Back from Florida

Wow. What a long trip. This was probably the longest trip I've driven to stay the shortest amount of time. The old ragged out Mazda with 225K miles added another 1000 miles in just a few days. Not to get side-tracked, but this car has served me well. It was purchased for $1700 when I had the truck and gas prices started to rise, back some 3.5 years ago. It's ran great and gets 35 mpg. A quick calculation of my month investment in this car thus far is about $45. Dad and Pop would be proud of their son/grandson :-)

Ok, so I drove down Thursday night and got in bed at Grams at 2 am. Gram, Briggs and I chatted and caught up on things for a few hours that morning. Briggs and I then drove over to Pop's shop and picked up the outboard motor for my little boat that's being fixed up. It's been several years since I've been out to Pop's shop. Uncle Charlie showed me their Airstream camper that they take all over the east coast. Bill Holman is down from Michigan, but he was at a car show, so I did not get to chat with him. Anyway, I did a little fishing with no luck, then hit the beach for a few hours. After that I fixed dinner for Gram and Briggs that consisted of grilled wahoo, asparagus and a new potato dish that I absolutely love. It's fingerling potatoes cut up in chunks with onion, garlic, parsley and butter grilled in a tin foil pouch or baked in the oven. After dinner I caught up with my Aunt Joanne and Uncle Charlie. They are fun family to be around. After the after dinner conversation Briggs and I went down the street to a new restaurant/sports bar to watch a basketball game. I never really hung out with my older brother much when I was young, but these past few years, we've bonded probably closer than ever. We talked about our lives, the future and politics. I woke up the next morning and chatted with Gram for an hour or so then headed home. Going down to get this motor was great because I got to spend more time with Gram. That's two visits in 3 months. I hope to take Cecilia for a weekend trip again in a few more months now that she has weekends and every other Friday off with her new job. The only negative was the drive back, which was worst in terms of traffic I've ever done. It took 11 hours because three lanes switched into two for about 40-50 mile in Georgia. The traffic was stand-still then stop and go for 40 miles! I got into Georgia at 11 am and left somewhere around 3. Then there was the same slow down to a lesser extent in parts of SC. I made it home just in time to watch the UNC tarheels win to make it to the final four basketball tournament.

Last weekend I put tile down in our main bathroom. It turned out pretty good for my first shot at tiling. I'm hoping Adam will come stay for a few days to help me with the kitchen and laundry room. Here's a picture.

Political note: The latest polls indicate most people, rightfully so in my opinion, are not holding Barack Obama accountable for his pastors remarks. Somewhere around 70% approved of his race speech that was they call a viral video on youtube. His polling numbers have rebounded to point that he has a distinct lead over Clinton and is basically tied with John McCain. The cool part of this primary is that NC is starting to get a lot of attention. I was out in front in terms of showing my support for Obama by putting out three Obama signs at local intersections several weeks ago. Unfortunately, the signs were ripped out of the ground within a few days so I ordered four more that I plan to put in more difficult to access areas today.

To all that feel Obama is not a patriotic American... If a person really cares about something in their life, they are usually very outspoken and criticize what they see as harmful to this thing they love. Whether it be Preachers who feel the sinners in our society will be the end of the US, Black leaders like MLK who was severely critical of the US because it did not treat Blacks as equal or the anti-war crowd, myself and Obama included, who feels this war has had devastating impacts on our military preparedness and image abroad. It really makes me angry when someone like Bush or McCain simplifies the opposition to the so-called war in Iraq as defeatism, terrorist sympathizers or that we do not support the troops. It's just inconvenient to them that we actually have a strong love America and what's best for our country. It's just a plain weak strategy by the republicans to question a persons patriotism. I see it similar to questioning a persons religious fervor. Some people like to say Obama hates America because he won't wear a flag lapel pin. I think it was noble, you know why? He came into the Senate in Jan 2005 and saw that everyone, especially the republicans were wearing flag lapel pins showing their patriotism while at the same time doing nothing to make sure our military had the body and vehicle armor. We'll let me just paste his comments on the issue below. This is a pretty strong stand in my opinion. If he is indeed a secret Islamic extremist or America hater that just wants to get into office to destroy our country, it would be an easier route if he wore the flag lapel out of pressure. I'm convinced that this guy does love our country and that includes both white and black Americans.

“The truth is that right after 9/11 I had a pin,” Mr. Obama replied. “Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we’re talking about the Iraq war, that became a substitute for, I think, true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security.

“I decided I won’t wear that pin on my chest,” he added. “Instead I’m gonna’ try to tell the American people what I believe what will make this country great and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism.”

“Somebody noticed I wasn’t wearing a flag lapel pin and I told folks, well you know what? I haven’t probably worn that pin in a very long time. I wore it right after 9/11. But after a while, you start noticing people wearing a lapel pin, but not acting very patriotic. Not voting to provide veterans with resources that they need. Not voting to make sure that disability payments were coming out on time.

“My attitude is that I’m less concerned about what you’re wearing on your lapel than what’s in your heart. And you show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans, especially those who served. You show your patriotism by being true to our values and our ideals and that’s what we have to lead with is our values and our ideals.”

I'd also add that another criticism it that he does not put his hand on his heart during the pledge. This is completely false, it's the national anthem. His white grandfather was in WW2 standing next to general Patton. This was the grandfather that raised him in Hawaii and taught him to sing the national anthem and put his hand on his heart during the pledge of allegiance. The image going around the web is at a cookout and it was the national anthem being played. If you watch the whole video you will see him singing vigorously about his country he loves. Google Obama Senate pledge and you will find several videos of him with his hand on his heart pledging allegiance to the USA. Here is a picture of President HW Bush during the national anthem. The fact is that modern day protocol is that during the national anthemn it is optional to put you hand on your heart. I go to football games all the time where they play the national anthem and only a few people do this. I love all in the family so don't take offense to my political rants, it never hurts to look at both sides of an issue :-)

Democratic Presidential Nomination

Poll	Date	Obama	Clinton	Spread
RCP Average	03/18 to 03/28	46.0%	41.8%	Obama +4.2%
Gallup Tracking	03/26 - 03/28	50%	43%	Obama +7.0%
Rasmussen Tracking	03/25 - 03/28	48%	42%	Obama +6.0%
NBC/WSJ	03/24 - 03/25	45%	45%	Tie
Pew Research	03/19 - 03/22	49%	39%	Obama +10.0%
FOX News	03/18 - 03/19	38%	40%	Clinton +2.0%

More Polls | Chart

Poll	Date	Obama (D)	McCain (R)	Und	Spread
RCP Average	03/15 to 03/28	45.2%	44.3%	7.8%	Obama +0.9%
Rasmussen Tracking	03/25 - 03/28	43%	48%	9%	McCain +5.0%
Gallup Tracking	03/23 - 03/28	44%	46%	4%	McCain +2.0%
NBC/WSJ	03/24 - 03/25	44%	42%	7%	Obama +2.0%
Pew Research	03/19 - 03/22	49%	43%	8%	Obama +6.0%
FOX News	03/18 - 03/19	43%	44%	13%	McCain +1.0%
CBS News	03/15 - 03/18	48%	43%	6%	Obama +5.0%

More Polls | Chart

President Bush Job Approval

Change

We have a few changes likely in the near-term. Cecilia had her interview at the local power company she's worked for some 20 odd years. She stepped away from this company the past two years to work with a good friend at a lighting store, but the extra time off and to a lesser extent , the money has lured her back. At her current job she works every other Saturday and of course every Friday. If she gets this job she'll have every other Friday off like me and every Saturday, plus the potential for 5 weeks of vacation time compared to 2 weeks now. We are excited because that mean more weekend trips together. One of the activities that strengthened our bond were frequent fishing trips. To see her excited state when she has a big flounder or redfish on the line is priceless. Let's go fishing honey!

This weekend I stayed at home while Cecilia went to visit her mother and family in Morehead City, NC. I'll be heading to Florida next weekend to visit Gram, Briggs, Kristen et al. and my Aunt Joanne and Uncle Charlie. I had Briggs buy a motor for a small boat we're fixing up, so that's part of the reason for the trip. So, this weekend I wanted to do a little more work on the bathroom, in particular, the floor needs to be redone. I plan to try my hand at a little tile work. I'd loved to have Adam over for the weekend to help as I'm sure I'll screw something up, but I'm sure he's busy with his new family life.

Change... I will start to add some of my political thoughts from time to time. As many probably know I've been an Obama supporter since last year. Actually, I recall a speech he gave at the 2004 Democratic convention that literally stunned me. At that point in time politics was starting to become important to me and the speech was more inspiring than anything I have heard from a political or patriotic standpoint. This past week brought out one of Obama's longtime friends/minister, Rev. Wright. Truthfully, I was a little conflicted when I heard these things out of Obama's minister. Obama quickly indicated that he rejected Wrights comments and he did not share those views, and that Wright was one of those from an older generation that still held on some controversial views when it came to race. Obama indicated that he was one from the younger generation that hoped to bridge the racial divide. I'm sorry, but I've done a lot of research on Obama's history over these past few years and there is nothing he's done to indicate he have racial views; he is half white. So, I can take his words as truth until I explicitly see otherwise.

Last weekend I reflected upon his explanation and tied to something in our lives. Our family was brought up to be blind when it came to race. One of my best friends in middle school was a black boy, Ricky Pearson; thinking back I don't recall ever thinking about the fact that he was black. I had a couple of black friends in High School and even lived with three black guys my first few semesters at UNCC. Besides Dad, Papa Bob was the person I loved and respected. I knew from comments and actions that he did not have a high opinion of most Blacks, mainly for the welfare situation, but I understood that he was from a different era in time. The bond we had was strong, he taught me a lot of great life lessons, but that did not mean that I had to share his views on race.

Obama delivered a historic speech on Tuesday. This was another powerful speech of his, probably the most brilliant speech I've ever heard. The most impressive thing of the speech was that he wrote it himself. He has an uncommon ability to put issues in 3-D so all sides can be examined; contrast that with President Bush and many leaders today who only want to show you a profile that conforms to their preconceived ideas. Not only do speeches like this frame issues well, but the eloquence it Lincoln-like. This, probably more than anything makes be firmly believe that Obama would make a great President. Back to the speech...

I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was raised with the help of a white grandfather who survived a Depression to serve in Patton's Army during World War II and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line at Fort Leavenworth while he was overseas. I've gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world's poorest nations. I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners - an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters. I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible. It's a story that hasn't made me the most conventional candidate. But it is a story that has seared into my genetic makeup the idea that this nation is more than the sum of its parts - that out of many, we are truly one.

I feel this guy loves America and think his path is the definition of the American dream.

Ironically, this quintessentially American - and yes, conservative - notion of self-help found frequent expression in Reverend Wright's sermons. But what my former pastor too often failed to understand is that embarking on a program of self-help also requires a belief that society can change.

The profound mistake of Reverend Wright's sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It's that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country - a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old -- is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know -- what we have seen - is that America can change. That is true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope - the audacity to hope - for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

A closer look into his Church reveals that probably 99% of sermons are not political like the few clips you've heard on the news. This Church's stated goal is to improve the lives and community of intercity Chicago. They focus on strengthening the family by offering programs like drug and alcohol abuse, worker training, education, etc. Considering Obama worked as a community organizer through the 80's and part of the 90's I can see why this church and it's message was attractive. I object to those who question others church, faith (especially if they only hear a few 10 sec clips) and I'll throw it in there, patriotism. My view may have stemmed from the fact that our religion faced and still faces some persecution and misconceptions. I recall the time the local Baptist church wrote nasty things on the sidewalks of the LDS church in Marion.

I could go on and give thoughts on other parts of the speech, but don't have the time right now. However, I urge all to listen to this speech and think about it

Last but not least, I wish everyone a blessed Easter!

A beautiful week

I'm writing a day later because I had to help a friend yesterday morning work on a small boat that we plan to share. We had a nice week that brought a few exciting improvements to our home. The spring like temperatures also contributed to the beauty of this week. We had temperatures in the mid-60's to uppper 70's most of the week. My garden loves it!

First and foremost, Cecilia and I have just hated the plain white Formica counter tops that were original to the house. We started to seriously think about new counters this past fall, but decided to wait until we could pay cash. The installation team that Lowes sent out did a near perfect great job. The material is quartz which is suppose to be one of the most durable countertop materials that does not need periodic sealing like other stone (i.e., marble). Another nice property of this surface it that it contains so many molded brown-tone colors that it can be dirty, but the crumbs remain unnoticeable. A free sink was part of the deal. You'll see in the picture that it's one of the double bowl sinks, but one is larger and both bowls are deeper than the old sink. This makes cleaning large pots much easier and the sink is undermount so we don't have to scrub the surrounding seal. The new faucet is nice; the spout is a pull out sprayer.


I mentioned last week that we has already installed a new flat-top range and wall oven. They were found on craigslist for cheap. The oven was only around $100 and the range $150. We love this setup, in particular the flat-top stove that is a breeze to clean. If we purchased this setup new it would have been around $1500.

I mentioned the work on our new old boat. I'll have pictures soon, but this was Adam's old boat that needed a new motor and a new floor. Our large boat was sold last fall, just in time for the rapid increase in gas prices. The old boat would cost at least $200 in gas; this year it would have been closer to $300 for one fishing trip. This small boat will only cost $20-$30 a trip in terms of gas. We decided to split ownership with a friend at work who also loves to fish. He has a workshop and garage to keep the thing dry while we do the work, and he's been doing most of the finishing/detailing. Currently, we've repaired the hole in the hull, painted the hull and just put in the new floor yesterday. In a few more weeks it will be ready for the engine. I found a good deal on a motor in Florida; I was able to get Briggs to take a trip to Melborne to purchase the Yamaha. I'll head down in a few weeks to pick up the motor and spend a day or two with Gram and Briggs.

To end this post, here's a photo of our two dogs Cody (black lab) and Cady (our dairy cow) hanging out with the neighbors Chocolate lab Goldie. Have a good week all!

Startup

The web is such a great resource. I recall the first time I surfed the more mature web (1996). It was amazing the wealth of information available to the average person. Now, a person with no technical background can share their thoughts to the world as easy as pie.

I thought I'd begin to use this power to keep all in the family in touch with our lives. That would be me (Robert Chad Gilliam) and my wife Cecilia Lynn. I have the routine of spending several hours on the internet every Saturday morning (Cecilia's only day she sleeps late), so it only make sense to use at least part of this time to document our week.

Well, I suppose the most significant news of the week is that my younger sister Katie and her husband Michael had their second child. I spoke with Gram (Grandma Meader) yesterday and she informed me that Katie delivered a baby girl (Emma Elizabeth) in the 8 am time frame. I have yet to talk to Mom to get the details, but it seemed the delivery went smoothly. Cecilia and I are so happy for her because they had some initial problems getting pregnant and now they have two health girls! We have a large family that's growing every year.

I've been more productive over the past few months than in years past. We payed a guy to do some work around the house and it ended up costing 4k, for not much more than painting three rooms and a few small things here and there. Papa Bob scolded me from above, so I got my butt in gear and started doing upgrades/remodeling myself rather than paying someone else. The big recent project was our main bathroom that we call my bathroom since I use it every morning. Cecilia got this beautiful large mirror from her work for $175 as well as the two sconce lights that hold energy efficient compact fluorescents. Our previous light held six 75 watt bulbs, so we basically went from 450 Watts to about 25 Watts. Our friends had done a bathroom vanity top in butcher block, so we plagiarized the idea. I found an old kitchen island that was the perfect size on craigslist for $80. We found a cool hand pounded copper sink ($120) from a guy in Mexico and country pump-looking faucet on ebay ($95). I put it all together myself and was proud of how it turned out. I'm not completely finished as I need to put the final coat of epoxy, but here's what it looks like.

Our next project are kitchen countertops, but we had to have experts do these, which will take place next Friday. I'll write next Saturday with pictures. I'll have to also show the new drop-in range and wall oven I installed last month.

Over the last few years I've been trending towards trying to become more energy and financially efficient, which come hand-in-hand. My username for this blog is "greentail". This is downeast slang for a mature shrimp in the fall that's ready to head out in the ocean. I like the name because I love to catch these shrimp, but also because I'm trying to become as green, or conservative as possible. In the quest, I've come back to my roots so to speak in terms of growing our own food. I recall the day the whole family was out working in the garden, what seemed several acres at the time, we had in Nebo. I recall the days weeding, picking, hoeing, etc in the garden we had on Hankins road. It was not fun work at the time, but it surely is fun work now. I got hooked last year when I tasted the first ripe vegetable, a cucumber. We had started a few years before to eat more vegetables, but the flavor of these homegrowns was so much more pronounce.
This year I started a spring garden for the first time. I expanded from what I had last year by adding these two elevated beds. Actually plans are to add one more this weekend as I got a bunch of seed potatoes that will take more room than currently availiable. Last weekend an irrigation system was added that runs around the beds and the back porch where I have other beds. Currently planted are snow peas, radishes, carrots, broccoli (I love this stuff), leaf lettuce, onions, garlic, shallots and oregano that survived the winter. We recently bought a chest freezer. My goal this year to to can and freeze enough produce to last the winter. Also part of this goal is to preserve enough fish and other seafood from my fishing trips to eat at least twice a week. I've included a couple of pictures of the new beds and will write about the harvest as it progresses.

That's probably enough for one morning. Have a nice weekend all and congratulations Katie and Michael!