Watching Delilah.

DC and Me
Love those baby kisses!

Okay, I've been a while (about 6 weeks) since I last blogged, but the last three weeks or so, I've had what amounts to a full time job watching my youngest grandchild.  She's a sweetie, but she can wear you down.  As I often say, there is a reason you have children when you're young.  (Old folks with a bad knee have trouble chasing a healthy 14 month old).  But, as the photo shows, there are perks.  She is starting to talk some.  She can say the usual, "MaMa, Hi, Bye".  But I think it tells a lot that the one complete sentence that she says (usually after I say it to her) is "I love you."  Now, as much as I would like all claim to her doing that, I know there are many others telling her that.  So, keep it up everyone.  Every child should know they are loved. 

Since I've retired and have the time, I don't mind helping out with the baby.  Especially knowing that in a couple of months she and mama will be moving 2 to 3 hours away.  So I'm getting in my DC (Delilah Clementine) time in now.  Soon it will be few and far between. 

Everyone have a great day!

Missing Big Daddy

Big Daddy and Mama Jennie

In the past I have mentioned I grandfather, Grover Sanders, several times.  I, and my kids too, all called him "Big Daddy".  As I was driving home from Wally World today, he was on my mind for some reason and I was nearly brought to tears as I remembered riding with him in his old truck don that same stretch of road.  Big Daddy passed away in 2003, while my wife (Sue) and I were in New Jersey to see my youngest son graduate from (Coast Guard) Boot Camp.  I received the news just an hour or so before the graduation, and kept it from everyone until it was over so that it wouldn't put a total damper on what should have been a totally happy day.  Needless to say, with 3 licensed drivers, we headed straight home. 
I started thinking about all the changes in my life since then and what he has missed.  Some he would have liked, others I'm not sure.  (Note: My grandmother, Mama Jenny, passed away in 2005).    They knew one of my eight grandchildren (who was born in 1999).  They would love the others.  Now, both of them would have been devastated by Sue dying in December, 2005, since we had been married 29+ years at that point.  I remarried in October, 2009, and if I am perfectly honest, Mama Jenny would not have tolerated my new wife, but not necessarily liked her.  She would have thought she was too "progressive" for her tastes.  Big Daddy would have liked her, and I could almost hear him telling my grandmother, "Awww, Hush Up Jenny!  He loves her, she loves him and they make each other happy.  What more matters?"  Makes me smile to think of it.  Now, Big Daddy was a devout Christian and was a deacon at Longview (MS) Baptist Church for nearly 60 years, but he was a firm believer in "Live and Let Live".  If you didn't cause him trouble, he wouldn't cause you any. Big Daddy was (and I'm not the only person to say this) one of the finest men I ever knew.
I know I've left out a lot. But a lot happens in 13 years.     I Miss you Big Daddy!
Everyone have a great day!

Comic Book Geek Heaven

Okay!  I've never denied the facts that I love cheesy sci fi movies, and I've been a comic book fanatic nearly my entire life. (At least once I learned to read.)  Well, this morning, science I had finished the books I had brought to read, and had my computer with me, I decided to do an online search for FREE Science Fiction books available.  Now if its free and online, its usually either ol! (in the public domain) books or amateur writers just trying to get published.  I was looking for any sites other than Gutenberg.org.  This is a fine site and has a lot of stuff, but since I was very familiar with it, I was looking for something different.  While doing this search I found a link for comicbookplus.com.  Curious, I went to the site, just to look around.  Well the next thing I knew, two hours had passed and I am still reading.  (Though I took a break to write this.)  This site has literally thousands of comic books in all genres and from different ages (Gold, Silver, Bronze, etc.) and is accumulating more all the time.  If I'm ever between books, or just want a little light reading, I know where I'll be.  If you have even a passing interest in comics, maybe this site is for you too.
Everyone have a great day!

OMG! Football!! WooooHoooo!

Dak and Bully! !
Glory Days!

Okay, I know its early yet, but Friday night my Oakland Raiders beat Arizona and last night (in what I considered a double victory) the LOS ANGELES Rams beat the Dullest Plowboys.  Now I realize that its only the first preseason game for each of these teams, but hey, in the audition for Tony Romo backup (in Dallas) former MSU QB Dak Prescott looked absolutely awesome in the first half.  He was 10 for 12 passing (& the 2 misses were balls dropped by the same receiver after Dak put the ball right in his hands), but should be 12 for 12.He had 2 TD passes and NO interceptions.  The second half QB, Jameill Showers, was good, but Dak was better.  The Rams unheralded QB, Sean Mannion,  had a great 2nd half and the Rams came back and won the game late 28-24.  The 2016 #1 overall NFL Draft pick Jared Goff, did not look good for the Rams in the first half. I know, I even said earlier - "Its Preseason", but hey - Football is back.  My SHS Yellow Jackets start play on Friday and MSU opens at home with South Alabama on September 3rd.  Its gonna be tougher for them this year without Dak, but the starting QB battle is now down to 3 wannabes.

Couple of sporting events that I'm a little interested in today.  At noon (CST), in the National Pro Fastpitch League, the Pennsylvania Rebellion play at the Dallas Charge.  Now, my interest in this event is based on 2 reasons: (1) Kayla Winfield of the Rebellion, played at Mississippi State last year and is an excellent athlete, and (2) my sweetie is from PA.

Oooh! Good tie-in for future Sharknado Movie!

The other event of interest is the Arena Football conference championship game (at 5 PM cst) between the Jacksonville Sharks and the Philadelphia Soul.  The winner will play the Arizona Rattlers (who doubled up the Cleveland Gladiators 82-41 yesterday).  Now I'm pulling for the Sharks, because Jacksonville is where my youngest son and his family live. (He proudly serves in the USCG).  Also, you may not know - but the Philadelphia Soul are owned by rock icon, Jon Bon Jovi.  (And totally unrelated to this game, but the Arena team in Los Angeles (the LA Kiss) are owned by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.  Of the legendary rock band, KISS.)
Everyone have a great day

Happy Coast Guard Day

Semper Paratus! ! !

Today, August 4th, is Coast Guard Day.  The following is copied from a Coast Guard source:   

"The Coast Guard celebrates its 226th birthday in August this year. The Coast Guard is one of America's five armed forces and traces its founding to Aug. 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue. Responsibilities added over the years included humanitarian duties such as aiding mariners in distress.
The service received its present name in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form a single maritime service dedicated to the safety of life at sea and enforcing the nation's maritime laws.
The Coast Guard is a multi-mission, maritime, military service and the smallest of the five Armed Services. Its mission is to protect the public, the environment and U.S. economic interests in the nation's waterways, along the coast, on international waters, or in any maritime region as required to support national security."
That succinctly states the history of the service in which I so proudly served for nearly 21 years, and in which my youngest son has served nearly 15 years (so far).  So - Happy Coast Guard Day to all!  And a proud salute to all who serve, have served, and will serve in (what a Master Chief I served with called) "The World's Largest Coast Guard".  Semper Paratus Y'all!

It's a (Sharon) Special Day! ! !

Wearing my Weird shirt and an evil "I'll Rule the World" grin

July 31st!  Sharknado: The 4th Awakens makes it's premiere tonight as the culmination of a Sharknado marathon (1-3 precede the 8:00 PM premiere).  This movie is definitely a "Sharon Special" (see my July 2 entry for an explanation of the term).  As a matter of fact, I was in the local Wally World last week and saw the shirt that I'm modeling and thought that it would be perfect for the premiere and a way for me to pay a little homage to Sharon at the same time.  Plus, with it marked down to a dollar - what's not to like.  DKW even remarked to one of her friends that was visiting, "How many people do you know that dress up for Sharknado movies?"  I know I'm a little strange, but I'm gonna throw that same question out for everyone -  Are you, or anyone you know, dressing up for a movie?
Last week's get-together went pretty well for DKW and her friends.  The pig roast turned out well and everyone seemed to have a nice time visiting together.  I did end up processing and freezing a good bit of pork for future use - but that's okay.  Its cooked, in the freezer, won't go to waste, and will be enjoyed by moi for the rest of the year probably.  Back down to me, DKW, and our 3 (4 legged) gurls!  But that's okay too.  Nice to have company, but also nice to just be us too!
Hard to believe that Starkville High (defending 6A state champions) starts it's football season in less than 3 weeks (August 19th).  Looking forward to it!
Everyone have a great day!

Busy Summer Underway

Even in retirement, I'm staying busy. But I'm sure most retirees have reached that point at some time.  Beginning on Friday past (7/22/2016), a few of DKW's childhood friends(from PA) began gathering here for a get-together at our home.  I had already started prep for a pig roast on Saturday by making tater salad, deviled eggs, and a couple of breads (fig &  blueberry). I picked up the pig Friday and iced it.  Early Saturday morning I laid it out and kneaded in a dry rub on the interior and spread olive oil on the skin side.  Had to enlist a little help to turn the pig (60 lbs.) a couple of times, but it turned out great. Even after feeding the group of us for several days I'm going to end up shredding and freezing a lot of meat for use in future recipes. But that's okay. Its all good.

We have a couple of other short jaunts planned this summer, and I'm looking forward to those, but I don't like to publish any details until we are back.  I will say that one jaunt concerns family health and the other strictly a fun trip.  I will, after the fact, publish details.  I don't do it now for security reasons.  Even though we have someone here to watch the place.  No need to let any potential bad guys know when we are gone.  Trying to play it smart - ya know.

And in closing - SHARKNADO Week is underway on SyFy network.  Last night I watched "Atomic Shark" - Sooooo Cheesey!  Definitely a "Sharon Special"!  Tonight's offering is "Dam Sharks".  Break out the wine to go with that cheese! The first 3 Sharknado movies will air back-to-back-to-back on July 30th  beginning at 6:00 PM (Central Time) and July 31st ending with the world premiere of Sharknado 4 at 7:00 PM (Central).  Break out the snacks and veg out!
Everyone have a great Day!