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.

HAPPY POST 4TH OF JULY!

Wow, sure hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July I know we did! The only downer was that one of the Dragons could not make it due to back and leg problems, which meant we were shot a Knight as well. Bummer…maybe things will be back to normal after the end of July for all of us.

I could not get in the water, due to shoulder wounds from the second surgery, but I cheered them on from the shaded comfort of a canopy tent on the bank. We have found a wonderful little cove that is shielded from the frantic boat and wave-runners of the main Tennessee River channel. The little cove and surrounding forest has all the conveniences of home (see Gary off in the woods doing what a man has to do).

However, there is no air conditioning like we enjoyed on the houseboat, but there was a steady little breeze and those that did get wet said it was chilly before drying off.

The hotdogs, slaw, sour kraut, onions, and mustard were delicious hot off the camping stove. Steve complained the entire time about not have any ketchup…says you cannot enjoy a hotdog without it! Where’s he from…Georgia?

If you looked around for something to eat, you had to look for Judy…she always had everything in her lap! Oh, those cookies sure were good – had not had any sweets in a long time!

The beer was cold and the Macanudos (and one Ashton) were very relaxing, while thinking about Bruno. I just sat back and listened to the banter of my wonderfully funny family. As Steve excused himself between my wife’s and my chair he said, “Watch your koozie.” Without hesitation my wife replies, “Oh, I didn’t know it was showing!”

Then there was the moment Gary thought he saw lightning, but it was my camera flash! I asked where he thought the best place to be was if a storm did come. After taking another hit off his beer, he replied, “I’m staying right here next to the water. If I get hit, I can just roll over into the water and put myself out!”

It goes on like this most of the time, but we did miss the antics of Neena who was home resting. She is the maharishi of puns and ribs when she is around.

Well, happy 4th again and for those of you that have to work the rest of the week…sorry!

LONG WEEKEND OF RELAXATION & REMEMBRANCE

Ha, that is a joke…every day is part of a long weekend to me!

However, this afternoon and early evening was all ours (she won't let me post her shot) to enjoy. There is nothing quite like sitting on the “screened porch” watching the birds, the rabbits, and squirrels playing around the yard or in the trees.

Occasionally there was a fish splashing in the lake, my dog snoring behind my chair, and sometimes you could hear children playing on the dock across the way. I drowned them all out with rock and blues MP3 tunes piped from my PC, through the house wiring out to the speakers sitting at each end of the porch.

If you have not tried a 110 house wiring system, you should. You will get high-quality digital stereo audio to any room in your home where there is an AC outlet! I picked the Radio Shack wireless system!

Anyway, I ask you to enjoy your weekend safely and especially to remember the reason for the holiday. Celebrate your freedom by remembering those who, down through the years, have, and are still dying to make it possible. I remembered two special guys on my military blog, but I am sure you know others to thank by remember them this weekend.

With every sip of my beer and puff on my Macanudo, I remember those that will never again have that pleasure. Think about it every time you hear on the news about a few more dying in Iraq or Afghanistan – one more person/s that will never know the pleasures of life again! Another child who will never know their mom or dad – sons or daughters, brothers or sisters that will never be hugged again. I know it sounds stupid or trivial to you who have never served, but you must not take that loss of life for granted – ever!

If we do not remember them, they are gone – forever and their lives meant nothing.

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

Ron and I took in Bailey’s Sports Grille again Tuesday. I had my first good round of Killian and Bass in ages (it seems) along with some “hot honey” chicken wings.

Afterwards, we enjoyed our first Macanudo (he had the Maduro and me the Gold Label) in an even longer spell. Man, was it ever good to be back in the saddle.

I have now slept in my own bed twice since the operation…still a bit of a hassle, but at least I’m laying flat out for a change! And, I have another two weeks of the brace before physical therapy begins. That can't be fun either!

Oh yeah, here is a shot of ol’ Mushy all cleaned up…even tied the tie myself! What do you think…clean up pretty good for an old man, huh?

LOOK AT THE ASH ON THAT THING

We did our part for “Black Friday” today by going to the Leaf & Ale and Bailey’s Sports Grille in Knoxville. This allowed the wives plenty of shopping time in a completely different part of town!

The cigar store had a new stock of Macanudo Gold’s to come in and the one pictured was terrific. A slow smooth smoke that left a 2” ash that had to be sharply thumped before falling into the ashtray. A burger, Sierra Nevada draft, a Macanudo Gold, and family – don’t get any better than that!

Going around the table L to R - Nick (niece’s boyfriend), Becky, brother-in-laws Steve and Ron, Mushy and son (Corey)!