Seeing Life From A Bucket

"My" weekend getaway to Madison, Indiana

2009-08-03T19:08:00.010-04:00

Wow! I had reached the point that I needed to get away, have some "Dave" time, but I've never done that before. Oh sure, I travel and most of the time I travel alone, but to just take off for a weekend, nope, had never done that.

I decided that my destination was going to be Madison, Indiana. I've been to Madison, but each time it was for only a short stay. I'm not sure what the attraction was, but when thinking about getting away, Madison was the first place that came to mind.

Okay, I knew my destination, that was easy, now where to stay, ahh ha! a bed and breakfast would be nice and Madison has several. I was fortunate and found a room at Windy Hill B&B. Windy Hill offered everything I was looking for, peace and quiet and a nice view, and oh my what a view of the Ohio River.

I spent part of Saturday morning and most of Saturday afternoon walking around Madison, exploring the many antique stores, had lunch at Roger's, a cool little restaruant with a counter and soda fountain. I was having a good time, but I really didn't know if I was doing this whole, "traveling alone" thing the right way. Then I realized, there isn't a right way to travel alone, there is only "my" way, and from that point on, I had an absolute ball. From my time walking along the Ohio River, to visiting Thomas Family Winery, it was just what I needed.

Back at Windy Hill, I sat on the front porch in a rocker and read and enjoyed the view. And traveling alone, I didn't have to ask anyone if I could take a nap, I just took one.

For dinner I decided on the Historic Broadway Hotel (salmon, baked potato, two glasses of wine). After dinner, I was ready to go back to Windy Hill and a quiet night of reading.

I woke up early on Sunday, made a pot of coffee, showered and sat on the front porch reading and listening to the birds sing. Kathy, the owner of Windy Hill, fixed breakfast and we sat and talked until about 10:30 a.m. when I decided it was time for me to head out. I took Kathy's suggestion and before leaving Madison I walked the Heritage Trail (more about it in another post).

It was a really good weekend getaway. And the best part, I did it "alone."

Welcome to the "hood"

2009-07-12T09:29:00.021-04:00

This whole thing about living in the "hood" came about when talking with Kate Flock, one of the nicest ladies you will meet in Indianapolis, asked me what part of the hood I lived in. By the way, Kate and her husband Kurt own Flock Realty.

I talk about the hood with friends and mention it most days on Twitter. I thought it might be nice to show you around, "my hood," better known as "The Old Northside."

One of the first things you'll notice are the beautiful old homes, many restored I'm sure to their natural beauty.

Located a softball throw away from where I live is the Morris-Butler House Museum. I hate to admit it, but I've never been there. I'll put that on my "things to do" list.

A walk around the "hood" you'll also see beautiful gardens.

One of my favorite places is this garden located on Park Street, literally in the middle of the neighborhood. It's where I go for lunch to read, in the evenings it's a great place to sit and unwind.

Sites from within the park.

Something I have always loved, wrought iron fences, and walking around the hood, you'll see all types and styles.

I'll end this little glimpse of the "hood" with what may be the most unique site you'll see, the hitching post and carriage step is located on Broadway Street. Each time I walk by, I can picture a beautiful lady being helped from the carriage.

The next time you're in Indianapols, take some time and come visit the "hood."

Not at all like I remember

2009-07-08T21:06:00.005-04:00

As I was walking around the Jennings County fair the other night, a John Deere 4020 caught my eye. It was a beaut, just like the one I grew up on as a 13 year old kid in Ohio. It was like a magnet, drawing me in, oh sure, there were other tractors sitting there too, an Allis Chalmers 190XT, an International 806, even a Farmall Super C like my brother had, but it was that shiny 1965 JD 4020 with the chrome exhaust that called me.

But as I walked up to it, something was wrong, the John Deere 4020 I grew up driving was a BIG tractor, the biggest on the farm. But this one, well it wasn't all that big. Oh it was just like the one I grew up driving alright, but after 43 years it was not at all like I remembered.

AM Radio

2009-03-26T08:22:00.003-04:00

Call me old fashioned, maybe even sentimental, but a recent early morning drive to Bloomington, Illinois reminded me why I still love AM radio. The atmospheric conditions allowed me to listen to AM 750-WSB/Atalnta, GA; AM 820-WBAP/Dallas-Ft.Worth, TX; AM 850-KOA/Denver, CO; AM-830 WCCO/Minneapolis, MN; AM 1040-WHO/Des Moines, IA.

Growing up in rural Ohio, I spent a lot of hours listening to Cincinnati Reds baseball on AM 700-WLW/Cincinnati, using a small transitor AM radio at night and then during the day while driving tractor cultivating corn in the summer or chopping corn stalks in the fall, that fender mounted AM radio was constantly blaring music from AM 800-CKLW/Detroit-Windsor.

It was that AM radio influence that eventually led me to a career in radio. Oh, and my first radio job, AM 1390-WTOO/Bellefontaine, Ohio.

Back stage at the Vanity Theater

2008-12-15T21:11:00.007-05:00

While I would pace and nervously go over my lines before going on stage, the kids, well, they play games backstage.

Megan napping

2008-12-15T21:07:00.003-05:00

Looking back through some photos, I found this one. No wonder Megan and Seth get a long so well.

Maybe I should be concerned.

Best friends

2008-12-15T20:45:00.003-05:00

Kim and Jeff are two of my very best and dearest friends.

The kind of friend that will want to know "how" I'm really doing or "what" I'm really feeling, that kind of friend.

Megan's boyfriend

2008-12-15T20:37:00.005-05:00

"I am a Professional Napper... I adapt to nap."
--Seth M. Paul

I know, I know, I should probably be concerned, but I actually like the guy.

No graffiti here..

2008-12-15T20:11:00.008-05:00

Imagine my surprise when I walked in to this men's room in the Fine Arts Center at Wabash College. I must say it was the first men's room I've been in that featured really nice art work.

While it was tempting, I resisted the urge to write something like, "For a good time, call ____," and I just wasn't in a poetic mood at the time.

If you have the chance, do it

2008-12-06T04:51:00.005-05:00

I'm talking about Community Theater. A very dear friend, Joyce Meyer (owner of the Moon Dance Cafe), encouraged me to audition for the Vanity Theater's production,"It's A Wonderful Life." First of all, the 1946 movie with Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reid, Lionel Barrymore and others, is one of my all time favorite holiday movies.

In the past I could have found a gazillion reasons why I couldn't do it. But there was something about this time, and the more I thought about it, the easier it was for me to say, "why not." I auditioned and was fortunate to be cast in the role of Mr. Potter, the wheel chair bound, owner of everthing in Bedford Falls, nasty, Mr. Potter.

Opening night was last night and oh my, it was indeed special, not because I was making my theater debut, but because who was there to share the night with me. I just want mom and Roger, Den and Denise, Megan and Seth, Carol and Steve, Kim, Joyce, Stephanie and all the others in the house, to know how special it was for me to know I had all that support and love there, behind me.

As George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) said in the movie, "No man is a failure who has friends." Oh, and something else, "It Is A Wonderful Life," thanks for being a part of mine.

Glad I did..

2008-11-23T08:37:00.007-05:00

I had really thought about calling my friend Kim to tell her that I couldn't go with her Saturday morning, that I had things I needed to get done, but after a cup of coffee and a hot shower, I decided I could take a couple of hours and go with her. BOY! am I glad I did.

It was so much fun, the morning started with Kim picking me up at the corner of 13th and Broadway, I told Kim I felt like such a slut, she asked what I charged, I said I was running a special "free trial offer" (good laugh).

Our first stop was the new Winter Farmers Market, http://www.indywinterfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/, featuring apples, honey, wine, cheese, free-range eggs, a wide assortment of locally grown produce and Kim's favorite, persimmon pudding. We ran into an old friend, Rosa Hanslits, who was there selling homemade pasta (she's opening a store shortly after the first of the year on 54th street). It was good to visit with her, Rosa's husband Tony was the first chef I met and interviewed when I first came to Indiana. I digress.

From the Winter Farmers Market we went to Goose the Market, http://www.goosethemarket.com/. The first thing that caught my eye when we walked in was the Duroc hog picture on the wall (see above). They were telling me that several customers have asked where they could buy one, which I found interesting. It also got me wondering how many of my duroc breeder friends still have one hanging in the barn or farrowing house. It was my first time to Goose the Market, but it certainly won't be my last.

We decided to make one more stop before heading home, well, make that two stops, Kim had to powder her nose, if you know what I mean, before heading to the Best Chocolate in Town on Mass Ave. http://www.bestchocolateintown.com/index.html. We each selected 3 truffles, dang it, I can't remember what flavors I picked, oh well, they were wonderful.

What a great time, I can't wait until our next excursion, now if Kim's husband Jeff would just get his ass back to Indy, it would be even more fun.

This from a leg man..

2008-11-21T12:05:00.003-05:00

When I saw this, I just knew I had to do something with it. Oh, and just to clarify, this is an American Lamb Board promotion, promoting, ta da - American Lamb.

And just what were you thinking it was?

Where did you go today?

2008-11-16T01:08:00.003-05:00

It was one of those November days in Indiana, rainy, cold, downright miserable. Curling up in my chair with my favorite throw and cup of coffee, I couldn't decide if I was going to go to Vietnam with Nelson DeMille in Up Country or to Africa with Clive Cussler in Sahara, but because I love to read, I could go to both, and I did.

56 years ago today

2008-11-10T08:14:00.004-05:00

Name: David Lynn Russell, born at 3:22 p.m. November 10, 1952, Bluffton Community Hospital, Bluffton, Ohio

Parents: Father, Max Smith Russell, age 31
Mother, Ruthanna (Neff) Russell, age 23

Dang it

2008-11-09T07:25:00.002-05:00

I said I wasn't going to let it happen, that once I started this blog, I'd continue it. Well, it's time to fess up, I haven't been blogging because, well because I let life get in the way. Hey, it happens, and that's okay. I have decided that I will continue to blog, it may not be every day, it may not be weekly, but it will be when I have something to share.

Package delivered

2008-11-08T20:07:00.005-05:00

Earlier today I picked up my good friend Kim at her condo and drove her to the airport, something I do every few weeks so she can go to Jacksonville, Florida to spend time with her husband, and one of my very best friends, Jeff. Each time after dropping Kim off, I always call Jeff to let him know his package has been delivered and he can pick it up at the airport in JAX.

Kim and Jeff are two of my very best and closest friends, the type of friends that know when something is going on, and aren't afraid to call me on it. Even today on the way to the airport Kim and I had a good talk about relationships, I'll not share the conversation here, but will say the rest of my day was much better because of that conversation.

I know the time is coming when taking Kim to the airport and picking her up again a few weeks later will come to an end, and that means my calls to Jeff letting him know his package has been delivered will end to, but that's a good thing.

In the meantime, if you need a package delivered, you know how to reach me.

Come on men!

2008-10-16T07:26:00.003-04:00

On a recent flight from Indy to Philly I watched not one, but two ladies struggle mightily, trying to remove their carry-on bag from the overhead compartment as men just stood there, some with a look of complete disgust, others too busy with their Blackberry or cell phone to even notice. My seat on the plane didn't allow me the opportunity to help, but my thought at the time, "Come on men, give the ladies a hand."

Just one name

2008-10-12T20:24:00.015-04:00

It seems that all one needs these days is just one name. On television we have Oprah, Maury and Ellen. In Indiana politics, we have Mitch and Jill running for Governor and Mary Ann running for State Representative. To continue the trend, just call me, Dave!

The bucket explained

2008-10-12T09:58:00.000-04:00

It all began when my daughter wanted to learn how to pitch fastpitch softball. It only took one time getting hit in the gonads while in a catcher's position that I realized I should get a bucket like the other dads who's daughters were learning how to pitch. I sat on that bucket for 10 years and even though I haven't caught Megan since she started playing college softball 3 years ago, I still have that bucket.

That bucket has not only been a part of my life, in many ways it has been my life. When Megan began pitching I was seeing life from 40 feet (the pitching distance to home plate), as she got older I was seeing life from 43 feet, and now, even though I'm not catching her any more, I'm still seeing life, from greater distances.

Sitting on that bucket I watched an 8 year old little girl grow and mature into a young lady, and lordy, can she throw a softball.

So, here I am, blogging, ready to share what life throws my way and yeah, my bucket provides me with the best seat in the house.