Author: Gary

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Record Snow

Spent much of the day digging out from the storm here. We got 20″, NYC got a record 27″. No pix, I was too busy, but Smashmouth kicked butt. Although I must confess, for this kind of big, kinda fluffy snow, a snowblower probably works better. Still better than shoveling.

See y’all friday.

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Reunion in July?

How ’bout it? No responses? (to Mar’s thought…July) I just want to get the topic back to the top. We all have to make plans… I have a deposit down already, so I have to move soon. Whaddya’all say?

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Reunion in August?

Seems Brian’s wedding will be another “near reunion”. But not quite.

So, I want to ask, “Can we re-unite ‘down-the-shore’ this summer?” We go to Brigantine, NJ every year, the week preceding Labor Day. This year that would be Aug 26 – Sept 2 (Sat. to Sat.).

I hope everyone remembers Brigantine. Larry may never have gone, but the rest of us, I think, did. There are 3 points I want to make that differentiate it a bit from most shore-towns:

• It is very family oriented, not a teen-scene (tho if you wander the beach “uptown”, I think the teens in the family could find some fun).

• It is one town north of Atlantic City, where one can find a variety of adult entertainment. Including (finally) some good restaurants.

• There is excellent golf nearby.

If we want to do this, we should be prepared to commit to house-rentals soon. I’ll do the legwork if it seems do-able.

FWIW, I may bring the family to Chi for Xmas-time ’06. After that, it may be some time before I’ll plan another trip. If we can’t reunite this summer, maybe Xmas-time could work.

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1st Grade Art


I was going to post a shot of my new coffee-maker (it grinds beans automatically on a timer and has a very fresh pot of coffee waiting for me in the morning), but Charlotte brought this home from school today and I thought you’ld be more interested in it.

Click on photo for larger image.

She calls it “Space”.

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Lex’s 1st Axe

Lex got a guitar today. It’s a Squier MA-1, made by Fender. Very much a real guitar, 3/4 scale. He’s wanted one since before Xmas, and has been very patient as I researched guitars and looked into lessons.

I told him from the outset that I would get him a real guitar only if he was willing to take lessons. I have a good friend (some of you know Gerard) that used to teach young kids. He agreed to teach Lex. Even tho Lex is a bit young for guitar lessons, I think it could work well with Gerard, as we’ve discussed my approach (at this point) is mainly to maintain Lex’s interest in music, not to put him on a learning schedule. To facilitate an appreciation of music and musical instruments, to give him an enjoyable learning environment, to teach him to respect the instrument itself… he already knows quite well that this is not a toy, and he’s cherishing it. I think it’s the first thing he’s owned that he realizes can’t be easily replaced. I sure hope he keeps that attitude. (Fact is, he wants to smash it like Townsend. I think I’ll steer him towards burning it like Jimi.)

I hope I’m making the right decision, cuz he’s so young. I didn’t discourage the idea, but tried not to encourage it either. Like I said, he was patient. And he was persistent. Even Xmas didn’t distract him.

Now I want to get a piano in the house. So I can take lessons.

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Look Familiar?


Got this at a flea-market years ago. Just had my 2nd toaster-oven break in less than a year so I dug it out of storage. I knew it worked, and y’know what? It makes toast better and faster than any toaster-oven I’ve ever had.

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And a Happy Birthday Dad!

For many years I would call Daddy at midnight to wish him a Happy Birthday as well as a Happy New Year. I eventually stopped once they moved to Chicago because I woke him a couple years in a row. I do still think of him (and Mommy) at midnight though. Wish I could call and wake them now.