Scary thoughts . . .

Probably not coherent but as I was swinging my life away on the back porch, which I love to do, I was thinking that between Google, Twitter, Facebook and all the other poppycock people are turning to for knowledge we are a dying Universe. It’s scary to me that perhaps no one takes the time to look at the sources of the materials they choose to read and believe! I really think that many people get their education through the media - all sorts of media. This is topsy-turvy. I am appalled that even the little ones in school watch and supposedly learn with videos. I’ve seen children acting out some of the ridiculous ideas that are portrayed and they think they’re so cute and cool. It’s not cute; it’s sad because they will never be able to interact with others if this is where they get most of their learning. I’ve seen Moms and Dads with kids in tow and the parents are so busy with their phones and apps they do not take time to make sure the children are careful and polite at all times. But they will stop and take photos of whatever shenanigans the kids are up to and post it right then and there while crossing the street! I know, I know I exaggerate a lot! I don’t think ‘polite’ exists any more - it seems to be noise, looking good so others will notice, making a big deal of yourself. Wow, how did we get so self-centered that we don’t realize it is happening to us? We accept the status quo. I think I would gladly help anyone who could turn off all screens on all of the gadgets in the world and make people listen, learn, love, appreciate what came before the computer age took over. I would keep the computers that work for us ie those that keep trains, planes, boats, hospitals, Doctors’ offices , policemen, firemen safe and those that regulate heat and cold in our homes and businesses but I think that would be it. We need people to work at being human again! ( Yes, it’s a rather crazy rant but perhaps I’ll be able to put what I’d like to say in a better way if I take the time to read some philosophy and just sit quietly in my porch swing and ponder. Getting away from idiot screens for a while would be a good start! )

It’s been a while . . .

It’s springtime in Louisiana - the neighborhood was out walking this evening and the younger kiddos were screeching their bike tires as they raced around the Circle. It was so good to be swinging away and listening to the kids having fun. I had already done my three turns walking around the neighborhood earlier in the afternoon. It feels so good to be out in the low humidity with blue skies and white clouds blowing by.

Saw a young woman at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Baton Rouge yesterday with the best haircut - a crew cut! Boy I am sorely tempted to go back to almost having my head shaved! Every curl I have ever had has come back with a vengeance. Not sure if it’s because I’m off of all antibiotics or just because my hair has finally gotten used to the soft water. In any case the waves are out of control. I have a haircut set for 10am tomorrow. We’ll see what Erica comes up with! She’s not too daring.

 I was amazed at the beautiful stained glass windows at the cathedral. They reminded me of the cathedrals in France and England. But it was odd that the front of the cathedral was absolutely plain and the cross and altar were off center! I really didn’t like that. I felt that there should have been a Rosetta above the altar. They also have a pipe organ and a wonderful choir. I was at the first service where the Bishop accepted the new converts into the church. The young friend I met last year at the Early Learning Center asked me to be her sponsor as she prepares to become a Catholic. It’s been quite a busy time but well worth the joy we’ve had in the journey! There was a second service later in the afternoon as there were many converts. I was taken by surprise. There were 198 candidates and each one of them had at least three people accompanying them plus all the helpers and musicians. It was a moving ceremony. I do believe that there is great art to be found in churches, synagogues and mosques. A friend from my Killingly days has just returned from Jerusalem and environs. The photos and videos she shared with us were wonderful.

Wow! So far so good . . .

Can’t believe I’ve almost got the  Christmas Tree up - it’s a southern thing, I think. Thanksgiving Day people on our street were putting up their outdoor displays! Our southern Granddaughter is coming Sunday with her two kiddos, maybe three! and I want to make sure it looks a little like Christmas. I have way too many decorations so I’ll let the kids take some home if they like them. I’ve got to pare down the stuff we’ve accumulated over the years. I also have younger daughter’s decorations which are really dolls from the Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland so maybe they’ll find something they like.

P&D’s Pop decided we should go to lunch at The Francis in St. Francisville on this coldish wet not desirable Wednesday but when we got there it was packed so we went to The  Birdman Café for lunch. Well, horrors, my favorite breakfast place in the whole wide world doesn’t serve lunch! The cook leaves at 11am for the Magnolia to cook! Holy shitski. But it worked out okay because The Birdman is open until 2pm for coffee and homemade cookies! So we had a great sweet lunch and I now know how my favorite breakfast place works. When we got home I winter proofed my  Blue Sky Vine which P&D’s Pop had transplanted to the corner of the property near the little white shed. I hope it survives the winter weather which is in store for us the rest of this week. I also bagged my three ginger plants and put the rest of the pots on the back porch. If I lose them it’ll be okay just don’t want to lose the Thumbergia. Well it’s time to get back to the tree. Over and out.

Oy vey . . . just bought a new furnace . . .

We didn’t see that coming but it does make sense. The One Hour service tech came today to check out our furnace and make sure it is ready for Winter. He found a crack in the heat exchange, I think that’s it, and that means there is carbon monoxide circulating around. Not good. He called in a more senior tech to make sure he was right. Before he left he made sure the gas to the furnace was turned off. The second technician came at supper time and agreed that we had a problem. He tested for carbon monoxide and had all of the figures. They actually have a video of the flames not acting properly so of course he also made sure the gas is turned off to the furnace. The men will be coming tomorrow morning to install the new one. The furnace we have now is a 1994 model and was warranteed for 20 years! I guess this house, built in 1996, has gotten its money’s worth. I hope we don’t end up with too much of a mess. But we’ll be glad to get it done - was not expecting the expense but it is certainly something we must do. I find it scary to even think about it.

All things considered . . . a rather amazing day . . .

Went into Baton Rouge this morning without even using a GPS! I continue to amaze myself. I went to the audiologist to have my new ears tweaked and I’d say it was a worthwhile endeavor because she was able to tone down the background noises and also lower the normal setting just a bit. So far I like it better. I’m still within the 30 day period if I change my mind about getting them but I don’t see that happening. I’m getting pretty used to them and like them. It does take some getting used to but I’m making myself wear them every day, all day and I’m trying to not have to change them at all. I don’t like playing around with them; just set and go!

After getting the bionics tweaked I stopped at Batch 13 for a good strong cup of coffee and a freshly made blueberry bonut. Wow, that was good. I even decided to bring P&D’s Pop a little snack - two cinnamon bonuts. I was so proud of myself and when I gave them to him he immediately shook the cinnamon sugar off of them! No more goodies for him - he doesn’t know what’s good.

After taking my walk I decided to wash down the back porch and carport - they get pretty dirty from the wind blowing dirt around. That is a big job but P&D’s Pop came to the rescue and it looks really good. He also fixed a leak in the porch roof with some flashing material. Not quite sure why it leaked but it seems the caulking used to seal the carport roof with the added on porch roof dried up and left gaps for the rain to pour in. I think tomorrow I’ll attack the outside of the garage because there is some green moldy stuff especially on the back of it where it doesn’t get much sun. Not sure where all of this energy comes from but it’s good to get stuff done. Probably the fact that Fall is here and cooler weather helps!

On top of all that we finally are all straightened out with ADT! Cool beansies.

The latest and hopefully the last blurb about ADT . . .

The latest young man who came today had been here before; I don't recall when but he knew we were from up North and remembered us having a son down here. And . . . I think he really did figure out what was wrong with the system. It seems the men who put it in never removed a magnet from the old system that was here when we bought the house. The magnet was in a hole which had been drilled from the top of the back door down quite a ways. He got on a ladder and drilled down as P&D's Pop watched he brought out a magnet that was interfering with the proper alignment of the magnets the original men had installed back in February 2016. Yup - I think we're all set. I'm still mad at the original men who came here and didn't use the old system to set the alarm.  Instead they decided we needed the new system and it's pretty obvious they didn't know what they were dealing with. We shall see. I hope this is finally right. If it is I'll probably keep the system as the lady manager I spoke with yesterday has given us two free months and lowered the bill too! Phew. It's tough all over.

This morning we went to the park and the men were in the process of taking down my Red-headed Woodpecker's favorite tree. I told them I was heart broken but the man in charge explained there was no nest in the dead tree and with all the kids coming for Halloween treats this weekend they were afraid to let it stay up and wait for it to fall.  He also showed me the tree he says the Woodpecker is using to build a nest.  I told him I didn't trust him and I wouldn't let him know what dead trees and branches I photograph!

Just cooling off . . . blood pressure coming down . . .

Don't even know where to begin - we are still having problems with ADT the security company. It goes back to last year when I wanted the system that was already set up in the house to be activated. I never realized that the two men who came here were not really from ADT. They explained that they were going to put in a different system from what was already here as they couldn't use what was installed blah, blah, blah . . . Needless to say we've have difficulties and because I signed a contract on the technician's iPad where he was actually tapping the screen for me we are stuck. To shorten this diatribe suffice it to say that after two sets of letters explaining all of the problems have been sent to  corporate in Colorado,one last March and one last week, we're still having problems. I called a number I found on line for ADT that didn't look like their usual number where you rarely can get a person unless you want to buy a new system.For the second time in two weeks I explained I wanted out of the contract and she got me in touch with another lady. The second lady seemed nice but couldn't find our contract so I waited patiently as she fumbled around and when she came back she said she had it. So I asked her to make sure the certified letter some one from ADT  Corporate in Aurora, CO had signed for yesterday was in my records. She said she would look and proceeded to hang up on me. Just as I thought I was getting somewhere! So I called the same number I had found on line and this time a youngish sounding man spoke with me. I explained all that had happened and he said over and over again that I had signed the contract and no one would let me cancel it with out paying 70% of the balance. I also asked why my bill had gone up $3 and he said it was in the contract that after a year they can raise your rates. As I became more and more upset and he just kept repeating the same thing even stating that a manager would not allow me to break the contract without paying the 70% which would be about $450 he said, exasperated "What do you want me to do?" I told him to get me the CEO! He said he couldn't do that. So I told him okay then get me a manager. He did. And I'm pleased to say that Miss Betty was on top of everything - she took the extra $3 a month off of the bill; she took the $3.00 a month we were paying for the fob we were told not to use ( the men who put in the system said they had given it to me!) She knew that we had a technician coming out tomorrow between noon and five so she asked me to give them one more try and if I wanted to I could call her next week when she'll be back in the office and cancel the contract at no extra cost to me. Phew - she also explained that she was giving me two months credit so I could keep the system for another two months at no charge and then cancel it! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get anything done when you know that a company has not fulfilled their contract? It's a miracle when you can even get someone on the phone who has any clout what so ever in the company. So we'll see what happens next. There's still a part of me that wants the system working but I'm so pissed off that I may just call it quits. That's it for now.