The mysterious traveler

Who or what is checking out the Albuquerque Sunport?

[Yes, Fran, I am tantalizing you with the Manzano Mountains, evil one that I am.]


Frequent readers will recall when Eddie and Dillinger were waiting for the Houston flight on our way to New Orleans not too long ago.


Same spot, same flight on a different day, but a different passenger with me this time.


Yes, it's Norbert the NIH worm, the newest addition to the family, a present from my godson Jack. Here he is playing in the bushes of the apartment complex where we're staying in New Orleans. [Technically in River Ridge by mailing address and just east of the Co'Cola plant - "we" being Norbert, Dillinger, Eddie, and I. Belle, Maggie, and I were in another apartment complex further west - same developers and floor plan.]


NIH worms are a marketing device and humorous invention of programming types. Norbert, you see, is a Not-Invented-Here Worm "This pest affects the brains of engineers and the managers by weakening the mental facilities of those afflicted while enhancing native stubbornness."

Jack's parents are techies and understand all sorts of computeroid things about which I have not the slightest clue. They are not, however, the robotic wetware sort of geeks one associates with many realms of technitude but warm, wonderful humanitarian types who love life, people, good food, and their two sons - my godson and Bill's.

I don't think of Norbert as a pest at all. He is actually rather sweet, though he was misbehaving in the office today with Aunt Jennifer. All the boys went in today. They are quite amazed that Excel spreadsheets are used for something other than plotting daddy's novels. Who knew you could crunch numbers with those things?

The final shot is the boys relaxing in my home away from home. Eddie and Dillinger threw a party for their friends while I was in Albuquerque this past weekend but I must say, they really cleaned the apartment nicely before dad got back. Dillinger was a touch bleary-eyed but still chipper Sunday evening and Eddie looked exhausted but happy. Needless to say I did not leave the computer or the keys to the rental car with them.

Good lads but definitely scamps.

I, of course, was never a scamp. At least not that I recall (or admit).

Greetings from Norbert and the whole gang to Jack!
--the BB

A weekend in New Orleans

Eddie and Dillinger went to work with daddy yesterday and hung out with Aunt Jen. For a couple of certified scamps, they were very well behaved. Of course, what dad can't see or hear for being at the other end of the floor need not be explored. Eddie allegedly used Aunt Jen's extra minutes and made long-distance calls on her cell phone. I hope they weren't to Australia.

Anyhow, here they are checking out the swimming pool at the neighboring hotel. I believe some bikini-clad females had been out taking in the sun earlier.


My carpool chum and I went to the WWII Museum this afternoon.



And, finally, here is a shot to prove I went to church this morning. Kirstin, you will recognize the candle bank in the narthex at St Anna's on the Esplanade. I want you to know the lit candle in the lower right of the photo was lit for you. I had no small currency so it's a $20 candle - I hope it works and you feel better!


--the BB

Travel days

Eddie checks out the airplanes
during his layover in Houston
on the way home for some green chile

Dillinger and Eddie in the Albuquerque Sunport
awaiting departure for Houston
en route to New Orleans

What's the fun of romping about New Orleans without someone to share it with? So Dillinger has joined Eddie for the current round. Dillinger is my killer 'diller and he originally came from Austin, Texas. Heaven only knows what trouble these lads will get into. I know they won't tell me everything (they have the same attorney as their sisters, Maggie and Belle).
--the BB