Water Dog II

Boomer is no Angus in the water but he is coming along.
We went to the beach today and had a good time. Met a nice girl also, I will keep you updated on that. Anyway, My brother Mike tells a pretty good Angus story when we were up at lake Vermilion. Angus went into the lake after some ducks. I was not aware of this but I guess ducks will lure a predator out as far as they can to try and drown them? Mike had a hard time getting Angus to come back and he ended up swimming out to bring him back. Today at the lake Boomer was trying to return 2 balls at a time like Angus used to do but could not get two in his mouth at once. He ended up corralling them against his chest and pushing them in as he swam. All in all a great day at the beach! Get out and enjoy, there are not many left!

Wiilliam Perry

Many have heard about my new fridge, well its not so new any more. I guess its about 3 years old now but compared to my old one with the door that made the click sound when you opened it this is still new. As you can see by the picture I don't keep much in it, this is really pretty full compared to most times. The one thing I would like to point out is the owners manual in the lower left crisper. Been there since day one for those of you that doubt me.

First day back

Well, it was a busy day. I got tired about 1030, I'm never able to sleep well the night before a return from a long time off.
I'm glad I missed this past weekend, I guess with the three days of rain( 7 plus inches ) terminal one turned into a lake. last time something like this happened was 1987. So before it happens again it should be 2028 and I will have been retired for a few years. One of the larger issues was water getting into fuel pits. This is a major deal for airplanes and to ensure we don't use bad fuel there are all types of checks to ensure all water has been removed before it gets to the aircraft. It slows down the whole operation but safety first always. Even though the worst was over today was catch up, it still beats you up a little. I can just hope things are more back to normal tomorrow. I'm sure it will take me 2 or 3 days to get back in the swing of working an operational environment. My brain has been resting and takes time to get going.

Last day of vacation

Well, here it is the last Day of my vacation. I have to admit it did not turn out as I planned it. I guess they never really do but this one was way off the mark. If I could have a redo I would have stayed in the BWCA a little longer and done some more hiking with Boomer, he really likes to hike. I would not have gotten caught in the construction zone, o.k. maybe I should have just slowed down! I will in the future for sure. Ottawa was awesome, not much I would have changed there, maybe if I could have stopped the rain. California I will visit for fun, it was nice to see everyone but next time it will be for something happy. Boomer and I were on our coffee walk this morning, I guess I just got tired of waiting for the rain to end so we just headed out. By the time I got home I was drenched! I had to put Boomer in the basement to dry off. Much like my run in Ottawa a walk in the rain is not all bad, its kinda a strange thing. Everyone else is running from the car to the house or a business to a car. Boomer and I were just walking in the rain, its kind of relaxing once you give it to the fact you are going to get wet.
***** click on the picture of Boomer and me *****

California

California, Seems like I was there every summer when I was growing up. I knew all the neighbors and friends of my Grandma and Aunts. I knew everyone in my family for sure. This last trip out, My Aunt Pam had to point out a few family members to me. Then remind me of their names. Everyone grows so fast, some cousins I remember as 2 year olds are now driving and enjoying an adult beverage! ( not at the same time ) Things change, I still feel like I should be the kid when I visit but there are way to many new ones to allow that to happen. I have to be grownup. Things move forward weather you want them to or not. So now that I know all the new faces and I'm up to date with what my family is doing the goal is to stay in touch and not let it get away again.

Sleep Adjustment

The best thing about being off for 30 days is the sleep I have been able to get. Could you imagine getting 8+ hours of sleep each day? It's awesome. Now the down side, there are only 5 more days left and I will have to adjust to getting 5 or 6 hours a night and then getting up at 4 a.m. is going to kill me. 12 more years until I can start my second career and whatever that is will not require me to wake before 0800!


Flying out of LAX later today and will be into ORD 0018

Will need to find some fun for the last few days of vacation. I could always finish my kitchen remodel or Start the bathroom? NOT!

Peter Chifo ( 1922-2008 )

Well I'm out in California and I have to say it's very nice to see some family
I have not seen in a long time. The bad part is we only seem to see each other
at a wake or funeral. My Grandpa passed away and I knew I had to be out here to
represent the miswest. Grandpa was a dynamic guy, he could tell stories and hold court
for hours on end. I will miss him and what he represents. I do not have many more people in my life that represent the old world. Raise your glass to Pete Chifo, my Moms Dad.

The Sailfish at the right my Grandpa caught in 1948 off Mexico. In the picture of the landing my Grandpa is in the middle.


Ron

Back home in Chicago

I have seen enough rain in the last few weeks to last me for the next few months. It rained a ton in Ottawa and now looks like it is going to rain pretty hard and long here at home.
Going to try and go to Orange County tonight so I hope the storms move
through here fast. I'm trying not to read to much into this but Boomer has been very sad the last few days. He loved Angus more than Angus loved him. It was kinda funny to watch Boomer try and love the old dog. There were even times Angus would give in and show Boomer some love.
He is either super tired from playing with Mikes dog Charlie or he is just sad?
Here are some more pictures from Ottawa, mostly of this awesome old Parliament estate.

Sunday afternoon in Ottawa

So, the rain finally relented and I got a chance to get out and walk around Ottawa. I walked south down the Rideau to the market area and on a Sunday morning it was hopping! People and dogs were everywhere. Just like France it seems Ottawa is a Dog town.( why is french so common in Ottawa? ) The smell of the Market was awesome. Fresh organic fruit and vegetables were in the air, I could smell coffee and pastries. There is a Canadian delicacy called the Beaver tail, i guess in America its a churro ( from Mexico ) but in Canada they stretch it out and flatten it and put flavors on it. ( thanks to Debbie for showing Beaver tail ) Last year in Sydney it was meat pie and this year in Ottawa its Beaver.

Ottawa ( Rain and Run )

Rain and Run. Many of the people at this years WARR were upset because of the rain. I have to admit it came down long and hard. Started to rain Saturday morning about 0600 and has not stopped as of 1635 . That's the only reason I'm in my Hotel room on a vacation. I happen to like running in the rain. Its cool misty and just makes you know that you are alive. I ran the 10K, it started at 0900 and I think I ran a 48 ish minute time. Just about an 8 minute mile pace. Was a little worried because I did not sleep well the night before due to a stiff neck, ahhhh the pressures of a vacation. There was about a 45 minute delay between the 10 and a 5K so I jumped in and ran Bandit on the 5K at a nice easy pace. I wish more people from United would join me at the WARR events, you get to see awesome cities and meet lots of very nice people. Next year(10-9-2009) is in Hangzhou China, so start training now and get your passport and visa in order!

Ron

Angus 1995-2008

Some people get it, some people don't. I know dogs are not people, yet some treat them as if they are. I do not, I think they are more noble. What other creature is there for you 100% of the time? When other humans mistreat you, A dog will pick you up. When you just have a day that kicks your ass, a dog will once again pick you up. Angus has been there for me hundreds of times and I will be there for him today. His body was once 100% muscle, now a cancer has taken most of the bone in his front left leg. He has been limping for a few months, I knew it was not going to be good news. I went to the Vet yesterday and the X-ray shows large gaps in his bone and that could lead to a very painful break at any time. Right now he is sleeping at my feet but today is the day I pay him back for being 100% loyal to me, I will do what has to be done for him.

Angus has a long list of dog friends and human friends that will miss him, thanks to everyone who came into his life and made it richer.

Ron

Fish for dinner in the BWCA

I was thinking about putting together a cookbook on how to have a fish dinner in the BWCA.
This is how I set up a large mouth bass dinner in the boundary waters.
#1 Send Adam out fishing with clear instructions not to come back without fish.
#2 Let Adam clean fish and prepare fillets.
****** I cook rice while reading a book *******
#3 Help Adam boil water.
#4 Boil fish for about 7 minutes.
#5 lay fish over a bed of rice and add salt and or pepper to taste.

Let Adam handle the clean up. ( one reason we boiled fish, makes for easy clean up )

It really does taste best caught and clean and cooked fresh by someone else.

Dock Dog

I have always wanted a dog that would leap off the end of a dock after a ball.
You know, the need to get after the ball takes over from the fear of the jump into the
water. It took me just a few tries without much coaxing until Boomer let it fly!
Fright train down the dock and into the water. After about 10 launches a small group of people gathered around to watch, so Boom stepped it up a level then after a retrive walked over to the crowd and shook all the water off his back and got the people wet. Seems like everyone enjoyed it.