Billy Goat Gruff / Gunslinger

I slept late for me, not waking until almost 8a. Because it was Sunday, there wouldn’t be any sit-ups or push-ups. Instead, I started coffee and played around on the internet ahead of my run. While sipping coffee leisurely, I got caught up on all of Saturday’s college football scores as well as the scuttle regarding the Viking game slated for Sunday night. While out with Frankie I heard a gurgling sound emanating from the hot tub. A quick check revealed that the water level dropped just below the filter line. I threw the hose in and added several inches of water. Mindy got up around 830a, or while I was still out on the deck with Frankie. Scared me seeing her standing there in the door with coffee. I was surprised that she was up so early, and perhaps even a little disappointed, not so much in her, but because I didn’t get any (or much) coveted quiet time. She took my body language personally, I could tell. Not long after Mindy’s presence, Bella was up. I guess I should’ve gotten up earlier. I left for my run at 925a and ran along Trabue and down Hague. I ran three miles. It was much warmer than it’s been for at least a week. The temperature at run time had to be near 60. Supposed to approach 80 as the day moved along. After my run I planned to work on leaf management. Before any of that, however, I needed to eat something. To satisfy my growing hunger, I woofed down two bowls of Wheaties. I headed out to the yard in my running attire. I gathered two tarps, rake, gloves and the Billy Goat. Before using the Billy Goat, I raked the two large piles the kids created Saturday onto the tarp and toted them off to the compost pile. I decided to take Kenny’s advice and put them under the tree house. Next, I started the Billy Goat, although still unsure how productive it might be. Turns out, very. That thing sucks up every bit of leaf debris leaving the grass looking like freshly vacuumed carpet. Impressive. However, even though it’s got an extra large bag, it fills quickly, especially when going over heavily leafed areas. I had a plan for that. I left two tarps sprawled out off to the side for periodic dumping. What I didn’t realize was that the Billy Goat mulches them too. Nice! I spent the next hour or so running the Billy Goat around the entire backyard. By the time I finished, the area up around the deck was covered in leaves again. And more were coming down with each burst of wind. That I expected. After four or five dumpings, I had trouble getting the Billy Goat to run again. I tried to familiarize myself with its carburetor, oil, and filter. I added oil. It was a little low. I cleaned the air filter too. But it only began to run right after I primed it repeatedly, almost as if thee was a fuel line obstruction. I ran the Billy Goat under the front curb-side maples and then along the curb gutter, which was loaded with heavy leaves. No problem. The Billy Goat sucked 'em up clean. Before putting it away, I blew all the leaves from the deck and surrounding flower beds with my gas blower and then sucked them up with the Billy Goat. I’m a believer. I finished the leaves around 130p. Then, after taking a few minutes to water the sod, I decided to mow the front lawn. That took about 45 minutes. The back was passable without a mowing but the front was thick and long. I’m guessing only one or tow more mowings this season. It was now near 215p. Mindy shared that Jacob’s soccer game was at 330p. A filthy mess head to toe, I headed for a shower after two quick bites from my leftover Chipotle burrito. I returned downstairs 20 minutes later clean as a whistle. Mindy clarified that we’d be going to Sunday dinner directly from soccer. We managed ourselves accordingly. I was surprised when Mindy opted to leave Frankie at home. It was 80 and partly sunny when we left the house. I knew better, and took my fleece jacket. Jacob complained that we were late. In reality, we got him there five minutes ahead of kick-off. Sure enough, it was windy and about ten degrees cooler on the soccer field. I was glad I had my fleece. Mindy had hers too. We brought Bella’s fleece as well. She asked for it minutes after settling in. While the game went on, I kept up to speed on the day’s NFL action via my Droid X. Browns were whipping the Saints. Who saw that coming? Anyone? Doubt it! Jacob’s team won. This being the final game, Jimaken planned to take his team to Dairy Queen to celebrate and handout trophies. Mindy wasn’t too happy because, according to her, she asked Jimaken about this earlier and he wasn’t sure of his plan. Jacob ended up riding with his daddy after he agreed to bring him to Gloria’s after the event. We headed there directly. We took Alton Darby to Fedder to Phillipi Rd. First time I’ve been by the old GM site, which is supposedly the site of the new casino, provide a few more hurdles get cleared. Didn’t take that long to get there at all. It had to be about 445p when we arrived. We were all but last to arrive. Hadn’t been to Sunday dinner for a few weeks. It was nice to catch up with everyone. Bella nailed it, Gloria was serving meatloaf along with an assortment of sides (mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, stuffing). I was careful with my portions not wanting to leave as a stuffed pig. And I was hungry too, so I had to be extra mindful. I stopped at one helping though could easily have eaten more. To take away the temptation, I left the table and went to the lower level to catch some NFL football. Smart! I watched about 30 minutes or more of action, or until dessert time. At the same time, niece Lindy trimmed Bella’s hair just around the corner. Bella shared that we were having cheese cake for dessert. I heard the call and headed up. I ate just one small piece. We prepared to leave immediately after dessert. We needed to prepare for tomorrow’s work and school day, and also get home to take care of Frankie, not to mention ready for the big Vikings Packers game that I was very much looking forward to. We left sometime between 7-730p. I walked Frankie while the kids readied for bed. Mindy agreed to let Jacob watch the first 15-20 minutes of the game, but kick off wasn’t until 830p. The Vikings went down 7-0 pretty fast but quickly evened the score. They then went down 14-7, but once again quickly evened the score. The Viking were robbed of a touchdown by the officials but still took a 17-14 lead going into halftime. I popped popcorn at the intermission. I also surprised Mindy with the receipt for our Sarah Mclachlan tickets. The Vikings held the Packers on their all important opening second half drive. It was nip and tuck all the way. Favre got a little careless and threw two picks in a matter of minutes – and one for a pick six - the other lead to a touchdown as well. It wasn't looking good, and almost hopeless save for the fact that we had Mr Favre. And just like he often does, he didn't disappoint. He drove us down for a touchdown getting us to within 4 points. Time was slipping away, however. Only a few minutes remaining in the game. The Vikings stingy defense managed to get the ball back, and in true Brett Favre fashion, he drove us down the field once again and into the Red Zone. I was anxious yet calm. I knew Brett would do it. An unbelievable pass to the endzone and between three defenders was pulled down by Percy Harvin for what would’ve been the winning touchdown. After an officials review the touchdown was taken away, and rightfully so. He managed to get only one foot down inbounds, the other barely out of the back of the endzone. Two plays later Favre slung a 4th down pass to the back of the endzone, but just out of the reach of Moss. In the end the Vikings came up short. Again, though, the entertainment value doesn’t get any better. Gotta love the gunslinger!