thanksgivings

First Thanksgiving dinner without a least one family member.  Very odd for us, after all these years.

two cars down

Yesterday was a little crazy.  My wife Sandy and I dropped off her car yesterday morning at the auto body shop after an accident she was involved in from the prior week.  Her vehicle needed a new front bumper and repairs to the front end.

In the afternoon, Sandy borrowed my truck to go to physical therapy.  At about 7:00 pm, I get a call from an EMT saying that they were transporting my 'wife' to the hospital - "she was broadsided in an accident" - could you meet her at Doctor's Hospital, in the ER?

Arriving very anxious at one of our worst, and understaffed hospitals, I felt noxious. Had to have a cigarette before I could walk in through the doors.  Went to the nurses' station and they assured me she was going to be OK.  They had her in radiology.  Time for another cigarette.

Sandy is goin' to be alright, a little banged up, but alright.  She will just need a little more physical therapy. But, thank god for our son's, Wilson's truck - our last vehicle.  Somewhat dependable, but hadn't been started in over a month.  Driving home from the hospital late, Sandy a little medicated and still in shock said, "This isn't such a bad truck".  But, I didn't tell her, on my way to the ER, that a roach had crawled up from underneath the seat, and up inside my shirt - and that, I had nearly wrecked my son's truck.

one hundrieth year

Dr. Joel Elkes - retired Professor Emeritus, current painter, water-colorist and friend.  Past director of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at John Hopkins University.  Psychiatrist-in-Chief (retired) John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.

We've been hanging out of late - Joel giving me plenty of advice and smiles - and me, just spending time photographing him.  Another sweetheart.

the smoke-off ..... & toss-off

The 12th annual Terra Ceia Mullet Festival.  Florida's native fish.

 Terra Ceia Island

The "smoke-off" trophy

Ricky Gullet - this years 2013 "smoke-off" winner.  His secret recipe - smoked 'juveniles', buttered with fresh squeezed lime.

Eight year old, Reece Lane - the "volunteer rounder" - roundin' up the competitive 'tossed' mullet.

The 'Toss Off' - 57 competitors with only 9 mullet.

working at Denny's

I started working at Denny's.  To much distraction at home.  So, for the past month or so, I've been taking my legal pad, my notes, my pencils and pens, and started spreading them out across the counter at Denny's.  At the 'check-out' one late-night, I noticed a small posted comment on the wall behind the register, "Who needs a corner office when you've got the corner booth" - finally realizing, now I could just take over that back booth - that perfect fit, to finally finish writing those difficult lengthy captions for an upcoming photography exhibit.

About 11:00 pm Thursday night, when I typically arrive, I was ready to set up - not realizing it was Halloween. I noticed my server friend (I call her "sweetie"), Kimberly all dressed up. And, as always, she had that special twinkle in her eye. A real sweetheart, even though I rarely order bacon.

Today / tonight, I'm working on that final caption, and after completion, I will certainly miss my new late-night friends - and surely, that new found office space.