Daryl Ray is such a talented guy and last year (2010) he did a project on facebook where he took a picture a day and said a little something about it. He had such a following and his facebook family and friends looked forward to his picture each day; I loved reading his stories about each picture!
He’s doing it again for 2011 and I’m going to help promote them via my site. Be sure to check back and see his pictures and stories. I’m posting his first 14 pictures and stories today and will post each one as he puts them on facebook. Thanks Daryl, we’re looking forward to a interesting 2011 through your eyes and stories!!!
Beth
01/01/11 “HAPPY NEW YEAR, DUDES!”
“Hey, Cayden here. I decided to take control of this picture thing today. Poppy D wanted to put me in a diaper and a sash saying 2011. WHAT THE HECK? DOES HE THINK I’M A BABY? I’M ALMOST TOO, I MEAN TWO!How about we put his fat butt in a Depends and see how he likes it. Anyhow, here we go again. 364 to go. JEEEZ. If I don’t make it in every month this year, I’m gonna pitch a tantrum bigger than any three year old ever could. Well, gotta go. Stuff to take care of. Happy New Year! MEME, THIS THING’S FULL AGAIN!”
01/02/11 “HAWKEYE!”
I had decided today would be a “bird” day. The little fellars were busy out there, and posing perfectly. So, while I was looking out the window, I noticed a large object in one of the trees close to the neighbors. I walked out, and got closer and closer for about five minutes. I finally got around to the sunny side, and he was giving me the, well, hawkeye. After a few minutes, he finally tired of me and flew away… D-Ray
01/03/11 “MY ALMA MATER”
Every now and then, like this evening, I’ll be out in town, and will notice the familiar green & white of my alma mater Pickens High School. Yes, I was a Dragon for five years, not because it took me longer to get through, we just went 8-12 back then. Saved the horses and wagons the trouble of going to another school. Anyhow, whenever I see those colors, it brings back many memories, mostly good, of days gone by. The classes, friends, clubs. Even the teachers, who, if most of us would admit it, left a bit of an impact on our lives, whether we wanted it or not. To them, I say thank you. Also thanks to Ledford Pruitt. If he had been a cat, I would have scared him out of half his lives in Driver’s ED. Oh well, WAY too many memories for just one pic. Guess it’s time for the Alma Mater. Join in now;
“PLANTED IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS,
HIGH ABOVE THE PLAINS….” D-Ray
01/04/11 “Packin’ Up Christmas!”
I HATE packin’ up the Christmas stuff. It’s just not as fun as putting it all out. This gifts are done, the food is all consumed, and clean up begins. Or, maybe spills over into January. So, we bring up toe 743 (or so it seems) boxes, and begin the process. What I detest the most is the tree. Those little elves must be laghing their butts off, because they know that tree is NEVER going back in that box the way it came. And, as I get older, it gets heavier. Especially this year, I guess, since I turned 50. Oh, and Mel? She’s supposed to be helping. One minute she has part of the tree, the next, she’s no where to be found. Oh well, I’ll just finish it myself. Merry Post Christmas…. D-Ray
01/05/11 “Fight & Flight”
I believe in one or two of those Science classes, we talked about fight or flight. The most primitive of responses, Mr. Hypothalamus tells us to stay and defend our territory, or get the heck outta there. Growing up with my siblings, I believe I was born with part of my “flight gene” missing. I may have to ellaborate on that a little as the year goes on. For now, I’m fleeing to bed. G’night… D-Ray
01/06/11 “Puzzling Porcine”
Did you hear about the Peg Leg Pig? That’s a question I’ve asked more times than I can remember, and, unfortunately more times than some of you can forget. That’s the opening line to one of my favorite stories. I’ve asked for that line to be inscribed on my tombstone. Along with that, one of my favorite hobbies is puzzles and brain-teasers. So, for Christmas my sweet wife gave me a wooden pig puzzle. I don’t want to take the little fellar apart. I’m afraid I might mix up a ham hock with a pork loin, and he’ll never be the same… D-Ray
01/07/11 “THE NEW PHONE BOOKS ARE HERE! THE NEW PHONE BOOKS ARE HERE!”
770-479-9602 . That was my first telephone number when I moved to Canton in ’82. I remember the first time I saw it in print. I ran in with the same euphoria as Steve Martin in “The Jerk.” I kept the same number until we moved here. Nowadays, I’m over the white page thrill I once had. In fact I could care less if they sent another phone book. With Internet Access, the phone book is just a waste of tree for me today. Oh, just try and call my house, anyhow. NO ONE will answer the telephone. “If it’s for us, they’ll call our cell phones” is the response I get. Who knows, one day I may do away with my home phone. But for now, that and the phone book is a way of letting me know “I”M SOMEBODY NOW!!!” D-Ray
01/08/11 “Brunswick Stew ala Mike”
A year or so ago, we had a chili cookoff at work. My friend, Mike brought in Brunswick Stew, not as part of the contest, but ’cause he thought we’d like it. I did! This is not your ordinary Brunswick Stew of today. Mike & his buddies make this once a year, he tells me, in a big black cauldron over an open fire. For hours on end, just the right ingredients, sauces and seasonings are added at just the right time with constant stirring to prevent scorching. And how does he keep all the “stirrers’ from wondering off? He keeps the beer next to the pot, he says. A few weeks ago, Mike gave me a quart, which I’ve kept in the secret vault, (my freezer) until just the right moment. So, with inclimate weather approaching, and the fear of a power loss, THIS is the right moment. Worth the wait, Mike. Thanks…. D-Ray
01/15/11 “DIRTY BIRD (Wings)”
OK, I’ve been craving KFC wings all week, have no idea why. So my pregame festivities were Zantac 1 hour before. A McRib for warmup, followed by a nutty bar. I like these because I put the sauce on the side, (on a diet, you know). I spread the 1st 10 out for the AFC game. There may have to be a Gaviscon intermission. not sure yet. So, what’s on your play-off plate tonight? And, if you find yourself short of antacids, give me a call… D-Ray
01/16/11 “Missing Snow Angel”
So, I’m out with Hannah, trying to clear the ice and snow off the driveway, (still shady & slippery). I’m trying to hurry, (football games), and she’s being the typical teenage daughter, (cell phone, etc). I’m shoveling about 10 scoops for every one she’s doing. I’m getting a bit frustrated. Pretty soon, she’s gone, probably back in to her laptop, or something. Oh, well. Time for more football. Maybe she’s inside ordering the Chinese for dinner. TTyL. Egg Rolls coming soon…. D-Ray
01/17/11 “In All Cerealsness”
The last bight! Always a dilimma for me when it comes to cereal. I never have too much cereal. I don’t think I’ve ever finished them both at the same time. It’s always, regardless of what brand of cereal, too much milk! There’ the rub. Do I eat the last bite, and drink the milk? Or, do I get up, (pretty comfy right now) and get more cereal? And, if I’m gonna get up, maybe I’ll just put the whole thing unfinished in the sink for Mel to worry about. Decisions, decisions. When you have ADHD, they never come easy. So, I guess I’ll just….
01/18/11 “The Mortar & Pestle”
As early as Biblical times, reference is made to use of the mortar. Along with the pestle, these two instruments have been used for compounding substances together to make our medicines, remedies, and in cooking. Separately, each part of the compound has it’s own distinct charateristic, texture, taste. Separately, each ingredient may offer a distinct flavor, but may not be pallitable on it’s own. But, compounded, these mixtures provide us with healing, nourishment, pleasure. In many ways, we are treated the same way with in our “Mortar of Life.” Be it our jobs, schools, churches and other functions, we are brought together in groups. Men, women. Black, White, Yellow, Red. We are of many religions, thoughts, meditations. Our hair is brown, black, white, red, and in some cases gone. We are thin, fat, in or out of shape, and maybe even a shape-shifter, as I appear to be. We like sports, music, reading, and any assortment of things to keep us entertained. On a daily basis, we gather in or mortars, and are pestled together to perform our jobs, our teams, our clubs. And we come together, like a compound to perform our tasks. And we do them well. The difference is, at the end of the day, we are privileged to be able to go home, and take our part of the recipe with us. We leave with the satisfaction that, at that moment, we were a crucial part of the compound in the Mortar… D-Ray
Poor King! He never stood a chance after the fall of his Kingdom. The Cystal Queen and her court chased him like the fox and hounds, until she cornered him for the kill. This pleased her king very much, as he would live to fight again… D-Ray
1/20/11 “Sticky Situation”
So, I went by Staples yesterday to pic up a few things for a project. I came across this glue from Scotch. It’s 2-WAY GLUE. It comes out of either end of the tube. It’s safe for most papers, and for photographs. It’s easy to apply. Works on other material too. Plastics, wood, ceramics. Also works on denim, especially when left in the pocket with a loose cap. Removes, however, fairly easily from cell phones. Maybe Mel’s not reading this. She doesn’t usually comment on my pix, so maybe not. Oh well, at least it wasn’t an ink pen. Knowing my luck, that’ll be about April or May… D-Ray
01/21/11 “CHOCOLATE CAKE!”
OK, Class. Time for a debate; Chocolate Cake. FOR or AGAINST! Please give me your arguments in 25 words or less. If you feel the need to argue both sides, make a separate entry. Go for it… D-Ray
01/22/11 “Patricia Crowe; 1957-2011?
Over the last 30 years, I have met thousands of people at the hospital; patients, employees, even my wife. Some times, it’s the families that make an impression on you. Such was the case with Patricia Woodall Crowe. I met her during the illness of her brother. Then, I found out she also knew my wife. Over the years there was the usual running in to each other in town, or the hospital. Then, Mel and I linked up with her on FB. Patricia always asked about my girls. Occasionally she offered a comment or two on my pix. But we always remembered her as being kind and caring. Our prayers and thoughts are with her and her family. Good bye, Patricia. You will be missed… Daryl & Melodie
01/23/11 “The Pizza Game!”
Well, it was PAYDAY this week, so we decided to order Pizza for the games today. As for me, Pizza Hut’s the best, and it’s TABOO to order from any where else. But they don’t deliver. So, instead of all the AGGRAVATION of going to get it, we called DOMINOS. After all, they seem to have a MONOPOLY on Pizza delivery. So we decided to take a RISK and get the DOMINOS Special. Boy, were we SORRY! When they delivered, you could hear the pieces CARROM inside the board. I had no CLUE it was going to be like this. I’ve submitted a claim regarding their whole OPERATION. Oh well, that’s LIFE… D-Ray
01/24/11 “WHATIZZIT?”
01/25/11 “The Bareness of Winter!”
I was riding to meet Mel for dinner tonight, and I looked over at the trees on the side of the road. The wind was blowing with a chill that would cut you to the bone. The cold rain penetrated my skin, leaving my face numb. I felt as bare as the trees without their leaves. I felt as if any opening in my clothed armor left me vulnerable. I thought, this is a good evening to hybernate when we got home. To put on th sweat shirts, long jammers, and crawl under the cover. But, wait. It’s garbage night. The hybernation will have to be postponed…momentarily… D-Ray
?01/26/11 “Happy Face”
Jennergee at work told me my pic yesterday was too gloomy, depressing. I told her I would do something a little more “happy” today. So, for you Jennergee, and anyone else in need. Here’s you Happy Face. They can be lifesavers some times…. D-Ray
01/27/11 “Track Facts”
I was born less than 100 yards from the train tracks at Tate. The house where my family lived then was in Mudhead, (ahem, behind the gym! Sorry, Mama), about 100 feet from the train tracks. My Uncle Grady, and I believe my Uncle Green, (Help me cousins) drove the train out from the marble quarries and mines to link up with the main line at Tate. When I was in Boy Scouts at Nelson, the same track was 50 feet from the Scout Hut. We loved to put pennies on the tracks for those rare occasions when the train actually came through on a Wednesday evening. Twenty miles down the road, I now cross the same track six times a day, three going to work, three coming home. I remember trying to count the engines and box cars whenever we got stuck at the crossing. Oh, I did get caught last week, for 30 seconds. The first time in a great while. Back to the box cars. I always remember the L & N Railroad symbol. So, without googling it, what does “L&N” stand for? No cheating now. Oh well, time to get this caboose to bed… D-Ray
01/28/11 “Boys And Their Dreams”
Seems no matter how old, one year to 50, boys dream about things they want. Such was the case tonight when Little Man came over. After a few romps around the house, tearing out the toy box, and giving big hugs to Mimi, the boys settled down in the recliner. In no time at all, Little Man was dreaming of sports he wanted to do, as visions of cameras and computers danced in m head. Mimi says I have to get off the computer now, so Little Man can continue his nap. g’night, little buddy. See you at Cracker Barrel in the morning…. Poppy D
01/29/11 “BYE POPPY!”
So, Little Man is walking every where now. He loves to stand in the kitchen window, and give greetings. He had a big smile on his face as Poppy D went off for a few hours of surgery. I got home about 8:30 tonight not sure what I’d do for the Pic of the Day. I didn’t have any ideas. I had already used Little Man yesterday, so I didn’t want to use him again today. But, I was tired, and had no ideas. Then, it hit me! My Project, My Rules! I had forgotten Rule #1, which is, what ever I say, goes! So, give Little Man a shout! He’d love it. Oh, and I promise not to use him again…for at least…a week…. D-Ray
January 28, 2011
I grew up with the CSX going through out town of Mitchell, Indiana. Here is a video that I took a couple of years ago…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afqgbXMXFmI