Boat Riding on the Wakulla

The dogs and I are trying to start a tradition of going out together once a week. They love the boat and obviously love to be out. Lindy's smile says it all. Little did Jake know that jumping out of a boat running about 25mph is not the best way to catch coots flushing up from the river. I whipped around pretty quick and scooped him up by his collar and got him back in the boat with no injuries. Next time we will both know better to be more careful about running through coots wide open. Labs are so funny when they are embarassed,and Jake sat really close to me for about 30 minutes to let me know that he knew that jumping out of the boat after coots was probably not the coolest thing he had done lately. I wish I had a pic of Lindy when she looked back at him with an expression that said.." dude, I can't believe you just did that.." I love these dogs...

Over a year!!

It has been over a year since I last posted. Geeze..I can't imagine why. It's not like last year was a grinder of stress and work and trying to find the middle path. Nonetheless...I did it, and it's done, and I did a pretty good job of surviving one of the worst economic years our country has seen in a while. In fact, I did more than survive, I whooped some butt.

Now I'll try and catch up on some lighthearted fun pics that perhaps reflect some of the reasons why I pushed it so hard last year (that would be family, of course).
TgE

Doc Watson

Next on my list in just random order is Doc Watson. I've known about Doc Watson for awhile, but have never really had the opportunity to explore his music, and some of his live performances are just belly slappin good time fun (ref Penelope 2008). Doc is a phenomenal picker and is said by all to be a heck of a nice guy. Doc's been called one of the vertebrae in the backbone of American music, and if you ever look into his music and life's story, you'd have to agree. On a side note, Doc doesn't see too well, but that's never seemed to bother his artistic endeavors. What a great role model. If I could pick half as well as he does I'd be tripping over myself smiling down the road.

Music I wish I had known about...

So, as Sam, Penelope and the furry chilrens know, I have gotten back into my guitar pickin in a major way and have made more progress with my playing in the last 3 months than perhaps the last 10 years. 99% of what I have been learning has come from youtube. In my quest for guitar lessons for free (frugal squirrel that I am) I have come across a whole host of artists that I have never heard of. It's a long list.

I will try over the next few weeks to share a link or two to some of my favorite musicians just to share the opportunity to explore new music with my faithfull blog readers.

The latest 'kick me how come I don't listen to this?' is Gillian Welch. Oh man, she has the most awesome voice, and her partner, David Rawling, is a mean lead picker. I'm just now delving into her song list, and 'Red Clay Halo' is one of my absolute favorites. Enjoy..

Editing

Now what I wish I could figure out is how to put something interesting in that bland, blank green space on both sides of this page! Any suggestions are welcome. Perhaps it's saved for ads...
On a side note (buns intended)...some of these gadgets on the side are serious cool, and some I put there just for sg's....go cipher...Tig

Update: hot dang a-mighty, I did it... an action that was surely the result of that American mentality that all blank spaces must be filled with something...but in this case it is not knick-nacks from the potry barn or dolla stowah as I had no cue-puns.

Tig blog V2

I have henceforth this 'erenyn' put forth moderate efforts to make my blog more interesting, and I have enjoyed said efforts. TgE

Airport Dog

Jake went to Apalach with me to the office Christmas party at the new corporate office of Garlick Environmental Associates Inc (shameless google plug) out at the Franklin County Airport. The new office is totally solar powered and very cool. After lunch was over Clayton (our trusty environmental legal counsel) opened the hanger door so we could go for a ride in the electric car. The weather was absolutely foul and nasty, with 90 mph winds, but is, Jake (being the hearty Lab that he is) took sheer pleasure in running around in the rain on an airport runway for the first time in his doggy life. Clayton then took us for a ride around the airport in the electric car and Jake had a ball (once he got situated in the floorboard between my feet). The electric car is a bit like a suped up golf cart. Sorry no pics of the car ride, but the weather was awful. I love his enthusiasm. Go Jake-dog.