My Own Music Video

Couple of things cracking me up today:

• Jason Collins is one of the Freedom Fellowship team going to Botswana. He was at Pizza Inn last night and Miles and Dylan were talking to him about Transformer movies, etc. Tricia told the boys he was the Jason from Friday the 13th. Dylan didn't buy it; but, Miles said "Really?" Dylan wanted to know where the chainsaw was.

• The weather forecast in the Fall calling for a drier-than-normal winter/spring. I think they got that wrong.

I was walking in the damp rain drizzle on the trail today with Keller and we came across one of those florist aluminum balloons. It said "I Love You" and had a few roses on the front. It was almost out of helium but still had it's shape. Keller was very interested in this something new on his trail walk. On the way back from the loop, I picked up the balloon to take it home. Well, first, I was going to tie it to a tree limb. Then, I decided to take it home. I must have look pretty peculiar walking in the rain with a half-inflated "I Love You" balloon and a soaking wet dog. Maybe my own music video or a bluesy book cover.

My walk soundtrack went right along with the scene. I have really gotten stuck on John Lee Hooker and Carlos Santana "The Healer", a latter day Hooker that is an amazingly simple; but, powerful new age blues with some smokin' Carlos leads. That along with Jupiter Coyote's "A Little Like Me" and Plant's" I'm In The Mood" really made me open my eyes to the awakening of spring that is so rapidly unfolding around us. Thank you God for rebirth and rejuvenation!

Hoping Dylan gets to play baseball today, that drier-than-normal- NOT forecast still calls for rain.

See ya!

Weekend Recap

What a food fest we had at my Mom's place for the last few days. I think I gained at least a few notches on the belt buckle. I could fast for a few weeks and be okay. But, of course, I was at Pizza Inn buffet tonight helping the Africa mission trip team (including me) raise money for our trip. Thanks to all who made it out to help! We are the hands and feet of Jesus for those children because of your help and support and Prayers!

Listening to the 1st night of The Dead's tour from Greensboro. So far, kinda lame. I would have fallen asleep by now...Really not much spark there but I would have taken a free ticket. I think it's Bobby Weir that gets me distracted the fastest. Warren and Phil will have to carry the load as the show goes on...

Listen here: The Dead 4-12-09

Miles had his mandatory accident while at Mom's farm. While riding in the bucket on the front of the tractor (not a good way to start a story), he got his leg caught between the road and the front of the bucket. Nice scrap and scratch and bruise. He skipped karate today for the Pizza Inn event but he and I have both suffered a little indigestion and frequent bathroom visits today. So, he's had a rough Monday. He seemed to be in good spirits otherwise. Dylan was proud that he got on green even with less sleep than normal. We drove back from Sumter last night and made it home in time for me to plant some blueberry bushes and Carolina Spice. It's rained all day, so hopefully, that will help the plants overcome the shock. I still need to get the fig tree in the ground and get some mulch to go around the blueberries. One of these days, I may mow the grass if the rain will hold off. I did get the weed eater fixed with some mail order parts. No complaints, we needed all the rain.

Keller and Shadow were very happy to see us last night. I was happy to see my shower and my bed. We were not happy about getting up early this morning, ask Tricia.

Well, I'm done for the night. See ya!

Fishing with the boys

Today is Saturday.  Slowly getting a start on the day, watching some of Series of Unfortunate Events with Miles and Dylan (Miles bought the DVD yesterday) and waiting for biscuits and country breakfast at Mom's.  I plan to work on some fig trees and blueberry bushes to take home for the yard and just hang out.  Tricia is going to meet some friends for coffee in Sumter later today.  This afternoon, I am taking the boys fishing at the Garnay pond.  The weather looks to be good and perfect for fishing.  

My Mom's sister, Gladys, is spending the next 2 weeks with Mom and Pete.  Gladys had a massive stroke a few years back and suffers from right-sided paralysis and has difficulty speaking.  Despite the physicial challenges, she continues to be a joy to spend time with and is always gracious for time spent in her company.  

I worked yesterday from my sister's place, which is located on the back side of the farm and was once where Tricia and I lived with the boys.  They have done some extensive renovations and the house looks great; but, it still feels like the same place and brings memories of those 3 years with young children whenever I walk around the place.  It's a blessing to be able to work remotely and around my family during the holiday.  

We had some loud thunderstorms with rain last night around 1am.  I woke for a little bit and listened to the rain and watched the lightning.  More memories of summertime there...

Tomorrow, I am going to Sunrise service and Men's breakfast at Home Branch Church.  Tricia declined the invitation before I even offered it.  Luckily, she had an out since it's a Men's function ;-)  

Well, enjoy this Saturday and be sure you take a moment to thank God for rebirth and triumph over death through the resurrection of our Jesus.  

See ya!

From the Zoo to the Zoo

We are heading out to Sumter for Easter weekend. Looking forward to going fishing with Miles and Dylan at the pond on the Gingko tree farm my Dad ran for 20+ years. Easy fishing and the boys love it! Looking forward to eating some country cooking from the low lands of South Carolina. We are going to Easter service at Home Branch Baptist church, a little country church near Manning, SC. I have 2 sets of Great Grandparents buried in the cemetery there.

Then we have the big Easter egg hunt after the extended family (usually 50 or so of my Mom's family) dinner.

Hope you have a great weekend with family and have time to reflect on what this Sunday means for you, rebirth and salvation.

We had a blast at the Greenville zoo on Tuesday. Here's some photos below. We then froze at Dylan's baseball game. He had a good game with a few put-outs, a few hits and the team came from behind to win the game in super fashion. Now, hopefully, the next game will be just a few degrees warmer...

See ya!

View all

Get your own

Spring Break?

Not sure if it's gonna be spring or not. The forecast is calling for lower temps, wind, some rain and even snow in the mountains. I was going to be off all week and we were going to be in DC; but, I changed it to today and tomorrow to hang out with the family. We are thinking about going out on the Lake tomorrow with our friends Ruth and Allan. We are also talking about hiking on Wednesday at the Berry Mill park and about taking Keller to the dog park in Greenville, Cleveland Park.

Random Ramblings:
I got home around 5:30 on Friday, just in time to take Miles to Karate

I woke up at 0615 on Saturday and headed to WNCW to answer phones. Always one of my favorite things to do. I get to hang out in the studio, talk about music, get free WNCW stuff (got Miles a WNCW tshirt, a pair of tickets to see Jason Isbell in Greenville and BBQ for lunch)->who wouldn't want to do that?

We went to Dylan's first real baseball game on Saturday. He had 2 hits and scored 1 time. They won by a large margin. He was a little tired but had a lot of fun. Calvin from next door went to the game and then spent the night and then went to church with us and then went to the movies with us. I had 3 sons for most of the weekend.

The movie was Monsters vs Aliens in 3D. Very cool and fun for the boys. I enjoyed the story and the visual fun too. Looking forward to the new UP! and Ice Age 3D movies that are due this summer. I can't think of a movie that I have seen lately that wasn't a cartoon... oh, wait! we did see the Chimpunk movie a while back :-)

Finished the Clapton book on the way home. I haven't read a book that fast in a while. Very well written, brutally honest and full of uber interesting music history. My kind of book! Just think, he's a British guitar icon married to a gal from Ohio with young daughters at home. Not what he saw his life becoming back in the 60's I reckon...

Well, I am off to run errands and enjoy my time off. Enjoy your week and the schizophrenic weather of spring in the South! Go ACC, Go Tar Heels!

See ya!

Southbound

Packing up and heading out to the airport shortly. It's been a good trip; but, I'm ready to get home. It's gonna be busy once I get home too. I am going to try and take Miles to karate this afternoon if the planes arrive on time. Then out the door early in the morning to go answer phones for WNCW up in Spindale, the best radio in the land, bar none. Then, back down home for Dylan's baseball jamboree. The weather is looking nice for Saturday, so hopefully, he gets to play. A lot of rain has made practice hard for the team. But, we needed all of that rain and then some.

Had some good meals while here: Wings at Buffalo Wild Wings yesterday and some nice pies over at The Spot in Sidney. Couple of pictures from the trip here:

Watched a great documentary on Hulu.com about the music biz, that I highly recommend:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/62945/before-the-music-dies

Hulu is very cool and I have enjoyed some good stuff on there lately. Thanks Cliff for making that recommendation.

Enjoying the Clapton bio, he's in alcohol rehab right now. Not the most enjoyable section; but, part of the story all the same.

Well, heading out to deal with the rain and get to the airport on time. See ya!

Sidney, Ohio

Working in Sidney, Ohio at Wilson Memorial training.  I will be here until Friday morning.  Had the unbelievable experience of going through security in Charlotte in less than 5 minutes yesterday,  seriously, I couldn't believe it myself.  It was the shortest line ever, even when the line I was in had to move to the other line due to the xray scanner having to reboot.  Seriously, I have never been through security in Charlotte that fast.  Miracles abound!

The rental car is a Hyundai Santa Fe.  It's the new model and feels HUGE compared to the Santa Fe we had before the minivan.  Nice ride and very roomy.  Easy drive from Dayton to Sidney.  Kind of a drag to have to fly from Cinncinnati to Dayton, should have driven from there.  Very short flight but had Wolfgang Puck's pizza in the Cincy airport.  Very nice.  

I did read almost half of the Eric Clapton autobiography yesterday.  Very interesting read and I'm amazed the guy still has a liver or a memory.  He is blessed and has lead a charmed life.  I really enjoy the social and musical history he lays out.  His inside look at The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix were worth the read alone.  Maybe I will pick up David Crosby's autobiography next ;-).

Watching commercials for the Reds here, not the Braves.  It's Ohio!

Talked to my sister, Cecily, in Florida last night.  She gave birth to a baby boy, John, last week and is doing great.  I hadn't talked to her since my Dad's funeral and felt good to touch base with her and let her know that Tricia and I are celebrating with her in the birth of her child.  Hope to send her some music that goes well with newborns and some gifts.  I am an uncle again!!!  Very cool.  

Well, I'm going veg a little and then head out to eat. See ya!