No Thanks .. I Gave at the Office

Lifeline Blood Services had their "Bloodmobile" (it's kind of like an ice cream truck or 'Bookmobile' .. except children run from it .. not to it) at our church yesterday from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. and I let them really "stick it to me" (most of the workers were formerly employed with the IRS, making them highly qualified to squeeze the blood out of this turnip).

My blood is O Positive (or, at least .. O '99% sure') and since this is a very popular type (it's comforting after hearing for years 'he's not my type' to know .. now, I am), I get calls every time these "blood suckers" are coming to town (Oh .. you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why .. ).

I have been giving blood for quite a few years and it makes me feel good knowing I have truly helped someone in need .. plus you get snacks.

When I was in Memphis, the Bloodmobile would come to our church on Wednesday afternoons. They would park outside the gym area (we had our Wednesday night suppers there) and the people (church members) could give before or after they ate.

Once, I remember sitting around the table and talking to one of the children who had a multitude of questions about what went on inside "that big bus." When I told him I was about to go in and let them "drain the blood from my body," I could tell he was a little "spooked."

Could I just drop the subject and leave it alone? Nooo.

I went in, let them do their job, and then talked a worker in to letting me have two round band-aids .. which I put on my neck. I may have, also, given the child the impression that a guy in a black cape and fangs did the extracting.

At last report, this young man (now age 22) still sleeps with a light on and never uses public transportation.

I'm an evil man.

Giving blood, of course, is no laughing matter (like most entries here on the blog).

• The average heart surgery patient needs 6 units of blood
• After an organ transplant, 40 units of blood is needed.
• If you are in an automobile accident, the number of units averages out to be about 50.

I will be eligible to give again on March 16.

As long as there's a person who needs type O Positive .. or a child who hasn't been traumatized .. you can count on me.

And Then There's Mauve

While checking my email at 3 o'clock this morning (Allegra-D - for fast and sustained seasonal allergy congestion relief .. and guaranteed insomnia), I noticed a "Hot Color Tip" from overstock.com (who needs an interior designer? .. I'm taking all my advice from a website that also sells one of these click here .. Georgann, I know you probably already have one .. if not, Chloe would love it).

Yet I digress.

The 'Hot Color Tip" was: for a new look in your room, add a little mauve to the mix! This hip color will add to your decor, especially when paired with accents like turquoise .. etc.

Ah, mauve and turquoise .. I remember them well.

They were the "hot' colors we used to paint the fellowship hall at Lee Street Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia (1990 or 91 .. I believe). Unfortunately, by the time the project was completed, they were "out" and cinnamon (or some similar spice color) was "in."

We were so "1990s" before the second coat dried.

They say if you wait long enough, things will come back in style (I have two boxes .. one is full of 'Dick Van Dyke Show' one inch wide neckties .. the ties in the other box are wide enough to use as a lobster bib).

I'm still waiting for the peach colored tile in this old house to make a miraculous comeback .. or has it, already?

I'm checking my email.

There's Nothing to Do

According to the GoStats info (a web counter & traffic analysis site), my blog had 93 unique visitors (you are all unique to me .. and by unique I mean .. special .. and by special I mean .. let's just leave it at that) yesterday.

Since the weekly average is usually between 45 and 50, it appears this place is taking off like an airplane .. from US Airways.

That number is a little misleading.

It includes those who might have just stumbled upon this spot (if you do a search for 'complete waste of time,' I'm one of the top hits .. second only to any movie by Ed Wood) by mistake and are now in need of some type of therapy and/or a support group ('Hi, my name is ____ and I'm a kevoholic').

It, also, includes those who didn't want to get out in the bitter cold (11° degrees, here in West Tennessee).

My weekend (I count Friday night, Saturday and Sunday) numbers are lower than the 45 or 50 I mentioned before. Everyone likes to get out and about after a long work week and that means they are not sitting at home in front of the computer screen desperately looking for entertainment.

So, there you have it.

Close to a hundred visitors stopped in yesterday. It wasn't because of my wit, charm and writing ability. It was either: ① by mistake OR ② because they were cold and bored.

Hey, works for me .. I'm not too proud.

I'll take what I can get.

Friday Night SmackDown

There is nothing quite like the love between a brother and sister.

Here is an old clip of Drew and Megan doing what siblings do best (I thought my sister Terri and I got in to some pretty good fights .. no way .. we were mere amateurs compared to this 'WWF worthy' video).

Kind of reminds me of Cain and Abel .. if Meg had a cane I think she might be able to inflict some serious damage on Drew!

Little boys, stay out of your sister's room.

Things could get ugly.

I Just Needed to Vent

When I wrote yesterday's "weather report," here at the old blog, I thought I had reached a new low (with 40 mph winds, gusting out of the north) in subject matter.

Well .. I'm, evidently, a little out of touch with my readers.

I received more comments on the "Cold Weather" post than I did on any other single topic, to date (note to self: self, when running short of ideas .. play the weather card .. it's a winner).

Now, I have a slight problem.

Yesterday's flippant remark about "dryer lint" was done in jest (I was under pressure for a good closing line and that's all I had). After a bit of soul searching (looking deep inside myself .. not to be confused with sole searching .. checking shoes for gum), I'm thinking I should really "run with it."

A quick Google (or .. THE Google, as outgoing president, GWB calls it) of "dryer lint" yielded some interesting info.

Did you know there's a recipe for "Dryer Lint Clay?" There is.

Did you know you can use dryer lint as kindling? You can.

Did you know lint can be used instead of bubble wrap or packing peanuts as padding when sending items through the mail? You shouldn't (this one might freak out the recipient).

There is even a production entitled, LINT! The Musical.

Who knew lint could be so fascinating?

Whether you're modeling something (be careful .. the movement of rolling up the stuff in a tight little ball can cause an injury, similar to carpal tunnel.. it's commonly referred to as .. clay achin'), trying to start a campfire, sending off packages, or preparing that big musical "finish," I hope you have a better appreciation for this, often misunderstood, byproduct.

I know my eyes were opened.

In fact, I gave up an entire blog entry .. for lint.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

It's 20° degrees outside this morning and the heat hasn't kicked on yet (the thermostat is on a timer: 64° at night/68° in the morning .. starting at 5:30 am) here at "this old house."

I'm at the computer wearing a fleece-lined "hoody" jacket and a toboggan (the 'stocking cap' .. not the long, flat-bottomed light sled made usually of thin boards curved up at one end with usually low handrails at the side), waiting for the hot air to flow (insert joke of your choice, here).

It's going to be cold this week in West Tennessee, with temperatures dipping down in the teens the next few nights .. brrr!

Most people hate cold weather and can't wait for summer to get here.

Not me. I hate summer.

In the summer it's .. hot .. AND .. heat makes me sweat .. AND .. sweat reminds me of physical labor .. AND .. physical labor reminds me why I entered the ministry in the first place: to avoid the aforementioned, physical labor (it's kind of a 'circle of life' thing).

Granted, if I had to be out in the elements for extended periods of time, I would be more likely to long for warmer weather. However, since I'm not .. bring on the cold, baby.

There, I've done it .. an entire blog entry talking about the weather.

Riveting, wasn't it?

Tomorrow's topic is .. dryer lint: the good, the bad and the ugly.