McCourtney family (circa 1890's)

My grandfather's Grandfather - John Martin McCourtney (seated center) - a Baptist Minister (b.1827) with all the McCourtney clan outside his Missouri home.

Interestingly, one of my great, great Uncles, Plato McCourtney (R to L, third in back) has an uncanny resemblance to myself, and my son Nathaniel.

officially summer

Father's day

Rented a skiff - and went out to Sand Dollar Island where we came across this large family living aboard, and off their boat, with lots of kids, dogs and a little Bob Marley.

after one year of waiting ....

my wife Sandra, finally had her scheduled appointment day - and we arrived at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, after a six hour "crossing-the-state" drive.  Over the years, she's not had success, or much luck, with our local doctors concerning an ongoing thyroid issue - so the day had come and we had arrived.


Checking into our hotel

catching up on her homework and reading material

a beautiful, sprawling 100 acre campus

The following appointment day, a day of mixed sun & rain and humid 97 degree weather, Knuckles and I walked, and seemingly walked the entire property - walking, waiting until - we just couldn't do it anymore.  Knuckles finally called it quits out in front of the Davis Building - where I had to ask him to get up now and then, just so that the occasional, oncoming wheelchair could pass.