“Too Far From Home” by Chris Jones

On February 1, 2003 ten astronauts were orbiting the earth. Three on the International Space Station and 7 in the Space Shuttle “Columbia”. After Columbia’s tragic break up entering Earth’s atmosphere. Three American astronauts were stranded on the Space Station with no way home  due to the grounding of the shuttle fleet. Chris Jones tells the harrowing story of their survival, alone in space. For many of us on earth watching the news coverage of the shuttle disaster little was covered regarding the fate of the 3 stranded NASA astronauts. This book looks to cover that amazing story which is tragic, hopeful and filled with tension and unknown.

The William Mann River Rages

As if the weather gods were looking down on me and laughing since Kevin left for Senior Week a torrential storm struck the Mann estate while Kathy & I were out for the evening with my parents. As we sat dining at “The Bonefish Grill” rain poured outside in buckets. I wondered to myself, “I hope the stream is ok?” After dinner and a little shopping we arrived home about an hour and a half after the storm had ended. Surprisingly the Mann River was still raging as if it to was angry that Kevin would not be home until next Saturday. Because I am always thinking of you, my dedicated readers I braved the weather conditions in order to capture some video of the raging current running through the Mann River. 

Kevin Graduates High School

Dedicated readers, last night as first reported on facebook Kevin graduated from High School. It was a long time coming and his college days are on the horizon. I was a little nervous but very proud of Kevin as he stood with his class and received his diploma. With Bill Jr finishing up college and Kevin heading there it is no more high school for me as a parent. Where does the time go?

Kevin receives his high school diploma!

Kevin Graduates!

I have a mixed bag of emotiona attacking me dedicated readers.

WW II Saturday

Today my dad and I took our 4th straight trip to Reading for our annual visit to the Mid Atlantic Air Museum's “World War II Weekend”. After an initial heated discussion regarding current politics we both got smart and left that silliness behind and enjoyed a great adventure together exploring all things World War II. We both enjoyed hearing from some true American heroes and watching a pretty cool air show. All in all a great day and I already look forward to our trip back next year.

Here are some highlights from the air show today.

Kevin Shocks Me!

This evening as Kevin and I sat watching TV he looked at me and said, “Do you realize that this is my last school night?” “What?” I respond and Kevin reports, “Yep this is my last school night". After tonight I’m done with high school.” Wow I think to myself. Saddened I find myself doing a chore for the wife and finding a cold brew. Am I really this old? Where has all the time gone? Kevin Mann is done high school and heading off to college. Just like Kevin my life is heading off into directions unknown.  [pictured left] Kevin many years ago sleeping with his “Misty”.

Discovering Natalie

One of the best things about subscribing to Sirius Radio is all of the new music you can find if you look. One of my favorite stations on Sirius is “The Coffee House” , which plays acoustic rock. I have discovered so many great artists specifically from this station it is  amazing. It is here that I first found Loudon Wainwright III, Luka Bloom, Amos Lee, David Gray, Tracy Chapman and now I add Natalie Merchant to this amazing list of talent. I have heard Natalie Merchant on Sirius several times and her haunting voice always catches my attention. Lately I have checked out a couple of her CD releases and they are peaceful, haunting and mythical in their prose. 

The first song of Natalie's that I ever heard was "Wonder". Every time I hear this song I am brought back to the birth of each of my boys.


To learn more about Natalie Merchant's music check out her webpage.

Martin Van Buren by Ted Widmer

Ok I had to take a break from all of those science fiction novels, especially after the weak Star Trek short story collection, “Constellations”. I decided to get back to some history and chose a biography of Martin Van Buren by Ted Widmer.  Van Buren who was president from 1873 to 1841 is not thought much of these days and he is often disregarded by most historians. However his life story and political weight warrants more attention dedicated readers. For one thing, Van Buren was one of the first to recognize to political potential of  Andrew Jackson and Van Buren subsequently played a vital role in helping Jackson obtain the presidency. Van Buren was awarded the vice presidency under Jackson where he faithfully served Jackson for 8 years. Van Buren won the presidency in his own right as Jackson’s hand picked successor. However, unlike Jackson, events controlled him, he did not control events. The Financial Panic of 1837 which stands as this nations greatest financial disaster erupted shortly after Van Buren’s election and clouded his entire time in the White House. If that was not bad enough the ugly head of slavery was brought to his desk with the events surrounding the Slave Ship “Amistad”. This short biography should be entertaining while shining some light on “The Little Magician”.  

Unfortunately I realize that many of you, my dedicated readers are bored by history and reading however I wanted to show you this short video. Did you know there was a whole episode of "Seinfeld" which featured our 8th president? Check it out dedicated readers.

Remembering Jefferson Starship

Dedicated readers I have good news. Although this holiday weekend was filled with graduation parties and a memorial day picnic at Ian's house I still found time to complete a lot of yard work as well as finding a "double stroller" for the wife and even unintentionally re-discovering Grace Slick & Jefferson Starship. I remember first hearing Jefferson Starship in high school and for some reason being completely infatuated with Grace Slick. I also remember that Jefferson Starship even played a role during the ill-fated 1978 "Star Wars Holiday Special" which was about the only thing cool about that special.

Check out the song, "Fast Buck Freddie" from 1975's Jefferson Starship masterpiece "Red Octopus". This was one of those songs I played over and over and over again as a a teenager and here I am again playing it for all of you, my dedicated readers. I had not heard this song in years but when I stumbled upon it this weekend.... wow. Grace Slick I used to love you so.

It's hard to believe that Grace Slick is 69 years old now. When I was in high school she rocked.

Bound By Blood & Love

Ok I admit it dedicated readers. As Kevin approaches high school graduation and prepares to head off to college and Bill Jr gets closer to completing college I am often left wondering "where the heck did all that time go". I truly LOVED my days as a young parent raising my two boys. Things often look anti-climatic these days. However I realize that it is what is it and I look toward the future with pride in both my boys and hope for the future.

Today while I was working in my stream the song, "Go On" by Jack Johnson came on my I-pod and images of my boys started passing through my mind. I took a few minutes to try and recreate the moment for all of you, my dedicated readers. I hope you enjoy this and if you have young ones, hug them extra hard and try to remember the moment because it will not come again.