, Kit Kat bars, stuff like that. And one with the cheap, hard candy, and bubble gum that takes a week to chew into something that you can blow a bubble with.

The first one will be for the "little kids" that Halloween was meant for. The other, is for the fools that are really too old to be doing this kind of stuff. You know, from about 12 years old and up.

If they need to shave, either face or legs, they get escorted off the porch. That hasn't changed.

TIRED

Worked on the story, "Bright Lights", a couple times in the last few days, getting the next installment ready. Have made progress on it but not as much as I would have liked. The issue, I'm tired.

Not of the story, just tired. Don't know why, but by the time I get a chance to sit down at the keyboard, I'm wiped out. On Tuesday, I was trying to read my regular sites and I kept falling asleep at the computer. I finally decided to make it an early night.

Made some progress last night on the story. However, about the time I decided to pack it in, I previewed the work and found all kinds of mistakes, and missing passages, all over the place. Like my mind had the lines in it, but they never made it to the screen. I managed to go back and dress it up properly, but that meant I spent about half again as much time as I wanted to.

I'm still getting my usual four and a half, to five and a half hours of sleep. I am doing OK at work, no issues there. But when I get home and finally sit down, it's lights out.

Might have someting to do with the time change. Hope I get over it soon. I feel all right otherwise, so I'll just have to wait and see.

The next installment of "Bright Lights" should be ready in the next couple days.

BRIGHT LIGHTS STORY CONTINUED

There's been a bit of a time gap from the last installment of the "Bright Lights" story, to this one. I, (believe it or not), have had to reread the story so far to get back on track with it. Too many other things distracting me and I lost the thread of thought.

So, let's get on with it, shall we?

In case you're lost with the time gap, the first installment to the story is here .

The second installment can be found here .

"OH WOW", TO RESPONSE

I would like to start this off by saying I couldn't agree more with the thoughts Bogie shared with the world.

When you think about it, we have always been at odds, with one country or another, for our freedoms. I think it tends to irritate those who feel it is their dream to be in power and have complete control.

We are a country made up of people from every corner of the planet, bar none. Our success has to be an issue with the people in the more repressed areas. Even our poverty level people make more money than high powered people in some countries. This has to piss them off.

I could go on, but I won't right now. Bogie did a much better job of summing it up. Maybe some time in the future I'll get on a soap box and continue.

LAST BIT ON THE ST. LOUIS TRIP

One last little bit about the St. Louis trip.

Before we left, we asked the neighbors to keep an eye on the house. All of in the area look out for each other, so this was no big deal. They said they would have their daughters collect the mail and newspapers while we were gone. As always, we offered to pay them for the services. It is a nice way of showing our appreciation, and it gives the kids a chance to "earn" some money, as well as teach them about saving and stuff like that.

We were told it wasn't necessary. Yeah, right. I like to keep my credit good with anyone who does me a favor. So we said we'd pick up something for the kids in St. Louis. That was OK with them.

At the zoo, we picked up a couple "Beanie Babies" and some mini-snowglobes, with animals the zoo exhibits in them, (no billy, not the REAL animals - I could hear that one coming). When we got home, we dressed up the presents for the girls.

Today, we finally caught the family at home and gave them the gifts. Within minutes, we had thank you notes from both of them.

Now, THERE is a nice gesture that seems to have lost ground in today's society. Getting the thank-you's was better than getting a gift in return. Well, I guess it is a gift in it's own way.

It still meant a great deal to us. I think we'll be using those kids again. Can't beat good manners.

I'LL GET IT STRAIGHT

One of these days, I'll figure out how to do some things. On yesterdays post, "Last Day In St. Louis", I managed to goof up the link to the Truffes website.

I corrected that mistake and all is well now.

I hope you at least take the time to check it out. If you think the pictures are good, you should try some of the delicacies she makes. Don't take my word for it, ask Bogie, she'll tell you the same thing.

If you are into decadent food, (and can afford it), you'll have the site in your favorites in a heartbeat, and the shop number on speed dial.

LAST DAY IN ST.LOUIS

Sunday, and the last day in St. Louis. Plans for the day, spend some more time with grandpa, visit with Helen and Mike, then hit the road home.

We wanted to spend more time with Helen and Mike but the schedules didn't work well. They DO have a business to run.

Back to the regular program;

SATURDAY IN ST. LOUIS

Now to continue with the trip to St. Louis.

On Saturday, we slept in a little before heading out and visiting Dudette's grandfather. When we got there, he was surprised to see us. It took him a little bit to recognize us as it has been a few years since we were last up there. But in a few minutes he had Dudette, CK and myself figured out. Chew did throw him a bit though. He kept looking and looking at him, like it would come to him who this one was. It finally dawned on us what was going on and we came to the rescue, telling grandpa that he hadn't met Chew before. That brought a look of relief to his face.

Grandpa mentioned that he knew his memory wasn't as good as it used to be. He really was struggling to remember who Chew was. Still, not bad for a man 90+ years old.

RETURN TO ST. LOUIS

Back for a little more on the trip to St. Louis. Although I made the first day sound like the beginning of a bad trip, it wasn't. It passed through a bit of a rough time but that is to be expected when you coop four people up in a car for so long.

The billboards weren't the only attraction along the way, even though they got the most attention yesterday. I failed to mention the trees.

Once you pass the Kansas - Missouri border, the terrain changes quite a bit. It goes from gentle hills and swells of the land, to a more mountainous topography. Greater rises in the hills and deeper valleys are the trademark of the Ozarks. Traveling through the area gives you a greater view of the trees in the lower laying surroundings.

In a word, beautiful. It is almost impossible to mention all the colors to be seen and enjoyed. Well worth the price of admission. Natures land locked light show. Best enjoyed during the day.