Gleaning Facebook: Recycled Sign?

Sheila Matthews Shaw suggests this motel as a setting for Raymond Atkins's next novel. We know nothing, but do you suppose somebody lost a Scottish Inns franchise and -- with a dollar store brush, a bit of black-out paint, and a long ladder -- improvised to avoid the expense of a new sign?

Comments

Frank Norris
How about 'Tis Inn.

David Matheny
They would charge 'by the 1/2 hour".....

Terrell Shaw
Be sure to come hear some stories at Schroeder's New Deli tonight, David!

Ray Langley
Terrell Shaw so many thoughts so little time.

John Paul Schulz
that's what I always thought. Is it a luxury spot?

Terrell Shaw
We've got a great line up for Story Night, John. Y'got your story ready don't you? Can you work the Cottis Inn into it?

John Paul Schulz
It won’t fit. And it would be rated R

Susan Barnes Babb
That would be my assumption!

Deborah Shaw Lewis
It was, briefly, a Scottish Inn.

Jagdeep Singh
Haha ... I always laugh when I pass this sign, for the obvious reason.

Susan Cherones
There's an old Baskin Robbins in Atlanta called Basket Rabbit!

Anne Harbin
It was a dark and methy night...

Bill Cox
I always take 5th avenue to avoid seeing this sign, it makes too many weird images flash in my mind as to what may be transpiring in those rooms.

Quinn Scott Smith
I remember when the S & h actually fell off and you could still see the sun faded paint outline of the name...that is EXACTLY what happenned. It sat for so long w/o the S & h they just renamed it Cottis. It makes the "English/Grammar Police" skin inside me crawl.

Chad Watson
I have told people that before... ..and no one believes me lol

Gleaning Facebook: Mueller Testifies

Schiff: "Russia committed federal crimes in order to help Donald Trump?

Mueller: "When you're talking about the computer crimes charged in our case, absolutely."

Schiff: "Trump campaign officials built their strategy - their messaging strategy around those stolen documents?"

Mueller: "Uhm, generally that is true."

Schiff: "And then they lied to cover it up?"

Mueller: "Generally that is true"

 Once again the press is spending its time talking about Mueller's performance rather than his testimony. That is a gross disservice to America.

We are so calloused by the outrages of the Trump era that having sworn testimony --- by one of the most respected and heroic figures in the country --- that our president:

- lied repeatedly to the American people and to the special counsel;

- actively sought to obstruct FBI and Special Counsel investigations even directing that Mueller be fired;

- carried on business negotiations with Russia while they were invading our republican system and while he was telling the American people he had NO association with Russia;

- has called the Russian attack on our republic a "witchhunt" while Russia continues NOW to mess up our elections.

Any ONE of those things, among others, would have been a screaming headline with ANY other president. But today the headline is that a 75 year old man seemed tired, fumbled for words occationally, etc, etc, ad nauseum. It was not a show; it was testimony. The content of the testimony is the important thing not how polished the words of the speaker.

----

Comments

Ray Langley

It seemed to me like he was being very careful with his answers so yes at times he needed to think through what he was saying before he said it.

Howard Smith

Yes, he wanted to be careful and cautious with his words because he was intent on speaking the truth to the best of his ability. That was in contrast to some of the Republicans on the committee that were offering unsubstantiated conspiracy theories passed to them by Sean Hannity. Mueller made three factual points that are impossible to ignore...1) Russia wanted Trump to win the presidential election and engaged in deliberate and systematic efforts to that end....2) Trump and the Trump team welcomed, encouraged and sought that help....3) Trump attempted to obstruct Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the election. Nevertheless, I admit to being discouraged by the reporting on this hearing and our future.

----------

From Howard Smith:

"[Mueller] wanted to be careful and cautious with his words because he was intent on speaking the truth to the best of his ability. That was in contrast to some of the Republicans on the committee that were offering unsubstantiated conspiracy theories passed to them by Sean Hannity. Mueller made three factual points that are impossible to ignore...

1) Russia wanted Trump to win the presidential election and engaged in deliberate and systematic efforts to that end....

2) Trump and the Trump team welcomed, encouraged and sought that help...

3) Trump attempted to obstruct Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the election.

Nevertheless, I admit to being discouraged by the reporting on this hearing and our future."

Gleaning Facebook: Story Night #6

TONIGHT!

For our Open Mic Story Night we have a few outstanding early registrants:

-- Here for a return engagement from LaGrange, Georgia is a wonderful storyteller, Pepper Ellis-Hagebak.

-- Stacie Scoggins Marshall will regale us with her wonderful tall-tale that wowed the Big Fibbers audience and judges last March and garnered her one of the top prizes in the competition.

-- The Grand Imagineer himself, Gary Greene a Rome storytelling treasure is ready and waiting to tell.

-- John Paul Schulz who has become a fixture in North Georgia storytelling over the last five years will tell one of his intriguing stories.

These are but four of the in-town and out-of-town storytellers who will likely regale us. Stories will start at seven and end by nine. Come order some great food and drink, make yourselves comfortable, and hear some great stories.

How about it, William S. Davies, Denise DesSoye, Mike Mount? Jane Owen Cunningham did you develop a new story during your week with Donald Davis? Natalie Jones, Leslie Rainey Shelley we'd love to hear you spin a yarn. Kanute Rarey you know your way over here. Jean Bray is thinking about it. Questing Parson, I haven't heard from you. I could name MANY others... everyone is welcome. We'll draw names till we run out of time, with maybe a little special attention to our visiting storytellers

It's an OPEN MIC! Do YOU have a story to tell. Come on.

Note: This is storytelling for grown-ups --- though family friendly. It likely will not be entertaining to young children.

Comments

Gary Greene It was a good time had by all!

Quinn Scott Smith My story (sort of...) or at least the reason I missed Storytelling Night

"Don't Go Bobcat Huntin' w/o A Reminder Alarm!"
I had Storytelling Night on my calendar on my phone and had been looking forward to it all week.....
I was contacted by a friend about 3pm asking for assistance searching for an injured, wild animal out on Veteran's Hwy/Kingston Rd. Smh & telling myself as I drove that I knew I would regret it, I still went crawling along the median & shoulder, eventually trapesing thru some grass searching for the wee one.... reminding myself that where there is a kitten/cub, there is usually a mama & I was being really stupid, but I just couldn't stand the thought of him being alone and hurt. Mind you, my friend had already pulled over thinking she was going to rescue a little kitten...but upon getting closer, said "kitten" came out of the tall grass and chased her 40 yards back to her vehicle hissing, spitting and clawing at her heels...while she was on the phone screaming with 911. Police could not find the animal after a short search so that is when I get a msg as my friend heads back to her office. My friend texts ME the pic and wants to know if I have any rescue friends that can help search. Uummmm? You DO know this is a wild cat, right? "Oh no" she says, "her friend that took the pic said it wasn't." (Your friend isn't too bright!)
I called PAWS and the police had not yet reported it. They only had one officer to cover all calls for Rome/Floyd Co. I informed them I would go attempt to visually locate the animal & promised not to get myself into a dangerous situation...then I went ahead and put food, water, towels, blankets and a carrier in my back seat (still smh.) Soooo after a good hour+ with no siting I headed to my son's home to visit as they had JUST lost a precious pet the day prior, my 1st granddog, Dixie. It wasn't until I pulled into my driveway at 7:20pm and my phone rang from a person I had MEANT to invite to Storytelling night, that I sighed deflated & exhausted "regreting" that I had missed it. Since I can no longer be mobile on my feet, I couldn't rush downtown, sprint to Schroeders and catch the last 1/2. I'll see ya'll in Nov, Lord willing & if the creek don't rise...
William S. Davies So sorry I couldn’t be there! Always enjoy the tales.

Quinn Scott Smith Here's the little wee one's pic. He's barely as tall as the blades of grass. You can see the road rash on it's head and my friend reported that it had a broken leg also...but it still managed to chase her fast enough for her to toss her purse into the brush, run for her vehicle and forget to retrieve purse until 2 hrs later.... I assume the poor thing was in shock from the injuries. A wild kit that small would not be that aggressive and most likely would act like a feral animal and run away. I hate to see anything suffer.

Terrell Shaw Wow!
Quinn Scott Smith Cute lil' booger isn't he? I GUESS he was worth missing story night....would've been more worth it if I could've found him again and gotten him to wildlife rescue...or at least out of misery if his injuries were too bad. I doubt he'll survive in the wild with a broken leg, but it's possible. If he can stay hidden from preditors and catch small rodents, he might heal w/ scar tissue...but it's doubtful...since she could see that the leg was broken, it had to have been pretty bad.
Stacie Scoggins Marshall Thank you Terrell again for the night! Every time I get around these great story tellers I feel inspired and also that I have lots to learn. What a cheery bunch of folks!
Terrell Shaw Thanks for coming and telling your tale! Hope you'll join us for our A Time To Tell gettogethers.
Terrell Shaw Mike Mount Thanks. I enjoyed your story. Y'all come back every chance you get. I want to visit SOTS again too.

Gleaning Facebook: On the River

Thanks, Carolyn McGinnis, for a wonderful evening on the river!

(Pictures are not in chronological order.)

Gleaning Facebook: Clem and the Doggie Pillow

I wonder how many times I've watched this video. I wonder how many times I will. Joy.

 

Gleaning Facebook: Useless, Selfish

I can think of few other human beings of my 72 years on earth who have led such useless, selfish lives. This man has no redeeming attributes. When you think he has reached the absolute nadir of his sloth, envy, lust, anger, gluttony, wrath, and pride he sinks lower on the scale. I have been guilty of each of these many times in my life. I know it. I work to do better. There has never been the slightest indication that this sorry and pitiable man has any recognition of his sinful nature or that he makes any effort to reform. His own immediate perceived self-interest is always foremost in his words and actions. No wife, child, nation, or principle comes before that one paramount interest in his life. How can any rational, reasonably knowledgeable American still support such a deadly unrepentant and unAmerican sinner?

What would a Jefferson or a Theordore Roosevelt or a Harry Truman think of a president who does not read?

What would a Washington or an Adams or a Lincoln or a Coolidge think of a president who lies in every public utterance?

What would an Ike or an FDR or a JFK think of a president who glowingly praises dictators and murderers while insulting America's allies?

• Dona Ward
  Not even a dog?
  
  Terrell Shaw
  He has no pets... first president in a hundred years to have no pet.
  
  David Matheny
  Terrell Shaw --He may have had one at one time, but subsequently turned over to a Animal Shelter for its protection.
  
  Terrell Shields
  A pet would run away.
  
  Wendy Davis
  Preach it, Rev!
  
  Ray Lyons
  Yes it does
  
  
  
  Joan Ledbetter
  He does not even care that his grandchildren will grow up in a more polluted world and a world more primed for war. Of course, he does not care about it being a meaner world. He figures that their rich, white, privileged selves will be above the fray and always get to live in their safe bubble of selfish arrogance. But, for him and his children to not even care that the grandchildren will have a less safe environment... There is no wheel turning upstairs. There is not a smidgen of intellect, not a drop of compassion, and not an iota of self-awareness. He is so devoid of anything that a human being should have that he only cares about his next applause. He is that empty inside. I would feel sorry for him if he were not causing such horrendous harm to so many. Evil is the only term that fits 

 

George Conway: Trump is a racist president

Dear folks who have till now supported Donald John Trump:

I do not want to read or know your answers, I certainly don't want to argue with you. The following are rhetorical questions. The whole reason I write these things here and on Facebook is that, like Conway, there are people I love whose beliefs are so offensive to me that I cannot bear to talk with them in person about them. But the issues are also too important to me, to central to my life, for me to ignore or give up on or to be silent about. They are issues that I believe absolutely critical to the lives of my children and grandchildren and this republic.  I pray that you will actually think about them. I want you to know your answers.

Do you have the courage to seriously consider Conway's words?

The man in question is sitting in the seat of George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison... Abraham Lincoln... Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson... Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy... flawed men all who, no doubt sometimes allowing self-interest to color their decisions, read and thought and listened and seriously sought, by their lights and within their capabilities, to fulfill the goals of the Preamble.

How do you respond to this principled conservative lawyers observations of Donald John Trump?

Where is arch-conservative Conway wrong in what he writes here about the current president of the United States, his beloved wife's boss?

You and I share a great love of this country and probably many other things, but on the great American political issues of the last half-century there is little agreement for me with George Conway or with you, but can we not honestly face the crisis in America and deal with the great harm done to our country by Donald John Trump and his enablers? Please actually consider Conway's words.

If Donald John Trump is not a racist, there are no racists.

- Terrell

Washington Post Op-Ed -- George Conway: Trump is a racist president

YoungTales Show

What a great time I had at the final YoungTales Summer Show of 2019! We had FOUR kids show up ready to tell stories. I had invited our 2018 YoungTales champ, Sara Grace Abernathy to come share a story, and she had a brand new one from her trip to the beach. Then Sophie, who was only a second-timer at YoungTales, made her storytelling debut. She and her audience loved it! Andrew Neal who had been a part of the YoungTales team at East Central wowed us with his spooky ghost tale from a trip to Chickamauga. And Polly Abernathy, not to be out done by her older sister, told a story of her own. We had a good time singing the story song, “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly”. Then I told an old standby folk-tale “The King’s Cat”. We talked about the “bones” of that story so the kids could go home and re-tell it. And finally Sara Grace closed things out with a reprise of her hilarious personal story I call “Twunk!”

Folks this was a wonderful experience for these talented young tellers and for their listeners! Y’all give me some ideas for finding a larger audience for these kids next summer.

Gleaning Facebook: HHH & RFK

In 1968 I was very active along with Ed Johnson and a few others in the tiny Asbury College Young Democrats. History professor "Ms Chic" 

Somehow in the fall of '68 our YD group managed to pay a sign painter to do up this indoor sign for the HQ -- I suppose on butcher paper. It is about sixteen feet long and three feet wide. It spanned one whole wall of the HQ which we rented on Main Street in the village of Wilmore.

Somewhere I have an old b&w photo of some of us in the HQ with this sign behind us.

It was unfolded and spread -- for the first time in fifty years -- in my front hall last night so I could climb the stairs ant take these pictures.

------------------
Earlier that year I had campaigned in Indiana for Bobby Kennedy:

In the Spring of '68, several of us from Asbury, abetted by our history professor Ms. Ciccorella and her daughter, Pat, made our way to Louisville and across the Ohio River to New Albany, Indiana to campaign for Robert Kennedy.

One of our duties in New Albany was to make signs for supporters to hold up when Bobby & Ethel came to town.

These are some of the signs I made and that we used when we met the Kennedys at the Louisville airport.

I didn't use these signs though. Somehow I managed to be chosen to don a ridiculous sash and styrofoam hat emblazoned with Kennedy bling and stand in the airport receiving line as the token college kid among the bigwigs.

I wish I had managed to save more of the official campaign stuff rather than these silly signs!

Still it was a thrill to shake the hands of our next president (as I believed) and his wife.

At the time I was disappointed that Kennedy had such a limp handshake (Ethel's was very firm!) -- I have since heard that major presidential candidates end up with very sore hands pretty quickly, so I have tried to give him a little break on that score.

David Matheny

You met Bobby K.??

Terrell Shaw
Very briefly, but yep. Just a handshake in the Louisville airport.

George Anderson
Terrell Shaw "He was the best of the best."

Kennedy won the Indiana primary, but only a month later the dream was shattered by an assassin's bullet.

This is one of the official posters I saved from the Indiana campaign.

---------------------

Eleven of the items in this shadow box are from my own campaigning in 1968. The matchbook is from the dinner I attended for the campaign in Louisville -- so that preserves the date as September 20, 1968.

I think I picked up the faded "If I were 21" in '68. Of course I was from Georgia where eighteen-year-olds could already vote, so I cast my first presidential vote for Hubert Humphrey. I worked hard as a college senior and co-president of our Young Democrats at Asbusry College. I met Humphrey twice that year. I was impressed that he took the time to actually talk with us and listen to us briefly. 

And we almost came back to win that year ... what a blessing for America it would have been to elect this good man and avoid the Nixon scandals. Even George Will admits that Nixon committed treason to be elected that year, meddling in the Vietnam peace negotiations to postpone a settlement till after the election. Nixon was the crookedest president ever... until January 20, 2017.