prune picker

This is the blog of a prune picker. (Native born Californian) Retired oilfield. I am an old man. I blog a lot about my body and getting old. As I approach death life gets more interesting. More interesting is not good. I still drive. I attend sports, music, and civic events. I am writing my memoirs. I attend swim class three times a week. Some of my blogs might be interesting. A lot of my blogs are silly and trivial. None are very long.

Monday, August 31, 2015

DNA and left hip replacement.

I am feeling guilty. Both of my darling daughters are having their left hip replaced within a month. This is most likely due to their DNA. My oldest daughter, Nancy, is almost 69. Her surgery is scheduled for September 10 in Irvine, California. My youngest daughter, Kerry, is almost 61. Her surgery will be scheduled soon in Louisiana.

Where did the DNA come from? Their Mother or me? Never mind, I feel guilty. I pray that both surgeries go smoothly and that Nancy and Kerry have a great recovery.


Nancy and Kerry when they were little girls. We did not know about the left hips then.


Nancy


Kerry

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Grandfather list.

The list below is of the paternal grandfathers of my children. The list was worked up for the enlightenment of one of my children, but all of my children and their children might be interested in the list.

I realize that most of the brains and talent comes down in the blood of the maternal grand parents, but I do not have that data readily available. I must apologize for the incomplete list.

Name
Relationship
Year born
Where born
Year died
Where died
Remarks
Charles Abner Monson
Grandfather
1881
Covington, KY
1957
Downey,
CA

James Mart Munson
Paternal  (Natural) Great  grandfather
1866
Bracken County, KY
1939
Covington, KY

Charles Morton Monson
Paternal (Adoptive) Great grandfather
1851
Nicholas, KY
1919
Alden, KS
James Mart and Charles Morton are brothers.
Abner L Monson
2nd great grandfather
1825
Harrison County, KY
1875
Pinhook, KY
Served several days in volunteer Calvary for Mexican War.
Joel Munson
3rd great grandfather
1791
Bourbon County, KY
1860
Harrison County, KY

Samuel Munson
4th great grandfather
1763
Rowan, NC
1833
Harrison County, KY
Died in a Cholera epidemic.
Samuel Munson
5th great grandfather
1717
New Haven, CT
1790
Fayette County, KY

Solomon Munson
6th great grandfather
1689
Wallingford, CT
1773
Morristown, NJ

Samuel Munson
7th great grandfather
1669
New Haven, CT
1741
Wallingford, CT

Samuel Munson
8th great grandfather
1643
New Haven, CT
1693
Wallingford, CT
Signed original founding document for Wallingford.
Thomas Munson
9th great grandfather
1612
Rattlesden, Suffolk, England
1685
New Haven, CT
Soldier in New England Indian Wars. Signed original founding document for New Haven. Heirs donated land that helped the founding of Yale.
John Munson
10th great grandfather
1571
Rattlesden, Suffolk, England
1650
Rattlesden, Suffolk, England

Richard Munson
11th great grandfather
1545
Rattlesden, Suffolk, England
1590
Rattlesden, Suffolk, England



The mystery of Patches's kittens, litter 2.

Last April/May Patches had a litter under the deck.

They were so much fun. During this time a big bite was taken out of Patches's leg. Also the white kitten disappeared. We found a home for the tabby.

Then a second blessed event. Patches gave birth to a litter late in July. We assumed that the kittens were under the deck. Patches showed up for food several times a day and to wrestle on my lap. I was like an expectant dad. Looking for kittens and calling them at the deck. Days went by. Four weeks old. No kittens. We noticed that Patches was up by the highway often. (litter across the highway?) Our place is about 150 feet from the highway. (heavily wooded). Across the street is about the same. It seems that Patches crosses the highway seven or eight times a day. She must eat at our place and feed her kittens across the street. She is on my porch at five am. She returns for food during the rest of the day.

I am a very frustrated expectant dad. Those kittens are at their peak of cuteness. I have not had even a glimpse! Cats that come out of the woods can be strange.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Nice (as usual) visit to Swartz today.

It was so good to see Rhonda. I noticed some new signs out front on the sign posts.


If you can not find it at Hart's Corner, you do not need it. Lunch today was red beans and rice. Delicious!


Pretty picture. Flowers and Prunepicker.


Much prettier picture. Flowers, Rhonda, and Prunepicker.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

My grandson in law, David Newberry, is now 44!

I went to the birthday party today in West Monroe which celebrated the 44th birthday of David. His delightful family members were all present. His wife Joy and sons Ethan, Ross, and Christian.



David did not want a cake. Joy's home made banana muffins were delicious.


David and Sons. Ross, Christian, and Ethan.


Prize present. 25 pound weights. David hopes that he will need 35 pound weights next year!



Recent picture of my grand daughter Lily.

Lily gets prettier every day. 22 year old coed at Fresno State. Am I proud of her? Nice lady.


Friday, August 21, 2015

Fancy steps to my old fifth wheel.

I am so proud of my new porch that I installed a concrete apron to the steps.


I picked up some pavers from Lowes.



Looks better, huh?


Gravel to concrete to steps. Fancy. Should reduce yard dirt tracked into the trailer.

I am getting carried away. Added do0or mat.



Thursday, August 20, 2015

Patches and the Prunepicker.

Patches and I are sweet on each other. Several times Patches has walked up the driveway to meet me if I park my car up at the road for a few minutes. Then she walks me down the driveway. She often meets me in the yard when I park. She then leads me to the gazebo where we pet and wrestle. I am trying to train her not to bite me. Ouch!






I have had two dogs, Lucky for 15 years, and Rex for three years. But that was 35 years ago. I have never had a cat. I really don't have a cat now. Patches has conditionally adopted me. She came out of the woods and moved into John and Kerry's yard.

She is on her second liter. I am anxious to see the new kittens. They are about four weeks old but have never been out from under the deck. A wet nipple review indicates that the liter is small. 2 or 3 kittens.

Patches has never let me pick her up. I can not touch her normally. She jumps onto my lap when she is ready. Lap time for months has always been in the gazebo. She would lead me there. Since I now have a covered porch (with a chair) I have been working on getting Patches to come on the porch and get on my lap. Tonight I succeeded!

I wonder if I can get her in the trailer.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

New life in the Koi Pond.

Some time last year John put some tiny turtles from Lake Bruin in the Koi Pond. One of the turtles has really grown. Here is a recent photo.


Interesting looking guy. He is sharing the Koi Pond with this frog.


And some Koi.







Incidentally the next milestone in my life is my 95th birthday. July 20, 2020. You are invited to the party. I sure hope you can make it. It is only 1797 days.

A guy needs some excitement in his life. I enjoyed the countdown to my 90th birthday. Now for the countdown to my 95th.





Saturday, August 15, 2015

Unionville Store Saturday Breakfast 8/15/2015.

Much Parish business looked into today. Several Police Jurymen. One candidate for Pariah Assessor showed up. Walter prepared his usual delicious breakfast featuring range fed eggs.






Richard makes a point with his hatchet.




Thursday, August 13, 2015

Gentle cynic.


My last blog quoted Eric Hofer's "The True Believer". The quote was:


Three types of persons are mentioned in the quote; (1) The religious fanatic, (2) the fanatical atheist, and (3) the gentile cynic.

Some of the people that I love are atheists. I thought that reading this quote might cause them to rethink their belief. I do not believe that we know enough to believe with certainty, in either God or no God.

The term gentle cynic caught my eye. I have looked up the definition of gentle and cynic. I believe that the term states my religious status.

I recently turned 90 years old. I have been exposed to the Christian message since the age of five. Many wonderful people have tutored me. I have read the Bible. I have studied the Bible. I have been well churched. I have even attended a Billy Graham rally. I have attended many classes and church retreats of several days. After 85 years of thought and study I am an unbeliever. I do not believe in the basic tenets of Christianity or any other religion. I am at peace with my religious status. I believe that I am as happy as one can reasonably expect.

My 85 years of religious study has left me with a strong affinity (love) for Christians and Christian music. I love gospel music. I am a bluegrass music fan. Bluegrass music is as often as not, Christian music. This does not bother me, one whit.

I pray. (a lot)

Monday, August 10, 2015

Some thoughts on religion.

I came across the following in The True Believer by Eric Hofer.

The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a God or not. The atheist is a religious person. He believes in atheism as though it was a new religion. He is an atheist with devoutness and unction.

Interesting. This statement agrees with my thoughts on the subject. Many atheists, that I have met, are true believers. Personally I find it difficult (impossible?) to be a true believer.




Sunday, August 9, 2015

Northeast Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society, Meeting of 8/9/2015

Our own Lourine Buff was the guest speaker. She gave a very entertaining and informative talk about her trip to the National Genealogical Society meeting in Saint Charles, Missouri. Made you wish you had gone.





Saturday, August 8, 2015

ARK-LA-TEX Genealogical Association. Seminar of 8-8-2015.

I attended this all day seminar in Shreveport and enjoyed it immensely. The one speaker was Charlie Gardes. He is a professional genealogist in Houston. He spoke at length on several topics. Including the Civil War and German Genealogy. His days work was received enthusiastically by some 70 people.


Charlie Gardes.


Charlie  and the Seminar Moderator Jim Johnson.


Whoops! I did not mean to be in this picture.


The enthusiastic seminar attendees.


Thursday, August 6, 2015

Rhonda remembers me!

I sure missed Rhonda while I was in the state of Washington for two weeks. Rhonda came into my life eight years ago when I started going to Jefferson Corner. John and I drove to Swartz to visit Rhonda and her Mom, Rosa today. They now run a convenience store (Harts Corner) in Swartz.

What do you know? Rhonda, remembered me.

She served John and I a wonderful meal. John said that it was so good that it was sinful.



Black-eyed peas, twice baked potato, pork chop, and brisket. Garlic bread and a delicious desert.



Rosa would not take any money. She sure is nice. Thank you Rosa. Our two meals were easily worth $30. She has pulled this on me before. I have to go to a system of not eating her food until she has put my money in her register.


I slipped in a selfie taken with a conventional camera.


John is resting after his wonderful meal.

Stop by for a good meal and a nice visit with the folks at Harts Corner.




Patches remembers me!

I left Patches (the cat who came out of the woods) for two weeks. She delivered kittens about a week before I got home. She recognized me and hopped up on my lap. I like that cat.










Ready for the countdown to the next milestone in my life? In 1,808 days I will be 95. Do I have 1,808 days in me?
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