Monday Madness

This morning as I was conversing with Mom while sitting on the deck enjoying my cup of coffee. I spied this praying mantis hanging on to the screen in the middle of the kitchen windows. Never one to pass up the opportunity I hurriedly got the camera and was able to capture several good shots of him.

Carla was being all whinny, until I realized that she wanted me to water the yard like we have been doing over the past few weeks. But since it had just rained on Saturday night I didn't see the need. So in order to satisfy her I just walked around the yard in the normal path that I water and that took care of her. She's so funny. I went out for a bit this morning and left her outside gated in on the deck so that she could be outside and enjoy the temperate weather this morning. She was happy when I returned, but looked satisfied at coming back into the house.

We are headed out for a session of swimming lessons for Sam & Abigail. Sean will even get the opportunity to have some swim time as well. Plus everyone will be able to see what Butch & Sundance look like up close and personal. Well, the swim lessons were a bust! The pool is closed on Mondays. Oh well, Elda and I will just pick another day to do lessons this week and then just continue doing them on Tuesdays. However, we were able to have a pleasant visit with one another while we were there. The kids have grown and Abigail is just as sweet as pie, and Samuel's manners are excellent. The kids were playing with the door stopper at Walter's and each time it made a noise his birds poked their heads up and looked to see where the noise was coming from. It was comical to watch.

Since we didn't get any lessons in I'm heading up to finish painting the woodworks in the Office. I got as far as the closet doors before dinner, only one bi-fold door left to paint. Tim stopped by and dropped off a dozen ears of corn from Dad - our resident farmer extraordinaire. This was white corn - our favorite.

I headed out this evening after dinner to visit with Alice, but they were in the process of getting dinner ready so I only stayed there for a few minutes. I did however, give Terry his obligatory drive around the cul-de-sac. He does enjoy the ride so much. Who would think that something so small could give a little guy so much pleasure. I then popped out to Mom & Dad's house for a couple of cups of coffee and a few hands of rummy. It was a pleasant couple of hours.

Meanwhile back at the Mews - there is trouble in the office, they are sorting out the anti-virus program and attempting to get a game to work on one of the computers and it is giving them a a fit. Hopefully they will get it working shortly.

I read an article this morning in the Richmond Times-Dispatch about man name Fred and what he had written as his own obituary. Remember now he wrote this himself - he sounds like someone who enjoyed life and had a great sence of humor:

Frederic Arthur (Fred) Clark

Frederic Arthur (Fred) Clark, who had tired of reading obituaries noting other's courageous battles with this or that disease, wanted it known that he lost his battle as a result of an automobile accident on June 18, 2006. True to Fred's personal style, his final hours were spent joking with medical personnel while he whimpered, cussed, begged for narcotics and bargained with God to look over his wife and kids. He loved his family. His heart beat faster when his wife of 37 years Alice Rennie Clark entered the room and saddened a little when she left. His legacy was the good works performed by his sons, Frederic Arthur Clark III and Andrew Douglas Clark MD, PhD., along with Andy's wife, Sara Morgan Clark. Fred's back straightened and chest puffed out when he heard the Star Spangled Banner and his eyes teared when he heard Amazing Grace. He wouldn't abide self important tight *censored*. Always an interested observer of politics, particularly what the process does to its participants, he was amused by politician's outrage when we lie to them and amazed at what the voters would tolerate. His final wishes were "throw the bums out and don't elect lawyers" (though it seems to make little difference). During his life he excelled at mediocrity. He loved to hear and tell jokes, especially short ones due to his limited attention span. He had a life long love affair with bacon, butter, cigars and bourbon. You always knew what Fred was thinking much to the dismay of his friend and family. His sons said of Fred, "he was often wrong, but never in doubt". When his family was asked what they remembered about Fred, they fondly recalled how Fred never peed in the shower - on purpose. He died at MCV Hospital and sadly was deprived of his final wish which was to be run over by a beer truck on the way to the liquor store to buy booze for a double date to include his wife, Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter to crash an ACLU cocktail party. In lieu of flowers, Fred asks that you make a sizable purchase at your local ABC store or Virginia winery (please, nothing French - the *censored*) and get rip roaring drunk at home with someone you love or hope to make love to. Word of caution though, don't go out in public to drink because of the alcohol related laws our elected officials have passed due to their inexplicable terror at the sight of a MADD lobbyist and overwhelming compulsion to meddle in our lives. No funeral or service is planned. However, a party will be held to celebrate Fred's life. It will be held in Midlothian, Va. Email fredsmemory@yahoo.com for more information. Fred's ashes will be fired from his favorite cannon at a private party on the Great Wicomico River where he had a home for 25 years. Additionally, all of Fred's friend (sic) will be asked to gather in a phone booth, to be designated in the future, to have a drink and wonder, "Fred who?" Published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on 7/9/2006.