I GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION TO HAVE A GOOD DAY TODAY!

Right, it is not Oklahoma but who can deny that the message is quite clear?

Rather than regret the arrival of another day, this old geezer faces the day with much promise.  What wonders will unfold this day?   Where will life's journey take one?

I am going to have a most excellent adventure today.  Will you?

"Flowers really do intoxicate me.

Robert - 2010 -  Lord, I was HUGE

Robert - 2010 - Playing in the dirt

Where did I get them shorts?

2010 STORY RE-VISITED

What a difference 4 years make.  Hard to believe I was so large back then........



"Can we conceive what humanity would be if it did not know the flowers?" Maurice Maeterlinck

My dears, for far too long the path leading to the rental office at the Linda Villa was a patch of barren soil, devoid of life and colour.  The whole world saw in a tick that there was no life at the Linda Villa, save a hard mean existance, populated by folks who did not care and had no pride in selves.

Murray Kay's dream for the Linda Villa was as moribound as that patch of earth.  The only thing of note were the rocks placed to keep the dead soil contained there.  Mind, the rocks could have been handy missiles to be hurled at windows of the office by tenants who had been sold a horrid place to live as well.  You pick the purpose.

No more!  After much think on, this old geezer did what had to be done.

Getting down and dirty, MOI, with paid help, dug up soil, added plant food, and started placing plants in front of and round office.  Being full of the spirit, MOI did much to bring life back to the area in front of.

Where there was once dearth, now gathers a plethora of God's smile to man.  Plants!

There be Verbena, Pansies, Marigolds and soon to be added stock.  Bags and bangs of brilliant bark set off the majestic Magnolia tree in the middle of the newly planted gadren.  On both sides of, there is more brilliant bark.

"I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance."
William Wordsworth

You, the dear reader, may well feel that this old geezer has gone 'gooey' over a few plants.  You be right.

The Linda Villa is leading by example.  Sponsoring a "Tenant Garden Contest", to be judged by Supervisor Vasquez and Sheriff Durfor on May 8th, the day of the "LINDA DRUG OUT BLOCK PARTY", this old geezer is passionate in belief that what speaks louder than the actions of.

Evil folks who do drugs, cheat benefits and lazy layabout scroungers are no longer welcome at the Linda Villa.  Planting life in the soil tells one and all that a new day has dawned at the Linda Villa.  The evil creatures of the past need to pack and move on.

My dears, there always be the risk that some evil creature will destroy the lovely garden planted.  Why allow a few evil folks rob one of the joy of beauty?  Why allow yobs to dictate how one will live?  What is life lived in fear and in a prison built by fear?

I will go to me grave believing that one must place one's self at risk to fully appreciate the freedoms placed about.

"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom." Terri Guillemets

BUFFET IS A BUST

After much badgering, the old geezer got Alan to take to a buffet.  The thinking was, at least on my part, the the wide selection of food would provide a change to the rather bland diet followed these past two months.

Alan is ever so clever.  He knew that a buffet would be a bust and tried to talk MOI into some sort of different dining experience.  The old geezer's mind was made up and nothing was going to change the plan.

The Peppermill Casino has a rather lovely buffet, and with 'comp' dollars to spend, it was not going to be an expensive meal.  The old geezer was ready to dive in...

Sadly, walking round the many offerings did little to excite the palate.  Chicken has become too dry to deal with, pizza boring and most meat held little appeal.  Slowly, the plate had some items added.  There was a little tomato salad, a few Swedish meatballs, and a bit of fish.  There was also a bowl of bean soup.

With effort and no taste, the food was tried.  Feeling put out by the lack of enjoyment, another trip to the counter was made.  The choice of some pork was huge mistake.  Was right depressing...

Alan on the other hand tucked into his meal with gusto.  There is nothing wrong with his taste and he cleaned off his plate.  Alan was looking forward to a visit to the desert island and he made sure that he filled his plate.  There was a wicked looking chocolate desert, a mouth watering slice of cheese cake and other pastries.  Alan told MOI that he was a bit off groceries, as he did not completely finish all of the deserts.  Mind, the plate looked licked clean when he was finished.  The old geezer had some slices of watermelon.  No taste but it went down well...

Were that it be true, the snap featured would have been grand.  Walking out of the buffet was not with much effort, as the old geezer did not eat much.  One the other hand, Alan seemed to be in another place, with the look of total satisfaction on his face.  Went so far as to tell MOI that the Peppermill did not lose any Cash on him that night.  Too right...

My diet is rather plain.   Lots of soups and dry sandwiches with a few micro meals.  The trip to the buffet was an attempt by the old geezer to add a little zest to meal time.  It did not work out that way.  The trip left MOI more than a little depressed.  What I would not give to be able to taste some of the foods was mad for in an earlier life.

It was a pleasure to break bread with Alan.  He tries to add a little spice to me boring life.  Just know now that meals will have to be less complicated in the future.  Pray forgive the old geezer his depression over food taste loss.

NEVER FEEL LEFT OUT