Pat and I returned last night from a delightful week with my daughter Rachel, Jorge (her husband) and Miriam (their 14 month old daughter).

There are a ton of pictures here, here, and here.

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Those that know me pretty much at all know that I have a redneck side that some say covers 98% of what I do. I enjoy NASCAR, throwing real steal-tip darts, going to car shows, cooking pigs and just about anything that involves drinking beer with friends. Most of those activities have been done with Dale Scholer, the guy who is as close to a best friend as I have in this world. In addition to the redneck stuff, Dale and I have gone to the Masters tournament together, attended several Blues events, poured beer at other events, eaten some exceptional food together (prime rib to roast pork to Italian sausage) and we do stuff that perhaps should not be exposed in a public place like this.


Over the last two years, Dale has declined significantly due to a genetic kidney condition. Of his five siblings, three got the condition and two were spared. Last year Dale's brother and sister both got kidney transplants, one from another sibling and the other from a deceased donor. At the time, Dale's kidney function had not declined far enough to warrant a transplant, but that soon changed. When he did get to the requisite 20% function, his eligibility for a transplant was delayed several months due to a lingering pre cancerous condition of the skin on his leg. When that finally cleared up, and the doctors checked everything out it became clear that his brother could be an effective donor.

Dale got his brother's kidney two weeks ago, and is recovering OK, though he has quite a ways to go. In order to prevent rejection and the chance of infection the doctors will not allow him to go to work or be in public gatherings for two to three months. So Dale is pretty much stuck at home. However, I setup Skype with a video feed on his computer so he can communicate. His Skype account is "dale.scholer"

Next Friday, July 3, 2009 from 3PM to 8PM several of Dale's friends are holding a benefit for him to raise a few dollars to help defray expenses. He has some insurance but has no short term disability to pay for normal living expenses while he is out of work. We hope to close that gap a bit. THe benefit will be at Tina's bar at 4th and Central in downtown Cincinnati. Here is the flyer:



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Miriam Patricia Freire Newberry was born at 15.30 CEDT (central European daylight time) on 9 July 2008 in Acalá De Henares outside of Madrid, Spain. She weighed in at 7 lbs 15 oz.

Mother: Rachel P Newberry de Freire and Father Jorge Freire are delighted to welcome her to their family.

Pat and I will be travelling to Spain on 21 July to begin the process of spoiling our grandaughter as well as visiting with Rachel and Jorge.

I will post pictures as I get them. I warned you!

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Rachel and Jorge - 06 October 2006

Wedding ceremony went off well, without any serious issues other than timing, which here in Spain seems to be much less of an issue than elsewhere.

There are tons of pictures on the picture site. Here are links the collections:

Setting up for the reception the day before

Civil Ceremony and Pictures Time by Pat

Civil Ceremony and Pictures Time by Henry (or others using his camera)

More Pictures Time by Henry (or others using his camera)

Reception Pictures


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The time is coming way to fast. I wanted to make sure this was posted before the event.

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And to the countless thousands who went to work everyday since and refuse to accept the tyranny under which the fanatical low-lifes who killed our family members, friends, countrymen and heroes would like us to live.

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The last week has been a very complex emotional roller coaster for this Dad. My only daughter, Rachel, has gone away on her own life adventure, and while I am sure to be a part of it, I have to admit I'll not be the same part I have had the previous 19+ years of her life.

Last Tuesday, July 11, 2006, I dropped Rachel off a the Salt Lake City airport to catch a flight to Spain, where she will be living for the next part of her life. I then drove her car filled with many of her possessions back to Columbus where I will store the car and stuff until she can come for them (or just in case she comes home she does not have to restart form total scratch).

The good news is that at the other end of her almost 24 hour trip to Madrid, Spain (via Atlanta, and New York) she was met by a very excited young man, who, it seems has reasonably honorable intentions...



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