Stray Dog BBQ

Tender ribs and brisket! Didn't know stray dog could taste so good!   Thanks Dan Judd for introducing me to this place!

Fried SPAM Sandwich!

I was commenting on BOGGSBLOGS about fried SPAM and a cravin' was flung on me for this culinary delight.  Lo and behold today Tami fried up a batch and you can see the result!

Daybreak Golf Session

I was invited by my coworker, Chris, to his early Saturday morning golf group.  So...at 5:30 this AM, we are out on the municipal golf course with three other mutual friends...Glen Johnson, Steve Gleghorn and Daniel Franks.  They were all so kind and encouraging...and really...I don't think I did too slouchy!  I hit one in the lake, one in a yard but all the rest were retrievable/playable.  No pars, a couple of bogeys and some scores that we won't discuss!  Had a great time though and Thanks Chris for the invite!

Lebanon MO - Dollar General Site

We have been working on a couple of Dollar General Store sites in Lebanon Missouri over the past three months or so.  The one on the north site of town is not the worst site I have ever seen but it is definitely challenging.  There is (was) a drainage ditch right through the middle of the site with an old collapsed concrete culvert down part way into the site.  They are building a brand spankin' new one so when they cut the trench and we had to re-stake the angle points.  Now...it is dry as cracker juice in south Missouri and Lebanon is no exception.  Why the water and mud?...it is so dry that the site fill will not compact so they are hosing down the site with a fire hose...which has a leak...water gravitates to the lowest point on the site...which is the trench...hence the water and mud!!!  Sure glad I had my "Dans Hip Waders"!!!  The following pictures are of Chris and I staking the points with our Robotic Total Station. 

The "Swashbuckling Surveyor"!  Arrrrrgh!

The "Robot" on the tripod in the background

Chris is stuck in the mud waiting for me come pull him out....

Right past me is where they cut the street to put in the new culvert.  You can see the sawcut pavement below the cones

I take no responsiblity for the following pictures...This is what happens when you have a coworker snap a few pics...they just go crazy!  I really must get Chris out of the office more...(or not)!!

Roastneers!

Tami and I went to a wedding in Jonesboro, IL and on the way back we picked up a few ears of corn...400 to be exact!  200 for me and 200 for my brother Ralph.  Bought it at Diebold Produce just north of Sikeston.  We may have an ox in the ditch tomorrow afternoon!!!

Zizzer Reunion 1982-2012

ZIZZER (ZIZZER) n. 1.  an expert in any activity - adj. (colloq) FIRST RATE; 2. a person of the highest caliber, ability or reputation 3. one who is victorious; (syn) A WINNER! Because to be a ZIZZER means to be the BEST at WHATEVER you do!

My thirty year class reunion was yesterday and I broke with tradition and attended.  I never really thought it was my "thing" to attend but I am so glad that I did!

We started with a tour of my Alma Mater, Old West Plains High School.  Scott Womack, one of my classmates who is now a coach and teacher, was our guide.   Many additions and expansions have been made to the school but I was able to see a lot of familiar places.  Especially the Vo-tech building...I had technical drafting first hour and a bunch of us always sat on the heater right outside Mr. Mac's drafting classroom (which was next door to Mrs. Schroeder's Secretarial Practice).  The heater was right across from the bathrooms so we (the boys) thought it would be funny to prop a cup of water over the womens privy door and soak the first girl that used the facilities.  It was a good plan in theory but bad in practice since Mrs. Schroeder was the first one in the bathroom...with us sitting on heater saying under our breath...no...No...NOOOOO!!  The phrase "Mad as a Wet Hen" comes to mind!  enough of my rambling on this...

Diana Brown, Ron Grennen and others had planned for the use of the Armory so we met there and had a great time of visiting and catching up on what everyone's lives.  All in all it was a great time and I plan on attending the 40th reunion, Lord Willing!

BTW...I'm the handsome guy on one knee in the center of the picture...they told me to get down on my knees since I was so tall!

JHPC Independence Day Water Balloon Toss!

Just a small portion of our water balloon toss...in lieu of fireworks...which, by the way,  James Wheeler and I almost won!  And then snacks, cold watermelon and homemade ice cream!!!  Whooboy!

INDEPENDENCE DAY!

After our trip to Boston in 2011, Independence Day will never be the same for me.  I understand that we call it "The 4th" or "The 4th of July" but somehow it seems that you lose something in the translation when you call it just "The 4th".  It really was and is "Independence Day".  Since we are so accustomed to freedom we lose sight of just how much of a risk the founders and signers took when "...with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence" they mutually pledged "... to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

I stood in Revere Square and looked past the statue of Paul Revere with the Old North Church spire in the background and somehow wondered; If I would have lived in 1776, would I have had convictions as strong as they, to make the same pledge?  I hear lots of talk and read many internet posts about so-called patriotism, eg. "I'll give up my gun when they pry my cold dead fingers from around it" and other such drivel, But when it really...really comes down to it, would they...we...I...really have that much fortitude to stand up for our rights and convictions?  I sincerely pray that I do...and to that end....

Today...My hat is off today to our Armed Forces! Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines & Coast Guard!  And to the veterans of our many wars and conflicts.   You, the men and women in uniform, active, retired and honorably discharged, have my utmost honor and respect!