George's Journal

Monday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0000

All good things must come to an end—but if you’ve got to wrap up the weekend, today’s a pretty exciting way to do it. Now it’s time to take our collective noses and press them firmly back onto the grindstone of life. Back to work, back to the hustle, back to doing our part to make this spinning rock a better place.

Kiwi and Peanut have said it is Summer vacation for them and they don't want to go to work today. We made them a deal to vacuum and dust everything, and we can consider that working. Personally, I think they just want to stay home and watch talk shows all morning long.

So I get a Summer intern starting today, she will be here from today until the end of July when they finish up. My boss is coming up from Parkersburg for her orientation and everything that takes place today. Hopefully, I can finish up an analysis on what I have been working on and get it published to the portal sometime today. My bosses Boss is wanting me to do a write-up to publish what I did and how I drew the conclusion of my analysis, and post it on the internal featured stories. I had already written my entire methodology out, so this should be simple to be honest.

I have a Doctors appointment tomorrow, so still working 10's.

Have yoursleves a great day

Hi ho hi ho

Sunday Morning Ramblings

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Sun, 31 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Here I sit on a not-so-quiet Sunday morning, and around here, Kiwi and Peanut have decided to prepare breakfast for Michelle and me before we start our Sunday morning chores. I think they are just appreciative that we cleaned up all the poop from Kiwi's cage and Peanuts litter box. Peanut killed a mouse a couple of days ago, so she has been extra helpful the last couple of days.

I did get a chance to mow the lawn yesterday; it had been a couple of weeks, and the weather was nice, so I took advantage of it while I could. It has rained like cats and birds (not dogs) the past couple of weeks, so it was primed and ready to be cut. It was a little bit wet, and I'm starting to cut the flat area where the big industrial garage used to be.

Michelle went to a doctor's appointment yesterday with Hayley. For those of you in the know, everything is good and progressing as it should. She was a little nervous, but yesterday she was reassured that everything is OK.

Have yourself a great day, make some memories.

Saturday Morning Rambling

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Sat, 30 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Here I sit in a quiet household, would you believe Kiwi and Peanut are still both sleeping, and it really is all quiet around here. I think they both love Bugs Bunny, and Kiwi likes the Road Runner, but doesn't care for that coyote trying to catch him. I swear they live full lives.

So what is on today's agenda? Michelle will be doing a bit of grocery shopping to start off the day, and I'm going to try to cut the grass. It's been a couple of weeks since I last cut it, and we have gotten our fair share of rain this week. I would say the water table is saturated.

WVU is hosting a Regional for the NCAA Baseball Tournament. We hosted once a few years back, so this is I know, at least the second time we have hosted at this level. Whoever advances out of this regional has to play #1-ranked UCLA. Last year, we advanced and played LSU in the Super Regional, and they won the World Series. If we advance again this year, we just might find ourselves playing the eventual champion again.

Other than that no big plans.

Have yourselves a superfantastic day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Fri, 29 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Yes, it is once again that time of the week that we all look forward to when we can take time to cease the labors for the week and take a little bit of needed time out to enjoy the fruits of those labors. It is again the dawn of another weekend and a Big Ole Hairy Friday!!!

I'm still working 10's, Kiwi and Peanut sent me a postcard and said hello from the rails to trails, they don't know specifically where they are at, something about the Appalachian Trail.

No big plans for the weekend, other than going to a fundraiser for my Sister Terri NEXT weekend on Saturday from 12:00 to 5:00. It's going to be at the Triune Halleck Volunteer Fire Department. Floyd Cowger will be playing the benefit and that is all she knows at this time.

This weekend? Maybe try to cut some grass and entertain the animals. Have yourselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Once a week, I like to take a little bit of time out, time to look at some of the 30,000+ photos that I have stored on my computer. Little lost moments in time that I either captured with a lens, scanned, or just stole from somewhere on the internet. I like to find just one and post it up, recalling or reliving the picture to the best of my ability. Sometimes this is a pretty easy task, and sometimes it's not that easy, but one thing it has always been a lot of fun.

I should call this one like Mother, like Daughter. This was taken last Summer at the Hovatters Wildlife Zoo trip. Hayley was feeding a giraffe, something Michelle loves to do. However Michelle puts the carrot in her Mouth and lets the giraffe grab is straight out of her mouth. Hayley didn't appear to be that brave and handed it to them.

We're planning on another trip up this year as a group if anyone is interested. Details to come.

Have youselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Lucy's Journal

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Lucy’s Journal – May 27, 2026

Well folks… today the crew invaded the Morgantown Mall, and honestly, I think the mall may still be recovering.

The whole adventure started because I said the dangerous words:
“Let’s just stop in for a minute.”

Everybody knows there is no such thing as “a minute” at the mall.

The Quackers marched in first like they owned the place. They waddled straight toward the arcade, already arguing about which game they were gonna dominate. Five minutes later they came stomping back out grumbling louder than an old lawn mower.

“This arcade ain’t what it used to be!”
“Where’s the good racing games?”
“Half these machines just want you to scan a card!”

One of them spent three dollars trying to win a stuffed pickle and somehow lost every single time. The other one got mad at a claw machine and accused it of “psychological warfare.”

Meanwhile, I wandered off toward the shoe stores. Now listen… I did NOT need another pair of shoes.

But did that stop me from looking?
Absolutely not.

There I was holding up sandals, sneakers, boots, and shoes with little sparkly things on them while trying to convince myself they were “practical.” Peanut followed me the whole time dragging dramatically across the floor like a tiny striped hostage.

Every few minutes Peanut would sit up on his back legs and beg random shoppers for cat treats like he hadn’t eaten in six years.

One lady actually opened her purse and said,
“Oh my goodness, you poor thing!”

Poor thing?!
That cat had snacks TWICE before we left the house.

Peanut then had the nerve to look back at me like,
“See? These people understand me.”

And Kiwi?
Nobody knew where Kiwi disappeared to for nearly twenty minutes.

We finally spotted him up in one of those decorative food court trees. He was perched way up high like some tiny feathery detective watching everybody below.

I swear he was judging every person carrying pretzels.

Every once in awhile he’d yell:
“WHATCHA EATIN’?!”
right as somebody sat down with fries.

At one point a teenager dropped nearly his whole milkshake because Kiwi leaned out of the tree and screamed,
“HEY BUDDY.”

The food court went completely silent for about three seconds before the Quackers started laughing so hard one of them snorted lemonade out his beak.

By the end of the trip:

The Quackers declared the arcade “washed up.”
Peanut collected enough treats to open a small business.
Kiwi established full surveillance over the food court.
And I somehow left with two pairs of shoes I definitely didn’t plan on buying.

So all in all…
pretty successful mall trip.

Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Wed, 27 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Tuesday's Tidbits

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Tue, 26 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

* Monday is over as is my extended weekend, now we are staring straight down at another spring time Tuesday, time for a tidbits

* It has been 22,796 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new, new, new, and improved 1,069-day Calendar. Mom is at 30,445, which would make her 28 according to my new and improved calendar.

* It has been 8,050 days since I graduated from WVU with a Degree in Geography. I love what I do and am thankful to still be working in my field.

* 6,644 days ago, Michelle and I had our first date together. Life has been much better since then.

* 5,848 days ago, I proposed to Michelle in the backyard at 4:00 in the morning. I've been the luckiest guy since that fateful day.

* It was 5,885 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, for the most part, Michelle and I became husband and wife at the Marilla Center, it was a great day with friends and family.

* I have now lived 3,023 days longer than my Dad did and I'm still going strong, slowing down but still going.

* Michelle has been living a clean and productive life and beat that alcohol demon 1,677 days ago today.

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,280 days, I've now outlived him by 1,533 days, making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again!

* Old roommate Gregg proposed to his fiancée 255 days ago, I'm happy for those two. I asked him a couple weeks ago if they set a date yet, he said we would be the first to know.

* I have 2,094 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, but I love doing what I do. Who knows, though, doing what I do I may never retire.

* 252 more days until Phil steps to center stage once again for Groundhog Day. I'm still mad at the damn rat

* 219 more days to go until my Goodbye 2026 Blog is posted.

* There are 212 more shopping days left until Christmas 2026.

* There are 197 days until I hit the age of 63. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21.

* There are only 80 more days to go until Michelle and I will celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary......maybe

* There are 27 days until my second favorite season begins, Summertime!!!!!!

* It has been ∞ (infinity symbol) days since I have hated both Pitt and Penn State.

* I have written 8,366 blogs in what is now 21 1/2 years of Blogging.

* The students are Gone!!! I'm loving it!!!

* Still working 10's this week and probably next week as well.

* There is going to be a benefit for Nick not this Saturday but the following Saturday.

* Progress on my Selfie in Space, right here. We are ready for liftoff and holding.

* Looking for Girl Scout Cookies? Ryleigh's Page

* Looking for Girl Scout Cookies still? Arabellas Page

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Mon, 25 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

This is about when I would give the spiel about headding to start a new week of working and changing the world, screw it, it's the unofficial start of summer and Memorial Day. It's a day off for this guy and Michelle.

No major plans for the day other than doing some brats on the Blackstone. Kiwi and Peanut of course said they will monitor the grill and do all the cooking for their favorite hoomans.

We'll probably just relax for the day and prepare to hit it hard again starting tomorrow. It's been a relaxing weekend, that's another word for rainy, so just going to prepare for tomorrow and spend some time with the animals.

Happy Memorial Day, remember the fallen.

Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Sun, 24 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Here I sit in a somber household, Kiwi and Peanut have decided that they want to go with us today to place flags on a couple of grandfathers' and my Dad's gravesites. They all served in the military, but none of them were killed in combat, but we will honor their time and service anyway because they have all earned it.

Michelle went to Lowes on Friday and picked up a number of the smaller flags that they use on gravesites for us to place. If I only make it once a year to the graves, this is the weekend where I make sure that I take time out and honor those family members who are no longer with us. It is the very least I can do to pay tribute and remember these great men. She picked up a few extra to place in her flower pots around the house, I already changed the big one on the flag pole for the year.

It's been a wet weekend to say the very least, it rained friday and yesterday and is raining today already. Wet is a way I would describe this whole weekend.

They had High School Graduations on Friday, both Morgantown and University High had their commencement ceremonies on their football fields in the middle of all of this rain. It was a lack of planning on some highly paid indivuduals and a state land grant institute who tried to get greedy with the state tax payers that I honestly think some educators and executives need to lose their employment. Absolutely disgusting way to treat people celebrating a lifetime achievement.

Have yoursleves a great day.

Saturday Morning Ramblings

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Sat, 23 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Here I sit in a semi-quiet household, Kiwi and Peanut are of course up already, they are complaining that it's too warm in the house and I reminded them they are more than welcome to grab the AC from the garage and stick it in the bedroom window so we can regulate the temperatures down here a little better. They are innovative and inspired, and they just want to hook the wagon up to the tractor and drive it down here.

So I'm on a three-day holiday weekend, my lovely wife is on a 4 day as she was off yesterday as well as Monday. So what is on today's agenda? Other than grocery shopping, probably not too much. I mowed last week, so the grass looks pretty good and can go another week.

This is the weekend I make my yearly trip to three cemeteries. I'll Start out at Arnettesville, then on to East Oak Grove and we will finish up at Mount Union. I take small little flags and put them on family members who have served and clean up the graves. Might even take the weed eater with me again this year just in case. Have yourselves a great day, a great weekend an an awesome day.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Fri, 22 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

I don't know what I am going to do with myself, three whole days off and I've been working 10 hour days (for overtime) since Nick had his wreck. Hopefully it will be filled with Happy times and memories, the students are gone so that is one factor of the Happy Times.

I'm hoping to maybe fire the grill up this weekend, no plans but it is a three day weekend so it's a good time for the first cookout of the year.

Michelle is off today and may be running to Rogers Ohio with Jim and Chris, she has a mammogram this morning and then they are talking about running up there after that. I'll be working.

Have yourselves a great day and the start of a great weekend.

Hi ho hi ho

Happy Birthday(s) Pam and George McClain

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Thu, 21 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

I would like to take this opportunity to wish my Sister Pam and an early Birthday to my brother-in-law George and wish them both a very Happy Birthday today (although George's is Saturday).

Pam is a sister that any brother would be very proud to have. She is the most genuine of the genuine, and it is an honor to call her my Baby Sister and one hell of a Grandmother. She would do anything for anyone and is one of the most innocent souls anyone would ever want to meet who has purple hair.

George is the brother-in-law who would be my first round draft pick in the Brother-in-Law Draft. He is a brother from another mother to say the least.

If you happen to see or talk to Pam today or George on Saturday, take a little bit of time out of your busy day and wish this special lady or this fine young gentleman a very Happy Birthday today.

Happy Birthday Pam and George a little early.

Photo Flashback Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Thu, 21 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

This weeks pic happened last Thursday, Layla was graduating from the MedEd program and she was the Senior speaker for her class at University High. There is a whole album on Facebook that I posted up.

I think she deserves not one but two pictures posted up (out of 145), I can't express how proud of her both Michelle and I are of her. She actually won the first award of the night called Mountain Movers and when they were talking about it and didn't announce who the winner was, I just knew it was Layla. She is that dedicated and that focused.

Have yourselves a great day

Hi ho hi ho

Lucy's Journal

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Lucy’s Journal Entry — May 20, 2026

The gang gathered down at the local Sheetz this evening after work. The humans thought everybody was winding down for the night, but that was absolutely not the case. Kiwi, Peanut, and the quackers had officially begun planning Memorial Day Weekend operations.

The air smelled like gasoline, pepperoni rolls, curly fries, and just a tiny bit of bad decision making.

Lucy slid into the booth first carrying three pepperoni rolls and a giant sweet tea like she owned the place. Peanut jumped onto the seat beside her pretending to look sophisticated, but immediately stole half of Lucy’s mozzarella sticks when nobody was looking.

Kiwi was already bouncing around the table screaming:
“THREE DAY WEEKEND! THREE DAY WEEKEND!”

The quackers were all crowded around a basket of fries, loudly arguing over whether ranch or honey mustard was the superior dipping sauce. Things nearly turned violent.

Eventually Lucy got everybody under control enough to discuss the official weekend plans.

Since Kiwi never did finish building his “luxury tropical backyard waterfall paradise,” the group decided they should visit a real waterfall somewhere in the mountains instead. Kiwi became extremely excited at the idea of swimming and immediately attempted to cannonball directly into somebody’s cup of Dr Pepper.

The tentative plan now includes:

Swimming all day in cold mountain water
Peanut supervising from a dry rock while judging everybody
Cooking hot dogs and burgers on a grill
The quackers stealing every single chip bag they can find
Kiwi attempting to become “King of the Waterfall”

Lucy said it actually sounded peaceful for once.

That peaceful feeling lasted approximately seven seconds.

Kiwi suddenly froze while staring out the Sheetz window into the parking lot.

There were cars everywhere.

Rows and rows of shiny clean cars.

Kiwi slowly turned back toward the group with the expression of a tiny feathery supervillain.

“There are too many cars,” he whispered.

The quackers immediately became interested.

Peanut narrowed his eyes and sighed because he already knew where this conversation was going.

Kiwi hopped onto the windowsill dramatically and declared:
“THIS PARKING LOT NEEDS MORE POOP.”

The quackers began quacking in support like tiny feathered henchmen.

Lucy nearly choked on her pepperoni roll laughing while Peanut buried his face in his paws and muttered:
“I can’t take these people anywhere.”

Kiwi then outlined what he called “Operation Memorial Droppings,” which apparently involves coordinated aerial chaos sometime this weekend. The quackers volunteered immediately because, according to them, teamwork makes the dream work.

Peanut has publicly denied involvement.

However… Lucy noticed him smirking a little.

This does not inspire confidence.

One thing is certain:
Memorial Day Weekend may never financially recover from this crew.

Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Wed, 20 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Tuesday's Tidbits

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Tue, 19 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

* Monday is over, now we are staring straight down at another spring time Tuesday, time for a tidbits

* It has been 22,789 days since I was born, that is 21 years using my new, new, new, and improved 1,069-day Calendar. Mom is at 30,445, which would make her 28 according to my new and improved calendar.

* It has been 8,043 days since I graduated from WVU with a Degree in Geography. I love what I do and am thankful to still be working in my field.

* 6,637 days ago, Michelle and I had our first date together. Life has been much better since then.

* 5,841 days ago, I proposed to Michelle in the backyard at 4:00 in the morning. I've been the luckiest guy since that fateful day.

* It was 5,878 days ago in front of our closest friends and family, for the most part, Michelle and I became husband and wife at the Marilla Center, it was a great day with friends and family.

* I have now lived 3,016 days longer than my Dad did and I'm still going strong, slowing down but still going.

* Michelle has been living a clean and productive life and beat that alcohol demon 1,670 days ago today.

* My older Brother Jonathan lived 21,280 days, I've now outlived him by 1,526 days, making me Senior Supreme Sibling once again!

* Old roommate Gregg proposed to his fiancée 248 days ago, I'm happy for those two. I asked him a couple weeks ago if they set a date yet, he said we would be the first to know.

* I have 2,101 days to go until I retire, give or take a few hundred days here or there, but I love doing what I do. Who knows, though, doing what I do I may never retire.

* 259 more days until Phil steps to center stage once again for Groundhog Day. I'm still mad at the damn rat

* 226 more days to go until my Goodbye 2026 Blog is posted.

* There are 219 more shopping days left until Christmas 2026.

* There are 204 days until I hit the age of 63. Yeah I know, I'm really older than 21.

* There are only 87 more days to go until Michelle and I will celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary......maybe

* There are 34 days until my second favorite season begins, Summertime!!!!!!

* It has been ∞ (infinity symbol) days since I have hated both Pitt and Penn State.

* I have written 8,357 blogs in what is now 21 1/2 years of Blogging.

* The students are Gone!!! Less traffic...or more road construction take your pick.

* Progress on my Selfie in Space, right here. We are ready for liftoff and holding.

* Looking for Girl Scout Cookies? Ryleigh's Page

* Looking for Girl Scout Cookies still? Arabellas Page

* You know what I should do? Get my drone ready to fly, update and charge everything. It's been a few years.

* This is my favorite Tictok, don't give Peanut any ideas.

* Hi ho hi ho

Monday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Mon, 18 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Michelle's right rear tire for some reason always loses air, we had 4 new tires put on a few years ago because the same wheel did the same thing. I half wonder if there is a problem with the rim. Kiwi and Peanut said they don't want to go to work with us today, but they would put in in Michelle's tire. They are such thoughtful pets, good thing I have an air compressor and a tire nozzle to fill tires with.

Still planning on working 10 hour shifts this week, I'll have to do it next week as well to make up for the Holiday, but I have my routine and I'm used to it, so it's really no big deal.

Michelle is only working four days this week, she is off Friday and next monday to make it a 4 day weekend.

Have yourselves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Oh I almost forgot

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Sun, 17 May 2026 12:14:51 +0000

As Michelle and I were driving to DiCarlo's yesterday on the trip up, I had noticed that the old Washington Mall had basically been demolished, as in gone. So we go to DiCarlos then to Hayley's and as we were coming back through on I-70 I decided I was going to screw with Hayley a little bit.

So I called her and played the what did you do to the mall game, pretty much blaming her that this huge structure was gone.

She informed me that they are tearing the Mall down (It's basically gone) and they are going to build a COSTCO in that location and it is due to open up some time next year. We are already Sam's Club Plus Members, meaning our Membership pretty much pays for itself in rewards, but I can see picking up a COSTCO membership as well.

Michelle said their is a BJ's up in Bridgeville as well that she would like to check out. I think all three are pretty much the same, membership clubs and same deals and incentives pretty much. We do take our weekly trip to Sam's Club.

I'm so glad I was able to cut Grass yesterday morning, it's supposed to be warmer today, but everything is still wet and my grass was three weeks grown. I even put the mower blade on 6 and ran across where the big industrial garage used to be, ad least in the flat areas. I'm going to have to get that ground flattened out first, still a number of big divots.

Sunday Morning Rambling

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Sun, 17 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Here I sit on a quiet Sunday Morning, Kiwi and Peanut are both chowing down on the remaining DiCarlo's Pizza that was left over. They both love it and declared cold cheese on top of a hot pizza is amazing.

So yesterday was pretty amazing, Michelle did the shopping as I cut the grass, and it has been three weeks since I last cut it. It definitely needed cut and I wanted to cut it before the rains came. Mission accomplished.

When all the chores were done, we headed to Wheeling West Virginia to get a DiCarlos Pizza. Michelle ordered a big tray and we had a couple pieces there and then delivered the tray to Hayley and Tyler at their home. They have an Osso's right down the road, but they are just a DiCarlos knockoff. DiCarlos is the original and the best tasting of everyone who tries to imitate them. Hayley, Tyler and Luke were all very appreciative of having us bring them a pizza.

When we got home eventually is was raining pretty heavily, so that was pretty much it for us and the day and evening.

Have yourselves a great day.

Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Sat, 16 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Here I sit in a semi-quiet household, Kiwi and Peanut are up and working some kind of Jigsaw puzzle of a moose. These two are always innovative and I just never know what they are getting into. I'm just thankful it doesn't concern hammers, torches or construction materials and it's not something competitive. Peanut ordered this puzzle and was a little upset when she figured out she spelled mouse wrong.

So what is on today's agenda? With any luck and if the weather holds up I am going to try to cut grass. It has been three weeks and it's due to be cut. I would have cut it last weekend but we had other priorities that needed to be attended to. Michelle is going to be doing our grocery shopping for the week and that will be it for chores on this day.

She has talked about running to Wheeling because she wants some DiCarlo's Pizza. The one we used to go to all the time is gone, but there is one at the Cabela's exit back there in the plaza and one in Glen Dale that I have been known to frequent. There is also one in Wheeling, but I've never been to that particular one.

Today is the 22nd Anniversary of me Graduating from WVU and it was 49 years ago today that Grandpa Hall had passed away, so May 16th is always a date I tend to remember.

Have yourselves a great day, go make some memories.

Big Ole Hairy Friday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Fri, 15 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Life can finally slow down a little bit after today, the past week and a half have been kind of hectic and to be honest with you I'm glad we are on the back side of that block of time.

We had a great time last night, Layla Graduated from the MedEd Program and Michelle and I attended. This is the one where she spoke at and was most important to her. It has been an honor watching this young woman grow up to say the vey least. She was Michelle's Flower Girl for our wedding.

No plans for the weekend yet, just coming back to reality.

Have yoursleves a great day

Hi ho hi ho

Photo Flashback Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Thu, 14 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

This is one that I saw on Facebook last week and it was the essence of Nick, especially since he did so many encouraging and uplifting tictok videos building his business. I knew this had to be my photo flashback the moment I saw it.

Have yoursleves a great day.

Hi ho hi ho

Lucy's Journal

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Wed, 13 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Lucy’s Journal — May 13, 2026

The evening air felt soft tonight, the kind that settles over the hills after a long spring day and makes folks slow down a little. Lucy and the crew had gathered out back by the old picnic table with lanterns glowing low and coffee cups steaming beside slices of pie nobody was quite hungry enough to finish.

Nobody had planned it exactly, but before long the conversation drifted to Nick Rehmani.

Funny how that happens. Some people leave behind stories so big that all it takes is one quiet evening for them to come walking back into the middle of things.

“You remember that laugh?” The Quackers said first, leaning back in his chair. “Man could fill up a whole room before he ever told the joke.”

Everybody smiled at that.

Lucy wrote that the thing about Nick was he never made people feel small. Didn’t matter if you were family, neighbor, stranger, or somebody who just wandered into the gathering because you smelled food from down the road — Nick always made room for one more chair.

Peanut laughed remembering how he used to insist everybody eat second helpings whether they wanted to or not.

“He acted offended if you didn’t,” she said. “‘What’s wrong with my cooking?’ he’d ask, even though everybody knew it was the best food in three counties.”

That brought the stories rolling.

Fishing trips that turned into all-night campfire talks.

Birthday parties where half the town somehow ended up invited.

Summers filled with kids running through the yard while Nick stood at the grill like some kind of backyard king holding court with an apron tied around his waist.

And then, of course, they talked about the prime rib.

Lucy said you could practically smell it just thinking about it.

Perfect every single time. Seasoned like magic, cooked slow and careful, tender enough to cut with the side of a fork. Folks said restaurants spent years trying to make prime rib that tasted half as good, but they never could. Maybe because Nick put more than seasoning into it. He put joy into it. Family into it. The feeling that supper mattered because the people around the table mattered.

“Wasn’t just food,” Kiwi said quietly. “It was being together.”

That hung in the air for a moment.

Lucy looked around the table and realized every single person there had been changed by Nick in some way. Some through friendship. Some through kindness. Some simply because he took the time to notice them when nobody else did.

That was his gift.

He made ordinary days feel important.

Before everybody headed home, Lucy wrote that they raised their coffee cups toward the darkening sky.

Not in sadness exactly.

Wednesday Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (George Hall) — Wed, 13 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000