Adam Is 4!

A few more photos from Adam's 4th birthday party....

Grampa Lew made some water balloons.

Batman pinata!

The Birthday Boy!

Lew's Logbook: Dancing Carrots

(Happy Birthday to our little Adam! Enjoy Lew's post! ~ Tracy)

We’re all familiar with the overused term “Thinking outside the box.” I’m pretty sure that my sweet grandson, Adam, doesn’t even know there is a box.

Today we attended his 4th birthday party. In preparation for this day his mom asked him what he would like to have on his cake. His response, “dancing carrots.”

The orange things you see on the cake are dancing carrots. Kudos to mom (Emily) for coming through on a very unusual request.

Adam is a special little man.

Adam, Emily, Eli, and the dancing carrots!

Kidding Myself

I often find myself adapting song lyrics. 

For a recent example, see my post The Game That Might Not End.

My best work was probably done over 30 years ago; check it out in my post Ode to a New Year's Resolution.

I am thinking of making my lyrics a more regular feature on my blog. All of my stunning creativity must not go to waste!

😉😏😁

I'm On Fire

I got a Kindle Fire a few weeks ago. I've been using it just for fun so far, and I really like it a lot.

Tonight I am using the Fire to write this blog post. This is the first time I've tried to use the Fire for this purpose. If all goes well, it will be a nice alternative to using my desktop or our iPad. I can sit in my living room and write to my heart's content... or not, if I don't want to.

On my drive home from work today, I started to think about writing a book. Long-time readers of this blog know I have made prior attempts, all of which have fizzled out. But maybe my new device can light a fire in me.... Pun intended!

And if I ever do get a book written, you will be the first to know.

Dad 368: Joshua of the Sea

(We had company tonight, so I'm a little late entering Dad's post. Enjoy!  ~  Tracy)

Derf Here! We sure are enjoying these nice summer days. Occasional showers but the weather has been great. We are in our summer weather pattern!

We now are waiting for Josh to land in Boston Harbor aboard his training ship, the "State of Maine." His ninety-day summer voyage will be over August 2nd. Quite a trip and even played a round of golf in Spain! Hope to see Josh soon! He has about a week at home, then back to the Academy for football.

Meanwhile life goes on for the rest of the family. Everything is proceeding as expected and we are thankful for that.

Enough for today!

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

Welcome to My Beach

I took a couple vacation days last week (Thursday and Friday) and the weather cooperated quite nicely. Beach walks both days!

After our walk on Friday, Lew and I were standing at our vehicle when I noticed a young mother and her three small children making their way back to their car. The oldest child was a boy (maybe about six years old) and the younger two were twin girls (probably between three and four years old).

The mom was carrying one of the girls and the other two children were behind her, dragging various beach items. They were making very slow progress, with a lot of "stop" and "go" (mostly "stop").

I ran over to see if they wanted any help. I offered to pull the little girl's load, but the little girl refused and ran closer to her mother.

The mom said, "Thanks, but we're almost to the car. They are just tired and cranky!"

I made eye contact with the little girl who had run from me and I asked her, "Did you have fun at the beach today?"

She nodded. Then she took a few steps toward me and said, "Thank you for letting me come!"

I told her, "You are very welcome! I'm so glad you could come today!"

The mom and I shared a laugh as we parted ways.

ChairCat of the Board

I recently purchased a new piece of exercise equipment.

Some people call it a "balance" board.

Some people call it a "wobble" board.

Marilyn calls it "Bed!"

Lew's Logbook: Tracy's Dilemma

(Lew knows me well. Enjoy his post! ~ Tracy)

We had overnight company this week. It has been a while since anyone stayed with us, so Tracy washed the bedding in the spare room before our guests arrived.

Her dilemma, as she explained it to me, is whether she should wash the bedding now in preparation for our next house guests (TBD) or should she wait until we have someone scheduled.

The benefit of the "now" solution is that if someone needed to stay with us on the spur of the moment, we are good to go. The down side is that if she does it now and we don’t have anybody stay for a few months, she’ll probably end up washing the bedding again.

My lovely wife is very creative when it comes to creating dilemmas.

(She did some laundry today and I think she went with the “now” solution.)

17 Years of Marriage...

... and he still looks at me adoringly. (I love you, too, Sweetie!)

July 20, 2017.
Pine Point Beach, Scarborough, Maine.
Photo credit: Vivian Z.

Dad 367: BirthAnnAnn Eve

(Happy everything to everyone! Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

Derf Here! Summer weather is here and the air conditioner is cranking. Feels good!

I've been told to keep it short. I will comply!

Just the facts!

Spouse had her last session with her P.T. today!

Tomorrow is Glen and Debbie's anniversary (21st, I think)!

Tomorrow is Lew and Tracy's anniversary (17th)!

Tomorrow I start my 80th year. I'm 79 then and catch up to Spouse!

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

A Great Dinner Choice

Pastor Dave, Laura, their two daughters, and Dave's parents came over for a night out on the town with us. In our case, "out on the town" means going to get ice cream for dinner! We went to Fielder's Choice in Old Orchard Beach.

I got the Slider, which is a banana-split-type dessert. It is quite large. I ate the whole thing.

As we finished up our ice cream, it started to rain. We skedaddled from the picnic table to our vehicles (gals in one car, guys in the other).

We came back to our house for a little more chatting time. The girls played with Jerry — they love him, and he loves them.

We are planning at least one more outing together this summer. You just can't beat ice cream for dinner!

The Game That Might Not End

Lew rode his motorcycle to its new owner's home early Saturday evening. The Red Sox had a late afternoon game against the Yankees that day, and the game was almost over when Lew left.

Oh, wait.... I need to change that last part.... it appeared the game was almost over when Lew left.

The Red Sox were ahead 1-0 going into the top of the 9th inning. The Yankee's lead-off batter hit a homerun to tie up the game. The Red Sox ended up losing seven innings later. Lew had been home for quite a while by then.

For the past couple days I have been singing a song in my head about the nature of baseball. The tune is to The Song That Never Ends, with the lyrics adapted by me:

This is the game that might not end. It could go on and on, my friend. Baseball fans started watching it, aware of what it was. They knew they could be watching it forever just because.... This is the game that might not end. It could go on and on, my friend. Baseball fans started watching it, aware of what it was. They knew they could be watching it forever just because.... This is the game that might not end. It could go on and on, my friend. Baseball fans started watching it, aware of what it was. They knew they could be watching it forever just because.... This is the game that might not end. It could go on and on, my friend. Baseball fans started watching it, aware of what it was. They knew they could be watching it forever just because.... This is the game that might not end. It could go on and on, my friend. Baseball fans started watching it, aware of what it was. They knew they could be watching it forever just because.... This is the game that might not end. It could go on and on, my friend. Baseball fans started watching it, aware of what it was. They knew they could be watching it forever just because.... This is the game that might not end. It could go on and on, my friend. Baseball fans started watching it, aware of what it was. They knew they could be watching it forever just because.... This is the game that might not end.... 

Well, you get the point.

Lew's Logbook: Motorcycle

(Sold. Lew pays a brief tribute in his post tonight. ~ Tracy)

Farewell....

9/2009 – 7/2017

Friday Night Date

Lew and I went to Jimmy the Greek's in Old Orchard Beach for dinner tonight. It was our first time there.

On the menu:  Macaroni & Cheese. Need I say more?

Yumbo!

Aloha!

Today was Student Appreciation Day at work. Burgers, hot dogs, chips, cupcakes, soda, and water were served.

We had a luau theme. I wore a flowery shirt (from my mom's closet) and my "bling" flip flops. One of my coworkers gave me a lei, which made my outfit complete.

The luau would have been perfect except for one minor detail: It rained!

Dad 366: Happy Birthday, Spouse!

(Happy Birthday to my mother! Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! We surely are enjoying the summer weather. Great day to celebrate Spouse's (Mary Lou's) birthday. It is her birthday today and for the next week she will be one year older than I am. I will catch her very quickly!

 

Last week I mentioned four tornadoes touching down in Maine. Officially it was five touch-downs. Seven warnings and five touch-downs on July 1st.

 

Lew, with very little help from me, has finished his project of getting rid of the rubber shims hanging out all over the sides of my truck. It is now a perfect looking back body with no shims hanging out all over. A fine job. Thanks, Lew!

 

We had steak (filet mignon) for our birthday supper. Cooked by Lew on his grill. Then a little cake and ice cream. A fine birthday party was had by all.

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

This Time It Doesn't Count

Quick post tonight.... Watching as much of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game as I can. I'm sure I will fall asleep before the end of it.

I enjoy watching the game itself, but the best part happens before the first pitch is even thrown: the introduction of the players. If you miss that, then you might as well not watch.

Although I am rooting for the American League to win tonight, I really don't care all that much. I would have cared if the outcome of the game determined which league has home-field advantage for the World Series. But that is no longer the case.... So now the All-Star Game is truly just that: an all-star game.

Play Ball!

Never Too Much of This Good Thing

A couple weeks ago one of my coworkers brought in some cupcakes. They were leftovers from her daughter's graduation party.

Each cupcake had a fantastic amount of frosting. Truly magnificent.

The owner of the company commented to me that, "They have too much frosting."

I looked at him and said, "I don't know of what you speak."

 Too much and frosting are mutually exclusive things.... Don't you agree?

Lew's Logbook: New Barbershop

(Looking forward to seeing Lew's new "do." Enjoy his post! ~ Tracy)

I don’t cut my hair often enough. Silly I know, but it is kind of a hassle for me because the barbershop that I go to is in Portland and not all that convenient.

A new barbershop (not salon) opened in Scarborough months ago but I haven’t gone because it is by appointment only. Being old school, I’m used to walking in and waiting.

Today I went to the “Borough Barbershop” Facebook page and clicked on the scheduling tab, opened an account and scheduled a haircut. I’m feeling kind of “with-it” right now. The phrase “old dog and new tricks” comes to mind.

Let’s see how the old guy does at the new hip barbershop. They do offer a senior discount. That’s a good start.

A Time For Laughter

I had trouble falling asleep a couple nights ago.

Usually I read until my eyes start to slam shut, and then I fall asleep fairly easily. For some reason this didn't work Wednesday night. (I still haven't figured out why).

Rather than just stare at the ceiling, I decided to read (again).... I was hoping my eyes would slam shut (again).

I angled my Kindle so I wouldn't disturb Lew. I was afraid the light might wake him up.

It turns out the light was the least of my concerns....

I was reading a rather humorous part of my book, and I almost laughed out loud.

LOL'ing in the middle of the night was sure to wake up Lew, so I suppressed the laugh. My whole body began to shake, which made me want to laugh even more.

Then my throat began to make a little noise. You know... the kind of noise you make when trying not to laugh.

I eventually settled down. And if Lew ever woke up, he did not let on.

Lesson learned: When reading in the middle of the night, read something boring. (My blog, perhaps.)

A New Look

I have been feeling somewhat "blah" about my own blog posts lately, but I think I figured out why....

I'm boring!  Ha ha!

"Change" is usually not boring, so I decided to make a few changes on the blog. You will notice a different background — still keeping it simple — and an updated photo of yours truly.

Regarding the photo: It only took me seven and a half years to update it! And I decided to make it bigger, too. (I figure if you're going to torture yourself by reading my blog, then you might as well have to look at me, too.)

So we will see if this change leads to more fascinating posts in the future.... For your sake, I hope so!

Thank you for reading my blog!

Dad 365: Tornado Season

(Lew and I were two of the "other" family members! Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

 

Derf Here! Enjoying a great stretch of summer weather along the coast. However, last Saturday there were seven tornado warnings in Maine (inland area around Bridgton). There have never been seven warnings in one year before. There were four touch-downs. Certain areas were devastated. Probably will take the whole summer season to clean up.

 

Other family members spent yesterday up at Bob and Wilma's cottage on Little Sebago Lake. From all reports a good time was had by all.

 

The Red Sox are in first place and starting to hit their stride. Go, Red Sox!!

 

Tune in next week for more.

 

Until next time!

 

Toodle Pip!

 

Derf!

Happy Birthday, USA!

Best wishes to all for a joyous, thankful, and safe Independence Day!

I am no longer blogging on holidays, so check in on Wednesday for Derf's next installment.  :)

Lew's Logbook: O'Brien Street

(What a difference five decades can make! Enjoy Lew's post! ~  Tracy)

I have many good childhood memories and they all come from growing up on Munjoy Hill in Portland.
Our address was the first floor apartment at 36 O’Brien Street.

This past Monday I spent time with Emily and my two grandsons visiting my old stomping grounds.
The Hill area has changed dramatically since I was a boy.

We stopped by the house where I lived and discovered that they were totally gutting the place for a complete renovation.
I went to my bedroom window and looked in to see nothing but studs.
A fellow working inside saw me and said, “Hello.”
I said, “This was my bedroom window when I was 12 years old and now I’m 68.”
I just blurted out what I was thinking.

Below is a picture of me and the boys sitting on the front steps (which haven’t changed).
A very nostalgic time.