Snow!

We had to get out the shovel and salt finally. Hershey looked a little lonely in the back so I let her stretch her legs while I replaced fuses in the Christmas Lights. I think this is the last year for the old C7 bulbs. LED is the way to go.

Hershey I don't know how long Hershey has to go. She is 12 years

old now and doesn't show signs of slowing down. Her days will be numbered if she doesn't give up digging in the flower beds. She's been around since before we moved here so I guess we're kinda stuck with her. We'll butcher out the deer hanging in the garage soon and she loves the scraps. More posting later.

Fort Wayne Traditions

We went down Wednesday night, the day before Thanksgiving with our friends to participate in the annual lighting of Santa. Luckily, we got in line to eat in Coney Island at 5:00 and got a table an hour later. The line wrapped completely around the side of the building and down Harrison Street. The crowd on Main totally surprized me when we came out of Coney Island.

Ethan is going for a lay-up here at Turner's Athletic Club. Thanks to everyone coming out and cheering him on. I owe Emily or Liz a whiskey sour, but we'll settle up before Christmas I'm sure. Ethan has shown some fire in the past few games. I especially appreciate the devious smirk after laying on a vicious "tomahawk style" foul in the second quarter last Friday. I am looking forward to posting pics of the deer jerky making to come, so check back in a few days.

Milestones in Renovation

I feel like we have actually accomplished something this year on improving the house. A new steel roof has been installed, along with a fresh paint job and new exterior lighting. We are still struggling with the back porch restoration after uncovering some structural damage hidden behind the bead board ceiling. That has all been re-fabricated and new electrical ran and is as good as new. We lucked out with a late season find of salvaged hard, red brick and antique glazed brownstone ornate brick. I now have a patio area suitable for hammocks or a fire pit. More pics to come.

HALLOWEEN

HALLOWEEN TRADITION

I just wanted to speed post a few pics of the kids carving their pumpkins.

I'll post some more after tomorrow night.

Auburn Fair 2008

As if I didn't get enough of dealing with jackasses during the day, I decided to hang around with a few last night. At least this one wasn't trying to explain away the feces lying around his living space. It was after noon and his breath didn't reek of alcohol and cheap menthol cigarettes either. Actually, it was quite refreshing making his acquaintance. He told me he had a pretty sweet part time job as a mascot for a certain county political movement.

The amazement continued in the dairy barn. This is the response when I told Ethan that the darker Holsteins are the ones that give the chocolate milk...

While some of us enjoy the annual trek through the livestock area, others in the family simply tolerate the experience with the promise of a bag of carmel corn, elephant ears, and a lemon shake-up. On the way home, we pondered whether there might have been a tattoo and piercing convention in town the same week as the fair. There seemed to be a significant population present who opted for ink instead of orthodontia.

Over the years, the Auburn fair makes me wish I had animals of my own. As I get older though, I sure appreciate getting up and throwing down kibble instead of feeding and caring for something like this. It reminded me of a book I would like to read soon. NPR interviewed the author who bought a New England farm and lived there with his Border Collies, donkeys, and sheep. It talked about how he helped neighbors bring home lost cattle at all hours with his dogs and the tranqiulity of the country. It also talked about

how his wife chose to live in town and only visit the farm. I guess I don't understand how that works. A marriage doesn't mean that you stamp out your dreams and toss them away, but

it doesn't mean that you pursue things exclusive of your spouse. Amy and I have had chances both together and separately to live in the country. I can honestly say that it has worked out great for both of us being "city slickers." I find that God provides what you need and lays the path in front of you. There is a reason that a lamp lights the path and not a spotlight. The light of the lamp illuminates only your next step and not the whole path. The narrow path is harder to negotiate sometimes, but eases up with a partner you love and trust helping you over the deadfalls and snags. It is 22 years ago today that Amy and I met at North Side's homecoming dance. We will celebrate that tonight by watching our oldest son wear his dad's number and continue the tradition, nourishing the turf at Chamber's Field with blood and sweat like so many others before us.

The roar of the crowd on Friday night, the wafting essence of charcoal smoke, and the cadence of the drum corps is my choosing tonight. Whenever the thought of country life creeps into my thoughts, a geriatric Border Collie with a wanderlust, roving packs of Shih-tzu's, and a cantankerous growling rabbit will have to satiate any underlying agrarian fantasies being conjured in my mind.

Johnny Appleseed Festival

Although I like it much cooler for Johnny Appleseed, Sunday's blue skies and gentle breeze made for a great day. The smells of wood smoke wafting through the park gave it just the right ambiance to encourage brisk sales for food vendors.

Here is the "Possum Lady" showing off her pet possum. She was perfectly in character as she
doted on her "baby."

Sofie tried hard to acquire an "objet-d'art" in this taxidermy specimen found in the antique area, but finally had to settle on a bag of carmel corn.

We finished up our tour near the Kettlecorn booth. Now, we can all look forward to a possible trip to the Auburn Fair and definitely Mississinewa Oct. 10,11,12th.

Platte River Float

We just got back from Northern Michigan. Its good for everyone to see a river where the bottom can actually be seen. This is Ethan floating the Platte out to Lake Michigan. For the last week of July, temps couldn't have been better.

Mayoral Thank You

Working for the City since 1988, I have seen a few swollen rivers. I have spent many nights with wet feet watching levees and swilling cold coffee. Mayor Henry is the first Mayor to actually acknowledge the flood fighters in a formal way. Thanks for remembering our efforts this year. Its nice to know that you matter. Let's hope this is the only flood fighting party Mayor Henry has to host during his tenure. Its no fun second guessing what Mother Nature.