It's Official

  The Red Sox have completed the task; they are in LAST place in the American League East after losing last night 1-0 to Tampa Bay.  They had enough hits and walks to maybe, just maybe, get somebody to cross home plate. Nada.

  In other news my grandson Amaroq completed his task too.  He will graduate today from Science Hill High in Johnson City, Tennessee.  Part of his summer will be spent at orientation at the College of Engineering, University of Tennessee in Knoxville, his actual classes begin this fall.

  There you have it, the good, the bad and the ugly will be held until another day.

It's past time - - do something!

The Boston Red Sox lost it's seventh straight game yesterday.  I should have expected it, I should have seen it coming.  But because I come from a long line of Sox fans, or I was cursed by birth place I had hope.  I had hope that they would win a game.  At least they're only one game out.....of last place!  And tonight, as luck would have it, the play Tampa Bay for the honor of being last.

Last night it was easy to see it coming.  Of the first three batters there were two home runs.  It's kind of hard to miss a clue like that.  But you keep watching, hoping, waiting.

What we're waiting for could be anything, for me it's waiting for the manager to pull the "bad" pitcher out after he's given up 3 or 4 runs in the first inning.  He's having a bad day for goodness sake!  Yank him!

Managers of the Boston Red Sox, as far back as I can remember, about 62 years, no it's longer than that have has a disease.  The disease freezes them to the dugout, they're unable to make a simple decision, they're useless.  They simply must believe that a starting pitcher cannot lose.  But they do.

Down ta South Bristol

The geezer hisself in full sunlight
Photo: Hollie Grant

  So yesterday was a long day, Hollie and I went to South Bristol the home of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, the one on the Maine quarter.  It was the only place in Maine yesterday that had full sunlight.  We had stopped in Rockland on the way down to visit Staples, of all places, for some laminations of course.  We also had to check out the new Wal-Mart in Thomaston which is just like all the others except it's new.
  We had lunch in Damariscotta at The Mediterranean Kitchen, we were past our usual lunch hours and were very hungry so we ordered large grinders.  Holy Cow! I had steak and cheese and it must have weighed at least one and a half pounds - we ate the whole things.
  We came home via Jefferson, Augusta, Waterville and stopped behind two school busses at every house in Newburgh before we got to Brewer.  I came directly home.

Joann Grohman and "The Family Cow"

Joann returns from the barn after milking - click to enlarge
Photo: Gregory Rec Portland Press Herald

  One of the many 'return to the earth' people who moved to Maine and started a small farm was Joann Grohman.  She is 83 years old now and while she is aided with a ski pole doesn't move as quickly as she used to.
  Self sufficient is the word to be used to describe Joann, she has Fern the cow, she has had eight, and the raises ducks, chickens, and sheep too.  Way back in 1975 she wrote the book "Keeping The Family Cow" a bible for those that want to be self sufficient. 
  A wonderful warm woman with a lot to teach the rest of us.  Read much more:
http://www.pressherald.com/life/Carthage_woman_wrote_the_book_on_keeping_a_family_cow_.html
It's a long article, well worth the time to read, and there's a slide show too.

Joann and Fern at milking - click to enlarge
Photo: Gregory Rec Portland Press Herald

Whiskey 7 on the way to Normandy

The C-47 arrives in Presque Isle, Maine May 16, 2014
Photo: Dave Allen via Bangor Daily News

  This aircraft, Whiskey 7, is a C-47 which actually took part in the Normandy invasion 70 years ago.  During the first day action it dropped paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne of the United States Army.  It was constantly in action during the whole time period of that action.
  The aircraft now is in the hands of the National Wartime Museum in Geneseo, New York.  The plane also ferried wounded soldiers from France to Presque Isle during that action, the soldiers were treated at a Military Hospital at what is now the Northern Maine Technical College.
Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/slideshow/world-war-ii-plane-makes-presque-isle-stop-on-way-to-normandy-for-d-day-anniversary/
Also more in depth reading: http://www.barnstormers.com/eFLYER/2014/315-eFLYER-FA01-normandy.html

Leaving Presque Isle for Gander Bay, Newfoundland
Photo: Dave Allen via Bangor Daily News

Amused? Or not?

An un-amused Queen Elizabeth

  I'm a fan of Queen Elizabeth, well a fan of her voice really.  She would not be amused with me, as I frequently make up little stories, in which she stars, but they may not be favorable.  I have a new one as of Friday I thought I would share it with you.  You have to use your imagination and have some memory of her voice.
Queen:  "Who's there?"
Trevor:  "It's me, your Majesty, Trevor"
Queen:  "Not you Trevor!", "Anyone else"
Queen:  "Who's there?"
Trevor:  "It's me, uh, uh, oh-oh"
Queen:  "Trevor, report to your commander, you are relived" "I am not amused!"

And so it goes, at least in my imagination.  Someone has to amuse me, it might as well be me.

For you viewing, a very short video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHvExOg4NI0

It's an old dog, with a new trick.  You'll love it.

Yes she is!  She loved that video

Ride in Baby Blue

1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 door hardtop
Photo: Mike Berry The Wichita Eagle

  This car has been owned by Norman and Annie Yoder since they purchased in brand new in 1955.  They never saw the need to trade it for a more family type of car.  They just kept this one.
  The Yoders have been married for 57 years and the car has over 200,000 miles but the old 2 speed automatic transmission keeps them rolling along, mostly to car shows.
  Read more: http://www.kansas.com/2014/05/14/3456334/the-family-bel-air.html