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!

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!!

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.

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

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.

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.

Test

Test

Back home in Rivah City.

Ahhhhhhhh..... heaven!

The Super Moon...was a Super Yawn!

After reading all the hype about the Super Moon I thought I'd give it a look. I've seen similar moons, probably everyone has, that look incredibly large as they rise or set. My reaction to these generally has been, "gosh I wish I had a camera."
Well, this time I'd be ready!
Sunday morning the 23rd I rose early, 5 AM, filled a thermos with coffee and headed up to White Rock Lake, seems this place has become my sanctuary from any and all Dallas madness. I decided that a shot of the "Super Moon" with the lake and its marina in the foreground would probably make for a nice picture.
As I arrived at the marina there were a few other cars in the parking lot, my ideas are never very unique. I parked the car and walked the short distance to the waters edge and found a good spot to have the moon setting right behind the moored sailboats and framed by the branches of a large oak tree.
I was early, it was about 5:50AM, and the moon would be setting at 6:35AM, with the Super Moon set for 6:33AM. I had read that it would be best to be early as the sunrise would occur at 6:20AM and begin to wash out the setting moon.
After a cup of coffee, and relocating a larger green spider who's web I had disturbed, I broke out my cell phone camera and took a couple of pics to send home, and to Katie, to give the heads up that this was what I was up to at this early hour.
Get up! Get up! It's the SUPER MOON!!! If I was up everyone should be up!
My impression upon arrival was this looked very much like any other moon, and certainly not "Super" by my standards. I considered that maybe the moon would get larger as it dipped towards the horizon. No such luck, I was going to have to be happy with a less than super looking Super Moon. I will admit that early morning as the sun rises is my favorite time of the day, and has been for as long as I can remember. This said, I enjoyed watching the fauna come to life and start the new day. Watching the moon dip towards the horizon afforded some nice photos even if they weren't the spectacular ones I'd anticipated.
Now come on everyone... GET UP!

What to expect.... in 20 years.

Well... this was supposed to be a subtle dig towards my daughter Katie. I cannot count the number of her blog posts that state something to the effect, "Thank you so and so for taking pictures, I had completely forgotten to bring a camera."
I guess it was too subtle and Katie missed it completely. I suspect she was thinking that old dad had lost an oar and was dabbling in crayola art now.

Ezra slipped the surly bonds of earth today and joined the crew of the International Space Station after a successful launch from the Obama Space Port in Illinois.
I didn't have a camera handy, but luckily there was a kid there with some paper and crayons who was able to record the moment for posterity.

snicker......

test post

Wanted to see if I could post from this phone.

Kids at thr Diamondbacks vs Giants game

Giants win ... boo hiss!

Belde's back in the hood... must be 5 o'clock!

March 2013, Going Home.

Smore...

Thought I'd better catch up on some missing 2012 posts before the 1st Quarter of 2013 is over.

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~ FLAT STANLEY DOES RICHMOND & DC ~

This was a project for Susu's nephew James that we accomplished during the Christmas / New Years holidays.

James River, Richmond skyline.

Lincoln and Tad monument (Tredegar), bottom left.

St John's Church - (Patrick Henry - Give me liberty or give me death), bottom & middle right

Top right and middle bottom, Virginia State Capitol.

White House of the Confederacy, top left.

Byrd Theater-Richmond, Arlington, Washington Monument, White House.

US Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, MLK Memorial, Westover Hills local haunts, Taza, and Chocolates by Kelly, Kelly Walker

Forest Hill Park Lake, Reedy Creek, The Casa on the Mesa.

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~ CHIHULY AT THE VMFA ~

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Luminary Night on King William

New Years Eve 2012-2013

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Back to Dallas..... PU!

Worked Super Bowl weekend and the three of us that drew the short straws decided to order out from The Bryan Street Tavern. One and a half blocks from the office so no chance the pizza and wings would get cold.

Great Pizza and Super Wings...

And look what I spied on the menu.... I'll have to go back!

Smores Pizza 9”

Gooey marshmallow, graham cracker and warm
chocolate baked to perfection in our stone fired
pizza oven.

YIKES... Throw in a dollop of ice cream...Mmmmmmmm