May 27, 2011
That was the week that was, part 2

Left early Monday morning for Hershey, PA. That is one of my favorite destinations, fortunately business takes me up there at least once a year. It's a pretty area of the world, nice people, the rooms are a little pricey but worth it. I was there for the annual NAOHSM meeting (bunch of oil home heating guys) which is held there every other year. Managed to get 18 in Wednesday night at the Hershey CC; great old tract used for the PGA championship in the 40's but with a lot of rain the rough made the round last until 8:45. Good time with old friends regardless. I'm not sure I will be asked back; I misunderstood the message on the sand trap rakes, each one was labeled "LEAVE RAKES IN SAND TRAPS" and I thought they said "RAKE LEAVES IN SAND TRAPS" No wonder it took us so long to play 18........One of our favorite restaurants burned down over the past couple of years; I remember leaving one night and being told that each and every one of us would be welcomed back anytime, individually, not in multiples.

I'll be back in the area in late July for a BMWMOA rally and a friend's wedding, then again in August for the APR Supply Expo.

Wonder if this was started by disgruntled Dunder-Mifflin employees?

Is John Edwards going to prison? Press one to vote yes; two for no, and three for no opinion. Each call costs $9.95
SWMBO reminded me that she 4.0'd each semester in graduate school so technically she was the first Riley to make the Dean's List. Think she's just grabbing on to the Riley name, not sure; but your clue is that I used 4.0'd as a verb...........................................so, probably not. Anyway, we're really proud of you Jackson
Another observation made while contemplating life over a vodka tonic this week; is this the maid from Family Guy or Arnold's baby mama? You decide.........................

And so it is Memorial Day and the roads are filled with dingbatters. Welcome! Spend your money! Leave!
My granddaughter is walking, look out. Running will begin any day now
Happy Memorial Day weekend; go Danica, everybody but Sebastian Vettel, and everybody but Kyle Busch

May 20, 2011
What's Going On?

Ah, Marvelous Marvin Gaye.......So an eventful vacation week; some restful, some monumental, some sentimental, a lot delightful but some fretful and frightful and sad in the mix also.
Had a great week in California, got some good reps working hard for us out there. I was only disappointed that there were no hot dogs from Pink's, nor any cheeseburgers from In-N-Out consumed during my visit. That's got to be some kind of record. But when I returned I was pleased to find this in the shopping center on US 70. Helllllllo expandable jeans....................

Did I mention that Jackson is on the Dean's List? Please let me know if I didn't and I will be glad to include on the next post. He did, and we're very proud of this accomplishment.

Hey kids, I know where your Paw Paw is working!

Saw this sign in Rockingham NC, not often you see these name brand billboards being tossed about like you would a Golden Corral or something. No, not Richmond County, it was LA of course, and ironically near a Tesla dealership in Santa Something Or Another.

Ah Princess Keelyn; we celebrated your first birthday in fine style last Sunday. In town for a wedding and perfect timing for your party. She was the belle of the ball and we all had a good time. I even got up Sunday and went to the Men of the Church breakfast at our old church; good to see some familiar faces but my oh my some of those guys have gotten old! (not me of course)

This was a vacation week and Jackson and I were able to play golf Wednesday afternoon and fish in Swift Creek Thursday. Caught enough for dinner; good times.
Somehow or another I had over a thousand hits on this blog the week of the Barney/motorcycle picture. Don't know how that happened but keep it up and tell a friend; all donations appreciated.
And sad news, Tuesday night during our church's officer examination Jim Phillips, an elder candidate collapsed and died at the church. He had just finished quoting his favorite Bible verse from Proverbs (trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight). We will miss his guidance.
Off to Hershey PA next week, back in town to welcome dingbatters from near and far for the holiday weekend.

May 14, 2011

Sanford, NC

We had a good weekend at Niece Elizabeth's wedding last Saturday, then off to California and back to NC Friday night, Sanford today and tomorrow.
Elizabeth was a beautiful bride and the wedding went off without a hitch (intended pun) Back to MhC in time to worry all Saturday night about the after-prom party across the street. Unlike the wedding party everyone behaved....................
Good luck to Elizabeth and Joel

Normally when I travel I have meetings in the cheapest real estate in town, also known as the warehouse district. Every now and then if I keep my eyes open I get to see the nicer sides of town such as this long distance shot of the Golden Gate Bridge.

I worked in northern California Monday and Tuesday, southern California Wednesday and Thursday. I hired two new agencies which both worked for me at Trion, both groups are pros and I look forward to working with them.
Home Friday night, proof that Jackson is living with us again.

Can't complain about him though, he made Riley history by making the Dean's List. Attaboy Jackson!

In Sanford tomorrow for the first birthday of granddaughter Keelyn. Back home tomorrow night, and then a week of paperwork: it's called vacation because I don't plan to answer the phone. Going to try to fix the big boat, finish the motorcycle, work out each day, have a couple of industry teleconferences, get a haircut.................hmmmm, let's see, oh yeah, get some golf in with Jackson. Going to be fun

May 6, 2011
A Busy Time

First of all I was asked why I didn't appear in the family shot from Easter weekend. I tried but I can't resist, here is the shot in which I appeared. I tried for a reflective shot but it didn't work out the way I planned

Kind of like one of those Hitchcock movies where you try to find the director.
We had a good weekend; caught plenty to eat on Saturday offshore and then tried freshwater fishing from the old yellow boat (hmmmm, could that be a name, Old Yeller?) Sunday on Swift Creek above New Bern. Didn't do very well up there but had a lot of fun on some very pretty water. I'll try that again soon.
Bike update: 90% completed, having troubles synchronizing the carburetors. Getting closer, but my travel schedule will keep too much work undone until later in May.
Second classy shot of the week shows that I can laugh at myself, or that I am a bigger fool than I think I am. FO came down for our annual birthday/fishing weekend complete with a leather jacket, two American flags, a Korean War helmet painted white, and some deputy stars. Again, you do the math: I'm thinking twins separated at birth.

And our little daredevil Cooper Knievel. He likes to see how fast he can go down their driveway. Welcome to another joy of parenthood. He's funny and appears to have already nailed his NASCAR/Stepford smile. Don't forget to thank all of your sponsors, the crew, and of course the boys back at the shop

11:00 bachelor's party today, Niece Elizabeth's wedding and parties tomorrow, 12:00 flight to San Francisco Sunday. Back home Friday night in time to go to another wedding in Sanford. In my spare time I'm learning how to speak Russian fluently and macrame.....................