Red Shirt

Star Trek fans will know that wearing "the" red shirt isn't a good thing.  Typically, a Star Trek episode would start with Captain Kirk beaming down to a planet in distress with a small landing party. Spock is with him, and sometimes, Scotty and there is always an un-named crewman for extra support. 

 

The Captain has his fazer (or is  it phaser!!) ready just in case a hostile being challenges him.    He is cautious.  He glances around just in time to see the crewman in the red shirt wandering away from the landing party because of a noise behind the rocks.   "Crewman," the Captain barks....."Get back here."    But alas, a flash of light and a scream later and the crewman is reduced to a pile of red fabric.  Tragic....if only he had worn the blue shirt.

 

Tony found a Star Trek red shirt and decided to do some acting in the backyard.  I think he missed his calling.  He would have made a great red shirt crewman!!

 

 

He sees the beast......

 

He offers a friendly wave.....

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

He realizes that the beast isn't looking for friends.....

The beast shoots killing beams from his eyelids......

 

 

He can't breathe!!!
 

Here comes the beast....

 

 

And it comes into for the kill.......red shirt is done!

 

 

Blowing Rock

Imagine going to a place where there weren't any McDonald's, Burger Kings or Domino's pizzas.  Where you didn't see a CVS on every corner and Walmart isn't even a concept.  There are no BP gas stations and instead of street lights, there are lamp posts with flower pots hanging from them next to old trees with moss growing on them. 

 

If you can imagine all of that, you must have visited Blowing Rock, North Carolina in the mountains. 

 

Tony took me to the mountains for my birthday.  We visited some wineries, walked around and shopped, took a ton of pictures and ate like you wouldn't believe.  We stayed at The Inn at Ragged Gardens--a bed and breakfast on a hill.  It was built in the 1890's and is furnished in that era.  The floors in our rooms sloped down and we had a king sized bed that was waist high and in front of the fire place.  It was beautiful. 

 

We started our trip in Charlotte to see Tony, Marie and Coleton, but mostly to drop off Dixie so they could dog sit for us.  It was the first time since we got Dixie that we spent time away from her.  She had fun with Tyson and Coleton, but she missed us and was glad to come home. 

 

I had a wonderful birthday.  I got flowers from Joyce (Florida) and the Communications Committee, pictures from David and Bernie, golf lessons and the trip from Tony, cards and a beautiful grandchildren mug from Jenna/Jon and the kids, a grandmother book from Coleton and an Amazon gift card from Tony and Marie.  Marie did a nice birthday dinner when we  got back and had brownies and ice cream too.  Coleton sang, "Happy Birthday," and I got a call from Ben and Sam when they were away visiting gram...plus, a phone message from all of them saying "Happy Birthday."  What a great birthday it was.  I also heard from several people from New York Life and got a funny card from a guy named, "Bubba" that I just loved.  How nice to be remembered. 

 

Take a journey with me on our trip.  If you ever get a chance to go to Blowing Rock, go...it is so worth it.

 

 

Flowers from sister-in-law, Joyce in Florida

 

Coleton laughs at Papa

 

And, discovers his tongue!

 

Building blocks!

 

Everybody rests on Papa

 

Joe takes our picture as we enjoy Laurel Gray Winery

 

Laurel Gray Farm

 

Raffaldini Winery

 

The view from Raffaildini balcony

 

Our room at The Inn at Ragged Gardens

 

The entrance to the Inn

Ragged Gardens

Every small town in North Carolina has a "Mayberry" sheriff's car

 

Artists with the dream of a vineyard...jones (her) von drehle (dray-el) (him)

Scott, the chef...wonderful food

 

Art at the vineyard

The grounds at Daveste Vineyards...more artists with a vineyard dream

On the pavilion at Daveste

 (check out the Coach purse!!)

Tony enjoying red wine

Tony took this picture....really pretty

The grapes at Daveste

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT A HAPPY BIRTHDAY I HAD!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm A Drive-Thru Virgin....

Although my sister and I are getting older, there are still some flashes of the "old Fritzie" that I used to live with.  In our younger days when we shared an apartment with Jenna, we played the "Star is Born" album until our neighbors were sick of it, threw a bowling ball through the sliding glass door on to our balcony, drove without a drivers license, bought cars from the same dealership on the same day, danced in the living room and just laughed.  I miss her laugh.  I miss the old Fritzie.

 

I did see a little of her yesterday, however, when we ran some of my errands.  I had to go to CVS to pick up my medicine and to the bank, but my car was in the garage with Sarah's car behind it.  Tony's car was in the driveway, but I don't drive it...I feel like it's too wide and long for me...I'm never sure if I have totally and safely passed other cars in it, so I just don't drive it.  Fritz, on the other hand, has a jeep and is used to sitting up high and driving, so we took Tony's car and she drove. 

 

All went well at CVS...we joked with the cashier and gave her a standing ovation for her service.  When she got my medicine, she asked for my birthday, when I said it, Fritz called me an old bitch.  I looked at the cashier and said, "did you just call me an old bitch?"  She got very flustered and stammered, no, but Fritz had my back and agreed that it was the cashier that called me an old bitch.  The poor lady, it just went downhill from there!    We had to make it up to  her, so we clapped and told her to take a bow.  All of the other CVS people in the Pharmacy came out and applauded for her as well because Fritz and I were cutting up at her expense and she took it very well.  Fritzie, too, laughed like the person I used to know. 

 

From there, we went to the bank so I could cash a check.  I told her to use the drive thru, so she pulled up in an empty spot.  We were the only ones there.  Fritz rolled down the window and said, "now what do I do?"  Before I could answer, a voice came over the speaker and told her to pull out the tube, put the stuff in and push the button."   She, of course, said, "what button?"  The Voice, gave her additional instructions while I put my stuff in the tube.  I handed the tube back to Fritz and she completed the instructions telling "The Voice"....."you  have to excuse me, I'm a drive-thru virgin."   I'm guessing that Fritz didn't realize that her voice could be heard inside of the branch!!  Anyway, "The Voice" laughed and joked a bit while Fritz marveled at the modern conveniences of the tube system. 

 

After that, it was on to the dry cleaners, only to find that they had moved.  There was a sign on the door indicating their new address.  "They moved my pants,"  I said, "no," Fritz responded, "they moved the whole store."  It's that kind of exchange that I miss so much when she is here.

 

We have gotten older.   We have changed.  The laughter doesn't come as easy any more.   She and her family will visit again, and until then, I am making a list of other things to show her....I bet she'll be a real scream at an ATM!!

 

 

Sun, Fun and Food

Yesterday we went to the beach and had a good time.  It was breezy and the waves were  high.  I saw some new birds that I photographed and "the kids" played in the water. 

 

After coming home and resting from the sun, we went to the City Club for dinner.  Tomorrow it's shopping, shopping, shopping for the ladies and the men are headed for the serpatarium to see snakes and other creepy things.

 

Fritzie on the breakwall...will she jump??  (Um, it's two feet to the water and rocks!)

A mass of muscles and a hot, smoking babe!

C'mon Steven, get in!

A really far away shot of Tony, Steve and Fritz

Gil and Lorraine....see how she is barking at him?

Hail, hail, the gang's all here....at the City Club for dinner

Goodnight, Wilmington, an end to a perfect day

 

When Fritzie Came To Town

My sister, Donna, who will forever be known to me as Fritz, came to visit with her husband, Steve, daughter, Sarah and the significant other to us all, Steven!

We've been doing the typical touristy things...river cruise, going to the pool and in general hanging around.  Today, Tony and Steve went golfing....in 90 degree weather, while Fritz, "the kids" and I went to the Bellamy Mansion, one of Wilmington's best restored Civil War mansions.  After that, we headed to McGruder's for lunch. 

We also checked out the house being built across the street, which is always fun for me.  While "the kids" headed to the pool, Fritz and I went to the Fitness Center and worked out.  The guys took it easy after 4 hours of golfing in the hot sun. 

After a terrific steak dinner ala Tony, we played corn hole.  Unfortunately the women lost two games out of a three set, but we will play again and win!!

Tomorrow is beach day...first off to Southport to look at some art galleries, then on the beach at Oak Island.  We're going to the City Club for dinner after that. 

Steve is doing the cooking on Thursday and Tony and I are looking forward to that.  Fritz will be doing the spaetzel, while Steve creates chicken paprikash.  And I'm guessing I didn't spell either of those words correctly!

It has been such fun having them here and the week is going too quickly by. 

Slave quarters at Bellamy.  Wealth is shown by housing slaves in a brick structure rather than just wood huts

I asked "the kids" to show me their best "anti bellum" moves

The back of the mansion

Sarah is thinking about her strategy for the corn hole win

 

Fritz winds up for the big throw

Steve is concerned....can he break the tie

 

Tony studies the board

 

My delivery is so fast, the camera couldn't catch it.  Steve says, "Wow, you really are fast and blurry."

On the river cruise....the captain told Steve that he must be from Ohio because no one else wears an Indian's cap

Passing the government building on the tour

It's not official until Dixie says, "welcome!" 

 

 

What A Difference A Day Makes

Just yesterday it was a shell.....what a difference a day makes!!

It's hot, hot, hot...but they continue to build...

Working on the garage

                                                             

Roofing material going up....

 

New View

The community continues to grow and this time, the growth is right across the street from us.  It's a one story house with three bedrooms and a two car garage.  So far, that's all we can determine.  But, as time goes by, we will be walking through and checking out the progress. 

For now...and for awhile, here is our new view.

Pretty day for building...

Building the roof....

If you are on our porch and move just a bit, you don't see the porta potty!!