Life with The Swell Guy!

Loop de Lake

After being off the bike most of last week due to much needed rain, the Labor Day Weekend has been just perfect to get in a few early morning rides.  On the early loop around the lake you see the mist rising off the water and the fields near the water.  The sun rises through the mist and shines in a hazy ball that begins burning the mist to reveal blue skies.  The early cool breeze begins to blow warm in our faces as we move forward. 

There is conversation while warming-up during the early ride and then we start working together.  Most of the sound becomes the swish of wheels on pavement, the click of shifting gears, and sounds of breathing.  The mind is freed to alternate between thinking about the ride and thinking about life stuff.  It is hard to describe how good this all can be.  I am grateful for every ride.  It is my best therapy. 

What's up with Crenshaw's?

The place in this photo is named Crenshaw's.    I wonder how many people have asked the question above.  Crenshaw's is on Rt. 221 heading from Lake Greenwood to Laurens.  They have groceries, ice, fishing gear, worms, and crickets.  Nice.

As you can see the roof is covered with the skulls of cattle and assorted bones.  After passing a number of times, I pulled over  to snap this photo.  That was not enough, but I was in a hurry.  Next time past I'll need to go in and find out the deal with skulls.  I'll be reporting back.  I may need to pick up one of those sweet straw hats hanging out front! 

The French - More than just talking smack

The French have a legendary reputation for being a bit snooty or arrogant.  The recent smack talking before the Olympic swim relay by the men's team again brought this stereotype to the surface. 

For some reason, this crossed my mind this morning as I prepared coffee using the French press coffee maker that Baby Girl gave me.  It struck me that the French, either willingly or unwillingly, have been more generous than any country that I can think of in lending their name to product names.

Arrogant or not?  I'll let you judge.  I've come up with this little list just off the top of my head of "French" items and the likely replacement if they did not exist.

French Press - makes a wonderful cup of joe!
Percolator - I love the sound and the action, but it's no French press

French Roast - Is it me, or does it seem burnt?  To be fair, this is a roasting technique, not a actual geographic region
Any coffee from Africa - has refined flavors from the different regions.  You can buy it organic and fair trade.  I like that 

French Fries - Yes, I know Belgium and Spain claim them first, but it is what it is and they are
Freedom Fries - Does anyone actually say this anymore??

French Toast - Splendid when done right
Waffles - There is no "French Toast House", right?  Nuff said.

French Vanilla - The good stuff is smooth and refined.  It's  nice
Mexican Vanilla - It's a little spicier and bolder.  I like the attitude.  I think it fairs well in my ultimate bread pudding

French Vanilla Ice Cream - Know to be smoother and more refined that regular vanilla bean ice cream
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream - It has the little flecks of bean and seems more natural.  I like it a little more

French Wine - The French hold the reputation of having the world's best wines.  They are proud of it and they serve it at most meals when you visit.  Their countryside is beautiful.
Any Other Country's Wine - A number of countries have beat the French in competitions.  I like looking at the labels.  Any label with Big, Fat, Truck, or Large get my vote.  The French are far too refined to use such words

French Poodle - They are too fussy for me.  To they take after the owner?
Boykin Spaniel - The SC state dog.  They are bigger than a Cocker Spaniel and have a "let's go play" attitude.  They score big points around here for being at home riding in a truck

Baguette - French for skinny white loaf of bread.   They are great when super fresh.
Italian Bread - Simple, refined, and wonderful when fresh.  Denine's family is part Italian.  You know where my loyalties lie

French Open - Tennis only
US Open - Tennis and Golf.  We win

Le Tour de France - The greatest sports event on earth for most of the world.  Over 15 million spectators come to cheer during the 21 days of the tour.  Oh, how I want to be sipping French Press coffee at a bistro as the peloton rolls by on a soft summer day
Zippo - Yes, I could mention the  Super  Bowl or World Cup Soccer, but nothing matches "Le Tour".  Really

French Twist - Somewhere  along the line, they got into the "hair business".  You know it will eventually come back
The Hamel Camel - Dorthy made it big, but alas, it's  gone

French Onion Soup - Superb when done right.  Tragic when not
New England Clam Chowder - Superb when done right.  Tragic when not

Cassoulet - How can anyone make a bean dish sound delicious?  Amazing!
Yankee Pot Roast - It sounds like what you get.  Good on a cold winter day

So there you have it.  Could we live without the French?  Yes, but you have got to give their team over there in the marketing department credit for doing  great work.  And I think they add a lot to our world.  And if anyone in France invites  me to Le Tour de France they will be my new best friend!

Now, would you past that bar-b-que sauce?

365

I've been up early the past few mornings.  On the way in to the office this morning it struck me that it was exactly this same Thursday a year ago that we went to settlement on our house in Oley, PA and started the drive south.  While it took months to get to that moment, it signaled the start to a whole new chapter of our lives.  What a year.  It has been great. 

I thought of making a list of all the wonderful people we have met and all the discoveries we have made this year, but I won't.  I've shared much of it already.  Instead, I'll say thanks to all of you who have welcomed us and made us feel like  part of your community.  And to our friends back north, we miss you and we love hearing from you.

It is the relationships, the people stuff, that make for the best moments in life.  So many folks have been so generous to us in sharing love, laughter, and life.  Thanks for inviting us to know you.  We look forward to what is next.

Peace, love, and BBQ
Zig 

The Swell Guy Phenomenon

I just received this e-mail.  I did not know it would go this far!

Zig,

How is it going? A friend just sent me a link to this website, and you are all over it, is this really you? www.News3Online.com

cheers,

Paul

Redneck Tuesday - Labor Day Edition

Some folks will try to squeeze in their last moments of summer recreation on Lake Greenwood this weekend.  It looks like Billy Bama here is ready for a little fishin'.  I'm not quite sure where the cooler, worms, and fishing rods go, but he does have a sweet trolling motor!

Note:  Caption suggestions are welcome!

More on the Bad Actors Guild (plus one)

The video segment that I mentioned the other day played at church yesterday morning.  Read Paul's report and check out the YouTube video here.  I just had a peak at the next script.  More folks are involved and it's going to be great!

Another reason to love vacation!

My good friend and cycling pal, Dr. Brian, took his family to the beach for vacation.  They sent me this photo.  Hmmm....  When I was a kid it was a pretty big deal to get an ice cream cone after dinner or if dad splurged for a round of putt-putt golf.  I wish Brian was my dad!

BAG +1

My good friend Paul invited me to fill a small roll in a short video that he was shooting Thursday evening.  He's been calling the group by the name BAG (bad actor's guild).  The group started making videos like these for the recent 40 Days of Community at our church.  They have been well received and now the group is making a video series to introduce different segments of David's sermon series on worship.  Steve, Matt, and Eric are the regular stars in the videos.  You can tell they enjoy working on them.

It was a lot of fun to do.  Paul's enthusiasm is contagious.  Another new actor, Bethany, has excelled in school & local plays and was too good to be lumped in with the rest of us.  Asher did a great time on his first time out.  We joked that the group should be called "BAG +1".  It will be fun to see what Paul edits for Sunday.  I'll let you know if and when it gets posted on YouTube. 

Thursday night in Greenwood

One of the things I attempt to do here at Life with The Swell Guy (yes, the typo is finally fixed!) is keep you posted about life in a small town in The South, life in general with what it brings, following Christ, and the occasional travel adventure.  It's all fun, but it is the community things...the things that we do together that brings the most fun.

Last evening two bands played outside Starbucks at the big intersection in town.  The second band was four guys from our church and another soul actually willing to play the drums for them.  The sound from our guys was basically Santana & Classic Rock meets Jesus in a bowling alley.  It was cool to see friends, family, and the community relaxing and having a good time.

I asked Greg, the band's lead singer, the name of the band when I saw him at lunch on Tuesday.  He said they were not completely sure, but they have considered Brown Bag, Plain Brown Wrapper, Poco Loco, Killing Bunnies (I think this is Greg's favorite), Four Guys and a Puerto Rican, Scepter (previous band name), Push (another previous band name), Restored...and Released.  Last night they went with Released.

I came up with several suggestions.  I was surprised that they were not well received.  They included:
Mustache Puppy - It has a nice classic rock ring to it.
Casbah - The drummer had a carpet under the drums.  They only need some saggy Moroccan pants!
Mandex - Big hair...Stryper outfits...classic...you get it
Schizo - Because if you keep changing  your band name...

OR - Just go to  BAND NAME MAKER.  Greg mentioned it would be cool if something like this existed.  It does.

It was a fun evening.  Before going to Starbucks, I was invited to join BAG.  More about that in another post... 

Post note:  The first band was The Apprentice.  I missed hearing them, but the CD that Denine picked up is quite good.  Check out this web site to hear their music.