Out And About!

I'm having "posterior lumbar interbody fusion" (PLIF) surgery in late April, so today, while I was feeling like moving, I got out and went "manly-man" shopping with my son.  

We looked at everything from clothes at Men's Warehouse to golf clubs at Dick's!  Corey bought a #3 RZB fairway wood and picked up some super cool sunglasses to wear when driving the Mustang!  A man has to look his best!

We stopped at Silo Cigars to get a little something for Bailey's Sports Grille, and that's when I spotted it!  It looked like 20mm rounds in an ammo can...on the floor of the humidor room!

On closer inspection I saw that it was a special promotion Recon Cigar display.  The owner of the shop actually brought in the ammo can as an addition attractor!  It worked!

The "round", uh the cigar, cost be $20, but I just had to have this conversation piece.  I haven't tasted the product yet, but I plan on it Sunday at a family gathering.

At Bailey's we both enjoyed the "Black Forest" sandwich; he with fries and a gallon of tea, and me with onion rings and Fat Tire.  Man, it was tasty, and the rings are awesome!

We puffed our cigars and talked, and half-watched a couple guys play pool and I took a couple of shots to merge into this HDR renditions.  I love the effect of HDR.

I got to see my granddaughters as well today.  They are so precious, and of course, the prettiest and best grandchildren ever!

I just love good times with my son.  He is special and time with him is very rare and special.

See ya!

Patrón Silver & Jalapeño Shooters!

The Dragons and the Knights met at Ron and Neena’s for a pre-mother’s day celebration Saturday, and it began innocent enough with cigars, beer, wine, and Wild Turkey. Later we feasted on grilled hotdogs, slaw, chili, chips, and several desserts (strawberry shortcake, coconut and lemon pies)! All of us were watching our weight – as usual!

However, leading up to this, Steve began giving everyone a Doritos chip with a jalapeño resting on top. Pretty tasty with my Turkey, and that soon evolved into half a shot glass of Patron and jalapeño juice, garnished with a jalapeño in the bottom! Don’t ask me how we got on this, but the thought just hit me and soon we were into a naming contest. Most agreed “Mushy’s Magma” shooters fit the bill! Naturally, Steve and I were the only ones fool enough to try one, but after the shot, he and I agreed we liked them! Don’t knock it ‘til you try one!

It burns all the way down…very warming and satisfying!

After the dogs, Steve and I competed in a “how many deer do you see” contest, and the Knights retired to the dayroom to watch Ted Nugent reruns of Spirit of the Wild! We learned how to clean, cook, and properly eat pheasant!

I hadn’t had a cigar since Christmas; actually I don’t think any of us had, so we made up for loss time. I had a nice Vintage Macanudo that Jeff set me sometime back and then a Madura Mac that Ron gave me after he swore off.

Incidentally Jeff, the reason I was hitting the Turkey was that I sat around and let the last case of Yuengling go bad! I know, a disgrace, but I haven’t been indulging very much lately and I sampled two Friday night, prepping for Saturday night while posting my contribution of Redneck’s Reserve, and the taste was way off. I wanted to stop and get a 6-pack of Flying Dog on the way over, but we were running late, so I packed a bottle of Turkey and we were off to Ron’s.

PARTYING WITH KETCHUP BOY AND FAMILY

Sunday was great…decent weather for setting outside most of the day enjoying family. “Ketchup Boy” (a.k.a. Steve the Knight) was there and Ron gave him a gift to help remind him of his love for the red stuff. However, he would not wear the shirt; so, I put his head on a shot of the shirt! The things we won’t do to tease each other!

We believe in segregation – Dragons on one side and the Knights on another. Even at that, the Dragon noise drowns out our conversations! But, we lov’em!

I caught another “I’m about to stroke out" look on Judy’s face. Flash anticipation will kill a good photo every time! I decided a long candid shot might be best of the girls.

The cigars were from Gary this time…someone had given him a bunch of CAO samples and they were very good. I’m considering a box of them next time, if they are affordable - just a touch stouter than a Macanudo.

Of course, since it was our Labor Day celebration, I have to mention the food. The pictures are of what was left of burgers, macaroni salad, potato salad, baked beans, peach cobbler, and a blue berry cake. There was also homemade ice cream!

I think the desserts were what put me over the top! Until I found a Pepcid, I was rather miserable, and felt as wasted as the garbage can!

Hope everyone is having, or had, a wonderful holiday celebration (even if you live in another country).

HE'S BOUND FOR TEXAS!

Yep, FHB is on his way back to Texas as fast as his Solaria will take him. He has the passenger seat full of blues CDs I personally approved to keep him awake.

He stole the hearts of all the Dragons and made them all feel tiny while standing or sitting by him. I tried to stay close to take advantage of the 20 pounds you automatically lose being beside him, but they kept rooting me out! The most determined rooter was Terri…in the swing!

All the Knights seemed to find something in common with him, whether it was guns, gun history, war history, history in general, camping, or hiking. We avoided religion, politics, and Paris Hilton! I had all that plus blogging in common!

We feed him well while he was here and he could usually be found stuffing his face, sucking on a cold Yuengling from a frosty glass, or toking on a Macanudo.

We did it up right two nights! One night Judy fixed her mouth-watering steak and gravy with mashed potatoes, green peas, slaw, and cornbread! The second night we invited the family over for a traditional hamburger cook out and a bull session on the back porch.

Friday, Judy and I took him to Calhoun’s on the lake for the “all-you-can-eat” lunch buffet – all the chicken, chicken livers, catfish, BBQ pulled pork, roast beef, creamed corn, a variety of beans, fried okra and othe vegetables, salad fixings, fruits, rolls, corn bread, soups, and lots more for $12.

Then Friday night I treated him to my favorite thing - sitting on the back porch in the dark, with the blues cranked up, the wood creatures chirping, a glass of cold beer in hand, and a Macanudo sending out little smoke signals that are highlighted by the night light! Man (an or woman), it don’t get no better than that!

Several times we mentioned how nice it would be to have Bruno sitting there with us talking to the Goddess on her 1-900 number!

FHB got to visit all my hang outs, Ruby Tuesdays, Wild Wings Café (see wings photo), Calhoun’s on the lake in Lenoir City (see full plate photo), Bailey’s, and even the local Gondolier Italian Restaurant (see the Stromboli photo)! He was determined to sample all the cuisine and spirits ol’ Mushy enjoys all the time!

He will be missed around here for a few days, because he kept me busy and my mind occupied with making travel plans. I usually leave that to my brother-in-law Ron, but with FHB here, I had to do it. My head still hurts!

Anyway, FHB will always be welcome at Mushy’s! Hurry back my friend.

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A GREAT TIME!

Consider this a follow up to FHB’s posts…he has been covering the week’s events blow-by-blow for the most part, so here are some more pictures to back up his post and to show you some shots of him having fun.

Oh yeah, some of you have asked about what the secret stash was in FHB’s trunk…only 11 cases of Yuengling beer!

WELCOME TO BAILEY’S

It had been sometime since any of us Knights had been to Bailey’s Sports Grille. So we took the opportunity for being in Knoxville, first to have the orthopedic clinic check out the finger he hurt playing basketball, and to have his oil vehicle’s oil changed to drop in for some “serious fun!”

Technically, Corey is not a Knight since he has not declared his wife a dragon, but he will graduate someday! We always do!

Angelia was our waitress, and comes close to being our “Carla” as anyone since she does remember, most times, that we like Sierra Nevada on draft, and that Corey drinks at least a gallon of iced tea! She is very friendly and remembers to ask about any of our latest vacation adventures. We like to be treated as friends and not customers.

If you pop over to Mushy’s Cookings you will see our lunch selections for the day!

I have to point out that the wings were not good at all on Thursday. They were either dry or freezer burnt, and Angela encouraged me to discuss them with the manager. He volunteered to take them off my bill, although I was willing to pay. Bailey’s management does a great job at public relations and everyone appreciates them for it. I guarantee that if I get wings the next time, they will be juicy like they normally are!

Afterwards, Corey and I enjoyed a Cohiba while Ron puffed the usual Macanudo Maduro. Ron won the “look at the ash on that thing” contest!

ROCKIN’ CHRISTMAS EVE

Funny how the Dragons congregated in one area and the Knights in another – is that always the case? Well, no not really, it has been more of a recent thing!

Anyway, the Knights enjoyed Winter Lager and Alley Kat beers, intermixed with shots of Patron and “Apple Pie” Moonshine (moon flavored with cinnamon sticks and apple juice), and good cigars.

After stuffing ourselves and taking pictures of the Dragon Sisters, the Knights migrated to the music room, played “find the right remote,” and cranked up the volume. After being yelled at for not closing the door to the dayroom, we closed the door firmly, and resumed “rockin’ out!”

And just think, we still have Christmas Day, another gathering at Bailey’s next week, and then New Year’s Eve! Party on!