Santa Tours My Garage!

If Santa took a tour of my garage it might go something like this......


Why am I out here with this nut-case and his dog?
I have things to do and I'm certainly not eating any cookies that are sitting out here in this mess.




This kayak is sleek and light. I could trade my sleigh in for one of these.... 
........but Randy, why do you have two ?


 

I like the red bucket and green sprinkling can!
but the yellow line winder has to go!



A RED lawnmower.  That's the spirit!!




Hunter! quit licking my Jingle Bells!!




GET ME DOWN!!






Hunter!  Did you pee on Theresa's new mountain bike?
Now that is funny, Boy!



This garage smells like gasoline.
That smell is starting to make everything look blurry.





This guy has more junk in his garage than I do!
by the way, do you have any bird food out here?


Well, Christina reminded me that I was past due for a blog post so I decided to jump on the first thing that came to my twisted mind.  And now Santa has taken you on a holiday tour of my garage.  I hope you enjoyed it. 

On a more serious note, I just want to wish all of you a Christmas full of peace, joy, happiness and love.  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

I'll send Santa to your garage next.


Hey! What are youuuu lookin' at?



We met on the shores of Lake Murray today.
We both walked away unharmed.



Chainsaw Art! Good for the creative soul!

  


This old Bradford Pear was sick and needed
the help of a trained professional.





So yesterday I broke out my CHAINSAW!! 
I thought I could improve the situation.
I had an idea......



I LOVE my chainsaw!  The things I can do!!
The POWER in my hands. I was feeling creative.....



I hauled off 5 truckloads of limbs. 
That's a lot of limbs, Dang-it!
Where's Little Missy when you need some help?

   


Now doesn't this lawn sculpture look much better?
I call it the "Bradford Bird"  A work of ART!
I think it will be handsome with Christmas lights and a wreath!


Mr. Chainsaw with his buddies!!



 


Random. Extremely Random. Sorry!

See August post "Deer 4, Birds 0" 
Well, the birds still lose, but this little sunflower
 is STILL trying to bloom in October.  Gutsy little plant!

.....sign in Amanda's quiet little neighborhood. 
OH NO!!!  Should I turn around and go back?
Or maybe they want me to break out my 1970's dance moves?
....and why isn't it mounted to the top of the post? 



Same neighborhood....
This strikes me as another "Duh" sign.
You would have to drive through a person's house and
hit the computer, X-Box or cell phone to hurt a kid these days.

The clan at the Clemson game last week.
It was a great day!  Wish Nick was there!



Amanda at work prior to the game.
Anyone care for some chocolate forearm in their cone?



Megan's birthday cake
Notice Tiger over Gamecock.



Admiring my new purchase while at Salt Lake City airport.
Rocket Dog shoes from Burlington Coat Factory Outlet.
Only $17.98   SWEET!



Yakin' on the Broad River

I'll let the pictures tell the story on this one.  Not much else to add other than I really enjoyed last Sunday with Christina and Mother Nature.  Some of the best things in life are so simple. Let's do it again, SOON!  Amanda? Megs? Nick?   Who's next?

......proof that men can multi-task! (drive and take photos) 
On the road to meet Christina at the Broad River

You drag the kayaks... I'll get the rods.   

Tina is workin' a good spot near some rapids



First fish of the day!  Nice little Smallmouth Bass
Check out the colors on that fish!



Hey!!  They're not going to JUMP in the boat!  Keep fishing!


I think something is staring at you.
He probably isn't enjoying this photo session as much as you are.
 Do you really need two hands to hold that monster?



Hey!



The end of a great day outdoors!



Tina!  You're getting my kayak dirty!!  Lift it up!!!
I'll get the rods.....



Finished the event with a milkshake at Wendy's
Why are you acting like you don't know me?
Doesn't everybody want their picture taken at Wendy's?



Good to be Home......Eating Jello!

Hi MOM!  You are awesome!
Thanks for taking such good care of me while I was home!

 
As you now know, I was visiting my family in Ohio a few weeks ago.  It was a great trip.  I was able to spend some good quality time with my mom, Anna Mae.  She is a special lady.  As usual, my mom had tons of food ready and waiting for me when I arrived.....and she made "Randy's Jello"! Everyone in my family is jealous that they don't have a food named after them.  No Jim's meatloaf or Debby's pancakes. No Frank's roast beef or Tim's macaroni salad. Only Randy has a food. Rarely did "Randy's Jello" last more than a day or so when I lived there. 

I have great memories of my childhood and our home in Amherst, Ohio.  My parents were awesome.  I learned sooooo much living there.  I am definitely a product of my parents..... ALTHOUGH, I must note that not nearly as good in many ways. 

My dad loved the outdoors, primarily fishing, and was an amazing handy man.  That guy could do it all! Electric, plumbing, carpentry, landscaping, concrete, automotive repair....you name it, he would learn how to do it and do it well.  And the ole-boy did love to fish....and EAT what he caught!  He also thought he was quite the comedian.  I miss him.

Mom on the other hand was always there making our house a home! She was the one that taught me lessons about life and how to live.  She taught us about never quitting and to hang on even when things got tough.  She is a great example of will and determination.  I think a big part of it is her stubborn German heritage.  But that's a good thing in my mind.  She taught all of her kids how to treat people with respect and a smile   ....and MAN!.....she likes to feed people!    

Mom always makes more food than I can eat. 
And she ALWAYS makes "Randy's Jello"!!
It was gone by the time I left.



PERFECTION!! 
An elegant mix of strawberries, whipped cream and jello!
I could eat it all in one sitting......NO PROBLEM!

 

This is where I grew up. Looks much like it did when we first moved in.
I was 3 at the time.  It was a great house and home. 
I wonder how many times I cut that grass.



I blew out my new Columbia sandals so I went to
Dad's workshop to put them back in service.
I felt like a kid again, hanging out in Dad's workshop.



 My Dad kept this picture on the wall of his shop so he knew
exactly where to hang his tools when he was done with them. 
I spent many hours in his workshop tinkering, thinking and making messes.

 


In Dad's workshop, all the nuts, bolts, screws, etc. had a home.
I think I helped separate all this stuff.
I wasn't allowed to play with the label maker though.  That stunk!



Every tool had it's place!
Dad outlined each tool to keep things organized. 
My job was to hang everything up after a big project.

So that is a brief rundown on the rest of my trip to Amherst.  Between the visit with Mom, Debby and Jim, the kayaking, and the trip down memory lane in Mom's house, I had a great time.

So, in keeping to my blogging commitment, I'll put a fork in this post.  Done!

Oh ya! During the trip Jim and I had a little handgun competition.
This is my target from 15 yards.  I'm not going to show you Jim's.
He's had professional training.  Totally unfair!

Ok! Now I'm really done.  Hope you enjoyed a little "inside" scoop about the family. 

Wiles Supports our Troops!

 We had a great visit last night with some of my favorite people.  Chris, Amanda and family.  Sure was nice to have all of them at the house.  Next time I hope they stay longer so we can do some "outside stuff" together.  A great bunch of folks, for sure! 
 

My Buddy Wiles, wearing his ARMY ball-cap.  Nick would be proud!
This kid is tougher than a Buffalo.  Never cries!  Future Army recruit??
Sure wish he could have been fishing with me tonight.



Best one of the night. Over 24".  Only caught 2 though.
Hopefully more this weekend.   



Murray Sunrise.  I hope you enjoy it.



A Cormorant on the docks at Lake Murray

 

Thank God for Lake Murray!!

  Great night on Lake Murray! I left at 6 and was back home by 8.  Saw some beautiful skies as a storm rolled in. And caught a few fish as a bonus!
 

This doesn't do tonight's sky justice.
It was absolutely gorgeous tonight!!!




Ever wonder why they call 'em Stripers?
Caught 4 of these as I watched the beautiful skies roll in!
 PERFECT!

  

He clearly has "small-fish" complex!
WHAT was he thinking??



As these clouds got closer, and as the lightning started flashing,
I figured it was time to quit holding a graphite rod up in the air and get off the lake!