Air Force One's fly-by over NYC!

Can you believe that Air Force One, accompanied by two F16's, circled the Statue of Liberty at LOW altitude and buzzed NYC? Amateur videos show people scattering and screaming, clearly in fear of a repeat of 9/11/01. Reportedly, the White House was performing a photo shoot, as if they're putting out a new Pepsi commercial or roadside billboard. What's next, a bikini-clad Cabinet calendar? Introducing Ms. January, Secretary Janet A. Napolitano! No thanks.

I have two videos to share, one from the media (Fox news) and one from inside the cockpit of Air Force One during the fly-over!

Fox news:


Inside the cockpit (please forgive the bad language):

Newnan, GA

Mom, Dad, Amanda Faye, and I are in Newnan, GA, for the final year of the Russ Fowler Memorial Golf Tournament. After golf today, we visited Grandma and Grandpa's graves and then toured the 268 Confederate graves in Newnan's downtown cemetery, including men from every Southern state.

We've also eaten well, as usual, so far at Cracker Barrel, Ryan's, La Fiesta Mexican, Starbucks frappacinos, and then T-bone steaks on the grill after golf.

The photo here was taken at today's tournament on a par 3 hole, about 135 yards to the pin, and I somehow managed to almost get a hole-in-one using a 5-iron. For a minute, my team thought it had dropped in, but instead, it had stopped 2" short of the cup. It was good enough, at least, to win "closest to the pin" for that hole. We finished in 3rd place and I can't recall a better day of golf. (I think I'll keep wearing the hat...have had great rounds so far while wearing it.) Beautiful weather, a very pretty drink-cart girl (Amanda Faye), and 31 other players in the tournament, many of which have become good friends after playing together for 6 years now.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy birthday, Dad! A blog with this many photos of one person may seem stalker-ish, but we're just big fans. Have a wonderful 68th celebration and enjoy another walk down memory lane...

Birthday-eve

And some more pics to enjoy on this birthday-eve.



Look at that devilish grin! He's getting ready to break something, for sure. Back says "Tom at about 4".

This is a great photo that I'd never seen before. So funny and original. Back of the photos says "Hobo Day/Marlow".
















Back of these pics say they developed in March 1948. In the first one below, I think I see a sword hanging on the tree beside dad's head. Also, a picnic table in the second photo. Is this at a lake?

More pics of Dad...

Here are a few more pics of Dad. If anything is written on the backs, I'll type it below:
Tom-1943 at Grandma Fowler's-when Tom got lost. Note large knobbie tractor tracks-WC Allis Chalmers. Note old pump. The best water in the world! Grandad 1-30-99
Hobbs, NM, 1947 (They let Dad weld at 6 yrs old? At least you're wearing goggles!)
Hobbs, NM, 1947 (Dad, was that your house in the background? Very nice picture of you and Grandpa. Now I know where I developed my love for a pin-striped suit.)

Andrews, TX, 1948

Friday is a very important day for someone in our family, and it just so happens that I have come into possession of some priceless photos. Here are a few to clue you in on who's 68th birthday is approaching.
On the back of the above picture (Dad w/ Easter basket), it says: Andrews, TX, 1948, Easter, when Becky was born.
Notice that there's not a blade of grass in sight!