January 6
We’ve been back to work for nearly a week in our new building. This will be our first full year at 8100 Lynhurst Road and so far, the reviews have been good. Having everything on one floor, the proper overhead crane system and easier access for trucks has all contributed to a more efficient operation. Of course, I also like that we’re just a few minutes from my house. The Shop has a couple of weeks of work on the books to start the year. Today a job is picked up for the Army Corps of Engineers. The order was for several large pipe elbows for a repair at the Washington Aqueduct. We also roll some angles, some rods and a tight pipe coil.
January 13
It’s an unseasonably warm day as it gets to 70 degrees in Dundalk. That’s not what we expect in January but we’ll take it. The crew are busy with some structural pieces to roll including some for a Ryland Homes project. Jack and I are talking about the absence of hockey. The NHL locked out its players and has been negotiating with the players’ union but there’s no progress on a deal. Jack assures me if it drags on much longer, the season will be scrapped.
January 22
It’s a very cold Saturday and I’m glad I don’t have to leave the house. A big storm is heading north to drop a blizzard on New England. We settle for an inch or two of snow in the afternoon. I take my boys out into the backyard and we play a bit. As is the case with both of them, I initiate most of the play. I make snowballs and throw them about while the boys watch. Joe tries to make one and has some success. A.J. is too small and not walking so he mostly watches. He is due for another evaluation and testing next month. We’re anxious to hear what the doctors have to say. I enjoy our short time in the snow and so do they. Every kid loves snow.
January 31
The month ends on a chilly Monday but the Shop is warmed up a bit by some annealing of brass tubes. The start of the year has been pretty good with a steady back log of work so far. We finish a wide range of jobs including some rail channels, straightening some tubes, some bars for a sculpture and the aforementioned brass tubes.
February 6
It’s a sunny Sunday and I’m watching the Super Bowl with my sons. I’m sitting on the floor with them, setting up blocks and cars for Joe while A.J. slides around in his walker babbling happily. I try to explain football to them but they aren’t that interested. The Patriots beat the Eagles 24 – 21 and it’s a pretty good game. I pull out one of Joe’s books from the bookshelf and it’s about space. I open it up and show the boys some pictures of space capsules and the shuttle. I tell them we did a job at the Shop this week for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Joe perks up at this a little and I say one day we’ll go there. He seems all for it though with kids with autism, enthusiasm is often tempered and difficult to detect. Kim and I are learning something new every day about autism and our boys.
February 15
Ann, Jack and I are discussing the NHL lockout. My brother is a hockey fanatic but Ann is a big fan as well. The deadline to salvage any remnant of a season is tomorrow and there’s no indication of any progress toward an agreement. The crew are busy rolling some angles and large diameter rods and a few other things. A job is picked up by C & K Lord, one of our Eastern Shore customers and we roll a tube for a company that does restoration of historical instruments. That’s interesting and something different. Tomorrow a press conference is held and the NHL season is officially canceled.
February 23
I’m making the short drive home from the Shop. We have remained busy with lots of angle rolling this week including several for a large oval. We finish a job today for the Human Genome Project. Normally, I would find that amusing and intriguing but my thoughts are on a phone call from Kim. A.J. had his evaluation today. Kim’s Mom drove and Kim called me from the car. The doctors think there’s a strong chance A.J. will never walk or talk much more than he does now. He babbles and says Mama but that’s about it. He doesn’t walk at all. It was a hard thing to hear but I can’t image how hard it was for Kim. I can’t wait to get home and be with her and the boys. I’m ready to tell her they don’t know for sure. They think it and hopefully they’re wrong. I’ll tell her, “It will be alright,” though I won’t know that to be true. It’s something we must say to each other periodically. Even with no proof, it’s human nature. For Kim and I since Joe’s diagnosis, there’s a lot of “you and me against the world.” Of course, we have lots of support and wonderful families but it’s a tough thing. It’s hard and it’s fearful but it’s how it is. When I get home, I tell her, “It will be alright,” but I don’t know if I believe it.
March 4
Today is Friday. The day most working people wait for patiently. That’s true for Kavanagh’s and crew. We finish some small jobs today including some formed angles for Beltway Iron. Formed means they are bent from plate and not made in a steel mill. A press brake is used to fold over the plate into an angle. It’s always challenging to roll these because they are thinner than mill angles and more irregular. Still, these work out fine. I finish filling out some delivery tickets and it’s time for everyone to head home.
March 15
It’s a windy Ides of March and we keep the big doors closed. It is chilly as Spring has not arrived on the calendar or to Lynhurst Road. Our backlog has been steady at about two weeks and that’s our sweet spot so the work is good. During lunch, I talk to Ann and Jack about A.J. They know his evaluation didn’t go well though I kept the most dire predictions to myself. A.J. is getting physical therapy at our house twice a week. A therapist visits and tries things to encourage some movement and walking. There isn’t much change but we know these things take time. He is also receiving speech therapy at home once a week. He is babbling more with different nonsense words. I mention to my brother and sister, he says the word Goppy Gop a lot. Kim and I can’t figure out what it means but it must be something. He says it a lot and this is progress. He is trying to communicate and that’s a good thing. If we could just figure out what Goppy Gop is.
March 29
It finally warms up a bit as we near the end of March. I spend a lot of today on the phone. I’m either arranging pick ups or giving out prices. It’s a big part of my job. Meanwhile, the boys in the Shop are pushing out some rolled channels and pipes. One job is for an IMAX facility but I don’t know where. That’s how it often is. I might know a little about the end use of a project but rarely do I know all the details.
April 4
It’s Opening day in Baltimore and the Orioles beat the A’s 4 – 0. Rodrigo Lopez and three relievers throw a combined shutout. That’s a great way to start the season. We leave work early to catch some of the game but not before completing a few jobs including some angles for an M and T Bank and some for a French International School in Bethesda.
April 21
The Orioles are off to a great start at 13 – 7 and baseball is the talk of the Shop. We talk about our Birds obviously, but I also mention to Jack and Ann that I am going to look for any baseball programs for kids like Joe. He’s seven and I’m hoping there might be something for him. He wouldn’t be able to play in a typical T-ball league. It’s just not possible but I’m going to find something. I make calls and scan the internet. While I do that, the guys are working on some railings, some fancy brass tubes and a structural channel for a repair to Sandy Spring Middle School.
April 27
It’s a beautiful Spring day and the crew have been working on a lot of big structural angles this week including some for Sinai Hospital, some sign work and some sculptural parts for John Ruppert. We also have a recurring job for DTE Energy for some rolled pipes. I’m told we’ll be doing batches of them for several months. I love that kind of stuff. All the development is done. We just need repetition. Ann, Jack and I have decided to have someone create a website for us. We’re really getting into the modern age. We all agree that more and more business and commerce will rely on email and the internet. Ann will find somebody to set the site up.
May 5
I have found a program for Joe. It’s an adapted sports league called the Conquerors League in Parkville. The season has already started but kids can still join. They play on Saturday and we will be there this week on the field at Villa Cresta Elementary School. I’m curious how Joe will do but I’m also anxious to see how it works, the adapted baseball. I’ve been talking about it all week to my brother and sister and anyone who would listen. Meanwhile, the Shop is humming along well in our new digs. A few of our regulars have jobs in the Shop including artist Paul Daniel and some fountain copper tubes for Fountain Craft.
May 20
It’s a rainy Friday but I am looking forward to the next day. Joe played his first game with the Conquerors League and he is on the Rangers. It’s very much a simplified baseball game. Hence, the term adapted sports. All the kids get an at bat and a hit in every inning and everyone plays in the field. There is a mix of children with different challenges though Joe is not the only one with autism. Like many of the kids, Joe needs some help. I stand in the field with him and run the bases with him too. He’s just learning the game and needs the ball on a tee like most of his team mates. It’s an enlightening experience. I meet some great parents. The coaches and support group is terrific. I love watching my boy and this team play. I finish the day by writing out some delivery tickets including a job for another school. After that, it’s home to wait for the Saturday game.
May 31
Yesterday was Memorial Day so everyone had a long weekend. We come back to the Shop and it’s going to be a hot week because we have some big rectangular tubes to fill and roll. That means torches which means heat but it could be worse. It could be July. We also finish some museum exhibit work and some big angles. My mind has been on baseball a lot as the Birds are 31 – 20 and my son is part of his own team.
June 3
It’s another Friday and we have a job from a surprising customer, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. They are repairing some equipment and need some channels rolled. That’s the fun of the Joseph Kavanagh Company, you never know what you’re going to get. I’m anxious for tomorrow and another game for Joe. He’s doing better each week and what’s really great is he’s making friends. He’s playing with other kids and that’s a great thing for Kim and me. The whole family comes to Joe’s games and baby A.J. receives much attention. He sits in his walker and people are happy to stop by to see him. He is babbling more and more but mostly I get “Goppy Gop” from him.
June 10
I walk through the door at Charlesmont Road at the end of the week and I’m happy to be home. The quicker commute is a great thing. Joe is watching a cartoon while coloring, Kim comes in from the kitchen while A.J. rolls about in his walker.
He looks up at me and smiles, “Hey Gop!”
It hits me in a flash and Kim too. Our eyes lock. “It’s me.” I stammer. “I’m Goppy Gop.” I reach down and scoop up A.J. “I’m Goppy Gop” I say to Kim.
She smiles back. “It’s you.” We move closer together and we’re holding A.J. and each other.
“I’m Goppy Gop.” I mutter once more. In my mind, I think, he knows me. He knows who I am. I’m so happy. I feel a blast of hope and think maybe it will be alright. I glance over at Joe. He’s interrupted his coloring to look up at us. I wave him over and he carefully puts his book down and joins our hug. “We got a game tomorrow, Joe. Are you excited?”
He nods. “Yah, I’m a Ranger. We’re gonna play.”
June 17
I turn 40 and the Shop rolls some tee bars for a church. I suppose I’m trying to reach some balance at 40. Joe has his last game tomorrow but we are all in on the Conquerors League. They do soccer in the Fall and bowling in the Winter. We have decided to try both. This has been so much fun and we have met so many good folks. Joe has made friends and so have we. The Shop welcomed back two employees this week when Jack’s sons Paul and Patrick returned to work for the Summer. With both my nephews here I can’t help but think back to my brother and me when we were young teens in that dirty old Shop on Central Avenue. It’s the start of a lifelong thing. They both have done well here so far and I expect more of the same.
June 26
After careful planning and matching schedules, the Kavanagh’s meet at Lynhurst Road for a Crab Feast. We get crabs and shrimp from Salty Dog on the Boulevard along with a deli tray, veggies and many desserts are brought by our relatives. Most of the family are there including our parents and Ann, Jack and I take turns showing groups of Kavanagh’s around the place. We play some wiffle ball on the grass outside the parking lot, kids and adults playing. It’s a fun day and it’s good to see them all together. Something that is getting tougher and tougher to do as our numbers have increased. When I’m with Jack and all of my sisters, I feel a bit like we’re back on Lakewood Avenue. The old days with my Mom and Dad and this crazy brood of nine.
June 29
I sit at my desk and check for emails. I have a few. The website with emails is a success to me. The biggest positive is customers can send me a drawing or a picture or even a rendering. Being able to see any version of what the customer wants is a great help to my job. It’s like getting a fax only faster. I can decide if it’s something we should bid in a matter of moments. The items we clearly can’t do can be dismissed with a polite reply. Most of my dealing with vendors and buyers is via the phone but I think that will change. The internet will change that but we still have to bend and roll. Do our jobs. The Shop rolls along with more channels for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, some tubes for a ship repair, pipes for the Hagerstown Wastewater Treatment Plant and some pool parts for Five Oaks Swim Club.
July 4
Independence Day is spent with my in-laws on Woodall Street. Anthony and Linda know how to throw a party including a summer cook out. Burgers, hot dogs and ribs on the grill with all the sides are served throughout the day and in the evening, we have a great view of the Inner Harbor fireworks. This will probably be our last chance at this view. My in-laws are planning to move. They are looking at houses closer to Linda’s family and closer to Anthony’s work in Frederick County. Anthony and I watch the Birds lose to the Yankees in New York. That great start to the season has started to evaporate but it’s baseball and we’ll see how it goes. A.J. has begun to stand as long as he has a table or something to lean on and try to walk. It’s a very positive sign for us. It’s a great day with family and the boys love the fireworks.
July 8
The Shop begins its countdown to a week’s vacation in August. This year we are seriously backed up and I’m concerned we won’t get everything done. It’s like that each summer but this time feels different. It’s not overly hot or humid and that’s good because we have some brass pipes to anneal. The torches heat this place up fast but this new building is bigger. The crew are spread out more and can keep away from the poor fellow with the torch.
July 15
It’s a cloudy Friday and we are busy. We have some work for the New Family Theatre at the JFK Center and for the Lisbon Elementary School. I don’t always know what the final project is but sometimes it’s indicated on the drawings and sometimes the customer tells me. It brings a little depth to the job knowing this. Kim and the boys and I attended the awards ceremony for the Conquerors League a couple of nights ago. It was fun to see everyone away from the field and very cool to see my boy get a trophy. Everyone gets one but with these kids, everyone deserves one. We look forward to seeing how soccer goes in September.
July 29
We are getting closer and closer to our week off and it’s looking like it won’t be vacation for everybody. It’s becoming clear we’ll have some things to do that second week of August so the Kavanagh’s will come in. The crew will have a week off but we’ll be here including Jack’s boys. Today another set of channels is picked up for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, some pieces for a boat trailer and a few other railings and angles.
August 5
It’s the last day before vacation for our crew. For the first time in my tenure, the guys will get a break but the family will be in next week. My brother, sister, nephews and I will come in Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We have some jobs that need to be done and picked up. I’ve always wondered what would happen if we can’t get everything done in time. Working a few days during vacation week is the answer. Today is a truck day as pipes are picked up by U.S. Gypsum, some structural channels and tubes by Miscellaneous Metals and more. When the last truck pulls out, the crew are on vacation.
August 8
It feels very big in the Shop with just the five of us here but we have work to do. We had to decide if we were going to have vacation or finish the jobs. The jobs are money and this was the obvious choice. It’s just three days then we’ll still have a long weekend. Jack and his boys roll some angles and some tubes. I give them a hand getting the longer pieces in and out of the machine. It definitely is fun and oddly nostalgic to work with my brother and his sons. It’s like he and I working with our father. Still, it’s hot and humid and that reminds us, it’s work.
August 18
I stand at the open front garage door and stare out. It’s not the same view as the corner of Central and Pratt but I see traffic going by on Old North Point Road. I can hear the sounds of industry from our neighbors Titan Contracting. It’s different but familiar. I’m feeling better about A.J. He is walking on his own now. He’s a little unsteady but he’s walking. The Shop has been very busy since the guys got back from vacation. The crew finishes some brass pieces for A.K. Metal and a number of big structural items for some of our fabrication customers.
August 25
It’s a pleasant 80 degree day and that’s nice for August. The influx of work has cooled a bit too but we still have a backlog. Some elevator parts and some basketball hoop poles are completed today. The Orioles are discussed and they have taken a rough turn the last few weeks. The team has dropped to five games under .500 and things better change soon or this season is lost.
September 7
It’s hump day at the Shop and as often happens, the day drags. Jobs are knocked out for a handful of our regulars including rail channels for Master Halco and aluminum angles for Antenna Research. I’m looking forward to Saturday and Joe’s first day of adapted soccer with the Conquerors.
September 11
The Ravens open their season at home and lose to the dreaded Indianapolis Colts 24 – 7. I watch with my boys. I set up some blocks and cars as Joe watches. He gets a little more involved now and rolls some of the vehicles about. Joe started 2nd grade this year and A.J. has begun Pre-K. He is walking better and better every day. He’s speaking a little more as well. He calls his brother Joe and my father-in-law is Pop. Kim has always been Ma and I am still Goppy Gop. It’s progress on both items. A.J. is receiving his physical and speech therapy at school now. He seems young for school but we were advised an early start would be good for him. I have a good Sunday despite the Ravens but it’s sports. I have more important concerns then games unless Joe is playing. He had his first lessons in soccer and he had some fun. I don’t think he enjoys it as much as baseball but who can blame him?
September 16
It’s a warm Friday on Lynhurst Road and I’m hoping it doesn’t rain tomorrow as predicted and cancel Joe’s soccer game. A cooling rain would be nice today because we have some tubes to fill with rosin which means torch work. We fill and melt out tubes under the porch in the back of the building. This is much better than in the building like at Central Avenue. It’s hot work but it doesn’t effect the whole Shop anymore. These tubes are for a sign job and we also roll some ornamental bars and a fancy brass foot rail for Brassworks.
September 21
It’s looking like a rough year for Baltimore sports. The Orioles are going to finish under .500 and the Ravens have lost their first two games. They have a bye this week so maybe they can reset. There’s some grousing about the Ravens among the crew. They are bigger football fans than baseball fans. We bend some pipes for Fisher Theater today along with some angles for a Harley Davidson store and a few other small orders.
October 2
The Orioles beat the Rays 6 – 2 in the last game of the season and the Ravens beat the Jets 13 – 3. It’s a good Sunday for Baltimore fans though the Orioles will not be in the postseason. More important than either game is today is my Joe’s 8th birthday and next Saturday is A.J.’s birthday. We spend the day at my in-laws for a small but fun party for both birthdays. Joe loves presents and cake just as much as the next kid and A.J. is certainly in agreement about the cake. A.J. will only be 3 so he’s still figuring out the presents part. Joe is 8 but a different kind of 8 then other kids. That’s okay. He’s our Joe and he’s doing great. A.J. is progressing now too. He is walking with confidence and is saying more words. It’s a happy birthday.
October 5
One negative of the Shop’s new home is the drive to get rid of our scrap. We’ve continued to deal with our old neighbors Landsman but the distance isn’t cost effective. We’ll find someone local but for now we’ll have to pick a day this week when I can spare someone for an hour or so. We roll an irregular curve for Gable Signs, some pipes for the Baltimore Opera Company and some for Morgan State. It’s a busy day in the Shop and in the office, I start looking for a local scrap guy. In the evening, the NHL returns after a lockout canceled season and the Washington Capitals begin their campaign by beating the Columbus Blue Jackets in DC 3 – 2. Two of the goals are scored by a young Russian chosen number one overall in last year’s NHL draft. Jack has been telling me about this guy. He’s a generational talent they say with the potential to be a superstar. I’ve seen my share of “can’t miss” prospects in sports so I’m a little skeptical but hopeful. We’ll see if this Alexander Ovechkin can do some good things and win the Caps some games.
October 14
It’s been a bit of an Indian Summer so far with the cold holding off. That definitely makes our jobs easier. Today the guys have several beams to roll and one channel to a very tight diameter for the G S Company. We also do a job for a film production called “The Visiting.” I hear it stars Nicole Kidman and I think it’s an alien story. I enjoy the movie and TV stuff we do. It’s way more interesting to mention to folks than a set of angle rings. Tomorrow is the Cure Autism Now Walk and Kim, the boys and I will be in D.C. for it. We have a team of people coming along in support as well, mostly family. It’s our first walk but it’s a way to get more involved in the autism community. Kim and I want that.
October 26
The Chicago White Sox sweep the Houston Astros to win the World Series. I’ve been a bit of a Chisox fan for a few years so I enjoy the series. While watching, I explained the finer points of the game to my boys though they were long asleep before its conclusion. We had an interesting day at the Shop. Some pipes were bent for the Smithsonian and some for the Naval Surface Warfare Center. That sounds interesting though they weren’t exactly forthcoming with details. It’s the kind of job where I have to sign an NDA or non-disclosure agreement so even when I know nothing, I can’t talk about it.
October 31
It’s Halloween and I look forward to taking my boys trick or treating after work. In the Shop, jobs are completed for our neighbors down the Boulevard, B and B Welding and one of our sculptor friends, David Hess. We also received some pipes for the Army Corps of Engineers this week. These are for some work on the Washington Aqueduct to be done next month.
November 10
I am expecting a surge of work as we are getting closer to Christmas and the end of the year. It happens every time and this year has been very solid so far. A strong end would make it that much better. It’s the usual mix of ornamental, rail, and structural work today in the Shop. Meanwhile, my in-laws have found their new home. They settle today on a one story house in Catonsville.
November 18
Jobs start coming in at a quick pace as the weather cools. Today the Army Corps of Engineer pipes are picked up and we finish a few other orders. We bend some tubes for the MD Jockey Club. I remember a job for them last year. Sometimes those who need our services surprise me. Personally, I’m looking forward to Turkey Day next week.
November 24
We celebrate Thanksgiving with my in-laws, Anthony and Linda, and Kim’s grandmother in their new home. As we are about to turn onto their street, I recognize the Five Oaks Swim Club as someone we did a job for earlier this year. It’s a small world. The house is really nice with a couple of extra bedrooms. We have two rooms and a bath to ourselves in the basement so we can stay over. I’m happy for Kim’s folks and Mom-Mom. This place is easier for all of them and it’s a nice area and close to historic Ellicott City. The food is plentiful with all the required items including parsnips for me. It’s a very nice holiday and the boys are the stars. With A.J. being more active and Joe getting older, they are the perfect pair to entertain us. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, food, football and family.
November 30
We finish the month on a sunny busy Wednesday. A railing for our friends at the John Gutierrez Studios or Gutey as they are called for short is finished. They do ornamental arty stuff and it’s always something unique. Sometimes unique means a challenge and that’s okay but sometimes it simply means odd or unexpected. I liked John Gutierrez since the day I met him and his crew are good folks.
December 7
The cold got here quick and it barely gets above freezing today. This building has radiant heat so it is much more comfortable than the old Shop but it still gets cold every time a big door gets opened. We finish some work for two of our biggest regulars, Ackerman and Baynes and Miscellaneous Metals, and some angles that will be used for constructing a Diamond Auto Spa in Winchester, VA. I’m not sure what an auto spa is but it sounds expensive.
December 14
It’s even colder as we reach the middle of the month and now, Kavanagh’s and crew are really appreciating the warmer Shop. I love this new building and I keep finding things I like here. The temperature and the short commute are at the top of the list. We finish a mix of jobs today including some angle lintels and ornamental pipe rails.
December 23
It’s the last working day of the year and everyone’s mind is on the holidays. The day is occupied mostly by loading trucks. Some things have to go before we can. That’s how it is. One of the last pickups is for some tubes for the BWI Airport Fire and Rescue. Another odd example of how we have a wide array of customers. Finally, the day and year are done and it’s time for the Yule.
December 25
It’s Christmas at the new Casa DalFonzo for us and we have a great time with Kim’s family. Joe is really getting the present thing down now and he has a great time ripping through gift wrap. A.J. is joining in with him when he’s not contentedly sitting with his Pop. It’s exciting with the kids but almost calming after the buildup to the holiday. It’s a Sunday and that means football. The Ravens beat the Vikings in Baltimore 30 – 23 and that adds a little fun to the day. Their record is 6 – 9 so there will be no playoffs and certainly no Super Bowl but it’s a very good Christmas.
December 27
I’m at home during my week off and the Caps are hosting a game against the Bruins. Ann, Jack, his wife Nancy and their boys are all at the game. It’s the Kavanagh’s first chance to see Ovechkin play in person. They lose to Boston in OT 4-3 but not after Ovechkin scores a beauty, a true goal scorers goal. It’s his 21st of the season which is a pretty impressive number before the end of the year. It was a fabulous athletic goal. I wish I was there but I’m certain my brother will tell me all about it.
December 31
Kim and I celebrate New Year’s Eve on Charlesmont Road with our sons. It’s a nice quiet night for us and we see there is a marathon of the Twilight Zone on the Sci-fi network. I have always loved the show and so does Kim. We put it on and watch. Joe is curious why it’s in black and white. I explain as best I can while he knocks down some block towers I made. His brother is walking about smiling and watching Joe closely. A.J. is walking and talking and doing well at school. Joe is doing better at expressing himself and he’s opening up more. There is still a certain distance. That’s a big part of having a child with autism, the distance. Kim and I have learned this is a long journey and we’re learning to take the victories no matter how small as victories. Celebrate them and hope for more. Both our boys are young and they will change and grow. Like all parents, we’ll see where that takes us. Getting involved with the Conquerors League has been great. We’ve connected with people in similar situations and there’s an understanding among the families. We have bowling to try in January and that should be fun. As far as the Shop goes, the first full year at Lynhurst Road was good. We stayed steady to busy all year and the benefits of the new place were very evident. We can roll and move longer pieces in this place and that helps us get more work. We’re also closer to the beltway and it’s simpler than driving into the City. Now we have a big parking lot and the property is much more truck-friendly. Access is much simpler. For me, it’s closer to home. My commute is about eight minutes at the worst. I love that I’m that close to my house and my family. So for the Shop, the year was a success. For my family, it was as well. We had a big scare in February but A.J. is proving them wrong. I was out on the diamond while Joe played some ball on a baseball team for a few Saturdays. Progress for both boys and we’ll try to keep that going. It came down to finding the right thing for Joe and really listening to A.J. Generally speaking, I only answer to Joe but from now on, I’ll always be Goppy Gop too.
George W. Bush is the President of the United States. The internet sites YouTube and Reddit go online. The Monday after Thanksgiving is Cyber Monday for the first time. Hurricane Katrina kills over 1500. The first Iraq troop withdrawals are announced in December. The films “Million Dollar Baby,” “Crash” and “The 40-Year Old Virgin” are released. Rosa Parks, Richard Pryor, Johnny Carson, Anne Bancroft and Hunter Thompson die.
There are 50 states in the Union.
The Shop - A History of the Joseph Kavanagh Company 