I Love To Kayak This Time of Year

I just love this time of year, especially when I can get out on the river for a few straight days and enjoy God's nature sanctuary. The air is crisp, the water is "flat," and there is no other noise except the paddle caressing the water and the Lord's creatures quietly stirring.I am in the process of planning another, longer adventure next month. Either Nashville to Cheatham Dam, or Clarksville to Cumberland City. Last year my trip was from Cheatham Dam to Clarksville.
(Where these photos are from, Nov 9-11, 2007.)

When your on the river away from the built up areas, the water is remarkable clear, cold and quiet.

During the entire three days I spend on the river last year, I only observed three other boats. Two river barges and one large cruiser.
I even had the opportunity to see the symbol of our county, the American Bald Eagle.

I love eagles and my favorite bible verse is Isaiah 40:31.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
There is nothing like it in the world, being free to do this, is truly a blessing.

Harvest Season

Well, the winds came and with it the cold. With temperatures dropping below freezing last night I had to get into the garden for one last harvest.

I did not realize the amount of tomatoes, peppers and eggplant still in the garden. All in all, it was a great year, my dad and grandpa would be proud.

Those who have gardens can appreciate what the Lord can do with just a small 3' X 6' plot of dirt.

Just like in our lives, the Lord works wonders, he starts with a seed, some dirt, water, and His love, then we blossom and bring forth fruit.

Love one another.

Oldest Baby Daughter's Birthday

Yesterday we celebrated the Oldest Baby Daughter's Birthday, complete with a fantastic meal prepared by Stacy, and a cake baked by Stacy too.

The baby daughter is celebrating her 29th (almost 30, old maid, youth gone) birthday. Yes that is a tiara on her head. Does anyone remember the movie, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" Bette Davis? Ya, those of you my age will get it, Nichole won't.

The family gathered around the table waiting on the Coconut Cake. Left to Right, Lisa, Stacy, Dave, Mandy, Nichole, West and Scott.

Nichole winding up for the blowing out of the candles, what you don't see is Dave beating her to the punch and blowing them out first.

Your worst nightmare, an Italian Princess with a knife.

One generation of princess, passing the baton to the next.Baby Emma has started to walk, she stands alone then takes a few steps before falling down. Notice the expensive wrapping paper that Mandy and Dave used to wrap Nichole's gift.
The gift I wrapped.

Emma walking away from Nana.

Emma waiting for more cake.What I thought of the whole night.

Paris in the Fall

As I said in my previous post, we spent Friday and Saturday golfing at Paris Landing State Park and stayed the evening at the lodge. We had the all you can eat seafood buffet and really did eat all we could.

This is the view from the signature 5th, par 3 hole. The weather started out raining in Clarksville, but by the time we got to the park the sky was clear.

We planned this weekend back in August with our friends, Don and Bonnie McClaren.

As we made the turn and got a snack, I noticed Stacy, Don and Bonnie in a familar pose.

"Eat no evil, see no evil, drink no evil."

Since I awake early, I was sitting on our balcony having my quiet time with a cuban friend of mine, when I noticed the horizon turning bring red.
In a matter of minutes, the sun rose over Tennesse's rolling hills and the day was alive with God's bright light.

I have never seen so many deer on a golf course in my life.
So many in fact, Stacy had her own gallery as she golfed.

We had a wonderful, relaxing weekend, with a lot of memories. I hope everyone had a great weekend as well.

Getting Ready for the Weekend

I was going to work from home this morning, but forgot my laptop cord in the office. So I had to go in and since it had not started to rain I decided to ride the bike.

Between exit 19 and 24, I spotted a bike coming up on my left side. As it zipped past me, it looked like a Vespa on steroids. So I did what any confident guy would do, I let the hopped up Vespa go on by.

Not.

As if I had any control, my throttle hand suddenly started to pull the throttle back and the race was on. I caught up to the rider at exit 31, by then we were neck and neck at 90 mph, and stayed that way until exit 35.

My better judgment took over at Briley Parkway as I gunned ahead and exited. I won.

After staying in the office for a short time, I picked up what I needed and headed home. I dropped off all my reports and paperwork and headed to the Election Commission and early voting.

It was crowded but not to much so, after I waded through all the campaign signs, I saw a small lady, real small. Rosalind Kurita. She looks taller on TV.

So I casted my vote for Obama, NOT! Had ya going didn't I? Anyway, after voting I left for home and got there just before rain.

Stacy and I and another couple are going to Paris Landing on Friday and coming back on Saturday night. We're going to golf, I'm going to get some fishing in and just relax.

I told those at work, my phone will be off, I will not check voicemail and I am leaving my laptop at home.

In the event of an emergency you can still reach us via Stacy's cell, no one at work has that number.

Have a great weekend.

The Last 24 Hours

I attended the Fellowship of Christian Athletics Fall Fund Raising Banquet at First Baptist Church Downtown Tuesday night. I was the guest of my neighbor, Don McClaren. The speaker was awsome, as was the entire event, please check your search engines for this great orgainstation they are all over the US.

After the banquet, I got home about 9:30 and was in bed by 10:00, I had to be up by 3am and on the road for a trip to Chattanooga to provide some Executive Protection for one of my clients. The entire board of directors and CEO flew into the Metro airport in Chattanooga on the corporate jet.

It was a nice to fly and to drive.
We asked AVIS to secure two Lincoln Towncars and one Cadilac to transport the VIP's from the airport to Cleveland TN.

After a short meeting in Cleveland, it was back to the airport for the flight to Memphis. The client and I met for lunch after the jet left and we returned the cars to the terminal. After lunch it was back on the road for Clarksville and home. I got to the house a little after four in the afternoon. All in all, a long day. I should have no problem sleeping this evening.

Saturday we all went to Six Flags in Louisville, I only could find five flags. The temperature was a balmy 65 degrees and there were not too many people there, so there were hardly any lines for the rides.

Our first "potty" stop was Bowling Green where we got gas and Stacy and I shared a roll of donuts. (See got 4, I got 2, I was told that was fair.) While we all were riding the roller coasters like this one, Chang, T2 and the others, Stacy was riding her favorite part of the park.

She likes to ride the benchs and tables. They are slow and do not go off the ground.

We finally talked her into going on a "kiddie" ride. In the first photo she looks confindent, but wait.
As it started to move, her knuckles turned white and she looked down. Well as down as you can with your eyes closed.

Back and forth, very high to her. Nichole and West stayed close and Mandy sat next to her to make sure she was going to make it.
That's Mandy laughing her butt off at her mom, or just enjoying herself. After this ride, Stacy had new found strength, she rode the flying shoe and the Merry-go-Round.

The gang waiting in line for the next ride. Nichole's shirt reads, "Lombardos Rule."
Nichole and West strapped in for thier flight.

A short video of Nichole and West's flight, that's my girl.

After Nichole's flight, she had to get a WonderWoman cape, and yes she wore it for the rest of the day, and to dinner on the way home.

West, Nichole, Stacy, Mandy and big Dave.

After a long day, it's time to go to dinner and then home. We had a wonderful time, family time is precious, so have fun, love and gather.

Back in East Tennessee

I left Clarksville after my "Men's Fraternity," meeting, this is an awesome study. I have learned a lot about myself, who I am and how I got here. Very eye opening, and we are only in our fifth week.

I went back to the dentist so that Paula could practice giving injections on me. She shot me twice and got me numb. I have got to recommend Paula to anyone who needs teeth cleaning, she is good at what she does, and Dr. Allen is the best.

Then I went to the drive through for breakfast making sure I chewed on the left side of my mouth so I did not chew my tongue off, because I was still numb. Then I was back on the road to East Tennessee, first stop Chattanooga.

I do not like driving in the rain, I also do not like trucks in the rain, part of I-24 and I-65 were closed on Wednesday morning making it more than difficult to stay on schedule.
I love seeing what I call "frosting on the trees," low laying clouds that brush the tree lines of mountains. It's just beautiful seeing the clouds move over the landscape with the wind. The trees in east Tennessee have already started to change colors, I love this time of year.
I photographed this "thing" a few months ago while in Knoxville. I did not know what it was then, so I pulled off the road and climbed over a fence and got a closer look. It's a mechanic chicken.

I started to pay attention to gas prices on the way, I filled up in Cleveland TN at the WalMart Supercenter today at $3.52. It was $3.29 in Knoxville.

When I got to Johnson City, the WalMart was at $3.17, so I topped off. I will be home tomorrow night, I will be taking Stacy to Chili's, she has fallin in love with the chicken club tacos. I am going for the Nachos a food group all in one.

Walking in Memphis

After getting to Memphis midday on Friday, I stepped out the front door of my hotel right on the main trolley line, right across the street is Court Square in the heart of downtown.

I walked down to Beale street and looked around, then needed to get set up for my training for first thing in the morning.After I set up my training room, I took a Cuban outside and sat at one of the roadside tables. I looked down and made eye contact him.

Then his lip curled, his tail shook, it was Elvis squirrel!

Anyway, after training all day on Thursday, I got everyone released and had some subway, finished another Cuban and then relaxed for a few minutes.

It was just about time to get in for the Biden/Palin debate when I took one more shot of the trolley going by.

The next morning after finishing all my reports, I went to Larry's BBQ Buffet on Front Street, all you can eat BBQ ribs, pulled pork, everything BBQ, and you can't beat the price, $10.95.

I left Memphis at 3pm, and got to the house at a little after seven. All in all it was a nice ride, but not much time to do much of anything else. Not sure of next week yet, I will know for sure after my staff meeting in the morning.