Ruby Tuesday/Wordless Wednesday

Bear with me, you are going to see a lot or RED, white and blue. This may be the only post I do this week, and it's obviously not going to be wordless, but it will contain Ruby Red!
Sunday evening I was reminded why I like living in a small community. Our town is built on a square. At one time it looked very much like Mayberry, RFD. The city has grown to nearly 30,000, but the square is in tact and so is the small town feeling, for the most part. Sunday evening our church music ministry presented a tribute to freedom, and to those who have served this country. It was a wonderful evening.


By the time the performance began, over 5,000 people had gathered on the square to Celebrate America!In case you are wondering what the face of freedom looks like, I present the following images.

Born after WWI, children of the depression, they literally saved this world in WWII. The life that we enjoy today is only possible because of their service and sacrifice. They are indeed, "The Greatest Generation. We are losing 900 WWII veterans every day. When ever you see one, thank him/her.

Similar to Viet Nam, the Korean Vet fought a war that no one wanted to be involved in. In fact it was called a "conflict" not a war, for quite some time.

The Viet Nam vet came home to a country that had little use for his service, regardless of how honorable. Only now do some appreciate the fact that a soldier does not choose his battles, nor question the reason for the conflict. He merely serves his country with honor and is proud to have been a part of preserving the freedoms that we enjoy, even if one of those freedoms involves protesting his involvement in the fight.

The guest speaker was Viet Nam beteran, Lt. Clebe McCleary. Lt. McCleary lost an arm, a leg, and an eye while serving in Viet Nam. His testimony is one that all should hear.

Today the face of freedom looks much like it always has, young, proud, and ready to serve.

Viet Nam '67-'68

This week-end, when you celebrate the birth of this great nation, celebrate the joy of freedom. Celebrate the willingness of those who continue to serve with honor and pride. Celebrate America! Have a wonderful 4th of July.

Friday Thoughts

I haven't done a Friday's Thoughts in a while so, here goes. It's been an interesting week. I've been watching the College World Series. It has been most enjoyable. I think I like most all college sports better than the pros. LSU beat Texas in the final game to claim the National Championship. Congratulations to the Tigers.
Tuesday night I went to the movies. You can read about that in yesterday's post.
This coming week is our daughter's birthday. Since they were out of town last week-end and we were out of town last week-end, we will celebrate her birthday and Father's day on Saturday. I guess that just means that I get to grill for the whole crew. I've never entirely understood why Dads get to grill out for Mother's day AND Father's Day. What's up with that? At any rate, my daughter is in for a HUGE surprise, kind of. She likes photography...like her dad, that's me. She would like to have a digital SLR camera like the one her dad's...that's me. Her dad, that's me, found a pretty good one on Ebay last Sunday. I picked up a Nikon D60 for about half price. Unfortunately, I don't think it's going to arrive in time for the celebration. So....I bought a book on how to use this camera. I will give the book to her on Saturday and tell her that she needs to read it before the camera arrives. Believe me, she's going to be a happy camper.

I've never done a Skywatch Friday. So here is my first one. Lately clouds have been few and far between, while the temperature has been flirting with 100. This view is out of my office window to the north. I have chosen to shoot above the parking lot and into the trees at the fence line beyond. You would never know that I am not in the mountains, but stuck in an office, overlooking a parking lot. Just like basketball, in photography, shot selection is everything.

One more thing I haven't done in a long time, at least not since I moved my blog from Brain Freeze (http://www.jr-brainfreeze.blogspot.com) to Driller's Place, is share a little gospel music with you. Southern Gospel is probably my favorite music these days. So I leave you with this. Two of my favorite groups are The Gaither Vocal Band and Signature Sound Quartet. Here they are together, singing one of the most meaningful songs I have ever heard "I Then Shall Live". Please read and consider the message as you listen to the music. Enjoy.

Show Time!

Every Tuesday evening my bride meets five of her friends from church for some informal fellowship. They may have dinner, go to a movie, watch American Idol or whatever. This past Tuesday evening the ladies convened at our house. That means I have to find something else to do. So, I went to the movies. I couldn't decide between "Angels and Demons", "Terminator, Salvation", or "Star Trek". I called my Son-In-Law, who loves the movies and has probably seen all of the above. Without hesitating, he said "Star Trek".
Now please understand, I grew up with the original TV series. I loved the show, but I was never a "Trekie". I don't have a federation uniform hidden in the closet. I can't quote dialog from specific episodes, and I don't know the back stories of the main characters. Come to think of it, I don't believe I've seen any of the previous Star Trek or Second Generation movies.
Well ladies and gentlemen, let me recommend this one to you. I know, I'm about six weeks too late, but this is a good movie. You learn how the main characters met at the Federation Academy. You learn why Spock does indeed have some feelings. There is great action, a very good story and amazing computer graphics. It goes without saying that this movie has set the stage for a whole new series with these actors. In fact, it is my understanding that, like Lord of the Rings, the producers actually filmed three episodes at once. Looks like we will be going where no one has gone before for quite some time to come. And yes, the original Spock (Leonard Nimoy) had a cameo role in this film. What can I say..."Live long and prosper".

Wordless Wednesday

Best Friends Forever

Ruby Tuesday

Okay, so I made my own Ruby Tuesday badge from last week's photo. I don't think Mary will mind, do you? No, the head from last week does not go with the shoes from this week, and the neither belong to my grandson. The helmet belongs to an opposing player, the shoes belong to a team mate. I just thought they were appropriate for Ruby Tuesday.

He's Barak Obama

This popped up on my MYMSN homepage yesterday. I couldn't resist sharing it, cause I think it's funny.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all of those of you who are fortunate enough to be given the privilege and responsibility of being a Father. The greatest joy in this life was that time that I spent as a father, involved in our daughter's life. The person I most respect and admire in this life is my father. He's now 89 and still in very good health. The most fun I now have in this life is watching the grand crew grow up right here in town. It is WONDERFUL!!! Being a father is the most important responsibility that you will ever have as a man. Thanks Dad for the incredible example that you have been to me. If I live to be half the man that my father is, I will be twice the man of most others.

College World Series

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Arkansas 4 - Virginia 3

It took twelve inning and over five hours, but Arkansas finally beat Virginia 4-3 last night and advance to the bracket finals in the College World Series. That's the good news. The bad news is they now have to beat LSU twice! Monday night the Tigers had BBQ'd pork as they smoked the Razorbacks 9-1 and remained undefeated in their bracket. I do think that the Hawgs can pull of the upset and win one, but I don't know if they can beat the Tigers back to back. LSU has some of the best pitching in the CWS and they are now a very well rested team, while the Razorbacks are coming off of a twelve inning marathon. Arkansas does get the day off, as the two teams will play Friday afternoon. The Tigers haven't had to play since Monday night when they put a whoopin' on Arkansas. I've got the day off Friday, so I'll be watching.

Wordless Wednesday

Little Miss Sunshine

Ruby Tuesday

Batter Up!

College World Series

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Saturday afternoon the Arkansas Razorbacks spanked Cal State Fullerton 10-6 to open the 2009 College World Series in Omaha. Later that evening the LSU Tigers gave the SEC a sweep of the days action by beating Virgina 9-5. That sets up an SEC showdown Monday night as Arkansas faces LSU to see who advances to the winners bracket.

Wordless Wednesday

Pair of Sevens

Ruby Tuesday

One last image from Austin, Texas. This is Iron Works Barbecue. The building is over 100 years old and began life as an iron works. Rustic doesn't begin to describe this place! You just gotta go there to take it all in. The BBQ is good. It's not my idea of award winning, slap your mamma, good BBQ, but it is good. When your in Texas, beef is the usually the meat of choice and the quality of the BBQ is generally measured by the brisket. Iron Works does a credible brisket. Their sauce is pretty good as well. The atmosphere is ONE OF A KIND! I love this place.

Omaha Bound!

The Arkansas Razorbacks swept Florida State, Saturday, winning the Super-Regional and punched their ticket to Omaha, Nebraska and the NCAA College World Series.
Senior Andrew Darr started his first game in almost a month and made the most of his opportunity by collecting four hits including the game-winning walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth to lead the No. 16 Arkansas Razorback Baseball team to a 9-8 victory over the No. 5 Florida State Seminoles in Super Regional action and earn themselves a trip to the College World Series. With one out and a runners on first and second, Darr hit a shot deep into the gap in left field driving in both runners and sending the Razorbacks to Omaha. Congratulations to the Hawgs and their fans. As a resident of Northwest Arkansas and a baseball fan, I couldn't be happier for these guys!

Austin City Limits

I spent last week in Austin Texas attending a three day Seminar. My bride and I flew in to Austin on Tuesday afternoon. We got the rental car and headed about thirty miles south to San Marcos, the home of two huge outlet malls. I bought two pair of Ecco shoes. They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn in my life. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I spent in seminars that are required for my registration as an accessibility specialist in the state of Texas, so we only had the evenings to explore a few good restaurants. I put my bride on the plane Friday evening and I spent the night (not our original plans, but that's another story for another day). Saturday morning I got up and decided to head downtown to take a few photos of interesting things that I might find. Please keep in mind, I did not have my good camera with me. All of these photos were taken with an ancient digital, point & shoot camera that I brought from the office. I got done around noon and headed to the airport for the trip home. Here are the results of that little excursion. I love old buildings and this theatre really caught my eye. Well what caught my eye was the Beatles tribute band that was playing there Saturday night. Rats!!! I got a plane to catch.

This restored movie house is next door to the theatre above. Don't be surprised if this photo shows up again on a Ruby Tuesday.

I believe the sign indicated that this building was originally constructed in 1897. I love the bay window on the right.

This majestic old residence is just a couple of blocks north of the downtown business district. There are quite a few lovely old homes in the area. They come in all shapes and sizes.

Just across the street from the previous photo is this old residence turned law office. It has really good bones, but it needs work to make it something special.

I never did bother to read the plaque that describes this sculpture found on Congress Street. And now of a review of last week's photo lesson. Remember what I said about looking at something from a different view point? I am sure that this is the typical tourist photo angle for this shot. Okay, now let's move around the sculpture and see what happens.

There, see what I mean? Okay, let's move again.

Again, this is a more dramatic shot. The only problem is that the red awning across the street is a bit distracting, and you can't really tell that this is a woman firing the canon. So, let's move one more time.


Now I think we have the best angle. It tells the story and it tells it from a unique angle. Mission accomplished. Always take more pictures than you need. With digital, you can always discard the ones you don't like when you get home.

Wordless Wednesday

When Mama Ain't Happy, Ain't Nobody Happy!

Ruby Tuesday

I was on a business trip this past week in Austin, Texas. Saturday morning I took a drive downtown to take a few photos and I came upon this little jewel. Now, I'm not a drinking man, but if I were, you would probably find me here every Ruby Tuesday.