Afternoon, everyone.
Haven't been around much lately but did survive the great Bunco inspection and we are now accumulating all the stuff we need for our Bahamas trip. Spent the equivalent of two more Atlas Gold locomotives on everything from snorkel gear to sunblock. Man, these vacations get expensive!
Chris, glad you finally got some of the rain. We had an early morning thunderstorm yesterday but it's been pretty dry since the big rains last week. Looks like that may change over the next few days as we get more unstable air and a weak front. I'll add my prayers for your wife's speedy recovery. She'll need her strength just to keep you in line.
The only way I could do a 20 mile bike ride now is if someone towed me behind the car.
Rex, glad to hear your grandson wasn't seriously hurt in the IED incidents. I sure hope we develop an exit strategy out of there soon. With Pakistan devolving into a civil war, I don't think we have any long term prospects for success. The British fought in Afghanistan for 100 years and the Russians for 10 and both got out. At some point, that rathole is not worth another American life.
Karl, I'd love to use the old sledge on that headlight but there's nothing to hammer on. It's a 2006 Grand Vitara and the headlight mounting is very simple. The bulb is held in by a spring clip and that's it. The bulb fits into an opening in the rear of round lense. I'm sure there's a way to adjust it but I haven't had time to research it yet. Our local Dodge/Suzuki dealer just went belly up so I'll have to take it 20 miles away to Montgomery if I can't figure it out. The dealer literally walked away from the place Tuesday and put up a sign in the door saying they were closed permanently. There are still a few cars on the lot but I suspect he probably was so far behind on payments that he lost nothing by just walking away. Nothing to worry about, though, the economy is recovering. "rolleyes:
Tony, welcome to Flo's. Keep an eye on Chris. He's well known for lifting wallets and then being the big spender here for a week or so. Flo has trouble keeping the food coming if Chris has someone else's credit card.
Tom, it sounds like you did the right, if difficult, thing with that poor kid. I wish there was a way to get the schools to recognize this kind of antisocial behavior early and get him some counseling and even medication if that's what it takes. It would be nice if the mother would take some responsibility but it sounds like she probably has enough trouble keeping herself together. That kind of aggressive, violent history was so common in teenagers I arrested for serious crimes. I fear for his future as well if nothing is done.
Larry, Chris is pretty tricky when it comes to getting keys and credit cards. Don't underestimate his cunning. He seems to have way to track you down even when you try to hide. Just ask Rex.
BOC, it looked like you had a pretty honkin' front go through yesterday. The remnants of that front are supposed to set off some storms for us the next few days. Nothing looks too organized so I think it will be just hit and miss thunderstorms.
Ken, I know it would have eaten at you if you didn't get that street just right so I guess tearing things up and fixing it now is better than the ulcers later. I have a couple of places that I did when I first building the layout that I really don't like now. I'm thinking of starting some downtown renovation but I think I'll decide what to do while laying under a palm tree next week.
We leave from Montgomery at 9 am Sunday. I've got the two girls, who have never flown in a puddle jumper, that our plane is an AN-2 biplane like this one:
I told them it was no problem because we fly so low the pilots just follow Interstate 85 to Atlanta.
And, believe it or not, there's a small subtropical low that has formed between Cuba and the Bahamas that looks like it has some potential to develop into a tropical depression by next Tuesday, affecting the Bahamas and Florida. I haven't told my wife yet because she will kill me.
I really do start to wonder about my luck and vacations though.
Rats, I missed way too much to respond to everyone...again. I thought I was supposed to actually have some extra time when I was retired?
. I did get a chance to clean up the layout during Bunco night and get a few pictures so I have something to post tomorrow.
I got your CC, your keys ain't any safer!
