In our small town of Dyer, there are numerous stories that almost everyone (at least the "old-timers") knows by heart. Some have spawned phrases that are now part of the local lexicon... The tale of "Charlie Moore's cat" spawned such a phrase.
"He's faster than Charlie Moore's cat..."
I've heard that someone was faster than Charlie Moore's cat since I was very young child. I knew that something faster than that cat must be very fast, but I'd never thought about how fast the cat really was. I imagined all the cats I've seen dash across yards and streets -- they do move pretty quickly.
A couple of years ago, after I'd moved back home, I was having supper with my parents before choir practice. My father commented that Samuel had eaten very quickly -- Samuel had moved faster than Charlie Moore's cat, in fact. As I continued to eat, I asked my father about that famous cat... He suggested I ask someone at choir practice. "Oh, well," I thought, "that's the end of that."
Toward the end of practice I *did* remember to ask about the cat... Mrs. Martha Lynn Knott began to laugh -- heartily. I knew I was in trouble then... I don't remember who actually explained the story -- I suspect that Mr. Fisher Williams finally revealed the secret.
Charlie Moore was a resident of Dyer many years ago -- before I was born (which wasn't so long really, but I got the impression that Mr. Moore was an old man when some of the older members of our church were very young). The story, such as it is, is this:
Charlie Moore's cat was so fast that he could apparently crap from the top of a light/telephone/telegraph pole (it differs with the telling), race to the ground, and dig a hole for the fecal matter to land in -- before it reached the ground... That had to be one fast cat!
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Friday, March 31, 2006
Boing Boing: Bird flu expected on US West Coast
Boing Boing: Bird flu expected on US West Coast:
We've been discussing the bird flu a great deal lately. Watch the back pages of the newspapers. The government *is* worried about the bird flu but they're trying to minimize panic.
Bird flu is expected to hit the US West Coast by this summer, California's Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Belshe said today.
We've been discussing the bird flu a great deal lately. Watch the back pages of the newspapers. The government *is* worried about the bird flu but they're trying to minimize panic.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Protestors at Union University
Jackson Sun:
This "Ride" was interesting to me -- I heard about it, believe it or not, from a high school student at Gibson County. I firmly believe that people should not be discriminated against in the public sector based on their sexual preference -- in accordance with local or state law. I do, however, have a problem with ANYONE trying to force private institutions to modify their policies to conform to a social agenda that those institutions may not share.
Two former Union University students, who are now living in Knoxville as a lesbian couple, were among the 33 gay rights riders who made the stop as part of the national Soulforce Equality Ride. The riders described how gays, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students are made to feel like "outcasts" on some private Christian campuses and in some instances expelled because of their sexual orientation.
This "Ride" was interesting to me -- I heard about it, believe it or not, from a high school student at Gibson County. I firmly believe that people should not be discriminated against in the public sector based on their sexual preference -- in accordance with local or state law. I do, however, have a problem with ANYONE trying to force private institutions to modify their policies to conform to a social agenda that those institutions may not share.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Cute web randomness
From Wikinews:
This was on a Wikinews user page -- I thought it was rather cute.
I was sitting on a beach one summer day, watching two children, a boy and a girl, playing in the sand.
They were hard at work building an elaborate sandcastle by the water's edge with gates and towers and moats and internal passages. Just when they had nearly finished their project, a big wave came along and knocked it down, reducing it to a heap of wet sand.
I expected the children to burst into tears, devastated by what had happened to all their hard work. But they surprised me. Instead, they ran up the shore away from the water, laughing and holding hands, and sat down to build another castle.
I realized that they had taught me an important lesson. All the things in our lives, all the complicated structures we spend so much time and energy creating, are built on sand.
Only our relationships to other people endure. Sooner or later, the wave will come along and knock down what we have worked so hard to build up. When that happens, only the person who has somebody's hand to hold will be able to laugh.
This was on a Wikinews user page -- I thought it was rather cute.
Is this the new Coke flavor (Blue Raspberry)?
I found this on digg -- apparently a new flavor of Coke! Cool! I'm a big fan of raspberry.
read more | digg story
Thursday, February 23, 2006
What is love?
"Love is friendship set on fire." - unknown
I dunno what to think, really. She's charming, very intelligent, a solid Christian, well read, a great conversationalist, and my mental twin on so many levels. In short, she's the perfect friend... but...
What's more, I'm jello when she smiles at me. My heart does strange palpitations when she begins speaking. I'm perfectly satisfied to simply sit quietly next to her and feel her warmth.
Am I in love? I don't know. Am I enchanted? Certainly. Do I know what to do or where this is going? You must be kidding -- I'm lost!
And now... I probably won't see her this weekend. What am I to do?
A story from Dyer
A random story from Dyer...
When the late Mr. John Stockton was a young boy (probably 8 or 9) he had a boxer dog which he walked daily around downtown Dyer. Behind the Farmers and Merchants Bank there was a "liars bench" where the old men sat and swapped stories and gossiped. As John was passing the liars bench with his dog on one of those long-gone (even in the smallest town) quiet and sleepy traffic-free days, one of the old men stuck his cane among the legs of the dog and John almost tripping them. As they stumbled, the old man said, "Hey John, does that dog eat sh*t?" John recovered quickly and said, "Yes sir, but I'll try to hold him while you get away!" John's father was the town night marshal and so was sleeping. John knew he was in trouble -- as he returned quickly home, he could hear the phone ringing inside his house and his father answering, "He did what!?!?! JOOOOOHN." They say that as John's father "whupped" him, he told him that he being punished not because of what he had said, but rather, because of the disrespect he'd shown the old man. Justice was sure and swift in a small town in the old days, no?
When the late Mr. John Stockton was a young boy (probably 8 or 9) he had a boxer dog which he walked daily around downtown Dyer. Behind the Farmers and Merchants Bank there was a "liars bench" where the old men sat and swapped stories and gossiped. As John was passing the liars bench with his dog on one of those long-gone (even in the smallest town) quiet and sleepy traffic-free days, one of the old men stuck his cane among the legs of the dog and John almost tripping them. As they stumbled, the old man said, "Hey John, does that dog eat sh*t?" John recovered quickly and said, "Yes sir, but I'll try to hold him while you get away!" John's father was the town night marshal and so was sleeping. John knew he was in trouble -- as he returned quickly home, he could hear the phone ringing inside his house and his father answering, "He did what!?!?! JOOOOOHN." They say that as John's father "whupped" him, he told him that he being punished not because of what he had said, but rather, because of the disrespect he'd shown the old man. Justice was sure and swift in a small town in the old days, no?
Monday, January 30, 2006
So where is this going? Romance?
I've met someone. Not recently though -- I met her several months ago.
We met Adrienne when she visited Mrs. Wright's house in the spring of 2005. That seems like forever ago. At the time, I was enchanted, but I had reasons for not pursuing a relationship of any kind -- not the least of which was her moving to Memphis in the fall to begin her teaching career.
Adrienne is VERY intelligent, witty, well spoken, an excellent conversationalist, and very pretty. She's a committed conservative Christian.
A few weeks ago, Tori and Jeff asked if I'd come to dinner. We go to eat at a "swanky" restaurant probably once per quarter, on average. I'd meant to call Adrienne several times when in Memphis, but something always seemed to "come up" or prevent me from calling. This time, however, I did manage to call her and she accepted my invitation to dinner. We all dined at Cielo. Again, I was absolutely enchanted. She seemed to have a good time.
Saturday, after dinner at Cielo Friday night, we went out again -- that time, we simply hung around Wolfchase and had lunch at Grisanti's Bol-A-Pasta.
We met Adrienne when she visited Mrs. Wright's house in the spring of 2005. That seems like forever ago. At the time, I was enchanted, but I had reasons for not pursuing a relationship of any kind -- not the least of which was her moving to Memphis in the fall to begin her teaching career.
Adrienne is VERY intelligent, witty, well spoken, an excellent conversationalist, and very pretty. She's a committed conservative Christian.
A few weeks ago, Tori and Jeff asked if I'd come to dinner. We go to eat at a "swanky" restaurant probably once per quarter, on average. I'd meant to call Adrienne several times when in Memphis, but something always seemed to "come up" or prevent me from calling. This time, however, I did manage to call her and she accepted my invitation to dinner. We all dined at Cielo. Again, I was absolutely enchanted. She seemed to have a good time.
Saturday, after dinner at Cielo Friday night, we went out again -- that time, we simply hung around Wolfchase and had lunch at Grisanti's Bol-A-Pasta.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Kissing Dating Goodbye?
Responses to Harris’s book
- Kissing Nonsense Goodbye – Seems to be somewhat critical
- Dateless in Christianville – Again from ChristianityToday.com
- State of the Date – Again from ChristianityToday.com
I searched google for "response" “Kissed Dating Goodbye” and many of the non-blog links are from ChristianityToday.com
My friend, Adrienne, recommended this book and I read it in one sitting—Harris wrote it when he was only 21 and it’s nice bit of prose, but still a quick read. I’m not certain what to think of the book yet—I may read it again. Above, I’m trying to collect some critical comments on the book as most people seem to praise it—but I’m not sure if they’re trying to implement the “conviction” in their lives.
One of the things that concerns me about trying to apply the principles of this book to my life is the confusion that will undoubtedly arise in relationships. The book seems to advocate never spending time alone with an interesting single woman (or man). I spend LOTS of time with single women—and I don’t spend much time with boring people. How should I handle this? If we’re alone, are we dating?
The book seems to be written for someone say, aged 16-23 or so. As a 27 year old who did give up on dating, basically, for the last 5 years, how should I approach this? At the time, I knew that I lacked the maturity to pursue a relationship toward marriage—and emotional attachments without any hope or plan of a future were pointless. I have embraced my “singleness” and accomplished quite a bit. I still don’t see any point in pursuing a romantic relationships simply for the purpose of companionship. I can’t imagine, at this point in my life, investing myself emotionally in someone who I couldn’t marry.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Sultry Nathan?
Adrienne took this pic of me while visiting Memphis over the weekend. Sultry... yeah.Are those what you call "bedroom eyes"?
Monday, January 23, 2006
Feeling gloomy? There may be a reason!
commercialappeal.com - Memphis, TN: Nation & World:
I've talked to several people who feel sort of "down" lately... Perhaps it's because we were moving up to today -- the gloomiest day of the year. We can look forward, however, to June 23, the happiest day of the year. So, it's all up hill from here!
If you're having a bad day today, no wonder. According to one scientist, today -- Monday, Jan. 23 -- is the gloomiest day of 2006.
I've talked to several people who feel sort of "down" lately... Perhaps it's because we were moving up to today -- the gloomiest day of the year. We can look forward, however, to June 23, the happiest day of the year. So, it's all up hill from here!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Roger Norvell
Roger Norvell was killed Saturday in a freak accident while cleaning up some trees. Apparently a tree or limb struck him. He was 40, I think.
His funeral was today at Gibson County High School -- the gym was packed. Local police officers, emergency workers, and the faculty of the school were all there.
One of my fellow church members commented that she had been concerned about some of the local guardsmens and reservists during their stint in Iraq -- we don't consider that death can come for us at any time. Roger was simply doing something that dozens of people do on any given Saturday -- he was essentially working in the yard.
We need to cherish life, our friends, our families. We need to make an effort to love completely and forgive easily.
His funeral was today at Gibson County High School -- the gym was packed. Local police officers, emergency workers, and the faculty of the school were all there.
One of my fellow church members commented that she had been concerned about some of the local guardsmens and reservists during their stint in Iraq -- we don't consider that death can come for us at any time. Roger was simply doing something that dozens of people do on any given Saturday -- he was essentially working in the yard.
We need to cherish life, our friends, our families. We need to make an effort to love completely and forgive easily.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Aren't we cool looking?
Here's a picture of Matt and I from several months ago. We look cool in this pic -- I thought I would share it.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
See what booze can do to you...
Herald Sun: See what the booze can do [08jan06]:
Luckily this doesn't happen to men...
Actually, this story amazed me. I, first of all, can't imagine an attractive 30 something year old getting falling-down-drunk regularly. Second, I would never have imagined the effects of regular "boozing" on a person.
Her body fat increased from 37.4 per cent to 38.9 per cent, she put on more than 3kg, and her skin became so damaged she had the complexion of a 50-year-old.
Luckily this doesn't happen to men...
Actually, this story amazed me. I, first of all, can't imagine an attractive 30 something year old getting falling-down-drunk regularly. Second, I would never have imagined the effects of regular "boozing" on a person.
When do you think folks steal stuff?
Jackson Sun - Budget, turnover limit JPD patrols:
Some how I'm not surprised that most burglaries occur at night, are you?
Most of the city's commercial burglaries occur during officers' patrols on the late second or third shifts, officials said. The second shift is from 2 p.m. to midnight, and the third shift is from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Some how I'm not surprised that most burglaries occur at night, are you?
Speed limits in residential areas
As I noted in a previous post, a citizen requested that the board reduce the speed limit on North Main Street near Barron hill. Currently, the speed changes from 30 mph to 45 mph just past the Yorkville Highway. An older gentleman out there asked the council to knock the speed down. Basically, the the speed would change to 30 around the nursing home.
I went out to North Main the other day and stood on the side of the road for several minutes. 45 is VERY fast there -- I personally don't oppose changing the limit.
I have heard, however, from several folks who oppose the change. Some of the people who oppose the change actually live on Barron hill.
I went out to North Main the other day and stood on the side of the road for several minutes. 45 is VERY fast there -- I personally don't oppose changing the limit.
I have heard, however, from several folks who oppose the change. Some of the people who oppose the change actually live on Barron hill.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
The new year comes with a BANG? More of a thud...
We've had huge parties with more than 70 or 80 people... I've spent new years with small groups before. I'm getting old, surely, because this year we had about 10 folks at Tori's parent's house and played games and basically sat around to greet the new year. I left at 12:30 and I was the last to leave.
We had a great time. Lots of games including Spades, Apples to Apples, and "Scene It". Lots of food including summer-sausage, dry pepperoni, dips and chips, etc. Champagne, a little beer, and some Tennessee Sippin' Whiskey. I don't think anyone got drunk or even close. Very relaxed and that was the plan.
Liz and her boyfriend, Ben, came by. We have a history of including youngsters in our get-togethers. Tom and Jay were present (and literally kicked out of) some parties, but I think it was a good experience for them then and a good experience for Liz now. It's hard to believe she's a senior and will be graduating in May. I finally verified that Ben is Robert Dodd's nephew -- I think I knew that, but I probably forgot. Ben's a nice enough guy and seems to make Liz happy so that's enough for me.
I was pleased to see Jeremy come from Jackson. I think he had a good time. We invited him to Memphis for last year's new year's festivities, but he declined. It's easy to come to Dyer, though, with little cost and no expectations. I'm glad he came.
I wish I'd been able to get Adrienne to visit us. She was busy getting ready for school on Monday. If she lived closer, I think she'd be a great date to just about any event. She's absolutely enchanting.
I hope the new year brings us all prosperity and happiness. Best wishes for a great 2006!
We had a great time. Lots of games including Spades, Apples to Apples, and "Scene It". Lots of food including summer-sausage, dry pepperoni, dips and chips, etc. Champagne, a little beer, and some Tennessee Sippin' Whiskey. I don't think anyone got drunk or even close. Very relaxed and that was the plan.
Liz and her boyfriend, Ben, came by. We have a history of including youngsters in our get-togethers. Tom and Jay were present (and literally kicked out of) some parties, but I think it was a good experience for them then and a good experience for Liz now. It's hard to believe she's a senior and will be graduating in May. I finally verified that Ben is Robert Dodd's nephew -- I think I knew that, but I probably forgot. Ben's a nice enough guy and seems to make Liz happy so that's enough for me.
I was pleased to see Jeremy come from Jackson. I think he had a good time. We invited him to Memphis for last year's new year's festivities, but he declined. It's easy to come to Dyer, though, with little cost and no expectations. I'm glad he came.
I wish I'd been able to get Adrienne to visit us. She was busy getting ready for school on Monday. If she lived closer, I think she'd be a great date to just about any event. She's absolutely enchanting.
I hope the new year brings us all prosperity and happiness. Best wishes for a great 2006!
Avoid that hangover!
Avoid that hangover!:
Creamy and soothing? I won't comment.
My sure-fire cure for a hangover is to sleep until you're not tired anymore. Bloody Marys are cool as well -- along with a G&T. I've not been hung over in several years, I don't think -- though it might be due to my sleeping until the afternoon on several occasions. As a former bartender, I'll attest that LOTS AND LOTS of water before going to bed seemed always to prepare my customers for the next day's events.
“I suggest two Ramos Fizzes or New Orleans Fizzes from Buena Vista and three shots of Fernet vodka — you can get that anywhere,” he said, listing the ingredients in a Ramos Fizz as gin, egg whites, cream, orange flower water, sugar, half-and-half and a splash of soda. “It’s creamy and soothing, and it settles the stomach.”
Creamy and soothing? I won't comment.
My sure-fire cure for a hangover is to sleep until you're not tired anymore. Bloody Marys are cool as well -- along with a G&T. I've not been hung over in several years, I don't think -- though it might be due to my sleeping until the afternoon on several occasions. As a former bartender, I'll attest that LOTS AND LOTS of water before going to bed seemed always to prepare my customers for the next day's events.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Tori on Trevor's new love interest
Mary and Moira's Message Board: “He brought her over to the house yesterday to meet us and she's pretty, nice, she has all her teeth!”
Tori seems to be most pleased that Casey has all her teeth. Go figure.
Tori seems to be most pleased that Casey has all her teeth. Go figure.
Actor Vincent Schiavelli dies in Sicily at age 57 - Wikinews
Actor Vincent Schiavelli dies in Sicily at age 57 - Wikinews:
I would have thought this guy was much older than 57! Apparently he died of lung cancer. He looked sick, perhaps, even when he was well. I really enjoyed his acting. I'm searching for stuff he starred in.
Schiavelli appeared in more than 120 films and television shows including the movie "Ghost" where he played opposite Patrick Swayze. He was selected in 1997 by Vanity Fair as one of the best character actors in the United States.
I would have thought this guy was much older than 57! Apparently he died of lung cancer. He looked sick, perhaps, even when he was well. I really enjoyed his acting. I'm searching for stuff he starred in.
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