Sunset

Here is a shot I took after noticing how the sun reflected on the jets' trails. Of course, these things always look better when you view them in person. But I just wanted to share this all of you out there in blogland.

Writing on the Bathroom Walls

I may have mentioned that I enjoy eating at Whole Foods quite often. In case you haven't heard, I enjoy eating at Whole Foods quite often. In the men's bathroom there is writing on the walls. Its not what you think. Someone in their employ has painted three thought-provoking phrases of wisdom there:
1. To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.
2. Live and love each day as if it were your last.
3. Take care of the earth and she will take care of you.

Now the first two seem harmless enough, and I think that I would agree with them for the most part. However, that 3rd one seems to me to be leaning just a bit toward the new age type of thinking. What do you think?

Divorce, Mountain Style

It seems that at least some of you out there are interested in the Mayberry Trivia Game. So here is another little quiz:
1. What are the items that Charlene Darling Wash buries in the ground (by an oak tree) in order to begin the divorce proceedings for her marriage to Dud?
2. What is the name of the girl Dud "made eyes with" according to Charlene and caused her to be unhappy with her marriage to him?
3. What did Dud do (again according to Charlene) with Hasty Burford and didn't come home 'til Wednesday week?
4. What is supposed to happen according to mountain folklore right before a wedding for the bridegroom to be cursed and for the union to be cursed?

It is interesting here to note that Bob Denver (Gilligan) is playing the role of Dud in this episode, where a lesser known actor played him in other episdodes.

Getting in the spirit early

We are getting in the spirit of Christmas early this year. Its still November and we have our tree up already. We have been in the habit of waiting til about a week before Christmas in the past, but my sister-in-law and brother-in-law from Raleigh came to visit and thought about getting us started with the decorating. It is a lot easier when you have someone to help you get motivated as well as helping with the ornaments.

Falling Leaves

Here is a short video of a few leaves falling in my yard today. I was moved to make this movie when it appeared that they were falling so fast it looked like a heavy snowstorm (with dirty snow.) Of course, when I got outside with the camera, they had let up quite a bit. Anyway, hope you can appreciate it.

My Fair Ernest T.

1. In this episode, who does Barney say that he thought Ernest T. was when he came clomping down the stairs and jumped over the railing and plopped into the recliner?
2. What is the name that Andy gives ET when he tries to pass him off at Mrs. Wiley's?
3. What is his supposed relationship to Andy and in what city is his home?
4. Where does Mrs. Wiley think Ernest is from after talking with him for a while?

This actor, Howard Morris, really was a talented man. He not only appeared in 8 episodes, but he also was one of the directors for the show. In one episode he was a TV repairman and went all the way to Myers Lake to see Helen about her set.

Mayberry Trivia

Who can tell me what Barney ordered at the diner for breakfast in the episode "Ernest T. Joins the Army?" This shot here is right after Barney has ordered and he has asked the man behind a newspaper to pass the sugar, and after he does, he realizes that ET has escaped from one of Mayberry's maximum security cells. And, by the way, Barney mentioned that he wasn't "too hungry this morning." It may be tough for some to get his entire menu, so I will ask an easier one too. How much tip did Andy and Barney leave at the diner the day before? Have fun with it.

Autumn

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I think the trees are turning later this year, and I don't really know why. I know its been dryer this season, and it has been a warmer too. I have heard some folks say that the colors wouldn't be as brilliant because of the dry weather, but I think we still have some very colorful trees. What do you think?

Thanks for Traveling Mercies

Saturday afternoon my wife and I were coming home after doing some yard work for an elementary school, and I had my left turn signal on, and was stopped waiting to turn onto my street. The car approaching from the other direction was such a distance that I could have made it, had I been in a hurry--but I wasn't, so I waited. In a few seconds a yellow Corvette came up behind me at such a speed that I thought for sure we would be nailed in the rear, and I let my bride know. She screamed. At the same time, I gave it some gas to give the Corvette more stopping distance. He was still coming at a good rate, and then he sharply turned left onto my street like I had intended on doing--after the approaching car had passed. He obviously didn't wait for that. He pulled a little way down our street and after we did too. I got out of the car to ask if he was OK. He apologized for his lack of attention; I said something like we all make mistakes, and then gave him a line from Hill Street Blues Sgt. Phil Esterhaus who said, "Hey, let's be careful out there!" I am sorry that I don't have video to post here, but I may be watching reruns of this show in my dreams for weeks to come. We are so thankful to the Lord for sparing us from an accident.

Juke Box

Someone had this juke box brought into the office last Friday with mostly beach music selections. Who can be the first to name this tune? If you were born after 1970 you might be at a slight disadvantage here. The quality of this recording is what it is because I used my cell phone to record this.