Presented by "Andrea Johnson".
Katies "teachers aide" at Montrose Elementary School, So Chas, WV
Monday, December 15, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Halloween Pumpkins
My Daughter sent me pictures of the kids getting ready for Halloween!
I think they're just adorable and wanted to share them with all you folks!
The first thing to do is find a nice pumpkin and draw a picture on it. Then you carve out the image to make it your "special pumpkin".
(This job is only for the big folks with some creativity)
Then you gather the management team to complete the assignment! The pumpkins turn out like this:
You place them all on the porch banister.
(To share with all the "spooks and goblins")
And a few other creatures and characters!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
A Special Hike Today
Marilyn and I have been married for exactly one year today, and we celebrated by hiking in the New River Gorge. Our first hike together was here, and we thought it appropriate to spend the day, here again, on our Anniversary.
It’s a beautiful place with lots of good memories for both of us.
The New River is one of oldest rivers in the world, and over millions of years; it’s carved an enormous Canyon along a 60 mile stretch in West Virginia. The best “white water rafting east of the Mississippi” is in this Gorge. Next weekend there will be hundreds of thousands of BASE jumpers leaping off the highest span arch bridge in America at Fayetteville.
It’s a beautiful place with lots of good memories for both of us.
The New River is one of oldest rivers in the world, and over millions of years; it’s carved an enormous Canyon along a 60 mile stretch in West Virginia. The best “white water rafting east of the Mississippi” is in this Gorge. Next weekend there will be hundreds of thousands of BASE jumpers leaping off the highest span arch bridge in America at Fayetteville.
As we were hiking along the edge of the Gorge we heard the sound of a coal train lumbering below us and rafters running some of the rapids. Driving over the span arch bridge, we could see my Geocaching site on the rocks a few miles upstream.
Driving back to Charleston, we had a wonderful dinner, at one of the better restaurants in town, and then attended a "string quartet concert ” held at a local church. The music and reception afterwards was a real listening joy. All the players tonight were members of the Charleston Symphony and outstanding musicians.
It doesn’t get any better than this….
Charleston is a great place to live, and within an hours drive of some of the greatest hiking anywhere in the world.
We both feel fortunate, to have found each other here, and able to enjoy this great state with all its varied attractions. We will be looking to many more years.
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Tailgate Party
Friday evening was the second time I’ve seen some of my old friends from the 1966 Class of St Albans High School. This year was an informal “tailgate party” and afterwards, we walked to the football field to watch the “homecoming” game.You can view the web site at : SAHS66
(Out of curiosity, I attended my first 40th class reunion a few years ago).
My most notable high school contribution, in those days, was being a musician with a “rock and roll” band. We played for school dances and some of the local establishments in the valley. We made enough money to buy gas and pull maintenance on the old car I drove at the time. I’ve said many times, in my later life, “there are a lot of good poor guitar players in the world”.
Everyone learning to play guitar in Kanawha Valley started with Dwayne Eddie’s famous tune called “Rebel Rouser” and a good friend of mine and I played a lot of instrumentals from the “Ventures”. They were “hot” back then with their electric “Fender” lead, rhythm and bass guitars.
The other group I was associated with was CB operators. My little group met on Channel 14 in those days and talked about anything and everything happening in school.
I saw a few from both those groups at the gathering. But I didn’t recognize them at first sight. It was rather embarrassing trying to guess which one was from what group. We’ve all changed drastically in the last 40 years.
But it was great to see them, or at least those who had managed to live until now. I’m amazed at those who pursued their education and career ambitions and have become successful in life.
Of course, this brings up the question of “what’s really important in life” and “who is really successful”?
My most notable high school contribution, in those days, was being a musician with a “rock and roll” band. We played for school dances and some of the local establishments in the valley. We made enough money to buy gas and pull maintenance on the old car I drove at the time. I’ve said many times, in my later life, “there are a lot of good poor guitar players in the world”.
Everyone learning to play guitar in Kanawha Valley started with Dwayne Eddie’s famous tune called “Rebel Rouser” and a good friend of mine and I played a lot of instrumentals from the “Ventures”. They were “hot” back then with their electric “Fender” lead, rhythm and bass guitars.
The other group I was associated with was CB operators. My little group met on Channel 14 in those days and talked about anything and everything happening in school.
I saw a few from both those groups at the gathering. But I didn’t recognize them at first sight. It was rather embarrassing trying to guess which one was from what group. We’ve all changed drastically in the last 40 years.
But it was great to see them, or at least those who had managed to live until now. I’m amazed at those who pursued their education and career ambitions and have become successful in life.
Of course, this brings up the question of “what’s really important in life” and “who is really successful”?
I’m still playing guitar but the electric model has been replaced with an acoustic one.
I’m still into radio but the CB has been replaced with Ham Radio .
I guess I’m successful, but if not by some standards, at least I’m happy!
I think...., really..... that’s all that matters in life.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Snowshoe Mountain
The last month, I've been having problems with Sciatica in my left leg and it was about to get me down.
It's extremely painful at times, but on Monday we drove to the "Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort" and had a great time.
The elevation was about 4700 ft. and I was able to hike a total of 6 miles!
We took a nice hike along a ridge that is used as a "military flight training path". We climbed to the top of a "fire tower" and were watching the valley below us when an F-14 buzzed by at about 200 mph.
I could almost feel the heat off the engines!
It was a beautiful place. The leaves had not turned very much but we saw a little 'color' driving back to Charleston.
We also saw two small "Bobcats" on the trail which ended at a lake in the valley where there was a beaver dam.
The pain in my left leg is almost gone now!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Happy Days
It's Official....
Marilyn and I decided to make "Life Commitments" to each other on October 11th, 2007 and we were married on the "Blue Ridge Parkway".
The "Peaks of Otter" is a beautiful place where some friends of mine were married several years ago. We also thought it an appropriate place for our vows and the private ceremony was an exceptional and beautiful "stress free" time for the both of us.
We plan to be "life partners" for at least the next 50 years!
Afterwards we spent several days hiking and enjoying the fall scenery of the mountains.
We will always have wonderful memories of this special place.
The "Peaks of Otter" is a beautiful place where some friends of mine were married several years ago. We also thought it an appropriate place for our vows and the private ceremony was an exceptional and beautiful "stress free" time for the both of us.
We plan to be "life partners" for at least the next 50 years!
Afterwards we spent several days hiking and enjoying the fall scenery of the mountains.
We will always have wonderful memories of this special place.
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