July 27, 2004
Big storm rolling in again tonight (5:44 P.M.). Last night’s monsoon knocked out our electricity for about 45 minutes. Sat in the dark and tried to eat dinner. Batteries dead on both flashlights. Kathy finally went and got candles. Coolers went off, clocks went to blinking, coffee timer messed up. Man, we couldn’t survive for three days without electricity.

Speaking of which, I don’t want to name drop or anything, but the guy driving the truck carrying the transformer from Washington to Arizona that broke down in Victorville, California is dating someone I am related to, although she won’t admit it, and would kill me if she knew I told you. So I’m keeping my mouth shut.

Whipped out another six scratchboards today. Really cruising now. Subtle tones are a snap, finding other ways to feather and blend. It really is like exercising, the more you do it, the more you can do.

I was on such a roll, I didn’t want to come home for lunch so I walked down to Dairy Queen and got an ultimate burger and an iced tea ($4.87). The owner and his son chided me about how long it’s been since I’ve been in (when our kids were little, we lived at Dairy Queen). The owner asked me how many people worked in my office and I said 13. He told me he has been wanting to come down to True West with their new hit moo-lattes for everyone and he plans to do it next week. I love this about a small town. The Dairy Queen guy being a good neighbor. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Big thunder and wind rolling through right now (5:50 p.m.). Peaches is under my desk with her chin on my feet. She hates thunder. No driving threats, yet.

No, wait. She’s barking (5:55 p.m.). “Let me drive the truck,” she’s saying clearly. “I just need some doggy papers. I’ll be right back. I promise. Dog’s honor.” Sure, Peaches, sure. Get in there you little bitch!

Got a cool scratchboard going of Powers Booth as Curly Bill saying one of his famous lines from Tombstone. We are trying to make it into a t-shirt design. Should be quite clever.

“The desire of appearing clever often prevents our becoming so.”
—Francois, Duc de La Rochefoucauld