Sunday, September 21, 2008

Chester in Real Life

 
Well, almost.
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Floored Truck

 
Two paintings by two different artists hanging in two different houses in the 'development' in the pasture across the street. The first painting doesn't have a name but the second is called "Tyrone is Home" and incorporates the cabin on the hill behind our house into the background.
 

The truck's official name is "Chester" and it came by it's colorful personality via Jake, Mark and Austin with help from cousins, girl-friends, Walker and whoever else. This is actually Chester's second wardrobe and it's been fashioned over time and sports the artist's pen names: Jerome, Tyrone and I can't remember the third one. The FORD lettering on the tailgate was changed to FLOORED by a talented artist and I was once asked if it was a truck owned by Mexicans. Franklin bought "Chester" about a hundred years ago for $1,000 and I didn't think it would last but here it is, still kickin' though untagged with us having spent probably $1.37 in parts over the years. It's hauled firewood, animals, hay, building supplies, kids, bikes, kayaks and is now a rolling toolshed. These two paintings have inspired me to try my hand at painting the old man.
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Saturday, September 13, 2008

Kids And Goats

 
Walker and Cameron greet Jake after the UNCA vs Appalachian game last Saturday in which a fellow player ruptured his spleen and pancreas. He's still in the hospital a week later and his mother and sister are staying at our house tonight while Franklin and Cameron are out of town.
 
After the game celebration. It was 11:00 pm, Franklin and I were falling asleep on the futon in the living room while the guys played a made-up game of flip the chocolate bar off the top of the Gatorade bottle. Jake, Austin, Cameron, Walker and Lily are in this photo.
 
Some dear friends called and asked if I could babysit a baby female goat for a few days and she was so cute, well, I had to say yes. Gabe's parents also had an emergency need for child sitting this morning so the child and the goat kind of took care of one another. Gabe's taken her across the road for a breakfast in the pasture weeds. We tried on names for size: Carmelita, Latte, Rosie, Eater, Weedie...but since she cries like a human baby all day long, I think I'll dub her "Crybaby".
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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Erik Passes State Accreditation Test

 
, My oldest son, Erik (31) has just passed his State Assessment Exam to be a paramedic / EMT / Firefighter after much hard work and wringing of the hands. He still has more studying and tests to go but if he passes the next set of tests he should be hirable in October. He has a long tradition of this line of work with his Grandfather (my dad), his father, uncle and now a cousin and brother in the same profession. This photo was taken a few years ago at Morikami Japanese Gardens in Florida. I'm waiting impatiently for him to send me a current photo and eventually, a photo with him in uniform. This post has "Proud Parent" written all over it !!!
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