Catching up and Random Memory

It's been nearly 4 weeks since my last post and I've no excuse.  I intend to write, but then get busy with other things.  If ya haven't already, read my wife's blog to catch up on some of our goings on.
The Cotton District Arts Festival is over for this year and (for me) mowing time is up.  I actually tried to mow this past week but the ground is still so soggy that I couldn't do everything without getting stuck - so I've given up for a bit.  I really need a solid week without rain to be able to get it done, but its not looking good for a bit.
Today is DKW's and mine 3 and a 1/2 year anniversary. (October 31 will be 4 years).  I know its a cliché - but it doesn't seem like its been that long.
Random thought - I was listening to my internet radio this morning and "Cracklin' Rosie" by Neil Diamond came on the radio and for a few moments I was in 1971 - driving my black (with red interior) 1966 Chevrolet Impala.  I was 16 and delivering a pizza (for Pizza King) to Critz Hall, which at that time was a girl's dorm, and that song was playing in my 8-track.  I stopped in front, got out with the pizzas and almost dropped them as I go flashed by six windows in sync. (boom-boom-boom......).  Talk about a teen-age boy's dream!  I'll admit it!  It was the first time in my life to see live BOOBIES!! And to get that many at once I nearly had a cardiac.  I did have to set the pizzas down on the hood of my car and compose myself before making the delivery.  After delivering the pizzas (and getting a nice cash tip too) I was about to start my car  when the young lady I delivered the pizzas to came out and  told me that it was a set-up and they had a bet to see if I would drop the pizzas.  She went on to say that even if I had, they would have paid for them.  Plus they had a big laugh seeing the look on my face.  I was grinning ear-to-ear and admitted that it made my day.  (And many nights to come, but I don't want to get into that.) :-o
It was a moment less than 30 seconds long in my life - but DANNNGGGGG!
Everyone have a great day!

Fifty-Eight: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Couple of days ago -for CDAF 2013

I've found that once you get into your fifties (at least for me) its hard to have a birthday and not think about your life and how your got to where you are.  And what might be ahead.  So, without being too melancholy - a few highlights.
I graduated from Starkville High School in 1972 and joined the U.S. Coast Guard a couple of months later.  I stayed a Coastie until I retired in 1992.  Along the way I married MSJ and we have 5 children.  We were together (29+ years) until she passed away in 2005. I currently have 7 grandchildren and another on the way.  I met DKB in 2008 (thanks to PlentyOfFish.com) and we were married in 2009.  In 2010, I nearly died when an elderly gentleman turned his caddy in front of my motorcycle on Highway 12.  He swore he never saw me as he turned into Greg's Produce in Longview, MS.  Thanks to quick assistance I survived.  I did ride again, but gave it up as my right leg has never fully recovered.  And if you aren't a confident rider - you don't need to ride.  But I'm happy with my 2003 Mini Cooper. 
In two more years (May 1, 2015) I will be eligible to retire from MSU.  Not absolutely sure I will - but its nice to know that at that point I will have the option.  Also, in 2015 I will turn 60 and my mother will be 80.  So I'm planning that once all the "grands"  are out of school for the summer, I will get all my kids and grandkids together for a couple of days of family time at the old homestead.  Cookouts, fishing, talking, visiting, etc.  Just reconnecting as a family.
I'm not rich, but I feel like (for the most part) I've had a good life and I'M Happy!  What more could you ask?
Everyone have a great day!


Writer's Village Block Project for CDAF 2013

Remember Ginger, and more

Shaddow, Ginger & Sophie -  2/10/2013

Its been a couple of weeks now, but Ginger's passing is still fresh and hurts.  I won't go into details but she was hit by a car and the damage was such that I had to have her put down.  I buried her at home and she lies near CoCo.  Having lost two young dogs in 6 months now, I told DKW (and she agrees) that we need to wait a while before getting another. (I need a break from the pain of losing a dog).  They can endear themselves to you so quickly.   We plan to wait a year unless Shaddow was to pass before then.  I hope not - but she will be 12 in August and is getting slower getting around.  Sophie (our little Diva) is 2.  We all (DKW, me, and "da Girls") miss Ginger. (R.I.P. Baby!)
I've still been working on the "Poetry Blocks" for the Writer's Village at the Cotton District Arts Festival.  I currently have 212 blocks completed and need to make a few more (with connective words and punctuation) before the festive weekend (April 20th this year).  Check out the link (above) for the Writer's Village - got a pic of my sweetie!
I'm not mowing yet - but the time is drawing near.  I do plan to start my mowers and trimmers, check the oil, etc. this weekend just to head off any problems.Might trim a litle by my driveway - but only cause the clover is thick and tall.  Can't really mow yet because the yard is a bit marshy with all the rain we've had.
 I have started a list of tasks I'd like to accomplish outside this weekend (7 items thus far).  I have to write things down cause I forget.  To paraphrase the song - "The old gray matter ain't what it used to be".
Everyone have a great day! - and a Happy Easter Weekend!

NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

First - Wow!  Have I been slacking off!  Its been a month since my last entry.  In my defense though, I have been very busy with projects at work and at home.

The BIG news item is that I am gonna be a Grandpa again.  My youngest son and his lovely wife announced that they are expecting their first sometime in September.  (Can you say - Road Trip?)  This will be my 8th grandchild, but I am as excited as if it was my first.  My lovely bride is also excited and after a discussion (that has been going off and on for a while) as to what my grands should call her - I came up with "Madre Mia" and she said she likes that.  So I think (at least tentatively) that is what we'll ask them to call her.

Mississippi State's baseball team is off to a rousing start.  They won yesterday to run their record to 16-0 and are currently ranked #3 in the nation!  WOW! Friday they start a 3 game series with the team currently in first place in the Southland Conference, University of Central Arkansas.  They are currently 11-1, so this might be State's biggest test thus far.

Now, I'm a public school guy, but I would feel a bit remiss if I didn't at least give a tip of the old chapeau to the local private school's fantastic accomplishment.  Starkville Academy's Girls Basketball team just finished an undefeated season.  They not only went undefeated in their class and won the Mississippi state title.  They went on to win the tournament which featured 6 state champions (regardless of class) and finished the year 43-0.  Wow!  Thats an accomplishment at any level - high school, college or pro!  Congratulations!

I will make every effort to get back to being more regular on my entries. 
Everyone have a great day!

HOW LONG AGO???????!!!

It may be 2013 on the calendar, but yesterday it was 1974.  I was at my desk working and listerning to the oldies station (online) from Portland, Oregon.  (By coincidence, I found and was listening to this station for a couple of weeks before I realised it was in the same city as my middle daughter.  HI DONNA!) 
Anyway, "Black Water" by the Doobie Brothers came on and as my mind wandered, it was 1975 and I was in the midst of being transferred from the Coast Guard Cutter Salvia (in Mobile, AL) to the USCG Search and Rescue Station in Pascagoula, Mississippi.   My lime green 1972 Gremlin was loaded with all my belongings (obviously I didn't have a lot at the time) as I pulled into the parking lot of the Pizza Hut on Highway 90 for my first meal in my new duty-station town.  I had just placed my order and sat down when this song started on the juke box - and played six times in a row.  Now, I really like the song but even I thought it was a bit escessive at the time.  But because of it the memory stayed with me.  As I sat and ate I could see the Singing River Hospital on the land side and off in the distance I could just make out the Gulf on the water side.  I finished eating and got up to go report for duty at the station, but couldn't resist as I headed out, dropping a quarter in the juke box and punching in "Black Water".  There was an audible groan from inside as I got in my car.  I couldn't help chucking as I headed off.  May all your memories be happy.
Everyone Have A Great DAY!

One Month into 2013...............



Disgusting-Yes.  But You laughed!

 Well, almost anyway.    This past weekend I watched the "Senior Bowl" on Saturday and some of the Pro Bowl on Sunday - but not a lot of that one - since the NFC blew out the AFC.  This coming weekend (Feb. 3rd) ends the 2012  NFL season with Baltimore and San Francisco meeting in the Superbowl.  Not sure who I'll pull for, but I'm leaning towards the Ravens.  Both teams have former MSU players, but S.F. has never lost in the Super Bowl (and they are favored).  So, I'm thinking I'll go with the dog.
MSU's Baseball (?!) season starts on Friday, February 15th at 4 PM with the first of a 4 game series with the University of Portland (OR.) Pilots. Depending on which of the 4 collegiate baseball polls you read, MSU is ranked as low as #16 or as high as #5 (in Baseball America.)  I've already put in to take off work at 3 on the 15th so that I can see the opening game of what promises to be a good season.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Ginger (our chihuahua-Italian Greyhound mix) continues to have a few chewing issues, but seems to be getting better.  I'm hoping that as she continues to mature she will outgrow them.  She's much better on the house-training point.  She seems to be in the habit of using the "pet-potty" training pad when we don't get her outside in time.  But I'm cool with that - 'cause that's what its for.  .....ya know?
Temps are still fluctuating.  With a high a couple of days this week at 70.  But it won't last.  February is usually a fairly gnarly month weather-wise.  Our February temps average highs in the 50's and lows in the 30's.  But depending on what happens we could be anywhere from the teens to the high 70's.  We'll see.  I wouldn't mind it getting a bit warmer (& drier) there are things I would like to get out and do around the place - but right now the ground is too wet, soft and mushy.  (And more rain is predicted this week.)
Oh well - I have plenty to keep me busy.
Everyone have a great day!

Blasting into the New Year.........



2013-Dr. Who Turns 50!

 And as always - "Hope springs eternal"!   MSU ended the 2012 football season on a sour note - losing in the Gator Bowl.  But - (see first sentence).  This year's schedule is a bit tougher, opponent-wise, but we have seven home games.  While the Gator Bowl didn't end the way I would have liked, I did enjoy visiting with my son and daughter-in-law while in Jacksonville. 
I'm back to work and  will still be playing catch-up for a bit.  Work still was generated even though the University was on holiday vacation for 2 weeks.  Oh well - job security, ya know.  While I enjoyed the time off, in some ways its kind of a relief to get back into my routine.  For better or worse, I'm pretty much a creature of habit.
I'll try and have more next week.
Everyone have a great day!