Sunday, September 14, 2008




UConn Routs Virginia, 45-10


UConn's Donald Brown is off to the races, scoring a long touchdown run in the third quarter as Virginia's Brandon Woods chases and UConn quarterback Tyler Lorenzen starts to celebrate. Uconn is now 3 - 0 Next up for the Hukies is Baylor on Friday night.




Delaware 45 West Chester 20


Delaware put West Chester to bed by halftime in their game at Newark on Saturday. The second half saw oach Kasey Keeler clear the bench as many players saw game action for the first time. Next up for Delaware is Furman in Greenville, SC. Uncle Bob, Aunt Barb, Grannie and I will be going to the game. "ROAD TRIP'




Air Force 31 Houston 28

Air Force built a seemingly comfortable lead and then had to hang on to defeat Houston, 31-28, on Saturday at Southern Methodist University's Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Kathy did a thirteen mile jaunt from Quantico, MD into Salisbury and down part of Camden Ave. in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon. You better watch out C4C, your Mom's in better shape that you.

Jeff's Detroit Lioness' performed their usual again today. You are so loyal Jeff. Bill Bailey came by today and was wearing a Lion's T shirt. Two loyal wanta be winners, forever loosing.

Tomorrow night we Have Dallas vs. Philly. This game should tell us a lot about who's in charge of the NFC East.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

This and That



As you all know, Abbey had a Birthday recently, A Long, Lean, Dog Lovin Machine now 12. In her arms is Lady Liberty, I guess Libby for short. Libby is still with her mother until the end of the month. I think the transfer of the pure bred Lab to Abbey's house is scheduled for September 27. Quite a few of Abbey's gifts surrounded a pet theme. Aunt Sarah Palmer threw her a Hawaii themed surprise party. Everyone wore Lei's and grass skirts, appropriate south sea and Carribian music played in the background.

Now the next two pictures are from Connecticut. That's Rebecca with Annie, a two year old Poodle that Beth rescued from the Pound in Waterbury. For the moment Beth, Matt and company are Foster Parents. Beth called me earlier in the week and told me about Annie, knowing Grannie and I are interested in getting a Poodle in the near future. With a pending trip to SC and a few other things going on as well, we just couldn't commit to taking Annie at this time.

I had not heard from Beth or Matt and just knew that Annie was in the house with Belle and Cody. The other picture is Beth with Belle and Annie. Annie apparently has a few minor health issues that Beth is already working on. According to Beth she is a great lady. She's getting along well with everyone, dogs included. She even enjoys a car ride. So, we shall see where this young ladies future puts her. Beth, your too much!

On another front, Rachael and her Salisbury School soccer teamwon their second game of the season, beating Gunston School on Friday 6 - 1. Today Ray was with Abbey helping her organize her room, it's a special knack Ray has.

Granny spent another day at the farm, cleaning and organizing. My great task for the day was scrubbing Hummingbird feeders, filling them and all our other feeders and tending to the chicken's food and water as well. It's almost time for the Hummers to head south, but should they linger awhile they will have fresh food.

For now it's Uconn vs. Virginia on ESPNU, go Huskies. Have a great night everyone!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Saturday in Colorado Springs




On Saturday morning Kathy and Jeff hosted breakfast in their suite. After breakfast we were off to the USAFA to drop the cadets off for their accountability check for 0930 at the football stadium. This was to be Air Force's first game of the season against Southern Utah.

At 0900 people were already arriving and in the Cadet Wing area each Squadron was busy setting up their Tailgate party. Any and all things one could imagine for a tailgate was taking place. Sam's Squadron, Viking IX had various beverages, snacks of all kinds, hamburgers, hot dogs and Brats. A large can soliciting donations was conveniently placed near the Grill Maestro.

Upon filling ourselves with a second breakfast we were off to the stadium for the pre game festivities. The march on by the cadets was awesome. When dismissed , it was a mad rush to their seats in on the visitors side of the field from the 10 - 20 yard line. We were seated on the 30 yard line, eighteen rows up. The Cadet Falconry Club performed with the Falcon mascot, the Parachute team came down from above to drop in on the 50 yard line.

The playing of the National Anthem was just awesome, with most all of the fans singing it's lyrics. The final culmination to the pre-game events was a fly over by T-38 jet trainers. Just a patriotic moving moment for all in the stadium to share. Got Bless America and thank you to our men and women in uniform.

The game was great with Air Force winning 41-7. Just a little follow up, this past weekend Air Force beat Wyoming in Laramee 23-3. Air Force (2-0, 1-0 MWC) travels to Houston, Texas, to take on Houston (1-1) on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 2:30 p.m. Central time at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium. The game will be televised live on CBS C (Formerly CSTV). Now Hurricane Ike might have something to say about that game happening. Also, on Sunday Sept. 14, the Baltimore Ravens are supposed to be in Houston for a game against the Texans.

After the game we went to the home of Sam's sponsor for a cookout. Each Cadet has a sponsor and Sam's sponsor has four Cadets who can use their home as a respite during time off. We got to meet the other Cadets and their families and a great time was had by all. After the cookout it was back to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

Sam and family had another picnic to go to on Sunday so Granny & I rented our own car and did our own thing. Our first stop was the Garden of the Gods, Granny wanted to get out and hike, but no parking any place. Our second stop was Manitou Springs. This was our second time at the springs. We were there several years ago with Tommy and Elva and Bobby and Barbara. Being somewhat parched we stopped by the local American Legion for a beer on their deck. The deck, so to speak sits adjacent to the sidewalk and we enjoyed the beer while watching the passer bys. Their were two festivals going on in the town this day and the crowds were enormous.

We made our way to the central park where a Native American festival was going on. Being hungry we searched out some food and found a booth selling barbecue. Granny wandered to a table ( a fatal attraction) with two obvious street people sitting on one side engaged in conversation. Granny sat down and of course I had to follow. Moments after starting to eat, one of the two, and we shall call him Summer, lit up a Roach and took several smiling drags on it and snuffed it out. Now why Summer you might ask. Well, when he opened his mouth that's what his teeth were. Some are here, some are there and not much in between. He also had a long necked Bongo Drum.

The other individual had pure white hair, cut in a Little Lord Fauntleroy style. He was carrying a book, "A Time To Kill" by John Grisham. And you thought I was kidding when I said Fatal Attraction. Their conversation was being dominated by Summer and was centered on hanging out in the Library and using the computers and searching places on Google Earth. Fauntleroy had no clue what Summer was talking about. After a short while Fauntleroy departed and Summer turned his attention to us. Oh my Lucky Day.

"So, you guys from around here", he asked? Summer told us he had been in radio, on air, production, engineering and such. He asked us how we liked the band up on the stage. He also said he performs up there also. After rummaging through his backpack for several moments and coming out with nothing, he lit and took a few more tokes on his roach. Ah, that glorious glow from a true believer, he smiled. Now it was twenty questions. Are you in the Military? What do you think of George Bush? Did you know this about G. H. W. Bush? Did you know this about the CIA? Yep Grannie, you picked a great seat!

Almost instantly the conversation ended when a friend of his from the band appeared and all attention turned to his Bongo and how to tighten it. Too much vibration on the face we had been told. We bid Summer good by and escaped to walk the streets among the throngs of people. We even passed Fauntleroy, still clutching his novel in his hand, tucked under his armpit. Fauntleroy had that far off gaze, like wow man, where am I?

I saw a man with a Phillies hat, and asked him how they did last night. He didn't know but we did chat a bit, he was born and raised in Haddon Heights, NJ and lived about six blocks from where I lived in Audubon. Small world!

After we saw all there was to see, it was back to the hotel to meet up with the kids. Turned out they had a great day at their picnic and all were ready to veg. Jeff and I were sent on a run to find Chinese Food, especially Sushi. After a good hour we returned and had a feast.

On Monday Kathy decided we needed to head south forty five miles to Pueblo. Why Pueblo you ask, because it's there. Driving into the city.
, some concern towards Malcom was exhibited. You see, Malcom gets motion sickness sitting in the rear of an eight passenger van. We quickly found a drugstore and got the boy some medicin and moved him to the front seat. A future pilot?

We saw signs for the Colorado State Fair and followed them to the fair. We used the old Military Discount routine and the seven of us got in for $20.00. A pretty nice perk, if I do say so myself.

Every kind of fair booth you could think of was there. Food, jewelry, T shirts, recruiters for the military were all vying for you time. We went into the Colorado Dept. of Natural Resources building. A great many displays gave the history and current state of the resources that abound in Colorado. One booth in particular grabbed the attention of the Cadets, a shooting gallery. Both Sam and Malcom showed us how well they could do. They both were Laser Hot Shots.

We found a booth selling Funnel Cakes and purchased a big basket of them to share. If your a Cadet in uniform, you must check out the wind direction prior to eating. Powdered sugar and Air Force blue just don't go well together.

Our next stop was to watch Cowboys and Cowgirls perform with their Cutting Horse. This was a judged event and Abby, ever the horse lover, loved it. The horses trotted in great circles, galloped fast and came to sudden stops, as well as turning continuous circles within it's own footprint. It was an event new to all of us.

The trip back to Colorado Springs was very quiet, all, except yours truly, the driver were asleep. We had our main meal for the day at a Macaroni Grill. After the meal Abby was presented with a desert with a candle and she officially turned Twelve a little early.

We went back to the Hotel, the Cadets packed their things, and we were off to the Academy one last time. We were able to drive right up to Vandenberg Hall to drop the kids off with all their stuff. We made one last trip up to the dorm area, said good by with hugs all around and walked back down the stairs one last time. We left knowing that Sam and our country's future are in good hands. It had been a great and memorable weekend.

On Tuesday morning we were up and at it at 0400, our flight was to depart at six. All went well until Lee was going through security. I was admonished by a TSA employee after I said, yes I have tooth paste. It seems this young lady wanted it with my shaving cream (3 oz) outside my carry on, for her to see. This was not the case in BWI on the way out. At any rate, she got her, I'm in charge here thrill for the day. Our flight was on time and the trip to Chicago uneventful.

We had a long walk in Chicago to our next gate, getting there minutes prior to boarding. We had not eaten except for a Bagel at at four AM. Grannie and I boarded with the first wave onto the plane. When Kathy, Jeff and Abby boarded some minutes later, we got the greatest gift. It seems there was a Starbucks next to the gate. Kathy had gone in and made a purchase and as she passed us going down the aisle, she passed us two of the finest sandwiches we ever had.

The flight to BWI was again uneventful. Our car was where we left it. We parked in the new express parking area, a great treat if your ever traveling out of BWI. The ride home was great, now stoppages on the Bay bridge. Our cat greeted us in the driveway as we drove up. It was a great trip, and it was good to be home. Next up, Greenville,SC for Delaware vs. Furman on September 20'th.

Back to work, Blogging




OK, everyone, Matt, Ron, Sam etc are on me for taking a break from my duties of blogging. Now please remember we were ouy of town for six days in Colorado Springs for Parents Weekend at USAFA. Then upon my return Hubertus was getting ready to leave, he departed 9/5.

I guess first off is the trip out west. We traveled United from BWI to Ohara to Colorado Springs. Kathy, Jeff and Abby departed around 0700. 1 hr. delayed. Granny and I were 1 hr. delayed leaving Ohara. A broken plane in Detroit is what we were told.

Monster Cold Front coming through as I write, don't fret, I'm on Battery power. Loud booming thunder, multiple cloud to ground lightning, torrential rain, now this is what summer is all about. It started out WSW, now has swung around WNW and the temp is dropping. It was 84 deg at the start is 76 deg already.

Ok, so much for WX. The trip was great, weather great and Sam is great. I really feel she is in her element. Of course she is, the Element is the smallest grouping of individuals in the wing. Go back some Blogs ago, it was all explained, kinda like a squad in USMC jargon.

We first saw Sam Thursday evening at the gate to the Cadet Area. She was with one of the Fab Four, or what ever she calls them. His name is Malcom Strong. Malcom was in the uniform of the day with jacket and Sam was in Gym shorts & T shirt. Sam had just finished Lax practice. The Temp was in the low 60's. We brought them Subway food, did the hugs and kiss' thing, chatted about 25 minutes and bid fairwell until 0630 in the AM.

We were up early and at the Academy for a day on campus. Sam met us at the gate and up we went. Up, up, up, up, up. Then we got to her, dorm I guess that is what you call it. Vandenberg Hall is what it is, and once again, up, up. I must add that when you reach the top of where your going and you take a deep breath, there is no air available for recovery.

The cadet rooms are organized, neat clean military specimens and the only bit of personal touch are a few pictures on the poster board over each cadet's desk. A far cry from the front bedroom in Allen, MD.

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to attend three class', German, Engineering and History. The Cadet Wing, 4,000 plus strong had a parade for all attending and we got lunch in Mitchell Hall. Both events were an experience of a life time for many.

Later during the day Sam took us on a tour of the Cadet area to include the Library and grounds. Our tax dollars have been invested in a facility to train our future protectors of freedom fittingly. It's just the up, up and away I had a hard time with.

At 5:30 PM or so Sam and a friend Malcom were able to leave with us for 96 hours of freedom. Malcom's father is on active duty in the AF and his Mother couldn't make the trip from FL, so we adopted him for the weekend. We did a late dinner at Outback and then back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

I'll continue the trip on the next post, hopefully tonight. Be patient with me, I'm old, retired and very busy. See you all again shortly.