A Staycation

We were off Thursday and Friday this week (trying to use rather than lose annual leave). It was a great day at the IOP on Thursday: beautiful weather, no crowds, water warm enough for swimming, and time for a nap.
I enjoyed reading by the pool this afternoon while the shrimpers were getting ready to hit the harbor or the back side of Damiel Island (wherever the wind has laid down)

Well, it is now back to real life as I am on call for some reason this weekend and I have already had two calls.
It does not bode well for the rest of the weekend.

September Beauties

It is late September in the lowcountry. The marsh grass is a little less verdant and the butterflies float through leggy flower beds. I captured these with the limitations of my cell phone in Beaufort today.

Steamy September Sunday

The temps were hot and muggy in between the rain showers. The day ended with an extreme thunderstorm.

We went to mass, but the nursery wasn't available so the wiggles joined us in, on, and under the pews.

We walked from Broad to Upper King Street to shake off excess energy. A little climbing and shopping along the way.

Then lunch at Juanita Greenburgs, a change of clothes and off to the Children's Museum.

More Redfish

The Burzinski cousins ( David and Anthony as Nick is still in Afghanistan) were in town for annual fishing weekend.

They went up the Wando on Saturday. Fishing was off with the wind and cool weather. We did enjoy a shrimp boil in the evening. Charlotte and I spent time shopping @ Michael's and Barnes and Noble. Five hours of making conversation with Charlotte and I had to have a Tecate with my dinner.

The boys launched at Cherry Point on Sunday morning. The wind was a little calmer and the fishing was a little better.

The guys said the best part of the day involved dolphin watching. They watched hundreds of dolphin in front of Botany Bay Island (just below Seabrook). They said it was difficult to tell if there were multiple pods or just one large pod. They saw lots of calves and small groups coralling and eating the abundant schools of baitfish.

Martina McBride and Train duet- Broken wing

Two favorite artists.

Paul Simon - The Sound of Silence 9-11 Ground Zero

Redfish on the Wando

Another day of work (actually another night and day beginning about 1:30 am - good thing I took a day of leave yesterday)for me. Charlotte and Gene put in at Remley's Point and went up the Wando. Charlotte caught lots of bait in the cast net, and Gene caught a few redfish. Charlotte took this picture of the Cotton Dock @ Boone Hall decked out for a wedding reception.

2011 MDA Telethon Performance - Martina McBride "Somewhere Over the Rain...

This is the purest voice I have heard since Linda Ronstadt. There is no way to describe this incredible voice as recodings do not do her justice. I had the privilege of attending a Martina concert a few years ago in Charleston. 10,000 plus people at the Coliseum and it seemed as if I were at a symphony concert. This tiny woman threw her head back and blew the audience away with her talent, earning a standing ovation after each song.
Martina's version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow captures her incredible phrasing and tone, and voice control.

Linda Ronstadt - Willin' - Live 1976

One of my favorite artists of all time. I used to stand on the sofa in the living room, singing along with my hairbrush microphone to Silver Threads and Golden Needles in the mirror over the living room mantle when I was a kid. I was only able to attend one of her concerts in the early '80s in Columbia, but she did this one along with all my other favorites. Probably the purest voice I had ever heard. This was considered pop music back in the day.

Best Friend

mlowetaylor's photostream on Flickr.

Jack has to read before going to sleep.