Laxie Goes Primetime

[Laxie]

We really did have a lovely time.  One of the first ports of call was the West Side Market.  The current location has been around since 1912 and some families have rented stalls since the start. I remember going there as a small child.  Back then they had live chickens in timber cages and everything was very rustic.  Health and safety has put a stop to the good old days though and now it's a bit more 'upmarket'. 

Still a great place and highly recommend a visit if you're ever in the area.  Very popular stop on the campaign trail of most politicians...including Presidents. 

Mom bought Jack a cheesecake, various pastries and anything else she spotted him drooling at.  He did a fair bit of drooling. 

Click to see full-size image.

[Laxie]

Next stop was another of my favourite places.  The valley...aka Metroparks.  I used to head there as a child with my grandfather to go river fishing.  As a teen I went there just to get away from it all.  Hadn't been back in many years and I'd forgotten how much I loved Ohio in the autumn.  The valley is gorgeous during that time of year.  Hell, the valley is gorgeous no matter when you go.  But there's just something extra special about it when the leaves start to change colour.  We didn't get to spend near as much time there as I would've liked, but we'll make up for it next year.

Here's my Mom's dog, Carmen, in the valley.  She's a bit spoiled.  If we're eating fillet steaks, so is she.

[Laxie]

That's us in the valley.  Back when I was doing the blonde thing.  I've gone away from that hair colour since, but you get the idea...

[RED-DOG]

Jack's just gone walking the boys and it's raining out.  I can't be arsed to get up and take a new photo of the get-up he wears in the autumn rain, but here's the summer version.  Crocodile Dundee, eat your heart out...

Woah! Back up there Missy.


Labradors with coats on?

You know where Labrador is and what these dogs were bred for right?


"Labradors are powerful and indefatigable swimmers noted for their ability to tolerate the coldest of water for extended periods of time."
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Laxie]

Jack's just gone walking the boys and it's raining out.  I can't be arsed to get up and take a new photo of the get-up he wears in the autumn rain, but here's the summer version.  Crocodile Dundee, eat your heart out...

Woah! Back up there Missy.


Labradors with coats on?

You know where Labrador is and what these dogs were bred for right?


"Labradors are powerful and indefatigable swimmers noted for their ability to tolerate the coldest of water for extended periods of time."
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The coats are for my benefit, not theirs.  Without them, you wouldn't believe how many towels we get through drying the boys down after walks!

[RED-DOG]

Jack's just gone walking the boys and it's raining out.  I can't be arsed to get up and take a new photo of the get-up he wears in the autumn rain, but here's the summer version.  Crocodile Dundee, eat your heart out...

Woah! Back up there Missy.


Labradors with coats on?

You know where Labrador is and what these dogs were bred for right?


"Labradors are powerful and indefatigable swimmers noted for their ability to tolerate the coldest of water for extended periods of time."
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The coats are for my benefit, not theirs.  Without them, you wouldn't believe how many towels we get through drying the boys down after walks!

Ah see, I never thought of that.

As you were.

[RED-DOG]

The photographs are lovely Dawn, and they all have a professional look about them, especially the one of the outside of the building, (buildings are so difficult) and the one of you and Jack with the bokeh (pleasingly blurred) background.

Who took them?

[Laxie]

The Westside Market pics were found online. It never even occurred to me to bring the camera that day, but seeing the photos online, I wish I had. 

Mom took the photo of Jack and I.  She's big into taking photos.  That'd be great if it didn't mean you're expected to pose for ages in every spot. Just had a look and I've 24 photos from that spot...AFTER deleting at least as many more!  Her grandchildren (all in their teens, early 20's) moan when they see her bring out the camera.  lol 

[Laxie]

Being from the Cleveland area means being a die hard Cleveland Browns fan.  Even when they're rubbish, which is most of the time, we don't give up on them. 

Just when they were showing real signs of a having decent season, the owner of the team (Art Modell...tosser) moved them to Baltimore.  Baltimore Browns.  Sigh.  That was in 1996. 

A major legal battle commenced and eventually the Browns franchise was given back to Cleveland, just not the team.  Baltimore became the Ravens and the Cleveland Browns put together a new team for the 1999 season.  While the Browns' new team was rubbish, the Ravens went on to win two Super Bowls...using some of our old team's players.  Bigger sigh. 

Ah well.  We never give up hope.  Even when there's no reason to think they'll win.   

My Mom got tickets for Jack and Sean (my brother) to go to a game while we were there.  The Browns hadn't won a game since November of 2011.  We warned Jack...don't expect much.  Just try to have fun watching them lose.  Well, on that day - October 14, 2012 - they actually WON against the Cincinnati Bengals!!!   

We've obv decided Jack is a lucky charm for the Browns.

[Laxie]

They had pretty good seats too

[Laxie]

Brief Ohio interruption...

RIP Lou Reed

[Kev B]

Great photo's and diary updates Laxie.

Transformer was one of the most played albums in my collection as a teenager. Not everyone's taste but certainly mine. RIP the great Lou Reed.

[Laxie]

Cheers Kev   How's you these days?  x

[Laxie]

So, after a week of showing Jack around the Cleveland area, we were walking Carmen one day when Jack asked how I'd feel about moving back to Ohio.   

I often thought of it before Jack and I got together and I'd probably be there already if we hadn't.  But Jack's been in the same village all his life.  He was born in a house right around the corner and most of his family are still in the area.  I'd never even mentioned it to him and figured I was UK rooted...end of. 

I was stunned.  First I clarified - are you suggesting we move?  Why not?  Blimey.  My kids have dual citizenship and have always talked about living in the States when they finish Uni, so it was a no brainer from my point of view.  I still played devil's advocate and rambled off all the reasons why I was worried he wasn't thinking straight.  Nope...he was pretty sure this was a good idea.  After a chat with my Mom and Step-Dad, that was that.  Hmmmmmm...ok then.  Over 40 and starting over.  Looks like we're moving to America. 

[Rod]

So, after a week of showing Jack around the Cleveland area, we were walking Carmen one day when Jack asked how I'd feel about moving back to Ohio.   

I often thought of it before Jack and I got together and I'd probably be there already if we hadn't.  But Jack's been in the same village all his life.  He was born in a house right around the corner and most of his family are still in the area.  I'd never even mentioned it to him and figured I was UK rooted...end of. 

I was stunned.  First I clarified - are you suggesting we move?  Why not?  Blimey.  My kids have dual citizenship and have always talked about living in the States when they finish Uni, so it was a no brainer from my point of view.  I still played devil's advocate and rambled off all the reasons why I was worried he wasn't thinking straight.  Nope...he was pretty sure this was a good idea.  After a chat with my Mom and Step-Dad, that was that.  Hmmmmmm...ok then.  Over 40 and starting over.  Looks like we're moving to America. 

Why worry about something that is always going to be the case :-)

Reckon he is planning how many trips to Vegas he can sneak in each year *lol*

PS - Good luck and congrats