• One of the more colorful characters on the outer banks has passed away. Commissioner “Mac” Midgett of Rodanthe on Hatteras Island died on Sunday the 17^th. If they gave him a good Irish wake there would be a lot to say. He was drinker and a fighter but he loved the outer banks and served it well. I think he will be missed. I know the local government channel will be a lot less interesting. I raise my glass to Mac Midgett may he rest in peace.

• It’s a blustery/rainy day on the Outer Banks. My middle son is off work and in the basement building a cat amusement center for his girlfriend. My oldest will most likely get off early he does survey work and if it’s too inclement they will knock off early. My youngest son who has semester finals today and tomorrow was lamenting that he would have to do the mile run inside, today’s test are in weight lifting and shop. Tomorrow will be in English and Geometry

• I’ve had a touch of mountain fever. I get it every year about this time but I’m going to Naples Fl in February so I decided to skip the January mountain trip. The fever returned with gusto yesterday after talking with a friend who lives in Hillsville, VA, and calling a farmer I know to check on my camper. My friend said she came down because a wind storm had come through knocking down trees and causing power outages. Rather than sit in a dark house with nothing to do she came down to the beach. That story should have made me glad not to have gone up there but it just made me take out my building plans. How nice it would be to sit in my cabin with a warm fire and a good book. Sigh…………

• This one is too good to pass up William Shatner of Star Trek fame sold his kidney stone for $25,000 to benefit Habitat for Humanity. I have always liked that man. He will try anything and seems to have fun doing it.

News - Shatner Sells Kidney Stone for Charity - Netscape Celebrity