Teaser Test

Just hooked up my scanner and I'm amazed I can actually get from point A to point B with it!

Remember these guys?
This would have been about August of 1966...
(My gosh, that's 41 years ago, isn't it!?)
Gearhead trivia question: What kind of car? What year? And (Hawkeye is disqualified!), what was the displacement of the engine?

Destin Smiles

Click 'em for bigger smiles!
Our FlyGirl and her Hoosier Boy.



Who's this guy, and what'd he do to get that reaction?



There, that's better... Cinders back in her comfort zone!



The luckiest guy in the world, (for just a few seconds anyway!)



Life in Destin was good, whether you had two legs, or four.
That's Lucy and her Pop.

I AM SO JEALOUS... ON THE LIGHTER SIDE OF THINGS

At last another TV competition has ended this week. I am exhausted. I watched the Dancing with the Stars each and every week and loved it. I am sure I could twirl with the best of them and do a high step or two, yea right, then I woke up from my nap.
I chose Apolo the very first week I saw him dance. Since I am great Olympics follower and have admired that young man for years he was a joy to watch. He stepped outside the square each week with the most difficult dance routines. Joey a close second.
Then it occurred to me, why am I so interested in this show, why this one? Is it their costumes? Is it the music? Maybe it is getting to dance with stars?
As the tension built up and the excitement grew, and the weeks passed, I had this green envy overtake me. What was happening, what was going to happen, when will it end? Where did this feeling come from? And what was it? What was drawing me to this particular show? It was driving me nuts, and I didn't have far to travel. Was I trying to relive my high school sock hops? I didn't think so.
Then it hit me....
For those of you that know me so well and have been following some of my funniest escapades over the years can answer that one.
I bet you know why I am so Jealous of the winner.
Next year I am entering.

Sharon and TC's DDFF Pics-

Sharon and TC- thanks for sharing these memories with the rest of us!
I'll post a few each day for the next couple days.
You can click these to enlarge 'em!


Another shot of our group before the Dolphin cruise on the "Hannah Marie". From Right to Left- FlyGirl, TC, Sharon, Cindy, and TwoDogs. At this time, FlyGirl and TC had been on the Head Boat "Sweet Jody", and both had caught a bunch of fish.

TC wielding the camera here-
Again from Right to Left, Fly, Greybeard, Sharon, Cindy, and TwoDogs.

Our sassy waitress at "Kenny D's" did the group proud...
From Left to Right- Cappy, Kenny, FlyGirl, TwoDogs, Sharon, Cindy, Sara Jean, Greybeard, and TC.

Studying the menu at Kenny D's.


TC and Sharon.

Time For Livin'!

More and more, life seems to be reminding us our time is limited...
the latest of these reminders is the passing of Bo's father. I'm so sorry for Bo, but I think I know what Mr. R. might say if he could chat with us now...

So much of our lives revolves around stuff we're comfortable with. Sharing those things relaxes and comforts us. Food and Music come immediately to mind, (and music is wonderful, because after listening to it for hours I don't have to walk 5 miles to work off it's results!)

About the time we graduated from CGHS, there was a group of musicians who called themselves "The Association" that had a string of hits... a couple tunes by them you'll remember- "Cherish", and "Wendy".
I liked them enough to buy three or four of their albums, (and they are one of the groups that I searched and found their CD's to replace my vinyl records.) One of their less popular tunes was called "Time For Livin'". The complete lyrics are here, but I'd like to direct your attention to one of the songs thoughts-

"Too busy to stop and notice the things that are real
Embarrassed to talk about all things that I feel
It's so strange, never noticed the world all around me
Hey, look I've changed, my attitude's been rearranged
From now on I'm taking some time for living
Grooving on everything life is giving
I'm gonna be taking time for life."

Does that strike a note with you? It sure does to me!
Our "mini-reunions" have been SO wonderful... I don't know how much impact they have had on the way we spend our time away from one another, but I can personally tell ya they've had a profound effect on how I feel with old classmates... when with them, I take "Time For Livin'".

June 2nd is the night of the CGHS Alumni Banquet. I've written about it before, and remarked that the several I have attended have been very nice experiences... good food, with good music afterwards. They're also a great chance to meet and visit with classmates, and more importantly schoolmates that attended years before and years after 1965.

I wanted pretty badly to attend this year's banquet because Mr. Legan is gonna be there.
I haven't seen Mr. L. in close to 50 years, so we've got some catchin' up to do. Unfortunately, one of the other pilots is taking his vacation on the 2nd, and I am the only guy at our base that can pull his shift for him so he can take "Time For Livin'" with his wife and new baby. I can't make it...
But you can.

"Slow down, ya move too fast".
It's time, dear friends...
time to begin to take note of things and people we love...
smell the roses/coffee- whatever.
If you can make it on the 2nd, please go. Hug one another, take note of the wonderful things that happen, then come back here and blog or comment about it.

I wish I could be with you.

Sad news from BoMarGirl

Most of you know that Bo’s father has been so very ill for quite some time, now. Sadly he passed away this morning at St. Francis Hospital.

Bo has been running herself ragged between caring for her mother (who lives at the same place as Vandy) and spending every possible moment with her Dad.

She asked me to post this because she was having trouble logging on. If you would like to send a card and need her address, I’ll be happy to send it to you.

I know this is something that all of us have faced or will in the near future; it’s the season of our lives. Still, it’s such a wonderful blessing to be re-connected with good friends at times like these

GB's Destin Afterthoughts-

Still there...
That is to say, I still haven't completely recovered!

Part of the problem is that while others were staying in Condos that, for all intents and purposes were just fabulous motel rooms...
Sara Jean and I were "home" for the 10 days we were there.
We've now been working on unit#3 for seven years, adding a touch here, changing something that bothers us there. Trying to make it home is tempered by the fact that it is on a rental program...
it's rented out most of the year, and renters are destructive...
I'll tell you some horror stories if you ask, but won't depress you by posting them here. But the DDFF... four days with Sara Jean's brother and his wife from Chicago... a full week with TD and Cindy, five days with Fly and Cappy and Sharon and TC... and an all too short visit with Harry and Carol and Bro-in-law Ken... many folks we have gotten to know so much better during our mini-reunions, was like a dream... I just didn't want it to end.

Visiting in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere... knowing that you have days rather than hours to catch up on everything that's happened in the last 42 years, takes the edge off conversations.
Add to that the fact that we were able to be selective about where we ate while we were visiting... we ate fresh seafood that would make ya want to "smack your Grandma!", and those of you that couldn't/didn't attend can begin to perceive what you missed at this mini.

Something we couldn't control, but ended up bein' as near perfect as possible:
The weather. We had NO rain. I can only remember one day that we could actually call cloudy, and even that would be a stretch.
Daytime temps were low-to-mid 80's, nighttimes were warm enough that shortsleeves were still comfortable.
Perfect.... Just perfect. I can only hope next year will come close.

In April/May, the water in the Gulf is still pretty cool in the panhandle... enough to turn a gals headlights on, or cause George Costanza's "shrinkage" to happen to the guys. But I think all will agree... the beach at Destin is second to NONE. If you like soaking up the rays, you can't find a nicer beach on which to do it!

Next year:
May 11 through 18 will better fit Harry and Carol's schedule.
It's my hope that word of mouth will help to increase the number of Trojans in Ocean-view Condos at Gulf Winds East. AND THAT MEANS YOU!...
If you are reading and enjoying this post, you are invited:
Classmates, schoolmates, relatives, friends and faculty.
We can all get to know and enjoy one another better.

I can hardly wait 'til next year!

Last Batch of Fly's Destin Pics:

This batch of pics was taken at a little "hole in the wall" bar and grill within walking distance of the Condo called "Kenny D's".
Of all the great places we ate, Kenny D's ended up being our overall favorite... odd because of it's location so close to Gulf Winds East, and the fact that we ate at some pretty famous and fabulous restaurants.
Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice, Blackened Mahi-Mahi or Grouper, and Crawfish Etouffee...
I'm ready to go back to Kenny D's RIGHT NOW!

TC, Sharon, and Bro-in-Law Ken.


TC and Sharon.


TD and Cinders, with Sara Jean barely making an appearance here.


Sun-warmed Sara Jean and Greybeard don't need to look at the menu... we already knew what we wanted!


Cap and the back of Ken's head.


Mommanurse's hubby, the "Redneck Rooster".

No pics of FlyGirl here, 'cause she was wielding the camera.
I hope Sharon's photos will rectify that omission. I also wish we had gotten a pic of our waitress... she was a cutey, and got so comfortable with us during our stay that she was sassing us for our behavior!

Okay Sharon, the pressure is on...
I'll post your pics as soon as I get 'em!

Can Ya Stand More DDFF?

That's me, with the beautiful Bonita I caught.


Fly with part of her catch.


Harry gives Fly a hand with her heavy load. GB in the background.


Cappy gives Cap'n Darryl a hand, cleanin' up the Cari-Lynne.


TD, trying to get his "landlegs" to return!


Sharon, Harry, and Cappy at the "post-DDFF fish fry", in the parking lot behind the Condo.


Foreground:
Cinders and TD, Sharon and TC. In the background, Sara Jean and Bro-in-law Ken approach. We're on our way to Kenny D's!


Happy Cappy and Greybeard's better half.

More DDFF Pics

Here are more of Fly's photos of the Destin experience.
For some reason I cannot get them to enlarge... something about the format I received them in. Can you enlarge them? (I have a magnifying glass specifically for that purpose!)


A better photo of the gorgeous sailboat that I posted previously. This vessel is available for charter... something we might want to consider next year.

From left to right... GB, TwoDogs, and Cinders on the Dolphin Cruise.
(TD, I'd have looked a lot smarter here if I had taken your lead with the sunglasses!)

Friday morning, prior to boarding the Cari-Lynne...
L to R: 1st Mate Chad, TC, GB, Happy Cappy, Harry, and TD.


These are just "the keepers". Red Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, Triggerfish, and Bonita.

Cappy, Harry, TD, GB, TC, and Fly... tired, but smilin'.


More of the same.


TC and his grouper.
More comin'!
(Joker, I updated the pic in the previous post with the names of those shown, as you asked.)

FlyGirl's Destin Pics!

The "Sweet Jody"... this is the "Head Boat" that FlyGirl, Cappy, and TC fished from (and caught fish!), on Thursday.

TC on the "Sweet Jody".

Cappy, prior to catching fish, on the "Sweet Jody".

Cappy, TC, and the 1st Mate...
Do you remember the Mate's name, Fly?

TC displays some great eatin'!

TC, Cappy, and the Mate at the cleaning table.

DDFF'ers on the "Hannah Marie", the Dolphin Cruise Boat Thursday evening. (From right to left this time- GB, TC, Sharon, Cinders, TwoDogs, and TwoDog's groupie.

Under sail-
One of the sailboats we saw while on our Dolphin Cruise.

More pics comin'...
Blogger is a little slow. Stand by!

Happy Cappy

(You can enlarge by clicking.)

More pics are on the way, but I have a good one to show ya while others are in transit:

This is FlyGirl's Hoosier Boy, or as he came to be known in Destin, "Happy Cappy".
("FlyGirl's Happy Cappy"... sounds like a good name for a thoroughbred, doesn't it?)

Cappy is another spouse who, having shown the proper attitude and decorum, has been accepted as an honorary '65 Trojan!
(Decorum? Yeah, he doesn't eat with his feet!)

First Step

Purchased our tickets today! Aloha State, here we come!

And the other news that you need to consider-
If you're afraid about costs for lodging, TD, GH and I are working on a deal...
We may be able to stay within walking distance of the Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri, at a cost of $86 per night!
More details as we know more.

Destin and Friends

Destin and Friends


That title may be backwards. Destin is a beautiful place – but, a wise Classmate once said ‘without Friends and Family to share the good times with – it doesn’t matter’. VKs and Destin are a great combination, though.

I’ll say it again…… Does it get any better? Not in this life - would be my answer....

Great Location, Great Weather, Great Food, Great Fishing, Great Condo, Great Beach, Great Sunsets and even a full moon. Highlights? Too many to list – One for me though, was watching FG’s Happy C bring that shark to the surface. Afterwards, all of us said ‘That was neat – I’m glad it wasn’t me!’ Good job, Cap…. Another highlight for me was the Friday night Fish Fry - put together by H & C. Alot of hard work, but very much appreciated. Thank You H & C. I learned how to shuck Oysters. Cap and I even ate a couple. But, the best highlight of all was sharing all of the above with Great Friends.

We even added two new friends. Sara Jean's brother and his wife. A Great Couple that seem to fit right in w/ the Class of '65. GoldenGirl - they are very comfortable on the dance floor. Unlike me - they know what they are doing. You'd like them. Didn’t get to visit with GB’s Mother nor his Sister. I was looking forward to saying Hi to them. Maybe next year. Stay well, GB’s Mom! Little Sister, Hope to see you next year as well. Bring K with you – Nice Guy…. We even talked about his golfing escapades. Funny story – although funnier when you told it.


GB, Please let Sara Jean know that everything was as perfect as she is. Moreover, Thank You both for this great time. And I will say this, GB, You look great at your new weight. Good job! Lose the weight – but never lose what counts the most. Your heart, soul, and character. There’s that word again.

Count me in for next year! GB is looking for some more fellow Trojans to join us, so keep it in mind, Please....

Next on the agenda is the Alumni Banquet at CG 6/2 - Is this right. GB? Then in October is Indy Echo's Great Fall Gathering. Finishing out the year with VKs in Paradise in Nov - core dates are 11/1 thru 11/8. So start making your plans. Hope to see you soon. Remember –

Be There or Be Square!

2007 DDFF

(Takin' a deep breath, questioning where to start...)

10 Days.
If you do a little organizing, you can pack a lot of activity into a week and a half.
That's good, and bad.
Good, in that when it's over you can look back with a smile, realizing all you have done with the time.
Bad, because trying to efficiently use the time insures it will pass a little too quickly, and the end arrives too soon. I now realize I should have kept a diary along the way so I wouldn't forget snippets that make the journey not just enjoyable, but wonderful.

Reviewing-
We left our home on Thursday afternoon. The thing I love/hate about my beautiful wife is the fact that she is almost fanatical about wanting everything to be as perfect as possible for our friends and relatives, and she has a ton of nervous energy to expel toward that goal. Leaving Thursday afternoon locked in a wee-hour Friday morning arrival at the Condo so Sara Jean could examine the chaos our renters had inflicted on it and undo as much dirt/stain/furniture shuffling as possible prior to the arrival of our first guests, her brother and his wife. We drove through the night on Thursday and arrived at my Mother's apartment in Pensacola at 1 A.M..
Mom is a trooper... in spite of the early hour, she was packed and waiting with a smile. She loves to sit on the balcony and watch her beloved Pelicans fly by in formation, and she was looking forward to seeing Sara Jean's brother and his wife.
It was almost 3 A.M. by the time we passed the "Welcome To Destin" sign. Finding our home in relatively good shape, we put our exhausted bodies to bed.

Morning came quickly, and it was beautiful.
Sun. No clouds. Little wind. Calm water. A few Dolphins plying their way West to East. Beautiful.
But with company on the way there were provisions to buy. Off to Super-Wally World we went.
My In-Laws were arriving at Pensacola airport, then renting a car and driving the hour+ to Destin. While we were in the beer/wine aisle they called and said they were crossing the bridge onto Okaloosa Island. As we paid for our groceries they pulled into the parking lot and asked which door we'd be using to leave the store... perfect timing!
They'd never been to Destin. They were awestruck.
Friday and Saturday were spent leisurely visiting with Mom and our relatives.
Sunday afternoon I drove Mom back to Pensacola because she had medical needs to attend to on Monday. While on this mission, TwoDogs and Cindy arrived. I made my way back to Destin, and after a few adult beverages, the six of us ate at "The Crab Trap" in window seats overlooking the beach, the first of what now seems like a thousand wonderful meals.

Monday is a blur...
I know we spent some time on the beach. We may have spent a little time beneath the umbrella adjacent to the pool. I know for sure that we went to "Baytowne Wharf" and had drinks at a club with a live band- "The HooDoo Daddies", who impressed us all with their versions of Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffet tunes. The setting could not have been prettier- near the extreme East end of the Choctawhatchee bay, we watched a bright red sun set in the water. We walked a few paces and had a great meal at a Creole restaurant, then went back to hear more HooDoo Daddies until they closed the place and ran us off.

Tuesday found us bidding a sad adios to Sara Jean's brother and his wife. No sooner had they disappeared over the Western horizon than TwoDogs and I picked Sharon and TC up at the Ft. Walton airport. They had just left the Bahamas... looked rested and wonderful. Pulling into the parking lot at Gulf Winds East, we spied FlyGirl and Happy Cappy unloading their truck, having just arrived. The full complement of folks-in-residence was safely in place for the DDFF.

During the week-
Beach time. Pool time. Balcony time.
Kenny D's. Pompano Joe's. Callahan's. A.J.'s. A second trip to The Crab Trap. I bet I'm missing one or two...

Thursday, FlyGirl, HappyC, and TC went out on a "Head Boat", (a big boat that carries 40 or so folks out to fish for a per-head charge) and guess what? THEY ACTUALLY CAUGHT FISH!

Thursday evening we boarded the "Hannah Marie" for a two hour tour of Destin Harbor and Choctawhatchee Bay, watching lots of Dolphins and getting a local history lesson from first mate Glen.
After the Dolphin cruise, Carol met us at A.J.'s for dinner.

Bright and early Friday morning, a smiling Harry carried us to Holiday Isle where FlyGirl, HappyC, TwoDogs, TC, Harry and I boarded a beautiful 38 foot Sport-fishing boat, complete with kitchenette, bedroom, head (with shower), to put the FF in the DDFF. And guess what?
WE ALL CAUGHT FISH!
Grouper, Red Snapper, Bonita, AmberJack, and a Triggerfish were put into the hold.
HappyC struggled mightily for what seemed like eternity bringing a 125 pound Bull Shark to the surface, where the line was cut in order to avoid injury to all concerned.
I caught a Moray Eel. He too was released without ever making it into the boat.
All of us caught four times the fish we brought home. Some were released because they were too small... many were smart enough to take our bait and split before we even caught sight of what we temporarily had on our lines. After almost 8 hours on the boat, fishing 10 or so grouper holes, we all felt the sea beneath our legs, even standing back on the dock. I personally almost fell while taking a shower, my equilibrium was so unsettled.

Chad, our first mate, fileted our catch. Harry brought two friers and cooked our catch, along with Hush Puppies and French Fries. HappyC stopped at the Fresh Seafood Market on the way home and bought 20 pounds of fresh Oysters. Harry fried while TD and HC shucked, ate, and shared oysters.
I gotta tell ya... it literally was seafood heaven!

Saturday was a day of recovery. Balcony again. Beach again. Carol and Harry stopped by, and we spent some time visiting alongside the pool again. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Tying up a couple loose ends-
I know I promised you pictures...
I couldn't get my camera to turn on, so I bought new batteries for it. Still no joy. I tried the batteries in every possible position. If I could have tried them sideways, I would have. I even tried crossing my fingers while jumping up and down on my left leg only.
The stupid thing still wouldn't work.

TC and Sharon took pictures. Fly took pictures. I took pics with disposable cameras. I've seen some of the digital shots, and they are worth posting here. C'mon you guys... send 'em my way so I can share them with the rest of the VK's!

Joker couldn't make it. She sent her regrets... doggies and other life events got in the way. She promises to make IE's mini in October. Stay tuned.

And finally... I got on the scale this morning :>(
Fresh seafood, gumbo, beer and wine exact a penalty-
I've gained 5 pounds.
Back to the grind.

I know I'm forgetting lots of things.
DDFF attendees, gimme some help here!

Oh, one more thing-
I have really positive news about reducing the cost of the 2007 VK-Aloha mini...
More on that later!

Goin' OTD, Reluctantly

"Out The Door".

The car is packed. When I finish typing this post, I'll put the laptop in it's case and reluctantly, we'll be headed home.

I know, I know....
I've done some fine job of keeping you up-to-date on our going's on, haven't I?
I'm truly sorry, but we have had such a fine time relaxing/visiting, posting here seemed like a little too much work, if you can believe that. That's the sort of week we've had.

TD and I got up at 4 A.M. to transport TC and Sharon to the Okaloosa Regional Airport. Their plane was scheduled to take off at 6 or so. TD and Cindy were on the road at 7:30, and FlyGirl and Happy Cappy were pretty quickly behind them. Sara Jean and I will be on the road by 1 P.M., and that will have us home at a little after Midnite tonight.

Leaving Nashville after PT's mini made my heart ache...
the impact of this mini is not quite that dramatic, 'cause I know there are more in the future. But folks, this has been a beaut... and you ought not to miss the next one.
I'm hopeful that attendees will add their two cents worth when they get home and catch up here at VK. When I've had a good night's sleep, I'll post my wrap-up of this week's activities.
Again, mark your calendars-
May 11 to 18, 2008. Come for the week, a few days, or a few hours. You won't be sorry.
Wish us all safe travels...
Be safe and well, everyone.

Saturday DDFF Update

Wow, what a week! Thank God I lost all that weight before coming to Destin, 'cause he has provided wonderful, calorie laden treats for all of us this week, and I'm interested in finding out what the scale will say when I get home... NOT!

Of course I'm biased, 'cause obviously I love Destin, but others are already talking about making the DDFF an annual event. The fishers amongst us have had good luck. We've all had some of the freshest, best tasting seafood there is on earth. And the weather has just been showin' off... no rain all week... really, we've only had one cloudy day.

For you long-range planners, we'll be makin' one change for next year-
The first week of May is a busy one for Harry. He'd be more able to participate if we'd move the DDFF to the second week of May. That's no problem for any of us here, so if you have any interest at all, go now... and mark your calendars for 11 to 18 May, 2008.
C'mon folks... with a year's warning, excuses for non-attendance are gonna be hard for the rest of us to swallow!

DDFF 2007 details coming soon.
I want you to know what a wonderful time you've missed!

A Destin Quickie!

We're gettin' ready for a walk down the beach, so there's not a lot of time to post-
Just wanted ya to know those that are gonna be here are here:
TD and his Missus,
TC and his Missus,
FlyGirl and her Mister,
GB and Sara Jean.
We're still keepin' our fingers crossed for Joker on Saturday.
Harry and Carol will be in for the FF part of the DDFF on Friday morning.

I'll have more for ya sometime after the walk.
Smiles and laughter are plentiful here...
Wish you were here!