Unplugged

We had a lot of wind Sunday night into Monday morning. Our power blipped off a few times, but it always came right back on.

Around 9:00 yesterday morning, our cable went out.  Our service wasn't restored until this afternoon, which meant over 24 hours of no TV or Internet at home.

We are glad we are able to watch the World Series on TV tonight, but Lew and I both agreed: We missed the Internet more than the TV!

Many of my friends and co-workers lost power for over 24 hours, so we were actually quite fortunate.

Electricity, cable, and telephone crews are still working hard to restore service to everyone. Many thanks to them!

Lew's Logbook: Viet Nam Reunion

(Lew still likes wearing sunglasses. Enjoy his post! ~ Tracy)

Blast from the past.

I have been communicating with a friend of mine who I served with in Viet Nam over 47 years ago. We were both medics in the 1st Infantry Division. We have seen each other a couple of times since then, but that was 40 years ago.

Tuesday night he called me to ask if we could meet for breakfast. He lives in Patten, Maine, but was in Standish visiting family.

We got together at IHOP on Wednesday morning and talked for over two hours. As we left, we talked about getting together again soon and including our wives the next time. I really hope that we make that happen.

It was REALLY good to see him after all these years.

Below is a picture of us taken in Viet Nam, 1970.

Birthdays and Batgirls

Today is Eli's birthday! I can't believe he is six years old. He just took his first airplane ride last weekend. Guess where he went?

 

Happy Birthday, Eli!

The Batgirls gathered at my house earlier tonight for a light potluck. We had a fun time catching up and they all left shortly after 7:30pm. (Gone are the days when we stay out late!) Tonight was the first time we were all together to get our photo taken wearing our KISS sunglasses — a gift from Anne-Marie's husband.  Many thanks to our very patient photographer, Lew.

The Batgirls (L to R):  Me, Anne-Marie, Krista, and Ellen.

Dad 381: Guests (and Good Weather) Gone

(The house is feeling sort of empty, but our kitties are livening things up. Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Just finished two great weather weeks with Kim and Kaelen visiting. They went back to Illinois yesterday and the weather is now very sour.

 

We are kind of sour also to see them leave. Their visit was very nice and was enjoyed by all.

 

Well, Kim and Kaelen saw Zack's football team win two games, including a 35-14 win over the defending state champions. Zack's team goes into the playoffs as the number one seed. They will probably meet up with the defending champs in the playoffs. The winner of that game will, I predict, win the state championship.

 

Josh's team lost by just two points in their game last weekend.

 

Spouse certainly enjoyed our guests and seems to be getting along quite well. Her children have convinced her to use a single-handed walker for her trips around the house. They tell her it is better for her balance. She is obeying them.

 

Tune in next week!

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Back to Normal... Almost

Kim and Kaelen left today.  😢

I just got a text message from Kim that their plane has landed, so they are now back in Illinois.

The house seems empty and quiet... and cluttered.... I fell behind on keeping things organized while they were here. But now I have no excuse for putting off housework.

Oh, wait.  I do have an excuse... the World Series is on! 

Play ball!

Lew's Logbook: My Football Fix

(Lew writes today! ~ Tracy)

Finally, football.

I am not watching the NFL this year (and maybe never again). If they will not put a stop to the anti-American antics of some of their employees, then this customer is gone.

As Tracy noted in her blog yesterday, we went to see nephew Zack’s football team, the Scarborough Red Storm, play the undefeated Scots of Bonny Eagle. This was the most significant high school football game of the year in Southern Maine. There must have been a couple of thousand people at this game, and during the National Anthem you could have heard a pin drop.

I was totally pumped as we watched Scarborough dominate on both sides of the ball. At one point I blurted out, “I have not been watching the NFL this year and this is so much fun.” There were several people around us that heard my comment and gave me a knowing smile.

More football to come as Zack’s team goes into the playoffs.

GO STORM!

Oh, Sweet Victory!

I had no back pain tonight, so we (Lew, Kim, and I) were off to Bonny Eagle High School to see Zack's last football game of the regular season.

Zacks' team — the Scarborough High School Red Storm — had already made the playoffs, but a win tonight would give them a bye week for the first round.

Bonny Eagle is the defending state champion.

Bonny Eagle was undefeated this season... until tonight!

Scarborough wins!!!!!

The Red Storm were behind at half-time, 14-13, but scored 22 unanswered points in the second half for a 35-14 victory.

Scarborough wins!!!!!

Best wishes in the playoffs, Zack!

Scarborough wins!!!!!

Dad 380: Prepared for Plow Day

(Dad mentions summer, fall, and snow... all in one day. Enjoy his post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Another late summer day is being enjoyed this fall season. Good weather predicted until next Tuesday. May be a little cooler, but not too cold. Bring it on!

 

Well, Kim and Kaelen brought some winning ways from Illinois as both Zack's team and Josh's team won games last weekend. Zack's team is now 6-1 and will play the defending state champs Friday night. Josh's team won their first game and played quite well. Next week we'll have the high school playoffs set. Tune in!

 

Today Lew and I put the plow on the truck, but not because we have reports of snow coming. Saturday is "free inspection of plow" day at Messer's Truck. Good chance to change fluids and check on movement of plow. We go every year.

 

Tune in next week for more news. Sooo....

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Family Football Fotos

Glen took pictures of the Eurekans (Kim and Kaelen) with our family football heroes after their respective wins this weekend.

Congratulations, Zack (Friday) and Josh (Saturday) on your victories!

Friday night lights!

Saturday sun!

Oh, My Aching Back

This was supposed to be a weekend of attending football games for me — Zack's last night and Josh's today.

But I made it to neither.

When I left work yesterday, my back was very sore. So it was a heating pad (instead of football pads) for me this weekend.

I am starting to feel much better, especially since the nephews went 2 for 2!  Zack's team won last night and Josh's team just secured their first win today.

So I think my back pain is the lucky charm.  I may get an argument from Kim, though, as she and Kaelen were at both games.... Maybe we shouldn't let them go back to Illinois until football season is over!  😉

P.S. I received yet another "just because" gift from Debbie:

"Taffy Apple" scented hand soap.  A kitty.  :)

Another "Just Because" Gift

Kim presented me with a gift last night.

It is a celebration of my geekiness, and I love it! 

Thank you, Kim!

Dad 379: It's a Bright Sunny Day

(Hooray! Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Kind of a cloudy fall day. We sure are enjoying the day as if it is a bright sunny day. Reason below.

 

They are here! Kim and Kaelen are here! Their cab (Lew and Debbie) picked them up at Portland International Jetport earlier today. Not much else to write about as we have been waiting for weeks for them to arrive. It will be the first time they will see Zack and Josh playing football. All are excited! Enjoy the games and your Maine visit. Thanks for visiting us.

 

Sitting here waiting for the Cubs game. Still raining in Chicago. Hopefully Yankees are done tonight. We'll see.

 

Enough for now. Next week I'll do more.

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

The Eurekans are Coming!

My sister Kim is coming tomorrow! So is my niece Kaelen!

The guest room is ready, and my housekeeper (Lew!) has done some additional housework.

We are looking forward to their visit!

😊

P.S.  Red Sox....  😞

We Gotta See the Baby!

Our friends Bill and Stacey became grandparents seven weeks ago.

Lew and I met the baby today.

Here is Lew with our brand new friend....  💗

A "Just Because" Gift

My sister Debbie comes up to our house quite often to visit "the folks in the back" (our parents). 

Even though I'm usually at work during these visits, sometimes I see evidence that she has been here.

For example, I recently came home to find this on my dining room table:

Debbie knows we like all things "kitties" — Thank you, Debbie!

Dad 378: A Great Fall

(I've been neglecting my blog, so I'm glad that Dad remains a loyal contributor. Enjoy his post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Enjoying another fairly warm fall day. We are really having a pretty great fall as the weather has been great. There has been snow upon the mountains. Most of the state has had a hard frost. We, at the coast, are still waiting.

 

Zack's football team rolls on, while Josh's team still looks for a win. Keep up the good work, boys!

 

The Red Sox limped home for a second division title in a row. Now it is off to the playoffs this Thursday. Go, Red Sox!

 

It is hard to believe we will be getting ready for winter within a few weeks. But before that, we are looking forward to a visit from Kim and Kaelen. Next week they will be here.

 

Spouse is getting ready for our visitors by getting a haircut tomorrow at 9AM. Hope we get up in time!

 

Tune in next week.

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Hope

I woke up today to the news of what happened in Las Vegas.

The words that came to mind:  senseless, incomprehensible, tragic, sad, horrific, terrible, etc.

But words are inadequate.... Well, my words are anyway.

So I will end this post with a promise from the only One who gives us hope. Found in Isaiah 49 (ESV):

"I will not forget you.

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands..."