A lot of time has passed since our last post on Easin’ Along. We stayed close to home over the summer to make some much-needed repairs to our Fifth-Wheel. Readers may remember that we suffered some extensive damage en route to Knoxville from our winter trip to California. In addition to the damage, our bedroom slide quit working when the slide motor died. Those repairs alone required most of June and July to complete. Helen was determined to rid our trailer of all the demons that had followed us on our trip to California. She insisted that we scrape all of the Dora the Explorer stickers off the outside wall and change our trailer name. We decided on Towanda (pronounced Tow-Wanda).
August and September were very hot months here, so Helen and I decided to remain close and make good use of the neighborhood swimming pool. October saw an uptick in our activity level and gave me enough material to remind our friends and readers that we’re still around.
A Star is Born–and it’s Mortimer!
In early October, I received a note from one of the television production companies in Knoxville that the producers of a mystery show needed an English Bulldog for a shoot. I checked with Mortimer, who said he was available. He got a bath and a good brushing on the day of filming, and strutted on the set like he owned it. I went along as his agent.
The producers were very vague about the plot (for competitive reasons), but they told us that Mortimer would accompany an actress portraying a Grandmother in his first scene. He pulled it off like a champ. In his second scene, he was filmed in a room eating from a dog bowl. Mortimer needed no training for this and gave an Emmy-winning performance. We had fun. When the production company announces the air date, I’ll post it here — get the popcorn ready.
Fraternity Gathering with Longtime College Friends
Within a year of our graduation from the University of Tennessee, a small group of men from our fraternity (Sigma Alpha Epsilon or SAE) began a tradition of meeting in Knoxville every other year for a home football game. Over the years, the group grew in size and, because we weren’t getting any younger, decided to gather every year. This year marked the 49th meeting of the group. Because I’m one of the few in the group living in Knoxville, I help make reservations at a local restaurant and plan the menu.
This event is always a highlight of the fall, and the attendance has grown as the word spreads about the good time had by all. Everyone looks great and is doing well. Some are still in the workforce, choosing to continue in their successful careers. I’ve shown a photo from the Friday night dinner below.
Church Camping Trip in Big South Fork
Every year, our church, Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian, organizes a family camping trip to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, near Jamestown, Tennessee, on the Cumberland Plateau. Helen and I wouldn’t miss it for many reasons. First, the annual fall color is usually stunning, and this year was no exception.
Second, as the elder members of the group, it gives an excellent opportunity to be around the young families in our congregation. We had almost 30 families attend this year, and filled all of the available campsites allotted to our group. We take our fifth-wheel and generator and, after the Saturday night sing-along around the campfire, we fire up the television for the Tennessee-Kentucky football game, attracting a large number of football fans, both young and old.
The organizers plan the meals around a main course with potluck sides brought in by campers. On Thursday night, the early arrivals feasted on a surf and turf meal of grilled beef tenderloin and scallops with bacon. Words are insufficient to describe the awesomeness of this meal.
On Saturday afternoon, I ran an errand and, when I returned, I captured a picture of a party-crasher near the entrance of the campground. I stopped to take several photos. He seemed little concerned.
On Sunday morning, Jay, our pastor, brought out his guitar and led us in hymns and a church service. The service was a fabulous way to cap off a wonderful experience.
A Very Big “Uh-Oh!”
Helen and I are packing up for our annual trip to Edisto Beach, South Carolina. We arrived home from the church trip and parked Towanda beside our house for unloading and reloading. On Tuesday afternoon, I lay down for a short nap when, suddenly, I heard a loud bang near our bedroom window. I looked up to see a truck’s windshield outside the exterior wall of our house. Next, Mortimer gave out a loud “woof” as the doorbell rang. Jeff, the landscaper in our neighborhood, showed up at our door to tell me he had caused a serious accident.
Jeff was attempting to get into his truck while the engine was running. He slipped and grabbed the gearshift to steady himself, but the truck went into drive by mistake. His vehicle got away from him, plowed into my truck, and then veered into my house. The house suffered no damage, but the truck got clobbered. Our trip was just a few days away. Hopefully, we can get it repaired in time to make our reservations. I’m optimistic.
A Personal Note-Trimming Down
When my clothes won’t fit, I get very grumpy. That happened in June. My doctor prescribed a GLP-1 injection (Zepbound) as a way of losing the extra pounds. I began them and, as of today, I have shed 32 unwanted pounds. I feel great, my feet no longer have to suffer through 32 pounds of unwanted baggage, and my clothes fit again. I’m now on a maintenance dose and hope to remain within an acceptable range.
That’s October. We hope you join us in Edisto Beach. We’re Easin’ Along on Tuesday.
