I grunt now when I stand. My new knee helped, but my other joints must have something against titanium. So, I grunt.The past several months I've noticed that Caillou the wonder collie h… Read More

Our great nephew Jordan took his first SAT test this past weekend. He came over and walked with us Sunday afternoon. He's in the fifth grade. I'm not sure I could spell SAT when I was i… Read More

One of my favorite radio shows when I was a kid was Paul Harvey. He knew how to find good stories and how to tell ‘em. I’ve learned, there are stories all around us if we take th… Read More

Today, I rested. It's rare that I have a day without a ton on my calendar. There was stuff I could have done, but I decided to let it wait.Strangely enough, the wind still blew, th… Read More

I choose to post a picture tonight in lieu of words. Sorry. I'm whupped.  I'll do better tomorrow.Life stories, writing, music, advice, southern, Alabama Read More

An owl got one of our chickens yesterday. Chickens are vulnerable to a number of predators. Weasels, opossums, raccoons, and hawks.I know it was an owl because yesterday afternoon right… Read More

We walked in the rain today. Normally, the dogs are ecstatic, but today I think they wished they had sweaters. On the first lap, I noticed what looked like a bouquet on the ground… Read More

The walk this morning was "chillified" as my grandmother might have said. The sun was out, but the wind out of the north punched a hole through my sweat pants and shirt. It made me glad I'd… Read More

One of my goals for the new year is to go fly fishing at least once a month. So far, that hasn't happened. Since late December, we've had torrential rain at least once a week. When it r… Read More

We had seed catalogs in the mail when we returned from our short vaycay. These days, seed catalogs are like the Sears and Roebuck Wishbooks when I was a kid. Each page is a wonder.As I perus… Read More

I think the gods have a thing about my birthday getaways. Three years ago when we went to the beach for my birthday, I broke the Honda key in half while trying to open the plastic… Read More

This year is a significant anniversary for Jilda and me. On Cinco de Mayo, we will celebrate our 45 anniversary.We went to Ireland for our 25. That was a trip to remember. The people th… Read More

Yesterday evening I took several pictures. I was so taken by the massive oak at sunset that I overlooked another shot I tood a moment later of the farm pond. It didn't turn out too badly eit… Read More

Jilda's car has been in the shop this week and I've been her private chauffeur. Today was a long day for her so I took her in early and then I headed out for my appointments.I was writing a… Read More

We had windows like the ones below in my childhood home. Each autumn, we put putty around the glass to keep the winter wind out. It helped, but you could still see the curtains rustle on blu… Read More

Back during this past summer, I wrote a short piece about Marlene who is a greeter at Walmart. She wears a tiara every day. She started several years ago when someone gave her tiara. Sh… Read More

Our chickens are always happy to see me. This morning when I went down to feed them I had a colander filled with scraps of lettuce and tomatoes leftover from dinner last night. They've… Read More

It seems like weeks since we've seen the sun. Today there was not the first cloud in the sky. The wind was cool, but the sun was warm on my face.After a few laps of our walk, I laid down. Ca… Read More

We had a gathering this evening. It was a "reveal party" for my nephew and his wife. This is their second child. The first one in our great nephew Antony. After we ate, they cut the cak… Read More

My old buddy Ray died the week before Christmas. I've known him for as long as I can remember. He never finished high school, but he was an incredible carpenter.The year after I retired from… Read More

I came across a rare family photo tonight. It's one taken about 50 years ago. I think it's the only one in existence. In the picture are not only members of my immediate family, but my dad's… Read More

A year is gone. Looking back is a blur. If it weren't for some pictures on my phone, some scribbles in my journal, and a thread-thin scar on my left knee I'm not sure I would know where it w… Read More

My birthday is in less than two weeks. We usually spend the weekend at the beach. For years it was deserted on the second weekend in January.A few years ago when we arrived at our hotel, we… Read More

Today's been an "ol' rainy day" as my grandma used to say. Before New Years we could have a half foot of rain.We put on our raincoats to walk this morning, but the dogs weren't onboard with… Read More

This year has been a blur. I feel sorry for people who don't blog or keep a journal because life is quick. One moment you're sipping bubbly and toasting the New Year and before the graffiti… Read More

I noticed a change in the light that crept in our bedroom around the window blinds this morning. The sound of early morning traffic passing in front of our house was different too. It seemed… Read More

We had Christmas breakfast with Jilda's brother next door. We were walking out the door with dishtowels on our hands carrying a pan of hot biscuits. Just as I leaned over to turn the light o… Read More

Jilda wrapped more presents today and I worked some in the yard. I bought pine bark mulch for the blueberry bushes a few months ago but it's been stacked under the pear tree. Appar… Read More

The sky has been soot-gray for days. Last night we wanted to see the full moon on the winter solstice but that didn't happen. I walked out several times before we went to bed but I had no lu… Read More

We did the last bit of Christmas shopping today. We bought gifts for our great-great-nieces and nephews. We give kids gifts like books, educational toys, microscopes, and kits that… Read More

Tuesday was a workday for me. After work, I headed out and I was almost home on when I noticed a tower of smoke.I saw the strobing lights of an ambulance as well as the local volunteer… Read More

There's a pasture that I drive by almost daily. Gnarled trees that grow just over the fence, look as if they've been there since time began.Today, the cows were close to the fence munching h… Read More

The light that crept in around the blinds was muted this morning. Even the sound early morning traffic was different. More distant.I slipped out of bed and started the coffeemaker. Peering o… Read More

Sunday was Christmas-tree day here at the Watsons. We were hoping for sunshine. Instead, it was misting rain. There were low places on the way to Pine Hill Farms where the mist was as thick… Read More

We ran to the grocery store this morning for some things we'll need this week. On the way home, we passed the local fire station. Each year they decorate for Christmas. As I drove by, I… Read More

It's rained for days. Thursday night after the Christmas parade, it began and it's only stopped to catch it's breath a time or two.Jilda's started painting Christmas cards right after coffee… Read More

We did a little Christmas shopping today. Well, to be truthful, Jilda shopped while I pushed a cart and nodded a lot. We bought gifts for our grand-nieces and nephews. Jilda has a… Read More

I had to shoot pictures of the Christmas Parade tonight. My bones are weary. I'll do a better post tomorrow.Life stories, writing, music, advice, southern, Alabama Read More

Caillou says It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Life stories, writing, music, advice, southern, Alabama Read More

Summertime here is oppressive. We walk daily because we have to just to stay fit. But walking in winter is a joy. This morning I felt like the Michelin man. I cacoon'd up in several lay… Read More

Christmas time starts off slowly. We don’t even acknowledge the holiday until the Thanksgiving turkey has digested and we’ve eaten the leftover dressing in creative ways. You hav… Read More

It rained today.Hard.I had to shoot pictures in the rain.Did I mention that it rained today?Hard? Tonight, it's raining.Hard.I know because it's making random rhythms on the roof.My coa… Read More

It felt like winter today even though the solstice is still two weeks away. I wasn't as frigid as it's been the last few days, but with a heavy mist, it felt much colder. The sky lightened o… Read More

I covered the launch of a partnership between Bevill State Community College and Mercedes-Benz this morning. It was a big deal for this community. Students who go through the co-op program h… Read More

Jilda was being interviewed this morning for a local documentary. The videographer talks to people about their experience growing up in small towns around the county.Rather than have the dog… Read More

Yesterday it was almost warm enough to swim, but the temps started dropping last night. This morning it was chilly.The cool weather must create deeper shades of blue because the sky was amaz… Read More

I’ve learned a lot of things in my life, but something happened this past week that reminded me that – The more learn, the more I realize I don’t know squat. Let me explain… Read More

I wrote my first blog entry on this day, December 2, 2005. So today is my 13th Blogiversary. I just looked at my Blogger numbers and I have a few posts shy of 5,000.When I first st… Read More

Jilda and I have a friend in Tennessee. Tommy grew up in South Alabama and spent most of his career in the newspaper business. Like me, he's retired now and picks the jobs he enjoys doing.We… Read More

I had the 10 a.m. shift this morning at the front entrance to Walmart. It wasn't as cold this morning, but I still wore my long underwear shirt, my red sweater, and my new Santa hat. Ha… Read More

I took Jilda to work this evening and then headed to buy me a Christmas hat. The newspaper volunteers each year to ring the Salvation Army bell. I took the 10 a.m. shift and I realized… Read More

Today was a postcard that Mother Nature mailed to me. A kaleidoscope of autumn color at every turn.The temps were in the twenties last night with a stiff wind out of the north. Soon those be… Read More

Last Saturday I was on call for the paper, and one of my assignments was taking pictures at a car show. I take pictures of old cars for fun, so this was not really work. I think I may have d… Read More

I promised earlier in the week that I would share the pictures of the wild turkeys after it ran in the paper. Below is the picture. The picture ran on Thanksgiving. The cutline I wrote… Read More

Today was gameday here in Alabama. The University of Alabama played Auburn University. The state has been in a tizzy all week. The state of Alabama ranks at the bottom or near the bottom pra… Read More

Jilda started cooking last night. She baked a sweet potato casserole and a pumpkin maple cheese pie. Had you asked me before today what my favorite Thanksgiving dessert was, I would have tol… Read More

Jilda and I had a minor crisis in our lives this past week. Our coffee maker died. It was a slow, tragic death. I should have seen it coming, but I neglected the telltale signs of tepid coff… Read More

Today has been beautiful here. It's long-sleeve weather, but it's perfect for walking. This morning we did an abbreviated stroll because we were eating lunch with Jilda's sister.Her kids, th… Read More

I was on call at the paper today. There were only two assignments – an open house for a new Tractor Supply and a car show.As I read the assignment, I smiled and thought of my blog budd… Read More

I saw dozens of photo ops the last two days. Yesterday afternoon as we drove south to our gig, the late afternoon sun joined together with the autumn foliage to make a kaleidoscope&nbsp&hell…Read More

We had a gig tonight and just got home. It's WAAAAAY past my bedtime. I looked through November pictures from seven years ago. I came across pumpkins, gords, and some other stuff I cann… Read More

I came across a funny picture from my archives. I was looking through November of 2012. That was the year I published my book Life Happens. I came up with several marketing ideas. Some were… Read More

We celebrate Veterans Day today. For some people, it will be dinner with family or shopping at the mall, or maybe watch pro football on TV. Some people will click LIKE on a few Facebook pict… Read More

Jilda and I did chores today. We had a box of things to donate to the Thrift Store that has been sitting in our spare bedroom for weeks.As Jilda threw a few additional things into the box, s… Read More

It was rainy-fied again today. The weather app on my phone kept sending me notifications that the rain would end by 1:45 p.m. Then, it said 3:10 p.m. The next notification I got sa… Read More

I'm out of words today. I've tapped the letters off my keyboard with little to show for it. Some days are like that.We walked early this morning. Another line of thunderstorms was still an h… Read More

It was raining this morning when I first opened my eyes. Acorns falling on the metal roof sounded like a kettle drum. The predicted severe weather never materialized. The winds remained alof… Read More

Jilda and I walk year around. Each season has its own rewards and challenges. During winter when the temps drop, we wear more layers than an onion. When it rains, we put on the raincoats tha… Read More

Time change makes me wonky. Jilda is even worse. Some people love it when the time changes, but to be honest, I don't trust people that support time changes.If you do a little research, it's… Read More

I was going to blog tonight about our gig today at an assisted living facility. But Jilda said it best here.Today was absolutely beautiful. It was a perfect autumn day. Blue skies and white… Read More

There was a nasty line of storms heading our way this morning. We'd watched it inch across the southeast on the tiny radar maps of our phones. It look like it was playing havoc in Texas and… Read More

The dogwood tree on the property we bought a few years ago is leading the pack on color this year. I've tried several times to get a picture, but the light hasn't been right. I could take a… Read More

It was warm enough to swim a few weeks ago, but suddenly fall came and brought winter with it. Now it’s time for autumn chores. This afternoon we plan to bring in all the plants t… Read More

We invited Jilda's brother and his family over this afternoon for chili and hotdogs. As an added bonus for the kids, she made a batch of her spice cookies. A few weeks ago, she showed m… Read More

Today is a holiday according to the Holiday Insights Website. It's Navy Day. The website says: In the United States, Navy Day is commonly celebrated on October 27th.  This dat… Read More

A few months ago I got a recall notice on my 2004 Ford Ranger. Apparently, there was an issue with the airbags. I called to make an appointment but the parts weren't in. They called earlier… Read More

The street light in our yard stayed on longer this morning that it normally does. Even though the sun was out somewhere, it was no where to be seen here. And it was chilly.As the day wore on… Read More

Tonight my bones are aching...all of them. I got the screen porch sealed with plastic and moved all the plants in from outside.Even though I'm weary, it's a good kind of weary. Getting the p… Read More

Tomorrow we'll have to bring our plants inside. The weather was warm enough to swim just over a week ago, and now the weatherman is predicting frost by the weekend. Most of our plants a… Read More

My dad’s birthday was this week. He would have been 95 years old. I have a picture of him on my desk, and he seems to be watching over me as I work. Sometimes looking at that pict… Read More

I took my collie Caillou to the groomer back in May to get his summer cut. I had no idea when I took him in exactly what a summer cut meant. When I picked him up, it looked as if he'd gotten… Read More

We had an early performance today. It was drizzling rain when we left and the temps started dropping after lunch. The weatherman said we wouldn't see the sun today. Our friends played a… Read More

Jilda and I stopped at her sister's house to pick up some young collard plants. Since the temps have dropped it's time to get those babies in the ground.Each time we visit for one thing, we… Read More

An old neighbor used to say that when there are "a plenty" of hickory nuts "a fallin'" then it's bound to be a cold winter. If that's true, I'm buying some more long-johns. Each day whe… Read More

Today has been jammed. I went to a city council meeting this morning. When I got out of the truck,  I had both arms full of stuff to take inside. Once the meeting was over, I heade… Read More

It's been a low-key Sunday for both Jilda and me. We laid down after lunch for a nap and didn't bother to set a timer. I think I may have slobbered on my pillow.  After the nap, I decid… Read More

We had a show tonight with our good friend Joe Greg. He's a steelworker and gets very few days off work. He took vacation so that he could play with us tonight. And we were grateful that he… Read More

I had my last therapy session early this morning. After I hugged necks and shook hands with all my therapy peeps, I swung by Starbucks for a coffee and a paper. Once home, I grabbe… Read More

I've always prided myself with my ability to communicate. Being able to express myself with kids, professionals, and people like me who grew up dirt poor is important to me. But to… Read More

I woke up to the sound of rain on the roof and a gentle ticking of the rose-of-sharon bush outside our bedroom window.The weather-folk said we could have rain later today at the ea… Read More

BY RICK WATSONSIPSEY - This story would have been told years ago, but it got tangled up in excitement, joy, and grief. The fact that things happened the way they did is extraordinary. Some w… Read More

This coming Friday is graduation day for me. There won’t be any diplomas or gifts, exchanged, butthe time I’ve spent has been life-changing. Friday is my last day of therapy.I&rs&hell…Read More

Today has been a restful one. I needed it. Spending time on Friday and Saturday at the festivals was fun, but this morning it all caught up with me. "I laid sorry most of the day," as my gra… Read More

We played at the Frog Level Festival in Fayette tonight. When we took the stage at 6 p.m. it was still 85 degrees and still as a crypt. I can't remember it ever staying this hot in October t… Read More

My assignment this morning was to cover a career fair at the local college. The paper wanted a story and pictures. Local high schools bussed Juniors and seniors to the college campus. They c… Read More

I was between projects this afternoon so I filled my glass full of water from the sink and stood looking out the window at nothing in particular. Something in the filed caught my eye and too… Read More

I put a lot of miles on my vehicle today. An early morning city council meeting had me rolling just after coffee and afterward, Jilda had the crud and went to see her ENT. These appoint… Read More

The late August and September heatwave coupled with the lack of rain had my hopes of a colorful autumn fading. The dust on my truck was thick enough to plant potatoes. It looked like the lea… Read More

The August-September heatwave had its way with our crop of apples this year, but a few have survived. They are a few weeks away from being at peak picking time.Jordan has grown imp… Read More

We attended the wedding of a friend today. She lost her husband a while back. They were close. She is Jilda's age. We fretted that we may never see her smile again. Then something… Read More