Memorial Day. Usually not a big holiday in the deep south but has become one with time. It is a big deal up North, it is the begining of the summer and the Indy 500 race.
We put out small flags along the curb out front here in Weatherford. There is another military retiree around the corner and he always has flags flying. Well, he is a Marine. I am just an Air Force type. But there you go, not a neighboorhood without a military retiree present. We are a bit more restrained in our flag waving but that's okay too.
It is the time of year I bar-b-que something. It is usually chicken. I used to fire up a kettle with charcoal and go for it. Now I just light off the gas. I used get a whole bird and do halves. Now my chickens have six legs and 8 wings, no second joints or breasts any more. Strange chicken but it works for me. Makes Judie happy too since she does not have to cook and she likes drumsticks. So we will be happy with our begining of summer meal.
As usual the wind is ripping along - no Radio Control (RC) flying. It has been exceptionally windy this year, the wind is either from the North or the South, sometimes from the East. West winds bring in the storms, the dry line and super cells that turn into Tornados or more commonly, hail storms. We have had two such storms this year, the first resulting in a new roof due to the big hail stones. But more often the wind is out of the South. I can tolerate up to 15 MPH or so, then I quit if above that because the air gets real bumpy close to the ground. And that's where I have to land, otherwise up in the air it is no problem - just landing - like real airplanes do.
I am hoping next weekend will be a good one to fly RC. The Springtown RC club is having a big to do with outside dignitaries showing up. Whether there are big doings or not, I just want to fly. Got a student to take off too. He is a 12 year old and seems very motivated to fly RC. His dad is Navy Veteran and an employee of American Airlines - he's a jet mechanic.
We ordered up a Mega Hydro flyer for nephew Paul. He has shown an avid interest in RC and so I thought I would get him started. The Mega Hydro is a "foamy" airplane with an electric pusher prop. It will take off water or land, does not have a landing gear, just scoots along on the bottom of the model. Being a foamy it is pretty tough, so he can not do great harm to it. I should not say that as when I do, something bad happens. Oh well, it will be fun.
Next big trip is back to False River Camp for the 4th of July. Jake and his beloved, Anne will come up via New Orleans. Her parents, Tom and Hildy, will come down from Madison, WI. I really don't see what the attraction here is for them but we welcome them. They are good folk.
We shoot fire works off at the camp. Lots of people do the same all along False River. So we see rockets, flares, pin wheels and the like during the late evening. We get out on the pier which gives a view all the way to New Roads and pretty far down the river the other way. We ooh and aah and enjoy the balmy night.
Ya can't beat it. That's what the camp is for.
See ya.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Reunion . . .
The Reunion occurred last weekend in New Roads. It was spearheaded by three out of the Class of 1958 - Eloise (Patin) Futrell, Al Fabrre, and Julie (Hebert) Smith. They did all the organizing and leg work locating old class mates, making the contacts, getting the Parish Hall at St. Mary's and hiring a cateror. The school of course was St Josephs Academy, a school run by the Sisters of St Joseph of Medialle. The school is no more but it spawned Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee - a premier private school located in the heart of New Roads.
It was fun. It was fun to see the old faces that have changed with age. It was fun hearing about other peoples woes, grandchildren and achievements. It was fun seeing all the changes. It was not fun to learn of the demise of class mates and the other tragedies that have or are occuring.
It was really surprising at all the success. Most of the men had gone on to graduate from college, more than a few Phds, a Doctor, a lawyer and an architect. And yes, me, an old miltiary man (there was more than one there). There were millionaires and there were many that were not, but who cares and who is counting.
Many stories were told, old pictures exchanged (s0mebody came up with a picture of my first commuion - well it was after the rite but it was out side of St Mary's). It was clearly me so I could not deny it. It must have been the first or second grade.
There were a few that could not make it. Too bad, it was fun and renewed old relationships. More than a few from Poydras were there - they married grads of St Josephs Academy just as we married them. Poydras was the public high school and it too is gone as a school, the building is now an office building and owned by the Historical Society.
Some surprises, such as one of our classmates has turned into a recluse. The break up of a marriage led to his withdrawal. The son of another graduate is now a US Congressman. No he is not the son of the Lawyer.
Many of us had gray hair, some a lot, so did not have their hair and some were losing it (like me). One did not have a gray hair in his head. We were all sure it was dyed but we were assured by his spouse it was all his and not dyed at all.
Some of us looked fit as a fiddle and some looked like they were on their last legs. One was in his power wheel chair but most of us were still motoring around on our own with little or no trouble.
There were four class together at this reunion. Although it was the Class of 1958 leading the way, the Classes of 1956, 1957 and 1959 were included. Many were married to each other and some of us were close to friends in other classes. It was a good gathering and we had one nun in the mix to cheer us own.
Somebody was running around and taking pictures left and right. I got a few email addresses and we did receive a roster with addresses of all the class mates.
Some of us wishfully hoped for another reunion say in 25 years but then there would be little attendance at the old folks home.
We did our usual return trip via Marksville, LA and stopped at the indian casino. We did not even gamble, we just paid the fees for the buffet and enjoyed the good food. If you are ever in central Louisiana, go to Marksville and eat at the Casino. The food is terrific. Oh, you can gamble too, if you are into that kind of thing. Biggest gambling area this side of Las Vegas. The place is huge.
As we crossed the Morganza Spillway, the water in forebay was receding, but the water had been well up against the floodgates. Kind of awesome looking out across a vast expanse of water - may three or four miles out to the river and then across the river. I'd guess it might be 7 or 8 miles wide there.
Until next time . . .
It was fun. It was fun to see the old faces that have changed with age. It was fun hearing about other peoples woes, grandchildren and achievements. It was fun seeing all the changes. It was not fun to learn of the demise of class mates and the other tragedies that have or are occuring.
It was really surprising at all the success. Most of the men had gone on to graduate from college, more than a few Phds, a Doctor, a lawyer and an architect. And yes, me, an old miltiary man (there was more than one there). There were millionaires and there were many that were not, but who cares and who is counting.
Many stories were told, old pictures exchanged (s0mebody came up with a picture of my first commuion - well it was after the rite but it was out side of St Mary's). It was clearly me so I could not deny it. It must have been the first or second grade.
There were a few that could not make it. Too bad, it was fun and renewed old relationships. More than a few from Poydras were there - they married grads of St Josephs Academy just as we married them. Poydras was the public high school and it too is gone as a school, the building is now an office building and owned by the Historical Society.
Some surprises, such as one of our classmates has turned into a recluse. The break up of a marriage led to his withdrawal. The son of another graduate is now a US Congressman. No he is not the son of the Lawyer.
Many of us had gray hair, some a lot, so did not have their hair and some were losing it (like me). One did not have a gray hair in his head. We were all sure it was dyed but we were assured by his spouse it was all his and not dyed at all.
Some of us looked fit as a fiddle and some looked like they were on their last legs. One was in his power wheel chair but most of us were still motoring around on our own with little or no trouble.
There were four class together at this reunion. Although it was the Class of 1958 leading the way, the Classes of 1956, 1957 and 1959 were included. Many were married to each other and some of us were close to friends in other classes. It was a good gathering and we had one nun in the mix to cheer us own.
Somebody was running around and taking pictures left and right. I got a few email addresses and we did receive a roster with addresses of all the class mates.
Some of us wishfully hoped for another reunion say in 25 years but then there would be little attendance at the old folks home.
We did our usual return trip via Marksville, LA and stopped at the indian casino. We did not even gamble, we just paid the fees for the buffet and enjoyed the good food. If you are ever in central Louisiana, go to Marksville and eat at the Casino. The food is terrific. Oh, you can gamble too, if you are into that kind of thing. Biggest gambling area this side of Las Vegas. The place is huge.
As we crossed the Morganza Spillway, the water in forebay was receding, but the water had been well up against the floodgates. Kind of awesome looking out across a vast expanse of water - may three or four miles out to the river and then across the river. I'd guess it might be 7 or 8 miles wide there.
Until next time . . .
Monday, May 5, 2008
It Aint Over Til It Is Over. . . .
It Aint Over Til Its Over. Yeah, Yoggi Berra's famous quote.
The furniture store had by an invitation only sale. So we went to it. First we got a new bar stool. We have two stools now with nice back rests but for Bunco, one needs an extra stool to accommodate those that want to collect in the kitchen area (near the wine bottle, perhaps).
Bar Stools aint cheap. I found out that the ones that swivel cost almost twice as much as those that do not. Yup, we got the one that swivels. Ouch.
Then we looked a lounge chairs, La-Z-Boy specifically. We have had several brands over the years but La-Z-Boy seems to hold up the best. My old "purple vibrator special" obtained niegh on to 14 years ago has lost its great appeal. That is to say while it still functions okay, one can feel that the padding has seen its better days and it rests upon a floor pad to collect odd "droppings" of which looks like black grease. So it was time to consider a replacement.
I was coaxed into sitting here and there, first in this one and later in that one and finally found one that seem to match colors and was quite comfortable. And you, know, it was on sale and the economy just needed a boost so we bought two of them. Yes, a matching set which means one is in stock and the other had to be ordered. "No problem," says the octonegerain sales man (I though the guy was gonna get down on his knees looking up a price and never get up again).
Yep, spent the tax refund check in one fell swoop. Oh yeah, we already spent it two or three or four times. Damn economy.
This has got to stop. Hey, Yoggi what do I do now?
The furniture store had by an invitation only sale. So we went to it. First we got a new bar stool. We have two stools now with nice back rests but for Bunco, one needs an extra stool to accommodate those that want to collect in the kitchen area (near the wine bottle, perhaps).
Bar Stools aint cheap. I found out that the ones that swivel cost almost twice as much as those that do not. Yup, we got the one that swivels. Ouch.
Then we looked a lounge chairs, La-Z-Boy specifically. We have had several brands over the years but La-Z-Boy seems to hold up the best. My old "purple vibrator special" obtained niegh on to 14 years ago has lost its great appeal. That is to say while it still functions okay, one can feel that the padding has seen its better days and it rests upon a floor pad to collect odd "droppings" of which looks like black grease. So it was time to consider a replacement.
I was coaxed into sitting here and there, first in this one and later in that one and finally found one that seem to match colors and was quite comfortable. And you, know, it was on sale and the economy just needed a boost so we bought two of them. Yes, a matching set which means one is in stock and the other had to be ordered. "No problem," says the octonegerain sales man (I though the guy was gonna get down on his knees looking up a price and never get up again).
Yep, spent the tax refund check in one fell swoop. Oh yeah, we already spent it two or three or four times. Damn economy.
This has got to stop. Hey, Yoggi what do I do now?
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