Happy...

...Anniversary...no, this is not a picture of Karen bailing me out of jail...this is a cell below the Coral Gables restaurant we investigated after supper last night.

So what's that got to do with happy anniversary?  We're spending a couple of days in gay old Saugatuck at a very nice Bed and Breakfast, The Twin Oaks...

Happy to report the accommodations are hospitable...beautiful old home from the 1860s, tastefully updated and within walking distance of all the shops downtown.

So how have I started this mini-vacation?

The same way I start every day, checking on Notions...only my surroundings are a bit more welcoming than usual.  (I'd offer up some lame apologies to my wms coworkers but they'll never read this anyway,)

This is a gorgeous old home...love their fireplace in the common area:

Hoping I can convince them to light a fire before we leave...

Ran into an old friend while we were out and about last night:

Haven't seen the Captain in ages...I spend more time with Mr. James Beam now, but back in the day the Cap' and I enjoyed some good times.

We'll see what today brings...probably some shopping, browsing the antique mall, might even roll a few games and the former Lakeshore Lanes (under new management now and can't remember their new name)...as the old saying goes, the afternoon knows what the morning never suspected, so I'll report back later with the exciting news.

Later, mcm fans...

8:46 AM...

...and the flags are at half mast...in honor of those who died on this day, fifteen years ago.

We are a changed nation, a different world....may God strengthen us and give us courage, perseverance and clarity as we struggle against a violent, perverse, godless ideology of world domination.

A heartfelt thanks to all those who portrayed courage despite its deadly consequence.  They are indeed heroes.

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It will be interesting on this opening Sunday of the NFL to see if any of the clueless millionaires playing an adolescent game will be moronic enough to join Colin Kaepertwit in his mindless "protest" against the country that gives him the freedom to publicly expose his stupidity without official censure.

Will all those with the lowest IQ's and the highest commitment to self-absorption please take one step forward?

Since stupidity is God's way of thinning the herd, I hope those that are so inclined do indeed proceed with their plans for career suicide.

On 9/11.

Unbelievable, but good riddance.

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This weekend has been more of the Battle of the Garage, and yesterday's crazy Michigan weather did not help.  Is it sunny or is it rainy?  It's both, several times throughout the day.

So progress was limited, but today should be better...we need some real estate to move stuff so we can organize the "give away" and "put away" piles...we'd prefer to not have that stuff drenched in a fall rain if at all possible.

While sorting through the holiday stuff I paused to admire the fading glory of our back yard...

...not sure how the jack-o-lantern candle holder got stuck back there but I suppose it's seasonally appropriate...well, getting there...

Watched a good movie last night...

...a real nail-biter with some very fine acting.  Russell Crowe is amazing as officer Bud White, a volcano of righteous anger and dispenser of street justice.  Kevin Spacey gives his usual slick, jaded, sophisticated turn as a man caught in a moral dilemma.  Guy Pearce is intense as the by-the-book cop in the midst of corruption, but adds depth with his intelligence and commitment to the truth.  And Kim Basinger gives a superb, Oscar winning performance as a fallen woman who finds her way out of a life of abuse.

It's intense but worth a look.

Later, mcm fans...

Metro Cruise...

...2016...featuring my 1920's flapper wife ready for a ride in Mr. T...

...and me, the far less attractive driver, also arrayed in 1920's finery.

Funny the effect a Model T has on modern day people...lots of smiles, thumbs up and friendly waves as we did the slow crawl along 28th street with all the other classic cars.

And when they heard the klaxon horn ("ah-OOOOO-ga!") they smiled some more.  Of course, that's really a model A horn, not a model T, so we probably offended a few purists...but most folks just laughed at the classic sound.

Indeed, we had our picture taken more times in the 45 minutes we were cruising the strip than we have in the last decade...I'm sure the period correct outfits helped in that regard.

A good time was had by all.

And I know; you're wondering how Joe Average ends up with a beautiful woman like Karen.

Can I let you in on a little secret?

I have no idea.  I assume she's suffering from some sort of delusional condition that renders her ability to discern good looks inoperable.  I hope she never recovers.

Might go metro cruising again this afternoon, but so far it's been raining this morning...

...the view from Mr. T...

...so I had breakfast with Rodger, and just finished a halfway decent workout.

A favorite aviation triptych above the entrance to our dining room...

...the beloved Ford Tri-Motor...

This day is clicking on by, so perhaps I'll check back in later with a few more items.

For now...

Later, mcm fans...

Can You Say...

...Random?
That's a Sunday bulletin from a church in North Carolina dated November of 2014...check out the 4:00 pm Book Club...yep, "The Flowers Fall" by yours truly.

My youngest son was searching for my story online to show a friend...this was one of the search results I guess.  Apparently I'm quasi-famous...I think I'd rather be filthy rich...

This has been bachelor weekend for me...Karen and kids are up north for the end of the Rogers City Nautical Festival...

Karen on the right with two of her friends/cousins at the tent...

I've spent much of the weekend writing, though I did enjoy a fire in the chiminea last night...

Today I plan to meet #2 son for lunch...then it's back into the salt mines tomorrow...

Later, mcm fans...

Starting To Worry...

...just a little bit...but what can I say?  I've always liked vintage things.  That's yours truly in a Gent's Straw Boater hat with my chrononaut sunglasses, canvas straps ("suspenders") and pants, holding a fashionable cane...all furnished by Historical Emporium  You need to check them out; very cool site.

The 1923 Model T, white shirt, black bow tie and hush puppies provided by me.  Don't you just love that Model T?  So cool.

Another view:

The point of this photo shoot is to submit pics to Historical Emporium for their customer photo contest...winner gets $200.  I'll let you know how I do.

The point of buying all this stuff is to be attired in period correct clothing for this year's Metro Cruise, August 26th and 27th.  The baby blue Model T with custom wood cab and pickup bed is unmistakable; the guy driving it should at least look like he belongs there.

Next year I hope to be driving a 1931 Model A Roadster in the Metro Cruise...gotta start saving my pennies.

Here are a couple of views from where I sit, enjoying a cigar:

this is a closeup of the previous pic to show the little photo bomber enjoying peanuts on the deck steps...

It's a cloudy Sunday morning, but I'm going to get outside and enjoy it.

Later, mcm fans...

Imagine It's 1929...

Is that Eddie Rickenbacker?

...and you're flying right seat in a Ford Tri-Motor...that's what I did today in Howell, Michigan.

the cockpit controls...really made me want to be pilot in command again...

Boy was that fun...didn't have quite the emotional impact on me this year as it did last year, but that makes sense...I've processed the consequences of deciding to walk away from a career in aviation 30 years ago...I've made my peace with all of that...so today was just flat out fun.

It's such a beautiful plane, and such a pleasure to fly in it...I'm currently checking for loose change in my couch cushions and car seats, hoping to scrounge up a million dollars so I can buy one of these beauties...gonna hafta sell a lot of books to afford my favorite form of transportation.

This was a model 4-AT and it's the actual plane used in the Johnny Depp movie "Public Enemies"...

Slightly smaller than the 5-AT we flew in last year, but it still handles a pilot and nine passengers comfortably...

every seat is a window seat...

The Livingston County Airport in Howell is a very nice little airport...modern and well maintained.

Plus, there was a beautiful blonde waiting there for me:

All in all a very enjoyable day...looking forward to my next flight.

Turning to the rapidly disappearing summer, it is officially time to panic...today is July 16th, so we are past the halfway point of "meteorological" summer (as opposed to astronomical summer).

Our backyard is in full, glorious bloom right now, so I'm feeling a true sense of urgency to make the most of each spectacular summer day...

love this view of the pool and flowers...

time to trim again...fountain is almost covered now...

the hidden part, behind the grape arbor...

the sitting area...

Better enjoy it while we can...Autumn is warming up in the wings, ready to dance across the stage when summer takes its final bows...

Later, mcm fans...

We Hold These Truths...

...to be self-evident...That all men are created equal...that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights...that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Happy Independence Day, y'all...the 240th anniversary of the greatest nation on earth.  We are blessed to live here and I give thanks to God in heaven for that great privilege.

ready for the big day

#5 son and wife stayed with us for part of this weekend...big fun...

Benjamin and Brooke

Do we know how to party or what?  Every night we got to hear and see "fireworks in the round", as people all around us set them off from early evening til early morning.

Karen did the honors for the July 4th meal...traditional dogs and burgers with some chicken thrown in for good measure...add some potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, several desserts, and we were good to go.

At night we relaxed by the pool and soaked up the ambiance of the backyard.

All in all an good weekend spent being thankful for our freedoms and enjoying family time.

Did have one minor mystery...got up on July 4th and something had savaged the pond...Mr. Frog was in the water and half the plants were tossed out...I drew up a suspects list with this guy right at the top:

evil looking critter...

Poor Mr. Frog now has only one good eye:

Later, mcm fans...