Pictures taken at Merle's birthday party at his place. His birthday was actually the April 6 but that was right when T.J. was coming home and he was trying to find a home care nurse and his birthday wasn't what he was thinking about. But thanks to Dawn and Julio who put this all together, it really was a special day. I know all of us were thinking .."Wish T.J. was here", but I'm sure he was watching.
Patsy and Andy and Merle.
Cheryl and Dennis with Merle. Dennis is one of my favorite people in the entire world. If you looked up "doesn't give a shit" in the dictionary..his face would be there.(next to mine)
Clyde and his wife and Merle. Clyde used to have a bar in Leroy and I worked for him. But that's a post for another day.
Dennis, Andy, Clyde, Patsy, Patsy, Patsy and Debbie.
The Rodarte Girls..Sonya and Theresa...with their Aunt. The last time I saw the girls Sonya on the left was in diapers. They are 2 of Julio's kids. He and Dawn(step-mom) did a wonderful job raising them.
Jim Favors and his girlfriend who's name I can never remember. Jim used to own Strickly Country(he named it) before T. J. and Merle bought it.
Can't remember her name but she and her sister and I became buds. I helped them feed the ducks and bait their hooks so they could fish out of the tank. See the White Mazda? That was where I was parked and all the other cars/trucks were behind me.
Oh oh..the best yet..Bimbo Hand some other dude..Bimbo's girlfriend and Kathy (Jim's daughter)..Bimbo comes in with the neck brace and the biggest fucking grin on his face you have ever seen..yelling"On the job injury...on the fucking job injury....I hurt myself on the job."..First job he's had in years(other than bartending at Ross Store) and on the 7th day there he hurts his back and neck. I asked him how long he had to wear it and he said until the checks run out. I laughed so hard.
The guy on the left is Kathy Favor's Camp's husband. He made the cheese dip which was killer. Had 1 pound ground beef, 1 pound sausage a block of Velveeta, can of celery soup, can of cream of chicken soup, and fuck I forgot the rest..Will have to get it again..anyhow it was fucking fantastic.
Merle, Patsy PP..Debbie and her boyfriend. All my women friends are smart..no second marriages for them.
The 'tank'...has bass, catfish and something else in it, but they weren't biting and that girl stood out there for 3 hours bound and determined to catch a fish.
Kathy's older sister Judy and her granddaughter by Larry Joe..Every time I tried to take her picture she would turn her back on me..
Two tables full of all the fixings for hamburgers, sausage, hot dogs, chips dips my green beans, pinto beans and corn bread.
Julio was the head cook..Dawn to his right kept everything going and moving along. She did a remarkable job.
The women getting together for a gossip fest.
Larry Joe and his daughter who's name I can't remember either. Damn..I forget more names.
The mother of the 2 fishing girls dropped her cell phone in the tank and Larry Joe spend 30 minutes with a net trying to fish it out. He's such a great kid.
Finally got her to pose.
The boys..bullshitting and enjoying the food.
This is the front part of Merle's place. The tank is to the right..behind the house is a covered patio and covered parking and the rest of the yard.
Plus right off to the left of my truck is the work room where T.J. and Merle made shadow figures ...6 feet tall cowboys, cowgirls etc.
Merle resting before the crowd got there. By the time the rain came and chased us all home he was feeling pretty good..Dawn was making Pina Colada's..and Merle loves him some Pina Colada's..
My other best buddy...Julio before the people started showing up.
It was a great day..great friends, great food and good times were had by all. happy birthday my friend.
and ...happy 2,000 post anniversary to me..ha
