Splitty the Maul's World Tour 2013!!!!!!!!

Four days, 994 miles, and six states later, Splitty the Maul and I arrived in Memphis!

Splitty was weary from the grueling 94 mile drive to Kent Narrows, MD. It had been a while since he had been on the road. While he rested his weary foot, I went out to take some photos.

The hotel backed up to the water. This arbor structure actually reaches out into the water.

It was at this point I suddenly realized that a "travelling crab pot" would have some value.

Expect a full blog on Kent Narrows, MD in a few days.

After two days, Splitty had recovered reasonably enough to hit the road again. We set out for Virginia, only to be met with a violent thunderstorm and numerous delays due to accidents. However, we persevered and soon made it.

Splitty wanted a picture with him by the "Welcome to Virginia" sign. I suggested we not get to close to the highway.

Splitty had to take time out to take a look at the Potomac River. Mauls dig water.

With traffic finally flowing freely, we got back onto Rte.301 towards Richmond. Rte 301 is an excellent alternative to I-95 through Washington, DC. Soon we were on our way through Richmond an on the way to North Carolina.

I was starting to sense a trend with Splitty on this trip. 

Another line of severe weather was coming from the west. It came complete with hail and tornado warnings. It was at that point I made a command decision to make Asheville, NC our stopping point. We couldn't avoid the bad weather, but we did avoid the numerous closures on I-40 that were occurring nightly beginning at 8:00 pm for highway repairs.

The morning brought clear skies and cooler temperatures. Splitty noticed a sculpture across the street.

Splitty's obsession with signs was beginning to disturb me.

With the weather in our favor, we hit the road for Memphis.

It's only a couple hours to the Tennessee line from Asheville. With the early start, we made great time.

You knew it was coming, didn't you.

While I was stretching my legs, Splitty eyed up a cool license plate:

Splitty has a sharp eye for things like these.

By 4:30 pm we had arrived at "Home, Sweet. ........er..............Home, SWEAT Home" for the daily double from Hell. Apparently the central air conditioning and the refrigerator had a suicide pact. The condo was both HOT and RANCID smelling.

Thanks, "Major Appliance Gods".

Both are in the process of being taken care of. So far only one is headed to the dumpster.

Friday and Saturday were strictly low key days.

I had a Sunday surprise for Splitty.

Splitty was the guest of honor at Sunday FunDay.

We left a little early seeing as how Splitty wanted to do some sightseeing. 

Splitty was dismayed that he didn't get a chance to see Jamie, Jeanette, or Colin at their new bar "Blind Bear Speakeasy". They open later in the day. My personal opinion is that "Blind Bear" is one of the most exciting new places on downtown. Jamie, Jeanette, and Colin are three of the top mixologists in Memphis. They make cocktails from scratch, not from mixes. Quite frankly, Saturday night, Colin made me a Rye Whiskey Old Fashioned that absolutely floored me.

"Splitty the Maul SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL POLICE!! 

Splitty took time to make friends with two of the Downtown police officers. The officers assigned to bicycle units are one of the things that really helps make this such a great neighborhood. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the hardworking men and women of the Memphis Police Department. You folks are the best.

Soon, it was time for brunch. Destination, our beloved "Majestic Grille". Patrick and Deni Reilly hit it clean out of the park with their vision. This restaurant with it's menu and quality from top to bottom would be a smash in any city in the nation.

Splitty was very excited.

Inside there was another surprise for him:

John D. and Paul Ryburn were on hand to welcome Splitty home!

That wasn't the only surprise:

"Otto", WordPress ninja and long time friend was on hand at "The Silly Goose" to welcome Splitty home as well!!!

Pete and Dustin were there to greet him as well.

Later on at the Flying Saucer, Buddha stopped by to welcome Splitty home.

It was a big day for Splitty.

I had a good time as well.

It's nice to be back in Memphis for a bit.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

And....We're Off!!!!

Well, almost.

I'm drying a load of clothes. One travel box is packed. Waiting to the "whites" to dry so I can pack my overnight bag.

I also have to break the news to Splitty the Maul about a change in our route.

Due to weather coming out of the Northern Plains area of the country, I'm taking the southern route.

I'm a bit disappointed. There's a lot of historical stuff to see on the way through western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois. I had hoped to travel that way.

After the bad weather in the Midwest earlier this year, I'm not up for taking any chances.

It's late in the day to reasonably consider stopping in Asheville, NC. That's a shame because it's a great place to stop and have a great meal.

However, I have a personal rule about driving after sunset. I don't do it on long trips. Too many times I had driven further than I should have. Nodding off on a couple of them. Factor in other tired drivers, impaired drivers, and it being dark, I just avoid it.

On one trip back to Memphis I actually stopped in Nashville. I was worn out, it was raining cats and dogs, and the traffic was moving so slow that Job himself would have lost patience.

It turned out to be a real blessing. I pulled into the Sheraton Downtown Hotel. It's a very large hotel. The desk clerk informed me that most of the hotel was booked solid for a regional boys basketball tournament. She saw the wind had been knocked out of my sails. She smiled and told me, "Let me check and see if we have any "no-shows" or cancellations." By this time two elevators dumped off about 30 screaming kids talking "smack" to each other about who's going to whip who's ass. The desk clerk was busy typing furiously on her computer. They had a cancellation.......on the top floor. She typed some more stuff in and that's when my night got immediately better. I was given a top floor suite at a regular room price.

The room was one of the finest I had ever stayed in to that point. It had an outstanding quality King size bed, a huge bedroom, an insanely big bathroom, and an awesome view of the city. Oh, it also came with access to the Concierge's Lounge which I took full advantage of.

I was sick of the rain. I opted to stay and dine at the hotel.

After a few drinks, a big hot bowl of Minestrone, and Caesar salad; I had pretty well forgot about the screaming kids, the traffic, and rain.

Later I found out why traffic was so slow. An 18 wheeler had jack knifed about halfway to Jackson, TN. The driver survived, but you don't just scrape up a fully loaded fuel truck. The news crew said expect up to eight hours delay between Nashville and Memphis.

The reason the truck jack knifed? The driver told the Tennessee Highway Patrol investigator that he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

That's road travel for you.

Y'all be safe.

One more thing, be sure to CLICK HERE and help Splitty the Maul and I help our friend Misty raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital during St. Jude Marathon weekend coming up in December.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

We Need To Get Misty Over The Top!!!!!

In my last blog, I told you kind folks about Misty Roberson. She's just one of the many people who has given her time and efforts to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

If you click on her name above it will take you to her page at St. Jude's website. Right now 11:54 am CDT, she's at $833.00 towards her goal of $1,000. Another $167.00 would reach her goal. Over $1,000.00 would be gravy.

I'd like everyone reading this to think about something.

Clear your mind.

Now, consider this:

"What would I do if my child had to be taken to Memphis and admitted to St. Jude?" 

I'm very blessed. While cancer has taken a toll on my immediate family, it has never struck any while they were still children.

For the record, Misty has no children. She's helping to be a part of the solution of childhood cancer.

I've talked to many parents whose children were being treated by the doctors and nurses of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The one thing they have all had in common was the fear for their child.

One family I met had two children in the hospital simultaneously. The father said, "I pray to God that he will give their disease so my children can live."

Think about that.

Put yourself in their shoes.

"What would I do if my child had to be taken to Memphis and admitted to St. Jude?"

I'm NOT playing a guilt card here.

I'm not playing at all.

Right now those brave little children are in a fight for their lives.

That's a fact.

You can help Misty help those children today, tomorrow, and any day. It's so easy to donate through this website, even a sometimes grouchy, mildly okay...mostly irreverent, retiree like me can and did do it.

If only ten of you donate $16.70 through Misty's  profile, she's reached her goal.

I've known Misty for a number of years now. She has a genuinely good soul. Raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by running in the race is a noble cause.

"What would I do if my child had to be taken to Memphis and admitted to St. Jude?" 

You'd find out quickly that there's more compassion in the world than you could have imagined.

People like Misty and thousands like her in the Memphis metro area.

I'm asking all my personal friends to donate in any amount. If you've been through the battle as the victim or a family member watching them fight, you know how hard the treatments can be. You know how long the nights are, especially the sleepless nights. You know having to put your cell phone ringer on "loud" for the unexpected past midnight phone calls from the hospital, family, or the sick person needing to talk.

I'm a pretty strong guy, but I had to go out in my sister-in-law and brother's house just so he wouldn't see me crying as his cancer was progressing. We were 1.5 years and 1 day apart in age. I'm now older than he was when God relieved him of his suffering and took him home.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital doesn't cure every child. However, the men and women there and in the organization fight on harder every day. It's their passion.

"What would I do if my child had to be taken to Memphis and admitted to St. Jude?" 

Ask yourself honestly.

Even if you don't give, no hard feelings. It's merely a request from me on Misty's fundraising.

By the way, if one of your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc. ever gets childhood cancer.....we will all be here to make sure St. Jude is available to help save them.

It was our gift from Mr. Amos Jacobs and St. Jude Thaddeus.

"What would I do if my child had to be taken to Memphis and admitted to St. Jude?"

Splitty the Maul and Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Splitty the Maul's 2013 World Tour!!!!!

So I was talking to Splitty the Maul the other day.

"ATM?"

"Yeah Splitty."

"I'm all set."

"Set for what, Splitty?"

"I hear we're taking a northern route back to Memphis this time."

"Well, technically Splitty, I haven't invited you, have I?"

"ATM?"

"What, Splitty?"

"See the fist and choose *LIFE*, mkay?" 

"Good point, Splitty. I'm planning of crossing Pennsylvania to Ohio. Then we'll either turn left or right, and make our way down to Memphis. I've got you penciled in on *Defense* if you're not busy."

"WHOOOOOOOOOWEEEEEE!!!!!!! NOW yer talkin', brother!!!!!!!!!!! What are we gonna see???

"Well, I thought we might have to go see some dead Presidents."

"DAYUM!!!!! Ohio's loaded with 'em!!!!!!"

"Yeah, I know."

"They gave their lives for a great cause!!!!"

"Leading our country in both the good and bad times?"

"Nope. Tourism!"

"Great point, Splitty.........you're in!!!!!!"

"HOT DAAAAAANNNNGGG!!!!! I'ma gonna get me to see cold old, cold, moldy men of history!!!  Ya think they's likely to sign me some autographs?"

"Splitty, if they do they'll REALLY be making history."

"Can we git over on to Illinois to see President Lincoln????

"We could. Any reason in particular?"

"I wanna buy that man a shot!!!!!!!!"

"I don't think he'd appreciate that, Splitty"

"WHY IN THE CORNBREAD HELL NOT????????"

"Splitty, his last shot didn't agree with him."

"Good point. Maybe he'll just sign me an autograph."

"It wouldn't hurt to ask."

"Ya know, ATM........maybe we could save some time by looking Lincoln up at his Gettysburg address."

"I'll make a note of that."

See how it is with Splitty? That, and his defensive capabilities, make him a great travelling companion. He's much more entertaining than a food blogger who pukes all over himself, gets tossed from the bar/restaurant, and has the "dignity" to immediately head to another bar.

In college that move would make you either a most memorable story or a legend in the dorm.

At nearing 50, it might mean you're an alcoholic.

But I digress.

One more thing I want to share. This week past, I found out my friend Misty Roberson was participating in a fund raiser for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. There is no cause that is more personal to me than St. Jude's. It was my late mother's favorite. It's one thing just to read about it, but it's another when you see the patients and their families in person.

As a rule of thumb I don't talk about my charitable givings.

Today I am.

I pledged $200.00 to the hospital for Misty's efforts. For me, that's a pretty good night out in downtown having dinner and a few drinks.

I will miss neither the meal nor the drinks this month.

In a similar vein, when I see patients and their families having a dinner out because St. Jude's has treated and discharged the child patient, I anonymously pay for their tab/tip and tell the server to take the "PAID" tab to them.

For the record St. Jude's has never charged a patient. However, the families are under so much stress wondering if their child/brother/sister is going to die, it's something I can do that directly benefits them and let them know there are people out there who really care.

Now then, I'll get off my soapbox.

For those who know Misty, please sign up and help her cause. Give a little, give a lot. Every dollar counts.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Some Weeks The Lottery Gods Just Like Me

"I have no emotional attachment to my money when I'm gambling."  - Bruce Walker 

He must be looking after me from up in Heaven this week more than ever.

On a whim, I purchased a "Pick Three" lottery ticket this week. Usually, if I buy lottery tickets I buy "scratch offs". I'd rather know if I lost right away.

I had to pick a number out of thin air. I chose 901. My Memphis folks recognize that as our area code. I had a dollar each on straight and boxed. The number drawn was 910, meaning my boxed bet hit. I saw the payout was $48.10. I was pretty happy with that.

Being a nice guy, I gave the ticket to Christine. Maybe it's just me, but I think the best part of winning is sharing. The even better part is that I forgot the $48.10 price was based on a $0.50 cent bet.

She cashed in and walked out with a cool $96.20.

That made me even happier.

Last night, seeing as how I was on a real lottery roll, I purchased some scratch off tickets. Two were losers but the other two hit for a combined win of $80.00.

I gave them both to Christine.

Why mess up good Karma?

Besides, I had an epiphany in the process.

I've spent too much of my life mourning the loss of Dad, Gary, Mom, and Bruce. It's been easy for those around me to see and yet I had a hard time dealing with it.

Starting this morning I have a new paradigm and a new attitude. From now on I'm going to celebrate their lives. You see, I'd taken my eyes off the true mark. There were a ton, literally thousands of good times with all of them to every bad one. There was laughter, love, and life lessons from each of them. My four brothers and I have more running jokes between us than a resort full of comedians.

The opening line came from Bruce while we were in Las Vegas for his daughter's wedding. He was in the late stages of cancer. You'd have never known it. He was living in the moment and doing it with style and grace.

That's the Bruce I'll remember when I think of him being ill from here on out.

When I win when gambling I'm going to hear another quote of his:

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!" 

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

June 5, 2013

He would have been 54 today.

Two years short of Mom's life that ended at 55. 5 and 8.5 years short of Dad's.

For the record Dad died in 1980, Mom died in 1993.

In his 50.5 years he married the girl of his dreams, had a son that he couldn't be prouder of, and a daughter who was the "apple of his eye".

If there was any family who deserved to have their "Dad" there until the later years it was them.

His last "Hurrah" was at Lin's marriage in Las Vegas. She married a good guy. It made Bruce very happy.

There have been many times where I have been distraught over losing him.

But not today.

Maybe never again.

It's a sunny, peaceful day.

I can remember the good times we had.

I can hear his laugh.

I can see his face the day we went to OTB the last time to bet "The Nags".

I can hear him say, "I'm loved by many, and that's more than a few.".

Bruce(L) and his son Christopher(R) at the Flamingo Hotel/Casino at David and Lindsay's wedding. Don't let his frown fool you. He was mad because the reception got pushed back 30 minutes. And yes. Christopher is a 6'6" man. He's our "Gentle Giant".

I miss Bruce every day, but none more than today.

He was a good man.

Strike that.

He was a great man.

He was loved by many, and that's more than a few.

I was lucky enough to be "One of the many".

I assure you we were more than a few.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.

Splitty the Maul On Flower Beds

So I was talking to Splitty the Maul the other day.

He was chilling out on the front porch sporting his custom made tie dyed "do rag".

Frankly, I had no idea they even made "do rags" for mauls. Apparently there's quite a market for them.

We were just making small talk about the weather and the such*.

*NOTE: For those of you living and or from New Jersey, "...and the such" is how the other 49 states in the Union say "....and shit".  - ATM 

Pretty soon the conversation (the "and shit" part) turned to planting the flower beds and patio pots for Summer.

As it turns out, we had already started the process. I had picked out a nice Hibiscus, some bedding plants, some potting soil, and a new planter last week. While Splitty and I were visiting, Christine was over at a local nursery picking out some more bedding plants, some more potting soil, a bag of sand, and some mulch. This would allow us to get a good start on the two small outside beds.

I have always been a proponent of using planters mixed in with my flower beds. They add both a splash of  color and elevation. Using them also means that I can change the color/plant mixture up from year to year.

Christine arrived home and we got to work. The corner flower bed needed the most attention. It already has "Day Lillys" planted in it in honor of Christine's late Dachshund "Lilly". She's buried deep below the garden bed. It's a nice tribute to a wonderful little pet.

"Lilly" at 13 years old  

See "Lilly Hang 20" on the long board and wipe out here.

The first order of business was to pull the weeds and rake out the dead leaves of Fall and Winter. We talked over which plants would be in which pots and where we would like them arranged. We each had different visions for the bed, but in the end I think we did pretty good.

"Kappy" (center) and "Bill" (right) had no opinion on our layout. "Mercedes" (left) pretty much summed up her opinion by faking a heart attack.

Dachshunds can be sort of dramatic at times.

Oh......the layout? It looked like this:

We were pretty happy with it.

Just to get a final opinion prior to full inspection I consulted with our full time resident expert on all things botanical.......

Our good friend, "MORTY THE MAPLE". 

As you can see, "Morty" gave it an "All limbs up" rating.

All that was left was to mulch it over and put in some bedding plants.

It wasn't a huge project, but it was a good start. We were ready for inspection.

"Splitty The Maul" (OJOFBAS) gave it his highest rating of "One handle up".

While he was in the mood to judge I asked "Splitty" if he could give us a preliminary opinion of the patio plantings.

He liked what he saw but he decided to withhold any judgement until after we finished that portion of the project.

For what it's worth, I think we're about five hanging plants and at least four planters short of where we need to be.

Some other plantings from the day:

"The Old Man In The Driveway"

The other side of the front steps.

Christine's peonies were just starting to bloom.

The nice thing about working on planters and flower beds is that it can be done in small stages.

Today, I have a number of errands to run in order to be ready for the upcoming trip to Memphis next week. Prescription refills (one of which I'll possibly have to check in with the doctor for him to rewrite the prescription),  While I'm out I'll stop by the local nursery and pick up some more plants for the patio.

Lots to do.

Time to get off the 'puter and get going

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.