July 30, 2009 Thursday - 15 members and guests met at The Inn on the Gulf at Hudson Beach, Hudson for the monthly Chapter dinner ride. Well after a long day of work or being retired 15 of us dined together. I was lucky to be seated by Joe and Marie's grandson, Austin. He is a cutie. Jimmy and Odie came too, It is always nice to see them. Tim was there, that was good because Bruce didn't eat his bread fast enough so I buttered some for Tim too. Pete's friend Jeff from up North is down. The food was good as usual I saw a wonderful dessert, but couldn't finish my dinner HUGS and KISSES and see you at breakfast. T

July 19 to 24, 2009 Sunday thru Friday - 10 members attended the International Convention in Louisville Ky. I was told to keep it short so I will try. Highlights from 09 convention.... For dinner on one night we had lovely bologna sandwiches with chips. In the hospitality room every night there was left, right, center. The ladies got treated to manicures, pedicures, Mary Kay makeovers, and massages. The other meals taken care of by the convention were yummy. The banquet dinner was not wonderful but it was better than bologna. We went bowling, to a casino, to a Harley shop, some went on a bourbon ride, toured the Louie ville slugger factory, and Churchill Downs. Jimmy and Corey found other stuff to see too. In the hospitality room There was a magician 3 nights, karaoke every night, lots of Blue Knights drinking and enjoying each others company. On the last night A Blue Bra got tossed at our favorite karaoke singer. Corey tossed it but the performer figured out it was mine. Corey and the unknown performer gave it back to me. I can't wear it anymore knowing where it has been. Corey came back to the table wearing it on his head. I guess this story has a moral for our Knight's ladies: When giving the guys under garments to use in jokes tell them don't give it back. Our own Chapter convention goers brought back the winning wood for the uniform competition. Everyone loved our blue toenails, orange flip flops, fishing shorts, party police shirts and Tampa 17 caps. We actually got scored like we had a uniform on. We got 15 out of 21 points. Now it will be our job to judge next year in Billings Montana. Jimmy also brought home wood for his wonderful driving in the skills competition. His only real rival was Dave from Daytona. Jim showed everyone the course could be done double up. Bruce loaned me to him for a bit that afternoon. Just to confirm some suspicions some of our guys like having blue toenails. I can't tell who came to get their nails painted already wearing a lovely coat of passionate purple or who decided it was time to be more in touch with their feminine side. I missed many of you. We had a good time as many of us do, we take any event and make it ours. Till I see you tomm, at breakfast HUGS and Kisses T.

July 11, 2009 Saturday - 18 members met at CMS on this clear and cooler (at least at 8:30am) morning for the weekly breakfast ride. After much discussion it was decided to go to the IHOP (our meeting place) for breakfast. Cranky man is done, it was a yummy but pricey breakfast. However, if you're watching and eating 1 serving there were leftovers. The waitress was happy to see us and gave us wonderful service. She has been off on Thursday nights, since our like second meeting was there. Hey, it just started raining we beat the rain home!!After breakfast some of us went to Wal-Mart, we found what we wanted and I got a ride on the cart. B pushes the cart with me on the back that way I don't get bored and roam away. Hope to see a lot of you in Kentucky! HUGS and more HUGS and don't forget happy thoughts too. T

July 04, 2009 Saturday - 20 members met and participated in the American Legion Post 238 sponsored Safety Harbor July Fourth Parade on what was a very hot morning at the form up time of 9am. A number of us went directly to Safety Harbor while another group met up with Peter D. at Einstein's for breakfast and then to Safety Harbor. Now that Brucie has stated the facts let me elaborate for you. It was really really HOT and some of us left our homes at 7:50a.m. The line up street was by Starbucks though, they make better coffee then B.K. (Burger King) They also have reduced fat coffee cake It was actually good not like saw dust like some low fat stuff. As some of our Ladies of the Knights came out of Starbucks we saw many new Blue Knights had pulled into line. It was really wonderful to see Joe Strammiello. and AJ Suarez. We send Carol Strammiello a big Hug and Hello, also hopes for a speedy recovery. Some of my favorite patriotic guys were also there like Steve Kane and Rick Robbins. We all rode down the street in Safety Harbor for about 7 blocks. Ruthie Burgess did a wonderful job planning the parade and Jim looked cute in his American Legion uniform. There was a group of kilt wearing bag pipe playing people and wonderful adorable little children all decked out in red, white and blue The street was lined with folks of all ages. I told Bruce I got out my old festival queen wave however I forgot to put on my fake I'm smiling so big my face hurts smile. Some folks in our group were playing with their horns. Right when it was getting hot and bothersome (smiling and waving) it was over. We then went back to the Legion Post for liquid refreshment, and the fine people of the Legion had a potluck buffet set up. Those of us that went back were made to feel right at home. The Edelmanns, Coxs, Schmitt and his T, Peter D. came back it seems he had a purchase to make promptly after the parade. (a bike) We all went on our way at about 12:30p.m. Hope you all had a pleasurable Fourth Of July!! Bruce is wondering how I can or in his words "What the hell how can you still be writing about a 7 block parade" God love him and his cranky disposition. It was great seeing all of us that came till next time Hug Hug Kiss Kiss T.