Our Worst Fears Realized

Clara Grace turned 10 Wednesday, and her mother got her a dog for the occasion. This is especially nice since her mom is not even on the same hemisphere with dog lovers. So today was the big day when the new dog arrived. All we knew was that it was a 1 year old tea cup poodle. Now, for years I have indoctrinated the children in naming dogs. My ideal was to have the most harmless, insignificant animal ever placed on the planet by the Lord, and to name it Doom. (Childish I know, but funny none the less.)

So Quent and I have spent the last few days trying to talk Clara Grace a cool name for the animal. Here are a few of our favorites:
Brutus, Maximus (Max for short), and Wolfgang among others. Our favorite name, Quent and I, was to call the dog Frank after Clara Grace's uncle Frank. It was sort of a Pirates of the Caribbean "we named the monkey Jack" kind of thing. We even offered $20 bucks a piece, but she turned down the 40 francs in order to name the dog herself.

Finally, the big moment arrived, Clara Grace brought the dog to my house and introduced him as Pierre. That's right, Pierre - a name that makes even a French man snicker. Oh well, Clara Grace loves him, so we do too. We are happy to welcome (I can't believe I'm saying this) Pierre to the family.

Tivo Worthy Television

I got a Tivo a few months ago, and now I'm looking forward to using it to keep up with the new fall shows. The question I have as a Tivo rookie, is what are the fall shows that folks are thinking are Tivo worthy? Of course UT and Titan's football games goes without saying, and I'm also a big fan of The Bronx is Burning and Mad Men. Any other suggestions?

Another Step Closer

One step closer to Tennessee's 2007 football season is the annual purchasing of the Tennessee media guide. I'm the proud owner of every media guide since 1983.

Gracie Woman Decade

Clara Grace turned 10 today! She loves to laugh and play with Petey. I'm teaching her to be a Beatles expert. Happy birthday Gracie Woman!!

Welcome Home Charlotte!

Katie and Jon have welcomed home their new addition, Charlotte. Congratulations!

Happy Birthday! Rest In Peace

A friend had a birthday today, but it was not the usual celebration. While there were flowers, there were no balloons , candles, or cake. There was music and an impressive crowd, but the birthday girl did not smile once, and did not even get to make a wish. Though there was a little laughter, remembering old times, there were far more tears, and everyone wished that the event was not happening at all. The room was filled with family and friends who wished to be anywhere, but where they were tonight. Worst of all her mother and father did not get to celebrate their daughter's 21st birthday, because instead on that happy day they had to attend her funeral.

I HATE THIS DAMN DISEASE!!

The Walk

Hanson's new cd The Walk came out this week. That's right, Hanson. I took Hannah and a few of her girlfriends to see them at the Ryman Auditorium, and was blown away. I've really only heard one song, Great Divide, which I really like. Hannah's going to let me listen to the rest of the CD tomorrow. Here are some reviews. Indielondon, The Leak Source, Rolling Stone.

Too Sad to be funny

Though there are hundreds of bad jokes bouncing around my head, I just don't have the heart. If nothing else she seemed very strong and resilient.

Wrong on So Many Levels

Uncle Frank decided to let Clara Grace and Carly cut his hair. I knew teaching them to spell was dangerous, but I never imagined the horrors that would ensue.

White by Clara Grace

White
by
Clara Grace Willson

White is a blank surface,
a sea of imagination gives white it's own colors.
White is a story waiting to be made.
White stirs the imagination,
so you could go to a bridge leading to a magical kingdom,
or the underwater city of Atlantis.
White is a soft fluffy cloud,
or a cold clean snow.
White is a beauty white.

A Great day in the woods at The Woods

I went to a Chrysalis gathering today at Wesley Woods. I love being at the Woods. David Leach and crew do a super job. If you have a chance to send your hoodlums there, I highly recommend it.

A Very Quite Tempest

I went to see the Tennessee Stage Company's production of The Tempest. I enjoyed the staging, however, I could hardly hear the actors. I think I'll try a bit later in the summer and see if I can't get a seat closer to the front.

In the words of Michael Silence...

In the words of Michael Silence..
OUCH! Oklahoma.

Goodbye Lady Bird

Lady Bird Johnson has died. She was a Lady indeed.

The Middle Child Blues

It seems like no matter how hard you try sometimes things just happen anyway. Take my son Quent. I thought that being the only boy, and being seven years older than his baby sister, he would somehow escape the stereotypical middle child role. Wrong. Quent often is the silent child, escaping notice, stuck between a superstar, and an angel. But during his Nanny's birthday he was far from silent.

Here he is pictured with his cousin Parker. Quent is the first, and one of only four young men, that are part of my parent's thirteen grandchildren. At seventeen, he's into his ipod, job, Frisbee golf, long boarding (skateboards), and though he doesn't admit it to his dad, girls. The last thing a seventeen year old wants to do is hang out with his "boy cousins" ages 10, 6, and 8 months. But whenever they asked, he answered the call to play. I bet he spent at least 2 hours chasing errant Frisbee throws.

I hope Quent never feels overlooked. I'm very fortunate to have such a fine young man as my son.

Where's Harry?

I've been to three or four movies in the last month, and have yet to see a preview for the latest Harry Potter movie! What's up with that?

Cool Numbers

I've never been much on numerology, but I had a cool 07.07.07. I went to an AA meeting as part of a group of seven and saw a friend pick up her ...wait for it...seven year chip. Pretty cool!

See Rock City

Happy Birthday Nanny!

Tomorrow is my mom's birthday. As a surprise for Nanny (as she is now known) all my brothers and sisters and their children came in as a suprise. As an added suprise her sister Laura flew in from Charlottesville, Virginia. We had her husband, sister, five children, 12 of 13 grandchildren and three dogs. A splended time was had by all. Check out the photos.

Happy Birthday Nanny!

Seven Random Facts

I was tagged by Tish for the Seven Random Facts meme.

The Rules:

• Players start with 7 random facts/habits about themselves.
• People who are tagged need to write their own blog posts with their 7 things as well as these rules.
• You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog.
• Remember to leave a comment for them letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Here facts seven random are.

1. I sleep with a 20 inch box fan mere inches from my bed. I love the white noise.
2. I my favorite dog was Herbie. We got him when I was 8, and he live until I was 20. He was 1/2 Beagle and 1/2 Dachshund. have been recognized by online friends several times while out in public.
3. My favorite movie is Lawrence of Arabia, which my kids hate, and when they were little I would hold over their heads if they were misbehaving. "Keep this up and we'll get to watch Lawrence again."
4. My favorite University of Tennessee football player of all time is Eddie Brown.
   
5. My favorite writer is is a toss up between John Irving, and Tom Wolfe.
6. Reggie White ran over me in high school. I was working as a photographer, and the play went out of bounds, and Reggie went over me.
7. I got to work White House Advance for President Ronald Reagan's trip to Athens and Knoxville, Tennessee in September 24, 1985.

Now I tag Michael, Barry, Doug, Cathy, Sarah, Newscoma, Lane