FIRST DOCTOR'S VISIT IN YEARS
( culture / writing / blog / health )

Yesterday, I had my first doctor's appointment in several years. Hey, I've been healthy. Shocking, I know. There was a sign on the outside door saying masks required, and a sign on the interior door saying the same thing... read more

BNA TO SMF (2022)
( life / travel / usa / blog )

Elizabeth and I ret... read more

THANKSGIVING WEEK TRIP TO THE GULF COAST
( life / travel / usa / blog )

Just getting the rental car (minivan) in the first place was a bit of an adventure. Because we were leaving Monday morning, we wanted to pick it up Sunday night, but all local ... read more

FROM HILL TO VALLEY, A LONG-WINDED POSTCARD FROM THE ROAD
( life / travel / usa / blog )

The drive from Spring Hill, ... read more

THE GOOD OLD DAYS
( culture / writing / blog / shopping )

Ah, the good ol' days when the shelves were full! Click the image.... read more

NO ANNOYING PROMPTS
( culture / writing / blog / friendsnews )

Aren't you glad we don't have any of those annoying pop-up ads asking you to join our newsletter? Ironic, isn't it, given that we are an "online newsletter?"Please support this website, should you be so inclined: ... read more

MOST POPULAR SITE ON THE INTERNET
( culture / writing / blog / friendsnews )

This is the 12,157,539th most popular website in the world, according to silktide.com! Wow! We have hit the big time. See image here: ... read more

SUPPORT THIS SITE
( culture / writing / blog / friendsnews )

...should you be so inclined:Buy one of my books at Amazon or SmashWords... read more

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS WEBSITE
( culture / writing / blog / friendsnews )

Please support this website, should you be so inclined: buy one of my novels-novellas; buy me a (virtual) cup of coffee ... read more

HISTORY OF FRIENDSNEWS.COM
( culture / writing / blog / friendsnews )

FYI for those researching insignificant corners of the web: Wayback Machine Please support this website, should you be so inclined: buy one of ... read more

FOLDING CLOTHES
( culture / writing / blog / home-garden )

I thought I'd watch some sports while folding clothes (making up for my complete lack of doing chores yesterday). My choices were NBA basketball (where travelling is only called after 6 or 7 steps), bull riding (where I just feel sor... read more

TORNADOES ACROSS TENNESSEE
( life / health / environment / blog )

Had to park under an overpass this morning to avoid tornadoes. No problems for me but one did touch down right near work. Someone said it hit Macy's (just across the Interstate).... read more

LOCAL PICK UP
( culture / writing / blog / shopping )

Just ordered a $10 item on eBay. They offered "Local Pick Up in Las Vegas, Nevada" versus delivering it. I live in Nashville. I need to decide if it's worth driving out there. Suggestions?... read more

FENCE GUY
( culture / writing / blog / home-garden )

So, the wife texts me saying, "Fence guy quoted $35500 to do the fence. He's coming out Wednesday." This is a fence repair for a small backyard, not a new thousand acre fence. Me: "How much?!" Wi... read more

JUST ANOTHER SUNDAY
( culture / writing / blog / shopping )

Wife and kid are off at this thing called "church." Maybe you've heard of it. I'm not sure what to make of it. :) I'm basically just hanging out waiting for the new mattress to be delivered. We told the delivery guy, "Any... read more

GUEST POSTING
( culture / writing / blog / friendsnews )

I've been following and listening to Jeff Goins's TribeWriters program, and he says an important aspect to successful blogging (at least as far as getting noticed) is to "gues... read more

BLOG CONTENT
( culture / writing / blog / internet )

I'm as guilty as anyone about trying to add content to my blog just for the sake of content (because search engines look for and rate highly based on how "fresh" your blog's content is). But someone whose blog-newsletter I subscr... read more

GREAT SUCTION
( culture / writing / blog / home-garden )

In preparation for the much-anticipated Comcast installation (Internet, not TV), I do as they suggest and clear out a space where I want them to put the cable wall jack. Once I have ... read more

TRIED TO MOW THE LAWN
( culture / writing / blog / home-garden )

Well, I tried to mow the lawn, but the lawnmower wouldn't start. I swear. :) It's probably all clogged up from sitting there unused all winter. It was a hand-me-down mower, anyway, probably in need of replacing, but that... read more

FOOLING THEMSELVES
( culture / writing / blog / politics )

The "elites" are adept at fooling themselves and too many others into thinking that they know best. The superiority they bestow upon themselves is a convenient justification for keeping us "commoners" in the dark, and themsel... read more

FALL IS DEFINITELY HERE
( life / health / environment / blog )

It was actually cold all day today, but that didn't stop me and Elizabeth, then the pugs, from spending half of our day outside! First, we went exploring the new neighborhood being built nearby. I don't know why they're build... read more

THAWING OUT
( culture / writing / blog / weather )

Hopefully. It snowed a good 5-6 inches Friday in and around Nashville. It wasn't good snowman-snowball snow, though. Not in our neighborhood, anyway. It was too crusty because of the freezing rain that came after the snow. It made fo... read more

NEW FENCE
( culture / writing / blog / home-garden )

I forgot to mention I built a fence last weekend. It only spans about 12 feet from the side of the house to the retaining wall dividing us from our slightly-uphill neighbor. I've still got to cut a gate into it. Hopefully, I can pull... read more