"I KNOW"

There's no room for doubt when there's a dogma in place...and compartmentalization is often used to help people navigate through a world that is more complex than the dogma that they hold tightly to.  - e-mail to a friend in 2008

I remember getting messages from someone who would spell out I KNOW in all caps when pressed on whether something was really true or not.

Clint

The Clint Eastwood Archive

- from an e-mail dated 1/16/09

We enjoyed Clint Eastwood's latest movie and possibly his best work, Gran Torino. I think you would like it because the subject matters covers lots of topics you have an interest in: the failing economy, immigrants, Korean and Vietnam wars, etc. Just a great movie. To me, Clint reminds me of Jimbo (Jim Vann): his build, his walk, his mannerisms, his dress, his energy for his age and his willingness to say what comes to mind. well, Jimbo as compared to the Clint in this movie.

Asheville

The Lawrence Welk Show

This variety show first aired on May 11, 1951 and ran for twenty-seven seasons.  My grandmother enjoyed watching reruns of it in the '80s.  On occasion, I would even watch it with her.

Sunny Afternoon

Let's hear it for all the mothers out there! Mine was pretty special.

Now on to my walk!

5.37 miles

1,105 ft elevation gain

Victory Day

 

My friend Timour was at the Victory Day Celebration in Moscow on May 9, 2018, commemorating victory over Germany in the Second World War.  Immortal Regiment. 

Thanks, Timour. Great pictures, and a wonderful way to remember history! 

My grandfather Major was a state senator at the time and served on a couple of war committees under the governor of Alabama. My other grandfather, Victor Allen Grace, did not serve. He was in his mid-thirties then. He had at least one brother who did - Paul Grace. And his brother-in-law (my maternal great-uncle), Charles Hayes, was a paratrooper during the war and received a lot of awards and medals. I have written about him on my blog, and he's written about in newspaper articles and history books. And of course, two of Uncle Jim's brothers were in action overseas during the war: Uncle Sam in North Africa, and Uncle Bumps on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific theater against the Japanese. 

Shoney's

1977 ad

I loved the one in Dothan, Alabama.  I enjoyed the burger and Hot Fudge Cake.

 I remember our neighbor taking the four of us to Shoney's on a day when my mother was tied up with something very important.  Our neighbor knew how to make us happy!

Bear on a Walk

Man o' Action

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RIP