May 20, 2010
Productive week

Got a lot of things done in the office this week, sat here and saw some nice days go by; still have a couple of vacation days to spend before month-end, and I should have gone fishing but had a little too much on the table.

Jackson has discovered the joy of golfing. I walked 9 with him twice this week; on Monday night he made a par on the second hole, his first! Putted for birdie and missed it, but was able to make a 2 foot downhill putt that would make the strongest man shiver a little. Good for him he didn't know just how hard the putt actually was.

He finished his senior project with a presentation last night. At this point in his high school career I believe he has nothing else to do except show up for practice and the graduation excercise. Stick a fork in him, he's done. Graduation is June 10th.

I plan to work in the office again next week, and maybe take a day if the sun shines right and the wind don't blow. Have you ever tried to sell a humidifier in May? Well do I have a deal for you!

May 17, 2010
strong>Honeysuckles
I've had the opportunity to be in the roadster several times this week, and on the boat three times; and the sweet smell of honeysuckle has been nosed up many times. We have some between our garages and I always enjoy catching that fragrant bouquet that always reminds me of times long ago..............
Did I mention the granddaughter? I went to see Keelyn Wednesday; we had a nice chat Her eyes seem very alert in this picture

Then I asked her to do an impression of Popeye...........................

A very impressive impression don't you think? Or at least that was my impression............

In town most of this week, graduation looms on the horizon

May 8, 2010
Special edition

Normally I try to post once a week, but this week was something special, yessssireeeeeBob, something special indeed; a heckuva fishing trip it was, and for a change I took a page from the Fishin Optishin's playbook and took pictures; yes I did, I took a picture of every fish I took, no duplicates, each and every one of them was photographed for posterity.

With an open Saturday, I decided to go to New Bern to try my luck fishing for bass; the wind was forecasted to be very high, and I knew that saltwater fishing was out of the question; so after finally getting to sleep around 1230 I was up at at'm a little after 3, to put the boat in about 530 in New Bern.

With the high wind the water was blown out of the river to the point that the bass tournament was scheduled to end early to make sure everyone could get their boats out safely. Sure enough when I pulled out at 1030 the USCG-Hoboken crew was pulling their safe boat out because they could not launch. There was a big Ford F-150 sitting in the left hand lane with the trailer off the end of the ramp, back tires in the slime, waiting for a tow truck. Everyone helped me back up to the edge, and although far from perfect I was able to get Nell One on the trailer well enough for the short ride home.

Just as I got her on the trailer I heard cannon fire from the Neuse River. Seems as though the Yankees are trying to take New Bern again (what do they think it is, Pine Knoll Shores?). Kinda wished I stayed around to see that but then again I was happy to be back on the trailer.

The wind was really honking on the way home; went by and saw Pop and Dink, both were doing well.

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers.

And did I mention the cutest little granddaughter in the whole wide world?
Although you might find this uncharacteristic, I digress, you wanted to see the fish pictures didn't you; well right below are pictures of all of the fish, enjoy...............

These critters were hanging around the Trent River; sorry the photo quality is poor.

I'm going to take a few days off next week, maybe I'll have some luck then.

May 5, 2010

Keelyn Marie Riley

7 pounds, 11 ounces

21 inches long

All are doing well, looks like a keeper
Here Cooper meets his little sister, who he wanted to call Chocolate Milk Cooper.

And with a new family member, all other worries seem very insignificant, it is a good week

April 30, 2010
Another busy week

So who are these people and why are they "stickin them up?" No, they're not George Washington figures, they are nuns, and part of a fun new game FO gave me

You take one of the figures and insert as shown

........then fling them out by pulling the trigger

...............at a target that comes with the game; all part of a fun new game (not from Milton Bradley) called NunChuck. Yes, I know.....first class seat on the plane to hell, you're not the first to tell me that. These games are always fun until someone gets their eye poked out.

In other MhC news, Jackson went to his prom last Saturday night. I was on my way to DC and missed all of the festivities; lovely young lady and a handsome fellow

But wait! There are two young ladies; yes Jackson escorted 2 ladies to the prom. that might explain that smle on his face, and the green envy in the eyes of his pals.

And in granddaughter news, well there isn't any yet. Jackson and I visited the Sanford Rileys on the way home from the Charlotte Quail Hollow PGA event (Tiger says duh-huh, he said you'd know I mean) and they looked very happy, and ready to have a baby. Should be any day now, when news breaks out, I'll break in with news.

Supposed to be in town all week, except for a day trip to Philadelphia Wednesday, shouldn't be long now.

April 24, 2010
Sorry, no pictures, OK, maybe one

On the road every night since last Monday, didn't get home Friday night thanks to the hi jinks of the always innovative US Airways. That made for a time compressed Saturday involving a flight, office work, fixing Jackson's truck, unpacking/repacking, an out of town wedding, Jackson's prom, and a drive up to Thornton, VA. Where is that you ask? It is the site of the Stonewall Jackson Shrine off I-95; remember it now don't you? As I arrived last night the local gendarmes were looking for someone at the crossroad off I-95. I checked in and then went for a sandwich, and observed a little racial profiling; glad I didn't match the deception.

I should mention I am not complaining about the travel; I am happy to have the opportunities, and that people want me to be somewhere! But, I must admit I am ready for a few days off; planning to take a week in May

On to Arlington VA this morning for the spring AHRI meetings, working in a couple of distributor calls, then home late Tuesday night, to Charlotte Wednesday night for a little customer work at the PGA event. I'll be able to take Jackson, sorry I missed his prom his prom last night, to celebrate his 19th birthday. Speaking of which, granddaughter # 1 should be making he formal debut any day now.....................

More upbeat news; Pop had another good week.

That's it, next week probably some pictures of Female Riley Name TBA; I'll leave you with one shot of Jackson, who learned to tie a bow tie for his FBLA in Raleigh

That should come in handy at Hampden-Sydney next year.

April 18, 2010
Fishing Weekend

We fished Friday from New Bern up the Neuse River past Highway 43, exploring new territory but with poor results. Came down the river to Upper Broad Creek and fished all the way to the end. passed an interesting guy anchored in the middle of the creek, slowed to a crawl and asked him as we went by if he was having any luck. His reply was "well not now......................................................." We wished him good luck in the insane asylum and moved on.

Saturday we went back to New Bern and tried to find some trout down the river as I saw on TV (begin inserting your jokes here) Went up Hancock and Slocum Creeks, good time but no fish. Came back to new Bern and tried around the bridges and trestles to no avail.

That night a dry front came through and we awoke to high winds and much colder temperatures. We tried in the Turning Basin and found lots of obliging dogfish but little else. We decided to come in early, Bobby took off for Durham and the day turned into a beauty. Should have gone back out.

Beer and food stock levels are at an all time low; we hada great weekend regardless.

But I can leave you with a little film from the weekend before when I had the pleasure of taking the Owner out for a little cruise. Always enjoy seeing the dolphins swimming.

Off for St Louis Tuesday, working a show in Branson MO (my dad says it's just like Las Vegas......if you're Ned Flanders) meeting with Emerson Friday, home late Friday night, wedding in New Bern Saturday afternoon, then off to DC that night for AHRI business through Tuesday, meetings in MD afterwards, then back home, and maybe a chance to go to Charlotte that Thursday. Here's a hint, when was the last time Tiger, Phil and I all got together?

Behave yourself