What's Going On Here Today

Summertime is traveltime

2011-03-21T22:44:00.000-05:00

After some seventeen years of travel trailers, all in Airstreams from 35 year old ones to a brand spanking new one we have decided to switch means of travel. We still like the idea of taking our "home" with us especially after the nightmare we endured last summer staying in hotels between home and Colorado. We experienced everything from a long night stretch of No Vacancies, to dog hair in the bed, to a room with no available electric outlet that had extension cords strung everywhere. Even the window air conditioner was powered through an extension cord in the latter case, but it's surprising what you'll put up with after driving all day and half the night just to get a few hours of restless sleep. At the end of that trip we reminded ourselves one of the first reasons we got into "camping". That was a result of making annual trips from Florida to Colorado with long stretches of Texas roads. We had noticed that a lot of travelers in Texas had some type of camper and after crossing the state once to visit Arlene's family in Colorado we figured out the reason why. I guess the Federal government mandates some rest area facilities on the Interstate highways but on Texas state highways there are many parking areas but very few with any conveniences save the obligatory trash recepticle and the occasional picnic table. No water and the lack of even an outhouse privvie caused us much concern on that first trip. So we joined the throngs of others who travel like the turtle taking our home along with us. That introduction to "campers" as most people refer to them led us to join the Airstream Club or WBCCI by it's formal name and in turn led to caravanning with groups both large and small, to rally events for entertainment, games, food, sight seeing and socializing with a great group of people. We even sold our home and lived in our travel trailer for about nine years. We have decided that we miss the ability to stop on our travels pretty much at will and to set our own schedule unbothered by the distance between towns, availability of motel rooms, and even restaurants.

So we have set out on a new path. As we get older the tasks associated with hitching up the trailer as well as unhitching added to the hookups to set up camp was becomming more work than I wanted. So we have joined those who drive their homes. After a couple of months of searching aided by two friends, we found ourselves at Camping World in Chattanooga and eventually face to face with a Gulfstream BT Cruiser, not new but with very low miles and in real good shape. We haven't named it yet, and maybe we won't, so far we haven't felt compelled to make it a named part of the family, but we hope to get to use it frequently.

Is there a little less patriotism everywhere?

2011-02-20T23:00:00.033-06:00

One of my favorite times of the year is spring and summer. We all enjoy being outdoors and the sunshine that comes after the cold dreary winter. Some people yearn for the beginning of golf or other sporting events, but one of my reasons for celebrating this time of year is NASCAR. We used to be frequent spectators at the Five Flags Raceway in Pensacola, FL; the dirt track in Milton, FL: and more recently the local track in Crossville, TN. I must admit that although I have been to major sporting events like baseball and football in Saint Louis, Atlanta, New Orleans, and even in Japan, I have never made it to a major NASCAR race. I have always confined my enjoyment of big time stock car racing to televised events and I am not too disappointed at that aspect because of the excellent coverage and playbacks. One of the things I always liked about NASCAR is a strong display of patriotism. From the opening ceremonies that, everywhere I have been, included posting the nation's flag, singing the National Anthem to a strong pro-military fan base; even the National Guard, the US Army and the American Legion are major sponsors of some cars, everything about stock car racing has an underlying patriotic sense. At the major tracks the opening ceremonies usually include a military flyover; however, the recent disapproving remarks of one or two members of Congress concerning the flyover at the recent Superbowl have called into question how long we will continue to be able to enjoy this exciting display. Although I too question the reasoning behind a flyover at a stadium dome with the roof closed due to the likelihood of inclement weather. The news of the remarks from a politician were broadcast everywhere for the last few weeks causing the always curious (?) news media to question why aircraft couldn't have been used from a closer base, or if the NFL or Jerry Jones should not have paid the cost, if one aircraft instead of four could not have been used to save money, as well as the military-political connections of the events receiving this taxpayer benefit. It seems that one Congresswoman in particular fails to see any benefit from the military's use of loyal NASCAR fans as a recruiting base, or the use of sponsorship of cars or these flyover's as a recruiting tool, and in spite of the fact that FAA and military regulations require pilots and crews to practice flying in a variety of conditions including weather, daylight or darkness and to include long distances. Having flown a few hours in my earlier days I can attest to the absolute need to adhere to FAA regulations if for no other reason than to keep your legal status as a pilot current. Not to mention that even a foolhardy a person as I might have been in those days I knew that for the safety of myself and anyone flying with me as well as those on the ground I needed to maintain proficiency (I have to wonder if the Congresswoman might complain if some less than competent pilot were to land on her house?). Some additional, dare I say stupid, political comments I read last week included, "I doubt that anyone rushes to enlist in military service due to seeing the Army name on a race car," and it's ridiculous to think that seeing a jet plane fly over a football game would cause someone to join the Air Force. Actually, I think you'd have to be pretty blind not to see the potential of a young person considering employment where they could be trained to do things like precision flying that the Blue Angels or AF Thunderbirds do. Any one that has seen even a little of a televised NASCAR event should be aware of the age group of the fans, most are young enough to be potential members of our country's military. I could go on and on about Congress but my goal here has always been to keep this blog as free of political speech as possible.

The real cause of this patriotism rant is that one of my favorite sports as mentioned above, is beginning to exhibit a lack of patriotism and it affects my choices of who to root for and who to root against. In every sport there are always favorite teams and individuals determined by a variety of factors. One of the best things about NASCAR to me has always been the lack of bad guys, the ones in the old westerns that wore a black hat so you could distinguish them from the good guys, all of whom of course wore the white hats. Anyone who follows NASCAR has seen the occasional display of lack of skill of an inexperienced driver or even a crew member, or a less than brilliant decision on their part, and pay back for a perceived wrong done earlier in the race or even in a previous race which causes that team or individual to be thought of as a villain. Usually this is only a temporary condition because, as I sense, by far the majority of NASCAR people are just really good people; but like everyone, subject to an occasional lapse in judgement. What bothers me as far as patriotism in NASCAR can be observed during the opening ceremonies. To encourage patriotism by the general audience it has become common practice in the past few years that the event announcer will ask the audience to "stand, remove their hats, and place their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem." I noted recently that several drivers and crew members have been televised standing casually holding hands with their significant other, hands at their sides or busying themselves with chewing gum wrappers or the like. In the Nationwide series race on Saturday Danica Patrick was televised standing with her crew while she and at least one of the crew members failed to place their hand over their hearts. Danica, being the rare female driver in major NASCAR events, must have realized the racing world would be watching her every move and that much of the television coverage would be concentrated on her yet she committed what many racing fans would consider a major lack of respect to our nation. Before the reader assumes that Ms. Patrick is the victim of gender discrimination, let me hasten to add that at least one other male Nationwide series driver was caught by the television cameras showing similar disrespect for the National Anthem. As several of the Nationwide drivers are not as publicly known as Danica, I cannot name the other individual I observed on Saturday. The television camera crews are apparently aware that NASCAR takes a dim view of such a display because as soon as it becomes apparent the TV shot either switches to a facial closeup, in the case of Danica, or proceeds quickly to another individual. Likely as not this is the reason few long shots of large groups of drivers and crew members are shown anymore. Not that this conduct is confined to the junior racing series as today during the opening ceremonies of the most watched racing event of the year, the Daytona 500, the television audience again was shown at least one driver casually standing, hands at his side during the National Anthem. While almost all of these drivers are easily recognized by any real NASCAR fan, my memory fails me as to which one was caught by the camera today so at the risk of wrongfully accusing an innocent party I won't guess. But if there is any doubt that this is becoming commonplace just watch the opening ceremony of next weekend's race or any future race and see the decline of patriotism on display.

Don't get me wrong, I won't stop watching NASCAR, but it may influence who gets my fan support. While that may not be a big thing, some of the drivers may begin to see a shift in their fan base because I believe most NASCAR fans are a pretty patriotic bunch just as most of NASCAR is.

This recently received e-mail was just too appropriate to pass up along the patriotic theme. I believe it was written by Robert Flood (nfi) and I wish there was a way to make sure Ms. Aguilera would get the message:
“So, with all the kindness I can muster, I give this one piece of advice to the next pop star who is asked to sing the national anthem at a sporting event: save the vocal gymnastics, your invention of a new melodies and the physical gyrations for your concerts. Just sing this song the way you were taught to sing it in kindergarten — straight up, no styling. You see, this anthem is not about you, it is about our country. Sing it with the constant awareness that there are soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines watching you from bases and outposts all over the world. Don’t make them cringe with your self-centered ego gratification. Sing it as if you are standing before a row of 86-year-old WWII vets wearing their Purple Hearts, Silver Stars and flag pins on their cardigans and you want them to be proud of you for honoring them and the country they love — not because you want them to think you are a superstar musician. They could see that from the costumes, the makeup and the entourages. Sing “The Star Spangled Banner” with the courtesy and humility that tells the audience that it
is about America, not you.”

What has the new year brought?

2011-02-05T23:19:00.003-06:00

Now that my medical problems have more or less settled down, at least modern medicine has done all it can to make things more normal again. I am sure that lots of prayers had even more to do with it, and I thank everyone for that. Anyway, at the urging of several doctors I am back to exercising and a renewed effort at watching how much and what we eat. We joined the gym, at the CMC Wellness Center in town where they have a good group of trainers, nutrition counselors, and a system of monitoring progress as to weight loss. So I get in about one to one and a half hours of exercise per day about four days a week. Surprisingly I can start off with that old out of breath feeling but can continue until I can walk about 2 miles and still manage to do a few upper body exercises before running out of steam. I tried to follow the Weight Watchers guide to eating along with Arlene, but I confess she has the will power to do it and I don't. I have made a commitment to be more careful what kinds of food I eat, a lot more fish and chicken and vegetables, but desserts are still my weakness. Hopefully the time in the gym will counter the effects of my craving for daily sweets.

All last fall we were leery of getting very far from home although we did venture out to MO and CO with my cardiologist's approval (after the procedure at Vanderbilt University Hospital). Arlene had towed our 34' trailer a very few miles and didn't really feel comfortable, although she thought she could get us off the road in an emergency. We decided that she wouldn't want to be the full-time driver towing an Airstream travel trailer and I was not sure when or if I would be approved to drive long distance. Hooking up and setting up the trailer was also something

1436 begins the journey to CA

that I was having trouble doing as my medical problems got worse. So we reluctantly sold our fourth and last Airstream. A nice lady from CA was very excited to take it and begin her Airstream adventure so we knew the Trade Winds would be in good hands. We stood in the driveway and said our quiet goodbyes as the trailer turned onto the street and disappeared around the corner. We had about 16 years of camping in travel trailers, all of them Airstreams. Our very first one was a little single axle 1967 Caravel bought in 1993 and followed by our only new purchase, a beautiful 30' 1993 bought that December. We started traveling and living full time in an RV in 1999 and by 2001 we were in need of more space so that March we traded for another 1993 model, but a 34' three axle that we towed from south FL to VT, and to SD although we spent most of our summers in TN. After we decided to settle down in TN in 2007 we no longer had a need for the big trailer and that winter we sold it and bought the 1975 Trade Winds, a vintage trailer.

Things are progressing to the point where we have started a serious search for a small motor home that either of us can drive. We still have the desire to do some short trips and I envision it might be used to camp over at some of the bluegrass festivals we like to attend. They are usually not that far but it would be nice to have a place to get out of the heat, or dreaded rain and it would save driving home late at night. I hope it might finally let us attend a few festivals a little farther away like Rosine, KY.

The Shrinking Generation

2010-11-17T20:58:00.001-06:00

I agree wholeheartedly with Tom Brokaw or whoever it was that coined the term "Greatest Generation" when referring basically to those of the WWII era. Not knowing exactly when one generation ends and another begins, I believe these are basically the same people who made major contributions to America's superiority in space (fast being overtaken) and the resulting technological advances in medicine, communication, transportation, and yes modern warfare. This post though, specifically refers to those who defeated Nazi Germany and the Japanese Warlords in WWII. I think I read recently that more than a million men and women served in the military from 1941 to 1945 and millions more "served" on the home front, sacrificing by going without all but the barest of necessities. Sacrifices not asked for since.

Buford, wife Louise and I July 2008.

That Greatest Generation has been declining in numbers at a pace that grows more and more rapid each day. The television reported last Thursday, Veterans Day, that a WWII veteran passes every 90 seconds. That is really what prompts me to write this. My uncle, a WWII vet awarded 2 purple hearts in the European theater, passed away some three weeks ago. This photo is from my last visit with him, but I called him two or three times a year and always on Veterans Day. This year I learned that he had passed away some two weeks before Veterans Day. My first memory of him was a visit to the VA hospital in West Virginia where he was recuperating from wounds received when he was shot by a Nazi officer. I recall looking up at what seemed endless steps at the front of the hospital and then at the top seeing him greet us from a wheelchair. I probably had seen him before but was too young to remember that as I was probably four years old at the time of the VA hospital visit and it is one of the earliest memories of my childhood. In later years he was able to walk without the aid of a cane but always had a limp resulting from shrapnel which prompted occasional visits to the VA as bits and pieces worked their way to the surface. Uncle "Buf" as he liked to be called, became a master mechanic, first with a Nash dealership and after Nash went out of business he became "Mr. Goodwrench." I remember through the years he always seemed unflappable, I never recall seeing him angry. Although when I was very young I still remember sleeping down the hall and hearing the nightmares which woke him on many nights as memories of the war returned. We spoke very little about the war except occasional references to drill and ceremonies, marching, standing "tall" and saluting. He taught me some movements while I shouldered an old German rifle war trophy. I remember that on several occasions he spoke with my parents about sending me to a military academy, an idea that sounded neat to me, but the realities of cost, lost on me, were apparently enough to prevent my parents from following through. It was always a joy to visit my uncle which I did many summers in the fifties and sixties. He had some of the most well trained dogs I ever saw, first was Colonel a doberman pincher trained for the military but too late to be shipped overseas. Colonel was not an easy dog for my aunt or anyone else to control, but when uncle Buford was there Colonel heeded every word, words spoken with authority but seldom with a raised voice. Colonel was eventually followed by a gentle, playful female Boxer named Blondie so well trained that she would sit perfectly still with raw hamburger perched on her nose until given the command when it would disappear with one lightning fast motion. My uncle was mostly responsible for my first real airplane ride when a friend of his took me up in a two seat Piper Cub to fly over my grandfather's house. In later years he had part ownership in a faster roomier Super Cub and flew it once to Daytona to see the Daytona 500, stopping by middle Georgia to visit us. Later still he joined the Experimental Aircraft Association and kept a rare Funk two seater in the basement while it was being restored. The frailties of old age eventually called a halt to flying and inevitably to the restoration project. Uncle Buford was such a highly skilled mechanic and such a likable individual that in the mid 1950s he restored a Model A Ford to such perfection that the Chevrolet dealer where he worked until retirement allowed the Ford to be displayed for a time in a second story window overlooking the main entrance. A spot normally reserved for new model Chevrolet's each year. Uncle Buford was the epitome of that greatest generation; after giving so much to the Nation in a time of war; returning to rebuild our economy; the small towns and big cities of America; always giving a helping hand to friends, neighbors, as well as strangers; all while being active participants in local affairs through their church, fraternal organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, the Masonic Lodges and the like. He, like so many of that fast disappearing generation, will be sorely missed. I can only hope that sometime in the very near future another Greatest Generation will appear in this country so in need of their spirit, determination and selflessness.
Rest In Peace; an old soldier who will be fondly remembered, always admired, loved and respected by so many family and friends.

Novice Gardner

2010-08-22T22:49:00.000-05:00

OK, I'll admit that this not much of a garden for those who've heard me talk about raising a few tomatoes, etc. This is what I call a "postage stamp" garden. We've really had good success with the cucumbers and peppers and some mild success with tomatoes and this is where the question comes. We have had loads of yellow plum tomatoes (altho' I would have named them "gourd" tomatoes rather than plum based on the shape) and a few Better Boys. I don't understand why so many of both types have splits in the skin. I have found some of the yellow plum tomatoes so ripe that they fall off the plant when you shake it to remove another tomato and they may not have a split in the skin while others have a split in the skin when they don't even appear ripe. Almost all the Better Boys have had splits even before they appeared to be ripe.

Does anyone reading this have an answer? I'm wondering if there is something I need to do differently next year. Is this due to the excess rain we've been having, or just a common thing that happens? I'll have to admit I've seen a few of other people's tomatoes that appear this way but very few.

I have already learned a few things I'll do different next year like pruning the suckers early on, a different fertilizer routine and I'll stick with the upside down plantings and skip the cages. We'll also move the post for the topsy turvey tomatoes to a location where they get more sunshine. I didn't realize how much of the morning the huge trees to the east blocked the sunlight. The location seems to have been great for the cucumbers, not too bad for the peppers but not good at all for the tomatoes.

A New Blog

2010-07-10T23:43:00.000-05:00

Well, I've finally decided what it should look like and made my first post on the "Wisps of Time." Please visit my new blog and save it your favorites. See you there.

I'll still make an occasional entry here from time to time.

Things you can do in a small town ...

2010-06-04T13:40:00.008-05:00

... that you can't do in a big city. One Saturday per month during the summer, Crossville hosts a Cruise-in. That's a free car show right downtown. The merchants all cooperate and a few blocks of Main Street are closed to vehicles for a few hours. The only vehicles allowed in the area are ones being exhibited. The crowd is free to meander the streets lined with vendor tents representing everything from food to charities. There's even free music and this weekend there was a great group from the Nashville area playing some tunes from the 1950s and 1960s eras. Sorry guys I didn't get the name of the band, but they were good.

Of course the main attraction is the cars and I only took pictures of a few, there was a beautifully almost Tennessee orange 1955 Chevy, a favorite of many when I was in my later years of school. Probably my most drooled over body style from those days was the 1949 - 1951 Mercury's represented by a metallic flake painted chopped and lowered one with a really understated flame job; and I couldn't resist having my picture taken beside a 1972 Mustang convertible that reminded me of the time I owned two, a bronze '73 convertible with white top and a baby blue on. That in part explains why I have no money today - too many cars in my past. Each month there are sure to be plenty parked right along Main Street. It's great when a town is small enough to cooperate in something so simple and yet enjoyable for so many. The vendors get lots of attention, the merchants get increased exposure and the car owners get to bask in their glory for a few hours.
This just about brings me to full circle on this blog, as too many posts are about similar things. I had thought about morphing this blog into another project I have been wanting to do over the past year or so, but decided instead to start another blog. It is called Wisps of Time and it will be available for viewing shortly. The topics will be all memories of things from my life at least as I recall them. You'll have to see it to get more details. I guess I'll maintain this blog for the foreseeable future with an occasional update about current happenings.

Falcon Rest

2010-06-03T23:51:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago we visited Falcon Rest in McMinnville, TN, a not so haunted house from the 1890s. Falcon Rest is not really billed as a haunted house although the owner does describe some mysteries in relating the history of it. It's really an old house, quite a grand old house in it's day. Over the years it has served as a hospital and nursing home, after several years of abandonment and reclamation it now serves as a quaint B & B, Tea Room and Dinner Theater. There are several productions from time to time, we saw Murder at the Mansion. I've seen better theater, although participation by the customers being part and parcel of dinner theater could explain the less than stellar performances. I've seldom had any better food though. The experience was a good one as we learned much history about the former occupants and others in the McMinnville and surrounding area.

May flowers

2010-05-17T23:07:00.004-05:00

If I remember correctly the saying is "April showers bring May flowers." This year we've certainly had our share of April showers and we returned home from the class reunion trip to find these just starting to bloom. When I took this there were only a few blooming but we have one small island about half way down the front yard where a large group of these irises have taken hold, another large clump on each side of the front porch and three or four on each side of the back porch. They have really blossomed this year and most stand almost waist high to me. Thank you, Sharon, for these since I believe you provided all of them a couple of years ago while thinning out some at your office.

Half a century

2010-05-11T21:28:00.011-05:00

Can it have been 50 years ago that I took part in a graduation ceremony at Warner Robins Senior High? At that time, the city which had grown up around Robins AFB had only two High Schools and I learned during our reunion that a fourth is opening this year. Once I considered the driving time it was decided that we would not want to drive down on Friday and attend the first evenings function a few hours after arrival so we decided to add a day to our hotel reservations and I contacted an old friend who graduated a year before me and who still lives in the area and made arrangements to have dinner with them on Thursday evening. Even though it had been 51 years since I had seen Louie, I recognized him the moment he and his charming wife Peggy entered the hotel lobby. Before dinner we made a trip through town, much of which I did not recognize, most of which had not existed when I grew up here. It was a fun evening catching up after all those years.

On Friday morning we scouted out the location of that evenings activities at the Perry Country Club. During my high school days Perry, the county seat was a big rival and a much smaller town so we had little reason back then to venture there often. Although I did work in Perry for about a year before Uncle Sam beckoned it has grown maybe even more than proportionally to Warner Robins as it seems many of the new homes have been constructed between the two towns. What was once a two lane country road has been replaced by a divided four lane highway with sidewalks the entire distance for the homes that pretty much lined the way. That evening I met many from our class, far too many to list all the names, most of whom I had not seen since 1960. Thankfully the reunion committee had mercifully scheduled the entire affair as casual dress. Many of the class have been gathering for quarterly dinners for several years, and there have been several reunions more or less at the usual milestones like 20, 25, 35 years and so forth. I had attended only one, about our 25th year and really had not been aware of any others before this significant one.

Saturday morning a tour of the old high school had been arranged. I had signed up although I admit it was somewhat reluctantly at the time. We were guided through what was now barely recognizable to me, by the current assistant principal. It was a very enlightening tour to see what our small school has become with additions, not to mention much modernization of facilities and equipment. My hat is off to Dottie for having the forethought to make this tour available. The tour was followed by a lunch in town. As I recall in 1960 there was only one restaurant in town, the old 20th Century is the only one I can recall although there may have been another or two. In those days my family did not "dine" out often.

Saturday evening's event was held at Eagle's Nest Country Club in Warner Robins. I was surprised to learn that Warner Robins and Perry have multiple such venues now. Once I had lived in the small town of Centerville in what we considered a rural area west of Warner Robins. Centerville is now completely engulfed by Warner Robins. I'm not sure how that works as far a city government(s) go, but we used to consider it quite a drive out to US Highway 41 and in later years still farther to I-75. Now the city limits is nearly to I-75 and our Saturday evening location was near the two formerly far out highways. Saturday evening entertainment consisted of a barbershop group of which at least one of our class, Don is a member. The barbershop group eventually turned the entertainment over to a two man band who played music from our era the rest of the night. Saturday night there were even more people I had not seen in 50 years. Once again it was really good to catch up on the lives of so many of our classmates. It makes you quite proud to see so many who have succeeded in live in so many ways, there were authors, independent business people, high ranking military and public figures and many others. Some school day romances survived as sweethearts became spouses. It was particularly pleasing to learn that one of my earliest childhood playmates, Ray and Elaine had married several years after school. It was great that one of our teachers Glenn Hitchcock and his lovely wife Marie attended. We thought Mr Hitchcock seemed pretty "cool" for a teacher because he seemed so close to our age. Only at this reunion did I learn that he is now 80 meaning that he had actually been in his 30s at the time. He's still a cool guy and it was really good to see him there. At least one of the missing is still working and was in Korea on the reunion date. Of course the number of those who have passed on before us has grown. I recall at the previous reunion I had attended there was a special remembrance of one of our classmates who died in a tragic motor scooter accident during the school year. Over the years since, many have now been added to the list. As to be expected there are some who have lost contact and whose status is really unknown, just moved away to live somewhere far removed, possibly in some far distant corner of this country or even in a far off land? That is the way I'll remember them unless, or until, something more definite is known.

All in all we had a great weekend which made me realize how fortunate I was to have grown up in this country and to have been lucky enough to have received my first 12 years of education in a really good school system, guided by some of the best educators. It really pains me to think of how little we recognized all that at the time, and how so many of us did not appreciate the opportunities we were being given. A lesson I came to realize as I found my high school education had given me more than many of the people I have known had learned even after college. I did obtain some higher learning later in life to satisfy job requirements but little of this was a valuable as my years in the Houston County, GA school system. A big thanks is due to the reunion committee for putting all this together. I know it wasn't easy but this is just a small part of what we learned half a century ago.

Not to be content with just holding a reunion, the committee members voted to raise funds for a scholarship top be awarded a 2010 graduate of the school. At last report more than $8,000.00 had been deposited in the account and a challenge will be issued to the following class to meet or exceed that in establishing a similar scholarship for the 2011 class with hopes it will be passed on year to year.

2010-04-04T10:54:00.005-05:00

A week ago we drove over to Grandview, TN for a musical happening. We had been to Carole's Country Store on Highway 68 a few weeks before to listen to some good country, bluegrass and gospel music and noticed their sign advertising that a longtime favorite of ours, Ed Bruce was performing there soon. Ed is a personal friend of Cliff and Carole Hamby who own and operate the store and have started hosting jam sessions on Friday and Saturday nights. You may have heard or read about Cliff's custom made guitars, made only from American hardwoods. A friend played one on our previous visit and really liked the feel. We all thought Cliff's guitars had a great sound. Cliff has reserved a corner of the store for music where he often displays some of his carefully handcrafted guitars. The night we were there to see Ed Bruce there were about 50 seats, a real intimate venue.
Back to the subject of this post, Ed Bruce. Ed has recorded many songs over the years, many are western themed songs but eventually love entered his life and some of his songs started to reflect that. My particular favorite is "I don't remember ever never loving you" sort of a tongue twister but you have to stop to think about what it says. As with most good musicians, mood and life's experiences are reflected in their music. Ed is now a born again Christian and his last few years songwriting have expressed that experience. Ed, who plays one of Cliff's custom made guitars, treated us to a lot of oldies, including "Momma don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys." A song that Willie Nelson recorded with great success but was actually written by Ed Bruce. We also heard some new, really good, gospel songs that Ed has written lately. Ed has developed a smooth fingerpicking style that suits his type of songs. A big man with a rather deep but mellow voice.

There's nothing like starting over

2010-03-01T13:32:00.006-06:00

There I was with the feeling of spiraling down, out of control, faster and faster, toward the impending crash that you anticipate at the bottom. In a nightmare they say if you ever hit bottom you will die. This was not quite that bad, but a few weeks ago a friend sent me an email that another friend we have in common had a computer virus he suspected he had gotten on Facebook. Since we and a multitude of other friends were on Facebook we thought all should be warned. I immediately ran a scan of my computer and found nothing and then made a mental note not to open any e-mails from the unfortunate virus infected friend until further notice. Within a few hours I began getting notices from Facebook that I had received a message on Facebook from the infected friend's computer and in the subsequent day I received even more similar notices and even began getting notices from Facebook of messages from people I didn't even know. The subject of all these messages was the same, uniquely identified with a misspelled word and most showing a link. I deleted all the messages without opening them and decided to opt out of Facebook, a move I had been contemplating for some time anyway. I'm not on Facebook enough to learn all the intricacies and I particularly didn't like that almost everything I would do on Facebook came with a notice that you have to agree that Facebook could collect certain data from your computer. I also became quickly frustrated with attempting to notify Facebook of the virus being passed around on their system. I learned that contacting Facebook is like contacting many other faceless entities on the computer like many of the Microsoft family, any "contact us" link seems to be buried somewhere without clear directions. The one good thing about Facebook was that through the social networking not only had I connected with many of my previous e-mail friends, I also had a list of Facebook "friends" who were classmates from my High School days in middle GA due in large part to our impending 50th class reunion. Not wanting to suddenly "disappear" from contact, I decided to type a note both warning of the virus and advising that I am deleting my Facebook account but at the same time insuring that they have my e-mail address for future reference. In the process of these notifications my computer suddenly shutdown and just as suddenly rebooted. Puzzled but not very astute, I began the process where I left off on my "friends" list when, after only a few more messages, the shutdown and reboot recurred. On the third instance I was shown only a fleeting glance at a blue screen full of text followed by a message that a "blue screen error" had occurred and describing this as a "serious error". This information was displayed on a screen that appeared to be from Intel the manufacturer of the chipset in my computer and directed me to click a link to their website for instructions. Being extremely cautious by now I decided to make note of the link but shutdown the computer and upon reboot I performed a Google search for Intel and ultimately wound up at the Intel website where I was advised that in event of a "blue screen error" there were several steps to take. This warning occurs when your computer shuts down suddenly in an attempt to prevent loss of data. However, before I could take any of the actions listed, the computer again shutdown on it's own. During all this I received a warning from my Norton anti-virus program that a problem had been detected. That was enough for me so the next day I visited a local computer repair shop with my once trusty laptop in hand. Within a few days I had a diagnosis, for me it was more of a verdict. Infected or not, the computer was dead and the thought of paying for a new hard drive to put in a several years old computer that was still running Windows XP was not an encouraging one. Being an older computer what would fail next, how much longer before the software ceases to be supported, can you upgrade the software with the older OS? So the obvious answer seemed to be use the money to invest in a new computer. Okay, one decision made; now which computer, where to buy, etc.? After several days of shopping around both online and in person I wound up at Best Buy - I know, ugh, but that is where the now defunct laptop came from so for more choices I found myself there. Well, this could be a much longer story but let's just cut to the chase. Almost a $1000.00 later I loaded up a new desktop with much more memory and a nice 20 inch monitor. Who knew that $100.00 replacement hard drive and $200.00 labor to install it and reinstall Windows XP would lead to this? I should have known since I wanted to upgrade to Windows 7 Pro so I had the option to run (some of) my old programs, and I use wi-fi in the house and even though it's a desktop, going wired to the router would mean running the phone wire to the other end of the house so I needed an adapter, etc. The big shocker came once everything was unloaded at home and assembled only to find that there is a huge difference in using Windows XP and Windows 7 Pro, in using MS Office 2003 and MS Office 2007 (still sorting that out), and learning that Windows 7 in compatibility mode does NOT run the programs I was most interested in. So, more shopping leads to the purchase of new software. I am now up to date only to read that Windows 2010 beta can be downloaded for trials, you will never catch up. I'm satisfied to learn to use what I have for a few years, of course I am now finding out on the user forums how many things don't work like they are expected to, and all along I thought it was just me. It's all like I never had a computer before. Not asking for sympathy here, just by way of explanation if sometimes I seem a little confused or irritated, or a lot frustrated, especially when the only operator and the system administrator (me) receives a message that only the administrator can perform this action. If you don't understand this last part you just haven't upgraded recently and then you will understand!

Music City

2010-02-21T21:22:00.008-06:00

I usually post here about the local music scene, but a couple of weeks ago we purchased tickets for the Grand Ole Opry and Saturday we made the trip into Nashville with another couple. After a great steak dinner at Outback we ventured into the vehicular jungle at Opryland. The huge mall adjacent to the Opryland theater really creates mass confusion in the shared parking lot and that nightmare almost makes you wonder why anyone would pay $58.00 per person for tickets. We arrived about 4:45 PM for the 7:00 PM show and the parking lot was already packed as the mall was full. If the size of the crowd inside is any indication of the merchants success then the economy is already recovered. You can hardly walk in the mall but I'm not sure I saw many people who had bought anything - maybe they were on their way to buy. Of course there are places to eat everything from burgers to lobster, many were there for the multi-plex movie theater, but many more seemed to be just socializing and window shopping. After looking over the Gibson music store offerings we left before the temptation got too great and headed over to the Opryland theater. There was a huge line outside but it seemed to be aimed at the Grand Ole Opry store. We soon learned this line was for Kellie Pickler autographs so we passed that up and surprisingly found that we were only about two dozen people from the door at the entrance to our section of the theater. The wait was only about 10 minutes before we were allowed in. We found our main floor seats in the center section, not front row but not bad seats. Our main reason for picking this night was to see Marty Stuart who was scheduled to host one of the 30 minute segments of the show. For those who have never been there, the 7:00 PM show is broadcast live on WSM radio. We got to see some famous country music stars and some up and coming entertainers, some of whom will no doubt be future members of the Opry. Some of the old time Opry stars we enjoyed were The Whites, Jesse McReynolds, Connie Smith, Mike Snider, Jan Howard, Jim Ed Brown, Bill Anderson and I'd have to include Marty in that category. Tracy Lawrence, Kellie Pickler and Iraq war veteran Craig Morgan were some of the newer talent. I am partial to classic country and bluegrass standards and it is hard for me to accept or appreciate some of the newer music styles. Some of the newer singers are very good at the old standards like Kellie singing a Loretta Lynn song, or even Craig's new song "This Ain't Nothin'", but then the same singers do a lot of the newer music which borders on Heavy metal and loses my interest real quick. I guess the song about they committed murder down on music row pretty much sums up my feelings. We did have a real good evening, except that the 55 minutes to get out of the parking lot again points up the parking lot mess. Imagine if you will literally thousands of cars departing at 9:00 PM while thousands more are trying to park in those same spaces for a 9:00 PM show. I don't even want to think about what time we would have gotten home if we had attended the late show as we made it home about midnight as it was. I know Opryland has been getting by with the parking situation for years and years but surely by now they could have devised a way to provide parking lot traffic control of some kind. It really leaves a very unpleasant memory shadowing an otherwise very nice evening.

Oh, if you get a chance to see Marty Stuart live, do so. He performs with great energy that comes across to the audience! See, thinking about the parking almost made me forget the most important part of this post. Great entertainer.

Confused??

2010-02-08T20:59:00.004-06:00

Our little feathered friends are no doubt a little confused. This first photo is one of the robins that visits our yard every day, even in the snow. Maybe I'm the one confused. I always thought robins went south for the winter.

Last weeks snowfall. This photo is only one and one half hour after the snow began. Our adult piliated woodpecker is a frequent visitor. The previous day he was accompanied by a younger one.

This one is the second day. Notice birds on opposite sides of the suet cakes.

Creatures of habit

2010-01-29T22:08:00.004-06:00

I don't know how I let this much time get by. It seems that anything that breaks my routine for any length of time just changes everything. My posts have become so infrequent as to make my absence hardly noticeable I'm sure. When we took a three week long camping trip I got out of the routine of keeping up this page, now a few medical interruptions has caused another inexcusable break in posting.
So far the medical thing has been frustrating, inconvenient and at times downright painful but not serious. I had the unpleasant experience of having a CT Scan earlier in the month and I can say that the chalky stuff they made me drink has not improved in flavor since the last one I had a year or two ago. The dye still makes you feel like a heat lamp is being passed over your body head to toe a little too close. The process of taking the subsequent biopsies was easy enough (thankfully ten days later I learned that all were negative - good news). The Doctor concurred with my request to let me sleep through that, but the ensuing six hours or so were painful enough to require the maximum two doses of morphine that was allowed and a couple of other lesser painkillers before I could leave the same day surgery unit. Needless to say I don't recall the ride home, or much of the next two days, but eventually things have returned to near normal. The staff at Cookeville Regional Medical Center are very good and if time spent in a medical facility can be good these people make it as good as possible. One of my Doctors is in Cookeville so I had to use that facility. So I'm back to bluegrass jamming and hopefully back to my routine of posting every few days.

From Our House to Yours

2009-12-24T12:51:00.011-06:00

Whether you live in the City ...

or the country ....

as you deck the halls and prepare for Christmas ...

remember He is the reason for the season.

And please don't forget to take a few minutes from your busy schedule to remember our men and women in uniform everywhere, without whom we would not have the freedom to celebrate as we do.

God Speed

2009-12-06T21:11:00.003-06:00

For the past week or so we have noticed large yellow ribbons on lamp posts, mailboxes, doors to businesses and pretty much anyplace you can hang anything. I took a guess that it had to be for the local National Guard Unit since I had heard they were being activated again. A search of the local Crossville Chronicle newspaper found this: " The Cumberland County Chapter of the American Red Cross will have yellow support ribbons for sale in support of the 278th National Guard Unit and local 131 of Crossville, being deployed Dec. 5, 2009."

So this morning we braved the low 20s weather and had an early breakfast at Ryan's and then joined a few hundred other citizens to see the local soldiers off. As luck would have it we still had two small flags in the car from Veterans Day (no comments about how often we clean out the car please). We fit right in as most of the crowd had flags, although many were as large as 3x5' and ours were more like 3 x 5 inches. A few of those standing near us asked if we had family in the unit, of course we don't, and neither did they but several had other loved ones who had been to either Iraq or Afghanistan and Arlene's nephew is just retiring from active duty after just completing his third tour in Iraq. One lady said her relative also had just completed his third tour. The three buses of soldiers were escorted by Police and Fire Units and just down the street from where we stood the Fire Dept Ladder truck had suspended a huge American flag above the roadway. The procession of buses and emergency vehicles were followed by many vehicles also flying the colors, most of whom I suspect were friends and family of the departing soldiers. In a few short moments we were left staring at the rear of the vehicles and the crowd began to walk back to their own cars or back into the restaurant for something hot to drink.

I had to think briefly about how different this was than some forty-two years ago when I and many others departed for another far off land. I just said a brief prayer for these guys and gals and started our drive home. I promised myself that this blog would not get political so I'll leave it here, just reporting on what's going on here today.

First Snow This Winter

2009-12-06T18:50:00.006-06:00

It's been a long time since my last post. Being away for several weeks for some reason makes it very difficult for me to get back in the swing of things. Don't know whether it's the overload of catching up on all the other things you get behind on while away or the daunting task of trying to post all those things I thought I would while I was gone. Whatever the case I finally decided to chuck it all and just start from today (which turns out now to actually be yesterday!).

Between midnight Friday and the early hours of Saturday we accumulated about two inches of snow which is about equal to our biggest snowfall here all last winter. This is the first snowfall of this winter but the long-time residents promise this will be only the beginning. As usual we were watching the bird feeders about breakfast time when we saw a very strange looking bird. At least I don't think we've seen one like it at our feeders before. It had a bright red breast covering the entire underbelly as far as I could tell, about the color of a cardinal but the wings and back appeared to be a dark blue, possibly grey. I went for the camera but as is often the case I missed the shot. Another bird spooked it just as I arrived with the camera so this shot is of one of the cardinals and another bird that stuck around long enough to be photographed.

Look, Up In The Sky ...

2009-10-15T23:37:00.005-05:00

... it's a bird, it's a plane ... in this case it was several planes. What seems like an eon ago we went to the Crossville Memorial Airport celebration of the 75th Anniversary of this small but important airport. Since that day we've been out on a three week trip in the Airstream trailer so I'm way behind on posting anything here. On the day of our visit to the airport, we decided too late to take advantage of the $10.00 flight around the area. By the time we got around to doing that the line was long enough for over an hour wait and even the line to buy the ticket was about 20-25 people deep. I did get some photos of a couple of neat aircraft. One of my favorites is the old warbird P-51, as fast and sleek an aircraft as ever graced the sky. There was also what I believe to be a YAK, an old Russian trainer was my guess. I didn't get a chance to talk to the pilot of the Russian plane but it bears the big red star of it's earlier life.

Tennessee Treasures

2009-09-11T23:33:00.007-05:00

Recently we visited two of this areas storied sites. We had heard about the Minister's Treehouse here in Crossville for years but until recently we had not actually tried to locate it. The story goes that a local minister, Horace Burgess was moved by the spirit to build the structure. Actually we found it well documented on the Internet at sites like Roadside.com where we located the directions. It is just a short distance off I-40 at Exit 320, then north onto Hwy 298 followed by a quick right onto Cook Rd. About 1/2 mile where the road takes a sharp right, instead make a sharp left onto an almost hidden smaller road Beehive Lane. About 1/4 mile down this lane you will see the treehouse ahead. A small parking area is to the right of Beehive Lane. The structure has at times been closed to the public due to vandalism, but usually it is open on an at your own risk basis as it was in August 2009 when we visited. It seemed to us to be worth any risk as long as one proceeds carefully. Inside there are stairways, and there are several, dead ends and doors leading to lofty balconies and ultimately a crows nest affair at the very pinnacle. Along the way you will find a two or three story high chapel complete with stained glass window and bell tower. Views from the various windows and doors are great. If you go be sure to look at the fields below for a surprise. Although there is still evidence of beer parties and apparent overnight guests (some people will ruin anything), it is a sight to be seen. This butterfly was a plus.

Later we drove along SR 70 to a point near Sparta, TN where we located the Rockhouse, originally built to collect tolls on what was then a private road. I caught a picture of Arlene and Gene exploring the grounds of the Rockhouse before we went in. This structure was built between 1835 and 1839 by Barlow Fiske, who operated a stage coach inn and stables nearby. A very informative volunteer inside has a wealth of information about the rockhouse and it's role in the area during it's historical existence. Among the notables who have stayed at the Rockhouse were Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Sam Houston. The Rockhouse is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM. It is also well worth the time to visit if you are there when the volunteer can speak for the old house. Just to view it does not do justice to it's significance.

Aunt Nora's 90th Birthday

2009-08-12T09:00:00.025-05:00

On a Thursday morning three campers and six intrepid travelers departed TN for the mountains of WV. Aunt Nora would be celebrating her 90th birthday the coming weekend and a family reunion celebration was planned around that occasion. It really should have been a relatively brief trip of about six hours; however we managed to stretch it to more like ten. The morning of our departure I discovered that the refrigerator, purchased about 18 months ago, was not cooling properly once I disconnected it from electric and temps were nearing 50 degrees, not conducive to keeping milk, bacon, sausage and such. My suspicion was that we were out of propane. Our previous Airstream travel trailer propane bottles had been equipped with built in gauges, but not this latest, older model. So at the first Flying J we made a stop to fill the propane bottles; however together the attendant was only able to add 4.2 lbs so neither tank was empty. We trucked on up the road after removing the milk and frozen items and having our traveling companions divide them up to keep them in their refrigerators. After a pit stop in northeast TN we entered VA and soon learned that traffic was being detoured around the I-77 tunnel into WV, the route our GPS had selected. A few miles up the road we learned that the detour was due to a truck accident blocking both North and South bound lanes. This dictated another stop at a K-Mart, seems with two GPS equipped vehicles none of us thought to bring along a real honest to goodness map in order to determine which alternate route we might want to take. Of course the GPS will find you an alternate route; however we have sometimes been steered down a literal cow path as our GPS will not account for the fact that towing a trailer sometimes requires a different path than bicycles and ox-carts. I'm used to using a large print map these days and K-Mart's offerings did not include that so we bought what they had and struck out again for the Mountaineer state. Ultimately we did try the GPS alternate route and were disappointed, but not surprised to find ourselves on a road closed due to bridge construction, and then on a narrow county road paralleling and in sight of, the Interstate highway we had been traveling on. Eventually we determined how to get on a road which we had used on a previous trip and after the GPS directed us on a street running through a parking lot we found ourselves on a beautiful drive along the crest of a ridge with scenic views down both sides through farmlands and forests that were at time breathtaking. This was one of the reasons our friends accompanied us on this trip, a chance to see "Wild and Wonderful" WV. I think that's the way the Chamber of Commerce describes it. We recalled that on a previous trip along this route we had stopped at a monument dedicated to John Henry. The monument sits atop the mountain through which the tunnel runs which the legendary John Henry helped build. The tunnel is still in use today and trains always blow their whistle as they pass through. When we were about 25 miles from Aunt Nora's I was almost convinced that we had missed the monument when we rounded a sharp curve going downhill and suddenly the huge statue appeared. There is just room for a very few vehicles and after a near panic stop, followed closely by the motorhome and the other trailer we just managed to fit into the small parking lot. At least now we all know that the song has some basis in reality. On we proceeded to the Greenbrier River Campground, located oddly enough beside aptly named river. We arrived about 30 minutes too late for check-in but knew our site numbers so proceeded to park and hook up to water and electric. Everyone decided we were too tired to cook so it was off to nearby Alderson for a quick bite to eat and a brief stop at Aunt Nora's to confirm the schedule for Friday and Saturday. While in town we discovered the fairgrounds was packed with motorcycles of every size and description, the streets were full and most motels had more motorcycles than cars. For those of us who enjoy looking at bikes with fond memories of younger days this was a treat although it did create a lot of congestion. On the bright side, if several thousand cars had been gathered there that week it would have been a lot worse for driving and parking.

Breakfast on Friday morning was outdoors, thankfully under the awning of a trailer to ward off the light rain that still persisted. The coffee, bacon and sausage smell floated through the morning air and we feasted on pancakes and eggs. That morning's check in at the campground was taken care of quickly, but in the process we learned that the owner was a bluegrass picker and that across from our campsites was a small stage complete with sound and light equipment. The owner said that lots of groups come there for musical gatherings. We also learned that all the motorcycles were in town for a week long annual Christian Motorcycle Association festival. The festival rotates east coast to west coast alternating years. We had a family in a tent next to our trailer for two nights. Nice people who filled us in on some of the club activities as well as the bikes they were riding, the most interesting to me was the Suzuki with a trike kit. I declined the offer to ride it around the campground, mostly for fear the old desire to ride would return to strong to turn off. Back in 1986, while stationed in Japan, I had been about 4 or 5 years without a bike but as we walked the neighborhood in the evenings I kept pausing at a Yamaha that another service member had for sale. One evening I made the comment to Arlene not to let me talk myself into buying that bike. About a week later I was taking the motorcycle safety course required to ride on base. That began three years of touring all over Japan by motorcycle, being members of the local club (eventually club President) and four bikes later we shipped my 1100 Virago and Arlene's Suzuki Savage 650 back to the states, but I regress, ah-h-h memories of younger days.

That evening we played a little music at aunt Nora's house. Saturday morning found us under the awning again, although the rain had subsided overnight. We cooked up eggs, toast, and more bacon and sausage. Food sure does taste good when it's prepared and eaten outdoors. Saturday afternoon aunt Nora got to blow out the candles on two birthday cakes and a huge auction tent barely covered all the food that was set out. I'm not very good at estimating crowds, but cousin Pudge had said she was cooking for 140. I'm sure there were more than that present, but there was plenty of food with two grills going full time and we had our fill. It was really great to see a lot of family that I had not seen in years as well as meeting some, especially younger members whom I had never had the pleasure of meeting. It sure was a great idea to bring that much family together. Cousin Joey Morgan, along with his father-in-law Joe Howard are the founding members of New Horizon, a great bluegrass gospel band and Benny, Gene and I along with a couple of others had the opportunity to sit in on some music where they had set up on the front lawn. New Horizon's two CD's have all been original songs they composed and I heard they are working on their third. We had taken a break from the music as a light rain had started to fall and I decided I should get around and say my goodbyes as we were scheduled to leave the campground the next morning. We had discussed staying one more day, but either way the out of towners would be going back home and local relatives were scattered too far apart to get to see many of them the next day. As I was making the rounds the rest of our group had decided to return to the campground as the sky was really turning dark and threatening. Minutes later a storm hit with such force that metal folding chairs were sailing across the lawn. We helped to drop some of the tents and awnings before jumping in the truck and hurrying back to the campground to see what awaited us. As we drove we passed downed limbs of all sizes, but thankfully we found no real damage at the campground, but we did have more rain. The rain leak that I had worked on so hard before we left held so our bed stayed dry, not even a puddle on the floor.

We did decide to stay another night at the campground which gave Arlene and I a chance to give the others a quick tour of Grandview State Park, a beautiful area with tremendous overlooks to the New River, although the view was a bit limited that day due to the fog. I had them drop me off for an all too brief visit with uncle Buford and his wife Louise. The rest of the group intended to do a little shopping and use the GPS to return to pick me up in about an hour. About two hours later they called, lost and asking directions. I am not that familiar with Beckley, but eventually we managed to get back together. I think they finally believed the GPS, anyway we had spent enough of the day that we had to forego the trip to the New River suspension bridge, an engineering marvel with another unbelievable overlook. We'll have to save that one for another trip. Monday morning found us parting ways in Beckley with Gene and Mary going south to North Carolina to visit the best man in their wedding, while the rest of us headed west into Ohio to visit Rocky who is on what has turned into a long term visit in his old home place. Road repairs were evident on much of the entire trip, but along the route between Charleston, WV and Portsmouth, OH the concrete patches stretching the width of the road were mostly 2 to 3 inches above the level of the road producing jarring impacts seemingly every 10 or 20 feet apart. We slowed to a crawl for miles. Eventually though we did get to Portsmouth and our two Airstream caravan turned north to Rocky's hideaway near Rardin. Rocky had plenty of room for us to park the trailers and we plugged in to 20 amp electric and county water from the house. I took a picture of what I thought was a strange looking flower in the yard that Rocky called a "surprise" lilly. Just a pretty flower atop a single stalk with not one leaf. There were several in a row alongside the walkway to the house. I don't recall ever seeing one before, but since we returned I have seen them several places around home here in Tennessee. That evening we mostly caught up on old times although we did find an hour or so when we could jam. The next day we piled into Rocky's Subaru and drove back to Portsmouth where we took in the murals on the flood wall. We had seen similar ones in MS, but this artist painted the history of Portsmouth in such realism that there is a real danger some motorist will turn "down the 1930s era street" scene and crash into the concrete wall. On another many visitors have their pictures taken beside one of the cyclist and almost become part of the mural. On the panel pictured here all the US armed forces are pictured so realistically you want to start a conversation with them. Across the street from the flood wall we found a visitor's center with displays from Portsmouth's early days. Show manufacturing was a big part of the economy then and much of the displays reflected this. Down the street we talked with a lady who lived in a log cabin from the 1800s which had been moved to it's current location across from the flood wall in the early 1900s. We were invited inside the courtyard and discovered a swimming pool, flower gardens and beside the house a nice vegetable garden. This kind lady explained all about the origins of the cabin which is now her home and how she came to be the owner. Before we left she insisted we take some seeds of her natural flower garden with us. That afternoon we loaded up on a small trailer to be towed behind a four wheeler for a tour around the "farm" and later we played music under the shade of a huge tree in Rocky's front yard and tried his recipe for chuck wagon beans, good eatin'. All too soon it was time to hitch up and return to TN. I usually opt for the back roads in lieu of the interstates, since I think there is much more to see on what we call the "red roads," referring to the map colors of state roads that used to tie all our cities together for commerce as well as personal travel. This time, though we stuck to the Interstate highway system and even drove through Knoxville, which I usually try to avoid with the travel trailer. Arriving home without incident other than one last downpour just west of Knoxville.

BarBQ and Bluegrass

2009-07-19T21:16:00.012-05:00

The First Annual Plateau Bluegrass and Bar-B-Q Festival in Crossville, TN was not as well attended as everyone had hoped (IMHO), but those who were there had a great time. There were several Arts and Crafts type vendors and even a booth to try your marksmanship with wooden "rifles" that appeared to shoot large rubber bands. That one reminded me of the county fair carnival midways I attended too many years ago. There was some terrific barbeque. Although we had a large, even for me, lunch we couldn't avoid being drawn by that aroma from the smokers near the grandstands. Our intention was to go for the music and we did not expect to eat again, but we shared a delicious pulled pork sandwich. Sorry guys, I forgot the name of that particular stand.

The Battle of the Bands had been in progress for a few hours before we arrived so we only heard the two finalist bands. Whitewater from east Tennessee won the competition, although both the bands we saw were good enough to have won the $1,000 first prize. One band had a great fiddler who I have heard many times at the Pikin Barn and elsewhere in the area, the other band had the better vocalist whose guitar picking style I especially enjoyed. I'm glad I wasn't a judge, it would have been a hard decision.

The featured event of the evening was Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain. This has to be the best group of young musicians I've seen. As a group they are terrific and the whole band's style is just a natural fit with Carrie's vocals. Each of the band members is an act in their own right and Carrie announced that evening that they had been informed they are candidates for Nomination for Bluegrass Musician of the Year, each one in their own area of expertise as well as the band as a whole. Only a month or so previous they had achieved what many bands never do, a song that reached number one on Bluegrass Unlimited chart. They deserve the honor and hopefully they will do well in the voting for best in their field. Meanwhile they are on tour in Europe for a few weeks.

Their entire performance keeps the audience entertained, but this rendition of Orange Blossom Special wowed the crowd. Bluegrass just doesn't get much more exciting than this. Crossville is fortunate to have most of this group making their home here and offering lessons at Misty Mountain Music on North 127. If my fingers were young (limber) enough I'd probably hock something for the money to learn from these guys.

Our July 4th ...

2009-07-08T21:01:00.006-05:00

No real fireworks here, just some 'burgers and hot dogs, lots of sides like beans, potato salad, squash casserole, deviled eggs, veggies, chips, pineapple cake, key lime pie and homemade peach ice cream. After the feast we had some fun pickin' and grinnin'. Thanks all for coming and for making it a great holiday and for christening our "music room." Okay, it would probably be the den to most folks but we consider it the music room. Photos by Arlene (noticeably absent from them).

Take Time Out ...

2009-07-03T23:21:00.006-05:00

during your busy 4th of July ...

and remember the reason for it. Have a safe and sane 4th!

I thought you brought the camera ...

2009-06-25T22:43:00.004-05:00

Wouldn't you know it, the last two times that I've had an opportunity to jam we forget the camera so there's no pics. Last Saturday evening after Deport Days, which was pretty much a bust for us due to the hot weather, we were invited to a friend's home with a few other folks. Nice digs, and after a nice snack we all had a good time enjoying the outdoors through the bug proof screens of a new gazebo. We played a little bit of everything. Good music, but if I don't stop forgetting the words I'm not sure how much longer before I won't be invited back. Then on Tuesday evening we joined a few others at a campground for more good music. It was outdoors but early enough that the bugs weren't out yet and we could concentrate on the music. Mostly gospel and with some participation from the family members several campers wandered over to listen. I just have to remember the camera next time. We really enjoyed it folks, thanks for the invites.

What to do on a Saturday night

2009-06-17T16:59:00.009-05:00

Last Saturday afternoon we ventured down to Pikeville where the (new) Trackside Band was performing on Main Street. Pikeville is in the process of renovating the area with landscaping along the sidewalks and lots of updating (stimulus money in action?). Several antique and classic cars were on display along Main Street near where the stage was set up for the band. I usually prefer the cars of yesterday to today's much like I prefer the music of yesterday to today's. I guess that says something about me ... ? A really rare 1938 Dodge (one of about 750 made and about 50 still known to exist) was parked beside a nicely restored '49 Ford pickup. Of course neither was available in their current color back when they were new, but both were really nice classics. Old cars and music in the streets kind of go together anyway and for this occasion the band had a selection of oldies they called classic rock, at least some of it I would classify that way. Of particular interest to me were the Chuck Berry songs done by Lonnie Brown. Lonnie was great on the electric guitar and has a good voice for those old classics. After a while we decided to go check out the Sunset Jammers venue and take a chance on who was playing as I didn't recognize either group listed on the website. Every second Saturday of the month Sunset Jammers http://www.sunsetjammers.com/ offers two groups and an occasional special guest such as the lady this month who sang many of the oldies her dad had sung when she was a small child. She also talked about memories of those long ago days and how they mirrored the lyrics to Loretta Lynn's Coal Miner's Daughter. We were pleased to see star fiddle player John Bouleware in the group Valley Grass. Their lead singer Terry Hatfield was new to me, but a good talent. We all enjoyed their show. Another group, Straight Ahead was good with lots of fast stuff but the banjo was a little overpowering and we left before their set was done. All in all, a good Saturday of music.

Naval Air Museum

2009-06-14T18:42:00.008-05:00

One reason for getting behind in posting here was a quick trip to the gulf coast. One place in that area that always draws me back is the Naval Air Museum at the Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, FL. We lived in Pensacola for 10 years and it was our home base for another nine years as we traveled around the country in our travel trailer before coming to rest in TN. Naval Air Station Pensacola, as it is known to the US Navy, is still a very active flight training center for student Navy aviators and is the home of the famous Blue Angel flight demonstration team. One of the best military museums in the country is the Naval Air Museum and it is free, although you are encouraged to leave a donation upon departing and most feel it's worth it. You have to appreciate all the efforts that go into restoration and exhibiting Navy aircraft of all eras although there are probably more WWII aircraft than any other time period. Even when we lived in Pensacola I would visit the museum two or three times a year even if we didn't have visitors to take there, because the exhibits continually evolve with additional aircraft and many set in realistic displays.

One particular aircraft that has been displayed here since I can remember is not a Navy aircraft but does have a tie to the Navy. We all remember at the close of the Vietnam conflict the scenes of people clamoring to board those last few helicopters on the roof of the US Embassy. During all this confusion a Republic of Vietnam Air Force Major loaded his wife and five children aboard a single engine two seat observation aircraft and escaped from Saigon. The ARVN pilot flew over a US Navy aircraft carrier and dropped a note onto the deck explaining his situation and requesting the deck be cleared for him to land. Those not familiar with carrier landings may not fully appreciate the courage it takes to land on the deck of a rather small pitching carrier deck as the ship moves through the water. For a pilot only trained to land on terra firma and usually on much longer runways, this had to be an act of sheer desperation. The carrier CO ordered the deck cleared and the carrier crew must have held their breath expecting the worst. The aircraft is now displayed hanging from the ceiling near the center of the museum along with this and more details of the event and accompanied by photos of the applauding carrier crew as the little plane safely landed. As the Major and his entire family climbed from the two seat aircraft it must have resembled the multitude of clowns that tumble from the small car at the circus. One very happy ending.

Near the main entrance to the museum is a wonderful bronze statue of five pilots each in the flight gear of the different eras of flight from WWI to the current jet pilot, but they are grouped as though in a discussion of the days events as one demonstrates a flight maneuver with his hands as though all had just flown with him. It was a great place for a photo of Benny, Gene and Tom to commemorate our visit.

Old friends with musical ties

2009-06-10T23:24:00.007-05:00

Recently our friends Gene and Mary told us they had been invited to a birthday/Memorial Day party over in Lawrenceburg. The host was an old friend Gene knew from Florida when they both had bands in the same town. Charlie Sessions was a very gracious host and the entire neighborhood turned out for the celebration. Some years ago Charlie had recorded a handful of records (you remember the kind that requires a needle to play), and at some point he had picked up the name Charlie Who. I remember the name Charlie Sessions but only know about the later moniker from tales told during our visit. Gene played almost all afternoon along with several musicians from the Lawrenceburg area and one terrific guitar picker all the way from Florida played some really good country music throughout the afternoon. I had the opportunity to sit in for a few songs, but quickly decided I was in way over my head and found a shade tree for my lounge chair. Johnny Love, from Florida had played with Charlie way back when. Johnny said he had not played in 20 years until last year when his children talked him into taking his guitar out of storage. He can still play lead better than most. Charlie really seemed to enjoy himself whether playing or listening. Charlie's birthday being near Memorial Day had led to a tradition of combining the two as an excuse to throw a big party which I gather he had not done for several years now. It was a long trip over and back but well worth it for the experience.

Gemstones

2009-06-10T22:35:00.008-05:00

At least that is what we were looking for on a trip to Coker Creek Village in east Tennessee. Actually it was billed as a panning for gold trip, but as only two people on the entire bus were prepared to wade into the cold waters of the creek, the rest of us settled for sluicing through mounds of dirt for gemstones. We did find a small sack full of stones with various streaks of color which we have yet to have examined to determine if any are worth polishing. I found plenty of fool's gold (pyrite) and a couple of small dark red pieces that could be garnet or if we are real lucky a ruby (not likely). Arlene found some large pieces of smoky quartz. Not to be outdone, our friend Mary also brought home a sack full of various colored stones. Okay, so we probably didn't strike it rich (although we've yet to completely rule that out), but we had a lot of fun. Our whole collection will likely wind up in one of those clear lamp bases with some polished and some left in their natural state although my curiosity probably won't let me do that until a gemologist (if there is such a thing) has verified that we haven't accidentally washed up a stone of some value. Just in case.

Cornbread Festival

2009-05-17T20:32:00.011-05:00

Somewhere along the way I got sidetracked and misplaced these photos. A few weeks ago some longtime friends from AL called and asked if we had ever been to South Pittsburg, TN? As we used to go south every winter and return in the spring we often traveled on Hwy 72 right past that area. Also we had heard of the National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg last year but couldn't attend so that almost made this year a must see. That was what had prompted our friends question. So off we went about an hour and fifteen minutes south. South Pittsburg isn't very large so once we were there it wasn't hard to find the Festival.

It was great to visit with Lonnie and JoAnn even if it was only for a few hours. The girls had a chance to do what they do best ... shop. We had lunch and I indoctrinated Lonnie into bluegrass music and jam sessions as we watched several groups expand and contract as players came and went.

At one point we ran into a clown on stilts who happened to be talking to who else, a professional photographer. I talked him into using my camera to take a picture of the four of us with the nice lady in the clown costume.

Before long the afternoon had flown by and we parted ways us heading back north and they trekking back southward. Next year if you are looking for something different to do in April I'd recommend the National Cornbread Festival, there's good food, although we didn't concentrate on how much cornbread we could eat, some crafts and some good music. Of course if you can meet up and enjoy it with some old friends that makes it a great day.

From the 2008 MDA Telethon

2009-05-08T22:02:00.004-05:00

Not local but this ventriloquist is too good to pass up!

Another musical Friday

2009-05-04T22:34:00.012-05:00

This particular Friday began at the Fairgrounds at the opening of the 2009 Spring Flower and Garden Show where the Sounds of Browns Gap opened the entertainment at one end of the main building.

Later that afternoon we joined the jam session at Hales Chapel, our usual late Friday activity. I haven't featured Sharon since last summer and this time the camera caught her picking a mandolin, a different instrument than her usual banjo. She is becoming another of our multi-talented musicians. At right Lonnie on banjo, Sharon on mandolin and Joe on dobro.

We had good music that continued until that all important break for potluck and then on into evening.

Maury on harmonica, Gene on guitar and Paul on fiddle ....

Don on banjo and me on the six string made up some of the group.

There were some others that did not get on camera.

A New Music Spot

2009-04-25T00:20:00.005-05:00

Well, it was a new place for us although apparently a lot of other people have been keeping it a secret from us. We left Crossville on Hwy 101 going south and after a couple of turns, just before you start the descent to Pikeville we found the Sunset Jammers a very nice place to hear some great local bluegrass music. Every second Saturday night of each month the are open and the building is filled with great music. On the night we went Carrie Hassler and her band performed. She has rounded up some great talent. Shown here (L to R) is their newest member "Cornbread", a 17 year old VA native on banjo, Carrie, and her outstanding fiddle player.

Another musical weekend

2009-04-05T17:57:00.010-05:00

Well, actually we started the weekend early as usual on Thursday evening at the 127 South Senior Center weekly bluegrass jam session.

Then on Friday morning back at the center there is bingo for an hour followed by about an hour informational talk or entertainment. This time we were treated to a (now) local Nashville style entertainer, Johnny Moore. Johnny grew up in Texas where he met Ernest Tubb who later gave Johnny a start in country music. He has toured with the likes of Jim Reeves and Merle Haggard.

We followed that Friday evening with the weekly potluck and jam session at Hale's Chapel on Vandever Road, where we always have a good time whether there are six or seven players or as sometimes happens the group swells to 15 or 20.

This being the first Saturday night of the month there was the monthly Rocky Top Cumberland Mountain Jamboree at the historic Palace Theater on Main Street. The Trackside Band has changed some since last year, but still has plenty of variety. The band has it's regulars who provide lots of good entertainment. Where else but in a small town like Crossville could you find an evening of Free entertainment like this? The Trackside Band, so named for their performances at several Nascar venues during the racing season, has several vocal soloists who provide everything from country to pop hits. I was particularly glad to find that one of the guest performers this Saturday night was Johnny Moore, especially since I had forgotten to take my camera Friday morning. All in all it was a great weekend, both for listening and for the chance to play a little.

Fantastic Machine

2009-04-01T20:37:00.009-05:00

This isn't local music, but fun to watch as well listen to. Note how all the balls end up in the catcher cones. Update: This is animation or video trickery, it is not a real machine. See Snopes.

Amazing Grace

2009-03-11T20:26:00.003-05:00

Sorry, If you didn't view this the first few days I posted it the embed was discontinued at the request of somebody, the singers I presume. Anyway here is a link to this video clip on YouTube which I presume they will still allow. This song was always a favorite of mine, but has a special meaning for me in the past few years. Enjoy ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMVxzEueJ6A

Friday vs Monday

2009-03-06T21:03:00.003-06:00

I don't work go to work anymore, at least in the usual sense, but this brought back too many memories.

You see what I mean?

Harbinger of spring?

2009-02-17T15:35:00.006-06:00

Can spring be far behind when robins are strutting across the front yard? Caught this little bluebird sitting on the fence as well. I think the bluebirds must stay here year round as I have thought several times over the winter that I caught a glimpse of them, this was the first one I could photograph well. The robins on the other hand are usually a sure sign spring is on the way. We'll probably have an answer by the weekend .... forecast in the teens by tomorrow night and possibly snow flurries by the weekend! Say it isn't so.

Saturday Night music

2009-02-07T19:38:00.014-06:00

As always there's plenty of good bluegrass music at the Pik-N Barn out on Allen Burgess Road, south of Crossville on the last Saturday of every month. The jammers get a chance to play before the stage shows begin.

There was a good old time mountain music group complete with a washboard. They did mostly old songs and had some good humor interspersed with their music. Sorry, wish I could remember the name of the group.

Of course the Bak-Trac-ers, the houseband, were their usual entertaining selves. A really good group who had added an imported mandolin player who may become a regular with them.

The featured group this weekend was the Lantana Drifters, a group that has been around the area for many years. As most groups do, a few of the faces change from time to time so I thought I'd focus on a few of the individuals this time.

Paul Borsh plays fiddle but also does a great job on several Tom T. Hall ballads.

Gene Brown is not a regular with this group but does an outstanding job whether he's playing country, bluegrass or gospel music.

Remember when?

2009-02-05T23:49:00.002-06:00

A friend sent me this in an email recently and it brought back so many memories I just had to share it. Of course the prices and to many the name F.W. Woolworth are enough to make you nostalgic but just looking over it will likely evoke many memories of the "good old days." In the words of a hit song a few years back, Do you remember when?

Grand Torino

2009-01-26T13:53:00.004-06:00

On a rare occasion at our house we took in a movie Saturday night. Clint Eastwood's Grand Torino had struck us as one of those movies we might enjoy, not many do. In fact we probably don't go to the movies once a year anymore. Most just aren't our fare although I recall a few like I Walk The Line, and historic recreations like Pearl Harbor and Saving Private Ryan that we ventured into the world of $5.00 popcorn for. Grand Torino was, in our opinion, worth the trip. Eastwood was predictably great in his role as a grizzled old Korean War vet clinging to an era long gone and a fast shrinking corner of his old neighborhood. Particularly true to life were the neighborhood characters and the depiction of peer pressure on the youth. I won't spoil the ending by saying anymore, but it could offend some by Eastwood's references to various ethnic characters using true to life invectives of many of that bygone era.

Snowbird

2009-01-20T16:55:00.005-06:00

I've been taking it easy for the past few days as the Doctor suggested, AJ says "ordered" so she's been doing some of the things I usually do. Yesterday we noticed there were very few birds at our feeders so she trekked through the snow, all 2" of it, to fill the feeders. This morning I saw a female Yellow-shafted Flicker and got a few pictures before she left. You can see the black throat and when she ducked her head you can clearly see the red on the back of the head. Not being an expert at all, I relied on our copy of Peterson Field Guide for Eastern Birds which luckily had some color pictures for reference.

Be back soon

2009-01-13T15:22:00.005-06:00

I'll be gone for a few days so just hang in there ....

Where's Mushy?

2009-01-07T19:49:00.003-06:00

As you can see from the sidebar, one of the blogs I watch is Mushy's Moochings. Look here to see "where's Mushy?"

2008, the year in review

2009-01-02T23:14:00.003-06:00

Uncle Jay recaps the year in a nutshell ...

Happy New Year one and all

2008-12-31T23:07:00.002-06:00

Big bird

2008-12-28T18:21:00.005-06:00

Watching out the dining room window I saw bluebirds around one of the bird houses. I have been trying to attract them to at least one of the three houses and I saw one of them, probably the male sitting on top of the house until the other appeared and peaked inside. They visit our tray feeder every so often and I have added a tuna can to the tray feeder to hold mealworms that I hope will keep the bluebirds coming back. I don't know for sure what is eating the mealworms, but they're going somewhere so hopefully the bluebirds are getting at least some of them. By the time I got the camera and returned to the window the bluebirds had vanished. They are a little small to show up very well when photographed from inside the house anyway, but our large Red Piliated woodpecker was feasting. He is about a foot tall so shows up better in photos than the bluebirds. The suet cakes attract several types of woodpeckers, but this one shows up pretty regularly. For more on feeding wild birds see Wild Birds Forever.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T00:22:00.008-06:00

... not happy holidays or holiday greetings ... remember the reason for the
season ... enjoy your Christmas tree and yule decorations ... or the Menorah if you are observing Hanuka ... please don't forget our service men and women, most will not be home during this season ... as many of us gather with loved ones, exchange gifts and enjoy our favorite feasts, just remember to be thankful for what we have and this great country where we live.

Rest in Peace

2008-12-18T21:54:00.007-06:00

It is with a heavy heart that I recognize the passing of yet another friend, former co-worker and honored soldier. Larry Keith Nelson passed away on Dec 16th after a valiant battle with cancer. Keith, as he was known by his friends, retired from the US Army Crime Laboratory at Ft Gillem, GA as Chief of the Questioned Documents Section in 1993. I met and served with Keith from the late 1970's until I was assigned to Japan in 1985. I had lost touch with Keith until 2006 when Arlene and I were in Pensacola, FL and another friend told me about Keith's misfortune. After his retirement in 1993, Keith and wife Bobbie realized their life's dream and sailed extensively in the Caribbean aboard their beautiful sailboat the Gloria Del Mar pictured below. About a year before Hurricane Ivan devastated the gulf coast, Keith was diagnosed with cancer. He and Bobbie lived aboard their boat in Pensacola while Keith underwent various treatments at the Naval Hospital until Ivan hit Pensacola. Luckily they had evacuated, but the Gloria Del Mar was not so lucky and was badly damaged. Keith and Bobbie moved into a travel trailer and set up their temporary home at the Blue Angel campground while their boat was sent to New Orleans for rebuilding. Adding insult to injury, Hurrican Katrina struck while the Gloria Del Mar was in drydock and was pretty much destroyed. By this time Keith had come to the realization that his sailing days were over. At the beginning of this year I received an email from Bobbie informing us that Keith and Bobbie's son was to be married in Oct and that Keith, whose condition had deteriorated drastically, had set a goal of being well enough to attend the wedding. It is at times like these that I wish I could write poetry ...

The Living Christmas Tree

2008-12-08T21:04:00.008-06:00

There are all kinds of reasons why this is a great part of the country to live in, and one of them is the Living Christmas Tree presentation at the UT campus. This event has become so popular over the years that it had to be moved into a venue which would seat 100,000 people. We went on Saturday and were amazed at the whole scene. The sight and sound of a "tree" filled with a 200 member chorus is quite a feat in itself; and of course, The Greatest Story Ever Told as it has often been called, is of course amazing but to see it presented in such a manner is pretty much astounding. The story of the Nativity complete with "flying" angels and wisemen arriving on live camels add so much realism. This year it was all presented as a story within a story in which a now famous documentary movie director returns home with the intent of showing up the townspeople as hypocrites. The town's citizens stage an annual (Living Christmas Tree) Christmas pageant which has become very popular as this one is in real life. The movie director winds up realizing the townspeople are genuine and he is the phony. All of which made for very complex staging, but carried off in excellent fashion by a cast of what must be 500 or more. Of course the main story includes the Crucifixion and resurrection, again very realistic in this portrayal. Well worth the trip into Knoxville, especially when we were so fortunate as to go by tour bus compliments of Hood Funeral Home in Crossville.

Giving Thanks

2008-11-26T22:03:00.004-06:00

I "borrowed" this picture from What Saith The Scripture because I like to remember what started this holiday. Of course we should not forget all the things we have to be thankful for today.

To all our friends and family and anyone else who happens by ...
HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Help a stray ...

2008-11-24T19:59:00.006-06:00

It only takes a few clicks of your mouse to help a shelter feed it's animals. The Animal Rescue Site, an organization from my least favorite state of CA, has a website where it's sponsors have an agreement to provide free food for shelter animals. Each time the square is clicked the list of sponsors is displayed, you don't have to buy or pay anything. The sponsors get their ads viewed (and of course some people will voluntarily buy items, but there is no commitment by visiting the site). A search on the site for a specific community will list all facilities who are partners in that community. This organization provides some funds to different shelter or rescue facilities periodically based on the number of votes each facility receives online. There is a place to vote for your favorite shelter or rescue facility. I was surprised to find there are four in the Crossville area. You can search for rescue facilities that partner with this site in any commmunity. Click the link below to help a shelter feed a rescued animal and vote each day, if your favorite facility gets enough votes they could receive a grant of $1,000.00 or more. Of course you can also find a pet at your favorite local facility.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

A Veterans Day Tribute

2008-11-11T01:05:00.005-06:00

Please join me in thanking all veterans ... if you see a veteran thank him or her for their service ... any day, but especially today. This country owes it's very existence to them.

Square Dancin'

2008-11-07T19:22:00.007-06:00

On Saturday night at the Bledsoe County Agriculture Park in Pikeville we attended what the organizers hope will be the first of many Square Dances. There were a few who appeared to be experienced at this; but for many, if not most, this was a new thing. Square dancing has been around for more years than probably anyone who might read this, but dancing in general seems to have declined through the years and with the advent of line dancing and such, one has to look pretty hard to find square dancing in most places. It is still a big attraction at county fairs and festivals where there are some great competitions with groups traveling long distances to compete. Anyway, it is good to see that another community is reviving what is an old American tradition.

Feathered friends

2008-11-01T23:26:00.016-05:00

Our feathered friends have become voracious feeders now that the weather has turned cooler. From my vantage point at the dining room table it is hard to tell what clan some of our visitors belong to so the other morning I stood outside in the frost covered grass, camera at the ready, trying not to exhale too much vapor which might tip them off to my being there. I had erected a cover over the tray feeder as much to discourage the doves as to keep the seed dry. The doves were staying hours and in groups too large to allow others to feed. Even with the cover an occasional dove manages to perch on the edge long to gain access, but the Blue jays, Cardinals and others don't seem to mind the cover so it must have been a good decision. On this morning a Cardinal family came to feed. Later a pair of smaller birds followed the adult Blue jays and I think they were young jays. As you can tell I enjoy feeding and watching, but have yet to learn many of the different birds, especially the young ones. I also cleaned and relocated one of the Bluebird houses, now there are three, and a day or two before I saw Bluebirds trying to get into the house; however from the looks of the birds perching on the house I think the sparrows have taken over the neighborhood. I have to find that website again where I saw some information on keeping sparrows and others out of the Bluebird houses.

Just A Walk In The Park

2008-10-31T18:30:00.007-05:00

One thing I like about being retired is I can pretty much decide what I want to do and when on any given day. The doctors, you know the ones who can't bend over to tie their shoes any better than the rest of us, always tell you it's important to exercise. Well one of them recently told me I was facing yet another nuclear stress test and honestly I'm not sure I could even stay on the treadmill long enough anymore so about a week ago I began walking in earnest. A few days ago it started turning cold so walking was moved inside to the mall, but today was really nice, especially about noon so I decided not to attack the walking path as I have been doing, but this time I took along the smaller camera. Much of the color in the trees is fading or the leaves have fallen off completely, but I did find a few that were worth photographing. All in all it was a nice 45 minute walk. Our schedule is too full tomorrow, but I have to get in at least one more good walk before the test next week. Boy, I'm looking forward to getting this over with.

If it's the last Saturday night ...

2008-10-28T19:39:00.010-05:00

... of the month then we must be at the Pik-N Barn on Allen Burgess Road in Crossville, TN. We don't make it every month, but we try. If you come early enough you can enjoy the jam session and if you bring an instrument you can join in. It's a good way to get warmed up for the evening's entertainment.

It's about the most fun you can have for $5.00 and if you come hungry as we did last Saturday you can find plenty of good home cooking. Once we were full we could sit back and listen to some great bluegrass. First on stage was a group made up of many of the members of the jam session. One of the groups we enjoyed this evening was Big Valley Bluegrass from the Soddy Daisy and Signal Mountain areas. The featured group was Higher Ground from Maryville, TN. They both provided a lot of good toe tapping, hand clapping music.

Where DID That 3 Weeks Go?

2008-10-28T09:10:00.021-05:00

Where does the time go? Beginning in late September and continuing into October we spent a week in each of three places beginning at the Tennessee Cumberland Plateau Campground (TCPC) near Crossville, TN, then to Athens, AL for the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention and finally at the James E. Ward Agriculture Center in Lebanon, TN. Mostly this is about, what else, the music.

At TCPC we attended the Tennessee Unit of the WBCCI Annual Fall Election Rally. We had some good food, good socializing, and culminating with good music by Gene Brown on Saturday night.

Here we start out on Sunday morning with a caravan of three bound for Athens, AL. TCPC is a beautiful area on the plateau and we hesitate to leave, but the music is calling.

At Athens we camped on city property adjacent to the High School and a few blocks from Athens State University which hosts the Tennessee Old Time Fiddlers Convention.

We had a hospitality room where we had some delicious meals and had some music produced by members of our own group. At the end of the week all the musicians (and would be musicians) camped with us gathered for a group photo. A lot of interest has been generated in the dulcimer the past two years with several of our members purchasing and learning to play this traditional instrument.

At the Fiddlers Convention site we listened to competitions in flat picking guitar, banjo, dobro, bluegrass bands to name a few and of course fiddle. We especially enjoy wandering the ASU campus where jam sessions abound. Some groups traveled here together, others are old friends who meet here every year and even more are just "pick up" groups where individuals wander in, play awhile and eventually go on to join other groups. We were glad to see the now familiar faces of Bill and Jan back again. They are a fun couple with a big following at the jam sessions each year.

There is always a featured performer and this year it was Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top Express. Bobby always puts on a great show (this is the second time we've seen him in person) and this was no exception. Bobby's son now is on stand-up bass and continues the family tradition of singing, developing a style that tells of his roots. Bobby always has first class performers in his group and we particularly enjoyed Richard Bennett from east Tennessee as a super guitar picker. Richard is a very personable young man and true to bluegrass musicians in general and this venue in particular the performers are very accessible to the audience. Contrary to the popular phrase, I'm not sure that at times his fingers did not "leave his hands." This is bluegrass music at it's best.

At the James E. Ward Agriculture Center in Lebanon we again had a building for those all important meals and one of my favorites was the barbecue. I failed to get pictures of the entertainment (too busy being entertained?), but did get one of the posting of the flags at the opening ceremony. We didn't participate in the music here but for entertainment we had a country-bluegrass group who had played for our organization before, both in Lebanon and in East Ridge several years ago. Particularly good was Betty Key, a young lady who writes and sings very insightful gospel music. After a few years of personal tragedy this was the revival of her career, her first performance in several years. One of our members recalls her as a toddler sitting on his family's kitchen counter singing and recounts how he has watched the progress of her career. On Saturday night we heard a traditional country music band consisting of three young men, each with lots of talent in their own right. According to audience reaction, the favored performance of these guys was the impersonations of such greats as Willy Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. All in all we had three good weeks with a variety of music and a chance to be a part of some of it. We won't dwell on the two flats on the same tire at the same time, nor the troublesome engine problem which has reappeared in the Dodge diesel we still use for pulling our newly acquired 1975 model vintage Airstream. After all as we like to say, "we just came for the music."

Time Travel?

2008-10-27T23:28:00.006-05:00

It can't be, but it is more than a month since my last post. Well the only way to remedy that is to do a little time travel, back, back in time to a Thursday afternoon a month ago, a nice fall afternoon and the weekly gathering of car aficionados (I can't even pronounce that, but it's an accurate desciption of people who love cars the way some people love chocolate, or lounging in a hammock, or ... fill in your favorite). There's really a good collection of cars here every Thursday until real winter sets in. I'm guessing they all go sit in someone's warm garage about then and hunker down until spring. We like to stop and admire the restorations, the classics, muscle cars and antiques which is a little like time travel too. Have to admit, lots of us either don't have the time or money or just not quite the dedication to get that deep into old cars, but still we like to look and hear these people talk about their cars the way grandparents talk about their grandchildren. So just enjoy the pictures until spring when you can go have a Dairy Queen and walk out to the parking lot and I would say kick the tires, but something tells me that's not a good idea. You can look 'em over though ... any Thursday afternoon weather permitting

A Community Fund Raiser

2008-09-20T19:29:00.004-05:00

The Hales Chapel community is great about pitching in when someone is in need and the organizers are to be thanked for the hard work as well as congratulated for the job so well done. This day's event began with two hours of local music, and plenty of socializing, followed by a potluck meal, a raffle and an auction. Everyone had a fun time, plenty of great food, and some went away with loads of bargains.

Our Mountaineer Folk Festival Day

2008-09-12T23:24:00.009-05:00

Getting things a little out of order, this was the 30th Annual Mountain Folk Festival, Saturday September 6th at Fall Creek Falls. Some of the great entertainment was the Lantana Drifters, old time music which brought out many cloggers, even some really young ones. The Edmunds Family also performed at the Under the Boardwalk Stage. The Anderson Stage featured other groups including the Shake Rag Ramblers. You could tell by the pumpkin displays that fall is on the way. There were some really BIG pumpkins here. We braved the swinging bridge and found a nice wooded area on the other side and visited the old swimming hole with a huge rocky outcropping overhanging the water. On the way back home we made a spur of the moment decision to stop at the Dogwood Manor Bed & Breakfast. There is a nice Restaurant upstairs not surprisingly known as the "Top Of The Porch Restaurant" and not only was the food good, but B.J., the owner who also waited on us, provided terrific entertainment. He was a comedian and very good on the keyboard. He played a selection of songs and Gene sang several to his music. We all agreed that since this was the week of our anniversaries we had made an excellent decision in stopping here. After a really good meal we decided to take in the Cumberland Jamboree at the Palace Theater downtown and enjoyed the Trackside Band with numerous guest singers. Plenty of good music, although what stood out to me was Johnny Moore. An outstanding day of music and food.

9-11 Our Second Day Of Infamy

2008-09-10T20:25:00.013-05:00

September 11th, 2001, a day we shall never forget. This can probably be said by anyone who reads this page. We can all remember where we were when we heard of those deceitful and cowardly acts and those images which played on and on of the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. We should all remember the selfless acts of the Policemen, Firemen and others who saved many lives and whose own lives were lost or were forever altered in trying to save even more. Who can forget that morning and the following hours and days. Perhaps today you will take part in some formal ceremony to mark the occassion. If not, at least please pause for a moment of silent prayer and remember those whose lives were lost, those physically or emotionally scarred, and those who lost loved ones on that day. Remember too, those brave souls whose actions on Flight 93 prevented even further loss of lives and likely a strike at the very center of our government.

Birthday Orchid

2008-09-03T00:14:00.003-05:00

We gathered at the Gondola Restaurant on Saturday to celebrate Jean's (belated) birthday since was in AL on the actual day. She likes orchids like the one she's showing off here.

On to Ohio

2008-08-29T01:07:00.005-05:00

Wish I could have photographed all the old barns along the route. There were offers of "how about that one?" usually followed shortly afterward by "are we stopping again?". I can't help it they just need to be preserved in some way because they are rapidly disappearing from our midst.

Watching the Ohio sunset over nearby farms.

The murals along the flood wall in Portsmouth were some of the best I've seen. The realism is almost unbelieveable, standing next to some of the images you can blend right in almost as though you had been painted there. They describe historic events and important people of Portsmouth. The artist even included himself in one segment, standing beside a platform as though he was just taking a break from painting a section of the wall.

Jamming with an old friend brings back lots of memories and makes the time fly. Soon it was midnight and I was facing a long drive the next day.

Coincidences

2008-08-27T13:50:00.006-05:00

Can anyone help document the history of this WWII facility?

Imagine my surprise when I found the below article in the August 17, 2008 issue of The Register-Herald in Beckley, WV. I grew up in middle Georgia a few miles from what was known as Cochran Field during WWII and just happened to be visiting relatives in WV on the date this was printed.

Stories, items being sought from WWII

I am seeking officers, enlisted men, WACs, Cadets, Britons, civilians and/or their families and friends who were stationed at Cochran Field, or lived in Macon, Ga., during World War II, who would be willing to contribute artifacts, photos, articles and stories pertaining to their experience with the men and women working there.If so, please contact: Mike Rowland, Archivist, WR-LC/MU, 1942 Heritage Blvd., Robins AFB, GA 31098-2442.
Ed Wolak
Moreland, Ga.

West Virginia mountains

2008-08-26T16:25:00.006-05:00

Time to catch up again. Everything was lush and green in the mountaineer state. On Hwy 12 south of Alderson is this large statue dedicated to John Henry, the coal miner made famous in a song many years ago when I was young. We spent several days visiting relatives in Alderson (Fort Springs I guess is more exact but harder to find on the map) and then in Beckley. This was my first time attending a reunion of the Light family, my paternal grandmother's family. A few days later there was some sightseeing to be done. The Grandview State Park near Beaver has some beautiful scenic overlooks like the one known as Turkey Spur where you can view the New River. The roadbed of the railroad is barely visible in this photo just beyond the foreground tree on the left. There was no train at the time but when you see them from this vantage point they appear to be tiny models. Aunt Nora and cousin Pudge are shown with me here at Turkey Spur. Back at Aunt Nora's the deer were having a field day in the front yard.

A Visit From The Twins

2008-08-12T21:33:00.000-05:00

Mom had checked out the playground a few days before, now the twins venture out of the shadows into plain view.

Street Corner Troubadours

2008-08-11T23:16:00.000-05:00

Adding a little music to the atmosphere outside Express Lunch on Main Street. The sandwiches were terrific and the music wasn't bad either.

Bishop's Castle

2008-08-01T21:48:00.000-05:00

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After an unproductive morning of fishing we stopped at Bishop's castle. Many Colorado residents do not know of it's existence, but luckily my sister-in-law was not one of those. It seems a strange sight when you round a curve on Sate Highway 165 just a few miles up the road from Lake Isabel and there in the trees is this rather odd looking structure, but no doubt that it's a castle. Jim Bishop has been building on his dream project by hand for much of his adult life. There is no admission, but donations are encouraged. Jim does work in town to earn a little bread money, but mostly to buy construction supplies. The rest of his time is spent constructing this stone castle. There are iron balconies and outside stairways, there is a large stained glass window and four stories to the castle. Jim was busy digging (again by hand) a huge trench connecting several dungeon like rooms when I stopped to talk with him. I won't get into his political views, but if you have a chance to talk with him in person you'll learn about that within the first five minutes. Jim has constructed all this himself and says it will never be complete as long as he wakes every morning. Quite a feat and a tribute to what one man can accomplish with very rudimentary tools.

Catching up

2008-08-01T12:37:00.000-05:00

I'm finally getting around to going through some of the pictures from our trip to Colorado. Most of our fishing was done at Lake Isabel, which is not way up in the mountains like some the lakes where we fished in years past. I believe the altitude at Lake Isabel is around 7,000 feet. Since I've developed an aversion to higher altitudes we have found this to be one of the more picturesque and accessible while still producing good size trout, usually that is. This trip proved to be the exception. You will no doubt note the absence of the "big fish" photo. Beautiful setting though if you want to spend most of a day enjoying nature. I was almost trampled by four deer like the one shown here. I guess that shows how still a fisherman can be when he's half asleep.

Bambi comes calling

2008-07-22T21:59:00.000-05:00

We've only been home a few days and out of the woods comes Bambi. Well, maybe it was Bambi a few months ago, but it has lost it's spots. No wonder it's been costing me so much to keep the bird feeders filled. This feeder is about 50 feet from the front door and I really didn't expect to see any deer at 3:00PM anyway.

Garden of the Gods

2008-07-20T19:35:00.000-05:00

While in Colorado at the foot of the majestic Rockies we took an afternoon to visit the Garden of the Gods. This was not our first visit there, and we were sure that we wouldn't see any changes in the landscape, but as it had been 3 or 4 years since our last visit we just wanted to once again be awed by something you just don't see everyday. Well I guess there was one new thing, I don't recall seeing this at the entrance on our last visit.

One thing to remember if you visit here, you are not allowed to climb anything over 10 feet high without a permit. The Park Rangers are ever present, although in too few numbers considering their job is both to keep people from endangering themselves and others as well as to preserve the wonders here for generations to come. Just remember to "leave only footprints and take only pictures" and we'll all be able to enjoy this place for a long, long time.

Eureka, It's back on line for me!

2008-07-07T18:54:00.000-05:00

I am in the process of moving my blog from it's previous Windows Spaces Live site to what I hope is a more user friendly host. There may be a few miss-steps along the way (so far I've not discovered how to transfer all the previous posts) so this may be like starting over "again". I was on revision three before but that was mostly due to the fact that I decided the theme was all wrong so it became what this blog will be; a lot about memories, and our travels, some old, but some current; and an occasional inclusion of my other interests such as photographing old barns with the hope of someday turning them into paintings in watercolor or some other media; but mainly it's about the music, country and bluegrass/gospel mostly by local musicians or at least some that I am acquainted with one way or another.