CHANGE IS INEVITABLE. I CAN CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT, OR I CAN ACCEPT IT. THIS BLOG GIVES A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MY FAMILY, MY RUNNING, AND MY LIFE.
Christmas is 1 day old, but Courage still has that ol' Christmas spirit! He sat patiently and humbly while I snapped this reindeer photo. Everyone had a great holiday, though it's off to work for me tomorrow :o(
Well, the tree is now officially up and trimmed with the help of our three monkeys! We are now officially ready for Santa.
Ahhh, winter came early today. Tempratures fell to the 20s and brought along a little snowfall...the first this year. I think we got about 1/2 inch today with little more expected.
Wow, it has been a nice, warm Thanksgiving week...mid 60's for the most part. This was taken on Monday, Nov. 27. We escorted the kids to the bus stop, then Maura and I took the dog for a stroll at Alms Park overlooking Lunken airport. Unfortunately, the weather cmakes a downward turn today:o( Cold, windy and possible snow predicted for the weekend.
Well, as reported earlier in the year, Maura quit her job with Recreations Outlet and began her career in Real Estate. It has been a rough road for everyone, but things are starting to blossom. We are proud to announce her first listing! WOO HOO! And even though it is in the (not so) thriving neighborhood of Finneytown, it's going to sell soon, dammit!
We celebrated Daughter No. 2's birthday this weekend. The actual date is the 31st, but given the choice between a party or trick-or-treat, the party loses. Anyway, following tradition, we use the creepy hand candles for the celebration. It's the last year for those, as she is turning 10 this year.
Five deer wandered into the garden today for a little snack! God love 'em! They started in the neighbor's yard and casually made their way to ours without a care in the world.
Went to a local music festival called Tall Stacks in Cincinnati last night...saw and took photos of some bluegrass greats, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Tim O'Brian and Del McCoury. It's one thing to hear them on the radio or CD, yet quite an awesome experience to see them in person from the third row!
There comes a time in everyone's life when a change is necessary. About a year ago, Maura entered a contest with the local paper for a makeover, and was chosen! The photos here show her before and after results. The final photos will be part of a contest, with the winner becoming a feature in the Cincinnati Enquirer in early October! Very cool. Notice the beaming on her face in the last photo!
Well, here's the typical morning routine! Getting ready for school, breakfast, the morning paper. It's a grand 'ol time indeed!
In Cincinnati, we have this terrific dog park where the animals run free and truly communicate with their peers. This boxer was particularly playful. Multiply this dog by about 30 and you'll get the idea.
Ahh yes...school is in the air. In fact, it starts today for the girls, though it looks as if Courage is more excited! Actually, the girls could not wait to get out the door this morning. The weather was nice and cool.
There's some serious braiding going on here! The girls are getting some extensive hair stylin done tonight after a long day at the pool. Temprature: 95 degrees with more to come tomorrow. We, as well as the rest of the nation, have had a heat wave for the past three days with no end in sight.
Sorry, I had a "Martha Stewart" moment this evening. My grilled chicken with home grown basil, tomato swiss cheese and morel mushrooms turned out so nice, I had to snap a photo. I even tried to blur it just like they do in the magazine.
As you can see, the tomatoes from last week are still there and turning a beautiful red. I took this photo this morning with hopes of picking it tonight before the deer or rabbits discover it. I'm thinkin' BLTs for dinner tonight!
Well, we never thought we'd see the day when Maura would be bidding farewell to Recreations Outlet. After 14 years, today is her last official day. Notice the happiness on both Maura and Courage as they dream of new adventures ahead. We all proud of you!
Summer is definitely here! It is still hot and muggy...94 degrees, but this is great news for my two tomato plants. They love that hot, humid weather. I've got one turning red (bottom center) and many others soon to follow assuming the deer don't pick them off.
As temperatures flare in the Mideast, they do the same in the mid-west, USA. 96 degrees today and the order of the day was–chill out INSIDE! Our pal Courage is taking one of many naps in an effort to conserve energy. More high temps expected tomorrow!
Hi all...
Father's Day: Unfortunately, mom had to work, so the girls and I headed for the Cincinnati Zoo. The girls really wanted to see the baby Tokin, an endangered, central Asian mountain goat. Check out the cool hooves on this momma!
Ok, ok. It has been a while since the last post. Things have been busy with work and family the last few weeks, but that is life!
Of course, no day would be complete without the dog. Courage accompanied us on our Nature Center journey. Hot weather took it's toll on the lad, but nothing a long tongue and a huge yawn wont fix!
T'was a beautiful day in Cincinnati, nice day for a stroll at the Cincinnati Nature Center. We found this beautiful Tiger Swallowtail drying its wings on an old log near the Kripendorf Lodge. Hopefully he finished before a wise bird spotted the elegant insect!
I know, I know. A week without a new image.
Ok, ok...enough of the dog! But I can't help it! This is Courage sending me off to work this morning. As I (or anyone else) drive, run or walk by, Courage chases us as far as the electric fence allows and then he does this bouncy, half circle at the end. It's a bad habit to encourage so when we're not home, he's confined to the back yard.
Well, Daughter No. 1 is running for student body president this morning. She is supposed to give a campaign speech at 9:30 AM today, so last night I made her this T-shirt to wear during the speech. This is her and mom giving me the campaign strategy for the day. We should know the results either this afternoon or tomorrow. I'm really proud of her for taking this on!
Up the street from my office in Amberley Village is French park. This stately home and the surrounding 275 acres was bequeathed to the City of Cincinnati in 1943 by Herbert Greer French.
Not the most flattering image of daughter No. 1, but hey, she's concentrating on my cell phone at the moment. The girls and I (less mom) are heading to the frame shop to have my wedding license framed nicely for Mother's Day. I almost threw it away last year! We also stopped at Big Lots and grabbed some funny Mom's day cards.
Good Ol Courage is FINALLY getting used to the idea of sticking his head out the car window. He likes to do it, just doesn't know it yet. As you can see, he's slowly discovering this new joy one whisker at a time!
Sorry, no posts for a few days.
Yep...this is about as exciting as images get! Just a car in the parking lot at work. And while this car looks innocent enough, the interior is trashed as is most of the body.
Protecting us from harm at all hours, Courage peruses the back yard as Maura cuts the grass. I think one of these days he's going to leap from that wall if something tempting enough, like a squirrel, shows up!
Dad (me) and daughter No. 2 pose for a quick photo, taken by her sister. As you can see, the woods is in full green and the yard looks great. I ordered 4 yards of mulch this weekend and am about 1/2 done.
As you can see, Daughter No. 1 is psyched about heading out to camp. She's loaded down with with sleeping bag, suitcase, magnifying glass, flashlight, etc. The 5th graders left at 8:00am. We are going to miss her!
Daughter No. 1 is off to Camp this morning with the 5th graders and will be absent for the next for three days. She's totally excited, but I think her sister, seen here, is a little distraught!
Green has overtaken our street, and it looks awesome! Most of the flowering trees have lost their bounty, but our Dogwood squeezed out a few flowers this year!
After a day of total rain in Lexington, we are glad to be home! We brought home a win of $4! Woohoo! Today, the weathe was perfect! The girls got new bikes today and just had to show them off for the camera.
Driving home, I stopped by an old church in Indian Hill to shoot a few photos. Not sure of the history surrounding this neat place, but the light was great.
Took the whole family to the Reds game this eve. We all had a great time even though the Reds lost to Florida 10-6.
Yes, I know I'm 2 days behind on photos, but I'm trying to catch up today. See...it is getting greener around here! Our grass is even growing in those tough to reach spots.
Today was a beautiful, warm day as you can see. The girls couldn't resist having a mini pool party on the driveway, and invited several neighbors to the casual event. Courage was a good sport an fulfilled his role of "Watch Dog" for the duration of the party. The gala was hosted and catered by the dad!
Our house is surrounded by tons of trees, and every once in a while, we have the honor of sharing our home with the local wildlife. Daughter No. 2 saw this Pileated Woodpecker (or is that the presumed extinct Ivory Billed?) while bringing in the garbage cans. My camera lens does not do well in zoom mode, but there he is in all his glory!
This photo was taken during lunch in French Park, Amberley Village. Nice warm day today!
A typical day at the house! My wife loves wearing these glasses and hat. In fact, she would wear them all day if she could, but then she'd wind up single and alone!
A beautiful spring day in Cincinnati; temprature close to 70ยบ! This is daughter No.2 with a buddy getting ready to go down a minature roller coaster. I swear, the street is getting much greener these days. I'll post another photo of the house by Saturday the 15th (Tax Day, though it's not due till the 17th)
