The Best of 2014

It was a very good year with lots of changes, all good ones and we are thankful.
We will finish with random thoughts:
Betsy Vann's old Chevy, found in Mineral Wells, TX. I let it stay there.

Last awful pun for 2014:

 There's no place like chrome for the Hollandaise.

A new toilet control found at a nice hotel in Durham, or was it Duke hospital? I forget, but somehow or another with this control you something or another...................maybe

Dink's health continues to ebb away, but she had some fun with all of her great grandchildren around for a very busy time at Hospice. Although Wednesday morning she was sitting up doing her crochet work, the last few days has seen her grow weaker. 

And this is our youngest angel, beautiful Christmas picture to finish. 

T Minus 6 Days

We had a great time in Savannah, still hard to believe that we've never been downtown in that old city before. We ate and drank like condemned people for a few short days and really did get away from most of it............I think we were trying to get into our Christmas fighting weight before the actual holidays.

Pictures? Yes:

Add your own caption, and yes, Santa was smiling

I sat with the pastor of this church in a plane a couple of years ago and I asked if this church was PCUSA or PCA, he said "independent." I asked for how long, he answered "since 1755" Must be a colonial thing. This is one of the scenes of the feather in Forrest Gump. Now, how did we know each other is Presbyterian? My guess is that it was meant to be......no, that's where this story goes from the sublime to the ridiculous. I was reading a book our session was assigned and he asked if I was a pastor. I know I know I know, but that story is true. 

I took this picture for Marie, good idea of how near big ships come to the river walk area.

Olympia Restaurant. One word: stop what you're doing right now and go there as quickly as you can. OK, that was more than one word.

OPA! Hope you enjoy it, I doubt if they will let us back in. Thanks for the heads up from the Highs who unfortunately will probably not be allowed in either. We shouldn't have mentioned their names.

 I haven't the foggiest, but there it is

The owner of these two fine animals told us how the short-hair pointers  discovered her wrapped Harry and David Christmas presents earlier and then "got into it" with the rest of them. I asked if I could take a picture to remind me why I don't need a dog.

We had fun, and thanks to all for covering us.

Dink is comfortable at Hospice, but is losing some short term memory. We have to always qualify that with the fact that she is still pretty sharp for a 1923 model. I talked with her one night from Texas this week and she was happy to tell me she had three desserts that night. Screw diabetes!

Prince George's parents published this picture this week

Do you think they were separated at birth?

I do. 

Pictures? No. Today I sit at Duke Hospital with my wife as she gets the "thing" on the tip of her nose taken off. Good news, it was only one mm deep and they are already patching it with skin from her ear. She joked with the doctor that she wanted to get her eyes done at the same time. They're laughing and my hands are shaking, glad everybody is having fun. She's tough and this ain't no time to lose your nerve. Sadly it reminds me of Jackson getting his tonsils out at UNC-CH years ago, not everyone in this waiting room is getting good news. 

And this weekend we will prepare our house for Christmas, I promise. I've done most of my work, getting the tree in the house and the boxes down from the attic. From here on it's pretty easy: drink Scotch and stay out of the way. I'm kidding. 

But in the mean time let's all relax and enjoy the sounds of the season, because I've been a good boy all year and I think Santa is bringing me a red one. If you're at work put on your headphones, either way turn up the volume and enjoy the symphony:

Sorry, saw that this week and I couldn't resist. Merry Christmas

And So This Is Christmas.............

That was a Lennon song I liked from the 70's, do you remember the tune? The official Lennon video for this song was a little too rough, too many brutal war images.

Last year TAR and I noticed many families who told us they just "weren't into Christmas" and this year we've joined that group. I can't put my finger on why, I have a lot of reasons and excuses but that is the way it is. The tree is in the sun room, the boxes are accessible, maybe we'll go back to old Christmas traditions and decorate on Christmas Eve. And this is the beginning of our decorations:

From the internet: old Abe could turn a phrase, but I thought Ben Franklin, Winston Churchill or Jesus Christ said this, or maybe Disraeli. My sons know that when I ask them who said "this" one of the names in this paragraph is a 95% bet.

So we ran away. Despite everything we have balancing in the air we took our 4 day weekend and went to Savannah. Got in late last night and relaxed with a great dinner at the Old Pink House. Who knows what the rest of the weekend will bring. It is hard to believe that in all of my travels I haven't managed to get into downtown Savannah!

Dink is very comfortable at Hospice. She is getting weaker but seems to enjoy the attention that not only our family but also and especially the staff gives her. After years of watching her diet due to diabetes she now enjoys coconut cake and chocolate almost daily. And good for her.

Off to Texas Monday, back home Thursday night and up to Durham late Thursday night. Seems as though TAR needs a procedure Friday, more on that later. Told you, lots of balls in the air. Oh, and so this is Christmas.........................

Getting A Little Dark

First of all on a happy note we watched Peter Pan last night, and no, I won't grow up, It was fun and live, and oh my, did Tinkerbell call Wendy a "silly ass" twice and tell the Lost Boys to "shoot the Wendy Bird" And they did! Oh my indeed, Tinkerbell was evil, didn't remember that from my childhood. Jackson commented that Christopher Walken looked like he was making it up as he went along; OK, respectable enough job, but I'm not so sure he wasn't a bit tipsy. And all of the pirates looked a bit, well a lot but I must be PC................ Now let's get dark, who can come up with a joke about Walken on a boat, here's a starter: what kind of Wood doesn't float?  

Been hearing a lot of artillery from Camp LeJeune this week, hope we still are holding it.
30 Rock had this dialog in 2009 while Jack was trying to get Tracy to come back to the show:

Before the most recent wave of sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby began to turn the tide of public opinion against the actor, "30 Rock" was on it.Crushable's Jenni Maier stumbled upon this little-known fact when she was watching the 2009 episode "The Bubble" from the show's third season. As a side plot of the episode, Tracy Jordan (played by Tracy Morgan) quits "TGS" (the fictional show on NBC that Jordan works on) and Jack Donaghy (played by Alec Baldwin) goes to great lengths to get him back. One of Donaghy's efforts includes hiring a Bill Cosby impersonator to convince Jordan to come back to the show.You can watch the clip here on Tumblr.

Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) and "Rick," the Cosby impersonator, sit down with Donaghy before calling Jordan in the episode.

Maier transcribed the dialogue between "Rick," the Cosby impersonator, and Jordan in the scene:

Jack Donaghy: I’ve arranged for one of Tracy’s childhood idols to reach out to him.

Tracy Jordan: Hello?

Jack Donaghy: Tracy, this is Jack, I have someone here who wants to speak with you.

Rick: Tracy, this is Bill Cosby.

Liz Lemon: [whispering] Really? This is your strategy?

Jack Donaghy: [whispering and smiling] I heard him do this at a party!

Rick: I want you to come back to the TGS for the people who like the jokes and the things.

Tracy Jordan: Bill Cosby, you got a lotta nerve gettin’ on the phone wit’ me after what you did to my Aunt Paulette!

Rick: I think you’re confusing me with someone else.

Tracy Jordan: 1971. Cincinnati. She was a cocktail waitress with the droopy eye!

Rick: I’m the guy with the pudding.

Tracy Jordan: Don’t try to tell me what to do! Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, wit’ yo’ light-ass kids! Jack! Why would you make me talk to this man?

And in 2005 SNL knew something:

Dink moved in and had a good week at Hospice. Her spirits are good, she's had a lot of company, can eat whatever she likes............we'll see what happens next. She is getting lots of attention and visitors, so far so good. Hospice is treating her well, what a great way to do things which must be done. 

Now let's get darker, remember the TV show MASH? It was a clever and funny show as Hawkeye, Trapper John, BJ, Colonel Potter, Hot Lips, Frank, Klinger, Radar etc. go through the Korean War in eleven short years having a good time and also showing some of the blood and guts that go along with it. Remember the last episode? What do you remember? The pure elation of the Korean War ending, their longing to go home yet also a farewell to friends............remember this part?

Yeah, neither did I. And I think that's OK because a lots of memories are altered through time to protect ourselves from ourselves, and that's more than likely a very good thing.

Natalie...............I know, first class seat.
Off to San Antonio tomorrow for HARDI, back Tuesday.

Happy Thanksgiving

Quick post, looks like Dink is heading to Hospice, looks to be a good deal, pull for us.
Neat look

 Been thinking about this guy a lot for some reason or another, here's a good shot

I always liked this shot of John, after he passed away I posted this, looked like he was waiting for the next bus. Who knows, maybe he was.................

 This hottie with the bottie turned 60 this week, smokinnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

In town this week, probably a good idea, we'll see what happens.

Texas

After a long boring day trying to get to Texas on Monday we settled into a week of meetings planning 2015 and beyond. Look out!

I enjoy travel, but this week was harder in that Dink went into a nursing home Tuesday, fortunately my brother, his wife and the unsinkable TAR were able to handle the task. I don't think she's coming home again, but I've been dead wrong on those predictions before. Like the adjective?

A good week in Texas, sometimes you find these little tidbits that make you smile:

No I didn't, this time anyway, maybe next time.

How about one of these, a 120 V air dryer for shoes, boots and gloves. Neat idea, let me know if you want to buy a couple of thousand, I'm your guy

TAR has a birthday next week and it's one of those that ends in a ZERO, not saying which. I've been looking for lots of thoughtful, wonderful gifts which express my love and happiness at this great event. We're planning a mini-vacation in December, finally a dinner at the Farmer and the Chef, but I keep wondering and searching for the perfect gift. Your thoughts?

Get off your high throne there dear readers, this is a legitimate product although the ad is a tad disconcerting. 

Racing congratulations to Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart, and even to those stinkin' tar babies. Good game, catch you next year. 

Wheels down at 11:40 something tonight and we have a full weekend planned. Good luck to Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi Sunday, I hope you'll be a good champion. 

There's A New Riley In Town!

Welcome to our Earth young Samuel James Riley, born Wednesday November 12; mother and child and older sisters are doing well, not so sure about the grandparents. They have that thousand yard stare thing going........................OK Samuel, promise me that you'll take me fishing when I'm old and gray and have snot running down my nose and have wet my pants (your father will explain that). And promise me that you will grow up to be a wonderful child of God and take care of our Earth. Love the Lord and treat others better than you expect to be treated and I will be one proud uhhhhhhhhhh what am I now, great-uncle? Can't imagine living up to that title. 

That picture is too pretty for words.

So we move on to the next subject; naming babies, Samuel huh? And again, why is there no Duke in the middle? Saving it for the next dog ain't you? That's all right, don't name those youngins Duke, or Betty either for that matter. See what I name my next dog! Jackson, that name is wide open for you!

How about Meshach? Abednego? Or better yet (you have to make a comment if you remember this Old Testament story, it's like a rule or something)

Everybody know that ain't how you spell Shadrach! Or shad roe for that matter, now I'm getting hungry. How long until the shad start running?

While communicating with an old friend and customer in Fort Worth last week I found this:

Randy Boyd is in the blue blazer, he was the HARDI president that year and the hottie asking grace was the president of the auxiliary group HALO. She worried about this moment for four years as she worked her way through the HALO chairs, and I told her the blessing would be written for her and no one would watch while she asked it. I was the infidel who decided to take her picture during this, so I was the only one with his eyes open. She's purdy ain't she?

If loving you is wrong...........................I lost my thought there, this from the Soup last week:

Watch where you're going! Now you have just a small hint at what it's like to ride a motorcycle

After that I know what you're thinking, why the hell has it taken so long to make a flying car? I've been waiting since I was about 8, is this the best we can do?

Second best use of a Pinto in my opinion......................

But here we are

As my daddy said when they announced the formation of a committee to build the WWII memorial in DC.................................."well it's about damned time" I'm ready, are you?

And speaking of being ready, Dink was in and out of the hospital last weekend. She took two units of blood which for the first time didn't perk her up. Perhaps she got some ne'er do well idler's blood, or maybe her 91 years are catching up with her. Regardless, things are changing for her, but as home health visited with her today she was knitting a baby blue (say it with me) affffaghhhan. Something like that. And no, Samuel already has his.

Full circle, catch that? Wheels up at 5:20 AM Monday, back to New Bern at 11:40-something Friday night, going to be a long week but we move closer to finalizing 2015 plans.

It's a good gig. 

TWTWTW

When I was a kid there was a British comedy show called That Was The Week That Was. Someone in America picked it up one summer, probably my introduction to wry humor. Anyway, TWTWTW.

Lewis Hamilton won the US GP and it was a good race. There is so much room to pass on that circuit, that and Monza have to be the best of the high speed courses. And I cannot stress how impressive the Ferrari engines sound on every gear change.................enough, yea I know, I'll quit. 

No one guessed, but that's OK, audience participation is irrelevant,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,no it's not but I'll get over it. Here's the hat from Austin, Pygmy kinda guessed it correctly so he wins a hat, but not this one. Part of the proceeds go to head and neck injury research. 20 years, so sad. 

Had a broken eggs trip to the DC market; it started out as a bit of a mess and ended up being a pretty good week. Got to see some old familiar faces, stayed in an old Alexandria hotel where I used to stay in the 80's, 90's, well, you get the idea. Walked to Old Town for dinner, that is such a beautiful area. And ate goooooooooooooooooood, or I mean well. 

Got in late last night and ascertained at some point today that Dink was not doing well. She's gone into the hospital twice before when her hemoglobin dropped, just looking at her this morning I could see a big difference since Monday. We got her GP to order blood work, later this afternoon we got the call to bring her into the shop for a refill. At this hour TAR has just got home, we're not sure how long she will be in, but this time I don't think they will do the battery of tests as before so she might not be in the hospital as long. I know a lot of people are praying that she will come home soon; we call those people doctors and nurses at the hospital. Seriously, maybe she can avoid rehab this time. Hope she feels better quickly. Apologies to the Fishin Optishin, no fishing this Saturday, and too bad, it looks as though the stars were aligning for a spectacular day. Dangit, 2X sorry. 

Seems as though that young fellow who popped OBL in the forehead came forward this week. We met him in Florida last year at an industry meeting, great motivational speaker. His main topic that day was his participation in the Captain Phillips action, lo and behold he's the guy who shot Obama, I mean Osama

Next week I was to be in Florida but that's been knocked back so I get to spend a day with my colleagues in Charlotte. Should be educational and fun.

And this is here because I guess someone caught me at a light bustin a move:

I miss riding my bike, it's some of the most fun I've ever had with all of my clothes on. Someday soon I'll have a spare day........................

Pick The Title

It's up to you to pick the title of this week's entry, either:

Euro-Trash? Them's My Peeps!
                       or
I've Got A Feeling We're Not In Rockingham Anymore.......................

There is so much to cover, last weekend the FO and I went fishing. We were unsuccessful with the big fish but I love this shot of a home-made downrigger on blue water

 Nice picture of CooKeeAnna, but again, who took it?

FO caught the prettiest flounder I've ever seen slung over the rail, right at 5 pounds and mighty tasty Saturday night. We found a few greys Sunday to complete the weekend, but alas and alack no kings. 

5:20 AM flight is now a 5:30 AM flight, left Monday morning for planning meetings at HQ in Texas, good week. Took one of my associates to DFW Thursday evening and then headed to Austin to see really fancy some cars run. Saw this and got discouraged...................

 No, this old girl didn't run, she wanted to but she's a little too old to get out there. She's a beauty

Oh my goodness I love Texas, too bad I was driving a sensibly priced econo-box rental I can barely make it to the edge......................

So I finally made it to Austin and to the track in time for the first practice session. This is one beautiful track, tune in Sunday afternoon for the show

This is the first turn after an uphill front straight, I was surprised to see nearly all of the drivers smoke at least one of their tires going in, sorry the shot isn't good enough to show their marks. During the warmer afternoon session I didn't see any do it, and their times were about 4 seconds slower. Amazing how technical this sport has become. Although Head Asshole Ecclestone continues to toy with the formula (the last race is double points, I'll let you know next year whether or not I like this idea that I came up with......) in Formula One the engines sound completely different. But still the Ferrari engines sound like an explosion during their micro-second gear changes, some things never change. 

Everything is bigger in Texas, and more expensive, but still FUNKALICIOUS

 And one good shot of Lewis, a nice young man I hope will win.

After walking around the track during P-1 I finally found my seat, directly across from Victory Circle. There is plenty of video coverage so I guess this would be a decent place to watch the race and what happens afterwards. Again I recommend it to you, if you have the means............ 

If your last name ends in Y you are salivating right now. It's after 10 on Friday night and I haven't had supper, so I'm going like Pavlov's dog. I don't know why this is here, just thought I'd throw it in as I wait for my meal. 

And so this is my report for this week. My plan was to get back to DFW late Friday night and catch an airport hotel, get up at 3:00 AM for my 5:??AM flight..........then decided it would be late when I got to the airport, what the heck, I'll dump the POS rental, check my bag, clear security, have dinner then read and nap until 5.......................it all went according to plan until I got to the counter. And by the way, more than one person told me I wasn't 25 anymore, US Airways is closed after 8:00 PM or so because they have no more flights. I talked with TSA and there were no other solutions, and no where to eat outside the secure area, so what should I do? Seriously, don't you know where I am right now? Double Jeopardy question, 10 seconds

And in closing, yes I bought a hat at the race track, my hair is indeed thinning and this was planned protection (insert birds and bees music). So I ask you good weekly readers, what driver did I honor with my purchase? The winning entry gets a hat.

You have 30 seconds and remember your answer must be in the form of a question, and yes Anonymous, I welcome your question/answer also

I've got some (in my opinion) good videos I might try to post from COTA

Next week, familiar surroundings in northern VA/MD
And RIP Skip Waters, I was really sorry to hear of your passing, you brought it home really well. 

And only by a few minutes this was still a Friday post, OCD rules!

How About A Quickie?

Good week on the road, even got to see Jackson and fire up a 1956 Jaguar XK 140 at a friend's house Tuesday night. I don't think my SCCA license is renewable so it's not going to be my ride.

Found this in the files,again, the best dog ever.

 I haven't been able to sleep since I saw this. Why? Why? Why? One brick short of a load?

I was online with an old racing buddy Thursday night and found this. It's from the 1979 Old Dominion 500 in Martinsville. I was taking pictures for the NCMS, Darrell Waltrip blew his engine and came into the pits and exchanged his engine in 11 minutes. It was the fastest engine change during a NASCAR race, and may have been the last one as NASCAR stopped the practice shortly after. I was in the pits, Darrell never got out of the car. I handed him some tools to disassemble the gear shifter and then got the heck out of the way. See if you can find Waldo (in this case Waldo would be me). Buddy Baker won the race under the red flag, sitting on the track with a flat front tire. It was his day. Find me yet?

We heard an amazing speaker last night, http://bush.tamu.edu/faculty/jolson/ . Hire him if you want to hear some great stories about espionage, real-life not James Bond, although you may confuse fiction from fact if you listen carefully, and I'll bet you will.

Off to the factory next week for planning meetings, and then a little side trip to Austin Friday, I heard they're trying to have a little car race there next weekend. http://circuitoftheamericas.com/

Look for me, I'll be wearing a cap. 

Fishing tomorrow, we're going for the bigguns..............

K Passer?

And with that I'll stop.
Oh no they didn't!
(actual billboard in Pennsylvania)

And you think I tell boring stories, notice how it is getting dark at night lately?

Which is harder to believe:
a) Matthew McConaughey (sp?) drives a Lincoln?
b) They paid one of the coolest actors in HollyLand to make an ad for an old woman's car?
c) John Lennon is alive, living in Scranton PA and working at a McDonald's?

This is funny, it's a good start but watch the white car on the left side at 0:57, clever! GoPro cameras are amazing, even if one did cause Schumacher's skiing accident. 

I activated my Sirius again this week and I heard this yesterday afternoon on Tom Petty's weekly radio show. Talking about a cool dude, wonder if he's going to start advertising for an insurance company? Bet your toes start tapping any minute now, BTW, this is 48 years ago if you're keeping score at home. 

Speaking of selling, who needs a fan? I've got a special on 30 inch pedestal fans, just call...........

Last Week: Udder Nunsense

This week asks a question......................

.......................OK, that is a stretch but who cares? This is for my entertainment, if you're looking for grandchildren pictures you might try Facebook. And then you'll also find out what that girl who didn't act like she knew you in high school had for dinner last night.

(Clue: try it with a southern drawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwl)

I went to Niagara Falls this week, it's been well documented how much I like that place. My faded memory includes the recollection that about the time we were there a family went over the falls. Last week's picture was dated July 1960 and that is indeed when there was an accident and that a young boy went over wearing a life jacket and made it. Want to read a great story?

                       http://www.infoniagara.com/history/rogerwoodward_miracle.aspx

Lots of courage to go around in that story. 

Did someone say I'd like to see something even neater than that?

                                      

Did someone say keep on rocking? No? No one...................................

Sex and Violence

Come on, you have to think these things through, here's another

.......................and they're off.................see if you can get that one.

Busy week in the office and then on Sunday I'm off to one of my favorite places in the world. It was the first big trip I remember as a child:

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, another picture with a goofy hat, long sleeves and shorts, I think I'm starting to see a pattern here. I've shown this before, sue me I like this picture. I remember looking at these pictures from more that a few years ago and in each one an adult is holding on to Dave and me, I guess they were worried that we might jump in? These were the same parents who taught us to swim by throwing us out of the boat, or at least they told us they were teaching us to swim, maybe not?