July 25, 2008

On Monday Jackson, Mark (or is it Patrick, you know he really looks like a Patrick, ok, Matt) and I went to take the cured stones into storage. I had some people ask how they looked after curing, here it is...........
Now Jackson needs to schedule a work day to plant them.

Then I went to Ohio where I got the opportunity to ride in the new Earlmobile, a Corvair from the mid-60's. If Corvette owners call their cars "vettes," do Corvair owners call their's "vairs?"

Anyway, I didn't know that car had a flat 6 cylinder engine with one barrel carburators on the right and left.

Three cylinders per side, Chevy designed this for great fuel mileage.Nice looking ride, sitting in downtown Marietta

Earl at the keyboards, "unsafe at any speed." And ironically that is what Ralph Nader said about the car too!

In the Skuttle parking lot

Bobby is coming down Saturday, we're going after old drums in the lower Neuse tomorrow night. Hope I can leave enough bread crumbs to find my home after dark, maybe we'll have some pictures from our adventure next week

Jackson's Eagle Project
July 20, 2008
Jackson got a lot of work done with his BSA Eagle project yesterday
His project involves making concrete footstones for a meditation walk on the Arendell Street side of our church. He used tbe first night of the Vacation Bible School to individually decorate the stones. He had lots of help and instruction for the kids; it was really needed with the little ones.
We used lots of items to decorate with symbols. Shells, buttons, colored glass
A rainbow was seen at the end of the day
About 40 stones were produced. We were fortunate that tropical storm Christobal didn't rain on the project
The next step is to plant the stones at ground level. Who is ready to help?

It's July 19th
And believe it or not, it's Kristi's sweet 16th, no wait.............18th, hang on I'll get it..............21st, oh my goodness can she really be that old? Enjoy your adventure sweetie, the ride goes by too quickly. I'm so proud of you and love you more than you'll ever know.Your favorite uncle John

July 14 2008
First of all, a good shot of Cooper Amadeus Riley; our new piano prodigy, and the cutest little grandson in the whole wide world.
Feel free to insert your own caption here for the picture below. I'll get it started "we're number one in number two" Go ahead, have some fun; besides I'm tired of writing, I mean I'm really pooped.

Got some video here of Captain Kevin blowing something up in Alaska. This was on the Military Channel Sunday night; see if you can catch Modern Weapons: Alaska

The boat owner and I went out yesterday afternoon and did a little riding and touring. Pretty day and not too many boats on the water; at $4 + a gallon, who can blame them? Shackleford was nearly empty at 5:00. One interesting site, I saw a spotted ray broach in the sound, very impressive and a big splash. I'd hate to think of that thing getting into the boat with us
And since he likes the watershow so much, and since this week is his sister's birthday, and since he's going to take care of me when I'm in the old folks home and slobbering all over everybody, and since he's my favorite nephew who lives in Alaska and ok, since he's going overseas tooooooooooooooooo, this video is for you Captain Kevin; you be careful over there; you'll be in our thoughts every day. Enjoy the sprinklers!

Might be out of the office a couple of days this week

Busy week, lots going on
Last weekend I went to Weirton WV for Heather and Kevin's wedding reception, part two. We had planned on having a long weekend away, but Terri had to stay and help with Pop and Dink. Here's the sign that greeted me as I arrived
It was a good time, but unfortunately my flash didn't "do right" and this was the best picture I got of the happy couple. Sorry about that, it was a lot of fun and good to see the newlyweds. Kevin is getting ready to go to Iraq in a few weeks and we wish him the best. BTW, he is now Captain Kevin Riley.

GUD was there; here is rewarded with a sugar cube after doing a really swell trick

Went by Gettysburg on the way and the way home, took this picture from Cemetery Hill as the 145th anniversary of the battle neared.

On to the weekend of the Fourth, and also Jay's 28th birthday on the 5th. Pretty sunset from the new deck

Cooper strikes a thoughtful pose as he wonders about the uncertain mental condition of his grandfather

Terri sneaked out to take this surprise shot of the other Captain and his grandson. In case you are wondering about the spots on the picture, we were watching the irrigation system.......yes, another activity we Southerners enjoy; often we applaud after the performance

It's the night of the Fourth, and as Jackson explained, "we Americans like to celebrate by blowing up something." Jackson demonstrated this is an interpretive dance pictured below

Earlier that day we went to the Weinholds for a great lunch, but the wind blew us home earlier than planned.

Another shot of the best little grandson in the world; Cooper was a lot of fun

Beach Week 2008
Everyone had a good time at the Billie Bee, there weren't too many knife and fist fights, kids didn't get sunburned, and on Friday I actually sat on the beach for two hours and did absolutely nothing. Those of you who know me probably find that hard to believe, but I sat there with no fishing rod, surfboard, boogie board, or skimboard for two hours. I sat there and watched my grandson play in the sand; he had a great time and so did his Nana and Cappy.
I also took him to a vacant lot and let him chase rabbits; think he'll be a good hunter, hope he isn't gunshy.
Jackson worked on a test run for his BSA Eagle project with the Edwards family. They tried making these walking stones freeform, and we all agreed that we liked this method. During VBS the children will make and decorate these stones, each contains about 12-15 pounds of concrete, and then after they dry we will insert them into the lawn in front of our church as a meditation walk. Jackson aniticpate about 40 stones will be used. If you would like to make one, please attend our VBS in July. Here are some pics:

House news, yes, we're still working on it. We had a new front door installed this week. It will be painted soon, and a storm door provided to let more light in the front entrance when we're home. Terri said something about making me wear a robe in the future...............................

And since we're rolling in $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ right now we've decided to buy some speculative property on the internet. People make millions every day, and I can show you how!
Anyway, we bought a fixer-upper houseboat and another cabin boat sight unseen. Here's the houseboatAnd here's the cabin boat. Think next time we'll go look at them first.

OK, that was a joke; just some of the sights seen in downtown Morehead City this week. The shot below was taken from the entrance to Spooner Creek Friday. I've never done that before; OK, I've run aground, and I've shined up a few props, but I've never left one high and dry like that. There are two kinds of captains that sail Bogue Sound; ones who have run aground, and liars.

Off to Heather and Kevin's Ohio reception today, back Monday for the week of the fourth. Let freedon ring!

Unabashed, unsolicited endorsements:

Week of June 20th, in Illinois and Wisconsin; went to this place in WherewasEye WI; very good food, drink, and scenery. This is a small chain in the area that resembles Hooters. Had some great brats and kraut (OK, I can stand just a little). The young ladies wear, well you can guess what they wear. Most were rather attractive, although a few should have covered their inkwork, and a couple resembled an just-opened can of biscuits. Overall, a fun experience

And another unpaid endorsement, seems as though I do too much of that. Saw this book reviewed in Road and Track last month and ordered it based on the review and the uncanny resemblance of the hero Enzo to our old friend Jesse. It far exceeded my expectations. It's a look at a family's life through the eyes of their dog who learns through them and television. Given opposable thumbs this dog could be a Formula One champion. It is available through the Riley Library if you feel so inclined
Next week: beach adventures!