SKOL

Friday was a fantastic day. And just like the previous two days, I decided to run early from home even though the treacherous heat and humidity was expected to be somewhat diminished this afternoon. I packed a lunch but was leaning towards a lunch away from the office with a peer – most likely Jay Pierce.

Mindy asked to be woken early since she and the kids were planning to attend the 2007 Ohio State fair. She planned to meet her friend Teri and Massimo at the 17th St entry gate. I woke her at 7:25am just before entering the shower. I left for work around 745am.

The work day was a pleasant one. Despite it being Friday, things never got as hairy as they often do. As planned, I made arrangements to go to lunch with Jay. We figured we’d leave around noon. Before hand, I had a meeting scheduled with a U.S. government official seeking information about a former employee, Rich D. That went smoothly and was over after about fifteen minutes. We left for lunch at noon, just like we planned.

We ate at Bravo. I hadn’t eaten there in about a year, or the last time I tried recruiting Jay from the bank. We chose to eat outdoors on their patio. It was a tad warm, but I am a summer kinda guy. I had chicken parmesan. Very good! I left completely full.

Work was a little busy upon my return. That did nothing but ensure a quick afternoon. Things stayed that way – busy- until I left around 520pm. I stopped at Lee’s RV’s on the way home to pick-up the boat. I stopped again at Thornton’s on Wilson to fuel both the Trooper and boat. The boat took only 7 gallons; the Trooper took another 17. I still needed to fill-up my two five gallon containers to avoid paying the exorbitant marina gas prices, but that would have to wait until morning. That move will save me at least $1.50 a gallon, or $15.

I arrived home by 6pm. Mindy was home alone as the kids had already departed with their daddy. Mindy and I walked Ykraps together. Along our way back we encountered the strange man that walks his collie mix that likes playing in our pond. I wouldn’t mind so much but the guy’s in my yard almost twice a day with out fail. That’s annoying.

We spent the next hour organizing ourselves for our weekend getaway. By the time we departed for Barley’s we had everything ready to load into the Trooper come morning. The only major prep remaining would be loading the coolers. We drove the BM’er to Barley’s.

We arrived shortly after 730pm. It wasn’t too crowded at all. Steve, Bob & Mary Ann, and Jeremy & Courtney were already there enjoying a stress-free evening. We inserted ourselves as usual. They had Cup O’ Joe on the firkin. I didn’t care too much for it, however, and left what remained of mine for Mindy. Instead, I ordered a guest draft – Hop Juice. That was very good stuff – strong too!

Bob & Mary Ann were fresh back from their Ocracoke trip. I haven’t seen Bob since our camping trip. He brought me a gift. He found some Bridgeport IPA down there, and for cheap too. For the first time in a long, long while, I ordered some Gates of Hell wings. I ordered them well done. Mindy had a bunless pulled pork sandwich. We left Barley’s around 10pm. Before leaving, we invited our Barely friends to join us out at Salt Fork. When they left, it sounded like Jeremy & Courtney just might. They just recently had to have their dog, Molly of 14 years euthanized. She was like their child. They did everything with her. With the loss, they now have the freedom to come and go without worry – that is until baby Jump comes along.

We arrived home well before 1030pm. Mindy was tired and wanted to get some rest before our coming trip. I was still wide awake and was looking forward to seeing how the Vikings did in their pre-season game against St Louis. It was tied 10-10 when I finally went to bed.