Deep Something

Photos of my two annual guests who are sticking around this year for a bit longer than usual. Also a link to the photo gallery of the State Fair photos.

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Some of you will know that Lay’s been through a two and one-half year experience trying to get naturalized. Of course he had permanent status, and has lived here since he was 2 years old. In fact, he’s never been back ot Laos. So it was past time to go ahead and get this over with, but little did we know what an ordeal it would be. Then, I came away from the Naturalization Ceremony profoundly concerned about the complete lack of competence in how even the ceremony was conducted.

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Everyone is writing about where they were 40 years ago today when Armstrong and Aldrin first set foot on the moon, so I thought I should also chime in. It was certainly one of those defining moments. I was at White Lake, NC with family and friends.

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We had a big birthday party here Sunday afternoon as Dala, Lay’s niece turns three years old. She loves to swim and always throws a fit when it’s time to go home. She learned to jump off the side of the pool, and doggy paddle around with her little tube.

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If you’re a regular visitor (or you receive the digest email) I suppose you have noticed a decided lack of activity here lately. I have to tell you, I’ve just been tired. I think that’s the best way to describe what’s been going on in my life lately. It’s not that feeling of “being sick and tired of being sick and tired,” but more a general malaise that came over me during the last months. I didn’t send out Christmas cards this year, and didn’t even decorate the house. I came into the season with a good deal of the shopping done, and combined with some upcoming time off, I was actually looking forward to the holiday, but somewhere along the way, I just sort of lost that holiday spirit. I’m working on a comeback.

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No blogging or politics last week, as I was on the road from Monday to Friday. I drove up North Carolina because we had a business meeting in Burlington Wednesday, and then I took two days off, visited Mom and drove home. It was actually a pleasant week. i also took some photos around Kings Mountain and Shelby.

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I’m from a small town, Kings Mountain, North Carolina, just across the South Carolina state line. It’s right off Interstate 85. Recently my Mom sent me a clipping from the local paper. The main article on clipped page was about an effort to restore the downtown local theater. This started me thinking back to the downtown where I grew up, and considering how it’s changed.

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Things have been very busy with work, and they will continue that way for a while. I wanted to go home and seem Mom this weekend, but I can’t take the days off for the trip right now. There are several major projects all due next week.

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We’re well into the new year already, and I’m just now getting around to writing about the holidays. I suppose that is because it wasn’t one of the better holidays. I did travel home for the usual visit, but it was very short. Lay took ill the week before Christmas week, and remains sick with the doctor still testing to try and find out what is wrong, but it got fairly serious there right after Christmas.

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I know it’s a bit late, but I thought I’d write an update from our Thanksgiving trip to North Carolina.

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It remains dry, but it’s been very cool the past few nights, getting into the 40’s. There could be some frost tonight north of here and inland. Lay’s nephews are over to spend the night, as two of them have birthday’s next week. We won’t be here. Lay and I will be traveling to North Carolina. While I’m taking the whole week off, Lay will be working Monday and Tuesday, so unfortunately, we’ll be on the road Wednesday. I am not looking forward to that.

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I read an article on MSNBC a few days back about a small but growing practice of “home funerals.” It’s touted as a way for people to reclaim their death rituals. Having been a funeral director in the past, the title certainly caught my eye.

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I wasn’t quite as busy this past week, but I did have to travel to North Carolina on business the first couple of days of the week. I flew in Monday and spent Tuesday night in Kings Mountain visiting Mom. I had dinner with Mom and my sister Robin Tuesday night, and lunch with my other sister and her two children Wednesday before heading home.

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Well, I realize it’s been quite some time since there were last updates to this blog. I apologize for the absence, but it was due to work. The previous several weeks involved some very long days, and most of those were spent writing proposals…so by the time evening came around, I was tired of writing. There hasn’t been a ton of news to report anyway on the personal front.

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Well, week before last wound up with an extra city and extra day in the three days-three cities schedule. The flight from Newark to Charlotte was delayed such that I missed the connection to Tampa Friday night.
By the way, here’s some friendly advice…do NOT use Newark airport unless absolutely necessary.
The travel started off great with [...]

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Each year since I’ve purchased the house in Tampa, I’ve had spring announced by a tapping on the sliding glass door at the dining room. Several weeks ago, just as has happened every year previous, I’ll be sitting in the office and start hearing an unusual tapping. I always forget what it is.

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Diego, Manny and Sid return in this sequel to the hit Ice Age. This time around the Ice Age is over and is starting to melt, which will destroy their valley. So they must unite and warn everyone about the situation.

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I’m back in Tampa after a few days up in North Carolina. I actually went ahead and drove back Tuesday. The drive back took a bit longer as traffic was rather heavy, and I got slowed down a lot.
Naturally we took pictures, and you can click on the thumbnail here to see them all. They [...]

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One of the traditions that has developed is attending a Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carols, followed by Communion and a candlelight service. Both services at the church were very full, with people in the balcony during the first service. It’s a time and place to feel comfortable. While there are many people there I don’t know, there are certainly lots of people I grew up with, and even older folks that helped me grow up.

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OK, this is so everyone has a good Friday afternoon laugh. Click on the title and you leave your wise-a%% comments. I’m sure most of friends have one.

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