Category Archives: Photography

365 Day Photo Challenge 257/365 “Baritones”

13 Sunday Sep 2015

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After all the yard work I did yesterday my back decided to go on strike today.  It’s been a rough morning.  I’ve made it to the recliner and have been able to do some computer stuff and while I was on FB I found where someone took a picture of my son directing the baritone section.  I was quite surprised.  This is his second senior year.  He should graduate in December of this year.

His life long dream has always been to go to Alabama and play in the Million Dollar Band.  The college is only about 45 minutes away from us but also one of the most expensive one around.  We had the Pact program but that only covered a little amount, the rest is with student loans.  The fact that he wanted to go and got accepted into the college and got accepted into the Million Dollar Band made it clear that this is where he should go.  I’m very proud of my son and all the accomplishments that he has made.  I think every parents dream is for his kids to do better than they did.  My son has surpassed this in many ways.

365 Day Photo Challenge 256/365 “Yard Work”

12 Saturday Sep 2015

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I don’t mind yard work.  In fact, I really enjoy it especially when you work several hours and after you’re done you can actually see that you’ve accomplished something.  I had plans on doing a ride today but because I was on my feet for several hours my feet swelled so much that I couldn’t get my cycle shoes on. So, I opted to do some yard work.

It’s been a while since I’ve done the edging.  My wife likes to cut the grass so I let her but as you can see the grass has started growing over the sidewalk.  I’ve been so busy as of late and I just haven’t had the time to get to it.  We won’t discuss the condition of my backyard.  I’m waiting for the cooler weather to let everything go dormant so that I can see where I’m stepping.

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After the trimming was done I even spent some time cleaning a propane gas grill.  The scouts had let this thing get so nasty that I had to use Easy Off and then a pressure washer to get the thing cleaned. I even spent the time testing it out just to make sure the grill would light up.  It did.

365 Day Photo Challenge 255/365 “Torture Shoes”

11 Friday Sep 2015

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Tonight was homecoming at my daughters school and one of my daughters was on the homecoming court and I was her escort. I had to wear a suit and tie and I don’t know anyone that hates to wear a suit and tie more than I do.  Not to mention the torturing device known as dress shoes.

My plan was to go to the game, participate in the halftime festivities, go home and change clothes and be back before 4th quarter.  All in all I shouldn’t have to be in a suit more than a couple of hours.  It didn’t work out that way.  Thirty minutes into the game a huge storm with major lightning and the game had to be postponed.  After a two hour lightning delay the game resumed and by this time my feet were really hurting.  I managed to go through the homecoming festivities on the field and soon afterwards I was on my way home to change clothes.

When I returned about thirty minutes later only about ten minutes had elapsed on the time clock and there was a man down on the field.  Was told a back injury and I hope the young man is ok.  Normally we’re home around 10:30pm on Friday nights after a home game.  Tonight with the weather, the injured player and homecoming festivities, I got home around 11:45pm.  A little later than normal.

Tomorrow my girls have the ACT test to take and I’m really hoping they get enough sleep.  One of my daughters is still recovering from having the Flu so I’m not sure if she will feel like taking the test tomorrow or not.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 254/365 “Why am I so Busy?”

10 Thursday Sep 2015

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I’ve just completed putting in dates in my calendar and I have come to the realization that between now and the end of the year every Saturday and Sunday is booked with something.  I’m not exactly sure how this could have happened.  Fortunately, most of the Saturday’s are booked with family events and there are a few that I have reserved for cycling events.  I would like to have a couple of Saturdays just to sit around the house and do absolutely nothing. Maybe in my next life.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 253/365 “The Flu Bug”

09 Wednesday Sep 2015

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Fall has not even shown her face and yet I’ve already got a child with the Flu.  Yesterday was the water heater and today I had to take my daughter to the doctor because she kept us up all night coughing.

Two more days until the weekend!!

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 252/365 “Plumbing Problems”

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

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I spent the day babysitting my water heater.  It’s a long story so I won’t bore everyone with it but in a nut shell I took multiple trips to the hardware story and still ended up having to replace the heater later this evening.  Once I actually started replacing the heater it didn’t take but a couple of hours from start to finish.  My two daughters and I were able to take hot showers within an hour of turning the gas on.

I don’t profess to be a plumber and I know only enough to do a few fixes around the house.  Nine years ago when my dad and I put this heater in I had the forethought to put in unions in both the hot and cold water lines.  That way when someone had to replace the heater all they would have to do is unscrew the unions, put them on the new heater and screw the unions back together.  It worked like a charm.  Easiest water heater change out that I’ve ever had.

I spent $456, tax and all on this water heater today.  I found out while I was at the supply store that Alagasco, our natural gas supplier, is offering a $350 rebate for anyone replacing a water heater.  I couldn’t print the rebate form fast enough.  When’s the last time you bought a water heater for $10?

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 251/365 “Memorial Ride”

07 Monday Sep 2015

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Over 500 cyclists joined in today’s ride. It was awesome.  To see this many people join a cause is simply amazing.  Now whether or not it does any good remains to be seen.

It started off very slow.  So slow that for over 100 yards or so I just pushed myself along.  William Robertson’s wife and the rest of his club lead the ride along with some of Birmingham’s finest police officers.  The ride was only less than seven miles but because of the slow speed it took well over an hour to complete.  There were times when I reached the speed of about 20 but that was short lived.  My average for this morning was a little over ten mph.  We did have a collision which involved about three bikes.  I’m not sure of the outcome but everyone looked to be standing when I rode past.

I got home and rested a bid, didn’t even change out of my riding gear.  I left out and rode another 23 miles before supper.  I would have rode further but my rear light went dead and I didn’t fee right not having a light to warn off drivers.

All in all I had a good three day weekend.  Wished it was longer but I guess everyone does.  My next holiday will be Thanksgiving weekend.  It looks like I’ll have a four day weekend.  Can’t wait for that.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 251/365 “New Diabetic Symptom”

06 Sunday Sep 2015

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Book-Edema

For the last couple of weeks I’ve had some unusual swelling in my right foot.  Some days it’s much worse than the other.  Today it’s probably the worse that it’s been since I’ve started having this problem.  I’m a diabetic and I’m on medication for diabetic nerve pain already.  The bottom of my feet stay numb and my feet feel like they’re on fire all the time.  Now, because the foot has swollen, the top of the foot hurts when I wear shoes.   I go to the doctor at the end of the month and until then I’ve been told to keep my feet elevated above my heart as much as possible when I’m relaxing.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 250/365 “Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame”

05 Saturday Sep 2015

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My daughter is taking jazz lessons at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame located in the Carver Theater.  The Carver Theater has seen a lot of history along with the area in which the theater is located.  A lot of your jazz musicians has spent a lot of time playing here, including the legendary Duke Ellington. When you walk into this place you can just feel the history.  They do have a small museum located just inside the theater.

I must say my daughter is pretty good playing in the jazz band at her school.  Her problem is improvising.  Her band instructor asked her to audition for the jazz classes and she made the intermediate band.  They have the beginner, the intermediate and the advanced. The advanced class go places and perform.  She was asked if she would like to be in the advanced class but she turned it down due to all the traveling she’d have to do.  I am very proud of each of my kids because each of them are talented in their own way.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 249/365 “Exhausting Day”

04 Friday Sep 2015

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Woke up at 3am to call my son to make sure he was awake.  He was not.  He had set his alarm to wake him at 3:15am so I woke him 15 minutes earlier than he had planned.  He assured me that he would get on up and get ready to meet the buses.  I received a text at 6am stating that he was on his way.

I never really got back to sleep before my alarm clock went off so I woke up feeling like crap.  I stayed pretty busy at work so that was good.  It didn’t give me time to sit and get sleepy, especially after lunch.  After work I rushed home, ate supper and jumped into the shower.  I had to help with the flag ceremony at our high school football game.  It was a nail biter.  The game nearly went into overtime but we pulled it out.

Tonight, my son is in Flower Mound Texas.  The band played an exhibition performance at Marcus High School for their during their half time show. I’m going to see if I can post the link to the show.  400 plus members on a football field is a lot of people.

My son is a second year senior and this will be his last year in the band.  He should graduate in December.  I am a very proud dad.

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