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royalld | all galleries >> Dave's Occasional PhotoJournal >> 2008 >> August 2008 > August 12, 2008
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12-AUG-2008

August 12, 2008

The Moat

It rained heavily here today. When that happens, water collects in the swale in my front yard. When I saw the water this afternoon it made me smile.

I grew up in New York City in the 1950's and 60's. That was a time when drugs and street gangs infested New York; but were nearly unheard of in other parts of the country. Home burglaries were common around the city. A friend of mine, Kenny Clay, and I would spend hours talking about what life would be like when we grew up. Kenny used to joke about one day living in a house that had a moat to keep all of the thugs and junkies out.

Kenny passed away a few years ago, but I know he is looking down on my rain soaked lawn, smiling, and saying, "Hey Dave, you finally got that moat."




Kenneth S Clay
November 10, 1945 - October 23, 2005

FujiFilm FinePix F31 fd
1/480s f/4.5 at 8.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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1moremile20-Aug-2008 22:46
What a great story. Nice to have friends like that. Priceless.
laine8215-Aug-2008 21:46
Along with the moat floods the memories...good to know you captured the dream !!
Jen Bixler15-Aug-2008 12:07
Thanks for sharing....gave me "circles" (Bug's word for goosebumps)!
And all Knights should have a moat, so it is well deserved and earned!
Guest 15-Aug-2008 04:49
did you clear that moat with the home owners association? :OP

i'm sure it won't be too hard get some 'gators in there too! nice tribute to your friend....
Nicki Thurgar14-Aug-2008 17:53
I think Cindi's right! I hope it's not TOO deep though! ;o)
olivier bruning13-Aug-2008 23:49
such a moving tribute! v
J. Scott Coile13-Aug-2008 21:36
Good friends to one day reunite with. Blessings on his friends and family.
Cindi Smith13-Aug-2008 13:26
I think Kenny sent you the moat! I'm sure he is smiling and knew you would remember that time. Isn't it funny how some of the simple things we see remind us of people we love?
Deborah Lewis13-Aug-2008 11:42
What a great memory to have - shame we lost Kenny at such a young age!
Faye White13-Aug-2008 10:20
raining here this morning... finally! :)
Guest 13-Aug-2008 10:14
Thanks for sharing David
I often think of my best friend who passed away a number of years ago
My first impression was that you had a canal in the backyard and the front yard.
Guest 13-Aug-2008 05:41
No need for watering today. Its been raining here too. Can't complain we need the rain.
Robin Reid13-Aug-2008 05:12
What a memory to have.