Big Bass at West Lake

Took  break from the run today and got to work early.

Lunch time we tried something new.  Wood Charcoal fired chicken at a shop next to the bodega.

Back home, it is meatballs and spaghetti for dinner.

After dinner back out to West Lake for some fishing.  The sun is setting earlier and earlier so no time to waste.

This day in history "Thomas Edison receives a patent for his movie camera, the Kinetograph. Edison had developed the camera and its viewer in the early 1890s and staged several demonstrations.
The camera was based on photographic principles discovered by still-photograph pioneers Joseph Nicephone Niepce and Louis Daguerre of France. In 1877, inventor Edward Muybridge developed a primitive form of motion pictures when Leland Stanford, governor of California, invited him to develop photo studies of animals in motion. Muybridge developed an ingenious system for photographing sequential motion, setting up 24 cameras attached to trip wires stretched across a racetrack. As the horse tripped each wire, the shutters snapped. The resulting series of photos could be projected as something resembling a motion picture. This breakthrough in the early 1870s inspired another student of animal motion, Etienne Jules Marey of France, to develop in 1882 a rotating camera rather like a rifle, where different pictures were taken in a rapid sequence by a rotating cartridge."

Now, we have cameras in our phones.  Some are better than the camera costing hundreds of dollars.

At the lake, the fishing is slow.  I manage to bass......One them surprised me as my float was pulled under the water suddenly.   A big bass took my minnow and made a break for it.

Photo of the day "Big Bass at West Lake"

Nearing 9000

So, as the summer winds down, the figs are ripening and the mornings are cooler.  The daily run will be moving to the eve soon as school starts up next week.  On track to meet the goal of 1000 miles.

I work from home, and Sue goes into the office (School)...I have to wait for PC Richard to come to fix the dishwasher, which has stopped leaking BTW.

The dishwasher has a new door assembly to keep it from leaking.  Happy to have bought the extended warranty.  LG top of the line appliances about 2 years old.  We have had the microwave replaced, the fridge  and dishwasher repaired.

This day in history "On this day in 2006, the California State Senate passes Assembly Bill (AB) 32, otherwise known as the Global Warming Solutions Act. The law made California the first state in America to place caps on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, including those found in automobile emissions.
The Global Warming Solutions Act became law thanks to an alliance between the state's Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and its Democratic-controlled legislature. The bill's passage solidified California's role as a leader in enacting legislation aimed at combating global warming, or the gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere due to the so-called "greenhouse effect" caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. California--which represents 10 percent of the nation's automobile market and is known for its struggles with air pollution--took the lead early in setting stricter fuel emissions standards than the federal government's."

A step in the right direction to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

I am waiting for the C-MAX Energi ...a Ford vehicle to hit the streets this Fall.  Need to see the vehicle and test drive it.  At $30K the price is a bit steep for me to say give me one....if purchased, it will represent my 3rd "green initiative".

I am Nearing 9000 blog views and also nearing 9000 Kilowatt Hours of Solar energy produced.

Which will hit 9000 first ?

Photo of the day "Nearing 9000"

Kyle makes Sachem East Varsity Soccer

6 at 7.  A quick 6 miles at that.  Personal best time of 54 minutes.  Just a few months ago I was lucky to finish the same in an hour.  I scare Kyle when entering the house after my run.....he did not expect the door to open at 7am.

This day in history "

Hurricane Katrina makes landfall near New Orleans, Louisiana, as a Category 4 hurricane on this day in 2005. Despite being only the third most powerful storm of the 2005 hurricane season, Katrina was the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States. After briefly coming ashore in southern Florida on August 25 as a Category 1 hurricane, Katrina gained strength before slamming into the Gulf Coast on August 29. In addition to bringing devastation to the New Orleans area, the hurricane caused damage along the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama, as well as other parts of Louisiana."

Almost to the day, New Orleans got pounded by tropical storm Isacc.  Never underestimate the power of an of these named storms.

Kyle heads to tryouts and I head to work. Sue and Luke are planning a day out in Port Jefferson.

Kyle is happy to get a position on the Sachem East Varsity Soccer team.  He goes to the beach for the day with Gia.

Sue sends pics of the steamers and soup that she and Luke are eating.

I have meetings that last thru lunch.  One of the guys picks me up a blimpies best 6 inch hero.  After work I pick up my CSA fruits and veggies ...Two big bags.  A large assortment including edamame (soybeans).

Sue promised Kyle some taco bell when he makes the team...she had no doubt that he would.  I  have to agree....

Photo of he day "Sachem East Soccer"

25th Wedding Anniversary

This morning looked very much like it did 25 years ago.  As my aging brain remembers it, the weather was rainy for a good part of the day Sue and I got married.  

Started my run this morning despite the lite drizzle.  Made it about a mile or so away and the rain started to come down harder.  I turned for home as I really don't like running in the rain, especially when the wind picks up, driving it into my face.  Squeaked out a soggy 2.75 miles....

Back in the day, it was uncommon for couples to get married on a Friday eve.  We were and are not like other couples, and unlike a great deal of our friends and associations, we must have derived some luck from the rainy day 25 years ago.

Suzanne's mother, Peggy kept telling us that it is good luck to have rain on your wedding day.  Alanis Morissette who just came to town the other night had a break out career with "And isn't it ironic... don't you think. It's like rain on your wedding day"  

This day in history "Bruce Jenkins and Suzanne Walsh get married"  The rabbi and monsignor married us at Suzanne's church in Brooklyn in a dual ceremony.  As the Rabbi said, this will be the last time you put your foot down.  This is in reference to breaking a glass under my heel...

The rain stopped 25 years ago as our Limo's, friends and families came to the church...on our way to the reception, you can see the sun peeking out from behind some clouds....So ironically, there was rain on our wedding day, but not our wedding eve.  I guess getting married on a Friday night was a good idea.

Today, I went to Macy's to buy Sue a ring.  Not just any ring, but another wedding band.  This one with princess cut Sapphire, her birth stone.  Isn't it ironic that there are 3 stones in the ring and we have 3 great sons that we are raising.  One stone for each of them.

After exchanging gifts and waiting for Kyle to get home from his soccer tryouts, we made our way out to dinner.  Not having made the choice yet, I looked around the Sayville area close to home and picked out 25 Bistro.

Again, isn't it ironic, don't you think.  Our 25th anniversary and we go out to eat at 25 Bistro.  Great choice as we shared a lobster bisque and mushroom rissoto.  Sue had crab cakes and i had braised short ribs.  According to our server all dishes we ordered are considered their signature dishes.  We ended the meal with a shared dessert of Carrot cake bread pudding, caramel, crumbs cake crumbs and a really creamy home made vanilla/cheeescake icecream.  Yes that sounds like a big dessert but it was just enough.

Back home to blog...Kyle and Luke pretending to have fallen asleep on the couch.  How ironic that I will be sleeping before them.

Happy Anniversary Sue - I will always love you.

Photo of the day "25th Wedding Anniversary"

P.S. Our wedding song "Always and Forever"

Hell Week

For the first time all summer, Kyle was up before me.  Just like last year during the school year, Kyle would typically get up a few minutes ahead of me.  This time, it is for Sachem East Soccer tryouts.

By the time I got home, Kyle had already completed his 7am tryouts and was back at 5pm tryouts.  I got home late from work as the start of my work week makes me think it is hell week.  Issues actually found me last night and if you factor in the GMT time offset, hell week started just an hour before midnight.

No cooking for me tonight, Luke has some friends over.  Sue ordered a couple of pizzas.  Yum !

This day in history "

The most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history occurs on Krakatau (also called Krakatoa), a small, uninhabited volcanic island located west of Sumatra in Indonesia, on this day in 1883. Heard 3,000 miles away, the explosions threw five cubic miles of earth 50 miles into the air, created 120-foot tsunamis and killed 36,000 people.
Krakatau exhibited its first stirrings in more than 200 years on May 20, 1883. A German warship passing by reported a seven-mile high cloud of ash and dust over Krakatau. For the next two months, similar explosions would be witnessed by commercial liners and natives on nearby Java and Sumatra. With little to no idea of the impending catastrophe, the local inhabitants greeted the volcanic activity with festive excitement."

When Krakatoa blew its top, it truly was hell on earth.

Luke is back outside swimming in the pool on one of these last days of summer.

8PM and I have a call to attend for work....just listening in and letting the engineers work.

We keep checking on the boys in the pool.  They are 13 years old and with 4 of them it is easy to keep an eye on them and not get mosquito bites.  Sue only sees 3 boys so she has to take a closer look.

With Hells's Kitchen coming on at 9pm, I have some tequila chilling.  I sure wish I had an onion so I can make some fresh salsa as a snack...dare I borrow one from my neighbor ?

Photo of the day "Hell Week"

Sayville Seafood Festival

11 at 7.  My second time running from home to the beach in Sayville.  I had no intention of going that far at first.  I received a couple of txt messages from work while running, and almost turned around.  Once in Sayville, I stop at the soda machine in the hopes of getting some water.  Instead I lose a dollar and a minute wasted.

Back home I am really thirsty and while drinking some water, I take another look at the damaged fence we have.  Last night somebody kicked in the panels on two sections of my PVC fencing.  This is going to be a real pain in the ass to try and reassemble.  Basically I have to take the sections apart and piece the tongue and groove panels back into the bottom rail...that is once I am able to remove the top rails.  These go up section at time and the two sections damaged are several sections from the end....

This day in history "On this day in 1939, the first televised Major League baseball game is broadcast on station W2XBS, the station that was to become WNBC-TV. Announcer Red Barber called the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York.

At the time, television was still in its infancy. Regular programming did not yet exist, and very few people owned television sets--there were only about 400 in the New York area. Not until 1946 did regular network broadcasting catch on in the United States, and only in the mid-1950s did television sets become more common in the American household."

Now we watch soccer on TV.  Not a baseball household, we wait until the playoffs or world series.  Tonight the Red Bulls are playing against Kansas City.  Earlier today we watched Liverpool vs Man City.

For the first time in like 10 years, we did not have a soccer tournament this weekend.  Typically this last week in August, we have been at a soccer tournament...this year we went out to Sayville.

When driving thru Sayville, the traffic was building and cars wee parked everywhere.  Sue gets within half a mile of the Sayville Seafood Festival and we walk in.  Admission is $8 per person.  It is the 21st year of the festival, and our first.  We have been living on the island for 19 years now.

We are surprised to see how many vendors there are and wander around before setting our sites on the seafood.  Well, the walk to the festival and the sizable line to order food was well worth it.  Lobster and Steamers are the fare of the day or us.  We luck out and find a spot under the big party tent to start our feast.

After our meal, we walk to the maritime museum to see some history.   A large collection of sailboats and a part of Long Island history preserved.  I spot the stand for roasted corn and can't resist.  The boys get some shaved ice.  The usual country music in the background changes to a Billy Joel cover band.  With a shady spot found, a nice bay breeze, its is easy to stay longer than we anticipated.

A new Jenkins family end of summer tradition started ?  I will go back again next year if there is no soccer to interfere.

Photo of the day "Sayville Seafood Festival"

YUM !

Hartwick - Holmes Hall

Up early so we can hit the road and avoid traffic.  Gavin and pack the remainder of the college bound items, including his bicycle, make a quick stop for gas and then get going at 630am.

No traffic, so the biggest worry is staying with the flow of traffic and not getting a speeding ticket.

Gavin wants to stop at the first rest area to get starbucks.  Once he is back in the car, I continue the drive.  At around the three hour mark I am ready for a pit stop.  Gavin takes over and around 1030, we are making our way into the town of Oneonta.

This day in history "On this day in 1835, the first in a series of six articles announcing the supposed discovery of life on the moon appears in the New York Sun newspaper.
Known collectively as "The Great Moon Hoax," the articles were supposedly reprinted from the Edinburgh Journal of Science. The byline was Dr. Andrew Grant, described as a colleague of Sir John Herschel, a famous astronomer of the day. Herschel had in fact traveled to Capetown, South Africa, in January 1834 to set up an observatory with a powerful new telescope. As Grant described it, Herschel had found evidence of life forms on the moon, including such fantastic animals as unicorns, two-legged beavers and furry, winged humanoids resembling bats. The articles also offered vivid description of the moon's geography, complete with massive craters, enormous amethyst crystals, rushing rivers and lush vegetation."

Ironic, but still sad that on this day we hear of the loss of Neil Armstrong.  Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, has died at the age of 82. He became a global hero when, as a steely-nerved US pilot, he made "one giant leap for mankind" with a small step on to the moon in July 1969.

Once on campus, Gavin runs to get his key.  We proceed to unload and bring all the stuff to his new room at Holmes Hall.  He and his friend and roomie, Matt from freshman year got a choice larger room on the 4th floor.  I can tell you first hand that the view is nice.  They are planning to arrange the room so that it can accommodate company....

Four flights of stairs carrying bins, boxes, 30lb dumbbells, etc. was my workout for the day.  Gavin has less stuff this year than last, and has to meet at 1230 for peer training.  I say my goodbye knowing that he will be well situated and eager to get back into the swing of college life.  The quick turnaround of getting back on the road is good as I stand a chance of getting home without too much traffic.

Back home in good time, taking the scenic route.  I cook some sauce, take Luke fishing, and then settle in for the night.

Kyle is in the midst of reclaiming Gavin's room for the semester.

Photo of the day "Hartwick - Holmes Hall"

P.S. The Hartwick campus in Oneonta NY will be home to about 1400 students.  The older brick buildings built on the hills will be bustling as about 1/3 of the student athletes check-in a week early.   Gavin already has a time trial 3 mile run Sunday morning at 10am.....best of luck to our Sophmore...

Spider

Another late post to the blog.  Man I am slipping or what ?

Yesterday was Gavin's last day home before heading back to college.

A typical day in Jenkins house during the summer.

This day in history "Mount Vesuvius near Pompeii, Italy, begins to erupt on this day in the year 79; within the next 25 hours, it wipes out the entire town. Hundreds of years later, archaeologists excavated Pompeii and found everything and everyone that had been there that day perfectly preserved by the volcano's ash.
Pompeii, about 90 miles south of Rome, was established in 600 B.C.E. in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, which stood approximately 6,500 feet high. Apparently, no one was aware that Vesuvius was an active volcano, even after an earthquake in February of the year 63."

After work, I hand off the car to Gavin so he can go for a run up at Sachem East....he and his friends have been meeting there all summer.

Paella on the menu at the request of Gavin.  We wait for him to come home and shower before we devour.

A spider is spotted while eating dinner outside.

Gavin and I start packing the car tonight.  I check the Keurig box for spiders before putting in coffee Kcup, and snacks.

Luke has been asking for movie night, so he has "The hunger games" lined up for after dinner.  We are not really hungry, but have popcorn and nachos.

Movie time starts late, as Gavin and I run to Walmart for a TV....well not really run...we drive.  the 'el cheapo' that Gavin told me saw in an ad or online at Walmart was not there.  Not wanting to disappoint Gavin and his roomie, I spring for a new 32" VIZIO.  I sense early birthday present.

After family movie night Gavin and I head up first...we have a 530am alarm set...

 Photo of the day "Spider"

We let this spider stay outside in the hopes that it eats its share of mosquitoes.  Gavin got a mosquito bite while eating dinner...

One a Day

The best intentions sometimes don't work out.  I started my run as usual about 3/4 mile from home I get a nature call.  Err on the side of caution when nature calls, and I walked back home.  NO real run this morning so tomorrow am hoping for a long run.

Same old back at the ranch.  Dinner, and then Luke wants to go fishing.

Kyle is out at the beach, Gavin is packing as we are leaving Saturday morning for Hartwick, and Sue is heading out for dinner with a friend.

This day in history "On this day in 1902, pioneering cookbook author Fannie Farmer, who changed the way Americans prepare food by advocating the use of standardized measurements in recipes, opens Miss Farmer's School of Cookery in Boston. In addition to teaching women about cooking, Farmer later educated medical professionals about the importance of proper nutrition for the sick."

I have to admit that I have a Fannie Farmer cookbook courtesy of my late Mother-In- Law Peggy.  She  bought it for me a long time ago and I still have it in my kitchen, it's yellowing pages coming in handy from time to time.

Nutrition is very important, and these days that's all you here about.  Restaurants offering low calorie healthy alternatives, and more and more advertising is being done for yogurts, probiotics, and nutritional supplements.

Photo of the day "One a Day"

Don't get me wrong, I like to snack, have some red meat once in a while, and can even be seen eating pernil from the bodega.  I do however, take a supplement for joint care, a fruit (banana or apple), and a new addition.....The Centrum Silver for Men 50+

Butterflies are free to fly

Took a nice run this morning before work.  7 miles added to my goal....

Had PC Richard visit to service the dishwasher...not cleaning and leaking.  The repair guy after 5-10 minutes says nothing is wrong.  We have to clean the schmutz off the gaskets and make sure we run the hot water to help the machine clean.  We tell the guy that we know how to use a dishwasher and that something is wrong.  Out the door he goes.

	According to Urban Dictionary Schmutz
	Random, icky stuff that ends up on you or something else. "Damn, I got schmutz in my dishwasher BULLSHIT !

We run the dishwasher empty after Sue cleaned it.  We also popped in a disinfectant sort of product that is supposed to clean out the food trap and such...10 or 15 minutes into the cycle I notice a puddle on the floor.  Oh damn, there is something wrong.  I call the repair guy back and he says he is not coming back and that he is on his way to Nassau county.

This day in history "I have to call PC Richards again.  I get disconnected.  Sue ends up calling and they are very sorry for the poor service.  They will send somebody out again tomorrow"  They don't make good products anymore...the repair guy came with a clip board in a private car...no parts, no tools.

So, after work I make some chicken tikka.  Off to the lake again with Luke.  Summer is winding down fast.  Fish everyday if you can.

We spot a nice butterfly.  It decides to land.

Photo of the day "Butterflies are free to fly"

Sweet freedom whispered in my ear
You're a butterfly
And butterflies are free to fly
Fly away, high away, bye bye

Another missed blog - Wax Museum

I took off Tuesday ....the usual morning run.

Fishing with Luke, where he caught fish and I didn't.

He also caught some baby catfish and polliwogs.

We went to NYC....Sue, Luke, Kyle, Gavin and his friend Shane.

This day in history "On this day in 1776, the British arrive at Long Island, between Gravesend and New Utrecht, with "near twenty four thousand men ready to land in a moment," according to one observer.
General William Howe's large army came to Long Island hoping to capture New York City and gain control of the Hudson River, a victory that would divide the rebellious colonies in half. Five days later, on August 27, the Redcoats marched against the Patriot position at Brooklyn Heights, overcoming the Americans at Gowanus Pass and then outflanking the entire Continental Army. The Americans suffered 1,000 casualties to the British loss of only 400 men during the fighting. Howe chose not to follow the advice of his subordinates, however, and did not storm the Patriot redoubts at Brooklyn Heights, where he could have taken the Patriots' military leadership prisoner and ended the rebellion."

We rode the LIRR...an off peak ride with all stops on an old train with what seemed like bad brakes.  Maybe a conductor in training ??

Once in NYC we made our way to the Wax Museum.  Good thing we had our entertainment card discount of 25%.  Tickets are $39 per person.  A fun time and for me the highlight was the 4D movie with super heros including the hulk.

After the museum, I used my iPhone and Yelp to find us some good sushi at a reasonable price.  In NYC that may as well be an oxymoron.  Yelp has us go to Hell's Kitchen...not the Hell's Kitchen on TV with chef Ramsey, but the Manhattan neighborhood.

43rd St and 9th Ave.  A whole lot cleaner and livelier than I recall.   Great service, good sushi, reasonable prices.  Happy family, happy cheapo Dad.

Service was so good, we had an hour and a half to kill before catching the 815pm off peak train back,  Some wandering around Times Square and over towards the Empire State Building.   Once back at Penn, I bought a 32 oz draft blue moon.  No one shared it with me.  So my ride on the train home was ....nice.

Got home late and took a shot of tequila.  Lights out for me on the couch.  Hence another missing blog.

Photo of the day "Wax Museum"

P.S. We got lots of photos with the wax celebrities...a little creepy at times.  I am the exact same height as Whoopi Goldberg...who knew ?

50 Years, 5 Decades, 18263 Days

When I started this blog, I set a goal.  The goal was to capture the final year.  In essence it is really just a journal or diary of sorts.

Today I celebrated my 50th Birthday with Sue and the boys.  We are all a little older, and the boys are turning into men.  Sue and I are really blessed as we have our health and a great family.  What else can we ask for really.

In my 18263 days, I have learned a great deal.  I continue to learn.

This day in history "Bruce Michael Jenkins is born"  While this may not seem like a huge piece of history, we will all eventually look back to our roots and see that our experiences and decisions have shaped our lives.

Yesterday I set a goal to make a run to Sayville beach and back.   That same day I set a goal to run my first 13.1 miles in the Great South Bay run.

My longer term goals are to retire at age 62.  The boys should be finished with college and hopefully starting to raise their own families.  I hope to be a grandpa someday.

We went to Lombardi's on the Bay.  We shared a nice meal overlooking great south bay.  Outdoor dining on a perfect evening.

 Home early enough to relax before a fudgey the whale cake.  Traditional Bruce birthday cake.

50 Years, 5 Decades, 18263 Days.  That's a long time, but as I look back now it seems to have flashed by much quicker now than when I was younger.

Make sure you have fun each day, and have something to write about.  Set new goals and reach them.  Go fishing as many times as you can.  Prepare and share a meal with with the family...

Photo of the day "Facebook Birthday Wishes"

 P.S. Thanks for all the Birthday wishes on my timeline for far and near.  A little while back I saw 50 posting for this 50 year old.

2 Towns, 11 Miles - To The beach and back

This morning I started stirring at 6am, but snoozed til about 630.  On this last day before turning 50, I decided to see if I could run from the house in Holbrook, to the bay beach in Sayville.

The night before I gave Sue my itinerary just in case....A nice cool morning in contrast to the heat and humidity we dealt with in July and the first 2 weeks of August.  As I approach Sunrise Highway my GPS tracker announces 2 miles over the music playing, courtesy of Pandora.  Technology...iPhone 4S.  Luv it !!

Again a familiar site these days, the Islip Grange (mile 3), followed by Mill Pond (mile 4)...still feeling good, so the decision to go further than ever before is made.  As I pass the LIRR trestle in Sayville and head into town, I realize that Foster Ave is coming up (the road to the crab dock and beach).

This day in history "The Beatles took America by storm during their famous first visit, wowing the millions who watched them during their historic television appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. But after the first great rush of stateside Beatlemania, the Beatles promptly returned to Europe, leaving their American fans to make do with mere records. By late summer of that same year, however, having put on an unprecedented and still unmatched display of pop-chart dominance during their absence, the Beatles finally returned. On August 19, 1964, more than six months after taking the East Coast by storm, the Fab Four traveled to California to take the stage at the Cow Palace in San Francisco for opening night of their first-ever concert tour of North America."

I was only 2 at the time, but quickly learned to love the Beatles.  what's there not to love.

As I approach Edwards Ave (mile 5), I can see the clearing at the end of Foster Ave. that is the beach.  I pick up the pace, or at least keep the pace knowing that I am coming up on my goal.  A quick stop for a photo and it is time to head home.

All the way points help me to mentally tally the miles, and Endomondo keeps me updated every mile anyway.  I am determined to make it back home before Sue sends out a search party...After 1hr and 47 Minutes, I am back home and feeling good.  Thirsty and hungry.  11 mile run (3 miles longer than my previous long run).

I stay loose after breakfast , mow the lawn, and then  shower and settle in to read the newspaper.

Tonight I cook Salmon Steaks, and after dinner go fishing at the lake with Luke.  A good night of fishing.  Luke with the surprise catch on the last cast....a big catfish on an artificial worm.   Way to go Luke.

My tally for this week of running is 36 miles.  One mile more than Gavin who inspired me to run in the first place.  Tomorrow will be a light run or a rest day....as I approach 50 years old, I could use the day to recoup.  Steak is on the agenda.  After burning 1400 calories on today's run, I can pig out on a nice steak, salad, and potato.

Photo of the day "To the beach and back"

 P.S.  The half marathon coming up in October is on my agenda.  13.1 I am on your heels......

Shrimp Scampi

Lazy Saturday morning.  Raining...no run.

After breakfast I read the paper, a magazine, and then shower....

Off to Kennedy Airport to pick up Gavin...He is flying home from Rochester.

This day in history "On this day in 1931, the Yangtze River in China peaks during a horrible flood that kills 3.7 million people directly and indirectly over the next several months. This was perhaps the worst natural disaster of the 20th century."

On the way home, we stop at the grocery store to pick up shrimp.  Luke requested shrimp scampi for dinner.

The choices at the seafood counter are interesting.  There are large, extra large, and jumbo shrimp.  Prices range from 6.99 to 8.99 a pound.  You may ask why I find this interesting ?  What is interesting is the origin of these shrimp.

Indonesia, Thailand, and India.  I ask the seafood monger why there are no shrimp from the U.S.  He says most shrimp for sale in the United States are farm raised in a variety of places.  Wild caught shrimp from the United States are no where to be found.

In his opinion, the 6.99 a pound shrimp (extra large) shell on deveined shrimp from India are the best ones.  I get 1.5 lbs.

Shrimp Scampi from scratch is yummy.  I recall each and every time we go to Ocean City Maryland, we stop at the shrimp boat and get wild caught shrimp, not frozen, head on....The shrimp guy says they are from the Carolina's and or Texas.

I would love to buy shrimp caught or raised in USA.

The crabs we snacked on tonight were caught in Sayville.  Caught using chicken that I think came from a farm in Maryland....

Photo of the day "Shrimp farm India"

Oatmeal

For the first time in a long time, I decided to have oatmeal for breakfast.  Typically, it is eggs everyday.  Now that the mornings are cooler, I am going to start changing it up.

5 at 6 and feeling a little bit tired at the end of the run.  Already at 25 miles for the week with 2 potential days to add on a few more.

This day in history "Charles F. Kettering, co-founder of Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (DELCO) in Dayton, Ohio, is issued U.S. Patent No. 1,150,523 for his "engine-starting device"--the first electric ignition device for automobiles--on August 17, 1915."

Great invention...now we have remote starters, keyless entry, no key push button start for the car.  Could you imagine having to crank the car up on a cold or rainy morning.

My office still smells like crap.

No cooking tonight, Sushi instead.

Fishing at West Lake is tough to say the least.  I think the bright sun and warm weather has put a damper on the bite.

Laptop still a little messed up, but usable at the moment.

Photo of the day "Oatmeal"

P.S. Oatmeal is great with Trader Joe's Omega Trek Mix

I started eating healthier about 18 months ago.  Some exercise and now mostly running.  22 pounds and over 50 point drop on my cholesterol.  With my birthday coming up, I think it is time for a major pig out.

Morning Run - Pond in Sayville

8 at 6.  I am determined to run to Sayville beach and back before the end of the year.  I have not mapquest or measured the distance, but think it is doable.  This morning again, I made it to the pond on Montauk Highway in Sayville and was treated to a nice sight.

Kyle and Luke had soccer camp all week, and today they were getting ready at the same time I was getting ready to head to the office.

My office had a really bad smell, coming from the dorm sized refrigerator.  I asked the cleaning crew to check it out yesterday.  Today I come in and the fridge is unplugged with some baking soda in the a cup.  I drag the offensive smelling fridge to the hallway.  Later in the day, I get a hand from Julien to move the smelly beast to the curb.

This day in history "My laptop is bugging out"

I make my fresh tomato and eggplant sauce for dinner.

Take Kyle to practice and then head to the Mall to browse for sports headphones.  No luck.  Luke says he is going to go to Sayville Running store for my birthday.

Back home, time for a tequila and a parking spot on the couch.

Photo of the day "Morning Run - Pond in Sayville"

P.S. The mist on the water, the sun rising, and the reflection caught my eye.  Decided to share the moment.

Thunder and Lightening

I woke last night to the sound of thunder.  A strong storm sat on top of our house for about an hour.  The lightening was followed by almost instantaneous thunder boomers.

Skipped my run this morning and opted for the snooze button instead.  To be honest, my big toe was a little sore, probably from the 8 miles I did the other day.

We went to Chipolte for lunch.  Yummy

This day in history "

On this day in 1969, the Woodstock Music Festival opens on a patch of farmland in White Lake, a hamlet in the upstate New York town of Bethel.
Promoters John Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Artie Kornfield and Michael Lang originally envisioned the festival as a way to raise funds to build a recording studio and rock-and-roll retreat near the town of Woodstock, New York. The longtime artists' colony was already a home base for Bob Dylan and other musicians. Despite their relative inexperience, the young promoters managed to sign a roster of top acts, including the Jefferson Airplane, the Who, the Grateful Dead, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival and many more. Plans for the festival were on the verge of foundering, however, after both Woodstock and the nearby town of Wallkill denied permission to hold the event. Dairy farmer Max Yasgur came to the rescue at the last minute, giving the promoters access to his 600 acres of land in Bethel, some 50 miles from Woodstock."

Bob Seger did not do Woodstock.

After picking up CSA, we made bacon lettuce and tomato sandwiches for dinner.

Luke wanted to go fishing.  I said it is going to rain.

We go to get bait, and the shop is out of minnows.  Canadian Night Crawlers it is....

Fishing is really good.  We both land some nice fish...Fishing in the rain was kind of fun.  I used to fish in the rain all the time as a kid and swear the bite is better.  The fish are already wet so they don't care.

Back home we tell Sue our fish stories.

Photo of the day "Thunder and Lightening"

P.S.  last week a tornado, last night a violent thunderstorm, today, a wall of rain approached as we drove to Chipolte.  No rain as we drove, and very clearly 500 feet ahead of us a wall of water coming down.  Hail was also in the storm today.  Very extreme weather.

I woke last night to the sound of thunder
How far off I sat and wondered
Started humming a song from 1962
Ain't it funny how the night moves
When you just don't seem to have as much to lose
Strange how the night moves
With autumn closing in

SSDD

4 at 6

Meeting cancelled at the last minute so I have a chance to shower and get our of the house at 8am.  Hit traffic that is really heavy.  I hear form someone at work that someone was being apprehended on the edge of the LIE.  That will cause rubber necker's. SSDD

No lunch for me today at work.....too busy so it was a protein bar and a cup of coffee.  SSDD

This day in history "On this day in 2003, a major outage knocked out power across the eastern United States and parts of Canada. Beginning at 4:10 p.m. ET, 21 power plants shut down in just three minutes. Fifty million people were affected, including residents of New York, Cleveland and Detroit, as well as Toronto and Ottawa, Canada. Although power companies were able to resume some service in as little as two hours, power remained off in other places for more than a day. The outage stopped trains and elevators, and disrupted everything from cellular telephone service to operations at hospitals to traffic at airports. In New York City, it took more than two hours for passengers to be evacuated from stalled subway trains. Small business owners were affected when they lost expensive refrigerated stock. The loss of use of electric water pumps interrupted water service in many areas. There were even some reports of people being stranded mid-ride on amusement park roller coasters. At the New York Stock Exchange and bond market, though, trading was able to continue thanks to backup generators."

I remember this event well.  At the time I was working as a shift manager for Hauppauge Technical Center.  After making sure our systems where ok on generator power I made my way home.  Sue and the boys were already out at soccer practice and if I recall, they had a hard time getting home.

A similar balckout occurred in the mid 70's.  Living in the projects, we had no AC, and our biggest worry was keeping the fish in our 12 fish tanks alive.  That meant using a bicycle tire pump to infuse air into the tanks so that the oxygen level wold not drop.

On the way home today, I had to decide on what to make for dinner.  Sue is back in Brooklyn, so I decided to pick up some baby back ribs.  She does not like them, so it works out.

Several IRT calls thru the day....SSDD

Luke and I go fishing for 30 minutes in between dropping Kyle off at soccer practice.  SSDD

Pick up Kyle from practice...he gets out 15 minutes late.  SSDD

I have no gas in the car again.  SSDD

Photo of the day "SSDD"

Shooting Stars

Last night after blogging, Luke and I decided to go out back and take a look up.  The clear skies gave us a rare chance to see some shooting stars.  Its usually overcast, raining, or just not on the agenda.  Last night the tally, 5 sighted for me, 4 for Luke.  We chatted, and his excitement was awesome when he saw his first one.

I got up early this morning and after a two day break from running, I hit the road.  

8 at 6.  Yes, I can't believe it.  My longest run so far.

Work was very productive today.  Working on proactive items and getting some of them done makes me feel good.

This day in history "

After a three-month siege, Spanish forces under Hernán Cortés capture Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec empire. Cortés' men leveled the city and captured Cuauhtemoc, the Aztec emperor.
Tenochtitlán was founded in 1325 A.D. by a wandering tribe of hunters and gatherers on islands in Lake Texcoco, near the present site of Mexico City. In only one century, this civilization grew into the Aztec empire, largely because of its advanced system of agriculture. The empire came to dominate central Mexico and by the ascendance of Montezuma II in 1502 had reached its greatest extent, extending as far south as perhaps modern-day Nicaragua. At the time, the empire was held together primarily by Aztec military strength, and Montezuma II set about establishing a bureaucracy, creating provinces that would pay tribute to the imperial capital of Tenochtitlán. The conquered peoples resented the Aztec demands for tribute and victims for the religious sacrifices, but the Aztec military kept rebellion at bay."

A home cooked meal tonight...a simple paella with no shrimp.  Not the big hit that it used to be.  It may be time to get the crock pot out and start experimenting.  Or maybe some beef on the grill.  Steak anyone ?

Luke says he has no shorts or shirts to wear for soccer camp.  We go thru his draws and find a few of each. He is tired of Kyle hand-me-downs.  We head to Sports Authority...Luke is not an easy shopper.  After an hour, he pick an Adidas soccer short and an Under Armour shirt.

Walking over to the fishing aisle, Luke spots ping pong paddles and pool sticks.   He wants both.  We settle for a new pair of ping ping paddles.  I find a birthday present that will be difficult to wrap.  Luke will figure something out.

Back home I beat Luke at his own game.  Best 2 out of 3 ping pong.  He is getting pretty good, but hits a lot of balls out on long volleys.  I set him up with lobs so he tries to smash them....Dad wins tonight.

Sue is still in Brooklyn and will be home late.  I am tired, so will be in bed around 10pm.  My knees are a little stiff tonight...dare I go for another long run tomorrow morning ?

Photo of the day "Shooting Star"

The Perseid meteor shower, which can now be seen thanks to awe-inspiring time-lapse video shot in California, lit up the night sky shortly after midnight on Sunday, wowing lucky stargazers, Space.com reported.
The shower, which takes places annually in late July and early August, has been observed by humans for over 2,000 years.

ISA - United win big at East End Tournament

The house was up early this morning for the 2nd day of soccer out in Shirley.  Kyle, Luke and I head out at 730, and pick up Mike on the way.  Sue is heading to Brooklyn to meet her brothers and sisters at her mom's apartment.  Still a lot to take care of.

The first game today is against a formidable and familiar opponent, Dix Hills Heat.  The game is a must won for ISA United, if they want any chance of a 1st place finish.  With no playoff, it is the best record after 5 games.  United come away with a 2-0 win, and move within one game of a first place finish.

This day in history "On this day in 1990, fossil hunter Susan Hendrickson discovers three huge bones jutting out of a cliff near Faith, South Dakota. They turn out to be part of the largest-ever Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered, a 65 million-year-old specimen dubbed Sue, after its discoverer."

Kyle has a great weekend of soccer.  Their last game, they are down 1-0 against a U17 team.  This is not supposed to be....A pep talk from the coach, and the 2nd half is a blowout.  United wins 4-1, putting them in contention.  Dix Hills needs to beat East Islip...and they do.  This brings all three team to only having a single loss.  United takes the 1st place position due to goal differentials.  Good thing they scored those 4 goals in the last game.

Luke and I play some soccer back home to break in his new cleats.

Some good fishing at West Lake before dinner.  I make two great casts for Luke and he hooks two really nice sized bass.  

Chinese food for dinner.  Olympics closing ceremony on the TV.  Pink Floyd covered by Mike and the Mechanics....

So far, the closing ceremony is better than the opener...

Photo of the day "ISA United"

P.S. Don't miss out on the Shooting Stars the next couple of nights.  The annual Perseid meteor shower peaked in the wee hours of Sunday, Aug. 12, providing a dazzling celestial light show for stargazers lucky enough to have dark skies and clear weather for the event.

Pomonok

This is the Saturday blog coming to you on Sunday morning.  Got home late from a full day.

Finally got around to vacuuming the pool.  It started to grow some algae and the leaves from the past storm littered the bottom.  The flow sensor on my salt chlorine generator is broken.  I have it rigged with a magnet, so it works sometimes....still waiting for my replacement part (under warranty).

My plans today included a ride into Queens to meet some old friends from the 'hood'.  Thru the power and magic of social networking, aka - Facebook, the 4th annual Pomonok - Electhester Old-Timers Reunion was found, browsed and attended.

No mapquest or GPS needed for this visit...after all, it was home for 19 years.  The meeting place, Jib-Lanes bowling alley on Parsons Blvd.  All of us familiar with this meeting place as it sits in the middle of the two brick and concrete apartment buildings.  High density Gotham housing projects that shaped the lives of several generations.  The 50's, 60's, and 70's.

Seeing the hand full of friends was a real walk down memory lane.  We shared stories, caught up on the last 30 years, and wondered what happened to all the others that couldn't attend or wouldn't come back...

This day in history "A group of federal prisoners classified as "most dangerous" arrives at Alcatraz Island, a 22-acre rocky outcrop situated 1.5 miles offshore in San Francisco Bay. The convicts--the first civilian prisoners to be housed in the new high-security penitentiary--joined a few dozen military prisoners left over from the island's days as a U.S. military prison."

Pomonok had it's share of crime and undesirably elements.  Most of us became very street wise and learned valuable lessons as a result.  Others, did not.  I had some friends that either ended up in jail, or pushing up daisies.

After the reunion, it was back in the car and across the island to get to the East End Soccer tournament.  Kyle playing three games.  Late dinner back at home, 9pm...fell asleep on the couch again.  I am an old-timer now.

Photo of the day "Pomonok"

P.S. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomonok,_Queens

Tornado

While not wildly popular, and I doubt the blog will ever go viral, I have gone over 8000 views.  Thanks to all my followers and dedicated readers.

I missed my blog last night because Kyle was out at his girl friends house with the laptop.

A huge storm, and tornado touched down in Oakdale and Ronkonkoma....Global WarNing ??

When I got home from work, I got a much needed haircut and visiting my new State Farm agency to finish up some paperwork.  They beat Geico and Allstate (who I was with) by enough money to make me smile and move.  Now homeowners and auto insurance under the same company.

This day in history "On August 10, 1977, 24-year-old postal employee David Berkowitz is arrested and charged with being the "Son of Sam," the serial killer who terrorized New York City for more than a year, killing six young people and wounding seven others with a .44-caliber revolver. Because Berkowitz generally targeted attractive young women with long brown hair, hundreds of young women had their hair cut short and dyed blond during the time he terrorized the city. Thousands more simply stayed home at night. After his arrest, Berkowitz claimed that demons and a black Labrador retriever owned by a neighbor named Sam had ordered him to commit the killings."

Growing up in Queens, the Son of Sam was a story that everyone was a ware of...this is before txt, internet and 24 hour news.  We went out to play, hang out, and those old enough to have cars in their late teens usually ended up on a quiet street, parking lot, or park.  I remember my sister and her boyfriend being read the riot act for being out so late.....

Thankfully, the crazy bastard was caught.

I called my sister, Jodi last night and we caught up on things.  Saturday, I will be going to the old neighborhood, Pomonok for a reunion.  An old timers or baby boomer reunion which thru the power of facebook, has attracted well over a hundred old timers..  Some of my old friends from the projects will be there.

So, after a slice of pizza and some mussels marinara, we played some ping pong in the basement, and settled in to watch the Redbulls play....

Photo of the day "Tornado"

Going the extra mile

7 at 6

Preoccupied, I start waking up at 5am...stay in bed till about 5:45 and then get up to go for a run.  Big surprise as I have moved my runs to the morning since mother nature turned up the heat.

Halfway into my run, I am close to the Islip grange, and am feeling good.  The sun just peaking thru some early morning clouds, a low ground fog settled on the grass.  At mile 3, I decide to go a little further.  Once I reach Montauk Highway, I turn around.

Heading back home, my GPS tracker Endomondo, chimes in that I am at mile 6, and I am a mile from home.      If you want to be reach your goals, you may have to go the extra mile.

This day in history "

On August 9, 2000, tire manufacturer Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. announces that it is recalling 6.5 million of its model ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires; the move comes two days after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration linked hundreds of accidents and at least 46 deaths to problems with the tread on the tires."

It is terrible that the tires that caused the accidents and deaths did not get picked up in the quality control tests.  These tires did not go the extra mile.

Once at work, I meet up with my boss, and a visitor.  A developer from Beijing.  Terrence is a great guy, always willing to help.  He lives on the other side of the world, and is available somehow day and night.  He admits to working 12+ hour days.....He goes the extra mile.

As I approach the ripe young age of 50, I realize that all the hard work I put in to get where I am today, is only as good as how much I am willing to continue to go the extra mile.  To be honest, there is more to life than work, and it is important to strike a reasonable balance.  If I work more hours, will I have enough time at the beginning or end of the day to run that extra mile ?

Photo of the day "Going the extra mile"

P.S. Don't forget to play the lottery. Winners always go the extra mile.......

The 500 club

3 at 3

Early meetings and a long day at the office.  Went to the bodega for the 2nd day in a row.  Rice and Spanish style pepper steak.  I have to admit, these $4 lunches are very satisfying.

I forget to bring bags for my CSA pickup.  I get to the pickup at Rita's, and am lucky to find one bag in the car...that holds the veggies, barely.  A nice lady has an emergency bag, and I am able to grab the yellow melon,  cantaloupe, 2 different kinds of mini watermelon, and some over ripe black berries.  I think the blackberries are destined for a smoothie.

 The abundance and variety of vegetables is great.  A sauce is cooking on the stove (eggplant based), and a new batch of fresh salsa is chilling as we ready for the Olympics beach volleyball match.  Go USA...oh yeah., it is USA vs USA...you gotta love it.

I ran a report from my Garmin runners program and app, and am happy to say that I am in the 500 club.  I have logged 500 miles so far this year.  With less than 5 months to go, I have to complete 100 or so miles per month to reach my goal of 1000.  Does anyone think I can count bike rides too ?

This day in history "This probably comes as no surprise: Federal scientists say July was the hottest month ever recorded in the Lower 48 states, breaking a record set during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
And even less a surprise: The U.S. this year keeps setting records for weather extremes, based on the precise calculations that include drought, heavy rainfall, unusual temperatures, and storms.
The average temperature last month was 77.6 degrees. That breaks the old record from July 1936 by 0.2 degree, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Records go back to 1895."

So, as it cools down in September and onward, I am hoping to be able to run longer and not have to deal with the oppressive heat and humidity along the way.   Some advise from others is to mix in a few two a day routines into the week.  That is run in the morning and at night....maybe if I can find the time.

I went on Newsday and found a photo that is really funny.

Photo of the day "The 500 club"

P.S.  I did not realize that I should be posing as if finishing a race.  After running 5 miles and drinkin my 2 beers (they give them to me for free), I am happy and spacey.  I meet up with Gavin, my son (right), and Dan his friend (left).  At this point I have gone thru the snack line to pick up protein bar, apple, juicy juice, sodas, chips, and tonight Boars Head sandwiches.  So with full arms, I settle down next to the 2 young ones who are already finishing their snacks.  I notice they have Newsday bags.  They say to go over to the Newsday booth to get one.  Newsday lady says, only if you let us take your picture.  So, up against the green screen backdrop, these two knuckle heads join me...only I did not know it was a race...get it...So here I am all sweaty at the finish...making it look easy !

Giant Snapping Turtle

Skip the run this morning to make my way into the office early.  I have to catch up on my monthly report and some other items before 730am.

No breakfast at home today, so I make oatmeal at work.  I add in the omega 3 trek mix from Trader Joe's and settle in for the day.

This day in history "

On this day in 1947, Kon-Tiki, a balsa wood raft captained by Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl, completes a 4,300-mile, 101-day journey from Peru to Raroia in the Tuamotu Archipelago, near Tahiti. Heyerdahl wanted to prove his theory that prehistoric South Americans could have colonized the Polynesian islands by drifting on ocean currents."

Tonight Luke and I saw some Kayaks out on West Lake as we fished.  Luke had two bass before I even had my first bite.  Soon I caught up, and one of my fish, a healthy perch that fought as hard as a bass.  By the  end of the eve. we are neck and neck with the number of fish caught.  I have a surprise when something big takes my bait.  A worm hooked wacky sitting in the orange reflections at sunset...After a long fight I get the beast, a hefty snapping turtle to shore.

I end up havig to cut the line to release the snapper, as I would not risk getting too close to the fist sized head .  What a nice night out at West Lake.  No real photos to show...Luke and I both left our phones at home....

Photo of the day "Snapping Turtle"

Summer Series - Jones Beach

With a day of rest, I got home form work with enough time to heat up a slice of pizza, catch the end of the women's soccer game, and change into my shorts.

Tonight is the last night of the NYS Park Summer Series.  A nice drive over the Robert Moses to Ocean Parkway.  No traffic.  We park near the exit, and then as Gavin and Dan warm up, I just walk around.

Race time is 7pm, and it has cooled down a bit...a good thing because this is a 5 mile race.

This day in history "On this day in 1945, at 8:16 a.m. Japanese time, an American B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, drops the world's first atom bomb, over the city of Hiroshima. Approximately 80,000 people are killed as a direct result of the blast, and another 35,000 are injured. At least another 60,000 would be dead by the end of the year from the effects of the fallout."

A sad day in history.

While running the race, I notice that there are thousands of dragonflies.  Not the small ones, but the big ones zipping over the roadway.  Better that the dragonflies feast on the mosquitoes as opposed to us getting bit, or sucking then in s we run.

I cross the finish line strong at 46:51.  Not bad for a 5 mile race.  Sights set on a half marathon in the fall.

Photo of the day "Jones Beach"

P.S. The Summer Series was fun.  They treated us real well with snacks and stuff after each race, and memories to last a lifetime..  This race is renamed the Jones Beach Dragonfly 5 Mile

Pool Table

It has been nearly 2 years since our basement flooded, and a couple of months ago, I put in a new floor.  Well, after procrastinating, I finally ordered a toy.  The boys decided that a pool table instead of air hockey.

No running today, it is too hot and humid anyway.  By 9am, I was already up, read the paper and started watching the Olympics.  The lawn needs to be mowed.  So, I reluctantly head out to the shed, put the throttle into choke position and pop.  Yeah, the throttle cable snapped.

I have the same Honda HR215 mower for nearly 19 years.  It is a matter of pride that I don't spring for a new one.  I have put surprisingly little money into maintaining the mower.  As a matter of fact, I am more abusive to it than it deserves.  Like changing the oil ever 7 years or so ( I do add oil if it sounds rough and needs it).  A rebuilt carb about 5 years ago, and I think maybe I am on my 3rd spark plug.

Last summer, I bought a HR215 twin from some guy in Ronkonkoma that I have used for parts.  Now, to find a small enough metric wrench to loosen the bolt so that I can remove the faulty throttle cable.  Success is had after removing the cable from the twin, and installing on my main mower.

This day in history " On this day in 2002, the rusty iron gun turret of the U.S.S. Monitor broke from the water and into the daylight for the first time in 140 years. The ironclad warship was raised from the floor of the Atlantic, where it had rested since it went down in a storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during the Civil War. Divers had been working for six weeks to bring it to the surface."

After lunch, I head to Sears to pick up the pool table.  I take Sue's Honda Pilot and hope that when I get to the merchandise pickup that the box fits in the back.  The box squeezes in without any extra room on the sides, but of course it does not fit in the without leaving the gate open.  I tie down the gate and make my way home.  No problem, until I get home.

The box is too heavy for us to carry into the house.  So, now, Gavin and I decide to unpack it outside in an effort to lighten the load.  Game table itself weighs about 125lbs, and at 7 feet long, it is bulky too.  We make our way into the house and barely squeeze it down the basement stairs.  Once at the next to last step we attempt to navigate past the handrail and drop ceiling...

With a little coaxing and a crushed thumb, Kyle, Gavin and I manage to get table into the basement.  Now Comes the assembly.  Once assembled, we end up moving the table around the room until we get to the optimum playing spot...smack in the middle of the room.

Photo of the day "Pool Table"

P.S.  This one comes with a ping pong topper so it will serve double duty.

Fire Island - Sailor's Haven

6 at 6.  Up to 27 miles this week.

Sue planned a family day out for Luke's 13th birthday.   He said he wanted to go to Fire Island.  We scramble in the morning to catch the 10:30 ferry from Sayville to Sailor's Haven.  We have lived on Long Island for almost 19 years, and never went there.

It is a hot and humid day, so not so easy to stay cool even on the beach.  We decide to take a walk thru the sunken forest.  Who would have ever thought that on our barrier island, there is an actual forest.  Ok, not like the rain forest, but very unique and diverse ecosystem.

Gavin filled in as a our tour guide and it's a good thing because the regular tour was only half way thru when we finished.  Luke was not too thrilled to be hiking thru the 'enchanted forest' in the heat.  We stopped for a picnic lunch (peanut butter and jelly), before taking to the bay to chase minnows, and crabs.

This day in history ""Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," an irreverent comedy based in the outlandish (fictionalized) world of American stock car racing, premieres in movie theaters around the United States on this day in 2006.

The comedian Will Ferrell (who also co-wrote the screenplay with director Adam McKay and served as an executive producer) starred as Ricky Bobby, a leading driver on the National Association for Stock Auto Car Racing (NASCAR) circuit. Macho and arrogant, Ricky Bobby is known for his motto "If you're not first, you're last!" and has no problems with the fact that his winning record is based on the willingness of his loyal friend and fellow driver, Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly) to always come in second to Ricky's first. This arrangement is upset by the arrival of Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), a flamboyant French star of Europe's Formula One racing. After a devastating crash, Ricky Bobby loses his job and his wife (both to Cal) and is forced to work his way back up in the NASCAR world. The climactic scene--featuring an explosive kiss in the middle of the track--takes place during the famous Talladega 500 race at Alabama's Talladega Superspeedway."

One of Luke's favorite movies.  Ricky Bobby is ridiculous.....along with "If you're not first, your last", there is the infamous shake and bake.

So, we catch the 230 ferry home as we really had enough beach when we went to Ocean City a couple of weeks ago.  Back home, a quick shower and then Luke and I go to pick up his birthday present.  A new iPhone 4S.  He also gets some blue Mio, some soda, and a dinner at the sushi place.

We will go back to fire island again, hopefully do some fishing or clamming.  We did see some poison ivy, and my curiosity as to how the island got it's name was researched.

There are conflicting views as to the origin of the name Fire Island. The island may have been named after Fire Island Inlet, which appeared on a deed in 1789, and the inlet’s name may have started as a simple spelling error.

The number of inlet islands has varied over time, and it is likely that “five” or the Dutch word “vier,” meaning four, was misspelled on early maps as “fire.”

Under another hypothesis, the name originates from the fires reportedly set by pirates to lure vessels to shore.

Fire Island Beach appeared on charts in the 1850s, and folklore suggests the name arose from land-based pirates, or “wreckers,” who built beach fires at night to lure cargo ships onto shore.

Some say poison ivy gave Fire Island its name, either for its red leaves in autumn or its fiery itch.

Regardless of whether any of these hypotheses are true, the name Fire Island has long been applied to the western part of Fire Island. The more easterly part of the barrier island was known as Great South Beach until about 1920, when common usage extended the Fire Island name to the rest of the island.

The true origin of Fire Island’s name is obscure.

I am going to stick with the "Pirates"

Luke is now a teenager.  Actually all three of the boys are teenagers.....Our baby is growing up.

Photo of the day "Fire Island - Sailor's Haven"

P.S. Luke asked for a paintball gun too.   Not gonna happen.  I may take him to the shooting range out east though, to shoot a real  22 cal. rifle...

A fisherman's blessing

Late blog - Fell asleep on the couch.

3 at 6.  This marks 5 days of running in a row.   

Left work early to catch the Celtic Quest.  When Luke and I get there Desi says hello.  Desi is the captain of the Celtic Quest and I have been fishing with him since he started up with a small boat in Mt. Sinai harbor.

We get to middle grounds and see the birds working.  That means birds diving into the water to pick up baitfish...a typical sign that there will be bluefish feeding in the area.  A few drifts thru, and Luke picks up the first bluefish....I manage one as well.  A few more drifts and the capt. decides it is time for some porgy.

Luke is happy to have caught the biggest bluefish on the boat.  Porgy fishing is slow, but we manage some keepers and a good amount of action.  My young man, turning 13 the next day has outfished me.  he just needs some help once in a while taking the fish off the hook.

No service on my iPhone for getting email out, so I have no photo at this time.

Photo of the day "A fisherman's blessing"

Sunset

6 at 6

Pizza for dinner

Went crabbing and fishing in Sayville

Watching Olympics....no clue so it is great to see the US win some more gold

Photo of the day "Sunset"

On pace for a 25 mile week, which will get me closer to the year end goal of 1000 miles.

Donut Peach

Another early start for the day.  3 at 6.  Took a meeting in the car on the way to work.  Met my boss outside while trying to warm up.  Seems 5 of us were cold at 1030 this morning...too much air conditioning in the office.

Get out of work late, and have to ask Sue to pick up the CSA fruits and veggies.

Sue, Luke, Kyle, and Gia went to the AQUARIUM in Riverhead.  The highlights of the day, the petting/feeding area, and a new attraction, an alligator.  And they got to meet the alligator up close...a cute 1.5 year old that they got to touch.

While I was meeting with my boss, they made their way to Port Jeff Steam Room for BOGO steamers.

I get home at 6pm and throw in some chicken wings.  That gives me just enough time to run out to pick up Gavin from Sachem where he ran with his friends.

This day in history "On this day in 1774, dissenting British minister Joseph Priestly, author of Observations on Civil Liberty and the Nature and Justice of the War with America, discovers oxygen while serving as a tutor to the sons of American sympathizer William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne, at Bowood House in Wiltshire, England"

I have just enough time to catch my breathe, when the oven timer goes off.  Talk about timing, I walk in the house 30 seconds before it is time to take them out.  A quick prep of saute zucchini and steamed broccoli (all CSA fresh) and we sit down to eat at like 8pm.

Luke has some friends over and are playing soccer and messing around in the pool.  We are keeping an eye on them.

We had an interesting assortment of fruits and veggies.  First of the year new potatoes, black berries, apricots, tomatoes, and ......wait for it...peaches.  Not just any peaches, but donut peaches.  I am typically not a fuzzy fruit fan, but let me tell you, D-Lish

Photo of the day "Donut Peach"

P.S. Funny looking peaches.  Great flavor, juicy, and no fruit stuck to the pit.  1774 Oxygen discovered, 2012 peaches discovered !