Sept 11th. May We Never Forget

It is amazing to me that so many years have passed and yet this still seems as a vivid memory.   I can scarcely imagine the terror of those on the flights, as they realized their fate.

And, I have seen images taken of the towers.  Some of those people waiting...hoping...praying for help.  Others, realizing there was no hope took matters into their own hands as to how they chose to perish.

Evil still lurks in the shadows.   It is not just in extremist religious views.  But, it is in intolerance of any part.  It is in the lack of respect for those who are different than us.   If we fail to understand tolerance, and embrace it, the hatred and killing will never cease.

We are responsible for one another.   I take that seriously.   I try to be kind and gentle.  I try to be open to the thoughts, opinions, and lives of others.   But, I cannot tolerate those who will harm others for their own beliefs.  These people must be stopped.

Prepping for Pride: 3

Meet Kanesha and Trevor!

They were setting up their booth advertising an all natural skin care product.  They got into their business because their daughter's needs.  

My sincere thanks!  And, good luck on the business!

And, by the way, this was a tricky photo.  The height difference was substantial!!  This angle worked to let me stretch the view to get them both into the frame! 

Prepping for Pride: 2

Meet Sarah, a self described "free-spirit". 

Sarah was setting up her booth, supporting her business of doggie daycare.   Check it out here.  I think this is a marvelous business idea.   Personally, I didn't initially see a big market for this.  However, I haven't had a dog for years and hadn't thought through the logistics of caring for one, being gone, etc..  

My daughter and her husband got a dog recently and I clearly see the value of letting the dogs run with other dogs and socialize.   At night, the dog is tired and sleeps. PERFECT!

Thanks Sarah!  You are indeed a free spirit! 

Prepping for Pride! 1

Because of an early drive to the airport on the Saturday morning of Pride, I decided to stop at the Pride festival.  It was still only about 7:00 AM and I knew there wouldn't be much going on. 

Meet Ho and Carley!

They have been best friends since college...something like 10 years ago.   They were setting up their booth to support Pro-Choice initiatives.

My sincere thanks to you both!

Red Green

I first ran into Red Green on public television, years ago on a dark and cold February night.  And, I was hooked.   Red Green is the character, and star of the Red Green Show.  I knew nothing about it when I landed on that channel that night.  But, after seeing just the one episode, I was hooked.

Uncle Red, Harold, and a host of other characters from the Possum Lodge let us poke fun at ourselves (as men, of course), and inspired the creative genius of males all over North America as long as you can use the Handy Man's secret weapon...duct tape.

Meet Red Green:

It isn't a great photo.  I took it after his one man show performance in St. Paul.  And, while I thought of bringing the camera to see whether I could get a photo, I decided against it because I didn't think I could get the normal up close and personal photograph that I like.  I was wrong.

After the show, I walked out and I noticed a roped area.  I asked what that was for and was told Red would be stopping to sign autographs and do photos.  So, I stood in line and got this photo with my iPhone.  

It was a sincere honor to meet him and shake his hand.  He has made millions of people laugh in the kindest and gentlest of ways.  And, I thanked him for it.

Thanks Red.   I hope to see you again soon and shake your hand.  It was an honor.



 

Visitors in the Hotel Bar in Nashville (Yes...there is more than one hotel bar in Nashville...but I am tired!)

In the hotel bar, a couple of tables had been pushed together and people began congregating around them.  They were having a WONDERFUL time....even before they ordered drinks!

It was clear they all knew one another. I had decided to not photograph them.  I just didn't feel well and I didn't want to intrude on their visiting.

But, as I was leaving, they asked if I would take their photograph!  

Here are just a couple of the group.

They are long time friends that all used to live near one another. Over the years, many have moved away.  But, they get together annually to catch up and have fun.

What a lovely idea.

 My sincere thanks!

The Bartender!

Earlier this summer I was in Nashville for business.  It was just for a couple of nights.  And, while I had a little time to visit a friend, I spent a fair amount of time in the hotel room doing work stuff.  

Fortunately, I had a nice bartender who knew how to make a good gin and tonic.   Although, that wasn't what I needed!   I seem to recall a little food poisoning on that trip.

Meet Ruth!

She was born in Costa Rica from missionary parents in the Eastern Orthodox religion.  She is also fluent in Spanish!

She was delightful, charming, and knew how to carry on a conversation. Exactly what a bartender should be!

And, she was well stocked!

Lois' Birthday Party: The Sax Player

Every party needs a sax player!

This gentleman had been in the band with Lois.   So, we had both keyboards and a sax. 

My sincere thanks!
 

The First Day of School for the Big D

It's a big day today.   The Big D starts kindergarten. 
It wasn't that long ago and you were sleeping over and moved to the big bed.

And, you learned to walk and crawl stairs at Papa's house.

And, Papa was there for that first jump off the diving board.

Go get 'em, Little Buddy.   You've got the world to conquer!  And, Papa will always be there to help.
You will be fine.  You will be MORE than fine.   You will be GREAT!

Love, 
Papa


 

Lois' Birthday Party: Family

It was nice to have Lois' kids join us.

It is hard to know when they were last together.  I think it's been a very long time. I am very glad they could be together to celebrate a birthday.   Far too often, we gather for other things.

My sincere thanks.