The Silver Beats

Since I used their picture in the last post to help make the "Japanese beetle" joke, I felt obligated to give the band, The Silver Beats, from Tokyo, their due. Here is a clip of them doing a couple of songs in a radio studio in, of all places, Nashville, TN.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The Silver Beats

What A Difference An "A" Makes

We have been having some problems with bugs eating the leaves of our roses and other plants. Monday, I put two Japanese beetle traps out, one in the front yard and one in the back. I must have gotten the wrong kind of trap because this is what we found in the backyard this morning.

New Digs For Mike And Kim

Here are some pictures of moving day and some that were taken on May 15. Since then, there has been some painting. The dining room is now "Beeswax". The Master bedroom is "Puppy Paws" (I kid you not). The living room is now a sort of chocolate brown and the Master bath upstairs is a pale green. I can't remember the names for these colors. Maybe Kim and Mike can fill you in and we can have a quiz sometime in the future.

Softball, Anniversaries and Roses

How much more fun can it be to go to an Akron Racers game? Well, the fun is doubled when you can get your picture taken with one of the actual Chick-fil-A cows. See the joy on the faces of quartet wives Mary Stone (left) and my own Sue.

Now I can talk about the surprise party for my brother, Jim and his wife Cheryl. The party was to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary (June 30). Their kids, Alyssa and Trevor and friend, Flo Furey did a great job of planning the party, inviting people and most importantly, not letting Jim and Cheryl know that it was happening. We went to Malvern today, visited with my Mom for a while and then took her with us to the party at Lake Mohawk.

The party was great, the surprise was complete and a good time was had by all. Jim and Cheryl arrived on their pontoon boat and were greeted by a banner saying Happy 25th Anniversary and the strains of the theme from "Love Boat" playing in the background. Today was also the 39th wedding anniversary for Sue and I. I know that 25 years is the silver anniversary. What is it for 39? (Silly Putty??, Geritol??)





And finally, here are a couple of pictures of the rose bush that Mike and Kim sent to my Mom for her birthday in April. It has a special place in her flower garden and, as you can see, it is doing quite well. My Mom has told me that she uses tough love on her tomato plants, by threatening daily to chop them up if they don't produce. I don't know if she uses the same approach on roses.

(I also have to point out the excellent brick work done by my Dad. The man was a craftsman.)

Who Is That Dog?

Inspired by Kris' recent Facebook comment:

I'm Spartacus

I'm Spartacus
I'm Spartacus

Not Pure Barbershop, But........

I thought that I would share this clip with everyone. I can seriously see son Mike singing the tenor part in this arrangement. What do you think, Mike?

Holy Cow!!

I haven't had a blog post since May 31. I feel like such a slacker. But, in my defense, there have been many things going on in my life.

My daughter changed her last name and, in the process, added a son-in-law to my list of relatives. This is all good, but certainly alters the daily routine a bit

My son and his wife have become the Michelangelos of the interior painting world. This is all in preparation for the big move into their new house next weekend. I expect to see giant Purdue and Kent State logos on the ceilings and who knows what else.



We just came back from a four day camping rally with the Cardinal Gulf Streamers. This is the camping club that I have been the president of for the past four years. Sue and I hosted this rally with another couple, so we were very busy.

And as usual, there was the barbershop quartet and chorus singing.

I haven't had much time for stray thoughts let alone time to share them on the blog. I will try to get back in the routine now.