My Son visited from England last week with a friend and I had a great time. Here we are at one of the local eating establishments that serve the world famous Honey's Slaw Burgers. Laugh if you must, its made it into print. Erin has returned to his studies at Leeds and I miss him greatly. It is tough on a parents to enjoy the company of their kids so much and yet, know they must allow them (and encourage them) to make their own life where ever they see fit.

Have I mentioned how beautiful a place I live? While this is early morning, I find even with the 96 degree evenings, sitting on my front porch with the recently installed outdoor ceiling fans and a couple of mountain man size rockers a pure joy. When you have a lot of quiet around you, your conversations take on a more harmonious quality. Oh and when the sun comes up flooding the porch with tanning rays of sun shine, it’s nice too. Just ask the cows that gather out front.

A weed to some. But I think this confirms my belief that most of life is beautiful to the eye at some point in its existence and beautiful in design most of its existence.

Who thinks to have their faces saved in bronze to decorate their headstone? I have no idea but I'm intrigued and will as around to see if there is a story worth telling here.

I took this picture of this unusual house this past spring. I thought it was an interesting piece of architecture.

Looking at this picture, what do you see? Trash? Woodpile? Sculpture? A mess? I see color and I see the discarded remains of an unwanted tree that will probably be burned in place rather than in someone's fireplace. Sad that even in a small country town (probably most especially in a small country town) a lot of things are wasted.

I have a cousin who isn't happy about the way some things are going. Most of it has to do with changes that make it hard, if not impossible, to share memories with different generations. This wall reminded me of him. The old days of painting advertisements on the side of brick walls is gone for this old town. Putting up metal signs will only leave holes and a weakened brick wall. None of the style or nuance (as crappy as it tends to be these days) will survive for discovery by my children’s children. “I must be getting old”, I think to myself as I snicker.

If there was a god, this is where he would live.

Here is a small portion of Gimlet Creek. I've talked about it. It isn't any different than 1000's of other creeks in Tennessee. But it is my creek - in the sense I live next to it - and like most places of sustenance, it is full of life.

Here is an abandon house that has no interesting details from its construction. But with the help of mother nature, time and Photoshop it can be seen with some character.

There are many abandoned houses out here in the country. The history of most is lost. But when I see one with this kind of architectural detail, I can't help but wonder what happened. This house was once owned by a family of means. They took pride in their home and added details that are for looks only. Tomorrow, I post a picture of an abandoned house that has no detail, just functionality.

Not so uncommon, I know. I still get a charge out of finding them in the wild. Emily gets one evertime they come around the yard.

I was walking around the perimeter of my yard with my camera in hand Sunday and saw this fella by my shed. I decided to see just how close I could get while taking his picture. I started about 40' way from him and with my zoom out to 200 I took his picture. Then I took 5 steps towards him and took it again. I did this until he just about filled the frame. But the best shot was this one where he decided to skedaddle.

Wild roses along Gimlet Creek. Just stopping to smell the flowers.

Emily was about to drive us out of our driveway when I saw something that was a bit out of the ordinary. I had my camera with me so I got out and too this critter sunning on our barbed wire fence. He was nice enough to hang around for a few shots. Don’t know if I’ll ever have a pet again. So many wild creature feel right at home out here that about all I’m giving up is the opportunity to pet them. Not a bad compromise considering I don’t need to feed them or kennel them when we take off for a few days.

This is a bluebird that has taken up residence in a birdhouse we put up this spring. Note his disgruntled look. He's not angry at me. He doesn't see me. He is looking at his reflection in our sliding glass door and thinking he is a rival. He has fought himself for over a month by flying into the door over and over. Now you know the inspiration for the term "Bird Brain".

Been a lot of War time remembrances these last couple of weeks. I was happy to see President Obama at the Normandy Remembrance ceremony. As a vet I tend to look upon my service as a duty and honor. I don't care to be thanked for it. I am thankful I could do it. But I do want to honor my Grandfather who served at a time when it was a real danger to his life. Clifford Garrett was a quiet humble man of common origins and yet he answered the call when the nation was in a time of need. He and all those who served beside him deserve our respect and honor because they unselfishly put themselves in harms way and advanced the rights of individuals enshrined in our constitution. Thank You!

Is any one else pissed that the greedy bankers stole this kind of retirement from us?

Congratulations to the class of 2009! Soon you to will miss summer breaks and worry more about 9 to 5 than you ever imagined. But that doesn't mean life ain't good. Nothing is like living on your own and answering to no one.

Yesterdays Line Art is todays photograph.
Computers can make anyone an artifical artist.

What is it about kaos that is so appealing to the eye?

Would you really have to be told to slow down???? As you might can tell, I'm missing the Beach!