John Schneider

Has a few things left to say

Posts tagged John Schneider

0 notes &

The enemy from within This handsome long-beard didn’t like the looks of the tom staring back at him from my pole barn window, and decided to challenge him to a duel. It was about 1 p.m. when I heard the racket of turkey beak on glass, and went outside to break up the fight. It ended in a draw.  

The enemy from within

This handsome long-beard didn’t like the looks of the tom staring back at him from my pole barn window, and decided to challenge him to a duel.

It was about 1 p.m. when I heard the racket of turkey beak on glass, and went outside to break up the fight.

It ended in a draw.


 

Filed under John Schneider wild turkeys

1 note &

Get out in the kitchen and rattle those pots and pans Sunday, 5:45 a.m.  Just Colin and me. He blows through his toys. The Calico Princess is making herself scarce. The lad gives me a look that says, “Quick! Amuse me before I become unpleasant.” That’s when I remember one of my mother’s old tricks. I bring the boy into the kitchen, open up the pots-and-pans cupboard, and let him have his way. Before long he’s surrounded by cookware. Metal on metal. Metal on ceramic tile. Joyful noises.

Get out in the kitchen and rattle those pots and pans

Sunday, 5:45 a.m.  Just Colin and me. He blows through his toys. The Calico Princess is making herself scarce. The lad gives me a look that says, “Quick! Amuse me before I become unpleasant.”

That’s when I remember one of my mother’s old tricks. I bring the boy into the kitchen, open up the pots-and-pans cupboard, and let him have his way.

Before long he’s surrounded by cookware. Metal on metal. Metal on ceramic tile. Joyful noises.

Filed under John Schneider grandson Colin pots and pans

0 notes &

You’d better shop around Consumer advocates are constantly telling us we should try to find the best deal on insurance, just as we do with plane tickets and gas. But it might be the least heeded advice on the planet. Why? Because a) getting comparable quotes on insurance premiums is a pain in the neck, and, b) most people think that all insurance companies use the same pair of dice for setting premiums. Whether it’s worth it or not to shop for insurance depends on your personal tolerance for hassle, but let me report here what I recently learned regarding my homeowner’s insurance. I’ll say, first of all, that I have no complaints against the company that currently insures my home and cottage. Over the years, we’ve had a few minor claims, and the serviced has been excellent. I explored a switch only because of an issue that’s too complicated to explain here. Anyway, my current annual premium on what’s known in the biz as my “primary residence” is $1,063. The proposal from the prospective insurer (a national TV advertiser with whom my cars are insured): $2,069. Not even close.

You’d better shop around

Consumer advocates are constantly telling us we should try to find the best deal on insurance, just as we do with plane tickets and gas. But it might be the least heeded advice on the planet.

Why? Because a) getting comparable quotes on insurance premiums is a pain in the neck, and, b) most people think that all insurance companies use the same pair of dice for setting premiums.

Whether it’s worth it or not to shop for insurance depends on your personal tolerance for hassle, but let me report here what I recently learned regarding my homeowner’s insurance.

I’ll say, first of all, that I have no complaints against the company that currently insures my home and cottage. Over the years, we’ve had a few minor claims, and the serviced has been excellent.

I explored a switch only because of an issue that’s too complicated to explain here.

Anyway, my current annual premium on what’s known in the biz as my “primary residence” is $1,063.

The proposal from the prospective insurer (a national TV advertiser with whom my cars are insured): $2,069.

Not even close.

Filed under John Schneider homeowner's insurance

0 notes &

Before and after

In a recent blog I described a misadventure involving, two of my brothers, me, a chainsaw, a tree and a Chevrolet Impala.

Well, there’s no point in rehashing the embarrassing details of the incident (if you must dwell on the them, check my May 2 blog).

Anyway, one brother learned that we could order a new hood on line (free delivery!). We had it painted to match the Impala, and installed it Wednesday.

Total bill: $600, two-thirds of which was the paint job. Tuition in the school of hard knocks.

Filed under John Schneider chainsaw mishap

0 notes &

Now open: the all-you-can eat summer buffet A few days ago my motion-detecting trail-cam captured the image of a this winter-weary buck just starting to grow back its antlers. Although the blood vessels (commonly referred to as “velvet”) that cover the antlers at this stage always make them look thicker than they actually are, I would judge, from the look of the mean beams,  that this buck will have a nice rack come fall. Also, after a few months at the all-you-can-eat summer buffet, he’ll be a lot bigger, as well. By the way, that square thing he’s going for is what’s left of a mineral block - a combination of salt and other elements. Deer seem to crave them this time of year.

Now open: the all-you-can eat summer buffet

A few days ago my motion-detecting trail-cam captured the image of a this winter-weary buck just starting to grow back its antlers.

Although the blood vessels (commonly referred to as “velvet”) that cover the antlers at this stage always make them look thicker than they actually are, I would judge, from the look of the mean beams,  that this buck will have a nice rack come fall.

Also, after a few months at the all-you-can-eat summer buffet, he’ll be a lot bigger, as well.

By the way, that square thing he’s going for is what’s left of a mineral block - a combination of salt and other elements. Deer seem to crave them this time of year.

Filed under John Schneider trail-cam whitetail deer antler growth