.ghoti.

Roger, I know of what you speak. My dad spent the last ten years in a nursing home. Alzheimer's is a cruel disease. Maybe not to the victim, but certainly to the rest of the family. Once he started showing symptoms, his decline was rapid. It's been at least six years since he knew who I was. His physical decline was almost as fast. When he died last week, he was not much more than skin and bones. It was a heartbreaking thing to see. My thoughts are with you and your wife. Take as much time as you can with Mom, while she still has some lucid periods. Speaking from experience, it's all you can do.

I'm contented with my life at this point. I'm happy most of the time. I have two jobs I like, a great wife, some awesome kids and grandkids. What else does a guy need? I don't have everything I want, but I have everything I need. I've had two heart attacks, and I'm still on the shiny side of the sod, so, yeah, it's all good.

I'll have to put a little thought into that myself.

Once again, I will not be charging anybody for the food and drinks. I will be taking donations for Glenn's Tackle the Storm Foundation. All proceeds will go directly to that fine cause. I'll accept any assistance anybody is willing to give. Mostly for the cleanup afterward. I'll be setting everything up during the afternoon, and will not ask anybody to give up any fishing time. I can handle the setup myself.

It's time for me to begin menu planning for the Soiree. Sometime soon, let me know if you plan to be there Wednesday evening. Respond here, or PM, if you would please. I need to know how much chow to buy. I'll have sandwich bar setup. Roast beef, ham, a variety of breads, a variety of sliced cheeses, lettuce, sliced onion, sliced tomato, mustard, mayo, horseradish and chips. I'll have a veggie tray and a fruit tray. I'll have a selection of cheeses and crackers. I'll have pickles, olives, peppers, etc. I'll have a case of wine and a cooler full of beer. If you have any requests, toss them in the hat. I'm not a caterer, but if enough people request the same thing, I'll make it happen.

I've become used to people saying "Gotti", like the gangster. And, every now and then "goatey", like a pervert.

Being the fine, upstanding Irishman that I am, I'm having spaghetti and meatballs.

All of my casting reels are Daiwa. My spinning reels are Daiwa and Flooger. Rods are different. I have 7 Setyr, 8 St Croix and 4 Daiwa. All other rods are one of a kind. A Dobyns Champion, an Airrus Tradition, a Fenwick Elite Tech and a Kistler Helium LTA. If I had to pick one rod, at this point in time I could go with the St Croix LTB series, and be perfectly happy with the choice.

natto the most disgusting thing I've ever put in my mouth.

Amazon sells them. Be the best 30 bucks you've ever spent.

Oh Raider, where arc thou?

Got one word for you. Aeropress. It will make Folgers taste good, good coffee taste great, and great coffee taste awesome.

a little curve doesn't bother me. a lot of rods have a little curve near the tip. However, when looking down the rod, if i see slight "kink" instead of a curve, the rod is going back.

Make sure the IAR bearing is very lightly lubed with oil, not grease.

A full spool also has a little more mass, requiring more braking effort to slow it down.

Rooster, your brakes will have a little less effect when the spool is completely full. This would be due to the spool spining just a bit slower. The effect is more pronounced with centrifugal brakes, but mag brakes also exhibit the same behavior.

Mac, come by the cabin some time during the RoadTrip. I'll serve you the best cup of coffee you've ever had.

Electonics and communications. Nothing else even comes close.

If i had to guess, I'd say, the rooster did.

Sorry, Sam. I couldn't resist.

I know how to sear scallops, saute shrimp, poach lobster, steam crabs and fry fish, but I have no idea how to flex mussels. Give us a recipe please, detailing this technique.

I prefer this one. http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/TATCAP1P/tacticall-alpha-1-iphone-5-aluminum-case-polished-silver

PC is the idea one can pick up a turd by the clean end.

about 40 years ago i had one almost 10 feet tall

I think I would like to be Raider's press secretary. No one who has ever inhabited the White House has a greater need for a top shelf press liason that our own man Raider. So, I'll volunteer for the position, with one condition. I need a flak jacket for all appearances.