Your Thoughts/Prayers/Voodoo Needed

[Temptd2]

I'm glad you're looking forward to your trip - it sounds awesome! You honor Marie by living each day to the fullest. I'm sure she is smiling down upon you.

Take down the tree when you're ready. It won't hurt it to stay there til you feel up to the task.

And we expect a full report of your trip when you return!

 

[unionrdr]

I'll just leave this here for your consideration;

Montgomery Gentry is Bobby Gentry's boy...

 

[glenn514]

Thanks, unionrdr. I'm not usually a fan of country-western music, but Montgomery Gentry's song did touch me. And the only thing that is going to help is time. And it's not so much that I miss her, but rather, that I have to fill the void she left behind. That's the hard part. When I drive my car, there is a void in that passenger seat. When I ride my motorcycle, that "bitch" seat is empty. When I sit down to eat, her place at the table is empty. When I go to bed, no one is sleeping on "her" side. When I do a load of laundry, it is only my clothing...not hers. Throughout the house, there are things that point only to her...things hanging on the walls, various "knick-knacks," things left undone. All those things are so very difficult for me. But the "second hand" on my wristwatch keeps ticking, which tells me that time is, indeed, passing. I sure would like to think that I'm in a bit of a better spot today than I was at Christmas. I know I am in a better spot than I was the end of July and the beginning of August.

Some years ago, a friend of mine had a kidney stone. I used to kid him and tell him, "This, too, shall pass...like a kidney stone." By that, I meant that there would be pain in the passing, but once over the pain, better days are ahead. So, this too shall pass...like a kidney stone. But Lord, You never said how long it would take to pass that damned stone!

glenn514

 

[masonsjax]

Your positivity is inspiring, thank you for that!

 

[unionrdr]

Even if a person doesn't particularly like country music, that song always seems to strike a cord. i think it helps...just hit the road, floor it & see where it goes...clears a man's head sometimes.

 

[glenn514]

So, I finally screwed up my courage and attacked the remaining two-thirds of the Christmas tree. It is now undecorated and safely tucked away in my cellar. The space where the tree stands is normally occupied by an OLD vinyl rocker/recliner we bought not long after we were married. It is well over 40 years old, and the vinyl is ripped all over the chair. My plan is, once all the dust has settled with insurance settlements, to purchase a new rocker/recliner to replace the old one. So, the old vinyl one will remain sentenced to the front room until I can figure out what to do with it.

I leave this Thursday for Texas. Sure hope the weather cooperates! I really want to hug my grandchildren!

glenn514

 

[rlmiller10]

Safe trip Glenn. Wishing you lot of hugs and maybe even a nap or two with those grand kids.

 

[Temptd2]

Have a wonderful trip, Glenn! Enjoy it to the fullest.

 

[glenn514]

While I sorely missed my traveling partner, the trip to Texas so far has been great. I left the house about 740am this morning, and stopped in Springfield, IL for an early lunch and gas. Traffic was relatively light, so I went right through downtown St. Louis, and never dropped below 60 mph! Had the sunroof open and one rear window open, because it was 72°F in Missouri! Made it to Springfield, MO where I gassed up [$1.33/gallon] and checked into the Drury Inn and Suites. I'm looking forward to the complimentary hot snacks and TWO DRINKS I get from the hotel! Tomorrow's issues: driving through Oklahoma...my route is not all Interstate-standard...and hitting Dallas at peak Friday rush hour! Oh, joy!

glenn514

 

[actech]

I'd had lunch with ya if I'd known. Boy that stretch of 44 from Joplin to OKC to drop down on 35 is very boring. Honk when you pass thru Spingpatch on the way home.

 

[glenn514]

actech...I get off the Oklahoma turnpike at Big Cabin and take US 69 south, which eventually becomes US 75 in north Texas. One must navigate a number of small towns, but it is four-lane all the way...just not up to Interstate standards.

glenn514

 

[MaxStout]

Just dropped back in to let you know you're in my thoughts. I just lost my Dad a couple weeks ago. It's not the same as losing a spouse, but it still has left a hole in my heart. He lived a good life, but that doesn't make it easier for my family.

I just ordered Ghost Rider, by Neil Peart (drummer for Rush). He lost his daughter and wife within the span of less than a year and he wrote of his travels afterward while he was sorting things out.

Take care, and have a safe trip.

 

[glenn514]

A bit under 1,000 miles, and I am in a lovely hotel in Waxahachie, TX. I did go and visit with my daughter and three grandchildren, but I need a good night's sleep! My oldest grandson cried when I left to return to the hotel. Needless to say, my heart melted. But I am here safely and the trip was mostly a piece of cake...except for the ****** who decided to attempt a U-turn on US 69 in Oklahoma...right in front of me...and he FAILED! Did I say, "******???"

glenn514

 

[Temptd2]

Geeez, Glenn, glad you survived the stupidity of that idiot.

I love that you are chronicling your trip here for us - now if only there were pictures too....

 

[beernbourbon]

Hey! That's right! You said you wanted to try out that new camera. [emoji6]

 

[glenn514]

Once I get the computerized photos figured out, and get a handle on where I need to put them so the program can find them, I will post shots. The new camera is performing far beyond my wildest dreams! It almost takes the photo BEFORE I point the lens!

glenn514

 

[unionrdr]

I have the Lexmark printer photo software saving the uploaded pics to " my pictures". It seems fine finding them there in photo albums dated to the day of upload. I can then click & drag or copy to other folders as I wish.

 

[glenn514]

Well, I had a bunch of pictures moved from the camera to this computer...but somehow or other, I deleted them, or they are hiding in a really good place. Guess I'll have to take more pictures!

glenn514

 

[glenn514]

Drove down to Bryan/College Station to visit my youngest daughter...the Ph.D. The trip was about 320 miles, round trip, but the speed limit for most of the drive was 75 mph. My Hyundai hums happily at 79 mph!

Anyway, Amanda and I had lunch at Madden's in old downtown Bryan...and a delicious lunch it was. Afterward, I took the SD card out of the camera and gave it to Amanda, asking her if she could attempt to open the images still on there and email them to me. This computer is convinced they have already been uploaded...which they were...so will NOT re-upload. We'll wait and see what she can do.

glenn514

 

[beernbourbon]

That's too funny Glenn. Cantankerous SD card only lets you offload pics once! Haha. Ah well, we can still enjoy your travels through the written word, you are very good at expressing yourself that way.

 

[glenn514]

Left my daughter and son-in-law's place about 815am this morning. Other than the typical slow-down from central Dallas to the near north side, my Hyundai just hummed along, and I am currently checked in to the lovely Drury Inn and Suites in Springfield, Missouri. On the way down, I found a stand-alone St. Arbuck's, and wanted to stop at it on the way back, but I couldn't remember the exit number! The THIRD try was a charm. Tomorrow? Home! And I sure do miss my co-driver.

glenn514

 

[rlmiller10]

I like the glasses clicking after you name. Hope we can see that more often.

Won't be long and that road time can be in the open air on your bike.

 

[Temptd2]

Left my daughter and son-in-law's place about 815am this morning. Other than the typical slow-down from central Dallas to the near north side, my Hyundai just hummed along, and I am currently checked in to the lovely Drury Inn and Suites in Springfield, Missouri. On the way down, I found a stand-alone St. Arbuck's, and wanted to stop at it on the way back, but I couldn't remember the exit number! The THIRD try was a charm. Tomorrow? Home! And I sure do miss my co-driver.

glenn514

Oh, she's still there - just riding on your shoulder now! :rockin:

Sounds like a wonderful trip. We stayed at the Drury in Denver some years back - what a nice place - and the freebie breakfast/happy hour was a big bonus.

 

[glenn514]

I neglected to post yesterday that I arrived home safely and soundly around 330pm. I intentionally went through downtown St. Louis on I-55, and it was a breeze, except for the ramp from I-44 to I-55. Quite a sharp turn!!!

Anyway, I am home, and spent the entire afternoon on hold for Social Security. The know Marie is dead...but that's the end of their knowledge! So, I now have a claim in process for survivor benefits.

And my Phat Tyre Amber clone with dinner was delicious!

glenn514

 

[actech]

St. Louis seems to b the easiest city to dive thru,unless cardinal game just letting out. takes longer to loop around on 270 than to drive right thru. Glad you had a safe trip

 

[Temptd2]

Welcome home - glad all went smoothly!

Ugh, social security, yeah THAT'S a fun way to spend an afternoon - NOT! nestar:

 

[glenn514]

Some photos.

The first is my daughter, Joy, with my granddaughter Lydia, age two. The second is of my daughter with newest grandson, Abel. The final phot is of shy Boaz, my oldest grandson. Cute kids!

glenn514

 

[glenn514]

On 26 December 2015, the Dallas, Texas area had some very severe weather. A twister started In my daughter and son-in-law's neighborhood, but fortunately did NO damage to their home. These photos were taken 1.5 blocks from their home. The concrete slabs used to be homes. Sad.

glenn514

 

[SupervisingChildren]

Cute pictures, and glad that your family is safe!

 

[Temptd2]

Oh, great pics, Glenn - thanks for sharing!

Yes, those photos of the aftermath of the twisters there are very sobering. And scary. Glad your family was not in the direct path.

Please keep posting about your adventures, whatever they may be - I love seeing what you are doing these days!