Wednesday, November 27, 2013

LOL... This video will never get old!!!

For the Kids & Grand Kids.

Merry Christmas!

Friday, November 22, 2013

A moment in time, not to be forgotten.


 
It was 50 years ago today that John F. Kennedy was shot and killed in Dallas Texas.

I only have one recollection of that day, and it was of seeing the eighth grade girls at St. Bede's Elementary School all crying after hearing the news. I remember being very disturbed by this!

As fate would have it, certainly not my choice, here I am in Dallas on the fiftieth anniversary of that day. I had considered going to visit Dealey Plaza yesterday on my day off but for whatever reason did not. Susu sent a text this morning asking if I was going to go to anything in Dallas for Kennedy. My response was that I had thought about it but decided not to because I'd heard it was going to be a zoo down there and the weather was taking a turn for the worse. I mentioned it was also very depressing! But as I thought about how much I had admired Kennedy, it occurred to me that I was perhaps being a bit selfish.
I jumped in the shower, dressed for the weather, and drove the three or so miles into downtown Dallas. As it turns out, it was a zoo... and because of this the Dallas police had sealed off the area around Dealey Plaza. I was able to visit the Kennedy memorial and say a quick Our Father & Hail Mary and thank Kennedy for his service to the county. I walked over to Main Street, a block up from Houston Street, and realized that I was standing at a spot that Kennedy had passed over on his motorcade still alive and unaware of the fate about to befall him only a few moments later on that awful day fifty years ago. I then walked a block over to Elm Street, also barricaded, and was able to look across at the intersection of Houston and Elm Streets to the Texas School Book Depository where Oswald laid in wait, and where the motorcade took its hard left turn onto Elm Street and meandered its way towards the now infamous Dealey Plaza.
The world changed for everyone only moments later!
God bless the Kennedy's.
God Bless America!
 Above and below... Kennedy Memorial.
Below: Main Street looking towards Houston Street
Below: Elm St and Record St looking towards The Book Depository (center)

Below: Elm and Houston looking towards Dealey Plaza (in the trees)
Below: Thirteen hundred miles away in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington VA.
 I watched the movie Parkland about a week ago and there was a scene where they were insisting that JFK's body remain in Dallas over the vehement objections of the Secret Service. As the Secret Service forced its way out of the hospital with the body one of the agents looks out over the assembled Dallas PD and assorted mourners and expressed my sentiments towards this place, only slightly altered.
What a shitty place to die!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

RVA part II

Dawg Daze http://vadawgdaze.blogspot.com/
Brilliant fall colors...
Snuggly puppies...
World Series in the mancave...
Haunted mansions...
Nuala & her BFF Portia on a big adventure...

RVA visit October-November 2013

All sorts of fun stuff going on... John & RA's party... Sunrise on the James... Pumpkin picken with my Pumpkins.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

On a wing & a prayer.

Spending this 3day weekend with Grandma, Barb & Sasha
Over the cloud tops and thru the woods...

Being chased by the sun.

Poppy meets the beast Sasha.

Lunch at PIE & BURGER with GM Liz & Tony.

Selfie x 3

Friday, September 13, 2013

Three Day Weekend...

I had three days off work last weekend... Friday thru Sunday.
I spent Friday lollygagging at the apartment, watching ballgames and or movies. I threw in a couple naps for good measure.

Saturday I ran a couple errands then took a trip to the Dallas Farmers Market to hunt up some local honey... (the stuff made  by bees... I know what you're thinking!)
I found my honey and a lot more... will have to make a return trip!
I suggested the interjection RAH as opposed to Raw.... nuthin doin... dumb Texan! 


Sunday was a 30 mile ride up to and around the lake, I sure will be glad when this heat is over!
They were holding a "Flying Scot" regatta on the lake so I had to stop and take a couple,(thousand), pictures.
 
Spinnakers flying!

In the lead!

The Chase!


Saturday, August 24, 2013

How Hot Is It?

I am really growing tired of the Dryness and the Heat of this God forsaken place!
BLAH!

 It's so dry, the trees are bribing the dogs.

So dry the catfish are carrying canteens.

So Hot the Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs.

Hot water now comes out of both taps.

So hot Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?

So dry The cows are giving evaporated milk.

You know it's hot when You've experienced condensation on your butt from the hot water in the toilet bowl.

So hot I saw squirrels fanning its nuts.

So hot I saw a dog chasing a cat and they were both walking!

It's Friggin Hot!!

Friday, August 9, 2013

Nugget worth keeping...

It's never ceases to amaze me where I find that next small golden nugget that reminds me how truly blessed we all really are.
Thomas Neal, the kid we're following in MLB had a week worth forgetting, a week that would have sent me into a tailspin down to the depths of depression. (As it was I was pretty bummed!)
A week ago today Thomas was designated for assignment by the New York Yankees. On Monday he was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs, (certainly a testament to his worth as a major league ball player). Tuesday he was sent in during the ninth inning to pinch hit, and then on Wednesday the Cubs started him in a game against Philly.
It was in the 7th inning of that contest that Thomas, on a routine throw into second, dislocated his shoulder and was taken out of the game.
Having watched Thomas claw his way thru MLB, from the Giants, to the Indians, to the Yankees, and now the Cubs, and seeing this happen 48 hours after being picked up, it seems reasonable to me that he might simply throw his hands up in resignation and question the wisdom of the man upstairs.
I'm beginning to realize this kid would not admit defeat if he was sitting at ground zero, and he most certainly wouldn't question God's plan.
In fact, one of the first things he tweeted as he was being attended to, possibly somewhere in the bowels of Citizens Bank Park, was the nugget I posted above.
Thanks Thomas for reminding me how blessed we all are, and who makes it all possible.
Oh... and,
 ~ THANKS GOD! ~

PS prayers for Thomas' speedy recovery would I'm sure be welcomed.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Thomas Neal called back up.

I caught the Yankees vs Rangers game last Thursday afternoon. This was Thomas' 2nd call up for the Yankees.. alas, he didn't get to play at all this trip up... his mom said he told her he was a back up for Melky Mesa. Was sent back down the next day. NYY Won it 2 zip... so I had the satisfaction of seeing them spank Texas! YUMMY!
Todays game with the Scranton Wilkes Barre RailRiders Thomas was 2 for 4... not bad for having just been kicked in tbe stomach! He'll be back up in tbe SHOW in no time!

Thomas Neal 40  hanging with Cano 24 & Jeter in the dugout., 


 Taking Cuts at BP




Wishing he was out there!!!
Jeter, Brett Gardner 11, Thomas 40

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

WICKED SHIZZLE!!!

Found this on cell phone files... obviously taken shortly after surgery and back at the apt.
LOL... I have absolutely no recollection of having taken this picture.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Fourth of July trip, RIC, 2013

The King William Crew at Legend Brewery



Fun on the Fourth....



Fish & Chips at O'Toole's, Coffee at Taza's, Susu & Nuala's new friend and neighbor, Portia.

 

 Treats at the Flying Squirrels Game, Matt, Paula & young Henry (Henry's 1st Birthday), Not sure who's enjoying this more, John or the two pups Nuala and Portia, Alex, Nuala, and me on the Lee Bridge over the James.
Busting Moves at Legends.