November 30, 2006

St. Martin / Maarten

Boze and I have been here before. We booked the day trip to Orient Beach. What a beautiful place. Really windy. So windy that beach umbrellas wouldn’t stay in the ground. But, the wind kept us cool.

Lunch and booze was included in the trip to the beach. Wish we could have stayed there longer but the ship leaves (or rather left) at 1500.

Walked down to the au natural beach. Been there, done that, have the tee shirt.

Well, no tee shirts there.

I frankly don’t get what the big deal is all about. People have this fascination with nude beaches. So what?

Actually, it seems to be Americans that have this fascination with nude beaches. Europeans don’t. It’s just a beach. I don’t think I’d every go clothing optional, but I could care less if the couple next to me do. I mean, who the hell cares? Besides, after about 5 minutes there, you don’t even notice anymore.

Heading up to the pool in a few minutes for the “Pool Olympics”. All cruise lines do that – it’s a lot of fun to participate or watch.

For the very first time I have second seating dinner. I hate it. Much too late. That will never happen again. DB has early seating so he’s not with us. One of the best parts of a cruise is meeting for dinner and talking. JN, DB and I all wish we were eating together. We might order room service and eat in D’s room tonight. He has a suite on the concierge deck and it has a dinning table.

The dinning mix up is the only blemish on the trip – but everything else has been a blast. We’re all having a great time.

Heading towards Nassau through the Bermuda Triangle tonight and tomorrow. The Captain has instructed us to watch for flying saucers. If any are sighted we are to call the bridge immediately. They might be some of his Norwegian relatives trying to visit the ship.

Oh cool. Nuke just came in the room and set down a mug of beer on the desk beside me. Don't know if the beer is for me or if he was just setting it there. But, he's in the bathroom taking a shower and this beer sure is good.

Hurdy Gurdy.

November 29, 2006

Today's port was St. Thomas, USVI. Took a scenic drive around the island which I’ve done before but glad I did again. This is a very beautiful place and worth seeing again. Didn’t spend much additional time ashore. Kind of hung around with Boseman and JN and talked and stuff.

I’m now reading A Man In Full. From the start – I’m hooked. It’s a great feeling when you’ve started a book and you know right off that it’s going to be a pleasure to read. I’m not necessarily a Tom Wolfe fan – in fact – Bonfire of the Vanities is way overrated. But I can tell already this book is going to be great.

Antigua

Yesterday’s port was Antigua. Also a very nice island. The 3 of us took a cab by ourselves and it was more like having a visit with a friend. Instead of the usual pre-planned stops and canned monologue, we talked about everything under the sun with the driver – his family, politics, jobs, work, etc. Once he figured out what we were interested in, he took us to places he though we’d like. Plus a stop to a local drug store so N could pick up some inexpensive sun glasses instead of the overpriced tourist places.

Tonight we’re having an unexpected bonus – since the trip to tomorrow’s port (St. Marteen) is so close – the captain has decided to stop at St. Croix. As I write this, the captain is announcing that we’re pulling into the harbor right now (7 PM) and will leave around midnight. Heading to dinner for a rushed meal and then off the boat for a while. What a pleasant surprise.

BTW – if you know me – ask me about the Captain.

You don’t get to be a Cruise Ship Captain without being at the top of your game. They all have distinct personalities that you get to know from their announcements. This guy – well, lets just say – he likes to talk. And personality wise - he’s a trip. A very geeky loveable trip. Don’t forget to tell someone today that you love them. Hurdy Gurdy and kiss kiss kiss.

Addendum

Since it was late – the only thing open in St. Croix were a couple of bars. We went to the one that looked the worst and settled in for a little local color. They had the UNC – Ohio State basketball game on and we were able to watch the first half.

Back on ship at 2330 and the ship pulled away at midnight. Stopped by the pool party for a drink and then off to bed.

Tuesday Morning

Having a great time. Yesterday our port was San Juan, PR. That place is crowded. 5 million people on an island about the size of Connecticut. Too many people and not enough jobs. Of that 5 M, I was told about 1 M are there illegally, using PR as a jumping off place to get to the US.

Today we stop at Antigua. We plan to rent a car or, more likely, get a cab to take us to English Harbor to Nelson’s Dockyard.

DB and I like the historical stuff. JTN seems to like just about anything as long as he’s not bored.

JN is adapting well to the cruise ship life. There are 12 bars on board and a captive audience of 2,400 passengers who are having their first opportunity to be enlightened by his political and religious insight. LOL

The cliché is to travel with someone is to really get to know them. I’m happy to report that Nuke is a good cabin mate. Even in such a small room as a ship’s cabin, we seem to naturally be able to move about without getting in each other’s way. Also, when 2 people keep such different hours, that’s usually a cause for friction. In our case, it’s a good thing. I’m up early so I get to do things like shower, have coffee, write blog entries and then out the door to meet up with DB for breakfast. N is a late morning and late night person so we’re not contending for the bathroom or computer at the same time. We’re also both pretty sound sleepers so we tend to sleep right through the other person’s coming and going.

Speaking of breakfast, DB just called and is ready to eat.

BTW #1 – due to the unbelievably slow connectivity – I’ll be updating this week’s blog entries later with additional narrative and photos.

BTW #2 – from the ship’s library – In The Presence of Mine Enemies by Harry Turtledove ranks in the top 10 of the worst books I’ve ever read. Make that top 5. Considering doing future passengers a favor by tossing it overboard.

November 25, 2006

First day on a cruise vacation. Friend DB and roomie JN also came along.

Weather is great. Typical first day on board. Trying to find my way around, checking out the ship, the usual stuff.

This is JN’s first cruise. I think he likes it. Beer is kind of expensive on board. Each beer cost as much as a mixed drink. I think Nuke is going to pay for the ships fuel oil bill with his bar tab. LOL

Tomorrow will be a day at sea so they’ll be a lot of shipboard activities.

Decided to get the in cabin internet service. Unlimited dial up service for the week for $75. Not bad considering the other option of paying by the minute at 50 cents per minute. Since it’s sloooooow telephone modem and satellite uplink – unlimited is the way to go. Especially since Nuke demands to be in touch with the internet world.

Since the connection is so slow, I'll have to add photos later.

Nuke downloaded a bunch of music before we left which is really nice. I love music and I miss it when I don’t have it.

I just got back in the cabin and am going to turn in. Pretty tired as we got up this morning at 4:30 to catch our flight. Just spoke to DB, he’s turned in for the night as well. We’ll meet up for breakfast in the morning in the main dinning room.

Nuke will likely stay up late in the disco.

Doubt we’ll see him for breakfast.

From The Earth To The Moon

Apollo 9 Mission Testing LEM 3

I've watched through hour 6 (of 12) of the HBO series From The Earth To The Moon. 4 stars. What an excellent series. Each episode was written and directed by a different team. Each episode focuses on a different part of the NASA effort so it's not necessarily in chronological order. Surprisingly, the most touching episode so far has been about building the Lunar Module. Tom Hanks was the producer. Very highly recommended.

One Year

I started this web log / journal on November 16, 2005.

Thank you to all who have read my blog.

Jump Bump

Roommate and a friend (DS) went sky diving today. I decided to stay around the house instead. They left for Raeford Jump around 0700. Around 1500 I get a call. Nuke’s had an incident but everything’s ok. His shoulder is completely dislocated.

Debrief

After leaving the plane (14,000 ft.) Nuke’s instructor, per protocol, had hold of Nuke’s left arm. There was some turbulence or bumping, and Nuke’s shoulder gets pulled out.

At around 6,000, in pain, Nuke waves off, too high of course. Instructor waves off the pull. Nuke can feel his shoulder grinding and is in intense pain – waves off again and pulls.

Nuke handles both controls with his right hand and makes a pretty good landing.

Since Raeford Jump is heavy on the military side, there were a couple of Secret Squirrel and Special Forces medics on hand and they attempted to put things back together using the hard board and weights. Nuke, who never complains about pain, was hurting bad enough that he said the hell with field medicine, after all, this isn’t a combat zone and time to go to the hospital.

I get the call about 1500 from the emergency room and head down to the hospital in Pinehurst. The doctors put the shoulder back into place, some follow up x-rays and we just got home.

Today, BTW, was DS’s very first jump.

DS was ecstatic – as expected. He says he’s going again.

Sky diving is perfectly safe. The fact that Nuke’s minor incident ended completely well is testament to that.

Proper instruction and training is the key.

If you ever decide to try sky diving, rather than learning at a place that is populated by Extreme Sports Junkie types – go to a place that is associated with the military. At a military staffed jump center - everything is done BY THE BOOK.

In North Carolina – the place to learn is Raeford Jump.

It doesn’t get much better.

I didn’t think to bring the camera to the hospital. That photo would have been much more impressive with the IV’s and equipment and such.

Trite, but . . . .

This is trite, and in the great scheme of things, who cares about television? But . . .

A friend came over for dinner last night and brought the first season of Desperate Housewives on DVD.

I never watched it because I figured it was another idiotic soap opera like Morose Place or Dawson's Crap.

Was I ever wrong.

Yeah, it's a soap opera - but it's side splitting funny.

I'm hooked.

The writing is perfectly droll.

My favorite is the mother of the twins and my second favorite is the Latin hottie.

What a funny, funny show.

Couch Potato Day (potatoe if you're Dan Quayle)

NC State and UNC kick off today at noon. Despite both having beyond dismal records, today’s game will be intense for players and fans alike.

UNC coach John Bunting will be replaced by Butch Davis at the end of the season. I hope Coach Bunting stays with UNC in an administrative capacity. He’s a true blue UNC man. I wish he had more success – just not against NCSU. Davis has the potential to take UNC to national levels – just like he did at Miami. Hmmm – ominous clouds on the horizon for NCSU.

NCSU coach Chuck Amato is under increasing pressure due to our lofty ambitions and expectations and less than lofty results. I’m an ardent Amato supporter. I think he can, and will, take us to national heights in football. But for some reason, it just hasn’t happened so far. True, his second season was outstanding with the win over Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl. But our winning seasons have been barely – and come from behind. We need to be dominating – not squeaking by.

I too am getting antsy. I want NCSU to regularly compete for the ACC Championship. I want NCSU to go to a BCS Bowl on a regular basis. I want NCSU to play for a National Championship. I want NCSU to reach football dynasty level.

In spite of this year’s record – I see huge potential for next year. Save one, our loses have been by 8 points or less. We’re in every game. Graduation losses will not be much. We have the potential for a break out season next year. And we’d better do it. Butch Davis will be in town starting next year – and he ain’t gonna sit around with his thumb up his arse.

Both teams are playing for pride only. That’s all that’s left of this year’s season.

Mid-afternoon – Number 1 Ohio State and Number 2 Michigan play in their last game of the season. Winner goes to the National Championship Bowl – but hey – isn’t the whole idea to get numbers 1 and 2 in a matchup?

Well, here it is baby (thanks Dick Vitale).

Family and I and good friend Chip went to the NCSU at OSU triple overtime game a few years back.

WOW!

Those people in Columbus take their football very seriously.

We had a great time. So much so that we were somnambulant the next day (inside joke).

NCSU and UNC are traditional rivals. Of course, Michigan and OSU are one of the great rivalries of all time. I saw tons of anti-Michigan t-shirts at the game we went to. Some were hilarious but I can’t repeat them here on a family prime time blog. One I can report was: “Anne Arbor is a Whore”. You get the idea.

Condolences to Michigan fans on the loss of Bo Schembechler.

Tonight, Wake Forest plays Virginia Tech. Wake is having a super season. They are 9 – 1. I hope they’re 10 – 1 after tonight (sorry niece – gotta pull for Wake).

Just in case you couldn’t tell – I really enjoy college football. I’m just as nuts about college basketball as well. The NCAA tournament is something I look forward too all year.

Time to build a fire in the fireplace.

Y’all have a good day too.

Addendum

Family blog to the wayside – here’s the NC State abbreviated version of Carolina’s alma matre and fight song:

Far beyond west Raleigh’s ditches lies a place called Hellllllll
Where ten thousand sons of bitches call it Chapel Hill

Oooooh

They’re bastards born and they’re bastards breed
And when they die they’ll be bastards dead

So piss on Carolina ‘lina
Piss on Carolina ‘lina
Piss on Carolina ‘lina, go to hell heels . . . .

Wake Forest suuuuuucks

PS to the Addendum

UNC 23 - State 9

It was 16 - 9 with 2+ minutes left. State had the ball and looked to make another 2 minute drill to score. We fumbled and Carolina recovered in our end zone for the final touchdown.

Sigh.

Weekend Update + Addendum

State lost another close game yesterday to Clemson. It’s official, we have a losing season. I still think the team is on the verge. There aren’t that many seniors so with the returning players; we should have a very good, possibly great, team.

Basketball started. I have given away my tickets so far since the games have been during the weekdays. We play Valparaiso soon which will be the first real test. It’s going to be a couple of years rebuilding to see how Coach Lowe does in recruiting.

Watched Walk the Line last night – 3.5 stars. Watched Animal Farm today – 3 stars. Actually better than 3 stars for the way it combined people and animals but I somehow just couldn’t quite get into it. JTN really liked it and said I should rate it higher.

Monday Evening Addendum

Just got back from seeing Borat at the theater. It's pretty rude. If you like South Park humor, you'll like Borat. I laughed pretty hard but was also very uncomfortable at other times. 3 stars - but - I will not recommend it to anybody.

Here's an observation: brother Chuck and brother-in-law Chuck will both like it a lot. For totally different reasons.

:-)

Veterans Day 2006

CPT

The Carnivore Preservation Trust (CPT) rescues large cats and provides a natural habitat for these abused animals to live out their lives. If you are ever in the Triangle area – you owe it to yourself to visit. They conduct weekend tours and your visit will be much more meaningful than a visit to a zoo.

Did you know that there are more large cats in captivity in the USA alone than exist in the wild in the entire world?

Went to a fundraising luncheon today held by the CPT. It was held at the Capital City Club located on the 21st floor of the Progress Energy Building.

A couple of observations: First, I thought that it would be a lot larger in terms of invitees. I figured with the CPT operating budget needs that they’d have invited, like, 300+ people. Instead there were fewer than 100 people there – and about one third to half were CPT workers / volunteers to cater to the invitees. Second, I think they mistook me for someone who has money.

Clues were the small number of invitees and the fact that the fund raising forms handed to us had places to fill out that started at $1000 per year pledge for 5 years and topped out at $10,000 per year for 5 years.

Yikes!

Considering that my rough estimate is that it costs the CPT well over a Million per year to operate, the requests were well within range – IF – the invitees were well heeled.

Good Lord, I’m nowhere near that category. I hope my small check helps.

I offered to give them my temporary roommate, JTN (aka JFC) as volunteer slave labor, but they declined.

I probably won’t get invited next year.


Vietnam Memorial

Next, we (JTN and I) picked up a friend and went to see the traveling Vietnam Memorial.

I could write a lot. But I think it’s appropriate to simply say that it is very dignified, moving and wonderful that this non-profit organization brings the memorial to those who don’t have the means or opportunity to visit the actual memorial in DC.

It will be suitably lighted tonight as they keep it open and staffed 24 hours a day till the closing ceremony (tomorrow at 1330}. I was told that they do that as there are many people who prefer to visit when it’s quiet and not very many people around.

Veterans Day

Thank you Dad - WW II.

Thank you Grandpapa - WW II, Korea, Vietnam.

Thank you Uncles A and O - WW II.

Thank you to JTN - Bosnia–Herzegovina, Kosovo, Iraq.

A sincere heart felt thank you to all active service men and women and Veterans.

A closing thank you to the friends and family of those who are currently serving or have served.

Weekend Update

It’s Sunday morning and I’ve got a cozy fire in the fireplace. Not really cold enough outside for a fire but, it’s a Sunday, so why not laze around.

Actually, I’m gradually tidying up the house and getting weekend chores done.

Slept in a bit since I didn’t get home till midnight from the game.

Football

State lost a close game to Georgia Tech last night. GT shut down State’s running game and their QB, running back, and wide receiver had career stats in their win. Still, State was in the game and leading in the second half.

Penalties and ineffective blocking for the running game kept our offence from moving the ball and scoring when we had the chance.

Highlight of the game was the nifty 95 yard kick off return TD by State on the very first play of the second half.

It was cold – below freezing I think by the 4th quarter. In fact, I was ready to scoot when GT scored the final touch down with about 6 minutes left – but the rest of the guys wanted to stay. State was down by 8 and it was still possible we could mount a comeback with the time remaining.

That’s the one great thing about this year’s team – it’s always possible that we’ll win even being behind late in the game.

I’m glad we stayed. The players deserve that at the very least. They played hard through to the end.

Unless the world ends, GT will be in the ACC Championship game. They’ll likely face Maryland or Wake Forest.

Check that – Wake Forest?!?

Yep, the Demon Deacons are my pick along with GT to be in the ACC Championship Game. Winner goes to the Orange Bowl. What a wacky ACC football season. Odds are GT will play in the Orange Bowl – but wouldn’t it be cool if Wake Forest got there?

State will have a losing season.

However, there’s a lot of talent on the squad; there won’t be that much loss due to graduation, and I honestly think that with the experience these kids are getting this year plus the fact that this season we’ve been right on the verge of of breaking out – that next year – State should be a force in the ACC.

This was the last home game for me this year. There is one final game Thanksgiving weekend but I’ll be on a cruise ship vacation so I’ve given away the 4 tickets to a friend at work. That game will be against ECU, which State has always had a heated rivalry. They should see an exciting and emotional game.

International Festival


Went to the International Festival earlier in the day. Had a good time but I wish I had been able to spend more time there watching the on stage performances. Dorton Arena was packed. In fact, it was too crowded to comfortably move around and get to see the exhibits and such.

There was also a model train fair going on at the State Fairgrounds (along with the usual huge flea market) so the whole grounds were packed and parking was difficult.

It would be nice if there could be one admission price to cover everything that was going on instead of having to pay a separate admission (and the standing in line for tickets) for each event.

BTW - check out the Festival posters on their web site. They're done by local artist Bob Rankin. I really like his work.

Movie

Between the International Festival and the game – went to see Flags of Our Fathers. Good movie – 3.5 stars. I hardly ever go to see movies in the theater anymore. I usually watch DVD’s so I was a little surprised that matinee prices are up to $6.50.

Also finished watching Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy on DVD Friday night. It’s a BBC series produced in 1979 and is simply great - 4.5 stars. I don’t think the book could have been transformed to the screen any better than this.

Miscellaneous

I’ve installed the new versions of both Internet Explorer and Firefox. I like the new version of IE. Seems to be a bit cleaner – which is the best I can describe it.

FF 2.0 is a bit squirrelly and has a tendency to lock up. Sometimes when I close it out it doesn’t want to really quit and later when you try to open it up again – it claims that an earlier session is still running when it’s nowhere to be found.

I’d recommend waiting a month or 2 before upgrading either one to give the code geeks time to get the evident bugs worked out – which they will.

Fall 2006

This entry is spur of the moment. I will edit it for clarity in the next day or so.

A Colorful Fall

This is the road leading to my house with this year's fall color. Photos were taken on a very overcast Halloween. When the sun is out, the colors are brilliant. I may replace them if I get a sunny day this weekend.

A Tragic Fall

My parents lived in Smithfield VA through their retirement. They had a wonderful cadre of close friends and neighbours.

Mom died in an automobile accident in 1999. Dad had suffered a brain tumor in the mid 1970's and there was enough damage along with later congestive heart failure that he needed full time care and companionship.

Dad was adamant that he stay in Smithfield.

No damn way he was going to move.

So - My sister drove from NoVa to Smithfiel every week.

The weekends were split between myself and my brother and sister-in-law.

Our care for Dad morphed into social events for the neighbourhood. M (sister) hosted the weekly 'movie' night - videos at our house.

Weekends with Dad were spent on outings which usually involved neighbours as well.

To top it off - Dad was always well watched over by the neighbours.

I don't mean the casual type of stuff.

Dad was pretty much occupied all the time with the neighbours. They'd come over, drag him over to their homes, take him around to whatever was going on in town and just generally kept him going full speed.

Well, full speed for a bunch of long retired folks!

This past weekend one of Mom and Dad's closest friends died an accidental death.

Jinx fell while visiting her grandson in NC and suffered a heart attack.

The following is my sister's email to family and friends.

It is posted without asking permission.

In fact, M will see that I have taken the liberty when she reads this blog. [note - approved by sister]

Jinx's death is certainly sad - but do not take this post as sorrowful.

In small and large daily happenings, I am constantly reaffirmed by the fullness and goodness of life amongst caring compassionate people.

I've copied M's email directly with only paragraph formatting and replacing last names with initials.

Email From My Sister

Starting yesterday before dawn, I drove the 3 1/2 hours down to Smithfield, Va. easily and uneventfully. Even the bright fall leaves on routes 5 and 10 provided pleasure. There were enough roadkill deer however lying on the roadsides to keep me ever-alert.

Finally, enough time has passed that I could again enjoy a journey to that town which I had once grown to loathe (as I calculate, about 175 round trips between March 1999 and August 2004.)

I thought about Jinx P, who died so unexpectedly on Saturday, and to myself, composed salient thoughts should people be invited to speak from the mourners (They were not.)

I arrived at Smithfield Baptist Church in time for the morning visiting and to stand in the receiving line for John and his family, strolling first un-accosted by authority figures through the attractive pre-school section (My, how different things are there from here!)

Services began at 10 a.m. presided over by two ministers including the Rev. Don R (good gosh, he greeted me by name--poor man--seems he always manages to mention how Mom and Dad (and by extension, I!) were not the "passive" people he was used to. We shared a laugh over his confession. I hope he doesn't lose too much sleep over it.

I told him that I didn't recall his words at Mom's service, but if they were like the ones he used for Jinx, then they had to have been well-chosen. I told him though that I remembered well his sermon on that Easter Sunday, just days after her death, to which I had gently ushered Dad.

The church was very nearly a packed house yesterday.

One thing that's new: A few establishment-looking African Americans in attendance, including two who are deacons there.

One hymn was sung by the congregation (a favorite of Jinx's who was a member of the choir) and another song by a soloist that seemed to have a contemporary Irish lilt that brought tears to everyone's eyes.

Berta D and Barbara E were there. They told me that Don and Betty P were there, but apparently after the visiting hour, they had taken their leave, as I did not spot them.

John was so pleased to see me (and everyone.) Then he told me how while down in Boiling Springs, NC, he was visited in person and offered help by Bruce M. It made a tremendous impression on him at that vulnerable hour. He couldn't believe I had known someone down there, where he and Jinx had gone to see a grandson play in a football game.

Today, I will write Brenda (who wrote down the details) and Bruce to truly thank them for the time and spirit they extended to John at the hospital. I'll never forget this favor by them to Mom and Dad's oldest "couple" friends, and until John mentioned it, I hadn't known the results of that request to them.

Barbara E was excited to hear the latest about Chuck and Brenda and Charlsanne and Chris and the baby on the way. I gave her all the details. She had happy news as well--their Linda and Tim have a five-month-old girl, Lexie Marie, who was a preemie, but is doing fine now.

I asked about Reva O'N - the widow across the street from Mom and Dad and who was a "member" of our "Classic Movies Club" on Wednesday nights. I'd heard she'd been having memory problems and unfortunately, this was confirmed by her move to a nursing home.

I asked for its address from the church secretary. Oh #*&! Just looked at the Post-it she gave to me. It's her old address (509 Cranford Road)--but I guess her mail can be taken to her from there.

After the very attractive and welcome (by me especially as that was to be my breakfast and lunch) buffet was served in the reception hall by the volunteer church-ladies, I left on another mission, (rather than following the family cortè down to the cemetery in Roanoke Rapids, N.C.)

At last I could act on my long-thwarted desire to place flowers on the grave of Tera Wyatt in St. Luke's cemetery at Benn Church (another best friend of Mom and Dad's, and then, mine) who finally lost her battle with repeated bouts of cancer in early March of 2004.

John and Jinx had actually driven up to Reston to give me the sad news where I lay recovering from my freak fall. Again, that's an example of what a formidable team they were. J&J--like a product brand--they were ALWAYS doing deeds like that not just for me, but for everyone.

Tera was another great "member" of our weekly movie club and we often went out with Dad again the next day to have the absolutely delicious chicken and dumplings Thursday special at a smoky cafe on Main Street--yeah--no separation of the schools of thought there, indeed, it seemed you were truly only welcome if you lit up! But the price was $4 and there'd be enough to take home, because you always wanted to save room for the 99-cent lemon meringue slice of pie or the banana pudding.

I will never forget the wonderful "instructive" note Tera mailed Dad while he was up here prior to Amanda and Rich's wedding, reminding him that Effie would want him to be patient and to try to enjoy himself there at this important family event.

Next stop, a drive past Mom and Dad's old house. It looks great with the additional plantings and a carport extension added onto its right side with a small asphalt apron adjacent it for a second car. There is now a roof over the back deck.

The new owners are uncannily like Mom and Dad (in age, vigor (or lack thereof, and Dad's infirmity.) They had downsized to move there from a large house on water, because it had become too much for them.

The important difference is that they're surrounded by attentive children living close by.

The woman was outside, so I got out to introduce myself (we'd only exchanged notes before.) Of course, that meant an invitation inside (I really didn't want that, especially being short on time and I now knew it'd be after dark when I got home) but it was nice to see what they'd done to it.

There was new carpeting and wood-look flooring in the kitchen. She praised the kitchen and the layout.

He (on oxygen in a lounger-chair) couldn't stop talking about how quiet it was and how they couldn't even tell it was raining outside (hey--that's what real plaster walls and ceilings do, I guess :)

Mom and Dad would have loved its refreshed look--they were on the same wave length as far as taste. It seemed perfect that they were now there.

Benefits of a small town?

She had actually been looking out for me, having heard I was at the funeral. Good gosh. (Glad I showed up.) Again, I was reminded I was in rural Virginia when Roland (the husband)walked me out, and apparently just in time for him to light up.

There were a couple of accidents along the way home, but still travel was not too bad (yes, I have gotten over the old road fatigue :)

About the moment I arrived, Chuck took off to teach a class he's doing on writing in Herndon.

And then the phone rang. How do callers know? Five calls in the first five minutes. I'm answering them with my purse still over my shoulder.

Then a voice we rarely hear.

The news...Chuck's half-brother Patrick just died in his bed "peacefully," likely of a heart attack, where he lived in Vancouver, BC. He was never married, only 55, but had had poor health due to numerous reasons for years.

At least he had Robin nearby for special occasions--another half-sibling, in addition to two half-sisters in Washington state. (All are "halves" to each other--their mother being old-fashioned, and marrying all the men she fell in love with.)

They were not close--but friendly--exchanging cards and calls a couple of times a year.

When I think of him, I will remember his passion for ice hockey and his love of his pet cats. I am also glad that one recent Christmas that we found and sent him an NHL league bathrobe which he really liked.

And today is the day, that Mexico calls, the day of the dead.