A Halloween Tale

Well, being that it's Halloween, I guess I'll go ahead and post a spooky story I've had out on the web for a few years now. I still get some interesting emails regarding the story from people who visit the page. Some day I'm going to record my Dad telling the story, and then upload it to my web page in MP3 format for all to hear, because he's the one who actually lived through it and no one can tell it like he can.

Well, enough chatter. Here's the story of "700 Elm".

The Thunderbirds

I've seen them (The Thunderbirds) several times and they never cease to amaze me! This is my dream - to hitch a ride in a fighter aircraft someday.

Victorians

I went for an early-morning walk around the old residential section of my hometown this morning with my camera in hand. The crisp, fall weather was just perfect and I took the opportunity to snap some pics of some old Victorians in town, two of which used to belong to my Grandparents. It's a shame that no one in the family currently owns them. Maybe someday one of us will again.



The one above used to belong to my Grandparents and has now been turned into a very nice Bed & Breakfast. My wife and I have actually stayed here since it was made into a B&B and the current owners have done a fantastic job of renovation. It's called the "Carriage House" because of the little house on the side that used to actually be a carriage house back in the old days, horses, buggies and all. If you're ever in town, it's well worth a stay.

I can remember spending many a Merry Christmas here as youngsters together with our cousins, aunts, uncles and friends of the family. We had a close-knit extended family back then. I miss that.

This is an old Victorian that has also been renovated and is currently for sale. This wasn't a family home of ours and I'm not sure about the history of it, but it's a beautiful, spacious home just looking for a lucky owner. (and no, I'm not a real estate agent)

And this old Victorian was built by my Great Grandfather. A cousin of mine actually owned it for a while after my Grandparents passed away, before he finally sold to someone else. As with the "Carriage House" above, the current owners of this home have done a great job of restoration. When my cousin owned it he also did some restoration. It's a sturdy, well-built home with a garage apartment in back. It used to have a slate roof but that was discarded in favor of regular shingles at some point.

More sights and sounds of my hometown later...

The Ads

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has problems with composition from time to time. :)

The Entertainer

Another clip from our recent KC trip. This is Hannah's Uncle Christian, my little brotha' from anotha' motha'. As you can see he's quite entertaining, and from the laughter you hear in the background, has my daughter Hannah in stitches.

All in all we had a great time and the food was super. We ate at a restaurant called "Granite City Food and Brewery". I had the "Four Cheese Rigatoni" which was scrumptious. The beer I chose was the "Two Pull", which was a mix of two different beers. I don't remember which ones now but it was very smooth, not bitter at all and went well with the meal.

The Conversation

My daughter talking to my Dad on the cell phone. As you can see from her expression, she still doesn't know quite what to make of him.

The Coin Toss

On a recent trip to a water park in Kansas City, KS, watch as my wife has to flip a coin to settle a dispute between our 10-year-old daughter and her 9-year-old uncle (don't ask) as to which one will get the top bunk in our room. My daughter may look like me, but she has her mother's Irish temper!!

Nickelback- Savin' Me

Yes, I'm a fan of Nickelback.

A Survey

A survey a couple of classmates sent me recently.

Instructions:
Try this. It is very interesting, especially if it returns to you. Copy to a new email, place an X by all the things you've done,
or remove the x from the ones you have not, and send it to all of your friends, including me.

This is for your entire life:


(x) Smoked a cigarette
(x) Drank so much you threw up
( ) Crashed a friend's car (or a family members)
( ) Stolen a car
(x) Been in love
(x) Been dumped
( ) Shoplifted candy
(x) Quit your job
(x) Been in a fist fight
( ) Snuck out of your parent's house
(x) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Been arrested
(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Lied to a friend
(x ) Skipped school
(x ) Seen someone die
() Been to Canada
() Been to Mexico
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been lost
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country
( ) Gone to Washington, DC
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Felt like dying
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x ) Played cops and robbers
( ) Recently colored with crayons
( ) Sang karaoke?
(x) Paid for a meal with only coins
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(x) Made prank phone calls... this is the new guy from K-hits...anyone?
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue and made snow angels
( ) Danced in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x ) Watched the sun rise with someone you care about
(x) Blown bubbles


Mother's name Barbara
What is your favorite drink? Non-alcoholic: Tea. Alcoholic: Merlot
Soda: Coke
Tattoos? none
Body piercing/ears? None
How much do you love your job? Okay
What day is it? Thursday
Current home? Claremore
Favorite vacation spot? Montana, Ohio.
Ever been to Africa? NoEver steal any traffic signs? No
Ever been in a car accident? YesSalad dressing? Ranch
Favorite pie? Pecan
Favorite number? 7
Favorite movies: The Ten Commandments, The Gladiator, The Patriot, Signs, Star Wars, The Quiet Man.
Favorite holiday? Christmas
Favorite food? Too many to list
Favorite day of the week? Sunday
Favorite brand of body soap? Whatever
Favorite toothpaste? Crest
Favorite smell? Freshly cut green grass
What do you do to relax? Sitting on my front porch swing in the morning drinking coffee, with my German Shepherd, Jewel, as company. Driving my Jeep with the top off. Listening to music. Prayer.
Message to your friends reading this: (Mar 8:36) For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
What do you do when you are bored? Computer, what else?

Cheesecake Recipe

Here's an old family cheesecake recipe that you will surely enjoy. It came from my wife's side of the family, passed down from her grandmother who used to live in Ohio. With the holidays soon upon us, I thought I'd post it for others to enjoy.

Cheesecake is my favorite dessert, the only one I think I could over-dose on! :)

Bush Bloopers

Pass your mouse pointer over the screen to start the video.