Neonred

When I first read this I thought you wrote firearms. I said to myself, Yep, need to check and clean mine. I laugh but it's exactly what we do!

And I should have mentioned that it really doesn't matter what they are set at. No one here knows or cares what time it is. It's called "island time"

Really? LOL Here I noticed several people giving out glow in the dark rings and bracelets and pencils and....popsicles! When it's nearly 80 degrees out the kids enjoy the popsicles. Just need to eat them at that moment.

Since I am away this weekend, mama Neon had me change her clocks last weekend. I told her to remember and not screw up her appointments and activities. Of course she did! While I don't take any Rx meds, I do take vitamins and supplements and an OTC stomach acid reducer. Sometimes I can't remember if I took them when I got up (in the wee hours). When I am away from home I now use a pill cady that has each day listed. Problem now is when I'm away for several days I often wonder...what day is it? I only have 3 clocks here in the Keys.

Halloween here on Big Pine Key was an unbelievable event. I left a complete review here but I had no idea our neighborhood put on such a huge event. People and kids come from all areas of the keys come for it. Seems that it grows each year and most of the homes on that side of the neighborhood participate. As our younger grandchildren get older I look forward to having them come down for this. Fun for the kids AND great fun for the adults too. The usual treats for the kids, and many houses giving out beer, jello shots, etc for the adults. It was basically a HUGE block party. Took the 2 grandkids. I had given them the heads up to bring their costumes and I was fortunate to have a few costumes for us adults. I can't wait to do this again next year.

We are, of course, in the Keys and the weather has been spectacular. Staying in the 70's day and night. One set of grandkids are here so we were ready to go. At our home in Naples we live in an area where everyone is on several acres so it's not ideal for treating and we never get any kids. A different story here in the Keys. Last weekend was Fantasy Fest in Key West, adult trick or treating. Basically drinking with parties, parades, and nudity. Been there before and it is a site to see and a special event, but honestly many of the women that take it all off and get body painted...shouldn't! We didn't go the last several years. Our neighborhood here in the Keys is noted for putting on just about the best "normal" kid friendly Halloween party in the entire Keys. I had heard about it but never seem to have been here at the right time. Also I'm on the quieter side of the neighborhood. This year with the grandkids here we decided to go for it. I even had a couple of costumes in the closet for us adults. Our son in law was a chicken, and I wore the cow costume. The kids, 6 and 8, were some kind of turtle and biotoxic super hero. This event was UNBELIEVABLE. Below is a short video from 4 years ago, and now it is twice as big. Almost every house in the other 1/2 of the neighborhood participates. We covered 8 blocks and were getting tired so headed home. We missed probably 1/3 or more. Many houses had treats for kids as well as treats for adults. The organizers had a keg. One house we went to had kids treats, and then your kid could "spin the wheel" to see what "treat" dad or grandpa would get. I got a beer! Choices were beer, wine cooler, jello shot, pudding shot, or hot dog. Others had special over 21 coolers with "witches brew" (beer) or goblin gool (alcohol mini bottles). Several houses had haunted mansions underneath (we're almost all stilt homes). I was so impressed. Activities started at 6 and started winding down about 8 but the somewhat official end was supposed to be 9. There were more people than I ever imagined, and great costumes. Almost everyone including adults were prepared. I'm glad I had a few costumes hidden away. Our little island puts on so many great kid friendly events each year. A good time was had by all!

It's 6am Friday and the perfect time to be up. Sitting on the back porch (elevated because it's a stilt house on a canal near the open water) in my underwear. All the doors and windows are open as it's a somewhat chilly 72 degrees but enjoying the change of season. Just hope the people across the canal can't notice my choice of attire. Got the pup sitting next to me to keep me warm, but she's a bit small at only 5 lbs. Having Walmart withdrawal with none within 100 miles. Worked on the new boat yesterday getting things set up to my liking. Why does the factory wire up the depth finder/ fish finder/ GPS so that it only works when the engine is on? So when you get to your fishing/anchoring spot and shut the motor off you lose all info? On a boat with 2 batteries? Come on. Fortunately an easy rewire. And why do they mount the depth finder transducer so high that as soon as you are under way it no longer reads the depth? I lowered it, and I understand it's a very common problem. Also added an automatic battery combiner so that when the engine is running it will charge either/or both batteries without needing to manually set a switch. Should have been a standard item. Oh, the chart plotter/GPS and dash were loose and wiggled. While working on that wiring I noticed that several bolts that hold these items in place were started but never tightened and needed to be run up another inch. Sloppy workmanship. My wife told me that her daughter and son in law and two kids were coming down Friday night or Saturday because it's the older kids 8th birthday and he wanted to see "Grandpa Neon and the new boat". SOB, they decided to arrive last night....and they are going to stay until we go back on Monday. 🤬 And they invited their friends, another couple with 2 kids to come down tomorrow. I don't even know these people. What am I running, a motel? And then I have to launder all those sheets and towels. I hate people... I've got to go inside and make a hot cup of coffee to warm up. This cold 72 degree weather is killing me. Guess I'll put some clothes on too.

Yep, going to be winter weather here too. Friday morning it will get down to 60, and in some unfortunate areas as low as 59. Won't even warm up out of the upper 70's. That's why I'm headed south Wednesday after work. At least there lows will be low 70's. Highs topping out about 80. Returning late Monday. Easing my way into retirement. Going fishing and cruising... Go find somebody else to take care of your toothache.

Lassie was never lost!

We noticed at the beginning of September Costco already had Christmas trees and decorations for sale. At first we made fun of that, then on a subsequent trip my wife said she liked one of the trees and maybe it's time for us to think about buying one. Grandchildren are getting to that wonderful age... Wife insisted we go to Costco Friday and get a tree before they are all gone. LOL Used our executive member rebate coupon for a better deal. Then this morning she decided we need to put it up.😮 Yep, two months before Christmas and our tree is up. I'm going to be so sick of it before Christmas gets here.

We have two in the top ten, including #1! Couldn't find my schools on the list...

Geeze, I remember watching both of those shows. And I'm not talking about reruns...

Better than late voting. When my mother starts acting like that (less yelling and complaining) I'll know she is in serious decline.

Well, back before Covid when many of the superstores were open 24/7 it could have been. 😞

Have you had your thyroid hormone levels checked? Or perhaps it has to do with the "many, many" candles on the last birthday cake? Or maybe you need a hot young chick to perk you up!

Do you think you can get Ex- Mrs.-TB to give us daily updates on her adventures? Seems she has a more enjoyable and interesting life than anyone here. LOL

Two years ago we had a new dock and deck made at our house in the Keys replacing one that was constructed with PT lumber. This time we used a product called TanDeck, a product made entirely from recycled HDPE which is largely old milk jugs. 50 year warranty. So far it's great and still looks like new. Always hated the way PT lumber warped, cracked, splintered and weathered in the intense FL sun.

Oh oh, that's very bad. You need a bite guard. More health problems? Any hot Asian chicks at this one? Yuck!

Yesterday we flew to Colorado for the wedding of the daughter of my wife’s best friend, and a girl that worked for me while she was in school. We are in the Boulder area but staying at a small lodge in a very small town way up in the mountains. 8236 feet elevation which is a big change for us from the couple of feet above sea level. It’s a quirky artistic tourist town and our lodge is right on Boulder creek. Only took us several minutes to walk the entire town. Noticed that there were mountain bikes for rent. Asked my wife if she wanted to try mountain biking…LOL. She said only if she could get a mountain bike with training wheels. @TBoneTX, I think this proves she is a true Rubia.

Dad taught me how to change oil and filter and other maintenance tasks before I turned 13 and since that time I have never paid for that service on a car or a boat or when I was racing karts then cars. Guess I'm pretty much a do it yourself kind of guy.

Have not heard anything about that but I really doubt it.

Yes it is. It seems they reduced their size and gave up a little bit of their property to accommodate cruise ships, a new hotel, and an upscale gated community (Truman Annex) some years ago. I do still see them practicing touch and goes at Boca Chica. And of course got to keep a close eye and ear on Cuba.

I'm here in the Keys every month, and after the end of the year I'll be able to spend a lot more time here.

You know, here in paradise I have found that a couple of stiff drinks allows me to have a very successful siesta! Just saying.

No Walmart in the Keys and I'm going thru withdrawal. And yes, I did start drinking well before 9am.....COFFEE! Actually it's about dinnertime and I've not had any alcohol today. And I almost never drink when I'm not in the Keys, but you know what they say. " You can't drink all day if you don't start first thing in the morning", or at least I was told that by someone in Key West.