Crochet Christmas Ornaments

I found an easy crochet pattern for little sweater ornaments and got busy making a bunch of them. I made some for Bert's family and she sent a picture. I also made the snowflake. We won't be putting up a tree this year. We dragged the tree out of the shed, but couldn't find the base, so at this late date we decided to give up. Oh well, better luck next year.

pre-Christmas visit

I was feeling the need to go see the grandboys. I wanted to see little Milo before he left for college. I drove up north the day after Thanksgiving. Traffic was light, it was an easy 5 hour drive. I came back Sunday and the traffic was considerably worse. It took 7 1/2 hours to get home. Traffic was moving, it was just busy and slow. The boys are doing great and that little Milo is just the cutest thing ever. Also, Maka was happy to see me. That dog loves me.

October 2024

Carrboro Music Festival 2024

Sunday, Sept 29. Skies were clear blue and beautiful in the early afternoon...but it was hot and humid. I wish they would schedule this festival later in the year. It's always so hot in September. But, nevertheless, the Blusterfields played a great set. I would have liked to hang around a little while, but I needed to retreat into an air-conditioned room.

They played on this nice stage behind Twin House Music. Much better than the set-up last year. But still, they played first, before a lot of people had even arrived and they were a little bit too far from the center of the action. None of the musicians get to decide when or where they play and since 300 bands apply for the available 100 slots, its a "take it or leave it" situation.

Hurricane Helene

Helene came up through the Gulf, landed in the big bend area of Florida then tracked nothwest though Georgia and the NC mountains. Areas west of us, around Asheville, were absolutely devasted. They had catastrophic flooding. Roads and bridges washed out. Homes destroyed. We were very lucky here. Just some rain. Those poor people in the mountains are without power, WiFi, food, water, gas, transportation...it's really bad. How in the world do you recover from something like this?

Blusterfields LIVE!

The guys played a gig at the City Tap in Pittsboro Sunday afternoon. They were scheduled to play at Southern Village, but it was cancelled because of threat of rain. It was "First Sunday" in town, so there was a lot of foot traffic and craft vendors. Good gig, except during the last song, Mike's amp overheated and died. I totally sympathize. I was a bit overheated myself. Looking forward to Fall!

First Day of School

Happy family! School started in Fairfax County already. I got to see the boys get on the bus for their first day. Very exciting. Sure brought back some memories. It's been decades since I put kids on the bus. I hear their first day went well...James lost his water bottle and Marc lost his lunch bag. Oh well.

Trip up North to visit the boys

Milo is just over a year old now. He's got 8 teeth and is toddling all over the place. The only word he says right now is "no". I don't think he actually knows what it means. He says it all the time. He is in a wonderful daycare center not too far from home. They absolutely love him. He's generally very happy and smiles all the time. Great kid. I'm hoping his dad's next assignment will bring him closer to me.

Wild Turkey

Mal was in the yard yesterday and saw a flock of turkeys wandering through the next door neighbors yard. He called me over and I saw them just as they were heading back into the woods. I knew there were turkeys around here because I've seen their tracks from time to time. I just LOVE seeing the wildlife so close to the house. We now have a rabbit that I see frequently. Clawdia managed to kill a few babies in the spring--she's such a jerk--so I'm glad the rabbits have decided to stay anyway.

Who's a Good Boy

He is such a sweet old dog. His age is really showing now. He's having trouble walking. He stumbles a lot. Moves slowly and tires easily. He's more nervous around strangers and has trouble sleeping sometimes. I think he has pain issues with his arthritis and maybe some night terrors. He was aggitated the other night and settled down only when I turned the TV back on. The light and the voices seems to calm him. It's sad to see him getting older. Now, Sophie, on the other hand, is as spry as ever. They are the same age, but you can really see the difference between big dogs and little dogs.

40th Anniversary

This month we recognize that it has been exactly 40 years since our first date. We met through a mutual friend (my roommate's ex-roomate). We hung out around Greensboro and did a whole lot of nothing, including standing behind the colliseum to see Ric Ocasek and the Cars exiting after their concert. We went back to Mike's place and his dad cooked us scrambled eggs and took our picture. Mike's dad was a photographer for the Greensboro paper at that time and kept odd hours, so he was awake at 2am. Those days are long gone, no more Ric, no more Mike's dad, no more Greensboro paper, no more hair (on Mike's head), no more slim, youthful bodies. But, HEY!, we're still here, still kicking.

One year old!

Time is flying by. Little baby Milo is a year old already. He's such a sweet guy. Now that he is walking, I guess he's a toddler and no longer an infant. It happens so fast. I wish they all lived closer. I don't get to see them as often as I would like to.

More Milo

What a blessing! Healthy, happy grandchildren.

Spring Fling 2024

Annual fun and games day at the Blue. It was great seeing the team. We don't often get together because we all work from home and rarely go to the office.

Eclipse Trip Day 4

April 8, the great American Eclipse! Got up early and hit the road. Drove toward Carbondale, Illinois. Set up at a State Park and waited for the show. It was an incredible sight and I'm glad we made the effort to get into the path of totality. Spent one last night at the hotel in Nashville and drove back home Tuesday morning. It was a fun trip and my travel companions were terrific.

Eclipse Trip Day 3

Spend the day in Nashville. Drove by the Grand Ol' Opry and then went to a Bass Pro Shop to buy a hat. Had lunch at White Castle because Kyle had recently seen the movie "Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle." It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't make a habit of eating there. We went to the old Union Station that has been restored and turned into a hotel. We went downtown near the river and hiked across the pedestrian bridge. Saw the store where they make GooGoo Clusters. Went to look at the Parthenon near Vanderbilt University. Impressive building. The porta-potties were less so... Then to the Farmer's Market.

Eclipse Trip Day 2

Stopped in at the Loretta Lynn "museum" and gift shop on the way to Memphis.

In Memphis, we checked out Sun Studio. Drove past the Lorraine Motel where MLK was murdered. Then stopped by the gigantic glass pyramid that now houses a Bass Pro Shop. It was really fascinating, even though I don't hunt or fish. There were streams and ponds inside the building stocked with fish and one with aligators.

And of course, when in Memphis, one must go to Graceland.

We're off to see the Eclipse

Day 1, April 5. We met at the Wegman's in Chapel Hill and headed west to catch the great solar eclipse of 2024. Drove along I40 as far as Nashville the 1st night. Stayed at a nice little hotel, downtown but not near the river with the bars, clubs and crazy people.

Dinner with the gang.

Still the cutest

Bert says he is obsessed with the lovey blanket I crocheted for him. He just keeps getting cuter. Can't wait to see him again.

Update

The boys went to the Bahamas for a vacation. They're both in year round school. They have a 3 week semester break right now.

Flowers in the yard

Milo

My sweet baby grandboy.

More signs of Spring

Weather was beautiful this afternoon. Me and the dogs went out for another hike through the woods. I snapped a few pics of some flowers in bloom. I also found a bunch of shells in a little creek (more of a drainage ditch). I was told it was probably the activity of some river otters. Early was very interested.