River Downs

River Downs and the rest of the horse tracks have been struggling trying to compete with the gambling boats in this recession. I usually make it to the track at least once a year to try my luck on the ponies. My grandmother studies her racing form as my mom and dad smile on. Guy sits in the background with a stern look on his face, probably because he's not old enough to bet :) Holly really was not into horse racing until I showed her how to read the racing form. Even though she now understands how to read the history on every pony, she still insists on placing bets based on the horses names :P The video is of a race in which a 13-1 long shot hit and I had the exacta on that race. We won!

Further down State Route 52, in New Richmond on the 4th of July, Holly and I went to the parade. We rode the bike to the annual July 4th parade and yes, I wore my uniform. Holly had asked me to wear it several times. I really dont mind wearing it and I know she liked it. After the parade we went to the New Richmond VFW for a couple of beers. The skies turned dark and Holly & I hurried home before the rain poured down. This may be the last picture of me in uniform, so get a good look!!

Jimmy Buffett 2009

Jimmy Buffet came to town and parrot heads were out in force several hours before the show. At 1:00pm we arrived and the main parking areas across from Coney Island's main entrance were all full as the party had already begun. We ended up at the end of River Downs parking lot, right next to Fiore Day or maybe Partner's Halo (my mother's race horses). The party was a good time again, we had the ritualistic 'cheeseburger in paradise' and daquiris. We also had appetizers and corn-hole games (thanks for not letting anyone win Dan and Troy! LOL) The concert was terrific and of course he sang all of his songs you know by heart, plus a few from other artists. Beer was flowing freely as the lines were long, the lawn was alive and with a full moon, there was a strange smell in the air... Thanks everyone for the good time, I look forward to Buffet 2010!

Rabbit Hash Run...

Hanging with friends on a ride to Rabbit Hash Kentucky. It was great to get back on the bike and put some miles on it. Along the way we stopped at a couple of watering holes- Kline's on 915- a nice little bbq grill overlooking the Licking River and -Peecox 2- a hard rockin biker bar which was completely dead until we arrived. Rabbit Hash hasn't changed much since I had been there last and for that matter, it probably hasn't changed much in the past 40 years. Except that the mayor is now a goat instead of a dog. I shook hands (paws) with the last mayor of Rabbit Hash, which was a little black dog. The mayor wasn't out when we were there. The town's people told us the mayor (a goat) only comes out in ideal weather and Saturday was too hot and humid. We had a frosty beverage with metts, brats and cheesburgers off the grill at the Rabbit Hash General Store. On our way home we stopped at -Mugbees- for some appetizers and a break from the heat before the long highway ride home. In the end we all got a little sun burn but had a good time.

As for Bullet, he's getting bigger! That dog has gained ten pounds a month for the past two months, hope that slows down or he'll out-weigh me by next summer! He's seven months old, mama's little baby and Guy's best friend. The puppy years will be over soon enough...

Glad to be Home!

I am relieved to be home. I know that Holly and my family missed me, but I had some other friends who missed me as well. There are now friends in the army who miss me and I miss, God bless'em on thier mission! We took a ride this weekend and wound up grilling and relaxing at a camp site next to the Ohio River. It is great to be back and spend time with friends. I believe that things in life happen for a reason and there is a reason I was able to come home. To be able to get on the bike and ride was really reviving. It gave me time to reflect and be close to my new wife, Holly. I look forward to many more rides this summer!

New puppy - New chapter in life

Meet Bullet, he is king of his castle and his new castle is our home. I know he looks cute, but he uses that against you! He starts mischief and then uses his cuteness to get out of trouble. I'm not falling for it! But he's soooo cute! ha ha! He's a three month old German Shepherd/Husky mix. We got him from some people who rescued him from the pound. He's quite playful, yet finds it easy to settle down when its time to be settled down. He also is potty trained, which has made it very easy on his owners :) Bullet is only the beginning of the new chapter in my life. Holly and I have decided to tie the knot before I leave. So, we are planning on Feb. 28th, the week before I leave, to have the ceremony. That way, it gives us more time to get ready for everything. We had initially wanted just a small ceremony, but it's hard to say right now how many people we may invite. So, this week we will be working on getting this together. No, Bullet's not coming to the wedding, but he may make an appearance at the reception, which will be at the VFW. Holly is ecstatic, so I'll be trying to keep her under control for a while. What a month! My life turned around in one month! My head is still spinning (but it has a smile on it :) I'm as happy as I have ever been and so is Holly. It just seemed like the right thing to do to the both of us. Hope to see you all there (at least at the reception ;)

New Years 2008-2009

New years was a blast. A group of us met at the VFW to ring in 2009. We had a table of food, a DJ and plenty of booze. It was great to get together with all of our friends for this celebration. This year will bring many new challenges and this is apparent as I have found that I will be going on my third tour of Iraq. I only signed up for three years in the army, but apparently I am obligated for eight. First of all, I served three years in the army and one tour of Iraq. Then I was notified that I would be extended 14 months in order to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in a second tour of Iraq. So I reluctantly served, totaling 27 months in the combat zone upon my return. I was badgered and harassed on a daily basis by my chain of command and support channel to reenlist. I myself provoked my entire squad to reenlist for $22,500 dollars tax free. This helped ease the pressure to reenlist, thankfully. I turned down the money because I truly was not happy living the military life, money just cant buy happiness. In fact, I was miserable. I felt I had indeed lost my freedom. It was like being in prison. I finally discharged the army honorably in 2007 and have been living happily ever since. It is so disheartening to know now that I must return to this life of misery in the military. Upon my first tour of Iraq, I was convinced that the mission was purely humanitarian. But now, after a second tour, I'm not so sure. I know there is a impending shortage in the world's natural resources and this war was a way for the US to capitalize the Iraqi oil market, for the sake of our future. We are indeed addicted to oil. But I hope this is not the case. As our economy crumbles, along with our educational system and manufacturing, we pour billions into this country called Iraq. I don't understand it. So as I plan to serve my third and final tour in Iraq. I will not submit to the badgering and harassment of reenlistment that I will again be subjected to on a daily basis. I will get out of the military once and for all and I will get out honorably. A guy cant just serve and get out anymore. They want everyone to spend their life in the military. Bah Humbug!!

This year indeed brings many challenges in which I plan to overcome. Upon return from Iraq, God willing; Holly and I plan to get married, settle down in our home, I hopefully will return to my job and live a peaceful and prosperous life. We want to ride the motorcycle and enjoy God's country first hand. We just want to live free and I want to be free from the prisoner type life in the military. One more year, one more lucky year...

Winter Blahs

With winter right around the corner, I get a little depressed this time of year. I hate to see the summer fade and the temperature plummet. Its a good thing that this is the holiday season or I would be darn near suicidal (just kidding). Thanksgiving was a lot of fun at my parents, sorry I didnt take any pictures, forgot the camera. We ate lots of good food, turkey (smoked & oven roasted), stuffing (Terrys sage stuffing too), sweet potatoes (thanks GAC!), green beans & ham (from the garden- thanks mom!), pumpkin pie, lemon merange pie, carrot cake (Thanks Bec!) and much more which I'm forgetting. After dinner we played some friendly family poker which I ended up losing money...oh well. Just want to say thanks Mom & Dad for another wonderful meal!

Holly and I haven't been up to much lately. We finally got the garage torn down and hauled away from the storm that destroyed it (see other post). So we've been spending time at home as you see I had a wild hair one day, put on the cowboy hat and cracked a few beers. Dollar beer night (Tuesday) at the VFW has become popular. Too bad I have to work on that night, but Holly keeps me informed of whats going on up there. I'm still active at the VFW and still hold a position on the board as judge advocate. I used to be the youngest member at 36, but someone else joined who is five years younger, so I'm not the baby anymore! ha!

As most of you may know, Holly and I are now engaged. Yes, I asked her to marry me! We have not set a date for the wedding yet, but we have decided to wait until 2010. That way its easier for me to keep track of our 10, 20, 30 year anniversaries, lol. She was so excited and tears ran down her face when I asked her. We shopped for a ring together and picked out a lovely princess cut diamond in a cathedral setting, a lot to pay for a rock, but its the commitment behind it thats of true importance. So, we look forward to planning for the wedding and so do both of our mothers ;) Its funny how life works. One minute your single without a care in the world, the next your planning the rest of your life! Whew! No wonder I was drinking that beer! HA! Until next time, keep looking forward...