Random Thoughts the 13th: Jason Takes RTT

[VeloClone]

I took my son and the neighbor kid across the street out. My son chose to be Angus Young (luckily Mrs. Velo convinced him to wear pants under his shorts in the 30 something degree weather). He even ran around singing AC/DC songs as we trick-or-treated. Neighbor kid had one of those inflatable T Rex costumes. It was the hit of the night. Mrs. Velo and his mom couldn't even take a pic of them they were laughing so hard. People would stop him to have their pic taken with him. He said it was a lot of work to walk around in that thing though.

Someone asked if our jack-o-lanterns were the fake store bought ones since they were "so perfect". I was amused because they were just a slap-together job. Clearly not even close to my best work.

 

[wxman1]

I took my son and the neighbor kid across the street out. My son chose to be Angus Young (luckily Mrs. Velo convinced him to wear pants under his shorts in the 30 something degree weather). He even ran around singing AC/DC songs as we trick-or-treated. Neighbor kid had one of those inflatable T Rex costumes. It was the hit of the night. Mrs. Velo and his mom couldn't even take a pic of them they were laughing so hard. People would stop him to have their pic taken with him. He said it was a lot of work to walk around in that thing though.

Someone asked if our jack-o-lanterns were the fake store bought ones since they were "so perfect". I was amused because they were just a slap-together job. Clearly not even close to my best work.

I nearly bought one to wear.

 

[VeloClone]

I nearly bought one to wear.

I think it was a little more than they wanted to spend, but I have a feeling that just about everyone in that family will be getting use out of it.

 

[BoxsterCy]

It probably won't kill me to at least push some leaves around outside for an hour or so. Lots still falling. Not a good excuse though, the oak leaves from next door will be falling intermittently till March.


Edit: On further consideration of almost 5 minutes, screw it. Saturday is better.

Edit II: Just looked outside and this yuge collared calico cat (song bird killing ******) just cruised up my garden path and paused to mark some of my hostas. The lancifolia hosta are still green, hardy little *******.

 

[VeloClone]

It probably won't kill me to at least push some leaves around outside for an hour or so. Lots still falling. Not a good excuse though, the oak leaves from next door will be falling intermittently till March.

My FIL has a giant oak looming over his house. It is on his neighbor's property and it dumps on my in-law's property all of the time including through the winter into spring. That is just an annoyance. The real problem is that it has a huge hole about 20 feet up the trunk on my FIL's side of the tree. It also has a huge ivory colored fungus growing in the hole. We have been thinking for years that that tree is just one big storm from coming down and taking their entire house out with it. He has talked to the neighbor repeatedly about it but the neighbor doesn't think it is a problem and he doesn't want to lose all of the shade for his back yard.

I just hope no one gets hurt when it comes down. Things can be replaced but I will be so mad if something happens to Mrs. Velo's folks because of this.

 

[BoxsterCy]

My FIL has a giant oak looming over his house. It is on his neighbor's property and it dumps on my in-law's property all of the time including through the winter into spring. That is just an annoyance. The real problem is that it has a huge hole about 20 feet up the trunk on my FIL's side of the tree. It also has a huge ivory colored fungus growing in the hole. We have been thinking for years that that tree is just one big storm from coming down and taking their entire house out with it. He has talked to the neighbor repeatedly about it but the neighbor doesn't think it is a problem and he doesn't want to lose all of the shade for his back yard.

I just hope no one gets hurt when it comes down. Things can be replaced but I will be so mad if something happens to Mrs. Velo's folks because of this.

It's stupid of the neighbor to ignore something like that. The likely rot isn't even hidden in this case. At some point I have to have my big silver maple taken down. It's okay now but maybe getting to the point where I'll have the Davey Tree guys take a couple test cores. The neighbors huge house, thousand big oaks and the hill raising above me to the west do give me a lot of shelter from storm winds.

Your FIL could legally cut anything that hangs over his property. Might piss the neighbor off but would lighten the load. I'd at least have a certified arborist give it a visual inspection from the FIL property. Doesn't sound like the neighbor would cooperate and let him give it a first hand inspection. If he thinks it is a hazard they could at least send a certified letter to the neighbor requesting trim or removal. Can't force them to do jack **** unfortunately but it would give home owners insurance some argue room if they want to open that can of worms if it falls on the house. It's one thing if a house is damage, another IMHO if someone gets hurt.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Hopefully I can get out and mow and bag leaves this weekend. At least the ones that have fallen. Of course the light rain today didn't do me any favors.

 

[VeloClone]

I put out a 96 gallon barrel of chopped and packed leaves along with 7-10 tall bags of the same just about every week from about the first of October until mid to late November. Our hauler takes them to be composted so I don't feel the least bit guilty about it either.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

We are in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia for a conference, thru Thursday. Actually at The Greenbrier. It’s a resort. Look it up. We’re at JJ’s Sports Bar (every place has at least business casual for dress code. Mmm. Not quite fancy enough for me. ) Anyway, two appetizers and 2 drinks and our fee-enhanced bill already tops $50. Sigh.

 

[NWICY]

Full disclosure - I didn't really get to trick or treat as a child. Are full size candy bars really the very best that kids hope for? Am I the only person who prefers smaller things because I get more variety?

Full size candy bars were the bomb, the good places would only let you pick one but have a nice variety to pick from (5-6). Also something that you could never give out now was popcorn balls especially the houses that knew how to make them chewy not hard. A good popcorn ball is a wonderful tasty treat. (Ah memories).

 

[NWICY]

Back in the days before everyone was scared of everyone else, mama used to make popcorn balls. Our house was very popular.

My sisters and I used to get full size candy bars - snack size weren't really a thing yet. When we were all done, we would sit in a circle in the living room and pile our candy in front of us. Then the trading began. I was at a bit of a disadvantage. In addition to being the youngest, my sisters knew how much I hated coconut so they were guaranteed to get any Mounds or Almond Joys I had with very little haggling.

Do you happen to have your mom's popcorn ball recipe?

 

[Rabbuk]

Do you happen to have your mom's popcorn ball recipe?

aren't they just rice crispy treats basically with popcorn instead?

 

[NWICY]

aren't they just rice crispy treats basically with popcorn instead?

The ones I remember being made had Karo syrup I thought? But I don't know you certainly could be right.

 

[BCClone]

I can't believe BC didn't beat both of you to it.

Busy brother I’m busy.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

Do you happen to have your mom's popcorn ball recipe?

My sister might.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

aren't they just rice crispy treats basically with popcorn instead?

No. My mother's used butter & Karo...no marshmallows.

 

[dirtyninety]

Hopefully I can get out and mow and bag leaves this weekend. At least the ones that have fallen. Of course the light rain today didn't do me any favors.

Get a head lamp....next Saturday at about 8 pm CST might be a good time to go out and rake leaves.

 

[NWICY]

I'm not sure why I keep clicking on the XF thread, it will all be decided on Nov 11 anyway. The hawkeye hoop one is another one I should ignore but I keep going back like a moth to a flame.

Well off to be constructive today (hopefully)

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

We are in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia for a conference, thru Thursday. Actually at The Greenbrier. It’s a resort. Look it up. We’re at JJ’s Sports Bar (every place has at least business casual for dress code. Mmm. Not quite fancy enough for me. ) Anyway, two appetizers and 2 drinks and our fee-enhanced bill already tops $50. Sigh.

That's a ritzy place. The $50 bill doesn't surprise me at all. Have the leaves all fallen? West Virginia looks so depressing in the winter. Gorgeous when the trees are green.

 

[SCyclone]

I nearly bought one to wear.

Yeah, the vixen has one. She scared the crap out of the grandkids with it this summer.