SEC 0-1

I'm pulling for all the SEC teams this year. It's incredibly hard rooting for Bama and Florida, but I'm willing to take one for the team. Alabama leads off losing to Oklahoma State, but they played a good game considering they don't even have a coach.

I love Christmas Break

One of the things I love most about Christmas break is getting to spend extra time with my hoodlums. One of the things we love to do is watch movies together. A couple of nights ago Hannah, who is home from Carson Newman, and I watched Little Mermaid. Quent and I always dig some Monty Python. He's watching all three Lord of the Rings movies tonight with friend Ben. I would be jealous that I'm not there if I were not enjoying watching Mary Poppins with Clara Grace. I love hanging with my hoodlums!

Log and a Stump

Flipping around the TV today it seemed like all anyone was talking about was the war between Rosie and the Donald. To me this is like a stump and a log arguing about who is more hollow. A war in Iraq, genocide in Sudan, Korea and Iran doing their best to split the atom, and we are focusing on these two lumps? Shallow? You put the depth of these two together and you don't get enough to fill a child's inflatable pool. They are the marshmallows of humanity, and its time we put them in the back of the cabinet and let them go stale.

Not so much good will toward men

Yesterday, Michael Silence posted reaction to Gov. Bredesen's Christmas card. You would have thought the man had shot the Pope. We Christians amaze me some times. Jesus was asked about his "target audience" once and this was his reply - "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9:12-13 Who would Jesus have on His Christmas card?

Dead Frank Walking

Brother Frank has been known to proudly display the ole bonehead from time to time, but this goes way beyond "What the hell was he thinking?!" Frank not only taunted and mocked his beloved, and soon to be sainted wife Lisa, but he was stupid enough to send me photographic evidenced! Duh! He tries to hide behind his oldest daughter Lauren, and even entitles his email "Loren and I get revenge".

Every night she falls asleep at 10pm in her chair... Every night she claims that we leave her there when she comes to bed at 1:00am... Every night she swears that we would have awaken her if we had tried... Tonight. We proved that there is no moving... THE ZOMBIE MOM!!!!"

You know when the the dookey hits the fan Loren will turn on him like month old milk. "Mom, it was horrible. Dad made me do it even after I begged him not to. Please take me to the therapist, mom, else I don't know how I will cope with the pain."

I loved my brother Frank, may he rest in peace.

You don't know #%#$^&*!!

Quantum Physics was born today. On this day in 1900 Max Planck would help the world come to terms with the phrase "What the ....?!"

Thanks to my friend Andrew, I recently saw a really cool movie What the bleep do we know!? Down the Rabbit Hole. It deals with the mystic area where physics and science meets God and spirituality. It's a fantastic movie if you want to wade through an infinitely deep pool. Also Leonard Sweet is a theologian, Methodist of course, who's paddled these waters himself a time or two.

The Chief is Chief

Coach John "Chief" Chavis was named Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association. It's an honor long overdue. BTW, where did Chief get his nickname?

Technorati Tag: [Tennessee Football]

Dog Lovers

Sam Venable has written many wonderful articles, but this one had special significance to me.

Two of my favorite sayings about dogs:

"I wish I was half the man my dog thinks I am."

"Pet a cat, and it thinks it's god. Pet a dog, and he thinks you are."

I love dogs!

Whew!

The move is finally over, and the computer is hooked back up. Hopefully I will get back in blogging mode quickly.

Book Burning?

I'm moving and I've been packing my books. I am finding there are a whole lot of books I don't need any more and that McKay's won't take so I have no choice but to use them to roast marshmallows.

Here are a few examples of what qualifies kindling: All potty training books (I've almost got that down), anything to do with learning numbers, colors, or the alphabet (at 43 what's the point), the dictionary (who needs Webster when you have spell chekc!) and all books with Disney characters, Barney, Teletubies, Elmo, or Power Rangers.

Here's some idea of books that made the move: Hans Christian Anderson collection, The Stinky Cheese Man, I love You Stinky Face (I'm noticing a trend), old church directories, a financial calculations workbook (I spent 4 days in a cold hotel basement for that and I'm not giving it up), and my collection of Tennessee Football press guide 1983 - 2005.

Change in Power

Today millions of Americans went the to polls to prove once again that the great experiment in democracy started by our country's founders is alive and well. The direction of the country, the economic future of our children, the health of our seniors, and the lives of hundreds of thousands of our men and women in uniform hang in the balance. Now the votes have been casted, tallied, and America's choice is clear.

Britney's getting a divorce! Yeah, yeah, war in Iraq, health of a nation - who cares! Britney dumped KFed! Now that's news.

Oh, by the way, the Democrats took back control of the House.

Technorati Tags:[Britney, House of Representatives]

Skipping School

Friday, I was taking Clara Grace to school when it started. "Dad -cough, cough, fake sniffle - I don't feel good." Now I would like to say that I made sure that my daughter's education took precedence over my selfish desire to spend time with my daughter, but that would be a lie. I wimped out and told her she could spend the day at home with dad. No sooner than we get home, she's jumping around the house like Olga Korbut. I explained that when you stay home sick, you have to rest. You can't be playing around. Yeah, right. So I made the energizer bunny come outside and help me rake. We did the whole front yard, 26 bags in all according to Olga. After all the leaves, she seemed to learn her lesson. "Dad, next time I'm sick, I'm just going to go to school." Then we watched three episodes of Jimmy Neutron. It was a good day.

Technorati Tags: [Raking leaves, Skippping school]

A Day that will live in Smurf-infamy

On this day in 1958 a Frenchman (go figure) introduced the world to Smurfs. From that day till this the world has been covered in the blue darkness.

When the blue darkness engulfed the United States in 1980, I was old enough to be immune to its obnoxious brain sucking horror. However, my two baby sisters were not. To this day certain shades of blue, and any song with "la, la" in lyrics sends them back to the darkness they knew as children.

We can only hope that our children will not have to bear the emotional scars that come with horrific Saturday morning television. There have been other scares to be sure such as the Barney epidemic, and the Power Ranger plague of the early 1990's. Thankfully, neither reached the cataclysmic rage of the Smurfs.

Go Tigers!

Now that the Tennessee / Alabama game is over, I turn my focus to one of the day's lesser sporting events. The World Series starts tonight, and despite my affection for many friends like Stan Love who are life long Cardinal fans, I have to pull for the Detroit Tigers. I think the job that Jim Leyland has done this year could go down as one of the greatest managing jobs in the history of sports.

Go Tigers!

Technorati Tags: [Detroit Tigers, World Series]

John Parker Wilson and other thoughts

Bama's QB, John Parker Wilson, really deserves some respect. He was obviously hurt, but he kept getting up and coming back. He's going to another of Bama's great QB's.

Tennessee's defense won this game. They are putting together a season that would rank them with some of UT's best defensive teams.

Ainge. God love him. There are obviously still doubts running through the kids head. I dn[t know why or how, but if he doesn't gain some confidence in himself Tennessee is going to have a tough time against LSU, Arkansas, and South Carolina.

Beating Bama is always, always, always something to be savored.

Go Vols!!

SACKED!!! BALL GAME!!!

Two great sacks.

Ball game

Tennessee 16 Bama 13 Final

Great punt coverage

Nice tackle Robert Meachem!

Tick, tick, tick

This last minute is seems like its taking a couple of decades.

Punt Bama Punt!

33 yard punt. All we need is 1 first down.

But wait, Tennesse can't even get the huddle right.

Five yard penalty and stops the clock.

GIVE HIM SIX!

Touchdown - BIG ORANGE!!!

Tennessee 16 Bama 13

TOUCHDOWN

That was a touchdown when a Florida player caught it there! Now the refs don't know?

Now let's put it in the hole

1st and goal Tennessee. Let's get a touchdown!

Can Wilhoit throw?

Wilhoit and our defense have played well.

I wonder if Wilhoit can throw the ball?

Bama 13 Tennessee 9

OUCH!

Heffney can take a hit.

First down Tennessee.

Thank God I'm Bald

Cause if I had hair, I'd pull it out

Bama 13 Tennessee 6

Which is worse?

Tennessee's imagination on a 4th and one call?

Ainge's effort on a 4th and 1 sneak?

The ref's inability to make a decent call?

Flag of Death

The pass interference call that the ref missed was so bad that my computer died.

I had to switch to the backup.

Thank God for Wilhoit

Bama 6 Tennessee 6

Tennessee - The gift that just keeps on giving

Bad kickoff return

Penalty

Dropped pass

Tipped punt

Tennessee offense - The gift that just keeps on giving.

Whew!

We tried to give the Tide 7 with the interception, but the defense held.

Bama 6 Tennessee 3

It's Goooooood!

James Wilhoit gets a bit of redemption for the previously missed field goal, and knocks this one down the middle.

Bama 3 Tennessee 3

Wide Receiver U

Brent Smith's catch and run point to the fact that this year's receiver corps has returned the Vols to the status long held as wide receiver university. Tennessee's receivers Swain, Smith, and Meachum are doing a great job this year and getting a good bit of YAC (Yards after Catch)

Ainge doesn't look sharp

Erik Ainge doesn't look sharp. He has missed a few wide open receivers, and made some throws that look like last year's Ainge.

Then in the middle of the previous sentence, he throws a beautiful out route.

Then an interception.

Definitely not sharp.

Sick Feeling

Tennessee lost to Alabama 11 years beginning in 1971 so every time Alabama takes a lead in the game it gives me a sick feeling.

Bama 3 Tennessee 0

Somebody wake up the offense

After two possessions by both sides, the Tennessee defense looks great, but Tennessee's O doesn't look awake.

Somebody reach over there and slap 'em on the helmet and wake 'em up!

Punt Bama Punt!

I know this is an Auburn cheer from 1972 but I hope its one Tennessee's defense gets to say a lot today.

Good first defensive series followed by a Great punt return.

Punt Bama Punt!

Tennessee vs Bama Live Blogging

I normally work all day on Saturday, but I took some vacation time this weekend in hopes of getting to go see my Vols skin an elephant. I didn't make into the stadium so I'm going to do something new and blog as I watch the game.

CBS did a great job of starting the show just as the Vols came through the T!

Mrs. Ford not a very good teacher

Yesterday, Harold Ford, Jr. showed up unannounced and interrupted a Bob Corker event. I've tried to stay away from politics on this blog, but this isn't about politics, it's just about good ole politeness and decency. I've always thought you could tell a lot about a person by they way they treat others, especially those they might not like. Harold made an ass out of himself. It's sad that apparently Harold's mother didn't teach him the golden rule.

Technorati Tags[Politics, Harold Ford Jr, Tennessee, Senate]

Naval Battle

Vol Navy vs. Tide Flotilla

This year the Vols and their armada totally outclass the Tide and their flotilla. The Tide, bless their hearts, have never been able to get the flotilla past Muscle Shoals. The ole outboard keeps braking down, and granny's depends keep her from swimming as well as she use to.

Vols 28 Tide 14

Uniquely Unique

HowManyOfMe.com

There is: 1 person with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

According to this website I found over at Big Stupid Tommy's place, and if you can't trust Big Stupid Tommy who can you trust, I have a rather unique moniker. The folks at How Many of Me say there is only one of me - Lane Willson that is in the good ole U.S. of A. There are 16,498 Lanes and 11,219 Willsons (Double L's) but only one Lane Willson. While this is technically correct, I happen to know that it also technically incorrect as I am Elbert Lane Willson, IV. Those roman numerals at the end of my name, in addition to indicating that my family is either really lazy or really unimaginative, means that there are more than one of me/us. Numbers 3 and 5 (I was either lazy or unimaginative too) are walking the earth and doing fine thank you very much. Eb and Quent aren't Lane so I guess the website is right except for where it is wrong.

I've got to stop posting at 4:30 in the morning.

Who New?

The Who is releasing their first album since 1982! Two Who, Keith Moon and John "Ox" Entwistle, are dead. But Pete and Roger from Oz are carrying on with the help of Zak Starkey, that's right - Ringo's boy, and Pete's brother Simon.

I've always been a Who fan, and when their last album was release I still had hair. Quadrophenia is my favorite album, and "Long Live Rock" my favorite Who song. Their last tour was sponsored by Schlitz Malt Liquor. I loved The Who, but not enough to drink The Bull. (I can't beleive I remember that.) I'd still trample you to see The Who!

Awakening a sleeping Giant, Bronco, Jet, Raider, etc.

Admiral Iroroku Yamamoto said after the attack on Pearl Harbor "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." After 9/11 we were definitely awakened, but our resolve has been suspect. Now the same terrorist that struck the twin towers are threatening our football stadiums. Many doubt the threats and I am among them.

First of all, a whole bunch of folks, even many who were originally for the Iraqi war, have misgivings about efficacy. Another 9/11 type attack would unify us and return our focus to foreign terrorist instead of our own politics.

Second, another attack could only help Republicans and conservatives remain in power, and this is definitely something that many in the world don't want to continue. Those who want America to return to the days of giving out cold water reactors would not do anything to help President Bush or his party remain in power.

Finally, nobody is that stupid. The last thing any terrorist wants is to piss off 200 million football fans. Imagine an army of a few million Tony Siragusas coming with the sole purpose of sticking a foam #1 finger about two feet up you ass. The thought of being hunted by members of the Dog Pound, Raider Nation, Lions and Tigers and Bears (Oh my!), the sound of terrible towels beating the air, and the eyes of guys like Ditka, Jim Brown, Butkus and Reggie White fixed upon you is more than even the most stalwart Islamic terrorist nut job can handle.

War Damn Eagle!

The next best thing to Tennessee winning is Florida losing, and tonight Auburn made Tennessee's day beating Florida 27-17. Auburn proved what many of us thought, which is that Florida QB Chris Leak has a glass chin. Leak made two key turnovers to help the Tigers seal the deal.

In bonus action, Georgia lost to Vandy, and Bama's tide never rolled against Ole Miss. The most they could muster was a wobble as they finally overcame the Rebels in OT.

We just sat on the sofa getting a bit more healthy, eating some really good food, enjoying our smokey mountains, and interrupting our "It's great to be a Tennessee Vol" chant long enough to yell WAR DAMN EAGLE!

The Other Person

Two people died today as a small plane crashed into a building in New York City. One, Cory Lidle, was a pitcher for the New York Yankees. His picture has been on every newscast this side of the Cartoon Network. The other person has been given no other identity than the other person, or more often than not as an instructor. We don't know if the person was a man or a woman, mother or father, daughter or son. Yet, we know all about Mr. Lidle, his six year old son, and the family he has left behind. We've even been reminded of Thurman Munson and all the other players that have lost their lives in plane accidents. I'm sure the "other person's" family is also filled with grief. To bad Other Person's life is not as valuable to those that report the news as Mr. Lidle's. I'm sure many are remembering Mr. Lidle's family in their prayers tonight, but I will be remembering Other Person's.

SHUT THE HELL UP, AND GET TO WORK!

Less than 12 hours ago North Korea announced that it has made all our nightmares come true by successfully completing their first nuclear weapons test. It didn't take long at all for the three main cable news networks to get their stable of talking heads on screen to argue who's fault it is. Some junior reporter from The New Republic or The Weekly Standard placed opposite one another to claim that Clinton did it, or Bush should have done, or, or, or - Just SHUT THE HELL UP!

First of all, these partisans need to stop focusing on why, and start talking about what's next. The question why, more often than not, is the most impotent question there is. Asking what's next allows us to focus on the solution. If we're going to disagree then lets at least let all that hot air propel us towards the solution.

Secondly, it's time the 4th estate be held accountable. When you put two Pit Bulls in small coup they naturally start fighting. The media throws two political hacks in a small enclosure, throws in a big hunk of meat, and then turns to us the viewing public and says "Hey, its not our fault they won't work together." Every TV ought to come with a "What's Next Button", and every time Bill OReilly, Keith Olberman or any of the other two dozen idiots start their shtick you can give the button a press and send a small electrical jolt to their chair. Hopefully, this would restart their brains and the conversation could move on. Once a year every cable news hack ought to be required to watch Edward R. Murrow's body of work in its entirety.

North Korea is run by a mad man, and probably the most dangerous one since Hitler. The United States has approximately 40,000 troops on the Korean border, and if a war were to break out, it would surely endanger not only their lives, but the lives of thousands of young men and women who are at this moment sitting in high school and college classrooms around the country dreaming of their bright futures. Those dreams are far too important to be interrupted by war.

So to all those in the government, media, politics, and intellects of all stripes and colors I say - Shut the hell up and get to work. The dreams and lives of our children, and indeed the children around the world, are far too precious to destroy with our egotistical need to be right.

Whew Eagles!

I went to beautiful downtown Jefferson City to see daughter Hannah. It was Carson Newman's homecoming. CN tried to give the game away with 5 turnovers, but came back to win with 1 minute left.

I took Clara Grace and we hoped to get to spend some time with Hannah. Gracie got to sit with her for part of the game, but I only saw her for a few seconds. Sometimes seeing someone briefly only reminds you of how much you miss them. But she looked great, and by all appearences is doing well.

I also got to see a few old friends. Susan and Dave Underwood were both students at CN when I was there, and are now professors Underwood. I also got to see Mike Alvis who was one of my photography professors and has in recent years returned to Jefferson City.

I miss my Hannah, but a good day all in all.

Read me a story

One of my goals for the year has been to read at least 12 books, one per month, during the year. Normally, I read a few more than that, but lately I've gotten behind. I started the year by letting Hannah get me addicted to the Harry Potter series. Now I hang out at Borders wearing a black robe, fake glasses, and holding a wand and longingly waiting for book seven. Ususally I'm asked to move on. Apparently this is not considered normal behavior for a 43 year old. (Unless of course you are a member of congress.) After that, I headed for some more adult fare. I read Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code and Angles and Demons. I liked Angles and Demons better. I have always liked the work of Tom Wolf, so I decided to read his latest book I Am Charlotte Simmons about a small town girl off to the new world of college and the big city. This choice was a big mistake. The book was excellent, but I don't recommend it for fathers whose daughters are going off to college for the first time. Currently, I'm reading Bill W. about A.A.'s founder Bill Wilson, and C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. I don't know what I'll read to close out the year, but probably something by either John Irving or Pat Conroy.

And she still has both ears!

To the left is Clara Grace's latest art work. It is an untitled piece done in chalk. However, I'm sure before it hangs in the Guggenheim she will give it an entirely profound name.

My house is filled with the artwork of my children. I have some of Hannah's paintings, Quent's photographs and now some of Clara Grace's drawings. This one is a tad better than the stick figures that adorn my refrigerator, so I thought I would share it.

Added Bonus! - I also got Clara Grace's grade card today. Now while I'm all for reading, writing, and arithmetic, I believe that to be a truly accomplished 3rd grader one must excel in work habits and behavior. And CG did super. It's off to McKay's to celebrate.

Only nine years old and she has already shown the drive and artistic genius of Van Gogh. Added Bonus! - She plays well with others, and still has both her ears!

Cancer of the Humor

I've not posted in a couple of weeks due to cancer of the sense of humor. It was diagnosed when I found out I was facing further legal action from my ex-wife. I love to laugh, and will laugh at almost anything appropriate or not. I had a field day when Reagan was shot and he was my favorite president. The day I took Hannah to college I found at the joy had been stolen and the game was on for the 4th time in my divorce. Today we mediated and hopefully got things resolved to both our liking. I know there are cancers of the body that eat away one's health, but I can't imagine they are any more powerful or voracious than the cancer of the soul that comes with anger. Fortunately, God took care of me.

There was a fair amount of down time when the mediator was talking with my ex-wife and her attorney, and I was left alone. I wasn't prepared for this an had not taken anything to occupy my time. I had all my various legal papers, but nothing worth reading, and I was desperately looking for something to help me stay calm. If I let my anger out, I was in big trouble. I have the Big Book on my palm pilot so I turned that on only to find I had not charged it the night before. I looked in my portfolio, and the only thing there other than my legal pad was the Spirituality training material put together by my friend Celeste. I stayed calm and was saved. Then just as all was said and done, I got a call from the same Celeste that was the fuel I needed to get me to a meeting. Then I got a bonus gift of Clara Grace spending the night with me. God did for me what I couldn't do for myself.

My sense of humor is slowly returning. To almost quote Henny Youngman - "Take my ex-wife...Please!" OK, maybe very slowly returning.

That's My Girl!

As a parent you are always concerned that your children my someday be afflicted with some of the same stupidity that accosted you during your development. You watch and worry over them as best you can, but one day they are gone off to college, and all bets are off.

It's such a relief when you find out they are OK! Oh sure, most people would get a photo like this one from their daughter and begin lining up therapists, doctors, ministers and maybe even an exorcist, but not me. Now I know she's going to be alright. You see only a young lady with gifted comedic talent, a superb intellect, and self esteem out the ying-yang could pull off such a look. Other's might see this photo and say "Bless her heart", but I look at it and say That's my Hannah!

Extraordinary

Remembering Seth A. Morris -
Five years after that horrid day, we grasp at words to somehow continue to struggle with our shock and disbelief. Words are not sufficient band-aides for the hearts of the Morris family, but one word comes to mind in learning about the life of Seth Morris - extraordinary. Seth didn't have a calling that set him apart from the rest of us like a pro athlete, astronaut, or Supreme Court justice. And though accomplished and successful, his achievements were not so much greater than all others that society heaped him with honor and fame. Seth's life was extraordinary because he understood the tremendous value of each moment of each day, and he worked so very hard to wring the joy and love from each day's moments. He did so by placing the needs of his family, friends, and strangers he came in contact with above his own. In doing so, Seth lived an extraordinary life. Here are some of the things said about Seth shortly after 9/11.

All His Waking Hours

Seth Morris didn't sleep.

Well, he didn't sleep much. Four hours a night was it. His wife, Lynn, preferred eight, so while she and the three children were still in bed, he would be up doing projects.

Five years ago, the Morrises had bought a house, and he undertook renovations during the early morning hours. Mrs. Morris would wake and find that a room had been painted. New bathroom fixtures had been installed. The dining room molding had been done.

He would pay bills in the middle of the night. Once, he sent an e-mail message to his great-grandmother at 2:30 in the morning.

He knew all the 24-hour businesses. On weekends, he would visit a 24-hour bagel shop and have bagels ready when everyone else awoke. He often did his shopping at Home Depot at 2 in the morning. He knew the clerk on duty on a first-name basis.

Having extra hours meant a lot to Mr. Morris, 35, a managing director at Cantor Fitzgerald. "He would actually calculate how many more hours and days and years of living he was going to have than I was," Mrs. Morris said. "The last time he did it, he said he was going to have five extra years."

His skimpy amount of sleep became a running joke. The children began to imitate his sleep patterns. They'd get up at 3 in the morning, and when Mrs. Morris complained, they'd say, "Well, Daddy's up."

Mrs. Morris would tell her husband, "You need to get more normal sleep patterns." He would reply, "You can sleep when you're dead."

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on October 29, 2001.

Active Father Focused on Family

Oct. 29, 2001

Seth Morris slept just four hours a night.

He pumped weights at 4 a.m., telling his kids that "the world's strongest man" needed to exercise his muscles.

While his family and neighbors slept, Morris planted trees and laid out flower beds. He remodeled rooms in his Kinnelon, N.J., home.

"I would wake up every morning," wife Lynn said, "and see what kind of surprises he had."

Morris, 35, worked as a managing director at Cantor Fitzgerald on the 105th floor of the North Tower. He joined the firm 14 years ago after graduating with an education degree from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.

Morris met Lynn in college. They had three children -- Madilynn, 10, Kyle, 8, and Hayley, 5.

Morris spent weekends and afternoons biking and roller-blading with his children. He coached the local rec hockey team. He often acted more like a best friend to his children, Lynn said, than a father.

"Sometimes I think he played with them so much," Lynn said, "because somehow he knew he wouldn't be here."

--Fred Carroll (Daily Press)

*******
Seth Morris carried a pregnant woman to safety after a bomb exploded in 1993 at the World Trade Center. "“He put a wet handkerchief on her mouth so she and her unborn baby would not breathe in any smoke," said his sister-in-law, Joanne Mooney. "“That was the kind of guy he was." But when terrorists attacked the buildings Sept. 11, Morris, who was managing director at CantorFitzgerald, was among those lost. "“He has the biggest heart of anyone I knew", Mooney said. "“He went out of his way for everyone and anyone."

--The Associated Press

Seth Morris, 35, hero of '93 WTC blast

In 1993, Seth Morris -- so muscular and physically fit that his sister-in-law, Joanne Mooney, likened him to "The Hulk" -- carried a pregnant woman on his back from the 103rd floor of the World Trade Center to the ground floor after a bomb exploded in an underground parking garage, killing six and injuring more than 1,000.

"He put a wet handkerchief on her mouth so she and her unborn baby would not breathe in any smoke," Mooney said. "That was the kind of guy he was. The woman called several days ago and said how sad she was to hear the news about Seth and how much she appreciated what he did for her. She said she wouldn't be here without Seth."

Mr. Morris, 35, managing director for Cantor Fitzgerald, a brokerage firm, was among those working on the 105th floor of the North Tower when a hijacked plane crashed into the building last Tuesday. He lived in the Smoke Rise section of Kinnelon.

"He had the biggest heart of anyone I knew," Mooney said. "He went out of his way for everyone and anyone. No one was like Seth."

When he heard a colleague was about to be laid off at Cantor Fitzgerald, Mr. Morris walked into his boss' office and offered part of his year-end bonus so the colleague could be kept on, Mooney said.

Mr. Morris was a restless, tireless dynamo, the kind of person who would get up at 4 in the morning -- seven days a week -- to get his exercise in. His weightlifting equipment was stored in a section of his basement he called "The Morris Muscle Factory," his sister-in-law said.

"He'd say, 'I'm going down to the Morris Muscle Factory, going to get pumped up,' " Mooney said, laughing.

When he wasn't exercising, it seemed, he was remodeling his house -- or someone else's. Once, he knocked on his sister-in-law's door at the crack of dawn and informed her he was there to work on her picture window.

"And he had already been to Home Depot," Mooney recalled.

Mr. Morris also found time to coach his son's roller hockey team, the Penguins, and his daughter's softball team. A hockey player in college, Mr. Morris played in the Morristown Roller Hockey League.

Among the children Mr. Morris coached was Nicholas Scorzo, the 7-year-old son of Bob Scorzo, vice chairman of the Kinnelon Recreation Commission. Before the Scorzo family went on vacation last month, Nicholas sent Mr. Morris a card saying he was "the greatest coach ever."

"He enjoyed coaching the kids as much as they enjoyed having him as a coach," Bob Scorzo said.

Mooney described her brother-in-law as "extremely bright, a genius with numbers . . . he knew his credit card numbers, everyone's Social Security numbers. The kids would throw out these random numbers, and he would add, subtract and divide them.

"He never got moody or grumpy," she said. "I'd tell him, 'Be grumpy every once in a while.' He couldn't."

When the Morris family spent a week on Long Beach Island at the end of August, Mr. Morris' son, Kyle, turned to Mooney, his aunt, and said, "You know, my dad is my best friend in the world. He's my hero."

Mr. Morris is survived by his wife, Lynn Bailey; two daughters, Madilynn and Hayley; a son, Kyle; his parents, John and Barbara Morris of King George, Va.; two brothers, James of Fredericksburg, Va., and John of West Grove, Pa.

Mr. Morris' brothers are firemen; their father is a retired firefighter. James Morris was among the firefighters called to the scene after the attack on the Pentagon.

Tennessee 33 Air Force 9

I think Tennessee will be a little distracted after last week's powerful win, and looking ahead to Florida. None the less, Tennessee will have just too much fire power. I hope the Air Force at least gets a standing "O" and some respect for their efforts.

Starting my own Freak Flag

I've been thinking for a few months about letting my hair grow back, or at least that part that still can. A few weeks ago I was teasing the kids, and trying to goad them into something or other. I told them that if they didn't do what I wanted I wouldn't shave or cut my hair until Quent graduates high school. (May 2008) Then they did the unthinkable - They triple dog dared me. Every true man knows that once this gauntlet is thrown down, there is no option but to pick it up.

David Crosby said "I feel like letting my freak flag fly", and what better role model than David Crosby. I've never had long hair even when I had hair. This is probably my last best chance, and I may very well wimp out. So I'm going to keep a photo record of my Freak Flag adventures as you can see by the Flickr.com badge on the left. It may be scary at times, and hopefully funny at times, but certainly a new adventure for all of us.

Technorati Tags: [Freak Flag]

I hate not getting to hate!

Normally when I look forward to a Tennessee football game, I can stock up on venom and hatred as I prepare for the week's game. Gators, Bulldogs, Tigers, even Commodores make my blood boil at the slightest mention. I spend the week before the game thinking up new insults for the mothers, children, and in the case of the 'Dores the favorite authors, of those who dare to step on the field with my Vols. This week that is not possible.

This week Tennessee host the Air Force Falcons. The Falcons represent the fine men and women of the United States Air Force Academy. Lord knows I've tried, but I find it hard to cast aspersions on folks who after the game is over will place their lives on the line so that I might enjoy the freedom needed to cast aspersions. I hope my fellow Volunteer fans will conduct themselves with the proper respect and admiration for our guests, and make everything about their visit to Knoxville, other than the score, enjoyable. Remember, these kids know how to use smart bombs.


Technorati Tags: [Tennessee Volunteers, Football]

Ain't that right, Mrs. Mull

WBIR is reporting that local Gospel music icon Reverend J. Bazzel Mull has died at age 91. I dealt with Preacher Mull in the late 1980's when the bank I worked for advertised with him on one of his Sweetwater, TN radio stations. Brother Frank got one of his first TV gigs as a camera man for The Mull's Singing Convention. I don't know that we got any business from the radio ads, but each Sunday morning while the East Tennessee world was getting ready for church, Preacher Mull would talk up the bank while talking with Frank who was off camera. He always seemed like a nice man, and though I hated the old time Gospel music the Preacher play, I tuned in many times just to hear that now famous gravel voiced phrase, "Ain't that right, Mrs. Mull?"

It's them britches!

There has already been a ton written on the Volunteers, and how they are once again playing football on Rocky Top. It looked like the Vols of old. Other Volunteer teams from my time spring to mind - '67, '69, '89, '90, '97, '98, and of course one of my favorite Vol teams - 1985. The one common trait of all these great Vol teams? The pants. Saturday the Vols were wearing the old school britches with the two thin orange stripes going down the side. Gone were the wide stripe or no stripe pants from recent years past that helped the Vols play football like Sampson after a haircut. The Vols have given up on attempting fashion statements and have decided again to focus on football. Obviously, the greatest factor in Tennessee's return to flying around the ball, tackling with a HOST of Volunteers, and otherwise looking like the great Tennessee teams of old - It's them britches!

Technorati Tags: [Tennessee Volunteers]

There's nothing worse than...

Yesterday at work, I laid out one of my pens to be used for the visitor's sign-in sheet of those coming to visit the kids on the unit. By the end of the day, the pen was no where to be found. After looking around the building for my favorite pen, it was obviously gone, and I exclaimed in frustration "There is nothing worse than losing your favorite pen."

Now I'm a bit picky when it comes to my pens. I'm required to only use black ink at work, and do a lot of writing in regards to my patients. I also do a fair amount of journaling and other writing. I love pens. I once owned a Cross pen for nearly 20 years. I bent it in a car wreck and the company fixed and sent it back to be free of charge. Even though computers have taken over the world, including a good bit of my writing, I still love writing with a pen. It's like driving a 5 speed stick shift. You can actually feel the words beneath you.

My favorite pen is the Zebra F-402 ball point. It's light, solid, just the right size in the hand, and with a 0.7mm point that adds a feeling of speed and precession. If it were a woman, I'd marry it.

After the trauma of losing my pen I had to run by Central United Methodist to drop off some letters for the Chrysalis flight that was going on this weekend. It was about midnight and raining, and leaving the church headed down Broadway I passed under the interstate near the Knox Area Rescue Ministry. Crammed under the bridge was probably 45 or 50 people trying to stay out of the rain, and my lost pen returned to my mind - "There's nothing worse than losing your favorite pen."

The busy signal in my brain started as I was overrun with thoughts of things that might be a tad worse than my long lost pen: An African child raped in an attempt to avoid AIDS, a woman beaten by her drunken husband, a elderly father whose nursing home room has not been visited in over five years, a terrorist's bomb that blows up the family of others, a diseased man who's cure is financially out of his grasp, a baby that is born a crack addict, a TV preacher that hides his hatred behind Jesus' name, and ignorance that would lead a man to say 'There's nothing worse than losing your favorite pen."

Technorati Tags: [Ignorance, Nothing worse than]

Where was Mr. Green Jeans?

The vaunted California Golden Bears, picked by some (OK, only Lee Corsso) to win the national championship, showed up in Neyland Stadium and looked more like the dancing bear. The only thing missing was Mr. Green Jeans. If you had told me that the Vols would spank the Bears, and that 2nd string QB Jonathan Crumpton would be playing by mid-3rd quarter, I woud have given you a drug test. I can't wait to hear all the Vol fans who only weeks ago wanted Coach Fulmer's bald spot on a platter now line up on SportsTalk to sing a chorus of "I told you so". Oh yeah, we knew it all along. The great thing about Vols fans is that they are lot like the weather - give them time, and they will change. Go Vols!

Technorati Tags: [Tennessee Volunteers]

Tennessee 28 California 24

It may not be a smart pick, but its one made from the heart. Our only hope is that Cal's defense had more holes in it last year than the dougnut line at Krispy Kreme. Go VOLS!

Mullet Headed Madman

I haven't watched tennis in a long long time, but night's US Open match was excellent. Andre Agassi def. Baghdatis in a 5 set thriller. Agassi started as a mullet headed punk kid who made McEnroe look like one of the game's old gentleman. Agassi was probably the last tennis player I had much of an opinion about, and I hated him. But in fairness he was like 12 or something when he hit the tour, so its probably not right to have expected him to act like an adult.

Having not watched tennis in at least 5 years some things really stood out. Andre hit only 3 or 4 first serves in the 2 sets I watched. Back in the day that would have cost you the match right there. Second, no one yelled at the ump. The whole point of having him way up in a chair is so that you can come over, curse him, bang your racet on the chair, and him remain safe the entire time. It's sad that young tennis players today have grown too lazy to verbally assault the chair umpire. The technology that surrounds the game to day is unbelievable. For a game that was mired in the 17th century when I was playing back in the 20th century, they've really improved.

Through all the changes a bit of the old punk still shown through in Andre. After his opponent had heaped a great deal of kind words on him, not just for the match but for his life time achievements, Andre did not mention Baghdatis once. Baghdatis played the last two sets with severe leg cramps that would have kept far lesser players from finishing the match. Andre remained silent on the subject. I guess you can take the mullet off the kid, but not out of the kid. Still I hope Andre keeps on winning.

Skunked

I got home last night to find my beloved dog Petey in a battle to the death with a skunk. The skunk had to be pretty young to get through our fence, and when I came across him Petey had him trapped under the grill, and was barking to wake up hell. At first I tried to shoo him away from the skunk with a broom. Yeah, right. Finally I went inside and got a towl. I threw that over Petey and was able to get him away from the skunk, but not before both of us had been mortally skunked.

Tomato juice is just a waste of a good V8. Petey and I still smell like Peppy La Pew.

The thought did cross my mind to just take Petey to my ex-wife's house, and leave him there. She originally got Petey for son Chieftoe (Quent), and then abandoned the dog at my house after his first hour home. While it would have been really funny, and certainly just, I would miss the beast too much. So I'm off to PetSmart for the 21st century cure for skunkification.

Technorati Tag: [Skunks, Dogs]

Too damn busy being Happy

I've gotten way behind on my happiness postings. I'm not a big TV person, but one of my favorite daily rituals is watching M*A*S*H. The Hallmark channel shows 4 episodes twice daily. If I miss them in the afternoon, I can catch them late at night. The show ran for 11 years and I bet I've seen the whole series from start to finish about 7 or 8 times. We just restarted season 1 this week, and I couldn't be more excited. Hawkeye and Radar are my two favorite characters, but I also really like the way Hotlips Houlihan turns from a nympho, right-winged maniac, into a strong caring woman - Margaret.

Though I have been sober for quite some time, my favorite line is still that uttered by Hawkeye to Colonel Potter upon his arrival.

Col. Potter - "A pair of colorful officers, I must say. I gather you drink?"
Hawkeye - "Only to excess."

M*A*S*H has not been , and in my opinion can not be, surpassed for its combination of wit, intelligence, and compassion. M*A*S*H makes me happy.

Technorati Tags: [MASH, Happiness Challange]

Told you so!

Terrell Owens is already well on the way to dismantling the Dallas Cowboys in record breaking time. When Owens left the Eagle we knew we were going to get to tell someone I told you so, but we didn't know who. Then Jerry Jones stepped to the plate and made our day.

Is Terrell Owens the biggest "I told you so" in all of sports? I think its definately the biggest in NFL history. T.O. is like a roach motel for NFL teams. Teams go in, but they don't come out. I'm surprised that some crazed right to life group in not protesting T.O.'s repeated abortion of entire teams.

What are some of the other great "I told you so's" of NFL history? One that comes to my mind and has extra significance since it involves one of my beloved Volunteer's greatest players is Peyton Manning. To many in the media, since Peyton didn't beat Florida during his time in Orange, his Vol carerr was pointless. These intellectual midgets said Ryan Leaf would be a far better NFL QB. Peyton turned out to be just a bit better. Told you so!

Another is Bo Jackson, and this got me. When Bo was telling us about all he knows many doubted that he could play both baseball and football. Since I was still hold my hatred of all things Aubrun against him, I joined the course of those calling BULL. Bo went on to greatness in both the NFL and Major League baseball, and I shut the hell up. He also turned out to be a nice guy, and even though he could have and probably should have, Bo never said Told you so!

Government by Rock- Paper-Scissors

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has been suffering from an unknown illness that recently required him to travel to the Mayo Clinic for help. The cause is still unknown, but Governor Bredesen's pain is our chance as a state to step into history. As part of our concern for our beloved Governor it has come to the attention of the people of the great state of Tennessee that we have no plan to replace our beloved governor should he be unable to fulfill his duties. Apparently, unlike Miss Tennessee, should the winner be unable to fulfill his responsibilities the runner-up can not just step in. As it stands we would have to wake up 85 year old Lt.. Gov Wilder and get him to fill in should Phil not be able to show up for work. That could require an entirely new bureaucracy. Here is where Tennessee has the chance to make history.

Tennessee could become the first state to govern by Rock-Paper-Scissors. Should Phil have to go on the DL, we get the legislature to appoint one Republican and one Democrat and any decision that the gov would normally make would be settled by them via Rock-Paper-Scissors.

Not only is this potentially the greatest enhancement to governance since the veto, it's also a great way to make money and earn the state much needed PR. You could add a third citizen member to the Rock-Paper-Scissors team and a lottery could be held so that a new citizen is picked each week. That's not even the best part. Can you say reality show?!

Each week a Republican, a Democrat, and a Tennessee citizen "Volunteer" could go through a series of challenges to see who will get to make the governor's decisions via the Rock-Paper-Scissors.

Here's the pitch: Joseph Watson was convicted of killing three people in Manchester, Tennessee in 1997 and the only person that can save him from lethal injection is the governor. This week Republican Tim Burchett from Knoxville, Democrat Harold Ford Jr. of Memphis, and Alice Vittetoe or Etowah will battle it out to see who earns the right to climb Rocky Top and determine Watson's fate with Rock-Paper-Scissors. Tune in Thursday at 9 to see if Watson lives or dies on Rocky Top RPS!

Somebody call Mark Burnett.

Headlines lead to paranoia

I took oldest daughter Hannah to college Saturday, and managed not to cry until half way home. She's lived with her mother most of these last years, but I still saw her several times a week. Besides, its tradition. Something about her being away at school set my paranoia meter into high gear. As though somehow she never faced any danger before, my mind has been racing through all the things that could go wrong now that she is away. Hell, if she only does 1/3 of the stupidity I did her life is in grave danger. Then just as my mind was settling down, I woke up to the incident at VA Tech. I'm going to have to work harder at this whole serenity thing.

We now return to our regularly scheduled Happiness

I was in mid happiness post when I got distracted by Denise. I don't even know how I came across her post, but I'll blame Michael Silence. But it got me thinking about things that make me happy. Today has been a weird day, and I've been all over the map as part of the day's happenings. I had lunch with a Jewish friend, and we actually met at his synagogue, I drove by 843 different churches, and finally took my son to soccer practice right next door to the Hindu community center.

Now I'm trying real hard, with limited success, to be a man of faith, and I love it when God uses the spiritual 2 x 4 to remind me of His presence. As I pulled in next to the Hindu community center Exodus 20:2 came to mind "You shall have no other gods before me." The feeling I got (and it was a feeling similar to what Wesley described "my heart strangely warmed") was not "My God can beat up your god" or "If you don't belong to the right deity country club you're going to hell", but instead "Hey, keep your eyes on me, and I'll take care of the rest." That makes life way easier, and faith simple enough for even me to understand. That makes me happy.

Technorati Tags [Happiness Challenge, Faith, Religion]

Atheist Common Sense

Denise over at Mental Excrements is one pissed off mother! Seems someone at her son’s school gave him a flyer that contained some type of religious information on it. Denise then set out to hold the zealot accountable for their separation of church and state blasphemy. She interviewed three teachers, the principal, and finally the Superintendent himself in an effort to bring the criminal to justice.

My daughter also brought home a flyer for the Good News Club at West Hills Elementary. The club is sponsored by West Hills Presbyterian which is right behind the school. The club is held after school once a week and according to the flyer includes lessons in moral values, respect for authority, character qualities, and Biblical principles. My daughter won’t be attending, for reasons having nothing to do with the fine folks at West Hills Pres, and I threw the flyer away.

To me, common sense dictates that we are far better off when we live and let live. If the Mosque wants to have an after school club, or the Shinto Shrine wants to host a Fall Festival, I’m all for it. And if they would like the opportunity to send information to students, follow the school’s guidelines, and pass out flyers like some churches have chosen to do, great.

Now apparently one of the many teachers that were part of the inquisition “Mrs. B.” implied that atheists are notnice folks. After reading Denise’s Friday post I can’t imagine why –

While looking over various papers I came across a flyer that made my blood boil. It was a fucking flyer for a CHURCH! WHAT THE FUCKKKKKKK?????

Since when do schools distribute flyers for churches? Since when does religion play a part in the public fucking school system? You can can bet that Monday morning I’m going up to that damn school and bitch about this. I WILL put an end to this shit. My children go to school for an EDUCATION not to have this crap shoved in their faces.

To be sure, as Denise herself states, there are plenty of Christians who are jerks. I myself have more often than not failed to live by the very faith I profess.

I’m sure Denise is really a quite charming woman. She is as apostolic in her faith, Atheism, as Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell could ever hope to be. It’s her way or no way, and if she doesn’t get it she and the ACLU will have you in court faster than you can say Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. Denise's goal is not freedom of religion, but freedom from religion, and if that means doing away with freedom altogether, so be it. Denise joins other great atheist minds like Stalin and Mao in using the ultimate tool to oppress people of faith, regardless of its form - tyranny.

Common sense would say if you don’t want the flyer or its ideas to just throw it away. I guess common sense wasn’t included in Denise’s college education.

Technorati Tags [Faith, Religion, Pissed Off]

World Trade Center Movie

I saw Oliver Stone's World Trade Center yesterday, and it was fantastic! I'm not a big Oliver Stone fan and had even joked prior to seeing the film that I wondered how he would tie in JFK's assassination. For a while there every Oliver Stone film seemed to have something to do with JFK.

But the movie was great all the way around. Through the story of two firemen and their families I found myself thinking about all those that died that day, and those that survived. I was made to think about the WTC disaster in ways I never had. Wonderfully, the movie is almost totally apolitical and our focus is entirely on the lives of the those involved.

Go see it and take your kids that are old enough to see it.

Here are some other reviews.

Technorati Tag: World Trade Center Movie

And they called it happiness

It's amazing how much happiness the average pig can bring. There is of course Bar-B-Q, pork chops, and ham, but the highest purpose any swine can aspire to is to have his skin cut into four equal diamonds, sown together, filled with air and placed on a gridiron in the fall. This is the greatest act of self sacrifice in all the animal kingdom - that one pig would give his life for football.

Tonight the first pre-season NFL games are on, and I find myself starting to jones for tailgating, Neyland Stadium, and three hours of Rocky Top. I Love football - that's right, with a capital L - and I love it so much that it is the reason fall is my favorite season of the year. Oh sure, the magnificence of God's beautiful creation bursting into color helps, but football is what makes fall sing.

Football makes me happy!

Technorati Tag: Happiness Challenge

Happiness X 3

Still trying to meet Mike's happiness edict - School is starting!! I always liked the beginning of school, especially high school. Every possiblity was still available. I still had a chance to get an A in every class.

This year my hoodlums are venturing to three different schools - Clara Grace at West Hills Elementry, Quent at Bearden High School, and Hannah will be the fifth generation to challenge the Carson Newman College administration's sanity. Actually, I think she may be the first Willson in three generations not to challenge their sanity.

None the less, each new start brings it's own special joy. We get to find out who Clara Grace's teacher will be, and see her joy at new school supplies, and new class mates. Quent makes the transition this year from having to go to class to getting to go to the classes he loves like photography. Hannah's start brings the joy of independence and a chance to finally make a life as she wishes it to be. But Hannah's new start actually brings with it a bit of trepidation, if not on her part, at least mine. Because Hannah's will require the most of me, since Hannah's requires me to let go. "Let go and let God." - I hate it when my children actually make me practice what I preach.

State of Everything

David Sifry has brought us up to date on the state of the blogosphere. Apparently there are over 50 million blogs. That makes my Technorati rating of 380,295 not look so bad. The report also points out some really distrubing and weird aspects of the human psyche. The Indian Ocean Tsunami that claimed over 300,000 lives and hurricane Katrina which almost erased New Orleans from the map brought on far less postings than Valentines Day or Cynthia McKinney bitch slapping a Capitol Police officer. And neither of those two events could top the interest in the National Spelling Bee. Never mind, that makes perfect sense.

Hat tip: No Silence Here

Humlarity

Humlarity - The joyous combination of humor and hilarity.

One of the things that makes me happiest of all is to laugh. The only thing greater than laughing myself is finding out that I've actually been able to teach my children the same love of laughter.

My oldest daughter, Hannah, has shown a pension for cerebral humor. When her mother was away, she spent several hours convincing her younger sister that she was merely a figment or her mother's imagination. When her mother returned, Clara Grace ran to her crying "Momma! I'm a figment!" The psychological scares were far out weighed by the fact that it's just plain funny.

Clara Grace herself has developed an excellent sense of humor at only age nine. Tonight I had to pick her up after work (11:30pm) and we stopped at the grocery store on the way home. I asked her what people would think about a little girl being out at the store after midnight. She said "I'll just tell them we're out partying one last time before school starts!" I should be upset at the thought of my 3rd grader being able to grasp the concept of partying, especially with our family and my personal history, but its just too damn funny.

What about Quent you ask? Has my son achieved humlarity? No, not really. Dull as a dusty almanac. The boy's destined to be an actuarial. Though it scares me to admit it, he could end up being the next Mr. Rogers.

Happy, Joyous and Free

Still trying to meet Big Orange Michael's happiness challenge - Today was a hectic day, filled with various trials and traumas each of which to their participants was the end of the world, and each required me to swim a little in those pools of sorrow. Some were even real! But each swim brought with it a surety of being OK, of knowing that I would be alright no matter what. Someone called it serenity, and it may be, but I call it a miracle. Not long ago those pools were mine, and though they were not deep enough to cover even my big toe, drowning seemed inevitable. Today, I know there is nothing that God can not handle if I will just let him. Thank God!

Happy as the other side of the pillow...

I got up this morning and was reminded of how even the simplest thing can bring a sense of happiness. This morning while taking my rollers out, I put in a new set of contacts. Man, they felt great! Having today's post on my mind I thought of all the other ridiculously simple things that help make our day. Flipping over that pillow in the middle of the night to get to the cool side is like getting to fall asleep all over again. Hearing the exact right song at the exact right time - I've always liked Thin Lizzy's The Boys are Back in Town right around the time football practice starts back up.I love a fountain coke on crushed ice. I dig a tomato and chesse sandwich - with really cheap Mayo! Simple.

Happiness is...

Big Orange Michael threw down the happiness gauntlet, and I'm just now picking it up. Mike has asked us spend each day this month discussing things that make us happy. Today, I'll mention two to make up for my absence yesterday.

The Beatles said that happiness is a warm gun. I don't agree, but little have the Beatles produced that hasn't produced a great deal of happiness. They also said all you need is love, and that I can agree with.

Three people that have had a tremendous influence on my life are Scotty Mayfield, and Ben & Jerry. They've influenced me about 75lbs, and ice cream is God's greatest nutritional gift since manna. Scotty use to also be my Sunday school teacher. I was more influenced by his chocolate Sundays than any other.

Battle of Athens

Michael over at No Silence Here reminds us that tomorrow is the 60th anniverserary of the Battle of Athens. My grandfather, Paul J. Walker, was mayor of Athens at the time and was "asked" to resign by my great uncle James "Piggy" Willson. Many of those wounds still haunt that community and its members. If you get a minute, run down to the square and hear what the "Old Timer" Chuck Redfern remebers from his WLAR radio broadcast of the day's events.

Unbelievable!

DC Talk's song "What if I Stumble" begins with the following statement -

The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.

If the reports about Mel Gibson turn out to be true, it will be one more in a long list of examples of how we who profess Jesus name fail to live by what he has taught. In Mel's case he will also have forever given his critics the amunition they need to dismiss The Passion of the Christ. Wormwood got a bonus for this one!

Editor's Apology

Please forgive my nephew Parker's previous two posts and his unauthorized use of Steven Wright's material. Parker claims there is little copy right education invetro. However, he has been let off this time with a warning, and if every caught lifting good jokes again, will be forced to use only Carrot Top references for one year.

Parker Journal - Day 2

Day 2 - Why does everyone talk to me like I'm a complete idiot? O brother, check out the dude with the ears! The little one apparently having a heart attack or really bad gas is my sister.

I'm glad I've got a Nanny and Granddaddy. I hear those things come in handy. Apparently Granddaddy's get out of control, cause Nanny had to have that stick whenever she was around him.

Parker Journal - Day 1

Day 1 - Still Tired After the move. Hey, who is this hot chick holding me? I hope she digs small, fat, bald guys!

Petey the Watts Bar Wonder Terrier

Quent and Petey
Originally uploaded by LaneWillson.

Far from home, Petey the Watts Bar Wonder Terrier seeks solace where he can find it. Even if it means bunking with a crazed, smelly, soccer madman Cheiftoe.

In his home land, the Australian Jack Russell Terrier might be munching on wombats (Do they have wombats down under?), or snacking on a baby roo, but in the good ole US of A, Petey has a steady diet of licking microwave dinner remnants and the occasional ice cream lid. Is this a great country or what?

Petey was discovered by the Peterson clan of greater Roane County wandering the banks of Watts Bar Lake. Petey faced extradition, until a deal was reached with American authorities that allowed him to serve a limited house arrest in West Knoxville. Petey has agreed to guard the premises from squirrels in return for a reduced sentence and regular walks around the neighborhood.

Parker Willson Weimar!

Sister Laura just had a little boy. Acutally, there was nothing little about him - the kid weighed in at over 9lbs! My Nimrod suggestion was totally ignored. There was a late push to get her to name it after her brothers, but somehow Lanepaulfank Weimar just didn't sing. So she and Brad chose instead to name the kid after former actor, and Daniel Boone impersonator Fess Parker. From this day forth the kid will be known as Parker Willson Weimar. Mr. Parker left acting to start a winery. Thus the Willson name.

Congratulations Brad and Laura!

What's in a name?

Laura
Originally uploaded by LaneWillson.

Sister Laura will be having her 3rd hoodlum Wednesday morning and she and Brad still have not come up with a name. Speaking for myself, Elbert Lane Willson, IV., one's name can make life interesting to say the least. When asked about being a 4th, I simply tell people that my family is either really lazy or really unimaginative.

We know that little hoodlum Weimar will be a boy, but Laura wants to see him before naming him. Here are some suggestions.

If the delivery is an unusually difficult and painful one, the tyke can be reminded of this daily by naming him Mortimer, Alfonso (spell it with a ph and Z for extra uniqueness), Stymie, Quasimodo (This is what Hannah called Quent prior to his birth), or Aberforth.

You could go with a cute name. My children call their grandmother Rosemary - Rosemommy. Laura's oldest son Hunter referred to himself for quite some time as Huntoe.

I am a man of faith, and as such prefer Biblical names. Therefore, Laura, dear sister, I look forward to welcoming little Nimrod Weimar into the family sometime Wednesday.

CG Knows No Danger

CG On the sceen
Originally uploaded by LaneWillson.

Some reporters may shy away from dangerous assignments, but to Clara Grace, danger is just a four letter word. Seen here reporting for TNN (Tate's News Network), this young reporter braved, fire, 90 degree heat, and a questionable script to bring a breaking story to the public. Word has it she's up for the Peabody, Pulitzer, Emmy, and Woofie Awards. (Woofies are for outstanding reporting of stories involving fake dogs.) When you need to know, CG will surely show!

43rd Time's a Charm!

Chieftoe finally got his drivers license. I'm praying for us all. This time we got to the DMV with all the required documents, forms, and animal sacrifices, and this time the boy injured no DMV employees. The result - The Great State of Tennessee is the proud beneficiary of another teenage driver!

Good Job! Little Buddy!

You never know exactly when prayers will be answered or how God will respond, but His answers never cease to amaze me. My little brother Frank, four years my junior, had what some would call a challenging childhood. At one point when we were kids, I think it was right after Frank gave Mom's Weeping Willow Cherry tree a "Haircut", I became very concerned that Frank would be this way the rest of his life. And so I went to God in prayer and with all the earnestness that my tweleve years had procurred, I begged God to not let my little brother end up like Gilligan.

Through the years he continued to have his challenging moments - Charged with drag racing mom's 1980 Ford Escort, and getting caught at Carson Newman by Dr. Turner using Rev. Tom Barton as a source on a paper are but two examples of the many. Rev. Barton is actually Mr. Barton and a Ford dealer not a minister. This weekend he picked up his second Emmy, and every Thanksgiving he brings home his W-2 to mock his two older brothers. But the point is, my prayer was answered and my brother is not Gilligan, but more a combination of Groucho Marx, Ebward R Murrow, Jerry Springer, Dane Cook, and Karl the Caddy Shack greens keeper. Good job, little buddy!

Who raised this kid?

I got to spend some time with my daughter Hannah this afternoon. She will be headed to Carson Newman in a few weeks, so every moment is bonus. We got some ice cream, dropped off some recycling and just sort of "Chilled" (She hates it when I talk in quotes.) We stopped by Borders, her favorite store, and I came across a bargin rack where each book was $7.99. I gave her a $10 and told her to knock herself out. What does the kid choose? Brittney's latest unauthorized bio? The Dean Koontz book of the week? The South Park Veal Cookbook? NO! The kid gets The Complete Works of Shakespeare. I can now die in peace.

Testing Complete

I have recently undergone testing and it has been determined that I'm actually an 85 year old spinster woman with hemorrhoids and a bad back trapped in the body of an incredibly handsome, witty, and exceptionally brilliant 43 year old man with a bad back. This explains all the negativity, whining, and sour expressions posted on this blog and other feeble attempts at self expression.

I have not posted anything in quite some time even on my other site while awaiting the results of the above mentioned tests. During the time I changed the way I gather information about the world. I try to stay away from all things political. Uncle Sam and I have an agreement dating back to 1992 that I won't vote anyway, so why let it effect my attitude. I try to only hang out with positive bloggers. Barry and Michael have been long time friends and former church mates. Katie is a former acquantence with whom I have become reacquainted via her blog. All three of these spend the majority of their efforts telling us what gives them joy and makes their lives worth living. Finally, I simply try to look for the good stuff. I hope to be something of a cross between Norman Vincent Peale and Bill Murray hooked on Jesus. (So I got that goin' for me.)

We'll see how it goes. As for now - YOU KIDS GET THE HELL OUT OF MY YARD!!

Sorry, I still have a few old lady moments...and hot flashes.