A Full Weekend

Okay, I got these pictures uploaded. I just could not position them in the text as I wanted.

This picture is from our day in Cuero, visiting with long-time friends.
In the background is the garage of the Netardus' house. When Brad and Dina's daughter Maddie walked into the garage, which is filled with bikes, toys, and the riding lawn mower, she exclaimed with the wonder of a three-year-old, "Wow! What is this place?"

These pictures are from "Card Night" with Tara and John. Since Tara is drinking red wine, I guess this is her "Bloods" gang sign.

This pic is from our first day's lunch at Trudy's.

So I did not have time to get new tires, and make it to the in-store on Thursday. During any Summer of Jay, this creates no dilemma, as fun trumps responsibility. I blew off getting tires, picked up Carrie, and headed down to Waterloo to see Ryan Bingham. He's been getting some radio play, his sound is good, and there is an added bonus that I am an acquaintance of his guitar player. Corby Schaub is the son of Craig, who worked with Brad at the Perdenales Electric Co-op. I have floated the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers with them, and we have all embarrassed ourselves to some degree on these trips. Given that much alcohol was consumed on these floats, making memories a bit fuzzy, and that many years have passed since I last saw Corby, it is no wonder that he did not really remember me when he happened by me before the show. Still, he was nice enough to visit for a couple of minutes before they took the stage.

Bingham and the band played an acoustic 45 minute set, which put a premium on how well they played. Corby had a mandolin solo that was so precise, at one point it was like he was playing a piano. They both play a mean guitar, and Bingham has a raspy, kerosene voice that sounds like a rockin' chicken-fried Tom Waits. Good stuff. I'm posting a link to youtube of a song off their previous album. I hope that works, so you can listen for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmXdWOG0dTw

Friday, Carrie and I spent the first full day of the summer just like we have the last several "first days." Sleeping in, she took the day off. I did get those tires replaced, which I hope does not become an annual tradition. We went to Trudy's for margaritas and nachos, sitting on the deck. I don't think I've been there in a year, but it's always where I want to start the summer. We are usually among the oldest people there, and the loud music they play on the deck is a reminder that we are just a few years beyond their target customers.

On Saturday night, we played cards with Tara and John, which was noteworthy because of the great company, the awesome ginger shrimp that Carrie made, and one weird hand of Spades, wherein Carrie and I took all 13 tricks. I must humbly report that John and Tara soundly defeated us. No rematch is scheduled.

The busy weekend continued on Sunday with a trip to Cuero, to see Jennifer and Anthony, with Brad and Dina and their two kids coming from San Antonio. We had not seen Jen and Anthony and their FOUR KIDS! in over two years, so it was great to catch up and see their new (to them) house. The kids swam, we all ate burgers and leftover cupcakes and had a swell time, vowing not to wait so long before getting together again.

Some of the gaps in this post are where photos were supposed to be inserted. I'll try to fix this soon. Once again, technology gets the best of me. But if that youtube thing works...

Peace,

JS4