The excitement builds as the winds whip up, gusting over 40mph as the temps begin their slow tumble from the current high of 56F. I was awake this morn by 0700 despite having been up 'til almost 0100, doing the final Coachmen songsheets for tonite. With the First Night celebration and Dwight & Robin inbound, it will be an exciting time indeed. Hard to believe it was just a year ago that sister Gay and her family were here from Indonesia.
Speaking of excitement (for the Easily Excited, anyway), last eve M's new Scooba, the floor-scrubbing robot that is the newest C'mas addition to our family, got his first assignment: doing the kitchen hardwood floors, and then the master bath's tile floors this morning. Scooba did Strong Work, as evidenced by the dirty water drained from the holding tank after each workout and the shiny floors left behind. He moves at a more deliberate pace than his Roomba vacuuming cousins, simultaneously inhaling dust and dirt, laying down cleaning solution, scrubbing same into the surface, and then using a squeegee-vacuum to Suck it Up. M was pleased.
After straightening up the office here I'll get ready to fetch and load the A/Bus and head over to secure our parking spot behind the church where once again we'll be playing. Our companion band, with whom we'll switch off shows, is a bluegrass-gospel group from SW Va called Thunder Creek.
We spoke with Caroline last eve, who is having a good time riding her leasehorse Mateo almost daily; she has a whole list of parties to attend tonite for New Year's. Tomorrow she jets off for four days of Rocky Mountain skiing with a bunch of peeps; as it happens, she'll be the only girl with about 15 guys. It's tough being unemployed.
Wow, the lobolly pines are really rockin' in the wind out there. Glad the backyard genset is rested and ready.
Happy New Year's Eve to all ~
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday Monday ~
The day began with a delicious sleep-in back in the commodious Greystone master BR and a sunny, bright morning. The main items on my agenda had to do with unloading, cleaning and washing the A/Bus, followed by a trip to the propane store for a refill (last done in Gillette, WY) and then putting it away, if only for two days; it will return to duty as the Coachmen's band bus on New Year's Eve.
This evening said Coachmen came over and we brushed up and practiced for three hours. We're all healthy, PTL. We'll do three shows in the same hall we were in last year; the group we alternate with this year is a bluegrass gospel band that tours in a genuine motor coach. We're looking forward to having Dwight & Robin join us for New Year's Eve and a couple days thereafter.
This afternoon M shipped off the nifty Apple computer we gave the RewCor for C'mas; it came home in the A/Bus with us, secure in its shipping crate after debuting to rave reviews on the Big Day. Andrew will be waiting by the mailbox for that one. M, meanwhile, has joined our son on the Dark Side, getting herself a new Apple laptop. Bill Gates still has a friend in me, however.
Time for bed. 2008 is winding up -- or down ~
This evening said Coachmen came over and we brushed up and practiced for three hours. We're all healthy, PTL. We'll do three shows in the same hall we were in last year; the group we alternate with this year is a bluegrass gospel band that tours in a genuine motor coach. We're looking forward to having Dwight & Robin join us for New Year's Eve and a couple days thereafter.
This afternoon M shipped off the nifty Apple computer we gave the RewCor for C'mas; it came home in the A/Bus with us, secure in its shipping crate after debuting to rave reviews on the Big Day. Andrew will be waiting by the mailbox for that one. M, meanwhile, has joined our son on the Dark Side, getting herself a new Apple laptop. Bill Gates still has a friend in me, however.
Time for bed. 2008 is winding up -- or down ~
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Closing the flight plan ~
The A/Bus landed back at Greystone at 2200 tonite, 7days7hours and 1,530 miles after leaving. Landing sites included Kingsport TN (twice), Knoxville (twice), Brentwood/Nashville, and DC. Other than the occasional leak from the rear a/c in heavy rain, it turned in a squawk-free performance in conditions ranging from 70F down to 12F and plowed sun, rain, and 35-40mph headwinds and crosswinds on the outbound leg. Even the dolly and magnetic tow'd lights worked throughout.
This was the first trip towing our Chevy Venture van as a tow'd and the only time you could tell any difference compared to the sprightly but now-departed 'Rolla was on the long downhills, where the extra 1500lbs could be felt. The dolly's hold-down straps kept jumping off its front tyres and need to be adjusted, but otherwise the A/Bus just hauled it along. I used an extra-heavy dosage of DieselKleen winter formula on this trip and was rewarded with 10+ MPG overall even with headwinds, mountains,and the heavier tow'd.
The only blemish on the trip was the 40+mph tailwind gust that snatched the entry door outta my hand at Dr Brado's and re-bent the entry-door restraining bracket when the door was slammed wide open by the lusty zephyrs. That goes on the Red Bay list for the next factory visit (along with a new a/c roof gasket).
It squeaks, rattles and wanders in the wind, but the venerable A/Bus has now passed 68k and is running like a grandfather clock. A guy at the Flying J this afternoon stood there and regarded it while fueling his Ford pickup dualie. "Nice," he finally said to me. "Very nice."
After leaving Brentwood, we stopped in Knoxville to drop off Rew & Corelyn at her dad and stepmom's house for another visit. Cameron Coates was smoking some chicken BBQ and he didn't have to twist MY arm to get us to stay for dinner, which was really, REALLY good. We also got to see Corelyn's sibs for the first time since the wedding and have some nice extended-family time. I presented the Coates clan with the home-made pecan pie I'd picked up from Dotson's Restaurant earlier that day and it was a large hit.
M&I rolled on to Kingsport where we spent the nite in the same WalMart parking lot where the RewCor and I had braved the 12F temps the week before. Saturday morn we rolled on 35 miles to lovely Abingdon, VA, home of Virginia's famous Barter Theatre and the gorgeous old Martha Washington Inn. We tried to have breakfast there but had just missed it, so we walked on down the street to the LJ Cafe where the proprietress had been holding forth for over 30 years. Our tab was about 60% of what each of the hotel breakfasts would have cost.
From there we walked about two miles of the Virginia Creeper Trail, an old railroad bed now a hiker/biker trail of amazing beauty. The temps were pushing 70F and a warm southern wind was blowing; many joggers and bikers had turned out to enjoy it.
Back to the town, M took up a position on the commodious old-timey front porch of the Inn while I held down the A/Bus and we waited for the RewCor to rejoin us in the van. Once they arrived we showed them around, loaded up the van, and headed for DC.
Along the way we stopped in Radford VA and after a 'Net search supplemented by GPS, found the cemetary where M's maternal grandparents and Rew's great-grandparent Ranson namesake kinfolk (Andrew Ranson Allen, after all) are interred. The last and only time we'd visited before was with the late Nancy Love probably 20+ years ago. This time I got the GPS co-ordinates of the gravesites loaded into my Garmin.
With our roots thus reestablished, we had some Hardees Thickburgers and rolled on to Alexandria where at about midnite we dropped off Rew and Corelyn with some kind friends who were not only willing to put them up, but to drive them to DCA at 0400 for their 0600 flight to ATL and on to LAX today. M&I retreated to Pohick Bay Regional Park, where at 0100 we snared Site 150, where oft betimes the humble Viking pop-up was pitched for family camping/boating/horsey outtings back in The Day. It was so warm I fired up the rooftop a/c's and with their sonorous throbbing we slept like newborns.
We luxuriated in sleeping in this morn, and then headed downtown after leaving the A/Bus parked at a shopping center to see Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," which we were to see next Saturday but this saved us a trip. Afterwards we went to La Porta, one of our old restaurant haunts in Alexandria, for dinner.
A "light jazz" trio was performing and soon I noted to my surprise that the guitarist was playing what appeared to be a four-string tenor guitar, as favored by Nick Reynolds of the Kingston Trio, something one rarely sees otehrwise. Like brother Dwight, I'd taught myself to play guitar on one in the early '60s, D's old black-n-gold Stella which I later loaned to my buddy next door and never got back. [D by then had moved on to his Martin tenor guitar, but was still miffed that I let the old Stella slip away.]
As we were leaving, I chatted up the band and esp'ly the guitarist re the tenor guitar. Squinting at the headstock to make out the brand name and noting the black and gold hue of the body, I could scarcely believe my eyes.
"Is that a Stella??" I asked incredulously as the lettering swam into focus. "Sure is," he said. "Great little guitar." It looked just like the Stella of my youth, albeit with a pick guard and slightly higher-toned embellishments.
I pondered the likelihood of encountering this memento of Days Past as we drove home. The restaurant we'd planned to go to was closed and this was our fallback. The group began to play maybe ten minutes before we left. How many jazz groups use tenor guitars? (Maybe many, for all I know.) And of those, how many are Stellas, a brand I'd never seen another example of after my brother's?
Ahhh well, interesting ponderings as the A/Bus rumbled down the highway, finishing out its assigned duties and closing the books on a wonderful Christmas trip.
This was the first trip towing our Chevy Venture van as a tow'd and the only time you could tell any difference compared to the sprightly but now-departed 'Rolla was on the long downhills, where the extra 1500lbs could be felt. The dolly's hold-down straps kept jumping off its front tyres and need to be adjusted, but otherwise the A/Bus just hauled it along. I used an extra-heavy dosage of DieselKleen winter formula on this trip and was rewarded with 10+ MPG overall even with headwinds, mountains,and the heavier tow'd.
The only blemish on the trip was the 40+mph tailwind gust that snatched the entry door outta my hand at Dr Brado's and re-bent the entry-door restraining bracket when the door was slammed wide open by the lusty zephyrs. That goes on the Red Bay list for the next factory visit (along with a new a/c roof gasket).
It squeaks, rattles and wanders in the wind, but the venerable A/Bus has now passed 68k and is running like a grandfather clock. A guy at the Flying J this afternoon stood there and regarded it while fueling his Ford pickup dualie. "Nice," he finally said to me. "Very nice."
After leaving Brentwood, we stopped in Knoxville to drop off Rew & Corelyn at her dad and stepmom's house for another visit. Cameron Coates was smoking some chicken BBQ and he didn't have to twist MY arm to get us to stay for dinner, which was really, REALLY good. We also got to see Corelyn's sibs for the first time since the wedding and have some nice extended-family time. I presented the Coates clan with the home-made pecan pie I'd picked up from Dotson's Restaurant earlier that day and it was a large hit.
M&I rolled on to Kingsport where we spent the nite in the same WalMart parking lot where the RewCor and I had braved the 12F temps the week before. Saturday morn we rolled on 35 miles to lovely Abingdon, VA, home of Virginia's famous Barter Theatre and the gorgeous old Martha Washington Inn. We tried to have breakfast there but had just missed it, so we walked on down the street to the LJ Cafe where the proprietress had been holding forth for over 30 years. Our tab was about 60% of what each of the hotel breakfasts would have cost.
From there we walked about two miles of the Virginia Creeper Trail, an old railroad bed now a hiker/biker trail of amazing beauty. The temps were pushing 70F and a warm southern wind was blowing; many joggers and bikers had turned out to enjoy it.
Back to the town, M took up a position on the commodious old-timey front porch of the Inn while I held down the A/Bus and we waited for the RewCor to rejoin us in the van. Once they arrived we showed them around, loaded up the van, and headed for DC.
Along the way we stopped in Radford VA and after a 'Net search supplemented by GPS, found the cemetary where M's maternal grandparents and Rew's great-grandparent Ranson namesake kinfolk (Andrew Ranson Allen, after all) are interred. The last and only time we'd visited before was with the late Nancy Love probably 20+ years ago. This time I got the GPS co-ordinates of the gravesites loaded into my Garmin.
With our roots thus reestablished, we had some Hardees Thickburgers and rolled on to Alexandria where at about midnite we dropped off Rew and Corelyn with some kind friends who were not only willing to put them up, but to drive them to DCA at 0400 for their 0600 flight to ATL and on to LAX today. M&I retreated to Pohick Bay Regional Park, where at 0100 we snared Site 150, where oft betimes the humble Viking pop-up was pitched for family camping/boating/horsey outtings back in The Day. It was so warm I fired up the rooftop a/c's and with their sonorous throbbing we slept like newborns.
We luxuriated in sleeping in this morn, and then headed downtown after leaving the A/Bus parked at a shopping center to see Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," which we were to see next Saturday but this saved us a trip. Afterwards we went to La Porta, one of our old restaurant haunts in Alexandria, for dinner.
A "light jazz" trio was performing and soon I noted to my surprise that the guitarist was playing what appeared to be a four-string tenor guitar, as favored by Nick Reynolds of the Kingston Trio, something one rarely sees otehrwise. Like brother Dwight, I'd taught myself to play guitar on one in the early '60s, D's old black-n-gold Stella which I later loaned to my buddy next door and never got back. [D by then had moved on to his Martin tenor guitar, but was still miffed that I let the old Stella slip away.]
As we were leaving, I chatted up the band and esp'ly the guitarist re the tenor guitar. Squinting at the headstock to make out the brand name and noting the black and gold hue of the body, I could scarcely believe my eyes.
"Is that a Stella??" I asked incredulously as the lettering swam into focus. "Sure is," he said. "Great little guitar." It looked just like the Stella of my youth, albeit with a pick guard and slightly higher-toned embellishments.
I pondered the likelihood of encountering this memento of Days Past as we drove home. The restaurant we'd planned to go to was closed and this was our fallback. The group began to play maybe ten minutes before we left. How many jazz groups use tenor guitars? (Maybe many, for all I know.) And of those, how many are Stellas, a brand I'd never seen another example of after my brother's?
Ahhh well, interesting ponderings as the A/Bus rumbled down the highway, finishing out its assigned duties and closing the books on a wonderful Christmas trip.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Christmas Quickie!!
It is a measure of how full and fun this Chistmas has been that I am only now getting around to an entry, which will be perfunctory at best given the fact that we're tryong to clear out of Bronwyn Manor so that Dr Brado & Holly can prepare for the next wave of guests (Holly's family, arriving tomorrow). We're about to head out for brunch before hitting the road with the van in tow and RewCor on board with us as far as Knoxville; from there, plans get a bit murky but will culminate somehow in their departing @ 0600 from DCA and we somehow retrieving the van. We all went to a C'mas eve service and then watched as Brady struggled with a Herculean toy assembly project as we watched "The Nativity". M&I overnighted in the A/Bus and then we opened presents for several hours. The haul was ginormous and if the US economy is struggling, it isn't because of the Allen clan. No, sirree.
Of primary interest to you and me, Dear Readers, was the interesting gift from Ms Caroline, who, together with her friend Dave Dean, have worked out a deal where Dave will design me a new, super-kustom blog site complete with my own domain name. It will have a far greater capability to handle widgets, wadgets and gadgets which should provide substantial Amusements when these blatherings fail to do so. Further details will be forthcoming and when it launches, there should be a link from this one.
Last eve M&I finally presented our long-threatened narrative cum pictures from our fall cruise to the semi-enthralled Family Masses, who convincingly feigned interest thruout. Then we shared New Year's prayer concerns and called it a night around midnite.
'Twas a wonderful Christmas indeed. Hope yours was as well. Only 364 days until the next one!
Of primary interest to you and me, Dear Readers, was the interesting gift from Ms Caroline, who, together with her friend Dave Dean, have worked out a deal where Dave will design me a new, super-kustom blog site complete with my own domain name. It will have a far greater capability to handle widgets, wadgets and gadgets which should provide substantial Amusements when these blatherings fail to do so. Further details will be forthcoming and when it launches, there should be a link from this one.
Last eve M&I finally presented our long-threatened narrative cum pictures from our fall cruise to the semi-enthralled Family Masses, who convincingly feigned interest thruout. Then we shared New Year's prayer concerns and called it a night around midnite.
'Twas a wonderful Christmas indeed. Hope yours was as well. Only 364 days until the next one!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
The Gang's All Here ~
Andrew & Corelyn blew in with the cold front within the hour, proeplled westbound from her dad's house by strong pre-frontal winds that hit their climax just before they arrived with sheets of wind-driven rain. We'd just gotten up from a sumptuous repast of chimichangas and I broke out the Chocolate Cheesecake Fudgie-Wudgie from Costco, a(nother) sure-fire belt-tightener.
This morning began with Master Jacob's daily search for Eli Andrew, the Christmas Shelf-Elf. BeBe (M) imported him this trip with much ceremony and announced that he was Santa's silent but all-observing emissary, filing nightly Naughty and/or Nice reports with the Big Guy himself and enforcing pre-C'mas deportment. The grandkids immediately embraced this secular theology, especially when their Aunt Caroline added the embellishment that every night he would fly, unseen, to a new Observation Point, an undertaking which she took it upon herself to manage each night. And so each day begins with a search for his new location; today he was in a light fixture over the family room table and it took an uncharacteristically large number of hints before he was outted.
My day began with several rounds of Garbage-Chasing, as the same winds which almost ripped the door off the A/Bus yesterday afternoon blew all night and picked up large bags of garbage we set out by the curb last night for pickup, relocating them to become the new centerpieces of the neighbors' outdoor holiday displays. Neighborly relations might've been especialy strained had I not located and removed several sets of befouled, ripened Pampers that had escaped the bags.
Time to rejoin the family chit-chat. [By the by, I commend newlywed Andrew's RewAllen.com blog for his observations on joining extended-family holiday traditions for the first time.]
This morning began with Master Jacob's daily search for Eli Andrew, the Christmas Shelf-Elf. BeBe (M) imported him this trip with much ceremony and announced that he was Santa's silent but all-observing emissary, filing nightly Naughty and/or Nice reports with the Big Guy himself and enforcing pre-C'mas deportment. The grandkids immediately embraced this secular theology, especially when their Aunt Caroline added the embellishment that every night he would fly, unseen, to a new Observation Point, an undertaking which she took it upon herself to manage each night. And so each day begins with a search for his new location; today he was in a light fixture over the family room table and it took an uncharacteristically large number of hints before he was outted.
My day began with several rounds of Garbage-Chasing, as the same winds which almost ripped the door off the A/Bus yesterday afternoon blew all night and picked up large bags of garbage we set out by the curb last night for pickup, relocating them to become the new centerpieces of the neighbors' outdoor holiday displays. Neighborly relations might've been especialy strained had I not located and removed several sets of befouled, ripened Pampers that had escaped the bags.
Time to rejoin the family chit-chat. [By the by, I commend newlywed Andrew's RewAllen.com blog for his observations on joining extended-family holiday traditions for the first time.]
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
NashVegas ~
It's Christmas Eve Day morning, to be technical about it, very early morning, in fact. By the standards of the last two nights, though, it's early in another sense. 48 hours ago we were just getting into serious mileage on the Night Train to Nashville, and 24 hours ago, it was Vegas, baby -- NashVegas.
Caroline's TuckBuddy Bryan wanted to go to the Station Inn in downtown Nashville to hear the Time Jumpers, a Western swing band that plays there every Monday night, and of course I was game, notwithstanding the short night's sleep of the night before. We headed on down there in the bracing 20F/breezy temps and made our way in for a pleasant couple hours of music that was as familiar and comfortable as an old shoe. Another C-friend, Dave Dean, joined us as well. I got a powerdoze in that kept me going until we headed for the door.
"Can we talk you into one more stop?" Caroline asked me as we left. Though I was dragging, I was not going to be the guy who said no to more music in Nashville. Dave initially demurred but then manned up and tailed us in his car. So soon we were on the strip in the heart of downtown, and wound up doing not one but two different places. I handed C the car keys and paced myself with three margaritas that added a certain j'ne c'est quois to the affair, and we didn't roll out until about 2:40am -- and that's Central time. It was fun. Nothing like a town where music is the Business, and guys on stage who look like balding bookkeepers can rip off effortless riffs on a pedal steel while looking slightly bored.
The guy not smiling back at me from the mirror when I rolled out of bed this morning about five hours after I rolled in was nonetheless satisfied that he had gotten the requisite Taste of Nashville for this trip. Today we wrapped presents and consumed wonderful leftovers for lunch before having Holly's BeBe Tribute Meatloaf, of which there was about an inch left when we were done. Late this afternoon Dr Brado and I ferried the A/Bus over to the WalMart parking lot so as not to offend his neighbors here; in the process the wind whipped the entry door out of my hand as I disembarked and slammed it wide open, re-bending the restraint bracket at the top of the door and yanking half the stainless-steel screws out of it. I was glad it was me that did it. And mortified.
This eve B&H, C and I watched "The Dark Knight" on DVD, with apologies to Rew (who'll join us tomorrow and has seen it dozens upon dozens of times -- literally). It's a great movie, though of course a bit intense. BeBe made a chocolate chip cake while we did so, bless her heart.
Outside the wind is really howling and there are rain squalls as the temps creep upward. It will be an interesting Christmas Eve day, weather-wise, but wonderful as the RewCor arrive to make The Fam complete.
Caroline's TuckBuddy Bryan wanted to go to the Station Inn in downtown Nashville to hear the Time Jumpers, a Western swing band that plays there every Monday night, and of course I was game, notwithstanding the short night's sleep of the night before. We headed on down there in the bracing 20F/breezy temps and made our way in for a pleasant couple hours of music that was as familiar and comfortable as an old shoe. Another C-friend, Dave Dean, joined us as well. I got a powerdoze in that kept me going until we headed for the door.
"Can we talk you into one more stop?" Caroline asked me as we left. Though I was dragging, I was not going to be the guy who said no to more music in Nashville. Dave initially demurred but then manned up and tailed us in his car. So soon we were on the strip in the heart of downtown, and wound up doing not one but two different places. I handed C the car keys and paced myself with three margaritas that added a certain j'ne c'est quois to the affair, and we didn't roll out until about 2:40am -- and that's Central time. It was fun. Nothing like a town where music is the Business, and guys on stage who look like balding bookkeepers can rip off effortless riffs on a pedal steel while looking slightly bored.
The guy not smiling back at me from the mirror when I rolled out of bed this morning about five hours after I rolled in was nonetheless satisfied that he had gotten the requisite Taste of Nashville for this trip. Today we wrapped presents and consumed wonderful leftovers for lunch before having Holly's BeBe Tribute Meatloaf, of which there was about an inch left when we were done. Late this afternoon Dr Brado and I ferried the A/Bus over to the WalMart parking lot so as not to offend his neighbors here; in the process the wind whipped the entry door out of my hand as I disembarked and slammed it wide open, re-bending the restraint bracket at the top of the door and yanking half the stainless-steel screws out of it. I was glad it was me that did it. And mortified.
This eve B&H, C and I watched "The Dark Knight" on DVD, with apologies to Rew (who'll join us tomorrow and has seen it dozens upon dozens of times -- literally). It's a great movie, though of course a bit intense. BeBe made a chocolate chip cake while we did so, bless her heart.
Outside the wind is really howling and there are rain squalls as the temps creep upward. It will be an interesting Christmas Eve day, weather-wise, but wonderful as the RewCor arrive to make The Fam complete.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Ice Road Truckers ~
It's a cozy eve here at Bronwyn Manor as Birthday Boy Jacob, five years old today, Natalie (sometimes), Caroline and her TuckBuddy Brian (he of the Bermuda house/job and also a pilot) and I are watching -- surprise!! -- "Cars," Jacob for perhaps the 225th time -- literally. Dr Brado and Holly are off at the gym and M, KHA (Known Here As) BeBe, has Brady Ben in tow.
The trip here was interesting, as expected, and went well. I rolled out at 3pm, spent 90 minutes having a supper of pizza and fro-yo at the Richmond Costco, and then got a nice 90-minute nap at the WalMart in Waynesboro, where I met up at 10pm with Rew & Corelyn. By then the winds were gusting to 40mph and temps were tumbling downward thru the 20's; putting the van on the dolly for the first time in these conditions was, well, interesting. It was so cold I decided to just leave the parking lights on on the van instead of rigging up the magnetic-mounts. After a quick trip thru the WalMart, off we went into the arctic blast.
Cor watched a movie on her laptop asRew and I talked about this and that. The miles rolled by and traffic was light, so I put the A/Bus on a long leash and let the gusty wind blow it around. We stopped about 0230 at a Flying J ($2.21/9!) and I refueled the A/Bus and the van in 13F and winds probably gusting close to 40mph. It was a near-religious experience.
My goal for the next rest stop was Kingsport TN and by 0330 we were there. Though the A/Bus is a bit drafty in extreme conditions like this, the twin furnaces kept us warm and I left the genset running on General Principles (diesels don't like extreme cold). RewCor burrowed into sleeping bags on the twin couches and I got a good 2.5-hour sleep before rolling out again at 0600. By 0800 we were in Knoxville and I enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Cameron and Linda Coates' home (Cor's dad) before rolling on in here. RewCor will roll on over Wed morning. Despite the extreme conditions, it was a glitch-free trip.
Fascinating/meaningless trip stats courtesy of my GPS: total trip time, 22hrs 30min; sit-time, 9hrs40min; moving average speed, 54mph. So there you are. And here I yam. A big bowl of Holly's fresh home-made chili, an equally-delicious 90-minute nap, and I'm back in bizness.
Brian is a Vanderbilt grad and, as a man of truly discriminating taste, also enjoys country & bluegrass and even knows of the Station Inn, a nondescript-looking but nationally-renowned downtown bluegrass haven here. The cultured among us will make our way down there tonight.
It will be frigid again tonight but then quickly moderate, with almost 60F on C'mas. The great Christmas Run-Up has begun!
The trip here was interesting, as expected, and went well. I rolled out at 3pm, spent 90 minutes having a supper of pizza and fro-yo at the Richmond Costco, and then got a nice 90-minute nap at the WalMart in Waynesboro, where I met up at 10pm with Rew & Corelyn. By then the winds were gusting to 40mph and temps were tumbling downward thru the 20's; putting the van on the dolly for the first time in these conditions was, well, interesting. It was so cold I decided to just leave the parking lights on on the van instead of rigging up the magnetic-mounts. After a quick trip thru the WalMart, off we went into the arctic blast.
Cor watched a movie on her laptop asRew and I talked about this and that. The miles rolled by and traffic was light, so I put the A/Bus on a long leash and let the gusty wind blow it around. We stopped about 0230 at a Flying J ($2.21/9!) and I refueled the A/Bus and the van in 13F and winds probably gusting close to 40mph. It was a near-religious experience.
My goal for the next rest stop was Kingsport TN and by 0330 we were there. Though the A/Bus is a bit drafty in extreme conditions like this, the twin furnaces kept us warm and I left the genset running on General Principles (diesels don't like extreme cold). RewCor burrowed into sleeping bags on the twin couches and I got a good 2.5-hour sleep before rolling out again at 0600. By 0800 we were in Knoxville and I enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Cameron and Linda Coates' home (Cor's dad) before rolling on in here. RewCor will roll on over Wed morning. Despite the extreme conditions, it was a glitch-free trip.
Fascinating/meaningless trip stats courtesy of my GPS: total trip time, 22hrs 30min; sit-time, 9hrs40min; moving average speed, 54mph. So there you are. And here I yam. A big bowl of Holly's fresh home-made chili, an equally-delicious 90-minute nap, and I'm back in bizness.
Brian is a Vanderbilt grad and, as a man of truly discriminating taste, also enjoys country & bluegrass and even knows of the Station Inn, a nondescript-looking but nationally-renowned downtown bluegrass haven here. The cultured among us will make our way down there tonight.
It will be frigid again tonight but then quickly moderate, with almost 60F on C'mas. The great Christmas Run-Up has begun!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Polar Express ~
The A/Bus is loaded with the booty from Santa's sack and the skies have cleared after overnight heavy rains. It's a sunny, breezy 45F here but will drop to abt 24F hereabouts tonite; the A/Bus will soon be rolling westbound into a midwestern arctic blast that will be short-lived but intense.
How intense? Well, my working plan is to overnite in a WalMart in Bristol where the low is scheduled to be 12F with strong winds. I've piled on some sleeping bags for The RewCor and drained the exterior water lines. I'll add some extra anti-gel to the fuel before shutting down for the night, and leave the genset running on General Principles.
I'm rested and ready; another thing or two and I'll be ready to roll. Diesels ho! Or make that Ho Ho Ho!
How intense? Well, my working plan is to overnite in a WalMart in Bristol where the low is scheduled to be 12F with strong winds. I've piled on some sleeping bags for The RewCor and drained the exterior water lines. I'll add some extra anti-gel to the fuel before shutting down for the night, and leave the genset running on General Principles.
I'm rested and ready; another thing or two and I'll be ready to roll. Diesels ho! Or make that Ho Ho Ho!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Shortest Day ~
Let me be the first to announce that starting tomorrow, we start to regain daylight day by day. In fact, here in the Burg, sunset has already crept forward from its nadir of 4:48pm to 4:52pm as sunrise gyrates around a bit (but who cares about THAT?).
I've been sitting here in the study with an eye on the Wx Channel and doing a little on-line preflight planning for the A/Bus cross-country to Nashville, which will unfold beginning tomorrow afternoon. As is often the case, our temps are a good 7-8F warmer than DC and so once again, we will be spared the mixed glop they will contend with up there and get only rain. That should ease off and conditions get blustery with a headwind for the trip, but nothing more than a few snow flurries and very cold westbound overnight Sunday. The plan is to put myself in a position near Fishersville VA by tomorrow eve so as to link up with the RewCor and put the van on the dolly for the trip to Knoxville, where they'll take the van off and spend some time with Corelyn's dad and stepmom.
On Wednesday we headed up to DC in two cars and rendezvoused at a motel on the north end of Old Town Alexandria, where we established our BaseOps for the day and then headed downtown to see the new US Capitol Visitor Center. It proved to be reasonably impressive and we took The Tour of the Rotunda etc for the first time in a few decades.
From there we headed off for another great dinner at Legal Seafoods and then made our way over to the Kennedy Center for the musical version of "Legally Blond," for which M had treated us to box seats in a box that proved to be next to Lynn Cheney's. Serious-looking Secret Service guys were much in evidence outside the box. The show was very faithful to the movie and was really very good.
We got out about 10:30pm just in time to get a phone msg from Rew that they'd been delayed out of LA and had missed the connxn to DCA and thus would be landing about midnite in Baltimore. We met them there and had a nice visit as we made our way back to Alexandria, where we sent them off to a friend's with the van.
I flopped into bed about 2am, a bit tired since I'd been up 'til 3am the night before finishing "The Longest Road Home."
Thursday morn we were up and out after a nice free hot breakfast, getting back in time for my last Club Board meeting which consumed the rest of the afternoon. M came down and we had a nice dinner efore heading back to get her packed up for an 0500 wakeup call for her scheduled 0700 flight to Nashville.
But at 0300 we got a robocall from USAir telling my bleary brain that her flight to CLT had been canceled and she would be rescheduled for a noon flight. So we slept in and hit Costco on the way to the airport where we had pizza for brunch. Livin' large.
I kissed my sweetie goodbye and headed home to work away at the Christmas cards, stopping along the way to get a haircut and copies made of the C'mas letter. By the time I got around to actually starting the cards it was 5:30pm and I finished as the clock struck midnight. Whew. I did a celebratory post office run at 1am, even though I knew the cards wouldn't leave the PO bin until today at 5pm.
This morning Peter and Pete came over for a trio rehearsal for First Night minus Greg, who was down with a nasty flu. When that was done, I headed out to deliver a few neighborhood presents and then went to the Chickahominy storage yard to drain the water out of CHALLENGER's engine. I was a bit dismayed to see how the dirt and mildew have once again taken over.
I then went to the RV storage lot to make sure the A/Bus would answer the call and swapped the tires from side to side on the tow dolly to address an uneven wear pettern. I then came home, changed into my joggin's, and headed out for 45 minutes, ending up back at the lot to bring the A/Bus home.
Thereafter I made an amazing discovery, uncovering a basso profundo operatic voice to rival the finest operatic stars here in Williamsburg -- right under Greystone's roof, in fact. To wit, moi. This revelation came as I realized I'd never really tried singing in the shower here and, with my bride almost a thousand miles out of earshot and Handel's Messiah rattling around in my brain, decided to give it a go. The commodious, all-tile rectangular enclosure proved most dramatically gratifying when I let fly with a few choice arias. Furrow the brow, drop the jaw, and Unleash the Thunder.
You'll just have to imagine it. You couldn't put a mike in there.
Time to tank up on sleep. Happy Sunday ~
I've been sitting here in the study with an eye on the Wx Channel and doing a little on-line preflight planning for the A/Bus cross-country to Nashville, which will unfold beginning tomorrow afternoon. As is often the case, our temps are a good 7-8F warmer than DC and so once again, we will be spared the mixed glop they will contend with up there and get only rain. That should ease off and conditions get blustery with a headwind for the trip, but nothing more than a few snow flurries and very cold westbound overnight Sunday. The plan is to put myself in a position near Fishersville VA by tomorrow eve so as to link up with the RewCor and put the van on the dolly for the trip to Knoxville, where they'll take the van off and spend some time with Corelyn's dad and stepmom.
On Wednesday we headed up to DC in two cars and rendezvoused at a motel on the north end of Old Town Alexandria, where we established our BaseOps for the day and then headed downtown to see the new US Capitol Visitor Center. It proved to be reasonably impressive and we took The Tour of the Rotunda etc for the first time in a few decades.
From there we headed off for another great dinner at Legal Seafoods and then made our way over to the Kennedy Center for the musical version of "Legally Blond," for which M had treated us to box seats in a box that proved to be next to Lynn Cheney's. Serious-looking Secret Service guys were much in evidence outside the box. The show was very faithful to the movie and was really very good.
We got out about 10:30pm just in time to get a phone msg from Rew that they'd been delayed out of LA and had missed the connxn to DCA and thus would be landing about midnite in Baltimore. We met them there and had a nice visit as we made our way back to Alexandria, where we sent them off to a friend's with the van.
I flopped into bed about 2am, a bit tired since I'd been up 'til 3am the night before finishing "The Longest Road Home."
Thursday morn we were up and out after a nice free hot breakfast, getting back in time for my last Club Board meeting which consumed the rest of the afternoon. M came down and we had a nice dinner efore heading back to get her packed up for an 0500 wakeup call for her scheduled 0700 flight to Nashville.
But at 0300 we got a robocall from USAir telling my bleary brain that her flight to CLT had been canceled and she would be rescheduled for a noon flight. So we slept in and hit Costco on the way to the airport where we had pizza for brunch. Livin' large.
I kissed my sweetie goodbye and headed home to work away at the Christmas cards, stopping along the way to get a haircut and copies made of the C'mas letter. By the time I got around to actually starting the cards it was 5:30pm and I finished as the clock struck midnight. Whew. I did a celebratory post office run at 1am, even though I knew the cards wouldn't leave the PO bin until today at 5pm.
This morning Peter and Pete came over for a trio rehearsal for First Night minus Greg, who was down with a nasty flu. When that was done, I headed out to deliver a few neighborhood presents and then went to the Chickahominy storage yard to drain the water out of CHALLENGER's engine. I was a bit dismayed to see how the dirt and mildew have once again taken over.
I then went to the RV storage lot to make sure the A/Bus would answer the call and swapped the tires from side to side on the tow dolly to address an uneven wear pettern. I then came home, changed into my joggin's, and headed out for 45 minutes, ending up back at the lot to bring the A/Bus home.
Thereafter I made an amazing discovery, uncovering a basso profundo operatic voice to rival the finest operatic stars here in Williamsburg -- right under Greystone's roof, in fact. To wit, moi. This revelation came as I realized I'd never really tried singing in the shower here and, with my bride almost a thousand miles out of earshot and Handel's Messiah rattling around in my brain, decided to give it a go. The commodious, all-tile rectangular enclosure proved most dramatically gratifying when I let fly with a few choice arias. Furrow the brow, drop the jaw, and Unleash the Thunder.
You'll just have to imagine it. You couldn't put a mike in there.
Time to tank up on sleep. Happy Sunday ~
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Gatherings ~
We've been enjoying the fellowship of the church and community lately, beginning with a grand Sunday Holiday Jazz Brunch with our dining-out group at the Williamsburg Inn, followed by our Sunday evening small group at which we screened the excellent "Nativity Story" movie/DVD, a faithful retelling of the Christmas story from the Zacharia angel visitation to the visit of the Magi, filmed in authentic mid-Eastern lands and lovingly told.
Yesterday M headed off for various errands and I enjoyed jogging a lap of the golf course in partial atonement for the outrageous over-eating of the past few days. The temps hit the low 70's as I then gathered the leaves from the deck and mulched the back yard while a large red-tailed hawk watched me from a fencepost. I ran some errands on BluZu and then finally had success in wiring up new triple 12v outlets in the van.
Again last night I was up 'til after 0100 reading John Grogan's "The Longest Trip Home," a compelling and enjoyable coming-of-age memoir by the author of the smash "Marley and Me," the story of his family and its dysfunctional dog. Both books have been kindly passed along to me by Martha Nelle and Marley will be next on my reading list.
It was a rainy, cozy morning and the day was mostly spent at desk tasks, including finally writing this year's Christmas letter and beginning to assemble and caption the year's on-line photo album. This evening's Gourmet Club gathering was very enjoyable, which was something of a surprise for reasons we can tell you about off-line.
Tomorrow the Christmas Gathering gets underway in earnest as The RewCor flies east to DCA where we'll meet them at about midnight. Prior to that we'll see the musical adaptation of "Legally Blonde" at the Kennedy Center and then spend the night in an Alexandria hotel. The kids will head off to spend time with Corelyn's family and will then travel to Brentwood with me Sunday night/Monday in the A/Bus; M flies off to BNA on Friday so as to be there for J-Man's birthday party on Saturday, the day Caroline drives down from Chicago. Yes, it's Complicated.
But fun! Can't wait to get it all started.
Yesterday M headed off for various errands and I enjoyed jogging a lap of the golf course in partial atonement for the outrageous over-eating of the past few days. The temps hit the low 70's as I then gathered the leaves from the deck and mulched the back yard while a large red-tailed hawk watched me from a fencepost. I ran some errands on BluZu and then finally had success in wiring up new triple 12v outlets in the van.
Again last night I was up 'til after 0100 reading John Grogan's "The Longest Trip Home," a compelling and enjoyable coming-of-age memoir by the author of the smash "Marley and Me," the story of his family and its dysfunctional dog. Both books have been kindly passed along to me by Martha Nelle and Marley will be next on my reading list.
It was a rainy, cozy morning and the day was mostly spent at desk tasks, including finally writing this year's Christmas letter and beginning to assemble and caption the year's on-line photo album. This evening's Gourmet Club gathering was very enjoyable, which was something of a surprise for reasons we can tell you about off-line.
Tomorrow the Christmas Gathering gets underway in earnest as The RewCor flies east to DCA where we'll meet them at about midnight. Prior to that we'll see the musical adaptation of "Legally Blonde" at the Kennedy Center and then spend the night in an Alexandria hotel. The kids will head off to spend time with Corelyn's family and will then travel to Brentwood with me Sunday night/Monday in the A/Bus; M flies off to BNA on Friday so as to be there for J-Man's birthday party on Saturday, the day Caroline drives down from Chicago. Yes, it's Complicated.
But fun! Can't wait to get it all started.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Yuletide Trifecta ~
We've dug into the Christmas season with a happy vengeance, heading up to the Winterthur and Longwood Gardens displays on Thursday and enjoying them despite weather that was, well, lousy, deteriorating to miserable -- heavy, sideways rain. But our merrye band -- us and two couples -- was undeterred and did most of what could be done despite the elements and enjoyed the cozy A/Bus as the elements lashed it. Doing the trip as an overnight deal was, I concede, a superior way to do it and the motel where our friends stayed was about 1000 feet from where we were parked in the Walmart. The sleeping aboard the A/Bus with the rain on the roof most of the night was sublime. I didn't mind the $2.36 diesel, either.
Then Friday eve we went to this year's Chapel C'mas concert, this being the first to be held in the new building. It was, in a word, spectacular, with full orchestra and really fine audio/video support. The place was packed out at 1600 people and the message was strong but winsomely stated.
Then this morning M&I helped escort recipients of this year's Kiwanis toy drive, wherein we (among many others) helped parents (mostly, but by no means entirely, minority moms) locate and choose gifts for their kids, $35/head. It's a wonderful thing to participate in and speaks very highly of the Kiwanis chapter M belongs to.
We had some mandatory dining minimums to eat away by 12/31 so we had both lunch and dinner at the Club today. Get the prices off the menu and it would be just like cruising. I've been binging on cookies, nuts, chips, you name it since the A/Bus rolled Thursday morning and I have the tight belt to show for it. We're going to a big holiday luncheon with our dining-out group in C/W tomorrow after church, which won't help things.
We put up the tree late this afternoon and the excitement is growing as we look forward to heading to Dr Brado's in a week.
Speaking of seasonal excitement, here is a dog who LOVES the snow:
http://www.dogwork.com/dogsnow/
Then Friday eve we went to this year's Chapel C'mas concert, this being the first to be held in the new building. It was, in a word, spectacular, with full orchestra and really fine audio/video support. The place was packed out at 1600 people and the message was strong but winsomely stated.
Then this morning M&I helped escort recipients of this year's Kiwanis toy drive, wherein we (among many others) helped parents (mostly, but by no means entirely, minority moms) locate and choose gifts for their kids, $35/head. It's a wonderful thing to participate in and speaks very highly of the Kiwanis chapter M belongs to.
We had some mandatory dining minimums to eat away by 12/31 so we had both lunch and dinner at the Club today. Get the prices off the menu and it would be just like cruising. I've been binging on cookies, nuts, chips, you name it since the A/Bus rolled Thursday morning and I have the tight belt to show for it. We're going to a big holiday luncheon with our dining-out group in C/W tomorrow after church, which won't help things.
We put up the tree late this afternoon and the excitement is growing as we look forward to heading to Dr Brado's in a week.
Speaking of seasonal excitement, here is a dog who LOVES the snow:
http://www.dogwork.com/dogsnow/
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Yuletide Express! ~
The weather forecast is for heavy rain changing to snow squalls with temps dropping from our present 65F here to the low 30's by tomorrow night. Sounds like good weather for our annual Yuletide Express A/Bus trip to Winterthur and Longwood Gardens, does it not? Yes, it does indeed. In fact, the two previous RV trips up there have featured similarly miserable weather, with the difference that until this year we've always done the round-trip in one long day. This time, our guests will stay at a Holiday Inn Express nearby whilst we snuggle down in the A/Bus. Ahhhhh.
This has to be at least 15 years we've been doing this annual trip. We might've missed one or two, but not many. It's a great way to mark the return of Yuletide acknowledge the passing of another year.
Speaking of C'mas, my stock around here rose immeasurably with the arrival of a White House C'mas card from George and Laura, addressed to moi! M used to get them for years while and after she was the Archives' White House liaison, but why I should suddenly pop up on their list of Worthies, I cannot imagine.
Meanwhile, note the total disintegration of the socio-politico fabric of Chicago civilisation after the Power Structure messed with Caroline. Mess with her karma and the whole machine flings itself to pieces. She, meanwhile, is working hard on a deal which will be divulged if and when it comes to fruition. Thursday is a Big Day for that venture and it is truly the Lord's work, so keep it in prayer.
Today is Holly's birthday! Woo hoooo! I'm sure they're out celebrating this eve, assuming Dr Brado isn't re-attaching heads down at the ER.
And I failed to acknowledge Lill's on Sunday, but far as I know she can't be bothered with her brother's blog so no harm, no foul. (I DID remember to note it to her privately, I hasten to add.)
Monday was the last day of my Agony & Ecstacy Writing Tour, finishing my ethics article at 11pm that came out at EXACTLY 9,500 words. When I saw it would be close (within ten), I trimmed it to hit the bulls-eye. That's like making a great landing when flying solo; nobody but the pilot knows, and that's more than reason enough.
Tuesday noon I did about 20 minutes' worth of solo caroling and song-leading for about 75 people at the annual GovLand Garden Club holiday party. Afterwards I foreswore a trip to Costco with M so as to accomplish a MUCH-needed task: cleaning out the garage, which has been a Vast Wasteland since this summer. Since the wedding, really. Whatever, it is now much better, that of course being a relative term.
While doing so I listened to a CD of an early-60's Kingston Trio concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium; the recording was semi-pro at best (it wasn't released as a record) and in overall effect it wasn't THAT far above one of our better Coachmen concerts.
Above, yes, certainly, don't get me wrong; I'm not delusional.
Okay, not THAT delusional.
Yuletide ho ! ~
This has to be at least 15 years we've been doing this annual trip. We might've missed one or two, but not many. It's a great way to mark the return of Yuletide acknowledge the passing of another year.
Speaking of C'mas, my stock around here rose immeasurably with the arrival of a White House C'mas card from George and Laura, addressed to moi! M used to get them for years while and after she was the Archives' White House liaison, but why I should suddenly pop up on their list of Worthies, I cannot imagine.
Meanwhile, note the total disintegration of the socio-politico fabric of Chicago civilisation after the Power Structure messed with Caroline. Mess with her karma and the whole machine flings itself to pieces. She, meanwhile, is working hard on a deal which will be divulged if and when it comes to fruition. Thursday is a Big Day for that venture and it is truly the Lord's work, so keep it in prayer.
Today is Holly's birthday! Woo hoooo! I'm sure they're out celebrating this eve, assuming Dr Brado isn't re-attaching heads down at the ER.
And I failed to acknowledge Lill's on Sunday, but far as I know she can't be bothered with her brother's blog so no harm, no foul. (I DID remember to note it to her privately, I hasten to add.)
Monday was the last day of my Agony & Ecstacy Writing Tour, finishing my ethics article at 11pm that came out at EXACTLY 9,500 words. When I saw it would be close (within ten), I trimmed it to hit the bulls-eye. That's like making a great landing when flying solo; nobody but the pilot knows, and that's more than reason enough.
Tuesday noon I did about 20 minutes' worth of solo caroling and song-leading for about 75 people at the annual GovLand Garden Club holiday party. Afterwards I foreswore a trip to Costco with M
While doing so I listened to a CD of an early-60's Kingston Trio concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium; the recording was semi-pro at best (it wasn't released as a record) and in overall effect it wasn't THAT far above one of our better Coachmen concerts.
Above, yes, certainly, don't get me wrong; I'm not delusional.
Okay, not THAT delusional.
Yuletide ho ! ~
Sunday, December 7, 2008
The Grand Illumination ~
It's a frosty 30F outside and dropping; the A/Bus is plugged in outside the garage and is resting after a day of providing warmth, hospitality and cheer for Grand Illumination Sunday.
I rolled out this morning by 0915 and got parked behind the DeWitt Wallace Musuem in the public lot. We unloaded all our stuff thru the loading dock and proceeded into the Archives-like security net, understandable since the museum is full of priceless furniture, art, art objects, etc. The theatre in this building is a floor down underground, which is interesting. After we got set up we were escorted back outside so we could move our vehicles over to the employee parking lot, which was a bit less convenient but more level.
We got set up and ran thru the set list together for the first time. "Virginia Sky" is renowned local dulcimer player Tim Seaman, a jovial and accomplished artist, his friend Ann Robinson, an harp and dulcimer player, and our own Peter Budnikas. They joined in on most of our numbers and we played on a few of theirs. The fit between the groups was quite good and we were comfortable with one another's stage "personas."
We soon learned all three shows (noon, 2:00 and 4:00) were expected to sell out, and did; when I asked for a show of hands re how many were from outside Tidewater about 90% of the folks raised a hand, a good sign for the tourist industry. Perhaps the tumbling gas prices are helping. The crowds were lively and responsive and our sets went well. In between we adjourned to the A/Bus where M had laid out a spread of delicious chili, chicken tacquitos, chips n salsa, corn/spoon bread, brownies, cookies, spiced cider, sodas, beer, wine, and a few other treats. "I feel like a rock star," said Greg.
We had nice chats with folks afterwards and when Tim showed up at the A/Bus after the last show, reported the Museum volunteers were telling the presiding officials that attendees were telling them this was "the best show we've seen in Williamsburg."
Several of our Sunday night fellowship group showed up as we'd urged and one brought a friend with a huge choclate lab. We chilled out until the 6:15pm fireworks and then made our way down to DOG Street to see the triple-whammy synchronized fireworks; the weather was cold and clear and the crowds were large and enthusiastic. Then it was back to the comfy RV to relax, nibble and let the traffic drain away.
Now we're home and I should be working on my article. So now I will. Happy Monday to all ~
I rolled out this morning by 0915 and got parked behind the DeWitt Wallace Musuem in the public lot. We unloaded all our stuff thru the loading dock and proceeded into the Archives-like security net, understandable since the museum is full of priceless furniture, art, art objects, etc. The theatre in this building is a floor down underground, which is interesting. After we got set up we were escorted back outside so we could move our vehicles over to the employee parking lot, which was a bit less convenient but more level.
We got set up and ran thru the set list together for the first time. "Virginia Sky" is renowned local dulcimer player Tim Seaman, a jovial and accomplished artist, his friend Ann Robinson, an harp and dulcimer player, and our own Peter Budnikas. They joined in on most of our numbers and we played on a few of theirs. The fit between the groups was quite good and we were comfortable with one another's stage "personas."
We soon learned all three shows (noon, 2:00 and 4:00) were expected to sell out, and did; when I asked for a show of hands re how many were from outside Tidewater about 90% of the folks raised a hand, a good sign for the tourist industry. Perhaps the tumbling gas prices are helping. The crowds were lively and responsive and our sets went well. In between we adjourned to the A/Bus where M had laid out a spread of delicious chili, chicken tacquitos, chips n salsa, corn/spoon bread, brownies, cookies, spiced cider, sodas, beer, wine, and a few other treats. "I feel like a rock star," said Greg.
We had nice chats with folks afterwards and when Tim showed up at the A/Bus after the last show, reported the Museum volunteers were telling the presiding officials that attendees were telling them this was "the best show we've seen in Williamsburg."
Several of our Sunday night fellowship group showed up as we'd urged and one brought a friend with a huge choclate lab. We chilled out until the 6:15pm fireworks and then made our way down to DOG Street to see the triple-whammy synchronized fireworks; the weather was cold and clear and the crowds were large and enthusiastic. Then it was back to the comfy RV to relax, nibble and let the traffic drain away.
Now we're home and I should be working on my article. So now I will. Happy Monday to all ~
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Been awhile ~
My, time has been slipping by since last I posted. My lack of industry has been due to a reasonably miserable existence: fighting off a mild cold and sinus infection while labouring away my days at the komputer, first writing my part and editing the rest of the 40-page LPBA Journal Winter edition, and then immediately swiveling the guns around to my semi-annual spasm of Ethics-article writing, with which I have a love-hate relationship. Make that hate-hate, come to think of it. It is tedious to research and only a shade better than that to write these 8,500-word tomes, which I then read as speeches. Attorneys have to get annual ethics hours and not many speakers are willing to do the talks, so I have a steady diet of three to four a year. Because this winter's two, LPBA and the Embry Riddle meeting, will be in Palm Springs and Orlando, respectively, I'm going to use the same one for both. Which is good, because the two papers and the winter Journal always come due about the same ttime. Sitting here for days with a sinus headache tussling with the sometimes-maddening speech-recognition software that enables me to crank these things out is not my idea of Fun.
Awright, enough griping already. On a brighter note, see:
http://wydaily.com/read_article.php?article=1453
This is a link to a review of the Three Jolly Coachmen library concert a couple weeks back; two affiliated local radio stations give away a free dinner and concert tickets to listeners who promise to write reviews of each. Not sure the second winner kept up his end of the bargain, but the first certainly did.
Tomorrow we do Grand Illumination Celebration shows at noon, 2:00 and 4:00 in a theater that is part of the DeWitt Wallace museum in Colonial Wmsburg, appearing in tandem with locally renowned musician Tim Seaman and his group October Sky, which happens to include our very own Peter Budnikas. We're each doing about six songs, all of ours being from the Trio's fabulous C'mas album, "Last Month of the Year," only one of which we've ever done on stage and none of which we've ever done with Tim et al -- as in, no joint rehearsal! I figger by the third show we'll have it sorted out. We're taking the A/Bus over as a hangout for the day, since M&I will stay around for the fireworks and festivities. After my hand cramps at the library shows, I've been snarfing down bananas like a crazed Curious George for two days and plan to shower in warm Gatorade in the morning. I shall be Mister Potassium, limber as a lemur.
In other newz, Ms Caroline is enjoying an extended Winter Holiday after her employer made swift, deep, unannounced layoffs mid-week due to the collapse of the financial markets in general and investment banking in particular. She is philosophical and resilient about it all, and this requires only minor revisions to her Life-Plan Spreadsheets, which of course account for the possibilities of the Viscissitudes of Capitalism. And most of the revisions will doubtless be positive, as the Lord has an amazing history of turning dipsy-doodles in her Road of Life into launchpads for her Next Big Thing. In the meantime, as she says, "I think I'll be doing a little more skiing than I'd planned." She's investigating opportunities in, among other things, "microfinance," a field which sounds like it would embrace my checkbook.
Andrew, meanwhile, is toning up his cerebral muscles as he prepares for grad school in January, and/but mostly winning kudos for his enthusiastic embrace of the job of running the Extended Allen Family Gimme-Christmas SpreadSheet, which documents the shamelessly materialistic side of Allen Christmas celebrations. I think his latest missive directed at Certain People who'd failed to provide their lists bears repubishing:
Hello there! How are you? That's good, moving right along, I want your lists. I want them bad. I dream about them, and then every morning I wake up, heartbroken at the knowledge that they do not yet exist. I know it's difficult to desire anything in life when you've already got me, but you have to try! I believe in you, Brady/Holly/Mom. I know you can summon up the requisite greed. Brady, get on Bass Pro Shops' website and don't leave until you start wanting things. Mom, go to a public library, I'm sure you'll have two dozen books you'd like to read in half an hour. Holly, are there really no chick flicks or horror movies that you simply must have? Is there no new music on iTunes?
We're a consumer economy, people, and our economy is in bad shape. Don't just do this for me, do it for America!
Right on, son! Boo would be proud.
Speaking of C'mas, I have noted here previously my infatuation with Roombas and the inherent risks of any male giving such an obviously kewl and useful gadget to his Significant Other unless he knows her really, REALLY well. This following link takes the consequences of a gaffe in this department to the Next Level:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2077360/video/R/CFD_1002/
Well, the grandfather clock has just chimed tomorrow in, so I'd best hit the hay. Happy Sunday ~
Awright, enough griping already. On a brighter note, see:
http://wydaily.com/read_article.php?article=1453
This is a link to a review of the Three Jolly Coachmen library concert a couple weeks back; two affiliated local radio stations give away a free dinner and concert tickets to listeners who promise to write reviews of each. Not sure the second winner kept up his end of the bargain, but the first certainly did.
Tomorrow we do Grand Illumination Celebration shows at noon, 2:00 and 4:00 in a theater that is part of the DeWitt Wallace museum in Colonial Wmsburg, appearing in tandem with locally renowned musician Tim Seaman and his group October Sky, which happens to include our very own Peter Budnikas. We're each doing about six songs, all of ours being from the Trio's fabulous C'mas album, "Last Month of the Year," only one of which we've ever done on stage and none of which we've ever done with Tim et al -- as in, no joint rehearsal! I figger by the third show we'll have it sorted out. We're taking the A/Bus over as a hangout for the day, since M&I will stay around for the fireworks and festivities. After my hand cramps at the library shows, I've been snarfing down bananas like a crazed Curious George for two days and plan to shower in warm Gatorade in the morning. I shall be Mister Potassium, limber as a lemur.
In other newz, Ms Caroline is enjoying an extended Winter Holiday after her employer made swift, deep, unannounced layoffs mid-week due to the collapse of the financial markets in general and investment banking in particular. She is philosophical and resilient about it all, and this requires only minor revisions to her Life-Plan Spreadsheets, which of course account for the possibilities of the Viscissitudes of Capitalism. And most of the revisions will doubtless be positive, as the Lord has an amazing history of turning dipsy-doodles in her Road of Life into launchpads for her Next Big Thing. In the meantime, as she says, "I think I'll be doing a little more skiing than I'd planned." She's investigating opportunities in, among other things, "microfinance," a field which sounds like it would embrace my checkbook.
Andrew, meanwhile, is toning up his cerebral muscles as he prepares for grad school in January, and/but mostly winning kudos for his enthusiastic embrace of the job of running the Extended Allen Family Gimme-Christmas SpreadSheet, which documents the shamelessly materialistic side of Allen Christmas celebrations. I think his latest missive directed at Certain People who'd failed to provide their lists bears repubishing:
Hello there! How are you? That's good, moving right along, I want your lists. I want them bad. I dream about them, and then every morning I wake up, heartbroken at the knowledge that they do not yet exist. I know it's difficult to desire anything in life when you've already got me, but you have to try! I believe in you, Brady/Holly/Mom. I know you can summon up the requisite greed. Brady, get on Bass Pro Shops' website and don't leave until you start wanting things. Mom, go to a public library, I'm sure you'll have two dozen books you'd like to read in half an hour. Holly, are there really no chick flicks or horror movies that you simply must have? Is there no new music on iTunes?
We're a consumer economy, people, and our economy is in bad shape. Don't just do this for me, do it for America!
Right on, son! Boo would be proud.
Speaking of C'mas, I have noted here previously my infatuation with Roombas and the inherent risks of any male giving such an obviously kewl and useful gadget to his Significant Other unless he knows her really, REALLY well. This following link takes the consequences of a gaffe in this department to the Next Level:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2077360/video/R/CFD_1002/
Well, the grandfather clock has just chimed tomorrow in, so I'd best hit the hay. Happy Sunday ~
Monday, December 1, 2008
Home again home again ~
Greystone Greetings after an 11-hour, 680-mile drive back from Bronwyn Manor, a drive which had its moments. We rolled out of Brentwood a few minutes behind Dr Brado, who was working the 0600-1400 shift today, and dropped ChiGirl at BNA for her flight back to snowy Midway. As we crossed the Tuthill Plateau between Nashville and Knoxville, there was a ten-mile stretch where the snow stuck to the roads and caused a few spinouts. The V-Van rolled on thru at 50mph and soon was back up to 72, knifing thru heavy snow squalls for much of the trip. Fortunately the strong winds ushering in the colder air were behind us, and the cold air petered out (as it often does) shy of Tidewater VA.
Saturday eve I ventured out with Caroline and several of her friends to a place that featured pool tables and, more to the point, ping-pong tables. After about an hour of singles and doubles play, we met up with Dr Brado and Holly down at The Stage on Broadway, a famous country music bar that was jammed with folks enjoying a great country-rock band. Afterwards we walked over to the famous Ernest Tubb's Record Shop and I bought a couple discs, introducing C to the pleasures of old-skool country artist Vern Gosdin on the ride home.
On Sunday we all went to the 0945 service at Brentwood UMC and then headed down to the traditional lunch at Dotson's in Franklin for home-style Southern cooking at its finest -- save for what was whumped up back at Bronwyn Manor. After Holly's lassagna Sat eve, M made a big barbeque feast for Sunday night, making pulled-pork BBQ with baked beans and scratch potato salad to die for. The caramel cake was divided up without fisticuffs and became nothing but a sweet memory. I have ballooned back to cruise-ship proportions.
Brady Ben and I shared some mutual snooze time Sunday afternoon, with me giving him a bottle as both of us nodded in and out of consicousness. Caroline has posted some more great weekend pix at
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=688725924&k=XXAXQVU3SZYM51A1YFW5S3
It was a wonderful visit. Just 16 days 'til Rew & Corleyn arrive start tthe C'mas fun.
Saturday eve I ventured out with Caroline and several of her friends to a place that featured pool tables and, more to the point, ping-pong tables. After about an hour of singles and doubles play, we met up with Dr Brado and Holly down at The Stage on Broadway, a famous country music bar that was jammed with folks enjoying a great country-rock band. Afterwards we walked over to the famous Ernest Tubb's Record Shop and I bought a couple discs, introducing C to the pleasures of old-skool country artist Vern Gosdin on the ride home.
On Sunday we all went to the 0945 service at Brentwood UMC and then headed down to the traditional lunch at Dotson's in Franklin for home-style Southern cooking at its finest -- save for what was whumped up back at Bronwyn Manor. After Holly's lassagna Sat eve, M made a big barbeque feast for Sunday night, making pulled-pork BBQ with baked beans and scratch potato salad to die for. The caramel cake was divided up without fisticuffs and became nothing but a sweet memory. I have ballooned back to cruise-ship proportions.
Brady Ben and I shared some mutual snooze time Sunday afternoon, with me giving him a bottle as both of us nodded in and out of consicousness. Caroline has posted some more great weekend pix at
http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=688725924&k=XXAXQVU3SZYM51A1YFW5S3
It was a wonderful visit. Just 16 days 'til Rew & Corleyn arrive start tthe C'mas fun.
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