MAVERICK 1996-2010 - A MEMORIAL

There comes a time in any pet owner's life when they have to say goodbye to a much loved 'family member,' one that created a constant stream of happy memories and possessed personality quirks that will forever bring a smile to one's face, and that which made them so very special from the very beginning.  And so, it is with great sadness that Debbie and I let you know that our beloved Maverick, aka Mavs, aka Mavelinski, aka Mavies, and finally, aka Mavey went to sleep, free of pain, for the last time on Tuesday, 12 October 2010.

Water Country USA Divers - Williamsburg

The previous post talked about the good time everyone had last weekend.  Part of that good time was the trip to Water Country USA.  This post deals strictly with the diving portion of the day.  The divers at WC are professional divers as well as former collegiate divers.  They dive from various heights as well as a very high platform dive - into 12 feet of water.  Needless to say, "Better them than me!"

Water Country USA - Williamsburg

Well, we had a house-full to say the least.  Last weekend, Jennie, Melissa, Megan, Tori, Ethan, Lexie, and Megan's good friend Lauren came down for the weekend, arriving on Thursday night and leaving on Sunday.  Friday was spent at Water Country USA - were there for the opening bell at 10:00 and for the closing bell at 8:00. 

Landscaping Around the House and a Raccoon Visitor - again

Well, I'm sitting here INSIDE since it is about 105 degrees OUTSIDE right now (and supposed to be hotter tomorrow).  I did spend a little time outside this morning watering getting read for the roaster that was to come today ... and it hasn't disappointed.  I did the yardwork on Wednesday (much cooler to do after work) so I am yardwork-free this weekend.  But, we have done our usual landscaping this year (although at a lower scale).   

Quick Visit to Georgia

While Debbie took off to Wyoming for a week-long visit to Jared and the grand-kids, I took off down to Jonesboro over the 4th of July weekend.  The weather was hot hot hot .... did I mention that it was hot?  Take my word for it - it was a roaster in Jonesboro.  Drove down on Friday before the 4th and headed back on Monday with an overnight stop in Evans (Augusta) at Kenneth's and Barbara's.

Myrtle Beach - Family Album

Here are the family photos from Myrtle Beach 2010.  Don't forget, you can save these pictures to your computer by right-clicking and doing a save-as.

Myrtle Beach - 2010

I am finally getting around to placing some beach pictures on the blog.  I didn't take as many this year as in year's past - no particular reason really - except maybe I slept in more often than not this year ... :P

Visit to USS Enterprise

Part of the perks in being in Government service is being able to go to some places the general public is not apt to go to.  One such occasion occurred last week when a tour was arranged for some of us in the office to go tour the USS Enterprise docked in Norfolk Virgina.

CW Mason in the Civil War

Have been doing some ancesteral research and discovered that my great-great-grandfather (CW Mason) fought in the Civil War, having been mustered in South Carolina's Orr's Rifles on July 20th 1861 at Camp Pickens South Carolina by Lt Sloan at the ripe old age of 19.  He survived throughout, surrendering at Appomattox in 1865.  During my research I discovered he was wounded at the First Battle of Deep Bottom here in Virginia and fought in many battles during the war.  Here is a run-down of his unit, Orr's Rifles:

Return of the Backyard Turtle

Just sitting on the deck this evening when our old friend the turtle darted out from under a bush and scurried across the deer-corn food plot area.  I was lucky enough to grab the camera before it sped back to the under-growth.  I'm pretty sure it is an Eastern Box Turtle.  It has been about a year since we last saw one.