As previously discussed, we have acquired two kittens who are now about six months old. Tater and Tot are brothers in arms, or I suppose paws. Tater is the larger sibling, far more gregarious and mischievous. I named the water spray bottle “The Taterator” in his honor, since he is often on the receiving end for landing in places he should not be — such as the kitchen counter. Tot is smaller, fluffier and considerably more cautious.
We let the kitties go outside when we are home, always with an ear tuned to caterwauling. There are at least two mean — and full-sized — tomcats in the neighborhood....
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Today, Feb. 17, is my wife’s birthday, aka the Beautiful Mystery Companion. She acquired that title from my mangling of a Jackson Browne song that contains the line, “My stunning mystery companion.” I think “beautiful” works better, though Mr. Browne likely would disagree.
I am likely fonder of her birthday than she is. Here is why. Nine years ago, she reached a certain age on this date. I decline to say exactly what age, out of a strong sense of survival. Never guess a woman’s age or ask when the baby is due, unless you know for certain she is pregnant. I have made both mistakes.
Anyway,...
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My Beautiful Mystery Companion and I plan to plant a vegetable garden this year on a plot nearby that gets plenty of sunshine. Our own yard is filled with trees that make it impossible to grow even tomato plants. We have tried twice. But this plot will be perfect.
We are not planting the vegetables that now can be planted below the surface, such as onions, carrots and potatoes. We have opted for only above-ground plants — tomatoes, peppers, corn, okra, purple-hull peas and squash. That gives me a few weeks to buy some organic fertilizer and rent a tiller to break up the soil. Then it is off to the feed...
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I was talking to a fellow the other day who retired from the Made-Rite Company, which has been a sponsor of the Great Texas Balloon Race since its inception. That reminded me of the nearly two years I spent working at the soft-drink plant on Industrial Boulevard.
I finished my last semester at Longview High School by correspondence course so I could work full-time at Made-Rite and save money for college. I took night courses at Kilgore College in order to continue working full-time — newly married and on our own financially. That is the way I wanted it.
In 1973, Made-Rite still bottled...
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