Meet with Newest Member of the Family

Boo is in the house. She is our new black lab puppy that joined the family on Halloween.

Notice the picture of my lovely wife holding the puppy. This was an instance of me making a command decision. Yep, I said it. I didn't have spousal approval before deciding to add a mouth to feed to the crew.

The kids didn't believe that we had made the adoption. My two eldest daughters used language of doubt when first informed of the acquisition of the four legged friend. Surprise!

Boo, has been a great addition. We are getting use to the sharp puppy teeth. She has done very well with the doing her business outside. Will be sure to keep you all updated on Boo.

Cadet Carlton slays the Commodores

Dad, I hope you were watching football today. Your Cadets beat the Vanderbilt Commodores in overtime!!!. I’m sure you’ve heard already. The question I have, isn’t a Commodore a Navy rank? Not looking to far ahead.

It was nice to see the Golden Knights of the Hudson with a win over an SEC team. Okay, maybe not an SEC powerhouse. But, academically, these folks probably match up closer than any other team.

Cadet Alex Carlton, 186 pound sophomore, from Wilmington, Delaware, kicked a 42 yard field goal in overtime to beat Vandy. The game was played at the Michie Stadium on the West Point campus. Okay, it was close; the field ball did bounce off the upright, but, good is good.

At this point in the season the cadets are 3 and 3. The next team will be Temple in Philadelphia.

I can hear the cheer now. (The rocket!)

Cultural Season Begins

It was a big night on Friday evening. The beginning of the cultural season. I'm not talking about the ballet or the start of the symphony musical season or the opera. This season does showcase some extremely talented participants. There is coordination, creativity, and grace in motion. The season that started last night has Stars, Blues, Flames, there are also Penguins, Rangers, Avalanche, and Canadians. The 2009 National League Hockey Season is underway.

Got Ice? Got a Stick and a Puck? We've got hockey again!!

This is the last season for the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. The Penguins will move to the Consol Energy Center for next season. It could be the last season for the Phoenix Coyotes in the desert. The chase for the coolest trophy in sports, The Stanley Cup, is on.

The Pittsburgh Penguins lifted the Stanley Cup banner last night in Pittsburgh before facing off against the New York Rangers. Here is some great video of the event. The Penguins won 3 to 2 over the New York Rangers. Tonight Coach Dan and the Pens face the New York Islanders.

The first of 85 cultural events with the pens have taken place. Can't wait for the next match.

Let culture reign! Let's follow the pens.

Surroundied bw Bulldog Spirit this morning! Yea ( spirit fingers )

Great Read - Lot's of fun

The last couple of evenings I have been escaping from the rat race and the buzz of the house to read for fun. Most of the time the books are work related or business topics. My most recent read was a blast. Through the generosity of a fellow blogger I was able to cruise through 300 plus pages of fun.

The book had to be good. The author has or had family in Alabama. (God's country). The author made me smile, laugh and take some time to consider the important things in life.

Through stories based in Utah, the State of Washington, and the Island of Crete, Robert Fulghum, author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, covers people and relationships. He also shared a perspective on life that does make you stop and wonder if we are smelling the roses in life.

It is obvious that Fulghum gets much of his inspiration from walking and observing all creatures big and small. He has magnificant insight into the people he sees and interacts with in his daily life. His life is a unique blend of experience that keeps you guessing.

His tips for conversation, called the List, makes the whole book worth the read. My favorite is his open engagement of people as he himself experiences life. My habit of walking along anywhere saying hello to people just to see the reaction doesn't seem so abnormal (note to wife) Okay, maybe as I said hello and good morning to New Yorkers on the sidewalks and the subways was a little over the top, but, Fulghum, makes me seem somewhat normal

For more on Robert Fulghum follow the link to his site. Learn more about his writings and read his frequent notes. Hope you enjoy. I did.

Pick up a copy of Fulghum's book: What on Earth Have I Done (Stories, Observations and Affirmations) Enjoy the topics and the read.

ISBN-13: 9780641990557
Pub. Date: September 2007

Chicken Soup - Saves a Puny Man

Ms. Ann to the rescue. The finest provider of confections in our part of the world. Is also the saver of men!


On Wednesday yours truly was being pounded by a bug. A temp of 103, a sore throat, and general wimpiness. So, being home from work I decide while laying in the bed, and not wanting to go anywhere, to make a connection to the outside world through Facebook and Twitter. Just to update the world on my lack of well being. Okay, a lesson; if you tell it, people will respond.


The responses came literally from all over the country. This wining thing when sick garnered some serious sympathy and provided good cheer to the one hiding behind his woobie. Ms Henry asked if there was anything she could do from over 60 miles away. So putting me out of my misery would take some time. (Not seriously considered, just a figure of speech) A note from Mom Said So in Connecticut hoping it wasn't the flu. A number of well wishers from throughtout the southeast. Then, THE Golden Ticket!


To put you in the frame of mind you have to have seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Either version, old or new. To understand the pleasure and unadulterated joy that Mr. Charlie Bucket must have felt upon finding the last of the tickets that would grant him access to the land of confections that Mr. Wonka makes inside his factory.



Ms Ann, the local maker of perfection confections and other meals of renowned (Annie Cakes) offered.....Holding your breath now; some Chicken Soup to save the wimpy! Mind you, this isn't the stuff from the can. This is the real poultice to ward off what ails you! The message. "Chicken soup is on the way!" Wohoo! I have been granted access to the kitchen of Ms Ann. I began to feel light headed. I didn't know if it was the bug or the emotion of finally getting through the steel doors of Ms Wonka's factory of goodies. Later it was determined to be the excitement of the goodies. I had to start feeling better to have food provided by Ms. Ann.


Too call this magic elixir just Chicken Soup is like telling Hussein Bolt that he is kind of fast. This stuff when it arrived by special certified courier was magical. Real Chicken Soup. Home made with large chucks of poultry, a liquid that made the sickness shoot from my body like Big John Coffee did for Tom Hanks character in the book and movie the Green Mile. This stuff caused some serious recovery.

There were also non sick people in the house that were able to enjoy the magic pourage. It caused general good cheer and happiness throughout the house.


Ms. Ann, you should get a license and a patent on that stuff. Maybe you could feed it to people out there managing our economy. Man alive I just know the recession would be over! Powerful, powerful stuff.


Thanks for coming to my rescue. As always, you are my hero!

Newest Wilson Arrives on Scene

Congratulations to Erin and Stu on the birth of Stuart A. Wilson, Jr. He is beautiful. The little guy in the blanket! So there is no confusion. We are all happy he is here and glad to report that Mom and baby are doing well.

The newest Mr. Wilson made his appearance in the world last Friday about midday. At this writing big sister is adjusting well to being a big sister. This is an important role to be the older, and wiser, and better looking sibling. (Enough about me!)

Lots of happiness and joy as Stu, the dad, has already installed the hoop at the end of the crib. Stu Jr. or SJ. as he likes to be called when hanging with other kids, has to shoot 10 free throws before he gets the stuff that does the body good!

No, Coach Williams. It is too early for him to commit. He is also considering the MIT Scholarship at this time.

(My thanks to Ms M. the photographer. She was joannie on the spot with the pics. Wish we could have been there with you.)

Thelma and Louise are coming to my house.

There is a big day at the Wilson house tomorrow. The ladies will arrive.

The event is taking place because our wash machine of 13 years gave up the ghost last weekend. In our homestead there is no more important appliance than the mechanical cleaner of clothes. With a family of 6 the thing gets a work out. I couldn't even guess the number of miles the spin cycle had achieved.. A quick back of the envelope estimate.... the thing had to be in the multi million mile club. We did get our moneys worth out of the olde thing.

Like an old football lineman the appliance was pulled from service and unceremoniously benched. Taken from the house to the curb, then picked up by two gentlemen seeing an opportunity to gain value from the sheet metal of the old plan vanilla white machine. It was even raining slightly as the old boy was dragged the last mile. (Dabbing tears from the corner of my eyes)

What is red, has a twin sister, and named for two characters in an ultimate chick flick? The two new home essentials, named Thelma and Louise will take up residence on Friday morning. Yes, we are doing our part to raise the national output of durable goods. Mr. Bernanke, this may not show up in your tan book, but we are doing our part to contribute to the economic recovery.

There is much excitement about the arrival of the ladies. It appears that my wife has felt the repression of Mr. Henry Ford relating to our laundry equipment for a long time. For many years, the manufacturers of said equipment, basically have caused the space in our home to have any color equipment we wanted as long as it was white.

In our almost 18 years of marriage I didn't realize the angst the color of the appliances had caused.. Even my children have felt deprived by not having pigment in the steel. How was a guy to know. So, in choosing, the emancipation has taken place. Free at last, we're free at last, good gracious almighty we are free at last.

Ms Thelma and Ms Louise will be red. (Ms Ann this not a political statement and no one from any group or media outlet participated in this decision. ). This was a critical selection criteria for the new household assistants. I'm still trying to figure out how these vital pieces of equipment have already been accepted by name in the household. I have seen the naming of a living breathing pet take more time and much more deliberation.All are a buzz about the arrival of the ladies.

We have already confirmed that they are spending their last night of restfulness at the local big box retailer. Hope they are rested up because tomorrow, these beautiful ladies, named for outlaws, will begin working their way up the million miler achievement test.

Spending time with my youngest lady

My youngest and I had some good quality time together this week. We attended events together, went to football games, a bonfire at a friend’s house, did bedtime reading, just hung out and traveled together. It was very special to see and hear life from the perspective of a six year old. Don't get me wrong, chronologically she is only six. She is beginning to outpace me in the maturity area due to the influences of her older siblings and her Mom. She is lots of fun and has a heart the size of the state of Texas. The time together will be the subject of a three post series.

Little Brother/Little Sister

Sweet thing did ask this week if she could be a big sister. This caused her Mom and me to give each other a couple of looks. It appears that Dabba has heard from friends at school about how you become a big brother or big sister! WOW! (This is the five alarm fire announcement that puts you on your toes)

My though is oh! I can't wait to see what she has learned after only about four weeks in Kindergarten. And I was wondering what the President was going to say to the kids. At this point I'm thinking his message, whatever it is, was going to be is kind of late!

"So, Mom and Dad, if we put our name on the list we can have a baby brother or sister!" More looks exchanged between the parental units. Relief! And confusion is the first two things after hearing the request. Okay, so science and biology class in Kindergarten haven't advanced that much since I was in over forty years ago, expect for the fire and the electricity thing. (Mimi, we have another entry for the book!) Not sure about the list but this will be an okay discussion.

Smiles now appear on the face of the relieved parents. See, as the six year old explains, there is a family in school that has recently applied for adoption. So, putting your name on a list is how you get a baby brother or sister. And, Dabba, doesn't want to be left out. She also has an Aunt and Uncle that live near Washington DC that are expecting any day now so there have been some baby discussions. Again, relief about the biological understanding thing. Thinking this might be a good time to have a redirect about a pet!

The topics passed after we discussed we might want to be off the list while we focus on her and her other siblings. There are hugs exchanged. I can tell this is not the last time we will have this discussion. Cause being the "baby" in the family isn't much fun if you don't have a little brother or little sister.

Thank goodness it is Friday! Football , family , and frosty adult beverages