Keep in mind that to avoid loneliness, many people need both a social circle and an intimate attachment. Having just one of two may still leave you feeling lonely. —Gretchen Rubin
Sue is still in the hospital, so I was up at 4:38 AM ready to go but no place to go! Poo! So, I continued working on my office, and by tomorrow it will be available for inspection! OK, no examination, but things are ready for 2020 and, in some cases, 2021. Older files now live in a beautiful plastic file box in the closet.
While working in the closet, I threw out a lot of “stuff.” Things you keep around but never use. Well, I decided, if I needed it, I would repurchase it. Then I got to thinking about “garbage trucks” and growing up. We had “garbage trucks” but not trash trucks as we had an incinerator in the back yard in Los Angeles!
Incinerator burning was banned within the Los Angeles basin since Sept. 30, 1957, so you know approximately the date of this picture!
The iron door would almost glow after burning the trash!
Dear Dad,
As I am sure you know now, I took my chore of burning the trash quite seriously. My kids and grandkids today have no idea what that means since trash burning was outlawed before they were born.
I told them that in the “olden days” we put our garbage in a pail and guys in a truck would come by an take the garbage. Those old trucks would be buzzing with flies as they came down the street. The advent of the garbage disposal eliminated the garbage men!
Then I told them that our trash, which was anything that could burn, was put into a large cement incinerator which we would use in our back yards. They didn’t believe me. The garbage truck was replaced with the trash truck!
I remember you showing me how to start the fire at the bottom of “Old Burnie” and that I should carefully add the trash through the lift-up lid just a little at a time. You would come out and watch we do the burning many times until you knew the house and I were both safe.
Well, I have to admit now I did get a little overzealous, and after a few months, it was my goal to have flames shooting out of the top of “Old Bernie.” Since you can now see all and know all, were you surprised that on days we had little trash, I would occasionally go into the garage and fill a paper cup with any volatile liquid I could find? Yes, indeed, I did that and always stood back amazed when “Old Bernie” would spit flames out the top of the smoke stack!
I even loaded “Old Bernie” with trash and soaked the contents in his belly with paint thinner and then threw a match into the bottom of that old concrete incinerator. The sound was amazing, something like “WHOOOOOOOSH” and then flames would come out the top, the bottom, and even the iron door where I was supposed to load the trash. Great fun!
While I am admitting what I did, I should explain the rest! When the burning was done, I often hit “Old Bernie” with the stream from the garden hose to cool him down. You taught me to have the water nearby, just in case. I could not resist! Squirting “Old Bernie” with cold water was like sending smoke signals into the sky. Bob Coolmer, the neighbor across the street, came over after seeing the enormous white puffs of smoke coming from our house.
So Dad, on the positive side, burning the trash was one chore you did not have to hassle me about as I was already ready to help. Plus, I never burnt down our house, the neighbors, or blew up the incinerator (although I came close).
I love you, Dad!
After thinking about garbage trucks, the following image explains the difference between 1950 and today! (Don’t worry Dad, I will tell you what a CNN is later)!
The real truth
Because of all the medical activities, I forgot it was LA or OC property tax day. I panicked and quickly wrote out the checks and hand-carried them to the Post Office, making sure they were postmarked today! I could have waited until April without a fine, but when it is due, it is due.
Then it was off to the hospital about 9:30 AM and fed Sue breakfast. The eggs were pretty good. We visited for a while, and then I did my chores, which filled up several hours.
I got the “Silver Lady” smogged, and she passed with flying colors. I was embarrassed because the “Silver Ghost” and I went to the smog place first and presented our papers. The nice man said, “How did you make a Toyota Avalon look like a Honda Odessey?” I had brought the wrong car! I took a page our of the “Dumb and Dumber” script!
We returned home, exchanged cars, and went back to the Smog Station. While I was bringing the proper car, I got a call from Vicky, our next-door neighbor. She came to our house to hide from her family and do her bills in quiet. When she went to the door, there were keys already in the door. I had left my keys in the door when I exchanged cars. Geez, what next.
After passing her exam, the “Silver Lady” wanted her tags, and she wanted them NOW! I took her to the local AAA, which is right around the corner, to get her new tags.
After all of that, CVS was calling me to get two prescriptions and then back around the Staples for some binder clips and finally back home. I was tired.
It was nap time for about an hour. At 3:00 PM, we took a ride to Coldstone Creamery and got Sue’s favorite! Yeah, she downed it in a flash with a smile on her face. We again visited for a while.
Good Medicine!
I was asked by the gang to come to GG tonight, but I was tired, and the old back was giving me fits, so I decided to visit CPK and get soup for my bride. Returning to the hospital, she downed the bowl of soup, leaving none for the mouse! She is returning to normal as she was joking. Now it is time to do some PT and get ready to come home. Monday is the current target.
Bob Z sent a picture of the gang!
Needing to relax, I sat and watched another goofy science fiction movie about a blob from space. I had a small glass of Odessey_1908 before retiring at 11:00 PM. I only lasted until 4:30 AM when the neighborhood rooster and I took turns letting people know we were up!
