Hmm, I don't know what to tell ya!

Fourth of July Golf Cart Parade

2009-07-05T14:08:00.001-04:00

On Saturday watched the Golf Cart Parade.

Adventures in Decorating - Part 2

2009-05-31T19:52:00.005-04:00

When we first got our the rooms in our house painted, we had wanted to have the sunroom done with a venetian plaster look, but the painter didn't do that type of work. Recently, we had it done and really like it. Go here to see more.

Fried Chicken!

2009-05-31T18:48:00.003-04:00

We were in Charlotte on Saturday to watch Kennie and JoJo play soccer and on the way home we were hungry. Anne remembered one of the places we had seen on the Food Channel, Price's Chicken Coop. After some wrong turns we found it just across the light rail tracks in the South End. We knew we were there when we turned the corner and saw all the cars and people. I parked and Anne when in to buy her fried chicken. As I was waiting, I saw a flavored ice man and went over a bought a really good lemon ice. Anne was back in less than five minutes, it was some really fast service. I ate my ice and we went home.

Anne loved the chicken and I ate my Steak n Shake burger and fries I picked up on the way home.

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

2009-05-17T07:34:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, when we were in Smithfield, Virginia to visit Anne's mama, we were able to check an item of one of our to-do lists. You know, the "places we want to see before we go to heaven" list.

In the afternoon, we found our way to Rescue, Virginia where we had a late lunch at Captain Chuck-a-Muck’s Ship Store and Grill, Secret Hideout #2 , a wonderful local seafood place. We had been planning on going there ever since Anne learned about it on Guy Fieri 's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. On his Food Network show, Fieri visits well known local (and now global) food establishments. Places that you might pass by at first look.

Anne enjoyed her crab cake, I enjoyed my fried shrimp and we both enjoyed the view. We were pleased to find on our table, next to the condiments box, a "prayer menu."

The menu read, "At Chuck-a Muck's, we love all saints and sinners. We are Baptist Christians and therefore like to bless our food before we eat. Sometimes we forget to say our blessings when we go out to eat, or maybe sometimes people feel uncomfortable about it. This little menu is just a reminder to give thanks, with a couple of different suggestions from our pastor..." It goes on to give several examples of blessings for both adults and children. Wonderful!

Sounds of Silence!

2009-05-10T19:37:00.006-04:00

Sun City seniors proved to be a perfect audience as they sang and hummed along as A. J. Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle performed their tribute to the music of Simon & Garfunkel at the Lake House this evening. Anne and I thoroughly enjoyed the concert that captured the magic of both the hits and more obscure pieces of the large songbook of one most important recording duos of the second half of the 20th century. It was a beautiful evening in Sun City.

Sun City Walking #1

2009-04-12T14:25:00.004-04:00

After we returned home from Sunrise Service this morning, I took a walk up the Hawks View Trail past the fourth green of the Carolina Lakes Golf Club. The walking trail and the gold cart path run close together. I took these pictures.

Playing For Change: Song Around the World "Stand By Me"

2009-04-11T19:28:00.007-04:00

I spotted this video clip over at The Year in Pictures. I was blown away by the clip and the concept behind it. You can read all about it at Playing For Change. But first watch the clip.

YouTube and LOC

2009-04-07T16:06:00.005-04:00

I worked for 38 years at the greatest repository of knowledge in the world, the Library of Congress. Today the Library (LOC) announced that it's YourTube channel has gone public. Read more about it at the Library's blog. Below is a link to one of the first posting

New Camera

2009-03-27T13:14:00.006-04:00

Based on a posting I read over at James Danziger's The Year in Pictures, I just got a new Panasonic DMC-TZ5. My stated intent is to take a lot of really fine photographs and post them on here and on our family website. That's my intent, we'll see what happens, won't we.

Look at Lucy's Box Elder to see my role model. Anyway here is my first try, taken this morning outside the Sun City Carolina Lakes amenity center.

Grand Opening!

2009-03-18T10:11:00.006-04:00

This morning we were out early to attend the grand opening of a new Harris Teeter grocery store that opened right next to Sun City Carolina Lakes. A large number of residents, including the Carters (pictured below with Anne) turned out for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Many rode their golf carts to the store. We have looked forward to being able to shop close to home.

Harris Teeter and Sun City - this is where we live.

Where we live - #7

2009-01-28T13:58:00.010-05:00

Yesterday, after having lunch at the new Wendy's that just opened in Sun City Carolina Lakes. Anne and I visited our brand new library. The Del Webb Library at Indian Land is a branch of the Lancaster County Library that also recently opened. The land for the library was donated by the developers of Sun City along with $1.5 million in bonds that are being paid off by Sun City residents.

As we received our new library cards and looked around the beautiful new facility with all the brand new books, I was reminded of the time I spent at the Lexington Public Library while growing up in central Illinois. Located directly across from our house on Cedar Street, the Lexington Library provided me with access to vistas not otherwise available in our small town. It was there that I first read Dickens and Dumas and browsed the World Book Encyclopedia as young people browse the Internet today.

The new library, it's part of where we live.

This is the day that the Lord has made!

2009-01-20T07:53:00.002-05:00

Good morning!

Today, Barack Obama becomes the President of the United States of America. Today is a day I never thought that I would see. This is truly a day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Anne and I are in Nashville, Tennessee, attending the Mid-winter Board meeting of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. This morning's meeting will be suspended so that the delegates can watch the inauguration on a jumbo screen TV. It will be good to be with people who have prayed for this day, to join with them in shouting and clapping and cheering. Many early civil rights programs and events were planned for and implemented in National Baptist churches across the nation.

My prayer today is that God will continue to bless this country, its people and President Barack Obama in a mighty way.

Dr. King

2009-01-19T06:00:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow, the country inaugurates its forty-fourth President, Barack Obama. Today, we celebrate the birthday of a man who helped make tomorrow possible. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have been 80 years old last Thursday, January 15, 2009.

I have a "guest" poster today. My wife, Anne, grew up in segregated Tidewater Virginia and has a much deeper and more personal understanding than I. Her essay was first published in the January issue of our community magazine, Living @ Sun City Carolina Lakes.

Update on A “Dream”
by Anne Lauher

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

It has been over 40 years since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was tragically taken away from us. Many felt it was way too soon because we knew that he had begun a great work and there was still much to do. So as the nation prepares to celebrate what would have been his 80th birthday this month, let us update his “Dream”.

Although he was the catalyst for so many of the events and activities associated with the early Civil Rights Movement, he is more often than not remembered for his “I Have a Dream” speech delivered on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Most folks only remember the “Dream” portion of that speech, but there was so much more to it than that. I recall that in that speech he said “…we cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote.” I’m sure that he would be satisfied about our voting record now because in the last national election for which we have confirmed numbers, more than 14.8 million black folks voted.

In that speech he told those who were there to go back to the towns and cities from which they came “…knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.” And he would not believe how true those words are about to become.

But what about the “Dream”?

He said he had a dream that “…one day…the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” Now that happens everyday from Main Street to Wall Street.

He had a dream that “…little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.” If he could only see my granddaughters’ classes at school with faces that are not only black and white, but all shades in between. It’s the same for their sleepovers, their birthday parties and their soccer or tennis or swim teams.

He had a dream that “…this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed that all men are created equal,” and where people “…will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Nowhere was that more demonstrated than in a speech on another August 28, but this time in 2008 when Senator Barack Obama, an African-American, delivered his acceptance speech as the Democratic nominee for president of the United States. And even more so on November 4, 2008, when Mr. Obama was elected President of the United States.

So you see, there have been many positive changes in the America that he knew. We have made strides that many thought we would never see in our lifetime, and yet there’s still more to do.

But rest easy, Dr. King. Your dream is being fulfilled.

Jordan Sings

2009-01-13T15:25:00.003-05:00

On Sunday, January 11, Jordan sang the National Anthem at the University of North Carolina- Charlotte women's basketball game. She, of course, was excellent.

Christmas Report

2009-01-03T16:16:00.006-05:00

Tony, Paula, Jordan and Kendyl joined us for Christmas this year. They came over to our house after working for several hours at the Charlotte Rescue Mission. We opened presents and had a great dinner. Tony and his family gave us a Wii Fit game that will help a lot with our fitness regimen. You can see more on our web site.

Just before Christmas, Jordan and Kendyl went to a Gingerbread House party with their next door neighbor, Miss Crystal. You can see those pictures by clicking here.

A New Year

2009-01-03T15:52:00.007-05:00

It's another year and I hope to be more regular in my posting. Today, I woke up to the spell of my automatic coffee maker, looked out over foggy morning rooftops and marveled once again about how the Lord has blessed me.

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-28T15:19:00.005-05:00

Yesterday we went over to Charlotte to be with Tony, Paula and the girls for Thanksgiving dinner. Paula's mother, Beverly, was there. Also, Paula's godparents. Cathy and Everett and one her close friends, Toni, joined us. We had a wonderful time.

Just before dinner, we had grace and each person told what they were thankful for this year. Then Jordan, who is ten, read a poem she had written especially for the day.

Thanksgiving
by Jordan Lauher

Thanksgiving is the time for feasts,
The time for turkeys, the time for treats.
Thanksgiving is home for the holidays,
Yippee, we got out of school on Tuesday!

It is good to be here with family.

Happy Thanksgiving, now you can eat

God is good!

A New Word

2008-11-23T20:12:00.005-05:00

Today, I visited Lucy over at Box Elder and learned a new-to-me word, meme.

One definition of meme that I found was something like this, an idea, project or a question posted by one blog and responded to by other blogs. As I understood the meme that Lucy had responded to, I should post the sixth picture in the sixth folder of My Pictures.

Since there were only four pictures in my sixth folder, I am posting the fourth one

Anne and I took Jordan and Kendyl to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina last summer where we encountered this thing outside the aquarium

Tonight, change has come to America! Praise the Lord!

2008-11-04T23:50:00.007-05:00

What a wonderful night it is. I just listened to the next President of the United States of America. What a night of history, one I never thought that I would live to see. Earlier, as I watched John Lewis talk on MSNBC, as I watched Reverend Jesse Jackson stand crying in the crowd. unnoticed by those around him, as I remembered Dr. King -- I thought "Praise the Lord!" Tonight, I feel better about the future that awaits my granddaughters.

We need to pray for our President-elect.

That's all I can write tonight - more will come later.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

Senator Barack Obama!

2008-10-24T11:27:00.008-04:00

I voted for Senator Barack Obama on Monday. I was able to vote early here in South Carolina because I am 65 years old.

I voted for Senator Obama because I believe that he has proven repeatedly that he is the best choice to lead this country for the next four years. His strong and steady behavior throughout this campaign, in direct contrast to Senator John McCain’s erratic (yes I said it) meandering, indicates to me that he is more than ready for the challenges that are in store. Even as the stock market falls again this morning, I feel that Senator Obama has an economic plan that will right this sinking ship. Senator McCain has offered me nothing but more of the same failed Bush policy.

I am tired of reading about young Americans dying and suffering injury in Iraq for the sake of W’s daddy’s hurt feelings and for Dick Chaney's friend's pocketbooks. Senator Obama will end the war in a studied and prompt way.

The mean spirit of the McCain/Palin campaign has provoked and stirred up the racist ranting of Rush Limbaugh and his followers so much as to make me sick.

As the New York Times says in its endorsement of Senator Obama today, “the nation’s problems are simply too grave to be reduced to slashing “robo-calls” and negative ads. This country needs sensible leadership, compassionate leadership, honest leadership and strong leadership. Barack Obama has shown that he has all of those qualities.”

I urge you to cast your vote for Senator Barack Obama to be the 44th president of these United Sates of America.

Thank you.

HIlton Head Island

2008-10-16T11:26:00.004-04:00

Last week we visited one of our favorite places, Hilton Head Island. Fred and Brenda, friends of ours from Maryland, joined us for a week of fun and relaxation. We walked the beach, ate good food and did some shopping. A perfect week!

Everytime we go to Hilton Head we visit the Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café, the best place on the island to get breakfast. Pictured are Leslie, Debby, Dawn and Stacey who made sure we got our food hot and fast.

Go over here to see some more pictures.

A New Postcard

Sun City Carolina Lakes Homecoming

2008-09-22T13:39:00.006-04:00

Sun City Carolina Lakes residents celebrated it's first Homecoming Weekend on September 18 - 20, 2008. The festivities began with the a pep rally on Thursday night, complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, a DJ, pompom girls and the crowning of our King and Queen. On Friday night, we did the Electric Slide at the first of two Homecoming Dances. Saturday morning, the Homecoming Parade was led by our King and Queen and a second dance was held on Saturday night. All those who attended had great fun.

Read more here

One Year, today!

2008-09-18T09:12:00.005-04:00

Today is our first anniversary of moving to Sun City Carolina Lakes. We went to settlement on September 18, 2008. It's been a wondeful year and we have no regrets about moving away from Maryland after 40 years. We miss our old friends, but we have made new ones. We miss our old church , but we have a new church. We are four hundred miles closer to our son and his family. It is a great life and we are truely blessed.

Reunion

2008-09-15T12:51:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, September 12, 2008, Anne and I were in Cincinnati for a Mo Lauher family reunion and a baby shower for my nephew Matt and his wife Elizabeth who are expecting in October. Everyone couldn't come, but we had a wonderful time with those who could.

More!

Adventures in Landscaping

2008-09-02T12:49:00.004-04:00

Shortly after moving in to our new house almost a year ago, we decided that our small patio needed to be upgraded. The back of our house faces almost due west and sufferers from extreme sunlight in the afternoon and early evening. We wanted more room and some shade, so recently we made some changes. We enlarged the patio and added an awning. Here are some before and after pictures.