Back Home Again

Another 4th of July

Luckily, it rained a little bit the morning of the 4th.  So we were paroled from baling straw for a day.

The big event back home is the 4th of July Parade.  It is Americana at its finest; some of it, cringe-worthly.

Normally I try and find folks after the parade, which never works out.  People bolt after the parade.  This year I made my visitation rounds before the parade, and saw all kinds of people I knew.

My friend Nora texted me and told me she was over at a friend's house on Meridian Street.  So I sprinted over there and got to visit with three gals that were a year behind me in Catholic School:  Ann, Ann, and Nora.  The parade started and one of the first floats was the Knights of Columbus float.  Nora's dad, John, was supposed to be on it, but no sign of him.  Pretty soon, here comes John strolling down the sidewalk swigging on a beer.  I asked him what happened to his candy.  He said, "Traded the candy for beer."

I watched the parade from my friends' home right on the parade route.  They had tons of food as always, and a new bathroom on the main level.  A great addition for the parade.  

Afterwards I went with my brother to pick up my niece and ran into another girl who was a grade behind me from 4th grade on.  I had not seen her since 1979.

I went to visit some cousins in town after that and headed home.  I switched clothes and then headed over to the Herrs for the fireworks show. I hear that Dave Herr broke the record for the amount of fireworks sold at the Lebanon fireworks stand.  I'm not sure what he paid, but it was a spectacular show.  You could see them for miles.

Another great 4th of July in Boone County, Indiana.  Here's some photos (click to enbiggen):

1) Ann Herr, me, Nora, and Ann Spolyar...the St. Joe's kids.  Sister Benedicta would be so proud of us.

2) Some friends and neighbors of mine at the parade.  Believe it or not...they are smiling.

3) Another friend dressed up for the Boone County Historical Society.  Looking good, Mark and Dee.

New Years Day 2011

A new calendar is on the wall as I throw the 2010 calendar in the trash.  2010 was the year that Dad died and we put his house up for sale.  End of an era.  We did have some happiness in the family as two nephews got married this year.  I turned 50 in the summer and moved to Oklahoma in the fall. 

I hope that 2011 is a good year.  I could really use one. 

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!

Merry Christmas 2010

                                  

To all my blogging friends:  

Have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Veterans Day

Thank you!!!

4th of July, 2010

It was a hot one this 4th of July, not like the cold and rainy one we had last year.  I went to the annual 4th of July Parade in Lebanon.  Got to see lots of old friends (but just missed Nora) and really enjoyed the parade.  There was a nice breeze blowing down the street which made it tolerable. 

Afterwards, I walked over to my cousin's house about six blocks away, and they had a family gathering there.  Had a fun time trading stories with the cousins.  By the time I left there it was getting onto 6pm. 

I took some deserts over to a neighbor's house, ran back home, jumped into my brother's pool, then changed clothes to get ready for the finale:  a big fireworks show.  They used to have this show over at the neighbor's mother's house, but switched it to his house a few years ago.  The fireworks are at a safer distance than the old venue, where you came home with a few ashes on your clothing and hair.  Even though we had to fight the skeeters, it was a great fireworks display.  One of our local fireman helped set them off.

On the 3rd, my friends Chip and Susie had their annual pool party.  I drove down to Terre Haute for the festivites.  They ran out of beer early and had to run to get more.  There were jello shots (shown in a baby pool below) and pint-sized bartenders to serve them up.  They were promised tips but wet patrons usually don't have money.  Here's a photo of our gracious host showing off his buff physique.

All in all, I had a great 4th of July here in Indiana.  This will probably be my last one for quite a while.

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Father's Day 2010

Today is the one year anniversary of Mom's Death.  It's also my first Father's Day without Dad.  I heard from Dad's former caregiver, who called to see how we were all doing.  I told her we were all doing fine and just going through a lot of their belongings.

I spent most of the day hauling away hospital beds, a lift chair, and some other elderly equipment out of their house.  In the evening, I went to town for a bite to eat and stopped by the graveyard.  It's sad to be without them but I'm so glad that they are together again.  They were a great couple and wonderful parents. 

Happy Father's Day, Dad.  I miss you both!!!

Mother's Day 2010

This was the first year in my life that I didn't buy a Mother's Day card.  It seems very weird. 

I attended Mass by myself.  During Mass they recognized all the Mothers.  They also announced that Dad had died the past week.

After Mass I went by the cemetery and saw the fresh dirt next to Mom and Dad's tombstone.  It felt good to know that Mom and Dad are finally reunited.  They were a great team. 

Here's my Mother's Day posts from the past few years:  2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 featuring a tribute song. 

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  I miss you!!!

Another Irish Joke

An Irishman who had a little too much to drink is driving home from the city one night and, of course, his car is weaving violently all over the road.

A cop pulls him over.  "So, " says the cop the driver, "where have ya been?"

"Why, I've been to the pub, of course," slurs the drunk.

"Well," says the cop, "it looks like you've had quite a few to drink this evening."

"I did all right," the drunk says with a smile.

"Did you know," says the cop, standing straight, and folding his arms across his chest, "that a few intersections back, your wife fell out of your car?"

"Oh, thank heavens." sighs the drunk.  "For a minute there, I thought I'd gone deaf."

Have a great St. Patrick's Day!  Here's Johnny Mathis singing Danny Boy:

Valentine's Day

The day started off sunny; always a perk in February. 

In the afternoon, I went to the movies in Indy, by myself, and saw An Education.  It is nominated for Best Picture, so I didn't really know what to expect.  I've been burned before.  I really liked it.  It's the story of a 16 year-old-girl living outside of London in 1961.  Her parents have great hopes of her going to Oxford.  On her way home from school one day, she befriends an older man.  This fellow shows her the finer things in life and makes the girl question whether she would learn more in the "real world" rather than a formal education.  The casting was great and I loved the soundtrack.  I'm gonna have to buy it.

After the movie I went out to dinner at a Cajun restaurant called Yats (look for Nora's name in the link), by myself.  They normally aren't open on Sundays but were that day because of Valentine's Day.  They were getting ready to close, so I panicked and ordered something quickly off the board: maque choux (pronounced mock shoe) with crawfish.  I realized after I ordered it, that I'd had it before, prepared by real Cajun, and didn't like it.  This was excellent however; served more like an etouffee.  I'll definitely be going back.

Then to cap off the evening I went to Nora's annual Valentine's Day party, by myself.  I had a most excellent time visiting with Nora's friends and family (see picture).  Then later a surprise guest, Kim, a friend from college who I had not seen in about eight years.  Nora is good friends with Kim's husband, Joe, and they showed up at the party for the first time since I've been going.  Kim used to be married to my best friend from college.  We talked for about an hour catching up on each other's families.  It was a hoot.  Then I headed home before the next snowfall.

It was probably one of the best Valentine's Days that I've ever had.  I didn't even have a date.  I'm sure I had a better time than many guys on Valentine's Day.  

New Year's Eve 2009

Another year has come and gone, and frankly, I'm ready to close the door on this one.  We started out the year with Dad falling off my porch and breaking his hip.  It was a terrible year for the crops:  wet and cool.  Mom died this summer.  Not a fun year.

But things are looking up.  I'll get my AARP card in 2010.  Woo hoo!  Bring on the senior discounts!

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!