You're Telling Me

August 16, 2013

Odd week that featured yet another quick round trip to Washington; got Jackson home Monday and then to HSC Friday. 

Dink got sprung from rehab this week and is having issues adapting to her house; with help at night we hope she will begin to feel comfortable on her own, so to speak.................

My weekly obituary column this week feature Mrs. Novene Hoell who was a sweet gracious lady. She was also a kind of second mother to my brother and will be missed.

High School reunion, no pictures please

Who do you think of?

And this was on the danged old internet and made me laugh, hope you do too

Back at it next week, heading for Pennsylvania and who knows where else?

You're  A Big Boy Now

August 9, 2013

We went to DC yet again this week, I couldn't resist the opportunity to not only visit with our most important customer but also attend a Congressional reception given by our industry lobby. To say the least I was not impressed....with the reception; Congress is in recess and the event was mainly attended by very hungry and extremely thirsty staff, aides, and interns; but it was a good trip and we got to see Leanne, Andrew, and Jackson. Jackson left early Tuesday for a trip to Chicago (golly Pete this is a big city!) to attend the ALEC meeting. There were demonstrators:

After I saw the picture in a text I sent back a note reading "we used to have a dog named Jesse, Jackson" Well I found that amusing anyway. 

And this picture was found on the internet; I'm publishing it not to make a political statement but to once again show a resemblance to that old french dog we had, Sheeeeee-thead. Looks just like something that old dog would do and since he always had his dog-sensor setting on SCREWUP it looks like something he would do, although as I recall he was a Democrat. 

Saw this in the neighborhood last week, we have some fancy neighbors or maybe the DEA was making an airborne assault

Dink spent another week in lockup, she knows she has to get stronger to bust out, and I think that's in her immediate plans.....as in next week.

RIP brother Gill, you were a good neighbor. 

Happy anniversary to me, and condolences to SWMBO, for 34 years she's been putting up with my unique brand of bovine manure; think I'll get her a really special gift card.

Picking up Jackson Monday, moving him home for just a few days before depositing him at HSC next Friday. Then we're heading towards a high school reunion; seems as though those old farts with whom I graduated have been loose for 40 years. Glad I'm not that old. 

No Good-Bye Yellow Boat Rowed

August 2, 2013

How can it be August 2? Wasn't this going to be the summer of George? Well in a way I guess it was. My potential buyer backed out, shoot I'm ready to get rid of this boat. I'll give you $100.00 if you help me sell it for $1800.00; otherwise I'm going to paint it and sell it for $2500.00 next spring. I will, don't make me do this!

Yes, DC was a lot of fun last weekend. The weather was pleasant and everyone behaved, yes everyone. Watched the Nats hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Mets. Saw two good pitchers go 1-1 for eight innings, great game and Cooper was able to stay the whole game. Cooper Riley, turning 7 years old tomorrow; don't Google his name this week please

We visited the Air and Space Museum (yeah go figure), and the Natural History Museum, and he got a lot out of both. But this was his favorite time: searching for four leaf clovers at Mount Vernon. 

One of the display items at Mount Vernon: a present from Lafayette, the key to the Bastille. But John you might ask, how were you able to take this picture in an area in which cameras are not allowed? Thanks to one of my sons......................

Goodbye to Alan Reiff, pictured here on the right during a Trion sales meeting in the 90's; rest in peace, we will all miss and never forget you. If he wasn't the best rep I've ever had he was certainly in the top 5. 

And just when you thought it was safe to go back to DC we're heading that way again Monday; hope to take SWMBO. I have a reception Monday night, work in the area Tuesday and Wednesday, then maybe spring Dink out Thursday. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Good-Bye Yellow Boat Rowed?

July 26, 2013

Don't know if it will actually ever happen but we do have someone interested in the yellow boat. I hope they will enjoy it and make more use of it than we have. And for the record I don't think I ever had to get pulled in using that boat, she always brought me home safe and sound. 

The Princess has been in town. Yes there are two princesses in this picture; Keelyn went to see Dink a couple of times this week. Dink is making progress and can now walk over 100 paces. Wish her luck on continued recovery; she wants to get back to her condo and outgoing long distance dialing.

Not a princess but a prince was born this week. Wonder if they named him George after George Washington? George Michael since it took him so long to come out? Thinking not, this picture seemed to capture the essence of my idea of pop culture. 

Ah yes, the yellow boat, we went out Wednesday evening for several laps around the creek. Yes I am aware I need to get a haircut; I'm saving up, some day, some day................

Due to recent DNA research we now know who set the Dempster Dumpster on fire:

And now for something you probably didn't know. Remember President John Tyler? 10th president? Took over after Harrison forgot to wear his hat? Wanted to annex Texas and expand westward, he didn't have much of a presidency and later supported the Confederate cause, after all he was a Virginian. So where was I? Oh yes, he has two grandchildren who are still alive. Do the math and see if you can figure that puzzle out. It's 2013 and two of his grandchildren are among us.

And we're off to DC with Jay, Holly and Cooper to see the Nats, the sights, and hmmmmmmmm, something else, hang on...............oh yes: JACKSON!

HEY ANNABEL, IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY, TODAY!
July 19, 2013

Actually Tuesday was Annabel and Amanda's birthdays, today is Kristi's so happy birthday to all. TAR is in Rockingham now for Annabel's birthday party tomorrow at Discovery Place. I'll ride the bike there tonight to join in the festivities.

Good week for Dink, we got her out of the hospital and into Crystal Bluffs Monday, seemed like old times seeing so many smiling faces. We all like the facility and the people but really hope she can get home as soon as possible. I've already seen evidence that she does not want this to be permanent, so that is some of her incentive to do her physical therapy correctly. 

Jackson's lobby group ALEC was protested Thursday, concerns over a flash point gave me another thing for which to worry. After all, Jackson has that hot Latino temper.............no wait, he's not Latino, he's just a (you fill in the blank)

Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu hahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

This baby is for sale again, thought I had someone on the line yesterday but he got off. Get my price for the boat and I'll give you $100.00. See your local dealer for program details............

The Open is on over my shoulder, I have 2 more things to get done before I ride, and we're all hoping for a nice long weekend. Next week: to DC with Jay, Holly, Cooper and TAR; should be fun

SERENITY NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 14, 2013

I identify daily with George Constanza's scream, sometimes more than others 

Montreat was nice, this will be my mental image. If you can't tell I was standing in the stream trying to cool off. A week in the summer without air conditioning, been a while since that happened

These are three of the young men for whom I was responsible. They are getting ready for the nightly worship service; maybe I missed the cue card for attire while at "camp." They were all great and behaved exactly the way one would expect gentlemen to conduct themselves. Two of these pictured are going to Hampden-Sydney in the fall. 

 Of course I found one old car up there, a 1949 Jeepster. She's a beauty and a daily driver.

Dink is in the hospital, got a little low on her blood level so into the shop see went! As of this writing we expect her out tomorrow and hopefully off to Crystal Bluffs for some rehab. She looks and acts like she feels a lot better already; the rehab will be to try to get her on her feet walking again. Wish her luck please. 

Hey Jay, It's Your Birthday..................Today!

July 5, 2013

Modern technology in the mid 1980's involved a 45 RPM piece of vinyl that featured an alien sounding creature singing a song to the birthday recipient. Jay wore it out. TAR thought it was such a good idea she bought one for Nephew Kevin. He was not entertained by the record................

So 33 years ago, in the middle of the Borg/McEnroe Wimbledon final we were given this little creature. I kept looking but found no operating instructions so we just winged it. Looks like our project turned out fine. Happy birthday young man, enjoy the day. 

And here is a good picture of the old bike in Deal's Gap going through the Tail of the Dragon. I talked with the new owner a couple of weeks ago, he did a 2,500 mile trip with his son while towing the small trailer he built. New paint job looks great!

Off to Montreat to be the male chaperon for a great bunch of young men next week. Didn't know it would take so many of them to look after me........................