August 19, 2011
Yeah, That Just About Says It All

Thank you Wil Power for summing up my adventure this week with First South Bank. I appreciate your being the "neighborhood bank" with whom I look forward to ending my business.

Oh that feels better. After dealing with the Bill Pay customer service (oxymoron) it was off to one of my favorite areas: Hershey, PA. I somehow or another end up here a couple of times a year and really like the area. Yesterday we displayed at the annual APR Expo, today is our golf outing. After that I have to figure out how to get home without getting close to DC. Any ideas?
Maybe a chance to get on the boat tomorrow or Sunday?
Sorry about the obscene gesture but I learned from Farley Arnold; otherwise I really don't know what it means.
Oh and screw you First Bank

August 12, 2011
Who Says White Men Can't Dance?

Another week at home doing whatever it is I do. Business is slow so it has been a good time to get some of the estate stuff done. I need to publicize that the bureaucratic red tape machines have been very cooperative and hospitable so far, not at all what I expected. I would like to think that opinion will remain the same but I have to figure not. Regardless, so far I have been treated efficiently and with condolences. Nice.
Some business opportunities here and there, surely there has to be a pony in here somewhere. It is amazing to see high temperatures nationally and a very unhealthy air conditioning season; usually hot weather (and for that matter cold winters) break things that need to be fixed or replaced. Could it be our industry makes stuff too well?
Thirty-two years of wedded bliss were celebrated yesterday. OK well, we have been married thirty-two years as of yesterday. TAR was in Rockingham which threw off my surprise dinner plans; I had a Stouffer's frozen lasagna ready for the big night (Hey calm down, refer back to my birthday story....................see?) But we can do that later, and it will not be long before Jackson will be back in school and we can return to our new hobby of running around the house naked. Yeah, pretty picture isn't it?
So, does anyone recognize this lovely lady with whom I assume I am dancing? The photograph fell from a book last week; OK, it was the Holy Bible in the sun room. Any ideas? I know where it was taken but I can not figure out who she is. Looks like one of us was having a good time................

Off to MD and PA next week; APR Supply is holding their annual Expo in Hersey. In the past the show has been dramatic in that something usually happens at home; birth, sickness, etc. I'd like to think this year will be more subdued. Golf with the APR gang on Friday morning and then what I know will be a horrible drive home that evening. I have to either find another route around DC or rent a Cessna.
Speaking of a Cessna, happy birthday to my brother Pygmy, or is it my pygmy brother? Either way he turns 60 Sunday which according to my mother makes him about 6 years younger than me. Yeah, it is the new Dink-Math. Maybe I can get him to fly me up there and back?
We opened a new chapter to our lives this week, more on that later.
As the peeps in my hood say Peace out homies.

August 5, 2011
What Was He Thinking?

Back to odd musings and reflections; saw this on the road, what does it mean? Is "Tris" his wife or girlfriend, or perhaps ex? I have no idea............but what was the owner thinking? Nice car by the way

Sorry this pizza sign in Fracktown Pennsylvania is blurred, nighttime shot so this is the best I could do. We had dinner that night across the street in a diner. For some reason the pizza did not sound very appetizing. What were they thinking? I heard their pizza is number one in that little town. I rated their sign # 8, as in I looked at it and said you're an eight..................ba da boom

This sad monument was found at Granny's Motel in Fracktown. I know the intent was to get my business but it sure made me want to pull the emergency brake and make a bootlegger turn out of that parking lot. Look closely, the child's doll is missing its head, not that it makes it weirder or anything. I can only presume this was erected in an attempt to entice travelers to stay there. Yeah, wonder what the hell the owners were thinking?

I've caught some grief over the Lady Gaga comment; yeah, what was I thinking? Sorry, but I enjoyed the interview and the music she played that day. Sue me (the line is over there, you are not the first). And yes, I also caught some for listening to Howard, again, see above.......................

And some pictures from last week; this is a rare Riley family picture where pistols, switchblades and box cutters are not on display. Even caught Dink smiling, enjoy

At the reception the "kids" posed for several great shots and then decided to have some fun. I would show you the serious pictures but life is too short and I really like this one.
Then it was off to Thompson's Pharmacy for orange and lemonades. That glucose sure tasted good, guess I can have some more sugar in January. It was good to be home.

I have a couple of funeral shots, but only a couple. Daddy probably would object to the fuss we have already made about his death, so I am not going to publish them. However if you have any pictures please pass them on to me for the archives. One day the Smithsonian will probably call so I need to be ready.

Odd that after the funeral I turned on the radio and heard one of my his favorite songs from the 40's; for your listening or reading pleasure here is I'll Be Seeing You
I'll be seeing you
In all the old familiar places
That this heart of mine embraces
All day through.
In that small cafe;
The park across the way;
The children's carousel;
The chestnut trees;
The wishin' well.
I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day;
In every thing that's light and gay.
I'll always think of you that way.
I'll find you
In the morning sun
And when the night is new.
I'll be looking at the moon,
But I'll be seeing you.
I'll be seeing you
In every lovely summer's day;
In every thing that's light and gay.
I'll always think of you that way.
I'll find you
In the morning sun
And when the night is new.
I'll be looking at the moon,
But I'll be seeing you.

Who plays songs from the 40's? Get those old tear ducts flowing? It is a pretty song from the WW II era, coincidental to hear that on the radio on that day and to receive it in an e-mail this week. Get back in the closet you emotions! Maybe I could ask Lady Gaga to sing it?

Off on the bike for a mental health day trip to Rocky Mount, heading for amongst other things a hot dog (with extra onions of course). Plan to be home in time for a dinner with an old industry friend from Cleveland at one of my favorite restaurants in the area.
Cooper's birthday party is tomorrow in Sanford, hope to see you there, just look for the whirlwind of activity and the buzz saw sound.................

July 29, 2011
Now What? Confusion Reigns!

I thought about it, but never knew what I would write after my father died; I knew what had to be done immediately, arranging an appropriate service is just the beginning of a paperwork project involving bureaucratic companies and government agencies. So I know, I've got a lot to do. But back to the blog.......
I changed the header picture a few weeks ago. My cousin gave me this picture, I find it very comforting in that this is a good picture of my father as "daddy." She told me she remembered I was sick that day; there are many amongst us who believe that condition still exists to this day. Uncle Elliott's Mercury is in the background.
So what else happens here? The funeral was nice, short, simple. Exactly what he wanted. We did not plan on the heat so the short service worked well and was ended by singing Bless be The Tie. Jackson was presented the flag by Nephew Kevin. Sweet.
Off to Englewood Baptist for a nice reception and lunch. Not unlike many other funerals I saw several people I never see otherwise. We had lots of pictures out, many friends commented on how sweet and kind my gentleman father was; I told them they should have known him when I was 16 and tried to wear out every set of tires on every car he had...........................But they were right.
On the Thursday before he died I went to Raleigh to work. I sometimes enjoy listening to Howard Stern (see the second paragraph....sick) but on this particular morning decided to listen to John Boy and Billy as the listing on my Sirius radio showed "Lady Gaga in studio." No need to listen to this; didn't know much about her but had a pretty good idea of what I think. Several telephone calls interrupted my listening (damned customers) so I didn't hear the introduction; however as I started listening I was surprised to hear her anti-drug message, talk about the phoniness of the entertainment business, advise her young fans to abstain from sex until their 20's, decry bullying in the schools, and then discuss her Christianity and spiritualism. Yeah, it's still me, check the header, John Riley typed that. Later she sang Edge of Glory while accompanying herself on the piano. It is a song about watching her grandfather die while holding her grandmother's hand. The whole experience blew me away, especially the song. Give it a listen if you dare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_GMgkcc2KM
So I'm going to sell everything and become one of her little monsters following her from concert to concert, BYE!
JK, but needless to say I was impressed by that young lady and of course parts of the song touched my heart. Quite a 180 from my prior preconceived thoughts about her.
On to my Daddy:
Can I properly reflect on his life, love and family without making a joke and possibly offending some people? Can I capture a glimmer of the essence of what made him? Is it possible to write a few words, sentences and paragraphs that describe how I feel? How others feel? How my mother feels? How my brother feels? How his daughter in laws and grandchildren feel? Nope, you probably know I'm not that good a writer....................
I'm sad that he is gone, but I am a Christian and happy that he is whole and well again and in heaven. But I've got a hole in my heart that started long before the day he died; going back and forth to Mama's I rode down Bridges Street several times this week and each time thought I was supposed to stop at Crystal Bluffs. I don't think that feeling will go away anytime soon. Probably will feel the same way after church and lunch on Sundays listening to the Prairie Home Companion as I went to see him. Garrison Keiller is a funny guy in a sick twisted way. Wonder if he in related to us? I hope you get my wandering point.....
I've been told I will remember good things about my daddy as time goes by, but right now I think about him lying in that bed wasting away. I'm sorry, no sugar-coating today. But I am confident that thought process will fade into happier times eventually. The mind, spirit and body have good ways of protecting one from oneself.
So yes, the dark Irish side comes out every now and then. But then as with my many other sentiments, feelings and emotions I get a baseball bat and chase it back into the closet, only to be retrieved during analysis or drunken stupors.
So if you haven't already, let's smile:
I wonder where I will take my lunchtime naps now? Think they'll let me turn the sofa in his room at the nursing home and watch TV? Uh, don't mind him, creature of habit. Dink's house? Don't think so...............Won't be long before Jackson goes back to school and TAR to work so it's back to the office
OK, we have to laugh and remember the fun times, so let's make merry. Grab a hot dog with extra onions, put the base of your palm up to your mouth and make a long farting noise.
There, you did something funny.
The day ended nicely as this old toad was rescued by a lovely young princess at the Nash County offices. Seeing her capped a very good day.
Next week I will post some pictures and try to be funnier.

July 22, 2011
Bad News.......................But Oh Well

Good week during which my toys were worked on and repaired. The motorcycle sounds like a million dollars, very nice and I can't wait to ride it. Even ended up with a flat bicycle tire this week as it seemed as though everything I own needed fixing. All is well.
Our trip to the great white north was disrupted as our friend's wedding is now "off." We 're all really sorry to hear that, but after some last minute finagling we've decided to press on.
Today we go to Pennsylvania in search of cooler weather. I do not think we will find any, however tonight we plan to sleep in that northern state regardless. Saturday we will attend the BMW MOA international rally http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally11 in Bloomsburg, or at least that is the plan. Plans change you know.........
Instead of heading to Wilmington DE for a wedding, we are going to Baltimore to play downtown in the Inner Harbor area for the weekend. We are sad that our friend is not getting married but are confident that things work out in time (see John Calvin) for the best.
Then after all of that, we'll be home Monday night, or at least that is what we plan..............(another Calvin joke)

And another picture of that cute little Calvin who obviously has a bladder problem. This time his issue is with a Teresa Earnhardt........................

Maybe if he drinks some cranberry juice he will not have to urinate on everything. On vacation, cheers! And oh yes, no nudity it is!

July 15, 2010
Is Nudity Next?

After a considerable jump in viewers this week after my sensual dance with Turret's Syndrome, I'm thinking of new ways to lure in readers............................Nudity? Partial nudity? Your thoughts?
Not a bad week although my body continues to disintegrate; everything else seemed to get fixed this week: Dink's van, Jackson's Honda, TAR's Honda, the big boat, the yellow boat........... all were in the shop or being worked on at home. Oh yes, the motorcycle is still in the shop in Beaufort, seems the universal joint broke. Wonder who was in charge of re-fastening that important item? Wonder who I could blame that on? Yep, me, no one else; I seem to remember loosening it to reposition the rear drive assembly and..........................

....................................well, you get the idea; hope you like this picture from my school daze, only one of me that made the annual
The week ended up on a better note though, so I'm not complaining. I made some calls.....oh yeah, I forgot who is reading. Anyway, yadda yadda yadda long story short I got a free manicure and needed a box car to bring home the orders.
And another week in NC is in the books, heading out next weekend for Yankee-land. Alert the officials, TSA, and the appropriate wildlife officers: the Rileys are heading north.

July 8, 2011
This Blog Has Not Been Rated

I apologize in advance for too many pictures and the raunchy nature of this blog. If easily offended you may want to go back to your Favorites listing or home page. I feel it is necessary to cleanse this out of my system occasionally.
Broke the bike Saturday; transmission failed on the island. Not sure what I'll do next, might disassemble and ship to a specialist in Charlottesville, VA.
We had a nice but quick trip to DC this week; as Jackson said it really went well for us not to have any plans after the first afternoon. On Tuesday we dove up to Arlington National Cemetery (did you know that you can't picnic on the grounds?), went to Congress and toured behind the scenes with Andrew High; TAR and Jackson were impressed to stand in the midst of so much American history on the floor of the House of Representatives. I do this regularly so........................well, I must admit to being a bit in awe of the history within feet of me. Of course we saw the Air and Space Museum. That evening we tried something REALLY different: Oyamel (www.oyamel.com) restaurant on 7th Street. They serve Mexican food in tapas style servings. I started with a cherry/hibiscus margarita and lost consciousness shortly thereafter. Just kidding, we tried a lot of different foods and for the first time ate goat. It had a very distinctive taste, not too baaaaaaaaaaad but I don't think I'll want any more. Afterwards we went to see Bad Teacher and laughed a lot. Cameron Diaz is a bit over the top but funny. OK there was this one scene where she is.........................shoot, here comes SWMBO; I'll tell you later; very nasty!
Been in DC a bunch of times through the years, never seen this stature. OK Meade, you got lucky one time, it's not as though we're going to build a monument to you; well maybe we will

Right off the Mall we found an art gallery that our family sponsored. It's good to see the Ri ley Foundation hard at work appropriating the vast profits from the Ri ley Lumber Yard. (we own a lumber yard? Not sure where it is...................)

In the Natural History Museum Jackson greets a distant relative; you got me, our first cousin

Toured the Supreme Court for the first time, neat building. Jackson's early career path had him headed here after an All-Star stint in the NBA. And of course that was after his jobs as a burglar and a sniper; the good ones not the bad ones!

Jackson checked out the Justice Department; might end up working there one day. I think he might end up running the place.....................

Saw the monument erected for our sweet daughter-in-law; did a recent in house survey and she was voted our favorite daughter-in-law also!

Jackson in the American History Museum with a trio of his fellow Hampden-Sydney boys

Are you still there? I told you this might get a little rough, but oooooooooooooooooo k. So Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake are at his house and; dang it, here she comes again. (make whistling noise and look inconspicuous, nothing to see here............................)
Let's see, Wednesday as we continued our flight from the Arlington National Cemetery Police we went to the Archives, American History and Natural History. That evening we saw the Nationals beat the Cubs. Fun evening with Andrew High, but if he doesn't bring Leanne next time I'm dumping him in the Anacostia.
Thursday morning we evaded the police and went to the Spy Museum; been trying to go there ever since it opened when Kevin was an intern in the Senate. It was a good museum, but interesting how it showed all of the outdated analog technology. What seemed so high-tech in the 60's and 70's looks like it belongs in a ...................... no, I got nothing. What happened to my simile talent?
We walked by Ford's Theater Wednesday and Jackson and I talked how we've been in there many times but never looked for the alley where Booth escaped. In truth we've never looked for it until that day but we didn't find it as we headed to the ballgame.

The Peterson House was closed for renovations.

But on Thursday as we walked from the Spy Museum we saw an alley. Despite the dramatic objections of TAR we went into the alley. According to Jackson, Booth escaped through the rear entry of the theater and used a horse held by a child, As he mounted the horse he kicked the kid in the head, probably as he spurred the horse. This is called Baptist Alley because a church was once in the structure. You can see the bricked-over doors and windows, but according to the on-duty ranger at the theater the door is in the same place. A previously undiscovered DC treasure!

Any chance you're still reading? OK we now have a rating

R- Restricted

Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian

You've been warned several times.
While at the game Wednesday night I saw a Cubs fan with this shirt. I think I'll print some up and sell them the next time Duke plays Farolina.

And I'm going to blame that outrageous comment on the lovely and talented Cameron Diaz who used that word about 1,000 times Wednesday night. Since I have no originality I must have heard it somewhere...........
I'll try to do better next week, or maybe not since this post was so long; tune in to see.