I spoke to Dan today. He was in the middle of putting together his new "Little Rascal" scooter. He says at his age, it should make it much easier to get around the senior comunity. I was afraid though when I heard a "kathunk" from the other end of the phone, Not sure what all the ruckus was, then I realized he had fallen out of his rocking chair, and he was yelling " help, I've fallen and I cant get up". Good thing he now has that Life Alert thingie he wears around his neck. Help was there in no time he said.I am glad he didnt hurt himself. It wasnt but a short while later...I heard more strange sounds on the phone. It almost sounded like an audience at a football game or something...clap...clap...clap-clap. I could hear him yelling..."its dark in here"...who turned off the lights"...then I realized what he was doing. At his age now, he can't tell the difference between a storm taking out the power, or just a simple light that has been turned off. He was trying to get the lights back on..."Clap on-Clap Off". Yep..he was clapping his hands to turn the lights on. I finally told him I think a thunderstorm knocked his power out and he'd only tire himself out with all that movement. He said it was okay, as it was time for his afternoon nap anyhow.I guess he was going to throw on an old 78 record of Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadiens to put himself to sleep. He told me he was still having trouble reading the small print on those Little Rascal instruction pages, but the large spyglass/magnifying glass I sent him for Xmas was coming in handy. ( I actually sent it to him to inspect carb and engine parts) Oh well. He said he has days to work on it, now being "of age". Its gonna take some time to get thru all the AARP stuff anyhow, so he may as well take his time. He did however sound excited, as tonight was going to be a big nite out on town. He was gonna head to Chief Charlies Restaurant and get some nice mashed potatoes, some green beans and applesauce. He likes those soft foods now, makes it easier on his teeth. He tried the Polygrip and Dentugrip stuff, but found out good ole Hylomar gasket sealer keeps his dentures in best. Of course, he can now order from the Senior menu there, which has him quite happy. He also gets his second cup of coffee free ( decaf of course).I am not sure hwther or not he will use the "good" parking spots now at the restaurant. He may be able to shuffle his way across the parking lot, but as soon as the hydraulic ramp gets installed on his pick up, the Little Rascal will be much easier to carry along. Some of the "older folks" however think he is a little "new age" with his electronic horse as they call it. When he threatened to do Little Rascal smoky burnouts on the shuffleboard court, I guess he didnt make many friends.

Well, I hope you make it home safely tonight. Those shuttle buses dont run very late and Chief Charlie wont let you leave until your nbelly is full, so hopefully it all goes well.

Happy Birhtday you ole geezer!