The big hike and cool breeze ....

Well, I had to work again today, but Seamus, Christine, Grammy, and Grandpa went for a Hike up to Max Patch. For an 18-month-old he gets around really well. I was told he did almost the entire hike without being carried.

Here is Joe cool! He would be even cooler if he could drink from a cup without spilling it down the front of his shirt :-)

Seamus and the impossible 40...

First, a picture I took of Seamus a few weeks ago (pre-haircut). We bought this recliner and he loves to sit in it and watch movies. His current favorite, almost an obsession is Milo and Otis. I don't know what it is about this movie, but he can't get enough. He definitely looks All-American in front of the tube. Archie Bunker would be proud.

I have a meeting in Greensboro tomorrow and had to drive down today. I decided to see if I could break 40 mpg in Christine's 2002 Honda Civic Sedan. I heard of folks getting 42-44 mpg in this model. The trip is almost entirely Interstate with a couple of big hills and then rolling to flat terrain. I did run the AC, but all the windows were up. I also did not exceed 65 mph during the entire trip and kept the cruise on for 80% of the way. I also tried to accelerate very modestly.

The best I could do? 39.527 mpg for the 212 mile trip. I bet if I went 55 mph I could get 42, but I might also wind up stuck to the grill of an 18-wheeler! Cost of fuel for the one-way trip $19.49

Busy busy...

One of Seamus' more mild daily destruction projects.

The waterbowl incident....

Haircut and a movie...

Well the crazy big blond hair finally had to go. Despite all the warnings about how he would not tolerate a haircut, I got out the clippers, demonstrated on myself and then called him over. He didn't mind the buzz a bit.

Then an even more noteworthy event occurred. Seamus at 18-months-old watched his first full length feature with me. I had put The Water Horse in the Netflix Que thinking he might like the creature and watch 15 minutes of it. Instead he watched about half of it from his pint size recliner and the other half from my lap. We also shared several bowls of popcorn together. I think the plot was probably lost on him, but he kept watching for the water horse to pop out. This movie was about 90-minutes. I am still amazed he sat through the whole thing.

Goats and a sheep...

We had a quick visit to John Mark and Susan's farm tonight to check on some Giant Pumpkins (really) and of course Seamus had to go. He loves the animals.

Hilton Head....

Greetings from Folley Beach in Hilton Head. On family vacation with the sisters and their families. More pictures soon. Seamus is a huge fan of the ocean. I was wondering whether he would like it or not, but he loves it especially being out in the waves.

Here Seamus checks out the pool at the Beach House.

Old News...

I know there has been video on Flickr for sometime, but I finally took a look around and there is some neat stuff.

To be seen....

Well here is the new rear light for the bicycle. Only $20 and it makes my presence on the road approach the level of obnoxious. ...just what I want. The worst part of my commute is the first 2 miles leaving my house and taking a secondary road to a road with a bike lane. Maybe I will get a second one of these lights!

Seamus has taken to wanting to rough house in the guest bedroom in the evenings. Here is a little video for the relatives to get their toddler fix.

Beautiful Weather...

The weather has been incredible since the rain stopped. Sunny and highs in the mid 80's, not even really that humid. The flowers are a bit ragged from the recent rain, but new blooms are on their way.

Catching up...

Well it has been a couple of crazy weeks. Work has been extra busy and then there was a family medical situation that required a trip home to Richmond. Fortunately, everyone is going to be fine.

For now, here is a Rain garden that was installed on one of the local green ways. The students will be using this in the future as an outdoor laboratory.

A different point of view...

June moon... and oldy

River in motion

Seamus plays at the falls... he likes rocks.

Playing in the water...

Seamus enjoyed being out in the sun and water on the downstream side of the Lake Junaluska Dam.

Ice cream...

Seamus really enjoys his ice cream...

Get along little doggies....

Seamus, has taken to riding Bear...well sitting on the stationary / resting Bear. Bear was a rescue and is one tough dog. We believe he is half border collie and half Newfoundland. He weighs around 95 lbs and is lightning quick...being blind in one eye slows him down a bit, but not much. He is a slayer of squirrels, rabbits, voles, and other things that come his way.

Despite his alpha male status he tolerates anything Seamus dishes out...I think mostly because Seamus has been slipping him food since nearly the beginning.

at the Lake...

It has been very hot here for June. In the low 90's. Seamus and Christine went to the Lake.

Popsicle...

The best way to eat a Popsicle is to hold it from the frozen end :-)

In addition to being tasty you can also change the color of your outfit if you don't like it.

Word of the day ....mollusk