ADORATION. Too strong?

Is it too strong a word? If I mention the Craswell girls, why shouldn't I use the word "adore". Shown here are photos of Laura, Katelyn and Christine (Lois is away at school)...and once a year they come to spend the night. It's a night when Merrill straps on the apron, and his vest, to become their slave and worship these gals -- and serve them popcorn and drinks while they watch movies with Martha. It's their "diva" night and I look forward to it all year.

My friend, if you get to meet women like this just ONCE in your life then pal, you are a man most blessed. Merrill is a lucky man. (posted by Merrill, comments welcome)

Photos: Merrill feelin' the love from his girls. And Christine sportin' her stilettos (a gift from M&M) proving that girls from Tryon don't take a back seat to the gals of "Sex and the City"

SKYY high

I was in the liquor store yesterday, with my sister Barb, topping up my stash of vodka. We were checking out. I think everyone thought Barb was my wife. I looked at the cashier's nametag then said to her,

"Arlene. Is it stuck on, or is it all the way through?"

"What?" she replied.

"Your little diamond nose stud." I said.

"Oh, no," she said, smiling, "it's pierced all the way through."

"It's very pretty," I told her.

There was a moment of awkward silence as she put our bottles into paper bags, then gave us our change. But I could tell she was about to say something. She smiled.

"I don't think I should probably show you my belly ring." she said.

Okay now at this point I'm smiling too. She's a live one. So I leaned way over the counter to get my face closer to hers and whispered very loudly so everyone could hear, "Let's wait 'til next time darlin', when she's not with me." Barb and I exited the store and headed for the parking lot.

It was a SKYY high moment.

When I recounted the episode to everyone in the car, including my Mom, I told them the cashier was about 19 years old – just to make the story juicier.

So Barb says, from the back seat, "Oh for heaven's sake Merrill, she was in her fifties. You're gonna get yourself in trouble one of these days."

I can only hope.

If you're gonna tell a story, tell it all the way through. -posted by Merrill (comments welcome)

PHOTO by Martha, who now fancies herself a rival to Annie Liebowitz.