MUSHY AND "FAT" TAKE ON MUSIC CITY

Nashville is just a little over 2 hours west on I-40 from Harriman, so, in no time I pulled into the Holiday Inn Express Saturday morning, which was just off Murfreesboro Road. I flipped open my phone and found FHB on the contact list and pushed the button. Jeff answered, sounding sleepy, and with good reason. He and Denise had rolled in late the evening before, with her driving another 3 hours on north to Kentucky after dropping him off. She has a daughter and family living there.

Jeff had stayed up late grading school papers and goofing around with his camera, so when the phone rang at about 9, Nashville time, his alarm had just gone off moments before I arrived.

I checked in and met Jeff in the canteen area, where we shared a quick breakfast. He told me how his buddy’s had invited him to come to the big Civil War gun show. Three of the original 5 made the trip, driving all the way to Nashville from Texas in a single day. I must admit, I’ve never been dedicated enough to anything to drive that far for just a quick weekend!

However, it was well worth the short trip from Harriman to see Jeff. We’ve become fast friends over the past couple of years and it was good to get to share time, a beer, and a cigar with him, without having to wait a whole year.

After eating, we headed for Nolensville Road and the Tennessee State Fair Grounds, where The 22^nd Middle Tennessee Civil War Show and Sale show was being held! It was huge, with over 1,000 tables in 4 buildings, and thousands of buffs, reenactors, and others like us that were just curious!

As you can see from these photos, there were plenty of lookers, and again, let me emphasize…the place was huge!

Jeff just had to touch a few of the long rifles he lusted over for years, and even took a few chances on a “give-away” drawing.

The buffs and reenactors take this kind of show and their other annual meetings and war games, seriously. Most dress the part, in full North or South uniform, with their wife or girl friend wearing period Victorian dresses, full petticoats, and bonnets! Jeff and I would love to have dressed the part too, but we decided there weren’t too many fat soldiers…in any war for that matter! And, if there were, they probably didn’t last too long on the battlefield!

At one table Jeff finally found a “shootin’ iron” his size!

We took a lot of shots, but with the flash off, so as not to draw attention to ourselves! Some folks get a little paranoid when you whip out a camera at a gun show. Some get even more upset or antsy when you pick up their $4,000 rifle and pose with it! Jeff said, “I got is standing on my shoe.” However, the vendor didn’t feel a bit more comfortable!

I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I saw things I’ve read about or have seen in magazines, so it was good to get to touch and smell some of the history. Some of the things were a little out of place, like this 1930’s KKK hood and robe, but, still it was good to see real American history first hand! They only wanted $950 for it!

One little old lady behind one of the tables eyed Jeff’s t-shirt and remarked, “What does that shirt say?”

“It says ‘Thin the herd’ ma'ma,” Jeff explained.

“I don’t know if I would want to sell you anything or not!”

“Aw, he wouldn’t harm fly,” I said!

Well, we walked until we got the dreaded “gun show legs and back” and decided to head downtown Music City for a little lunch and cold beer. We ended up at Bailey's Pub and Grille on Broadway, where I used my Fox & Hound “mug club” card for cheaper Yuengling draft!

We both got the chick fingers smothered in a Jim Beam, maple syrup, and pecan sauce. The sweet tasting chicken sat atop a pile of coleslaw and green apple sticks! It was yummy, but we did eat a lot of chips to cut the sweet about half way through the meal.

Across the street, Jeff spied the famous Ernest Tubb Record Shop and wanted to go in to look for some Black Keys! As he raffled through the CDs, I broke the news to him…”You ain’t gonna find no Black Keys in here…it’s all country!” But again, it was fun looking around at all the memorabilia and other country music related objecto-de-artoes!

When we got back to the fairgrounds, the line for tickets at the “regular” modern gun show was short. At one time it had stretched for nearly a hundred yards, someone said, so we got tickets and went inside. Luckily this show was housed in only one building, so we made the rounds in about an hour and left.

Back at the motel, we lounged in Jeff’s room for a little while, snapping photos of each other, and watching the SEC Championship game. We stayed there for a couple of hours, still full from our sweet lunch, but around 6:30 we decided to go out and hunt a sports bar and finish the game there with beer and cigars.

We drove east down Murfreesboro Road past the airport, some five miles or so, and then started back toward the motel. Finally, we spotted a big sign that said “Out of Bounds”, and under it “Sports Bar & Grille”, exactly what we had in mind!

We were greeted at the front door by a nice little black gal, who seated us on the bar level overlooking the large restaurant, and right next to a table of 3 young well dressed black men. A waitress, an even nicer looking black girl, came and took our order, and then handed it off to the black girl tending bar.

It wasn’t until the old black wino, with very large bucked teeth, staggered over to our table that we figured out we had happened upon a neighborhood “sports bar” frequented by mostly black folks.

The fact that we were in a predominately black bar did not bother either of us. As a matter of fact, no one was staring at us, or seemed upset that we were there, and anyone who looked in our direction smiled and nodded at us. What was bothering us was this poor old guy standing before us talking in some secret “wino language” that neither of us understood. Had we been able to follow his conversation (make that one-sided conversation), we would have been very comfortable in swapping jokes, and answering his questions with some lies – but we couldn’t follow him…no one in the club could have I’m sure!

He was saying something about football, and gesturing something about how tall Jeff was, but I wasn’t sure. I thought, at one point, he asked me to buy him a beer, and I promptly said “NO.”

To which he replied, “Otay…I’ll buy huh un,” and proceeded to pull out his wallet. The billfold was packed with money, so he wasn’t a real bum, but he seriously needed to spend some of that money on some diction lessons!

He pulled out a 10-spot and said, “Raise yo han!” I figured out that was the accepted method of summing the barmaid, but I refused to hold up my hand!

Thankfully, the young manager came over and began persuading the man to move on and leave us along, but not before mistaking the man’s 10-dollars for ours! We explained that it was his, so the manager moved on to getting him away from us. After a little coaxing, he finally did move on, and a couple of the guys sitting near us said, “He’s harmless…don’t worry ‘bout it!” Obviously he was a regular to the bar and folks took care of him, and he had even been cut-off by the bartender!

We informed the manager that we were fine and that we intended to continue our business with him, at least for a couple of drinks.

I have always enjoyed how black folks party, and interact, and I was not intimidated in the least by the loud animated fun loving crowd. We watched as Florida killed Alabama, and joined in cheering, enjoying the banter between the evenly split Florida and Alabama patrons in the bar.

At one point, over Jeff’s shoulder, I saw the old man take a tumble from the steps leading down from the bar to the restaurant level. He rolled up into a tight ball and tumbled over to the entrance. I think I was the only one who saw him, and I didn’t want to make a scene by shouting, “Lookie over there…there he goes!”

So it was mine and the old man’s secret. He pulled himself up as quickly as he could (Mr. Bo Jangles played in my head), and shook himself all around, and made a gesture with one arm that made you know he was saying “Damn, I missed it!”

Back at the motel, Jeff and I shared a couple Chavis Regal drinks, watched TV and talked. It’s something that Jeff and I share; a comfort that allows us to share our inner thoughts, fears, and hopes like brothers. Jeff is good people and I lov’im…like a brother.

Sunday morning came, cold and with a bright blue sky. Denise had called, being just 20 minutes away, and so Jeff called and woke me. I showered and met them out front, and, after punching in “nearest Cracker Barrel” on my truck’s GPS, we were off.

I ordered the new sausage “Fireside Country Skillets^TM”, and enjoyed a couple cups of coffee with Denise and Jeff. I could tell they were both tired from Friday’s drive down, so I worried about their drive home. However, they seem to take long drives and sleep deprivation in stride…still young, you know!

Thanks brother for the great weekend in Music City – until next time!

At home, I found Katie Bug and Judy piled on the couch watching a movie. It was good to know that Katie had kept her granny company while I was out of town, but it was even better to be home again.

The last I heard from Jeff was from an outlet mall somewhere near Memphis…they were taking their time, and that was good.

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

There is already one special gift under my Christmas tree, and it will keep on giving for a long, long time!

Lily has been, up until the last few months, very shy around strangers, and Judy and I worked hard at not taking it personally. We knew it was just a small child’s way of dealing with unfamiliar people and surroundings.

However, over the last few months she has finally warmed up to Papaw and Momma Judy! Hopefully you can identify with the joy we both have been feeling over the small comments she’s started making, and the displays of affection she has progressively shown.

The first thing we remember is that one day while she and her parents were visiting in our home, Lily remarked that she wanted to stay! Corey started to put on her coat and said that she should give us a hug. Lily then said, “No, I want to stay!”

It was a little thing that probably went unnoticed by her mom and dad, but to us old folks it was a sign…a sign from above…the first sign that we meant something to her. It’s taken all of 3 years, but Papaw and Momma Judy are finally on her “A” list!

Judy and I took over the watch at 2PM last Tuesday. Tia had a doctor’s appointment, and put Lily down for her daily 1 to 3PM nap. We got there at about 2, so Tia could leave, but Lily could still be heard singing to herself in her room.

She has been put down, or in her room at 1PM every day since she was born. She has learned to stay in the room, whether she goes to sleep or not. She will not come out unless told she can, and usually falls to sleep within 30 minutes.

Tia told us that if she was still awake at 3PM, that we could go and get her.

Tia left and we sat there and listened to the monitor, not that we needed one to hear her. She was singing every song she knew, and when she wasn’t singing she was talking to herself. It was quite entertaining and funny at times.

Finally, just a few minutes before 3, I tiptoed back to where I could see her bedroom door. To my surprise the door was open, and all I could see were shoes and coloring books! For some reason she had lined all her shoes up across the floor in the opening of the door!

I went back into the living room and told Judy that I was going to let her come out. She agreed it was too late for her to be napping anyway.

“Liiiillllyyy,” I started softly, “come see Papaw and Momma Judy.”

She got very quite. I then repeated myself, but a little louder.

“Dat you Papaw?” she asked.

“Yes, it’s Papaw…come see me!”

She came running down the hallway to where I squatted with open arms. Instead of the bowed head and wrinkled brow upon seeing me, as we were accustomed to, she ran right into my arms and allowed me to hug her! It was so special, a moment that will be with me until my dying day. The perfect gift for an old man that will keep on giving!

We played, sang songs, and read books together, but mostly we did a lot of hugging!

A GOOD DAY FOR LEFTOVERS!

Judy, Katie, and I went to our “hide-out” today and walked off a little Thanksgiving.

It wasn’t the best of days for a hike, since it drizzled on us, but we enjoyed it just the same.

I pushed the ISO setting on my Nikon S7c to get more light, and got some fair shots of the Pepper Box bathed in a cold rain.

The rocks crossing Clifty Creek were slippery and we took the time to plan our steps and offered each other a hand at times.

Judy and I tried to recount the days we have spent in this isolated area, and how much it meant to us, but outside appreciating the beauty of the place Katie can’t really understand.

When I come upon the clearing where we used to camp, I see guys sitting around a fire, chucking in another log, laughing, and pulling the “pop top” off a can of beer! She can only see the brown and yellow of the leaves, the green of the hemlocks, and hear the sound of water dripping on rocks from the bluff above. Both mental and real images are beautiful in their own way, so I guess we really do share a mutual love and appreciation of the “Pepper Box!”

The drizzle began just moments before we had planned to turn around and head back. We kept to the path that travels along under hemlocks, so we didn’t really get that wet. The hemlock canopy kept us pretty dry until we made the road. From there to the truck, about a hundred yards, the rain came down a little heavier and we were somewhat chilled. The truck’s heater felt pretty good on the way home and dried us out.

At home, we attacked the refrigerator and loaded up paper plates full of sweet potatoes, dressing, slices of ham and turkey, and broccoli and rice casserole! Man, I believe it tasted better than it did Thursday!

Comfy and warm with full bellies, Judy and Katie settled in under a comforter on the couch, and watched a movie on TV. Baylee and I went to the computer room to work on the many photos I shot over the last few days. Soon, everyone but me, was snoring away…Baylee the loudest I think!

I sure hope there are some desserts left for later on!

THANKSGIVING – THE MAIN EVENT

Judy and I began our Thanksgiving morning by stopping by to visit Tracy, Katie, and Eddie. Katieinsisted I play Guitar Hero, but of course I was no good at it! I’d have to have that program alone in my computer room for a few weeks before I’d ever be comfortable playing it in front of anyone, let alone her!

Of course she has it down and plays it on the “hard” setting! I just stood proudly by, watched her, and listen to the great old rock tunes coming out of the speakers.

Then it was off to Charlotte and Gary’s for the main event…beer, cigars, and food!

Steve and Ron introduced me to at least three new brews; Winter Hook – Winter Ale, Sierra Nevada – Anniversary Ale, Boulevard Brewing Co.’s Pale Ale! They were all very tasty, but I suppose I like the Winter Ale the best with my Macanudos!

However, I stuck with Yuengling for the rest of the afternoon. It has just achieved the best relationship with my taste buds!

The fellowship began with all the Knights taking turns sitting in Ron’s new Highlander! We all spent several minutes each inhaling the “new car smell” before indulging! That’s such a nice smell.

Then it was time to take the obligatory shots of the Dragon Sisters! The main purpose of this photo was to document the conclusion of Steve’s efforts to make them all “hiking sticks”, customized for each Dragon. They also wore their Dragon necklaces to complete the dragon ensemble!

Then of course, Terri had to show off her new bosoms! Finally, after recuperating from her reduction surgery for several weeks, she was ready to display them! Steve says he still hasn’t seen them!

Finally, if was the Knight’s turn to get into the holiday action…this photo was the last time we were able to stand until it was time to go home! Naturally, Steve “passed out”; he had rather have people think he passed out than that he was taking a nap, which was the real case!

I snapped this shot as Ron leaned toward him pretending to kiss him while he was aslee…ah, passed out! We thought about sticking something in his ear, but it was too cold!

The food the Dragons killed and prepared was delicious…I’m still stuffed and uncomfortable as I write this, and going out with the Knights for our traditional “Black Friday” manly-man shopping spree and beer tasting didn’t help much!

Steve got himself a nice Mossberg .410 pump at Gander Mountain today!

Here he is just beginning the one hour wait for his background check! Ron and Gary abandoned him and went to the car, while I waited around, smiling and pretending I was having a great time. Actually, I was having a good time…it’s been a while since one of us bought a gun while the others were around! Further, I had left him alone at Best Buy and I needed to make it up to him!

Anyway, back to the food…look at it! It was wonderful and I didn’t include it all, or the desserts!

There was considerably less cackling and conversation once the tryptophan and sugar hit our veins! However, there was plenty to go around prior to and during the feast!

Yes, we took the time to be thankful too, remember that back in the early summer Ron won his battle with lung cancer. We are so thankful that we still have everyone, and pray we have many more holidays ahead of us.

I sure hope your last two or three days were as good as ours. Just think…Christmas is just around the corner! At least two more opportunities to gorge myself before starting on some lame diet for New Years!

See ya!

A PRECURSOR TO THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING…early!

This beautiful and yummy cheese ball and vegetable center piece, resembling a turkey, was created by Jan, the mother of my brother’s children. Yes, both Wade and I still share our lives with our ex’s, but it means a lot to our kids and grand kids. Truthfully, our ex’s are very nice people, as long as we aren’t married to them! We all get along quite well.

Yes, I have started eating so much lately that I need to pre-stretch my stomach for holidays, by attending a large feast at least three before the main event! So, we had a precursor Thanksgiving meal at mom’s Sunday.

My brother is only a holiday visitor, or at least that’s the way it seems of late, so, since he has to work Thanksgiving, we took this time to join together in family fellowship over some turkey and ham. Wade is an aircraft mechanic for Continental Airlines, working primarily on the cargo fleet in Charlotte, NC. He gets little time off, so mom tries to have gatherings around his schedule.

There were plenty of the traditional foods for everyone, with lots left over, even though there were some rather large eaters swarming the table like a pride of lions on a downed wildebeest!

Mom even got in some cooking lessons for Christy (in red top - Wade’s youngest daughter), teaching her the fine art of cornbread muffin and coleslaw making! You can tell by mom’s smile and clinched fists that she was thrilled to have the house full of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren again! It really tires her out these days, but to her it’s worth it to have those she loves near her. She’ll spend the rest of this week, cleaning, and getting things back in order! She’s a bit of a neat freak…not that I’m not!

You can see Brad (Danielle’s husband), Shane (Christy’s husband), and Wade (my brother) begin the circling formation. After a brief prayer of thanks, I join them in line. The men eat first in this family, unlike with Judy and the Dragons, who always eat first!

Christy made the “Butterfinger Cake”, and Jan (Christy and Danielle's mom) made the “Pumpkin Roll”! Both were very tasty! The rolls came in male and female versions, since some of the girls don’t like nuts in their punkin’ rolls!

Later, on the sun-room couch, Wade, Danielle (his oldest), her children Addie and Kaylee, and Christy (Wade’s youngest) squeeze in around Granny (mom)! Mom was where she had wanted to be since last Thanksgiving!

In the kid’s photo, you can see Jan hiding behind Kaylee and Addie. However, I caught a snap of her earlier as she shared photos with Wade, of the girls at the Knoxville Zoo.

Outside, Wade showed off his new Smith & Wesson .40 cal. semi-auto (under left arm). Nice piece!

Nope, no photos of Judy and me…we were there, but can’t prove it!