Return of the Fat Bastard - Just me, the Ratdogs and the sounds of the house.

August 23rd 2016

Bella Braveheart!

      I am all alone in the house this morning. Just me, the Ratdogs and the sounds of the house. The lovely Lisa was off to work at 4:30 am. Tamara and the kids are in the Okanagan, Chris goes to work early and Michelle with one L left for work just after I got up. I  had a moment of mental panic when I thought I left the hose in the pool all night. Now I'm not saying that I didn't leave the hose running in the pool. It may well be that the lovely Lisa turned it off on her way to work  or maybe even Chris downstairs turned it off while he was out having a smoke . It might even have been me!  It doesn't really matter because when I ran out there in my house coat this morning it was turned off . It is freaking freezing! Now it's just me walking around in my underwear drinking an entire pot of coffee and playing my guitar. Until about 11:00 when the phone rang. It was Grammy Sharon. "The kids want to come over to play after lunch" She said "Bring them over "I said.
      Unlike yesterday when I was a giant land Slug I've actually been doing things today. I vacuumed the house and did laundry I also got the recycling ready to go. I had a bagel and cream cheese for brunch and prepared for an afternoon of Papa Squatch Day Scare! I cut up half a watermelon and filled a bowl with potato chips. Finished the laundry and played a little more guitar. I keep thinking I should turn the camera on and record my practice sessions just in case I do something right.
      The Grandkids showed up about 1:30 and Bella and Christo headed straight for the pool.Clarissa was not in such a rush. Bella was the first and last one into the pool. She dove right in then bounced right out without using the ladder! Christo got his toes wet and made a bee line for the trampoline. Clarissa never actually went near the pool. She trampolined for a while then went and sat at the table on the back deck looking as bored as only an eleven year old girl can look.  I turned the radio on and let her enjoy her misery for a few minutes. "Let's go to the mall"I said. It was pandamonium kids in bathing suits were running to find their clothes. Clarissa sat there continuing to look bored. I get it. Clarissa is eleven and Bella is two days past her eighth birthday. That's a big difference. Bella is into Barbie and Frozen while Clarissa is into makeup and boys and Christo was out of his mind happy because he lost another front tooth.

Playground at the Mall

Grandkids

      I took Mama Lee's watch back to Timeco to get three more links removed. It was a different watch guy today. If |I had brought the receipt it would have been no charge. I didn't have it with me so I told him to fix it and I would pay. I grabbed the kids and off we went on a tour of the mall. I didn't really need anything but it kept them amused. On the way back to Timeco we came across a playground full of kids. "Cry havoc and release the dogs of play !" I said. They stared at me like I was nuts."Go play ya bug eyed Freaks!" That they understood! I let them play for about fifteen minutes. There were a lot of kids and a lot of Papa's and Grammys. We went and picked up the watch and the guy charged me two dollars less than yesterday. We were back in the car and headed for the Stupor Store Gas Bar with a grumpy Tween and two preenies hitting each other in the back seat.

Frosty's

After we filled up we went through the Wendy's drive thru for four small Frosty's, three chocolate and a Vanilla for Christo. That kept them occupied for a little while. We went to the new playground at Como Lake  and the kids had a ball. At least Bella and Christo did. Clarissa is on the edge of being to old for a playground. She was definitely the oldest kid there. We left after half an hour or so and went across the street to see Mama Lee.

Como Lake Playground

      Mama Lee was like a rock star when three Grandkids came strolling in on a Tuesday. Not even her birthday! Kisses for Mama Lee and hello all around. Mama Lee was sitting out in the courtyard with a dozen or so other residents. The watch now fit perfectly and Mama Lee was happy. I was happy. Even the Grandkids were happy! Of course they were happy. They had a Frosty and a trip to the mall! The phone rang and it was Grammy Sharon wanting the kids back before dinner. "What time is dinner? I asked. "Five O'Clock.  It was 4:45. no problem I'm right around the corner. "We need our bathing suits. They're at your house" they informed me in chorus.  "We're going to Poirier Pool tomorrow." Back to the house, then take them home, then back to the house to pick up the Jays game at the third inning with the Jays down 2-1. The Jays came back to win the game as I faded in and out of consciousness. I don't know why, but every day around 5 or 6 o'clock I seem to fade badly. Twenty minute power nap and I'm good to go. Go where ? That's the question. Tuesday night at 7?
      The lovely Lisa and I have bought our season gate passes for the PNE.  We buy the passes so we can see the Rock N Roll shows. You have to see four shows to break even. Last year we saw nine! Tonight it's the Sheepdogs. They're a really good band but I'm not a really big fan. I had talked to GMcT who is home and doing well now. He wanted me to come by and sign the back of his passport photo. The open mic at Judge Begbies Tavern in New Westminister started at 7 and Greg, who runs it, is a friend of mine. I knew he would get me up early if I wanted to. I got parking around the corner from the Tavern and Greg was still on stage when I got there just after 8. There was a police incident on the Pattullo bridge and it took twenty minutes for Greg to get across the bridge so he got a late start. The joint was close to empty. Greg did a couple of more songs and brought up a harmonica player who did a fair job on the guitar then he did a blues tune on his harp. He was pretty good. When he finished it was my turn. "What key is that harp in?" I asked even though I was sure it was B flat. That means I would need to play in F. I have never played anything in the key of F! It's Capo time. First fret and a progression in A is now a progression in F. Who knew? Greg did! And now I do.
      We did a version of the Love Monkey Blues. He did a nice job on the solos but kind of played over top of my vocals. I thanked him after the song. People had been wandering in all during the song. There were now half a dozen names on the list and maybe ten or so people in the audience. I played three more originals and finished with House of the Rising Sun with Maureen and Mark on percussion. There is no drum kit but there is a Cajon and several other percussion instruments. I was out of there by 8:40 and on my way to GMcT's.
      Gord is looking so much better and his breathing seems to be improving as well. He was having a visit with Sherry who lost her husband Rob, an old poker buddy, two days after Gord lost Penny. Since then she has moved into the same building on the same floor as GMcT and Grammy Sharon who lives right across the hall from GMcT. They are like a gang! I didn't stay too late. I went outside and there was Sherry making her way to the bus stop on the corner. She wasn't going anywhere. The bench at the bus stop is also the smoking lounge. I sat with her for a few minutes reminicing about Rob and sharing a Doob. One of the tenants I had seen before, drove up looking for a parking spot. I had a primo spot. I said goodbye and told him I was leaving. I should have sold him that spot! I was home before 9:30 doing some writing and watching episodes of Elementary.

That's all I've got
Till next time
Peace out Y'all