Things You Love (July 2026)

I love to travel and see the world, both close to home and far away. This theme was perfect as most of July was spent far away from home. I can't tell you the last time that I took three full weeks away from work and, boy, could I get used to that! What started last October as a kind of a joke between friends turned into a grand adventure that was really three, maybe four, in one. After the US Grand Prix in October, my buddies were talking about going to Silverstone for the GBGP. Next thing we knew,  we had tickets to the race. As time passed, we realized that the race wasn't in London and places to stay were hard to find. My racing pals wanted to fly in on a Thursday and out on Sunday or Monday after the race. I had other plans. After talking to the family, we decided to work this into a family trip as well. We'd go early, spend a few days in London, the boys and I would meet my friends where we were staying in Banbury, and Amy would stay in London and see more museums. THEN, my cruise pals called and said they sure would like to go on a cruise this summer. Looking at the schedule, there was a cruise that Amy and I had already done leaving a week after the race. Perfect. We loved the cruise before, none of these folks had done it, BOOK IT! So that was trip three, four if we call Amy's London stay as a separate trip. Enough of that, let's get to the pictures. These are in chronological order, not my order of love levels. 

While in London, there was a special exhibit on Aardman, the producers of Wallace and Grommet. I love all of their work so you better believe we found our way there. We saw so much in London. The boys kind of went reluctantly. Too much negativity they see from social media, both UK and France. I was happy that they learned that many times social media is a lie. And to see that they truly enjoyed themselves.

I love racing in general but F1 has become my favorite over the last 10 years or so. Silverstone was a great experience, the birthplace of the Grand Prix. We sat in the newly minted Landostand. It was filled with fans of last years champion, Lando Norriss. A sea of highlighter yellow! It was a great spot though. a tight turn at the end of a long straight offered lots of passing opportunities. And to the left was the the pit entrance, which gave some early insight on race strategies.

There is something magical about this place. This is only my third time in Paris, the first was when I was 18. My friends and I sat on the steps here, listening to the buskers, drinking cheap wine, smoking cheap cigarettes, and sharing a baguette. No more cigarettes for me but I knew i had to get back here with my boys so they could experience Sacre Coeur and Montmartre.

After France, we made headed to Venice. That's where our cruise was leaving. I love travelling with my people and just love them in general. Sharing places I love with them was also special. Venice is a place I enjoy just wandering around and getting lost. The boys got on a train and headed to Florence and on to Rome on their own adventures before heading home. We loaded up for a 7 day cruise.

I love the ocean! Our cruise took us to Montenegro, Croatia, Sami, Corfu, and Nafplion, Greece and ended in Athens. Amy and I took many side quests while I friends spent their days in the ocean or at a bar. That's the great thing about a cruise; you can choose your own adventure. There are plenty of pictures on my flickr if you so desire.

A bonus picture to share because it's important to me. Mt grandfather was killed in WWII a little more than a month before my mom was born. He was only there for a short time, fortunately, from what I've read in his letters. It was a cold winter. 25 or so years ago, Amy and I took my mom to find where he was buried. It was the first time any of us had been there and was an adventure in it's own right. I knew that I needed to get my boys there so they would know and can continue to show future generations.

 

That's July! Quite an adventure indeed!! As I mentioned, I have the full set over on my flickr page. I'd be honored to have you look. I took a handful of photos that I'm really proud of how they came out. I look forward to seeing the others from this month and encourage you to take a look too, over at a lil hoohaa.

June 2026: Your Town

 Just a quick stroll around downtown Waco.

It's a Free for All! (June 2026)

This month being a free for all theme is great for me as I'm about to be away from a computer for a bit and I got to get my contribution in early!

My audiologist is in Austin and I'm visiting monthly for a tinnitus treatment. It's given me a chance to venture around Austin for some new sites. I found the Asian market, H Mart, on this trip. They have a food court, too. The soup was delicious. I have no idea what the fish is or how I was supposed to eat it. I tried it but just a bite or two. 

My whistling ducks are hanging around later this year. It's always a pleasure to see them come back. I've never seen babies but we always get visited by at least a pair.

Our local public radio station in conjunction with a local brewery has a fun Friday night shindig on Fridays in June. If you re-up your pledge, you get a lovely mug that entitles you to a free refill every Friday night in June.

I went out searching for lunch one day and ended up roaming around downtown and not ever eating. If I get it edited, expect that walk to be my video of the month. The Dr Pepper Museum just installed this giant DP bottle in the courtyard.

I finally convinced Amy that after 10 years, I was not going to get around to landscaping around the house. She found a local contractor and I couldn't be happier. My back appreciates it too.

There's my five. I hope the July prompt fits in with my travels. If not, I bet I can make something work! I hope to see you and your June free for all soon!

Video Challenge: May 2026 A Day in the Life

On May 30, 2026, in celebration of 100 years of Route 66, Tulsa, Oklahoma attempted to set the world record for biggest classic car cruise. This is a little glimpse into that attempt. You can read all about it at the Tulsa Route 66 Capital Cruise site.

Make Your Month Different (May 2026)

May has come and gone. We've enjoyed some unseasonably cool(ish) weather along with some welcome rain. That's certainly different for these parts. How else was may different?

Firehouse Subs offered all Mikes a free steak sandwich. Fortunately, middle names counted, as well as different versions of Mike, like Michelle, for the ladies. I'm Charles Michael, Will is William Michael, so we chowed down on our free sandwiches while John had to pay for his! I've never eaten at Firehouse, so that was also different.

This is me enjoying a beer standing in the outfield of Baylor Baseball Stadium. Baylor is a Baptist university and alcohol has always been banned but lately they have been opening their facilities to others and those others allow alcohol sales.

The 'others' in this particular case was Mr. Willie Nelson. At 94, the life he loves is STILL making music with his friends. He attended Baylor briefly as a young man, coming from the small town of Abbott, just up the road from us. He was banned from performing on campus back in the early 80s. The current president invited him back to play for us. 

Route 66 is celebrating its Centennial Anniversary this year. Tulsa threw a big part and even set a world record! There were some interesting vehicles in the record setting parade. https://www.visittulsa.com/parade/ 

This is the Catoosa Blue Whale. It's a Route 66 landmark. Swimming is no longer allowed but they cleaned it all up for the Centennial. https://www.cityofcatoosa.org/page/blue-whale-of-catoosa/

There's my different May. I wonder what June will bring? Make sure you check out the other entries and join in next time.

Make Your Month Yours (April 2026)

 The theme for the month was Make Your Month Yours which seemed easy because I try to make all my months mine! It was a good mix of activities some related some not but here we go!

Any month that starts with the Pearl Bluegrass Jam is a good month. I try to get down there for a little bit every month.

I manage to make it to an FC Austin football match at least once a year. They lost this one but made it exciting at the end.

Another trip to Austin, this one with my favorite girl. We did a little shopping and saw a couple of my favorite improvisers do a show. 

Then the next weekend we went the other direction to see an exhibit in Ft. Worth. Afterwards, we visited this curiosity shop, called Oddity, that's been on my radar. It lived up to it's name. 

Our bluebonnet season wasn't great this year. The rain came at the wrong time. But our neighbor always has a nice patch in their front yard. Charlie obliged.

There we go, another exciting month of music, art, theater, DOGS, and everything in between!

Make Your Month Full of Fun (March 2026)

 I lost my dad on March 4. It pretty much set the tone for month. I tried to have as much fun as I could as he was a fun loving guy.

Amy and I took the dogs for a long walk at the lake. 

I started gathering old photos for the memorial service. There's some evidence of a life well lived and one full of fun, to be sure.                           

I remembered a photo hanging on the wall at the Pearl cabin that I wanted to use. It just happened to be Pearl Bluegrass weekend as well. The music did me well. 

I don't know if post-funeral cascarones are a thing, but they are now. 

Charlie is trying on her Easter wardrobe. She's ready for her close up.

Those are my five. It's going to take some time to settle in the new normal but we will do it. There's a big hole in my heart that will heal in time. And it was great to remember the good times with family and friends.