Existing In BFE

In the final entry of my cars growing up, we end with my best (read: fun) driver, a 1976 Pontiac Grand Prix.  After the disaster of the AMC Pacer, it was nice to get ahold of a big barge again.  Where the Pacer was a nice idea without the execution, the Grand Prix was a pedigree of excellence that was evident in every aspect.  Pontiac had ridden the style and performance of the Grand Prix/Bonneville/Catalina stable since a major remake in 1965.  The style had remained virtually the same since that time with minor adjustments along the way.   Plush, luxury-oriented, my new gorgeous car even had a T-Top.  Plush interior, bucket seats, push-button trunk, electric windows, this was a sporty, large luxury car.   And was a car that was a pure joy to just hop in on a day off and cruise.  Not since my first VW and the Fury after that have I simply driven a car with enjoyment instead of as a means to get from here to there.    ...

I don't do editorials very often and strictly speaking this isn't one either.  But I ran across the old Peanuts cartoon above and remembered how much I enjoyed its homespun philosophy when it was alive and kicking in newspapers. Frankly I was taken by how much that cartoon applies to my personal way of thinking, perhaps not so much by choice, but by the fact that silence often keeps trouble at bay.   There are some notable historical exceptions, of course, namely Sir Thomas Moore, whose silence in the matter of his King proved to be his undoing.  But I actually refer to those of us who are card-carrying members of Club Dread, introverts all.  I happen to be one its long-term members at this stage being reminded by the Wombie about a pitifully introverted situation when I was buying school clothes way back when.  I said "It doesn't make any difference" when when the poor clerk tried to assist in my search.   And I'm gett...

Our third entry on the storm cloud that passed over Keithsburg while I was on the levee taking pictures.  And as usual I best keep my mouth shut - commentary would be superfluous.  I have more from that early morning and will post soon.  Thanks for your patience. 

1.  Silly me.  I was expecting a good report from Dr. Dunlevy and all I got was a bad one instead.  The polyps have started to reform and I have an infection, to boot.  Well, goody.  Not only that but I have to undergo some kind of allergy testing:  one shot per week for 6 months.  Uh, if they charge a co-pay that comes to almost a $1000 just to get in the door, excluding the shots and any ancillary office and lab costs.   I may just decide to forgo this expense since the polyps are not life threatening.  May be tough to breathe but I'd rather save the money for when something really serious comes along.  I have had to dig into my Wheels-in-Floriduh fund for the expenses so far so no vehicle down here until we recoup surgery costs.   I am on a new prescription, some kind of steroidal nasal flush, and hopefully this will prove fruitful.  If nothing else I'll stick straws up by nose.   ...

If there is anything resembling a family tradition in Floriduh it would be both 1) me verbally knocking the cat around and Florida, not necessarily in that order, and) gathering at the Vinoy Park to watch the 4th of July fireworks.  I hate the cat because I am allergic to the beasts and now that it is 14 or so years old I can almost taste the non-allergenic air upon its timely demise.  The meet at Vinoy is because short of watching them in North Henderson, the St. Pete show is about as good as you can find in these parts.  And I don't think a 4th has ever been free of the rain or the chance of them.  However, we have been lucky and the rain has usually dissipated by the time the show starts.  Until this year.  But before we get to that, the pre-show is watching the people, the planes, the dolphins and the boats in the Bay.    This plane was buzzing around for awhile until the weather started to look really nasty. ...

It's hard to imagine Seaton ever having had parades if you drive through it today.  A major removal of old brick building on main street years ago left only the post office.  Since then a restaurant was built but torn down from my days as a kid there was the gas station, Chism's heating and plumbing business.  The big old restaurant on the west corner that the Blackman's had, then the Wheelers is gone, too.  The old newspaper building is gone and whichever building used to have a billiards and barber shop is gone, too.  It was a different time and small towns still had a place in America.  Not so much anymore.  The following pictures were taken during the summer of 1966.  I don't know what the occasion was but I do vaguely remember go carts one time when they brought in some rides and stuff.  Unfortunately I won't be able to provide much information on these pictures but I'll do what I can.   The film has become almos...

An early morning walk at Pass-A-Grille.   Pass-A-Grille is at the very bottom of this peninsula that holds Clearwater, St. Pete, Gulfport, Pinellas Park and probably other little towns sprinkled in.  There is a very good beach area and, although its a bit of a hassle getting here, is a great place for sunrise pictures.   In one of my designed lazy posts that seem to have increased lately,  I offer no explanation because none is needed.  I walked along the beach and took these pictures.  Senseless commentary would add nothing.     More of these at a later date.

Continuing a series of pictures I took in early-morning Keithsburg a while back.  Check these out - it was just dumb luck I was down there as this cloud rolled by.   There will be more through the next few weeks. It was fun watching this light show roll by.  It never rained and seemed to be just this one big cloud.  Like someone said once, "Most of your luck comes from just showing up."

1.  Today is the 2nd of three post-op appointments with my ENT doctor.  I expect a good report.   +++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2.  Kenzie and Drew have sold their home in St. Pete and will reside at Bedlam for a year.  This will give them time to contemplate their next move.  And Miss Norah will only be a short walk away. +++++++++++++++++++++++ Speaking of Miss Norah, I had these videos hanging around and now you get to see them, too.   ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ As I add this I am preparing to go into St. Petersburg's Bayfront Baby Place, yup that's the name of the place, and sit vigil for the next half Blythe kid to enter the world.  Mackenzie's due date was the 11th and it is now the 20th.  They will induce.  Frankly I can't imagine childbirth, but inducing seems a lot like what paint stores do to your newly bought gallon of Azure Sky.  Hopefully it will be over soon, but I am prepared for a lon...

You can see the writing on the wall.  Books are a dying relic of centuries past.  Things change.  Newspapers are hanging on against all logic - today we fire up our tablets and Kindles and do the modern thing.   The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry  by Gabrielle Zevin is a small book, or at least I read it fast, I don't know, because I read it on my Kindle.  It is the engrossing tale of a man, Mr. Fikry of the title, who owns Island Books, a quaint store on a fictional  east coast  island.  The plot is quiet but compelling, and points to a reformation of a grumpy, narrowly myopic man, to something more.  That's usually worth a good read right there - in the tradition of Scrooge and many others, those life events that transform and make us grow.   I am fully aware that in this next statement I will open myself to eye-rolling disdain from some readers.  But here goes, anyway:   female authors write differently than mal...

This is a Pacer.  An AMC Pacer.  A good idea for a car,  but poor execution.  I fell victim to the press, and purchased this baby after the demise of the Purdy-Mobile.  I was now working at the Mary and still single.  It was designed as a wide-bodied car with a short car chassis.  American motors was starting its death spiral and its attempt to create something meaningful for the marketplace resulted in this putrid hash.  A big car feel on an economic sized drivetrain resulted in an underpowered driving experience.  Another faulty feature was the oversized glass.  All this did was to create a blazing hot interior in the summer months.  The poor little air conditioner was never able to keep up with the prism heat the windows created.   The interior was cheap, formed plastic, and AMC even tried themed packages like Indian art work and denim blues.  I remember that I had a major steering pr...

Besides a cyst removal 35 years ago and a couple vasectomies I have deftly and luckily avoided any real interaction with hospitals and doctors.  Within the last year, however, I have developed a common nasal problem of sinus polyps.  They create an annoying problem of feeling like you always have a stuffed up nose, and it can create breathing problems was well as difficulty sleeping.   After a referral from my primary doctor I met with a specialist who diagnosed the problem.  He subscribed Prednisone to see if they might go away, otherwise surgery would be necessary.  They didn't go away so the machinery to get my polyps removed started to grind.   EKG and worthless visit with primary doctor Lab work  Pre-op with ENT doctor as well as a charge of $200 to give to hospital All visits, of course requiring co-pays of $40.00 with my United Health Care Insurance card in hand.  This is Cindy, nurse extraordinaire. ...

Wednesday, July 15, 2015 Readers of Existing In BFE: In another case of wanton and unapologetic theft I am printing an essay by my good friend and fellow blogger, Jeff Sutor from his excellent Bodine-DILLIGAF website.  Jeff reflects my views on guns and gun control.  I would urge all readers of Existing in BFE to read his site before mine.  It will make your brain stronger.  Thanks Jeff. MB     And Again I have from time to time stood on my soapbox and called for sensible gun control. We have had another mass shooting. Charleston, South Carolina at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church with 9 killed during an evening Bible study on Wednesday. I have no hope left that any meaningful action on gun control will happen due to this latest mass murder by firearm. Folks in a church studying the Bible just doesn't reach as deep in our hearts as 20 school children at Newtown. If those kids couldn't get us any action ...

This little girl is thinking thoughts that just may land her in trouble.  Ornery, you can see it in the eyes.  Oh, Norah, better be careful! ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Found a few of these gross looking guys crawling the walls here at Bedlam.  Thought first that I might be under the influence of the "DT's" but then discovered they are really Casemaking Clothes moth larvae.   They are little caterpillars that feed on cotton nd wool.  Weird, huh? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Had my first post-op check up.  Doc said all is good and that I can now resume walking and light activities.  He flushed me out a little and this morning as I type this, I am very happy I had the procedure done.  Of course I haven't got the bill yet, either.  Go back in another 2 weeks.   +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Like a young Egyptian princess, Norah models some hats. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Newsroom (Season 3, episode 5)...

I had to pack the camera and lens and send back to Florida the next day, so I went out and tried some night shots for one last time.  I had planned on the North Lagoon, but then found this spot north of Emerald City but really, too close to town.  I had my 11-14mm lens which I find kind of difficult to use and wanted to work on it some.   These are all horrid shots, but offer a kind of surreal look that seemed too good to just trash.  Think modern art, or some fancy photo salon selling terribly overpriced copies to nouveau art guppies.   On my next trip back North I am going to head out at night and conquer this lens.  Everything I read about it garners rave reviews so that is one of my upcoming projects. I plan on much night picture taking when I return so, grab a hoodie, a cup of coffee, and join me out in the spooky dark north or south lagoons of Emerald City.   Good unmolested night sky, a comrade to kee...