A few Monday thoughts

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We did, very busy with stuff all three nights. Last night we even had some severe weather and a tornado touched down in the next county but altogether a great weekend. A few notes:

-NCAA tournament updated standings to the right over there. Kimmeh continues to lead but can score no more points. Can anyone catch her?
-Later this week possibly tomorrow (if they get them to me) My two other blog brothers Mt. Cat and AbsolutGator and I will be posting our top 10 lists of most influential music albums of out life. Should be good stuff!
-The NASCAR race at Martinsville Virginia was rained out yesterday so I get the rare opportunity to listen to the race here at work on the radio... GREAT FUN on a Monday!
-I am here this week but will be leaving Friday night on vacation (Spring Break) up to New York (The NOFO) for the opening of NY Mets season and my brother in law's wedding the following weekend. I will basically be gone from the 3rd until the 13th and although I will have internet access but probably won't be able to post much so I have a request... Would a couple of you like to guest blog here on YJKOBT for me? A few posts about whatever you like? Random stuff or odd news? Let me know because I would love to have some guest bloggers to post next week. I will just add you on as a YJKOBT contributor.
-After this weekend I am less than 10 miles away from completing my goal to Walk to 100 miles so by the time I get back from New York I will have completed my goal ahead of time actually! It also seems that I have been losing some weight so I guess I am doing OK with my goal of living healthier.
-Why the cat with the lime on it's head? Because I like it and have never had a good excuse to post it here.

I hope everyone has a great week!

-Doc

Thanksgiving on the NOFO

Most everyone has heard of Long Island, New York. Most people have some feeling for where it but I dare say that unless you are from the Island your impression of Long Island may what you have heard of the Hamptons. I am here to tell you a little bit about the North Fork or the NOFO as natives refer to it sometimes.
For those who don't know Long Island is huge and very populated. Wikipedia tells me that is had a population of 7,448,618 as of the 2000 census which would have made it the 12th largest state in the country back then and I dare say the population has grown since then. If you take 495 (The Long Island Expressway) east out of New York City all the way to the end you come to a fork in the road. You can choose to go to the South Fork with leads to the Hamptons and ends at Montauk. With it's reputation as a haven for the wealthy and privileged and all that comes with that the Hamptons are what they are. I suggest that you take the North Fork as I will be about this time tomorrow and check out one of the hidden gems of this country.
My wife and her family are proud North Fork natives from Southold NY. Most of the way out the island due north of the Hamptons and situated on the scenic Peconic Bay. Southold and the
surrounding towns are a bit more rural and seem more down to earth than other parts of the island. Natives are proud of that fact and the fast paced life many people think of when they think of New York slows down just a littel bit on the NOFO.
As you can see by the map this area is called the North Fork because it's a peninsula which is surrounded on both sides by water. There is a distinct maritime atmosphere on the NOFO and it's also a big industry there.
The North Fork is also home to some of the best wineries in the United States. They have rolling landscapes and beautiful architecture and host huge parties and bring tourism dollars to the area that is heavily supported by agriculture.
More than any of these things is how I have been welcomed there. The people of the North Fork are very down to earth and friendly. Much like where I am from and are not at all like the stereotypical "New Yorker." I have grown to love this area and although I am a North Carolina native and really never think that I will leave. If I were I think that I have found a place that is as close to my own home as I can find. I am glad that I have family there and will give thanks on Thursday that I will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day there.
If you ever find yourself on Long Island I suggest that you check out the North Fork.

-Doc