Making memories...

This summer we took the family to Florida. My middle child had never "done Disney" so to keep her from being scarred for life we all trouped down. We met some friends from Ohio and we had a ball. I did learn one thing: I don't need to go to scheme parks with my kids now that they are 23, 19 and 15! Mint juleps on the veranda at the hotel for me, or at the very least a massage!

While at Disney, we were waiting at a place to eat lunch and a street band came by to do a skit that involves visitors to Disney. Well, they asked me to be the king in this skit. Now, I've always had the attitude that if you are going to do something, go all the way. Don't hold back. Enjoy it and make the most of it. Well, I totally got into the part, hammed it up with the real actors and we all had a ball. The actors really enjoyed it and thought it was super! The audience seemed to enjoy it.

I was thinking the whole time that my kids would think I was a dork and might be embarrassed. Far from it. They said it was the hit of the trip and talk about it regularly. They've asked me how I came up with the comments, how I could make it so fun and real. I tell them it is about doing everything you can with what you have and not "mailing it in". I was hoping it would be fun for them and build a memory.

Last night my college girl called and was laughing hysterically! In class that day she was asked to do a skit and got the "lead" part. She remembered me at Disney and decided to really get into the part, have some fun, and go for it. She was already wearing vampire teeth to celebrate Halloween early and it only added to the part. She told me I was her inspiration and just "going for it" was so much fun. She said the class had a ball.

Now she has a memory of her own and she can pass this down to the next generation! I guess we are just unrequited actors!

Memories....

I talk a lot about memories. Memories I have, memories of my kids, memories of my youth. I try to hang onto them because they are the key to our learning. I've tried to learn as I go along. One thing I learned early is that don't just look at the past, embrace the future. You have to do that with memories. If you are so busy enjoying the ones you have you'll not make new ones to have for the future. So, think of like like driving. The rear view mirror is small compared to the windshield. Memories should be like that. We need the ability to look back but what is coming is so very important, too.

I hope to talk about making memories in the coming posts. I think they are important. I hope I get to share with you my rule that we all need to live a country song moment and that we need to "walk between the drops". More on those rules later.

For now, here is my thought. A dinner tomorrow serve desert first, then the meal. It will keep them wondering for a long time. Talk about making a memory!

Moving out...

It has been an interesting 4 days...lots going on. My oldest is looking to buy a house. A condo to be specific. She's looked at a bunch and has settled on one that is not too far away. Not sure if it will work out since it needs some work before she will buy it. We will see.

This is pretty tough to think about for me. She is my baby girl and I've watched her grow up. She is ready and I am very confident she will do great but it still is tough. Very tough. I anguish over it a lot.

I remember when I moved out. Not quite as traumatic since I did it right after college, never moving back home. I got married right away, too. Hard to believe that was 28 years ago already.

The condo she wants is very much like our first apartment! Wow! It brought back a lot of memories just walking through it. The new town, the non-existent furniture, the things we did not know. Ouch! So much to learn. But, we figured it all out and I'm sure she will, too. I'm enjoying talking to her and getting to work with her on it. She is doing all the work but we are there to help her, answer questions she has, explain things to her, tell her things to watch out for, etc.

Saturday was band competition day. My son's marching band hosted a competition. It was a long day and while helping out I got my shoulder hurting again. Chewing Vicodin again. I went to PT today. Getting old has its good times and its bad.

I was in NY yesterday. Business travel. Great trip up on a 6:00 AM flight. Nice, smooth and on time. Coming home was another matter. We left on time and technically got home on time but it took 20 minutes longer than it should (no reason given) and it was VERY bumpy. I don't like flying on a good day and I really don't like bumps. Plus my shoulder was hurting so it was not a good flight.

Let's see, daughter making an offer on a house, shoulder hurting really bad and a bumpy flight...I said getting old has its good times and bad...where are the good?

Memories in a cellophane wrapper...

I love candy apples. I've eaten so many that I think of them as a fruit. I don't like the caramel apples, I don't like the ones rolled in nuts. I am a traditionalist. Bright red candy around an apple! I've watched these made so many times in big copper kettles and I've even made them at home.



I love the sticky candy around my mouth as I eat them. Being a Carnie as a kid was special and candy apples were a big part of that. I got them free since I was "with the fair" and knew the people that made them. Usually they'd make me one with a little bit thicker dip of the candy coating. Add to that some salty popcorn and voila! you have the perfect salt/sweet snack!

I know it is tough on the teeth and every visit to my dentist I think of it when he is checking an old filling. But, it was worth it.



If you notice the wrapper, it does not have a lot of red candy stuck to it. That is key. A good apple will not leave a lot of candy. That means the candy was a the right temp when applied to the apple.

Also, the round stick is very important. I guess that is why I don't like the store packages for making at home. A flat stick just does not work!

I've made forts with these sticks and played with them for hours! Ahhhh, the joys of simple things.

Amazing what a little fruit and candy can do for you! Food for the soul.

A fair pot...

While at the fair last night I visited the NC Pottery Expo tent. For my potter bloggers here are some pics:

Sorry about the quality. I used the phone on the blackberry! I have about 30 total. If anyone is interested just let me know and I'll send them to you or post on snapfish.

It was interesting seeing the pots all together from different artists. Some amazing stuff. Jen, I didn't see any butter dishes. There is an obvious shortage of those. Can't wait to see yours. Ron, they had some great mugs but not like yours! Elaine, no pots that looked barrel fired either. I did like the bowl with the chop sticks. it has cut outs to hold the sticks on the side. I hope you can see them. Becky, no one was using mugs while making music. I guess they don't have the imagination going.

Why am I interested in pottery? I've always wanted to throw a pot. Just one of those things. I love to learn and have a long list of things I want to do and have tried. Cooking is one of those passions I've grabbed hold of. It is fun. Maybe that is why I like pots so much. They are useful items for cooking and eating. My Dad cooked and actually owned a restaurant. He cooked all the time and it was special to me. He loved seafood, all kinds of seafood. When I cook I think of him and when I cook his recipes, especially for clam chowder, it brings back many memories. I always talk to the kids when I'm cooking and I share those memories and the recipes. I can see them doing the same thing one day, sharing with their kids and talking about my Dad.

My Dad's father was a master carpenter and built some incredible things in New Bern, NC. Dad learned the trade from him but never became a practicing carpenter. He decided other things interested him more. I learned some of the carpentry skills from my Dad and picked up a few of my own. There is something great about working with wood. I love it. The world dissolves away and nothing matters. I've not had the time to get back to it for a while but it still calls. I like the things I've built and we use many of them still. Others are stored away for the grand kids to use, like the half loft bed I built for my son. He loved it until he got just too big for it. Now it is waiting for him to pass down. With memories built in. He'll share why this nick is here and why this nail hole is there and why it is built the way it is. I look forward to setting it up with him one day.

I'm thinking of taking pottery classes. No, I don't intend to change professions but I like using my hands to make things. It is satisfying in a tangible way. Many times I don't have a specific object that I can point to and say: "I built that".

Besides, I need some jars to hold more memories.

Under letter G, number 52...

Just got in from the State Fair. It was "can" day, which is our favorite. Take four cans of food for the food bank and you get in free. We always go this day. It is a little thing but we do it because we're helping someone. I mean, we are going anyway so why not go on a day that helps?

The posting earlier today about going got me to really thinking while I was on the way over. Thinking about experiences and how little things you learn can stay with you a life time. I was with my Dad one time when we were visiting with the head of the local Jaycee's. The Jaycee's are a civic organization and put on fairs to raise money for their charitable projects. Dad was meeting with him to discuss business and naturally he took me along. I've always been inquisitive and this day was no different. When I met the man we shook hands and he called me Governor and was exceptionally nice to me. I asked him why he called me Governor. He looked me right in the eye and said..."I don't know who you'll grow up to be. What if I were mean to you and you became President of the US? That wouldn't be smart. We never know who people are, what they've been through or who'll they'll become so we should treat them with respect, honesty and politeness". I've never forgotten that and I was about 8 years old.

A fellow blogger, Becky, has left a couple of posts on my blog. She is a potter and I follow her blog and encourage you to check it out. It is on the list to the right (Claydog). She seems to enjoy my blogs about memories and is always gracious and encouraging. I've not met her but she seems like the kind of person I'd enjoy knowing. She reminds me of this man. She never had to reach out but did and shared her appreciation for some postings. I'm glad she did. I like talking about memories and my life and the lives of my family. I'd gotten away from that with some recent blogs and she helped me see I should go back and do what I like. Thanks Becky!

I don't know where life is going, but if we listen to its lessons as we go along it is surely telling us things. I've missed some I'm sure (we don't know what we don't know) but I've tried to listen and catch them as I've gone along.

More on the fair tomorrow. I have a candy apple to get to. Oh, and YES the ham biscuits and fries were just like they always are...perfect! I didn't win at Bingo but my wife and son did!

Love a fair...

Going to the State Fair tonight. Yep, gonna do bingo, Cary United Methodist Church ham biscuits, Al Beckwith fries and fresh lemonade. Maybe a bite of my son's turkey leg, too. And, for a sweet something after it will be a candy apple.

I am an aficionado of fairs. I've had more cotton candy, popcorn and candy apples than you'll EVER see. No need to argue with me about it. Trust me. How can this be true you ask? Am I pulling your leg? Exaggeration?

I grew up on a carnival. I am a Carnie. I have saw dust in my veins. Yep. A genuine, dyed in the wool, 100%, no doubt about it Carnie. And I am proud of it.

My Dad was general manager and booking agent for carnivals when I was growing up. We traveled to a new place each week. East coast...name the place and I've been there and done that, got the stuffed animal to prove it. Great memories! Great adventures. Great times.

Unlike a lot of Carnie kids, I was at home in NC during school. The day school was out Mom picked us up and we were gone till the day before school started.

Yeah, I know a little bit about "going to the fair". No brag but at one time I had a list of names of girls from all over the place from Indian to NJ and south to Virginia. I've spent more money on stamps than you can imagine a teenager should ever spend. My first true love was a girl from Vevay, Indiana. I remember her as if it was yesterday. Broke my heart to leave her that week. I called her and wrote her for a very long time. I think of her often when my kids are dating and talking about their "true loves". Don't get me wrong, I don't long for her, I am remembering first love feeling and experience. I think it was a big reason I knew what real love was when I met my wife. I'll always be grateful for that experience. The first time you connect with another person that breaks your heart...makes you feel like your world ends with them...and makes you want to be with them for ever.

Being a Carnie taught me about friendship, loyalty, hard work, being dependable, trust and family. It taught me self respect, self reliance, confidence and what inner strength was. I was visiting Evansville, IN with my Dad. He was trying to convince them to book with his fair. (Fair's compete for business just like other companies.) The committee told us it was up to Mr. Green. So we went looking for him at the fairgrounds. We saw a man on a tractor cutting grass and he stopped to ask if he could help. My Dad apologized for his needing to stop and before he could say anything else I spoke up and said in that simple youngster voice "Hello sir, how are you? You have a nice tractor." My Dad tussled my hair and grinned. He did not apologize for me speaking up, he thought it was great. My Dad and I were close and I went everywhere with him just to be around him. I knew it would be OK to speak. The gentleman grinned and he and I chatted for about 5 minutes. Dad had all day. Finally the man on the tractor asked what he could do for my Dad. Dad said we were looking for Mr. Green. The man on the tractor said he was Mr. Green. He and Dad hit it off and Dad go the business. Mr. Green became a friend of the family and every year stopped in to stay with us on his way to and from Florida. It was always one of my favorite times of the year.

Yeah, going to the fair brings back memories, lots of memories. Some better than others. Maybe I'll share some more tomorrow.

Take your kids to the fair. See all the shows, exhibits and ride some rides. Build those memories. They last a life time. Now, for some cotton candy!

LUNCH is ready...

One of the joys of working from home is a decent lunch. Today is German Bologna with fixing. A good "sammich" ( as a Navy pal of mine calls them) is hard to beat. I especially like mine with lettuce and tomato and a little mayo (Duke's brand). I included a slice of swiss to round it off.

When making a sandwich I think the order of the materials is very important. Bread should be on the outside. If bread is on the inside things get sloppy.

Mayo only 1 side, please. Tomato next to mayo and then lettuce. Meat comes next. Then cheese and finally bread.

The tomato, mayo, salt and pepper combination is crucial. It is like a tomato sandwich with meat and cheese added.

This does not apply to banana sandwiches. They have a totally different criteria.

Here is a pic of today's creation. Notice the great salt and pepper jars Ron Philbeck made for me! Thanks Ron, we love them and use them every day!

OK, you cracked pepper heads. No whining that only fresh cracked/ground pepper is good. I cook a lot and I do both and both have their place. I like pepper and this is not only fast and easy but pepper does not lose is flavor like some spices. Beside, the Barefoot Contessa uses ground pepper! So there!

To my college girl: Hope the cafeteria food is this good! I love you, mean it!

Lunch is over! BTW... It was an awesome sandwich!

Pain in the...shoulder. Better already.

For those that saw my posting about my adventure in Vegas, good news! The orthopedist say I did not tear anything and do not need surgery. Seems I have a calcium deposit (normal) that causes irritation when I lift my arm. I am back already to a full range of motion and hardly any pain. While it could flare up again, he is having me do a couple of PT sessions to work the remaining kinks out teach me some ways to keep it from bothering me. That and nothing strenuous for 3 weeks and Advil and I am good to go!

It was great news. He told me this was normal "for someone my age". When I told my daughter this her response was typical: "Oh Dad! Surgery would have been better to hear than 'for your age"'. Not to me. Wonder what she'll say in 30 years when she hears it?

Joe Plumber's Dream...A commentary

I've tried to not let my personal view on politics come through in my blog. It is fine if others do that, but somehow it distorts why I read their blogs. We all have views and opinions. If you really are unsure and want reasons to vote for one candidate or the other then email me. I'll gladly share you mine. I happen to think this is a personal decision that most of us have already made for whatever reasons.

I write my blog to share about my views on raising children, growing older and families. Those are the things that I care about and am or have experienced. Take for example where I mentioned my colonoscopy. Not a polite subject but I was going through it and talking about it can help me and others to know we all go through it. If you are 50 and have NOT had one, you need to, male or female. Women should have a mammography done regularly. I don't much about them but I know they are important.

I care about the American dream that I had and that I still have and that I want for my children. I care about our country, deeply. I don't think one president from ANY party will make that big a difference. Only a few times has it made a significant difference and then not huge. Please, if you want to debate this, call me or email me. I'll be glad to do it just not one sentence at a time.

My Bar stool Economics was not an endorsement of any candidate. I have studied economics and have 2 degrees in business. I love the stuff and found it both entertaining and informative.

My oldest daughter is trying to buy a house in a weird market. Prices are very low and yet money is tight. Foreclosures are everywhere. Very interesting times. I was studying business in the late 70's when interest rates were 20% and people were still borrowing money!

My brother-in-law sent me this link and I found it interesting. I encourage you to read it and think about it. I am not trying to get you to think about politics, far from it. It is about living, raising families and reaching for the American dream.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/19/schramm.entrepreneur/index.html

I hope each of you continue to reach for your dreams, whatever they are. As for me, I'm living mine. I have great kids that bring me joy everyday.

Barstool Economics...Or...How to get others to pay for your beer!

This was sent to me in an email. Not sure of the author but he/she should get a Nobel prize! Enjoy!

Our Tax System Explained: Bar Stool Economics
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this: The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing. The fifth would pay $1. The sixth would pay $3. The seventh would pay $7. The eighth would pay $12. The ninth would pay $18. The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59. So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20.' Drinks for the ten now cost just $80. The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from every body's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay. And so: The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings). The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings). The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings). The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings). The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings). The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings). Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings. 'I only got a dollar out of the $20,' declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10! ''Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I got'. 'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks! ''Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor! 'The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill! And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier. For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

Filling a script...less worry

While in Vegas I went to the ER. I've blogged on this so no biggee. What is amazing is the drugstore visit. I've gone to the same store for 20+ years. My store was not available in LV so I went to the Walgreen's across the street from the ER. I watched the Pharmacist fill the script. Interesting. First, he was not hidden behind a counter over which I could not see. He worked at a bench down the side of a wall. To his right was the counter and I could clearly see him filling scripts. What was interesting was after he filled the script (which included verifying the pills and the script) he then scanned the form he had printed for the label and compared the pills to the image on the screen! What a great idea and a good safety check. I don't think my pharmacy does this and since they hide behind a tall counter it is hard to even guess. But I like this extra safety since I've had the wrong pills for my script at least 3 times in the past. Never a good thing and scary.

I'm going to check out the local Walgreen's here. I want to see what they do, which I suspect is the same thing. Might be time for a change.

BTW...even though I knew he had checked them twice I went on line when I got back to the hotel and pulled up the Watson site and verified the script/pills myself. I am paranoid about these things. It took about 2 minutes and I could then take the pain pills with one less worry on a pain taxed mind.

Viva Home!

Made it home, arm in sling and all. The flight back was very nice. Smooth and quiet. Or as quiet as a Southwest flight can be. I don't fly them often but they had direct service to Vegas so I chose them to save hours. They have the best seats, service and personnel of any airline I fly. Seriously. More room between the seats, more comfortable seats and no "hidden charges". I checked 2 bags, no charge. I had cokes and snacks, no charge. I had a good aisle seat, no charge. And it was a cheaper flight than the indirect ones!

Went to the doctor today. She said to NOT wear the sling unless it was really needed. She made an appointment with the orthopedist for Monday. Guess I'll know more then. Shoulder is not hurting as much as it did the other night, but still hurts. Trying to take as little pain medicine as possible.

Going to see friends for breakfast. We're taking doughnuts and such and they are providing the coffee. We'll sit on their deck and enjoy the morning, the coffee and the friendship. I need that after being on the road.

Need to get some pics up and share the butterfinger cake up, too. Hopefully all this week. Saturday is all football and marching band. I love weekends! I think I'll get my daughter to do some cooking with me...never know what will come out of that!

Viva St. Rosa...

I am in Vegas this week but it has not been all fun. Not at all. I spent part of last night/this morning at the ER of St. Rosa hospital in Vegas. They are awesome folks there, especially Tootsie the triage nurse in the ER. Her real name is Julie Anne but no one remembers that so they all call her Tootsie. They took good care of me and I'll remember their kindness. St. Rosa was the first hospital in the Vegas area, way back when they did the Hoover Dam. Nuns from Michigan came and started the hospital. It is out of town near Lake Las Vegas.

It seems I have a rotator cuff injury or some other soft tissue injury to the shoulder. I'm not sure when I first hurt it but it was aggravated Sunday and apparently I continued to aggravate it through the week. Last night the pain was so bad I could no longer stand it. The OTC drugs were not helping at all. So I went to the ER. They gave me a sling for the arm, a pain shot and then a script for some pain meds. Walgreen's was across the street and they filled the script at 3:30 AM. I can say I've not hurt that bad for a long time. The meds worked and I finally got some relief. It is no fun to be sick away from home. The people I work with were very supportive and checked on me which is always good!

Other than the pain it has been a great week. I really enjoy being with customers and seeing old friends. I had dinner last night with Adam Fein. I read his blog about pharmaceutical distribution and always enjoy talking with him. He was in Vegas for other business and joined us for dinner.

Meds are kicking in so I'm not going to last much longe...................................................................

Elvis has left the building!

I am in Vegas. I'm pulling an Elaine this week. Won't be posts till I get back on the weekend. Hope to post big winnings but more likely NOT.

I do want to tell you about the butter finger cake. My daughter and son fixed it this weekend. Lots of fun and I even have a picture, too.

Have a great week!

Ron, hope the sale went well for everyone this week.

I'm hooked on a feeling!

One of the truly simple pleasures in life is getting back to something we enjoyed as a child. Something that even does not require hi-tech, lots of money or lots of stuff to be successful.

I'm that way with fishing. I love to fish. I always have and I suspect I always will. I don't mean bass boat, depth finder, ultra light, dipping sauce bait fishing. I'm talking standing on the bank with a pole and bobber with some worms fishing. I'm talking on waiting for the bobber to move and getting excited about it fishing. I'm talking about standing there for hours and not catching anything and coming home feeling great cause a bad day fishing is better than a good day anything else fishing.

See, fishing is not in the catching. Nope, it is in the journey TO catch. I love the anticipation of going. Of stopping for coffee and a container of worms on the way. Of opening a tackle box that is yours and is full not of hooks, line, lures and weights but is full of memories. That is what a tackle box holds. Memories. Memories of going fishing with your Dad, Granddad, cousins, friends. Of walking and then sitting in the rain for hours because someone told someone that fishing in the rain helped you catch more. Memories of secret spots only you and your cousin know about where you caught the "big one". Memories of your first rod and reel. Memories of going to the pier at Bouge Inlet and fishing all night with your cousin Jerry and his cousin Buck Wheat and bringing home over 120 spots!

Better yet, memories of taking your kids fishing for the first time. Of the first time your daughters and son baited their own hook with a worm and how proud you and they were. Of memories of your kids fishing with other kids and catching the biggest fish. Memories of your kids telling the other kids that "my Dad will help you, he knows all about fishing".

Oh yeah, a tackle box is not full of gear but full of memories. But the funny thing is, no matter how much stuff you put in a tackle box, there is always room for more memories. I added a few this weekend. The kids (all 3 of them) and I went down to the lake for a couple hours. We had a ball! I pulled out the poles and rods and found a Mickey Mouse Zebco rod/reel that is almost 20 years old! It was my oldest daughter's first rod and reel! I used it this weekend. Still works like it was new. Talk about memories!

The day was a great day for fishing. We had two catches. My oldest caught one and my son caught one. The middle daughter and I just had a great day fishing. When we were packing up, I made sure we had everything. The tackle box was a little heavier on the way out. I guess I packed a few more memories in there this weekend.

The world is upside down...or is that just the cake talking?

Elaine's blogs about her pineapple upside down cakes really got to me. I had to fix one. I posted earlier about my first attempt 28 years ago. But this time I had a feeling it would be OK.

I measured, mixed and by gosh by golly I got it right!

OK, sort of got it right. I cooked it a tad too long but it was still awesome! Gosh I enjoyed it. I love to cook but not much on baking but lately I've been prone to trying it more. I'll make this one again!

Why did I say "sort of got it right"...well here is why:

I could not decide if I had enough for a big pan or two smaller pans. I went with the 2 smaller pans and should have gone with the 9x13. Better yet, I need to get an iron skillet and use that! I am learning! Elaine had a fluffy and a slumpy. I think I have two flatties but the crust is awesome!

Obamaware...for real!

Yeah, I know. Another post about pots for Democrats but just bear with me on this. I've been reading some blogs and this is getting to be cool! Ron Philbeck is doing some great stuff. Please check it out. I'd suspect this could be a collector's item so don't knock it till you see them.

I am a big John McCain fan. I have been for years. I like who he is and what he stands for and what he has given this country. No faulting him there. I even like Sarah Palin. I think she is spunky and I like her family.

I'd like Obama a lot except his view on guns. I like guns. I own guns and I have hunted with them. I am not in favor of controlling my right to own them. It has not and does not work. I firmly believe if you outlaw guns then only out laws will have guns. Wish Obama had picked Condi Rice for VP. She is my all time favorite. That woman is awesome. Easily the most qualified of them all. Yeah, she works for a Republican president but come on, I think she'd have been willing to run. I'd vote for that ticket!

Anyway, enough politics. I am just glad I live in a country...no, THE country where I not only can talk about the candidates but am expected to do so, to have an opinion and to voice it. I drive through my neighborhood and there are signs for both camps everywhere! It is great! My kids and I talk politics as does my wife. This is good stuff!

Let's switch topics...I went fishing this weekend with the kids. Pics and posting to come on that. I also MC'd a Marching Band Competition and I cooked a pineapple upside down cake (thanks Elaine!). Pics and post on all that coming once I can figure out the picture thing.

Trying to figure it all out...Obamaware?

I am trying to figure it all out. But to do that you have to take it all in, right? If you take it all in is there anything left to figure out?

A potter I know is making pots called Obamaware. They are pots apparently in support of Obama/Biden. They'll sell the pots and half the proceeds go to the campaign. I've been noodling on this for a couple of days and can not decide what I think about that. I mean, who seems more conservative and reliant on free enterprise than a potter? Right? But, to support Democrats seems to be more socialist leaning and that is far from the free enterprise "Republicans" we normally think about.

Maybe they are artists and they like the Democrats who tend to support the arts with more federal money?

Maybe, just maybe they like to make pots and this sounded like a fun thing to do and it might get them some recognition. While I am a registered Democrat I tend to vote conservative. That is not a contradiction in terms at all. Southern Democrats are conservative. If you are not from the South you won't understand.

Any way, I am looking forward to seeing the pots! I am sure they will be cool, fun and most excellent work. You can follow them at : http://www.ayumihorie.com/obamaware.html

Regardless of how you vote, it'll be interesting to see what the pots look like!

And NO, this does not make Democrats "pot-heads".

Busy, slow week...Butter Dish!

Not much going on this week. As I shared a couple of weeks ago turning 50 is what it is. As my Dad used to say, "I don't mind getting old. Look at the alternative!" I always keep that in mind. Like this week. Being 50 and male means colonoscopy. NO FUN! But I got through it. The prep and anxiety before the procedure is always worse than the actual event. They give you GREAT drugs to knock you out. Don't remember or experience a thing!

Other than that, just working along. This is fishing weekend. I'm going to the lake to go fishing this weekend. My son will go and likely my daughters. They all like it and it should be a good weekend for it. We catch and release so no hate mail!

Jen Mecca, a potter whose blog I follow, is going to be in Raleigh at the CDC event the weekend after Thanksgiving! I'm going to visit her booth and pick up a butter dish. I've been wanting one and she was recommended as the "queen of butter dishes". I like her work so this is a good excuse to see her and pick one up! CDC is held at the NC State Fairgrounds. Go out and visit.