Grandpa with Zoe & Roman 10/16/8

Licenced to Bill if You Are Joe

I admit I am shallow. Joe the Plumber just seems too easy. He was the star of last night's debate. Joe is based on a real individual Obama met while going door to door. The candidates disagree about which of them will help Joe. Joe represents "Everyman". He is the hard working American tradesman. He has skills that we all appreciate when we need him (or her?). I have never met a female plumber but I reckon there are some.
Joe's union job is probably safe from export. When you toilet overflows or the pipes freeze at 5 am on Saturday, someone in India cannot rescue you. Thank God for Joe the plumber. Too bad there aren't more good paying jobs for skilled laborers in America.
For years Jon fixed and refixed a leaky connector in our shower. He would take it apart and replace the washer, tighten it up and it would be good for another year. Two decades of this and he finally could not fix a constant drip from the faucet over the bathtub. That can add up to a lot of wasted water and he called a plumber. The plumber replaced a part and the problem was solved. It doesn't leak. For the house call and 20 min. of work the bill was over $200. We were glad he could fix it without tearing up the tiled wall. We paid the plumber as soon as he finished.
$200 for a brief visit. Another plumber housecall was $150 for a pipe problem. I am glad they can fix it. I just wonder if using a skilled plumber as an example of the average "joe" was a good choice. I think his salary is above average for labor.
Now how do you go about getting that plumbers licence?

Sneaky or Cuddly??

Why some people love cats and why some people hate cats!

link: http://www.flixxy.com/time-lapse.htm

The Twins Are Tied For First Place!

Oh, I know. The Minnesota Twins are through for the year. I think the Vikings may be through for the year too, but that is another tale.
"The" twins are tied for first. They went to the pediatrician today and both weighed in at 6#4 oz! Yahoo. They are growing and thriving. Six pounds plus of sweet smelling baby times two. They only weigh six pounds but manage to keep many adults spinning around their orbit. Mary has moments when she is challenged from the tiresome schedule of frequent all night feedings. Mike's mom and I tried to help a bit this weekend to give the new parents a little sleep. These early weeks are difficult and it is difficult to believe you will ever get any rest again. I tried to reasssure Mary the time will come quicker than you imagine now when you look at them and see how fast they have become a year old.
The kids are three weeks old today. They are also three weeks short of the date they should have been born if they had been born full term. So, are they + 3 or -3? In China they count age from conception. They would be 37 weeks in traditional Chinese culture. Their first days were a little disconcerting but now I see them growing stronger, eating better, and developing their distinct personalities. Go, twins, go.

Worse Than Hooters. I think you can get a salad at Hooters.

Pictures from one of those emails that circulate. I don't know where this grill is but it looks like it is real. Notice the disclaimer outside the front door. (Double click to see bigger picture and read the signs.) Don't sue them. Eat at your own risk.

Do you think the guys come for the burgers or the ambiance? I wonder how many 911 calls originate from the place. I wonder how you would even bite through a sandwich that big. It is probably a novelty like the 96 ounce steaks in Texas Roadhouses. Eat it all and it is free.

My heritage is French-Canadian and they have a few non heart-healthy recipes too. I have been served french fries with gravy but had never heard of "poutine" until recently. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine It is french fries covered in gravy and melted cheese curds. The trifecta of greasy foods. They probably survive but washing it down with red wine which is good for cardiac health in small doses. Perhaps the Heart Attack Grill should serve red wine. If they did, they would definitely need a bouncer to keep those macho guys in check.

Roman Holiday

All present and accounted for. Baby Roman was discharged from the hospital this week and the twins are reunited. Picture: Dad Mike carrying both babies out of Methodist Hospital. Zoe had to come along for the ride.

I spent part of Thursday with the kids and Mary. I am lonesome today and think we better visit again.

Cool Your Jets

Jon's longtime best buddy just left for the airport. Dave and Jon lived a few houses away from each other since they were children and have maintained their friendship over sixty years. At least once during the fishing season Dave flies in from Manchester, NH and they head 250 miles straight up the map of Minnesota to lakes that actually have fish. There are walleye in those cold border lakes.

He expected to pick his friend up at the airport late last Saturday evening. Those plans hit a snafu when a late flight caused him to miss his connecting flight from Philadelphia. Dave couldn't catch a flight on to Minneapolis that night and went back to Manchester to try again the next day. His luggage had other plans. It was on vacation flying solo. The dilema: If airlines lose your luggage, they will have it sent out by courier when it arrives. Give them an address where it is to be delivered. He planned to fly into Minneapolis and then immediately drive "up north" to a house on a sparcely populated lake in the boundary waters. What directions would you give the airline? Deliver it to the yellow cabin in the grove of trees past the hangman's rock around the corner from the big island on the third lake? Do it by boat? We are talking remote here. We are talking about luggage with fishing gear, warm clothes, rain gear and everything you need for a week in the back country. This is not a street address or a hotel.

With all the criticism of airlines, nickel and dime extra charges, late departures and arrivals, no food, (not even munchies), disgruntled staff, cancelled flights etc., this airline got it right. As soon as Dave realized he wasn't getting out of Philadelphia he tried to find his luggage. I believe tighter homeland security procedures dictate the bags should be taken off the flight if the passenger isn't on the plane to prevent bombs sent in luggage. Well they broke that rule. He explained that his prescription medication was in the suitcase and it was imperative it be located. The next morning when he arrived in Minneapolis he went to the baggage claim area. When he asked airline employees about it they immediately located it. It had indeed received special handling. Several employees came over and had heard the "APB" from Philly to look for the bag. It was specially wrapped, tagged, and handled with care. They were gracious and glad to have found the owner.

Every time we travel I hand carry medication. Jon has a lot of pills and gets special scrutiny. Maybe putting them in checked luggage is not so bad. He got royal treatment. I wondered how things would go if I packed one of those little red and white coolers that Red Cross transports transplant organs? I bet they don't lose those. Maybe the Red Cross doesn't check them in the belly of the plane either.