Purple Martins

 

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See the Martin gourds we had in the backyard.  Right below is a scuppernong vine.

Click on the links under the photos to learn more about Purple Martins and their migratory schedule and routes.  I'm not a birdwatcher, but I wish I had been more curious about martins when I was growing up.  Would have made a fabulous topic for a school research project.

Robert T. David

 

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Robert T. David

Samford University

Dear of School of Business

1988 Press Photo

Daisy

 

I remember getting a Daisy BB Gun when I was around ten years old.  My mother bought it at Western Auto Store on Main St. in Headland.  It could have been a Christmas gift!  It took a little while to convince my mom I should have one.  What's interesting is that once I got it, she was the one who taught me how to shoot it!  Target practice took place in our backyard.  There was a lone peach tree that had some peaches that were maybe a bit diseased (certainly not ideal for eating!), and that's where we aimed the BB gun.  I can see her now.  She talked me through it as I watched her.  Safety was #1.  I recall my mother having a good time.  We laughed.  

My Daisy was exciting for a year or two.  I rarely used it after that.  I do remember shooting a bird with it.  But I knew I couldn't tell Mother that.  That was a one time thing!  Curiosity got the best of me, though, and in my young mind, guns were for hunting.  I might have even fired at a squirrel or two.  Luckily for them, I wasn't a great marksman. 

Some friends of mine had pellet guns.  One friend let me shoot his when I stayed over at his house.  I didn't long for a pellet gun, and I'm very sure my parents would have been opposed to it anyway.

EPiC

 

Still debating whether or know I should see this.

Health is Wealth

You have a million problems until you have one problem: a health problem.  And then you only have one problem.  So, health is wealth. - podcast 

23 & Counting

 

Just a few weeks ago, my former neighbor passed away.  He was 94.  Kade and I spent a lot of time with him over a couple of years.  One thing I will never forget is that he told one day, "You have the perfect wife.  She's pretty.  She's very sweet.  She's petite.  She's a great cook.  And she's quiet." 😆  What's funny is that my neighbor, like me, was very talkative.  Anyway, I don't see Kade as quiet.  In fact, she can be far from it at times.  However, she's very polite and kind and doesn't jump in and cut people off or talk over others, like many do, including myself.

Ping Pong Story

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Growing up, we had a fold-up ping pong table we set up in the garage.  We really loved it!  Our remember our mother surprising us with it at Christmas, and it was one of the best gifts ever.  My brother Miles and I got to be pretty good!  Most of the time, we left it set up in the garage, simply because we played so much.  But there was a time when things went a bit away.  Miles and I were folding it to store it away.  Mother was nearby and watching.  As we did it, suddenly the table top got off-balance and the weight ended up badly bending the table legs.  We went from happiness to shock!  Looking back, we were in a rush and just were careless.  I remember Mother getting very upset.  She spent quite a bit of money on it, and just like that, the table was damaged.  Needless to say, we didn't get another one!  

Safety Whistle

 

This could be helpful!

Running Loose

 

Japanese Oak Tree

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Way back in the '70s, when I was a child, I remember one time looking out a living room window and seeing a white horse running loose through our yard.  It was passing under the big tree (Japanese Oak) and heading towards Main Street.  It seems like it was a little bit of stormy day - maybe not raining, but very windy with dark clouds.  I'm not sure whose horse it was or how it was ever captured.  It was a very surreal thing for see at that age.

Battery Park Hotel

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1910

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Mother Bakery & Cafe

That's Mother straight ahead.

Looking back towards where I parked

Down the road is Sauna House, where I've been a number of times.

new townhomes

Avocado Toast

Frontiers

Frontiers

Back in 1994, right after college, I got involved with Frontiers.  They were based in Arizona, and I went out there for training in Mesa for two weeks.  I was intending to go with this missions organization to Uzbekistan.  I was being recruited and mentored very heavily by the director at that time.  I'm not sure how I even heard of them.  It might have been through Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham.  Ultimately, I decided not to go with Frontiers, and instead chose the organization ESI (Educational Services International) out of California.  They were less serious about missions - at least, pushing you to be proactive.  I could teach English with ESI.

In time, I will share some of my activities while with Frontiers in Mesa.  For example, I had to get up in front of the participants and give my testimony.  I talked about Headland and my family.  I also remember my brother coming out there to see me.  We went to see the movie Schindler's List, which created a spark to learn more about the Holocaust and WW2.  Another thing I did was hang out at Dan Majerle's bar while my brother joined some friends at a Sun's game in Phoenix.  I didn't have a ticket to the game, unfortunately.

Click here to read about the founder of Frontiers.

Running The Show

80% of adults are in a state of chronic stress. The amygdala (fight or flight) is running the show, and they cannot bring the full functioning of their prefrontal cortex to bear. - podcast

Some causes: financial worries, family conflicts, kids, declining health, jobs we don't like, long commutes, poor government, sleep problems, comparison games, etc..

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How chronic stress affects you

Grove Arcade

 A Historical Timeline of Grove Arcade

Asheville, North Carolina

Autobell Car Wash

Asheville

Ambler Heights

 

Click here for some history of the sanitarium.

Dawson's Creek

I remember Kade loving this series.  It was very  popular in Thailand.  It was interesting learning that, although it was set in the northeast, Dawson's Creek was filmed in North Carolina.  Kade thought Katie Holmes was really pretty.

One of the stars died today.  I was touched by what he shared while reflecting on his mortality.  Click here to see it.

Willie B.

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When I growing up, we went at least once to Zoo Atlanta.  All the hype was about seeing Willie B..  I certainly remember the experience!  Click here for some history about him. 

Champions

 Abbeville Yellow Jackets

I actually saw them play in the Christmas tourney that year.  I remember Chris Porter making an electrifying fast-break dunk.  He went on to amazing career at Auburn University.

The Dukes of Hazzard

Saenger Theatre

 

Opened on January 19, 1927.

History of the Saenger Theatre

On a solo trip to Mobile in the '90s, I saw a classic movie at the Saenger.  I think it was Dr. Zhivago!

Happy Days

 

Blue Demons

Mark Aguire standing behind his coach, Ray Meyer

I would occasionally watch DePaul's fantastic basketball teams in the early '80s.  Their games were shown on cable network, WGN.

The Judds

 

RIP, Naomi.  Hard to believe what happen to her a few years ago.  My mother loved their music.  I was more of an Ashley fan.

Skincare Routine

When I was growing up, I remember my mother always using Clinique face soap.  And I've been using it for a lot of my life.

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And then I apply a moisturizing lotion.

Brain Phases