February 28, 2009

I was in town most of the week, but on Wednesday Terri and I got up before the crack of dawn and took off west. Dave was in town to look after P&D, and since I had an appointment in Charlotte, I took Terri with me and dropped her off in Rockingham for the day. A long day but a good one; on the way home we stopped in Sanford to see that part of our family in their new house (sorry it was dark, still no pictures).
Any parent wonders and worries about their children and grandchildren; and I wonder what is in store for young Cooper. But one thing of which I'm certain: I don't think selling used cars is in his future.....I mean, would you buy a used car from this guy?

Pop and Dink had an up and down week, not unlike others; but Pop had a lot of pain in his neck and back. The warden didn't want to give him the pain pills because she was worried it might make him dizzy, the doctor said go ahead. So, at this writing Friday afternoon the pain is easing off and seemed a lot better at lunch time.

I made some chili and hot dogs; wonder how it stacks up against the famous hot dog chili once made and sold on Falls Road? OK, this should piss off not only the RAT (another shout out to my peeps, did I say that right?) but also her mother the BRAT. Listen up good folks......................

Off to OH Monday early, back late Thursday night. Good luck to Kevin on his R&R in Fairbanks; remember to come up for air every now and then and take plenty of nourishment!
Y'all act like somebody now, y'hear?

February 20, 2009

Sanford, NC
We went to Sanford to take Jay and Holly two refurbished bicycles owned by Pop and Dink. When Pop retired my parents walked downtown to Braswell's Bike Shop and rode the bikes home. Jay, Kevin and Kristi were often loaded into the wire baskets and taken on rides and adventures to the grocery store, pharmacy, or even as far as the river. Safety seats and helmets were not an issue. The bikes now have new tires and should provide a lot of fun for the young family. Maybe they will even put a safety seat in for Mr. Cooper.
You are probably just like me and have often wondered what Jay/Jackson's little red pickup truck would look like from above..................well here it is

Mr. Cooper wasn't feeling well Saturday; here he is pictured in a rare photograph which didn't include Holly holding him. I think we threw his nap schedule off a little for the day, sorry about that.
We decided to go look at old houses. Here's Riley Manor # 2 on 806 Hayden Avenue.
And here is the last Sanford Riley manor, 2011 Shannon Drive. The latest owner planted grass in the front yard and finally trimmed that huge azalea bush at the driveway.
On the way out of town we were headed to Olde Town Drive and got distracted at Northview Amoco and forgot!
Off to Charlotte for a day trip Wednesday, other than that in MhC all week!

February 19, 2009

Not the best of weeks; Pop hasn't been doing very well and Dink has been "vomicking" so they have needed a lot of TLC....Terri's Loving Care. She's well on her way to getting those angel wings and living in the mansion on the streets lined with gold; she really earned her stripes this week.
In Houston this past week; after work Tuesday afternoon I went to Galveston to see Ricky Sykes. We couldn't hook up but he told me where to go; the destruction from last fall's storms was unbelievable. Sorry, didn't have the camera.
Several years ago (I'm guessing 2001) we went fishing with one of the Fishin Optishin's neighbors, a young man named Joe who was a pioneer in the grilling practice of roasting a whole chicken with a beer can inserted into it's cavity. As Joe was well versed in this art, Fishin nicknamed him Beer In The Butt. Beer In The Butt is a psychiatrist, or psychologist, or maybe he's a plain old psycho, but anyway being a professional he was embarrassed that in each of Fishin's online photo albums he was referred to as Beer In The Butt. He claimed it made his face turn red, I would think other parts of the body would be a little aggravated also.
Since Fishin was his neighbor and friend he immediately ceased calling Joe by the nickname of Beer In The Butt; and instead started referring to him by his new nickname, Jo Jo the Dog-Faced Monkey Boy. I always wondered what happened to Jo Jo, and then I saw this sign this morning; welcome home Jo Jo; and remember it doesn't pay to screw with the Fishin Optishin!

February 12, 2009

Went to Knoxville and Nashville this week. When I started back from Nashville Wednesday evening I ran into and through some pretty bad weather; some rain, but mostly high winds. At one point just east of Knoxville I saw a minor fender bender with traffic backed up behind it. After watching the traffic and subsequent wrecks behind it I decided to film it. Keep in mind this is what I saw after watching it for a while and then deciding to film it.
Submitted for your approval; enjoy the west bound I-40 traffic jam.........................

Dang; can't believe you watched all of that. OK, like cinema du John? This one, I call "Tunnel, 2009" Film by John Riley, special music by Kanye West

Like that one? How about you Ruth Ann Taylor (shout-out #2 for the RAT)
P&D are doing OK, the boat is home, in town all weekend for the 500 (go Tony); off to planet Houston Monday through Wednesday.

February 3, 2009

The day the music died, 50 years ago today.
And soon this high school will no longer be around. I was in the 10th grade before I realized RMHS did not stand for Robert McAlister High's School. I can't remember who told me, but as you probably know I'm not always the quickest...............Bobby promised me they named the school after him
But anyway it appears as though I'm going to outlast the school; many will find that hard to believe. Building a new one right now. In my senior year I was involved in dramatics and we ran lighting, etc. when anyone used the auditorium. There was a catwalk above the audience; when the grammar schools came to see the symphony or the opera, we would climb out on the catwalk and take small pieces of ceiling plaster and drop them on unsuspecting kids; then watch as their teachers would get mad at them for jumping up trying to see who threw something at them. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, good times.....................Guess I should have been studying sometime while I was there but I don't recall ever doing very much of that; probably doesn't come as much of a surprise to many of you.

But the real reason I made this post was to give a shout-out (did I say that correctly?) to my second cousin Ruth Ann Taylor. hey, how you?
Girl, better learn to make that chili.
Peace out (did I say that right?)