Here is the straight dope.

(click the title to go to the website)
I always thought it was a desert cactus or flower native to that part of the country.
But, here is the real truth. Not as good as some of the possibilities, however.
My thanks to Barry Atric for his search. I didn't think it was out there.
Now, if only I could find out who was so vain in Carly Simon's song.

Tooth and first song

Oh, and I met a preacher who helped my son, and is still helping him.
I had lunch with him.
Most preachers know not to mess with me and my religion, and this one was very respectful.
We had a good time. I offered him my DJ services, or anything else he needed that I could do.

Now, I went to the dentist this afternoon to have a tooth pulled. I didn't really want to do that, but it got to the point where it needed to go.
They are good there, and the tooth was removed with little pain.
Now, I gotta tell you......and this is the truth.
My weight loss surgery was easier than having the tooth removed!
I am in pain now, and should be asleep, but I can't because I am in pain. I have a hole in my mouth, and my jaw is pounding.
I took pain meds, and even though they have reduced the pain, it's still there. I may not make much sense in a few minutes because the stuff is pretty strong.
They broke the tooth apart and kept talking the whole time about what they were doing. It wasn't pleasant at all, believe me. I won't describe any more about it.

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I played my guitar this afternoon, sans amp because I was lazy and wanted to play music, not equipment or toys.
My first thoughts of songs were pieces I've never done before.
Kenny Wayne Shephard has a bunch of great songs. I could listen to him all day, and I did!
Joe Walsh is another one. His tongue in cheek songs are fantastic. His playing is amazing.
So, after listening to them all afternoon, what song was the first to come from my brain to my fingers?

Hotel California

Yup, an Eagles song, and one of the greatest songs ever written. You know why it's so great? Because everyone thinks they know what it's about, but no one really does.
I don't think I've ever seen a Calitas, but I'd like to know what it smells like.
And, did the guy die and get stuck there, never to escape?
Is it Heaven or Hell? Or Purgatory? One thing for sure, it ain't a Holiday Inn!
The chord pattern has always been elusive to me. I heard an interview with one of the writers of the song, and he said that they had to use a strange key (B minor) because they couldn't sing it in any other.
So, I started to play a B minor chord, and I followed that up with....well you get the idea?
I had almost the whole song, and when I got to the bridge, I went blank.
Gee, this didn't happen when I was a kid learning songs.
Oh well. Now, I know the chords, I will work on it until I get it. I will play it over in my head, and then I will play along with the CD to double check myself.

Kenny Wayne, and Joe will just have to wait a bit longer.

Ahhhh, the pills are kicking in. I'm going to bed.....stay tuned.

Changing patterns

This is the back of the basement looking towards the laundry room. The wall is now white instead of gray.
This is the very back of the basement, mostly used for storage.
The boxes on the left belong to my son. He is supposed to get them out soon. If not, I will trash them. The boxes on the right are trash that has to be moved upstairs.

The time has come to alter what I do in order to shake up my body a bit.
So, this week, I'm gonna organize some songs to get them ready to play. Then, I'm gonna learn them. I have a repertoire of about 1000 songs, or maybe more. I've forgotten more than I remember for sure.
Playing guitar and singing is a workout when you are onstage unless you are a sit down jazz player. Rockers can dance and prance and act silly, all for exercise. That's what I plan to do.
My next step?
Well, the basement painting has progressed to the point where I will be doing the tough stuff. That is, I will be going into all the little nooks and crannies, and behind the furnace, etc. in order to make it look brighter. This will require a little more from me in that I will have to bend and stoop a lot more.
The back of the basement will be finished when I do this last bit. I will then have to do the living part of the basement. There is already yellow dry loc paint on the walls, so the painting should go a little easier. But, this is a much larger area. I have most of it cleared away, but this will give me the chance to bring up the last of the stuff to be trashed.
This is all stuff that I would not be able to do if I was still fat. Last year, I would have cut the grass in three sections. Maybe, I would do one each day, then take a day off. I never would have finished it in one shot as I do now. I also would not have sprayed for weeds, and my curbs show that neglect. The bushes are trimmed, except for the forsythia, and that will be done later this week. I also managed to chop up all the leftover trimmed stuff, and bagged it to have it hauled away.
So, I feel good right now.
I'm gonna go take a shower.

My poor scooter

My Honda Helix has stayed in the garage all week because it has been raining and I've been working on other things.
The world is spinning too fast. I need some ritalin!
I tried to trade some plumbing work for my John Deere last night to no avail. His wife was too practical as she should be. I could see in his eyes that he wanted the mower for the wrong reasons as I have had that look too many times.
I got my guitar back from the luthier and it plays wonderfully. Now, I need to play it more and live up to my abilities and talents. I would like to write all new stuff just for me, go into the studio and record it with limited help from other musicians, and then go market it, but.....
It ain't gonna happen. I don't have the energy, or drive to do that just yet.
I am sore and tired from all the work I've done in the past week, and a bit burned out.
I have to make the chili this morning, and empty out the car.
I have been re-arranging boxes and things every time I move stuff, so the area will be more open and compact. My DJ equipment will go into the back bedroom instead of it's usual places so that I can paint the next room upstairs when I am ready. It is almost empty now, and should be empty for the painting. I need to pull the carpet, and put tarps down, as well as blue tape the area. I am on a roll, and will be finished by the end of the summer.
My gig yesterday was cancelled due to the rain, so I didn't pass go or collect my money. That money was to go towards paying the bills instead of feeding it back into the business as I have done many times before. Hence, the equipment to be unloaded from the car. I parked it in the garage to keep it secure and out of sight, as well as not unloading it because of fatigue and rain. More good excuses.
I did nap twice yesterday, and I needed it. I was bushed. I bought two new pillows from Wal Mart for $3.00 each, and slept well last night.
So, after rambling on, I have to report that I took all of my old clothes to Goodwill, or did I mention that before?
It's time to make the chili. The neat thing is that I can start it and do other things in between. While it's cooking, I'll have time to take a nap or whatever.
Oh, today is Father's day. My Father died last year. Next weekend, we will go dedicate the grave stone.
I have two kids, and 4.5 grand kids (one is due very soon, making up the other .5). I got one card that was scribbled on by Lilly, and that made me very happy. I'm sure she will be writing very soon. She is so smart. I saw the other grand kids last week, and they are doing well too.
The world is spinning too fast. I wish I had more time and energy to spend with them, but I have to take what I can give and get.