Spotlight on where I call home

Will always call Nashville my home after living there for over 50 years. 

Sunset over the Tar River Reservoir from which Rocky Mount gets most of its water.

Rural Nash County scene this time of year.

Rose Hill Plantation at the edge of Nashville. A huge farm and cattle operation as well as renting out the plush facility for group meetings.

Boddie's Mill Pond, site of an actual corn meal operation for many years. My dad sold their ground corn meal in his store for as long as I can remember. I have fished down below the falls and have paddled in a boat until I was out of sight in the back to the right. One of my favorite places in Nash County.

Nash County Courthouse built back in the 1800's.

Battle Park in Rocky Mount has paved paths throughout the park is so peaceful and green during the summer months.

The train comes through the middle of downtown Rocky Mount. The west side of the tracks is Nash County and the east side is Edgecombe County.  Sadly Edgecombe only has the community college to its credit with the main office in a neighboring town called Tarboro. Nash got all the industry, malls and growth.

Tar River Falls former location of the business that really started Rocky Mount about a hundred years ago. The cotton industry began here pictured at the back named Rocky Mount Mills.  The river snakes it's way through Battle Park which is part of this area.

One of my all time favorite places in Rocky Mount is the Farmers Market. Linda and I love to spend time there whenever we can.

Ford's Colony built a housing development with many beautiful homes and this golf course but ended up going out of business.

One of the staples of Rocky Mount is our BBQ and Gardner's has been around for as long as I can remember serving BBQ pork, chicken, brunswick stew, slaw and hush puppies. They have 3 locations in Rocky Mount.

The Amtrak train station in Rocky Mount that also has an office for the Chamber of Commerce in the left side.

Didn't save much for Halifax but then there is not that much to really speak about when it comes to Halifax except of course the Halifax Resolves of April 12, 1776 when Halifax was the first direction from an entire colony instructing the delegates of the Continental Congress to vote for independence. There is a play called "First for Freedom" that is done just a 1/4 mile from our house each year.

Last but not least good old Weldon, NC, Rockfish capital of the world.

Need your prayers please

Linda's mother Margie is at Wake Heart Center in Raleigh, NC and had a heart catherization this morning and will be having a pace maker installed tomorrow morning. Please remember her in your prayers and the rest of the family as well. Thanks.

Warning - Rated R for Rocky

  To say Rocky is a unique little dog is an understatement to be sure. One thing I have to say about our sweet little boy is that he is consistent.  He always does what he has always done.

  He is of course fixed but that doesn't mean he has changed his habits when it comes to sex. We call him the man for a reason. A couple of days ago Linda's daughter, Beth gave him a little black stuffed dog since he had been wanting to chew on one of her prized stuffed animals in her room. Recently he had gone through his last stuffed animal that he had treasured for some time until it finally came apart.

  We often say we pity the real dog that Rocky may ever try to get romantic with.  His version of foreplay is to body slam his mate from side to side numbers of times before giving it all he's got and amazing everyone that witnesses what he was blessed with. Like I said, he's the man.

  After he has his way with (her) he then spends time cleaning her up lovingly and then he does what he always does by laying on the couch or the floor with (her) in his grasp holding her with his mouth for the longest time.  Did I say he was unique?

  Eventually he will tear this one up to the point we will have to dispose of it and he will have to cool it for a while until a new chick enters the scene. Time will tell. 

  Hope I didn't embarrass anyone too bad with the details of his latest orgy. I just had to share this side of our baby.

Saturday Randomness

Recent shot of Soffie checking out the groceries. See she has filled out a lot from the first shot I took of her.

The area where I took the shot of the reflective trees also had this calm but pretty waterfall.

Also at the pond was this simple pedestrian bridge over a ditch

At the State Employees Credit Union in Murfreesboro, NC where I delivered a shredder had a display of bird houses for sale.

I may have shown this before but it is one of the interesting things in this part of the state where I live. An underground walkway that literally goes under Hwy 301 in Weldon, NC and comes out on the other side. 

It is near a recreational area with lots of playground equipment for children so I'm sure it has been used many times.

What's in a name?

  Let me say right up front that I am "NOT" making fun of or trying to make light of either of these ministries.

  In my travels I see a lot of signs, especially for churches and these two I just happen to see frequently. Most churches have short names like First Baptist Church, Word Tabernacle or something similar but can you imagine having to say all that you see here when asked where you worship? 

  It appears that some, more than others put more thought into titles of churches or denominations and even to what they call the people who are in charge or the primary minister. Above you see that leaders are referred to as bishop, pastor and apostle. 

  I just thought this was interesting and was wondering if any of you have seen others that have really long names. 

  Don't know if any of you have noticed but this post is number "500" for this old NC guy.  Never for a moment did I ever think I would find 500 reasons to post anything.

Let's Laugh

Couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things.
During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they're physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember .. Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair.
'Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?' he asks. 'Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?' 'Sure..' 'Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?' she asks. 'No, I can remember it..' 'Well, I'd like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so as not to forget it?' He says, 'I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.' 'I'd also like whipped cream. I'm certain you'll forget that, write it down?' she asks.. Irritated, he says, 'I don't need to write it down, I can remember it!
Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got it, for goodness sake!' Then he toddles into the kitchen.
After about 20 minutes, The old man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs..
She stares at the plate for a moment.
'Where's my toast ?'
An elderly couple had dinner at another couple's house, and after eating,
The wives left the table and went into the kitchen. The two gentlemen were talking, and one said,
'Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great.. I would recommend it very highly..' The other man said, 'What is the name of the restaurant?' The first man thought and thought and finally said,
'What is the name of that flower you give to someone you love? You know.... The one that's red and has thorns.' 'Do you mean a rose?'
'Yes, that's the one,' replied the man.
He then turned towards the kitchen and yelled,
'Rose, what's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?'

Hospital regulations require a wheel chair for patients being discharged.
However, while working as a student nurse,
I found one elderly gentleman already dressed and sitting on the bed with a suitcase at his feet,
Who insisted he didn't need my help to leave the hospital. After a chat about rules being rules, he reluctantly let me wheel him to the elevator. On the way down I asked him if his wife was meeting him.
'I don't know,' he said. 'She's still upstairs in the bathroom changing out of her hospital gown.'
A senior citizen said to his eighty-year old buddy: 'So I hear you're getting married?' 'Yep!' 'Do I know her?' 'Nope!' 'This woman, is she good looking?' 'Not really.' 'Is she a good cook?' 'Naw, she can't cook too well.' 'Does she have lots of money?' 'Nope! Poor as a church mouse.' 'Well, then, is she good in bed?' 'I don't know.' 'Why in the world do you want to marry her then?'
'Because she can still drive!'

Three old guys are out walking. First one says, 'Windy, isn't it?' Second one says, 'No, it's Thursday!'
Third one says, 'So am I. Let's go get a beer..'

A man was telling his neighbor, 'I just bought a new hearing aid.
It cost me four thousand dollars, but it's state of the art.. It's perfect.' 'Really,' answered the neighbor . 'What kind is it?' 'Twelve thirty..'

Morris, an 82 year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later, the doctor saw Morris walking down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm. A couple of days later, the doctor spoke to Morris and said,
'You're really doing great, aren't you?' Morris replied, '
Just doing what you said, Doc: 'Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.''
The doctor said, 'I didn't say that.. I said,
'You've got a heart murmur; be careful.'

One more. . .! A little old man shuffled slowly into an ice cream parlor and pulled himself slowly,
Painfully, up onto a stool... After catching his breath, he ordered a banana split. The waitress asked kindly, 'Crushed nuts?' 'No,' he replied, 'Arthritis.'

Wordless Wednesday-Winter Pond Effects

Try it, I bet you'll love it

This is one of my favorite memories of growing up in my dad's store in rural North Carolina. You drink a little of the Coke to make some room and then simply pour an individual bag of salted peanuts into the Coke.  It may bubble up as the salt mixes with the Coke so be ready to consume the bubbles and it will settle down. Then enjoy as you take some Coke into your mouth along with a few peanuts at a time enjoying the new flavor that has developed.  The best part is that 50 years later I can still have this treat anytime I want to. Try it, I bet you'll like it too. It is really hard to believe but one more post and it will be number "500" for me. 

Missing the school bus

If you remember from posts of old I had this shell of a school bus in the woods when I was an early teen and it became my refuge where I could go to think, find peace and solitude or just be there because I liked being there.

When I first found it the bus was as I said a shell meaning it was missing the floor, wheels and cab area. Kind of an upside down "U" sitting on the ground with weeds blocking the opening. I cleared away the growth and the inside area was relatively clean and free of vegetation.

I had found a white 5 gal. bucket that turned upside down made a very good seat to be comfortable while I spent time thinking and enjoying my freedom and refuge. It gave me shelter from the rain and the sound of the rain drops on the roof was a soothing sound.

As I end my 7 years with Quality Office Equipment, Inc and enter a new realm of my life the days have become less than enjoyable during the transition. Some of my duties have been given to others so that parts of my job can be divided among various employees. So far a replacement for my position as service manager has not been hired and may not by the time I spend my last day there. I have been active doing tutorials for all the areas of my responsibility and hopefully it will be helpful to whoever comes in to look after the service department and the 5 technicians who keep the wheels turning. 

I said all that to say that I am a doer and not being in control of my time lately has not been an easy time for Odie. The idea of the "school bus" beckons to me yet I do not have that favored place to escape to and find myself wanting to speed up the clock and be done with this career in office machines.

As I type this my employer has more than one entity wanting to write him a huge check and put all this behind him as well. In the years since 1994 when he and another technician decided to start their own little business with no money and personal vehicles it has grown to a company that covers all of eastern NC and now has their major supplier wanting them to be a full line dealer selling the largest copiers available. I wish him and them all the best as decisions are made and families affected.

That bus was an important part of Odie's life over 50 years ago and at least it still exists in my mind. 

Randomness on Saturday morning

What you are seeing here is the pedestrian walkway from the parking deck at the VA Hospital in Durham, NC. You surely get your exercise when go to this place. Got my stitches removed and now the rest of the healing process will continue and I am so glad to have all this behind me as that was my last appointment requiring a long drive to the Hospital.

I had eaten an apple earlier at home so on the way back to Rocky Mount and work I saw a sign on the highway showing the available restaurants and Bojangles was calling me. To all of you who may not be familiar with Bojangles it is a piece of southern heaven and is famous for it's cajun spice, awesome chicken, Linda's favorite (Cheddar Bo biscuit) with so much cheese you eat cheese before you get to the biscuit. Let's talk about the biscuit. Lots of restaurants have biscuits that are heavy and many times too hard. Bojangles biscuits are soooooooooooo light and when you bite into it you get this feeling of bliss that makes you thank yourself for stopping. They had their bacon, egg & cheese on sale 2 for $3 and I enjoyed every bite. I don't eat a lot of bread now  but I had to indulge this one time and it was well worth it.

   

There is a road called Hunter Hill Road that runs out of Rocky Mount into the country and goes by one of our large high schools. Near a curve in this road there is a boulder that has been sticking out of the ground for as long as I can remember and by now probably has hundreds of coats of paint on it's surface. 

It is affectionately called "Titty Rock" because more times than not you will find it painted in a sort of flesh color with a dark dot on the end and you get the picture from there.  Just one of Nash County's interesting sights.

On another note, I found out yesterday that my retirement date has been finalized to occur on March 8th. This is due to the 8th ending a pay period and why not make it simple for bookkeeping. The 8th falls on a thursday and what they plan to do is the next day at lunch have Linda & I join them for a grilled steak meal that will be cooked in the parking area at the rear of the building as a going away time of fellowship. Linda & I both will miss them.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

War Memorial Rocky Mount, NC

I really didn't realize until just now that they spelled my name wrong.

My Uncle Lester that lives on the same property as Aunt Katie

My Uncle Joe, retired as a Command Sgt. Major & has passed on.

My Aunt Doris's husband who passed away years ago.

My boss who just retired after 40 years and as a Command Sgt Major.

One of my technicians that I have worked with since 1981

My cousin Myrt Perry's Husband, they are both retired now.

How the names are laid out neatly.