John Taggart

Posted on: Nov 08, 2023 at 10:54 AM

Just got back home a few days ago and as great a reunion as it was, it is nice to sleep in my own bed again. It was so good to see some of the people I knew and some that I didn't know. It feels good to know how many of our class still have the values and good old common sense that we grew up learning from parents and teachers. And yes Harry, Whataburger still rules. Oh so good. Next reunion I hope to either fly in or maybe do the online video thing. Travel is not what it used to be. Any way thanks to all who made this reunion happen and thanks to all who were able to be there. I do miss seeing some of those I had hoped could make it. Maybe next reunion. If you check my "now" photo, and compare it to the photos from the reunion, you can see what cancer and the meds have done. Oh well. Every have the best day you can and look forward to the next reunion.

Posted on: Aug 06, 2023 at 11:19 AM

I would like to thank Darlene for being very helpful, patient, and kind in helping me get the right info for the reunion and getting the "go fund me" amounts allocated right. So, thank you Darlene you are in my "good people" book.

Posted on: Jul 31, 2023 at 3:28 PM

How about using MacArthur park for the Thursday event? May need a secondary if the weather dictates. North Star Mall?

Posted on: Jan 11, 2021 at 4:21 PM

Quotes:

“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.”
? Mark Twain

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
? Albert Einstein

“Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.”
? Garrison Keillor

“Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.”
? Robert A. Heinlein

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.”
? Charles M. Schulz

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye.”
? Jim Henson

“Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.”
? Charles Bukowski

“The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.”
? Terry Pratchett, Diggers

“The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept.”
? George Carlin

“Go to heaven for the climate and hell for the company.”
? Benjamin Franklin Wade

“A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.”
? Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“When you're in jail, a good friend will be trying to bail you out. A best friend will be in the cell next to you saying, 'Damn, that was fun'.”
? Groucho Marx

“Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very;' your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”
? Mark Twain

“Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”
? Mark Twain

“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”
? Laurence J. Peter

“THE FIRST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL

1. We are here to help you.
2. You will have time to get to your class before the bell rings.
3. The dress code will be enforced.
4. No smoking is allowed on school grounds.
5. Our football team will win the championship this year.
6. We expect more of you here.
7. Guidance counselors are always available to listen.
8. Your schedule was created with you in mind.
9. Your locker combination is private.
10. These will be the years you look back on fondly.

TEN MORE LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL

1. You will use algebra in your adult lives.
2. Driving to school is a privilege that can be taken away.
3. Students must stay on campus during lunch.
4. The new text books will arrive any day now.
5. Colleges care more about you than your SAT scores.
6. We are enforcing the dress code.
7. We will figure out how to turn off the heat soon.
8. Our bus drivers are highly trained professionals.
9. There is nothing wrong with summer school.
10. We want to hear what you have to say.”
? Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak

That is it for now. Things have changed so I will be back with more at some point down the road.

Stay safe and make this year is better than last year.

A shark could swim faster than me, but I could probably run faster than a shark. So in a triathlon, it would all come down to who is the better cyclist.

I'm doing laundry and just whispered "It's almost our anniversary" to the pair of yoga pants I've been wearing since March.

There was 15 Oreo cookies left, so to give each of my 4 children the same, I was forced to eat 11 of them.

The weatherman said there was 0% chance of snow this week so to get my kids to fall asleep last night, I promised to take them sledding today. Because I’m a fun mom who plans ahead.

What it’s like riding with a teenager learning how to drive:
Flew over the speed bump at normal speed because she thought it was supposed to slow her down.
The next try she slowed down too much and didn’t make it over.

you can’t tell me what to do. you’re not my 3 year old.

Parenting isn't really a test, it's more an unrelenting series of pop quizzes that you had no clue were coming and are in no way prepared for.

I can’t be the only one who lowkey forgets what they do for a living after taking more than a week off work

Anyone remember my work password

going on a much needed vacation to the other room can't wait

My favorite travel destinations of 2020:
-the supermarket
-CVS
-upstairs, away from the children
Bon voyage!

This is the first year I’m not going to Fiji because of COVID-19. ??
Normally, I do not go because I am poor.

Nothing brings a family together like switching off the WiFi.

My kids are picking on their dad for eating the entire pack of cookies that I actually ate and blamed him for.

Posted on: Jan 05, 2021 at 3:00 PM

Some new found humor.

CDC: To prevent coronavirus stay home, avoid physical contact and don't go into large crowds.
Introverts: I've been preparing for this moment my entire life.

Check on those of us who are introverts but married to extroverts who now have to stay in the house. We are not okay.

All the health experts are saying #StayHome. Okay... where were you guys when I was disappointing my friends and family by doing that for years?

I heard my neighbor in the hallway so I went back inside, and for the first time in my life it wasn’t rude, I was a hero doing my part for public health and safety.

Can we call grey sweats on grey sweats a Covid Tuxedo?

Mommy, if there are elves that wrap the presents, and that's their ONLY job, why aren't they better at it? Our elves are so bad at wrapping!
Me: *mumbling* Maybe they're tired from all the other bullsh-
Husband: BECAUSE THEIR HANDS ARE SO SMALL! MAKES IT HARDER!
7: Okay!

Stop giving new moms diaper cakes and onesies
Give those mamas what they need to survive. Extra strength painkillers, dry shampoo, borderline illegal strength coffee and ear plugs
Slap a bow on it you’re feeling fancy

My 6-year-old asked me if parenting is hard and I’m not saying I lied, but I did the thing all parents do: I downplayed the truth just so someday I’ll get me some grandchildren.

4 year old: *punches me in the eye*
Me: OW!
Her: *starts crying loudly*
Me: Why are you crying? YOU punched ME!
Her: YOU MADE ME SAD

4: Mom, how long was dad inside you?
Me:
4: Mom???
Me: What the f-
4: Well??? How long was he inside you before you had him?
Me: Oh honey no I didn’t birth your dad, grandma did!

More next time?

Posted on: Dec 31, 2020 at 9:19 PM

Happy New year to all!

Just something for those who had birthdays this year or in the coming year.

Two guys/gals YOUR age go out to the bars at ten p.m. on a Saturday night. One has 6 beers while the other has 3 beers and 2 shots of Jack. Who gets hammered first?

Trick question. No one your age is out partying after ten p.m.

Besides you will never find so many good people to be with until the next class reunion.

Stay safe everyone.

Posted on: Dec 17, 2020 at 1:14 PM

First pic is about seven fifteen this morning and about five hours more of snow to come.

Posted on: Dec 16, 2020 at 10:52 AM

Just plain good.

Mexican coffee shortbread
Course Dessert
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 16 cookies
Author Adapted by Lisa Fain from "A Good Meal is Hard to Find" by Amy C. Evens and Martha Foose
Ingredients
2 sticks unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white or brown rice flour
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon finely ground dark coffee
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a 9-inch square baking dish or a 9-inch pie pan with parchment paper.
Cream together the butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Stir in the all-purpose flour, rice flour, orange zest, vanilla, coffee, cinnamon, and salt until it’s well combined.

Place the dough into the dish or pie pan and press the dough evenly to the edges. Prick holes all over the shortbread with a fork, then bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until it’s just beginning to brown.
Remove from the oven (it will continue to harden and darken as it rests so, don’t be alarmed if it’s soft), and while warm, cut the shortbread into squares or wedges. When cool, lift out of the pan and serve. Will keep for a week in a sealed container.
Recipe Notes
If you don’t have rice flour, you can instead just use 2 cups all-purpose flour for the entire batch. The shortbread will still be very delicious!

Posted on: Dec 16, 2020 at 10:49 AM

Snack time.

Texas red ranch party mix
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Southern, Texan
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 1 pound
Author Lisa Fain
Ingredients
2 cups woven cereal, such as Chex
1/2 cup roasted pecans
1/2 cup roasted almonds
1/2 cup roasted cashews
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1 cup corn nuts
1 cup square cheese crackers
1/2 cup safflower oil
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 (1.5-ounce) ranch dressing packet
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons dried dill weed
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons lemon pepper
Pinch cayenne
Salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper. (If it’s nonstick, you can skip this step.) Add the cereal, pecans, almonds, cashews, peanuts, corn nuts, and cheese crackers. Stir everything until the ingredients are well combined.

Pour the oil and Worcestershire sauce evenly over the mix. Sprinkle the chili powder, dill weed, garlic powder, lemon pepper, and cayenne evenly over the mix. (You could stir together the liquids before pouring and stir together the spices before sprinkling, but it’s not necessary.)

Stir until everything is well coated and blended. Taste and adjust seasonings and add salt if desired.
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring once. Cool then serve. Will keep covered for a week.

Recipe Notes
For the cereal, I usually stick with either corn or rice, but you can use a combination of the any of the woven cereals. Also, I like the combination of different nuts, but you can substitute 2 cups of any nuts that you prefer. Basically, anything goes when it comes to party mix!

Posted on: Dec 14, 2020 at 8:14 PM

More humor:
"Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie."

When the box with my Halloween costume arrived, it was empty. I called the company and asked where my Maid Marian costume was. “We’re sorry, ma’am. We’ll send your costume tomorrow,” the representative said. “In the meantime, feel free to keep the Lady Godiva costume you got by mistake.”

I asked the kids in my nursery school class what they needed in order to grow up nice and strong. One little girl answered, “Birthdays!”

Happy holidays and stay safe.

Posted on: Dec 09, 2020 at 9:33 AM

Dear Santa,
I’ve been good all year.
Okay, most of the time.
Once in a while.
Never mind, I’ll buy my own stuff.

Dear Mother Nature
Having received my free sample of winter I would like to cancel
the remainder of the subscription.
Thank You.

Not to brag or anything, but I can forget what I was
doing while I was doing it.

I love this cold weather, it gives me a reason to carry a full
Thermos of what-the-hell -ever-I-want.

It is going to be a cold winter, the squirrels are collecting
More nuts than usual. So far 3 of my relatives have disappeared.

The best for last:
I don’t want much for Christmas. I just want the person who is reading
this to be healthy, happy and loved.

Stay safe.

Thanks to all first responders and those who "protect and serve" no matter where they are.

Posted on: Nov 22, 2020 at 1:40 PM

Pics of recent wildlife seen from the kitchen window. First is a young bobcat and the second is a hawk.

Posted on: Nov 11, 2020 at 8:53 AM

Happy Veterans Day to all vets and their family's. Shake hands with a vet. Hug a vet. Take a vet to dinner. FYI: I heard most vets like oatmeal raisin cookies.

Posted on: Sep 16, 2020 at 6:30 PM

Just after six PM and the smoke from the west coast is here.

Posted on: Sep 05, 2020 at 9:37 AM

Have a safe and joyous Labor Day weekend to all. For those who enjoy wild Maine blueberries, this years weather has wrought havoc on the crop. It is reported that the harvest will only be one third of normal. The price for Wymans has already jumped three dollars for the three pound bag of frozen berries and that was before the report about this years crop numbers.

I hope that anyone in harms way from the two storm systems about to hit the gulf coast can stay safe and avoid both storms.

Posted on: Aug 20, 2020 at 9:10 AM

For all of those in heat prone areas. this morning it was fifty degrees and the second morning in a row that a flannel shirt was in use. There is no month that a few days get cool enough that a flannel shirt is in use in the mornings.

Posted on: Jun 23, 2020 at 5:29 PM

Just an FYI for those that are going to travel and someone has COPD in the party. Let the hotel know some one is handicapped and has COPD. Ask for a ground floor room and they will gladly make that happen as it is part of the Federal law about people with handicaps. So you do not need to get stuck on upper floors and have to do stairs if something happens. I am one day out from a road trip to Austin to see my brother and half the rest areas in some states are closed. Best bets are truck stops and grocery stores. Beware that south of northern Maryland, very few people use masks and follow social distancing.