Worn and More Worn.

Today, Stacy and I went looking for a replacement for the zx2.

Even though I don't travel as much as I did. No more east TN, and only one overnight in the past 5 weeks. The zx2 topped 276,000 miles.

I changed the oil at 276,000, and scheduled the next change for 280,000 which will be oil change number 82. Going to need a set of tires soon as well. I just can't see a new set when I'm looking for another vehicle.

While we were out today, the Camry rolled over to a whopping 100,000. We bought the Camry six months before the zx2.

We stopped just before APSU, when I took the shot below.

So we are shopping for a two seat, sport convertable. Or I should say that's what I'm looking for.

They Learn Quick

After church as we drove into the garage, Emma wanted to ride bikes. She wanted me to ride mine up and down the driveway as she rode her three wheeler. She wanted to ride mine by herself, I said in due time.

After lunch and nap time, we went out to the garden. I taught her how to hold the hose and where to point while watering.

She was getting good at it spraying back and forth.



Nice and easy.She started to get a little sideways on me, so I asked for the hose back, which she gave me. Foolish little girl.

Yep. I proceeded to hose her down, it's so cool to hear her laugh.

Run Emma, run.

After a while she said Poppy, my turn.

Yea, duh, I gave her the hose back.

At which point she started chasing me.

Good times.

After the watering lesson, Emma crawled up next to Stacy to tell her, "we have to talk about this."

Nana, put the phone down, we have to talk about this.

At this point she is telling Nana that I won't let her pick stuff out of the garden without me.

It was truly hard not to laugh as she was so expressive and like an Italian, she was all hands.
There and here.

Back over here and everywhere. We had a great day with Emma as we always do, she is growing so fast and talks more than all her aunts combined.

Old Friends-Still Friends

Yesterday afternoon was a blessing, we were able to get together with some old and dear friends. When I say old, except for a few, I mean long time friends. Some of these friendships have 15 years of history and continue to this day. I pray that we will remain friends forever, because eternity is a long dang time.

I can say without a doubt, I love these people.

Cathy, Don, Stacy, Emma, David, David and yes another David. Stacy says that I like to keep friends named David to make it easy to remember.
Mike, Betty, Bonnie, Lisa, Sheila, Lori and Cathy.

May God continue to bless me with good friends.
Amen.

Future Backyard Farmer

This afternoon I introduced Emma to the garden. BIG mistake. As I was trying to show her which tomatoes were ready to pick, all she saw was green "balls" on the bush.

We started with the tomato plants, but it was not long before she was all into the garden.
My apple tree is producing, but not as much as last year.

Whenever I took my camera out of my pocket, Emma got this big smile and started to squint her eyes. Every time I turned around to pick my peppers, she would reach into the tomato plants a pluck another green "ball" and drop it into the bowl.

Emma ready to start harvesting.

Big smiles for poppy.

Poppy, it's heby, I can't hold dit.

Hole In One

On Monday, July 5th, my son in law, David and I went and walked Mason Rudolph in the morning. Then went to KFC for the double down sandwich. After eating went back to do another round, glad we did. On the par 3, 5th hole, I took my 8 iron out of the bag, addressed the ball and smacked it. It looked good as it headed straight down toward the green. The pin placement was right down in front today and the ball landing beyond the pin and drained back to the lip of the cup. It just sat there, so David and I started to walk down the fairway and we looked up, the ball must have dropped! When we approached the green, a green's keeper was standing there, he had watched the whole thing. He said the ball stopped at the lip and the next thing he heard was the ball hitting the bottom of the cup.

So on display on my mantle is the ball, the scorecard and the pencil I recorded the ace with. Wonder how long I can get away with it sitting there?

July 4th 2010

We have been to 2 of the last 3, fourth of July celebrations in Nashville. I find the crowds to be a bit unsettling as does my daughter Nichole. But we both braved the sea of people to see the show. Most look at the fireworks which were spectacular, I watch the people. People can be stupid and if you pay attention, you can find entertainment anywhere.

Stacy loves the fireworks and does not care that you have to be arm pit deep in the crowd, the more the merrier she says.
The General Jackson floated by, docked and the folks on board had the best seats in the house. Next year, this is the way I'm going, and no traffic getting back out of town.

The metro Nashville fire department turned a pumper boat loose to wet the banks of the Cumberland as to reduce a risk of fire. It kind of worked, there were still a few fires that broke out next to LP Field, but the boat was there to put those out.

Kayaks are cool.
Period.

Of course you have to have the local drunk girls do the Charley's Angels pose.

The Nashville symphony was in pace with the fireworks, it was hard to tell considering all the explosions going off you could not hear the music.
Wednesday I was in Huntsville at the United Space Alliance, they oversee the space shuttle program. I tried to get a walk on tryout to be an astronaut. No nachos in space, except in the tube. No thanks.

A framed vest used during the Apollo program.

And I got a hole in one at Mason Rudolph Golf Course on Monday the 5Th of July.

Home All Week

I'm not used to being home everyday so Stacy and I are adjusting. It's really great because the screen room is finished and it's relaxing to just sit out there, talk, have dinner, listen to the birds sing and watch the sun go down.

I have a honey-do list and actually have time to do the stuff on the list.

I love being home, we have needed this for awhile. All the girls are grown, involved with significant others and no longer living here.

It's our time now and we're going to take it.

It's Riding Season

I've been riding motorcycles since high school, Stacy rode with me. Then Stacy and I got married and had the girls. Stacy and I would never let our girls ride a motor at all with anyone. Period. My girls could never understand this since my parents and Stacy's parents let us ride. Our explanation was that our parents didn't love us.

After the girls grew up and left the nest, I got the opportunity to ride again, thanks to my buddy David and Stacy. He was selling his pristine VTX1300c and Stacy was letting be buy it from him.

When I got the bike it had about 2,850 miles on it, it now has over 19,000. I put the bike to good use on business trips to Memphis, Chattanooga, Johnson City, Knoxville, and Rockford TN, as well as just cruising.
Got to hit Sonic.

Deal's Gap, North Carolina. 318 curves, 11 miles, 650 pound bike. Had to come back down, 736 curves, 22 miles, same 650 pound bike. Felt like a total body workout when I finished.

I love it when Stacy takes trips with me. My biker babe, I'm lucky, she loves to ride.

Road trip back from Chattanooga.

Got to stop and get some coffee, listen to tunes and answer email while on the road.

Some of the best places to stop and relax, grab a bite and fill up are small roadside spots

Just get on, hold on, and shut up.

If you see this bike, stay back, stay away, or I will kick your door panel in.

Screen Room Installation

Stacy has wanted a screen ever room since she first saw Don and Bonnie's who live across the street. So once we saved the cash. Don put a plan together and we decided to go forward.

The trusses were ordered and delivered, from this point on, no turning back.
We had to knock down the rails on the deck, get building permits and get ready to go.

David was a big help, he worked with Don when I was traveling.

David and I both learned the business end of a hammer, I loved the pneumatic nail gun.

Don't try this at home, standing on the top rung of the ladder, while balancing something four times your weight is not a good idea. But we did it, so it's OK. No really, don't try this at home, one of the three in this photo is a trained professional. (Don)

At this point I was starting to feel good about the project.

Trusses in place,roof and gutters installed.

The real deal. Planted some more trees for shade.

Reclaiming some space from the sun. Making a nice place to read the paper in the morning or to work.

I want to thank Don and David, their sweat, love and yes blood, build this room.

Forever greatfull.