Now we’re getting to the good stuff... Click the link to enjoy it as a 3D sphere photo.

Here is the area surrounding Marblehead.   

360º View

By clicking the words "360º View" above, you can look around 360º and zoom in and out.

Mom noticed something in the yard that wasn’t quite right so she had to go fix it.

You can't keep a good woman down!

Why do cats like to sit in belts?!

This is Toby, My mother in-law's. I sat my belt and jacket on the couch for a minute and he climbed right up!

Time for another 3D sphere photo... Click the link to enjoy it as a 3D sphere photo.

This one was near our house while a storm was approaching from the west.

360º View

By clicking the words “360º View” above, you can look around 360º and zoom in and out.

The girls got mom some succulents for Mother’s Day.

She and Stef had a nice day planting them this week.

I feel like an Egyptian king on my throne when I have my two armchair cats...! Haha.

Instead of protecting my kingdom, I think they are saying something more like, "FEED US!"

Julie’s little squirrel rescue eating out of her hand.

You might have seen this sunset before. Click the link to enjoy it as a 3D sphere photo.

360º Sunset View

By clicking the words “360º Sunset View” above, you can look around 360º and zoom in and out.  It almost feels like you were flying alongside my drone.

Johnny got his official start to college yesterday.

He had a couple hours of orientation via web meetings. He was pretty happy to be getting to know the staff and students already. The college welcomed them all via their individual social media accounts too. That was a nice surprise while the boys and I were out on a bike ride. He's taking summer class that will meet a couple hours, two days a week over summer. He will have more than one whole semester completed by his normal start date which was to be this fall.

Here are some highlights from Andy’s competition back in January.

BATB Battle at the Border, Nashville.  These get pretty intense sometimes.  He had a long one with the Kendama Pro in the yellow jacket.  At least he won that bout, for all the effort!

Julie also had a great idea for planting her herb garden this year.

She recycled these old drain tiles! Looks great, simple, and easy access for maintenance.

Julie made us some great Indian style cabbage rolls!

Great the first time, and they are also really good as leftovers. Just heat up some of the filling, wrap and go! :)

Julie has a little shoulder angel...

Kendama Battle at the Border 2020

Our world kind of blew up the day after Andy and I got back from this trip so I never posted them.  But, you can relive the memories by clicking the link below.  Pardon my delays. ;)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwbarton/albums/72157714329538692/

This is much closer to my NORMAL breakfast...!

The TRUE breakfast of campions. Coffee and an ice cream sandwich!

I love getting a good vantage point from my flying tripod!

This gives a unique perspective on the setting sun. I like seeing the city lights off in the distance too.

Andy did a great job with the video for Johnny’s graduation ceremony!

We pieced together enough to make it a special day for Johnny.  We might have even made a few people with a “real” graduation jealous?! :) 

This make it look like I have a really strange breakfast!

Bananas, a lighter and a balisong...?! At least it is semi-healthy...

Here I am showing Johnny my high school class ring that I wore for the occasion of his graduation.

I remember the same excitement and anticipation from some 32 YEARS ago. ;)

You might have realized that Andy takes collecting Kendamas pretty seriously...

How many dollars do you think he has paid for THIS pile?

$0!!

These are all the ones he has WON or been given for FREE...!

Johnny, Julie and I enjoyed a nice Christmas concert! Trans Siberian Orchestra, TSO. Epic!

I've recently had some time to catch back up on some of my picture and movie editing.  Here is another example from the holidays.

I took way too many, but you can see a link to all my pictures here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwbarton/albums/72157714328498266

Surprise! Let’s have a ceremony.

Being homeschooled, Johnny wasn't expecting a whole lot of pomp and circumstance. We managed to craft some of our own. He got to march to the music (YouTube audio and his bluetooth speaker), we "hired" a photographer (his brother for free), presented gifts, and even came up with a diploma and tassel. It all took place on a the platform of the gazebo in one of our favorite places! He was pleasantly surprised and it turned out to be a properly touching moment.

I love you Johnny! Praying for you as you commence your adult life and all that it holds for you! :)

Part of the fun of Johnny’s graduation weekend. His new Mac!

Since he is starting college full time next week, his school handed out some of the gear the students purchased with their fees. He's already figuring our all the key features.

We pieced together the “proper” attire for Johnny’s graduation ceremony...!

Graduating!?

It sure is amazing how fast they grow into young adults before our eyes!  Treasure every minute! I know I have. I'm proud of the future Johnny has made for himself and the young man that I see developing.

You can see the best of the senior photo shoot here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwbarton/albums/72157714280112746

Isaac and Johnny both seemed to enjoy it and each added their creative flair!

I am so enjoying living life with my Johnny as part of it!

He used to call me Daddy David every once in a awhile. That's the best name and job I've ever had. And NOW, he is done with high school. He officially finished his coursework yesterday. He's already got one semester of college under his belt too. You can see from the pictures that he has always had a smile and brought one to our faces too. He might also be the most photographed kid there ever was!

Julie and I are of course proud and looking forward to seeing his plans and ambitions unfold before him.

A blast from the past as I contemplate graduation and commencement for Johnny...

Is it possible that this little guy (on the right) is old enough to be done with high school and headed off to full-time college?! He is, and the guy on the left couldn't be more proud!

How would you like to see Christmas again...?

I realize I have a few albums I never shared when the end of last year went haywire on us.  Christmas was one of them.  I got you in the mood with the TSO video, now you can click below to see all our fun in the photos below:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dwbarton/albums/72157714327492298

Speaking of critters, did you know Julie has a roly poly bug colony in her terrarium?!

Their population is exploding since she's made them such a nice little environment. She like to collect moss, wood and such then see what teeming like is inside.

Julie is known for her critters and now she’s made a nice home for her squirrel...

I do the construction, Julie makes it pretty.

I build, she paints. Her new kitchen cabinet is all ready.

Enjoy 10 minutes of Barton Christmas fun.

The boys keep asking me to record as much as I can “for posterity”. So, here you go!
Keeping with the Christmas spirit leftovers, these are the video highlights from Christmas this past year.  I’m just catching up. ;)

Julie’s “secret squirrel” that she carries around in her purse!

Andy exclaimed, "Dad, Mom's wearing a squirrel!" Haha.

Andy’s Flippin’ Energy!

Julie got some nice footage of Andy during a recent visit to the open gym...  Pre Covid19 of course... So I use the term “recent” loosely.  I’ve been a little behind on my video edits.

Julie’s baby squirrel seems to be doing better and accepting her!

He's like a typical baby. He spends a lot of time sleeping, then eating. The name Quincy seems to be sticking currently...

A little taste of the Trans Siberian TSO Orchestra! Headphones suggested!

It was nice that they let me take in my professional 4K ultra wide and telephoto video camera with optical stabilization and zooming quad-spatial mic...  Oh wait, it was just my iPhone!

It’s 25 minutes long.  You can either just skip around or sit back and enjoy the show!

I know it’s not Christmas time any more, but I never got a chance to post this, and figured you might want a little celebration and joy after being locked down so long. :)

I love watching the sunset and seeing the planets and stars come out!

Quincy is his current name... If Julie starts rubbing his chin, he just rolls over and enjoys it!

We are still trying to figure out the right name for him.  Julie had a pet squirrel named Squiggy when she was 12-13.  He lived in her bedroom closet.

Wow, the sunset last night was awesome!

This week in sales...

This is what a business lunch looks like these days.

Pulled in next to my colleague in the parking lot and got curbside contactless pizza from one of my favs. I even got to keep the pen I signed the receipt with, "you get to keep the pen, we don't want it back after you're done with it...!" Haha, good point.

I took another sphere photo while I was waiting for the storm it approach.

You can "look around" from using the link below:

My Sphere

Here is a flattened version:

Meet the newest critter in our house...

Julie has always wanted a baby squirrel fo fall from heaven into her arms... That's just about how it happened yesterday. She found this guy stranded and struggling in the back yard yesterday. I little heat, some food and water, and he seems to be bouncing back. NOW what... ;)

Shadow “attending” virtual church with me.

I did a little flying as a storm approached this past weekend.

Percy realized why he was felling so tired, he’s not plugged in!

It makes it pretty tough to recharge like that! Haha.

A little cigar box organization for my jewelry. ;)

This captures Johnny pretty welll... ;)

I was taking a pano during our visit to the lake.  Johnny never stays still long enough for that so he has an extra hand and very little head! Hahahah.  He set this as his contact photo on his phone!  I guess he liked it too.

This is my original iPad. Ten years later and it is still going strong.

I use it as a picture frame in my office and it randomly displays my ~30,000 pictures all day long every day. I used it for a couple years then passed it to Julie who passed it to the boys when they were growing up. I still connect it to my current laptop and add pictures. It shows me a lot of good memories.

Can you tell me what is digging up all the grass along our house!?

The CHICKENS! It's their favorite place to hunt for bugs, take dirt baths and also rest. Pretty funny when you see one jump up out of the hole in a dust cloud! It's fun having them around.

The night, the sun, the coming storm...

Julie is canning up ore of the backyard. Dandelions this time.

She's made a jelly out of dandelion petals that is a taste substitute for Honey. It makes a really good spread on toast!

The silliness and fun of a credit card that changes color as you use it...

It depends on the category of your purchases. It makes for a cool looking and sometimes pretty effect.

I took a drone break from my woodworking.

There was a storm coming and in spite of the highs winds, I ventured out. This is from under the storm front looking back out towards what was a nice sunny day.

Chicken helpers

The chickens were very curious as to what was going on in the garage....

You can never have too many clamps when working on cabinets...

I have my dads and mine and still wished I had a few more while gluing the doors together for Julie's newly enclosed kitchen island.