Ted Turns 30

Saturday: too rainy to play golf. Did some cleaning upstairs and downstairs, as well as some laundry. Drove up 85 to Belton SC for my nephew Ted’s 30th birthday party. Ted and wife Jordan had recently renovated an old house on his parent’s acreage. Jordan furnished and decorated it from Ceil’s parent’s house. The house overlooks rolling fields.

C and I helped Rusty’s family get ready for the party. They had been working on the house the past few days. They put Ceil to work painting in the kitchen.

Joe and I drove into down to pick up a few items, allowing us to have a nice chat. He’s on staff at Newspring Church in Aiken, and recently preached a Sunday sermon.

Once the crowd gathered for the party, Rusty and Joe got busy frying fish, French fries, and hushpuppies.

There was also corn chowder and chips and cheese dip.

Jordan propped up an old boat to ice the beer in. Also lemonade and tea. Over 60 people showed up, parking out in the fields. Some arrived in ATVs. Many brought their own beer. Over 60 in attendance.

Ceil was placed in charge of the homemade peach ice cream. She had to plug the churns into outlets in the laundry room. I ferried in the ice for the churns. There was also strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Phil’s crew stayed back in Jefferson for the Middleton reunion. Corinne received a special award (below). With Rusty out of town, Phil, Zane, Beau, and Victoria won the golf tournament. Vic even contributed a couple of shots.

We didn’t leave to drive home until 9 pm, so it was after 11 pm before we got back home.

DENISON: less than 20% of Americans live in a state where the minority party has a meaningful voice in governance. A Harvard analysis found that 98-99% of Americans live in areas segregated by partisanship. Without political debate, competition, and compromise, the views and needs of America’s very disparate population are underrepresented. If Americans feel they are facing “taxation without representation,” we are back where we started when our drive for independence from England began.

Shilo Sanders ejected from the Buccaneers' preseason finale for taking a swing at the Bills TE, who had blocked him 10-15 yards down the field. Later Tampa Bay cut Shilo from the team.