"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." Saint Francis De Sales

Friday, March 31, 2017

Red, Mel's Diner & Bobby



1. I use to watch the “Red Skelton Show” with my Dad. Red was a terrific comedian and every week we laughed at the antics of Clem Kadiddlehopper, Freddie the Freeloader and Sheriff Deadeye. My favorite was Gertrude and Heathcliff. Red always made me feel like I was actually watching two seagulls talking. 


2. My son, Stephen, came over this week and helped cut down some large bushes. It was no  easy process and required his vehicle to pull out some of the roots. This is step one in a series of Spring jobs that Dee and I are planning. Next is to get some quotes on removing a few trees and grinding down about 6-9 stumps. I have already scheduled for quotes, so more details next week.

3. This is a photo, by Dee, of breakfast at Mel’s Diner in North Carolina. The food is excellent and the waitress, Ella, was efficient and entertaining.
Pam, Mary and Maureen on the left. Me, Tony, Paul and Jack on the right.

4. On March 29, 1929, President Herbert Hoover is the first to get a telephone installed at his desk. It was installed in the Oval Office of the White House. 

5.  “Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.”
                                                                            Roger Miller
6. This was shared by my friend Dick. It is a very unusual rope trip performed by Mac King. I’ve no idea how he does it. 


7. Bobby Bare, The Diet Song. A funny tune.



Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Memories, Readings & R&B



1. These are a couple of my ol’ Dungeons & Dragons figures that our sons and I used to game with. Now they are enlightening our granddaughter with her game of Dungeons & Dragons. A family tradition being passed on by our son Todd. Great memories and tradition.



2. The Spiders made it to the third round of the NIT tournament but lost to TSU. Their overall record for the season was 22-13 with a conference record of 13-5. We enjoyed the season and wish the best for all the seniors. ShawnDre’ Jones, T.J. Cline, Chase Fletcher and Marshall Wood.


3. We spent this week at the beach thanks to our great friends Maureen and Jack. They shared a beautiful home in Duck, N.C. The weather was sunny most of the week and provided both warm and cold temperatures. We enjoyed a variety of excellent meals, some wine, played “catchphrase” and listened to brother Tony stories. 

An Early View from the Deck

4.  The Wednesday readings contained only three sentences. To me, they summarize the connection of Moses and Jesus and what our core beliefs are. Powerful statements that provide a simple guide for our belief in God.

"However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children's children." Deuteronomy 4:9

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law until all things have taken place. Matthew 5:17-18

5. Barbara George, “I Know You Don’t Love Me No More”


6. Aretha Franklin - Respect


7. Diana Ross & The Supremes - My World Is Empty Without You



Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Time, Reunion and Spring



1. Daylight saving time has come and is now a thing of the past.


Well, at least for some of us.

2. We held an Italy trip reunion gathering last weekend. Many of those on the trip were present. It is blessing that we maintain our connection and enjoy the friendship that was developed during the trip. 



3. Every once in awhile Dee likes to enjoy a day where she can not be concerned about anything in particular. It is called a “Deeday.” The rules are simple.
1. Let her stay in PJs all day.
2. I feed myself.
3. I make sure there is plenty of coffee.
4. No visitors.
5. Make sure she has everything required to "just do her thing."
6. Let her handle the TV controller.

4. There was a time, when I was much younger, single and without much thought about anything serious, that I thought about joining the circus. My favorite performer was "the daring young man on the flying trapeze." However, heights bothered me and I didn't look good in tights. It probably worked out well in the long run, as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus" are closing this May.


5. Happy St. Patrick's Day.


6. Monday March 20 is, hopefully, the first day of spring.  


7. The Four Tops - Reach Out,I’ll Be There       




Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Friday, March 10, 2017

Spiders, Giants & Diamonds



1. The Richmond Spiders basketball team have three players that have earned Atlantic 10 All Conference Honors.

Shawnee Jones, Third Team All-Conference
T.J. Cline, Player of the Year
De’Monte Buckingham, Rookie of the Year

Congratulations to all the players.


2. I wasn’t looking for anything about “giants,” but somehow I came across an article written by Jerry D. Peterson. His web site, My Drift, contains many articles about many things. The article on Giants is very interesting and thought I would share it.


3. I wrote about Tyrion Lannister back in August of 2015. At that time I shared one of my favorite Tyrion quotes. This year I have a new quote.

I believe he has a Red Blend from The Reach.

4. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller

5. On March 9, 1985, the Tyler Civilian Club, erected the first Adopt-a-Highway sign. It was on Highway 69. 

6. I’ve discovered a new blog. “Discovering Diamonds.” It is a blog that provides “independent reviews of the best in historical fiction.” There is a review about my favorite historical fiction writer, Bernard Cornwell. It is worth reading!

7. The Penguins - “Earth Angel.”




Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.

Friday, March 3, 2017

Computer, Anton & Montreal



1. My computer has been "Mostly Dead" for a couple of weeks. Fortunately our son Eric was able to bring it back to life. A replacement of the hard drive was the key, but we added more memory as well.

Miracle Max

2. We have switched to Direct TV and AT&T Wireless. The transition has been smooth and we are pleased with the new service. 

3. One of the "perks" for switching to Direct TV is that I can watch "Game of Thrones" for a three month trial period. I've gone through season four and five already. What I found interesting so far is that there was a "Mostly Dead" situation that ended season five. How did I figure that out? Well, my intuition was the key. I carefully considered the purpose of killing the character and could not come up with a viable reason or outcome of the death. Then as the camera focused in, I had this feeling of déjà vu. Yes, I've seen that "look" before.

4. “People don’t notice wether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy”

5. On March 3, 1875, the first "indoor hockey game" was played in Montreal, Quebec. One has to love the Canadians for the introduction of would eventually develop into the National Hockey League. It was played in the Victoria Skating Rink. 

6. As we approach the weekend, the current standings for the Atlantic 10, NCAA Basketball are:

Dayton 15-2
VCU                             13-4
Rhode Island               12-5
Richmond                     12-5
St. Bonaventure           10-7
George Mason             9-8
George Washington     9-8
Davidson                       8-9
La Salle                         8-9
Fordham                       7-10
St. Louis                        6-11

7. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Tears of A Clown.



Go over to "This Ain't the Lyceum," where Kelly is hosting more takes.