The pickup truck and I successfully negotiate the wrecks and increasingly aggressive drivers as I head east. I have a bit of work to do while here, but I am trying very hard to balance my labors with an equal amount of fun. In addition to hanging out with lots of friends, I have also spent more time than I normally would with animals. Here are the details.
My sister, brother-in-law and niece meet me at the International Bluegrass Music Award convention. Unlike regular Bluegrass festivals where a few bands perform each day, bands attend this festival for the seminars about growing their business and to network with other musical professionals. As a result there are many, many bands here performing all day and night on the streets, in restaurants and in little nooks all over downtown. The music is amazing. I even see people from Arizona who, like me, have travelled a lot of miles to attend this event.
Ace - Canine Crimefighter
The first dog I meet back home is Ace. He is a 60 pound mix of probably pit bull and maybe a boxer. Of his weight, 40 pounds is his head alone which is huge. In spite of his looks, he is pretty friendly and likes to lick the ears of new acquaintances if he can reach them.
He used his special skills in a car heist that he was able to stop by licking the would be criminal into submission. As the story goes, Ace was traveling through Nevada with my other brother-in-law, Eric. The two were headed to a convention in Las Vegas, but made a stop at a Walmart in Henderson, NV. Eric went inside to shop while Ace napped in the backseat of their rental car.
A car thief there using some kind of code interceptor was able to unlock the rental using the code transmitted by the key fob when Eric locked the door. Eric returned to the parking lot to discover the rental car and Ace were gone. As Eric completed the police report the officer commented that a car matching the description Eric gave was parked just up the street. When they investigated, they found the car and Ace abandoned not a block away.
Apparently, the activity generated during the heist awakened Ace. Amazingly a new ear was right there within licking distance for him. I am guessing that the would be criminal made an instant career changing choice as soon as Ace gave him the first lick!
My Seafood Adventures
While here I have devoured so much good food. Dean and Terrie escort me to enjoy the best Shrimp and Grits in the world at Chelsea’s in New Bern. Bob treats me to raw oysters in Chapel Hill. He shares with me the training he received in New Orleans on how not to eat raw oysters like an amateur. I have never been properly trained and welcome the opportunity to improve myself. According to the self professed expert raw oyster eater he met there, in order to properly consume raw oysters you must follow this procedure:
1 – mix cocktail sauce with horse radish until the sauce is a light pink
2- cover a saltine with a sweet, creamy coleslaw
3- Submerge the oyster in the pink sauce, then gently place it atop the coleslaw
4 – Open wide and place the entire cracker in your mouth.
5 – Enjoy
Thanks so much to all my friends who have shared a meal and some laughs with me.
Love you all!
A Few More Photos from this Trip
Hi Deb,
It was great to see you! I’m happy that you included me in your busy schedule here in North Carolina.
Larry
It was my pleasure, Larry. Thanks for fitting me in your schedule!
Same as Larry, great to see you again and hope to see you again soon. Thanks for including us on your visit as well. Wish we had gotton more time, next time. Safe travels and stay as long as you can. GOD BLESS
JD/SD
Jim & Sandy
Great to see you guys too! Thanks for the breakfast and for fitting me in your schedule!
Welcome back East?. I know it will be busy, but you know where we live. If you get to our neck of the woods…. You are always welcome.?
Ruth and Scott
Gosh, I sure would love to see you guys. Heading back home in a few days, but maybe next year!