posted 12-06-2012 09:17 PM               

Jerry has taken an almost wicked delight in calling me "Ricky Bobby," after Will Ferrell's dim-witted character in the movie "Talladega Nights." I told him he was lucky that I couldn't remember the name of Don Knotts' character in "The Reluctant Astronaut," or else that would be HIS new nickname, he just grinned.

"Yeah," said Jerry. "But I was NEVER a reluctant astronaut!" The best I've been able to do since is to just call him "Hooch." Read his book. You'll understand!

Whatever our respective nicknames might have been... doesn't matter. Ricky Bobby was faster than Hooch! Yes!

Larry Houston, my uncle; Amy Ross; me; Jerry Ross; and Scott Ross. (Terry Lamb Photo)

Jerry Ross gets suited up. (Terry Lamb Photo)

Amy Ross actually helped design the gloves her dad wore during the final spacewalks of his career. Here, she's explaining how big my spacesuit would have to be if I ever did an EVA! (Terry Lamb Photo)

Jerry Ross... at speed. It ain't 17,500 mph, but 170 on the ground is pretty dang fast! (Terry Lamb Photo)