Effin Biting Flies

The morning started gloriously. It's cool. I'm on the lower deck with a cup of fresh coffee and the laptop. I'm watching the sun come up over the dunes. Can't get much better. Later, I walk down to the beach. The water is calm and clear. No jellies in sight. Is going to be a great day for snorkling and shelling. I take a short dip then go sit to read and what in the hell do you think starts happening?? The wind has shifted and is now coming from the mainland which brings with it.....you guessed it--those nasty little black biting flies. Such fuckers. I deal with it but cuss each and every one that I kill.

Eventually, I go back out into the water and enjoy the gentle waves, my boys, my partner and a neighbor friend from across the street. It's almost perfect except for those little black buzzing fuckers.

Pensacola Beach, Pensacola. It's almost paradise here depending on which way the wind blows.

Kinda like politics in Memphis.

One of the flies was named Willie.

He's a flat bloody spec out there on the sand somewhere.

Life is good.

Calm time

So, we've been here almost a full week. Time seems to slow down here which is nice because life at home has been very hectic lately. For the first time ever I've had tiny little panicky moments over the weekends about going back. Wondering if I can get it all done. Do I know the right answers. That sort of stuff. It passes generally and I manage to do just fine but I've never felt that way before.

Vacation came at just the right moment. I know it's 8 years away but I'm looking forward to retirement and don't really care how broke I'll be. All I know is that right now, things are happening at work that I don't agree with morally, ethically and legally and there's not one damn thing I can do about it. Well, I could quit but I'm not making that choice at the moment.

What I have done is sit down and make a plan to retire my debt with the exception of the house. If I follow my plan then in 4 years and 2 months I'll be debt free with the above exception. At that point, I can flip off the world. Wouldn't but I could. I'll bide my time until I can retire. I'd be cool with a canvas tent and a small air conditioner as long as it's near a body of water.

Anyway, back to vacation. The weather has been great. We have had some rain but I must say that I've enjoyed sitting on the upper deck watching the storm roll in over the gulf. It's amazing to watch the edges and see the rain coming down then to feel the breeze go from warm to cool within seconds. Awesome stuff. And then the sun comes out and it's back down to the surf and sand and sun. Life is good. I could retire to someplace close to here. Or the carribbean or mexican coast. Right now, I just need to plan for my next cold beer and sunshine tomorrow.

Buy my mg.

Vacation Time!!!!

I save up for this all year. I save my vacation days in anticipation for our annual trip to the gulf coast. It's where I recharge for the next year. Where I relax and scream at my children less. I love the coast. There's something about the sand and wind and rhythm of the water that sooths my soul.

It's worth the 7 hour drive and the sacrifices we make in our lives to be able to afford this. Not just worth it but necessary. It heals the battle wounds of the year. It takes me away from the political turmoil and the venom flying around in the city even if for only a few moments.

We'll be hitting the road in a few minutes. The computer will be shut down, the hot water heater put on vacation and the thermostat reset. Friends are taking care of the cats and the house. The dogs are going with us this year. I'm ready.

I'm still selling the MG.

Keepin' It Real

Life has a funny way of keeping things real. Yesterday, we put out a shameless solicitation for cookies that my son bakes and sells. He does Kendo which is a form of Japanese martial arts and enjoys it. There are tournaments and equipment and travel involved so we told him that he would have to help finance this little endeavor. Our friends and family stepped up to the plate beautifully. I was feeling all glowie inside.

Then today happened and what do I end up spending most of my morning on? Cleaning out the sewer line running from the house. Talk about a real downer. Stinky. Dirty and heavy. I don't ever want to do that again. I will have to but I don't want to.

I'm still selling the MG

Selling the MG

I've made the painful decision to sell the MG. My oldest has to have braces and at $5000 I need all the spare change I can get. She's a 1965 MKIII Midget but with the 1275 engine. She has a new top, paint, carpet on the inside, new slave cylinder, rebuilt master cylinder, rebuilt clutch. I've always joked that I would drive a car until I saw parts fall off in the road behind me. Well, that happened. The chrome ring around the right headlight fell off. It's time for me to sell her. She's running. She'll need a wheel balance and new tires. The speedometer cable needs replacing but that's an easy job. Messy but easy. I have a ton of spare parts that I can either sell with her or separately. Depends on the offer.

Sad day for me.

Yay Me

The sorting hat says that I belong in Gryffindor!

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those with brave deeds to their name."

Students of Gryffindor are typically brave, daring, and chivalrous.
Famous members include Harry, Ron, Hermione, Albus Dumbledore (head of Hogwarts), and Minerva McGonagall (head of Gryffindor).

Take the most scientific Harry Potter Quiz ever created.

Get Sorted Now!

My Youngest

The almost 13 year old has been a holy terror for the last two days. What's that saying? "These are the times that try men's souls." Well, let me tell you that these are the times that try a mother's soul. Both mothers. How is it possible for a human to love another human so much and yet have this almost overwhelming urge to strangle said human?

Thankfully, the moment passed. Everyone over here is still living and is intact.

My oldest celebrated his birthday yesterday. And as is custom, I get a little nod for all of the work I did on that day, his birthday, 15 years ago. 72 hours at home. 8 more hours of labor at the hospital and finally a C-section. He was born not breathing and had to be resuscitated. His umbilical cord was tied in a knot and had they asked me I could have told them it was probably braided given how active he was in the womb. Hell, he punted a coffee mug off my belly one Sunday morning while I was in bed reading the Sunday paper. A heavy back-beat would almost always set him off to0. Still does. He likes music to this day especially Celtic and new age. Go figure THAT one.

They're good kids. They have unique personalities and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I moved the MG back out from under the carport with no top on so perhaps we'll get rain in the next few days.