Gary Grice

Good morning one and all.  Yeah, I know its early but some joints got my attention and wouldn't let me continue to lay there.  Just checking out Facebook and it looks like we need to have a "shoot out" between Don and Diane to see who can take the most pleasing photo.  Beautiful work - both of you!  We continue to commute back to Watkinsville daily preparing our home there for sale.  Spent yesterday painting - probably why the joints ache today.  We should have everything out of the house this week and then we can start on the shed!  Hope to have and open house last week in June.  In the mean time, if you know of anyone looking for a home in Oconee County .....  I guess I'd better go wake Sherron up so we can make it to the 8:30 service this morning.  Our pastor is retiring and this will be his last Sunday to preach.  We wish him well.  I hope everyone has a very blessed day and week ahead.   Later.

Donald Chandler

Gary... I appreciate the kind words, but if there is a "photo shootout", my vote would go to DICK.  Have you seen some of the AMAZING macro-photography he does of the plants and insects in his own backyard!  He has some of them posted on Facebook too.  WOW!

Well, those New York Yankees are coming to town tomorrow for a three-game series with the Braves.  GO BRAVES!

BTW, Gary... you're RETIRED, man.  Slow down!

Have a great week!  See you guys (most of you) on FACEBOOK!

Donald Chandler

That Braves game last night was enough to make a preacher cuss.  Damn Yankees!

Gary Grice

Greetings and salutations one and all.  I typed out the most eloquent message this morning but when I went to do a spell check - everything disappeared.  Guess I'll try again.  We continue to work at our house in Watkinsville.  Still seeking a buyer as well!!! (Hint,  Hint)  I was reading the news this morning and it appears the Braves had an interloper show up at their weekend reunion.  Now I'm not saying he did, but ..... we have a person among us, who has been known to wear a Braves' uniform (check out classmate profiles - its still there) and probably would do ANYTHING to mingle with members, present or past, of his favorite team.  John Sullivan, former Braves bullpen coach found it amusing that someone would attempt to impersonate him.  So Don, I mean John, how was the weekend with your old team mates??

I hope everyone is having a very BLESSED week, even though the Braves aren't fairing so well.  Later.

Donald Chandler

"pudginess"???...

my feelings are hurt...

and who would be silly enough to ever wear a Braves uniform?...

but I digress...

Perhaps you're aware that Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating her DIAMOND JUBILEE in 2012... 60 Years on the throne of England.  In light of that, I thought I would share...

The Queen's Royal Riddle

Barack Obama met with the Queen of England. He asked her, "Your Majesty, how do you run such an efficient government? Are there any tips you can give to me?" "Well," said the Queen, "The most important thing is to surround yourself with intelligent people." Obama frowned, and then asked, "But how do I know the people around me are really intelligent?" The Queen took a sip of tea and replied, "Oh, that's easy: you just ask them to answer an intelligent riddle." The Queen then pushed a button on her intercom and said, "Please send Tony Blair in here, would you?" Tony Blair walked into the room and said, "Yes, Your Majesty?" The Queen smiled and said, "Answer me this please, Tony... your mother and father have a child. It is not your brother and it is not your sister. Who is it?" Without pausing for a moment, Tony Blair answered, "That would be me." "Yes! very good," said the Queen.

Obama went back home to the U. S. to ask Joe Biden, his Vice President, the same question. "Joe, answer this for me... your mother and your father have a child. It's not your brother and it's not your sister. Who is it?" "I'm not sure," said Biden. "Let me get back to you on that one." He went to his advisers and asked every one, but none could give him an answer. Finally, Biden ran into Sarah Palin while eating out one night. Biden asked, "Sarah, can you answer this for me? Your mother and father have a child and it's not your brother or your sister. Who is it?" Sarah Palin answered right back, "That's easy, it's me!" Biden smiled, and said, "Thanks!" Then he went back to speak with Obama. "Say, I did some research and I have the answer to that riddle... it's Sarah Palin." Obama got up, stomped over to Biden, and angrily yelled into his face, "No you idiot! It's Tony Blair!"

Diane Harris (Moore)

Happy Friday, my friends. 

Simply stopping by to chuckle at the jokes, and see how the summer is going for everyone. Everyone is busy I think. If it's not gardens, grass, or work, then it's baseball. I guess baseball is not in the same category as work, but it seems to provoke similar frustrations. 

Mainly I wanted to stop by and say "Happy Father's Day". Lots of dads among you, or ones who have treated nieces and nephews, students, or other young people as your own. Dick had an uncle who never had children of his own, but he cared for Dick, Walt, Margaret, and John in a very fatherly way, and he made a lasting difference in their lives. Mine, too. That's where Dick's unusual middle name "Irby" comes from...Uncle Irby.

I hope you ALL have a special weekend, both guys and gals! You're the best.

Gary Grice

Happy Friday!  Just got back from working at the Watkinsville house.  Now time to get ready to return this evening for grandkids VBS extravaganza.  Just wanted to take a moment to wish Tereesa a very Happy Birthday tomorrow.  Haven't talked with her since her retirement from ACC but I am sure she is enjoying her time away from the rat race.  Gotta run and get ready for this evening.  Hope everyone has a very BLESSED weekend.  Later.

Gary Grice

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all you Dads and Papas out there!!!!! I pray that you will be Blessed today. Later.

Gary Grice

I just received the Happy Father's Day call from my oldest daughter.  I had lunch with the youngest and received a call from the middle one earlier today.  Its always great to hear their voices but today it was especially sweet.  I know they all love me but, its good to be recognized on a special day and in a special way.  My oldest is a bit of an artist and has struggled with how to use that talent. Last year she started a blog entitled, "Sketches For Him".  I'm as proud of her thoughts as I am of her art work.  Today's post was very touching for me and I would like to share it with you.  So click on this link for:  Sketches For Him; Comfort of The Father.    I hope you all have a very blessed week. Later.

Diane Harris (Moore)

Gary, I went to your daughter's blog. What beautiful things she said! That was the best present you could ever receive, and you must feel so humbled to think about what fine young women you and Sherron have reared. I recall many moments during my child rearing years when I felt unappreciated, taken for granted, and I sometimes questioned if anything we were trying to teach the boys was actually getting through. Thankfully God has let us live long enough to see them as adults who realize how much we loved them. Sometimes it's our kids, sometimes it's a student we taught, or maybe even the child of a friend, but to be told that you made a life lasting difference to someone can turn a sour day into a sweet one. What a wonderful Father's day gift that was for you, Gary. None better!

Jimmy Willis

Hello Mates!

You guys sho know how to confuse folks! Here you are talking

bout the Braves--- next thing I know there's something about

Queen Elizabeth!!! Then I figured out you weren't talking about

Pee Wee! What is this anyway! Guy stays gone a few days and

he's totally lost! So--- WHAT'S HAPPENING?!!! Were is everyone?

Makes a personage think he forgot to do something or something!

Anyway hope all's well with everyone and if you're on vacation

be careful. Catch you later!

Jimmy Willis

BY THE WAY--- IF I MISS YOU! I HOPE YOU HAVE A

GREAT BIRTHDAY FRIDAY DENNIS! YOU MUST HAVE

BEEN THE YOUNGEST KID IN THE CLASS!?

Connie Morgan (White)

I hope you are all having a good summer.   I sure enjoy  reading the posts of those of you who write.

Tessie, sorry I missed your birthday.  I hope it was good - and happy birthday wishes to Dennis.

I enjoyed going to the Tim McGraw/Kenny Chesney concert recently and I have enjoyed a few days of time with grandchildren!     Other than that, I am staying busy with work.

I think of my "old" friends often and pray you are doing well...

Donald Chandler

For a BRAVES fan like me, the only thing better than beating the New York Yankees is beating them TWICE!!!... within a 24-hour period. After beating them 4-3 Tuesday night, the "Braves Bombers" (not the "Bronx Bombers") hit five homeruns Wednesday afternoon to beat the Yankees 10-5 and win two out of three games in Yankee Stadium and take the series. GO BRAVES!!!...

But every day is not a good day... take this fellow for example...

... "There I was sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a large, trouble-making biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig." "Well, whatcha' gonna do about it?" he asks, menacingly, as I burst into tears.  "Come on, man," the biker says, "I didn't think you'd CRY. I can't stand to see a man crying."  Well, I explained, "This is the worst day of my life...  I'm a complete failure.  I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me.  When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don't have any insurance.  I left my wallet in the cab I took home.  I found my wife with another man... and then my dog bit me."...  "So, I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all, I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in and sit here watching the poison dissolve; and then you show up and drink the whole damn thing! ...  But, Hell, enough about me, how are you doing?"...

Jimmy Willis

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENNIS! AND WE WISH YOU MANY MANY MORE!

HAVE A GREAT DAY MATE!

Gary Grice

Greetings and salutations one and all and a special (belated) Happy Birthday to Dennis!  I hope you had a day filled with joyous celebration.  We had a yard sale yesterday and will continue this AM until noon.  I was up at 2:30 yesterday making preps.  Recommendations - never attempt to have a yard sale thirty miles away!  We arrived in Watkinsville around 6:00 and people began stopping in before we could get everything out.  I finally put out a yard sale sign around 9:00 when the crowd thinned out.  We began closing up shop around 6:00 PM around the "late comers".  We were a couple of tired puppies last evening.  Its 4:30 and I'm working on my first cup of coffee.  Hope to hit the road by a little after 6:00 so I guess I had better get going.  I hope everyone has a very blessed weekend.  Later.

Gary Grice

Greetings and salutations one and all.  Just thought I would check in and let off a little steam.  I'm sure most of you have heard the story of the TSSA agent who spilled a passenger's cremated remains of his grandfather and then laughed at him as he attempted to retrieve them.  If you haven't, here's the link - Confrontation With TSA Agent Leaves Grandpa's Ashes On Floor .  The story got me a little ruffled as you might expect.  The TSSA was created to protect us, not harass and make light of those they are supposed to be working for.  No that is not a typo and sticky keys is not turned on.  The TSA should be renamed the TSSA.  They are following the path of another government organization in another government that went awry with similar initials - SS.  If you are not familiar with the Nazi SS, here's a link - SS .  Yeah I'm fed up with hearing about citizens of this country being abused by the by the TSSA.  Its time that bunch of rent-a-cops went away!  And while we're at it, lets get rid of IRSS too!  Later.

Gary Grice

Okay, I just had to come back on a lighter note. Imagine Jim sharing this story - I'll bet its truer than he will admit.  Enjoy.

During my yearly physical examination, my doctor asked me about my physical activity level.

I described a typical day this way:

“Well, yesterday afternoon, I took a five hour walk through some pretty rough terrain.
I waded along the edge of a lake.
I pushed my way through brambles.
I got sand in my shoes and my eyes.
I climbed several rocky hills.
I took a few ‘leaks’ behind some big trees.
The mental stress of it all left me shattered.
At the end of it all I drank a bottle of wine”.

Inspired by the story, the doctor said, “You must be one hell of an outdoors person!”

“No,” I replied, “I’m just a terrible golfer”.

Jimmy Willis

Hello Mates!

Thought I'd get in some thoughts before our day got gone. I never

dreamed in all my 62 years that Gary was such a clairvoyant.

(Took me 10 minutes to find the spelling on that word!) Now that's

another thang, how we supposed to look something up if we

don't know how to spell it in the first place. Any who, Gary you

hit the BALL dead on the head. You have discribed my golf

round to a "TEE"! My thoughts on the matter is, you got to get

your money's worth. I've found things on courses even the builders

didn't know are there. But you know---when I get to play I really

have fun. At 62 and with OBAMA around, who knows how much

longer we'll have to play.

At any rate! I wish you guys a great week. Saturday we start our

annual pilgrimage to St Simon's. Now there is the place to lose

golf balls! So hang in there and have a great 4th!

later

Connie Morgan (White)

Hello all:

It was only last p.m. that I read a facebook note from Diane and  realized that their older son, Chuck and his family live in Colorado Springs and have had to evacuate their home due to the fires.  I know we all will keep them in thoughts and  prayers!!!  (as well as the families that are waiting to hear from those in that  area)

I was sorry to hear about Billy Rogers death.(Inez Nation Rogers brother-in-law).  What a sad year for the Rogers family.

Jim, enjoy your St. Simons week.  I hope the heat won't be too brutal.  Gary, I sure hope your Watkinsville house sells quickly and that you and Sherron get some rest!   Don, are you watching a lot of baseball???   I'm glad the Braves beat the Yankees a couple of games.

I have 3 grandchildren staying with me this week (6, 6 1/2 and 8).   They are going to VBS at Lexington Baptist each night.  It has been fun to see Nancy Tucker Griffiths there.  She as been working in the Bible school.

Take care friends...

Gary Grice

Greetings one and all!  Truly sad what is transpiring in Colorado Springs.  We really loved our time there.  Now, a lot of its beauty has been destroyed.  Diane posted that the Flying W ranch had been destroyed.  We spend a beautiful afternoon there once - now, nevermore.  Jim, you sound like you play like I did!  Twice ran a golf cart out of juice zig zagging back and forth across the fairways, from tree to shining tree!  Segwey into the news today - if you used to love putt-putt golf, forget it - and golf may go by the by as well.  I'm sure you have all heard that ALL public swimming pools MUST have permanent lift chairs installed that can lift a wheel chair bound individual from his seat into and out of the pool.  Additionally, ALL minature golf courses MUST have 50% of the holes accessible to a wheel chair bound individual.  Also, ALL workout facilities MUST have a piece of wheel chair accessible equipment for each piece of regular use equipment.  Listen, I'm all for giving every opportunity to the handicapped, however, when the government MANDATES stupid regulations that benefit no one - I get a knot in my thong!  And all of these decrees are being issued not through laws passed by congress but by the ruling Czars!  Can't wait for January 2013!!  The END is near!!!!  I would like to leave you with the following.  Later.

Diane Harris (Moore)

Hope this morning finds all of you well. It is due to reach 101 degrees here today, so I think we are in store for a similar day. This will be a record breaker for us.

Our Colorado kids are fine, I am thankful to say. Their home has so far been spared, but it was a CLOSE call, and for the fire still burns. Tuesday was a rough day. Up until late afternoon their neighborhood had been under pre-evacuation, with no imminent danger. On my end I was watching a live streaming video from there to keep up with things. Suddenly my computer screen began to show a fire storm of flames and smoke racing across the mountain  toward what I knew was their neighborhood. About a minute later Chuck called me saying he was "freaking out" because Annie had just called him, saying "our neighborhood looks like it is going to explode", and she was panicy. He was trying to drive home from work at the Academy, but traffic was horrendous as people were trying to get  out, and smoke and ash was falling all over his car. I lost his call, and could not get  either him or Annie when I tried to call. Meanwhile, my computer screen was showing real time pictures of what looked like the end of the world. I spent the next 2 hours in agony, wondering if Chuck was able to get home to his family, and trying not to imagine Annie and our little grandchildren trapped in a firestorm, unable to get out in time. After what seemed like an eternity Chuck called and said, "Mom, we're fine, in our cars, and making our way out". Whew! I was so thankful!! They are with friends, and Chuck even went into work for a couple of hours yesterday. They can't get into their neighborhood yet because it is still in the evacuation zone. The fire still burns.

Get this. We are SUPPOSED to leave with Chuck's family for an Alaskan Disney cruise this coming Monday.  Long  planned, I guess we still plan to go if at all possible. Crazy timing. However, the kids can't play outside in CO due to all the smoke, so in a way I guess escaping to clean, fresh Alaskan air would be a wonderful thing. They have looked so forward to it for so long. Things are beyond their control anyway, so I guess the plan is still on,

I was moving furniture last Friday (what was I thinking?)and threw my back out. Could not move! For the first time ever, I went to a chiropractor. Have been every day this week, and will go through Friday. Thank goodness, I am moving again. Not real fast, but I think I am cruise worthy. Didn't even tell my kids, 'cause I felt so dumb, and was mad at myself, and did not want to worry them. Very glad I am getting better, but "Diane's Davenport Movers" has closed shop for good!

So sad to learn about Billy Rogers' death. Tragic year for the Rogers and Nation families. 

Happy Birthday to anyone I have missed. Don, give Liz a big birthday hug from us, please. 

Better go. Sorry this was so long. I guess I needed to vent, so whether you read it or not, it was good therapy for me. Love to my wonderful friends, who are all of you. Oh, Judy is roaming all around Montana with two of her grandchildren. From the looks of her Facebook pictures she is having a ball!

Jimmy Willis

Hello Mates,

Hello from beautiful St. Simons Island. And don't let anyone

tell you it an't hot on the beach. In all the time we been coming

to the Island I can't remember it being this HOT! Don't tell

anyone but somebody done switched Latitudes on us. And

didn't tell anyone! Had too, no way it should be this hot. I'm

telling you folks, An't natural!!!

Anyways Seafoods great. Played some golf, and yes Gary

I lost better than a dozen balls. And we've had a great time

with the girls and other assorted relatives. But about four

days is about all a guy can stand of 5 women in the same

condo. That an't natural either.

Well got to run. Got to drive Mrs. Beth and the rest to the

Mall> You heard me right. To the Outlet Mall. At least

there is air-conditioning in the stores right?!

So from SUNNY, HOT, ST. SIMONS I'll catch YOU later!

Donald Chandler

It's amazing how "cool" the low 90's feel after a few days of temps of 105 and more!  This is great weather to go North to Alaska (as Diane is doing this week), or for staying INSIDE and watching Braves Baseball on TV... or maybe reading a good book.  Perhaps Jim (and all of us guys) should read this newly published best seller... "Guide to Understanding Women / Part 1"...

Have a safe and HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, mates.  GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Gary Grice

Greetings and salutations one and all.  Well for any who don't follow me on facebook, I spent my day getting the address change on my driver's license.  Yes, I know you should be able to do it onlline but when I attempted to do so, it indicated that I would have to go in to a DDS office and take an eye test.  Well today was the appointed day.  I began my day by going to breakfast with a group of old men - ROMEO ... Really Old Men Eating Out.  Then went by the house in Watkinsville to check on things and water some plants.  Grabbed some lunch and arrived at DDS at 12:45.  The place was packed, as it usually is.  Got to see a clerk for 5 minutes, no eye test and out the door at 5:10.  What a waste of time.  What happened to the good old days when that same office was manned by three uniformed personnel.  You walked in, got a piece of paper, took the test, drove around the parking lot and out the door in under an hour.  When you moved, you turned your license over and wrote your new address on the back.  Ah, for the good ole' days.  Jim, enjoy the beach as much as you can.  The sights can be quite pleasing at the mall as well ....just don't get caught looking.  Don, love your picture!  I saw it before with the caption - Understanding women, now in paperback!  Diane, seems the fires in Colorado have all but disappeared from the front page.  I hope all of your friends and family were unaffected by it.  Well that's about it from sleepy (home of anesthesia) Jefferson.  Hope you all have a very blessed week.  Later.