This is my oldest grand daughter Angelina.  She is a Junior at Lincolnway Central H.S.  She is a "Rhythm Knight" and a very talented one for sure.  Thanksgiving is over, my birthday has come and gone, and I have only Christmas and New Years to get through.  I hope these days go by quickly!  I'm not fond of the holidays.

Never thought I would be excited about $3.14 a gallon, but after this summer, it's quite a relief.  Back from Lakepoint today.  I spent the week there enjoyng the warm weather..  It was in the 70's for almost 4 days.  This will probably be the last warm weather in Illinois for quite awhile.

From 2012 Family Camping Trip

2012 Family Camping Trip

This years camping trip was by far the coldest!  We still managed to have a great time, however.  Click on the photo, and it should take you to my album of this years trip.

Bear Fan

Our Molly is a bear fan already.

Number 11

My newest granddaughter Molly Louise Shanahan.  Born on the 24th of July.  9 lbs 20 inched

New passion

I have really got into this Sudoku thing.  I can waste away hours playing this game.  After 2 Manhattans I need to stop however.

Perfect day

I think this is the best day of summer, 2012.  It might not be this nice for quite some time, as it is going to be in the 90's for the next week or so.

Finally back to Lakepoint

Julie said she did not need a baby sitter any more, so I am at Lakepoint Club enjoying the fishing.  Feels like forever since I have been here!

Carl's Creek

This is a photo taken at the mouth of a creek named after me!  For the past 22 years, all my fishing buddies refer to this section of Lake Orano in Canada, as Carls Creek, as I was so taken with its beauty and isolation in the Canadian bush.  When you drive your boat through this creek, you feel as if you are living in prehistoric times.  Gotta be there to appreciate it.

Large mouth

Only took 2 casts to bring this guy in.  Fishshing from shore 2 blocks from home.  It was a good break from my nursing duties . 
Oh yeah, I fell off my bike yesterday and I'm a little sore.  Scraped up some body parts but nothing broken.  Hurts when you hit the pavement at 64 years old.

Time for a double Manhattan

This has been a long week. This is the week I was supposed to go to my Canada fishing trip but I had to stay home and be a nurse.

Still stuck in the house

Therapy is still doing very little on Julie's knee replacement.  I am going a little nuts sitting here all day!

Gazebo finally up

Got the screen house roof on and finally able to use it for the summer.  Nice to eat outside without the bugs

Rain Rain Rain

This is my back yard.  The pond in the back is not supposed to be there.  It's only about 40 feet from my back door.  Enough rain already!!! 

Let the fishing begin

I've been waiting for a long time for Lakepoint to open.  Finally here, and the fishing has been pretty good so far.  This is a 12 inch crappie, which is a pretty good fish for this pond.

Today is another wedding day.  Neil is getting married today.  Up north in Lombard, but with 355 it's not that bad a trip anymore.  Only one more to go this year.....so far.

2002 Royal Airs memories

Finally

I bought a new bike today.  I finally decided to buy a bike that is fun to ride, everything works and is comfortable for an old man like me.  I can't believe what a difference it makes.  7 gears that all work, and I can ride into the wind and still enjoy the ride.  Should have done this years ago.  It's called a "cruiser" ( for old folks) and is a great bike to just ride for a little exercize, and tour the neighborhood.  Only 30 lbs and easy to ride.

Well, it's been awhile, and I'm back from Florida.  Actually it has been as warm at home as in Florida.  Record setting temps in Chicagoland.  I set up this baby carrier for bicycles to allow me to tow my fishing gear around the neighborhood ponds.  I am just so clever!  Biking and fishing at the same time.

Rainy day in Florida

Today is the first rain since I got here in Florida, so this gives me a chance to write in the blog.  Frank and Lorie Dertz are here with me, camping on a site about a block away, but the same campground.  We get together for dinners and just to BS once in awhile.  We are having a good time.  The resort had a dinner for everyone at the club house.  Ribs!  Really good and tender.  I bought this stupid hat at the flea market!  Good looking devil, right?

Day 3 in Florida, 2012

Slow, warm relaxing day.  Set up the new Weber grill and played Suducko all day.  Weather in the high 70's.

Day 2 Florida 2012

Stopped raining and the sun is out and warming up.  Set up the outside and I think I'm all set up.  This is home sweet home for a few months.

Made it

Today I left Fort Myers and drove to Ocala where I will stay until the middle of March.  I set up the RV in a driving rain storm and set a worlds record in set up time!  I'm pooped, so I post more later.  Going to sit and relax.

Finally

Just got to Florida today after two grueling days of driving.  Got to relax for awhile.

A good day

Prostate biopsy was negative!  Florida, here I come.