I’ve been trying to keep myself busy down here are best as I can. I’m usually out for lunch or dinner once a week with friends and like to take short road trips every other weekend, or so. My favorite places to go are the North Carolina Aquariums. There are three aquariums, spaced out along the Atlantic shore. Each has a particular theme. They are small but very nice, each site having undergone some renovation in recent years.

Of note, I’ve taken up the ukulele, having inherited my father’s 1955-7 Favilla baritone uke after he passed away in 1998. It remained hidden away for the last 11 years in our garage attic and/or the basement. Fortunately, there was only minor surface cracking of the body. A visit to Kent Knorr, of the NC Ukulele Academy in Wilmington, in early February saw the 55 year-old uke cleaned up and restrung. It sounds great; deep like a guitar, not the plucky higher pitch of the smaller ukes which I was expecting. I would like to purchase a smaller concert or soprano uke soon just to try the different sounds. However, the smaller ukes are strung differently and I’ll need to relearn the chords. Music lessons are under way here in Wilson, with a monthly trip to the NCUA for a the monthly Uke Jam on the last Saturday of the month.

House hunting continues, I’ve reconnoitered several towns near Wilson, with a keen eye on Clayton. My average daily commute is 15 minutes round trip, depending upon traffic. Clayton would be 30 minutes each way, just like Columbus. Clayton has highly ranked schools, several new and recently developed communities, and lies near several major highways. It is also only a few minutes from Raleigh which would put us back in the burbs again.; near foo, shopping, and entertainment venues. I’m off to explore Knightdale today with friends.

Keep the sunny-side up!

Several years ago, my family and I seriously considered moving away from the U.S. Why? We realized that we were just as caught up in what everyone thought we ‘should’ be doing rather than what we ‘wanted’ to do. Culturally, society has changed quite a bit since we were children. The most annoying of which is the ever increasing pace of life that many people feel they must keep up with; driven, I suspect by the nearly instantaneous speed by which we communicate.

We contemplated moving to a remote location, dive into other cultures, and just slow down for a while. Where did we plan on going? We searched the globe for a destination doing our research as interesting places arose. A, big fan of Polynesian culture, I concentrated my efforts on the islands of the South Pacific. I’ve never had to shovel an inch of sunshine in my life.

Several island nations seemed viable, but we settled on the last of the true island kingdoms; Tonga. Tonga’s climate, location, level of technology, low crime rate, extremely high literacy rate, income opportunities, low cost of living, and favorable visa requirements proved the best mix throughout the South Seas. In 2003/4 we had the motivation and financial ability to make the move. But we hesitated. It was a tremendous undertaking that proved too much too overcome then. But as we continue to get older, it begins to look good again.

We are exploring a potential move sometime after 2015; when both kids have graduated high school and have begun making their own decisions. They are welcome to come with us or to stay here and follow their own paths. (When grandchildren appear I imagine we’ll be moving back.)

I have established a new page on this blog to follow our progress and commentary. I will keep things updated there as they develop.  We have a lot of time, but there are a lot of preparations too. Check back from time to time!

Event Flier

View Along 'Main Street'

Field Hospital

A few minutes after we arrived the troops began forming into their companies to march to the battlefield.

Union Company Assembles

5th Kentucky Infantry (CSA)

I have never been to a reenactment before and I didn’t know what to expect. It turned out to be a very impresive 30 minutes! As we spectators sat on a series of low bleachers arraigned on the northen sidelines (we are a Union state after all). We sat on the Union side, just because the sun was to the backs of the Union forces. Surrounded by trees, the field quickly heated up to uncomfortable levels. I felt sorry for the troops as they milled about in those heavy clothes.

Union Skirmishers

Union Skirmishers

The beginning of the battle was heralded by the roar of the Confederate artillery; we were quite startled by the suddeness of the opening salvo. The Union quickly returned fire.

Confederate Line

Union Lines

The battle swung back and forth for some time, but the Union forces, with superior numbers and artillery eventually won out. The generals rejoined their men on the field.

http://www.ci.reynoldsburg.oh.us/civilwar.aspx

General Lee and Traveler

General Grant Rides on By...

My family and I drove to Portland Ohio two Sunday’s ago to find two specific sites along the Ohio River in and near Portland. The first marker was that of the ‘Fighting McCooks’ a family that was present at the battle. The McCooks were led by by two brothers and their 12, or so, sons. The second marker, and ‘battle park’ was that of the Battle of Buffington Island. This was the largest battle fought in Ohio during the Civil War. The site is sandwhiched between active farm fields and contains several markers and a memorial. The site also contains a large indian burial mound. They are both located along OH124.

My next stop will the reenactment of the Battle of Buffington Island, at the battle park, in Portland the weekend of July 18-19.

I didn’t see as many of the presentations as I had wanted, but meeting everyone at registration and hanging out Saturday night was worth every minute. I’ve never been in a place where so many walk in as complete strangers and so many walk out new friends.

Thanks to Angelo and Mary for all the hard work they put in since January!

Thanks to all of the sponsors, especially Doctor Doug from OSU for sponsoring the great location on campus!

http://www.podcampohio.com

Visit us at The Chequered Flag blog for more information.

If you are interested, there is still time to join our Fantasy F1 racing league. Follow the link!

VB is a fantastic modern parody of the Johnny Quest cartoons of the 60′s, and yes, maybe the the 90′s version as well. Characterization is amazing and the unique voice of Patrick Warburton, as the Swedish Murder Machine that is Brock Samson is amazing. The show is a tad blue here and there but the in your face attitude makes it just that much more reliable.

I’m waiting to open it over Spring Break, the tension is palpable…