Southern Classic Tournament

Arrived at the RV park for Harrah's Casino near Tunica, MS Thursday evening.  Here all week to watch the pros play pool and may even participate in one of the amateur events.  One thing I like about these events is I don't have to watch the best players in the world with binoculars from the cheap seats.  Just milling around the tournament room I have already been listening in as "Toupee Jay" Helfert and Freddy "The Beard" were telling stories about incredible shots they had seen Ronnie Allen, "Jersey Red", and Efren "The Magician" make in earlier years.  Last night Earl "The Pearl" Strickland was lecturing me and anyone else standing nearby about defective measle cue balls and the disastrous affect humidity has on the playing conditions of the pool tables.  If only they would get the tables dry his game would be unbeatable.  He was appalled when someone reminded him he was standing on a boat with water just below him.  While he was talking he was attempting what I thought was an impossible stroke shot on one of the 10' tables (he made it on the 5th try).  He finally announced that we were all too dumb to comprehend his brilliant observations and gave up trying to convince us. 

If you are not a pool player you won't understand any of the above, if you are you will realize this is the place to be for the next week.  Will post some pictures soon.

4th of July

Our kids and grand kids came by train and plane from Texas and my sister, nephew and step mother drove from central Illinois to Grannie's place for a few days over the the 4th of July holiday.  Ella is the newest addition so she of course gets the most attention.

                                                       
                                                                  Grannie and Ella

                                                    Grandma Bonnie and Ella

                                                           
                                                                   Nana and Ella

                                                
                                                                Aunt Sonja and Ella

                                                    
                                                            Papa and grand kids

                                                 
                                                            Zack, Megan, and Paige

                                             Zack saying goodbye to cousin Christian

                                        
                                             Grannie with grand and great grandkids

We went to the St. Louis City Museum one day. Among many activities available for kids it is basically a 4 story indoor/outdoor jungle gym made entirely out of recycled materials. If you are ever in St. Louis it is definitely something to do.

                                                Paige climbing from one floor to the next.

                                           

                                               Zack and Megan in one of the rebar tubes

We were glad everyone made the trip and had a great time despite the fact the daily temperatures were 105 to 110 degrees. We will be staying here a few more days before heading to Tunica, Mississippi.