A Lesson Fom My Dogs

I have two dogs. Rusty is a golden retriever/lab mix and Bob is a shar-pei/retriever mix. Each dog has their own distinctive personality.

Rusty loves to play and have fun. Even though he just turned 11 years old, he is very active.

Bob is more serious. He has a stoic expression, like most shar-peis. He will play, but only after Rusty has encouraged him.

Their personalities are easy to observe when I take them for a walk.

I usually keep Rusty off his leash because he is slow enough that I can catch him if he starts to chase something. When I walk Bob, he is on a mission. He wants to get from point A to point B as fast as he can. In his haste, he misses things that Rusty notices. He definitely has a purpose and a mission that he wants to accomplish.

Rusty is the opposite. He takes a few steps into the field and then he starts rolling in the grass. He repeats this process at least 10 times before he catches up to me and Bob (I have to hold Bob back, or Rusty would be left behind). As Rusty is rolling in the grass, he is smiling and having a lot of fun. Rusty eventually gets to point B, but he has fun on the way.

I guess the lesson that I take from this is that it is good to have a purpose in life and to have a mission, but we also need to have fun along the way as we strive to meet our goals.

Lost Wallet

A funny thing happened today at the movies. My wife and I went to see the 3D movie Avatar. It was pretty good. I may write a movie review in a day or two.

It was chilly outside, so I wore a hooded sweatshirt that had the pockets where you can warm your hands.

After paying for the tickets, I placed my wallet back in the pockets of the sweatshirt. That was a mistake.

During the movie, some bratty kid kept kicking my seat. It wasn't a light tap. It was getting on my nerves. After the tenth time, I turned around and asked him (politely) to quit kicking. He was too engrossed by the movie to even hear me.

It was probably at the time of turning around that my wallet fell out of my sweatshirt. The wallet was jam packed with gift cards, credit cards, cash, and all that other stuff you gotta have.

I didn't realize that I had lost it until I had returned home.

As soon as I realized what had happened I called the theater and started to drive back to Muvico. The theater manager said that nobody had turned in anything and that the theater was filling up for the next show. I was starting to get worried. So, I prayed.

After arriving at the theater, my wife went in and proceeded to search where we were sitting. Fortunately, she was able to locate it (with the help of a flashlight). All the contents were intact.

Answered prayer!

Next time, the wallet goes into my pants pocket.

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone has a special Christmas with family and friends.

God Bless
Dave

Giving Back (World Vision)

I believe that God has given each of us unique gifts that we are to use to bless others. One of the gifts that I have is the ability to create Crossword Puzzles.

I have used this gift to create hundreds of puzzles over the years. A few years ago, I found a website BestCrosswords that allowed me to upload my puzzles and share them with thousands of people who love to solve crosswords.

To my surprise, based on statistics, my puzzles have been downloaded millions of times. When I was the most active in submitting puzzles, I was probably the most viewed crossword constructor in the world (on a daily basis).

The website allows me to earn a few dollars a day (on average) by way of Google Ads. I have decided to use this monthly income to 'adopt' a child via World Vision.

World Vision is an international aid Christian humanitarian organization, World Vision works in nearly 100 countries around the globe, combating the root causes of poverty and responding quickly when disaster strikes.

They partner with communities to find lasting ways of improving the lives of children and their families while providing international disaster relief.

I encourage my readers to find that 'gift' that God has given you and to use it to serve others. It will bless you as much as you bless others.

Christmas at GTE

It's funny to think back on how things used to be.

When I first started at GTE in the 1990's, there was not any political correctness. Each year, we had a great Christmas party. They would be at Temple Terrace country club. There was a band, plenty of food, and an open bar.

That lasted a few years. As the years went along, we would be taken to a nice restaurant where everyone would receive a nice gift.

After the GTE/Bell Atlantic merger which formed Verizon, the days of the fun Christmas events became a thing of the past.

First, we could not use the word 'Christmas' and second the budget was severely cut. So, we had to make adjustments.

No more Country Club buffets. At first, the department would supply the turkey to our "Holiday Celebration" and we would bring the sides, to eventually ...

Employees just got together and brought in their favorite food and we just met in the conference room.

But the food was good and we still had our "Christmas" memories.

How to Gain Weight

Earlier this year, I reported that I had reached my goal of losing 40 pounds. I had reached that goal with the help of a medically supervised weight program. I actually went on to lose an additional 12 pounds for a total of 52 pounds lost!

My new weight of 178 pounds was exciting. I went out and bought a bunch of new clothes and I felt great.

However, in the past month, I have regained about 10 pounds. The reason for the weight gain was the following:

1) Thanksgiving
2) Stopped playing basketball at the YMCA
3) Stopped other exercising at the Y
4) Started to eat a bunch of sweets and chips and soft drinks
5) Started to eat bigger portions at lunch and dinner
6) Started to eat the wrong kind of foods
7) Visited Mom in Pittsburgh

So, I have decided (in the midst of the holidays), to go back to the things that helped me lose weight. Check back in a few weeks for an update.

Back to Blogging

Loyal Blog Readers,

After taking some time off, I am back to updating my blog.

All the pressure from my many(?) fans has forced me out of retirement.

So, get ready for more stories from my past and also current events happening in my life. And most importantly, my hopes for the future.

I hope that I can entertain you. Check back tomorrow for my next installment. I will try to have a blog at least 4 times a week.

Haunted House

We went to the Tampa Palms Country Club the other evening to visit a Haunted House. The club went to a lot of expense to set up an elaborate series of rooms with all kinds of scary special effects.

It was cool, but the little kids were freaked out (as were some of the adults).

We took our neighbors daughter and she lasted about 1 minute before she started sobbing and had to make a quick retreat.

I made it all the way through (somehow).

Pistol Pete (Part 1)

When I was growing up in Pittsburgh, one of my happiest days was when my neighbors, the Malarkeys, paved their driveway and put up a basketball hoop.

I would spend day and night practicing and playing hoops. Except when the Malarkeys would have dinner (they would politely ask me to take a break).

Since, I get bored easily, it wasn't long before I started to practice trick shots. I would shoot it behind my back, off the wall, off the hill, etc. This came in handy, since one of the games we played, was called HORSE. Where a player had to match the other players shot. If they missed, they got the letter H. Whoever got to HORSE first, lost.

Anyway, I got to so good at my crazy trick shots, that I got the nickname, Pistol. (named for Pistol Pete Maravich who was famous for his unique style of basketball). The unusual part of the story was that Mr. Malarkey was a basketball coach and he was friends with Pete's father Press.

Later in my life, I learned more about Pete Maravich and his life. It is an amazing story (stay tuned).

Fast forward to 'today'.

I still practice my trick shots. Some of the guys at the YMCA comment about my crazy shots. They haven't nicknamed me Pistol yet (maybe, because they are too young to know about him).

The Big Five-O

I tried to hide the news that I was turning 50 from as many non-family members as I could, but my neighbors found out. They surprised me by 'trashing' my yard wth a bunch of 'Over the Hill' signs and ballons the night before my birthday.

I also was greeted by a faceful of silly-string from my neighbors daughter.

I have to say, it was a lot of fun and much appreciated.

It made turning 50 a day to remember.

On my actual birthday, we took our neighbor's daughter (the silly-string shooter) to the zoo. It was the first time I had been there in a while. It was cool to see the animals up close and feed them. It was a fun day.

My Steelers Super Bowl Ticket

When the Steelers defeated the Ravens this past January to reach the Super Bowl, I was thrilled. Especially since they would be playing in Tampa.

I had been to two previous Super Bowls, but I had never seen my hometown team play.

The cost of tickets for the two previous games was around $150.00.

For this game, I knew that I would be paying big bucks if I decided to go.

It wasn't until the Thursday before the game that I decided to try and get a ticket.

I found a ticket broker close to my job and visited the location at lunch.

I had several seats to choose from and I selected one that would be close to the field. Around the 30 yard line and 30 rows back.

The price was pretty steep, but I went because I knew that my father would want me to go. He had passed away two months earlier.

The cool thing was just a few days after the game, which of course, the Steelers won, I got a check in the mail from my dad's insurance company. The money he left me was the exact amount I paid for the ticket.

Pretty amazing coincidence.

Rolling Down the Mountain

When I was in High School, I made a friend with a guy who liked to do crazy pranks. I realized later that we could have killed someone.

The worst prank ("kids, don't try this") was when we took an old tire and rolled it down a hill where it would cross a busy street (where people were driving their cars).

The location was at my old elementary school. It was late in the evening. After we rolled the tire down down this steep hill, we watched to see what would happen. Sure enough, a car had to slam on it's breaks to avoid getting hit.

A minute later, we see a car speeding up the hill. We ran into the woods as fast as we could. We escaped detection. I remember thinking, I got to get new friends. This nut is going to get me sent to jail.

Cancer Walk

This past Saturday, I woke up early, stepped outside and realized the temperature had dropped into the 40's. Pretty unusual for Florida. The dogs sure liked it, but I was hoping for a warmer day.

This was the day of the 5K walk to raise money for Breast Cancer research. My company was one of the sponsors and quite a few employees signed up to participate.

I decided that a brisk walk would be a nice way to start the day. I thought all my dog walks would prepare me for the 5K.

So, my wife and I drove into the city of Tampa and made our way to the St. Pete Times Forum.

We met up with some of my co-workers and enjoyed the pre-walk festivities.

The walk started at 9:00 and was over by 10:00. Most of the walk was down Bayshore Boulevard. It was cool to be one of several thousand participants and to be part of a city-wide event. We even saw the mayor (Pam Iorio).

One thing, my legs were sore. I guess the dog walks were not much of a help for that long of a distance. But, we enjoyed it. Oh, and the weather did warm up. So, it was a great way to start the day.

Tornado Scare

A few years ago we were having a very bad storm. We were watching the news and heard of tornadoes being spotted in the Tampa Bay area. A few minutes later, the weatherman announced that a new tornado was moving down I-75 towards Tampa Palms (my neighborhood).

Since we do not have a basement, the safest place I could think of was in a hall closet (under the steps). So, I tried to get everyone into that area (it is a big size hall closet). Anyway, my wife's mom (we call her 'Gammy') was staying with us. She was more concerned with making sure some jackets that we had to pull from the closet were not getting wrinkled than getting to the safe zone. As the winds started to get stronger outside, she kept folding, and we kept telling her "hurry, come on, the tornado is coming".

It took her five minutes to get into the closet.

We had a good laugh afterward (when we finally relaxed as the storm passed).

Slow Day at the Blog

I am one of the few people with a last name that can be typed on a calculator. Assuming, you turn it upside down.

The numbers below spell DIEBOLD (upside down). Of course, the 0 has to be considered both an O and a D. Give me some slack, its a 'slow day at the blog'.

0708310

I discovered this after learning of the calculator trick that spells Shell Oil (see image above). I decided to try and spell my name and was surprised that I was able to.

VIP Access at the SuperBowl

In January of 1990, I was offered a ticket to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans between the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos. The sister of a friend of mine was married to John Frank of the 49ers. I used my free airline tickets that I had won in a putting contest (see One Lucky Putt blog).

It was kind of last minute so I had to stay in a city north of New Orleans. I drove into New Orleans and met up with the players family (I had never met them). At first, I was nervous, because they acted like my ticket was not available. But they told me not to worry.

The next thing I know I am being escorted into the players hotel. While I was there, I was introduced to the owner of the team, Eddie Debartolo. I think that is how I got my ticket. It was a very good ticket, near the 40 yard line.

I checked out New Orleans, but since I was staying an hour away, I couldn't explore too much.

The actual game was a blowout. The 49ers won 55-10.

After the game, I was escorted into the players families waiting room where I met many of the players and partook in some food and refreshments. I actually got about 7 autographs, including Steve Young's (a hall-of-famer).

I still have the program, although, it may be on E-Bay one day.

One funny thing, the next day, in the USA Today, Jerry Rice of the 49ers was quoted as saying, the one thing he didn't like, was all the autograph requests they had at the post game celebration.

I have to admit it, I think I was the one who started the autograph barrage.

Return to Golf

I played golf with my neighbor the other day. It was the most fun I have had playing golf in a long time. The previous time I had played golf, I had played so poorly, that I considered quitting for the rest of the year. I am glad I decided to give it another try.

Even though I was under Dr's orders to rest (due to dental surgery), I decided to get some fresh air (air that felt like it was 100 degrees). So, we made our way to the golf course.

I started off OK, but then had a few problems driving the ball off the tee. My neighbor thought he saw what my problem was and gave me a few suggestions. I usually don't find golf advice to be very helpful, but this time it made a huge difference.

I went from hitting terrible tee shots to hitting the ball straight down the middle. I had a 5 hole stretch where I made 4 pars and a birdie. This was my best stretch of golf in many years.

I can't wait to play again.

Golf is FUN again!

Water Drinking Contest

One of the nice things about my job at New Homes was the Zephyrhills water that was delivered each week. We had more of those huge 5-gallon bottles than I could count. We also had the smaller hand held bottles.

We were a well hydrated group of employees.

One day, I thought I would put the water to good use. I challenged a few of the guys to a water drinking contest. I thought it would lift everyone's spirits (since, the company was sinking like me during my high school swim class).

So, after I proposed the contest, there ensued a long debate on what the rules would be, etc (some of my co-workers were a little immature).

Anyway, once all that was cleared up, Dennis, Miles, and myself began the contest.

Greg was the official judge. A job he would regret.

Within a few seconds, I had a laughing attack and proceeded to blow out my water like the seals at Sea World. Greg was the unlucky recipient of my 'stream'.

As he was ducking and getting soaked, Dennis and Miles kept chugging. I don't remember who won, but it was a fun day.

Greg took it well. He was fine after he located a roll of paper towels.

This May Sting a Little

One of my all time least favorite things to do in life is visit the dentist office.

But, I guess it's the price I have to pay for not taking care of my teeth as well as I should have. Flossing was not something I did until I developed gum disease. I also was never very thorough when I would brush my teeth. Who wants to spend all that time brushing your teeth when its time to go to bed.

So, I have the pleasure of visiting the dentist office 4 times a year for maintenance.

The other day I had an additional visit to have surgery. The surgery was to take tissue from the roof of my mouth and use that tissue to help my gum tissue get stronger. Some kind of graft.

I was treated very nicely. They have a great staff. But, I hope it's a long time before I need another surgical procedure.

One of the things I dread is when the Dr. says "This may sting a little". That is code for "This is going to be very painful". But, I survived. The tough part is that you can only have cold liquids for the first 24 hours. How many Ensures can one person drink?

Until next time ...

High School Playoffs

After not making the High School basketball team, the coach asked if I wanted to be a team manager. The manager is the kid who does all the behind the scenes stuff for the team, getting towels, water bottles, etc.

One side benefit was being able to sit next to the cheerleaders on the bus to the away games.

I was in 10th grade, but the seniors treated me well. Except when they played practical jokes on me. Like throwing all the basketballs I was trying to collect down the stairs. Our team that year, led by the Skelley twins, went undefeated in our section and we qualified for the post season playoffs.

The playoffs were held at the Civic Arena (the place the Stanley Cup Penguins still call home).

It was cool to go there and see the locker rooms and walk on the court.

My neatest memory was walking off the court as we finished our warm-ups. My nutty friends started a cheer, not for the team, but for me. Soon, hundreds of people were chanting 'Deebs, Deebs, Deebs' (my nickname back then).

I guess it was my "Rudy" moment.

Our team lost that day, but it was a great season.

It Wasn't the Aids Walk List, but ...

If you are a fan of the show Seinfeld, you may remember the episode where Jerry gets a girls phone number from a list where people had signed up to go on a walk to support Aids.

I had a similar experience. When we first moved into our home, we would be woken up every night by the sound of a barking dog. The little guy barked nonstop for hours. We could not see him because he was on the porch and there was a fence between our properties.

I couldn't figure out how to make him stop. I guess looking back, I could have done the easy thing and just knocked on the neighbors door but I found a different way ....

A few weeks later we had a knock on the door. There was an environmental group trying to get people to sign a petition to stop something (I don't remember). As they made their pitch, I happened to notice a name, address, and phone number on the list.

I had remembered the neighbors address because I had considered sending them a letter. So, when I saw the address, I mentally recorded the phone number next to it.

I now formulated a plan.

The next night, when old yappy starting his ritual yelping, I sprung into action. I picked up the phone and called the owners of the yapper. I woke them from a sound sleep, Ah, too bad.

I just said, over and over again, "Your Dog's Barking', "Your Dog's Barking". They were Spanish, but I think they got the point eventually. They did something and from then on, we never heard the dog again.

A few months later, I was walking my dog and I had a conversation with the owner (they didn't know who I was, I think). They were telling me a sad story about how their blind dog had recently passed away.

I felt bad, but then again, I was glad to be able to sleep.

Bob and Sammy

A while back, I talked about Rusty's new friend Sammy.

Bob (our Sharpei-mix) and Sammy are not friends.

One day, Sammy had gone over to say hi to Bob. I was talking to Sammy's owner when I heard a terrible sound. Bob and Sammy were having a bad fight. Michael Vick would have been proud. We tried to separate them, but it was difficult. I thought Bob was going to kill Sammy, but Sammy defended himself pretty well. Bob had a small cut on his face, but it healed quickly.

Eventually, they were separated. Sammy's owners took it all in stride. They acted nicer than I would have.

Sammy must have sniffed Bob in the wrong place. Bob is sensitive in that way. As most males are.

To this day, Sammy is afraid of Bob. He runs as fast as he can from us if Bob is around. I have to take Bob a different direction so that Rusty and Sammy can have some play time.

Remembering My Dad

Today is the first time I won't be calling my dad to wish him a "Happy Birthday" (since moving to Florida). He passed away last December.

It will be a day to remember the good times we had.

I'm glad it will take place on a Sunday.

Being in church will make things easier.

Near the end of his life, he professed his faith in Jesus for his eternal salvation.

For that, I am thankful.

Movie Review - "The Invention of Lying"

I recently saw the movie, "The Invention of Lying".

There were several things in the movie that made me think about our culture. The movie is set in a 'made-up' place where everyone tells the truth. Imagine a world where people would tell you exactly what they are feeling and you could do the same in return. People wouldn't have to pretend. Of course, hearing and telling the truth could be painful (or not).

Also, imagine a world where advertisers would tell you the truth. Just think how different that would be.

That's how this 'world' was until, the lead character invents lying. The actor is a British comedian. I have always liked the British type of humor (dry and witty).

I wish I could recommend the movie (some parts were very entertaining and funny). But, it was also a movie that had a secret agenda. It brutally attacked Christianity. It blamed God (the "Man in the Sky") for all the problems in the world. It went on and on attacking Biblical truths.

So, please don't see this movie.

Possum Has Bad Day

The other night a possum made a decision he would soon regret. He decided to visit our yard at 1:00 in the morning. Little did he know that our sharpei/retriever mix Bob has a great sense of smell.

We made the mistake of assuming the dogs had to go to the bathroom as we opened the back door.

Within seconds, Bob dashed into the backyard and attacked the unfortunate Mr. Possum. Bob has eliminated many possums over the years and has never even got a scratch. I guess possums are not as tough as they look.

Rusty, our other dog, is very kind to other animals. He used to escort the possums out of the yard.

Now, he just barks at what Bob does to them. I felt bad for any neighbors who were trying to sleep at 1:00 AM. Rusty barked nonstop until Bob finally came back in the house. I'm sure we are not the most popular neighbors at this time.

The picture above is courtesy of the vultures who invaded our yard.

Until next time ...

Celebrity Siting

This must be my week for hearing about and seeing professional wrestlers.

This past weekend, I heard a lot of stories about Hulk Hogan.

My wife and the preacher who performed a wedding ceremony that I attended both knew the "Hulkster" from Robinson High School in Tampa. In fact, the preacher talks to Hulk Hogan on a regular basis.

My wife likes to tell a story about how Hulk kicked down a door at a party she attended back in High School.

One of Hulks wrestling rivals was Dusty Rhodes, known as the 'American Dream'. The "Dream" likes to eat at Wright's Deli. My buddy Dennis and I ate there this past Monday and as we were leaving, we spotted Dusty.

It looked like he was eating for two. He had several sandwiches, soup, and dessert. But then again, he is a big guy.

Dave's Grouper (almost)

In the early 1990's, the Pittsburgh Pirates actually had a good baseball team. They made the playoffs for three straight seasons. I tried to watch as many games as I could, but the only way to do that was to go to a local pub and ask them to show the games via satellite.

Myself and a Pittsburgh buddy (his name was also Dave) convinced the owner of a local Beef O' Bradys to show the Pirate games. Of course, we were pretty good customers, so it was a win-win situation.

As a side benefit, the food was very good. I would mostly order the wings. One day, I tried the grouper sandwich and it became another of my favorites.

During this time, I had become friends with the owner. I used to tease her about renaming the grouper sandwich on the menu to "Dave's Grouper". She almost did it. I think if the Pirates had kept winning (and I had stayed as a regular), I probably would have been able to convince her.

But, it was not meant to be. Since 1992, the Pirates have set a record as the team with the most consecutive losing seasons.

I still like their food though.

Great White Heron

The other day I was sitting outside the room we rented in Siesta Key Florida when a Great White Heron swoops down a few feet from where I was.

I was startled at first, but then I remembered from a previous trip that the birds are just looking for someone to feed them.

So, my wife and I looked around and decided to feed the bird some bread. But this bird was not interested in eating that. He made it known. Each time we threw a piece, he pecked at it and threw it away. He then shook his head like he was 'saying no'. I thought that was funny.

Then, we looked for something else. The only other thing we could find were some Pringles. Once again, the bird pecked at it and decided to let us know that it was not what he wanted. Once again, the bird shook his head like he was 'saying no'.

Next time we will have to have some seafood.

Sarasota Wedding

This past weekend my wife and I had a nice long weekend in Siesta Key Florida. It was so nice to finally get away and relax. With my new job I have only had one vacation day since I started last December.

The purpose of the trip was to attend a family wedding (my wife's niece).

The wedding took place at a place called the Powel Crosley Estates. The estates bordered the Gulf of Mexico and it was a beautiful location. It was an outdoor wedding which took place at 5:00 PM. I have to say that I sweated off most of the Doritos and other junk food that I ate that weekend.

Fortunately the rains stayed away. The ceremony was lovely. It was officiated by a Pastor that we know from a local church. It's always good to hear the wedding vows and to be reminded of the importance of God in a marriage.

The reception was also nice. Lots of delicious food. It was good to see family that I had not seen for a while.

Skinny Finger

One of the problems with losing a lot of weight is that sometimes the weight comes off in the wrong places.

Recently I was washing my hands and when I left the bathroom I discovered that my wedding ring was missing.

I checked my pockets, the sink, the floor, and the trash can, but found no ring.

I even looked in the toilet, but still no ring.

I double-checked the trash can and found it. Whew!

It turns out that my finger had gotten a little skinnier with all my weight loss.

Waiting Room Misery

I'm sure everyone reading this blog entry can relate to this story.

The other day I had an appointment at the doctor's office. Being conscientious, I arrive a few minutes early for my appointment. After signing in, I proceed to sit and wait. Eventually, I was called back to have my vitals taken. Normally, after that, I am escorted to the next waiting room.

However, this was an exception. Instead of moving to the 'little' waiting room, I was told to go back to the big waiting room.

So, there I went. I watched Bay News 9 for a while until the news segments started to repeat (that's when you know you have been waiting for over an hour). Eventually, I got bored with TV and made my way over to the fish tank.

At that point I was starving and started to think I would love a fish sandwich.

I started a conversation with a lady who was also waiting a long time. Turned out she was a dog lover and so I killed 15 more minutes talking about pets.

Eventually I was called back to the office and I thought "Finally". However, the 'little' waiting room awaited. I ended up sitting there so long, I got claustrophobic. So, I walked out of the room to get some air. Just then, a lady walks by and scolds me for trying to escape the jail cell I was put in.

She asked if I wanted a magazine. I said, "No thanks". Another 10 minutes went by until I finally saw the Dr.

I was there for over two hours. And then, I hit all the rush hour traffic.

At least my checkup went well.

Middle School Detention

After elementary school things got interesting. The kids from my nice quiet middle class suburban neighborhood would be bused to Bridgeville.

Bridgeville was where the rough kids lived. I think some of them may have lived under bridges.

Anyway, school started and I got to see kids who looked different than me. I was a little scared.

One day, there was some incident (I don't remember the details), but me and a few other kids were told we had to stay after school for detention. Now, I was really scared. I did not know how I would get home. I really depended on that 3:00 bus to get me back to the safety of Rockhill road. I'm sure (looking back now) that there were later buses, but they never told me that.

So, I had to think of something. I resorted to the oldest trick in the kids playbook, the "fake illness".

It worked. After giving an Oscar winning performance, the school nurse called my mom and before too long, I was on the way home.

I never had to serve my detention time. And, I avoided major trouble for the rest of my middle school days (until, high school).

A Dog's Life

Rusty and Bob are not dogs that are comfortable laying on the floor. They find that to be too hard on their bodies.

They climb up on the bed when they need to unwind (after a long day of walks and squirrel chases).

The spend their days sleeping and eating and walking.

Ah, the life of a dog.

Biblical Luncheon

My wife and I attended a special Biblical Luncheon yesterday at Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater.

We were invited by a friend who is part of a team of people who will be going to Guatemala in November on a medical mission trip.

To be asked to support such a worthy cause was an honor.

The luncheon was great. The food that was served was from the time when Jesus was living (of course, he is still alive today!).

To make it even more realistic, the servers all wore costumes from that era as well.

It was obvious that the mission team put a lot of effort and planning into the luncheon.

It was cool to see all the children participate as well. They walked around serving bread and olives to each table.

There was also a silent auction and bake sale that we enjoyed (delicious brownies and cookies!).

We were very blessed to have been invited to such a special event.

ps: And, to make it even better, we we got to hear an awesome sermon from Pastor Willie on fear.

Giving Back - International Coastal Cleanup

My first YMCA volunteer opportunity occurred yesterday. It involved removing trash from the coastal area along Tampa Bay. What was funny is that the place we were cleaning was only a few minutes from where I work. There is a beautiful park on Cypress Street that has a beach and a lot of nice places to walk. I will suggest it to my co-workers as a place to take a lunch to one day.

Here are some facts about the cleanup ...

Benefits of the International Coastal Cleanup

• Join half a million volunteers around the world to make a stand for our oceans and waterways.
• Be part of collecting data presented to world leaders regarding ocean policies.
• Receive service hours for giving back to the community.
• Free T-shirt or tote bag and other giveaways while supplies last.

We arrived around 8:00 and we were pleased to see several boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts. We met our YMCA team and picked up our gloves and 'trash-grabbers'. My wife was in charge of the clipboard. Part of the project was to document the objects that people are discarding.

Most of the items probably were objects that boaters threw overboard. We found many bottles (plastic and glass), Styrofoam, plastics, etc. Dozens of trash bags were filled.

Getting to the items was the tricky part. You had to ease your way down a hill to where the water met land. Once you made it through the weeds and trees, you could pick up the objects and toss it up to a teammate. I survived with only a few scratches. I narrowly missed being eaten by an ant hill. Overall, it was fun (and a good workout).

There were several hundred volunteers from many different companies, schools, and other organizations.

It felt good to make a difference.

I look forward to my next opportunity to give back.

Movie Review - ‘The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry’

For the past few weeks the church that I attend, Exciting Idlewild Baptist Church, has been promoting a new movie called ‘The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry’.

Click here for a preview.

The premier of the movie was yesterday (9/18/09).

The movie, set in 1970, is about a 75-year-old man that starts meeting with these three 12-year-old boys, to motivate them and encourage them to want to live for God.

For people who like action, car chases, and graphic violence, this movie may not be their thing. But, I encourage everyone to see it.

The pace of the movie may seem slow, but it delivers a powerful message. It encouraged me to want to draw closer to God and to share what God has done in my life with others.

The acting was good. There were some laughs and some moments where I got teary-eyed.

Just a simple act of kindness (cutting someones lawn without asking for money) was inspiring.

I hope that many people will see the film and encourage others to do the same. There are very few inspiring movies being made. This was one of them.

The Interstate Shooter

When you walk your dogs as often as I do, you occasionally come across unusual/criminal activities. Such was the case a few years ago. As I was walking along the road that parallels I-75, I heard the sound of a gun and then 'metal sounds'. As I got closer to the noise, I noticed a kid with a paintball gun hiding behind a bush and firing the gun at trucks as they passed by. His goal was to hit the side of the truck.

As the concerned citizen I am, I decided to try to put an end to the shooting. The nutty teenager easily could have killed someone.

Fortunately, there was a police officer who lived just a few houses away. So, I loaded up the dogs and we drove to the officers home.

As luck would have it, he was home. He came to the door and we explained the situation. Here is where the story takes an unusual twist.

The officer told us he did not want to get involved because he didn't want to cause problems with his neighbors. He gave us a number to call. I thought to myself, this guy must have been absent when they handed out the courage badges.

So, we went home, shaking our heads, as the kid kept firing away. I filed an anonymous report via a police department website.

I thought how this could make an interesting Twilight Zone episode. In my imagination, I could see the kid firing the gun which would cause an accident involving the policeman's family. Of course, there would not be any serious injuries, but the officer would learn that he needs to do the right thing.

Best $3.78 Lunch in Tampa

Since relocating from the Rocky Point area to the Westshore business district, my buddy Dennis and I have set out on a search to find the best lunch places in Tampa.

So far, our favorites are Wright's , Castellano and Pizzo, Schillers, and Ja-vahz.

Wrights is famous for their sandwiches, cakes, and cupcakes. I like to get the 1/2 sandwich (turkey and cheese) and cup of soup. I also always get a slice of chocolate cake.

Castellano and Pizzo is known for their hot Italian buffet. The only thing odd about the place is that the clientèle is 95% men. We think there is a secret back room where there are poker games going on.

Schillers has great sandwiches and german potato salad. They are an old-fashioned family owned deli built on trust. When you pay, you just tell them what you ordered.

Ja-vahz is a recent find and I was asked to keep it's identity a secret. But, being a blogger, I have to share my experiences. They have to have the best combination of food/value in Tampa. For example, the other day I ordered a cup of soup. You would think that is all you would receive. Here is what you get (for $3.78):

• A large bowl of delicious homemade soup
• Fruit cup
• Two slices of warm homemade bread

With homemade iced tea, the price skyrockets to over $5.00!

The same meal at Panera Bread would cost over $10.00 and the large bowl of soup would be smaller than the cup at Ja-vahz.

So, that is the 'lunch' rundown for now. We will keep searching and I will have additional lunch reviews when warranted.

Black Lab Puppies

Just received word from my wifes cousin that their purebred black lab puppies are now ready to be placed in homes.

The last information I have heard is that there are 1 male and 6 female puppies still available.

They are 8 weeks old and have had two vet visits.

They are asking $200.00.

If interested, send an email to ddiebold@gte.net and I will give you their contact information.

Fence Fraud

Did you ever type your name into a search engine (like Google) just for fun? I did this the other day and was surprised to find it listed within a website of a company that had recently installed a fence for us. We needed a fence repair because we had this out of control cactus that had grown so wide that it had expanded the fence to where the dogs could escape. The fence also was beaten up from the dogs leaping against it every time a squirrel would go on a mad dash as it tried to escape being killed by Bob and Rusty. So, we searched the internet and got some quotes from a few companies. One company had a cool website and had a lot of good customer feedback from previous clients. I now know why. We hired the company and they did an average job. A few weeks after the fence was installed I saw gaps in the fence. Overall, I was not impressed with their workmanship. But, if you see the image and text below (from the companies website), you would have thought the opposite. They claim that I said "Very Professional Did Great Work". I never did. So, don't believe everything you read on a website (except, for this one). ps: I sent an email to the company asking them to remove my name and comments. I wonder if they will, they don't have a lot of integrity to have lied about someones comments.

Very Professional Did Great Work Dave Diebold - New Tampa, Fl.

Return to Basketball

I went to the YMCA last Tuesday with the intention of using the exercise bike while listening to my IPOD. When I arrived, I saw some guys shooting basketball and I thought to myself, "That would be much more fun".

I haven't played full court basketball since I injured my eye (see related story) a few months ago. I hurt my eye playing while basketball at the Y and it required a few surgeries to repair my retina. My eye has healed (although, I still see some small floaters now and then).

Anyway, I decided to make my return to my favorite sport. I also needed to work off the ribs, chicken, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, etc that I pigged out during a Labor Day picnic.

So, I started shooting around and sure enough, within a minute, a have a ball hit my head. Fortunately, no damage was done. Just felt dizzy for a minute.

Eventually, we got enough guys to play some games. I am happy to report that I played well and made most of my shots (even though, I was the old guy on the court).

I was also happy that I did not get winded. I was able to run up and down the court without gasping for air. That is why I like basketball - I like to run and once in a while make a basket.

The nicest part was seeing some of the guys I used to play with. They asked where I had been. 99% of the people I have met at the Y are great and friendly people. That is why I have decided to volunteer at the Y. It is a healthy, wholesome place to go to.

Giving Back

My company has decided to become more involved in the community. This is great. I have been looking for more opportunities to 'Give Back' and serve others.

The first event is a 5K walk sponsored by the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer research.

Click here for more details.

If you would like to support me, you can click this link.

Deep Dish Day

This past Wednesday, the boys went out to eat Chicago-style. Dennis had just returned from a conference in Chicago last week where he dined at Giordano's. They are famous for their deep-dish pizza.

Based on his experience, we decided to try the local franchise located on Dale Mabry highway.

So Dennis, Mark, Rick, and myself made the drive from our office to the restaurant. Once we arrived, we placed our order and waited. And waited. And waited. And waited. It turns out, the deep dish pizza takes at least 30 minutes to bake. It felt like we waited almost 40 minutes.

This made Rick a little nervous because he had a meeting to get back to.

Just as we were making plans to have to get our food as a takeout, the pizza arrived. It was worth the wait. But next time, we will call in our order.

We arrived back at the office just in time for Rick to make his meeting.

9/11 Memories

On the morning of September 11th 2001, I was at my desk working as a Systems Engineer for Verizon listening to a sports radio show. The sportscaster started to comment on things he was seeing on the TV. Something about a plane hitting a building in New York.

Within a few minutes, people started to gather in a conference room where a TV was broadcasting the breaking news.

By this time, the second plane had already hit the second World Trade Center tower.

The room was mostly silent as people watched the buildings burn. When the first tower collapsed, many people cried out. Everyone knew right away that we were under attack and that our lives would never be the same.

I remember telling a co-worker, the airports will be shut down immediately. I wasn't sure how people would ever be able to fly again.

Since I had the option, I decided to work from home the rest of the day. Of course when I got home, I did nothing but watch the news. I don't think much work was accomplished that day/week.

The next day, I did return to the office and I admit that I was a little paranoid. Since, we were a major telecommunications center, I was concerned that we could be a target. To make things worse, we had no 'legitimate' security. Just a couple of 90 year old guards (I exaggerate a little).

But, things eventually returned to normal.

I sometimes think we have become too complacent. I am concerned to this day that something bad is going to happen. But, I know that God is in control and I must live my life to the fullest. I can't change what may or may not happen.

Garage Sale Bust

This past Saturday, we decided to have a garage sale. The last time we tried this, it was part of the Tampa Palms Community Yard Sale event. Because they did not advertise, we did not sell very many items. For a related story, click here.

I had reservations about attempting another garage sale, because I did not think we would sell enough to justify the effort. Boy, was I proven right.

One major obstacle was our location. We live way back in Tampa Palms. It is a cul-de-sac within a cul-de-sac. So, we were not going to get any people who were just driving by.

We put up signs and advertised on Craigs List. Two of signs were stolen and the other was changed to point to a different direction.

We did get about a dozen cars that came by. Mostly, people who had GPS systems that could find our house.

With only that much traffic, we sold about $5.00 of merchandise. When, you subtract out the cost of the signs, our profit was less than $1.00.

The only good thing was that we got to meet some new neighbors.

So, next time, we will be donating our items to the church or other charities.

No more garage sales for me (ever).

A Quick Healer

The other day, after we came home from church and a visit to Tarpon Springs, we found our dog Bob unable to put weight on his back right paw.

He was fine when we left that morning. Maybe he got injured wrestling with our dog Rusty or he just got hurt some other way.

It was sad to see him in distress. He didn't seem to be in any pain, so that was good. Occasionally, he would hop on three legs if he needed to go outside. For the most part, he just laid in one spot. This is very unusual for him. He is always fighting for our attention. If we pet Rusty, he shoves Rusty out of the way so that he gets all the loving.

When it came time for a walk, Bob just looked at me with his sad brown eyes as Rusty and I rode off. Rusty at first was looking for Bob, but that only lasted a few seconds. He has happy to be going for a walk.

The next morning, I am happy to report, Bob was back to normal. It must have been a muscle sprain. I guess dogs have the instinct to know what they need to do to get better.

I am glad that he is a quick healer. He is back to his old self.

Ah, the Smell of Hand Sanitizer

A tradition at most churches is the greeting. This is where the congregation takes a few minutes to shake hands and fellowship with other people. With the recent flu outbreak, some churches are taking precautions when it comes to this part of the worship service.

Our church recently sent out an email advising people to not attend if they were feeling any flu-like symptoms. One reason why, is a member of our church recently came back from a mission trip with the 'Swine' flu.

So, anyway, our pastor made a little joke about shaking hands yesterday - something like, "Turn around and greet someone, if you have washed your hands". I noticed that the normal hugs and handshakes were a little less frequent than in the past. I also noticed that after we sat down, there was a strong smell of Hand Sanitizer floating in the air (some of that was from the bottle we brought).

As far as stuff going around, my wife and I had dinner with some friends last weekend. I learned just the other day from my wife, that when their daughter returned from Guatemala, she came down with a terrible cough, with no other symptoms.

Fortunately, for their daughter, her dad is a nurse practitioner. So, after a few days, she was back to normal.

I hope to avoid the flu this year. The place where I work is going to provide free flu shots for all their employees. I guess it is just not churches taking precautions.

Tarpon Springs and a Tear

It was great being back at church today (after missing a few weeks). To celebrate, my wife and I decided to visit Tarpon Springs after church to have lunch and do some shopping.

A good friend at work, Dennis, owns a spice and tea store. For my local blog readers, I suggest you visit his store the next time you are in Tarpon Springs. Here is a link with more information.

As we approached the store, we were met by a blockade. Turns out Tarpon Springs was having an Arts and Craft festival. This was nice, but I was bummed out because it looked like we wouldn't get our secret 'free' parking spot behind my friends store. But, I decided to try the back streets and fortunately I was able to navigate to the special parking spot.

Anyway, we had a nice lunch and visit with Dennis and his family. I also saw Jerry, a coworker from a previous job who helps out at the store.

I didn't have any unusual experience in Tarpon Springs (which is a not good thing for a Blogger), but I must rewind the clock back to when I was at church.

As I was sitting in Bible Study class, I looked down to look at my Bible and I noticed that the pants I just bought (and worn for the first time) had a 'tear' in the worst spot possible. Fortunately, we were sitting in the last row and I was able to 'hide' from everyone.

I couldn't believe it. I recently went from a size 40 to a size 34 and so I had to get a whole new wardrobe. Turns out, I am not done with that adventure.

Snake Gets Rodent

On my latest dog walk through what I call the Snake Field, I actually had an encounter with a Rat Snake. I was walking Bob, our Sharpee/Retriever mix when I hear the sound of a field mouse shrieking in distress (for a few seconds). The noise was just a few feet from where I was standing. I couldn't see anything at first, because the grass was so high.

But, as I peered into the weeds, I could clearly see the body of a rat snake and the end of the field mouse (it's tail).

I moved away as fast as I could because Bob wanted to investigate. This is the area where he has detected the scent of mice in the past. This is also the area where I saw the remains of a rat snake that had been cut up by the TECO lawn-mowing crew. The grass in the Snake Field is rarely cut. The tall grass is a perfect invitation for all the critters that need a place to hide and hunt. It is not the best place for humans.

I need to find a new place to walk the dogs.

Spiderman Visits Westshore Pizza

The other day I went to lunch with a couple of my co-workers, Todd and Marbert. We decided to go to Westshore Pizza in South Tampa.

It was a great lunch, I had the meatball sub with fries. Marbert got a couple slices of pizza and Todd ordered a Philly Cheese steak.

We talked mostly about sports. Marbert confided that he wanted to be each of the following:

1) An Olympic swimmer
2) An NFL player
3) An NBA player
4) Etc

We explained to him that he needed to be an athlete first.

Todd gave Marbert some other advice on relationships. Todd is a very wise person.

As we were leaving, I was met at the door by a man dressed as Spiderman. I am totally serious. He did not have the face mask on, but he was carrying it.

He stopped inside and left just as fast. I tried to get his picture, but as most super heroes, he was too quick for me. Todd and Marbert said they thought the man was mentally-challenged. I thought he was just trying to help people in distress. I thought I heard someone scream inside Westshore Pizza, but now that I think about it, it was after he entered.

As we were backing up to leave, he appeared again. I told Marbert to get up next to him so that I could take his picture, but it was not meant to be.

Spiderman was carrying something else with him. I thought it might have been a bag of flies.

Overall, it was a very entertaining lunch. One that I won't forget soon.

The Whitney Houston Super Bowl

The 2nd Super Bowl that I attended was in Tampa, Florida. A friend of mine had gotten tickets and asked me to go. The New York Giants were playing the Buffalo Bills. The game is probably best remembered for Whitney Houston's rendition of the National Anthem.

It was also the game that took place after the start of the Gulf War. Security was extremely tight. It took a long time to enter the stadium since every person had to be searched. There were military helicopters patrolling the skies. I remember calling my mom and telling her what to do if some terrorist event occurred. I found out after the game, that there were precautions in place to handle a biological attack.

Fortunately, all went well, and I got to see an amazing game.

The game came down to the last play of the game where Buffalo kicker, Scott Norwood missed the game winning field goal.

It was an exciting game that I was fortunate to be able to attend. I also got some great souvenirs (to be placed on eBay soon).

Of course, the Steeler Super Bowl that I attended in 2009 put that game to shame.

The Diggers

Rusty and Bob love to play. When they get hot and can't get to the neighbors pool, they do the next best thing.

They dig. The hole on the left was about four feet deep. Fortunately, they did not come across any irrigation pipes.

If you look carefully, you will see little Bob hiding from Rusty in the hole. You can't hear him, but Rusty is extremely mad. He thinks he should be king of the hole.

The hole came in useful a few weeks later when we had the family over for Easter. The 'Golden Egg' was hidden in the hole. It's amazing what older 'kids' will do to get a prize. I will search for that photo and post it one day.

A Tribute to My Dad

The other day my sister Donna attended a special tribute to my late father, Don Diebold. The purpose of the tribute was to honor the work he did to have a major bridge repaired while he served as a township commissioner.

Over 40 people attended the event which was covered by the local papers.

The bridge was know as the 'Crooked Bridge' because of how it was designed.

Here is a story that was in the local papers.

As you can see by looking at the plaque, my father served his local community for 37 years. Helping to get the bridge repaired was just one of his accomplishments. I remember how we would be out shopping or wherever and he would know everybody. He tried to help as many people as he could.

I know that I could never equal his tireless service, but my wife and I have decided to start small. We are beginning our YMCA volunteer service next month. It's just a small step to giving back a small portion of the lives we have been blessed with. My father would have been proud.

I am proud to be his son. I wish I could have been there for the ceremony, but I look forward to seeing the plaque the next time I am back home.

Rusty's First Haircut

Our dog Rusty has never had a professional haircut. Lately he has been doing a lot of biting and scratching. Our efforts to relieve his skin problems have not been successful, so we decided it was time to have him professionally cleaned.

My wife called PetSmart to make the appointment for this past Saturday. They talked her into something called the Furminator. It is a process that helps breeds (like Golden Retrievers) regain their coat. They said that they do not shave Goldens because the hair does not always come back the same way.

So, we arrive at PetSmart and ran into a snag. We were told to bring proof that Rusty had been vaccinated. I had found a receipt from the vet, but unfortunately it did not have the year written down. So, I had to drive back and try to find additional paperwork. Fortunately, I was able to find the right document and Rusty was officially allowed to get a haircut.

We then learned that the Furminator was a 4 hour process. We had dinner plans and so that option was off the table. I guess the Furminator is the Super-Deluxe package (like at the car wash). We told them to just give him the basics (wash, nail trim, clean ears, etc).

What happened next was pretty funny.

Rusty has a mind of his own and can be pretty stubborn. He also has separation anxiety. So, he did not want to cooperate. When it came time for him to have his backside cut, he just laid his 125 pounds down and would not budge. It took 3 employees to try and lift him so they could work on him. They finally were able to do it. They all laughed at his strong will.

An hour and a half later he was ready to leave. He looked and smelled nice. He is not biting and scratching very much.

He is a happier dog which makes us happier as well.

Konked!

Yesterday was the first time I felt like going to the YMCA in the last month. I had been feeling under the weather but I am on my road to recovery.

After lifting some weights, I used the Hydro-Massage machine to relax my muscles. It felt good to be back at the Y.

My wife used the massage machine after me. I decided to wait for her at the entryway to the Y. When I got there I noticed that they had a sports tent set up to promote some upcoming event. It was sponsored by Tostitos and they had a couple of chairs that looked inviting. So, I decided to take a seat and relax. The chairs had a nylon bottle holder which was perfect for me. I put my water bottle in the holder and leaned back to relax. I was checking out an unopened bag of Tostitos when ....

Just then someone came up to enter the Y and the automatic doors went into motion. Little did I know that my head was lined up perfectly with the automatic doors. What happened next must be obvious to my readers.

Konk!

My head stopped the doors from opening all the way.

I felt a little dizzy, but that is not that unusual for me.

Until next time ...

DQ and Potato Casserole

A funny thing happened tonight. My wife had made a delicious ham and potato casserole and I ate as much as I could. But, there were so many leftovers, we decided to see if our neighbors wanted some. It's not something we do very often (maybe once a year). Not because we don't like our neighbors, but we usually do not have a lot of food left over.

We checked next door and they were not home. We decided to drive to the local DQ (Dairy Queen) to get some ice cream. After we arrived, I waited in the car. A few minutes later, my neighbor walks to the window and hands me a 'Blizzard'. It turns out, they had decided to bring me back a dessert. This was also unusual, they had never done this. This was only the second time they had been to this DQ.

What an odd coincidence.

ps: I am now a fan of the Blizzard, but boy is it filling.

In Search of Golf

Summertime in Florida can be hard on a golfer. It seems like everytime I try to play golf a thunderstorm rolls in. This has happened to me the last 6 times I have tried to play.

Tonight was no exception. I met my friend Rick at Heritage Harbor only to find out the course was reserved for the High School team. So, we decided to play at a different course. On the way, the heavens opened up and we decided to call it a night.

I thought that was it for me as far as playing golf. But on the way home, my neighbor called and asked if I wanted to play at USF. I said sure.

After arriving at the course, I thought we would be unable to play. I saw flashes of lightning in the distance. My neighbor wasn't going to let a few thousand degrees of heat discourage him. I thought, well, why not.

It turns out the storm stayed away and we were able to play 16 holes.

And, he paid!

So, my search for golf was finally fulfilled.

Rusty Gets Stuck

The other night our dogs Rusty and Bob went out to the backyard for one last time before bedtime. After a few minutes, we heard Rusty barking over and over. This usually means that Bob has cornered a possum or an armadillo.

But this time, his bark meant something else.

My wife went outside and saw that Rusty was in distress. Him and Bob had been creating this giant long tunnel of a hole and Rusty had gotten himself trapped.

The only thing we could see was his head and front paws as he was trying to pull him self out. He wasn't able to use his back paws because of all the loose sand.

At first, I couldn't figure out how to get him out. I started to dig all round him, but the whole was so deep, nothing I did was working.

Finally, I was able to clear a way and he pulled himself out.

Poor guy, was scared.

After that, i blocked the hole. They will have to start a new one.

The Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

When I lived in Pittsburgh I always seemed to have a sore throat or some other ailment. I never felt completely healthy.

After I moved to Florida, I became much healthier. I wasn't sure of the reason until recently.

A few years ago during a trip back to my fathers house, I could not help but notice, the pungent smell of cigarettes when I was in his 'smoking' room. Instantly, I felt a sore throat coming on.

Second-hand smoke was the reason for my childhood illnesses. Back then, there were no special rooms to smoke in. The whole house was available for him to smoke.

So, if there are any smokers out there, think about the effects of second hand smoke on your loved ones.

That is my PSA (Public Service Announcement) for today.

Office Putting Green

My job at NewHomes was a dream job. One of the benefits was that I somehow managed to have a putting green in my office. I don't even think that JR Ewing (from the old Dallas show) had that perk.

It all started with a monthly staff meeting where they had various activities to have employees interact (team building). One month we had a Price Is Right contest. I volunteered to bring in a putting green to help with the Price Is Right putting game.

It was a fun meeting. When it ended, I said that maybe we should keep the green close by if we needed it for the future. My boss (and friend) Dennis agreed. I just had to figure out where to store it. Then, I got a great idea.

Why not have it laid out in my office (that way it would not get all wrinkled).

So, that is what happened.

Every now and then, I had to test out the green to make sure it was still working ok. To be 100% certain, we used to have putting contests so that others could be sure. Everyone would leave with a smile on their face.

Those were good memories.

What About Bob

Our dog Bob was a stray that we took in. About 3 1/2 years ago, I noticed a dog laying down next to our neighbors dog in their backyard. I didn't think much of it. I figured he was a neighbors dog that had just come over for a visit.

A few weeks later I see him again. It turns out that he had been all over Tampa Palms for several weeks. He was surviving on his own and this was in February when it was cold at night.

My wife and neighbor gave him food and water but he would not let anyone near him. Finally, my wife was able to put a leash on him and brought him in the house. He didn't have a tag, but we placed an ad in the newspaper.

No one replied and we decided that we would keep him. He is a real cute dog. The vet thinks he is a Sharpei/Retriever mix. He looks tough, some people think he is part pitbull. He is actually very sweet.

The name Bob came from the movie "What about Bob". We were trying to think of a name and I said, "What about Bob".

Anyway, we are glad we got him and so is Rusty. They became instant friends. Bob adjusted slowly. He may have been abused, because he didn't like anyone getting too close to him. Eventually, that changed and he is just as much of a nut as Rusty.

How Not to Save Money

When I was living at the Woodlands apartment complex in Tampa after moving to Florida, I met a guy by the pool who was earning some money by doing oil changes for people. So, being the trusting sort of person that I am (naive), I allowed him to work on my Datsun 200SX (nice car, but had no air conditioning).

I guess he did ok. I don't remember having any engine problems.

A while later, I made a bad decision. I found out the car needed brakes and asked him if he knew how to do that. He said, "Yes, I do those all the time". I figured I could have him do it and save some money.

So, he drove to where I worked and proceeded to begin to replace the brakes. Of course, 'dumb Dave', paid in advance. At the end of the day, I walk to my car and saw that it was still on blocks and he was long gone. It turns out, the job was too hard for him. I tried to get back my money, but he was a con artist type. So, I just chalked it up to another life lesson.

Anyway, a friend at work knew a guy who was a legitimate mechanic. They came and towed the car and made the necessary repairs.

I kept the Datsun for a few more months (until summer kicked in). The odd thing is after I traded the car in, I saw it a few weeks later. One of the guys I played basketball with had bought the car (another strange coincidence in my crazy life).

Drug Deal Gone Bad

About 10 years ago I was working from home when I heard this very loud noise. I ran outside but did not see anything. I did hear noises from behind our house. So, I walked through the neighbors yard and then I saw a car that had crashed into someones home.

(The house I later learned belonged to a couple who owned several very popular Asian restaurants within my neighborhood).

There was a girl in the back seat yelling. Turns out she had broken her leg and she was trapped inside the car.

Later I learned the whole story. The people who lived behind us had a son who was a drug dealer. Several teenagers had come to make a purchase. The teenagers tried to leave without paying their tab. So, when they tried to drive off, the drug dealer grabbed onto the steering wheel. The car careened out of control before cashing into the neighbors garage.

Just another day in suburbia.

Golf and Ants

Recently I was playing golf with some friends and I was not playing well. After another bad drive, I decided to lay down on some nearby grass and stare up at the clouds. I thought this would help me relax.

After a few seconds, I felt a stinging sensation in my lower leg. And another, and another.

I didn't realize that I had laid on an ant hill.

I quickly tried to get them off of me, but before I could, I had been bitten about 8 times.

The pattern of bites looked like the big dipper.

At least, I had an excuse for playing a bad round of golf.

Bad Medicine

I used to get impatient with my father at times. He was a little moody and seemed out of it. I now know why.

He was taken so much medication for a variety of ailments, that it messed up his system and turned him into a different person.

I have to take some pills for the first time in my life and I now understand the side effects.

I can't wait to get my health back. I miss being me.

Slow Walker

I love my dog Rusty as much as anyone could love a pet. He is a Golden Retriever / Labrador Retriever mix.

He is about 10 1/2 years old but he is still very active. He insists on two or three walks a day and he loves to wrestle with our other dog Bob.

But Rusty is slowing down as far as how fast he can walk. His hip is bothering him a little. This is usually not a problem, until yesterday.

We were walking and out of nowhere, a huge thunderstorm rolls in. I tried to rush Rusty along but it was no use. The rain came down in buckets. Fortunately, we dodged the lightning.

We all got soaked, but I still love my Rusty.