Saturday my colleagues wanted to experience a true Tennessee classic...


So we hit the road and visited the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg.

It was Christmas in July when I got to have a private dinner with my son Tom at a nice mexican restaurant.
I even got to talk to my other son, Jim, for a long phone call when I was making the trip from East Tennessee to Murfreesboro.


Christmas is still 6 months away, but Santa gave me some of my presents early.

Wedding Crashers

Watching a funny movie in air conditioning is a nice way to cool down on a hot summer evening.

On the road again...

This week I am back working in Tennessee, beginning in East Tennessee and moving over to Middle Tennessee before heading to Atlanta early next week.

It's always nice to head back to Tennessee where I can squeeze a visit in with my family. I miss them all.

Here are some virtual post cards from my trip.

Had it. Lost it??? No, misplaced it.

Fortunately I can still call in from remote and check for messages and change my out going updates.

Hope I am reunited with my lost phone before I fly away to Flint, Michigan tomorrow morning.

After boarding the flight to fly home from Raleigh, they announced that there had been a problem detected in the electrical system. As a result everyone had to disembark and wait until a different plane could be substituted and brought to a nearby gate.

Grumbles and complaints filled the air as we left the disabled aircraft and waited in the gate area. Cell phones were busy as passengers called waiting relatives or rearranged appointments.

It was only about 50 yards from one gate to the new gate. From the sounds of the complaints you would've thought they had been asked to walk the length of the tarmac.

As I look around at the assortment of people, varying ages and ethnic backgrounds. I find myself saying a silent prayer of thanks. As my dear pilot friend said, "I would rather be safely on the ground wishing I was in the air then in the air with a problem wishing to land on the ground safely."

Happily we have landed in Tampa, on our replacement plane, safe and sound.

Gentlemen, do you own khaki slacks? If so, how many?

Traveling around the United States, I have observed that khaki slacks seem to be a staple in most men's wardrobes.

Dennis may have only attained Tropical Storm Status when he came calling here at
St. Petersburg but it was strong enough. May everyone remain safe.

My next stop Raleigh in the morning.

The SPCA let me know today that "Chance" had been adopted to a loving home on Wednesday, Hurray!

Despite the damage done and being done by Hurricane Dennis as it ravages the Gulf, happily the many, many dead fish that had accumulated at my sea wall as a result of the red tide have washed, turbulently, out to sea.

Tropical wind and rain and tornadoes have been the side effects felt here. We have so far been quite blessed. My wish is that by some miracle the storm will die at sea and never come ashore. Our prayers go out to those in its path.

Where ever you are I hope you are healthy, safe and happy. Thank you for taking time to stop by and read my blog.

The frightening events of this morning in London reached across the "pond" to
St Petersburg Beach as guests, who had traveled from the UK, staying at the TradeWinds Island Resorts heard the horrific news.

They tried to contact family and friends to no avail. Every effort was made to assist them. Channel 13 came to the Sandpiper to interview guests. One had not yet heard about the bombings, the second had driven a double decker bus and lived close to the area where the disasters occurred.

Like most of the world, the deaths seemed senseless and diabolical. My heart and prayers go out to all those whose lives have been directly and indirectly touched by these bombings. I don't understand why - what motivatges such hatred that you would kill innocent people?

Please be safe. Tell someone special that you love them and hold your family close.

I Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegence My love and my devotion.

To the Flag Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

United That means that we have all come together.

States Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country. .

And to the Republic Republic; a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands
One Nation One Nation; meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.

For All For All; which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance:Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?

Red Skelton