Author: Fred D

Some 53,000 souls are etched on the Vietnam Memorial Wall . . . no designation of rank . . . death recognizes no insignias . . . just a generation of men and woman who each gave all. Silently standing before its replica in Knoxville yesterday, I found my childhood friend’s name, Ronald Charles Kinsky.…

3,000+ ft. up on Castle Mountain miniature tundra flora hosted a dazzlingly vivid red and gold display to bid this ‘ole’ snowbird adieu. No human Rembrandt could ever hope to replicate the incredible display He brushes upon each tiny leaf of these hardy keepers on the heights . . . beckons one’s soul to remain.

We’ve all heard, “A picture is worth a thousand words”.  Alaska’s Denali National Park pulsating aurora displays, vibrant sunrises, sunsets, and fall color hues brushed across the heavens and landscape add a 1,000X multiplier to that phrase. Unfortunately, I slumbered through the northern lights show during the latest trip to Denali National Park, but awoke to what was one of the most magnificent sunrises…

Our friends’ Great Dane just birthed seven puppies . . . sure thankful I’m not her : )

  I grieve watching Herbert’s furious  deluge being unleashed on Texas.  Yet, in the midst of this utter devastation, I’m encouraged by the compassionate beauty of the human spirit rising above the waters as people rally to alleviate the suffering of others.  Why does it take 911s, Katrinas and Harveys to draw out the best in us? …

You’re never too old to play outside . . . except in a thunderstorm . . . it’s a good time for musing. Such was the case the other day standing on the deck watching raindrops create their concentric ripples on the pond . . . this ‘ole’ dude began musing . . . enough…

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” – John Muir They weren’t calling, they were shouting!   Under balmy, 60 degree, sunny, February skies, a road trip was in order.  Switch-backing up through the Tennessee side of the Smokies, a graveyard of charred trees, blackened by the recent horrific fires,  presented a poignant reminder of man’s destructive fingerprints on creation.  Reaching a mile high,  we crossed the state…

My wife and I recently enjoyed a day with friends touring magnificent the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. The opulence of the many sculptures, tapestries, carvings and paintings overwhelms the senses. Yet, perhaps my favorite spot is found meandering through the estate’s conservatory . . . this ‘ole’ dude could be content spending the rest of his days…

Watching tonight’s TV coverage of the Times Square New Year’s Ball Drop’ preparations got me to ‘a thinkin’  . . . isn’t it kinda’ oxymoronic? ‘Dropping the Ball’ is an epic celebratory event at Times Square, but in life it has totally different implications.   Whether it be fumbling a football in the end zone; fumbling…

Here’s a picture of Shellbee, our year-round, zero upkeep lead turtle perched securely upon a rock in our pond. Looking at her this morning, my mind began to wander, a frequent mental state so many of you so graciously tolerate. Shellbee’s is equipped with the original, quintessential mobile home – it grows in precise proportion…