Judge Dread - I am the LAW!

Yup, I completed my civil duty as a juror yesterday. I must admit it was an interesting experience. I arrived at the court house and was ushered into a private chamber with my fellow jurors. While we waited for court to begin conversation between us all seemed to come with ease. I was the only juror under the age of 45 but everyone was friendly and outgoing with this young whippersnapper! It seemed we had just enough time to get to know each other before we were escorted into the court room. We were all sworn in and given a quick overview of what was going to happen by the judge.

The lawyers for each side gave their opening statements and then the presenting of the evidence began. This came in the way of pictures, documents and personal witnesses being called to the stand to testify. I must admit this was the part that I found myself struggling with, when it comes to children I have no problem deciding who is right and who is wrong - or make a determination if someone is lying, doing this with adults (who have sworn to tell the truth - the whole truth - and nothing but the truth - SO HELP THEM GOD!) is definitely more difficult.
The lawyers gave their closing statements and then the judge addressed the jury as to what the "law" was and how we should approach the job that we were about to perform.

I was worried that I was going to be alone in my assessment of the case but was immediately placed at ease when all the other jurors began discussing the points of the case. It turns out we were all on the same page and had drawn very similar conclusions. It took us about 35 minutes to deliberate and make our decision on all aspects of the case. We knocked on the door and informed the bailiff that we had come to a decision.

We were again escorted into the court room and gave the paper with our decision and the specifics of the case to the judge. After he looked it over it was passed to the court clerk who then verified the specifics of our decision with us and once we all confirmed that was our decision the judge ruled on our decision and the case was closed.

I am glad I got to participate in the whole process but at the same time I am glad I am exempt for the next 3 years. I have enough responsibility of holding my families life in my hands I prefer not to be in charge of the destiny of strangers!

I'm so Blue.

Well not really me but my belt is - Blue that is! I have finally attended Karate class enough that I felt I was ready to take my next belt test. Now for some this may not seem like a big achievement but the fact is my wife and daughter earned their belts MONTHS ago and I have been feeling a bit "left behind" for lack of a better phrase.

I was unsure if I was going to make it to class due to a really bad headache (borderline migraine) but with the help of several liquid gels and lots of water I overcame the pain and went to class.

I was informed by my Sensei that he didn't go easy on my scoring so I was very pleased when he informed me that I passed!

The girls are almost ready for their next test (purple) so I have some catching up to do, or better yet another goal to reach.

Here is a link to a past post on our Karate Club Website on the meaning of the the blue belt.

The Meaning of the Blue Belt (5th Kyu)

I LOVE CHICKS!!

No that's not what I meant! I'm talking about chickens. We have been planning on starting our own "little farm" for some time now but due to work and my regular business trips the past few years it has been put on hold more than once.
This year we held off on getting chicks because of a yearly science project at the kids school where they "attempt" to hatch fertilized eggs. I say attempt because the past 3 times the project has failed.

Well that is all about to change. This week I finally gave Becky the OK to order up our own little flock.

I realize it is going to take a few months but I can already taste the fresh, creamy, eggs as well as the natural hormone free baked chicken!


It was difficult to decide which variety of birds we wanted. There are about 15 different varieties that I would like to own but seeing that I don't own a full working farm I had to narrow down my selections. We finally decided on 3 breeds to start our flock. I have included a picture of each below.


The White Silkies are more for "pet status" although they can be good egg layers despite their small size. These are the birds that made me fall in love with chickens. Having worked on a chicken farm with my last job I would never have guessed one day I would even consider owning a chicken never mind start my own little flock!



These are Black Jersey Giants. They are black with a beautiful green sheen in the light. As their name implies they get rather large 10-13lbs! Gabriel best behave himself around these big girls - it would give a whole new meaning to getting your butt kicked by a chick!



These are Silver Laced Wyandottes. They are very personable birds and according to most owners of this breed, hours of entertainment are provided by this breeds antics.
They are a hearty, heavy bodied, productive (egg laying) bird with beautiful coloring/markings.

Signs of summer

Here is a quick video I took tonight. It's of one of the male hummingbirds that visit our house every year, drinking nectar from our feeder.
We really enjoy having them around year after year and they have become relaxed with us being around them.
Last year I was late with putting the feeders out and as I was sitting on the deck one afternoon one of the males began hovering in front of my face chirping at me all the whole time as if to say; "What are you waiting for? I'm hungry!"
This year they let me know they were back by buzzing my head while I was mowing the lawn last week.

One of the chosen!

All morning I kept thinking of childhood and the words of Doug Llewellen: "Don't take the law into your own hands, You take them to court!"

You guessed it I received my jury duty notice recently. Although I was disappointed that I would miss a company sponsored dinner tonight in Boston I was looking forward to a morning of relaxation at the local court house. To be honest I seriously doubted they would want me for service after reading my completed juror survey, Boy was I wrong.

I arrived at the court house a little early and realized I left the book Rebecca requested I read sitting on my nightstand, I decided I would amuse myself with the always enjoyable sport of people watching. As I stated before I was expecting a morning of relaxation, once again I was seriously mistaken.

For some reason the court personnel assumed we needed exercise and rather than using the elevator (which was in working order) they introduced us to the staircase that we would use to go back and forth (or should I say "up and down") from the 1st floor to the 3rd!

Upon my arrival at the 3rd floor I was delighted to find lots of fresh hot coffee and unlike everything else in the break room it was FREE! As a group we got to watch several videos about the court system and what to expect and we were given a prep talk from one of the local judges. Upon completion of these tasks I found out that there was another staircase with which I would surrender my life long acquired "baby fat" to!

We arrived in the court room and met the judge, attorneys, and were all sworn in as potential jurors. Upon completion of this I marched my way up the stairs to the 3rd floor again.

Finally, time to relax. Coffee, a large screen television set with a VCR and a bunch of movies. All morning with my last name starting with a "W" I was last so I settled in and began making small talk with the people around me.

Much to my surprise I was about the 15th person (out of approx 40-45 people) called in for my juror interview. After a short interview I was sent back to the break room and called in by the clerk who informed me I was chosen to sit on the jury.

I must admit I'm surprised I was chosen and am looking forward to completing my civil duty. As for now I am not allowed to discuss anything else about it but once all is said and done I will be sure to share my thoughts on the process.

Happy Mothers Day!

Yes, without them we would not be here! - Dad's, don't worry we will have our praises sung later in the year, Today is all about Mom!

We had a nice family lunch today at our house. The weather was beautiful so we enjoyed the afternoon out on the deck. My mom, R's mom, Nina, and Jackie were all in attendance.

There is a special bond between Mother and Child that God has planted deep within and it is a bond that I am very grateful for. I have great memories of time spent as a child with my mother - going to the ocean, lunch on Wednesday afternoons at the local Chinese Restaurant, weekly grocery shopping, arts and crafts, the list goes on and on! Now that I am older (I still have a hard time with becoming an ADULT!) I have developed memories of times spent with Gay and Nina as they are part of the family and I look up to and have great respect for them for how they raised and nurtured their children as well. I enjoy watching Rebecca and Jackie interact with their kids and thank God that we all have each other as family.

Thank you Mom (Carol) for raising me the way you did.
Thank you Mom (Gay) for accepting me as a son - not just a son-in-law.
Thank you Nina for moving back to the North East - it means more than words can describe, having you here to be part of our lives as well as the lives of the grandchildren!
Thank you Jackie for putting up with my antics and giving me a cute niece and handsome nephew.
Last but far from least:
Thank you Rebecca for being the worlds best mom to our children, I am amazed when I watch you with the kids and can't imagine raising them without you. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

I think taking the time to celebrate our mothers once a year is far from being enough so make sure you tell them regularly that you not only love them but that you appreciate them as well.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Yankee Doodle Back In Town.

Home, not home on the range, I'm home in the hills where the deer and the coyote's play, where seldom is heard a southern accented word and the grass seems to require cutting each day!

I am trilled to be back home in the Northeast even though I was welcomed back by Mother Nature with surprisingly cold and gloomy weather and a lawn that seems to be daring me to try to mow it.

Despite getting homesick while I was away, my trip to the Tar Heel State went quite well. I enjoyed the time I spent with my adopted family and friends. I went to the local sportsman's Gun & Knife show, spent an afternoon target shooting with my friends and their kids which was very enjoyable, it's always cool to watch kids learning about the sport of plinking and take part in teaching the next generation that guns are not bad - the people who use guns to do bad things are the problem!

Like my many trips before I enjoyed all the Southern health food (BBQ, Ribs, Hot Wings, French Fries, Pickled Pigs Feet, Biscuits with Sausage Gravy, Grits, etc...) and conversation with friends around the table.

I have my adopted family (The Grabowski's) who let me stay at their house on the weekends so I try to do my part to help out around the house - which this trip was putting a swing set together to get the kids out of the house and away from the video game council (just like at home)! This also gave Jim and I the TV all to ourselves both weekends to watch the NASCAR race! Kyle finished in 1st place one week then 2nd place the next!

On the road again.... goin places I've already been.

I really wanted to post the tune of Willie Nelson singing "On the road Again" but I figured I would spare all of the strange people I surround myself with that despise "Good O'l Country Music". Once again I'm getting ready to hit the open road, hopefully this will be my last multi-week business trip for the year. Thankfully its to North Carolina again and not California. Most people think I'm crazy but I just don't like the West Coast. I am hoping to stop and see my friend Mark who moved to Virgina about 3 years ago as well as my friends (The Grabowski's) at my home away from home in NC. I am doing my best to make sure I pack my camera so I can take some pictures to share with everyone. Till I post again, keep safe, have fun, and do your best not to miss me too much.

Sping has Sprung, and Fishin's Fun!

Today was the opening day of fishing season in the state of CT and the kids and I spent the day together. We awoke to a summer like day, Becky and I enjoyed the sound of the birds singing as the sun was rising this morning and the warm breeze through the bedroom window that we left open all night.

I was unsure if I was dreaming this morning cuz most days the kids are awake before the crack of dawn and are usually noisy enough to wake the dead! Much to my surprise - and the cause of my confusion - the children got up this morning and were quiet as church mice. Not that I'm complaining I enjoyed relaxing in bed it is just that I expected to have two children pulling me out of bed to go fishing before the sun had risen.

The kids made their own breakfast and after filling my travel mug with the required morning dose of hot coffee we were out the door to the local brook/river to go trout fishing.

Today was a historical day as it was the first time I was taking my kids fishing with the plan being they would be performing their own casts with the lure of their choice. This meant that all three of us would be actively fishing. I am PROUD to report that Alex took to casting his fishing rod "which I must admit is no easy task-even for an adult as we are fishing a brook surrounded by trees, bushes, briar's, etc...) like a well seasoned veteran. Both of my kids have learned to cast their open face reels at a much earlier age than most kids I know which I hope will give them a better appreciation for the sport of fishing.


We all had our own tackle boxes which I filled with new lures (yup, you read right, lures - no drownin' worms for my kids! Actually I will touch on this in a moment) that I purchased with my Cabela's gift card from Christmas.



Due to the nice weather this morning there were a lot more people fishing than I am accustomed to seeing. Even with all the people surrounding us at the brook we enjoyed the morning together. I hooked into a nice Brown trout which was between 16" - 18" I was going to let the kids reel it in (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it) but after it rolled several times in the current my lure came free :( I did catch a little rainbow trout it too fell off my line as I was lifting it out of the water. The kids each had several good "hits" that I witnessed but we left for lunch with an empty stringer.


We also enjoyed a good hearty laugh as Ariel attempted to wade out into the water to free her lure from a rock. After only 2 or 3 steps she lost her balance and ended up sitting on her behind in the ice cold water! Thankfully Ariel is a good sport and after making a pit stop at home for some clean, dry clothing we were on our way again.


I stopped at my cousin's house to help him hang a couple sections of stockade fencing. While we were there Alex enjoyed playing with his 2 dogs while Ariel spent her time doddling over his chickens and helped out by performing the egg collection duties.


We decided to try a local pond I enjoyed fishing as a kid which much to my kids horror required we get some live bait to fish with. After lunch we found a nice sunny spot on the shore and I set up their poles and the waiting game began. After about 2 minutes Alex informed me that this was a boring way to fish and decided to continue to reel in and cast out on a regular basis even though I told him letting it sit was the preferred method.


We managed to catch a couple of fish and the kids learned about fishing manners as I taught the kids around us the do's and dont's of fishing around other people. Ariel also found a baby painter turtle (its smaller than a US Quarter) which we brought home for our back yard pond.


Before calling it a day we decided to go wet our lines in the brook again and even though we didn't catch any more fish we had a great time together as well as watch a 3 engine freight train go slowly by on the other side of the brook. As I have stated many times before I am blessed to have kids who are interested in my hobbies. Not only do I get to do things I enjoy, I get to do them with my family.

The Fish Whisperer

Redneck fishin' buddy

Future Bow Hunters of America...

My Dad would be proud. Last year both of the kids expressed an interest in the sport of archery. I wasn't sure if it was a passing interest just because it was hunting season and they wanted to participate in my target practice or if it was a genuine interest. I decided to hold off on spending the money on all new "equipment" even though I did all my "homework" on the options available and had picked out a new bow that would be compatible for both of them.

Much to my surprise as soon as the weather started favoring outside activity Alex began nagging me to set up the 3D target so he could start shooting again. They are using a "camp style" plastic bow but they have been conscious of safety and are enjoying the competition between themselves.

I can remember spending hours shooting my fathers Indian Recurve at the targets attached to the bales of hay in the back yard. I always loved the challenge of archery whether it was simply target shooting or in the woods deer hunting. I hope I can pass this love of archery onto my children by showing the patience my father did when he was teaching me not so long ago.

I am the world's luckiest dad, I have two beautiful, healthy children which long to follow in my footsteps. Both of my children share the love of the great outdoors that I have and I look forward to all the memories we will acquire while hunting, fishing, and just hanging out together as the years go by.