Every Journey Starts with One step and a scratch off.

So we were graciously invited back to San Antonio, to the Eagle Ranch Bed and Breakfast, and so we packed up our wares and headed south. Cookie was flying that day also, much to our surprise!

Flying with Gramma is never really a challenge as long as you bring her scratch offs and we have a wheel chair!

Notice we are all in jackets, sweatshirts, etc. It was snowing that day on our way to the airport and our plane was delayed as it had to be de - iced!

Of course it is common knowledge that Gramma thought she had won 20,000$. No she was convinced she had won 20 grand! Here is Cousin Barb holding her "winning" ticket. Barb was pretty much the only one, Gramma would let touch her golden ticket!

Chores are a part of each day on the ranch, Gramma and Barb were given the job of "stuffing" our scare crow for our Halloween decorations. Gramma was pretty much stationed in her rocker for the duration of our stay.

Here is my sister, busy at work on the porch of the quest house. Notice the bright sunshine, sigh! This is just one of the many photo's I took of the garden. Notice the 15 foot high plant in the middle of the garden? It is a century plant, it blooms once and only once at about 10 years of age, it is getting ready to bloom, unfortunately it did not happen while we were there. But the local paper did come out and take pictures!

Gramma, cousins Pat and Barb after our pumpkin hunting outing. Notice the "jug" on the truck!
One of the fun things I like to do is, put different hats on Gramma's head and take her picture! She fusses, but she is always a good sport. I find this picture one of the better ones! You can fill in your own caption.
In addition to the Bed and Breakfast and all the community organizations the Col and Pat belong to, they also have the Corny Colonel Business. This is a food vendor stand that is set up at local fairs and festivals. They sell corn dogs, popcorn, fried snickers bars, funnel cakes, pop and water. This was the Fall Harvest Festival that Sue and I helped with. It was a gorgeous day, and a lot of fun, but whoa, a lot of hard work.

I am not quite sure what she is talking about? But she does have a captive audience.

The Col was paying no attention to what Sue was talking about. Come to think of it, I don't think any one was....

All in All, Gramma at 91 years old, is pushed and pulled from pillar to post, shoved and wheeled all over, kept up late to take our money at poker, and is one of the best seasoned travelers! We thank from the bottom of our hearts our gracious and generous hosts, we had a ball!

Hee hee...

Some things just make me giggle.

Halloween Is Gonna Suck This Year

Poor Emma and Zach... does anyone now where these poor kids can go trick or treatin' this year?

Let's Go Rays

You're not going to believe this, but I'm rooting for the Rays over the Blowston Red Sux in the series.

Just a concerned voter trying to get the socialist propaganda off this blog. And I like my water clean , not dirty. James Shields for president!

happy post season!!!

I was hoping you guys could root for my team, since your team is sitting at home and all.

It's no Celion Dion blog....

Jill "Double fisting" french fries up her nose.

It's a Progressive Thing... You Wouldn't Understand

A Prog Experience
By JT Pilaf

My friend Dave and I have been wanting to see Spock's Beard live for a loooooong time. Unfortunately, they don't tour much here (the states, even though they're from Calif.) but are always over in Europe where prog music is appreciated just a lil' bit more. Here I am enjoying some tailgating with a libation in between sets. We arrived in Burgettstown, PA just in time to catch the end of Mandrake Projects set. As you can see it was a beautiful day outside.


After Gongzilla's set (with a special appearance from Ryo Okomoto) , Spock's Beard went on stage at about 6:30 and blew us away. Here's Dave Meros (left) and Alan Morse.

Ryo Okomoto got into a car accident over in Japan just 3 weeks before the show and broke his jaw in two places, but as you can see left nothing behind as he started jamming out on his keyboards. Two stage crew guys had to steady the equipment and made sure it didn't give out on him. Totally rock n roll!!!

And then... Neal Morse joined his old band for an encore performance of their 20 minute epic "The Light". Totally awesome!!! He left the band 7 years ago to concentrate on Christian music. So needless to say, everyone in the audience was going bazerk when he came on stage... you can only imagine the excitement.
"Ryo is Rock n Roll"

Just another shot of Neal and his old bandmates tearing it up.

Then it was Neal's turn to take the stage. I was hoping he wouldn't wimp out and play secular music for the masses and play his Christian Prog and he didn't disappoint. He started out with "The Creation" from the One CD and then played his latest CD Sola Scriptura in its entirety minus a short lil ballad. What a show! And just when you think its over... Mike Portnoy from Dream Theatre and Roine Stolt from the Flower Kings joined him (if your keeping score that's 3 of 4 TransAtlantic members, minus Pete Trewavas) for an encore and they played "We All Need Some Light" and then their 30 minute epic "All The Above". Neal ended up putting on a three hour concert... SWEET!!! We didn't get out until after 1AM and then we had a hour drive to Butler before we could rest our wearied eyes.

You guys missed a great show. So next time in your in Burgettstown, say hi to the Pepsi Roadhouse and thank 3RPfest (Three Rivers Progfest) and Howard for hosting an awesome show. Unfortunately, our wives and kids wouldn't allow Dave and I to stay for Sunday's show featuring California Guitar Trio and the Flower Kings, but we had an unforgettable time this day.

Neal and Mike Portnoy on Drums.