Taking the Slow Train to Portland

Amtrak!  What better to see the coast and the country than taking a train between our two destinations cities, travelling from Vancouver to Portland!  We didn't want to fly.  We didn't want to rent a car. This allowed us to travel and see the coast as we went.

Just on the border between Canada and the United States.  Birds know no boundaries.  

Look!  It's the Seattle Space Needle!  Aaand that was it.  Our entire contact with that city.  When you only have so many days, you have to make choices.  The rest of the city will have to wait for another trip.

Another view of one of the beautiful little islands that lie just off the coast. 

We also passed by Puget Sound, and although I looked at all the islands and inlets carefully, I can report no glowing vampires.

It was a pleasant ride, taking over eight hours, but scenic and interesting for most of the ride.  And when it wasn't, I had the power of Kindle!

It felt safe.  And the trip was uneventful in that regards.  After we got back, we saw the reports of an Amtrak train derailment on this route.  No one was hurt, thankfully.  And I still think, overall, that it is a safe and scenic route to go.

Arriving Late to the Squirrel Party

This was yesterday?

Another holiday missed as the great tax season bubble continues to subsume my mental processes.

But I will fight back!

Maybe.  We'll see.

The squirrel in the picture above is surrounded by a falling snow.  As much of the east coast will be today.  A mighty blizzard will make things treacherous in much of the east, including North Georgia.

But not us down here.  There is a remote statistical chance we may get something, briefly, fleetingly. Most likely not, though.

I like snow and change of seasons.  That however, does not include deluges and blizzards that endanger people's lives.  Thoughts and prayers to everyone in the path of this massive storm.

Squirrels are about the only wildlife that dares to enter our backyard.  They find our oak tree and acorns too much to resist.  Our dogs give chase, but the squirrels are too quick and clever to be caught. It provides massive entertainment for dog and squirrel alike.  The cat watches from the screened-in porch, amused at their incompetence, and turns to us, beseeching "Put me in, Coach".

I'm not sure I'd want squirrels as pets, but they are fascinating to watch.  And I guess, given the attraction of our oak tree, they are a kind of free range pet.  Certainly cheaper to feed than our dogs and cat.

My favorite fictional squirrel is Rocky J.  Yes, I am a big fan of The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.  Great cartoon, one of the first cartoon TV series to have a satirical edge, with jokes that both kids and adults could appreciate.

Well, that's all the time I've been able to "squirrel" away for writing.

Have a good Friday, everyone!

In Search of Jesus

For our church Easter Egg Hunt, a large army of Jesus' were created.

Then they were scattered all about the church courtyard, mixed in with non-Jesus eggs.  It was supposed to be an extra special treat to find Jesus.

Jesus cleverly hides behind a chick pinwheel.

Can you find Jesus?  I'm thinking he is up a tree.

Jesus takes a selfie to show his endorsement of evolution.

All the peeps gather for a post Easter Egg Hunt victory celebration.

I am grateful that I am in a faith where humor is possible, and people don't break out into a Jihad, a pogrom, an inquisition, just because someone uses the image of their religious leader in a silly or satirical way.

At least that's my hope, anyways.

Baby Brother and Sister Days

I was born June 9, 1955 and my sister, Carol, was born October 3, 1956.  For those counting, that's a gap of just under sixteen months.  I guess they figured it out, and then when they got both a boy and a girl, well, that's all she wrote.

I had more hair than her.  It was a very long time before she caught up.

I had some bad-ass rosy cheeks.  Yeah, I was a cute baby.  I can't explain what happened later.

I think my Mom had to hold me back, as it looked like I was ready to zoom out of the picture.

A little sofa fun time.  Carol is looking at me like, "Yeah I gots my feet on you!  Whatcha gonna do 'bout it?"

My expression is one of, "A girl.  You had to have a girl.  And now I have to sit here with her feet on me, and she smells like sour milk, and just where exactly is the TV?"

And Mom is like, "You're sweet, Tom, but don't think I don't got my eye on you!"

There she is, all laid out on the kitchen counter top, as if....Mom!  You can't mean it!  She smells like sour milk!  Yuck!  What?  You mean she's not supper?  Uhh, oh yeah.  I knew that.  I was just joshing, Mom.

Just let me take the shalt shaker out of my hand.

I love you, Mom.  You were the best.  And Carol, you grew into a great sister.  Particularly after you stopped smelling like sour milk.

Thursday Throwback Up Picture Storytime!

Here I come to save the Day!

Mighty Mouse is on his way!

To save is sister trapped behind the gate...

By the mad scientist we all love to hate!

But with the aide of the Cowardly Lion and the Wizard we see.....

The future once again looks bright for my sister and me!!!!!

The End

So Somebody Had A Baby

Here is a proud father holding his newborn son.  There were  probably many babies born yesterday, all throughout the world.  This is one that CNN and Huffington Post and Faux News and countless other media outlets wanted us to focus on.  Why?

Because he is of royal birth.  Yes, they still have those things in some countries.  This baby boy is third in line to the crown, or something like that.  I kind of missed that detail. Because.......................

.....we don't HAVE to know.  We turned our back to royalty.  We don't have such a thing in our country.  We don't have people we hold up up just because of their lineage....

OR DO WE?  Thank you, O royal Kardashians!

Famous Quotes That Never Were

"We are masters of our own Chaos" - Maxwell Smart.

(And yes, I used to talk into my shoe in Fifth grade.  I have no idea why kids thought I was strange,)

"You're a pip, Edict" - Cardinal Carroll O' Connor (giving a blessing to a baby).

"A station from the forties?  Smoke monsters?  Guys, where are we?"  - Willy Gilligan.

"So many yeomen....so little time" - Captain James T. Kirk.

The Flying Dragon Greets A Special Newcomer!

The Flying Dragon children anxiously await the new arrival!

Here he is!  Also proof that everyone was right - photography is not a good career option for me!

Roman gives the okay sign to the nurse.

The bundle of joy in his Daddy's arms.

Congratulations to Lauri and Jerome, on the birth of Roman, Flying Dragon's latest and greatest superstar!  He was a little early, but that's because he heard that Gemini was the birth sign of the greatest actors!  Chris and Tamara, our Flying Dragon co founders, welcome to the wonderful world of grand parenting!  Spoiling is an official part of your job description!

Dog and Cat Post!

Ellie Mae can't find anything good on TV.

 Skitty decides to never let the dog have the remote again.

Cocoa Bear excitedly awaits her favorite part of the day - Dog-Karate.

Yes, silly human.  I am lulling you into a false sense of security.  For soon, this chair will be mine.

Benjamin's Confirmed!

Benjamin gets confirmed at our church, Grace Episcopal.  He is in the front row, standing behind our amazing Reverend Kit Brinson, who has helped revitalize our church.  In the middle of the back row is the Bishop of South Georgia, Scott Benhase.  We are very proud of our boy, who attended an inquirer's class to do this, and has been a devoted attendee of our church and Sunday School all of his life.

Cover for History of the Trap

This is a photo that I was trying to use as a cover of my History of the Trap story on Smashwords.  I tried to format it through a photo-shop type program called Gimp, and that proved to be an utter failure.  I would show you my efforts, but I couldn't even get them to upload here.  If anybody has any suggestions as to good programs to generate ebook covers, please let me know.  I would greatly appreciate it!

And yes, this is my alma mater, Bridgeport High School, the true setting for History of the Trap.