Lazy Sunday

We went camping last weekend and had a very good time. The week and a half before we had been determined to trade our truck and camper for a more fuel efficient car. After driving the two choices (Matrix and Scion) we decided the truck was much more comfortable and we really enjoy camping. So...we took off for Lake Seminole State Park in Georgia.

The park is very nice and the campsites are large. Most likely this is accommodate a camper and a boat. We were among the very few campers without a boat. The water was close to the campsites and it was great weather to sit outside and watch people ride by in their boats or on jet skis. Saturday night the campground host came by to tell us to bring in the awning as a big storm was headed our way. Evidently it caused tornadoes and hail. Other campers were almost panicking in their efforts to pack up and drive away. Some left without emptying their black and gray water tanks! One family left the dog stake tie down in their site. Thankfully they took the dog.

Since it was so late, and since we'd had a bottle of nice Cotes du Rhone with dinner, and we made storm preparations such as bringing in all the chairs, awning, etc...we stayed the night. Nothing happened. Despite the weather map that showed all red in the way of a mother of a storm headed into us...we had maybe 4 drops of rain. Literally. So many people left in panic that by Sunday morning we were only 1 of 4 families left in the entire campground. Wild!

Tristan is now in day two of a motorcycle safety course. He had a good time yesterday and got a little sunburned. He should have his bike by the end of this week. The Triumph came in and after he gets his insurance handled they'll deliver the bike to the house.

Today I am trying to figure out a game called Guild Wars and I have a pile of Amos Pierce information to type. We'll have pastisio for dinner (Greek ziti)and just enjoy the good weather we are having.

Census transcription & Ireland

These past few days were relaxing, fun and productive. First off, it started with great plans to go camping in Destin, over in the panhandle with the beautiful beaches and McGuires restaurant. Kobe and Aja, the shibas who rule the house were ill just a few days before we were scheduled to get away. It was either something they ate off the side of the road or the fish oil we put on their food. Or something else. But it wasn't a pleasant thing to come and find poor little Kobe with poop all over the kennel. Long story short - we gave him immodium and canceled the camping trip.

Now, we considered canceling anyway when we heard the weather would be in the 20s at night with a 15 to 20 mph wind. That means it's too cold for a campfire and certainly too cold to have the shibas sitting outside with us. So, we stayed home but had fun like it was vacation. We ate at Outback - yummy baby back ribs for me, steaks for the guys, margaritas (2 for one!)and then came home and watched the latest Harry Potter movie. The night before that we watched Transformers and a Diana Krall concert filmed at the Montreal Jazz festival. Good food each night, Scottish Belhaven beer, Brooklyn lager, grilled amberjack and a pork roast that came out very well.

The roast was so easy - brown a pork tenderloin, put it in the crockpot. In a bowl mix up thinly sliced carrot and onion (I used the food processor), 2 tablespoons all purpose flour, 3/4 cup of white wine and salt/pepper. Mix that up and pour over the pork. Cook on low 8 hours. Remove pork and cover with foil. Now add 1/2 cup of half & half and 2 or 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard to the crockpot. Turn on high and in 15 minutes it will be thickish. That goes so well with creamy arborio rice, biscuits and salad.

Right - the census transcription. I looked over several census for the Delaware County area for Pierce and have Frank Pierce's info into the FTM now. My cousin Char sent me lots of info that I am still transcribing regarding the murder charges of Frank's older brothers, James and Amos. My old eyes will not read microfilm copies clearly in the evening so that will wait until tomorrow. We still have one more day off! Yea!

I was hoping to find the Irish connection to the Pierces but they may be English. Now I haven't found anything to substantiate the country yet - just some info reported on death certificates - but that isn't always accurate info.

Tomorrow I'm working on the newspaper articles.