Monk's Memoirs

Time To Catch Up....

2011-02-08T14:44:00.004-05:00

Yea, I know I've been a little lax in my blog updates....but I like to get a nice collection of pics together first for the slide show and then do the blog...problem is that by the time I get enough pics it's two months later...

This update has pics from Thanksgiving at my son's house in California, Christmas at Ronnie's house and at Jenny's, birthday parties for my friend David's mom, David and Jenny, New Years Eve with Jenny, a trip to Vegas for the moose Texas Hold'em tournament (don't Ask, it stays in Vegas), the Englewood neighbors picnic, a visit by Jenny's daughter and grandkids and various fish caught and art work done. (Whew)

Hope you enjoy the slides and now that the weather is warming, I hope to do more nature shots and landscapes for the slide shows...

Thats All For Now....

Live, Love, Laugh and Dance...

Semper Fi...

Monk

A New Season Begins....

2010-11-10T16:28:00.006-05:00

Down here October brings back the "Snowbirds" and everyone (at least everyone with something to sell) breaths a little sigh of relief and thanks the powers that be, they made it through another summer and are still in business to see them arrive...

For some it's the end of long hot days and humid nights that seem to bother many of the full time residents....

For me it's a good time to once again renew friendships put on hold for by the summer migration northward, it's also a time to change fishing tactics from early and later in the day when it's cooler, to mid-day when the water warms up a little more and gets the fish moving... I guess you might say I'm getting "Floridarized"...65 degrees has become my new "damn it's chilly outside" and lows in the 50's at night is downright cold....water temps are whole nother thing...used to be I'd wade fish in my shorts or swimsuit all winter long...hell the way I looked at it, the temp never got below the best summer day on Canandaigua Lake...so it was always warm water....now it's cold water if it gets below 80 degrees...

This months slide show is a mixed bag of the annual fly in breakfast at the local air field...some great redfish catches that I've had lately, some cute shots of the kids...my birthday party...and the annual Halloween Kids Walk on Dearborn Street, some very cute shots of the kids and the Pirate (Arrrgh)..and some great odds and ends shots with Jenny and my friends...God Bless you all

Hope you enjoy it.... Remember by the time you read the intro the slide show will be half over so make sure you start it again when it stops....

That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh..and Dance...

Semper Fi

Monk

A September to Remember....

2010-10-07T21:11:00.006-04:00

This month's slideshow is a little bit of this and that...

Had some visitors to my door...I think they were storks...they were begging for handouts but since my drainage ditches were full of nice juicy new frogs and tadpoles...they didn't need a hot dog handout...they staked out the house and chowed down till they needed a nap...

Had a busy month...did some golfing with friends and fishing with my friend Rodger...

My friend Jimmy got to sing at the coffee shop...so many talented people here...

It finally happened...I inherited my son Kyle's parrot...his name is Riley as in "Life Of"... I knew I'd be getting him when Kyle's new dog tried to have him for an appetiser...it's a lot more peaceful here...I think he appreciates it...he's young only 6 months old...we are getting used to each other but for a while I thought that by Thanksgiving I'd be having him with bread stuffing...it was the only way I could see enjoying him...he wouldn't let me near him without threatening physical harm to my digits...he's coming around now...so I guess he'll be an invited guest instead...

Went to the Keys with Jenny and Jay for a long weekend and had a great time...we stayed at a condo complex that had it's own saltwater lagoon for swimming and snorkeling...lots of fish and it saved the trip because the weather was a little unpredictable...we did manage to get out on the reef one day but I had forgotten my camera...the water was crystal clear and the colors and fish were so beautiful that I wish everyone could get to experience it just once...it was perfection and a memory that I will cherish....but no camera...so you'll just have to think of the best underwater reef shots you have seen on Discovery or National Geographic and that's what I experienced first hand...WOW....did get some shots of the fish in the lagoon so all is not lost...the one in the slide show is one of several Parrot Fish that we fed crackers to...we ate at a restaurant with a glass bottom bar...the underwater lights attracted lots of fish and it really was a treat...

When we got back we decided to have beef ribs and nobody cooks them better than Jen's brother Jay...the secret...Burn'em baby Burn'em til they scream..til the neighbors call 911...when
the fat is burnt off slather them in barbecue sauce....uuuuummmmmm.......

Of course we played a little golf and had our monthly car show...it just keeps getting better...The kids in the slideshow...Alex and Hanna... were visiting Jenny and I couldn't resist a couple of shots...of course no blog is complete without some of my Grandbabies...Dakota and Callie are making their very own play dough..still the cutest ever...

I threw in a nice canvas that I did of the Royal Palm Marina at Sunset...this new direction with the art is a nice change of pace...

Enjoy the slide show....

Well That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh and Dance...

Semper Fi

Monk

Labor Day Weekend Special

2010-09-06T13:44:00.005-04:00

It's been a busy few days ...My son Kevin and family visited me on Friday the 3rd and we had a great time at the beach...it was a surprise visit and the first time he has seen my place in Florida and he got to visit his brother Kyle as well...

I got some great shots of the Cardboard Boat Races at Indian Mound park on Saturday and another great group of shots for the Pioneer Days Parade on Monday....

I've included some new photos of flowers etc. and some of my newest attempts at art...

I'm putting the two different events on separate slide shows so be sure to watch both...

For an added treat I've included a Video that I posted on YouTube...soon to be a new Olympic Sport...Ditch Skiing...or Redneck Yachting...had a little shower at my house...these two decided to do a little skiing...watch how skilled he is getting around the corner and accross the driveway into the next ditch...nice job guys..

Enjoy the shows and let me know what you think....

That's All For Now....

Life is not about seeking shelter from the storm,
Life is about learning to dance in the rain....

Live, Love, Laugh, and Dance

Semper Fi

Monk

Lazy, Hazy, and Crazy Summer Days

2010-07-29T14:29:00.003-04:00

Mostly Crazy...but still having a good time during my second full summer in Englewood...

Went back up north for a few days to celebrate my oldest grandson Alex graduation from high school and my youngest granddaughter Autumn's baptism...one was on a Saturday and the other was on Sunday..each followed by picnics in the park..great weather and some great food and entertainment..

Also very proud of son Travis he has made Tech Sgt. (E-7) and is probably one of the youngest ones in the Air Force...and just re-enlisted for six more years..congratulations son...

Also have been doing some more work on the canvas print idea...some of which you will see in the slide show...got some great new shots of Flora and Fauna included as well and have re-organized my space at the gallery at least six times since the last posting...I have to my amazement sold several more matted photos and a canvas or two...and my brother Richard back in Canandaigua has sold more copies of my book than any other local entity...not counting my publisher of course..

Have had my son Andy come down for a visit and we all had a great time while he was here..pretty sure he will be the next public servant in the family..looks like he may be getting a job as a firefighter in New York..very proud of him and all the kids...as a father I am a very lucky man...

Well enjoy this installment of the slide show and have a great summer..I'll post again soon..

That's All For Now...

Live,Love,Laugh, and Dance...

Semper Fi...

Monk

Where Has The Time Gone...

2010-05-16T17:04:00.008-04:00

I know....I know...it's been a long time between updates...Guess I just got lazy or in the case of this winter in Sunny Florida...to cold to move...what an awful winter...weather wise at least..January through the end of March was some of the coldest weather in 35 years here in this neck of the woods...

Enjoy the slide show and I'll try to keep up....

Rather than try to fill you in on everything since Christmas I'll just get to the meat...Got a brand new Granddaughter ...her name is Autumn Grace and she is a doll..all 8.3 pounds of her....

Got home to see mom a few weeks ago and that felt good...she is 87 and still going strong...Love you Mom...

Went to the Ringling museum...attended a few parties...got to feed the bald eagles again...the artists of Englewood did a fantastic job on benches for Dearborn Street...a little golfing and a lot of living the "Hemingway" lifestyle as one of my friends refereed to my comings and goings...

Been doing some experimenting with photos of landscapes in the area and have gotten a few feet of wall space at the Englewood Art Alliance...but I truly am humbled by the tremendous amount of fantastic art represented by the artists, photographers and sculptors represented in this gallery...come see for yourself...right on Dearborn Street...can't miss it...

Still catching fish but have done more on the photographic side of my life...I'll be catching up on my Gyotako this summer...

That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh and Dance...

Semper Fi...

Monk

Road Trip....& More

2009-12-19T12:10:00.004-05:00

This month has been pretty hectic..at least for me anyway....and it's not even Christmas yet..Went to my son and his family in California at Edwards Air Force Base...got some great shots of the grand kids and had a great week just hanging around...they have some crows out there that could carry off a small child ...took a couple of shots of them on the neighbors roof...one crow would be plenty for a dinner for two...baby Callie had her first birthday at Chucky Cheeses...its been so long that I almost forgot how so many high pitched screams can rip your nerves to shreds in just seconds....but I still had a great time..

We played some golf and went bowling...had a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner courtesy of Shannon's great cooking ...she went all out as usual and everything was superb...

You'll see in this months slide show some of that trip and then the following week in New York visiting Ryan, Andy, Kelsey and Kevin and his family...notice Kevin in his very strange but warm hat...I'm so glad that I don't need to keep my head that warm or that funny looking just to be outdoors...lol....

Of course you'll also see some of the great fishing I've been doing down here ...to bad snook are out of season now ...I have caught some beauties...the one in the slide is 30 inches and right in the middle of the very narrow slot of 28-32 inches that you are allowed to keep, in season, of course season doesn't start back up til January first....but what a fight..I just happened to be casting on the dock behind the house when he hit...his first run nearly stripped all the line off the reel...I was lucky to be able to turn him in time and start to retrieve my line....it took another three reel screaming runs and five more minutes to bring him in....I thanked him and sent him on his way...hopefully in January he or one or two of his close friends can join me for dinner....

Got a shot of the local jewelry store all decked out at night in the spirit of Christmas..and some nice sunset shots...threw in the frog shot because it looks like he's smiling at me..he held still for several nice close ups...and then made about a six foot jump just to show off....the bird shots are just a few of the great shots I've been getting of them..I've framed some and they actually look good enough to sell..

Went to my friend Ronnie's annual Christmas party when I got back...brought my now almost famous...crab and shrimp dip...and sampled some very good appetizers and deserts that all the others had contributed...thanks Ronnie ...and it was great to see all my old friends... and meet some new ones...once again.

Enjoy the slide show...remember to run your mouse over the top to bring up the controls and you can always look at the whole thing by clicking in the lower corners...You can save any pic to your computer by clicking on it and then right clicking on it when the Picasa site brings it up ...click "save picture as" and you've got it for all time...have fun.

That's All For Now....

Live, Love, Laugh ..and Dance

Semper Fi

Monk

The New Season Begins...

2009-11-20T13:32:00.006-05:00

Traditionally down here the month of October heralds the beginning of the next "Snow Bird" season...the people who come for the winter begin to arrive and each day the number of out of state plates you see increases by what seems ten fold....I'm sure that is not the case ...but we do seem to get our share here in the Englewood area...all the merchants start smiling again and everyone that rides a motorcycle or bike goes on high alert...some of our older visitors seem to have a hard time spotting anything less than the size of Buick (which is what most drive..a piece of knowledge that for the agile, gives you a few second jump on your evasive maneuvers) ...as a matter of fact many of them feel that driving down the center of the road or the bike lane makes it much easier to stay out of trouble...and of course 25 to 30 is the recommended speed to maintain car stability and control....and I'm talking about in a 55+ speed zone....of course the stop lights are another danger zone...for the most part green means go...yellow means go faster and red is just a suggestion....stop signs are not for the faint of heart..if someone waves you through a stop sign while he or she waits....don't do it...it's a trick..it's a game they play...as soon as you move they move ...you stop ...they stop...everybody waves again...and repeat the above...they just love to piss you off...

But I digress...here is the latest slide show from the last few weeks...I had a birthday..don't ask...my friend Ingrid threw me a birthday dinner it was fantastic...had all the ingredients for a good time great people, good food, and booze....thanks to all of you ...I'm a lucky man....of course the WCGK's are just adorable..going to see them next week...caught some fish..did a nice print of my first keeper Redfish of the season...went to the Keys and had a great time..it was Pirate Festival..I wish I had my costume then...I will next year....AAARGH....the two underwater shots do contain fish in them both see if you can spot them...these were taken just before the ocean tried to drowned me once again...I just can't seem to master my breathing technique with a snorkel...if I get water in my mouth I never have enough air left to blow out..then the fun begins as I panic for my next breath while treading water in three foot seas..everything is fine when it's calm..I do great in the pool...of course you don't get much coral or fish to take pics of in the pool...but at least the water doesn't try to kill me..at least not yet...that's why I'm smiling in the pool....

You'll also see some great shots of the local bird life and my friend Jill's fantastic sharks tooth...hard to find one on the beach down here much bigger than a dime...she found this beauty and is going to have it mounted on a chain...My friend David found a way to get his Kayak and dog to the water without spending money on gas and it works just fine...my friend Shirley sang at a local benefit and of course got a standing "O"....she has a fantastic voice and personality to match...the little "peanut" in the car seat is my friend Sara's baby..she is adorable with those big eyes...just had to have a pic...

Don't forget you can click on any picture to get a better view or you can stop or pause the show with your mouse..just pass it over the slide...you can see all the pics at once by clicking on the right or left lower corner and choosing the November link...and you can adjust the music in the box a few blogs down....

Enjoy..

Til Next Time...

Live, Love, Laugh, and Dance...

Semper Fi..

Monk

Special Halloween Slide Show...

2009-11-07T15:15:00.003-05:00

Englewood has a Halloween safe walk every year and each year it just gets bigger...the kids and adults all have a great time and go home before dark...

This year I decided for the first time since I was a kid...to dress up...and pass out candy as a volunteer at the diner on Dearborn street...I had a great time and did my best Pirate act all afternoon long....got some great shots of the kids and adults and when you see some of the little faces looking up at the Pirate wondering..."Is he for real"...it just makes you smile....

Remember you can change or adjust the music by scrolling down a couple of blogs....

Have a great Thanksgiving Holiday and I'll post another one...when I get back from visiting my son in California and the grand kids...Callie will be one on December first and I'll be there for the party...then heading to New York for a week and back home on the 8th ...and that's all the traveling for the year...

Enjoy...and appreciate the little ones...When you look into the eyes of a small child ...you are looking into the eyes of God.....

That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh and Dance...

Semper Fi,,,,and remember our Vets next week....

Monk

Fall Is In The Air....

2009-10-26T16:05:00.008-04:00

At least fall is in the air up north....Down here it's the beginning of our fourth season..."Feels Like Summer"....the other three are "Almost Summer", "Summer" and "End of Summer"....

Another month has gone by and for a man who is supposed to be retired and have a lot of spare time on his hands...I sure don't feel like I have a minute to spare...But, I must say...Like the song you should be listening to.."I'm Living the Life Jimmy Buffett only sings about"....In the slide show this month you'll get a glimpse of my trip back up north for a few days and the fantastic fall colors that I was lucky to capture..You will see my son Andy's graduation from New York State Fire Academy...top 5%....I'm so proud....Kyle and I stopped in Gettysburg on the way north..I didn't want to spend the whole day touring the actual battlefield...so we just went into the main building looked around and got some pics and brochures ...Kyle told his brothers and sister that it sure was a quick stop....he said that we were at Gettysburg for less time than breakfast at the Waffle House that morning...Hey what can I say...I wanted to get home...he's lucky I stopped at all....I got a chance to visit with old friends and make some new ones at my breakfast hangout up north....and got to play cards and go bowling with the boys..my special friends...Karen, Bob and Kathy all had a great time at our dinner together.... you will also see some of my latest handy work on the Gyotako...as well as some just having fun shots from the last month...took Jenny out to see a dinner show with a Neal Diamond and Streisand look alike...Neil ...good...Barb ...not so good...also went to another show with the cousin of Rod Stewart and came away with the impression that it may be him on all those albums...he was fantastic and pulled off every vocal nuance that is Rod's trademark vocals....We also went to a dinner theater in Cape Coral to see a very funny four person play about love and marriage called..."Married Alive".....only could get one shot of stage before the show ...no pics allowed....got a good one of Jenny looking very pretty in her dress for the evening....

Take a look at the beautiful sail boat that my Neighbors Ruthy and Tom have been working on all summer ...it's almost ready to go and they plan on a trip to the Caribbean on their maiden voyage...that golf shot is my pal David...take a closer look in the background...for the gator out for a little sunshine....also there is a shot of the "Monkmobile" in front of the house that I'm very lucky to be living in...my landlady is also one the nicest people you will ever meet and a good friend of mine...Hi Shirley....she has a couple of pics in previous blogs...she is an excellent singer in her own right...and loves to dance in the rain or not.....

Well enjoy the show and the music that's playing can be changed or turned off ...just go to the box in the last blog and make your choice...

That's All For Now....

Live, Love, Laugh,...and Dance

Semper Fi

Monk

Time To Do Some Catching Up....

2009-09-15T14:51:00.034-04:00

Wow..I can't believe it's already half way through September..where did the summer go?... I spent the last month or so doing what comes naturally...fishing, golfing, working at fine tuning my Gyotako prints and some photography...and of course spending as much time as I can with Jenny and her family in Cape Coral...We caught some nice fish over the last few weeks and spent time catching a couple of good summer movies...and my first trip to the new Ft. Myers Bass Pro Shop...check out the fish tank and the stuff they have hanging from the ceiling..I guess I'm just to easily impressed but we had a good time....This month I'm going to keep the chatter to a minimum and try and give you a pictorial stroll through the last few weeks...at the end are shots of the Englewood celebration of Pioneer Days that included a cardboard boat race and a parade over the Labor Day weekend...lots of fun and loads of laughs....and of course there are shots of the World's Cutest Grand-Children...and Here is a NEWS FLASH....Travis and family will have another new addition....following in his old man's footsteps...I think he is trying to beat my record of five kids under ten....God Bless...as long as they are happy and healthy..that's what counts...enjoy the slide show...I put several tunes on the player for you to listen while you watch...pick your fav or not.....

Hope you liked the show...click on the comment section below and let me know...

That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh and Dance...(Life isn't about hiding from the storm, Life is about learning how to Dance in the rain..)

Semper Fi...

Monk

July....With A Bang !!

2009-08-10T10:37:00.016-04:00

Wow...Where to begin...July was a whirlwind of activity and accomplishment...it started in New York..the last of my road trip back home to see my daughter graduate and my new grand-daughter baptised ..

..and ended with me back home in Florida on a more permanent basis having rented out my house up north over the phone to someone who needed a place to live in a hurry..long story short...I took a chance that all will work out well and since I feel that Florida is my new home now, I was thinking that I wanted someone living in my house up north rather than have it sit empty most of the year...

On the 5th I got to see my new grand-daughter, Callie, baptised and I got some great shots of the flower garden that had been planted for the church...

..everything was in bloom and it made a great setting for the special event...

This shot of Dakota is one of my favorites...

Here my oldest son Kevin and family pose for a family portrait with the beauty of spring all around...

After the ceremony we all headed for the park for a family picnic and had a great afternoon of games and food...

I still haven't lost my touch, I just love babies...

The cake was a work of art and delicious..a tough combination to beat...the diet bit the dust for one day at least..

When I got back to Florida I treated Jenny to dinner and got to meet a blogger buddy..Brian and The Yard Dogs...we have similar interests in that we both love to fish from Kayaks..he reads my blog and I read his..but we had never met...We just happened to hit their Christmas in July show and it was fantastic...

I think if Mrs. Claus saw this she would be a little upset..not to mention all those kids who think Santa only likes cookies and milk..Santa (Brian) said, "When he's on vacation, and has that suit on in July, a cold one is allowed"...

I'm not to sure about the cigar..it came pretty close to causing a Flaming Santa Jubilee...Then who would play the "Suitcase" ?....

Jenny, her brother Jay and I went to the Keys for a weekend getaway and I snorkeled for the first time..the water was rough..four foot white caps..and as I have mentioned before..as evidenced by a couple of stories in my book...the water wants to kill me...don't get me wrong..I love to fish and I spend a lot of time on the water...the key word there is "On"..when I get in and the water is over my head.."water will try to kill me"...a word of advice to first timers..if you think swimming pool practice is all you need..as witnessed here by my wave of superior confidence after having stuck my face in the water in the hotel pool for a few minutes believing I had mastered this simple sport...you are sadly mistaken...little did I know, that standing up in a calm pool is not constructive practice...when it came time for the real thing.. four foot waves submerged my snorkel every few seconds and nearly drowned me several times.. each time I attempted to breath without clearing the snorkel I inhaled salt water and came up gasping for air..after having made several attempts at trying to keep my face in the water for more than a few seconds I finally gave up and headed for the boat..I was coughing up enough salt water to fill a small aquarium...back at the boat I waited for "Jenny the Unsinkable Mermaid" and her brother "Aquaman" to finish playing in the water like it was their personal playground...Believe me there is nothing that can take the place of years of experience and she and her brother are both experienced scuba divers as well....

After moving to another spot where it was somewhat calmer...I did get back in the water and finally managed to spend several minutes with my face in the water...I have to say it was a joy to see the coral and fish going about their business..even though the water was murky because of the strong wave action...

We did get a few fish shots...I will do this again..but it will be on my terms next time...calm water and a trained paramedic on board...

I did enjoy spending time by the pool and the Tiki Bar at poolside..

On a short sightseeing trip just a block from the hotel we discovered the original "African Queen" of Bogart and Hepburn fame..

It doesn't quite look as romantic as it did in the movie but it still brings back memories of one of the great romantic movies of all times...remember the sound of that engine chugging away, sounding like any minute it would just quit and die for ever...

We also got some great eats just down the road at a seafood restaurant all decked out with strings of lights and memorabilia that had every conceivable nautical theme...

Back in Englewood I did get some more Gyotako Prints done and as of now I have sold six prints...which is six more than I thought would sell...

I have my own corner now at Shelly's Coffee Shop with books, artwork, and my flower and sunset photography displayed...

It does make me feel like I'm not just treading water down here...
It also gives me a sense of accomplishment that I never had before when it came to anything dealing with the Arts...
I'm not saying I'm good at it but it does make me feel good that someone appreciates it enough to spend hard earned money on it...
Here are some shots I thought you would enjoy....

That's All For Now...
Live, Love, Laugh, and Dance...
Semper Fi
Monk

A June Adventure..

2009-07-01T13:01:00.013-04:00

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.

Well That's All For Now...

Til Next Time...

Live, Love, Laugh, and Dance

Semper Fi

Monk

A Boring May ?...No Way !

2009-06-02T19:58:00.012-04:00

Well for starters..I got some of the most beautiful Sunset shots yet....

This is just after a storm had passed...it was perfectly timed for this amazing sunset...

This one is my first attempt at a panorama three shot....I think it's fantastic..

This one I call "The Odd Couple"...the peace and serenity when I took all of these shots are memories that I shall cherish forever....

The fishing has been great all month....I caught this 18" Pompano and several other nice ones over the last few weeks...there are more here in the bay than the last few years...the red tide had really effected the area and it has taken several years to recover..

I've also caught more trout and grouper in the bay than ever before...here are a couple of nice trout and a pompano....the grouper are to small to keep ...because 22" is legal and the bay has only juveniles for the most part....but some of these juveniles will weight several pounds and pull harder than any freshwater fish ten times bigger....This grouper is a Goliath and is a protected species...I released him after the shot...Goliath grow to hundreds of pounds and some are as big as a Volkswagen.....saltwater fish all fight harder than any fresh water fish pound for pound..

I've also been updating my photos of all the colors of spring that this part of Florida is...here are some more shots from May....

These two are blooming just outside my gate and some of the others are just across the street...

This...by the way...is what it looks like when your time has run out trying to get in before a storm...we were in a torrential downpour for the last two miles of this trip on the river....but it was an adventure and worth the soaking we got...We didn't have enough room to dance in the rain...but had some laughs.....

Been working on the fish prints this month..here is a Jack Caravel that I caught out in the bay.. I actually sold one of my prints at Shelly's Coffee Shop....I really didn't expect it but a young man came in and liked one of the Sunfish Gyotakos and said he would have bought one of the bigger ones also but he was flying out and didn't want to carry it on board...the smaller one would fit in his bag I guess...hey...I guess I'm officially an artist now that I have sold a piece...my big head won't fit through the door if someone buys one of my sunset photo collages ...then I'll be an Author, Artist and Photographer....don't worry...I'm not expecting to become a rich and famous celebrity snob....It's not my style....

This is nice shot I took I call "Tropical Moon"...Jenny and I were out for a walk and I wanted to try some shots at night....turned out pretty good....

Got some nice pics of the grandchildren and of course they are just getting cuter by the minute...they got a couple of studio shots for the family and they look great...

Baby Callie will get baptised while I'm home up north in June and Kelsey will be graduating High School...I'm just so proud of my children...they all are a joy and have truly become wonderful adults...

Well that's all for now,...I leave you with this shot of one of my fishing friends...Don't be like him ...take small bites and chew your food...It's a lot more satisfying.... by the way..he got it down in one bite...

Til Next Time...

Live, Love, Laugh and Dance...

Semper Fi...

Monk

More April Happenings...

2009-05-11T13:33:00.009-04:00

As promised here are a few more stories for April....Speaking of fishing...I was wasn't I ?.....I have been fine tuning the Gyotako Japanese Fish Prints and have added a few of the fish that I have caught lately...pictured in the close up are a nice Spanish Mackerel and a Pompano that I caught at the Tom Adams Bridge and a Sunfish donated by a friend...I framed several and got Shelly to hang them up at the coffee shop...I don't know if any will sell but she seems to think there might be a few people interested in buying them...I do not consider myself an artist but that's what she put on the tags for the prints...I'm flattered but I'm also a realist...but it was nice...

I've also been making good use of the digital camera and have been cataloging the local Flora as it blooms here this spring...I put together a nice poster for Jenny and I'm working on one for my darling daughter Kelsey...the beauty that is this part of the country just continues to amaze me...

A good friend of all of us here in Englewood just joined the Navy and a few of us gave her a going away lunch...Christi pictured here in the center worked at Shelley's (pictured front left) coffee shop with my son Kyle (next to her) ... she will be missed...but she has definitely made a move to better her life and we are all very proud of her....Lisa and our friend Jimmy joined us for the lunch as well....Good luck Christi and God Bless...

The Red Hat Ladies came to town again this year for their annual parade and luncheon...we even had a panel of judges picking winners at the makeshift viewing stand in front of the coffee shop...I believe the winners were the group pushing Minnie Mouse as their favorite Disney character and mascot....every body looked like they had a great time and downtown got a little boost of business...

My friend Diesel the bulldog even got into the act...I think he might of been a little upset being a guy and of course the Marine Corps mascot...but he didn't get a vote....

My other friend Harley wasn't having any part of it as evidenced by the "Go ahead, Make my day!" look on his face.....

Here is another one that if she had a vote would have said "Nay"....I bet she is not looking forward to the bath that will get this paint job out....

Lisa's brother and his family came to town for a visit and got to spend some time with her ..besides the great beach days here...they spent a day in Tampa at Bush Gardens and the Zoo...for those of you not wishing to spend hours in line for every single amusement ....those are two great places to take visitors or spend a little fun time yourself...

I had a piece of art done for me by a local artist and I think it depicts my life down here pretty well..." If the fish don't get me first, I'm going to catch every one I can." Got a scene you'd like in stone...let me know and I'll get you a special deal.....

Can't leave without an update on my two cuties in California...it looks like Easter was a fun time and I'm sure Callie and Dakota won't remember how cute they were but we will show them all the pics some day....

This may not be cute but it sure is funny....this is one pic that I know Dakota will get a kick out of someday...when mom puts on her makeup it looks so easy....

Just remember this is who you have to thank for the swine flu...

That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh and Dance...

Semper Fi...

Monk

April Was A Winner...

2009-05-08T13:58:00.016-04:00

The month started with a wonderful trip to St. Augustine...the oldest city in America...Jenny and I had never been there so we decided to take a chance and play tourist for a long weekend...It was a great trip and besides learning a lot of history we had a super time shopping and exploring in all the nooks and crannies that is "Old St. Augustine"...if you go just pony up a few bucks for a tour on one of the two trolleys that are available and you will have a three day pass that will get you anyplace you care to go...the one we had made 21 stops and you could get on or off anywhere and there would be another along in fifteen minutes or less...I highly recommend the Holiday Inn ...we were only a block or so away from entertainment and restaurants and the staff and accommodations were three star plus...very clean and very friendly....

We took a tour of the old jail....I wouldn't have wanted to run afoul of the law in those days...if you ended up here the likelihood that you would survive for any length of time was slim....even though these are just dummies in the cells and everything was all neat and clean...I had a sense of doom thinking about how it must have been...the prisoners were hard men who lived in hard times...but to endure a stay in this place and live had to have made a person very thankful to be alive and free again....

The gallows right outside was the last stop for many men who had to pay the ultimate price for their misdeeds...the picture is of the last hanging to take place on that particular gallows...after that they used "Old Sparky" for their get together....

As we walked around the old town I took the opportunity to snap some pics of out of the way and unusual settings that turned out pretty well...like this arbor and a great shot of the hand cut wood shingle roofs...

Not to mention one of a sign that I wish I could have walked away with....

We stopped at a museum of sorts attached to a general store...I thought the bait farm was cute..I don't think Jenny thought much of it...

The welcome center was a fantastic center piece in the middle of town...this multi-million dollar complex is a must see for its history and sheer awesomeness...they had a spinning demonstration going on as we walked through this huge main floor....

Jenny and I took her mom to check out a bamboo farm in the Cape Coral area...we were surprised to see that they also had a huge assortment of pottery that was for sale in all shapes and sizes...

...Not to mention all manner of hand made wall hangings and garden animals etc. ..

Can't leave out the beautiful fish.....

Of course I went fishing in April...almost every day I tried to get out...either in my Kayak or wading up at Lemon Bay park or just fishing off the pier at the Tom Adams bridge....

But the most fun fishing was with Jenny and her brother Jay...we went out several times on the Caloosahatchee River on Jay's boat...and of course Jenny and Jay's mom was not going to let us go with out her...she just turned 86 and really enjoys being out there on the water....

Jenny caught her first big Jack Cravel and along with Jay handling the net...got a nice five pounder into the boat...the Amberjack is one of the hardest fighting fish pound for pound you will find in salt water...and it took Jenny five minutes and some tough determination to get this one to the net...

I managed to get some Jacks as well as a Spanish Mackerel and a couple of nice Snook on one of the trips...

We all had a great time.."Momma" even got to thrill to a fast boat ride with her son by her side..the "Captain" and the "First Mate"..

Every time we go down the river we have to pass through a narrow part where all the boat traffic jams up...a clever entrepreneur has built a floating snack shack and parks it where everyone has to go within a few hundred feet of him....one of those "Wish I had thought of that" ideas...

I'll finish up on April on my next posting...I promise to do it first thing on Monday...

That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh...and Dance...

Semper Fi

Monk

March Madness....

2009-04-14T12:28:00.025-04:00

It seems like the month of March just flew by...before I knew it I had not made a post in over a month...the eagle story...happened just a few days ago...so I thought I better get that out before another month evaporated....So, the following is a quick look at March and some good times...

My friend Dina came down for an all to short...four day visit...to celebrate her birthday and for some much needed fun in the sun....we had a great birthday dinner party at the Gulf View and got to see another spectacular Florida sunset...

Most of her time here was spent on the beach...but we did get down to Fisherman's Village for some shopping and another colorful sunset meal....

Lisa and Dina got to see each other again...Lisa had come to New York last summer for a special wine class and had met Dina at that time..we all had several meals together during her visit...

One surprise at the coffee shop during Dina's visit was this parrot encounter...a man bicycled up with this beautiful bird perched on his customised bike handle bars...

We all took turns admiring and getting some photo opps...I would love to have a parrot of my own someday...but I know that I wouldn't be able to give it the time and attention that a pet needs...nice thought but this pirate knows his limits....

Bob and Kathy my golfing friends from the Great White North came down to my house to see what it was like living on Lemon Bay...I had visited them for a round of golf when my friend Karen was here ...they have a winter place in the Sarasota area...

Kyle's new love is named Bella and she is gorgeous ...at least as far as dogs go....he got her from the pound...she is such a good dog and as well as very gentle and loving...it makes you wonder why someone would give up a pet this nice...oh well, she and Kyle are together now and it looks like it will be a long term relationship....

Coconut Grove..my favorite hang out for the last three years has finally opened back up with the original owners Tony and Merrill back in charge...myself and all of the old regulars couldn't be happier...the previous tenants didn't do a very good job and the whole mood of the place was different to the point that nobody who knew what it was like before...wanted to go for entertainment or even the food...it just wasn't the same...they did change the name to "Englewoods on Dearborn"....no comment....but I really do think that Coconut Grove was the right name...the new name isn't going to stop me... I'll still go ....it's better than ever with entertainment every nite and a great new menu...the back coconut grove courtyard is open again and the inside has been completely remodeled to give it a warm tropical look and feel...

Ingrid, Ronnie and Lance don't mind the new name...we have had some great meals and dancing in the courtyard....and will again....

Speaking of dancing..."D" Debbie and "D"Bob....for those of you who don't ...remember..the "D" is for Dancing....get up close and personal on the new dance floor...notice Kenny doing that thing that he does so well...in the background...

Shirley and "D" Debbie do pretty well for themselves....once you get Shirley out on the town she has a good time...it's getting her away from all her singing and volunteering activity's that is the hard part....remember Shirley...Live, Love, Laugh and Dance......

My friends Pam and Kyle celebrated an anniversary with Kenny dedicating a song to them....happy anniversary to a wonderful loving couple..

Tony and his new bartender Lee look like a matched set....I'll leave you to guess of what?

Talking about Shirley's singing...she had another "gig" at the Elk's Club in March...once again she was the opening act along with Flo....and once again they were the hit of the show...congrats you two...

The gentleman in this picture...Sid...is celebrating his 86th birthday...Shirley, Flo and I met him at the Gulf View and he is a fascinating story teller...he told us all about how he and his partner started and invented the process for grinding up junk cars...they invented the machine and put together the distribution system for getting all the metal and other components from millions of cars per year...a fascinating fact was that he says there is an average of $1.86 in loose change in every junk car...the last thing on the conveyor belt when they were all done sorting out the different kinds of metals...was the loose change...he said that over the years he has taken millions of dollars to the mint in big leather bags....wow!

On Wednesdays this winter I played an afternoon game of Texas Hold'em with some friends from the Moose Club...it was great fun and now most are gone back north...here we all are laughing our asses off when Dick tried to hide his face in an "All In Moment"...I'm looking forward to more good times with these wonderful people again next season....

I finished my last art class and I had a ball doing Japanese fish prints...I actually think I did pretty well...

I'm going to try and do some more on my own...now if the fish co-operate I'll have some more great prints to show you...

I gave them away to my son and friends ..but I saved this one of a flounder it's my favorite...

No blog of mine would be complete without some pics of my two newest granddaughters...Dakota and Callie are getting bigger by the second...I can't wait to see them in June when Travis and Shannon go back to New York on leave...

Dakota helped her mother make cup cakes and it looks like she enjoyed the end result...good idea mom taking off the clothes before trying out her handiwork...MMMM..MMMM..GOOD...

One last plug if you will...the new book comes out this month...pictured is a rendering of the cover..this it will be available in hard cover from Barnes and Noble and Amazon on line...it contains books one and two combined along with twenty three extra pages of some stories about training before Vietnam...for those that haven't purchased books one or two ...this is the one to buy...thanks to all of you for your support in my efforts to document a very difficult and trying time in my life...I hope you take something positive away when reading my stories...

That's All For Now....

Live, Love, Laugh & Dance....

Semper Fi...

Monk

Today Is The Present...Enjoy The Gift...

2009-04-07T13:01:00.004-04:00

I always respond to my children and friends...when they complain or worry about something that has happened or might happen...that they should take these words to heart...the whole thing goes like this..."Yesterday is the past..you can't change it..Tomorrow is the future...you can't predict it...and Today is the present...so enjoy the Gift!!...I try to live by these words as much as I can...sometimes it is a very difficult credo to follow...we all fret and worry at times...but over all it has pulled me through some tough times...if you look hard enough you can always find something in each day that brings a smile to your face or softens the blow of a particularly tough moment in your life..to me each day truly is a gift...I usually don't have to look far to realize how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family and friends.. not to mention the gifts that God puts in front of us every day...

One of these special gifts from God happened just the other day...I was wading in Lemon Bay...the wind was whipping the waves into white caps..which is very unusual on the bay..so there were no boats in close to shore and no other fishermen braving the elements to pursue my finny friends...I caught a nice size Jack but in the process of retrieving my jig..which was a considerable way down his gullet...my prey expired...for the animal lovers out there..this doesn't happen often...I almost always release my catch or on occasion use it to feed myself or my friends when requested..anyway...I thought to myself when my opponent met his maker that it was a waste because the Jack is not a good fish to eat...I remembered that I had spotted a magnificent Bald Eagle ..perched in what I call "The Eagle Tree"..just a half hour or so before...I was now about three hundred yards from the tree and could not see if my friend was still there. .but I waved the fish high above my head a couple of times...whistled in my best "come and get it" tone... and threw it about fifteen feet away from me...I hoped that it would float and to my good fortune and the Eagles..it did...the Eagle was out of the tree in seconds and on his way...I have done this little act before with an Osprey that checks out the pier I fish on sometimes when I'm feeling lazy and don't want to get wet or drag the Kayak out...a wave of a fish and a whistle and the osprey would swoop down to the deck for a free meal...the Eagle swooped low over the fish..only a few feet from me as I stood perfectly still...he was afraid to make a stab at it because of the waves stirred up by the strong wind at my back...but after about a dozen magnificent passes at his potential lunch... he made a splash at it and missed...he then decided it was time for a break and perched himself on a branch just a few yards in front of me...since it was just he and I and there was no one to watch the crazy guy talking to the bird... I whistled and yelled up for him to not give up...and to try one more time...he swooped off the branch and came down one more time...after another half dozen attempts he finally had the fish lined up and snatched it from the whitecaps...I don't know who was happier...I whistled and shouted my congratulations as he flew back to the Eagle Tree to enjoy his meal....About ten minutes later I was amazed to see him and now his mate flying my way...I thought that they were perhaps on the hunt once more and wondered how they could have eaten that fish so fast...the pair came directly over my head and as they got above me their forward progress stopped and in the strong wind they hovered no more than twenty feet above me for ten or fifteen seconds...I whistled up at them and they gracefully turned and flew back in the direction of the tree...it was as if they both came out to say "thanks for the fish"..because I finally realized that the prize catch probably went to feed their youngsters back in the nest...now I'm not naive enough to think that was the reason..but it sure was an event that truly was a gift from God on an otherwise pretty miserable fishing day...

By the way...the Eagle in the picture is another gift from my maker...I am fortunate enough to have another "Eagle Tree" right outside my door...I can open my door and look straight up to the branches most used by them...each time I see one one which is several times a week I'm in awe of the regal beauty that these birds of prey possess...even this youngster has that regal beauty..you can tell by the lightness of his feathers..they don't turn black for a year or so...can you believe that Ben Franklin wanted the Turkey to be our national bird...What was he thinking?..

I've got a lot of stuff to catch up on...but I'll do that in the next installment...I wanted to share my Eagle story with you before I catch up on all that has happened in the last month...

A couple of my friends have asked why I took out the word "Fish" from my sign off and inserted the word "Dance"...here's why...I found this little saying at the VA on my last visit and I thought that it too is something people ought to take to heart..."Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...Life is learning how to Dance in the Rain".....

That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh and Dance..

Semper Fi

Monk

Some Catching Up......

2009-03-01T15:33:00.025-05:00

I thought it was about time to catch up on the blog....with lots of shots with the new camera (which is either a blessing or a curse because I now carry it with me everywhere) and shots from Travis and Shannon on Dakota's second birthday I have an abundance of new stuff to talk about....this is just me in front of the Coffee shop...last day as a Pirate...as of today no more patch...the bubble is still there but it has retreated to a little below half of my vision in my eye..I can look over the top and see things clearly...just have to ignore the fact that my vision is like looking through a half glass of water....

Visited some friends in Cape Coral recently and in addition to having a great time at a birthday party for a very special friend ( who remain anonymous at her request ) took lots of pics of the party but I shall honor her wishes...did go out boating with a little side trip to fish just before sunset...had a great time...only caught one small snapper but got to see a great sunset and spend some time with some very nice people...

Here is Jay's dog "Xena"...she is a real ball of energy...and of course wanted to be upfront the whole time...even when I was fishing off the bow...which by the way is pretty hard to do with only one eye...did everything but actually fall into the water...Xena however was right at home...I don't think Jay realizes it yet but I believe Xena is a Fish Pointer...looks like she spotted one in this pic...I knew a Bass fisherman once who swore that his dog came on point when a bass was lurking under lily pads...got so into it that he would not fish unless the dog was along....I was in a fishing club at the time and when it got to the point that he was winning almost every tournament we had...we banned the dog from all tournaments....he made believers out of us...he did have a good argument however...he claimed that any depth/fish finder did the same thing...but we still banned the dog....we could all have fish finders but no one else had a fish finding dog...hey....can't blame us...after all...we wanted a level playing field...

On our sunset cruise we passed by this burnt out house on the canal....the story goes that an older couple lived there and one day while his wife was out shopping ....the husband went outside by the canal sat down and shot himself...he started the fire before he left and made sure the cat was out of the house....nobody knows the rest of the story...sad ending to what looked like the perfect retirement...

On a lighter note....for those of you who don't know....there is a lyric in one of Jimmy Buffett's songs that goes..."Lets set sail with Captain Morgan, and never leave dry land"......this is what happens when you set sail with Captain Morgan and you do leave dry land....

I've done a little "land sailing " with Captain Morgan myself over the last few weeks and had some very good times with good friends at Will's Honky Tonk...it's hard not to have a good time with friends like Ingrid and Valery ..(new friend and bar tender at Mokies).. and music from my favorite local band...Smoked Mullet...of course Brian.... my kindred spirit and Kayak fishing fanatic and proud member of The Yard Dogs..remain my favorite non-local, Swamp Music Band...

Ingrid, Valery and I had a great time dancing up a storm...ended up walking home ....In case your worried...I never drink and drive...and Will's is only a few blocks away....I could have had a ride home but I went outside for air and just kept on walking...it was a beautiful and cool night and I really needed the walk and the cold air...I apologized to the girls after for not saying good-night...nuff said?...

Had breakfast and coffee as well as a great conversation that lasted a couple of hours with Ingrid and Suzie one morning....this is just before the latest cold snap ...haven't had much of a chance to sit outside the last few days with a cold breeze blowing most of the day...this will be the last cool front we hope....the old Coconut Grove is going to be opening up again with our good friends Merrill and Tony back in charge and the warm weather is right on time for some good music and dancing in the back courtyard....can't wait ... will fill you all in on the next blog....

Went back to Mokies Bar to hear Kenny Rose play again...he is going to be there every Tuesday for a while...looks like that will be the place to hang on Tuesdays....saw "Dancing Debbie" and friends...looking good and dancing up a storm with Bob...also known as "Dancing Bob"...they are with out a doubt the most energetic and talented dancers on the floor when they dance together...one of these days I'm going to get a video and post it on the blog...but for now just take my word for it....they are good!!!.....

Here is my latest creation from art class...once again I make no apologies...the idea that I could produce even the smallest amount of artwork that would resemble anything...still amazes me...it ain't great ...but it's mine...I'm loving these classes...

I've been experimenting with the new camera and have found the Macro setting...took a few shots of some of the great flowers that are blooming around my friends house in Cape Coral and I'm kinda liking the results...almost as pretty as some of the great sunsets I've been getting...I'm thinking about trying to reproduce some of these shots in water colors or pastels...we'll see...

Shirley and Flo are doing another opening act for "Red"....he liked them so much before that he wants them to go on tour with him...Shirley said "No thanks"..but she will be going to Texas this month to perform at a big Blue Grass Jamboree....they even got there pics on the new poster for Red's visit to Englewood Elks on Saturday the seventh...I'll be there will you?

I have been trying to do some fishing during this cold snap....got this Spanish Mackerel within the first few minutes of a trip to the fishing pier...then went two more hours without even another hit...that's the mystery of fishing...it also goes to prove that the best definition of fishing is..." A jerk on one end, waiting for a Jerk on the other end".....at least it was warm in the sun out of the wind....and that fish sure looked bigger before I took the picture...must be the camera...

One fisherman I met caught a Puffer fish and was trying to show me how to cut out just a small area behind the head that is a delicacy in Cuba where he was from...I said I would pass on trying that...because if you cut out the wrong thing...you Die!!

As I mentioned...Dakota had her second birthday and it looks like she really got into this one...her Mom says that the trip to Chucky Cheeses was the most fun she has ever seen her have....Dakota was just thrilled with all the excitement...

Of course when she got home there was even more surprises and her favorite gift ...the motorized four wheeler...

She got to blow out the candles and kisses to all her friends and family for the first time this year...last year she needed a little help...

Dad had to read her the cards but she loved all the pictures...especially if they were anything to do with any of Disney's Princesses...her favorite characters...

I'm sure Callie had a good time as well...she just won't remember it....she is getting to be a little darling herself....

One last thing....My new book comes out this month in hardcover...here is a comp of the cover...it can be pre-ordered from Barnes and Noble if you so desire...I will be having a book signing at the Village Gift Coffee Shop on the second Saturday in April if all goes well.... I love that cover...

I leave you with a great series of shots of the same sunset that I captured just two days ago on the dock behind the house...it never ceases to amaze me on how many beautiful and different ways the good Lord starts the journey into night...

That's All For Now....

Live, Love, Laugh & Dance...

Semper Fi...

Monk

In The Eye Of The Beholder...

2009-02-10T14:49:00.018-05:00

No pun intended about my current eyesight situation....but I've come to the conclusion that like art.... life, is truly in the eye of the beholder. You can go through your life with all its ups and downs and be constantly worried about what awful thing might happen next to spoil your day...or you can look at everything that happens as an experience to be remembered, good or bad, that is part of a wonderful journey that is all to short and should not be wasted focusing precious time on negative thoughts. I prefer the latter and therefore try and move on with my life in a positive manner every day. Sure there is some really bad crap that can happen, and I'm not saying that you should laugh your way through an extremely bad event in your life, but whether it's a hit to your soul, your heart, or something more physical, the quicker you can move on the better your life will be. That's why I love it so much in our little corner of paradise...people here, most that is, have a happier take on life than I think anywhere else I have ever lived.

When I see a sunset like the ones pictured here or just something as simple as smiling happy friendly faces like the ones of my friends pictured above...I just know that no matter what happens, friends like these and everyone you have seen in previous entries, are there for me. What a fantastic feeling to know that fact....so for all of you I would like to say "Thank You" for being there for me in time of need and for being my friends.

Speaking about the eye of the beholder...here are two different versions of chalk artwork that I thought you might get a kick out of....one is the second attempt at artwork and the result of my last class with famed artist Carroll Swayze.. she has given me the gift of some of her knowledge of how to begin to develop an appreciation and a talent for art. Not that I'm saying I have any talent...but it is certainly more exciting and enjoyable than I had ever hoped it would be.

The next are 3D chalk drawings that were sent to me of an artist that is truly an amazing talent with chalk ....he draws these in public places and except for the pictures that are taken ....they are gone in a few days...this is true talent and I am in awe of this man...I will acknowledge him if I can get his name. Now that's a Frog....WoW!!!

Went to the monthly car show here on Dearborn Street and as usual...was amazed at how many people collect and care for these classic beauties..it happens every first Saturday of every month...if you love cars..then you should come down next month...

Talk about art....some of these are truly works of art....I'd like to doll up the "Monkmobile" someday so I would be proud to show it at an event like this...it will have to wait until I can get the resources to make it happen.

Shirley and Flo are going on a road trip...it starts here in Englewood and may lead them to Dallas and beyond...they have been asked to be the opening act once more for Red's next visit to the Elk's Club here in Englewood and then he wants them to go with him on several gigs one of which is in Dallas....I hope they do it...there is some hesitation about getting out into the public spotlight...but like I told them...this could be the adventure of a lifetime and sometimes the road not taken can lead to a lot of "I should of's" later on.....do it girls ....you have a gift, share it.....

Dakota got her first hair cut and the end result is bangs...I'm told that Daddy didn't want a sweet hair on her head touched but common sense won out...look at that before picture ...it was way past time to do something about it...Mom was right ..and how cute is that new look....what a doll.....

Callie is so cute....she is going to end up looking like Dakota's twin sister...I have photos of Dakota at the same age and it like looking back in time at her...

One last item.....this is how we hunt for Hogs down here...we just send the pet Alligator out and say "Fetch"....this shot was taken not ten miles north of here..."Come on boy, bring home the bacon to Daddy"......

That's All For Now....

Live, Love, Laugh & Dance...

Semper Fi...

Monk

A Pirate's Tale....

2009-02-04T13:02:00.011-05:00

As I mentioned in the last posting...I had my first major health issue since coming to this wonderful paradise and I'm better for the experience...my friends came through and it looks like it will all end well....but in the meantime I will be wearing this eye patch for several more weeks.....here is the rest of the story...that by the way is the best I can do for "Arrr Matey"......

Thanks to my friends I have been ferried back and forth for the last couple of weeks...this is a pic of my friend Ingrid...I treated her to lunch after she graciously offered to take me last week...thank you one and all for help....

All I did was get up off the couch several nights ago and noticed that I had lost partial vision on my right side....at first I thought it was just a "floater" but by morning it had not gone away...as I moved into the week-end...it was the busy one with my friend Karen visiting from up north....it got progressively worse...of course..like an idiot...I tried to ignore it...on Monday all but a small portion of my vision in the right eye was gone....now I panicked....I knew I had to use the VA and the closest to me that handled such things was in Ft. Myers....50 miles away...I got up at six and drove one-eyed all the way there only to find out it was closed for the Martin Luther King holiday...more panic....decided not to drive back...went to nearest hospital Lee Memorial,,,and got checked by emergency....yep..detached retina they said and off they sent me to an off site Opthomologist by taxi...they of course only verified the findings and sent me to a surgeon who took one look and said he had to do surgery on it quickly or I might lose it for good...the next day I was back and done by supper time....

On the last trip back we also stopped at a favorite hang-out of ours to watch our favorite local band..."Smoked Mullet".....play their last gig for this restaurant...another casualty of the economy you say....no....a casualty of a greedy partner who ran off with all the money....hope they catch the bastard...Speaking of bands my favorite non-local band is "The Yard Dogs" ...hard to describe their music...but its fun..Brian the guy who plays the "suitcase"..you'll understand if you check out their site....is a Kayak fisherman maniac...has his own blog (click here) is a great place to visit for fun and if your a fisherman.....

Speaking of music....Shirley, Flo and I went to a place called The Bean Depot just up the road in El Jobean....it is a real old Florida hang out with a history as a post office and jail and now as a restaurant as well as a place to hear some great "Blue Grass" and "Country" tunes in a jam session every Wednesday....

Flo played and sang ....

...and Shirley of course entertained with her outstanding voice that included her famous yodeling as well...

Had a great fishing trip with my son Kyle and his friend Will along with Will's dad Richard...I always have a contest with Kyle on number of fish caught...The score was eleven to one and I didn't have the one...Kyle complains because I count anything that gets over the gunwales and most of what I caught wouldn't make a cat's breakfast....but hey Pinfish, Lizardfish, and Whiting all swim in the ocean...so as far as I'm concerned ...they count....He did catch a nice Trout for his one of the day and lost another nice one just as he lifted it out of the water....we're even though... he is a better "Texas Holdem" player than me....and that makes him a lot more money than our bets for a buck....

Richard caught the fish of the day with this nice Sheepshead...the "Old Men" showed the boys how it's done.....

We had a beggar along for part of the time...he came right up to the side of the boat and looked up as if to say "OK, Where's Mine?.....Thanks again to Will and his Dad for a great time.....

Hey kids...see this boat....this is what I want...take up a collection for the old man....

Had another good time at Will's Honky Tonk on Friday nite...of course it was the great company and Smoked Mullet that made it special.....

Superbowl Sunday was special...we all went to Shirleys to watch it on big screen TV...she prepared a feast of munchies and pulled pork...

...Some of us consumed a little more alcohol than others....Hey I live next door...all I had to do was open the door and fall in....besides Pirates have to live up to the "Rep".....Arrrr......

Lots of food and some very good friends....and a Superbowl game that had us all yelling even some of us ....no names mentioned...but most are in this pic...that didn't have a clue about the rules of the game....

...and some that got a little rest between plays...isn't that a wicked little grin on her face...what was she dreaming ....probably something about men in tight pants....

Shirley gave each of us a little souvenir of our Superbowl party....

...She picked up these critters at the flea market and couldn't resist....cute huh....

That's All For Now....

Live, Love, Laugh....& Dance

Semper Fi...

Monk

Arrr..Matey...Break Out The Rum...

2009-01-25T15:03:00.024-05:00

That patch on my eye is because over last weekend I developed a detached retina....the operation to fix it was this Tuesday and so far all is well...besides it ain't so bad the black eye patch is kind of cool....although it does remind me of the Hathaway shirt man several years ago in all their print ads...some of you will remember...the rest of you are just way to young for your own good...

We went down to Matlacha on Pine Island (pronounced "Mat..La..Shea") and had a great day visiting the various shops and galleries..there are some wonderful artists represented in those galleries....I made Richard talk to two of them and pass out his card and brochure...his work is so much more superior to some of the work we saw...he deserves to be represented in a place that really gets good traffic...if you don't believe me then just check out his web site..(click here)...

We all went to my doctors appointment in Ft. Myers and then got to see the sights and have some fun with the tourist trap stuff at Matlacha..

A very nice collection of "Rubin'nesk" Mermaids

Lots of wall art to explore...some in very out of the way places...

All the merchants try to make the area a representation of old Florida and Key West...it has some very wild back gardens and displays....don't miss it if you have never been....

We all took Shirley out for her Birthday...It was a Japanese restaurant where they do tricks with your food while they cook it in front of you....I thought I had a picture of our chef..but I don't..his name was Huleo...from Mexico...He was very good but not what we expected...he said that the tattoos on his forearms were his name in some kind of code...do the words former gangbanger ring a bell.....

My good friend and neighbor Karen came down for a week..she stayed with Bob and Kathy who are our golfing buddies from up north...they are staying in Bradenton for a few months and play golf just about every day...

We all had a great time and got in a little golf along with a dance at the local Moose club...

We got to see hundreds of rare white pelicans feeding on one of the ponds at the golf club...they migrate from South America each year to Florida..I didn't get any shots of them in the air but they have very distinctive black wing tips that are displayed when they fly...

Of course grilled steak was on the menu as a special treat in honor of Karen's visit...Bob did all the cooking...he's very good at it...and Harry...another friend...supervised...well actually he held Bob's beer while he cooked....

An added treat for your enjoyment...if you need to carve a watermelon or perhaps an eggshell this is definitely the way to do it....these were sent to me as a representation of what a laser in the right hands can do...all I can say is...."Wow".....

No match for the laser and certainly no competition for Richard this is my first work of art...I took an art class given by Carol Swayzee ...I never in a million years thought that this could be coaxed out of a brain that up til now... I thought... had zero talent as an artist....I know it's not great.. but before this...my stick figures would have walked off the paper if they had anything that looked like legs....this is what this woman can teach you in just three hours..just imagine the talent she could bring out over a longer period of time....can't wait for the next class....

Here are some pics of the rest of the class ...

There are some very talented people out there just waiting to discover their hidden potential...

A couple of closing shots of the T.W.C.G's. ..

Callie Jean is getting to look more and more like her big sister...

Dakota broke her trike and was upset...

Not for long...Mom and Dad moved up to the next phase with a new Big Wheel...

Boys will be boys...

She can't reach the peddles yet ...but that's what Dads are for...

Uncle Andy came for a visit...looks like he's a natural...

That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh, Fish..

Semper Fi...

Monk

Special... Extra Holiday Edition....

2009-01-10T15:00:00.004-05:00

Thought I'd just do an blog update with a lot of the pictures from the last couple of weeks...with a little summery of each hope you enjoy some of the great shots we got over the holidays....

On Christmas "The Covey" got matching Flamingo earrings...(three members not pictured)a covey in Florida should be Flamingos...not Quail...at least that's what I think...and besides "The Covey" is beautiful and graceful just like that wonderful Florida icon and I thought that was much better than trying to find Quail earrings anyway...

We all ate very well and had a great time...

I tried to figure out this wine bottle puzzle for about 45 minutes and then decided that it would be much easier if we read the puzzle solution that came with it...it still took us ten minutes even with the solution right in front of us...never try and do one of these when you have consumed more alcohol than contained in the puzzle bottle....
I think Santa is a distant relative...at least that was the consensus of opinion at the party....

New Years Eve was spent at the beach...we watched the sun melt into the sea and had a great time...three little angels came by and entertained us with a song and lots of giggling...it's amazing how much light one candle buried in the sand can give off...we stayed until way after dark to watch the stars arrive on the scene....

Shirley was the opening act at a country and western show here in town..she brought down the house with five country songs and one fantastic yodeling song that really showed off some great talent...congratulations Shirley....now they want her to do a CD.

Some guy in the crowd even threw her several pair of thongs...."I know nothing" as Schultz would say.......

Here she is practicing the night before...we didn't have a mike so we substituted the nearest thing that we had on hand...as I recall we had several on hand....all empty..

A recent visit to Will's Honky Tonk...another favorite hang out when "Smoked Mullet" is playing...lots of fun and some great friends....

I took the kayak out on a fishing and caught some nice trout and a few ladyfish...

We had a great picnic a few days ago....we decided to go to the beach and have a good old fashion cook out....of course with Ronnie along a good old fashion cookout included the proper table cloth..wine and wine glasses...candy...cookies and of course an assortment of munchies....with Ronnie you know nothing will be forgotten...

Here are a few sunsets that I thought you might enjoy.....

This one in particular is a favorite...that's Ronnie on the beach...I thought this was a very reflective and peaceful shot....

This one I call ..."All The Usual Suspects"....they will steal your bait and your catch if you let them....

This is a stained glass mural that is in the local Burger King...it was done 24 years ago ..might like to do something like this myself...

Some very unusual trees that a friend sent along...thought you would like them....

What they are doing in the north right now because cabin fever has set in.....either that or he is snorkling for frozen fish sticks....(I know one fish stick that will be frozen for sure....

That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh, Fish...

Semper Fi...

Monk

The Holidays In Paradise...Oh Yeah !!

2009-01-04T16:56:00.024-05:00

Just before Christmas I visited a place called Spanish Point and got to walk in the warm sunshine through a 19th century estate that had also been the home territory of a native American culture that dated back at least 4,000 years...even before the Native Americans that we know as the American Indian...Archaeologists had documented thousands of years of use of a shell mound used by the inhabitants over that length of time....in plain terms it was their "dump" for all that time and everything from thousands of everyday shellfish to pottery and tools were documented...Spanish Point was the home for one of the Sarasota area's founding families and was a retreat for them and many of their friends for many years.

Needless to say that it was a beautiful location along the bay and was a great way to spend the day .... and of course..what is a mansion without a sunken garden..volunteers have done a fantastic job preserving and restoring all of the grounds...we followed a path from site to site that was more beautiful at every turn... I didn't realize how bad I look in those shorts...I look like a guy who needs a makeover in a very bad way.......

Last Sunday was a great day for a breakfast outside at the Dearborn Diner...especially when you can be with some of your nearest and dearest friends...Shirley, Lisa, Ronnie and Richard along with Ronnie's beautiful daughter Cathleen joined me for great food and even better conversation...

Cathleen certainly gets her beauty from her Mom...she is a major player in the world of IT...Lisa who was also in that very challenging field got a conversation going with Cathleen that absolutely no one else at the table understood... one word of....

Kyle had a visit from his friend Galen...we took him down to the fishing pier...guess who was the only one to catch any Pompano...not just one but Two....of course this was the first time he had ever fished salt water....beginners luck is alive and well...good going Galen....Kyle got a ride back to Rochester for the holidays and Galen got a great vacation...

Of course Travis and family enjoyed a first Christmas with baby Callie Jean and Dakota's second...at two she can definitely have a fun time and be old enough to really get into it....

They had eight inches of snow in the dessert...it was the first time in decades that Edwards had any accumulation...A Christmas miracle for all the kids who haven't seen any snow...they even got to make a snowman for the kids....

Callie is getting cuter by the minute and Dakota has excepted her role as the Big Sister...a little jealous but still very much the protector...

Dakota had to make sure the carrots and cookies left for Santa and the reindeer were OK to eat....

New Years Eve we watched the sun set at the beach...we watched the perfect sunset....had a little wine...and after dark had the only fire allowed on the beach...a candle in a hole in the sand (see a future blog for pics of candle)...surprisingly the candle gave off more light than we expected and we had a great time for an hour or so after dark visiting with a local family and their three girls...the girls serenaded us and we all had a few laughs...by the way...never accept potato chips from kids at the beach....I was spitting out sand for an hour...fortunately I had Captain Morgan to thank for finally rinsing it from my mouth....after two-thirds of a bottle it was also completely wiped from my memory.....

That's It For Now...

Happy New Year...

Semper Fi...

Live, Love, Laugh, Fish

Monk

A Little Pre-Christmas Cheer...

2008-12-16T15:21:00.009-05:00

Attended a couple of very interesting Christmas parties and had a chance to catch up on all the latest gossip...

I have been promised pics of the party we attended at Merrill and Tony's house and here are a few of the one at Ronnie's...the house was beautiful and the food (we all brought something) was more than we could handle...here are Shirley and Helen enjoying themselves...I'll post the rest of the pics when I get them....

Here is a great pic of "Monk's Covey"...at least that's what Richard called it..I am not seeing all these women..I'm no "player".. but they all are very dear friends...and I adore every one of them...it just seems that I have more women friends than men friends..but it only seems that way...all the men I hang with are on poker nights at the Moose and it's like two .... actually three....different sets of friends...one set never meets the other...then of course there are all the guys I hang with at the fishing pier and that's another whole set of different friends...so I consider myself a very lucky man for having all of them in my life....of course the only ones that draw all the attention are the women...as it should be...it seems that they are the only ones that I like to take the most pics of ....I wonder why that is?....From left to right..Ronnie, Ingrid, Helen, Shirley, Kellie (Ronnie's sister), and Covina...can you blame me for wanting to hang with all these beautiful women...I'll say it again...I'm a very lucky man.....

One of my friends send a couple of shots of some backyard buddies that have been hanging around her house....the Osprey is a young bird that has been hanging out in the trees around her house...we watched up close for a long time the other day and got some great pics...it seems that it was dining on a snake it had captured...the remains were on the ground under this perch...the Armadillo has been hanging around her house for awhile....she finally got a chance to get up close to it and surprise it...when he saw her he didn't run he just buried his head the leaves, closed his eyes and "hid" from her...must be part Ostrich...

While we are on the subject of animals....I took this shot of a Heron down at the pier..I don't believe I've ever seen a bird perch like this...it was a warm day and I thought that it was getting rid of excess heat...if anybody has a better answer...let me know....

Kyle got the Mustang Selene all cleaned up...he was so proud of it that he took a great pic...I told him I'd put it on the blog for him to gloat to his friends...he loves that car...hey the "Monkmobile" ain't so bad either...Kyle's car will however run mine ragged...it's in great shape and for sale if anyone is interested.....If you have to ask how much...you can't afford it.....

Of course no blog entry would be complete without a W.C.G. update...first a happy birthday to my grandson Kevin and my granddaughter Samantha...both December babies...now we have to add Callie to that list and her mother Shannon birthday is Today the 16th...Happy Birthday to you all....

Dakota and the new baby are getting along well according to the reports from Mom and Dad...she is a little jealous and wants the same attention as the baby is getting...she climbs on the bed when the baby is getting changed and rolls over on her back to let them know that she wants to be changed...she climbs into the babies carrier and makes baby sounds to get attention...which I'm sure is hilarious...but all in all she is being a good big sister and trying to help out in her own way...

Dakota still is the star of the show and she wants everyone to know it....

Well That's All For Now...

Semper Fi

Live, Love, Laugh, Fish

Monk

So Much To Be Thankful For...

2008-12-02T11:11:00.024-05:00

I know that last year I referred to this time of the year as the "Holi-Daze" and in many ways they still are a crazy mad rush that either pushes you toward an anxiety attack or just overloads your senses until you get that glazed look in your eyes and begin to mumble a lot...but this year has been very special to me...Callie Jean...the newest arrival on the planet...has come into my life..On December first...she is my son's brand new baby girl and I'm sure she has become a major player in the "World's Cutest Grandchildren" competition...my grandchildren (as far as I'm concerned) will now hold the top five positions in the competition...your welcome to compete but I'm the only judge so your odds of winning are slim and none..and as they say...slim left town...

We had a great pre-Thanksgiving dinner at my friend Ronnie's house...she is a 911 operator and was working on T-Day...so she decided to share with us a little ahead of time...it was a good time and we all ate to the extreme...lots of laughs with my friends and as a special Thanksgiving bonus...I got to spend it with my son Kyle as well...

Kyle and I have been doing some fishing together...before this he could care less about the sport...but I took him out to the local fishing pier here and we just happened to catch some fish that day and that was enough to get him excited about returning to try again...here he is with a nice Spanish Mackerel and a Pompano...there is nothing like success to wet the appetite for more of the same...when we fail and still keep coming back for more is when it becomes a true test of either our desire to achieve, our will power, our love, or..in some cases...our level of stupidity...

Got some great pictures of Dakota's Thanksgiving with her Mom and Dad...she loves to dress up and loves to share with her Mommy and Daddy...I truly believe that when you look into the eyes of a child under the age of five..(before they go to school)...that you are truly looking into the eyes of God....there is nothing more innocent and pure on this earth...

Some additional thoughts and pics...got lunch for this Osprey at the fishing pier...when I laid a nice size Jack on the deck and stood back this magnificent bird swooped down and came in just above our heads to grab it and take it to this perch where he or she spent the next two hours finishing every last bite...all I can say is that the vacationers on the pier that day thought that I talked to the animals...I had told them to get the cameras ready and I set the whole thing up...when I whistled that bird came right down on cue...I was just as amazed as they were..but I didn't tell them that....

This by the way is what someone sent me as a representation of what goes on in a woman's brain as compared to a man's...(it's supposed to be animated but if your computer doesn't show it you can still get a good idea) ...it seems that the woman has all these balls she is using to make decisions and remember things and a man only has "two"....hence the supposed difference of reason between us...of course I don't believe that for a minute..where did I put those car keys?......

Well That's All For Now...

Til Next Time....

Semper FI...

Live, Love, Laugh, Fish

Monk

"Carpe Diem" Or As I Say.."Fish Of The Day"

2008-11-18T13:36:00.071-05:00

Just in case you doubted...I do catch some great fish down here...Take this nice Snook for example..(even though he looks dead he was released unharmed..Lisa) as a matter of fact that picnic table is over three feet wide...(just kidding this table is a miniature table at the end our local dock..about two and a half feet) but still a nice fish...This year so far I have caught plenty of Reds, Snook, Trout and Pompano and scores of fun fish that are not good to eat but fight like Jack Bauer backed into a corner....

Had a great birthday...a group of my friends (Shirley , Flo and Helen pic on left)and I went to a local Pub and listened to half of my favorite group...Smoked Mullet..the two of them call themselves "Finger Mullet" (a fishing reference..a young Mullet is called a "Finger Mullet")....Picture is of whole group...got to dance a little and drink a lot...slept til noon....they tell me that I had a great time....Here I'm well on my way as evidenced by the "Where am I" .."What Day Is It?" look on my face.....That's my boy Kyle..Says he's found his goal in life...he wants to be President...Hey, now that we know anybody can...you go Kyle..."W" and Obama are so far apart it would take light ten years to get from one to the other...if they could do it so can you....

Speaking of smoked mullet....here is the real thing...my next door neighbor Chris..who is also a very accomplished artist...he carves small and large marine life pieces and in the next installment I'll show you a few....he also smokes mullet as well as other fish...I got to sample one of these smoked Redfish and can't wait for more.....

Dearborn Street had it's First Annual Art Walk in October and it was very successful...my friend Richard was the featured artist at the Englewood Art Gallery here in town... you can check out or buy some of his work on line at... www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/s/seagull ...

Forgot why I took this picture..Oh Yeah!..the half naked girl in the background..body painting is an art form isn't it?...Sign me up...I just found a new hobby...

Halloween in Englewood is a very special event...for the past ten years or so the merchants on Dearborn Street all get together and invite all trick or treaters to a safe walk for treats...it has become so popular that the crowd has grown to nearly ten thousand in the last two years...it's an all day event and some of the costumes are hilarious.....

Not that my friend Tony's is that funny..I just don't know what or who he was supposed to be...at least I think it was a costume..with Tony you never know for sure....Maybe the surprise comes when he opens the coat...don't know...even if I did...I wouldn't say.....

T.W.C.G. had her Halloween with Mom and Dad and she just can't get any cuter...got lots of candy...and enjoyed her first real Holloween (to young for the last one) ...of course like most of us...to much of a good thing finds you passed out in some very strange places and positions...

Looks like Dad had to work on Halloween...it will be any day now and our new baby Caley will arrive on the planet...God gives us miracles every day....

My friend Lisa has gone to Greece...she had found an old high school friend on line and they got to talking....her friend invited her to come stay awhile...at least a month...and she may consider staying for even longer....we'll miss her but what a fantastic adventure...she'll have to come back and get her dogs so I know we will see her again...and even if she decides to live there she will come back for visits...I've talked to her a couple of times and she is having a ball...the only pic I got before she left was at her going away party...Kyle and she had to stand under a light because all I had was my cell phone camera...I have been amazed at how well that thing works...most of the shots in my blog are from the cell phone....what did we ever do without them...I know one thing...I used to have dozens of phone numbers memorized that I couldn't even attempt to recall now....I don't want technology to do so much for me that my mind turns to mush...so I ponder Quantum Physics and my place on the continuous chain that is mankind's existence...yeah sure!....I'm lucky if I remember what day of the week it is...

Here is a picture for you to ponder...do you think this is Mother Nature's way of saying..."Have A Nice Day"...what a fantastic shot....

Can't leave without at least one beautifull sunset from Paradise...this is across the bay from the dock behind the house....

That's All For Now....

Semper Fi...

Live, Love, Laugh, Fish

Monk

Happy..Happy..Joy..Joy..!!!

2008-10-13T11:21:00.029-04:00

I have returned to Paradise and I couldn't be happier...not that I don't miss my family back in New York...but I just can't help but feel that Florida is my home now...Don't get me wrong...I do love the time I spend in my little house by the water...but...my friends are here and now that I have a little house by the water here it's like I have died and gone to heaven...I have already caught and released several nice Snook, Reds and Trout..not to mention two very nice Flounder that I caught yesterday that were in the four or five pound class....I have the most wonderful landlady that anyone could ask for...I rent one half of a house by Lemon Bay.. she had my place all ready...fully furnished, glasses, dishes and even Nick-knacks..not over done but just nice enough to be a comfortable place to call home...a bachelor pad to rival any on the bay....

Some family news....My beautiful and talented Daughter Kelsey came in sixth in a cheer leading competition that had over 60 girls from all over the area competing...her four teammates and she finished First, sixth, eighth and fourteenth...all will compete in a top 25 event to take place soon....way to go Kelsey...I'm very proud of you.....

Of course the world's Cutest Grandaughter just keeps getting cuter and cuter here are a few shots of some of her outings with Dad and Mom....Mom is now seven months along on producing number two who will be named Cali Jean...a beautiful name for a beautiful new baby girl that will brighten the lives of all....

Dakota is now of the "Climbing and Expoloring Everything" age...the top of Dad's desk is no exception...But when your this cute you can get away with a lot....

My son Andy is proud of himself and has a right to be...he went shooting with his brother Ryan..the cop...and some of his buddies...first time shooting a rifle and at 80 yards shot the eyes out of this quarter...which now proudly adorns his key chain...nice shooting Andy are you sure you want to be a fireman?...

Went to a local fly-in...it only happens once a year but we really get to see some great planes and hear some great stories....here are just a few of the rare aircraft we got to see up close and personel....

A few odds and ends for your enjoyment or NOT....is this cover for real?...

Hey the Dems have some lookers also....

Well have a Happy Holloween...Don't over do it...or you'll end up like my three pumpkin buddies...

Remember..Be a Patriot...and always read the fine print.. (see pic below)..

Till Next Time...
Semper Fi...
Live, Love, Laugh, Fish
Monk

Where Did August Go ?.......

2008-09-07T12:35:00.014-04:00

Wow I just lost a whole month..I'm getting ready to head back south and just realized I didn't post one thing for August....Well I've got plenty of Pics and some interesting stories to tell...so here goes...

This of course is my lovely daughter Kelsey and myself...I thought your friends and family are supposed to tell you if you they think it might be time to change a hair style or a look...all last year I sported a Fu Man Chu kind of look with my mustache...well as it turns out no one liked that look and only after I changed it to the one seen here did they say it was about time...they said that my mustache made me look like some evil hell's angel or at best like that guy on the cable show that builds a new motorcycle each week..the name eludes me right now...but you know the one...his mustache goes all the way down the side of his neck...well anyway...they all said that they hated that look on me and were real glad that I changed it...why the hell didn't they tell me that in the first place...just think of all the potential dates that I chased away...they tell me that this look makes me look more like myself...whatever that means...I've never been the tall, dark and handsome type anyway so I don't think I lost to many opportunities for romance in either case.....

Kevin and Diane had a birthday party for my grandson Alex...16 years old...wow it's hard to believe I have a grandson that's ready to drive...both a car and his parents crazy with worry every second he is on the road...welcome to the club Kev and Di...here are a few shots of the party and guests....Congrats Alex...be nice and have some sympathy for mom and dad......

This is one of his presents from his Aunt Sue....Alex is a fantastic baseball player and his aunt did this excellent pen and ink...it was the hit of the party... pun definitely intended...

Travis and Shannon took Dakota to a small carnival and she had a ball with Dad and Mom and really loved the petting Zoo...

How could you not love a face like that...I don't care.. she is the Worlds Cutest Granddaughter in the one to two year old bracket and of course my beautiful granddaughter Samantha wins hands down in the teenager bracket....Here she is with her dad at our family picnic...She's a little camera shy but I'll get a better pic for next time...

Of course Travis had to prove his manhood at the carnival and win his girls a prize...it only took ten dollars or so to win this beautiful fifty cent blow up hammer which I'm sure lasted at least until they got home...You Da Man Trav....!!

Here are a few more shots of their day at the Carnival.....looks like fun...

Speaking of fun here is a video of Dakota's favorite thing to do...Dance...I guess she is quite the dancer...of course there will be a lot more practice until she reaches the ballet...but she is off to a good start..the dog looks good too...but he did the smart thing and got out of the way...

Bath time with Dad looks like fun too...I think Dad has a little bit to much fun...Dakota doesn't seem to mind...I wouldn't bet against it...but I'll bet the next pic I get in the bath that the dog will be there as well....

Speaking of the dog...I guess she is pretty rough with him...but no matter what she does she gets away with it...It's a good thing..he doesn't look to happy in this shot...if the dog ever decided to go mid-evil on her she would only be an appetiser...that's a big dog...but American Bulldogs are well known for their love of kids....and besides she always kisses and makes up with him in the end....

I mentioned our family picnic... we always have a great time and this year was no exception...I must have hit 300 shots to the outfield over the course of the day..and on top of that we played six games of volleyball....this was one hurtin' old man at the end of the day...but I couldn't let the kids have all the fun....my nephew Dan's son Zack winds up for the pitch in this pic..he has a ways to go but he's got style...

We ate til we busted and of course played cards...the kids never stopped and I'll bet they all slept til noon the next day...

My sister Jean just got back from her son's place in Idaho...she visited her newest grandson for the first time...the whole family went...Rick, Kelly and even Grandpa Bob...

Zack looks pretty good in my hat...but I think he'll have to grow into it before I get him his first real Panama Jack.....

I'll leave you with a few more pics that I got off the Internet....there are some pretty creative people out there....they also have way to much time on their hands...

That's All For Now...

Til Next Time...From sunny Florida

Live, Love, Laugh, Fish

Semper Fi...

Monk

Bits & Pieces....

2008-07-25T12:30:00.010-04:00

Sorry I haven't written anything since the end of June... the summer is just flying by...I've had an overload of VA appointments for physicals, eyes, ears,and teeth...getting new eye in August...at least it will seem like that...actually it's cataract surgery and it will seem like getting a new eye...I have worn glasses all or part of the time since I was three and this last operation will give me almost 20/20 vision in both eyes...for the first time in my life...the left eye was done three years ago and I've had to wait for the other eye to get bad enough for them to do the surgery...Like every other old fart...no offense to my old fart friends....Alfred E. seems to be the only one who doesn't age or worry...I want to be just like him....I will have to have reading glasses...a small price to pay for being able to see clearly again at least most of the time...I also have new hearing aids and a new gold crown..do the words "falling apart" mean anything to you...60 may be the new 50 but it's more like the new 70 when you have to have all this repair.....

We all were sorry to see Travis and family leave to return to Edwards AFB in California...but it was great to see him and TWCG and Shannon...we had a little going away breakfast just before they left for the airport...I was on heading for the golf course after and invited my golfing partner and neighbor Karen along with Dina, Ryan, Andy and Kelsey....Dakota ate like a horse she has no problem letting you know when she is hungry...we had a very savvy waitress and she got Dakota's breakfast out fast and first...she was eating ten minutes before us and as far as she was concerned that was still to late...she was ready the minute we walked in the door...

To demonstrate my point I have added this video..the first one I've ever had on the blog... click on it and if it works...it won't be the last I hope....this is one my son sent me after returning home...eating neat is a learned skill that she obviously not been practicing...if only we all could be this uninhibited and innocent....

The Fourth of July seemed to just come and go...I didn't have any plans and spent the day amusing myself...everyone else had plans for the day so I went to the movies and fished in the afternoon....but Andy did call me from the road to tell me that they had made a trip to pick up some fireworks he and his friends were going to take to a party that night...here is a pic of just some of them...it turns out that they hit a Two for One sale and then the guy threw in a bunch more for good measure because they spent so much....I'm just happy to report that I didn't get a phone call at Midnight informing me that my son had blown off all or most of his fingers...I'm sure glad that my children's guardian angels are on duty 24/7.....

Kyle sent me a pic of his newest mode of transportation...it goes 15 or 20 miles per hour and he accepted it as payment for some work he had done for a local body shop in Cheyenne...the Mustang is now on the road...I asked him to send a pic but haven't got one yet...needless to say with a Mustang that is over 500 horsepower...the scooter will get more use as the price of gas keeps climbing....I really don't know what he is going to do with it or any other odds and ends he has accumulated in Wyoming...He is moving back to Florida by the first of August to attend school there...he figures that if he wants to be a Marine Biologist that he better get somewhere near the water...Florida has some of the best schools for Marine biology in the country...He is shipping the car back for the same cost or less than it would cost him in gas to drive it to Florida...and I don't think the scooter will be allowed as carry-on for his flight...it looks like I'm going to have some company in Florida this winter...It will be nice to have him around...maybe not for my bank account but none the less...nice...he will be staying in an apartment that my friend Lisa is getting prepared for him...I can't thank her enough for all that she has done for him...she has even helped get him set up for school which starts in August in Florida...THANKS LISA YOU ARE A SPECIAL PERSON.....

Went to a very special birthday party at Karen's house....her mom celebrated her 100th Birthday....Wow...here she is with Karen and her son Richard...she still has it all together and from the look of her the energizer bunny has nothing on her....she will just keep Going and Going....

Here are a few of the beautiful sunsets that I enjoy because I was smart enough to buy a house on the east side of lake....Also a Pic of my neighbor and friend Peter who is shown here being towed out to a spot in front of the dock about 50 yards to drop first of several tires filled with concrete for a mooring bouy that we use...Who's towing him?...Why his wife of course...for those of you who know me...no comment!!

That's all for now.....

Live, Love, Laugh, Fish

Semper Fi

Monk

What More Could A Father Ask For......

2008-06-21T13:23:00.011-04:00

I will say it again....I am a very lucky man to have the children and grandchildren that I have...they make me proud to be their Dad and even though at times it seems like they aren't listening to Dad's advise...in the end they always do the right thing...not that dad is always right..they just end up doing the right thing...they are guided by their own moral compasses and that compass is true...I'd like to think that I had some part in that alignment but in the end they have to choose which fork in the road they will take every day and that decision is guided by what's inside each of them.....

Father's Day was great... I got to go over to Kevin's house and see my three fantastic grandchildren...Kevin got a backyard swing for Father's Day and it was a load of laughs trying to figure out which branch of the tree to hang it on....we had only one choice that would keep it away from the trunk far enough to allow it the right space to swing...of course that branch was one of the thinnest on the tree...I sure hope it holds up..if that branch breaks it probably won't hurt anybody but it will scare the crap out of them....lets put it this way...the branch was so thin that the eye bolt that came with the swing went all the way through to the other side...

Kevin said he probably won't use it much..no offence to my daughter-in-law Dianne and the kids but he just wasn't comfortable in it...we all had a laugh when he said that if he ever fell asleep in it that he would look like this and wake up with a stiff neck...

They were going to take it back for a trade up to a hammock but once Dianne got in it she claimed it for herself...she says Kev will still get the hammock but the swing chair stays...

We all got to hang around...no pun intended.. and watch and give advise on the swing installation...Kev and Dakota got the first ride...Dakota was not happy to be on Kev's lap this is the first time she has seen her Uncle in a few months and at this age..if a few months goes by...you have to re-introduce yourself...I even had a few minutes of..."who the hell are you"...looks when I first saw her again and I had just seen her in April...

Shannon is due in December with child number two for them and grandchild number five for me...Travis has got two more years in the Air Force and is still deciding if he wants to stay and be an Officer or join the federal employee ranks...perhaps FBI, DEA or CIA....he can use his years in service and get a great job with his Combat Arms Instructor skills...he has a couple of years to make up his mind....who knows what will be happening around the world by then....

I got to have supper with Travis & family, Kelsey and Andy for Father's Day...Dakota was a doll as usual....she looks better in my hat than I do....she found out that Blue Cheese salad dressing is better if you just stick your whole hand in it and then lick it off....we all thought the mess she made was cute...I'm sure the waitress wasn't so happy after we left...I gave her a little extra tip to cover the hardship of cleaning up the mess...that should have eased the pain...

A father's love is unflinching....a big strong military man will even suck on his child's pacifier rather than see her get a strangers germs after it has hit the floor in the restaurant...Hey Travis let me know if there is a cure for whatever you come down with...

In other proud father news....My son Ryan had his Police Academy graduation this past week...He not only was the highest achiever on all academic tests he was chosen as the best overall student of the class...which includes shooting, academics, role play and physical fitness training....He wouldn't let me show his face on the blog...but I will show you his back getting his certificate and awards and a blurry picture of him giving his speech as top student...it was a very well thought out and delivered speech and made me even prouder...he thanked his instructors and his fellow students and was very humble...in Rochester in particular a cop has a very dangerous job...one of his fellow graduates has already found out how dangerous...he, like Ryan..has been out on the streets on patrol for the last several weeks...he was stabbed by a perp in a family dispute...he managed to subdue his assailant and make an arrest...Ryan has already had his gun out several times and has made one of the larger drug busts in the last few months while doing a traffic stop....God bless you all.....

Kyle is doing great in Wyoming...he has finally settled in and... as of yesterday...the Mustang is ready for the road..HOORAY....He sent me a picture of himself in a pair of safety glasses he bought for two bucks....hey Kyle.. I think you paid about a dollar ninety to much...good for a laugh though....

Some other odds and ends....I have spent several pleasant hours down on the dock fishing for perch and have been having some pretty good luck...I have yet to catch a smallmouth bass yet this season...I helped my neighbor Tom's son Hunter rig up his pole with one of my homemade jigs and in a few minutes he was fighting to stay on the dock when a good size smallmouth hit his plastic kiddie pole...it took the three of use to wrangle the hapless fish to the dock...way to go hunter you out fished me and got a great picture and memory...congratulations..... P.S. The fish was released safe and sound....

I met a man who carves and sells walking sticks...not canes...but the seven or eight foot tall...Moses-like walking sticks....he hand carves some very interesting characters on them... I am going to give him one that I purchased several years ago... that is rather plain.. to endow with his fantastic images....here are a couple of pics that he emailed me...you can contact him at floodminnow@yahoo.com for more info....very reasonably priced by the way.....

My friend Lisa (on left) was here for a week...she was taking a week long certificate course at the local and apparently world renown Wine and Culinary Institute here in town...she won't know if she passed the course for several more days..the tests are graded in London....well La-De-Da...it was great seeing someone from my second home again...I do miss my Florida friends very much...but I do have some great New York friends as well... she and my friend Dina hit it off and we had several great meals together while Lisa was here....

I eat breakfast at Patty's Place here in town every morning...the other day I met a man who was traveling across country by bike as a personal holiday for himself....he has been taking care of an ill wife for awhile and his children gave him an early Father's Day gift of taking care of their mom while he does his thing....here is a pic of him and Patty outside her restaurant....I wish him well and pray for his wife....God Bless....

Last but not least a couple of unique sunsets that I thought you would enjoy.....

That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh, Fish...

Semper Fi...

Monk

I Guess It Ain't So Bad.....

2008-05-29T11:17:00.013-04:00

....of course seeing my children and the rest of the family is the most important reason to be here in New York...but there are other good things going on and once the weather warms up...it's been in the 40's at night and except for a very few days in the last three weeks...the 50's and 60's during the day...this is much to cold for May..I hope June brings the summer-like weather that everyone who has endured the long winter up here have been waiting for....I do have some of the most beautiful sunsets to enjoy as well as the beauty of the season..

...my friend Richard did have to rub it in a little...this is how he spent most of his holiday weekend....Now I know how everyone feels in the middle of winter when I call home and tell them it's 82 degrees and I'll be fishing on the beach...of course the only reason Richard goes to the beach is to "troll" for a glimpse elusive "bikini fish"...

I did get to go to a great Memorial Day party at the home of my favorite ex-husband of my sister...she has several but I like Chuck the best...what a feast he puts on... clams.. chicken.. sausage.. hots... hamburgers.. pulled pork.. and all the other usual treats of a great picnic...we ate all day..my only regret is that I have but one stomach to give to my appetite...I wanted to eat more..I just couldn't....

We celebrated two birthdays as well.. Chucks and my great nephew Anthony.. I hope both of them get all they wished for.. I got mine.. five dozen clams.. did I mention we had a lot of food there?...

Of course there was plenty of other activities besides eating.. I caught some great pan-fish and the kids had a ball... some of them catching their very first fish... my nephew Dan got to paddle several of the kids out on the canal and except for about four inches of water in the bottom of the boat...everyone managed to stay mostly dry...

Some of my favorite people were there...my friends Dina and Rudy and my sister Jeane..Dina looks happy... I must have caught Rudy at a bad moment he looks like someone just ran over his cat.. and of course Jeane ... when she is rolling she keeps everybody laughing...

Of course I have to include the latest pics on T.W.C.G. (for those of you un-informed..The World's Cutest Granddaughter) ... she got her first taste of summer.. last year didn't count she was to little...a new pool made for some great shots..

I guess this is her version of " Peak-a-Boo" ...

... she loves hats or anything that resembles a hat... and she already loves to play dress up with mom's stuff..

... Daddy loves motorcycles and it looks like it runs in the family... this is her first and probably won't be her last...

... Two shots that I just had to throw in... the first one is captioned "Mad? You haven't seen mad... This is MAD!! " the second.. " I didn't think she would get that upset about it " ...

Grandma couldn't make it to the party but here is a great shot of her and one of the newest additions to her great-grandchildren...

.. Does anybody know what this bird is?.. he showed up at my feeder just once and then was gone ... it's bad shot but I had to be quick... he kept flying off and then coming back.. haven't seen one like him since...

... here a few odds and ends... the first is the take off of a plane that can barely be classified as one.. the body is basically a go cart with a prop... I was having breakfast on Saturday morning at the small country airport near the lake and looked over as he was landing... when he came in for a landing the parachute collapsed a little prematurely and made a tangled mess.. it took him nearly an hour to get it ready for take off.. as he sailed over the horizon I could only hope that his parachute had a parachute..

... and finally two shots that were sent to me that I thought were worth passing on in the blog...

Well That's All For Now...

Live, Love, Laugh, Fish

Semper Fi

Monk

Damn..It's Cold Up Here...

2008-05-13T11:49:00.017-04:00

Michael McCloud couldn't have said it any better...I miss my Florida friends already and can't wait to get back...don't get me wrong...I love seeing my family and New York in the Summer is great...Canandaigua Lake is one of the most beautiful spots on earth...but I've got "sand in my shoes" as they say, and once you've lived in Florida there is no place you would rather be....

I spent my last day in Florida with my friends and had a great time...we all had lunch together at Ronnie's house..Lisa, Ronnie, Helen, Richard and I...Ronnie made pasta and Helen brought the dessert...key lime and mango pie...different..and very good...of course Ronnie went all out and turned lunch into an elegant dinner party atmosphere...of course I forgot to take any pictures for the blog....

But I did get a pic of the girls on the beach after lunch...we went to the beach so Helen and I could find sharks teeth and Ronnie could do her daily swim...at least a mile a day...the water was great and Helen and I (mostly Helen) found a bunch of teeth...I spent more time looking for fish in the waves....I didn't see any but when we got back up the beach to Ronnie she said she saw the most beautiful site she has ever seen in the water...as she was coming in she looked back at the waves in the turquoise blue water and just as a wave was cresting the sun was low enough to be behind the wave...framed in the wave was a school of Jacks and just for a split second it was as if the fish were encased in a clear Plexiglas wave filled with sunlight...just above and behind her.....what a sight that must have been...what a picture that would have made...I hope I described it well enough for you to have a mental picture of how beautiful that was....I'm sure it's something Ronnie will remember for the rest of her life....

But here is the greatest reason in the world to come home for...My daughter Kelsey had her Junior Prom Saturday and she was gorgeous...just look at that dress...she went with Nick her best friend since grade school and a very nice young man...I came home early just to be able to see her and take pics of the most beautiful and intelligent daughter in the world....no lie...this is the woman who will and should be the first female President...she has the smarts and is the only one I would vote for....of course I may be a little predigest...ya think.....

My son Kyle finally got his tattoo colored in and it looks great....and he got himself a summer job at a kennel as the "dog boy"...so he'll be spending five days a week walking and taking care of his favorite animal...can't beat that...he loves animals and will eventually be a Marine Biologist if fate intends it to be....we are still working on getting the Mustang on the road and it is close to being done....the engine is being put back together and soon he will have his dream car up and running...pics to follow..

Ryan and Andy got a dog of their own...it's only nine weeks old and is supposed to be half Lab and half Rottweiler....from the looks of it I think the Lab was just passing by when two Rottweilers were mating...this dog doesn't look half Lab...but we will see as it grows what kind of personality and other traits it exhibits....it sure is cute now...and very smart..this dog knows "sit" and "come" and will follow without a leash as if he were trained to "heal".....

The dog is part of Ryan and Andy's new adventure....Ryan bought the house next door to where he has been renting and it looks great from the outside...we couldn't go in because he hasn't closed yet and the owner's son wanted the key to get some stuff out...but here is picture of it ...I think it will be great for the boys to spend some time together and bond as adults now that they are out on their own...That's Andy with Kelsey and the dog.."Sam"...Ryan still won't let me post any pictures of him...he's a cop and doesn't think it wise...I will honor his wishes...I am so lucky to have the greatest kids in the world...

Well That's All For Now...

Til Next Time..

Semper Fi...

Monk