As I was applying the final coat of paint to this room, I heard the guy on the weather channel say something about how Hampton Roads would be lucky if Hurricane Earl stayed offshore.  Then the winds would come in from the Northeast. As some of you know, anything that contains the words north, east, and storm make us more than a little nervous after last year’s Hurricane Season. This is the replacement for our old breakfast room after it flooded during the November nor’easter. With that storm the water from the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River was up over the window sills. Between what flood insurance would pay and what was left of our life savings after our daughter’s college tuition, we were able to have the old room torn down and replaced with this “new & inproved” version. See the old room was at ground level and had flooded 4 times previously, but our new one is over 2 feet higher. I did the painting and trim myself, found the French doors on Craigslist, and a friend did the beautiful tile work (saving money where we can). Lauren and I had to laugh, it hasn’t even been an entire year yet and we are almost done with the remodel from the last flood. All that remains now, are the floor in the living room and dining room, and the dining room is over halfway complete. YEAH!!!  More pic’s to follow. See you tomorrow morning at 10:00; I’ll be back from vacation, reporting on Earl, and praying for North or South WEST winds…LOL   

Starting today in Pembroke Mall Virginia Beach I’ll be live from 10a.m. to 3p.m.

George & Kermit

A little humor from Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane

After weeks of enduring nights where the temps were more like day time highs the weather for Tuesday night’s concert was perfect, and so was the sound at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater. Santana’s show was great; Carlos always hits the road with a tight band and his own special celebration of life with music. I have loved Santana’s unique blend of rockin’ blues with a Latin tilt since the first time I heard it, and we were treated to so many musical memories Tuesday night. Steve Winwood opened the show and wound through the years with songs from every stage of his amazing career, Spencer Davis, Traffic, his solo work, and as I mentioned earlier the sound was incredible. By far the most impressive part of the evening was Winwood’s ability to sound just like he did 30 or 40 years ago. Sonja and I were blown away by his singing whether it was a Traffic tune or one of his solo songs he didn’t change his delivery from the original arrangements. Most classic artists change the key or bend the notes slightly but not Steve…impressive! A heart felt thanks to all the Fox fans that took the time to stop by the tent before the show, you folks are why, what I do really isn’t like work at all. Thanks so much……..Coming soon “How I spent my Summer Vacation in the mountains”.   Pic’s included   :- )

I just wanted to thank  everyone that came out last week for the “Fox Floating Beach Bash” . What a blast I really think you folks were the best cruisers yet. Check out the great pic’s on the Fox home page. :- )

Last week Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd called we had a chance to get caught up and I got to ask him about some Rock & Roll trivia that’s bothered me for a long time.  :- )

The last few weeks have just flown by and I have been dying to do a post about last week’s show at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater. Here is your one word review “WOW” Kansas led off in style, Foreigner finished it off nicely, but Styx was amazing. After all the shows over all these years (not to say I’m jaded or anything) but it takes a “great” performance to have me leave a venue after a show saying “wow”. This line up of Styx was spot on with the vocals, keyboard, and guitar work. And the way Tommy Shaw and J.Y. traded guitar riffs and lead work was almost as impressive as the whole group’s singing. I haven’t seen a band trade lead vocals between so many  guys so effortlessly since the last time I caught the Eagles. Seriously “WOW”.

On the home front last weekend was spent working on the finish trim in our (still being remodeled) Den, and my bud Rhys Thompson came over Sunday and we managed to hang my surround sound speakers and “hi-def” TV on the wall with NO wires showing Yeaaaa! My wife Lauren was thrilled by that achievement; she actually smiled and told us it looked “NICE” Woooo Whoooo!  She’s not real big on hi-tech audio & video toys, but she loves me so she indulges my obsessions. p.s. pic’s to follow soon. :- )