Gracie and Me: Covid-19 #72

     They're metal detectors and they're beeping all over Randals Corner. I stopped swimming at the beach 45-years ago this month. And, I did something today that I felt needed to be done, but I handled it the wrong way.

The Davis Diggers/Randals Corner, Snyder TX

     Michael, Mike and Richard Davis are self proclaimed 'Metal Detectors.' They put on all their garb and go from property to property looking for treasure. Left to right, they are son, father and uncle and they came out to our family's old homestead of Randals Corner this past Saturday.

Tools of the Trade

Tools of the Trade

     Their gear includes not only the familiar metal detector, but also a hand-held wand to precisely locate the possible treasure and a very long looking knife to fluff up the soil. I guess they spend a lot of time on their hands and knees because each of them wore some pretty heavy-duty knee pads.
     On this day, their Randals Corner treasure amounted to a few coins, including a 1964 penny, but not much else. Still, they're not giving up. To learn more about the Davis Diggers, check out a recent article in the Snyder News, https://www.thesnydernews.com/.

"Jaws"/Summer of 1975

     I haven't gone into the ocean any deeper than my knees in 45-years. I sure haven't gone deep sea fishing. I've even told my kids (now all grown) that if a shark comes...  Swim faster! Good luck because I'm staying on the beach!
     "Jaws" came out 45-years ago. We were vacationing on the beach near Pensacola. It was raining. We went to the movies. We saw "Jaws." Bad, bad, bad, very bad thing to do!!!!

     And, I put on my JERK outfit today at the grocery store. I scolded not one, but two young employees for not correctly wearing their masks. The store makes employees wear them, but most of the kids don't wear them over their nose. I was having a pretty bad Monday and barked at them. No excuse. I should have framed my frustration in a much more constructive way. To Jonathon Farmer and Matt Hale, our United Market managers, if you'd like me to come & personally apologize to those two, always helpful team members I certainly will.

     Diet Update: I kinda snacked on Triscuits dipped in Ken's Chunky Bleu Cheese Dressing. Scale said... GOTCHA!
     Gracie Update: Best dog ever!

     The Word of the Day: Gyre.... Verb... Definition: whirl or gyrate.... Sentence: "A swarm of ghosts gyred around him." That's a really stupid sentence. Sorry, but it's what they gave me.

Bill Robertson (6/29/20,) "Hooper! Quit playing with yourself and turn the boat around." My favorite line from the 1975 classic "Jaws."

Gracie and Me: Covid-19 #71

     Wanna see a make you 'stop and look' type of sight? Read on and I'll show you something that's not only very pretty, but also mother nature organized into dozens of rows and intersections and all of them at perfect right angles. But first, a grasshopper jumped up shorts and made we wiggle a bit.

My Trusty Husqvarna/Windmill Ranch Preserve

     This is definitely the Year of the Grasshoppers, at least it is in Scurry County, home of Snyder, Texas, the unofficial "Paradise on the Plains." I had to keep my mouth shut today while mowing, otherwise I'm sure one of the hundreds of grasshoppers would have jumped in. One did jump ahead of my trusty, orangish Husqvarna and landed inside my shorts, pants leg.

The Year of the Grasshopper/Windmill Ranch Preserve

      So what do you do when a chartreuse grasshopper jumps inside your pants while your mowing? You keep mowing and start wiggling all the while hoping the grasshopper will go toward the light. And, it did.

Near Roscoe, Texas

     Here's the make you 'stop and look' sight that I wanted to show you. It's a sunflower field planted on the northeast intersection of Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 180, about 10-miles west of Sweetwater.

Sunflowers @ 1:15pm, June 26, 2020

     T & I spotted it today on our way to get a couple great, Schlotzky sandwiches. We ate in the car while weaving our way from county road to county road to find these well manicured beauties.

A Stop and Look Sight/Nolan County, Texas

     If you're in the area, the easiest route is to take the county road going east out of Roscoe. The flower field is just after going under the Highway 180 overpass. It really is a peaceful sight.

     Diet Update: Small "Original" with Salt n' Vinegar chips today. So good.
     Gracie Update: Sleepy in this heat.

    

Orthoptera Caelifera/Windmill Ranch Preserve

The Word of the Day: Orthoptera Caelifera. Noun. "The Orthoptera Caelifera can leap 10-times their own body length. Today, an Orthoptera Caelifera didn't make it that far when it leaped into my pants causing quite my surprised wiggle."

Bill Robertson (6/26/20,) Wear your mask. Otherwise, you'll be home-schooling your kids again this fall.

Gracie and Me: Covid-19 #70

     Blog #70 needs something good and I think I found it, right here Snyder, America. Turns out that an old, new place is just the place to meet friends, wet your whistle, crack some ivory or dance the night away. That new, old place is the old Western Auto Store on the East side of Snyder's historic square.

The Horny Toad/Snyder, TX

     The new Horny Toad Pub & Grub is open and ready for y'all to come through its very historic front door(s.)

The Horny Toad/Snyder, Tx

     First of all, you'd have to be from Snyder to know that the new "Toad," as it's called in our rural-plex, is now in the old, tired but very much appreciated Western Auto building. In fact, the bar's in the old Lawn & Garden section. The Kid Rock stage once housed refrigerators, freezers, stoves and washer and dryers. The 'Garage,' as owners Suzann and Robert Swiney call it, really was the garage... Hot, steamy, smelly but perfect for a Western Auto.
     The Swineys moved 'The Toad' less than 30-feet from its original site, but made 1,000 miles of renovations and adjustments. The rooms, decorations, stage, walls and back patio all come with a story. So, sit back for a few more minutes, Pop open your beverage of choice. I'm tell you a few.
     Of course, the cool bar with the industrial lighting is a perfect past and present mixture that says "C'mon in," but when I looked closer....

History for the Viewing/The Horny Toad, Snyder, TX

     Take a close look at this wall. See the lathe work exposed in the plaster?  Crews came across that in their work. The Swineys, upon the advice of the one and only Alex Cross, decided to cover the wall with giant plexiglass but leave the exposed lathe work so we can all see the original style of  construction, dating back at least to the early 1920s.

The Kid Rock Stage/The Horny Toad, Snyder, TX

     Here's the "Kid Rock" stage story. I'm sorry the picture's so dark. The story goes: Suzann and Robert were in Nashville at a Kid Rock concert. He was performing on this style of stage. It's hard to see but the drummer's area is higher than the others. Suzann said to Robert, "One day I want a stage like that." So, Robert built her a "Kid Rock Stage."

History Everywhere/The Horny Toad, Snyder, TX

     See the license plates on the floor. They're not going anywhere because they're covering up where old gas lines once came through the floor.... Which, by the way, is mostly original.

The Horny Toad Garage

     And if you want semi-outdoor relaxation, you gotta check out the "Toad Garage."
     "The Toad" is open. They are ENFORCING SOCIAL DISTANCING and very aware of the rules. They open at 3:00pm. Bar keep! Drinks for everyone!

     Diet Update: Moving, walking is key.
     Gracie Update: The more we walk, the more she likes our diet.

     The Word of the Day: Plain Ole Cool.... Three words that describe the new "Toad" in Snyder, America.

Bill Robertson, (6/24/20,) I didn't get a good picture, but they have GREAT restrooms. Good job Suzann and Robert.

Gracie and Me: Covid-19 #69

     Murphy's Law tried to crash our anniversary weekend, but our preacher's message saved the day and when you lose 30-pounds something, somewhere is gonna change.
     It felt like we were cursed from the night before our big 10th Anniversary weekend. The electricity went out at our house on a hot, steamy night. It was bad and sweaty. I broke a vase trying to close a window, but we prevailed albeit with very few hours of sleep.

Uncle Chiens/Lubbock, TX

     Our original plan was Hawaii or maybe Washington, DC. But with Covid, we settled on Lubbock but with lots to eat. Diet be damned. We were going all out.
     Our menus included Chinese from Uncle Cheins with a picnic in the park. Turns out, none of Lubbock parks have a bench much less a picnic table. So, I had beef and broccoli and steamed dumplings while T had Chicken Fried Rice and a Pork Eggroll in our car. It wasn't our plan, but it was absolutely fine and believe it or not, I didn't spill anything on me.

#322 & Its Weeping Toilet

     Next stop was our romantic getaway and that's where Murphy's Law began to flex its muscle. Check-in was great and room #322 was great or at least we thought. Turns out #322's potty wasn't a good flusher. We found that out very fast.

Perfect Afternoon

     No worries. We headed downstairs, reported the issue and took off on our day. We got as far as the hotel patio and settled in (no judging please.) Our view was nice. Our visit was great.

Wedding Party

And, we even met the groom from a small wedding party.
     Once we were cleared to return to good ole room #322, we got dressed up for our special dinner at the hotel's Four Star restaurant. We had reservations at 7:30.

     The first fly in the ointment became glaringly obvious at our 'getting ready' time. I've lost 30-pounds.

Big Clothes/Great Shoes!

None of my 'nice clothes' fit. You can't tell from this picture, but my pants are literally synched around my chest and my custom made "White Buffalo Wear" shirt is big enough for me, you and your friend. But, I love the shoes! We laughed and laughed and laughed.

Have a Lil' Salt with Your Spinach

     My dinner was almost inedible, but the conversation was as near perfect as I could ever have hoped. T like her Shrimp Scampi. I enjoyed my Filet with Bernaise, but my spinach had enough salt to clog my arteries, your arteries and your friend's arteries. I couldn't eat it and I love spinach!!! Dessert was out of box, but who cares when your eating chocolate, pecan pie in bed while watching a good movie. And then at approximately 1:39am...…… Trouble and trouble with a capital T.

Standing in Toilet Water/At least It's Clear :)

     Teresa: "Bill. Bill! BILL! THE TOILET'S OVERFLOWING!!!"
     Me: "What?"
     Teresa: "Wake up! The toilet's overflowing."
     Me: "C'mon. Really?"
     Teresa: "Yes! Really!!"
     Me: "What should we do?"
   
     Long story short is, I call the front desk and a very young woman answers...

     Very Young Sounding Front Desk Clerk: "Front desk, may I help you."
     Me: "Um, hi. We're the Robertsons. We're in 322 and our toilet is overflowing."
     Very Young Sounding Front Desk Clerk: "Um, okay, um, okay... I'm sorry. What can I do?"

     Again, the long story short is: The young woman herself brought us a luggage cart and helped us move from #322 to #328. We were fine until approximately 2:45am...

     Teresa: "Bill. Bill. Wake up."
     Me: "What?"
     Teresa: "This toilet won't stop running. It's started back up five times."
     Me: "No way. Tell me it flushes."
     Teresa: "Yep. It does. You just gotta jiggle the handle. So, when you get up tonight.. jiggle the handle."

Five Guys/Love, Love, Love It!

     We woke up the next morning. We weren't made. We channeled our preacher's message: It's all how you frame things." So, we decided to frame things with some carbohydrates.
     We had an Everything Bagel slathered in cream cheese from 'Einstein's Bagels.' It was arguably the best meal in the last six weeks. Then, we had burgers and fries from 'Five Guys.' It was the first time since February for either of us to eat French Fries. Then, we went to 'Men's Wearhouse' and that's where the ole diet showed its results.

     Me (walking into Men's Wearhouse): "Hi. I'm here because ya'll measured me for a tux a few months ago for my son's wedding, but I've been on a diet. We're thinking I should get re-measured."
     Men's Wearhouse Measurer Person: "Okay. Step over here."
     Me: "Yeah, I've lost about 30-35 pounds. Thought we better check."
     Men's Wearhouse Measurer Person: "Okay. Let's measure your neck first. Oh, WOW! Let's start from the beginning."

     Turns out, I'm down three sizes at least at Men's Wearhouse.

     Diet Update: See above.
     Gracie Update: We kenneled here while in Lubbock. Her suite mate was a GIANT Great Dane named Chico and now they're great friends.

     Word of the Day: DUBIOUS... Adjective... Hesitating or doubting... "Alex looked dubious, but agreed." (I don't think that's correct.)

Bill Robertson (6/23/20,)  We had a GREAT ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND. Thank you Doll. I love you like a great surprise everyday.

Gracie and Me: Covid-19 #68

     Smoked salsa.. Say it with me. Smoked salsa. It turned out as good as it sounds. I borrowed a recipe from Smoke-Master Rod Partain and WOW. I'm so pleased with it. T thinks it's a little hot, but she says she likes it. Also, we've had the summer of just about everything out here. This summer it's all about Grasshoppers! And, Gracie pooped in the wrong place.

Smoked Sala Ingredients on the GMG

     Rod's been bragging out this Smoked Salsa for weeks. He even sent me a picture of his wife, Stephanie eating out of the blender. But, I better not show it because I'm pretty sure she's wearing her pajamas.

Smoked and Ready/Windmill Ranch Preserve

     The recipe is:           Two pounds tomatoes (I used big ones-Rod used Roma)
                                      Two onions (I used big white ones)
                                      One Poblano Pepper
                                      Three Jalapenos
                                      One clove of garlic
                                      Smoke at 200-degrees for two hours
                                      Mix well in a blender or Cuisinart
                                      Add salt, pepper, brown sugar and any other spice to taste
                                      Cool and enjoy!

Windmill Ranch Smoked Salsa

     The finished product has the consistency of a very chunky salsa. Two of the jalapenos is enough to add a strong, zesty kick.

The Summer of the Grasshoppers/Scurry Co. TX

     Now to the bugs. Grasshoppers, and LOTS OF THEM. Every summer, it's something out here.
     We've had the summer of wasps (not as bad as you might think,) summer of moths (much louder than you might think) and the summer of the rats (that was pretty ugly.)
     This year, it's all about grasshoppers. They're outside. They're inside. When you walk, they jump around in front of you. They're chartreuse green or speckled brown. They're about half an inch big, but up to more than an inch long. They're not dangerous, scary or gross in any way. They're just everywhere!

     Diet Update: My excellent Smoked Salsa has very little bad stuff in it. So, I'm putting it on everything from fresh vegetables to my world famous Frittata.
     Gracie Update: (Probably TMI alert) We snuck out for a very early nine holes this morning. Gracie jumped out of my truck and immediately pooped in the parking lot. It wasn't just in the parking lot. It was in the space of arguably the most influential woman in Snyder and absolutely the most influential woman at the golf course.
      I didn't pick it up right away because it was so early. I figured that I had plenty of time before any golfers started to show up. Well, I was wrong. This aforementioned, influential golfer pulled in about 15-minutes later. The bottom line is: She came within inches of a dog poop golf shoe and she wasn't too happy about it. I picked up the poop and Gracie and me left the course.

Bill Robertson (6/16/20,) The good news is, Gracie had healthy looking poop. That's big for an animal in the country. Actually, it's good for all of us. Again, that's probably Too Much Information. Cya.

   

Gracie and Me: Covid-19 #67

     I learned a new language today thanks to Frank Garcia at Marricle Well Service here in Snyder, America. The new language is called 'Well' talk. That is Water Well Talk and for me, it's harder than conquering Latin, Greek and Chinese all put together.

Watering at The Windmill Ranch Preserve

     It's simple watering your lawn in the city. You turn on the hose bib and VIOLA!! You get water and usually water with good pressure. It's not so easy in the country life. Pressure like the type we're getting from this tri-pod sprinkler is about a five-step process and if one step is bad... they're all bad. The absolute worst part is... The root of the trouble is usually in the dreaded Well House.

WRP Well House/Scurry Co., TX

     This is our Well House. I hate it. Honestly, I'm a little scared of it. I'm scared because it's The Hilton Hotel for every spider, mouse, rat and rattlesnake on the property and with good reason. It's dark, dank and cool. I'd check-in if I were one of those critters. But, I'm not. I'm a human and it freaks me out.

Would You Go in Here?/Well House, WRP

     Turns out my 'pressure tank' was lacking, lacking pressure that is. Unfortunately, I didn't know that until I spent about an hour going round and round with at least five different valves, walking back and forth to faucets to check pressure. That's when I threw in the towel and called Frank with Marricle Well Service in Snyder, America.
     Me calling Frank: "Pick up, pick up, PLEASE pick up." Finally, the voice of hope, Frank Garcia with Marricle Well Service in Snyder, America.
   
     Me: "Frank, something's amuck with our well... AGAIN!"
     Frank: "What's it doing?"
     Me: "Sprinkler started, almost immediately cut off, motor in well house is off & won't pressure up."
     Frank: "Sounds like your pressure tank needs air. But first, is there water in the holding tank. Oh yeah, you have a cut off valve. Turn that."
     Me: "Um, okay. What?"
     Frank: "First open all valves, shut off the motor and then empty the pressure tank."
     Me: "The faucets?"

Faucet or Valve/WRP, Scurry Co., TX

     Frank: "Yes, those are called valves."
     Me: "Oh. Where do I shut off the motor and how do I empty the pressure tank?"

     I could keep writing because Frank took more than one of my calls today and talked me off the ledge at least twice. The great news is, I'm looking out the window right now and the tripod sprinkler that was working great when I started writing this blog is still working great. Thanks Frank! (with Marricle Well Service in Snyder, America)

     Diet Update: The fun weekend with the grands put on four pounds. I'm pretty sure it's gone now after walking back and forth to that dreaded well house.
     Gracie Update: She walked with me to the well house for the first couple times. Then, I'm pretty sure she said "Knock yourself out buddy. I'm staying in the shade."

     The Word of the Day is: PYRRHIC (pier-ick, adjective) Won at too great a cost to be worthwhile for the victor. Odds of me using it in a sentence.... 75%

Bill Robertson (6/15/20,) I didn't include a PYRRHIC sentence bc all the examples online were too complicated or long and I was tired of typing.
   

Gracie and Me: Covid-19 #66

     A science experiment, world famous ribs and a pretty big mess in the ranch kitchen top today's blog.

Cruisin' w/ Carson, Halli & Gracie/Windmill Ranch

     Covid-19's wreaked havoc on our family events. Son Joe and fiancé Sharon had to postpone their April wedding til November. Son Jack and daughter in law Allison had to cancel a spring visit. We missed two birthdays and an anniversary at the Cody Wall house. But, we're kind of getting our pre-Covid-19 groove back, But still, we're not letting down our guard.

Carson, The Sous Chef/Windmill Ranch

     Step-daughter Ashton's in town with her kids, Carson and Avery. Add those two with Cody and Kayci's kids, Jet, Halli & Tillie and we got fun with a capital F and busy with a capital B.

Halli & Carson/Smokin' Ribs

     Our 'big picture' event of the day was making a feast. Carson and Halli both volunteered to be my sous chefs. We made "Rod Partain's World Famous Spareribs." By day, Rod's a CPA. By any other time, he's King of the Meats.

Halli, The Mad Scientist/Windmill Ranch

     Other events included a couple of experiments like how long does it take ice to melt. We put one cupful in the sun and another in the shade. We started at 12:27 at 88-degrees. That's as far as we got. The kids forgot and the cup in the sun blew over. Next, Halli just wanted to "mix stuff" and she did. That concoction is just about every spice in the ranch collection with a healthy dose of my unsalted peanuts.
     Now, we're all in quiet-be still mode. I pretty sure it won't last too long.

Avery & Jet/Windmill Ranch Preserve

     Diet Update: I'm wondering how many of "Rod Partain's World Famous Spareribs" I can eat.
     Gracie Update: She's wiped out too. She's getting more little people attention than she ever thought possible. Lots of little ones at just her eye level.

     The Word of the Day is: LUSH. Definition: (of vegetation) growing luxuriantly. Sentence: "Lush greenery and cultivated fields." Odds of me using in this definition... 65%.

Bill Robertson (6/11/20,) LUSH, drunk, sloshed, wasted. Sentence: "Geez, don't be such a lush." Odds of me using in this definition... 100%
   
   

Gracie and Me: Covid-19 #65

     The grands came over today We ate popsicles and watched some very "Old School Cartoons' and they loved 'em. We watched "Droopy the Dog" (1943,) "Tom & Jerry" (1940) and "Bugs Bunny" (1940.)

Old School Cartoons/Tom and Jerry

     Just like I remembered, there was undivided attention and almost complete silence except for a laugh or two. I'm pushing 60, but watching a cat chase a mouse or hearing Mel Blanc's voice opened a floodgate of innocent memories.

The Buckskin Bill Show/Baton Rouge, LA

     I tell people, "I'm from Snyder, but grew up in Baton Rouge and came back to Snyder in 2005." So my younger, cartoon years were all in Louisiana's capitol city and we had the best after school cartoon show. It was simply "Buckskin Bill."
     Every afternoon, I'd plop down in the den, manually turn on the TV to Channel 9 and watch Buckskin Bill. He had a live audience and lots of cartoons. To this day, probably 45-years later, I still remember his daily, sign-off phrase... "You're Never Completely Dressed Until You Put on a Smile."

Gilligan's Island/A Three Hour Tour

     I don't think I out grew Buckskin, but I suppose my after school TV show tastes changed around the eighth grade. That's when I became a loyal "Gilligan's Island" fan. Every day at 3:30 I was in front of the TV watching Gilligan and usually with a bologna sandwich on white with LOTS OF MUSTARD! After Gilligan, I'd cross the street to David Presley's house to play some basketball. I found out many years later that David's mother hated it that I usually came with a handful of Oreos to top off the bologna sandwich. Good times!

     Diet Update: Gotta keep moving. Gained a pound.
     Gracie Update: Grands or no Grands, she's sacked out under the table by the air vents to stay cool.

     The Word of the Day: Zippy. Definition: Bright, Fresh or Lively. Odds of using it in a sentence.. 50%

Bill Robertson (6/10/20,) First, I was very disappointed in today's Word of the Day. Second, it's my nephew Zach's second wedding anniversary. Congratulation to Zach & Nadia Richmond.
   
   
   

Gracie and Me: Covid-19 #64

    I'm full of hot air today, I'm an excellent label reader, I wonder if product placement in our stores leads to our country's growing waist lines and KUDOS to a pair of  progressive pastors in Snyder.

Windy & Hazy/Snyder, TX

     We had one of those really rattle my cage kind of days today in Snyder, America. The wind started blowing out of the north before the sun came up and the dirt came with it.The picture doesn't do it justice-not even a little bit.

     We get these days a lot in the spring when a dirty haze seems to hover. I guess June 9th is technically Spring, but it's definitely a late spring, hazy day. The thing is; the warm to hot haze seems to create a mood. At least, it creates a mood for me.

     I'll be honest. It gives me a headache. The headache makes me irritable. The irritability makes me snappy and no one likes a snappy kinda guy. The flip side is, it's only 85ish today. So if I take my normally joyful self, subtract  my irritability, but add back my comfortability it's what we'd call a PUSH in the game of Blackjack.

Reading Labels/Unsalted Peanuts

     Our new diet has me reading food labels and I'm getting very good at it. But, I'm wondering. Is it my imagination or is the healthier stuff only on the top and bottom shelves while the 'Bad for You' stuff is at eye level? Hmmm? Is it a conspiracy by Big Brother Food Producers (BBFPs) to fatten America? 😂😂 

     I had a craving for peanuts today at the store (Aisle 8/northside/east end, just before the jerky but after the Gardettos, of course walking east down the aisle.)  I wanted unsalted peanuts because sodium is bad. The whole section is nuts... Big ones, lil' ones, honey roasted, Siracha flavored. All I wanted was some unsalted peanuts. Guess where I found them. The absolute bottom row. I've lost 35 pounds as of this morning. There was a time, and not so long ago, that if I had to get on my knees to get anything edible I would have reached only for the middle (fatty) shelf and taken my chances. Conspiracy? Possibly.

Tony Wofford & Reid Johnson/W.I.L.D. Church & Colonial Hill

     Kudos to two Snyder Pastors. They took their online Sunday services and teamed-up to address the murder of George Floyd and the tidal wave of anger, but enlightenment sweeping across America. 

     Tony Wafford and Reid Johnson used their messages to deviate from probably a previously planned sermon to address the biggest, most out of control, absolutely necessary to talk about elephant in Snyder and the country's living room.

     Tony's (L) our city's Mayor and Pastor at The Word is Life Deliverance Church. Reid (R) is the Pastor at Colonial Hill Baptist Church. The two men held an open dialogue and opened up their hearts and positions for all to see. Kudos men. Thank you. Folks, it's very simple. It's called The Golden Rule. It's not brain surgery!

    Diet Update: 35-pounds!!!

    Gracie Update: I forgot to close her kennel or 'basket,' as grand-daughter Tillie calls it, today while T & I went to town. We came home and she was just laying in the living room. The 64-thousand dollar question is: What'd she do while we were gone? Did she check out the garbage? Did she drink out of the toilet? Did she go upstairs? We'll never know because right now, she's not talking.

Bill Robertson (6/09/20,) Advil fixed my headache, I felt good that I could get off my knees after hunting for the healthier peanuts and I walked away from Tony & Reid's message more hopeful than when I started Sunday. It's all about how we frame our day.

Gracie and Me: Covid-19 #63

     We golfed today with my niece and nephew. It was a surprise for them and the whole time I was thinking, 'Wow, it's crazy how much my 16 year old nephew looks like my 25 year old son."

Luke Mummert/Scurry County Golf Course, June, 2020

     We played by the rules. Not the golf rules but our county's C-19 rules. Teresa and I rode in one cart because we live together... Duh. Mercy and Luke, my niece and nephew, rode in their own cart because they live together (Duh-er) in Albuquerque.
     We had a GREAT time. We'd told the kids they were coming to the ranch to do some chores while in Snyder, but surprised them with an early, morning nine holes.

#5, Par-3/Scurry County Golf Course

     And all morning long, I kept looking at my nephew, Luke Mummert, and thinking "Dang, he looks just like my youngest son, Joe." Every bit of him looks like Joe. I knew that I was playing with my nephew, but vicariously I felt that I was also enjoying time with my son. It made for a really good morning.
     Just like Luke, my 18-year-old niece Mercy is an absolute natural and crazy coachable. I'd say do this and BAM, she's do it. The best part was that my 'hacker advice' actually worked and made her happy.
     The picture below shows her putting.  It's Hole#8. It's a par five and over water to an elevated green. Her putt is the result of a 125-yard shot... OVER WATER!!!!!

#8, Par-5/Scurry County Golf Course

     I'm teaching her to Plumb-Bob. That means she's closing one eye, lining up the putter behind the ball and in line with the flag. If the flag is to the right, then putt to the left and visa versa. It's called "the read." Best new is... She followed her Plumb Bob and left her 20-foot point less than 18-inches from the hole. I told you. She's coachable. In fact, she's off to Hardin Simmons this fall on scholarship to play soccer for the fighting Cowgirls!

#4-Par 4/Scurry County Golf Course

     Bottom line is.. We had a great time. We started early. The course is in great shape. The staff couldn't have been more accommodating and we left the course record for another day.

     The Word of the Day is an Old Golf Phrase: "The most important shot in golf is the next one, " Ben Hogan. Odds of me using it.... EVERY TIME I PLAY!

    Diet Update: Air Fryer Fried Shrimp tonight.... Details to follow
    Gracie Update: She's absolutely wiped out after playing today. She's never played with teenagers and they wore her out. PTL.

Bill Robertson (6/5/20,) I have a new idea for a fun golf tournament and our fried shrimp will be with Almond flour, eggs whites and Avocado oil spray.

     

Gracie and Me: Covid-19 #62

     I'm an Air Fryer believer because I'm all baked out. Plus, what's great news at the gas pump in Snyder, America probably isn't the most welcome news in other places.

Air Fryer to the Rescue!

     We made our best ever fried chicken last night. Whoa! Wait! We're on a very specific, "Lean and Green" diet and it's working. Why would we eat fatty, fried food? Because we gotta take a break from the baked stuff. We've had baked fish, baked chicken, baked fish with chicken and about every healthy vegetable baked or roasted. WE NEED A CRUNCH!

Perfect Fried Chicken/230 Cal. Per 4oz

     Air Fryer to the rescue!!!! Our dinner last night was four ounces of skinless chicken breast, air fried using eggs whites (with one broken egg yolk) and Almond Flour. And, I'm happy to report... It'd didn't suck, not at all.😋😋😋 We also had baked zucchini with more baked squash. Big deal.😡
     I guess when looking for the positives in these C-19 times, I'd say that Teresa and I have enjoyed cooking together.

Better News for Snyder

     In much bigger news, we paid nine cents more today for gas than we did last week. Climbing gas prices may be a bummer for the rest of America, but it's absolutely the best news for West Texas. As our banker said today, "I can afford $2.00 gas. I can't afford $35 a barrel oil."

$1.67/Need it More Like $2.25

     Covid hit and crude crashed. Snyder, actually much of this region, relies almost completely on oil. Black Gold, Texas T, Texas Crude's made a lot of Jeds millionaires. Crude at $55-$65+ per barrel would equal $2.10ish per gallon of gas. That'd be just fine for Snyder, Texas. We're working on diversifying our economic egg basket, but for now, and for a very long time before these C-19 times, we're still pushing that rope uphill while ridin' herd on a bunch of cats.

     The Word of the Day is: SILLAGE, Pronunciation: SEE-ahg.  It's a noun that means The Degree to which a Perfume's Fragrance Lingers in the Air when worn. "Neither scent has a very strong sillage." Likelihood of me using SILLAGE in a sentence... 35%.  

     Diet Update: Down 34-pounds. Having Chicken Caesar Salad tonight (with light dressing)
     Gracie Update: Perfectly happy to stay inside in this WTX heat.

Bill Robertson (6/4/20,) I'm kinda excited about this weekend's CBS Sunday Night Movie. It's GREASE, The Singalong.

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