Bless Your Heart, Welcome to Tennessee!

Our Tennessee visit was great!

Love Tennessee, love the Johnson City area, the open spaces and the farmland!

Most importantly was visiting and spending time with the family! To catch up, to celebrate - congratulations Maria & Kyle, to eat, to drink, to laugh and to cry. I cherish it all!

My cousin Loriann took us on a back road drive to the Nolichucky river to see parts of the area that was devastated by hurricane Helene just about a year ago.  One spot in particular, and the main reason for the drive, was to see where my Uncle Joe's ashes were scattered - what a beautiful and peaceful spot it is!

The drive itself brought back a rush of wonderful memories of times gone by, sitting in the jeeps passenger sit next to my uncle. Whether we'd be heading out to go fishing, running errands or just out for an adventure, those back road drives were something VERY special. The memories that came rushing back as we retraced and visited the area made me both happy and sad.

Back in the day and at the time I didn't realize just how meaningful and special these excursion would become and I'm forever grateful for the time I got to spend with my Uncle Joe and the memories I get to carry with me.

Loriann is a chip off the ole block without a doubt, except she drives those country back roads SO much faster than her dad 😁

Listen to Rodney Atkins - Take A Backroad

#Blessed

A Sprinkler Conundrum

Posting to get your thoughts on what appears to be a lawn sprinkler, that is recessed in a ground level green PVC pipe.  It's located in corner of the front yard of my daughters new house in Chicago.

It's the only one on the property and I was unable to locate any button or switch or spigot or anything, both inside the house and out, to control this thing.  Nor was there any way to physically raise the sprinkler up directly.

** Side note - look at how nice the flower bed is edged in the picture below <pats myself on the back>!

The yard itself is tiny, so this one sprinkler as installed would be sufficient to water the entire front lawn without any problems.

 The house was originally a one story house with a basement.  However, a second floor was added and the house remodeled from top to bottom, including a complete finish of the basement.  What I'm guessing is that this was installed BEFORE the house was renovated and during the remodel, the switch or nozzle or whatever it was that controlled this device was either removed or covered up with sheetrock and plaster.

It's unfortunate to lose the ability to control this but what worries me, especially residing in Chicago, is the winter and the very real possibility of the water line feeding this freezing and busting.  How would you know, assuming it wouldn't puddle?  Perhaps, a super crazy water consumption bill!

Any thoughts on how something like this can be troubleshot in an effort to locate a way to turn on\off or confirm it's still connected to the water lines?

SO weird!

I Survived The First Ever Chicago Dust Storm!

To get to the Cubs game on Friday afternoon, we walked from the house about a mile to the train station.  Took the train 3-stop, then hopped on a bus, which brought us close to Wrigley and then walked the rest of the way.  Other than the train and bus being jam packed with fans also making their way to the game, it wasn't a bad experience.

Of course we did the reverse heading back home.  We stopped at a sports pub a couple blocks from Wrigley, had a couple wobbly pops and watched the crowds walk on by.  Our plan was to stop at Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria restaurant for diner, which was located right across the street from the train depot.

As we were riding the train, all passenger cell phones started beeping with an "Emergency Alert", even mine, with a "DUST STORM WARNING"!  Yes, a first ever, rare dust storm warning for the city of Chicago -

The timing couldn't have been any better, as we got off the train shortly after the warning. The wind started to really pick up as we were walking towards the restaurant, and as we entered the front doorway, the metal valet stand literally blew over with a very LOAD crash -

A homemade chips and French dip appetizer, a 14" "House Favorite" Italian sausage, green pepper, pepperoni and onion pizza and a couple beers later we exited the restaurant stuffed to a windy light rain for a nice walk home. Avoiding getting stuck in the dust storm itself.

Here is a pic of what the downtown Chicago looked like at one point - 

A exciting way to end an absolutely perfect day spent with my daughter!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame...

I flew out to Chicago to spend a long weekend, and my birthday, with my oldest daughter and her fiancée AND to see their new house! SO exciting and SO much fun!

We went to Wrigley Field Friday afternoon - 

And took in a crosstown classic baseball game - the Chicago Cubs vs Chicago White Sox -

The Cubs won 13 - 3! -

It was a beautiful sunny day.  The seats, season tickets, were perfect! The beers were frosty cold and the Cubs are 2 - 0 when I attend a game a Wrigley!

Lunch At The Barn!

 I finally got to meet Wisteria, my nieces wild mustang, as well as the farm where she is boarded!

What a great place!  The owner is very personable, friendly and seems accommodating, a nice person.  The barn, the grounds and all the other animals he has, e.g. horses, sheep, pig, quineafowl, geese, ducks, chickens, pigeons, dogs and cats, is super nice and a relaxing place to visit and get away from the daily hustle and bustle.

My niece, Alyssa, has done a remarkable job with Wisteria!  Taking her from a wild (literally) animal; one scared, petrified, confused and wild to one that is now the complete opposite!  She is calm, relaxed, trusting and smart as a whip.  You can now saddle and ride her, well Alyssa can.  She's trained and responds as a dog would to many commands, e.g. does 'fist bumps' with her front legs for treats, will lay down when commanded AND is infatuated with my niece! Alyssa has a unique gift when it comes to animals.  She connects with them unlike most and they all respond in kind, it's wonderful to see.

We stopped at Publix supermarket on the drive over on Saturday to pick up lunch, some delicious subs and chips, and ate with a menagerie of critters, both next to AND on the table, GRRR -

Now, if we can just get my brother to stop killing flies, which were incessant, with the noisy, high pitched  handheld electric fly swatter. Oh, it needed to be done but Wisteria wasn't too pleased with the high pitched zapping noise the tennis-type racket was making when a fly would get stuck and sizzle away.

All in all I enjoyed the two days I got to spend at the barn!  Getting to finally meet Wisteria, interacting with the animals, YES, I even road a horse named Blue, but more importantly getting to spend the time with my brother and my niece and seeing just how happy they both were in that environment -

Agalloping Alyssa and Giddyup "Gassy" Gus

#Blessed

What The Flock (Pun Intended)?!

Here are some pics of the featured critters I encountered while in Miami -

White Ibis and Muscovy Ducks, which are plentiful.  Actually, the Muscovy are invasive and although cute, they're messy -

Egyptian Geese and White Ibis.  The Egyptian Geese are a unique and beautiful bird, however, they too are consider an invasive species.  They're known to cause significant damage in suburban areas, such as parks AND, like the Muscovy, their feces can be a major problem -

A Muscovy hen with her little brood!  One of several hens with ducklings loitering about - 

An Anhinga, sometimes called a snakebird AND not to be confused with the familiar Cormorant, preening itself while drying out after a swim -

Chickens and Guinea fowl -

A Salmon Faverolle rooster, so handsome!  The Faverolle is a French breed of chicken and one of only 5 breeds that have five toes on each foot!  Now you know -

Something about wildlife that you just can't beat!

Miami Here I Come!

Flew down to Miami a couple weeks ago to visit with my brother and my niece, Mel too!

Up at the ass crack of dawn to get the Logan Express bus out of Framingham, then onto the airport, yawn!

The bus was on time, TSA security check was quick and painless and I was at my gate with plenty of time AND without the need to rush!

It was a VERY chilly morning but a beautiful one, as you can see in the below pic of the city of Boston - clear blue skies -

The flight wasn't too bad, except for the typical herding of selfish, inconsiderate people both getting on and off the plane, but it landed on time!

First order of business upon my arrival, and being picked up by my brother, was a frosty wobbly-pop or two and some chow, a delicious burger -

Now for a week of warmth and just hanging with no agenda or care in the world, priceless!

#Blessed

Back In Time Of Sorts

For our stay in Tennessee, we rented an Airbnb in the town of Gray.

A turn of the century farmhouse on 3.74 acres. There was a cow farm on one side of the house with both black and white angus cows grazing, rolling farmland across the street and a small brook in the backyard. The wrap-around porch was great and the ideal spot for enjoying our morning coffee -

The inside didn't disappoint with it's original (creaky) hardwood floors, a big kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 3 fireplaces (non-working), all decorated in a farmhouse, country theme throughout -

One of the big bedrooms with full bath -

View looking back towards the house from just down the street -

The perfect spot for a taste of country living!

Here I Come!

And off I go!

Flew down to Johnson City, Tennessee for a week of R&R and to visit and spend time with family; long overdue time.

The week went by too fast but it was a fantastic week with many wonderful memories made!

I was up early on my first morning to take in the sights and sounds - the morning fog hovering above the fields with the morning dew sparkling as the sun rose.  Crickets chirping, cow mooing, roosters crowing but also the quite, serene calm all capped off with a beautiful Tennessee sunrise -

A covered porch with a front row seat to the sunrise -

Merica! 

SO thankful and SO blessed ❤

No Fuck's Given!

Me walking confidently into this long weekend!

Full Day of Fun!

Emilie and I spent this past Monday, 8/22, at Patriots Place in Foxborough.

We had lunch outside on the upper patio at CBS Scene.

We could watch as the transformation (to the left of the tower) was taking place.  The turf field was had been removed and the staging being erected for the Kenny Chesney Spread The Love tour that was scheduled for the coming Saturday 8/27

We bowled a couple games at Splitsville using the BIG balls!

Then took in The Hall at Patriots Place for a historical walk down memory lane for our New England Patriots.

We had a terrific day!

Miami Memorial Day Visit

Emilie and I flew to Miami for the long holiday weekend!

We drove to Marco Island for a couple days of sun, beach and fun!

Sand between the toes, cold bear in the cooler, warm Gulf ocean water, perfect!

Spending time with my brother and his family - priceless!

Wish JoAnne was with us and my dad was feeling better to join.

A Winter Palm Tree

Thanks Uncle Greg!

Emilie's palm tree has been potted up.  Although, I don't think it's too fond of this cold weather and snow and wondering what happened and how it ended up Franklin,

Newport Swordfish Tacos!

Swordfish tacos from the Barking Crab in Newport, RI, yummy!!

A frosty and delicioius cold beer to compliment my tacos, AW refreshing!

Followed by a stroll along the piers and shops!

"Vogue-ing" Out Two!

Here's Emilie enjoying the surf at Newport, Rhode Island's First Beach!

"Vogue-ing" Out

First Beach in Newport, RI

I'm not a big fan of ocean birds, especially the Seagull.  I see them akin to the dirty, scrounging House Sparrow, yuck!  That being said I found this Gull rather appealing and photogenic so I snapped a couple pics. Based on her look I'm guessing she new my ocean bird feelings and didn't stick around too long.

Lilliputian

 

It's tiny Emilie!