reflections from the back porch: REFLECTIONS FROM MY BACK PORCH—Saturday before Christmas - 12/22/06 11:07 PM
I’m out here, enjoying my china mug of organically & shade grown fair trade Sumatran blend (I really LIKE this stuff) coffee enjoying this disgustingly repetitive weather: cloudy, near snow-less, +32F & scant wind!
My kids & kid-in-law remain asleep (slackards!), it’s really great having them here—and I don’t give ‘em crap about my lack of grandkids (at least not now—it’s time not to upset anyone with one’s selfish wishes).
While “Birthday-Boy” Rich was occupying or profile space, we used the opportunity to upgrade our photo. Maureen F. please note: the ploughshares no longer threaten the codgers.
My thoughts turn to … (23 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from my Back Porch on a Warm Thursday Morning - 12/20/06 09:27 PM
I can see the clouds approaching from the south, more ominous in the pre-dawn sky than what they actually represent. The main storm that hit Denver yesterday seems to be passing to the south of us. We remain unseasonably warm, and any snow we receive in the next couple of days will quickly turn to slush as the temperatures will remain above freezing.
[Full Disclosure—Copied & Pasted From “The Weather Channel”]
·  Today: Cloudy with rain and snow showers. High near 40F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 60%.
·  Tonight: Periods of light wintry … (4 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Tuesday Reflections from my Back Porch—What happened to “REALTOR®” Teresa’s Face? - 12/11/06 09:21 PM
A warm (39ºF), foggy, North Star State morning greeted me today as I stepped out on to the porch. I can linger a bit, and savor the warmth of my (china, not stoneware) mug of Kona blend coffee (I purchased a whole 1# bag, so I will have it for a while—good stuff, Maynard!).
I spent the day yesterday knocking about with that old, retired Army sergeant-major, Carl—he’s a hoot to hang with! But some of what we experienced will constitute a whole post for another day (this is called a “teaser”—“story at 11”).
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO “REALTOR®” TERESA’S FACE?
… (25 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from my Back Porch, Monday, 11 Dec ‘06 - 12/10/06 08:17 PM
(If you’re in the neighborhood, c’mon around to the back & say hello (be careful of the squeaky gate—my “Medford alert”), coffee’s hot and fresh, just to your left, inside the door.)
It’s another fine morning here on my back porch with my (china, not stoneware) mug of Kona blend coffee (A milder, smother blend than my usual organically & shade grown, fair trade French, Sumatran or Guatemalan blend coffee—a delicious alternative. Still, I prefer the darker blends). The morning temperature is hovering around 32ºF, and the air is still.
We reached a conclusion in our negotiations about which blog gets … (4 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from my Back Porch, Sunday, 10 Dec ‘06, a Fine Morning! - 12/09/06 09:22 PM
Don’t look for me here—go on around to the back!
 
I am savoring my (china, not stoneware) mug of organically & shade grown, fair trade, French roast, coffee this fine Saint Paul morning on my back porch—the temperature under a clear & star-filled sky is 32ºF, with no wind—so I can linger here a bit. If you’re in my cyber-neighborhood, stop on by and have a chat! The coffee-maker is on, and the carafe is full of whatever coffee you might fancy on a fine Sunday morning.
While you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and pay a visit to “Super-AR-Blogger-in-the-Making” the … (12 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from my Back Porch, Friday, 8 Dec ’06 - 12/07/06 09:35 PM
It’s a balmy 11ºF with almost no wind, allowing me to remain on the porch with my (china, not stoneware) mug of (organically & shade grown, fair trade, Guatemalan roast) coffee warming my hands, and helping my brain fire on all synapses.
Daisy did not spend the night here last night—she’s in the “dog-house” at her (as she calls it) “Boardmanpack” home, for her antics on the computer yesterday. I think I am in the dog house (a little) as well for not practicing computer security, and thus giving the little critter on-line access.
I’m a little jealous of her, though. … (10 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Tuesday Morning Reflections from my Back Porch - 12/04/06 11:28 PM
Our gentle readers seem to key on the weather as observed from my back porch—OK, here it is: 9ºF, slight southerly wind, and with no wind & my parka wrapped about me, I can actually enjoy my coffee without it instantly cooling to “iced coffee” (yuk).
Not so long ago, during the now-but evaporated real estate boom, I received a mailing from my bank telling me I “qualified” for a home equity loan (of course I do—my home has no mortgage!). I had been contemplating rebuilding my garage, although in good repair, it was built in the 20s, and it’s … (15 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Monday Morning on the Back Porch—12/04/06--Wonderings - 12/03/06 10:48 PM
You’re looking at the front porch, I’m in back!

Its 19ºF and snowing very, very, lightly, with an accumulation of the “dusting” variety—meaning almost nothing! I wonder why at the beginning of the winter season, we wish for heavy snows—and by January, we’re already soooo tired of it???
You’d think that when someone reaches my age, that “wondering” even happens—by now, shouldn’t I just know stuff?
When I was young, the wise old folks always had answers to my wonderings—now that I’m supposed to be one of them, I’m still wondering…
Shouldn’t I have the answers to all my … (1 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from the Back Porch, Friday, 1 Dec 2006, “Misfits, loosers and angry loners” - 11/30/06 10:10 PM
This morning, Medford & I joined the “Misfits, loosers and angry loners” group, complete with the misspelled “loosers” (losers), a nice touch.  We joined because Realtor® Teresa pointedly invited us in her focus statement: “Codgers are always welcome.” Although she did not send us an invitation, we were more than a little intrigued by the title.
Opinionated old men (people, really) can be, and often are “misfits” ‘cause our opinions are often (quite happily) at odds with conventional wisdom. What an opportunity for us—a whole new venue to be cranky!
The boys at the coffee shop will absolutely love this concept!
… (13 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from the Back Porch, 30 Nov 2006, Flash-Frozen Coffee! - 11/29/06 08:56 PM
OK—Reflections from JUST INSIDE the Back Porch!
 
I stepped outside on my back porch, as I do every morning, and was greeted by a +6ºF St. Paul morning—exactly as predicted. I may be old, but not stupid—my china, not stoneware, mug of organically & shade grown, fair trade, unpolluted with cream & sugar, coffee left safely inside my summer-kitchen/office, and cooling slowly-rather than the alternative.
The codgers did meet yesterday, but try as I might, I could not edit together a cogent, humorous, timely-topical conversation. Fred refused to come out from behind his usual morning Pioneer Press, Carl only complained about his … (8 comments)

reflections from the back porch: REFLECTIONS FROM JAY’S BACK PORCH—FRIDAY, 24 NOV 2006 (EARLY AM) EDITION - 11/23/06 08:50 PM
By Medford Ambrose (My Turn)
Now—how does Jay start these? Oh never mind, he ain’t writing this so I guess I’ll do it my own way. It’s a fine morning, this one. I’ve pretty much recovered from yesterday’s excess. I’m walking over to Jay’s for my morning cup of Folger’s© freeze-dried instant coffee, served in a dainty little tea-cup, with saucer. I’ll have no idea what the temperature is ‘til I get to Jay’s place—he has a big ol’ thermometer right there on the porch.
There’s nothing quite like a charcoal-broiled hickory-smoked turkey, especially when the chef is…me. Just enough left … (3 comments)

reflections from the back porch: REFLECTIONS FROM THE BACK PORCH—THANKSGIVING EDITION! - 11/23/06 07:39 PM
By Jay Merton & Medford Ambrose
I just stepped out on the back porch, and with my ever-present mug, china, not stoneware, filled with steaming organically-grown, free trade, Guatemalan-roast coffee, I was savoring the 33ºF clear morning, and the apple pie beginning to bake in my oven—when I heard my side-gate creak open. Its 5:30 in the morning!
Just as I was about to grab my trusty plough-share, Medford ambled up out of the darkness, empty mug in hand.
“Mornin’ Jay,” he said as he stepped up on the porch, “got some coffee for a friend?”
“Go on in,” I replied, … (1 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from the Back Porch, Wednesday Morning, 22 Nov 2006 - 11/21/06 10:13 PM
We will be taking Thanksgiving off—completely, as we hope you consider as well. No Posts. No comments. Med, Laura & I will not so much as press the power switch on our computers. We will be developing a couple of new characters: James our currently one-dimensional whipping boy will start to visit the codgers more often, and will become more well-rounded—but still will not quite get it. James is no dummy, and he will “win” sometimes. He works for a advertising agency downtown, and from what I hear, good at his job. We really like the feisty Molly, and think she … (7 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from the Back Porch, Tuesday PM 21 Nov 2006-IMHO, BBS, USNET, FAQ Et Al - 11/21/06 12:22 PM
While reading some of the comments to various posts, I often come across the acronym: IMHO. I really hate to admit that I’m not exactly up on IM speak—so to speak—in kinda validates the opinion of some that seniors ar not with it—whatever it is. So I looked it up:
IMHO: An abbreviation for “in my humble opinion,” this term is used in various online communications, such as e-mail messages or postings to newsgroups or BBSs; it usually appears in brackets like this: <IMHO>. Using this term is a way of making sure that others understand that you are merely expressing … (4 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from the Back Porch, Tuesday AM 21 Nov 2006-New Character? - 11/20/06 09:45 PM
This morning I find the back porch a balmy 40ºF, with a light breeze out of the west, my mug (china, not stoneware), of (organically & shade-grown, fair-trade, Guatemalan-roast, unpolluted with cream or sugar) coffee hot and steaming, warming my hands. Not that they needed warming, mind you.
Yesterday, I mentioned that Med & I would still meet at the café for coffee (and breakfast, something we don’t usually mention as it is not germane to our conversation), and that if anything blogworthy was discussed, it would appear on these pages.
Well, something blogworthy did occur—but it had nothing to do with our … (0 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from the Back Porch, Monday Morning 20 Nov 2006 - 11/19/06 08:34 PM
My ever-present mug (china, not stoneware), of (organically & shade-grown, fair-trade, Guatemalan-roast, unpolluted with cream or sugar) coffee hot and steaming, is warming my hands in the 22ºF clear pre-dawn morning. My thoughts again roam to my great good fortune in this life. Again this morning, as I have each day of my nearly 76 years, I awoke alive—that’s a fine start to any day, I think.
This Thanksgiving week, there will probably not be much coming from the Codgers at the Coffee Shop, as the boys, save Medford & I, have already left town to be with their respective children … (7 comments)

reflections from the back porch: The Back Porch of the Reflections—Sorta What it Looks Like - 11/19/06 03:05 AM
Since it seems I find myself reflecting from the back porch, I figured you might like to see a facsimile of what it looks like—these drawings are pretty accurate—if I do say so myself. Drawn using MS Word’s limited graphics program, they may be rotated with the coffee mug (china-not stoneware) photo. You’ll note I hope, the mug in my avatar’s hand.
Full-size drawing of Jay’s back porch:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Close-up drawing of Jay’ back porch:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jay Merton 
… (5 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from the Back Porch, Sunday Morning 19 Nov 2006 - 11/18/06 09:51 PM
This morning will dawn clear & cool, as I look up, I can see Orion the Hunter making his way across the sky. It’s quiet this early Sunday, as I stand on the back porch in the moderately cool +20ºF. The Westerly breeze is light, but brings a taste of what is to come—I can’t wait. Of course, after the fist month or so, I’ll be saying the same thing about Spring—I can’t wait!
By the way, the metropolitan area, home to some 3.5 million people, of the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and her suburb-that-got-out-of-control, Minneapolis, has an historical temperature … (4 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Reflections from the Back Porch, Saturday, 18 November 2006 - 11/17/06 10:43 PM
Another great morning in the North country, about 33ºF, with a light breeze out of the west,  my mug (china, not stoneware), of (organically & shade-grown, fair-trade, Guatemalan-roast, unpolluted with cream or sugar) coffee hot and steaming, warming my hands. I find myself reflecting upon how fortunate I’ve been in this life.
A life-long city boy, I was born here in St. Paul nearly 76 years ago to a 47 year old hard-core unionist, and a 35 year old traditional mom, the youngest of 6 children.
In the twenties, my dad was an organizer in an attempt to unionize the … (1 comments)

reflections from the back porch: Friday Morning at the Coffee Shop—Funny Red Thing That Sneezed Outside the Window - 11/17/06 11:20 AM
A pleasant, albeit cloudy, morning enveloped me as I walked to the coffee shop for my usual meeting with the codger elite. We were gathered at our table, the one by the front plate-glass window, each with his mug (china—not stoneware), filled with organically grown-fair trade-French roast-coffee, most without being polluted with cream & sugar—and Fred, buried behind his morning Pioneer Press. We were deeply engrossed in a spirited conversation about the latest goings-on at the city council when we heard first the rustle of a newspaper and then:
“What th’ heck is THAT?”
“It’s red,” answered Harold, the retired barber.
… (7 comments)