Christmas Time

Christmas dinner at the Sierra's was wonderful!  The decorations were beautiful, the mood was festive and the food was delicious, thanks to chef Luis!

Sister Barbara, brother-in-law Luis, good friend and former neighbor Grace and Lynn show the joy of the moment.

Sister Nancy and her husband Randy were there in spirit through this lovely flower arrangement.  Thank you!

Lynn's gift to me was this unique picture frame.  Zoe sent me the photo a while back.  Pancho and I spent many hours on the river, or sometimes in it, and this pic captures one of those moments so well.  RIP Pancho.  You were the best friend I ever had and I'll remember you always.

Thanksgiving: Family Portraits

Thanksgiving at the Crowder's is always a time for family portraits.  This year we were lucky to have Christmas decorations, as the holiday was so late in the month.  Many thanks to Trey, Barbara, Houston and Patrick for their warm hospitality and gracious sharing of their home.

 My oh my how the children do grow up.  I'm so proud of you two!

 Grandson Houston was complaining of tired jaws from all the smiling for pics.  So I suggested he frown for a minute and this is what I got.

 I sure do look short in this photo.  Could I be shrinking?  I doubt that!

There.  Now I look tall again.  But not for long next to these two!  Patrick and Houston, my two fine grandsons.

Portraits wouldn't be complete without Lynn and Tinkerbell, my close companions and fellow travelers.

I am truly thankful for all the wonderful people in my life.  These folks will be here in Florida after Christmas and I am so looking forward to that.  Along with the Sierra's, it will be quite festive I'm sure.  Oh yeah!  Life is soooo good!

Chapel Hill Redux

A recent stroll through downtown Chapel Hill had me looking for memories- for what has changed and what has stayed the same.  There wasn't much remaining of what was there '65-'69.  The sky is still Carolina blue and the Carolina Coffee Shop looks the same, although it was never one of my favorites.

The Carolina Coffee Shop

 Then I went looking for the Ramshead Rathskeller, knowing it was already gone but wondering what took its' place.  Boy was I in for a shock!

Stairs from Franklin Street to Rathskeller

entry door to Rathskeller

Looking right

Looking left

 It has been taken down to the dirt, literally.  I can only hope what comes next will be nearly as good as what I experienced during my days there.  Looking in, I could almost smell the strip steaks cooking on hot skillets and hear them sizzle;  the onions and fries making my mouth water!  The little salad was the only nearly healthy thing on the table.  And a cold beer of some kind, probably a Pabst Blue Ribbon or Miller High Life.  I didn't go there often, as it was usually beyond my meager budget.  But for special times or when I had a few extra coins, this was my favorite place.

Now known as Goodfellows, this was the entry to the Tempo Room, famous for Spartan sandwiches and ice cold beer.  It was crowded, smokey and my second favorite place to be.

Of course Thomas Wolfe was right when he said you can't go home again, but he didn't say you couldn't try ( or did he?  I tried to read that book and have yet to succeed.  Tree Climber, aka Wayne Caldwell, would know for sure.)

It is good to be here for a short while, enjoying the autumn leaves and cool breeze.  Oh yeah!

Remembering LaVerne

Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of LaVerne's passing.  On my calendar was the note "LaVerne's Day", and it was.  I thought of her all day long and it was good.  I didn't shed a single tear because all of my memories were of the good times and not the bad. 

Last night I drank some Hogue Riesling, one of her favorites, and watched the TV show "Glee" as they said farewell to Finn, the character who died in real life from an overdose.  It was fitting for me as I continued to say goodbye to this fine lady who was my wife, my lover and my best friend.  I still miss her and guess I always will. 

Lynn and I took a long walk in the Pink Beds yesterday and it was gorgeous!  We stopped a lot along the way and talked about "what's the main thing?"  What's the single most important thing?  Lynn has been searching for this answer since a horoscope brought it up last week.  So I've been trying to help her find her answer.  I found mine the day LaVerne died and it's still with me.

Feel God's presence.  That's my main thing.  And when I need that comfort, that support, that knowing that all is truly well, I'm still able to do it.  It was like a gift from LaVerne and what a treasure it is! 

On November 1st we're going on a Lazoom comedy bus tour to celebrate the Day of the Dead, followed by a bonfire at Hanger Hall, where the Leader of Ritual for Jubilee! lives.  This will be a new experience and I'm really looking forward to it.  We will send messages to those who have passed on and LaVerne will be at the top of my list. 

My therapist told me that my relationship with LaVerne would change and it has.  She is still a part of my life and always will be.  She taught me a lot and gave me a lot and I'm forever grateful. 

And so again this year I say "bon voyage baby!" 

Bell's

A quick trip to Windsor, Canada this afternoon scored 4 big bottles of Bell's scotch, my all time favorite.  It was introduced to me by Ted Hall, RIP, of Toronto back in the late '80's/early 90's.  Vern Nelson, RIP, former fine father-in-law, introduced me to Ted and we attempted to put together a business venture that looked a lot like modern day Windows.  We weren't able to make the venture work, but we had one helluva great time trying!  Me, Zoe, Vern, Ted and his wife Barbara had many fine times and more than a few scotches.  I can't remember if mother-in-law Marjean, RIP, was on those trips or not, but she hosted the Hall's in Raleigh several times. 

Since it isn't available in the states, the last time I enjoyed it was in London while there with LaVerne.  So this first drink is to LaVerne.  The next will be to Ted, and the following one to Vern. 
And Lynn is even having one as she said "not bad" after a taste instead of "ewweeee".  Oh yeah!  Life is so good!

Here's to LaVerne, Ted and Vern.  Three of the finest people I've ever known!

Michigan

 This beautiful waterfall is near the Gauley Bridge in West Virginia.  Wow!  What a nice one!

 Buck and Claudia's new home is undergoing a major renovation.  It's gonna be gorgeous!

 The kitchen-to-be.

 Our plan to dine on the boat and hear the America concert got sidetracked due to weather.  Oh well.  We still managed to have a terrific time!  Lynn and Claudia relaxing on the boat. 

Father and son, Carl and Buck, at the American Legion post Friday night.  I got to sing "Thunder Road" and "500 Miles".  We had a blast!

The Swimming Hole

 The morning of our departure, Tink was on the floor next to her bag of stuff whining, so I put it up on the chair.  The next thing I saw was this!  She definitely didn't want to be forgotten!

 Relaxing on Trey's new riding mower as we watched him cook on the grill.

 At the Crowder's favorite swimming hole near Cave Mountain Recreation Area. 

 Houston is ready to take the plunge...."3....2.....1....!"

 Leap!

 Everyone enjoying the warm sun and cold water.  And no, I didn't jump but I did get in and it was very cold...maybe even colder than Sliding Rock.

On the way home we stopped for ice cream and the guy offered Tink a cone of her own.  She loved it until she got down to cone level.  Then she stopped, started shivering and wouldn't eat any more.  Yep, we think she got a brain freeze and that was it for her and ice cream!

What a fine day with the family from Virginia.  Thanks to their very high speed internet, you are seeing this post.  Thanks Crowder clan!  Oh yeah!!!