Buzzy the Mechanic

I love this picture! The sheer joy on Aiden's face is almost iconic. But it also shows him doing something he truly loves: working with his dad. Aiden has demonstrated an uncanny mechanical ability that mimics his dad and Matt is the best teacher he could have. Matt is gentle, encouraging and incredibly patient with a rambunctious little boy who really wants to get his hands dirty and in a hurry!

In this picture he's working on their newest project a beat-up and misused motorcycle they hope to refurbish and sell. They're also working on a couple of "go-carts" that I'm sure Aiden will be driving by this time next year. That's after he masters the lawn tractor and tiller dad's just repaired!

Check out the greasy rag in the back pocket!

Mid October Saturday Morning

Hi Everyone,

It's a gorgeous Saturday morning. Cold and crisp; perfect October weather. It's the first time the sun has decided to show itself for days. It's 38. The weather person said that it was supposed to be cold, overcast and perhaps rainy today. Maybe they lied! Hope springs eternal.

We have 16 trees in our yard. Most of them have already shed their clothes and stand naked to the wind. But, I have two pin oaks that are now a deep maroon, a sweetgum that is turning red (it's usually bright yellow) and two varieties of maple that are starting to turn red also. The blackgums are naked but their leaves were fire red; I can only imagine what a mature tree would have looked like.

We visited Ian and Rieko in Little Rock the first weekend of the month and had a great visit. Their house is situated in a neighborhood of spectacular oak trees and other hardwood varieties interspersed with tall pine trees. The houses are small, big and in between. Some are enormous, the variety keeps you turning your head. I don't know why but the hilly terrain really took Linda and I by surprise. For some reason we just didn't expect that. The most appealling part of their neighborhood is that it was a true neighborhood of small shops and restaurants all within walking distance. The weather on Saturday was cool and very sunny. We shopped at their local farmers' market after pastries and coffee at a local bakery. Later we visited the Clinton Library downtown and then went to the Flying Saucer for beers and lunch. We couldn't have had a better afternoon. Linda and I took Ian and Rieko to a Greek restaurant in their neighborhood to celebrate Rieko's Birthday and their upcoming Anniversary. The best part was that we were able to walk to and from the restaurant! Sunday was just the opposite. Cold, overcast and rainy but dinner at their house was super. Rieko and Ian are terrific cooks.

Just a note on the drive. It's long. We're pretty use to the 500 miles and 8 hours it takes to get to Matt and Ciara's place in Charlotte but the extra 150 miles to Little Rock and additional 2 hours seems to take forever. We did have a nice drive through Western Kentucky and on the drive home saw a Bald Eagle in the Land between the Lakes area.

More later....