Haystacks Tornado

A waterspout/tornado struck the Atlantic Beach-Morehead City area Wednesday afternoon. It came ashore on Atlantic Beach where it did little damage, then crossed the sound and entered Morehead City between 15th and 20th streets. Again there was little damage to homes in the area. The evening news reported several hundred customers lost power.

The tornado continued north toward Crab Point which is next door to the Haystacks. Becky and I were in the condo at the time. The rain and wind was extremely strong. You could feel the wind gusts shake the building. The tornado posted just west of the Haystacks boat yard where it snapped a small pine but there appeared to be no damage to any of the boats. The condos had some minor damage, shingles, gutter downspout, trim, etc.

The tornado touched down at the Oglsby farm at Crab Point where there was extensive damage to the farm buildings.  You can see Crab Point from our kitchen window.

This is what it looked like from our deck facing the Newport River just before the tornado struck. 

Tree limbs in the boat yard. 

Oglesby barns

Christmas with the Family

We had another traveling Christmas this year, Angier, Winston-Salem, and Morehead City. It was very nice and relaxing.

Stockings hung with care. 

A beautiful tree.

Eamon with his new sword. 

Brendan got a train. 

Santa brought Brendan a Wake Forest hoodie. 

Classmates

Several classmates from the class of 1963 had lunch at Simon'z in Angier Saturday following the funeral services of Leah Earp Avery who was also a classmate. There are now 40 classmates left of the 50 that were pictured in the yearbook. This year marks the 50th anniversary for our class and a big reunion is being planned for the spring.

Chicken Dish

I wanted to try something different for the chicken we eat four to five times a week. I found this recipe on the Internet an decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did. It was delicious.
Ingredients

1 tablespoon grated lemon rind $
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice $
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 1 1/2 pounds) $
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cooking spray
Tomatoes:$
2 cups grape tomatoes $
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind $
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice $
1 tablespoon capers
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preparation

1. Prepare grill.
2. To prepare chicken, combine first 4 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add chicken to bag; seal. Marinate in refrigerator 15 minutes, turning the bag occasionally.
3. Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Sprinkle chicken evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place chicken on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 minutes on each side or until done.
4. Preheat oven to 425°.
5. To prepare tomatoes, combine tomatoes and 2 teaspoons oil in an 8-inch square baking dish; toss gently. Bake at 425° for 18 minutes or until tomatoes are tender. Combine tomato mixture, parsley, and remaining ingredients, stirring gently. Serve with chicken.

This is what it looks like sitting on the Mangum's table. We had a bottle of Sangiovese which I thought paired well with the chicken. 

Annual Christmas Visit to the Farmers Market

The first order of business was lunch at the NC Seafood Resturant. It certainly is not fancy but the food is good and plentiful. I had the "small" lunch shrimp. There was enough to feed two on my plate

The fruit vendors are well stocked for the holiday season. The oranges and apples are at their best.

  

And if you wanted a "real" Christmas tree, there were many to chose from. 

Thanksgiving at the Murphy's

Everyone was at the Murphy's in Winston-Salem for Thanksgiving.

All the usual Thanksgiving fare.  

Organic turkey, cranberry sauce out of the can, dressing, gravy, pumpkin pie, and much, much more. 

It was all delicious!!!!

Left to right. Brendan Murphy, daughter Kristen Murphy, daughter Lindsay Powell, Matt Powell, Eamon Murphy, and Sean Murphy. 

Selma Train Station

I picked up my daughter Lindsay and her husband Matt at the Selma train station Thursday. The station was built in 1924. It was used for many years then sat vacant for another 30 years. At one time it was scheduled for demolition but the town of Selma saved it and it has been restored and is now used as a station again.

It is an interesting building and reminiscent of the days when train travel was the best way to travel.

Interior and office. 

The Carolinian arriving from NewYork. 

One of the exhibits inside. 

Interior view. 

Front of building. 

Cape Lookout Rock Jetty

There were lots of boats at the jetty Saturday. I saw some nice fish being caught but I didn't catch anything that I could keep. It certainly was a nice day for November and the ocean was beautiful.

Fishing in the Turning Basin at MHC

This what it looks like when the mullet are biting. We were catching Virginia mullet and lots of small Black Sea bass that we threw back.

Becky's Italy Group

They had their one year reunion at the Wolfpack Alumni building on Centennial Campus and at the faculty club.

Check out the entrance at the Faculty Club.

This is the group. They all came to the reunion. 

Dink

Class Reunion of the 1967 Bulldogs.

Becky's class reunion was Friday at David and Betty Gardener's house. The weather was nice and the food was good. Some of you will probably recognize people in the following pictures.

Carolina Downhome Blues Festival

The 16th Carolina Blues festival was held in Camden, SC on October 4, 5 & 6.  Becky and I and the Taylor's attended on Saturday.  We saw at least six acts, all of them were good. A few really stood out.

The Detroit Blues Party was the best at the Festival.  Great delta blues, two guitars and a harmonica. 

 

Travis "Moonchild" Haddix had a seven man band from Cleveland, Oh.  Kind of a bluesie Chuck Berry.  Not really delta blues, but very good.

 

The Tad Walters Duo played at Books on Broad.  Pretty good for South Carolina boys.

 

 

We had dinner at Sam Kendall's.  Good food and service at a reasonable price.  The steaks were tender and cooked to perfection.

 

 

Carthage Tractor Show

This is so much more than a tractor show.  They have everything you can think of.  Even my wife enjoyed it.

It's coming the first weekend in November. It is located just south of Carthage. NC.  If you have any interest in old "stuff", you will love it.  There are tractors, cars, toys, motorcycles, dolls, trains, general store, arts and crafts, food, and so much more.

Following are a few pictures I took in the past.

check out the website www.edervillenc.com

Nice Flounder

I didn't actually catch this fish, but I did land it with a net.  The fellow who caugh the fish was fishing from a kayak and did not have a net.  He said I could have the fish if I would come over on my boat and get him off his line.  Sounded like a good deal so I did it.

The flounder measured 22 inches long and would have made a nice dinner that night if Becky had not left him in the refigerator when we returned home that afternoon.  Fortunately, we had a friend at the condos who moved him to the freezer so I guess we will be having flounder at a future date.

Birthday Parties are Different Now

In my day, some hot dogs on the grill and a few friends over to bob for apples would have been a big birthday party. Not today. Checkout these pictures of my grandson Brendan's party.

So the bus pulls up in front of your house and the games begin. 

Inside the bus are all types of video games for the kids. 

There were even screens on the outside. The girls are Wii dancing in this picture. 

 

And you must have a Super Mario cake.