Today Is A Bonus

BatteryOaksBilly

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I once had a woman I thought a great deal of say just that to me. She died two days later. I just came in from sitting on the porch on The Bunk House overlooking the freshly mowed and manicured range. The breeze is blowing, the sun is shining and its about 80 degrees.
Today my dear Friend, the great gunsmith T.L Almond called me to let me know that our Ole Pard Bob Pruitt crossed the river. Bob was 6 feet and 5 inches of a bear of a man. He was 88. He lived a good life prospered and enjoyed his success. My world is smaller for his loss.
T.L Almond is 91. He has a grip like a vice and still rides a 1950 Pan Head he bought New a San Diego HD in 1950. He is the model for older age.
I am 72. I am not sure what I thought 72 would be like. It is as good as a man with my understanding could ever expect. I remember when I was 25, people my age now were worn out, tired, dying or dead. We have made great strides in keeping folks alive. Sometimes not for the best. I get up and go to work every day and love it. Same job for 53 years. I have been rewarded with a good life. I am proud to say I constantly stay on top of never taking it for granted.
CFF has always provided me with Bonus Days. You each enrich my days. I thank you for coming here, sharing your time with us and enjoying the "atmosphere" as one fellow said.
Go out tonight look at the beautiful moon with someone you care about, hug those "chillins" you picture on here and always be thankful for The Bonus Day.
 
Today, Grandma let the chickens out of their fenced in area to see what they would do.
It's a beautiful day in the mountains. Clear blue sky's, puffy clouds, 72 degrees.
Very quiet today.

So we sat there in the outdoor kitchen and watched the chickens peck about in their new-found wonderland.

Grandma says well now you can go to work on Monday and tell the guys you watched the chickens. lol.
And if they ask me, that's exactly what I will tell them.

I've seen enough complicated, busy, and often disturbing things in my travels.
I don't need to see those things anymore.

I think I'd just rather watch the chickens now.
 
I'm sorry for your loss, Billy. When you get to be our age, it is an all too common occurrence. It is sobering. But we carry on. What else can you do? I try to remember that everyone is dealing with something, and be a bit more forgiving than I used to be.
 
@BatteryOaksBilly , its hard to lose the stars we all navigate by. Personally, three down for us in the last 8 months-and another on the way. We are saddened but resolved to live it till we can't, so kinda view each setback as a reminder not to keep putting off important stuff we want to do.

Get it, do it now.
 
Sorry for your loss Billy. Today was indeed a bonus and we enjoyed it fully!

Blue sky, almost fathers day
Breakfast out with the wife
Hugs from the waffle house greeter
Lunch at a lexington bbq
Llama pets and wine
Long talks about fathers long gone
Cigar and a fire pit
Dog at my feet
Cicadas singing me to sleep
Good times
 
I did not know Mr. Pruitt but I do know Mr. Almond. If Mr. Pruitt was friends with you both, he was in good company.

I have heard @BatteryOaksBilly say many times that the best gift one person can give another person is their time. I get to share time with Billy at least once a week and also through phone calls, emails, and text messages. I get to spend time daily with the fine folks on this forum. I have gotten to meet many of you face to face, many of you from my friendship with Billy.

As I age I am constantly amazed at the things I treasure now and at the things that just don't mean what they once did. After Warren Zevon was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he told David Letterman that he had learned to treasure every minute and enjoy every sandwich.
 
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Yes sir. I've got my mom here at my house this weekend. For those that don't know, she is on the mend from stage 4 liver cancer, that was metastasized from breast cancer. She is doing well, all things considered, and enjoyed about 2 1/2 hours on my deck, with Kelly, our two pups, and I. I had a nice fan blowing on her, and she on the swing. She absolutely loved it. Now, she is in bed snoozing away. This my friends, I didn't not think would happen two months ago when the doctor didn't think she would make it out of the hospital alive. She has fought her ass off. So, every day is a bonus day for my mom, and us family and friends. Cherish every one you get. Sorry about your bud @BatteryOaksBilly, and thanks for the inspiration.

Sent from my LM-Q710.FG using Tapatalk
 
Ever since my heart surgery I have said every day above ground is a good day. Today my eldest graduated high school and we spent the rest of the day eating, drinking and hanging around a small fire with marshmallows. There were many beverages had and many smores created. And there was 10 lbs of smoked wings mixed in. Heck, even my crazed leftist SIL from Boston shut her mouth and drank. Miracles never cease.
 
Yes sir. I've got my mom here at my house this weekend. For those that don't know, she is on the mend from stage 4 liver cancer, that was metastasized from breast cancer. She is doing well, all things considered, and enjoyed about 2 1/2 hours on my deck, with Kelly, our two pups, and I. I had a nice fan blowing on her, and she on the swing. She absolutely loved it. Now, she is in bed snoozing away. This my friends, I didn't not think would happen two months ago when the doctor didn't think she would make it out of the hospital alive. She has fought her ass off. So, every day is a bonus day for my mom, and us family and friends. Cherish every one you get. Sorry about your bud @BatteryOaksBilly, and thanks for the inspiration.

Sent from my LM-Q710.FG using Tapatalk
Your Mom sounds like one tough lady, and I'll be sure to add her to my list of people to pray for....
 
I did just what you said to do, all weekend. @BatteryOaksBilly I would have never guessed you're the same age as my Dad, who isn't aging as gracefully nowadays. He's had a full life for sure.

This weekend was darn near perfect - weather-wise and activity wise.
We did some rimfire shooting in the backyard with my youngest, shooting the Smith 22A with the red-dot on steel at 35+ yards is big fun!
My middle son, the long-haired ginger clone of his mother but 99% me, finally graduated high school on Saturday evening. We honestly thought he may not based on his attendance and lack of interest.
Then I reflect on my attitude and performance in a public high school, and I just laughed. He's actually a hard worker on his current job, everyone likes him, and of course likes to play hard as well. I am blessed, every day and I try to remember it often.
The big thing is minus my Dad, we were all together on Saturday, and of course I had to babysit 2 high school graduates early Sunday morning but that's a whole 'nuther school to learn from for them.

Can't wait til the next time we meet my friend ;)
 
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