tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80381169959950234002012-01-18T19:31:50.852-06:00Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.comBlogger2061100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-79442537392829068072011-07-06T05:05:00.001-05:002011-07-06T05:05:00.351-05:00

to share a few thoughts on the Casey Anthony trial. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 24 hours, by now you're well aware that after about 10 hours of deliberation, the jury found Casey Anthony not guilty of first-degree murder, child abuse and whatever else - other than some misdemeanor charges of lying to police.The world, led by that blowhard Nancy Grace, immediately was

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-85271192538620729492011-07-05T17:01:00.004-05:002011-07-05T17:05:15.420-05:00

Well, it was good while it lasted. OK, truth be told, it was GREAT while it lasted.I left town around lunchtime last Tuesday, headed for the peace and tranquility of the Smoky Mountains. I arrived in Townsend around 6:30 p.m. Eastern time and decided to make a quick trip through Cades Cove, both in an attempt to see some wildlife and to get a quick taste of the next few days.It was not too

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-21903774577928472002011-05-25T23:54:00.002-05:002011-05-26T00:03:55.956-05:00

It's been almost a month since the deadly storms of April 27 swept across our lovely state. There are still far too many signs out there of the destruction, but progress is being made. People have pitched in to help, donated time, money, clothing and supplies.FEMA is here helping, even though you haven't heard our governor or any of our mayors whining on national TV about needing the federal

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-17355287351947590662011-05-05T06:50:00.000-05:002011-05-05T06:50:00.942-05:00

Two amateurs chased the Tuscaloosa tornado in their vehicle - with a video camera. Watch the entire video (WARNING: There is some profanity in this).

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-3273484582220039242011-05-03T07:24:00.001-05:002011-05-03T07:24:00.890-05:00

There's been so much said, written and shown in pictures and video since the destructive tornadoes and storms moved through our state last Wednesday. But, living so close to four of the hardest hit locations, I've heard stories that many others in my own city, let alone our state or the nation, may ever hear. I thought I would take an opportunity to share some with you.******A good friend loaded

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-84506349955103209182011-05-01T14:47:00.004-05:002011-05-01T15:07:55.362-05:00

I headed out of town on business Friday afternoon, only to find myself stuck in a virtual parking lot on Highway 78. The highway leads from Birmingham to the northwest section of the state and eventually through Mississippi up to Memphis.At first, I thought it was an accident. Twenty minutes later, when I had moved about 50 feet, I knew it was something worse. Then I saw a highway sign, and I

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-66539800124659728832011-04-28T14:40:00.006-05:002011-04-28T14:56:56.904-05:00

Pratt City - about two miles north of where I workIt's bad that I have forgotten about this blog for so long, but after the past 36 hours or so, babbling about my vacations doesn't seem appropriate. I received e-mails on new comments. I had a feeling I knew what they were about, so I am posting this as a collective response.The damage and loss of life continues to be reported. Who knows when the

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-84594092518799003292011-03-17T06:42:00.000-05:002011-03-17T06:42:00.470-05:00

I left town shortly after lunch, headed for a couple of days in the peaceful serenity of the mountains. The forecast for the area overnight was rain (snow in the higher elevations) but clearing by Friday morning. It was after dark when I got to Townsend, ready to drive through a portion of the park to get to Gatlinburg rather than fighting the traffic of Knoxville, Sevierville and Pigeon Forge.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-31686892433544354962011-03-11T07:54:00.000-06:002011-03-11T07:54:00.148-06:00

Nearly 19 months since the last trip (and that's about 16 months too long), I'm taking my new equipment and getting to the mountains.This weekend.As fast as I possibly can.My mental and emotional well-being are so excited, they almost can't stand it.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-1178450610995928532011-03-01T06:11:00.000-06:002011-03-01T06:11:00.615-06:00

I headed back up through the main part of the camp, past the staff building and the first aid building - neither of which appeared to have changed (at least from the outside) after more than 25 years.I crossed through the former parking lot/current dining hall space and headed up to the other side.************This is the trail headed up to the shooting ranges. Again, much like the trail to the

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-24502889895902674512011-02-25T07:27:00.000-06:002011-02-25T07:27:01.051-06:00

Having recovered from the sight of that ridiculous water slide and enjoyed some memories of the glorious canoe tug-of-war battles on Friday afternoons before departing on Saturdays, I headed back up the trail to check out some other areas.***********************I wandered down the trail toward two of the campsites we most frequently occupied - Boone's Place and Raccoon Hollow (if you think those

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-6308259299514142872011-02-23T06:39:00.000-06:002011-02-23T06:39:02.021-06:00

OK, where were we? Oh, yeah, we left off at the commissary. Let's continue our little trip down memory lane.******************************Wandering from the commissary/trading post, I headed down toward the waterfront. This was a pretty popular place, given that temperatures were usually in the 90's with a heat index around 100, if not higher.Topping the hill and walking down, it was much the

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-11604473328512555152011-02-21T20:49:00.010-06:002011-02-21T21:14:20.788-06:00

NOTE: I have been extremely delinquent. I do sincerely apologize. I have all sorts of ideas, but I've made no effort to sit down and put them together.On the return home from Atlanta following the Falcons' loss to Green Bay in the playoffs back in January, I decided to take a brief detour. I went in search of Camp Sequoyah, the summer camp I used to attend as a Boy Scout, located near the base of

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-76419139999573019042011-01-31T07:35:00.000-06:002011-01-31T07:35:00.358-06:00

where you just want to sit around and play with your tail while a bunch of people watch you through a big sheet of glass?Me neither.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-86390630856540379732011-01-11T21:26:00.000-06:002011-01-11T21:26:00.264-06:00

Well, if you thought Sunday night and Monday morning was an adventure, it was.But Monday afternoon and evening had some excitement, too.I monitored the temperatures and the significant amount of moisture/ice/snow on the roads much of the afternoon. They were predicting temperatures to drop to 32 degrees by 6 p.m., and the mess would begin.Around 5:30, I decided it best to go in search of dinner

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-83188435401003534912011-01-10T13:28:00.006-06:002011-01-10T13:57:58.900-06:00

Wow. I made a quick overnight trip to Atlanta on Saturday evening to meet up with some folks and unwind a bit. On Sunday, it was back home to beat the expected snow/ice that was coming.I did beat it. Just barely. Ice pellets were falling as I came into town, and it only got worse from there. But, with my luck, I couldn't go straight home. Oh no, we had an event at work. I headed into the office,

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-65904160894271703132010-12-31T06:54:00.002-06:002010-12-31T06:54:00.504-06:00

Happy New Year, everyone. Here's hoping you all have a great 2011.I do still owe you a summary of my Christmas Eve Extravaganza 2010; I will get to that very soon after I get all of the various pictures off my phone.In the meantime, I guess I have been living under a rock. I didn't find out until yesterday that Jaime Edmondson, the January 2010 Playboy Playmate, was in Trace Adkins' video for, "

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-79886790206036099632010-12-29T23:42:00.002-06:002010-12-29T23:47:34.400-06:00

I stopped by my parents' house Tuesday morning on the way into work; my nine-year-old nephew had spent the night with them on Monday.In between mouthfuls of Honey Nut Cheerios, he was telling me all about the TV show he had watched with my parents the night before, "Antique Roadshow." I've never seen it before, but apparently it's similar to one of those shows where people bring in junk from

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-18641114617482488832010-12-23T10:03:00.004-06:002010-12-23T11:05:18.525-06:00

For the past several years, I have done my Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. I get up very early, have breakfast and spend the day shopping. This "tradition" started partially because work leading up to the holiday had kept me extremely busy, but I quickly learned that I enjoyed it.That's right. I enjoy doing all of my Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Why? Well, for the majority of my list

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-12290675613655953702010-12-13T07:13:00.000-06:002010-12-13T07:13:00.206-06:00

While spending my Friday night watching re-runs of "Criminal Minds," they had a quick quote at the end of the episode about a "vampire" rock singer that looked a lot like Marilyn Manson. It was something about writing, and I guess they used it because the singer character talked about just wanting to write music when they told him he didn't commit the murders.I remembered it momentarily, but I

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-90931908007160073682010-12-12T08:17:00.000-06:002010-12-12T08:17:00.283-06:00

I stopped by my parents' house on the way into work yesterday morning. My father was up and reading the paper with his morning coffee. The Christmas tree lights were much closer to correct, with only one small section not lit.I told him that was close enough; he said it wasn't for my mother. He said she told him the night before that she would not hang a single decoration on the tree until all

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-38280027265237506762010-12-11T08:38:00.000-06:002010-12-11T08:38:00.341-06:00

The morning after witnessing the prostitution transaction at a local gas station (oh, come on, you don't have a more logical explanation, I'm sure), I stopped by my parents' house on the way into work. They were keeping my 3-year-old nephew for the day in the midst of my mother's Christmas decorating. Her decorations and a 3-year-old don't seem to mix as I recall the "instructions" not to touch

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-91837610335304348762010-12-10T07:01:00.000-06:002010-12-10T07:01:00.958-06:00

would you do it at a gas station?No, I'm not talking about she's standing around outside the station, looking for a trick. I'm talking about you're sitting there in your fancy sports car at 11:45 p.m., lights on and engine running.Another car pulls up and stops at one of the gas pumps. After a minute or so, the passenger gets out. A tall, slender blonde woman who slowly walks over from that car

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-51140531369937081582010-12-09T07:34:00.002-06:002010-12-09T11:01:11.239-06:00

My previous boss had a sign in his office that read, "It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others."I think that would apply to the people in this video. I'm not sure which is worse. The person who went flying off the roof - or the ones who helped the person do it.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-83166771862000168192010-12-08T07:36:00.000-06:002010-12-08T07:36:00.523-06:00

So a new day gave the powers that be at UPS a chance to redeem themselves.Or simply to confirm my theory that they suck.I had a message from a lady at the local office saying she was calling about my package that I wasn't able to pick up last night. I called back. After being on hold for about five minutes waiting for her, she was on the line.I gave my name; she had no idea why I was calling. I

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-68406568493355361142010-12-07T07:24:00.001-06:002010-12-07T07:24:00.229-06:00

You suck.What ... you need some explanation for that? OK, but just remember. You asked.On Cyber Monday, I did my part by ordering some CD's from Best Buy. These were discs that I couldn't find in stores anymore (thanks to the ever-dwindling selection offered by most every store I frequent), all at $6.99 and with that ever-popular internet sales pitch - free shipping!!!!Strangely enough, six of

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-1203554044393733792010-12-06T06:27:00.000-06:002010-12-06T06:27:00.143-06:00

I listen to music. A lot.And as we approach Christmas and the holidays, I thought I would share some of my favorite Christmas songs. These are in no particular order:"I Wonder As I Wander" by Vanessa WilliamsIt's hard to believe that this is the same woman who lost her Miss America title over some Penthouse pictures showing her in poses with another woman. Her voice is amazing."Carol Of The Bells

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-44744459288422772172010-12-04T14:51:00.003-06:002010-12-04T15:01:02.189-06:00

Earlier this week, much to this disappointment of Alabama fans and many others, the NCAA ruled that Auburn junior quarterback Cam Newton remains eligible after determining that his father, Cecil, asked boosters for Mississippi State University for $180,000 to have Cam sign with the Bulldogs.It's been amazing to hear the outcries and conspiracy theories. It's a wonder some of these people ever get

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-56621316958870207922010-11-25T13:31:00.004-06:002010-11-25T13:34:10.668-06:00

OK, so I thought I would type in the URL, and it would say that this page had been deleted due to lack of activity.Fortunately, I was wrong.It's Thanksgiving Day. I hope everyone is having a wonderful time with family, friends and food. Here, it's Thanksgiving as usual at my parent's house. My brother, sister-in-law and my two nephews will be here in a few hours. That's always an adventure.I'm

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-46213093542236720282010-09-06T07:42:00.000-05:002010-09-06T07:42:00.422-05:00

Over the weekend, news reports said that Craiglist is cleaning up its adult ads. Basically, you can no longer offer/seek sexual encounters and other adult-related business through Craigslist.Not bad.Now if they would just require some form of identity check and registration for people offering items for sale. That way, when a criminal is selling $3,500 worth of stolen property at the bargain

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-70529810689864143922010-09-02T08:12:00.000-05:002010-09-02T08:12:00.644-05:00

Well, it seems that they arrested two men in Chicago for plotting a terrorism attack. One of the two men apparently flew to Chicago from right here in little ol' Birmingham.How did they figure it out? Well, he was stopped at the screening checkpoint by TSA staff for his "bulky clothing." They were also concerned by items in his checked baggage. Included in his baggage were the following:* A cell

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-11655490088466297892010-08-31T07:25:00.000-05:002010-08-31T07:25:00.318-05:00

Unless you've been living in a cave for the past couple of months, you probably know by now that Brett Favre has come out of retirement for the 173rd time in his NFL career.Just kidding. It hasn't been 173 times. But it has been too many.Personally, I couldn't care less about Favre and his first retirement (from the Packers). Or when he came out of retirement to play for the Jets. Or when he

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-16675575572588827612010-08-27T07:33:00.000-05:002010-08-27T07:33:00.566-05:00

On August 11, at Dallas-Forth Worth Airport, families and members of the SLANT 45 Project were on hand to welcome home 145 members of the United States military who were returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. SLANT 45 is a project originated by the North Texas Super Bowl Host Committee to welcome service members home.According to this article on CNN.com, more than 750,000 service members have been

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-16364971997075263742010-08-25T06:00:00.000-05:002010-08-25T06:00:02.624-05:00

In the year-plus now since a spineless coward of a thief took my camera equipment, sold/attempted to sell it on Craigslist (a bargain at only $500 for almost $3,500 worth of equipment!!), only to be surpassed on the "OK, you're officially an asshole" list by anyone and everyone at Craigslist themselves, I have spent a great deal of time admiring other people's photography.Especially those whose

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-5162800245374347212010-08-23T06:01:00.000-05:002010-08-23T06:01:00.203-05:00

Can feel it?It's timeIt's time for every one of usIf we get knocked downWe won't just get upIt's time we all rise upWhen stars step upWhen a dome stands upWhen a city lights upWe all rise up togetherWhen we come on the fieldWe rise upFrom kickoff to the last playWe rise upThis is our time, AtlantaWe've been knocking on the doorNow it's time to blow it upTell me, what do Falcons do?What do Falcons

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-59070103085102170722010-08-20T07:28:00.001-05:002010-08-20T07:28:00.061-05:00

NOTE: Be patient and get through the 30-second ad at the start. I prefer to use VEVO links because they won't be deleted for "copyright infringment" tomorrow or next week.By now, you've probably heard some of the "discussion" regarding Eminem's latest song, "Love The Way You Lie." It includes Rihanna (yes, the same Rihanna who was beat up by Chris Brown). If you haven't heard the song or seen the

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-30787447313392364362010-08-18T07:12:00.001-05:002010-08-18T21:00:36.873-05:00

I took a psychology class in 10th grade. The teacher was perhaps the coolest teacher I had in high school (you'll have to forgive me for not remembering her name since it was around 27 years ago).One day, about middle of the semester, the teacher gave us an in-class assignment. We were supposed to write about a problem we had. She would then go through some of the submissions, read them out loud

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-87491048480858343682010-08-16T06:48:00.000-05:002010-08-16T06:48:00.652-05:00

No, the title of this post is not in any indicative of what I've been doing since my last post. I'm not saying that it's not needed; I'm just saying that's not what I've been doing.On the Sundays when I'm working and don't get finished early enough to go to the local Chili's for a few beers and dinner, I catch an "advice" talk show on one of the local radio stations. It's a syndicated show, and

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-26930745531734467872010-06-24T06:16:00.000-05:002010-06-24T06:16:00.138-05:00

Despite accounts and assumptions to the contrary, Gen. Stanley McChrystal was not fired by President Obama on Wednesday. According to accounts reported by CNN, the general briefly discussed the article in Rolling Stone. Gen. McChrystal then offered his resignation.All of the politicians who went out of their way to insult the general and interfere, however indirectly it may have been, with his

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-91697013811076527112010-06-23T05:58:00.001-05:002010-06-23T12:30:47.078-05:00

By now, I'm sure most everyone has heard at least a piece of one version or another of the "controversy" between President Barack Obama and Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Gen. McChrystal and members of his staff were interviewed for a feature published in Rolling Stone magazine (excerpts are available at the magazine's website).From what I've read, McChrystal is a career military man with more than 30

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-63998020345996631942010-06-20T00:55:00.001-05:002010-06-20T00:57:24.120-05:00

Just the thought of Lady Gaga's music makes me nauseated, but when I saw this "collaboration" with Cartman and Christopher Walken, I couldn't stop laughing.Hope everyone is doing well.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-53055192640547066872010-05-06T06:02:00.000-05:002010-05-06T06:02:00.394-05:00

A friend and former co-worker posted a link on Twitter yesterday about a fundraising effort by Kentucky Fried Chicken. They have special pink buckets for chicken, and with every purchase of a pink bucket, they make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. He made a positive comment about the effort.And that, apparently, is when it began to hit the fan.He was posting responses to folks

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-57367294272121228892010-04-30T07:56:00.000-05:002010-04-29T23:12:09.891-05:00

Years ago, when "The Regular Guys" were the morning show on 96 Rock in Atlanta, they created a T-shirt with a logo on the back that showed a crow with a red circle around it and a slash through it; below the logo, it said, "KEEP YOUR CELEBRITY OUT OF MY POLITICS."The shirt was in reference to Sheryl Crow who, at the time, was using her celebrity status to attempt to gain support for a particular

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-13450565541209598012010-04-14T06:23:00.000-05:002010-04-14T06:23:00.514-05:00

Danica Patrick and the Izod IndyCar Racing League were in town this weekend for the inaugural Indy Gran Prix of Alabama. Unfortunately, I didn't see Danica and her beaver out at any of the local clubs prior to Sunday's race.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-72391346103290460592010-04-12T06:52:00.001-05:002010-04-12T06:52:00.360-05:00

If you follow golf at all, and perhaps even if you don't, by now you know that Phil Mickelson won his third Masters yesterday, posting a three-shot victory over Lee Westwood. It was the first tournament that Mickelson's entire family has attended since his wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Mickelson's mother, also fighting breast cancer, attended on Thursday. Folks thought Amy would

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-69938623408530794932010-04-05T07:12:00.000-05:002010-04-05T07:12:00.839-05:00

Well, here it was. Easter Sunday.More important than the religious significance and the holiday was the fact that it was my first full day off from work in more than a month - and the only one I'll have in April.So, given that, it was set for a day of excitement. I briefly considered the idea of heading over to Hooters to sit at the bar, have a few Coors Lights and watch sports. But I didn't.The

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-27703996259297915442010-03-29T07:04:00.000-05:002010-03-29T07:04:00.276-05:00

So the other day I decided, somewhat out of a brief period of boredom, to sign up for match.com. I figured, if nothing else, I'd see what it turned up.But, after about 10 minutes or so, I was only about 20 percent into the profile process, and said, "To hell with it," and went on to something else. Perhaps that's a sign of Attention Deficite Disorder or something similar, I don't know.Anyway,

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-53012670283633418602010-03-17T07:50:00.002-05:002010-03-17T07:50:00.322-05:00

There is yet another media vs. privacy issue brewing, this time involving Hustler magazine. A writer for the magazine - yes, a writer - requested copies of the crime scene photographs from the murder of Meredith Emerson. Emerson was the 24-year-old Georgia woman who was found naked and decapitated in the woods of North Georgia in 2006. Gary Michael Hilton is serving life without parole for

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-91693367288482750742010-03-15T06:18:00.000-05:002010-03-15T06:18:00.352-05:00

I made a trip to Best Buy last Wednesday. The primary focus of the trip was to pick up the "Valleys of Neptune" release by Jimi Hendrix. But as I wandered through the CD selections, I found a couple of other selections to pick up. They had Gary Allan's new release, "Get Off On The Pain," on sale, as well as "War Is The Answer" by Five Finger Death Punch. A quick trip was getting a little big

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-42630541798040072132010-03-13T07:21:00.000-06:002010-03-13T07:21:00.172-06:00

I found DontEvenReply.com from a link shared on Twitter. Apparently the creator of this website (who remains anonymous, and you will quickly understand why) comes up with creative responses to ads on Craigslist. He then posts the e-mail exchange between himself and the unsuspecting customer on his website.The most recent one involves him posing as an auto mechanic, responding to a post about poor

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-66773811531415897512010-03-12T11:21:00.004-06:002010-03-12T11:43:04.180-06:00

On Tuesday, a CD with 12 previously unreleased songs by the late Jimi Hendrix went on sale. If there was a single doubt in anyone's mind as to the amazing talent Hendrix had, it should be erased with this reminder.From the very start with "Stone Free," I was reminded of his incredible skills playing the guitar. I was blown away with "Hear My Train A Comin'" and the instrumental version of "

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-30009420445565208072010-03-03T16:05:00.004-06:002010-03-04T11:53:01.719-06:00

NOTE: The introduction is copied from this post at Here Comes A Storm In The Form Of A Girl."The Rules : Once you have been tagged, you are supposed to write down the top 25 songs you cannot live without. The ones you can listen to over and over and never get tired of. They don't have to be in any particular order. These are the songs that make you laugh, cry, think of an old friend, whatever the

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-61976174777618086722010-02-25T07:58:00.001-06:002010-02-25T10:23:26.203-06:00

No, seriously. You won't guess.Heidi Klum? Nope ... but there's always tomorrow.No, I got an e-mail from the detective who was working the case of my stolen property. You know ... from back in July? Like me, you probably thought it was a closed case. Or maybe not. Because you probably moved on with your life and completely forgot about it, and that's certainly understandable.So, there it was. His

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-64342128840521596882010-02-22T07:06:00.000-06:002010-02-22T07:06:00.688-06:00

I didn't watch Tiger Woods' "press conference." Obviously, from the news coverage, those of us who didn't watch it are in the minority. But, as someone who graduated with a degree in journalism, I have an issue with calling something a "press conference" when the individual at the podium 1) isn't taking questions and 2) doesn't allow all media members to attend.I also took issue with the fact

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-80817375387202130512010-02-19T07:24:00.000-06:002010-02-19T07:24:00.583-06:00

So, yesterday I shared some of my Olympic preferences - the sports I like and the ones I don't. As I mentioned, figure skating likely leads the "don't" list. A group of judges subjectively determining who wins? Nope. Not interested.So, I'm on my way home this evening, and I hear on the radio that the American (I can't pronounce his name) won the gold medal in the men's figure skating."Good for

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-2764601639348197342010-02-18T07:16:00.000-06:002010-02-18T07:16:00.247-06:00

I'd like to be a short track speed skater. In my current life, my weak ankles and limited sense of balance would likely result in me falling and somehow cutting myself with one of those razor-sharp skates.And you probably think I'm kidding.I like the Olympics. Or at least most of them.I've always been a fan of the competition to determine who is the fastest, strongest, etc. Downhill skiing, ski

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-66430226921354889652010-02-15T07:25:00.000-06:002010-02-15T07:25:00.543-06:00

NOTE: I certainly respect the intentions of the performers in "We Are The World 25 for Haiti" and their effort to raise money for the Haitians. With that out of the way, please proceed.I hope Michael Jackson isn't rolling over in his grave. Twenty-five years ago, Jackson and Lionel Richie combined to write, "We Are The World," to benefit famine relief in Africa. Now, with Jackson gone, Richie and

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-2850539567757240662010-02-07T23:09:00.003-06:002010-02-07T23:38:51.035-06:00

Well, what an amazingly bad Super Bowl 44, and it wasn't just the end result of the game Yes, I was for the Colts. I was glad to see that the threats made by the Saints' defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, made against Peyton Manning; Williams claimed that the New Orleans defenders would give Manning a few "remember me" shots. I was also glad to see that claims made by Saints' players that

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-60089168641164722632010-01-30T08:41:00.000-06:002010-01-30T08:41:00.300-06:00

As a sports fan, I watched as much of the Saints-Vikings NFC Championship Game on Sunday as I could. I had to work Sunday afternoon, so I wasn't able to see any of the Colts' game against the Jets for the AFC Championship. I also missed the start of the Saints-Vikings game.I thought, overall, it was a very competitive game. I will readily admit that I was wanting the Vikings to win the game (and

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-34363051036837202222010-01-28T07:35:00.002-06:002010-01-28T13:55:21.839-06:00

If you have ever had the extreme bad luck misfortune opportunity to watch Nancy Grace's show on CNN Headline News, you likely know what a pitiful excuse for a journalist she is. You've probably seen her yell at people, cut people off when they're talking and basically abuse anyone who doesn't agree with her.As someone who majored in journalism, she is basically a textbook example of almost

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-82888006854031870602010-01-26T08:26:00.003-06:002010-01-26T08:39:12.486-06:00

If you haven't heard, the national organization Focus On The Family has a commercial that they have prepared for the Super Bowl telecast on CBS. In the commercial, Tim Tebow talks about the decision his mother had to make when he was born. According to the story, Tebow's mother became ill during a mission trip to the Phillipines. Doctors advised her to have an abortion due to the risks involved;

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-29666395010550716482010-01-19T07:00:00.000-06:002010-01-19T07:00:05.703-06:00

As the people of Haiti struggle daily for survival, and people from the United States and other countries donate their time, money and supplies to help, some have taken this as an opportunity to get their name out there and claim a few moments in the spotlight.First, we had the Rev. Pat Robertson, he of "700 Club" fame. The good Rev. Robertson proclaimed that God was punishing the people of Haiti

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-72177419055431131962010-01-18T08:21:00.001-06:002010-01-18T08:21:00.234-06:00

The late Patrick Swayze did some amazing movies during his career. No. I'm not talking about "Dirty Dancing." And I'm certainly not talking about "Ghost."No, I'm talking about real movies. Man movies. I'm talking about two of my favorite movies of all time - "Point Break" (released in 1981) and "Road House" (released in 1989).And what luck on Saturday night when I got home to find "Point Break"

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-86891928485152954632010-01-16T11:41:00.000-06:002010-01-16T11:41:00.608-06:00

Everyone's got one of these songs that immediately comes to mind.Or two. Or 10. But who's counting. Whether it's Manfred Mann's "Blinded By The Light" or Nirvana's "Smells LIke Teen Spirit" or even The Clash's "Rock The Casbah," everyone certainly has one of these songs that they sing in the car, the shower or wherever else.Pearl Jam's "Yellow Ledbetter" is perhaps of the songs with the most

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-34808947033611077212010-01-09T12:27:00.003-06:002010-01-09T12:34:39.336-06:00

In case you've been living under a rock for the past three days, the University of Alabama defeated the University of Texas, 37-21, in the national championship game. I don't think anyone around here has missed that fact. Local sporting goods stores even opened after the game was over (11:00 or so) to start selling national championship merchandise.Texas suffered a major blow to their chances of

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-49514392102837010832010-01-04T07:48:00.001-06:002010-01-04T07:48:00.283-06:00

I wonder if Al Gore took his private plane and flew down to the Bahamas or some other tropical location for the next week or so. Why, you ask? Look at this.Seriously?It was around 20 degrees here last night. It is supposed to be colder than that tonight. I don't usually wear a coat (or long sleeves, for that matter), but I did when I left the house this morning because it was cold - really cold -

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-81228805415450340592010-01-01T08:49:00.000-06:002010-01-01T08:49:00.214-06:00

The presents were unwrapped, dinner was done, and my nephews had bagged up some of my mother's homemade cookies to take home and leave for Santa Claus. I, of course, made sure that they chose the kinds my brother doesn't particularly care for (good Christmas spirit, huh?).It had been a long day, I was tired and I had a bit of a headache from the combination of beer and shouting, excited children.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-42831004192516308852009-12-31T08:08:00.001-06:002009-12-31T08:08:00.555-06:00

I decided to go by Hooters (yeah, I know, big surprise) for something to eat and a couple of beers before heading off to my parents' house for unwrapping presents, having dinner and dealing with two small boys who were overly excited about Santa Claus. OK, maybe it was just one since the two-year-old hasn't quite grasped the concept yet, but two sounds better than one - especially when justifying

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-79584960014980124542009-12-30T07:57:00.001-06:002009-12-30T07:57:00.724-06:00

Shopping was done, and I was glad. Traffic was picking up around the mall and Toys 'R Us. Not to mention the fact that it was incredibly windy and cold outside.Loaded up with my gifts, I headed out. I had a new "challenge" for Christmas 2009 - wrapping presents. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I have typically paid the folks at the mall to wrap everything. I hate doing it (OK, I admit it - I

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-20599151657514029652009-12-29T08:57:00.001-06:002009-12-29T08:57:00.118-06:00

After Build-A-Bear, I really didn't have anything else in particular to get at the mall, but I decided to make a round through the place and see what was new. I don't go to the mall very often (I don't think I had been since the previous Christmas), and there were several new stores.One of the new locations was Slingshot T-Shirts*, where they sell T-shirts from "old" musical groups, cartoons,

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-2705865312049929362009-12-28T12:34:00.002-06:002009-12-28T12:57:19.791-06:00

I'm sure most of you out there have long since come to the realization that Christmas has a much different meeting as an adult than it did when you were a kid. Especially for those (myself included) who do not have kids.I can't remember when it started, but several years ago, I began doing my Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. My mother thinks it is one of the craziest ideas she has ever heard,

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-49265562103386271052009-12-15T08:13:00.001-06:002009-12-15T08:13:49.719-06:00

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-18641048526010666322009-11-11T05:58:00.000-06:002009-11-11T05:58:00.456-06:00

Happy Veteran's Day to all of our veterans out there, especially America's 1st Sgt, coffeypot, Brother Dave and e.Craig.May God Bless all of the men and women of our military, past and present. And may we, and all generations to come, never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made for the sake of our country.Moments like this, even if this was staged, should happen each and every day.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-46351541004283620802009-11-10T21:46:00.002-06:002009-11-10T21:49:05.101-06:00

Real company. Real commercial. Really here in Alabama, about 50 miles north of where I live.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-73085521541713707412009-11-03T22:38:00.004-06:002009-11-03T22:41:16.599-06:00

A brief update ...Two weeks after one asshole (employee of Craiglist) told the detective investigating my case that he had to speak with another asshole (a co-worker) and would call back, guess what?No one has called the detective back. In two weeks.On a different note, I made a quick trip to central Tennessee to see an old friend over the weekend. To say the remaining fall colors were somewhat

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-13085451194805685852009-10-20T22:39:00.003-05:002009-10-20T22:47:13.781-05:00

otherwise known as an employee of Craigslist:DETECTIVE: "I am calling to get an update on case #(insert numbers here)."ASSHOLE: "Oh, let me check with the other person I work with, and I will call you back."You know how to interpret that, right? They haven't done a damn thing.So, nothing to see here. If you want to read something really worthwhile, check out Hope's latest project for some of our

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-5245156444489318012009-10-13T08:16:00.002-05:002009-10-13T08:19:54.891-05:00

This is the early morning view today from Purchase Knob, on the east end of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is the day after an all-day rain.Is 8:18 a.m. Central time too early for Coors Light?Picture from the National Park Service website here.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-38882505111917454332009-10-06T16:39:00.002-05:002009-10-06T16:49:20.857-05:00

Several of you have been involved in a behind-the-scenes plan that has come to my attention today. I do appreciate your concern and your thoughtfulness (especially you, Vinny), but I couldn't possibly accept such generosity.I have come to accept the fact that the picture days are done. It was fun, and it was a good escape from work, but it's over and life goes on. I'll just have to find something

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-71292690415958286412009-10-05T22:40:00.006-05:002009-10-05T22:47:05.928-05:00

I exchanged a few 140-character-or-less comments with coffeypot on Twitter earlier this evening, and he was inquiring about my absence from blogging. I explained that the whole camera incident (still no update) had left me a bit empty and without inspiration.It doesn't help that my daily checks on the webcams in the Smokies are starting to show the fall colors, either. If you want to see for

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-76908346881287563602009-09-23T21:05:00.004-05:002009-09-23T21:16:04.985-05:00

No update from the subpoena.Almost two months to do the day of the theft, the detective assigned to my case finally tracked down a phone number and got in touch with a live human being at Craiglist. What a shock to hear that they said they had no record of receiving the subpoena, but if another one was sent, they would respond promptly.Assholes.I have long since given up that I will ever see any

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-63410283716496804422009-09-14T21:11:00.003-05:002009-09-14T21:15:26.100-05:00

I am writing this to encourage support for an amazing woman who does so much for the men and women of our military.If you don't already ready Hope Radio, you need to do so. At least for this one post.If you read through the blog, you'll see all sorts of projects that Hope has organized for our military men and women. Now she needs our help. From reading her post, it won't cost you a lot of money.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-9951135919736458842009-08-26T07:17:00.000-05:002009-08-26T07:17:00.308-05:00

I know. Some of you have heard that before. Maybe even more than once.But I'm not talking about the blog this time. I'm talking about this...and this...and this...and, well, get the picture? No pun intended.I mentioned a while back about some really bad news I had been dealing with. In mid-July, on a Thursday morning, I was about to go take some pictures for work. My camera bag wasn't anywhere to

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-12823635931850931152009-08-25T06:31:00.000-05:002009-08-25T06:31:00.791-05:00

It had been a great trip. I had enjoyed this amazing place once again, as I always do. My mind was clear, and I was refreshed.After the usual breakfast, I was off to the Cove for one more morning trek through the loop.I don't know if they're scratching or what, but the fact that both of them were doing it at the same time seemed a bit photo-worthy.I have started having great luck seeing the

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-79335578662971708482009-08-24T07:16:00.000-05:002009-08-24T07:16:00.380-05:00

I continued my trek around the Cades Cove loop road on this ending afternoon, hoping for a chance at some more wildlife shots like I had the fortune of getting the day before.Surprise! Another fencepost, with a small Queen Anne's Lace plant alongside.A cloudbank (I guess that's what you call it) over the moutains to the south of Cades Cove.I just happened to spot this tiny little bird on the

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-13801600191385286162009-08-21T07:02:00.000-05:002009-08-21T07:02:00.329-05:00

After a LUNCH of blueberry pancakes, sausage patties and orange juice, I returned to the car as quickly as I could, trying to escape the insanity of downtown Gatlinburg at mid-day. I was off, once again, to Cades Cove.Wild turkeys in one of the first open fields along the loop road in Cades Cove.The John Oliver CabinThe view from a window inside the John Oliver Cabin. I could handle looking out

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-87505589150166351642009-08-20T08:05:00.000-05:002009-08-20T08:05:01.049-05:00

From the Bud Ogle Place, it was up the road just a bit to the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. If you've been to Gatlinburg but never ventured out onto this "motor trail," I highly encourage you to do so the next time you're up there.It was on the road between Bud Ogle Place and the start of the trail that I encountered another idiot, similar to the one in Cades Cove earlier in the trip. This

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-35185705248476956602009-08-19T07:00:00.001-05:002009-08-19T12:14:21.977-05:00

I don't know if it was the over-exertion from the Abrams Falls hike, or maybe it was the extra beer or two at dinner the night before, but I didn't get up and out around sunrise on Day 4. It was a slow start, so I decided to stay somewhat close to town for the morning. I ventured out toward Bud Ogle Place and the Roaring Fork Motor Trail on the east side of Gatlinburg.But, first, a quick glimpse

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-33557937420583681092009-08-18T07:52:00.000-05:002009-08-18T07:52:00.176-05:00

On the final trip around the loop road, with sunlight fading, I was hoping to have a chance for some good wildlife shots. Deer in the woods along the roadside on the south side of the loop road.To say that I almost didn't see this deer was an understatement. They say allowing the fields to grow like this is "natural," but it isn't photographer-friendly.Finally, after two days, a chance. Not a

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-50163653815950569722009-08-17T07:24:00.000-05:002009-08-17T07:24:00.932-05:00

Sorry for the extended period of no posts. I've been dealing with some very bad news, and I just haven't made the time to continue with the pictures.So, without further delay...I liked the still reflection of the trees in a puddle on the road down to the Primitive Baptist Church in Cades Cove.Bluebirds ... these small creatures were even more elusive to photograph than bears.Surprise! More

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-45375151132384043152009-08-03T07:57:00.000-05:002009-08-03T07:57:00.638-05:00

The trip up to Clingman's Dome and back was complete, so I headed out Little River Road to Cades Cove once again.This turkey was enjoying the shade from the trees along the first part of the loop road.Looking at the sky, through the grass along the roadside.A sea of sunflowers with the mountains and clouds as a backdrop. When I finished with these, I was walking back to the road. Some idiot was

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-15648180732497907102009-07-29T19:51:00.009-05:002009-07-31T21:11:36.188-05:00

"Sometimes, the truth isn't good enough. Sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded."- Batman, from "The Dark Knight"I was attempting to catch up on the various blogs I follow - to use the term loosely - on Wednesday evening when I came across a particular post at Trav's Thoughts. I followed the link, read the referred post and was instantly inspired.By

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-32710622534253018812009-07-29T08:15:00.000-05:002009-07-29T08:15:00.119-05:00

The third day began with - surprise! - the blueberry pancakes. Then I was headed up Newfound Gap Road toward Clingman's Dome. It was cloudy down in town, and I was begging hopeful that Clingman's Dome would be above the cloud layer so I could get some good shots.Arriving in the parking lot, my hopes were dashed. The road had been in the clouds at points, and the parking lot was. You should see

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-91957624883586481562009-07-25T19:20:00.003-05:002009-07-25T19:22:41.900-05:00

I want to take a moment to recommend another blog, Sarah Way Down South. She's an incredibly intelligent, funny Southern lady. She has a great post about President Obama and his latest open-mouth, insert-foot fiasco saying the Cambridge Police Department "acted stupidly."Check it out here.

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-67703188340288703592009-07-22T07:07:00.000-05:002009-07-22T07:07:00.517-05:00

Having survived my hike to Abrams Falls and back, I was greeted by this sight in the parking lot.Clouds and rain off to the east.A little more than a year later, a mother bear in the same tree ... with a cub in the branches above her (look higher up on the branch going straight up from the mama bear).A doe grazing in the woods along the south side of the loop road.Another crow, perched on another

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-44228161137555358242009-07-21T07:33:00.000-05:002009-07-21T07:33:00.437-05:00

It was mid-afternoon, and I had completed my second trip through the loop road. It was around 70 degrees with a slight breeze. I decided to be somewhat "adventurous" and take the 2-1/2 mile hike (one way) to Abrams Falls. The trailhead is about halfway around the loop road. I had taken the hike years ago with my family, and since the weather was pleasant, I decided to make the walk and get some

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-8458691520599554022009-07-20T07:22:00.000-05:002009-07-20T07:22:00.599-05:00

After my brief break in the picnic area, it was time for another round through the loop road of Cades Cove.There was a large group of butterflies along the roadside at an early stop on the loop, including this rather colorful one.I took a few too many shots like this as well, but I like them.I saw these orange flowers among the mixture of yellow and white from the road, so I stopped and wandered

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-28204852459109196182009-07-17T07:06:00.000-05:002009-07-17T07:06:00.523-05:00

OK, I lied. Sort of.I said I was going to let the pictures tell the story, for the most part, of my vacation. I had forgotten that on Thursday, while relaxing a picnic table just a few feet from the above-pictured stream, I took some time to jot down some random thoughts. Yes, I actually wrote them out. I didn't carry my computer into the mountains with them.After a quick round through the loop

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-20738166216049694582009-07-16T07:37:00.002-05:002009-07-16T07:37:00.436-05:00

Day 2 began with my usual blueberry pancake routine at the Pancake Pantry, and then it was time to hit the mountains. It was Thursday, and I wanted to get an early-morning trip through Cades Cove done for the week before the weekend "crowds" hit.The early-morning view west from an overlook along Little River Road between Gatlinburg and Cades Cove.Not as much water flowing at Meig's Falls as in

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-80025040655081354332009-07-15T07:31:00.000-05:002009-07-15T07:31:00.631-05:00

Along the drive up Newfound Gap Road, the clouds were still prevalent along the mountaintops. I had hopes that Clingman's Dome would be above the clouds, but when I neared Newfound Gap, I could tell in the distance that would not be the case.Driving along, I happened to glance toward the west, and I quickly pulled off at Morton Overlook to get set up. I'll let the pictures speak for what I saw..

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8038116995995023400.post-56478332322149984492009-07-14T07:24:00.002-05:002009-07-14T07:33:55.471-05:00

More from Wednesday afternoon in Cades Cove ...I wasn't sure if this crow was posing or getting mad at me for taking its picture. A doe in one of the fields along the loop road. For whatever reason, there weren't as many deer out as there were in January and April.Another shot of the rain clouds and smoke on the mountains in the distance.And still another shot of the rain clouds and smoke. I'm no

Southern (in)Sanityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08161448234899521650noreply@blogger.com9