Monk's Memoirs: 7/1/09

Before I left for my trip to the "great white north", and it felt like winter all month long, I got to see Kenny and Ronnie play one more time...

Another friend of mine who raises Parrots brought a beautiful bird with him to"Coconut Grove"..

I still can't get used to it's new name "Englewoods on Dearborn"....My personal opinion is it should have never been changed....but who am I....I do know that everyone I talk with agrees...so I will continue to call it by the name I love...anyway this bird was fantastic...very tame and loved to be petted...don't we all...

It seemed to like Ronnie best of all....the bird did not want to part with his shoulder...and when the boys broke into song that bird really did move to the beat...I've always been fond of Parrots and have, on occasion, seriously thought about getting one...however I know that I could not give it the attention that a pet like that deserves...and besides...knowing the little bastard would outlive me by about fifty years is kind of upsetting to think about....

I did finally catch and make a Gyotako of a Seatrout before I left...I think it came out pretty good...my son Kyle tells me that I've sold three of my Gyotako prints since I've been gone..I guess I'll have to get busy and catch more fish when I get back home...It's a tough life...fishing almost every day and playing artist...but someone has to do it...

I did get some shots of Florida's native lizard...they are everywhere and I'm glad they are...besides being kind of cute in there own lizardly way....think Geico...they eat a lot of insects and that can't be bad...the shot on the tree is my favorite...it has a lot going on with Flora, Fauna, Pottery, and an old anchor chain....

The first event when I got back to the lake was my beautiful daughter Kelsey's graduation party at my house..lots of fun and lots of laughs...

My brother Terry put on a cookout that was perfect....Italian Sausage, Pulled Pork, Jalapeno Burgers and lots of chips and a great Macaroni salad....the low carb diet bit the dust...at least for one day anyway....I have lost about 25 pounds and unfortunately have some more to go before I reach my goal....I know the Atkins Diet isn't for everyone but it sure works for me...I practically live on chicken wings and scrambled eggs with bacon....and believe it or not...the blood pressure is down and so is the cholesterol....I don't know how...but it works...

I did manage to get in a little fishing while I was here...I wish I could take the Perch and Sunfish with me back home...I'd love to do some Gyotako with them....next time I come up I think I'll bring some supplies with me...I was going to freeze them and take them back..but I'm not sure if they would make it in the condition that I need...next time I'll be ready...

Got Travis to fish a couple of times...but I couldn't get him to catch anything...I feel bad...he really wants to catch fish with his "old Man"...maybe next time...

Got to go to my grandson Kev's soccer game...he made some great moves and passes..

Also got to see grandson Alex get two doubles and pick off men at first and second..

The Grand Babies are cute as ever and I finally got to meet Callie in person...what a little doll...she smiles all the time...

Got some good shots of the girls with lots of relatives...

The most precious is with great Grand-Ma...at 86 it makes it even more special....

I even got a squirming shot with me...this was just a few minutes after not seeing me in over a year...I don't think Dakota remembered much about our last visit....she was shy at first but warmed up to me fast...she can't say Grandpa very well but she can say "PaPa"...so "PaPa" it is...

It's a great place to be in the summer and sunsets on the lake are beautiful..but I have "sand in my shoes" and Florida is now home...

I did get a chance to experience the biggest hail I have ever seen in this neck of the woods...it lasted only a few minutes but as you can see...some of it was as big as a quarter...I was afraid the "Monkmobile" was toast but no dents.....

Graduation day was Sunday and a prouder father you will not find...Kelsey will being going to school to be a surgical PA...wow...my little girl is all grown up.