Here's What I'm Thinking

Tuesday, January 4, 2017 – A Jar of Blessings and Happiness. What’s in Your Jar?

Posted on January 4, 2017 | Leave a comment

Tuesday, January 4, 2017 – A Jar of Blessings and Happiness. What’s in Your Jar?

Sometimes it is the last minute gifts that turn out to be the best ones. Before leaving for family functions on December 23 I ran by the Goodwill Store and bought five large jars and/or vases.

Then I stopped at Walgreens and purchased several multicolored Post-It Notes and some markers. It was the index card tied around the jar with a red ribbon that pulled it together. On the card I wrote: A 2017 Blessings and Happiness Jar. When something good happens to you or when you feel blessed during this year, jot it down and put it in your jar. Next New Year’s Eve take out the notes and see just how blessed you were.

Here is my jar. I front loaded it with a bunch of “I got out of bed and made it through the day” notes.

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As you can see, while still retaining its function and practicality, my jar lacks a certain artistic and esthetically pleasing element, as did those that were gifted. I hope some of my artistic friends will be inspired to decorate theirs in a more pleasing manner.

On Jan 1, I wrote “I took a shower.” I do hope I remember to add other notes of personal hygiene less one think that was the only time. Personal hygiene may just be TMI. Today, (so far) I have “Warm inside with a good book!” What’s in your jar?

Tuesday, January 3, 2017 – No More Football? But Here Comes the Silly Season!

Posted on January 3, 2017 | Leave a comment

Tuesday, January 3, 2017 – No More Football? But Here Comes the Silly Season!

I regret to inform you that there are only 60 minutes of college football left until next season. That means round ball. Geno A., please tell me you are not trying to grow facial hair. On old men like you, it just looks as though you forgot to shave. If you try that man bun thing, I will somehow find a way to like you even less.

Dear God, how many Hail Mary’s do I have to say when yesterday I said “Oh crap, when is Ash Wednesday and Lent?” Perhaps I should give up cussing. It is March 1 to go along with March Madness. Can I give up college football games? No? How about snow skiing? No, I do not ski, but I could learn and then give it up before Lent. Ok, if You say so, I will go think about it on the golf course before You send the Arctic Blast tomorrow.

Before I go to enjoy this beautiful day, here’s to the public servants doing the good for the state of Texas. The Silly Season begins and Texas Legislature is under the Dome once again. This could be the year we all learn where we can go pee in the proper potty and where else we can carry our handgun. Of course, if we are firing into the air during New Year’s Eve celebrations and a stray bullet just happens to hit a legislator, celebratory handgun discharge could go up in smoke.

Here’s to those of us retired public servants saying “Thank you ERS that I am not there!” Carry on, regardless! 20130701_121153

Monday, January 2, 2017 – Monday Monday Can’t Trust That Day.

Posted on January 2, 2017 | 1 comment

Monday, January 2, 2017 – Monday Monday Can’t Trust That Day.

I bet you can’t listen to The Mamas and the Papas without singing along. And you try singing in harmony. Don’t tell me you don’t because I know you do. I try to sing all parts at the same time as loud as Mama Cass could. Let’s turn up the radio so we can sing over it.

It is the first Monday of a brand new year. I am now entering year three of Here’s What I’m Thinking. For new readers I feel we must review.

I write this blog called Here’s What I’m Thinking (HWIT). I took the title from Dr. Pencil Nose. When asked in meetings what he thought, he always said “Here’s what I’m thinking,” with a #2 pencil stuck up his nose.

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The purpose of HWIT is to make at least one person laugh or think. I am changing this for 2017 to “make many people laugh or think.”

My strategy to encourage readers is this: If I have known you in this past or know you know now, I WILL write about you. You must hope that I write flattering words about you with your name disguised (RL, Dr. Pencil Nose, MENSA DeMarsian, Ms. Navasota, Killer Queen, Homecoming Queens 1 and 2, SPQ etc.) Otherwise I put the coordinates to your house on Facebook with privacy setting to Public.

Monday through Friday and sometimes on Saturday and Sunday, I write about whatever I am thinking. I like to think. It involves a fair amount of sitting. See photo of a good place to sit and think – also good for playing cards and dominos and other assorted activities. Furthermore I used to get paid big bucks to so I am experienced in the field of thinking. I even have a flat hat with strings on the side and a nightgown and letters after my name to show for it. Campus tour 7.5.2014 2014-07-05 098 (800x600)

Now I like to think about college football and basketball with a few spring sports thrown in until football season begins. I write about teams I like and teams that play teams I like. This means the Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin, the Bearkats of Sam Houston and of course, the Fighting Texas Aggies. Me and Tailgating

Wall in house. Photo by me.

I am a Native Born Texan who has kissed Willie Nelson and have papers to prove it. I write about Texas.

By God I’ll die here with my boots on! More likely it will golf shoes or tennis shoes, but I’m not leaving Texas.

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Moon Over Perry. Photo by Terry.

I am a recovering bureaucrat. I write about politics.

You do not have to like it what I write. “I disagree with almost everything you write, but it is so funny the way you say it.” CSE – 1.13 coming soon!

Austin Grafitti Wall Austin, Texas Photo by me.

Over Ninety-five percent (95%) of HWIT is my work – my thoughts and my photographs. The artsy craftsy readers and the very early morning Facebookers like the strange photos. If I post something that is not my original work, I try to give credit – for example: Borrowed from the Internet.

More often than not, there is a zinger at the end. For example, did you know that I Call Your Name sung by The Mamas and Papas was written by John Lennon? Let’s sing the chorus with a heavy on the Doot. Doot. Doots Doots in backup vocals.

Don’t you know I can’t take it!

I don’t know who can

I’m not gonna makeeee it

I’m not that kind of man

Don’t you know I can’t sleep at night (Hit the high note!)

But just the same

I never weep at night

I call your name! YEAH!!!

You tried to sing harmony with yourself, didn’t you? Told you not to trust this day.

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Posted in college basketball, College Football, Education, humor, Misc., Native Texan, Politics, Texas Aggies

January 1, 2017 – HAPPY NEW YEAR! The First Day of the New Year.

Posted on January 1, 2017 | 1 comment

January 1, 2017 – HAPPY NEW YEAR! The First Day of the New Year.

“Staring down a greasy taco plate; bowl of menudo on the side… We were drinking and swinging from the chandeliers…” Ah once upon a time, but no more, but thank you Roger Creager for the memories.

Before I get to my 2017 Predictions, I wanted to share a few really cool gifts I received for Christmas. This first one came totally unexpected. I like those so much – especially when the gift is spot on!

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While the giver knows my love for cameras, what the giver does not know is that this scency is a replica of the first camera I ever learned to use at Magnolia High School in 1966-67. Imagine this happening today. The Conroe Courier gave every yearbook editor in Montgomery County one of these very expensive cameras to use for the year provided we attended a Saturday morning class on how to use it.

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Yes, photography peeps, they trusted a group of teenagers with state of the art, news reporter quality, Leica lens cameras. We were to use the camera to take photographs of school events – aka football games! Such good memories and I am going to be hitting my house with the smell good in 2017.

I liked this too. Angry Mama to clean your microwave.

mad-mama-576x1024 As dirty as my microwave is she will probably explode the first time she tries to clean mine. I wonder if she comes in an Angry Mama to clean your house.

Here is a favorite. I got this combination science and magic kit. It seems that the elixir on the left has magic potions of St Belvedere. When poured properly into the magic beaker on the right, the perfect tini temperature is achieved. vodka-576x1024

I cannot wait to try it. It was gift from Pootie and Russians to commemorate taking Poland in 1945.

And now my 2017 New Year’s Day Predictions – just for the first month or so.

Donald Trump will be sworn in via Twitter.

All of the Kardashians and their exes will perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration. I don’t know what they are going to do. What they always do, I suppose, nothing, but dress up and post their photos in Instagram.

Kate McKinnon and Alex Baldwin will not perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration, but will continue to make us laugh on SNL. So love you, Kate!

Rick Perry will lead the dancing at the Inaugural Ball for President Donald and First Lady Melanoma.

Donald Trump and Vlad Putin (aka Pootie) will dance via distance learning a Bromance line dance like Cossacks that creates a viral meme at 3:00 am in the morning. Warning: Putin will be shirtless.

Dancing with the Stars will once again bring us in high definition broken down, old stars, and never heard of before people trying to learn to dance while wearing sequins and feathers.

On January 9, 2017, from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida for the National College Athletic Association Division FBS 2017 National Championship, invented by Larry Culpepper, we have the Crimson Tide from Alabama versus the Tigers of Clemson from South Carolina. Sidebar: Thank goodness the announcers are the always professional team of Chris Fowler, Samantha Ponder, Tom Rinaldi and my boyfriend want to be, Kirk Herbstreit. Can’t wait for ESPN Game Day this fall. Please come back to Aggieland. And my prediction: ROLLLLLLLL TIDE! Like I even know anybody who even claims they went to Clemson and I don’t like orange in any shade.

Dak, Eskielle and The Boys will win Super Bowl LI (what number is this in Roman?) in Houston in NRG Stadium – home of the Houston Texans. Houston and Texan fans will hate Dallas and The Cowboys even more. Hey! For you non-native born Texans – It’s about oil ya’ll. Football is just a hobby to show off.

Time to go have science experiment, practice Russian and eat black eyed peas and cornbread. Happy New Year’s Day!

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Posted in College Football, Education, humor, Misc., Native Texan, Politics

Tagged Alabama, Alex Baldwin, Chris Fowler, Clemson, Donald Trump, ESPN Game Day 2017, Kate McKinnon, Kirk Herbstreit, NCAA National Championship 2017, Putin, Rick Perry, Roll Tide, Samantha Ponder, SNL, The Kardashians

Saturday, December 31, 2016 – We Say Good Bye to 2016 – Or Thank God and Greyhound You’re Gone.

Posted on January 1, 2017 | 1 comment

Saturday, December 31, 2016 – We Say Good Bye to 2016 – Or Thank God and Greyhound You’re Gone.

Happy New Year!

I know I have been a slacker and did not post HWIT’s Snarky Friday. This is due in part because there has been little to write about college football. This certainly does not refer to the quantity of college bowl games. There are college football games a plenty with many bowl games with corporate names featuring teams with losing records. These are like Certificate of Participation Bowl Games where ESPN, Under Armor, Nike and Adidas win in the profit margin. So I was not too interested in poor quality.

Speaking of poor quality, we have the once again collapsible Texas Aggies. Getting old Coach Sumlin.

This makes the best football team in Texas the Division III National Football Champions – the Mary Hardin Baylor Crusaders. Way to go, Crusaders!

It is half time in Game 1 of the National Playoff. The Tide is rising and rolling, but there is a still a second half. This game is followed by The Ohio State University Buck Eyes and the Clemson Tiger. I am going with the OSU 4:20 looking helmet decals.

Roll Tide.

To be continued.

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Posted in humor, Misc., Texas Aggies, Uncategorized

Thursday, December 29, 2016 – The Icons Depart

Posted on December 29, 2016 | 1 comment

Thursday, December 29, 2016 – The Icons Depart

They brought us memories of good times and sometimes not so good times.

Their voices and works will not be forgotten.

RIP

George, Carrie, Debbie, Prince, David, Florence and all of the others. See you on the other side.

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Posted in Misc.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016 – Winding Down and The Empty Jar

Posted on December 28, 2016 | Leave a comment

Wednesday, December 28, 2016 – Winding Down and The Empty Jar

The year 2016 thankfully is almost over. To quote from The Dead, “What a long strange trip it’s been.” With President Twitter about to take office, we do not know what 2017 brings. However, we must have faith and expectations of hope and promise. Here is a simple way to remember good things that will happen in 2017.

Several family members received a large empty glass container as a gift. With the containers there was a ball point pen and stacks of post it notes. On a simple index card I wrote “This is a 2017 Happiness and Blessings Jar. Whenever something makes you happy or you feel blessed, jot it down on a note and place in the jar. On December 31, 2017, take out the scraps of paper and recall how blessed you were during the year.” Then I tied the index card to the jar with a ribbon.

I am going to start my Happiness and Blessing Jar this evening when first – The Texas Aggie Women’s Basketball team defeats Prairie View A&M. This will be followed when the Texas Aggies BTHO Kansas State tonight in Texas Bowl.

Friday, December 23, 2016 – Christmas Eve Eve!

Posted on December 24, 2016 | 3 comments

Friday, December 23, 2016 – Christmas Eve Eve!

I wrote this Christmas verse for all of my dear friends and family. It is sung to The Yellow Rose of Texas.

“We’re wearing shorts and T-shirts on Christmas Eve this year,

That’s why we live in Texas; there ain’t no snow down here,

We froze our ass off last week, but Santa he don’t care,

Cause we’re wearing shorts and T-shirts on Christmas Eve this year.

We’re wearing shorts and flip flops on Christmas Eve this year,

The temp is almost eighty, on Christmas Day I hear,

My friends in Colorado are high up in the snow,

But down here ya’ll in Texas, we’re wearing shorts you know.”

Photo by Santa

Merry Christmas Ya’ll.

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Posted in Education, humor, Misc., Native Texan

Tagged Christmas Eve, Texas

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 – The Winter Solstice and A Christmas Wreath

Posted on December 21, 2016 | 1 comment

Wednesday, December 21, 2016 – The Winter Solstice and A Christmas Wreath

At 4:44 AM Central Standard Time the Winter Solstice arrived. This is the shortest day of the year and the longest night. This is the scientific longest night of the year and should not be confused with the emotional longest night of the year. From today forward the days will become longer. Therefore, the only way to go from here is up!

Stonehenge in Texas. Kerrville 5-18-2012. Photo by me.

It also three days until the celebration of Christmas. I made this lovely creative and highly artistic decorative wreath. It is called A wreath; a Franklin.

A wreath; A Franklin. December 2016

R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Find out what it means to me.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Take care TCB;

Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me…

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Posted in humor, Misc., Native Texan

Tagged Aretha Franklin wreath, Winter Solstice 2016

Monday, December 19, 2016 – Twas the Week Before Christmas

Posted on December 19, 2016 | 1 comment

Monday, December 19, 2016 – Twas the Week Before Christmas

And all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stocking is hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there and put vodka and Cheetos in there. (Exercising my poetic license.)

Incorporated is the Patsy Cline Shrine because tonight I am going to see the Queen of Country music – Miss Loretta Lynn. RIP Patsy, Loretta’s still got it at 84 years young and we’ll be thinking about you. Always, Patsy Cline.

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