Why Do You Blog?.......

It's 6:00 AM.  I Have My Mornin' Joe and My 'Puter.  Let's Go Bloggin'!

In June of 2010 my wife, Cindy told me I should begin a blog.  She had started one a few months earlier and was enjoying the experience.  I had not considered beginning a blog because I was keeping a daily diary of my/our experiences, and the entries were often lengthy.  I guess I just didn't think I had time to do a blog and a diary at the same time...plus, I kinda' thought doing both would be somewhat redundant.

But, then I got to thinkin' that a blog would offer me the opportunity to express whatever was on my mind on a particular day---not limiting me to just my activities.  This appealed to me.

So, I started my blog.  At first, I didn't know anything at all about "followers" and such.  I was simply writing for the benefit of expressing myself. 

After a few weeks, people started to comment on my ramblings.  It was kinda' nice to see what others thought about my topics.  Then, I started commenting on the posts of others, and I began to follow some other blogs of interest.

I quickly noticed that about 80% of bloggers are female.  Not sure why that is, except maybe that women are more attuned to feelings and expression than men.   Anyway, a few months after I was in full swing on my blog, I got a note from a woman whose blog I followed, and the note read thusly:

I don't mean to offend you, but my blog is for women only.  Also, to honor my husband I would appreciate it if you would remove yourself from my followers.

Well, this was certainly a jolt to me.  Fortunately, this turned out to be the only time anything like this occurred.

What started off being a leisurely way to express myself on any subject at any time, soon evolved into a world of its own.

Some observations:

---Bloggers are more intelligent than the average bear
---Family and personal friends seem to actively avoid reading my blog
---Most bloggers are extremely supportive of each other
---Most blog posts are upbeat and optimistic in nature
---Bloggers are incredibly attuned to political correctness
---Bloggers are a faithful bunch
---Blogging is like building a scrapbook of your life

---I occasionally "hit a wall" and writer's block rears its ugly head.  I have to "get away" for a few days when this happens.

---There can be a temptation to write in such a way as to appeal to others.  I resist this because my blog is, foremost, a recording of my own demented mind....and I don't want to appear to be sane.

Why do YOU blog?  What are your thoughts?

Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears.......

Over the years, since college, I have taught myself to play the guitar.  Since I love to sing, this has been wonderful.

Tuning is a Snap With My Cell Phone APP....

When I first began learning to play the guitar, it was necessary to learn how to tune the thing.  In order to tune it properly, I had to learn the names of each of the six strings.  That turned out to be easy, because if one remembers the cute little phrase, "Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears", then you have also memorized the names of the strings, from top (bass) to bottom---E, A, D, G, B and E.

When I first started out, I bought a Panasonic electronic tuner.  This was circa 1971 or thereabouts.  It was about the size of a carton of cigarettes and weighed about 2 pounds.  It was cumbersome.  It cost about $50 at the time, which was a king's ransom in those days.  Today, an electronic tuner can be purchased for between $20 and $90, depending upon what features you desire.  They are about half---or less---the size of a modern cell phone and weigh virtually nothing.

This is My Cell Phone With the Tuning App Running....

When I got my new smart phone a few months back, I was perusing the thousands of applications available.  Astoundingly, I ran across one that I could download to my phone that would tune my guitar---for free!

Needless to say, I did download it and now all I have to do is use my phone to get precise tuning anytime I want.  I love it.

The Little Chick That Could.......

We don't have an open marriage, but I must tell you that Cindy ain't the only chick in my life.  And, I must say I have found that a little variety is indeed the spice of life.

By The Bird Feeder, Scaring Off The Others

Our little chick does not have a formal name.  She is known simply as "the chick". 

In The Microwave

In The Drawer With My Socks and Undies

She is, in reality, made of ceramic.  About two years ago, Cindy and I started playing games with her.  Cindy would hide the little bird in a place she knew I frequented---like the microwave oven, or my underwear/sock drawer.  Then, when I least expected a shock, I would see the garish little chick staring at me and I would get a jolt of a surprise. 

On The Toilet

They Had to Take it Breech

Then, I started hiding the chick in places where Cindy would get a jolt---yesterday, as Cindy made a beeline for the bathroom, she shrieked in surprise as she found the li'l guy sitting on the toilet.

In The Pantry

We've had---and will continue to have---lots of fun with our little friend as we try to surprise each other.

I Caught Her Using My Computer --- On The Website dateachick.com


One day we experimented and placed the chick on our rear deck next to the bird feeder.  Funny thing happened.....our real birds that are always teeming around the feeder wouldn't come near it with the chick present.

She Likes Sitting on My Shoulder

Like I say, Cindy ain't the only chick in my life.  Heh heh.......

OMG!!! 

Why the United States Can No Longer Compete.......

Just read the attached article from the New York Times.  It explains it all.  In short, we in the Western world are being outsold, outworked and outsmarted by our Eastern neighbors.  They are willing to do whatever necessary to manufacture product in their own countries.  Their innovation and work ethic are very, very impressive.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/business/apple-america-and-a-squeezed-middle-class.html

Fantasies of a Wistful Mind.......

Did you ever wonder what would have happened to you if you had taken the other road?  You know---the road Robert Frost wrote of ?

How different your life would have been! 

Sometimes I reflect on the choices I made and the resulting pathways that became my life.  There were (and are) so many  different possibilities before me.  Too often, I chose expedience.  Maybe it was my weakness in allowing someone influential in my life to sway me to a decision that, in my heart, I did not fully support.

Sometimes the fear of the unknown made me choose a path that was safe, while deep down I really wanted to explore those unknown possibilities that were fraught with risk but loaded with potential.

I wish sometimes that I could live my life over---knowing, of course, what I now know.  Ha.

I see myself as a very young man in Greenwich Village.  I have no money.  But, that doesn't matter.  What matters is my singing gigs in the coffee houses.  What matters is my song writing.  What matters is my growing group of friends who share my passion for the guitar, the folk song, the lyrics of love and lore.

Who can say where that road would have led?  I certainly would not have been the person I am today. 

I think we should always follow our passions in life.  Only in that way, it seems to me, will we be truly fulfilled.

The Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium!.......

Historic Ryman Auditorium in Downtown Nashville at Night

It is Friday Night in Nashville, January 13, 2012.  The Grand Ole Opry is performing tonight in the historic Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville.   There is excitement in the air!



We Arrived Early.  Our Seats Were Where the Two People Are Standing

The Ryman was built in 1892.  It was originally named "Union Gospel Tabernacle".  It was renamed "Ryman Auditorium" in 1904.

Those Benches Got kinda' Hard After Two Hours!

Over the years, this storied landmark has been host to presidents and legendary performers of all genres.  The first sellout crowd at the Ryman occurred in 1911, when Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan  lectured there. 

Minnie Pearl and Hank Williams Live Again!---Welcoming Visitors to The Performance of the Opry

If you visit the Ryman website, you can get a complete review of the incredible history of this remarkable landmark.

We Love Opry Emcee Eddie Stubbs, Seen Here With a Member of Riders In The Sky.  True Story---On Sunday Morning, as We Departed Nashville for Home, Cindy Saw Eddie Stubbs Driving His signature Black 1996 Cadillac as We Passed Him on the Expressway.  How Cool is That?

But, on this night---last Friday---two admirers of country music were thrilled, along with the rest of the crowd, to be a part of the  performance, which featured Riders in the Sky, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Bill Anderson, Jeanne Seeley, The Whites, Connie Smith, Del McCoury, Jean Shepard, Restless Heart and Jesse McReynolds.

The "Rolls Royce of Country Singers", Miss Connie Smith

Vince Gill

Ricky Skaggs

After the two hour concert, which is actually a two-hour radio program that is broadcast throughout the United States and Canada, Cindy and I strolled down Broadway, where the honky tonks were bursting at the seams with revelers.  That night, we slept soundly, with dreams of Hank and Johnny and Loretta.......

Over on Broadway After the Concert, We Stopped in at Ernest Tubb's Famous Record Shop

After the Concert, We Strolled to Printer's Alley, Where Nightlife Used to reign; But Today, It Has Fallen on Lean Times

Nashville and Opryland!

That's Me---Singing With Elvis On Broadway in Downtown Nashville

Last week I planned a surprise trip for Cindy, who has been a very good girl and deserved a treat from the man of her dreams....moi (insert blush here).

Going to The Ryman on Friday Night!

Downtown Nashville

Destination:  Nashville, AKA Music City.  Nashville is a pleasant 2 1/2 hour drive over Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau from Knoxville.

Icy Roads and a Little Snow Can't Keep Us From Nashville!

Me---In Our Hotel Lobby Before Going to the Opry

What a Handsome Couple!

I informed the dear lady of our trip on Friday morning at 10:00.  We departed our home at noon.  Nashville, HERE WE COME!

That's Me!...Minglin' With the Crowd in Tootsie's Orchid Lounge---Nashville's Most Famous Honky Tonk

Horsey Ride on Broadway, Anyone?

Downtown Nashville's Life and Casualty Tower

We arrived at our downtown hotel at almost 4:00, because we stopped on the way to eat.  We rested only a few minutes before heading downtown to the storied Ryman Auditorium for the 7:00 PM performance of the Grand Ole Opry. 

Honky-Tonkin' on Broadway

Our Restaurant

What a fantastic old building, full of the ghosts of legends past and present! I could feel the presence of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, and a hundred others.......

Atrium, Opryland Hotel

Opryland Hotel Atrium

We sat in the balcony.  Our seats were right on top of the action.  On this night, we saw Vince Gill, Bill Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, Jeanne Seeley, Del McCoury, Jean Shepard, Connie Smith, Riders of the Sky, The Whites, and more.  The performances were terrific!  The sound system is state-of-the-art, as one would expect, and the two-hour concert flashed past much too quickly.  We could have stayed all night!

The next day, the Cinderoo and I further explored Music City, prowling the vast---VAST expanse of the Opryland Hotel and walking for miles along Broadway's stretch of honky tonks. 

Flora and Indoor River, Opryland Hotel

We had dinner at a fantastic downtown restaurant named "Demos".
You're not gonna believe this, but our meal of delicious strip steak, lasagna, salad, spaghetti, bread, cherry cheesecake and drinks came to the grand total of $28.  I'm not kiddin'!

Opryland Flora

You won't believe this, either---we slept 12 hours when we finally got back to our room.  Aaaahhhhhhhhh.......

Opryland Atrium

We arrived home on Sunday afternoon, content in the glow of a wonderful venture along the Yellow Brick Road to the Land Of Oz.

Next Installment:  The Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry