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Lake Cumberland is in Kentucky. Not Tennessee. There is a Jamestown, Kentucky. And there's a Jamestown, Tennessee. 322 reader e-mails later, we need apologize to our Kentucky folks. The reason I feel the need to say 'we made a mistake and want to correct it,' is we get so angry ... [More]
Lake Cumberland is in Kentucky. Not Tennessee. There is a Jamestown, Kentucky. And there's a Jamestown, Tennessee. 322 reader e-mails later, we need apologize to our Kentucky folks.
The reason I feel the need to say 'we made a mistake and want to correct it,' is we get so angry when leaders won't do it. They say something wrong or do something stupid and never say I'm sorry. It's one of my pet peeves when people don't take responsibility for their actions. Pass the buck. Blame someone else.
We won't do that. Sorry for any confusion...and I admit, I've never been to Lake Cumberland...but I'm getting in the truck right now and heading that way. Hope to see you there at the Houseboat Expo!
Growing up on Pickwick Lake, a houseboat owner was wealthy. We'd float in our diesel truck inner-tube and watch those floating homes go by. Some day. Then you get the college degree and you're thinking fast, gotta get there fast. Our first boat was a 34' Wellcraft Cruiser. I still ... [More]
Growing up on Pickwick Lake, a houseboat owner was wealthy. We'd float in our diesel truck inner-tube and watch those floating homes go by. Some day.
Then you get the college degree and you're thinking fast, gotta get there fast. Our first boat was a 34' Wellcraft Cruiser. I still remember leaving the credit union crying because they financed our boat in less than 15 minutes. But we were boat owners...and the houseboaters? Well, that just seemed to be for old folks.
Now...age 46...two boys that grow overnight...and a lifestyle that truly means the boat is a weekend home on the water or a quick vacation, I want a houseboat. Honestly, I want a houseboat that you can 'hose' out the inside. With boys and their friends, cutiepie white carpeting in a houseboat wouldn't last a weekend. Just something to make memories for my sons' teenage years with their buds...that's what I want.
This weekend, I head up to Lake Cumberland for the On-Water Houseboat Expo...presented by Houseboat Magazine. Can't wait! Got a room at the State Park within walking distance of the show. Brand new to pre-cruised houseboats galore to peruse. The sons are going with me. We're going window shopping...
Divine retirement. That's what my father-in-law, Howard Martin, called dying. "It's just a transition from here...to There," he'd say. He made that transition on May 11th after 4 1/2 years of watching cancer slowly take him away. As caregivers, Billy and I had our share of anger with God. Why ... [More]
Divine retirement. That's what my father-in-law, Howard Martin, called dying. "It's just a transition from here...to There," he'd say. He made that transition on May 11th after 4 1/2 years of watching cancer slowly take him away. As caregivers, Billy and I had our share of anger with God. Why would this wonderful Christian man have to suffer? Howard would say it was the closest a human being could ever get to understanding what Jesus went through on Earth. We'd even get to the point of praying for the Lord to take him. His suffering was more than we could bare to watch. But cancer has its blessings. New skills. Realization of what's important in life. And come-aparts. Lots of come-aparts, at least for me. Usually in closets.
My therapy was the Tennessee River. On a boat or a riverbank, something about watching that current flow fast in front of Ditto Landing was soothing, calming and serene.
Old Hickory Lake has that same God-given magic. During a recent Ladies on the Water class at Cedar Creek Yacht Club, I found strength, determination and positive attitude in nine ladies. Each came to the class for different reasons. A few just thought it would be fun to have a hen party on the water. But all had one thing in common...they adore the escape of the Cumberland River.
The people of Nashville have had their share of a cancerous situation in the massive flooding this spring. But these nine ladies showed me that through that catastrophe, challenge brought them even closer to the life-changing affects water brings to all of us. The revelation for me on that sweltering Saturday in August became a new respect for the river and the challenges it brings. Much like the river of life.
50,000 people. 5,000 boats. On one lake. I'd like to meet the committee members that organized that event...I need them to balance my checkbook. What's the attraction of floating in a sea of 50,000 people thick with the scent of Hawaiian Tropic and grilled hot dogs? Some would say bikinis. ... [More]
50,000 people. 5,000 boats. On one lake. I'd like to meet the committee members that organized that event...I need them to balance my checkbook.
What's the attraction of floating in a sea of 50,000 people thick with the scent of Hawaiian Tropic and grilled hot dogs? Some would say bikinis. Sunshine. Water. It's deeper than that.
Over 35,000 converged on Gulf Shores this past Sunday to hear Jimmy Buffett. Most couldn't even see the man. But they came just the same. Is it the atmosphere? Was it supporting a region to get out of an oil spill mess?
Maybe. But the easy-to-recognize reason would be...a party. A gathering of happy people. Having fun. Forgetting about news of the day and participating in something that for a few hours, we can just chill.
The other part of that phenomenon is people-watching. We're curious and nosy as Americans. So here's a word of caution to all of us. We're in the age of 'Big Brother' with Facebook, youTube, eeiieeiiioooo. Dancing on the bow of that boat with a drink in your hand will make its way to a social network near you. And 6 months from now in that job interview, it WILL COME UP as a topic of conversation. I'm just sayin'...
The 4th of July was as big as Christmas in our family. Red and green replaced with red, white and blue. Instead of opening presents we 'busted' open a watermelon. Dinner at Grandma's was replaced with a catfish fry over an open fire at the Tennessee River. Yes, I cry ... [More]
The 4th of July was as big as Christmas in our family. Red and green replaced with red, white and blue. Instead of opening presents we 'busted' open a watermelon. Dinner at Grandma's was replaced with a catfish fry over an open fire at the Tennessee River.
Yes, I cry at the National Anthem and Lee Greenwood's 'God Bless the USA'. Every time. I know exactly why.
The United States Air Force brought a flight simulator to my high school. Oh yeah...I was going to be the first 'girl' jet pilot. I was ready to blow that popsicle joint of a small town, see the world and come back for the hometown football game as the 'big dog' that became successful. But in one weekend, that changed. I got a scholarship offer and it was one of those 'forks in the road' moments.
I've always had guilt that I did not serve my country. And I've always had a strong respect and unconditional love for those who do.
We're 234 years old this 4th of July. That's a baby in nation years. Goodness, we may actually still be learning to walk. As you gaze at an American flag this weekend, keep this comment in your mind...
We have to see and feel darkness to ever respect and run to the Light.
