August 13, 2010
The times they are a changin..................

Happy birthday to my older brother tomorrow; I'm not saying how old he is but it ends with a 9, see if you can figure it out.

Wednesday afternoon we went to Richmond and had a nice dinner at one of our favorite restaurants (Mamma Zu's) in the whole wide world, stayed in a nice hotel, and then moved Jackson into his dorm room on Thursday.

Big goings-ons; Jackson was a little imtimidated by the change, but felt more comfortable after the first team meal and meetings. He will be # 83 this year for Hampden-Sydney and hopes to earn a job as punter. Today (Friday) was the first day of conditioning, so we'll have to see how he feels at the end of the day. He is in pretty good shape going into camp so we hope the heat and conditioning won't be too tough on him.

We are proud and very excited as he opens a new chapter in his life.

The house is very quiet after Hurricane Cooper left....even more so now that Jackson has waved good-bye to Morehead City for a while. We plan to see him often, beginning with orientation next week.

Off to Hershey PA next week and then back to HSC for orientation.

August 6, 2010
Changes on the way

As I write this I adjust my internal clock to accommodate the fact that in one week Jackson will be a college student, or at least a college football player anyway. Hard to believe, but it's just about here. His laptop arrived this week, we need some clothes and a new TV and we're ready. The next weekend after the football team arrives is for Parent/Student Orientation, so we'll be back to see him fairly quickly. In the mean time you should let Ernest and Julio know that perhaps they should add a second shift.

Last week the Fishin Optishin showed up for one day of adventure on the High seas. The weather was a little better than expected and we were able to get outside for a change. Hell I was worried that the boat wouldn't even crank as little as we have used it.

Here is a good shot of our creek courtesy of the FO:

I managed to hang a couple of fish; we caught some sharks, undersized flounder, some decent but not legal black sea bass, and lots of trash fish. This is a happy boy

Right before leaving an offshore reef FO caught this right at the boat, really nice Spanish. Another happy boy

Dinner that night at stately High Manor. Notice the severed tail done to accommodate the fish on the grill. Never one to say no to a piece of tail...............................................

Oh yeah, that was nasty, sorry, couldn't help myself. We had fun that day and did manage to catch a lot of fish, just didn't bring as many home as we planned.

This week we've had Cooper in town, seems as though he keeps us all hopping every time he catches the Greyhound down to see us. He is a bundle of energy.

During lunch I watched NASCAR practice at Watkins Glen; amusing how the announcers were talking about the changes in the 2011 schedule (Atlanta is losing a race, hard to believe isn't it?) and how things will improve SO MUCH! I guess they got the memo that anyone who criticizes NASCAR can expect a fine. Uh-oh, hope they don't fine me for that comment.

In town until Wednesday next week; wish us luck.

July 30, 2010

Where did summer go?

Man, I looked up and July is over!

Last weekend we went to Sanford for Keelyn's baptism, and a great time was had by all. Here's a picture of the Sanford Riley ladies. We saw many old friends at the church there; it was wonderful to be home again.

Odd that as we were coming into town we went by a halfway house and I commented about how a youth group I worked with cleaned the lot up so so many years ago. I told Terri and Jackson that we found some vine that someone thought looked like an anchor. I think that was the group we took on the tall ship HMS Rose off Nova Scotia (can't remember for sure). One of the kids broke the anchor screwing around, and Jay whipped a cord around the base which still holds. We found this in the youth room in Sanford.

Then it was off to the house to celebrate Cooper's 4th birthday. Poor kid doesn't get any toys, but he made do........................

He really liked the cake also

And Keelyn was so happy she could just.......well you know.

I'm all out of that thing called a metaphor....here on that old eastern shore. Looks like the wind is going to be tolerable tomorrow; FO is on his way for one day of fishing. It's been a while since I cranked the boat,so keep your fingers crossed. Maybe, just maybe we'll have some fishing pictures next week, stay tuned.

My boats are rotting
July 23, 2010

Another week where the wind blew a little too much for our little boats. A friend and neighbor sank his during the Barta event last Friday, so I shouldn't complain. I decided that if it ever gets below 5 knots both Bobby and I are going to call in sick....actually he has to go to a "conference" that day; I'll be sick.

Busy week at work and on the social calendar as well; had my nephew and his girlfriend over for dinner one night this week, good time and good food, wahoo on the grill, yummy. Jackson and I played golf one evening (he's getting much better, might need to rein him in a bit so that he doesn't get too good), and last night we finally went to our first Marlins game. Fun time, it was PAWS night for the local pet adoption agency; we came home with 6 dogs and a couple of dozen cats. It's always fun to adopt those animals and then come home and turn them loose again; I think it keeps the PAWS people busy and provides them with job security. We did keep one cat for a special Cantonese dish we're trying tonight.

Off to Sanford tomorrow for Keelyn's baptism and Cooper's 4th birthday party. We're looking forward to spending time with friends and family. Pictures of the celebrations next week, I promise.

Oh and yes, I was just kidding about the pets. I know, I shouldn't joke about serious issues like that; it's not a Cantonese dish................ it is Szcheuan. Sorry.

July 16, 2010
Toy Story 3

With Jackson in Nashville for the national FBLA meeting we had a sneak preview of the empty nest we will experience in a few weeks. Terri had double-time Dink duty and I had plenty to do all week, so I don't think we fully comprehended what this will be like, but it is the next step, so we look forward to seeing him in football camp August 12th.

Last Sunday the three of us got in the yellow boat along with two inflatable chaise lounge chairs, my 9' surfboard, a Dale Earnhardt cooler full of cold beverages, and a fishing rod. Off we went to the big sand bar near the AB bridge. our neighbors acting as thought they didn't know us; I guess our appearance of wealth and culture must have intimidated them. Ba-boom, get that one? Anyway we had fun although we found out the surfboard apparently had shrunk from non-use the past couple of years. After playing around for a long time off we went to let Terri do her bow rail bunny pose as we toured past the Morehead waterfront. Jackson showed his pride during this parade by putting his towel over his head!

Which brings us back to Toy Story 3. We went to see the movie last Saturday and enjoyed it. My older brother looks like Woody, or one of the Village People, can't decide which. I don't have the panda, but the dog is in my office closet....minus a little hair.

Going to Raleigh to see Jay and his crew tomorrow, welcome Jackson home after church Sunday, and then find a flattering picture of the birthday girl (niece K-girl). In town all next week, and then off to Sanford for Keelyn's baptism, and Cooper's birthday party.

July 9, 2010
Not the best of weeks

Went to Raleigh for the 4th, to Sanford for Jay's birthday, and then to OH, WV, MD, and VA. Got home Friday afternoon after struggling with the Suburban all week. The darn thing keeps turning off, some of the time in a straight line with no traffic, other times NOT. It was a little scary at times, and really messed me up for the week and wasted a lot of time.

But I did make it home in one piece so we are getting ready for a nice relaxing weekend. Sorry this wasn't funnier but I'm in a foul mood.

30th birthday? How did that happen?
July 2, 2010

It goes by fast! Happy birthday to Jay, 30 years old on 7/05/10. Seems like yesterday (insert dreamlike audio and wavy video) that I was holding him on my lap; now I don't remember having a lap. He was a good boy and now a great adult, husband, father and son. Thanks buddy.Now as for that little brother of yours'..........................................

We are going to a 3rd of July party at the Weinholds tomorrow, and then off to Sanford and Raleigh Sunday. Monday afternoon Terri will come home and I'm off to OH and WV for work. We're looking forward to getting away for a night.

Which leads me to the next photo from the annuals of history. Feel free to insert caption here. I'll get it started

"where did you come from, a scotch ad?"

Have a good week and act like somebody