November 7, 2005
Well folks, looks like I'm outta here. It's been a swell summer—I learned to surf and revisited my sailing skills. I was "this close" to getting
in on the Tour de France and the World Series...maybe next year.
I made a lot of new friends and got reacquainted with former admirers all through the magic of the Internet. I received many e-mails of encouragement and regards (for which I'm truly grateful). And no, I'm not going off to star in my own “reality” series exploiting a dysfunctional family. My family is very functional, but short on reality.
So I'm off to warmer places for the next six months (maybe I'll send in reports of my ramblin’s from around the country). When the daffodils start bloomin', I'll be thumbin’ my way back home. In the mean time, I hope everyone has the happiest of holiday seasons and a safe and healthy winter. Until spring …
October 26, 2005
After three games of the World Series, Ross still has hopes of returning to the mound. With the Chicago White Sox ahead of Houston 3 games
to none, there is still a good chance Ross will be called in as a reliever. "Ross has bounced back from injuries suffered in the past few seasons," said
his pitching coach. Ross told me, in confidence, that his manager assured him that if the series went to 8 games he would be asked to contribute.
Keep up the good work Ross; we’re pulling for you.
October 14, 2005
Well, folks, looks like I made the news again. At least, the "online" news...whatever the heck that means.
I was happy to assist the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department during Fire Prevention Week. They let me dress up like a real fireman, but they wouldn't let me rescue any babies from a burning building. Guess they thought I was just a might too combustible.
October 7, 2005
There was a wrangler on the ranch the other day looking for his lady friend. The talk was he was no good and trouble seemed to follow him wherever
he drifted. But could this be just his latest disguise and was he really the infamous Lone Stranger? Only time will tell.
September 9, 2005
Here is a special HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY greeting to a wonderful woman, Frances, our Mom and Nana!
She's been on this planet long enough to become a Great-Great Grandma and her strength and dedication to family is an inspiration to us all.
Frances, go wild darlin'!
From all of us,
We LOVE You
August 16, 2005
(Applause fading) Thanks …Thank you …
Next, I would like to play a song that I learned from a dear friend of mine. First, let me tell you a little story about how I came about having this little number on my latest cd. I’ll give you a little background on it. You see, a few winters ago I was thumbin’ my way through Miss-sippi on my way to the little town of Epley. I noticed that all the fields was still bare from where the cotton had been harvested earlier in the year. There were still a few white puffs still standin’ round the edges that the picker missed and that wasn’t cost effective to go back and get by hand. It was almost magical the way they stood out like notes on a line of sheet music. I had been looking forward to this trip for a long time.
Epley’s not really big enough to be called a town any more, more like a crossroad stuck out there on Hwy 589. The trains still come through there but not near as often as they used to, the bank closed years ago and the only country store for miles changed hands recently and the service ain’t near the same as it once was. Well, my lifelong friend, and old Army buddy, Sammy J. lives near Epley. He had come to visit me some years back and we made a promise that if I ever got near his corner of the country I was gonna drop in on him and we would jam ‘till the lightnin’ bugs quit blinkin’.
We met up and decided the best place to jam was the front porch of the country store since Sammy J. had in-laws stayin’ over for what he said seems like the whole winter. We unpacked our instruments and got down to doin’ what seemed to come natural. We played every song we both knew, some only one of us knew and before the night was over we played some neither of us knew (but thought the other one did). We had a great time.
As we were winding things up, Sammy J. reached in his overalls front breast pocket and handed me a piece of paper. It had the words to a song he had been workin’ on since his Army days and he said that if I liked it I could use it on my next album. Well, I knew if Sammy J. wrote it, it was going to be good so I told him I’d be honored to include his music with mine.
So, this next song is going out to Sammy J., to all you guys and gals in the listening audience and especially to Joy for findin’ me my new guitar. Thanks, Joy.
Here goes …
August 9, 2005
Congratulations to Wild Card, the winner of this year's Governor's Cup race. I tried to get in the race m'self, but it was hard getting a good
breeze to blow me off the lawn. I did, however, manage to sneak down to St. Mary's College for the after-race parties (but don't tell the Ol' Man!). I'm
sure I saw some of my good buds down there, but frankly I don't remember much because I was three sheets to the wind.
Ahh haaa haaaa (oi, my head hurts).
July 26, 2005
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to go Laaaaaaaaaaance!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really wanted to be there cheering on the man in person — but other duties prohibited my attendance. Guarding the gophers was much more important (he said sarchastically).
But at least I get to wear the cool yellow shirt. And I would like to point out that, like all responsible cyclists, I'm wearing my helmet. I think that the combination of the two should help in my effort to pick up chicks, don't you?
Here chickie, chickie, chickie....
July 6, 2005
Awwwwwww, wipeout.
Total bummer, dude. I tried to poke into a freight train but it came rolling in and drilled me on my noggin.
June 27, 2005
Everybody's gone surfin'....dude.
Well, as close to it as I can possibly get. It's great hangin' ten (if I actually had 'ten' to 'hang') and riding the garden pipline trying not to
get axed, waitin' for bitch'n boggas. Even if I'm not sportin' my beavertail, you can't call me a chubby checker strutin' the sand in a banana hammock.
And no chance of emerging with a butt breach. (For you posers, you can interpret my lingo on the riptionary).
And thanks to Pat Walker for the loan of the board. Dude, if you want it back, you're gonna have to show me how to do an air to fakie.
I've been receiving so many wonderful emails the past couple of months, it was time to update my Conversations page. I appreciate all your letters... it's so nice to know you care. However, I am partial to chocolate chip cookies if you REALLY care!
June 1, 2005
A hearty THANKS to all you fine service men and women who've served, and are serving, our country!!! While I couldn't find any other lawn ornaments to
form a complete reenactment of the Iowa Jima monument, I think you get the picture.
Few people know I've performed services for the military in the past. My missions were, and are still classified, but I can tell you they involved hollow-cored potatoes and long-range firing tubes. Beyond that, my lips are sealed...literally. It's a crime the lengths the brass will go to ensure absolute secrecy.
May 18, 2005
Congratulations to all St. Mary's College graduates!! I've been keeping my eye on you and had doubts that a couple of you would make it this far...but
it's good to see you've survived college and are heading out into the 'real world.'
Personally, I'm not sure the 'real world' is all that's it's cracked up to be. I mean really, who wants to spend all day with a pole in their back attempting to 'scare' away garden predators. Sure, you may get some sweet perks like taking the winters off. But you'll have to work up to that. I've seen others having year-round duty and they don't look too happy. And scraping off bird dookie every night can drive a dude to drink.
On that note — may you find a garden full of produce and lacking in rodents; a sunny spot on a cool day with reprieve from the scorchers; a kind and generous caretaker to help you with wardrobe changes; and plenty of kind strangers to bolster your ego.
Remember...with every smile you give, you'll get two in return. Welcome to the real world graduates. Now get to work.
May
1, 2005
Howdy folks — I'm baaaaaaaack.
Don't you know, as soon as I pop my head in for a quick hello before unpacking my bags, the ol' man drags me out to the field and immediately puts me to work. Not even a "Hi Ross. Howya been? How's the vacation? We sure did miss you. Take a load off and tell us of your travels." Nope. Gotta get busy 'cause daylights-a-wastin'. Sheesh — you know what they say..."A CROW may work from sun to sun but a SCARECROW'S work is never done."
I think I even overheard the ol' man muttering something about me needing an attitude adjustment. Folks, it's going to be a LONG summer! Throw a little kindness my way when you pass by, wontcha?. A little wave on a hot day will go far for this workin' man.