The Lonely Toe

I have been checking Tighty Whitey for some time for an update from George regarding his foot injury. Hundreds of bloggers fell in love with what has been called, "the lonely toe", a description of the bruised middle toe standing like a singular stump on a fleshy landscape. This injured appendage, seemingly shunned by his four yellow nailed brethren, entered the water cooler discussions of America by storm.

"We can all sort of relate to 'LT'", said Paul Ferdlings. "I feel jammed in a hot, sweaty sneaker most every day."

We demand an update Tighty Whitey. Lonely Toes everywhere are seeking answers.

Searching for Sanford

As a child, one of my favorite television shows was Sanford and Son. Later, as teenagers, some friends of mine and I even made a recorded spoof called "Dan Ward and Son". Dan Ward was our highschool band director. Embarrassingly, I still have it on cassette somewhere.

Anyway, I was wondering whatever happened to Dan, since last I heard he was caught with a band booster mom in the parking lot of the high school he was working in. I heard he was really keeping some serious 4/4 time in his Gremlin. Then, I began to wonder something more important. Whatever, happened to Lemont from Sanford and Son. That 70s fro and mustache with the tight jeans and matching leisure style jacket.

From what I can gather on the Internet, Demond Wilson is a Christian. In 1984, Wilson became an ordained minister, fulfilling his childhood vow. Later, in 1994, he founded Restoration House, a center that helps rehabilitate former prison inmates by providing mentoring, spiritual guidance and vocational training. Pretty cool.

Interestingly enough, Demond is his middle name. His first name is Grady. Wouldn't Fred and Bubba be proud.

Post Disney Blues

Today I am a little blue for tomorrow I return to work after a little less than a week in Orlando. No, I'm not depressed so much because I am now broke, though that surely helps. The major reason is that no one does it quite like Disney for families. Or for that matter, in my opinion, no one does it better than Disney for just about anyone. I love the positive energy that a Disney trip exudes. There's something about just driving through the toll gates that brings a smile, even as you relieve your wallet of $12.00 for parking. And as you take a big bite of one of those $13 giant turkey legs and a major vein snaps back in your face, what a delight. Now that's magic.

Here are some pictures I thought you might enjoy to get a flavor of the trip. What is your favorite getaway?

This first picture cracked me up. It was taken by an elderly man in some line who cut my head off and then later farted. Good times, good times...

What's in Your Wallet?

A popular credit card commercial begs the question, "So, what's in your wallet?" The answer for me, tonight at least is the following:

One drivers license with the sorriest red-faced photo you've ever seen

3 credit cards (all fully paid off each month!)

One company gas card

One ATM card

One Disney rewards card for our Orlando trip in a couple of weeks

A Smoothie King frequent buyer card (this was an impulse buy in Charleston- I didn't even want the card)

Various business expense receipts including parking fees and restaurants

United Healthcare card and a CVS prescription card

Sams Club membership

REI membership club (there is not one in Columbia)

Vision one card

My old dentist's business card (why?)

Voter registration for SC

Expired NC fishing license

Well, for some reason my back is killing me tonight. I must go soak it in a hot bath. Say, what's in your wallet, right now? Hmmm?

Goodbye Dom

Well, Dom Deluise is no longer with us. I, for one, always thought he was hilarious. Here's one of my favorite Dom characters from Blazing Saddles.

He's back!

After several weeks on hiatus (what that means exactly, I don't know), I'm finally back to the blog. As many of you know, we just moved from Cary, NC back to Lexington, SC. Honestly, it felt like home the minute we passed the Bojangles near Lexington Medical Center. A sweet tea and 2 Boberry biscuits later, we were in the heart of Lexington. There's no place like home.

We've adjusted very well back in Lexington. The girls like their schools, Leslie is getting plugged back into the community and I am enjoying my new assignment with GSK. And of course, all of the relatives are thrilled to have us close by. At least they say that they are. I suspect it's true.

Anyway, more to come down the road for this blog, but suffice it to say (what does that mean?) it's great to be back. In Lexington and on the blog.

Born Again American Song

I'll bet you start singing along in 2 minutes! Good stuff...

http://www.bornagainamerican.org:80/

An Egg Story

Some months back, I challenged Jay Kirk to write a short story with the title "An Egg Story". I wasn't quite sure what he would do, but I was certain it would be a page and a half of something involving a chicken or perhaps our old assistant band director, "Egg". ("Egg", as we called him, wears a toupee these days.)

Little did I know, that I would receive in the mail a script which, by all accounts, is outstanding. This Egg Story goes much deeper than the envisioned challenge I made some months back, with fully developed characters and a compelling story-line.

I tell you this for two reasons. A) I really enjoyed reading this script by Jay. In fact, I am reading it for a second time now. B) I am constantly amazed at the many talents that my old friends have. Even though I have known them for some time, as the onion is peeled away, new discoveries are always waiting. Even one's with runny yellow centers. Well, that sounds wonderful. I'm going to get up and go make an omelet.

Janelle Green the author

For many reasons, I am very proud of my mother. To name just one, she is a newly published author and you are welcomed to purchase her book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. "This Earthly Tent" was a work in progress for several years and could not have been completed but for the efforts of her dear friend and cousin, Mary Anne Allread. Some of it reads as a story, while much of it is taken from journal entries she made throughout her long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.

I must admit, it was rather hard for me to read. It served as a stark reminder of my own oversights and self- centeredness. Yet, I was also inspired that in the center of turmoil there is victory in Christ. In the midst of destruction, there is peace- if you seek Him.

Here's the synopsis of the book:

"Janelle Green was a vibrant young wife and mother in 1975. She and her husband Rick had two wonderful little boys and had just welcomed their beautiful little adopted daughter from Vietnam. They were like many other ordinary young families when suddenly her life took on a whole new dimension. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that affects the central nervous system.
This is her story—a story of strength, determination and a profound faith in God, a faith that has enabled her to live a life that is an inspiration to us all. In her own words, she tells of her struggles, her triumphs, her dark days and her optimism. Through it all, she relied on her strong belief in God and the promises in His Word. Her book will be a blessing to all readers."

Mom hopes that her story will give others hope, through her positive attitude, her optimism and her belief in God's promise that there are better days ahead. I believe that. She demonstrates it daily.

Happy Birthday Meredith

Tonight, Meredith celebrated her 12th birthday with a group of friends. They pretty much wrecked the place, but who cares. You only turn 12 once. There was dancing (don't tell my Baptist parents), eating, running, making smores over the campfire, more dancing (shhhh) and acting like wild animals. The kids had a pretty good time doing some stuff, too.