Rain Droppin Name Dropper Day

Hey Ho last Day of April and Spring is bringing down the rains on the plains around us. Grass is growing crazy green and the blooms and buds are a happenin. My Dad says he reads with interest all the places Mary and I seem to go and people we see so I write this with him in mind.
He just turned 78 in April and looking pretty darn good.
I talked about the computer crashing and getting a new laptop, well now I have worked some of the new features in our tech arsenal. Sister Jeanne and daughter Ashley kept saying you have to get "wireless", "can't believe you don't have it". Well after spending over 2 hours on telephone with a service tech from the Linksys router guys we are hooked up 'wireless'. It only cost $10.00 compared to $100+ if Comcast did it. It is nice to stay upstairs and check out email, etc. Callie really appreciates it as it makes her Facebook "work" much easier and warmer. I also got the 'old" PC fixed so we have options for photo storage, etc. The new PC has many applications I am just learning about; like laser writing on CD's, webcam, and video making.
I also got a new cell phone as my contract was up and we needed Bluetooth to get the hands free working in our sync equipped vehicle. So that is kind of cool having a call come in and just pressing a button on the steering wheel and you're talking with someone, 'Hands free", so yes, the marvels of technology continue to complicate our lives and add more stuff to do.
Got a new cool SureThing label maker from Melvis too that we are doing the Surf Song labels with.
We have had 2 weeks of golf league already now. First week was pretty nippy, last night a tad warmer. First week I won the skin pot all by self-$38 with a birdie. Improved on strokes last night by five shots over first week.
Last weekend I did my first community volunteering event for Loaves and Fishes down at the Rave theater. It was during the movie The Soloist and it was both a fundraiser and canned food collection spot. We gave away totes with KSO CD's along with information on the program and hunger, etc. Their was a cellist from the Kalamazoo Symphony playing music from the movie the whole time with a hat out for donations. We did quite well and I enjoyed the time I spent with Maya, my co-volunteer at the time. Thanks to all those that donated. Looking forward to the postal workers fund drive next weekend sorting food after it is collected.
Last Friday, Mary and I met up with Mike and Susan at MiRanchito for dinner before we went to see Dave Alvin perform at KVCC. It was old pal's Dave Posther's ( organizes) last show of the season there. Lots of good guitar playing and good song writing of the Bakersfield, California Americana folk sound.
Then Saturday night we went Ms. Munger's PHD party down at the Kalamazoo Radission. Greta and Sarah were gracious hosts providing music, wine, beer and chow for their family and friends. I even had fun as I took the musical bag of tricks and my djembe to jam along with the guys playing tunes. Congrats again Greta on your accomplishment! I also got to see several of my 'ole" work colleagues whom I miss seeing.
So, that takes me up to last day of April and tomorrow May Day and Derby Day on Saturday.
May has historically been one of the busiest times of the year for us and most others. We have Ashley's birthday, Mothers Day, our Wedding Anniversary, gardening, etc. going on. Just no end of year school related activities for me this year but Mary will have some I am sure.
Enjoy your Spring and I will return soon with What's Happening up in here 'round Reno's World.

Since Easter=Name Drop, Egg Droop Sloop

Since last we spoke: Corby came over from Detroit for his annual Kalamazoo Blues Fix with Tab Benoit this year. Hot cajun rockin with a pre-show dinner at the Greek estab. Blue Dolphin.
We caught up on all the past months happenings with our families and friends. He was gone by noon on Sat. morn. My housesitting ended at the same time as the Wiegands returned from their Far Out West vacation.
Mary and I chilled out a couple Saturday's in a row being frugal and filling our Netflix obligations by watching "Rachel Getting Married" and "Milk". Two of the best acting jobs last year albeit kind of depressing but thought provoking movies. The will of the human spirit portrayed brilliantly.
Let's see last week, mid-week, celebrated Petey's birthday golfing out at Angel's Crossing on a cool but sunny day, increasingly warming as it went on. Jeff Caron from down the Schoolcraft way joined us as did Pete's nephew DW. Should I mention I was medalist in our group? Too late already did-90. The others were not far behind. Pete and I had to rush to our golf league meeting at Wayside where a there was a record turnout making some tough decisions, such as how many points should we play for;) J. Mickley did a fine job keeping things in some order.The guys were all in rare, sarcastic form with each other and Pete and I had couple of drinks and headed up stairs to hang with Jerry C. and his bros., literally. Finally, met the 4th Cox brother. Pete left and I watched them play pool til TC showed and the golfing wind and sun of the day told me to head home. First night of scheduled play this Wed. Everyone having fingers crossed for playable weather.
Friday I golfed again with the Lights Out Fryday crew out at GL Stonehedge S. Only five of us there but a more gorgeous day would of been hard to come by. Melvi, Timmy, Toddly, PB, and myself went head to head for the big $. Tim was medalist with an 83, I had 88. All won skins so the pot was depleted but great golfing day. Mary came up to Bayview Gardens after for an after work cocktail and Jimmy C. showd up. We ended up having dinner at Blackhawk and caught a set of the Kal. Avenue Blues Band at he Stagecoach out back. Again I was TIRED from the winds of the course and true gravity had me up and down all day. This comes from a book I am reading written thirty some years ago, Golf in the Kingdom by Michael Murphy. An instructional philosophical walk through golfs many facets. I have been enjoying it, who knows maybe it will help my game in some fashion.
So I did Twitter the news of my computer crash but I now sit here with a new laptop on my lap typing the first blog in this format. Feels kind of good. No wireless yet but I intend to get that hooked up next. Ashley says I will love it.
I mentioned a while back I would say something about my volunteering activities and they are now starting to present me with some opportunities. The local food bank Loaves and Fishes has asked me to assist with some curriculum and community education things so we have had a few meetings regarding that with L n F staff. I also be at the premiere of The Soloist this weekend at The Rave handing out materials on hunger, etc. There will be several events coming up this spring which I will be participating in, so come on out and take part. Oh Yes- wanted to say that Melvis has finished production work on Surf Song II and has it is in the can! Copies will soon be available. I think EARTH DAY is a fitting day for it to debut as one of the themes is our relations with Mother Nature. It was a fun project over the fall and winter, thanks all for your time and effort. Especially, ML. It was a blast , blast , blast....
OK, no pictures with this post as I do not have any on this computer yet. So til next time, keep your inner swing smooth and steady.

Name Droppin Odds and Ends of Recency

Went to Mancelona and left my cell phona (it twas niece Lilly's #7 Birthday) Mom, Dorothy, Sisters Sue and Sheryl, wife Mary, Cardman and some other Lilly friends were there too.

1. Drove homa from Mancelona and almost slip slided away as it snowed overnight big time. (thanks again Suze for the quick mailing of my phone home;)
2. Met ol chums, the Harmons, for dinner at Charlie Fosters and gave them a quick downtown walking tour of changes. They now reside outside of Chicago. Son Austin looking at WMU after graduation.
3. Went to Wine Loft and then saw Susan H. playing last Friday at Websters checking off places from Jimmy C.'s Kalamazoo list. Saw Judy C., Jamie, Jazzman, Tom Duffield, of course Mikey D.
4. Saturday I went to Jimmy C.'s for the First Final Four games; made Hurricanes and got Doster store pizza. Sparty did the job that night. Made some celebratory phone calls and texts.
   Over the last week been house sitting some pets for some peeps. Uh oh power outage
5. Mary's been preppin and painting couple rooms in the house-she's so good at it I get in the way (really).
6. Jazz came over to the house sitting pad for the BIGGAME and we all know how that turned out. Nice soak under the sunset and moonlight.

Stay tuned for the Eastah holiday weekend news and more name-a-droppin tidbits.

THESE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY! MUST STOP!

Yes, We are victims of a hate crime in our peaceful neighborhood. Who would of thought it would happen here? I AM PO'D ABOUT THE TP' ING we were subject to this past weekend. Please if you have any idea who these criminals were that did this to us let me know. You do not have to identify yourself. We must bring these heathens to justice! I cannot understand WHY someone would inflict this senseless pain upon us.

(Mary took a decidedly more lowkey approach-her sign reads FREE TOILET PAPER TAKE ALL YOU WANT!)

No takers observed but we did make a decent take of left behind (pardon pun) rolls of TP;)

Spring it is!

Officially it is now Spring, we have been seeing more sunshine in these parts but few days of really warm. At least our snow is gone.
Some of you may have noticed or will see that I have added my twitter input to the blog. Yes, I have been twitter-patin for a while now. It took me a while of memory searching to remember where I first heard that phrase, twitterpated, and do you remember? Well, I believe it was the wise old owl in Bambi explaining the signs of spring love to the growing buck. Pulled that one out of somewhere and didn't have to google it. Seems appropro for the season. So I twitter very sparingly as I see it is more of a cell-mobile deal than telling people what you are currently doing from your computer at home. Wanted to see what all the fuss was about-much ado about nothing I suppose. I do have two friends in Tonya and Fran. Yeah followers!!
Quick mention that Jazz and I drove up to GR for a three quarters Garage Band reunion with Seaton for some jamming and socializing. We did call NEale the Deale down in Kentucky for a bit of making the Four. I got to play electric drums for the first time and we did remember most of the songs ( that we wrote). Having the Garage Bible there helped with the lyrics.
Other Spring events, of course St. Patrick's Day is one and what a beauty it twas, 72 degrees in Kalamazoo area. Mary met me after work at Harvey's on the Mall downtown and we heard the local band, Belfast Gin, we watched and listened to the mostly twentyish crowd celebrate their pub crawls (literally) around town. Much green beer consumed by those, I stuck to Guinness and Jameson's. We ended the early evening with walking over to dinner at the Old Brewpub. Quite the crowd about town for a Tuesday but everyone was ready for the wonderful weather indeed. Something to celebrate.
Spring will bring with it golf league, outdoor chores, house projects, and gardens-nature do your thing and be!

South is Doing it Again; A quick trip review.

Sometimes the more you try to avoid something it keeps on following you. So it felt like as we awoke on our journey south of Nashville to cold and snow. Had to scrape inch or so off our car in the morning. Luckily our timing was good and the highway was mostly clear as the sun had come out and trucks had been clearing the way. As you can see from the photo there was quite a bit on the ground and on the trees. By the time we were through Birmingham and Montgomery most of it had melted, but it was the talk of the day down south. We made it to the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area by around 6 to much warmer temps. It would remain sunny for the rest of our trip until we hit Indiana and Michigan on our return where precip would again hit us.

My parents winter escape in Orange Beach was condo fantistico and occupancy was only 30%. They pretty much have it themselves. Pools, hot tubs, marina, putting greens, beaches, all the amenities for a limited # of Snowbirds from the north. Mary and I got acclimated to the snowbird culture of fresh seafood dining deals, golf and shopping right away. I golfed with Ron, family friend of my Dad and Bev's from Detroit area, the first day. Ron set us up to play a nice course called the Peninsula, lotsa water, traps and shrubbery. I hadn't played since Nov. and shot 86 (couple of 7's too) with a back to back birdie run which felt good. I lived up to my dad's bragging bout my abilities so I felt good about that. Enjoyable day!

While I was away Mary of course did her shopping thing, lining up her deals for a later excursion. During the stay we also did the poolside thing, went to the famed Flora/Bama Bar in Pensacola for some entertainment with J. Hawkins who sat down with us and talked music between sets, we had some Bushwhackers, did some fresh oysters, the beach was a bit cool because of the wind, but actually warm back near the pool, we had morning coffees and conversation on the balcony looking over the Gulf, and just relaxed. As always the company of my Dad and Beverly was precious time indeed. We thank them for the invitation and hospitality. Mary and I got some insight into the retirement possibilities of southern Alabama. We left the Caribe in anticipation of the Louisiana Bayou and what New Orleans offers.

I was interested in seeing what the post Katrina world 3 years hence looked like in NO. We had already seen some it around the Gulf Shore area. This was Mary's first time to the Crescent City so she was excited to experience it all. Our trip over took about 4 hrs as we stopped for lunch in Gulfport at the Blowfly Inn. (a place I saw on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives). We found our hotel just outside French Quarter quite easily and were out and about and down by the mighty river before dark. That night we took it all in and partied with some Cajuns on Bourbon Street, Waylon Thibedeaux and Co.. Mary and I both played the washboard on the chest with them and danced to their music. Also, all the beads we came home with we earned. How will remain our secret') so We stumbled home as it was just a several block walk back to the room. We had dodged some hustles and taken by a couple. Mary got a nice hat out of one deal.>Friday we did the Cafe du Monde, French Qtr. market area, Jackson Square, went home and rested and came back in the evening for the beginning of Mary's early Birthday celebration, which was Saturday. Saturday night we had a great seafood dinner in the center of the quarter on the balcony at a 200 year old restaurant. listening to the city sounds of jazz and ships, and the smells of good food. After dinner as we walked by Jackson Square we noticed behind the locked gates of the park several cats ( and I do mean felines) wandering about inside. Soon a couple came up and all these cats came running to the fence. Apparently, these cats have lived in the park at night and different folks feed them on a regular basis. The number of cats has increased since Katrina but this has been going on for some time. Just some Nawlins nuances. We took a long walk back to Bourbon St. and saw a fine Blues Band of Bryan Lee's. After a set we were some tired travelers and made it back to crash and rest up for the long trip back to Michigan.

We enjoyed our little trek very much. Saw places neither of us had seen. Hung out and talked to interesting folks, many from Michigan. The south especially from Indy to Bama seems like they are doing well. Lots of growth. We passed the Hyundai factory,and several others along the way. You can see how much industry has left the north for the warmer climes. We did see lots of folks spending $ though, makes you wonder. On our way our out of NO we saw the areas hardest hit by Katrina and much of it is still as it was after the water receded. Driving on the highway leaving where I know bodies were left and people stranded for days spooked me throughout the trip. Bourbon St. and the French Qtr. area seem to be thriving and making a strong comeback. That was good to see. They are a friendly bunch all over the south. On the way back Mary had dropped her wallet out of her purse at a gas station and a "biker gal" who found it told Mary she turned it in to the store clerk. Whew, that saved us some grief. That was on Mary's birthday too.

So, now back in Michigan where Spring is looking to be slow to move in, we reflect and are recharged and thankful for the opportunities we are fortunate to have, for we did see many along the way that are not as fortunate. Again, count your blessings, ya'll.

Ready to Vacate:

A Word or 2 before we leave for the south. I am ready for a change from the day to day retired way and Mary is ready for a change from her scene at work. Both ready to see Flora/ALAbama/Louisiana coastal region. Has to be warmer than the 15 degrees it is supposed to be tonight and into the Michigan March. LOoking forward to a trip away from the daily news and routines. A traveling antidote of hopes. The review(s) upon return.