I love new things, but there's something about old things. Many of the new things are made/built/assembled by machines. Most of the old things involved sweat.This is the hulk of the old Dora… Read More

The connectivity issue last night wasn't actually the same problem as the night before. On Thursday evening, an auto accident took out a pole which in turn took out our cable.Last night, we… Read More

We had connectivity for a while alas, it has gone away again. I’m posting this with my phone which is spotty as well.Maybe tomorrow.Life stories, writing, music, advice, southern, Alab… Read More

NOTE: I sat down to write a post on Wednesday evening, but a someone in a truck knocked down a utility pole and tore down the Internet cable. We didn't lose power but the cable was off all n… Read More

The paper is doing a series of stories on addiction. My subject is a woman alcoholic who is in recovery. I interviewed her yesterday at her workplace but businesses sometimes get antsy about… Read More

After class tonight, I carried the bag of yoga mats to the car while Jilda said her goodbyes to the students.When I walked out, the Park & Rec field had manager had switched off the ligh… Read More

The sky was cloudless most of the day. We didn't have a lot on our calendars so after our morning walk, I headed to the shed. It had gotten to the point to where when I took something d… Read More

We napped today, but my sleepy bliss was interrupted. I heard snoring. At first, I thought it was a dream. Eyes opened and listening. There it was. Again I heard a snore and then a snub… Read More

My nephew Haven is a plumber and he has connections with craftsmen/women in the area. He has a carpenter that specializes in restoring old structures.The carpenter works a full-time job and… Read More

Now that the chicken pen is finished, there's another project I've been scooting down the todo list for about four years.There was an oak tree behind the barn that lightning had smite'd many… Read More

We lived in a house trailer in 1975. It wasn't air-conditioned. We'd been married a year and we both worked at jobs that paid just over minimum wage which was $2.10 an hour.I wasn't a whiz w… Read More

We walked even earlier this morning. Even so, that air was thick and still. The dogs were giddy when we started but their enthusiasm waned after the first lap.Jilda and I pushed on and got a… Read More

I normally post my column on Monday nights, but my column came from seeds that I wrote on here last week so I won't do a repeat.When Jilda and I were walking yesterday morning, we were on ou… Read More

There were a few things I needed to do in the chicken pen before calling it a wrap. They needed a roost and laying boxes. Before long, they will be leaving us gifts each day. There are… Read More

Buckeyes. They look like harmless seeds growing on an obscure tree here in Alabama but in the hands of a pre-pubescent kid they can be lethal...or at the least, very painful.When I was a kid… Read More

The air temp today was 97 degrees F. I couldn't do the physical work on my todo list, but whizzing around the farm on my John Deere...that's another story.I cut a few acres of grass. When th… Read More

I spent most of the day writing. At first, the porch was my office and then I retired to my office. After Jilda left for work, I took a break and meditated for 20 minutes. Meditation is refr… Read More

My intention Sunday was to harvest honey from all my hives. After coffee, I suited up. While the bees are fairly docile most of the time they get testy when you start fooling with their hone… Read More

I spent most of the day behind the wheel. When I glanced into the rearview mirror this evening, my eyes looked like road maps. As I stepped out of the truck in the driveway, my knees squeake… Read More

Newspapers, broadcasts, and social media have been throbbing with stories about the opioid epidemic these last few weeks. A common sentiment is that it’s tragic.My family felt the trag… Read More

The weatherman said yesterday that we had an 80% chance of rain, but that lying son of an unwed mother has lied to us before.This morning I said some unkind things about his ancestors. … Read More

We drove into Birmingham today to pick up my contact lenses. Jilda called our friends Kaye and Jamie to see if they wanted to have lunch at a nearby restaurant. They did so we did.It's alway… Read More

My great-nephew Jordan was here before our coffee cooled this morning. He was ready and raring to put the finishing touches on the new chicken pen.We did most of the work yesterday, but we s… Read More

I spent the morning writing my column for Sunday. This was a tough one. A recent Washington Post article gave statistics on opioids. It was eye-opening for some.The numbers were dated, but f… Read More

There's a tree behind our barn that grows a mushroom beard every year. Last year it was more of a goatee. This year it's going for the full beard look.Life is an interesting puzzle. This pie… Read More

You can't tell by the light because even though dusk comes a little earlier each evening, the quality of the light has not yet changed.You can't tell by the scent in the air. It's much too h… Read More

Each day during our walk here in Empire, the last leg of our path takes us up the road in front of our house.Without fail, I have to pick up a cigarette butt, beer can, or fast food bags tha… Read More

Jilda was cooking dinner and I had some spare time on my hands. While cutting grass yesterday, I noticed that the figs were getting ripe. I didn't stop and examine the bush so I only saw a f… Read More

The show last night didn't end until late and we didn't want to drive two hours home so we got a room. We got home this morning at 9 a.m.Jilda and I both had a list of todos as long as a fre… Read More

We stayed up past our bedtime tonight. Jilda found tickets to a show in Florence and some of the people who wrote songs and played on the soundtracks of our youths were there.The picture bel… Read More

I ran by the pharmacy today to pick up some meds for Jilda. When I started inside, I noticed a small product stand in the shade of an oak in the parking lot.When I came out, I heard a young… Read More

Several weeks ago we rebuilt the chicken house for my great-nephew Jordan's 4-H project. The chickens were still kind of small so the house gave them plenty of room.During the last few weeks… Read More

My friend Charles commented on my post last night. He's about to take the leap from film to digital cameras. He's looking for advice. I'll post his note below and if any of you have recommen… Read More

I took my first picture at the age of 8 years old. My sister Mary Lois let me use her Brownie camera. Taking pictures with the Brownie was simple. You cranked an empty frame of film int… Read More

Today was honey harvest day. I suited up early this morning and headed to the hives. Even though it was cooler today, I had to wear thick clothes under my bee veil so I don't get stung.By th… Read More

There is a shrub in our backyard that bears beautiful blossoms. It's a blazing star. The only downside is that monarch larva love the leaves. Even while the blossoms are showing out, th… Read More

My great nephew Jordan and I worked on his 4-H chicken project today. The man from the county extension service was coming to vaccinate the chickens and we had to make the pen presentable.&n&hell…Read More

It was hotter than a fanny in a firepit this morning as we walked. Sweat started dripping down my temples as I stood by the backyard fence waiting for Jilda to get the harness on Taz. I saw… Read More

We had fun with "the kid" today. Jilda and I had appointments in town and our great nephew Jordan went with us.I won't step Jilda's entry tonight, but while she was seeing the acupuncture do… Read More

We planted the sunflowers and zinnias for the bees, but other critters like them too. I'd been seeing these little rascals sipping nectar for the last few weeks.Yesterday, I took my camera f… Read More

Last Sunday we invited some of our songwriting friends over to break bread and play music. Few things in life provide as much joy as friends and music. We keep our house reasonably clea… Read More

 Bougainvilleas are finicky shrubs. The Mandevilla on the porch has been blooming for almost two weeks, but the bougy just sat there sulking.I read where they are not fond of water. Aha… Read More

I started an online photography course today from Michigan State University. It's actually a set of five courses that cover all aspects of photography. I've been taking pictures for a long t… Read More

Walking today, something caught Jilda's attention. She'd forgotten her phone, so she called me back to have a look at a mushroom that looked like a rose.I know the color is wrong, and it loo… Read More

I had a council meeting to cover this evening, but there wasn't a quorum, so the mayor canceled the meeting.  That made me happy.It was almost dark and raining when I headed home. Most… Read More

The weather has been hard on Jordan's chickens this week. I put an oscillating fan in their pen and that helped a great deal. They are drinking about three gallons of water a day. They are s… Read More

I had an interview in Doliska this past week. Afterward, I decided to drive through old Dora. I didn’t realize it, but the street is closed now. Years of rain, heat, and neglect have t… Read More

We had a gathering at our house this evening for a group of our songwriter buddies. We've done it for years, but not often enough.We talk about music. We talk about where we're playing. We s… Read More

I knew today would be toasty when I stepped down before sunrise to feed and water the chickens.  We didn't have a lot of outside work planned. That was fortunate.We did go see our… Read More

We got a nastygram from the IRS in early June. It said we owed $814. I scratched my head and said some unkind things about Uncle Sam and my accountant...but that number sounded familiar.When… Read More

No matter how much we want to believe that we are like others, and how much we want to "fit in", we are different.We can have the same parents, grow up in the same hometown, read the same bo… Read More

Last night after yoga class, I dragged a bag of mats to load in the Outback. The bag has about 20 mats and they are heavier than I expected.I hefted them up and into the back of the SUV with… Read More

People call me a tree hugger. That doesn't bother me, because it's true.Some people mean it as a jibe. For me, it’s a compliment. I love forests, hollows, fields, and streams. We have… Read More

Back in early spring, Jilda and I visited her holder sister Nell. She loves gardening more than we do...if that is possible. Before we left, she gave us several packages of sunflower seeds… Read More

It's been a few years since we took our first cruise. We had a room with a window. We saw dolphins, sunsets, and lighthouses. We browsed artisan barns for handmade things you can't buy… Read More

The last few days have been long ones. My brain is tired. When looking for photos I came across this one I shot last Sunday. It was in its color prime. The next day it had morphed into… Read More

Today has been interesting. I had an opportunity to interview a WWII veteran from my hometown who was part of the Norman invasion.  He's 95 years old and a few weeks ago, he went back t… Read More

It's been beautiful for most of the day. Our great nephew Jordan stayed with us today. He had a swim meet last night, and he didn't do well. I'm not sure if he was distracted, tired, or wasn… Read More

In the garden todayA new flower bloomedA carpet of zinniasCan't compete  With sunshine on a stalk.Life stories, writing, music, advice, southern, Alabama Read More

When people learn that I’m a columnist, they often ask what I write about.I smile and say, “It’s about me.” As a rule, I’ve always steered clear of religion, po… Read More

I've been watching them for days. Like an expectant father, I've hovered. Each time I went by, I said soothing words. I coaxed. I bragged. I ask Mother Nature for her special favors.Then a f… Read More

I drove by the old school this past week. To be more accurate I drove by where the old school once stood. It burned a few years after the county built the new school. All that's left is the… Read More

I'll probably have to launch a Go Gund Me page to help pay my water bill this month. As I mentioned last week, our great nephew Anthony wanted to have his birthday party at our house. Well… Read More

I had an interview this morning. When arranging a place for the interview, the subject suggested the clubhouse at the local golf course.The town where I was born has a beautiful municipal go… Read More

I'm not sure if it's the heat, the pollen, or the alignment of the stars but some evenings the words won't come. My friend Elephant's Child (CLICK HERE) offers word prompts each Wednesd… Read More

We got a plant from my sister several years ago. She couldn't remember the name but she called later and said she thought it was ornamental ginger.When I Googled ornamental ginger, it return… Read More

Our great-nephew Jordan joined the 4-H Club at school. He thought long and hard about a project for the summer. He was leaning towards raising chickens, but he had a few problems. The f… Read More

Our great nephew Anthony asked Jilda and me several weeks ago if he could have his birthday party out our house.They have a beautiful home but the yard was not designed for a herd of kids.He… Read More

The meeting I attended last night was even further in the country than where we live. It was a community meeting. A company owned by Tyson Inc. dumped thousands of gallons of untreated waste… Read More

I had a late meeting to cover this evening. Usually, when I have a late meeting the story doesn't run until the following day. This one had a short fuse so I had to write it tonight.I'm than… Read More

It's been a slow day in Empire. I did take Jilda early this morning to be jabbed by a bunch of needles by Dr. Zhao. It seems that acupuncture is helping with many of the inner ear issues she… Read More

After the rain moved off to the east, a cool front blew in from out of the northwest and dropped the temperature by 20 degrees or so.Walking this morning was blissful. The first lap we alway… Read More

I'm kind of like the old hippie saying, "I'm down to seeds and stems." Tonight my creative vessel is low.I have a friend who is a veteran that is writing a book. He's 92 and doesn't have the… Read More

The plants in the raised beds look as if they've grown several inches since the rain began late last night. I keep them watered from the outside spigot and it helps them live, but they seem… Read More

This morning I had an early interview. It's Alzheimer's Awareness Month and the woman I interviewed lost her father, mother, and husband to the disease within the span of a few years. I… Read More

I tapped keys today. Some days I write stories. Some days I write columns. But some days I tap keys.It's on these days that I notice things in my office. EVERYTHING in the room is covered in… Read More

The paper now refers most of the military and veteran feature stories to me. Since I'm the only one working there that has been to boot camp, they figure I have a point of reference. Veteran… Read More

OAKMAN –Chad Hagwood of Birmingham believes it was divine intervention that brought his high school sweetheart, Patti Armstrong, back into his life last year.The two dated in high scho… Read More

This is been a busy weekend. We only had a few things on our calendar, but tonight we are both bone tired. My friend Julia owned a cattle farm with her husband and before she retired, I… Read More

Our great nephew Jordan is involved with 4-H. He chose chickens as his summer project. We talked about him housing the chicks here this summer before he told his teachers. Around the fi… Read More

It's been almost a month since we were on Tybee Island in Savannah, but I dreamed about the lighthouse last night.When we were there for our anniversary, the time we spent here was almost su… Read More

I've tapped keys for most of the day. This afternoon when Jilda headed to work, I headed to the bank to make a deposit.I'm helping the City of Dora with a magazine ad, so after leaving the b… Read More

A while back, I had to cover a city council meeting in Sumiton. Sometimes it’s hard for me to face this kind of work without a stiff drink, so I stopped in The Blend Coffee Shop to buy… Read More

I cut the grass alongside the road in our neighborhood today. It's an agreement that I have with the county commissioner. I cut the roadside and he doesn't send trucks down my road spraying… Read More

Last year I swore that I wouldn't put Caillou (our collie) through a summer cut. But the heat hit early, and he was miserable. So, I took him last Thursday. He's been a different dog since.T… Read More

In December of 1941, Uncle Marvin Lee was having the time of his life. He was on the U.S. California stationed in Hawaii. He was 20 years old.He looked like a movie star in the old pictures… Read More

I'm sure it's possible that there is a more beautiful flower with an aroma more heavenly than a gardenia. It's a big world and there are over 400,000 flowering plants.Perhaps in the Amazon R… Read More

I had to cover graduation tonight. Thankfully I just had to get pictures before the ceremony. The school has a gym but no auditorium. They had the service on the football field.The kids gath… Read More

My phone chirped yesterday evening as I was headed home. I glanced at the screen and saw that the ISS was coming overhead in five minutes.I pulled to the curb to get the direction from which… Read More

Today was a hot one and it gets hotter as we move into the weekend. They're saying it could near 100 degrees F.  I'm excited.I feel kind of like this carving on the fireplace mantle in… Read More

Time has made some of the things in my past a little fuzzy, but there are other moments in my life that are as clear as a Windexed window. High School graduation day is a good example. … Read More

Today was kind of eventful in a down-home kind of way. First of all, we picked another basket of blueberries. This is from the first four bushes. They get morning sun earlier than the other… Read More

Jilda and I had dinner with friends tonight. They live in Fayette and we live in Empire, so we met in Jasper which is in the middle.We don't get to spend enough time with our friends. The la… Read More

I know I've been into skies these last few days, but this morning when I got up and stepped into the kitchen, I could see color on the window seal. After starting the coffee, I stepped over… Read More

I had an interview south of Birmingham this evening. It was in a gated community on a hill with a view of toward the west. It's a story of a couple in their late forties who were friend… Read More

I worked hard today. There are many days I work long hours writing, editing pictures, and doing think work, but today was physical labor.I built the chicken pen over 20 years ago. It served… Read More

Today has been wide open. I had a short break between interviews this morning and I stopped by a local fast-food restaurant and had a cup of coffee and a fried apple pie. I haven't had one o… Read More

The newest member of our family arrived while we were in Savannah. I'm sure Jilda has mentioned it, but we hadn't seen him. They were in baby ICU for a long time and when they finally b… Read More

The old quote says that time heals all wounds, but I don’t think this includes losing our mothers. It’s been seven years, and at times my heart still feels bruised.Each year on M… Read More

Jilda and I played an acoustic performance for the Art Association's Art in the Park festival today. The threat of stormy weather all week caused the planners to have heart palpitations so t… Read More