My new cruiser

This past Friday I finished building my new bike. It's a stretch cruiser built with a Basman frame. Payton has dubbed it Ghost Rider.

Anyhow, I loaded it into the truck (it's too big for my bike rack) and took it to Hilton head. Today was my first real ride. I cruised 10 miles. It was a nice ride. The bike is comfortable and with 14 speeds is easy to ride.

Right at sunset I stopped and snapped a few pictures. We're in Hilton head all week, and no I won't try the veal, so I'll be putting some miles under my butt.

Payton's first award

Payton earned his first award in scouts this evening. Tonight he was presented with the Bobcat patch. He showed no humility.

Cub Scouts Cake Auction

Tonight Payton's Scout Pack is having its annual cake auction. Each scout and their dad baked and prepared their own cake. Moms were not allowed to help, not even with clean up. (Rats!) Payton named his cake Dragon Lake.

Kathleen has been perusing all the cakes. The boys want her to bid on the Minecraft cake. I prefer the pizza cookie or hamburger cake. Who knows what we'll end up with? 

Update: Payton's cake sold for $35. Well above average.

Good morning

A couple of days ago Parker was singing a song. It just tickled me hearing him sing. At bed time I asked him to sing the song again and I recorded it. I use for my alarm ringtone. It's great. Have a listen.

Annie of OZ

Here's another picture and video of Payton's acting debut in Annie of Oz. The video is made from two clips.  Unfortunately the first clip is a little out of focus, but the audio is fine. The video is 32½ minutes.  Payton's scene is around the 19:00 mark. At about the 27:00 mark the second clip kicks in and it's in focus. Just play the video in a small window and it'll look fine, but not so good full screen.

The playbill for the performance.

Payton is having fun in the Scouts

Last night was the monthly meeting for Scout Pack 3464. It was a night of fun and games. First up for Payton was bobbing for apples. Payton had never done this before, but after a few tries and some instruction he was able to do it.

Later Payton put his skills to work on eating a donut. Now on the surface this seems pretty easy; pretty easy if you can use your hands. This contest excluded your hands and the donut was hanging from a string. He had a lot of fun.

Pumpkin pickin'

Parker's school went pumpkin picking today at a local farm. Parker picked a very nice little pumpkin. He named his pumpkin Punky.

Pencil rolling

Black & Blue Bacon Cheeseburgers

Tonight we're having BBBCs. I first weaved some bacon together. I've seen many postings with this. It looks good and ensures bacon in every bite. I baked them in the oven to crispy perfection. I put crumbled blue cheese between two thin black peppered hamburger patties. After the bacon was done I poured the grease onto my grill top griddle. I fried the burgers in the bacon grease. I placed the burgers, topped with a bacon weave onto grilled thin buns. I think they turned out very good.

Friday night fireworks on the Delaware River

One great thing about New Hope, PA / Lambertville, NJ? Friday night fireworks all summer long.

People gather along both banks of the Delaware River as well as on the bridge to revel in the fireworks launched from mid-river. The experience is up close and personal. You can feel the show in your chest.

Sorry about the vertical video. Vertical video sucks - you shouldn't do it - but it was the best way to frame the shot. I wish YouTube would incorporate and vertical video format for mobile viewing. Wouldn't that be great?