My 88th Birthday Weekend, March 16 thru 20, 2011

                                                Before I begin I want all that read this blog to understand I have very little knowledge of just what the hell I am doing. The first mistake I made was not realizing how important a camera is in doing this blog. With my limited use of words the old saying that one picture is worth a thousand words is certainly true in my case.I realized this when the weekend was over and I had so much to say and very few pictures to back up the words.So Ometa, it makes no difference if the results are good or bad I thank you so much for all the work you did to set up this blog.I am really enjoying trying to do it as it should be done. I take full responsibility for all errors. March 23, 2011.



Ometa and Bill arrived Wednesday afternoon. I told them they would be a captive couple because of the short time here I did not want to share them with restaurant crowds so we would eat in.They insisted we should dine out but I pulled the old"its my birthday and I can do what I please"routine.I knew what they loved so for our evening meal we enjoyed 1/2 bushel of beautiful Lockwood Folly river salty oysters.With the help a few beers we took care of  the entire 1/2 bushel.Thursday Ometa and Bill were able to play tennis twice.For dinner Thursday evening I borrowed a recipe from Dan's cookbook for the tomato,basil,and garlic sauce with pasta, just added fresh shrimp.They said it was great so I hope Dan wont mind me making that little addition.Chelsey, Allie and the children came up from Savannah this evening to see me and to visit her Grandparents.The kids were really cute and Jillian is such a beautiful child.I wish I could have spent more time with them but my weekend had already been planned so it was hard to change.


It is now Friday and time for the folks to leave.They are going to Southport to visit her mother's grave.Since I took no pictures I called while they were at the cemetery and asked Ometa to send me a picture. I think Bill did a great job.They left Southport to go to Myrtle Beach for a couple of days.Again I thank both of you for all you have done to make this 88th birthday so memorable.

Friday Afternoon

En route to Goldsboro to complete my Birthday Weekend

On arriving at Mike and Barbara's I was greeted enthusiastically by the newest members of their family,2 cute puppies (breed unknown),a female,black with white paws named Sierra and a male, brown with white paws named Charlie. If you have ever tried to photograph puppies you know there is no way to keep them still or quiet so what you will see is the best I could do. 

I guess Luci should have been put in the house so there could have been more single pictures of the puppies because they just wanted to play, and before our visit was over on Sunday the old Gal had just about enough of being climbed on,bitten on the neck and tail,and chased so she began growling and snapping, so they decided to leave her alone.

Friday evening was indeed a treat. A Chinese buffet that had 10 serving stations,sushi bar,stir fry,and shrimp prepared in probably 6 different ways.To top it off they had large rock crab claws. I ate my first baby octopus.It was complete with 2 inch tentacles.I can't say it was delicious but tasted better than brussel sprouts.They had /2 foot tuna fillets in a delicious tomato sauce,12 flavors of you dip your own ice cream. There was plenty of the regular buffet foods,barbecue,and
chicken in 3 different styles.Here is the part that is hard to believe,the price was $6.99.
.I believe another Chinese restaurant was opening and they were trying to close them before they had any clientele.

                                                            Saturday, My Birthday

Barbara,Courtney,Luci,and I visited a park about 15 miles from Goldsboro called Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. It was very rustic with very little changes from its original settings with small cleared areas to set up tents but no RVS or campers.Here are a few pictures to show the beauty of the Park. 

This is the most memorable of all pictures at this park.Barbara was trying to get in a better position for this shot by moving closer to the water. This she did with great haste,slipping on her butt in the mud.She added more mud trying to get up.I just wish I had the camera rather than her.I felt like I could laugh because she slid  in the mud so gracefully I knew she was not hurt. She did take a picture as she was going down,a beautiful one of clear sky.I just hope the Park police did not think she had been wading or even playing in the mud.

Luci enjoyed the park.I am just glad she did not get caught for not having a seat belt on

It was certainly a wonderful morning but my birthday goodies keep coming.We have to return home to get ready for the Jacksonville Lions Club oyster roast.

                                                     To Jacksonville NC for the Jacksonville Lion's Oyster Roast

.I came close to eating my 30 dollars worth just in chowder.The oysters were good, large,thick singles.I questioned if they were from the Gulf but was told they were from NC.I take their word for it but the lack of salt in the juice gave me doubts.This time I had my camera but could not get the flash going so only have 1 lousy picture. That is Brian,Mike,and Pam eating between them at least 2 bushels or more.  I will have to say ,with their full stomach of oysters,beer and what ever ,they were much quieter returning home than on the trip to Jacksonville.Back home,those that had room had a slice of Birthday cake I opened some nice presents, thanked everyone for a great weekend, and we all went to bed.GOOD NIGHT ALL.

                                                          Sunday Morning

It is a known fact that all good things must at some times end, so that time has arrived.It is 6AM and I am loading the car with Barbara's take home care packages,4 different kinds of cake, spaghetti sauce, and my gifts, also Luci for the 100 mile trip back to Whiteville, to arrive in time to go to church If I don't get run off of the computer for this Blog I will try another one about The Honor Flight leaving Wilmington on April 20 with 100 WW11 Veterans on a trip to Washington.Can you just imagine 100 Vets, and you have to be at least 82 to qualify, being on the same flight.I understand they leave the cockpit door open because I guess they figure none of the old folks would have enough energy to hobble up there and do any harm. We are put in groups of 3 Vets with a sponsor to look after you if you might need help. In my group the ages are 90, 89,and I am the youngster at 88.I have got to stop hanging around that bunch of old men. 

.I close this Blog with this picture of my beautiful daughter who, with her husband Mike, made this such a wonderful birthday weekend. Again I thank you both.

,