July 14 2008
First of all, a good shot of Cooper Amadeus Riley; our new piano prodigy, and the cutest little grandson in the whole wide world.
Feel free to insert your own caption here for the picture below. I'll get it started "we're number one in number two" Go ahead, have some fun; besides I'm tired of writing, I mean I'm really pooped.

Got some video here of Captain Kevin blowing something up in Alaska. This was on the Military Channel Sunday night; see if you can catch Modern Weapons: Alaska

The boat owner and I went out yesterday afternoon and did a little riding and touring. Pretty day and not too many boats on the water; at $4 + a gallon, who can blame them? Shackleford was nearly empty at 5:00. One interesting site, I saw a spotted ray broach in the sound, very impressive and a big splash. I'd hate to think of that thing getting into the boat with us
And since he likes the watershow so much, and since this week is his sister's birthday, and since he's going to take care of me when I'm in the old folks home and slobbering all over everybody, and since he's my favorite nephew who lives in Alaska and ok, since he's going overseas tooooooooooooooooo, this video is for you Captain Kevin; you be careful over there; you'll be in our thoughts every day. Enjoy the sprinklers!

Might be out of the office a couple of days this week

Busy week, lots going on
Last weekend I went to Weirton WV for Heather and Kevin's wedding reception, part two. We had planned on having a long weekend away, but Terri had to stay and help with Pop and Dink. Here's the sign that greeted me as I arrived
It was a good time, but unfortunately my flash didn't "do right" and this was the best picture I got of the happy couple. Sorry about that, it was a lot of fun and good to see the newlyweds. Kevin is getting ready to go to Iraq in a few weeks and we wish him the best. BTW, he is now Captain Kevin Riley.

GUD was there; here is rewarded with a sugar cube after doing a really swell trick

Went by Gettysburg on the way and the way home, took this picture from Cemetery Hill as the 145th anniversary of the battle neared.

On to the weekend of the Fourth, and also Jay's 28th birthday on the 5th. Pretty sunset from the new deck

Cooper strikes a thoughtful pose as he wonders about the uncertain mental condition of his grandfather

Terri sneaked out to take this surprise shot of the other Captain and his grandson. In case you are wondering about the spots on the picture, we were watching the irrigation system.......yes, another activity we Southerners enjoy; often we applaud after the performance

It's the night of the Fourth, and as Jackson explained, "we Americans like to celebrate by blowing up something." Jackson demonstrated this is an interpretive dance pictured below

Earlier that day we went to the Weinholds for a great lunch, but the wind blew us home earlier than planned.

Another shot of the best little grandson in the world; Cooper was a lot of fun

Beach Week 2008
Everyone had a good time at the Billie Bee, there weren't too many knife and fist fights, kids didn't get sunburned, and on Friday I actually sat on the beach for two hours and did absolutely nothing. Those of you who know me probably find that hard to believe, but I sat there with no fishing rod, surfboard, boogie board, or skimboard for two hours. I sat there and watched my grandson play in the sand; he had a great time and so did his Nana and Cappy.
I also took him to a vacant lot and let him chase rabbits; think he'll be a good hunter, hope he isn't gunshy.
Jackson worked on a test run for his BSA Eagle project with the Edwards family. They tried making these walking stones freeform, and we all agreed that we liked this method. During VBS the children will make and decorate these stones, each contains about 12-15 pounds of concrete, and then after they dry we will insert them into the lawn in front of our church as a meditation walk. Jackson aniticpate about 40 stones will be used. If you would like to make one, please attend our VBS in July. Here are some pics:

House news, yes, we're still working on it. We had a new front door installed this week. It will be painted soon, and a storm door provided to let more light in the front entrance when we're home. Terri said something about making me wear a robe in the future...............................

And since we're rolling in $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ right now we've decided to buy some speculative property on the internet. People make millions every day, and I can show you how!
Anyway, we bought a fixer-upper houseboat and another cabin boat sight unseen. Here's the houseboatAnd here's the cabin boat. Think next time we'll go look at them first.

OK, that was a joke; just some of the sights seen in downtown Morehead City this week. The shot below was taken from the entrance to Spooner Creek Friday. I've never done that before; OK, I've run aground, and I've shined up a few props, but I've never left one high and dry like that. There are two kinds of captains that sail Bogue Sound; ones who have run aground, and liars.

Off to Heather and Kevin's Ohio reception today, back Monday for the week of the fourth. Let freedon ring!

Unabashed, unsolicited endorsements:

Week of June 20th, in Illinois and Wisconsin; went to this place in WherewasEye WI; very good food, drink, and scenery. This is a small chain in the area that resembles Hooters. Had some great brats and kraut (OK, I can stand just a little). The young ladies wear, well you can guess what they wear. Most were rather attractive, although a few should have covered their inkwork, and a couple resembled an just-opened can of biscuits. Overall, a fun experience

And another unpaid endorsement, seems as though I do too much of that. Saw this book reviewed in Road and Track last month and ordered it based on the review and the uncanny resemblance of the hero Enzo to our old friend Jesse. It far exceeded my expectations. It's a look at a family's life through the eyes of their dog who learns through them and television. Given opposable thumbs this dog could be a Formula One champion. It is available through the Riley Library if you feel so inclined
Next week: beach adventures!

Father's Day 2008

We had a good weekend; took Pop and Dink to Rocky Mount to celebrate the 60th birthdays of John and Betty Ruth. We had hot dogs and hamburgers that were very good, although for a while I thought I was in Roanoke Rapids because there was slaw on the table! Their daughter did a great job preparing for the party; saw lots of people I haven't seen in a long time; lots of fun; just that slaw for hot dogs, who would want that?

Here's a shot of the prototype for a concrete block system Jackson wants to use for his BSA Eagle project. The concept is to make concrete blocks such as this for VBS children to personalize with religious and chruch symbols. After they harden we will sink them below grass level in the front of the church as a meditation walk. This was his first atttempt using pizza boxes. We will either have to reinforce the boxes or use a wood frame to form the concrete. Wish him luck, this is the summer he has to finish it off.

OK, here is the famous wicker furniture. The new color looks good, and I stand corrected, I can sit comfortably with the new cushions.

And another shot of the new (casual) dining room furniture. We used it on Sunday to feed the crowds with fried chicken and shredded pork

And lastly, my new addition. I bought this burner from Williams Hardware for use with the Holland grill. I can use it to fry and cook ouside.

Now let's see how it works, OK Terri hold the camera, turn it on, focus, I'll just turn the gas on, light this match, put it close to the burner and.........................

Off to Chicago tomorrow and then "beach week" starts Saturday

MCAS Cherry Point Air Show June 6th, 2008

And lest we forget, this was the anniversary of D-Day in 1944.

Friday evening Jackson and I went to Havelock for the evening show. When we arrived we saw many different types of static displays including this Kiowa 58 similar to the one flown by our family's great American Nephew Kevin. I called Kevin while we were there but he wouldn't tell me where they normally hide the keys; I thought maybe I'd take Jackson up for a quick ride..................................


It was hot, we looked at a lot of aircraft and talked with Ryan Hough, a member of our church and a great American who flies Harriers. He was there with his wife Kate, and sons Sam and Eli.

Here goes the Mighty Herc, a support C-130 for the Blue Angels

Two biplances doing a loop

Some T-34 trainers performing the Trojan Horse manuever

and then performing a formation flyby down the flightline

One of the highlights was watching a F-15 and a P-51 Mustang, separately and together. It's amazing to see how small and slow the WW2 state of the art warplane is when compared to the supersonic jet

Here is the F-15 going down the flightline

and then another shot of the pair; I don't think they were racing


This is a soaring glider with sparks and fireworks

This is a bi-plane shooting sparks for nighttime effect

And speaking of great Americans, Nicu was in town! He flew a T-34 trainer up from Pensacola for a static display. On Saturday morning he managed to get in a half day fishing with us, and we caught a few Spanish and blues; enough for a couple of dinners.Thanks to Captain Bill Weinhold for putting us on them.

The Jackson and I laid pinestraw and experimented with concrete pizza boxes for his BSA Eagle project. We saw a couple of jets lining up for the air show; saw one Harrier going faster than I've ever seen one. It was a long hot day so on Sunday we pretty much stayed in the AC and got caught up on some office work.

Off to Ohio tomorrow, Jackson is getting all of his wisdom teeth removed today so he will be a little uncomfortable for a couple of days. Father's Day is next Sunday so in case either of the boys read this, I like my Ferraris in the traditional rosso corso

June 5, 2008
Went fishing for a little while Tuesday and saw the saltwater drinking Shackleford ponies; left behind by Spanish explorers from the 17th century.................or were they left behind my farmers who used to live on the Banks? You decide, they are pretty from a distance.

The wicker is back in the house. First time we've used it since 806 Hayden Avenue, and that has been a while. The new black color looks nice

The landscaping is finished; well the landscaper is finished, I'm not.

And last but not least, the new table and chairs are here! It is a beautiful set

You know, I'm beginning to think the house project is just about over. On to the next project now, restoring that 73 Daytona Spyder that Terri is going to surprise me with on Father's Day; or is it our anniversary? Can't remember, but I will act surprised, very surprised! Trust me, it will be cheap compared to the house project