Playing Fetch In the South

In the Deep South, it gets really hot here. The other day, it was so hot that I saw a dog chasing a cat, and both of them were walking.

On of the things that Ginger loves to do is play fetch. Like most dogs she will do it until she drops.

Here is how Ginger has modified the game to allow for the heat.

Daytona Beach Getaway

This past Memorial Day weekend we took off to see what Central Florida had to offer; more specifically, Daytona Beach.

Out first stop of the Kennedy Space Center. Behind where we are standing is the space shuttle Discovery in the background. We are about 1 mile from the launch site. If the shuttle were to lauch at this time, the noise vibrations would be so strong that it would stop our hearts from beating. Anything closer than 3 miles is in the "kill zone". Here is the shuttle "Discovery" set to launch on Friday, May 30th, at 5:30 PM. You really can't see the shuttle because it is on the other side of the lauch rocket (orange) and the two solid fuel boosters (white).
This where the shuttle, lauch rocket and boosters are all put together. To give you an idea of size, the stars on the flag are 6 foot across from tip to tip of each star. REALLY BIG BUILDING!
This is the crawler that transports the shuttle from the assembly building to the launch site.

Here I am going through my astronaut training for the Mars trip.
Here is Mom's new boy friend. She just loves a man in uniform. (Is it really a man???)
Here is a video of the lauch of an atlas rocket used in the earlier space program to go to the moon. It is still the most powerful rocket ever made.

Our hotel, while a bit older, was right on Daytona Beach. They actually let you drive on the beach here.We also took a tour of the Daytona Speedway. While there I got the chance to ride in a NASCAR racecare and take three laps around the 2.5 mile track at 165 mph. VERY VERY COOL! Who can tell who drives the number 88 car?

No, they wouldn't let me take my Porsche on the track.

Very scenic lighthouse that may become the next "Geri" painting.

How can you come the ocean and not have sea food at a great place called "Down the Hatch"?A good time was had by all.

Graduation Day

This past Saturday marked the culmination of a journey that began many, many years ago. This was a journey that had always been in view, but took a back seat to other priorities like raising three wonderful children and taking care of a husband.

On Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 Geri received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Legal Studies from Valdosta State University.

She was joined on this very special day by Rebecca and Cynthia. This was a day that is probably only outweighted by the birth of our children in ranking of special days in the life of Geri.

Not only did she complete the course of study in 4 years, she also graduated Magna Cum Loude. I just graduated "LOUD"!

This was a very proud day for the Struempler family who can now boast of two complete generations which are college graduates.It is rumored that following graduation, like many new graduates, she is planning on back-packing across Europe, staying at hostels, but only if they offer a senior citizen discount.

This is her graduation class.

For those who didn't get to attend her she is "walking". (I apologize for the shaking camera, but that happens with all of the screaming.)

Snake in the Pool

I was warned when I bought my house that when I checked the swimming pool skimmer filter that should watch out for snakes. I hadn't seen one until Sunday.

Can anyone tell what kind of snake this is? I will post the answer later. I will not accept "dead snake" as an answer.

Genius Boxes At Work

Every years during Laboratory Technologist Week we have what is know as "Genius Box" competition. Any team that wants to participate are given an identical copy paper box with a variety of materials that are used in the laboratory on a day to day basis. The only other thing that they can add outside of these materials is glue, paint, and/or glitter.

This picture is the items that each team is given

The creativity is always amazing. Here is one entry. The face is made from parafin (one of items provided) and they molded the face of one of the techs in the department.

This is the inside of the casino seen above.

This is the first prize winner "Crab Shack" from our lab in Savannah.As I said, the creativity is amazing. This slot machine actually rotates if you pull down on the handle.

Swamps and 'gators are always a popular theme.

Remember that all of these projects were made from the same building materials.

Lake Park Antique Tractor Pull

Nothing says "good time" like the semi-annual antique tractor pull and anvil launch in Lake Park, Georgia. All of the tractors have to be 1957 or older.

These are amazing to watch.
Some could use a little bit more paint.
Of course with the tractor pull you have to be concerned about safety, so our Lake Park Volunteer Fire Department was standing by in their antique fire truck.
Sometimes it wasn't just about tractors, but just engines in general. This one was set up to mix something an boil eggs at the same time. The mixer is the square opening on the left next to the belt drive. The square opening on the right next to the smoke stack was for the cooling water and boiling eggs.
You just can't beat a 1947 Case tractor with custom flames.
The first motor home, a 1953 Dodge.
You can't have a tractor pull (and anvil launch) without some entertainment, and what is better than an accordian.

This was my favorite steam engine. Did really run anything, but the potential was certainly there.

By the way, the anvil launch, where they shot an anvil 300 feet up in the air was canceled due to bad weather and mechanical difficulties. Hey! Even NASA has a canceled launch once in a while.

Great South Georgia Weekend

Nothing says a a great time in South Georgia than football and race cars!

This past weekend we had a double dose of good time.

It started off with the Spring Scrimage for Valdosta State University, between the Black Team and the White Team. It was a beautiful day and was only better because VSU won.





Following the football game, we headed to Cecil, Georgia to the South Georgia Motor Sports Park for the Hooters 250.

To our surprise, when we arrived, there was a second event going on and that was drag racing.



There were an amazing variety of vehicles racing, from a jeep, to top-fuel racers. If you brought it, you could race it.




There was even a scaled-down version for 10-12 year olds.



Sounded like they were using lawn-mower engines.

Can you believe it? There was even a Pinto. (The only thing Pinto was the body).
Here's a ca. 1958 Corvette and a Roadster.
They even let you drag Mom's car.Here is the dragstrip version of the Zamboni!

We then headed over to the 0.5 mile track for the Hooters Series racing. I think Mom found a new friend. (17 years old). I was required to cheer for him. He came in 3rd.
I found some friends too. (It was the Hooters 250!)
Here are a couple of videos to give you some of the action, a top fuel dragster, funny cars, and the start of the race.