I'm Always Mentally on Vacation

Dog Universal

It may not be a surprise to you, but I love dogs.

I miss my dogs when I travel. I am traveling today and will not see them until Thursday.

I always seek out a dog head to rub. Here are a few dogs from the island.

This lazy fellow was caught lounging outside The Golden Rail Cafe one morning down on the island.

This laxy girls job was to greet guests as the came into The Sunset Grill on the opposite end of the island.

This silly Border Collie was working the beach at Shoys.

Off to Southport today to bring the RV home for the season so we can hit Jekyll in June.

© 2012 wReggie’s I’m Always Mentally on Vacation. These Terms and Conditions of Use apply to you when you view, access or otherwise use the blog located at www.wreggie.com (the “blog”). Terms and Conditions can be found at http://reghunnicutt.com/terms.html.

This is So Easy

My hens are not laying very well right now, and I suspect it is because of Obama’s health care plan.

Diesel is $4.19 a gallon and of course it is Obama’s fault….slam dunk.

They are really fancying up Charlotte, and I think it may be because Obama will accept his party’s nomination after an expensive and hard fought democratic primary.

I am pretty sure I should be 6 feet tall, but the Obama administration will not allow me to be 6 feet tall. If I were 6 feet tall my BMI would be perfect. Instead, Obama wants to take my food to reduce my BMI and give it to taller people to raise their BMI.

I am a hopeless victim.

That Was Fun

Good times Saturday night. It was our first entertaining at our new deck and screen room.

We still have a lot of details and landscaping to do, but it is looking up big time. It is head and shoulders better that what I am used too.

I decided on a rotisserie chicken for supper and wanted grilled wings as an appetizer.

After I went by the dive shop I stopped by Ruth Chris Steak House which is in my office building. The reason why I stopped by Ruth Chris is... Ruth Chris has this huge hedge of rosemary and I figured it would be mighty tasty in my chicken. Heck, we are almost room mates so I figured I could take a healthy handful since we are rental brothers.

I set up my Bose box with a good play list, fired up the grills, turned on my “ocean breeze” squirrel fan, and began enjoying the evening with friends.

It was good.

Testing out the Domestic Leisure area

Almost complete. Still need a few tweaks, furniture, blinds, and TV.

Testing some wings just to see if I still have it.

The grills and smoker all ready to cook. Had two going today with wings, corn on the cob and spinning a chicken far right.

Carley is digging the smells and space.

From my chair enjoying a glass of wine.

Got a doggy door too!

A ceiling fan keeps me cool and sleepy.

Skype me for a private tour.

Spring Weather

The weather has been so nice and spring like. Gigi and I took a moment yesterday to enjoy the day.

Favorite gadgets

It doesn’t take a shiny new iPad to thrill me. This old plastic spatula has been with me as long as I have been married…. maybe longer. It is my favorite go to spatula.

And no, I am not getting a shiny new iPad today even though I have been warned to treat it like Medusa if I were to happen to be in an Apple store.

Traveling Day

It was just one of those days.

First I picked up Abby’s ashes and was planning to go to the CPA to pick up my corporate taxes. But the taxes weren’t done so I moved that to the afternoon.

They guy that does animal cremations is so reverent towards every animal we send him. The ashes come back in a nice wooden urn. He always has a nice note.

So Abby is home again.

I realized mid morning that my Jeep’s tag was about to expire….today. That means I needed an inspection and then go to the DMV.

But first I went to the laundry to drop off a 30 pound duffle of laundry.

Then I went back the office to sign a few things, and back out of town to pick up the now ready taxes.

Back in town I write a check and file my taxes and head to the mechanic to get a safety inspection.

I stopped at a handy bar next door and watch some of the NCAA tournament.

By now it is 5:30 and I will have to the new tag renewal tomorrow.

A Mood

The Bluebird of Happiness long absent from his life, Ned is visited by the Chicken of Depression.

A Public Service Announcement

Run to your nearest Costco and buy a bottle of this garlic infused olive oil. It is so wonderful in taste, that you could almost do a shot of it.

It steps up the flavor of my wings 17% on the McAlister-Whitten scale. It is good for bread dipping. It makes the best stir fried brussel sprouts.

Good Night Everyone

A Laid Back Monday

It was a nice day today. The weather was mild and I planned to take this day off to catch up on some chores.

First were corporate taxes. I sat in the guest house and worked until noon getting everything ready for the March 15 deadline.

Then I went out to rent a walk behind brush cutter to clean up the lower 40. The English Ivey was out of hand and small cedar trees were popping up everywhere.

By the time I got home the contractor was there to dry in the screen porch.

I spent a few hours behind the brush cutter before I settled in to spinning a plump chicken and had a few beers.

I love exposed rafters....it feels so Carribean.

Life is good.

Pretty Cool

For an old fart.....

Got this in the mail today.

New Terms and Conditions

Yesterday my bride and I had the occasion to visit the headquarters of the former blogger and now retired blogger Micky-T, in their plush Tennessee estate.

We had the required blogger debriefing and home inspection per the new terms and conditions of this blog. The news terms require that all readers of my blog have an installed and functioning dishwasher.

You see that Ken clearly passed the inspection.

Audits will be random in nature so please get a dishwasher installed if you plan to continue reading this blog.

The Smokey Mountains

I drove through The Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina today and they were just that….very Smokey looking. It was a gorgeous spring day.

Our Day

A trip through the mountains.

Passing through the I-40 gap.

We meet Carley.

Carley and Gigi bond.

Haley chills in the hotel.

Cedie joins her.

Location:Badger Ave,Oak Ridge,United States

Gigi's Birthday Weekend

Last night the weekend started with a nice 5 course dinner, all paired with wines from Stags Leap. Now we are off to see a lady about a dog.

Getting Paid to Dive?

I got a part time gig.

I was referred to an organization called Amphibious Medics about working an event in Charlotte that requires rescue divers to be present. The event is The Spartan Race at the US National Whitewater Center.

I applied for the job, and today I got an email confirming that I will be a rescue diver for the event.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think this hobby would lead to a paid position. It’s just for a weekend, but still I’m thrilled.

I’ll be on call and in the data base for any other needs AmphibiousMedics may have in my region.

There is a Half Iron Man Triathlon on St Croix every May. They need rescue divers there too. Think I could get paid to go to St Croix and dive? I bet I can.

Meet Carley

This weekend we are headed to East Tennessee to meet Carley. She'll likely join our pack and return to her new forever home on Sunday.

Get this....she is missing her tail. Two of my dogs are missing legs....Galaxy is missing half a tail. Tanner has all his visible parts except for his family jewels.

I think she will fit right in.

If I Invented The iPad

2 for 1

Old Wine

I got lucky on the last trip down to the island. It seems that the grocery store Schooner Bay found an old case of 2006 Alice White Cabernet and was selling it for $10 a bottle.

I can buy 2011 Alice White Cabernet here for about $8, but it was bottled and aged for about a month.

This 2006 Alice White was really good having the additional 6 years under her belt. I had no idea cheap wine could age so well.

Now…What are the Odds?

Late night yesterday Gigi was shuffling in the night and heading to the bathroom when she stubbed her toe into Tanner’s rectum. Yep…she stuck her big toes right up his ass. They both felt violated.

Come to find out after telling this story to a collogue that the same night his wife was swatting at their dog Rick, and she accidently stuck her finger up Rick’s butt.

I guess I need to buy a lottery ticket today.

Dem, Dems is Coming

The President is in town today….again. Michelle was here last weekend. They are carpet bombing North Carolina with love in preparation for the Democratic National Convention this fall.

Michelle started quite a fuss at the CIAA Basketball tournament last week when she spun this helpless cat at half court just to stir up the crowd.

What will they do next?

Island Stalking

My favorite dive shop with the old pink door where they store the equipment and air compressor. This is where we set for dives and rinse off after dives. The live web cam is just to the right, a handy bar is beyond that. Then one is just steps from the water and dive boat.

When I was there a few weeks back I notice the door had been replaced.

Now the door has been painted in diver down red.

Some dive people sure are beautiful, aren't they? Gigi refers to the guys as eye candy. I just keep my trap shut.

This Is Going To Be Fun

It’s beginning to look a lot like a screen room. 12 X 12 she’ll be. The basic bones went up today. It will have nice sitting furniture, a paddle fan, hooks for a hammock, and a TV.

Memories

A few weeks ago I defaced some private property down at Off The Wall Beach Bar. I’m bad like that.

Off The Wall is one of my favorite places on this planet. Dirt floors, ocean front, good food, colorful and cold beer.

There I was with my girl and I was caught up in the moment.

Gigi is really doing well these past few weeks. She is active, but ties easily….but the active part extends every day.

Her attitude is great.

The trip to St Croix was a game changer. She pushed and improved.

Saturday Stuff

We had big storms move through last night, enough to fill my second creek in front of the house. The lower yard out front holds the finest moss turf I have ever seen. I'll need to trim the spring onions soon.

I was out running chores and came across this fellow in front that opposes hand guns. That's okay with me.

However, I like to keep my handgun handy so I have options if necessary.

I decided to try a new recipe today that will involve 5 to 6 hours of cooking time. Here I sear a chuck roast.

Here I will simmer the roast in beef stock and other goodies for about 5 hours. Then about Lawrence Welk time I'll post my version of this recipe. I can see this one Sunday tailgating next fall.

Below is the recipe I am attempting to make with a few changes. I added celery and left off the hot spices. I decided to simmer it inside rather than outside to save some charcoal. I am going to melt cheese on mine when I toast it, and then add condiments.

UPDATE - 4 hours into the cook and oh my....look at this!

Oh my this is GOOD!

Rest in Peace Abby

Abby and Gigi in Southport 2008.

We had to euthanize Abby today. She went downhill quickly.

I literally slept on the floor with Abby two nights ago when it became apparent she was going down fast. Our presence comforted her.

Gigi stayed with her in the day while I was at work.

Abby and Gigi had a special bond.

She was with us about 4 1/2 years after we rescued her from the local pound. She was hairless and skinny when we found her, and she died hairy and fat with loads of love she left behind.

Just Saying Again

Brad is sporting a mullet now….no other way to describe his hair do. Meanwhile Angelia has developed skinny goat legs and hooves. What happened to these once pretty people?

Toe cleavage in the form of goat hooves is not attractive.