Archive for June, 2009
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Yes grandma Oddball and I are old enough to remember gas price wars. Real price wars not like these wimpy wars shown in the accompanying picture and in those days the wars included give aways like drinking glasses, free maps and restrooms. These gas stations are pikers compared to the prices we remember. When we lived in Idaho (1960s and 1970s) gas prices were typically $ .309/gallon (yes, just 30 cents/gallon!) and at the peak of the price wars the price dropped to $ .179/gallon (back then the 9/10 cent tax surcharge was actually a significant amount). Ah, the good old days when there was real competition not the pseudo-monopolistic situation we find ourselves facing today.
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The carnage from my last hospital visit continues. And it is a bit unsettling but I have no choice but to work through it. Grandma Oddball as laid down the law; I'm not allowed to die! An order that I take seriously. After all, getting the look while I'm alive is bad enough. I shutter to think of the consequences if I die. Besides her force of will has already retrieved me from death on more than one occasion. Who has the courage to buck that strength?
What happened? Well, a lot. (more...)
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Concentrating furiously on my therapy trying to recover after better than four years in hospitals and nursing homes I had no idea what was coming. The therapy was hard (for me) and I wasn't paying as much attention to my surroundings as I should have or I would have noticed the conversation ensuing between my wife and one of the therapists nearby. My first inkling to the unfolding drama was when I heard the words South Dakota and puddle drift my way. Glancing over I encountered THE LOOK (you happily married husbands know what that means) and it was then I knew what was coming.
read more about the look » -
"It's just a routine visit. Nothing to get excited or worried about, after all I'd been through this procedure countless times before." Serene in that thought I innocently prepared for the hospital visit. Stupid me!!!! I should have remembered that nothing is routine about my medical conditions. Sadder but hardly wiser and more than a thousand dollars poorer I'm finally home (once again) from the hospital and still fighting to recover from the latest setback.
It all started ... »
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That's a very good question and I had to think about it a bit before answering.
The quick answer is that nobody knows for sure. By aliens I am assuming you mean extraterrrestial intelligent (or sentient) beings. Not only are we not sure if aliens exist but nobody can even be sure that extraterrestial life exists elsewhere in the universe. We know that no higher forms of life exist in our solar system and, so far, we haven't found any other forms of life anywhere but here on Earth.
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Yup, that's what the sign said as Grandma Oddball drove by one of our local car dealerships. Almost as amusing was their reaction when Grandma Oddball called to inquire how much their used pus cost. After some confusion the phone went silent except for the voice of the receptionist fading away, "Oh dear, .....". An hour later when Grandma Oddball drove by the sign has been removed!
This is just one of many odd juxtapositions that we find amusing. Take the Vineyard Church near where we live.
see more odd signs »
