BILL LANDRY APPOINTED AS EAST TENNESSEE'S HISTORICAL COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE

I'm a little late getting this out, but I just received the press release about, and a photo of, my friend Bill Landry and his new book that is coming out next month*.  However, the current big news is his appointment as East Tennessee's Historical Commission Representative.

 _____________________

The official announcement reads:
Governor, Bill Haslam, announced on July 5, 2011 that Bill Landry has been appointed as East Tennessee Representative of the Tennessee Historical Commission. The appointment is effective immediately and runs through June 30, 2016. 

 

In making the announcement, the Governor writes:

“In the thorough, aggressive search for candidates, your individual characteristics and professional qualifications were exceptional among the number of nominees who expressed interest. I consider it very important to ensure that Tennessee’s boards and commissions are filled with the most dedicated and qualified citizens. I believe that your participation   is certain to leave a positive impact on this board and the work it does. 

 

Thank you for your interest in state government and for your willingness to serve your fellow citizens of Tennessee in this way. Please accept my very best wishes. I look forward to working with you and all Tennesseans to make our great state an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.”  

        

Landry is best known as the voice, host/narrator, and co-producer of THE HEARTLAND SERIES, which is in its 26th year of running on WBIR-TV, Channel 10, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Since it began in 1984, over 1,900 short features have been produced, including 150 half-hour specials. WBIR –TV suspended production of the short features in September 2009, but continues to produce four hour-long specials annually. 

Landry’s appointment coincides with the much anticipated publication of his new book, “Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures.” Celtic Cat Publishing will release the 200 page tabletop book in September 2011*. The book includes approximately 170 pictures and 100 stories that provide behind the scenes insight into the making of the Series.  

Most recently, Landry has been assisting with the development of the Princess Theater Educational Complex in Harriman, Tennessee; teaching at Lincoln Memorial University; working with Hallsdale/Powell Utilities, and doing voice-overs with Sevier County Economic Development Council for their web site. Landry lives in Tallassee, Tennessee with his wife, Becky, next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  

For more info:  Contact: Jim Johnston, 250-9964

*Bill's book will be sold locally at the Rocky Top General Store.  I'll let you know when it is available, and when Bill will be there to autograph your copy!

"THREE SOLDIERS" REPLICA TO BE ERECTED IN HARRIMAN'S RIVERFRONT PARK

I don’t normally go to Harriman’s City Council meetings, since I live in the county, but tonight a special presentation was scheduled that is dear to my heart.

David Webb, owner of the Rocky Top General Store, and for whom Harriman’s city park is named, along with Cliff Cole and Gary Todd, of the Harriman American Legion, informed the Harriman City Council Tuesday night of their plans to erect a full size replica of “The Three Soldiers” memorial in the “David Webb Riverfront Park”, as a tribute to Roane County Vietnam veterans.

The memorial, believed to be the only “full size” replica in the state, if not anywhere outside Washington D.C., will be placed in the park’s war memorial area near the present fountain. Long term plans are to place other memorials from America’s other wars in this area as money and support comes along.

The cost of the replica is thought to be between $12 and $14,000. The group did not ask the city for funding, but announced that funds for the monument would come from private donations and fund raising.

Anyone wanting to donate to the memorial can send a check to:

Riverfront Park
P.O. Box 1006
Harriman, TN. 37748

KEEP YOUR DRAWERS CLEAN #3

Yeah, I've done these types of post before, way back before Bruno even came on board, but I'll have to confess, these fishing lures were not in my drawers, thank God, but in my basement.  Click here for Drawers #1 and here for Drawers #2!

They were down there collecting dust, some rust, and some of the plastic lure skirts have begun to melt/deteriorate, causing a sticky mess in my tackle boxes.  If it weren't so damn hot I might cool them off a bit in the lake, but it is and has been.  So, they, like me, sit in the house only useful as reminders of the days when Judy and I used to fish.  

We had a nice bass/ski boat in the early 80's that provided lots of entertainment for about 4 years, then, in the 5th year, I decided to sell it before the tires dry rotted!  We had begun to look for excuses not to go to the lake; it's too hot, it's too cold, the winds blowing, or I think I heard thunder!  So, for the last year it sat there, still requiring monthly insurance, until we found a buyer that was as happy as I was the first day I bought it.  

They say "the two happiest days in a man's life is the day he buys a boat, and the day he sells it".  It's true, I felt the same emotion the day it was pulled away as the day I backed it into my carport!  Like most toys, they're just money pits.

We moved on to a "cement pond"...same thing applies...the day we moved from the pool was a glorious day.  I could actually appreciate fall again.  The pretty colored leaves did not fall into my pool and I was free - no opening, no closing, chemicals to balance!  The exact thought I had when I agreed with Judy to buy our current home in '94...no more leaves to skim off!

It seems that our toy phases came and went in 5-year cycles.  When grand kids came along, whelms for things of that sort seem to disappear, and I'm so glad.  The only thing we tend to do in 5-year increments now is to buy a new car, and possibly sex!

So, last night I was rummaging through my cool (temp) basement, looking for something "cool" to do inside, and found the old tackle boxes, with lures, and my fishing rods and reels.  I have to say, they brought back fond memories of days spent slowly working a plastic worm along the banks of Watts Bar, and its many islands, gently tugging on my line, listening to music ("catfish are jumping...black water keep rolling..."), sipping my favorite beverage, and talking to Judy.

I have to admit I miss it a little, but until I can afford to store my boat at a marina, and only have to call'em up and tell them to gas it up and sit it in the water for me, I will never own another boat.  Maybe I could rent...nah, I'd find some excuse not to go!

But, back to the lures, look at all the pretty colors...how many can you name (lures not colors)...or own?!

A few of them are on eBay and worth more than I paid for them, but I'll probably never get rid of them...unless my son wants them.  They just sit there, reminding me of the good 'ol days, collecting dust, and waiting for someone to either throw them away when I'm gone, or back in the water.

I like old things...mostly the old memories that go along with them...maybe that's why I like photography so much...memories preserved for a rainy day.  That's why I would have such a hard time putting a price on my lures and all the other junk I've accumulated over the years.  They're simply priceless!

WENT TO THE "COTTON PATCH" TODAY TO HEAR THE GOSPEL

Judy and I took my little momma to see "Cotton Patch Gospel" today at Roane State.  There was some mighty good singing going on there, and we got to know Jesus Davidson and his gang, and saw him in a whole new light!

Cotton Patch Gospel is a musical by Tom Key and Russell Treyz with music and lyrics written by Harry Chapin just before his death in 1981. Based on the book The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John by Clarence Jordan, the story retells the life of Jesus as if in modern day, rural Georgia.

I know the photo isn't the best, but it ain't easy doing existing light when you're trying not to get caught!

The play is often done as a one-man act, but Roane State Community College presented it with four actors  (Amanda Bacon, Brian Bacon, Jessica Humphrey, and Amanda Peavyhouse) and an ensemble of bluegrass players sitting to the right rear of the stage.  Each actor took turns as Jesus "Davidson" and various other characters from the Gospel of Matthew and John.  Jesus was was born in the town of Gainesville, Georgia, and was laid in an apple crate. He was baptized in the Chattahoochee River, he preached to a crowd of thousands on Stone Mountain, and he met his end in Atlanta.  Or so the modern story goes!

 

It was quite entertaining and my mom really enjoyed it.  I have to admit, after Judd kissed Jesus and Jesus stumbled off the stage pretending to be pushed along, tears came to my eyes.  Before I could recover in the darkness of the audience, off stage sounds of scourging and nails being hammered began.  Judy caught me as I wiped my eyes with my red bandana, and smiled.

Afterwards, we discussed the play and its modern take, over a great meal at the local Cracker Barrel!  

We got a surprise after the meal, Tracy and Katie Bug dropped in with their extended family and we got to hug and kiss in front of people trying to eat!  I didn't particularly care...it was the first time I've seen Katie in a couple of weeks.  She's a pretty as ever and indicated she may come by this coming week to go on a "'venture" with me.  There's this old Confederate cemetery that I'm dying to visit and photograph.  So, I'm hoping she comes along.

I'm looking forward to next week...got something new planned for Judy and me to do.  More on that later.

Also, I've been down in the basement photographing my old fishing lures...quite interesting and colorful.  You'll probably see more of that later too.

VISITING COREY

Corey has been hard at it for several weeks now; I think he puts in about 10 months of work a year at Harriman High as the "guidance counselor" and scheduling classes for all the students.  He even took a few questions today from teachers during our short visit.  I know he's busy and I hate to stop and bother him, but I can't help but see his vehicle as I pass by the high school on the way home and long to see him.  So, it was today...I just had to see my boy!

We always find lots to talk about, and if there is a lull one of us brings up the girls...and today was no different with him showing me new photos on his iPhone of Lily in her new kindergarten uniform with her new short haircut.  We're not used to the short hair yet, but she does look so cute and even a little grown up with it.

They grow up so fast...It seems like just yesterday I was rocking Corey to sleep while singing "Wild Fire", or playing football in the swimming pool, or watching him win his first pinewood derby, or teaching him how to walk through the woods deer hunting.  It all goes so fast, and it's all I can do to impress upon him every time we're together to spend as much time as possible with Lily and Kinsley.  Tomorrow they will be bringing boys home and the next day gone on a honeymoon, and he'll wish a thousand times he had them back home!

We are only promised 70 or 80 years, King James Bible - The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away, and it flies by so fast, and can even be cut short...way too short.

Anyway, I had a great day and visit with my son.  I pray we both receive our full due in blessed days!

So very proud of you son!

A TAILBONE TALE

I'm just sitting here, reflecting on the day, having a Smithwick's (properly pronounced smɪdɨks), and waiting on Judy's chili to simmer to taste!  Yes, it's hot, but it's a day that calls for chili to us.

I've been having tailbone issues since last May, and were it not for that issue I would have never known I had kidney cancer until way too late!  I had very uncomfortable "butt pain" on a trip to the Outer Banks last May, and a CT-scan, following a colonoscopy that didn't find anything internally wrong, revealed I had a tumor on my left kidney.  Had I not complained and became determine to get to the "bottom" of the pain, I may have died from, or at least have had to endure chemo for, the cancer.  So, I owe my extended life to "butt pain"!

Because the pain persist, I have been to the doctor since the kidney surgery trying to find a solution.  Injections and/or surgery are the answers I get, but neither of those options seem to be a long-term solution...at least so far as I can determine.  Therefore, I have turned back to chiropractic solutions as a means to end the pain.

Years ago I visited David Roberts, in Harriman, my wife's cousin, for relief from lower back pain.  He did wonders for me.  I recall times I slowly walked, or limped, into his office bent over; unable to straighten up, and the walked out standing tall!

His "punching doctor" (as my dad used to refer to them) methods completely relieved me of my back pain.  I had since learned to roll out my pains and catches on the floor and on a big blue exercise ball I purchased from him.

However, I now have a new problem for him to work on...my tailbone!

He gently messages and maneuvers the tissue in my coccyx area and then has his assistant, Tonya, a lovely young lady, place ultrasound pads on the painful area.  She leaves me to enjoy the twitching sensations for about 12 minutes.  After the manipulation and ultrasonic treatment I feel good!

The pain stays away for a long time, getting me to my next tri-weekly treatment, and back to blogging!

Judy also has lower back and hip pain and he's done wonders for her as well.  It's also a good time to catch up on his life and exchange family secrets!

Truth be known, I do way too much blogging, and seating on my ass, but a man has to do what a man has to do to update his 6 blogs and Flickr postings!

It was also time to head to Oak Ridge today for my bi-weekly allergy shots.  That's when Judy and I could see this tremendous thunderhead looming over our home.  We flanked the storm, missing all the rain, but when we got back to the Harriman area we could see that a lot of rain had fallen.

It's good to be home, sitting on my painless (for the moment) butt and blogging!

Oh, the chili was great!

IT'S BEEN A GOOD WEEK OF FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND BABIES!

It's been hot!  As evidenced by the car "home" panel, (note the 100 F) it has been an index of a hundred or more for what seems like weeks.  However, I did get out for a little photography this past week.  

This cornfield near one of my doctor's offices just kept calling me until I pulled over and gave in to some fun.  I have also been trying to keep up with our fast growing Surprise Lilies...they seem to change daily! (More on Flickr)

Thursday evening Judy and I again visited classmates to help plan for an upcoming SS&M Party (Social Security & Medicare) this September.  This particular group has remained close since graduating in 1964 and it takes several "gatherings/parties" to plan our normal every 5-year reunions and certain special celebrations like our turning 65 this year!

This year's "birthday party" should be a great one, poolside with the appropriate rock'n roll and country music, and tasty finger foods!  We are hoping several that have never attended will show up this year and join all the fun they've been missing. 

We all have jobs to do to prepare for the event, and I volunteered to update our contact list and send out an early email notice to get a feel for how many classmates to expect.

The music will be state-of-the-art iPod and wireless speakers, so '64 HHS class president Ronnie Thornton proved Thursday night that he had that project well in hand!

Friday afternoon was family time with most of the Dragons and Knights meeting at Aubrey's in Lenoir City to just celebrate being alive and together again.

Ron (right above) and Gary (second from right below) are planning long-haul camping trips soon, so we took this time to see each other one last time before they leave.  Neena's grandson Chandler and Lauren, Terri's boss's daughter, joined us.

Everyone has a personal favorite and mine is the peanut crusted catfish!  Judy always goes for the grilled chicken.

 




Saturday Judy and headed for Knoxville to visit Corey and "the girls"!  As I often do, I stopped by Wild Wings and picked up wings and sliders.  As I checked in with Corey before leaving, I could hear Kinsley shouting "I want hamburger daddy!  I want hamburger!"  So, Judy and I, with sliders with ketchup and pickles were soon, were on the way.

Kinsley (left) was in a great mood, as was Lily (center), and they both tried to get all of the attention.  Lily entertained us by reading, which she does extremely well, and Kinsley jabbered over her trying to win our attention over Lily.  It was so great, watching them jockey for time; Lily read and make several costume changes, while Kinsley also make quick changes and would show us all her toys!  

If you are a Facebook friend, you probably have seen my photo with the princess crown on my head.  Kinsley called it my hat and insisted I wear it the whole time!

After the wings and sliders, Judy and I spent some time up in the girl's individual bedrooms, playing games, watching them struggle into costumes (like the one at right), listening to story books as Lily continued to read, and laughed as Kinsley tried to do everything Lily did.

I'm so proud of Tia and Corey and how well they have taught the girls read, count, interact, and play nicely with each other. They really entertain themselves...all one has to do is watch and listen.  It's so much fun!

After a wrestling match with her daddy, it was soon Kinsley's nap time.  So we left soon after she went to bed, so Corey could have some down time too.  I can't wait for the next visit!                             

FUN AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE

People that know Judy and me know that we have fun pretty much anywhere we are, and today it was at the doctor's office!

Judy was following up on the health issue that caused her to pass out July 4th weekend by going to a neurologist today.  We sat, arms touching, her reading her Kindle and me playing Spider on my iPad, in the waiting room, until her name was called.

We sat looking around the doctor's little patient room at the posters of the brain, the little skeleton hanging from a hook on a table in the corner, and at the plastic brain supported by half a crystal skull, and listening to the sounds out in the hall.

Some man said, pecking on the wall, "This one is well contoured, and this one is fat and ugly."

Judy looked at me and asked, "Can he see into this room?"

I laughed, which started us both laughing louder!  Must have been too loud...the man and whoever was with him walked away.

Having forgotten my camera...I know...unlike me...I was just about to snap a photo of the little skeleton when the nurse came back in.  We had a private joke laugh going just about the entire time she tried to take Judy's blood pressure lying, standing, and then again after two minutes.  I'm sure the nurse thought us crazy, but she tried, to give her credit, to join in from time-to-time.

She left and I again tried to refire my iPad, but before it would boot the doctor came in!  I snapped the case shut and smiled while Judy sniggered.

He was a good natured fellow and soon found out Judy's secret...she's a hand full!

I was intrigued by the little doctor's bag the doc was carrying.  You don't see that anymore...I mean the little black doctor's bag like the one's flung up onto the buckboard as the doctor wheeled off to save another gunshot victim down at the saloon!

I wanted a picture of that so bad, but only half as bad as I wanted to dig around inside.  I sat looking at it until he noticed me and acknowledged that he was quite unusual, but I could not touch his bag!

He asked Judy to follow his finger and she complied, rolling her eyes in all directions for him.  He then asked her to touch his finger, and Judy surprised him by asking, "With what?"

He chuckled and agreed that his command should have been qualified a little.  "With your finger, touch my finger, and then touch your nose."

Judy complied and touched his finger with her finger and then started toward his finger with her nose!

"No...touch your nose with your finger!  Now, start over and touch, with your finger, my finger first and then touch your nose...with your finger!"

By then he understood that Judy was what some people call, a lot of trouble!  We both tend to look for opportunities to be funny and to catch people off guard with our literal interpretations of a given situation.

Bottom line, the doctor agreed with the ER doctors at Mercy West, and our family doctor that the episode on July 3rd was caused by blood pressure.  We have both since stopped taking BP meds until we have taken our pressure.  Thus far neither of us need medication.  Our weight loss has been enough, so we will keep an eye on it.

Afterwards we celebrated with a feast at Red Lobster!

By the way, the doctor is quite the photographer too...check out his work HERE!

MAN, IT'S SO HOT...HOW HOT?!

It's so hot here in Tennessee the squirrels in my yard are too hot to frolic!  Here's proof!

My wife called my name, in that low but urgent voice, today from the other room.  I knew immediately that she saw something outside that I needed to see, so I took the camera.  

 

My first thought was that it was another set of spotted fawns, or maybe another black snake raiding the birdhouse on the front porch for eggs, or maybe the hawk was again perched on the backyard birdhouse waiting for a juicy mouse to come along, but no.  It was this exhausted looking grey squirrel spread out on the railing of our deck, with each little leg hanging over the edge.  I kept looking for his tongue, but it was not hanging out...yet!

If there had been a cartoon speech balloon over its little head, I'm sure that's exactly what it would have said!

The heat index was just 93 today, cooler than usual, but believe me it's hot and humid enough to be late August!  

Hot enough to make the squirrels lay down and beg for mercy!

THE GOOD NEWS AND THE BAD NEWS!

The doctor told Judy she did not have a stroke!  She also agreed with the ER doctor that the episode was more than likely caused by low blood pressure brought on my her BP medication, the heat, and possibly because she was dehydrated.  

Her blood sugar is also perfect, with current meds, so that was not a cause either.

However, Dr. Tedder is sending her to a neurologists and back to her kidney doctor to see why one kidney is functioning below normal.  

Over all, that news is good and we'll eventually get to the bottom of it.

The bad news is that it cost me $1450 to get a new water line run the 150-200 feet from the meter up in the cul-de-sac.  I had that done back in 2000, but apparently the guy then used PVC to black pipe.  I think this job by "Downhill Plumbing" was done right using the latest in piping.  I even had a second run of pipe buried just for future use.

The pipe is guaranteed for 100 years, so I won't have to worry about that for a long time!

 

I suppose I'll sleep well tonight...haven't seen, smelled, or heard anything to worry about yet!

A RATHER UNTRADITIONAL JULY 4TH CELEBRATION

Well, our traditional 4th of July celebration began as usual, with the Knights and Dragons gathering at Neena and Ron's house.  Snacks were laid out, beers, and sissy girly drinks opened, and we assumed our usual opposite corners of the screened-porch to enjoy each other and, best of all, laugh!  In the back of our minds we all greatly anticipated the eating of the "low country boil"!

Not two libations into my Fourth, the sisters began calling my name.  At first I was irritated that they would interrupt me mid-conversation, but as I turned and looked in their direction I saw Judy's head bobbling and her sisters trying to attend to her!

My first thought was stroke..."oh please God...no"...and I rushed to her side.  Gary swooped in beside me and we tried helping her up, but it was obvious she couldn't stand...let alone walk. 

 

Gary and I then lifted her, with Gary (blue shirt nearest the camera) holding most of the weight, and we made it to the couch.  Gary hoisted her up over the back and dropped her on the couch.

The other sisters came running with cold wet cloths and an icepack from the freezer.  She would respond with "yeah" and shake her head, but nothing was flowing from her easily or clearly.  Finally after someone asked her where she was she said "Tokyo"!

This was the first time we all breathed easier, but we collectively decided to call 911.  She had gotten weak and had to be helped before, but this was really the first time she had gone completely out.  So, we called and the Roane County EMTs came in short order.

In the meantime we rubbed her with the cold cloth and icepack, and took her blood pressure. Her pressure was 53/40...although her pressure normally runs low, this was extremely low for her.

The EMTs came and they took her vitals and her blood sugar which was 93...fine.

Judy still didn't think she could stand, so they brought in the gurney and out the door they went with her.  I followed in our car, praying just about the whole time.  I lost them at a red light and so I made it to the hospital in Knoxville a few minutes after the ambulance.

Outside one of the EMTs said she was fine and inside being checked out.  The other EMT met me at registration and reassured me that she was fine.

I did the normal paperwork, using her Medicare card for the first time since we hit the magic age in May, and was then allowed in the back to see her.

Judy was fine...talking and making jokes about being a party pooper, and that we couldn't run with the big dogs anymore!  I was so relieved!

Her vital signs, the x-rays, the CT, and all the 6 vials of blood all checked out negative for anything.  The doctor said he could tell us what went wrong...just what wasn't wrong.  He released her and we made our way home.

We have both lost weight recently and our bodies haven't adjusted to it.  Therefore, the blood pressure medications we take are apparently pushing the pressure too low.  Like me, she will have to start monitoring her pressure and decide then whether or not she needs medication for the day.

The doctor said her pressure was probably low and the heat and laughter, which are both stressers he said, pushed it too low and she went out.  She had also had two teeth pulled last week and had been on pain meds.  All in all, it was just a combination of things, but she needs more tests.

By then it was nearly 10PM, so we stopped at Steak & Shake for a bite to eat.  It was the first we had since breakfast, besides a chip or two at the earlier gathering.

I just returned from meeting Ron in Kingston, about half way between our homes, and picking up our share of the "boil" from yesterday.  Judy is sleeping well, but when she wakes up I will heat up the food and we will celebrate the 4th quietly at home...thanking God that everything is okay again!

Come tomorrow...I will insist she go see our family doctor and try and make sure this doesn't happen again anytime soon.

Love you all...Mushy!

IT'S BEEN A BIT OF AN ODD WEEK

This week has been a mishmash of events; none of which match up in any way, shape, or form.  A bit odd, one might say.

The week's lineup of events really began Saturday when Judy left for Florida with her daughter and granddaughter, leaving me to mope about the house, washing the left over dishes, doing some laundry (so that I would have plenty of "bloomers" this week), and working on a new router I bought.

I pulled my hair out over the Asus router for three, almost full days, when I suddenly decided it wasn't worth the sleeplessness!  Routers, not purchased directly from Comcast, routinely do not sync-up with the standard Arris modem.  The Comcast modem will just not forget anything it has learned, like a MAC address of the last router connected to it, and therefore will not recognize any new modem!

Comcast don't care...unless the router belongs to them, and Asus assures a caller that if you turn of the power, remove the battery (modems that also provide telephony services contain a battery), and leave it for just 60 seconds the modem will recognize the router and everything will be coming up roses again!

Wrong...even if you leave the battery out, and unplugged the power overnight, you will find that the Arris modem has written the MAC down in pencil somewhere within its plastic body!

So...it's currently speeding its way back to Amazon as I write.

Monday was the day my little momma had to go back to her dental surgeon and dentist for one last checkup after she had her upper teeth pulled and replaced.  So, I drive her to the appointments and play with my iPad in their waiting rooms.

Everything was fine, so we go to the Cracker Barrel to eat...which was the fun part.

The previous week found me spending the night with her to make sure she didn't pass out from blood loss, and playing with my iPad into the wee hours.

About midnight mom woke up with a mouth full of blood!  She was bleeding badly, looking pale, and getting weak.  She was under strict orders not to remove her upper plate, so I couldn't tell what was going on.  She gargled with saltwater several times, but continued to bleed.

This would not have worried me have as much had she not been hospitalized just a month earlier from blood loss caused by an ulcer.  That had been a quick fix, with a pint of blood reviving her, but this was a new issue!

Finally, I said screw it, take the dentures out and let's see if we can stop the bleeding.  I remembered mom telling me that my dad had uncontrolled bleeding when his teeth were extracted back in the 70's, and she had made him clamp down on a tea bag.

So, I boiled some strong tea, soaked gauze in it, and put it in a thin line under her upper plate.  In thirty minutes the bleeding had stopped and she was asleep...leaving me to my iPad!

So now she is eating well and feeling great again.

Sunday, I spent part of Father's Day with Corey.  I met him at home and visited with his wife, Tia, and the girls, taking a couple of snaps before we left to go eat.  

We ate Wild Wings and had Maggie Moo's ice cream for dessert!  I plan to eat the leftovers tonight, with a little watermelon for dessert.

Tia's granny died over the weekend, so Monday evening was when the services were scheduled.  It was only traumatic for me because I couldn't find a decent thing to wear!  I know, sound like a woman, huh?!

I finally did find a button-up long-sleeved shirt to wear, but I had no matching tie.  I tried on my sport coat, the one I bought in 2009, and it hung on me like a GI pup tent!  It was a size 52, and apparently I'm a 42-44 now!  I had no idea I had shed that much...seriously, and I'm not even trying.

So, since it was 95 yesterday, 90 at 6PM, people seem to let it pass that I wasn't wearing at least a tie.  Thankfully, I wasn't the only one there dressed as casually!  

Corey didn't even have on a tie, but he at least had on a sport coat.  The other thing about Corey is that he sang so beautifully that I almost cried.  He is, if I may brag, super talented, and he and the fellow accompanying him on the guitar killed "My Savior's Love", published by Charles H. Gabriel in 1905.

This came just after my friend Kenny Isham delivered a touching eulogy for old friend Grace Bass (Tia's granny).  People seeing me tear up would have thought it was a traditional Baptist invitational moment, but it was really just so much pride and love for my son that had me on the jagged edge.

Then there was today, Tuesday!  I was told by my "husband-in-law" Gary yesterday that my Vietnam boots were on display at Riverfront Park.  I had given them to the American Legion here locally for a veteran's display, and they had loaned them out to a memorial artists to cast as the boots of a new memorial at the park.  The display was ready, so I went down to see what everything was all about.

I was totally taken aback by what I found (see photos)!  There were my 45 year-old jungle boots sitting on each side of an M-16, topped by a helmet in jungle cammo.  Wow, it is really nice, but the best part is that for as long as this lasts, my boots will be in public view!

I'm honored that they were used to commemorate fallen veterans, but especially our local fallen heroes.  I'm no hero, but at least I have provided a small token that will call attention to those that were/are!  Rest in peace my brothers in arms! 

Yeah, it's been a bit of an odd week, but I just spoke with Judy and everything is back in its place.  She has always been able to settle me down and help me to make some sense of this crazy world.  I can hardly wait for Saturday and her return.

A QUICK TRIP TO SAVANNAH, GEORGIA

We traditionally take Katie Bug (our oldest granddaughter) on a special vacation, just the three of us, each summer.  She always decides the destination, and likes places "old people", like us, enjoy.  We have such a great time, mostly watching her excitement as she learns about the bigger world around her, clowns around, or as she chows down on some crab legs!

This year's trip was just a four-day tour of Savannah and Tybee Island, Georgia.  It was about 7 and a half hours from Harriman, straight down Interstates all the way.  Judy did all the driving there and back, while I was saddled with the 'round-town driving.  I think I would have much preferred the Interstate!

Savannah is an easy place to get around, once you discover that the town was beautifully laid out in perfect squares with straight streets that lead to an from the Savannah Historic District.  Of course, the first thing you have to get used to are the squares, or little parks that are placed at every intersection in the historic district.  This squares are America's equivalent of Europe's "round-abouts".  You must slow down and follow around to your right in order to continue on your straight journey downtown.

Most of the "squares" contain a fountain, a statue, or monument dedicated to someone or some past historical event.  These squares broke up our straight trip up and down Abercorn Street each day as we traveled from our hotel to the downtown sites.

Judy picked out our hotel blindly on the Internet, so it was quite a distance from downtown, but the place was nice so we decided to stay put and just enjoy the trips to and from our planned destinations.

We loved walking on Bay and River Streets, watching vacationers and following them into various shops and restaurants.  River Street is like a little Gatlinburg with lots of unique shops and candy kitchens, and great places to get in out of the 90+ degree heat, cool off, and eat.

The Cotton Exchange Tavern Restaurant and Fiddler's Crab House were two of our favorite places.

The walking isn't hard, after all your are at sea level, but during the hot summer months you want to be sure to carry water with you, and you need to find a place to cool off frequently.  The heat is a "wet heat", very humid, so your body will know when it's time to take a break!

Katie loved the old buildings and cemeteries, and often said, while following me, "Papaw, do you have a duck in your pants!"  I told her no, but she would reply, "I don't know...I can hear it quacking!"  Sorry...I had to add that, she has a unique sense of humor!

We toured Bonaventure and Colonial Cemeteries and took loads of photos, but we never let our car get too far out of sight.  The heat was oppressive and we enjoyed the cool while relocating within the 600 acres!

Tybee Island was another great place to visit and shop, or to take a tour of the Tybee Island Lighthouse, or the beautiful grounds of Fort Pulaski.  Katie asked lots of questions and I answered or made up answers to every one!  It was quite interesting to see this bit of history.

We also toured the Sorrel-Weed House.  This house has a lot of history and even boast of having been a frequent lodging for Gen. Robert E. Lee when he was in Savannah.  The house is also reported haunted, which fascinated Katie.  She talked about seeing the house on TV and about the "orbs" that had been photographed there.

I tried to explain that "orbs" are nothing more than specs of dust that are captured by the reflecting flash on cameras.  However, she preferred to believe, and I did capture some "orbs/dust reflections" while in the basement!  You can see those and my other photos on my Flickr page. 

Katie was also impressed by the old deep south "pineapple" tradition.  Home owners would show off their wealth by going out and buying a very rare pineapple when ever visitors came to stay.  They displayed them on their mantels to show how welcome their guests were.

The pineapple stayed there during the entire visit.  However, if the guests overstayed their welcome the owner would simply take the pineapple down from the mantel and serve it at the next meal.  That was a signal for the guests to make an excuse for them having to leave.  Nothing had to be said, just put up or take away the pineapple!

Robert E. Lee, however, often carried extra pineapples with him.  So, if he got up one morning and the owner's pineapple was missing, he would simple place one of his own there!  Who knew he had a sense of humor!?