Big Red Intro

Charlotte, Milbry and my Dad in Big Red. More on Big Red later.

On the Beach

Charlotte and I walking the beach in Oregon (see entry below). She's my pal.

Charlotte Elaine

Charlotte Elaine is my big sister and is almost two years older than me. She is named after both our grandmothers. She loves riding motorcycles.

When I was three years old, I fell in a water pressure box on the corner of our street. These were concrete boxes where irrigation water could be diverted. The water was very swift and legend stated the last child who fell in was never recovered...only her shoes. I must have been playing around the box and I fell in. Charlotte grabbed on my arm and held on for dear life. She gripped my arm and screamed for help at the same time. Rumor has it I was screaming like a little girl also but I am sure I was much too manly (boyly..?!?!) for that. She held on for a long time. Just when Charlotte was about to lose her grip on me, Mrs. Koll, whose house we were in front of, arrived and pulled me out. I would not be writing this had it not been for Charlotte.

Charlotte has always watched out for me since I was born. She has always defended me and is protective of all her brothers and sisters.

One summer, Charlotte and I went to Oregon with our parents as my father had to attend some function. I think I was just out of high school a the time. We walked the beach, ate wild blackberries with ice cream (the ice cream was domesticated) and hung out with our parents. It is a memory that has stuck with me and I cherish.

Charlotte has a huge, kind heart and always thinks the best of others. She is always willing to give people the benefit of the doubt but is also very shrewd. Plan on four hugs when she is present: two when you arrive and two when you leave.

Be wary of riding in a motor vehicle with her, however. She is a magnet for inattentive drivers and all sorts of vehicular danger.

Charlotte and Norm Crosby have a lot in common. She could do a stand up comedy act with her patterns of speech that seem to greatly manifest when we are all around Mom's dinner table telling stories and being crazy.

Charlotte loves her family and especially her little grandchildren. I have to admit they are pretty cute and as smart as Charlotte is. Charlotte has a sharp intellect and is highly sensitive.

Happy Birthday Charlotte...! Don't take any wooden nickels or stick anything up your nose...!

Goofy and Snorts

Sounds like a cartoon show title.

Mickerson's comment on the below post is so funny and clever I laughed, guffawed and snorted like Lissa when she laughs really hard.

Basketball can be goofy sometimes.

You Don't Have a Hair On Your...

I was lucky to be able to play hoops with my blood kin this past Saturday. Four nephews and a brother. It doesn't get any better than that. To be in a gym and hoop is great but the experience is greatly enhanced when you get to play with kin.

We played by ones to 15 or 21. Shots outside the circle counted 2 and you had to win by two. We played five games. Davis, Sam and me versus Mike, Gus and Alex. All were very close games. I am way too modest to say which team won three out of five.

Sam played really well despite his ankle and not having any arc at all on his ICBM 3 point shots. Sam plays with quiet calm. Gus started out with "clangers" that went in but ended with shots that hit nuthin' but net. Gus played with the joyous abandon of a little kid who has just gotten off being grounded.

Someone was talking a lot of trash but I won't dime him out.

Alex has a lot of raw talent and plays with a lot of energy. He will be a force to be reckoned with when his skills catch up with his height. Davis has improved greatly since the last time I played with him. Both played with a lot of energy and hustle. It was fun to watch them.

Someone was still talking a lot of trash.

Mickerson took it easy on me as I had to guard him all five games. He is still an excellent player. He takes great shots and dished the ball well. He was a little distracted while coaching his teammates.

Someone was still talking way too much trash. We couldn't get him to shut up.

Those extra large Boston Shakes, from Fancy Freeze, tasted especially good afterwards even though the loser (me) of the free throw contest had to buy.

Almost all the players proved they had hair on their derrieres. Even if they had to shiver or get brain freeze to prove it.

I think Sam is still working on his milkshake.

Yeah, I know.

In Memory...

It's been 12 years today since I lost my Dad. I mourn still. Holidays are especially hard as he so enjoyed them. I should be at peace about his death but I am not.

Sorry...

No Sorry.....Have Lorry...

This is my 76 Chevy truck back in 1980. I love this truck. I would rather have this truck in new condition than a new one. Oh, but for a magic wand.

A man has gotta have a truck.

Never Too Young

This picture depicts Andrew getting his first Air Jordans for Christmas 1986. They were the Air Jordan IIs that were made in Italy. I always made sure my boys had cool kicks. Or maybe it was a vicarious way for me to buy more.

Yeah, I know...

Magical Spirits

Admittedly, I have never been much of a pet lover. I bonded with an English spaniel when I was 14 or 15 but he died when hit by a car. I witnessed it and did not take the loss well. I was badly bit by a dog when young and have harbored a fear of dogs since.

My magic cat showed up the day after I buried my father. She showed up and acted as though she had always lived at our home. She is a Siamese/Calico cross and is the same color as the brick on our home. Andrew named her Keisha but I call her Baby.

This cat converses as though human, bantering back and forth. She follows my directions like a trained dog and greets me when I get home from work. She doesn't like children and strangers so we are much alike. She does let Jeannelle hold her but only to humor her for a short time.

I am convinced she was sent by my father to comfort me and watch over me. Please don't tell anyone I love this cat. It would ruin my street cred.