Pop Criner - 3/7/2015 - Image-a-day

Nine years ago today the world lost a bright and charming soul, my step Dad, Johnny "Pop" Criner. He was an adventurer, a musician, a gourmet cook, and the love of my Mom's life. Pop was a career Navy man and loved to tell tales of all the places he had been. He taught me how to shave and drive and tie a tie, much of what makes me the man I am today came from him. For a time he and my Mom lived in Norfolk, Va. where I was living and every week I'd go over on Tuesday nights to have dinner with them. Pop loved to cook fancy meals, trying out new recipes and we'd start every meal with a raised glass of wine and his signature toast, "I wonder what the po'folks is doing!", which always brought an ironic smile to my face because we were the po'folks if you measured our bank accounts. In all the ways it truly counted, the love and laughter accounts, we were truly rich indeed.

I miss and love you Pop!

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Selfie with Dad- 1/19/15 - Image-a-day

I've missed a few days of posting images on here because I was in Mississippi visiting my Dad and Step Mom for the weekend. I took photos everyday, but had no internet access as my Dad doesn't have internet service and my cell phone had no coverage, so I was off-the-grid. It's always a bit strange for me to visit my Dad in Mississippi as it's not a homecoming for me as I never lived down there, but my Dad's side of the family has deep roots there, so I have a lot of connections there, just few memories. Culturally, I don't fit in, but I always enjoy how friendly most people can be there and the simple, country life. I love my Dad and Step Mom Betty and was grateful to spend some time with them. They start each day with prayers and gratitude for their lives and the people in it, and I think that's a beautiful way to start a day. I'm still learning from my Dad.

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