To Vermont

Had to take a trip to Vermont last week to attend the Funeral of a great woman, my Great Aunt Fannie. She was 88 years old and died peacefullyin her sleep.

We used to spend a lot of time vsiting her when we were young, when my dad would have a three day weekend (every third or fourth weekend) we would head to Vermont and stay in the trailer we had in Whitingham and then to the much more cosy deer camp in Readsboro. Always spending more than a few hours visiting her in between hiking trips, swimming holes and whatever mischief my Brother Chris and I got into. She always seemed ready for company no matter who or when you showed up, there was always some sort of pie ready to be eaten. It seemed that dinner would magically appear only minutes after your arrival.

I never new the real reason why we went there other than that she was my grandmother's sister, until my wife started asking questions.

My Father was abandoned by his Mother when she went to Florida with her new husband, taking only my father's sister and leaving him with his abusive Father that used to hire him out and make him sleep in a chicken coop! He finally moved in with her and she helped him through his teenage years.

Anyhow we use to try and see how many times in a row we could hit the circle on that tin building across the street from her house, or the endless hours of tennis we played gainst the same building, man we must have drove the neighbors batty!

The news of her passing hit me really hard, yup I cried! She was more like a Grandmother to me and I feel guilty of all the times I went by her house and didnt take time for a visit, the main reason is I didn't want to leave, or say goodbye.

Well at least I have a little something here in Virginia to remember herby, her name is Faith Frances Alger,( I call her fannie) who is aptly named after my great Aunt.

Beautiful Black Dirt!

Finally had some topsoil delivered, got tired of trying to grow anything in this unforgiving red clay that seems to thrive here. It was some good hard work to spread it around and the whole family was involved. Although Faith enjoyed playing in her bare feet, kinda wish I did it too as she said "hey Dad it's really soft and squishy"Now lets plant some more grass seed and hope it takes root!

Florida/South Carolina

Went to Florida on Monday to visit Michelle's Mom and Dad, Her Dad "Pepe" has been diagnosed with lung cancer and we took the kids down for a quick visit before he started Chemotherapy. They live in an awesome over 55 park with a private pond with plenty of fish in it, which is where I spent a lot of time with daughter Haley who would fish every minute of every day if she could.

Anywho Michelle was able to take her Father to his Dr. appts. so her Mom could go to work. So I think we were helpful and it sure was Great to see them both.

We left Virginia with about ten inches of snow on the ground and when we returned today it was in the Eighties!!!!! Kinda sucks living in the northeast!!! LOL

My Pal Larry

When my Family and I decided what we were taking to Virginia and what we were going to leave behind, I lost BIG TIME! My wonderful Eight Point Deer Mount was going to cost too much to move, so we decided to leave it with someone who would watch over it. My friend Larry stepped up to the plate, and volunteered his home that sits on a little bit over an acre, but is surrounded by about 15000 acres of State Forest. Yes I am very envious of his living situation, which is another reason we moved so I could have some acreage and room to explore.

I don't think I will ever get it back because Larry has become somewhat attached to it! Actually it is a little disturbing, but who am I to say who or what someone can care about however twisted it might seem. These pictures might be a little disturbing so some Parental Guidance might be called for.

Mr. Mom

I have been with my children "alone" since Sunday when my wife went to Florida with her Brother Joe and Sister'n Law Sue to visit Mem and Pep.

It is going pretty well, everyone is still alive and hardly any injuries to report. I did have to go to the Doctor to get my blood pressure checked after what seemed like little birdies flying around my head. I made out Okay, still kickin. The kids have been living off of Hot pockets,Doritos, ice cream sandwiches, macaroni and cheese. All good American processed foods!

I did have a scare this afternoon after dropping Jake off at work, Haley talked me into stopping at Tuckers General store for a treat. I told her if Faith stays awake we will stop. Well Haley, like me will work very hard at something if she wants it bad enough. so we got to the store with Faithy Girl barely awake, I took her out of her car seat and she seemed a little groggy. Well I pointed her toward the store entrance and as soon as she opened the door and crossed the threshold she vomited right into the store!!! I love It!!!! At first I was thinking about what I fed her but then realized it was just motion sickness.

Have gotten some painting done which is nice to get off my hunny do list, but that is slow process especially with the help of a four year old.

Nice Weather

Got home from work early today, only eight hours, a short day. Got to do a little yard work, the temperature was 68 degrees here and more of the same tomorrow!!!! called Frito Lay in Connecticut to ask them if anyone was out on thier deck in a Tee Shirt drinking a beer looking over the Blue Ridge Mountains, Apparently no one was cause all I heard was, well I won't repeat it here.

Appalachian Trail

Had a nice ride up through the Mountains this morning with the Chillren (Kids). By nice ride I meant that no one threw up and that is always good! Passed by the Appalachain trail and stopped for a little lunch and Fun. Actually hiked on it a peice (about 200 feet, only 2099 miles and 5080 feet to go) Man I am beat! LOL

We have been pronouncing Appalachian wrong all these years it is actually pronounced "Appalatchian" That means for all you College educated people out there it is the word "apple" followed by "latch" and then you throw in a "ian at the end.

It was neat to see the other side of the Mountains, as we are on the eastern side of Mount Pleasant and we ventured over to the western side. Thought we would take a ride down the Blue Ridge Parkway but we found out it is closed during the winter! Still was a Great Day!

Had a couple of deer in the front yard this evening that we watched for half hour, Man Do I Love Living Here!!!!