The Zephyr - Day Six

Well, I spent this morning watching the early shift bowl and drinking coffee. Not quite as fun as the Observation car but better than the Parking garage. Well, I bowled the BTM Tournament and did well, right now I am eighth, so maybe it will hold up until the end of the tournament and make the number needed to qualify for payoff. Oh, I did manage to win my brackets from last night. Now I have to get to the Sands Casino to get my winnings. 5:30 tonight I will bowl my doubles and singles. Hope it goes as well at the BTM did. Well, this year's tournament is over and for the most part it was successful and fun. I hope I get a new doubles partner for next year but that is a story for another day. After bowling, I had dinner with the Visionary Bowling Staff at Circus Circus Buffet. Now that was one meal were bowling was talked along with many other things. Come to find out , Cecil Scarboro was from Panama City. Guess Wild Mom will have to check the genealogy and see if he is related to us. Sadly, it is now time to pack and get ready for the ride home. While it will be fun, reality will set in ... work. Many funny stories about the people here. Like the man with his pants so low, below his butt cheeks, his underwear showed. He needed to smoke so when he crammed his hand into his pants pocket for his lighter ... the pants dropped to the ground, since he was walking, he nose dived into the floor, hit his head on the escalator hand rail and almost rolled down the escalator. Everyone, including his girl friend around laughed out loud and yours truly kindly pointed out that the shop across the hall sold BELTS that would prevent that from happening again. We did have one flaming butt hole get kicked out of the tournament and escorted out of the building. Well, time to catnap again ...

The Zephyr - Day Five

Well, I did not get to watch the sunrise from the observation car and drink coffee this morning. I did get to see the parking Garage out my window and the side of another Casino. At least I can see the big clown face at Circus Circus. The weather is great, warm with a light breeze. Most noticeable is the humidity or rather lack of it. I had to use the lotion this morning. I like the room, it has connecting doors to the room on each side of me. How many times have we asked for and not gotten this setup. Oh well, Murphy's law. Breakfast was good, Oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins and to top it off ... Sticky Pecan Bun. It was huge, a meal by itself. It took two pots of coffee to wash it all down. I bowl tonight at 8:30 so today is pretty much a be lazy day. I am not really a gambler so all I do is walk about and watch the people and their reactions. No word from Blue on whether he and Gung-Ho Justin got out of Utah heading this way.

Well, the main reason I am here occurred. We bowled the Team event tonight. There were a lot of new faces on the team. Out of 10 guys only three of them have been here longer than me and that is a scary thought. My highlight was getting my pin for 20 straight years. Can you believe that ... 1991 - 2010. Well, that leaves me 5 more to the next milestone. I did ok, always want to do better but I felt good about tonight and actually can't wait till double and singles. Tomorrow, I will also bowl in the BTM Tournament. Late message from Blue was that they were sent back East with a truckload out of Salt Lake City. Oh, well maybe next time, Reno dodges a bullet. Dinner tonight was a Burrito Grande ... I think that thing will bark at me all night since I ate so late. Well, time to catnap again ...

The Zephyr - Day Four

Well, I really enjoyed watching the sunrise from the observation car and drinking coffee in the cool train car. Gee sounds familiar, it should. Reno is just around the bend ... well, several hours to be exact. We made great time but are still late. Checked into the Silver Legacy about 11 am. Not much has changed in this town, well, at least what matters to me. After getting the funky clothes off and a nice hot shower, I managed to find a very good Burger place. It was good but not as good as "The Continental" in Rosslyn. You would never guess where I went next ... you guessed it. The Bowling Stadium to check things out. Saturday I am going to bowl a second tournament, might as well make the most of the weekend. It will be 5 games across 10 lanes. I do better if I roll the extra tournaments, helps me focus and not chase the cocktail ladies ... not! Frankie May is still at the Visionary Booth ... so we chatted for several hours as he worked on my bowling balls. Refinish, rejuvenated, and re-gripped them. Good for another 3 years! Shows around here are not much to speak of, this weekend the big one is "King of The Cage." Ultimate fighters are not my kind of entertainment. Maybe I will take in a Texas Hold-em tournament ... $25 get you 2500 chips and a chance to win $25000. Where is #1 when you need him? Not sure about dinner tonight ... either steak or oriental ... hmmmm ... I managed to squeeze in a short nap just to rest my legs. It felt so good to lie down and not sit up to sleep. Skip won't make it as his health is not so good, maybe next time. Blue and the Gung-Ho Justin are in Salt Lake City trying to get to Reno. But the weather is fighting them as a snow storm is to our east. That should prove to be an interesting time when he does. Well, time to catnap again ...

The Zephyr - Day Three

Well, I really enjoyed watching the sunrise from the observation car and drinking coffee in the cool train car. Gee sounds familiar. I am such a creature of habit. Snow, at least 12 inches is on the ground as we pass Fort Morgan Co. heading for Denver. As we go through the mountains just west of Denver we have been stopped several times because the Avalanche detectors have gone off and the Railroad Dispatcher has stopped us until they check it out. The scenery is beautiful especially with the snow. It is wet and heavy and the trees show the effects of the extra weight. Deer, antelope, eagles, rabbits, and turkey abound as we wind through the mountains. I have been using the smoking stops to get outside and walk around. Cool brisk air wakes you up fast. Going past Glenwood Springs, I could see where the rock avalanche from last week had taken out half of Interstate 70. Some pretty good boulders were laying around the damage. We will have a 2 hour delay in Grand Junction for track work ahead of us. Well, I used the delay for good. They had Public WIFI so I was able to check emails and get the first two days posted. I really did not feel like wandering the streets of Grand Junction ... there really wasn't that much out there. We can not leave the station until 6 pm when they finish their days work. I wound up with the late dinner shift tonight (8 pm). Unlike last time they are not showing a movie in the Observation car. Well, time to catnap again ...

The Zephyr - Day Two

Well, I really enjoyed watching the sunrise from the observation car and drinking coffee in the cool train car. All the glass chilled the place down. Breakfast was spicy with salsa spread all over a quesadilla topped off with a big bowl of grits. The train arrived in Chicago about an hour late but no problem as I still had over a four hour wait for the California train. One thing that has made it clear not to travel alone, is there is no one to watch the luggage while you do anything. Where ever you go, you drag it along. Somethings never change ... people complain and grouse about everything. Sometimes, I would even volunteer to toss them out the bottom door at 60 mph. This train is longer and a little bit fuller. But so far I have managed to not have a seat mate so far on this leg of the trip. 5 pm and we are in Galesburg Il., fixing to head across the Mississippi River. Should prove to be a long night, the man across the aisle took a nap and snored louder than the train. Dinner was once again great as I ate with a Farmer and his son ... never will guess what we talked about. Also a retired Activity Director from a Senior Care Facility. The three of them were from the same town so I only had to listen while they reminisced about home. Tomorrow should be interesting ... it is snowing pretty good right now. Well, time to catnap again ...

The Zephyr - Day One

Well after waiting for a year the journey finally begins. I arrived early to Union Station to allow Cheng the chance to escape DC before rush hour. Unlike Dad's first time there, I didn't get beat up by the Police during an arrest in the men's room. I did visit Sbarros and ate pizza for lunch. I think I have always done that ... nothing like some grease before a long train ride with aircraft sized restrooms. Human nature is the same ... pushing and shoving to get out the waiting room. They still only managed to get to the train car 1 person ahead of me. Hey, you have reserved coach tickets ... you have a seat ... relax. It seems that the seats have been placed farther apart, I can barely reach the foot rest on the seat ahead. One thing new is the power outlet at every seat. That is great, now I wish they had WIFI. I have found the setup if I get that new crackberry on how to use it as a modem. Mafia Wars all the time! My seat mate for this leg of the trip is a young lady who graduates from the University of Illinois as a school teacher. She was very talkative about her student teaching that she just finished. She spend most of the time doing exercises in her Advanced Spanish Grammar book. How much could St. Marks use her for their Spanish classes? The Dining car was redesigned and for the most part for the good. We still get plastic china, a far cry from days gone by, but hey, they work. Dinner was very good. The steak was perfect and very tasty and I even managed to save room for some Hagen Daz vanilla ice cream. Dinner conversation was with a retired school teacher from Detroit. Very interesting was their views on Obama and Education. My Soduku puzzles are getting a work out though my current one is a bear. Having to really think. I really didn't sleep for any time length ... I catnapped for short periods and then moved about watching the scenery. Well, time to catnap again ...

To: Lady

Need 14 get 17

Well, one week to go until the Great Train ride of 2010 begins. Not that I am eagerly looking forward to it but I can't wait. My buddy from California will meet me there and we will bowl some and talk a lot. This past weekend was a good weekend in that Lady and I attended the "Weekend To Remember" Conference. We attend these as tune ups to our marriage. Is it the solution or guarantee of a successful one? No, but it sure helps. I didn't get to attend Sunday's morning session as the Radio Station decided to burp and require my assistance. Oh well ... a job is a job. Bowling was mixed bag. My youth team lost (1-3) but Lew had a great day (78-65-84). Really great was when he got up to bowl in the last frame of the last game. If he got a spare and 4 pins his team would win the game. He threw a good first ball, then picked up the spare. With everyone cheering and even holding their breath he threw his next ball and got 7 pins. For a kid with a 57 average, he performed as a pro. The place broke out in a roar. I don't think he fully grasped what he accomplished but he loved the attention. I was proud of him. Sunday night was the same. We lost to a team we should have beat easily. So our journey to the bottom continues with no end in site. Other than Sunday, we didn't see the grand kids since we were at the conference all weekend. That being said I have no comments on #1, #2 or Starr since I don't have any first hand knowledge or observations. Thursday, we finished our Bible Study of David Jeremiah's "Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World." It was great and I recommend it if you are looking for a good study. I did manage to order our next course of study. It is called "Modern Parables", we will take 6 Bible parables and study them. There is a short movie showing the Parable as it might happen in today's world. Then we will see an application video of applying it to our life. It should prove to be fun as I have watched the first movie and it is well made and thoughtful.

Nationals ... 0-10 ... Different players same results ... They have losing down to a science. Given the Saints victory ... maybe in 20 years the Nationals too ... will make it to the top! Its about time for the Redskins to find that one season that will propel them for the 20 years too. When was the last time they played in the big game ... 1991? 19 Years?

Reflections on a Train Ride

Well, another week comes to a close. Why does time have to pass so fast. I want a lazy slow day that you can enjoy. I wonder if I should start saying "no" more often. The Church's multimedia project moves right along with a lot remaining to accomplish. Our Lenten Bible Study is great though the dynamics did change a bit with the addition of more people. More people means more ideas and thoughts and that is good.

This weekend we will be attending the "Weekend To Remember" conference in Reston Va. Our best friends are also attending so that means we will have a great time. What should I do for "Date Night" on Saturday? The best part is that this weekend is all free.

I booked my trip to Reno this week and now all I have to do is wait. This will be the first time in many years that I will travel to Reno alone. That realization generated a lot of thoughts of Dad's trips with me. He loved that train ride just as I do. Another thought was of George and his last trip with me. We talked so much that week, and a lot of it was personal, if I could have known that 8 weeks later he would be gone, ... well, I don't know. I have been making this annual trip since 1991, Toledo Ohio started it all and this year it will be #19. As I think of the years past I realize how much it has impacted my life, my memories, and my thoughts. My wish was that everyone in my life could experience that trip with me. I thinks bonds are formed and strengthened to withstand life's pressures. It is almost like a pilgrimage that occurs the last weekend in March.

Bowling on Sunday is going well. Lew is very consistent but that last game each week is a challenge as the attention spans decrease and the kids start playing and goofing around. Sunday Night league is a challenge as we are stuck in the middle of the pack. The team chemistry has changed a lot since George last bowled. We are competitive but that last piece we need to breakout and climb up to the top has been found yet.

The house is quiet and #1 and #2 continue as usual. No new words when it comes to employment ... so the spring jobs I have planned now have ready workers available. Lew and Lil Princess are a blessing and watching them grow up is fantastic. Lil Princess is becoming such a little lady, you just want to hold her and say "stop growing up." Yes, she has an attitude but that also makes her lovable. Lady is busy with the Church Easter Egg project. The house always has the smell of chocolate, coconut, and peanut butter wafting about. The diet was blown with all the samples laying about just begging to be consumed. Wild Mom is getting ready for camp next week and that is one of the highlights she looks forward too. About 4 weeks till Lady and I visit her and I go to my 40th High School reunion. has it been that long? Can't be, I am only 22!!

Heading for a Warmer Day

Well, it is Friday already and it doesn't feel like it. They predict the weather will be extra nice (50's) so we can keep our fingers crossed. It seems like we had something to do every night this week. Meetings, Bible Study (x2), Computer work, and then the reading and study to support the Bible Study. What ever happened to the nights you could come home and watch TV and then be bored? We find so much stuff to cram into every minute of our day. No wonder we burn out. Looking forward to Saturday as we venture to El Agave for a great lunch. Starr is supposed to come along. We found a great little restaurant has very good pizza's ... I can't wait to go back and try them again. Everything is fresh and not cooked down into a crusty topping.

Next weekend is the "Weekend To Remember" in Reston, so we will be out of pocket Friday through Sunday. #1 and #2 still are looking. #1 even managed to help around the house this week ... Miracle? Lew and Lil Princess will be over Saturday Night and liven the place up. They are guaranteed to undo all the cleaning that Lady has done to this point. She is still limited by her knee which acts up quite often and painfully at times. Her doctor appointment is Tuesday so hopefully she will get some relief then. But it is funny to see Lil Princess do something she is not supposed too, then Lady goes to get her and Lil Princess runs down the stairs ... because Nana can't go down there with her knee. Don't you just love it! Now that most the snow is gone ... I can see the mess my yard is in ... lots of work to do! I did lose one section of fence so I will have to get out there and fix it ... that is once the mud goes away. Work is the same. It gets hard getting up to commute in ... shoot, I even preferred the Dentist one morning. Times change and sadly we change even slower. Only two more weeks until I head for Reno on the train. I so look forward to that trip every year. Lots of cat naps, reading, and just watching the countryside rolling by. I wish everyone could experience that once ... shoot I probably would even pay for it once. The computer work is picking back up. The downside is that it consumes what little free time I do have ... but the money is nice.

When asked if I regret anything? I answered "only that I didn't do a better job than I did."

Thought for the Day: Remember that being a Christian is a life-long journey toward benefiting others in Christ. Don't expect to be free from sin and error overnight and do not judge yourself or others harshly. Maintain good morals and good habits that glorify God in your body in everyday life --- not to brag or boast, but to glorify God.

Meteorological Spring

Can you believe it ... it is March already and the first day of meteorological spring and a snow storm is heading here on Tuesday night. Wonders of it all! Life goes on for us though at times the past couple weeks it has been a test. That also means that our next cruise is only 10 months away. Bowling is going good with both the youth team and the adult team in the middle of the pack. On the youth side Lew and I bowled against each other and that was fun though the competitive spirit was very high. On the adult team we had a good night, the first in several weeks. We finally had everyone on the same page and thus we knocked off the #2 team. Maybe we can put a run together and get back into the fight. Two weeks left on our Bible Study using David Jeremiah's Book. Now comes the hard part ... figuring out the next study. Oh well. Work is the same pain in the kazoo, only redeeming part is a lot of people out out doing different things so the office is relatively quiet. Wild Mom is doing fine except wishing for more company. She has camp coming up soon so that will keep her busy. We will be there in April. Lady is nursing a sore knee. She has an appointment scheduled on the 9th if she can last that long. Also lady's favorite time is here ... Easter Egg time ... another project she has seemed to inherit over the years. She did not bowl last night so she could rest after having the grand kids all weekend. They quickly learned ... go down the stairs ... Nana can't catch you then. Lady also gets her new Laptop tomorrow so she can get on-line easier. Maybe even get to answer some emails that have stacked up. #1 and #2 have no change to report on their status. Will we have a party when it does? Lew was fun though he needs to learn to let his bowling ball do the talking ... gee he learns so quickly and early. Lil Princess was a chatterbox all weekend. It was fun but she was very high maintenance ... wonder who that reminds me of!!! She loves her dresses and hair bows. Now she is pressing to "go bowling." lady brought her up to the alley the weekend before last and now she wants it to be a constant affair. My friend Blue is in the hospital in PA. Hope he gets better soon. If the storm up north had not been on-going, I think we would have made a side trip up there. We might still do it this weekend ... time will tell.