Post Christmas building

We had a lot of visitors during Christmas, it was mighty good to see nephew Kevin and his friend Heather, and Kristi and Lance. We won't get to see much of them for a couple of years and we truly treasured our time together
The building crew got a lot done this week, and we found a new Gi-Tarrrrrrrrr hero

Here's a shot of the exterior, the sun room will be on the right and a small dining area to the left

A window, or possibly three windows will go here

On this shot you can see the A-frame (suitable for Terri's nine foot Christmas tree next year) and the shed roof which diverts water properly

We're getting more and more excited as we see progress daily. Happy New Year!

Pre-Christmas Building

This week we saw some framing, and the disappearance of the barn roof. That was put in place to divert water from the house during the predicted rain of last weekend. It was taken down early in the week and framing began.

Then today (Friday 12/21), the barn roof reappeared! Had some more rain come in, so here come the framers in the morning, and up goes half the roof. Really looks funny now, but it will keep the water out of the house (I hope!). The framers use nailguns which use braided nails made by a company called (and I'm not making this up) Amigo fasteners.
Kevin is home! Merry Christmas!

Last fishing trip, some house pics

I was able to go out Sunday afternoon which will probably be my last fishing trip for quite a while. The water was slick and gin-clear, only caught three little specs for supper
Nice ride in and out

This week the builder poured more concrete, added masonry, and this barn roof from which he will build our roof. Progress almost daily!

Early December

Hard to believe we're on top of Christmas. We are just starting to get ready for the holidays. Bill W and I did go fishing one more time last Sunday with very limited success. Still thinking about going this Sunday afternoon, again, just one more time.

Big news this week was groundbreaking on the addition to the house. As I was in the office this week I was able to see the destruction of the existing deck, digging for the foundation, pouring concrete, and some masonry.

Our gas was cut off which means no gas logs and grill. Got the grill hooked back up in the backyard so we're able to keep BBQ-ing.

We're very excited to see the progress.

Fun and Fishing

Lots of messages recently about fishing; but as you probably know the eastern NC fishing during the fall is usually excellent. Had another good couple of days this week, more trout on the dinner plates all week and weekend. It was mighty cold (37 degrees) Saturday morning:

Had one warship in port and another one coming in

Finished up in time for Jackson's second game in two days (he scored 12 Friday night against a varsity squad from Wilmington)

Dinner was a combo of grilled and fried, here's the grill work The appetizers were fried (yes, once again, we're not sophisticated people you know). Turn up the volume and enjoy........

Don't know when I'll have the time to go again this year; might be it for the season. Let me know if you want to go, maybe that will motivate me to get out there again.

11/21/07 fishing

Went out early and could not find the speckled trout I'd heard about, couldn't find the grey trout I'd found earlier, had to hunt and finally caught a nice mess of greys for us, Pop and Dink for tonight. Included in the menu were a few really nice hogfish

Afterwards I went outside and found same Fat Alberts all around the inlet; unfortunately they were very picky and I caught the same amount of FA's as I did gulls; 1.

There is a lot of small bait (<1")>

I know this is a trite thing to watch, but I hope it will never get so hackneyed that I don't enjoy watching the dolphins splash around; it's still a thrill to me at 52

There was also a whale in the area but I didn't get any video, as there was a plane overhead and you're not supposed to get very close to them!

Florida

This week Terri and I went to the ARI meeting at the Ocean Reef Club outside Key Largo, and then down to Key West for a day of fun. Pretty, warm weather wherever we went; and of course we had to go to Mallory Square to watch the sun settle into the ocean in the west.

As toursity as it seems, it was a lot of fun watching the street performers and then hearing the sun sizzle as it dipped into the west. Key West is much more hygenic than I remembered it; still a lot of bums at the ends of their collective roads, and a Jimmy Buffett wannabe in every bar and/or restaurant.

Good meeting, nice to relax for an extra day, and believe it or not, I played tennis twice. More on that later

Cooper !!!



Had the opportunity to go to Sanford on business Wednesday, and late that afternoon got to see our grandson Cooper.

He's learning to wave bye-bye to himself

and playing with his grandfather's camera bag

Last football game for the year!

Jackson played in his last football game for the year last night (11/01/07) and it was a victory against Washington that gave West Carteret a winning season.
His first punt pinned Washington inside the 5, and West was able to get a safety from there.

His next punt was blocked but still got 20 yards

At the end of the game we displayed some unsportsmanlike conduct and had a couple of players ejected. Jackson went in and made a tackle to keep Washington from converting on a two point play which could have put them back in the game. Not a good video but Jackson has the runner.........

.

Then with 8 seconds to go in the game, although he threatened to run, he punted his last one for the season.

West Carteret football is not unlike Duke's; we're very happy with 6 wins in one year. This class plans to take the winning tradition to the varsity next year

Fishing, Fun and Football

This past weekend we had Dave and Bobby in for the Duke Cape Lookout False Albacore festival. Dave predicted rain a month ago for Saturday, and he was dead on. We relaxed Saturday morning during the rain, and went out in his boat around 1:00. We mainly fished in the Haystacks and caught a couple of small trout and a VA mullet. Bobby hooked into a nice skate.

On Sunday the wind was blowing and we went up Core Creek (and it was cold and windy)

and found a nice drum. As the tide began falling we came back down to the Haystacks and caught some more grey trout, all scattered around so we had to hunt for them.

It was a fun weekend and we'll have to give a tip of the hat to the photographer, Monsieur Robert High

He did his usual spectacular job and provided breakfast, lunch, humorous commentary and cooking tips Now for this week's injury report; I made a big mistake and gave Terri a nail gun for our anniversary. Yes I know I'm a sentimental old fool, but I followed my heart on this one. I don't think she enjoyed it; and boy did she let me know it in a way I will not soon forget! Happy Halloween

AND, can't forget, West lost to New Bern last night but didn't quit. Came back and scored a couple in the second half. Here's Jackson's best punt albeit with a penalty.

Went fishing this morning, kind of run down from a lot of road work so I slept in, didn't leave the house until 8:00 or so. Slipped at the landing and skinned my knee and hurt my back. Went to one of my holes and had my limit of gray trout by 10:00. Went to the inlet, looked kind of rough so I decided to stay in. Saw Rod Hoell going out, called him after he got outside, he said he thought it was a little too rough for our little boat. He said he had to run, a minute later he called in a report to the Coast Guard that a 20' center console was turtle right outside the inlet. Madame Coast Guard Operator was a little too interested in his boat, phone number and LAT/LONG; he got a little excited and asked for equipment NOW. The safe boat pilot heard him and told him he was enroute. I heard Rod say he was getting in the water to see if anyone was under the boat. Someone else called in and said they picked up two people from that boat and that they were OK. After about five minutes I called TowBoat US and asked if Rod got OUT of the water; no problem he was fine.

Exciting day with some good fish to fry tonight; enjoy the pics

Very faint picture of a Shckleford pony; left here hundreds of years ago by Spanish explorers; or, leftover from the farms that used to be on the island, you take your pick.

Terri made her world famous hush puppies

Pop and Dink were there

and now for this week's injury report; slipped and fell putting the boat in, the knee looks nasty but I really hurt my back. Feels like it did when I played tennis a thousand years ago. Treating it with Advil in preparation for next week's Duke Childrens Hospital False Albacore Tournament.

A lot of you have heard me talk about our local red-blooded great American hero Captain Nicu Nastase He's off to Florida to teach young people to fly. Godspeed and good luck Nicu, we'll miss you; here are some of my favorite Nasty shots



Putting his time away in his roomy quarters aboard ship

MOCS helmet

Over Baghdad International

Flying in for tour # 2

Don't crank her up right now!

Impressive takeoff, got to wonder about the MPG rating right about now






Jackson and Nicu after a game a couple of weeks ago

Excuse me flight attendant; I said I want 2 bags of peanuts, and I'd like them right now!

Caught a 225 pund DUM bass last week; got a few stitches in the noggin to prove it. Too deep to needle out or cut the hook, had to slice it open and remove the hook; BUT..... I got to keep the bait!

OK I decided to post some pics and video in this format; not a lot of fancy writing, just some shots of whatever and what not. Enjoy post # 1 featuring Jackson a couple of weeks ago.

Practice punt

Game punt

Game punt