May 28, 2010
Ever feel like this?

Busy week, much busier than anticipated....so what's up with that? We are still doing a lot of school year-end stuff; all of which is enjoyable as we celebrate Jackson's accomplishments and graduation. Last weekend was beautiful on the water Sunday, caught enough fish for a good dinner or two, or three. Been in the office every day except for Thursday when I played golf with the Ludwig family from PA. Terry is a good friend and customer, and visits the coast each year with his family. We play golf every year and it is always a lot of fun. This year we played North River, which was my first time. It is a difficult course with lots of sand and water. I busted over 50 on the front (first time in a while) but calmed down to a 46 on the more difficult back side. I recommend the course if you're in the area, especially on a weekday like today; not very many people playing. The course is wide open so wind is normally a factor; however I'm pretty sure I would only play it in some wind, as I'm sure the skeeters and no see'ms are plentiful.

Pop and Dink are doing well; although Pop seems a bit more confused lately. Nothing new there, but the lucid moments are been more infrequent. This seems more significant in the later afternoon and evening. Then Dink thinks of something which must be done immediately and we're off and running. I'll bet she'll be happy when Terri is out of school so she can use her 24/7.

Memorial Day is always the greatest weekend in motorsports, although the Monaco GP ran 2 weeks ago we are still able to watch 2 races in Charlotte and the Indy 500. I was lucky to attend Indy in its heyday and see Mario, the Unsers, AJ, etc. in what was definitely the greatest spectacle in motor sports. Looking forward to watching that Sunday afternoon, go Danica!

Next week I'm off to OH, WV, PA and MD.

Ever feel like this?
Know this young man? Heather, beware......your children may resemble this maniac!

May 20, 2010
Productive week

Got a lot of things done in the office this week, sat here and saw some nice days go by; still have a couple of vacation days to spend before month-end, and I should have gone fishing but had a little too much on the table.

Jackson has discovered the joy of golfing. I walked 9 with him twice this week; on Monday night he made a par on the second hole, his first! Putted for birdie and missed it, but was able to make a 2 foot downhill putt that would make the strongest man shiver a little. Good for him he didn't know just how hard the putt actually was.

He finished his senior project with a presentation last night. At this point in his high school career I believe he has nothing else to do except show up for practice and the graduation excercise. Stick a fork in him, he's done. Graduation is June 10th.

I plan to work in the office again next week, and maybe take a day if the sun shines right and the wind don't blow. Have you ever tried to sell a humidifier in May? Well do I have a deal for you!

May 17, 2010
strong>Honeysuckles
I've had the opportunity to be in the roadster several times this week, and on the boat three times; and the sweet smell of honeysuckle has been nosed up many times. We have some between our garages and I always enjoy catching that fragrant bouquet that always reminds me of times long ago..............
Did I mention the granddaughter? I went to see Keelyn Wednesday; we had a nice chat Her eyes seem very alert in this picture

Then I asked her to do an impression of Popeye...........................

A very impressive impression don't you think? Or at least that was my impression............

In town most of this week, graduation looms on the horizon

May 8, 2010
Special edition

Normally I try to post once a week, but this week was something special, yessssireeeeeBob, something special indeed; a heckuva fishing trip it was, and for a change I took a page from the Fishin Optishin's playbook and took pictures; yes I did, I took a picture of every fish I took, no duplicates, each and every one of them was photographed for posterity.

With an open Saturday, I decided to go to New Bern to try my luck fishing for bass; the wind was forecasted to be very high, and I knew that saltwater fishing was out of the question; so after finally getting to sleep around 1230 I was up at at'm a little after 3, to put the boat in about 530 in New Bern.

With the high wind the water was blown out of the river to the point that the bass tournament was scheduled to end early to make sure everyone could get their boats out safely. Sure enough when I pulled out at 1030 the USCG-Hoboken crew was pulling their safe boat out because they could not launch. There was a big Ford F-150 sitting in the left hand lane with the trailer off the end of the ramp, back tires in the slime, waiting for a tow truck. Everyone helped me back up to the edge, and although far from perfect I was able to get Nell One on the trailer well enough for the short ride home.

Just as I got her on the trailer I heard cannon fire from the Neuse River. Seems as though the Yankees are trying to take New Bern again (what do they think it is, Pine Knoll Shores?). Kinda wished I stayed around to see that but then again I was happy to be back on the trailer.

The wind was really honking on the way home; went by and saw Pop and Dink, both were doing well.

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers.

And did I mention the cutest little granddaughter in the whole wide world?
Although you might find this uncharacteristic, I digress, you wanted to see the fish pictures didn't you; well right below are pictures of all of the fish, enjoy...............

These critters were hanging around the Trent River; sorry the photo quality is poor.

I'm going to take a few days off next week, maybe I'll have some luck then.

May 5, 2010

Keelyn Marie Riley

7 pounds, 11 ounces

21 inches long

All are doing well, looks like a keeper
Here Cooper meets his little sister, who he wanted to call Chocolate Milk Cooper.

And with a new family member, all other worries seem very insignificant, it is a good week