BackForty

Happy 30th Annie!!

A Life Reduced - Asa and Concrete

Annie got me a new camera around the same time that we started this blog.  I used to be pretty enthusiastic about amateur photography.  I was always looking for an chance to take some interesting photos of nouns of all sorts and I would post some of the better ones here. 

I just had the realization that I am becoming someone that from an outside perspective I probably wouldn't like much.  Since about May 22, 2007, or thereabouts, nearly 95% or more of the pictures I have taken have been of either Asa (85) or Concrete (10)..... my son or my work.  Although I know you love to check here for the latest on Asa and even though I realize that he is the only one of us that has changed much in the last year, I just don't like what that says about me.  I swear my life has not been reduced to Son and Work (even though I am very proud of both). 

I will take photos of more subjects and I will post them here.  But with work and being a Dad, I'm just not sure when I'll find the time.  Until then, here's a picture of the view around here.

Permission to use this photo assumed.  This is a stock photo that came on my computer and is probably owned by Microsoft.  This photo might not be of North Carolina.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY ASA !!!!!

 
    









 

Asa and You

Today at BackForty we introduce a new feature called "Asa and You".  This is the internet picture album that everyone wants to be a part of.  Don't be left out.  Demand to have your picture taken with Asa, too.  Send us your pictures with Asa, if you already have had one taken.  These were the easiest ones for me to find today, but we will keep adding more as we run across them, or as new ones are taken.  Feel free to post here about your experiences having your picture with Asa, or your burning desire to have one taken.  We only let people we love (or at least trust a little) hold our baby for a picture, so feel special. 

Oh, and don't forget to wish the little boy a happy birthday, for tomorrow he will have his 1st one ever!!  It's hard to believe, huh?

Asa's preferred form of transportation

Walking!

Spring Has Sprung in Candler

We used this weekend to officially welcome in Spring out on Misty Lane. On Saturday morning, I started the day with one of my favorite Spring rituals, "the shaving of the beard".  Basketball was on the tube all day and night, but during the day we only used it for updates and a short break to participate in another family-favorite Spring ritual, watching Duke lose.  These are things that always makes me feel renewed.  After a hearty country breakfast, we spent the best part of the day in the yard, soaking up the plentiful sunshine and preparing the first of many beds for this year's garden. 

Sunday, we celebrated Easter with a brunch at the Powell's.  Asa had his first experience "hunting" eggs.  Miles better watch out next year when Asa is walking and taking directions.  There will be a little more competition.  Lela had her own big kid hunt that ended with jelly beans and chocolate, as it should.

We got back to the house in time to mix basketball with more garden work.  We planted onions, spinach, peas and carrots and transplanted some strawberries and bee balm.  My biggest realization was just how much bigger our garden will be this year.  My second biggest realization, just how much more work will be involved.  I guess that is the ultimate and ancient Spring realization, "It's time to spring off your hibernating butt and get to it."  That is a realization that, out on Misty Lane, we are happy to embrace.

The Big Race

These photos are proof (somewhat) that I am, in fact, crazy enough to go out and run 13.1 miles at 8:00 AM on a cold Saturday morning.  If you told me this 9 months ago, I would have laughed heartily. 

The even crazier thing is, I'll definitely be doing it again.  And this time I'll know to eat more and start off with less clothes. 

I couldn't have done it without Betsy, who kept me going, even when I wasn't very nice to her on mile 10. She sacrificed maybe a 130th or 140th place to come in 166th with me.  But even still, there were more people behind us than in front.  Not that that matters.

And, in conclusion, whatever most runners feel about eating the GU (the thick pudding-like substance that you are supposed to squeeze into your mouth to give you instant energy), GU saved my life.  If it wasn't for the tongue-numbing gelatinous "Espresso Love," I would have spent the better part of the morning in a heap on the ground, in the path of runners 168-353.

Is It Spring Yet?

We had a moment yesterday when we both came to the realization that we are already ready for Spring. Yes, we know it's February. Yes, we know it snows almost every year in April. Yes, we know the groundhog saw his shadow...or maybe he didn't...or maybe we don't really know. But nonetheless, Spring, we are standing outside your front door rubbing our sweaty palms down the sides of our courdoroys, nervously hoping you still like us.
Must be time to plan the garden.

Feverishly Laying Unmoving

Yes, the F.L.U. has hit the Rogers home with the wrath of a Super Tuesday Tornado.  Annie went down on Monday morning and Wes and Asa soon fell, too.  We spent the better part of the week laying around sniffling and snotting and watching TV. 

We are all on the mend, now.  Annie has been tough through this.  She bounced back a little quicker and has nursed us all through.  She drug us out the other day to keep us from getting cabin fever and even made cookies one night.

Poor little Asa is still breathing like a John Deere, bless his heart, but he is sleeping and eating and still smiling and cutting-up.  It's amazing that you can wake up, not being able to breath through your nose, aching all over, with a 100+ degree temperature, for the 3rd straight day, and look over at this poor little soul who can't breath through his nose, aching all over, with a 100+ degree temperature, for at least the 3rd straight day and he looks back at you with such a big smile that you can't help but feel a smile come over your whole sickness.

I'm looking forward to getting things back to normal around here.  I will not miss laying around being sick, but I sure will miss my two favorite people.

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