July 13-20, 2005: A Trip to Fort Lauderdale
	June 17-26, 2005: Visiting Greg in Palm Springs
	Return to Index for 2005

Well, another July 4th has rolled around and, has become our tradition in any year when Ron has not gone home to Arkansas, he and Jay are hosting July 4th at their house. This year it is a small gathering- just Ron and Jay, Fred and I and Chris Young and his current significant other, David.

Ron and Jay live in Plano- very suburban. It is about fifteen miles from my house- up the Tollway to I-635, around to US 75, north to Parker, west to Roundrock, north to Glenhaven and finally west to their house. They've lived there for quite some time; actually, Ron and Chris moved there in the early 1990s.

Also as usual, Jay and Ron have outdone themselves in the preparations, putting on quite a spread of hor d'oeuvres and doing barbecue in their smoker.

One of the best things about having these celebrations at Ron's house is that it is such a good house for entertaining- what with the pool and spa outside and the pool table inside and all the room to move around. I guess it is a little unfair that we always seem to congregate there; that is why Fred and I try to take them out at least every other time we are there.

The party on Monday progressed normally, with Fred and I arriving early to play some pool and yak with the guys, and then Chris and David arriving a bit later. Since tomorrow is a work day for most of us (only Jay and I are persons of leisure), we broke up about nine in the evening after an extremely pleasant day featuring delicious drinks, good food and excellent company.

I completely forgot to bring my camera, but fortunately Fred did bring his, and so all these pictures are from him. They don't need much description, so I'll just give you a list of thumbnails and short captions for each of them; to view the full-size image, just click on the appropriate thumbnail.

Me in the kitchen making our first round of frozen drinks.

Chatting with Ron Mathis while making drinks.

Jay, myself and Ron. I am getting drinks made for Fred and I; Ron and Jay always have mixed drinks. As soon as I am finished, we can play some pool. Ron's pool room is decorated with some collectible movie posters and other fun stuff.

Jay and Fred on the pool table.

Taking my shot. Ron, Jay and I are pretty evenly matched, and it is rare when one of us has a long winning streak. Fred is still a neophyte, but getting better all the time.

Ron is choosing his next shot.

I'm not sure if I have just taken a shot (if so, bad form) or I am choosing the next one. The poster behind me is for "The Poseidon Adventure."

Now it's my turn. Jay has almost run the table, so I have some catching up to do.

David, Chris and Ron are yakking while we play. Chris has already taken a dip in the pool out back.

...while Ron and I watch.

Jay has just won another one, so it will be Ron or Fred up next.

Ron has brought some of the barbecue in from the smoker on the patio, and Jay is getting ready to cut it and get it laid out.

You can use the links below to continue to another photo album page.

	July 13-20, 2005: A Trip to Fort Lauderdale
	June 17-26, 2005: Visiting Greg in Palm Springs
	Return to Index for 2005