October 29, 2010
What is a BTM?

Off to Planet Houston last week for an industry meeting. It was good to get away but I didn't get accomplished what I planned. We visited the park across the street, this fountain was filled with children cooling off in the high 80's

So..........................is it just me, or does the plaid jacket look a little silly? How about the helmet? Perhaps it is the life jacket. Maybe it's the complete package. Remember Jackson, all college students have a camera with them at all times; pictures and video taken may come back to haunt you. Ain't nothing but a road trip......................

Lots of question may arise from this picture; I have to wonder where that BTM Sports Center t-shirt is, and if it will fit? I can't figure out the hat, or why you killed those little stripers; and who is this guy anyway?

Going to Ohio next week; a visit to the factory and then training for our new reps in the area. I plan to see a couple of key distributors and at least one potential. Behave yourself

October 22, 2010
As Molly Brown said....................

She was a rather famous person and a passenger on the Titanic. As it slipped below the surface she said to a raft mate "well that's something you don't see everyday" The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

Any way, this activity took place across the creek this week; sad to see a house torn down like that. I'd heard it went through foreclosure, and then an auction where the bank didn't receive an acceptable bid. The house was an older one on that street, I'd guess from the 70's, but it's hard to comprehend what I saw. Hope this is the end of the housing free fall, although a lot of experts disagree. We're in it for the long run so HOLD ON!

I went fishing in the yellow boat Wednesday afternoon for a couple of hours, lots of activity, nothing to bring home. I found a hole with some pretty (but illegal) black sea bass, and some undersized flounder. On Thursday morning I took the Sea Pro out in the ocean. Caught plenty of good sized blues, brought them home and fried them, and then took them to Crystal Bluffs for the staff to enjoy; that took about 10 minutes before I had a clean Pyrex dish back in my hands. But this picture below is the story, and of course my little toy camera doesn't do it justice (where's Bobby when I need him?) Offshore there is a bar of shallow water, often with breaking surf on top of it. Unless there is no swell I stay away from it, but this boat must have been on some fish in that shallow water as they stayed right in it. The picture show it well, but every now and then they had a nice roller on the bow. Fortunately no capsize..................

And we're off to Houston in a minute for the annual HARDI Meeting; see you there?

October 15, 2010
Variety is the spice of life

Lots of different pictures from the past couple of weeks. Let's start with a day trip to Sanford where we watched the next Pele.........OK, maybe not quite that good, matter of fact he has a ways to go; but we went to see Cooper play, and Jay coach.
In this shot Jay outlines his strategy
"No hands"

Cooper follows the play.....at a safe distance

I caught Cooper right after he unleashed his super secret weapon on the other team. The boy in the grey jersey on the left just caught a whiff of Jif

Which way do we go team? This way!

While in Sanford we saw this T-Bird in front of the Temple Theater. Betty Ruth had a burgundy one, beautiful car, great lines

Some sights from my trip to northern VA and MD. This is an actual pizza restaurant sign in VA. Hmmmmm, think I'll pass; but if I ever did go I would be realllllllly nice to the wait staff.

And then this from the classy hotel where I stayed in Manassas. You know I'm shelling out the big bucks for lodging when this is strapped to the pickup truck next to me. Not sure what the theme is here.........kind of a pirate animal with a pistol. Any ideas what kind of stuffed animal? Why the patch? Why the pistol? Why do I stay in such nice hotels?

In town some of next week, then off to Houston for HARDI on Friday. Let's go fishing if the wind should ever lie down for a couple of hours

October 8, 2010
What's Going On?
(marvelous Marvin Gaye)

We're thinking of naming the Jeep the JITJeep. See if you can figure that out. Now that's a good looking rig isn't it?

Fished a couple of hours today and yesterday; the sound and ocean look like the Neuse River, well they are the Neuse River. Had some fun and got a few sandwiches for daddy out of it. Beautiful weather, except for the nasty water.

Speaking of daddy, this from my brother Pygmy. He was at the camp last week and saw this grill Daddy built a few years ago, still working. I think they also still use a gate with a support wheel he built, not sure, got to have been from the mid-70's.

And speaking of working, this still shot captured from video during the APR Expo in August in Hershey, PA. I must have been looking for a spec if I had my glasses on, too vain to keep them on all the time. Of course the ones I have came from either the Wal-Mart or Dollar General....wonder where I could find an updated pair that resemble ones made this century?

And Jackson is home! Hampton-Sydney has an away game this weekend, he's not on the travel squad so he caught a ride with his mentor Adam. Jackson has to be back early Tuesday, and I'm heading that way to work, so I'll take him back early Tuesday.

Wonder if he'll want to get up at 8:00AM to unload pumpkins at church, or work on Rollie Edwards' BSA Eagle project? I'm thinking not..........

Wonder what the spread is on Cooper's soccer game tomorrow? I'm betting they'll cover, but who could bet against him? Good luck buddy, keep the coach straight.

October 1, 2010
Nicole

TS Nicole bothered us a lot more than we expected and was meaner than Earl. We've had nearly 15" of rain since Sunday and everything is soaked.
Here's our boat landing 3 hours after high tide; the post with the chain is the beginning of the landing

Ever been through a hurricane? Ever wondered what it is like? Well Nicole wasn't a hurricane, just a lightweight tropical storm; but still not very pleasant. See if you can tell where this video is going, and remember as you listen that the windows of the Jeep are up; it was that loud

(The video is below, BUT it has been shanghaied by YouTube, no idea why; but it is good! E-mail me if you want to see it spoonerscreek@gmail.com

Might have a couple of days on the road next week, and then next Friday Jackson will be home for fall break, looking forward to that.

Now to dry out...............................

September 27, 2010
So I'm a little late................

I've been busy and on the road for two weeks, gimme a break. Anyway last week was Comfortech in Baltimore; good times, saw a lot of old friends, and I think we may have sold a few products. Well that is the plan after all.

Got back Saturday afternoon in time to see Duke and the Yankees lose, then the tar babies and Kyle Busch win. Guess it wasn't my week. But Hampden-Sydney held at the goal line to win; although Jackson didn't make the travel squad for the game. The # 1 punter had a 70 yard punt Saturday; I suggested an interior line position to Jackson. He keeps trying and we're all proud of him for going through all he has to do to play football. Chin up buddy.........

On Sunday Bobby and Andrew came down for a half day fishing trip; ended up being a one third day trip as the rain and storms chased us back in before lunch. We had some fun anyway, and then celebrated with lunch at the Sanitary.

Then they gave me a ride to Rocky Mount where I picked up the Jeep I purchased from my cousin. It drove well through the storms last night and arrived safe and sound about 8:00 PM.

So I'm home for one week, maybe two....think I could take a day and go fishing? Oh no, rain and wind all week long, even through the Seafood Festival next weekend. That's been the story all year long, the wind always blows or it rains. Oh well...................

So why is this guy smiling? Found this picture online, Jackson's prom date(s) from last year.
Since the wind and/or rain will stick around all week and US 70 will be clogged with eastbound dingbatters, methinks we will go watch Cooper chase a soccer ball next weekend. I'll post pictures.

September 20, 2010
Lots of issues

Who is this? My golf opponent last Monday in Marietta, Greg Costley in town for our annual grudge match with John Hinton and Marty Hansell. Marty couldn't make it this year so the game was a skins match, the winner (yours truly) holds the honors for one year. The honors? You really don't want to know, trust me..................OK, let me know if you want to know

Then off to Cleveland for the Famous Supply Expo. It's been in this hall for several years; the Ferris wheel through the roof always intrigues me. The hours are killer, but we get to talk to hundreds of dealers over two days.

Back to Morehead late Thursday night, off to Hampden-Sydney for Family weekend. Jay was surprised at how Jackson has grown, not in the freshman 15 manner either
Cooper met the mascot; not sure his name, I call him Tony

And Jay and Jackson after the game, both very happy. Jackson would have been happier if he'd had the opportunity to play. He had a good week and pushed the # 1 to a 40+ average game. He's trying hard.

And so that's another week; off to Washington tomorrow, in Baltimore for Comfortech Thursday and Friday. If Jackson makes the travel squad I'll catch his game Saturday in Salisbury, otherwise home mid-day Saturday