Away

Most likely, I will be away for a few days. Not sure. Some things going on I need to take care of...

If do have to leave, I should be back by Friday, the 5th. If not, maybe another time and place...

I appreciate all of your presences in my life...

A Revelation

I've read the Christian bible, a lot of it several times. Everything seems more or less orderly and in place except for one book: Revelations. It just does not fit in the grand scheme of things. I don't think scholars know the identity of the author(s), but if that person lived in our modern world, he could be a writer of fantasy stories or a cultist, probably both.

Let's look at it like this; pretend the entire bible is one lovely stage concert, with each book a verse of lyrics. The aria moves along smoothly, with quiet passages and crescendos throughout, all with the promise of an uplifting climax. In semi-darkness the curtain lifts for the final verse, the sound of trumpets rises from the background, and suddenly the lights blast full on with Lemmy and Motorhead quickly descending to the stage and screaming The Watcher as only a heavy-metal band can. It just does not fit in the grand scheme of things.

If you don't know Lemmy Kilmister, allow me to introduce him via one of his quotes; "I want us to be the kind of band that, if we move next door to you, your grass will die".

This has been an interesting week, but today has been duller than an economics lecture. I haven't made any new friends lately, but none have abandoned me either.

Gotta go; some crap is happening concerning a friend...

You Don't Know Me

Happy Birthday, Dot...

8:00 am--Good morning! This is a glorious Wednesday..., or Thursday..., or Friday...; makes no difference 'cause it is beautiful and beauty is timeless! You too are beautiful and I feel sort of pretty myself!

Nothing like a little rain to dampen the enthusiasm. The heat of summer is broken, and my spirit is lifted. Sometimes, life is a good thing.

For anyone that doesn't know me very well; I was born and live in the south but I am not a southerner. I don't hunt and kill animals for a thrill. A pickup truck is my favorite form of transport, although I don't consider myself a redneck. I do consider myself a hillbilly. Hill people are the antithesis of old south hypocrisy. I wear a ball cap to shade sensitive eyes, not as a fashion statement. I live by no rules, and obey the law when it is convenient. I wear a tee shirt because it is comfortable. My hair is long because it is my "thing". I am slightly dyslexic and I write to help overcome its inconvenience. Being an American gives me the right to dislike America. Being a free thinker gives me the right to be a unique individual; I have never found a leader for my life; I've never looked for a leader for my life. I find hypocrisy in others distasteful..., I've learned to cope with my own.

I like to learn. A day is wasted when nothing new and exciting isn't found and assimilated. Some days, the pursuit of knowledge is all that keeps me caring about anything.

I care for the few old friends I have left, and I care for the few new ones whom grace me with a smile.

1:30 pm--I am listening to Rudy Adrian's MoonWater album.

4:00 pm--I guess I'm about done for today. It is sprinkling rain and I'll probably put off making any photos until tomorrow. I need to get out and shoot some night scenes.

Some Thoughts

An adult is a person who gets up every morning and goes to a place she doesn't want to be and does work she doesn't want to do for someone she doesn't know or doesn't like. She does it because she cares about herself or someone else.

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I find it distasteful to follow someone else's rules; I sometimes rebel at following my own.

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C., I am here anytime you need a shoulder. This photograph is yours, and I thank you for being a true friend.

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The sky is becoming overcast this evening. I did some sky scouting last evening, and have my tripod set up for a promising moon shot through an opening in tree limbs. I guess it isn't to be. A full moon is definitely lovely, but not that important on my itinerary.

Today is and has been Tuesday. All day.

Today, I remember Janie Stout. A wonderful person and wife of my friend Eddie.

Today, I remember Joe Legg. A good man... a kind man.

I remember Joe for his kindness and generosity when I was child.

I remember Janie for making the world a better place for girls and young women.

Both of these people were role models, and will be missed by family, friends, and the communities on which they bestowed their goodness.

Monday

Another Sunday behind me! That is what makes Mondays so delightful.

As a child, I disliked Sundays because I was forced to go to church, while the neighbor kids were able to play and be kids. As a teen, when Elvis appeared on the Ed Sullivan television show for the first time, I was at a church function and I was miserable.

After marriage, children, and domestication, Sunday was a day to fret because I had to go to work on Monday.

After finishing my electrician apprenticeship and beginning my tramp years, Sunday mornings were pensive because I knew that in a few hours I would be hitting the road and heading hundreds of miles away to provide a decent living for my family.

I LOVE Mondays!

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
--Dr. Seuss

Drove over to Erwin and on up to the Beauty Spot yesterday. Made a few photos, and went on to the place where artists gather for drawing and painting the mountainscapes. There used to be magnificent views from these sites, but lack of government funding is allowing brush to obscure the best vistas.

We went from there to near the top of Unaka Mountain. I took my new spotter along, and she did very well as I negotiated the sometimes rough and twisting roads. Didn't see much wildlife, but we had a great time. We descended through Limestone Cove, which is a beautiful area in itself.

Songs; Blouses; Tattoos

Last evening was karaoke night at the local watering hole. It's a time when the young and middle-aged imbibers make a grand ass of themselves, and we of the AARP generation look on with envious amusement.

I watched the pretty girls take their turn at the mike as the horny wannabe studs whistled their lust. A couple of the ladies brought their lovely selves to my table, with one even borrowing my Dark Side of the Moon ball cap for her performance. I would gladly have allowed her to take my Pink Floyd shirt if she would have given me her pretty blouse and a peek at the contents thereof. It had been a while since fingers like hers went through my thinning locks. She placed a little kiss atop my head and suddenly I was as horny as the thirty-somethings; probably more so.

I stayed only a couple of hours; too much high culture isn't a good thing. Anyway, I was feeling the few beers I drank, so I stopped at a friends house for a bit of socializing. I think she has talked me into getting the tattoo. She was proudly showing her first one, and I must say, it is lovely. I will muse on it a bit more. I know what I want; just making up my mind to do it...

A couple of delightful hours at her trailer home, then back to the same old Flickr. I capped the evening with a toddy of brandy and writing and answering emails.

A very good day indeed.

...beautiful silky shoulder length hair; perfect skin—lightly tanned; captivating green eyes; scrumptious lips; a knockout smile...

Oh, hello. Forgive me. I was just momentarily looking at my reflection in the mirror...

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Went for my annual physical and checkup. Except for the obvious, not half bad.

Happy Birthday, Carolyn.

Today; today; today... What is there to say?
It is cloudy in Dallas but clear here.

Oh, I can say: Happy Birthday, Vanessa. If you have a cake, your dad will help you blow out the candles.


"We do not remember days, We remember moments"
--Cesare Pavese

Dear Fred

Dear Fred,

I'm going to have to say my say today, because tomorrow I will be too melancholy to write about you.

I've been thinking of you a lot lately, and I wish you were here for us to celebrate your birthday and Vanessa's birthday, and Alice's and your wedding anniversary. I'm still stumped as to how you arranged for Nessa to be born on your birthday. Probably the same way you won so many times playing cards: you cheated! Well, you were always smarter than the rest of us anyway.

Alice and Vanessa are such great people. Alice is still a lovely woman and has kept her faith when others might falter. Vanessa has grown into a beautiful woman, worked hard and earned herself a fine education, and though I haven't seen your grandchildren since they were small, they just have to be beautiful too. I think they keep Alice hopping.

I was going to say a few things about the old days, but I am starting to cry... Bless you, Bro.

Forever and ever,
Ken

Home foreclosure filings reported in the U.S. last month more than doubled from August 2006 and jumped 36 percent from July, a trend that signals many homeowners are increasingly unable to make timely payments on their mortgages or sell their homes amid a national housing slump.... Source: Google

Remember a few weeks back when I warned you this was coming?

This can all be traced right to the doorstep of the President of the United States of America. He started a war he knew we could never completely get away from, just to keep the price of oil high. Why would he ever do a dastardly thing like that? He is an oil man! VP Cheney is an oil man. The administration's largest political money contributors are oil men. But you knew this when you allowed him to steal the 2000 election, didn't you? And you still knew this when you re-elected him in 2004, didn't you?

You married him for better or for worse, now you sleep with him!

7:15 am--I am supposed to be getting ready to visit the doctor for my annual physical, but I've decided not to participate at this time. Freedom; it is something I had set aside for a while.

Tis Blue Monday, and I have a zillion things to attend to. Actually, I like Mondays; they put Sundays behind me. Generally on Sundays, I get out and seek photo ops, but yesterday I was somewhat depressed. I actually sat and watched part of a golf game on tv. It definitely wasn't a cure for melancholy.

Today I must do the tax thing. Go to the bank and pay 941 taxes, then back home and pay 1040ES taxes online. I made a mistake on city and county tax forms and I have to redo those. Quarterly state and federal tax reports must be done in a couple of weeks. I'm seriously considering turning this crap over to a professional; but I probably won't.

Somehow today, I have to find time to go to Lowe's and buy some electrical parts. I'll have to pick up some food for the livestock, too.

And during all this, I'll be trying to think of some mischief to get into.

1:00 pm--I've begun reposting some of my old stuff on Flickr; drawings and manipulated photos from way back. Somehow, I'm just not enthusiastic about making photos anymore.

2:45 pm--I'm done for the day!

Sunday, Sunday

9:15 am--Carolyn has gone off somewhere; probably to church. More irony.

I'm alone and the house is quiet except for the clicking, ticking clock. Alone is not such a good thing anymore, especially when I can hear the clock ticking my life away. I used to love it, but lately it has become depressingly oppressive.

6:15 am--Another ambiguous Sunday; a day the Christian world uses to ask forgiveness for the previous week's sins. I wonder why they think God will keep forgiving them for the missteps and wickedness that they insist on committing each day. They may quote scripture that says He is a forgiving God. I can quote scripture that says don't push your luck.

Some of these people point a righteous finger and proclaim God is angry at His creations and will soon put an end to this sinful world. Somehow, that finger of indignation won't bend enough to point to themselves.

That's one of the good things about being free; a free person has reality. I don't have to worry about Satan poking a pitchfork in my ass while I'm busy fornicating. I do worry about the cuckolded husband threatening my manhood with with his Buck knife, though. I do have to somewhat worry about my wife catching me being overly amorous with some little darling, or darlings, if I'm extremely lucky.

But then, Christians don't worry about Satan as they sin, because the gratification of fornicating offsets any doubts. It isn't until the conscientious fear of eternal damnation sets in that these good people begin to worry. But then, there is always another Sunday morning to make amends.

Yes, I know; true Christians pray every day and thank God for their blessings and ask for forgiveness, even if they haven't knowingly sinned. That is called covering one's ass.

That brings me to a question I often ask myself; do people attend church because they love God and want to worship Him, or is it because they fear Him? My simplest answer to such a complicated question; most do love God, but they attend church because they fear Him. Here, I'm speaking by and large about intermittent church goers, and these people constitute the majority of the Christian world; a big majority.

Just something to think about.

I'm In Denial

For the past week or so, I've been getting an unusual amount of people listing me as a contact on Flickr. I thought it was due to my "online persona" that one of my contacts attributed to me. Being an humble person, I listed these people as contacts too, and thought little more about it.

Then yesterday, I received an email from another Flickr friend telling me that there was a rumor sneaking about that I was some kind of administrator for Flickr's Explore. Explore is for 500 select photographs each day that some person or persons in the higher Flickr ranks consider most interesting.

Explore is something I paid little attention to until a few weeks ago, when some of my contacts began showing thumbnails of their photos that were selected for Explore. The thumbnails went from just a few to several hundred. I usually left these deserving contacts a comment congratulating them for their excellent work.

I answered the email with a denial and this fact; if I was an Explore selector, I believe I could arrange to have one or two of my own photos show up there—deserving or not—and I have exactly none, as far as I know.

The only real "award" that I've received—other than kind words from my friends—for my Flickr photos is "Photo of the Day" in the Best of Flickr group. That, and the possibility having a photo published in an European magazine, is enough for me.

I am not, nor have I ever been a a member of Flickr or Yahoo administration.

I will get back to my thoughts on the Flickr Explore thing later.

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I haven't asked lately: How are y'all doing?

10:00 am--We are getting a good dose of rain today. Maybe it will help make the fall colors be a little brighter. Thanks LA and TX for sending it our way.

I had a good time out making photos Wednesday evening. This is the time of year when light is perfect, if you like to work with defined shadows. And I do. Between about five and six-thirty is the time to have the sun at your back. I didn't get any remarkable photos, but it was fun. I think my butt looks big in my shadow photo, though.

We now have more than 15 squirrels in the backyard. I guess I'm the only one close around that is providing water in this infernal drought. We've taken so much from the creatures; we must do what we can do.

11:15 am--Flickr is having problems.

Carolyn was able to get one of the jobs she bid on last week; the smaller one. We have to pick up the key today. Then off to pick up another key for some weekend work, and to the bank and home.

5:30 pm--Finished those projects and a couple more. Done!

Irony

A tale of irony. My bride of 44 years has a boyfriend. But that isn't the ironic part. The man is a devout Baptist. He is a married devout Baptist. The ironic part. He is a devout, married, Baptist preacher! Can you believe it? Ah, love is a many splendored thing. I guess.

Well, thats all from the world of Wayne today.

Get A Haircut And Get A Real Job...

Yesterday was a rainy, gray CSN day with a Santana side dish; dessert was a a smooth and scrumptious Wes Montgomery. Today...? Maybe some Les Paul and Mary Ford or Village Stompers...?

Yesterday was also a near perfect day for the new me. Gentle rain whispering sweet nothings to soft, dancing leaves; pleasant conversations with friends; a satisfactory evening photograph.

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A late summer indulgence that even a kitchen klutz like myself can make.

Black Bottom Banana Pie

1 package (4-serv. size) JELL-O Banana Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
1 (6 oz.) prepared chocolate flavor crumb crust
1 1/2 cups cold half-and-half or milk
1/3 cup hot fudge dessert topping
1 large banana, sliced

SPREAD dessert topping in bottom of crust. Arrange banana slices over dessert topping.
POUR half-and-half into large bowl. Add pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes or until thickened. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spread pudding mixture over banana slices.
FREEZE 6 hours or overnight, covering with plastic wrap after 2 hours. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes or until pie can be cut easily. Garnish as desired. Store leftover pie in freezer. Serves: 8 normal people or one me.

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If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.--Will Rogers

It is actually drizzling rain as I write this. Thank the FSM.

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I downloaded an instant message client--AIM--installed it, and have not a clue as to what I'm going to do with it. Are these things for personal messaging or more like the chat rooms AOL had back in the mid-nineties? By the FSM, if it is a chat room, I will soon be relieving myself of it. Back then, I was propositioned by an 80 yr old pretending to be 30, and by a 14 yr old pretending to be 40. Flattering, for sure! The thirty-something chat rooms were the place to be, where everyone seemed to hang a persona except innocent old cow-poop-on-the-clodhoppers Ken. Why are people so desperate?

AOL was just getting started, was cheaper than Compuserve, and had local dial-up numbers. I hadn't heard of Google, and Flickr wasn't even a dream. I was using Windows for Workgroups, which was a poor rip-off of Apple. My browser was Netscape--and still is, disguised as Firefox--and there was little net surfing because there were not many places to go. Very few online retailers, and no spam.

By 1997, local ISPs were spelling doom for the likes of AOL, though "aggressive" marketing kept them healthy for years.

I'll see if I can find an IM buddy or two, that is if I don't have to go into a thirty-something room with them. Anyone want to chatter?

Just finished listening to Janis Joplin's Greatest Hits album—again. She is my favorite female singer of all time. Such Blues power! I would have loved to see her and my favorite guitarist—Jimi Hendrix—performing on stage together doing what they did best; awesome screaming Blues! "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose..."

I'm now listening to The Venture's Greatest Hits. Any of you ancients out there remember Telstar?

The hippies of the sixties are now in their sixties. Fantastic! And they said we'd never amount to anything. I once got fired from a job for not shaving. I don't remember taking many baths back then either. Kept my teeth clean, though.

The first big time rock band I saw in concert: Kiss, opened by Bob Seeger and the Silver Bullet Band.

The most unique guitarist I ever saw in person: Dickey Betts. The most unique band I ever saw in concert: Tie— Judas Priest and ZZ Top. I know, unique is unique, not most unique, and unique cannot be tied! Indulge me!

The most unique Bluesman I ever saw in concert: Johnny Winter.

The most unique person I ever saw in concert: Ted Nugent. No contest there.

The best overall concert I ever saw: Charlie Daniels' Volunteer Jam. "Ain't it great to be alive and be in Tennessee."

My favorite ballad/rock musician of all time: Neil Young.

My favorite band or musician to listen to a whole lot: Tie—Pink Floyd and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

Well, that is enough (too much) listing for today.

The sky is overcast but isn't crying. I'm afraid when the rain does start here—if it does—it will be too much too late.

May the great Flying Spaghetti Monster keep and guide you...

I know, I usually don't post on Sunday, but I don't know when to shut up. I am shutting up.

I've finished shutting up for a spell. I stayed up most of the night working on some story stuff. Nearly finished with the one I started yesterday, and a few more in the oven or in planning.

I am now alone, and I don't know what to do with myself. I used to love the solitude of Sunday aloneness, but of recent, aloneness has turned into lonely. Sundays sure screw up a weekend.

Well, I've a story to finish...

It still ain't finished! Went out and scouted for some photos. Pickings were poor, at best. Found one interesting barn and an old church.

Now, back to the story...

9:37 am--I hope everyone had as good a night as I, and trust you will look forward to having a great day.

Ok, I got some static via email about my lengthy post of yesterday, and the photo is a symptom of narcissistic personality disorder. By the great Flying Spaghetti Monster I retort, if you've got it, flaunt it. And I've got it in spades. I like me! I made a series of self-photos last evening, and I may post a new one every day forever. You'll think Narcissus!

I put this stuff up here because I like to put it up here. I like words on paper, real or virtual. I like my words on paper! Hell, it's my blog and I intend to use it as such.

Damn, it feels good feeling good! It feels good telling someone to kiss-off if I want to! This is Life!

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I was surfing last evening with StumbleUpon-- http://www.stumbleupon.com/ --when I stumbled upon just the finest little music channel: http://www.zenchannel.com/. It is now my constant online companion, my new heartthrob, my soulmate. It is ecstasy; it is bliss; it is opiate; it is timeless love; it is Zen. Sorry all you babes that have a crush on me; I am won by another.

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9:53 am--I feel so damned good! Been this way since getting out of bed yesterday morning. No, the physical pain hasn't subsided very much, but my mental well being is probably the highest it's been in more than five years.

Yesterday, I was able to exorcise some demons from my inner being that have held back my progress as an individual. I put to rest some fears and anxieties that were wearing and tearing me down. Today, I am free!

I feel like singing (I can't carry a note)! I feel like SHOUTING! I feel go-o-o-o-d! Hey, I sound like Mary Poppins!

12:10 pm--One of my few remaining friends from "the old days" stopped by to hassle me this morning. Even though we live less than a block apart, our schedules and life styles aren't always in sync, and we don't have time to sit and have a session. Mouse helped Carolyn acquire one of her biggest contracts, and it in turn led to another good sized account for her.

I've known Mouse since 1974. We were both working for the now locally defunct Texas Instruments Corp. He was a machine setup person and I worked maintenance. He had just gone through a divorce, and was riding a bicycle to work on second shift. His ex had left him with nothing but a few clothes and a couple of boys to raise.

My Dodge pickup had a sliding back window that opened to the cargo bed. I always drank a beer or two on the way to work, and occasionally Mouse was unfortunate to get behind me. Seeing him back there, I would toss my empty can through the back window just a little higher than usual so the air stream would catch it. The very first one caught him by surprise as it whapped him across the arm, and he never tailgated me again. I always offered to give him and his bike a lift to work, and he always refused, saying I was too crazy to ride with.

After getting the old heave-ho from TI, we rarely saw each other until 1979 when I moved into a trailer park where he and his boys were living. Soon after, he was able to rent a house for his family and I didn't see him much except when we ran into each other at a bar. I had been receiving gold-salts injections for the RA, and was pretty well in remission, feeling it was time for me to hit the construction trail again. Out of the blue, Mouse asked me if I would work for him. He and another bar-buddy had contracted with a developer to put houses under roof. It paid only $150 per week, but it was enough to get by on. With my second job of picking up beer cans along the roads and selling the aluminum, and Carolyn working for a janitor service, we existed.

I continued working for Mouse through the summer, but then my RA hit me again; hard. Of course, I wasn't the only one vulnerable to disease; Mouse came down with lung cancer about eight years ago, but was successfully operated on. He still smokes, though.

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The years from 1975 to about 1990 were the best years of my life. I had little money, I drank to excess, tried every drug I could get hold of, and always had a nice stash of herb. I was happy. I had more real friends than anyone deserves, and not a weekend went by without a party somewhere. In the summer we partied at the local lakes and mountains; in winter, we were from house to house. The drugs and alcohol eased the pain enough for me to live with the RA.

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3:00 pm--Had to make a run to the bank, and for the first time in years, when I left home, I didn't wear a ball cap. No! Not even my favorite Dark Side of the Moon chapeau. I let my lovely and long locks blow in the wind from the open windows. My head fur isn't as dark as it once was, nor is it nearly as thick, but Babe, it is beautiful! I haven't had a hair cut since early last spring, and I am one cool and freakin' mother!

I put my cane in the closet 'cause I ain't carrying no crutch of no kind no longer. Oh hell yeah, I still limp and it still hurts, but not as badly. When the mind is at peace with the Cosmos, anything can be dealt with. And sweethearts, I am dealin'! No, not drugs; happiness.

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1:15 pm--Submitted the bid for the Urology Clinic, finished some paperwork, and browsed Flickr contact photos. I can't get over the high quality photography that most of my contacts are producing.

It is still hot and dry here, and no relief in the forecast. Temps hanging above 90° and humidity is ridiculously high. Lawns are dying and trees and ornamentals are stressed. High level government employees are getting richer.

I see the former Senator from Tennessee, Mr. Fred Thompson, is wanting to be president of the good old USA. His qualifications include being a lousy Senator and a mediocre TV actor. In other words, he is as good as anyone else vying for the position. He will be a good man to carry forward the programs and delusions of President Bush.

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2:32 pm--My work and usefulness for today are done, and I have time to get into some meanness.

I've decided my life has gone far enough without something more fulfilling to better my days. I have actually joined a church, yea, I am a tithing member of the Baptist denomination. I've seen my friends as happy believers, all the while I've felt sad and alone. I am now a Landover Baptist Church member. Praise! Praise!

I now feel I am a complete person, but, it leaves me in a quandary about some things. How do I explain to God that some of my best friends, both online and locally, are homosexuals? Do I have to denounce these good people? Should I minister the word of the Bible to them? And what to do about my many friends that fornicate? I don't want to lose the few supporters I have! Neither do I want The Creator putting me on His "watch" list.

All this worry about a fulfilled life is making me sad and alone again. It just isn't fair.

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4:00 pm--Had to go back to work; the woman at the urologist's office accidentally shredded our bid. That isn't a good omen!

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6:10 pm--I guess I should take Will Roger's advice: Never miss a good chance to shut up. It is so difficult for me though, because I have so much to say, even if no one listens.

A bad thing about being at the bottom of misery's well is that you know someone is going to pee on you.

One of my Flickr contacts—and a friend—whom reads my efforts here and on Lord Bubbha asked me to write a love story. My countrified bucolic stuff is ok, I guess, but she likes to read that sort of thing. I thought about it for a month or so, and after thinking enough, I concluded it is impossible for me to write a love story. I know so little about love.

So, how am I to write a love story? Like I've done with most of my life, I fake it. Several years ago, I did include what I thought was a steamy chapter in a novel I was writing. The original has been highly edited for sexual content on advice from my mother. Not that she didn't approve; on the contrary, she must have loved it, for a "tut-tut" was never uttered. She suggested I cut some of it and save it for another chapter of the book. You see, as with most of the stories I write, it was based on fact; it was based on my mother becoming pregnant by a soldier during WWII.

The chapter is now posted on the other blog.


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Here is my favorite love poem of all time! Yes I, like Poe, am morbid.

ANNABELLE LEE

Author: Edgar Allan Poe

It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea;
But we loved with a love that was more than love -
I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.
And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsman came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulcher
In this kingdom by the sea.
The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me
Yes! that was the reason
(as all men know, In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we
Of many far wiser than we
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.
For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride,
In the sepulcher there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.

8:25--This morning, I am in a pensive mood. Something isn't quite right and I can't put my finger on it. Have I forgotten something important? Have I said the wrong thing to someone? This is creepy!

I have nothing to do today except time sheets and payroll. I will drive Carolyn to look at a new job prospect so that she may place a bid, and we will deliver supplies to one of her projects in Elizabethton and then hand-deliver a bid for another prospect. That will conclude my importance for today. But still, something is crawling around the periphery of my mind...

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

10:54--I've yet to accomplish a thing today. I'm thinking of buying a new camera, an slr, which I don't need. Cripes, I need other things. I'm glad that I am not the type of person that buys something to "cheer me up". If so, I would already own everything.

888888888888888888888888888

2:46--We delivered the bid, checked out the new possible, and delivered supplies to Elizabethton. Still haven't done the time sheets or figured the payroll. Time is on my side.

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A while back, I was honored to know one of my photos is being considered for publication in a magazine. The writer is a Flickr contact and journalist living and working in Europe. Apparently where she lives, Flickr hasn't caught on..., yet. Her article will concern the Flickr phenomena that is so popular in the USA, and she invited 10 of her contacts whom she considered as serious about photography to answer a short questionnaire and submit a photograph for publication. Being bashful and reclusive, it took me about a second to say yes. I'm such a pushover. Who knows, maybe hogslopper will become a household name in European countries like it is here in the good old USA.

9:42--Finally got the time sheets done and the payroll ready to print. Damn, I'm talented.

For anyone that cares, I put a chapter of my defunct novel on Lord Bubbha. If you don't like explicit sexual content, DON'T READ IT!

About Best Western motel. We booked our room two weeks before our trip to Chattanooga, asking for ground floor accommodations. We arrived at the motel one and one-half hours before scheduled check-in time. No ground floor rooms to be had; they were rented on a first come first served basis. Stair climbing is difficult for Carolyn, and extremely painful for me, but I had 15 of them to negotiate.

Sunday morning when we got out of bed, the room was crawling with tiny black ants. A scrap of food tossed in a trash can had brought an onslaught.

One good thing though, the bed was big and comfortable.

8:32 am-Having coffee and preparing to leave for home.

9:22 am-Heading for Chickamauga Battlefield this morning, and again this evening, maybe. If the air is better, will give the mountain another try somewhere in between.

We are in Best Western motel in Fort Oglethorpe, GA. If I could walk better, we would visit the Tennessee Aquarium, but...

7:10 pm-Visited the battlefield twice today, and drove around downtown Chattanooga for a while. No worthwhile photos, I think, although it is difficult to discern on this 13" laptop.

The air quality was much improved this afternoon, but not enough for the long vistas that may be enjoyed from Lookout Point. So, we didn't return there.

We found the old Ft. Oglethorpe army barracks where my dad was inducted into service in WWII. Some were still standing, but have been converted to civilian use.

There was some terrible carnage in these three battlegrounds.

We will leave for home around 10:00 am tomorrow, I reckon. Should get home before 2:00 pm.

I could live here! Live in Tennessee and buy the necessities in Georgia. Tennessee has no income tax, and Georgia has a lower sales tax. We do that now at home. Live in TN and buy in VA.

The image is the Tennessee Cavalry Memorial (Union).

Chattanooga

Atop Lookout Mt.

Air quality: Poor

Usable Visibility: Less than one mile.

My mood: Rats!

Sitting in motel room waiting to go out for supper. Drinking ice cold Perrier.

Chickamauga tomorrow.

At least I ain't home!