Look - It's a Horsy

Rain

I'm in Morganton and it's rained some every day this week. Today the rain was the heaviest so far.

Looking at the news and on the interwebtubes - it's raining hard back home in Moncure too.

Welcome, welcome rain.

We're still going to be in an extreme drought for some time to come.

But it's a start.

I wish I was there to see it.

Sunday Concert


This photo is from Sunday at Depot Park in Sanford. It was the last of this summer’s concerts by the Lee Community Orchestra.

They’ll have one more Christmas performance on December 1st. After that, it’s a wait still the concerts start up next spring.

Work

Working this week at the J. Iverson Riddle Development Center in Morganton. JIRDC is a full time care facility for people with learning and development needs.

There is a stable on campus and the residents can ride horses as part of their care and therapy. Some folks aren’t able to ride so the horses come to them.


It was raining today when I took this photo. The horse and folks are on the covered porch to keep out of the rain.

The campus and buildings here are in good shape and well maintained. The residents are well cared for and seem quite happy.

If you’re reading this, you are doing pretty good yourself.

Take some time to reflect on how well your life is and enjoy it to the fullest.

Saturday, October 20 +Addendum

Lazy Saturday.

Did a little yard work – make that very little.

In the afternoon, been TV channel switching between the Miami – Florida State game and the Florida – Kentucky game (both very close seesaw games) and listening to the State – East Carolina game (24 – 20 State at the start of the 4th).

And, I made a loaf of bread in the bread machine that Aunt Suzanne gave me for Christmas a few years back.

I like using the bread machine. It’s a lot easier than kneading dough by hand and thus I’m more apt to make bread.

This pretty loaf turned out really nice. I substitute beer for water which adds a really nice flavor.

The house smells great!

Sunday Addendum



NC State finally wins a Division 1 game.

I'm glad we broke our losing streak against ECU.

I was at the game, 20 years ago, where ECU came to Carter-Finley, won the game and the ECU fans stormed OUR field to take down OUR goal posts.

In the ensuing melee, a State Campus Police Officer was seriously injured (almost lost her eye). ECU fan's crassness and unbelievable unsportsmanlike conduct has stuck with me ever since.

And To Go With The Previous Entry . . .

CPCC has 6 campuses spread out over Mecklenburg County. To continue the theme - here are photos taken at a different campus / automotive building from the previous entry.


In this building students are learning heavy diesel engine technology and body work. The 1972 car is in the process of being restored.

I’ll Sign Any Waiver You Want - Just Give It To Me – Please, Please, Pretty Please . . . .

I am working this week at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte.

Among their curricula, CPCC has several automotive technician programs. CPCC has one of the premier automotive technology programs in the country. They are so well regarded that the various manufacturers support the program by providing vehicles for the students to work on and learn with.

We’re not talking used junkers - we’re talking brand new vehicles.

And we’re not talking stripped down cheapo cars – the manufacturers provide a variety of cars to train and learn on.

These cars are routinely taken apart and put back together. After the school is finished with them they are returned to the manufacturers.

There are liability issues with allowing these cars to be sold or used on the road.

Not that there is anything wrong with the cars – in fact – they are probably in the absolute best condition and in perfect running order when the students are finished with them.

But – due to liability – these cars can’t be put on the road.

So they are sent back to the manufacturers – sometimes used in-house for the manufacturer’s own training courses – but eventually crushed.

These photos were taken in one of CPCC’s garage bays / classroom today. It was one of the most pristine automotive shops I’ve ever seen.

The cars in this particular bay are brand new BMWs. Including a fully equipped 760Li V-12.

Which will eventually be crushed.

Sigh . . . . . . . . .

Neighborhood Party

Annual neighborhood party was this afternoon.

As always, good food and good conversation.

Just got back to watch the end of the South Carolina – UNC game.

Nuke’em stayed to talk with folks.

Tonight's Obligatory Raccoon Photo



And In Football

State didn't lose this weekend!!!

Porcupine Tree

Went to see Porcupine Tree last night at the Lincoln Theatre.

Widespread Panic say hello to Pink Floyd.

Excellent, excellent show.

Live performances are always better.

Even with a well deserved encore, the show ended at a decent hour and I was actually home in bed before midnight.